SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the Cabinet-approved report on the reservation issue has been forwarded to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs after being examined by the Lieutenant Governor, asserting that his government has completed its part of the process within the promised timeframe.
Addressing the Legislative Assembly, Abdullah said the National Conference was the first to formally raise the reservation issue in its election manifesto, claiming that other political parties had avoided discussing it earlier for political reasons.
He said that after coming to power, the government constituted a Cabinet sub-committee under the supervision of Minister Sakina Itoo and committed to completing its report within six months. “The sub-committee completed its report within the stipulated time and submitted it to the government,” he said.
According to the Chief Minister, the report was subsequently examined, following which a Cabinet note was prepared and placed before the Council of Ministers. “The Council of Ministers discussed the matter, approved it and forwarded it to the Lieutenant Governor,” he said.
Abdullah said the Lieutenant Governor has now sent the report to the Union Home Ministry for further consideration. He added that the process has moved beyond the domain of the elected government.
He also criticised political opponents for raising the issue now, alleging that they had remained silent on the matter earlier. He said those protesting over the reservation issue should now direct their demands to the appropriate authorities at the Centre, as the matter currently rests with the Home Ministry.
