Srinagar, Oct 15: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Additional General Secretary and MP Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan Thursday said that despite limited powers, the complexities of the UT model, bureaucratic hurdles and challenging circumstances, the Omar government has undertaken significant work across various sectors, including education, healthcare, horticulture, tourism and agriculture, over the last two years.
He said the National Conference had utilised its mandate to serve the people, safeguard democratic rights and advance the development of Jammu and Kashmir. However, the unequal distribution of powers and administrative impediments had affected the pace of several important decisions.
Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan, as per a party statement issued, said that immediately after assuming office, the National Conference fulfilled one of its most significant electoral promises by introducing a resolution seeking the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in the very first session of the Legislative Assembly. Similarly, after the Cabinet approved a resolution seeking the restoration of statehood, it was placed before the Assembly and passed with an overwhelming majority.
He said these resolutions conveyed a clear message to the Union Government that the people of Jammu and Kashmir wanted their constitutional and democratic rights restored. Through the recent resolution, the Assembly also recalled the 2000 Autonomy Resolution and the 2024 resolution seeking the restoration of special status, urging the Centre to fulfil its constitutional and political responsibilities.
He said the National Conference government had taken several measures to provide relief to people across education, electricity, social welfare, employment, transport, healthcare and infrastructure. The decision to revert the academic calendar from the March session to the October-November schedule was taken in response to the long-standing demand of students, parents and educational institutions. The passage of the Private Universities Bill in the Assembly was another significant step towards strengthening higher education.
Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan said that, to address disparities in the reservation policy and the concerns arising from them, the government had completed its work and forwarded the relevant file for approval. However, the matter remained pending in the LG office.
He said the financial assistance provided to poor and deserving families for marriage had been increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000. The introduction of free bus services for women, students and persons with disabilities was another notable example of people-friendly governance.
Similarly, measures such as doubling the quantity of free ration for eligible households, providing 200 units of free electricity to AAY consumers and extending the benefit of six free LPG cylinders were aimed at providing direct relief to the poorest of the poor.
He added that a 100 per cent exemption from stamp duty had been granted on the transfer of property through gift deeds among blood relatives.
Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan said providing employment opportunities to young people remained a key priority of the government, with recruitment underway to fill vacant posts in various departments. The enhancement of the upper age limit for candidates appearing in competitive examinations was also an important step towards expanding opportunities for aspiring youth.
He said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had demonstrated seriousness in addressing the concerns of daily wagers and other temporary employees by constituting a committee to examine their issues. However, the failure to submit its report within the stipulated six-month period was regrettable. The fact that the report had still not been made public even after a year reflect how administrative impediments under the Union Territory system continued to delay the resolution of public grievances.
The Additional General Secretary said the National Conference government had approved an option for eligible employees covered under the New Pension Scheme (NPS) to switch to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), providing significant relief to thousands of employees.
He said sustained efforts had been made to improve electricity supply, while attention was also being given to strengthening basic amenities in different areas. The introduction of smart bus services across all districts was an important step towards modernising public transport and providing citizens with better commuting facilities. Work was also progressing on projects related to roads, water supply, drainage, healthcare and other essential infrastructure.
Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan said that the performance of the Omar Abdullah government must be assessed in the context of the extraordinary circumstances under which it was functioning. Despite being an elected government, Jammu and Kashmir continued to operate without the full powers of a state, while authority over several important administrative matters rested with institutions other than the elected government.
He said demanding complete accountability from elected representatives while denying them the requisite powers was contrary to democratic principles.
He emphasised that the restoration of statehood was not merely a political demand but a fundamental necessity for effective democratic governance and the protection of people’s rights in Jammu and Kashmir.
Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan said NC govt remained committed to fulfilling the promises made to the people in its manifesto. He said the party would continue to strengthen its bond with the people and pursue its struggle for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional rights, a better future for its youth and balanced development across all regions.
On the occasion, National Conference Provincial President Kashmir, Advocate Showkat Ahmad Mir, also spoke in detail about the two-year tenure of the Omar Abdullah government. He said every sector in Jammu and Kashmir had suffered under an undemocratic system, but the establishment of an elected government had infused fresh energy into all sectors.
Provincial Secretary Syed Tauqeer Ahmad, Srinagar District President Pir Afaq Ahmad, Minority Cell Organiser Jagdish Singh Azad, Provincial Youth President Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, Ghulam Nabi Wani Telbali and Dr Mohammad Saeed Makhdoomi were also present on the occasion.
