‘UT status shield only temporary’: Omar Abdullah warns J&K bureaucrats after getting ‘assurances from highest level’

He also warned them against trying to “exploit” the hybrid system of governance in the UT. “I am acutely aware that we have unfortunately at this moment a rather hybrid system of governance. And I have a feeling, I am going to say it regardless of the consequences, some may feel they can exploit the system to their advantage, that they can find loopholes within this system that we have in Jammu and Kashmir at this moment,” Omar said.

He was referring to the governance model in J&K where Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has a say in key administrative issues and the administrative secretaries will be working under him.

“But please rest assured that this is very much a temporary phase,” Omar told the bureaucrats.

Regarding the meetings he held in Delhi, he said: “I have just come back from very successful meetings in Delhi. I have received assurance at the highest level that their commitments made to Jammu and Kashmir, particularly with regard to the governance, will change.”

“Once full statehood is restored to Jammu and Kashmir, there will be no loophole to be exploited and no advantage to be taken by playing one against the other. So please keep this in mind as we conduct ourselves,” the CM told the bureaucrats.

On October 16, the J&K Cabinet had passed a resolution seeking restoration of statehood to J&K “in its original form”. Three days later, the Cabinet’s resolution received the nod from L-G Sinha.

A government statement issued Saturday said: “The restoration of statehood will be a beginning of a healing process, reclaiming the constitutional rights and protecting the identity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

The Cabinet authorised the Chief Minister to take up the matter with the Prime Minister and the Centre for restoration of statehood. After this, Omar travelled to New Delhi and on Thursday, where he met PM Narendra Modi.

His address to the bureaucrats came on his return to Srinagar on Monday. “We must lead by example and be honest in our conduct,” he told them.

The newly elected J&K Assembly is set to convene its first session on November 4.