Omar Abdullah Pushes for Full Statehood, Slams Current UT Administration in J&K

Omar Abdullah has criticised the current Union Territory setup in Jammu and Kashmir, calling it the “worst form of government” and reiterating his demand for full statehood restoration . Speaking to PTI, he said the present system creates a dual power structure between elected representatives and the unelected administration, which he termed a “recipe for disaster”.

He questioned why Jammu and Kashmir, with a 90-member Assembly , is governed on par with smaller Union Territories like Puducherry, which has only 30 legislators. Referring to the recent tragedy in Pahalgam, Abdullah said excluding elected representatives from law and order matters weakens governance and accountability.

The chief minister stressed that key institutions such as universities, SKIMS, and the Power Development Corporation should remain under the elected government’s control. However, he clarified that central services, police, and law and order would naturally remain with the Union Territory administration.

Despite these concerns, Abdullah said there has been “significant progress” in discussions with the Centre over business rules and administrative coordination, including the process of appointing a new advocate general.

He also criticised the summary dismissal of government employees without judicial inquiry , calling it arbitrary and opaque, and said many such cases are likely to be overturned in courts due to lack of transparency.

On welfare measures, Abdullah highlighted schemes such as 200 units of free electricity and six free LPG cylinders for the poorest households. He said subsidies should be limited to those below the poverty line, while those above it should pay market rates .

Reiterating his support for the ‘Darbar Move’ , he said the biannual shift of the capital has helped reduce the emotional and administrative divide between Jammu and Kashmir and improved inter-regional understanding.

On the issue of Kashmiri Pandits, Abdullah said their return depends on restoring a sense of security , adding that rehabilitation efforts have not progressed significantly since earlier initiatives. He also dismissed speculation about a Cabinet reshuffle as “absolute lies” , while emphasising that political lineage does not guarantee success, which ultimately depends on performance.