SRINAGAR, Oct 7: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said a decision on expanding his Council of Ministers is likely to be taken after his return from Delhi, following the GST Council meeting and consultations with National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Srinagar, Omar said the government would take a final call on the cabinet expansion after the GST Council meeting and discussions with the party president.
On recent administrative reshuffles, the Chief Minister said some transfers were ordered by the elected government, while others were carried out by the Lieutenant Governor. He said the government would work with the officers posted in different departments.
On the pending recruitment rules for Government Medical Colleges (GMCs), Omar said the rules were almost ready and were being given final shape.
“There were some contradictions between the rules that had been framed and those proposed. These contradictions are being removed,” he said, adding that the government did not want to rush the process and face difficulties during implementation.
The Chief Minister said the recruitment rules were expected to be notified soon.
Focus On Sports Infrastructure
Omar said the government was simultaneously working on expanding sports infrastructure and appointing coaches to provide better training opportunities to young athletes across Jammu and Kashmir.
He said an Olympic-size swimming pool had been established in Kashmir, with arrangements being made for solar-powered heating to enable year-round training.
He also mentioned the inauguration of an indoor gymnastics hall, saying children in Kashmir had shown considerable interest in gymnastics but lacked adequate facilities.
“We are trying to move beyond traditional sports such as cricket, football, hockey and volleyball and provide our children with more options and alternatives,” Omar said.
Omar Congratulates PM Modi On 25 Years In Public Life
Commenting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi completing 25 years in public life, Omar said it was not easy for a political leader to win elections continuously over such a long period.
“I congratulate him on behalf of myself and my colleagues,” he said.
Questions Government Response To Election Commission Protests
On protests linked to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Omar questioned why the government had not initiated defamation proceedings against The Indian Express if its reports were allegedly fabricated.
“If it had not been correct, the government would have taken action against them, at least filed a defamation case,” he said.
Omar said the ongoing protests were part of a programme announced by INDIA bloc leaders following their recent meeting in Delhi.
Omar Raises Concerns Over Proposed SIR
On the proposed Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Jammu and Kashmir, Omar alleged that the exercise could be used to interfere with elections.
Referring to the earlier delimitation exercise, he alleged that its objective was to benefit the BJP.
“We have already been victims of such interference. We have not yet forgotten the delimitation,” he said.
Omar also expressed hope that proceedings before the Supreme Court, particularly those concerning Form 6, would make it more difficult to exclude eligible people from electoral rolls.
