Restore J&K Statehood Soon, Parliamentary Panel Tells Govt

 

Suhail Khan 

 

New Delhi, Dec 24: A high-level Parliamentary committee has pressed the Union Home Ministry to hasten the procedure for reinstating full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, reiterating that the commitment formed a cornerstone of the Centre’s 2019 reorganization of the region.

 

The directive is contained in a report presented in the Rajya Sabha by the Committee on Government Assurances, chaired by AIADMK member M. Thambidurai. The report as per Kashmir Convener was tabled during the just-adjourned Winter Session of Parliament.

 

The committee’s mandate included scrutinizing assurances linked to a July 2022 query in Parliament concerning the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.

 

Its investigation involved deliberations held during an official visit to Srinagar on July 13 of the preceding year, which included engagements with functionaries from the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory administration and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

 

The panel’s report categorically states: “…the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir was an assurance given by the Union Government at the time of the erstwhile state’s reorganisation in 2019. It is thus imperative for all relevant authorities to accelerate the requisite processes to honour this assurance.”

 

Based on this, the committee formally “recommended that the Ministry of Home Affairs expedite the process of conferring statehood upon Jammu and Kashmir and implement the assurance at the earliest.”

In its submission to the panel, the MHA stated that the issue “is under examination at the appropriate level and a decision will be taken in due course.”

 

The committee noted that an Implementation Report from August 2023 had categorised the assurance as “partially fulfilled,” citing that statehood was subject to certain conditions and would be deliberated at an opportune juncture.

 

Observing that the status remains unchanged, the committee subsequently sought a fresh progress report from the MHA, detailing actions taken to advance the matter. Testimonies from officials of the Jammu and Kashmir administration were also heard during the proceedings.

 

Notably, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah earleir this month said he maintains the same political position in both Delhi and Kashmir, asserting that he acknowledges the Centre’s support where it exists and speaks candidly where it has fallen short, particularly on the issue of restoration of statehood.

 

CM Omar said his views have remained consistent. He said he openly highlights both the assistance and the shortcomings of the central government and has repeatedly stated that the demand for statehood has not been addressed.