IIOJK govt won’t block bills benefiting people, including land rights bill: Omar Abdullah
Srinagar: The Chief Minister of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, has assured that his government will not obstruct any bill in the Assembly that benefits the people of the territory, including the land rights bill supported by PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti.
According to Kashmir Media Service, speaking to reporters in Kulgam, Omar Abdullah said that the decision on which bills are introduced in the Assembly lies with the Speaker, not the government. “It’s the Speaker, not the government, who decides which bills are tabled. Neither I nor any other member can dictate that process. However, if a bill benefits the people of Jammu and Kashmir, my government will not create hurdles to its passage,” he stated in response to Mehbooba Mufti’s proposal for a land rights bill.
The IIOJK Chief Minister also noted that a similar bill had already been introduced by his party colleague, Tanvir Sadiq, aiming to amend the Land Grants Act, which was revised after 2019. “Whether Tanvir Sadiq’s bill or the PDP’s bill is taken up depends on the procedure,” he added.
On the issue of statehood, Omar Abdullah reiterated the promise made to the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir, stating that the BJP-led Indian government had failed to fulfill its commitment to restore statehood within the first year of an elected government. “We had hoped that the Indian government would restore statehood within the first year. The delay is solely on the BJP and its government in New Delhi. However, we will continue to push for it,” he affirmed.
