J&K Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary
By Tehelka Web Desk
Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary on Friday said the elected government was functioning with limited powers and alleged that major administrative decisions were being taken by the bureaucracy rather than elected representatives.
Speaking to reporters during his visit to Handwara to condole the death of the father of Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid and Langate MLA Sheikh Khursheed, Choudhary said the recent demolition drive in Jammu would not have taken place if Jammu and Kashmir had retained full statehood.
Questioning the demolition of houses, he said many of the structures had existed for years and were not constructed overnight.
“If these constructions were illegal, where were the concerned departments all these years?” he asked, describing the demolitions as unfortunate.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the elected government did not have authority over senior officers and claimed that bureaucrats were taking crucial administrative decisions.
He reiterated the demand for the restoration of statehood, saying the Centre had promised to restore it after the Assembly elections and should now fulfil that commitment.
Choudhary said the restoration of statehood and special status would safeguard the rights of the people and help prevent such actions in the future.
