J&K CM Omar Abdullah called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Monday
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi to discuss issues related to the Union Territory, including restoration of statehood and business rules.
Before leaving for Delhi, Abdullah told reporters in Srinagar that he intended to take up all important matters concerning Jammu and Kashmir during the meeting.
“I wish we could have got our statehood after one meeting with the home minister. If that was the case, we would have got it a long time ago. But yes, I will raise statehood, business rules and other issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir in the meeting,” he said.
The chief minister also defended the Centre’s recent decision to grant telecom-related powers to the lieutenant governor during public safety situations, saying such authority appropriately falls within the LG’s jurisdiction.
“This is the right thing. These powers should be with the lieutenant governor. This is not against the business rules or the reorganisation act,” the chief minister told reporters.
Abdullah noted that decisions regarding suspension of mobile or internet services are taken by the home department, which functions under the lieutenant governor.
Last week, the Centre authorised the Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor to exercise powers under Section 20(2) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, including interception of signals, suspension of telecom services and decryption of messages during situations involving public safety or national security in the Union Territory.
