On Friday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi to discuss a number of sensitive matters relating to the Union Territory of JK, and a key talking point of the meeting was for the Union to restore it as a state before the due date.
Omar Abdullah met with Shah for the first time at the meeting, which came after the J&K Chief Minister staged a protest in New Delhi on July 20, the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, demanding for return of full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.
It has been playing an important role in the politics of J&K since the Union government scrapped Article 370 on August 5, 2019, and restructured the erstwhile state into Union Territories, Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh.
It was mentioned in the meeting that the restoration of statehood, rationalisation of reservations, etc. related to public welfare and development, and conclusion of the Transaction of Business Rules, were discussed.
The Transaction of Business Rules are likely to bring clarity about the way in which the government functions and the division of powers in the present Union Territory arrangements.
Abdullah also held a meeting on First International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK), which will see inauguration in Srinagar from next week.
On the other hand the Chief Minister also expressed his gratitude to the Union Home Minister towards their help and support during the flood thereby causing damage in many areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting is coinciding with ongoing calls by the elected government for restoration of the statehood. The Centre has long-held the view that at the right time the statehood would be restored, but the administration of J&K has always been worried about the administrative problems in the existing framework.
The Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, along with the associated rules, provide the answer to the extent of competence of the elected administration and Lieutenant Governor of the UT, which will, therefore, be an important area of governance protocols to be finalised under the new act and rules.