Jammu, Nov 9 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Monday reiterated the demand for restoration of full statehood, saying the absence of constitutional and administrative powers has severely constrained the elected government’s ability to address public grievances and respond effectively to emergencies.
Referring to the fire incident at the Warehouse-Nehru Market in the heart of Jammu late Sunday night, Choudhary, who faced protests during his visit to the affected area earlier in the day, said the traders were justified in expressing their anguish over the alleged delay in the arrival of fire tenders.
“Our hands are tied. They can only be untied when statehood is restored to Jammu and Kashmir,” Choudhary said, stressing the limitations faced by the elected government under the present Union territory arrangement.
Police and the Fire and Emergency Services are not under the control of the elected government, making it difficult for the administration to take immediate action against officials in cases of negligence, the senior National Conference leader told reporters during his visit to the Vishwakarma temple in Katra to take part in Vishwakarma Day celebrations.
Choudhary said nine shops were gutted in the fire, causing massive losses to the traders, and acknowledged that their anger and frustration were understandable.
“Whatever they said in anger, we accept wholeheartedly. When someone’s entire business is reduced to ashes, we can understand the pain he is going through,” he said.
Choudhary said people also asked him why action was not being taken against the officials responsible for the alleged delay, including demands to form a committee and suspension of the guilty.
“But how can I do that when the departments are not under our control? The police and related departments are under the Union Home Ministry. How can I suspend officials over whom I have no authority?” he asked.
Stressing the importance of statehood, he said when Jammu and Kashmir functioned as a full-fledged state, ministers and senior officials would coordinate and review the arrangements ahead of major festivals.
He asked why the deputy chief minister was not involved in such administrative consultations ahead of Navratri and Diwali.
“Had J&K been a full state, the SSP and deputy commissioner would have been standing here (in Katra) alongside us. But they are not present, and this is the difference between a state and a UT,” Choudhary said.
He also said the demand for statehood is not driven by the political interests of the National Conference but by the need to empower the elected government to serve the people effectively.
“Why would we need statehood for us? We are already functioning… I am the deputy chief minister. The real question is how people will benefit. If statehood is restored, we will have full-fledged powers and the authority to act immediately on the ground,” he said.
Choudhary also said that he had briefed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah about the situation after visiting the fire-hit market.
Referring to the fire incident at Shiv Market near the Jammu railway station on October 25, he acknowledged the concerns of the traders still awaiting compensation.
He said compensation to the victims of both the fire incidents, at the Warehouse and Shiv Market, would follow the same scale prescribed for fire-affected people in Kashmir.
“There will be no discrimination between Jammu and Kashmir. The compensation provided here will be at par with what is given in Kashmir,” he said. PTI TAS ARI
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