Farooq Abdullah Accuses LG of Sitting on Files, Urges PM Modi to Restore J&K’s Statehood
Jammu: National Conference president and former chief minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Monday accused Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha of stalling administrative work by withholding government files and obstructing the implementation of business rules.
He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure the early restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, saying the Union Territory deserves “special attention and compassion.”
“He (the L-G) is sitting on the files. How many times should I remind him? Dozens of files are pending with him and not moving. I once told him that you have demoted the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences. He denied it, saying it has autonomy — that was a complete lie,” Abdullah told reporters in Jammu.
Responding to a question on the ongoing friction between the chief minister and the L-G, Abdullah said, “I hope those sitting on the files will return them. The business rules must be implemented — this is the people’s government, and the people have voted for it. The rules must be followed in letter and spirit.”
When asked whether the L-G was preventing the elected government from functioning, the former chief minister replied, “It’s not about stopping work; it’s about interference. He delays everything — that’s the issue. He must stop doing that and act as a friend of the people and the government.”
On the issue of statehood, Abdullah expressed optimism, saying, “God willing, it will happen soon. I appeal to the Prime Minister to be kind toward Jammu and Kashmir and help resolve its problems. We request him to focus on restoring statehood at the earliest.”
Abdullah also said the functioning of the Civil Secretariat from Jammu would benefit the region and called for unity to ensure its development. “I hope Jammu will gain the maximum benefit from this,” he added.
