Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said Monday that giving telecommunications powers to the lieutenant governor during public safety emergencies is appropriate because the L-G oversees security and law and order.
“This is the right thing. These powers should be with the lieutenant governor. This is not against the business rules or the reorganisation act,” Abdullah told reporters.
He said orders to suspend phone or internet services come from the home department, which falls under the L-G’s authority.
“If there is a need to stop mobile phone or internet services, the order will be issued by the home department, which is the responsibility of the L-G. If they have to lean on our shoulder for shooting the gun, it would not be good for us as we have no role in it,” Abdullah said.
Asked whether he would raise the issue of statehood during an upcoming meeting with federal Home Minister Amit Shah, the chief minister said he would discuss all matters concerning Jammu and Kashmir.
“I wish we could have got our statehood after one meeting with the home minister. If that was the case, we would have gotten 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.
Abdullah also sought to clarify recent remarks about calls for a ban on alcohol in the region.
“These shops selling liquor are meant for those who can consume these things as per their religious beliefs. Our religious beliefs do not permit it. The problem is that the opposition is twisting and turning my statements to create confusion,” he said.
Speaking to reporters Sunday in Ganderbal, Abdullah had said that those who drink alcohol do so of their own free will and that no one forces them to go to liquor stores.
Abdullah said the opposition should tell people what it did about the issue when it was in power.
“What I said in Ganderbal on Sunday is exactly what their (PDP) finance minister said on the floor of the House. We have not opened any new liquor store, and we make sure that these shops are not at places where our youth can be led astray,” he added.
On cabinet expansion, the chief minister said it would happen at an appropriate time.
“This issue is being raised by the opposition. I don’t know why they are concerned. The functioning of the government is going on smoothly. The next election is due in three-and-a-half years. When expansion or a reshuffle is to be done, I will discuss it with the party leadership and do it at an appropriate time,” he said.
