Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday approved a resolution from the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led cabinet, urging the Union government to restore statehood to the Union Territory. The Jammu and Kashmir cabinet on Thursday passed a unanimous resolution for the restoration of statehood in its original form, a spokesperson had said as quoted by the news agency PTI.
Earlier today, the Lieutenant Governor approved the resolution, an official said, adding that the cabinet has authorised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take up the matter with PM Modi and the Government of India.
“The restoration of statehood will be the beginning of a healing process, reclaiming the constitutional rights and protecting the identity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The cabinet has authorised the chief minister to take up the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India for restoration of statehood," the spokesperson added.
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Protection of Jammu and Kashmir's unique identity and constitutional rights of people remains the cornerstone of the newly-elected government's policy, the spokesperson said.
He said the chief minister would be proceeding to New Delhi in the coming days to meet the Prime Minister and Union Ministers in this regard.
The cabinet has also decided to summon the Legislative Assembly at Srinagar on November 4 and advised the LG to summon and address the assembly, the spokesperson added.
The draft address of the LG to the Legislative Assembly at the commencement of the first session was also placed before the Council of Ministers which the Council decided shall be further considered and discussed, he said.
Political parties on Friday slammed the NC-led resolution focusing solely on statehood, without addressing Article 370, calling it an "utter surrender" and a departure from the National Conference's original stance.
(With Agency Inputs)