Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Sunday voiced hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would announce the restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory during his Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort.
Speaking at a public meeting organised by the National Conference at Tali Morh Bari, Choudhary recalled the developments of August 5, 2019, and alleged that the downgrading of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories—J&K and Ladakh—was carried out arbitrarily.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir have never accepted the 2019 decision. The promise made by the Prime Minister and Home Minister Amit Shah that statehood will be restored at an appropriate time must now be fulfilled,” said Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary.
“It is the most appropriate time to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir by introducing a bill during the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament,” he added.
“Hopefully, the Prime Minister will announce the restoration of statehood to J&K on August 15 during his Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort,” Choudhary said.
He also highlighted achievements of the Omar Abdullah-led government, including free travel for women on government-run buses, an increase in marriage assistance from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000 for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families, 200 units of free electricity for AAY households, and enhanced pensions for senior citizens, widows, and persons with disabilities.
National Conference provincial president Rattan Lal Gupta emphasised that the 2024 assembly elections sent a clear message — the massive mandate for the party is a rejection of the 2019 decision to downgrade the erstwhile state into a Union Territory.
He stressed that this democratic mandate must be respected.
Reaffirming the party’s commitment to equitable development, Gupta said the National Conference has intensified its mass contact programme across the Jammu region.
“We are reaching out to people to listen to their grievances, ensure timely redressal, and raise awareness of the achievements of the Omar Abdullah-led government over the past 10 months,” he said.
Gupta concluded by affirming the party’s firm support for the aspirations of the people and its continued advocacy for the restoration of full statehood and citizens’ rights in J&K. (Agencies)
