New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed various issues pertaining to the state especially return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley, which is on priority list of the NDA government.
This was Omar’s first meeting with Singh after the latter became the Home Minister. The forthcoming Amarnath Yatra also figured prominently during the meeting and Omar briefed the Home Minister about the arrangements made for smooth conduct of the Yatra which will commence later this month.
The Centre has been considering the State government’s proposal for the return of Pandits to the Valley for which the National Conference government had proposed raising the amount for construction or repairs of their houses from the existing Rs. 7.5 lakh to Rs. 20 lakh.
The previous UPA government had not taken any decision on this proposal but the NDA government is keen to push it. I discussed wide-ranging issues with the Home Minister, including the policy on the return of Pandits, law and order situation, ceasefire violations and the AFSPA [Armed Forces Special Powers Act],” the Chief Minister said.
Omar Abdullah also briefed the Home Minister on the arrangements being made for the smooth conduct of Amarnath Yatra that is scheduled to begin later this month. He apprised the Home Minister of the infrastructure put in place for any emergency situation resulting from bad weather or any natural calamity.
Asked about the Centre’s decision to promote Hindi language, Omar said, “We have Urdu and English as official languages. So Hindi can’t be forced. With the state going to polls later this year, Omar refused to answer questions on whether his party, National Conference, will have an alliance with Congress. It’s too premature to even ask, he said.
Bureau Report
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