‘Limited Powers’: Omar Abdullah Govt Blames Centre‑Controlled Bureaucracy for Key Decisions in J&K

Srinagar: The Omar Abdullah government on Thursday sharply criticised the administrative setup in Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that the elected government is functioning with “severely limited powers” while major decisions are being taken directly by the bureaucracy operating under the Union government’s control.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary said the government finds its hands tied because the senior bureaucracy reports to the Centre through the Lieutenant Governor, who, he claimed, are effectively “calling the shots” and taking key administrative decisions. “Bureaucrats are taking decisions, while the elected government has limited powers,” he remarked.

Speaking to reporters in the northwestern town of Handwara—where he had gone to offer condolences to Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid and Langate MLA Sheikh Khursheed on the demise of their father—Choudhary strongly criticised the recent demolition drive in Jammu. He asserted that such an action would not have taken place had J&K retained full statehood.

“These houses were not constructed overnight. They have existed for years,” he said, questioning the timing and intent behind the demolitions. “If these constructions were illegal, where were the concerned departments all these years?” He described the demolitions as “unfortunate” and symptomatic of a system where elected representatives lack authority over senior officers.

Choudhary reiterated that the elected government does not have control over top bureaucrats, who he said are currently making crucial administrative decisions without adequate accountability to the people’s representatives. He argued that the imbalance of power has weakened democratic governance in the region.

Renewing his call for the restoration of full statehood, Choudhary reminded the Centre of its earlier commitment to reinstate statehood after the Assembly elections. “The Centre had promised to restore statehood. It is time to fulfil that promise,” he said.

He added that restoring statehood—and, in his view, special status—would safeguard the rights of the people of J&K and prevent unilateral administrative actions such as demolition drives in the future.