Where Centre helps, I thank it; on statehood, I won’t oblige them: CM

Srinagar, Dec 20: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said he has consistently acknowledged and given credit to the Centre wherever it has acted fairly and deserved recognition.

Talking to the reporters here, CM Omar, according to the news agency said, “I will not lie to please anyone over the unfulfilled promise of restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. I have never hesitated to criticise the Centre where it has fallen short.”

He said that where the Centre has helped he has thanked them. “But when it comes to the issue of statehood, apart from assurances, nothing has been given,” CM Omar said, adding, “I won’t mislead people just to please someone. I say the same thing here, in Delhi, and in the Assembly.”

Rejecting suggestions that his tone changes between Srinagar and Delhi, Omar said, “Give me one example of where I have spoken differently. I am not among those who play politics or deceive the public. Wherever the Centre does the right thing, I appreciate it; where it falls short, I say so openly.”

Criticizes move to rename MGNREGA 

Omar also hit out at the reported move to rename the MGNREGA scheme as the ‘G-Ram-Ji Bill’, calling it “ill-thought, absurd and harmful to the spirit of federalism.” “First, Mahatma Gandhi’s name is being removed and then the financial burden is being shifted to the states. This will hurt states like ours. At least put some thought into naming a Bill—‘G-Ram-Ji’ sounds more like a Bollywood title than a welfare law,” he said with a smile.

Dry spell has caused distress

Later, speaking to reporters in Katra, Omar said the long dry spell since November had caused distress across J&K, with rising pollution and reduced water levels. He added that snowfall would not only clean the air but also revive winter tourism. (KNO)