Srinagar- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday reiterated his demand for the early restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, saying it would empower the elected government to fulfil the promises made to the people during last year's assembly elections.

Speaking to reporters in south Kashmir's Kulgam district, Omar said he had expected the Centre to honour its commitment to restore statehood - a pledge made both in Parliament and before the Supreme Court.

“We are hoping for more powers and that is why we are stressing on the restoration of statehood, because that is a promise made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and it should be fulfilled,” Omar said.“Only the Centre and the BJP can explain why J&K remains without statehood, but we will not stop trying.”

On reports that PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti sought government support for her party MLA's private member bills in return for backing the ruling party in the Rajya Sabha polls, Omar said the Speaker decides which bills are allowed in the Assembly.

“My government won't be a hurdle for any bill that benefits the people,” he said, adding that his colleague Tanvir Sadiq had also introduced a bill to amend the 2021 Land Grants Act.

Referring to the revival of the bi-annual Durbar Move, Omar said the decision fulfilled a promise made to the people.“When the LG signed the file, we issued the order. It is after 2021 that Jammu and Srinagar are being linked through the Darbar Move again,” he said.

The chief minister said his government would continue fulfilling as many commitments as possible within the Union Territory framework.“Even under UT status, we are trying to deliver on our promises,” he said, adding that a cabinet sub-committee's recommendations on reservation had been accepted and would soon be sent to the LG for approval.

Omar said discussions were underway with the Centre for a special relief package for fruit growers affected by recent losses.“Wherever crops have suffered, an assessment has been done, and we are in talks for a compensation package similar to other states,” he said.

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