Ishtiyaq Kar
Srinagar, October 29 (KINS): Following the formation of Omar Abdullah-led government, Srinagar’s Civil Secretariat witnesses a huge rush of visitors.
People from various parts of the region visit to the highest seat of governance, seeking solutions to longstanding issues.
This engagement comes after a significant governance gap, with the region lacking an elected government since 2018.
After years of administrative control under non-elected authorities, the people of Jammu and Kashmir are hopeful that the new government will address their concerns promptly and prioritize their needs.
Abdul Hamid, a resident of Downtown Srinagar, described his recent visit after five years. We have been facing a water crisis, but after meeting a minister last week, we were assured that the issue would be resolved soon,” he told news agency KINS.
On Tuesday, long queues were seen outside the Secretariat, with visitors waiting to address issues related to electricity, potable water, healthcare, jobs, and ration supplies. According to an official posted at the Civil Secretariat, the government offices have been buzzing with activity. “The Secretariat has seen a steady flow of visitors seeking solutions to their problems. Many people are coming in for basic amenities and other pressing issues,” the official shared.
In addition to local residents, MLAs and political leaders have also begun to frequent the Secretariat. The official said that on Monday, several delegations, including youth representatives, met with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
“The Chief Minister assured them that their genuine demands would be considered and addressed,” he said, adding that people were eager for solutions from their elected representatives.
A National Conference MLA who visited the Secretariat recently for the first time in six years shared the importance of reconnecting with the public. “In recent years, bureaucrats were often unavailable to the public. But elected representatives have a duty to meet people and understand their demands. We are accountable to them, and they have placed their trust in us,” he added.
The political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir changed dramatically in 2018 when the BJP withdrew support from the Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government, leading to its collapse. The following year, the central government abrogated Article 370, bifurcating the state into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Omar Abdullah assumed office on October 16 as the first Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office and secrecy to Abdullah and his team at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar. Alongside Abdullah, five ministers also took the oath: Sakina Masood (Itoo), Javed Dar, Javed Rana, Surinder Choudhary, and Satish Sharma. (KINS)
Civil Secretariat Srinagar witnesses huge rush as people pin high hopes on elected Govt
