A Delicate Balancing Act: Omar Abdullah’s Struggle to Define Governance Amid L-G’s Oversight in J&K.
The business rules, mandated under the J&K Reorganisation Act of 2019, yet to receive approval from (MHA).
Mr. Abdullah unable to chair crucial departmental meetings.
||Black and White Digital News||
||Tejveer Singh November 20,2024||
Srinagar, November 19, 2024: As the newly elected government in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) completes its first month in office, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah finds himself navigating a challenging political landscape shaped by the absence of finalized business rules. This critical framework, required for the smooth allocation of ministerial responsibilities, remains mired in bureaucratic delays, leaving eight key departments in administrative limbo.
The business rules, mandated under the J&K Reorganisation Act of 2019, have yet to receive approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Without these, governance in J&K has encountered significant bottlenecks, with Mr. Abdullah unable to chair crucial departmental meetings. Departments like Revenue, Law, and Information, among others, remain without finalized operational guidelines, stalling decision-making processes.
A Government in Waiting:
The National Conference-led administration assumed office on October 16, marking the end of a decade-long hiatus of elected governance in J&K. However, the Chief Minister’s authority is circumscribed by the sweeping powers retained by Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha under the Reorganisation Act. Section 55(1) of the Act underscores the L-G’s prerogative to formulate rules governing ministerial business and resolve conflicts between the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers.
Sources within the administration have highlighted the urgency of finalizing the rules to prevent a “collision course” between the Chief Minister’s office and that of the L-G. The ongoing turf war is evident in the L-G’s assertive governance style. For instance, Mr. Sinha recently conducted an on-site inspection of Srinagar’s Smart City projects and issued directives to Deputy Commissioners for expanding public outreach programs, actions typically within the Chief Minister’s domain.
The Bureaucratic Shakeup:
Once ratified, the business rules are expected to herald significant changes in J&K’s bureaucratic structure. Several senior IAS officers currently heading pivotal departments like Information and Tourism may be replaced by officers from the Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS), signaling a shift towards local administrative empowerment.
This potential reshuffling has added another layer of complexity to the governance dynamics. Official sources indicate that the draft rules are nearing completion and could be sent to the MHA for approval within the week. However, until this is resolved, the duality of power between the Chief Minister and the L-G continues to create friction.
Tensions at Kashmir University:
The governance tussle has also spilled into J&K’s academic institutions. A recent controversy at Kashmir University (KU) exposed deepening fault lines between the L-G’s office and the state government. On November 11, the university postponed interviews for assistant professor positions, citing “administrative issues.” This postponement, attributed to the J&K government’s opposition to the outgoing Vice-Chancellor conducting the interviews, violated university rules. With only five months left in his tenure, the VC’s authority to oversee such decisions has been called into question, further complicating the governance narrative.
L-G Sinha, who serves as the university’s chancellor, now faces the challenge of addressing these procedural lapses without escalating tensions with the state government.
The NC Government’s Response:
Despite the hurdles, the Omar Abdullah-led government remains optimistic about delivering on its promises. National Conference MLA Tanvir Sadiq lauded the administration’s achievements during its first month, highlighting the passage of a special status resolution in the Assembly and a Cabinet resolution calling for the reinstatement of statehood. “We are launching initiatives that will benefit the people, and every promise made in our manifesto will be fulfilled,” Mr. Sadiq asserted.
However, critics argue that the delay in business rules undermines the government’s ability to act decisively. The stalemate has raised questions about whether the Chief Minister can effectively assert his authority in the face of the L-G’s overarching powers.
A Fragile Governance Framework:
The current impasse underscores the fragility of J&K’s governance framework, where the balance of power between the elected government and the L-G remains precariously tilted. As the region awaits the finalization of business rules, the question looms large: can Omar Abdullah navigate this complex power dynamic to restore effective governance in J&K?
For now, the Chief Minister’s ability to define his turf and assert his leadership hinges on the timely resolution of this administrative deadlock—a resolution that will shape the trajectory of J&K’s democratic journey in the months to come.
