Omar knew little about ban
KT NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, Nov 19: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah knew little about the ban on pre-paid mobile services until it was actually imposed in Jammu and Kashmir.
In an era of "Quiet Talks, Quiet Diplomacy," the young turk despite being Chief Minister of special status state had not been properly informed about the imposition of ban for the reasons best known to the home ministry.
The same can be gauged from his statement on the opening of civil secretariat in Jammu on November 9 while addressing an officially announced press conference.
Omar said "State government was informed by the centre about its intention in this regard.
We were told that something like that was being contemplated." Chief Minister had promised that he would sit with centre, including Home ministry to resolve issue as the blanket ban on the use of prepaid SIM cards was not an answer.
Interestingly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also holds the state's home ministry portfolio; yet the choice of words for describing the imposition of ban clearly indicates that New Delhi never sought opinion of state home department in this regard.
An official seeking anonymity said, "Jammu and Kashmir is the only state where Union Home Ministry takes a critical decision without seeking views of state government." He affirmed that despite honest intentions of Chief Minister, this decision has put a question mark on his ability to function independently and make the Centre realise impact of imposition of this ban on the already extremely alienated Kashmiri psyche.
However, close aides of Chief Minister maintained that since communication is central subject, union government has every right to take such decisions.
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