Srinagar, Jan 25 (JKNS): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday asserted that merit must remain the sole criterion in administrative and recruitment matters, firmly rejecting any attempt to politicise examinations on the basis of religion or region.
Talking to reporters in Gulmarg CM Omar as per news agency JKNS said that those who qualify purely on merit have a legitimate claim to their positions.
“Every issue cannot be seen through a regional or religious lens. Some decisions have to be based strictly on merit,” he said.
CM Omar said the government would not hesitate to act if irregularities are proven. “If credible evidence of fraud, manipulation or unfair means is brought before us, I will order a full-fledged investigation,” he said.
Omar was in Gulmarg to review the situation following recent snowfall, including snow clearance operations, restoration of electricity and the inauguration of a new ski lift.
He said complaints regarding road clearance and power supply were received and that the administration was addressing minor shortcomings.
Calling the snowfall timely and beneficial, he said January had largely remained dry and the fresh snow would support tourism and help prevent water shortages in the coming summer months. He added that further snowfall was expected on January 26 and 27.
On the power scenario, the Chief Minister said electricity generation had dipped sharply due to high winds and snowfall but recovered significantly by night.
“Power availability, which had fallen drastically, crossed 1,500 MW by last night, and restoration in the worst-hit areas will be completed soon,” he said.
Abdullah also expressed confidence that adequate snowfall this year would allow the smooth conduct of the Khelo India Winter Games, which had been postponed several times last year due to lack of snow.
Reiterating his party’s stand on Jammu and Kashmir’s unity, the Chief Minister said his government never supported the division of the erstwhile state. “We never wanted Jammu and Kashmir to be separated. Ladakh’s separation should not have happened, and we never wanted Jammu to be separated either,” he said, blaming the BJP and its allies for the bifurcation. —(JKNS)
