Omar indicates cabinet rejig after Delhi visit

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the decision on the expansion of his Council of Ministers would likely be taken after his return from the GST meeting in Delhi and consultations with National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Srinagar, Omar said the government would take a call on the expansion after the GST Council meeting and consultations with the party president.

Under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, the council of ministers cannot exceed one-tenth of the 90-member Legislative Assembly, capping its strength at nine. J&K currently has six ministers, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary.

There are three vacancies in the ministry. The Congress, which was a pre-poll alliance partner of the ruling NC, has so far not joined Omar’s council of ministers on the plea that they will continue to support the government from outside till the time J&K’s statehood was restored.

It is to be seen whether the Congress agrees to share power with the NC or continues to support Omar from outside.

The expansion has been pending for months, with the Chief Minister earlier indicating timelines that were deferred.

On the recent administrative changes, Omar said some transfers had been ordered by the elected government while others were carried out by the Lieutenant Governor, adding that the government would work with the officers posted in various departments.

Regarding the pending recruitment rules for Government Medical Colleges (GMCs), the Chief Minister said the rules were almost ready and being given final shape.

“There were some contradictions between the rules that had been framed and those proposed. These contradictions are being removed,” he said, adding that the government did not want to rush the process and face difficulties during implementation.

He said the recruitment rules were expected to be notified soon.