Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], February 25 (HBTV): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday raised concerns over governance under the Union Territory (UT) framework, emphasizing that certain issues affecting the people could only be effectively resolved under a state administration. He reiterated his demand for statehood, stating that they are ‘trying to achieve the status of a state’.

‘Why am I repeatedly stressing about (the restoration) of statehood? I know there are many issues due to which people are troubled, but the resolution of those issues cannot be made under the UT administration. For this, we need to get the status of a state. Tasks that can be done as a UT will be done, and for the other tasks that require state administration, we are trying to achieve the status of a state,’ Abdullah said.

Addressing allegations from opposition parties regarding unfulfilled election promises, Abdullah stated, ‘The (election) manifesto was not for five days or five weeks, but five years. We know the promises we have made to the public and how to fulfil them. Since the first day, we have said that the tasks we have to do as a UT, we will do them.’

When asked about the upcoming Budget, Abdullah refrained from commenting ahead of its official presentation in the Legislative Assembly.

‘I will not talk about the Budget as it is the government’s duty to present the Budget first in the Assembly. All the things that will be included in the Budget will become clear before the Assembly when it is presented on March 7,’ he said.

Earlier in the day, Abdullah extended his support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign against obesity, urging wider participation to combat lifestyle-related health risks.

Taking to X, Abdullah emphasized the adverse health effects of obesity, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, strokes, respiratory issues, and mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.

‘I’m very happy to join the campaign against obesity launched by PM @narendramodi ji. Obesity causes a number of lifestyle-related health issues like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, strokes & breathing problems, not to mention mental health conditions like anxiety & depression,’ he posted.

‘Today, I’m nominating these 10 people to join the PM’s campaign against obesity & requesting them to nominate a further 10 people each to take this fight forward: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Sajjan Jindal, Deepika Padukone, Sania Mirza, Irfan Pathan, Supriya Sule, Kuldeep Handoo, Sheetal Devi, Iqra Rasool, Palak Bijral,’ the post added.

(ANI)