Statehood demand will be taken up again with PM, HM: CM Omar
Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said he will take up with the issue of restoring statehood to J-K with Prime Minister NarendraModi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
“The prime minister and the home minister were busy with elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. But now that they have time, this issue will be taken up so that J-K’s statehood is restored soon,” Abdullah told reporters after attending a function to commemorate the 42nd foundation day of SKIMS Hospital here.
The foundation for the tertiary care hospital was laid on the birth anniversary of National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah on this day in 1982, less than three months after his demise.
Asked if the holiday on the NC founder’s birth anniversary will be restored, the chief minister said there are many things that need to be brought back in Jammu and Kashmir, but the priority is to restore its statehood first.
“There are many other dates as well, but we have to fight a bigger contest. We have to fight for the restoration of J-K’s statehood. We are hopeful that the prime minister will keep his promise made not to us, but to the people of J-K during the LokSabha elections and the Assembly polls that followed,” Abdullah said.
“The elections saw huge participation of people. There were no complaints of people being forcibly taken to the booths. Rather, they went on their own and made the elections a huge success with the hope that the promises made to them, especially on restoring J-K’s statehood, will be fulfilled,” the chief minister said.
On the importance of SKIMS Hospital, Abdullah said it was built so that people of J-K do not feel the need to go to other tertiary care institutes such as the PGI or AIIMS.
“This hospital has served the people of J-K. Yet there are some weaknesses and shortcomings. The autonomy of SKIMS, along with its engineering wing, must be restored,” Abdullah said.
Chief Minister said that his government’s priority is to restore its autonomy, address staff shortages, and modernise equipment.
“SKIMS has given a lot to Jammu and Kashmir, far beyond expectations, despite difficulties, financial constraints, outdated equipment, and staff shortages,” Omar Abdullah said.
He lauded SKIMS authorities for handling immense pressure due to inadequate infrastructure at district and sub-district hospitals, which forces patients with routine medical needs to seek treatment at SKIMS.
He said that SKIMS’ autonomy, once a hallmark of its efficient functioning, has been eroded, impacting its engineering and maintenance capabilities.
Citing critical challenges like power outages, oxygen plant failures, and cumbersome procurement procedures, he called for immediate action to restore the institution’s operational independence.
The chief minister also raised concerns over prolonged recruitment delays, particularly in nursing, where a single nurse is reportedly tasked with managing 30 beds at night-a situation he termed “unsustainable.”
Omar said that SKIMS was envisioned by Sheikh Abdullah to provide advanced medical care within the region, reducing the need for patients to seek treatment outside Jammu and Kashmir.
He reiterated his government’s commitment to supporting SKIMS by introducing new technologies, upgrading equipment, and alleviating its operational burdens.
“SKIMS represents a beacon of hope for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. My government will continue to stand with SKIMS to ensure it grows, thrives, and continues to serve the people with excellence,” Omar said. (with inputs from PTI/KNO)
