Srinagar, Aug 19 (NVI): Ahead of the visit of US Ambassador Sergio Gor to Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said he would discuss the situation in J&K with him but not complain to any foreign envoy.
He underlined that issues concerning the Union Territory have to be resolved by New Delhi and not Washington.
Speaking to reporters during a tour of Srinagar to review ongoing developmental works, Abdullah said the US Ambassador was visiting Jammu and Kashmir after a long gap and that he was scheduled to meet him later in the day.
“I would prefer to listen to him. But he is also coming to listen to me. Let’s see what kind of conversation we will have,” the chief minister said.
Asked whether he would raise J&K’s issues with the US Ambassador, Abdullah said, “Our problems have nothing to do with him. It is not my habit to complain to an ambassador of another country. Washington should not solve our problems. Our central government should solve our problems.”
He said he would discuss Jammu and Kashmir and its prevailing situation during the meeting but would not seek intervention from any foreign government.
‘If there is corruption, investigate it’
On allegations of corruption in appointments and protests against the government, Abdullah said his administration did not control the agencies empowered to investigate such allegations.
“If we believe that what they are saying is right, we do not even have the power to hide it,” he said, adding that he does not control the police, Crime Branch or anti-corruption agencies.
“If there is evidence of corruption, the concerned agencies should investigate and register a case,” he said, while dismissing what he termed as “baseless allegations”.
Waterlogging a legacy issue
On recurring waterlogging in Srinagar, the chief minister described it as a “legacy issue”, saying the problem was not created in the last two or five years.
He said several colonies had come up without adequate drainage infrastructure and that the government was now working to address the problem retrospectively.
The administration has identified vulnerable areas and “black spots” in the city, he said.
Abdullah added that additional pumping arrangements would be made on an emergency basis whenever the Meteorological Department issued warnings of heavy rainfall.
Long-term drainage projects were also being undertaken by the Housing Department, he said.
“As soon as we receive funding, we will arrange for drainage in these areas,” Abdullah said.(NVI)
