NVI Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 14 (NVI): A confrontation has emerged between J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over the reappointment and extension of key government officials, raising questions about the delicate balance of power in the Union Territory.
The conflict began after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, on December 3, ordered a halt to the reappointment and extension of government officials, aiming to bring administrative changes. However, just ten days later, LG Sinha used his authority under the J&K Reorganization Act to overrule this decision, approving:
A two-year extension for Prof. Nazir Ganai, Vice-Chancellor of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST).
A three-year reappointment for Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University, effective from April 2024.
The LG’s move has been interpreted by experts and political analysts as a direct challenge to the authority of the elected government in J&K. This incident underscores the ongoing power struggle in the region’s governance structure since the abrogation of Article 370 and the transition to Union Territory status in 2019.
Sources close to CM Abdullah revealed that he has traveled to Delhi, accompanied by senior leaders, to voice his discontent with the reappointments to the Union Home Ministry. Party insiders have labeled the LG’s decision as an overreach and an attempt to bypass the CM’s authority.
Constitutional experts and political observers have weighed in on the situation:
A constitutional expert, said: “This incident highlights the unresolved tension between the autonomy of an elected government and the expansive powers of the LG. It questions the principle of democratic accountability in J&K.”
A political analyst, wishing not to be named said that the LG’s actions might set a precedent for future unilateral decisions, further undermining the authority of the elected government.
“The disagreement could disrupt the fragile governance framework in J&K, which already operates under a complex power-sharing arrangement,” he said.
Many analysts believe that how the Ministry of Home Affairs addresses the CM’s concerns will be pivotal in determining the administrative future of the Union Territory.
This standoff is seen as reflective of the broader struggle in reconciling central control with local governance, an issue that has persisted since the 2019 constitutional changes-(News Vibes of India)
