Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said the long-awaited Cabinet expansion is expected within the first two to three days of next week, adding that the list of new ministers has been finalised after consultations with National Conference president Farooq Abdullah.
Omar made the announcement after meeting Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan in Srinagar, where he discussed the proposed expansion and other issues concerning the Union Territory.
The Chief Minister said he had requested the Lieutenant Governor to allot time for the oath-taking ceremony, with the final schedule to be decided by Sinha.
Omar also urged party colleagues to stop sending biodata and messages seeking ministerial positions, saying the selection process had been completed.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister raised concerns about pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir and other states stranded in Saudi Arabia due to flight cancellations and rising airfares amid the situation in the Middle East.
He said the government was taking up the issue with the Ministry of External Affairs and would provide financial assistance from its own budget to help pilgrims unable to afford return tickets.
On the regulation of dentists, Omar said the government would examine whether the matter fell under the Lieutenant Governor’s administration or the elected government. He suggested discussing the issue with Minister Sakina Itoo.
Responding to a question about the China border, the Chief Minister said the matter no longer fell under Jammu and Kashmir’s jurisdiction following Ladakh’s creation as a separate Union Territory.
Omar declined to comment on the BJP’s allegations regarding foreign funding for protests, saying he had already addressed questions about the Cabinet expansion.
