Jammu and Kashmir's Deputy CM Anticipates Statehood Announcement on Independence Day

Deputy CM's Optimism for Statehood Restoration

On Sunday, Surinder Chaudhary, the Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would announce the restoration of full statehood for the union territory during his Independence Day address from the Red Fort.

While addressing a public gathering organized by the National Conference near Tali Morh Bari, Chaudhary recalled the events of August 5, 2019, and accused the government of arbitrarily dividing the full state into two union territories—Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

He stated, 'The people of Jammu and Kashmir have never accepted the decision made in 2019. The promise made by the Prime Minister and Home Minister Amit Shah to restore statehood at an appropriate time must now be fulfilled.'

Chaudhary emphasized that the current session of Parliament is the most suitable time to introduce a bill to restore Jammu and Kashmir's statehood.

He added, 'I hope that on August 15, during his speech to the nation from the Red Fort, the Prime Minister will announce the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.'

Highlighting Achievements of the Previous Government

Chaudhary also highlighted the achievements of the government led by Omar Abdullah, which included free travel for women on government buses, increasing marriage assistance under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000 for families, providing 200 units of free electricity to AAY families, and raising pensions for senior citizens, widows, and persons with disabilities.