J-K CM Omar Abdullah reiterates demand for statehood, says "trying to achieve status of state"

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], February 24 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday raised concerns over governance under the Union Territory (UT) framework and stressed that certain issues affecting the people could only be effectively resolved under a state administration and they are "trying to achieve the status of a state"
"Why am I repeatedly stressing about (the restoration) of statehood? I know there are many issues due to which people are troubled, but the resolution of those issues cannot be made under the UT administration. For this, we need to get the status of a state. Tasks which can be done as a UT will be done, and for the other tasks which can be done under state administration, we are trying to achieve the status of a state."
On allegations of opposition parties that promises made during the election campaign were not being implemented CM said, "The (election) manifesto was not for 5 days or 5 weeks, but 5 years. We know the promises we have made to the public and how to fulfil them. Since the first day, we have said that the tasks we have to do as UT, we will do them."
Further, when asked about the upcoming Budget Abdullah refrained from commenting on it ahead of its official presentation in the Legislative Assembly.
Abdullah maintained that it was the government's responsibility to introduce the Budget in the House before any discussions could take place.
"I will not talk about the Budget as it is the government's duty to present the Budget first in the Assembly. All the things that will be included in the Budget will become clear before the Assembly when it is presented on March 7..."
Earlier in the day, CM Abdullah extended his support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign against obesity, urging wider participation to combat lifestyle-related health risks on Monday.
Taking to X, Abdullah emphasized the adverse health effects of obesity, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, strokes, respiratory issues, and mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.
"I'm very happy to join the campaign against obesity launched by PM @narendramodi ji. Obesity causes a number of lifestyle-related health issues like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, strokes & breathing problems not to mention mental health conditions like anxiety & depression," he posted.
"Today I'm nominating these 10 people to join the PM's campaign against obesity & requesting them to nominate a further 10 people each to take this fight forward: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Sajjan Jindal, Deepika Padukone, Sania Mirza, Irfan Pathan, Supriya Sule, Kuldeep Handoo, Sheetal Devi, Iqra Rasool, Palak Bijral," the post added on X. (ANI)