J&K set to turn a new page as Omar Abdullah takes oath on Wednesday, security heightened

Omar Abdullah will chair the key secretariat meeting after taking oath as Jammu and Kashmir CM

J&K swearing in (File) National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah speaks during a public meeting at Tangmarg in Baramulla district | PTI

After taking oath, Omar Abdullah and his cabinet have scheduled an important meeting on Wednesday.

According to a notice from the General Administration Department (GAD) on October 15, 2024, the meeting will take place on October 16 at 3 pm in the Civil Secretariat’s Meeting Hall in Srinagar. 

This will be the Chief Minister’s first official meeting since taking office, with all Administrative Secretaries expected to attend. 

The meeting will focus on setting immediate government priorities and outlining key objectives for the coming months.

The notice, signed by Rohit Sharma, additional secretary to the government, has been circulated to all relevant officials, including the chief secretary and the commissioner/secretary of the GAD. 

The meeting is expected to focus on development initiatives, public welfare, and major policy decisions.

Meanwhile, all preparations have been completed for the swearing-in ceremony of the government at 11:30 am on Wednesday at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar on the banks of Dal Lake.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will administer the oath of office to Omar and his Council of Ministers.

Sinha, on Monday, officially invited Abdullah to form the new government, marking a significant moment as Jammu and Kashmir transitions to an elected government for the first time in over a decade. 

The invitation letter from the Raj Bhawan stated, "I am pleased to invite you to form and lead the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. As separately settled, I shall administer the oath of office and secrecy to you, and to those recommended by you for induction as members of your Council of Ministers, at SKICC, Srinagar on 16th October 2024 at 11:30 am."

Security around the SKICC has been tightened for the high-profile event, with comprehensive measures in place to ensure smooth proceedings.

The last assembly election in the region took place in 2014, resulting in a coalition government between the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). That government collapsed in June 2018, leading to President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir. In 2019, the region was split into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh—following the abrogation of Article 370.

Omar staked his claim to form the government last week, meeting with Lieutenant Governor Sinha on Friday to present letters of support. President Draupadi Murmu issued a notification ending the President’s rule, paving the way for the new government to take charge.

In the recent three-phase election, the NC-Congress alliance won 48 out of 90 seats, with NC winning 42 seats, Congress secured six seats, while the BJP dominated the Jammu region, winning 29 seats. Wednesday’s swearing-in will mark the transition from nearly six years of central rule to an elected government, with Omar Abdullah as CM.

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