Health Minister questions authority of opposition leaders for holding AIIMS review meetings; says only elected representatives can conduct official Govt-related engagements
Umaisar Gul Ganaie
Kulgam, Jun 10 :
Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Wednesday castigated PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti and Waqf Board chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi over their recent visits to AIIMS, questioning the authority under which they were conducting meetings at the premier medical institution.
The Minister said opposition leaders had no official mandate to hold such engagements and only elected representatives or those in government positions are authorised to conduct official reviews or meetings.
Speaking to reporters in Kulgam, Sakina Itoo, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said individuals without any elected or official government mandate should not attempt to project administrative authority. “With what authority are they holding meetings? They are neither ministers nor in power. They should understand their position. I see these actions as frustration,” she said.
She added that only those holding constitutional or executive responsibility are empowered to conduct official reviews and any such parallel engagements by opposition figures amount to an attempt to create an impression of authority they do not possess.
The Minister further said that the National Conference government, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, enjoys the mandate of the people and remains focused on addressing governance and development concerns across Jammu and Kashmir. She asserted that the administration has been actively working on multiple public issues and continues to address them in a phased manner.
On the issue of statehood restoration, Sakina Itoo said the government has been pursuing the matter consistently over the past 19 months through dialogue and other democratic means. She reiterated that the party remains committed to intensifying its efforts on the issue.
“Thousands of issues have come before us and many have been resolved. Genuine public demands will be addressed in a phased and timely manner,” she said.
She also said National Conference legislators will stage a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar during the opening day of the monsoon session, pressing for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and fulfilment of commitments made to the people.
It is important to mention that the remarks came after PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and Waqf Board chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi visited AIIMS and held review-related interactions, triggering criticism from ruling National Conference leaders, who questioned the authority of non-elected representatives to conduct official-style reviews of government institutions—(KNO)