Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, July 01 :
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that the cabinet reshuffle and expansion would take place around the party’s Jantar Mantar protest.
In an interview with Gulistan News channel, the CM as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that cabinet expansion is his responsibility and would take place around the Jantar Mantar protest, either before or after it.
“The Jantar Mantar protest would take place on the first day of the Monsoon session, which is likely to begin on July 20.” He said it has become necessary to make progress on cabinet expansion following the Dachigam meeting on June 3.
In the meeting, ruling NC and independent members supporting the party slammed ministers, especially the Deputy CM, over fund allocation as well as his behavior. Apart from the Deputy CM, the Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Forest Minister Javid Rana and Minister for CAPD Satish Sharma came under sharp criticism.
The Omar Abdullah government can induct three more ministers because the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 allows up to nine ministers. The current strength of the Council of Ministers is six.
Sources told KNO that current ministers in the cabinet could also lose key portfolios after the expansion when the CM allocates/ reallocates portfolios.—(KNO)