JAMMU, AUGUST 22: The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar this morning, deliberated on a host of pressing issues, including the rehabilitation of shopkeepers whose establishments are set to be demolished for the construction of a long-awaited flyover bridge at Satwari. The meeting, which lasted for over an hour, focused on key governance matters, though no formal statement was released by the government immediately after its conclusion.
Official sources said Cabinet decisions remain subject to the Lieutenant Governor’s concurrence before they can be made public. “As and when the approval of the Lieutenant Governor is received, orders are issued for implementation,” a senior official clarified.
The plight of Satwari shopkeepers has remained a contentious matter for years, with repeated protests, sit-ins, and appeals backed by major political groups, including the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). During recent Assembly budget sessions, BJP legislators consistently highlighted the need to provide fair rehabilitation packages. The Cabinet’s discussion on this long-pending demand is expected to pave the way for concrete relief measures that could end years of uncertainty for the displaced traders.
The Cabinet also reportedly cleared routine business across several government departments, while giving approval for the promotion of a few Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers. Sources added that most of the agenda items listed for the meeting were approved.
Another major announcement emerging from the discussions was the scheduling of the upcoming Assembly session, most likely to commence in the second half of September in Srinagar. The session, expected to last around 10 days, will feature six to eight sittings. Constitutional provisions mandate that the Assembly must convene within six months of its last sitting, which was held as a special one-day session on April 28 in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives, including 25 tourists.
The Cabinet also held detailed deliberations on the devastating cloudburst tragedies in Kishtwar and Kathua districts. Ministers reviewed ongoing relief and rehabilitation measures and discussed additional steps required to support the next of kin of victims and assist affected communities in rebuilding their lives.
By addressing both developmental challenges such as infrastructure expansion and humanitarian concerns arising from recent natural calamities, the Cabinet sought to balance immediate relief priorities with long-term policy objectives. The focus on Satwari rehabilitation and disaster recovery efforts reflects the government’s attempt to respond to public demands while also preparing for the legislative session where these issues are likely to resonate strongly.