Jammu, Feb 20: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday addressed concerns in the Legislative Assembly over the Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar’s directive regulating charity collections during Ramadan, stating that the move was made after consultations with local religious leaders and community committees.
Responding to objections raised by legislators, the Chief Minister said the administration had convened preparatory meetings ahead of Ramadan, directing Deputy Commissioners to coordinate with stakeholders to ensure smooth arrangements for the holy month.
He explained that during discussions in Kishtwar, religious representatives highlighted the issue of certain organisations surfacing during Ramadan to seek donations without proper accountability. According to the Chief Minister, concerns were raised about misuse of funds and lack of clarity regarding beneficiaries, prompting a request for regulatory oversight.
Abdullah said the Deputy Commissioner acted on these inputs and that the order has been supported by local religious bodies. He stressed that the objective was to safeguard genuine charitable efforts and maintain transparency in donation drives.
Appealing to members of the House, the Chief Minister urged that religious matters should not be politicised and emphasized the importance of dialogue and cooperation in addressing local issues. He reiterated that the intent behind the directive was to protect the sanctity of charitable contributions during Ramadan.