The All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) today expressed deep concern over the growing administrative overload in the Union Territory, attributing it directly to the severe shortage of ministers in the Council of Ministers.
Addressing a press conference, AJKPC president Anil Sharma urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to immediately expand his ministerial team by filling all vacant posts to ensure smooth and efficient governance.
Sharma highlighted that only six ministers, including the Chief Minister, are currently responsible for governing a population of nearly 1.5 crore. This small cabinet is handling two administrative divisions, 20 districts, over 100 departments, multiple PSUs and corporations, 207 tehsils, and nearly 6,800 villages.
“This situation cannot continue,” Sharma said. “Every minister is burdened with five to six critical departments. No individual, no matter how efficient, can give the required attention, review, timely decisions and field supervision that these portfolios demand. This leads to delays, improper monitoring, piling up of files and ultimately, public suffering across Jammu and Kashmir.”
‘Why the Delay in Cabinet Expansion?’
The AJKPC president questioned the political reasoning behind the prolonged delay in expanding the Council of Ministers.
“With 41 MLAs in the 90-member Assembly, the National Conference enjoys a comfortable majority. Yet, for over a year, the Chief Minister has chosen not to utilize the full strength of nine ministers permitted under the Constitution,” Sharma said.
He cited constitutional provisions, explaining that a Union Territory is allowed a Council of Ministers comprising up to 10% of the total Legislative Assembly strength. With 90 seats, Jammu & Kashmir can have up to nine ministers, including the Chief Minister.
Sharma also referred to Section 53 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which clearly supports this provision.
“There is no legal or administrative hurdle for expanding the cabinet. The legal framework is clear, and the administrative need is urgent,” Sharma asserted.
