SRINAGAR : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan, Srinagar and announced that the much-awaited expansion of his Council of Ministers will be held in the first two to three days of next week.
Speaking to media after the meeting, Omar said he enquired about LG's health and discussed several important issues.
"The LG Sahib had gone out for a few days, in between his health was also a little unwell. I wanted to enquire about his health. There were several issues about which it was necessary to talk to him and take his opinion from time to time. It had been a long time since I met him, so today I had sought time from him," Omar said.
The Chief Minister said he has formally requested time for the oath ceremony.
"I asked him for time for expansion and I have requested him to fix a time in the first two-three days of next week and I will get some changes and expansion done in my Council of Ministers. The LG Sahib will fix the time and then the process of expansion will be done," Omar said.
He said the list has been finalised after consulting National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah.
"The list has been prepared after consulting Farooq Abdullah Sahib. There is no need to knock on Farooq Sahib's door, nor my door, nor anyone else's door. Who will become minister, that decision has already been taken," he said, appealing to party colleagues to stop sending bio-data and WhatsApp messages.
In response to another query, Omar said the situation in the Middle East has left pilgrims from several states, including Jammu and Kashmir, stranded in Saudi Arabia due to flight cancellations and steep hike in airfares.
"This is an issue and a problem. We are taking up this matter with the Ministry of External Affairs. It is not that flights are not operating, but air ticket prices have increased a lot. And for those who are stuck there and had booked tickets earlier, it is now becoming difficult to book fresh tickets," he said.
"If they don't have the budget to come back or need help with ticket money, we will arrange money from our own budget to bring them back," Omar assured.
Responding to a query on powers related to regulation of dentists, Omar said the matter needs to be examined whether it falls under business rules linked to the LG administration or the elected government, and the question should be put to Minister Sakina Itoo.
On questions related to China border, Omar said after creation of Ladakh UT, the border issue is no longer of J&K.
"Now Ladakh has become separate, this border issue is not ours anymore. So if you want to ask about China, you should ask Ladakh LG or the Government of India," he said.
On BJP's allegation regarding foreign funding of protests, Omar said he has no interest in commenting on what BJP says.
"I know you only wanted to ask about reshuffle and I have told you about reshuffle, now leave it," Omar told reporters, adding that the expansion will happen in the next two to three days.
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