Srinagar19 minutes agoAuthor: Mudassir Kullu
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More than a year has passed since the formation of the first elected government in Jammu and Kashmir, but this entire year was spent more in power struggle than governance. The results of the assembly elections held in September-October 2024 after the abolition of statehood in 2019 and creation of a Union Territory were declared on October 8.
The public had expected stability and accountability from the elected government after a long gap. On October 16, 2024, Omar Abdullah took oath as CM, but the entire year of 2025 was entangled in the tussle of powers, fight over files and decisions between him and Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha.
This conflict directly affected issues related to administration, bureaucracy and common people. From the Secretariat to the districts, there was confusion among the officers as to whose order they should accept as final. Of the elected government or of the LG office.
Officer said- transfers and appointments remained stuck for months
Many senior officers say that double accountability has slowed down the pace of decisions. Before signing any file, it started to be seen from where the order has come. Transfers, appointments, development projects and policy decisions remained stuck for months.
On one hand the elected government kept invoking the mandate, on the other hand the LG kept citing constitutional rights and the Reorganization Act. As a result, grassroots issues like unemployment, poor infrastructure, health care deficiencies and winter preparedness were sidelined.
5 cases fell into conflict
- Jammu and Kashmir Service (JKS) Exam Age Limit: On the demand of the candidates, the government passed the cabinet proposal to increase the age limit for open merit candidates from 32 to 37 years, but this file remained stuck in the LG office. The government alleged that there was a deliberate delay.
- Reservation Detail: The LG administration increased reservation in various categories, bringing down the open merit seats below 40 percent. After this, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed strong objection to this decision and called it a step to increase social discontent.
- Rules of Business: The draft clarifying the powers of the LG and the government is pending since May 2025. In its absence, there was confusion over every decision and officers could not decide who had the final order.
- Transfer of officers: In April 2025, LG transferred 48 JKS officers posted on the posts of magistrates. Umar termed it as interference in his rights.
- Appointments and Security: The government alleges that IAS officers are being deployed on posts reserved for JKAS and the CM’s proposal is pending since months. At the same time, LG and the government remained face to face on fixing accountability for security lapses after the Pahalgam attack.
Chief Minister said- dual power is becoming a disaster
CM Omar Abdullah says that the current system in Jammu and Kashmir is of ‘dual power’, which is proving to be a disaster for governance. Omar alleges that the elected ministers do not have powers and the LG is running a parallel government.
He says, ‘The public has voted for us, but the files are imprisoned in Raj Bhavan. Consultants are not being allowed to be appointed and officers are boycotting government programs. According to CM Omar, unless full statehood is restored, meaningful governance is impossible.
LG said- use power, not excuses
LG Manoj Sinha has rejected the government’s allegations and called it a way of running away from responsibility. They say that they are working strictly within the ambit of the ‘Reorganization Act’. Sinha said, ‘The elected government has enough powers. Not having statehood should not be used as an excuse for not working.
Raj Bhavan argues that the Center is in control of law and order and bureaucracy and the government should use the powers available for the welfare of the public and not mislead the people.
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