New Delhi, Mar 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday met the Congress President and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and apprised her about the functioning of the coalition government in the state while assuring his party’s support to the Women Reservation Bill in the Parliament.
During their 30-minute meeting, the Chief Minister also gave detailed account of the political and security situation in the state and steps taken by the government to restore complete peace and normalcy. The Chief Minister also informed the Congress chief about the preparations being made for conducting Panchayat and Local Body elections in the state.
The Chief Minister said the coalition government was functioning smoothly in the state and the National Conference was committed to the coalition Dharma.
Sources privy to the meeting told Greater Kashmir that the Government’s proposed move to introduce a bill in the current session of the legislature banning inter-district recruitments also came up for discussion.
Pertinently, Congress is opposing the bill, fearing a backlash among the scheduled caste community in Jammu region.
Omar is expected to finalise state’s annual plan with Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia here Thursday. The state has sought greater plan allocation to meet employees’ demands and to start new developmental programmes.
Omar thanked Sonia Gandhi of her support in implementing various socio-economic programmes in Jammu and Kashmir.
He lauded the vision of Mrs Gandhi in getting the women reservation bill passed in the Rajya Sabha. “This is a revolutionary and historic achievement in the Indian democratic polity,” he said and offered his party’s full support to the women reservation Bill in the Parliament. NC has four members in the Parliament.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 IST