Omar Abdullah likely to take oath as CM on Wednesday
Justice Masoodi & Farooq Shah emerge front runners for cabinet to deal with legal & administrative hurdles
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Srinagar, Oct 13 (RNA) : With LG Manoj Sinha formally recommending the lifting of Central rule from the Jammu and Kashmir, all eyes are now on the formation of a popular government. The designate Chief minister Omar Abdullah is expected to take oath along with his cabinet on Wednesday though fornal invitation from LG is still awaited. Apart from Omar Abdullah's Oath, the people are eagerly awaiting the formation of the cabinet.
Since many names are doing rounds for the Nine member cabinet , the significant names include Former Finance minister Ab Rahim Rather, former High Court Judge and MP Justice( Rtd) Hasnain Masoodi , three time MLA from Lolab Kaiser Jamsheed Lone, political advisor to Omar Abdullah Tanvir Sadiq and former bureaucrat Farooq Ahmad Shah. Justice Masoodi is being considered as an important inclusion to handle the legal issues the government may be confronting in absence of powers to handle Home , law and order and ,Civil and Police services. The other important inclusion could be former Bureaucrat Pirzada Farooq Ahmed Shah from the Gulmarg Constituency, who has not only defeated a three time former minister, but also remained instrumental in reviving the party after nearly two decades in the region, which is immensely rich in Tourism resources and a major contributor to the state economy.
The Gulmarg region remains in limelight across the globe owing to its Tourism activities.
Popularly known as the " Father of J&K Tourism", the former IAS officer has enormous administrative experiences at his back in handling the sector as CEO, Gulmarg Development Authority ( GDA), Director Tourism, MD JKTDC and Commissioner Secretary Tourism . He is also being considered the architect of cable Car Project popularly known as Gulmarg Gondola , and is expected to develop the Ski destination a world class attraction . He has promised to bring Gulmarg a major Tourist attraction across the globe .
Besides, Tourism Farooq Shah's background in other sectors like Education, PHE and Horticulture is equally impressive . As a former Commissioner Secretary Education and PHE Mr. Shah is known for his public outreach and effective administration . His entry into politics is seen as a significant development, especially considering his immense good well gesture in Public and his inclusion in Cabinet is likely to help NC gain footholds in other constituencies also, besides helping Omar Abdullah in public outreach and overcoming the bureaucratic hurdles in implementing the sensitive points of the party's manifesto.
The JKNC, led by Omar Abdullah, has promised to implement the Old Pension Scheme, ensure the release of political prisoners, repeal the Public Safety Act (PSA), and create one lakh jobs . With Farooq Shah on board, the party is likely to leverage his administrative expertise to deliver on these promises.
The public's demand for Farooq Shah's inclusion in the cabinet is understandable, given his reputation and the JKNC's commitment to good governance. It remains to be seen how Omar Abdullah will shape his cabinet, but one thing is certain - the people of Jammu and Kashmir are hopeful for a brighter future under his leadership. (RNA)