SRINAGAR, October 22: The proposed expansion of the Jammu and Kashmir Council of Ministers has once again come into focus, with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s expected return to Srinagar being viewed as a significant development in the process. However, the government has not yet announced any official date for the induction of new ministers.
The long-pending exercise has remained under discussion for several months, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expected to take a final decision after consultations with senior National Conference leaders.
National Conference president and former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah had earlier indicated that the Cabinet expansion would be taken up after the Lieutenant Governor returned to the Union Territory. Speaking to reporters in Budgam on October 19, he linked the delay to the LG’s absence and expressed hope that the process would move forward following his return.
Despite these indications, the timing of the proposed expansion remains uncertain, with no formal announcement regarding the date or the names of prospective ministers.
The Omar Abdullah-led government assumed office in October 2024 following the Assembly elections. The Council of Ministers currently has six members, including the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary.
The other members of the Council are Sakeena Masood Itoo, Javed Ahmed Rana, Javid Ahmad Dar and Satish Sharma.
Under the applicable constitutional framework, Jammu and Kashmir can have a maximum of nine ministers, including the Chief Minister. This leaves room for the induction of three additional members into the Council of Ministers.
The proposed expansion is therefore expected to be closely watched, particularly in view of the political and administrative considerations involved in filling the vacant positions.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier indicated that a decision on Cabinet expansion would be taken after consultations with Dr Farooq Abdullah.
The exercise has been delayed despite earlier expectations that it could be taken up after the GST Council meeting and the conclusion of the Assembly’s Autumn Session.
The expansion could involve the induction of new faces into the government, along with possible changes in the allocation of departmental portfolios. However, the government has not disclosed any names or indicated whether existing portfolios would be reshuffled.
The Congress party, an electoral ally of the National Conference, continues to remain outside the Council of Ministers.
The party has maintained that it would not join the government until full statehood is restored to Jammu and Kashmir.
Its position remains an important political consideration amid discussions surrounding the Cabinet expansion, although no fresh announcement has been made regarding any change in the party’s stand.
The proposed Cabinet reshuffle or expansion has assumed significance as the National Conference-led government approaches another phase of its tenure. The government completed two years in office on October 16, according to the timeline cited in the ongoing political debate.
The induction of additional ministers could provide greater representation within the government and lead to adjustments in the distribution of administrative responsibilities.
For now, the Lieutenant Governor’s expected return to Srinagar has renewed attention on the issue. However, the final date of the Cabinet expansion, the names of prospective ministers and the possible redistribution of portfolios remain unconfirmed. (KNC)
