The Biz Reporter
Srinagar, June 12: In a blunt and impassioned address that has stirred political debate across Jammu and Kashmir, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary has said the region cannot be governed through a “proxy administration”, and demanded that the power to govern must lie with the people’s elected representatives.
“The government cannot function if the administration is run through proxy. People have voted for change, for accountability, not for remote control governance,” the Deputy CM said in an interview that is rapidly gaining traction online.
The remarks are seen as a veiled critique of the current administrative setup where key decisions — including those related to electricity, water supply, education, and infrastructure — are reportedly being taken by the Lieutenant Governor’s office rather than the elected government.
Choudhary said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had reposed their faith in democracy by voting despite hardships, and it was now time for the system to reflect their aspirations. “If the Lieutenant Governor is taking all the decisions, then he must also answer the people. Governance must not just be seen, it must be felt,” he said.
The Deputy CM’s statement underscores growing frustration within political circles over what is perceived as continued central control, even after the democratic mandate. “We are answerable to the people — but how do we answer them if we don’t have the authority to act?” he asked.
Choudhary reiterated the long-standing demand for restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, scrapped in August 2019. “You cannot expect elected governments to deliver unless you give them the tools to govern. Statehood is not a privilege; it’s a necessity for genuine democracy,” he asserted.
Touching upon local challenges, he said that the youth were grappling with unemployment and lack of hope, while families of soldiers and ordinary citizens were being let down by systemic neglect. “I come from the grassroots. I have seen what drug abuse and joblessness are doing to our youth. We need governance that is local, informed, and accountable,” he said.
The Deputy CM’s candid remarks have sparked a fresh round of political discourse, with opposition leaders backing his call for full democratic powers and civil society echoing the demand for greater local control.
