Chicago – November 30, 2025
When Omar Abdullah took office on 16 October 2024 (after Jammu & Kashmir National Conference won the 2024 elections), the party’s manifesto — titled “Dignity, Identity and Development” — pledged to restore full statehood (pre-2019 status), revive constitutional protections (like those under Article 370 / Article 35A), secure local land and employment rights, generate jobs, revive the economy, improve services and preserve Kashmiri identity.
In the first year, there were some tangible administrative or welfare-oriented moves: a symbolic restoration of aspects like the traditional “Darbar Move” (the seasonal shift of administrative headquarters) was achieved.
Some welfare-schemes were expanded: e.g. raising a marriage-assistance fund, offering free bus service for women across districts, smart inter-district bus services, restoring academic calendar, easing property stamp duties for relatives, giving free ration to economically weaker sections.
The main fault lines stem from big promises that remain unfulfilled — especially statehood restoration, which was the marquee pledge but has seen no progress.
Other significant promises — such as 200 free electricity units, free gas cylinders, creation of one lakh jobs, regularization of daily wagers, equitable public-service quota/reservation, revival of cultural/ civic-liberties, robust jobs and economic revival — are reportedly still pending or delayed.
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