Centre should clear West Bengal’s renaming proposal: Omar

Srinagar, Feb 25: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that if the West Bengal Assembly has formally sought a change in the state’s name, the Union Government should take a positive call on the proposal.
His remarks came a day after the Union Cabinet cleared Kerala’s proposal to officially adopt the name ‘Keralam’. Reacting to the development, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had voiced disappointment that her government’s renaming proposal continues to await approval from the Centre.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Srinagar, Abdullah said that several states have moved resolutions seeking name changes and such demands should be examined fairly. He said that if a similar resolution were to be passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in the future, it too should receive due consideration.
The Chief Minister also welcomed Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on his first visit to Kashmir after assuming office. The Vice President is scheduled to attend the 21st convocation ceremony of Kashmir University on Thursday.
Abdullah said students were looking forward to receiving their degrees and medals during the ceremony and described the visit as significant.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of the ‘Bab-ul-Sultan-ul-Arifeen’ calligraphy gate at Rainawari Chowk. He said the initiative forms part of the government’s broader effort to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the old city and generate increased tourist footfall in downtown Srinagar. [KNT]