Sakeena questions AIIMS visits by Mehbooba, Darakshan

Kulgam, Jun 10: Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo on Wednesday questioned the authority under which PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and Waqf Board Chairperson Darakshan Andrabi recently conducted meetings and reviews at AIIMS, describing such actions as inappropriate for individuals holding no executive office.
Speaking to reporters in Kulgam, the minister said those who are neither part of the government nor vested with administrative authority should not project themselves as conducting official reviews.
“With what authority are they holding meetings? They are neither ministers nor in power. They should understand their position,” Itoo said, adding that she viewed such actions as a reflection of political frustration.
The remarks mark a fresh political sparring over public outreach and oversight activities, with the National Conference-led government drawing a distinction between official administrative reviews and visits undertaken by opposition leaders.
Itoo said the elected government enjoys a public mandate and remains focused on addressing issues affecting the people. She maintained that the administration led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has been working on multiple governance and development concerns since assuming office.
On the issue of statehood, the minister said the government has consistently pursued the matter through engagement and dialogue over the past 19 months and remains committed to securing restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
She said the National Conference would step up its campaign on the issue, announcing that party legislators would stage a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session to press for fulfillment of commitments made on statehood.
Itoo also asserted that numerous public issues brought before the government had already been addressed, while others would be resolved in a phased manner based on priority and administrative requirements. [KNT]