Sangam (Anantnag), Jul 27: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday assured Kashmir’s cricket bat manufacturing industry of the government’s support, saying the concerns raised by manufacturers over raw material, power supply, worker safety and infrastructure would be addressed.
The Chief Minister visited the Hallamulla Industrial Estate in Sangam, where he met members of the Cricket Bat Manufacturers Association. He was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, who holds the Industries and Labour portfolio, Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology and Environment Javed Ahmed Rana, and local MLA Dr Bashir Ahmad Veeri.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Abdullah said the Association’s biggest concern was ensuring an uninterrupted supply of raw material.
“The biggest issue for the Cricket Bat Manufacturers Association has been that the supply of raw material should continue. Following a court order concerning Wular Lake, willow trees were felled there, but fresh willow plantations cannot be taken up. To ensure the industry does not face a shortage of raw material in the future, some decisions have been taken today,” he said.
The CM said the manufacturers had also sought assured power supply to the industrial estate. “They had raised the issue of assured power supply, and we have found a solution to that as well,” he said.
On workers’ welfare, Abdullah said the Association had demanded a first-aid centre as injured workers currently have to be taken to Bijbehara for treatment. “They have demanded that the department establish a first-aid centre here so that workers receive immediate treatment. We will act on all these issues,” he said.
Referring to the Common Facility Centre established around 2004-05, the Chief Minister said it had remained largely unused over the years.
“I have asked the members of the Cricket Bat Manufacturers Association and the local MLA to discuss whether they still require a Common Facility Centre and what form it should take, and then inform the department so that further steps can be taken,” he said.
Earlier, during the interaction, members of the Association raised issues related to sustainable willow plantation and the availability of raw material, uninterrupted power supply, medical facilities for workers, a permanent Fire and Emergency Services unit, and measures to check the illegal movement of willow clefts.
Later, speaking to reporters on political issues, CM Abdullah said he had not seen remarks attributed to the Leader of the Opposition on the restoration of statehood.
“He gives ten statements a day. I don’t have that much time to respond to every statement. Statehood will not be restored after asking him. The decision has to be taken by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister,” he said, adding that the National Conference would continue its efforts for the restoration of statehood.
Asked about the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, Abdullah said the proposed legislation would first be debated in Parliament, and his party would decide its stand once it came up for consideration.
On the proposed Business Rules for Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister said the government had revised the draft after incorporating changes suggested by the Centre and had shared it informally with Raj Bhavan. If no response was received within a week or ten days, the draft would be sent back to the Centre, he said.
Responding to PDP leader Waheed Para’s criticism, Abdullah said Mehbooba Mufti should apologise for her remarks at Jantar Mantar instead of claiming the video was AI-generated. He said if she did not apologise herself, Waheed Para should apologise on her behalf.
