One Year of Omar Abdullah’s Government: Twelve Manifesto Guarantees Still Unfulfilled in Jammu & Kashmir

One Year of Omar Abdullah’s Government: After one year in office, Omar Abdullah’s government in Jammu and Kashmir has failed to deliver on 12 key election guarantees — from free electricity and gas cylinders to restoring statehood and repealing Articles 370/35A. Political parties are reacting strongly. Read the full breakdown.

One Year of the Omar Government: Twelve Guarantees Lost in the Battle for Power

Jammu & Kashmir’s first democratically elected government since its re-organisation into a Union Territory marks its first anniversary this Thursday. But for many, the ruling National Conference (NC), led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, has largely failed to deliver on the 12 guarantees it promised during its election campaign.

From the outset, ambitious promises were made: one lakh jobs, 12 free gas cylinders annually for vulnerable households, 200 units of free electricity, free education up to graduation, and a robust road network. Critically, the manifesto also pledged to work toward repealing Articles 370 and 35A, restoring statehood, and freeing Kashmiri prisoners. A year in, only a few measures—such as women’s free bus services in Srinagar and Jammu—have been partially met, leaving many of the core guarantees unfulfilled.

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When confronted over the shortfall, both Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his cabinet members point out that they were elected for a five-year term, not one, and that four years remain. Abdullah frequently cites confusion over functioning rules, arguing that the Raj Bhavan and the Lieutenant Governor retain unclear powers. But the Lieutenant Governor’s office has repeatedly affirmed that the governance rules are “absolutely clear” and that Omar’s government retains authority over all areas except security.

In his view, the “struggle for power” has drained the promise out of the 12 guarantees. Omar Abdullah was sworn in on October 16, 2024, with his cabinet assuming office simultaneously. Yet the promises remain largely unrealized.

One Year of Omar Abdullah’s Government: Where did the proposals go?

Experts like Fayyaz Ahmad Wani, a Kashmir affairs analyst, say that proposals—such as restoring the constitutional status quo before August 5, 2019—were introduced in Parliament but then vanished without a trace. What about free electricity, gas, and job offers? He asks: “Who got what?” A PSA (Public Safety Act) continues to be imposed even on elected MLAs. Educational sessions in winter zones have resumed, yes, but the promise was for free transport across all public modes—not just buses, and not just for women.

Critics weigh in

Jammu & Kashmir expert Zafar Choudhary criticizes Omar’s “lack of performance,” saying none of the promises have been delivered. He accuses the NC leadership of using the Raj Bhavan’s supposed powers as an excuse, stating that what matters is fulfilling the mandate given by the people. “At least act decisively where you have authority,” he urges.

Meanwhile, Prof. Hari Om claims Omar’s rhetoric seems aimed more at appealing to identity politics than addressing public welfare. The criticism, he says, is alienating even among Kashmiris who expected better. Omar Abdullah, per Prof. Om, appears to focus more on rights controversies than on actionable progress.

One Year of Omar Abdullah’s Government: Political Opposition

Sajjad Gani Lone (People’s Conference) says Omar projects himself as a victim, but refuses to keep his promises.

Waheed ur Rehman Para (PDP) labels the first 12 months as a “story of failure of 12 guarantees.” He argues that no elected government appears functional when every issue is pushed toward the Raj Bhavan.

Advocate Ajat Jamwal lists failures ranging from delayed disappointment over relief during floods to traffic jams, reservation controversies, and internal party infighting. He says excuses about inflation or lack of power mask real underperformance.

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NC’s defense

NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar counters that critics overlook the ground realities. Despite working under a “hybrid system of governance,” the government has passed Assembly resolutions to restore constitutional guarantees and statehood, raised the marriage assistance fund, expanded free bus service for women across districts, resumed winter-zone education sessions, and offered free rations and electricity units to economically weaker sections.

The list of unmet promises: One Year of Omar Abdullah’s Government

1. 200 units of free electricity to every household
2. 12 free gas cylinders per year to economically weaker families
3. 10 kilograms of free ration for each family member
4. Free bus for women; free education up to graduation for all
5. ₹5,000 monthly support to heads of economically weaker families
6. Monthly pension of ₹3,000 for the elderly and widows
7. Employment for one lakh youth
8. Repeal of Articles 370 and 35A
9. Restoration of statehood
10. Release of Kashmiri prisoners from jails
11. Strong road infrastructure across J&K
12. Free access or benefits beyond the specified public transport and utilities promised

As the second year begins, the Omar government faces mounting pressure: from opposition parties, from civil society, and from the electorate that voted in hope. Only time will tell whether those remaining four years will see these pledges turned into tangible outcomes—or become footnotes in political rhetoric.