No statehood reference in L-G’s address triggers row

Sinha says polls strengthened trust in democratic institutions in J&K

- FAYAZ WANI @ Srinagar

THE Budget session of the Jammuand Kashmir Assembly began in Jammu on Monday with an address by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who skipped any reference to restoration of statehood for the Union Territory but said the transition to popular governance has strengthened public faith in democratic institutions.

In his address, Sinha said the past year marked a significant milestone in the democratic journey of Jammu and Kashmir with the formation of an elected government after a gap of several years.