Jammu, Feb 20 (KNS):  Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday clarified that an order issued by the Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner to regulate charity collections during Ramadan was not an arbitrary decision but a response to requests from local religious leaders.

Responding to concerns raised by MLAs during the House proceedings, CM Omar as per news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) stated that a preliminary inquiry revealed the order was issued following consultations with stakeholders in the district.

“The DC did not issue the order on his own. Prior to Ramadan, all DCs were asked to coordinate with local stakeholders. In Kishtwar, religious leaders pointed out that several NGOs emerge only during this month to collect donations without any accountability,” the Chief Minister said.

He informed the House that local bodies and religious committees had specifically requested the administration to intervene, citing instances where funds were collected in the names of patients, sometimes without verification of the individual's existence or the intended use of the money.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

“Such practices not only lead to misuse of funds but also harm genuine organisations working transparently. The order was issued based on their inputs and has been welcomed by the same local bodies,” CM Omar  said.

The Chief Minister urged legislators to refrain from politicizing the matter, emphasizing the need for dialogue at the local level. “We should not mix religion with politics. The intent is to ensure transparency and protect the sanctity of charitable contributions during the holy month,” he said. (KNS)