ibn sultan
Jammu, Feb 20: Chief Minister on Friday clarified in the Legislative Assembly that the recent order issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar regulating charity collections during Ramadan was not arbitrary, but based on suggestions from local religious leaders and committees.
Responding to concerns raised by MLA Bandipora and MLA Bashir Ahmad Veeri, who alleged government interference in religious affairs, the Chief Minister said he personally reviewed the matter. “I looked into it and found that the DC did not issue the order on his own,” Abdullah told the House.
He explained that ahead of Ramadan, a meeting was convened in which all Deputy Commissioners were directed to coordinate with local stakeholders and make necessary arrangements for the holy month. During the meeting in Kishtwar, religious leaders reportedly informed the administration that several NGOs and individuals surface during Ramadan to collect donations in the name of patients or charitable causes without proper accountability.
“They collect money in the name of patients or charity, but there is no accountability regarding where the funds are used. Sometimes, it is not even known whether the patient in whose name money is raised is alive or not,” the Chief Minister said.
He added that such practices not only lead to misuse of charitable funds but also damage the credibility of genuine NGOs that operate transparently. According to him, local religious bodies themselves urged the administration to regulate the process to prevent fraud and ensure accountability.
“After taking their inputs, the DC issued the order, which has also been welcomed by local bodies and religious leaders,” Abdullah said.
Urging legislators not to politicise every issue, the Chief Minister stressed that religion and politics should not be mixed. “Some matters require dialogue and understanding at the local level rather than political confrontation,” he said.
He emphasized that the primary objective of the order was to ensure transparency and safeguard the sanctity of charitable contributions during Ramadan.
