Srinagar, March 4 -- The government is committed to restoring statehood to J&K, said lieutenant governor (LG) Manoj Sinha while addressing the inaugural session of the assembly's budget session on Monday. He said the focus should be on empowering the grassroot democracy, a hint towards holding panchayat and urban local bodies polls in the union territory.

Asserting that budget carries historic significance as it will be the first in over seven years to be introduced by an elected government in the region, Sinha praised the government for initiating developmental and infrastructure projects across J&K. "It (budget) symbolises the people's power as it is prepared by the representatives chosen by the people. This budget is not merely a fina...