Srinagar, May 21 -- Srinagar- Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary on Thursday said that had Jammu and Kashmir retained statehood, "not a single house would have been razed," asserting that the elected government currently has limited powers and key decisions are being taken by the bureaucracy.

He made the remarks while speaking to reporters during his visit to Handwara to offer condolences to Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid and Langate MLA Sheikh Khursheed on their father's demise.

Referring to the recent demolition drive in Jammu, Choudhary questioned the action, noting that the structures had existed for years.

"These houses were not constructed overnight. Where were the departments when these were being built?" he asked, ter...