Jammu and Kashmir is aiming to become the first Himalayan territory to adopt a ‘Mountain Development Policy’, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Monday, cautioning that the policy framework must not be formulated in isolation. Addressing the gathering at the 13th Sustainable Mountain Development Summit at SKUAST-K, Chief Minister Omar, said Jammu and Kashmir would like to be the first Himalayan territory to have a ‘Mountain Development Policy’. The Chief Minister said, “I would tell you from my governance side that we would love to implement it, but it is important that the policy is not created in isolation.” He…
Author: KNO
The Jammu and Kashmir government has added 2,25,360 beneficiaries to ration cards across the Union Territory since January 1, 2026, while 56,664 beneficiaries were removed during the same period. The district-wise figures placed before the Legislative Assembly show that the additions include beneficiaries under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), Priority Household (PHH) and Non-Priority Household (NPHH) categories. The Jammu Division accounted for 1,36,939 additions, comprising 1,261 AAY, 90,770 PHH and 44,908 NPHH beneficiaries. During the same period, 34,950 beneficiaries were deleted from the division, including 8,611 AAY, 11,632 PHH and 14,707 NPHH beneficiaries. In Jammu district, 6 AAY, 3,075 PHH…
Saffron growers in Kashmir are pinning their hopes on timely rainfall, fearing that prolonged dry weather and high temperatures could hurt flowering and further reduce production this season. Growers, said inadequate soil moisture has raised concerns across saffron-growing areas, stressing that rainfall at this stage is critical for flowering and yields. Abdul Majeed Wani, president of the Saffron Growers Association Kashmir, said high temperatures were a concern as saffron corms require favourable weather and adequate moisture for proper flowering. “Temperatures are quite high these days, and this can affect flowering. When corms do not get favourable conditions and adequate moisture,…
by Waris Fayaz Uri’s government schools present a contrasting picture of enrollment and staffing, with two schools reporting zero students and teachers, while another set of schools are grappling with exceptionally high pupil-teacher ratios. Government data, accessed reveals that two schools among 375, including Boys Primary School Ghati Choolen Kalsan and Primary School Khalabhat, have recorded zero students and zero teachers, with both schools showing a PTR of zero. The data also throws up a number of schools functioning with extremely low enrolment. Primary School Tula Wari has just one student and one teacher, while Primary School Kakroo Mohalla Nambla…
Jammu and Kashmir is likely to witness the season’s first major spell of rain and snowfall between October 8 and 11, with a strong Western Disturbance expected to affect the Union Territory, according to a weather forecast. The weather is expected to remain mostly dry across Jammu and Kashmir until October 5, while indications suggest a significant change in conditions from October 8, according to Kashmir Weather Forecast, which put the current possibility of the spell at around 55 per cent. Snowfall during the period is mainly expected over the higher reaches, while rain could occur across the plains and…
The Legislative Assembly on Wednesday witnessed a heated exchange of arguments between NC and BJP MLAs over the withdrawal of the salary hike Bill. As the House assembled this morning, NC MLA Altaf Kaloo, waved some papers claiming that they carried signatures of BJP legislators seeking a salary hike. On this, BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma asked him to refrain from doing politics over the issue. “Don’t do politics on the floor of the House,” Sharma told him. Sharma said the government should first address the concerns of daily wagers, Anganwadi workers and other casual employees before focusing on enhancement…
In past five years Jammu and Kashmir has received substantial revenue of Rs 5537 crores from NHPC projects operating in the Union Territory. The government in a reply to question tabled by MLA Shakti Raj Parihar said that the power generated from the hydropower projects owned and operated by JKPDCL Government of J&K, in accordance with the applicable power allocation arrangements. The government informed the house that “During the last five financial years, JKPDCL has sold a total of 19,222.21 Million Units (MU) of electricity to the UT of Jammu & Kashmir at an average selling price of Rs. 2.033…
The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Tuesday withdrew the Bills seeking enhancement of salaries and allowances of Members of the J&K Assembly after objections from BJP MLAs. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while responding to the objections on the Bill, said there was no dissenting note in the House Committee which had recommended the increase. He said BJP members wanted salaries and allowances but were also trying to politicise the issue by citing the problems of daily wagers. “I was never in favour of it. If a single member opposes, it will never pass. I withdraw the Bill,” the Chief…
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is set to introduce two bills in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly concerning the salaries of sitting MLAs and pensions of former legislators. According to the supplementary business circulated by the Assembly Secretariat, the bills seek amendments to the Salaries and Allowances of Members of the Jammu & Kashmir State Legislature Act, 1960 and the Jammu & Kashmir State Legislature Members Pension Bill, 1984. Both bills will be moved for introduction by the Chief Minister today.
The Ministry of Railways has withdrawn two proposed projects in Jammu and Kashmir — the Baramulla-Uri new rail line and Qazigund-Srinagar-Budgam railway doubling project. In a communication addressed to the General Manager, Northern Railway, the Ministry of Railways, stated that the two projects “have been returned by Cabinet Secretariat and are no longer under consideration.” The ministry had earlier proposed a 46-km Baramulla-Uri new rail line and a 118-km Qazigund-Srinagar-Budgam doubling project to strengthen rail connectivity in the region. The survey for the Baramulla-Uri new line and the doubling project had been completed and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) prepared. However,…