Kashmir

Action against encroachers will begin with influential violators, not the poor: Omar Abdullah

JAMMU — Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said action against encroachment on government land in Jammu and Kashmir will begin with influential violators, assuring the Assembly that the poor will not be targeted first. Winding up discussions on grants of his departments in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdullah said there was unanimity […]

Kashmir

All closed tourist destinations in J&K likely to reopen by May; nine new sites planned: Omar Abdullah

JAMMU — Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said all tourist destinations currently closed in Jammu and Kashmir are expected to reopen by May, as the government continues efforts to revive tourism following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack. Winding up the discussion on Demands for Grants in the Legislative Assembly, Abdullah said his government […]

Kashmir

J&K has 18,000 MW hydropower potential; generation to rise to 7,000 MW in coming years: Omar Abdullah

JAMMU — Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said Jammu and Kashmir has an estimated hydropower potential of around 18,000 megawatts, of which only about 3,000–3,500 MW has been developed so far. He said with the addition of upcoming projects, total power generation in the Union Territory is expected to rise to nearly 7,000 MW […]

Kashmir

Daily wagers’ regularisation process to begin in 2026; 30,000 vacancies to be filled this year: Omar Abdullah

JAMMU — Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the Jammu and Kashmir government will initiate the process of regularising daily-rated, ad hoc and other temporary employees in a legally and financially sustainable manner in 2026, even as it plans to fill nearly 30,000 vacant posts during the current year. Replying to discussions on grants […]

Kashmir

Sajad Lone slams police verification policy in J&K Assembly, calls it ‘collective punishment’

SRINAGAR (KIMS) — Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference President and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the police verification process, alleging it has turned into “collective punishment” for families across Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking in the Assembly, Lone said hundreds of youths are being denied police clearance because of alleged […]

Kashmir

Saffron output in J&K dips to 19.58 MT in 2024–25 from 23.53 MT last year: Deputy CM

JAMMU — Saffron production in Jammu and Kashmir declined from 23.53 metric tonnes in 2023–24 to 19.58 metric tonnes in 2024–25, official data tabled in the Assembly on Wednesday showed. Replying to a question raised by National Conference MLA Hasnain Masoodi, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary said the total area under saffron cultivation in […]

Kashmir

J&K govt takes up key road projects to ease traffic congestion in Srinagar: Deputy CM

JAMMU — The Jammu and Kashmir government has undertaken several key road projects and corridor developments to improve traffic flow across downtown and arterial roads in Srinagar, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary informed the Assembly on Wednesday. Replying to a question by National Conference MLA Tanvir Sadiq, Choudhary said the government is aware of congestion […]