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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Nearly 13,000 teaching posts vacant in J&K; no school upgraded since 2024: Sakina Itoo
JAMMU — As many as 12,977 teaching posts are lying vacant across Jammu and Kashmir, while no school has been upgraded since November 2024, Education Minister Sakina Itoo informed the Assembly on Thursday. In a written reply to a starred question raised by BJP MLA Shakti Raj Parihar, the minister said 7,985 teacher posts are […]
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 […]
Congress MLAs protest in J&K Assembly over harassment of Kashmiris outside UT
JAMMU — Congress MLAs Irfan Hafiz Lone and Iftikhar Ahmed on Thursday staged a protest in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly complex over the alleged harassment of Kashmiris outside the Union Territory, demanding an immediate halt to such incidents. Carrying placards reading “Stop harassment of Kashmiris”, the two MLAs held the protest on the stairs […]
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 […]
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 […]
Ramzan shopping peaks in Kashmir as markets bustle with activity
SRINAGAR — The hustle and bustle of Ramzan shopping has reached its peak across Kashmir Valley, with markets witnessing heavy footfall as Muslims prepare for the holy fasting month, likely to begin on Thursday, subject to the sighting of the moon. Sales of dates and dry fruits have picked up sharply in the days leading […]






