JAMMU — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said there has been no hike in electricity tariffs in the Union Territory since December 2023, assuring that billing is being carried out transparently and strictly as per rules. Replying to a question raised by NC MLA Bashir Ahmed Veeri in the Assembly, Abdullah […]
Kashmir
Tourist arrivals surge post-2019; over 7.85 crore visitors recorded in J&K from 2023–25: Govt
JAMMU — Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a sharp surge in tourist arrivals in the post-2019 period, with over 7.85 crore tourists visiting the Union Territory between 2023 and 2025, compared to 4.76 crore visitors during 2016–18, the government informed the Assembly on Friday. Replying to a written question by NC MLA Javid Hassan Baig, […]
Kashmir records warmest February in decade as temperatures soar
SRINAGAR — Kashmir is witnessing an unusually warm winter, with day temperatures rising 9–11 degrees above normal in several areas, making February so far the warmest in about a decade, officials said on Friday. Day temperatures have remained significantly above seasonal averages over the past few days amid bright sunshine across the Valley. On Thursday, […]
DPR for Razdan Pass tunnel to begin soon, says J&K Govt
JAMMU — The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday said preparation of the detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed Razdan Pass tunnel, aimed at ensuring all-weather connectivity to Gurez Valley, will commence shortly. Replying to a question by National Conference legislator Nazir Ahmad Khan in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister […]
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 […]
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 […]





