JAMMU — The Congress on Thursday criticised Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s decision to order transfer of middle and lower-rung officers in the Union Territory, saying the latter should have awaited the approval of business rules before announcing his decision. In a move seen by many as an attempt to take full control […]
Politics
Lok Sabha passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 after 12-hour long heated debate
NEW DELHI — The Lok Sabha early Thursday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after over a 12-hour debate, which saw the ruling NDA strongly defending the legislation as beneficial for minorities, while the opposition describing it as “anti-Muslim”. The Bill was passed after all amendments moved by the opposition members were rejected by […]
J&K political parties oppose Waqf Bill, term it ‘interference in religious matters’
SRINAGAR — Political parties in Kashmir on Wednesday opposed the amendments made to the Waqf Act saying it was an interference in religious matters and an attempt to disempower Muslims. Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha. The Bill seeks to improve the functioning […]
Waqf (Amendment) Bill should be called ‘looters (amendment) law’: Owaisi
HYDERABAD — Coming down heavily on the NDA government in the Centre over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday alleged that the bill should be called a ‘looters (amendment) law’ as the BJP-led regime wants to take away waqf properties. Referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s reported remarks that one […]
Bye-elections: ECI announces voter list revision for Nagrota, Budgam
JAMMU — The Election Commission of India has announced a special summary revision of voter lists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Nagrota and Budgam assembly constituencies where bye-elections are due shortly. The revision will be based on April 1, 2025, as the qualifying date, ahead of the upcoming bye-elections, said a notification issued by the Election […]
Several youth activists join BJP in Zadibal Assembly constituency
SRINAGAR — Scores of youth activists on Wednesday joined the BJP in the Zadibal Assembly constituency of Jammu and Kashmir. “More than hundred prominent activists and youths from Zadibal joined the BJP in the presence of Sat Sharma, president, J&K BJP, and Ashok Koul, general secretary (organisation),” a BJP spokesperson said. Sharma and Koul welcomed […]
J&K Legislative Assembly passes annual budget, GST amendment bill
JAMMU — The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Tuesday passed the budget for 2025-26 with a voice vote, approving the appropriation bill to enable the government to utilise Rs 1.40 lakh crore from the Union Territory’s consolidated fund for the upcoming fiscal. The appropriation bill is crucial as it allows the government to withdraw […]
BJP MLA marshalled out as he protests demanding district status for Akhnoor
JAMMU — BJP MLA Mohan Lal Bhagat on Tuesday strongly advocated granting district status to the Akhnoor border belt in Jammu and staged a protest during the Assembly session, prompting Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to order his removal from the House. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said there was no proposal under consideration to grant a […]
Will fulfil all poll promises including 200 units of free electricity: Omar Abdullah
JAMMU — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the National Conference government is promise-bound to implement all its election promises including giving 200 units of free electricity to all households falling under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) category. Abdullah said this in the legislative assembly while replying to a clubbed question […]
We are a UT until Parliament gives us back statehood: CM Omar Abdullah
JAMMU — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday criticised opposition members for walking out over the use of the term “Union Territory,” saying the region remains one until the Parliament restores its statehood. The Jammu & Kashmir Assembly passed a bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Goods and Services Tax (GST) […]








