Politics

Waheed Para questions pending Rs 270 crore under Marriage Assistance, Ladli Beti schemes in J&K

JAMMU — PDP MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para on Friday questioned the non-release of Rs 270 crore under the Marriage Assistance and Ladli Beti schemes over the last three financial years, including the current one, alleging that large portions of the announced funds remain stuck in the treasury. Taking a dig at the National Conference-led government, Para […]

Politics

Indo-US trade deal will hurt farmers, orchardists in J&K, Himachal: Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

SRINAGAR — Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, on Thursday said the interim Indo-US trade deal has shattered the dreams of farmers and orchardists, particularly in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, warning that its full impact will be felt in the coming years. Speaking to reporters, Sukhu said both regions share similar […]

Governance

Climate response now a ‘compulsion’ for J&K; Omar bats for dedicated department

JAMMU — Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said climate response has become a “compulsion” for Jammu and Kashmir, stressing the need for a structured and institutional approach to address climate change. Replying to the discussion on Demands for Grants in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdullah said last year’s extreme weather events including, […]

Biz-Tech

SCARD Bank not bankrupt; liquidation initiated due to financial distress, says J&K Govt

JAMMU — The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday clarified that the State Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development (SCARD) Bank Ltd has not been declared bankrupt, but liquidation proceedings have been initiated in accordance with law due to prolonged financial and operational distress. Replying to questions by legislators Dr Rajeev Kumar Bhagat, Vikram Randhawa, Surjeet […]

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

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 […]