Politics

“Don’t do politics on everything”: Omar Abdullah defends Kishtwar Ramzan donation order

JAMMU — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday called for political maturity, urging lawmakers to desist from politicising administrative decisions after a government order regulating Ramzan donations (Zakat) in Kishtwar triggered protests in the Assembly. Raising a point of order after Question Hour, Abdullah responded to concerns flagged by Congress MLAs Nizamuddin […]

Jammu

Three tourism projects completed in Ramgarh at Rs 307 lakh; more planned for 2026–27: Omar Abdullah

JAMMU — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that three tourism projects have been completed in Ramgarh constituency at a cost of Rs 307.12 lakh under the Capex budget, while another project is currently under execution. Replying to a question raised by BJP MLA Devinder Kumar Manyal, asked on his behalf […]

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, […]

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, […]

Governance

J&K Assembly passes Rs 74,690 crore grants for 13 departments; CM outlines fiscal, governance roadmap

JAMMU — The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed grants amounting to Rs 74,690 crore for 13 departments, including Finance, Power and Housing, after two days of extensive deliberations in the House. The Assembly also approved 19 supplementary grants totalling Rs 3,523 crore. Replying to the discussion on Demands for Grants, Chief Minister […]

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 […]