Cabinet approves CSC report on reservation, to be sent to LG for approval soon; Centre must keep its promise on Statehood; Alliance with Congress intact; Expecting Centres package for flood-affected soon
KS News Desk
Srinagar, Oct 16: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that the government couldnt have done better than this under the prevalent situation in Jammu and Kashmir. He was addressing a news conference after the completion of the government's one year in office.
The Chief Minister said that it would have no sense to remain satisfied with the governments work done in the past one year as ultimately, it is the people to decide after the completion of five years through their votes.
We want the people to be satisfied with our work. I believe we couldnt have done better under these circumstances, but we will do much better in the future, he said.
He said that the people can judge this government after the completion of five years.
The mandate has not been given to us for the period of ten month or a year. We have been given five years to serve. No government can fulfill all the promises in just one years period, he said.
He said that the government has fulfilled its promise of passing the resolution in cabinet and bringing it to the Assembly.
He added that about the regularisation of daily wagers, the government has already started the work in this regard.
"The education department has regularized 860 CPWs, who were earlier working on meagre remuneration. We are sticking to our promises and all of them will be fulfilled in the five years period," he said.
Omar Abdullah said the report card on all the promises done by the government will be before the people.
He said that working in the Union Territory is a different experience. We were expecting the restoration of statehood in the first year of the governance as, but we will not stop here but will continue to fight for it, he said.
The Chief Minister also added that he believes all the issues can be resolved once the statehood is restored.
I want to appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to fulfill the promises done with the people in the Parliament and in the Supreme Court over the restoration of statehood, he said.
He added that all the means and ways are open for them to seek the restoration of statehood, but he believes that these issues cannot be resolved and achieved by issuing threats and other things.
We are still hoping that the promises will be fulfilled without bloodshed and other ways, the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister while replying to a query said that it would be unfortunate to deny people their right of statehood due to BJPs defeat here.
The Centre had not promised statehood restoration only when BJP came to power. They had promised delimitation, election and then statehood. There were no Ifs and Buts, he said.
If we are being forced to take them along in the government then I want to make it clear that statehood is not going to be restored in the next four years. We will not allow BJP to come into power, he said.
Regarding the reservation issue, the Chief Minister said that in yesterday's cabinet meeting, the Cabinet Sub Committee has submitted its final report and it has been approved by the cabinet.
"The Social Welfare Department has been asked to prepare a cabinet memo, which will be sent to the cabinet ministers for necessary actions and subsequently sent to Lt Governor for approval. We hope the process will be completed in the next 3-4 days, he added.
The Chief Minister said that the alliance between National Conference and Congress is intact. There are no differences. I have met the Congress General Secretary in New Delhi and had told him that it would be 3 and 1 in the Rajya Sabha elections. The fourth seat for Congress could have helped to get the votes from the other legislators, he said.
Omae Abdullah said that the talks with Congress were going on over by-election on Nagrota and Bugdam seats.
"We are ready to give Congress Nagrota seats if they have any better candidate, he said.
About the governments measures post floods in Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister said that through SDRF and CM Relief Fund, the government has done everything that was possible according to the guidelines.
He added that regarding the issue of reconstruction and other things, the centre has sent teams, who assessed the situation.
We are expecting a comprehensive package for J&K to repair the losses as more than 300 roads got damaged, many bridges collapsed, crops got damaged and houses got damaged, he said.
Omar also said that the government is in the process of ensuring 5 marla land for the people under the existing government scheme, for those who lost their houses along with the land.
The process is on and we expect that the papers will reach the cabinet soon and those who lost the land will get 5 Marlas land and further assistance for reconstruction of the houses, he said.
Moreover, he said that the government has sought assistance from the centre to conduct a survey to identify the crowd base areas prone to cloudbursts and assess the situation here keeping in view topography, climate and other things so that the government can stay prepared for the future.
Regarding the support from the bureaucrats, he said it would not have been possible for the government to perform without the support of these officers.
He however said, Not all officers are the same; some are willing to work and they do, while others are not, and they choose not to.
Asked about Mehbooba Muftis statement over PDPs support to NC candidate in Rajya Sabha elections, the Chief Minister said, Dr Farooq Abdullah talked to her and sought partys support to fight against BJP in the elections.
If the vote is not casted in our favour then it will benefit BJP and abstaining from it is also akin to supporting BJP. However, as far as her conditions are concerned, it is the Speaker, who has to decide on the bills. Nobody other than the Speaker can decide over it. Once it comes in the assembly, we will have no issues to create hurdles on it, he said. (KNO)
Suhail Khan Baramulla, Jan 6: A young aerospace engineer from Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district is proving that dedication and ambition can propel one to global heights. Munaf-ul-Raquib who holds a B.Tech in Aerospace Engineering, has gained international recognition for his research on black holes and cosmology. Munaf-ul-Raquib revealed that his paper on the thermodynamics of black holes was recently published in the International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR). “About a year ago, I conducted research on the gravity of black holes and cosmology, which has now been published in IJSR,” he said. He said that since his research was published in the international journal, he has been receiving opportunities from various countries to participate in research dialogues. Raquib added that in the coming months he is scheduled to participate in international conferences in Paris on April 16 and later in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The Sopore aerospace engineer noted that he is also participating in various conferences across different countries. Speaking about his research, Munaf-ul-Raquib addressed a fundamental paradox in astrophysics: how black holes can appear to violate thermodynamic laws, particularly concerning entropy.“If we observe a black hole, it seems to contradict thermodynamic principles,” he said. Using the frameworks of Anti-de Sitter space (AdS) and Conformal Field Theory (CFT), Raqeeb’s research proposes a theoretical model that reconciles black hole mechanics with thermodynamics. “In this paper, I have explained how a black hole can function without violating thermodynamic laws,” he said. He described the achievement as both personal and symbolic. “It is a proud moment for me to represent my state, especially Sopore, on an international platform,” he said. Raqeeb shared that Astrophysics was his childhood dream, and his grandfather encouraged me immensely. "After my grandfather passed away during the Covid-19 pandemic, my parents continued to champion my aspirations. My parents left no stone unturned in helping me pursue my dreams,” he said. He said that his academic path included taking the JEE and later the AME CET entrance exams, through which he secured a seat in aerospace engineering at the Nasik Research Centre. “My parents not only supported me morally but also created an environment where I could pursue my dreams freely,” he said. He emphasized the role of family in nurturing talent. “Just as my parents supported me, it is the responsibility of all parents to help their children follow their dreams.” “Young people should avoid wrong practices. They must dream of a beautiful tomorrow but work hard today to make their parents proud,” he further added.
Srinagar, Jan 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) will declare the result of class 10th and 12th examination on January 14 of, 2026 (Wednesday), minister for education Sakina Itoo said on Monday. Minister for education Sakina Itoo said the government has decided to declare the result of both the classes-10th and 12th on the same day. "We understand that students have been waiting for the results. So we decided that result of both the classes will be declared on Wednesday (January 16 of 2926)," Sakina Itoo said. She said the meeting of the Result Declaration Committee (RDC) will be convened by the Secretary JKBOE along with the members-Director School Education (DSE) Kashmir and Jammu division besides the joint secretaries as well. "We will give the administrative approval to the result instead of getting approved by the chairman," she said. The announcement comes amid the delay in appointment of chairman JKBOSE as the position is lying vacant for the last one year. "After declaration of the results, we will also appoint the permanent chairman for JKBOSE as well," education minister said. An official from JKBOSE said the class 1oth result will be declared on Wednesday morning followed by the declaration of result of class 12th students in late afternoon on the same day. As per the official figures, 94783 students- 68804 from Kashmir and 25,224 students from winter zone areas of Jammu division besides 660 students from Kargil and 95 from Leh district registered for the class 10th JKBOSE examination this year. Also, the examination for class 11th and 12th students was scheduled from November 19 and November 8 of 2025 respectively. Approximately, 81622 students – 64001 from Jammu and 17621 from winter zone areas of Jammu have registered for class 11th examination while 70117 students—56423 from Kashmir and 13694 from winter zone areas of Jammu have registered for class 12th examination.
'Results likely to get delayed in absence of Chairman' Jammu, Jan 7: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) on Wednesday said the result of the class 10th examinations will be declared soon after the appointment of the Chairman of the Board. The statement comes amid the uncertainty about the declaration of the results by JKBOSE. In an official handout issued here, JKBOSE has advised students not to pay heed to fake links and websites announcing declaration of class 10 results. "Result of class 10th will be declared within few days soon after the appointment of new Chairman," the statement reads. The JKBOSE has stated that the results of annual examination of class 10 of Kashmir valley and winter zone areas of Jammu Division are almost ready. "But its approval by Result Declaration Committee headed by BOSE Chairman is a pre- requisite before its declaration. In absence of the Chairman the results are likely to get a little delayed," it reads. The JKBOSE officials have advised the students to wait for the formal declaration on the official website of the Board- www.jkbose.nic.in. "Students should not get misled by scamesters and fake narratives circulated by some mischievous elements, whose sole aim is to create confusion in the innocent student community," the statement reads.
Srinagar, Jan 8: Contractual faculty members working in government degree colleges of Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department (HED) have expressed strong resentment over what they term as a glaring disparity in salaries, demanding revision of their pay in line with University Grants Commission (UGC) norms and regularisation of their services. The faculty, many of whom hold PhDs and are qualified through NET, SET and JRF, said they have been denied UGC-recommended pay scales despite discharging academic responsibilities equivalent to their regular counterparts. “Hundreds of highly qualified scholars have been pushed into silent suffering. For years, we have been assured that our pay revision is under consideration, but nothing has materialised so far,” said Dr Ishfaq Gowhar, a contractual faculty member. Earlier, Director Colleges J&K had acknowledged the legitimacy of the faculty’s demand, stating that while the issue was genuine, its implementation involved significant financial implications due to the large number of contractual appointments. “We are aware that they deserve salary enhancement, but the number of contractual faculty is huge and it has financial implications,” he earlier said. Dr Gowhar pointed out that contractual lecturers, who form the backbone of the higher education system, continue to work on a fixed monthly honorarium of Rs 28,000, which has remained unchanged for nearly a decade. “The irony is that a Class IV employee with a Class 10 qualification draws a salary exceeding Rs 50,000, while doctorate-holding teachers engaged in teaching, mentoring and academic research are paid a fraction of that,” he said. He added that institutions such as SKUAST-K, University of Kashmir and Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) have implemented revised UGC pay scales, but the Higher Education Department has failed to extend similar treatment to its contractual faculty. Dr Gowhar said the demand for “equal work, equal pay” gets prominently featured in election campaigns, raising hopes among contractual teachers. “Promises were made and slogans echoed during elections, but once the process ended, our voices were reduced to silence. Even meeting officials now feels impossible,” he said. He said contractual faculty were not seeking privileges but dignity, fairness and recognition for their service. The faculty appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Education Minister to intervene and take concrete steps towards addressing their long-pending demands. “This issue is not merely about salaries. It is about survival, justice and dignity in the classrooms of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Jammu, Jan 18: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Youth Services & Sports, Information Technology, ARI & Trainings, Satish Sharma Sunday said that the remarkable achievements of Jammu and Kashmir’s youth are a powerful testament to what can be accomplished through fair opportunities, modern infrastructure and unwavering government support. Addressing the gathering during the SRIJAN initiative conference, the Minister stated that the success of young athletes clearly demonstrates that with the right ecosystem in place, the UT youth are capable of overcoming every challenge and competing confidently at national and international platforms. Highlighting the core focus areas of the SRIJAN programme, Satish Sharma said "the initiative is playing a transformative role in strengthening the sports landscape of the Union Territory by expanding grassroots sports infrastructure across Jammu, Kashmir and other regions. This is being done by ensuring transparent, merit-based selections free from any bias; integrating sports with education and skill development; promoting greater participation of girls and enhancing inclusivity and establishing sports as a dignified and sustainable career option with viable livelihood opportunities, he said0. He reaffirmed the government’s firm commitment and said that sustained efforts were underway to create international-standard sports facilities, including modern cricket stadiums in Jammu and Srinagar. He also highlighted the strengthening of Khelo India Centres, promotion of traditional sports such as Dangal and enhanced collaboration with the Union Ministry to transform Jammu & Kashmir into a national sports hub. “As Sports Minister, I assure our athletes that the government stands firmly with them. Our focus is not only on infrastructure creation but also on nurturing talent, discipline and confidence among the youth,” he said. The Minister lauded the determination, resilience and dedication of young sportspersons, describing them as the living legacy of the SRIJAN mission. He urged them to continue training with passion, remain disciplined and dream fearlessly, assuring them of full institutional support at every step of their journey. Satish Sharma expressed hope that the conference would serve as the foundation of a new era where every talented child, from the mountains of Kashmir to the plains of Jammu, is provided an equal opportunity to shine on the global stage. He concluded by reiterating the government’s resolve to make sports a powerful vehicle for youth empowerment, social inclusion and regional pride in Jammu and Kashmir. Director General, Youth Services and Sports, Anuradha Gupta and prominent persons from different fields and states along with senior officers of the Youth Services and Sports Department, were also present on the occasion.
Srinagar, Mar 5: The Jammu and Kashmir government has tightened its noose against illegal mineral extraction across Kashmir and banned use of heavy machinery. As per the fresh circular issued by the Directorate of Geology and Mining department, the move comes to regulate the scientific exploitation of minerals across the J&K UT as per conditions provided in the Environmental Clearances issued by J&K Environment Impact Assessment Authority(JKEIAA). The instructions have been issued in wake of the meeting convened on February 27 of 2026 as enforcement measures against Illegal extraction, transportation of minerals and action t. As per the circular, all the District Mineral Officers (DMOs) and designated committees have been directed to ensure that no Heavy Earth Moving Machinery, including Hydraulic Excavators (Poclain), is deployed for extraction of minor minerals in violation of the conditions of Environmental Clearance or statutory provisions. "Any heavy machinery, vehicle, or equipment found involved in illegal extraction or transportation of minerals shall be seized forthwith and action shall be initiated under the relevant provisions of the MMDR Act, 1957 and applicable rules," the circular reads. The District Mineral Officer and designated committees have been asked to submit the Action Taken report on daily basis to their respective Joint Directors. The Joint Directors shall consolidate the reports and forward the same to the Directorate on a daily basis for onward submission to the competent authorities. "Any lapse in enforcement or reporting shall invite strict administrative action as per rules," the circular reads. "This circular shall come into force with immediate effect and shall be complied with in letter and spirit," it reads.
Srinagar, Feb 22: Chairman J&K Civil Society Forum (JKCSF) Abdul Qayoom Wani Sunday appealed to the government to issue immediate instructions regarding reasonable relief in working hours for government and private sector employees during the ongoing holy month of Ramadhan. In a statement issued here, Wani said that despite being a Muslim-majority region, it is unfortunate that no formal decision has been announced in this regard. "JKCSF believes that governance must reflect sensitivity towards the religious and cultural ethos of its people," Qayoom Wani said. He said the holy month of Ramadhan is a period of fasting, spiritual reflection, discipline, and devotion. "Adjusting duty hours during this sacred month is not merely a concession, but a humane and administrative necessity," Wani said. JKCSF has further urged the J&K Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take a proactive and compassionate decision without further delay. "Other states such as Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana have already taken commendable initiatives by rationalizing working hours for Muslim employees during Ramadan," Qayoom Wani said. He said that J&K, with its unique cultural and religious fabric, should ideally lead such inclusive initiatives rather than remain in a state of uncertainty. "JKCSF particularly draws attention to the plight of private sector employees who often face excessive work pressure without institutional safeguards," Wani said. He said that many among them continue to work prolonged hours even while observing fasts, which raises concerns about workplace fairness and basic rights. "The forum emphasizes that private sector employees must not be treated merely as corporate instruments, but as dignified contributors to economic growth. Their rights and well-being deserve protection, especially during significant religious observances," Qayoom Wani said. JKCSF has called upon the government to issue clear, inclusive, and balanced guidelines ensuring modest reduction or rationalisation of duty hours for both government and private sector employees "Timing should be observed while aintaining administrative efficiency and public service delivery. Such a step will foster goodwill, promote social harmony, and demonstrate responsive governance," Wani said. JKCSF has reiterated its commitment to constructive dialogue and hopes the administration takes a considerate and timely decision in the larger interest of justice, inclusivity, and human dignity.
Karta, Feb 18: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the much-anticipated Sri Shankaracharya Temple. Perched on hillocks beside the revered Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, this project takes root after decades, realizing a vision first envisioned in the 1960s. Total expenditure for the temple complex, amounting to Rs. 31.51 crore, will be fully borne by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. The Lieutenant Governor announced that the Shrine Board will construct 50 commercial shops within the Temple complex, which will be allotted to the landowners who donated it for sacred cause. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) and the concerned landowners was executed in 2025, wherein the landowners have consented to donate 41 Kanals for sacred cause. “In the years ahead, the Sri Shankaracharya Temple will serve as a spiritual anchor for millions of devotees. It will be a living emblem of India's eternal culture, collective faith, resilience, and profound spiritual-cultural consciousness," LG said. He said that devotee visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi for darshan will also come to Sri Shankaracharya Temple, generating significant economic momentum across the region. "This influx will create employment opportunities, strengthen local enterprises, and inject fresh energy into overall regional development,” the Lieutenant Governor said. During his visit to the holy town of Katra, the Lieutenant Governor presided over the ‘Samridh Nari, Samridh Bharat’ program at the Spiritual Growth Centre, where he interacted with the women entrepreneurs of Self-Help Groups of Reasi and adjoining areas. The Lieutenant Governor reiterated the commitment of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board towards keeping spiritual hubs vibrant while prioritizing every devotee's comfort, safety, and dignity. He said when sacred sites thrive with vitality, they spark renewed faith and unlock paths to progress. “Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has consistently prioritized welfare of local communities. It has not only generated large-scale local employment and supported extensive business activity, but has also contributed significantly to shaping a renewed social and cultural identity in the Union Territory,” the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor said that Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board in a recent meeting had approved key decisions to transform the Shrine and surrounding area into India's premier vibrant spiritual hub. He announced that the Shrine Board is enhancing the annual procurement of Puja Samagri and Prasad from SHGs from current procurement value of Rs.5 Crore to Rs. 12 Crore significantly strengthening livelihood generation in the region. “A standout measure was to prioritize purchases from local self-help groups, women, and young entrepreneurs to boost the regional economy. This initiative will onboard 20 additional self-help groups into the supply chain, providing livelihood support to around 1,500 women from villages in Reasi, Udhampur, and Jammu. Total annual purchases from these groups will be scaled to Rs. 50 crore in coming years,” the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor stated that the soul of J&K UT is deeply rooted in India’s rich civilizational heritage, so we have decided to channel Vedic education's vast wisdom to the youth to nurture this legacy. He said, through the Gurukul initiative, SMVDSB will nurture youth who will uphold sacred traditions and perform religious practices with authenticity and understanding. The Lieutenant Governor also shared his vision for the future of the holy town. "I envision Katra carving a unique global identity in the coming years- drawing investments, superior infrastructure with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board support, booming business activity, and boundless opportunities for the youth,” he said. The Lieutenant Governor further highlighted that the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board envisions building a world-class cultural and spiritual center—one that provides society with a foundation of lasting stability. Suresh Kumar Sharma and Gunjan Rana Members of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Prof. Pragati Kumar Vice-Chancellor SMVDU, Ramesh Kumar Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Mohammadd Aijaz Asad Secretary Rural Development & PR, Sarah Rizvi DIG Udhampur and Reasi Range, Sachin Kumar Vaishya CEO SMVDSB, Nidhi Malik Deputy Commissioner Reasi, senior officers of Police and Civil Administration, members of women self-help groups from Reasi and adjoining districts attended the function.