KashmirLife

SRINAGAR: Outstanding gratuity and General Provident Fund liabilities of the government stood at Rs 5106 crore as of January 31, 2026, the Assembly was told, with payments to retirees linked to the governments overall liquidity position rather than a fixed clearance timeline. The disclosure came in reply to a starred question tabled by MLA Rajeshwar []

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, during the Budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, foregrounded the demand for restoration of statehood and reiterated the Houses earlier resolution seeking constitutional guarantees for the special status of the Union Territory. Addressing the House, Omar said his party remained committed to the promises made to the []

SRINAGAR: PDP President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has criticised the sustained reduction in funds to Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) in Pir Panjal, warning that the institution is being pushed towards managed decline through systematic neglect. Official figures show that capital funding for the university fell from Rs 703.88 lakh in 202122 []

SRINAGAR: Budgam Police has solved a major gold theft case with the arrest of five accused persons and recovery of stolen property worth about Rs 11 lakh, along with cash amounting to Rs 83,000. Police said the case came to light after Police Station Budgam received a written complaint from Mohammad Yousuf Najar of Lakhripora, []

SRINAGAR: Police, along with personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force and Sashastra Seema Bal, on Thursday carried out a joint frisking and checking drive in Rajbagh area of Srinagar and its adjoining areas as part of heightened security measures. Officials said the operation covered key locations including bridges, public parks and surrounding localities, where []

by Tahira Rafiq SRINAGAR: After reaching a record high in 2024, tourist arrivals in Jammu and Kashmir declined in 2025, with the Union Territory recording 1.78 crore tourist visits, according to the Economic Survey 202526. The fall marked a reversal of the steady growth observed over the previous three years. The decline in tourism during []

SRINAGAR: The cost of buying electricity continues to dominate Jammu and Kashmirs energy finances, with the Union Territory spending about Rs 8,254 crore annually on power purchases, a figure that now accounts for nearly 87 per cent of the total expenditure of the power sector. The latest Economic Survey describes this mounting purchase bill as []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmirs fiscal strategy for 202526 centres on widening its revenue base, containing committed expenditure and tightening budgetary controls while continuing capital spending on infrastructure, according to Economic Survey 2026 which was presented to the assembly by the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah. The Union Territory has approved a budget of Rs 1,12,310 crore []

SRINAGAR: As many as 1,72,073 Antyodaya Anna Yojana households have been verified across Jammu and Kashmir to receive 200 units of free electricity per month, the government informed the Assembly, indicating that the proposal for extending the benefit is at the final stage of approval. The figures were placed before the House as supplementary information []

SRINAGAR: More than 10,800 daily wagers are currently working across power distribution and transmission corporations in Jammu and Kashmir, the government told the Assembly, while maintaining there is no delay in their regularisation and that cases are processed subject to rules and eligibility. The figures were provided in a written reply to a starred question []

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said he would raise the issue of reopening tourist destinations closed after the Pahalgam terror attack during Union Home Minister Amit Shahs upcoming visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing the Legislative Assembly, Abdullah said several tourist locations in the Kashmir Valley had remained shut and stressed that the []

SRINAGAR: The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was opened for traffic on Thursday with restrictions in place, allowing the movement of light motor vehicles while imposing regulated movement for heavy vehicles, officials said. According to traffic authorities, light motor vehicles were permitted to ply on the highway from both directions. However, heavy motor vehicles were allowed to []

SRINAGAR: Several residential houses were damaged after a major fire erupted in the Bhagyas area of Chattabal, Srinagar in the early hours of Thursday, officials said. Fire and Emergency Services (FES) officials said the State Fire Control Room at Batamaloo received an emergency call at around 6:31 am, prompting the immediate dispatch of a fire []

SRINAGAR: Union Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah will launch Bharat Taxi, Indias first cooperative-based ride-hailing platform, in New Delhi, according to the Ministry of Cooperation. The ministry said the platform has been developed to strengthen the cooperative sector and promote inclusive, citizen-focused mobility services. Bharat Taxi is designed to place drivers, known as Sarathis, at []

SRINAGAR: The Delhi Police Crime Branch has arrested Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, chairman of Al Falah University, in connection with alleged irregularities, India Today reported. The arrest follows complaints filed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and recent action by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Acting on the UGCs complaints, the Crime Branch registered two separate FIRs []

SRINAGAR: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch, Jammu and Kashmir, has filed a chargesheet in FIR No. 76/2022 against a former Assistant Professor of SKIMS Soura, alleging that she fraudulently secured a government post by concealing her foreign citizenship. According to officials, the chargesheet has been produced before the Court of []

SRINAGAR: The High-Powered Committee (HPC) meeting convened by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to discuss issues related to Ladakh concluded without any concrete outcome in New Delhi, officials sources said. The meeting, held after a gap of nearly three-and-a-half months, was chaired by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai and []

by Stphanie Thomson AI dominated Davos discussions, with leaders urging youth to avoid shortcuts, build learning agility, master AI tools responsibly, and adopt safeguards to protect skills, resilience, and jobs. One of the most talked-about topics at this years meeting in Davos was AI, from conversations with leaders from the field to debates on whether []

As Jammu and Kashmir is racing for the budget estimate announcements next week, Masood Hussain offers an idea of hopes and expectations from Omar Abdullahs second budget as UTs Finance Minister When Omar Abdullah rose in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on March 7, 2025, to present his first budget ever as Chief Minister, the []

SRINAGAR: A family has alleged that repeated demolitions of their house on Handam Mohalla Habbak Foreshore road culminated in the death of its owner, Late Shakeel Ahmad Dar, following what they describe as sustained harassment by the Lake Conservation and Management Authority, while the government says the demolitions were lawful and that it has no []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing between 35 and 38 new cancer cases every day, oncologists said on World Cancer Day, calling for expanded screening programmes, stronger awareness campaigns and investment in advanced treatment facilities across the Union Territory. Dr Zahoor Ahmad, senior oncologist at SKIMS Soura, said the number of fresh cases being detected []

SRINAGAR: Ehsaas Foundation on Wednesday launched Ehsaas-e-Sukhan, a literary initiative aimed at promoting young poets and emerging writers across the Kashmir Valley. According to the Foundation, the platform has been conceived as an open-mic forum to provide poets, writers and artists with an opportunity to share their work in a supportive environment. The initiative focuses []

by Afreen Ashraf SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed noisy scenes and a brief adjournment on Wednesday after alleged remarks by Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma during a media interaction triggered protests across the House. During his interview with Hindustan Times, Sharma said that there was no term as Pir Panjal and he []

SRINAGAR: Cement industries in Jammu and Kashmir have been directed by the JK Pollution Control Committee (PCC) to install Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Systems (CAAQMS) for regular air quality monitoring, the government said on Wednesday. Replying to a question from MLA Hasnain Masoodi, the Minister for Forest, Ecology, and Environment, said that two CAAQMS []

SRINAGAR: The Government of India on Wednesday informed Parliament that BSNL has extended cellular connectivity to 4,489 out of 6,553 villages in Jammu and Kashmir, while efforts are underway to cover the remaining areas. In a written reply to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha, the Union Ministry of Communications, stated: BSNL is in []

SRINAGAR: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday called for a separate development budget for Srinagars old city, Shehr-e-Khaas, citing unemployment, poor infrastructure, and civic neglect. Speaking to reporters at the PDP headquarters, Mehbooba said, The historic part of the city has been facing growing unemployment, poor infrastructure and []

SRINAGAR: MLA Pulwama, Waheed ur Rehman Para criticised the Omar Abdullah-led government in the Assembly on Wednesday, urging it to focus on issues within its control instead of avoiding responsibility. Para said the ruling alliance has the support of over 50 MLAs and should use this to engage with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. []

SRINAGAR: The government has set new rules to regulate the private coaching and study centres in Jammu and Kashmir with strict focus on registration, reservation, tuition fee and safety of the students. An official however said that the registration of the private coaching institutes in Kashmir region has not been renewed post COVID-19 period. As []

SRINAGAR: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday predicted largely dry weather across Jammu and Kashmir till February 8, with scattered light rain or snow at many places between February 9 and 10. According to the IMDs latest bulletin, weather is expected to remain generally dry from February 4 to February 6 evening, though light []

SRINAGAR: An encounter broke out on Wednesday between militants and security forces in the Bichaar area of Chhatroo, in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. Official sources said that the exchange of fire erupted during a search operation launched by security forces following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in the []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as one of the top contributors to the Centres nationwide digitisation of Waqf assets, uploading more than 25,000 Waqf properties on the newly launched UMEED portal, even as users across the country reported intermittent technical issues during the initial rollout of the platform. Data shared by the Ministry of []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir continues to record one of the lowest volumes of consumer disputes in the country, yet its redressal mechanism is operating with substantial vacancies and infrastructure constraints, raising concerns over access to timely consumer justice in the Union Territory. Information shared by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in []

SRINAGAR:The Government of India on Wednesday informed the Lok Sabha that it is aware of incidents of rape threats, abusive trolling and organised harassment targeting women on social media platforms, and said intermediaries failing to curb such content could lose legal protections under the Information Technology Act. Responding to an unstarred question raised by Smt. []

SRINAGAR: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Wednesday announced that the Jammu and Kashmir government will expedite forest clearance to ensure the speedy execution of road projects across the Union Territory. He said cases will be coordinated with the concerned agencies to enable hassle-free work on the road network. The Deputy Chief Minister also stated []

SRINAGAR: The Tehsil Administration in north Kashmirs Sopore began a public reading of digitized Jamabandi (land revenue records) in Seer village on Wednesday. This initiative aims to promote transparency and digital governance officials said. An official said that the exercise is under the supervision of Tehsildar Sopore, Sheikh Tariq Ahmad, with Patwari Zafar Iqbal leading []

SRINAGAR: The government has launched the JKMSME Health Clinic and announced financial relief measures intended to ease credit for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including reimbursement of the annual guarantee fee of 0.33 per cent on loans up to Rs 10 lakh under the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has issued transfers and postings of mechanical engineers in the Public Works (R and B) Department, with immediate effect. According to Government Order No. 37-PW(R and B) of 2026, dated February 2, Er Vinod Kumar has been transferred from the Mechanical Hospital Division Rajouri to the Mechanical and Hospital []

SRINAGAR: Seven rice samples from Srinagar markets were reported as not of standard quality and legal cases have been lodged, the Government told the Assembly on the Starred question on adulterated rice. The reply, placed before the House in response to a starred question tabled by Shamim Firdous, said the Health and Medical Education Department []

SRINAGAR: The Government said in the Assembly that the moratorium on the establishment of new air-polluting industries in Khrew and Khonmoh will remain in force until the annual average air quality index falls below 100 or the Comprehensive Environment Pollution Index score falls below 60, amid continuing concerns over dust and emissions from cement factories []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Wednesday informed the Assembly that it is not considering any proposal to provide monthly financial assistance to young advocates who have completed more than three years of legal practice. The clarification was given by the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs in response to Assembly Question No. []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Tariq Hameed Karra on Wednesday said that while the Congress has no expectations from the present government on the issue of statehood, it will continue its struggle for the restoration of constitutional rights. Speaking to reporters outside the JK Assembly complex in Jammu, Karra, said that []

SRINAGAR: Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Sunil Sharma on Wednesday accused the ruling National Conference government in Jammu and Kashmir of failing to deliver on its commitments and avoiding accountability. Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly complex in Jammu, Sharma said the government must provide clear answers on its promises to the people. He []

SRINAGAR: The ongoing encounter in the Ramnagar area of Udhampur district entered its second day on Wednesday, with security forces using drones to locate militants who were spotted firing from inside a cave, officials said. Officials said the encounter, which broke out on Tuesday following specific intelligence inputs, intensified after aerial surveillance detected militant movement []

SRINAGAR: Saudi Arabias Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has halted contracts with 1,800 overseas travel agencies after an assessment identified significant shortcomings in service quality and adherence to approved standards. The decision, announced on February 1, 2026, affects almost one-third of the approximately 5,800 Umrah operators worldwide but does not affect pilgrims who already hold []

Sheikhgund village in Kashmirs down south transformed itself into a smoke-free community through collective action, local leadership and national recognition, showing how grassroots resolve can curb tobacco, drug abuse and eventually cancer, reports Saqlain Ashraf and Muazam Mohi Ud Din Kashmir is one of the cancer hotspots, and one of the reasons for smoking. The []

by Dr Farooq A. Lone Birth largely determines ones starting conditions in life, shaping opportunity and constraint, yet effort, awareness, and fair policies can help individuals and societies overcome inherited inequalities Recent discourses on opportunities available to our youth, reservations in public employment and professional education, and similar concerns have reignited my reflections on the []

SRINAGAR: The United States military has shot down an Iranian drone that approached an American aircraft carrier operating in the Arabian Sea, a US official told Reuters. The official said the unmanned aerial vehicle was intercepted after it came too close to the carrier, describing the action as a defensive measure taken to protect US []

SRINAGAR: Minister for Transport, Satish Sharma said that as per the operational guidelines of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), e-bus service is being operated within the Srinagar Metropolitan Region (SMR) limits. The Minister said this while replying to a question raised by Rafiq Ahmad Naik. He informed the house that the Tral constituency []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Tuesday informed the Legislative Assembly that the Ladli Beti Scheme has been approved for implementation in eight districts of the Union Territory. Replying to an unstarred question raised by MLA Javid Hassan Baig on the non-implementation of the scheme in Baramulla, the Minister in charge of Social Welfare []

SRINAGAR: Power supply will remain disrupted in several areas of Jammu and Kathua districts over the next few days due to scheduled maintenance works, officials of the Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) said on Tuesday. According to the Chief Engineer (Distribution), JPDCL Jammu, electricity supply to Transport Nagar, Narwal, Railway Colony, parts of Channi []