Kashmir Reader

Demands immediate conduct of Panchayat, ULB polls; calls for creating employment opportunities, revision of reservation policy SRINAGAR: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Saturday urged the Centre to restore dialogue with the people, especially the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, for confidence-building and to end the negative environment. He said that this is []

Emphasizes optimal utilization of released funds to augment facilities for pilgrims SRINAGAR: To ensure a smooth and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage of Yatris during SANJY-2026, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg today chaired a comprehensive review meeting to review arrangements at base camps along the route to the Holy Cave. On the occasion, The Div Com issued []

JAMMU: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, Transport, Youth Services and Sports, Science and Technology, ARI and Trainings, Satish Sharma, on Saturday met R K Mishra, Chief of Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and held comprehensive discussion on key developmental priorities in border regions, with particular focus on Chhamb Constituency. The meeting []

HAJIN: The Armys Manasbal Rashtriya Rifles Battalion on Saturday organised the Sehat-e-Bakshibal Camp at Bakhchibal village in Hajin tehsil of Bandipora district to provide basic health facilities to people residing in rural areas. A large number of locals, including children and the elderly, visited the camp and consulted doctors. The genuine medical needs of the []

SRINAGAR: Zero Academy (Communication & Life Skills), in collaboration with Ignited Minds IAS Academy, successfully organized the Future Leaders of Kashmir Debate Competition on Saturday at Sarovar Portico, Srinagar Airport Road. The debate was held on the theme Employment-Driven Education System vs Traditional Degree-Based Education System, encouraging students to critically examine the evolving relationship []

Emphasises uninterrupted essential services, market regulation, public convenience PULWAMA: Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Dr. Basharat Qayoom, on Saturday chaired a meeting at the Administrative Complex Pulwama to review and finalise arrangements aimed at facilitating the smooth observance of the Holy month of Ramadan. Addressing the meeting, the DC highlighted the need for coordinated and comprehensive measures []

SRINAGAR: The President of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, today joined thousands of mourners in offering the Namaz-e-Janazah of veteran party leader and former minister Peerzada Gh Ahmad Shah at Jamia Masjid Qazigund. The huge gathering reflected the deep respect and admiration the late leader commanded across the region. Senior party []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Senior leader and Advisor to the Honble Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani along with Provincial President Kashmir Showkat Mir attended the Namaz-e-Janazha of senior party leader, Additional General Secretary and former Cabinet Minister Qamar Ali Akhoon at his native village Sangrah Sankoo in district Kargil. On the occasion, Nasir []

Expresses condolences with GK Chief Editor SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, Dr. Molvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, has extended warm greetings to the Kashmiri Pandit community on the occasion of Herath. He said that such occasions remind us of the shared values of peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and brotherhood that have long been an integral part of Kashmirs religious []

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister of UT of Jammu & Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, on Saturday inaugurated SKUAST-Ks 11th Technology Exhibition, Gongul-2026, organised under the theme My Produce, My Price. He was accompanied by Javed Ahmad Dar, Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperative, and Election and Sakeena Itoo, Minister for Health & Medical Education, []

Srinagar : Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, Dr. Molvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, has extended warm greetings to the Kashmiri Pandit community on the occasion of Hearath. He said that such occasions remind us of the shared values of peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and brotherhood that have long been an integral part of Kashmirs religous and cultural ethos. Meanwhile, []

Srinagar: The Tourism Department has identified Sonamarg as the next major winter tourism hub after Gulmarg, with plans to expand skiing infrastructure and host competitive winter sports events in the coming years. Director Tourism Kashmir, Syed Qamar Sajad, per news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO), said the department is supporting initiatives to showcase Sonamargs potential for []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday expressed hope that the new government in Bangladesh will improve relations with India, and said having stable neighbours benefits our country. He also said the India-US trade deal will adversely affect the Union Territory. The more stable our neighbouring countries are, the []

GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday unveiled IIM Guwahati and inaugurated a high-tech data centre that would cater to the entire Northeast. The PM virtually inaugurated the temporary campus of the Indian Institute of Management Guwahati, which is expected to give a major fillip to higher education and management education in the []

Srinagar: Stating that the Government of India is funding multiple infrastructure projects in Srinagar to improve traffic flow, connectivity and urban facilities, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo on Saturday said that work on several key projects, including vehicular underpasses, a foot overbridge, and the city ring road, will begin very soon. []

HAJIN: The Armys Manasbal Rashtriya Rifles Battalion on Saturday organised the Sehat-e-Bakshibal Camp at Bakhchibal village in Hajin tehsil of Bandipora district to provide basic health facilities to people residing in rural areas. A large number of locals, including children and the elderly, visited the camp and consulted doctors. The genuine medical needs []

Jammu: As part of breakthrough against cross-border drug trafficking, Jammu Police in joint operation with 165 Battalion BSF recovered 6.582 kilograms of heroin worth approximately rupees 40 crore from wheat fields in the R S Pura sector near the International Border. The narcotics, suspected to have been dropped by a drone from across the []

JAMMU: Minister for Education Sakeena Itoo on Friday informed the House that the government is focusing on upgradation of infrastructure as well as faculty requirements in the existing Degree Colleges. The Minister stated this while replying to a question of Legislator, Muzaffar Iqbal Khan in the Legislative Assembly. She added that the matter regarding establishment []

JAMMU: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Satish Sharma on Friday informed the House that Public Distribution System (PDS) in Jammu and Kashmir is being governed by the National Food Security Act of the Government of India and JK TPDS (Control) Order as amended from time to time. The Minister stated this []

JAMMU: The government on Friday informed the House that the process of granting NOCs to the people seeking constructions within the Municipal areas of Jammu and Kashmir will be simplified. This was stated by Minister for Social Welfare Sakeena Itoo in the House while replying to a question on behalf of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu & Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) said that on its request, Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Sajjad Kichloo on Friday raised in Parliament the issue concerning the suspension of 33 Kashmiri students at Mewar University, Rajasthan, over the absence of mandatory approvals for the B.Sc. Nursing programme. In a statement issued here, Associations []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah, and Vice President and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have expressed profound grief over the demise of senior party leader, Additional General Secretary and former Cabinet Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution and Transport, as well as former Advisor to the Chief Minister of []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah and Vice President and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have expressed profound grief over the demise of Khawaja Ghulam Ahmad Mir, father-in-law of Greater Kashmir Editor-in-Chief Fayaz Ahmad Kaloo. The duo prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and strength and fortitude to the []

NEW DELHI: Horticulture Planning and Marketing (HPM) department of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday organized a one-day BuyerSeller Meet at Hotel Samrat, here, with the objective of strengthening market linkages for horticulture and allied produce of Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing the participants on the occasion, Director HPM, Ghulam Jeelani Zargar delivered a detailed presentation highlighting []

SRINAGAR: On the occasion of Radio Day, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, President of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, paid rich tributes to the enduring legacy of All India Radio Srinagar formerly known as Radio Kashmir for its invaluable role in preserving and promoting the regions cultural and pluralistic heritage. In his message, Dr. Farooq fondly []

SRINAGAR: Following the Review Meeting of Zone Hawal on Friday, the Chief Education Officer (CEO) Srinagar, Mr. Ghulam Mohiuddin Bhatconducted a comprehensive assessment of the Government Girls Higher Secondary School Zadibal. During the visit, the CEO Srinagar unveiled the schools innovatively designed Integrated Diary-cum-Lesson Plan Book, along with customized Student and Teacher Folders. These resources, []

Minister Itoo rejects regional division, details 34 eviction drives, lists action against officials Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed uproar on Friday after BJP member Vikram Randhawa claimed that people hailing from Kashmir valley have encroached land in Jammu city. Replying to a question by Randhawa during Question Hour in the Assembly, Social Welfare Minister []

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday said final approval of the Jammu Master Plan-2032 has been delayed due to rectification of land-use zoning, boundary alignment with revenue villages, incorporation of public objections and suggestions, and collection and verification of data from multiple departments. Consequently, the area under the Jammu Master Plan has increased []

Jammu: More than 32,000 cancer cases have been reported across Jammu and Kashmir in recent years, with nearly 79 per cent of the total cases recorded in the valley alone, Health Minister Sakeena Itoo said on Friday. Replying to an unstarred question by PDP legislator Waheed Ur Rehman Para in the Assembly, the minister said []

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather urged the government on Friday to strengthen the legal framework to combat food adulteration, as members voiced concern over a large-scale seizure of rotten meat and sub-standard cheese across the Union Territory. Replying to a clubbed question from National Conference (NC) MLAs Saifullah Mir, Mubarak Gul, []

Renewed push for forest conservation, water security, tribal-centric dev: Javed Rana Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Friday passed the grants worth Rs. 3,24,177.48 Lakh for Public Health Engineering, Rs. 1,52,482.05 lakh for Forest, Ecology & Environment, Rs. 1,60,699.61 lakh for Irrigation & Flood Control and Rs. 40,600.72 for Tribal Affairs Department. The grants []

CM, LG, Speaker express condolences Jammu: Two former Jammu and Kashmir ministers Qamar Ali Akhoon from Kargil and Peerzada Ghulam Ahmad Shah from Devsar in Kulgam passed away here on Friday, officials said. Both leaders were prominent members of the National Conference (NC), with party chief Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah []

Srinagar: No major rain or snowfall activity is expected across Jammu and Kashmir till February 21, officials said on Friday, even as generally cloudy skies and isolated light snowfall over higher reaches may persist over the next few days. According to the latest forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department, the Union Territory will largely []

SLSC clears 289 Cr Action Plan under PM-RKVY for FY 202627 Jammu: The State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) of PMRashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PMRKVY) led by the Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today approved the proposed Annual Action Plan (AAP) of 289.16 Cr for FY 202627 aimed at accelerating agricultural transformation, enhancing farmers income and strengthening []

Lakhs mobilized across Panchayats, ULBs, educational institutions Jammu: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Friday reviewed the progress and impact of the outreach-based Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan spearheaded by the Information Department in close collaboration with key departments across the Union Territory. The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary, Home; Commissioner Secretary, Information & GAD; []

Jammu: The General Officer Commanding of White Knight Corps, Lieutenant General P K Mishra, on Friday visited the forward areas along the Line of Control in the Pallanwala sector of Jammu and Kashmir to review the security landscape and operational preparedness of troops. In the forward reaches of Pallanwala and Rajouri, the GOC White Knight []

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman on his partys victory in the neighbouring countrys parliamentary elections and extended Indias continued commitment to the peace, progress and prosperity of the people of both countries. The BNP on Friday is cruising towards a sweeping []

COLOMBO: Zimbabwe produced the first upset of the T20 World Cup, with a 23-run shock win over an injury-plagued Australia in their Group B clash, here on Friday. Sent into bat, Zimbabwe scored a challenging 169 for two. Openers Brian Bennett (64 not out off 56 balls) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (35 off []

Jammu: Jammu & Kashmir Government on Friday revealed that it has rejected 87 percent of claims under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. In response to a cut motion moved by Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Minister in-charge of Forests, Environment and Climate Change, Javed Ahmad Rana stated that 6097 claims (13.26%) have been accepted, while []

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday said that only three Town Planners are currently posted in the Town Planning Organization, Kashmir, catering to 40 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across the division. Replying to a question raised by MLA Sajad Gani Lone, Housing & Urban Development Department Minister, informed the House that the []

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday said that 32,425 cancer cases were reported in J&K in the last three years, and lung, oral, cervical, prostate and pancreatic cancers are among the most common. In a reply to the question of MLA Pulwama Waheed ur Rehman Para, Health and Medical Education Department Minister Sakina Itoo, []

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday said that around 10,000 cancer cases were registered across SKIMS Soura, GMC Jammu, and GMC Srinagar in 2025. They said, SKIMS Soura alone has recorded over 16,000 cases in the last three years, showing the regions focus on improving cancer care and diagnostic services. []

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday warmly greeted Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman on his decisive victory in Bangladeshs parliamentary elections and said he looked forward to working with him to advance common development goals. I convey my warm congratulations to Mr. Tarique Rahman on leading BNP to a []

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that 3,982 kanals and 1.5 marlas of custodian land in the Kashmir division are under illegal occupation or litigation. Replying to a question tabled by MLA Abdul Majeed Bhat, the Revenue Department, said that the total notified evacuee (custodian) land in both Jammu []

WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has reached a trade deal with Taiwan, with Taiwan agreeing to remove or reduce 99 per cent of its tariff barriers, the office of the US Trade Representative said. The agreement comes as the US remains reliant on Taiwan for its production of computer chips, the exporting of which contributed []

HYDERABAD: The counting of votes polled in the February 11 elections to 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations in Telangana began on Friday morning. The counting began at 123 centres across the state at 8 AM. The outcome of the three-cornered contest involving the ruling Congress and opposition BJP and BRS is crucial for []

DHAKA: he Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday appeared headed for a decisive victory in the South Asian nations general elections as counting progressed for the polls to elect a government that would replace the interim administration, which took charge after the collapse of the Awami League regime in August 2024. Multiple media []

Says step will streamline public service delivery in remote areas JAMMU: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, on Thursday said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has made a remarkable announcement of granting incentives to employees posted in far flung and remote areas while presenting Budget 2026-27. The Minister stated this while replying to []

JAMMU: Minister for Agriculture, Javid Ahmad Dar on Thursday informed the House that the government is examining a proposal regarding the notification of new tourism-worthy areas across Jammu and Kashmir, including several prominent locations in Bani Constituency like Bani town, Lowang and Sarthal. The Minister stated this while replying to a question on behalf of []

JAMMU: The government on Thursday clarified that the boundaries of constituencies and Irrigation & Flood Control Sub-Divisions are determined independently and may not necessarily align. This was stated by Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana, in the Legislative Assembly today, while replying to a question raised by Legislator Kuldeep Raj Dubey. The Minister informed []