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Oct272025 by News DeskNo Comments

Omar Abdullah led govt relaxes education criteria for marriage assistance for poor girls

REGIONAL

In a remarkable step, Jammu Kashmir government has relaxed the eligibility norms for its Marriage Assistance Scheme, easing the minimum educational qualification requirement for girls from economically weaker families. According to an order issued by the Commissioner Secretary, the minimum qualification has been waived off. Earlier, under the J-K Marriage Assistance Scheme, a girl applicant was required to have at least passed Class 8 or an equivalent examination to qualify for the financial assistance. The new order temporarily relaxes this condition until March 31, 2028, meaning that girls from economically weaker sections can now apply even if they haven’t completed Class 8. The order states that the amendment, annexed as “A,” will take effect from April 1, 2025, and remain in force...

Oct272025 by News DeskNo Comments

‘Resign from NC, seek fresh elections to know your popularity’: NC MLA tells Aga Ruhullah

REGIONAL

National Conference (NC) legislator Majeed Larmi on Monday hit back at party MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi for criticizing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, saying that if Ruhullah believes the Chief Minister has failed, he should resign from Parliament and contest fresh elections. “If the Chief Minister has done nothing, as he says, then resign from the MP seat won on an NC ticket. Resign, contest again, and let the people decide,” Larmi told reporters in Srinagar. Larmi said every elected leader has the right to speak for their constituency but questioned Ruhullah’s public criticism of the party leadership. “We made a promise for five years, not one. If he can speak publicly, we can respond too,” he said. Clarifying governance issues, Larmi said that decisions like the installation of smart...

Oct272025 by News DeskNo Comments

AIMSA seeks abolition of common pool quota and rule 17 in admissions

EDUCATION

The All India Medical Students’ Association (AIMSA) has urged the Jammu Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (JKBOPEE) to abolish the Common Pool Quota and Rule 17 from its admission policy, calling both provisions discriminatory and inconsistent with national standards. AIMSA Vice President Dr Mohammad Momin Khan speaking to The Kashmiriyat appealed to JKBOPEE to take immediate corrective measures to align its admission process with the rest of the country. He said that these provisions exist only in Jammu and Kashmir and must be removed to ensure fairness, merit, and better opportunities for students. Dr Khan argued that the continuation of these rules undermines equal opportunity and deprives deserving candidates of their rightful chances in professional courses such as ...

Oct272025 by News DeskNo Comments

Delay in statehood restoration diminishing hope, says CM Omar Abdullah

REGIONAL

Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday expressed concern that the chances of the region regaining its statehood are fading with time. Speaking to reporters, Abdullah said he had been optimistic about the restoration of statehood from the beginning, but the prolonged delay had weakened that optimism. “I was hopeful initially, but with each passing day, that hope is diminishing,” he remarked. Responding to a recent remark by Member of Parliament Mian Altaf, Abdullah said he had spoken to him over the phone. “He is like a fatherly figure to me. He has said nothing wrong and only advised me the way my father would,” he added. He also noted a distinction between the two leaders, saying there was a “vast difference” between Mian Altaf and Aga Ruhullah.

Oct272025 by News DeskNo Comments

Dailywagers protest in Srinagar; Seek regularisation, fair pay

REGIONAL

Multiple unions of daily rated and temporary workers on Monday staged a peaceful demonstration near Kashmir Haat at the Exhibition Crossing in Srinagar, demanding regularization of over 61,000 daily wagers across Jammu Kashmir and the implementation of the revised Minimum Wages Act. Carrying placards and banners reading “We Want Justice” and “Regularize Daily Wagers”, the protestors gathered under the banner of several worker unions representing various government departments including Public Health Engineering, Power Development, Forest, and Rural Development. The protesting workers said that despite decades of service, they continue to work under uncertainty, deprived of job security, benefits, and adequate pay. “We have been serving this administration for years, some for more than ...

Oct272025 by News DeskNo Comments

Apple farmers in Jammu Kashmir to get crop insurance cover soon: Govt

OTHERS

The Jammu Kashmir government on Monday announced that apple, saffron, mango, and litchi crops have been officially brought under the Re-structured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme, paving the way for a formal crop insurance cover for apple growers. The government said that the tendering process to select an insurance company for implementing the scheme is currently in progress. The assurance came in response to a question raised by PDP legislator Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra in the Assembly, who sought details on government initiatives to safeguard the interests of apple growers and bridge infrastructure gaps in the horticulture sector. In a written reply, the government said that the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), first launched in 2019 through the National Agricultural Cooperati...

Oct272025 by News DeskNo Comments

Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Vote Chor’ slogan echoes in J-K assembly as NC targets BJP over Rajya Sabha polls

INDIA

High drama erupted in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Monday as National Conference (NC) legislators raised slogans of “Vote Chor! Vote Chor!”, a phrase popularised by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to accuse the BJP of manipulating elections, directing their anger toward the treasury benches over the recent Rajya Sabha polls. The uproar began during Question Hour after the Deputy Chief Minister remarked, “Let us keep secrets, we know who has done what.” His comment provoked loud protests from NC lawmakers, who stood up chanting “Vote Chor!” in unison, accusing the saffron party of “stealing votes.” Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly alleged that the Election Commission of India (ECI) acts in favour of the BJP, accusing it of turning a blind eye to irregularities and helping the ruling party “...

Oct272025 by News DeskNo Comments

After proceeding without forest nod, Baisaran Gondola Project halted pending NIA clearance

REGIONAL

The proposed Baisaran Gondola project in Pahalgam has been halted as the executing agency awaits permission from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to resume ground surveys and technical studies, the Jammu Kashmir government informed on Monday. Tourism Minister said the Jammu Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) had finalised tenders and signed an agreement with a consultant for preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and related work. However, the process came to a standstill following restrictions imposed after the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year. “The alignment for the 1.4-kilometre ropeway project has already been identified, with the lower terminal point near Yatri Niwas and the upper terminal point at Baisaran. About 9.13 hectares of forest land has been...

Oct272025 by News DeskNo Comments

Three ghee brands banned in Jammu for failing quality tests

REGIONAL

Jammu Kashmir Government has banned the sale, storage, and distribution of three ghee brands in Jammu district after laboratory analysis found that the products contained sub-standard vegetable oil instead of pure dairy fat. Officials from the Food Safety Department confirmed that samples of the three brands, Shri Godhan Desi Ghee (also spelled Shree Gordhan), Eassy Dairy Cow Ghee, and MFP 56 Bhog A2 Desi Ghee, were sent to a testing facility in Delhi, where the reports confirmed serious deviations from prescribed quality standards. According to officials, the three brands, all manufactured in the state of Haryana, failed multiple parameters of purity and safety. “The tests revealed that these ghee brands contained vegetable oil blends not fit for human consumption as pure ghee,” an ...

Oct272025 by News DeskNo Comments

‘Compensation for fruit growers’: What is on agenda today in Jammu Kashmir assembly

REGIONAL

After a three-day break, the Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly will resume on Monday with a packed schedule, featuring key legislative business and public issues. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is set to introduce Te Jammu and Kashmir Rent Authority Bill, 2025, which aims to establish a rent authority to regulate tenancy, safeguard landlord and tenant rights, and ensure quick dispute resolution through a formal mechanism. The House will also take up the report of the Committee headed by Surjeet Singh Slathia, recommending a revision in salaries, allowances, and pensionary benefits of legislators. According to the Assembly Secretariat, the session will begin at 10 a.m. with the Question Hour, followed by the announcement of the Panel of Chairmen by the Speaker. Five Calling Atten...