Asia’s largest Tulip Garden opens to public in Srinagar

Srinagar, Mar 26 (KNO): Asia’s largest Tulip Garden in Srinagar has been thrown open to public, marking the beginning of the Tulip show 2025. The garden was thrown open by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, unveiling a breathtaking display of over 1.5 million tulips.

Officials told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) after officially opening the garden to visitors, the CM toured it and visited different sectors to witness blooming tulips.

They said that this year 1.5 million tulips with different varieties will bloom in the garden, which will mesmerise the visitors.

The garden is expected to attract locals and international tourists, giving a boost to the region’s economy—(KNO)

Weather Update for Jammu & Kashmir: March 26, 2025

Forecast Overview

The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has issued an updated weather forecast for Jammu and Kashmir, detailing expected conditions from March 26 to early April. Here’s what to expect in the coming days:

March 26-27: Light to Moderate Rain/Snow Expected

• A spell of light to moderate rain and snow (over higher reaches) is expected at many places, particularly over North and Central Kashmir.
• The precipitation is likely to occur from March 26 afternoon till night and again on March 27 from late afternoon till night.
• Gradual improvement in weather conditions is expected after March 27.

March 28-31: Dry Weather Prevails

• The weather is expected to remain generally dry across Jammu & Kashmir.
• No significant precipitation is anticipated during this period.

April 1-3: Continued Dry Conditions

• The first three days of April are also expected to witness generally dry weather, providing favorable conditions for outdoor activities and travel.

Advisory for Residents and Tourists

⚠ Travel Advisory:

• Travelers, tourists, and transporters are advised to plan their journeys accordingly.
• Follow administrative and traffic advisories to ensure safe travel, especially in areas prone to snowfall or wet road conditions.

⚠ Farmer Advisory:

• Farmers are advised to suspend farm operations on March 26 and 27 due to the likelihood of rain and snow.
• Delaying farming activities during this period will help prevent any damage caused by wet and unfavorable field conditions.

⚠ Thunderstorm and Gusty Winds Warning:

• There is a possibility of thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds at a few places on March 26 and 27.
• Residents should take necessary precautions to avoid any weather-related inconveniences.

While a brief spell of rain and snow is expected over the next couple of days, the weather will significantly improve by the end of March and early April. Travelers and farmers are urged to take the necessary precautions during the wet spell.

For further updates, stay connected with MET Centre Srinagar and follow official advisories.

Govt terminates 4 more employees over narcotics trade in J&K

Srinagar, Mar 26: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday terminated four more government employees over their involvement in narcotics trade, officials said.

Officials told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the employees include Abdul Rashid Bhat, Gang Coolie, Irrigation & Flood Control Division Sumbal, Dilbag Singh, Lineman, Jal Shakti (PHE) Sub-Division, Hiranagar, Gulzar Ahmed, Assistant Motorman, Hydraulic Division Ramban, and Noor Mohammad Sheikh, Gang Coolie, Ferozpora Basin, Irrigation division, Tangmarg.

He said that all the employees have been dismissed from their service in connection with Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (NDPS) cases in their respective areas.

Earlier, government terminated Gulzar Ahmad Dar, Jamadar, Irrigation Division Shopian in connection with a case in FIR No. 21/2023 u/s 8/15 NDPS—(KNO)

Power tariff in J&K lowest, no excessive bills raised: CM Omar informs LA

Srinagar, Mar 25 (KNO): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that the power tariff in Jammu and Kashmir is lowest in the country and no excessive bills are being raised.

“Domestic consumers are charged Rs 2.30 per unit and that in comparison, the average cost of power supply is around Rs 7 per unit,” Omar told Legislative Assembly while responding to the clubbed question submitted by legislators Dr Narendra Singh Rana, Sajad Gani Lone and Shabir Ahmad Kullay.

The Chief Minister, who also holds the portfolio of Power Department, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that the current tariff for domestic consumers ranges from Rs 2.30 per unit up to Rs 200 per month to Rs 4.35 per unit, which is amongst the lowest in the country.

For the BPL or below poverty line category, the tariff is even lower at Rs. 1.40 per unit for consumption up to 30 units per month.

“In comparison, the average cost of power supply is around Rs. 7 per unit. As such, there are no excessive bills being charged to consumers,” Omar said in his reply as per KNO.

The Chief Minister added that the metered consumers are billed based on actual consumption, while non-metered consumers are billed on a flat rate basis, which is determined by their sanctioned agreed load according to the applicable tariff slabs.

Further, Omar said that in case of any billing-related complaints from consumers, these are promptly examined and addressed as per the Electricity Supply Code. As regards the waiving of excessive electricity bills, it is to be mentioned that unpaid electricity bills over months or years result in an accumulation of arrears.

“Even in such cases, in an effort to streamline the billing and collection systems, an opportunity to waive the interest surcharge component on outstanding electricity arrears has been provided to domestic consumers to clear their dues under the ongoing amnesty scheme. The Government intends to extend the existing amnesty scheme with modifications as announced by the Minister-in-Charge Power during his reply to the discussion on the grants. A large number of consumers from almost every district have already benefited from this scheme.”

Regarding the financial implications of providing 200 units of free electricity, the Chief Minister said that the department has decided to adopt the RESCO (Renewable Energy Service Company) model for the installation of solar rooftop systems at premises of AAY households which are mostly located in hilly areas. This approach, according to Omar, will enable local electricity generation, eliminating the costs associated with transmitting and distributing electricity from district generators. Additionally, the subsidy provided by the ongoing scheme will be leveraged.

Omar, according to the KNO, said that the proposal aims to benefit all households falling under the AAY category by providing them with free electricity up to 200 units, thereby alleviating their financial burden and improving their quality of life. “This shall be done through the RESCO utility-led aggregation model or any other financially viable model to benefit the aforementioned households. Regarding electricity bills, it is stated that consumers in J&K are charged heavily subsidised tariffs, especially in the domestic category. A survey of the target beneficiaries is being initiated and once completed, taking the factors mentioned above into account, a financial model will be finalized to ensure the most suitable and sustainable implementation.

The Chief Minister said that any reduction or increase in the power tariffs is regulated and decided by the JERC—(KNO)

Two-day moderate rains, snow expected in JK as MeT issues ‘yellow alert’

Farmers advised to suspend farm operation for next 2 days

Srinagar, Mar 25 (KNO): A two-day moderate wet spell is expected in Jammu and Kashmir from tomorrow (Wednesday) as the local Meteorological department (MeT) here has issued yellow alert till March 27 at multiple places.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), light to moderate rain and snow is expected for the next two days while some areas received light rains in the afternoon today.

The MeT has issued a two-day yellow alert for March 26 and 27 at multiple places in Jammu and Kashmir.

Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that a spell of light to moderate rain and snow (higher reaches) is expected at many places (mainly over North & central Kashmir) towards 26th late afternoon till night & during 27th late afternoon till night & gradual improvement thereafter.

He said that the weather would remain generally dry from March 28 to April 03.

However, the MeT in its advisory has advised the travelers, tourists and transporters to plan accordingly and follow administration and traffic advisory while the farmers were advised to suspend farm operations during 26th & 27th March.

“Possibility of thunder with gusty winds at few places during 26-27th March,” the advisory reads—(KNO)

249-bed Maternity & Child Care Hospital in Anantnag approved by screening committee: Govt

No plans to open new health facilities: Itoo

Srinagar, Mar 25 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir government said on Tuesday that the 249-bedded Maternity and Child Care Hospital in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district has been approved by the Building Screening Committee and is currently undergoing Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA).

Responding to a question from MLA Peerzada Mohammad Syed, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that the Rehmat-e-Alam hospital building was deemed unsafe for hospital use by IIT Jammu after a safety audit.

Itoo said the estimated cost of strengthening the current structure at Rehmat-e-Alam exceeds the cost of constructing a new facility, making it economically unfeasible. “The proposed establishment of the 249-bedded Mother & Child Care Hospital, amounting to Rs 286 crore, has been cleared and is in the process of AAA,” she said.

The minister said the department is committed to the safety audit report and said that no further audits will be conducted.

Responding to Advocate Vijay Kumar’s query, she said that since the department is focused on consolidating and strengthening existing health facilities, there are currently no plans to open new health facilities.

In the Hiranagar constituency, out of 35 health facilities—including 0 Community Health Centres, 2 Primary Health Centres, 3 New Type Primary Health Centres, and 28 Sub- Centres—22 are located in border areas, with one Advance Life Support (ALS) ambulance available at CHC Hiranagar—(KNO)

Take strict action against doctors indulging in private practice during duty hours: Heath Secy directs HODs

Srinagar, Mar 25 (KNO): The Health and Medical Education Department has issued a strict directive against doctors engaging in private practice during official working hours.

In a circular issued by the Secretary of Health and Medical Education, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), all Principals of Medical Colleges, Medical Superintendents of Associated Hospitals, Chief Medical Officers, and Medical Superintendents of District Hospitals have been instructed to ensure that doctors under their jurisdiction do not indulge in private practice during duty hours.

They have been directed to ensure that doctors remain available at their designated hospitals and healthcare institutions during working hours. “Institution heads must monitor attendance to ensure patient care is not compromised. Complaints or reports about doctors engaging in private practice during duty hours must be promptly investigated, and action must be taken. Surprise inspections and periodic reviews will be conducted to enforce compliance,” the circular added, as per KNO.

It warned that any violation will be treated as “serious misconduct” and will attract strict disciplinary action under the applicable service rules—(KNO)

No Panchayat bodies exist in J&K, Ladakh at present: GoI

Srinagar, Mar 25 (KNO): Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh currently have no elected representatives in their Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) as the tenure of the previous bodies ended in December 2023, and fresh elections have not yet been conducted, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj informed Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

The elections for Panchayats in both Union Territories were due last year, but they remain pending. As a result, the governance of local bodies is currently without elected representatives.

Panchayats are responsible for implementing various government schemes related to rural development, employment, and infrastructure. The delay in elections means that these functions are being managed by administrative bodies instead of elected representatives, reads the response as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

The Ministry’s data also indicates that in other states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha, thousands of elected women sarpanches are leading local governance, while in J&K and Ladakh, the electoral process is yet to be completed.

The government has not yet provided a confirmed timeline for holding Panchayat elections in the two Union Territories—(KNO)