G A Mir raises regularization of J&K’s casual workers in Assembly

CS-led committee constituted to examine issue, says J&K Govt

Srinagar, Mar 25 (KNO): In the ongoing budget session of the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Congress MLA Ghulam Ahmad Mir raised a question regarding the government’s plans for regularising Daily Rated Workers (DRWs), CIC Operators, Rehbar-i-Janglat, Rehbar-i-Zirat, and casual labourers employed across various departments and corporations.

Responding to the question, the Minister in Charge of Finance, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), stated that different departments have engaged these workers based on operational requirements and central government programme guidelines.

The government said that it has consistently adopted a pro-labour policy within the legal framework.

The government in its reply further revealed that the General Administration Department (GAD) has issued a government order, framing a committee that has been tasked with examining issues related to the regularisation of casual and seasonal labourers, among others, in J&K.

“General Administration Department vide G.O. No. 384 -JK(GAD) of 2025 dated 19.03.2025 has constituted a Committee headed by Chief Secretary J&K for examining the issues related to the regularization of casual, seasonal laborers, or other workers, etc. in the UT of J&K,” the government said in its response.

The government stated that wages for such workers are being paid as per established guidelines and terms of engagement. In the case of DRWs and casual laborers, wages are being disbursed in accordance with the Minimum Wages Act as notified by the government—(KNO)

Markets abuzz as Eid shopping frenzy grips Kashmir

Srinagar, Mar 24: With Eid-ul-Fitr just days away, a shopping frenzy has gripped Kashmir, with markets across the valley witnessing an overwhelming rush of customers.

From the streets of Lal Chowk in Srinagar to local markets in towns and villages, the festive spirit is evident as the people flock to buy clothes, footwear, sweets, and other essentials for the grand celebration.

As people prepare for one of the most significant Islamic festivals, the shopkeepers are reporting record sales, especially in apparel, footwear, and traditional Kashmiri delicacies. Tailors are struggling to keep up with the demand as people rush to get their Eid outfits stitched at the last minute.

In Srinagar’s Lal Chowk, Polo View, and Residency Road, the streets are packed with shoppers. Women and young girls are seen bargaining at clothing stores, while children excitedly pick out new outfits and toys. Men throng bakeries and confectionery shops, ensuring their homes are stocked with traditional sweets.

Local businessman, Bashir Ahmad, who owns a garment shop in Srinagar, told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that this year, the sales have been extraordinary. “After a few years of sluggish business due to economic downturns and political uncertainty, we are finally seeing a revival.”

However, Ahmad was countered by Fayaz Malik, a footwear store owner in Srinagar, who said, “While footfall has increased, online shopping is eating into our sales every passing month. Many customers now browse products in stores but eventually buy them online at discounted rates, making it harder for traditional businesses to compete.”

Meanwhile, the street vendors selling bangles, henna, and artificial jewelry are doing brisk business as young girls line up to adorn their hands with intricate mehendi designs.

The shopping fever is not just limited to Srinagar but is similar in other districts like Baramulla, Anantnag, and Pulwama where local markets are witnessing a huge rush.

However, amid the festive excitement, many shoppers are complaining about rising prices. The cost of clothes, footwear, and essential commodities has increased significantly, making it difficult for lower-income families to shop freely.

“Every year, prices go up before Eid. A simple dress that cost Rs 1,500 last year is now being sold for Rs 2,500. The government should regulate prices during festival seasons,” said Shaista, a shopper in Srinagar.

Traders, however, blame inflation and transportation costs for the surge in prices.

The heavy rush has also led to massive traffic jams in many areas. Authorities have deployed additional traffic personnel to manage congestion, but the sheer volume of vehicles has made movement slow.

Meanwhile, security has been tightened across Kashmir, with additional personnel deployed in sensitive areas to ensure a peaceful celebration—(KNO)

Int’l Cricket Stadium is not a project of JK Govt: CM Omar Abdullah

Jammu, Mar 25 (KNO): Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Tuesday clarified that the proposed International Cricket Stadium at Bajalta in Jammu was not a project initiated by the Jammu and Kashmir government.

“The proposal for the cricket stadium was initiated by the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) but did not materialize. It was not a project of J&K government,” Chief Minister said while intervening during the Question Hour in the Legislative Assembly.

Earlier, replying to the main question raised by Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma, said that there was no such proposal by the Youth Services & Sports Department for establishment of International Cricket Stadium at Bajalta in Jammu.

The Minister informed the House that playfields are available in various schools in Jammu East Constituency wherein sports activities are being carried throughout the year by the staff of Youth Services & Sports Department. These schools included GGHSS Mubarak Mandi, SRML Parade, GHSS Center Basis, GHSS Hari Singh, GHSS Julakha Mohalla, GHS City Chowk, HSS Khana Chargal, HS Bain Bajalta and HS Chak Largen—(KNO)

Rs 27.07 cr released to SMC for street lights installation: CM

Jammu, Mar 25 (KNO): Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Tuesday said that an amount of Rs. 27.07 Cr. has been released to the Srinagar Municipal Committee for installation of street lights.

The Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by Shamim Firdous in the Legislative Assembly.

He informed the House that as per the tripartite agreement between HUDD, JKPDD & EESL, M/s. EESL is maintaining installation along with warranty replacement during the project period of 07 years ending 2027.

He further said that the restoration of defunct street lights is carried by the concerned—(KNO)

Traffic advisory issued for Shab-i-Qadr, Jumat-ul-Vida in Sgr

Srinagar, Mar 25 (KNO): The Traffic Police, Srinagar, has issued a detailed traffic advisory for devotees traveling to Hazratbal Shrine on the occasion of Shab-i-Qadr on the intervening night of March 27-28 and Jumat-ul-Vida on March 28, 2025.

A large number of worshippers are expected to gather at the shrine, and special traffic arrangements have been put in place to ensure smooth movement.

The Srinagar traffic department as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said: For devotees from North Kashmir, vehicles will follow the Shalteng-Parimpora-Qamarwari-Cement Bridge-Noorbagh-Sekidafar-Eidgah-Sazgaripora-Hawal-Alamgari Bazar-Mill Stop-Molvi Stop (Lal Bazar)-Botshah Mohalla-Kanitar route, leading to the University parking at Saderbal.

For those from South Kashmir, the designated route is Panthachowk-Stone Quarry (Athwajan)-Batwara-Sonwar Bazar-Ram Munshi Bagh-Gupkar-Grand Palace-Zethiyar Ghat-Nishat-Foreshore Road-Habbak Crossing, leading to University parking at Naseembagh.

For Central Kashmir, multiple routes have been assigned. From Budgam, vehicles will take the Hyderpora-Tengpora-Bemina Bypass-Parimpora-Noorbagh-Sekidafar-Eidgah-Hawal route to Saderbal parking. From Lal Chowk, the route includes SRTC Crossing-Ikhwan Chowk-Bhori Kadal-Rajouri Kadal-Khanyar-Hawal-Alamgari Bazar-Mill Stop-Botshah Mohalla-Kanitar to Saderbal parking. From Ganderbal, devotees will take the Nagbal-Zakoorah-Habbak route to Naseembagh parking.

Regarding the return routes, it reads: Separate return routes have been designated to prevent congestion. Vehicles from North Kashmir will take the Saderbal-Ashai Bagh-Rainawari-Khanyar-Dalgate-M.A Road-Budshah Bridge-Jehangir Chowk-Batmaloo route.

Those from South Kashmir will follow the Naseembagh-Habbak-Foreshore Road-Nishat-Zethiyar Ghat-Gupkar-Panthachowk route. Devotees from Central Kashmir will have different return routes depending on their destination, with key pathways through Rainawari, Khanyar, and Jawahar Nagar.

Regarding parking arrangements, it states: To manage the high influx of vehicles, designated parking areas have been assigned. Vehicles from North and Central Kashmir will park inside the University campus via Sir Syed Gate (Saderbal Side). Vehicles from South Kashmir and Ganderbal will park inside Naseembagh University Campus through Budshah Gate (Habbak Side). Vehicles from Rainawari-Khanyar will park at NIT Parking or the Multi-Level Parking facility. A VIP parking area has been earmarked at the Traffic Camp Hazratbal for official vehicles.

Notably, the Traffic Police has urged commuters to follow the advisory and plan their travel accordingly to avoid inconvenience—(KNO)

NCDC core committee holds meeting on new resolution for Drug Prevention in Schools

Srinagar: In one of its latest core committee sessions, the National Child Development Council (NCDC) made a groundbreaking move by discussing the emerging issue of student drug addiction. The members of the council offered a new resolution to fight the use of drugs in schools using proactive steps such as compulsory blood tests and prioritizing extracurricular activities.

The meeting started off with a sense of urgency about the newer generation of students, with NCDC members pointing out the high rate of drug use among teenagers. “Our students are getting more and more involved in drugs, and it’s time we act in a serious manner,” quoted a prominent member of the council. The committee suggested that it must be made compulsory for students in high schools to take up extracurricular activities as part of their academic schedule, to divert them from adopting detrimental behaviors.

The committee’s resolution came with a recommendation for mandatory blood tests for every student, from high school onward. The tests, the members contended, would detect drug use early on and act as a deterrent for students. “Just like we have health checks for studying abroad or for being eligible for work, drug testing should become part of the procedure for admissions into higher classes,” a member of the core committee proposed.

Moreover, the members of the committee mentioned that routine blood tests would also be beneficial for identifying other possible ailments among students. “This would not only assist in determining drug use but also reveal other medical issues that students may not know about,” one of the members clarified.

Another core committee member contributed further, stressing the need for early intervention. “By making blood tests compulsory from the 8th standard onwards, we can detect students prone to addiction and treat them before the issue gets out of hand,” she pointed out. Her views were seconded by other members, who repeated the call for inclusive health check-ups in schools.

The other significant point of the resolution was the call for government action. Baba Alexander, NCDC Master Trainer, expressed that drug abuse is not only an individual problem but a social one. “Drug addiction does not only affect the individual but their families and society in general. It’s time the government gets involved and acts promptly to check this epidemic,” he said.

The members of the council also talked about how the government should arrange medical facilities for such compulsory blood tests. The members suggested that annual health camps be organized by schools and colleges and that each student must go through this vital medical checkup without spending any money.

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)