194 projects worth Rs 1022.63 crore approved under RIDF in J&K: Govt

Srinagar, Mar 11 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday said that 194 road and bridge projects at an estimated cost of Rs 1022.63 crore have been sanctioned for the Union Territory.

In response to a query by MLA Dr Sajad Shafi, minister incharge, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that among 194 projects, it has approved 10 infrastructure projects worth Rs 50.43 crore under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF-XXIX) for Baramulla district in the past two years.

For Uri constituency, the minister said that two road projects were sanctioned under RIDF-XXIX with an estimated cost of Rs 6.45 crore—(KNO)

Chaos in Assembly Over Police Action on Protesting Daily-Wagers

CM Omar Abdullah Says, Police Not in My Hands, But Their Demands Are Humanitarian and Genuine

Jammu, Mar 11: The Legislative Assembly on Tuesday witnessed heated exchanges and protests over the recent police action against protesting daily-wagers in Jammu, leading to a walkout by BJP legislators.

As per news agency JKNS, after the Question Hour, BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa raised concerns over the police crackdown on daily-wagers who were protesting for their regularization. Responding to the issue, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah termed the action unfortunate and assured that he would address the concerns of daily-wagers during the demand for grants of departments under his control.

“The police is neither in my control nor in yours (Randhawa). Instead of raising the issue here, you should have taken it up with those who control the police, just a few kilometers away from this House,” Omar said. He said, that the issue of daily-wagers is not just financial but a humanitarian concern, adding, “Lathis shouldn’t have been used against them, and I am sure this concern has already reached the police.”

As BJP legislators pressed for immediate regularization of daily-wagers, National Conference (NC) MLAs countered them, accusing the BJP of doing nothing for the workers during their 10-year rule. Slogans of “Shame, Shame” echoed in the House as both sides engaged in a verbal clash, leading to chaotic scenes for nearly 10 minutes.

Amid shouting and counter-slogans, BJP legislators staged a walkout, alleging that NC had betrayed the daily-wagers and failed to resolve their long-pending demands. The Assembly remained disrupted as opposition and treasury benches continued to trade accusations. (JKNS)

Committed to fulfill all election promises: CM Omar in Assembly

Announces constitution of committee to workout roadmap to address daily-wagers’ concerns

Jammu, Mar 11 (KNO): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that he is committed to fulfilling all promises made by his party in the election manifesto, but added that he had never pledged that they will fulfill them in one budget.

Replying to discussion on budget, the CM, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said they wanted to send out a message through this budget that they will fulfill all promises. “What is the fault if we have tried to reach out to the poorest of the poor?” CM Omar asked.

Responding to the concerns raised by People’s Conference chairman and MLA Handwara Sajad Lone, CM Omar said that the budget wouldn’t have an inflationary impact.

Talking about issues of daily-wagers, he cited budget speeches of PDP-BJP, stating that they did nothing to regularise them and only 570 persons were regularised under their rule.

He also announced constitution of a committee headed by Chief Secretary to work out a roadmap for addressing issues of daily-wagers. “The committee comprising officials from different departments will find out the number of daily-wagers as well as to what legally and financially could be done for them”.

CM Omar said that his budget is a love letter to every person of J&K and all political parties. “I have owned it as a love letter. It is a love -letter to BJP, PC, PDP, NC, Congress,” he said, adding that love letters are written to express love and he would write such love-letters for five years.

He said there is no problem in expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister, Home Minister and the Finance Minister. “If the Honorable PM, HM and FM have helped us ,what is the problem in expressing gratitude to them?” CM Omar asked—(KNO)

CM Omar Abdullah Announces Committee to Determine Daily Wagers’ Count and Finalize Roadmap in Six Months

Jammu, Mar 11 (JKNS): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday announced the formation of a high-level committee to address the issue of daily wagers in Jammu and Kashmir, assuring that a roadmap for their regularization will be presented in the next budget session.

As per news agency JKNS, speaking on the floor of the House, Omar Abdullah said, “I am announcing this committee in front of the Assembly and will be issuing the official order today after my budget speech.”

He informed that the committee will comprise the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office, Planning Secretary, General Administration Department (GAD) Secretary, and Law Secretary.

“The committee will be given six months to thoroughly review the number of daily wagers through GAD and assess the legal and financial aspects of their regularization. Based on their findings, I will announce a structured roadmap in the next budget session,” Omar Abdullah said. JKNS

28,996 new ration cards issued under Food Security Act in J&K: Govt

Srinagar, Mar 11 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday informed that the Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) has issued 74,071 new ration cards since September 2022, ensuring the inclusion of left-out households.

In response to a question by MLA Rajiv Jasrotia, the minister incharge, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that government has taken consistent measures to bring all left-out eligible families under the Public Distribution System (PDS).

“Since the transition to the Ration Card Management System (RCMS) in September 2022, 28,996 new ration cards have been issued under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and 45,075 under the Non-Priority Household (NPHH) category, ensuring that eligible households are not deprived of benefits,” the department stated.

The government also said that the distribution network currently consists of 6,630 sale outlets, including Fair Price Shops (FPS) and Government Sale Centres.

It said that it is contemplating the opening of new Fair Price Shops (FPS) under the Jammu and Kashmir Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Order 2023, especially in panchayats without such facilities.

“The government has also decided to involve elected members to identify and firm up the requirements for new Fair Price Shops across Jammu and Kashmir. This process will prioritize opening outlets in areas that meet the criteria as per policy,” it said.

Regarding the augmentation of ration supplies for the Above Poverty Line (APL) category, it said that food grains are provided to beneficiaries under the Non-Priority Household (NPHH) category at a scale of 5 kg per person per month. The approved sale rates stand at Rs 15 per kg for rice, Rs 12 per kg for wheat, and Rs 13 per kg for wheat flour—(KNO)

MHA Promotes 12 IPS Officers to Selection Grade, 5 Officers to DIGP Grade

Srinagar, Mar 10 (JKNS): The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved the promotion of five IPS officers to the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Grade and twelve IPS officers to the Selection Grade.

A copy of the order, accessed by news agency JKNS, states that Maqsood-ul-Zaman, Mubassir Latifi Ameer, Shiv Kumar Sharma, Rashmi Wazir, and Rajeshwar Singh—all from the 2011 batch—have been promoted to DIGP Grade (Level 13A in the Pay Matrix) with effect from the date of assumption of charge.

In a separate order, the MHA also promoted twelve IPS officers to the Selection Grade (Level 13 in the Pay Matrix). This includes Maqsood-ul-Zaman, Mubassir Latifi Ameer, Shiv Kumar Sharma, Rashmi Wazir, Rajeshwar Singh, Sandeep Wazir, Anita Sharma, Sameer Rekhi, Jatinder Singh Johar, Swarn Singh Kotwal, Zahid Nasim Manhas, and Koshal Kumar Sharma. Their promotions are notionally effective from January 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, with actual benefits applicable from the date of assumption of charge.

The orders were issued following the recommendations of the Screening Committee meeting held on December 19, 2024, and were approved by the Competent Authority. (JKNS)

NCDC Announces Enrollment for Montessori Teacher Training Program for Women

Srinagar: The National Child Development Council (NCDC) has now opened the admission process for its Montessori Teacher Training Program for women with the aim of empowering women and enabling them to develop their teaching skills. The program, catering to professional development in teaching, provides a valuable opportunity for women interested in obtaining a fulfilling career in teaching.

An NCDC representative recently pointed out the unique features of the Montessori Teacher Training Program, including its internationally accepted certification and career-focused curriculum. The program provides candidates with the opportunity to gain professional advice and in-depth training in Montessori teaching.

In a testament to the success of the program, seven recent graduates of the NCDC Montessori Teacher Training Course have already been hired as teachers at several schools. The graduates are Valsala K, Farhath B A, Deepa V, Shameera Faizal, Femena K K, Anuja Antony, and Anila E Jose. These students had intensive training under the guidance of Evaluator Incharges of NCDC’s Montessori Teacher Training Courses, which made them ready for the classroom and ready to make their mark in the education field.

The NCDC, which is an independent organization that focuses on the well-being of women and children, remains at the forefront in transforming India’s educational sector. In its efforts, the council hopes to offer quality education and empower women nationwide.

For further details regarding the Montessori Teacher Training Program and other courses provided by NCDC, interested candidates are requested to log on to the official website at ncdconline.org/courses or call the NCDC helpline at +917356607191.