Omar-led Govt working towards fulfilling all promises one-by-one: Dy CM

Terms drugs as major threat to society, says joint efforts must to eliminate menace

Pitches for restoration of Statehood, says promises of land, jobs protection be fulfilled

Working 24×7 to bring KPs back to Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 26 (KNO): Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary on Sunday said that the promises made by the Omar Abdullah-led government in Jammu and Kashmir will be fulfilled in a phased manner. He also showered praises on Abdullah family for strengthening the constitution in the Union Territory.

In his Republic Day speech at Bakshi Stadium, Srinagar, the Dy Chief Minister said whatever the promises have been made by the Omar-led Government will be fulfilled one by one.

However, he said that the promises made by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders on the floor of the house regarding the restoration of statehood and protection of lands and jobs for the people of J&K, must be fulfilled now.

Praising Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah for implementing and strengthening the constitution in Jammu and Kashmir, he as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has been following the path of his father Farooq Abdullah and his grandfather Sheikh Abdullah to ensure progressive J&K.

“The recent elections witnessed a massive voter turnout in which people put their trust in us after being promised several things. We are committed to fulfill all those promises one by one and the government led by Omar Abdullah has been working day-in and day-out to fulfill all the promises,” he said in his speech, adding that the increase in ration quota, employment and other issues will be ensured soon as the elected government has been working 24×7 in this regard.

About the return of Kashmir Pandits, the Deputy Chief Minister stated that every single people across J&K are pained over the exodus of the community, but the government has been working hard to bring them back. “We are on it and our round-the-clock efforts will bring fruit soon,” he added.

Terming the drug menace as the major threat in the society, the Dy Chief Minister said that the challenging task needs to be eliminated through a joint effort. “The government has been taking stringent measures to eliminate the drug menace from society, but the involvement of youth would end up in the devastating situation. There is a need to start a joint fight in this regard and eliminate the nuisance from the society as it has been affecting the future very badly,” he said.

At the end of his speech, Choudhary as per KNO asked people to take a pledge to make India more beautiful and make J&K independent in every aspect.

Pertinently, the event at Bakshi Stadium witnessed the participation of National Conference (NC) President Dr Farooq Abdullah, Advisor to CM, Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Lal Chowk Ashan Pardesi, NC spokesman Imran Nabi Dar and others—(KNO)

J&K bans education dept from ordering students to attend political rallies

Srinagar, Jan 25 (PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday banned the education department from passing any directions to students or staff for participation in political programmes or rallies.

The ban, issued through a circular by the School Education Department, comes after the government faced criticism from various quarters over an education department circular directing Poonch authorities to participate in a Tiranga rally of the RSS-affiliated ABVP.

The circular was issued by Poonch Chief Education Officer, who directed heads of several schools to send 40-50 students and two teachers to the rally.

The circular attracted criticism from the PDP which alleged the government was using education as a “propaganda tool”.

“It is enjoined upon all the Officers including Chief Education Officers, Zonal Education Officers and Head of Institutions of all the schools under School Education Department to not to grant any permission or give direction to students or staff (including all categories of teachers) to participate in any political programme, rally etc. organized by any political party/organization,” the latest circular read.

The circular was posted on X by Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakina Itoo.

It instructed all chief education officers to “strictly monitor” that no directions from any district authority is in contravention to the circular.

“In case of any such deviation, the Chief Education officer concerned shall immediately bring the same into the notice of respective Director School Education for further instructions,” it said.

On Friday, PDP leader Waheed Para criticised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah saying, earlier he used to condemn such orders before the elections, but “this blatant transformation” stands as his only “so-called achievement” in the last 100 days.

“J&K government’s order with education department’s endorsement of an ABVP rally, forcing students to participate, was condemned by Omar Abdullah before elections. Yet now, this blatant transformation under the government stands as its only so-called ‘achievement’ in the last 100 days,” he had said on X.

PDP’s Iltija Mufti too on Friday said it was unacceptable that the government was “forcing” students to attend the Tiranga rally organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad.

“J&Ks Education Department under the NC government has made it mandatory for both private & public school children across Poonch to attend a rally organised by ABVP the RSS affiliated student wing that normalises anti-Muslim bigotry. Using education as a propaganda tool by forcing students to attend ideological events is unacceptable,” she said in a post on X.

The PDP president’s daughter on Saturday again took to X to criticise the government after Doda youth services and sports officer ordered deputation of four officers for a kabbadi/wrestling championship organised by the ABVP.

“NC government chooses not to rationalise the erroneous reservation policy or ensure transparent recruitment. Instead they are facilitating ABVPs events across schools in J&K. The anti Muslim bigoted student organisation is now being allowed to hold a Kabaddi tournament in Indoor Sports Stadium Doda,” Mufti said in a post.

The deputation order was withdrawn after the criticism. (PTI)

Shab-i- Miraj Holiday Postponed To January 28

Srinagar, Jan 25 (GNS): The Government on Saturday postponed holiday on account of Shab-i- Miraj from ensuing Monday to Tuesday.

“In partial modification of Government Order No. 2193 JK(GAD) of 2024 dated: 29.12.2024, it is hereby ordered that the holiday on account of Shab-i-Miraj shall now be observed on 28th of January, 2025 (Tuesday) instead of 27″ of January, 2025 (Monday), in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” reads an order, a copy of which lies with GNS.

The order follows Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board’s communication to Secretary to the Government, Revenue (Hajj & Auqaf) Department, for postponement of holiday on account of Shab-i- Miraj.
The communiqué by Chief Executive Officer followed a communication by Administrator ‘Aasar-i-Sharif Hazratbal’ Srinagar that the Meraj-un-Nabi (SAW) shall be celebrated on 27th of Rajab, which falls on 28-01-2025 (Tuesday) instead of 27-01- 2025 (Monday).

“Accordingly, the same has also been verified from various religious clerics & other stakeholders of the UT of Jammu & Kashmir,” reads the communication by the CEO J&K Waqf Boar to the Secretary to the Government, Revenue (Hajj & Auqaf) Department.

“In this context, it is requested to kindly take up the matter with the General Administration Department to postpone the holiday scheduled on 27-01-2025 (Monday) on account of Shab-i-Miraj and declare the same on 28-01-2025 (Tuesday) for whole UT of the Jammu & Kashmir,” the communication, a copy of which lies with GNS reads. (GNS)