Jammu, Apr 01: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday assured the House that casual labourers and daily wagers in Jammu and Kashmir will be regularised in a phased manner within the financial year.

Responding to a bill introduced by MLA M Y Tarigami seeking regularisation of services of casual and other workers, the Chief Minister, per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said the government has already committed to address the long-pending issue.

He said the process will be carried out in phases and reiterated that the assurance had been placed on record in the House earlier as well.

“It is the first day of the financial year and I have committed that within this financial year they will be regularised in a phased manner,” he said.

The Chief Minister acknowledged the concerns raised by members and said the government recognises the contribution and efforts of workers engaged on casual and daily wage basis.

He informed the House that the government is awaiting recommendations from a designated committee examining the issue, adding that the regularisation process will be implemented once the committee submits its report—(KNO)

J&K Govt rules out proposal for waiving job application fees

Says recruitment agencies ‘bear’ high costs, procedural standards for maintaining fees

Srinagar: The Jammu & Kashmir government on Tuesday said there is no proposal under consideration to grant concession or exemption in job application fees charged by recruitment agencies in the Union Territory.

Replying to an unstarred Assembly Question No. 997 tabled by MLA Hilal Akbar Lone regarding waiver of application fees in view of rising unemployment and financial hardships, the government, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said recruitment bodies incur substantial expenditure in conducting selection processes.

The reply stated that the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) and Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) bear significant costs for recruitment to gazetted and non-gazetted posts, respectively.

“These expenditures arise from multiple stages of the selection process, including written/OMR-based examinations, interviews, engagement of subject experts, and deployment of manpower and infrastructure,” the government said.

It added that the recruitment process involves intricate and sensitive procedures requiring strict adherence to standards of security, fairness, and transparency. The costs have further increased due to the introduction of advanced technological interventions aimed at ensuring integrity and efficiency.

“Accordingly, the prescribed examination fee is essential to defray a portion of these escalating costs incurred at various stages of the recruitment process,” the reply said, ruling out any immediate relief for job aspirants—(KNO

Power Shutdown Schedule Announced by KPDCL in Kashmir

Srinagar, March 31: The Chief Engineer, Distribution of the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has announced a series of scheduled power shutdowns across several areas in Kashmir for maintenance and upgrade works.

According to the official notice, the shutdown of the 33 kV Cheshmashahi–TRC–Nedous line will be carried out on April 4, 2026, resulting in power disruption in the Dal area from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Similarly, the 33 kV Bemina–Fatehkadal line and 33 kV Bemina–Barbarshah line will undergo shutdown on April 1, 5, and 7, 2026. During these dates, power supply will remain affected from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM in several areas including:

• KK Moulla
• Nowpora
• Bohri Kadal
• BB Shah
• Badademb
• Bishembarnagar
• Gousia Hospital
• Naisadak
• Barbarshah
• Exchange area
• Basant Bagh
• Car Parking
• Maisuma Bazar
• Adjoining localities

In addition, the 33 kV Achabal–Cherpora Tapline will be shut down on April 2 and 4, 2026, impacting power supply to Achabal, Shangus, Nowgam, Cherpora, and nearby areas from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Furthermore, the 33 kV Kanipora–Keller line will observe a shutdown on April 2, 2026, affecting areas such as Keller, Moshward, Hotline, Nadpora, Kanipora, Drabgam, Shadimarg, Qasbyar, Kalampora, Dompora, and surrounding localities. The power supply in these areas will be disrupted from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

KPDCL has urged residents in the affected areas to take necessary precautions and plan accordingly during the scheduled shutdown periods.

Srinagar, Mar 31: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday clarified that no paper leak has been confirmed in the Fire Services recruitment examination, terming claims circulating on social media as misleading and not based on established facts.

In a statement issued by ACB as per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC, It has come to notice that certain social media platforms, particularly the handle “J&K Services Selection Board Aspirants,” are circulating claims suggesting that the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has confirmed a paper leak in the Fire Services recruitment examination and that the Government has taken action against only 106 candidates while leaving others untouched.

Statement reads that, These claims are misleading and not based on officially established facts. It is hereby clarified that the ACB has not confirmed any paper leak at this stage.

The matter is currently under investigation, and no final conclusions have been drawn by the competent authorities. Any assertion presenting the investigation as a confirmed finding is premature and inaccurate, statement reads.

Further, the identification of a specific number of candidates is part of an ongoing and evolving investigative process. Actions such as cancellation of candidature or other administrative measures are taken strictly on the basis of prima facie evidence available at a given stage and in accordance with due legal procedures. This should not be misconstrued as the investigation being limited in scope or excluding other potential findings, it reads.

The public and aspirants are advised to exercise caution and refrain from relying on unverified or partial information circulating on social media. Official updates and verified communications from competent authorities should be treated as the only authentic source of information. Issued in public interest. (KNC)

Jammu, Mar 31: The Mission Director of National Health Mission (NHM), J&K, Akriti Sager, IAS, on Tuesday issued a strict directive reminding all health officials to adhere to guidelines regarding the deployment of NHM staff.

According to the circular, as per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC, despite repeated instructions, some field functionaries continue to deploy or attach NHM contractual staff at various health institutions without authorization. The guidelines on Human Resources for Health (HRH) issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, do not allow routine transfers or attachments of NHM staff.

The circular referred to Order No. 131 of 2025 dated August 30, 2025, which had explicitly canceled all unauthorized attachments and directed immediate reversion of staff to their original postings. However, reports indicate that violations of these instructions persist in certain areas.

The Mission Director warned that any Chief Medical Officer, Block Medical Officer, Zonal Medical Officer, or other controlling authority responsible for unauthorized attachments or for failing to ensure immediate reversion of staff will be held personally accountable and may face disciplinary action under service rules.

“All concerned officers are directed to ensure strict compliance of these instructions in letter and spirit. Any deviation will be considered unauthorized and invalid,” the circular stated.

The NHM J&K emphasized the urgency of the matter and reminded officials that compliance is mandatory to maintain operational efficiency and adherence to national health guidelines. (KNC)