Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party leader and MLA Pulwama Waheed-ur-Rehman Para on Monday expressed disappointment over the rejection of the proposed Sheikh-ul-Alam University Bill in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.

Speaking on the issue in the house, MLA Para as per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC said, the Bill (No. 9 of 2025), which aimed to establish the region’s first private university in Pulwama, was turned down by the government despite his repeated efforts to have it taken up for consideration.

Para said the proposal was rejected by the government led by the Education Minister, while National Conference legislators voted against the Bill during the proceedings.

Highlighting the need for private institutions, he said Jammu and Kashmir currently has no private universities, unlike the rest of the country which has over 500. He added that lakhs of students from J&K are forced to study outside, facing high costs, safety concerns, and other challenges.

Para stressed that establishing strong educational institutions within the Union Territory is essential to provide accessible and quality education to local students, enabling them to pursue their aspirations without leaving the region. (KNC)

Centre Clears Temporary Kerosene Supply in 21 SKO-Free States/UTs, Including J&K, Ladakh, Amid Global Energy Crisis

Permits storage up to 5,000 litres at designated fuel stations, grants regulatory exemptions for 60 days to ensure supply for cooking and lighting

New Delhi: In view of the prevailing geopolitical situation impacting global energy supplies, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has issued a notification allowing temporary distribution of Public Distribution System (PDS) Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO) in 21 SKO-free States and Union Territories, including Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

As per the notification as per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC, the Centre has invoked provisions under the Petroleum Act, 1934 and Petroleum Rules, 2002 to grant conditional exemptions and permissions aimed at facilitating quick and efficient supply of kerosene for household cooking and lighting purposes.

Under the new arrangement, a maximum of two designated fuel stations of Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in each district—preferably Company Owned Company Operated (COCO) outlets—are permitted to store up to 5,000 litres of PDS SKO, even in facilities originally licensed for petrol and diesel storage.

Additionally, agents and dealers have been exempted from obtaining separate licenses for decanting kerosene at these designated stations. Tank vehicles transporting petroleum products have also been granted similar exemptions to enable smoother logistics and distribution.

The government has made it clear that these relaxations are strictly temporary and subject to compliance with safety norms, handling procedures, and operational guidelines laid down by the Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO). Proper records of storage, decantation, and distribution must be maintained and made available for inspection by district authorities.

The notification will remain in force for a period of 60 days from the date of issuance or until further orders, whichever is earlier. The move is aimed at addressing potential shortages and ensuring uninterrupted access to essential fuel in regions where kerosene distribution had previously been phased out. (KNC)

Anantnag, Mar 29: The Anti Corruption Bureau Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday said they have trapped and arrested an SPO of Police Station Larnoo, Anantnag, for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 18,000 from a complainant.

In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said the J&K Anti Corrupting Bureau received a written complaint to the effect that on 26-03-2026, the complainant was driving his Load Carrier from Mati to Badihar and was stopped by Police Naka Party at Badihar Bridge.

He said the Police Party searched the Load Carrier and checked the documents of the Load Carrier but didn’t return back documents of Load Carrier to the complainant, instead told him to report at Police Station Larnoo on next day.

“On next day i.e. on 27-03-2026 the complainant proceeded to Police Station Larnoo where he met SPO Imtiyaz Ahmad Bhat who verbally demanded to pay an amount of ₹30000 for release of documents but later on demanded an amount of ₹25000 on phone, which was finally settled on ₹18000.”

The spokesperson said, complainant chose not to pay bribe and instead approached Anti Corruption Bureau for taking legal action against the said Police Official as envisaged under law.

“On receipt of the complaint, a discreet verification was conducted which confirmed the demand by the said Govt. employee and accordingly Case FIR No. 03/2026 u/s 7 of PC Act 1988 read with amendment Act-2018 was registered in PS ACB Anantnag and investigation was taken up,” said the spokesperson.

He said, during the course of investigation a trap team was constituted. The team laid a successful trap and caught the said Official Imtiyaz Ahmad Bhat No 176/SPO of Police Station Larnoo Anantnag, S/o Khazir Mohammad Bhat R/o Batpora Larnoo Kokernag Anantnag red handed while demanding and accepting bribe.

“He was arrested on spot and bribe amount was also recovered from his possession in presence of independent witnesses associated with the trap team. Subsequently, search of residential houses of the accused Police Official was carried out in presence of Executive Magistrates and independent witnesses. Further investigation of the instant case is going on.—(KNO)

No proposal to extend Ladli Beti scheme beyond 8 districts in J&K: Govt

Over 2 lakh beneficiaries enrolled; Social Welfare Department says focus remains on awareness and strengthening existing coverage

Srinagar, Mar 28: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has clarified that there is currently no proposal to extend the Ladli Beti Scheme to additional districts, stating that the scheme continues to remain limited to eight districts where it was initially implemented based on demographic concerns.

Replying to a question raised by MLA Qaisar Jamshed Lone in the Legislative Assembly, Social Welfare Minister Sakina Itoo as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) informed the House that the scheme is presently operational in eight districts—Srinagar, Budgam, Pulwama, Anantnag, Jammu, Kishtwar, Kathua and Samba.

She said that 2,03,550 beneficiaries have been enrolled under the scheme so far across these districts, reflecting a significant outreach since its inception.

The Minister elaborated that the Ladli Beti Scheme was launched on a pilot basis in 2015 in six districts—Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Budgam, Pulwama and Anantnag—vide Government Order No. 186-SW of 2015 dated September 8, 2015. Subsequently, Srinagar and Kishtwar districts were added in 2016 through Government Order No. 154-SW of 2016 dated August 4, 2016.

Itoo clarified that the selection of these districts was guided by the low female child sex ratio at the time, and not merely by overall female sex ratio indicators. “As of now, there is no proposal under consideration for extending the scheme to other districts,” she said.

Highlighting the broader objectives of the initiative, the Minister said the scheme aims to ensure financial security for girl children and promote a positive societal attitude towards them.

She added that the department is actively working to strengthen the scheme through awareness campaigns, grassroots outreach, and community engagement programmes.

“These efforts are focused on addressing deep-rooted social biases and encouraging a more supportive environment for the girl child,” she said.

The Ladli Beti Scheme provides financial assistance to girl children, with long-term benefits aimed at supporting their education and welfare, while also tackling gender disparities in society—(KNO)

J&K Govt says no proposal to regularise Gram Rozgar Sahayaks engaged under MGNREGA

‘Honorarium recently increased, no plan for permanent absorption’

Srinagar, Mar 28: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said there is no proposal under consideration to regularise or absorb Gram Rozgar Sahayaks (GRSs) engaged under MGNREGA on a permanent basis.

Replying to an unstarred question (A.Q No. 1524) tabled by MLA Javid Hassan Baig, the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that all supporting staff engaged under the centrally sponsored MGNREGA scheme are purely on a temporary and contractual basis.

“Their engagement is co-terminus with the project or scheme and is not against any clear vacancy,” the government said, adding that as of now, no proposal exists for the regularisation of such staff.

On whether any committee was constituted in 2009 to address the issue of GRS regularisation, it replied in the negative.

Regarding honorarium, the government said that it has been periodically enhanced for MGNREGA supporting staff, including GRS. It said that the latest revision was carried out under Government Order No. 49-RD & PR of 2024 dated January 30, 2024.

As per the revised structure, the honorarium of GRS has been increased from Rs 6,806 to Rs 10,209. Similarly, Technical Assistants’ honorarium has been raised from Rs 11,000 to Rs 16,500, MISOs from Rs 11,000 to Rs 13,200, and Administrative/Accounts Assistants from Rs 6,806 to Rs 10,209.

The government further said that any future enhancement in honorarium will be considered when the State Employment Guarantee Council (SEGC) meets.

On job security or interim relief for long-serving GRS staff, the government reiterated that the position remains the same as stated above—(KNO)

J&K Govt rules out proposal for 50% fare concession in Smart Bus services

Says existing student concessions remain in effect

Srinagar, Mar 28: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday ruled out any proposal under consideration to grant a 50 per cent fare concession specifically in Smart Bus services, saying the existing concessions for students are already in place under notified rules.

Replying to an unstarred question (A.Q No. 1523) tabled by MLA Sheikh Ahsan Ahmad, the Transport Department, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that as per Government Notification S.O.P-MVD of 2017 dated June 22, 2017, all school and college students in Jammu and Kashmir are entitled to 50 percent concession in bus fare while travelling in buses operated by JKRTC, subject to valid student identification.

The government further said that no proposal is currently under consideration to provide a dedicated Smart Bus service from Lal Chowk to University of Kashmir exclusively for female students.

It, however, informed that Srinagar Smart City Limited is operating a limited fleet of Smart Buses, with six buses currently plying on the Jehangir Chowk–Hazratbal route via Khanyar, and two buses operating between Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) and Women’s College, Batapora via Dargah Hazratbal, catering to the commuting needs of female students.

The government further said that one JKRTC e-bus is operating on the Lal Chowk–Gulab Bagh route via Dargah Hazratbal, which also serves students of the University of Kashmir.

The Transport Department said that JKRTC is not in a position to operate a dedicated bus service exclusively for female students on the said route due to limited fleet strength—(KNO)

J&K Govt affirms transparent regularisation of Daily Rated Workers, denies regional disparity

Says over 58,000 eligible workers regularised under rules

Srinagar, Mar 28: The government on Saturday said that the regularisation of Daily Rated Workers (DRWs) and Work Charged Employees in Jammu and Kashmir has been carried out strictly as per rules, asserting that there is no regional disparity in the process.

Replying to a starred question by MLA Arvind Gupta in the Legislative Assembly, the government, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that under SRO-64 of 1994, all eligible daily wagers who fulfilled the prescribed conditions as on March 31, 1994, were considered for regularisation.

It said that cases were referred by respective departments to an empowered committee, which examined each case in detail to ensure adherence to eligibility criteria before approval. “The process was transparent and rule-based, leaving no scope for arbitrariness. As such, the question of regional disparity does not arise,” it said, adding that no region-wise data is maintained.

The government informed that a total of 55,983 DRWs/Work Charged Employees have been cleared for regularisation by the empowered committee. Besides, 2,492 election-related DRWs were regularised by the General Administration Department, taking the total number to 58,475.

Regarding the implementation of court directions, the government said that orders of the High Court which have attained finality are being implemented. However, in cases where legal remedies have been availed, the matters are sub-judice, and action will follow the final outcome of judicial proceedings.

Department-wise details (till Feb 2019) include: PHE/I&FC (20,482), State PSUs/Autonomous Corporations (8,133), Forest (7,679), Public Works (6,456), Agriculture/Rural Development (3,786), Power Development (2,325), Tourism (1,677), Industries & Commerce (1,428), Consumer Affairs (1,350), Housing & Urban Development (1,362), Estates (446), Home (270), Technical Education (198), Health & Medical Education (152), Animal & Sheep Husbandry (75), Finance (58), ARI & Trainings (49), Revenue (18), Law (17), Science & Technology (7), General Administration (6), Floriculture (4), Labour & Employment (2), Social Welfare (2), Planning & Development (1)—(KNO)