Weather Update

A fresh Western Disturbance has begun influencing Jammu and Kashmir, with higher altitudes in Kashmir likely to witness snowfall today (particularly Ganderbal and Bandipora higher reaches).

The system is expected to intensify from tonight, potentially bringing snowfall to even some plains during the night or early tomorrow morning.

In some plains, a light snow spell is possible (40% chance), while a moderate spell in a few areas can not be ruled out (20% chance).

Nothing significant is expected in Jammu region. While a light to moderate snow spell is expected in parts of Kargil district during the next 36 hrs.

Improvement in weather is expected in Jammu and Kashmir from tomorrow afternoon onwards. Thereafter, dry weather may follow for the next 10 days.

Forecast Insights: Kashmir Weather

NEET PG Admissions: Doctors at SKIMS Bemina protest against reducing OM quota

Demand implementation of SRO-49, revocation of Rule 17

Srinagar, Dec 10 (KNO): The doctors from SKIMS Medical College Bemina on Tuesday staged a protest against the reduction in the Open Merit (OM) quota in NEET PG admissions in Jammu and Kashmir.

Doctors as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) expressed their concern over the drastic reduction in open merit seats for postgraduate medical courses.

The allocation has dropped from 75% in 2019 to just 38.5% in 2024, leaving limited opportunities for merit-based candidates after 50% of the seats are allocated to the All-India Quota.

They questioned the rationale behind extensive reservations, especially in specialized branches, arguing that it compromises the production of skilled doctors and undermines healthcare quality. “All students access the same resources during MBBS. Why should extensive reservations apply to NEET PG specialty courses?” one of the protesting doctors asked.

The protesters criticized Rule 17 of the J&K Reservation Rules (2004-2005), describing it as unfair to open merit candidates. They pointed out that when a reserved category candidate upgrades to a higher specialty, the vacated seat is reassigned to another reserved candidate rather than to an open merit candidate. This, they argue, disproportionately benefits reserved candidates.

The doctors warned that the reservation system is already harming healthcare standards, with less qualified individuals securing seats and promotions. They emphasized the need to prioritize merit to ensure a competent healthcare workforce.

Medical professionals have voiced concerns over the impact of reservation-based selections on the quality of healthcare and the reputation of medical institutions. They emphasized that healthcare should remain uncompromised, urging that leadership roles in the sector should be occupied by competent doctors selected on merit.

The doctors highlighted the issue of candidates, who secure undergraduate medical seats through reservation but fail to qualify for postgraduate seats on open merit. They suggested that such candidates should be required to serve as medical officers in underserved areas, utilizing their reservation benefits for the greater good.

Calling for a review of the reservation policy, the professionals stressed that only truly deserving candidates should benefit from these schemes. They appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Health Minister Sakina Itoo to address their grievances promptly and implement reforms to ensure fairness and uphold meritocracy in medical admissions.

The protesters warned that the healthcare system could face further deterioration if immediate action is not taken, framing their demands as essential for the betterment of the health sector and medical education—(KNO)

Jammu and Kashmir: 50 Inspectors Promoted as Deputy Superintendents of Police (DySPs)

The Home Department of Jammu and Kashmir has issued an official order promoting 50 Inspectors to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP). The promotions have been accorded as per Government Order No. 572-Home of 2024, dated 10.12.2024, under the Level 8 Pay Matrix (₹47,600-₹1,51,100), with immediate effect.

Key Highlights:

The promotions are based on recommendations from the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission and the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

This advancement is subject to the outcomes of writ petitions, if any, pending in competent courts of law.

The comprehensive list includes names of the promoted officers alongside their respective identification codes.

Notable Officers Promoted:

1. Suhail Rashid

2. Pardeep Gupta

3. Mir Afaq Ahmad

4. Tsering Gurmeet

5. Rajesh Kumar

6. Mohd Faisal Khan

Official Directive:

The order was issued under the authority of the Principal Secretary to the Government, Home Department, and was duly signed by Monish Kumar, JKAS, Under Secretary to the Government. Copies of the order have been circulated to relevant departments, including the Director General of Police, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, and other concerned authorities.

This promotion serves as a recognition of the officers’ dedication and contributions to the law enforcement framework of Jammu and Kashmir.

Controversy over reservation rules

Ministerial committee to hold consultation with all stakeholders to finalise its recommendations

Srinagar, Dec 10 (KNO): In a significant move, the Jammu & Kashmir Government on Tuesday constituted a cabinet-sub- committee(CSC) headed by Social Welfare Minister Sakina Masood Ittoo to examine the grievances regarding reservation rules, which have triggered widespread resentment among the open merit candidates.

The CSC was constituted nearly 18 days after Omar-Abdullah cabinet approved it in its first cabinet meeting in Jammu on November 22.

The cabinet panel, according to an order, a copy of which is in possession of news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), would examine the grievances projected by a section of aspirants for various posts regarding reservation rules, in consultation with all stakeholders.

According to the order, the CSC would be serviced by the Social Welfare Department, which deals with reservation and allied issues.

The CSC shall submit its report to the council of ministers, which is empowered to make amendments in reservation rules.

However, the order doesn’t set any deadline for the committee to submit its recommendation to the NC-led government, which, in its election manifesto, has promised to fill all vacant posts in government departments in its first 180 days.

In its manifesto, NC has pledged to rationalize reservation rules which have become more disadvantageous to open merit candidates over the years.

Recently, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had said that CSC would take a holistic view on the matter. “They have been asked to see what has happened so far and whether we have gone beyond the Supreme Court’s recent directives or adhered to them,” he said. Omar had assured that justice would be done with everyone and nobody would be deprived of their rights—(KNO)

Kashmir freezes as temp drops to season’s lowest at many places

Sgr records season’s coldest night at minus 5.4 degree Celsius, Sonamarg coldest place at minus 9.7 degree Celsius

Srinagar, Dec 10 (KNO): The cold wave has tightened its grip across Kashmir with majority of the areas recording the season’s coldest night including Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

As per the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Srinagar has recorded the season’s lowest temperature at minus 5.4 degree Celsius, marking the coldest night here while Sonamarg was the coldest place at minus 9.7 degree Celsius.

Furthermore, Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort, was the second coldest place, where the mercury settled at minus 9.0 degree Celsius.

Pahalgam, a famous tourist destination, recorded a low of minus 8.4 degree Celsius while Shopian in South Kashmir recorded a low of minus 8.5 degree Celsius.

Also, Qazigund, a gateway of Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 6.4 degree Celsius while Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded minus 4.5 degree Celsius. Kokernag in South Kashmir recorded a low of minus 4.0 degree Celsius.

Furthermore, the weatherman here has predicted no major for the next ten days—(KNO)

CSC on reservation rules to be headed by Sakina Itto

Javed Rana, Satish Sharma to be members of panel

Srinagar, Dec 10 (KNO): Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Masood Itto would head a three-member cabinet-sub- committee (CSC) set-up by National Conference-led government to examine grievances of youth regarding reservation rules.

According to an order issued by the General Administration Department(GAD), a copy of which is in possession of news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the CSC headed by Sakina Masood Itto comprises of Javed Rana(Minister for Public Health Engineering) and Satish Sharma( Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs.

The formal order regarding the constitution of CSC has been issued nearly 18 days after the cabinet approved it.

According to the order, the CSC will examine the grievances projected by a section of aspirants for various posts regarding reservation rules, in consultation with all stakeholders.

The CSC will be serviced by the Social Welfare Department and shall submit its report to the council of ministers, which is empowered to make amendments in reservation rules.

Interestingly, the government has not set any timeframe for submission of the report by the CSC—(KNO)