Srinagar, Mar 26: The Centre has said that 96,476 workers from Jammu and Kashmir have been enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) scheme aimed at providing old-age pension to unorganised sector workers.

Replying to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that the scheme, launched in 2019, offers a minimum assured pension of Rs 3,000 per month to beneficiaries after attaining the age of 60 years.

The minister said that the scheme is voluntary and contributory in nature, wherein eligible workers aged between 18 and 40 years with a monthly income of up to Rs 15,000 can enrol by contributing between Rs 55 and Rs 200 per month, with an equal matching contribution from the Central Government.

As per official data, Jammu and Kashmir has recorded 96,476 registrations under the scheme so far, reflecting participation from the unorganised workforce in the Union Territory.

The government said that enrolment is being facilitated through Common Service Centres (CSCs) and online platforms, while several measures have been taken to expand coverage, including awareness campaigns in local languages and integration with the e-Shram portal.

It added that a nationwide special registration drive has also been conducted in two phases, with the rural phase currently underway till March 31, 2026, to boost enrolment among unorganised workers, including those in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Centre reiterated that continuous efforts are being made in coordination with UT administrations to widen the social security net and ensure pension coverage to eligible workers—(KNO)

3 GMC Anantnag Staff Suspended Over Alleged Negligence; Probe Ordered Into ‘Expired Glucose’ Incident

Anantnag, Mar 27: Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag has suspended three employees pending an enquiry into alleged negligence in patient care following an incident reported on March 26.

Details available with news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC, The suspended officials include the Incharge Store Keeper, Incharge Pharmacist, and a Staff Nurse posted in the Surgery Ward.

The action comes after serious allegations surfaced that expired glucose was administered to patients, triggering concern over safety standards.

Medical Superintendent of MMABM Associated Hospital, Dr. Arshad Hassan Siddiqui, as per KNC said that a detailed investigation has been initiated and responsibility will be fixed at the earliest. He asserted that the institution maintains zero tolerance towards any compromise in patient care and safety.

Meanwhile, attendants of patients alleged that some individuals developed adverse reactions soon after being administered intravenous glucose. They claimed that upon checking, the glucose bottles were found to have expired nearly a year ago.

“This is sheer negligence and could have put lives at risk,” an attendant said, demanding strict action against those responsible.

Family members further alleged that the incident reflects a larger systemic failure in monitoring and managing medical supplies. They questioned how expired stock reached the ward and called for a thorough probe into procurement and storage mechanisms.

The attendants have urged authorities to take stringent action, including suspension of all involved personnel and blacklisting of the supplier if found guilty. They also demanded regular audits of medicines and consumables in government hospitals to prevent recurrence of such incidents. (KNC)

Srinagar, Mar 25: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Wednesday said it has trapped and arrested a Naib Tehsildar posted in the Arwani area of Anantnag district for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe in connection with a land inheritance mutation case.

In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Anti Corrupting Bureau received a written complaint to the effect that Naib Tehsildar Arwani namely Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat is demanding a bribe of Rs 1,00,000 from the complainant’s in-laws for inheritance mutation of land measuring 18 Kanals in the name of his wife, 03 sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law.

He said, the complainant chose not to pay bribe and instead approached Anti Corruption Bureau for taking legal action against the said Naib Tehsildar 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. 01/2026 u/s 7 of P/C Act 1988 read with amendment Act-2018 was registered in P/S 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 Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat S/o Wali Mohd Bhat R/o Dangipora Sozeith Budgam posted as Naib Tehsildar Arwani Bijbehara 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 house of the accused Govt. employee was carried out in presence of Executive Magistrates and independent witnesses. Further investigation of the instant case is going on,” said the spokesperson.—(KNO)