KH Snippets: J&K This Week

Srinagar: Below is the weeklong timeline of the key public events and engagements of top public functionaries held within and outside J&K this week:-
1. Special Status Resolution Passed, Not Rejected, Says CM Omar: Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, said that the special status resolution passed by the Legislative Assembly has not been rejected and the door remains open for further discussions. He emphasized that the resolution, passed by a majority of members, is alive, and once statehood is restored, the matter will be pursued further. He also mentioned that the release of political prisoners would follow the restoration of statehood.
2. J&K Govt To Clear Pending Payments For Hospitals: The Jammu and Kashmir government has announced that all pending payments for hospitals empanelled under the AB-PMJAY SEHAT Scheme will be cleared by December. This follows the High Court’s directive after private hospitals and dialysis centers had halted services in September due to non-payment. The State Health Agency has processed over 54,000 cases since October, and efforts are underway to ensure all hospitals receive their due payments by the end of the year.
3. KPDCL’s Call For Judicious Use Of Power Amid Increased DT Damages: Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has urged consumers to use electricity responsibly to avoid damaging Distribution Transformers (DTs) and causing power outages. The corporation highlighted that 49 DTs were damaged on November 21 alone due to excessive heating loads. KPDCL warned against using banned crude heaters and boilers and asked domestic consumers to adhere to their sanctioned load limits.
4. Div Com’s Commitment To Harassment-Free Commuting: In response to recent road accidents, Divisional Commissioner Vijay Kumar Bidhuri assured commuters on Friday that individuals with valid vehicle and two-wheeler documents would not face harassment. He emphasized that road safety is a shared responsibility, calling on parents and teachers to educate young people about road safety. Bidhuri also condemned underage driving, referring to the recent Tengapora Bypass accident as a wake-up call for all stakeholders.
5. User Charges for PET Scan, CBCT Services: The Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Department has fixed user charges for PET Scan and CBCT services in public hospitals, excluding SKIMS. The rates for various tests, including PET scans and CBCT machine usage, have been notified, with the charges for a whole-body PET scan set at Rs 10,000.
6. Union Minister’s Review On Ladakh’s Power,Housing Deptts: Union Minister of Power and Housing, Manohar Lal, reviewed the performance of Ladakh’s Power and Housing departments during his three-day visit to the region. He expressed satisfaction with the progress made despite Ladakh’s challenging terrain and assured the departments of continued support to address regional challenges.
7. Record Number of Tourists At Sonamarg In 2024: Sonamarg, the picturesque valley in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, recorded over 750,000 visitors between January and October 2024. The number is expected to rise as the winter season approaches, driven by the valley’s accessibility and its snow-covered landscapes, attracting photographers and nature enthusiasts.
8. NIA Searches in J&K in Militancy-Related Case: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches at eight locations across Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday as part of an investigation into cross-border infiltration and attacks on security forces. The NIA, in collaboration with local police, seized materials linking banned militant outfits to overground workers and hybrid militants.
9. Jawahar Tunnel Re-Opening After Renovations: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has completed extensive renovations of the 2.5 km-long Jawahar Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir, originally built in 1956. The upgraded tunnel will be reopened to the public in December 2024, with enhanced security, safety, and comfort features. The renovation project, costing Rs 62.5 crore, was funded by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.
10. LG Sinha’s Stress On Peace, Economic Prosperity in J&K: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha emphasized the connection between peace, cultural expression, and economic prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking at the inauguration of the joint Jammu Film Festival and International Film Festival of Srinagar, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing threats from anti-India elements. Sinha assured that any attempt to disrupt the region’s peace would result in exemplary action.