K H Snippets: Highlights Of Previous Week

Srinagar: Below is the weekly timeline of the major public events and engagements of top public functionaries witnessed within and outside Jammu & Kashmir this week:-

1. CM Omar Reaffirms Commitment To Boosting J&K Tourism: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasized the critical role of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir’s economy during question hour in the Legislative Assembly. He highlighted that tourism significantly contributes to the Union Territory’s GDP and provides employment opportunities, reaffirming the government’s focus on attracting more visitors.
2. LG Sinha Calls for Ethics, Values in Education: Addressing the Spiritual and Value Education Summit in New Delhi, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha stressed the need for a comprehensive education framework that fosters intellectual growth and moral integrity. He stated that balancing ancient values with modern skills is crucial for sustainable economic progress.
3. Private Hospitals In J&K To Suspend Services Under PMJAY: The J&K Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centers Association announced it would suspend services under the AB-PMJAY scheme from Saturday. The move follows the State Health Agency’s decision to reserve four surgical procedures exclusively for public hospitals and a 10% reduction in package rates, which private hospitals say makes operations unsustainable.
4. Finalization Of JKAS Syllabus Nears Completion, Says CM Omar: CM Omar Abdullah informed the Legislative Assembly that the syllabus for the 2018-24 batches of J&K Administrative Services is in its final stages, and exams will be held soon. Responding to MLA Aijaz Ahmad Jan, he acknowledged the delays but assured that the process is now almost complete.
5. Rs 2,500 Cr Financial Liabilities To Be Transferred to Ladakh: CM Omar Abdullah announced that financial liabilities exceeding Rs 2,500 crore will be transferred to Ladakh as per the asset and liability apportionment following J&K’s reorganization. The process follows Notification SO-339 issued by the General Administration Department in October 2020.
6. J&K Govt Notifies Road Safety Policy 2025: The Jammu and Kashmir government has introduced the “Road Safety Policy 2025” to reduce accidents and fatalities. The policy emphasizes an integrated approach to improving road transport safety, given that road transport is the primary mode of travel in the region.
7. J&K Hikes DA For Employees Under 6th Pay Commission: The J&K government has increased the Dearness Allowance (DA) for employees and pensioners under the 6th Pay Commission from 239% to 246%. As per the Finance Department’s order, arrears from July 2024 to February 2025 will be paid in cash in March 2025, and the revised DA will reflect in salaries from then on.
8. Over 1.35 Lakh Houses Built In J&K Under PMGAY: The J&K government revealed that 135,925 houses were constructed in the last two years under the Pradhan Mantri Grameen Awaas Yojana (PMGAY). Of these, 109,412 houses were built in Jammu division and 26,513 in Kashmir. The government aims to complete the remaining target of 140,021 houses in the current financial year.
9. CM Omar Announces Committee For Regularizing Daily Wage Workers: CM Omar Abdullah has set up a high-powered committee, led by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, to devise a plan for regularizing daily-rated, ad hoc, and casual workers. The committee’s roadmap will be presented in the next budget session, addressing a long-standing demand of these employees.
10. CM Omar Defends Budget Speech As ‘Love Letter’ to J&K People: Reacting to opposition remarks labeling his speeches as “love letters,” CM Omar Abdullah embraced the term, calling his budget speech a “love letter” to the people of J&K and all political parties. He said the budget aims to address citizens’ challenges and aspirations with sincerity.
11. SHA Reserves Four Surgical Procedures For Public Hospitals Under PMJAY: The J&K State Health Agency has finalized its decision to reserve four surgical procedures exclusively for public hospitals under PMJAY, effective from March 15, 2025. The move follows deliberations in the 8th and 9th Governing Council meetings of the agency.
12. J&K Makes Strides In Urban Development Under AMRUT 2.0: The J&K government has approved 153 projects worth Rs 1,665.10 crore under AMRUT 2.0, focusing on water supply, sewerage, and urban rejuvenation. Of these, tenders have been floated for 88 projects worth Rs 773.37 crore, and 36 have already been allotted.