According to Government Order No. 472-Home of 2026, issued by the J&K Home Department on September 22, Zaid (KPS013477) has been relieved with effect from Tuesday afternoon to take up his new assignment with the NIA.

The order states that his initial deputation will be for a period of four years, extendable up to seven years, subject to the terms and conditions prescribed by the NIA and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

The government order was issued following a letter from the NIA dated September 9, 2026, seeking his deputation.

The order was issued by the J&K Home Department on behalf of the Lieutenant Governor and signed by Principal Secretary to the Government, Home Department, Chandraker Bharti, IAS.

Replying to a question by MLA Vikram Randhawa during Question Hour of the ongoing Autumn Session of the J&K Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister, who also holds the Power portfolio, said that the matter regarding reintroduction/extension of the Amnesty Scheme for power consumers is being examined by the department on merits.

The question sought details on the proposed extension of the scheme.
The Chief Minister said that while repeated amnesty schemes could have an adverse impact on the culture of timely bill payment, the Government could consider extending relief to people living below the poverty line and other underprivileged consumers on a case-to-case basis.

“Giving amnesty repeatedly is injustice with those who pay bills on time and it also encourages consumers not to pay bills on time and wait for amnesty,” Omar Abdullah said.

He, however, added that the Government can consider amnesty for poorer sections of society, with such cases being examined on merit.

The Minister was replying to a question raised by Mir Saifullah in the Legislative Assembly.

The Minister said that with the financial and technical support of the Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has established two State Cancer Institutes, one at SKIMS, Soura and the other at Government Medical College, Jammu.

She said these Institutes have been established with the objective of ensuring comprehensive and specialized cancer care, including diagnosis, treatment and other allied oncology services, thereby catering to the major cancer treatment requirements of the Union Territory.

The existing facilities are being strengthened from time to time in terms of infrastructure, equipment, human resources and specialized treatment services, as per the approved norms and availability of resources, she added.

The Minister informed the House that the Jammu & Kashmir administration is committed to ensure accessible, affordable and quality cancer-care services, particularly for economically vulnerable sections of society. Eligible cancer patients are being provided cashless/free treatment, as applicable, under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, in the empanelled government as well as private health institutions, in accordance with the prescribed eligibility criteria, treatment packages and guidelines under the scheme, she informed.

The Minister maintained that the benefits cover various diagnostic, therapeutic and hospitalization-related services included in the approved packages. In addition, poor and needy cancer patients are being extended financial assistance under the Cancer Treatment and Management Fund for Poor (CTMFP) scheme, subject to the prescribed eligibility criteria, applicable guidelines and availability of funds, she said. She added that these measures are aimed at facilitating timely access to appropriate cancer treatment and reducing the financial burden on eligible patients and their families.

Each destination has its own unique attraction; Doodhpathri Gondola proposal under consideration

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that the Government cannot replicate the Gulmarg model of tourism infrastructure at every destination in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasising that development plans must take into account the unique character, attractions and visitor potential of individual destinations.

Replying to questions by MLA Saif-ud-Din Bhat during the ongoing Autumn Session of the J&K Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister, who also holds the Tourism portfolio, said that the Government has to adopt a destination-specific approach rather than replicate the same infrastructure across all tourist destinations.

“We can’t make every tourist destination Gulmarg, and build gondolas at every destination. Every tourist destination has its unique and separate attraction,” Omar Abdullah said.

He noted that the Gondola at Gulmarg has a significantly higher ridership than the one at Patnitop, and said that such factors need to be considered before proposing similar infrastructure at other destinations.

“Every tourist destination can’t have a Gondola. Every destination cannot be Gulmarg. We have to see something unique, as these destinations are unique in their nature,” he said.

On the proposed Gondola/Cable Car project at Doodhpathri, the Chief Minister informed the House that the proposal is presently under consideration of the Government. The project will be taken up for execution subject to approval of the competent authority, completion of requisite formalities and availability of funds.

He said that winter adventure tourism at Doodhpathri has already received a boost, with snow skiing introduced by the Tourism Department in 2023 and conducted regularly during subsequent winter seasons.

A Drag Lift has also been constructed and made operational from 2026, providing additional facilities for skiers and enabling regular skiing training and other winter adventure activities.

The Chief Minister further informed the House that the Government is pursuing planned infrastructure development around Doodhpathri to improve visitor management and reduce pressure on the destination.

The Tourism Department has identified State land at five locations along the Arigam–Reyar Ich stretch for development of wayside facilities, including amenities for visitors and local vendors. Administrative approval for these facilities has been accorded at an estimated cost of ₹50 lakh, and the works are presently at the tendering stage.

He said that approximately 25 kanals of State land near the Sheep Farm at Kralpathri has also been identified for development of a Tourist Transit Hub along with a 400-car parking facility at Doodhpathri.

A Detailed Project Report for the proposed facility, estimated at ₹75 crore under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0, has been prepared and submitted to the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, for consideration and approval.

The proposed transit hub and parking facility is envisaged to regulate vehicular movement and improve visitor management at Doodhpathri, thereby helping reduce vehicular pressure at the destination.

On tourism development in Khansahib, the Chief Minister said that the Tourism Department has already initiated the process of identifying and assessing areas with tourism potential for future development.

He said that, in consultation with local stakeholders and officers of the Revenue and Forest Departments, the Department has conducted site visits to Pushker, Shoplian, Nowgam, Drung, Habber, Banglapathri and Palmasidan to assess their tourism potential and the feasibility of creating tourism-related infrastructure.
Suitable sites will be considered for inclusion in future tourism development plans, subject to their tourism potential and feasibility, availability of suitable land and fulfilment of requisite statutory and administrative requirements.

The process for identification, demarcation and transfer of State land at Banglapathri and along the stretch from Zoogu to Sitaharan has already been initiated with the Revenue authorities and is under process for further necessary action.

The individual identified as Peer Asif Rashid @ Asif Peer son of Peer Abdul Rashid resident of Khushroo Kalan, Srigufwara, has been booked under the PIT-NDPS Act. He is involved in various NDPS cases and has been identified as a repeated offender involved in drug-related activities. In view of his continued involvement in the illicit drug trade and to prevent him from further engaging in such activities, the detention order was executed and he has been lodged in District Jail Bhaderwah.

It is pertinent to mention that Anantnag Police has booked 16 drug peddlers under the PIT-NDPS Act during the year 2026, as part of its sustained efforts to disrupt the network of habitual and repeat drug offenders.

Police reiterates its commitment to taking stringent legal action against drug peddlers and strengthening the fight against the drug menace.

Speaking in the House, Para said ordinary commuters are often made to wait for 10 to 15 minutes whenever security convoys, tourist movements or the Amarnath Yatra pass through the highway.

“Every day, whether it is tourists, the Yatra or a convoy, locals — the people who have given their land for the highway — have to wait for 10 to 15 minutes. It has become a huge sense of humiliation for all of us,” Para said.

He said VIPs often have their movement facilitated, while ordinary commuters face prolonged stoppages on a road used daily by thousands of people.

Para likened the situation to a “Berlin Wall”, questioning whether Kashmiris should continue to face restrictions on a highway that connects the Valley with the rest of the country.

“If today, even after 70 years, Kashmiris cannot travel on a highway along with the rest of the country, then somewhere this is a serious inequality,” he said.

Calling for the issue to be addressed at the highest level, Para said the government should engage with the Government of India, security agencies and the CRPF to find a solution.

He also called for a coordinated approach under the Unified Command, saying security concerns must be addressed without creating a sense of discrimination among local residents.

Says Omar Govt. Admits 11 Lakh Smart Meters Installed Under Its Watch Since October 2024

Srinagar, Sep 22: J&K Peoples Conference President and MLA Handwara Sajad Lone has taken sharp aim at NC-led government over its power policy, saying the administration that promised 200 units of free electricity to consumers has instead pushed through a tariff revision that will collect ₹251 crore more from them in 2026–27 alone.

“The NC-led government may not have provided 200 units of free electricity to consumers but it has admitted today in response to my question that ₹251 crore will be collected from consumers on account of recent power tariff,” Lone said.

Lone pointed out that the government’s own reply confirmed the revised tariff approved by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission will generate the additional ₹251 crore for the DISCOMs during the current financial year attributing the hike to the gap between electricity supply costs and revenue realised under the existing tariff.

On the government’s defence that the 200-unit promise is being honoured through a RESCO-based rooftop solar scheme under which eligible households will receive 2 kW systems Lone noted that the benefit kicks in only after commissioning with no figure placed on record for how many households have actually been commissioned to date.

He also flagged that the government admitted to installing 11 lakh smart meters across Jammu and Kashmir since assuming office in October 2024.

Srinagar, Sep 22 (KNO): Consumers in Jammu and Kashmir will have to pay an additional Rs 251 crore due to recent tariff hike, the government admitted in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.

In a written reply to a question by MLA Sajad Gani Lone, the Power Development Department, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the 6.83% tariff hike, recently notified by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), is expected to generate Rs 251 crore in additional revenue for DISCOMs during 2026-27.

The government said the tariff revision was long overdue and was required to bridge the gap between the cost of electricity supply and revenue realised and to meet the Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) of the DISCOMs.

The government said it would still have to bear more than Rs 4,500 crore as subsidy to meet the power purchase cost of the DISCOMs.

The department also revealed that power tariff dues amounting to Rs 4385.30 crore are outstanding against Jammu and Kashmir and Central Government departments.
On revenue collection, the government informed that domestic consumers in Kashmir Valley generated Rs 1,455.90 crore in 2025-26, compared to Rs 1,238.07 crore in 2024-25.

During 2026-27 up to August, the revenue stood at Rs 547.79 crore, including Rs 383.08 crore from metered consumers and Rs 164.71 crore from flat-rate consumers.

The government further said the scheme providing 200 units of free electricity to eligible AAY households is being implemented through a RESCO-based rooftop solar scheme under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. The tendering process is under evaluation, and eligible households will start receiving the benefit after commissioning of the rooftop solar systems.—(KNO)

The meeting aimed to assess the prevailing security scenario, review operational preparedness, and evaluate the disposal of crimes, with a specific focus on cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and other social offenses.

The review meeting was attended by Zonal Superintendents of Police, SP Headquarters, DySP Headquarters, Sub-Divisional Police Officers (SDPOs), Station House Officers (SHOs), and other senior officers of the Srinagar District Police.

During the session, the overall crime landscape of Srinagar was reviewed in detail. Threadbare discussions were held to enhance the quality of investigations and prosecution to improve conviction rates across general crime, POCSO, crimes against women etc. SSP Srinagar conducted a meticulous performance audit across all Zones, Sub-Divisions, and Police Stations, laying special emphasis on the swift disposal of pending backlog cases and the robust implementation of the Nyaya Sanhita.

Addressing the officers, Dr. G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy directed intensified action against drug trafficking. He instructed officers to systematically dismantle NDPS hotspots, map forward and backward linkages in all Narcotics and Terror-funding cases, and strictly initiate financial investigations to freeze bank accounts and attach properties derived from illegal crime proceeds.

While reviewing the security grid, the SSP evaluated the operational readiness and deployment of personnel across the city. He directed field formations to strengthen counter-insurgency operations, intensify area domination exercises, and increase checkpoint (naka) checking at vulnerable locations and inter-district borders.

Stressing that security protocols must remain dynamic and responsive to emerging threats, the SSP concluded the meeting by ordering round-the-clock vigilance and seamless coordination among all field units to safeguard public order and maintain peace and public order across Srinagar.

Srinagar Police remains committed to safeguarding the peace and security of the Nation.

According to GNS, NC members raising the issue in the House said Sheikh Abdullah’s contribution in shaping modern Jammu and Kashmir cannot be ignored.

Members said his historic reforms including Land to Tiller, free education up to university level and empowerment of women laid the foundation of a progressive J&K.

They said both the holidays, July 13 Martyrs Day and December 5, the birth anniversary of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah were removed from the official holiday calendar after abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.

Participating in the discussion, senior NC leader and MLA Eidgah Mubarak Gul said that NC remained in power for many years but never altered any holiday or any important day.

“We remained in power for decades, but we never removed any holiday. We never played with history. If BJP or any other party’s leader had a holiday, we never removed it. Holidays represent collective memory,” Gul said.

He said restoring the December 5 holiday would be a tribute to Sheikh Abdullah’s contribution to the people of J&K.(GNS)