Says Omar Abdullah Govt committed for welfare, upliftment of people living in far flung areas
KS News Desk
Kupwara, May 31: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social welfare and Education Sakeena Itoo on Saturday chaired the district development board meeting here and took comprehensive assessment of overall developmental profile of district Kupwara.
The meeting was attended by Advisor to Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, MLAs Saifullah Mir, Javid Ahmad Mirchal, Sheikh Khursheed, Mir Mohammad Fayaz and Qaisar Jamsheed Lone besides Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Ayushi Sudan, Director General Rural Sanitation, Directors of various departments like Social Welfare, Tourism, Youth Services and Sports, School Education, Handicrafts and Handlooms, Industries and Commerce, Rural Development, Urban Local Bodies, Horticulture, Colleges, Health Services, Family Welfare, Ayush, Agriculture, Sheep Husbandry and Horticulture P&M, Managing Directors of J&K Housing Board and KPDCL, Mission Directors of JJM, Poshan and Skill Development Mission, Principal GMC Handwara, Executive Director J&K Rehabilitation council, CEO JKEDA, Chief Engineers of PHE, I&FC, PMGSY, PWD R&B North, district and sectoral officers.
During the meeting, Minister Sakeena, who is also Minister in-charge of Kupwara district, took detailed assessment of all the ongoing developmental activities in the district.
She also took stock of progress on implementation of various beneficiary oriented schemes in the district.
She also reviewed the performance of Aspirational Districts Programme in Kupwara, which primarily focuses on areas like education, health, infrastructure and financial inclusion.
The Minister minutely evaluated the performance of all departments like PWD (R&B), Jal Shakti, Agriculture Production, Rural Development, Education, Tourism, Health and other vital sectors. She also reviewed financial progress under district Capex as well as other Centrally Sponsored schemes.
Addressing the officers during the meeting, Minister Sakeena highlighted that the Omar Abdullah led Government is committed for the welfare and upliftment of the people especially living in far flung areas.
She underlined that district Kupwara, being a border district, needs special focus for its overall development and this government will give prime focus in its development across all sectors.
During the deliberations, the Minister emphasized on the need for cent percent saturation of all beneficiary-oriented schemes, underlining that no eligible individual should be left out of the welfare net.
She directed the concerned departments to ensure timely identification, registration and inclusion of all entitled beneficiaries, particularly from marginalized and underserved communities.
Our Governments focus is clear, we are committed to uplifting the socio-economic conditions of the people of J&K through inclusive growth and equitable development," she said.
The minister said that Kupwara holds immense potential and the administration must ensure that the benefits of all centrally and UT sponsored schemes reach the grassroots.
While taking a review of performance of key sectors like PWD, Health, Rural Development and Education, Sakeena Itoo delved upon the officers to speed up the pace of works and ensure completion of all ongoing projects within the stipulated time frame.
Regarding flagship programmes like PMAY, MGNREGA, Ujjwala, Jal Jeevan Mission and other social welfare schemes, Minister Sakeena impressed upon the officers for regular field-level monitoring for smooth implementation of these schemes.
She instructed the district administration and other stakeholders to conduct regular outreach camps and grievance redressal sessions to bridge gaps in service delivery.
During the meeting, the Minister also heard various developmental issues of the MLAs and passed on the directions to the concerned officers for prompt redressal of these issues.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan briefed the Minister about the district profile and latest achievements and ongoing projects in the district.
The DC informed that Rs.456.69 crore have been expended under District CAPEX Budget till March 2025.
Regarding macadamization of roads, the Minister was informed that 1958.80 kms of road length have been macadamized by different departments in the district during last two financial years.
Under JJM, it was informed that out of the 156000 households, 129000 households have been connected with Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) and work is apace to connect the rest of the households.
Under Rural Development Department, it was informed that 100% expenditure have been made under MGNREGA till March 2025. 10024 houses have been completed under PMAY-G and 718 houses are under construction. 42640 houses have been surveyed under PMAY-G 2.0 Survey 2025-26.
The Minister was also informed about PMAY-Urban, Health Sector, Education, ICDS, KPDCL, Agriculture, Employment & Skill Development, NRLM and Social Welfare.
Later, Minister Sakeena also distributed Appointment Orders among the newly recruited Anganwari Workers. She also distributed Motorized Tricycles among Specially abled persons.
Suhail Khan Baramulla, Jan 6: A young aerospace engineer from Sopore in north Kashmirâs Baramulla district is proving that dedication and ambition can propel one to global heights. Munaf-ul-Raquib who holds a B.Tech in Aerospace Engineering, has gained international recognition for his research on black holes and cosmology. Munaf-ul-Raquib revealed that his paper on the thermodynamics of black holes was recently published in the International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR). âAbout a year ago, I conducted research on the gravity of black holes and cosmology, which has now been published in IJSR,â he said. He said that since his research was published in the international journal, he has been receiving opportunities from various countries to participate in research dialogues. Raquib added that in the coming months he is scheduled to participate in international conferences in Paris on April 16 and later in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The Sopore aerospace engineer noted that he is also participating in various conferences across different countries. Speaking about his research, Munaf-ul-Raquib addressed a fundamental paradox in astrophysics: how black holes can appear to violate thermodynamic laws, particularly concerning entropy.âIf we observe a black hole, it seems to contradict thermodynamic principles,â he said. Using the frameworks of Anti-de Sitter space (AdS) and Conformal Field Theory (CFT), Raqeebâs research proposes a theoretical model that reconciles black hole mechanics with thermodynamics. âIn this paper, I have explained how a black hole can function without violating thermodynamic laws,â he said. He described the achievement as both personal and symbolic. âIt is a proud moment for me to represent my state, especially Sopore, on an international platform,â he said. Raqeeb shared that Astrophysics was his childhood dream, and his grandfather encouraged me immensely. "After my grandfather passed away during the Covid-19 pandemic, my parents continued to champion my aspirations. My parents left no stone unturned in helping me pursue my dreams,â he said. He said that his academic path included taking the JEE and later the AME CET entrance exams, through which he secured a seat in aerospace engineering at the Nasik Research Centre. âMy parents not only supported me morally but also created an environment where I could pursue my dreams freely,â he said. He emphasized the role of family in nurturing talent. âJust as my parents supported me, it is the responsibility of all parents to help their children follow their dreams.â âYoung people should avoid wrong practices. They must dream of a beautiful tomorrow but work hard today to make their parents proud,â he further added.
Srinagar, Jan 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) will declare the result of class 10th and 12th examination on January 14 of, 2026 (Wednesday), minister for education Sakina Itoo said on Monday. Minister for education Sakina Itoo said the government has decided to declare the result of both the classes-10th and 12th on the same day. "We understand that students have been waiting for the results. So we decided that result of both the classes will be declared on Wednesday (January 16 of 2926)," Sakina Itoo said. She said the meeting of the Result Declaration Committee (RDC) will be convened by the Secretary JKBOE along with the members-Director School Education (DSE) Kashmir and Jammu division besides the joint secretaries as well. "We will give the administrative approval to the result instead of getting approved by the chairman," she said. The announcement comes amid the delay in appointment of chairman JKBOSE as the position is lying vacant for the last one year. "After declaration of the results, we will also appoint the permanent chairman for JKBOSE as well," education minister said. An official from JKBOSE said the class 1oth result will be declared on Wednesday morning followed by the declaration of result of class 12th students in late afternoon on the same day. As per the official figures, 94783 students- 68804 from Kashmir and 25,224 students from winter zone areas of Jammu division besides 660 students from Kargil and 95 from Leh district registered for the class 10th JKBOSE examination this year. Also, the examination for class 11th and 12th students was scheduled from November 19 and November 8 of 2025 respectively. Approximately, 81622 students â 64001 from Jammu and 17621 from winter zone areas of Jammu have registered for class 11th examination while 70117 studentsâ56423 from Kashmir and 13694 from winter zone areas of Jammu have registered for class 12th examination.
'Results likely to get delayed in absence of Chairman' Jammu, Jan 7: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) on Wednesday said the result of the class 10th examinations will be declared soon after the appointment of the Chairman of the Board. The statement comes amid the uncertainty about the declaration of the results by JKBOSE. In an official handout issued here, JKBOSE has advised students not to pay heed to fake links and websites announcing declaration of class 10 results. "Result of class 10th will be declared within few days soon after the appointment of new Chairman," the statement reads. The JKBOSE has stated that the results of annual examination of class 10 of Kashmir valley and winter zone areas of Jammu Division are almost ready. "But its approval by Result Declaration Committee headed by BOSE Chairman is a pre- requisite before its declaration. In absence of the Chairman the results are likely to get a little delayed," it reads. The JKBOSE officials have advised the students to wait for the formal declaration on the official website of the Board- www.jkbose.nic.in. "Students should not get misled by scamesters and fake narratives circulated by some mischievous elements, whose sole aim is to create confusion in the innocent student community," the statement reads.
Srinagar, Jan 8: Contractual faculty members working in government degree colleges of Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department (HED) have expressed strong resentment over what they term as a glaring disparity in salaries, demanding revision of their pay in line with University Grants Commission (UGC) norms and regularisation of their services. The faculty, many of whom hold PhDs and are qualified through NET, SET and JRF, said they have been denied UGC-recommended pay scales despite discharging academic responsibilities equivalent to their regular counterparts. âHundreds of highly qualified scholars have been pushed into silent suffering. For years, we have been assured that our pay revision is under consideration, but nothing has materialised so far,â said Dr Ishfaq Gowhar, a contractual faculty member. Earlier, Director Colleges J&K had acknowledged the legitimacy of the facultyâs demand, stating that while the issue was genuine, its implementation involved significant financial implications due to the large number of contractual appointments. âWe are aware that they deserve salary enhancement, but the number of contractual faculty is huge and it has financial implications,â he earlier said. Dr Gowhar pointed out that contractual lecturers, who form the backbone of the higher education system, continue to work on a fixed monthly honorarium of Rs 28,000, which has remained unchanged for nearly a decade. âThe irony is that a Class IV employee with a Class 10 qualification draws a salary exceeding Rs 50,000, while doctorate-holding teachers engaged in teaching, mentoring and academic research are paid a fraction of that,â he said. He added that institutions such as SKUAST-K, University of Kashmir and Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) have implemented revised UGC pay scales, but the Higher Education Department has failed to extend similar treatment to its contractual faculty. Dr Gowhar said the demand for âequal work, equal payâ gets prominently featured in election campaigns, raising hopes among contractual teachers. âPromises were made and slogans echoed during elections, but once the process ended, our voices were reduced to silence. Even meeting officials now feels impossible,â he said. He said contractual faculty were not seeking privileges but dignity, fairness and recognition for their service. The faculty appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Education Minister to intervene and take concrete steps towards addressing their long-pending demands. âThis issue is not merely about salaries. It is about survival, justice and dignity in the classrooms of Jammu and Kashmir,â he said.
Jammu, Jan 18: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Youth Services & Sports, Information Technology, ARI & Trainings, Satish Sharma Sunday said that the remarkable achievements of Jammu and Kashmirâs youth are a powerful testament to what can be accomplished through fair opportunities, modern infrastructure and unwavering government support. Addressing the gathering during the SRIJAN initiative conference, the Minister stated that the success of young athletes clearly demonstrates that with the right ecosystem in place, the UT youth are capable of overcoming every challenge and competing confidently at national and international platforms. Highlighting the core focus areas of the SRIJAN programme, Satish Sharma said "the initiative is playing a transformative role in strengthening the sports landscape of the Union Territory by expanding grassroots sports infrastructure across Jammu, Kashmir and other regions. This is being done by ensuring transparent, merit-based selections free from any bias; integrating sports with education and skill development; promoting greater participation of girls and enhancing inclusivity and establishing sports as a dignified and sustainable career option with viable livelihood opportunities, he said0. He reaffirmed the governmentâs firm commitment and said that sustained efforts were underway to create international-standard sports facilities, including modern cricket stadiums in Jammu and Srinagar. He also highlighted the strengthening of Khelo India Centres, promotion of traditional sports such as Dangal and enhanced collaboration with the Union Ministry to transform Jammu & Kashmir into a national sports hub. âAs Sports Minister, I assure our athletes that the government stands firmly with them. Our focus is not only on infrastructure creation but also on nurturing talent, discipline and confidence among the youth,â he said. The Minister lauded the determination, resilience and dedication of young sportspersons, describing them as the living legacy of the SRIJAN mission. He urged them to continue training with passion, remain disciplined and dream fearlessly, assuring them of full institutional support at every step of their journey. Satish Sharma expressed hope that the conference would serve as the foundation of a new era where every talented child, from the mountains of Kashmir to the plains of Jammu, is provided an equal opportunity to shine on the global stage. He concluded by reiterating the governmentâs resolve to make sports a powerful vehicle for youth empowerment, social inclusion and regional pride in Jammu and Kashmir. Director General, Youth Services and Sports, Anuradha Gupta and prominent persons from different fields and states along with senior officers of the Youth Services and Sports Department, were also present on the occasion.
Sopore, Mar 4: Authorities on Wednesday issued a stern warning against the illegal extraction of sand and other minerals in the Manzseer area of Sopore, vowing to take stringent action against those involved in what officials termed as "looting" water bodies. Reacting to reports of illegal mining activities in the area, District Mining Officer (DMO) Zulfikar Ahmad stated that no one will be allowed to damage the Kashmir's natural resources. "There have been reports of wrong practices in the Manzseer area. We have taken action in the past, but we will not tolerate any further violations," the DMO told media. The official confirmed that the ADC Sopore, S.A. Raina, has been directed to impose a complete ban on illegal mining operations at the site. "We will instruct the ADC to ensure a complete ban so that our water bodies are saved and the health of the people is safeguarded," the officer said. Â "The department will leave no stone unturned in safeguarding our water bodies. No one will be allowed to damage nature or get involved in any wrong practices," he added. The reaction from the mining department comes in the wake of media reports highlighting the activities of the sand mafia in the Manzseer belt. Meanwhile, ADC Sopore S.A. Raina assured that strict action would be taken against those found guilty of engaging in illegal practices, in accordance with the law.
Srinagar, March 2: Private Schools Association Jammu & Kashmir (PSAJK) has condemned the loss of innocent civilian lives, particularly the suffering of children, amid the ongoing conflict affecting Iran and the wider region. Expressing deep concern over the humanitarian situation, president PSAJK Dr. Islam said that the education fraternity of Jammu & Kashmir stands in solidarity with families and children impacted by violence and instability. He termed the killing of Shaheed Ayatullah Khomeini as deeply tragic and emphasized that violence and war only bring devastation to humanity. âThe school community believes in peace, dialogue, and the protection of human life. Educational institutions represent hope and humanity, and we strongly condemn all acts that result in the loss of innocent lives,â he said. PSAJK urged all global stakeholders to exercise restraint and prioritize peaceful resolution through dialogue to prevent further humanitarian suffering. Nazrul Islam Baba also appealed to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to take necessary diplomatic measures to ensure the safety and well-being of Indian students who remain in Iran and may be facing uncertainty due to the prevailing situation. The association reiterated its appeal for peace and called upon the international community to work collectively towards ending violence and safeguarding civilians, especially children, from the devastating consequences of conflict.
Srinagar, Feb 25: Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan arrived in Srinagar on Wednesday evening on his maiden visit to Jammu and Kashmir, marking his first official engagement in the Union Territory since assuming office. The officials said the Vice-President was received at Srinagar Airport by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdulah and other senior officials. âDelighted to welcome Honâble Vice-President of India, Shri C P Radhakrishnan Ji at the Srinagar Airport,â LG Sinha wrote on X.     Office of the J&K Chief Minister wrote on X that the CM received Honâble Vice-President of India upon his arrival at Srinagar Airport today. After landing in Srinagar, the Vice-President drove to Lok Bhavan where LG Sinha presented him with a souvenir, said an official.  He said the Vice-President will attend the 21st convocation of the University of Kashmir as a chief guest at its Hazratbal campus on Thursday. âThe programme is scheduled to begin in the forenoon with the academic procession, followed by the Vice-Chancellorâs annual report highlighting the Universityâs academic achievements, research output and institutional milestones,â said the official, adding, âVice-President Radhakrishnan will then deliver the convocation address and formally confer degrees upon graduating students.â He said that Lieutenant Governor and KU Chancellor, Manoj Sinha, will preside over the convocation, while Chief Minister and Pro-Chancellor, Omar Abdullah, will attend the event as a guest of honour. âA total of 59,558 degrees â 44,910 graduates, 13,545 postgraduates, 461 MD/MS, four MCH, 18 MPhil and 620 PhDs â will be conferred at the convocation,â said an official. KU Vice-Chancellor Nilofer Khan said the convocation "celebrates the academic accomplishments of our students and reaffirms our commitment to quality education, research and public engagement." She added that the presence of the Vice-President of India at the event reflects the growing national recognition of the university's academic and research contributions. Elaborate and multi-layered security arrangements have been put in place across Srinagar, particularly in and around the HazratbalâNishatâHarwan axis. Senior police and civil administration officers have reviewed the security and logistical preparations to ensure smooth conduct of the event. Meanwhile, authorities have also issued a detailed traffic advisory for parts of Srinagar tomorrow, with restrictions to remain in force from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM.