KS News Desk
Srinagar, Nov 24: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding MBBS seats at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, stating that the admission process followed by the Shrine Boards medical college carries no provision for any religion-based reservation.
He said the established procedure at the institution specifies quantitative merit-based selection of candidates and relies on transparent criteria rather than any preferential category linked to faith. According to him, the rules guiding the institute clearly outline a uniform admission framework that treats all applicants equally.
The Chief Minister also noted that public discussions about the issue have intensified in recent days, prompting the administration to reiterate the official position. He added that the Shrine Board-run medical college operates under guidelines designed to ensure fairness in professional education and that these guidelines remain publicly accessible.
His remarks come at a time when political parties and civil society groups have expressed competing opinions about the admission structure at the institution. The clarification is intended to settle doubts over whether any community-based preference exists in the allocation of seats. (KNT)
'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.
Suhail Khan Baramulla, Jan 6: A young aerospace engineer from Sopore in north Kashmir’s 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). “About a year ago, I conducted research on the gravity of black holes and cosmology, which has now been published in IJSR,” 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.“If we observe a black hole, it seems to contradict thermodynamic principles,” he said. Using the frameworks of Anti-de Sitter space (AdS) and Conformal Field Theory (CFT), Raqeeb’s research proposes a theoretical model that reconciles black hole mechanics with thermodynamics. “In this paper, I have explained how a black hole can function without violating thermodynamic laws,” he said. He described the achievement as both personal and symbolic. “It is a proud moment for me to represent my state, especially Sopore, on an international platform,” 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,” 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. “My parents not only supported me morally but also created an environment where I could pursue my dreams freely,” he said. He emphasized the role of family in nurturing talent. “Just as my parents supported me, it is the responsibility of all parents to help their children follow their dreams.” “Young people should avoid wrong practices. They must dream of a beautiful tomorrow but work hard today to make their parents proud,” he further added.
Srinagar, Jan 8: The University of Kashmir (KU) has made the biometric attendance mandatory for the students of its affiliated colleges from Academic session 2026-27. The development comes in wake of the complaints about the thin attendance of the students in various private B.Ed colleges affiliated with the Kashmir University. A circular in this regard has been issued by the Assistant Registrar Dean Colleges Development Council (DCDC) of the University. "All the Chairpersons and Principals of private affiliated colleges of the University of Kashmir are hereby informed that biometric attendance for all the enrolled students and staff has been made mandatory from the year 2026-27," the KU circular reads. The Principals of all the affiliated colleges have been directed to install biometric attendance machines in their respective institutions on or before the commencement of the Academic year 2026-27 under intimation to the Dean College Development Council of the University. "The college shall also ensure proper upkeep, maintenance, and systematic preservation of all biometric attendance records for future reference and verification," it reads. The Colleges have been directed to comply with this directive "without fail." The move comes in wake of the inspections conducted last year by the DCDC of KU in various B.Ed colleges where most of the students were found absent. An official said that there were complaints about the poor attendance of the students in B.Ed colleges. "The students do not attend their B.Ed classes regularly which defeats the purpose of the course," the official said. Earlier, DCDC of KU earlier barred the B.Ed students to appear in teh semester exams for falling short of attendance. The decision was taken in wake of the surprise inspection conducted by Dean College Development Council (DCDC) in various B.Ed colleges of Kashmir in June-July month of 2025 and several students were found absent from the classes. Following this, the students were directed to attend supplementary classes to complete the recommended attendance for appearing in their exams. Also, the exam of these students was deferred by few months.
Srinagar, Jan 8: The Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has pulled up the officers vested with the powers of Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) as their additional assignment, for indulging in administrative works, beyond their domain. As per the order issued by the Director School Education Kashmir Naseer Ahmad Wani, the officers having additional DDO powers, have been reprimanded for going beyond their role of duties. "It has come to the notice of the DSEK that many officers of the department vested with DDOs powers are affecting transfers and doing administrative works having no authority to do so," the order reads. As per the order, all these DDOs holding charge in additional capacity have been asked to utilise the powers for the purpose of drawing and disbursing salary and other financial matters within the limits of the authority. "The officers shall not exercise any administrative powers particularly with respect to the transfer of staff," it reads. The DSEK has warned of disciplinary action in case of violation of the order by any officers. "Any deviation from the instant order shall be viewed seriously and invite disciplinary action," it reads.
Baramulla, Jan 9: Deputy Commissioner Baramulla on Thursday said that the situation caused by the landslides on Ur-Baramulla was temporary and would be resolved once the excavation process of the road is completed. The statement comes amid the concerns over recurring landslides on the Uri–Baramulla road due to ongoing road widening project being executed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). Talking to Kashmir Square, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Minga Sherpa said that such issues are common during the construction of hill roads and should not be viewed as an unusual development. “There is no major issue. Whenever a hill road is constructed or widened, such problems are recurrent,” he said. He further said that the slopes usually take time to stabilise after excavation. "The excavation process affects the natural stability of the hillside and it generally takes one to two years for slopes to fully stabilise," he said. Minga Sherpa said several slope stabilisation measures are already in place to minimise risks. “Grouting has been done and protective walling has also been constructed at several points,” DC Baramulla told Kashmir Square. He further said that around 200 metres of excavation work is still pending on the stretch and the remaining cutting work is expected to be completed within a month. “Once the excavation is finished, the BRO and concerned agencies will carry out full-fledged slope stabilisation measures. After that, such incidents will not occur again,” he said. Over the past few weeks, the Uri–Baramulla road, a vital link connecting the border town of Uri with Baramulla district witnessed intermittent traffic disruptions due to landslides triggered by excavation work, raising safety concerns among commuters. The Baramulla–Uri National Highway remained closed on Thursday after another landslide struck the stretch - the third such incident reported in the last 20 days, causing severe inconvenience to commuters. A fresh landslide hit the highway on Thursday afternoon, forcing authorities to immediately halt traffic movement on the route as a precautionary measure. It was the third such incident in just 20 days on the Baramulla–Uri National Highway, following two earlier slides that also triggered full traffic halts and diversions through alternate routes. Only emergency vehicles were allowed to pass, while all routine traffic was stopped to avoid any untoward incident. An official said the road clearance operations were launched soon after the incident, with personnel and machinery mobilised to remove debris and stabilise the affected area. "The highway was made motorable again from the evening hours," he said. The closure of the main Baramulla–Uri National Highway compelled authorities to divert vehicles through the dilapidated Khadniyar–Gantamulla road.
Srinagar, Jan 8: Minister for education, Sakina Itoo on Thursday said that politics in the name of religion was unfortunate and warned against such attempts aimed at dividing people for political gains. She said that such practices have weakened the region over time. Sakina Itoo said that society was increasingly witnessing divisions being created under various pretexts, including religion and professional identities. “Sometimes people are divided in the name of religion, sometimes in the name of education, doctors or other issues. This kind of politics is unfortunate,” she said. She said that political engagement should remain issue-based and constructive. “There are many areas where politics can be done. We can have standardised criticism, talk about development and discuss education-related issues. But religion should not be brought into politics,” the education minister said. She expressed concern over the present situation and said such divisions were rarely seen in the past. Referring to the political status of the region, she said Jammu and Kashmir had historically remained united as a State. “Jammu and Kashmir has been one state. Today it is a Union Territory, which is unfortunate. We do not have a State, though it should have been one even today,” she said. She further added that internal divisions had contributed to the erosion of powers once enjoyed by the region. She said repeated attempts to divide people harmed Jammu and Kashmir’s unity and status. “Because we wanted to divide people, we destroyed many of our powers and damaged an old state,” she said. She called for unity and humanity and urged people to keep religion separate and move forward collectively. She also highlighted the responsibility of the education sector in shaping young minds. “The education department—both school and higher education—must ensure quality education and promote positive thinking among children, not negative thinking,” Itoo said.
Says PM Modi has given clear message to Pakistan by keeping Indus Water Treaty in abeyanceNo person with unlawful background will be engaged, employment will be provided only to verified, law-abiding workersRaja Syed RatherKishtwar, Jan 4: Months after India put the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday said that no objection of Pakistan will be entertained vis- -vis ongoing work on power projects in the Indus and Chenab basins in Jammu and Kashmir.Khattar visited the Salal Hydroelectric Project and also conducted an aerial survey of the Sawalkot project today.While talking to the reporters Khattar said, No objections from Pakistan will be entertained. Replying to a query about these projects getting fast tracked after Operation Sindoor, and what message he would like to give Pakistan, Khattar said, Prime Minister Modi has given a clear message to Pakistan by keeping the Indus Water Treaty has been kept in abeyance. No objection of Pakistan will be entertained. Water of Chenab and Indus will be used for benefit of our own people. Asserting strict vigilance he said that no person with an unlawful background will be engaged in the ongoing hydel power projects in Kishtwar.Asked would the government act against the family members of the active terrorists working in these projects or the ones who have bagged contracts, Khattar said, Employment will be provided only to verified and law-abiding workers. Good people should get work. Those with unlawful backgrounds will not be engaged. Any information regarding workers will be verified through institutions. No adverse inputs have been received so far. On demands for probes into certain complaints, the Union Minister said routine issues would be addressed at the local level, while any serious matter would be examined as per procedure.The Union Minister said, Today I have come to Jammu and Kashmir for various projects. I visited the Salal Project and also conducted an aerial survey of Sawalkot (hydroelectric project). All our NHPC projects are underway. There were many challenges in this. The work has officially started today. By completing it on time, NHPC will generate 800 megawatts of electricity, which will make a significant contribution to the country's power generation capacity."Referring to the challenges Khattar said, While completing the 800-MW Sawalkot project there were many difficult situations, but the work has now officially started. The project will make a major contribution to the country s power grid. The Union Minister said he reviewed multiple development works during his visit, including canal projects and works at Kowl Fort, and later inspected the final project site in Kishtwar.He said construction and filling works have commenced, while excavation described as a risky and technically challenging phase has also been taken up. (KNO)
He is misleading youth with his statementsKS News DeskSrinagar, Dec 26: The Minister for Education, Jammu and Kashmir, Sakina Itoo on Friday accused the MP Aga Ruhullah of misleading the educated unemployed youth with his statements.Education Minister Sakina Itoo said the government has already passed the decision on reservation issue in the last cabinet meeting and the proposal has been submitted to the J&K Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha for his approval.We are running our government in the UT and we cannot make every cabinet decision public prior to approval of the Lieutenant Governor, she said.Earlier, MP Ruhullah in a post on X asked the government to apprise the students of measures and decisions taken on reservation.I have neither forgotten nor left the students alone. I urge the government once again to talk to the students and apprise them of the measures and decisions taken to resolve this issue, Ruhullah said in a post on X.If that does not happen till Saturday, I will not leave our youth and students helpless. I will walk with them and sit with them on coming Sunday at the same place as we did the last year on 23rd December to make them heard, the post reads.Reacting to his statement, Sakina Itoo said the National Conference MP was playing politics over the issue.Our youth are already perturbed. Such misleading statements of Ruhullah add to their misery, Sakina Itoo said.She asked Ruhullah to stage protest outside LGs office and seek answers from him.If he is really sincere then let him protest outside LGs office. But we know he cannot do it and just to play politics he wants to protest outside the CMs office which serves no purpose, said Itoo.She said the government has done its job as the report of the sub-committee was submitted to the cabinet and was later sent to LG for approval.We cannot reveal anything unless it is approved by the LG. I urge our youth not to fall prey to these misleading statements because our government has fulfilled its commitment, she said.