Srinagar, Feb 12: Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference President and MLA Handwara Sajad Lone on Thursday raised critical concerns about governance in the J&K Assembly while paying tribute to the institutional dignity that must be preserved.
Commenting on the Roads and Buildings Department, he said that the Deputy Chief Minister now holds a portfolio once led by distinguished leaders such as Mirza Afzal Beg, Devidas Thakur, Mangat Ram Sharma, Muzaffar Baig and Nirmal Singh.
He expressed hope that the current minister would uphold its dignity.
"Currently, it does not look like it. I pray that the dignity of this chair remains intact," he said.
In his address, Lone drew attention to a fundamental issue where the Assembly represents a Union Territory that was downgraded from what was once the strongest House in India.
"The strongest House in India was downgraded to a Union Territory," he said.
He said this reduction in status means that votes cast in Jammu and Kashmir are considered less powerful than those in states like Gujarat or Haryana.
"They belittle us. But when a sitting minister belittles an MLA, they assist Delhi in this demeaning," Lone added.
He stressed that such behavior makes officials complicit in undermining the Assembly's stature.
He emphasised that the Assembly is accountable to the people of Jammu and Kashmir who elected its members.
"We are accountable to the people of J&K who elected this Assembly and I must answer them tomorrow. When the minister acts according to his own whims, who answers the people?" he asked.
Lone appealed for respect toward the House and its MLAs.
"MLA has their constitutional role and a minister has theirs. You are also an MLA—why not stand for the dignity of the House?"
Drawing from personal experience, he added, "I speak from experience. The same could happen to you tomorrow."
Reflecting on his time on the ministerial benches, Lone recalled, "I was once on that bench and I say with my hand on my heart that when ruling party MLAs claimed certain things were happening, I refused to accept it. The existing MLA decides, not outsiders. They left in anger, but this is the reality we must all face."
On technical matters, Lone raised concerns about macadamization, expressing bewilderment at official claims.
"I do not understand what they mean when they say, 'Sir, macadamization has happened.' It is as if they are living on another planet," he said.
He said that the reality on the ground tells a starkly different story.
"Look at the state of the roads. The macadam is not even finished before it begins coming off the next day," he added.
He insisted that the minister must be held responsible for this failure.
"When decisions involving thousands of crores of rupees are made, there must be accountability. Why does the macadam lift after a few days?"
Lone further criticized the biased allocation of funds saying that the minister, especially the Deputy Chief Minister, cannot say, "I will give less here and more there. That is not appropriate."
Turning to institutional matters, he made a strong appeal for the revival of the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation, describing it as the region's own corporation and a source of pride that was unfortunately shut down.
On the issue of undervaluation in tendering processes, Lone highlighted a systemic problem. "If our engineers set a tender at 100 rupees and someone bids 50, either the engineer erred—in which case accountability is needed—or it is impossible."
He proposed implementing a 10 percent band system suggesting for setting a 10 percent band.
"If a tender is 100 rupees, reject bids below 90 and above 120."
He emphasized the long-term consequences of this problem.
"For the past 70 years, undervaluation has caused contracts to fail. We cannot allow unqualified contractors to undercut our educated engineers."
When questioned about the constitutional viability of rejecting the lowest tender by the Speaker, Lone firmly responded, "Yes, we can. The Constitution does not force us to close our eyes."
He pointed out that global practices are evolving.
"Globally, lowest bidding is no longer the norm. It is questioned in medicine and other sectors because it can produce substandard outcomes. Even the GeM portal faces such issues. Billions of rupees have been lost due to unviable low bids."
On infrastructure development, Lone requested the construction of a major highway to Kupwara in North Kashmir comparable to those in South Kashmir.
"Big highways are the true paths to development and this has not been done."
Addressing industrial policy, he highlighted a troubling disparity under the NCSS 2021-22 package.
"A package of 28,400 crore rupees was released. 26,000 crore went to Jammu and only 2,000 crore to Kashmir. This is deeply unfair."
He criticized changes to laws such as the requirement of four kanals to build a hotel.
"Most hotels in India occupy less than one kanal, but here the poor cannot participate. Land and capital requirements exclude them. Industrial packages including tourism and service sectors have largely failed to benefit Kashmir."
On mining administration, Lone revealed concerning findings.
"Inquiries show that nine out of 20 District Mining Officers have pending inquiries yet were appointed to these posts."
He documented a dramatic escalation in costs, stating the cost of a sand truck has risen from 2,500–3,000 rupees before 2019 to 15,000–20,000 now.
"The additional amount mostly benefits corporate interests while laborers receive only a fraction."
He raised ecological concerns and argued that allowing outsiders to mine destroys local environments whereas local villagers would self-regulate.
"This House is responsible not only for current governance but also for future generations."
Lone also raised the issue about the rising unemployment crisis, noting that sand mining once provided employment to many people, supplied affordable construction materials and supported local livelihoods.
"Corporate dominance since 2019 has disrupted this," he said.
He urged for a return to traditional manual methods that historically balanced employment needs with ecological sustainability and community welfare.
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.
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.
Calls for strong academic ecosystem Srinagar, March 6: President of the Private Schools Association Jammu & Kashmir (PSAJK), Dr. Baba Nazrul Islam Friday extended his heartfelt congratulations to the 17 candidates from J&K and Ladakh who successfully cleared the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS) examination. He termed the achievement as a moment of immense pride for the region and a powerful inspiration for the youth. He said that success of these candidates reflect the immense talent, determination, and intellectual potential present among the students of the region. Nazrul Islam Baba emphasised that educational institutions must work collectively to create a robust academic ecosystem that encourages students to aspire for and excel in national-level competitive examinations like the IAS. He stressed that schools should nurture curiosity, discipline, analytical thinking, and leadership qualities from the early stages of education. âSuch remarkable achievements demonstrate that our youth possess the capability to compete at the highest national platforms," he said. He said a supportive academic environment, mentorship, and access to quality resources need to be kept available so that more students from J&K and Ladakh can prepare for and succeed in prestigious examinations. PSAJK President further highlighted the need to develop benchmark institutions and academic support systems in the region that can guide and mentor students aspiring for civil services and other competitive examinations. "Creating a culture of excellence and competition within educational institutions will help channelize the talent of the youth towards nation-building roles," he said. He urged educators, parents, and policymakers to work in synergy to foster an environment where students feel motivated to pursue ambitious goals and contribute meaningfully to society. âEvery success story from our region becomes a beacon of hope for thousands of young minds. These achievers have shown that with perseverance, dedication, and proper guidance, no dream is beyond reach. Their journey should inspire our students to believe in their abilities and strive for excellence,â he added. PSAJK expressed hope that this achievement will ignite a new wave of aspiration among students across schools in J&K and Ladakh, motivating them to prepare for the countryâs most competitive examinations and play a vital role in shaping the future of the nation.
'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, Mar 29: The officers of the 2013 batch of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) have flagged âprolonged and acute stagnationâ in their career progression and sought structural and administrative reforms. The JKAS officers have submitted a representation to the J&K Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha and sought his intervention into the matter. The JKAS officers said that that despite completing over 13 years in service at the Junior Scale, they have not been promoted to the Time Scale. "The eligibility condition requires only four years of service for it," the representation reads. The officers have attributed the stagnation to multiple systemic issues, including non-utilisation of leave reserve posts, a large number of vacant posts in departmental feeding services, and the reduction of the promotional quota for direct recruits to 50 percent under SRO-256 of 2016. "These factors have curtailed promotional avenues and created an imbalance between direct recruits and departmental officers," it reads. The officers highlighted the issue of quota disparity and said that maintaining a 50:50 ratio both at the entry level and at the Time Scale level effectively gives a âdouble advantageâ to departmental feeding services, placing direct recruits at a disadvantage despite their selection through a competitive process. The representation further pointed to a comparative disadvantage vis-Ă -vis other states such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh, where direct recruits to state administrative services enjoy higher promotional quotas ensuring timely career progression. The JKAS officers said that around 728 Junior Scale JKAS officers have been appointed since 2011, out of which more than 575 direct recruits are still awaiting induction into the Time Scale. "Nearly 150 officers from departmental feeding services continue to progress faster," the representation reads. The officers also raised concerns over supersession and alleged that several departmental officers junior to JKAS officers of the 2012â2015 batches have already been promoted, leading to âserious administrative anomaliesâ and impacting morale within the service. "Officers from services such as Law, Accounts and Planning, appointed after 2012, have already moved up one or two promotional levels, while JKAS direct recruits continue to await their first promotion," it reads. Referring to the guidelines issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the officers said that service rules were required to be reviewed every five years to prevent stagnation and ensure fairness. "The guidelines discourage denial of promotion to senior officers on the grounds of earlier eligibility of juniors," it reads. The representation reads that out of a total sanctioned strength of 800 posts, as many as 305 posts are vacant across various categories, including duty posts, technical quota, leave reserve and training reserve. "At least 30 posts are immediately available, while additional vacancies exist in unutilised technical quota and reserve categories," it reads. The JKAS officers have urged the administration to revise the promotional quota in favour of direct recruits to a 67:33 ratio on the lines of the IASâJKAS model and abolish the largely unutilised technical quota, besides amending the service rules in conformity with DoPT guidelines and practices followed in other states. They called for immediate utilisation of vacant duty posts, leave reserve, training reserve and technical quota posts to grant long-pending promotions. The JKAS officers said that timely promotions were essential to maintain administrative efficiency, institutional integrity and morale within the service.
Srinagar, Mar 27: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and Pulwama MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para on Friday urged for a comprehensive administrative restructuring of Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing that the creation of new divisions and districts is crucial for decentralised governance and improving accessibility for residents of remote areas. Talking to media persons Waheed Para clarified that the move is not politically motivated but aimed at enhancing administrative efficiency. âIt is not a matter of dividing Jammu and Kashmir. The goal is to provide grassroots governance and decentralisation. Chenab is a distant region facing many difficulties. Establishing a division in Rajouri will benefit everyone,â he said. Para proposed the formation of a Chenab Division and a Pir Panjal Division in Rajouri, along with new districts in areas such as Ashmukam to better coordinate yatra tourism. He also pointed out that towns like Sopore, Handwara, and Tral, which already have police districts, deserve full administrative recognition. PDP leader added that if delimitation is required, the number of MLAs and Lok Sabha seats could be adjusted accordingly, stressing that the discussion is part of a long-term process focused on ensuring effective governance and grassroots administration in Jammu and Kashmir.
Attends Navreh celebrations in Jammu Jammu, Mar 19: J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said that J&K holds the potential for a dynamic and flourishing future, growing into a vibrant center of culture and advancing into a prosperous Union Territory through steady progress. âAchieving this vision ultimately depends on the younger generation. I sincerely hope that our youth will draw strength from the wisdom passed down by our ancestors and work with determination to elevate Jammu Kashmir to a place among the countryâs developed regions,â the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor was speaking at the Navreh celebrations, organised by Kashmiri Pandit Sabha, Amphalla, Jammu. He invoked the blessings of Maa Sharika for the health, prosperity, and well-being of all. Interacting with the devotees, the Lieutenant Governor wished that the New Year usher in a radiant dawn for everyone, illuminating paths to renewed hope and a thriving future. âWorship of Maa Durga and Maa Sharika is a profound bow to the primal source of power from which universe spring. As Rigveda says, the Mother's strength is infinite," he said. He said that true seeker who worships her with sincerity attains the essence of reality, from which all life's insights flow effortlessly. "I personally hold that Navreh and Navratri mark an inner journey. Over nine days of fasting, prayer, and discipline, Navratri transforms the devotee from within,â the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor highlighted that our traditions outline four stages of devotion- attentively hearing the prayer, deeply contemplating it, internalizing it fully, and reaching samadhi, where the knower and the known merge as one. âI pray that all devotees experience these stages in life,â he said. The Lieutenant Governor also encouraged the youth to build a strong and lasting connection with the timeless traditions, rich spiritual heritage and wisdom that remain among our greatest treasures. âYouth will not merely inherit India's legacy but reshape it and propel it toward a developed, sustainable tomorrow,â he further said. On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor also felicitated Padma Shri Brij Lal Bhat. K.K Khosa President Kashmiri Pandit SabhaJammu, Deepak Dhar senior Vice President and other office-bearers of Kashmiri Pandit Sabha and people from different walks of life joined the Navreh celebrations. Padma Shri Dr SP Varma, Dr Ashok Bhan Member Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Brij Mohan Sharma Principal Secretary Culture, Ashok Koul, BJP General Secretary (Organisation), J&K and Ladakh; senior officials and prominent citizens were also present.
