Srinagar, Mar 7: BJP has strongly criticized the Omar Abdullah-led NC government over the recent 18 percent hike in transport fares, terming the decision as illogical and anti-people.

In a press conference held at the BJP headquarters in Jammu, party leaders said that instead of imposing an additional burden on the common people through a steep fare hike, the government should roll back the increased fuel prices, which would provide relief to transporters and protect citizens from further financial strain. Dr Abhijeet Jasrotia, Spokesperson, J&K BJP, and Yudhvir Sethi, MLA Jammu East, accompanied by Ved Sharma, All Cells Incharge, Ashutosh Mahajan, Convenor Transport Cell, and Roshan Lal and Kamal Preet Singh, Co-Convenors of the Cell, addressed the press conference.

Addressing the media, Dr. Abhijeet Jasrotia said that the fare hike imposed by the Omar Abdullah government is illogical, insensitive and a direct betrayal of the promises made to the people of J&K in the 2024 election manifesto.

Dr. Abhijeet said that instead of providing relief to the public, the government has chosen to burden the already struggling common man, which will have a cascading effect on the prices of essential commodities. He said that once transport fares increase, the cost of goods and daily necessities automatically rises, thereby pushing the common citizen into further economic distress. He pointed out that students, daily wagers, labourers and families with limited and meagre incomes will be the worst affected, as they depend heavily on public transport for their daily needs. He added that this decision will severely hit the household economy and disturb the kitchen budget of ordinary families as pricing of everything will directly shoot up due to the increase in fares, exposing the government’s anti-people mindset.

Srinagar, Mar 7: In a latest development, the School Education Department (SED) is seeking details of the contractual 10+2 lecturers for their regularisation as per the Civil Special Provision Act 2010.

In this regard an official communication has been issued to all the Chief Education Officers (CEOs) to furnish the requisite information to the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK). The details have been sought in connection with the official communication issued by the administrative department in January this year in which the department has sought the details of the contractual 10+2 lecturers appointed in the department in 2003.

“I am directed to refer to your letter number DSEK/estt-I/E-7631927/1522 dated June 10 of 2025 and number DESJ/Gaz/Lect/41925 dated August 2 of 2025 regarding the matter of contractual /academic arrangement lecturer for their regularisation as per the civil special provision Act 2010 or as per the government order number 1301-Edu of 2003 dated July 31 of 2003,” reads an official communication issued by under secretary SED to Director School Education Kashmir and Jammu division.

In the communication, both the directors have been asked to submit the details of the contractual lecturers engaged pursuant to government order number 103-Edu of 2003, in the first instance. In wake of this, all the Chief Education Officers (CEOs) have been asked to furnish the details of all these contractual lecturers.

“Furnish the requisite information at an earliest so as to enable this office to proceed further in this matter,” reads an official communication issued to all CEOs of Kashmir division by DSEK. In wake of this, the principals of their respective higher Secondary Schools have been asked to furnish the details of the contractual lecturers engaged pursuant to the government order number 1301 issued by the education department in 2003.

The communications have been issued between January and February month from Administrative Department to CEO and principals of the higher secondary schools. However, the government is yet to receive the requisite information of the contractual lecturers. Following this, all the CEOs were given a reminder by the DSEK to furnish the details within two days. An official told Greater Kashmir that the CEO offices are collecting the data from the higher secondary schools but most of the schools are yet to furnish the complete data. “The process is still going on,” he said. About the purpose, the official said that the subject of the government communications suggests about the regularisation of those contractual lecturers who worked without any break for several years. “In past, the contractual lecturers were hired against available vacancy and their salary was drawn from the government treasury,” the official said. He said these days SED hires Cluster Resource Coordintors (CRCs) under Samagr scheme which is totally a different process as compared to the engagement of contractual lecturers engaged earlier. “Things will be clear once the details are submitted to the administrative department for further action,” he said.

Srinagar, Mar 07: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, today chaired a meeting to review the progress of construction of transit accommodation for migrant employees across Kashmir division.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners, Relief & Rehabilitation Commissioner (Migrant), Chief Engineers of KPDCL, Jal Shakti, PWD and other concerned officers.

At the outset, the Relief & Rehabilitation Commissioner gave a detailed presentation on the physical progress of the transit accommodation and the status of allied works. It was informed that out of a total of 6000 flats being constructed at 20 locations across the Valley, 4112 flats have been completed so far, of which 3257 have already been allotted to migrant employees.

During the meeting, the Divisional Commissioner reviewed the status of completion of transit accommodation flats in each district. He also took a detailed review of the availability of essential services including water supply, electricity, drainage facilities and Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), besides the physical status of other allied works in the accommodation towers.

While reviewing the physical progress of the under-construction towers, the Relief & Rehabilitation Commissioner informed that around 680 additional flats are expected to be completed by the end of April 2026.

The Divisional Commissioner stressed that priority should be given to completing the remaining flats along with all allied infrastructure within the already fixed timelines.

He also asked the concerned Deputy Commissioners to personally visit the project sites along with officials of executing agencies to resolve minor issues that are hindering the completion of works.

The Divisional Commissioner further directed the concerned departments to float tenders for the pending works at the earliest to ensure timely completion of the projects.

Srinagar, Mar 07: The Director General of Police (DGP) J&K Nalin Prabhat on Saturday chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the overall security scenario, counter-terror (CT) operations—both kinetic and non-kinetic—and the law & order situation in Police District Awantipora.

During the meeting, the DGP took a detailed review of the prevailing security situation with special focus on ongoing counter-terror operations, both kinetic and non-kinetic. He also reviewed measures being taken to curb drug abuse and other criminal activities across Police District Awantipora.

The DGP emphasized the need to further intensify the drive against anti-national elements, drugs and crime. He directed officers to take strict and effective action against those involved in such unlawful activities and urged them to remain vigilant, disciplined and proactive in their respective areas of responsibility.

He stressed strong coordination, intelligence-based operations, and proactive policing to maintain peace and stability. The DGP appreciated the efforts of officers and jawans and urged all ranks to remain alert, disciplined, and mission-oriented.

He was accompanied by Special DG Coordination, PHQ J&K, Syed Javid Mujtaba Gillani, Inspector General of Police Kashmir Zone, V.K. Birdi and DIG SKR Javid Iqbal Matoo.

The review meeting was attended by senior officers including SSP Awantipora, Addl. SP Awantipora, all SDPOs, DySP SOGs.