Jammu, Mar 28: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said that a significant number of schools across the Union territory continue to face deficiencies in basic infrastructure, including toilets, drinking water, boundary walls and playgrounds.

Replying to a question in the assembly, the government said that as per official data for 2025-26, out of 18,724 schools, as many as 2,698 lack boys’ toilets, while 57 schools do not have girls’ toilets. Seventy-eight schools are without drinking water facilities, it said.

The data further revealed major gaps in other essential infrastructure, with 9,078 schools lacking boundary walls and 10,896 schools without playgrounds.

The data also highlighted significant shortcomings in other essential infrastructure, raising concerns about safety and security and impacting physical and recreational activities for students.

The government, however, said that efforts are underway to bridge these gaps.

To address these deficiencies, the government said construction of 4,481 toilets is currently underway. This includes 1,441 toilets for boys, 2,575 for girls and 465 for children with special needs (CWSN).

The projects are being executed through the Public Works Department and the Rural Development Department (RDD) and are at various stages of completion, it added.

“These works are being executed through the Public Works (R&B) Department and the Rural Development Department and are at various stages of completion,” the government said.

Addressing concerns regarding recreational facilities and shortage of subject-specific teachers, the government maintained that no school in the Union territory lacks provisions for recreational activities. It added that the pupil-teacher ratio is being maintained within prescribed norms.

The government further said that Cluster Resource Coordinators are being effectively utilised as subject-specific teachers to address any gaps in key subjects such as Science, Mathematics and English, ensuring continuity in quality education.

Jammu, Mar 28: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that the Government is examining a proposal for the notification of new tourism-worthy areas in Jammu & Kashmir, including several locations in District Doda.

Replying to a question raised by MLA Doda West, Shakti Raj Parihar, during the Question Hour of the ongoing Budget Session of the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister said the identified locations in Doda district include Udhrana (Bhaderwah), Sarna (Bhaderwah), Nalthi, Chinta, Guldanda, Padri, Khaleni Top, Lal Draman, Doda (Municipal Limits) and Shibnote (Premnagar).

The Chief Minister, who is also the Minister in-charge Tourism, informed the House that the Tourism Department is committed to strengthening infrastructure and improving visitor facilities at major tourist destinations across Jammu and Kashmir. He said that prominent destinations in Doda district—such as Lal Draman, Dedni, Dal Draman, Ramrachna, Galadhar and Dessa—are being actively developed and promoted.

He further stated that District Doda is already recognized as an important tourist destination, and the Department is undertaking sustained efforts to boost tourism in the region.

“As part of the promotional strategy for the financial years 2024–25 and 2025–26, several events have been organized and publicized, including the Lavender Festival, Winter Festival, Mega Wrestling Competition, promotion of Maa Chandi Yatra, One-Day Mela at Bhal Padri (Bhalessa) and the Lal Draman Snow Festival, among others, to enhance tourism awareness and attract visitors,” the Chief Minister said.

He added that the Department has participated in 11 tourism marts during the financial year 2025–26 to promote key destinations of the Jammu Division, including Doda. “Similar promotional activities are planned in the coming months to further place Doda on the national tourism map,” he said.

Highlighting infrastructure initiatives, the Chief Minister said that key projects have been undertaken in the district, including the construction of a double-storey guest house at Lal Draman at a sanctioned cost of ₹75.63 lakh. He added that beautification works, viewpoints, public conveniences and allied facilities have also been completed in the area at a cost of ₹80 lakh under the CAPEX Budget, aimed at improving tourist amenities and generating employment opportunities.

In a separate reply to another legislator regarding outsourcing of the Yoga and Spiritual Centre at Mantalai, the Chief Minister said that the Government is actively pursuing the matter and efforts are underway to outsource the facility at the earliest.

Jammu, Mar 28: Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Saturday termed the attack on senior political leader Farooq Abdullah as a serious and “not an ordinary” incident, stressing that it warrants a fair and transparent investigation.

Addressing the House in Jammu, Rather, per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the incident was an attack on the “soul of democracy” and must send a strong message to those responsible for maintaining law and order.

He said Farooq Abdullah needs no introduction, highlighting his national and international stature and contributions over the years.

He said members across party lines spoke with one voice, reflecting the sentiments of the people they represent. “Members did not speak individually, but as representatives of the people, who are demanding a fair and credible probe,” he said.

Raising concerns over the viral video of the accused, the Speaker said the individual appeared unusually composed, showed no remorse and spoke confidently, which was inconsistent with the gravity of the offence.

He said the manner in which the accused was handled appeared different from established police procedures in such serious cases.

“The people want answers. Questions have arisen and there is no doubt about that. A fair investigation is necessary to address these concerns,” Rather said.

He expressed gratitude to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for promptly reaching out to Farooq Abdullah and assuring a proper inquiry, saying their intervention has helped reassure both the leader and the public.

The Speaker said the House expects that the investigation will be conducted thoroughly and transparently and that those responsible will be punished in a manner that deters such acts in future.

“The House wants justice to be done in a way that satisfies the people and ensures that such incidents are not repeated,” he added.

Jammu, Mar 28: Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone on Saturday claimed that the National Conference–led government denied him security to attend the funeral of his father, Abdul Gani Lone, who was killed by militants in 2002.

Speaking on the floor of the Legislative Assembly, Lone said that despite his plea for security cover to attend his father’s last rites, the government refused to provide it.

“I remember the moments when my father was killed. The next day we had to bury him at the very place where he was attacked – Mubarak Gul Sahab’s constituency, just 100 feet from where he was shot. I swear by God, I am not trying to score a point, but that government did not give me security to go there,” he said.

Lone further recalled that the then Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir had warned him that he could be killed if he went to Eidgah for the funeral. He said Parvez Dewan, the Divisional Commissioner at the time, advised him not to attend, cautioning that he might be targeted.

According to Lone, he asked for a few policemen for protection, but the government refused, saying that they would be at risk and might also be killed.

Lone described his words as a son’s plea, adding that there must be thousands of sons across Kashmir who have faced similar anguish.

He said that ideological differences cannot be the basis for denial of security to an individual. “When my father was martyred, it was Farooq Abdullah Sahab in place of the LG. I swear, he( my father) was helpless. My father was not contesting elections; he was a separatist. The biggest question is: if we have ideological differences, should we allow a person to be killed by denying him security? That is the question we must ask. And in his case, it was done. Everyone knew they would kill him – it was street talk,” Lone said.

Lone said every government has used security for political ends. “Whatever today’s government is doing, all earlier governments did it too. That is a reality. We should pledge that there must be no compromise on security. And if anyone says we have not misused it, they are lying. Every government has used security for political ends,” he said.

Lone condemned the attack on National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah, describing him as one of the most “colourful and dynamic” figures in Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape.

He said Farooq Abdullah was more than just a political figure. “Beyond politics, Farooq Sahab has been one of the most vibrant human beings for our side and for the whole country. Always laughing, playful, humorous,” Lone remarked—(KNO)