Srinagar, Feb 12: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday said there is no proposal under consideration to establish a separate Tourism Development Authority for Uri in Baramulla district, while adding that promotion of border and eco-tourism in the area will be taken up in phases.

Replying to MLA Dr. Sajad Shafi’s query, J&K government acknowledged that Uri has appreciable tourism potential, particularly in border tourism, eco tourism, pilgrimage linked travel and nature based experiences.

The government stated that the department is aware of the vast potential in the constituency, especially in border tourism, wildlife and natural beauty. J&K governmen, however, clarified that no proposal is currently under consideration for establishing a dedicated authority to ensure planned promotion, regulation and infrastructure development in the area.

The government said Uri offers scope for border area tourism experiences, trekking routes, scenic and nature based visitation, waterfalls and heritage linked circuits, subject to accessibility and visitor facilitation arrangements.

On future plans, the government informed the House that promotion of border tourism and eco tourism in Uri, including the Boniyar Uri belt, will be undertaken in a phased manner, subject to policy approvals.

The department said it is focusing on environmentally sustainable and community based tourism interventions. Emphasis is being laid on low impact initiatives such as homestays, aimed at generating livelihood opportunities for local youth while ensuring environmental conservation.

It further said that registration of homestays under notified guidelines is being facilitated across North Kashmir, including remote and border areas. So far, five homestays have been registered in the Boniyar Uri area, reflecting initial progress towards inclusive tourism development in the border region—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 12: Over 30 students from Jammu and Kashmir have been suspended from a private university in Rajasthan after they protested against its failure to secure mandatory approvals for a nursing course, a students’ body said on Thursday, seeking Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s intervention.

The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association informed said 33 students of Mewar University in Chittorgarh were suspended following a peaceful demonstration against the absence of recognition from the Rajasthan Nursing Council and the Indian Nursing Council for the B.Sc Nursing programme.

More than 50 Kashmiri students are enrolled in the course, which remains unapproved by the statutory bodies, putting their degrees, registration and future employment at risk, the Association said.

“The university had repeatedly assured students that approvals would be obtained. Last year, the Registrar gave a written commitment. No progress has been made,” Nasir Khuehami, National Convenor of the Association said.

He said that instead of addressing the students’ concerns, the administration resorted to punitive action. “Suspending students for a peaceful protest is aimed at silencing dissent. Running a professional course without statutory approvals is a serious regulatory failure.”

The Association has urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take up the matter with the Rajasthan government. It has also appealed to Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma to intervene and ensure that either approvals are secured or students are transferred to a recognised institution without academic loss. (KNS)

Srinagar, Feb 12: CPI(M) MLA from Kulgam, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, on Thursday said that Kashmiri Pandit employees deployed with the Assembly should be granted a holiday in view of Mahashivratri.

“The employees posted at the Assembly have to work round the clock. They should be given a holiday on Monday in view of Shivratri,” Tarigami said.

Meanwhile, MLA Eidgah Mubarak Gul also urged the government to make all necessary arrangements in Pandit colonies.

He also demanded the release of their relief on the occasion of Shivratri.

Srinagar, Feb 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Thursday clarified that regulation of websites, digital platforms and online news channels does not fall within the mandate of the Information Department, even as it disclosed that 28 rebuttals against fake news and misinformation have been issued since April 2025.

Replying to a written question by MLA Sh. R.S. Pathania the government informed the House that the Directorate of Information & Public Relations (DIPR) has established a dedicated Media Monitoring Cell to track fake or misleading news on a real-time basis.

The department said that whenever fake or misleading content is detected, rebuttals or fact-check clarifications are issued through official press releases and the social media handles of the DIPR.

However, it categorically stated that regulation of websites, digital platforms, including online news channels and Fact Check Units (FCUs), is not under the purview of the Information Department.

“As many as 28 rebuttals regarding fake news/misinformation have been issued by the DIPR from 1st April 2025 to 31st January 2026. Twenty were issued through press releases and eight through official social media handles,” the reply said.

The government further informed that all departments have designated Nodal Officers to monitor department-specific fake news and upload details on a dedicated portal for coordinated response.

It also clarified that the imposition of fines on organizations or individuals found spreading fake news does not come under the mandate of the Information Department.

The House was told that the department neither recognizes nor authorizes any private Fact Checking Unit and does not verify or grade private FCUs before granting any authorization.

In view of the growing influence of new and social media platforms, the government said that suitable provisions have been proposed in the Draft New Media Policy-2026 to create a regulatory framework covering new and social media along with print media.

The draft policy is currently under inter-departmental consultation for finalization.

On cyber security preparedness, the government stated that comprehensive and multi-layered measures have been undertaken based on inputs from the Information Technology Department.

Mandatory security audits have been conducted for websites and web applications hosted on the State Data Centre and NIC Mini Data Centre, while redundant websites have been decommissioned or DNS de-mapped.

Cyber security governance has been institutionalised through monthly review meetings chaired by the Chief Secretary, formation of an Information Security Steering Committee under the Secretary, IT Department, and nomination of Internal Security Officers and Technical Experts across departments and districts.

The government further informed that Cyber Crisis Management Plans have been prepared by all departments and regular capacity-building initiatives, cyber drills, awareness programmes and mandatory courses on the iGOT platform are being conducted across the Union Territory.

The e-Security Assessment and Management (eSAM) portal has also been launched to strengthen monitoring and inventory management of cyber assets, the reply added. (KNC)

Srinagar, Feb 12: Stressing that the regularisation of daily wagers is a humanitarian concern, Bhartiya Janta Party MLA Sham Lal Sharma on Thursday said the government must stand by its commitments and provide a clear roadmap for addressing their long-pending issues.

Speaking to reporters, Sharma said that regularisation of daily wagers is a human issue and a necessary step, adding that everyone heard the Chief Minister on the floor of the House stating that preparing a manifesto was a mistake and that he would not prepare one again.

He, however, said that manifestos are prepared by every political party during elections and serve as a sankalp patra, a document of commitment to the people. “A manifesto reflects the promises made to the public, and those commitments should be respected,” he said.

Sharma further stated that even apart from the manifesto, the concerned minister had committed to clearing the pending wages of daily wagers and assured that they would be regularised. “It was said that the process would be carried out in a phased manner, but there is no certain or clear answer yet,” he added.

Expressing solidarity with the daily wagers, Sharma said they are helpless and uncertain about their future. “We stand shoulder to shoulder with them and will continue to support their genuine demands,” he said. (KNC)