Srinagar, Feb 11: National Conference leader and MLA Hazratbal, Salman Ali Sagar on Wednesday urged that the administration and control of premier public institutions in Jammu and Kashmir, including the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) and the University of Kashmir, be restored to the elected government, arguing that democratic accountability demands direct oversight by people’s representatives rather than continued management by the office of the Lieutenant Governor.

Speaking during the discussion on grants for the Health, Education and Social Welfare departments in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sagar said the present arrangement weakens public accountability and distances key institutions from the concerns of ordinary citizens. He described it as ironic that institutions central to the region’s healthcare delivery and higher education remain outside the direct administrative ambit of the popular government.

Sagar said elected representatives are answerable to the people for the growth, functioning, and welfare of such institutions. He maintained that democratic governance requires that decision making in critical public sectors reflect the will and needs of the population through their chosen representatives. According to him, restoring institutional control to the elected government would strengthen transparency, responsiveness, and long term planning in health and education.

The Hazratbal MLA also focused on the condition of social welfare infrastructure across the region. He said facilities such as old age homes and orphanages must move beyond being viewed as static government buildings and instead evolve into humane and responsive care spaces. He stressed that residents of these institutions require dignity, emotional support, and active engagement rather than minimal custodial arrangements.

He called for structural and administrative reforms that would make such welfare institutions more vibrant and sensitive to the daily needs of vulnerable populations. He added that improved staffing, better living conditions, recreational opportunities, and psychological care must become integral to the functioning of these centres.

Sagar further demanded enhancement of financial assistance schemes aimed at economically weaker sections. He said scholarships for poor students and pensions for senior citizens have not kept pace with inflation and rising living costs. Increasing monthly assistance, he argued, would provide immediate relief to struggling households and support educational continuity for disadvantaged youth.

Raising civic concerns specific to Srinagar, Sagar highlighted the shortage of burial space in the city. He said the only major graveyard serving large sections of the population is located in Malkhah and dates back more than six centuries. He noted that successive administrations have failed to establish additional burial grounds despite rapid urban expansion and population growth. He described the issue as both a humanitarian and urban planning concern that requires urgent government intervention.

On healthcare infrastructure in the old city areas of Srinagar, Sagar pointed to mounting patient loads in several hospitals that continue to function with limited facilities. He said JLNM Hospital, Sub District Hospital Habak, and the Maternity Hospital at Zakura face heavy daily inflow of patients and require immediate infrastructure strengthening, modern equipment, and expanded staffing.

He also called for the revival of the historic Maharaj Gunj Hospital, describing the 150 year old institution as an important part of Srinagar’s medical legacy that should be restored and made fully functional on priority. According to him, reopening and upgrading the hospital would ease pressure on existing health centres and improve access to treatment for densely populated neighbourhoods.

In addition, Sagar demanded the upgradation of Gausia Hospital in Khanyar, stating that the facility caters to a large number of residents from the old city and surrounding localities. Strengthening its infrastructure and services, he said, would significantly improve healthcare delivery in one of the most congested urban zones of Srinagar.

Turning to the education sector, Sagar stressed the urgent need to modernise infrastructure in government run schools. He said many institutions continue to lack adequate classrooms, laboratories, digital learning tools, and recreational facilities. Providing modern amenities to students in public schools, he added, is essential for ensuring equitable educational opportunities and preventing widening gaps between private and government education systems.

Jammu, Feb 11: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday announced a comprehensive cancer control strategy, including infrastructure development, capacity building and partnerships.

Health and Education minister Sakina Itoo, while replying to a discussion on grants in the Assembly, said the administration is significantly expanding medical infrastructure, diagnostic services and emergency healthcare facilities across the Union Territory.

“The cancer control strategy will be rolled out in collaboration with NITI Aayog and the Indian Council of Medical Research,” she said.

The minister said the focus will be managing the disease through strategic interventions and planning with reputed with reputed organisations such as the Tata Memorial Centre.

She also noted that a cervical cancer vaccination drive has been launched for girls aged 9 to 15 years as a preventive healthcare measure.

Emphasising that health, education and social welfare form the backbone of a strong society, Itoo said the government is committed to ensuring that development and welfare schemes reach every household.

She said these sectors are interconnected and directly impact the quality of life of citizens, noting that the budget provisions made by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reflect a commitment to strengthening these services despite financial constraints. “When health is weak, education suffers. When education fails, poverty grows. When social welfare collapses, dignity is lost,” she remarked.

The minister informed the House that the government aims to improve healthcare at the grassroots level by upgrading clinics, increasing workforce and focusing on preventive care, maternal health and mental healthcare. On education, she said the investments are being made in teacher training and school infrastructure to ensure students from village gets equal opportunity.

Referring to reforms in the education sector, Itoo said the restoration of the academic session from March to November following demands from parents and students. The change, she said, contributed to improved results in winter zone examinations, with government schools recording pass percentage of 80 per cent in Class 10, 84 per cent in Class 12 and 83 per cent in Class 11.

On human resource management, the minister said 954 lecturer vacancies have been referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission, with the selection process is in its final stage. Besides, 727 non-teaching posts and 43 multi-tasking staff posts are slated for recruitment.

She added that 58 principals were promoted as in-charge Chief Education Officers and DIET principals during the last year and 258 senior lecturers were placed as in-charge principals between January 2025 and 2026.

Itoo detailed ongoing hospital projects, including 300-bed facilities at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu, 250-bed facilities at Government Medical College Bemina, Srinagar, a 110-bed additional block at LD Hospital Srinagar, a 100-bed theatre block at SMHS Hospital Srinagar and a 30-bed Emergency Medical and Trauma block at GMC Srinagar.

To strengthening emergency response services, the minister said, 44 Advanced Life Support ambulances have been added, taking the total fleet under 102 and 108 services to 533. Specialised ambulances will also be deployed in border areas.

Highlighting achievements under the National TB Elimination Programme, the minister said 2,006 panchayats in the Union Territory have been declared TB free. To further bolster, 484 staff medical officers have been recruited through the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission and Services Selection Board.

Jammu, Feb 11: A 16-year-old boy was injured in an explosion believed to have been caused by a rusted landmine that had drifted into a stream in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Wednesday, officials said.

Bilal Ahmad, a resident of Banpath village, was loading sand into a tractor at Battar Nallah when the blast occurred around 4.30 pm, they said.

Preliminary investigation suggested that the blast was caused by a landmine that had washed into the water body and got detonated while the boy was working after being hit by the spade, leaving him injured, the officials said.

Locals rushed to the spot immediately after hearing the blast and shifted the injured boy to district hospital for treatment, they said.

Police and other security personnel reached the site soon after the incident and cordoned off the area, the officials said, adding a search operation was launched to check for the presence of any other unexploded devices in and around the nallah.