Jammu, Mar 31: Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather on Tuesday said the security scenario cannot be taken lightly, asserting that past incidents must guide present decisions.

Intervening after a discussion on the withdrawal of security cover to the National Conference headquarters and several legislators, the Speaker said those who have experienced such situations understand the risks better.

He said that despite claims of improvement, the situation still demands caution. “Keeping in view past security events, we must remain vigilant. Security cannot be treated casually,” he said.

The Speaker added that if the administration believes the situation has fully normal, then it should clearly declare Jammu and Kashmir a risk-free region.

He expressed hope that the concerns raised by legislators would be taken seriously by the concerned authorities. —(KNO)

Jammu, Mar 31: National Conference MLA Tanvir Sadiq on Tuesday said India’s long-standing relationship with Iran positions it as a potential mediator in the ongoing regional tensions, echoing remarks made by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Speaking to reporters in Jammu, Sadiq said any discussion on international conflicts must take into account historical ties between nations, particularly in the context of India and Iran.

“Whenever we talk about any country, the first thing we should consider is its historical perspective. The relationship between India and Iran has been long-standing and very old,” Sadiq said.

The remarks come after Omar Abdullah suggested that India could play a constructive role in mediating the ongoing conflict involving Iran, citing diplomatic credibility and balanced relations.

Sadiq said India’s diplomatic positioning and historical engagement with Iran provide it with an opportunity to contribute to efforts aimed at de-escalation.

“So when Omar Abdullah says that if any country can mediate at this time and find a solution to this conflict, it is this nation,” he said, referring to India.

Sadiq further said that India’s foreign policy tradition and its engagement with multiple stakeholders in the region enhance its ability to play a constructive role.

|India and Iran share historical, cultural and economic ties, including cooperation in energy and connectivity projects, which have shaped their bilateral relationship over decades,” Tanvir Sadiq said. [KNT]

Ramban, March 31: Vehicular movement on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, NH-44, was suspended on Tuesday after a landslide struck the Mehar area of Ramban district following heavy rainfall, officials said.

The landslide led to accumulation of debris on the road, forcing authorities to halt traffic from both sides as a precautionary measure.

The disruption is significant as NH-44 serves as the only all-weather road link connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country, and any blockage impacts movement of passengers and essential supplies.

Officials said continuous rainfall across the highway stretch has triggered landslides and shooting stones at multiple vulnerable locations, worsening road conditions.

Restoration work has been initiated, with road clearance agencies deploying machinery to remove debris and make the highway traffic-worthy, officials said.

“Traffic has been halted from both sides on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway due to landslides and shooting stones at several locations, along with continuous rainfall across the entire stretch,” Jammu and Kashmir Police said in an advisory.

Authorities urged commuters to avoid travel on the highway until weather conditions improve and clearance operations are completed.

“People are advised to avoid travel on NH-44 until the weather improves and the road is cleared,” the advisory said.

Traffic officials said stranded vehicles are being managed at designated points, while continuous monitoring of vulnerable stretches is underway.

The Ramban sector of NH-44 is considered one of the most landslide-prone stretches due to its fragile terrain and steep slopes.

Authorities said clearance operations will continue on a priority basis, and traffic will be restored once the road is deemed safe for movement. [KNT]

Jammu, Mar 30: Damage and loss assessment reports were not prepared for 82 projects out of 213 sub projects, before their commencement, under World Bank aided Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP).

The Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) had been taken up to support the recovery process in project areas affected by 2014 floods.

Gaping holes in the functioning of J&K Planning, Development and Monitoring Department in the restoration of essential services and strengthening of disaster risk management system under JTFRP have been flagged by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India in its compliance audit report for the period ended March 2023.

The compliance audit report was among seven reports tabled by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the Legislative Assembly on Monday, March 30, 2026.

In its specific compliance audit pertaining to the Planning, Development and Monitoring Department on restoration of essential services under JTFRP, CAG observed delays in tendering and changing of experts etc.

“This led to delays in completion of the projects. Infrastructure projects not proposed by the Line Departments were sanctioned while some of the projects proposed by them were not included,” it was flagged with concern.

JTFRP, funded through assistance from the World Bank (WB), also aimed to increase infrastructure for disaster resilience and capacity of the Project Implementing Units (PIUs) to respond promptly and effectively to a crisis or emergency.

Out of a total of 213 sub-projects under JTFRP, 174 were completed as of December 2023. Out of these 213 sub-projects, 82 sub-projects were selected for detailed check in audit.

“It was observed that damage and loss assessment reports were not prepared for selected projects before their commencement. Activities like retrofitting of critical buildings and Hydro Meteorological Action Plan intended for managing disaster risks, enhancing preparedness and achieving resilient recovery, although identified in the Project Appraisal Document (PAD), had not been executed,” the report pointed out.

Referring to another critical grey area in the execution of the project, the CAG report mentioned that hospital projects too were executed in flood prone areas though prohibited by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), besides other (sub) projects.

In all, as per records of PMU (November 2023), 11 out of 213 sub-projects taken up for execution under JTFRP in J&K sanctioned at a cost of Rs 307.82 Cr were located in the flood prone areas. These included two hospital buildings and nine other projects. These hospitals buildings included 120 bedded specialised orthopaedic unit including 6 bedded ICU in Bone and Joint Hospital, Barzulla, Srinagar at a sanctioned cost of Rs 107.50 Cr, out of which Rs 59.36 Cr were expended till December 2023 and Extension Block at Lalla Ded hospital Srinagar for infertility, gynae, oncology ward or block at a sanctioned cost of Rs 132.55 Cr, out of which Rs 32.75 Cr have already been spent till December 2023.

CAG report flagged that irregular and idle expenditure was incurred on upgradation of dewatering stations by Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC).

Deficiencies in purchase and installation of machinery and equipment included excess payment on procurement or rescue equipment, avoidable expenditure on procurement of Fire & Emergency machinery and modular monitor.

Idle investment in the purchase of Search and Rescue kits, hospital machinery automated embedding systems was also noticed.

Monitoring of projects was not done in accordance with the World Bank guidelines as the periodical meetings of the Project Steering Committee were not held regularly and the operational manual for execution of projects under JTFRP was not prepared.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has recommended the J&K government to ensure the projects are taken up as per the Project Appraisal Document and after approval from the Project Steering Committee.

It has also been directed to ensure completion of projects in a time bound manner and update the Management Information System and strictly monitor the implementation of the sub-projects.

Jammu, Mar 30: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday asserted that tourism development works were prioritised based on the availability of land, financial resources and environmental considerations, particularly in fragile mountain ecosystems.

CM Omar, who is also the Tourism Minister, made these remarks while responding to a question of MLA Tral Rafiq Ahmad Naik, during Question Hour in the Legislative Assembly, regarding the tourism sector, with particular reference to his constituency. To a pointed question of MLA, pertaining to the government plans to promote or develop tourism endowed heritage and natural sites of Tral, the Chief Minister reiterated that the Tourism Department remained committed to strengthening tourism infrastructure and improving visitor facilities at major tourist destinations across the Union Territory, including Tral constituency.

“It is pertinent to mention that tourism development works are prioritised based on the availability of land, financial resources and environmental considerations, particularly in fragile mountain ecosystems,” CM Omar said.

“Accordingly, such development initiatives are undertaken in a phased manner in accordance with the approved plans and budgetary provisions. In this regard with a view to strengthening tourism facilities in the Tral constituency, two cafeterias at Faiz Panch, Tral and Bajwani are presently under construction by the Tourism department,” the Chief Minister informed the House. Responding to another query about the government plan to take over the existing defunct huts and cafeterias in the constituency for their time bound revival, the Chief Minister informed that the Tourism Department was in the process of taking over certain tourism assets from the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation, including four Eco Log Huts and a Tourist Facilitation Centre at Shikargah. “These assets will be revived and made operational in a phased manner after their formal takeover,” he said.

CM Omar further stated that the Department of Culture had undertaken several initiatives for the promotion, preservation, and development of heritage and religious tourism sites across Jammu and Kashmir, including those in Tral constituency. “These works are being executed in a phased and time-bound manner under the capex budget, including works under capex and the scheme for revival, restoration, preservation and maintenance of architecture and heritage in Jammu and Kashmir. “These initiatives aim to preserve the rich cultural and architectural heritage of the region while promoting heritage and religious tourism in a planned and sustainable manner,” he added.