Jammu, Jan 08: MLA Nagrota, Devyani Rana, on Thursday chaired an extensive, people-centric review meeting of the Power Development Department (PDD) and the Health & Medical Education Department to assess their functioning and address pressing public concerns in the Nagrota constituency. The meeting focused on strengthening essential services, with particular emphasis on the needs of poor and vulnerable sections of society.

The review was attended by the Superintending Engineer, JPDCL, along with Executive Engineers, Assistant Executive Engineers, Assistant Engineers and Junior Engineers of the Power Development Department. From the Health sector, Chief Medical Officer Jammu, Block Medical Officer (BMO) Dansal and Block Medical Officer (BMO) Bhalwal were present.

While reviewing the Power Development Department, Devyani Rana reviewed concern over complaints from poor and low-income households regarding abnormally high electricity bills, which have caused significant financial distress to families across Nagrota. She noted that several consumers have reported inflated bills despite limited usage and directed officials to immediately scrutinize such cases. The MLA stressed meter testing, correction of faulty readings, transparent billing practices and prompt relief to genuine consumers, especially those from economically weaker sections.

She also directed the department to intensify awareness about the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana Scheme so that more households can benefit from renewable energy initiatives spearheaded by the Centre. Emphasising that rooftop solar can substantially reduce electricity bills and promote self-reliance, she asked officials to conduct local-level awareness drives and actively assist eligible families in availing the scheme.

In addition, the MLA reviewed issues related to power supply, voltage fluctuations, damaged and overloaded transformers, pending infrastructure upgrades and unscheduled power cuts, particularly in rural and hilly areas. She instructed officers to ensure swift restoration of power supply, strengthen field-level infrastructure and improve the grievance redressal mechanism for time-bound resolution of public complaints.

The acute shortage of manpower, especially linemen, also came up for discussion. Officials informed the MLA that the lack of adequate staff is adversely affecting timely redressal of power-related issues and restoration during breakdowns. Taking serious note, Devyani Rana assured that the matter of vacant posts and staff shortages would be taken up with higher authorities to ensure adequate manpower and better service delivery.

Reviewing the Health & Medical Education Department, the MLA assessed the availability of doctors, paramedical staff, essential medicines, diagnostic facilities and ambulance services in health institutions serving Nagrota. She stressed the need to fill vacant posts, strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve patient care to ensure accessible and affordable healthcare for all.

Devyani Rana underscored that residents of remote and underserved areas should not be forced to travel long distances for basic medical treatment or suffer due to lack of essential facilities. She called for improved inter-departmental coordination and a more compassionate, people-friendly approach in service delivery.

Reaffirming her commitment to public welfare, the MLA assured that all genuine grievances, particularly those related to high electricity bills, manpower shortages and healthcare gaps, would be taken up with the highest authorities. She emphasised transparency, accountability and responsive governance as the cornerstone of effective public service.

Jammu, Jan 08: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the government will accommodate students affected by the closure of a medical college by adjusting them in other institutions through supernumerary seats, asserting that their education will not be allowed to suffer.

The chief minister also said that accountability must be fixed if standards were not maintained at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College.

Supernumerary seats are additional seats created over and above the intake approved by an authority.

“The Health Minister is standing here with me. Yesterday, she was with me in Samba. We have discussed this issue thoroughly and, as I said yesterday in Samba after the issuance of the order, these students have passed the NEET examination in a lawful manner. They have merit,” Abdullah told reporters here.

“It is our legal responsibility to accommodate them. We will adjust them by creating supernumerary seats in colleges close to their homes so that their education does not suffer,” he said.

He said adjusting the students was not a difficult task. “We will do it,” he added.

However, the chief minister said that the government must also reflect on the injustice done to students’ futures in the long run by shutting down the medical college.

“Today, out of 50 seats, 40 were taken by Muslim students and objections were raised. But if, over time, the number of seats in this college had gradually increased to 400–500, it is possible that 250–300 students in the future would have been from Jammu. Where will those students go now?” he asked.

Taking a dig at the BJP and others in Jammu, Abdullah said aspirants across the country struggle to secure medical college seats.

“We are perhaps the only place where we received a fully built medical college and yet got it shut down due to protests,” he said.

Responding to questions on inspections by the National Medical Commission (NMC) at other colleges, the chief minister asked who conducted the inspections and how the college was cleared.

“You should question the university and its office-bearers from top to bottom—why, after building a medical college, did it fail to pass inspection?” he said.

On the National Medical Commission’s assertion that norms were not fulfilled, Abdullah said the matter was even more unfortunate. “Who heads this university and who is its Chancellor? They should also be questioned. Instead of questioning me alone, ask them as well,” he said.

He reiterated that accountability must be fixed if standards are not maintained. “If today the BJP is happy that the university failed to maintain standards, then who is responsible and what action will be taken? We will adjust these 50 students, but someone must answer for the damage done to students’ futures,” he said.

On whether the government intended to take back financial aid given to the institution, Abdullah said, “The aid was given to the university. We are not the kind of people who give money and then take it back.”

Commenting on unemployment and criticism that he speaks too much, the chief minister said he had never shied away from any issue.

“Tell me which issue I have remained silent on. There is none. If anyone wants further answers, the Assembly session is coming up. Members can raise questions there, and we will respond,” he said.

Banihal, Jan 08: In a significant step towards strengthening digital education infrastructure, MLA Banihal, Sajjad Shaheen, today distributed Digital Smart Boards to 30 Government Higher Secondary and High Schools of the Banihal constituency under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for the year 2025–26.

According to the statement issued, the distribution ceremony was held at Government Boys Model Higher Secondary School, Banihal, and was attended by CEO Ramban Mohd Sultan Khan, AD Planning  Farooq Ahmed Rahi, besides Officers of the Education Department, Principals, Headmasters, teachers, NC party functionaries and other stakeholders.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA Banihal Sajjad Shaheen stated that education remains the top priority of his vision for Banihal–Gool and that the integration of digital tools in classrooms is essential to bridge the learning gap between rural and urban areas. He emphasized that Digital Smart Boards will make teaching more interactive, enhance conceptual understanding, and better prepare students to compete in a technology-driven world.

“Development is meaningful only when it reaches classrooms and empowers our children. These Smart Boards are not merely equipment; they symbolize our commitment to modern, quality, and inclusive education,” the MLA said.

Shaheen reiterated that strengthening educational infrastructure continues to be a core component of his developmental agenda. He said that these Smart Boards have been purchased under CDF at a cost of Rs 57 lakh and will be installed in all Government Higher Secondary and High Schools of the Banihal–Gool constituency, which will ensure that students in even the most remote areas have access to technology-enabled learning.

Shaheen further informed that an amount of Rs 31 crore has been secured for comprehensive infrastructure development of schools across the constituency under various government schemes. This funding will support major upgrades to school buildings, classrooms, laboratories, and essential facilities, including significant improvements at GHSS Banihal, GHSS Pogal, GHSS Khari, GHS Indh Gool, LHS Bhimdasa, and several other institutions.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to uplift education in remote and far-flung areas, the MLA stated that focused efforts are underway to ensure that every school in Banihal–Gool benefits from modern infrastructure and digital facilities, thereby improving the overall quality of education and learning outcomes.

He also appreciated the efforts of the Education Department and the teaching fraternity for their dedication and urged school administrations to ensure the proper utilization and maintenance of the Smart Boards for maximum academic benefit.

With sustained initiatives in education, infrastructure, healthcare, and public services, the Banihal–Gool constituency is steadily moving on the path of transformation, reflecting a shift from symbolic gestures to result-oriented governance, the statement added.

Jammu, Jan 08: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday launched the e-Pathshala initiative of the school education department, asserting that digital platforms are meant to supplement classroom teaching and bridge learning gaps.

The e-Pathshala channel will be available on DTH channel 53 for home-based learning across the Union Territory. The chief minister also inaugurated new hostel buildings and other development projects under the Samagra Shiksha scheme.

Addressing the event, Abdullah said that the initiative marks a beginning towards expanding digital learning resources, with the long-term vision of having a dedicated channel for each class.

“This is just a small step. Our intention should be that every class has its own channel. Gradually, we will expand these channels, and there will be a separate channel for each class”, he said.

He made it clear that the introduction of e-classrooms and digital channels should not be misconstrued as an attempt to reduce the role of teachers.

“Whether connectivity exists or not, physical teachers cannot be replaced, and we have no intention of replacing them. The relationship between a teacher and a student cannot be substituted by any device or technology,” he said.

Highlighting the transformative role of good teachers, the chief minister shared a personal anecdote to underline how effective teaching can help even weak students excel.

“A good teacher can take even the weakest students to great heights,” he said.

Abdullah recalled his days as a student and said, “When I was a child, I had no interest in science. My parents believed that I would fail in physics and chemistry and would never pass. In Srinagar, there was a teacher, Sat Lal Razdan. He had taught my father as well. It was said about him that even if he taught a desk, the desk would pass. But I had no faith in this at all”.

He said, “Many teachers were ready to come to my home to give tuition because my father was the chief minister. But Razdan Sahib said that he would tutor me, but I would have to come to his home. In winter and summer, I went to his Jawahar Nagar quarters to take tuition. I have never scored as many marks in science in my life as I did under his guidance through good tuition”.

Abdullah congratulated the education department and other stakeholders for the initiative, saying that if used properly, it could change the lives of children in the Union Territory.

He also called for regular feedback from students and teachers to ensure the content remains relevant and beneficial.

The chief minister said that out of the 20 districts in Jammu and Kashmir, 14 have been made education-literate, adding that the remaining districts are among the most remote areas and stand to benefit significantly from the new channel.

On the use of mobile phones and screens, Abdullah said that technology should be used constructively for education, mental exercises and learning, while cautioning against excessive use for gaming.

He also stressed the need to cultivate reading habits among children, encouraging them to read books, magazines and newspapers alongside textbooks.