Srinagar, Feb 18: MLA Zadibal and Chief Spokesperson of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, Tanvir Sadiq, today delivered a comprehensive and hard-hitting intervention in the Legislative Assembly on the grants of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, raising serious concerns over discrimination against credible newspapers, the worsening garbage crisis in Srinagar, delays in rehabilitation of Dal Lake dwellers, and urgent structural reforms needed in urban governance.

Opening his remarks with the powerful verse, “Nigah buland, sukhan dil-nawaz, jaan pur-soz — yehi hai rakht-e-safar, mir-e-karwaan ke liye,” Sadiq congratulated Hon’ble Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his team of officers for their leadership and vision.

He also lauded the historic achievement of the Jammu & Kashmir cricket team in reaching the Ranji Trophy final, terming it a moment of pride and a positive omen for the region. He urged the government to formally felicitate them.

Sadiq revealed shocking irregularities uncovered through his unstarred Assembly question regarding the allocation of government advertisements. He pointed out that government advertisements are being disproportionately allocated to obscure and largely unread publications such as Fish Eye, Lake View, Bargi, Chinar, Bekhouf Shankh, Jumbo, Young Organizer, Bhumi, Rehbar, Nograan, Teesri Ankh, and Teesri Duniya Kashmir.

In contrast, leading and widely respected media institutions—including Gulistan TV, News18, Greater Kashmir, Excelsior, State-times, Rising Kashmir, Kashmir Uzma, Kashmir Times, Kashmir Life, Aftab, and Srinagar Times, Tameel Irshad and others have been comparatively neglected.

He questioned the criteria behind advertisement allocation, asking whether decisions are based on readership and credibility or proximity and favoritism. Sadiq demanded a review and reform of the 2020 Advertisement Policy to ensure transparency, fairness, and equal treatment.

He further called for pension benefits for accredited journalists, noting that many Indian states already provide such social security, and stressed the need to introduce journalism courses from the 10+2 level to strengthen professional standards.

Highlighting the alarming waste management crisis in Srinagar, Sadiq emphasized the urgent need to move beyond outdated dumping practices. He strongly advocated adoption of the Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) model, which converts waste into fuel for cement plants.

“This is a scientifically proven solution that addresses both waste disposal and energy needs. The delay is administrative, not technical. We must act now,” he said.

Sadiq expressed deep concern over the slow pace of rehabilitation of Dal Lake residents, particularly in Mir Behri. Despite identification of nearly 400 structures and policy acceptance of rehabilitation, only about 150 allotments have been made, with barely half the beneficiaries receiving support.

He pointed out that affected families are unable to process basic revenue mutations due to lack of ownership clarity, causing severe financial and legal distress.

He reiterated his demand for development of a Tourist Village in Dal Lake, ease of registration processes, and infrastructure projects like the Khushalsar Boardwalk to promote eco-tourism and livelihoods.

Sadiq highlighted structural discrimination against Srinagar due to NABARD’s rural funding limitations and called for dedicated urban funding mechanisms through CRF, AMRUT expansion, and special urban infrastructure packages.

He emphasized the need for vertical housing development to reduce land costs and address urban housing shortages, and called for creation of an Urban Commission to address sewerage, drainage, and infrastructure challenges.

He also demanded urgent action on key issues including allocation of the Leper Hospital, construction of J&K House in Delhi.

Raising a matter of grave concern, Sadiq highlighted the disappearance of a historic chandelier at Hazratbal Shrine, reportedly of Czechoslovakian origin, and demanded a thorough investigation and accountability.

In a sharp political remark, Sadiq cautioned the opposition against distorting historical facts, stating:

“Tum se pehle wo jo ik shakhs yahan takht-nasheen tha,
Us ko bhi apne khuda hone pe itna hi yaqeen tha.”

He added, “Power is temporary. History is permanent. Leadership must remain grounded in truth and accountability.”

Jammu, Feb 18: Jammu & Kashmir Government on Wednesday said that the issue to enhance the upper age limit for candidates appearing in the Jammu & Kashmir Combined Competitive Examination (JKCCE) is under examination.

In response to cut motion of MLA Handwara Sajad Gani Lone, the Minister in-charge General Administration Department said that issue is under examination to assess its feasibility in light of the existing provisions of the Jammu & Kashmir Combined Competitive Examination 2018 Rules, overall service requirements, cadre management considerations, and comparative recruitment standards followed in other jurisdictions.

The Government said that prior to the issuance of SRO 103 of 2018, the upper age limit for appearing in the Combined Competitive Examination was 30 years for Open Merit candidates and 32 years for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and those holding a civil post in the state in a substantive capacity or having served in a temporary post continuously for at least three years.

The Minister said that Rules unveiled in 2018 prescribed 32 years upper age limit for Open Merit category candidates, 34 years for reserved categories and in -service candidates and 35 years for physically handicapped candidates. —(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 18: The Rehmat-e-Alam Hospital building at Sarnal in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district has been declared unsafe, and the government has no plans to conduct a fresh safety audit because retrofitting the structure would cost more than constructing a new facility, government told the House on Wednesday.

In a written reply to a question, the government said, “Rehmat-e-Alam Hospital building at Sarnal Anantnag has been declared unsafe by IIT Jammu vide report dated 07-06-2021.”

The reply added that there is currently no proposal to conduct a safety audit of the building.

“As of now, there is no proposal for conducting Safety Audit of the building as retrofitting cost of the existing building surpasses the cost for construction of New Building as suggested by NIT Srinagar,” the government said.

It further cited an assessment by the Design Inspection and Quality Control wing and the Chief Engineer, Public Works (Roads and Buildings) South Kashmir, stating that the structure is not viable.

“Besides, the report of the DIQC/Chief Engineer, PW (R&B) South, Kashmir, indicates that the existing building structure has been assessed as non-viable, notwithstanding the retrofitting cost estimated at around Rs 37.00 crore,” the reply said.

The Health and Medical Education Department took over the Rehmat-I-Alam Hospital from a local trust (Rehmat I – Alam) in 2017, including its assets and liabilities.

This acquisition was part of an initiative launched in 2015 to relocate the Maternity and Child Care Hospital (MCCH) from its unsafe and congested Sherbagh premises to the KP Road facility.

However, 11 years later, the project remains incomplete, with construction stalled for over five years.

The original structure, comprising two floors built by the trust two decades ago, was slated for expansion with two additional floors.

Initially, the Jammu and Kashmir Housing Department commenced construction before transferring the project to the Jammu and Kashmir Project Construction Corporation Limited (JKPCC) and later to Public Works Department (PWD)- R&B.

Despite multiple setbacks, the departments nearly completed the structure, spending Rs 6 crore out of the sanctioned Rs 13 crore.

However, minor portions, including parts of the truss, remained unfinished when the work was halted due to safety concerns.

In response to safety concerns, IIT Jammu was tasked with conducting an audit of the building at a cost of Rs 20 lakh.

 After a year-long study, the institute concluded that the structure failed to meet safety criteria. It recommended retrofitting and jacketing of vital beams and columns on the first two floors.

A subsequent audit by the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar, conducted with a budget of Rs 23 lakh, confirmed similar findings.

The initial estimated cost of strengthening the structure was Rs 6.5 crore, later revised to Rs 8.5 crore by the Design Inspection Quality Control (DIQC) department, which also recommended reinforcing underground work.

JKPCC later projected a total cost of Rs 20 crore, including retrofitting, electrical, mechanical, and interior finishing work.

In May 2023, the Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department granted administrative approval to strengthen the building and complete pending work.

The department outlined the costs at Rs 18.57 crore for pending construction and Rs 6.51 crore for shear walls, jacketing, and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs).

 However, no further progress was made.

With JKPCC now defunct, the Public Works Department (PWD) took over the project and re-estimated the cost, adding Rs 37 crore for retrofitting, central heating installation, and finishing work.

 An official said that restarting the work would require revised administrative approval.

“Yes the building does not meet post-2005 earthquake safety standards for hospital use and needs strengthening,” the official said.

 He expressed concerns over the apparent waste of Rs 13 crore spent so far.

Given that the hospital has around 30 Kanals of land, officials believe it remains a viable site for future healthcare expansion.

“The health department should take ownership of the structure and put it to appropriate use,” an official said.

 The Jammu and Kashmir government is now planning to construct a 249-bedded Maternity and Child Care Hospital (MCCH) in Anantnag, in the premises of Mrza Afzal Beg Memorial- (MAMB)- GMC Anantnag Janglatmandi hospital premises.

Srinagar, Feb 18: J&K government has confirmed that the construction of a new bridge over the Jhelum near Convent School and the General Post Office (GPO) is under progress. The government stated in Assembly that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) has already been prepared and is under review.

In a reply to Starred Assembly question (No. 115) by MLA Sheikh Ahsan Ahmed, the Public Works (R&B) Department stated that itvwas examining the proposal. The department disclosed that the DPR for the “Construction of VOP/Bridge/Flyover from Convent Road (Joggers Park) to M.A. Link Road via Sherwani Road over River Jhelum” has been prepared.

The project report, the department said, was developed following comprehensive feasibility studies and technical surveys. The estimated project cost is Rs 143.89 crore. The proposal has now been forwarded to the Finance Department for concurrence and approval.

This bridge is being planned to connect central Srinagar to M.A. Link Road via Sherwani Road. This is expected to ease chronic traffic congestion in one of the City’s busiest areas.

The project has been under demand from residents, traders and commuters, who face heavy traffic bottlenecks almost every day.

Srinagar, Feb 18: The Government on Wednesday informed the House that tenders for the proposed Mughal Road Tunnel (Pir-ki-Gali Tunnel) will be invited only after approval of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and requisite statutory clearances.

Replying to a question raised by MLA Ch. Mohammad Akram regarding the construction of the Mughal Road Tunnel project, the Minister Incharge said the alignment proposal submitted by DPR Consultant M/s SMEC (India) Pvt. Ltd. was discussed in the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRT&H) on January 21, 2026.

The government said that the DPR Consultant shall commence preparation of the Detailed Project Report only after approval of the alignment by MoRT&H.

It further stated that the invitation of tenders for the tunnel project shall be undertaken only after approval of the DPR by MoRT&H and after obtaining all requisite statutory clearances, including Forest, Wildlife and Land Acquisition clearances, as per rules.—(KNO)