Srinagar, Feb 17: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah for reopening 14 tourist destinations in the Union Territory, which were closed in April last year following the Pahalgam terror attack.

“Recently, the Union home minister had come to Jammu and I had talks with him. Before that, I met him in Delhi as well. My request with regard to tourism was that the areas which have been closed should be reopened. There is no purpose served by keeping these destinations closed. We did not close these places even at the worst of times.

“I was assured by the home minister that these places will be reopened and orders for the same have now been issued. I am thankful to the home minister for that. The local people have borne losses (due to closure). Now, I hope people will visit these beautiful places,” Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

The lieutenant governor, who heads the security apparatus in Jammu and Kashmir, on Monday ordered the reopening of 11 tourist destinations in Kashmir and three in the Jammu region. These destinations were among the 80-odd places which were shut down for visitors in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 last year that left 26 persons, mostly tourists, dead.

On the controversial remarks made by BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa, the chief minister said the truth has prevailed. “The truth did come out after that. The case was against him (Randhawa). If my information is correct, a case was filed against him for occupying government land,” Abdullah said.

He alleged there is always a difference in the words and deeds of BJP leaders.

“It is a trait of the BJP that there is a difference in their words and deeds. They talk about Jammu and Kashmir and nominated a person to the Rajya Sabha from here. He spent 90 per cent of his (MPLAD) funds in Uttar Pradesh.

“He (Ghulam Ali Khatana) is from J-K. He has taken an official house here. Khatana sahib lives here and works from here but when it comes to CDF, he spends 90 per cent of it in UP,” Abdullah alleged.

Asked about electricity supply during the month of Ramzan, the chief minister said he is scheduled to chair a meeting of officials where all aspects and arrangements will be reviewed.

“We would make all efforts to ensure that people face the least amount of difficulty during the holy fasting month,” he added.

On the protests by daily wagers, Abdullah said there is no need for the street protests as the government has announced on the floor of the Assembly that they shall be regularised this year as per a scheduled process.

“It has been said on the floor of the Assembly that they will be regularised through a process under a time table. If somebody is provoking them for political benefits, they should not become tools in their hands.

“I will listen to you and do anything if you ask with love. Try intimidating me, then nothing will happen. If they have something to say, they should come and tell me. These street protests are not good for them or their future. We have said they will be regularised this year in a time-bound manner,” he added.

Srinagar, Feb 17: Underscoring the critical role of Tele-Law in easing pressure on courts and ensuring timely justice, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said, justice delayed is justice denied and the efforts must be made to ensure that only cases requiring judicial hearings reach the courts, while others can be resolved through technology-driven legal aid under the Disha program.”

While addressing a gathering on regional workshop on tele-law activities, at Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), Srinagar CM Omar Abdullah said, “Initiative connects citizens, especially in remote areas, to lawyers, educates them about their rights, and helps resolve disputes through mediation, thereby reducing the burden on courts and expanding access to timely justice.”

He said hat efforts should be made to reduce the number of new cases reaching courts, while ensuring that only those requiring judicial hearing are brought forward.

CM Omar also highlighted that Tele-Law, under the government’s Disha program, connects citizens, particularly in remote and rural areas, with lawyers using technology.

He said this initiative not only informs people about their rights but also promotes mediation, thereby helping resolve disputes outside courts and reducing judicial backlog.

“While urban residents may find it easier to access legal help, those in remote areas often lack awareness of their rights or access to lawyers. Tele-Law bridges this gap,” he said, noting that over 7.5 lakh citizens across 20 districts and more than 4,000 panchayats have been advised through the program.

He added that the workshop aims to evaluate the program’s success, compare performance across districts, and identify best practices that can be replicated.

CM Omar also highlighted the ancillary benefit of the initiative: it provides additional work opportunities for common service centres, enhancing their viability.

The Chief Minister also expressed hope that collaboration with the Ministry of Law & Justice will further strengthen Tele-Law, expand access to lawyers, and ensure that all citizens receive justice in a timely manner. He further termed the workshop a success and thanked all involved in its execution. —(KNO)

Jammu, Feb 17: The government on Tuesday informed the House that 1,64,665 youths have been trained under various skill development schemes during the last three years.

Replying to a query by MLA Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah, the government said the trainings were conducted through different programmes of the Department of Skill Development.

As per official data, 32,537 youths were trained under the Craft Training Scheme, while 1,710 underwent training under the Apprenticeship Training Scheme. In Government Polytechnics, 9,901 candidates received training.

It states, the highest number, 1,18,677 youths, were trained under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana. In addition, 1,840 candidates were trained in Hotel Management and related courses at FCI Jammu.

“The total number of beneficiaries under these schemes stands at 1,64,665. The government further stated that 1,34,677 skilled workers have been upskilled under the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana.”

It also informed the House that the Employment Department is providing three-month skill development training under the Training to Build Entrepreneurship Capacities for Self Employment scheme.

“The programme is an approved component under the Capex Budget and aims to enhance employability and bridge skill gaps in line with scheme guidelines.”—(KNO)

Jammu, Feb 17: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Tuesday informed the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly that there is no proposal under consideration to waive off outstanding electricity usage charges or arrears for small and marginal farmers in the Union Territory.

In a written reply to a question raised by Prof. Gharu Ram, Minister In-charge, Power Development Department (PDD), stated that the government does not intend to waive electricity arrears.

The House was informed that the DISCOMs are already providing electricity supply to the agriculture sector at heavily subsidised tariff rates. (KNC)