Kupwara, Nov 8: The government is actively reviewing the possibility of increasing the salaries of lecturers engaged on an academic arrangement basis in colleges across Jammu and Kashmir, Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner of the Higher Education Department, Shantmanu, said on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters after an extensive tour of Government Degree College (GDC) Handwara, Shantmanu acknowledged that demands for a salary hike from these lecturers have been raised repeatedly.

“Requests for enhancement of salaries are being received frequently, and even the media continues to highlight this issue. Presently, the monthly salary of Rs 28,000 for academic arrangement lecturers is being drawn from college funds and other limited sources. We are trying to find a sustainable solution to this,” he said.

He added that the Union Territory government would take up the matter with the Central Government and NITI Aayog later this month to explore a mechanism similar to that under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in the School Education Department.

“Under SSA, the salaries of additional teachers in the School Education Department are covered by central support. However, there is no such provision in the Higher Education Department. We are working to create a similar framework, and once it materialises, the salaries of academic arrangement lecturers will be enhanced without delay,” Shantmanu said.

Responding to a query about the demand for a separate women’s college in Handwara, he said the government’s current focus is on consolidating newly established colleges to ensure they function effectively and meet their objectives.

On the issue of vacant principal posts in several colleges, including GDC Handwara, Shantmanu said, “Many colleges are without permanent principals due to a court case. Since the case now stands resolved, appointments will soon be made to fill these vacancies.”

He also announced that an auditorium and college buses would be provided to GDC Handwara to improve infrastructure and student convenience.

Earlier, Shantmanu was received by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Handwara, Tehsildar Handwara, and the Incharge Principal of the College. During his visit, he inspected various academic blocks, interacted with students and faculty, and took firsthand feedback on academic facilities. He appreciated the students’ discipline and the commitment of the teaching staff.

Srinagar, Nov 08: An AK-47 rifle was recovered from the locker of a former senior resident doctor at Government Medical College (GMC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag, police said on Friday. Srinagar Police, with assistance from the Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC) Anantnag, seized the weapon at the college premises and have detained the individual for interrogation, India Today reported.

The doctor has been identified as Adeel Ahmad Rather, son of Abdul Majeed Rather, and a resident of Qazigund in Anantnag. He had been serving as a senior resident doctor at GMC Anantnag until October 24, 2024.

According to officials, the AK-47 rifle was discovered in the personal locker of Dr Rather at GMC Anantnag. Both the detained doctor and the seized rifle are now in the custody of Srinagar Police.

Police have stated that a case has been registered in connection with the recovery. The FIR includes charges under sections 7/25 of the Arms Act and sections 13, 28, 38, and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The investigation is currently being conducted by the Srinagar Police along with the JIC Anantnag. Authorities are focused on questioning the doctor to establish the circumstances and any possible motives.

Officials have confirmed that Dr Rather is being detained for further investigation and that all necessary legal procedures are being followed as part of the inquiry.

No additional details have been released regarding the origin of the rifle or how it came to be stored in the doctor’s locker. The investigation is still ongoing and any forward linkages are being tracked down.

Police stated, “Adeel and AK 47 is with Srinagar police.” Updates on the case are expected as the inquiry continues.

Budgam, Nov 08: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday lashed out at the National Conference (NC) for what she termed as “betrayal and deception” of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, accusing the party of failing to deliver on the promises it made during elections.

Addressing a public gathering in Budgam, Mehbooba as per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC said that a year has passed since NC came to power, but none of its commitments such as free gas, free electricity, and free ration have been fulfilled.

“One party comes and goes, and people are made to believe things will change. A year ago, they (NC) said they would not allow electricity meters to be installed and would throw them into the river.”

“They promised 200 units of free electricity, said gas prices were high and poor families would get it for free, and even claimed they would provide free ration. What happened to those promises?” she asked.

She also said that the NC had promised to address issues of reservation injustice and assured people that no houses built on grazing land (‘gaas charai’) would be demolished. “Today, none of those assurances have been kept,” she remarked.

Taking a direct dig at NC Vice President Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba said, “Omar Sahab himself said he would contest from both Ganderbal and Budgam and that he would retain the seat where he received more votes. He got more votes in Budgam, yet he left this seat. Tell me, what has he done for Budgam since then?”

She said that while government employees are being dismissed, houses are being blasted, and frequent raids are taking place, Budgam continues to be ignored.

“Omar Sahab came to Budgam two days ago, but in the entire past year, did he call a single meeting here? Did he ask what can be done for Budgam, which still has no new MLA? Nothing of that sort has happened,” she said.

The PDP chief alleged that NC representatives are now moving around Budgam only for electoral purposes and have failed to deliver anything substantial for the people.

“They say they have kept everything safe for the people, but tell me, have they really thought about the people of Budgam?” she asked.

Reminding the public of Budgam’s long political association with NC, Mehbooba said, “Since 1977, you have been voting for NC. You made Aga Mehmood Sahib your MLA and minister several times so many that you may not even remember. Even the Chief Minister once belonged to Budgam. But what did you get in return? Nothing. The roads are in poor condition, and people’s lives have not changed.”

She also urged the people of Budgam to reflect on past experiences and support PDP for a genuine change.

Srinagar, Nov 08: Jammu and Kashmir Police in Shopian have arrested a drug peddler and recovered contraband substance from his possession.

A police spokesperson said that during routine patrolling at Arhama Bongam Axis, a police party of Police Station Shopian intercepted a suspicious person carrying a bag. During search, 4.466Kgs of Poppy Straw-like substance was recovered from his possession. He has been identified as Javaid Ahmad Sheikh, resident of Bongam Shopian.

He said a case vide FIR No. 243/2025 under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Shopian and investigation has been initiated.

Police reiterated its firm resolve to maintain a drug-free society and appealed to the general public to support this noble mission.

Jammu, Nov 08: The Jammu and Kashmir government is considering the establishment of a single window digital system for framing and amending recruitment rules across all departments in the Union Territory, officials said on Saturday.

Satish Sharma, Minister of Administrative Reforms, Inspections (ARI) and Training, chaired a high-level meeting here to assess the proposal, a spokesperson said.

Sharma emphasised the importance of streamlining administrative procedures to ensure time-bound and transparent functioning of government departments.

He said the proposed digital platform would mark a major reform in recruitment, enabling uniform policy implementation and faster decision-making.

The minister appreciated the efforts of the ARI & Training Department for conceptualising the initiative and directed officers to expedite the design and roll out of the system in consultation with the General Administrative Department (GAD), Finance, Law, and the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC), ensuring inter-departmental coordination and accountability at every stage.

“This digital reform will significantly reduce administrative delays, bring transparency, and ensure uniform implementation of recruitment policies across all departments. The Single Window System will not only enhance efficiency but also strengthen accountability through real-time monitoring and public accessibility,” Sharma said.

He directed that the system be integrated with the existing E-Office framework, and capacity-building initiatives organised for departmental nodal officers to ensure effective implementation and a smooth transition.

The minister stressed the importance of introducing a public reference view allowing citizens and stakeholders to access approved recruitment rules online, reinforcing the government’s commitment to transparent and citizen-centric governance.

The new initiative will ensure uniform recruitment policy across all departments, substantial reduction in paperwork and file movement, enhanced transparency through online monitoring, quicker processing and filling of vacant posts, and improved coordination between departments and agencies, the spokesperson said.

Sharma said the single window digital system aims to replace the existing multi-tiered and paper-based process with a unified online mechanism.

According to the spokesperson, the system will include an online portal and dashboard, secure departmental logins with standardised digital templates for proposals, simultaneous online routing to ARI & Training, Finance, Law, GAD, and JKPSC.

It will also provide a centralised archive of all approved recruitment rules, amendments, and notifications, real-time updates through SMS or email, and escalation mechanisms for delays, real-time monitoring of pendency and performance indicators, strong data protection and audit mechanisms, and defined timelines for faster approvals.

Under the proposed model, the spokesperson said, intending departments will finalise and submit proposals within 30 days. ARI & Trainings, Finance, Law, GAD, JKPSC, and the standing committee will process cases within 10 days each, and final approval by the GAD will be ensured in a time-bound manner, he added.