Srinagar Dec 04 : Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the authority to declare public holidays rests with the Centre, not the elected government of the Union Territory, adding that this is why J&K needs its full statehood back.

He said whether a holiday is declared on Sheikh Abdullah’s birth anniversary or not, the late leader’s place “resides in the hearts of the people.”

“Under the distribution of powers, the elected government here has not been given the authority to declare or remove a holiday. That power lies with the central government,” he said. “This is why we say give us back statehood so that we can take both big and small decisions ourselves.”

Omar said Sheikh Abdullah’s stature does not depend on official notifications. “There is no need for a holiday to remember the Sher-e-Kashmir. People remember him from their hearts,” he said, adding that even the best cadet in the passing-out parade was awarded the Sher-e-Kashmir Sword of Honour, reflecting the respect associated with his name.

Speaking to reporters, Omar said the Agni Veer scheme was a new model of recruitment, and the hope remains that those joining through it will uphold the regiment’s long tradition of unity, discipline, and national service.
“We expect that, like those who served before them, the new recruits will also strengthen the spirit of brotherhood and unity across the country,” he said.

Speaking on India–Russia ties in the context of President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India, Omar said Russia has consistently supported India on critical fronts.

“Russia has come forward to help us whether in supplying weapons or using its veto in the United Nations, especially in the Security Council,” he said as per KNS.
However, he expressed hope that Moscow would move towards de-escalation. “We hope Russia takes the path of peace and stops the attack on Ukraine,” he added.

On being asked naming changes in government institutions, Omar responded with a Shakespearean reference. “A rose by any other name will still smell as sweet,” he said, explaining that people care about governance and service, not labels.

“Whether you call it Raj Bhawan or Lok Bhawan, the purpose is the same that people should get comfort and timely service,” he said. He added that such steps are meaningful only when they improve public convenience.

Omar also said that government is committed to the Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme (RAS), previously known as SRO-43, under which a family member of a government employee who dies in service is given a job to help them withstand financial hardship.

He said the administrative process takes time but the government has cleared a significant number of cases and recently distributed around 60 appointment orders in Kashmir. He said departments have been instructed to set realistic schedules and strictly follow them.(KNS)

Srinagar, Dec 4: Police in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district have registered a case against a hotel in Pahalgam for allegedly violating provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act by failing to report the stay of two foreign nationals.

According to officials, a police team from Police Station Pahalgam, during routine inspections of hotels and guest houses in the Rafting Point area, found that Hotel Golden Heritage, located at Rafting Point, Yenner, had accommodated two visitors from Thailand without completing the mandatory reporting formalities.

The hotel management had “deliberately concealed their stay” and failed to submit the compulsory online Form C, which all lodging establishments are required to file for registration of foreign nationals, police said. Filing Form C is a legal requirement aimed at maintaining security oversight and ensuring proper documentation of foreign visitors.

Terming the lapse a serious security concern, police said the act amounts to a violation of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.

Following the findings, FIR No. 79/2025 under Sections 8 and 23(b) of the Act was registered against the hotel management at Police Station Pahalgam. Further investigation is underway.

The Anantnag Police urged all hotels, guest houses and homestays to strictly adhere to legal and security protocols, emphasizing that non-compliance will invite strict action.

Jammu, Dec 3: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister on Wednesday felicitated cricketer Anekha Devi for her outstanding performance in the inaugural T20 World Cup for the Blind, in which India emerged victorious.

He lauded her determination and said her achievement is a matter of pride for Jammu and Kashmir and the nation.

Devi was accorded a grand reception by several organisations, including the Yuva Rajput Sabha (YRS), on Tuesday for her stellar performance in the World Cup.

Twenty-year-old Anekha Devi, daughter of daily wager Bachitar Singh from the remote village of Machhedi (Bajohi) in Kathua district, represented India in the inaugural Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup for the Blind 2025.

The Indian women’s blind cricket team created history by winning the title with a seven-wicket victory over Nepal in the final in Colombo.

India began their campaign by defeating Sri Lanka, followed by a 57-run win over Australia after the Aussies failed to chase a 293-run target. India then beat arch-rivals Pakistan, chasing 136 runs in just 10.2 overs.

In the semi-final, India thrashed Australia by nine wickets before sealing the trophy with a dominant win over Nepal in the final.

Srinagar, Dec 4: A severe cold wave has tightened its grip over Kashmir as temperatures plunged further below freezing across the Valley on Wednesday night, a local weather monitoring agency said on Thursday.

According to data compiled by the independent weather forecaster, Srinagar recorded a bone-chilling minimum of -4.0°C, marking one of the coldest nights of the season so far. Qazigund registered -3.6°C, while tourist destination Pahalgam continued to shiver at -4.8°C.

Other stations in the Valley also witnessed harsh conditions: Kupwara logged -3.2°C, Kokernag -0.8°C, and Gulmarg -1.0°C.

Peripheral and south Kashmir areas saw even lower temperatures. Pampore dropped to -5.0°C, Srinagar Airport to -4.6°C, and Awantipora to -4.0°C. Budgam settled at -4.2°C, while Anantnag, Baramulla, and Zethan Rafiabad recorded -4.8°C, -4.8°C, and -4.6°C respectively. Pulwama and Shopian remained among the coldest habitations at -5.6°C and -5.3°C, with Bandipora touching -3.9°C. Ganderbal recorded -2.6°C, Sonamarg -3.6°C, and Zojila Pass stood out as the coldest point at a frigid -17.0°C.

In the Jammu region, temperatures remained relatively milder. Jammu city recorded 8.0°C, Banihal 2.1°C, Batote 4.7°C, and Katra 8.4°C. Bhaderwah dipped to 0.4°C, Kathua to 7.2°C, and Jammu Airport to 8.7°C. Udhampur reported 3.0°C, Ramban 4.3°C, Samba 3.3°C, Rajouri 1.7°C, Kishtwar 3.6°C, Reasi 6.1°C, and Doda 4.7°C.

In the cold desert region of Ladakh, sub-zero conditions also persisted. Leh recorded -9.0°C, Kargil -7.8°C, and the Nubra Valley -7.6°C.

Srinagar, Dec 3: Rehabilitation of business units hit by the April-May 2025 disturbances remains abysmally slow, with official data showing that only 7752 of the 64,029 affected accounts – just about 12 percent – have been covered under the relief package so far.

The disturbances followed the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 26 tourists were killed and the subsequent India-Pakistan conflict, triggering a severe economic disruption across Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the details accessed by Greater Kashmir, the matter was reviewed during the 16th meeting of J&K UTLBC on June 21, 2025.

During the meeting, it was decided that a committee comprising Jammu and Kashmir Bank, State Bank of India, and Punjab National Bank would frame a comprehensive rehabilitation package for affected enterprises.

Subsequently, the J&K government, with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor, issued a notification on August 8, declaring entire J&K as disturbance-affected with effect from April 22.

A senior banking executive said, “The approved rehabilitation package was circulated among all banks on September 6 for implementation. However, the latest data reveals sharp gaps in execution.”

J&K Bank reported 36,192 affected units involving Rs 1930.57 crore of which only 7133 accounts have been rehabilitated.

SBI has rehabilitated merely 362 of 10,800 affected accounts, while PNB has covered 235 of 9581 units.

HDFC Bank, despite exposure to 2044 affected units worth Rs 790.93 crore, has not rehabilitated a single account to date.

In total, banks have extended relief of only Rs 494 crore against an overall affected exposure of Rs 5055 crore.

“As per the plan, all banks were supposed to complete the rehabilitation by November 5, 2025. But the progress is nowhere close,” said an official familiar with the matter. “Banks have now approached UTLBC seeking an extension till December 31 to ensure wider coverage of eligible borrowers.”

Trade bodies argue that businesses cannot survive without urgent intervention.

Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President, Javid Ahmad Tenga said he has already written to J&K Bank, formally requesting an extension in the implementation timeline.

“The situation after the April 22 attack has been extremely challenging for businesses. Tourism has taken the biggest hit, allied sectors have collapsed, and this downturn has spread to transport, handicrafts, retail and services,” Tenga said. “We are also demanding a one-time settlement scheme for borrowers who have suffered due to a prolonged slump. Thousands of traders and entrepreneurs are unable to revive their units without decisive financial support.”

President Kashmir Trade Alliance, Aijaz Shahdhar, said many small and medium businesses are “on the verge of closure” due to the slow rollout.

“The relief package is meaningful only if it reaches people on time. Every week of delay pushes more businesses deeper into distress,” he said.

Meanwhile, banking officials said that procedural delays and verification processes had contributed to the slow progress, but assured that rehabilitation efforts would accelerate if the deadline is extended.