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.

Shopian, Nov 08: As part of the ongoing massive crackdown on terror networks to dismantle the terror ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir operating from PoK, Shopian Police carried out extensive searches at multiple locations across Shopian.

The searches were conducted at the residences of terrorists presently operating from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and their associates.

According to a statement issued by a police spokesperson, the operation aims to check for incriminating materials, digital devices, and other items being used to provide logistical or any kind of support to terrorists. These searches form part of the sustained campaign to eliminate the network of sympathizers and overground workers aiding terror activities in the district.

Jammu, Nov 08: The crime branch unit of Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested a man wanted for duping a job seeker of Rs 4.20 lakh on the pretext of providing a government job here, an official said on Saturday.

The accused, Fayz Ahmed from Chadoora in Budgam district, was evading arrest after a case was registered against him in Jammu in 2023.

He was chargesheeted in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Poonch, on October 28, the official said.

According to police, the complainant, Javaid Iqbal from Poonch, alleged that the accused duped him of Rs 4.20 lakh on the pretext of providing a job as a panchayat accountant.

During the investigation, it was found that two separate cases were also registered against Ahmed in the crime branch in 2022, they added.

A special team was tracking him for the past three months and arrested him from Jammu on Friday, police said, adding that the accused was produced before the court of the sub-judge of Poonch.

He has been remanded to judicial custody, they said.