Latest Updates on Omar Abdullah

In the wake of the Pahalgam attack and Delhi blast, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said 2025 has not been good for tourism, but pinned hope on snowfall reviving the sector and helping attract more visitors to the valley. "This year has not been easy for us from a tourism point of view. Be it Pahalgam, Delhi, and Nowgam, it has had a huge impact on our tourism," Abdullah told reporters here on the sidelines of a tourism event. "The key to (increasing) footfall is snowfall. We had a totally dry November. It is hoped that God will bless us and we will have good snowfall in December. When it snows, we think places like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, and Srinagar will benefit from that, but it is up to God. The sooner it snows, the sooner our winter tourism season will start," he said. The preparations and promotions that needed to be done by the government have been done, the chief minister said. "Promotion is the main thing in tourism. The more promotion and

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday thanked the Centre for increasing the MGNREGA work limit for Jammu and Kashmir, and said this would play a vital role in helping vulnerable communities overcome economic distress in calamity-hit panchayats. The Centre has approved an increase in the number of person-days provided under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for J&K to 150 from 100. Abdullah thanked Union Minister for Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan for the decision and expressed appreciation for the Centre's swift support to J&K. "This crucial decision will assist thousands of households impacted by recent floods and landslides by ensuring enhanced livelihood opportunities and timely relief," the chief minister said. The enhanced support would play a vital role in helping vulnerable communities overcome economic distress in the calamity-hit panchayats, he said. Abdullah also congratulated Minister for Rural Development and ...

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the people of Jammu and Kashmir are apprehensive to travel outside the Union territory as they are all seen as suspects for the violent acts of few. "In the prevailing circumstances, perhaps parents will not like to send their children outside. When we are looked at with suspicious eyes from every side, when attempts are made to defame us for someone else's doing, when attempts are made to bring everyone into the ambit of what few people have done, then it is obvious that it becomes difficult for us to leave for outside," Abdullah said at an event in south Kashmir's Kulgam. The chief minister said it does not feel good to say this, "but what can we do, that is the reality". "Few people are responsible for what happened in Delhi (car blast near Red Fort), but a perception is being created that we all are to blame for that and we all are a part of it," he added. Sharing his thoughts, Abdullah said he also thinks twice before taking out h

Not every resident or Kashmiri Muslim of J&K is a terrorist, punish those who are responsible not the innocents: CM Omar Abdullah on arrests in terror module case >

The attack on the special status of Jammu and Kashmir did not start in 2019 but in 2015 when the PDP formed a government with the BJP, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Saturday. "The BJP has caused maximum damage to Jammu and Kashmir. Everything was snatched from us. The map has not remained, our identity under threat and special status gone," Abdullah said, addressing an election meeting in Mirgund of Budgam assembly segment. He accused the opposition PDP of facilitating the BJP's plans. "In the 2014 elections, late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and his daughter went from door to door on the plank of keeping the BJP out. The people voted for them in numbers, but soon after the elections, they (PDP) joined hands with the BJP," the NAC leader said. Bypolls are being held in Budgam assembly segment on November 11 as Abdullah had vacated the seat last year, retaining Ganderbal seat after winning both segments in the 2024 assembly elections. The attack on the special status of Jammu and

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday left his official residence on foot for his office at the Civil Secretariat here, marking the resumption of the biannual 'Darbar Move' after a gap of four years. As he walked through Residency Road and Raghunath Bazar, various trader associations, including Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, accorded him a grand welcome and lauded his decision to revive the age-old tradition that was halted in 2021. The 'Darbar Move' involves shifting the Jammu and Kashmir government's offices between Srinagar and Jammu with the changing seasons. The Civil Secretariat and other move offices closed in Srinagar on October 30 and 31, and started functioning from the winter capital on Monday for the next six months. The 'Darbar Move' was started by the Dogra rulers nearly 150 years ago. It was halted by LG Sinha in June 2021, citing the administration's complete transition to e-office, which, he said, would save around Rs 200 crore ...

Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday said five 'marlas' of land would be given to the landless people in the flood affected areas of the Union territory, and the paperwork for it was under process. Replying to a question in the assembly by BJP MLA from Jammu North, Sham Lal Sharma, on whether a fresh rehabilitation policy has been formulated for the victims of the recent floods in J-K, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the government has not formulated any fresh policy. "Landless people affected by the flood will be given five marlas (one marla = 25.2929 sq metre) of land on lease wherever available. The documentary process is on," the CM announced. He, however, said the government does not indulge in regional politics "like the member does". Abdullah said the Centre sent a team for flood assessment in the UT which completed its task. "The team did an assessment and went back. (Union) Home minister (Amit Shah) also visited. We did the damage assessment and found that there were

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he is considering becoming a party to the Supreme Court case seeking restoration of statehood, while ruling out any alliance with the BJP

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday asserted he will not ally with the BJP to hasten the restoration of statehood to the Union territory, saying his party has no intention of repeating the "mistakes" committed by others in the past. The chief minister said if the restoration of statehood is dependent on the BJP coming to power in J-K, then the national party should be honest in saying so. "If that is the deal that is to be struck with the people, then the BJP should be honest, because the BJP in its manifesto and its promises to Parliament and to the Supreme Court never said that the statehood is dependent on the BJP coming to power in J-K. "If that is the case, then I think the BJP should be honest, they should tell us that so long as there is a non-BJP government in J-K, you will not get statehood. Then we will decide what we want to do," he said. However, Abdullah added that "tying up with the BJP or an alliance with the BJP is out of the question". "No,"

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday hoped for an early restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, saying it would give more powers to the elected government and enable it to fulfil the promises made to the people during last year's assembly elections. Talking to reporters in Kulgam district of south Kashmir, Abdullah said he had expected the Centre to fulfil the promise of statehood restoration made to the people of the Union territory from the floor of Parliament and the Supreme Court, but since that has not happened, he would continue pressing for it. "We are hoping for more powers and that is why we are stressing on the (restoration of) statehood, because that is a promise made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and that promise should be fulfilled," Abdullah told reporters in Kulgam district in south Kashmir. "Only the Centre and the BJP can state the reasons for keeping Jammu and Kashmir without statehood. But, we will not stop trying (to make efforts)," he added. Asked

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has accused the Centre of betraying both Ladakh and J-K by failing to fulfil its promises and deepening mistrust through delays in restoring statehood. Speaking at the launch of senior journalist and author Harinder Baweja's latest book, "They Will Shoot You, Madam: My life through conflict" on Sunday, Abdullah said the government had failed to follow through on its own roadmap, first for Jammu and Kashmir and now for Ladakh, alleging that the latter was misled with "impossible" assurances. "When you wanted them (Ladakh) to participate in Hill Council elections, you promised them the Sixth Schedule. Everyone knew that giving the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh was nearly impossible. A region that shares frontiers with China on one side and Pakistan on the other requires a sizeable defence presence, which the Sixth Schedule makes impossible. Yet, you made promises to get electoral participation, he stated. The 55-year-old also criticised the ..

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that an impression was developing in the Union Territory that its statehood will not be restored as the BJP could not win assembly elections last year. He said BJP was the only party that opposed statehood restoration. "Sometimes it looks like people of Jammu and Kashmir will not get statehood because the BJP lost the elections. This is an injustice because nowhere was it said that statehood will be restored only if the BJP wins," Abdullah told media outside his private office here. "If there is opposition to the restoration of statehood, it is coming only from the BJP," he said. Abdullah said the biggest challenge before his 11-month-old government is that Jammu and Kashmir is not a state. "The way the people were promised and the Supreme Court was informed, we expected it to be a three-step process: first delimitation, then elections, followed by restoration of statehood," the chief minister said. "The delimitatio

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has dismissed speculation about privatisation of electricity in the Union territory, and said his vision is to strengthen and reform the power sector. "We are not talking about privatisation. If we reduce our losses, improve billing efficiency and enhance revenue generation, there will be no need for it. My vision is to strengthen and reform the power sector in J-K," Abdullah said. The CM addressed the gathering at the 58th Engineers' Day at SKICC here on late Monday evening. The event was held to honour the legacy of Bharat Ratna Sir M Visvesvaraya for his pioneering contribution to engineering in India. The chief minister said electricity generation and efficient distribution hold the key to economic prosperity in J-K. Emphasising the critical role of the power sector, Abdullah underscored the need for J-K to reduce its power losses and then focus on harnessing its vast hydropower potential to strengthen its economy. "This is the o

This comes after a viral video had surfaced showing a mob defacing the national emblem inscribed on the foundation stone of the shrine

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday reviewed the situation arising from incessant rains that have swelled rivers and streams across the Union Territory, officials said. Authorities announced the closure of schools and colleges across the Kashmir Valley for the day, as the weather department has forecast more rainfall over the next 24 hours, they said. The chief minister chaired a meeting this morning to assess the situation, the CM's office said in a post on X. Abdullah directed the administration to intensify the ground response, ensure clearance of waterlogged areas, safeguard essential services, carry out timely evacuations in critical zones, and provide immediate relief. "Hon'ble Ministers @JavedRanaa and @satishsharmajnk briefed on the situation in Jammu, while Hon'ble Minister @sakinaitoo and Advisor to the CM @nasirsogami provided updates on the situation in Kashmir. The Chief Minister appealed to the people to follow advisories, avoid vulnerable spot

Amid inclement weather prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday directed officials to ensure round-the-clock monitoring and carry out timely evacuation of residents from risk-prone zones. The statement comes in the aftermath of two fresh incidents of cloudburst and landslide in Ramban and Reasi districts that left 11 persons, including seven members of a family, dead and one person missing. The chief minister expressed sorrow over the tragic deaths. While four people of a family lost their lives and one person went missing at Rajgarh in Ramban, a couple and their five children were buried alive in a landslide at Badder village in Mahore area of Reasi district. Taking note of the continuous heavy rains, the chief minister appealed to people to remain alert, avoid vulnerable areas, and strictly adhere to safety advisories. "He has directed the district administration and disaster management authorities to remain on the ground, ensure round-the-clock .

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the situation in various parts of Jammu is quite serious following heavy rain and directed the administration to maintain high alert. The chief minister gave the instructions at a meeting held here to take stock of flood control measures in Jammu, his office said in a post on X. Moderate to heavy rain lashed Jammu division for the third consecutive day on Tuesday. Almost all rivers and streams are flowing above or close to the danger mark, submerging a number of low-lying areas and roads in the city and elsewhere. Vehicular movement on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway has been suspended. "Chief Minister held a meeting today in the morning to review flood mitigation measures at Jammu in view of incessant rains. He directed the officers to maintain high alert and take all necessary measures," the chief minister's office said. In a separate post on his personal handle on X, Abdullah said the situation in many parts of Jammu is quite ...

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday expressed hope that the Supreme Court will set a deadline on the restoration of statehood to the Union territory after it hears the case in October. The apex court on Monday refused to advance the date of hearing on pleas seeking restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, saying the matter is already listed on October 10. "I do not know who went to the Supreme Court for an urgent hearing. We also want there should be no delay in this decision," Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of a function here. He said his government has been after the restoration of statehood for the last ten months since the it took over. "Our first decision in the first cabinet meeting was to pass a resolution on statehood. In my first meeting with the prime minister, the first thing I did was to handover the cabinet resolution on statehood to him," he said. "We have been waiting, but we have not had any benefit. Unfortunately, the SC is no

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday directed all departments concerned to remain on high alert amid heavy rains which lashed wide parts of the Union Territory. He has also advised people to remain cautious amid a weather forecast predicting moderate to intense rainfall with possibility of cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides in high altitude areas till August 27. In a post on X, the office of the chief minister said Abdullah has directed all departments to remain on high alert, as heavy rains have caused waterlogging in several residential areas, with rivers and nallahs flowing above danger mark. Control rooms are active and CM Office is in touch with departments. Priority is being given to drainage in affected areas and restoration of essential services like water supply and power. People are advised to remain cautious, the chief minister said. Heavy rains battered most parts of Jammu and Kashmir overnight, triggering flood-like situation in several low-ly

A day earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that it might be impossible to find anyone alive in the Kishtwar incident