Page 5 - Omar Abdullah

IndiGo flight with Omar Abdullah lands in Delhi after diversion to Jaipur

The Delhi-bound IndiGo flight carrying Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah landed in the national capital in the early hours on Sunday after it was reportedly diverted to Jaipur on Saturday night.According to reports, the flight departed from Jaipur at 2:00 am on Sunday. As per the J & K Chief Minister, the flight landed here after 3:00 am."In case anyone is wondering, I got to Delhi just after 3:00 AM," Abdullah said in reply to a previous post on X, where he sharply criticised the Delhi Airport, calling it a "bloody shit show"."Delhi airport is a bloody shit show (excuse my French but I'm in no mood to be polite). 3 hours in the air after we left Jammu we get diverted to Jaipur & so here I am at 1 in the morning on the steps of the plane getting some fresh air. I've no idea what time we will leave from here," he said in a post on X, expressing his frustration over the ordeal.Abdullah also shared a selfie standing on the aircraft's steps after deplaning briefly ..

HADP to build Rs 1 trillion agri-economy for J&K by 2030: Omar Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme is a movement to build a sustainable Rs 1,00,000 crore agri-economy for the state by 2030. He was chairing a review meeting on the implementation of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP). The chief minister said digital innovation in agriculture aims to integrate cutting-edge technologies like AI-based advisory tools and real-time monitoring applications to strengthen governance at the grassroots level. "The programme is not just a policy intervention but a movement to empower farmers, modernise the agri-sector, and build a sustainable Rs 1,00,000 crore agri-economy for Jammu & Kashmir by 2030. "We are redefining how governance reaches the grassroots. HADP is making agriculture smart, data-driven, and future-ready," Abdullah said. Terming progressive farmers as the backbone of agricultural transformation, the chief minister said, "Their stories of success

Parties in J-K slam NC govt for defending reservation policy in high court

Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday slammed the National Conference (NC) government for defending the reservation policy, which provides 70 per cent quota to various groups, in the high court. Jammu and Kashmir's Social Welfare Department has submitted an affidavit in the high court, saying the writ petition is "mischievous" and "frivolous in nature" and has been filed with "an intent to abuse the judicial process". The government has sought dismissal of the petition titled 'Zahoor Ahmad Bhat and others versus UT of J-K and others'. The affidavit comes even as the government has constituted a Cabinet sub-committee, headed by Social Welfare Minister Sakina Itoo, to look into the issue of reservation after protests over the policy. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLA from Pulwama Waheed Para said the Cabinet sub-committee was nothing, but a "facade to mislead" the public. "The J-K government now defends a deeply flawed reservation policy in court. The so-called Cabinet

Amit Shah's J-K visit not linked to Kathua operation: CM Omar Abdullah

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Jammu and Kashmir was not linked to the anti-militancy operation in Kathua. The programme was finalised before the operation, he added. "Do not link the Union minister's visit to the Kathua (operation). His programme was finalised before the Kathua encounter. It is a coincidence that his visit comes around the time of the Kathua operation," the chief minister told reporters after launching a free bus service for women at SKICC. The home minister's visit does not have a security agenda only, he added. "While the security (situation) will be reviewed, he (Shah) has planned a public meeting in Jammu as well Then, in Srinagar, he (Shah) will review the development work and inaugurate some projects," Abdullah said. A combing operation is underway at the Panjtirthi site in Kathua to track down three terrorists who escaped after a brief encounter with security forces late on Monday, officials said. As

Need more steps to improve security situation in J&K, says CM Abdullah

Shifting of army personnel from Jammu to Ladakh to counter Chinese incursions allowed terrorists to exploit the situation, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Saturday, asserting more steps were needed to improve the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Abdullah was talking to reporters after visiting the bereaved families of four police personnel in Kathua, Reasi and Jammu districts. The cops were killed in a gunfight with infiltrating terrorists in the Safiyan forest of Kathua district on Thursday. Two Pakistani terrorists, believed to be affiliated with the proscribed Jaish-e-Mohammad, were also killed in the encounter. A massive search operation is underway to track and neutralise other members of the group. "Visited the families of our bravehearts -- Balvinder Singh, Tariq Ahmad, Jaswant Singh and Jagbir Singh -- who laid down their lives in the line of duty during the Kathua encounter. Their sacrifice is etched in our hearts forever. We stand with their families in this .

Will fulfil all poll promises with 200 units free electricity: J-K CM

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the National Conference government is promise-bound to implement all its election promises including giving 200 units of free electricity to all households falling under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) category. Abdullah said this in the legislative assembly while replying to a clubbed question by Peoples Conference's Sajad Gani Lone, BJP's Narinder Singh Raina and independent Shabir Ahmad Kullay. The chief minister was at his witty best while informing the House that the government will provide free electricity to all AAY households, integrating the scheme with the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijlee Yojna (PMSGMBY). ...our concern is milk and which cow gives us milk does not mean anything for us. Our aim is to give 200 units of free electricity to the people and it will be done...we will ensure that there is not much impact on the exchequer, Abdullah said. The chief minister said he had clarified thrice on the subject in this .

Protests against Waqf Amendment Bill understandable: J-K CM Omar Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said the protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill across the country are understandable as only a particular religion is being "targeted". "Charitable activities are linked to all religions and Muslims carry out these through Waqf. When a particular religion is targeted, there will be tension," he told reporters outside the assembly. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Sunday announced a nationwide agitation against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, with large sit-ins planned in front of the state assemblies in Patna and Vijayawada on March 26 and 29, respectively, as part of the first phase of the protest. Parliament's joint committee has submitted its report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Though not listed yet, there is speculation that the proposed legislation could be brought for passage in Parliament during the ongoing Budget session. The 31-member panel on the Bill, after multiple sittings and hearings,

CM Abdullah extends power amnesty scheme for domestic consumers in J&K

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced on Thursday the extension of the power amnesty scheme for domestic consumers but stressed that frequent waivers are unfair to those who pay their bills on time. This marks the third time in the last three years that the J&K government has introduced the power amnesty scheme for domestic consumers. Responding to demands regarding the power department's grants in the assembly, Abdullah said, "We have decided to extend the amnesty scheme by another year, but this will come with some changes." The chief minister emphasised that frequent waivers are unfair to those who pay their bills on time, and said "giving repeated amnesties like this is not advisable. It would be unjust to those who pay their power bills on time." Abdullah said that this is the seventh extension, adding, "I will not grant any more amnesty to domestic consumers in the future. We will make sure of that." He further remarked, "We have provided amnesty multiple

Panel formed to look into daily wagers' regularisation: J&K CM Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said a panel has been formed to address the issue of regularisation of daily wagers in the Union Territory, which will submit its recommendations to the government in six months. The chief minister also said the National Conference government is committed to ensuring speedy recruitment to fill the vacant posts in government services in Jammu and Kashmir. Responding to a question by BJP MLA Satish Sharma in the Assembly, Abdullah said, "A committee was announced in the Assembly last time, and a formal order was issued (for its formation). The committee has been constituted under the chief secretary to examine the issue." The panel has been given a six-month time frame to assess the matter, and once the recommendations are received, the government will act accordingly, the chief minister said. The J-K government on Wednesday constituted the six-member committee to examine the issues related to the regularisation of daily wage

No new liquor vends allotted in Jammu-Kashmir: CM Omar Abdullah

The remaining 34 locations are being put up for re-auction through public notice issued on March 7

'Country can be called Bharat, India or Hindustan': CM Omar Abdullah to RSS

Abdullah also noted that both 'Bharat' and 'India' are written on the Prime Minister's plane and highlighted the names of the armed forces

No control over police, says J-K CM as Opposition walks out of House

Asserting that the lathi charge on the protesting daily wage employees of the Jal Shakti department should not have happened, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said he does not hold control over the police. As the House assembled for the day, opposition members highlighted the massive protests by the daily wagers demanding release of wages and regularisation of jobs, and criticised the lathi charge on them. The BJP members staged a walkout as a ruckus erupted, when the BJP and National Conference members engaged in a verbal duel over the matter. Intervening, Abdullah said, "You (BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa) have asked a question, please wait for the answer." "As far as the police's treatment of the protesters is concerned, I would like to remind Randhawa Sahab, who is making a noise about this issue, that unfortunately, neither you nor I have control over the police," he said. The Chief Minister further said that instead of creating a ruckus inside the House, i

Gulmarg fashion show controversy, Lalit Modi, Mark Carney on India, GTA 6 & more

A fashion show at Gulmarg during Ramzan sparked controversy in Jammu and Kashmir, with political leaders calling it “obscene”.

Tourism in border areas revived after ceasefire in J-K: CM Omar Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said tourism activities in the frontier areas of the Union Territory have revived after ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and international border (IB). Replying to a supplementary question raised by National Conference member Sajad Shafi in the Legislative Assembly here regarding his Uri constituency, Abdullah said as the border areas are slowly opening after the ceasefire, tourism is witnessing a positive trend due to the prevailing peace in the region. Shafi also used the opportunity to inform the House about Abdullah's birthday. Most of the members from the treasury and opposition benches wished the chief minister who acknowledged the greetings and thanked the members. "It is true that Uri has huge border tourism potential. Tourists have started visiting areas like Uri and are eager to explore places such as Aman Setu and other scenic locations. Our priority is to enhance tourism infrastructure in these regions," t

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly erupts over Gulmarg fashion show amid Ramzan

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly erupts over Gulmarg fashion show during Ramzan, with CM Omar Abdullah ordering a probe while BJP calls the outrage unwarranted

Fashion show in Gulmarg sparks row, J&K CM Omar Abdullah orders probe

Amid Ramadan, a fashion show in Gulmarg has triggered backlash, prompting J&K CM Omar Abdullah to order a probe as religious leaders call it 'obscene'

J&K govt reports total debt of Rs 1.25 trillion, including GPF dues

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said its total debt stands at over Rs 1.25 lakh crore, including Rs 27,900 crore in general provident fund (GPF) for the Union Territory in the last financial year. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the finance minister of the UT, said in a written reply to Assembly member Sajad Gani Lone that as of March 31, 2024, Jammu and Kashmir's total debt is Rs 1,25,205 crore. "This includes Rs 69,894 crore in loans from the Reserve Bank of India and state development, Rs 27,901 crore in GPF, Rs 14,294 crore in reserves, Rs 5,758 crore in outstanding national small savings fund, Rs 4,032 crore in negotiated loans, Rs 2,616 crore in UDAY power loans, and Rs 710 crore in Government of India advances", he said. Abdullah further said the total outstanding liability in treasuries as of February 27, 2025, under various account heads amounts to Rs 5,429.49 crore. According to the Economic Survey Report (ESR) 2024-25 tabled in the House on Thursda

J-K CM presents Rs 1.12 trn budget with focus on inclusive growth

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday presented a zero-deficit budget in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly, announcing an outlay of Rs 1.12 lakh crore for 2025-2026 and emphasising multi-sector welfare and development of the Union Territory. Abdullah, who also holds the finance portfolio in the National Conference-led government, presented his maiden budget in the legislative assembly. Jammu and Kashmir, which was accorded the Union Territory status after Ladakh was carved out as a separate UT in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370, has witnessed its first annual budget since 2018 when the erstwhile PDP-BJP government tabled the then state's document of annual finances. Amid thunderous applause, Abdullah began his speech with a Persian couplet and said, "I stand before you today to present my first budget as Finance Minister, marking the first budget of a collective government in seven years. While it is an honour, I am acutely aware of the weight of responsibility that comes

'Also get back part of Kashmir that is with China': Omar Abdullah reacts to Jaishankar's statement

Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah on Thursday said while the government has spoken of getting back PoK from Pakistan, it should also see that part of Kashmir with China is also returned to India. >

Situation across border very bad despite Chinese help: J-K CM Omar Abdullah

Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, even though he ensured a smooth house proceeding, later decried Mir's remarks and sought a clarification from party leader Abdullah