Page 8 - Omar Abdullah

Need to create new assets within and outside J&K for future: Omar Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday called for the creation of new assets at strategic locations within and outside the Union territory to meet future needs and generate additional revenue. Abdullah, while reviewing the functioning of the Hospitality and Protocol Department, asked officials to ensure optimal utilisation, upgradation, and renovation of departmental assets both within and outside Jammu and Kashmir. During the meeting, Commissioner Secretary Rashmi Singh made a detailed presentation on the department's assets, including those located outside Jammu & Kashmir, such as properties in Delhi, Chandigarh, Amritsar, and Mumbai, an official spokesman said. The chief minister reviewed the functioning and status of prominent properties, including those in Chanakyapuri, 5-Prithvi Raj Road, and Rajaji Marg in Delhi, emphasising the need to fully utilise these assets and upgrade facilities to enhance their utility. Abdullah also directed focused efforts on ...

Omar Abdullah criticises Indus Treaty, calls it unfair to the people of J&K

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah says hydropower potential of the region thwarted by the 1960 Indus Water Treaty. Peoples Conference's Sajad Lone slams Abdullah's remarks as 'right-wing rhetoric'

Omar Abdullah has asked law and order machinery to be alert: J-K speaker

Rather emphasised the need for heightened vigilance following a series of terror attacks in the Union Territory

J&K CM Abdullah calls for sustainable, high value tourism policy in state

Recognising the role of tourism as the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir's economy, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday called for a more sustainable and visitor-focused approach in the UTs tourism sector. He highlighted the importance of shifting tourism efforts from high volume to high value, emphasising quality over quantity. Abdullah was speaking at a high-level meeting which was convened to review the functioning of the Tourism Department at civil secretariat here, an official spokesperson said. Asking the department to chart the way forward for a more sustainable and visitor-focused approach, the chief minister highlighted the potential of tourism to create substantial employment opportunities for youth. There is a need to treat tourism as a structured, long-term endeavour, rather than an ad-hoc activity, by adopting a tourist-centric perspective. We need to enhance the tourist experience, so visitors are more likely to revisit and recommend J&K as a destination, he said. The

Omar Abdullah says situation in J-K cannot be normalised in a vacuum

The J-K CM stated that his government's agenda will be decided by the people of J-K. He emphasised that the situation in the union territory cannot be normalised in a vacuum and that the government

L-G Sinha, CM condemn killings of 2 VDGs by terrorists in J&K's Kishtwar

Two Village Defence Guards were on Thursday executed by terrorists after their abduction in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, officials said. A massive joint search operation has been launched by police and the Army in a dense forest area following the gruesome killings, which were condemned by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and leaders of the National Conference, People's Democratic Party, Congress and the BJP. The officials said Nazir Ahmad and Kuldeep Kumar, both residents of Ohli-Kuntwara, had gone to graze their cattle in the Munzla Dhar forest of the Adhwari area in the morning but did not return. They said police parties fanned out to find them amid reports that they had been abducted and killed by terrorists. "We have received information that my brother and Ahmad were abducted and killed by terrorists. They were Village Defence Guards (VDGs) and had gone to graze cattle, as usual," Kumar's brother Prithvi told PTI.

BJP slams Cong on J&K Assembly resolution for restoration of special status

The BJP on Thursday came down heavily on the Congress over the passage of a resolution in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly seeking restoration of special status, and asked the party leadership if it stands for terrorism. Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, senior party leader Smriti Irani also asked if the Congress-led "INDI alliance" stands against the "economic and constitutional interests" of Jammu and Kashmir as well the rights that the tribals, Dalits, OBCs, women and children received after revocation of Article 370. "What they seek is special status for themselves, not the people of Jammu and Kashmir," she said. The BJP is up in arms against the Omar Abdullah government after the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Wednesday passed the resolution asking the Centre to hold dialogue with elected representatives for restoration of special status of the erstwhile state. The Congress is not part of the Jammu and Kashmir government despite fighting the polls in ...

BJP holds protest against special status resolution passed by J&K Assembly

The BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit staged a protest here to denounce the resolution on the restoration of J-K's special status, which was passed by the assembly on Wednesday. The resolution has sought a dialogue between the Centre and elected representatives for the restoration of the special status of the erstwhile state. Led by party president Sat Paul Sharma, a group of BJP workers came out of the party headquarters at Trikuta Nagar in the outskirts of the city this afternoon and set ablaze a joint effigy of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his deputy Surinder Choudhary amid slogans against the National Conference-led government. J-K Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary moved the resolution for restoring the erstwhile state's special status, which was revoked by the Centre on August 5, 2019. The resolution was passed without any debate as the Speaker put it to voice vote amidst noisy scenes by opposition BJP members. Article 370 has become part of history and the National ...

J&K parties hail resolution for restoring special status in Assembly

Political parties in the Kashmir valley on Wednesday welcomed the resolution passed in the assembly seeking a dialogue between the Centre and elected representatives for the restoration of special status of the erstwhile state. "This resolution is historic and I congratulate the members of the House," CPI(M)'s MLA from Kulgam, M Y Tarigami said. He said it has been "our commitment that we will restore what has taken from us on August 5, 2019". "Today, the House fulfilled its promise by passing the resolution and demanded that the Government of India take forward the process of restoration of Article 370 by starting the dialogue process immediately," he added. The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution asking the Centre to hold dialogue with elected representatives for restoration of special status of the erstwhile state. PDP's youth leader and MLA Pulwama, Waheed Para also welcomed the resolution. "It is a welcome move. We welcome it wholeheartedly. This has

Assembly has done its job after passing special status resolution: Omar

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the Assembly has done its job after it passed a resolution seeking a dialogue between the Centre and elected representatives for the restoration of the special status of the erstwhile state. The resolution, which also expressed "concern" over the "unilateral removal" of the special status, was passed without any debate as the Speaker put it to voice vote amidst noisy scenes. "The assembly has done its job. I will only say this much," a beaming Abdullah told reporters outside the assembly complex. NC MLA and J-K's deputy chief minister Surinder Choudhary moved the resolution for restoring the special status of J-K, which was revoked by the Centre on August 5, 2019. "That this legislative assembly reaffirms the importance of the special status and constitutional guarantees, which safeguarded the identity, culture, and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and expresses concern over their unilateral removal," the ..

J&K Assembly passes resolution seeking restoration of special status

Amidst uproar, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution asking the Centre to hold talks with elected representatives for restoration of the special status of the erstwhile state. As soon as the assembly proceedings began, J-K Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary moved the resolution for restoring the special status of J-K, which was revoked by the Centre on August 5, 2019. "That this legislative assembly reaffirms the importance of the special status and constitutional guarantees, which safeguarded the identity, culture, and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and expresses concern over their unilateral removal, the resolution moved by Choudhary said. This Assembly emphasises that any process for restoration must safeguard both national unity and the legitimate aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the resolution added. BJP members, including the Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, opposed the resolution, saying it was not part of the list

Day 1 of J&K Assembly: Chaos reigns as PDP pushes to restore Article 370

Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah contended that the resolution was introduced merely for show and lacked genuine intent

J&K LG Manoj Sinha slams CM Omar Abdullah for boycotting UT Foundation Day

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha slammed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other National Conference (NC) leaders for not attending the sixth Union Territory (UT) Foundation Day celebrations on Thursday.In his statement, Sinha underlined the significance of observing UT Day, noting that Jammu and Kashmir's current status as a Union Territory is a reality."Home Minister had said in Parliament that delimitation would happen first, then elections, and statehood at an appropriate time. Those who took an oath on the Constitution while J & K is a UT, stayed away today. This is a duplicity of character. The reality is this is a UT; the day JK is made a state, we will also celebrate that," Sinha said.National Conference leaders have been vocal in their opposition to UT Day, calling for a return to full statehood. NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq earlier stated that the NC would not observe UT Day because the party does not recognize Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory, claiming that

Engineer Rashid questions J&K CM Abdullah about meetings with PM Modi, Shah

Lok Sabha MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid on Sunday asked Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah if restoration of Article 370 and the release of political prisoners were discussed during his meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Awami Ittehad Party chief Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, had defeated Abdullah in Baramulla in the Lok Sabha elections. "What did Omar Abdullah discuss with key national leaders, including the prime minister, defence minister, and the home minister?" Rashid told reporters. The chief minister should clarify whether issues such as the restoration of Article 370 and the release of political prisoners were part of those discussions, he said. "If these issues were discussed, what responses did he receive?" he asked. Abdullah called on Modi on Thursday and handed over to him a resolution seeking early restoration of statehood to the Union Territory, officials had said. He also met Defence Minister Rajnath Sin

Omar Abdullah meets PM Modi in Delhi, discusses security situation in J-K

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday during his first visit to the national capital after assuming office last week. Abdullah is expected to hand over a resolution passed by his cabinet urging the Centre to restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir. In a remarkable victory in the recent assembly polls in the union territory, the first in 10 years, Abdullah's National Conference won 42 of the 90 assembly seats. In its first cabinet meeting, the new government passed the resolution urging the central government to restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir. The resolution was later approved by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The restoration is seen as a crucial step towards initiating a healing process, reinstating constitutional rights and safeguarding the unique identity of the region's residents. With the cabinet's endorsement, the chief minister has been empowered to engage with the prime minister and the central ..

J&K CM Abdullah meets home minister Amit Shah, discusses statehood issue

The newly elected chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday and discussed issues related to the Union Territory including early restoration of statehood. On his first visit to the national capital after assuming office last week, Abdullah spent nearly 30 minutes with the Home Minister. He later said that it was a courtesy call during which he apprised the Union Home Minister about the situation and also discussed the issue of restoration of statehood. Abdullah's visit follows the terror attack in the Gangangir area of Ganderbal district, where terrorists mercilessly killed seven individuals, including a doctor, just three days ago. Since the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory in 2019, the police force has been under the jurisdiction of the Union Home Ministry. During his stay in Delhi, the chief minister is scheduled to meet the central leadership, including an anticipated meeting with Prime Minister

J&K terror attack: Mehbooba says exodus of non-locals will send bad message

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday asked LG Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to prevent exodus of non-local labourers from the Gagangir construction site where seven persons were killed in a terror attack. "After the barbaric attack at Sonamarg there are reports that the local admin is pressurising non local labourers to leave the valley immediately.While I understand their obvious sense of panic but asking them to leave in this manner is not a solution," she said in a post on X. The former chief minister said the leaving of workers will create more difficulties and send a negative message to the country. "(It) Will only create more difficulties & sends a very bad message to the country. J&K recently witnessed peaceful terror free elections & this knee jerk reaction will only prove otherwise," she said. The PDP president said the move can also lead to outrage against Kashmiris working or studying in other parts of the country. "Might also cause outrage ...

J&K CM Omar Abdullah vacates Budgam assembly seat, retains Ganderbal

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has vacated the Budgam assembly seat and retained the Ganderbal constituency, Pro-tem speaker Mubarak Gul announced in the House on Monday. Abdullah won both the seats in the recently held assembly polls. The Ganderbal seat is considered an Abdullah family stronghold. The 54-year-old Abdullah was an MLA from Ganderbal from 2009 to 2014 during his first tenure as the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir. With this, the strength of the National Conference in the 95-member house has been reduced to 41 but the party still enjoys a comfortable majority with the support of six Congress MLA, five Independents and one MLA each of the AAP and the CPI(M).

Hope Kashmir marathon becomes one of top events in world, says CM Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who ran a half marathon on Sunday, expressed hope that the Kashmir Marathon would become one of the top athletic events in the world in the coming years. "I am thankful to the people of Srinagar for the way they came out to encourage the runners. I hope that the Kashmir Marathon becomes one of the top events in the world," Abdullah told reporters here. The chief minister thanked the organisers and other stakeholders associated with the first-ever international marathon in Kashmir for putting up "such a good show". "I congratulate everyone who competed in the event. I did not know I would be able to run 21 kilometres as the longest I have run earlier has been 12 or 13 kilometres. But I think running with other athletes pushed me to complete the run," he added. Earlier, Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty, who was with Abdullah at the flagging off ceremony, also expressed similar views on the event. "This is going to be one of the most ...

Aim to restore smiles in both Jammu and Kashmir divisions: Omar Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said his government will not be run on the voting pattern witnessed in the assembly elections as he wants to see the "missing smiles" back on the faces of the people in both the divisions of the Union Territory (UT). Abdullah, who assumed the charge of the new government in Srinagar on Wednesday, was accorded a rousing reception on reaching the National Conference (NC) headquarters in the winter capital. The BJP swept the polls in Jammu to emerge as the second largest party. In the recently held JK assembly polls, results of which were declared on October 8, the BJP won 29 of the 90 seats on which elections were held and garnered 25.64 per cent vote share. This was the first visit of Abdullah to Jammu after becoming the chief minister with his party winning 42 seats and bagging 23.43 per cents votes. Its alliance partner Congress won six seats and CPI(M) one. "When the election results were out, some people started spreadin