Jammu: After a verbal skirmish between NC and BJP lawmakers in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said there is no comparison between the divided parts of Kashmir as the situation across the border is “very bad” despite a Chinese help to Pakistan.
He said every part of Jammu and Kashmir is far developed even though “we have never sought help from China, America, England or France to construct our roads.”
The CM made the remarks to placate the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and ruling National Conference members exchanging heated words over the development in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK).
“Whatever progress has been made in the areas across the border is because of the blessings of China,” Abdullah said.
During question hour, NC MLA and former minister Saifullah Mir in passing said that border infrastructure is better in PoK than on this side, even as he advocated for the construction of a tunnel to provide all-weather connectivity to border areas of Keran and Jumagund in Kupwara district.
BJP’s R S Pathania objected to his comparison of the two sides.
NC MLA Nazir Gurezi and Peoples Conference legislator Sajad Gani Lone came in defence of Mir, who highlighted the challenges being faced by the locals, especially during the winter when snow cuts off roads for several months.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather ensured a smooth house proceeding, but BJP Pathania decried Mir’s remarks.
Pathania told reporters outside the assembly, “He (Mir) praised a country with which we have no diplomatic relation. Our country did not send its cricket team there to play in the Champions Trophy and this is the country which is promoting separatism and terrorism in India. Mir’s remark is of concern and condemnable and the chief minister should clarify his party’s stand on it.”
During a discussion on Lt Governor’s address while BJP member Sham Lal Sharma was speaking, Mir rose up from his seat and questioned Pathania for terming him a “traitor”.
“My intention was not to draw a comparison between the two parts (of Kashmir). The National Conference is a party which has rendered the highest number of sacrifices for the country. Our workers, MLAs and ministers were killed by terrorists,” he said.
Gurezi also stood up from his seat in defence of Mir and said “If someone had worn a coat, what is wrong when I say he is having a good coat,” sending the house in a commotion.
Sensing the situation getting out of control, the chief minister requested the members to take up their seats, and said, “Gurezi is not wrong in his statement but he had not completed his talk.”
Abdullah said, “All what has been done on the borders is for show off and that also was not done by them (Pakistan) on its own. Whatever progress was made in the border areas across the border was because of the blessings of China while there is no progress in the rest of the areas.”
He said the development can be a matter of discussion but Mir, who lives near the Line of Control, is not wrong in sharing what he sees.
“The situation is very bad there (in PoK)… We have never sought help from any other country, we have not asked China, America, England or France to build our roads. The roads constructed across the border were done by China,” he said, adding, every part of Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed development even as “we have not provided coats to our border people.”
He said the coats given to the people across the border have empty pockets, drawing laughter in the house.
“We should not get entangled in such unnecessary arguments. Wherever there is need for development, it should happen and wherever there is need for further improvement that will also be done for the welfare of the people,” Abdullah said.
Before resuming his speech, Sharma pointed to party MLA Shagun Parihar and said her father Ajit Parihar and uncle Anil Parihar also fell to the bullets of terrorists in Kishtwar district in November 2018.
“The terrorist bullets do not differentiate between the people,” he said. (With PTI Inputs)
Over 32,000 posts lying vacant in 37 J&K govt departments: CM
“Since Oct 16, last year, JKPSC collected over Rs 8.44 crore and JKSSB over Rs 5.72 crore as application fees from the candidates”
More than 32,000 posts are lying vacant in 37 departments of the Jammu and Kashmir government with the Health and Medical Education department accounting for the highest 7,851 vacancies, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Tuesday.
The J&K Services Selection Board (JKSSB) and J&K Public Service Commission (JKPSC) have been tasked with fulfilling 3,727 vacancies since the formation of the government on October 16, last year, he told the Assembly.
Chief Minister Abdullah, who is also in charge of the General Administration Department, said this in reply to a question raised by Peoples Conference MLA Sajad Gani Lone.
Lone had sought information about the total number of vacancies in various departments in Jammu and Kashmir as of January 31 and those referred to the two government recruiting agencies after the formation of the National Conference-led dispensation.
The chief minister said 32,474 posts — 2,503 gazetted, 19,214 non-gazetted and 10,757 multi-tasking staff (MTS) –- are lying vacant as of January 31.
Of these vacancies, 738 gazetted, 1,754 non-gazetted and 1,235 MTS posts were referred to JKSSB and JKPSC after the government formation, he said, adding 594 gazetted posts are to be filled in the School Education department, 56 in the Health and Medical Education department, 45 in the Power department and 41 Horticulture department.
The Health and Medical Education department has 7,851 vacancies, the Public Works (Roads and Buildings) department has 3,759 posts vacant, Animal Husbandry department 2,589 vacancies, Industries and Commerce 2,517, Housing and Urban Development 2,420, Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare 1,340, Power department 1,305, Food and Supplies department 1,131, Finance department 1,009, Revenue department 1,004, Jal Shakti 856 and the School Education department has to fill 770 vacancies.
The Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction is the only one that has no vacancies.
In response to another question, the chief minister said JKPSC collected over Rs 8.44 crore and JKSSB over Rs 5.72 crore as application fees from the candidates since October 16, last year.
“Presently, no such proposal (to make job application forms free for aspirants) is under consideration,” Abdullah said.
Pilgrim tourism circuits to be developed in Jammu region: CM
“4.40 cr tourists, including 1.20 lakh foreigners, visited J&K in past 2 years”
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Tuesday that the government will develop pilgrim tourism circuits in Jammu to encourage pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishnodevi shrine to tour various other tourist destinations in the region.
Noting that one crore pilgrims visit the Vaishnodevi shrine annually, Abdullah said if the government could divert 10 to 15 percent of these pilgrims to various destinations in the region, it would benefit the people.
“As for the pilgrim tourism circuit in Jammu, we will create three, four and seven day packages. We will promote these destinations to ensure pilgrims visit all such places,” Abdullah said in the Assembly.
Responding to a query from BJP MLA Yudhvir Sethi during the Question Hour, he said many pilgrims are unaware of the pilgrimage tourism destinations in the region.
The chief minister emphasised the need to encourage pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishnodevi temple to also tour other places in the region.
“It is our challenge to divert pilgrims to various destinations in the Jammu region. We have not succeeded in diverting these pilgrims to other parts of the region,” he said.
Abdullah stressed that Jammu has distinct destinations that need publicity, adding that efforts will be made in this direction.
The Department of Tourism has been actively involved in developing tourism infrastructure in Jammu city to attract more tourists and has executed several projects under the State Capex Budget and Swadesh Darshan Scheme, he said.
He highlighted notable tourism-related infrastructure projects under different schemes, including the construction of musical water fountains with sound and light shows at Bagh-e-Bahu, as well as the development of tourist facilities at Bhagwati Nagar.
Other projects mentioned include the development of tourist facilities at Sidhra Golf Course, construction of an amusement park near Sidhra Golf Course in Jammu, a ropeway project from Mohmaya to Bagh-e-Bahu, and various development works planned under the Capex Budget 2024-25 in Jammu.
Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) has actively pursued multiple initiatives to enhance Jammu’s infrastructure and make it a more appealing destination for tourists, the chief minister said.
He outlined major infrastructure projects planned and executed by JSCL, including heritage conservation and beautification efforts such as the restoration of iconic landmarks like Bahu Fort, Mubarak Mandi, and Raghunath Bazaar, along with temples and ghats under the Smart City initiative and other historical sites.
In terms of road and transport improvements, Abdullah spoke about the upgrade of major roads, development of pedestrian-friendly pathways, and the introduction of electric buses for eco-friendly public transport.
He also highlighted the redevelopment of the Tawi riverfront with promenades, cycling tracks, and leisure spaces.
Regarding historic buildings and Tawi bridges, he said plans for facade lighting are underway at Bahu Fort, Army headquarters at Mubarak Mandi, Maha Maya Temple, and all Tawi bridges.
The chief Minister said the JSCL’s vision aligns with making Jammu a modern, tourist-friendly, and sustainable city while preserving its cultural and historical essence.
He told the Assembly that over 4.40 crore tourists, including 1.20 lakh foreigners, visited Jammu and Kashmir in the past two years.
CM Abdullah, who is also in charge of the Tourism department, said Rs 35.08 crore have been allocated for the promotion, advertisement and related activities of the department over the past two financial years.
Rs 12.54 crore was spent in FY 2023-24 and Rs 22.54 crore in 2024-25, he told the House.
Responding to a question from National Conference member Mubarak Gul, the chief minister said 4.48 crore pilgrims, including 1.20 lakh foreigners, visited Jammu and Kashmir in the past two years.
He added that 2,11,24,674 tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir in 2023 and 2,35,24,629 in 2024. Of these, 55,337 foreign tourists visited in 2023 and 65,452 in 2024.
Abdullah said the tourism sector holds extensive employment potential for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He acknowledged that while the sector employs a significant workforce in Jammu and Kashmir, no formal survey has been conducted to ascertain the exact number.
The chief minister also told the House that 59 assets of the Tourism department have been outsourced in the past two years.
