Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today handed over regularisation orders to 863 Contingent Paid Workers (CPWs) of the School Education Department from multiple districts of Jammu province, an official press release informed.
It said the occasion also witnessed the formal inauguration of the Vidya Samiksha Kendra under Samagra Shiksha and the launch of a suite of new ICT and analytics platforms aimed at strengthening the education ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.
The ceremony was attended by Cabinet Minister for Health, Medical Education, School Education, Higher Education & Social Welfare Sakina Itoo; Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani; Members of Legislative Assembly Pyare Lal and Er. Khurshid Ahmed; Secretary, School Education Department Ram Niwas Sharma; Project Director, Samagra Shiksha Bhawani Rakwal and Director, School Education Jammu Naseem Chowdhary.
In his address, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed satisfaction over the fulfilment of a long-pending demand, commending the dedication and patience of CPWs awaiting regularisation. He lauded Minister Sakina Itoo, the School Education Department and the administrative leadership for their coordinated efforts in achieving this milestone.
The Chief Minister announced that nearly one thousand infrastructure works are currently underway in the education sector, with approximately ₹450 crore earmarked for civil works under the School Education Department. He stated that by March 2026, all Higher Secondary and High Schools in Jammu and Kashmir would be equipped with smart classrooms and laboratories, enabling students to compete with their peers nationwide.
Reflecting on the government’s first year, the Chief Minister said the journey had presented challenges but also immense satisfaction in achieving meaningful reforms. He called upon the newly regularised employees to dedicate themselves to public service, reiterating that “the future of the next generation depends on the quality of education we deliver today.”
He also felicitated 25 NEET and JEE achievers from the Jammu region, presenting them with certificates and tablets, and encouraged them to continue striving for academic excellence.
Minister Sakina Itoo described the regularisation as a “moment of relief and recognition for hundreds of families.” She credited the Chief Minister’s steadfast determination for making this day possible. She said that in Kashmir, about 400 CPWs have already been regularised, with pending cases being processed expeditiously.
Reviewing the government’s first-year achievements, she highlighted accelerated disposal of DPCs and staff promotions, fast-tracking of recruitment in Higher Education, and revival of dormant colleges. Under Samagra Shiksha, she stated, around 600 development works are underway, including smart labs and infrastructure improvements aligned with the National Education Policy.
Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani described the day as historic, symbolising one year of constructive governance under CM Omar Abdullah. He praised the CPWs’ unwavering dedication and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to accelerate governance and service delivery. Wani observed that regularising CPWs is a testament to the government’s commitment to justice and inclusivity.
At the outset, Secretary Ram Niwas Sharma delivered the welcome address, highlighting the government’s resolve to strengthen the education sector through institutional reforms, technological infusion, capacity building, and equitable access.
He noted that the regularisation of CPWs reflects the administration’s commitment to providing stability and dignity to long-serving workers who have contributed selflessly to public service.
Simultaneously, the Chief Minister unveiled Vidya Samiksha Kendra, a holistic educational monitoring and analytics platform under Samagra Shiksha.
The School Education Department also rolled out several new ICT initiatives, including J&K Digilearn, Shikshak Sahayak, JK Edu Insights, JK MIS, JK CRM and Teachers Analytics Portal.
CM interacts with public delegations, individuals in Jammu
Several individuals and public delegations today met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at his official residence here and apprised him of various developmental and public welfare issues.
On the occasion, a delegation from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) faculty presented a cheque of over ₹11 lakh towards the Chief Minister’s Flood Relief Fund. The contribution, made by the employees of SMVDU, was appreciated by the Chief Minister, who lauded their spirit of compassion and solidarity, an official press release informed.
It said Raj Kumar Choudhary, Chairperson of the J&K Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission, also called on the Chief Minister and discussed issues pertaining to the power sector.
A delegation from IDPS Ghou Manhasan, comprising students and staff, met the Chief Minister and discussed bridging the rural–urban education gap and inspiring students to become responsible future leaders. The Chief Minister also released the school’s newsletter on the occasion and encouraged the students to pursue excellence with dedication and integrity.
Similarly, a delegation led by Dr. Sandeep Gupta, Regional Director of IGNOU Jammu, briefed the Chief Minister about the University’s ongoing programmes on disaster management, emphasizing their relevance in present times.
A delegation from Markazi Jama Masjid, Talab Khatikan, Jammu, led by Shahi Imam Mufti Anayatullah, also called on the Chief Minister and discussed issues related to the Jama Masjid and the local Madrassa.
Among others, DDC Member Dansal Shameem Begum, MLA Bani Dr. Rameshwar Singh, and Jammu Province JKNC President Rattan Lal Gupta also met the Chief Minister and raised several developmental and people-centric issues concerning their respective areas.
The Chief Minister gave a patient hearing to all the visiting delegations and assured them that their genuine concerns would be duly examined and addressed by the government.
