Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday introduced two key bills — the Jan Vishwas and an anti-discrimination bill — in the Legislative Assembly, aimed at enhancing trust-based governance and eliminating discrimination against persons affected by leprosy.
The chief minister introduced a bill to amend certain enactments of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for decriminalising and rationalising offences to further enhance trust-based governance and promote ease of living and doing business.
Abdullah, who also holds the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs portfolio, introduced the Jammu and Kashmir Eliminating Discrimination Against Persons Affected by Leprosy Bill, 2026.
The bill aims to amend relevant enactments to eliminate discrimination or denial of equal treatment towards persons affected by leprosy, prevent their segregation and exclusion, and enable the Union Territory to fulfil its obligations through affirmative action.
Both bills were introduced in the House for consideration.
Abdullah also highlighted the government’s ongoing initiatives for revival, restoration and conservation of heritage sites at Parihaspora and Pattan.
Replying to a question by Pattan MLA Javid Riyaz Bedar in the Legislative Assembly regarding promotion of heritage tourism, Abdullah, who also holds the Culture and Tourism portfolios, said the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is mandated to promote heritage tourism and undertake major conservation and development works at the heritage sites of Parihaspora, Pattan and Tappar.
He said the ASI is carrying out conservation, protection and major developmental interventions at these sites.
The chief minister, however, said the J-K tourism department has constructed a tourist cafeteria at Parihaspora to provide basic amenities to visitors, adding that the facility will be further renovated and upgraded to improve services.
Giving details of initiatives taken by the Culture Department, Abdullah said that Goverdhan at Parihaspora was declared a State Protected Monument vide SRO-408 dated September 19, 2013.
Protection measures, including installation of chain-link fencing around the monument, were completed during the 2024-25 financial year under the capex budget at an estimated cost of Rs 39.89 lakh, he added.
He said Divar Yakhmanpora at Parihaspora, declared a state-protected monument on August 31, 1989, comprises an ancient temple complex presently under excavation.
The excavation work was initiated during 2023-24 under Phase-I of the scheme for revival, restoration, preservation and maintenance of architecture and heritage in J-K at an estimated cost of Rs 373.10 lakh, the chief minister said, adding that around 60 per cent of the work has been completed.
Since the process involves manual excavation, the work is likely to continue into the next financial year, he said. The site is being actively maintained by the department.
Abdullah further said that a heritage site comprising a temple and spring near Sukh Nag in Pattan was declared a State Protected Monument vide SRO-517 dated August 29, 2019.
He said that the restoration and development works at the Sukh Nag Spring and Temple were undertaken during 2024-25 under the same scheme at an estimated cost of Rs 229.92 lakh. The site has been fully restored and is being maintained by the department.
Regarding Tappar, the chief minister said the site is a Centrally Protected Monument under the administrative control of the ASI and, therefore, no initiative has been taken by the department at the site.
The CM revealed that the assets of Sungli yatri base camp and rain shelter sheds for the Kailash yatra have been outsourced and said that this situation was inherited by his government.
Replying to a question by BJP MLA Dalep Singh during Question Hour in the Assembly, Abdullah, who is also the Tourism minister, said that an amount of Rs 279.83 lakh had been spent on the construction of Yatri Base Camp Sungli and rain shelter sheds at Kailash Kund during 2014–15.
He said that in 2017, the asset was outsourced for a period of three years at Rs 24 lakh per year and was again outsourced for 10 years during 2024–25 at Rs 26.25 lakh per year with a 10 per cent escalation every year.
Replying to a supplementary question by Singh, raising concerns about the outsourcing of Yatri Niwas and other facilities for the Kailash Yatra in Bhaderwah, Abdullah said, “This situation was inherited by us. Initially, it was for three years, and at that time, we were not even in the office. Before coming in on October 24, this was outsourced. The outsourcing was done for ten years. You asked correctly why it was done for ten years, but it was done. At that time, the department understood correctly that it had been done for ten years. If you wish, it can be cancelled…”
“The asset was outsourced to strengthen the revenue base of the Bhaderwah Development Authority to utilise the same for meeting day-to-day requirements of the authority like maintenance of parks and gardens, resorts, tourist huts, guest houses, etc,” he said.
The Executive Engineer (R&B) Division Bhaderwah has been requested to prepare a Detailed Project Report for the construction of shelter sheds, kiosks and public convenience complexes at various tourist places of Bhaderwah, including Roushra Mata, Kailash Yatra and Manimahesh Yatra routes in Bhaderwah constituency, he added. (With PTI Inputs)
Fresh migrant relief registration not justified amid improved situation in valley: CM Abdullah
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that fresh cases for registration under Kashmir migrant relief assistance are not being entertained at present in view of the improved law and order situation in the valley.
He said that the Prime Minister’s Return and Rehabilitation Package for Kashmiri Migrants is aimed at facilitating their voluntary, safe and dignified return to the valley while ensuring socio-economic security through housing, employment and other support measures.
Replying to a written question by National Conference member Mubarak Gul in the Assembly, Abdullah said, “Fresh cases for registration under Kashmir migrant relief assistance are not being entertained at present. The issue was examined in a meeting chaired by the chief secretary on July 12, 2023, where it was observed that the improved law and order situation in the valley does not justify fresh registration at this stage.”
Abdullah said the proposal for enhancement of the existing migrant relief assistance, considering inflation and the rising cost of living, has been examined at the Union Territory level and taken up with the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is the competent authority to take a final decision on the matter.
The chief minister said the comprehensive Prime Minister’s Return and Rehabilitation Package for Kashmiri Migrants was announced in 2009 with a financial outlay of Rs 1,618.40 crore. He said the scheme provides a holistic framework to restore livelihood, housing, education and financial security of the migrant community.
Detailing the components of the scheme, Abdullah said it includes provision of residential support for migrant families, construction of transit accommodation for employees appointed under the package, continuation of monthly cash relief to registered migrant families, student scholarships, employment opportunities, assistance to agriculturalists and horticulturalists, and waiver of interest on loans.
The chief minister said that to facilitate the return and rehabilitation, the Centre sanctioned 3,000 posts under the Prime Minister’s Rehabilitation Package (PMRP) in 2009, followed by another 3,000 posts under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) in 2015, taking the total number of posts earmarked for migrant youth to 6,000.
“Against the sanctioned 6,000 posts, appointment orders have been issued to 5,896 candidates so far, achieving about 98.26 per cent coverage. The remaining 104 posts are at various stages of recruitment and selection,” he said, adding that the employment component has significantly contributed towards livelihood security and confidence-building among the migrant youth.
On transit accommodation, Abdullah said that the Centre sanctioned the construction of 6,000 transit accommodation units across various districts of the valley in December 2015 for migrant government employees appointed under the PM package.
He said that out of the total 6,000 flats, 4,096 were completed till December 2025, while 1,904 units are under construction and are expected to be completed during the 2026-27 financial year.
“Out of the completed stock, 3,250 flats have already been allotted to eligible PM package employees,” he said, adding that these accommodations are being developed as planned residential complexes with essential civic amenities and security arrangements to ensure a stable and secure living environment.
The chief minister said that there is no proposal under consideration to establish any additional migrant transit camps in the Kashmir valley, as the existing 6,000 units being constructed at 20 locations are intended to meet the residential requirements of migrant employees. (With PTI Inputs)
