Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said the Centre has assured uninterrupted supplies of fuel, LPG and other essential commodities in Jammu and Kashmir amid growing concerns over tensions in West Asia, while also detailing the government’s plans for tourism expansion and the restoration of land belonging to displaced Kashmiri Pandits.
Centre Assures Uninterrupted Supply of Fuel, LPG and Essentials
Addressing reporters in Jammu after a meeting convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Abdullah said the Cabinet Secretary had made a detailed presentation to chief ministers on the prevailing global situation, particularly the tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and West Asia and their possible impact on supplies.
He said the Centre had laid special emphasis on ensuring uninterrupted availability of essential commodities, especially fuel.
“The Government of India has assured that there is no shortage of any essential item,” Abdullah said.
He appealed to the public not to panic or believe rumours, saying misinformation had led to long queues at petrol pumps and panic buying of LPG cylinders in parts of Jammu and Kashmir in recent days.
“At present, there is no shortage of LPG cylinders, diesel, petrol or kerosene. The Government of India has assured uninterrupted supply,” he said.
The Chief Minister said restrictions had initially been imposed on the distribution of commercial LPG cylinders after tensions escalated in West Asia, with supply capped at 20 per cent. However, he said the cap had now been increased to 70 per cent. He clarified that no restrictions had ever been imposed on domestic LPG cylinders.
Referring to Prime Minister Modi’s remarks, Abdullah said the country had earlier united as “Team India” during the COVID-19 pandemic and would similarly stand together to face any emerging challenge.
Cable Cars Alone Cannot Turn Destinations into Tourist Hubs
Replying to a supplementary question by National Conference MLA Javaid Ahmad Mirchal in the Assembly, Abdullah said there is a mistaken belief that installing a cable car or gondola at a new destination would automatically attract tourists.
“There is a tendency to believe that if a similar facility is installed elsewhere, tourist inflow will automatically follow. This is a misconception,” he said.
Drawing comparisons with Gulmarg, Abdullah said the famous gondola there has become a major attraction because it is backed by an already established tourism ecosystem.
He pointed out that cable car projects in Srinagar, Jammu and Patnitop have not received the same level of tourist footfall as Gulmarg.
The Chief Minister, who also holds the tourism portfolio, said tourism development requires a comprehensive, area-specific strategy involving roads, connectivity, accommodation, visitor facilities and promotion.
Admitting that more could have been done in the past to tap the tourism potential of Karnah, he described the border region as exceptionally beautiful but backward and largely unexplored.
He said Karnah has immense potential for adventure tourism, including trekking and hiking, besides its scenic appeal. However, instead of focusing only on constructing large hotels, he said the government wants to encourage homestays at the grassroots level so that local communities directly benefit from tourism.
Government Examining Proposal to Notify New Tourism Areas
During Question Hour in the Assembly, Abdullah informed the House that the government is examining a proposal to notify several new tourism-worthy areas across Jammu and Kashmir, including multiple sites in Doda district.
The locations identified in Doda include Udhrana and Sarna in Bhaderwah, Nalthi, Chinta, Guldanda, Padri, Khaleni Top, Lal Draman, Doda town and Shibnote in Premnagar.
He said the Tourism Department is already developing and promoting destinations such as Lal Draman, Dedni, Dal Draman, Ramrachna, Galadhar and Dessa in Doda district.
“District Doda is already recognised as an important tourist destination and sustained efforts are being made to further boost tourism there,” Abdullah said.
Festivals, Tourism Marts and Infrastructure Projects Planned for Doda
The Chief Minister said the government had organised and publicised a number of events during 2024–25 and 2025–26 to attract tourists to the Jammu region and Doda district.
These include the Lavender Festival, Winter Festival, Mega Wrestling Competition, promotion of Maa Chandi Yatra, a one-day mela at Bhal Padri and the Lal Draman Snow Festival.
He said the Tourism Department had participated in 11 tourism marts during the 2025–26 financial year to promote destinations in Jammu division, including Doda, and similar initiatives would continue in the coming months.
Highlighting infrastructure development, Abdullah said a double-storey guest house has been constructed at Lal Draman at a sanctioned cost of ₹75.63 lakh. In addition, beautification works, viewpoints, public conveniences and other tourist facilities have been completed there at a cost of ₹80 lakh under the CAPEX Budget.
Fresh EOI Likely for Mantalai Yoga and Wellness Centre
Responding to BJP MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia, Abdullah said the International Yoga and Wellness Centre at Mantalai was not a newly created government asset but originated from the ashram established by Dhirendra Brahmachari, which was later taken over by the government.
He said previous governments, including one in which he himself served around six years ago, had tried unsuccessfully to find a suitable private operator for the facility.
“Our efforts are ongoing and we remain hopeful that we will soon be able to float a fresh Expression of Interest,” Abdullah said.
He added that the government is considering relaxing some terms and conditions to make the project more viable and attractive for potential operators so that the centre can be revived for yoga and spiritual tourism.
More Than 3,700 Kanals of Kashmiri Pandit Land Retrieved
In another Assembly reply, Abdullah said the government has retrieved and restored 3,729 kanals and 4 marlas of land belonging to displaced Kashmiri Pandits in the Kashmir Valley.
Since November 2024 alone, 844 kanals and 4 marlas have been restored.
Replying to a question by BJP MLA Yudhvir Sethi, Abdullah said the retrieval drive is being conducted under the Jammu and Kashmir Migrant Immovable Property (Preservation, Protection and Restraint on Distress Sales) Act.
He said district administrations, with deputy commissioners acting as custodians of migrant property, have been tasked with restoring the land to rightful owners.
According to the district-wise figures shared in the Assembly, the highest amount of land has been restored in Shopian with 283 kanals, followed by Baramulla with 225 kanals and Ganderbal with 146 kanals. Smaller portions have also been restored in Anantnag, Bandipora, Budgam, Kulgam, Kupwara, Pulwama and Srinagar districts.
FIRs, Geo-Tagging and Outreach Camps Planned
The Chief Minister said additional deputy commissioners have been designated as nodal officers to speed up the disposal of cases, while a steering committee set up in January is monitoring the implementation process.
He said he has directed deputy commissioners to register FIRs in cases of encroachment, create geo-tagged inventories of migrant properties, ensure transparent handover and regularly update revenue records to prevent distress sales.
Abdullah said an online grievance redressal portal for migrants is operational and has received 10,173 applications so far. Of these, 9,713 applications have been disposed of, 7,829 approved and only 24 remain pending.
He further announced that special outreach camps will be organised in Jammu from April 1 to April 28 to provide on-the-spot grievance redressal to migrant families.
Financial Assistance, Housing and Jobs for Migrants
Highlighting welfare measures for displaced Kashmiri Pandits, Abdullah said the government is providing financial assistance of ₹3,250 per person per month, subject to a ceiling of ₹13,000 per family, through direct benefit transfer, along with free ration.
He said 5,248 two-room tenements have already been constructed for migrant families, while 4,112 out of the proposed 6,000 transit accommodation units have been completed.
The Chief Minister also said that 6,000 government jobs had been sanctioned for migrants, of which 5,896 appointments have already been made. In addition, scholarships, social security schemes and other support measures are being extended to the affected families.
CM Omar tables Finance and Audit Reports
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today laid on the Table of the House copies of key financial and audit documents pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir’s finances.
The documents placed before the House include: Finance Accounts (Volume I) for the year 2023–24; Finance Accounts (Volume II) for the year 2023–24; Appropriation Accounts for the year 2023–24; and the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Union Territory Finances for the year 2022–23.
