Jammu and Kashmir Edition

J&K Bank, SKIMS sign MoU to expand healthcare and banking services

Over 40,000 vacancies in J-K govt departments

Srinagar, Sep 21: Jammu and Kashmir has over 40,000 vacancies in various government departments, with the highest in the Health and Medical Education department, the assembly was informed on Monday. In reply to questions from MLAs Sajad Lone and Irfan Hafeez Lone about recruitment and vacancies, the government said there were 40,672 vacancies across various government departments. A total of 3,318 gazetted posts, 24,427 non-gazetted posts, and 12,927 multi-tasking staff (MTS) posts were lying vacant, the government said. The highest number of vacancies was in the Health and Medical Education department with 2,125 gazetted posts, 8,064 non-gazetted posts and 2608 MTS posts lying vacant in the crucial department. The Agriculture Production Department has 4,939 posts vacant, Finance has 1,829, and School Education 1,364 vacant posts, the government said. The government said 17,922 posts have been referred to J-K Service Selection Board and 2,150 posts to the Public Service Commission in the last two years. The government said it has taken a series of measures to ensure that vacant posts are filled in a time-bound manner. "These include timely identification and referral of vacancies to the recruiting agencies, adherence to the prescribed statutory framework, advance planning of recruitment cycles, and close monitoring of recruitment timelines at various stages," it said. Efforts have been made to streamline procedures, strengthen coordination with the recruiting agencies and leverage technology to expedite the recruitment process, while ensuring transparency, fairness, and merit, it asserted. The government has already issued directions to all the departments for timely referring of vacancies, falling under direct quota, to the recruiting agencies, it added.

J&K govt dismisses teacher from service under Article 311

Srinagar, Sep 21: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has dismissed a Grade-II teacher, Khalid Hussain, from government service under Article 311(2)(b) of the Constitution of India. According to Government Order No. 3880JK(Edu) of 2026, issued by the School Education Department on September 21, Hussain was posted at Government Middle School, Bumalpora, Gurinalla, Zone Inderwal, district Kishtwar. The order states that an FIR No. 34/2026 was registered at Police Station Chatroo under Sections 61(2), 65(1), 90, 91 and 92 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with Sections 4, 6, 8, 10 and 17 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POSCO) Act, 2012, reported news agency Kashmir Dot Com. The government said that after considering the facts and circumstances of the case and material on record, the activities attributed to Hussain warranted imposition of a major penalty. The order further states that the competent authority decided to dismiss him from service, which ordinarily disqualifies him from future government employment. It invoked Article 311(2)(b), read with Rule 30(viii) of the J&K Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956, stating that holding an inquiry was not reasonable practicable and categorizing the case among the “rarest of the rare cases”. The dismissal order was issued by the School Education Department today, with the order signed by Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, School Education Department, Ram Niwas Sharma.

Village heads of Ladakh get more than three-fold hike in emoluments

Leh, Sep 21: Monthly emoluments of village heads, locally known as 'gobas', in the Union territory of Ladakh have been hiked more than three-fold from Rs 1,500 to Rs 5,000, after Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena gave his approval. The increase in emoluments by over 233 per cent is the first revision in the last 10 years, which will benefit 247 'gobas' across Ladakh, officials said. The lieutenant governor said the decision would provide greater financial support to village heads, also known as 'nambardars' and strengthen participatory governance at the grassroots level, particularly in remote and difficult-to-access areas. The revised emoluments will come into force from the date of publication of the notification in the official gazette. The officials said that the decision follows a long-standing demand of 'nambardars' to increase their emoluments. "During his visits to villages across Ladakh, Saxena had received representations from 'gobas' regarding the issue. On September 19, a delegation of 'nambardars' from different villages also met the LG and sought an increase, citing their responsibilities and the inadequacy of the existing emoluments," they said. Taking note of their concerns, Saxena directed the chief secretary to examine the matter and address the issue. "Nambardars occupy an important position at the grassroots level and act as a link between the administration and villagers," they said. Their role has assumed greater significance with the focus on last-mile delivery of public services and implementation of government initiatives, they added. The officials said their regular engagement with villagers helps communicate local requirements to authorities while enabling people to access various government schemes and services. The LG also noted the proactive role played by 'nambardars' in highlighting local issues. "Several water-related issues addressed in villages through initiatives undertaken by him were based on inputs provided by the gobas", they said. “The role of nambardars is crucial because they remain closely connected with the people and serve as a vital link between the administration and our villages. The enhancement from Rs 1,500 to Rs 5,000 per month recognises their responsibilities and long-standing demand,” Saxena said. “I am confident this step will further strengthen their role in ensuring that development programmes, welfare schemes and government services reach every household in a timely and effective manner, while further strengthening participatory governance,” he said. The revised emoluments have been fixed under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Lambardari Act, 1972 and the Jammu and Kashmir Lambardari Rules, 1980, as applicable to the Union Territory of Ladakh.

7-day Autumn session to begin in J&K Assembly on Monday

Srinagar, Sep 20: Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly will meet here on Monday for a seven-sitting Autumn session as opposition parties, including the BJP and the PDP, plan to corner the Omar Abdullah government over issues such as jobs and "failure" to fulfil electoral promises. National Conference MLAs and supporting Independents will meet here later on Sunday to discuss the floor strategy of the treasury benches. NC president Farooq Abdullah, who is not an MLA, will chair the meeting of the legislature party that is headed by Omar Abdullah. Principal opposition party in the JK Legislative Assembly, the BJP, said the National Conference government has failed on all fronts. BJP leaders plan to raise the outsourcing of government jobs, corruption in public offices and the delay in holding panchayat and urban local bodies' polls. The electricity tariff hike and "failure" to deliver on election promises will also figure in the BJP's floor tactics to corner the government. PDP has said it will focus on unemployment, outsourcing of jobs, the reservation policy, and the regularisation of daily wagers in government service. According to the provisional calendar issued by Speaker of Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, the session will begin with obituary references on September 21, followed by taking up government business the next day. The private members' bills will be discussed on September 24 followed by private members' resolutions the next day. On September 28, the house will again discuss private members' bills followed by government business on 29 and 30.

Mehbooba Urges Omar to Seek Centre Nod for Salamabad Tourism Hub

Kashmir, Observer, Jammu, Srinagar, Latest Kashmir News, Kashmir News, Kashmir Latest News PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday urged Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take up with the Centre the issue of converting the Salamabad Trade Facilitation Centre near the Line of Control at Uri into a tourism facility. The post Mehbooba Urges Omar to Seek Centre Nod for Salamabad Tourism Hub appeared first on Kashmir Observer.