SRINAGAR
December 5, marking Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s birth anniversary, was significant for his grandson, Omar Abdullah, who recently took over as Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister. During the last five years, the public holiday on this day was dropped and now his cabinet has sent a proposal to LG’s office for its revival. In his speech at the SKIMS Foundation Day, he emphasised the urgent need to restore the autonomy of Kashmir’s premier tertiary care hospital, which had been curtailed, undermining its efficiency. He expressed shock over incidents like ICU power failures, attributing them to the lack of control over essential functions. Omar pledged to collaborate with relevant authorities to reinstate SKIMS’ independence, ensuring smooth operations.
Staff shortages emerged as another critical concern. Omar noted the strain on nurses, with one managing up to 30 beds during night shifts, and pointed to the lack of recruitment over the past decade. He assured that steps would be taken to strengthen the institute’s human resource capabilities. The government has already given Rs 40 crore for machine upgrades which have been spent but the SKIMS requires a lot of resources and attention if it intends to get back to the rails.
In five years, the Jammu Srinagar highway remained closed for seven months—58 days (1458 hours) in 2023, 41 days (989 hours) in 2022, 23 days (549 hours) in 2021, 47 days (1138 hours) in 2020, and 54 days (1279 hours) in 2019.
KULGAM
Rasikh Salam Dar, a 23-year-old cricketer from the serene Ashmuji village in Kashmir, made history as the region’s most expensive IPL player, fetching Rs 6 crore from Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 2025 auction. His journey from local tennis-ball matches to representing Jammu and Kashmir in domestic cricket and the IPL is a story of resilience and talent. Rasikh debuted in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2018, becoming the youngest Mumbai Indians player at 17 in the 2019 IPL. Despite facing a two-year ban over birth certificate discrepancies, he returned stronger, playing for Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals before joining RCB.
Focused on excelling for RCB alongside his idol Virat Kohli, Rasikh remains grounded, viewing his hefty price tag as motivation rather than pressure. Beyond the IPL, he has been pivotal in Jammu and Kashmir’s domestic cricket success and aspires to represent India. His journey inspires young Kashmiri cricketers, symbolising perseverance amidst challenges.
Women make up only about 6 per cent of the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s total strength, despite the Ministry of Home Affairs’ repeated push for 33 per cent representation. The force has 4,370 women out of 83,000, while the Ladakh Police has 777 women personnel as of January 1, 2023.
JAMMU
Police in Jammu have intensified efforts to target the “support base” of Rohingyas, focusing on those providing logistical and material aid to these Myanmar refugees who have settled “illegally” in the region. Newspaper reports suggest a census has revealed around 6,500 Rohingyas in Jammu district, with smaller populations in Samba and Kathua. Their numbers have grown due to fresh infiltration, marriages with natives, and births. Authorities are taking strict measures, including FIRs, against those aiding their settlement, such as renting properties or facilitating identity documents. Police emphasise the security threat posed by these settlements and have mandated tenant verification for property owners.
Kashmir’s iconic gardens and parks saw 5.6 million visitors from April to October 2024, primarily from the region’s local population.
LADAKH
The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced two key decisions for Ladakh: 95 per cent reservation in government jobs for Scheduled Tribe (ST) residents and 33 per cent reservation for women in the Autonomous Hill Development Councils of Leh and Kargil. All A-grade posts will now be exclusively recruited through the UPSC for Ladakh, while decisions on B-grade posts remain pending. Discussions on statehood and Sixth Schedule status are scheduled for January 15, 2025. These measures aim to empower Ladakh’s local population, particularly women, by reserving significant opportunities in government jobs and governance. The 33 per cent reservation for women will impact eight or nine seats in both Councils, enhancing female representation. Leaders of the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance have expressed satisfaction with the developments, while further clarifications will follow official notifications. These decisions mark a significant step towards addressing the long-standing demands of Ladakh’s residents.
The Government has sanctioned Rs 17 crore for renovating and upgrading 17 temples and shrines in Anantnag and Pulwama districts.
UDHAMPUR
Two women, Maryama Begum and Arshad Begum, have been detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir, for allegedly acting as Over Ground Workers (OGWs) for militant groups. They were allegedly involved in providing logistical support and guiding militants, posing a significant security threat. Their detention is part of a larger crackdown on militant networks in the Jammu region, with intensified police operations leading to multiple arrests and the seizure of weapons, cash, and documents. The police have pledged to continue dismantling the infrastructure supporting militancy in the region.
As of December 2024, the J&K State AIDS Control Society has registered 6,695 People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in the past 28 years, with 1,569 deaths, 406 lost to follow-up, and 3,814 currently living with the virus, including 396 in Kashmir and Ladakh, and 2,882 in 10 districts of Jammu.
BANIHAL
The first direct train from Kashmir to Delhi is expected to operate in January, following the completion of the remaining 17 km stretch of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate this stretch between Reasi and Katra. The 800 km journey will be completed in less than 13 hours. The 62-km section between Katra and Sangaldan is nearly completed, with trial runs underway, and includes the world’s highest bridge over the Chenab River. The remaining 17 km, with four stations, is in the final stages of completion. The USBRL Project, initially approved in 1995, gained momentum in 2002 and has since been a significant infrastructure project. The rail link, costing nearly Rs 40,000 crore, is expected to boost the region’s economy by facilitating faster, cheaper transport of goods like apples, dry fruits, pashmina shawls, and handicrafts. Additionally, the establishment of four cargo terminals along the rail line will further enhance logistics efficiency. With the completion of this railway network, Kashmir will have a direct connection to the rest of India, greatly improving accessibility and boosting regional trade.
JAMMU
Jammu Kashmir’s Legislative Assembly plans to hold expert-led training sessions for its 51 first-time MLAs, who make up more than 50 per cent of the 90-member House, following disruptions during the brief November 2024 session. The training will focus on legislative rules and procedures, a practice previously held in 2015 for new MLAs. The last session saw an unprecedented uproar after the passage of a resolution on restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. The new MLAs include members from all the political parties with the bulk from the National Conference (NC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Experts believe the training will help improve their understanding of the legislative process, benefiting their future work in the Assembly. The next budget session in January-February 2025 is expected to be lengthy. Several newly-elected MLAs have prior experience in the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, or Legislative Council.
SRINAGAR
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has dismissed a series of pleas filed by tenants of Wakf properties, challenging the Wakf Act. The tenants, holding property under lease, were deemed unauthorised occupants by the Wakf authorities due to non-renewal of their lease agreements. Justice MA Chowdhary observed that, following the Jammu Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019, the Jammu and Kashmir Wakf Act, of 2001 was repealed, and the central law now applies. The court noted that the Wakf Board had issued notices to tenants for non-renewal of leases and failure to accept revised rents set by a Rent Revision Committee. The court ruled the petitions challenging the Wakf Act redundant and emphasised that the tenants had an alternative remedy through the Wakf Act’s appeal process. It further upheld the authority of the Wakf Board to revise rents based on market values and PWD schedules. Tenants were asked to appeal to the statutory appellate authority within 30 days instead of pursuing writ petitions, with the court recognising their efforts during the petition process.
JAMMU KASHMIR
The recruitment of 4002 constable posts in Jammu and Kashmir has generated significant enthusiasm among unemployed youth and raised Rs 33.54 crore in registration fees. The Jammu and Kashmir Service Selection Board (JKSSB) set fees of Rs 700 for General Category and Rs 600 for others, with a total of 5,59,135 candidates expected to appear in exams across three phases from December 1, 2024. The recruitment, which includes constables for various departments, has become a vital opportunity for job seekers, with lakhs of applicants competing for a limited number of positions. This process follows the newly elected government’s promise of employment.
SRINAGAR
The Jammu and Kashmir government’s Floriculture, Gardens and Parks Department is establishing a chrysanthemum-themed park, named Bagh-Gul-e-Dawood, near the famed Botanical Garden on 100 kanals of land. Set to cost Rs 4.83 crore, this park aims to become a major autumn tourist attraction, with vibrant chrysanthemums blooming in various hues during October and November. The project follows the success of the Tulip Garden and is expected to be open to the public by 2025. The park will feature amenities and utilities for visitors, with Rs 40 lakh allocated for development this year. The garden will add to Kashmir’s rich heritage of gardens, including the famous Mughal Gardens. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who laid the foundation stone, highlighted the importance of gardens in Kashmir’s tourism and cultural legacy, noting their historical significance since the Mughal era.
