Residents of Kumar Mohalla, Waderpora, Khach Mohalla, Labo Mohalla complained that these villages were reeling under acute shortage of water from past several years but authorities have failed to take any tangible measure despite repeated pleas. Residents said that due to non availability of tap water they are forced to use contaminated water from the local streams which always pose threat to their life and in recent past several persons have fallen ill due to water borne diseases. They said that even the wells and ponds have dried up in the area thereby multiplying hardships for locals.

“We have been moving from pillar to post to get this genuine demand redressed but to no avail,” a local from Kumar Mohalla told Greater Kashmir.

An official told Greater Kashmir that two new schemes under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) are being carried out for Kandi area to cope up with the water crisis. He said that the earlier scheme was damaged following which two bore wells were sanctioned worth Rs 7 crore for Kandi A and Kandi B. “I am sure that the problem would get redressed after the schemes would be made functional,” he added.

He acknowledged the hardships being faced by the people. He said that two bore wells have been constructed in the area. “Unfortunately one of the bore well is providing bad quality of water which is being monitored by Mechanical Department and hopefully the problem would be sorted out soon following which water would be supplied to entire area,” he added.

The post Over 150 households without drinking water in Kupwara’s Kandi Khass appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The crisis has rendered several health facilities barely functional, with some operating without doctors or paramedical staff. For residents of this border sector, the staffing crisis becomes life-threatening during winter when heavy snowfall cuts off the area for weeks, making it nearly impossible to reach hospitals in Kupwara or elsewhere in the Valley.

Official data shows that of 37 sanctioned posts, only 19 are filled. Under the general cadre, just 4 of 18 sanctioned positions are occupied, leaving 14 vacant. The National Health Mission (NHM) fares slightly better with 15 of 19 posts filled, but 4 remain vacant.

“We have been facing unbearable hardships due to successive governments’ failure to post adequate medical staff,” said Habibullah, former Sarpanch of Machil. “During medical emergencies we are forced to carry patients on makeshift cots to reach Primary Health Centre Duddi and then to Kupwara.”

The staff shortage has hit pregnant women, elderly patients and those with chronic illnesses hardest. Residents say even basic first aid is unavailable at many centers, while some remain shuttered entirely for lack of staff.

“We have been appealing for years to fill vacant posts, but our voices have never been heard,” said Shabir Ahmad, a local resident. “It is unfortunate that even for basic healthcare facilities we are being ignored.”

The situation worsens dramatically in winter. When roads become impassable due to snow, residents have no option but to attempt dangerous journeys to reach functioning health facilities—often too late for effective treatment.

Despite repeated representations to authorities, the matter remains unresolved, leaving Machil’s population in despair. Residents have now appealed directly to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Health Minister Sakina Itoo to fill all vacant posts and ensure they receive the same level of healthcare as those in accessible areas.

MLA Qaiser Jamsheed Lone said he has raised the issue with senior officials. “Hopefully some concrete action will be taken in this regard soon,” he told Greater Kashmir.

The post Healthcare in ICU: 18 of 37 posts lying vacant in Machil health centres appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Addressing the media at his Handwara residence, Lone said that the election manifesto of National Conference, promising free 200 units of electricity, 12 free LPG gas cylinders annually, Rs 5,000 per month to educated youth, and one lakh government jobs has turned out to be a hoax. He pointed out that instead of providing free electricity, tariffs have been doubled in non-metered areas, adding to the woes of common masses.

Commenting on the recent assault on Kashmiri shawl sellers in different parts of the country, PC Chairman said that he has consistently raised the issue with the Union Home Ministry.

Lone alleged that while assurances of safety of all Kashmiri shawl sellers and students were made at the central level, CM Omar has “failed to take prompt action and act decisively.” ” The CM could have directly taken up the matter with his counterparts of different states but he chose not to do so.”

To a question about the possible launch of a new political party combining separatist and mainstream politicians, PC Chairman said that those who branded him a traitor for joining mainstream politics should also be held accountable. While talking about the reservation issue, Lone said that the recommendations sent by the government have already been rejected, which, according to him, exposes the government’s incompetence.

The post Year of unfulfilled promises, governance failure for NC Govt: Sajad Lone appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The programme aimed to provide a common platform for constructive dialogue between teachers and the education administration.

The programme witnessed a participation of large number of Rehbar-e-Taleem teachers from across the district. The Chief Education Officer (CEO), Kupwara Manzoor Ahmad Najar, who was chief guest on the occasion, patiently listened to the issues, concerns, and suggestions raised by the teachers fraternity. On the occasion, the CEO Kupwara appreciated the programme organized by the Rehbar-e-Taleem Teachers Forum. He assured that the genuine demands of teachers would be examined and addressed in a phased manner. He emphasized the importance of cooperation, transparency, and regular interaction for strengthening the education system.

District President Rehbar-e-Taleem Teachers Forum Kupwara, Sheikh Parvaiz highlighted various academic and service-related issues and stressed the need for timely resolution. The programme concluded with a note of thanks, expressing hope for continued engagement and positive outcomes in the interest of education in the district.

The post ReT Teachers Forum Kupwara organises interactive session appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Scores of party workers and supporters gathered to celebrate and welcome the decision. They termed it a recognition of Ramzan’s dedication and long-standing service to the party.

“His appointment will certainly strengthen the party’s base at the grassroots level,” said a worker. Several party leaders and activists have congratulated Chowdhary Ramzan and expressed hope that his experience and commitment would contribute positively to the party’s organisational growth and political outreach in the region.

The post NC workers welcome decision with celebrations in Handwara appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Shopkeepers said waste is being routinely dumped at multiple locations in the busy commercial hub, leaving heaps of garbage along shopfronts and pedestrian areas. They alleged that the problem has persisted despite repeated appeals to the authorities.

President of the Traders Federation Kupwara, Mohammad Ishaq, told Greater Kashmir that sanitation workers of the Municipal Council Kupwara dump garbage in the market daily. “Every day heaps of waste are dumped at different locations in the main market, causing immense hardship to shopkeepers and the general public,” he said. “It is unfortunate that despite repeated reminders, the practice continues unabated.”

Ishaq claimed that Kupwara may be among the few districts where municipal authorities are using the main commercial centre as a dumping area. He said the practice not only affects business activity but also exposes shopkeepers, customers and residents to serious health and sanitation risks.

Traders have sought the immediate intervention of the Deputy Commissioner of Kupwara, Shrikant Balasaheb, demanding that municipal officials stop dumping garbage in the main market and ensure that waste is transported directly to designated disposal sites.

Responding to the allegations, the Executive Officer of the Municipal Council Kupwara said that a few locations in the market are being used as temporary transit points, from where garbage is later lifted and taken to the designated dumping site. He said these arrangements are interim in nature and will remain in place until a permanent solution is put in place.

However, traders maintained that the temporary dumping has effectively turned the main market into a garbage zone, calling for an urgent and lasting resolution to the problem.

The post Garbage piles in Kupwara market spark health, business concerns appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

According to official data available, Kupwara district is facing a deepening academic crisis with 413 lecturer posts lying vacant in government higher secondary schools. History subject tops the list with 46 vacant posts, followed by Education 42 posts, English 40, Urdu 39, Mathematics 38, Chemistry 34, Physics 31, and Economics has 24 vacant posts.

Other notable subjects having vacant posts include Public Administration 21, Psychology 17, Botany 16, Political Science 15, Arabic 15, Zoology 13, Hindi 12, Commerce and Sociology 11 each, Statistics 9, Geography and Environmental Science 7 each, Computer Science 6, Kashmiri 5, Electronics 5, Music 4, Persian 3, Philosophy, Islamic Studies, Functional English, and Stenography have 2 posts each vacant while Home Science, IT, Geology, and Punjabi have 1 post each lying vacant.

Several parents told Greater Kashmir that the vacant posts of lecturers has directly impacted academic progress of their wards. “In most of the higher secondary schools located in rural areas of the district there are no lecturers for core subjects like Mathematics and Science. How can our children compete in different competitive exams be it NEET or JEE (Mains) and (Advance),” said Irshad Ahmad a local from Lolab. “The shortage of teachers in higher secondary schools has forced students to depend on private tuition, which many families cannot afford. Government schools are meant for the common people, but the shortage of teachers is pushing education out of their reach,” said Advocate Mir Imran of Rajpora Handwara.

Habibullah, a parent and former Sarpanch from remote Machil sector of Kupwara said that the situation was worse in hard zones as classes remain unattended for weeks in far-flung areas with the result students lose interest for studies and dropouts increase. “The government must do something concrete to fill all these vacancies so that the education sector in Kupwara may see a bloom, otherwise the situation is abysmal as of now,” he added.

The residents said that although the department hire services of contractual lecturers but the hiring process take almost two to three months with the result the students are unable to complete the syllabus well in time. “These contractual lecturers are mainly posted in soft zones and the hard zones generally suffer due to lack of teachers. We are anticipating that this year, the higher secondary schools in hard zones will also have substantial staff for 11th and 12th classes,” the residents added. Locals have urged CM Omar Abdullah led government to fill the vacant posts at the earliest so that the students may not suffer.

The post Kupwara’s education system on the brink as 413 lecturer posts lie vacant appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

“Our delegation apprised the Home Minister about several incidents where Kashmiri shawl sellers and students from Kashmir have allegedly faced intimidation and harassment,” he said while talking to the media on the sidelines of a workers’ convention at Environmental Hall in Handwara.

Ramzan said he was pleased with the recent statement issued by the Home Ministry, according to which strict action will be taken against those found involved in the harassment of Kashmiris.

During his address, Chowdry Ramzan reiterated his party’s commitment to continue raising the issue of Article 370. He said the issue remains central to Kashmir’s political, constitutional and emotional identity and will be pursued at every appropriate forum.

The newly elected Rajya Sabha member said whatever has been promised to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the election manifesto will be fulfilled by the National Conference government. “The mandate given by the people is a sacred trust and will be honoured with sincerity and transparency,” he added.

Responding to a question about Hurriyat, he said the conglomerate had long ago lost relevance in Kashmir, adding that most former Hurriyat leaders are now part of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

About GMC Handwara, he said, following his meeting with the Union Health Minister, the timeline for its completion has been extended by one more year. “Hopefully, the project gets completed within the stipulated time,” he said.

District President Kupwara and MLA Lolab Qaiser Jamsheed Lone said the party’s decision to send Chowdry Ramzan to the Upper House of Parliament has been a good one. “He has nicely represented the voice of people in the recently concluded winter session of Parliament,” he added.

The post Raised concerns over harassment of Kashmiris with Home Minister: MP Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The post HM Shah assured us of safety of Kashmiri students and traders across India: MP Chowdhary Ramzan appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

On the occasion, the officers interacted with commuters and shopkeepers, highlighting the importance of adhering to traffic rules, using helmets and seat belts, and avoiding rash driving.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Traffic Rural Kashmir, Ravinder Pal Singh while to talking to Greater Kashmir said that dozens of vehicles were fined on the spot for various violations, including lack of mandatory documents, without helmets, wrong parking, and other traffic-related offences.

He said that awareness and strict enforcement will continue across the district to ensure smooth movement of traffic and safety of commuters. He also urged the public to cooperate with authorities and follow traffic guidelines responsibly.

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