The Union Power Minister, who was on a two-day visit to J&K for inspection of power projects in Reasi, Kishtwar, and Ramban districts, stated this while responding to media queries in Kishtwar about Pakistan’s objections to different hydro-electric projects in J&K.

“The Prime Minister has already given a clear message to Pakistan that the Indus Water Treaty has been kept in abeyance and now its objections will not be acknowledged. The Prime Minister has made it clear that the water of the Chenab and other rivers will be used to serve the interests of our country as much as possible. We don’t have any other concern (vis-à-vis Pakistan’s objections),” Khattar said.

In the same breath, he said, “Whether it is related to power generation or use of water for irrigation or other purposes, for us, the interests of our country, its people, and the farmers will reign supreme, and we will give precedence to that, as per our requirements.”

Regarding the Ratle power project controversy that “some anti-national people” were employed there, the Union Power Minister said that he had not received any complaint in writing so far on that account. “We will take cognisance if we get it (complaint in writing),” he stated.

With regard to power projects in J&K, Khattar asserted that the issues plaguing all the projects were resolved, and they (projects) were progressing smoothly.

Stating that it was the first visit by the Union Power Minister after putting the IWT in abeyance, he said that work on Ratle, Salal, and Sawalkote projects was being brought on track.

“Directions have been issued to complete them in time. Their completion will benefit J&K and the entire country with the addition to the power generation,” the Union Power Minister said.

Meanwhile, following inspection of three projects of Chenab Valley Power Projects (CVPP) Limited, Khattar also issued directions to commission the Pakal Dul and Kiru projects by December 2026 and the Kwar project by March 2028.

Earlier today, he inspected three projects of Chenab Valley Power Projects (CVPP) Limited, namely Pakal Dul (1000 MW), Kiru (624 MW), and Kwar (540 MW). He also held a review meeting with the project heads and contractors.

The CMD, NHPC, briefed Khattar in detail on various aspects of the three under-construction projects.

The Union Minister also interacted with local residents and workers at various work sites and patiently listened to their issues. After reviewing all the works, the Minister appreciated the personnel and workers for working under challenging conditions and wished them well.

Khattar, who concluded his two-day visit to J&K on Monday, January 5, 2026, had reviewed the Salal, Sawalkot, and Ratle projects on Sunday.

Late Sunday evening, the Minister also inspected NHPC’s Dulhasti Power Station at Kishtwar.

At Dulhasti Power Station, he was received by Sanjay Kumar Singh, Director (Projects), and Ramesh Mukhiya, Managing Director, CVPP, and other officials of NHPC and CVPP.

The post IWT in Abeyance: Pakistan already given message by PM: Union Power Minister Manohar Lal appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Dulloo was highlighting the pivotal role of the ICT-enabled multi-modal platform, Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI) in accelerating infrastructure development and improving governance outcomes in the Union Territory, in a press conference organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Jammu in collaboration with the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) here.

Referring to the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) portal, the Chief Secretary said that projects worth Rs 500 Cr or more undertaken by the Government of India were monitored through this platform under the Cabinet Secretariat, with active involvement of the concerned ministries.

“In Jammu & Kashmir, 61 projects worth Rs 4.12 lakh Cr are currently being monitored on the PMG portal, covering connectivity, energy and social infrastructure sectors. Of these, 15 projects worth Rs 69,000 Cr have been completed, while 46 projects worth Rs 3.43 lakh Cr are under implementation at various stages,” he informed.

Dulloo stated that PRAGATI emerged as a major coordination mechanism of the Government of India for monitoring large infrastructure projects, flagship schemes and public grievance redressal, with projects being reviewed in real time every month by the Prime Minister.

He noted that world-class infrastructure was being developed in Jammu and Kashmir across sectors such as all-weather roads, power, health, industry, education and digital connectivity. He emphasised that timely completion of large projects required close coordination among the central government, the UT administration and implementing agencies.

“The J&K Government plays a critical role in facilitating land acquisition, environmental clearances, utility shifting and maintenance of law and order,” he said.

“Under PRAGATI, 15 high-priority projects worth Rs 1.12 lakh Cr in J&K are being closely monitored by the Prime Minister. So far, 59 issues related to these projects have been discussed, of which 57 issues—around 96 per cent—have been resolved. These issues were primarily related to land acquisition, environmental clearances, financial approvals and construction-related bottlenecks,” Dulloo informed.

Highlighting the tangible impact of PRAGATI, the Chief Secretary stated that six high-priority projects worth Rs 53,000 Cr were already completed or commissioned. These include the Jammu–Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link; resolution of coordination issues in the Kishanganga Hydro Electric Project and its transmission system; clearance of utility shifting issues for AIIMS Jammu; completion of the NH-44 Srinagar–Banihal project; and commissioning of the Alusteng (Srinagar–Drass–Kargil–Khalsi–Leh) Transmission System, which was handed over to Union Territory of Ladakh.

“At present, nine projects worth Rs 59,000 Cr are under active monitoring on PRAGATI in Jammu and Kashmir, including the Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway, AIIMS Awantipora, Pakal Dul Hydro Electric Project and the 4G coverage scheme under the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). Out of 29 issues identified in these projects, 27 have already been resolved,” Dulloo said.

The Chief Secretary observed that the high resolution rate reflected the effectiveness of PRAGATI’s structured monitoring framework, supported by continuous follow-up at the UT and district levels. He added that apart from large infrastructure projects, PRAGATI also reviewed social sector schemes and public grievances, reinforcing its role as a people-centric governance platform.

According to Dulloo, at present, 56 schemes and programmes across the country, including those in Jammu and Kashmir, are being reviewed through PRAGATI, with the overarching objective of ensuring timely, efficient and outcome-oriented implementation of development initiatives.

The Chief Secretary stated that the pace of execution of several key infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a significant acceleration due to the PRAGATI mechanism. He highlighted that flagship projects such as the ambitious Katra–Baramulla railway line, AIIMS Jammu, and the Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Express Corridor benefitted immensely from enhanced inter-departmental coordination, timely resolution of bottlenecks, and continuous monitoring under PRAGATI.

He further added that the mechanism ensured improved decision-making, accountability, and seamless collaboration among various stakeholders, thereby facilitating timely implementation of critical development initiatives in the Union Territory.

In her opening remarks, Director, PIB, Neha Jalali, highlighted PRAGATI as a powerful illustration of how digital governance could effectively translate intent into tangible and visible outcomes.

She stated that PRAGATI was not merely a review platform, but a transformative governance mechanism aimed at breaking bureaucratic inertia, strengthening the Team India approach through enhanced coordination between the Centre and the States, and fostering a culture of time-bound decision-making, accountability and outcome-based monitoring.

Citing the Jammu–Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla (JUSBRL) rail link as a key example, she noted that work on the project began in 1995 but witnessed limited progress for nearly 25 years due to multiple challenges, including difficult terrain, land acquisition issues, forest clearances and security-related constraints. She explained that after the project was reviewed under PRAGATI, critical approvals and statutory clearances were expedited and long-pending bottlenecks were resolved through sustained inter-ministerial and inter-agency coordination.

Jalali further observed that this coordinated and proactive approach ultimately resulted in the completion of the project, enabling operational rail connectivity in the Kashmir Valley and marking a major milestone in the region’s infrastructure development.

The press conference was held against the backdrop of the 50th PRAGATI meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 31, 2025, in New Delhi. During the meeting, the Prime Minister described PRAGATI as an effective model of cooperative federalism, where the Centre and States function as one team and ministries and departments move beyond silos to resolve issues. He noted that since its inception, around 500 Secretaries to the Government of India and Chief Secretaries of States participated in PRAGATI meetings, and thanked them for their participation, commitment, and ground-level understanding, which helped PRAGATI evolve from a review mechanism into a genuine problem-solving platform.

Commissioner Secretary, Information Department, M Raju; Director, DIPR, Nitish Rajora; and Joint Director, Information, Deepak Dubey were present on the occasion.

The post 61 projects worth Rs 4.12 lakh Cr in J&K being monitored on PMG portal: Chief Secretary Dulloo appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

“I think by this year’s end, it should be ready,” Dulloo stated, in response to a question about AIIMS (Awantipora) Kashmir, in a press conference organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Jammu in collaboration with the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) on Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI) platform in accelerating infrastructure development in J&K.

About the deadline target lapse in case of many high-priority J&K projects like Delhi-Katra Expressway (with its completion deadline March 2023 and now revised to 2027); AIIMS (Awantipora) Kashmir project, which too jumped many deadlines, the Chief Secretary said that the execution and not coordination was the major issue (behind the delay).

“In the execution of any project, the delay occurs on two accounts – one related to coordination issues, like different perspectives of forest, revenue, executing departments, UT and central governments. So, the projects confront many bottlenecks due to coordination issues. Second reason behind delay is pace of execution of project – like it may be marred or affected by shortage of labour, contractual issues, etc.,” he said.

However, Dulloo stated, following intervention through PRAGATI, there were no coordination issues.

“Like in the case of AIIMS Kashmir, there is no coordination issue. Issue relates to execution – it is up to the executing agency to see how they can expedite its pace. Yes, they did confront problems during the last year after the Pahalgam terror attack followed by rains-induced floods leading to the migration of labour. Similarly, during winters also, the labour moves out of Kashmir,” he explained the reason behind inordinate delay in completion of AIIMS Kashmir project, running far behind its schedule.

Regarding the Katra-Amritsar Expressway, the Chief Secretary said that its work also remained stalled for around one to two months due to floods and the labour fled.

“But there is no coordination issue with any department, UT government or any ministry in case of both these projects i.e., Katra-Amritsar Expressway and AIIMS Kashmir,” he asserted.

Responding to a question about the measures to ensure security of labour working on high priority projects and the action taken against companies for violation of labour laws with particular focus on security and health insurance (for labour), the Chief Secretary said, “I’ll give you some hints as I cannot deliberate on all aspects of security in the press (conference). For their (labour’s) security, all necessary steps are being taken. It (security aspect) is strictly monitored. Executing agencies, UT dispensation and Police – all are responsible for it (security).”

He evaded a query about the status of Sawalkote project, stating that the press conference was focussed on the J&K projects on PRAGATI platform. “This issue can be discussed somewhere else post presser,” he said.

What were other challenges in executing high-priority projects in J&K and how did the PRAGATI platform help in resolving those tangles besides sorting out the problem of inter-departmental coordination?

Responding to it, the Chief Secretary, in particular, mentioned the Udhampur-Srinagar Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.

“The railway project had several thorny issues. It had disputes related to land acquisition, access besides matters related to environmental clearance and above all, geological. Keeping in view all such factors, the PRAGATI mechanism was used consistently for resolution of all the issues – one by one,” he said.

“Similarly, in the case of AIIMS Jammu, there was an issue related to shifting of utilities. The use of the PRAGATI mechanism expedited that (shifting) process. Likewise, in the case of the Kishanganga hydro-electric project (HEP). There were several issues related to agencies viz., forest clearance, environmental clearance, land acquisition, besides issues of local people. Here again PRAGATI platform helped resolving all these issues,” Dulloo informed.

He stated that among the nine high-priority projects being monitored through PRAGATI platform also included National Highway 44 projects (Jammu to Banihal section); Pakal Dul HEP; 4G coverage scheme under Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) besides Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway and AIIMS (Awantipora) Kashmir.

The post AIIMS Kashmir likely to be ready by year’s end: CS appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

He was addressing a press conference organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Jammu, in collaboration with the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) on the Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI) platform in accelerating infrastructure development in J&K.

Will the move to keep IWT in abeyance help fast-track the J&K power projects like Kishanganga and Pakal Dul, enabling their timely completion to prevent them from becoming non-viable as happened in the case of previous projects, keeping in view the fact that in the past, whether it was Kishanganga or Pakal Dul hydro-electric project (HEP) – both part of the PRAGATI portal, there had been several objections raised from time to time?

Responding to this query, Dulloo said, “Obviously, there are no restrictions. In fact, all those restrictions have now gone with the Indus Water Treaty having been kept in abeyance. So, it is expected, certainly, that the pace of execution of these projects will further improve.”

India had decided to place the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan in abeyance, following the Pahalgam terror attack in April, 2025, until Pakistan stopped supporting cross-border terrorism.

When asked if the PRAGATI mechanism was also focusing on youth engagement and promoting entrepreneurship to make them partners in progress, the Chief Secretary said that the development projects could not be implemented without the involvement of the youth.

“In any sector, the development projects create jobs. Imagine how many jobs would have been created during the execution of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project…how many engineers, workmen, labour would have worked. Many spent more than thirty years of their life while executing this project. Ditto is about highway projects or the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway. Many youth are getting opportunities to work in the execution of these projects – in different capacities,” Dulloo maintained.

The post Kishanganga, Pakal Dul HEPs : All restrictions gone with Indus Water Treaty in abeyance: Atal Dulloo appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

He issued these directions during his inspection visit to NHPC’s Salal power project.

Khattar is on a two-day visit to review the NHPC hydroelectric projects in the Union Territory of J&K.

Earlier, Khattar, accompanied by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of India, arrived in Jammu on Sunday on a 2-day inspection visit.

The two-day visit includes inspections of projects located in Reasi, Ramban and Kishtwar districts.

On day one of his visit, Khattar visited Salal, Sawalkot and Ratle power projects. Immediately after his arrival, Bhupendra Gupta, CMD, NHPC, briefed the Union Power Minister on the progress of various NHPC hydroelectric projects located in Jammu and Kashmir.

During his visit to NHPC’s Salal power project, he was apprised of the ongoing works.

Salal Power Station, located on the Chenab river in Reasi district, is undertaking sediment removal works following the termination of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), aimed at removing accumulated silt and maximising optimal utilisation of water resources.

During the visit to the Salal power station, the Minister also undertook a plantation drive within the power station premises, underscoring the government’s commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development.

Khattar also held discussions with the local administration and senior officials of various concerned departments to ensure coordinated efforts for the timely execution of works.

Enroute to Kishtwar, Manohar Lal conducted an aerial inspection of the Sawalkot hydroelectric project of 1856 MW.

Upon arrival in Kishtwar, he visited the Ratle hydroelectric project, where he laid the foundation stone for the dam concreting works and encouraged the project team to complete the works in an effective and time-bound manner.

The post Khattar directs NHPC officials to expedite sediment removal operations of Salal reservoir appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

“For us (Centre), the national interests reign supreme. We work to serve the interests of the country only. We will do everything that is in India’s interest, notwithstanding objections…,” Khattar said, while responding to media queries about Pakistan’s objections to (designs and other aspects of) Dulhasti and other power projects in Jammu and Kashmir, on Sunday, January 4, 2026.

The Union Power Minister is on a two-day visit to J&K for inspection of Salal, Sawalkote and other power projects in Reasi, Kishtwar and Ramban districts.

Faced with a query about the raging controversy over the Ratle project in Kishtwar district, that the members of families and relatives of active terrorists were working there, Khattar stated that the deserving people should be given employment (in a power project) and the undesirable and subversive elements should not be employed there.

“Since generally such people are employed by the local contractors. Therefore, the directions will be given that only the constructive and good people should be given jobs and not those who create obstacles in the completion of works,” Khattar said.

In response to a contention that some of those who were in the centre of controversy and were tagged as Over Ground Workers (OGWs), also figured in the photographs with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, the Union Power Minister stated, “Cognisance of it will be taken so far nothing of this nature has come to our knowledge.”

Will an NIA probe be ordered into the issue?

Khattar’s answer to this query was, “No, this does not happen. These are general complaints of a local nature. They will be sorted out at the local level. This is not a very big issue.”

On the first day of his two-day inspection visit, Khattar visited Salal, Sawalkote and Ratle power projects.

In Reasi district, Khattar also briefly addressed an event organised by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in a temple at Mahadev Mohalla.

Addressing the gathering, he said that Jammu and Kashmir underwent a massive transformation after the abrogation of Article 370 and was marching forward on the development trajectory with an amazing pace.

“Prior to the abrogation of Article 370, J&K was caught in the vortex of conundrums of varied hues. But post-abrogation, a wave of Hindutva is sweeping here also. Hindutva is not in conflict with those who have different religious connotations and follow different sacraments to reach out to the Almighty. Hindutva treats all those individuals (irrespective of their religious affiliations) alike, who are patriots and work with the “nation first” approach,” the Union Power Minister said.

He reiterated that the focus was on development with a determined resolve.

“We don’t want anyone to distract us, and if someone does with ill intentions, our resolve is clear – We will not spare those elements,” Khattar said.

The post India unfazed by Pakistan’s objections to Dulhasti power project: Union Power Minister appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

While maintaining that his government, given its commitment to prioritise people’s welfare, was keeping electricity affordable for all, he also stated that the Time of Day (ToD) tariff rates also remained unchanged, providing relief to households.

The Chief Minister, who is also holding the charge of Power Development Department (PDD), shared this clarification through a post on his official ‘X’ handle.

“Government continues to prioritise people’s welfare by keeping electricity affordable. For 2025-26, there is no general increase in electricity tariffs across J&K and the Time of Day (ToD) tariff remains unchanged,” the Office of the Chief Minister, J&K, posted.

“Additionally, 50,498 consumers have availed the Amnesty Scheme for FY 2025-26 so far,” the Chief Minister stated, in another post.

Chief Minister made these remarks a day after the Peoples Conference supremo and the MLA Handwara, Sajad Lone, in a press conference in Handwara on January 1, accused the National Conference-led government of hiking power tariff besides having failed in fulfilling its poll-promises, including the one related to free 200 units of electricity.

“The year 2025 was nothing but a joke. The government’s promises of 200 free units of electricity, 12 gas cylinders, Rs 5000 for unemployed youth and one lakh government have proved to be a hoax. Has it (200 free units of electricity) been delivered in any area? Instead, the government has effected a hike in tariff. The people in the non-metered areas are getting bills reflecting a 50 percent hike in tariffs, instead of getting any relief as promised by them (NC) in the manifesto,” Lone alleged.

However, in response, the National Conference, in its official statement, had lauded the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led government for putting the ToD power tariff on hold for domestic consumers, reflecting its unwavering commitment to public welfare and responsive governance.

“It is a timely and much-needed relief for households across Jammu and Kashmir, particularly during the harsh winter months when electricity is an essential necessity,” the party spokesperson maintained, adding that the matter was “taken up with the Central Government in order to seek long-term solutions for addressing power-related challenges faced by domestic consumers in the region.”

In August 2025, the J&K government had extended the Power Development Department’s “amnesty scheme for domestic consumers -2022” till March 2026.

Extension, however, had come with a clarification that 100 percent waiver of interest and surcharge was allowed in respect of outstanding amounts as on March 31, 2025.

Besides, the Department had reiterated its caveat that there would be no further extension of the amnesty.

Amnesty was extended in compliance with the decision of the Council of Ministers taken on July 29, 2025, in furtherance of an announcement made by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during the budget session in March 2025.

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Real saucy moments came when, occasionally, even the gloves (of those engaged in shadow-boxing) were off!

Anyway, it was an unadulterated politicking – flowing from all sides that made political analysts and “the ruled” amused – throughout the year, except phases when terror, tragedy, calamities, and despair outweighed all other facets of life.

Though for the ruled, this game of persistent political one-upmanship brought moments of frustration as well when the expectations, aspirations, and anticipation met disappointment on a number of counts at different intervals of time.

Intense shadow-boxing actually started immediately after the 2024 assembly polls in J&K – maiden elections in the Union Territory setup.

Hence, 2025 had inherited it in legacy from 2024.

Statehood, business rules, dual power centre (and special status in the backdrop) formed the pivot around which key players remained engaged in (verbal) duels in 2025.

On anticipated lines, the ‘black hole’ had consumed resolutions on statehood (approved by J&K-UT cabinet in its maiden meeting) and on special status (passed by J&K Legislative Assembly in its maiden session), much to the chagrin of the newly elected ruling dispensation.

For the elected government, its first six months (including the first quarter of 2025) were a warm-up period. The opposition and the people, too, were generous. Criticism, even when it happened on any account, was mild.

Therefore, the National Conference (NC) and mainly the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah too were restrained in registering their protests against what they would describe as “dual power centre – a disaster recipe for governance, more so for a sensitive territory like J&K.”

As and when they faced probing questions from any quarter for their performance, there were murmurs of protest in the NC camp about “no approval” to business rules or files related to various administrative decisions, which required mandatory clearance by the Lieutenant Governor in the UT set-up.

Interestingly, the alliance partner Congress played it as a “no-holds-barred” game while raising statehood, dual power centre issues, the NC, and mainly the Chief Minister generally avoided direct confrontation and mainly restricted themselves to oblique digs.

Reasons were not too far to seek.

Congress, which, despite being the National Conference’s pre-poll alliance partner, had opted to stay out of the government as its ally (NC) proved to be not very accommodating vis-à-vis its (Congress’) aspirations, had nothing to lose.

However, NC, being directly in power and wearing the shoe, knew exactly where it was pinching and where it would hurt.

Therefore, till the first quarter, NC office-bearers, spokespersons, and at the most, the Deputy Chief Minister were at the forefront in aiming barbs at the parallel power centre.

So far, the rest of the political parties, mainly the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Conference, J&K Apni Party, thoroughly enjoyed the political antics and grumbling of their main rival party and many a time used the occasion to bruise it (NC) with their (political) punches as well.

On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party naturally took upon itself the responsibility to defend the parallel power centre, which, so far, had avoided directly responding to any murmur related to dual power centre, statehood, or other related aspects.

The helmsmen, both at the Centre and at the Lok Bhavan, had restricted themselves to indirect references, sticking to their original positions.

With regard to allegations of “dual power centre”, the Lieutenant Governor stuck to his guns while remarking that he was only dealing with law and order, while the rest of everything was with the elected government, and it (the NC government) should focus on delivering what it promised.

In case of statehood, the central leadership too restricted itself to an “opportune moment” reply.

Media, for both sides, was the arena to aim barbs at each other – direct or indirect.

An interesting twist came during the maiden budget session of J&K in the UT set-up when the Chief Minister, along with his party colleagues and alliance partners, were engaged in direct verbal duels on these issues with the Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma and other BJP MLAs.

As the year entered its second quarter, the gloves were getting off, and the voices were getting shriller. When the fence-sitters thought that probably direct confrontation was just around the corner, the Pahalgam terror attack, followed by Operation Sindoor, and then a spate of natural calamities, paused everything till the last quarter of the year.

However, the Pahalgam terror attack came as an opportunity for the NC, or for that matter, its all INDIA bloc partners to take a dig at the parallel power centre.

Chief Minister led the front, stating that the time was ripe to ask questions about chinks in “security, law and order” armour, which led to a terror attack.

In the last quarter of the year, as electoral activities gained momentum with the biennial Rajya Sabha elections in October and assembly by-polls in November, the references with punches became direct, and the gloves were almost totally off.

Another reason for the hot political scenario was that the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led government completed its one year in office on October 16, and it was facing direct heat from the punches of opposition and the people who were questioning it for its inability to fulfill its poll or budget promises.

NC defence came in the usual proposition – “non restoration of statehood (by the Centre) and no approval to business rules and files (by the Lok Bhavan)” were the hitches.

But the opposition, and mainly the BJP, were not willing to take it (proposition) as a valid excuse.

Meanwhile, the J&K BJP and the Leader of Opposition in J&K Legislative Assembly, in particular, continued to be the robust defender of the Centre and the Lok Bhavan with a standard one-liner – When they (NC) had promised, they knew they were going to govern a Union Territory.

However, in the pitched (political) battles, NC ensured the resumption of bi-annual Darbar Move practice (it’s another poll promise).

But the files related to issues of reservation and daily wagers could not find their way into the public domain, infuriating the concerned sections.

The polls to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Panchayats continued to remain elusive in 2025 as well.

Admission row in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) hogged the limelight as another political issue emerging as a “hot potato” in 2025.

In a slight deviation from politics, the year also saw J&K getting a new (38th) Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in Justice Arun Palli in April 2025.

The post Politics without Punches appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The outgoing year had everything in its kitty. It had all the elements and emotions to make it – one of its kind – as it would go down and be recorded in the realm of history.

Ecstasy, terror, tragedy, action, plight, despair, surprise, suspense, wholesome (political) drama and the resilience with optimism and hopes – everything was experienced on a quarterly basis.

For many, this was a bleak year, but for the realists, this was a year full of “life” in wholesome – in its crude form – imbuing its varied shades, some overlapping and some outweighing others.

ECSTASY DEFINES FIRST QUARTER

The first quarter of 2025, though impregnated with swinging hope and despair in the wake of political and administrative challenges as 2024 legacy, struck a positive note in general – saw J&K brimming with happiness, enjoying the dividends of peace amid surging tourism with record breaking tourist footfall, though with occasional minor hitches.

The phase also saw the inauguration of the strategically vital Z-Morh tunnel in Sonamarg by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January.

It was not that the political and administrative cacophony, shadow boxing, being witnessed after the 2024 assembly elections, had come to an end during that phase. Everything was simultaneously going on – in the democratic space, delineating the beauty of the “We, the people” regime.

Union Territory enjoyed all these shades during its maiden yet very animated budget session in March-April in Jammu. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, as the Finance Minister, presented his first budget of Rs 1.12 lakh crore for the year 2025-26 for J&K as a UT.

This was the first budget by any elected government (in the UT set-up) in seven years.

Markedly, following the countrywide trend, the focus was on freebies!

Chief Minister in his maiden budget announced 200 units of free electricity per month to all Antyodaya families besides 10 kg additional ration per person for AAY beneficiaries from April 1, 2025; free ride for all women in J&K on government owned public transport, including e-buses; enhanced pensions for over 10 lakh vulnerable persons in J&K; hiked marriage assistance for AAY girls from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000; zero stamp duty for property transfer within blood relations proposed Rs 50 crore for establishing National Law University in J&K.

SECOND QUARTER UNFOLDS TERROR, TRAGEDY, SURPRISE, ACTION

While J&K was confidently marching forward, much to the envy of the “neighbours”, the ecstatic spell was suddenly perforated by a ghastly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, claiming 26 innocent lives, including 25 tourists.

Shock, anguish, and anger pervaded the air and sliced 2025 into two halves, at least for J&K, for sure – pre-Pahalgam attack and post-Pahalgam attack.

Post-attack hurly burly unfolded- what many described as an “unseen facet of J&K – Kashmir in particular.”

Amid the gloomy spectre, it emerged as a bright streak of light, surprising even many naysayers.

Entire Jammu and Kashmir in unison condemned the grisly act, failing the nefarious designs of terrorists and their handlers, across the border, to use religion to create discord in communal amity.

“Not in my name” was the rallying cry as people, representing all sections of society, came out, with candles in their hands, holding peace marches – condemning the act unequivocally. The local Masjids, through public announcements, exhorted the people to join protest marches against the attack.

The overwhelming gesture, which had a healing effect, won the praise it deserved. It drew accolades from different sides – the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister led those lauding the spirits.

It was unimaginable, never heard or seen before, and this would be a defining moment in Kashmir’s history – the echo of the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at every available platform and even in the J&K Legislative Assembly, which convened a special day-long session on April 28 to pass a resolution against the terror act.

As anticipated in the evolving and changed scenario, full-blown firepower action between India and Pakistan, followed Pahalgam terror-attack in the form of “Operation Sindoor” in the month of May, which charted a new paradigm shift in India’s strategy to retaliate against terror attacks, originating from Pakistan or being sponsored by it.

As “Operation Sindoor” was a fallout of a terror act that took place in J&K, the Union Territory and its inhabitants suffered again badly in the ripple effects – this time in the shelling by Pakistan, which witnessed deaths and destruction in India’s all-out retaliatory action against the terrorists and their infrastructure there (in Pakistan).

As India and Pakistan were engaged in an intense tech-driven four-day-long war (from May 7 to 10), J&K – mainly parts of the Jammu region (Rajouri, Poonch and Jammu districts) lost over a dozen civilians in Pakistan shelling, which also damaged hundreds of houses, religious places, and schools.

Terrorists had hurt the tourism and economy of J&K through the Pahalgam attack, but they could not harm its spirits, which remain unscathed.

In June, bruised J&K yet again demonstrated its resilience with a clear message for the entire world that its journey to progress and transformation was unstoppable. Manifestation was in the form of end of decades’ end-of-decade-long wait for connecting Kashmir to the rest of India through train as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the “state-of-the-art – Vande Bharat Express” from Katra to Srinagar, besides inaugurating the iconic Chenab bridge and Anji bridge – intrinsic parts of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.

THIRD QUARTER WITNESSES NATURE BRINGING DEATH, DESTRUCTION, MISERIES

As J&K started limping towards normalcy, slowly and gradually coming to terms with the losses it had incurred in the second quarter, in the third quarter, it saw an onslaught from the invincible force, in the form of natural calamities.

Though nature’s fury was visible across J&K, it was mainly the Jammu region which was at its receiving end.

The months of August and September proved to be simply devastating for various parts of the Jammu region. Devastation was of enormous scale – the first of its kind in many decades. First, on August 14, over 100 people, mainly the Machail Mata pilgrims, lost their lives or went missing in the flash floods triggered by the cloudburst incident in the Chisoti area of Kishtwar district.

Within a fortnight, an unprecedented spell of rains, triggering landslides and flash floods, beginning from August 26, brought another spate of devastation in J&K.

This time again, it was the Jammu region which mainly bore the brunt as its eight districts (except Rajouri-Poonch) were badly affected as the monsoon created havoc.

35 persons, mainly Vaishnodevi pilgrims, lost their lives in the Adhkuwari landslide incident in Katra of Reasi district on August 26.

Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi, Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban witnessed damages of unprecedented scale in the monsoon fury, which continued till September 10. Around a dozen lives were lost in the spate.

In all, the third quarter in J&K consumed over 200 lives and damaged over 2000 structures besides vital infrastructure like bridges, road (including National Highway), and rail sections in the spate of natural calamities.

FOURTH QUARTER WITNESSES J&K DEMONSTRATING RESILIENCE

The fourth and last quarter saw J&K yet again demonstrating its resilience. It was back in its elements with wholesome political drama, which had the quotients of suspense, intrigue and surprise as October and November witnessed a flurry of electoral activities.

In the Rajya Sabha biennial election in October, the National Conference snubbed its alliance partner Congress, yet it (NC) could win only three seats (out of four) despite the number game in its favour. As the BJP managed to win one seat, the Congress had the last laugh. It (Congress) got another opportunity to see its partner (NC) eating humble pie after it (NC) lost its bastion, Budgam, to the People’s Democratic Party in assembly polls in November.

BJP won the Nagrota seat as its candidate Devyani Rana retained her illustrious father Devender Singh Rana’s constituency for the party in her maiden venture in politics.

In the meantime, the chorus of dual power centres, statehood, and business rules kept on resonating in the political corridors. The end of December finally broke the dry spell in J&K also – invoking the spirit of Alfred Tennyson’s quote: “Ring, happy bells across the snow; The year is going, let him go…”

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Responding to media queries on the sidelines of an event, Choudhary, also the Leader of Opposition in J&K Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma alleging that he was missing in action and was not coming forward to clear the air vis-à-vis the raging controversy related to Ratle power project in Kishtwar.

Regarding queries about daily wagers’ issues, he said, “Yes, during the cabinet meeting, deliberations took place about daily wagers. It would be known to you that Omar Abdullah, even during his earlier tenure as the CM before 2014, had brought a scheme for the regularisation of Power Development Department daily wagers.”

“Our government still intends to regularise the daily wagers. Unfortunately, in the present changed scenario, J&K is a Union Territory and not a state. Thus, the funding we receive from the Centre is far less than what we used to get as a state, and thus, the funding is not adequate to regularise all daily wagers in one go. Therefore, the government is contemplating regularising them in a phased manner. This is a promise made by the CM Omar government and was also mentioned in the National Conference manifesto. It has been just one year in power, and we still have four more years. Rest assured, we will fulfil our promise before going to the next assembly polls,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.

About the renaming of MGNREGA, Choudhary said, “This question should be better directed towards the LOP Sunil Sharma, who has been missing for the past few days. Earlier, almost on a daily basis, he would come before the media questioning the Omar Abdullah government and criticising its functioning.”

He said that when the Omar Abdullah government is looking for him and questioning him about the allegations of the company executing the Ratle Power project, since two Kishtwar MLAs and other BJP leaders of Kishtwar are not allowing the company to function, Sharma is not coming forward.

“If Sharma has no role, then he should come forward to clear the air as to who those two MLAs of Kishtwar are or that influential leader of the BJP whose writ runs large in the affairs of power projects under execution in Kishtwar. Who is that person who sends slips for the persons to be employed in the power projects? None can supply sand, bajri without his slip or permission,” Choudhary alleged.

“It is not fair that today, when the allegations are levelled against him and other BJP leaders, they go into hiding and are not coming forward to respond. However, they don’t feel shy about levelling baseless allegations against others. This interference is not done. J&K cannot be run with the politics of lies and deceit. Every person of J&K, who is deserving and needy, should get a job in these power projects or elsewhere in J&K. The influence or proximity to certain individuals should not be the criterion,” Choudhary said.

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