In Baramulla district, the department attended to 533 fire calls, including six false alarms, with November recording the highest number of incidents. Fires damaged 83 residential houses, 16 shops, 31 cow sheds, 44 sheds and 86 haystacks, besides other properties. Two civilians sustained injuries during the year.

Officials said property worth Rs 42.64 crore was involved in fire incidents in Baramulla, of which losses amounted to Rs 9.85 crore, while assets worth Rs 32.77 crore were saved. The primary causes of fires were identified as LPG leaks, electrical overloads and short circuits. The district also reported six incidents of forest fires during the year.

In Bandipora district, Fire and Emergency Services responded to 228 calls, including three false calls.

Meanwhile, in Kupwara district, the department attended to around 379 calls, including three false calls and 18 rescue operations. Official data show that four civilians lost their lives and 47 others were injured in fire incidents reported in the district during 2025.

In Kupwara, property worth Rs 65.44 crore was involved in various incidents, with losses estimated at Rs 10 crore, while property worth Rs 55 crore was saved. The damaged assets included 90 houses, nine buildings, 23 shopping complexes, 22 shops, 75 cow sheds, 59 firewood sheds, 69 haystacks and 12 vehicles, besides other properties.

Assistant Director, Fire and Emergency Services J&K (North Kashmir), Er Mohmad Arif Mir, said that 2025 remained relatively calmer compared to 2024, although an uptick in incidents was observed during the last quarter of the year due to dry weather conditions.

“During the last quarter, we witnessed an increase in forest fire incidents, largely due to dry weather. Overall, however, the situation remained calmer than in 2024,” he said.

Mir added that most fire incidents during the year were caused by public negligence and urged people to exercise caution while using heating appliances during winter.

“With winter setting in, people must use heating gadgets with utmost care and ensure that all appliances are ISI-marked,” he said.

Comparing the data with 2024, Mir said north Kashmir recorded a reduction in fire calls in 2025, with a decline of 39 percent in Bandipora, seven percent in Kupwara and three percent in Baramulla.

The post Fire incidents kill 4 in north Kashmir, cause over Rs 30 crore loss in 2025 appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Allowing a plea by some aggrieved employees of the SHD, a division bench of Justice Ritu Tagore (Member Judicial) and Prasant Kumar (Member Administrative) quashed the final seniority lists of MTS for Budgam, Baramulla and Bandipora districts. The Tribunal observed that the lists had been issued in violation of statutory orders governing cadre restructuring, saying there was no discretion left to continue with outdated or obsolete classifications.

The Tribunal quashed and set-aside the SHD’s order dated May 15, 2025 whereby the aggrieved candidates’ claim was rejected besides scrapping the tentative and final seniority lists and all related circulars that paved the way for district-level Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs).

The Tribunal observed as “cryptic and non-speaking, the SHD’s rejection order,” saying the department failed to meaningfully address the objections raised by employees or comply with earlier directions of the Tribunal.

The Tribunal directed the AHD to a fresh speaking and reasoned consideration order in compliance with the earlier order it had passed.

In their plea, as many as the aggrieved MTS of SHD through their counsel, advocates Ishtiyaq and Ms Inayat had sought court’s intervention to quash the rejection order dated May 15, 2025. They had also sought to set aside the final seniority lists dated May 21, 2025, May 24, 2025 and May 24, 2025 for districts Budgam, Baramulla and Bandipora, respectively.

The aggrieved employees’ contention was that once the statutory framework had abolished the earlier nomenclature, the government could not have legally continued with wing-wise or designation-wise seniority.

In its decision, the Tribunal noted that despite S.O. 133 of 2022, which redesignated all Class-IV posts as MTS, the department continued to reflect obsolete designations such as Assistant Stockman, Chowkidar and Fieldman while fixing seniority. “This defeated the very purpose of the statutory reorganisation aimed at eliminating artificial distinctions among similarly placed employees.”

The Tribunal also observed that in a similarly situated matter, identical relief had already been granted by the CAT Jammu Bench saying denial of parity would amount to hostile discrimination.

With this conclusion, the Tribunal directed the SHD to prepare and notify a fresh final seniority list of the MTS in consonance with SO 133 of 2022 within eight weeks and thereafter convene the Departmental Promotion Committee meeting expeditiously. It also ordered the Department to clearly notify any exceptions for posts requiring technical qualifications, as permissible under the statutory order.

The Tribunal also directed the Department to amend the Recruitment Rules expeditiously to provide uniform career progression for all Class-IV employees in compliance with the SO 151 of 2022.

The post MTS designation binding on all departments: CAT 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.

The lights were installed by the local administration in coordination with the Science and Technology Department to illuminate the wooded area and reduce risks from wild animal encounters—a constant fear in the region.

“Lakhs of rupees were spent on installing the lights for the ease of commuters,” said Sajad Ahmad, a local resident. “The road is risky and the area is pitch dark at night.”

Locals say around 30 lights were installed, but only a few remain functional. They have demanded immediate repairs to restore the lighting system.

The post Solar street lights in Khenusa ‘mostly defunct’ appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Locals say the crisis has persisted for years, complicated by jurisdictional confusion as areas on both sides of the riverbanks fall under different administrative bodies—the block on one side and Urban Local Bodies (ULB) on the other.

“Areas like Tangpora and Hilalabad to Nand Kishore temple fall under the block, whereas areas from the other side come under ULB,” said Shafiq Ahmad, a local resident.

“Massive garbage dumping from commercial establishments and households on both sides has been affecting the river for years.”

The situation in Tangpora is particularly dire. “The spot is filled with plastic waste, and at times even animal carcasses are dumped here,” locals said. “It is a health hazard which should be strictly banned and violators taken to task.”

Nazir Ahmad, President of Sumbal Traders Federation, alleged garbage collection on the rural side is “not being done properly.” He said even town areas under ULB, which were declared “garbage-free” some time ago, witness the Municipal Committee collecting garbage and dumping it outside the Eidgah, near the hospital.

“Although the garbage is then taken to the Shalpora recycling plant, the seepage left at the collection site emanates a foul smell the whole day,” Nazir said.

He said despite several representations to both ULB and block officials, little action has been taken. The lack of oversight and giving a “free hand to violators” continues to add to the mess, he added.

“I am shocked to see how human greed has polluted and destroyed what was once our lifeline,” said Bilal Nasir Zargar, a local environmentalist. “The river that gave us water, life, and identity is now suffocating under our waste. This is not just pollution but a cruel theft of natural resources from the next generation. If we do not act today, tomorrow there may be nothing left to save.”

Block Development Officer (BDO) Sumbal, Majid Iqbal, acknowledged the problem, saying most violators dump garbage at the site “in the dead of night or during wee hours.” He revealed that only 30 percent of the block’s population pays the monthly fee for the door-to-door garbage collection vehicle that operates twice a week.

The officer assured action if violators are caught and said spots found littered with garbage would be cleaned within days if reported.

The Jhelum, once the lifeline of Kashmir, continues to serve as a source of drinking water for many areas—making the unchecked pollution even more alarming.

The post Plastic waste chokes Jhelum at Sumbal appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Locals said the mini bus service currently operates only up to Kullan, leaving Gagangir and adjoining areas without reliable mass transit. “There is no mini bus service in our village. We suffer daily without it,” said Ishfaq Ahmad, a local resident, adding that patients and elderly people are the worst affected.

Residents said most villagers cannot afford high cab fares and appealed to the ARTO Ganderbal for immediate intervention to extend the mini bus route from Kangan to Gagangir, hoping the issue will be addressed without further delay.

The post Residents demand mini bus service to Gagangir appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Once known for its clean waters and aquatic life, the waterbody is now facing pollution as waste continues to be dumped along its embankments. Residents of Hain Palpora and Nunhama said the practice has degraded the surrounding environment and rendered the water unfit for use. They cautioned that continued neglect could have long-term consequences for public health and ecological balance.

Locals pointed out that despite garbage collection vehicles being deployed by the Rural Development Department, many people still dispose of waste directly along the riverbanks, turning them into open dumping sites and spoiling the natural landscape.

They further said the accumulation of garbage has attracted stray dogs, posing a threat to pedestrians. Movement has become particularly difficult for children, elderly persons and women, who fear dog attacks while passing through the area. Residents demanded immediate intervention to ensure regular garbage collection, strict action against illegal dumping and measures to control the stray dog menace.

The post Garbage piles up along Sindh embankments 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.