Category: JAMMU

CS Reviews Implementation of PM eBus Sewa

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 11: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a meeting of the UT-Level Steering Committee to review the implementation of the PM eBus Sewa Scheme in Jammu & Kashmir, under which 200 electric buses are being procured to strengthen and modernize urban public transport across the Union Territory.

The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department; Commissioner Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD); Secretary, Transport; Director General, Codes; Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC); Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC); Chief Engineers of JPDCL and KPDCL; and other senior officers concerned.

While reviewing the progress achieved so far, the Chief Secretary emphasized the need for expeditious development of supporting infrastructure to ensure seamless operationalization of the e-buses.

He directed the Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) of Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) and Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) to prioritize the establishment of Behind-the-Meter (BTM) power infrastructure, civil depot infrastructure, and other requisite facilities essential for efficient functioning of the fleet.

Stressing adherence to timelines, the Chief Secretary asked the concerned agencies to complete the tendering processes after carefully examining prevailing national trends and best practices. He further directed that all necessary arrangements be put in place so that the buses are pressed into service immediately upon their receipt, ensuring timely benefits to the public.

Commissioner Secretary, H&UDD, Mandeep Kaur, briefed the Committee about the scheme’s implementation framework in the UT. She informed that 100 e-buses each will be procured by Srinagar Smart City Limited and Jammu Smart City Limited under the PM eBus Sewa Scheme.

Providing details of the fleet composition, she stated that JSCL will procure 25 buses of 12-metre length and 75 buses of 7-metre length, while SSCL will procure 20 buses of 12-metre length and 80 buses of 9-metre length, catering to the operational requirements of both cities.

Commissioner, JMC, Devansh Yadav, further elaborated on the progress made under the scheme. He informed that the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for Civil Depot Infrastructure (CDI) and Behind-the-Meter (BTM) Power Infrastructure for both Jammu and Srinagar have been approved in accordance with the guidelines of the PM eBus Sewa Scheme. Tenders for these works have already been issued by JSCL and SSCL respectively.

It was further informed that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has issued the Mother Sanction amounting to ₹14.28 crore for the Behind-the-Meter power infrastructure and the first tranche of ₹14.05 crore for Civil Infrastructure through SNA–SPARSH, facilitating timely execution of the project components.

The meeting was apprised that the PM eBus Sewa Scheme, instituted by MoHUA, is a flagship national programme aimed at large-scale electrification of urban public transport systems across the country. Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) has been appointed by MoHUA as the Implementation Support Agency for aggregated procurement and contracting under the scheme, ensuring efficiency, transparency, and cost optimization.

The Chief Secretary called this a sustainable urban mobility initiative and underscored that the introduction of electric buses will significantly reduce carbon emissions, improve urban air quality, and provide safe, reliable, and eco-friendly public transport to the citizens of J&K.

Condemns attack on Kashmiris, urges Home Ministry to sensitise states

JAMMU, JANUARY 29: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has taken serious note of the incident involving the assault on a young Kashmiri shawl seller in Uttarakhand and initiated immediate steps to ensure accountability and safety of residents of Jammu and Kashmir living outside.

In this regard, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah spoke with the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, urging him to take strict action against those involved in the incident.

In a post on X, the Office of the Chief Minister, J&K, stated:

“Chief Minister spoke with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, @pushkardhami, regarding the incident of assault on a young Kashmiri shawl seller in Uttarakhand and urged him to take strict action against the perpetrators. @pushkardhami assured that strict action, including registration of an FIR, would be taken in the matter and safety of J&K residents will be ensured.”

Subsequently, Uttarakhand Police took prompt action in the matter. In an official update, the police informed that FIR No. 26/2026 has been registered at Police Station Vikasnagar against the accused Sanjay Yadav and one other person under Sections 117(2) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The update further stated: “The accused Sanjay Yadav has been taken into custody and necessary legal action is being initiated, and he will be sent to jail.”

Reacting to the incident and similar recent occurrences, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in a separate post on X, said:

“This recent series of attacks including in Himachal Pradesh and now this one are unacceptable and must stop. It can’t be claimed that J&K is an inalienable part of India while people from Kashmir, in other parts of the country, live in fear for their lives. My Government will step in wherever necessary & will do whatever is needed to ensure these incidents are not repeated. I hope Home Ministry, Govt of India will also sensitise other states on the same lines.”

The Chief Minister reiterated his government’s commitment to safeguarding the dignity, security, and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir across the country and ensuring that such incidents are dealt with firmly and decisively.

An 18-year-old Kashmiri youth had sustained serious head injuries and fractures after being attacked by some shopkeepers while selling shawls along with his family.

JAMMU, JANUARY 21: The implementation of the Prime Minister’s flagship PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY) has gained remarkable traction in Jammu & Kashmir, positioning the Union Territory at the forefront of India’s household-level renewable energy revolution.
Designed to provide free electricity up to 300 units per month through grid-connected rooftop solar systems, the scheme is rapidly transforming energy consumption patterns while strengthening energy self-reliance and sustainability across urban and rural households.
Backed by strong administrative oversight and a robust digital delivery framework, the scheme is being rolled out in a structured, transparent, and time-bound manner, reflecting the UT Administration’s commitment to clean energy adoption and consumer-centric governance.

Impressive On-Ground Progress
As of 31 December 2025, the scheme has recorded robust physical and financial progress. A total of 17,998 rooftop solar systems have been installed across Jammu & Kashmir, with 16,284 systems already commissioned and feeding clean power into the grid.
The financial impact is equally significant. Subsidies have been disbursed to 14,889 beneficiaries by the Central Government and 2,234 beneficiaries by the UT Government, with cumulative releases amounting to ₹129.57 crore from the Centre and ₹2.99 crore from the UT, underscoring the scale and seriousness of implementation.

Consumer-Friendly Subsidy Structure
The subsidy architecture under PM Surya Ghar has been designed to deliver maximum financial relief to households across different system capacities. For a 1 kW rooftop solar system, against an average project cost of ₹55,000, consumers receive ₹33,000 as MNRE subsidy and ₹3,000 as UT subsidy, bringing the total subsidy to ₹36,000.
Similarly, 2 kW systems receive a total subsidy of ₹72,000, while 3 kW systems attract a combined subsidy of ₹94,800, substantially reducing upfront costs. This carefully calibrated subsidy framework has made rooftop solar installations financially viable and attractive, particularly for middle-income and lower-income households, accelerating adoption across the UT.

Digital Outreach and Vibrant Vendor Ecosystem
The scheme’s fully digital execution model has ensured transparency, speed, and ease of access for consumers. The national portal has received 86,905 consumer applications, reflecting strong public enthusiasm and awareness.
To support this surge in demand, a robust vendor ecosystem has been developed, with 1,403 vendors registered across the UT. Vendor-consumer agreements have been signed in 11,779 cases, while access to affordable finance has been facilitated through institutional mechanisms.

Availability of Attractive Finance for RTS installation
A total of 26,225 loan applications have been submitted, of which 16,186 loans have already been disbursed at a special interest rate of around 7% per annum, covering up to 95% of the project cost. This financial support has ensured that even households with limited upfront resources can participate in the solar transition. Additionally, 2,285 sites have already received material delivery, reflecting steady on-ground progress.

Strong Institutional Framework and Policy Support
The scheme’s implementation is being closely monitored at the highest administrative level, with the Chief Secretary personally overseeing progress and coordination. Both power distribution utilities—Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) and Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL)—have been designated as State Implementing Agencies, ensuring seamless execution across all districts.
In a significant policy intervention aimed at enhancing affordability, the UT Government opted to supplement the Central Financial Assistance (CFA) provided by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) with an additional UT subsidy. This decision led to the sanction of ₹53.53 crore from the UT Budget for supporting 85,000 residential beneficiaries over a three-year period from 2024–25 to 2026–27, reinforcing the Administration’s pro-people approach.

Awareness, Capacity Building and Technical Preparedness
Recognising that awareness and technical competence are key to sustained success, the UT Administration has undertaken extensive outreach and capacity-building initiatives. Over 37.90 lakh bulk SMS messages have been disseminated to inform consumers, complemented by 923 IEC campaigns conducted across districts.
On the technical front, 138 structured training programmes have been organised, with 2,600 engineers trained to ensure quality installations, grid safety, and long-term system reliability.

Responsive Grievance Redressal
A strong and responsive grievance redressal mechanism has been institutionalised to maintain consumer confidence. Out of 1,157 grievances received from consumers and vendors, 1,154 have already been resolved, reflecting the Administration’s emphasis on accountability and service delivery.

Driving Sustainable Development and Energy Security
The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is fast emerging as a transformational initiative in Jammu & Kashmir. Beyond substantially reducing electricity bills—even making them zero for many households—the scheme is strengthening grid resilience through decentralized generation and reducing dependence on conventional power sources.
With strong policy backing, substantial financial support, and enthusiastic public participation, Jammu & Kashmir is steadily advancing towards its renewable energy targets while contributing meaningfully to India’s national climate and energy security goals.
The J&K Administration remains firmly committed to scaling up rooftop solar adoption and ensuring that the benefits of this landmark initiative reach every eligible household within the stipulated timeline, ushering in a cleaner, greener, and more self-reliant energy future for the Union Territory.

JAMMU, JANUARY 17: Shri Ravinder Raina, senior BJP Leader and former MLA called on Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha, today.

He discussed various public important issues and development of several religious sites including Baba Naar Singh Ji Dev Sthan (Lamberi) Nowshera, Mangla Mata Shrine & Mangla Devi (Fort & Temple) under religious and border tourism and Peer Badesar near LoC in Rajouri.

JAMMU, DECEMBER 30: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha on Tuesday unveiled J&K Bank’s Wall and Table Calendars for the year 2026, at Lok Bhavan.
The Wall Calendar for 2026 is themed “Rivers of J&K and Ladakh”, while the Table Calendar showcases the region’s “Historic Places”, reflecting the diversity of human heritage and natural wonders of UT of Jammu & Kashmir and UT of Ladakh.
The Lieutenant Governor appreciated the J&K Bank for selecting unique themes which will raise awareness about preserving ancient monuments, archaeological sites and traditions for future generations. He said society must come together to safeguard these priceless treasures. The Lieutenant Governor also emphasised on protecting earth’s vital ecosystems. He said rivers in J&K UT are source of fresh water and they are also ensuring food security and supporting biodiversity conservation. The Lieutenant Governor called for community efforts to protect rivers and water bodies to build resilience against climate impacts in the future.
Shri Amitava Chatterjee, Managing Director and CEO, Jammu & Kashmir Bank Limited briefed that the 2026 edition of J&K Bank’s calendars honour the rivers that sustain life across the regions and the historic sites that define their shared legacy.
The calendar also features important public welfare initiatives such as Mission YUVA and PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, alongside J&K Bank’s key products including Housing Loan, Car Loan, Personal Consumption Loan and Online Account Opening, reinforcing the Bank’s role as a development partner and facilitator of people’s aspirations.
Shri Santosh D.Vaidya, Principal Secretary, Finance Department; Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor; Shri Sudhir Gupta, Executive Director, Shri Sunit Kumar and Shri Imtiyaz Ahmad, Chief General Managers J&K Bank attended the unveiling ceremony.

JAMMU, DECEMBER 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today extended warm greetings to the people celebrating Christmas in Jammu and Kashmir and across the world.

Describing Christmas as a festival symbolising peace, love and compassion, the Chief Minister said that the teachings of Jesus Christ continue to inspire humanity to uphold the values of kindness, forgiveness and harmony.

“Christmas is not merely a celebration; it is a reaffirmation of our shared values of harmony and mutual respect, where people from all communities come together in a spirit of unity,” he said.

The Chief Minister highlighted the rich secular ethos and age-old tradition of brotherhood in Jammu and Kashmir, and urged people to mark the occasion by extending support to the less privileged so that everyone can partake in the joy of the festival.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wished peace, prosperity and happiness to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and prayed for a future marked by greater harmony and goodwill.

JAMMU, DECEMBER 24: The Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha has extended his heartiest greetings to the people on the joyous occasion of Christmas.

In a message, the Lieutenant Governor said, “On the joyous occasion of Christmas, I convey my warm greetings to the people. I hope that this occasion of festivity ushers in love and harmony amongst the people.

The festival, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, serves as a reminder to embrace Lord Christ’s teachings of love, compassion, and forgiveness in our daily lives. This auspicious occasion inspires us to renew our commitment towards the welfare of each other for a prosperous future for all.

May the spirit of Christmas encourage us to help those in need and bring peace, prosperity and happiness to all”.

JAMMU, DECEMBER 22: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today released a coffee-table book titled ‘Samnvay’, which showcases the digital transformative journey of Jammu and Kashmir and documents the key projects and technological contributions of the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) in J&K.
The launch event was attended by Minister for Science & Technology and Information Technology Satish Sharma; Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani; Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo; Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department Shantmanu; Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta; Commissioner Secretary GAD/Information M. Raju; Secretary IT Piyush Singla; Special Director BISAG-N; Secretary School Education; CEO JKeGA, and other senior officers.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister lauded BISAG-N for crafting practical, innovative solutions to complex governance challenges in Jammu and Kashmir, noting that many of these solutions have relevance beyond J&K. He said J&K’s unique geography and climatic conditions necessitate a strong push towards digitisation, as technology enables uniform delivery of public services irrespective of location.
“Digitising governance and services ensures that people of Jammu and Kashmir receive the same quality of service, whether they live or work in remote areas or urban centres,” the Chief Minister observed.
Calling Samnvay a comprehensive snapshot of this cooperation, the Chief Minister said the publication offers an overview of how technology-driven interventions have supported administrative efficiency and service delivery.
Thanking the Director General of BISAG-N and his entire team for their sustained efforts, CM Omar Abdullah expressed hope that Samnvay would be the first of many such publications documenting future projects and milestones, as the Government of Jammu and Kashmir continues to leverage technology for better governance in the months and years ahead.

Administers Polio drops to toddlers, children at Gandhinagar Hospital

JAMMU, DECEMBER 21: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo kick-started the Pulse Polio Campaign across Jammu and Kashmir from Jammu by inaugurating National Immunization Day (Polio Day) at Government Hospital Gandhinagar here today.

The campaign was inaugurated by Health Minister while personally administering Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) drops to toddlers and children, symbolically marking the beginning of campaign across Jammu and Kashmir and symbolizing the commitment of the Government towards safeguarding the health of future generations.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Sakeena emphasized on the critical role of routine immunization and community participation in maintaining J&K’s polio-free status. She urged parents and guardians to actively cooperate with healthcare workers and ensure that every child receives the life-saving polio vaccine during the campaign. “To ensure administration of Polio drops to child under this campaign is very important responsibility for both parents and not just mother”, the Minister stated.

The Minister reiterated the Government’s unwavering resolve to protect child health and to sustain India’s Polio-Free status through sustained vigilance and robust immunization efforts. She emphasized that no child under five years of age should be left unvaccinated, and called for active participation from parents, frontline health workers, community leaders and all stakeholders to ensure universal coverage.

The Minister highlighted that the Health department is working efficiently under this campaign and achieved polio free status for J&K. She lauded the efforts of frontline health workers, ASHAs, Anganwadi workers, volunteers, and district health teams for their tireless dedication in reaching every household, including those in far-flung and vulnerable areas.

“Going to far-flung areas and giving these two drops to children there is very challenging, but our frontline staff delivered on that efficiently”, she said.

The Minister further highlighted that the department has established around 11000 booths across J&K, involving almost 42000 healthcare workers and around 20 lakh children will be administered Polio drops during the campaign.

She added that special immunization booths, mobile teams, and house-to-house visits have been put in place across all districts to cover every eligible child, besides robust monitoring mechanisms have also been established to ensure effective implementation of the campaign.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA Vikram Randhawa said that National Immunization Day (Polio) Campaign forms a key component of the government’s public health strategy to protect future generations and strengthen disease prevention measures across Jammu and Kashmir. He called upon all the parents, public and responsible citizens to contribute towards this campaign.

The MLA also lauded the continuous efforts of Health Minister, Sakeena Itoo for bringing improvements in healthcare infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir.

In his address, Secretary Health, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed said that this day is very important for maintaining the status of Polio free India, which our country achieved in the year 2014. He called upon the parents and public to actively participate in this campaign. He further said that the department has established around 11,000 booths for the administration of Polio drops to the children across Jammu and Kashmir.

CEO State Health Agency, Ananth Dwivedi; Mission Director ICDS, Sajad Hussain Ganai; Commissioner Food and Drug Administration, Smita Sethi; Director Family Welfare and Immunization, Dr. Poonam Sethi; Director Health Services Jammu, Dr. Abdul Hamid Zargar; doctors, paramedical staff, healthcare professionals and large number of locals and children were also present on the occasion.

Pertinently, the Pulse Polio Campaign 2025 across Jammu & Kashmir is being conducted on a massive scale, with 10,893 vaccination booths established across the Union Territory. A total of 42,564 health workers and volunteers have been deployed to ensure smooth implementation of the programme. To cover children on the move, 256 transit vaccination points and 520 mobile teams have been established. Through these extensive arrangements, the campaign aims to administer Oral Polio Vaccine to approximately 20 lakh children under five years of age across J&K, ensuring that no child is missed and the Polio-Free status of the region is sustained.

JAMMU, DECEMBER 20: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha chaired a high-level review meeting of Subordinate Departments of Home Department, at Lok Bhavan, Jammu.

The meeting was attended by Shri Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary, Shri Deepak Kumar, Director General of Police, Prisons; Shri Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary Home; Shri Santosh D. Vaidya, Principal Secretary, Finance Department; Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor; Shri Abdul Ghani Mir, Commandant General Home Guards; Shri Alok Kumar, Director Fire and Emergency Services; Brig. Pankaj Chib (Retd), Director Sainik Welfare Department; Shri Om Prakash, Director, Forensic Sciences Laboratory (FSL) and other senior officials.

The meeting discussed the Budget and Expenditure Position of Prisons, Prosecution, Home Guards/CD & SDRF, Fire & Emergency Services, Forensic Sciences Laboratory, Sainik Welfare, and Advisory Board under PSA in BE 2025-26.

The Lieutenant Governor took a comprehensive review of progress achieved under vital ongoing projects including construction of High Security Prison at Mahanpur Kathua; establishment of Cyber Division at FSL Jammu, up-gradation of Cyber Division at FSL Srinagar and construction of Bunkers in Border Districts of J&K.

He directed for expediting the pace of works and strengthening of various wings of the Home Department through coordinated efforts.

The Lieutenant Governor also instructed for sensitization of prison officers and staff and frequent checking and surveillance of prisons across UT of J&K.