J&K Government Rolls Out Major Austerity Drive to Rein in Public Spending By: Javid Amin | 27 May 2026 Finance Department’s New Guidelines Signal Strong Push for Fiscal Discipline In a significant move aimed at tightening public expenditure and enforcing fiscal discipline, the Jammu and Kashmir Finance Department has issued a comprehensive set of austerity and cost-cutting guidelines for all government departments and offices across the Union Territory. The directives, issued through Order No. 198-F dated May 22, 2026, introduce sweeping restrictions on official hospitality, travel, vehicle purchases, energy consumption,…
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General News
Mehbooba Mufti Calls for United Political Front in J&K on ‘Ladakh Model’
Mehbooba Mufti Calls for United Political Front in J&K on Ladakh Model By: Javid Amin | 25 May 2026 PDP Chief Urges Regional Parties to Rise Above Politics, Revive PAGD for Jammu and Kashmir’s Political Future In a significant political statement from Srinagar, Mehbooba Mufti on Monday called for the formation of a united political front in Jammu and Kashmir, drawing inspiration from the collective movement launched by leaders in Ladakh after the constitutional changes of 2019. The president of Peoples Democratic Party urged political parties across Jammu and Kashmir…
Read MoreLadakh ‘Deal’ Sparks Political Ripples Across Kashmir, Rekindles Autonomy Debate
Ladakh Deal Triggers Political Storm in Kashmir, Revives Debate on Autonomy and Article 370 By: Javid Amin | 24 May 2026 Centre’s Assurances to Ladakh Trigger Sharp Reactions in Kashmir Valley A fresh political debate has erupted across Jammu and Kashmir after reports emerged of a major understanding between the Centre and Ladakh-based groups over demands related to land rights, jobs, cultural protection, and administrative safeguards. The reported “Ladakh deal,” which follows months of protests and negotiations involving civil society groups from Leh and Kargil, is being viewed in Kashmir…
Read MoreKashmir Hailstorm Damages Apple Orchards, Lightning Kills Youth in Lolab as Fresh Snowfall Returns to Higher Reaches
Kashmir Hailstorm Wreaks Havoc on Apple Orchards; Lightning Kills Youth in Lolab as Fresh Snowfall Returns to Higher Reaches By: Javid Amin | 24 May 2026 Severe Weather Strikes Kashmir at a Critical Time for Farmers Kashmir’s fragile weather pattern took a dramatic turn over the weekend as a powerful hailstorm, accompanied by lightning, thunderstorms, gusty winds and fresh snowfall in higher altitudes, battered large parts of the Valley. The extreme weather event has left apple growers counting losses, disrupted normal life in several areas, and claimed the life of…
Read MoreMehbooba Mufti Calls Detentions Without Trial a ‘Tragedy’, Seeks Review of J&K Prisoners’ Cases
‘A Tragedy for Democracy’: Mehbooba Mufti Raises Alarm Over J&K Prisoners Held Without Trial By: Javid Amin | 23 May 2026 PDP Chief Says Prolonged Detentions Undermine Constitutional Rights and Public Faith in Justice Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has described the continued detention of many Jammu and Kashmir residents without trial as a “tragedy,” arguing that prolonged incarceration without judicial conclusion represents a serious challenge to constitutional principles and democratic accountability. Her remarks have once again brought attention to a…
Read MoreJ&K High Court Calls Backdoor Appointments a “Fraud on the Constitution”, Rejects Regularisation Plea of University Engineers
J&K High Court Slams Backdoor Appointments, Calls Them a ‘Fraud on the Constitution’ By: Javid Amin | 23 May 2026 ‘Public Jobs Cannot Be Distributed Through the Back Door’: J&K High Court Delivers Strong Message on Recruitment In a significant judgment with far-reaching implications for public employment in Jammu and Kashmir, the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has strongly condemned appointments made without proper advertisements, competitive examinations, or transparent selection procedures, describing such practices as a “fraud on the Constitution.” The ruling reinforces a fundamental principle of public…
Read More“Comfort in Pepleo’s Lives”: PM Modi Pushes Ministers Toward Next-Generation Governance Reforms
PM Modi Urges Ministers to Focus on Ease of Living, Next-Generation Governance Reforms By: Javid Amin | 21 May 22026 Prime Minister Tells Council of Ministers to Focus on Ease of Living, Citizen-Centric Delivery and Long-Term Structural Change Narendra Modi has once again sharpened the Centre’s governance narrative around a simple but politically powerful idea: government policies must ultimately translate into “comfort in people’s lives.” Addressing the Council of Ministers (CoM), the Prime Minister reportedly urged ministers to prioritize next-generation reforms that directly improve everyday living conditions for citizens rather…
Read MoreMirwaiz Umar Farooq Calls for Masjids, Khanqahs and Imambaras to Become Centres of Social Reform in Kashmir
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Urges Masjids, Khanqahs and Imambaras to Lead Social Reform in Kashmir By: Javid Amin | 17 May 2026 Kashmir’s Chief Cleric Urges Religious Institutions to Lead Moral Revival, Unity and Community Responsibility Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has called for Kashmir’s masjids, khanqahs, and imambaras to move beyond the limited role of ritual worship and re-emerge as institutions of social reform, ethical guidance, and community unity. In a significant message carrying both spiritual and socio-political undertones, the chief cleric emphasized that religious spaces must actively address the growing moral…
Read MoreMehbooba Mufti Urges PM Modi to Hold Talks With Pakistan and Kashmiris, Calls It ‘Golden Opportunity’ for Peace
Mehbooba Mufti Urges PM Modi to Start Dialogue With Pakistan and Kashmiris Ahead of Eid By: Javid Amin | 17 May 2026 Mehbooba Mufti Calls on PM Modi to Open Dialogue With Pakistan and Kashmiris Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to initiate simultaneous dialogue with Pakistan and the people of Jammu & Kashmir, describing the moment as a “golden opportunity” to rebuild trust and move toward lasting peace in the region. The appeal from the president of the People’s Democratic…
Read MoreFarooq Abdullah Backs Indo-Pak Dialogue, Says Lasting Peace in J&K Needs Engagement With Kashmiris Too
Farooq Abdullah Backs Pakistan Dialogue, Says Peace in J&K Needs Talks With Kashmiris Too By: Javid Amin | 14 May 2026 NC Chief Supports Calls by RSS Leader and Former Army Chief for Talks With Pakistan; Altaf Bukhari Urges Centre to Directly Engage People of Jammu & Kashmir A rare political convergence has emerged in Jammu and Kashmir over the need for dialogue as a pathway to peace, with senior leaders across ideological lines emphasizing that military measures alone cannot resolve the region’s long-standing challenges. Farooq Abdullah, president of the…
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