JAMMU, FEBRUARY 20: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today reiterated that his government is committed to filling vacancies in a time-bound manner, announcing that over 30,000 vacancies will be filled during current year.
The Chief Minister made these remarks while replying to a question raised by member Prof. Gharu Ram Bhagat during the Question Hour of the ongoing Budget Session of the Legislative Assembly.
Informing the House, the Chief Minister stated that vacancies arise from time to time in various Government Departments, including field-level posts, due to, retirements, promotions, resignations and other administrative reasons. “There are institutional mechanisms in place for periodic assessment of vacancies and timely referral to the concerned recruiting agencies in accordance with the statutory provisions,” he said.
He further noted that to ensure essential services and field-level functions are not adversely affected, adequate staff strength is maintained across departments. Wherever necessary, interim administrative arrangements are adopted in accordance with established rules.
The Government, he said, has taken several measures to expedite the filling up of vacancies. These include advance identification and consolidation of vacancies, time-bound referral of requisitions to recruiting agencies, streamlining of procedural requirements, regular monitoring at the administrative level, and ensuring efficiency and transparency in recruitment process.
No power tariff hike since December 2023; billing based on actual consumption: CM Omar Abdullah
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today informed the Legislative Assembly that there has been no hike in power tariff since December 2023. He stated that billing in metered areas is carried out strictly as per actual electricity consumption, while in non-metered areas, bills are raised on a flat-rate basis in accordance with the agreed load, without any arbitrariness.
The Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by Dr. Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri during the Question Hour of the ongoing Budget Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
Responding to a supplementary regarding rationalisation of power tariff, the Chief Minister informed the House that tariff determination falls within the domain of the regulatory authority, namely the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC). He said the tariff is fixed strictly in accordance with the rationale and parameters laid down by the regulator.
The Chief Minister further clarified that Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses are not realised from consumers.
Tourism projects worth ₹307.12 lakh completed, another underway in Ramgarh: CM
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today informed the Legislative Assembly that three tourism projects have been completed and one project is currently in progress in Ramgarh Constituency at a total cost of ₹307.12 lakh under the Capex Budget.
The Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyal, which was asked on his behalf by member Surjeet Singh Slathia during the Question Hour.
The House was informed that the Tourism Development Plan for the year 2026–27 has not yet been formulated. However, new projects for Ramgarh Constituency will be considered for 2026–27, subject to feasibility as per established tourism norms, availability of funds and necessary approvals.
Replying to another question, the Chief Minister, who also holds the Tourism portfolio, stated that ₹123.41 lakh was sanctioned under the Capex Budget for the development and beautification of Sidh Goria Temple. The works included beautification of the surrounding area, construction of parking facilities and toilet blocks, development of a pond, installation and commissioning of high mast lights and allied works. He informed that the project stands physically completed.
He further said that ₹100.00 lakh was sanctioned under the Capex Budget for the development of Baba Chamlyal Shrine. The sanctioned works comprised construction of flooring and pathways, installation of lights and allied works, which have also been physically completed.
The Chief Minister added that the department undertakes publicity of the annual mela at Sidh Goria Temple and Baba Chamlyal Shrine through flex hoardings, newspaper advertisements and booklets to promote religious tourism.
Regarding other religious sites including Ganga Mata Temple, Banu Temple and Ram Temple, he stated that their development will be considered in future, subject to feasibility, availability of funds and necessary approvals.
6.3 MVA Receiving Station at Qamar to boost power supply in Upper Kapran; likely commissioning by June 2026: CM Omar
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today informed the Legislative Assembly that, keeping in view the projected load growth, work on a 6.3 MVA Receiving Station at Qamar, located at Dudwagan, is currently under progress. The project is aimed at ensuring reliable power supply to the Upper Kapran belt which would also depend on consumers maintaining usage within the agreed collective load limits.
“The receiving station is expected to be commissioned by June 2026, subject to saturation of smart metering,” the Chief Minister told the House during the Question Hour of the ongoing Budget Session.
Replying to a query raised by member Nizamuddin Bhat on behalf of MLA Dooru G.A. Mir, the Chief Minister stated that power supply to the Upper Kapran belt is presently being maintained as per the approved Load Curtailment Programme (LCP) from the 2×6.3 MVA Receiving Station at Nowgam Chowgund through the 11 kV Kapran feeder.
He further informed that major works on the Qamar Receiving Station have already been executed. Against the approved revised cost of ₹427.63 lakh, a cumulative expenditure of ₹293.44 lakh has been incurred so far. “The commissioning of the receiving station has been delayed mainly due to Right of Way (RoW) issues encountered during the installation of the 33 kV line from the Receiving Station at Nowgam Chowgund, as well as during the laying of 11 kV feeders,” he said.
The Chief Minister added that during the current financial year 2025–26, an amount of ₹85.00 lakh was earmarked for the project, out of which ₹72.25 lakh has been released and fully utilised.
