Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed support for the Centre's decision to levy charges on UPI transactions, citing the cost of maintaining the digital payment infrastructure. However, he emphasised the need to protect retail consumers from these fees. Abdullah also discussed the upcoming seven-day Assembly session, highlighting the government's commitment to smooth functioning and addressing MLAs' concerns, and touched upon efforts to tackle drainage issues affecting water bodies.
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah cheered from the stands KSCA Cricket Ground in Hubbali on Saturday as the J&K cricket team inched closer to a historic maiden Ranji Trophy title.
The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the BJP has served a legal notice to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, demanding a retraction and public apology for his allegations that the BJP attempted to bribe National Conference legislators to destabilise his government. The BJP has called the claims "false, baseless and defamatory" and warned of civil and criminal proceedings, including a Rs 100 crore defamation suit, if their demands are not met within seven days.
Omar Abdullah has so far laboured hard to make best of a bad bargain. Even so, the ground reality is anything but reassuring. The Opposition parties, including notably the PDP, appear to be gaining ground, though more by default. Public patience with Omar's government has nearly run out, notes Mohammad Sayeed Malik, the distinguished commentator on Kashmir affairs.
'Omar Abdullah presented Delhi as a villain in front of the people of Jammu Kashmir before elections and now is shaking hands with them.'
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced he would meet US Ambassador Sergio Gor to discuss the regional situation but firmly stated he would not raise internal issues with the US representative. Abdullah emphasised that solutions to J&K's problems lie with the central government, not with foreign entities, maintaining his stance against complaining about India to foreign diplomats.
Omar Abdullah will have to negotiate at every step with the lieutenant governor's office and the Modi government at the Centre.
The sharp remark was intended after Congress and AAP's decision to contest the Delhi elections separately, despite being allies under the INDIA bloc banner.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah introduced a resolution in the assembly demanding the urgent restoration of full statehood for the union territory. The resolution, which referenced previous autonomy resolutions, led to intense protests and "ugly scenes" from opposition BJP members, resulting in the adjournment of the House. Abdullah highlighted the unfulfilled promise by the Government of India regarding statehood after delimitation and elections.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has renewed his call for the restoration of special status and statehood to the region, asserting that the decision to accede to India 80 years ago was correct. He highlighted the importance of upholding India's federal structure and suggested that if Article 370 hadn't been revoked, PoK residents might be seeking reunification. Abdullah also criticised centralised governance models, arguing they erode state autonomy.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday described the attack on the Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore as unfortunate."Sports and politics have to be separated and I do not think any cause should allow sportspersons to be targeted," Omar said while reacting to the terror attack in Lahore. He described the incident as unfortunate and said, "Perhaps it is for the first time since the Munich Olympics that sportspersons have been attacked."
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah was sworn in as the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, the first elected government in the Union Territory since 2019 when Article 370 was abrogated.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced plans to build a memorial in Baisaran, Pahalgam, in memory of the 26 victims of last month's terror attack. The memorial will serve as a lasting tribute to the victims and a reminder that they will never be forgotten. Abdullah also addressed the importance of reviving tourism in the state, assuring tour operators that tourist destinations will reopen in a phased manner.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah shared a fabricated social media post attributed to former US President Donald Trump, captioned 'If only!', to highlight his demand for the restoration of J&K's statehood, drawing significant criticism online.
The BJP has initiated a motion to remove the Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather. This action stems from the Speaker's decision to allow a resolution by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah demanding full statehood restoration, which the BJP claims violates assembly rules. The Speaker, however, defended his actions, citing procedural rules for such motions.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has accused the BJP of attempting to destabilise his government by trying to split the National Conference. He alleged that the BJP is using financial incentives and promises of ministerial berths and statehood to lure his MLAs, with one MLA reportedly offered up to Rs 30 crore. Abdullah asserted that his party's legislators would not compromise their integrity.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah led his party MLAs and supporting independents to an off-site meeting, reportedly at Dachigam National Park, amidst claims by the Leader of Opposition that several ruling party MLAs were on the verge of defecting.
He said he told Vohra that in this situation when no single party has the mandate to form the government, the Governor has no other option than to impose governor's rule immediately.
Abdullah, who visited the shelling-affected areas of Uri, including Salamabad, Lagama, Bandi and Gingal in north Kashmir's Baramulla district, also said that he would take up the demand for building individual bunkers in these areas with the Centre.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah refused to cut a ribbon with tricolour stripes at an event, opting instead to untie it and hand it back to organisers, sparking widespread praise and debate.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has initiated a thorough inquiry into allegations of misconduct against IAS officer Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, who is accused of using abusive language towards a female JKAS officer during a recent virtual review meeting, an incident that has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for strict action.
The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly has passed a resolution demanding the urgent restoration of full statehood, a move that saw the opposition BJP stage a walkout. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah moved the resolution, which also referenced previous calls for greater autonomy and special status. The BJP vehemently opposed the resolution, calling it an insult to the Constitution.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah congratulated Paralympics medallist Sheetal Devi for winning a gold medal at the World Archery Para Series Stage III in Ahmedabad. The 19-year-old from Kishtwar also secured a bronze in the mixed team event, making the nation proud.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced a cash reward of Rs 2 crore for the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team following its maiden Ranji Trophy triumph.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's surprise visits to check on various government departments have heads rolling with the suspension of an assistant sub inspector of a police station in the city.
Veteran politician Farooq Abdullah survived an assassination attempt during a marriage function in Jammu. Security concerns have been raised following the incident.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah appealed for calm amid widespread protests following reports of the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah was on Monday sworn in as the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir
The incident took place in the posh Greater Kailash locality when Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary were coming out after attending the marriage function.
Twenty-three political parties and an Independent MP have jointly written to Chief Justice Surya Kant regarding the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and other election-related issues, a move spearheaded by the INDIA bloc.
The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee has strongly condemned the attack on former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and called for accountability from those responsible for maintaining law and order.
Incessant overnight rainfall has triggered severe flash floods and landslides in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch and Rajouri districts, resulting in at least eight fatalities and six people missing, prompting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to cut short his Delhi visit to personally monitor the situation.
"Azad saab (Ghulam Nabi Azad) had spoken on behalf of all of us that we don't accept this timeline -- we don't accept delimitation, election, statehood, we want delimitation, statehood and then election. If you want to hold polls, you'll have to restore statehood first," said Omar Abdullah.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has reached out to state governments where Kashmiris are allegedly being harassed following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. He responded to reports of harassment on social media, requesting his counterparts to take extra care. The attack, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists, has sparked fear and anxiety among Kashmiris across the country.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has cleared a resolution passed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led cabinet urging the Centre to restore the statehood to the Union territory, officials said on Saturday.
Opposition parties in India are demanding the impeachment and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, alleging he is running the poll panel as a 'one-man autocracy' following revelations that two Election Commissioners red-flagged issues related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Omar welcomed the announcement of setting up of an IIT in Jammu and expressed hope that something similar would be announced for Kashmir to maintain regional balance.
A chance meeting between Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union minister Kiren Rijiju at the Tulip Garden in Srinagar has sparked a political storm, with opposition parties accusing the National Conference of laying out a red carpet for the BJP leader in the aftermath of the Waqf Amendment Act. While NC sources termed the interaction as a purely coincidental encounter, opposition parties like the PDP and Peoples' Conference condemned the meeting, accusing the NC of surrendering to the BJP. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, passed by Parliament last week, aims to streamline the management of Waqf properties with provisions to safeguard heritage sites and promote social welfare.
Veteran politician Farooq Abdullah survived an assassination attempt at a wedding in Jammu, raising concerns about security protocols for high-profile individuals. Abdullah attributes his survival to divine intervention and the bravery of his security detail, while calling for a thorough investigation into the incident and the apparent lack of police presence.
Mixing humour with political resolve, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday used the flagging-off ceremony of the first train to Kashmir by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Katra to subtly but clearly articulate his government's demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
