Latest Updates on Omar Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Tuesday that the government will develop pilgrim tourism circuits in Jammu to encourage pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishnodevi shrine to tour various other tourist destinations in the region. Noting that one crore pilgrims visit the Vaishnodevi shrine annually, Abdullah said if the government could divert 10 to 15 percent of these pilgrims to various destinations in the region, it would benefit the people. "As for the pilgrim tourism circuit in Jammu, we will create three, four and seven day packages. We will promote these destinations to ensure pilgrims visit all such places," Abdullah said in the assembly. Responding to a query from BJP MLA Yudhvir Sethi during the Question Hour, he said many pilgrims are unaware of the pilgrimage tourism destinations in the region. The chief minister emphasised the need to encourage pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishnodevi temple to also tour other places in the region. "It is our challenge to di

The Khelo India Winter Games 2025 will begin on March 9 in the world-renowned health resort of Gulmarg, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah launching its official website here on Monday. With fresh snowfall, Jammu and Kashmir is set to host the second leg of Khelo India Winter Games 2025 in Gulmarg from March 9 to 12, ensuring a world-class winter sports experience in one of India's premier snow destinations. "The event, initially scheduled for February 22-25, was postponed due to insufficient snowfall," an official said. The chief minister launched the official website for Khelo India Winter Games 2025 (kwig2025.com) at the Civil Secretariat here. Speaking on the occasion, Abdullah extended his best wishes to the organizers and inquired about the arrangements and the finalization of dates for the event. Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council Secretary Nuzhat Gul in her presentation said that event will now take place from March 9-12 in Gulmarg. She provided details of the schedule, incl

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah clarified that there are currently no plans for an alliance with the BJP, emphasizing the party's commitment to its own political vision."We are not talking about any alliance (with the BJP); neither is there any scope nor the need. Our thoughts also do not align. If we talk about J & K, our thoughts are vastly different... We will hold discussions on everything (during the session)," he said.Meanwhile, today, the Chief Minister addressed the first Budget session in the Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly.While addressing the assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah praised former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, highlighting his contributions to India's economic growth and key welfare initiatives."Manmohan Singh ji was born in undivided India. He went to Oxford and Cambridge and started as an officer and finance minister and then PM. When he became finance minister, our country was going through an economic crisis. Today we are the ...

PM Modi nominates Omar Abdullah, 9 others for anti-obesity campaign, urging for a nationwide movement to reduce oil consumption and promote a healthier India

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday assured the Sikhs of Jammu and Kashmir that the Omar Abdullah-led government is committed to empowering the community with a specific focus on job opportunities and education. He made the remarks at Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Jammu's Nanak Nagar where he participated in a Gurmat Samagam' organised by the Sikh Youth Welfare Association to commemorate the Prakash Ustav' of Guru Gobind Singh -- the 10th guru of the Sikhs. "The Omar government is dedicated to empowering the Sikh community with a specific focus on enhancing employment opportunities for them and their education," the former chief minister said. Emphasising the role of Sikhs in the cultural tapestry of Jammu and Kashmir, he said the community has been neglected for far too long. "Since 2014, both the central and state governments have failed to address the needs of the Sikh community, leaving them marginalised, he said, adding Sikhs have a deep-rooted history in the ...

The incident, which occurred when the bus was en route from Katra to Delhi, resulted in 17 pilgrims sustaining injuries after the vehicle fell into a gorge near the Manda area

Omar Abdullah, who is also the vice-president of the National Conference (NC), said that that Pakistan must address India's concerns to build a cooperative relationship

Jammu and Kashmir is staring at a water crisis this year due to a massive deficit in rainfall, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Wednesday, calling for a more proactive approach and collective efforts towards water management and conservation. Kashmir has witnessed a dry winter this year with an 80 per cent deficit of rainfall overall this year, raising the possibility of drought in the valley this summer. Abdullah said in a post on X, "J&K is staring at a water crisis this year. It's not a recent phenomenon, actually it's been building up for a few years now. While the government will have to adopt a more proactive approach for water management & conservation, it can't just be a government centric approach. All of us residents of J&K will have to change the way we take water for granted." The chief minister said he will review the measures being taken by the concerned department to deal with the crisis. "I'll be reviewing the measures the Jal Shakti (PHE) Dept intends .

In February, the Home Minister reviewed the implementation of these laws in a meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Maharashtra and asked him to implement these laws

On February 8, when the Delhi poll results were announced, Abdullah took a jibe at the two INDIA bloc members, decrying the 'fighting' between Congress and AAP

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed with him various issues related to law and order in the Union Territory and changes in industrial and tourism policies to give a boost to these two sectors. During the meeting, which lasted for 30 minutes, officials said the chief minister briefed Shah about the situation in J&K after the two recent incidents -- the death of a person by suicide in Kathua in Jammu, and shooting of a truck driver after he did not stop at a checkpoint in Sopore in north Kashmir. After these incidents that took place on February 4 and 5, the chief minister had said that incidents like these "risk alienating the very people who we need to carry with us on the road to complete normalcy". "I have taken up these incidents with the Union Government & insisted that both incidents are inquired into in a time bound, transparent manner. The Government in J&K will also order its own inquiries,"

Delhi Assembly elections 2025: Early trends that the Bharatiya Janata Party has secured 40 seats, while the Aam Aadmi Party has secured 30 seats so far

Manzoor Ahmad Wagay was shot dead by terrorists in Behibagh area of south Kashmir's Kulgam on Monday, while his wife Aaina Akhtar (32) and niece Saina Hameed (13) were also injured in the incident

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary He vowed to take action against illegal mining, drug mafia, and other organized crime syndicates

The Budget Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly will begin on March 3 with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha's address, officials said on Thursday. This will be the first budget of the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference government after assuming power on October 16 last year, ending a six-year-old central rule. "I, Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, under the provisions of Section 21(1) of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, call upon the Members of the Legislative Assembly to assemble in the Legislative Assembly Complex at Jammu on Monday, the 3rd of March, at 10 am to hear my address," read a bulletin issued by the Assembly secretariat. In another bulletin, the Assembly Secretariat requested the members not to send more than 10 starred and 10 unstarred questions in relaxation of Rule 32 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business and not more than three bills in relaxation of sub-rule (3) of Rule 65 of the Rules o

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday unveiled the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2025 mascot, the snow leopard, symbolising the region's rich biodiversity and commitment to conservation. The Chief Minister also released a commemorative souvenir and launched a multimedia campaign for the event scheduled to be held from February 22 to 25 at Gulmarg in north Kashmir, an official spokesman said. Abdullah reviewed the preparations for the 5th edition of the KIWG during a high-level meeting held here, with the focus on ensuring the successful conduct of the event and strengthening the region's position as a premier destination for winter sports, the spokesman said. The first phase of the event was held in Ladakh from January 23 to 27. Over 1,000 athletes from 35 states, Union Territories and sports boards are expected to participate in competitions such as alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, ski mountaineering, snowboarding and a demonstration sportsnowshoe racing. The ..

Asserting that US President Donald Trump's behaviour towards India has been good till now, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that when he was in office earlier, his relations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi were good. On the issue of mysterious deaths in Rajouri, he said that investigations are going on. "It has been two days since he assumed office. At least his behaviour at present has been good. When he was in office earlier, his relations with Prime Minister Modi were good", he told reporters here. Abdullah further said that as far as the duty hike is concerned, our country has not been included in it so far. "Let's see what happens going forwardit's only been two days," he added. He was replying to questions about Trump's relations with India and investigation into Rajouri deaths case. "As of now, our investigation is ongoing. Like I said that day in Rajouri, we have at least been able to understand that this is neither a virus nor a bacteria,"

The remote Badhaal village in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district was on Wednesday declared a containment zone and prohibitory orders imposed on all public and private gatherings in the wake of the death of 17 people belonging to three families, officials said. Another person belonging to the village has been admitted to a hospital in a critical condition, they said. The containment orders have been imposed under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Section 163 of BNSS gives magistrates the power to issue written orders in urgent situations. These orders can be used to prevent or remedy nuisance or dangers. According to the order issued by additional district magistrate (Rajouri) Rajeev Kumar Khajuria, the village has been divided into three containment zones the first covering all families where deaths have occurred. The houses of these affected families shall be sealed and entry will be totally restricted for all individuals, including their family ...

While the exact cause of the illness remains unknown, authorities have ruled out bacterial or viral infections

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday praised the armed forces for safeguarding the country and assured them of his government's complete support in mitigating their problems. He was addressing a function organised by the Army at Tanda Artillery Brigade in the Akhnoor sector near Jammu to celebrate the ninth Armed Forces Veterans' Day celebrations. The defence minister was accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan. You have given everything for this nation without caring for yourself you have rendered your duties and it is now our duty to take care of your needs and address your problems, the chief minister said. He assured the armed forces of his government's support to address their issues. You have done a great favour to us in safeguarding our borders and I assure you the J-K government will always be available for you. If there has been any shortcoming, we will set it right and will reach out to you and ensure that you get reservation and an