New Delhi, Sep 04: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and discussed a range of key issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting focused on restoration of statehood, finalisation of the Transaction of Business Rules, rationalisation of reservations and other important matters related to public welfare and development.
The Chief Minister also briefed the Union Home Minister on the First International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK), scheduled to commence in Srinagar from September 7.
Omar Abdullah thanked the Union Home Minister for the timely assistance and support being extended to Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of flood-related damage reported across several areas.

Srinagar, Sep 04: Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Zone Sujit Kumar chaired a security review meeting for the forthcoming International Film Festival. The meeting focused on strengthening security arrangements and ensuring comprehensive preparedness for the smooth and secure conduct of the festival.
The meeting was attended by Addl. Commissioner SB Srinagar, DIG SSB Srinagar, DIG ITBP Srinagar, DIsG of Police including CID Kashmir, CKR Srinagar, Traffic Kashmir, Armed/IR Kashmir, DIsG of CRPF South/North Srinagar, DIG BSF Ftr Hrs, SSP PCR Kashmir, SSsP of Traffic City Srinagar, district Srinagar, Railways Kashmir, Traffic Rural Kashmir, Security Kashmir, CID SB (K), CID (CIK), APCR Srinagar, SO to IGP Kashmir, CO SDRF 1st Bn Srinagar, Asstt Director SIB Srinagar, Col GS (IS) 15 Corps SP Cargo, Joint Director Information, Joint Director Tourism, Deputy Director Fire & Emergency Services and other officers.
At the outset of the meeting, IGP Kashmir reviewed the overall security preparedness, deployment plans and arrangements being put in place for the smooth and secure conduct of International Film Festival. Detailed discussions were held on venue security, deployment of personnel, access control, surveillance, crowd management, traffic regulation, emergency response mechanisms and inter-agency coordination.
Sujit Kumar stressed the need for adequate and strategically planned deployment at all identified venues, keeping in view the expected movement and gathering of visitors, participants, dignitaries and other stakeholders. IGP Kashmir also directed the officers to ensure thorough route clearance and appropriate deployment of Road Opening Parties (ROPs) along designated routes to ensure secure and uninterrupted movement during the festival.
Officers were directed to put in place effective crowd management measures, maintain regulated entry and exit points, and ensure smooth movement of people around the venues. Shri Sujit Kumar also emphasised the need to formulate and implement appropriate traffic management plans, ensure smooth vehicular movement and deploy adequate personnel at vulnerable and congested points to minimise inconvenience to the public.
IGP Kashmir stressed the importance of close coordination and real-time sharing of information among all participating agencies to maintain a robust and responsive security grid throughout the event. He directed officers to maintain heightened alertness, strengthen surveillance and undertake all necessary preventive and security measures well in advance.
The meeting concluded with a comprehensive review of the preparedness measures and directions for further strengthening the security arrangements in coordination with all concerned agencies, ensuring a safe and secure environment for the successful conduct of the festival.

Srinagar, Sep 04: A delegation of protesting MBBS and BDS interns on Friday met Health Minister Sakeena Itoo and the Chief Minister’s Advisor, urging the government to take immediate steps to resolve their long-pending demand for enhancement of their monthly stipend.
During the meeting, the minister told the interns that the matter was under consideration and sought one month’s time to complete the process and issue a formal order. The interns, however, did not agree to the proposed timeframe and made it clear that their strike would continue until a concrete decision was taken.
Dr Tasaduq, an intern from GMC Srinagar who was part of the delegation, told KNO that the minister informed them that the file had been sent to the Finance Department and that the government was working out a roadmap to resolve the issue.
“The minister sought one month’s time from us, but we disagreed. We told her clearly that we have already waited and cannot call off the strike merely on assurances. Until our demand is fulfilled and an official order is issued enhancing our monthly stipend from Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000, we will continue our strike,” he said.
The interns maintained that they were seeking a formal and written commitment from the government rather than another assurance, saying they would reconsider their agitation only after an official order regarding the stipend enhancement was issued.
Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, Incharge AIMSA J&K said the interns had already been waiting for a considerable period and wanted clarity on the timeline and mechanism for resolving the issue.
“The interns need a concrete commitment. If the government is serious about resolving the matter, there should be a clear roadmap and a formal order. They cannot be expected to withdraw their protest on assurances alone,” he said.
The delegation included AIMSA leaders Dr Tasaduq, Dr Akib, Dr Shahnawaz, Dr Faraz and Dr Zamin, along with Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, who has been coordinating and supporting the interns’ efforts.
The MBBS and BDS interns have been on strike across government medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir, demanding revision of their monthly stipend from the existing Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000.
The protesting interns said they would continue their agitation until the government formally approves and issues the order for the enhanced stipend.

Srinagar, Sep 04: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo on Friday called for a reliability-first and fiscally prudent approach to electric mobility in Jammu and Kashmir, with EV adoption to be scaled up with establishing adequate service readiness, winter performance and dependable charging infrastructure.
The Chief Secretary was chairing a meeting to review the comprehensive framework of the Draft Jammu and Kashmir Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy 2026, formulated by the Transport Department with support from the Centre for Innovation and Transformation in Governance (CITaG).
The meeting was attended by ACS, Power Development Department; ACS, Finance; Commissioner Secretary, FCS&CA; Commissioner Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department; Commissioner Secretary, Law; Secretary, Transport; Commissioner, JMC/SMC, besides other concerned officers and subject experts from CITaG.
While speaking the Chief Secretary directed that implementation of the proposed policy should follow a strictly sequenced approach, beginning with service preparedness before expansion of charging corridors and wider market adoption.
He stressed that EV deployment in J&K must be in consonance with the Union Territory’s distinct terrain, climatic conditions and sub-zero operating environments, particularly on difficult routes, so that infrastructure and vehicle performance are validated under actual field conditions before scaling up.
On the fiscal framework, the Chief Secretary directs for ensuring that government support remains targeted towards strategic gaps and capacity building of the concerned. He emphasised greater reliance on centrally sponsored interventions, including PM E-DRIVE, as the principal fiscal anchor for the transition.
The Chief Secretary further directed the Law Department to undertake the requisite legal vetting of the draft policy before its finalisation.
Regarding electrification of the government fleet, Dulloo directed that replacement of government vehicles should be undertaken in a phased and need-based manner, strictly keeping in view the terrain, climatic conditions and operational requirements of different areas of J&K.
On this occasion the Secretary, Transport, Avny Lavasa highlighted that the proposed policy has been structured around eight strategic pillars, with measurable targets for vehicle adoption, charging infrastructure, workforce development, fiscal support, power-system integration and environmental outcomes.
She added that tangible policy targets had been envisaged within the next 6 years of the policy adoption constituting an EV share of 40 per cent in new personal four-wheeler registrations, 35 per cent in two-wheelers, 30 per cent in buses and 25 per cent in taxis and shared mobility.
To support this transition, the proposed roadmap envisages expansion of the public charging network from the present baseline of around 180 stations to 450 sites by the third year and 900 sites by the sixth year. This would include 140 priority fast-charging hubs, each targeted to maintain at least 98 per cent monthly uptime.
A dedicated Winter Validation Protocol has been proposed to assess battery thermal behaviour, low-temperature charging acceptance and the impact of cabin heating on vehicle performance.
The proposed policy also favours incentivising the early adopters. It envisages giving eligible buyers the option of either interest subvention of up to 3 per cent per annum or a rolling top-up support, with both benefits not being admissible simultaneously.
An annual scrappage exchange bonus has too been recommended for a maximum period of three years. The benefit would be available only through authorised scrappage channels and subject to verification through a centralised digital database.
The policy also proposes managed integration of EV charging demand with the power system through Time-of-Day tariffs and solar-hour charging, with a target of 40 per cent renewable-energy integration in charging operations within the targeted period of time.

Pulwama, Sep 04: The second edition of the Royal Premier League (RPL) reached its much-awaited finale on Friday evening, drawing thousands of cricket enthusiasts to Pulwama as the day-night final brought the town to life with an extraordinary display of public participation and sporting enthusiasm.
The final between Sultan Warriors Baramulla and Royal Goodwill Cricket Club is being played under floodlights at the Sports Stadium Pulwama, with a massive crowd gathering at and around the venue to witness the contest. The two sides had also featured in the tournament’s opening match, making their return to the final a notable culmination of the league.
The overwhelming response to the final led to heavy movement of vehicles toward the stadium, causing traffic congestion at several locations in Pulwama town. Long queues of vehicles were witnessed at various points as spectators from Pulwama and other parts of Kashmir made their way to the venue, KNO reported.
The huge turnout once again underlined the growing popularity of local cricket tournaments in Kashmir, particularly night cricket, which has emerged as a major attraction for young people and sports lovers.
The RPL Season 2, which began in August, featured 10 teams competing in a 20-over leather-ball format at the Sports Stadium Pulwama. The tournament brought together players from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir and provided local cricketers with an opportunity to compete in a professionally organised sporting environment.
The tournament was organised by Irfan Sarkar, who has been associated with the league since its inception. The second edition witnessed strong public interest from its opening game, with thousands of spectators turning up for matches and creating a lively atmosphere around the stadium.
Friday’s final, however, took the enthusiasm several notches higher, with the stadium packed with spectators and cricket fans cheering for their respective teams.
The scale of the gathering also presented a challenge for traffic management, as the concentration of spectators and vehicles around the stadium resulted in congestion at several points in the town. The movement of traffic slowed considerably as people continued to arrive for the final.
The RPL has increasingly become more than just a cricket tournament, with its organisers and supporters projecting it as an initiative aimed at providing youth with a constructive platform through sport.
Pulwama MLA Waheed Para, who has been associated with the Royal Premier League, said the overwhelming response to the event demonstrated the enthusiasm and potential of the youth.
“Tonight, Pulwama chose hope over headlines. Forty thousand-plus hearts beating as one under the lights—not for politics, not for conflict, but for cricket. This is what healing looks like,” Para said.
He said the league represented a youth-led effort to create opportunities for young people through sports.
“What the government should be doing, our youth are doing themselves. Built by the youth, for the youth and of the youth,” Para said.
Para described the event as a reflection of the ability of sport to bring people together, saying every boundary and six during the tournament represented a celebration of hope and youthful energy.
Meanwhile, Irfan Sarkar described the initiative as much more than a cricket match, saying the RPL could prove to be “game-changing for Pulwama.”
The league has also provided a platform for established and emerging cricketers to share the same field. Several recognised players from Jammu and Kashmir have participated in the tournament, adding to its appeal among spectators.