Karra calls emergency meeting of MLAs, to consult high command

Srinagar, Oct 22 : In a significant political development, Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hamid Karra has convened an emergency meeting of the party’s legislators this afternoon to discuss the National Conference’s invitation for a joint meeting of the ruling alliance’s legislators.

Sources told that Karra will chair a meeting of Congress MLAs at 4:30 PM to deliberate on the National Conference’s invitation.

“Karra is likely to consult the party high command after gathering feedback from legislators to decide on the invitation,” they said.

As reported by KNO this morning, National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah has convened a meeting of alliance legislators today at Hotel Radisson to discuss the strategy for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls as well as the forthcoming session of the state legislature

“NC has to answer for its election promises,” says LoP Sharma; 3 Govt bills to be introduced; Business Advisory Committee to meet today

Srinagar, Oct 22: The autumn session of the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly, starting tomorrow, is expected to witness intense debate, with opposition parties preparing to hold the NC-led government accountable on multiple fronts, including governance, unfulfilled election promises, statehood, and reservation issues.

Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma said the BJP will question the government on failing to deliver on key commitments, including 200 free electricity units, 12 LPG cylinders per household, and job creation for youth. “The government promised one lakh jobs in the last year but has achieved nothing. We will demand accountability,” Sharma stated.

Smaller regional parties such as PDP, PC, and AIP are expected to raise issues related to statehood, reservation rationalisation, and other regional concerns. A resolution seeking restoration of statehood, submitted by Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone, has been disallowed as the matter is sub judice.

The government plans to introduce three bills: amendments to the Jammu & Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989, the GST Act, 2017, and the Jammu and Kashmir Shops and Business Establishment Bill, 2025. For the session, the Assembly Secretariat has received 450 questions, 13 private members’ bills, and 55 private members’ resolutions, while 33 bills from the previous session will be given priority on October 28.

Meanwhile, the Assembly’s Business Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet today at 3:00 PM to allocate time for government bills and other business.

Will decide on participation in our legislature party meeting: Congress CLP GA Mir; PDP keeps RS strategy under wraps

Srinagar, Oct 22: Ahead of the upcoming Assembly session and Rajya Sabha elections, the ruling National Conference (NC) has convened a meeting with its allies on Wednesday evening to discuss strategy.

The Congress has also been invited despite tense relations with the NC over the Rajya Sabha seat-sharing issue. Congress Legislature Party leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir said the party will decide on participation after holding its own legislature party meeting later in the day.

The NC and Congress have been at odds since the former offered a ‘riskier’ Rajya Sabha seat, which Congress refused, and later offered the Nagrota Assembly seat, which Congress also declined.

In addition to Congress, NC has invited CPI(M) MLA Muhammad Yosouf Tarigami, Peoples Conference leader Sajad Gani Lone, and five independent MLAs supporting the government.

The meeting comes a day before the autumn Assembly session and two days ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls, where competition is expected for the fourth seat. The BJP has the backing of 28 MLAs, while the coalition counts 24. The Peoples Democratic Party, with three MLAs, has not yet revealed its poll strategy.

October 21: Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, Shri V.K. Birdi-IPS, chaired a security review meeting at the Conference Hall of Police Control Room, Kashmir. The meeting was attended by senior officers from J&K Police, CAPFs, Army, and Intelligence agencies, including IGs, DIsG, and district SSsP of Kashmir Zone.

During the meeting, IGP Kashmir reviewed the prevailing security scenario and emphasized proactive measures to strengthen the security grid. He directed officers to intensify patrolling, enhance night checking at vulnerable points, and ensure real-time intelligence sharing for coordinated operations to prevent any potential threats.

Stressing the importance of sustained vigilance and area domination, IGP Kashmir urged officers to maintain robust inter-agency coordination and chalk out effective strategies to tackle emerging security challenges.

The meeting concluded with a collective resolve to enhance vigilance, strengthen coordination, and ensure effective implementation of security measures to maintain peace and public order across the Valley.

Leh, Oct 21 (GN TV Desk): A mild earthquake measuring 3.6 on the Richter scale struck parts of Ladakh on Monday evening, officials confirmed.

According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the tremor was recorded at around 6:42 PM, with its epicenter located near Leh at a depth of 10 kilometers.

The quake caused brief tremors that were felt in several nearby areas, but no reports of loss of life or property have been received so far.

Authorities in Leh and adjoining regions have initiated routine safety checks, though officials described the tremor as minor in intensity and said no panic was reported among residents.

Ladakh lies in a seismically active zone, and mild to moderate quakes are frequently recorded in the region.

Further updates are awaited from local disaster management officials.

Srinagar, Oct 21 : In a move that could bring major relief to thousands of households across Jammu and Kashmir, the Legislative Assembly Secretariat has officially admitted a private member’s resolution proposed by Hon’ble Member Mir Mohammad Fayaz. The resolution seeks a one-time exemption of all outstanding electricity dues owed by domestic consumers to the Power Development Department (PDD).
According to an official communication issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Secretariat, the resolution titled “One-Time Exemption of all outstanding dues on account of electric tariff to domestic consumers” has been admitted under Rule 179 read with Rule 28 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the J&K Legislative Assembly.
The letter, bearing reference number LA:4460/Legn/2025 and dated October 20, 2025, was signed by Shabir Ahmad Wani, Under Secretary to the J&K Legislative Assembly. It formally informs the legislator that his resolution has been accepted for inclusion in the upcoming ballot of Private Members’ Resolutions.
As per the notice, the balloting process for Private Members’ Resolutions will be conducted in the office chambers of the Secretary, J&K Legislative Assembly, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 4:00 PM. Mr. Fayaz has been asked to be present during the process.
The resolution, if taken up for discussion and subsequently approved, could have a significant economic and social impact, especially on middle- and low-income households burdened by accumulated electricity bills.
Mir Mohammad Fayaz, known for raising people-centric issues, has argued that the continuing financial distress among consumers—exacerbated by inflation, unemployment, and economic slowdown—has left thousands unable to clear long-pending power dues. A one-time waiver, according to the legislator, would offer immediate relief to struggling families and help restore public trust in utility reforms.
He has also urged the government to consider the waiver as a welfare measure, similar to previous debt-relief schemes introduced in other parts of the country. The move, he believes, will not only ease the burden on domestic consumers but also improve billing discipline once arrears are cleared through a fresh start.
Over the past few months, several consumer groups and local representatives across Jammu and Kashmir have raised concerns about rising electricity tariffs and erratic supply in certain areas. Many residents, especially in rural districts, have demanded concessions citing irregular income sources and lack of metering facilities.
If the proposed resolution is taken up for debate and endorsed by the House, it could prompt the Power Development Department (PDD) to draft a comprehensive framework for settlement of dues, possibly including phased restructuring or a waiver policy for domestic users.
As the Assembly gears up for its next session, the issue is expected to gain wide political and public attention. All eyes will now be on the upcoming ballot proceedings to see whether the one-time tariff exemption proposal makes it to the House floor for formal discussion.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Writes to MP Er Rashid, Announces ₹292.33 Crore for 36 Road Projects in Baramulla Constituency: Inam Un Nabi Welcomes Move

Srinagar, October 21 : Chief Spokesperson of Awami Itihaad Party (AIP), Inam Un Nabi, has welcomed the significant development wherein Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has written to Incarcerated MP Baramulla Engineer Rashid, informing him that the Government of India has approved 36 road projects under PMGSY-IV Batch-I (2025–26) for the Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency. According to the official communication, these projects will cover 136.69 kilometres of road network at an estimated cost of ₹292.33 crore, providing road connectivity to 41 habitations across the constituency.

Inam Un Nabi said, “This letter reflects how Engineer Rashid’s vision for equitable rural development continues to guide progress in North Kashmir. Even while unjustly incarcerated, his developmental imprint remains visible and impactful.”

Inam Un Nabi further thanked Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for approving these crucial road projects, calling it a step that will transform rural connectivity, strengthen economic linkages and bring lasting benefits to the people of North Kashmir.

Inam urged the UT administration to ensure timely and transparent execution of the sanctioned works so that the benefits reach the people without delay. He emphasized that this development once again proves that Engineer Rashid’s leadership transcends all barriers and his commitment to public welfare and development continues to shine despite incarceration.

Srinagar, Oct 21 : At least six residential structures were damaged in a massive fire that broke out late Monday night in Baan Mohalla, Narparistan area of Fateh Kadal, Srinagar.

An official told that the fire started from one of the residential structures and quickly spread to adjoining houses due to the congested locality and dry wooden rooftops.

At least four three-storey houses and two double-storey houses were severely damaged, with the upper portions and rooftops completely gutted, the official added.

The affected houses, as per officials, belong to Adil Ahmad Sheikh, son of Mohammad Sultan Sheikh, and his two brothers; Abdul Rashid Sheikh, son of late Mohammad Ramzan Sheikh; Rafiq Ahmad Sheikh and his brother, residents of Narparistan; Niyaz Ahmad Rather, whose three-storey residential house was partially damaged; Mohammad Shafi, owner of a double-storey residential-cum-commercial structure; and Showkat Ahmad Khan, son of Mohammad Subhan Khan, whose double-storey house also suffered damage.

Fire and Emergency Services personnel, assisted by locals and police, managed to contain the flames after several hours of intense efforts, preventing the fire from spreading further, reports said.

No loss of life or injury was reported in the incident, though property worth lakhs has been destroyed, the official said.

Officials added that the cause of the fire is being ascertained, while cognizance of the matter has been taken.