February 18: Jammu and Kashmir cricket team scripted history by reaching the final of the Ranji Trophy for the first time in their 67-year history, defeating two-time former champions Bengal cricket team by six wickets on the fourth day of their semifinal on Wednesday.

Chasing a modest target of 126 set by the hosts, Jammu and Kashmir completed the run chase in 34.4 overs, finishing at 126 for 4. Vanshaj Sharma remained unbeaten on 43, while Abdul Samad scored an unbeaten 30, as the duo guided the team home with a crucial 55-run partnership.

The victory was set up by pace spearhead Auqib Nabi, who claimed nine wickets in the match to dismantle Bengal’s batting and put his side in a commanding position.

Jammu and Kashmir first participated in the Ranji Trophy in the 1959–60 season and had never been considered serious title contenders. In the 2013–14 season, they reached the knockout stage for the first time in over a decade, but this marks their maiden appearance in the final.

Resuming day four at 43 for 2, Jammu and Kashmir lost overnight batter Shubham Pundir (27) and skipper Paras Dogra (9) early in the morning session. However, Sharma and Samad held their nerve to steer the side to a historic triumph.

Brief Scores:

Bengal: 328 and 99 (25.1 overs)

Jammu and Kashmir: 302 and 126/4 (34.4 overs) – Vanshaj Sharma 43*; Abdul Samad 30*

Saffron production in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has declined to 19.58 metric tonnes (MT) in 2024–25 from 23.53 MT recorded in 2023–24, according to official data tabled in the House.

In a written reply to a question raised by Hasnain Masoodi, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary said that while the total area under saffron cultivation has remained constant at 1,116.27 hectares, overall output and productivity have fluctuated over the past five years.

As per the data shared, saffron production stood at 17.33 MT in 2020–21, declining to 14.87 MT in 2021–22 and marginally improving to 14.94 MT in 2022–23. The sector witnessed a sharp rise in 2023–24 with output reaching 23.53 MT, before falling again in 2024–25.

Average productivity, combining traditional and rejuvenated fields, improved from 4.02 kg per hectare in 2022–23 to 6.33 kg per hectare in 2023–24. However, it slipped to 5.27 kg per hectare in 2024–25.

Exports also registered a dip during the period under review. Saffron exports in 2024–25 were recorded at 17.82 MT, compared to 20.47 MT in the previous year. The total value of saffron production during 2024–25 stood at ₹534.53 crore, while export earnings were pegged at ₹486.43 crore.

Providing details of traditional (non-rejuvenated) saffron areas, Choudhary said production from these fields was 5.02 MT in 2024–25, with a productivity of 4.5 kg per hectare. In 2023–24, traditional areas produced 5.44 MT, with productivity of 4.87 kg per hectare.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the government is making efforts to stabilise and enhance saffron productivity through improved agronomic practices and rejuvenation measures aimed at strengthening the sector.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah for ordering the reopening of 14 tourist destinations in the Union Territory that were closed following the Pahalgam terror attack in April last year.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function, Abdullah said he had raised the issue of reopening the closed tourist spots during his recent meetings with the Union Home Minister in Jammu and earlier in Delhi.

“My request was that the areas which have been closed should be reopened. There is no purpose served by keeping these destinations closed. We did not shut these places even during the worst of times,” he said.

Abdullah added that the Home Minister had assured him that the destinations would be reopened and the orders have now been issued. “I am thankful to the Home Minister for that. The local people have suffered losses due to the closure. I hope visitors will now return to these beautiful places,” he said.

On Monday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered the reopening of 11 tourist destinations in Kashmir and three in the Jammu region. These sites were among more than 80 locations closed after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists.

Remarks on BJP MLA and Allegations

Responding to controversial remarks made by BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa, Abdullah said that “the truth has prevailed,” claiming that a case had been registered against Randhawa for allegedly occupying government land.

He also accused BJP leaders of inconsistency between their statements and actions. Referring to Rajya Sabha member Ghulam Ali Khatana, Abdullah alleged that although Khatana represents Jammu and Kashmir and resides here, he spent 90 per cent of his MPLAD funds in Uttar Pradesh.

Ramzan Arrangements and Daily Wagers’ Protests

When asked about electricity supply during the month of Ramzan, the Chief Minister said he would chair a meeting to review all arrangements and ensure that people face minimal inconvenience during the holy fasting month.

On the protests by daily wagers, Abdullah said there was no need for street demonstrations as the government has already announced in the Assembly that they would be regularised this year under a scheduled process.

He cautioned workers against being influenced for political gains and urged them to engage in dialogue. “If they have something to say, they should come and tell me. Street protests are not good for them or their future. We have assured regularisation in a time-bound manner,” he said.

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary on Tuesday informed the Assembly that no land belonging to Kashmiri migrants has been acquired in the Valley in violation of prescribed legal procedures. He asserted that the ruling Jammu and Kashmir National Conference has consistently worked to ensure justice for the displaced community.

Replying to a starred question raised by CPI(M) legislator M Y Tarigami, the Deputy Chief Minister said that as per the report submitted by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, no land has been acquired without following due procedure, including prior notification and verification, and all acquisitions are assessed under applicable land acquisition laws.

Choudhary was replying on behalf of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who holds charge of the Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRRR) Department.

2022 Order for PM Package Employees

On the issue of a separate order issued in June 2022 for nearly 6,000 employees appointed under the Prime Minister’s Special Package for the Pandit community serving in the Valley, the Deputy Chief Minister clarified that the order does not adversely affect their service interests. Instead, he said, it strengthens and protects them.

He stated that recruitment and initial appointments of Kashmiri migrants under the Prime Minister’s Package are governed by the J&K Migrants (Special Drive) Recruitment Rules, 2009, along with the creation of 6,000 supernumerary posts sanctioned in 2009 and 2017. These provisions address entry into service and availability of posts.

However, with large-scale appointments under the package, the government felt the need for a structured service management framework. Accordingly, the June 2022 order was issued to regulate seniority, cadre management, postings, and career progression of PM Package employees.

“These provisions are protective and enabling in nature and ensure that PM Package employees are not disadvantaged vis-à-vis regular employees,” he said, adding that there is no inconsistency between previous orders and the 2022 directive.

He further informed the House that proposals for additional service improvements and possible absorption of PM Package employees into the regular cadre are under examination by the General Administration and Finance Departments.

Registration of Migrants

Addressing concerns over delays in provisional registrations of Kashmiri migrants, Choudhary said that on July 12, 2023, the administration decided that in view of the improved law and order situation in the Valley, fresh registrations on security grounds were not justified and no further extensions to provisional registrations would be granted.

He added that a screening committee reconstituted in May 2024 has reviewed all pending cases. Out of 1,263 cases, CID and District Magistrate reports are awaited in only 75 cases, which will be decided immediately after receipt of the reports.

He ruled out any inordinate delay, stating that since the process involves security and threat perception assessments, each case requires detailed verification by the CID and district administration.

Opposition’s Concerns

In his supplementary remarks, Tarigami termed the 2022 order “highly discriminatory,” though he welcomed the government’s initiative to review it. He also urged the government to reassess relief for pensioners, pointing out that the structure fixed in 2018 has not kept pace with inflation.

Raising the issue of political migrants, he argued that migration was forced by circumstances and not voluntary, and therefore all such cases should be reviewed on humanitarian grounds.

Responding to the concerns, the Deputy Chief Minister rejected allegations of discrimination and reiterated that the government remains committed to justice for all migrants. He described migration as “unfortunate,” adding that while many cases are genuine, some cases have not been found genuine during verification.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday said that statehood would be restored to Jammu and Kashmir in the near future.

Speaking to reporters, Meghwal described the issue of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood as sensitive and reiterated the Centre’s commitment on the matter. He said that the Union government remains firm on its assurance regarding the restoration process.

“Our Home Minister has already assured in the Lok Sabha that the rightful process will be followed, and the people will get what is due to them,” he said.

When asked about the timeline for a decision, the minister responded, “I think you will hear some decision on this very soon.”

It may be recalled that in August 2019, the Government of India revoked the special status of the region under Article 370 of the Constitution and bifurcated the erstwhile state into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday informed the Assembly that more than 17.27 lakh kanals of state land have been encroached across the Union Territory, out of which over 14.29 lakh kanals have been retrieved so far.

Responding to a question tabled by MLA Sham Lal Sharma regarding the status of encroached and retrieved state land, the Revenue Department placed the details before the House.

According to the official reply, in the Kashmir division, 3,27,198.50 kanals of state land have been found encroached, of which 2,16,912.98 kanals have been retrieved.

In the Jammu division, 14,00,049.66 kanals of land were reported as encroached, while 12,12,287.44 kanals have been successfully retrieved.

Overall, a total of 17,27,248.16 kanals of state land were identified as encroached across Jammu and Kashmir, of which 14,29,200.42 kanals have been reclaimed by the authorities so far.