Doda: Dr. Tahir Rufayee, National Chairman of the National Foundation For Journalism And Media, today visited Government Medical College Doda to review healthcare services and interact with patients.

During the visit, Dr. Rufayee met patients and their attendants, listened to their concerns, and assessed the quality of medical care being provided. He emphasized the need for compassionate treatment, transparency, and efficient service delivery in public health institutions.

He also held a detailed meeting with the college administration, which was attended by I/C Principal Dr.Babar R Zargar, Deputy Medical Superintendent Dr. Irfan Tasaduq Kelam, and other senior doctors and officials.

The meeting focused on strengthening medical infrastructure, improving patient facilities, enhancing staff coordination, and ensuring better healthcare delivery for the people of the district.

Dr. Rufayee appreciated the dedication and hard work of doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff and assured his full support for initiatives aimed at improving public healthcare services. He reiterated his commitment to advocating for quality, accessible, and affordable medical care for all.

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra on Thursday urged the Centre to announce a clear timeline for restoring statehood to the Union Territory, saying the continued uncertainty has weakened public trust in governance.

Participating in the motion of thanks on the Lieutenant Governor’s address in the Legislative Assembly, Karra said the core political demand of the people — restoration of statehood — remains unaddressed. He noted that while the issue found mention in the previous address, it was absent this time.

“The LG spoke of participatory governance and public trust, but how can such trust exist when the people’s core demand — restoration of statehood — remains unresolved,” Karra said. He added that the present Assembly came into existence only after the intervention of the Supreme Court ensured the restoration of the democratic process.

Referring to statements by the Centre that statehood would be restored at an “appropriate time,” the Congress leader asked the government to define a timeframe. “What is the right time? What is its measure and standard? How long will the people of Jammu and Kashmir have to wait?” he said.

Karra said senior Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, have raised the demand for immediate restoration of statehood in Parliament and through formal communication with the Prime Minister.

In an apparent swipe at the BJP, he said that while most people want full statehood restored to a united Jammu and Kashmir, some voices are advocating separate statehood for Jammu. He cautioned that such proposals could deepen regional mistrust and weaken collective strength.

The Congress leader also said the LG’s address did not adequately address humanitarian concerns relating to the rehabilitation of migrant Kashmiri Pandits and refugees from 1947, 1965 and 1971.

He called for a comprehensive and dignified rehabilitation plan for Kashmiri Pandits, stating that symbolic or purely economic measures would not be sufficient. He proposed the formation of an all-party committee of MLAs to initiate structured dialogue with the Kashmiri Pandit community and prepare a practical roadmap for their safe return.

On West Pakistani refugees, Karra said the one-time assistance package of Rs 30 lakh per family approved during the previous UPA government should be fully implemented, noting that only Rs 5 lakh per family has been disbursed so far. He also demanded the creation of a dedicated welfare board to address their pending land, settlement and livelihood issues.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday attended the idol installation ceremony of Swami Satyamitranand Giri Ji Maharaj in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, and spoke on what he described as India’s ongoing economic, cultural and spiritual renaissance.

The Spiritual, Cultural and Sadguru Memorial Celebration was organised under the guidance of Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhara, and was attended by saints and devotees from across the country.

Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said a new consciousness is emerging in society driven by spiritual values and cultural resurgence. He said that with the blessings of revered saints, people are moving steadily toward the vision of building a modern and transformed India.

Sinha noted that the principles envisioned by India’s ancestors thousands of years ago are now gaining global acceptance, pointing to the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family — as a guiding idea for peace and harmony.

“Since time immemorial, our tradition has championed the welfare of all humanity. It has gifted us the expansive vision of the world as one family. Our ancient culture has never sown division; it has always promoted unity, individual well-being and prosperity for all,” he said.

He added that India has redefined spirituality, universal welfare and patriotism for the world, and described the country as the cradle of one of the most advanced civilizations and cultures capable of guiding global peace and harmony.

The Lieutenant Governor also said that India’s soft power and spiritual heritage are increasingly being recognised worldwide, with yoga and meditation becoming part of daily life in households across many countries.

Jammu and Kashmir’s real Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is estimated to grow by 5.82 per cent in 2025-26, reflecting steady economic recovery and resilience, according to the Economic Survey Report 2025-26 tabled in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah presented the report in the House, which estimates the size of the Union Territory’s economy at about Rs 2.86 lakh crore in nominal terms and Rs 1.50 lakh crore in real terms.

The survey noted that J&K recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.47 per cent in real GSDP between 2019-20 and 2024-25, describing it as a sign of post-pandemic recovery. It added that the growth rate during this period was higher than Delhi and Himachal Pradesh and marginally above Haryana.

Per capita income in the Union Territory is projected at Rs 1,68,243 in 2025-26, with a growth rate surpassing several northern states and Union Territories, including Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Chandigarh and Haryana over the last five years. J&K currently contributes around 0.8 per cent to the national GDP.

Sector-wise, the primary sector is expected to contribute 20.45 per cent to Gross State Value Added (GSVA) in 2025-26 and continues to support livelihoods for about 42.99 per cent of the workforce. The secondary and tertiary sectors are projected to contribute 18.52 per cent and 61.02 per cent, respectively.

On price trends, the report said inflation in the Union Territory declined from 4.5 per cent in 2024 to 3.8 per cent in 2025, indicating improved price stability. Revenue receipts up to November 2025 stood at Rs 13,521 crore, accounting for 64 per cent of the total revenue realised in the previous financial year.

Employment indicators also showed improvement, with the unemployment rate falling from 6.7 per cent in 2019-20 to 6.1 per cent in 2023-24. The labour force participation rate and worker population ratio rose to 64.3 per cent and 60.4 per cent, respectively.

Under employment schemes such as PMEGP and JKREGP, more than 10,800 units were set up in 2024-25, generating self-employment for around 85,000 youth. Over 36 lakh unorganised workers were registered on the e-SHRAM portal till November 2025.

The survey highlighted a shift in agriculture towards high-value crops, organic farming and exotic varieties under programmes such as the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and J&K Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP). Horticulture area expanded to 3.47 lakh hectares, with production rising by 12.5 per cent. Almond and walnut exports reached Rs 602.53 crore in 2024-25.

Tourism remained a major growth driver, with 1.78 crore visitors, including about 36,000 foreign tourists, visiting Jammu and Kashmir in 2025, the report said.

Industrial growth was described as robust, with 2,227 units becoming operational over the past seven years and attracting investments worth Rs 15,940 crore.

In the social sector, the neonatal mortality rate declined to 9.8 and infant mortality rate to 14, while life expectancy increased to 74.3 years. Institutional births reached 99.7 per cent and full immunisation coverage touched 100 per cent.

The report said more than 87.64 lakh Ayushman Bharat Golden Cards have been issued, and about 19 lakh treatments delivered under the AB-PMJAY-SEHAT scheme, resulting in estimated savings of Rs 3,435 crore for beneficiaries.

In education, total enrolment crossed 26.17 lakh students in 2024-25, alongside falling dropout rates and improved transition levels. The survey added that hydropower capacity is being doubled to 3,014 MW by 2028, while power transmission and distribution capacity has risen by 44 per cent over the past six years.

More than 2.06 lakh dog bite cases were reported across Jammu and Kashmir during 2024 and 2025, with Jammu district emerging as the worst affected, the government informed the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.

Replying to a question from National Conference MLA Mubarak Gul, Health Minister Sakina Itoo said that 2,06,460 dog bite incidents were recorded across the Union Territory over the two-year period. Of these, 93,765 cases were reported in 2024 and 1,12,695 in 2025.

The Jammu division accounted for the larger share, reporting 1,26,844 cases. Jammu district alone registered 76,824 incidents, followed by Kathua with 17,129 and Udhampur with 8,179 cases. Other districts in the division included Rajouri (7,140), Samba (5,332), Doda (4,111), Reasi (2,752), Poonch (2,023), Ramban (1,772) and Kishtwar (1,582).

In the Kashmir division, 79,616 cases were recorded during the same period, including 38,902 in 2024 and 40,714 in 2025. Srinagar reported the highest number at 35,174 cases, followed by Baramulla (12,882) and Anantnag (10,818). Budgam logged 5,523 cases, Kulgam 3,925, Kupwara 3,725, Bandipora 2,914, Pulwama 2,197, Ganderbal 1,695 and Shopian 462.

The minister said the figures were compiled from data provided by the Directorate of Health Services, Government Medical Colleges and SKIMS. She added that the government is strengthening prevention and treatment systems to deal with the rising number of dog bite incidents.

On stray dog population, the minister said there is no official report indicating an increase within Jammu Municipal Corporation limits. However, a scientific survey conducted by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation in 2023 estimated around 64,416 stray dogs in Srinagar.

To address the issue, the SMC is implementing an Animal Birth Control and Anti-Rabies Vaccination (ABC-ARV) programme and is setting up a third sterilisation and vaccination centre at Ahal Chatterhama to significantly enhance capacity. Authorities said all measures are being carried out in line with Supreme Court guidelines mandating sterilisation, vaccination and release as the approved method for managing stray dog populations.