TAUSEEF AHMAD
BANDIPORA, Jan 13:
A serious controversy has erupted at the District Hospital Bandipora after bundles of allegedly expired medicines were found being openly burned inside the hospital premises, raising alarming questions about biomedical waste management and public safety. The incident came to light after a video showing the burning of large quantities of medicines went viral on social media on Tuesday, triggering widespread concern among residents, health activists, and environmental experts.
The video, accessed by Kashmir Despatch, shows packets and cartons of medicines engulfed in flames in an open area located behind the hospital’s oxygen plant. The footage clearly captures smoke billowing into the air as strips and boxes of medicines are destroyed within the hospital compound itself—an act that experts say violates established biomedical waste disposal norms.
Locals and hospital visitors expressed shock over the visuals, terming the act both dangerous and irresponsible. “Burning medicines in the open, especially within a district hospital, is extremely hazardous. The smoke released from pharmaceutical waste contains toxic chemicals that can seriously harm patients, hospital staff, and people living nearby,” a local resident said. He further alleged that this was not the first such incident and that similar practices had been followed earlier as well.
Although Kashmir Despatch could not independently verify whether the medicines seen in the video were indeed expired, the manner in which they were destroyed has sparked outrage. Under the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016, expired or unused medicines must be handed over to authorised biomedical waste handlers or disposed of through scientifically approved incineration facilities. Open-air burning of pharmaceutical waste is strictly prohibited due to the risk of environmental pollution, toxic emissions, and possible misuse of medicines that may still be in circulation.
Sources revealed that the burning took place on Tuesday and that after the video went viral, hospital authorities hurriedly tried to destroy the remaining stock by spraying sanitizer over the medicines, allegedly to prevent further scrutiny. According to these sources, a larger quantity of medicines was originally meant to be destroyed, but once the incident became public, the remaining stock was allegedly concealed.
Repeated attempts to seek an explanation from the Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Bandipora were unsuccessful, as he declined to comment on the matter. However, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Bandipora, Dr Ishtiyaq, confirmed that disciplinary action has been initiated against the concerned storekeeper. “Action has been taken against the storekeeper responsible for this lapse,” he said, without elaborating further.
Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, also acknowledged the seriousness of the issue and said she would look into the matter.
In response to the public outrage following the viral video, the Office of the Medical Superintendent has constituted a seven-member inquiry committee to conduct a detailed probe into the incident. As per an official order issued on January 13, 2026, the committee has been tasked with examining all records related to the procurement, storage, condemnation, and disposal of medicines at the hospital. It will also verify whether the procedures followed were in accordance with the General Financial Rules and the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016.
The committee has further been directed to fix responsibility for any violations or lapses and to submit its report within seven days.
The incident has once again highlighted serious gaps in biomedical waste management in public health institutions, underscoring the urgent need for stricter monitoring, accountability, and adherence to environmental and public health safety norms in Jammu and Kashmir’s healthcare system.

VINOD BHAT
NEW DELHI, Jan 13: The security situation along India’s western front and in Jammu and Kashmir remains sensitive but is firmly under control, with terrorism witnessing a sharp decline and local recruitment almost coming to a halt, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said on Monday.
Addressing a press conference in the national capital, the Army Chief said that since May 10 this year, the overall security environment in Jammu and Kashmir has been effectively managed due to strong coordination among the armed forces, intelligence agencies and civil administration. He underlined that sustained vigilance and a unified security approach have significantly weakened the terror ecosystem in the region.
Providing detailed figures, General Dwivedi said that 31 terrorists were killed in Jammu and Kashmir in 2025, and nearly 65 per cent of them were of Pakistani origin, indicating the continued role of cross-border infiltration in fueling terrorism. He also confirmed that the three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack were successfully neutralised in a targeted counter-terror operation, codenamed Operation Mahadev.
Highlighting the collapse of local militant networks, the Army Chief said the number of active local terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir has now dropped to single digits. More significantly, terror recruitment has become “almost non-existent,” with only two new cases reported in the entire year so far.
“These are very clear indicators of a positive and irreversible change taking place in Jammu and Kashmir,” General Dwivedi said, adding that the improving security situation has created a conducive environment for development, economic activity and public life to return to normal.
He pointed out that this change is visible on the ground through the revival of tourism, smooth functioning of daily life and the peaceful conduct of major religious events. Referring to the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra, he said the pilgrimage witnessed participation of over four lakh devotees this year, which is higher than the five-year average. “This shows that people from across the country have renewed confidence in the security situation of the region. The transition from terrorism to tourism is gradually becoming a reality,” he said.
The Army Chief also spoke about ongoing military operations and preparedness. He cited Operation Sindoor as a strong example of effective coordination between the three services — the Army, Navy and Air Force — under clear political guidance. “Operation Sindoor demonstrated what tri-service synergy can achieve when there is a clear political directive and full freedom to act and respond,” he said.
He added that the operation is still ongoing and warned that any future attempt to disturb peace will be dealt with firmly. “Any future misadventure will be met with a resolute and appropriate response,” he asserted.
General Dwivedi also acknowledged the collective efforts of various institutions in stabilising Jammu and Kashmir. He said close cooperation between the armed forces, Central Armed Police Forces, intelligence agencies, the state administration and civic bodies has played a crucial role in maintaining peace.
“I must acknowledge the proactive and coordinated role of all stakeholders at the national level, including CAPFs, intelligence agencies, civic bodies, the state administration and ministries such as the Ministry of Home Affairs and Railways,” he said, adding that this multi-layered coordination will continue to be the backbone of the security framework in the region.
The Army Chief concluded by saying that sustained vigilance, strong inter-agency coordination and public support would remain vital to ensuring lasting peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir.

Srinagar, Jan 13: Snowfall is likely to occur in the plains of Kashmir between January 18 and January 21, according to prevailing weather indications, raising the possibility of a fresh winter spell across the Valley.

Officials said the anticipated snowfall period may bring a change in weather conditions, with temperatures expected to drop further during and after the precipitation. While higher reaches routinely receive snow during winter, snowfall in the plains could impact daily life, transport and power supply if the spell turns intense.

The possible snowfall is being closely watched by authorities, particularly in view of its potential impact on road connectivity, including national highways and internal routes. Winter preparedness measures, officials said, remain in place to respond to any weather related disruptions.

Locals and travellers have been advised to stay alert to official weather advisories and plan their movements accordingly during the expected period. [KNT]

KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, Jan 12: The Jammu and Kashmir government has reconstituted the Search Committee responsible for recommending panels for the appointment of the Chairperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) and the Director of the Jammu and Kashmir State Council of Educational Research and Training (JKSCERT).
According to Government Order No. 45-JK(GAD) of 2026, issued by the General Administration Department, the newly constituted committee will be chaired by the Administrative Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department.
The committee will comprise the Administrative Secretaries of the Agriculture Production, General Administration, Higher Education and School Education Departments as its members. In a significant inclusion, the Vice-Chancellors of the University of Jammu and the University of Kashmir have also been nominated as members of the panel.
The government order stated that the fresh reconstitution has been carried out by superseding the earlier order issued in January 2025, signalling a renewed push to fast-track the selection process for the two key education bodies.
The School Education Department will provide secretarial and logistical support to the committee, which has been instructed to submit its recommendations within a stipulated timeframe.
The move is aimed at ensuring a transparent, credible and efficient process for appointing the top leadership of JKBOSE and JKSCERT—two pivotal institutions that shape school education, examinations, and academic standards across Jammu and Kashmir.

KD NEWS SERVICE
JAMMU, Jan 12: In an administrative move aimed at streamlining the functioning of key education bodies, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday issued two separate orders assigning additional charges to senior officers to head the Union Territory’s premier school education institutions.
As per Government Order No. 44-JK(GAD) of 2026, Mr. Naseem Javaid Chowdhary, JKAS, who is currently serving as Director, School Education, Jammu, has been entrusted with the additional charge of Director, Jammu and Kashmir State Council of Educational Research and Training (JKSCERT). He will hold this charge in addition to his own duties until further orders, the General Administration Department (GAD) stated.
The order, issued in the “interest of administration”, is aimed at ensuring smooth functioning of JKSCERT, the apex academic body responsible for curriculum development, teacher training and academic reforms in the school education sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
In another important notification issued the same day, the government appointed Mr. Ghulam Hassan Sheikh, JKAS, presently Secretary, J&K Board of School Education (JKBOSE), to also function as the Chairman of JKBOSE on an interim basis. The appointment was made under S.O. 08, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 12 of the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education Act, 1975.
The notification clarified that Mr. Sheikh will discharge the functions of Chairman in addition to his own duties as Secretary, as an interim arrangement till further orders.
The twin appointments effectively place the two most important institutions governing school education in Jammu and Kashmir—JKBOSE, which conducts examinations and certifies students, and JKSCERT, which frames academic and pedagogical policies—under the leadership of senior serving officers, ensuring administrative continuity at a time when the sector is undergoing major reforms.
Both orders were issued by the General Administration Department and signed by M. Raju, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, and copies have been circulated to all key constitutional, administrative and security authorities, including the Chief Minister’s Office, Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat, Chief Electoral Officer, and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The move is being seen as part of the government’s effort to bring stability, efficiency and accountability in the school education system, which has been facing challenges ranging from curriculum updates to examination reforms and institutional coordination.
With these interim arrangements now in place, all eyes will be on how JKBOSE and JKSCERT perform under their new leadership in the coming months, especially as the Union Territory prepares for academic restructuring and improved learning outcomes across Jammu and Kashmir.

JAMMU — A forest fire on Monday detonated multiple landmines along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

They said there is no report of any casualty in the blasts and efforts are on to douse the flames.

The fire broke out in the Basooni forward area in Balakote sector around 1.50 pm, causing five landmines to explode, the officials said.

The forward areas along the LoC are dotted with landmines as part of an anti-infiltration obstacle system to prevent terrorists from intruding into Indian territory from across the border.

According to the officials, the Army has intensified vigil as the fire is still raging. — (PTI)

Budget on Feb 6; Grants and Bills Lined Up Till April 4

FIRDOUS AHMAD
SRINAGAR, Jan 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly will begin its fifth session on February 2, 2026, marking the start of an important Budget Session that will continue in different phases until April 4. As per the provisional calendar issued by the Legislative Assembly Secretariat, the session will open with the Lieutenant Governor’s address to the House, a key constitutional formality that outlines the government’s broad policy direction for the year ahead.
The address will be followed by three days of debate on the Motion of Thanks, beginning on February 3 and concluding on February 5, when the government will reply to the issues raised by members. These discussions are expected to set the political tone for the session, with legislators likely to raise concerns relating to governance, development, public services and the overall political situation in the Union Territory.
The most awaited event of the session, the presentation of the Budget, is scheduled for February 6. On this day, the government will place before the House the Annual Financial Statement of Expenditure for 2026–27 along with the Supplementary Statement of Expenditure for 2025–26. The Budget will provide a comprehensive picture of the government’s fiscal strategy, including its priorities for development, welfare spending and infrastructure at a time when economic revival and employment generation remain key public concerns.
Following the presentation of the Budget, the Assembly will take up a general discussion on the financial proposals from February 7, with further deliberations on February 9 and February 10, when the government will give its formal reply. These debates traditionally see intense exchanges between the treasury benches and the opposition, as members scrutinise the government’s spending plans and highlight the needs of their respective constituencies.
The House will then move to the detailed examination of departmental allocations through Demands for Grants from February 11 to February 13. After an off day on February 14 and a holiday on February 15, the process will resume from February 16 and continue until February 19. This stage is crucial as it determines how funds are distributed across departments such as health, education, public works, agriculture and social welfare, effectively shaping the delivery of government services for the coming year.
After a short break, the Assembly will reconvene in the last week of March to complete the financial business. On March 27, Appropriation Bills will be taken up, a mandatory step that gives legal backing to government expenditure. The following day, March 28, has been reserved for government business, while March 29 will be a holiday.
The session will also provide space for private members to raise legislative and policy issues. Private Members’ Bills are scheduled for March 30 and April 1, while Private Members’ Resolutions will be taken up on March 31 and April 2. April 3 has been declared a holiday on account of Good Friday, and the session will conclude with government business on April 4.
The provisional calendar has been issued by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather and circulated to all members of the Legislative Assembly and senior officials. With the Budget, voting on departmental grants and several legislative days earmarked for both government and private members’ business, the forthcoming session is expected to be a defining one for Jammu and Kashmir, laying down the financial and legislative roadmap for the Union Territory in 2026–27.