Anantnag, Nov 24 (JKNS): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday rejected speculation of an imminent electricity tariff hike in Jammu & Kashmir and asserted that MBBS admissions will continue strictly on merit, without any scope for religious considerations.
Speaking to media persons in Anantnag, the Chief Minister as per news agency JKNS said that no proposal for revising power rates has been discussed at any level in the Government. “There is absolutely no move to raise electricity charges. I am also the Power Minister and can confirm that nothing of this sort has ever come up for approval,” Omar said.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister, along with Union Coal & Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, launched the first e-auction of seven limestone blocks in Anantnag, Rajouri and Poonch districts — a key step forward in ongoing mining reforms.
Omar made it clear that the allotment of these blocks remains fully under the control of the J&K administration. He said the Centre’s role is limited to providing technical support to ensure transparency in the auction process. “These blocks are not being handed out randomly, nor are they controlled by the Centre,” he clarified.
He added that limestone is an essential component for the cement industry, and the Government is exploring possibilities of establishing industrial units near the mining sites to generate employment avenues for youth.
Responding to concerns raised about seat distribution in professional institutions, the Chief Minister stressed that MBBS admissions cannot be influenced by religion. Citing the provisions of the Mata Vaishno Devi University Act, Omar said that merit alone is the basis of entry. “There is no clause anywhere that restricts or favours any religious group. Admissions have always been merit-driven and will remain so,” he said.
He cautioned that introducing religious parameters into academics would violate constitutional principles and set a damaging precedent. “If merit is replaced with religion in admissions, should welfare schemes and policing also follow the same logic?” he asked.
Omar urged the Leader of Opposition, Sunil Sharma, to carefully examine the Assembly record, reiterating that the law does not permit seat allocation on religious lines. (JKNS)
