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JAMMU AUGUST 24:- Senior PDP leader Mohammad Farooq Inqlabi has urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration to immediately initiate fast-track recruitment for the 8,311 vacant teaching posts across the Union Territory. He expressed serious concern over the deteriorating state of education in far-flung areas where government schools are functioning without adequate staff, and in many cases, a single teacher is handling entire middle schools. Inqlabi highlighted that according to official figures, 4,325 teaching positions are vacant in the Jammu division and 3,986 in the Kashmir division.

The breakdown includes 1,665 teachers/masters, 2,218 lecturers, 402 headmasters, and 40 principals in Jammu, while Kashmir has 1,671 teachers/masters, 1,957 lecturers, 300 headmasters, and 58 principals still unappointed.

Inqlabi said this acute shortage of teaching staff severely affects the academic performance and morale of students, especially in remote regions where access to private education is limited or non-existent. Inqlabi criticized the government for ignoring repeated pleas from local communities and called for the immediate advertisement and filling of all vacant posts through a transparent and merit-based recruitment process.

Inqlabi emphasized that education must be treated as a right, not a privilege, and demanded that the administration allocate necessary resources to strengthen the government school network, particularly in underdeveloped and mountainous areas.

Inqlabi concluded by urging the Lieutenant Governor-led government to place education at the top of its policy priorities, warning that any further delay could amount to a betrayal of these aspirations of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.

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JAMMU AUGUST 24:-In a forward-looking initiative, the Jammu & Kashmir Transporters Welfare Association (JKTWA), under the leadership of Chairman S. Ajit Singh, today convened a joint press conference with the newly elected body of the Tour & Travel Operator Association to chart strategies aimed at strengthening tourism in the Union Territory.

With JKTWA taking the lead in bringing stakeholders together, the conference highlighted that transport remains the backbone of tourism and that coordinated efforts with travel operators will help attract more visitors, improve their experience, and support the vision of the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor and the UT Government. Chairman S. Ajit Singh also extended warm congratulations to Sh. Ashutosh Gupta on being elected President of the Tour & Travel Operator Association, noting the importance of collaborative leadership in the sector.

S. Ajit Singh emphasized that future initiatives will focus on innovative measures such as integrated tourist mobility plans, collaborative promotion campaigns such as Tourist Melas, promoting new tourist circuit, dedicated visitor facilitation centres, and rapid response systems during crises.

The press conference also reflected on past experiences where JKTWA, working hand-in-hand with tour operators, played a pivotal role during emergencies, including the recent Kishtwar (Chasoti) cloudburst, by extending transport and logistics support in coordination with the administration. These experiences, the Association emphasized, highlight how united efforts of transporters and travel agents can deliver timely support, safeguard visitors, and reinforce public confidence in J&K’s tourism framework Tourism and transport together sustain over 4 lakh families in J&K, with thousands of daily visitors depending on coordinated buses, minibuses, taxis, and organized tour services. By taking the initiative in organizing this joint platform, JKTWA has signaled its leadership role in aligning both sectors with government priorities, assuring full support to the administration in implementing policies that uplift tourism and strengthen public welfare.

Extending gratitude to the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor and the Government of J&K, Chairman S. Ajit Singh assured: “JKTWA will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the Government of Jammu & Kashmir—proactively building strategies in normal times and mobilizing decisively during crises. Our mission is clear: to keep J&K moving, welcoming, and prepared for every challenge.”

Together, JKTWA and the Tour & Travel Operator Association declared their mission clear: to keep J&K moving, safe, and welcoming—so that every visitor leaves with trust, comfort and unforgettable memories.

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JAMMU AUGUST 24:-Today at the Press Club, Jammu, S. Ajit Singh, Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Transporters Welfare Association, announced the formation of the All J&K Sleeper Bus Coach Owner Association (J&K). This landmark step brings all sleeper bus owners and related transporters under one roof for the first time.

Ajit Singh vowed to champion their cause, stressing that although transport is the backbone of J&K’s economy, contributing nearly 9% to GDP and providing vast employment, the sector is in shambles due to long-standing neglect. He called inter-state sleeper coaches the lifeline of long-distance travel, vital for tourism, trade, and livelihoods.

The newly structured association will be led by Chairman Sudarshan Sharma and President Deepak Sharma, tasked with uniting members, addressing operational challenges, and strengthening the sector’s role in J&K’s growth.

“Your fight is my fight, your problem is my mission, and your future is my responsibility,” said Ajit Singh. “Today, we have planted the seed of unity. I will ensure it grows into a force the government cannot ignore.”