States » NorthPosted at: Sep 17 2026 3:07PM


Omar Abdullah plans patient guest houses in Amritsar, Chandigarh; says Ladakh must seek written safeguards

Neeraj Bali
Chandigarh, Sept 17 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday announced plans to expand accommodation for patients and their families travelling from the union Territory to Amritsar and Chandigarh for medical treatment, while also speaking on Ladakh's demands, digital payments and investment in Jammu and Kashmir.
Abdullah said the Jammu and Kashmir government's old heritage guest house in Amritsar, which had remained neglected for years, is being renovated and restored. A new block would also be built on vacant land behind the existing building, with rooms, dormitories and suites.
The facility will be made available to people from Jammu and Kashmir who travel to Amritsar for medical treatment and often face difficulties finding affordable accommodation, he told a news conference.
"We want to ensure that patients coming from Jammu and Kashmir for treatment, and their family members accompanying them, have a place to stay and do not face unnecessary hardship," Abdullah said.
A similar accommodation facility is being developed on Jammu and Kashmir government property in Chandigarh's Sector 17, he said. It would cater to patients and attendants travelling for treatment at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) and other medical institutions in Chandigarh.
Abdullah also reiterated his advice to leaders in Ladakh to seek written and legally backed assurances from the central government rather than rely solely on verbal commitments.
"Ladakh has its own issues and we have our own problems. As a friend and well-wisher, my advice to the leadership of Ladakh is not to rely on verbal assurances. Whatever is promised should be given in writing and officially signed," Abdullah said.
His remarks come amid talks between Ladakh representatives and the central government over constitutional safeguards, including demands related to land and employment. Abdullah has cited Jammu and Kashmir's experience over the restoration of statehood while making the argument for written commitments. His comments on written guarantees were also reported on Wednesday during a visit to Pulwama.
On a debate over possible charges linked to Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions, Abdullah said ordinary users should be protected from additional costs and distinguished person-to-person transfers from commercial transactions.
"Person-to-person money transfers carry no charge," Abdullah said, adding that ordinary consumers should be spared any fee. "If companies are charged, then I have no objection," he said, arguing that maintaining the digital payment infrastructure involves substantial costs.
Turning to Jammu and Kashmir's economy, Abdullah said investment had not materialised on the scale that had been expected after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
He said Jammu and Kashmir's geography and economic conditions meant it could not simply replicate an industrial model suited to states such as neighbouring Punjab.
"We have to look at what suits Jammu and Kashmir and what raw material is locally available," Abdullah said.
The government would therefore focus on sectors including agriculture, horticulture, agro-processing and dairy farming, he said, with the aim of building economic activity around Jammu and Kashmir's existing resources and generating local employment.
Abdullah said an investment strategy for the region had to take account of its terrain, resources and local economic strengths rather than depend primarily on large, heavy industrial projects.
UNI NB AAB
Tags: #Omar Abdullah plans patient guest houses in Amritsar# Chandigarh; says Ladakh must seek written safeguards
More News

Under PM Modi's leadership, secure India now engages with world on equal terms: CM Yogi

17 Sep 2026 | 5:34 PM

Varanasi, Sep 17 (UNI) On the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' (Service Pledge Campaign) in Kashi.

see more..

Modi liberated India from Naxalism, removed Article 370 from J&K: Rajnath Singh

17 Sep 2026 | 5:34 PM

Varanasi, Sep 17 (UNI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s legacy would include “liberating” the country from Naxalism, removing Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, lifting millions out of poverty, ensuring greater participation of women in Parliament and giving wings to the aspirations of the youth.

see more..

UP Finance Minister launches massive cleanliness drive on PM's birthday

17 Sep 2026 | 5:21 PM

Lucknow, Sep 17 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna on Thursday launched a massive cleanliness drive organized by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday.

see more..

MDR is money-grubbing scheme of the centre: Akhilesh Yadav

17 Sep 2026 | 5:21 PM

Lucknow, Sep 17 (UNI) Terming the BJP government imposing MDR on UPI transactions as a money-grubbing scheme, Samajwadi Party National President Akhilesh Yadav said that his party will oppose any move to realise any money from the public or small merchants."These schemes have been devised to fill the pockets of industrialists like the other schemes of the Central government," he said while commenting that it is like an old system of "Chungi"(octroi).

see more..

Punjab farmers block rail tracks at five locations over MSP, debt relief demands

17 Sep 2026 | 5:14 PM

Neeraj Bali
Chandigarh, Sept 17 (UNI) Farmers blocked railway tracks at five locations across Punjab on Thursday, disrupting train services as they pressed the government to meet demands including a legal guarantee for minimum support prices (MSP), debt relief and the withdrawal of its land pooling policy.

see more..