'I don't believe in media censorship': J&K CM Omar Abdullah
Times of India
by NASEER GANAIFebruary 19, 2026
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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has reiterated his opposition to media censorship and the use of government advertisements as tools to influence news coverage. Speaking during the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly's budget session, Abdullah emphasized that he has never pressured any media outlet to avoid reporting critical content or promote his policies. He also highlighted the need for a more transparent and objective system for allocating government advertisements, suggesting that current practices lack clarity and fairness. Despite this stance, Abdullah acknowledged the importance of rationalizing advertisement policies to ensure transparency and accountability.
The chief minister addressed concerns about vacant government positions, stating that over 6,000-6,500 posts have been filled in recent years. He reiterated plans to fill approximately 30,000 additional vacancies through transparent recruitment processes. Additionally, he mentioned outsourcing as a way to create temporary employment opportunities, even if these do not count as formal jobs.
Abdullah also discussed the region's financial constraints, noting that only 25% of J&K's expenditure is covered by its own tax and non-tax revenues, with the remaining 75% coming from central government assistance. He emphasized that this financial dependency is not a new issue but one inherited from previous governments.
Addressing climate change, Abdullah highlighted the urgent need for J&K to prioritize mitigation efforts following last year's extreme weather events, including droughts and heavy rains. He mentioned the creation of a dedicated fund for climate change response and stressed the importance of assigning departmental responsibilities to study and address its impacts systematically.
On tourism, Abdullah reported positive developments despite challenges posed by recent terror attacks. He noted that popular destinations like Gulmarg and Sonamarg are now fully operational, with hotels filled during peak season. He expressed hope that all remaining closed
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/19/2026