Budget Session 2026: Govt Eases Buffer Norms for SDH Hazratbal; 150 Teachers Detached to Rural Posts

JAMMU, MARCH 30: In a double-pronged effort to enhance public infrastructure and rural services, Minister for Health, Medical Education, and School Education, Sakeena Itoo, informed the Legislative Assembly today of significant progress regarding the construction of Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Hazratbal and the streamlining of the education sector.

Addressing a Calling Attention Notice moved by Salman Sagar, the Minister revealed that the government is actively relaxing buffer zone restrictions under the Srinagar Master Plan-2035 to facilitate the SDH Hazratbal project.

Because the site falls within the 200-meter buffer zone of Dal Lake, the department has submitted a formal proposal to the General Administration Department (GAD) for Cabinet approval to bypass the standard 100-meter restriction.

This follows a rigorous vetting process involving the Lakes Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) and the Law Department to ensure the project meets all legal and environmental prerequisites for the benefit of the local population.

Simultaneously, during the Zero Hour, Minister Itoo addressed the pressing issue of staff shortages in remote regions raised by Legislator Nazir Ahmad Khan. She announced that approximately 150 Principals, Lecturers, and Teachers are currently being detached from their temporary assignments and sent back to their original places of posting, specifically to serve Gurez and other far-flung rural areas.

To ensure “equitable education,” the Director of School Education Kashmir has been directed to enforce these detachments across Baramulla, Bandipora, and Srinagar.

Taking a firm stance on administrative discipline, the Minister emphasized that the Education Department will no longer entertain transfer representations, making exceptions only for documented health emergencies or marriage-related cases.