Opinion

Rusted mortar shell recovered in Poonch, defused

Jammu, Sep 21: Army on Monday recovered an old rusted mortar shell at a village in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district and defused it, officials said. The shell was found in Bagyala Dhara village of Haveli tehsil. The Army's Bomb Disposal Squad was called in and it was safely defused at the spot, they said. No loss of life or property was reported, officials added.

The muddled class: The middle class is becoming too large and too diverse to offer a clear view of the consumer

India's middle class now forms a majority, making income categories less informative. Household consumption patterns shift significantly after reaching certain income levels. Businesses must look beyond affluent cities for future growth opportunities. Emerging markets show potential for increased durable goods purchases. Understanding evolving household priorities is crucial for future strategies.

A moonlit stone and the restlessness of the night

Moonlight on the bed triggers a restless state at night. The narrator experiences a mix of memories and readings during this time. A passage about Buddha and a crow's interaction comes to mind. This image of a stone resembling fat grows significantly in the narrator's thoughts. The narrator feels a profound sense of unease and contemplation.

Dont allow US to weaponise space: From Reagans Star Wars to Trumps space weapons push

Reagan's 'Star Wars' vision is now reality as the US confirms weapons in space, sparking global fears. Despite Moscow and Beijing's calls for restraint, the US Space Force's creation signals no turning back. This escalation, with advanced tech targeting satellites, risks collateral damage and diverts funds from Earth's crises, potentially leading to a new era of M.A.D.

FCNR(B): Has RBI bought forex stability at too high a cost?

The FCNR(B) scheme attracted significant foreign currency deposits for the RBI. These deposits bolstered forex reserves and stabilized the rupee's exchange rate. However, the economic benefits of these outcomes remain unclear for the nation. The scheme created substantial liquidity, necessitating costly sterilization by the central bank. This process incurred significant interest costs and exchange rate risks for the public sector.

Oils sea lanes get tougher to navigate; India must press Iran to ease Hormuz blockade

Sea lane disruptions in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf impact India's oil imports significantly. India faces challenges securing oil from West Asia and Russia due to these maritime blockades. Diplomacy with Iran may be necessary for crucial oil shipments through the Hormuz Strait. Longer shipping routes and increased insurance costs add to India's energy expenses. These ongoing disruptions delay oil restocking and production normalization globally.

BRICS+ and the fallout from Trump's energy shocks

Global oil markets face instability from ongoing conflicts and disrupted supply routes. Strategic petroleum reserves and reduced Chinese imports initially cushioned the deficit. However, manipulated price indicators and market interventions are now proving unsustainable. This situation threatens to trigger a global recession, impacting India's energy security. India must prioritize long-term energy stability over short-term trade gains.

Brillare Introduces Rosemary Oil Shots with 20% Rosemary Oil for a Scalp-Focused Hair-Care Routine

As consumers increasingly explore ingredient-led hair-care routines, Brillare has introduced Rosemary Oil Shots , a concentrated hair-oil treatment designed to bring a structured approach to scalp care. Featuring 20% rosemary oil as its hero active, the formulation combines rosemary with coconut oil, castor oil and other plant-based ingredients to support a targeted hair-oiling routine. The product is positioned around two complementary aspects of hair care:scalp support and hair-fibre nourishment. Brillare highlights rosemary oil for its role in supporting scalp microcirculation, while coconut oil and castor oil contribute to the formulations conditioning and nourishing profile. Rosemary oil has become a popular ingredient in modern hair-care routines, particularly among consumers exploring plant-based approaches to scalp nourishment. Brillares formulation features 20% rosemary oil, placing the botanical at the centre of the product. According to the brand, rosemary oil is included to support scalp circulation and nutrient delivery to hair follicles. Brillare also describes its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as contributing to a healthy scalp environment. These are brand-reported ingredient and product-positioning claims, and should not be interpreted as a guarantee of hair regrowth or a medical treatment for hair loss. The products scalp-focused approach is built around the role Brillare assigns to rosemary oil in supporting microcirculation. The brand states that improved blood circulation may help nutrient delivery to hair follicles, making rosemary a central ingredient in its hair-growth-oriented formulation.Brillare also presents product-specific clinical trial claims stating that 7 out of 10 users saw visible hair growth in four weeks and 55% reported a reduction in hair fall in two weeks. These figures are claims made by the brand and are not presented as independently verified outcomes. Alongside rosemary oil, the formulation features 46% coconut oil, including fractionated coconut oil. Brillare positions coconut oil around providing smoothness and shine to the hair. The ingredient is intended to complement the scalp-focused action of rosemary by supporting the feel, softness and manageability of the hair fibre. This distinction allows the product to combine scalp care with a nourishing oil base. The formulation also includes 10% castor oil, which Brillare describes as a supporting ingredient for hair nourishment and conditioning. The brand positions castor oil around scalp circulation, nutrient delivery and helping prevent hair breakage. As part of the broader oil blend, castor oil contributes to the products conditioning profile, complementing the rosemary and coconut oil components. Each pack contains eight 6 ml vials, allowing users to apply a measured quantity at a time rather than estimate the amount from a larger bottle. Brillare recommends applying one vial directly to the scalp using a dropper, followed by a gentle massage for three to five minutes. The brands suggested routine involves applying the oil on alternate nights, leaving it overnight and washing the hair the following morning. According to Brillare, the eight-vial pack is designed to last for 15 nights when used as recommended. For consumers who prefer a more organised approach to personal care, the single-dose format offers a convenient way to incorporate rosemary oil for hair into an evening routine. With rosemary oil as the hero active, coconut oil as the principal nourishing base and castor oil as a supporting conditioning ingredient, Brillares Rosemary Oil Shots bring together multiple plant-based components in a single formulation. The product is designed to support a scalp-focused hair-care routine while also addressing the conditioning needs of the hair fibre. Its measured format further aims to make regular oiling more consistent and convenient. Brillare Rosemary Oil Shots are available in an 8 6 ml pack, with an MRP of 795, through the brands official online store.

Delhi court sets aside ACJM order refusing probe in Sonia Gandhi's pre-citizenship electoral entry

New Delhi, Sep 21: A Delhi court on Monday set aside a magistrate's order refusing to probe the allegation that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's name was included in the electoral roll three years before acquiring Indian citizenship in 1983. Special Judge Vishal Gogne was hearing a revision plea against the magisterial court's order on a complaint filed by advocate Vikas Tripathi, vice president of the Central Delhi Court Bar Association of the Rouse Avenue courts. Pronouncing substantive portions of the order orally, the judge said, An order of the court must maintain fidelity towards the law, and not flirt with facts. This court finds itself unravelling the impugned order rendered by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) on this yardstick. The judge said Tripathi's complaint was that Sonia Gandhi's name was unlawfully entered in the electoral roll of New Delhi Parliamentary Constituency in 1980, whereas she attained Indian citizenship only in 1983, and although the name was deleted in 1982, it was re-entered in 1983. It alleged that even this re-entry was prior to the acquisition of citizenship by her on April 30, 1983, the judge noted. He said the magistrate's order dismissed the complaint, saying that it was based on bald assertions, unaccompanied by essential particulars of cheating and forgery, and based on a photocopy of the photocopy of the uncertified electoral roll in 1980. The sanctity of the electoral roll is an article of faith for every citizen in a parliamentary democracy. The mightiest in the land may only be a voter or citizen at par with others less powerful, the judge said. Any allegation of tampering with the electoral rolls, fraudulent inclusion of the name of a voter, inclusion of the name of a non-citizen, and possible use of false declarations or documents merits a reasoned order to determine whether allegations relating to cheating and forgery have been disclosed, he said. He said the ACJM's order recorded no discussion on the sequence in which Sonia Gandhi's name was included, deleted, and again included in the electoral roll in 1980, 1982 and 1983 respectively. Rather than finding whether these allegations constituted a cognisable offence, the impugned order simply branded the complaint as lacking essential particulars, the judge said, adding that the extract of the electoral roll was casually dismissed as being a photocopy of the photocopy of the alleged extract of the uncertified roll of 1980. He said, The limited prayer before the ACJM was to consider the extract of the electoral roll and other allegations as being adequate, or otherwise to direct investigation for the allegedly fraudulent entry of the name of Sonia Gandhi. In effect, it is a non-speaking order on the question of disclosure of a cognisable offence, the judge said. The order suffers from a manifest error in law on account of non-compliance with Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), inter alia, not hearing the submissions of the concerned police officer and non-calling of a status report from the concerned police station, the judge said. Section 175(3) empowers a magistrate to order police investigation into a cognisable offence. The judge said the magistrate failed to consider the twin options permissible in law: one, directing the registration of an FIR; two, the conduct of proceedings under Section 223 of the BNSS (which governs the magistrate examining the complainant and witnesses after taking cognisance of an offence). Regarding the issue of citizenship, the judge said the ACJM had only to decide whether the allegations disclosed a cognisable offence and whether it called for a police investigation. However, he conflated this with the jurisdiction of the Central government and digressed towards the issue of citizenship. The court said it was unable to fathom why the ACJM considered the Election Commission's powers to include or exclude persons from electoral rolls to be a bar on the police to prove fraudulent inclusion of names in electoral rolls or the use of false documents. The judge said the magisterial court did not perform its core function of discerning the disclosure of a cognisable offence. The court finds the four pillars of reasoning adopted in the impugned order to be perverse and improper, as well as an incorrect appreciation of law and allegations. In fact, the impugned order is liable to be set aside, the judge said. He remanded the matter back to the magisterial court to pass a speaking order in light of the specific requirements of 175(3) of the BNSS and directed fresh hearing of the complainant's arguments. The matter has been posted for further hearing on September 29.

BJP disrupted J&K Assembly proceedings to avoid questions on statehood: Congress leader G A Mir

Srinagar, Sep 21: AICC general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir on Monday accused BJP MLAs of resorting to disrupting proceedings in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to escape a united front of political parties demanding the restoration of statehood as promised by the Centre. On the very first day, the BJP organised and created a commotion to hide their failures. Today, the entire House was going to unite and question the BJP, and ask the Centre why the commitment (on statehood restoration) was not honoured, Mir told reporters outside the House. The Congress leader, an MLA from the Dooru segment, said the Centre's failure to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir affects the local government as well. If you are unable to fulfil your commitment, then its effects are visible in our (NC) government. Our people's issues are also being affected because of this. So, the BJP sensed that questions would be raised against us and against the prime minister of the country, Mir said. Mir questioned the BJP for raising the issue of casual labourers, saying the party ruled Jammu and Kashmir for seven years and did nothing in their tenure regarding the issue. For seven years, they had a double-engine government; everything was in their hands. Even then, these were the same daily-wage and casual labourers. Why didn't they solve their issues then? he asked. Mir mentioned that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, despite having limited powers, has sought time to solve the issue. If the chief minister has asked for a few days and committed to solving their issue systematically, he should be given a chance, he added.

J&K govt dismisses teacher from service under Article 311

Srinagar, Sep 21: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has dismissed a Grade-II teacher, Khalid Hussain, from government service under Article 311(2)(b) of the Constitution of India. According to Government Order No. 3880JK(Edu) of 2026, issued by the School Education Department on September 21, Hussain was posted at Government Middle School, Bumalpora, Gurinalla, Zone Inderwal, district Kishtwar. The order states that an FIR No. 34/2026 was registered at Police Station Chatroo under Sections 61(2), 65(1), 90, 91 and 92 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with Sections 4, 6, 8, 10 and 17 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POSCO) Act, 2012, reported news agency Kashmir Dot Com. The government said that after considering the facts and circumstances of the case and material on record, the activities attributed to Hussain warranted imposition of a major penalty. The order further states that the competent authority decided to dismiss him from service, which ordinarily disqualifies him from future government employment. It invoked Article 311(2)(b), read with Rule 30(viii) of the J&K Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956, stating that holding an inquiry was not reasonable practicable and categorizing the case among the rarest of the rare cases. The dismissal order was issued by the School Education Department today, with the order signed by Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, School Education Department, Ram Niwas Sharma.

IGP Kashmir calls for security grid revamp, traffic naka reorganisation across Srinagar

Srinagar, Sep 21: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone Sujit Kumar chaired a security review-cum-traffic management meeting with all stakeholders at PCR Kashmir. The meeting was attended by the DIG Traffic Jammu; DIG CKR Srinagar; DIG Traffic Kashmir; DIsG CRPF North/South Srinagar; DIG CRPF Ops Srinagar; SSP PCR Kashmir; SSP Traffic City Srinagar; SSP Srinagar; SO to IGP Kashmir; SSP CID SB (K); SSP CID CI (K); SP Cargo Srinagar; all zonal SsP of Srinagar City; and other officers. At the outset, the participating officers briefed the IGP Kashmir on the prevailing security scenario in their respective areas. They also shared their inputs and suggestions, which were discussed to identify gaps and further improve traffic management and security arrangements. The existing city security grid and deployment of personnel were reviewed, with particular emphasis on realigning naka points wherever required to enhance security coverage and reduce traffic congestion. The meeting focused on ensuring the smooth flow of vehicular traffic without compromising the existing security grid. IGP Kashmir directed the implementation of security arrangements across intra-zone, inter-zone, inter-district and peripheral areas. He further directed that check posts at the entry and exit points of Srinagar city be reinforced, with seamless coordination and real-time information sharing among the Traffic Police, District Police and naka points to facilitate effective monitoring and a swift response. IGP Kashmir also stressed the need to leverage technology to improve traffic regulation, surveillance, coordination and information sharing, thereby making traffic and security arrangements more effective. The meeting concluded with the IGP Kashmir reiterating the importance of continuous review, close coordination and the professional execution of security and traffic-management measures, with a focus on public safety and minimising inconvenience to commuters.

ACB registers FIR against J&K Grameen Bank official, others in financial irregularities case

Srinagar, Sep 21: Jammu and Kashmir Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) registered an FIR against Arvind Saini, the then Branch Head J&K Grameen Bank, Branch Office Reban, Sopore District Baramulla and Firdous Ahmad Sheikh, Business Correspondent & others for commission of serious financial irregularities by way of premature release of Capital Subsidy under sponsored schemes in relation to implementation of the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) etc, during the period 2021-2023, by violating the PMEGP Operational Guidelines issued by sponsoring agency and adopted by the Bank vide Circular No. 86 dated 08.06.2022. The spokesperson said that during verification it was revealed that Arvind Saini the then Branch Head J&K Grameen Bank, BO Reban, Sopore District Baramulla under a well-knit criminal conspiracy with beneficiary Firdous Ahmad Sheikh, prematurely released/reversed capital subsidy amounting to Rs.41,17,500/- in 25 PMEGP loan accounts before expiry of the mandatory lock-in period without receipt of requisite authorization/adjustment letter from the Implementing Agency, thereby facilitating unlawful closure/adjustment of the concerned loan accounts in gross violation of PMEGP guidelines, among them, 06 loan accounts had been sanctioned alone in favour of Business Correspondent Firdous Ahmad Sheikh and his family members prematurely closed by adjustment of subsidy. He said that during verification it has been further established that in 46 PMEGP units financed by the Branch Head Arvind Saini involving sanctioned/disbursed amount of Rs.1,66,72,000/-, no business units were found existing during physical verification, thereby frustrating the object of the PMEGP Scheme and indicating diversion of loan funds and subsidy in conspiracy with the beneficiaries. Accordingly, a case FIR No. 05/2026 U/s 13(1)(a) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018) and Sections 409, 120-B IPC is registered against Arvind Saini, then Branch Head J&K Grameen Bank, Branch office Reban, Sopore District Baramulla and Firdous Ahmad Sheikh, Business Correspondent & others. Further Investigation of the case is going on, spokesperson added.

All J&K MLAs must unitedly demand restoration of statehood without delay: Tarigami

Srinagar, Sep 21: CPI(M) leader and MLA Kulgam Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said that the Question Hour, which is part of the list of business of the legislature, is the most important part of the proceedings, as it enables members to question the government, seek answers from it and hold it accountable. Stalling the Question Hour virtually deprives legislators of an important opportunity to make the government responsive to the urges and aspirations of the people. Intervening amid sloganeering by BJP members, Tarigami urged all legislators, irrespective of political affiliations, to jointly press the Government of India to fulfil its repeated commitment to restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The legislature itself is disempowered and, thereby, citizens feel disappointed. It is time that all legislators, irrespective of their affiliations, must unitedly raise their voice in support of this legitimate and long-pending demand of the people, he said.

Over 40,000 vacancies in J-K govt departments

Srinagar, Sep 21: Jammu and Kashmir has over 40,000 vacancies in various government departments, with the highest in the Health and Medical Education department, the assembly was informed on Monday. In reply to questions from MLAs Sajad Lone and Irfan Hafeez Lone about recruitment and vacancies, the government said there were 40,672 vacancies across various government departments. A total of 3,318 gazetted posts, 24,427 non-gazetted posts, and 12,927 multi-tasking staff (MTS) posts were lying vacant, the government said. The highest number of vacancies was in the Health and Medical Education department with 2,125 gazetted posts, 8,064 non-gazetted posts and 2608 MTS posts lying vacant in the crucial department. The Agriculture Production Department has 4,939 posts vacant, Finance has 1,829, and School Education 1,364 vacant posts, the government said. The government said 17,922 posts have been referred to J-K Service Selection Board and 2,150 posts to the Public Service Commission in the last two years. The government said it has taken a series of measures to ensure that vacant posts are filled in a time-bound manner. These include timely identification and referral of vacancies to the recruiting agencies, adherence to the prescribed statutory framework, advance planning of recruitment cycles, and close monitoring of recruitment timelines at various stages, it said. Efforts have been made to streamline procedures, strengthen coordination with the recruiting agencies and leverage technology to expedite the recruitment process, while ensuring transparency, fairness, and merit, it asserted. The government has already issued directions to all the departments for timely referring of vacancies, falling under direct quota, to the recruiting agencies, it added.

New CAT court complex inaugurated in Jammu: Centre tells SC

New Delhi, Sep 21: The Centre on Monday told the Supreme Court that a new office-and-court complex of the Central Administrative Tribunal has been inaugurated in Jammu. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, told a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana that the new complex of the Central Administrative Tribunals (CAT) Jammu bench was inaugurated at Bahu Plaza on Sunday. The top court took note of the submission and closed a 2020 PIL filed by Achal Sharma alleging lack of adequate space and staff for the functioning of the CAT bench in Jammu. The apex court granted liberty to the petitioner to approach it again and highlight any concern that may arise in future. Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday inaugurated the new office-cum-court complex of the CATs Jammu bench, describing the facility as another step towards strengthening speedy, affordable and accessible justice in service matters. Referring to the Tribunal's overall performance, Singh said that since its inception in 1985 till June 30, 2026, 10,01,177 cases had been filed before its benches across the country. Of these, 9,32,723 have been disposed of, resulting in an overall disposal rate of 93.16 per cent. The performance of the Jammu and Srinagar benches was particularly significant in view of the substantial workload transferred to them from the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir High Court, apart from the fresh cases instituted before the Tribunal. Up to June 30 this year, as many as 20,984 cases were transferred from the high court, while 20,405 fresh cases were filed before these benches, Singh said. Accordingly, 18,392 and 13,952 cases were disposed of from the above two categories, respectively, said Singh, the minister of state in the prime minister's office.

Dont lose precious Assembly time; let democracy flourish through debate, accountability: Ansari

Srinagar, Sep 21: President of the All J&K Shia Association and General Secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference, Imran Reza Ansari, on Monday appealed to legislators not to lose precious Assembly time to protests that force the House to adjourn, saying that the J&K Assembly has only a few sitting days. Ansari said the J&K Assembly has only a few sitting days, with the next session likely to be held after a gap of five or six months and urged legislators to make the most of the limited time available. Politicians have the whole year to accuse each other, play victim cards and score brownie points. Please dont let precious Assembly time be lost to protests that force the House to adjourn, the PC leader said. He requested the CM Omar Abdullah, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather and all MLAs to let democracy flourish through debate, questions and accountability. Counting the problems being faced by the people of J&K, Ansari said people were suffering from issues such ase reservation, job outsourcing, pending recruitment, interns/ PG/ SKUAST students stipends, daily wagers, contractual employees, unemployment, drug addiction, rehabilitation, youth mental health, education, sports, healthcare, water shortages, electricity, roads, public transport, entrepreneurship, tourism, horticulture, pollution and dying water bodies and are going from door to door for solutions. Many of these issues do not require statehood. They require decisions, lawful action, timelines and accountability. The government has powers today; the Assembly has the authority to question it today, Ansari said, adding that he youth are watching. The educated people of J&K are watching. The unemployed and hopeless are watching. They dont want another day of political point-scoring they want their representatives to make these few days count, he added. He said today it might be BJP protesting and tomorrow it might be someone else. However, The House should not become a place where every protest ends in an adjournment. Let the debate continue. Let democracy work. Let the people see results, Ansari concluded the post on his X handle

899 jobs against a promise of one lakh: Sajad Lone

Srinagar, Sep 21: J&K Peoples Conference President and MLA Handwara Sajad Lone launched a scathing attack on the National Conference government on Monday after assembly data revealed a devastating gap between election promises and ground reality on the recruitment front. Speaking after the assembly adjournment, he raised a pointed question on recruitment figures. Lone said the data had exposed ugly truths about the false promises made by the NC government. The NC manifesto is a litany of lies, he declared making clear he was not speaking in abstractions but backing every word with cold hard numbers extracted from the government's own records. On the most glaring failure Lone pointed out that the NC manifesto had promised one lakh new jobs to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Against that promise the government has managed to create only 899 jobs till date. Doing the math Lone delivered a damning verdict. At the current rate it will take them 222.46 years to create one lakh jobs. What a joke. He paused before adding what he called the more painful truth. The bigger joke is on those people who bought this lie. The second broken promise relates to vacancies in government departments. The NC had committed in its manifesto to fill all vacant posts within 180 days of coming to power. The assembly data tells a starkly different story with only 7580 vacancies filled in the past two years while 40672 posts continue to remain vacant. Breaking down the numbers Lone noted that 24427 non-gazetted posts remain unfilled alongside 3318 gazetted posts and 12927 multi-tasking staff positions still lying empty. At this pace it will take more than a decade to fill up these 40672 posts, he said leaving the treasury benches with little room to respond. The third broken promise involves application fees for government jobs. NC had publicly committed to waiving off these fees so that financial burden would not become a barrier for job aspirants. Lone revealed that he had submitted a question on this very issue in the assembly a year ago and the answer that came back was deeply damning. It turned out the same government had collected crores in application fees, he said highlighting the brazen contradiction between promise and practice.(KNS)

BJP disruption hurt its own constituencies, says Tanvir Sadiq

Amit Shah to Inaugurate ANTF Chiefs' Conference on Tuesday; Focus on Tackling Drug Menace

The meeting will also deliberate on the identification and adoption of strategies to strengthen the supply reduction, demand reduction and harm reduction measures of the central government

Waheed Parra seeks public release of reservation report, rationalisation of policy

Srinagar, Sep 21 : PDP leader and MLA Pulwama Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra on Monday demanded that the Jammu and Kashmir government make public its report on the reservation policy and initiate a process to rationalise the system, saying the policy was affecting open-merit candidates and raising concerns over the representation of Kashmiris in government institutions. The government asked for six months. Nearly two years have passed, but the government has still not made its report on the reservation policy public, Parra said during the Assembly session. We want the Chief Minister, the government and the Cabinet to open up and make the report public. Tell us what recommendations you have sent, he said. Parra called for reservation to be aligned with population proportions and said open-merit candidates should be given their due share. Our second demand is that reservation should be in proportion to population. Give reservation according to population. Give it on a pro-rata basis, he said. He also alleged that the policy was resulting in the exclusion of Kashmiri-speaking people from the system. There is particularly a concern among the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially in Kashmir, that this entire policy is being designed to push Kashmiri-speaking people out of the system, Parra said. Even though we constitute 70% of the population, in the name of merit and reservation, you are weeding Kashmiris out of the system, he alleged. Parra said the issue of Kashmiri representation had historically been linked to the regions political movement, referring to the slogan Kashmir for Kashmiris. Our point is that the government should not take the reservation issue lightly, he said. The government should make that report public and initiate a process to rationalise reservation. He described the issue as the most burning issue confronting the youth of Jammu and Kashmir today.

BJP disrupted Question Hour to expose corruption, transfer industry: R S Pathania

Village heads of Ladakh get more than three-fold hike in emoluments

Leh, Sep 21: Monthly emoluments of village heads, locally known as 'gobas', in the Union territory of Ladakh have been hiked more than three-fold from Rs 1,500 to Rs 5,000, after Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena gave his approval. The increase in emoluments by over 233 per cent is the first revision in the last 10 years, which will benefit 247 'gobas' across Ladakh, officials said. The lieutenant governor said the decision would provide greater financial support to village heads, also known as 'nambardars' and strengthen participatory governance at the grassroots level, particularly in remote and difficult-to-access areas. The revised emoluments will come into force from the date of publication of the notification in the official gazette. The officials said that the decision follows a long-standing demand of 'nambardars' to increase their emoluments. During his visits to villages across Ladakh, Saxena had received representations from 'gobas' regarding the issue. On September 19, a delegation of 'nambardars' from different villages also met the LG and sought an increase, citing their responsibilities and the inadequacy of the existing emoluments, they said. Taking note of their concerns, Saxena directed the chief secretary to examine the matter and address the issue. Nambardars occupy an important position at the grassroots level and act as a link between the administration and villagers, they said. Their role has assumed greater significance with the focus on last-mile delivery of public services and implementation of government initiatives, they added. The officials said their regular engagement with villagers helps communicate local requirements to authorities while enabling people to access various government schemes and services. The LG also noted the proactive role played by 'nambardars' in highlighting local issues. Several water-related issues addressed in villages through initiatives undertaken by him were based on inputs provided by the gobas, they said. The role of nambardars is crucial because they remain closely connected with the people and serve as a vital link between the administration and our villages. The enhancement from Rs 1,500 to Rs 5,000 per month recognises their responsibilities and long-standing demand, Saxena said. I am confident this step will further strengthen their role in ensuring that development programmes, welfare schemes and government services reach every household in a timely and effective manner, while further strengthening participatory governance, he said. The revised emoluments have been fixed under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Lambardari Act, 1972 and the Jammu and Kashmir Lambardari Rules, 1980, as applicable to the Union Territory of Ladakh.

Why women's financial protection must evolve

India has made major strides in womens financial participation, with rising workforce participation, bank-account ownership and entrepreneurship, but a wide protection gap remains in insurance. Women still account for only about a third of individual life insurance ownership and under a third of health insurance proposers, highlighting the need for products that better reflect longer lifespans, career breaks, caregiving and changing financial responsibilities.

899 new posts created across J&K departments since October 2024: Govt

Srinagar, Sep 21: Only 899 new posts have been created across various departments in Jammu and Kashmir Government since October 16, 2024, the Government informed the Legislative Assembly on Monday. In response to a question by MLA Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone, Government data states that the Health & Medical Education Department accounts for the highest number of 485 new posts created, followed by Housing and Urban Development with 266 posts and Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs with 82 posts. The Jal Shakti Department has created 43 posts, while the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRRR) has created 16 posts. The remaining posts include three in Cooperatives, two in Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, and one each in ARI & Trainings and Transport Departments. The House was also informed that a total of 7580 selections have been finalised by the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) and the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) since October 2024. The Government said JKPSC finalised 1768 selections, while JKSSB finalised 5812 selections during the period. As per the categorywise details of vacancies referred to the two recruitment agencies during the period, the Government said for JKPSC, a total of 1,852 vacancies were referred. These included 855 under Open Merit (OM), 198 Scheduled Caste (SC), 166 ST-1, 156 ST-2, 114 OBC, 65 ALC/IB,149 RBA, 139 EWS, four PSP and six ST backlog vacancies. For JKSSB, 12,418 vacancies were referred. These comprised 5173 Open Merit, 1104 SC, 1248 ST-1, 1212 ST-2, 933 OBC, 495 ALC/IB, 1174 RBA and 1079 EWS vacancies. The two recruitment agencies received 14270 vacancies for recruitment during the period, according to the Government reply. (KNO)

Govt failed to fulfil promises, provide basic amenities in two years: LoP Sunil Sharma

Srinagar, Sept 21: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma on Monday accused the Omar Abdullah-led government of failing to fulfil its promises and provide basic amenities to the people during its nearly two years in office. Addressing reporters on the first day of the Autumn Session of the J&K Assembly, Sharma said people had high expectations from the government, particularly those who had been waiting for years for their grievances to be addressed. Even after two years, the only statement coming from this government and its head is that they do not have the powers and cannot do anything, Sharma said. He alleged that the government had failed to ensure adequate basic amenities, claiming that power tariffs had been increased despite inadequate electricity supply in several areas, while water supply issues also persisted. Governance has failed on every front. Corruption is rampant, he alleged, accusing ministers and officials of being involved in corrupt practices. Sharma said the BJP would raise issues concerning daily wagers, NHM employees, ASHA and Anganwadi workers, besides the demand for age relaxation by J&K job aspirants, during the Assembly session. He also raised the issue of around 70,000 depositors associated with SCOT Bank and Cooperative Citizen Bank, saying they were still awaiting payment despite an earlier commitment that their dues would be released within two months. The biggest betrayal, I believe, has been against the youth, Sharma said, referring to unemployment and the one lakh jobs promised by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. He also alleged irregularities in the outsourcing process, claiming that National Conference workers and their relatives were being provided jobs in exchange for money. The BJP has no objection to outsourcing, but the process should be conducted through a transparent recruitment mechanism based on fixed criteria, he said. Referring to around 25,000 jobs, Sharma alleged that the positions had already been filled and claimed that the government had misled the Assembly by stating that the appointments were made against vacancies. On the issue of statehood, Sharma said that if every issue was being attributed to the absence of statehood, the existing administrative setup should be dissolved and the government should wait for the restoration of statehood. The BJP will raise the voice of the people in the Assembly and will not allow their concerns to be ignored, he said. Asked about the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) report, Sharma said the BJP would study it before presenting its detailed position. He alleged that several JJM schemes were becoming defunct and claimed that the report contained major flaws. Sharma said the JJM report was scheduled to be presented in the House and should not have become the main issue for discussion on the first day of the session.(KNO)

Sopore decongestion plan needs 1,000 crore, government exploring funding options: Dy CM

Sopore congestion: Rs 1,000 crore DPR prepared, funding being explored, says Dy CM

Srinagar, Sep 21: The Jammu and Kashmir government has prepared a detailed project report (DPR) estimated at 1,000 crore to tackle traffic congestion in Sopore town and its Fruit Mandi, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary said on Monday, adding that the government was exploring funding options with different agencies, including the Centre. Replying to questions in the Assembly, Choudhary described the demand for decongesting Sopore as a very serious issue and a very genuine demand. He said recommendations had been made by the concerned MLA for road works aimed at easing congestion, while Agriculture Minister Javid Ahmad Dar and Baramulla Deputy Commissioner had separately reviewed the issue. Whether it is Sopore Fruit Mandi or Sopore town, or the other roads, a complete DPR of 1,000 crore has been prepared, Choudhary said. He said the size of the proposed project meant that the government was discussing the proposal with various agencies and examining how much funding could be provided by the J&K government. We are also trying with the Government of India to see whether some projects can be included there, so that the congestion in Sopore city can be removed and the people of Sopore can get relief from this problem of traffic jams, he said. Choudhary, however, said the project would take time until the required funding was arranged. 1,000 crore is a very large amount, he said. But still, the government will try to do what we want to do for these people. However, for now, it will take time until the amount can be arranged. The Deputy Chief Minister also defended the government's approach to questions raised by opposition members during Question Hour, saying ministers were present in the House with the relevant files and were ready to respond to issues concerning employees and public services. Whether it is NHM, daily wagers, NYCs, or any issue related to electricity, water, roads or schools, ministers are sitting here ready to answer each one, he said. He alleged that BJP members were unwilling to hear the government's responses and were in the Assembly primarily to generate news. They have come here to make news, but the people are watching them, Choudhary said, appealing to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to see their real face. Recent reporting has also documented Choudhary's comments on employee-related issues, including NHM workers, as the government faces demands over regularisation and service conditions. The government has previously reviewed proposals involving Sopore's mandi expansion, road infrastructure, parking facilities and other measures aimed at addressing congestion.

Rs 3.21 crore relief disbursed to Rajouri families hit by flash flood: CM Omar in assembly

ReT teachers initial 5 years to count as qualifying service for pension benefits: Govt tells Assembly

Srinagar, Sep 21: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Monday informed the Legislative Assembly that the initial five years of pre-regularisation service rendered by Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) teachers on honorarium basis will be counted, on a notional basis, as qualifying service for pensionary and other retirement benefits, wherever applicable. The government said this in reply to a question asked by MLA Shangus (Anantnag East) Reyaz Ahmad Khan regarding the service benefits and pension scheme applicable to ReT teachers. The government in its reply said that the Cabinet Decision No. 115/09/2014 dated June 19, 2014 already accorded sanction for counting the initial five years of pre-regularisation service rendered by ReT teachers as qualifying service for pensionary and other retirement benefits. The provision was notified through Government Order No. 469-Edu of 2014 dated June 25, 2014, the government informed the House. On the question of restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for teachers initially appointed under the ReT scheme before January 1, 2010, the government clarified that ReT teachers who were regularised before January 1, 2010 fall under the OPS. However, ReT teachers who were regularised after January 1, 2010 come under the New Pension Scheme (NPS), in terms of SRO-400 dated October 24, 2009 and the Finance Departments Office Memorandum No. A/Misc/2012/F/466 dated April 20, 2012.

BJP members disrupt Question Hour in J&K Assembly, raise slogans

403 roads, bridges in Rajouri to be restored at Rs 185 crore: Omar Abdullah in assembly

Srinagar, Sep 21: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said 3.21 crore in relief had been disbursed among families affected by flash floods and landslides in Rajouri, while a 185 crore proposal had been prepared for the permanent restoration of 403 damaged roads and bridges in the district. Replying to a question in the ongoing Jammu and Kashmir Assembly session, Omar said 149 family-wise cases seeking relief under SDRF norms had been received in connection with damage caused by the recent flash floods and landslides in Rajouri constituency. An amount of 40 lakhs and 61,500 has been disbursed as relief to the affected families in Rajouri constituency in accordance with the prescribed SDRF norms, he said. He added that 2.81 crore had also been released to Rajouri district from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. In addition, financial assistance amounting to 2.81 crore was released to district Rajouri from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for providing relief to the families affected by the flash floods and the damages caused thereby, Omar said. The said financial assistance has been duly disbursed among the affected families in accordance with the approved norms, he added. On damage to roads and bridges, the chief minister said a preliminary assessment had been completed and a proposal for permanent restoration had been prepared. A preliminary assessment of damages to roads and bridges in district Rajouri has been made and a proposal for permanent restoration of 403 roads, bridges has been formed up at a cost of 185 crore, he said. The Power Development Department assessed damage of 27.99 crore to electrical infrastructure in Rajouri district following heavy rains and flash floods in July 2026. Of this, 9.39 crore was assessed for the Rajouri Assembly constituency. Omar said temporary restoration of power had been carried out through the installation of an Emergency Restoration System (ERS) tower on the 132 KV double-circuit Rajouri-Draba transmission line. The site temporary restoration of power was carried out by the installation of ERS tower in the 132 KV DC Rajouri Draba transmission line, he said. Further, for permanent restoration of the 132 KV DC Rajouri Draba transmission line, the tendering is under progress. The government also assessed damage to crops in Rajouri constituency during the Kharif 2026 season through field-level verification. According to the assessment placed before the House, maize was affected across 406 hectares, with 15% damage, while paddy damage was assessed at 65% across 101.5 hectares. The government also submitted details of damage to municipal assets, PHE infrastructure, flood-control infrastructure and roads and buildings under the Housing and Urban Development, Jal Shakti and Public Works departments. Separately, 1.25 crore was received under SDRF for temporary restoration of power supply in Rajouri district. The constituency-wise allocation included 57.6 lakh for Rajouri, 43.4 lakh for Thanamandi and 10.5 lakh for Budhal.

J&K Assembly ruckus: Gurezi urges Speaker to continue Question Hour

Srinagar, Sep 21: Amid a ruckus in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday, Gurez MLA Nazir Ahmad Gurezi urged Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to continue with the Question Hour, accusing the BJP members of deliberately trying to waste the Houses time. None of you will be in the House after the next election. You ruined this State, Gurezi was heard telling the protesting BJP legislators. Earlier, Speaker Rather warned the BJP members to return to their seats and allow the proceedings to continue. Go back to your seats and allow the House to continue with proceedings. Dont force me to take action against you, the Speaker told the protesting members. The situation further escalated after CPI(M) MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami asked the BJP members to raise another slogan Statehood ko restore karo prompting angry reactions from the opposition benches. BJP members subsequently entered into a verbal exchange with Tarigami and Langate MLA Sheikh Khursheed as the ruckus intensified. Amid the commotion, senior National Conference leader and Khanyar MLA Ali Mohammad Sagar also stood up and raised slogans against the BJP members. The uproar disrupted the Question Hour, with repeated exchanges between members as the Speaker sought to restore order in the House.

Apni Party leaders hold protest outside assembly over reservation row

Wathoora Big Bash tournament concludes on a green note

The 6th edition of the prestigious Wathoora Big Bash cricket tournament, organized by the Wathoora Sports Association, culminated in a grand ceremony amidst vibrant sportsmanship and environmental awareness. The tournament witnessed fierce competition throughout the season, with 48 teams participating from across the region. The grand finale was graced by the esteemed presence of the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Chadoora Ali Mohammad Dar and the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam Athar Amir Khan to encourage the youth and present awards to the winner and runner-up teams The final showdown took place between Brand Hub Srinagar (SGR) and Kaloo Night Riders: Batting first, Brand Hub Srinagar set an impressive target by posting 197 runs. The standout performer with the bat was Afaz Hanief, who emerged as the top scorer with an explosive 60 runs. In response, Kaloo Night Riders struggled to build momentum and were bowled out for 122 runs, securing a decisive victory for Brand Hub Srinagar. Imtiyaz Lefty delivered a brilliant bowling spell, snatching 5 crucial wickets to dismantle the opposition line-up and earn the Man of the Match title. Meeran Yousuf was named Man of the Tournament for consistent stellar performances across Edition 6. Concluding on a Green Note, the grand finale integrated sports with environmental consciousness. Green Plants were distributed among guests instead of plastic bouquets. Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam highlighted the vital importance of maintaining cleanliness and urged the youth and local community to actively participate in the 'Swachhata Hi Seva' campaign. The DC stressed that sports events should serve as a platform not only for athletic excellence but also for championing social causes, hygiene, and environmental sustainability. MLA Chadoora and DC Budgam commended the Wathoora Sports Association for organizing a successful 48-team tournament and encouraging sports engagement among the youth of the region. The event concluded with the distribution of trophies, cash prizes, and accolades to the winners, runners-up, and top performers. Local residents , elders of the area, social activists and sports enthusiasts including Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat, SDM Chadoora Primrose Bashir, ACD Budgam Hilal Ahmad , ACP Budgam Gulzar Ahmad, DO Mochwa Ajaz Ahmad , Auqaf Committee Chairman Mushtaq Ahmad also participated in the programme. The guests appreciated organisers especially Lateef Dar (Chairman WSA) , Riyaz Peer , Maqsood Dar, Mohammad Younis, Bilal Ahmad & others

J&K Assembly breaks tradition, conducts business after paying homage to former lawmakers

Srinagar, Sep 21: In a departure from longstanding tradition, the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday carried out Government business immediately after Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather read out obituary references. Breaking precedent, the Speaker proceeded with legislative work following tributes to former Members of the Legislative Assembly Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Dharam Paul and Ghulam Hassan. During the obituary reference, the Speaker read out the names of the deceased lawmakers, with no other member participating in paying homage. Later, members observed a twominute silence to honour the departed legislators. In the past, lawmakers from different parties would join in the obituary proceedings. Traditionally, the House would adjourn for the day after paying obituary references, refraining from transacting any business. In the last autumn session, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had proposed revising the Assemblys obituary reference procedure. When I was in Parliament, the obituary references used to involve long speeches after the Speakers reading, taking up an entire day. Later, it was decided that the Speaker alone would read the references, and members would stand in silence for a minute. I think we should follow that system here too, Omar had said(KNO)

Autumn session of J&K legislative assembly begins

Waheed Para moves adjournment motion on reservation issues in J&K Assembly

Srinagar, Sep 21: PDP MLA from Pulwama Waheed-ur-Rehman Para moved an adjournment motion in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday, seeking an urgent debate on issues related to the reservation policy. Para called for discussion of what he described as continuing injustice and delay over the reservation issue, and said the interests of students in the open-merit category should not be compromised. The reservation issue has remained a subject of debate since the Jammu and Kashmir government constituted a three-member Cabinet sub-committee in December 2024 to examine grievances raised by aspirants regarding the existing reservation rules. The panel comprised ministers Sakina Masood Itoo, Javed Ahmed Rana and Satish Sharma. The sub-committee was given six months to submit its report. Its report was prepared in June 2025 and subsequently went through the Cabinet and government review process. The reservation policy has been a contentious issue among open-merit aspirants, with concerns raised over the proportion of seats available to candidates outside reserved categories. The issue has also figured in the Jammu and Kashmir government's legislative and administrative discussions. Further details of the motion and the response from the government and the Speaker are awaited. [KNT]

Early returns in Russia's parliamentary election show main Kremlin party leading

Moscow, Sep 21: Early results from Russia's first wartime parliamentary election, released by the country's election commission early Monday, showed the main Kremlin party dominating the vote. The tightly controlled balloting was virtually devoid of opposition to President Vladimir Putin's policies and all but certain to cement the Kremlin's dominance. With some 58% of the precincts counted, United Russia had nearly 58% of the vote for the 225 deputies apportioned by party lists, according to the Central Election Commission. Another 225 lawmakers will be chosen in single-seat races, and United Russia also was poised to win most of those. The balloting included residents of four Ukrainian regions that Moscow illegally annexed after the war began, but still doesn't fully control, as well as those in Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula that was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014, in what Kyiv denounced as illegal and the European Union described as a blatant violation of international law. Success in the polls by United Russia, backed by President Vladimir Putin, will help the Kremlin keep its tight grip on power. The vote, which saw most opposition barred from running, took place against the backdrop of the harshest political crackdowns and freedom of speech in Russia since Soviet times. The early results showed four other parties that almost always vote for Kremlin initiatives returning to the State Duma, the lower chamber of parliament.

Additional Central PF Commissioner calls for wider social security coverage

The Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner, J&K and Ladakh, Ajay K. Mehra, has urged employers and establishments across Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh to take timely steps to expand social security coverage of workers and comply with the latest provisions and welfare initiatives of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). Mehra highlighted a series of initiatives related to social security coverage, statutory compliance, employee enrolment and employment generation, and called upon establishments to actively participate in the measures. Under a recent development highlighted by Mehra, the statutory wage ceiling for mandatory coverage under Chapter III of the Code on Social Security, 2020, has been enhanced from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 per month. The revision is expected to bring additional employees within the ambit of mandatory coverage under the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Employees Pension Scheme (EPS) and Employees Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI). Mehra advised employers to identify eligible employees drawing wages up to the revised ceiling who are currently not covered, update their payroll and HR systems and calculate and remit contributions at the revised ceiling from the applicable effective date. On VISHWAS, 2026, Mehra said the initiative provides an opportunity for amicable settlement of pending disputes relating to damages under the relevant provisions of the Code on Social Security, 2020. The settlement window is available for six months from June 29, 2026, covering eligible disputes at different stages, including litigation, unpaid orders and pending notices. Establishments with eligible disputes have been encouraged to avail themselves of the scheme before the window closes. According to the EPFO official, the scheme has received a positive response from establishments, with more than 100 establishments in Jammu and Kashmir having applied under it. Mehra also reiterated the benefits of the Employees Enrolment Campaign, 2026, which will remain open till October 31, 2026. The campaign provides establishments an opportunity to enrol eligible employees who were left out of coverage and joined between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2026. Under the campaign, damages are limited to Rs 100, while the employees share is waived where it was not deducted earlier. Employers have been urged to make full use of the campaign to bring eligible workers within the social security framework. Mehra also called for continued participation by employers in the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY), aimed at promoting employment generation and formal enrolment of new employees. He urged establishments to actively participate in the initiative and contribute towards expanding formal employment and social security coverage.

Kashmirs Backyard Poultry Revival Takes Flight

Small backyard poultry units are increasingly finding space in homes across Srinagar and other districts of Kashmir, with families taking up poultry rearing for fresh eggs, chemical-free meat and, in some cases, as a hobby that allows children to engage with nature. From Srinagar to other parts of the Valley, households are starting with a few chicks and gradually expanding their flocks. While some rear local egg-laying breeds primarily for household consumption, others are investing in ornamental and exotic varieties that have emerged as a niche interest among poultry enthusiasts. The trend is being driven by rising chicken prices, growing awareness about food quality and concerns among some consumers about commercially available poultry. Several families say they are more comfortable consuming eggs and meat from birds they rear themselves. Muhammad Afzal, a resident of Hazratbal, said what began with a single chick had grown into a flock of around 20 birds of different breeds. We initially bought one small chick for our children. Gradually we added more breeds, and today we get fresh eggs almost every day. Whatever meat we consume also comes from our own birds, he said. He said backyard poultry had also become a pastime for the family. The children spend time feeding and looking after the birds instead of remaining glued to mobile phones. They are learning responsibility and enjoying nature. We also have peace of mind because we know what our birds are eating. There are many concerns about commercial poultry and we prefer eating what we rear ourselves, he said. Residents said discussions on social media about poultry quality, including claims about the use of growth promoters and other practices in commercial farming, had also encouraged some families to consider home rearing. Health experts have, meanwhile, advised consumers to source poultry from reliable outlets and follow proper food-safety practices. Alongside household rearing, ornamental poultry has emerged as a niche segment, attracting young entrepreneurs and enthusiasts. Mohsin Majeed of Mulfaq, Hazratbal, who runs Rather Poultry Farm, said he had been associated with poultry farming for more than a decade. I started with conventional poultry but later shifted towards indigenous layers and ornamental breeds because people wanted something different. Interest has grown tremendously over the last few years, he said. Mohsin keeps several exotic breeds, including Jubilee Orpington, Swedish Flower Hen, Phoenix, Columbian Brahma, Porcelain Brahma, Golden Sebright and Silver Sebright. Prices depend entirely on the breed and quality. Some birds sell for around Rs 1000, while premium ornamental pairs can fetch anywhere between Rs 40,000 and Rs 80,000. There are enthusiasts who willingly invest in these breeds. At the same time, many customers prefer affordable local egg laying birds for their homes, he said. According to Mohsin, demand is coming not only from people planning to start poultry farms but also from families seeking to produce eggs and meat at home. People are becoming more conscious about what they eat. Many want fresh, naturally raised poultry and are setting up small backyard units. Every week I receive enquiries from people who want to start with just a few birds before gradually expanding, he said. With backyard poultry increasingly serving as both a household food source and a leisure activity, the practice that was once more closely associated with rural households is gradually gaining a foothold in urban homes across Kashmir.

Fresh landslide, shooting stones disrupt traffic on Srinagar Jammu NH at Dewal-Udhampur

Vehicular movement on the SrinagarJammu National Highway (NH-44) was disrupted on Sunday evening after a fresh landslide and shooting stones hit the road at Dewal in Udhampur district, reducing the affected stretch to a single lane and causing traffic slowdowns. Traffic Police officials said vehicular movement through the affected portion was being regulated on a one-way basis to facilitate the safe passage of vehicles. The NHAI Project Implementation Unit (PIU), Udhampur was informed and was asked to deploy men and machinery for clearance of the debris and restoration of the road. In view of the disruption, Srinagar-bound heavy vehicles were temporarily stopped at Flata and Malal to prevent further congestion on the affected stretch. The fresh disruption came amid an already challenging traffic situation on NH-44, where movement remained slow at several locations due to ongoing four-laning works, rain-related damage, restricted carriageway width, uneven road surfaces and vehicle breakdowns. At Dewal, a 3040-metre portion of the highway had earlier suffered damage due to heavy rainfall, with traffic being regulated through a single lane. Rain-induced erosion has also affected the Srinagar-bound tube at two to three locations, making the stretch vulnerable and requiring cautious movement. In Ramban district, traffic remained slow along the MaroogKishtwari Pather stretch due to ongoing construction and four-laning works, which have reduced the available carriageway at several points. Intermittent congestion was also reported along the BanihalNachlana section due to the movement of nomadic livestock herds migrating from Kashmir towards the Jammu region. Officials said around a dozen nomadic herds were moving along the highway, contributing to intermittent slowdowns as vehicles negotiated the busy road alongside livestock. Vehicle breakdowns, including incidents reported near Nachlana, also caused temporary congestion at some points. Traffic Police personnel continued to remain deployed at vulnerable and congestion-prone locations to regulate traffic and assist commuters. Meanwhile, Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers continued to face daytime restrictions beyond Chenani due to widening and construction works on the DigdoleKhooni Nullah section. Such tankers are being allowed to proceed during the designated night window between 5 pm and 5 am. Despite the fresh disruption at Dewal, the highway remained open to regulated two-way traffic, subject to temporary restrictions and traffic management measures at affected locations. SSP Traffic National Highway Raja Adil Hameed advised commuters to follow the directions of traffic personnel, maintain lane discipline and exercise caution while passing through single-lane, construction-affected and vulnerable stretches. Commuters have been advised to check the latest traffic advisory before undertaking journeys on NH-44, particularly in view of the continuing road restoration works, changing weather conditions and movement of nomadic livestock herds along the highway. Meanwhile SSP Traffic National Highway Ramban, Raja Adil Hamid said the Traffic on both sides of the landslide affected Dewal was temporarily stopped for carrying out road restoration work late Sunday evening.

J&K Cine Association seeks second International Film Festival in Jammu

The Jammu and Kashmir Cine Association (JKCA) on Sunday urged the Jammu and Kashmir government to host the second edition of the prestigious event of International Film Festival in Jammu. Demand was raised in a meeting, convened to express JKCAs appreciation to the government for successfully organising the Union Territorys first-ever International Film Festival in Kashmir. The meeting, held at Kalakendra Jammu, attended by members of the executive body and general membership, welcomed the successful conduct of the inaugural festival and emphasised the need for greater recognition of Jammus rich cinematic, cultural and artistic potential. JKCA president Dharminder Kohli said the association was grateful to the government and Department of Information to effect immediate arrangements for including Jammu also in showcasing the films of Jammu region at Wave Mall, a concept mooted by Jammu and Kashmir Cine Association. It was JKCAs effort that 12 Dogri regional films directors, producers and other artists besides technicians associated with filmmaking were honoured on the occasion for which JKCA expresses its gratitude, said president Dharminder Kohli, adding that though the International Film Festival of J&K was slated for Kashmir. He further expressed his gratitude towards the Department of Information for holding the prestigious festival. I sincerely thank you for honouring Dogri cinema and its creators in Jammu and for organizing such a wonderful film festival. Your support and encouragement not only encouraged the filmmakers but also provided a new respect and platform for the Dogri language, culture, and cinematic identity of Jammu, Kohli said. On the occasion, the Association urged the government to take concrete measures to promote regional cinema by providing dedicated theatre space and adequate screening time to local filmmakers, directors and producers. It also called for the introduction of a comprehensive subsidy scheme for film production and demanded that the film sector be accorded industry status, along with appropriate financial incentives and subsidies to encourage filmmakers and strengthen the regional film industry. The meeting also marked the induction of Baljit Singh Raina into the association and an announcement for his appointment as its chairman. The post had remained vacant following the demise of former chairman Mushtaq Kak. The association members discussed in detail about holding investors meet and frame a committee in this regard to broad base the activities of the association to further its commitment towards achieving better goals. Certain members also suggested since the association was focused on holding film festivals and promoting the cinema of the region, the songs and various religious albums produced and directed by many local directors should also be promoted. Those present at the meeting included Rajesh Khajuria, Amarjit Singh, Irfan Chaudhary, Shammi Malhotra, Sandeep Rattan Verma, Sudesh Verma, Pankaj Khajuria, Maloop Singh, Veena Dogra, Lalita Tapasvi, Baljit Singh Raina and Ravinder Koul, besides other members of the association.

CBI arrests SDAO, 2 others in bribery case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested three persons, including a Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer (SDAO) of the J&K Agriculture Department, an Agricultural Extension Assistant (AEA) and a private individual, in connection with an alleged bribery racket involving the release of subsidy under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP). The arrested accused, according to the CBI, have been identified as Rajan Sharma, Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer (SDAO), Agriculture Department, Government of J&K; Abhilashi Sharma, Agricultural Extension Assistant (AEA), Agriculture Department and Ashok Kumar, a private person. According to the CBI, the case was registered on September 19, 2026, following allegations that SDAO Rajan Sharma had demanded a Rs 35,000 bribe from a complainant for releasing his subsidy under the HADP scheme. The CBI maintained that the SDAO directed the complainant to hand over the demanded bribe either to the Agricultural Extension Assistant or to the private person. Acting on the complaint, the CBI laid a trap and caught AEA Abhilashi Sharma and private person Ashok Kumar red-handed while allegedly demanding and accepting Rs 15,000 from the complainant. The agency subsequently arrested SDAO Rajan Sharma from his residence in connection with the case. The arrests have brought under scrutiny the alleged demand for illegal gratification in connection with the disbursement of government agricultural subsidy, with the CBI continuing its investigation to establish the full sequence of events and the role of the accused, the investigative agency said, adding that further investigation was continuing.

Lt Gen P K Mishra relinquishing command of White Knight Corps on Oct 1

General Officer Commanding (GOC), Lieutenant General P K Mishra is relinquishing the command of Nagrota-based White Knight (16) Corps of the Indian Army on October 1, 2026. Lieutenant General Mohit Seth, presently serving as Commandant, Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT), Indian Armys training establishment in Bhutan, will succeed him as the GOC XVI Corps. On April 1, 2025, Lt Gen Mishra had taken over the command of 16 Corps strategically one of the very crucial Corps of the Indian Army. He was recently conferred the prestigious Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM) by the President Droupadi Murmu at the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026 (phase II). Lt Gen Mishra, also a recipient of Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Yudh Seva Medal (YSM) and Seva Medal (SM), had succeeded Lieutenant General Navin Sachdeva. Prior to taking over as GOC 16 Corps, Lt Gen Mishra was heading IMTRAT in Bhutan. There also, he was relieved of the charge by Lt Gen Mohit Seth as new Commandant, IMTRAT. Lt Gen Seth, an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the National Defence college (NDC), was commissioned into the 3 Madras Regiment in 1991. Previously, he also served as General Officer Commanding of the Kilo Force of Army in J&K. In his distinguished military career spanning over three decades, he held various prestigious staff and command appointments in J&K, North East and at Army Headquarter. He has also served as Indian Army Liaison Officer, High Commission of India, United Kingdom.

LG chairs SMVDSB special meeting

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday chaired a special meeting of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) at Lok Bhavan, Jammu to review the progress of the International Museum of Goddess at Katra and discuss important matters concerning the Shrine Board. The meeting was attended by members of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board including Baleshwar Rai, Dr Ashok Bhan, Gunjan Rana, Dr K K Talwar, Kulbhushan Ahuja, Lalit Bhasin and Suresh Kumar Sharma. Mahamandleshwar Swami Vishveshvaranand Giriji Maharaj and Sudha Murty virtually attended the meeting. The meeting primarily reviewed the progress towards realization of the International Museum of Goddess, an important project envisaged to showcase the rich spiritual, cultural, artistic and civilizational heritage associated with the worship of Goddess. The Shrine Board had accorded in-principle approval to the project at its 76th Meeting held on February 8, 2026. Subsequently, a special meeting was convened at Lok Bhavan, Jammu, on May 21, 2026, to deliberate upon the future course of action for taking forward the project in a time-bound manner. As part of the ongoing efforts to establish a strong scholarly foundation for the proposed Museum, the Board was informed that extensive research, documentation and field-based cultural studies are being undertaken. Dedicated teams comprising scholars and researchers are visiting various temples, Shakti Peethas and other important centres of Devi worship to comprehensively document their history, mythology, traditions, rituals, architecture, cultural significance and associated heritage through field research, documentation and videography. The Board, which met under the chairmanship of the Lieutenant Governor, ratified the engagement of an Advisor for the Museum Project and also deliberated on the preliminary concept design of the proposed Museum presented by M/s Batul Raj Mehta & Associates (BRMA) and M/s Tata Ecofirst Services Limited. Taking into account the experience of BRMA in museum concept design and the expertise of M/s Tata Ecofirst Services Limited in architectural, fabrication and construction consultancy, the Board approved the consortium of the two agencies for formulation of the preliminary concept design. The Board deliberated at length on various aspects of the project including the scope of work, estimated project cost, implementation schedule, and the consortium fee payable to the engaged firms. Following detailed deliberations and careful consideration of the various parameters, the Board tentatively endorsed the initial projected cost and the proposed consortium fee towards the concept design services. The Board also approved, in principle, the proposed implementation schedule, envisaging completion of the project within an estimated period of approximately 38 months, subject to timely completion of the prescribed project milestones and fulfillment of all requisite statutory, administrative and other procedural requirements. Keeping in view the significance and strategic importance of the project and recognizing the need for focused attention, effective coordination and timely execution, the Lieutenant Governor desired that a dedicated project team be constituted specifically for the purpose headed by an experienced and competent officer, having the requisite, administrative and project-management expertise, to ensure effective supervision and coordination at all stages of the project. The Board also reviewed the arrangements for licensing, operation, maintenance and management of nine premium cottages located near the Sports Stadium, Katra. Comprising fully furnished 2-BHK units equipped with modern facilities, the cottages are intended to provide quality hospitality facilities. In this regard, M/s J&K Heritage Resorts Private Limited has been awarded the facility for its operation under the brand of ITC Hotels Limited. The Board further discussed the future management of the Shrine Hospital at Kakryal and decided to strengthen its institutional framework by entrusting its management and operations to SMVD Charitable Society. The arrangement envisages clearly defined functional verticals for ensuring efficient management and delivery of healthcare services. On the sidelines of the meeting, the Lieutenant Governor released a special cover titled Global Symbol of Faith issued by the Department of Posts in honour of the revered Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji shrine to further promote and showcase its rich heritage and universal appeal. Anjani Kumar Singh, Advisor to the Museum Project (virtually); Dr Mandeep K Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor; Brij Mohan Sharma, Principal Secretary to the Government, Culture Department; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; Sachin Kumar Vaishya, Chief Executive Officer, SMVDSB; Alok Kumar Maurya, Addl. CEO, SMVDSB; Brijesh Jha, Director (Academics & Research), Museum Project; Sagar Hanuman Singh, Chief Postmaster General, J&K Circle; Shah Nawaz Hussain, Senior Superintendent of Post Office, Jammu; Rajeev Sharma, Superintendent of Post Office Udhampur; Shruti Awasthi, Regional Director, IGNCA; Batul Raj Mehta, and other representatives of M/s BRMA and M/s Tata Ecofirst Services Limited and senior officers of the Shrine Board also attended the meeting.

AIP seeks assembly debate on reservation rationalisation

Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi on Sunday urged the government to make reservation rationalisation, particularly the concerns of Open Merit candidates, a priority for discussion in the Legislative Assembly session beginning Monday. The government must make the Cabinet Sub-Committee report on reservation rationalisation public and place it before the Assembly for a transparent debate. There can be no meaningful discussion on an issue affecting the future of thousands of our youth if the report itself remains inaccessible to the public, Inam Un Nabi said. Inam Un Nabi said AIP believes the concerns of Open Merit candidates must be addressed while protecting the legitimate rights of reserved communities. Inam Un Nabi said AIP supports a population-based reservation framework, as suggested by AIP President and Baramulla MP Er Rashid in Parliament, with representation rationalised at the district, divisional and UT levels. He demanded that the government immediately make the Sub-Committee report public, disclose the data and criteria on which its recommendations are based, allow a substantive Assembly debate and provide a time-bound roadmap for implementation. The youth deserve clarity, not secrecy. Let the report be made public, let the data be placed before the House and let elected representatives debate it openly. Open Merit candidates deserve fairness, while the rights of reserved communities must remain protected. A transparent, population-based and data-driven framework can provide a credible way forward, Inam Un Nabi said.

GVMUN-2026 concludes at GVEI after 3 days of debate, diplomatic deliberations

The 5th edition of the Green Valley Model United Nations (GVMUN) concluded at Green Valley Educational Institute (GVEI) after three days of intensive debate, diplomatic deliberations and discussions on pressing global issues. The conference was jointly inaugurated by advisor to J&K CM Nasir Aslam Wani and MLA Hazratbal Salman Ali Sagar. The valedictory ceremony was attended by social activist Roma Wani as the chief guest and was accompanied by Chairman GVEI, Mohammad Yousuf Wani, Director GVEI Prof. (Dr) Fayaz Ahmad Nika, Principal GVEI, Reyaz Ahmad Kathjoo, faculty members, delegates, staff and students. The three-day conference featured six committees, with delegates taking on the roles of diplomats, policymakers and international representatives to deliberate on complex issues including the Gulf Crisis, international shipping and energy security, and global drug policies. The conference showcased not only public speaking and debating skills but also the ability to develop well-researched policy implications and practical diplomatic solutions, with award-winning papers reflecting diverse approaches to some of the most challenging international questions. Discussions on global drug policies moved beyond conventional debates on prohibition and enforcement, with one position paper advocating a dual-pillar approach combining universal public health, harm reduction and treatment with targeted intervention against transnational criminal networks. The other committees namely Historical Crisis Committee, UNWC, UNSC witnessed thought provoking debates. The Director GVEI Prof. (Dr) Fayaz Ahmad Nikka welcomed the guests and talked about the efforts of this institution in providing the best possible education to its students. The Chief Guest, Roma Wani personally visited the various houses during the last session and interacted with the delegates. She enquired from the delegates about how their interactions and debates can bring changes in the real world.

SKIMS, RRU J&K campus join hands for research, training in mental health, forensics

The Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar, and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), Jammu and Kashmir Campus, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening academic, clinical and professional collaboration in the areas of rehabilitation, mental health, behavioural forensic services, research and training. The MoU was formally signed by the Directors of SKIMS and Rashtriya Raksha University, Jammu and Kashmir Campus, on the occasion graced by distinguished dignitaries, including former Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Kashmir and Lifetime Professor Dr. Mehraj Uddin Mir, RRU J&K Campus Assistant Director Dr Mohammad Akmal Shah, Assistant Professor Dr Mudasir Bhat and Director Finance SKIMS. Speaking on the occasion Director, SKIMS, said this MoU will strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration in clinical learning, rehabilitation, mental health and research. Director Rashtriya Raksha University, Jammu and Kashmir Campus, said this collaboration will provide valuable clinical exposure to our students and strengthen joint research and training in behavioural sciences and different areas of forensic services. The agreement provides a framework for collaboration in clinical and forensic teaching, mental health services, rehabilitation, forensic mental health services, capacity building, joint research, academic publications, internships, faculty exchange and knowledge sharing, the official handout reads. As per the handout, the two institutions will also collaborate on joint research projects, publications, scientific workshops, seminars, symposia, conferences and specialised training programmes on mutually identified areas. The collaboration will also support the development of integrated approaches to challenges relating to disability besides promoting capacity building and interdisciplinary learning, it reads. The collaboration is expected to provide a structured platform for academic exchange, supervised clinical learning, interdisciplinary research and professional training, while strengthening institutional cooperation between SKIMS and RRU, J&K Campus.

Over 1,700 students participate in ALOHA national competition hosted in J&K

In a landmark moment for ALOHA J&K, Jammu & Kashmir hosted the ALOHA National Level Competition (NLC) for the first time, bringing together more than 1,700 students from across the country for a grand celebration of talent, mental arithmetic and academic excellence. The National Level Competition 2026, as per a statement, witnessed enthusiastic participation from students who came together on a national platform to demonstrate their speed, accuracy, concentration and mental calculation abilities. The event marked a significant milestone for ALOHA J&K and showcased Kashmir as a destination capable of hosting major educational and youth-oriented events. The competition was graced by the presence of prominent international and national delegates of ALOHA, including Mr. Loh Mun Sung, Founder and President, ALOHA Mental Arithmetic, and Ms. Kiran Motvani, Director, ALOHA International, who attended as special guests. A number of officers, dignitaries, educationists and members of the ALOHA fraternity also attended the competition and appreciated the efforts of ALOHA J&K in nurturing young minds and creating platforms that encourage children to develop concentration, confidence, discipline, determination and a love for learning. Adding to the spirit of the occasion, the NLC venue also featured stalls, games and engaging activities for students, parents and guests, allowing visiting families to enjoy and experience the warmth, culture and hospitality of Kashmir during their stay.

BJP is our biggest enemy: Altaf Bukhari

Srinagar, Sep 20: Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Sunday described the BJP as our biggest enemy, accusing it of having destroyed Jammu and Kashmir, ended its statehood and taken away Articles 370 and 35A. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a party function at Parraypora in Srinagar, Bukhari said the BJP had no moral ground to hold public darbars in Jammu and Kashmir after what he alleged was the erosion of the regions rights. Our biggest enemy is the BJP. They have destroyed us. They have ended our statehood. They have taken Article 370 away from us. They have taken Article 35A away from us, Bukhari said. With what face do they come here and hold public darbars? he asked, questioning those who attend such programmes as well. Bukhari also raised questions over the recently issued selection list of Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers, claiming that only six candidates from Kashmir had been selected. You must have seen the case list. Look at how many people from Kashmir are in it. We feel ashamed even saying thiswhat kind of government is this? he said. He said the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah should have resigned on the day he saw the selection order. I do not know how they are sitting in that chair. They should themselves have resigned that very evening when the list was issued, when they saw that there were only six people in total from Kashmir. How will you maintain balance? Bukhari said. Bukhari said the Centre needed to look beyond electoral politics while asserting that Kashmir was being ignored on several fronts. He said Srinagar was facing problems related to drainage, roads, parking, drinking water and unemployment, and questioned the priorities of the elected government. There is a drainage problem here, there are problems with roads, there is a parking problem, and there is the problem of unemployment among the youth, he said. Bukharis remarks came in the backdrop of a wider debate over the powers of the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir. Former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi has recently questioned the limited powers of the elected administration and called for the restoration of statehood. Quraishi has also said that the Centre had assured the Supreme Court that statehood would be restored after Assembly elections and questioned the delay. Asked about Quraishis observation that an elected government without adequate powers is effectively no government, Bukhari said people often make such statements after leaving positions of power. When people come to Jammu and Kashmir after retirement, the sightseeing and the weather here make them speak sweet words. But when they are sitting in positions of power, they never protected the rights of Jammu and Kashmir, he said. He questioned those who now speak about protecting the rights of Jammu and Kashmir, asking where they were when, according to him, the regions rights were being taken away. Bukhari also compared Jammu and Kashmir with Delhi, saying that although both are Union Territories, the elected government in Delhi is functioning with greater authority. I would say that an elected government without power is no government. And this present government is also a lame duck, he said. He added that the J&K government had approached the Supreme Court and said the court should prescribe a timeline. The government has approached the Supreme Court, so the Supreme Court should give a timeline, he said. Taking a swipe at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Bukhari questioned his priorities, saying the Chief Minister had time to inaugurate the renovated Jammu and Kashmir House in Amritsar but, according to him, did not have time to address pressing civic issues in Srinagar. The Chief Minister had in fact inaugurated the renovated J&K House in Amritsar earlier this week. Our Chief Minister has time if he has to inaugurate a building in Amritsar, but here in Srinagar city he has no time for marriage halls, no time for drainage and no time to address the shortage of drinking water, Bukhari said. He also questioned the role of the governments MLAs in addressing civic issues, asking whether development decisions were being taken according to electoral calculations. Is the only job of his MLAs to decide which street should get a drain and which should not? Is everything going to be decided according to the proportion of votes they got during election? he asked. Bukhari has previously highlighted Srinagars shortage of parking, inadequate housing, damaged roads and lanes, insufficient drainage and shortage of basic amenities, and has called for a comprehensive long-term development plan for the city.

Marriage assistance provided to 16 girls from underprivileged families in Baramulla

Sixteen girls belonging to financially weaker families received marriage assistance kits during a programme organised by Khidmat Foundation Baramulla at Jadeed Eidgah on Sunday. The programme sought to ease the financial burden on families struggling to meet the expenses associated with marriage arrangements. Besides providing material assistance, the programme sought to promote a sense of dignity, community solidarity and shared responsibility towards vulnerable families. Speakers at the event said that financial constraints can place considerable pressure on families, particularly those with limited resources. They stressed that community-based initiatives can help reduce this burden while ensuring that deserving families receive assistance without compromising their dignity. They also called for greater awareness against extravagance in marriage ceremonies, urging people to keep weddings simple and avoid unnecessary expenditure. Such an approach, they said, could help families avoid financial hardship and encourage a culture of compassion and mutual support. General Secretary, Khidmat Foundation Baramulla, Mudasir Naqshbandi, said the Foundation would continue to stand with families facing financial difficulties. A conscious mind cannot remain aloof from the problems faced by underprivileged families. We are committed to helping our sisters, Naqshbandi said. He said the objective of such programmes was to ensure that lack of financial resources did not become a barrier for families seeking to arrange marriages for their daughters. The aim of such events is to ensure that no sister in our society remains without a wedlock just because she has no resources, he said, appealing to people to support humanitarian initiatives. The Foundation, a non-political social welfare organisation, has been involved in various welfare activities, including educational assistance, medical support, food and ration distribution and financial aid to deserving individuals and families. The organisers expressed gratitude to donors, volunteers, religious scholars and other supporters, saying continued community participation was essential to expand such initiatives and reach more families in need.

Altaf Bukhari warns against pushing Srinagar into deeper developmental deprivation, livelihood distress

Srinagar, Sep 20:Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari today lashed out at the continued neglect of Srinagar city and warned against pushing the historic city into deeper developmental deprivation and livelihood distress. He also said that Srinagar suffered massive and irreversible damage as its Master Plan was altered. He said, Srinagar, especially its downtown area has been suffering from decades of consistent neglect and developmental deprivation. The governments in power have continued to push this historic city deeper into developmental deprivation and livelihood distress. Also, the Srinagar Master Plan was altered in ways that have caused permanent damage to the character and development of this historic city. The areas that were originally designated for commercial use have been turned into residential areas, while areas meant exclusively for residential purposes have been converted into commercial zones. He further said, In many areas, large commercial buildings have been allowed to come up within residential colonies, making life difficult and miserable for the residents of these areas. He demanded a thorough probe into who changed the Master Plan, at whose behest, and with what purpose. Bukhari made these remarks today while addressing public meeting at Chinar Colony Parray Pora in Chanapora constituency. In his speech he also said that some reports suggest that attempts are being made to settle outsiders in Kashmir under the garb of development. He said, Unfortunately, some local individuals are allegedly facilitating such activities. It is being alleged that land is being purchased on behalf of outsiders and that they are subsequently being settled on these properties. Bukhari strongly warned against these attempts and demanded a probe into this matter. Speaking about the J&Ks accession with the country, Bukhari said, In 1947, the then biggest leader decided to accede to India without seeking the consent of the people. Since he was the biggest leader at the time, he could take that decision. And once such a decision has been taken, it cannot be revoked. That is why I have always maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is a permanent part of the country and is destined to remain with it, whether we like it or not. Bukhari reiterated his appeal to the Prime Minister to fulfil his promise of initiating a dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said, I urge the Honble Prime Minister to fulfil his promise of engaging with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the youth, to hear their issues and grievances and take effective measures to address them. I also urge him to ensure constitutional guarantees for the protection of the domicile law. Our youth are facing serious difficulties that need to be addressed. How long will they continue to be called to police stations for mistakes of their past? How long will they be denied the mandatory police verification required for employment and obtaining passports? They have chosen the path of peace and deserve to be treated with fairness and dignity. They deserve an opportunity to move forward and lead a peaceful and dignified life, he added. He further urged Prime Minister, I urge you not to look at Jammu and Kashmir through the prism of the NC and PDP. These parties are dominated by political families whose primary concern is to advance their political legacies. Jammu and Kashmir is much bigger than any individual party or political family, and its people deserve to be heard and understood on their own merits. He lashed out at the ruling party for its failure to fulfil the promises it made to the people while seeking their votes in 2024. He said that the situation is that this government is not even ready to talk about the release of detainees. He further said, Following the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, Apni Party leadership, while meeting with Prime Minister, Home Minister, and other senior government leaders in New Delhi, managed to ensure that the Centre allowed people to retain their rights over land and jobs here. However, the domicile law is only for 15 years. J&Ks elected government can extend this period to ensure that there is no immediate threat to our land and jobs, but unfortunately, it is not even doing that, he added. On reservation issue, Bukhari said that the existing reservation policy is fundamentally unjust and discriminatory. It is deeply unfair that 70 percent of the population is being asked to compete for just 30 percent of the jobs, while 30 percent of the population is being provided access to 70 percent of the opportunities. This unjust policy needs to be changed. We need a judicious reservation policy based on the population ratio so that every section of society receives a fair and proportionate share of employment opportunities. Bukhari expressed grave concern over the governments failure to address even the basic issues faced by the residents of Srinagar. Many areas still lack access to even the most basic necessities, such as drinking water. Does this government need the restoration of Statehood before it can ensure something as fundamental as drinking water for the people of the city? he asked. He expressed grave concern over the lack of livelihood opportunities for the youth of the city and said that the government has failed to provide them with even basic opportunities to earn a decent living. Our youngsters are not even being allowed to work as street vendors to earn their livelihood. Where will they go? What options are being left for them? Why is the government not doing anything to address their concerns? he asked. He said that the city is facing serious problems due to the absence of a proper housing policy. People are being forced to live in extremely congested conditions, with several families sharing a single house. Is this the kind of living standard our people deserve? he asked. He further said that city lacks even an adequate drainage system. He said, Even a minor rainfall leads to flood-like situations on the city roads. People are struggling with basic civic issues, yet the government appears to have no concrete solution to these problems. The residents of the city deserve better. They deserve proper housing, effective drainage, clean surroundings and dignified livelihood opportunities, he said. He said that people in the city are facing serious problems due to the lack of adequate parking facilities. He also pointed out that there are not enough marriage halls in Downtown, forcing people to face difficulties while organising social and family functions. He also highlighted several public issues and grievances being faced by people across different areas of the Chanapora constituency. He alleged that even the macadamisation of roads and lanes is being carried out on the basis of the political affiliation of residents. If people do not support the ruling party, their roads and lanes are being ignored. Is this the way a government should function? Public services and development cannot be made conditional on political loyalty. This is nothing but an unfortunate example of partisan governance, he said. He also pointed out that several playgrounds that were supposed to be developed in the constituency have been left unattended, depriving children and young people of much-needed recreational and sports facilities. Speaking on the occasion, the partys Vice President, Mohammad Syed Akhoon, accused the ruling National Conference (NC) of betraying the public mandate. He said that, while he was still with the NC, he had warned the party leadership against making a deceitful manifesto aimed at misleading the people. He said, I told them not to tell the people that they would get Articles 370 and 35A restored, because that would not be possible. I also advised them against making promises such as providing an additional ration quota, free electricity, free gas, and government jobs. All such exaggerated claims would eventually damage the party, because fulfilling these promises would not be possible under the Union Territory setup, he said. But instead of heeding my advice, they chose to expel me from the party. I was expelled despite having served the party for 60 long years, Akhoon said. Addressing the occasion, party General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are facing serious political challenges. He said he was not worried about the governments failures in addressing public issues, as governments come and go and such issues can be addressed at any time. However, he said he was concerned about the larger political challenges confronting the people of Jammu and Kashmir and stressed the need for introspection on these issues. He also said that the people of Srinagar are facing serious environmental challenges and warned that if these issues are left unaddressed, they could have grave consequences. In his speech, the Partys Provincial President, Mohammad Ashraf Mir, said that the Apni Party is committed to working for the peace, prosperity, and development of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the Party would continue to raise public issues and grievances and strive to ensure that they are addressed promptly and effectively. The other prominent party leaders who addressed the convention or who were present on the occasion included Vice President Javaid Mustafa Mir, Additional General Secretary Hilal Ahmed Shah, Chief Coordinator and District President Kulgam Abdul Majeed Padder, State Secretary and Chief Spokesperson Muntazir Mohiuddin, Media Advisor Farooq Andrabi, Women's Wing President Dilshad Shaheen, Provincial Secretary Mohammad Ashraf Dar, District President Srinagar Zaffar Habib Dar, Sajjad Ahmed, Najeeb Ahmad, Provincial President Youth Wing Jibran Dar, Ward President Nazir Ahmad Dar, Ward President Hyderpora Muzaffar Ahmad Sheikh, Ward President Baghat Barzulla Mohammad Shafi Wani and others.

NLCO Chairman Manzoor Wangnoo receives Peoples Environmental Ambassador award

Chairman of the Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation (NLCO), Manzoor Wangnoo, was honoured with the Peoples Environmental Ambassador Award at the Global Leaders Conference, Srinagar 2026, organised by Edufam International Academy. The conference, as per a statement, brought together renowned personalities from across the world as well as distinguished participants from Kashmir representing different walks of life. The conference focused on three themes of growing relevance: Sustainable Education, Sustainable Business and Sustainable Health. The speakers at the conference highlighted the need to integrate sustainability into education, business practices and healthcare, stressing that sustainable development requires collective responsibility and practical action. Wangnoo said he was deeply humbled to receive the recognition and expressed his gratitude to Edufam International Academy and Dr. Halima Sadia for the honour. Such recognition is humbling because environmental work is ultimately about responsibility towards our communities, our natural heritage and future generations. I accept this award with gratitude and as a reminder to continue doing whatever little we can for our environment, Wangnoo said. He also appreciated the organisers for bringing together eminent personalities and creating a platform for meaningful discussion on issues that are increasingly important to society. He congratulated the Edufam International Academy and its team for organising the conference and for placing sustainability at the centre of discussions on education, business and health. The recognition adds to Wangnoos continuing environmental engagement through NLCO, particularly in community-led conservation, restoration of water bodies, springs, plantation, environmental awareness and promotion of responsible environmental practices.

Sewerage treatment plants still handle less than half of J&Ks sewage

Srinagar, Sep 20:The recent hike in sewerage fees for hotels and guest houses in Jammu and Kashmir has raised questions over whether higher charges can address water pollution when the Union Territorys sewage treatment infrastructure remains inadequate and significantly underutilised. J&K generates around 445.6 million litres of sewage every day (MLD), against an installed treatment capacity of only 229 MLD. Of this capacity, just about 137 MLD is actually being utilised for treatment, according to an amicus curiae report submitted before the Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal in June 2026. This means that nearly 309 MLD of sewage generated daily is beyond the installed treatment capacity, while the gap between total sewage generation and the quantity actually treated is about 308.6 MLD. The figures point to a substantial untreated sewage burden entering or threatening to enter lakes, rivers, wetlands and other water bodies. The issue has gained attention following the decision to increase sewerage charges for hotels and guest houses around Dal Lake and other water bodies. On June 25, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a meeting of the Lakes Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA), where the new tariff order was among the decisions taken. Under the revised charges, hotels with fewer than 20 rooms will pay Rs 4,500 per month, compared with Rs 1,500 earlier. The monthly sewerage charge for guest houses has also been increased to Rs 3,000 from Rs 1,000. Chairman of the J&K Pollution Control Committee, Vasu Yadav, told Greater Kashmir that the sewerage fee is paid by hotels and guest houses to the Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED) when they do not have an operational sewage treatment plant of their own and discharge sewage into UEED-operated treatment plants. He said the revised fee remained substantially lower than the cost a hotel would incur in installing and operating its own STP. We, the JKPCC, on our part, do not permit a hotel to operate without an STP or without a connection with an STP, Yadav said, adding that smaller hotels generally have septic tanks. However, the broader sewage treatment infrastructure presents a different picture. With only 137 MLD of the 229 MLD installed treatment capacity actually being utilised, the effective treatment system is operating at well below its installed potential. At the same time, the total sewage generated in J&K is almost twice the installed treatment capacity. A stakeholder questioned the rationale of substantially increasing hotel charges without simultaneously expanding and fully utilising the treatment network. It is like putting a higher price label to be connected to that system that is operating at one-third of requirement. Tripling fee doesnt shrink the untreated waste, the stakeholder said. The sewage problem, however, extends beyond hotels and guest houses. Residential households, commercial establishments and government offices are also sources of wastewater, making expansion of treatment infrastructure and effective connectivity critical to reducing the discharge of untreated sewage into water bodies. A Comptroller and Auditor General report tabled in the J&K Assembly in April 2026 had highlighted the continuing pressure on Dal Lake. According to the audit, the lakes open water area declined by more than 10 per cent between 2007 and 2020, falling from 15.40 square kilometres to 12.91 square kilometres. The report also noted that more than Rs 45 crore had been spent on sewage treatment plants over 13 years, yet untreated sewage continued to flow into lakes and other water bodies, including wetlands. It found that a significant number of households and houseboats had not been connected to the treatment systems that were available. The audit also pointed to shortcomings in utilisation of funds by the LCMA. Between 2017 and 2022, funds ranging from Rs 48.63 crore to Rs 280.68 crore remained underutilised. The audit attributed delays to factors including stalled board meetings, the absence of a project management consultant and failure to prepare detailed project reports for pending works. Catchment-area management was also found to have fallen short of the planned coverage. Of the 15 identified micro-watersheds around Dal Lake that were to be covered, work was carried out in only four.

Sat Sharma stresses stronger grassroots outreach in Kashmir

J&K BJP President and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma (CA) on Sunday chaired an organisational review meeting in Srinagar, taking stock of the partys functioning, ongoing programmes and organisational activities across Kashmir. The meeting, as per a statement, held at Church Lane, was attended by BJP Vice President Dr Shehnaz Ganie, General Secretaries Mohammad Anwar Khan and Gopal Mahajan, besides State Office Bearers, Spokespersons, District Presidents, Morcha Presidents and General Secretaries. The meeting primarily focused on reviewing the progress of the partys ongoing Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, being organised from September 17 to October 17 in connection with the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The campaign is being conducted through programmes and activities at the constituency and district levels. Programme Incharges, District Presidents and Prabharis presented detailed reports on the activities undertaken in their respective areas and outlined plans for the next phase of the month-long campaign. Addressing the meeting, Sat Sharma stressed the need for greater organisational coordination and sustained grassroots engagement. He said the party cadre must play an active role in taking the BJPs programmes and initiatives to the people and strengthening the organisation at the ground level. Sharma said the BJP has a clear roadmap for the progress and development of Jammu & Kashmir and called upon party workers to work with a collective approach to expand the organisations presence and public outreach across Kashmir. He reiterated the partys stated commitment to Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, while emphasising regular interaction with the people and effective coordination among different organisational units. During the meeting, District Presidents and Prabharis briefed the leadership about organisational activities, ongoing programmes and issues emerging from their respective areas. The senior leadership discussed measures to address field-level concerns and improve coordination through structured planning and regular organisational reviews. The meeting concluded with the leadership stressing the need for continued organisational activity, stronger coordination among party workers and sustained grassroots engagement across Kashmir, with the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan continuing through October 17.

IGP Kashmir reviews security grid, counter-terrorism preparedness in Kupwara, Handwara

Srinagar, Sep 20: Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, Sujit Kumar on Sunday reviewed the prevailing security situation, counter-terrorism grid, law and order preparedness, crime scenario and overall operational readiness during a visit to Kupwara and Handwara in north Kashmir. IGP Kashmir was accompanied by Deputy Inspector General of Police, North Kashmir Range, Dr Vinod Kumar. During his visit to District Kupwara, SSP Kupwara Al Tahir Gilani briefed the IGP on the overall security scenario and various operational aspects of the district. The briefing covered ongoing counter-terrorism operations, intelligence inputs, area domination measures, security arrangements at vulnerable locations, law and order preparedness and the prevailing crime situation. The IGP also visited the Tactical Operating Base (TOB) at Dardpora, where he interacted with personnel of the Special Operations Group (SOG) and took stock of their operational preparedness and field deployment. Sujit Kumar appreciated the commitment, dedication and professionalism of the personnel deployed in challenging operational areas and stressed the need for maintaining a high degree of alertness, coordination and preparedness. The IGP subsequently visited Handwara, where SSP Handwara Tahir Saleem Khan briefed him on the security and operational situation in the area. The briefing included the prevailing security scenario, ongoing counter-terrorism operations, intelligence inputs, area domination measures, protection of vulnerable locations, law and order preparedness and the crime scenario. During the review, IGP Kashmir emphasised the need to further strengthen a public-friendly approach to policing while improving crime disposal and adopting strategies suited to emerging field requirements. He stressed the importance of maintaining operational readiness and ensuring a prompt and effective response to emerging security and law and order challenges. Sujit Kumar also called upon police personnel to remain vigilant and maintain a high level of preparedness, particularly in areas facing operational and security challenges. The IGP appreciated the dedication and professionalism of police personnel deployed across the two districts and exhorted all ranks to continue discharging their duties with commitment and ensure the safety and security of the public. The visit comes as part of the security and operational review of police formations in north Kashmir, with emphasis on counter-terrorism preparedness, intelligence-based operations, area domination and effective law and order management.

Education must protect childrens mental health, overall wellbeing: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq

Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq on Sunday expressed great satisfaction over the overwhelming participation of children in the Grand Seerah Competition held at the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar, where around 2800 boys and girls from maktabs across districts took part. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the programme, Mirwaiz, as per a statement, said it was a beautiful and heartening sight to see the historic Jama Masjid filled with young children eager to learn about the blessed life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). He appreciated the efforts of Maktab Maseeh-ul-Ummah, in collaboration with the Mirwaiz Foundation, for organising the programme and said such initiatives were important in connecting the younger generation with the timeless message of the Prophet (SAW) of faith, compassion, noble character and service to humanity. At a time when our children and youth are facing many social, emotional and moral challenges, it is extremely important that they remain connected with the Seerah of the Prophet (SAW), which offers guidance for every aspect of life, Mirwaiz said. Responding to a question regarding the proposal before the Government to examine a five-day school week in Jammu & Kashmir, Mirwaiz welcomed the move and said the wellbeing of children must remain at the centre of the education system. Our children need time not only to study, but also to rest, spend time with their families, play and grow in a healthy and balanced manner. Their mental health and overall wellbeing must remain at the heart of education, he said. Mirwaiz also congratulated the participating children, their teachers, parents and organisers, and prayed that such initiatives continue to nurture knowledge, good character and a deeper understanding of the teachings of Islam among the younger generation.

2 years on, no work on Anantnags 249-bed maternity, child hospital

Srinagar, Sep 20:Nearly two years after the proposed 249-bed Maternal and Child Care Hospital was announced for Anantnag, construction has yet to begin, as the revised project report awaits approval and funding. In November 2024, the Health and Medical Education Department (H&ME) directed the Public Works Department (PWD) to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the hospital at Government Medical College, MAMB Janglatmandi, and fast-track the project. The initial DPR, estimated at Rs 86.5 crore, was submitted to the Finance Department under the NABARD Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF-XXXI). It was returned for clarification on the funding source and inclusion of furniture and furnishings. PWD later revised the project cost to Rs 94.44 crore. The revised project cost is Rs 94.44 crore, Superintending Engineer (SE) Syed Ishfaq Ahmad said. He said the revised DPR was forwarded to the Principal of GMC Anantnag on April 1. A GMC official said the proposal was in turn forwarded to the Health Secretary in April, with copies sent to the Finance Secretary and Director of Health Services. Officials said NABARD remains the proposed funding source, while administrative approval and fund release are pending. About 4.5 Kanals of land was initially demarcated within the Mirza Mohammad Afzal Beg Memorial (MAMB) Hospital premises at Janglatmandi, with the proposed facility to be connected to Block A. The idea was to bring maternity and child care services under one roof at GMC Janglatmandi, an official said. Other sites considered include the GMC main campus at Dialgam, the existing Sherbagh site after dismantling the dilapidated MCCH structures, and Rehmat-e-Alam Hospital at Sarnal, KP road. A senior doctor said the MAMB campus at Janglatmandi already has limited space, with a nursing home, oxygen plants and several centrally funded projects behind the main A, B and C blocks. The critical care unit is also under construction. A proposed oncology block and a sewage treatment plant are also planned there. There is hardly any room for expansion, the doctor said. The new hospital must be planned for the next hundred years, not just the next few, he said. The government told the Assembly during the February budget session that Rs 5 crore had been earmarked for the project under the 2025-26 CAPEX budget. It said the project could also be taken up under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme in 2026-27. Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo recently said construction would begin once the land was finalised. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has already sanctioned and allocated funds under NABARD for the new maternity and child care hospital, she said, adding that the land had to be within the GMC-MAMB Janglatmandi premises. I have directed officials to identify the land at the earliest. Officials, however, said no funds had been released. Sherbagh hospital remains overcrowded The existing maternity hospital at Sherbagh continues to operate despite being declared unsafe by the PWD and Fire and Emergency Services in 2014. The hospital handles more than 40,000 outpatient visits and about 7,000 admissions each month. Built for 40 beds, it now operates far beyond capacity, with two labour rooms, four surgical wards and one operation theatre. In many cases, two to three patients share a single bed, a doctor said. The paediatric section was shifted to MAMB GMC Anantnag last year after repeated fires in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) caused electrical faults. A 2015 blaze damaged the outpatient department (OPD), including the gynaecology, obstetrics and paediatric sections. In March 2022, a gas leak triggered a fire that injured 12 people, including two children. The building is not safe to run the maternity hospital at all, Itoo said. Rehmat-e-Alam relocation plan shelved A proposal to shift maternity services to Rehmat-e-Alam Hospital on KP Road at Sarnal was shelved after structural assessments by IIT Jammu and NIT Srinagar found the building unsuitable under post-2005 earthquake safety standards. The building was originally constructed by a local trust and later expanded by the Housing Department, JKPCC and R&B at a cost of about Rs 13 crore. IIT Jammu and NIT Srinagar recommended retrofitting the two lower floors and strengthening key structural elements at an estimated Rs 8 crore, besides about Rs 25 crore for interior work. The Design Inspection Quality Control (DIQC) department also recommended reinforcing underground structures. Using the building for offices or other non-clinical health services was also suggested, but the relocation proposal was eventually dropped. The site has about 30 kanals of land that could potentially be used for new construction. With the new hospital still awaiting approval, the Sherbagh facility continues to function under severe space constraints. Like the childrens section, the maternity hospital should also be shifted temporarily until the new facility comes up, said Ishrat Ahmad, a local resident.

Bilaliya Educational Institute holds Annual Celebration 2026

Bilaliya Educational Institute (BEI) today held its Annual Celebration 2026, A Celebration of Learning, Character & Nature, at its Lal Bazar campus with great enthusiasm and participation from students, parents, faculty, guests and well-wishers. The celebration commenced with a plantation drive at the BEI campus, led by Dr Naseer Ahmad Wani, Director School Education, Kashmir, along with Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din, Chief Education Officer (CEO), Srinagar, and Fayaz Ahmad Fayaz, Media Advisor, Department of Education. The distinguished guests planted saplings on the campus, symbolising BEIs continued commitment to environmental awareness, sustainability and nature-based learning. Following the plantation, the upgraded ECO Club of Bilaliya Educational Institute was formally inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Dr Naseer Ahmad Wani, in the presence of the distinguished guests, Chairman BEI, members of the Managing Committee, faculty, staff, students and parents. The inauguration of the upgraded ECO Club further reinforced the central theme of this years celebrationLearning, Character & Natureand reflected BEIs efforts to nurture environmental consciousness and responsible citizenship among its students. The formal Annual Celebration programme commenced thereafter, with Dr Naseer Ahmad Wani as the Chief Guest. The event was attended by several distinguished guests, including Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, IPS, SSP Traffic Srinagar; Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din, Chief Education Officer (CEO), Srinagar; Fayaz Ahmad Fayaz, Media Advisor, Department of Education; Dr Farooq Ahmed Wani, former Secretary Education BOSE and core member, NLCO; Dr Farooq Wasil, Director, ThinkSite Services, Dubai; Dr Anwar Bari, Director, Al-Amina Private School, Sharjah, UAE; Dr Haleema Sadiya, educationist and Managing Director, EDUFAM; Shafqat Jahan and Sheikh Abdul Rashid, members of the BEI Managing Committee; Tasneem Akhter, Officer, ICDS; and Dr Mushtaq Margoob, psychiatrist and Core Group Member of the Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation (NLCO). Welcoming the guests, Chairman BEI Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo expressed his gratitude to the Chief Guest, distinguished guests, parents, partners, students, faculty and staff for being part of the annual celebration. Reflecting on BEIs journey, Wangnoo said that the institution had begun with a humble beginning and had gradually grown into a large educational community. He thanked everyone who had contributed to the institutions development and emphasised that the journey had been made possible through the collective efforts of teachers, staff, parents, partners and well-wishers. Chairman Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo also hailed the leadership of Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha in strengthening the collective resolve against drug abuse and promoting the vision of a Nasha Mukt Bharat. He emphasised that educational institutions have an important role in protecting young minds from substance abuse by promoting awareness, character-building, healthy lifestyles and positive values. He also expressed his appreciation to the Jammu and Kashmir Police for their continued support, cooperation and efforts towards maintaining a safe and secure environment for students and the wider community. He acknowledged the role played by the police in supporting initiatives aimed at protecting children and youth from drug abuse and other social challenges. The Annual Celebration featured a wide range of performances by BEI students, including skits, plays, speeches, rhymes and other cultural and educational presentations. The students performances were warmly appreciated by the audience, with the guests expressing their admiration for their confidence, creativity and preparation. Environment remained a central theme of the programme. The plantation drive and inauguration of the upgraded ECO Club at the beginning of the celebration underlined BEIs commitment to making environmental consciousness an integral part of education. Through various student presentations and performances, the institution further highlighted the importance of environmental awareness, responsible citizenship and the need to protect and nurture nature. BEI has been pursuing a number of environment-oriented initiatives, including nature-based learning, plantation activities, herbal and medicinal plant initiatives, waste management and its vision of developing a more nature-connected learning environment. Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo appreciated the dedication and hard work of the Principal, faculty and staff of BEI, congratulating them for their commitment towards the students and the institution. He also thanked the parents for their continued support and the students for their enthusiasm and affection towards the institution. Our Annual Celebration is not merely a cultural programme. It is an opportunity to celebrate what our children are learning, how they are growing and the values we hope they will carry forward in life. At BEI, we believe education must develop knowledge, character and responsibility towards nature and society, Wangnoo said. Mementos were presented to the distinguished guests as a mark of appreciation for their presence and support. The guests appreciated the performances of the students and commended BEI for creating opportunities for children to express themselves beyond the classroom, while also appreciating the institutions efforts towards environmental education and student engagement. The celebration concluded with BEI expressing its gratitude to all the guests, parents, partners, students, teachers and staff whose participation and efforts contributed to making Annual Celebration 2026 a memorable occasion.

Special Court acquits 4 persons in 17-year-old case

Srinagar, Sep 20: A Special Court here has acquitted four persons in a 17-year-old case involving allegations of using Cross-LoC trade for funding of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba after coming to the conclusion that the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt. Special Judge designated under the NIA Act, Manjeet Rai, acquitted Mushfiq Ahmad Lone, Vipin Kumar Sharma, Sanjeev Kumar Tandon and Zahoor Ahmad Dar in a case arising from FIR No. 254/2009 registered at Police Station Saddar. Proceedings against the accused, Suraj Prakash Badyal, had abated following his death in November 2024. The prosecution had alleged that money generated through Cross-LoC barter trade was being channelled for unlawful activities. Police claimed to have recovered cash, a grenade and other articles during the investigation, with the judgment recording the seized cash at Rs 13.85 lakh. In its decision, the court, however, noted significant deficiencies in the prosecution evidence. The Court pointed out that the case relied substantially on alleged disclosure statements, recoveries and call-detail records. It observed that no eyewitness had been produced to establish any alleged delivery of money and that no money trail through bank accounts, account books or trade records had been established. Moreover, the court held that no independent witnesses were associated with the arrests or recoveries. The seized currency, it said, was not sealed and its numbers were not recorded in the relevant seizure documents. The court noted that the grenade was neither properly sealed nor subjected to forensic or expert examination. The Court underscored that the prosecution witnesses gave materially different accounts regarding the dates, locations and circumstances of the arrests and recoveries. Furthermore, it found deficiencies in the call-detail records relied upon by the prosecution. On the Cross-LoC trade allegations, the investigating officer admitted that the trade was a regulated barter system. He also acknowledged that the business or bank accounts of Sharma and Tandon had not been examined to establish that the recovered money was unaccounted for, and that no business connection between them and Lone had been established. The court also found that the mandatory statutory requirements concerning sanction under the UAPA had not been established. With the conclusion that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt, the court acquitted the four-surviving accused of all charges. It also directed that the 13.85 lakh seized during the case be released to the persons from whom it was seized or their legal heirs, subject to the appeal period and any lawful restraint.

Contractual employee cant be disengaged without opportunity of being heard: CAT

Srinagar, Sep 20:The Central Administrative Tribunal in Srinagar has held that, in the case of contractual employees also, an engagement could not be terminated without following the rules of natural justice. A Bench comprising Judicial Member, M S Latif, and Administrative Member, Prasant Kumar, while dealing with one Pardeep Singh Balis plea assailing his termination as a contractual employee without granting him an opportunity of hearing, held that in conformity with the principles of natural justice, the authorities were legally bound to afford him opportunity of being heard before his disengagement. Bali was appointed under the Contractual Appointment Rules, 2003, in terms of a government order dated January 29, 2006, as Sanitary Inspector in the Department of Health and Medical Education against a post advertised for District Baramulla, according to his plea. Subsequently, he joined the office of the Chief Medical Officer, Baramulla, and continued on the post thereafter. He completed seven years of contractual service in January 2013. Bali, through his counsel Faizan Majid Bhat, argued that since the contractual rules of 2003 came to be repealed, the Jammu & Kashmir Civil Services (Special Provisions) Act, 2010, and the Jammu & Kashmir Civil Services (Special Provisions) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2011, were enacted, providing for regularisation of employees appointed on adhoc or contractual or consolidated basis upon fulfilment of the prescribed conditions. Under the scheme, the cases of all the eligible employees and those who had completed seven years of service were required to be processed for regularisation, while employees who had not completed seven years were to be continued till completion of the requisite period, he said. Balis grievance was that, while his case for regularisation was still pending consideration, the Director, Health Services Kashmir issued an order dated May 16, 2013, whereby his services were terminated by treating him as a contractual employee under the Contractual Appointment Rules, 2003, on the ground of absence from duty. He contended that his termination was without issuance of notice, inquiry or affording him an opportunity of hearing and, therefore, was in violation of the principles of natural justice. In its objections, the Department said that the petitioner remained unauthorizedly absent from duty from March, 13, 2013, and was arrested in connection with an FIR No. 51/2013 registered by Police Parimpora u/S 19 UL Act on March 16, 2013. Against the governments contention, Bali submitted that he was acquitted in the FIR by the Court of Sub-Judge designated under NIA vide judgment dated December 7, 2021. The government said that the petitioner did not exist on the rolls of the department from the date his contractual appointment stood cancelled and he was neither entitled to reinstatement nor regularisation. Seeking dismissal of Balis plea, the government contended that the petitioner was on contractual engagement; as such, there was no need to hold any enquiry into the matter. Moreover, it said that the post of Sanitary Inspector on which Bali was initially engaged on a contractual basis stood filled up on a substantive basis from April 16, 2018. Advocate Faizan, while relying upon various related judgments of the Supreme Court and High Courts, argued that even in the case of a contractual appointee, principles of natural justice are required to be followed, particularly when the order of termination is stigmatic. In view of this contention, he sought to quash the termination order against Bali. After hearing the parties, the Tribunal disagreed with the argument that for a contractual employee, no rules or procedure are required to be followed before disengaging him or her. However, it held that it is rather a settled position of law that even in the case of contractual employees, the rules of natural justice are to be followed to the hilt. The Tribunal noted that ordinarily the termination order against Bali having been passed in violation of the rules of natural justice and without affording any opportunity of being heard to him and that too being stigmatic, cannot withstand the test of law, coupled with the case law cited at Bar. As such, the same deserved to be quashed. However, we are not inclined to pass an order of quashing the impugned order, as the same would not serve any purpose, it said. Moreover, the Tribunal noted that when the instant petition was filed, the petitioner was 43 years old and by now he is around 56 years of age. Disposing of the petition, the Tribunal directed the authorities to explore the possibility of engaging the petitioner on any stop-gap arrangement in any scheme of the respondent department, where at least he could be given some honorarium to make his ends meet. The direction has been passed in view that the petitioner has been litigating for the last 13 years and having been acquitted by the competent Court where he was facing trial, the Tribunal said.

Mobile school, library launched for remote Handwara areas

A Mobile School and Library initiative has been launched in the Nagarnar area of Handwara to bring educational resources closer to children living in far-flung and remote areas. The initiative was inaugurated by the Zonal Education Officer (ZEO), Rajwar, in the presence of the Givfunds NGO Coordinator. The mobile facility will carry books, learning materials and other educational resources to communities where children have limited access to conventional libraries and learning facilities. The initiative is aimed at promoting reading habits and creating greater opportunities for learning and creative activities among children in remote areas. It will also provide students with access to educational material closer to their homes, reducing the difficulties faced by those living away from established educational facilities. The initiative has been welcomed as a step towards making education more accessible and inclusive for children in far-flung areas.

Poetry on Pashmina

I have always had a particular admiration for Artist Masood Hussains work. There is something about the way he looks at Kashmir that has always stayed with me his ability to find stories in its landscapes, its people, its memories and its silences, and then translate them onto a canvas in a language that feels unmistakably his own. His paintings have never felt like mere representations of Kashmir to me; they feel like conversations with the place itself. A few days ago, while scrolling through my phone, a message popped up with a photograph that immediately caught my attention. It was of Maqam, a newly constructed heritage house in Rajbagh, where a rather unusual exhibition was being held. The message spoke of Lal Deds Vaakhs being brought to life through modern art, painted on the delicate canvas of Pashmina by Masood Hussain. I found myself looking at the photograph for a little longer than I expected. It is an unusual question, but one that becomes surprisingly meaningful when you see artist Masood Hussains latest body of work. Hussain has brought together two deeply recognisable elements of Kashmirs cultural identity : Lal Deds poetry and Pashmina in a series of twenty hand-painted shawls inspired by the Vaakhs of the fourteenth-century mystic poet. Created over nearly two years, the works offer an unusual interpretation of Lal Deds verses while placing them on one of Kashmirs most celebrated traditional crafts. What interests me about this project is not simply the novelty of painting Lal Deds poetry on Pashmina. It is the larger idea behind it: what happens when something deeply rooted in Kashmirs past is interpreted through a contemporary artistic language? We often encounter Kashmiri culture through familiar forms poetry, handicrafts, architecture, music and oral traditions but there is something refreshing about seeing these elements placed in a new context rather than treated as untouchable symbols of the past. This is where Masood Hussains interpretation of Lal Ded becomes particularly interesting. He has taken something deeply rooted in Kashmirs literary and spiritual history and approached it through his own visual vocabulary. Rather than simply reproducing the words of the poet, Hussain responds to the imagery, mysticism and philosophical questions within her Vaakhs. The paintings are therefore not merely illustrations of poems; they are his interpretation of what those poems evoke. Lal Ded makes an especially compelling subject for such an experiment because her poetry has never been confined neatly to one period or one interpretation. Her Vaakhs travelled through generations, largely through oral tradition, and remained part of Kashmirs collective cultural memory for centuries. Her poetry questioned outward ritual, attachment and the human search for truth, allowing each generation to discover something different in her words. That ability to remain relevant is perhaps one of the reasons Lal Ded continues to occupy such an important place in Kashmirs imagination. There is also something fitting about placing her poetry on Pashmina. Pashmina represents generations of craftsmanship, patience and inherited knowledge, while Lal Deds words represent another form of inheritance one carried through memory, speech and repetition. Her Vaakhs were not preserved simply because they existed in books; they survived because people continued to remember and recite them. Hussains work brings these two forms of cultural memory together. The shawl becomes a physical surface for poetry that was once primarily carried through the human voice. The project also makes me think about how Kashmir presents itself to the contemporary world. Much of the outside image of Kashmir is built around its traditional aesthetic, and understandably so. But Kashmir is not only a place of inherited traditions; it is also a place of contemporary artists trying to reinterpret those traditions. That distinction matters. There is a difference between simply reproducing something because it is familiar and engaging with it deeply enough to discover something new within it. That is why this project feels relevant beyond the gallery. If Pashmina can become a canvas for contemporary interpretations of Lal Ded, it opens up a wider conversation about what else can happen when Kashmirs traditional forms meet new creative languages. Lal Deds poetry could find expression through cinema, animation, graphic art, theatre or digital storytelling. Traditional crafts can enter contemporary design without necessarily losing the knowledge and techniques that gave them meaning in the first place. The point is not to make heritage look modern for the sake of modernity, but to allow artists to ask what these traditions mean to people today. For Kashmir, this kind of experimentation is valuable because culture should be allowed to have a present as well as a past. We should be able to admire a traditional Pashmina shawl while also asking what a Pashmina can become in the hands of a contemporary artist. We should be able to recite Lal Deds Vaakhs while also allowing a painter, filmmaker or writer to respond to them in their own language. Masood Hussains series does precisely that. Lal Deds words enter the imagination of a contemporary artist, and that interpretation finds its way onto a traditional Kashmiri textile. It is neither an attempt to rewrite Lal Ded nor simply an exercise in nostalgia. It is a conversation between two artistic traditions separated by centuries. Perhaps that is what makes the work so compelling. Lal Ded has spent centuries travelling through Kashmirs collective memory, and now her words are travelling through colour, fabric and visual imagination. The medium has changed, but the conversation continues. And perhaps that is the more interesting way to look at Kashmirs cultural inheritance: not as a collection of things we have already finished creating, but as a starting point for what we can create next. In that sense, Lal Ded on Pashmina is not really about putting an old poet onto an old craft. It is about what happens when Kashmirs past is given permission to speak in a new artistic language.

Sopore residents pestered, feel threatened by stray dogs

The growing population of stray dogs in Sopore town has emerged as a major concern for residents, with people expressing serious apprehensions over the safety of pedestrians, particularly schoolchildren, madrasa-going children and elderly citizens. Residents said the number of stray dogs has been increasing day by day, with packs of canines being spotted at almost every nook and corner of streets, residential colonies, market areas and public places across the town. The growing presence of stray dogs has created a sense of fear among locals, especially parents who remain worried about the safety of their children while going to and returning from schools and madrasas. According to residents, stray dogs can frequently be seen roaming in groups in localities of Sopore, often creating difficulties for pedestrians and commuters. The situation has become particularly concerning during the morning and afternoon hours when children travel to educational institutions and elderly people step out for their daily activities. Locals said that many children and elderly people have reportedly fallen victim to stray dog attacks in the past, intensifying concerns over the issue. They said the growing menace has made it difficult for residents to move freely in several areas, urging the concerned authorities to take immediate and effective measures to ensure public safety. Residents have called upon the Municipal Council Sopore to initiate a comprehensive and sustained programme to control the stray dog population and prevent incidents of dog bites. They stressed the need for effective animal birth control measures, regular monitoring and the establishment of an efficient mechanism to address complaints related to stray dogs. Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Municipal Council Sopore, Wali Mohammad, said that the department has already initiated efforts to control the stray dog population, particularly through measures aimed at preventing their uncontrolled breeding. The CEO said the government has appointed two veterinary surgeons for the purpose, while the department is currently in need of dog-catching equipment and a dedicated vehicle for lifting and handling stray dogs. He added that a requisition for the required equipment and vehicle has already been submitted to the Director, Urban Local Bodies, for necessary action. Once the required equipment and vehicle are made available, the department will be able to initiate the operational work. We are hopeful that the process will begin within one year, the CEO said. Wali Mohammad also underlined the role of public responsibility in addressing the growing stray dog menace, stating that the improper disposal of garbage on roads and streets contributes to the problem by providing easy access to food for stray animals. He said that despite the availability of garbage-collecting vans operating in different localities of Sopore, some residents continue to throw waste on roadsides and public spaces, creating conditions that attract stray dogs. The CEO appealed to residents to cooperate with the Municipal Council by disposing of their household waste through the designated garbage collection system instead of dumping it on streets and roads. The growing stray dog menace in Sopore has prompted renewed calls for coordinated efforts between the Municipal Council and residents. Locals hope that the proposed measures, once implemented, will help control the stray dog population and provide much-needed relief to residents, particularly children and elderly citizens.

Bandiporas Rs 7.5 Cr PMGSY road lies in ruins, villagers face daily danger

Commuters and residents across several villages are facing daily hardships as the 7-kilometre Kaloosa to Gurdal road in north Kashmirs Bandipora district remains broken and unsafe, six years after construction, and facelift works started. Executed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), the road work began on April 27, 2020, with an estimated cost of Rs 750.70 lakh. Despite this massive budget and a mandatory five-year maintenance period, the surface is completely broken. Severe potholes appeared early this year and have steadily worsened. Driving on this road breaks our vehicles and our backs, said Mohammad Shafi, a daily commuter. The potholes are so deep that it takes double the time just to cross a few kilometres. The poor surface condition also creates severe dust pollution. Residents are forced to stand on the roadside and spray water from garden hoses just to settle the thick dust rising from the dry, gravel-filled stretches. We are literally eating dust, said Abdul Wahid, a local resident. I have to stand outside with a water hose just so my family can breathe inside our own home. They spent crores, and all we got were potholes and chest infections. The contract was awarded to M/s AJS Construction Group, with the J&K Rural Roads Development Agency (JKRRDA) acting as the executing agency. Official project boards show plans for a complete cross-section with proper shoulders, drainage and protection walls. However, residents say safety features were abandoned. Small bridges and culverts along the route lack protective side walls and proper drainage systems, posing a serious risk to passing vehicles. Look at the small bridges, there are no side walls at all, said local resident Javid Ahmad. One wrong turn at night and your car is in the ditch. Residents allege the road develops deep potholes every year, pointing to poor-quality macadamisation by the contractors. Despite repeated promises from the administration regarding immediate patchwork and surface repairs, residents say there has been no actual headway on the ground. Locals are demanding strict measures to fix the crumbling surface and build the missing safety walls before a major accident occurs.

When schools turn children into props

In many of our Schools today, a familiar scene unfolds whenever an official or dignitary visits; students are lined up in neat rows, trained to clap, cheer and smile on cue, often performing dances or songs as if they were a professional troupe. Photographs and videos of these moments are routinely uploaded on school social media accounts, websites and WhatsApp groups. What is presented as discipline, respect or school pride is, in reality, a systematic erosion of childrens dignity, privacy and right to a fear-free childhood. The teachers and the management of these schools, without knowing the consequences, direct the children to be show-pieces and this culture has snowballed in to a crisis and a matter of deep concern for parents who do not want their children, especially girls to perform like this. The ritualistic reception staged for visiting officers, new headmasters or principals. Children, overwhelmingly girls, are lined up and made to sing film and folk numbers such as Aayiye aap ka intizaar tha or the Kashmiri song Shoukeh chaaneh waayou changeh taye saazo, aakhou shehr-e-sheerazo while showering flower petals on the arriving official, who often walks in as if on a red carpet, posing like a groom. This spectacle, redolent of the colonial-era babu culture, reduces young boys and girls to ornamental greeters and performers whose only role is to flatter authority. It has no place in a rights-based, democratic education system and stands in direct conflict with the childs right to dignity under Article 21 and Article 39(f) of the Constitution. On numerous occasions, children, again mostly girls, are orchestrated into public displays of grief when a teacher retires or is transferred. They are encouraged, sometimes actively coached, to weep, cry and moan while surrounding the departing teacher. These highly emotional scenes are filmed and later circulate widely on social media. Only after the videos go viral do the children and their parents grasp the lasting consequences; the girl who was seen sobbing and clinging in public becomes an object of mockery and ridicule for years. The trauma and shame she carries are neither spontaneous nor harmless; they are the direct result of adults engineering a performance of grief for sentimental or self-promotional effect. Such practices inflict mental harassment prohibited under Section 17 of the RTE Act and violate the childs right to privacy and dignity. A similar pattern appears during picnics, cultural programmes and even inside school buses. Girls are urged to sing, dance and perform in the heat of collective excitement, only for the moments to be recorded and shared. Later, when the videos surface online, the same children and their families experience deep embarrassment and mental agony, realising that in a moment of unguarded joy the child was pushed into behaviour she would never have chosen with full awareness of its permanent digital afterlife. Once again, schools failure to protect childs image and future reputation constitutes a clear breach of the protective obligations placed on educational institutions by the NCPCR guidelines, the DPDP Act and the constitutional guarantee of dignity. These practices are not harmless tradition. They treat children as decorative props for adult display and place their long-term honour and mental well-being at risk. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act) is clear. Education must take place in an environment free from fear, trauma and anxiety. Section 17 explicitly prohibits mental harassment. Forcing children to stand in formation, cheer like cheerleaders, or perform on demand for administrators or VIPs turns the school into a hierarchical stage rather than a space of learning and respect. This contradicts the very spirit of the Right to Education Act, which prioritises the childs all-round development and dignity. Article 39(f) of the Constitution further directs the State to ensure that children grow in conditions of freedom and dignity and that childhood is protected against exploitation and moral abandonment. Compulsory performances, especially when filmed, sit uncomfortably close to the line of exploitation. Photography and Videography of children inside schools or for that matter outside schools on roads by the school authorities or by any other agency including the media outlets, followed by posting on open social media platforms, raise even sharper concerns. Once an image or video is online, it can be downloaded, edited, shared and weaponised indefinitely. Children have no real control over this digital footprint. The Supreme Court in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) v/s Union of India (2017) held that privacy is a fundamental right under Article 21. Childrens privacy interests are heightened because they cannot fully understand or consent to lifelong digital exposure. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 reinforces this: anyone under 18 is a child and processing their personal data, including photographs and videos, requires verifiable parental consent. Vague permissions buried in admission forms do not meet this standard. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has repeatedly stressed the need for a child-friendly, safe school environment. Its manuals on school safety and security, cyber-safety guidelines, and advisories on preventing bullying and cyber-bullying underline that schools act in loco parentis. Recent administrative orders, such as those issued by the Rajasthan Directorate of Secondary Education, explicitly cite NCPCR guidelines, Article 21 and the right to privacy while restricting unauthorised Photography, Videography and circulation of student images precisely to protect childrens dignity and safety. The risk is especially acute for girl students. When girls are asked or compelled to perform before authorities, or queue-up for a visiting officer or bow or bend for authorities or make special performances on the retirement of any Teacher, Headmaster or Principal, (which has recently become a norm in our UT Schools) and the videos remain online for years, the consequences can be severe in socially conservative settings. Such content has been known to attract moral policing, online abuse, character assassination and attempts to damage future careers and relationships. What begins as an innocent school performance can later become a source of lasting mental distress and social stigma for girls and hundreds of such cases have been reported. NCPCRs Guidelines for Child and Adolescent Participation in the Entertainment Industry caution against subjecting children to performances that expose them to ridicule or emotional harm, or that are beyond their maturity. Even when the performance is not commercial, filming and public posting effectively place the child in the digital public sphere without adequate safeguards. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Acts foundational principles, dignity of the child, protection of privacy and confidentiality further reinforce that schools must not create situations in which a childs image can later be used to stigmatise or exploit her. Schools must stop treating children as accessories for official visits and social-media engagement. This is both legally necessary and morally urgent to end compulsory lining-up, cheering and performing solely for the benefit of visiting authorities, obtain specific informed and verifiable parental consent before any photography or videography intended for public or social-media use, with a clear and easy opt-out. In situations where it is necessarily to post or disseminate any education related function involving students, school authorities must prefer non-identifiable images or blur faces when posting is unavoidable. School authorities must also recognise that the schools primary duty is to protect the childs dignity and future, not to generate content or impress officials. Children are not cheerleaders for the administration. They are rights-bearing individuals whose honour and mental peace must not be sacrificed for a few minutes of ceremonial applause or a social-media post. Education departments, school managements and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights have both the legal mandate and the moral responsibility to draw a firm line. A childs dignity is not a photo opportunity. It is a fundamental right and a prime responsibility for all the stakeholders. The Union Territorys Education Ministry, Directorate of School Education and all concerned education departments must take immediate cognizance of these deeply problematic practices. Strict notices and clear orders should be issued to every school; government, private and aided, directing them to end the use of children, particularly girls, as ornamental performers, emotional props or social-media content. In a society that still attaches high value to religious, moral and ethical norms, the lasting stigma, ridicule and mental trauma that can follow a girl from a viral school video are neither imaginary nor minor. Safeguarding the dignity, honour and future of every child is not optional; it is a constitutional and statutory duty. The authorities must act now to ensure that no school is allowed to compromise that duty in the name of tradition, ceremony or publicity. Meraj Zargar is a Tral-based social worker, has authored two books, with over two decades of literary and humanitarian work. Ideas are personal.

Dr Showkat Shah felicitated

Critical care specialist and Medical Superintendent of Khyber Medical Institute, Dr Showkat Shah, was felicitated with an Appreciation Award by the Rotary Satellite Club of Kashmir Valley for his compassionate medical care and human touch towards his patients. Dr Showkat has impacted countless lives in the Kashmir Valley and outside Jammu and Kashmir by treating his patients with compassion, the organisers said.

J&K Transfer Policy rings hollow for a majority

Despite the repeated claims of the government to streamline the posting of teaching faculty, the teachers posted in very hard zone areas seem to have been forgotten by the School Education Department (SED). Despite completing their tenure in these areas, dozens of teachers continue to remain posted in the schools of very hard zone areas, contrary to the claims made by the SED. Over the past few months, the government claimed to reshuffle staff and shift teachers from very hard zones to normal zones and vice versa. However, there has been no change on the ground as the forgotten lot of teachers are yet to be shifted from Zone-V areas. The aggrieved teachers said that such hollow claims of streamlining the transfers are made only to get media hype. Such statements are made solely to remain in the headlines. Last year, during the ATD, dozens of teachers were sent to Zone-V for the second and even third time, while those having political influence or close connections with officers have been posted for decades at their preferred and specific places, particularly in Srinagar and other towns. They were not touched at all, one of the teachers complained to Greater Kashmir . Even if some of them were transferred, they were sent only within a distance of about five kilometres. Those responsible for conducting the ATD should be asked to explain the process, the teacher added. Teachers and masters posted in hard and very hard zone areas of border districts complained that they continue to remain stuck in far-off areas despite completing their tenure. The aggrieved teachers said they completed the prescribed tenure in hard and very hard zone areas under challenging conditions, but their transfer to feasible soft-zone areas was not yet considered. The teachers said the School Education Departments Transfer Policy, notified vide Government Order No. 103-JK(Edu) of 2023 dated April 24, 2023, states that the employees posted in Zone-V areas are ordinarily required to serve for one year, while those serving in such difficult locations are to be given preference for postings in Zone-I and Zone-II areas to the extent possible. But despite repeatedly approaching officers and authorities in the department, our grievances remain unresolved. We have moved from pillar to post requesting implementation of the policy provisions, but our concerns continue to remain unheard, the teachers said. The teachers have been left to fend for themselves at a time when the government claims that teachers posted in far-off areas will be provided incentives instead of those posted in urban and city schools. But on the ground, the reality is something different. The influential teachers continue to remain posted in cities and towns irrespective of their requirement, given the enrolment of the students. As already reported by this newspaper, the Minister for Education, Sakina Itoo, said that teachers will be shifted from very hard zones after completing their tenure as per the transfer policy. But till date, the decision is yet to be implemented on the ground. Under the transfer policy, Zone-IV and Zone-V areas have been categorized as difficult postings with prescribed tenures of two years and one year, respectively. The policy further states that employees who have served in Zone-V should preferably be accommodated in softer zones after completion of their tenure. The aggrieved teachers appealed to the authorities to ensure that the transfer policy is implemented in letter and spirit and that eligible employees are transferred from hard zones without further delay. The teachers said the timely implementation of the policy would address employee grievances and also strengthen confidence in the departments transfer mechanism. Earlier, Advisor to J&K CM Nasir Aslam Wani said the government would not allow teachers to remain posted permanently in either urban or rural areas, saying that postings would be made through a rotation system.

IABCL draws crowds, provides platform for Chenab Valley cricketers

The Indian Army Banihal Cricket League (IABCL) is emerging as a popular sporting platform for youth in the Chenab Valley, with the tournament witnessing enthusiastic participation and growing public support. The Round-II encounter of the league between Shining Cricket Club, Doda, and ANK Warriors, Bhaderwah, witnessed an exciting contest, attracting cricket enthusiasts and local residents. The match was attended by MLA Ramban Arjun Singh Raju and MLA Inderwal Payare Lal Sharma, who interacted with the participating players and locals and encouraged the young cricketers to pursue sports with dedication and discipline. The growing popularity of the tournament reflects the enthusiasm of people across the region for sporting activities and provides local youth with an opportunity to showcase their talent on a competitive platform. The Indian Army, through such sporting initiatives, continues to encourage healthy competition, teamwork and positive engagement among young people. The league also provides an opportunity for youth from different parts of the Chenab Valley to come together through sport. The initiative is being seen as another effort to promote grassroots sporting talent while strengthening interaction and engagement between the Army and the local community.

Vicky Shaw, Khawar Butt shine at Ahad Golf Championship with 9 Birdies in Pahalgam

The Ahad Golf Championship 2026 concluded successfully at the scenic Lidder Valley Golf Course in Pahalgam, with Vicky Shaw, Chairman of PHDCCI Kashmir, and his partner Khawar Butt CEO KBits Networks, producing a memorable performance in a competitive field of 76 avid golfers. As per a statement issued, Shaw carded a commendable round of 76, while Butt delivered an impressive score of 74. Together, the duo combined for nine birdies, highlighting their chemistry and skill on a course that drew praise from all participants for its excellent condition and superb greens. The tournament was played under a three-fourth handicap system, ensuring a level and competitive playing field for the 76 golfers who took part in the event. The Ahad Golf Championship 2026 was sponsored by Mushtaq Burza of Welcome Hotel Pine & Peaks. Participants lauded the top-level facilities and accommodation arranged by Burza, which contributed significantly to the success and comfort of the event. The championship was expertly moderated by Owais Burza, while hospitality was overseen by Asif Burza of the Ahad Group, whose efforts ensured a seamless and enjoyable experience for all players and guests. Speaking after the event, Vicky Shaw praised the organisers and the venue. The Lidder Valley course is beautifully maintained with excellent greens, and the arrangements made by the Ahad Group and Welcomhotel Pine & Peaks were truly top level. It was a fantastic day of golf, and I congratulate all the participants, he said. The Pahalgam golf course received widespread appreciation from the players for its pristine fairways, well-kept greens, and the overall quality of the playing experience. The Ahad Golf Championship 2026 brought together golf enthusiasts from across the region for a day of competitive play, camaraderie, and celebration of the sport against the stunning backdrop of Pahalgam's natural beauty.

Safeguard Kashmirs 252-million-year-old fossil repository!

Despite passing of a year since recognition of Guryul Ravine at Khonmoh area in Srinagar as a National Geoheritage Site by the Geological Survey of India (GSI), considering its immense geological and palaeontological significance, Government has not taken any measure for conservation of this treasure trove. The Guryal Ravine is considered to be a repository of Kashmirs rich history as it is part of the Permian-Triassic Boundary section and possesses sedimentary succession of about 252 million years ago. It is believed that during this period a severe mass extinction wiped out most of life on Earth including 90% of sea creatures and 70% of land life. This transition is known as the Great Dying or Late Permian Mass Extinction (LPME) and is recorded in ancient rocks of Guryul Ravine. The ravine has abundant fossils, marking the transition from the Paleozoic to Mesozoic Era, with minimal life in the early Triassic age at the Permian-Triassic Boundary. As per GSI, the Guryul Ravine Geological section represents one of the only few known complete Permian Triassic Boundary sections in the world. It hosts multiple mega fossil horizons of Bryozoa, Brachiopoda, Bivalve, Gastropoda, Ammonoids and conodonts which are important for understanding the greatest biological revolution and past climate changes of earth, with each rock layer here telling a story worth preserving. Guryul has also attracted international scientific interest because of sedimentary structures that some researchers have interpreted as evidence of ancient tsunami activity. Studies have identified unusual deposits and seismites associated with the period of environmental upheaval. The historical significance of Guryul Ravine dates back nearly two centuries. It was studied by the British geologist H. Falconer in 1837 and Murchison in 1842 followed by several other renowned European geoscientists. The groundbreaking discovery came in 1866, when British geoscientist Henry Godwin-Austen unearthed crucial fossils that established Guryul as one of the most important Permian-Triassic boundary sites in the world. His findings were later cited in The Valley of Kashmir (1895), authored by Walter Lawrence, then Settlement Commissioner of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite its immense geological importance, portions of Guryal Ravine faced illegal mining of the fossil sites and dumping of garbage in catchments. Kashmir-based Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has been vigorously campaigning for the Guryals protection and recognition. EPG on October 15, 2018 announced that Kashmirs two million old fossil sites will be developed in collaboration with Penn Dixies Natural History Society. PDNHS manages the worlds number one fossil park in Hamburg, USA, and holds the Guinness World Record for the Worlds Largest Fossil Dig. The Penn Dixie Natural History Society had released a resolution to collaborate with EPG through its constituent, Centre For Himalayan Geology to assist and develop Kashmir Triassic fossil park. The Penn Dixie Board of Directors had confirmed Kashmir Triassic Fossil Park as one of the worlds geological treasures. The breakthrough came after the then EPG trustee and noted geo-scientist Abdul Majid Bhat made a presentation to Penn Dixie Board highlighting the importance of the Fossil Park at Guryul Ravine. EPG has been stressing for taking measures to ensure that its campaigning contributed to declaration of this as a Geoheritage Site of National importance by Geological Survey of India (GSI), vide resolution dated October 16, 2025. In response to a query, the Geological Survey of India has recently stated that it had already taken several steps for conservation of Guryul-Khunmoh-Mandekpal fossil landscape, but was awaiting action from the J&K Government. It has stated that it wrote a letter to J&K Government on December 17, 2025, requesting that it issue a notification and facilitates conservation of the site. A joint inspection by GSI officials and the district administration was also conducted on March 12, 2026, to fix modalities for conservation and development of the area. The GSI has further taken up a research and development project covering Guryul Ravine and Mandakpal National Geoheritage Sites to document and strengthen understanding of their geological and fossil significance. GSI has also initiated efforts to install marker pillars at the Global Permo-Triassic Boundary and associated fossil-bearing locations. However GSI cannot start work on the ground before issuance of notification by the Government. It has stated that scientific work, together with the J&K Government notification, which it specifically described as awaited, could provide the basis for sustainable geotourism and geoconservation at Guryul. GSI notes that the possibility of providing urgent protection under the Dachigam National Park and Eco-Sensitive Zone framework had been discussed with the J&K Government, as the Guryul Ravine section falls within the Eco-Sensitive Zone. The sites location within Dachigam National Park & Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ), Srinagar strengthens its potential for offering statutory protection, the GSI said. These measures could help lay the groundwork for a future Geopark proposal, subject to UNESCOs prescribed criteria and procedures. EPG convenor Faiz Bakshi has sought Chief Secretarys intervention, stating that national recognition must now be followed by concrete protection and a comprehensive development plan. EPG must play its role for ensuring protection of the site by acting as a pressure group to make authorities act besides organising awareness programmes on the importance of the site. Government must take measures for conservation of Guryul Ravine. More than being a conventional tourist attraction, Guryul Ravine has the potential to be developed as a research centre for geologists, palaeontologists, university researchers and scientists from various countries. Guryal Ravine can be developed as a geoheritage destination comprising fields of geology, palaeontology, education and research. Let the world know the geological mysteries hidden in Guryul Ravine for the past 252 million years ago. We must ensure to safeguard the geological asset for our future generations and global research. Author is Executive Editor, Greater Kashmir

2nd Legends Underwater Sports Championship draws over 100 swimmers at Nigeen

The 2nd Legends Underwater Sports Championship 2026 concluded on Sunday at the Water Sports Centre, Nigeen, with more than 100 swimmers participating in six swimming and underwater sports events. The championship, as per a statement, was organised by Swim N Survival Society Kashmir (SnSS-K) in collaboration with The Legends School of Education, with the aim of promoting swimming, underwater sports and water-safety awareness among young swimmers. The competitions witnessed enthusiastic participation across different age groups and disciplines. In the 100-metre freestyle, Zaid Bin Riyaz secured the first position, followed by Ateeb Ahmad Patloo and Sheikh Muhammad Ahmad. Zainab Bin Riyaz topped the 50-metre Girls event, while Mavra Noor and Ayra Tanveer secured the second and third positions, respectively. In the Open Water Long-Distance event, Azaan Gulzar finished first, followed by Parvaiz Abbas and Muhammad Mukaram Wani. The 200-metre Bi-Fins event was won by Sheikh Mohammad Ahmad, with Ateeb Ahmad Patloo finishing second and Zaid Bin Riyaz third. In the 50-metre Bi-Fins event, Abdullah secured the top position, followed by Ahmad Aijaz and Affan Bin Iqbal. In the 100-metre Junior Boys event, Adnan Firdous finished first, followed by Muhammad Aleem Ibaad and Zain Iqbal. The winners and participating swimmers were felicitated with prizes and certificates at the concluding ceremony. Speaking on the occasion, Imran Ahmad, Chairman, The Legends School of Education, appreciated the organisers for providing young swimmers with a platform to compete and develop their skills. He also encouraged the participants to pursue swimming and water sports with dedication. Recalling his own association with the sport, he said he had been a swimmer during his school days at Biscoe School. The concluding ceremony was attended by Dr Sheikh Tariq, Vice President, SnSS-K; Yasir Makhdoomi, Secretary, SnSS-K; Riyaz Ahmad, water sports expert; Zahid Iqbal, swimming instructor; and Faheem Ali, long-distance swimmer and triathlete, among others. Shakeel Ahmad Shah, President, SnSS-K, said the organisation would continue to provide young swimmers with opportunities to participate in competitive swimming and underwater sports, while simultaneously creating greater awareness about water safety and lifesaving. The championship concluded with the distribution of prizes and certificates, marking another initiative aimed at encouraging young talent in swimming and water sports in Kashmir.

Enforce plastic bans

Kashmir is generating over 50,000 tonnes of plastic and polythene waste every year, more than 2.25 lakh tonnes piled up in just five recent years. And this in a Union Territory that banned polythene carry bags back in 2008. We do not lack legislation. J&K has had court orders since 2006, a blanket ban via SRO-182, an expanded SRO-45 in 2017, and Centre-level restrictions on single-use plastics since 2022. What we lack is the will to enforce any of it. The tragedy is compounded by where this waste ends up. Kashmirs economy runs substantially on its landscapes: Gulmargs meadows, Sonamargs glaciers, Doodhpathris pastures, the quiet valleys of Gurez and Warwan that tourists now travel further and further to find untouched. But untouched is precisely what they are not. Every monsoon, rain and runoff wash discarded bottles and packaging into our streams, and eventually into rivers and lakes that sustain both ecosystems and livelihoods. Microplastics have already been detected in Manasbal Lake. If we allow this trajectory to continue, we are not just littering, we are quietly poisoning the very asset our tourism economy depends on. So, checkpoints like Lakhanpur must actually stop banned material rather than watch it pass through in bulk: 1,100 kg of polythene seized from a single vehicle in 2025 tells us how much more is getting through unchecked. Enforcement cannot stop at entry points; it must reach wholesale markets, retail shops, and tourist destinations, where banned products are openly sold and used. Environmentalists have rightly called for a mission-mode campaign, akin to the anti-drug drive, backed by real public participation rather than another set of notifications nobody reads. Ladakh has shown this is possible within our own region, tightening checks and empowering field officers to penalize violators. Kashmir cannot market itself as paradise while burying that paradise under polythene. The choice before us is simple: enforce the bans we already have, or watch the valleys beauty disappear beneath the very convenience we refused to give up.

Khyber Cement Kashmir Super League 2026 |Athwas India XI win dramatic tie-break 6-5, storm into final

Athwas India XI secured a dramatic 6-5 victory on tie-break against a determined opponent in a nail-biting semi-final of the Khyber Cement Kashmir Super League 2026 at synthetic ground TRX in Srinagar, booking their place in the tournament final on Sunday. The high-intensity encounter kept spectators on the edge of their seats, with both sides producing an attacking and closely fought contest throughout regulation time and additional time. As per a statement issued, despite several opportunities at both ends, neither side could find a decisive breakthrough. At the end of the allotted playing time, including additional time, the scores were locked at 1-1, forcing the match into a tie-break to determine the finalist. The tie-break further intensified the contest, with both teams showing remarkable composure under pressure. Athwas India XI eventually prevailed 6-5 to seal their place in the final after a thrilling finish. The victory marks another strong showing from Athwas India XI, who have maintained their momentum throughout the competition and will now await the winner of the second semi-final. The eliminator is scheduled for tomorrow and will see Aqua Kashmir Avengers FC take on Swift Strikers Rainawari FC, with both sides eyeing a place in the grand final. The tournament has continued to attract strong crowds and generate excitement among football fans, with the knockout stage producing closely fought encounters and high-quality football.

Girl dies in Barbar Shah accident

Srinagar, Sep 20: A seven-year-old girl died after being hit by a vehicle in the Barbar Shah area of Srinagar city on Sunday evening, officials said. An official said that the girl was critically injured after being struck by a vehicle near Barbar Shah. He said she was shifted to SMHS Hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead. The deceased was later identified as Sidra 7, daughter of Sajad Ahmad of Bihar. Cognizance of the incident has been taken and a probe has been initiated, he said.

Science outreach programme held at GDC Sopore

Baramulla, Sep 20:A day-long Science outreach programme was organised by the IQAC and UGC and Research committee in collaboration with Science Department of Government Degree College (GDC) Sopore. A statement of the college issued here said that the programme was organised under the supervision of Principal GDC Sopore Prof Syed Muzaffar Ahmad. The event was organised for higher Secondary School Students of Sopore with the objective of strengthening scientific awareness, encouraging curiosity and inquiry among students, and providing participants with meaningful exposure to science through interaction, inspiration and departmental learning activities. The programme combined formal addresses, inspirational talks besides practical and academic departmental visits. It was followed by feedback and the distribution of participation certificates. Around 56 students from Government Boys Higher Secondary School and Government Girls Higher Secondary School Sopore participated in the event. The programme commenced with the introduction of the Science Outreach Programme by moderator Nowsheen Hameed, Assistant Professor Department of Biotechnology. Javeed Ahmad Sheikh Coordinator, IQAC delivered the Welcome Address and welcomed the participants and highlighted the objectives of the outreach programme. Principal, Prof Syed Muzaffar Ahmad, delivered the Presidential Address in which he provided institutional context to the outreach initiative and emphasised the importance of scientific awareness, academic engagement and meaningful learning opportunities for students. He also encouraged the participants to make constructive use of the opportunities provided through the programme. Invited resource persons delivered inspirational talks and shared real-life experiences. This segment was designed to connect scientific learning with practical experiences and to motivate students to develop curiosity, perseverance and an interest in science. Interaction with resource persons provided participants with an opportunity to appreciate the role of scientific knowledge and learning beyond the classroom. The first resource person Zeeshan, a neuroscience researcher at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), shared his academic and research journey with the students. The second resource person, AdilMajeed Rather, DST INSPIRE Faculty, NIT Srinagar, shared his personal academic journey and experiences in research, inspiring students to pursue their aspirations with determination and perseverance. The third resource person, RahilaNazir, a researcher with postdoctoral research experience at reputed institutions in India and the United States delivered an inspiring message to the students about the importance of ambition, perseverance and self-belief. The fourth resource person, Javeed Rasool, Postdoctoral Research Associate at Boston University, USA emphasised that academic marks alone do not determine success in life.

Best of BS Opinion: Power is not the same as control

Leverage is rarely absolute. Markets adjust, institutions push back, capabilities matter, and pressure can produce resistance instead of compliance

BJP readies to take Govt to task

Srinagar, Sep 20:The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Legislature Party met in Srinagar on Sunday to finalise a common strategy for the autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, which begins on Monday. After the meeting, Leader of Opposition (LOP) Sunil Sharma said such pre-session sittings were a settled legislative practice. It is a tradition that when the session starts, before the session starts, all the legislative groups are called; the legislative party sits and the issues that are burning issues or issues of the respective constituencies. They are discussed. The issues which are common at the general state level are discussed. All the activities and all session-related conversations take place, he said. Sharma said the BJP Legislative Group meeting had been convened in the same spirit. All 29 MLAs sat in it. All the common causes and burning issues, they were discussed and we will enter the session tomorrow with a unanimous opinion. Will hold the government accountable. At present, for all the people who are in trouble and distress, we will talk for them in the assembly tomorrow; we will talk on policy matters, he said. The autumn session has been summoned in Srinagar from September 21 to September 30. The provisional calendar issued by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather provides for seven sitting days, with September 23 observed as a holiday on Maharaja Hari Singhs birth anniversary and September 26-27 falling as an off day and Sunday. Mondays opening sitting is expected to begin with obituary references, followed by government business on subsequent working days and private members business later in the week. The BJP, the principal opposition with 29 MLAs, has used the run-up to the session to compile constituency grievances through outreach across district headquarters in both divisions. Issues repeatedly flagged by party legislators include unemployment and the governments jobs pledge, regularisation and service conditions of daily wagers, GRS, NHM, ASHA and Anganwadi workers, electricity tariffs, delay in panchayat and municipal elections, staff shortages in schools and hospitals, roads and civic amenities, and what the party describes as public frustration over delays and alleged corruption in routine administrative work. Sharma said Sundays Legislature Party discussion was meant to convert those constituency complaints and common policy questions into a single floor line so that BJP members enter the House on Monday speaking with one voice. The stated purpose, he repeated, was to place the difficulties of people in trouble and distress before the Assembly and to question the government on policy. The National Conference Legislature Party is also holding its own pre-session meeting in Srinagar, with party president Farooq Abdullah expected to chair the gathering attended by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and supporting Independents. With the Opposition insisting on accountability over jobs, tariffs, temporary employees and governance, and the treasury benches preparing their own floor strategy, Mondays opening sitting is expected to set the tone for a contested autumn session.

Congress to raise peoples issues in Assembly despite alliance with NC: Karra

Srinagar, Sep 20:Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee President Tariq Hameed Karra on Sunday said the partys alliance with the National Conference would not prevent it from raising peoples concerns in the Legislative Assembly, asserting that genuine public issues would be taken up irrespective of the political equations. Karra was speaking to reporters after a meeting of Congress legislators in Srinagar ahead of the Autumn session of the Assembly, which begins on Monday. We are in alliance with the National Conference, but that does not mean we will not raise public issues. We will take up genuine concerns and ensure they are expedited, Karra said. He said the purpose of the Assembly was to raise questions and ensure that issues concerning the people were addressed at the earliest, irrespective of whether they were raised by members of the ruling party or the Opposition. The purpose of the Assembly is that work should be done as soon as possible. For that, everyone raises questions, whether it is from the ruling party or the opposition party, Karra said. He said the Congress legislature party meeting was held to discuss the upcoming Assembly session and the issues to be taken up by its members. About the recent differences between the Congress and National Conference over issues including VandeMataram and the UPI, Karra said the differences should be viewed in the broader context of the alliance between the two parties. You see it from a very myopic view. We are in an alliance and we are on a principled stand. We took that alliance as a principled stand, keeping in mind the larger picture, he said. Karra said that the alliance would not prevent Congress from raising issues concerning the public or pursuing legitimate demands. Being in an alliance does not mean that we will not raise peoples issues. Being in an alliance does not mean that we will not talk about peoples legitimate demands. So there is no connection between that and this, he said. His remarks came a day before the Assembly session begins, with the Opposition preparing to raise issues including unemployment, power tariffs, reservation, public services and governance. The National Conference also held a meeting of its legislators on Sunday under the chairmanship of party president Farooq Abdullah. Congress legislators, the CPI(M) representative and Independent MLAs supporting the government attended the meeting, where discussions were held on the issues to be raised during the session. The seven-sitting Autumn session will begin on September 21 and continue until September 30. The opening sitting will include obituary references to former ministers Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Dharam Paul and Ghulam Hassan Khan, followed by Question Hour.

NC holds joint strategy meet

Srinagar, Sep 20:A day ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assemblys Autumn session, the National Conference on Sunday held a special meeting of its legislators at the Banquet Hall here, bringing together NC legislators, Congress MLAs and Independent members supporting the government to discuss a coordinated approach to the proceedings of the House. The meeting was chaired by NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah and attended by Chief Minister and Leader of the House Omar Abdullah, NC General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar, Chief Whip Mubarak Gul and other NC legislators. Congress legislators, the CPI(M) representative and Independent MLAs supporting the government also attended. The meeting discussed the Assembly session beginning Monday and deliberated on public issues, demands and other matters of importance to be raised during the proceedings. The legislators also discussed how they would approach the House and raise issues concerning the people. Addressing the legislators, Farooq Abdullah urged them to accord priority to the concerns of the people and effectively highlight the issues, difficulties and demands of their respective constituencies during the session. He said the Legislative Assembly was a forum for raising public concerns, seeking answers from the government and holding meaningful discussions on matters of public interest. Farooq emphasised that the primary responsibility of legislators was to articulate the concerns of the people in the House and seek solutions to their problems from the government. Talking to reporters after the meeting, NC chief spokesperson TanvirSadiq said the meeting was held as part of the usual practice of convening the Legislative Party ahead of every Assembly session. He said the discussions were held in a cordial atmosphere and covered various issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir, with detailed deliberations on the issues that needed to be raised in the Assembly. Sadiq said Congress, Independent and National Conference legislators first held a meeting together, following which Congress legislators held a separate meeting with the Chief Minister. There were detailed discussions on how to conduct ourselves in the House and how to raise the issues of the people, based on the mandate given to us, he said. Sadiq specifically underlined the participation of Congress in the discussions. Congress leader Tariq Hamid Karra and other MLAs were present in both the initial meeting and the separate meeting. There should be no doubt or misunderstanding about this. The alliance is strong and, InshaAllah, the Assembly will function smoothly and effectively from tomorrow, he said. The meeting assumes significance ahead of a session in which the Opposition, including the BJP and PDP, PC is preparing to raise a range of issues concerning governance and public welfare.

She Said She Said by The Beatles

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960, comprising John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. From Beatlemania to increasingly experimental albums, the group transformed popular music and became one of the most influential cultural forces of the 20th century. Though they broke up in 1970, their songs, recordings and impact on music and popular culture continue to resonate decades later.

Not aimed at India, but meant for India: Russia sanctions law leaves New Delhi at Trump's mercy

A new US law grants President Trump significant tariff authority over oil buyers. This legislation poses potential challenges for India's energy security needs. The bill passed Congress with bipartisan support, creating uncertainty for trade relations. India will seek energy sources to meet its population's demands. The law's implications for global oil prices and trade deals are immense.

Why AI makes us uneasy: The over-smart chap in the room has turned up, and humans are no longer the smartest in the class

Artificial intelligence now evokes both awe and apprehension from people. This advanced intelligence makes humans feel less capable in comparison. AI's rapid development prompts varied reactions, from excitement to deep concern. Humans have long considered themselves Earth's most intelligent species. This new intelligence challenges that long-held status and perception.

Silence awakens: Finding the divine through meditation

Inner noise pollution hinders true fulfillment and self-knowledge. Meditation withdraws from external and internal distractions into silence. This sacred process awakens the soul to divine Light and Sound. The soul discovers its relationship with the Creator and finds inner bliss. Physical and mental benefits are secondary outcomes of this awakening.

Dollars no longer buy happiness

Despite an unexpected increase in spending, US consumer sentiment is showing a notable decline. Economists are delving into the underlying reasons for this paradox, with factors beyond economics, such as global events and trust in institutions, playing a critical role. Additionally, consumers are adapting their spending patterns, placing greater emphasis on larger purchases while neglecting smaller ones, which complicates traditional economic assessments.

Bengal's industry push needs clear intent

Under BJP, West Bengal is once again debating how to put land together for industry. The debate has now acquired a distinctly technical vocabulary: acquisition, negotiated purchase and land pooling.The three mechanisms are not interchangeable. Acquisition involves compulsory purchase under a statutory framework. Negotiated purchase relies on agreement between landowner and purchaser. Land pooling allows owners to contribute land to a development scheme and receive a smaller, but serviced, and potentially more valuable plot in return. The choice, as recent policy discussions suggest, should depend on the nature of the project.Also Read: Picasso, Omega, Prithvi and Cats: A Mumbai journey through books, unexpected encounters and theatreFor Bengal, the question of land has always been inseparable from the question of industrialisation. So, the new discussion raises a more fundamental question: even if Bengal succeeds in solving the problem of industrial land, will it succeed in attracting capital? Land can be assembled through legislation, negotiation or planning. But capital can only be attracted through confidence.Excitement surrounding political change is understandable. Bengal has always regarded politics not merely as a mechanism of governance but also as a form of public entertainment. Movement of legislators from one camp to another has become a spectator sport.Also Read: Pass the buck to RBI, banks: Let the savings from digital payments fund UPI costs, not consumersCapital, however, follows a different script. It's largely indifferent to the daily theatre of politics, and far more concerned with the stability of institutions. Consider an entrepreneur planning a large investment. The questions are surprisingly simple. Not whether the government is Left, Right or Centre. Not whether ministers speak Bengali, Hindi or English. Not whether people will eat veg or non-veg food. Not whether one political camp will replace another in controlling campuses, institutions or public spaces. The real question is: will rules that exist today survive tomorrow? That confidence in the durability of institutions is what economists and investors describe as institutional credibility.It is in this context that the new government's willingness to reconsider how industrial land is assembled becomes significant. Bengal has already begun examining land pooling, industrial parks, and changes to landholding and land-utilisation rules. The government is also considering ways of making large contiguous parcels available without directly acquiring individual agricultural plots.This is important because Bengal's problem is not simply a shortage of land. It's a shortage of large, contiguous and legally usable parcels of land. Fragmented holdings, overlapping claims and restrictions on land use can make an apparently simple industrial project extraordinarily complicated.134372690Earlier attempts to create land banks from idle public sector land ran into precisely this problem: available parcels were often too small or too fragmented for large investors. Indeed, there are now signs of movement from policy to implementation. The government has cleared land for 33 industries, and that the land will be handed over before Durga Puja. This is significant. But the real test will be whether these allocations translate into timely project execution, employment and sustained private investment.Land pooling could be a useful solution. But it's not a magic wand. Bengal has laws that allow land to be reorganised for development. What matters now is whether these provisions can be implemented effectively, with clear rules on ownership, compensation, infrastructure and land use. Land pooling may bring plots together. But it cannot make ownership disputes disappear.And this is where the land question meets the question of capital. Corruption is costly. But uncertainty can be even more so. Investors can price an unofficial cost. It's much harder to price changing rules, administrative discretion and unpredictable policy.There's also a geographical reality. Large, contiguous parcels are rarely available near Bengal's major cities. So, industry may have to move farther out, where land disputes and infrastructure gaps can be greater. Industrialists, therefore, need to look beyond quick returns and become partners in building these new industrial regions with the government. Given Bengal's political history, industrialisation cannot be reduced to capitalist extraction alone. It must also create a stake for local communities.Capital has no ideology. But it has an excellent memory. Two decades ago, large sections of Bengal's political class mobilised against industrial projects in Singur and Nandigram. Today, many of those political actors either constitute an important part of the new political establishment, or have moved into entirely different political formations.One may celebrate or criticise this phenomenon. But it deserves analysis rather than outrage. The human mind, after all, is a time-variant function. Mathematics teaches us that important variables seldom remain constant. Political preferences are no exception. The objective function of a leader in opposition differs from that of the same leader in government. In electoral democracy, opposition rewards agitation, while government rewards investment; employment and revenue suddenly become governing responsibilities rather than campaign slogans.Consequently, it may be unnecessary to ask whether politicians have become different human beings. The more relevant question is whether the institutional incentives under which they operate have changed.Many of the legal instruments required for assembling industrial land already exist. Creating another set of laws, by itself, will not rebuild West Bengal's industrial land bank. What is required is an unambiguous intention to build industry rather than perform shallow politics. The Left Front came to power in 1977 with a clear intention to pursue land reform for the landless. Today, the era, ideology and people are different. Will the new industrial agenda reflect genuine intent? Or will it be merely political rhetoric?

Klopp plan to reclaim national pride & flag

Jurgen Klopp calls on Germans to rediscover their national pride, steering clear from those who misuse it for harmful purposes. He distinguishes between healthy patriotism, which celebrates one's country positively, and detrimental forms that breed exclusion and animosity. Klopp advocates for a patriotism that values openness, diversity, and kindness towards everyone.

CAT Jammu bench's disposal of service cases among highest in country: Jitendra Singh

Jammu, Sep 20: Disposal of service cases by the Jammu bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has gone beyond expectations and is among the highest in the country, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Sunday. Speaking after inaugurating the Jammu bench's new Office-and-Court Complex at Bahu Plaza here, Singh said the high disposal rate at the CAT benches in Jammu and Srinagar demonstrates the capacity built by the Tribunal to provide speedy and accessible justice in service matters. Referring to the Tribunal's overall performance, Singh said that since its inception in 1985 to June 30, 2026, CAT has seen 10,01,177 cases being filed before its benches across the country. Of this, 9,32,723 have been disposed of, resulting in an overall disposal rate of approximately 93.16 per cent. The performance of the Jammu and Srinagar benches was particularly significant in view of the substantial workload transferred to them from the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir High Court, apart from the fresh cases instituted before the Tribunal. Up to June 30 this year, as many as 20,984 cases were transferred from the high court, while 20,405 fresh cases were filed before these benches, he said. Accordingly, 18,392 and 13,952 cases were disposed of from the above two categories respectively, said Singh, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office. The minister said the government was making sustained efforts to strengthen the institutional capacity of CAT and ensure that the facilities and technological tools available to constitutional courts are increasingly adopted within the Tribunal system as well. He said the Jammu and Srinagar experience demonstrates that institutional capacity, technology, infrastructure and cooperation among all stakeholders can significantly strengthen the delivery of administrative justice. The Jammu bench, which initially functioned with one Division bench, was subsequently strengthened with another Division bench in view of the growing workload and the need for speedy redressal of employees' grievances. It currently has two judicial members and two administrative members. The minister also highlighted the low rate of appeals from the CAT Jammu bench to the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. Only around 8 per cent of cases from the Jammu bench have gone for appeal in the high court, he said. Referring to the statutory provision to challenge CAT judgments in the high court, the minister said that while the appellate mechanism has its place, repeated or unnecessary recourse to further litigation can add another layer to the process and potentially delay the objective of speedy justice. The ideal situation would be when no room is left to go for an appeal, he said. The minister also highlighted the growing use of technology to improve access to justice and for the convenience of litigants and the legal fraternity. He said CAT has progressively introduced digital facilities, including the Advance Case Information System (ACIS), e-filing, video conferencing, online display boards, SMS and email alerts, online payment of court fees, mobile-based access to case information, online certified copies, advanced search facilities, e-mentioning and e-listing. Video conferencing, he said, had proved particularly useful during the COVID-19 period, enabling the Jammu bench to remain functional despite the extraordinary circumstances. The Tribunal has also undertaken digitisation of judicial records and introduced e-Court and paperless court facilities.

MPs mandate is to voice J&K in Parliament, not destabilise NC government: Javed Beigh on Ruhullah