Daily Excelsior

The latest data on cooperative societies in Jammu and Kashmir presents a troubling picture: nearly one-third of registered cooperatives are non-functional. Even more striking is the concentration of defunct units in urban centres like Srinagar and Jammu. With over 63 per cent in Srinagar and 58 per cent in Jammu lying inactive, the districts emerge as the poorest performers-an anomaly that demands urgent scrutiny rather than routine administrative acknowledgement. The cooperative movement in Ind

Gul, Veeri withdraw bills on Govts assurance Avtar Bhat JAMMU, Mar 30: While Assembly today rejected BJP Legislator Balwant Singh Mankotias Bill on protection of temples and shrines in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the two private members bills tabled by NCs chief whip, Mubarak Gul regarding hike in perks of chief whip and another Bill tabled by NCs MLA from Bijbehara. Dr Bashir Ahmed Veeri regarding declaration of river Jehlum as protected water body were withdrawn on [] The post Ma

NCs responsibility to fulfill poll promises Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 30: Former Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday called for united efforts by the Government and opposition to restore the strength and dignity of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Mufti made the remark after watching the Assembly proceedings from the Speakers gallery, her first appearance in the House after the fall of her BJP-supported Gove

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 30: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, who holds charge of the Works Department, today said that the Jammu-Akhnoor four lane Project on NH-144A is at an advanced stage while the remaining works are targeted for phased completion by mid-2026. He gave this information in the Legislative Assembly while replying to a question of BJP MLA from Akhnoor Mohan Lal. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Choudhary said that the Package-I is likely to be co

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Mar 30: National Conference president and former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today pleaded before the court that he is not guilty of charges of fund misappropriation in the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA). Abdullah appeared through virtual mode before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Srinagar today. The Presiding Officer of the court formally read out the contents of the charge sheet filed by CBI against him. Follow the Daily Excelsior c

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 30: Government of Jammu and Kashmir has made it mandatory for all departments to process proposals related to Recruitment Rules exclusively through an online single window system, aimed at ensuring transparency and time-bound disposal of cases. According to a circular issued today by the General Administration Department (GAD), the online portal-developed by the ARI & Trainings Department in collaboration with BISAG, New Delhi-has been made fully functional and

Excelsior Correspondent DHARAMSHALA, Mar 30: A delegation from Ladakh met the 14th Dalai Lama at his residence in Dharamsala today morning, requesting him to visit Ladakh this summer. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The delegation included members of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) led by president Chering Dorjay Lakrook, representatives of the Ladakh Gonpa Association (LGA) headed by president Gelong Stanzin Dorjay and members from Matho Monastery. During the meeting, the d

B. S. Dara bsdara@gmail.com As Iran responds beyond its direct adversaries, the Gulf is no longer a bystander but a frontline bearing the consequences of a widening war. The ongoing debate over whether Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States has dominated much of the political conversation surrounding the current war. But this framing, while relevant in a narrow sense, risks overlooking a far more consequential reality now unfolding across the Middle East. The war is no [] The post H

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, March 30: The Lieutenant Governor today ordered suspension of Additional Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Sundeep Singh Bali, a JKAS officer, pending enquiry into his conduct. An order to this effect was issued today by the General Administration Department. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp During period of suspension, Bali shall remain attached in the office of the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, the order read. The post Addl DC Anantnag suspended appe

JAMMU, Mar 30: The Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has placed Additional Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Sundeep Singh Bali (JKAS), under suspension with immediate effect pending inquiry into his conduct. According to Government Order No. 507-JK(GAD) of 2026 dated March 30, the action has been taken under Rule 31 of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956. The order states that during the period of suspension, the officer shall remain

JAMMU, Mar 30: Minister for Education, Sakeena Itoo today informed the House that around 150 Principals, Lecturers and Teachers are being detached to their original postings in School Education department to streamline the academic activities in Gurez, as well as other far flung and rural areas. The Minister stated this in Legislative Assembly today during Zero Hour in response to issue of non-availability of teachers in Gurez area, raised by Legislator, Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurezi). The Education

Jammu, Mar 30: The Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has notified introducing the Jammu and Kashmir Secretariat (Subordinate) Service Recruitment Rules, 2026, establishing a comprehensive legal and administrative framework governing subordinate staff in the Civil Secretariat. As per the notification, the rules have been framed under the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution of India and shall come into force from the date of their publication in the Government Gazette. The r

New Delhi, Mar 30: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday blamed the Congress for the long spell of Naxal violence, saying it did nothing during its rule to end the menace despite acknowledging the gravity of the problem, and declared that Maoists are almost eradicated now from their den Bastar in Chhattisgarh. Replying to the debate in the Lok Sabha on Efforts to free the country from left-wing extremism (LWE), Shah said that 12 states had turned into the [] The post Congress Did Nothing To En

Jammu, Mar 30: J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Monday that Vande Mataram is the countrys identity, strength, and vow. Vande Mataram is our identity, strength, and vow. It is not just verses, but a profound experience woven into the fabric of our civilisation. Vande Mataram singing and related events revive memories of immortal martyrs, honour their sacrifices, and renew our commitment to Indias glory, the J&K L-G said. He called upon every section of society to share a [] The post Va

JAMMU, Mar 30: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has introduced a single window online system for processing recruitment rules, making it mandatory for all departments to submit proposals through a designated portal. See Circular Click Here.. The post J&K Govt Introduces Single Window Portal For Recruitment Rules Processing appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

JAMMU, Mar 30: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has directed all departments to observe SADHANA Saptah from April 2 to 8, 2026, as part of a nationwide initiative led by the Capacity Building Commission in collaboration with the Department of Personnel and Training and Karmayogi Bharat. See Circular Click Here.. The post J&K Govt To Observe SADHANA Saptah From April 28 To Boost Capacity Building appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

JAMMU, Mar 30: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said he would want the opposition to win next months Assembly elections in four states and one Union territory, but added that the final decision rests with the people. Assembly elections will be held in West Bengal (April 23 and April 29), Tamil Nadu (April 23), Assam (April 9), Kerala (April 9) and the UT of Puducherry (April 9). All results will be announced on May 4. Talking [] The post CM Omar Abdullah Wants Opposition

New Delhi, Mar 30: Launching a stinging attack on the BJP, National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Monday alleged that the ruling party wants to consign India to right-wing extremism and asked when will institutionalised extremism against Muslims and minorities be discussed in Parliament. Participating in a discussion in the Lok Sabha on Efforts to free the country from left-wing extremism (LWE), Mehdi said the government wants to end left-wing extremism even as right-wing extremism co

Jammu, Mar 30: With direct rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country on the anvil, General Manager, Northern Railway, Rajesh Kumar Pandey, inspected the KatraBaramulla rail line and directed officials to complete pending works within timelines while ensuring strict safety compliance. Accompanied by the Divisional Railway Manager, Jammu Vivek Kumar and other senior divisional officials, Pandey carried out an extensive inspection from Katra to Srinagar on Sunday and

Jammu, Mar 30: The bodies of two teenage boys, who drowned in the Tawi River here on Sunday, were retrieved by rescuers on Monday, while a search was underway to trace a third boy who also drowned with them, officials said. The three boys Bavish Koul (15), Sonam Dutt (16) and Aditya Pandit (15), all belonging to the Kashmiri Pandit community were swept away by a strong current near the Nagrota Sainik School on the outskirts of Jammu [] The post Bodies Of 2 Teen Boys Retrieved From Tawi River I

Jammu, Mar 30: Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Monday rejected by voice vote a private members bill by a BJP MLA for the protection and restoration of temples, including those encroached during militancy, in Jammu and Kashmir, with Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary citing existing safeguards. Choudhary said Jammu and Kashmirs strength lies in its tradition of communal harmony and equal respect for all religions, asserting that successive governments, including the present dispensation led b

JAMMU, Mar 30: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said his government cannot permit indiscriminate felling of walnut trees as it could severely impact the regions economy and identity. He said the Union Territory is contributing nearly 3.5 lakh tonnes over 90 per cent of the countrys total walnut production. Opposing the private members bill moved by National Conference legislator Altaf Ahmad Wani seeking amendment in the Jammu and Kashmir Preservation of Specified Trees,

Travelling with children rarely falls apart because of one big problem. It usually unravels through smaller frictions: a room that feels too tight by evening, dining that works for adults but not for tired kids, a long transfer after a full day out, or a hotel that looks polished online but gives you nowhere to decompress once everyone is overstimulated. That is why the right stay matters more for families than almost anything else you book. If you are comparing [] The post Stress-Free Travel Ti

NEW DELHI, Mar 30: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday asked Prime Mi nister Narendra Modi to tell his MPs to do better homework before raising issues in Parliament. His reaction came after BJP MP K Laxman accused the Congress and other opposition parties of appeasement and doing votebank politics by giving OBC reservation to Muslims. Today in the Rajya Sabha, the Indian National Congress was accused of appeasement because of its stance on reservations for Muslims on the basis [] The post PM

Trump issues new threat to Iran civilian infrastructure including desalination plants, if ceasefire not reached shortly, reports AP The post Trump issues new threat to Iran civilian infrastructure including desalination plants, if ceasefire not reached shortly, reports AP appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

KABUL, Mar 30: Afghan authorities on Monday said the death toll from severe weather that has struck swathes of the country over the past four days has increased to 28, with 49 people injured. Dozens of people have died from extreme weather in the country so far this year. Storms and heavy rainfall over the past few days across several provinces have led to severe flooding, landslides and lightning strikes, the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority said, adding that the [] The post D

TOKYO, Mar 30: China announced Monday that it is sanctioning a conservative Japanese lawmaker close to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, accusing him of colluding with separatists in Taiwan, the latest incident that underlines growing tensions between Tokyo and Beijing over the self-governed island. Chinas Foreign Ministry said the sanctions include banning the entry of Keiji Furuya to China, including to Hong Kong and Macao, and prohibiting his activities with organisations and individuals in Chin

PESHAWAR, Mar 30:Nine people, including eight children, have died and 47 others injured due to heavy rain across Pakistans northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province since last week, authorities said on Monday. Most of the casualties occurred due to the collapse of roofs and walls of houses amid persistent rainfall since March 25, according to an initial report released by Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). Eight children and one woman was among nine people killed while 47 individual

MUMBAI, Mar 30:The rupee on Monday breached the 95/USD-mark in intra-day trade on Monday and settled at 94.78 (provisional) against the American currency after Iran war escalation jolted global markets, fuelling rupee volatility and risk-off sentiment. Forex traders said the USD/INR pair witnessed high volatility and swung 165 paise during intra-day trade as the West Asia crisis entered the 31st day keeping energy markets nervous. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 93.62 and

MUMBAI, Mar 30: Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended the last trading session of the 2025-26 fiscal year sharply lower on Monday as the ongoing war in West Asia and surging crude oil prices kept investors sentiment fragile. Weak trends in Asian markets and unabated foreign fund outflows also added to the bearish trend in domestic equities. Declining for the second day in a row, the 30-share BSE Sensex tumbled 1,635.67 points or 2.22 per cent to settle at [] The post Stock markets slum

NEW DELHI, Mar 30: Just a few minutes of vigorous activity each day may lower ones risk of eight major conditions, including arthritis, heart, liver and kidney disease and dementia, according to a study. While short bursts of intense, out-of-breath activity, such as running for the bus, were liked to lower disease and death risk overall, they were especially protective against inflammatory diseases, including arthritis, serious cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke) and dementia, the f

New Delhi, Mar 30: A Delhi court on Monday sent suspected Lashkar-eTaiba (LeT) handler Shabir Ahmed Lone to five days of police custody. Judicial Magistrate Vijayshree Rathore allowed the city polices plea seeking five days of custodial interrogation of the accused. Terming Lone as a hardcore and highly trained terrorist, Delhi Police said that he reportedly established links with handlers operating on behalf of InterServices Intelligence (ISI). Lone, also known by aliases Raja and Kashmiri, is

NEW DELHI, Mar 30: Highlighting the role of armed forces, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has said the country must not compel them to fight two battles at once, one at the border and another at home for their legal rights, calling for better judicial access for soldiers. Delivering a speech titled Pointers for Honble the Chief Justices Talk on Sunday at Leh, Justice Kant highlighted the symbiotic relationship between the judiciary and the armed forces, stating that while [] The post CJI Urges

Jammu, Mar 30: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Secretariat on Monday issued a notification regarding the upcoming elections for three financial committees of the House, each comprising 11 members. In a notification isaued by assembly secretariate, In accordance with Regulation No. 2(1) of the Regulations for conducting elections to Assembly Committees on the principle of proportional representation through a single transferable vote, Speaker Advocate Abdul Rahim Rather announced the s

JAMMU, Mar 30: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has constituted a committee of three judges to examine and recommend steps for implementation of the Shetty Commission recommendations. The decision followed directions issued by the Supreme Court of India in its order dated March 18, 2026, in a related matter. As per an order issued by the Registrar General, the committee comprises Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Justice Sanjay Dhar and Justice Shahzad Azeem. The panel has been tasked [] The

LEH, Mar 30: The Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh has assigned additional charge of Director, Housing and Urban Local Bodies, to Rigzin Spalgon, JKAS, following the retirement of Moses Kunzang on superannuation on March 31, 2026. See Order Copy Click Here.. The post Rigzin Spalgon Gets Addl Charge Of Director Housing & Urban Local Bodies Ladakh appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Jammu, Mar 30: Vande Mataram is our identity, strength, and vow. It is not just verses but a profound experience woven into our civilizations fabric. Vande Mataram singing and related events revives memories of immortal martyrs, honors their sacrifices, and renews our commitment to Indias glory, the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said this on Monday. He called upon every section of society to share one dream: making India the worlds greatest nation. We must unite to realize it. When every [] Th

JAMMU, Mar 30: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said the government does not oppose any private members bills without due consideration, emphasising that all proposals are examined in detail before a view is taken. Opposing a private members bill tabled by Congress legislator Nizam-ud-Din Bhat in the Assembly seeking equitable opportunity of employment in the civil services, Abdullah said remarks made during the discussion could give an impression that bills are not read

NEW DELHI, Mar 30: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he accused the opposition party of making dangerous remarks that could put Indians living in the Gulf at risk, and said it is not right to play politics over war. She also asked what plan does the government have to bring Indians stranded in the Gulf out of harms way. Her remarks came a day after Modi accused the Congress of [] The post Not right to play politics over war: Priyanka G

NEW DELHI, Mar 30: The Congress on Monday accused the Modi government of not implementing the VB-G RAM G Act on the ground after putting a lock on MGNREGA and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi keeps reminding people of the COVID period, but has forgotten how the UPA-era law provided relief to millions during the pandemic. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that the BJP has axed the right to work for millions of labourers by abolishing MGNREGA, but there is [] The post BJP axed right t

NEW DELHI, Mar 30: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday highlighted rising concerns over AI-generated deepfakes, and noted that social media platforms, too, have scaled up efforts on deepfake takedowns. The minister termed deepfakes as a new menace and a threat to society. A lot of content has started coming in the nature of deepfakes. Because of whatever changes have happened in the AI world, a huge quantity of deepfakes have started coming in the social media the entire world, [] The post

NEW DELHI, Mar 30: The Lok Sabha on Monday passed a bill to amend the insolvency law to provide for strict timelines, an out-of-court settlement option and enable the framework for cross-border insolvency processes. Piloting the bill in the Lok Sabha, Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that 12 amendments are being made in the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), which came into force in 2016, that would help maximise the value for stakeholders and improve the governi

RIO DE JANEIRO, Mar 30: When 33-year-old Brazilian woman Emily de Souza heard about a program allowing her to shave off four days from her prison sentence by reading a book, she seized the opportunity to reconnect with a cherished habit. Like tens of thousands of detainees across the country including former President Jair Bolsonaro she signed up for a sentence reduction program that encourages inmates to immerse themselves in literary works in exchange for reducing their sentences [] The post

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NEW DELHI, Mar 30: JSW MG Motor India on Monday said it will hike prices of select models by up to 2 per cent from April 1, 2026, to offset rising input costs. The price hike will be on the companys mainline portfolio and will not include premium EV products MG M9 and Cyberster sold through MG Select channel. This price revision is aimed at partially offsetting the impact of continuously rising input costs, JSW MG Motor India [] The post JSW MG Motor India to hike prices by up to 2 pc on selec

PRISTINA, Mar 30: Kushtrim Ajvazi is proud to be part of a successful business in one of the poorest countries in Europe. The company where he is a manager produces potato chips and other snacks that can be found in almost every shop in Kosovo and are exported abroad. But Ajvazis company faces unplanned challenges because of a steep rise in fuel prices caused by the war in Iran, whose ripple effects have reached this small corner of southeastern Europe. [] The post Kosovo, one of Europes poorest

NEW DELHI, Mar 30: Customs authority has slapped a demand notice of Rs 23.52 crore, including duty and penalty, on air-condition maker Voltas over alleged mis-classification of certain imported goods, a regulatory filing said on Monday. The company is analysing the order and will take appropriate course of action including filing of an appeal before the CESTAT in the matter, said the Tata Group firm. As per the order, there was mis-classification of certain imported goods pertaining to the perio

NEW DELHI, Mar 30: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said the countrys economic fundamentals are strong, and compared to other emerging market economies, the Indian rupee is absolutely going fine against the US dollar. Since the commencement of the West Asia conflict on February 28, 2026, the rupee has depreciated by 4.1 per cent to close at Rs 94.82 per USD on March 27, 2026. Replying to a supplementary question in the Lok Sabha on rupee depreciation, Sitharaman said: [] The post Ec

NEW DELHI, Mar 30: Accusing the Congress of allowing land grabbing by infiltrators, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that infiltration into Assam is not just an election issue but is about safeguarding the identity of the state and national security. Addressing virtually the BJPs booth-level workers in Assam ahead of the April 9 assembly polls, Modi said that the state saw a long span of instability but things changed over the past decade as the partys double-engine government [] The

JAMMU, Mar 30: Former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday called for united efforts by the government and opposition to restore the strength and dignity of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. Mufti made the remark after watching the Assembly proceedings from the speakers gallery, her first appearance in the House after the fall of her BJP-supported government in 2018. The PDP chief remained present for some time during the Question Hour. Her four party MLAs were []