Daily Excelsior

JAMMU, Mar 28: Speaker, J&K Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather today chaired the High Level Apex Committee (HLAC) meeting at Assembly Complex here to review and accelerate the implementation of the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) project in J&K Legislative Assembly. The meeting was attended by MLAs Justice (Retd.) Hasnain Masoodi, Nizamuddin Bhat, Tanvir Sadiq, Arjun Singh Raju, Dr Sunil Bhardwaj, Waheed ur Rehman Para and Dr Bharat Bhushan; Secretary J&K Legislative Assembly, Manoj K

JAMMU, Mar 28: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today passed three important Bills through voice vote, marking a significant step towards governance reforms, social equity and strengthening of the judicial framework in Jammu and Kashmir. The Bills were moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and were subsequently put to vote by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, who presented bills before the House for passage. The House passed L.A. Bill No. 01 of 2026, which seeks to amend certain enactments t

JAMMU: March 28 The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said that as many as 3,192 schools across the Union territory have reported less than 10 or zero enrolment since 2022, with 2,518 teachers posted in them. In a written reply to a question by BJP MLA Ranbir Singh Pathania in the Assembly, Education Minister Sakina Itoo shared details of such schools and the staff strength compiled division-wise. According to the data, 1,494 schools with 1,934 teachers reported less than [] The post 3,19

JAMMU, Mar 28: Jammu and Kashmir police on Saturday attached the immovable property of a terrorist associate linked with Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit in Reasi district, an official said. The attachment proceedings under Section 25 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) against the accused, Mohd Qasim, were part of the drive to dismantle the terror eco-system, a police spokesman said. He added that Qasim has been named in an FIR registered under the UAPA, Arms Act and Exp

NEW DELHI, Mar 28: A Delhi court on Saturday granted bail to Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Shah in a money laundering case linked to terror funding. Special Judge Prashant Sharma granted Shah the relief. A reasoned order is awaited. On March 12, the Supreme Court granted bail to Shah in a terror funding case, in which he was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on June 4, 2019. On September 4 last year, the apex court refused to grant [] The post Delhi Court Grants Bail To Sep

SRINAGAR, Mar 28: Police in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday attached a residential property under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act as part of an ongoing crackdown on drug-related activities, an officer said. The house belonged to Mushtaq Ahmad Khanday, a resident of Barbugh Imamsahib, and was allegedly acquired using proceeds from the illegal sale of narcotics, he said. As part of its ongoing drive against narcotics-related activities, police in Shopian

Jammu, Mar 28: Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant on Saturday inaugurated the newly constructed district court complex in Leh, marking a significant step towards strengthening judicial infrastructure in the Union Territory of Ladakh. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, and the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Justice Arun Palli, according to an official spokesperson. Upon arrival, the Chief Justic

Jammu, March 28 : The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said it has retrieved and restored encroached land belonging to Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley. Replying to a question by BJP MLA Yudhvir Sethi in the Assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, Land measuring 3,729 kanals and 4 marlas belonging to Kashmiri migrants has been retrieved and restored in the Kashmir Valley. Since November 2024, 844 kanals and 4 marlas of land belonging to Kashmiri Pandits have been retrieved [] The post

NEW DELHI, Mar 28: India on Saturday rejected a media report that said billionaire Elon Musk joined a phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump earlier this week. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Tuesdays conversation was between the two leaders only. The New York Times, quoting unnamed US officials, reported that Musk participated in the call between Trump and Modi, adding it was an unusual appearance by a private citizen on

NEW DELHI, Mar 28: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today said that over the last 11 years, the Modi Government has enabled the mainstreaming of youth from Jammu & Kashmir, which has in turn raised their level of self-confidence and aspiration. Interacting with participants of the 6th Kashmir Youth Exchange Programme, Watan Ko Jaano, organised by

Srinagar, Mar 28: The J&K Anti-Corruption Bureau on Saturday said they have arrested Executive Engineer of Jal Shakti (PHE) Mechanical Division South Awantipora after catching him red-handed while accepting a Rs 12,000 bribe for clearing AMC bills. They said, the arrest followed a complaint alleging he had demanded Rs 20,000, of which Rs 8,000 had already been paid earlier. A spokesperson said the J&K Anti Corrupting Bureau received a written complaint to the effect that Executive Engineer Jal S

NEW DELHI, Mar 28: The Delhi High Court on Saturday closed the proceedings on a plea by Congress MP Karti Chidambaram seeking directions to defer the hearing on framing of charges in the trial court in a money laundering case arising from the alleged Chinese visa scam. The Lok Sabha MP from Sivaganga had sought the deferring of the hearing until charges were framed in the linked scheduled offence, i.e. in the visa scam case, which the CBI investigated. The [] The post Chinese visa scam: Delhi HC

GUWAHATI, Mar 28: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will on Sunday release the partys manifesto for the April 9 Assam assembly elections, AICC general secretary Jitendra Singh said. The manifesto is based on several months of work, during which our leaders and members reached out to people across the state, Singh, who is the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge of Assam, said at a press conference here. The manifesto will be released by Kharge ji in Lakhimpur, he added. (Agencies) T

SRINAGAR, Mar 28: Authorities in Kashmir on Saturday issued an avalanche warning for two districts in the valley and asked people to remain highly vigilant, officials said. An avalanche with a medium danger level is expected to occur above 2,400 metres in Bandipora and Ganderbal within the next 24 hours, officials added. People are strictly advised to avoid venturing into avalanche-prone areas, including slopes, hilly terrain, and higher reaches, until further orders are issued by the authoritie

JAMMU, Mar 28: Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday directed a massive crackdown on drug smuggling networks targeting youth in the Union Territory. Reviewing the progress of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan at a high-level meeting at Lok Bhavan here, he said deliberate and sinister efforts are being made to push the JK youth into the abyss of drug addiction. A comprehensive, whole-of-government approach, combining stringent enforcement, robust preventive measures, and a carefully cal

NEW DELHI, Mar 28: The Supreme Court has deprecated in strongest terms the disclosure of identity of a girl in a rape case and directed all high courts to ensure that names of survivors and their family members are not mentioned in court orders. In its 2018 judgement in the Nipun Saxena case, the top court had said, No person can print or publish in print, electronic, social media, etc. the name of the victim or even in a remote [] The post SC deprecates disclosure of identity of minor girl in r

Malerkotla, Mar 28: Punjab Police, in coordination with Jammu and Kashmir Police, have arrested two suspected terrorists linked to Pakistan. The two suspects, identified as Abbu Gaba and Usman, were arrested in Malerkotla, where they had been living as tenants for a long time. The Malerkotla police learnt about the duo during an inquiry of a local drug peddler detained as part of the ongoing Yudh Nashian Virudh anti-drug campaign. Their identities reportedly matched those of two wanted terrorist

JAMMU, Mar 28: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said cable cars alone cannot drive tourism growth in the Union Territorys potential destinations, stressing the need for a comprehensive approach focusing on infrastructure, connectivity and sustainable development. Abdullah also said the government has not yet found a suitable party to take over and operate the international yoga and wellness centre at Mantalai in Udhampur district, and fresh efforts will be made to outso

JAMMU, Mar 28: Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakeena Itoo today informed the House that the government Medical College (GMC) and Associated Hospital Udhampur is functioning in conformity with the prescribed norms and standards and continues to provide efficient healthcare services to the public. The Minister said this in reply to the Calling Attention motion moved by Pawan Kumar Gupta in the Legislative Assembly today. He added that all essential departments, including Out-Patient De

JAMMU, Mar 28: Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, Javed Ahmad Rana, today informed that the Department of Wildlife Protection has taken several measures to effectively and promptly mitigate humanwild boar conflict in and around Dachigam National Park, including New Theed village. The Minister was replying to a Calling Attention Motion moved by Salman Ali Sagar on behalf of Ali Mohammad Sagar in the Legislative Assembly. The Minister stated that, as part of mitigation efforts, a cement

MONACO, Mar 28: Pope Leo XIV on Saturday urged residents of the cosmopolitan Mediterranean principality of Monaco to use their wealth, influence and Catholic faith for good, especially to uphold Catholic teaching on protecting the sanctity of life. Leo made a one-day trip to the glitzy enclave, becoming the first pope to visit Monaco since Pope Paul III came in 1538. As a cannon boomed, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene met Leo at the Monaco heliport, just down the coast [] The post Pope Leo X

LAHORE, Mar 28:Law enforcement agencies in the past one month have arrested 36 militants belonging to various terrorist organisations in the Punjab province of Pakistan, a statement said on Saturday. Punjab counter terrorism department (CTD) in a statement said the arrested terrorists, including those from the banned militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), planned to target important buildings in different cities of the province. Major terror plots were averted in Faisalabad and Jhelum

DUBAI, Mar 28:Israels military said it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen toward Israel early Saturday, the first time it had faced fire from that country. The Iranian-backed Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, which calls into question whether the rebel group backed by Tehran will again target commercial shipping travelling through the Red Sea corridor. Sirens went off around Beer Sheba and the area near Israels main nuclear research centre for the third time overnight Friday

NEW DELHI, Mar 28: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday said that consensus-based decision-making is the bedrock of the WTOs legitimacy highlighting the need to provide fair opportunity for member countries to participate meaningfully in global trade. Speaking on Decision making including past mandates on the second day of the WTO Ministerial Conference (MC) 14 in Yaounde, Cameroon, Goyal said that it is important for the WTO not to ignore the sovereign right of each member to

CHANDIGARH, Mar 28: The Indian Air Forces Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) enthralled spectators with a breathtaking aerial display over Sukhna Lake on Saturday, marking the second consecutive day of a two-day airshow, officials said. Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Haryana Governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini attended the event along with their spouses, they said. During the half-hour perf

NEW DELHI, Mar 28: Info Edge (India) Ltd will invest up to Rs 250 crore in an alternative investment fund (AIF) to back early-stage deep-tech companies in the country. According to a regulatory filing, the company has entered into a contribution agreement with A88 Fund I, a scheme by SEBI-registered A88 Trust. Entering into a contribution agreement with A88 Fund I, a scheme launched by A88 Trust, a Trust registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India as a [] The post Info Edge commit

SRINAGAR, Mar 28: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday held a protest here, accusing the Jammu and Kashmir government of turning a blind eye to peoples issues and not fulfilling its promises. Scores of party leaders and workers assembled at the Press Enclave here and protested against the government. Speaking to reporters, party leader Iqbal Tramboo said March 31 has become a black day for the people of Kashmir due to mounting financial pressures. People are under an immense tax [] The pos

KOLKATA, Mar 28: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday sharpened the BJPs campaign pitch for the West Bengal Assembly polls by publishing a charge sheet against the TMC government and framing the election as a battle not merely for the state, but for the countrys security. Launching a broadside at the ruling TMC in Kolkata, Shah alleged that during its 15-year rule, the state had become the countrys principal corridor for infiltration, appeasement politics and border insecurity. The Bengal [

JAMMU, Mar 28: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said that the Centre has assured an uninterrupted supply of essential commodities and underscored Prime Minister Narendra Modis call for national unity in the face of emerging global challenges. He said adequate stocks of essential items, including fuel and LPG, are available in the Union Territory, urging people to remain calm and not to pay heed to rumours. Prime Minister convened an important meeting yesterday (Friday)

JAMMU, Mar 28: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, today said that about Rs. 27.245 lakh have been disbursed among the fire affected families in Eidgah constituency during 2024-25 and 2025-26 financial years. While replying to the calling attention moved by Legislator Mubarik Gul in the Legislative Assembly, the Deputy Chief Minister said that a total 14 Fire incidents have been reported in Eidgah constituency in last two years. He said that responding promptly, immediate relief and rescu

UDHAMPUR, Mar 28: Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma on Saturday presented 93 awards, including 52 individual honours and 41 unit citations, to Army personnel in recognition of exceptional courage and distinguished service at the Northern Command Investiture Ceremony 2026 held here. The awards acknowledged acts of extraordinary valour in counter-insurgency operations, high-altitude deployments and sensitive border missions across Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and other operatio

In the fast-paced financial scene of 2026, debt management necessitates accuracy and planning. When you need money, a quick gold loan is typically the most dependable alternative; nonetheless, the key to a stress-free experience is to manage your outflows. Understanding how to utilise a gold loan calculator properly helps you avoid a few common mistakes and receive fast insight into your monthly obligations. This digital tool is intended to ease difficult interest computations by delivering an a

SRINAGAR, Mar 28: A CRPF jawan died due to suspected cardiac arrest in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, officials said. Head constable Gyan Chand of 14th Battalion CRPF fell unconscious inside the camp at District Police Lines (DPL) Shopian this morning, the officials added. They said the jawan was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. Proceedings under Section 194 BNSS have been initiated to ascertain the jawans cause of death. (Agencies) The post CRPF J

Jammu, Mar 28: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday reviewed the progress of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan in the UT of Jammu Kashmir, at a high-level meeting at Lok Bhavan Jammu. The Lieutenant Governor directed for a massive crackdown on smuggling networks that target the youth of Jammu & Kashmir. Deliberate and sinister efforts are being made to push the youth of Jammu Kashmir into the abyss of drug addiction. A comprehensive, whole-of-government approach, combining stringent enforcement,

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SRINAGAR, Mar 28: A policeman was injured when the gun of his colleague accidentally went off at district police office in Jammu and Kashmirs Shopian on Friday, officials said here. Constable Ashiq Hussain, working as canteen boy, sustained bullet injury in his lower abdomen due to accidental discharge from another policemans rifle in the canteen, the officials said. They said Hussain was admitted to 92 Base Hospital of the Army here. (Agencies) The post Cop Hurt In Accidental Discharge Of Colle

NEW DELHI, Mar 28: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan described the recent controversies surrounding the UGC equity regulations and the NCERT textbook featuring comments on judicial corruption as avoidable. Speaking during a fireside chat on Teaching India @100 at the Times Now summit on Friday, Pradhan emphasised that the government does not endorse discrimination against anyone. I accept that they were avoidable, especially the way they were presented. The discussion in society on the

RANCHI/KHUNTI, Mar 28: Bhagwan Birsa Mundas life and sacrifice continue to inspire generations, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan said on Saturday after paying floral tributes to the statue of the tribal icon during his visit to Khunti district. During the visit, Radhakrishnan interacted with the descendants of Birsa Munda at Ulihatu. After assuming the office of the Vice-President of India, I am deeply moved to once again visit Ulihatu, the sacred birthplace of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. I pay my deep

NOIDA, Mar 28: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India is confronting the challenges arising from the ongoing conflict in West Asia with full strength. Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of the Noida International Airport in Jewar, the Prime Minister asserted that the country is taking all necessary steps to safeguard its citizens. Conflict has been ongoing in West Asia for over a month. India is confronting this challenge with full strength, Modi said. Highlighting that Indi

Jammu, Mar 28: Members of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly cutting across party lines on Saturday condemned the assassination attempt on the life of National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and demanded a judicial probe into the attack. Treasury and opposition benches both unanimously termed the incident deeply disturbing and a glaring security lapse. They also demanded that the attacker be declared a terrorist. Abdullah, a former chief minister, had a miraculous escape on March 11 when 63-ye

NEW DELHI, Mar 28:The Government has revised the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme to set new deadlines and unit caps for e-scooters and e-rickshaws. The Centre has revised the guidelines under the Rs 10,900 crore PM E-DRIVE scheme, whereby electric two-wheelers registered till July 31, 2026 and electric three-wheelers (e-rickshaws and e-carts) registered till March 31, 2028, shall be eligible for incentives. The maximum ex-factory price to avail

NEW DELHI, Mar 28: Thermax on Saturday said its subsidiary Thermax Babcock & Wilcox Energy Solutions (TBWES) has secured a boiler package supply order worth approximately Rs 1,600 crore for an ultra-supercritical thermal power project. TBWES has secured the Rs 1,600 crore boiler package supply order valued from a leading thermal power projects company in Central India for a 1800 MW ultra-supercritical thermal power plant, according to a company statement. The scope of work includes manufacturing

Srinagar, Mar 28: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and MLA Pulwama Waheed-ur-Rehman Para on Saturday raised concerns over security arrangements for political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, alleging selective action by the government. Speaking in the Assembly, Para said that attempts to evict former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti from her residence were unjustified, asserting that security remains a non-negotiable necessity in J&K. He termed such actions as serious and called for a consistent

PURI, Mar 28: Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday offered prayers at the Jagannath temple in Puri. Talking to reporters later, General Dwivedi said he prayed for the well-being of the Indian Army, its personnel and their families. I feel very fortunate to have received the blessings of Lord Jagannath. My main objective was to seek blessings on behalf of the Indian Army and for the well-being of its personnel and their families. I am confident that the Indian [] The post Army Chief Off

WASHINGTON, Mar 28: A group will be created in the US Congress for interaction with Russias State Duma, said Vyacheslav Nikonov from the United Russia party and first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affair. Nikonov led the delegation of five Russian lawmakers to the US. They met with their colleagues from the US Congress and US administration officials in Washington on Thursday and Friday. We can already say that the group for relations with the US [] The post Group

KATHMANDU, Mar 28: Nepals newly elected Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Saturday said he is eager to work closely with India while thanking PM Narendra Modi for his greetings after the oath-taking ceremony. Prime Minister Modi greeted Shah shortly after the swearing-in ceremony on Friday and said he was looking forward to working closely with his Nepalese counterpart to take forward India-Nepal ties. Replying to Modis post, Nepals Prime Ministers office posted on X, Thank you, PM @narendramodi f

JAMMU, Mar 28: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Saturday appointed three advocates as Law Officers in the Srinagar wing of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. According to Government Order No. 3957-JK (LD) of 2026 dated March 28, Shabaz Sikandar Mir has been appointed as Additional Advocate General, while Tariq Ahmad Lone and GN Sofi have been appointed as Deputy Advocate Generals. The post J&K Govt Appoints Three Law Officers For High Courts Srinagar Wing appeared first on Daily

SRINAGAR, Mar 28: Avalanche-struck SrinagarLeh National Highway was closed for traffic on Saturday as authorities cleared snow. Seven people were killed and several vehicles were buried in an avalanche on Friday at the Zojila Pass. A ten-year-old child was those killed. The highway is closed for traffic, and snow clearance operations are underway, officials said. Traffic will be allowed once the road is cleared of avalanche debris, they added. J-K police, army, CRPF, Ladakh Police, SDRF and civi

NEW DELHI, Mar 28: India was among the countries in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa with the highest number of maternal deaths in 2023 of 24,700, translating to a maternal mortality ratio of 116 per one lakh livebirths, according to a new global analysis published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Womens Health journal. Estimates suggest that Pakistan saw a total of 10,300 maternal deaths the same year, while the African countries of Ethiopia and Nigeria had 11,900 and 32,900 [] The p

NEW DELHI, Mar 28: Improving Vitamin B12 supplementation during pregnancy in vegetarian women can benefit early brain development in babies, a new study has found. The study, published in the journal BMJ Paediatrics Open, was conducted in two centres located in India and Nepal by a joint team of researchers from both these countries and the UK. According to Dr Jitender Nagpal, Deputy Medical Director of Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research in Delhi, who led the study in [] The post