Daily Excelsior

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 30: To ensure that benefits of Government welfare schemes reach grassroots level, social activist and chairman of the Samvedna Society, Keshav Chopra here today organized a special distribution programme during which essential documents including Ration Cards, Ayushman Bharat Health Cards and ABHA Cards were handed over to the local residents. Speaking on the occasion, Keshav Chopra said that primary objective of Samvedna Society is to serve as a helping hand t

NEW DELHI, Apr 30: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday underscored the need to adopt new maintenance practices for the Jammu and Kashmir rail network, highlighting the unique challenges posed by the Himalayan terrain. Addressing a gathering in Jammu after flagging off a 20-coach Vande Bharat train from Jammu to Srinagar, he said the Himalayas are young mountain ranges hence advanced technologies are required to maintain critical infrastructure, including the Chenab and Anji bridges and

NEW DELHI, Apr 30: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged on Thursday that Ladakhi peoples voices have been suppressed, democratic rights crushed, and their land and fragile environment are being handed over to Prime Minister Narendra Modis billionaire friends. Gandhi posted a video on X of his recent interaction with youngsters from Ladakh. The video was posted amid Home Minister Amit Shahs Ladakh visit. The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha said the people of Ladakh are not against developme

New Delhi, Apr 30: The Haj Committee of India has raised the Haj airfare by Rs 10,000 per pilgrim this year due to a sharp global rise in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices, with the Centre asserting that the increase has been restricted through hard negotiations. The Haj airfare hike has drawn criticism from opposition leaders, who have stated that such an increase amounts to injustice. A circular issued by the Haj Committee of India said in view of the [] The post Haj Pilgrims To Pay Rs 10K Mo

The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered the transfer and posting of 179 officers. Among those transferred are several Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services (JKAS) officers. See Order Copy Click Here The post Several JKAS Among 179 Officers Transferred In Major Admin Reshuffle appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

JAMMU, Apr 30: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered the promotion of Naila Zahoor Chib, Selection Grade Officer of the Jammu and Kashmir Accounts Service, to the Special Scale with immediate effect. See Order Copy Click Here The post J&K Govt Promotes Accounts Service Officer To Special Scale appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Rajouri , April 30: A residential house was completely damaged after a lightning strike hit Azmatabaad village in Thannamandi Rajouri on Wednesday evening. Officials said that at around 6:20 PM, lightning struck the house belonging to Mohd Gafoor, son of Ahmed Din, a resident of Azmatabaad. The impact of the strike caused extensive damage to the structure. However, no loss of life or injuries have been reported in the incident. Authorities have taken note of the situation, and further assessment

JAMMU, April 30: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday ordered a large-scale reshuffle in the Finance Department, transferring and posting more than 70 officers across various departments and districts to streamline administrative functioning. According to Government Order No. 174-F of 2026 dated April 30, 2026, the transfers and postings have been made with immediate effect in the interest of administration. As per the order, several senior officers have been reassigned to key positi

PITHORAGARH (UTTARAKHAND), Apr 30: The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through the Uttarakhands Lipulekh pass will begin in June this year with 500 pilgrims permitted to visit the sacred site in Tibet, officials said on Thursday. The pilgrims will travel in 10 batches, with each group comprising 50 members, Pithoragarh District Magistrate Ashish Bhatgain said on Thursday. Bhatgain said the decision came after a meeting in Delhi on April 27, chaired by the joint secretary of the Ministry of External Aff

JAMMU, Apr 30: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said that drug traffickers would be dealt with like terrorists under the law in the Union territory, where 440 drug offenders have been arrested and 350 FIRs filed in the past 20 days under the 100-day Nasha Mukt J-K Abhiyan. Addressing a gathering after launching the anti-drug campaign in Doda, Sinha termed drug abuse a form of silent terrorism and called for a public movement against the menace. [] The post Drug Traff

JAMMU, Apr 30: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Wednesday ordered the transfer and posting of 5 In-charge Executive Engineers in the Rural Engineering Wing of the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department with immediate effect. The post J&K Govt Transfers 5 Executive Engineers In Rural Engineering Wing appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

JAMMU, Apr 30: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today inaugurated the Jammu and Kashmir Security Operations Centre (JK SOC), marking a significant step towards strengthening the Union Territorys cyber security infrastructure. Additional Chief Secretary, (Financial Commissioner) Revenue, Shaleen Kabra; Principal Secretary, Home, Chandraker Bharti; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar; Secretary, IT Department, Dr. Piyush Singla; Director General, National Informatics Centre, VTV Ramana; CEO,

JAMMU, Apr 30: The Jammu and Kashmir Government today ordered the transfer and posting of an Executive Engineer in the Jal Shakti Department. As per an order issued by the department, Nasir Ahmad Wani, In-charge Executive Engineer, has been transferred from the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation and posted in the Irrigation and Flood Control Division, Ganderbal. See Order Copy Click Here.. The post Jal Shakti Dept Transfers Executive Engineer appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

JAMMU, Apr 30: The Directorate of Accounts and Treasuries Jammu has ordered the transfer and posting of five Accounts Officers in Jammu District. The post Five Accounts Officers Transferred In Jammu District appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

SRINAGAR, Apr 30: Jailed Lok Sabha member Sheikh Abdul Rashid on Thursday arrived here to meet his ailing father after the Delhi High Court granted him a weeks interim bail, officials said. Rashid, alias Engineer Rashid, the Lok Sabha MP from Jammu and Kashmirs Baramulla, arrived at the Srinagar airport here on Thursday afternoon and drove straightaway to the SMHS hospital to visit his ailing father, the officials said. The Delhi High Court on Tuesday granted one-week interim bail to [] The post

CHANDIGARH, Apr 30: Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Thursday said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has taken a taken a long leap forward across all sectors, particularly in the healthcare sector, in its journey toward realising a Viksit Bharat. If I were to speak of these initiatives, I would highlight the strengthening of our health systems, of course in the areas of science, innovation, and technology, Nadda said while addressing the 10th National [] The pos

NEW DELHI, Apr 30: India and Italy on Thursday resolved to develop a defence industrial framework for co-production of military hardware, a move that came as both nations navigate an evolving security landscape, including the ongoing crisis in West Asia. The decision to bolster bilateral defence and strategic ties was reached during talks between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto in New Delhi. Following the meeting, the two sides unveiled a bilateral milit

ANANTNAG, Apr 30: The Health & Medical Education Department has ordered a reshuffle in the administration of Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag, assigning new responsibilities in the interest of patient care and administrative efficiency. As per Government Order No. 388-JK (HME) of 2026 dated April 29, Dr Bilal Mashraf Banday, Consultant Pathology presently posted at District Hospital Budgam, has been deputed to GMC Anantnag and assigned the charge of Medical Superintendent of the Associa

NAGPUR, Apr 30: A high-security alert has been sounded across Nagpur after an anonymous letter claimed that radioactive material had been planted at key locations, including the RSS headquarters and a BJP office, officials said on Thursday. Police said the letter was received at the office of Police Commissioner Dr Ravinder Singal on April 27. The police have formed multiple teams and roped in the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and energy experts. They carried out extensive searches at

LEH, Apr 30: Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Ladakh on Thursday to attend the first-ever international exposition of holy relics of Lord Buddha in India, officials said. Shah was received by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport here. Senior officials of the police and civil administration were also present. During his two-day visit, Shah will pay respect to the sacred relics of Lord Buddha on the Buddha [] The pos

Planning train travel in India often begins with IRCTC ticket booking, but many users quickly realize that the process can sometimes feel slower than expected, especially during peak hours. From logging in to selecting seats and making payments, each step can take longer when the platform is under heavy load. This becomes even more frustrating when tickets are limited and time is critical, like during Tatkal bookings or festival seasons when demand spikes sharply. According to data shared by the

SRINAGAR, Apr 30: As the first direct Vande Bharat Express from Jammu chugged into the Kashmir valley on Thursday, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw promised to focus on connecting remote areas like Poonch, Rajouri and Uri to the countrys rail network. Following the completion of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), Vaishnaw said detailed project reports (DPRs) have been prepared on projects to connect the Poonch-Rajouri region to the national rail network and to extend

ATHENS, Apr 30: Activists sailing on dozens of boats attempting to break Israels maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip to deliver humanitarian aid say Israeli forces intercepted them overnight Wednesday into Thursday, detaining the crews while the flotilla was sailing near the southern Greek island of Crete. The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail earlier this month from Barcelona. Organisers have said more than 70 boats and 1,000 people from around the world would be participating, with more vessels j

KATHMANDU, Apr 30: Nepals Ministry of Forests and Environment and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have inked an agreement to strengthen collaboration on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development across the Himalayan nation. The agreement, relating to a Scope of Cooperation (SoC), aligns joint efforts with the countrys national priorities and global commitments, including key policies and strategies on biodiversity, forests, climate change, wetlands, agriculture, and sustainable development

CHANDIGARH, Apr 30: The Punjab Police on Thursday said it has busted an espionage module backed by Pakistans ISI with the arrest of its key operative from Ferozepur. The Counter Intelligence Wing of Punjab Police in Jalandhar also recovered China-made solar CCTV equipment with 4G connectivity from Kapurthala, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said. The accused has been identified as Sukhwinder Singh alias Sukha of Ferozepur, he said. Investigation revealed that the accused, along with his

SINGAPORE, Apr 30: An Indian-origin woman was among three Singaporean activists, fined USD 2,341 each on Thursday for organising a procession outside the Presidential Palace to show solidarity with Palestine, local media reported. The High Court overturned the acquittal of the three women, Malay-origin Mossammad Sobikun Nahar, 26, Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori, 30, and Indian-origin Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, 37, accused of organising the procession on February 2, 2024, The Straits Times reported.

NEW DELHI, Apr 30: Delivering a sharp rebuke over Pakistans continued backing of terrorism, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that while both nations gained independence together, India is today globally recognised for Information Technology, whereas Pakistan has come to be seen as the epicentre of International Terrorism, underscoring a hardened shift in Indias response to cross-border terror. Addressing a National Security Summit in the national capital, Singh said, Both, India a

JAMMU, Apr 30: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday chaired a cabinet meeting to review key development initiatives and discuss governance priorities in the Union territory. This was the last cabinet meeting chaired by Abdullah in Jammu before moving offices to the summer capital, Srinagar. Chief Minister chaired a cabinet meeting this morning in Jammu to consider key development initiatives and discuss governance priorities for the coming period, office of CM said on X. Th

JAMMU, Apr 30: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh today recalled that although the first train had reached Jammu as early as 1972, it took around 50 years for it to reach Srinagar, as further expansion into the Kashmir Valley was taken up in right earnest only after Narendra Modi took over as Prime Minister in 2014. He noted that significant progress has been achieved in last one decade, with railway infrastructure now being developed in Jammu & Kashmir at par [] The post Rail Expansion Beyond Jam

JAMMU, Apr 30: People across Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday hailed the launch of the direct Vande Bharat Express service between Jammu and Srinagar, calling it a major step towards improved connectivity, tourism and economic growth. Passengers and stakeholders termed the development a game changer, highlighting that the service would significantly reduce travel time, cut costs, and provide all-weather connectivity to the Valley. It is a game-changer for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Not only w

JAMMU, Apr 30: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has granted a 15-day relaxation for employees to file their annual property returns for 2025. This decision comes after the General Administration Department observed that many employees missed previous deadlines or failed to complete their submissions on the PRS portal. See Notification Click Here. The post J&K Govt Grants 15-Day Extension To Employees For Filing Property Returns appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

SRINAGAR, Apr 30: The cyber wing of Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday registered an FIR against unidentified persons for posting a video of late separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani on social media, alleging that it glorifies separatist content, officials said. The move comes a day after Peoples Democratic Party leader Iltija Mufti posted a video of the late hardline separatist leader on X. May not concur with Geelani Sahabs ideology, but this old video of him stressing the [] The post J&K

JAMMU, Apr 30: Apart from the multi-layered security setup along the 327-kilometre Jammu-Katra-Srinagar-Baramulla railway line, 21 security personnel, including RPF commandos, will guard the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express service launched by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday, an official said. Vaishnaw on Thursday flagged off the 20-coach train, which is expected to cut travel time between Jammu and Srinagar to five hours, here in the presence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and

JAMMU, Apr 30: The Government of Jammu & Kashmir has assigned additional charge of the post of Managing Director, State Procurement & Supplies Agency (SPSA) to the Director, Rural Development Jammu. According to Government Order No. 130-JK(RD&PR) of 2026 dated April 30, 2026, the arrangement has been made in the interest of administration and will remain in effect until the post is filled on a regular basis by the General Administration Department. The order states that the Director, Rural Devel

SRINAGAR, Apr 30: Anantnag Senior Superintendent of Police Amod Ashok Nagpure on Thursday reviewed security measures and other arrangements being made for the annual Amarnath Yatra, which is set to begin from the first week of July. Nagpure chaired a high-level meeting at the Anantnag District Police Office to review and finalise the arrangements. The meeting was attended by senior police officers and other officials concerned, a police spokesperson said. Detailed deliberations were held on vari

SRINAGAR, Apr 30: Asserting that enough is enough, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah says Pakistan should call it a day and end the cycle of violence in Jammu and Kashmir. While terrorism has largely subsided, Pakistans refusal to accept Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India continues to fuel violence in the region, the three-time Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said. My humble advice to both these nations, my own nation and Pakistan, is that the time has [] The post Enough

SRINAGAR, Apr 30: The Economic Offences Wing Kashmir (EOW) of Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet in a significant fraud case involving false promises of land allotment and government jobs. According to officials, the chargesheet in FIR No. 84/2022 under Section 420 RPC has been submitted before the Court of Judge Small Causes Srinagar against Bashir Ahmad Bhat, son of Abdul Gani Bhat, a resident of Astanpora Tailbal, Hazratbal Srinagar. Details of the case reveal that in January 2019, [] T

JAMMU, Apr 30: Thanking Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Centre for extending Vande Bharat train services between Jammu and Srinagar, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday demanded a dry (inland) port for the union territory to boost trade and business. I want to congratulate and thank Vaishnaw and, through him, the central government, on behalf of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, for connecting Jammu with Kashmir through rail, Abdullah said while addressing a gathering during the

JAMMU, Apr 30: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today ignited the Drug-Free Jammu Kashmir Campaign in Doda, rallying citizens against narcotics. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor said the peoples movement against drug abuse reflects their determination and unity, and this menace can be eliminated when communities rise together and speak with one voice. The Lieutenant Governor said that narcotics smuggling is no less than terrorism and those involved will be given

JAMMU, Apr 30: As the bi-annual Darbar Move officially kicks off, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has ordered 201 officers and officials to remain stationed at the Civil Secretariat in Jammu for the Summer 2026 season. See Order Copy Click Here.. The post 201 Officials To Stay Back In Jammu As Darbar Move To Srinagar Begins appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

KALABURGAI (KARNATAKA), Apr 30: AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said there was no Chief Minister change in Karnataka for now and that the leadership issue in the state will be resolved soon. The Congress chiefs statement comes amid speculations within the party and political circles about a possible decision on leadership change and cabinet reshuffle after May 4, once the results for assembly elections in four states and one union territory, along with bypolls to two assembly segme

MUMBAI, Apr 30: Netflix will mark World Laughter Day with a special episode of The Great Indian Kapil Show, featuring host Kapil Sharma alongside popular influencers Samay Raina and Ranveer Allahbadia. The episode, streaming May 2, will also feature regulars Sunil Grover, Krushna Abhishek and Kiku Sharda in their signature roles during a segment called the TGIKS News Debate. Sharma said the special episode was planned keeping the audiences love for the show in mind. Humare show ko audience se []

SRINAGAR, Apr 30: A juice factory steamer exploded mid-repair, killing two persons and injuring one in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Thursday. The blast took place at Aglar on Wednesday night, injuring three persons, Saurabh Singh, Shiv Kumar, and Raj Kumar, who were repairing the steamer, they said. The three were rushed to a hospital where Saurabh succumbed to his injuries late on Wednesday night while Shiv Kumar died this morning. Raj Kumar is undergoing treatment,

NEW DELHI, Apr 30: The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations on Thursday announced the Class 10 and Class 12 results for 2026, with overall pass percentages of 99.18 per cent and 99.13 per cent, respectively. A total of 2,58,721 candidates appeared for the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE), or Class 10, examination. About 1,03,316 students took the Indian School Certificate (ISC), or Class 12, exam. Girls outperformed boys in both examinations. In ICSE, girls reco

NEW DELHI, Apr 30: The Supreme Court on Thursday sought response from the Centre and others on a PIL seeking directions to establish a revenue judicial service, and prescribe minimum legal qualification and training module for public servants adjudicating land disputes. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notice to the Union of India, Law Commission and others on a plea filed by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay who claimed that non-qualified legal professionals were d

KUALA LUMPUR, Apr 30: A French teen is facing mischief and public nuisance charges in Singapore after posting a video on social media of himself licking a straw from an orange juice vending machine and then putting it back. Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 18, was charged April 24 and hasnt entered a plea, the city-states largest English-language newspaper, The Straits Times, said. He allegedly committed the offense at a shopping mall on March 12, and his video spread rapidly when [] The post Fre

NEW DELHI, Apr 30: Global investment firm Bain Capital has divested nearly a 1 per cent stake in Emcure Pharmaceuticals for over Rs 289 crore through open market transactions, according to the block deal data on the NSE. Following the stake sale, shares of Emcure Pharmaceuticals fell 2.31 per cent to trade at Rs 1,690 apiece on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). US-based Bain Capital, through its affiliate BC Investments IV Ltd, offloaded 18 lakh shares, or a 0.95 per [] The post Bain Capital se

MUMBAI, Apr 30: Investment platform Dhan has launched Gold Vault, a product that enables retail investors to buy physical gold and silver at live exchange-linked prices traded through its application. The offering operates within SEBIs capital markets regulatory framework, with settlement facilitated through MCX Clearing Corporation Ltd (MCXCCL), the company said in a statement. Investors can participate in bullion futures contracts at MCX-linked prices and opt for physical delivery. Gold Vault

NEW DELHI, Apr 30: French automaker Renault is undertaking a restructuring of the groups operations in India with plans to separate powertrain production from vehicle manufacturing and sales operations, the company said on Thursday. Renault Group India has approached the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for approval of a proposed structural realignment of its India operations, it said in a statement. It envisages the powertrain manufacturing activity being organised as a dedicated powertrain

NEW DELHI, Apr 30: FMCG major Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) on Thursday reported 20.96 per cent rise in March quarter consolidated net profit to Rs 2,994 crore helped by an increase in volume and proceeds from the divestment of stake in Nutritionalab. The company had logged a net profit of Rs 2,475 crore in January-March FY25, according to a regulatory filing from HUL. Revenue from sale of products was up 8.13 per cent at Rs 16,172 crore in March quarter [] The post HUL Q4 profit rises 21 pc to R