Commissioner FDA reviews enforcement measures
Calls for strong Public Health vigilance ahead of festivitie Srinagar, May 14: Commissioner, Food & Drugs Administration (FDA), Jammu & Kashmir, Khalid Jahangir on Thursday held an introductory meeting with senior officers and field functionaries of Drug and Food Wing of the department, after assuming charge. During the meeting, held at the Conference Hall Combined Drug and Food Laboratory, Srinagar, the Commissioner emphasized the critical role of the department in safeguarding public health and ensuring the availability of safe food and quality drugs to the people of Jammu & Kashmir. He stressed that field functionaries must remain visible, accessible, and proactive on the ground and should discharge their duties strictly in accordance with the mandate of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Drugs & Cosmetics Act. He directed officers to strengthen surveillance and inspection mechanisms to ensure that food business operators (FBOs) and pharmacy establishments comply with the prescribed legal standards and regulatory requirements. The Commissioner stressed that enforcement activities should be carried out in a fair, transparent, and professional manner. He further emphasized the need for coordinated teamwork among all enforcement officers of the department to ensure effective implementation of food safety and drug control measures. Drawing attention towards growing menace of drug abuse and its adverse impact on society, particularly on the younger generation, the Commissioner highlighted the importance of awareness and strict enforcement measures. He stated that the UT of J&K has already launched a comprehensive 100-day Nasha Mukht J&K Abhyan campaign against drug abuse, and directed all field officers to actively participate in the campaign by conducting awareness programmes, public outreach activities, and coordinated enforcement drives at the grassroots level. In view of the forthcoming Eid festivities and Moharram, the Commissioner directed the field staff to intensify market surveillance and enforcement activities, particularly focusing on highly consumed food items during the festive season. He asked the enforcement teams to remain extra vigilant and proactive in checking the quality, hygiene, adulteration, storage, and sale of food products in markets across Jammu & Kashmir. Reaffirming the commitment of the Food & Drugs Administration towards public welfare, he called upon all officers and stakeholders to work collectively with dedication and integrity to strengthen the regulatory framework and ensure a healthier and safer society for the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
Dept of Paediatrics, GMC Sgr observes NRP Day 2026
RK News Service Srinagar, May 14: As part ofNRP day observed across India on May 10, the Department of Paediatrics, Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar organized a Neonatal Resuscitation Programme (NRP) training workshop under the initiative of the National Neonatology Forum. The training programme was conducted by the Department of Paediatrics, GMC Srinagar, under the able guidance of Prof. Parvez Ahmad, Head of the Department of Paediatrics, along with senior faculty members and State Coordinator Dr. Mubashir Hassan Shah. The workshop was conductedby Dr. Mohsin Rashid, who served as the Course Coordinator and Lead Instructor, while Dr. Sheikh Quyoom served as the co-instructor. The workshop witnessed active participation from faculty members, residents, and nursing staff from GMC Srinagar and peripheral hospitals, along with participants from various private nursing homes across Srinagar district. The training focused on hands-on skill development in basic neonatal resuscitation with the aim of improving newborn survival and reducing neonatal mortality and morbidity. Neonatal Resuscitation Programme was observed across India on May 10 as an initiative of the National Neonatology Forum, supported by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, to strengthen neonatal care services throughout the country.
IUST organises Run for Health under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
RK news Service Awantipora, May 14: A Run for Health event under the ambit of the Government of Indias Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan was successfully organised on Thursday by Directorate of Physical Education and Sports, Islamic University of Science and Technology, in collaboration with the Centre for Mental Health and Wellness and Dean Outreach. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from university faculty members, administrative officers, staff members, students, and local elderly residents, reflecting a collective commitment towards health, fitness, and a drug-free society. The programme also saw active participation from the Town Welfare Committee Awantipora, Awantipora Forest Division, Sabir Abdullah High School, and Mantaqi Higher Secondary School. The run was flagged off by senior university officers along with Dr. Iqbal Quraishi, Officer Incharge, Directorate of Physical Education and Sports. It commenced from the University Main Campus and culminated at the Synthetic Athletic Track of the university. The event concluded with a basic fitness session conducted by Dr. Hilal Ahmad Rather, Assistant Director, Physical Education and Sports, who emphasised the importance of regular physical activity in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and preventing substance abuse. Speakingon the occasion, Dr. Iqbal Quraishi thanked all participants and collaborating organisations for their wholehearted support towards the initiative and reiterated the universitys commitment to promoting wellness, fitness, and awareness against drug abuse.
Indias highest astro turf ground opens in Leh
Umar Raina Leh, May 14: At an altitude where even routine physical activity becomes a challenge, Ladakh on Thursday took a giant leap in sports infrastructure with the inauguration of Indias highest Astro Turf Football Ground at 11,500 feet in Leh. The project, inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, also includes a newly-built VIP stand and an 8-lane synthetic athletic track at the Open Stadium, turning the venue into one of the most advanced sports facilities in the Himalayan region.Built at a cost of more than 30 crore under the Khelo India scheme and Special Development Package, the infrastructure is expected to change the sporting landscape of Ladakh, where harsh winters and limited facilities have long restricted athletes from training professionally.For years, many aspiring footballers and athletes from Leh and Kargil had to travel outside the Union Territory for quality training and exposure. With the inauguration of the high-altitude turf and synthetic track, local athletes believe a major gap has finally been addressed.Officials said the facility has been designed to meet modern sporting standards and will help athletes prepare for national-level competitions while also opening possibilities for hosting tournaments and sports camps in the region.Sports enthusiasts in Leh described the development as a historic moment for Ladakhs youth, saying the project would inspire more youngsters to participate in sports instead of limiting opportunities to academics and government jobs alone.The administration believes the new infrastructure can also strengthen Ladakhs growing sports tourism sector. Given Lehs unique terrain and altitude, experts feel the stadium could attract professional teams and endurance athletes for high-altitude training in the coming yearsSpeaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor said the facilities would provide local youth with opportunities comparable to those available in metropolitan cities and help build a stronger sporting culture in the Union Territory.He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for continued support towards Ladakhs infrastructural and youth development initiatives.The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior officials, athletes, coaches and residents, many of whom termed the project a significant step towards placing Ladakh on Indias sports map.
Here is a select list of stories to start the day.
Petrol, diesel prices hiked by 3 per litre each
Petrol in Delhi will now cost 97.77 a litre, while diesel will be priced at 99.67
Delhi court orders OpIndia to remove articles on Swati Chaturvedi
The court held that the continued circulation of the pieces could cause serious and irreparable injury to her professional reputation while the defamation suit remains pending.
AAP, Congress raises concern over SIR in Punjab ahead of 2027 Assembly polls
Haryana Chief Electoral Officer A. Sreenivas said under the third phase of the SIR campaign, July 1, 2026, has been fixed as the qualifying date for State
ED arrests Kolkata Police DC Shantanu Sinha Biswas in money laundering case
ED issued a lookout notice for Shantanu Biswas for ignoring summons; he was viewed as close to the former TMC government, and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had previously made allegations against police officials
CBI conducts searches in Reliance Communications case
The agency conducted searches at seven premises in Mumbai, Gurugram, and Bengaluru linked to senior executives of the company who served during 2015-2017
The Iran war, Indias strategic autonomy challenges
Despite the defence, commerce and trade deals, India needs to be aware of a possible European alignment with the United States
Building a preventive health culture in India
The countrys economic and social progress depends on citizen health and longevity
Bursting at the seams: On the rise in inflation
The current rise in inflation is not transient, but systemic
Uttarakhand files first FIR on allegations of nikah halala under Uniform Civil Code
The complaint filed by a woman against her husband and in-laws also includes dowry, Muslim marriage and other criminal offences
CBI arrests key accused in cyber fraud case
Accused persons had impersonated U.S. government officials and swindled $8.5 million from victims
Halt move to appoint principal, DU directs St. Stephens College
Govt. staff to work from home twice a week as Delhi unveils austerity plan
Drive includes staggered office timings, ban on official foreign visits for one year;govt. will not purchase new petrol, diesel, CNG, or hybrid vehicles for 6 months, says CM; Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs pitches for prudent mobility
IPL 2026 | Raghuvanshi repaying the faith shown by Knight Riders
Angkrish Raghuvanshi impresses in IPL 2026, showcasing maturity and skill in a crucial match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Janakpuri teacher held in 3-year-old girls rape case
New textbooks to reach schools soon in T.N.
A hundred years ago | Polish revolt
Granite quarrying kicking up dust
The villages of Kuppam, Bangarupalem and Palamaner in Andhra Pradeshs Chittoor district have been witnessing year-round granite mining activities. Although a regulatory system is in place, many operators resort to illegal quarrying which has repeatedly come under the scrutiny of the National Green Tribunal. The issue even drew political attention when TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu inspected quarries a few years ago, and expressed concern over unchecked mining, environmental damage and revenue loss, reports K. Umashanker
Udhayanidhi clarifies stand on Sanatana
Sri Lankas Fisheries Minister urges CM Vijay to ban bottom trawling
Hoping to travel to Tamil Nadu and meet the CM, says Ramalingam Chandrasekar
Boy dies after falling from terrace while flying kite near Kancheepuram
Multiple Sclerosis Society of India organises awareness event in Chennai
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological condition affecting the central nervous system. The event sought to highlight the importance of early diagnosis, treatment and support for persons living with the condition
AAP student wing protests NEET paper leak, seeks PMs resignation
P. Kumaran takes charge as Indias High Commissioner in London
The new High Commissioner paid tributes to the statues of Mahatma Gandhi in Tavistock Square and Parliament Square and to Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar at Ambedkar House in London upon assuming charge
Remove import duty on cotton to ensure supply, CM Vijay urges Modi
Of late, the industry is facing severe crisis due to increase in cotton price, and consequently yarn prices. I understand this is caused primarily due to shortage of cotton production and increase in trading activity in the country, Mr. Vijay said
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma directs that CBIs plea be placed before another Bench; clarifying that she is not recusing herself from the matter; the judge says she had already delivered judgment on recusal plea and stood by it
Virat Kohli and the art of agelessness
The 37-year-old is showing no signs of stopping despite being closer to the end of his storied career; the unbeaten IPL century on Wednesday was just another reminder of the enviable force that he is in the ever-evolving T20 game
IPL 2026: Tilak keeps his cool at the crunch as MI hands PBKS a fifth straight loss
The southpaws unbeaten 33-ball 75 helps the Mumbai outfit chase down 201 with one delivery to spare; Shardul scalps four for the victor
Singarenis past glory will be restored through new mines, new jobs: Minister Vivek Venkataswamy
High-flying Royal Challengers feel at home in unfamiliar conditions
Though the defending champion has won only two of its five away games this season, Patidars men have come out on top in both their fixtures at Raipur, which is their second home venue; talismanKohlisremarkable run has been a key feature ofRCBbeing on the verge of aplayoffspot
J&Ks rise in the LEADS 2025 rankings is a promising moment
The new ranking affirms progress in logistics and regulation, while also highlighting the need for continued investment and policy clarity Jammu and Kashmirs emergence as a High Performer in the LEADS 2025 rankings is more than a statistical improvement; it is a significant signal that the Union Territory is gradually laying the foundations for a stronger, more credible economic future. For a region that was placed in the Aspirers category till 2023 and then moved to Fast Mover in 2024, this latest recognition marks an important transition from intent to visible progress. The LEADS report, prepared by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, is not merely a bureaucratic exercise. It assesses the real conditions that influence trade, movement of goods, regulatory ease and logistics efficiency. In that context, J&Ks climb to the High Performer category suggests that efforts to improve infrastructure, streamline regulation and strengthen the business environment are beginning to produce measurable outcomes. This development deserves appreciation because logistics is not a narrow technical sector. It is the backbone of commerce, agriculture, industry and employment. Better roads, warehousing, transport systems and regulatory coordination directly affect the ability of local producers, traders and entrepreneurs to compete in wider markets. For Jammu and Kashmir, with its geographical challenges and longstanding developmental constraints, improvements in logistics can have transformative consequences. Yet, while the recognition is welcome, celebration should not give way to complacency. Rankings are important, but they are only meaningful if they translate into lower transaction costs, faster market access, stronger industrial confidence and greater opportunities for local enterprise. The ultimate value of this achievement will be measured not in official ceremonies but in the experience of farmers sending produce, manufacturers moving goods, and small businesses seeking reliable connectivity. The administration must therefore treat this honour not as a conclusion, but as a mandate for deeper reform. Sustained investment in logistics infrastructure, transparent governance, digital integration and last-mile connectivity must remain a priority. Special attention must also be given to ensuring that remote areas are not left out of the gains. The rise in the LEADS 2025 rankings reflects steady policy effort, but the real test lies in converting recognition into durable economic transformation. It shows that progress is possible when policy focus is matched by implementation. The task now is to build on this momentum with seriousness and vision so that recognition on paper becomes prosperity on the ground.
Hail, Loss and Official Apathy
Kashmirs horticulture sector cannot survive on sympathy while policy support remains absent The recent hailstorm that battered large parts of the Kashmir valley has done more than damage to orchards. It has exposed, once again, how fragile the Valleys horticulture sector has become in the face of recurring weather shocks and chronic official inaction. From Tangmarg, Pattan, Wagura, Kreeri, Rafiabad, Baramulla and Bandipora to the Kangan belt, and after similar devastation in Shopian and Kulgam, fruit growers are speaking in one voice: losses are enormous, hopes for the season are broken, and the governments response remains painfully inadequate. This is not a routine setback. Horticulture is the economic backbone of rural Kashmir. It sustains lakhs of families and supports an entire chain of livelihoods linked to harvesting, packaging, transport and trade. When hail strikes at a crucial stage of the season, it does not merely destroy fruit. It wipes out investment, pushes families towards debt and uncertainty, and weakens one of the Valleys most important sources of income. More worrying is the fact that such weather extremes are no longer rare. Hailstorms, untimely rain and erratic climatic shifts are now repeatedly battering the sector. Yet policy has failed to keep pace with this reality. The non-implementation of a proper crop insurance scheme for horticulture is indefensible. The continued absence of the Market Intervention Scheme is equally serious. Both have been demanded for years. Both have figured in official discussions and budgetary promises. Yet on the ground, growers remain exposed, season after season, to ruin with little institutional protection. This is where the crisis moves from natural disaster to governance failure. No serious economy leaves its primary producers at the mercy of the skies without building a safety net. Kashmirs fruit growers are not asking for charity. They are asking for a system that recognises risk, shares burden and protects livelihoods. That is the least a responsible administration owes to a sector so central to the regions economy. The government must act on two fronts, and act now. First, it should immediately depute teams from the Horticulture Department and SKUAST to conduct a credible, time-bound assessment of the damage across all affected districts. Second, it must announce meaningful compensation and move swiftly on long-pending structural safeguards, especially crop insurance and the revival of the Market Intervention Scheme. The Valleys growers have suffered enough from the weather. They should not have to suffer equally from delay, indifference and policy drift. If this latest calamity does not force a serious rethink, official assurances will sound hollow in every orchard that has been left shattered.
Priorities and Challenges before Suvendu Adhikari government in WB
After a massive mandate in 2026 Assembly polls, the task for the BJP govt in WB is to create employment, bring in industries and maintain law and order.
Kashmir Literature Festival 2026: A Celebration of Ideas in the Valley
As Srinagar prepares to welcome visitors for the 2026 edition, the Kashmir Literature Festival emerges as a luminous affirmation of the valleys creativity, learning and conversation USHA PANDEY As spring gently recedes into the warmth of summer, the Kashmir Valley prepares once again to welcome a gathering unlike any other. On May 30 and 31, 2026, Srinagar will host the third edition of the Kashmir Literature Festival, an event that, in a remarkably short span of time, has evolved into one of the most significant intellectual and cultural platforms in Jammu and Kashmir. Following the success of its previous editions in 2024 and 2025, the festival has steadily transformed into one of the most compelling intellectual and cultural assemblies in Jammu and Kashmir. More than a literary gathering, it is a meeting ground of minds, cultures, poetries, histories, and ideas. It is set within the timeless beauty of Srinagar, with the luminous waters of Dal Lake reflecting the changing skies and the majestic Himalayan ranges rising like silent sentinels around the Valley. The festival unfolds at the rare intersection of splendour and intellectual gravitas. The Valley itself becomes part of the conversation its landscapes, traditions, memories, and spirit blending naturally with the conversations taking place within the festival halls. Yet the significance of the Kashmir Literature Festival extends far beyond its scenic beauty. It creates a rare space where literature, history, politics, culture, and ideas converge in thoughtful dialogue. space where literature, history, politics, philosophy, culture, identity, and contemporary issues can be discussed openly, thoughtfully, and with intellectual seriousness. Over the course of two days, the festival will bring together an extraordinary assemblage of eminent authors, historians, journalists, diplomats, poets, artists, academics, and public intellectuals from Jammu and Kashmir and across the country. Their presence reflects an increasingly important reality that Kashmir is not merely a destination admired for its natural beauty, but also a crucible of cultural consciousness and intellectual consciousness. The sessions of the festival will traverse an expansive and evocative exchange of perspectives through panel discussions, keynote lectures, debates, philosophy, poetry readings, and interactive dialogues. Conversations will traverse a wide range of themes: the historical evolution of Kashmir, the geopolitics of South Asia, literature and memory, religion and philosophy, questions of identity, changing social landscapes, and the preservation of cultural traditions in a rapidly transforming world. For decades, Kashmir has too often been spoken about rather than spoken with. It has frequently appeared in headlines, analyses, and political rhetoric, yet far less often as a living intellectual and cultural space capable of articulating its own complexities. Perhaps the most stirring dimension of the Kashmir Literature Festival is the audience itself. Students from schools, colleges, and universities participate alongside teachers, writers, entrepreneurs, professionals, artists, and senior citizens. Young people, in particular, bring remarkable energy and curiosity to the event. For many, the festival becomes an opportunity to encounter distinguished voices first-hand, ask questions, exchange ideas, and engage with perspectives from across India and beyond. In an age increasingly dominated by algorithmic outrage, abbreviated opinions, and the tyranny of fleeting attention, the festival reminds audiences that ideas still matter, dialogue still matters, and literature continues to shape societies in quiet but enduring ways. The cultural dimension of the festival is equally vibrant. Alongside literary sessions, audiences enjoy musical performances, poetry recitations, and artistic presentations reflecting both local, unique Kashmiri traditions and national cultural diversity. These performances add warmth and colour to the intellectual atmosphere, making the festival a true celebration of Indias plural heritage. Importantly, the Kashmir Literature Festival broadens the narrative surrounding Jammu and Kashmir. For decades, the region has largely been associated with tourism, natural beauty, fruits, dry fruits, handicrafts, and political tensions. While these remain integral to its identity, festivals like this reveal another equally significant dimension, and that is of a society deeply connected to literature. Its growing success reflects a larger appetite within the Valley for spaces dedicated to ideas, creativity, and intellectual engagement. It also underscores the enduring power of literature and conversation in building understanding, encouraging openness, and fostering social harmony. As Srinagar prepares to welcome visitors for the 2026 edition, the Kashmir Literature Festival emerges as a luminous affirmation of the valleys creativity, learning and conversation. (The Writer is Educator & Teacher. Mentor- Kashmir Literature Festival)
J&Ks inland water transport dream takes shape
76 km Jhelum river cruise corridor from Pantha Chowk to Wular Lake being developed RK News Service Srinagar, May 14: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Thursday reviewed the progress and future roadmap fordevelopment ofinland water transport infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir during a high-levelmeeting held to assess the initiatives beingundertaken by the Transport Department in collaboration with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). The meeting focused onthe promotion ofsustainable, eco-friendly and modern water transport systems acrossmajor rivers of the Union Territory, with special emphasis on development ofcruise tourism, urban water transport facilities and navigational infrastructure on the notified National Waterways in Jammu and Kashmir. Those who attended include ACS, PWD; Chairperson, IWAI; Secretary, Transport Department; Transport Commissioner; other officers from IWAI; Representatives from line departments and senior officers from the Transport Department. The Chief Secretary reviewed the issues requiring inter-departmental coordination,includingremoval ofcoffer damsunder bridges, raising of HT and LT power lines, provision of electricity and water connections at terminals, construction of connecting roads, sewage treatment facilities at key ghats and permissions related to tree cutting and construction activities. Emphasising the immense tourism, economic and environmental potential of inland waterways in Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Secretarydirected theconcerned departments to work in close coordination with IWAIfortimely execution of allcomponents of the project.He stressed thatdevelopment ofmodern water transport infrastructure would not only provide a sustainable mode of transportation but also significantly enhance tourism potential, generate employment opportunities and create new avenues for economic activity along riverfronts across the Union Territory. He further underscored the needfor ensuringseamless integration of water transport facilities with tourism infrastructure while maintaining ecological sensitivity and preserving the natural character of rivers and surrounding landscapes. During the presentation made byChairperson, IWAI,Sunil Paliwal it was elucidated that significant progress has been achieved on the development of National Waterway-49 onriver Jhelum,where a river cruisecorridor from Pantha Chowk to Wular Lake spanning nearly 76 kilometresis being developed. It was further informed that construction of eight floating jetties along the Jhelum corridor is underway and is expected to be completed by July 2026. The development of associated onshore infrastructure is targeted for completion by July 2027, while installation of navigational aids isscheduled to be completedby July 2026.Fairway maintenance along the river stretch is being carried out jointly by IWAI and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir through deployment ofdredgers to ensure safe and uninterrupted navigation. The meeting was informedthat the procurement of ten hybrid electric boats with a carrying capacity of 20 passengers each is being processed by IWAI, with bids presentlyunder evaluation. The contract is likely to be awarded by May 2026, while delivery of the vessels is expected by March 2027. Reviewing the interventions being undertaken in the Jammu region, the Chief Secretary was informed that cruise tourism infrastructure is also being developed onriver Chenabunder National Waterway-26. A nine-kilometre river cruise stretch from Reasi to Akhnoor Fort is proposed, where construction of two jetties has already been awarded and is expected to be completed by July 2026. Moreover, development of onshore facilities has been entrusted to Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Limited (IPRCL), withpreparation ofDetailed Project Reportpresentlyunderway and expected to be completed by June 2026. The meeting was informed that adequate water depth is available throughout the year for cruise operations in the proposed stretch. Similarly, under National Waterway-84 onriver Ravi,a fifteen-kilometre river cruise corridor is being developed at SoharinJammu district. Construction of jetty has already been awarded and is likely to be completed by July 2026. DPR preparation for onshore facilities is also in progress through IPRCL and expected to be finalised by June 2026, while navigational aids are proposed to be tendered by July 2026 and completed by December 2026. The presentation also highlighted the status of several enabling interventions necessary for smooth navigation and operation of inland waterways. It was informed that eleven land parcels required for various components of the project have been identified, with approvals and transfer formalities at different stages of completion.
Villivakkam to get new medical college, better civic infrastructure: Minister Aadhav Arjuna
Villivakkam MLA and Minister Aadhav Arjuna held the first review meeting with civic officials in his Assembly constituency as Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay orders all MLAs to start review meetings to resolve local civic issues
Govt clears massive road macadamisation plan across Kashmir
Rs 223 crore proposal to cover 558 km CMs Ganderbal constituency, Advisors hometown Kupwara get lions share Ovaise Gul Srinagar, May 14: Roads across Kashmir are set for a major facelift as the government has approved a massive macadamisation plan this year. The Public Works (Roads and Building) Department has cleared a plan estimated at around Rs 223 crore, including a proposed allocation of nearly Rs 155.83 crore for the macadamisation process, according to documents available with Rising Kashmir. A total of 558.76 kilometres of roads across Kashmir are slated to be macadamized this year, including 178.60 km in central Kashmir, 194.60 km in north Kashmir, and 185.56 km in south Kashmir. As per the figures, 178.60 km of roads in central Kashmir are set to be macadamised at the estimated cost of Rs 7140.00 lakh (Rs 71.40 crore) with a proposed allocation of Rs 4995.50 lakh (Rs 49.9 crore). In north Kashmir, a total of 194.60 km of roads have been figured in the approval plan at the estimated cost of Rs 7784.00 lakh (Rs 77.84 crore) with the proposed allocation of Rs 5248.80 lakh (Rs 52.48 crore). The data reveals that 185.56 km of roads will be macadamized at an estimated cost of Rs 7422.40 lakh (Rs 74.22 crore) with the proposed allocation of Rs 5951.68 (Rs 59.51 crore) this year. The highest number of kilometres of roads are to be macadamized in Advisor to Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wanis home constituency, Kupwara and Chief Minister Omar Abdullahs own constituency, Ganderbal. A total of 20.45 km of roads at an estimated cost of Rs 818 lakh (Rs 8.18 crore) with the proposed allocation of Rs 574.60 lakh (Rs 5.74 crore) are to be macadamized in Kupwara Assembly segment followed by Ganderbal with 18.75 km of roads at an estimated cost of Rs 750 lakh (Rs 7.50 crore) with the proposed allocation of Rs 513.00 lakh (Rs 5.15 crore). The action plan under the Cities and Towns (C&T) Sector Capex Budget 2026-27 has been forwarded to Chief Engineers of all three zones. The Roads & Buildings Department has been authorised to process Administrative Approval and Technical Sanction and initiate tendering. The government has mandated e-tendering for all contracts, prohibited fragmentation or splitting of works during tendering, and allowed only registered contractors to participate. Contractors must deposit the required security amount within 10 days of issuance of the Letter of Intent. No duplication or overlapping with agencies like NHAI, NHIDCL, JMC, SMC, Beacon, or Sampark will be allowed. Chief Engineers and field officers have been directed to personally supervise and periodically inspect works to ensure timely completion and quality control. No road falling under the Defect Liability Period will be taken up again for macadamization or repairs.
Survivor stories highlight the need for early thalassemia diagnosis and treatment
Mothers of survivors at the event urged expectant parents to undergo haemoglobin (Hb) electrophoresis testing during pregnancy to help identify thalassemia early and prevent complications
CM Omar-led Cabinet clears two major projects
SDH Hazratbal upgradation & 800 TPD waste plant at Achan RK News Service Srinagar, May 14: The Council of Ministers, chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, on Thursday approved two major projectsthe upgradation of Sub-District Hospital Hazratbal by relaxing buffer zone restrictions and the establishment of an 800 TPD Integrated Solid Waste Management Project at Achan at a cost of361 crore. The Cabinet approved the upgradation of SDH Hazratbal by granting relaxation in buffer zone restrictions under the Srinagar Master Plan2035. The project had remained stalled for several years due to buffer zone provisions, causing considerable inconvenience to the public. With the approval, the hospital is expected to be equipped with expanded infrastructure, including blood bank services, operation theatres and specialised treatment facilities. The move aims to reduce the need for patients to seek treatment elsewhere. Locals expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister, saying the hospital currently suffers from severe space constraints and the upgradation will ease public difficulties. The Cabinet also approved the 800 TPD Integrated Solid Waste Management Project at Achan, Srinagar, at an estimated cost of361 crore, aimed at strengthening scientific waste management infrastructure in the city. The project is expected to enhance waste processing capacity through modern systems for collection, segregation, treatment and disposal of solid waste, improving sanitation standards and reducing environmental pollution. The facility will address growing waste management requirements due to rapid urban expansion and population growth.
Will hunt down drug syndicates, cross-border handlers: DGP Abid Bashir Srinagar, May 14: Director General of Police (DGP) NalinPrabhat on Thursday saidthat Pakistan-sponsoredterrorism andnarco trade remain the biggest threats facing Jammu andKashmir, asserting thatpolice will continue an aggressive crackdown on drug syndicates, cross-border handlers and terror-linked narcotics networks. Addressing a press conference at the Police Control Room (PCR) here, the DGP said that the Nasha Mukt Abhiyan has significantly intensified anti-drug operations across Jammu and Kashmir. He said police have shown consistent performance in the war against narcotics since 2023, particularly in property attachments, preventive detentions and seizure of contraband substances.There has been a sustained increase in attachment of properties linked with narcotics trafficking from 2023 to 2026. J&K Police has been ranked number three nationally during 2025 in this regard, he said. The DGP said that 240 PIT-NDPS detentions were carried out in 2025, for which J&K Police ranked first in the country. Specifically under the Nasha Mukt Abhiyan, there has been nearly a seven-fold increase in NDPS cases compared to last year, he said. He said 806 persons involved in the narcotics trade have been arrested in 724 NDPS cases registered across Jammu and Kashmir. Among the major arrests was that of Gulzar Ahmad alias Love Gujar, who was wanted in 28 cases and Avneet Singh alias Nagi, who was wanted in 17 cases in Jammu province, he said. Prabhat said police seized 667 kilograms of narcotics and over 90,000units of psychotropic substancesduring the campaign.Preventive action has also been taken against 24 habitual drug offenders, he added. The DGP further said 97 properties worth Rs 41.85 crore linked with narcotics trafficking have been identified and attached so far. Anantnag Police attached properties worth Rs 6.17 crore in a single case. In a first-of-its-kind, J&K Police has attached properties beyond the territorial limits of J&K, including one each in Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Chandigarh, he said. He added that Kulgam Police also attached properties worth Rs 93 lakh in the Beni Charana area of Jammu to establish backward linkages in narcotics cases. The police chief said 41 properties worth nearly Rs 15croreidentified as proceeds ofthe narcotics trade have also been demolished after following due legal process. Illicit poppy and cannabis cultivation spread over 117 kanals of land has been destroyed during the drive, he said. Prabhat said there has been a focused inspection of pharmaceutical establishments. At least 5,238 chemists and drug shops were checked while action was initiated against 151 erring establishments. 4,962 kilograms of narcotics and 6,493 units of psychotropic substances were disposed of during the campaign, he said. The DGP said driving licences of 162 persons involved in narcotics cases were either cancelled or suspended, while registration certificates of 92 vehicles used in drug trafficking were also cancelled or suspended. Besides, recommendations have been made for impounding 10 passports linked to narcotics-related activities, he said.
Motorists in Chennai say fuel outlets are pushing them to buy premium petrol
J&K was, is, will always remain integral part of India: LG Sinha
Says UT witnessing era of peace, progress while PoK suffers neglect, misgovernance Inaugurates Shaurya Gatha Complex at Tangdhar to promote battlefield tourism RK News Service Tangdhar, May 14: Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing an era of peace, progress and prosperity while Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) continues to suffer from neglect and misgovernance, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said onThursday as he reaffirmedthat J&K was, is, and will always remain an integral part of India. The LG was speaking after inaugurating the Shaurya Gatha Complex at SM Hill in Tangdhar, Kupwara district, a project aimed at promoting battlefield tourism and border area development. J&K is moving forward with development on all fronts. There is a renewed sense of self-confidence, and society is more prosperous and peaceful than ever before, the LG said. He applauded the Northern Command, Chinar Corps, and all officers, soldiers,engineers, workforce, and local residents for completing the prestigious project in a short span oftime. The dedication of our forces and people is thetrue strength of the nation.The Shaurya Gatha Complex stands as a tribute to the valour and sacrifices of Indian soldiers. This initiative will create new opportunities for border area and battlefield tourism, homestays, local crafts, and youth entrepreneurship, Sinha said. He reiterated that the administration is committed to the development of the border region, observing that initiatives likethe promotion of valour sites under the Bharat Rannbhoomi Darshan initiative will usher in economic growth and prosperity in the Tangdhar-Karnah region, besides showcasing the rich defence legacy and culture. Sevenvillages ofTangdhar and Karnah have been included under the Vibrant Village Programme, ensuring improved infrastructure, livelihood opportunities, and quality of life. Highlighting the importance of the Sadhna Tunnel, the LG stated it will significantly enhance connectivity, security, and economic activity by providing all-weather access and facilitating trade, education, healthcare, and disaster response. I urge citizens across the nation tovisitShaurya Gatha Complex and plan their holidays at the offbeat destinations of Kupwara, the LG said. The Lieutenant Governor lauded the Army fortheirsignificant contribution to the Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir campaign, noting that Tangdhar remains a strategic location where the neighbour persistently attempts to escalate narco-smuggling activities. He called upon the police and security forces to maintain the highest level of alertness and ensure foolproof surveillance so that no illegal drugs enter Indian territory. He expressed deepest gratitude to the people, especially school students, for their unwavering support of the Nasha Mukt J&K campaign. The inaugural ceremony was attended by Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, GOC-in-C Northern Command; Lieutenant General Balbir Singh, GOC Chinar Corps; MLA Karnah Javaid Ahmad Mirchal; Additional Chief Secretary Power Development Ashwani Kumar; senior officers from the army, civil administration, police, and security forces.
The Silent Crisis in J&Ks Government Schools
The decline of government schools in Jammu and Kashmir is no longer a distant warning; it is an active, unfolding emergency NASIR RASHEED Across Jammu and Kashmir, from smart cities to remote villages, government schools are falling apart. They stand as sad reminders of broken promises. The paint peels from wet walls, and the buildings offer no protection against the bitter winter cold or the scorching summer heat. Worst of all is the deep silence inside these empty classrooms. A school meant to echo with the chatter of hundreds of children now sees only a handful of students scattered across rows of empty, dusty benches. A couple of overworked teachers shuffle between classrooms, attempting the impossible task of teaching multiple grades simultaneously. This is not an isolated incident; it is a recurring vignette across the Union Territory. The most glaring symptom of this systemic decay is not just the crumbling brick and mortar, but the alarming, unprecedented drop in student enrolment. The classrooms are emptying and with them, the hope for a brighter future. Across India, the education sector is undergoing a vibrant, dynamic transformation, propelled by the visionary National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the progressive National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023. The grand, modern visions of the NEP seem like distant mirages to institutions that are struggling daily for basic drinking water, functional toilets and adequate teaching staff. The tragedy of this decline is magnified by the fact that these government schools are not merely alternative options; they are the very backbone of educational development in Jammu and Kashmir. A school cannot function as a sanctuary for learning if the building itself is fighting a losing battle against the elements. In many areas of J&K, government schools suffer from a glaring lack of basic amenities. Students and teachers are forced to endure inadequate, overcrowded classrooms with broken furniture and leaking roofs. Teacher shortages are chronic, exacerbated by instances of absenteeism and the frequent, disruptive deployment of existing teaching staff for non-educational administrative duties. However, the most significant and frustrating issue lies in the systemic paralysis of hiring: there has been no new teacher recruitment in J&K by the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) since 2017. Because of this years-long freeze on recruitment, thousands of qualified B.Ed. and M.Ed. professionals are facing a severe unemployment crisis. These are young, driven professionals thoroughly trained in the pedagogy, methodology and philosophy of teaching. While the modern world moves toward interactive, tech-driven and child-centric education, J&Ks government schools remain stuck in the past. Outdated teaching methods relying heavily on rote memorisation continue to dominate, primarily because the majority of teachers lack access to modern teaching resources, digital smart boards or updated teaching-learning materials. Students passing through this fractured system frequently fail to meet basic age-appropriate literacy and numeracy benchmarks, leaving them entirely unprepared to compete with their privately educated peers in the real world. As confidence in state-run education plummets, an unprecedented exodus is underway. Driven by sheer desperation, even low-income families are making agonising financial sacrifices, scraping together whatever meagre funds they can to enroll their children in private institutions. Parents are willing to cut back on basic household necessities rather than gamble with their childrens futures in empty, under-resourced classrooms. Perhaps the most glaring indictment of this systemic failure is a profound, open irony: government school teachers themselves overwhelmingly choose to send their own wards to private schools. It begs a devastating question: if the very educators tasked with running these institutions lack faith in them, how can the public be expected to trust them? Over the past decade, a disturbing administrative trend has emerged where thousands of government schools have been clubbed or merged with nearby institutions, effectively shuttering vital educational hubs across various localities. In a region experiencing steady population growth, logic dictates a proportional expansion of educational infrastructure; instead, Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a paradoxical and alarming contraction. Consequently, a growing number of students, particularly those in geographically challenging areas, are being stripped of their localised access to learning. This systematic closure is not merely an administrative oversight; it is a direct violation of the constitutional guarantees enshrined in Article 21A and Article 45 of the Indian Constitution, which mandate free and compulsory education for children. Furthermore, it blatantly contradicts the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically the global commitment to inclusive and equitable education, thereby reducing what is universally recognised as a basic, fundamental human right into an inaccessible privilege for the regions most vulnerable youth. This mass migration to the private sector does not happen in a vacuum; it leaves behind a devastating trail of widening inequality. It is crucial to recognise that in Jammu and Kashmir, the majority of the population is currently grappling with severe financial instability and a pervasive job crisis. Ultimately, the decay of public education in J&K is not merely an administrative failure; it is an active engine of systemic inequality. It is carving a deep socio-economic chasm where the privileged can buy their way toward a brighter future, while the underprivileged are left trapped in a relentless cycle of limited opportunities and broken promises. To reverse this alarming decline and rescue the future of millions of children in Jammu & Kashmir, piecemeal reforms and temporary administrative bandages will no longer suffice. What is urgently required is a comprehensive, multi-pronged overhaul of the entire government school ecosystem, backed by unwavering political will and grassroots community action. The immediate first step is to ensure that schools are safe, dignified and inviting spaces for learning. A school cannot foster 21st-century learning if its foundation is crumbling. Upgrading these physical spaces sends a powerful psychological message to students and parents alike: that the state values their future. The lifeblood of any educational institution is its teaching staff, and J&Ks schools are currently on life support. The government must immediately lift the indefinite freeze on hiring that has paralysed the system since 2017. Initiating fresh, transparent and expedited teacher recruitment
Dragon-Sickness: How Indias Cultural Fondness of Gold Can Become a Currency Crisis?
When Countrys PM starts talking about necklaces, watch the reserves. Not the speech AZHAR HUSSAIN Over the last few days, the Prime Minister of India went on national television and asked 1.4 billion people to do the unthinkable. Cancel their foreign vacations, stop driving to work and immediately stop buying gold. The media called it an appeal for financial patriotism. They are misreading the signal entirely. When a government urges its citizens to stop purchasing a precious metal, the word for that is not patriotism. The word is desperation, and something serious that is about to happen. In Tolkiens mythology, dragon-sickness is the madness that takes hold of men who stare too long at gold hoards. They begin to covet compulsively, unable to distinguish what they need from what they merely want, until the treasure becomes the very thing that destroys them. India, one of the fastest-growing major economies on earth, has spent five thousand years building precisely that relationship with gold. The bill is now due in US dollars. Here is the brutal arithmetic. India imports more than 87 percent of its crude oil. Because of escalating conflict across the Middle East and the destabilisation of Hormuz supply routes, the price of that oil is skyrocketing. India cannot buy foreign oil with rupees. It must buy it with US dollars. Every time the price of a barrel ticks upward, Indias foreign exchange reserves haemorrhage outward. The rupee has crashed to 95 against the dollar. It is the lowest in decades, and the Reserve Bank of India is running dangerously low on the ammunition required to defend it. The central bank can intervene by selling dollars and buying rupees, but that intervention is finite. Once the reserves are gone, they are gone. The US-Iran conflict makes this sharper still. The wider destabilisation of Gulf supply routes has introduced a volatility premium into global crude pricing that no single nation can negotiate its way out of. India has no meaningful leverage over the cartels, the militias or the shipping lanes. What it theoretically does have leverage over is the behaviour of its own consumers. India is one of the largest consumers of physical gold on earth. Last year Indians imported over 721 tonnes of gold valued at $71.9 billion, accounting for close to ten percent of the entire national import bill. That figure is not an abstraction. It is a direct transfer of US dollars out of the country and into the vaults of Dubai and Zurich, one wedding necklace and one festival bangle at a time. Unlike oil, which at least powers the electrical grid, the factories, the vehicles & our economy at large, gold is a wealth sink. It produces nothing. It generates no electricity, refines no fuel and builds no infrastructure. From the governments perspective, it is approx $72 billion worth of pure foreign exchange bleeding from a wound it cannot stitch closed from the outside. The logic of the Prime Minister Modis appeal, stripped of its patriotic framing, is this. If gold consumption can be halved for two years, the government instantly plugs a $72 billion hole in the current account deficit. That is real money. That is the kind of number that stabilises a currency, calms a bond market and buys a central bank the breathing room it needs to manage an oil shock without resorting to emergency rate hikes that would choke off domestic growth. It is one of the most extraordinary macroeconomic interventions attempted in modern history. A government trying to save a fiat currency by manually suspending a five-thousand-year-old cultural reflex. During the Congress era, such appeals were also made, but the situation in the Middle East was not this much precarious. The appeals to cut overseas travel and reduce discretionary fuel use follow the same logic at a smaller scale. Foreign holidays export dollars. Private driving increases demand for the imported crude that is already draining the reserves. Every litre saved and every cancelled flight to Paris or Bangkok is, in aggregate, a marginal act of currency defence. The government cannot control the price of oil on the global market. It can try to control the volume India consumes. This is what dragon-sickness looks like in macroeconomic terms. The hoard that once felt like wealth, the gold stacked in family lockers across every state in the country, has quietly become a structural vulnerability. Cultural traditions are extraordinarily difficult to price correctly until the moment they become expensive. India is having that moment now. The deeper lesson here is not about gold at all. It is about the danger of building an economy that is simultaneously enormous in ambition and fragile in its external dependencies. A nation that imports 87 percent of its energy has effectively handed a veto over its domestic prosperity to whoever controls the price of crude. A nation that spends approx $72 billion a year on a non-productive asset while that same foreign exchange is desperately needed to pay energy bills is not just culturally attached to gold. It is structurally exposed by it. We must stop watching the stock market & look at the foreign reserves. The stock market tells you what investors feel today. The foreign reserves tell you how long the country can survive tomorrow. When those reserves fall fast enough that a Prime Minister has to go on television and ask womenfolk to stop buying bangles, you are no longer watching a policy speech. You are watching a nation reckon with the cost of its own gold-wearing culture. The coming months will determine whether voluntary public cooperation can do what conventional policy tools are struggling to achieve. If oil prices ease and the rupee stabilises, the appeal will be remembered as prudent, and the PM will be credited with foresight. If they do not, this moment will be remembered as the point at which India discovered that five thousand years of cultural habit had become, in the age of the petrodollar, a genuine threat
PMs Austerity Call Echoes Er Rashids Simplicity Politics: AIP
RK News Service Srinagar, May 14 : Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi has welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modis call for austerity and reduction in unnecessary official expenditure, saying the initiative reflects a responsible and people-centric approach towards governance. He also appreciated Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir Manoj Sinha for following the same spirit by cutting down excessive protocol and official extravagance. Inam Un Nabi said the austerity measures now being implemented at the highest levels of governance were in fact ideas long advocated by Member of Parliament from North Kashmir, Engineer Rashid. He said since the day Er Rashid was elected as MLA for the first time, he neither kept a government vehicle nor believed in moving with security or long official convoys. He added that Er Rashid always maintained that people themselves are the biggest security for a public representative and that elected leaders should never become a burden on the state exchequer while common masses continue to face economic hardships. Inam Un Nabi said Er Rashid repeatedly appealed to leaders of other political parties to adopt a simple and accessible style of politics and avoid wasting public money on luxury and protocol. Perhaps this simplicity and fearless public approach was one of the reasons many traditional political leaders were uncomfortable with him, he remarked.
Ashok Bhan Backs Congress Choice of VD Satheesan as Kerala CM
RK News Service Srinagar, May 14: Senior Congress leader and legal expert Ashok Bhan on Thursday welcomed the Congress high commands decision to appoint V. D. Satheesan as the next Chief Minister of Kerala, describing the move as politically appropriate and balanced. In a statement, Bhan said the decision reflected sound political judgment and highlighted the leadership and collective wisdom of the party high command, including Rahul Gandhi. He said that although the delay in announcing the decision had drawn criticism, the final choice carried both credibility and political significance. Bhan described Satheesan as a grassroots leader with strong public connect and said the decision conveyed an important message that merit, public acceptance and organisational experience continue to matter within the Congress party.
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