Murmu resigns as LG, likely to be new CAG

06/08/2020
JAMMU, Aug 5: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu on Wednesday tendered his resignation after nine months as the head of administration of the Union Territory of India. According to sources, he could be the next Comptroller and Auditor General of India after Rajiv Mehrishi retires this week. Murmu made history after taking over as the first LG of Jammu and Kashmir on 31 October 2019 after the state of J&K was bifurcated into two Union Territories, the other being Ladakh. He too...

First bricks laid for Ram temple, Modi says long wait over

06/08/2020
AYODHYA, Aug 5: In a highly-anticipated event watched by millions on television, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday laid the foundation here of a Ram temple, the culmination of a campaign that fuelled the rise of the BJP and marked the fulfilment of one of its core poll promises. Amid the chanting of shlokas, Modi consecrated the very first bricks for the temple at the spot where many devout Hindus believe Lord Ram was born. The wait of centuries has ended, he said after performing the gr...

J&K records 559 new COVID-19 cases, 9 more die

06/08/2020
JAMMU, Aug 5: Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday recorded 559 new coronavirus cases, taking the total number of infected people to 22,955, even as 9 COVID-19 patients died during the last 24 hours in the union territory, officials said. "Nine people, who were COVID-19 positive, have died over the past 24 hours in Jammu and Kashmir," the officials said. They said while one death took place in Jammu region, eight were reported from the Kashmir valley. The coronavirus death toll in the union te...

ACB registers Disproportionate Asset case against the then Chief Supervisor FCI

06/08/2020
UDHAMPUR, Aug 5: Preliminary Enquiry was conducted by ACB to verify the facts that Rakesh Kumar Pargal, Chief Supervisor, FCI Godown ,CA&PD Udhampur and Incharge Vigilance Squad in Food Civil Supplies and Public Distribution Department, by indulging in corrupt and illegal practices, has amassed huge assets worth crores of rupees in the form of immovable/moveable properties disproportionate to his known sources of income. During preliminary enquiry it has been found that official has raised asse...

India hits out at China for calling reorganisation of J&K as illegal

06/08/2020
NEW DELHI/BEIJING, Aug 5: India on Wednesday slammed China for describing the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 as "illegal and invalid", and advised Beijing not to comment on the internal affairs of other nations. In a sharp reaction to China's comments on the first anniversary of India's decision on J and K, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said China has no locus standi on the matter. Earlier, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said in Beijing that any ...

Ratle hydroelectric power project to be revived soon: Jitendra

06/08/2020
NEW DELHI, Aug 5: The 850-MW Ratle hydroelectric power project in Jammu and Kashmir, work on which was stalled for the past six years, will be revived soon, Union minister Jitendra Singh said on Wednesday. The hydroelectric project is a run-of-river scheme located on river Chenab in Kishtwar district of the union territory. The preliminary work such as construction of access roads and diversion tunnels was started in 2013 but the work got stopped due to various issues cropping up between the ...

Govt transfers 50K land to School Education Department

06/08/2020
SRINAGAR, Aug 5: The Administrative Council (AC), which met here under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, G C Murmu, approved allotment and transfer of land measuring 50 kanals to the School Education Department at village Hail Jageer, Tehsil Kreeri in District Baramulla for construction of Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV). Once operational, the school will cater to the educational needs of the children of far flung areas of district Baramulla and adjacent areas by providing quality education...

Women soldiers deployed for first time in Kashmir make positive impact

06/08/2020
SRINAGAR, Aug 5: 'Rifle Women' deployed on duty for the first time in Kashmir have within a few days managed to make a positive impact on the local populace, the Assam Rifles said. "Women soldiers of #AssamRifles deployed for the first time in Kashmir make a positive impact on the local populace in a matter of days. Smiling faces of locals is a testimony of professionalism of the Riflewomen of Assam Rifles," the Assam Rifles tweeted. The 'Rifle Women' is an unit of the Assam Rifles, the oldest...

Pak violates ceasefire along LoC in Poonch

06/08/2020
JAMMU, Aug 5: Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire by resorting to mortar shelling on forward posts along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Wednesday, officials said. The shelling from across the border started in the Krishnagati sector around 7.00 pm, prompting strong retaliation by the Indian Army, a defence spokesperson said. In the shelling, one cattle shed was damaged, they said. The Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire 49 times last month and shelled a...

No ‘At Home’ function this year

06/08/2020
SRINAGAR, Aug 5: 'At Home' function for Independence Day to be hosted by the Raj Bhavan has been cancelled in the view of COVID-19 pandemic, Raj Bhavan said in a statement on Wednesday. "In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 'At Home' function for this year's Independence Day to be hosted by the Raj Bhavan, Srinagar, as per past practice, stands cancelled," the statement said. The decision was taken after assessing the current circumstances of COVID-19 pandemic in the Union Territory of Jammu ...

Militants open fire on security forces in Shopian

06/08/2020
SRINAGAR, Aug 5: Militants opened fire on a security forces deployment in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, police said. Meanwhile, alert troops detected an IED in Kupwara district of the Union territory, they said. The ultras opened fire on security personnel in the COVID-19 containment deployment at Sangloo bridge in Shopian district this morning, a police official said. He said there was no report of any damage caused, adding that the militants escaped from the spot. In...

Restrictions prevent NC’s all-party meet

06/08/2020
SRINAGAR, Aug 5: Curfew-like restrictions remained in force here on Wednesday as authorities foiled plans of the National Conference to hold an all-party meeting on the first anniversary of Jammu and Kashmir losing its statehood and special constitutional status, but BJP cadres held symbolic celebrations to mark the day. The official curfew was lifted Tuesday evening but there was no easing of restrictions across the valley on the day when a year ago Article 370 of the Constitution giving spec...

10 COVID-19 deaths, 390 fresh cases

05/08/2020
JAMMU, Aug 4: Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday recorded 390 COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of infections to 22,396, while 10 fatalities in the last 24 hours pushed the death toll from the disease to 417, officials said. They said all the 10 deaths were reported from the Kashmir Valley. The valley accounts for 387 of the total deaths while 30 fatalities have so far been reported from the Jammu region, the officials said. Of the fresh cases, 152 were from the Jammu region and 238 from the ...

Places of worship to open in J&K on Aug 16

05/08/2020
JAMMU, Aug 4: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Tuesday decided to open religious premises and places of worship from August 16 but extended other standard operating procedures for COVID-19 containment till August 31. "Major decision by J&K Government. All religious places and places of worship to open in Jammu & Kashmir from August 16, 2020. Religious processions and large religious gatherings remain strictly prohibited," government spokesperson RohitKansal said in a tweet. According t...

Curfew lifted from Srinagar, restrictions due to pandemic to continue

05/08/2020
SRINAGAR, Aug 4; The Srinagar administration on Tuesday evening announced lifting of curfew as the situation here remained incident free but strict restrictions would continue in areas which have seen a spike in COVID-19 cases, officials said. An order was issued by Deputy Commissioner Shahid Choudhury on Tuesday saying that after assessing the situation in the area, it has been decided to prematurely end the curfew which was slated to continue till Wednesday night. The order, however, states...

J&K’s public grievances portal integrated with Centre’s online platform: Jitendra

05/08/2020
NEW DELHI, Aug 4: An online platform of the Jammu and Kashmir government for redressal of public grievances has been integrated with the Centre's dedicated portal for it to ensure prompt resolution to people's complaints, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Tuesday. He said the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances under the Ministry of Personnel had also assisted the J&K government in preparing a dashboard for the Union Territory's Awaz-e-Awam portal, which would in tur...

India slams Pakistan; dismisses its ‘so-called new political map’ as exercise in ‘political absurdity’

05/08/2020
New Delhi/Islamabad, Aug 4: India on Tuesday slammed Pakistan for unveiling a "so-called new political map" which claimed Jammu and Kashmir and parts of Gujarat as its territories, asserting that it is a "political absurdity" and these "ridiculous assertions" have neither legal validity nor international credibility. New Delhi's strong reaction came hours after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad released the new political map of his country and said it was approved by the federal ...

Army destroys IED-like object on Srinagar-Baramulla highway

05/08/2020
Srinagar, Aug 4: The bomb disposal squad of the Indian Army on Tuesday destroyed an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) like object on Srinagar-Baramulla National Highway. The object was recovered by Road Opening Party (ROP) of 29 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) near petrol pump in Tapper Pattan area on the National Highway. "One IED like suspicious object has been recovered by ROP Of 29RR on Srinagar-Baramulla National Highway near petrol pump Tapper Pattan. It was later destroyed by Army bomb disposal s...

Pak shells forward areas in Poonch

05/08/2020
JAMMU, Aug 4: The Pakistan Army on Tuesday opened heavy fire and shelled forward areas along the LoC in Poonch district, drawing retaliation from Indian troops, officials said. They said the Pakistan Army also heavily shelled forward areas along the LoC in Dabraj belt of Mankote sector. "At about 0700 hours, Pak army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms & intense shelling with mortars along LoC in Krishnagati sector of district Poonch", a defence spokesman said. ...

BJP-affiliated panch shot at in Kulgam, injured

05/08/2020
SRINAGAR, Aug 4: Militants on Tuesday shot at and injured a panch affiliated to the BJP in Kulgam district, police said. Arif Ahmad Shah was shot at in Akhran area of Kulgam district around 9.30 pm, a police official said. Shah was rushed to a hospital at Qazigund where his condition is stated to be stable, he said. However, three policemen received minor injuries on Tuesday in a grenade attack by militants on a police post in Pulwama district, police said. They lobbed a grenade on a police b...

IRS officer Pradeep Singh tops civil services exam 2019; Pratibha Verma leads among women

05/08/2020
NEW DELHI, Aug 4: IRS officer Pradeep Singh ranked first while Pratibha Verma topped among the women in the list of 829 candidates who have qualified for the prestigious civil services in the results announced by the Union Public Service Commission on Tuesday. The top three rank holders Singh, Jatin Kishore & Verma are serving officers. Singh is a resident of Haryana, while Kishore hails from Delhi and Verma is from Uttar Pradesh. Among those who have qualified, at least 12 are from Jammu and...

16 from J&K crack UPSC Civil Services Exam

05/08/2020
Srinagar, Aug 4: Among the 829 who qualified for Civil Services Exam 2019 on Tuesday, 16 candidates are from Jammu and Kashmir. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) announced the results earlier today. Abhishek Augustsya from Jammu secured 38th rank followed by Sunny Gupta at 148. Another Jammu resident, Dev Ahuti secured 177th rank, with Parth Gupta at 240 and Asrar Ahmad Kitchloo at 248. Besides, Namgyal Angmo bagged 323rd rank closely followed by Asif Yousuf Tantray at 328. Among oth...

Patnitop land grab case: CBI searches at 11 locations

05/08/2020
NEW DELHI, Aug 4: In a major crackdown, the CBI on Tuesday conducted searches at 11 locations in Jammu and Kashmir, including the residential premises of three former CEOs of the Patnitop Development Authority booked in a case of land encroachment along with 71 others, officials said. The searches were conducted at the official and residential premises of public servants, including former CEOs of Patnitop Development Authority (PDA) K K Gupta, MA Malik and SM Sahni. These were at 11 locations ...

LG approves creation of Block Development Fund of Rs. 25 lakh on CDF pattern

05/08/2020
JAMMU, Aug 4: Lieutenant Governor, G C Murmu today approved creation of Block Development Fund of Rs. 25 lakh each to be placed at the disposal of Block Development Council Chairpersons on the pattern of Constituency Development Fund. These funds would be used for local development works in the blocks which shall be identified by the concerned BDC Chairperson as per local priorities.

Top Indian military and strategic brass review situation in eastern Ladakh

05/08/2020
NEW DELHI, Aug 4: India's top military and strategic brass on Tuesday reviewed the overall situation in eastern Ladakh amid indications that the latest round of talks between senior military commanders of Indian and Chinese armies on the next phase of disengagement of troops may not have produced encouraging results, people familiar with the developments said. They said India will maintain a high-level of alertness in all the sensitive areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), and that the...

Mob vandalises Lakhanpur toll plaza in Kathua, 6 arrested

05/08/2020
JAMMU, Aug 4: A mob attacked and ransacked the Lakhanpur toll plaza in Kathua district on Tuesday after its staffers allegedly manhandled a commuter, police said. Six staffers of the toll plaza have been arrested and an FIR has been registered against those who involved in vandalising the toll collection counters, Senior Superintendent of Police (Kathua) Shailendra Mishra told reporters. The toll plaza, which was inaugurated on July 22, is an entry point to Jammu and Kashmir. After the violen...

My belief that Ram Mandir will represent India as strong, prosperous, harmonious nation: Advani

05/08/2020
NEW DELHI, Aug 4: A day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays the foundation stone for a Ram temple in Ayodhya, veteran BJP leader L K Advani on Tuesday said it is a historic and emotional day for him and for all Indians, as he recalled the "pivotal duty" he performed in carrying out the Ram RathYatra from Somnath to Ayodhya in 1990. In a statement, he said it is his belief that the Shri Ram Mandir will represent India as a strong, prosperous, peaceful and harmonious nation with justice for...

444 new coronavirus cases, death toll rises to 396 with 8 more fatalities

03/08/2020
JAMMU, Aug 2: Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday recorded 444 new coronavirus cases, taking the total number of infected persons past 21,000, even as eight COVID-19 patients died in the last 24 hours in the union territory, officials said. "Eight persons, who were COVID-19 positive, have died over the past 24 hours in Jammu and Kashmir," an official said, adding all the deaths were reported from the Kashmir Valley. With the fresh deaths, the COVID-19 death toll in the union territory has risen to 39...

Abrogation of J&K’s special status neither ushered in development nor ended terrorism: Farooq

03/08/2020
JAMMU, Aug 2: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Sunday said the abrogation of the erstwhile state's special status had neither ushered in development nor put an end to terrorism as being narrated by some vested interests in New Delhi. He also alleged that the BJP has not learnt any lessons from the hijacking of an Indian Airlines plane in 1999 and subsequent release of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad founder Maulana Masood Azhar as they think "they are the wisest of th...

Military commanders of India & China hold fifth round of talks on border row

03/08/2020
NEW DELHI, Aug 2: Senior military commanders of India and China are holding a fresh round of talks on Sunday with an aim to ensure expeditious disengagement of troops from all the friction points along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, military sources said. It is the fifth round of corps commander-level talks in nearly two months with an aim to defuse the border tensions triggered by a violent clash between the two militaries in Pangong Tso area in eastern Ladakh on May 5. The me...

Health Ministry issues revised guidelines for international arrivals

03/08/2020
NEW DELHI, Aug 2: The Union Health Ministry on Sunday issued a set of revised guidelines for international arrivals which will come into effect from August 8. According to the guidelines, all travellers would need to give an undertaking on the online portal www.Newdelhiairport.In that they would undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days, that is, seven days paid institutional quarantine at their own cost, followed by seven days isolation at home with self-monitoring of health. "Only for compel...

CISF to take over Leh airport security this week

03/08/2020
NEW DELHI, Aug 2: The CISF is scheduled to take over on August 4 the security of the Leh airport, the country's highest-altitude commercial aerodrome in the newly created Union Territory of Ladakh, officials said. A contingent of about 100 CISF personnel will provide round-the-clock, armed security at the strategically important airport, located at 3,256 metres above sea level, they said. The Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), will be the 64t...

BSF constable, two others held by Punjab police in cross-border drugs, arms smuggling racket

03/08/2020
CHANDIGARH, Aug 2: A BSF constable and two others have been arrested in a cross-border smuggling racket of drugs and weapons, the Punjab police said on Sunday. A. 30 bore, made-in-China pistol along with five live cartridges and Rs 24.50 lakh were recovered from the three accused, identified as Border Security Force Constable Rajendra Prashad and two locals, Surmail Singh and Gurjant Singh, said Director General of Police Dinkar Gupta. The BSF constable, a resident of Ganga Nagar district of ...

Preparations, cleanliness drive in full swing ahead of Ram Mandir bhoomi pujan in Ayodhya

03/08/2020
AYODHYA, Aug 2: Preparations, including a cleanliness drive and sanitisation, are underway in Ayodhya ahead of the foundation laying ceremony of the Ram Temple on August 5, which will witness the attendance of several national leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. People were seen cleaning the roads, markets and ghats. According to the police, the security arrangements for the foundation stone-laying ceremony have been put in place and people are being requested to refrain from gathe...

SPG repatriates over 200 personnel in view of reduction in number of protectees

03/08/2020
NEW DELHI, Aug 2: The Special Protection Group (SPG) has ordered a mega repatriation of over 200 personnel to their respective security forces in view of its charter being recently amended to protect only the Prime Minister, official sources said. Top officials in the security establishment told PTI that the elite organisation with an estimated strength of about 4,000 commando-trained personnel has decided to gradually shift its personnel to their parent organisations and better utilise their ...

Chenab Rail Bridge to be ready by next year

03/08/2020
NEW DELHI, Aug 2: The world's highest railway bridge over river Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir will be ready by next year, and will connect the valley with the rest of India by train for the first time by 2022, officials said on Sunday. The bridge, which has a central span of 467 metres, is being built at a height of 359 metres from the bed level. The height of Qutab Minar in Delhi is 72 metres and that of the Eiffel Tower in Paris is 324 metres. "This is the tallest railway bridge in the world ...

Modi, Israel Prez Rivlin exchange Friendship Day greetings

03/08/2020
NEW DELHI, Aug 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi & Israeli President Reuven Rivlin exchanged Friendship Day greetings on Sunday, hoping that the relations between the two nations will grow even stronger in the times to come. “Happy #FriendshipDay to our dear friends in #India," tweeted President Rivlin in English as well as in Hindi. He also shared a picture of him with Modi, apparently taken at the RashtrapatiBhawan. The Israeli president had visited India in November, 2016. Modi responded by...

Amit Shah tests positive for coronavirus

03/08/2020
NEW DELHI, Aug 2: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said he has tested positive for coronavirus and has been admitted to a hospital following advice of doctors, the first Indian Cabinet minister to fall victim to the pandemic. A close confidant of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 55-year-old Shah made the announcement on Twitter. "I have undergone a coronavirus test after showing initial symptoms and have tested positive. My health is fine but I am getting admitted to a hospital on the adv...

High time Mehbooba Mufti is released: Rahul Gandhi

03/08/2020
NEW DELHI, Aug 2: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday demanded the release of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti who has been detained under Public Safety Act (PSA) in Jammu and Kashmir. "India's democracy is damaged when GOI illegally detains political leaders. It's high time Mehbooba Mufti is released," the Congress leader tweeted. Earlier on Saturday, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said that the extension of the detention of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister...

613 new COVID-19 cases, 11 deaths in 24 hours

02/08/2020
SRINAGAR, Aug 1: Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday recorded 613 COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths, taking the total cases in the Union Territory to 20,972. "613 COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths reported in Jammu and Kashmir in the last 24 hours. With this, total cases has risen to 20,972 including 12,871 recoveries and 388 deaths," said Jammu and Kashmir Administration. Of the total cases, 12,871 people have recovered while 388 people have died. According to the Union Health Ministry, there are 5,65,103 ac...

Army jawan killed in firing by Pak along LoC

02/08/2020
JAMMU, Aug 1: An Indian Army jawan was killed when Pakistan opened heavy fire on forward posts along the LoC in Rajouri district on Saturday, a defence spokesperson said. He said the Pakistan Army violated the ceasefire agreement by opening fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri sector. "Indian troops responded strongly to the enemy fire," the spokesperson said. In the incident, Sepoy Rohin Kumar was critically injured and he later succumbed to his injuries, he added. Kumar, a resi...

New Education Policy emphasises on making ‘job creators’ instead of ‘job seekers’: Modi

02/08/2020
NEW DELHI, Aug 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the New Education Policy announced by the government emphasises on making 'job creators' instead of 'job seekers' and asserted that attempts are being made to transform intent and content of education in the country. Addressing the finale of the Smart India Hackathon, he said the New Education Policy-2020 announced earlier this week emphasises on inter-disciplinary study which will ensure that the focus is on what the student want...

Eid a muted affair in amid COVID-19 restrictions

02/08/2020
Srinagar, Aug 1: Coronavirus-induced restr-ictions put a dampener on Eid al-Adha celebrations in Kashmir on Saturday, with most of the faithful marking the festival of sacrifice by offering prayers in small groups and observing social distancing in view of the pandemic. No prayers were offered in major mosques and shrines of Kashmir, for the third time in a row, as police enforced the strict restrictions in most parts of the valley, including Srinagar city, officials said. While Eid-ul-Fitr p...

Tilak’s belief in Indian language, culture reflected in new education policy: Shah

02/08/2020
NEW DELHI, Aug 1: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak's belief in Indian language and culture is reflected in the New Education Policy recently released by the NarendraModi government. Inaugurating a two-day international webinar on 'Lokmanya Tilak - Swaraj to Self-reliant India', he also said Tilak's ideas are being promoted through Prime Minister Modi's vision of a 'New India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India). The home minister said Tilak...

Govt focuses on healthcare, employment and ease of governance

02/08/2020
SRINAGAR, Aug 1: A year after the abrogation of special status to the erstwhile state, the focus of Jammu and Kashmir administration has been on ten fields, especially health sector, ease of governance and democratic decentralisation, officials said on Saturday. Listing achievements of the administration, the officials said it adopted the concept of 'Naya Kashmir', ensured social sector development, economic revival, implementation of Swachh Bharat mission and skill development and employment....

J&K joins ‘One Nation-One Ration Card’ scheme: Paswan

02/08/2020
NEW DELHI, Aug 1: Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Nagaland and Uttarakhand have joined the 'One Nation-One Ration Card' scheme, taking the total number of states and union territories connected under the scheme to 24, Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Saturday. With this, about 65 crore beneficiaries, comprising 80 per cent of the total beneficiaries, covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) can now get their subsidised ration from anywhere in these 24 states and union territories,...

Abrogation of Article 370: Bright sunny day for J&K

02/08/2020
Glasglow, Aug 1: It is almost one year since the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian constitution that delegated 'special status' to the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. It was this 'special status' that barred people from the Indian mainland as well as any foreigner from investing in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Not only that, a cluster of a handful of privileged families freely ran the roost and created the hereditary political lineage that in so many ways was no different ...

Extension of detention of Mehbooba under PSA an abuse of law: Chidambaram

02/08/2020
New Delhi, Aug 1: The extension of the detention of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti under the Public Safety Act (PSA) is an abuse of law and an assault on the Constit-utional rights guaranteed to every citizen, Congress leader P Chidambaram said on Saturday. "How is the 61-year-old former chief minister, a protected person under security guard round the clock, a threat to public safety? She rightly rejected the offer to release her on conditions that any self-respecting ...

GST Council to discuss AG opinion on compensation: FM

02/08/2020
NEW DELHI, Aug 1: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the Attorney General's view on GST compensation was sought after consultation with the states and a meeting of the GST Council would be held to discuss the legal opinion. The finance minister was responding to a question on apprehensions raised by certain states about the reported AG opinion on GST compensation. "This matter was discussed in the GST Council meeting when it met last time. Members expressed their views on th...

BSF seizes 2.980 kg of heroin from Punjab border

02/08/2020
JALANDHAR, Aug 1: The Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday seized two plastic bottles filled with contraband suspected to be heroin weighing 2.980 kg from the area of responsibility of 136 Bn of the BSF in Ferozepur sector. A spokesperson for the Punjab Frontier's Headquarter here said that the BSF troops guarding the water territory of River Ravi noticed some suspicious substance flowing in the river. The boat team of the BSF fished out the suspicious looking objects which turned out to ...

Former SP leader Amar Singh dies at 64

02/08/2020
NEW DELHI, Aug 1: Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh has died in Singapore where he was undergoing treatment Singh, 64, had undergone kidney transplant in 2011 and was not keeping well for a long time "Saddened to know about the death of senior leader and parliamentarian Amar Singh," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted Earlier in the day, the former Samajwadi leader had posted messages on Twitter, paying tributes to Bal Gangadhar Tilak on his 100th death anniversary and also wishing people on Eid.

Indian media constantly evolving, best of it is yet to come: Jitendra

02/08/2020
New Delhi, Aug 1: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday said the Indian media is constantly evolving and the best of it is yet to come. Addressing the valedictory session of the two-week long online refresher course on 'Role of Journalism, Media, and Cinema for Nation & Generation Building', Singh underlined the need for media to remain both critical and credible as criticism with credibility is the touchstone. Referring to the old dictum of 'Report is sacred, comment is privilege', Singh...

COVID-19 claims life of senior KAS officer

01/08/2020
JAMMU, Jul 31: Senior Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services (JKAS) officer, among 12 other COVID-19 patients, died on Friday, taking the death toll to 377. Of the 12 deaths, two were reported from Jammu and 10 from Kashmir. Meanwhile, 490 new COVID-19 cases were reported from while 375 patients recovered and discharged from across the UT. Reports said Tasaduq Jeelani, Special Secretary, Social Welfare department, died at Srinagar this evening due to COVID-19. “I find it difficult to...

Lt Governor expresses grief over Jeelani’s demise

01/08/2020
SRINAGAR, Jul 31: Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu has expressed grief over the sad and untimely demise of senior KAS Officer Tasaduq Jeelani, who was working as Special Secretary, Social Welfare department. 'He was a dedicated officer who worked with zeal and enthusiasm. It's unfortunate that we lost him so early', he said. In a condolence message, the Lt Governor has prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and forbearance to the bereaved family at this hour of grief.

Mehbooba Mufti’s detention extended by 3 months

01/08/2020
SRINAGAR, Jul 31: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Friday extended the detention of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti by three months under the Public Safety Act. Mufti was among hundreds of people who were taken into preventive custody hours ahead of the Centre revoking special status of the Jammu and Kashmir and breaking the state into two union territories on August 5 last year. The current detention order of the former chief minister was expiring on August 5 this year. According to...

Govt extends suspension of international flights till Aug 31

01/08/2020
NEW DELHI, Jul 31: Aviation regulator DGCA on Friday said the suspension of scheduled international flights to and from the country has been extended till August 31 amid the coronavirus pandemic. The suspension of scheduled international commercial services was till July 31. In the wake of the pandemic, overseas flights were suspended in late March, while cargo flights and those approved by the DGCA have been permitted to operate. In a statement, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGC...

India part of Gavi’s new COVID-19 global vaccine access drive

01/08/2020
LONDON, Jul 31: The international vaccine alliance GAVI has facilitated a new drive aimed at securing doses of COVID-19 vaccines for 92 low and middle-income countries and economies, including India, at the same time as wealthier nations. The COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) forms part of the COVAX Facility, a mechanism hosted by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, designed to guarantee rapid, fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for every country in the world. We are facing the most s...

Risk of disease spread bigger in era of globalisation: Vardhan

01/08/2020
NEW DELHI, Jul 31: In an era of globalisation, the risk of the spread of a disease is even bigger since it does not distinguish between the boundaries of countries, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Friday. Varhdan urged the WHO members to forge multi-sectoral collaboration to galvanise global response and cooperation to fight communicable and non-communicable diseases more effectively. He presided over a virtual meeting of the World Health Organization's bureau of executive board a...

SC asks Centre to ensure doctors get salaries on time, quarantine period not treated as leave

01/08/2020
NEW DELHI, Jul 31: Delhi, Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka and Tripura are yet to follow directives on timely payment of salaries to healthcare workers engaged in COVID-19 duties, the Centre on Friday told the Supreme Court, which said it cannot be "helpless" in implementing the directions. The top court also asked the Centre to clarify that compulsory quarantine period of healthcare workers is not to be treated as leave and salaries are not deducted for the period. A bench of Justices Ashok Bh...

Infiltrating terrorists intercepted in Kupwara, rifles, grenades recovered

01/08/2020
KUPWARA, Jul 31: Infiltrating terrorists were intercepted by the Indian Army after a suspicious movement of unidentified persons was detected on the Indian side of Line of Control (LoC) at Machhal sector in Kupwara on Friday. "Early morning today, suspicious movement of unidentified persons was detected on the Indian side of LoC at Machhal sector in Kupwara. Infiltrating terrorists were intercepted; firefight ensued. Operation in progress," said Chinar Corps, Indian Army. According to the Army...

Army soldier dies of accidental fire along LoC in Rajouri

01/08/2020
JAMMU, Jul 31: In two separate incidents, an Army soldier and a BSF jawan died in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, on Friday. According to the official sources, a 23-year-old Army soldier died due an accidental gunshot along the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district. Army was yet to share the details of the incident. Meanwhile, a BSF jawan died of cardiac arrest along LoC in Mankote area in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district. According to the police offic...

Mujtaba administered oath as JKPSC member

01/08/2020
SRINAGAR, Jul 31: Chairman, J&K Public Service Commission, B.R. Sharma, administered Oath of Office to the newly appointed Member Syed Ahfadul Mujtaba here today. He was administered Oath of Office at Srinagar through video conferencing.

SC says no BS-IV vehicles to be registered till decision on their sale during lockdown

01/08/2020
NEW DELHI, Jul 31: The Supreme Court Friday directed that no BS-IV vehicles would be registered by the authorities till it decides the issue of sale of such vehicles during the COVID-19 induced lockdown period in March. "We direct all the authorities not to register any BS-IV vehicles till we decide this," a bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said during the hearing conducted through video-conferencing. The top court was earlier irked over the violation of its order and had pulled up automob...

Dr. Jitendra lays foundation stones for various works being undertaken under PMGSY-II

01/08/2020
Jammu, Jul 31: The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today laid foundation stones online for various construction works being undertaken under PMGSY-II in J&K. The projects include 28 roads costing around Rs 175 cr. under PMGSY-II to be constructed in various parts of Jammu & Kashmir which includes the roads from Chanunta Khas to Bhuktrian Khas, Fa...

IGP Jammu greets people on Eid-Ul-Azha

01/08/2020
Jammu, Jul 31: Mukesh Singh-Inspector General of Police Jammu Zone has greeted the people of the State on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. He has also wished all ranks of Police & their families a joyful Eid. Mukesh Singh appealed to the people of Jammu Zone to understand the need of staying at home and offer prayers from home thereby contributing their bit towards the fight against COVID-19. He said that people should be cautious and enjoy the festivity from home. In his message, he prayed for ...

DDC Kishtwar seeks public cooperation in fighting Covid 19

01/08/2020
KISHTWAR, Jul 31: District development Commissioner, Rajinder Singh Tara, today sought full cooperation of people in the fight against Covid 19 and appealed them to observe SOPs and guidelines, particularly amid the festival season. He was addressing a press conference and extended his warm greetings to the people of Kishtwar on the auspicious occasions of Eid-ul-Adha and Raksha Bandhan festival. He appealed the people to celebrate these occasions by following the SOPs including wearing face...

HIGHEST SINGLE-DAY DEATH: 450 new positive COVID-19 cases, 17 deaths reported

31/07/2020
JAMMU, Jul 30: Jammu and Kashmir recorded its highest single-day spike in the COVID-19 death toll on Thursday as 17 patients succumbed in the last 24 hours, even as the Union Territory recorded 450 new coronavirus cases, taking the number of infected people to 19,869, officials said. "Seventeen persons, who were COVID-19 positive, died in Jammu and Kashmir in the last 24 hours," an official said, adding that all but one death were reported from the Kashmir valley. This is the highest sing...

J&K revises home quarantine guidelines for asymptomatic positive patients

31/07/2020
SRINAGAR, Jul 30: In an important modification in the protocol for positives of Covid- 19 infection and their contacts, Jammu and Kashmir Government today revised home isolation guidelines to permit such patients for home quarantine who are asymptomatic with no comorbidity and are not vulnerable otherwise. An order issued by Health & Medical Education Department in this regard asked Divisional, District as well as designated institutions and hospitals which include SKIMS Soura, Srinagar, Govt....

SEC issues revised Protocol for administrative, institutional quarantine for rail, air travellers

31/07/2020
JAMMU, Jul 30: The State Executive Committee (SEC), has issued revised Quarantine Procedures and protocols to be followed for all incoming passengers by Air, Rail and Road into the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The SOPs regarding COVID testing have been revised by the SEC in exercise of powers conferred upon it under Section 24 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 in supersession of all previous orders, instructions and protocols on the subject keeping in view the minimal positivity ...

Pak indulging in activities to deflect attention from support to terror: India

31/07/2020
NEW DELHI, Jul 30: As Pakistan plans to hold protests to mark one year of the scrapping of Article 370, India on Thursday said the neigbouring country indulges in such activities to divert international attention from its support to cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. August 5 will mark the first anniversary of India's decision to abrogate Article 370 of the Indian Constitution from Jammu and Kashmir and to bifurcate the state into two union territories. "They indulge in activities t...

Suo Moto contempt initiated against Govt Official

31/07/2020
JAMMU, Jul 30: Justice Rajesh Bindal of J&K High Court while hearing bunch of petitions regarding selection to the post of the Deputy Medical Superintendent, advertised vide Notification No. 16-PSC of 2005 dated 13.10.2005, imposed costs Rs one Lac costs to &K Public Service Commission as well as the Commissioner Secretary, Department of Health and Medical Education for not apprising the Court as to whether there is any other matter, pertaining to same selection, pending before the other Be...

Pak indulging in activities to deflect attention from support to terror: India

31/07/2020
NEW DELHI, Jul 30: As Pakistan plans to hold protests to mark one year of the scrapping of Article 370, India on Thursday said the neigbouring country indulges in such activities to divert international attention from its support to cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. August 5 will mark the first anniversary of India's decision to abrogate Article 370 of the Indian Constitution from Jammu and Kashmir and to bifurcate the state into two union territories. "They indulge in activities t...

Soz under ‘unlawful house arrest’ accuses J&K Admin of ‘lying’ in SC

31/07/2020
SRINAGAR, Jul 30: Senior Congress leader Saifuddin Soz continued to be under house arrest on Thursday, in spite of the Jammu and Kashmir administration informing the Supreme Court that there are no curbs on the movement of the former Union minister. However, spokesperson for the Jammu and Kashmir administration Rohit Kansal said there is no question of lying in the apex court and reiterated the stand that Soz is a free man. "Mr. Saiffudin Soz former MP and Minister not under arrest or det...

Full Court Reference held in remembrance of Justice Gupta

31/07/2020
SRINAGAR, Jul 30: A Full Court Reference was held today at Srinagar wing of the High Court to condole the demise of Justice Sanjay Kumar Gupta sitting judge of the High Court who passed away on 27th of July, 2020 after a long illness. On this occasion, the Chief Justice Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Justice Gita Mittal, in her condolence address stated that Justice Sanjay Kumar Gupta throughout his career as a lawyer and later as a Judge remained a humble man who did not believe in showcasi...

Militants target Army vehicle in Pulwama, no casualties

31/07/2020
SRINAGAR, Jul 30: Militants on Thursday opened fire at an Army vehicle in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said There was no loss of life in the attack. The ultras opened fire on the vehicle of the Army at Drubgam Payeen in Pulwama and fled from the spot, a police official said. Security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a search for the militants, he added.

DISPROPORTIONATE ASSETS CASE: ACB registers case against Assistant Commissioner PF, Properties worth crores detected; Searches conducted

31/07/2020
JAMMU, Jul 30: Anti-Corruption Bureau Jammu registered a case FIR No. 11/2020 U/S 5 (1) (e) r/w 5(2) J&K P.C Act Svt. 2006 and section 120-B RPC against Parvinder Singh, Asstt. Commissioner (Provident Fund, Jammu) S/o Sewa Singh R/o H.No. 235 Chatha Farm, Jammu on the basis of secret verification/reliable information that Parvinder Singh has accumulated huge assets moveable/immovable which are disproportionate to his known sources of income by indulging in corrupt and illegal practices. As per...

CBI probe into educational trust land allotment case: Kathua Collector forms team to trace land record details

31/07/2020
JAMMU, Jul 30: A team has been formed by the Kathua Collector to trace some documents related to the allotment of land to an educational trust in Jammu and Kashmir, which is under the CBI's preliminary enquiry, officials said on Thursday. The move comes as some of the documents, requested for examination by the central probe agency, were allegedly found missing, the officials said. "A team has been formed by the Kathua Collector to locate the documents related to the allotment of land, an off...

India's development cooperation does not come with conditions: Modi

31/07/2020
NEW DELHI, Jul 30: India's development cooperation with other nations does not come with any condition and is not influenced by political or commercial considerations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Thursday. He also said the country's approach to development is mainly human-centric and it wants to work for the welfare of humanity. "Our development partnerships reflect the development priorities of our partner nations," Modi said, addressing a virtual event of the inauguration of a ...

Govt establishes 12 AMRIT Pharmacies across J&K

31/07/2020
SRINAGAR, Jul 30: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir, with an aim to reduce Out Of Pocket Expenditure for the consumers, has established twelve AMRIT Pharmacies across the Union Territory. These stores provide branded drugs, implants, surgical and disposable items at affordable prices. AMRIT pharmacies, which are operating under an MOU between both Central and Union Territory administrations, sell branded drugs such as those used for treating cancer and cardiovascular diseases at an average ...

Govt orders fast tracking of Environment Clearance Process in minor minerals mining operations

31/07/2020
SRINAGAR, Jul 30: The Jammu and Kashmir government today ordered the fast tracking of Environment Clearance Process in minor minerals mining operations across J&K. The order issued by the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department and Industries and Commerce Department said that in view of the acute and unprecedented shortage of key material for development works and challenging Covid-19 pandemic, it is hereby ordered that the Terms of Reference (ToRs), Public Consultation and Environment Cle...

Jammu to have Wi-Fi hotspots, vertical gardens

31/07/2020
JAMMU, Jul 30: Wi-Fi hotspots, vertical gardens and wayfinding signages will soon come up in Jammu as part of the measures to make it a smart city, officials said on Thursday. They said Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor G C Murmu has laid the e-foundation of four projects under Jammu smart city mission. "In the first phase, there will be a smart vertical garden from below the flyover from Dogra Chowk to KC Chowk at a project cost of Rs 4.5 crore and junction improvement in 10 significant ...