SRINAGAR: Weather remained clear in J&K and Ladakh on Friday as the Meteorological (MeT) department forecast the same weather conditions to continue in the two union territories during the next 24 hours.
“Weather is likely to remain dry with clear sky in J&K and Ladakh during the next 24 hours,” news agency IANS quoted an official of the MeT department as having said.
Srinagar had 8.4, Pahalgam 1.7 and Gulmarg 2.5 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature.
Drass town in Ladakh had minus 4.2, Leh 1.4 and Kargil 1.0 as the night’s lowest temperature.
Jammu had 17.9, Katra 19.8, Batote 13.7, Banihal 11.6 and Bhaderwah 9.7 as the minimum temperature.
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SRINAGAR: India on Thursday reported 1,225 fresh Covid-19 infections, a marginal fall from the previous day’s count of 1,233 cases, as per the Union Health Ministry’s data.
A total of 28 Covid-related deaths were also reported in the last 24 hours, taking the toll to 5,21,129.
Meanwhile, following a continuous downward trend, India’s active caseload has further declined to 14,307, constituting 0.03 per cent of the country’s total positive cases.
With as many as 1,594 patients recovering in the same time span, the cumulative tally of recovered patients since the beginning of the pandemic stands at 4,24,89,004. Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.76 per cent.
Also in the same period, a total of 6,07,987 tests were conducted across the country. India has so far conducted over 78.91 crore cumulative tests.
There has been a sustained fall in the weekly and daily positivity rates too. Weekly positivity rate in the country currently stands at 0.23 per cent and the daily positivity rate is also reported to be 0.20 per cent.
On the vaccination front, India’s Covid vaccination coverage has exceeded 184.06 crore as per provisional reports till 7 a.m this morning. This has been achieved through 2,19,86,205 sessions. Over 1.60 crore adolescents have been administered with the first dose of Covid vaccine since the beginning of the vaccination drive for 12 to 14 age group, said the ministry.
More than 15.67 crore balance and unutilised Covid vaccine doses are still available with the states and UTs, as per the ministry. (IANS)
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Three months after a couple of UAE’s retail chains started importing Kashmir products, a major delegation of the potential investors spent three days in Srinagar exploring possibilities of investment,Tahir Bhatreports
LG Manoj Sinha interacting with entrepreneurs and CEOs from Gulf countries who are on a visit to explore business opportunities in J&K on March 21, 2022
A delegation of 36 honchos of various businesses, mostly from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), spent almost four days in Srinagar, exploring possibilities of investment. Though it was an exploratory visit, indications suggest that some of them have hinted that they would like to do something in Jammu and Kashmir.
Apart from attending the day-long Gulf Investors Summit in Srinagar, the potential investors – who had flown in a private jet to Srinagar – spent a night each at Pahalgam and Gulmarg. “It was just an exploratory visit as we had told them to see the place first, but, what I was told, most of them are positive,” Bal Kishen, the CEO of Dubai’s Century Financial said. “We will have a review meeting soon and will be able to convey who will be doing what.”
Bal Kishen Rathore, basically from Kishtwar is settled in UAE since 1996. He said he has personally committed to investing the US $100 million and after the latest visit, he will be doing more. “The commitment of this investment envisaged a multi-purpose construction in Jammu having housing and commercial parts and a hotel each at Basholi, Doda and Bhaderwah,” Kishen said. “Now, after the latest visit, I have decided to invest in a hotel each at Pahalgam, Srinagar and Gulmarg the details of which will be known once the process starts.”
LG Manoj Sinha with an Arab trader delegation in Srinagar. A BJP member is also part of the frame. The delegation visited Srinagar in March 2022
Ever since the Jammu and Kashmir administration started looking for offshore investments after the announcement of the new industrial policy, the UAE was perhaps the nearest and the first destination. Top officials including the Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha flew to UAE and met the potential investors.
“The first round was instantly impressive,” Farooq Amin, the Secretary-General of the Kashmir Chamber said. “A number if business groups who are in retail started importing Kashmir products and gave us the market. These included mostly fruits and handicrafts.”
LG Manoj Sinha shows various products from Jammu and Kashmir to the visiting Arab traders’ delegation in Srinagar.
In the first round when LG Sinha flew to the island nation, the Jammu and Kashmir administration signed several MoUs with UAE-based Al Maya Group, MATU Investments LLC, GL Employment Brokerage LLC and Noon. Groups like the Lulu group have been sourcing Kashmir products and selling them through their retail chains across the region. They are reported to have appointed staff that keeps the supply lines going.
Amin said they had a very good meeting with the visiting delegation. “We suggested to them that they can take their time in deciding what they wish to do but we insisted that they must have tie-ups with the local businesses,” Amin said. “They agreed to it and the first major announcement they made in Srinagar was to create a Jammu and Kashmir Centre in Dubai where they can encourage and invest in ideas put forward by the new generation.”
Bal Kishen said various members of the Emeriti businessmen who visited Srinagar have agreed to hire the youth from Jammu and Kashmir. It will be mostly in the human resource intensive hospitality sector. Already, more than 15000 Kashmiri residents work in UAE.
New Initiatives
“The delegation returned satisfied, they liked the place and were very impressed by the cooperation that the local businesses extended,” Bal Kishen said. “It is a fact that the investors look for profits and they have found investments profitable. Whatever I could gather, they will be investing in hotel lines, resort making, hospitals, university, retail and the cold store.” However, Kishen said the final decision will only be taken once they meet within or after the Ramzan, the Muslim month of fasting.
“The idea is to get another delegation in the next two to three months,” Kishen said. “We will be approaching some major businesses, owned and run by the NRI but it will take a bit of time.”
A Kashmir artisan showing a miniature of Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid carved in wood.
Kashmir Chamber President talked to the media in appreciation of the initiative. “We hope it would provide create ample opportunities for our young entrepreneurs, start-ups who pitched their investment ideas before the visiting business,” Sheikh Ashiq said. “People from Gulf countries are coming for investment which is a good thing. We have been making efforts for this kind of interaction.”
Authorities had invited a number of local entrepreneurs and start-ups to showcase their ideas and products. According to an official spokesman BST Organics Pvt Ltd, Pashmkaar, Sarveshwar Group, Sky Robo Drones Pvt Ltd, ESPA Learn Pvt Ltd, Fastbeetle, Orchardly, JKTDC, Reem Automotives, Peaks Group of Companies showcased their products and pitched their ideas to the investors for investment and answered their queries during the interactive session. There were some women entrepreneurs who are being provided assistance in the form of capacity building, access to credit, and market linkages under the Hausla- inspiring her growth programme also pitched their models for further investment. These included Ecokash, Masha and SEED solutions.
The Speech
LG Sinha termed the visit “an expression of confidence” in the potential for business cooperation between Jammu and Kashmir and the Gulf countries. “We have worked with a coherent framework in the last two years to harness Jammu and Kashmir’s immense natural resources and economic potential,” Sinha said. “Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, we have also worked out a blueprint to unlock investment flows from compliance and restrictions. Over Rs 70,000 crores worth investment proposals have been received within a year.”
Sinha said his administration has promised to provide global standard end-to-end facilities for the businesses, skilled workforce, transparent and hassle-free regulatory mechanism, and creation of necessary infrastructure wherever required.
“So far about 130 services are active on our single-window portal. We have also coordinated with various departments towards minimizing regulatory compliance burden over the businesses by eradicating redundant compliances, streamlining the processes for ease of doing business in the UT,” Sinha said, insisting the Jammu and Kashmir offers an abundant demographic dividend, amazingly easy interface with the Government, specific industrial land bank, sector-specific policy, ever-growing public infrastructure, reforms furthering ease of doing business, a host of tax benefits, and most importantly a secure environment to facilitate new investments. “We are committed to protecting and promoting economic growth, and exploiting the opportunities.”
Seeking Saudi Markets
Reports appearing in media said that the encouraging response to the Kashmir products in the region has encouraged policymakers to seek help from Saudi Arabia and Qatar in opening its markets to Kashmir products, mostly fruits and handicrafts. There are efforts to invite business leaders from the two countries for similar exploratory visits.
Kashmiri handicraft dealer explained the carpet to a visiting delegation of Arab traders in Srinagar in March 2022. LG Manoj Sinha is guiding the guests.
Certain products of Kashmir, especially used for headgear are not so unpopular in the desert kingdom. At the peak of Saudi’s tensions with Pakistan over Kashmir, Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman wore Kashmiri Shahtoos Shawl while presiding over a meeting of the Public Investment Fund. Kashmir’s silken carpets have always remained a key Srinagar import to the country. This was the reason why the Kashmir Chamber is seeking a direct flight from Srinagar on the pattern of the Srinagar-Sharjah flight.
Delegation, Timing
Officials said the delegation comprises 36 businessmen. These included Saleh Mohammad Ramadhan Alrafi, who is in the real estate and commercial trading, Mohammad Ali Redha Alhasimi, (MD Al Hashemi Group), Ahmad Mohammad Ramadhan Alrafei, (CEO Roya International), Abdulla Omar Ahmad Ahmad Altayer, (ED Al-Tayer Group), Salem Abdulaziz Mustafa Abdulla Almazrooqi, who represented the Rulers Office in Abu Dhabi, Ramesh Kumar Sawarthia, (Chairman of Sawarthia Group from Hong Kong) and Ayman Abdulrahman S Alhilali (CEO Alpha Sky, Saudi Arabia).
The delegation included a member of the royal family, Shaikh Abdelaziz Humaid Saqer Alqasimi, diplomat Awadh Mohamed Al Mogrin Sultan, Jassim Mohammed Jassim Ahli (Director Intercontinental Dubai), Abdulaziz Mohammad Saeed Abdulla (Hanadi Trading Est), and Mazher Farooqui Sabir (Sr Editor, Khaleej Times). Also in the delegation were Salem Abdulaziz Mustafa Abdulla Almazrooqi (partner of Rawaaj), Mohamed Saleh Hassan Mohamed Almulla (Everon Dubai), Abdulla Mohammad Yousuf Abdulla Alshaibani (Emirates International Investment), Abdelrahim Abdalla Mohamed Safar (Gulf Travel and Tourism), Abdulla Ali Salem Mohammad Mubarak (Ava Art Gallery) and Karan Kumar Bhawnani (West Zone) and various temple trustees.
The group had a few NRIs also. These included Kamal Puri (Chairman Skyline International Group Ltd), Manohar Mohanlal Lahori (CEO Palmon Group) and Tauseef Chaman (real estate and property developer).
The delegation visit coincided with the 57-member OIC’s Foreign Ministers Conclave (March 21) in Islamabad in which the host talked about Kashmir and the group’s failure in addressing it. The Government of India strongly objected to the raking up of Kashmir in the meeting.
LG Manoj Sinha in a group photograph with the team of a potential investor during the Dubai summit in early January 2022.. Pic: DIPR-JK
Though the desert region is the nearest to the Indian coasts and is literally managed by the India-Pakistan workforce, UAE has made its intimate relations with India public when it emerged as the first Muslim country to publicly announce that August 5, 2019 decision making was India’s “internal matter”.
“We took note of the introduction of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill in the Indian Parliament aimed at replacing Article 370 with the creation of Ladakh region and the state of Jammu and Kashmir as India’s two new Union Territories,” Ahmad Al Banna, UAE Ambassador to India, said. “We expect that the changes would improve social justice and security and confidence of the people in the local governance and will encourage further stability and peace.”
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SRINAGAR: At least twenty-two houses were gutted and four persons were injured in a massive fire in Gata Colony in Noorbagh area of Srinagar district overnight, officials said on Thursday.
A residential house damaged in a fire at Noorbagh in Srinagar on March 31, 2022
They said the fire broke out due to a short-circuit in one of the houses and spread quickly to others, damaging 22 of them and a tin shed. Eleven of the houses damaged were single-storey, ten were double-storey and one was a 3-storey structure, they said.
They said that fire brought control and three persons—Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh, Tahir Ahmad Sheikh and Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh—and a firefighter received injuries in the incident and were hospitalized. All 33 families were residing in these houses and have been rendered shelterless in the devastating blaze, news agency GNS quoted the officials as having said.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the fire erupted due to short-circuit but a detailed inquiry was underway to conclude the reasons behind the fire, the officials added.
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SRINAGAR: A three-headed Vishnu sculpture was recovered by the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums from Kakapora area of Pulwama district.
Three-Headed Sculpture Of Lord Vishnu Recovered From River Jhelum in Kakapora village of Pulwama on Wednesday, March 30,2022
The sculpture was recovered from the River Jhelum during the course of extraction of sand at Kakapura area of Pulwama district by some labourers and was handed over to the Police Station Kakapura.
After completing legal formalities the sculpture was handed over to Deputy Director Archives, Archaeology and Museums Kashmir.
The finely carved and well dressed/polished sculpture demonstrates clearly the sculptural style in use at Avantipora during the 9th century AD.
The sculpture is now housed in SPS Museum Srinagar for further studies.
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SRINAGAR: Body of a mentally unsound person was found in Drugmulla area of Kupwara district in north Kashmir on Thursday.
Quoting sources, news agency GNS reported that some passersby spotted the body near Jamia Masjid Drugmulla and informed the police station about it. A police team reached the spot and took the body into possession.
The deceased has been identified as Fayaz Ahmad Bhat son of Ghulam Rasool Bhat, a resident of Hatmulla Kupwara.
A police official said that man was mentally unsound and the body is being handed over after medico-legal formalities to his family for last rites.
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SRINAGAR: Weather remained dry in J&K and Ladakh on Wednesday as the Meteorological (MeT) department forecast mainly clear to partly cloudy weather during the next 24 hours.
“Weather is expected to remain mainly clear to partly cloudy in J&K and Ladakh during the next 24 hours,” news agency IANS quoted an official of the MeT department as having said.
Srinagar had 8.8, Pahalgam 2.9 and Gulmarg 3.6 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature.
Drass in the Ladakh region had minus 3.6, Leh 2.2 and Kargil 0.6 as the night’s lowest temperature.
Jammu had 18.0, Katra 17.2, Batote 12.1, Banihal 7.4 and Bhaderwah 10.0 as the minimum temperature.
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SRINAGAR: Police on Wednesday arrested a man from Bemina area of Srinagar following a “viral video” in which he is purportedly seen shooting a street dog dead with his 12 bore rifle.
Quoting a police officer news agency GNS reported that one person identified as Iqbal Ahmed Dar son of Ghulam Hassan Dar of Khumani Chowk Bemina killed the dog with a 12 bore rifle on Tuesday.
“He made a video of it that went viral on social media,” the officer said, adding, “A case (FIR no 21/2022) under section 429 IPC has been registered in this connection at police station Bemina.” The person has been arrested, the officer said. The offence of 429 IPC envisages imprisonment for a term that may extend to five years or with a fine or both.
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SRINAGAR: Kashmir Transporters Welfare Association, an amalgam of various transporters associations, on Wednesday deferred its strike scheduled today after midnight negotiations with the government.
“There were two rounds of meeting with officers at Jammu during the day on Tuesday and both ended without any headway. However late last night we were called for a meeting which started at midnight and lasted till around 3 a.m.,” news agency GNS quoted General Secretary of the Association Sheikh Mohammad Yousuf saying.
He said that the meeting was held under the chairmanship of Divisional Commissioner Jammu and was attended among others by Transport Commissioner J&K, Deputy Commissioner Jammu and SSP Jammu.
“They accepted most of our demands in principle following which we decided to defer the strike,” he said, adding, “we have been assured that a committee will be constituted with regard to our demands regarding age of the vehicles while other four demands were agreed on the spot.”
Among others, the association demands a rollback of the order dated February 7 by virtue of which age limit has been prescribed for the commercial vehicles. The transporters have demanded 25 years age for the commercial vehicle be retained.
With regard to the installation of vehicle tracking devices in passenger vehicles, Yousuf said that the government has agreed that the device “can be procured from open market and not from a few dealers designated by the transport department earlier”.
He said that the government also accepted the demand of not allowing SRTC to run its fleet “in a manner which was against directions by High Court and other laws”.
The government, he said, also agreed that there would be a driving license test for auto rickshaws and that passenger tax arrears would be paid in installments.
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SRINAGAR: The body of a missing teenage girl was recovered from river Jhelum at Chreshbal area of Mujgund on Wednesday morning.
Quoting official sources the news agency KNO reported that a 17-year-old girl (name withheld) from the Rainawari area of Srinagar had allegedly committed suicide by jumping into river Jehlum from Cement Kadal Qamarwari on 23rd March.
They said that the family had lodged a missing report on the same day at PS Rainawari.
Meanwhile, river police Srinagar and SDRF had launched a rescue operation to retrieve the body.
Meanwhile, the SDRF team and river police have retrieved the body of a teenage girl from river Jhelum in the Chreshbal area of Mujgund and the body has been taken to a nearby hospital for legal medico formalities.
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SRINAGAR: At least eight shops were damaged in a midnight blaze in Gadyar area of Zainakadal in Srinagar.
Eight shops were damaged in a midnight blaze at Gadyar area of Zainakadal in Srinagar on Wednesday March 30,2022. KL Image by Bilal Bahadur
Quoting official sources the news agency KNO reported that the fire broke out at Gadyar Zainakadal at around 01 am on the intervening night of Tuesday-Wednesday.
In the incident, five shops were gutted completely while three shops suffered partial damage, they said.
Locals said the firemen arrived on time and tried to douse the flames, however, by the time they arrived, eight shops had already been engulfed in flames.
Nonetheless, no loss of life or injury was reported in the incident and the cause of the fire is being ascertained.
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SRINAGAR: A youth was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Seer Hamdan area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Wednesday morning, officials said.
Quoting officials news agency KNO reported that body of youth identified as Basit Ahmad Dar son of Abdul Hameed Dar from Rampora Mattan was spotted this morning by locals and a police team recovered it and shifted to hospital for postmortem.
A police official said that the youth has died under mysterious conditions and as such they have taken cognizance of the incident and started investigation.
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SRINAGAR: Two militants were killed in an encounter with counter-insurgent forces at Rainawari area in central Kashmir’s Srinagar district on Wednesday.
An official said that two militants were killed in the encounter at Rainawari area of Srinagar.
Earlier, a police spokesman said a gunfight broke out between militants and forces at Rainawari area in Srinagar.
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SRINAGAR: Former minister and senior politician Ghulam Qadir Mir passed away on Tuesday. A resident of Harie Kupwara, Mir was 92.
Ghulam Qadir Mir
He was elected to Legislative Assembly in 1977 on National Conference ticket and became transport Minister. He was a close associate of the founder of the National Conference and former Chief Minister Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah. He deserted National Conference in 2002.
Apart from his wife, Mir is survived by his five sons and three daughters.
According to family the funeral prayers of Mir will be held at 5:30 PM at his ancestral village in Kupwara.
He fought the Assembly Elections unsuccessfully in 2002 lost to National Conference Mir Saifullah as an Independent candidate.
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SRINAGAR: A soldier was injured after his service rifle went off accidentally as he was cleaning it at a camp in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Tuesday.
Quoting official sources news agency GNS reported that the incident occurred at army’s 34RR Camp at Behibag Kulgam this morning and the soldier identified as Vishnu has been shifted to army’s 92 base hospital for treatment. “It was not immediately known if the soldier suffered serious or minor injuries in the incident,” they added.
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SRINAGAR: India reported 1,259 fresh Covid cases and 35 deaths in a span of 24 hours, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Tuesday.
With the new deaths, the total number has reached 5,21,070 in the country.
Following the continuous downward trend, India’s active caseload has further declined to 15,378, constituting 0.04 per cent of the country’s total positive cases.
A total of 1,705 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients since the beginning of the pandemic is now at 4,24,85,534. Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.75 per cent.
Also in the same period, a total of 5,77,559 tests were conducted across the country. India has so far conducted over 78.79 crore cumulative tests.
There has been a sustained fall in the weekly and daily positivity rates too. Weekly positivity rate currently stands at 0.25 per cent and the daily positivity rate is also reported to be 0.22 per cent.
On the vaccination front, India’s Covid-19 inoculation coverage has exceeded 183.53 crore as per the provisional reports till 7 a.m. Tuesday. This has been achieved through 2,18,49,698 sessions.
Over 1.36 crore adolescents have been administered with the first dose of Covid vaccine since the beginning of the inoculation drive for 12 to 14 age group, said the ministry on Tuesday morning.
More than 16.05 crore balance and unutilised Covid vaccine doses are still available with the states and union territories to be administered, according to the health ministry as of Tuesday morning. (IANS)
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SRINAGAR: An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 on the Richter scale jolted North of Alchi (Leh), Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday morning, informed the National Center for Seismology (NCS).
The earthquake was felt at 7.29 am at 186 kilometres North of Alchi village in Leh district of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir.
“Earthquake of Magnitude:4.3, Occurred on 29-03-2022, 07:29:39 IST, Lat: 35.87 and Long: 77.47, Depth: 148 Km, Location: 186km N of Alchi (Leh), Jammu and Kashmir,” NCS tweeted.
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SRINAGAR: The weather remained dry with clear sky in J&K and Ladakh on Monday after Jammu city recorded the highest ever March temperature at 37.3 degrees Celsius the previous day.
“Jammu recorded 37.3 degrees Celsius as the maximum temperature yesterday. This is the highest ever recorded in the month of March. The last highest recorded in March was 37.2 on March 31, 1945.
“Weather is likely to remain dry in J&K and Ladakh during the next 24 hours,” an official of the Meteorological (MeT) department said.
Srinagar had 9.4, Pahalgam 6.2 and Gulmarg 4.6 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature.
Drass town in Ladakh had minus 1.3, Leh 2.0 and Kargil zero as the night’s lowest temperature.
Jammu had 19.7, Katra 17.8, Batote 12.5, Banihal 8.6 and Bhaderwah 9.5 as the minimum temperature.
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SRINAGAR: The family of a Kulgam youth, who died due to ‘cardiac arrest’ in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, have appealed government to help them to bring back the body to home for last rites.
Mustakeen Ahmad Pandit (26), son of Nazir Ahmad Pandit of Yaripora village in Kulgam district was working at Al Yamama Company, Riyadh for last two years, news agency KNO quoted Showkat Ahmad his cousin as having said.
He said Mustakeen was working as an engineer there and has reportedly died due to cardiac arrest.
“Mustakeen was an engineer there and he called his family last time on 26th March at around 10:30 PM. Yesterday we came to know about this shocking news through his friend that he has died due to cardiac arrest,” he said.
“We appeal to Jammu and Kashmir government as well as Central government to help us to bring back the body for last rites,” Showkat said.
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SRINAGAR: Several passengers were on Monday injured in a road accident at Lam area of Nowshera sub division of Rajouri district.
As per initial details, a passenger bus on way to Nowshera from Lam Line of Control area fell into a roadside gorge on Lam road.
“We have launched a rescue operation at the accident site and it has come to our knowledge that more than twelve persons are injured while several among them are critical,” news agency KNO quoted a police officer as having said.
Presently, Army, police and locals are carrying out rescue operation at the bus accident site.
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SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) today successfully conducted first ever OMR based objective type written examination for the post of Sub Inspector (Police), Home Department.
The Board had setup 322 examination centres across 16 districts of Jammu and Kashmir with maximum number of venues (65) in Jammu and lowest number of venues (6) in Kishtwar districts.
Pertinently, the Home Department referred 1200 posts of Sub-Inspector (Police) for recruitment through direct recruitment. Subsequently, the JKSSB advertised aforesaid posts vide advertisement notification number 06 of 2021, under item No. 668, against which out of registered 1,13,861 candidates scheduled to appear for the posts, 97,793 (85.95%) candidates actually participated in the examination.
The OMR examination test was conducted with the active cooperation and support of respective district administrations and Jammu and Kashmir Police besides other related departments. The Private Schools and colleges extended their full cooperation in conduct of the aforesaid examination.
“The JKSSB was entrusted with recruitment of Sub-Inspector, Police (Home Department) for the first time in history of J&K. I express my gratitude to all role partners including Deputy Commissioners, Police, Transport, education, Traffic Police, Health department and others for their enormous cooperation in successful conduct of the exam. The Board ensured enhanced transparency and fairness during the examination process by equipping all the venues with facility of live CCTV surveillance and capturing of bio-metric attendance to avert attempts of unfair means practices”, said the Chairman JKSSB.
The JKSSB deployed a multi layered structure for supervision with one Centre Observer and Centre Magistrate for each examination Centre, in addition to the Center Superintendent and Invigilators. Besides, 322 Magistrates, 322 Centre Observers and 322 Centre Superintendents and around 4800 Invigilators were deployed for smooth conduct of the examination. Also, CCTV live streaming, Flying Squads and Chief Inspectors were nominated for effective supervision and monitoring of the examination. GAD also nominated Examination Observers for each district.
Adequate security arrangements were made at each Examination Centre by the J&K Police for frisking and maintenance of law and order.
The officers and officials deployed, while exercising vigil, detected one case of attempted unfair means by candidate at Government Women Degree College, Anantnag. The candidate was found to be in possession of Mobile Phone while attempting to appear in aforesaid examination. However, the same was retrieved and candidate was immediately put in isolation.
Section 27(a) of the Jammu & Kashmir Services Selection Board (Conduct of Examination) Regulations, 2013, lays down that “the candidate found to be in possession of communication device, electronic equipment/ gadget or any other material with the intention of receiving assistance shall be declared to be using unfair means in the examination”. Accordingly, the Services Selection Board in order to maintain transparency & fairness in the examination decided to disqualify the said candidates and debar the said candidates for 3 years from participating in the Examinations conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board, in accordance with procedure.
Further, the aforesaid examination was strictly conducted in pursuance of the SoPs notified under COVID 19 protocols and required medical teams were deployed at the venues.
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SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired the 41st Board meeting of Amarnath Shrine Board at the Raj Bhavan on Sunday.
During the meeting, it was decided that this year, the 43-day holy pilgrimage will commence on 30th June with all covid protocols in place and will culminate, as per the tradition, on the day of Raksha Bandhan, 11th August 2022.
Further, the online registration for Shri Amarnathji Yatra will start from 11th April.
During the Board meeting, the Lt Governor, Members of the Board- Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj; D. C. Raina, Kailash Mehra Sadhu; K. N. Rai; K.N.Shrivastava; Pitambar Lal Gupta; Dr Shailesh Raina; Prof Vishwamurti Shastri and the senior officers of UT administration also had in-depth discussions on various issues on upcoming Yatra.
The Lt Governor called on the officials to be proactive and ensure elaborate arrangements for conducting smooth Yatra as large number of devotees are expected to arrive to pay their obeisance at the Holy Cave this year. He also said the government is introducing RFID system for pilgrims to track their movement en-route to ensure their well-being.
He laid special emphasis on providing best-in-class health facilities to all the visiting devotees and service providers, strengthening telecommunication channels for Yatris, besides use of latest technological measures to achieve optimal synergy between the different government departments and agencies.
Nitishwar Kumar, CEO, SASB gave a brief overview of the route map of the holy Shrine and various services being made available by the SASB en route and at the holy Cave.
It was informed that key preparations have been made for this year’s Yatra. With increased capacity for accommodation, new Yatri Niwas Bhawans, augmented health facilities, upgraded tracks, telecommunication facilities, Heli Services, SASB App, year-long Insurance for Ponywaalas, many unique initiatives have been taken for the benefit of Yatris and service providers.
Rahul Singh, Addl. CEO, SASB briefed the meeting about the activities and development works being carried out in connection with the annual Yatra, besides presenting Agenda items before the Board.
Several suggestions and inputs were presented by the members of SASB which included sustained media campaign via social media, mobile app and youtube videos for facilitating people with all the information regarding the Yatra viz-a viz: how to avail yatra services, do’s and don’ts, mandatory heath checkups.
Amartnath Shrine board has decided that the Yatra would commence simultaneously from both the routes – the Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district. The board has also decided to put in place a daily route-wise pilgrims ceiling to 10,000 excluding Yatri’s who would travel by helicopters. The board has also decided to extend the free-of-cost battery car service for Yatri’s at 2.75 Km-long Baltal to Domel stretch.
The Lt Governor during the meeting also directed for sending special invites to Akhada Parishads, Acharya Parishads for facilitation of Sadhu and Sant Samaj.
The Lt Governor said that all the suggestions made by the board members will be acted upon by the concerned officers of UT administration and SASB. He further directed the officers to complete all the ongoing infrastructure upgradation works by May end.
The Lt Governor stressed on ensuring world-class sanitation arrangement on the track and in Yatra camps. He said that all the utilities on the track routes should be ready and made functional well before the commencement of yatra.
The Lt Governor also called for wide publicity of the information regarding Shri Amarnathji Yatra-2022. He further directed the officials to explore the possibility of involving additional public and private Banks and their branches for providing yatra permits.
The Lt Governor also suggested for engaging research fellows for promoting and generating authentic literature and research books with regard to Shri Amarnathji Shrine.
The board will also enable live telecast of morning and evening Aarti (Prayers) for devotees across the globe. ‘Shri Amarnathji Yatra’ App has been made available on the Google play store to get real time information about the Yatra, weather and for availing several services online.
Sh Dilbag Singh, DGP briefed the Board about the detailed security arrangement plan for the yatra. He said that besides mountain rescue teams, JKP will also install camps of health and medical care for the yatris.
Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Dilbag Singh, DGP; Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department; Vivek Bhardwaj, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department; Shailendra Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Government, Public Works (R&B) Department; Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor & CEO, SASB; Mukesh Singh, ADGP Jammu; Pandurang K Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; M Raju, Commissioner/Secretary, Jal Shakti Department; Dr Raghav Langer, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Diljit Singh, ADG CRPF; Vijay Kumar, IGP Kashmir; Anup Kumar Soni, former Additional CEO, SASB were present during the Board Meeting.
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SRINAGAR: The government on Sunday empanelled three private hospitals of Jammu and Kashmir under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (ABPM-JAY and AB PM-JAY SEHAT) taking the total tally to 69 such healthcare institutes empanelled under the scheme, so far.
The empanelled hospitals included Al Ameen Dialysis Centre, Srinagar, Medicity Rajouri and Nav Jeevan Nursing Home, Rajouri which will offer free healthcare services to all registered citizens of the UT. About 15 more private hospitals are undergoing the process of empanelment under the scheme.
Yasin M Choudhary, Chief Executive Officer, State Health Agency (SHA) said, “Comprehensive healthcare delivery requires active support of all stakeholders. We thank private hospitals for their keenness to participate in the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Addition of more and more hospitals will strengthen the healthcare delivery system under ABPM-JAY and AB PM-JAY SEHAT scheme in the Union Territory, he maintained.”
Pertinently, the AB-PMJAY scheme is world’s largest health insurance scheme being fully financed by the government. This scheme provides a cover of Rs 500,000 per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. This ambitious health insurance scheme enables all residents of Jammu and Kashmir including employees and pensioners as well as their families to avail cashless quality health care services across public and private empanelled hospitals across India.
The scheme envisions mitigating expenditure on medical treatment to all the residents of the UT. It covers up to 3 days of pre-hospitalization and 15 days post-hospitalisation expenses. There is no restriction on the family size, age or gender. All pre-existing conditions are covered from day one.
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SRINAGAR: J&K Police on Sunday suspended a Head Constable and attached SHO Nishat with District Police Line Srinagar following allegations of bribery against the former.
Quoting sources, news agency GNS reported that the police head constable had allegedly approached a person and sought bribe.
Sources said the Head constable has been placed under suspension even as the SHO police station Nishat has been attached to DPL.
“The inquiry is ongoing and a preliminary report is expected by this evening following which future course of action would be decided,” the officer said when asked if the Head Constable or any other personnel or officer would be arrested in the case.
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SRINAGAR: A mysterious explosion took place on Sunday near an Army camp at Zachaldara village of Handwara in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Sunday.
Quoting official sources the news agency KNO reported that a loud bang was heard in the entire area near 21RR Army unit.
They said that the teams of Army and police are on the spot to ascertain the facts.
A senior police officer also confirmed the incident and said that no injury has been reported during the incident.
“The nature of explosion is being ascertained while it could be an old shell of army, which was exploded,” he said.
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SRINAGAR: Authorities have ordered suspension of train service in Kashmir Valley on Sunday due to “precautionary measures”.
Quoting an official news agency KNO reported that in view of the prevailing situation, the train services between Banihal to Baramullah and vice versa have been suspended in the Valley.
“There is no specific reason for the suspension but it has been done as a part of a precautionary measure,” he said.
The official said that there are apprehensions of law and order situation at Nadigam and due to which train services have been cancelled on Sunday.
Last night, unidentified gunmen shot dead a SPO of Jammu and Kashmir police and his brother in village Chadbugh area of Budgam.
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SRINAGAR: The brother of slain Special Police Officer (SPO) who was seriously wounded in yesterday’s militant attack in Budgam, also succumbed this morning at Srinagar hospital.
Quoting an official the news agency KNO reported that Umer Jan, a student and the brother of slain SPO succumbed to his injuries at 5 am at JVC hospital Bemina,” he said.
Umer’s bother SPO Ishfaq Ahmad, son of Ghulam Muhammad had received serious bullet wounds and waa declared brought dead at the hospital. Umer was battling for life but breathed his last today morning.
Kashmir zone police yesterday had tweeted that “SPO Ishfaq Ahmad and his brother Umar Jan (a student) were fired upon by Militants at their residence in village Chadbugh area of Budgam. However Ishfaq Ahmad succumbed to his injuries & attained martyrdom. Area cordoned off, search operation in progress.”
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SRINAGAR: Police on Saturday said “clarified” properties of those harbouring militants “willfully” will be attached and not done under duress.
“There has been misinformation, rumours floated by certain quarters regarding the information provided by Srinagar Police with respect to the initiation of attachment of properties used for purpose of (militancy),” a police spokesperson said in a statement.
“It is clarified that Srinagar Police is well aware of the difference between willful harbouring of (militants) and one done under duress,” the spokesperson said, adding, “The attachments being done are for properties where it has been proved beyond doubt that the house owner/member had wilfully provided shelter/ harboured (militants), in most cases for days together and that it was not done under any duress whatsoever.”
The attachment proceedings always come after investigation procedures, in any case, are at an advanced stage, the spokesperson said.
“Out of ignorance, some persons are trying to portray it as some kind of forced enforcement but it is a fact that Sections 2(g) and 25 of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 have been in vogue for decades and these are not some recent additions as claimed by some rumour-mongers,” he said, adding, “The decision regarding enforcement of these sections of law is due to the fact that many supporters of (militancy) are wilfully providing harbour and safe havens to (militants) who conduct attacks on civilians and security forces in Srinagar City.”
Further, he said, in regards to the issue of “so-called forceful entry’ of (militants) into any house or other structure, the house owner or any other member claiming duress should timely inform the authorities about the same, as many provisions for hiding identity of such informant are available under law.”
“The onus always lies on the house owner/member to prove duress by informing the authorities well in time that there is/was the forceful entry of terrorists into his/her house,” he said, adding, “Srinagar Police once again requests all its citizens not to pay heed to misinformation floated by some vested interests, we also request citizens not to provide shelter or harbour (militants) in their homes or immovable properties, failing which lawful procedures will take their own course in full letter and spirit.”
Police said there is and will always be zero tolerance towards militancy and supporters of militancy “in a civilised society like ours.” (GNS)
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SRINAGAR: A magician who posed as a beggar has allegedly looted cash besides the gold from a residential house in Ichgam area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Friday.
Quoting the family members according to news agency Kashmir Dot Com said that a beggar came to their house and requested tea and on the humanitarian ground we provided his tea.
They said while having tea he started asking different questions and asked about the wellbeing of our daughter who remains unwell.
He later started asking about gold and money and with the help of magic he managed to loot our whole cash and gold, they alleged.
The affected house owner has been identified as Abdul Rashid Bhat son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, a resident of Ichgam Budgam.
They have sought help from the district administration and police to identify the person and take legal action against him.
Locals have also requested higher-ups to investigate the matter and book the involved person so that such incidents won’t happen in future.
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SRINAGAR: Junaid Azim Mattu, Mayor, Srinagar Municipal Corporation today called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhavan.
Lt Governor with Junaid Azim Mattu, Mayor SMC.
Mattu briefed the Lt Governor about various developmental initiatives and works being undertaken by the SMC at the grassroots community level, aimed at improving ease of living in Srinagar.
He further apprised the Lt Governor about the steps taken towards the goal of transforming Srinagar into a world-class tourist city with improved public infrastructure and public service delivery, especially in areas of roads and bridges, public health engineering, sanitation and solid waste management.
The discussion was also held on the progress of collaborative work being undertaken by the SMC in association with Azim Premji Foundation and PRAJA — to improve primary education in Srinagar and also increase the capacity of public representatives by empowering them in areas of public grievances redressal and policymaking.
While interacting with the Mayor, the Lt Governor appreciated the efforts of the SMC and asked the Mayor to continue his endeavours towards the development of Srinagar City and the welfare of the people.
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SRINAGAR: India reported 1,660 fresh Covid-19 infections in the past 24 hours, a marginal decline from 1,685 cases reported on the previous day, the Union Health Ministry said on Saturday.
Meanwhile, following a continuous downward trend, the country’s active caseload has further declined to 16,741 this morning, constituting 0.04 per cent of the country’s total positive cases.
In the same period, 4,100 fatalities were also registered, pushing the total number of deaths to 5,20,855. However, Maharashtra has added 4005 while Kerala added 79 backlog deaths.
A total of 2,349 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients since the beginning of the pandemic is now at 4,24,80,436. Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.75 per cent.
Also in the same period, a total of 6,58,489 tests were conducted across the country. India has so far conducted over 78.63 crore cumulative tests.
There has been a sustained fall in the weekly and daily positivity rates too. The weekly positivity rate in the country currently stands at 0.29 per cent and the daily positivity rate is also reported to be 0.25 per cent.
On the vaccination front, India’s Covid-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 182.87 crore as per provisional reports till 7 a.m this morning. This has been achieved through 2,16,75,657 sessions. Over 1.07 crore adolescents have been administered with the first dose of Covid vaccine since the beginning of vaccination drive for 12 to 14 age group, said the ministry.
More than 16.41 crore balance and unutilised Covid vaccine doses are still available with the states and UTs, as per the ministry. (IANS)
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SRINAGAR: State-owned oil marketing companies (OMC) on Saturday raised petrol and diesel prices for the fourth time this week.
These prices were revised for the very first time on Tuesday, March 22, after a gap of more than four months.
Accordingly, the increase in selling price which includes state levies, central excise and cess amongst others, came days after crude oil prices saw an astronomical rise due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
In New Delhi, the price of petrol and diesel were increased again by 80 paise per litre.
As per pump prices, petrol now costs Rs 98.61 per litre and diesel Rs 89.87 per litre in the national capital.
On Friday, petrol prices were increased to Rs 97.81 per litre and diesel Rs 89.07 per litre in Delhi.
In the financial capital Mumbai, prices were hiked to Rs 113.35 per litre for petrol and diesel to Rs 97.55 per litre.
Besides, the prices of both the transport fuels were raised in Kolkata. The petrol prices rose to Rs 108.01 and diesel to Rs 93.01 per litre.
In Chennai too, they were increased. Petrol there now costs Rs 104.43 and diesel Rs 94.47 per litre.
Till Tuesday, fuel prices were steady since November 2021 when the Centre reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 5 and Rs 10 per litre, respectively.
The OMCs revised the transportation fuel cost based on various factors such as rupee to US dollar exchange rate, cost of crude oil and demand of fuel amongst others.
Resultantly, the final price includes excise duty, value added tax and dealer’s commission.
It was widely expected that the OMCs will revise the current prices due to high crude oil cost.
Lately, crude oil prices have been volatile surging by nearly 35-40 per cent on fear of tight supplies.
Furthermore, it is feared that current sanctions against Russia will curtail more global supplies and stifle growth.
The crude oil price range is a cause of concern for India as it may ultimately add Rs 15-Rs 25 in petrol and diesel selling prices.
At present, India imports nearly 85 per cent of its crude oil requirements. (IANS)
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SRINAGAR: Weather remained mainly clear and partly cloudy in J&K and Ladakh on Saturday as Meteorological Department (MeT) has forecast mainly clear weather to continue during the next 24 hours.
“Weather is expected to remain mainly dry and clear in J&K and Ladakh during the next 24 hours,” news agency IANS quoted an official of the MeT department as having said.
Srinagar recorded 5.9 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam 0.2 degrees and Gulmarg 0.8 degrees as the minimum temperature this morning.
Drass town in Ladakh had clocked minus 7.1 degree and Leh 0.8 as the night’s lowest temperature.
Jammu city registered 15.0 degrees, Katra 16.9, Batote had 11.3, Banihal 10.0 and Bhaderwah 7.7 as the minimum temperature.
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SRINAGAR: A Delhi Court has extended the detention period of human rights activist Khurram Parvez and two others namely Muneer Ahmad Kataria and Arshid Ahmad Tonch to further 50 days for the purpose of conducting an investigation in an alleged funding case.
Special NIA Judge Parveen Singh of the Patiala House Courts allowed the application moved by the National Investigating Agency under proviso (i) of Section 43D (2) (b) of UAPA seeking extension of investigation the period, reported LiveLaw.in.
Under the said proviso, it is stated that if it is not possible to complete the investigation within the period of ninety days, the Court may if it is satisfied with the report of the Public Prosecutor indicating the progress of the investigation and the specific reasons for the detention of the accused beyond the said period of ninety days, extend the said period up to one hundred and eighty days.
The detention of the accused persons namely, Muneer Ahmad Kataria, Arshid Ahmad Tonch and Khurram Parvez for the purpose of investigation, has been extended for a further period of 50 days with effect from March 25, 2022.
While Parvez was arrested on November 22, 2022 last year, Muneer Ahmad and Arshid Ahmad were arrested on November 16 and November 18 respectively.
The Court took note of the fact that while the last extension was granted by the court vide order dated February 10, 2022, there had been a new development since the passing of that order.
The Court noted that on February 18, accused Arvind Digvijay Singh Negi was arrested in the matter and that the report submitted by the PP revealed that his arrest was pursuant to the discovery of certain new facts. Therefore, according to NIA, some new angles were required to be investigated.
“The case diary reveals that almost everyday, CIO is working on this case. However, due to this new scenario and the fact that data of more than 40 devices has not been received from CERT-In certainly ties the hand of CIO and has precluded him from completing the investigation within the given period and this then becomes a compelling reason,” the order states.
It is the prosecution’s case that Pakistan based militant organization Lashkar E-Taiba (LeT), had established a widespread network of operatives or over ground workers for providing support in planning and execution of its militant activities in various parts of India.
It was alleged that accused Muneer Ahmad, Arshid Ahmad and Jaffar had been running a network of overground workers of LeT and recruited persons across various States in India. In pursuance to conspiracy, the accused were allegedly in contact with their foreign-based handlers and upon their directions were engaged in gathering intelligence on vital installations, security forces as well as identification of target locations for the launching of militant attacks.
It has further been alleged that during the investigation, searches were conducted at various places across Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir and West Bengal and incriminating documents and objects were seized and arrests were made.
It is the NIA’s case that during the course of the investigation, it was disclosed that accused Muneer Ahmad and Arshid Ahmad Tonch had received money from various individuals in West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Karnataka.
It was further submitted that during the investigation, it was revealed that a large number of fictitious bank accounts in the name of different individuals were being maintained, LiveLaw.in reported.
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Now retired,Saqib MirmeetsPeer Sirajuddin Shah, who picked up 13 different languages while working in a Mughal garden
The Mughal Garden at Achabal (South Kashmir)
Imagine a person who speaks more than a dozen languages without learning either of them formally.
A polyglot, Peer Sirajudin Shah speaks 13 languages. He picked these languages from tourists whom he would guide during their Kashmir visits. Sirajudin believes that Kashmir’s chain of gardens are like educational institutions where he learnt many of these languages.
Sirajudin, a resident of village Breenti Dialgam (Anantnag) is more than 70 years of age. He still has not forgotten even though he is restricted to his home.
The languages Shah speaks include Kashmiri, English, Urdu, Hindi, Japanese, French, Egyptian-Arabic, Russian, Chinese, Persian, Arabic, Thai and Romanian. He said he took almost 45 years of his age to learn these languages though he faced a lot of difficulties in learning many of them. “I did not give up,” he said. His learning process was during the years when modern gadgetry like the internet and improved IT systems were yet to be discovered.
Polyglot is the person who knows several languages
After completing his bachelor’s in Arts stream in 1966, Shah got an ordinary job in the Floriculture Department of the Jammu and Kashmir government. In the beginning, he was posted at the Mughal Garden Achabal. It was there he would routine meet the foreigners, who spoke different languages. It urged him to learn some of the major foreign languages so that he could interpret things to them in their own language.
In the beginning, he picked up some commonly used sentences of day to day life and used them while meeting the visitors. The visitors paid him for his service, which encouraged him to learn some foreign languages to the extent that he could interpret things as desired by the visitors.
“I was encouraged to learn some major foreign languages at the time when I was paid a meagre amount of money by a group of tourists whom I communicated things in English language and gave them information about the historical background of the Achabal garden,” said Sirajudin. At that time, Sirajudin knew only English, Arabic, Hindi and Kashmiri languages.
In order to gain command over English and Arabic languages, Sirajudin contacted his teachers who used to teach him in his college. Then he attended several classes and gained more command over English and Arabic.
When he understood that learning more languages will add to his income, his interest in learning more and more languages increased day after day. Shah was not supposed to master the languages because he had not done anything in academics. His entire requirement was that he should be able to present the Achbal Graden properly and responded to queries about Kashmir and the life around him.
Though he cannot speak fluently in major foreign languages, he still picked up enough skills to communicate in most of them.
Sirajudin got his tourist guide license after his retirement in 2011. He has a very unique way to attract tourists to him. “When I come to know about the country the tourist belongs to, I start speaking his or her language,” Shah said. “After the tourist hears me speaking his language he enjoys it and feels comfortable with me. Then he continues to speak with me and I give him the required information and at times I take the photographs of the tourist. Eventually, the tourist feels pleased to pay me for this service.”
Sirajudin was not inspired by anyone for choosing this profession but he became an inspiration for others, particularly for the unemployed youth. “I wish to speak many languages like Sirajudin and want to become a tourist guide like him,” said a youth Mudasir Ahmad of his neighbouring village. “ I sometimes think to quit my job as a cab driver and want to learn some languages from Sirajudin so that I can also become a tourist guide.”
Sirajudin spends less time at home and more time in different Mughal gardens and other tourist destinations of Kashmir, in winter and summer. Every day he meets dozens of tourists including native as well as non-native tourists and makes them happy after speaking in their native language.
“I was busy clicking photographs in this garden when someone came from my backside and greeted me in the Persian language,” said Ebrahim Ervin, a resident of Iran. “When I looked I saw an old Kashmiri man in a typical Kashmiri dress. I was surprised after hearing him speaking in the Persian language. Then we talked for about half an hour and Sirajudin told me all about this Mughal garden.”
Now spending most of his time at home, Shah is mostly busy in prayers and a spiritual connection. He has performed Ummrah twice.
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SRINAGAR: Night temperatures fell across Jammu and Kashmir with the mercury settling at below sub-zero level in Gulmarg and Pahalgam on Friday.
Quoting a meteorological department official news agency GNS reported that Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K recorded a low of 6.6°C against last night’s 8.6°C. The temperature was 1.6°C above normal for Srinagar during this time of the year.
Qazigund recorded a low of 4.6°C against 7.1°C on the previous night. The temperature was above normal by 0.9°C for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of 5.2°C against 7.1°C the previous night. It was 1.9°C more than normal during this time of the season, the official said.
Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 0.3°C against 3.3°C last night. The temperature was 0.7°C below normal for the place, he said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 0.5°C against minus 1.0°C on the previous night, the official said. While minus 1.6°C is normal for the world famous skiing resort during this time of the season, the official said that the temperature was 1.1°C above normal for the place in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.
Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a low of 4.6°C against 6.8°C on the previous night. The temperature was 1.4°C more than normal, the official said.
Jammu recorded a low of 17.8°C against 18.6°C on the previous night, the official said. The temperature was 2.3°C above normal for J&K’s winter capital during this time of the year, he said
Banihal recorded a low of 7.0°C, Batote had a minimum of 9.8°C while Bhaderwah recorded a low of 7.2°C, the official said.
Ladakh’s Leh recorded a minimum of 0.4°C against 2.0°C previous night while automatic Kargil station recorded a low of minus 1.8°C.
“Weather is most likely to remain mainly dry till March 30th. There is no forecast of any major rain/snow,” the official added.
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SRINAGAR: The strategic 434-kilometre Srinagar-Leh Highway, the only road connecting the Ladakh region with the rest of Jammu and Kashmir, reopened on Friday.
Quoting official sources news agency GNS reported that traffic was allowed from Srinagar to Leh after remaining closed for around 80 days and was plying normally when this report was filed.
The decision to open the highway was taken at a meeting co-chaired by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole and Divisional Commissioner Ladakh, Saugat Biswas earlier this week.
The meeting had decided that only light vehicles shall ply initially on the highway on the pattern of odd-even basis.
The one-way traffic from Srinagar to Leh shall ply on odd days while from Leh to Srinagar traffic will ply on even days. From next week there shall be no movement of transport on Fridays.
The cut off time for vehicles from the Kashmir side shall remain 6 am at Sonmarg, Ganderbal side and 8:30 am from Kargil Side at Meenamarg.
The meeting had also decided to establish health check-up centres, the establishment of the joint control room, traffic check posts, positioning of recovery vans, operation of weight bridges to restrict overloading of vehicles besides allow movement of only anti-skid chained vehicles.
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SRINAGAR: State-owned oil marketing companies (OMC) on Friday raised petrol and diesel prices for the third time this week.
These prices were revised for the very first time on Tuesday after a gap of more than four months.
Accordingly, the increase in the selling price, which includes state levies, central excise and cess amongst others, came days after crude oil rates saw an astronomical rise due to the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.
In New Delhi, the price of petrol and diesel were increased again by 80 paise per litre.
As per pump prices, petrol now costs Rs 97.01 per litre and diesel Rs 88.27 per litre in the national capital.
On Wednesday, petrol prices were increased to Rs 97.81 per litre and diesel Rs 89.07 per litre in Delhi.
In the financial capital Mumbai, prices were hiked to Rs 112.51 per litre for petrol and diesel to Rs 96.70 per litre.
Besides, the prices of both the transport fuels were raised in Kolkata. The petrol prices rose to Rs 107.18 and diesel to Rs 92.22 per litre.
In Chennai too, they were increased. Petrol there now costs Rs 103.67, while diesel is Rs 93.71 per litre.
Till Tuesday, fuel prices were steady since early November when the Centre reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 5 and Rs 10 per litre, respectively.
The OMCs revise the transportation fuel cost based on various factors such as rupee to the US dollar exchange rate, cost of crude oil and demand of fuel amongst others.
Resultantly, the final price includes excise duty, value added tax and dealer’s commission.
It was widely expected that the OMCs will revise the current prices due to high crude oil cost.
Lately, crude oil prices have been volatile surging by nearly 35-40 per cent on fear of tight supplies.
Furthermore, it is feared that current sanctions against Russia will curtail more global supplies and stifle growth.
The crude oil price range is a cause of concern for India as it may ultimately add Rs 15-Rs 25 in petrol and diesel selling prices.
At present, India imports nearly 85 per cent of its crude oil requirements. (IANS)
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SRINAGAR: President of India, Ramnath Kovind on Thursday appointed Rahul Bharti and Moksha Khajuria Kazmi as Additional Judges of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, for a period of two years.
“In exercise of the power conferred by clause (1) of Article 224 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint (i) Shri Rahul Bharti, and (ii) Ms. Moksha Khajuria Kazmi, to be Additional Judges of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, for a period of two years, with effect from the date they assume charge of their respective offices,” reads a notification issued by additional secretary to the government of India, Ministry of Law & Justice Department of Justice as per news agency GNS.
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SRINAGAR: Two tourists were killed while as several were injured in a road accident in Ganderbal district on Thursday.
Vehicle bearing registration number JK01N-9382 skidded off the road on Srinagar-Leh highway near Hari Ganiwan area of Ganderbal district and turned turtle on March 24, 2022
Quoting an official the news agency KNO reported that a tempo bearing registration number JK01N-9382 skidded off the road on the Srinagar-Leh highway near Hari Ganiwan area of Ganderbal district.
He said that in the incident, several persons received injuries who were shifted to the hospital for treatment.
He further added that among the injured, two persons including a lady died while as the others are undergoing treatment at SDH Kangan.
He added that police has taken cognizance of the incident and started an investigation.
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SRINAGAR: Sitaram Yechury General Secretary CPI(M) and Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami CPI(M) leader addressed the press in Srinagar.
Sitaram Yechury, General Secretary CPI(M) and Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami, CPI(M) leader addressed a press conference in Srinagar on Thursday March 24, 2022. KL Image by Bilal Bahadur
While addressing the press conference General Secretary CPI(M) Sitaram Yechury said that we stood with the people of J&K and work for the realization of the assurances provided in the constitution to the people of J&K. We had and continue to oppose the abrogation of Article 370 and our party have challenged the Re-organization Act and new land laws in the Supreme Court.
“Today the Indian constitution is being severely undermined and the independence of the constitutional institutions like Parliament, Judiciary, Election Commission, CBI, EDI, NIA etc are being put under severe stress,” he said, adding that in order to safeguard the Indian constitution and secular democratic character of the Indian Republic; we have to work for the realization and aspirations of the people of J&K. It is essential to isolate and defeat the BJP. We appeal to all secular forces to close ranks in order to save India for a better future.
Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami said that claims being made by the BJP-government on investments, development and job avenues in J&K is a hoax and not a reality. The economy of J&K has virtually collapsed and employment opportunities are shrinking.
“Through the scrapping of constitutional rights, downgrading and bifurcating a historic state into two union territories, not only has the BJP government undermined the basic structure of the constitution but the relationship between Jammu & Kashmir and the union itself,” he said, adding that “and the only way to put it back on track is by immediately restoring the constitutional rights and statehood to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. This unconstitutional and undemocratic decision has created a big political void and deep uncertainty in the region.”
Even the people of Ladakh are feeling betrayed and now demanding statehood and protection of identity, land, jobs including constitutional safeguards. Same is the case with Jammu as well, Tarigami said.
He appealed to the democratic forces to raise their voice for restoration of the legitimate rights of the people of J&K and Ladakh.
He released the resolution which was adopted in 12th J&K State Conference of CPI(M) held on 23rd March 2022 at Srinagar.
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