Jammu And Kashmir

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Jammu & Kashmir election live blog

Jammu & Kashmir election live blog

Work on Zojila tunnel in full swing, project to be completed by Dec 2026

The work on the strategic Zojila tunnel an all-weather connection between the Kashmir valley and the Ladakh region -- is going on at a rapid pace and over 40 per cent of the drilling has been completed, the construction company said on Sunday. The company said it is hopeful of completing the project by December 2026. The tunnel project through the mighty Zojila Pass at an altitude of 11,578 feet on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National highway is of strategic importance as the highway remains closed during winters due to heavy snowfall, cutting off Ladakh region from Kashmir. The single-tube Zojila tunnel from Baltal, in the Ganderbal district of central Kashmir, to Minimarg, in Drass town of Kargil district of Ladakh, is 13 km long with an approach road of 18 km. "This project is a huge game changer by the government of India. The total length of the project from Sonamarg to Minimarg is 31 km. From Sonamarg to Baltal, it is 18 km, and then the main tunnel from Baltal to Minimarg wh

Dawn of new development visible in J-K after abrogation of Art 370: Rijiju

Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday said a dawn of new development is visible in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Attending a public outreach-cum-mega legal awareness camp in Udhampur district of Jammu division, he said the present dispensation is trying its best to bring Jammu and Kashmir on the glorious path of development. After abrogation of Article 370 from J and K, many changes are visible in the field of development like completion of mega projects, progress of ongoing works and implementation of different centrally-sponsored schemes, the minister for Law and Justice said. He expressed satisfaction over the implementation of several government schemes in Udhampur. Rijiju appreciated the efforts of the district administration as well as various departments for the effective implementation of government schemes on the ground. After 2014, the path of development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set new records. The pres

Kiren Rijiju's car meets with minor accident in J-K's Ramban, no one hurt

Law Minister Kiren Rijiju's car grazed a truck on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Ramban district on Saturday evening, officials said. He was not hurt in the accident. The truck had suffered a breakdown and the minister's car grazed it before coming to a halt, they said. The accident took place near Sita Ram Passi in the Maroog area around 6 pm when he was on his way to Srinagar after attending two functions in Jammu and Udhampur, the officials said. Security personnel in accompanying cars rushed and escorted the minister out of his vehicle, they said. Rijiju later left for Srinagar and crossed the Banihal tunnel the gateway to the Kashmir Valley - around 7 pm, the officials said.

Govt has firm resolve to address complaints in time-bound manner: L-G Sinha

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday interacted with a group of citizens who had submitted their various grievances on a dedicated portal and said there is a firm resolve to address public complaints in a time-bound manner. He said the government has taken several initiatives to develop an efficient public service delivery mechanism and it has improved ease of living of common people. "It is our firm resolve to address public complaints in a time-bound manner and speedily to bring about a change for all-round progress," he said. He said a transparent and accountable governance is ensuring that the benefits of growth reach all sections, especially the last person in queue. Interacting with the citizens, the lieutenant governor took stock of their grievances and the action taken by the deputy commissioners concerned. On the grievance of a person from Srinagar regarding environment protection and sanitation in the foothills of Shankaracharaya top, Sinha directe

Number of militants on all-time low in Jammu and Kashmir, says DGP

Militancy has not ended in Jammu and Kashmir yet, but it is on the wane as the number of ultras has declined to an all-time low, Director General of Police Dilbag Singh said on Thursday. Singh made the statement while speaking to reporters in north Kashmir's Bandipora district. "The militancy in J-K is not over, but it is ending. The number of militants whether locals or Pakistani terrorists, is at an all-time low," he said. The DGP said the local youth who were pushed towards militancy, have now returned to the mainstream after leaving that path. "The youth have understood that it (militancy) is the path of destruction. Today, they have many avenues in sports and education among other options. Many youths have taken the right path and are working towards their careers, lives and families. "I am happy that the police and the security forces have brought terrorism under control to a larger extent and action is on to end the remnants of terror," he added. Answering a question on dr

PM's Panch Pran will make India a developed country by 2047: J-K L-G

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday inaugurated a three-day mega event on Panch Pran' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi here and said these five resolves will make India a developed country by 2047. In 2047, when we celebrate 100 years of Independence, India will have the world's youngest and most skilled workforce, he said. The event is being organised by the University of Jammu in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, Hindustan Samachar and Cluster University of Jammu. Talking about Amrit Kaal and Prime Minister's Panch Pran, Sinha said the five resolves -- resolve to move the country ahead as a developed India, eradicating the mentality of slavery, be proud of India's heritage and legacy, strength of unity and solidarity and duties of citizens towards the nation -- will make India a developed country by 2047. "Today we are the fifth largest economy in the world and in next 25 years, we will be a USD 26 trillion economy," he ...

185 outsiders bought land in Jammu and Kashmir in last 3 years: Government

As many as 185 people from outside Jammu and Kashmir have bought land in the Union Territory in the last three years, Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday. Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, however, said as per the information provided by Ladakh, no land has been bought by outsiders in the UT. "As per the information provided by the government of Jammu and Kashmir, a total of 185 people from outside the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have bought land in the UT during 2020, 2021 and 2022," he said replying to a written question. While, one person bought land in 2020, 57 bought in 2021 and 127 in 2022, he said. The Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was abrogated on August 5, 2019, and the erstwhile state was bifurcated into two UTs -- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Following the Constitutional change in October 2020, the Union Home Ministry issued a notification stating that any Indian citizen can buy land, except agricultural, in munic

Apple farmers from hill states unite to protest Centre's farming policies

The protesting farmers submitted a 9-point memorandum with demands including the withdrawal of eviction orders issued to farmers in Jammu and Kashmir

After lithium reserve in J&K, 15 rare earth elements discovered in Andhra

These elements are also used in clean energy, aerospace, defence, and in manufacturing permanent magnets- a key component in modern electronics- wind turbines, jet aircraft, and several other products

J&K announces Rs 560 cr project to create a robust market ecosystem

Jammu and Kashmir administration has announced a Rs 560-crore project under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) to strengthen the existing market infrastructure and create a robust market ecosystem to boost the region's economy and benefit farmers. The project aims to improve the terms of trade (ToT) in favour of farmers, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the market ecosystem, and minimize value loss while maximizing societal welfare. "Jammu and Kashmir government announces Rs 560 crore investment in agriculture and allied sectors under HADP to strengthen the market ecosystem and benefit farmers and consumers", Additional chief secretary Agriculture production department, Atal Dulloo told PTI. Jammu & Kashmir is implementing this project under the programme that aims to strengthen the existing market infrastructure and create a robust market ecosystem that caters to the needs of all stakeholders, he said. The agriculture and allied sectors in the Union .

Famous Basohli painting from Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua gets GI tagging

The world-famous Basohli painting from Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district has obtained the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag following an approval by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), an official spokesman said on Monday. The GI tag to a product, goods or speciality grants legal protection to the original producers and prevents their unauthorised use by third parties. It also boosts exports, promotes the goods at the international level and brings economic prosperity to producers and stakeholders. "The process for GI-tagging of nine products was initiated by NABARD in consultation with the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom (J&K) in December 2020. The GI tags have now finally been granted to these products after a long legal process," the spokesman said. Besides the Basohli paintings, Basohli pashmina woolen products (Kathua), Chikri wood craft (Rajouri), Bhaderwah rajma (Doda), Mushkbudji rice (Anantnag), Kaladi (Udhampur), Sulai honey ...

Package suspected to be dropped by drone found in J-K, area cordoned off

A package suspected to have been airdropped by a drone from across the International Border was found in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district on Monday, prompting police to cordon off the area, official sources said. The package was found early on Monday near the railway line in Rakh Barotiya, they said. The police have cordoned off the area and called in the bomb disposal squad, they added. According to past modus operandi, the police suspect that the package was dropped by a drone from across the border, the sources said. Several incidents of weapons, narcotics, cash and explosive materials being airdropped by drones suspected to be from across the international border have come to light in the Union Territory's Samba, Kathua and Jammu districts in recent months.

CAG red flags incomplete work on 397 projects worth Rs 1,518 crore in J&K

Nearly 400 public welfare projects in Jammu and Kashmir remained incomplete despite incurring an expenditure of over Rs 1,000 crore over the past decade till the end of financial year 2021-22, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has said. As many as 378 of these projects were taken up by different government departments between 2019 and 2022, the CAG said in its latest audit report on the Union Territory Finances for the year ended March 31, 2022. "397 capital works having original estimated cost of Rs 1,518.66 crore, taken up by four departments (viz Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Jammu (61 works) and Jal Shakti (PHE) Department Kashmir (216 work), Jal Shakti (PHE) Department Jammu (119 ) and Mechanical Engineering Department Kashmir (one) targeted to be completed during the period 2012-13 to 2014-15 and 2017-18 to 2021-22 were incomplete at the end of the year 2021-22, the CAG said. It said the cumulative expenditure of Rs 1,095.52 crore incurred on these incomplet

Tax revenue marks over 31% increase during 2021-22 in J&K, says CAG

The tax revenue in Jammu and Kashmir touched Rs 11,707.28 crore in 2021-22 compared to Rs 8,876.99 crore in the previous year, marking an increase of 31.88 per cent, according to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). State Excise, State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) and Taxes on sales and trade showed the maximum increase of 32.31 per cent, 32.13 per cent and 27.46 per cent, respectively, the CAG said in its audit report on the Union Territory Finances for the year ended 31 March 2022. The government's performance in the mobilisation of resources is assessed in terms of its own tax resources comprising revenue from its own tax and non-tax sources. The report said there was an increase in all components of own tax revenue during 2021-22 which marked an increase of 31.88 per cent compared to the previous year. "SGST, State Excise and Taxes on Sales/Trade showed maximum increase of Rs 1,554.95 crore, Rs 435.37 crore and Rs 410.70 cores respectively. The highest percentage increas

Amritpal's aide booked in Arms Act in Kishtwar; J&K police to question him

The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday booked Varinder Singh, suspected to be the bodyguard of the fugitive radical preacher Amritpal Singh, under the Arms Act in connection with a gun licence issued to him in Kishtwar district, officials said. The district administration also cancelled Varinder Singh's licence, and said it will probe how the former army jawan, who was sacked in 2015, procured the licence in 2014 and then kept getting it renewed in different districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Police said Varinder Singh, also known as Fauji, was part of a private security set up for radical preacher Amritpal Singh, who is on the run. A video recently showed Varinder Singh, the bodyguard of Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh, opening fire in the air. After the clip appeared, the Punjab Police arrested him last week, slapped the National Security Act on him and lodged in a jail in faraway Assam. Kishtwar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Khalil Poswal told PTI on Thursday that t

CAG pulls up J&K Bank for not utilising land acquired during 2016-21

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has pulled up J&K Bank Limited for not utilising the land worth over Rs 140 crore acquired during 2016-21 and recommended a proactive plan for its effective utilisation. It also said the bank's improper planning resulted into blockage of funds to the tune of Rs 22.78 crore and wasteful expenditure in hiring of premises for its units. In its report on compliance audit for the year ended March 31, 2021, the CAG said the bank purchased lands valuing Rs 184.92 crore during 2016-21, out of which the land valuing Rs 140.22 crore could not be utilised. The CAG said the compliance audit on management of fixed assets by the bank covering the period from 2016-17 to 2020-21 was carried out to examine issues relating to acquisition of land, construction, upgradation, modification related to civil and interior works, furniture, electrical works and hiring of the premises. "As on 01 April 2016, the gross block of the fixed assets (land & building, ..

Farmers to be trained in modern technology to boost silk production in J&K

The High Yielding Silkworm hybrids and improved mulberry varieties have been developed by CSR and TI Pampore to increase the farmers' income through Sericulture

J&K's losses on power purchases exceed more than Rs 3,500 cr: Chief secy

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta on Sunday said losses suffered by the Union Territory on power purchases exceed more than Rs 3,500 crore annually with liabilities piling up each passing year. He directed the officials that overall transmission and distribution losses should be brought down to less than 20 per cent. The losses suffered on power purchases exceed more than Rs 3,500 crore annually with previous liabilities piling up each passing year. These resources belong to our people and should optimally be utilised in creation of jobs for youth or other welfare measures for the people of J-K," Mehta said addressing a high-level meeting here. He impressed upon the officers of the Power Development Department (PDD) to run a mass campaign to make people aware of the judicious use of electric appliances. Mehta said the gap in power purchase and revenue realisation should be minimised for the general good of the masses. The chief secretary said the overall transmiss