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SIA conducts search in Beerwah Budgam in UAPA case

File Photo: SIA during Raid

Srinagar, Jun 25 (NVI): The State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Thursday conducted a search at a residence in central Kashmir’s Budgam district in connection with an investigation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), officials said.

An SIA team from Jammu carried out the search at the residence of Nazir Ahmad Mir in the Chewdara area of Beerwah, they said.

According to officials, the search was conducted in connection with FIR No. 01/2025 registered at Police Station JIC SIA Jammu under various sections of the UAPA, including Sections 13, 18, 18-B, 38 and 39.

The operation was part of the agency’s ongoing investigation into the case, officials said.

Further details were awaited. (NVI)

EOW files chargesheet against two in fake fertiliser fraud case in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jun 25 (NVI): The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Jammu and Kashmir Police has filed a chargesheet against two persons for allegedly cheating orchardists and horticulturists by circulating counterfeit fertiliser products in Kashmir, officials said on Thursday.

The chargesheet was filed before the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sopore, in connection with FIR No. 33/2018 registered under sections related to cheating, criminal conspiracy and provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, an EOW spokesperson said.

The accused have been identified as Shahbaz Ahmad Bhat of Bomai in Sopore and Kursheed Ahmad Mir of Rajpora in Pulwama district.
According to the spokesperson, the case pertains to the alleged circulation of counterfeit “Glo Potash” agricultural products in the Valley.

The investigation found that the accused were involved in the distribution of spurious agricultural products to obtain wrongful financial gains, causing losses to orchardists, horticulturists and the company concerned, the spokesperson said.

The EOW has advised the public to remain vigilant against economic fraud and report such incidents to the agency. Victims can also lodge complaints through the official email channel, the spokesperson added. —(NVI)

Gulmarg Gondola likely to resume operations Tommorow after month-long suspension

Srinagar, June 24 (NVI): The Gulmarg Gondola, one of the country’s highest and most popular cable car projects, is likely to resume operations on Thursday after remaining suspended for nearly a month following a technical malfunction, officials said.

The cable car service was halted on May 25 after a technical snag left more than 300 tourists stranded in cabins mid-air, triggering a major rescue operation. All passengers were safely evacuated after several hours.

Officials said successful trial runs of the system have been completed and the service is expected to be restored after the required approvals.

“The trial runs have been successful and operations are likely to resume tomorrow evening,” an official said.

Following the incident, the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation suspended services and undertook extensive inspections and maintenance of the gondola system. Technical teams examined the mechanical, electrical, communication, braking and other safety components before conducting test runs.

The shutdown was extended several times to allow comprehensive safety checks and repairs.

On June 10, the Jammu and Kashmir government constituted a high-level committee to investigate the reasons behind the malfunction. The panel was tasked with examining the technical failure, reviewing maintenance and operational records, assessing adherence to safety protocols and identifying any lapses.

Officials said all mandatory inspections and test runs have now been completed successfully, clearing the way for the possible resumption of services.—(NVI)

LG notifies new rural employment, livelihood scheme for J&K

 

Srinagar, Jun 24 (NVI): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has notified the Jammu and Kashmir Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM-G] Scheme, 2026, aimed at boosting rural employment and strengthening livelihoods across the Union Territory, officials said on Wednesday.

According to the notification, the scheme will come into force in all notified rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

Officials said the programme seeks to promote sustainable employment opportunities, self-employment, skill development and socio-economic upliftment of rural households. The initiative is intended to support inclusive growth and contribute to the development of rural economies across the Union Territory.

The scheme envisages a comprehensive framework focusing on employment generation, capacity building, entrepreneurship promotion and support for vulnerable sections of society, they said.

Officials said the initiative is expected to benefit rural families by improving access to income-generating opportunities and government support mechanisms.

The administration believes the scheme will help reduce unemployment, strengthen village-level enterprises and improve the quality of life in rural areas, they added.

Departments concerned are expected to take necessary steps for the effective implementation of the scheme following its formal notification, officials said. (NVI)

NDMA conducts preparedness exercise for Amarnath Yatra at Pahalgam

Srinagar, Jun 24 (NVI): The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Wednesday conducted a table-top exercise at Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district to review preparedness for the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026, officials said.

The exercise, chaired by Major General Sudhir Bahl (Retd.) and organised in collaboration with the district administration Anantnag, was aimed at strengthening coordination among agencies involved in managing the annual pilgrimage.

Senior officers from the NDMA, Disaster Management Department, district administration, defence and security forces, Fire and Emergency Services, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), camp directors and other stakeholders participated in the exercise.

Officials said the exercise focused on assessing operational readiness, improving inter-agency coordination and identifying gaps in contingency planning related to route management, medical emergencies, adverse weather conditions and crowd control.

Addressing the participants, Major General Bahl stressed the importance of integrated planning and real-time coordination. He also reviewed the disaster management plans prepared for the pilgrimage.

The exercise simulated various disaster scenarios to test the response capabilities of the agencies involved. Discussions were also held on communication protocols, evacuation plans and deployment of critical resources to ensure a safe and smooth conduct of the yatra, officials added.(NVI)

J&K Govt encourages reuse of treated wastewater

Srinagar, Jun 24 (NVI): Strategies to encourage reuse of treated wastewater, especially for non-potable purposes, was today discussed at a meeting chaired by Mandeep Kaur, Commissioner Secretary of Housing and Urban Development of Jammu Kashmir.

The focus of the agenda was sustainable water management and promoting water circularity.

The meeting was held under the Jal Hi AMRIT (JHA) initiative of AMRUT 2.0.

The officials informed that the Housing and Urban Development Department is implementing AMRUT 2.0 through various water supply, sewerage and water body rejuvenation projects.

Under its Jal Hi AMRIT sub-component, launched to upgrade Sewage Treatment Plants through incentive-based funding, J&K has secured Rs 10.50 crore in incentives, so far.

The ongoing interventions included installation of SCADA systems and tertiary treatment facilities to improve wastewater quality for reuse.

During the meeting, the members shared suggestions on the objectives and framework of the Jal Hi AMRIT initiative launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Mandeep Kaur stressed that treated water, meeting prescribed quality standards, should be utilized for the irrigating parks and gardens, industrial processes, construction, automobile cleaning, kitchen gardens and reducing non-revenue water.

She said the initiative supports water conservation and circular economy principles by transforming wastewater into a valuable resource and underscored the need for robust quality testing before reuse.

The Commissioner Secretary asked the Jal Shakti Department and UEED to explore the projects for an exclusive network to supply treated wastewater to parks and gardens in Srinagar City.

A working group will also be formed for Jammu to assess a feasible holistic project for gainful use of treated wastewater, she told the meeting.

Pertinently, the J&K government has constituted a Water Resource Recovery Cell for inter-departmental coordination to ensure effective use of treated water.

Its members included representatives from Agriculture, Horticulture, Industries and Commerce, Urban Local Bodies, Jal Shakti, I&FC, J&K Pollution Control Committee, Forest and Chambers of Industries and Commerce.

The meeting was attended by the Chairman JKPCC, Commissioners of JMC and SMC, Special Secretary and MD AMRUT, Directors of ULB Jammu and Kashmir, Directors of Agriculture, Horticulture and Industries, Chief Engineers of UEED, Jal Shakti and I&FC, Chief Conservators of Forests and Presidents of Chambers of Industries and Commerce Jammu and Kashmir. (NVI)

LG Chairs SKUAST-K University Council Meeting, Approves Key Reforms and New Initiatives

Srinagar, Jun 24 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday chaired the 36th University Council meeting of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir and approved a series of institutional reforms and future initiatives aimed at strengthening the university’s academic, research and innovation ecosystem.

The meeting, held at Lok Bhavan here, was attended by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Agriculture Minister Javid Ahmad Dar, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, senior officials, academicians and representatives of national agricultural institutions.

Among the decisions approved by the council were the upgradation of the Agricultural Research Information System into the Directorate of Information Technology and the Internal Quality Assurance Cell into the Directorate of Quality Assurance.

The council also cleared the establishment of an International Students Cell to facilitate global outreach and support students from abroad, officials said.

As part of the university’s long-term development strategy, proposals were approved for setting up a Centre for Agri Innovation, Analytics and Certification as a National Reference Laboratory, an Agri-Startup Park to support over 50 startup enterprises, and a Global Veterinary School envisioned as an internationally benchmarked centre for veterinary education, research and clinical services.

Addressing the meeting, Sinha said the university’s transformative initiatives have the potential to position it as a leading innovation-driven and globally engaged agricultural institution.

He also directed the Vice Chancellor to ensure that University Council meetings are held at least twice annually for timely review of academic and administrative matters.

Vice Chancellor Nazir Ahmad Ganai, while presenting the university report, said the institution has made significant progress in national rankings and developed the largest startup ecosystem among higher educational institutions in Jammu and Kashmir.

Ganai said the university has secured 123 intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks and designs, reflecting a strong focus on innovation and translational research.

He further informed the council that nearly 30 per cent of the university’s students are from outside Jammu and Kashmir, indicating its growing national outreach and academic appeal. (NVI)

ACB chargesheets ex-BDO, engineer, 5 others in alleged funds embezzlement case in Kupwara

 

Srinagar, Jun 24 (NVI): The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a chargesheet against a former Block Development Officer (BDO), an Executive Engineer and five others in connection with an alleged embezzlement of government funds meant for developmental works in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district, officials said on Wednesday.

The chargesheet was presented before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, in connection with FIR No. 02/2020 registered at Police Station ACB Baramulla, they said.

According to the ACB, the case pertains to alleged corruption, criminal conspiracy, forgery and misappropriation of funds in development works executed through the Rural Development Department in the Lolab and Lalpora areas of Kupwara.

The investigation allegedly revealed irregularities in projects, including the construction of a Sarband at Margi Diver (Kariwan) Phase-I and a Fisheries Pond at Diver-B.

Officials said the probe found instances of false measurements, billing for work not executed, construction on forest land without permission and release of payments for deficient and substandard works.

The accused have been identified as former BDO Sogam/Lalpora Mohammad Sultan Bhat, then Executive Engineer REW Kupwara Surinder Kumar Sharma, Assistant Executive Engineer Mohammad Shafi Bukhari, Junior Engineers Taimur Ahmad Khan and Nisar Ahmad Khan, Village Level Worker and Panchayat Secretary Mohammad Saleem Dar, and contractor Waseem Mehmood Khan.

The ACB alleged that the accused, in connivance with the contractor, manipulated official records, inflated measurements and facilitated fraudulent release of government funds, causing loss to the state exchequer.

All the accused were produced before the court and were granted bail on personal bonds. The next hearing has been scheduled for August 25, 2026, officials added.(NVI)

18 Injured as Minibus Meets with Accident in Kathua

Shivam Bakshi

Kathu, Jun 24 (NVI): At least 18 people were injured after a minibus carrying pilgrims to the Sukrala Mata shrine met with an accident in the Simbli area of Kathua district on Wednesday, officials said.

The minibus, bearing registration number JK21B-7776, was on its way to the revered Sukrala Mata shrine when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle in Simbli, resulting in the accident, they said.

Eighteen passengers sustained injuries and were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. The condition of some of the injured was stated to be stable, officials said.

Police have taken cognisance of the incident and initiated further investigation into the cause of the accident.(NVI)

J&K to Witness Mostly Dry Weather Till June 29, Rain Likely From June 30: MeT

(File)

Srinagar, June 24 (NVI): The Meteorological Centre Srinagar on Wednesday forecast generally dry weather across Jammu and Kashmir till June 29, with chances of brief light rain, thundershowers and gusty winds at isolated to scattered places during late afternoons and evenings.

According to the MeT Department, weather is expected to remain largely dry during the forenoon and afternoon hours over the next few days. However, isolated areas may witness brief spells of rain and thundershowers accompanied by gusty winds towards evening.

The department has predicted a fresh spell of light to moderate rainfall and thundershowers across many parts of Jammu and Kashmir from June 30 to July 3. Some places may also experience intense showers, thunderstorms and strong winds during the period.

The MeT Department advised farmers and orchardists to carry out spray operations during the early morning hours. It also urged people to avoid taking shelter near loose structures, electric poles, overhead wires and old trees during thunderstorms and gusty winds.

Authorities have further cautioned against boating and shikara operations during periods of lightning and strong winds.

The department also warned of the possibility of hailstorms at isolated places and said intense showers could trigger flash floods, mudslides and landslides in vulnerable areas.

Residents have been advised to stay away from nallahs, streams and landslide-prone zones. —(NVI)

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