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J&K DGP, IGP review anti-terror operations in Rajouri, Poonch

Shivam Bakshi

JAMMU, July 16 (NVI): Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat on Thursday reviewed the ongoing anti-terror operations in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch with senior officers of the Army, CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police.

The review meeting was attended by Inspector General of Police (Jammu Zone) B.S. Tuti, senior officers of the Army’s 25 Division and Romeo Force, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

The officers assessed the operational situation and reviewed the ongoing counter-terror operations in the region, with emphasis on inter-agency coordination and maintaining a strong security grid in the twin border districts.—(NVI)

J&K Transport Secretary Reviews Preparations for Jhelum River Cruise Project

Srinagar, Jul 16 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Transport Secretary Avny Lavasa on Thursday reviewed the preparations for the proposed River Cruise Transport project on the River Jhelum, being developed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) in collaboration with the Union Territory administration.

Lavasa inspected the proposed cruise route from Zero Bridge to Pantha Chowk and visited the planned terminals to assess infrastructure development and operational preparedness, officials said.

The review covered the readiness of passenger embarkation and disembarkation facilities, navigational requirements, safety measures and other infrastructure required for the launch of the service.

The Transport Secretary stressed the need for close coordination between the IWAI, the Transport Department and other stakeholder agencies to ensure timely completion of the project while maintaining high standards of safety, operational efficiency and passenger convenience.

Officials said the river cruise project is aimed at providing an eco-friendly mode of transport, boosting tourism along the Jhelum and offering a unique travel experience for both residents and tourists.(NVI)

Digital-First Governance Reform on Cards in J&K: Chief Secretary

Srinagar, Jul 16 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Thursday said the Union Territory will accelerate the simplification of government processes to ensure “Ease of Living” for citizens through transparent, technology-driven and citizen-centric governance.

Dulloo made the remarks while chairing a high-level meeting to discuss a roadmap for simplifying government procedures across departments. Former IAS officer P.W.C. Davidar, adviser to the Tamil Nadu government’s SimpleGov initiative, attended the meeting and shared the state’s experience in governance reforms.

According to officials, the meeting focused on eliminating procedural complexities, reducing unnecessary compliances and re-engineering administrative processes to make public services faster, simpler and more accessible for citizens, businesses and government institutions.

Davidar outlined the Tamil Nadu model of governance simplification, stressing that reforms should cover Government-to-Citizen (G2C), Government-to-Business (G2B) and Government-to-Government (G2G) services.

He highlighted the need to do away with avoidable requirements such as repeated submission of physical documents, multiple no-objection certificates (NOCs), licences and permissions, while promoting digital verification and end-to-end online service delivery.

Officials said the proposed reforms include greater use of digital authentication tools such as e-KYC, DigiLocker, e-Sign, digital signatures and Electronic Verification Codes (EVC), besides issuing government approvals in a standardised online format with QR code-based verification.

The meeting also discussed setting up a multi-tier monitoring mechanism, including a screening committee and an empowered committee headed by the chief secretary, to oversee implementation of the proposed reforms.

Dulloo said Jammu and Kashmir already has a strong foundation for governance reforms, with nearly 1,500 government services digitised.

He said a multidisciplinary implementation team, supported by professionals from the fields of information technology and law, would be constituted to steer the initiative, while suitable amendments to existing rules and procedures would be carried out wherever required.

The chief secretary also proposed an exposure visit by officers from Jammu and Kashmir to Chennai to study the implementation of the Tamil Nadu SimpleGov initiative and adopt best practices.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to building an efficient, transparent and technology-enabled governance system and directed departments to complete the identified reforms in a time-bound manner.

Senior officers from various departments, including Information Technology, Health and Medical Education, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, and Planning, Development and Monitoring, presented the progress made in simplifying departmental services during the meeting.(NVI)

J&K LG Sinha Reviews Donations Management System at Vaishno Devi Shrine, Stresses Transparency

Jammu, Jul 16 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday chaired a meeting of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) to review the management system for offerings and donations at the revered shrine, with a focus on transparency, accountability and financial discipline.

The meeting, held at Katra, was attended by Shrine Board members and senior officials, who reviewed the collection, counting, accounting, safeguarding and utilisation of devotees’ offerings received through donation boxes, counters, online platforms and in the form of precious metals.

Officials gave a detailed presentation on the systems and institutional mechanisms in place for the secure and transparent handling of donations. The Board was briefed on verification procedures, surveillance measures, banking safeguards and periodic audits followed at every stage of the process.

The officials informed the meeting that all financial transactions related to offerings and donations are carried out in accordance with prescribed banking norms, statutory provisions and the guidelines issued by the Government of India.

The Board also reviewed the security protocols for handling, storage, transportation and processing of precious metal offerings through government-approved institutions, including the Reserve Bank of India and the India Government Mint, Hyderabad.

Following the review, the Board expressed satisfaction over the existing arrangements and appreciated the safeguards and monitoring mechanisms adopted to ensure transparency, accountability and efficient management of devotees’ offerings, an official statement said.(NVI)

Nine Injured as Tempo Overturns in Rajouri J&K

Jalgaon

Shivam Bakshi

Rajouri, Jul 16 (NVI): Nine persons were injured after a passenger tempo overturned in the Chapprian area of Rajouri town on Thursday, officials said.

The accident took place on the road between Khandli Bridge and Jawahar Nagar, following which police, along with local residents, launched a rescue operation and shifted the injured to the Government Medical College (GMC) Associated Hospital, Rajouri, they said.

The injured were identified as Rubina Kosar (22), Vaid Paresh (70), Pooja Devi (28), Nishu Sharma (12), Misba Kousar (6), Ablish Sharma (13), Ashok Kumar (43), Mohd Arif (26), and Zahoor Ahmed (27), officials said.

All the injured are undergoing treatment at the hospital. Their condition was not immediately known, they added.

Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation to ascertain the cause of the accident, officials said.(NVI)

Border infrastructure to remain vital in future technology-driven warfare: Rajnath Singh

New Delhi, Jul 16 (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said border infrastructure, including roads, tunnels, ports and airfields, will remain indispensable in future technology-driven warfare, asserting that the road leading soldiers to the frontline is as crucial as the battlefield itself.

Addressing the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Strategic Infrastructure Conclave in New Delhi, Singh said while modern warfare is increasingly shaped by advanced weapons, precision capabilities and emerging technologies, robust infrastructure continues to be the backbone of military operations.

“The first front of a war is not always at the border but on the road that takes soldiers to the frontline. The person who builds that road is as vital to national security as the soldier guarding the border,” he said.

The defence minister lauded the BRO for adopting advanced technologies to develop strategic infrastructure and said the organisation has evolved over the past six decades into one of the world’s leading strategic infrastructure agencies.

Referring to projects such as the Atal Tunnel, Sela Tunnel and Umling La road, Singh said these achievements reflect BRO’s engineering capability and commitment to national service under challenging conditions.

He also highlighted the growing role of tunnelling technology and modern construction methods in accelerating infrastructure development across difficult mountainous terrain.

Describing connectivity as a key driver of national development, Singh said the government has focused on expanding road, rail, air and digital infrastructure to ensure that people living in remote border areas remain connected with the rest of the country.

He said border villages are being developed under the Vibrant Village Programme, adding that the infrastructure being created today will shape India’s future for generations.

Calling for greater collaboration, Singh urged industry, academia, engineers and administrators to work together to build an ecosystem driven by innovation, research and execution excellence.

During the event, the defence minister presented awards to BRO projects for outstanding performance, launched digital platforms for project management and recruitment, and unveiled three BRO publications along with the organisation’s anthem.

The two-day conclave focused on technology, innovation, digital transformation and sustainable construction practices to strengthen strategic infrastructure in India’s border regions, bringing together senior military officials, policymakers, industry leaders and technology experts.(NVI)

Pakistan: TTP claims killing 29 soldiers, injuring over 30

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) cadre in specialised gear. File pic released by TTP

Peshawar, July 16: Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed to have killed 29 personnel of Pakistani forces and injured over 30 in multiple operations over a period of four days.

At least 6 personnel of Pakistani security personnel were killed and more than 20 were injured in an ambush by TTP on a joint party of Army, paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) and Police in Khal in Lower Dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province yesterday.

TTP spokesman said four personnel of the Pakistani forces were captured and later released on the condition that they would not perform future duty.

Three Kalashnikov rifles and one light machine gun (LMG) of the Pakistani forces were seized after the attack in which five military vehicles were damaged, the spokesman said.

The ambush was carried out when the Pakistani military launched an operation against the TTP in the Ladam mountainous area, he said.

In Bajaur district, five soldiers of the Pakistan Army were killed in a landmine explosion on the Khazah Sar Road in Salarzai, the TTP spokesman said.

One more soldier was killed in a sniper attack in Shaktoi in South Waziristan district, he said.

In Balochistan, the TTP killed 4 Pakistani military personnel in an operation in Quetta, the spokesman said.

On July 14, the TTP detonated a mine in Peshawar district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing a soldier and injuring 4 others, he said.

A day earlier, a guerrilla attack was carried out by TTP on a military brigade in Asman Manza area of Ladha in South Waziristan, killing one soldier and wounding several others.

On the same day, a landmine was exploded by TTP on the highway between Tank and South Waziristan, targeting an armoured police vehicle, the spokesman said.

Two police personnel were killed and four others were injured, he said, adding the armored vehicle was  also completely destroyed.

On July 12, two Pakistani soldiers were killed in a grenade launcher attack on military post in Spin Wam in North Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Two days later (July 14), in a follow-up attack on the same post, one soldier was killed, while further casualties are also possible, the spokesman said.

Two Pakistani soldiers were killed and several wounded in an ambush by TTP on an army patrol in Ziraki area of Mir Ali in North Waziristan on July 12.

Two Pakistani soldiers were killed in two separate sniper attacks on an army post in Jamrud in Khyber district, he said.

In Bunair district, a targeted attack killed a police Sub-Inspector in Khadukhel, he said, adding the officer was wanted due to his involvement in operations and raids against TTP.

Meanwhile, a mountainous area in Zarghoon in Quetta saw a week-long intense clashes between the TTP and Pakistani military, in which “dozens of security personnel” were killed or wounded, the spokesman said.

The fighters captured five military vehicles from the “Zionist proxies” and set three other vehicles on fire, he added.

During theses clashes, TTP lost two of its fighters, the spokesman said. (NVI)

SIA Search in Srinagar Linked to Terror, Cyber Misuse Investigation

File Photo: SIA during Raid

Srinagar, Jul 16 (NVI): The State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Thursday conducted a search at a residence in Srinagar’s Rainawari area in connection with an ongoing investigation into a terror-related case, officials said.

The search was carried out at the residence of a man identified as Asim Farooq in the Kralyar locality of Rainawari as part of the investigation into a case already registered by the agency, they said.

According to officials, the probe pertains to a terror crime and the alleged misuse of cyberspace.

They said the investigation is in progress and further details are awaited.—(NVI)

Heatwave to Grip Kashmir for Three Days, Heavy Rain Forecast Next Week

Srinagar, Jul 16 (NVI): Kashmir is likely to experience the hottest spell of the season over the next three days, with Srinagar’s maximum temperature expected to touch 36-37 degrees Celsius before widespread rainfall returns from the night of July 18, officials said.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), hot and humid conditions are expected to prevail across the Valley from July 15 to 17, with only brief spells of rain or thundershowers at isolated places.

The Meteorological Centre, Srinagar, said the city recorded a maximum temperature of 32.0 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, which was 1.9 degrees above normal, while the minimum settled at 19.0 degrees Celsius, 0.3 degrees above normal. Jammu recorded a maximum of 34.7 degrees Celsius, 0.7 degrees above normal.

An IMD official said Srinagar could witness the season’s highest temperature of around 36-37 degrees Celsius over the next three days as dry weather continues across the Valley.

The weather office has forecast partly cloudy skies with light to moderate rain or thundershowers at many places on July 18 and 19. Isolated areas of the Jammu division may receive brief spells of heavy rainfall during the intervening night of July 18 and the morning of July 19.

From July 20 to 23, the department has predicted generally cloudy weather with light to moderate rain or thundershowers at most places, with rainfall activity expected to peak on July 21 and 22. Heavy rain or intense showers are also likely at a few places in both the Kashmir and Jammu divisions.

The IMD has warned of the possibility of flash floods, landslides, mudslides in vulnerable areas of the Chenab Valley, Pir Panjal range and some hilly areas of Kashmir, besides waterlogging in low-lying areas between July 20 and 22.

The weather office has advised people, particularly those living in vulnerable areas, to remain alert and follow official weather advisories.—(NVI)

J&K makes significant progress towards implementation of new Labour Codes: Chief Secretary

Srinagar, Jul 15 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir has made significant progress towards implementation of the four Labour Codes enacted by the Centre, with rules under all the codes either notified or in the final stages of notification, officials said on Wednesday.

Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo reviewed the preparedness of the Labour and Employment Department for implementation of the new labour law framework at a high-level meeting here.

Dulloo said the Labour Codes would improve labour welfare, strengthen social security, promote industrial harmony and enhance the ease of doing business in the Union Territory.

He directed the department to expedite notification of the remaining rules, strengthen coordination with the Centre for operationalisation of digital platforms, complete the constitution of statutory boards and intensify awareness programmes to ensure seamless implementation.

Officials informed the meeting that rules under all four Labour Codes have been framed. While the rules under the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 have already been notified, those under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 are in the final stage of notification.

The rules under the Code on Wages, 2019 and the Code on Social Security, 2020 have been pre-published and are undergoing the mandatory consultation process before final notification, they said.

The meeting was informed that Jammu and Kashmir is among the leading states and Union Territories in completing the statutory rule-making process for implementation of the Labour Codes.

According to officials, the department has organised 617 awareness camps across all 20 districts, reaching nearly five lakh workers, employers and other stakeholders. It has also conducted 283 capacity-building programmes benefiting over 7,200 participants.

The officials said the new Labour Codes aim to simplify labour laws by replacing 29 central legislations with four comprehensive codes while ensuring better social security, transparent governance and improved ease of doing business.

The meeting was also informed that four statutory bodies, including the State Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers and the Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Board, would be constituted for effective implementation of the Codes.

Officials said the Labour and Employment Department has proposed a mission-mode implementation plan, including establishment of a Project Management Unit, deployment of block-level Shram Sahayiks, strengthening of IT infrastructure and integration with national labour portals. A proposal of Rs 10.44 crore has been submitted to the Finance Department for the purpose.(NVI)

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