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Old Rusted Grenade Found in J&K’s Rajouri Kalakote, Safely Destroyed

Shivam Bakshi

Rajouri, Oct 09 (NVI) :An old, rusted grenade found in a village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district was safely destroyed by a bomb disposal squad on Friday, officials said.

The old rusted grenade was noticed in Darkeri Gharat village of Kalakote falling under the jurisdiction of Kalakote police station, they said.

Following the information, a police team reached the spot, and a bomb disposal squad.

Subsequently safely destroyed the grenade in a nearby stream at evening, officials said.—(NVI)

Rajnath Singh urges private sector to boost defence production, R&D investment

Rajnath
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (file pic)

New Delhi, Oct 9 (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday called for greater private sector participation, increased investment in research and development (R&D) and enhanced manufacturing capacity to strengthen India’s self-reliance in defence production.

Addressing the eighth annual session of the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) here, Singh said national security increasingly depended on the country’s ability to design, develop, manufacture and control technologies and equipment required by the armed forces.

He presented 15 SIDM Champion Awards 2026 to organisations for their achievements in indigenous technology development, product innovation, design, import substitution, manufacturing excellence and exports.

Highlighting India’s growing defence manufacturing capabilities, Singh said the country’s defence exports had reached a record Rs 38,424 crore in the financial year 2025-26, registering a growth of more than 60 per cent over the previous fiscal.

He reiterated the government’s target of achieving Rs 50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029, describing the transformation of India from a major importer of defence equipment to a credible exporter of sophisticated military hardware as a significant achievement.

The defence minister urged industry leaders to establish progressive milestones to increase the private sector’s contribution to India’s total defence production from around 24 per cent to 50 per cent.

He said the private sector’s contribution had increased significantly over the past 12 years and assured the industry that the government would continue to support its growth while ensuring adherence to regulatory, safety, quality and accountability standards.

Emphasising the importance of technological innovation in modern warfare, Singh said conflicts increasingly relied on advanced capabilities, including drones, missiles, air defence systems and rapidly evolving software and communication technologies.

“Defence manufacturers must treat expenditure on R&D as an investment that strengthens operational preparedness, improves competitiveness and contributes to national security,” he said.

Referring to Operation Sindoor, Singh stressed the need for domestic manufacturing facilities to rapidly scale up production in response to operational requirements.

He called upon the defence industry to develop innovative solutions to expand production capacity and ensure a swift response to changing security challenges.

Singh expressed confidence that India’s talent pool, young workforce, industrial capabilities and policy support would enable the country to emerge among the world’s leading defence manufacturing nations.

He also acknowledged SIDM’s role in strengthening the domestic defence industrial ecosystem and facilitating dialogue between the government and industry.

Established in 2017, SIDM represents large enterprises, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), startups, academia and foreign original equipment manufacturers.

The minister said government initiatives, including the Defence Acquisition Procedure, Defence Procurement Manual, Positive Indigenisation Lists, SRIJAN portal and Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), were aimed at expanding the capabilities of India’s private defence industry.

The session was held under the theme “Sovereign Capabilities, Contested Frontiers: Accelerating India’s Strategic Autonomy in an Era of Disruption”.

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Director General (Acquisition) A Anbarasu, SIDM Founder President Baba Kalyani, SIDM President Arun Ramchandani, senior government officials, representatives of the armed forces and leaders of Indian and international defence companies attended the event.—(NVI)

MHA Orders Temporary Suspension of Mobile Internet Services in Parts of New Delhi

internet access
Representational Image

New Delhi, Oct 9 (NVI): Internet services will remain suspended within a four-kilometre radius of the Janpath–Kartavya Path crossing in New Delhi from 10 pm on Thursday until 10 pm on Friday, following approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs, according to an official order.

The temporary suspension will cover all forms of mobile internet services, with instructions issued to disable the services in the designated area for the specified period.

The measure will remain in force for 24 hours, from 10 pm on October 9 to 10 pm on October 10, the order said.—(NVI)

IGP Kashmir Sujit Kumar Felicitates Budgam Police for Busting Fake Job Racket

Srinagar, Oct 9 (NVI): Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Sujit Kumar on Friday felicitated police personnel in Budgam district for busting a fake employment racket and adopting a digital beat policing system, officials said.

Kumar distributed commendation certificates, appreciation letters and rewards among the police personnel in recognition of their contribution to professional, technology-driven and citizen-centric policing.

The event was attended by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Central Kashmir Range, Rajiv Pandey.

Those recognised included Senior Superintendent of Police, Budgam, Hariprasad KK, Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Magam, Ashrif Lissery, and Station House Officers of Beerwah and Magam police stations, along with 17 other police personnel.

The team of Beerwah police station was rewarded for its role in exposing a fake employment syndicate, while Magam police station was appreciated for adopting the Digital Beat Policing System.

The initiative aims to encourage professional dedication, effective investigations and the use of technology to improve policing and public service, officials said.

The recognition also highlighted the importance of proactive policing and innovation in strengthening public safety and security, they added.—(NVI)

Rajeev Khajuria congratulates Vikas Kundal on assuming charge as Jammu Div Com

Shivam Bakshi

Jammu, Oct 9 (NVI): Rajeev Khajuria, JKAS, Joint Commissioner of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), on Friday congratulated Vikas Kundal, IAS, on assuming charge as Divisional Commissioner Jammu.

Kundal, who has previously served as Deputy Commissioner in Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua and Kargil districts, was welcomed to the new assignment by Khajuria.

Khajuria described Kundal as an honest, dedicated, dynamic and people-oriented officer, saying his appointment to the key administrative position was well deserved.

He expressed confidence that Kundal’s experience and commitment to public service would contribute to effective administration and the welfare of the people of the Jammu division.—(NVI)

BSF Assistant Commandant found dead in J&K’s Kupwara

REpresentational Image

Srinagar, Oct 9 (NVI): An Assistant Commandant of the Border Security Force (BSF) died after being found unconscious in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Friday, officials said.

The officer was found unconscious and unresponsive in the Doban area of Kupwara and was immediately shifted for medical assistance, where he was declared dead, they said.

The exact cause of death has not been ascertained so far, officials said, adding that an investigation has been initiated into the incident.—(NVI)

J&K to witness rain, snow in higher reaches on Oct 10, 13-14: MeT

Srinagar, Oct 9 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir is likely to experience light rainfall at several places on October 10 and 13-14, while the weather is expected to remain largely dry during the remaining days, according to the Meteorological Centre Srinagar.

As per the forecast, the weather is likely to remain generally dry on Friday, with a brief spell of light rain possible at a few places towards late night.

On October 10, generally cloudy conditions are expected, with light rainfall at scattered to many places and light snowfall over higher reaches, the MeT centre said.

The weather is likely to remain generally dry on October 11 and 12. Another spell of generally cloudy weather, accompanied by light rain, light snowfall over higher reaches, thunderstorms and gusty winds, is expected at many places on October 13 and 14.

The weather is likely to remain generally dry on October 15, although a brief spell of light rain may occur at a few places. Dry conditions are expected to prevail from October 16 to 18.

The MeT centre has advised farmers to continue harvesting and ensure the safe storage of harvested apples and paddy.

It has also warned of the possibility of thunderstorms and gusty winds on October 10 and October 13-14.—(NVI)

Two Srinagar boys missing during J&K’s Ganderbal trek traced

Srinagar, Oct 9 (NVI): Two boys from Srinagar who lost their way while trekking in a forest area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district were traced near Rayil Bridge on Friday, officials said.

The boys, identified as Huzair and Minaan, had gone trekking in the forest area between Kullan and Rayil when they lost their way, prompting them to seek assistance through the Dial 112 emergency helpline, they said.

Following the alert, teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) unit at Gund, Gund Police Station and Dial 112 launched a search operation to locate them.

The duo was traced near Rayil Bridge towards Kullan on Friday morning, officials said, adding that further details were awaited.—(NVI)

Two Boys Missing in J&K’s Ganderbal Forest After Trekking Trip, SDRF, Police Begin Search

Cop goes missing along with rifle from south Kashmir
Representational Image

Srinagar, Oct 9 (NVI): Two boys from Srinagar reportedly lost their way in the forest area of Rayil Gund in Ganderbal district while trekking, prompting a search operation by police and rescue teams, officials said.

The boys, identified as Huzair and Minaan, reportedly contacted the emergency helpline Dial 112 seeking assistance after losing their way in the forest, officials said.

Following the information, teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) unit Gund, Gund Police Station and the Dial 112 police unit rushed to the area to trace the boys.

However, contact with the boys had not been established so far, as their mobile phones were switched off, officials said.

Further details are awaited.—(NVI)

GST Council approves new compliance scheme for small businesses

GST

New Delhi, Oct 8 (NVI) The GST Council has approved a concept note for an optional compliance scheme aimed at small businesses with an annual turnover of up to ₹5 crore that supply exclusively to consumers, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday.

Under the proposed scheme, eligible businesses would be required to file only one annual returns while making tax payments on a quarterly basis.

The detailed framework of the proposed scheme will be placed before the GST for consideration at its next meeting, Sitharaman said.

In a post on X, Sitharaman said: “Today, we have distributed a concept note on an optional scheme for businesses with a turnover of up to ₹5 crore, supplying only to consumers. So, this will entail filing only one annual return with quarterly tax payments. The detailed framework will come for a decision before the next Council meeting.”

The decisions were taken at the 57th GST meeting, where the Centre and states approved a series of changes aimed at simplifying GST administration and reducing compliance burdens.

Among the key decisions, the Council approved measures to remove GST officers’ power to arrest taxpayers in cases covered by the reform, raise the threshold for criminal prosecution to ₹5 crore and speed up the processing of most GST refunds.

The Council also approved measures to simplify GST registration for small suppliers seeking to sell through e-commerce platforms. The reforms include an easier procedure for making amendments to GST registration details and a reduction in penalties.

The Council has approved changes aimed at reducing the time taken to process GST refund applications.

Under the revised process, the acknowledgement period will be reduced from 15 days to 10 days, Sitharaman said.

If neither an acknowledgement nor a deficiency memo is issued within 10 days, the refund claim will be treated as acknowledged.

“Based on risk assessment, it is expected that the system will sanction 90 per cent of all the claims within 3 working days of acknowledgement,” Sitharaman added.

The government expects the new framework to enable faster refunds, with most eligible claims targeted for processing within three days under the broader reform package.

The GST Council has also decided to set up a Committee of Officers to examine the transition towards invoice matching for input tax credit claims.

The committee, which is expected to submit its report within three months, will examine how genuine buyers can be protected when they possess a valid invoice, have received the goods and have made full payment to their suppliers.

The move is aimed at addressing concerns faced by businesses that have complied with their obligations but could potentially face difficulties because of issues on the supplier’s side. (NVI)

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