Thursday, October 15, 2026
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J&K CM Omar Abdullah to visit Pulwama, review developmental works

CM Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, Sep 16 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will visit Pulwama on Wednesday to review the progress of developmental works and assess the implementation of key projects in the district.

According to the Chief Minister’s Office, Abdullah will also dedicate various infrastructure projects worth Rs 86 crore to the people during his visit.

The projects are aimed at strengthening public infrastructure and improving the delivery of essential services in the district, it said.

The chief minister will take stock of the progress of ongoing works and review the implementation of key development projects, according to the CMO.—(NVI)

IGP Jammu reviews security situation, operational preparedness in J&K’s Reasi

Shivam Bakshi

Jammu, Sept 15 (NVI): Inspector General of Police, Jammu, chaired a security review meeting at the District Police Lines (DPL) in Reasi and assessed the security situation and operational preparedness of the district, officials said.

The meeting reviewed the prevailing security scenario and the preparedness of security forces to deal with emerging challenges, they said.

Security arrangements at critical installations were also reviewed during the meeting, with directions issued to further strengthen security measures and maintain a high level of operational readiness, officials said.

The IGP stressed the need for continued vigilance, effective coordination and preparedness to meet any security challenge, they added.—(NVI)

Merchants to pay MDR fee for UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000: Govt

New Delhi, Sept 15 (NVI) With effect from October 15, UPI transations will be governed by a new framework under which merchants will pay a fee on person-to-merchant (P2M) payments above Rs 2,000.

Under the standard P2M structure, a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) will apply to UPI transactions above Rs 2,000, the government announced today.

For transactions of Rs 75,000 and above, the MDR will be capped at Rs 300 per transaction.

The charge will be paid by merchants to their acquiring banks and cannot be passed on to customers, according to the government.

Consumers will continue to pay no transaction fee for making UPI payments, it said.

UPI app providers will also not be allowed to levy a platform fee or any other charge on UPI payments.

For example, on a Rs 3,000 UPI payment, the merchant would pay Rs 12 as MDR at the 0.4% rate. On a Rs 50,000 payment, the MDR would be Rs 200.

On a Rs 1 lakh transaction, the 0.4% calculation would come to Rs 400, but the merchant would pay Rs 300 because of the cap applicable to transactions of Rs 75,000 and above.

Certain merchant categories will have a separate flat-rate structure. Railways, telecom services, insurance and fuel, among other specified categories, will attract an MDR of Rs 5 per transaction above Rs 2,000 instead of the standard 0.4% rate.

For fuel payments, for instance, a transaction above Rs 2,000 will attract a flat Rs 5 MDR for the petrol pump operator. Fuel payments below Rs 2,000 will carry zero MDR. Insurance premium payments above Rs 2,000 will similarly attract a flat Rs 5 MDR. Government utility payments, including electricity, water and piped natural gas, above Rs 2,000 will also attract a Rs 5 MDR.

Capital-market transactions have been placed under a separate MDR structure. UPI payments involving mutual funds, securities, stockbrokers, dealers and investment platforms will attract an MDR of 0.02%, subject to a maximum cap of Rs 300.

The new MDR framework does not apply to person-to-person (P2P) UPI transactions. Transfers between individuals, including sending money to family or friends and transfers between a person’s own bank accounts, will remain free.

Small merchants covered under the Person-to-Person-Merchant (P2PM) framework will also continue to receive payments without MDR. The FAQ defines these as small vendors receiving up to Rs 1 lakh per month through UPI QR codes directly into their accounts. Receiving an individual payment above Rs 2,000 does not by itself trigger MDR for an exempt P2PM merchant.

 

The government has said MDR revenue will be distributed within the UPI ecosystem to support infrastructure resilience, innovation, cybersecurity and customer service.

A dedicated fund is also proposed to support digital-payment infrastructure and merchant onboarding, particularly for small merchants in rural areas and Tier 3 to Tier 6 centres.

The FAQ cites the scale of UPI as a reason for introducing a more commercially sustainable funding model. UPI processed 2,451 crore transactions worth Rs 29.9 lakh crore in August 2026 alone, according to the document.

It estimates that maintaining UPI operations, including server bandwidth, fraud prevention systems and bank technical support, costs around Rs 20,000 crore annually.

For consumers, the key point is that the MDR is a merchant-side charge. Customers will not be charged for making UPI payments, and merchants covered by the new framework will not be allowed to pass the MDR on to buyers.

Consumers will continue to pay the listed price when making UPI payments. (NVI)

J&K CM Omar hands over appointment orders to 55 JKAS, Accounts Service officers

Srinagar, Sep 15 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday distributed appointment orders to 55 newly selected candidates of the Combined Competitive Examination for induction into the J&K Administrative Service (JKAS) and J&K Accounts (Gazetted) Service.

The appointment orders were handed over at a function held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) here.

The newly appointed officers include 28 Junior Scale JKAS officers and 27 Accounts Officers of the J&K Accounts (Gazetted) Service.

Addressing the gathering, Abdullah congratulated the officers and their parents and families, acknowledging the effort, perseverance and sacrifices behind their selection.

The chief minister told the officers that receiving appointment orders was not the destination of their journey but a new beginning.

“Now you have to decide how you want people to remember you when you complete this journey. Only you can decide that,” he said.

Abdullah urged the officers to build their careers on the foundations of competence, honesty and hard work, saying public servants are remembered not merely for the positions they hold but for the difference they make in people’s lives.

He asked them to uphold integrity and ensure that their conduct in public service earns them respect.

The chief minister also emphasised the need for sensitivity while dealing with public grievances, saying behind every government file, application and complaint is the story of a person.

“Don’t keep postings and promotions in mind. Just think that you have got a chance which very few people get,” Abdullah said.

He urged the young officers to prepare themselves for challenges Jammu and Kashmir may face in the coming decades, including improving education, making cities cleaner and more liveable, addressing climate change and adapting to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

The chief minister said the nature of governance and challenges before society could change significantly over the next 10 to 20 years, and called upon the officers to remain adaptable, innovative and committed to public service.

Abdullah assured them that the government would extend all possible support to help them discharge their responsibilities effectively.

“You will be in the service. You have to take advantage of that stability and assurance and think about how you would like to see Jammu and Kashmir at the end of your service,” he said.

He expressed hope that the officers would live up to the expectations of their families and the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Ministers Javid Ahmed Dar and Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner Secretary, General Administration Department, M Raju, senior officers, the newly appointed officers and their parents were present at the function.

Abdullah wished the officers success in their careers and urged them to always choose the right path, even when it was difficult.

“Make the right decision and serve the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.—(NVI)

Army Corps Commander tours forward locations in Poonch, reviews security

Lt General P. K. Mishra, Commander of Indian Army's White Knight Corps, receiving briefing in Poonch sector

Shivam Bakshi

Jammu, Sept 15 (NVI): Lt General P. K. Mishra, Commander of Indian Army’s White Knight Corps, today toured the forward defence locations in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir to review security situation and ongoing focussed counter-terrorism operations.

During the visit to Surankote, the General Officer Commanding was briefed on ongoing operations aimed at dominating the Pir Panjal Range, strengthening the joint intelligence network and ensuring seamless coordination among all security agencies, the Army said in a post on X.

The Nagrota-based White Knight Corps is responsible for security along the frontier areas and hinterland of Jammu region.

The Army commander commended the professional conduct and unwavering commitment of all stakeholders involved in the operations.

He also lauded the sustained efforts to deny inimical elements any operational space despite the challenging terrain and weather conditions, it said.

The visit is significant considering the ongoing unrest in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) and apprehensions about mischief by the Pakistan Army. —(NVI)

ACB registers corruption FIR against former ACR Jammu, four private beneficiaries

Shivam Bakshi

Jammu, Sep 15 (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a case against a former Assistant Commissioner (Revenue), Jammu, and four private beneficiaries for allegedly granting illegal permissions for the transfer of land classified as “Gair Mumkin Khad” in Jammu, officials said on Tuesday.

The FIR, registered as Case No. 12/2026 at Police Station ACB Central, Jammu, names Nisar Ahmad Shad, the then Assistant Commissioner (Revenue), Jammu, and four private beneficiaries as accused.

According to the ACB, the case was registered following the outcome of Preliminary Enquiry No. PE-JSK-17/2019, which prima facie found that Shad, while serving as ACR Jammu between May 23 and July 11, 2018, allegedly abused his official position by granting nine permissions for the alienation or transfer of Gair Mumkin Khad land at Chowadi and Deeli.

The permissions were allegedly issued in violation of applicable revenue laws, government orders and directions of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court concerning land recorded as “Gair Mumkin Khad”, the ACB said.

The agency said the permissions were shown to have been granted with the approval of the Deputy Commissioner, Jammu. However, verification with the Deputy Commissioner’s office found that no such approval, note sheet or formal delegation order was available on record.

The FIR has been registered under Section 5(1)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, Svt. 2006, and Sections 120-B, 467, 468 and 471 of the RPC.

Further investigation into the case is underway, the ACB said.—(NVI)

India-US joint military exercise Yudh Abhyas begins in Uttarakhand, Rajasthan

New Delhi, Sept 15 (NVI): The 22nd edition of the India-US joint military exercise Yudh Abhyas commenced on Tuesday at Auli in Uttarakhand and Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan, with 600 personnel from each side participating in the drill.

The opening ceremony was held at the Auli Foreign Training Node, where Major General Amaresh Gunjan, General Officer Commanding, 14 Infantry Division, and Colonel Benjamin Jackman, Commander, 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, US Army, addressed the participating contingents.

The exercise is aimed at enhancing the joint military capabilities of the two armies for the employment of Integrated Battle Groups in mountainous and semi-mountainous terrain, with a focus on infantry-dominated operations.

The drill will strengthen interoperability between the two forces and facilitate the exchange of best operational practices as well as joint planning and execution, officials said.

Technology infusion is a key focus of the exercise, with training involving drones and autonomous systems for surveillance and reconnaissance.

Contemporary weapon systems will also be demonstrated at the Mahajan Field Firing Range, while subject matter experts from both armies will exchange views on emerging technologies and developments in multi-domain warfare.

The exercise provides an opportunity for the two armies to share tactics, techniques and procedures and enhance their ability to conduct coordinated military operations across varied terrain and operational environments.—(NVI)

India, Vietnam identify ways for greater cooperation in Defence, Trade

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar with his Vietnamese counterpart

New Delhi, Sept 15 (NVI) India and Vietnam have identified the way forward for greater defence cooperation, including the co-production of Indian defence items, while also seeking to expand mutually beneficial supply chains and investment.

These issues were discussed during the 19th India-Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting (JCM), co-chaired by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his counterpart Le Hoai Trung, in New Delhi.

The meeting reviewed the full range of bilateral relations under the India-Vietnam Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The discussions also covered greater market access for Indian marine and agricultural products and pharmaceuticals, along with cooperation in financial, port and air connectivity.

India and Vietnam also explored opportunities in nuclear energy and the space sector, as well as heritage conservation, standards for seafarers, capacity building and people-to-people exchanges.

The ministers noted that Vietnamese leader To Lam’s discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including during his state visit to India in May 2026, had provided fresh momentum to bilateral ties.

The two sides also agreed to observe 2027 as the Year of India-Vietnam Friendship, marking 55 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Vietnam’s engagement with India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) was also welcomed, while the ministers exchanged views on regional and global developments and reaffirmed their commitment to closer coordination in regional and multilateral forums.

The two countries expressed satisfaction over the growing trajectory of bilateral relations and agreed to hold the next Joint Commission Meeting at a mutually convenient date.

Vietnam remains a key pillar of India’s Act East Policy, with the two countries seeking to build on longstanding civilisational links and expand cooperation into emerging areas. (NVI)

Rajnath unveils measures to boost MSME, start-up participation in defence sector

New Delhi, Sep 15 (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday unveiled a slew of policy initiatives aimed at lowering technical and financial entry barriers for MSMEs and deep-tech start-ups and launched a framework for sharing DRDO-developed software source codes with licensed industries.

The initiatives were announced at ‘VIMARSH 2026’, a DRDO-Industry Synergy Meet held here, as the government seeks to deepen private sector participation in defence research, development and manufacturing.

Nine Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology (LAToTs) were handed over to 13 manufacturing partners to enable commercial production of advanced defence systems.

Strategic MoUs were also exchanged with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and Laghu Udyog Bharati (LUB) to expand industry outreach and promote greater participation at the grassroots level.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) also signed a contract with the Quality Council of India for System for Advance Manufacturing Assessment and Rating (SAMAR) version 2.0 to benchmark the manufacturing maturity of domestic defence enterprises.

Addressing the gathering, Singh said DRDO-industry collaboration should extend beyond production to the entire value chain, including research, design, testing, certification and manufacturing.

He called for integrating MSMEs and start-ups as an integral part of the defence supply chain alongside large industries to transform India into a global hub for defence manufacturing.

“DRDO possesses knowledge and technology, the industry has scale and manufacturing capability, start-ups bring innovation and agility, and the youth hold the dream of a New India. When these four forces converge and move forward together, no goal is impossible,” Singh said.

He said the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’ was not merely to build an economically strong nation but also a technologically self-reliant, socially inclusive, environmentally sustainable and strategically secure country.

“By 2047, we must achieve Aatmanirbharta in critical technologies, a significant increase in indigenous content, multi-fold growth in defence exports, and a robust presence for India in global supply chains,” the defence minister said.

Singh highlighted reforms undertaken in the defence sector in recent years, including Positive Indigenisation Lists, the ‘Make in India’ initiative, iDEX and ADITI, besides the decision to allocate 25 per cent of the defence R&D budget to the private sector.

He said grants were being provided to start-ups through the Technology Development Fund and several technologies had already reached the production stage.

The minister said iDEX had created a new ecosystem for defence innovation by enabling start-ups to develop solutions based on actual operational requirements.

Describing MSMEs and start-ups as “new flag-bearers of innovation”, Singh said they play a key role in developing components and sub-systems for major defence platforms as well as cutting-edge technologies.

He said the new initiatives focus on industry-led research and development, funding and mentorship for MSMEs and start-ups, academia-industry collaboration and investment in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, hypersonics and directed-energy systems.

“As India is rapidly transitioning from a defence importer to an exporter, there are a number of sectors such as drone technology, AI and cyber security where the MSMEs and start-ups can accelerate innovation,” Singh said.

He urged MSMEs to focus on quality, timely delivery, innovation and global standards while expanding partnerships with large companies.

Speaking at the event, Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh said VIMARSH 2026, themed ‘Varta se Vikas’, was aimed at aligning commercial innovation with national defence preparedness and integrating private sector capabilities into the core defence ecosystem.

He said the forum sought to move the defence sector away from a transactional buyer-seller relationship towards a collaborative technology ecosystem.

Rajesh Kumar Singh said more than 2,300 technology transfers had so far been handed over to over 1,100 industries, benefiting MSMEs and expanding the country’s manufacturing base.

He added that DRDO-developed technologies related to around 50 missiles had been made available to industry to encourage greater participation.

A book titled ‘Defence Systems for Resilient Bharat – Advancing Aatmanirbharta in Defence’, documenting major defence systems developed by DRDO’s technology clusters between 2014 and 2026, was also released.

Guidelines for Human Resource Outsourcing Service Contracts in DRDO were also launched at the event.

The meet was attended by more than 250 defence industry leaders, representatives of industry chambers, senior civil and military officials and DRDO scientists. Secretary, DPIIT also participated in the event.

During technical sessions, DRDO’s technological clusters presented roadmaps covering aeronautical systems, missiles, armaments, microelectronics and naval systems.

Senior officials from DRDO, the Department of Defence Production and the armed forces also discussed measures to accelerate technology absorption, optimise Development-cum-Production Partner models and facilitate faster induction of indigenous technologies into active service.—(NVI)

 

EOW Kashmir secures Rs 4.5 crore refund for 13 affected depositors

Srinagar, Sep 15 (NVI) The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K has facilitated the refund of around Rs 4.50 crore to 13 depositors affected by alleged financial irregularities at an HDFC Bank branch in Shopian, officials said on Tuesday.

The refunds were made by HDFC Bank following the investigation and action taken by the EOW Kashmir in the case, they said.

The case relates to FIR No. 30/2025, registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act following a complaint regarding alleged financial irregularities at the HDFC Bank branch in Shopian.

The case was later transferred to the Crime Branch J&K on the directions of the Police Headquarters for detailed investigation.

During the probe, the EOW Kashmir identified five principal accused, including former branch managers and employees of the bank posted in Shopian and Pulwama. All five were arrested on February 18, 2026, officials said.

After completing the investigation, the EOW filed a chargesheet against 11 accused before the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Shopian, in May 2026.

The criminal proceedings in the case are continuing before the competent court.

The EOW Kashmir said it would pursue the matter to its logical conclusion and ensure that the accused are dealt with in accordance with law.—(NVI)

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