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CM Omar: Won’t discuss issues of J&K with US Ambassador

J&K CM Omar Abdullah talking to media

Srinagar, Aug 19 (NVI): Ahead of the visit of US Ambassador Sergio Gor to Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said he would discuss the situation in J&K with him but not complain to any foreign envoy.

He underlined that issues concerning the Union Territory have to be resolved by New Delhi and not Washington.

Speaking to reporters during a tour of Srinagar to review ongoing developmental works, Abdullah said the US Ambassador was visiting Jammu and Kashmir after a long gap and that he was scheduled to meet him later in the day.

“I would prefer to listen to him. But he is also coming to listen to me. Let’s see what kind of conversation we will have,” the chief minister said.

Asked whether he would raise J&K’s issues with the US Ambassador, Abdullah said, “Our problems have nothing to do with him. It is not my habit to complain to an ambassador of another country. Washington should not solve our problems. Our central government should solve our problems.”

He said he would discuss Jammu and Kashmir and its prevailing situation during the meeting but would not seek intervention from any foreign government.

‘If there is corruption, investigate it’

On allegations of corruption in appointments and protests against the government, Abdullah said his administration did not control the agencies empowered to investigate such allegations.

“If we believe that what they are saying is right, we do not even have the power to hide it,” he said, adding that he does not control the police, Crime Branch or anti-corruption agencies.

“If there is evidence of corruption, the concerned agencies should investigate and register a case,” he said, while dismissing what he termed as “baseless allegations”.

Waterlogging a legacy issue

On recurring waterlogging in Srinagar, the chief minister described it as a “legacy issue”, saying the problem was not created in the last two or five years.

He said several colonies had come up without adequate drainage infrastructure and that the government was now working to address the problem retrospectively.

The administration has identified vulnerable areas and “black spots” in the city, he said.

Abdullah added that additional pumping arrangements would be made on an emergency basis whenever the Meteorological Department issued warnings of heavy rainfall.

Long-term drainage projects were also being undertaken by the Housing Department, he said.

“As soon as we receive funding, we will arrange for drainage in these areas,” Abdullah said.(NVI)

Three Killed, Several Injured in Tata Sumo Accident in J&K’s Reasi

Road accidents
Representational image

Shivam Bakshi

Reasi, Aug 18 (NVI): Three passengers were killed and several others critically injured after a Tata Sumo skidded off the road and rolled down a hill in the Thub-Panasa area of Reasi district on Tuesday night, officials said.

The vehicle was travelling from Thanole when it met with the accident between Thub and Panasa, they said.

The deceased were identified as Prem Singh (50), son of Omkar Singh, a resident of Thub; Santosh Devi (48), wife of Prem Singh, a resident of Thub; and Durgi Devi (75), wife of Sarwan, a resident of Jij Bagli.

The injured passengers were shifted to a nearby health facility for treatment, officials said.

Further details are awaited.—(NVI)

India signs defence MoU with Armenia

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh with Armenia’s Minister of High Tech Industry Davit Tadevosyan

New Delhi, Aug 18 (NVI) India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Armenia to expand cooperation in defence research, development, innovation and joint production.

The agreement was signed during the visit of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh to Armenia after his discussions with Armenia’s Minister of High Tech Industry Davit Tadevosyan yesterday.

The discussions focused on strengthening defence industrial cooperation and identifying areas of mutual interest for deeper engagement, the Defence Ministry said here today.

The ministry said the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the bilateral defence partnership, with a renewed focus on defence industry cooperation and research and development.

The MoU comes against the backdrop of growing defence engagement between India and Armenia. The two countries have stepped up high-level military interactions in recent months, including discussions on expanding cooperation across defence-related areas.

During his visit, Singh also met Armenia’s Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Edvard Asryan.

The meeting covered bilateral defence cooperation, with both sides underlining the importance of expanding engagement in defence research and industrial capabilities.

Singh arrived in Armenia on August 16 for a two-day visit and was received by Ambassador Sinha along with senior officials from Armenia’s Defence Ministry.

His visit was aimed at advancing ongoing bilateral defence engagement.

Singh’s visit follows Asryan’s visit to New Delhi in April. During that visit, he met Singh to discuss bilateral defence cooperation and also held talks with Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh. (NVI)

US tariffs on quartz products: India takes up matter at WTO

WTO.
File Photo
New Delhi, Aug 18 (NVI) Questioning the tariffs imposed by the US on some quartz products, India has taken up the matter at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

 

India has said it has “substantial interest” in Washington’s new safeguard measures on quartz surface products and proposed holding consultations virtually, according to a WTO notification.

The US began collecting tariffs on some imported quartz slabs used for countertops, backsplashes and bathroom tiles.

The levies range from 19% to 50% over four years, depending on when the imports enter the US and whether they exceed predetermined thresholds. 

Under WTO rules, the US has to enter into consultation within 30 days of receiving the request. If the dispute isn’t resolved within 60 days, India can request the establishment of a panel.

 

The quartz tariffs followed a finding by the US International Trade Commission that increased imports were a substantial cause of serious injury to the domestic industry. Trump signed a proclamation imposing the measure last month.

India, Vietnam, Spain and Thailand were major exporters during the investigation period in the findings.

The latest development comes as the two sides remain engaged in negotiations for the first tranche of a bilateral trade deal. While both have expressed optimism that an agreement is close, it has yet to materialize.

 

India has taken such a step earlier as well.
Last year, it challenged Washington’s tariffs on products including aluminum and automobiles, arguing that the measures would hurt Indian exporters.

The US administration is also probing nations including India under Section 301 over alleged excess capacity, while it has already imposed a 10% tariff on Indian goods following a similar probe into alleged forced labor.

India and the US announced a trade deal framework in February that would cut duties on Indian goods.
Days later, however, the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s sweeping global tariff regime, creating fresh uncertainty over when the pact would take effect.  (NVI)

394 entities, 36 professionals under IT Dept scanner over money sent abroad

INCOME TAX
File Photo
New Delhi, Aug 18 (NVI) At least 394 entities and 36 professionals are under the scanner of the Income Tax Department over suspected irregularities in large amounts of money sent abroad during the past three years.
According to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), the exercise covers entities that sent large amounts of money abroad despite reporting very little business activity or not filing income-tax returns. The department is also checking the role of professionals who certified these foreign payments.

 

Of the 394 entities being examined, 117 are located in states sharing land borders with India, the CBDT said.

 

The department’s data analysis found that some entities had sent large amounts abroad for purposes such as freight, software imports and consultancy services, even though the payments appeared disproportionate to their reported business. Some of the entities were also found not to be operating from the addresses declared by them.

 

The department is also examining a group of professionals who issued a large number of Form 15CB certificates.
A Form 15CB is a certificate issued by an accountant stating whether tax is payable on a particular payment being sent outside India.

 

The foreign remittances were received by a cluster of entities, raising questions about whether the transactions were genuine and whether proper checks were carried out before the payments were certified, the department said.

 

The development comes after an earlier search by the department uncovered a network allegedly involved in providing “accommodation entries” through bogus donations and contributions to fictitious charitable trusts.

 An accommodation entry is essentially a paper transaction created to make unaccounted money appear to have come from a legitimate transaction. For example, a transaction may be shown as a genuine donation, loan or investment even though the underlying transaction is not genuine.

 

The department said its investigation is now examining the entities involved in the foreign remittances, the people behind them and the professionals who certified the transactions.

 

It said accountants issuing Form 15CB and other certificates are expected to carefully examine the underlying transactions and supporting documents before certifying them. Further investigation is underway. (NVI)

CM Omar Abdullah Reviews Preparations for Inaugural International Film Festival of J&K

Srinagar, Aug 18 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday reviewed the final preparations for the inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK), scheduled to be held from September 7 to 10 in Srinagar and Jammu.

Chairing a high-level meeting here, Abdullah stressed the need for close coordination among departments and timely completion of arrangements to ensure a smooth experience for filmmakers, artists, delegates and audiences.

The four-day festival is being positioned as an international platform for cinematic excellence, cultural exchange and creative collaboration, besides providing opportunities for local filmmakers and emerging talent.

Commissioner Secretary Information R Alice Vaz briefed the meeting on the festival programme, which will feature screenings under categories including International Competition, Cinema of the World, Bharat Panorama, J&K Select, Best Debut Film, Documentary/Hybrid and Short Films.

Masterclasses, panel discussions, in-conversation sessions, round tables and workshops involving filmmakers, actors, critics, scholars and other industry professionals are also planned.

The meeting reviewed arrangements at major venues, including the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), INOX Shivpora in Srinagar and Waves Cinema in Jammu. A proposed floating cinema at Lalit Ghat was also discussed.

Preparations for a Gulmarg excursion for a select group of filmmakers were reviewed, with visits to the Gondola, Golf Course, Gulmarg Club and other attractions planned.

Abdullah directed the concerned departments and agencies to remain fully geared up and ensure that all arrangements are completed well ahead of the festival.

He also called for showcasing Jammu and Kashmir’s heritage, cuisine, handicrafts, traditional art forms and tourist destinations during the event.

The chief minister said meticulous planning and seamless coordination would be essential to establish IFFJK as a premier annual event on the global film calendar.

The meeting also reviewed security and traffic arrangements, airport facilitation, hospitality and protocol, accommodation, transportation, medical facilities, power supply, sanitation, beautification and venue preparedness.

The Information Department was tasked with maintaining a consolidated action matrix covering departmental responsibilities, timelines, progress and pending issues, besides coordinating invitations, participant facilitation and media arrangements.

Plans for extensive publicity and branding of the festival through print, electronic, digital and outdoor media were also discussed.

The festival is expected to bring together filmmakers, artists, storytellers, industry leaders, policymakers, academicians, students and audiences from India and abroad.

Abdullah said the festival should emerge as a flagship international event showcasing Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural richness and creative potential while creating wider opportunities for local filmmakers and emerging talent.

The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, senior officers of the civil administration, police and various departments concerned.

Officers briefed the chief minister on the status of preparations and measures being taken for the successful conduct of the festival. Officers from outside Srinagar participated in the meeting through video conferencing.(NVI)

CM Omar Cabinet revamp: NC weighs fresh inductions, portfolio changes

CM Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, Aug 18 (NVI): The ruling National Conference is considering a reshuffle and expansion of the Omar Abdullah-led Council of Ministers, with discussions underway on fresh inductions, redistribution of portfolios and possible changes among the existing ministers, sources said on Tuesday.

The exercise has gained momentum after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah indicated ahead of Independence Day that a cabinet expansion and reshuffle could be considered after August 15.

The Council of Ministers currently has six members, including the chief minister and deputy chief minister, while the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly allows for a maximum of eight ministers, leaving room for two more inductions.

According to sources, the party leadership is holding consultations on possible candidates for ministerial berths. Names being discussed include Srinagar MLA Tanvir Sadiq, Sopore MLA Irshad Rasool Kar, Kupwara MLA Mir Saifullah, Pahalgam MLA Altaf Ahmad Wani, Anantnag MLA Bashir Ahmad Veeri and Poonch MLA Ijaz Ahmad Jan.

However, no final decision has been taken and the names remain under consideration, sources said, adding that the final composition would depend on political, regional and administrative considerations.

The proposed exercise may also involve redistribution of portfolios among the existing ministers. Some ministers could be given new departments, while the possibility of dropping one or more ministers has also not been ruled out, sources said.

The current Council comprises Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, and ministers Sakina Masood Itoo, Javed Ahmed Rana, Javed Ahmed Dar and Satish Sharma.

Meanwhile, the Congress, which is an alliance partner of the National Conference, has so far not joined the government despite being approached over participation in the Council of Ministers.

The timing and final shape of the proposed cabinet exercise are yet to be decided by the National Conference leadership, sources said.(NVI)

Rajnath Singh flags off NCC girls’ high-altitude trek to Parang La

New Delhi, Aug 18 (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday flagged off the NCC’s all-India girls’ high-altitude long trek ‘Aparajita–Parang La 2026’, with 28 girl cadets set to undertake a 250-km expedition through one of the most challenging routes in the Himalayas.

The 30-day expedition will traverse the 5,578-metre (18,300 feet) Parang La Pass, connecting Himachal Pradesh’s Spiti Valley with the Changthang region of Ladakh.

The team will be led by three women officers representing the Army, Navy and Air Force.

The participating cadets, drawn from NCC directorates across the country, have an average age of 19 years, with the youngest being 16-and-a-half.

Addressing the cadets at the flag-off ceremony here, Singh described their participation in the challenging expedition as a testament to the courage, determination and growing capabilities of the country’s women.

The expedition will pass through Kibber, Dumla, Thaltak, Bongrojen, Parang La, Dak Karzong, Norbu Sumdo, Kiangdom and Korzok, covering high-altitude deserts, glaciers, snowfields and river valleys.

Singh said such expeditions help inculcate leadership qualities, mental resilience, discipline and self-confidence among young people.

He told the cadets that the trek would provide them with lessons in resilience, confidence and self-discovery, and hoped they would return with a deeper understanding of their inner strength.

The Defence Minister asked the team to prioritise safety, environmental protection and respectful interaction with local communities during the expedition.

He urged the cadets to strictly follow instructors’ guidance, avoid unnecessary risks and adopt a zero-waste approach to protect the fragile Himalayan ecology.

Singh also highlighted the achievements of NCC cadets in adventure activities across land, water and air, and lauded the girl cadets for demonstrating the spirit of ‘Nari Shakti’ by leading from the front.

The participation of cadets from different NCC directorates, representing diverse languages, cultures and backgrounds, reflected the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’, he said.

The expedition is being conducted in two phases. A preparatory and acclimatisation trek was held in the Bhaba-Pin Valley sector, following which the final team was selected on merit.

The expedition has been conceptualised to promote women’s empowerment, leadership, self-confidence, teamwork, endurance and national integration among NCC girl cadets.

NCC Director General Lt Gen Virendra Vats and senior officials of the NCC and Defence Ministry were present at the flag-off ceremony.(NVI)

Search Operations Underway in J&K’s Udhampur, Reasi

File Photo

Shivam Bakshi

Udhampur, Aug 18 (NVI): Security forces on Tuesday launched search operations at several locations in Udhampur and Reasi districts following reports regarding the movement of suspected persons, officials said.

Officials said a joint team of police and the CRPF launched a cordon-and-search operation in Talot village of Udhampur after receiving information about the suspected movement late Monday night.

Following the inputs, joint teams of police and the CRPF reached the area and launched searches, officials said.

Meanwhile, security forces also conducted search operations in the Sadini forests of Reasi district following reports of suspected movement.

Officials said the searches were underway in the areas where inputs regarding the movement of suspected persons had been received.(NVI)

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