In a written reply to an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Heavy Industries Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma said that 52,718 EV charging stations have been installed across the country as of July 29, 2026, with Jammu and Kashmir accounting for 295 charging stations, while neighbouring Ladakh has 25.

The Minister, however, said the Centre does not maintain a centralised record categorising charging stations into fast-charging and slow-charging facilities, making it difficult to assess the nature of charging infrastructure available in individual States and Union Territories, including Jammu and Kashmir.

The reply assumes significance as Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing a steady increase in the adoption of electric vehicles, particularly in urban centres such as Srinagar and Jammu, alongside growing efforts to promote cleaner and sustainable modes of transport.

The Minister informed the House that the establishment of EV charging stations has been de-licensed, allowing private entities to install charging infrastructure in accordance with the Ministry of Power’s guidelines issued on September 17, 2024. This policy is intended to encourage greater private investment and accelerate the creation of a nationwide charging network.

He said that under the FAME-II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) scheme, charging infrastructure has been implemented through three Oil Marketing Companies—Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)—along with Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Limited (REIL), Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) and POWERGRID.

The Minister further informed that under the PM E-DRIVE scheme, Government ministries, Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), States, Union Territories and their public sector undertakings are eligible to submit proposals for setting up EV Public Charging Stations. These agencies may establish and operate charging stations independently or engage private Charge Point Operators (CPOs) for implementation and maintenance.

According to the data placed before Parliament, Maharashtra leads the country with 6,985 EV charging stations, followed by Karnataka (6,805), Uttar Pradesh (4,493), Tamil Nadu (3,839), Telangana (3,739) and Kerala (3,399). Among the northern States and Union Territories, Punjab has 1,548 charging stations, Haryana 2,291, Himachal Pradesh 256, Delhi 2,370, Chandigarh 76, and Jammu and Kashmir 295.

The Minister’s reply came in response to a question seeking State-wise details of EV charging stations installed over the last five years, their classification into fast and slow chargers, the agencies responsible for their installation, and the implementation status of charging stations under various Central Government schemes.

While providing detailed information on Punjab under the FAME-I, FAME-II and PM E-DRIVE schemes, the Minister did not disclose a scheme-wise break-up of charging stations established in Jammu and Kashmir.

 Srinagar  :The Government of Jammu & Kashmir has approved two projects worth ₹10.95 crore for the preservation, restoration and upgradation of two prominent religious sites in Anantnag district.

An amount of ₹5.03 crore has been approved for the restoration and renovation of Ziyarat Sharief Khiram, while ₹5.92 crore has been sanctioned for the repair and renovation of Shiv Mandir, Thajiwara, Bijbehara.

The projects aim to preserve the sanctity, heritage and architectural character of these revered places of worship while upgrading essential infrastructure to provide a better experience for devotees and visitors.

The approvals are part of the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah led Government’s sustained efforts to conserve religious and heritage sites across Jammu and Kashmir through focused investments in restoration, preservation and infrastructure development. By protecting these sites and enhancing public amenities, the Government seeks to ensure that future generations continue to benefit from the region’s rich spiritual, cultural and historical legacy.

Recently, the Government has approved a series of heritage conservation initiatives across Jammu and Kashmir. These include projects for the restoration and revival of the historic heritage site of Purmandal in Samba, the conservation and upgradation of the historic Imambara Zadibal in Srinagar, the development of the revered holy spring of Khoo Sahib at Yarwan in Pulwama, and the restoration of the historic Jamia Masjid Sharief in Shopian along with the revered Sarvadhar Chaumanda Mata Mandir in Ramban.

The programme was organised by the District Health Society Doda and witnessed the participation of Dr. Narinder Singh, Dr. Niraj Kumar and Dr. R.S. Manhas from the Department of Paediatrics, GMC Doda, BMO Ghat, Dr. Abdul Gafoor, Dy Medical Superintendent, AH GMC Doda, Dr. Irfan Tasaduq Kelam, healthcare staff, nursing students and lactating mothers.

During the programme, senior faculty members from the Department of Paediatrics, including Dr. Niraj Kumar, Dr. R.S. Manhas and Dr. Narinder Singh delivered informative lectures highlighting the significance of early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding along with complementary feeding for optimal child growth, development and disease prevention.

CMO and Dy. Medical Superintendent, AH GMC emphasised the importance of observing World Breastfeeding Week and urged mothers and families to adopt optimal breastfeeding practices for ensuring a healthy start to every child’s life.

The programme also featured speeches by nursing students of GMC Doda, who highlighted the health, nutritional and emotional benefits of breastfeeding for both infants and mothers.

The programme concluded with a pledge by the participants to promote, protect and support breastfeeding practices, reinforcing the commitment of the Health Department towards improving maternal and child health across the district.

The action has been taken under Section 30(2)(a) read with Section 18(1)(f) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, after the product was declared Unsafe and Misbranded by the National Food Laboratory (NFL), Ghaziabad.

The affected product is Snack Dressing (Sauce) of Nirmal Fruits Products, Batch No. 02, Manufacturing Date: 02.05.2026, Expiry Date: 01.05.2027, Pack Size: One Litre, manufactured by M/s Nirmal Fruits Products, Industrial Estate, Akhnoor, Jammu.

The sample was lifted on May 16, 2026 by the Food Safety Officer, Akhnoor, from the premises of the manufacturer and forwarded to the National Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad, on May 19, 2026 for analysis. The Food Analyst, NFL, Ghaziabad, declared the sample Unsafe and Misbranded under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Subsequently, the Designated Officer, Food Safety, Jammu Rural,  prohibited the sale of the said batch within Jammu district under Section 36(3)(b) read with Section 18(1)(f) of the Act.

In view of the laboratory findings and to safeguard public health, the Commissioner, Food Safety, J&K, has now extended the prohibition across the entire Union Territory under Section 30(2)(a) of the Act.

FDA J&K has advised all Food Business Operators, including distributors, wholesalers and retailers dealing with the affected batch, to immediately stop its sale and distribution, withdraw the available stock from the market, inform the concerned Designated Officer, Food Safety, about the stock position, and initiate its recall without delay.

All enforcement officers have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the order and initiate appropriate legal action wherever the prohibited product is found available for sale.

The FDA has also appealed to consumers to refrain from using the affected batch and report the availability of the prohibited product or any suspected case of unsafe food through the Toll-Free Helpline 104 or via email at cfsjandk.fnd@jk.gov.in

In a statement issued here on Wednesday, Police said in Ganderbal, officers seized four tippers involved in the illegal extraction and transportation of mining material across the jurisdictions of Police Station Sonamarg, Police Station Lar, Police Station Ganderbal, and Police Post Shadipora. The cases were referred to the Geology & Mining Department, which imposed the necessary penalties under applicable law.

“During another  joint operation at Khore Sherabad along Nallah Ferozpora in Baramulla, authorities seized 130 cubic metres of dumped sand belonging to Aadil Rasool Mir”, Police statement reads. In its statement  Police further said that individual appeared before the joint team, admitted ownership of the seized material, and a penalty of ₹1,32,082 was imposed by the Geology & Mining Department and realized on the spot. A tractor illegally transporting minerals was also taken into custody under the MMDR Act.

The officials and staff members of the District Information Office accorded him a warm welcome and honoured the newly appointed officer, extending their best wishes for a successful tenure.

The District Information Officer interacted with the staff and undertook a detailed review of the ongoing works and activities of the office.

He discussed various matters related to the functioning of the office and underlined effective coordination, timely dissemination of information and efficient discharge of official duties as the priorities of his tenure.

The staff assured the DIO of their full cooperation in carrying out the assigned responsibilities.

Organised by the Department of Youth Services & Sports, District Baramulla, the championship was inaugurated by the Principal of the host school in the presence of Mushtaq Ahmad Pampori, DYSSO Baramulla, along with sports officials, coaches, teachers and spectators.

Addressing the participants, DYSSO Baramulla welcomed the teams and urged the young players to uphold sportsmanship, discipline, teamwork and fair play.

The participating districts include Baramulla, Shopian, Kulgam, Budgam, Srinagar and Anantnag.

On the opening day, Baramulla defeated Shopian 5–0, with Umer Farooq scoring a hat-trick, while Tawqeer Hassan and Danish Maqbool scored one goal each. In the second match, Anantnag defeated Kulgam 4–1.

The tournament will continue over the coming days, with teams competing for the provincial title and progression to the next stage of the Subroto Cup 2026.

In a statement issued here on Friday, police said the drive was carried out in active coordination with local youth, who participated in identifying and destroying wild cannabis plants across the locality. Appreciating the community’s support, police emphasized that such joint drives bolster collective efforts to eradicate the drug menace and prevent the spread of substance abuse across the district.

Dr. Singh toured the Greenovator Incubation Centre, including its Fabrication Laboratory (Fab Lab) and startup workspaces, where incubated startups showcased their products, technologies and entrepreneurial journeys. He interacted with startup founders and discussed innovation, technology commercialisation, product development, market access, investment readiness and scaling opportunities.

During the interaction, the DPIIT Director encouraged entrepreneurs to develop technology-driven solutions capable of addressing societal challenges while creating sustainable business opportunities. He appreciated the quality of innovations emerging from the incubator and stressed the importance of strengthening institutional linkages to build a vibrant startup ecosystem.

Dr. Singh was accompanied by CA Tripti Shinghal Somani, Founder of Womennovator – Global Incubator for Women, and Shabir Hussain Shah, Faculty Member, Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI).

The delegation also reviewed the incubation infrastructure and appreciated the efforts of Greenovator Incubation Foundation CEO Sana Aftab and Incubation Manager Jehangir Hameed in strengthening the innovation ecosystem through incubation support, mentoring, capacity-building programmes and industry partnerships.

NIT Srinagar Director Prof. Binod Kumar Kanaujia described the visit as a recognition of the institute’s growing innovation ecosystem. He said the institute remains committed to promoting research-driven entrepreneurship by providing students and innovators with world-class incubation facilities, mentorship and industry exposure.

Registrar Prof. Atikur Rehman said collaborations with national institutions such as DPIIT provide startups with valuable opportunities to receive expert guidance, build industry linkages and access larger markets, inspiring young innovators to transform ideas into successful enterprises.

The visit concluded with an emphasis on closer collaboration among government agencies, higher educational institutions, incubation centres and industry partners to strengthen technology commercialisation and further boost the startup ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.

Jammu| July, 21: The Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Department on Tuesday conducted a joint inspection of pesticide dealers in Jammu district to ensure compliance with the Insecticides Act and Fertilizer Control Order.

The inspection team verified licences, stock records and statutory documents at several establishments and directed dealers to sell only authorised products. They also reviewed implementation of the Integrated Pesticide Management System (IPMS) portal and warned that violations would invite legal action.