SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 29: Members of the Legislative Assembly Abdul Majeed Bhat and Irshad Rasool Kar today called on Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, at the Civil Secretariat here and discussed various issues pertaining to development and welfare of their respective constituencies.

During the meeting, the legislators apprised the Minister of the issues and developmental requirements concerning their constituencies, particularly those related to water supply, infrastructure and other public utility services. They also highlighted the need for timely completion of ongoing works and execution of priority projects to address the demands of the people.

The Minister assured the Legislators that their concerns would be examined on priority for speedy redress. He stressed the importance of coordinated efforts between the concerned departments and the elected representatives for effective implementation of developmental programmes and timely resolution of public grievances.

Javed Rana reiterated the government’s commitment to ensure equitable development and strengthening of essential public services across Jammu and Kashmir. He directed the concerned officers to examine the issues raised and take appropriate action within the prescribed timelines.

Similarly, a number of people from the respective areas also raised various area-specific issues and apprised the Minister of their concerns and developmental requirements.

SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 29: Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, today chaired a meeting to review preparations for the nationwide Reform Utsav, to be observed on October 2 as part of the People’s Plan Campaign (PPC).

The meeting was attended by Secretary in RDD, Rachna Sharma; DG Rural Sanitation, Anu Malhotra; Mission Director NRLM, Shubhra Sharma; Directors RDD Kashmir and Jammu, Reyaz Ahmad Wani and Shahnaz Akhtar; CEO IWMP, Rajnish Kumar; COO Himayat, Rifat Kohli; senior officers, ACDs, ACPs and other concerned officials.

The Secretary stressed that Reform Utsav should go beyond a ceremonial exercise and become a platform for taking governance reforms closer to citizens at the grassroots. He directed the RDD&PR Department, as the nodal department, to coordinate with all concerned line departments for organising Special Gram Sabhas in every Panchayat across J&K on October 2. He said the Gram Sabhas should enable the citizens to understand key reforms, their practical benefits and the development priorities of their respective areas.

Reviewing the preparations, Asad directed the ACDs and ACPs to coordinate with their respective Deputy Commissioners and convene inter-departmental meetings on priority to finalise the arrangements. He also directed that scheme-specific IEC material should reach every Panchayat well before the event and that all designated nodal officers should be fully conversant with their responsibilities.

The meeting reviewed IEC material, creatives, banners, radio jingles and audiovisual content relating to VB-G RAM G, Lakhpati Didi, IWMP, Panchayati Raj and SBM-G.

The Secretary directed that communication should focus on clearly explaining what has changed under the reforms and how these changes benefit rural households, rather than merely reproducing scheme guidelines.

While reviewing VB-G RAM G communication, he directed the officers to highlight key reforms relating the employment, wages, attendance and planning besides displaying sanctioned works and explaining the planning process. For Lakhpati Didi, he called for showcasing the success stories of rural women along with information on available support and opportunities.

The Secretary also directed the ACPs to create special group titled “Reform Utsav”, including all BDOs and Panchayat Secretaries, for seamless dissemination of IEC material, instructions and updates to every Panchayat.

Calling for close supervision, Asad directed the officers to ensure broad participation, proper documentation of proceedings and timely reporting. He emphasised that the Special Gram Sabhas should be meaningful, participatory and focused on taking reforms to the people.

SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 29: As part of its ongoing voter awareness and electoral literacy initiatives, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir, today organised an interaction with students of Government Higher Secondary School at the CEO’s office in Srinagar.

The programme, held under the supervision of the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, Sanjeev Verma, aimed at familiarising the students with the electoral process and sensitising them about the importance of informed and responsible participation in democracy.

Deputy Director & Nodal Officer SVEEP in the office of Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, Salam Din, facilitated the programme and interacted with the students, providing them with an overview of the voter-awareness initiatives being undertaken by the Election Department.

During the interaction, the students were briefed on various aspects of the electoral process, including the importance of voting, voter registration, electoral rights and responsibilities, and the role of young citizens in strengthening democratic participation.

A detailed awareness lecture was delivered by Dr. Faisal Mushtaq, Nodal Officer, Election Awareness Programme, Kashmir Division, who interacted with the students and apprised them about the electoral process and the significance of informed participation in elections.

As part of the programme, the students also visited the SVEEP Van titled ‘Democracy on Wheels’ at the CEO’s office, where they were acquainted with the voter-awareness initiatives and IEC activities undertaken under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme.

The students were accompanied by their teachers, lecturers and other members of the school staff.

The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, continues to undertake a range of SVEEP and electoral literacy activities aimed at strengthening awareness among young citizens and encouraging greater understanding of the electoral process and democratic institutions.

Addresses 2-day J&K International Buyer-Seller Meet organised by JKTPO at SKUAST-K

Says Ease of Doing Business law, decriminalisation measures aimed at making investment enterprise easier in J&K

CM urges buyers to build long-term partnerships with local producers

SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 29: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today called for sustained business partnerships between Jammu and Kashmir’s entrepreneurs and buyers from across India and abroad, emphasising that the Government is working to create an enabling environment for investment, trade and industry while protecting the unique identity of the region’s traditional products.

Addressing the inaugural day of the two-day Jammu and Kashmir International Buyer-Seller Meet organised by the J&K Trade Promotion Organisation (JKTPO) in collaboration with the Trade Promotion Council of India at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), the Chief Minister said the Government’s efforts to promote exports and attract investment must go hand in hand with making it easier for businesses to operate in J&K.

Referring to the passage of important legislation in the Legislative Assembly earlier in the day, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the Government had taken a significant step towards improving the business environment in Jammu and Kashmir.

“We have brought a law in the form of Ease of Doing Business, in which we have tried to put a stop to all these things,” he said, referring to unnecessary permissions, delays and excessive inspections faced by businesses.

He said the legislation provides for applications to be dealt with within prescribed timeframes and, where applicable, provides for deemed approval if action is not taken within the stipulated period.

“We have reduced the number of inspections,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the Government wants to ensure that those seeking to establish industries, educational institutions and other enterprises are not discouraged by cumbersome procedures.

He said the Government was also taking steps towards decriminalising certain minor violations and mistakes, observing that not every lapse should result in a criminal case and a lifelong criminal record.

“Today, we have also tried to decriminalise some ordinary mistakes, so that people don’t have to go to the courts for no reason. This will reduce the pressure in the courts,” he said.

The Chief Minister said these measures were part of the Government’s larger effort to create conditions in which trade, commerce, manufacturing and investment can grow in Jammu and Kashmir.

“On one hand, we organise buyer-seller meetings. It is a good thing. But on the other hand, if we don’t make your work easier, then there is no point in these buyer-seller meetings if we tie one hand behind your back,” he said.

Emphasising the need to protect the distinct identity and authenticity of J&K products, the Chief Minister said the Government was working to strengthen Geographical Indication (GI) protection and ensure that products marketed in the name of Kashmir genuinely reflected the skills and craftsmanship of its people.

“Our Pashmina, our embroidery, the magic in the hands of our people, we are trying to sell it to the world in the name of Kashmir Shawl,” he said, adding that products such as shawls, carpets, Namda, walnut, wool and papier-mâché needed sustained promotion and protection.

“If something is sold in the name of Kashmir, it should be made in the hands of the people of Kashmir. And I’m it should benefit the people of Kashmir,” the Chief Minister said.

He stressed that the buyer-seller meet should not remain a one-off exercise but should lead to enduring commercial relationships.

“We don’t want this buyer-seller meet to be a one-off. We want to see relationships built from here,” he said, urging buyers and sellers to approach the event as an opportunity to establish continued business partnerships.

The Chief Minister noted that buyers attending the event had travelled from different parts of India as well as North America, Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

“It will be a matter of great disappointment if we approach this buyer-seller meet as a simple one-off, that I’ll do one deal and that will be the end of the story,” he said, expressing hope that buyers would identify products they could take back and market in their respective regions.

Highlighting the craftsmanship of Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the region’s artisans possess unique skills that can transform simple materials into intricate and high-value products.

“It is our craftsmen and craftswomen who can convert a simple piece of thread into a beautiful piece of embroidery,” he said, describing the intricate workmanship found in Kashmiri carpets and other traditional crafts.

The Chief Minister also appreciated the participation of women from rural areas associated with self-help groups, saying they had come together under difficult circumstances and were creating a wide range of handicrafts and products.

He encouraged buyers to engage with these groups and explore opportunities for sustained commercial relationships.

The event brought together over 25 international buyers, more than 15 national buyers and over 80 exhibitors and sellers, with participation from more than 12 countries. More than 200 handicraft, handloom and agro-food products are being showcased during the two-day event.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah recalled that the process of organising such buyer-seller interactions had begun during his earlier tenure as Minister for Commerce and Industries, and expressed appreciation for the Industries and Commerce Department for carrying the initiative forward.

He also invited visitors from outside Jammu and Kashmir to explore the Valley beyond the business event and experience its natural beauty.

“Every season in Kashmir is beautiful. Autumn has its own charm,” he said, inviting the visiting buyers and delegates to travel around the Valley and return with memorable experiences.

The Chief Minister called upon participants to share suggestions on how such buyer-seller meets could be further improved and expressed hope that both buyers and sellers would conclude the event satisfied with the opportunities created.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner Secretary Industries & Commerce Vikramjit Singh, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K Nazir Ahmed Ganai, Managing Director JKTPO Sudharshan Kumar, heads of various departments, university faculty and staff, students, delegates, buyers, sellers and other concerned were present on the occasion.

Later, the Chief Minister inspected various stalls set up by entrepreneurs showcasing Jammu and Kashmir’s handicrafts, handloom and agro-food products and interacted with the exhibitors.

Jammu, 29 September 2026: BJP J&K State Secretary Pawan Sharma today asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party will firmly oppose every political move by the National Conference-Congress alliance that seeks to undermine Jammu and Kashmir’s complete constitutional and national integration with India.

Pawan Sharma said that Jammu and Kashmir is, was and will remain an integral part of India, and no political alliance can be permitted to reopen issues that have already been constitutionally settled.

“BJP supports the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir through the constitutional process. But statehood cannot be used as a vehicle to revive demands relating to the pre-2019 constitutional arrangement, autonomy or any notion of a separate political identity,” Sharma said.

He said the controversy surrounding the current Assembly resolution has exposed the need for complete clarity from the National Conference and Congress. The BJP has objected to references connected with earlier autonomy-related resolutions while maintaining that restoration of statehood is a separate constitutional issue.

“The people of Jammu and Kashmir will not accept any attempt to take the region backwards. BJP will not allow the politics of separation, ambiguity or constitutional regression to gain ground again,” Sharma said.

He questioned the Congress leadership over its position on the agenda being pursued by its alliance partner.

“Congress must tell the people clearly whether it stands for one Constitution, one national identity and complete constitutional integration, or whether it is willing to support the revival of old autonomy-related demands,” he said.

Sharma said the BJP’s opposition in the Assembly is not directed against the constitutional demand for statehood but against any language or political agenda that goes beyond it. BJP legislators have publicly maintained that they support statehood while opposing references to the pre-August 5, 2019 arrangement.

He further said that while the ruling alliance is focusing on the statehood debate, the government must also answer the people on unemployment, recruitment, power tariffs, daily-wager regularisation, public services and other pressing governance issues. These have been among the issues raised by BJP legislators during the ongoing Assembly session.

“BJP will remain the strongest constitutional safeguard of Jammu and Kashmir’s unity and integrity. We will oppose every attempt to revive a political narrative that divides rather than develops J&K. The people want peace, development, employment, accountability and dignity, not a return to the politics of the past,” Sharma said.

He called upon the National Conference and Congress to stop creating constitutional controversies and concentrate on fulfilling their responsibilities towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“The BJP will fight every such move democratically, constitutionally and firmly, inside the Assembly and before the people. There will be no compromise on the unity, integrity and constitutional sovereignty of India,” Sharma said.

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New Delhi | Sep, 28: Union Home Minister Amit Shah reaffirmed the Centre’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and called for institutionalising the PRAHAAR counter-terrorism strategy over the next decade. Addressing the ‘PRAHAAR – CT Policy and Strategy’ conference, officials said Shah stressed continuous assessment of terror threats, stronger agency coordination, and an automated counter-terror response mechanism, emphasizing that the framework must percolate down to the police station level for swift action.
Built on seven pillars—including prevention, response, capacity-building, human rights, international cooperation, and resilience—PRAHAAR seeks a whole-of-society approach. Shah noted that security agencies recently busted over 40 modules of the Shahzad Bhatti network involved in cross-border smuggling, leading to 100 FIRs, 350 arrests across 15 states, and its designation as a terrorist organisation under UAPA. Additionally, Shah launched an Extradition Portal, noting 288 fugitives were brought back to India from 36 countries between 2019 and 2026.

Emphasises inter-departmental coordination and outreach to implement road safety plan & disburse compensation to accident victims under PM Rahat Scheme

SRINAGAR SEPTEMBER 28:- Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo today chaired a meeting of the District Road Safety Committee here at the Meeting Hall of the DC Office Complex to review the road safety scenario in the District.

The DC assessed measures being taken by various Departments for prevention of road accidents and ensuring safer mobility for commuters and pedestrians, besides improving assistance to accident victims.

At the outset, the Deputy Commissioner held detailed discussions on road safety concerns requiring immediate attention, measures to improve roads and allied safety infrastructure, corrective measures for identified accident-prone black spots and pedestrian safety, besides timely emergency medical response, post-crash care and expeditious settlement of assistance and compensation claims for road accident victims, with the objective of reducing road accidents and fatalities and ensuring safer road conditions for all road users.

On the occasion, the DC emphasised the need for greater outreach to road accident victims and their families so that eligible victims can avail the assistance available under the PM Rahat (Road Accident Victim Hospitalization and Assured Treatment) Scheme under which, every eligible road accident victim on any category of road will be entitled to cashless treatment up to Rs 1.5 lakh

per victim, for period of seven days from the date of accident. He directed the concerned ARTO to ensure that information regarding the scheme reaches accident victims and eligible beneficiaries in a timely manner.

The DC also stressed the need for effective inter-departmental coordination among all concerned agencies to strengthen road safety measures and ensure timely implementation of necessary corrective interventions to minimise the risk of road accidents.

During the meeting, the DC also directed the R&B Department to draft a comprehensive Road Safety Plan under District road Safety Fund incorporating corrective measures for identified black spots, pedestrian safety engineering interventions and other necessary road safety measures.

The DC also stressed the importance of effective implementation of the Integrated Road Accident Database (IRAD) and directed the concerned agencies to ensure timely and accurate reporting of road accidents through the system. He underscored that reliable accident data is essential for identifying accident-prone locations and planning evidence-based corrective measures.

The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mir Imtiyaz Ul Aziz, IAS Probationer, Sai Kiran, Chief Planning officer, Fayaz Ahmad Dar, Superintending Engineer of R&B(North), Shabir Ahmad, Superintending Engineer of R&B (South), Tatheer Manzoor, Joint Commissioner, Hamid Iqbal Mir, Chief Education Officer, Ghulam Mohi Ud Din, Executive Engineer R&B, Abdul Qayoon, Executive Engineer R&B, Khalid Mehmood, District Health Officer, Dr Rubeena, ARTO, Showkat Ahmad, District Informatics Officer, Shahnaz, Accounts Officer, DC Office, Mohammad Iqbal and other Officers of concerned Departments.

Speaking to reporters in Gulmarg, Advisor Wani, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the restoration of statehood had been promised by the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Parliament and questioned the BJP’s opposition to the resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.

“We fail to understand what makes them resort to uproar and turn back to their own promises made during the election campaign,” he said.

The Advisor said two resolutions had already been passed by the Assembly and the fresh resolution was specifically for the restoration of statehood.

He said the resolution belonged to the House and would remain part of the democratic record as long as democracy continued in Jammu and Kashmir. “This is the House’s property and it will remain until democracy is alive here,” he said.

He further said the demand for restoration of statehood was not for the benefit of any particular individual or political party, but to empower the people of Jammu and Kashmir and ensure that the elected government had adequate powers to function. “We do not want statehood for ourselves, but for the people of Jammu and Kashmir to get them empowered and whosoever will be in the chair should have some power,” Wani said.—(KNO)

September 27: Police in Baramulla have solved a theft case registered at Police Station Pattan, leading to the recovery of stolen copper utensils and the arrest of three accused persons, including one juvenile offender.

On 06/08/2026, a case vide FIR No. 186/2026 was registered in connection with the alleged theft of copper utensils from the shop of Shakeel Ahmad Malik, resident of Singhpura, located at Hyderbeigh Market. During the intervening night of 05/06 August, unknown thieves allegedly broke through the wall of the said shop and decamped with a substantial quantity of copper utensils.

During the course of investigation, Police pursued both technical and human leads and questioned several suspects. During sustained questioning, one suspect disclosed his alleged involvement in the theft along with other accomplices. Based on his disclosure and identification, the stolen property was subsequently recovered.

Further investigation led to the apprehension of one juvenile offender and the arrest of two other accused persons, identified as Showket Hussain Mir son of Manzoor Ahmad Mir resident of Kakerpora and Nazir Ahmad Dar son of Assadullah Dar resident of Chainabal. The juvenile offender is being dealt with in accordance with the applicable law.

With these arrests and the recovery of the stolen property, the case has been worked out. Further investigation is in progress.