The Minister also laid the foundation for a new Tehsil Office Building in KharahBalli, which is expected to enhance administrative efficiency and citizen engagement. Additionally, a bridge at Kharah was inaugurated to provide reliable connectivity for surrounding villages, while the Chaprial–Bardoh Road project aims to bolster transportation and economic activities in the region. Recognizing the role of sports in youth empowerment, Sharma inaugurated a Volleyball Court at Pallanwala, highlighting the need for quality infrastructure to nurture local talent. He also distributed medical equipment to improve healthcare services and laid the foundation for a Veterinary Hospital at Khour, which will support the rural economy by enhancing animal healthcare. Throughout the program, the Minister reiterated the government’s dedication to ensuring that developmental benefits reach all citizens, emphasizing the importance of inclusive and sustainable growth. He engaged with local residents and community representatives, assuring them that their concerns would be addressed promptly. The presence of senior district officials and local leaders underscored the collaborative effort in driving these initiatives forward.

The meeting was initiated by the Additional Director General of Police (Headquarters), J&K Police, while both the sessions were chaired by Shakeel Maqbool, IFA, Home Department.

The meeting focused on two key agenda points. The first was a detailed review of the Home Department’s Capital Expenditure with directions to expedite the fund disbursal and clear pending payments without delay. The second was to ensure strict compliance with the General Financial Rules, 2017, to maintain financial discipline and prevent creation of any new liabilities.

In his address, the IFA laid strong emphasis on financial discipline and said that all supply orders must be placed through the Government e-Marketplace wherever items are available on the portal. He directed that budget should invariably be blocked at the time of placing any supply order and no order shall be issued without ensuring budget availability.

The IFA further stated that payments for received supplies shall be made exclusively through GeM-PFMS integration and creation of liabilities without budgetary provision must be scrupulously avoided. He also stressed that all sanctions should be accorded strictly within the competence of the sanctioning authority as per the Delegation of Financial Powers and within the allocated budget.

The sessions witnessed active participation of the DDOs of the Home Department, including those from Jammu and Kashmir Police, Fire & Emergency Services, Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Prisons Department, Prosecution Department, Home Guards and SDRF, among others.

The participants apprised the IFA of the issues being faced by them and were assured that wherever the support of the IFA office or enhancement of delegation is required, the same is being looked into.

In a statement issued here on Wednesday, Police said that during  a personal search of the accused, identified as Abid Fayaz Shah of Sopore illicit psychotropic substances were recovered. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Sopore, and an investigation is underway to trace the supplier network.

In a statement issued here on Wednesday, Police said that the property belongs to Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, an accused individual linked to four separate NDPS cases spanning from 2010 to 2025. “ The asset freeze is part of a deliberate strategy to choke the financial lifelines of long-time narcotics offenders in the valley”, the statement reads

Srinagar : The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) held its 58th and 59th Research and Extension Advisory Committee (REAC) meetings to evaluate its research and extension strategies, assess progress on key initiatives, and establish future priorities for technology development.

Speaking on the occasion Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai emphasized the importance of demand-driven, farmer-centric research aimed at enhancing the bioeconomy, agribusiness, and climate-resilient agriculture. He acknowledged the university’s achievements in developing improved crop varieties and technologies that align with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, positioning Jammu & Kashmir as a center for innovative agricultural development. During the meetings, Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth, Director of Extension, outlined the agenda and underscored REAC’s role in adapting the university’s programs to meet the evolving needs of farmers and stakeholders. The committee reviewed the Action Taken Report, varietal release proposals, progress on minikit trials, and new research proposals from various faculties. Notably, SKUAST-K has successfully transferred 87 technologies to end users, released eight improved crop varieties, and initiated 15 minikit trials to promote technology adoption. The university’s outreach efforts were highlighted, with training provided to over 28,000 beneficiaries through various programs, including the Holistic Agriculture Development Program and MSME-supported skill development initiatives. This reflects SKUAST-K’s commitment to enhancing farmers’ skills, entrepreneurship, and rural livelihoods. The meetings included participation from various agricultural departments and stakeholders, and Prof. Ganai concluded by stressing the necessity for enhanced collaboration among research institutions and government bodies to foster innovation and strengthen the agricultural economy in Jammu & Kashmir.

At s celebratory event in Srinagar achievements of local students  including Junaid Shah (AIR 1864), Rooman Manzoor (AIR 2633), and Ikhlaq Mohammad Lone (AIR 3156) were greatly acknowledged. Students expressed their satisfaction with the support received from PW, emphasizing the clarity of instruction and the value of daily practice papers in preparing for the exam. Ravikant Diwakar noted the importance of understanding concepts rather than rote memorization, while Shivansh Anand highlighted the benefits of regular testing for time management and error correction. Alakh Pandey, the Founder and CEO of PhysicsWallah, congratulated all NEET aspirants for their dedication and hard work, encouraging those who did not meet their goals to view the exam as just one milestone in their broader journey. PW’s coaching approach focuses on providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality education, utilizing technology to offer daily practice questions, mock tests with video solutions, and 24/7 doubt resolution. This year, approximately 20 lakh students participated in NEET (UG) 2026, with 11.21 lakh qualifying for admission to various undergraduate medical programs.

Representatives of Qamaria Auqaf Trust informed during the meeting that the week-long Urs Mubarak will commence from the 21st of July while the main Urs day shall be observed on 25th. The main congregation is expected to witness a significant gathering of devotees at the revered shrine of Hazrat Qamar-Ud-Din Bukhari (RA) in Reshipora Saloora.

A detailed discussion was held regarding the various arrangements required for the smooth and successful conduct of the religious event.

The meeting finalized comprehensive plans related to uninterrupted power supply, safe drinking water, medical facilities, fire safety, transport and parking, sanitation, security, and traffic regulation.

The DC directed all concerned departments to ensure that all arrangements are put in place well before the commencement of the Urs to provide a smooth, safe, and comfortable experience for the devotees.

The Fire & Emergency Services Department was instructed to deploy fire tender at the venue, while the Health Department was asked to station an ambulance with adequate emergency medicines and medical staff.

The Municipal Council Ganderbal was directed to maintain cleanliness in and around the shrine premises, including the approach roads.

To ensure safety and order during the large gatherings, the Police and Traffic Departments were tasked with maintaining security and managing traffic regulations effectively. The ARTO was asked to ensure proper transport and parking arrangements for the convenience of the devotees.

The Executive Engineer KPDCL was directed to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the Urs days and to keep a generator set ready as backup.

DC assured the representatives of Qamaria Auqaf Trust that the district administration is committed to ensuring that all necessary facilities are in place to facilitate a peaceful and spiritually enriching experience for the devotees participating in the Urs Mubarak.

The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Assistant Commissioner, Development, Tehsildar Ganderbal, DySP Headquarters, representatives of KPDCL, PHE, R&B, ARTO, and other concerned officers.

Srinagar : Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, on Thursday directed the field officers to ensure 100 percent completion of the pending houses under Pradhan Mantri AwaasYojana–Gramin (PMAY-G) houses by July 30. He cautioned against unnecessary delay and any wrongful deletion of eligible beneficiaries under PMAY-G 2.0.

Chairing a review meeting attended by Director Rural Development Kashmir Riyaz Ahmad Wani, Joint Director Planning Kamal Kumar, Additional District Development Commissioners (ADDCs), Assistant Commissioners Development (ACDs) and Block Development Officers (BDOs), the Secretary said that while Jammu and Kashmir has achieved 98 percent completion under PMAY-G, the government’s objective is 100 percent saturation, ensuring that no eligible rural household is left without a permanent house.

According to the progress report reviewed during the meeting, against an overall target of 3,35,452 houses, 3,34,611 have been sanctioned and 3,26,558 completed, leaving 8,053 houses pending.

The Secretary observed that despite the remarkable progress, the remaining pendency must be eliminated within the stipulated timeframe.

Reviewing the district-wise performance, he directed all the ACDs and BDOs to ensure completion of every pending house well before July 30. He instructed the officers to undertake daily monitoring, resolve all bottlenecks affecting construction, ensure the timely release and utilization of assistance wherever due and extend every possible facilitation to beneficiaries for early completion of their houses.

The Secretary further directed that, wherever recoveries are warranted under the provisions of the scheme, the same shall be initiated and concluded expeditiously in accordance with the prescribed guidelines and due process.

Aijaz Asad also directed the districts to ensure that the Fund Transfer Orders (FTOs) dated 31.03.2026, which have not yet been credited, are re-generated at the Block level through the Awaas portal without delay.

Stressing accountability, he said the department has zero tolerance for avoidable delays, noting that the officers have already been provided adequate time and repeated extensions over the past several months. He observed that a PMAY-G house can ordinarily be completed within two to three months and cautioned that any unjustified delay beyond the prescribed timeline would attract strict administrative action.

The Secretary directed the ADDCs and ACDs to exercise close supervision over the PMAY-G beneficiary database, describing it as a highly sensitive public asset that must be managed with the utmost care and transparency.

He emphasized that no eligible beneficiary should be deleted under any circumstances, while ineligible beneficiaries should be removed only after following the prescribed procedure under the scheme guidelines. He instructed the officers to thoroughly familiarize themselves with the PMAY-G 2.0 deletion module and ensure that every deletion proposal is processed strictly in accordance with the established protocol.

Aijaz Asad further advised the officers to seek timely guidance from the Administrative Department, the Directorate of Rural Development or designated State-level PMAY-G officials whenever any ambiguity arises so that no eligible household is deprived of its rightful entitlement due to procedural lapses.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to “Housing for All,” the Secretary called upon the field functionaries to work in mission mode to achieve 100 percent saturation within the stipulated timeline, ensuring that every eligible rural family in Jammu and Kashmir has access to a safe and dignified pucca house.

Expressing sympathy with the affected families, the Speaker prayed for strength and courage to those who have suffered losses in the incident.

The Speaker directed the District Administration to immediately undertake a comprehensive assessment of the loss of property and other damages caused by the fire.  He further instructed the concerned authorities to ensure that the assessment is completed expeditiously so that the affected families receive the assistance due to them without delay.

He also directed the District Administration to provide immediate relief and all possible assistance to the affected families besides ensuring that every necessary measure is taken for their rehabilitation and welfare.

In a statement issued here, police said that the residential house, valued at ₹23,79,669/-, belongs to Abdul Hamid Thoker of Nusipora Keegam. “The property was identified as having been acquired purely through proceeds generated from the illegal trade of drugs and narcotics, and has been attached under FIR No. 31/2026,” the statement noted.

The attachment proceedings were conducted in presence of an Executive Magistrate and local village heads, reinforcing the department’s policy of dismantling the financial networks of drug syndicates.