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SHOPIAN, OCTOBER 04: The District Election Officer (DEO) Shopian, Mohammad Shahid Saleem Dar today chaired a meeting of officers at Mini Secretariat Shopian in order to review necessary arrangements being put in place for counting of votes, scheduled on October 8.

The DEO took appraisal of department wise duties and responsibilities fixed for each department. He also took stock of all arrangements including magisterial duties, seating arrangements, establishment of media centres, help desks and other arrangements for the hassle free counting process.

He called for exhibiting the optimal coordination and cooperation among all stakeholders for the efficient culmination of counting.

The DEO instructed concerned officers to follow all procedures of Election Commission guidelines while performing their duties and instructed for expediting the preparedness level.

ADC, Zakir Hussain Faaz, Returning Officers of Shopian and Zainapora and other nodal officers attended the meeting.

JAMMU, OCTOBER 4: In a first of its kind initiative, the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museum, J&K under the supervision of its Director, Kuldeep Krishan Sidha, on Friday facilitated an extensive visit of children of Ved Mandir Bal Niketan, Orphanage Ambphala, to Dogra Art Museum Jammu to acquaint them with the rich cultural heritage of Jammu & Kashmir.

The Department organized this special visit for nearly 50 children along with their staff. The children were taken for a guided tour of various galleries of the Museum to make them aware about history and significance of various artifacts.

During the visit, the students engaged with interactive displays, asked curious questions and learned about the significance of each exhibit. This visit aimed to broaden the student’s horizon, spark their curiosity and inspire their imagination and acquaint them with their culture and history.

On the occasion, the Director urged the students to be ambassadors for making their friends aware about our Art, Culture and Heritage.

While speaking on the occasion, the Director emphasised the importance of Museums for the future generations, as repositories of rich cultural heritage.

The event was conceived under the guidance of Principal Secretary, Culture, Suresh Kumar Gupta and executed by the Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, J&K through Assistant Director, Dr. Sangeeta Sharma and Curator, Dogra Art Museum, Jammu, Mukul Magotra.

JAMMU, OCTOBER 4: The members of executive body of retired Judicial Officers Association headed by Harbans Lal, former District & Sessions Judge, today felicitated Justice Tashi Rabstan for taking over as the 37th Chief Justice of High Court of J&K and Ladakh.

They discussed various issues pertaining to welfare of retired Judicial Officers and apprised the Chief Justice of the activities being carried out by the Association. They also complimented the Chief Justice for his proactive approach in upgradation of judicial apparatus in the UTs of J&K and Ladakh so as to reach the last man in the queue of justice seekers.

The Chief Justice expressed gratitude for their warm greetings. He stated that “It is an honour to step into this role, and I am deeply committed towards upholding the values of justice, fairness and integrity. He further stated that together, we can work towards a judiciary that not only meets the needs of our community but also sets a benchmark for excellence,”

The event concluded with a call for unity and cooperation among all members of the judicial community, highlighting the shared goal of fostering a just society.

Registrar General, Shahzad Azeem and Principal Secretary to Chief Justice M.K. Sharma were also present on the occasion.

BARAMULLA, OCTOBER 01: The Election Observers for District Baramulla and District Election Officer (DEO), Minga Sherpa today visited polling stations across all seven constituencies in Baramulla, ensuring a smooth and closely monitored polling process.

The active presence of Election Observers and DEO enabled the immediate resolution of any concerns, allowing the elections to proceed without issues.

During the visits, DEO Sherpa interacted with voters who expressed satisfaction with the arrangements made by the District Election Office. They conveyed their appreciation for the efficient management of the polling process.

Several themed polling stations were established to promote inclusivity. Pink polling stations were set up exclusively for women, red polling stations catered to persons with disabilities (PwDs), blue polling stations were set up for youth and green polling stations were part of the Green Election Initiative aimed at environmental awareness.

Comprehensive security measures were in place to ensure the safety of voters and polling personnel. A multi-layered security strategy was implemented, involving local police, paramilitary forces, and other security agencies, along with CCTV surveillance, to maintain order and deter any disturbances.

Election Observers and DEO expressed their gratitude to voters, polling staff, security personnel, and media representatives for their active participation and cooperation in making the election a success.

SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 01: The Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha has extended hearty congratulations to the voters of the third phase of Assembly Elections for the record turnout. In a social media post, the Lieutenant Governor said, the great enthusiasm among voters in all three phases to exercise their franchise is a testimony to vibrant democracy in J&K and people’s faith in democratic values.

The Lieutenant Governor posted on X:

“Congratulations to the people for a record turnout in final phase of Assembly Elections. I applaud the tireless efforts of election officials, district admin, JKP & our security forces for successfully conducting multi-phased polls & strengthening the pillars of democracy.

Great enthusiasm among voters in all three phases to exercise their franchise is a testimony to vibrant democracy in J&K and people’s faith in democratic values. Transparent, free & fair assembly polls 2024 will be written in golden letters in the history of J&K elections”.

JAMMU, SEPTEMBER 09: In order to achieve the target of planting above one lakh plants under the ‘Green Election’ initiative of Election Commission of India (ECI) during the J&K Assembly Elections 2024, the Office of Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, in collaboration with J&K Forest Department organised a plantation drive in the premises of Model Higher Secondary School, Domana, in Bhalwal block of Jammu district on Monday.

The plantation drive was inaugurated by Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Pandurang K Pole, who was the Chief Guest at the event, whereas Deputy Commissioner Sachin Kumar Vaishya,(District Election Officer), Jammu, Director Forest Protection Force, J&K, Sandip Kujur; Akther Hussain Qazi, Nodal officer of SVEEP, J&K; Sapna Kotwal, Nodal Officer for Media; Dr Vikas Sharma, ACD Jammu (Nodal Officer SVEEP-Jammu), and officers from the District Administration and Forest Department were present at the event.

Speaking on the occasion, CEO Pandurang K Pole reiterated the efforts being made to ensure the Environment-Friendly Plantation Drive along with the Assembly Elections to create a sense of responsibility towards the environment protection among the masses and those participating in the elections.

The CEO also informed that the directions were given to the officers to plant more than 100 plants in the premises of Polling Station identified as Green Polling Station in each Assembly Constituency, whereas rest of the Polling Stations must plant 10-15 plants each in the premises across J&K UT so that a target of planting 1 lakh plants can be achieved before 15 September, 2024.

Pandurang K Pole also asserted that a massive plantation is going to take place across the UT during the Assembly Elections to foster environmental stewardship among the electorate, to compensate for the impact on the environment due to waste generated during the election process.

He also asked all the stakeholders that plantation drives shall be organised at all Polling Stations across the UT on scheduled dates, expressing the significance of environmental responsibility.

Today’s plantation drive was launched as a part of the SVEEP campaign during which above 100 plants were planted and nearly 200 students, NCC cadets and staff members including the Principal of the school also participated in the event.

The students also pledged to take the initiative of Green Election to every nook and corner of the UT.

BARAMULLA, JULY 29: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Baramulla, Minga Sherpa, today convened a meeting of all the concerned officers to review the preparation for the conduct of the upcoming Indian Army Recruitment Rally in the district to ensure a seamless and well-coordinated recruitment process for aspiring candidates.

During the meeting, the DC conducted a detailed review of the logistical arrangements and stressed the need for adequate infrastructure at the rally site including the erecting tents, seating, water supply, sanitation facilities and transportation.

The DC directed the officers to ensure that these amenities are fully operational well ahead of the event to avoid any last-minute issues.

Minga Sherpa further highlighted the necessity of robust security arrangements to maintain order and ensure the safety of both candidates and officials, instructing the police and security agencies to deploy sufficient personnel for crowd management and to adhere to stringent security protocols.

Additionally, the DC directed the establishment of medical camps at the rally site, equipped with essential medical supplies and staffed to provide immediate medical assistance in case of emergencies and ensure the overall safety of the participants.

Among others, officers from civil administration, Police department and the army were present in the meeting.

SRINAGAR, JULY 29: In order to check power pilferage and bring down losses in unmetered flat-rate areas, Kashmir DISCOM is conducting calibrated load rationalization, based on actual electricity usage by the domestic consumers.

Strict directions have also been given to all Electric Subdivisions to carry out door-to-door inspections, focusing particularly on high value consumers, whose agreemented load is significantly lower that actual consumption.

In a press statement issued here today, a Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) spokesperson stated that under the flagship Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) of Government of India, LT network and smart metering projects are being implemented to bring about a complete turnaround in the power sector, with ultimate goal of providing uninterrupted and affordable power supply to its consumers.

“All 13 packages related to loss reduction works are in progress in 10 districts of Kashmir Division under which DT substations and LT-AB cables are being laid,” he said, while urging consumers to facilitate the executing agencies in laying of new distribution infrastructure and upgradation of existing infrastructure in a hassle-free manner.

There have been reports where manpower of the executing agencies has been physically assaulted for laying of LT-AB cable and removal of bare conductor. “Complaints of physical assault have been received from parts of Srinagar city, Ganderbal, Kupwara & Budgam districts,” he said, adding these are resolved with active support and facilitation extended by District & Police administrations.

Urging the consumers to not confuse load calibration with tariff hike which falls entirely within the domain of Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission, the spokesman stated that loads of consumers are being revised based on actual consumption patterns. “In several instances, the agreemented load of the consumer is much lower than the actual consumption,” he added.

Decks have also been cleared for smart metering of flat-rated consumers, which shall empower them with better control over their budget and real-time monitoring of consumption patterns.

In compliance to Plan of Action formulated by J&K Legal Services Authority, U.T of J&K, Lok Adalat for amicable settlement of disputes, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Srinagar is going to organise a Special Lok Adalat for criminal compoundable cases on 10th of August, 2024, under the Chairmanship of Worthy Chairman District Legal Services Authority (PDJ) Srinagar, at District Court Srinagar and also at Addl. Spl. Mobile Magistrate (13th FC) Panthachowk. All the Ld. Judicial Officers are requested to identify the criminal compoundable cases for the said special Lok Adalat and submit the list of the same cases to DLSA Srinagar by or before 05-08-2024.
Ld. Advocates/ litigants who are interested to settle their dispute in the siad Lok Adalat are directed to approach the concerned courts immediately so that their cases shall be listed for amicable settlement in the Lok Adalat.

Srinagar 26/July /2024: District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Srinagar today in collaboration with Government Higher Secondary School Mujgund Srinagar organized an awareness programs on Beti Padao Beti Bachao, Female Foeticide and Protection of Children from sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 at Legal Literacy Club, Government Higher Secondary School Mujgund Srinagar. The awareness programme was held under the able guidance of Mr. Jawad Ahmed, Chairman of District Legal Services Authority Srinagar (PDJ, Srinagar), aimed to educate students on the importance of empowering girls and combating social evils like female foeticide.
The program was attended by the principal, incharge Teacher Legal Literacy Club, staff members of the Govt. Girls Higher Secondary School Mujgund Srinagar, Officials & Para-legal volunteers of the District Legal Services Authority, Srinagar and the students enthusiastically participated in the programme.
Ms. Tasneem Kausar, Deputy LADC, emphasized the significance of “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” and highlighted the harmful consequences of female foeticide. Adv. Nadiya, highlighting the POCSO Act, educated students on child sexual abuse and their right to report such incidents, ensuring they understand the legal protections available to them.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Sunila (JLA) DLSA Srinagar. The objective was to empower students with knowledge and encourage them to become active agents of social change, promoting gender equality and safeguarding children from harm