Top Stories

BANDIPORA, APRIL 28: The grid-connected electricity supply to Gurez has been successfully restored today, with the 33KV line now charged up to Dawar Gurez after disruptions caused by recent heavy snowfall in the Razdan and Zadkhusi areas.

The restoration of the 33KV Bandipora-Gurez line, completed up to Dawar, comes after severe weather conditions affected electricity supply through the grid in the area. During the disruption period, Gurez received electricity through diesel generators.

Despite facing significant challenges due to heavy snowfall and adverse weather conditions, a dedicated team of 20 personnel from KPDCL and STD Ganderbal/Bandipora undertook the task of retrieving the submerged line, buried under approximately 10 feet of snow at Razdan, and successfully re-erected and replaced 15 damaged HT poles in the tough stretch from Zadkhusi to Koragbal. This concerted effort led to the swift restoration of grid-connected electricity to Gurez.

Executive Engineer STD Ganderbal, Lenin Kumar, informed that the 33KV Gurez-Bandipora line has been successfully charged up to Dawar today, following recent disruptions due to heavy snowfall.

Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Shakeel Ul Rehman, commended the efforts of KPDCL and STD Ganderbal/Bandipora, highlighting the untiring efforts of field teams and coordinated teamwork despite facing harsh weather conditions.

It is noteworthy that District Administration, Bandipora took up the issue on a mission mode, conducting several meetings with concerned stakeholders and assigning senior officers including ADDC, ADC & SDM Gurez to monitor and assist field efforts on a daily basis to ensure the earliest restoration of electricity to Gurez.

The successful restoration within the stipulated timeline marks a significant milestone, considering the challenging terrain that the transmission line traverses through, including the Razdan Pass, situated at an altitude of 12,672 feet above sea level, and the treacherous Zadkhusi stretch on the Bandipora-Gurez Road.

The grid-connected electricity to Gurez has fulfilled a long-awaited demand of the local population and provides a significant relief to residents, hoteliers, restaurants, etc. It shall go a long way to further boost tourism-related activities in the border region, where electricity was previously provided through diesel generators with limited load capacity for only 5-7 hours during the night.

SRINAGAR, APRIL 28: Following the directions of Commissioner Dr. Owais Ahmed, the SMC officials, along with the Chief Sanitation Officer and Zonal Sanitation Officer, spearheaded a successful cleanliness drive focused in Central Jail and its surrounding areas.

The initiative aimed to elevate cleanliness standards and promote hygiene practices by implementing efficient waste collection and disposal methods, along with clearing out unwanted vegetation and grass. By involving the local community in these efforts, the SMC seeks to instill a sense of civic duty among residents while advocating for sustainable and hygienic behaviors.

The primary goal of this initiative is to create a cleaner and healthier environment for all residents. Through collaborative efforts and community engagement, the SMC strives to cultivate a culture of responsibility towards maintaining cleanliness and fostering a sustainable living environment.

BANDIPORA, APRIL 28: As part of Drug Awareness Campaign, Physical Education Department, Government Degree College Sumbal today organised an intramural badminton championship.

The championship inaugurated by principal GDC Sumbal Shabeena Iqbal Shawl served as a platform to promote healthy living while emphasizing the importance of combating drug abuse.

While interacting with students the principal urged them to participate in games and emphasized the importance of sports to stay away from the curse of drugs.

Fourteen players with each team based on two players divided into seven teams participated in the tournament. The players were enthusiastic to show their skills and techniques.

BUDGAM, APRIL 28: Expenditure Observer for Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency, Sita Ram Meena today reviewed preparations for the ensuing Lok Sabha Elections in Budgam.

In this regard, the Election Expenditure Observer chaired a meeting of officers at Conference Hall, Budgam. District Election Officer (DEO), Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Akshay Labroo and SSP Budgam, Nikhil Borkar were also present in the meeting.

At the outset, the Election Expenditure Observer held interaction with the District Expenditure Monitoring Team, all AROs and Nodal Officers.

He emphasized that all accounts be monitored strictly and ensure only valid expenditures are made and no illegal means are used to influence or induce voters by any contesting candidate or the party.

The Bankers were advised to ensure ECI guidelines are adhered to strictly and proper monitoring and seizures are carried out against suspicious transactions or movement of cash.

The Election Expenditure Observer called for proper maintaining of expenditure records, truthful accounts, facilitation of candidates, legal expenditure within the permissible limit and expenditure booking by the contesting candidates as per the ECI guidelines.

While briefing the chair, the DEO Budgam deliberated upon the overall preparations to ensure level playing field for all stakeholders to ensure free, fair and smooth conduct of elections in the district.

He said that all ECI guidelines shall be implemented in letter and spirit in the district and all efforts are made to ensure high voter turnout in the district.

The DEO also briefed the Expenditure Observer about the functioning of MCMC, monitoring all media platforms in double shift in the district, deployment of SST, FST, VVT and teams, arrangements for senior citizens, PWDs, minority and Migrant voters in the district.

SSP Budgam, briefed the chair on overall security arrangements being put up for smooth conduct of elections in the district.

Nodal Officer Election Expenditure Monitoring, Budgam, Showkat Ali Rather through a power point presentation, presented district profile and deliberated on overall preparations.

All AROs, Nodal Officers and other concerned officers also attended the meeting.

JAMMU, APRIL 28: The Housing and Urban Development Department today organised a one day training cum interactive session under the supervision of Commissioner Secretary, H&UDD, Mandeep Kaur.

The session was conducted by Anand Malligavad, Water Bodies Rejuvenation Expert from the Ministry for Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

Pertinently, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India, has included rejuvenation of water bodies and creation of green spaces as one of major project components of the flagship scheme of Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)-2.0.

The training program, attended by engineering staff from JMC and other Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of Jammu including Kathua, Rajouri, Samba and Udhampur, focused on the crucial task of rejuvenating water bodies across the region.

Anand Malligavad provided insights into the complete process of lake rejuvenation, ranging from identification of lakes requiring rejuvenation to execution of revitalization strategies.

During the session, Malligavad shared valuable experiences from various states, highlighting successful case studies such as the rejuvenation of lakes in Bengaluru.

The attendees had the opportunity to learn from these experiences and apply best practices to their respective areas, followed by visit of Tawi River front and pilot project of pond rejuvenation of ward No. 55.

Among the distinguished participants were Narinder Khajuria, Mission Director (AMRUT)-2.0, Puneet Sharma, Director Urban Local Bodies Jammu, Abdul Star, Joint Commissioner (Health and Sanitation) JMC, officers of different department like UEED, PHE, Flood Control, Executive Officers of concerned ULBs and engineering staff from the respective ULBs.

Srinagar, Apr 27: J&K Peoples Conference President Sajad Lone on Saturday presided over an important block-level meeting with party functionaries of Meelyal block in Trehgam constituency.
The meeting assumes significance as the PC President deliberated on key issues and strategies for the upcoming parliamentary elections that were discussed in detail, the party said in a statement issued here.
Addressing the party functionaries, Lone emphasized the critical importance of amplifying the public’s voice on all relatable platforms.
“Our party leadership is unwaveringly committed to ensuring the genuine representation of the people’s concerns and aspirations. Their voices will resonate through the corridors of power, and their long-awaited demands will finally receive the attention they deserve,” he declared.
PC President further said that the upcoming elections mark a crucial juncture in our region’s history. “The people of the Kashmir Valley have a unique opportunity to redefine their trajectory and take charge of their narrative, directing it towards ensuring the well-being of all and ushering in an era of development & growth,” he emphasized.
The party leadership who were present in this meeting included former MLA Kupwara and North Kashmir Parliamentary President Advocate Bashir Dar, Constituency Convenor Sheikh Aslam, Trehgam Constituency Secretary Ali Mohammad Dar, Vice Constituency Convenor Altaf Sheikh, Zonal Head Kralpora Gulzar Ahmad among others.
The participants in the meeting unanimously resolved to intensify their efforts at the grassroots level, taking the party’s agenda and vision to the people.

Srinagar, Apr 27: Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad has categorically ruled out the possibility of entering into any pre-poll alliance with Altaf Bukhari-led Apni Party or Sajad Lone-led Peoples Conference.
In an interview with a news channel, Azad highlighted the “inherent disparities” in political agendas and regional influences as significant impediments to such partnerships.
“They have their agendas, and everyone has their own area of influence,” Azad said. “Let me tell you a political thing… alliances happen when the influence of the two parties are the same in a particular area. When one’s influence is in the south and the other’s is in the north, how could an alliance happen?”
“If I have influence on 40 homes and you have on 60, and if we make an alliance, the number will surge to 100. But if I don’t have influence on any home, and you have no influence in my area, how could we join hands?” the DPAP chief asked.
The former chief minister said emotions should not be allowed to govern decision-making processes, cautioning that unchecked emotional responses could lead to societal decline and turmoil. “This is why Allah has given us brains so that we first think and then accordingly decide what is wrong and what is right for us,” Azad remarked. (KNO)

Ganderbal, Apr 27: In the run-up to the parliamentary election in the Srinagar constituency, Mohammad Ashraf, a candidate representing the Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party, on Saturday reiterated the party’s commitment to reinstating the statehood status of Jammu and Kashmir.

Following a party workers’ meeting in Sub Division Kangan of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, Ashraf spoke exclusively with Rising Kashmir to outline the party’s vision and priorities.
Mir said the Apni Party’s primary goal, upon assuming power, would be to address the pressing issue of unemployment while placing a strong emphasis on developmental initiatives. “Our main motive is to bring back the statehood,” he said.
Moreover, Ashraf, echoing the sentiments of the party’s mission, criticised other political groups for using the people of Kangan solely for electoral gains. “Apni Party is distinct in its approach as it prioritises the welfare and development of the region over mere political manoeuvres,” he said.

Srinagar, Apr 27: Highlighting the party’s unwavering dedication to youth empowerment and employment generation, Waheed ur Rehman Parra, the Srinagar Central Kashmir parliamentary candidate for J&KPDP, reiterated the significance of the summer capital, Srinagar, for the party. He said Srinagar holds political, cultural, and strategic importance, making it a focal point for the party’s initiatives.

Addressing a well-attended workers’ meeting in Allochi Bagh, Srinagar, Parra said the party’s agenda will prioritise initiatives aimed at youth empowerment. These initiatives include skill development programs, support for entrepreneurship, and educational reforms designed to engage and empower the youth population effectively, he said.
The PDP leader underscored Srinagar’s rich cultural heritage, which includes its unique Kashmiri language, cuisine, and handicrafts. He pledged that the party would vigorously advocate for policies aimed at preserving and promoting Kashmiri culture. This advocacy, according to Parra, is crucial to ensure that Kashmiri culture thrives amidst the forces of modernisation and globalisation.

The meeting, organised by Adil Amin, witnessed active participation from party workers and supporters, reflecting the shared commitment towards realising the party’s vision for youth empowerment and cultural preservation, the party said.

SRINAGAR: The apex child rights body NCPCR has asked the Election Commission to initiate a probe into the alleged use of schoolgoing children for election campaigning by former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti in the Rajouri-Anantnag parliamentary constituency.

The action followed a report received by the Commission indicating that children were involved in political activities related to Mufti’s campaign.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in a communication addressed to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar raised concerns about the potential violation of election guidelines and the Model Code of Conduct by Mufti.

The letter pointed to specific activities allegedly involving school children in electoral campaigns in the Rajouri-Anantnag Parliamentary constituency.

The NCPCR said that the use of school children in such activities may contravene established norms and legal provisions, potentially infringing upon the integrity of the electoral process and the welfare of the children.

The letter urged the CEC to investigate the matter and take appropriate action. The EC has given strict directions to political parties to not use children for campaigning purposes.