January 2025 | Page 4 of 11

Omar Abdullah Advocates for Rapid Development of J&K Hydropower Infrastructure

January 24, 2025 Editor

At another event in Bari Brahmana area of Samba district, Omar asserted the importance of a land and its people in forging their identity and exhorted them to never let it go. Chief minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday asked Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Limited (JKSPDC) to assess the progress made in execution of new hydro- electric projects and the expected enhancement in power generation from these projects. During a meeting, Omar emphasised the need for timely execution of these projects to ensure their public utility and stressed…

KCCI Expresses Resentment Over Exclusion from Reconstituted Boards in J&K

January 23, 2025 Editor

Business Community Outraged: KCCI Left Out of J&K Industry Boards The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has expressed strong resentment over its exclusion from the recently reconstituted Board of Directors of several key organizations in Jammu and Kashmir, including the J&K State Industrial Development Corporation Limited (SIDCO), J&K Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Limited (SICOP), Jammu and Kashmir Cements Limited (JKCL), Jammu and Kashmir Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation (JKHHC), Jammu and Kashmir Industries Limited (JKIL), and Jammu and Kashmir Khadi & Village Industries Board (KVIB). Key Concerns Raised…

Union Minister Reveals Mystery Toxin Behind 17 Deaths in Rajouri

January 23, 2025 Editor

The illness has so far claimed 17 lives and affected 38 people in Jammu and Kashmir since early December 2024. Addressing the ongoing probe into the mysterious illness that has claimed at least 17 lives so far, Union Minister Jitendra Singh revealed some new findings about the conditions. Jitendra Singh confirmed that the initial tests ruled out any infection caused due to viruses or any bacteria as potential causes of the illness. Instead, the findings suggested the presence of a toxin, which is now undergoing further analysis, news agency ANI…

USBRL Section Ready for February Inauguration: What to Expect

January 23, 2025 Editor

USBRL section set to be inaugurated in first week of February Ramban, Jan 22: With the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, its inauguration is scheduled to be held in the first week of February. In an official communiqué, in view of the inauguration of USBRL section in the first week of February, Northern Railways North circle has asked Northern Railways Firozpur division “to arrange to move both USBRL Vande Bharat Rakes from SSB to BDGM in the morning of January 24 and January 25, 2025 for trial…

Experts Sound Alarm Over Proposed Amendments to J&K Building Bylaws

January 23, 2025 Editor

Architects, environmental experts raise concerns over changes in building bylaws Architects and environmental experts have voiced concerns over proposed amendments to the J&K Unified Building Byelaws (UBBL) 2021, calling for more comprehensive public consultations before implementation. The J&K Housing and Urban Development Department recently invited public suggestions on the proposed amendments to UBBL-2021. However, experts argue that the proposed changes are unsuitable for ecologically sensitive regions like Jammu and Kashmir and could increase the risk of disasters and urban congestion. The deadline for submitting suggestions was January 18. A Kashmir-based…

Mysterious Deaths Lead to Containment Zone in Badhaal Village, J&K

January 22, 2025 Editor

The move comes despite no viral or bacterial aetiology being detected in the 16 deaths linked to a mysterious illness since December 7, 2024 The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday declared Badhaal village a containment zone, despite no viral or bacterial aetiology (discovery of the causative agent of a disease) being detected in the 16 deaths linked to a mysterious illness since December 7, 2024. The government has imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the village, located around 55 kms from Rajouri district headquarters.…

Four-Year Delay: Mosque Committee Seeks Supreme Court Action Against Centre’s Inaction

January 22, 2025 Editor

Places of Worship Act case: Mosque panel urges SC to close Centre’s right to counter after 4-yr delay New Delhi: The Shahi Masjid Committee of Mathura has moved the Supreme Court criticising the Union government for not filing its response to petitions challenging the Places of Worship Act despite four opportunities given by the court to do so in the last four years. In an application filed before the top court where a batch of petitions questioning the 1991 Act’s legal validity are pending for a decision, the committee alleged…

India’s Strategic Move: 18,000 Illegal Migrants to Return from US

January 22, 2025 Editor

India to take back 18,000 citizens from US India’s government is prepared to work with Donald Trump’s administration to identify and take back all its citizens residing illegally in the US, an early signal from New Delhi that it’s willing to comply with the incoming American president and avoid a trade war. The two countries have together identified some 18,000 illegal Indian migrants in the US to be sent back home, according to people familiar with the matter. The figure could be much higher than that, though, given it’s unclear…

Transport Crackdown: Unlicensed Taxis Under Scrutiny in Kashmir

January 22, 2025 Editor

Kashmir transport authorities to crack down on illegal taxi services Srinagar, Jan 21: Transport authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have promised strict action against unauthorised cab services following mounting pressure from licensed taxi operators who claim their business is being undercut by illegal competitors. The assurance came during a crucial meeting between the JK Radio Taxi Drivers Association, Transport Commissioner, and Regional Transport Office (RTO) Kashmir, where drivers voiced concerns over the rising use of private vehicles for commercial taxi services in Srinagar and Jammu. “These illegal operations are severely…

J&K Government Ousts BJP Leader Hina Bhat from Khadi Board

January 21, 2025 Editor

The decision was issues on Monday night after the conclusion of a cabinet meeting headed by J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah held at Jammu J&K’s government removed senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Hina Bhat as the head of the Kashmir Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB) and constituted a new board which will be headed by deputy chief minister Surinder Choudhary who is also J&K’s industries minister. The decision was issues on Monday night after the conclusion of a cabinet meeting headed by J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah held…