Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked firing on Indian Army posts in KG sector at around 1450h today. Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively.In the exchange of fire, Sepoy Pawan Singh Sugra was grievously injured and succumbed to his injuries.
Sepoy Pawan Singh Sugra aged 21 years, belonged to Village Sugri, PO Chaurpal,Tehsil Gangolihat, District Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand and is survived by his parents.
Sepoy Pawan Singh Sugra was a brave and sincere soldier. The nation will always remain indebted to him for the supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty.
Soldier martyred in Pakistani firing on LOC
500 holidayers register through YHAI for 7 day trekking program
Director Tourism Kashmir Mahmood A Shah Tuesday morning flagged off first batch of 41 hikers to Great Lakes trek at Youth Hostel, Sonamarg.
The trekkers will hike to seven lakes from Shitkari in Sonamarg to Naranag which will be completed in five days. Around 120 trekkers reached Sonamarg on August 5 and will spend two days at base camp for acclimatization out of which 41 have started their journey to Great Lakes today.
The trekking is organized by Youth Hostel Association of India (YHAI) for its members who come from across India. Every day only 40 are allowed to proceed for trekking.
Mahmood Shah who was the chief guest on the occasion urged the trekkers to keep environment clean while hiking to the great lakes.
Highlighting the potential of trekking in Kashmir, Director Tourism Kashmir said the Valley has best treks in the Himalayas for which trekkers from different parts of the world come to enjoy the thrill of adventure.
He complemented the participants for choosing Kashmir for their trekking programmes and assured them of all the support from the department.
Around 500 trekkers have already registered for the Great Lakes trekking of which a batch of 40 will be flagged off at Sonamarg each day during this month long trekking programme.
Director Tourism Kashmir said it is after a long time that such big groups have visited Kashmir for high altitude lake trekking.
“YHAI is doing commendable job and we are providing them all possible help in organizing such trekking programs,” said Shah
Shah urged the trekkers to be the ambassadors of Kashmir and spread good word about Kashmir beauty and hospitality
Camp leader Shruthi Keerthi from Bangloare who is the camp leader said after reaching Kashmir all their apprehensions were proved wrong.
She said they have been staying here for few days and only felt that Kashmir is a must visit place for everyone.
The seven-day trekking programme is highly subsidized and includes insurance cover, accommodation and equipments. The trekkers will be accompanied by two environment leaders.
Earlier also YHAI organized camping programmes which also received overwhelming response from holidays from across country.
Showkat Ashai chairman Srinagar Unit, Shabir Bhat Secretary Srinagar Unit, Ehtisham Khan Coordinator and Publicity head, Sr. Trekking Officer Navin Tiwari, Program officer Gulzar, were also present on the occasion.
Mehbooba launches Rajbagh Silk Factory, Bemina Woolen Mills modernization project
Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today laid the foundation for modernization of Silk Factory, Raj Bagh and Bemina Woolen Mills. The cumulative cost of modernization projects for these two historic spinning mills of the State comes out to be Rs. 35 crore and it is expected to benefit more than 70, 000 weaving and rearing unit holders.
At the historic Raj Bagh Silk Factory, the Chief Minister went round various units and took a briefing on the modernization project. She was informed that Rs. 23.54 crore worth modernization project is set to pace up the silk industry in the Kashmir Valley benefiting some 20, 000 cocoon growers and other ancillary workers.
On the completion of the project, which has been targeted for two years, the silk production at the factory is proposed to increase from present 50 thousand metres per year to five lakh metres per year. With this also, most of the cocoon produced locally would be bought here, thereby stabilizing the cocoon prices and also raising the demand for more cocoon production in the State.
Mehbooba Mufti visited the spinning unit and also the showroom. She evinced keen interest in the products put on display, including the latest Pherans, which have been designed in consultations with the designers of National Institute of Fashion Technology. She appreciated the works and asked the management to put these items on display at the national capital, airports and other places of major interface of people.
Minister for Industries & Commerce, Chander Prakash Ganga; Minister for Education, Syed Altaf Bukhari; Minister for Public Works, Naeem Akhtar; Minister of State for Industries, Syed Farooq Andrabi; Vice Chairman, JK Industries, Gulzar Ahmad; Commissioner-Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Shailendra Kumar; Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Khan and other senior officers were present on the occasion.
Earlier, Mehbooba Mufti visited Woolen Mills at Bemina where she laid the foundation of a similar Rs. 11.74 crore modernization project.
The Chief Minister was apprised about the silent features of modernization project which foresees a considerable growth in the production of wool yarn upto 4.50 lakh metres per year.
With the execution of this modernization project, more than 50 thousand sheep rearers of the Valley are expected to benefit.
The Chief Minister also went round various units of Mills.
Minister for Industries & Commerce, Chander Prakash Ganga; Minister for Public Works, Naeem Akhtar; Minister of State for Industries, Syed Farooq Andrabi; MLA, Batamaloo, Noor Muhammad; Vice Chairman, JK Industries, Gulzar Ahmad; Commissioner-Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Shailendra Kumar; Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Khan and other senior officers were present on the occasion.
Bhang cultivation on 94 kanals of land destroyed
According to the Deputy Excise Commissioner, Executive Kashmir, today the Excise Department (ED) team headed by Excise & Taxation Officer, Central Kashmir Excise Range destroyed Bhang on 28 kanals of land in the village Gund Rehman of Tehsil Tulmulla in District Ganderbal. Second Excise team headed by Excise & Taxation Officer, North Kashmir destroyed Bhung on 36 kanals of land in village Shahgund of Tehsil Hajin of District Bandipora. Third Excise team headed by Excise & Taxation Officer South Kashmir Excise Range destroyed Bhung on 30 kanals of land in village Path Nambal of Tehsil Srigufwara of District Anantnag.
The Deputy Excise Commissioner said that so far, a total of 1475 kanals of Bhang have been destroyed across the valley by the Excise department.
Excise Department warned Bhang cultivators to desist from the cultivation of these narcotic plants. Cultivators are directed to destroy their crop within three days positively failing which stern action shall be initiated against the culprits under the relevant provision of law.
JK enjoys special status, needs to be protected, preserved: Mehbooba
Terming peace imperative for development, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today said the special status enjoyed by the State under the Constitution needs to be protected and preserved.
Addressing a largely attended public meeting after inaugurating Randakdaji-Jawalapora-Gaffarab
Reminding people of recent passage of GST Act by the State Assembly, Mehbooba Mufti said Jammu & Kashmir has enacted its own law in this regard which no other State in the country has. She said the gurantees carried in the said Presidential Order reflect the special status Jammu & Kashmir enjoys within the constitution of India.
The Chief Minister said opening of historic routes along LoC in the State, frequent exchange of students, artists and other groups are the ideas which once worked would bring a lasting peace in the State by promoting more people to people exchanges.
Terming peace imperative for development, Mehbooba Mufti said only a conducive peaceful atmosphere can lead the State to prosperity and resolution of the issues. She said Government has taken up several developmental programmes this year which could not be taken up last year due to unrest. She said her Government has taken up developmental activities in areas which so far have remained neglected.
Minister for Public Works, Naeem Akhtar in his address said the projects being taken up for execution are made time bound with proper fund flow so that the works do not suffer due to paucity or get carried beyond deadline period. He said the Chief Minister has issued specific directions that till work is not started foundation stones should not be laid.
MLC, Saiffudin Bhat also addressed the public meeting.
The Randakdaji-Jawalapora-Gaffarab
The Chief Minister also visited Khag where she laid the foundation of 10 Kilometre Khag-Aripanthan road to be upgraded from the present single lane to double lane at a cost of Rs. 13.08 crore. It would be completed by next year end. The villages to benefit from the road upgradation include Hazerpora, Kandahama, Gamboora, Bonigund, Suresh, Nasarpora and Khag.
Later, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation of a modern health centre at Khag to be set up by the Government Medical College, Srinagar at a cost of Rs. 5.28 crore. It would have diagnostic facilities, ophthalmology, dentistry, ENT besides medical and gynae units.
Addressing a largely attended public meeting after the foundation, the Chief Minister announced setting up of a Fire station, a tourist facility in view of the scenic beauty of the area and development of a sports field there. These demands were raised by the locals with the Chief Minister.
Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat; Minister of State for Health, Asiea Naqash; Principal, GMC, Srinagar and other senior officers were present on the occasion.
Earlier, the Chief Minister visited Magam where she inaugurated the newly constructed Degree College. She was received at the college by Minister for Education, Syed Altaf Bukhari; Minister of State for Education, Priya Sethi and Principal Secretary, Higher Education, Dr. Asgar Samoon.
Built at a cost of Rs. 9.83 crore, the college for 1500 students comprises academic, administrative and Library blocks.
Mehbooba Mufti directed fencing of the college and landscaping of the open spaces. She also interacted with the students of the college who projected certain demands.
Responding to their demands, the Chief Minister directed exploring possibilities for opening additional streams like Music, Science and Commerce, construction of auditorium and developing sports facilities and also strengthening the computer lab with manpower and equipment.
Minister for Public Works, Naeem Akhtar; MLA, Gulmarg, Muhammad Abbas Wani; former legislator, Dr. Shafi Ahmad Wani and local activist, Nazir Ahmad khan besides officers of divisional and district administration and large number of people were present on the occasion.
5 infiltrators killed in Machil sector
Five Pakistani infiltrators have been killed in Kumkadi Machil sector.Bodies of all the slain infiltrators have been revovered along with weapons, an army officlal said.
Intruders were trying to infiltrate from LOC near Gulab post.
Raksha Bandhan celebrated in J&K. Dy CM celebrates with orphans
Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Kumar Singh celebrated the festival of Raksha Bandhan with orphans from Ved Mandir Balika Niketan here today.
Children tied Rakhi on Deputy Chief Minister’s wrist. Dr Singh interacted with the children and inquired about their education and other needs.
Deputy Chief Minister said he was contented to celebrate the festival with these beautiful children and assured that government would ensure a safe and secure environment to these children enabling them to become successful in life. He said the beauty and essence of festivals lies in celebrating them together with amity and exhorted upon the children to strengthen bonds of love and brotherhood
Deputy Chief Minister urged the people to extend a helping hand towards the welfare of these children adding that a little help can make a big difference to their lives. He also appreciated the impressive performances by the children of the orphanage and wished them success in all their endeavors.
MLA East, Rajesh Gupta, MLC Romesh Arora , Senior leader Mamta Singh, Secretary Ved Mandir, Sudesh Pal, Joint Secretary, Amita Sharma, Pradhaan, Bal Krishan Gupta besides senior functionaries of the orphanage along with various social activists were present on the occasion.
Mehbooba visits Suchetgarh, directs completion of works to boost border tourism
Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today visited Suchetgarh and reviewed the pace of developmental and facilitation works being carried out to make the place an acclaimed attraction for border tourism.
Mehbooba Mufti during her visit to zero point reviewed component wise the execution of the Rs. 4.92 crore project to give border tourism in the area a boost. She was informed that a multipurpose hall with souvenir shops and cafeteria is being constructed at a cost of Rs. 90 lacs and is scheduled to be completed by early next year.
Also, the Chief Minister was informed that the pre independence Railway platform is being restored and developed in Frontier Express theme and museum form. The project is expected to cost Rs. 1.50 crore and shall be completed by early 2019. This feature is expected to add heritage and historic value to the place and enhance tourist footfall by a great measure.
Among other facilities being added at the place include a tourist parking lot costing Rs. 60 lakhs, rain water harvesting project, landscaping and plantation project costing Rs. 1.35 crore to be completed by early 2019.
Mehbooba Mufti directed the Tourism Department and other related agencies to complete the works within schedule so that with these facilities more tourists are persuaded to visit the place.
The Divisional Commissioner, Jammu informed the Chief Minister that road network from R S Pura to Suchetgarh is being further improved by BRO at a cost of Rs. 20 crore which would minimize the time of travel to the place and also make the road much more comfortable.
The Chief Minister directed the divisional administration to explore the possibilities of starting ceremonial parade at the zero point so that the place attracts tourists like at Wagah-Attari point.
Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sham Choudhary; Minister of State for Tourism, Priya Sethi; Vice Chairman, SC Board, Bhushan Dogra; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, M K Bhandari; Secretary, Tourism, M H Malik; IGP Jammu zone, SDS Jamwal; Director, Tourism, Jammu, Smita Sethi; officers of Tourism Department and divisional administration accompanied the Chief Minister during her tour.
Enroute, people in large numbers greeted the Chief Minister and brought their day to day issues into her notice. She issued on spot directions for the redressal of the same.
Earlier, the Chief Minister visited the historic Raghunath Bazaar here to inspect the pace of conservation and beautification works. She was received warmly by the members of trade associations and shopkeepers who thanked her for restoring the glory of this historic market.
So far Rs. 5. 19 crore have been incurred on developing and restoring various heritage facets on the two sides of the market.
Minister of State for Tourism, Priya Sethi; legislators, Rajesh Gupta and Ajatshatru Singh; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, M K Bhandari; Secretary, Tourism, M H Malik; IGP Jammu zone, SDS Jamwal; officers of Tourism Department and divisional administration accompanied Mehbooba Mufti.
Earlier, the Chief Minister visited the historic Raghunath temple and went round its various sections.
Chairman of the Managing Committee of the temple and former Chief Secretary, B R Kundal briefed the Chief Minister about thehistory of the temple complex.
Amarnath Yatra concludes.2,60,003 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance
Pooja to mark the closing of the annual pilgrimage to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji, on Shravan Purnima, was held today morning, amid chanting of religious hymns.
Shri Umang Narula, Chief Executive Officer, and Shri Jitendra Kumar Singh, Additional CEO, SASB, Shrine Board prayed at the Holy Cave for sustained peace, harmony, progress and prosperity in the State.
Today evening, on the formal closure of the Yatra, Governor N.N. Vohra, Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, chaired a review meeting with CEO and other concerned officers. CEO informed that 2,60,003 lakh Yatris had paid obeisance at the Holy Cave Shrine during this year’s 40 days pilgrimage, which had commenced on 29th June along both the Baltal and the Pahalgam routes.
Barring the terrorist attack on 10th July, on a bus carrying Shri Amarnathji pilgrims near Khanabal, in Anantnag District, and the unfortunate road accident which took place on 16th July in Nachilana area of Banihal in Ramban District, Governor observed that, fortunately, the Yatra had passed off well.
Governor expressed sadness over the death of 29 persons in this Year’s pilgrimage, within the Yatra area. Those who lost their lives were pilgrims, service providers and others, of whom 3 died due to accidents and 26 due to medical failures. Governor conveyed his heartfelt sympathy to the families of 8 pilgrims who lost their lives in a terrorist attack on a bus carrying pilgrims and to the next of kin of 17 Yatris who were killed in a road accident in Ramban district. He stressed the need for identifying fresh and further measures which could perhaps prevent the loss of precious lives in the future Yatras.
As decided in the meeting held by Governor last week, CEO inspected sanitation and cleanliness at Holy Cave, Panjtarni and Baltal Camps today and apprised the Governor about the ongoing Sanitation Drive in all the Camps and on the Yatra tracks under the supervision of the Camp Directors, and representatives of the various State Government Departments deployed in the Yatra Camps.
Governor directed CEO to ensure that no Camp Director leaves the Camp unless all cleaning work has been fully completed, at all locations, as per the approved Sanitation Action Plan for Yatra 2017.
Adopt proactive approach for timely completion of developmental works: Dr. Jitendra to officers
Union Minister of State in PMO, Dr. Jitendra Singh today held a meeting with the district officers to review the status of ongoing works under MPLADS, PMGSY and various schemes of Social Welfare Department, in Udhampur today.
MLA Udhampur Pawan Gupta, MLA Ramnagar R S Pathania, ADDC Udhampur Arvind Sharma besides other district officers attended the meeting.
During the review meeting, Dr. Singh was apprised that funds to the tune of Rs 1.14 crore have been utilized by the various executing agencies against Rs 1.87 crore available with the district administration under MPLADS. It was further apprised that most of the works under MPLADS have been completed and a few of them are in their final stage of completion.
Dr. Singh directed the district officers to furnish the utilization certificates of those works which have been completed within a week’s time and asked them to expedite the pace of ongoing works. He further asked them to adopt a proactive approach so that the major development works are completed in a time bound manner.
The Minister asked the concerned agencies to work in synergy to ensure the bottlenecks are resolved and implementation of the projects is expedited.
Beauty of Jammu & Kashmir
