Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Apr 24: A three-member delegation under the banner of Pragaash (Global Kashmiri Pandit Heritage Tour) comprising Sanjay Ganjoo, Utpal Kaul and Kashi Akhoon called on Tarun Chugh, national general secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prabhari, Jammu & Kashmir, at the party Headquarters, here, today.
The delegation apprised him about the proposed Global Kashmiri Pandit Heritage Tour being undertaken from June 6 this year to June 14 to Kashmir and elaborated on its objectives.
They also highlighted the importance of organizing a two-day Global Conference at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) scheduled for June 13 and 14 this year.
Tarun Chugh appreciated the initiative, emphasizing that Kashmir has always remained a priority for the Bharatiya Janata Party since its inception. He acknowledged the significance of such efforts in reconnecting the younger generation with their cultural roots.
The delegation presented a brochure of the heritage tour to Chugh. He assured his full support to the initiative and congratulated the organizers for undertaking this meaningful endeavour aimed at preserving and promoting the rich heritage of the Kashmiri Pandit community.
KP delegation meets Tarun Chugh
SED Assigns DDO Powerrs Of 6 Headless Institutes To As Many Officers
JAMMU, Apr 24: The School Education Department (SED) of the Jammu and Kashmir Government has assigned the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) Powers of six headless institutions to as many officers in the interest of the administration.
After AAP MPs Switch Sides, NDA Now 18 Members Short Of Two-Thirds Majority In RS
NEW DELHI, Apr 24: The NDA Friday got a boost after seven AAP MPs switched sides but the ruling alliance is still 18 members short of a two-thirds majority in Rajya Sabha and the BJP 10 MPs short of a simple majority of its own in the Upper House.
The NDA now has the support of 145 MPs in the upper house. The two-thirds majority mark in the house, which has a total strength of 244, now stands at 163.
Once the NDA gets a two-third majority in the Upper House, it won’t be difficult for it to clear crucial legislations requiring constitutional amendments.
The NDA does not have a two-thirds majority in Lok Sabha too, even though it enjoys a simple majority. It needs the support of 363 MPs for a two-thirds majority in Lok Sabha.
After Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan approves the merger of AAP Parliamentary Party into the BJP, the ruling party will have a total of 113 MPs. At present, the BJP has 106 MPs.
The ruling party is also likely to get the support of seven nominated members and two independent MPs, which puts the number of those who are in BJP’s support at 122, exactly the half-way mark.
Sources said the seven AAP MPs who switched over to BJP may get nod as they comprise more than two-thirds of the AAP Parliamentary Party in Rajya Sabha. The crucial Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures in 2029 and increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816 was defeated in Lok Sabha on April 17, after NDA failed to get a two-thirds majority.
This was the first time during the current NDA government that a constitution amendment bill was defeated.
Chadha said while exercising the provisions of the Constitution, more than two-thirds of the AAP MPs in Rajya Sabha have merged with the BJP.
“Seven MPs have signed the document, which was submitted to the Hon’ble Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. I, along with two other MPs, personally handed over the signed documents,” Chadha said on X. (Agencies)
LG Manoj Sinha Chairs J&K Higher Education Council Meeting
Jammu, Apr 24: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today chaired a high-level meeting of Jammu Kashmir Higher Education Council, at Lok Bhavan.
The Council, under the leadership of the Lieutenant Governor, deliberated on comprehensive strategies aimed at driving the holistic transformation of the education sector across the Union Territory.
The key agendas included implementation of the ‘Design Your Degree’ (DYD) program and the adoption of its official manual across universities, integration of IT and Artificial Intelligence into the curriculum, strategies to promote entrepreneurship, knowledge-based skills and develop human capital for Viksit Bharat.
The Lieutenant Governor directed for the effective, on-ground implementation of ‘Design Your Degree’, skill development, Artificial intelligence and other innovative programmes and initiatives across higher educational institutions. He also called for seamless synergy between Central and Union Territory educational institutions to drive a holistic transformation of the education sector.
“We must establish benchmarks aligned with both national and international standards, ensuring that Jammu Kashmir’s education sector stands as a model of excellence in the country,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Prof. Dinesh Singh, Vice Chairman, JKHEC emphasized that the core mission must remain the realization of human potential, ensuring that higher education directly fosters societal service and enhances student productivity.
The Council also deliberated on setting up a regular mechanism to ensure cooperation and collaboration between various institutions of Jammu & Kashmir for engendering of Joint Degree Programmes and a common technology-based platform for sharing of practices, ideas and programmes of various institutions; increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), special initiatives such as ‘The Riverine College’ and the AI Competition, JKHEC budget utilization for 2025-26 and budget allocations for 2026-27.
Vice Chancellors and members of the Council shared their insights on the way forward for the DYD program and further interventions in higher education with the implementation of NEP 2020.
Prof Sheikh Ajaz Bashir, Director of Colleges, J&K; Dr Seema Naz, Nodal Principal, Government College of Education; Dr Ravinder Kumar Tickoo, Principal, GCW Parade Jammu also attended the meeting.
The meeting was attended by Prof. Dinesh Singh, Vice Chairman, J&K Higher Education Council; Shailendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department; Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor; Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, Administrative Secretary, Skill Development; Ram Niwas Sharma, Commissioner Secretary; Higher Education Department; Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu; Prof. Nilofer Khan, VC Kashmir University; Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, VC, IUST; Pragati Kumar, VC SMVDU; Prof BN Tripathi, VC SKUAST Jammu; Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, VC Central University of Kashmir; Prof. Sanjeev Jain, VC Central University of Jammu; Prof. Jawaid Iqbal, VC BGSBU; Prof. Mohammad Mobin, VC Cluster University Srinagar; Prof Manoj Singh Gaur, Director IIT Jammu; Prof Kavi Arya from IIT Bombay; Shobha Bagai, Director, Cluster Innovation Centre Delhi University and other members.
JKBOSE Notifies Dates For Submission Of Bi- Annual Exam Forms
JAMMU, Apr 24: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) has notified the schedule for the submission of online permission cum examination forms for Class 10 and 12 Annual (Private)/Bi-Annual 2026 session.
The schedule applies to all eligible candidates across the UTs of J&K and Ladakh including both winter and summer zone areas.
As per the notification, re-appear and failure candidates of class 10 can submit their examination forms in online mode whereas the fresh private candidates can submit their forms in offline mode from April 27 to May 09 on payment of normal prescribed fee of Rs 1300 and with a late fee of Rs 2150 from May 11 to 16.
Likewise, re-appear and failure candidates of class 12 can submit their examination forms in online mode whereas the fresh private candidates can submit their forms in offline mode from April 27 to May 09 on payment of normal prescribed fee of Rs 1510 and with a late fee of Rs 2360 from May 11 to 16.
The detailed notification alongwith necessary guidelines, fee structure and instructions are available on the official website of Board jkbose.jk.gov.in
Legislators, Deputations Call On CM In Jammu, Flag Constituency Issues
JAMMU, Apr 24: Several legislators and deputations called on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah here on Friday and apprised him of a range of issues concerning their respective constituencies, seeking timely intervention and resolution.
Among those who met the chief minister were MLA Ramnagar Sunil Bharadwaj, MLA Habbakadal Shamim Firdous, MLA Budhal Javaid Iqbal, MLA Kokernag Zaffar Ali Khatana, MLA Thanamandi Muzaffar Iqbal Khan, and former minister Yashpaul Kundal, the official spokesperson said.
During the interactions, the representatives raised various development-related concerns, including augmenting basic infrastructure, improving road connectivity, strengthening healthcare and educational facilities, and addressing public service delivery issues in their areas, he said.
They also highlighted constituency-specific demands and sought focused attention to ensure balanced and inclusive development.
The chief minister gave a patient hearing to the visitors and assured them that all genuine concerns would be examined on priority. He reiterated the government’s commitment to responsive governance and equitable development across all regions, the officials said.
RBI Cancels Banking Licence Of Paytm Payments Bank
MUMBAI, Apr 24: The Reserve Bank of India on Friday said it has cancelled the banking licence issued to Paytm Payments Bank.
The licence was cancelled as the “affairs of the bank were conducted in a manner detrimental to the interest of the bank and its depositors”, the RBI said in a statement.
“The general character of the management of the bank is prejudicial to the interest of depositors as also the public interest,” it said.
Consequently, Paytm Payments Bank is prohibited from conducting any “banking” business, it said.
The RBI also said it will make an application to the high court to wind up the bank.
“Paytm Payments Bank Limited has enough liquidity to repay its entire deposit liability upon winding up of the bank,” it said.
Paytm Payments Bank has been barred from onboarding new customers with effect from March 11, 2022. (Agencies)
High-Level Railway Team Inspects Ravi Bridge On Kathua-Madhopur Section Of Jammu Division
JAMMU, Apr 24: A high-level team of the Indian Railways on Friday conducted a comprehensive safety and technical inspection of rail bridges over the Ravi river on the Kathua–Madhopur section of the Jammu division, officials said.
The inspection was led by divisional railway manager Vivek Kumar, commissioner of railway safety Dinesh Chand Deshwal, and chief administrative officer for the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project Alok Mishra.
Officials said the detailed inspection focused on a critical rail bridge spanning the Ravi river between Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir and Madhopur in Punjab. The primary objective was to assess ongoing repair work on rail bridge number 17, which had sustained damage due to heavy rainfall in 2025, they said.
During the visit, officials carried out an in-depth analysis of key structural and safety parameters, including the condition of pillars and foundations of the bridge.
Given the strategic importance of the route connecting Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir, particular emphasis was laid on evaluating its load-bearing capacity and long-term stability, they said.
The team also reviewed track geometry, the condition of sleepers on and around the bridge, and the functioning of modern signalling systems to ensure safe train operations.
The commissioner of railway safety inspected equipment and emergency response mechanisms available at the site and directed engineers to remain prepared for the upcoming monsoon season and other weather-related challenges.
Country That Values Workers’ Dignity Is Unstoppable: Mandaviya Inaugurates ESIC Hospital In Kashmir
BUDGAM, Apr 24: Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said a country that values the dignity of its workers is unstoppable on the path of progress, asserting that their welfare must therefore remain at the centre of governance.
Mandaviya, the Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, inaugurated a 30-bedded Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Hospital at Ompora here in the central Kashmir district.
The newly inaugurated hospital is the first ESIC hospital in Kashmir, marking a historic milestone in the expansion of worker welfare services in the region.
Addressing the function, Mandaviya said, a country that values the dignity of its workers is unstoppable on the path of progress.
“Our social security coverage has risen from 19 per cent in 2015 to 64.3 per cent in 2025, as per data published by the International Labour Organisation,” he said, highlighting that the country’s efforts in this direction were recognised by the International Social Security Association in 2025.
Underscoring the impact of the four Labour Codes that were brought into effect last year, the Union minister said these reforms guarantee several long-awaited protections for workers, including annual health check-ups, mandatory appointment letters, and minimum wages.
The provision for annual health checks through ESIC hospitals will allow early detection of diseases, ensure preventive healthcare for workers, and secure their future, he emphasised.
He also noted that the convergence of ESIC with Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana has further expanded access to cashless treatment for beneficiaries across empanelled hospitals.
Built for Rs 165 crore, the hospital has been established with provision for expansion up to 100 beds and is expected to directly benefit more than 50,000 workers and their family members.
Administration Demolishes Residences Of Two Drug Peddlers In Outskirts Of Jammu City
JAMMU, Apr 24: The district administration on Friday demolished residential properties of two alleged drug peddlers in the outskirts of Jammu city as part of its crackdown on assets linked to persons involved in drug trafficking and trade, officials said.
Bulldozers — accompanied by heavy police deployment — rolled into Indra Nagar Colony of Miran Sahib and razed the houses of two drug peddlers in the area, they said.
The action against the duo — booked under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act — came under the ‘Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan’, officials said.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate, R S Pura, Anuradha Thakur and Sub-Divisional Police Officer Gurmeet Singh were present at the scene during the demolition exercise.
In a similar action, on Thursday, three residential properties of alleged drug peddlers were demolished in Rajiv Nagar area of Jammu city.
On April 18, in another administration and police crackdown on drug tradelinked assets, two residential properties of NDPS-accused in Belicharana area of the city were razed.