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News / Politics

Mehbooba Mufti Eyes Anantnag-Rajouri: PDP Chief Set to Challenge in Lok Sabha Polls

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The People’s Democratic Party, under the leadership of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, is poised to unveil its contenders for the Lok Sabha seats representing central and south Kashmir.The announcement is slated to occur during a press conference at the Jammu and Kashmir PDP headquarters, commencing at 3:00 pm today.

Informed insiders, speaking to Kashmir News Service (KNS), reveal that after extensive consultations with senior party figures, the PDP leadership has resolved to disclose the names of two candidates for the Srinagar and Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituencies.

It is anticipated that PDP President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti will seek election from the Anantnag-Rajouri seat, while the party’s youth president, Wahid Parra, is likely to vie for the central Kashmir Lok Sabha constituency.

Sources further indicate that the decision regarding the candidate for north Kashmir is pending and will be made in the forthcoming days.It’s worth noting that KNS previously reported on the imminent release of the candidate list, confirming the speculations made earlier.

News

GMC Kathua: Battling Staff Shortages Amid Surgical Successes

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Government Medical College (GMC) Kathua finds itself at a crossroads, balancing remarkable surgical achievements with significant staff shortages. Despite conducting over 40,000 surgeries in the past five years and reporting 1,800 deaths, the hospital faces a daunting task of filling over 400 vacant positions, as revealed by data obtained through RTI by activist MM Shuja.

The numbers paint a stark picture: out of the 267 gazetted roles sanctioned, only 154 are currently filled, leaving 113 positions vacant. Similarly, of the 433 non-gazetted positions, only 206 are occupied, leaving 227 unfilled. Additionally, 38 out of 116 Class IV positions remain vacant, exacerbating the staffing crisis.

Yet, amidst these challenges, GMC Kathua has displayed resilience and commitment to healthcare. Despite the shortage, the hospital has managed to serve approximately 80% of in-patient cases under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme. Furthermore, it has achieved remarkable milestones in surgery, conducting 16,003 major surgeries and 26,150 minor surgeries over the past five years.

The situation underscores the need for urgent action to address the staffing shortages plaguing GMC Kathua. While the hospital’s surgical successes are commendable, they are overshadowed by the persistent struggle to fill vital positions. It is imperative for authorities to prioritize recruitment efforts and provide necessary support to ensure that GMC Kathua can continue its vital healthcare services effectively.

Politics

PDP Appoints Umar Dar as Organisational Secretary for Srinagar District

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The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) appointed Umar Dar as Organisational Secretary for Srinagar district, extending their best wishes for his new role. Dar, previously serving as district Secretary for Youth, has significantly contributed to strengthening the party’s structure in Srinagar.

The district unit of PDP, along with Lal Chowk constituency incharge Zuhaib Yousf Mir, congratulated him on his appointment. Umar expressed gratitude to the party for entrusting him with the responsibility of Organisational Secretary.

Floriculture

CSIR IIIM Jammu Cultivates Tulip Varieties in Pulwama, Boosting Floriculture Mission

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CSIR IIIM Jammu’s Field Station Bonera has embarked on Tulip cultivation in Pulwama, igniting floriculture prospects in the region. This milestone trial, featuring eight vibrant Tulip varieties, underscores the institute’s commitment to empower farmers and foster sustainable agriculture.

Led by Dr. Zabeer Ahmad, CSIR IIIM Jammu aims to revolutionize flower cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir through its Floriculture Mission. With over 2000 farmers already benefiting from the initiative since 2020, the focus is on promoting indigenous Tulip varieties and eco-friendly farming practices.

Dr. Shahid Rasool, overseeing the initiative, envisions a flourishing future for Kashmir’s floral economy. He emphasizes the importance of policy support and local Tulip cultivation to reduce dependence on imports and promote sustainable farming practices.

News

ED Seizes Assets Worth Rs 1 Crore in JKSSB Exam Paper Leak Case

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Jammu has taken action in connection with the paper leak of an examination conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) for the recruitment of police sub-inspectors. The ED has attached movable properties worth Rs 1 crore belonging to accused Yatin Yadav, M/s New Global Fumigation Corporation, Prop. Yatin Yadav, and his associate Lokesh Kumar under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA).

According to a post on X, the federal agency stated that the attached property is related to the case of the paper leak of the examination conducted by JKSSB for the recruitment of 1200 sub-inspectors of the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Yatin Yadav and others are accused of leaking the exam papers for monetary benefits.

The ED’s action underscores the seriousness with which authorities are addressing cases of exam paper leaks, particularly in critical recruitment processes like that of police sub-inspectors. Such leaks not only compromise the integrity of the recruitment process but also undermine public trust in the system.

News

Authorities Close Jama Masjid Ahead of Shab-e-Qadr, Worship Restricted

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Ahead of Shab-e-Qadr, the revered Jama Masjid Srinagar has been shut down, with authorities forbidding night-long prayers, as conveyed by Anjuman Auqaf on Saturday. After the Asr prayers, the gates of the Jama Masjid were sealed, and the police instructed worshippers to leave the premises. Anjuman Auqaf stated that they were notified that Taraweeh or Shab Khani prayers on the auspicious night of Shab-e-Qadr would not be allowed at the Jama Masjid.

In addition, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was once again placed under house arrest earlier in the day. Anjuman Auqaf expressed dismay over the authorities’ decision and vehemently condemned this restrictive action.

News

Mehbooba Mufti Condemns BJP’s ‘Normalcy’ Claim: Alleges Jammu and Kashmir Turned Into a Prison

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Mehbooba Mufti, the President of the People’s Democratic Party and former chief minister, criticized the BJP’s assertion of normalcy, citing the closure of the historic Jama Masjid on Jumat-ul-Vida and the house arrest of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. She described the BJP’s actions as transforming the entirety of Jammu and Kashmir into a prison.

Addressing media at Dargah Hazratbal, Mehbooba, as reported by Kashmir News Service (KNS), voiced her dismay over the shutdown of the Jama Masjid and the confinement of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. She expressed deep concern about the future of Muslims nationwide in light of such measures by the BJP government.

“Jama Masjid, a symbol of our heritage, remained shut. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq remains under house arrest. Mosques are being demolished, and Madrasas are being shuttered. Muslims are being subjected to violence and coerced into adopting beliefs contrary to their own. Such a climate of intolerance poses a grave threat to the Muslim community,” Mehbooba stated, according to KNS.

She underscored her apprehensions regarding the escalating hostility towards Muslims and the perceived danger it poses to their future.

Mehbooba highlighted the ongoing actions initiated by the BJP post-August 5, 2019, asserting that they contradict the BJP’s claims of normalcy in the region. Instead, she argued, the BJP has imposed draconian measures, effectively imprisoning the entire populace of Jammu and Kashmir.

News

Beware of Job Scams: J&K Bank Warns Public Against Fraudulent Recruitment Schemes

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Amidst reports from various regions of the UT, J&K Bank has sounded an alarm regarding deceitful attempts by certain individuals to ensnare the public with false promises of employment opportunities within the bank. These miscreants, posing as senior bank officials, are preying on unsuspecting individuals by luring them with purported job offers at J&K Bank.

Upon investigating the matter and liaising with the bank’s authorities, it has been confirmed that these individuals are nothing but fraudsters, aiming to exploit the vulnerable. A spokesperson for the bank strongly condemned their actions, emphasizing that genuine recruitment drives are always accompanied by official advertisement notices. These notices are extensively disseminated through print media, the bank’s official website, and its social networking platforms.

The spokesperson reiterated the bank’s stance, urging the public to exercise vigilance and caution. They advised individuals seeking employment opportunities at J&K Bank to rely solely on official announcements posted on the bank’s website and social media channels. Furthermore, they cautioned against engaging with anyone purporting to represent the bank in recruitment matters without proper verification.

In light of these concerning developments, the spokesperson emphasized the importance of staying informed through legitimate channels and warned against falling prey to fraudulent schemes that could tarnish both the bank’s reputation and individuals’ financial well-being.

In conclusion, the spokesperson urged the public to remain vigilant, advising them to report any suspicious activity related to job offers at J&K Bank directly to the bank’s authorities. By staying alert and discerning, individuals can safeguard themselves against potential scams and ensure their financial security.

News

Union Minister Jitendra Singh: Congress Struggles to Retain Support, PM Modi Emerges as Most Capable Leader

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Union Minister and BJP candidate for the Udhampur-Doda constituency, Dr. Jitendra Singh, highlighted the struggle of the Congress party in rallying support, even within its own ranks, where Prime Minister Modi is perceived as the most capable leader. Singh emphasized that in this election, the Congress won’t even secure votes from its own family members, portraying the contest as one between truth and falsehood.

He remarked that despite campaign efforts urging voters to oppose the BJP, the Congress fails to recognize the erosion of support from within its own ranks. Singh underscored the failure of previous alliances against the BJP, attributing it to the informed electorate’s decision to re-elect PM Modi.

Politics

PDP to Contest All Kashmir Lok Sabha Seats Despite Criticism from NC: Mehbooba Mufti Announces Candidate List Soon

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mehboba mufti

PDP President Mehbooba Mufti declared that the party will vie for all Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir, with candidate selections forthcoming. Speaking at a press conference in Srinagar, Mehbooba expressed disappointment with Omar Abdullah’s remarks, stating that the PDP’s presence is crucial given the post-August 5, 2019 circumstances, where freedoms are curtailed. She criticized Omar for not consulting with the PDP before his statements, citing the deep hurt felt by PDP workers.

Mehbooba questioned Farooq Abdullah’s role in the alliance, accusing the NC of disregarding PDP’s interests. Despite the criticism, Mehbooba confirmed that the PDP will unveil its candidate list shortly.