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The Lok Sabha is holding a discussion on the bill proposing stricter punishment and setting up of fast-track courts in paper leak cases. The Bill seeks to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. The the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 incorporates several significant provisions, including stringent penalties such as imprisonment for up to ten years, fines of up to ten crore rupees, and the seizure of the properties of convicted offenders. To ensure the expeditious disposal of cases, the legislation mandates that every State Government and Union Territory Administration establish Special Fast Track Courts for the day-to-day trial.

Moving the Bill, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr Jitendra Singh said, the new legislation reflects government’s resolve not to allow anyone to compromise with the future of the youth of the country.

Participating in the discussion, Congress MP KC Venugopal stressed the need for wider educational reforms and comprehensive changes in the examination system.

Several other members, including Bansuri Swaraj and Tejasvi Surya of BJP, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Gaurav Gagoi of Congress, Abhisekh Banerjee of TMC, NCP(SP) MP Supriya Sule, Dr Shrikant Shinde of Shiv Sena and Akhilesh Yadav and Dimple Yadav of Samajwadi Party took part in the debate. The discussion is still underway.

Directs round-the-clock monitoring for pilgrims’ safety

RAMBAN, JULY 28: Continuing the monitoring of arrangements for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, the Deputy Commissioner Ramban Mohammad Alyas Khan today visited the Lamber Yatra Camp at Banihal to review the facilities for the movement, safety and convenience of pilgrims.

The Deputy Commissioner was accompanied by Senior Superintendent of Police Arun Gupta, Additional Deputy Commissioner Ramban Varunjeet Singh Charak, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Banihal Mohammad Naseeb Bajraan and other officers concerned.

The Deputy Commissioner inspected the lodging facilities, sanitation, drinking water supply, medical services, power supply, food arrangements and other essential amenities at the camp. He reviewed the preparedness of all line departments and directed the officers to ensure that every facility remains fully functional and responsive to the needs of the pilgrims.

The Deputy Commissioner also interacted with the yatris and enquired about the facilities being provided. The pilgrims expressed satisfaction with the arrangements made by the district administration and appreciated the efforts of the officers and staff.

The Deputy Commissioner instructed the officers concerned to maintain round-the-clock monitoring and ensure a prompt response to any requirement of the pilgrims. He directed them to remain alert, particularly in view of the prevailing weather conditions and to extend timely assistance wherever required.

Exposure visit enhances students’ awareness of Government Schemes, Career Opportunities

BANDIPORA, JULY 28: As part of an initiative of the District Administration Bandipora, conceptualised and guided by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, students from Government Girls High School Ajas on Tuesday visited the Waqar Knowledge Centre, Mini Secretariat Bandipora, as part of an exposure visit aimed at promoting awareness about government schemes, career opportunities, and public welfare initiatives.

Chief Education Officer (CEO) Bandipora, Deputy Chief Education Officer, Knowledge Centre employees, and escort teachers attended and interacted with the students during the exposure visit.

During the visit, Resource Persons at the Waqar Knowledge Centre introduced the students to their respective desks and provided detailed information about the services, government schemes, career guidance, and public welfare initiatives being facilitated through each section. They also highlighted the broader vision behind the Knowledge Centre as a shared learning and awareness platform designed to provide guidance, promote informed decision-making, and connect youth with various opportunities offered by different government departments.

The students were familiarised with the different services and initiatives available at the Knowledge Centre, particularly those related to career guidance, youth empowerment, public welfare programmes, and citizen-centric government services.

The interactive session enabled the students to understand how the Knowledge Centre serves as a one-stop resource for information, learning, and guidance. The students actively participated in the session with enthusiasm, asked questions, and showed keen interest in learning about the opportunities available to them.

Addressing the students, the CEO Bandipora and the Deputy CEO encouraged them to make informed career choices, remain aware of government initiatives, and take full advantage of the opportunities available through the Waqar Knowledge Centre. They motivated the students to use such platforms for continuous learning, skill development, and personal growth.

The interactive exposure visit provided the students with an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions and gain firsthand understanding of various government services, welfare initiatives, and career opportunities available for youth.

The initiative reflected the District Administration Bandipora’s continued commitment to creating greater awareness among students and connecting them with platforms that support their educational, personal, and professional development.

POONCH, JULY 28: District Development Commissioner (DDC) Poonch Ashok Kumar Sharma, who is also Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), today chaired a review meeting at Dak Bungalow, Surankote to assess the progress of damage assessment, relief distribution, restoration of essential services and rehabilitation measures in areas severely affected by the recent heavy rains and flash floods.

The DDC took stock of the status of damage assessment, restoration of public infrastructure, relief distribution and rehabilitation of the affected population.

A detailed assessment of damage to residential houses, both fully and partially damaged was undertaken. The DDC reviewed the status of compensation cases, verification of beneficiaries and relief extended to the affected families. He directed the officers concerned to identify all genuine cases promptly and provide relief in a transparent, fair and time-bound manner.

The DDC reviewed the restoration of essential public infrastructure, including roads and bridges, drinking water supply schemes, the power distribution network, irrigation canals (khuls) and other public utilities damaged during the flash floods. He directed the departments concerned to work in close coordination and ensure early restoration of all essential services, particularly in remote and inaccessible areas.

Sector-wise reviews were conducted on the losses suffered by the Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Sheep Husbandry sectors. The DDC assessed the extent of damage to agricultural land, standing crops, orchards and livestock and instructed the departments concerned to complete the assessment expeditiously and extend all admissible relief to the affected farmers and livestock owners as per prescribed norms.

The DDC directed the Superintending Engineer, Hydraulic Circle to maintain continuous monitoring of flood-prone and vulnerable areas and ensure that relief and rehabilitation measures are implemented effectively, with assistance reaching only genuine and eligible beneficiaries after proper verification.

Expressing serious concern over illegal mining, the DDC directed the departments and enforcement agencies concerned to adopt a zero-tolerance approach. He instructed that FIRs be registered against violators, vehicles involved in illegal mining be seized immediately and strict legal action be initiated against all offenders.

The Irrigation and Flood Control Department was directed to accord top priority to the restoration of flood-damaged irrigation khuls and other infrastructure so that agricultural activities are not affected and farmers receive timely irrigation.

The DDC directed the SDRF and NDRF teams to continue search and rescue operations and make every effort for the early recovery of the bodies of persons reported missing in the flash floods.

The Sub-Divisional Magistrate Surankote was instructed to personally monitor all restoration and relief works in the subdivision, ensure close inter-departmental coordination, remove bottlenecks on priority and submit daily progress reports to the Deputy Commissioner.

The DDC appealed to the people not to heed rumours or misinformation and to cooperate with the district administration by reporting any damage or losses to the authorities concerned.

Among those present were Additional Deputy Commissioner Tahir Mustafa Malik, Superintending Engineer Hydraulic Circle Vipan Kumar, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Surankote Farooq Khan, Assistant Commissioner (Development) Shakeel Ahmed, Executive Engineers of Jal Shakti, JPDCL, Irrigation and Flood Control, PMGSY and PWD (R&B), Tehsildar Surankote, SDPO, SHO, officers from the Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Sheep Husbandry Departments, SDRF authorities and other sectoral officers of Sub-Division Surankote.

REASI, JULY 28: The Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) of LAC Kunderdhan, through TLSC Mahore, conducted an awareness programme on the Children Helpline number 1098 at Primary School Kunderdhan, Seasonal Centre Dewal Marg Mahore, LAC Channa Neosi and other places in Tehsil Mahore.

Participants, including school children, teachers and locals were informed that Child Helpline 1098 is a 24×7 emergency toll-free service providing immediate assistance to children in distress, including cases of abuse, neglect, exploitation, child labour, trafficking, missing children and children in need of care and protection. They were encouraged to seek timely help whenever a child faces danger. The PLVs also highlighted the availability of free legal aid for eligible persons under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

A second programme, on Mediation and Pre-Litigation Matter Applications was organised at PYT Thillo by the PLVs of Legal Aid Clinic (LAC) Chassana. Participants were sensitised on mediation as a speedy, amicable method of resolving disputes without prolonged litigation. The PLVs explained that family, property, financial, neighbourhood and other civil disputes can be settled through pre-litigation mediation before cases are filed in court, and guided the public on filing Pre-Litigation Matter Applications before the Legal Services Institutions.

A third programme, on the Role of Legal Aid Clinics, was organised at Government Higher Secondary School, Gran Goswan, Reasi, by the PLVs of DLSA Reasi. The resource person explained that Legal Aid Clinics offer the poor, marginalised, women, children, senior citizens and other vulnerable sections free legal advice, assistance and guidance, and that PLVs help bridge the gap between the legal system and the community. Attendees were also made aware of welfare schemes implemented through NALSA and J&K LSA and the value of resolving disputes through lawful means.

Calls for time-bound deregulation to boost EoDB in J&K

SRINAGAR, JULY 28: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a meeting of the concerned Administrative Secretaries to review the progress achieved under the next phase of the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) programme and assess the implementation status of the identified deregulation and compliance reduction reforms across Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting was convened to evaluate the progress of priority reforms being coordinated by the Department of Industries & Commerce under Phase-II of the Compliance Reduction and Deregulation initiative.

During the meeting, the Chief Secretary undertook a department-wise review of the identified reform measures and impressed upon all Administrative Secretaries to ensure their timely implementation in a coordinated manner.

He emphasized that reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens, simplifying procedures and improving the overall business ecosystem are essential for fostering investment, entrepreneurship and economic growth in the Union Territory.

While reviewing the pending reforms, the Chief Secretary directed the concerned departments to address outstanding issues expeditiously, particularly those requiring reconsideration or acceptance on the central portal, so that all identified reforms are completed within the stipulated timelines.

The Commissioner Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Vikramjit Singh took this occasion to reveal that out of the 28 identified Priority Areas (PAs) under the reform programme, nine reforms have already been accepted by the Government of India as fully implemented, while sixteen reforms are presently under implementation by the concerned departments. One reform is awaiting acceptance on the national portal by the Deregulation Cell, whereas two reforms have been returned for reconsideration.

Giving out the details the Director, I&C Jammu, Arun Manhas divulged that the reforms already accepted include liberalisation of regulations governing shops and commercial establishments, enhancement of the frequency of SEAC/SEIAA meetings along with creation of a land bank for degraded forests, elimination of minimum land requirements for private universities, rationalisation of infrastructure norms for non-government higher educational institutions, appointment of a single nodal agency for healthcare-related licences, monitoring and reduction of turnaround time on the Single Window System.

Additionally it was brought out that the establishment of an auto-appeal mechanism under the Right to Services framework, adoption of the amended Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 2024, and compilation of testing facilities in government institutions for facilitating MSMEs had also been accepted by the Deregulation Cell of the GoI.

The Chief Secretary also reviewed the reforms proposed to be operationalised through bringing of a legislation. These include elimination of change in land use requirements for landowners, demand-driven zoning, optimisation of industrial land use, removal of dual licences for businesses, strengthening of MSME self-certification mechanisms.

In addition to that the simplification of medical practitioners’ registration procedures, introduction of an affidavit-based clearance system also comes under the proposed Right to Business framework, and the Omnibus Bill aimed at harmonising various regulatory provisions.

The meeting further reviewed the status of other important reforms relating to streamlining of building permission processes, simplification of licensing under the Weights and Measures framework, promotion of quality and affordable tourist accommodation and removal of regulatory requirements relating to private schools.

Concerned departments apprised the Chair regarding the present status and timelines for completion of these reforms.

Reiterating the Government’s commitment to create a transparent, predictable and investor-friendly regulatory framework, the Chief Secretary observed that effective implementation of these reforms would significantly enhance the ease of doing business in Jammu and Kashmir, reduce compliance burdens on businesses and strengthen the our competitiveness as an attractive investment destination.

A fresh landslide on Monday blocked the 250-km Jammu–Srinagar National Highway in the Udhampur district, while the main bridge in the Doda district was temporarily closed to vehicular movement after suspected cracks triggered a safety inspection, officials said.

A massive landslide struck the strategic Jammu–Srinagar National Highway at Dewal in the Udhampur district early Monday, forcing authorities to suspend vehicular traffic from both directions, a traffic department official said.

He said the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) had deployed men and machinery to clear the debris and restore traffic at the earliest.

“Commuters are advised to avoid travelling on the highway until it is declared safe and reopened for traffic, as there is a risk of further landslides and shooting stones. People are also urged not to pay heed to rumours and to rely only on updates issued through the Traffic Police’s official social media handles for the latest road status,” the spokesman said.

However, officials said a fresh batch of 3,823 Amarnath pilgrims, travelling in a 140-vehicle convoy to the Baltal base camp under tight security, was allowed to cross the affected stretch after authorities restored one-way traffic on the highway.

Officials said normal traffic would resume once the second tube becomes operational within the next few hours. They said the temporary suspension of vehicular traffic was intended to enable the restoration agency to carry out the work swiftly and without any disruption.

Traffic on the highway had resumed on Sunday after remaining suspended for three days due to multiple landslides and shooting stones triggered by heavy rainfall. However, following the passage of the Amarnath Yatra convoy, vehicular movement was once again suspended for almost the entire day to facilitate landslide clearance operations in the Gangroo area along the Ramban–Banihal stretch.

Authorities closed the Pul Doda bridge late Sunday night after reports of visible cracks raised safety concerns.

Executive Engineer, Public Works Department (PWD), Anil Mehra said an inspection by engineers found that the markings were not structural cracks but were likely caused by concrete overlap at shuttering joints during construction.

“There were speculations that cracks had developed on the bridge (following recent heavy rainfall). As a precautionary measure and from a safety point of view, we closed it to vehicular traffic during the night. After a detailed inspection this (Monday) morning, our initial assessment indicates that these are not structural cracks,” he said.

He said an expert team from Design Inspection and Quality Control had also been called in to independently assess the bridge and conduct quality checks to ensure there were no structural defects.

“Once the bridge is certified as safe, it will be reopened for vehicular traffic. At present, traffic has been diverted through the alternate Ganpat bridge. If the expert team identifies any defect, it will be rectified immediately before the bridge is reopened,” he said.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday questioned the purpose of the new anti-paper leak bill if students are allegedly still being targeted with FIRs.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, the Congress General Secretary mentioned receiving unverified reports of continued police action against students in Bihar and West Bengal following the NEET and CBSE examination protests.

“I have heard that FIRs are still being filed against students in Bihar and Bengal. I have heard this, it’s not verified yet. So, I mean… what’s the point then?” Gandhi remarked.