Jammu, Sept 22: The Jammu and Kashmir government Thursday imposed complete ban on import of bovines from neighboring states and inter-district movement of bovines within the UT for any purpose, till 25th of October, 2022 due to the Lumpy Skin Disease outbreak.

The decision has been taken as a measure of abundant precaution and in view of declaration of whole UT of J&K as “Controlled Area” for Lumpy Skin Disease vide S.0 424, dated 05.09.2022 and in exercise of powers conferred under Section 10 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases Act, 2009, news agency GNS quoted an order saying. 

The order further said that the decision will be reviewed on the basis of evolving situation.

Ramban/Jammu, September 22

The Jammu-Srinagar national highway will remain closed for traffic for four hours daily till September 27 to undertake repairs in various landslide-prone areas, officials said.

Traffic would be halted from 3 am to 7 am during the repair work, according to the direction issued by Chief Secretary AK Mehta.

To carry out urgent repairs on shooting stones prone NH-44 stretch by NHAI, including Cafeteria Morh-Mehad, the chief secretary called for a four-hour halt of traffic for a period of five days from Friday, they said.

Mehta asked officers to ensure smooth movement of fruit-laden trucks on the highway.

He also asked officers to complete the double laning of stretches between Banihal and Ramban and its subsequent black topping within a period of 10 days.

The chief secretary underlined the need for creating minimum obstacles for the movement of traffic during the five days and asked officials to halt traffic only during the night when traffic is lean and minimum.

He asked officials to look for different scientific methods like use of GPS technology and others for better management of traffic and procure road safety gear.

Srinagar, Sep 22: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta on Thursday flagged off the Kashmir Cyclothon, which will cover eight mostly unexplored destinations in the Valley over three days.
About 60 cyclists from across India and Nepal are taking part in the cyclothon, which was flagged off from Royal Springs Golf Club here.
Mehta told reporters, “The purpose of the cyclothon is for people to explore Kashmir in a better way. They will also carry the message of ‘nasha-mukt abhiyan’ (drugs-free campaign),” Mehta told reporters.
He said 60 cyclists — some over 60 years of age — from across the country and even Nepal, were taking part in the event.
It is a very good activity, very refreshing. The cyclists have come from all over the country and even Nepal. It is good to see people over 60 (years) participating,” he said.
Mehta added that the participants would cover the 300-km distance over three days.
Tourism Secretary Sarmad Hafeez said Kashmir was one of the finest destinations for cycling and mountain biking.
We have beautiful destinations, with untapped potential. We have identified many new places so that tourists reach there and people benefit,” he said.
Hafeez said the cyclists would travel through Verinag, Kokernag, Daksum, Vasaknag, Dubjan, Aharbal, Shikargah, and Srinagar for the event.
The cyclists described the event as an opportunity to explore Kashmir.
This event gives us a chance to explore the areas which we usually do not hear about. I am very thankful to the tourism department for organising this cyclothon and inviting us,” said Ritu from Jammu.
Suchanda, who has travelled from Delhi for the event, said cycling was the best way to explore the Valley.
This is a wonderful opportunity for us to explore unexplored destinations. I am sure this will be a great experience,” she said. (AGENCIES)

Jammu, Sep 22: The Indira Gandhi National Open University Regional Center in Jammu is playing an important role in imparting education to remote villages from Jammu.

Those who do not have the finances to pursue formal education or who do not get regular admission in degree colleges are taking admission in IGNOU to make their dream of higher education come true.

IGNOU Regional Director in-charge Jammu Dr. Sandeep said, “Due to strict implementation of quality education, curriculum and schedule, we have been able to win the credibility and trust of the students. In the year 2021-22, 77 per cent of students enrolled in IGNOU Jammu under various programmes are from the rural areas, which clearly shows that IGNOU is gaining popularity in the remote and inaccessible areas of the region.

According to Dr. Sandeep, IGNOU has exceeded the expectations of the weaker sections of the society in the last few years in providing quality education across the country. Students belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are also exempted from admission fees for many programmes.

The university has made the study material of various programmes available digitally and students who want to take digital material instead of hard copy are also given a 15 per cent discount on the programme fee.

Srinagar, Sep 22: Chief Secretary, Arun Kumar Mehta on Thursday said that by the end of September all landowners will get digital land passbooks in the Union Territory.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function here, Kumar said that the land passbooks will be issued in three different languages including Hindi, English and Kashmiri.

He said that this will be for the first time that land passbooks will be issued in local language, which people can understand. “This has never happened before.”

He also said that the aim of organising sports events in Jammu and Kashmir’s is also to keep youth away from drugs, which has become a challenge for society.

“Those who are victims of drugs need our help, they need society’s help. Government is doing its best to keep youth away from drugs and one such effort is that we are organising sports events to keep them engaged in good and healthy activities,” he added

JAMMU, Sept 22: Eight people were injured when a cab they were travelling in skidded off the road and overturned in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday.
The vehicle bearing registration number JK11-8884 was on way to Rajouri from Bufliaz when it met with the accident near Magi Mohre.
Passersby immediately took the injured to nearby hospital where condition of all of them is stated to be stable.
SDPO Thanamandi Dr Imtiaz Ahmed, who along with police party visited the injured in the hospital, confirmed that eight people suffered wounds in the accident. He said a case has been registered with the concerned police station and further investigations taken up. (Agencies)