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Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Arrives In Srinagar; LG Manoj Sinha Extends Warm Welcome

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday welcomed Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, upon his arrival in Srinagar.
In a post shared on social media, the Lieutenant Governor said he had the privilege of receiving the Union Minister in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

Gadkari’s visit assumes significance as several key infrastructure initiatives, including major highway and tunnel projects aimed at strengthening connectivity and boosting development in the Union Territory, are expected to be reviewed during his stay.
The visit comes amid accelerated efforts by the Centre to enhance road infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir, with a focus on improving mobility, reducing travel time and promoting economic growth in the region.

Monsoon Set to Arrive in North Bengal in 3-4 Days: IMD

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Monday that the southwest monsoon is likely to enter North Bengal in the next three to four days, covering sub-Himalayan districts such as Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Jalpaiguri. This development comes after northern districts have already begun experiencing pre-monsoon showers.

The IMD’s bulletin confirmed that conditions are now favorable for the advancement of the monsoon, even as its usual entry date of June 6 approaches. The weather pattern has already led to a humid atmosphere in southern Bengal, despite intermittent rainfall.

According to the forecast, heavy rainfall is on the cards for the next two days across the sub-Himalayan regions, which include Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar. Furthermore, light to moderate rain is anticipated for southern districts during this period.

The IMD reported that Alipurduar, which borders Assam, recorded the highest rainfall in the state in the last 24 hours, receiving an impressive 133 mm by 8:30 AM on Monday. Other regions noted precipitation as follows: Jalpaiguri with 53 mm, Cooch Behar at 18 mm, Darjeeling with 7.8 mm, and Kalimpong measuring 19 mm.

Experts indicate that the delayed arrival of the monsoon could have various implications, including a potential impact on agriculture and water supply. Farmers in the region eagerly await the rains to support the cropping season, particularly for rice and paddy.

This year, the monsoon’s lateness may cause fluctuations in agricultural productivity, leading to increased scrutiny of weather patterns and forecasts heading into the farming season.

The IMD encourages residents of North Bengal to prepare for potential inundation and urges caution during heavy rainfall periods, reminding everyone to stay updated through official channels.

Delhi Airport Customs Seize Hydroponic Weed Worth Rs 5.38 Crore Hidden Inside Geysers; Two Arrested

Customs officials at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport have seized 15.38 kilograms of suspected hydroponic weed valued at approximately Rs 5.38 crore from two passengers arriving from Kuala Lumpur. The contraband was ingeniously concealed inside two brand-new geysers, officials said on Monday.

According to a statement issued by Customs authorities, the passengers were intercepted on June 7 after they crossed the green channel based on specific intelligence inputs and passenger profiling.

During the initial examination, officials noticed that the passengers were carrying two new geysers in addition to their regular checked-in baggage, prompting further scrutiny.

Subsequent interrogation and examination of the passengers’ mobile phone communications raised additional suspicions regarding the appliances. Customs officers then subjected the geysers to X-ray screening, which revealed unusual concealments within their structure.

A detailed dismantling of the appliances uncovered a sophisticated smuggling operation. Officials recovered 145 vacuum-sealed packets hidden inside the geysers.

The packets contained a green leafy substance suspected to be hydroponic weed, a high-potency form of cannabis cultivated in nutrient-rich water rather than soil.

“The total gross weight of the recovered narcotic substance was found to be 15.38 kg. The estimated illicit market value of the seized contraband is approximately Rs 5.38 crore,” the Customs statement said.

The suspected narcotic substance has been seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Both passengers have been arrested.

Officials said investigations are continuing to identify the source and intended destination of the consignment and to determine whether the accused were acting independently or as part of a larger international drug-smuggling network.

The seizure is being viewed as a significant success for Customs authorities in their ongoing efforts to curb narcotics trafficking through India’s airports.

Sunil Sharma Meets Amit Shah, Discusses Security, Development and Political Situation in J&K

 Leader of Opposition in the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, on Monday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and held extensive discussions on a range of issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir.

During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed the prevailing security situation, law and order scenario, ongoing developmental initiatives, and the overall political landscape of the Union Territory. Sharma apprised the Home Minister of various ground-level concerns and highlighted the aspirations of the people for peace, progress, and responsive governance.

The discussions also focused on the Government of India’s continued efforts to strengthen security, promote inclusive development, and deepen democratic institutions at the grassroots level. Both leaders stressed the importance of consolidating the gains achieved in recent years and ensuring that the benefits of development reach every section of society.

Shah gave a patient hearing to the issues raised by Sharma and assured him that the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, remains fully committed to ensuring lasting peace, strengthening security, accelerating development, and safeguarding the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Home Minister reiterated that all necessary support would continue to be extended for the overall progress and prosperity of the Union Territory.

Sharma, meanwhile, reaffirmed the Bharatiya Janata Party’s commitment to protecting the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and working towards lasting peace, prosperity, and development. He stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Amit Shah, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a new phase of development, transparency, good governance, and public empowerment.

The meeting assumes significance amid continuing efforts by the Centre to enhance security, strengthen democratic processes, and accelerate developmental activities across Jammu and Kashmir.

India’s LPG Prices Among Lowest Globally Despite Recent Hike, Says Government

The Central Government on Sunday said that Indian households continue to enjoy some of the lowest cooking gas prices in the world despite a recent increase in domestic LPG rates, attributing the hike to a sharp rise in international fuel prices triggered by disruptions in West Asia.

The statement comes a day after the price of a 14.2-kg domestic LPG cylinder was increased by Rs 29, taking the retail price in Delhi from Rs 913 to Rs 942 per cylinder.

However, beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) will continue to receive a subsidy of Rs 300 per cylinder, effectively paying Rs 642 per refill. The subsidy will be available on the first four refills annually.

The latest revision follows a Rs 60-per-cylinder increase announced on March 7, bringing the cumulative hike in domestic LPG prices to Rs 89 per cylinder this year.

According to the Government, the cost of supplying a domestic LPG cylinder has risen to more than Rs 1,600 due to a sharp increase in global LPG prices following the outbreak of conflict in West Asia earlier this year.

India’s LPG import prices are linked to the Saudi Contract Price (CP), the internationally accepted benchmark for LPG. The benchmark has reportedly surged by around 46 percent since February, largely due to supply disruptions associated with tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy transit route.

Despite rising import costs, the Government maintained that domestic LPG prices in India remain significantly lower than those in neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Prices are also considerably below those prevailing in developed economies such as the United States, Australia, and Canada.

The Government further highlighted India’s ability to maintain uninterrupted energy imports through the Strait of Hormuz during the ongoing regional crisis. It said proactive measures, including increased domestic production and diversification of import sources, helped prevent shortages of LPG and other petroleum products across the country.

State-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) have been bearing substantial losses on domestic LPG sales. Before the latest price revision, OMCs were reportedly losing around Rs 703 on every LPG cylinder sold.

The Government stated that cumulative under-recoveries on domestic LPG sales reached approximately Rs 60,000 crore by the end of the previous financial year, up from Rs 41,338 crore a year earlier.

To partially compensate for these losses, the Union Cabinet has approved financial assistance of Rs 30,000 crore for state-run oil marketing companies.

The Government reiterated its commitment to ensuring affordable cooking fuel for consumers while balancing the impact of rising global energy prices and maintaining uninterrupted supplies across the country.

Supreme Court Upholds NGT Order, Rules Landlord Not Liable for Tenant’s Environmental Violations

The Supreme Court on Monday upheld an order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) holding that a landlord cannot be held liable for environmental violations allegedly committed by a tenant operating an industrial unit on rented premises.

A bench comprising Justices Satish Chandra Sharma and Sanjeev Sachdeva declined to interfere with the NGT’s November 14, 2025 order, effectively dismissing a challenge filed by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB).

The case arose from proceedings initiated by the GPCB against a chemical manufacturing unit operating in Surat. The pollution control authority had imposed an interim environmental damage compensation of Rs 25 lakh after inspections revealed that effluent discharged by the unit exceeded permissible pollution limits.

The industrial unit, engaged in dye-intermediate manufacturing, had also been operating without fulfilling mandatory regulatory requirements, including obtaining the necessary consent to establish from the pollution control authorities. Following these findings, the GPCB issued a closure order on October 16, 2023, and imposed the environmental compensation.

However, the penalty was also extended to the property’s owner, Jagmohan Lachiram Jalan, who challenged the decision. Jalan contended that he had leased the premises in 2020 to the director of a private company under a valid rental agreement and was unaware that the tenant was operating an unlicensed industrial unit.

He further submitted that upon learning about the alleged violations, he lodged a police complaint against the tenant. Subsequently, he approached the Gujarat High Court, which directed the GPCB to reconsider his representation.

Despite the High Court’s direction, the pollution control board upheld the penalty against Jalan in 2024. Aggrieved by the decision, he approached the National Green Tribunal.

The NGT ruled in Jalan’s favour, observing that there was no material to establish that the landlord had any role in the environmental violations committed by the tenant. Consequently, the Tribunal set aside the Rs 25 lakh compensation imposed on him.

Challenging the Tribunal’s decision, the GPCB moved the Supreme Court. However, the apex court found no reason to interfere with the NGT’s findings and upheld the Tribunal’s order, reinforcing the principle that liability for environmental violations must be based on actual involvement and responsibility rather than mere ownership of the premises.

The ruling is expected to have significant implications for landlord liability in cases involving environmental compliance and industrial operations conducted by tenants.

Drug-Free J&K Campaign Reaches 19th District, LG Manoj Sinha Leads Padyatra In Kishtwar

“We are breaking the chain of the drug trade at every single link. Whether it’s cross-border smugglers, peddlers or the terror financiers- there is no safe haven. Our agencies are hunting down every narco-terrorist and permanently dismantling their networks,” the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha said on Saturday. He observed that over the last nearly two months, citizens from all walks of life, have walked streets across the Union Territory, shared the pain of affected families, and energized our youth.
“Our goal is to foster a grassroots resistance against drug abuse and end narco-terrorism,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor was addressing the public rally at Kishtwar. The campaign has so far covered 19 districts of Jammu Kashmir, reinforcing a collective commitment to eradicate drugs from villages and towns.
“For 56 days I have pursued a single mission of eliminating every drug smuggler and narco-terrorist from this land. Narco-terrorists and drug smugglers, whether in Pulwama or Ramban, Kulgam or Kishtwar, must understand this truth that there will be no mercy for those who ruin the future of our young generation,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there is no mercy for narco-terrorists.
“We are ensuring that drug addicts who seek a path to recovery are provided all possible assistance and brought back to the mainstream with compassion and dignity. But compassion cannot be wasted on narco-terrorists who profit from others’ ruin, who thrive on destruction, who aim to drain the life from Kishtwar’s villages and towns. My objective is very clear that ruthless action will be taken against narco-terrorists while unwavering protection will be ensured for the innocent,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor said that although J&K Drug-Free Campaign is scheduled for 100 days, it marks the start of a much larger fight. He said eliminating this threat requires a marathon effort.
“It is a war of years, not a battle of weeks. Victory demands a unified, round-the-clock commitment. By mobilizing a whole-of-society approach, we will ensure that J&K’s soil is completely cleared of drug smugglers and drug peddlers. During the Padyatra across Jammu Kashmir, I have witnessed the incredible courage of young men and women breaking the shackles of addiction to reclaim their lives. That is why we cannot fail. This campaign is a matter of the soul of Jammu Kashmir,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor said in order to safeguard youth, the administration is embedding the spirit of this mission into the very fabric of our neighborhoods, equipping communities to recognize the warning signs, intervene early, and shield each other.
“Our teachers, Panchayat Mahila Samitis, religious leaders, and civil society groups are the torchbearers of this movement, standing united to ensure the shadow of addiction never finds a foothold in Kishtwar and across Jammu Kashmir. This is a defining moment for the future of our children. The people have spoken with one voice that narco‑terrorists must be driven from this land,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Mehbooba Speaks To JP Nadda On AIIMS Awantipora, Seeks Early Completion Amid Political Row

Jun 6: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday said she spoke with Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and urged him to expedite the ongoing work on AIIMS Awantipora so that the project is completed without further delay.
In a post on X, as per news agency JKNS, Mufti said Nadda assured her that the premier healthcare institution would be completed within the stipulated timeframe.
“Spoke with Union Health Minister JP Nadda ji and requested him to expedite the ongoing work at AIIMS Awantipora so that it doesn’t get delayed any further. He was kind enough to assure me about its completion well on time,” she said.
Mufti added that although the team working on the project was “toiling day and night,” the deteriorating healthcare scenario across Jammu and Kashmir made it imperative that AIIMS Awantipora becomes operational at the earliest.
“Undoubtedly the team assigned here is toiling day and night but given how healthcare is crumbling across J&K, it’s imperative AIIMS Awantipora is operational soon. It will provide much-needed relief and quality medical services,” she said. (JKNS)

Anti-Terror Operation Enters Fourteenth Day In J&K’s Rajouri

A joint anti-terror operation by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF has entered its fourteenth day in the dense forests of Gambhir Mughlan and Dorimal in the Manjakote sector of Rajouri district. Security forces are continuing to track suspected terrorists believed to be hiding in the region.
The security forces were seen checking the ID cards of travellers and locals, conducting intensive search operations in the region.
The operation, codenamed Operation Sheruwali, was launched following intelligence inputs indicating the presence of suspected terrorists in the region. Officials said the move aims to trap the suspects within the designated zones while search teams intensify their operations. (Agencies)

Cockroach Janta Party Founder Dipke Joins Students, Youth In Jantar Mantar Protest

Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the online movement Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), joined the planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Saturday, organised amid heavy security.
Hundreds of people, mostly young individuals, turned out for the demonstration, many of whom were wearing cockroach masks and holding flowers. School students were also seen attending the protest along with their parents.
The majority of the participants were a mix of school and college students, along with young professionals.
Scores of students gathered at the venue, chanting slogans and demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Dipke, who arrived in Delhi early in the day, had urged supporters to maintain discipline and ensure that the protest remains peaceful.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has also expressed support for the protest, stated that he would undertake a six-week fast if Dipke is arrested. In a post on X, Dipke expressed excitement about meeting supporters at Jantar Mantar and encouraged them to bring a book and the national flag. He also urged participants to offer flowers to police personnel as a “gesture of compassion and gratitude,” emphasising that the movement should be led with “love and peace.” The protest has been organised by the CJP, a youth-led online movement demanding accountability for alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment tests, including NEET, CBSE, CUET, and SSC examinations.
Security was heightened across the national capital in anticipation of the protest. Police officials stated that additional personnel had been deployed at Indira Gandhi International Airport, border entry points, and other sensitive locations.
More than 1,000 police personnel have been allocated for deployment throughout New Delhi and other strategic locations as a precaution. In the run-up to the protest, the CJP had circulated guidelines urging participants to maintain non-violent conduct and avoid confrontation. Dipke’s latest appeal reiterated those instructions, emphasising respectful engagement with law enforcement personnel during the demonstration. (AGENCIES)