J&K Govt ordered for postings/assignment of additional charge to JKAS Officers/Others,
J&K Govt orders for postings/assignment of additional charge to JKAS Officers/Others
Satish Sharma reviews essential supplies
Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, Transport, Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma, today convened a high-level review meeting to assess the supply position and transportation of essential commodities across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Managing Director, JKSRTC, Rakesh Sarangal; Transport Commissioner, Vishesh Paul Mahajan; and other senior officers of the concerned departments.
During the meeting, the Minister was briefed about the daily deployment of trucks and the lifting of food grains and other essential commodities to ensure uninterrupted supplies to both Kashmir and Jammu divisions.
It was given out in the that in Kashmir Division, 210 trucks are being deployed every day, lifting 20,000 quintals of essential commodities. Similarly, in the Jammu Division, 190 trucks are deployed daily, lifting 16,150 quintals.
In total, 400 trucks are engaged across both divisions, lifting nearly 36,150 quintals of essential commodities per day, the meeting was informed.
Addressing the officers, Satish Sharma emphasized that timely supply of food grains, LPG and other essentials is the top priority of the Government, especially in view of the prevailing weather conditions. He called upon the officers to maintain uninterrupted essential supplies across all districts.
The Minister further directed the officers to maintain close coordination between FCS&CA, Transport Department, and JKSRTC to guarantee smooth logistics and last-mile delivery.
The Minister also instructed that adequate buffer stocks be maintained in vulnerable and far-flung areas so that people do not face any hardship. He further appreciated the efforts of the transport authorities and drivers working round-the-clock for keeping supply chain functional.
He reiterated the Government’s commitment towards ensuring food security and uninterrupted delivery of essentials to every household in Jammu and Kashmir.
J&K:High Court declares Sep 12 as non sitting day but 27th Sept as working day
Jammu, Sep 11: High Court declared September 12 as non sitting day,whereas 27th September declared as Working day, details with CTN reads as under:-
Prez Reference On Assent To Bill: SC Asks Can It Sit Idle If Guv Fails In Duty, Reserves Verdict
Calling itself the “custodian of the Constitution”, the Supreme Court on Thursday asked if it could “sit idle” if a constitutional functionary like Governor failed to discharge duties as it reserved the verdict on the presidential reference on grant of assent to bills.
In the marathon hearings spanning 10 days, a Constitution bench of headed by Chief Justice B R Gavai heard legal luminaries including Attorney General R Venkataramani, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Singhvi, Gopal Subramanium, Arvind Datar and others on the presidential reference which centered around Article 200 and 201 and the key issue whether constitutional court can impose timelines for governors and President to assent to bills.
On the last day, the bench, also comprising Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, P S Narasimha and A S Chandurkar, interjected Mehta when he referred to the separation of powers as one of the basic structures of the Constitution and said the court should not fix timelines and interfere with the discretionary powers of governors.
“Whosoever high one may be, as a custodian of the Constitution (refers to SC)… I publicly say that I am a firm believer in the doctrine of separation of powers and though judicial activism has to be there, there should not be judicial terrorism or adventurism. But at the same time, if one wing of democracy fails to discharge its duty, is the custodian of the Constitution powerless and would sit idle?” the CJI asked.
Mehta said, “Not only the court, the executive is also a custodian of the fundamental rights of citizens…Legislature is also custodian, all three organs.” The law officer went on, “But, issuing mandamus (a writ asking a person to perform a public duty) to governors with regard to the legislatively discretionary functions of a coordinate constitutional functionary would violate the theory of separation of powers and this separation of power is a part of basic structure.” Mehta said while governors couldn’t sit perpetually over a bill, it didn’t mean they lacked discretionary powers under Article 200 and timelines could be fixed for granting assent as a “straitjacket formula”.
He went on to outline governors’ discretionary powers even in the case of promulgation of ordinance by the state government.
Assailing the submissions of opposition-ruled states which stressed Governor ought to act on the aid and advice of the council of ministers only, Mehta asked, “Suppose a state legislature passes a bill declaring it will no longer be a part of the Union of India, the Governor has no choice but to withhold assent.” He underscored the constitutional discretion to governors and President in certain contexts, though he said their actions were ordinarily guided by ministerial aid and advice.
Article 200, he said, provides Governor four options on bills and contains implied discretion, particularly in situations where a bill undermines constitutional values or carries national implications.
The law officer said the term “as soon as possible” used in Article 200 cannot mean indefinitely.
He reiterated 90 per cent of the bills passed by state assemblies since 1970 have received gubernatorial assent within a month whereas assents were withheld by governors only in 20 instances of the total 17,150 bills.
Addressing the absence of express timelines in the constitutional text, Mehta said it reflected “cautious choice of words” rather than vacuum.
“This system has functioned in harmony for decades. Only recently, with the NCT Delhi episode, has litigation on this issue proliferated,” he added.
He said there was no vacuum in the constitutional scheme where the court should step in and fix timelines for governors.
The court would likely opine on the 14 questions referred to by President Droupadi Murmu, including whether constitutional authorities could indefinitely withhold assent to bills and if courts could impose mandatory time frames.
The issues essentially relate to Article 200 which governs powers of Governor regarding bills passed by the state legislature, allowing them to either assent to the bill, withhold assent, return the bill for reconsideration or reserve the bill for the consideration of the President.
In May, President Murmu exercised powers under Article 143(1) to know from the top court whether judicial orders could impose timelines for the exercise of discretion by the President while dealing with bills passed by state assemblies. (Agenciese)
J-K LG, CM Thank Rlys For Launching Apple Parcel Train From Kashmir To Delhi
J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today expressed their gratitude to the Railway Ministry for launching a dedicated parcel train service from Budgam in Kashmir Valley to New Delhi for the transportation of apples.
The service, beginning September 13, is expected to ease the logistical challenges faced by fruit growers and ensure faster delivery of apples to national markets. The inaugural loading of two parcel vans carrying apples from Budgam commenced today.
The announcement of dedicated parcel train service from Budgam was announced by Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw.
“With the Jammu-Srinagar line operational, the Kashmir valley has better connectivity. Railways is introducing a daily time-tabled parcel train from Badgam in Kashmir Valley to Adarsh Nagar station in Delhi starting 13th September 2025. Loading of 2 parcel vans carrying apples from Badgam to Delhi is beginning today,” Vaishnaw said on X.
The Lieutenant Governor too conveyed his appreciation for the initiative.
“The daily parcel-train from Budgam to New Delhi will bring huge relief to apple growers. My deepest gratitude to the Prime Minister and union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw Ji,” office of LG said on X.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Minister for Railways for their support in making this initiative possible.
The frequent closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, damaged by recent heavy rains, has left Kashmir’s apple industry reeling at the peak of the harvest season. Growers have been unable to transport their produce to markets outside the Valley, resulting in mounting losses.
Suspected Blast In Jammu And Kashmir’s Doda
A suspected blast took place in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district on Thursday, triggering panic in the area, sources said.
The blast took place in Dumri Mohalla near Jamai Masjid in Doda, they said.
Police have reached the spot and further details are awaited.
Two people have been detained for questioning.
Tension prevailed in the district and adjoining areas following the detention of over 80 people and violent clashes between protesters and security forces after the arrest of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA). (AGENCIES)
Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra Remains Suspended For 17th Day
The suspension of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra today entered the 17th consecutive day from Katra town in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir due to landslides along the pilgrimage route.
As many 34 people, mostly pilgrims, were killed and several injured after a landslide was triggered on August 26 due to heavy rains near the Indraprastha Bhojnalaya at Ardhkuwari.
The Kara trader community has appealed to the Shrine Board to at least come clear on resumption of the yatra as ‘navratras’ are also scheduled to begin from September 22.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, has constituted a high-level three-member committee to investigate the causes of the August 26 landslide.
Additional Chief Secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Jal Shakti, Shaleen Kabra headed committee, comprising Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and Inspector General of Police, Jammu, BS Tuti will submit a comprehensive report within two weeks to LG Sinha. (Agencies)Jammu travel guide
Slippery Road Conditions In Tharad Section Of J&K Highway, Only One-Way Traffic Permitted
One-way traffic has been allowed on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Thursday due to slippery road conditions in the Tharad section of Udhampur district, officials said.
The highway was reopened for traffic on Wednesday after remaining closed for nine days.
The 270-km highway, which is the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, had remained closed since August 26 due to multiple blockages caused by heavy rains, flash floods, and landslides. It was briefly reopened on August 30, but closed again. In total, the highway had remained blocked for 14 days.
“Subject to fair weather and good road condition, only one-way traffic shall be permitted for light motor vehicles (LMVs) from Jammu towards Srinagar on the highway. These vehicles shall be allowed from Nagrota (Jammu),” a traffic advisory said.
It further said the Jammu-Srinagar highway has not been fully restored at Tharad in Udhampur.
“Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) traffic was allowed on a trial basis, but due to the slippery surface of the road, vehicles got jammed and were pushed through JCBs and loaders throughout the day,” it added.
The advisory further said that due to the wet bed of this stretch, movement of heavy motor vehicles cannot be permitted until the bed dries up.
Traffic is plying on Mughal road, Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari road, and Sinthan road. (Agencies)
One Dead, Several Injured After Tempo Overturns On NH-44 In Udhampur
One person lost his life while several others were injured after a tempo overturned near Celebration Hall, Battal Ballian on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) on Thursday.
An official said, the vehicle was on its way from Jammu towards Udhampur at around 4:30 AM when it lost control and turned turtle, leaving multiple passengers injured.
All the injured were immediately shifted to Government Medical College (GMC) Udhampur for treatment, official said.
However, one of the injured, identified as Shakeel (40), son of Irshad and resident of Punia, Bihar, succumbed to his injuries, he said.
Police have taken cognizance of the incident, and further investigations are underway. (KNC)
Jammu And Kashmir | Doda Tense, Prohibitory Orders Remain In Force
Tension prevailed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district and adjoining areas on Thursday following the detention of over 80 people and violent clashes between protesters and security forces after the arrest of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA).
Prohibitory orders remained in force for the third consecutive day on Thursday in Doda district, where mobile internet and WiFi services continued to remain suspended as a precautionary measure.
The administration invoked Section 163 of the BNSS Act restricting public movement without prior permission on Monday.
The situation remained calm overnight with no fresh protests reported, officials said, adding security personnel are maintaining vigilance.
Security forces were deployed in strength around Doda town, Bhaderwah, Gandoh, and Thathri amid tension over alleged administrative high-handedness. Concertina wires were installed near government offices to prevent any untoward incident.
Police vehicles patrolled the area making announcements urging residents to stay indoors. Malik, who won the Doda seat in the 2024 Assembly elections by over 4,500 votes, was detained on Monday under the PSA for allegedly disturbing public order, officials said. He was subsequently lodged in the Kathua district jail.
This is the first time a sitting MLA in Jammu and Kashmir has been taken into custody under the stringent law, which allows detention without charge or trial for up to two years in some cases.
On Wednesday, protesters tried to defy restrictions, leading to baton charge by security personnel at three places. Several protesters, including women, were detained during clashes, and some were released later in the day. Ex-BDC Kahara reportedly sustained injuries near Premnagar.
Sources said 80 people were taken into preventive custody since Wednesday, of whom 21, including five women, were shifted to Bhaderwah while others were moved to Kishtwar. Several detainees are expected to be released tonight.
All schools in the district will remain closed till Sunday, according to orders from the Chief Education Officer, while all business establishments remained shut. The district administration cited the volatile atmosphere following Malik’s detention, describing him as a government critic whose arrest was based on “provocative speeches and abusive language” on social media, alleged to disturb public peace.
Malik’s father, Shamas Din Malik, appealed for his son’s release, stating he no longer wished to pursue the matter in courts.
“I want my son back. I met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who said he would see what he could do,” he said.
The AAP has accused the Centre of targeting the party politically. At a protest in Jammu, AAP MP Sanjay Singh condemned the arrest, stating the party would continue its struggle “injustice on the streets, in Parliament, and if necessary, in the Supreme Court.” Eight police personnel, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police and a Station House Officer, were reportedly injured during the clashes earlier this week. (Agencies)