: In a significant development for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jammu and Kashmir, Nitish Mahajan, the Co-Incharge of the Social Media Department for BJP J&K, has been elected as the Mandal President of BJP Trikuta Nagar Mandal, Bahu Constituency. The announcement was met with widespread applause from party members and supporters, signifying another milestone in Mahajan’s committed journey within the party.

Nitish Mahajan extended his heartfelt gratitude to several prominent BJP leaders and members who played an integral role in his success. Among those acknowledged were Vikram Randhawa (MLA Bahu), Narinder Gupta (Co-Returning Officer), Lucky Puri (Ex-Corporator), Neena Gupta (Ex-Corporator), Bharat Bhushan (Vice Chairman, Cantonment Board), Ajay Gupta (Ex-Corporator), Neha Gupta (State Mahila Morcha General Secretary), Ankit Gupta (State Social Media Department Head), and Isshan Gupta (State IT Head). Their unwavering support and encouragement have been instrumental in Mahajan’s ascent to this position.

Speaking on the occasion, Mahajan expressed his gratitude and outlined his vision for the future. “I am deeply humbled and honored to be entrusted with this responsibility. Strengthening the party base at the grassroots level will be my top priority, and I pledge to work tirelessly to uphold the values and mission of our party,” he stated.

Mahajan’s election is expected to bring renewed energy and focus to the Trikuta Nagar Mandal. Known for his effective use of social media platforms to amplify the party’s initiatives and connect with the youth, Mahajan’s leadership is anticipated to foster greater engagement and outreach.

BJP leaders present at the event congratulated Mahajan and emphasized the importance of collective efforts in achieving the party’s objectives. Vikram Randhawa, MLA Bahu, highlighted Mahajan’s dedication and said, “Nitish has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the party’s growth. His leadership will undoubtedly strengthen the BJP’s presence in the region.”

The ceremony concluded with a pledge by all members to work unitedly towards the party’s vision and goals. Nitish Mahajan’s election marks a new chapter for the BJP Trikuta Nagar Mandal, one filled with hope, determination, and the promise of progress.

Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, while chairing the 12th UT Level NCORD Committee meeting, underscored the importance of strict enforcement of laws, victim rehabilitation, and massive awareness campaigns to address the growing drug menace in the Union Territory.

High-Level Meeting:
The meeting was attended by key officials, including DG Police, Principal Secretary Home, ACS Jal Shakti Department, Principal Secretary School Education, senior civil and police officers, and representatives from BSF, ED, and SIA. Outstation officers joined online.

Call for Collective Action:
Dulloo stressed the need for collaboration between the civil administration and Police Department. He emphasized:

• Strict Action: Effective deterrents against drug dealers.
• Strong Cases: Robust investigations and prosecutions to ensure convictions.
• Accountability: Holding defaulting police officers and government employees involved in NDPS cases accountable.

Enhanced Investigation & Prosecution: The Chief Secretary noted that tardy investigations and weak prosecutions often lead to early acquittals. He directed:

• Training: Capacity building for Investigation Officers and Public Prosecutors.
• Audits: Review of acquittal cases to identify and fix loopholes.
• Appeals: Timely challenges of bail and acquittal orders in higher courts.

Healthcare & Awareness Initiatives:
Dulloo called for:

• De-addiction Facilities: IPD facilities in district hospitals and OPD services in health centers.
• Counseling: Best counseling and treatment, both online and offline.
• Education: Collaboration with School and Higher Education Departments for student awareness programs.

Police Efforts Lauded:
DG Police Nalin Prabhat highlighted a paradigm shift in investigations under NDPS and PITNDPS Acts, with manifold increases in actions against offenders. He noted:

• Property Attachments: Properties worth Rs 12.04 crore attached in 2024, with Rs 50 crore under process.
• Action Against Kingpins: 274 drug kingpins booked under PITNDPS in 2024, up from 270 in 2023 and 195 in 2022.

Strategic Measures: Principal Secretary Home, Chandraker Bharti, suggested:

• National Portals: Leveraging platforms like NIDAAN for tracing case links.
• Property Actions: Attachment and red entries in revenue records against immovable properties of offenders.

Performance Report: IG Crime, Sunil Kumar, presented a report revealing:

• Disciplinary Actions:
  • 15 civil employees (out of 143 cases).
  • 69 police personnel (out of 175 cases).
  • 9 army personnel (out of 19 cases) penalized for involvement in NDPS cases.

Turning the Tide:
The Government’s resolute measures and coordinated approach signify a strong commitment to eradicating the drug menace from Jammu and Kashmir. With increased enforcement, awareness, and victim rehabilitation, the UT is steadily progressing towards a drug-free society.

The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) Jammu Bench has achieved a remarkable milestone by disposing of 15,537 cases since its establishment on June 8, 2020, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. This achievement was disclosed by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and other key portfolios, during a briefing with CAT Chairman Justice Ranjit More.

Focus on Efficiency and Infrastructure:
The meeting reviewed the Tribunal’s infrastructural setup, staffing, and its progress in addressing long-pending grievances. The Jammu Bench, initially set up with one Division Bench, expanded to two Division Benches on January 10, 2023, considering the volume of cases transferred from the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir. Currently, both Division Benches are operating with full strength, comprising two Judicial Members and two Administrative Members.

Case Disposal Highlights:

• Total cases transferred from the High Court of J&K: 11,792
  • Disposed cases: 9,275
• Fresh cases instituted in CAT, Jammu Bench: 8,745
  • Disposed cases: 6,262
• Total cases disposed of: 15,537

This includes cases pending for years, ensuring quicker resolutions for employees of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Circuit Sitting in Leh:
Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the commencement of a circuit sitting of the Jammu Bench at Leh on June 19, 2024, aimed at addressing grievances of employees from the Union Territory of Ladakh. This initiative underscores the Government’s commitment to bringing justice closer to the people.

Enhanced Infrastructure:
Efforts to bolster the Tribunal’s infrastructure have been fruitful. A new, state-of-the-art building equipped with modern amenities is expected to be operational by the end of this month. Additionally, steps are underway to enhance human resource capacity for improved efficiency.

Government’s Support:
Dr. Jitendra Singh credited the Prime Minister’s leadership and the Union Government’s consistent support for the Tribunal’s success. “The CAT Jammu Bench has maintained a commendable disposal rate despite numerous constraints. This early settlement of grievances allows employees to focus on developmental activities within the Union Territory,” he said.

Bringing Justice Closer to the People:
The establishment and efficient functioning of the CAT Jammu Bench symbolize the Government’s resolve to strengthen administrative justice in the region. With a total of 15,537 cases disposed of, the Tribunal’s efforts mark a significant step toward addressing the long-standing grievances of government employees in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.