A revenue official and a forest guard have been suspended in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba and Doda districts respectively for alleged dereliction of duty, officials said.

In Samba district, Deputy Commissioner Ayushi Soodan ordered the suspension of a ‘girdawar’ Pankaj Singh Jamwal for failure to complete the digitisation of revenue records within the stipulated timeframe despite repeated directions, an official order said.

The tehsildar, Bari Brahmana had reported that no ‘jamabandis’ (official record of righs for land) were digitised in Patwar Halqua Smailpur between April 8 and April 15.

“The conduct of the official reflects gross negligence and dereliction of duty in the discharge of his responsibilities,” the order said.

Pending inquiry, the official has been placed under suspension with immediate effect and attached to the office of tehsildar Samba. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Vijaypur has been appointed as the inquiry officer and has been asked to submit a report within 15 days, it added.

In Doda district, a forest department beat guard, Mushtaq Ahmed has also been placed under suspension after a vehicle carrying illegal deodar timber was seized in the Bhadarwah area, the officials said.

Officials said a joint team of Forest Protection Force and territorial staff of Neru range intercepted a vehicle loaded with 20 deodar green scants (unseasoned timber planks) during the intervening night of April 21 and 22 at village Jalga.

During the operation, the in-charge beat guard was found moving on the same route in his personal vehicle, and a mechanical cutter packed in a bag was recovered, they said.

The suspended guard has been attached to the Divisional Forest Office, Bhadarwah, pending enquiry. (Agencies)

April 23 The administration on Thursday demolished three houses belonging to alleged drug peddlers here, officials said.

Amid heavy deployment of police and CRPF personnel, the authorities demolished structures allegedly built using proceeds from drug trafficking in the Rajiv Nagar area.

A senior official said the demolition drive is part of an ongoing campaign against notorious drug peddlers in the region.

“We conducted a similar drive here two to three months ago. Some more drug peddlers have since been identified, and they are currently absconding. The illegal structures constructed from money earned through the drug trade are being demolished today. Three structures are being razed,” the official told reporters here.

“Drug-related activities are harming our society and ruining our children. We want to engage our youth in sports and positive activities. This effort is part of our contribution towards the nation’s progress and development,” he said.

Officials reiterated that the administration will continue its action against drug networks and their assets in the region. (Agencies)

The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today inaugurated the New School Building of Swami Pranavanand Vidyamandir in Panjgrain, Nagrota. The School is run by Bharat Sevashram Sangha, a renowned socio-cultural and philanthropic organisation. Bharat Sevashram Sangh started pre-primary to Class 8 education here in 2014 under ‘Har Ghar Shiksha’. Over half the students are from poor families; they have illuminated countless lives.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor said that new higher secondary building and skill infrastructure will ensure disadvantaged students get quality education.

“Once all the floors of building are complete, it will serve more than 1,500 students transform thousands of lives. With future residential facilities for 100 boys, local economy will get a boost, backward areas will be transformed, and society will advance with new confidence,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

In his address, the Lieutenant Governor called upon students and teachers to contribute to nation-building and adapt classrooms to today’s changing global landscape, positioning India as the world’s leading knowledge economy.

“We must strengthen cultural awareness in students, as unity in diversity defines global society. Promote communication skills for clear expression, enabling the new generation to improve lives, uphold democratic values, and foster collaboration for a prosperous J&K,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor observed that every student talented in art, craft, music, or entrepreneurship deserves equal respect and opportunity.

“Teachers must recognize that education focused solely on marks and narrow academics, sidelining art, sports, and skills, is unfit for the future. We must prepare students for irreplaceable human capacities like creativity, critical thinking, moral decision-making, collaboration, and lifelong learning which no machine can replace,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor said the world is changing rapidly and unlike the stable careers in the past, professional workforce requires continuous learning, skilling and upskilling.

“We are at a threshold where AI and automation is transforming industries, offices, hospitals, and schools and our human resource need to be a step ahead,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) and emphasised that the policy is a potent tool to meet national needs, boost societal capacity, and accelerate economic growth.

“To bridge rural-urban and regional-social gaps, NEP is a powerful tool, societal asset, and reliable partner for meritorious students. India will emerge as a robust knowledge economy, nurturing generations with scientific temper, moral strength, cultural values, skills, and a spirit of service and sacrifice,” the Lieutenant Governor observed.

He said a student’s view of the external world depends on self-perception, shaped by experiences.

“True education balances both, equipping students with knowledge and skills for outer world, plus self-awareness and emotional resilience for inner world. This holistic approach is every school’s core duty.

Every student must blend science and values for progress. NEP measures guarantee Viksit Bharat; for the first time in decades, our talented children, teens, and youth are policy priorities,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The initiative of Bharat Sevashram Sangha is supported by Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum and other donors.

Srimat Swami Biswatmanandaji Maharaj General Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha; Srimat Swami Ambarishanandaji Maharaj, Joint Secretary, and senior sanyasins of Bharat Sevashrasm Sangha; and senior officials were present.

Jugal Kishore Sharma, Member of Parliament; Devyani Rana, Member of Legislative Assembly from Nagrota; Dr Nirmal Singh, former Deputy Chief Minister; Ms Rashmi Govil, Director HR, Indian Oil Corporation Limited; Vilas Zode, Executive Director-HR, Hindustan Petroleum; Chander Mohan Gupta, former Mayor JMC and other prominent citizens also attended the inaugural ceremony.

Police have arrested three alleged drug peddlers and recovered heroin-like substance from their possession in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district, officials said on Thursday.Maps

As part of the ongoing ‘Nasha Mukt Abhiyan’, a police team was conducting checks on the link road towards Rakh Barotian in Vijaypur area, when they intercepted three persons travelling in a scooty, police said.

During the checking, heroin-like substance was recovered from the trio — identified as Rahul Sharma, Sanju Bhagat and Nirmal Kumar, all residents of Jammu.

Police have seized the contraband along with the vehicle. A case has been registered at Vijaypur police station under relevant sections, and further investigation is underway, officials added. (Agencies)