After eight years, the BJP-led government at the Centre has been substantially successful in controlling terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, insurgency in the North-East and Left wing extremism, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in Hyderabad on Saturday.

Speaking at the passing out parade of the 74th batch of the Indian Police Service (IPS) probationers at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA), Shah said under the leadership of Indian government agencies, police forces in the entire country carried out a successful operation in a single day against an organisation like the Popular Front of India (PFI).

After eight years, the government was, to a large extent, successful in controlling terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, insurgency in the North-East and Left wing extremism,” he said.

“Recently by banning the Popular Front of India we have presented a successful example for the world to see,” he further said.

“This shows how much our commitment towards democracy has become robust and strong.”

He further said terror-related incidents have come down due to zero tolerance against terrorism, strong framework for counter-terror laws and strengthening of agencies and due to assertive political will.

Amit Shah said during the past seven decades, the country has seen several ups and downs and also several challenging times in internal security. According to him, more than 36,000 police personnel sacrificed their lives during the challenging times.

A total 195 officer trainees, including 166 IPS officer trainees and 29 officer trainees from foreign countries took part in the Dikshant Parade.

BARAMULLA: Kickstarting the 3rd Khelo India Winter Games at famous ski-resort Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Friday said Gulmarg is going to be the Centre of Excellence for the winter sports and efforts are on and soon “we will achieve the mission”

Addressing the gathering during the inaugural ceremony of 3rd edition of Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg, LG Sinha said that every effort is being made to bring the skills of J&K youth who are affiliated with the sports on a display as Gulmarg will soon be the Center of Excellence for the winter games.

While congratulating the organizers for making efforts in conducting the mega event, the LG said that it is a proud movement for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. “I convey my greetings to each member including the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, High Altitude Warfare School Jawahar Institute of mountaineering, J&K Sports council and those associated with the event,” he said.

He said Gulmarg will celebrate the sporting excellence on snow covered slopes and will witness the contests of skill, courage and character of the athletes in as many as 11 disciplines. “We transform the sports tournament into reallly spectacular event at Gulmarg.”

He said that the second Khelo India was a huge success and today on the 3rd National winter Games event, the whole country is united, and the next five days are going to be great occasion to strive for the greatest victory to uphold the sportsmanship, equality, friendship and respect for the competitors.

“Sports is such a medium which can change everything and it will not change the athletes behavior but can change whole scenario of the world. Just after three months we are going to hold the G20 meeting in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

He also said Jammu and Kashmir tops the sports infrastructure in the whole country as “we have stadiums and play fields in every village.” “Our country was deprived of the soft power of sports from last 60 years but fortunately, the efforts of PM Modi paved the way and we are now at the stage of holding the mega sports events. PM Modi gave youth a Naya Asmaan and Naya Pankh,” he said.

The LG said that for the last 8-9 years the country has produced a number of sports heroes and its all because of PM Modi. “Sports can give a new birth to the sustainable development and Sports ministry left no stone unturned to make Jammu and Kashmir a Sports centre of country.”

The LG said J&K Sports Council is doing it’s best to promote the sports and have covered almost every district and every village.

“The budget for the Jammu and Kashmir’s sports sector is higher as compared to other states of the country. Maharashtra is known for the highest budget for education and youth sports and if we combine both we are just 48 crores away from that highest budgeting state,” the LG said.

The athletes are the role models for the youth across the country, we are looking for the young people to bring an honor to sports field and the country, he said

Banihal/Jammu, Feb 10: The Jammu-Srinagar national highway was closed for traffic on Friday due to multiple landslides triggered by heavy rains in Ramban district, officials said.

The only all-weather 270-km highway linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, was blocked by the landslides at Panthiyal, Cafeteria Morh, and Dalwas areas with over 200 vehicles stranded at several places on the route.

The fresh shooting stones badly damaged an iron tunnel setup at this point to facilitate traffic in Panthiyal area, they said.Efforts are underway to remove the debris from the landslides, they added. PTI

Gulmarg (JK), Feb 10:  Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday said India’s G-20 presidency reflects the country’s growing power on the world stage.

“The G-20 presidency will give fillip to the country’s image and economy. Fifty-five cities will host 200 meetings of the world’s 20 most powerful countries. This is the growing power of India,” Thakur said, addressing the inaugural function of the 3rd edition of Khelo India Winter Games here, 55 km from Srinagar.

More than 1,500 players from 29 states and Union territories of the country will take part in the five-day event, the sports minister said.

Thakur said sports not only was a unifying platform but also reflected the soft power of the country.

“Sports is a soft power. When a player wins an international medal, it unites the country. Gold medal by Neeraj Chopra ended India’s 121-year wait for athletics gold at the Olympics. This sparked celebrations across the country,” he said.

Thakur said that last year was big for Indian sports as athletes from various fields excelled in their respective games at international events.

“We had the highest medal tally at the Summer Olympics and paralympics. P V Sindhu won back to back Olympic medals in badminton, which is no mean feat,” he added.

Earlier, the minister e-inaugurated 40 Khelo India sports centres which have come up in Jammu and Kashmir.

“It is a moment of pride that what other states could not do JK has done. All districts of JK have an indoor stadium and playgrounds have come up across the UT,” he said.

Thakur said Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants big sports centres to come up so that sportspersons of the country can excel.

“A sports university is coming up in Manipur and a centre of excellence in winter sports will soon come up in Gulmarg,” he said.

The minister said the situation has vastly changed in Jammu and Kashmir in the past three years.

“Places where stone pelting was common, we now have sports flourishing and see budding players. If you see lights on at night, you will find Kashmiri youths practising their sports. That’s how much the situation has changed in Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.

Thakur promised all support to players from Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country.

“We will continue our support to you. You need facilities, coaches or funds, we will provide it,” he said.

Referring to the record-breaking tourist arrivals in Jammu and Kashmir last year, the minister said the stakeholders in the sector will have to be innovative to increase the footfall of visitors.

“Snow cricket can be one innovation that can improve tourism in Kashmir,” he said. PTI MIJ SMN

This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.

SRINAGAR: The government on Friday formally appointed Pandurang Kondbarao Pole (IAS, AGMUT:2004), as Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir.

“In pursuance of notification No. 154/08K/2022-P.Admn. dated 31.01.2023, issued by the Election Commission of India, Pandurang Kondbarao Pole, IAS (AGMUT:2004), is appointed as Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir,” reads a government order, a copy of which lies with GNS, adding, “Pandurang Kondbarao Pole, IAS shall also be Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Election Department.”

The order comes ten days after ECI designated Pandurang Kondbarao Pole (IAS), Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, as Chief Electoral Officer J&K.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 13A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 (43 of 1950), the Election Commission of India in consultation with the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir hereby designates Pandurang Kondbarao Pole, IAS (AGMUT:2004) as the Chief Electoral Officer for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with effect from the date he takes over charge and until further orders in place of Hirdesh Kumar, IAS,” reads an order by ECI issued on December 31.

With his appointment, Pole will cease to hold the charge of all or any charges of work under the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, which was held before the assumption of office that he should be designated Secretary to the Government in charge of the Election Department in the State Secretariat.

The government has already transferred and posted Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, IAS (AGMUT:2005), Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Revenue Department, holding additional charge of Principal Resident Commissioner, J&K Government, New Delhi, as Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir.

In a major reshuffle Jammu and Kashmir government ordered the transfer of as many 27 officers including Divisional Commissioner Jammu Dr. Raghav Langer (IAS), and several other Deputy Commissioners of union territory in the interest of administration with immediate effect.

As per the order issued by the J&K government Dr. Raghav Langer, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, holding additional charge of Additional Chief Executive Officer, Jammu Metropolitan Region Development Authority, has been transferred and posted as Secretary to the Government, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department, relieving Zubair Ahmad, JKAS, Commissioner/Secretary Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs of the additional charge of the post.

According to the order Bhupinder Kumar, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, has been transferred and posted as Transport Commissioner, J&K, while as Ms. Sushma Chauhan, IAS presently on leave, shall report in the General Administration Department after availing leave.

“Ramesh Kumar, IAS Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, has been transferred and posted as Divisional Commissioner, Jammu. He shall also hold the charge of the post of Additional Chief Executive Officer, Jammu Metropolitan Region Development Authority, in addition to his own duties, till further orders”, reads the order.

The order further reads that Anshul Garg, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, has been transferred and posted as Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. Dr. Syed Sehrish Asgar, IAS, Mission Director, Rural Livelihood Mission, J&K, holding additional charge of Mission Director, Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla.

“Akshay Labroo, IAS, Mission Director, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0 (AMRUT-2.0), has been transferred and posted as Additional Secretary in the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat. He shall also hold the charge of the post of Director, Information, J&K, in addition to his own duties, till further orders”, reads the order copy.

Avny Lavasa, IAS Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation, holding additional charge of CEO, Special Purpose Vehicle for Jammu City for Implementation of the Smart City Project, under the Smart City Mission, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Jammu.

Rahul Yadav, IAS), Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, has been transferred and posted as Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation. “He shall also hold the charge of the post of CEO, Special Purpose Vehicle for Jammu City for Implementation of the Smart City. Project, under the Smart City Mission, in addition to his own duties, till further orders.”

Kritika Jyotsna, IAS (UP:2014), Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur.

Rahul Pandey, IAS, Additional Secretary in the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat, holding additional charge of Director, Information, J&K, Director, Archives, Archaeology & Museums, J&K and Secretary, J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Kathua.

Devansh Yadav, IAS, upon his joining in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, has been posted as Managing Director, J&K Trade Promotion Organization. “He shall also hold the charge of the post of Managing Director, J&K IT Infrastructure Company, in addition to his own duties, till further orders.”

Minga Sherpa, IAS upon his joining in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, has been posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jammu.

Ayushi Sudan, IAS, upon her joining in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, has been posted as Chief Executive Officer, Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna, relieving Choudhary Mohammad Yasin, IAS, Mission Director, National Health Mission, J&K of the additional charge of the post.

Shyambir, IAS Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal.

Ms. Ankita Kar, IRAS, Managing Director, J&K Trade Promotion Organization, holding additional charge of Managing Director, J&K IT Infrastructure Company and MD/Chief Executive Officer, Jammu/ Srinagar Mass Rapid Transit Corporation, has been transferred and posted as Additional Commissioner, State Taxes (Tax Planning, Policy and Advance Ruling). “She shall continue to hold the charge of the post of MD/Chief Executive Officer, Jammu/Srinagar Mass Rapid Transit Corporation, in addition to her own duties, till further orders,” the order reads.

Pradeep Kumar, JKAS, Transport Commissioner, J&K, has been transferred and posted as Director, Archives, Archaeology and Museums, J&K.

Rachna Sharma, JKAS, under orders of transfer as Mission Director, ICPS, J&K, has been posted as Secretary in the Social Welfare Department.

Tariq Ahmad Zargar, JKAS, Director, Rural Development, Kashmir, has been transferred and posted as Director Handloom and Handicrafts, Kashmir, relieving Mr. Mehmood Ahmad Shah, JKAS, Director, Industries and Commerce, Kashmir of the additional charge of the post.

Khalid Jahangir, JKAS, Chairman, J&K Services Selection Board, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara.

Nazir Ahmad Khwaja, JKAS, Member, J&K Services Selection Board, has been transferred and posted as Regional Director, Survey and Land Records (ex officio Settlement Officer), Srinagar, against an available vacancy.

Ashok Kumar, JKAS, Controller of Examinations in the J&K Services Selection Board, has been transferred and posted as Mission Director, Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan.

Indu Kanwal Chib, JKAS, Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, has been transferred and posted as Mission Director, Rural Livelihood Mission, J&K.

Imam Din, JKAS, Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, has been transferred and posted as Director, Rural Development, Kashmir.

Ms. Harvinder Kour, JKAS, Member, J&K Services Selection Board, has been transferred and posted as Mission Director, ICPS, J&K.

Bharat Singh, JKAS, Additional Commissioner, State Taxes (Tax Planning, Policy and Advance Ruling), has been transferred and posted as Secretary, J&kK Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.

Rajesh Sharma, JKAS, Special Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department, has been transferred and posted as Chairman, J&K Services Selection Board.