Jammu | 14 November 2025:

Working President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), Raman Bhalla, today called on the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Sh.Manoj Sinha and submitted a comprehensive memorandum highlighting the urgent needs of the people of the Jammu region in the aftermath of recent floods, rising socio-economic distress, and growing public concerns across multiple sectors.

Bhalla expressed deep anguish over the extensive devastation caused by the floods that have damaged homes, agricultural land, roads, bridges, power lines and public infrastructure, pushing entire communities into uncertainty. He urged the administration to immediately announce a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package that ensures financial assistance, temporary shelters, food security and medical support for affected families. He further stressed the need for special survey teams to conduct transparent and time-bound assessments of losses and for district-level grievance redressal mechanisms to ensure that no victim is left out. He emphasized that marginalized groups such as small farmers, daily wage earners and informal sector workers must receive priority in all relief initiatives.

Raising the issue of widespread infrastructure damage, Bhalla sought immediate allocation of funds for emergency repairs and long-term rebuilding of critical infrastructure. He called for the adoption of climate-resilient construction methods and renewed focus on rural connectivity, particularly in hilly and border regions where communities remain vulnerable to isolation. He also stressed the importance of fast-tracking pending infrastructure projects that can generate employment and boost local economic activity.

Bhalla underscored the need to revitalize Jammu’s economy through tourism by declaring Jammu an independent tourist destination, separate from the Kashmir Valley, to ensure focused investment and promotion. He called for the development of new tourism circuits in unexplored and high-potential regions including Bhaderwah, Basohli, Surinsar–Mansar, Pancheri, Mantalai–Sudh Mahadev, Rajouri and Poonch. He also recommended integrating pilgrimage tourism with eco-tourism and heritage tourism, alongside launching a comprehensive tourism promotion campaign with support from stakeholders and digital platforms. He further suggested establishing tourism infrastructure development boards at the divisional level for region-specific planning and execution.

Expressing serious concern over the rising drug menace, especially among the youth of Jammu, Bhalla urged the formulation of a multi-agency anti-drug strategy involving law enforcement, health institutions, educational bodies and civil society organizations. He called for establishing de-addiction and rehabilitation centres in every district, running awareness campaigns in schools, colleges and religious institutions, and strengthening community policing to curb drug trafficking.

Bhalla also flagged the rising crime rate in Jammu province, especially in urban pockets. He stressed the need for deployment of more police personnel, installation of CCTV surveillance in public places, strengthening cybercrime and women’s safety units and conducting regular crime mapping to ensure efficient distribution of resources. He emphasized community engagement as key to building trust between citizens and the police.

Drawing attention to the plight of farmers, Bhalla said the agricultural community has been among the worst affected by the recent crises. He raised serious concerns over non-availability of quality seeds and fertilizers in several areas, complaints of coercion in the purchase of chemical bottles with fertilizers, and shortages of DAP fertilizer. He urged the government to provide subsidized seeds and fertilizers and to waive off KCC loans to relieve the financial burden on farmers. He stressed that farmers’ issues must receive top priority from the administration.

Bhalla further highlighted the growing unrest among depositors of the State Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank (SCARD), where poor farmers and rural families have been unable to withdraw their matured deposits. He noted that nearly ₹200 crore belonging to small depositors is currently stuck and demanded a high-level probe along with immediate release of pending payments to affected families.

He also reiterated the long-pending demands of daily wagers, need-based workers, casual labourers, NHM employees and other temporary staff working for years without job security. He urged the Central Government to extend full financial support to ensure regularization of their services without any further delay.

Bhalla also requested the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor Sh.Manoj Sinha to take swift, transparent and inclusive action on all issues raised in the memorandum. He assured that the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee stands ready to assist the administration in ensuring that relief reaches every affected family and that long-term development goals for the Jammu region are achieved with sincerity and urgency.

Jammu | 14 November 2025:

Working President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), Raman Bhalla, today called on the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Sh.Manoj Sinha and submitted a comprehensive memorandum highlighting the urgent needs of the people of the Jammu region in the aftermath of recent floods, rising socio-economic distress, and growing public concerns across multiple sectors.

Bhalla expressed deep anguish over the extensive devastation caused by the floods that have damaged homes, agricultural land, roads, bridges, power lines and public infrastructure, pushing entire communities into uncertainty. He urged the administration to immediately announce a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package that ensures financial assistance, temporary shelters, food security and medical support for affected families. He further stressed the need for special survey teams to conduct transparent and time-bound assessments of losses and for district-level grievance redressal mechanisms to ensure that no victim is left out. He emphasized that marginalized groups such as small farmers, daily wage earners and informal sector workers must receive priority in all relief initiatives.

Raising the issue of widespread infrastructure damage, Bhalla sought immediate allocation of funds for emergency repairs and long-term rebuilding of critical infrastructure. He called for the adoption of climate-resilient construction methods and renewed focus on rural connectivity, particularly in hilly and border regions where communities remain vulnerable to isolation. He also stressed the importance of fast-tracking pending infrastructure projects that can generate employment and boost local economic activity.

Bhalla underscored the need to revitalize Jammu’s economy through tourism by declaring Jammu an independent tourist destination, separate from the Kashmir Valley, to ensure focused investment and promotion. He called for the development of new tourism circuits in unexplored and high-potential regions including Bhaderwah, Basohli, Surinsar–Mansar, Pancheri, Mantalai–Sudh Mahadev, Rajouri and Poonch. He also recommended integrating pilgrimage tourism with eco-tourism and heritage tourism, alongside launching a comprehensive tourism promotion campaign with support from stakeholders and digital platforms. He further suggested establishing tourism infrastructure development boards at the divisional level for region-specific planning and execution.

Expressing serious concern over the rising drug menace, especially among the youth of Jammu, Bhalla urged the formulation of a multi-agency anti-drug strategy involving law enforcement, health institutions, educational bodies and civil society organizations. He called for establishing de-addiction and rehabilitation centres in every district, running awareness campaigns in schools, colleges and religious institutions, and strengthening community policing to curb drug trafficking.

Bhalla also flagged the rising crime rate in Jammu province, especially in urban pockets. He stressed the need for deployment of more police personnel, installation of CCTV surveillance in public places, strengthening cybercrime and women’s safety units and conducting regular crime mapping to ensure efficient distribution of resources. He emphasized community engagement as key to building trust between citizens and the police.

Drawing attention to the plight of farmers, Bhalla said the agricultural community has been among the worst affected by the recent crises. He raised serious concerns over non-availability of quality seeds and fertilizers in several areas, complaints of coercion in the purchase of chemical bottles with fertilizers, and shortages of DAP fertilizer. He urged the government to provide subsidized seeds and fertilizers and to waive off KCC loans to relieve the financial burden on farmers. He stressed that farmers’ issues must receive top priority from the administration.

Bhalla further highlighted the growing unrest among depositors of the State Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank (SCARD), where poor farmers and rural families have been unable to withdraw their matured deposits. He noted that nearly ₹200 crore belonging to small depositors is currently stuck and demanded a high-level probe along with immediate release of pending payments to affected families.

He also reiterated the long-pending demands of daily wagers, need-based workers, casual labourers, NHM employees and other temporary staff working for years without job security. He urged the Central Government to extend full financial support to ensure regularization of their services without any further delay.

Bhalla also requested the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor Sh.Manoj Sinha to take swift, transparent and inclusive action on all issues raised in the memorandum. He assured that the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee stands ready to assist the administration in ensuring that relief reaches every affected family and that long-term development goals for the Jammu region are achieved with sincerity and urgency.

Devyani Rana of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has achieved a decisive victory in the Nagrota Assembly seat during the recent elections held in Jammu and Kashmir. Official results released by the Election Commission of India confirmed her win with a commanding lead.

Rana secured a total of 42,183 votes, more than double that of her nearest opponent, Harsh Dev Singh from the Jammu & Kashmir National Panthers Party, who received 17,661 votes. Following them on the ballot were Shamim Begum from the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference with 10,834 votes, and independent candidate Anil Sharma, who managed to garner only 837 votes.

This victory signifies a significant moment for the BJP in the Nagrota constituency, showcasing Rana’s appeal among the electorate. The Election Commission completed all 11 rounds of counting before announcing the results, which revealed a victory margin of 24,522 votes.

Rana’s win resonates with the BJP’s ongoing strategy to strengthen its foothold in Jammu & Kashmir, a region with complex political dynamics. Her victory reflects not only local sentiments but also signifies broader support for the BJP in this politically crucial area.

Political analysts view Rana’s success as a reaffirmation of the BJP’s policies and outreach in the region. The party has focused extensively on development and good governance since its rise in prominence in Jammu & Kashmir.

In her victory speech, Rana expressed gratitude to the voters of Nagrota and pledged to work tirelessly for their development. She emphasized collaboration, stating, “Together, we will transform Nagrota into a model for progress and governance.” Her commitment to addressing local issues resonated with her supporters.

The BJP has witnessed a surge in its influence across the Indian political landscape, leveraging welfare schemes and development projects to win over constituents. Rana’s victory in Nagrota exemplifies how effectively these strategies have translated into electoral success.

Political observers will closely watch Rana’s performance in the assembly, as her policies and legislative initiatives may influence future elections in the region. With expectations running high, Rana’s leadership will be pivotal in reshaping Nagrota’s political narrative.

In a bid to curb potential misuse of vehicles for unlawful activities, the Awantipora Police launched a comprehensive inquiry into vehicle transactions across the district, effective immediately. This initiative seeks to scrutinize all car dealerships and ensure compliance with established regulations.

Police officials revealed that the inquiry targets cases where a single individual purchases multiple vehicles—a pattern often associated with suspicious activity. During these inspections, officers closely examined the records maintained by dealers to verify compliance.

Dealers must now maintain meticulous and accurate records for every transaction. This requirement includes capturing Aadhaar details, phone numbers, and complete contact information of both buyers and sellers, promoting greater transparency in vehicle dealings.

The initiative aligns with a broader effort by the police to bolster surveillance systems and thwart potential misuse of vehicles for anti-social or illegal activities.

Speaking about the initiative, SSP Awantipora reinforced the importance of preventive policing. He stated that close monitoring of vehicle transactions plays a crucial role in preventing misuse by anti-social or anti-national elements. He emphasized that public cooperation and vigilance from dealers are imperative to maintaining peace and law and order in the area.

The Awantipora Police reiterated their commitment to ensuring public safety through proactive and preventive measures aimed at reducing unlawful activities associated with vehicle transactions. By engaging the community in this inquiry, the police believe they can create a safer environment.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured an early lead in the Nagrota by-election, with candidate Devyani Rana obtaining 2,477 votes against 1,366 votes for Harshdev Singh of the Panthers Party. The counting commenced today, and the preliminary results indicate a significant vote gap of 1,111 votes.

As counting progressed, Rana’s position strengthened against Singh, who has represented the Panthers Party in the ongoing contest. The National Conference’s Shamim Begum stands in third place, managing to garner 1,110 votes.

Political analysts view this early lead as a critical indicator of voter sentiment in Nagrota. The by-election, held to fill a vacancy, draws keen interest amid changing political dynamics in the region. BJP, having previously held the Nagrota seat, aims to reinforce its position against emerging rivals.

Supporters gathered outside counting centers to witness the unfolding results, underscoring the heightened stakes involved. BJP’s leadership expressed confidence in Rana’s performance as she seeks to solidify her party’s dominance in the Assembly segment.

“We are optimistic about the results as we have worked diligently to connect with voters. Our focus on development and governance resonates well with the people of Nagrota,” said a senior BJP leader.

As counting continues, all eyes remain on how these votes will shape the future political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir. Experts predict that the performance of smaller parties may also influence the overall outcome and the BJP’s strategy in upcoming elections.

This by-election, also perceived as a referendum on the BJP’s governance since their victory in the 2019 Assembly elections, provides insights into public sentiment and potential shifts ahead of the major electoral battles in 2024.