Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Sunday administered the Oath of Office to Suresh Kumar Gupta, who has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Water Resources Regulatory Authority (JKWRRA).

The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Civil Secretariat and was attended by senior government officials and representatives from the water resources sector.

Congratulating Gupta on his appointment, the Chief Secretary expressed confidence that his extensive administrative experience and expertise in natural resource management would strengthen the Authority’s efforts towards ensuring sustainable, equitable and efficient management of water resources across the Union Territory.

The JKWRRA is a statutory body tasked with regulating and overseeing the development, management and conservation of water resources in Jammu and Kashmir. The Authority plays a key role in promoting integrated water resource management, ensuring water security and advising the government on policies for the sustainable use of water resources.

Gupta was appointed Chairperson of the JKWRRA through Notification S.O. 164 dated June 9, 2026, issued under Section 139 of the Jammu and Kashmir Water Resources (Regulation and Management) Act, 2010. His appointment came into effect upon assuming charge.

A 1991-batch Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer, Gupta brings over three decades of experience in public administration, environmental governance, forest management and natural resource conservation.

During his distinguished career, he served in several key positions in Jammu and Kashmir, including Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force (HoFF). He also held important assignments as Principal Secretary of the Culture, Tribal Affairs and School Education Departments.

Additionally, Gupta has served as Chairman of the J&K Biodiversity Council, Chief Wildlife Warden, Director of Social Forestry, Director of the Forest Protection Force, Director of the J&K Forest Research Institute and Managing Director of the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Development Corporation (JKFDC).

Officials said his vast experience in environmental stewardship, watershed conservation and sustainable resource management is expected to significantly benefit the functioning of the Water Resources Regulatory Authority.

After assuming office, Gupta thanked the government for the trust reposed in him and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening water governance, promoting sustainable water use and ensuring effective regulation of Jammu and Kashmir’s water resources in the larger public interest.

Srinagar, Jun 15: Anantnag Police have intensified anti-sabotage operations and area domination exercises across the district ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra, which is scheduled to commence on July 3, in a bid to ensure a safe and incident-free pilgrimage.

Specialised teams are carrying out extensive anti-sabotage checks along the entire Yatra route from Khanabal to Pahalgam, with a focus on critical locations, transit points, lodgement centres, parking areas and other vulnerable spots.

The security operations involve the use of advanced surveillance equipment, modern detection systems, trained K9 squads, bomb detection and disposal teams, and technical surveillance units to thoroughly sanitise the route and adjoining areas.

Particular attention is being paid to vehicle inspections, including checks of abandoned and unattended vehicles, to prevent any potential security threats. Search and sanitisation drives are also being conducted at railway stations, railway tracks, bridges, culverts, public utility installations and other critical infrastructure.

Authorities have established a multi-layered security grid along the Pahalgam route, with the district divided into 19 security zones. Senior officers have been assigned specific sectors to ensure effective monitoring and swift response.

As part of the security arrangements, 140 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been deployed along the route from Anantnag to the holy cave shrine. The deployment is being supplemented by other Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) under the larger security plan approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Specialised units of Jammu and Kashmir Police, including Markhor teams, Snow Leopards, the Special Operations Group (SOG), Mobile Rescue Teams (MRTs) and Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs), have been stationed at strategic locations.

Security infrastructure has also been strengthened with the installation of 28 watchtowers and bunkers along the route, double the number deployed last year. More than 400 CCTV cameras equipped with facial recognition capabilities have been installed, with real-time monitoring being carried out through integrated control rooms.

Drones, anti-drone systems, night-vision devices, jammers and sniper teams have also been deployed at key locations. Road Opening Parties (ROPs), bomb disposal squads, explosive detectors, metal detectors, X-ray baggage screening systems and K9 units are being used for convoy protection and area clearance operations.

Recent mock drills conducted at locations, including the Nunwan Base Camp, tested emergency response mechanisms, evacuation procedures, crisis management capabilities and inter-agency coordination. The exercises simulated various scenarios, including security threats, medical emergencies and crowd management challenges.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anantnag, Amod Ashok Nagpure, reviewed the security arrangements and said that all agencies are fully prepared to ensure the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage. Senior officers are supervising operations round-the-clock and continuously reviewing security protocols.

The arrangements are in line with directives issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, which has emphasised technology-driven surveillance, proactive threat assessment and close coordination among the Army, CAPFs, Jammu and Kashmir Police and other security agencies.

Anantnag Police have appealed to the public to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity, object or unattended vehicle to the nearest police station.

Officials said the elaborate security measures are aimed at ensuring a peaceful, secure and hassle-free pilgrimage while maintaining the highest standards of safety along the Pahalgam route to the holy cave shrine.

Srinagar, Jun 15: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said the Jammu and Kashmir hovernment had prepared its response to the clarifications sought by the Centre on the Cabinet Sub-Committee report on reservation and that the matter would soon be placed before the Cabinet for approval before being sent back to New Delhi.

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, CM Omar said the Cabinet Sub-Committee constituted to examine the reservation issue had completed its task and submitted its report, which was subsequently approved by the Cabinet and forwarded through the Lieutenant Governor to the Central Government.

“The Cabinet Sub-Committee sat, prepared its report and the Cabinet approved it. Like other Cabinet decisions, it was sent to the Lieutenant Governor, who formally referred it to Delhi,” he said.

The CM said the Centre later sought certain clarifications on the report, prompting the file’s return to the J&K administration.

“The concerned department has prepared replies to all the clarifications sought by the Centre. The response has been ready for the last two to three days,” he said.

CM Omar said that since the original recommendations had been approved by the Cabinet, the government’s response to the Centre’s queries would also require Cabinet clearance.

“The Cabinet will meet shortly to approve the response, after which it will be sent back to the Central Government. This is a matter of only a few days,” he said.

The Cabinet Sub-Committee on reservation was constituted by the CM Omar-led government on November 21, 2024, amid growing public protests and political controversy over the existing reservation policy in J&K.

The committee was tasked with examining grievances raised by aspirants regarding the reservation framework and taking a holistic view of the issue while safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders.

The panel was formed after widespread protests by students and job aspirants, including demonstrations led by National Conference (NC) Member of Parliament Aga Ruhullah Mehdi outside the CM’s residence. Protesters had alleged that the existing reservation structure had significantly reduced opportunities for open merit candidates.

The controversy centred around the reservation policy under which nearly 60 percent of seats and positions are reserved for various categories, leaving around 40 percent, including approximately 30 percent in some recruitment and admission segments, available under the open merit category.

Open Merit aspirants argued that the existing framework was adversely affecting their opportunities and sought a review of the policy.

At the same time, beneficiaries of reserved categories maintained that their constitutionally guaranteed rights should not be diluted.

The Cabinet Sub-Committee was also entrusted with examining whether the reservation policy in J&K was in conformity with recent directions and observations of the Supreme Court on reservation and whether any modifications were required to ensure legal and constitutional compliance.

Meanwhile, CM Omar reiterated that the NC’s campaign for restoration of J&K’s statehood would continue unchanged.

“There is no change in our plan. We will raise the issue and go to Delhi to register our message at Jantar Mantar. The promise made to the people in the Supreme Court, Parliament and public forums must be honoured,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an event at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC).

The CM said NC leaders would visit New Delhi during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament to remind the Centre of its commitment regarding restoration of statehood.

Referring to his recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said discussions focused on several important issues concerning J&K.

“We discussed statehood, the financial condition of J&K and expediting development projects. I hope people will benefit from these discussions,” CM Omar said.

He expressed hope that the discussions with the PM would help accelerate developmental works and address financial challenges facing J&K.

Responding to a question on Muharram preparations, the CM said the administration had been reviewing arrangements for over a month to ensure smooth observance of the religious occasion.

He said various departments were holding regular meetings and coordinating efforts to ensure adequate civic amenities, traffic management, power supply, water availability and other necessary arrangements during the mourning period.

On the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra, CM Omar welcomed devotees expected to arrive from different parts of the country and expressed hope that the annual yatra would be peaceful and successful.

“We welcome all yatris and hope the yatra concludes safely,” he said.

The annual yatra to the Amarnath cave shrine is scheduled to commence in the coming weeks, with authorities making extensive arrangements for security, transportation, accommodation, and medical facilities for thousands of yatris expected to participate.

Srinagar, June 15: Grand Mufti Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam on Monday announced that the month of Muharram-ul-Haram will commence in J&K on June 17, 2026 (Wednesday).

Talking to Greater Kashmir, Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam said that the crescent moon for Muharram-ul-Haram was not sighted from any part of Jammu and Kashmir.

“As no credible moon sighting reports were received from any part of J&K, the 1st of Muharram-ul-Haram will be observed on June 17, 2026 (Wednesday),” he said.

Grand Mufti, J&K at the occasion, extended his heartfelt greetings to the Muslim Ummah on the commencement of the Islamic New Year; praying for peace, prosperity and well-being of the people.

Srinagar, June 15: The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) today announced power shutdown in several areas of the divsion in upcoming days.

In a communication, Chief Engineer, Distribution, KPDCL said the shutdown of 33 KV Panzan Tapline will be observed due to which power supply to Gudsathoo, Panzan, Lalgam, Rangar, Kharibagh, Kathairgund and adjoining areas will be affected from 08 AM to 02 PM on 16 June 2026.

Similarly, shutdown of 33 KV Cheshmashahi TRC line will be observed due to which power supply to Durganag, Gupkar and adjoining areas will be affected from 11:30 PM to 02 PM on 20 June 2026.

Likewise, shutdown of 33 KV Wanpoh-Ashajipora/ Malaknag Double Circuit line will be observed due to which power supply to Ashajipora, Dialgam, Rohu, Mirbazar, Schichen, Brinty, Malaknag, Reshi Bazar, Janglatmandi, Shirpora, BB Nowgam, Thajiwara, Brakpora and adjoining areas will be affected from 07 AM to 02 PM on 18 & 20 June 2026.