Distinguished multi-lingual author Dr Satish Vimal was felicitated by Sanjay Seth, the Union Minister of State for Defence.

The minister visited Vimal’s residence to felicitate him in recognition of his exemplary contributions to literature and cultural awakening.

The minister said that Vimal has continued to contribute significantly to literature and society while remaining in the Valley during the past more than three decades.

Dr Satish Vimal is an acclaimed writer and poet, having authored more than 30 books in Hindi, Kashmiri, English and Urdu.

His literary works have earned him widespread recognition and several prestigious awards. While felicitating Dr Vimal, the Minister said that by recognising the writers of such calibre we feel pleased and honoured.

Srinagar, Jun 10: The High Court of J&K and Ladakhhas held that mere pendency of investigation in an FIR cannot be a ground to withhold an employee’s pensionary and retiral benefits.

 A bench of Justice Sanjay Dhar observed that under Article 168-A of the J&K Civil Service Regulations (CSR), recovery from pension or retiral benefits can be made only where losses caused to the employer by an employee’s negligence or fraud are established through departmental or judicial proceedings.

The court said this while dealing with J&K Projects Construction Corporation’s (JKPCC) former General Manager Vikar Mustafa Shonthu’s plea. It directed the Corporation to release all retiral dues and unpaid salary of its former General Manager.

 Although another FIR registered by the Crime Branch was still under investigation against Shonthu, no charge sheet had been filed and no judicial proceedings were pending, the court noted.

The court noted that as per Article 168-A of the J&K CSR, which is also applicable to the employees of JKPCC, once a person has retired from service, no recovery can be made from his pension and retiral benefits, unless it is shown that the employer has instituted departmental proceedings for recovery of the amount on account of losses found to have been caused to the employer by negligence or fraud of the delinquent officer or official, while he or she was in service.

The loss caused to the employer on account of negligence or fraud is required to be established either in the judicial or in the departmental proceedings, the court said.

“Even though the employer is vested with a right to order recovery from the pension of any officer or official of any amount on account of losses found in judicial or departmental proceedings, which may have been caused to the employer by the negligence or fraud of a delinquent employee during his or her service, yet the same can be done only subject to conditions stipulated in Article 168-A of the J&K CSR and such losses must have been determined in departmental or judicial proceedings”.

Adverting to the facts of the present case, the court held that it was not the case of the authorities that in the departmental proceedings, loss to the JKPCC by acts or omissions of petitioner had been assessed.

In fact, it was not even the case of the respondents that alleged acts or omissions of the petitioner have caused any loss to the Corporation, it said.

“Mere pendency of the investigation, without there being a charge sheet laid before the court, cannot be termed as a judicial proceeding,” the bench said.

The Court observed that as on date, there was no judicial proceeding pending against the petitioner whereby assessment of losses that may have been caused to the JKPCC on account of acts and omissions of the petitioner was being undertaken.

While the court underscored that it was an admitted case of the respondents that the petitioner had neither drawn the charge allowance nor had he drawn the salary attached to the post of Managing Director, it said: “Thus, his alleged actions have not resulted in any monetary benefit to him nor has it resulted in any loss to the respondent corporation.”

Therefore, it was not open to the authorities to withhold the terminal benefits of the petitioner or to withhold his salary dues, the court said.

Srinagar, Jun 10: Narcotics and addiction are still one of the biggest challenges confronting J&K, however, over the past few months, addiction specialists believe, they are seeing a silver lining. 
There is a slow, but noticeable increase in the number of people seeking treatment for drug addiction, they witness.
Just this month, for one of the national Narcotics Coordination (NCORD) meetings, the Drug Deaddition and Treatment Center of SMHS Hospital decided to compare the data of people seeking treatment for addiction. 

The specialists took data of April and May, 2025, and April and May, 2026. 
In April 2025, 130 new (addiction) patients had registered themselves for treatment. 
This April, the number increased to 181. 

In May 2025, 120 people came forward and registered for de-addiction at the Center and this May the number rose to 145. 
The follow-ups had more stark difference. 
While 15,564 follow-ups were seen in April-May 2025, this year, in these two months, 20,138 patients came for follow-up treatment of addiction disorder.
Doctors treating these patients believe the sustained enforcement action against drug traffickers and aggressive discussions around drugs as a disorder are making positive impact. 
“More people are talking about the drug issue we are facing, and it is making some impact in helping people suffering from substance abuse issue come forward,” says Prof Yasir Hassan Rather, De-Addiction Specialist and In-charge for DTDC SHS Hospital. 

He said silence around a serious issue like drugs breeds more dangerous problems.
“The religious leaders are talking about drugs, the schools are, the politicians are. Addiction is being recognised as a disorder, and more and more people are understanding that treatment is possible at the right place, with the right experts,” Dr Rather said. 
He said, although the numbers may look modest, but gains will be reaped over the coming years.

Prof Rather said the cost of drugs had increased over the years due to crackdown on supply channels. 
“A gram of heroin now costs somewhere around Rs 7000. It was around Rs 4000 a couple of years ago,” he said. 
The price-rise, he said, makes access and affordability an issue. 
“Many people come to us for this reason – they cannot afford their addiction now,” he said.
At GMC Anantnag, which hosts a fast expanding network of psychiatrists and addiction experts, similar trends are being seen. 
DrMansoor Ahmed, Head Department of Psychiatry at this medical college said there could be a number of reasons why more people are coming forward for treatment, more than before. 

“There surely is greater awareness, and there also is lesser availability of drugs,” he said. 
Dr Ahmed said a majority of people seeking treatment are “not motivated but pushed by circumstances, usually financial”. 
“However, whatsoever be the reason of them coming forward, it is a gain. We hope to retain them on treatment. Life without drugs is appealing to everyone who has been on the path of this self destruction,” he said.
Over the past few years, law enforcement agencies have intensified anti-narcotics operations in J&K.
Thousands of cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act have been registered and a similar number of alleged traffickers arrested. 

Shocking quantities of drugs are seized every year in J&K and around its borders. 
Targeted destruction of supply chains has been underway.
In addition, the past couple of years have also seen treatment infrastructure expanding. 
De-addiction facilities are now operational across many districts.
  

Srinagar, June 10: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today chaired a high-level meeting to review the preparedness for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026.

He directed all departments to ensure timely completion of arrangements including infrastructure, healthcare, sanitation, connectivity, and other pilgrim centric services.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo; Director General of Police, Nalin Prabhat; Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department, Shahleen Kabra; Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department, Ashwani Kumar; Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism Department, Dr. Ashish Chandra Verma; Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, Shailendra Kumar; Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (R&B) Department,  Anil Kumar Singh; Commandant General, Home Guard / CD & SDRF; A. G. Mir; Principal Secretary, Home Department, Chandraker Bharti; Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari; Director, Fire & Emergency Services, Alok Kumar, Administrative Secretaries, Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone and Kashmir Zone, Divisional Commissioners;  Deputy Commissioners and senior officials of Shrine Board and all the line departments.

“Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra will begin on July 3 and conclude on August 28. Our collective goal is to ensure a safe, seamless, and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage for every devotee of Baba Barfani,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Emphasizing seamless coordination, proactive planning, and strict monitoring, the Lieutenant Governor stated that this sacred pilgrimage is a national event. He instructed all stakeholders to work with utmost dedication and maintain the highest standards of efficiency and safety.

During the meeting, it was informed that large number of pilgrims are getting registered, and the Yatra is expected to be higher as compared to that in recent Yatras. The Lieutenant Governor stressed upon the need for whole of government approach and close coordinated efforts by various departments and organizations to manage and facilitate the Yatra 2026.

The Lieutenant Governor, while reviewing the infrastructure works, was apprised that the tracks along both Baltal and Pahalgam routes have been widened to around 12-feet in order to make the journey comfortable, and that all the remaining works are progressing as per timelines. He directed the concerned agencies, including BRO, to ensure that both tracks are fully functional by June 25 and that crash barriers and hand railings are installed at all vulnerable points on the roads leading to the two base camps.

The Lieutenant Governor also reviewed arrangements relating to road connectivity, sanitation, water and power supply, registration management, health facilities, disaster management, transportation, lodgement centres, holding spaces and telecom connectivity. He directed the concerned authorities to enhance holding capacity at key locations, increase the number of toilets and ambulances, and ensure comprehensive disaster preparedness. Deputy Commissioners of Ganderbal and Anantnag were asked to conduct thorough inspection of the tracks, identify slippery stretches and shooting stone areas, and ensure installation of adequate warning signage at vulnerable spots.

He further directed that pitching of only high quality and aesthetic tents at various camps should be ensured, and no unauthorized tents be permitted. All service providers and pilgrims shall be required to have valid registration and RFID cards for moving on the Yatra tracks. Pony stands are to be properly fenced, and a comprehensive emergency evacuation plan is to be prepared well in advance. The Lieutenant Governor also directed telecom service providers to ensure seamless connectivity along the Yatra route.

All concerned departments have been instructed to set up their respective Yatra camps and centres by June 20.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, presented a detailed overview of the works executed by various departments and agencies for the smooth conduct of the Yatra.

Srinagar, June 10: Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth today felicitated eminent multilingual writer Dr. Satish Vimal. The Minister visited Dr. Vimal’s residence and felicitated him in recognition of his distinguished services in the promotion of literature and cultural awareness.

On this occasion, the Minister said that Dr. Satish Vimal has been continuously rendering important services to literature and society while living in the Valley for more than three decades.

Dr. Satish Vimal is a renowned writer and poet who has published more than 30 books in Hindi, Kashmiri, English and Urdu. He has received wide recognition for his literary contributions and has also been awarded several prestigious awards.

Congratulating Dr. Vimal, the Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth said that we feel happy and proud to recognize the contributions of such high-caliber writers.