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Cement moves by rail from Kathua to Anantnag in first for Jammu division

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Cement moves by rail from Kathua to Anantnag in first for Jammu division

Jammu, Sep 14: In a first for Jammu railways division, cement has been loaded and transported from one station to another, marking a significant milestone in internal freight traffic in Jammu and Kashmir.

The first consignment was dispatched on Monday from Shaheed Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary Kathua railway station to Anantnag goods shed following sustained efforts by the business development unit (BDU) of Jammu division, officials said.

Around 66 tonnes of cement, comprising approximately 1,320 bags, were loaded in one BCN wagon. The consignment was booked by Ganpati Cement in Kathua.

Railway officials said this is the first instance of a new traffic like cement being moved internally within Jammu Division. Earlier, cement consignments meant for the Kashmir Valley were transported by road.

The new origin-destination pair is expected to provide an economical, safe and faster mode of transporting construction material to the Kashmir Valley, besides boosting freight revenue of the Railways and promoting environment-friendly transportation.

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal said the development marked a new milestone in rail freight transportation in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Earlier, cement was received only as inward traffic at major rail complexes like Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan Station, Kathua and Anantnag. As a result of the continuous efforts and robust logistics of Jammu Division, for the first time, outward loading of cement has been successfully started from here,” he said.

Singhal said the development reflected growing confidence among the industrial fraternity of Jammu and Kashmir in the railway network and would give fresh impetus to economic activity in the region.

He said the Jammu division would make efforts to connect more traders and organisations with the Railways so that it becomes a more economical, reliable and eco-friendly transportation option for the trading community.

Greater Kashmir

BRICS Summit a success, we forged consensus in midst of a polarised world: Jaishankar

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BRICS Summit a success, we forged consensus in midst of a polarised world: Jaishankar

New Delhi, Sep 14: The BRICS Summit took place in the backdrop of a “very polarised world” and “we forged a consensus” in the midst of it, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Monday, as he described the mega event hosted under India’s chairship a success.

Interacting with mediapersons here, he also spoke about what was definitely the “toughest issue of the day”, the West Asia conflict, saying, “We were able to get out a statement to which everybody agreed.”

The BRICS members adopted a joint New Delhi Declaration on Saturday after overcoming sharp divisions between the UAE and Iran regarding the West Asia conflict while notably omitting direct mention of the US for its attacks on Iran.

The negotiations on the text of the declaration went down to the wire as both Iran and the UAE hardened their positions initially.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the adoption of the declaration at the end of the opening day’s deliberations in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other top leaders of the bloc.

“The BRICS Summit was taking place in a very polarised world – there were two major conflicts, big divides and very strong opinions and interests. Even in the midst of this polarisation, we actually forged a consensus. If you look at it, the toughest issue of the day was the West Asia conflict. But we were able to get out a statement to which everybody agreed,” Jaishankar said.

“A statement urging peace, security, stability, long-term understanding, smooth flow of global trade, of supply chains, of energy, and protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure,” he added.

Jaishankar said it wasn’t just that “we were able to negotiate an understanding in a polarised world”, the entire atmosphere and ethos, and the mood of the summit which ended Sunday was such that there were “very open and comfortable conversations”.

“Leaders met, who perhaps in other circumstances may not have met. So they met in the course of this summit. And it actually ended up contributing a lot to the global conversation on important issues,” Jaishankar said, without naming any country.

Several bilateral meetings were held on the sidelines of the summit hosted at the Bharat Mandapam complex.

Strategic affairs experts said the bilateral meeting between the Abu Dhabi crown prince and the Iranian president was also significant, pointing to the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Jaishankar said the “whole nation and indeed the world saw the success of the BRICS India Summit yesterday”.

As many as 32 delegations had come for the summit – 11 from BRICS member states, 10 partners, four regional bodies and seven international organisations, he added.

Noting that it signified the “strong convening power of Modi’s India”, as most of the delegations were represented at the head of state or the head of government level, Jaishankar cited the names of presidents of Russia, China, Iran, South Africa, Indonesia, Egypt, as well as the Abu Dhabi crown prince and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali of Ethiopia.

“And all of them, as you also would have seen from the footage and coverage of the event, had very strong personal rapport with Prime Minister Modi,” he said.

The summit had its own agenda, which was focused on the economy, development and technology for the Global South, he underlined.

“Standing up for the Global South – that was a very strong message which came out. And the two themes, the two sessions… The first session was on reform, the second was on resilience. And these were uniting themes, themes where countries tended to come together… That was part of the reason why we saw the consensus,” Jaishankar said.

He also acknowledged the grouping’s stand on terrorism and the leaders condemning the Pahalgam terror attack.

“I also want to say that the consensus was very noteworthy on one issue – terrorism. The BRICS was very clear that any act of terrorism is criminal, and it explicitly recognised the unacceptability of the Pahalgam attack of April 2025.

“They condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, and emphasised the zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism, and rejected double standards in countering it.

“Overall, I would say the prime minister’s message of dialogue, diplomacy and development resonated around the world,” Jaishankar said.

In conclusion, he said, “Many people said it (the summit) won’t happen. It did happen. It happened in New Delhi, and it happened under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.”

Greater Kashmir

DRI busts Pakistan-origin imports, seizes over 362 MT dry dates in Nashik

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DRI busts Pakistan-origin imports, seizes over 362 MT dry dates in Nashik

New Delhi, Sep 14: In a significant crackdown on attempts to circumvent India’s prohibition on imports from Pakistan, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), has seized more than 362 metric tonnes of Pakistan-origin dry dates.

Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers intercepted 13 containers of dry dates imported by a Mumbai-based firm at CFS Ambad, Nashik. The consignments had arrived from Jebel Ali, UAE, with import documents declaring the UAE as the country of origin.

Preliminary investigation revealed a carefully orchestrated transshipment arrangement designed to conceal the Pakistan-origin of the goods. The dry dates were initially shipped from Karachi Port, Pakistan, to Jebel Ali Port, UAE, in one set of containers aboard one vessel. At Jebel Ali, the goods were merely transshipped and transferred to another set of containers and loaded onto a different vessel for onward shipment to India through entities operated by Pakistani nationals.

Following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Government of India, in the interest of national security, imposed a complete prohibition on the direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, with effect from 2 May 2025, vide DGFT Notification No. 06/2025-26 dated 2 May 2025. In response, DRI, under “Operation Deep Manifest”, has been consistently identifying, intercepting and seizing Pakistan-origin goods attempted to be imported into India through third-country routing.

The seizure underscores DRI’s sustained resolve to identify, disrupt and dismantle sophisticated networks seeking to circumvent trade prohibitions through misdeclaration, transshipment and manipulation of documentation, thereby safeguarding national security and straightening supply chain integrity.

Greater Kashmir

NHM employees extend strike for another 72 hours across J&K

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NHM employees extend strike for another 72 hours across J&K

Jammu, Sep 14: The Jammu and Kashmir National Health Mission Employees Association (JKNHMEA) has extended its ongoing peaceful protest/strike for another 72 hours across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, beginning September 15.

In a formal communication addressed to the Mission Director, National Health Mission, J&K, the Association said the decision had been taken due to the continued pendency of its long-standing demands and the absence of a concrete, time-bound resolution from the authorities.

The Association said the extended protest would remain completely peaceful, democratic and constitutional, with participating employees directed to maintain discipline and uphold public order.

The employees also reiterated their willingness to engage in dialogue with the government and expressed hope that meaningful and time-bound measures would be initiated to address their genuine grievances.

The communication, issued by the Joint Coordination Committee of the J&K National Health Mission Employees Association, said the extension would remain effective for 72 hours from September 15.

The Association has also forwarded the communication to senior authorities, including the Union Ministers for Health and Family Welfare and Labour and Employment, the Lieutenant Governor of J&K, the Chief Minister, and the Ministers for Health and Medical Education and Labour and Employment in the Union Territory.

The continued agitation is expected to further affect health services, particularly in rural and remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir, where NHM employees form an important part of the healthcare workforce.

Greater Kashmir

Gold slides Rs 500 as oil surge, strong US dollar weigh on bullion

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Gold slides Rs 500 as oil surge, strong US dollar weigh on bullion

New Delhi, Sep 14: Gold began the week on the back foot, falling Rs 500 to Rs 1,55,400 per 10 gram in the national capital on Monday as a sell-off in global markets gathered pace amid a sharp rise in crude oil prices and the US dollar.

The yellow metal of 99.9 per cent purity had closed at Rs 1,55,900 per 10 gram on Friday.

However, silver bucked the trend and held steady at Rs 2,34,600 per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes), according to local traders.

Globally, spot gold declined USD 57.22, or 1.3 per cent, to USD 4,291.71 per ounce and silver tumbled nearly 3 per cent to USD 62.82.

Gold slipped back to around USD 4,300 per ounce and silver eased to USD 64, marking their third consecutive weekly loss as investors priced in a probable Fed rate hike, Akshat Siddhant, Lead Quant Analyst at investment platform Mudrex, said.

Higher oil prices have added to inflation worries, putting further pressure on demand for gold and silver, he said.

Crude oil surged to USD 103 a barrel, a fresh four-month high, after Saudi Arabia shut its East-West pipeline following drone attacks, reversing the losses recorded on Friday, Siddhant added.

Meanwhile, the oil spike is also complicating the interest-rate outlook, with the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) forecasting three 25-basis-point Federal Reserve rate increases by March 2027.

ANZ expects geopolitical developments in West Asia and elevated energy costs to add to inflation, but said persistent geopolitical uncertainty could simultaneously strengthen gold’s safe-haven appeal.

The bank retained its 12-month gold price target of USD 5,400 an ounce, pointing to recovering gold-backed ETF holdings and speculative positions, institutional demand in China and rising investor participation in India, as factors supporting investment demand for the metal.

Greater Kashmir

Kahmiri Pandits mark Balidan Diwas in Jammu; reiterate ‘genocide’ recognition, homeland demands

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Kahmiri Pandits mark Balidan Diwas in Jammu; reiterate ‘genocide’ recognition, homeland demands

Jammu, Sep 14: Displaced Kashmiri Pandits on Monday observed 36th ‘Balidan Diwas’ here, paying homage to members of the community and security personnel who lost their lives to violence and terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

The community reiterated its demand for legal recognition of the violence against and displacement of Kashmiri Pandits as “genocide” and called for the establishment of a separate homeland in the Valley under direct Union protection.

The programme was organised by Panun Kashmir, a representative body of migrant Kashmiri Hindus, with participants wearing black armbands as a mark of remembrance. A “Veer Jyoti”, dedicated to the memory of community members and security personnel who laid down their lives, was lit and later taken to the sacred Bhadrakali Temple at Thalwal, on the outskirts of Jammu, where it was installed as the “Amar Jyoti”.

“We have been observing this day since 1990 to honour the martyrs and reaffirm our commitment to continue the struggle till the achievement of our goal, which is enactment of a genocide bill and separate homeland as enshrined in the Margdarshan Resolution adopted by the community following mass migration from the valley in early 1990,” Panun Kashmir chairman Tito Ganju told PTI.

He said the community was not only paying homage to those who lost their lives to terrorism after 1990, but also remembering those who, it believes, suffered during what it describes as seven waves of persecution in Kashmir over the past 700 years.

“For the past 36 years, there has been a gross violation of our fundamental rights… Our struggle is also about safeguarding the constitutional rights, particularly the rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 19 and 21,” Ganju said.

He reiterated Panun Kashmir’s demand for reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir and a separate homeland for displaced Kashmiri Hindus, saying legislative and executive control in the proposed homeland should remain with “pro-India elements”.

“Without a separate homeland, we believe there is no other way forward,” he said.

He also called for the enactment of the genocide bill, proposed by the organisation in 2020, stating that the absence of statutory recognition has reduced the issue to a matter of narrative interpretation rather than acknowledgement of a crime of the “highest legal order”.

The failure to name genocide has resulted in a lack of accountability and guarantees against recurrence, he claimed.

He said the Constitution places the responsibility on the State to ensure that victims are given priority, which has still “not been achieved” to this day.

Ganju also raised concerns over the security of Kashmiri Pandit employees working in the Valley under the prime minister’s employment package.

He said the recent threats against employees demonstrated that security concerns remained despite an overall improvement in the situation.

“Our children who are there are effectively hostages. Imagine the kind of trauma they must be going through,” he said, adding that the government measures aimed at rehabilitation would not succeed unless the security environment changed fundamentally.

“These experiments will not succeed unless there is a separate homeland, and no one can offer a better solution than the victims themselves,” he said.

Calling for continued resistance, he said, “Struggle is the only option we have. If we had not struggled, this chapter would have been closed long back”.

Chairman of the Jammu State People’s Movement, Col (Retd) Ajay Raina linked the Kashmiri Pandits’ demand for a separate homeland with the Jammu region’s demand for statehood.

“We want the two demands to come together — the demand of the Kashmiri Pandits (for separate homeland) and our demand for a separate state of Jammu, because neither side can truly move forward without the other,” he said.

He said a strong Jammu would also be important for the security of Kashmiri Pandits returning to the Valley.

Panun Kashmir convenor Agnishekhar said September 14 had a particular significance for the community, linking the observance to the killing of Kashmiri Pandit leader Tika Lal Taploo in the Valley on September 13, 1989.

He said the day was meant not only to remember the martyrs but also to reflect on the circumstances that led to their killings and displacement of the community.

“We remember why they were killed, who killed them, what the purpose was and what the intent behind it was. Our struggle is rooted in confronting that intent,” he said.

He said the community wanted conditions in which Kashmiri Hindus and Sikhs who identify with India and Indian civilisation could return to the Valley and live with security and dignity.

Greater Kashmir

High Court issues notice to J&K govt in PIL seeking appointment of Advocate General

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High Court issues notice to J&K govt in PIL seeking appointment of Advocate General

Srinagar, Sep 14: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Monday issued a notice to the government on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the immediate appointment of a regular Advocate General for the Union Territory.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Rajnesh Oswal issued the notice to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir through its Chief Secretary and law secretary by October 21, the next date of hearing.

The PIL, filed by advocate Harsh Dubey through counsel Kannu Karan Prasher, in Jammu, seeks a direction to the competent authority to take immediate steps for filling the constitutional post of Advocate General, which has remained vacant for a considerable period.

During the virtual hearing, the Court observed that the post of Advocate General should, ideally, be filled by the next date of hearing.

The petitioner, a practicing advocate before the High Court, stated in the plea that he has no personal interest in the matter and is approaching the Court in public interest, given that the continued vacancy of the constitutional office has affected the administration of justice and the discharge of statutory functions attached to the post.

The petition draws attention to an earlier order dated June 4, 2025, passed by the High Court in Shri Nav Durga Jhaleri Mata Trust v. UT of J&K & Ors (WP(C) No. 1433/2025), in which the Court had already taken note of the prolonged vacancy and observed that it was rendering Section 92 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 — which contemplates a role for the Advocate General in matters relating to public charitable and religious trusts — “practically inoperative.”

The petitioner also highlighted that the vacancy has affected the functioning of the Jammu & Kashmir Advocates’ Welfare Fund Trustee Committee, since the Advocate General serves as its ex-officio Chairperson under the Advocates’ Welfare Fund Act, 2001 and the notification constituting the Committee (S.O. 466 of 2022).

The petition seeks directions to the respondents to initiate and complete, within a reasonable time frame fixed by the Court, the process contemplated under Section 79 of the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, for appointment of an Advocate General. It also seeks directions for the smooth functioning of the Advocates’ Welfare Fund Trustee Committee, and for the respondents to place on record an affidavit disclosing the reasons for the continued vacancy and the steps taken so far.

The petitioner has clarified that the plea does not seek the appointment of any particular individual to the post, and is confined to seeking expeditious action in accordance with law.

Greater Kashmir

JKMSA seeks revision of stipends, remuneration for PG, senior resident doctors

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JKMSA seeks revision of stipends, remuneration for PG, senior resident doctors

Srinagar, Sep 14: The Jammu and Kashmir Medical Students Association (JKMSA) has sought a comprehensive revision of stipends for postgraduate (PG) residents and remuneration for senior resident doctors in government medical institutions across Jammu and Kashmir.

In a representation addressed to the Health Minister, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, the association urged the government to review the existing remuneration structure, citing disparities with other major government and apex medical institutions.

The association also extended its support to the demands raised by the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of Jammu and other resident doctors’ associations across the Union Territory.

JKMSA said postgraduate and senior resident doctors form an indispensable part of the healthcare system, providing round-the-clock patient care, emergency and casualty services, intensive care, operation theatre duties, labour room services and specialist consultations.

It said resident doctors also undertake clinical documentation, teaching, supervision and other responsibilities alongside their medical training.

The association said the existing remuneration structure needed a comprehensive review in the interest of resident doctors’ welfare, equitable compensation, recruitment and retention of qualified doctors, quality of postgraduate medical education and uninterrupted patient care.

Seeks parity with other medical institutions

In its representation, JKMSA cited remuneration benchmarks from several medical institutions, including the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), AIIMS Jammu, Government Medical College Chandigarh and Government Medical College Jammu.

According to the figures cited by the association, PG residents at SKIMS receive approximately Rs 80,000 per month in the first year, Rs 85,000 in the second year and Rs 88,000–90,000 in the third year.

The representation puts senior resident remuneration at SKIMS at approximately Rs 1.30 lakh per month, while the corresponding figure for AIIMS Jammu is stated to be around Rs 1.40 lakh.

It also cites senior resident remuneration of approximately Rs 1.40 lakh to Rs 1.50 lakh per month at Government Medical College Chandigarh.

For Government Medical College Jammu, the association listed the current monthly stipends as Rs 64,000 for first-year PG residents, Rs 68,000 for second-year residents and Rs 72,000 for third-year residents. Senior residents, it said, receive Rs 94,000 per month.

The association said these figures highlighted the remuneration differences faced by resident doctors in the region and reinforced the need for a rational and time-bound review. It added that the figures could be verified against applicable official orders and pay structures during the government’s review.

Cites NMC regulations

JKMSA also referred to the Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023, notified by the National Medical Commission (NMC), stating that postgraduate students are entitled to stipends on a par with those paid to postgraduate students of state or Central government medical institutions in the state or Union Territory where the institution is located.

The association urged the government to assess the prevailing stipends across Government Medical Colleges Jammu and Srinagar, SKIMS, AIIMS Jammu and other applicable government medical institutions, and rectify any disparities in accordance with the relevant NMC requirements.

The representation further highlighted the clinical responsibilities shouldered by PG residents and senior residents, including emergency duties, inpatient care, intensive care, operative procedures and other essential medical services.

JKMSA said a fair and uniform remuneration structure would help improve resident doctors’ welfare while strengthening the healthcare delivery system across Jammu and Kashmir.

Greater Kashmir

Imran Reza Ansari urges accountability over Brari Nambal landfilling

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Imran Reza Ansari urges accountability over Brari Nambal landfilling

Srinagar, Sep 14: Former minister and senior political leader Imran Reza Ansari has urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to take strict action over alleged landfilling at Brari Nambal, saying partial demolition of the structures would not be enough to address the damage caused to the waterbody.

In a statement, Ansari said the action at Brari Nambal risked becoming an “eye wash” if it ended with partial demolition alone. Referring to a report by Greater Kashmir, he said landfilling had allegedly continued for nearly 15 days.

“The bigger question is: who brought the material, who carried out the filling, and how was it allowed to continue?” he asked.

Ansari called for identification of those responsible, removal of the entire filling and restoration of the waterbody at the encroacher’s cost.

He also demanded a proper investigation into the alleged violation and said that wherever offences were established, FIRs and prosecution should follow.

“Partially demolishing what was built after allowing the damage to happen is not enough. We need accountability for the original act as well as for any failure of monitoring,” he said.

Ansari stressed the need to protect Kashmir’s remaining lakes, wetlands and other waterbodies for future generations.

“We need to keep something for our generation. Our children deserve to inherit clean lakes, wetlands and water bodies, not filled-up land and concrete,” he said, adding that the remaining natural water systems must be protected from further destruction.

He further said that protecting waterbodies and enforcing existing laws did not require statehood, but required “political will, administrative seriousness and responsible citizenship.”

Quoting the Qur’an, Ansari said, “And We made from water every living thing.” (Qur’an 21:30)

“Water is a trust and a source of life. Protecting it is not merely an environmental responsibility; it is a moral responsibility,” he said.

Ansari urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take cognisance of the matter.

Greater Kashmir

Yemen’s Houthi rebels seize more key islands in southern Red Sea, tighten grip on shipping routes

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Yemen’s Houthi rebels seize more key islands in southern Red Sea, tighten grip on shipping routes

Cairo, Sep 14: Yemen’s Houthi rebels captured more strategic islands in the southern Red Sea, Yemeni government and Houthi officials said on Monday, strengthening their control of a major maritime shipping route.

The rebels deployed fighters on the islands of Greater Hanish and Lesser Hanish 160 kilometres north of Bab el-Mandeb Strait, according to two government officials and a Houthi official.

The Houthis took over the islands after hundreds of government-allied forces withdrew from the archipelago, said the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to journalists.

The capture of the islands came after the rebels last week seized the port city of Mokha and the island of Mayun, located inside Bab el-Mandeb Strait from Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces. (AP)

Greater Kashmir

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