Srinagar, Feb 10: In its continued efforts to curb drug trafficking and eliminate the menace of narcotics from society, Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested two drug peddlers in Baramulla and Sopore areas and recovered contraband substances from their possession.

In Baramulla, a police party from Police Station Pattan during patrolling intercepted a suspicious person moving from Kakapora towards Khore Sheerabad. During search, 28 grams of charas-like substance was recovered from his possession. He has been identified as Shakeel Ahmad Bhat, son of Mohd Sadeeq Bhat, resident of Khour Sheerabad

Similarly in Sopore, a police party of PP Pthkha intercepted a suspicious individual. During search, charas-like substance concealed inside a corn husk was recovered from his possession. He has been identified as Mohd Ramzan Gojree, son of Jalal Din Gojree, resident of Chotipora Hygam.

All the accused have been arrested and shifted to respective police stations where they remain in custody. Accordingly, cases under relevant sections of law have been registered at respective police stations and further investigations have been initiated.

J&K Police reiterated their zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking and reaffirmed their commitment to protect youth and society from the scourge of drugs.

Srinagar, Feb 10: The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha-led administration on Tuesday ordered transfers and postings of two IAS officers with immediate effect.

According to the Government Order No. 180-JK(GAD) of 2026, dated 10.02.2026, Mr. Shubhankar Pratyush Pathak, IAS (AGMUT: 2022) Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Uri is transferred and posted as Additional Secretary in the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat.

Mr. Prince Kumar, IAS (AGMUT: 2023) Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Kokernag is transferred and posted as Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Uri vice Mr. Shubhankar Pratyush Pathak, IAS.

The decision has been taken in the interest of administration, the order reads.

Jammu, Feb 10: Stating that the outsourcing of government jobs is a social and economic disaster, Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone on Tuesday questioned the government over its promise of providing 12 LPG cylinders to economically weaker sections (EWS).

Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, Lone said that the political imprint is missing in the budget.

“When an elected government comes to power, the budget carries a political imprint. However, this budget is a typical bureaucratic budget without any political imprint,” Lone said.

Lone questioned the government’s announcement of providing six gas cylinders to each household, saying that it does not match its election manifesto.

He said the government had not only left out 14 lakh Below Poverty Line (BPL) families -now reclassified as priority households—but was also collecting the cost of gas cylinders indirectly by reducing the rebate on diesel.

“In your manifesto, you promised to provide 12 gas cylinders to each EWS household. We have two lakh AAY families. Apart from these families, we have 14 lakh BPL households, whom we now call priority households. As per an order issued in 2018, the nomenclature of BPL was changed to priority households,” he said.

Questioning the government over leaving out BPL families from what it terms a mega announcement, Sajad sarcastically remarked, “When did BPL families become economically stronger? They are still economically weak.”

He said the government would require Rs 1680 crore annually to fulfill its promise of 12 cylinders to each EWS household.

“The actual monetization of the promise over five years is Rs 8500 crore, but you will provide them only Rs 120-130 crore annually. In the next three years, you will provide them Rs 350–400 crore against a promise of Rs 8500 crore,” he said.

He added that the so-called mega announcement of free gas cylinders has come at the cost of the poor. “The rebate on diesel has been reduced. You will collect Rs 250 crore from the poor but pay them back Rs 120 crore, saving Rs 130 crore,” Lone said.

Sajad said the outsourcing of government jobs is a social and economic disaster.

“In response to my question, the government revealed that 24,000 jobs have been outsourced. You have not done this; this has been done by Babus,” he said.

Lone questioned the government for failing to end the practice of outsourcing jobs.

“Why do you go along with them? When you were against everything under Governor’s rule in the past five years, why are you doing the same now? Why are you not reversing and negating it now?” It will wreak havoc on the society,” he said. —(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 10: The Jammu and Kashmir government has attributed the staff shortage in the J&K Forest Development Corporation (JKFDC) to a recruitment ban that has been in place for over two decades.

Responding to a query in the House, the Minister in charge of Forest, Ecology & Environment said a hiring ban was imposed after a decision taken in the Budget Cabinet meeting on August 22, 2000.

Subsequently, the JKFDC Board of Directors, in its 56th meeting on January 5, 2004, resolved that no fresh appointments would be made in the corporation.

Detailing the current manpower status, the minister said the corporation has a total of 1,323 employees, including 23 gazetted officers, 333 non-gazetted staff, 182 Class IV employees and 785 helpers.

On coordination gaps, the minister maintained that there is proper coordination between JKFDC and other wings of the Forest Department, particularly in timber extraction and its distribution among beneficiaries—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 10: A mentally unsound person succumbed to his injuries after being hit by a car in the Chanapora area of Srinagar on Monday, officials said.

An official said that the unidentified person was struck by a Swift Dzire vehicle bearing registration number JK01AU-0385 near Chanapora Srinagar on Monday morning.

He said, the injured individual was shifted to SMHS Hospital Srinagar, where he later succumbed to his injuries, the official said.

Police have registered FIR No. 16/2026 at Sadder Police Station under relevant sections, and an investigation has been taken up. The victim is yet to be identified, the official added. —(KNO)