Kathua, June 30: Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday said to have trapped and arrested a Patwari of Halqa Thuthay Chak, Hiranagar, Kathua for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000.

A spokesperson said in a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Anti-Corruption Bureau received a complaint alleging therein that public servant namely Liaquat Ali, Patwari, Patwar Halqa Thuthay Chak Tehsil Hiranagar, District Kathua, demanded illegal gratification from the complainant for attestation of mutation.

“The accused had demanded a bribe of Rs 1,00,000 from the complainant for entering the name of his wife in the mutation register. After negotiation, the accused has agreed to take bribe amount of Rs 70,000 from the complainant in two installments,” the statement reads.

The complainant arranged Rs 30,000 as bribe money as 1st installment for payment to the said Patwari, it reads, adding that since, the complainant didn’t want to pay bribe and he approached Anti-Corruption Bureau for taking legal action against the accused public servant under law.

“On receipt of the complaint, a discreet verification was conducted, which corroborates the demand of bribe by the public servant concerned and accordingly, a case FIR No. 13/2025 U/S 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 was registered in Police Station ACB Jammu and investigation taken up,” the statement added.

During the course of investigation, the spokesman said that a trap team headed by Gazetted  rank officer was constituted. “The team laid a successful trap and accused public servant was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting bribe amount of Rs 30,000 from the complainant in the presence of independent witnesses. The accused was arrested on the spot by the ACB team after following due process of law. The bribe money was also recovered from his possession in presence of independent witnesses associated with the trap team. Moreover, search is being conducted in the residential house of the accused situated in Kishanpur, Dungara, Billawar, District Kathua in presence of independent witness and Magistrate,” it reads, adding that further investigation of the instant case is going on.

Srinagar, June 30: For the economy of a country or state, youth play a role similar to that of a mason—building, shaping, and strengthening. A decline in youth involvement in economic activity adversely affects a country’s growth and development. One of the key indicators that shows youth are being left behind is the youth unemployment rate which is skyrocketing in Jammu and Kashmir. Youth unemployment is soaring at 17.4K in J&K, far above the national average of 10.2%.

The overall unemployment rate in J&K is 6.7%, nearly double the national average of 3.5%, according to the Baseline Survey Report 2024-25 under Mission YUVA (Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan), which cited the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24, The Tribune reported.

The report was released by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday during the launch of the much-anticipated Mission YUVA at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC). The mission aims to create 1.37 lakh enterprises and generate 4.25 lakh jobs over the next five years.
The report states that “The youth unemployment rate is even more concerning at 17.4%, compared to India’s 10.2%, indicating a serious gap in traditional employment opportunities. Women face even steeper barriers, with urban female unemployment recorded at 28.6%, underscoring the urgent need for inclusive economic interventions,”
The report further notes: “Entrepreneurship in J&K is emerging as a powerful catalyst for economic transformation, offering new avenues for self-employment, innovation and regional development. However, the region continues to grapple with high unemployment rates, particularly among youth and women, making entrepreneurship a critical lever for economic revival.”
District-wise, Rajouri has the highest unemployment rate at 9.3%, followed by Anantnag at 8.7%. In contrast, Jammu and Srinagar report unemployment rates of 3.3% and 5.9%, respectively, while Samba has the lowest unemployment rate at 3%.
The report also tracks structural shifts in the Union Territory’s economy. “J&K’s economy has transitioned from an agrarian base to a service-dominated structure, with agriculture’s contribution declining from 28.06% in 2004-05 to 16.91% in 2022-23. Industrial growth remains stagnant, while the service sector has expanded to contribute 63.57% to the economy, highlighting the need for modernisation, industrial expansion and service-sector-driven entrepreneurship.”
On a positive note, the report highlights that J&K has a high self-employment rate of 48%, reflecting strong entrepreneurial potential, particularly in the service sector. However, it also points out that business support systems remain fragmented, with limited access to early-stage financing for small-scale enterprises.

“High unemployment rates among youth, women, and urban populations call for targeted programmes and incentives. Promoting high-skilled, knowledge-sector enterprises can create better-paying job opportunities,” the report suggests.

Despite the challenges, the region’s young workforce is increasingly gravitating towards entrepreneurship, leveraging J&K’s rich natural resources, cultural heritage and growing digital ecosystem

Srinagar, June 30: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said that the recently organised buyer-seller meet in Jammu and Kashmir is a vital move aimed at establishing sustainable trade linkages for local artisans and producers.

Speaking to reporters, Omar Abdullah said, these events are designed to build formal business connections rather than catering to casual tourist shopping.

CM Omar said, “A single buyer-seller meet won’t transform everything overnight, but it certainly opens the door for new opportunities. We have planned a series of six buyer-seller and six reverse buyer-seller events. This is the first step.”

Amid criticism from some participants regarding the event’s timing, Omar said that it was never intended for tourists. “Let’s not confuse tourists with buyers. Tourists shop on impulse. This platform is aimed at serious buyers from across India and abroad interested in bulk purchasing and trade collaborations,” he stated.

CM Omar urged people to judge the outcomes after the full series of events concludes. “Let all twelve meets happen. Even if one artisan benefits with a major deal, the initiative will be a success,” he remarked.

On the issue of the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, Omar said that complete arrangements are in place. “The Lieutenant Governor has already held meetings with various political and civil society representatives. Security measures and logistics are being handled effectively,” he said.

He said that the first batch of pilgrims will begin their journey from Jammu on July 2. “We are hopeful for a peaceful Yatra and pray for the safe return of every pilgrim,” he said. (JKNS)

Srinagar, June 30: In a major political development, Peoples Conference, Justice & Development Front and Peoples Democratic Front have joined hands to form an alliance.

Addressing a news conference, leadership of the three parties announced formation of the “People’s Alliance for Change”.

The alliance has the potential to be main Kashmir-based opposition to the ruling NC-led alliance given the traditional vote bank of Peoples Conference and proscribed JeI which was a force to reckon on Kashmir’s political landscape till 1987 polls.

Hakim Muhammad Yasin’s PDF has significant influence in Khanasahab area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

With this consolidation, the alliance aims to pose a formidable challenge to the ruling NC—led alliance which swept 2024 assembly polls. (KNO)