Srinagar, Jun 24: The Jammu and Kashmir government  is mulling to scrap the qualification bar in marriage assistance scheme for which a proposal is already under consideration.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, Minister for Social Welfare Department Sakina Itoo said that there was no purpose of having an educational bar in the marriage assistance scheme. The statement comes amid the concerns raised by people over eligibility criterion of requiring applicants to have passed at least 8th grade to avail benefits marriage assistance scheme.

“The government will soon review the order that made passing the 8th standard a prerequisite for receiving marriage aid and for that a proposal is under the consideration of the department and the same will be sent to cabinet,” Sakina Itoo told Greater Kashmir.

She said that qualification requirement added two years ago has raised concerns among the people which are genuine. “We think there is no purpose of having an educational bar in the marriage assistance scheme which aims to help underprivileged girls,” she said.

The minister recalled that the scheme, initially offering Rs 50,000 in aid, was later increased to Rs 75,000 when Omar Abdullah became Chief Minister, a move aimed at easing the financial burden on economically weaker sections.

“We know what struggles poor families go through during marriage season. We want to stand by them, not set obstacles,” the minister added.

Earlier, said that the government was actively working to make the Marriage Assistance Scheme more accessible by removing the qualification bar currently in place. Talking to media persons in Srinagar, Sakina Itoo said that the scheme is already operational and beneficiaries are receiving assistance, but qualification requirement added two years ago has become a concern.

Ganderbal, June 24: Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday said to have arrested Geology & Mining official while demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 10,000.

“Jammu and Kashmir Anti Corruption Bureau received a written complaint, alleging demand of bribe by an official namely Gh Mustafa (D.H), in-charge of the area, Geology and Mining Department Ganderbal,” ACB spokesman said in a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

“The complainant, who owns a JCB machine, stated that he had approached the concerned official for guidance regarding the legal formalities for lifting soil from a particular land.

Instead of providing proper legal assistance, the said official allegedly told the complainant to avoid the lengthy formalities and demanded a bribe of Rs 20,000 for granting unofficial permission to lift the soil for three days. He further demanded Rs 10,000 as an advance payment,” the statement reads.

Acting on the complaint, the ACB conducted a discreet verification through a designated officer. “The verification report confirmed the allegations and substantiated that the public servant had indeed demanded illegal gratification,” the statement added.

On the basis of the complaint and verification report, a case under FIR number 10/2025 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended) was registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar. Subsequently, a trap team was constituted, and a successful trap was laid.

“During the trap operation, the accused public servant was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting Rs 10,000 from the complainant. He was immediately apprehended on the spot,” the statement reads, adding that further investigation in the matter is ongoing.

Srinagar, June 24: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday busted illegal sale of petroleum products in south Kashmir’s Pampore. The police seized 18,797 liters of petroleum and registered a case under relevant sections of the law.

A police spokesperson said that acting on credible information about the illegal trade of petroleum products, Pampore Police, headed by Dy SP (P) Shravan Singh, SHO Pampore under the supervision of SDPO Pampore RP Singh, launched a swift and coordinated crackdown on the illegal sale and unauthorized storage of petroleum products in various parts of Pampore town.

He said that multiple locations were raided simultaneously in a well-executed operation. To ensure transparency and compliance with legal procedures, the police team was joined by officials from the Revenue Department (Naib Tehsildar Pampore), Metrology Department, and the Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs.

During the raids, he said that a significant quantity of petroleum products — including Kerosene Oil, High-Speed Diesel (HSD), and Motor Spirit (Petrol) — was seized. In addition, authorities uncovered a well-planned and illegal mechanism for the storage and distribution of these materials.

Following precise measurement and verification by the Metrology Department, the total seized quantity was recorded at 18,797 liters, he said.

The accused persons involved in illegal trade has been identified as Mudassir Nabi Dar @ Bolla S/o Gh Nabi Dar R/o Samboora; Danish Mushtaq Bhat S/o Mushtaq Ahmed Bhat R/o Bilal colony Kadalbal Pampore; and Rameez Ahmad Bhat S/o Mohammad Amin Bhat R/o Meej Pampore.

A case FIR No. 68/2025 under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Pampore, while as further investigation is going on.

This operation highlights the commitment of Awantipora Police to crack down on illegal trade and safeguard public safety, spokesperson said and reaffirmed that such enforcement drives will continue with full force against those endangering lives and violating the law.