Sopore, Sep 29: As part of efforts to strengthen the livelihoods of street vendors and promote financial inclusion, 258 street vendors in Sopore have availed benefits under the PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme, with loans amounting to aroundRs84 lakh reportedly disbursed, according to details highlighted in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly by MLA Irshad Rasool Kar.

The figures were brought into focus in response to a query raised by Sopore MLA Irshad Rasool Kar, highlighting the implementation of the street-vendor support scheme in Sopore town. The initiative provides eligible street vendors with access to collateral-free working-capital credit, enabling them to sustain and expand their small businesses.

According to the information highlighted in the report, 157 vendors in Sopore have also been made digitally active, as part of efforts to encourage digital payments and bring street vendors into the formal digital economy.

PM SVANidhi was launched in June 2020 to provide affordable working-capital loans to street vendors. The scheme has subsequently been restructured and extended until March 31, 2030, with enhanced credit support and greater emphasis on digital adoption.

The Sopore figures are significant for the town’s street-vending community, where small vendors depend largely on daily working capital to purchase stock and maintain their businesses. Greater access to formal credit and digital payment facilities can help reduce dependence on informal borrowing and facilitate more transparent financial transactions.

The latest figures also indicate continued efforts by the MLA Sopore and concerned agencies to bring eligible street vendors within the ambit of formal financial-support programmes and strengthen their economic rehabilitation.

Budgam, Sep 29: One terrorist was killed in an encounter between security forces and terrorists in cenral Kashmir’s Budgam district late Tuesday evening, Army said.

Army’s Chinar Corps in a post on X said: “Based on specific intelligence input, a joint searh operation was launched by Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF Srinagar in general area of Korag, Yousmarg.

Vigilant troops observed suspicous activity and upon being challenged, terrorists opened fire, prompting a fierce exchange of gunfire during which one terrorist neutralised”.

They said the operation is in progress.

OP KORAG, Yousmarg

Based on specific intelligence input, a Joint Search Operation was launched by #IndianArmy, @JmuKmrPolice and @crpf_srinagar in general area Korag, Yousmarg.

Vigilant troops observed suspicious activity and upon being challenged, terrorists opened fire,…

— Chinar Corps🍁 – Indian Army (@ChinarcorpsIA) September 29, 2026

Srinagar, Sep 29: An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in the Gurwatkalan area of Budgam district late Tuesday evening, officials said.

A top police officer told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the operation was launched after security forces established contact with the terrorists in the area.

He said a joint operation is underway, with security forces engaged in the operation.

The area has been cordoned off and additional security measures have been put in place, while further details are awaited.

Srinagar, Sep 29: Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) today announed power shutdown in several parts of Kashmir division in coming days.

In an official communication, Chief Engineer, Distribution, KPDCL said that the shutdown of 33 KV Baramulla-Ist line will be observed due to which power supply to GMC, New DIC, DIC, Short Delfina, Old Army, Main Bazar, Ushkura, PHE, Microwave, Sangri and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 AM to 03 PM on 03, 07 & 12 October 2026.

Similarly, shutdown of 33 KV Baramulla-II line will be observed due to which power supply to Old Town, Azad Gunj, Janbazpora, Baghi Islam, Jalsheeri, Tawheed Gunj, PHE, Irrigation, Zogiyar, Fatahgarh, Irrigation Sheeri, STC and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 AM to 03 PM on 05, 10 & 12 October 2026.

Likewise, shutdown of 33 KV Uri line will be observed due to which power supply to Salamabad, NPHC, MES, Garkote, Balkote, Bandi, Garkote, Uri, Mohura, Rampur, Bani, Bijhama, Dhani and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 AM to 03 PM on 07, 09 & 12 October 2026.

Similarly, shutdown of 33 KV Boniyar line will be observed due to which power supply to Boniyar, Trikanjan, Limber, Nowshera, JNV and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 AM to 03 PM on 01 & 03 October 2026.

Also, shutdown of 33 KV Watergam line will be observed due to which power supply to Watergam, Hachipora, Palpora, Behrampora, Dangiwacha and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 AM to 03 PM on 03, 06 and 13 October 2026.

Likewise, shutdown of 33 KV SIDCO line will be observed due to which power supply to Rohama, Panzla, Shufroo, Tragpora, Chakloo, Nadihal, Aqua, PHE, Ladoora, Irrigation, Seer and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 AM to 03 PM on 08 & 12 October 2026.

Similarly, shutdown of 33 KV Malpora line will be observed due to which power supply to Chandoosa, Hospital, Dangerpora, Sultanpora, Gantamulla, Malpora, Heevan, Namblan and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 AM to 03 PM on 13, 15 & 17 October 2026.

Likewise, shutdown of 33 KV Delina line will be observed due to which power supply toDelina, Kanispora, Singhpora, BSF, Jetty, Kralhar, TC PHE, Sopore-II and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 AM to 03 PM on 03, 05 & 07 October 2026.

Similarly, shutdown of 33 KV Pattan-Amargarh line will be observed due to which power supply to Pattan, Palhalan, Zangam, Nihalpora, Hanjivera, Trauma, Hamray, Tapper, Wanigam, Lolipora, Hyderbeigh, Cold Store, GYGAM, North End Hospital, Railway Hamray and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 AM to 03 PM on 05 & 08 October 2026.

Likewise, shutdown of 33 kV Pattan-Amargarh Line (Pattan onwards) line will be observed due to which power supply to Palhalan, Hamray, Lolipora, Wanigam and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 AM to 03 PM on 13 & 15 October 2026.

Further shutdown of 33 KV HMT line will be observed due to which power supply to Singhpora, Dulsipora, Diver, Mirgund, Rambilgarh, Shadipora and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 AM to 03 PM on 06, 12 & 14 October 2026.

Similarly, shutdown of 33 KV HMT line (Mirgund Tapline) will be observed due to which power supply to Mirgund, Rambilgarh and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 AM to 03 PM on 17 October 2026.

Likewise, shutdown of 33 KV Wagoora line will be observed due to which power supply to Wagoora, Kawcheck, Mangam, Watergam, Kreeri, Saloosa, Sangrama, Nowpora, Boosu and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 AM to 03 PM on 01, 03 & 05 October 2026.

Similarly shutdown of 33 KV Kreeri Tapline will be observed due to which power supply to Kreeri, Saloosa and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 AM to 03 PM on 07 October 2026, the communication reads.

Srinagar, Sep 29: The Jammu and Kashmir government has no proposal under consideration to introduce new courses or streams at Government Polytechnic College, Shopian, the Legislative Assembly was informed on Tuesday.

The institute currently offers three courses — Electronics and Communication Engineering, Computer Engineering and Civil Engineering.

The information was provided by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister-in-Charge of Skill Development in response to a question raised by Zainapora MLA Showkat Hussain Ganie, who sought details about the courses offered, teaching staff strength and plans for introducing new courses at the institution.

According to the government’s reply, the Electronics and Communication Engineering department has three sanctioned teaching posts — Head of Department, Lecturer-I and Demonstrator. While the Lecturer-I post is filled, the posts of Head of Department and Demonstrator remain vacant. Three academic arrangements have been engaged to meet the department’s teaching requirements.

For Civil Engineering, the government said no regular teaching posts have been created. Guest faculty have been engaged on a sessional basis to meet the teaching requirements.

Similarly, no teaching posts have been created for Computer Engineering, with guest faculty engaged on a sessional basis to manage the academic workload.

Despite the vacancies and absence of sanctioned teaching posts in two departments, the government said there was currently no shortage of teaching staff at the institute.

The government also clarified that no proposal to introduce additional courses or streams at Government Polytechnic College, Shopian, was currently under consideration or in process.

The response comes amid demands for expanding technical and vocational education opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir , where polytechnic institutions provide diploma-level training in engineering and other technical disciplines.

However, the government’s reply did not indicate any immediate plans to expand the institute’s academic offerings or create additional regular teaching posts in the departments concerned.

It also did not provide a timeline for introducing new courses, leaving the existing three-course structure unchanged for the time being.