Baramulla, Aug 22: Zone Sopore emerged victorious in the Under-19 Boys’ Kabaddi Competition of the Inter-Zonal District Level (IZDL) tournament, defeating Zone Dangerpora in a closely contested and thrilling final held on Saturday at Indoor Stadium Khawaja Bagh, Baramulla.

The competition, as per an official statement, was organised by the Department of Youth Services & Sports, Baramulla, under the supervision of the Director General, Youth Services & Sports, J&K, Anuradha Gupta, JKAS. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from young athletes representing different zones of the district, providing them with an important platform to demonstrate their sporting talent, discipline and competitive spirit.

The concluding ceremony was attended by Mushtaq Ahmad Pampori, DYSSO Baramulla, and Shabir Ahmad Thoker, PEM/Activity In-charge. On the occasion, the officials appreciated the participating players, officials and escort teachers for their dedication, discipline and exemplary sportsmanship throughout the competition.

The Jammu & Kashmir Judicial Academy, under the patronage of Acting Chief Justice, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, and the guidance of Justice Rajnesh Oswal, Judge, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and Chairman, Governing Committee, the J&K Judicial Academy, today a one day workshop on “Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996; Mediation: Role of Judges in referral with special reference to The Mediation Act, 2023” at the J&K Judicial Academy, Mominabad, Srinagar.

The workshop commenced with the inaugural address by Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi, Judge, High Court of J&K and Ladakh and Member, Governing Committee, J&K Judicial Academy.

In her address, Justice Kazmi emphasised that while adjudication remains central to the rule of law, arbitration, conciliation and mediation should be viewed as appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms suited to the nature and circumstances of each dispute.

She observed that mediation enables parties to participate in shaping a resolution, fostering ownership and commitment to settlement.

She stressed that its success should be measured not merely by disposal but by the ability of settlements to endure and underscored the need for trained mediators, appropriate judicial referrals and institutional support. She emphasized that adjudication, arbitration and mediation are complementary instruments of justice aimed at making the justice delivery system more accessible, humane, responsive and effective.

The first technical session was conducted by Justice Rashid Ali Dar, Former Judge, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, on “Arbitration: Basic Principles, Court’s Role and Interface with Judicial Proceedings.” He emphasized that arbitration is a legally recognized mechanism distinct from, yet closely connected with the judicial system requiring a balance between party autonomy and minimal judicial intervention.

He stressed that courts should facilitate rather than obstruct arbitration while ensuring fairness, legality and natural justice. The session covered key provisions of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, including arbitration agreements, referral to arbitration, appointment and jurisdiction of arbitral tribunals, interim measures and the complementary roles of courts and tribunals.

Thereafter, Mohan Singh Parihar, Former District and Sessions Judge, conducted sessions on “Mediation – Role of Judges in Referral and Facilitation of Settlement” and “Mediated Settlements – Recording, Enforcement, Challenges and Implementation.” He provided practical insights into mediation as an important ADR mechanism and emphasised the role of judicial officers in identifying suitable cases for mediation. He stressed that before making a referral, the court should understand the facts and nature of the dispute and assess whether there is an element of settlement that can appropriately be explored through mediation.

He also explained the procedural framework governing mediation, including referral to District Mediation Centres, the role of mediators and the procedure to be followed in successful and unsuccessful mediations. He highlighted the importance of considering ADR at the appropriate stage of proceedings and discussed the objectives of Section 89 CPC, including providing effective relief to litigants, reducing pendency and easing the burden on courts. He explained the five ADR mechanisms—arbitration, conciliation, LokAdalat, judicial settlement and mediation—and their appropriate application depending upon the nature of the dispute.

Earlier, Director J&K Judicial Academy, Naseer Ahmad Dar highlighted the growing importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the present judicial scenario. He emphasized that ADR should not be viewed merely as a means of reducing pendency but as an effective means of providing parties with timely, consensual and meaningful resolution of disputes. He stressed the importance of judicial officers identifying suitable cases for mediation and making appropriate referrals, while exercising judicial discretion in accordance with the nature of the dispute, applicable law and the interests of justice. He also highlighted the significance of the Mediation Act, 2023 and the need for a balanced and practical approach towards adjudication and settlement.

The workshop provided the participating judicial officers with valuable practical and legal insights into arbitration and mediation, particularly the role of courts in identifying suitable cases for ADR, making appropriate referrals, facilitating settlements and ensuring effective implementation of dispute-resolution mechanisms.

Srinagar, Aug 22: The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) on Saturday announced power shutdown in several parts of Kashmir division in coming days.

In a statement, Chief Engineer, KPDCL said that in order to carry out erection of poles under 33 KV line for new tap line to Govt. Press, the power supply from 33 KV Pampore-Badamibagh line to receiving stations including Badamibagh, Sonwar and Panthachowk shall remain affected on August 24, from 8AM to 11AM.

Accordingly, the feeding areas to be impacted  includes Sonwar, Shivpora, Panthachowk, Batwara, WSS Tangnar, Summerbugh, Govt. Press, GB Panth Hospital and adjoining areas.

Similarly, in view of erection of poles under SASCI Scheme and completion of punch points raised by Inspection Division for newly constructed 33 KV Nowbgh Khanda line, power supply from 33 KV Nowbugh Chadoora line to receiving stations including Chadoora, Panzan, Ranger, Wathoora shall remain affected on August 27 from 8AM to 2PM. The feeding areas to remain affected includes Sogam, Repora, Chadoora, Wathoora, Bugam, Dawlatpora, Gudsuthoo, Panzan, Lalgam, Ranger, Kathairgund, Yarikalan and adjoining areas.

Also, power supply from 33 KV Nowbugh Nagam line to receiving stations including  Nagam, Hafroo, Char-1, Char-2 shall remain affected on August 27 from 8AM to 2PM. The areas to be impacted includes Kakawring, Yousmarg, Charar-i-Sharief,  Rakhaye, Tilsera, Badipora, Nagam, Hayatpora, Hafroo, Buzgoo, Gogjipathri, Laden, Loolipora, Nagbal, Brinjin, Watkaloo and adjoining areas.

In a separate communication, Chief Engineer, Distribution, KPDCL informed that the shutdown of  33 KV Cheshmashahi-Brein Nishat line will be observed due to which power supply to Brein, Tulip Garden, Brein Pahloo, Taj Vivanta, Exchange Colony, Nishat, Handampora, Pathanbagh, Filtration plant, and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 AM to 11 AM on 24 August 2026.

Similarly, shutdown of 33 KV Chewa Tap Line of Tral-Ist Chewa and Tral Bala will be observed due to which power supply to  Chewa, Tral Bala, Bajwani, Kahlil, Bathnoor, Hayina and adjoining areas will be affected from 09 AM to 02 PM on 24 August 2026, statement added.

Srinagar, Aug 22: Peoples’ Conference chairman and MLA Handwara Sajad Gani Lone today censured government over power tariff hike in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said despite two years have been passed but not a single rupee worth of benefit in terms of free electricity has been provided to consumers.

In a post on X, Lone said: “People in Jammu and Kashmir will now have to pay more from their pockets for electricity. The regulator has approved a 6.83% hike in power tariff and says it has avoided a tariff shock. It is definitely a shock for those who were promised 200 units free in 2024 by the ruling party.

Almost two years have passed and till date not a single rupee worth of benefit in terms of free power has been passed on to the consumers.  Not only that. Load has been increased in non metered areas, which has increased the monthly bill”.

Srinagar, Aug 22: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) legislator Waheed-ur-Rehman Para on Saturday slammed government over power tariff hike, questioning chief minister Omar Abdullah that what happened to those promises made with the people of Jammu and Kashmir before coming into power.

The PDP leader while listing the current crisis said that when unemployment is at its peak, inflation is biting hard and ordinary families are struggling to make ends meet, the government has imposed a 6.83 percent power tariff hike.

In a post on X, Para said: “At a time when unemployment is at a peak, inflation is biting hard and ordinary families are struggling to make ends meet, the government has imposed a 6.83% power tariff hike. They came to power with an aspirational agenda, 200 units of free electricity, free gas and free ration.

From free tariff promises of relief to higher bills, what happened to the promise? @CM_JnK”.

Notably the revised tariff has been approved through Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) and will remain applicable to electricity consumption from September 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.