TOP STORY OF THE DAY |
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| J&K still heavily reliant on Central grants, CAG warns of fiscal strain | | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 5: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has flagged continued dependence of Jammu and Kashmir on central grants despite modest gains in its own revenue, raising concerns over the Union Territory’s long-term fiscal sustainability.
In its report on the finances of Jammu and Kashmir for 2024–25, the CAG highlighted rising liabilities, high revenue expenditure, limited capital spending, and delays in financial reporting as key stress indicators for the UT’s economy.
Although the UT has shown some improvement in its own revenue performance, its reliance on grants-in-aid from the Government of India remains significantly high compared to other states and Union Territories.
The report noted that out of the total expenditure of Rs 82,547.28 crore, revenue expenditure accounted for 85.37 per cent. A substantial portion of this was absorbed by committed expenditure and subsidies, which together constituted 68.39 per cent of revenue expenditure and ... | |
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FRONT PAGE STORIES |
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| Hope revives for reopening ancient SMVD route after LG flags off Kol Kandoli Yatra | | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 5: The recent flagging off of a batch of devotees from the historic Kol Kandoli Temple by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has rekindled hopes for the revival of the traditional pilgrimage route to the revered cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.
The reopening of this ancient route is expected to significantly transform the socio-economic landscape of more than 25 villages situated along the route, which was once widely used by pilgrims undertaking the journey on foot.
As reported earlier, on March 22, 2026, the Lieutenant Governor flagged off the 24th Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Pracheen Marg Pavitra Chhadi Yatra from Kol Kandoli Temple. The yatra, hel... | |
| | | | J&K link probed in Haryana spy network bust, NIA intensifies crackdown | | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 5: Even as higher authorities have maintained a guarded silence, intelligence agencies have intensified efforts to probe possible links between terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir and a suspected Pakistani espionage network recently busted in Palwal and Nuh districts.
The National Investigation Agency has stepped up its crackdown on the alleged espionage network operating in the Mewat region, carrying out extensive search operations at multiple locations in Palwal and Nuh for the fourth consecutive day on Sunday. NIA teams conducted coordinated raids at the residences of suspects in the Baheen police station area of Palwal and the Punhana region of Nuh, wit... | |
| | | | BJP opposed to infiltrators, not against Muslims: Gadkari | | |  Early Times Report
NEW DELHI, Apr 5: Asserting that the BJP is opposed to infiltrators and is not against Muslims, senior party leader and Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday exuded confidence in the party’s electoral prospects in Assam and West Bengal.
Assembly polls in Assam are scheduled for April 9, while West Bengal will vote in two phases on April 23 and 29, with counting scheduled on May 4.
“I strongly believe that we will win in both Assam and West Bengal. It is the BJP’s policy... | |
| | | | Main perpetrators behind Chandigarh blast nabbed: Punjab DGP | | | 
Early Times Report
CHANDIGARH, Apr 5: Two men, allegedly the main perpetrators of the blast outside Punjab BJP headquarters here, have been arrested, Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said on Sunday.
They were arrested in Haryana’s Rewari on Saturday night, he said.
“They are Gurtej Singh and Amanpreet Singh. Both are residents of village Ratangarh under Morinda Police Station in Punjab’s Rupar,” the police chief said at a press conference here.
On April 1, around 5 pm, a b... | |
| | | | Judicial Infrastructure not optional but essential: CJI Surya Kant | | |  Early Times Report
HYDERABAD, Apr 5: State governments across the political spectrum recognise that strengthening judicial infrastructure is not optional but essential, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said on Sunday here.
Addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone for Telangana High Court Zone II, which includes residential buildings for judges and the chief justice, Justice Surya Kant said that when the judiciary and executive align in purpose, the Constitution truly come... | |
| | | | ‘Election Commission primary institution entrusted to maintain integrity of polls’ | | |  New Delhi, Apr 5:
Supreme Court judge Justice BV Nagarathna, while highlighting that the Election Commission is the primary institution entrusted with maintaining the integrity of polls, has said if those who conduct elections are dependent on those who contest them, the neutrality of the process cannot be assured. The apex court judge raised a critical concern regarding the structural independence of those tasked with overseeing the ballot while delivering the Rajendra Prasad Memorial Lec... | |
| | | | 6 drug peddlers held | | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 5: Six alleged drug peddlers were apprehended along with contraband substances in Reasi, Poonch and Jammu districts on Sunday, police said.
Taking prompt action following the circulation of several videos on social media showing the alleged sale of intoxicating drugs at Purana Daroor market near Katra town of Reasi, police nabbed four people and recovered a consignment of banned tablets from them, a police officer said.
He identified the apprehended individuals as Rashpal Singh, Uttam Singh, Sohal Lal — all residents of Katra — and Joginder Singh of Kanjali and further legal action was initiated against them.
Iftikhar Hussain was arrested along with 8.80 ... | |
| | | | Search operation launched in Samba | | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Apr 5: Security forces on Sunday launched a search operation at a village in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir following reports of movement of three suspicious individuals, officials said.
A resident of Bedh Khad in the Darui area reported spotting three unidentified persons with one carrying a heavy backpack, moving along a dried-up stream under the cover of darkness.
Suspecting them to be terrorists, though no weapons were visible, the Special Operations Group of the local police, assisted by the Army and paramilitary forces, launched a search operation to trace the suspects.
Officials said the search operation was ongoing in the village and adjoining ar... | |
| | | | Wildlife Deptt scales up vigil | | | | Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Apr 5: Every winter, migratory birds arrive in Kashmir in tens of thousands to escape the freezing temperatures in Siberia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and make wetlands in the valley their temporary home.
And, with the onset of rainy weather in Kashmir (from late March to May), they start their breeding season in wetlands, such as Hokersar, Dal Lake and Narkara, before returning to their native places.
However, the poaching of the birds disturbs this period. The department officials said the poachers use small boats and country-made guns to poach the birds, causing their deaths and disturbing the hatching process.
But the wildlife department is now t... | |
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