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| Uncertainty over Dy Speaker’s appointment continues | | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 25: With the second session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly set to begin on March 3, the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference (NC) government, supported by Independents, has yet to decide on appointing a Deputy Speaker. The delay has sparked political debate, particularly since the post is conventionally reserved for the principal opposition party.
The NC-led government, which took office on October 16, 2024, completed its first 100 days on January 24. However, the key position of Deputy Speaker remains vacant, leaving the opposition—especially the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—seeking clarity on the matter.
The first but brief session of the Omar Abdullah-led government was started on November 5, 2024.
Following the recent Assembly elections, the BJP emerged as the principal opposition party with 29 seats. By legislative convention, the Deputy Speaker’s position is typically assigned to the largest opposition party, providing it a significant role in Assembly proceedings. Given its strength, the BJP has been expecting its nominee to... | |
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FRONT PAGE STORIES |
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| CM holds pre-budget meetings with key departments | | |  Early Times Report
JAMMU, Feb 25: Setting the stage for the upcoming budget presentation on March 7, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a series of pre-budget meetings with several key government departments at the Civil Secretariat here to finalize proposals for the upcoming budget, which is scheduled to be presented on March 7.
The meetings were held to understand the sector wise priorities and to align it with government’s development agenda.
The meetings would continue in the... | |
| | | | We hope statehood will come back: Dr Farooq | | | | Agencies
Amritsar (Punjab), Feb 25: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah visited and offered prayers at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Tuesday.
Later, speaking to the reporters, he emphasised the unity of the country and spoke on the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
“It is very unfortunate. Bharat belongs to everyone. Be it Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Christian or Jain. And those who do not have any religion. The fire which has been set off is a political one. To win over the votes. It should not have happened. Bharat will be united as long as we remain united”,” Abdullah said.
“If any Bharatiya has to face any situation, we will unitedly deal with it. It has happen... | |
| | | | Local recruitment in terror outfits zero, no commander alive in Kashmir: LG Sinha | | ‘76 govt employees terminated for supporting terrorism’ | |  ‘No shutdown calendar, only business calendar’
Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 25: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said that local recruitment in terrorist groups has dropped to zero and no commander of any outfit is alive in Kashmir.
In an interview to National Channel, LG Sinha said, “Security forces are following a clear guiding principle: Don’t touch innocents, don’t spare the culprits."
Referring to terrorists shifting their focus to Jammu region, LG Sinha said, “Jammu was ... | |
| | | | Levy only 20% toll fee: DB | | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 25: In major relief to the people of J&K and also the pilgrims who visited Vaishno Devi, A Division Bench of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court Comprising Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice MA Chowdhary directed respondents to withdraw the order/direction regarding redistributing the influence length from Lakhanpur to Udhampur among Lakhanpur and Bann Toll Plazas with effect from 26.01.2024 after the closure of Thandi Khui Toll Plaza. DB directed respondents to withdraw the said order/direction positively within a period of one week from today.
DB further directed respondents to levy only 20% of the toll fee with immediate effect, i.e., the toll fe... | |
| | | | Oppn targets CM Omar over Mirwaiz security remark | | |  Early Times Report
Srinagar, Feb 25: A war of words erupted between the ruling National Conference and opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir following Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s remark linking the increased security provided to separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to a decline in separatist activities in the Union Territory.
While opposition leaders from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and People’s Conference accused Abdullah of taking a U-turn on the promises made during last ye... | |
| | | | J&K braces for heavy rain, snowfall | | |  Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Feb 25: Jammu and Kashmir braced for heavy rain/snow as the MET department issued an advisory on Tuesday cautioning the authorities of inclement weather for three days.
An advisory sent to the Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu divisions by the MET Department said, “A fresh active Western Disturbance (WD) is most likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir and adjoining areas from the evening of February 25 to February 28.
“Under the influence of this weather... | |
| | | | Rainfall brings relief in Udhampur | | | | Early Times Report
UDHAMPUR, Feb 25: Recent rainfall has brought relief to strawberry cultivators in Udhampur, who were earlier facing tough times due to the dry spell.
A farmer Rashpal Singh said, “We got huge relief due to the rains 3 to 4 days ago. The government gives subsidies on time. The government gives Rs 13000 per kanal and Rs 26000 for 2 kanal. The dry spells destroyed 400-500 of my strawberry crops this year. Wheat cultivation was also affected due to the dry spell. Now there is hope, and at least 70 percent yield can be expected.”
Chief Horticulture Officer Brij Vallav Gupta said that they have distributed subsidies to farmers for an area of 5 hectares.
Brij Vallav Gupta ... | |
| | | | Jammu-Poonch highway nearing completion | | |  Early Times Report
JAMMU, Feb 25: The construction work for National Highway 144A, starting from its junction with NH-44 near Jammu connecting Akhnoor, Nowshera, Rajouri and terminating at Poonch, is in full swing.
Structural engineer Arun said, “We are working in day and night shifts, and the work is underway on a war-foot level.
We are trying to clear the road as soon as possible. 90 percent cutting is complete. The remaining will be completed in the coming 7-10 days.”
He further said... | |
| | | | Chenab Valley: Top security officers discuss plan to crackdown on terror ecosystem | | |  Early Times Report
Banihal/Jammu, Feb 25: Top security officers met in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district on Tuesday and discussed an integrated plan to crackdown on the terror ecosystem in Chenab Valley which was rocked by several terror incidents last year, officials said.
The government's plan to arm ex-servicemen, supplementing the existing Village Defence Guards, was also discussed during the joint security review meeting, which took place at Dharmund military garrison, they said.
Th... | |
| | | | Man killed in Rajouri accident | | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Feb 25: A tragedic road accident took place at Thanamandi road resulting death of a one person and injury to another one in Rajouri district on Tuesday.
Officials said that a vehicle bearing registration number JK11G-6280 lost its control near Thanamandi road resulting in instant death of one person and injury to another one.
The deceased has been identified as Gulzar Hussain resident of Plangar Thanamandi and the injured has been identified as Mohib(3) son of Sikandar.... | |
| | | | 1900 DRWs in Ladakh granted benefits | | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Feb 25: The Administration of Ladakh has extended benefits under the Consolidated Guidelines on Casual Workers, as per the DoPT’s Office Memorandum dated 13.02.2020, to approximately 1900 Daily Rated Workers (DRWs) across various departments.
As per an order, DRWs performing duties equivalent to regular employees will receive wages at 1/30th of the minimum pay scale plus dearness allowance for an eight-hour workday, while others will be paid minimum wages as notified by the Labour Department. They will also be entitled to one paid weekly off after six days of work and paid public holidays if they fall on working days.
Additionally, DRWs with at least 10 years ... | |
| | | | Doda: Repair vital footbridge | | | | Early Times Report
Doda, Feb 25: A suspension footbridge built over the Chenab river about six decades ago to link over 14 villages was declared unsafe in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir recently, causing concern among locals who have been demanding that the vital link be immediately repaired.
The bridge at Prem Nagar, 15 km from Doda district headquarters, connects nearby villages with the Batote-Kishtwar national highway, officials said.
The Public Works Department declared the bridge unsafe, banning the crossing of goods-carrying mules and the movement of more than two persons at a time. The locals argued that the authorities should take immediate steps to repair the bridge or c... | |
| | | | Properties of 2 terror handlers attached | | | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, Feb 25: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday attached properties worth lakhs of rupees belonging to two Pakistan-based terrorist handlers in Kupwara district, officials said.
The properties, which were attached after police obtained a court order, included land measuring three kanals and 12 marlas.
The properties belonged to Tahir Ahmad Peer and Mohammad Ramzan Ganie, both residents of Kupwara currently based out of Pakistan, the officials said.
The properties were identified as belonging to the two absconders during the investigation of a case registered in 2011, police said.... | |
| | | | Man held for killing co-worker | | | | Early Times Report
Thane, Feb 25: Police have arrested a 21-year-old man from Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir for allegedly killing a co-worker at a powerloom factory in Maharashtra’s Thane district, an official said on Tuesday.
The accused, Sabir Rahamtullah Ansari, hailing from East Champaran in Bihar, and the victim, Neeraj Kumar Gopinath Vishwakarma (40), belonging to Unnao in Uttar Pradesh, worked at the factory in Khoni gram panchayat area of Bhiwandi city here, Nizampura police station’s senior inspector Vishwas Dagle said.
On February 4, the accused allegedly robbed the victim of his salary, and attacked on his head and forehead with an iron hammer in the village before fleeing.... | |
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