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2 months on, cause behind mysterious Badhaal deaths still unknown 2/8/2025 12:35:31 AM Early Times Report Jammu, Feb 7: Although thirty-eight patients have been discharged after complete recovery, authorities remain clueless about the cause behind a series of mysterious deaths in Badhaal village of Rajouri district, even as two months have passed since the first reported case. The unexplained illness, which first surfaced on December 7, 2024, has so far claimed 17 lives, sparking panic and uncertainty among residents. The crisis began on December 7, when seven-year-old Nazia Kousar from Badhaal village died after showing symptoms consistent with food poisoning. Her two elder brothers, Ishtiaq (9) and Ashfaq (11), were rushed to Kotranka Civil Hospital and later referred to GMC Jammu for specialized treatment. Ishtiaq succumbed to the illness while undergoing treatment. The tragedy deepened when their 12-year-old sister, Ruksar, died three days later while receiving treatment in Jammu. Earlier, their father Fazal Hussain and three siblings—Rabia Kousar (15), Farmana Kousar (12), and Rafter Ahmad (4)—had also died under similar circumstances on December 8. Despit...   READ MORE

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38 patients recover, discharged 2/8/2025 12:35:22 AM Early Times Report JAMMU, Feb 7: Thirty-eight patients, who were admitted to different hospitals after falling ill due to a mysterious illness at Badhaal village in J-K’s Rajouri district, have been discharged after complete recovery, officials said. Currently, 363 individuals from 60 families remain quarantined in various facilities across Rajouri, they informed a meeting of health professionals and police personnel chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dullo on Thursday. The mysterious ill...   READ MORE   NC’s indifference makes Cong look towards PDP 2/8/2025 12:34:59 AM Early Times Report Jammu, Feb 7: Ignored by the coalition partner National Conference since the formation of the government, the sulking Congress leadership has opened a channel of communication with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for future politics. Highly placed sources, with the consent of the party high-command, Congress leadership of J&K is exploring the possibility of developing cordial relations with the PDP. “Congress leadership has realized that the ruling National Conference has dumped the party after managing the majority with the support of Independents”, sources said, adding, “Instead of sticking to an alliance with the National Conference the party leadership has d...   READ MORE   GMC Udhampur without principal, minister promises appointment soon 2/8/2025 12:34:42 AM Ashwani Sharma Early Times Report Udhampur, Feb 7: Government Medical College (GMC) Udhampur has been without a principal since December 31, 2024, following the retirement of Dr. Mrityunjay Gupta. More than a month has passed, and the lack of leadership has led to growing concerns among students, faculty, and hospital staff. The absence of a principal has resulted in administrative delays, affecting academic schedules, faculty approvals, and hospital management. Students preparing for exams are struggling with a lack of clear directives, while faculty members are awaiting approvals for research and other academic matters. While temporary arrangements have been made, the long-term ...   READ MORE   CB arrests main accused after Court rejects bail plea Rs 1.44 Cr J&K Bank Loan Scam 2/8/2025 12:34:26 AM Early Times Report Jammu, Feb 7: Crime Branch (CB) on Friday arrested main accused involved in Rs 1.44 crore J&K Bank loan scam immediately after his bail application was rejected by the Court of 2nd Addl. Sessions Judge Jammu. A spokesman of the Crime Branch in a statement said that the arrested main accused happens to be a terminated J&K Bank employee of the same branch B C Road Jammu identified as Rohit Taroch S/o Som Raj Taroch R/o Rehari Ambphalla, Jammu. “A written complaint was re...   READ MORE   CM Omar discusses Pulwama, Reasi budget plans 2/8/2025 12:33:39 AM Early Times Report JAMMU, Feb 7: Continuing with the pre-budget consultations for the third consecutive day, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah engaged in extensive discussions with public representatives and key stakeholders to gain firsthand insights into the issues and developmental priorities of various sectors and districts. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary Education Shantmanu, Additional Chief Secretary to CM Dheeraj Gupta, Administrative ...   READ MORE   Govt seeks timely submission of legislative proposals 2/8/2025 12:33:27 AM Early Times Report JAMMU, Feb 7: Jammu and Kashmir Department of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs has issued a circular directing all departments to submit legislative proposals, including draft bills and notifications, well in advance for the upcoming Budget Session starting on March 3, 2025. ...   READ MORE   JKAS officer transferred 2/8/2025 12:33:18 AM Early Times Report JAMMU, Feb 7: The Jammu and Kashmir Government today ordered transfer and posting of a JKAS officer with immediate effect. As per an order issued, Atul Dutt Sharma, JKAS, Personnel Officer, Associated Hospitals, Jammu is transferred and posted as Speciali Assistant with leader of Opposition, J&K Legislative Assembly, with immediate effect. ...   READ MORE   Banks to have exclusive internet domain 2/8/2025 12:33:08 AM MUMBAI, Feb 7: Agencies In order to check cyber security threats, the Reserve Bank on Friday (February 7, 2025) decided that Indian banks will have exclusive internet domain name ‘bank.in’ and non-bank financial entities ‘fin.in’. Unveiling the last bi-monthly monetary policy of this fiscal year, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said registrations for ‘bank.in’ will commence from April 2025, and going forward ‘fin.in’ will be introduced. The decision is aimed at enhancing trust in the financ...   READ MORE   RBI cuts interest rate for first time in 5 years 2/8/2025 12:32:57 AM MUMBAI, Feb 7: Agencies Home, auto and other loans are likely to see a drop in interest rates after the Reserve Bank of India under a new Governor cut the key benchmark rate on Friday for the first time in almost five years to spur a sluggish economy. The Monetary Policy Committee, headed by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, slashed the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.25 per cent. This was the first reduction since May 2020 and the first revision after two-and-a-half years. Malhotra, a c...   READ MORE

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