Author: Agencies

JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday announced a major expansion in medical education, unveiling plans to add 548 new medical seats across various disciplines during the current year. Presenting the Budget in the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister said the government is taking concrete and sustained steps to strengthen the foundation of the Union Territory’s healthcare sector, with a strong focus on capacity building and infrastructure development. “This year, we are adding 548 medical seats to enhance educational capacity,” Omar Abdullah told the House. The expansion includes 340 new MBBS seats, 128 postgraduate medical seats, 34…

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Congress, accusing the party of harbouring deep hatred towards him and insulting constitutional values by raising slogans such as “Modi teri kabr khudegi” (Modi, your grave will be dug). Replying to the Motion of Thanks on President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the joint sitting of Parliament, Modi said that those who speak of running a “mohabbat ki dukaan” (shop of love) were indulging in abusive and hostile sloganeering. “On one hand, I am working to create new opportunities for the country’s youth, and on the other,…

JAMMU: Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Jammu late Thursday night on a three-day visit to the Union Territory, during which he will visit forward areas along the International Border in Kathua district and review the overall security situation at a high-level meeting. Shah landed at the Jammu Airport around 11 pm and proceeded directly to Lok Bhavan. His arrival was delayed from the earlier scheduled time. He was received at the airport by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. Ahead of the Home Minister’s security review meeting, top officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), heads of paramilitary forces,…

JAMMU: Jammu Police, South Zone, has intensified its sustained and decisive campaign against drug trafficking, achieving significant success in dismantling a deeply entrenched narcotics network operating in Rajiv Nagar, Bahu Fort, Bagh-e-Bahu and adjoining areas. Addressing a press conference at Police Station Bahu Fort, SP South Jammu, along with SDPO East, SHO PS Bahu Fort, SHO PS Bagh-e-Bahu and ICPP Narwal, briefed the media on the extensive action taken to uproot drug peddling activities from the region. Considering the gravity of the menace, comprehensive surveillance—both technical and human intelligence—was strengthened, and vulnerable pockets were placed under round-the-clock vigil. As a…

JAMMU: CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu on Wednesday launched a week-long hands-on training programme on upstream and downstream processing in fermentation technology under its “One Week One Lab” initiative, bringing together young biotechnology students for practical exposure in advanced bioprocessing. The programme, titled Yuva Kaushal Karyashala 3.0, is being organised by CSIR-IIIM in collaboration with its Technology Business Incubator (TBI) and BioNEST Bioincubation Centre. Students from Lovely Professional University and other institutions are participating in the training, which will continue till February 12. Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM, Dr Asha Chaubey, Chief Scientist, Fermentation and Microbial Biotechnology, Dr…

KATRA: Continuing its crackdown against drug trafficking, District Police Reasi achieved a major success by arresting two individuals involved in illegal narcotics trade and seizing a heroin-like substance from their possession. On Wednesday evening around 7:30 pm, an Alto car bearing registration number JK02AL-8831, travelling from Tikri towards Katra, was stopped for routine checking at Searli Naka. During the checking, the driver fled the spot, abandoning the vehicle, while the co-passenger was immediately apprehended by the alert police personnel. The arrested individual was identified as Taj Mohammad, son of Ghulam Qadir, resident of Kun Kanyalan, Panthel, Tehsil Katra, District Reasi.…

JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday reiterated that his government remains firmly committed to the restoration of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that Article 370 continues to exist in the Constitution despite having been “hollowed out.” Winding up the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the Lieutenant Governor’s Address during the ongoing Budget Session of the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister said that Article 370 was not explicitly mentioned in the address as it has not been formally removed from the Constitution. “I want to reiterate that the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and this…

NEW DELHI: India’s research ecosystem is entering a decisive new phase with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) emerging as a catalyst for globally aligned, mission-driven and partnership-based research, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said at the ANRF Foundation Day Function held in New Delhi on Wednesday. The Foundation Day event was organised at Prithvi Bhawan, Ministry of Earth Sciences. The programme was attended by Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood; Secretary, Department…

HARIDWAR : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday attended the Idol Installation Ceremony of Swami Satyamitranand Giri Ji Maharaj at Haridwar in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. The Spiritual, Cultural and Sadguru Memorial Celebration was organised under the guidance of Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhara. Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor spoke about the profound economic, cultural and spiritual renaissance unfolding across the country, which he said is igniting a vibrant new consciousness in society. “With the blessings of revered saints, people are advancing steadfastly towards the vision of building a modern and transformed India,” the Lieutenant Governor…

JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today informed the House that the Government is actively working to revise and simplify the registration and renewal procedures for tourism-related establishments in Jammu and Kashmir. The Chief Minister was replying to supplementary questions during the Question Hour of the ongoing Budget Session 2026–27 of the J&K Legislative Assembly. He said that the registration and renewal of Guest Houses, Hotels, Homestays, Travel Agencies, Adventure Tour Operators and other tourism-related units are being carried out through an online system. The Chief Minister further stated that the registration and renewal process falls under the Public Services Guarantee…