The ceremony was also graced by Praful Patel, Administrator, UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

During the event, a special message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi was read out, extending his heartiest felicitations to the participating athletes and organizers.

Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is witnessing a new revolution in sports.

“We are committed to empower youth through the power of sports. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, India’s youth are redefining sports excellence and scripting a new history from playgrounds to podiums. The young sportspersons are not confined to traditional sports but they are conquering new grounds with sweat, dreams and victory,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor highlighted that the spectacular Khelo India Beach Games event reflects the Government of India’s commitment to nurture a strong sporting culture and India’s Youth Surge in Coastal Sports.

The Lieutenant Governor said that the Jammu & Kashmir is proud to be an active participant in this national sporting movement.

These games will build confidence and leadership that will spur rise of Gen Z athletes in global tournaments, he further said

The Lieutenant Governor called upon the athletes to act as brand ambassadors for ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ and share the warm hospitality and priceless culture of Diu with their respective regions.

“Khelo India Beach Games are not just about winning medals; they are a platform to project India’s ‘soft power’ and showcase our coastal tourism potential to the world,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

He said the Beach Games also remind us of our shared responsibility towards environmental sustainability and the preservation of our coastal ecosystems.

“Sports unite people beyond caste, religion, and region. Let us make these games a success through the power of unity and work towards making India a world-class sporting power,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor congratulated Praful Patel, Administrator, UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and the people of the Union Territory for successfully hosting the India’s first-ever multi-sport Beach Games in 2024 and the inaugural edition of the Khelo India Beach Games in 2025. He also extended his best wishes to all the athletes.

The 2026 edition follows the historic success of the inaugural games. Over the next five days, more than 1,300 athletes from 31 states and UTs will be participating in eight disciplines (6 competitive and 2 demonstration) including Beach Soccer, Beach Volleyball, Beach Sepak Takraw, Beach Kabaddi, Beach Pencak Silat, & Open water Swimming as Competitive and Beach Mallakhamb & Beach Tug of war as Demonstration.

Eminent sports personalities, senior officials, prominent citizens from different walks of life, sports enthusiasts and youth in large number attended the opening ceremony.

The post Committed to empower youth through power of sports: Lieutenant Governor appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The accused was produced before the court amid heavy security.

Principal District and Session judge (Special NIA Judge) Anju Bajaj Chandana remanded Dar in Judicial custody after hearing submissions of counsel for the agency. The court held the hearing in a closed room.

On December 36, the court had extended the custody of Dar.

A total of 15 people were killed and over two dozen others injured in the Delhi blast that occurred around 7 pm on November 10 in a moving Hyundai i20 car driven by one alleged suicide bomber, Umar Un Nabi.

NIA has forensically established the identity of the deceased driver of the vehicle-borne IED as Umar Un Nabi, a resident of Pulwama district and Assistant Professor in the General Medicine Department in Al Falah University at Faridabad.

The anti-terror agency has also seized another vehicle belonging to Nabi. The vehicle is being examined for evidence in the case, in which NIA has so far examined 73 witnesses, including those injured in the blast that rocked the national capital.

Working in close coordination with Delhi Police, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Haryana Police, Uttar Pradesh Police and various sister agencies, the NIA is continuing its investigation across states. (ANI)

The post Delhi Blast case: NIA court sends accused Yasir Ahmed Dar in judicial custody after interrogation appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

A spokesperson of the party said the meeting of the BJP legislative party was chaired by the BJP’s Jammu Kashmir unit chief, Sat Sharma, at the party headquarters in Trikuta Nagar.

Sharma said the forthcoming assembly session holds critical importance for raising the genuine concerns of the people and asked BJP MLAs to aggressively question the government and ensure that issues affecting common citizens are forcefully and effectively presented on the floor of the house.

He hailed the Centre’s Rs 1430 crore relief package for the Union Territory to mitigate damage to public property and other infrastructure during last year’s floods, saying the assistance reflects the Narendra Modi government’s deep commitment to heal the wounds of the affected families.

Senior BJP leader and MLA Surjit Singh Salathia said the party legislators are fully prepared to raise both constituency-specific issues and broader matters concerning the entire Union Territory during the assembly session.

The post BJP MLAs holds meeting ahead of J&K Assembly’s Budget Session appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Jammu & Kashmir is witnessing tangible progress in maternal and child health, positioning J&K among the better-performing regions in the country. For instance, the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in the Union Territory stands at 47 per 100,000 live births, substantially lower than the national average of 88. This achievement is attributed to improved institutional delivery care, wider availability of Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) and blood services, along with strengthened referral transport systems under the National Health Mission (NHM).

Jammu & Kashmir has also performed commendably in infant and neonatal health indicators. The Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) is 10 while the early NMR stands at 6, both significantly better than the national averages of 19 and 13, respectively. The Under-5 Mortality Rate in the UT is 15, compared to the national average of 29 while the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is 14, against the national average of 25.

The Union Territory has further achieved impressive immunization outcomes with full immunization coverage reaching 96.5 per cent, placing J&K among the highest-performing regions in the country. This progress is attributed to intensified routine immunization drives and robust monitoring mechanisms.

In another significant step, Jammu & Kashmir is introducing the HPV vaccine under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) for girls aged 14–15 years, reinforcing its preventive healthcare framework.

These achievements reflect the Union Territory’s sustained commitment towards strengthening the healthcare delivery and position Jammu & Kashmir among the better-performing States and Union Territories in the country.

The post J&K records significant gains in maternal, child healthcare appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) produced Malla at the Patiala House Court amid tight security on Saturday, upon the expiry of his 8-day NIA custody granted on December 26.

Mediapersons were barred from covering the proceedings.

The accused was produced before Principal District and Sessions Judge Anju Bajaj Chandna, who sent Malla to judicial custody till January 16.

NIA arrested Malla in Delhi on December 9 and termed him a key accused in the conspiracy.

According to the NIA probe, Malla knowingly provided logistical support to Dr Umar-un-Nabi, the suicide bomber who was driving the explosive-laden i20 car that blew up outside the Red Fort on November 10, killing 15 people.

Malla is also accused of destruction of evidence related to the terrorist attack, the agency said on December 9.

The NIA has arrested nine people in the case so far, including three doctors – Muzammil Ganaie, Adeel Rather and Shaheen Sayeed – and a religious preacher named Maulvi Irfan Ahmed Wagay.

The other five are Malla, Amir Rashid Ali, Soyab, Jasir Bilal Wani alias Danish and Yasir Ahmad Dar. MDB MNR ARI

The post Red Fort blast: Delhi court remands Dr Bilal Malla to judicial custody till Jan 16 appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

A top official told Greater Kashmir that the result cannot be declared without holding a meeting of Result Declaration Committee which is headed by the Chairman JKBOSE.

“Before declaring the result, a meeting of result declaration committee is convened to finalise the result and resolve any issues pertaining to it. But JKBOSE is without a chairman, due to which there is no clarity about declaration of the result,” the official said.

As already reported by this newspaper, the J&K government on December 13 of 2024 reconstituted a search committee for recommending the panel of the candidates for the appointment as Chairman JKBOSE and the Director Jammu and Kashmir State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT).

The Search Committee on April 4, 2025 held interaction with the shortlisted candidates for the post of Chairman JKBOSE and Director SCERT.

Following the interactions, a panel of three candidates each for the post of Chairman JKBOSE and Director SCERT, was submitted to the government to finalise the selection of the candidates.

Surprisingly, there was no headway in the process till the validity of the panel expired in six months.

Amid the delay in appointment of permanent chairman of JKBOSE, the charge was managed by the former Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary) Higher Education Department (HED) Shantmanu, who attained superannuation on December 31 of 2025.

Following this, JKBOSE was rendered headless leading to uncertainty about the declaration of the result.

“The result is in its final stage and at this crucial time, government should have not left the institution headless. The government should have given the charge of Chairman JKBOSE to some equivalent rank officer till the appointment of the permanent chairman of JKBOSE,” the official said.

The official said that JKBOSE was ready to declare the result of class 10^th on January 6 or 7 of 2026 but the delay in holding meeting of result declaration committee led to uncertainty.

This newspaper earlier reported that the JKBOSE was all set to declare the result of annual regular-2025 class 10th examination by the first week of January this year followed by the declaration of the result of class 12th and 11th class students by 3rd and last week of the January month.

“But we are now clueless without chairman. The declaration of the result has to be time bound process otherwise it has its own implications,” the official told Greater Kashmir.

This year, the annual regular-2025 examination of class 10th to 12th students commenced on November month of 2025.

As already reported by this newspaper, JKBOSE had announced 15 percent relaxation for students in class 10th, 11th and 12th annual examinations, in view of the disruptions faced by the students during the academic session.

As per the official figures, 94783 students- 68804 from Kashmir and 25,224 students from winter zone areas of Jammu division besides 660 students from Kargil and 95 from Leh district registered for the class 10th JKBOSE examination this year.

Also, the examination for class 11th and 12th students was scheduled from November 19 and November 8 of 2025 respectively.

Approximately, 81622 students – 64001 from Jammu and 17621 from winter zone areas of Jammu have registered for class 11th examination while 70117 students—56423 from Kashmir and 13694 from winter zone areas of Jammu have registered for class 12th examination.

The post No clarity on declaration of results as JKBOSE remains headless appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

As per the order copy issued, Mr. Latief Ahmad Poswal, Director Finance, Jalshakti Department shall hold the charge of the post of Director Finance, Power Development Department in addition to his own duties till Mr. Zahoor Ahmad Wani returns from leave.

Mr Showkat Ali Rather, District Treasury Officer, Budgam shall hold the charge of the post of District Treasury Officer and CAO, District Fund Office, Ganderbal in addition to his own duties, till Mr Sareer Ahmad Mir returns from leave.

Mr Ershad-ul-Haq Khan Manhas, Chief Accounts Officer, District Fund Office, Shopian shall hold the charge of the post of District Treasury Officer, Shopian in addition to his own duties, till Mr Muzaffar Ahmad Rather returns from leave.

Ms Vriti Uppal, Pay & AO Commercial Wing, JKPTCL, Jammu is transferred and posted as Accounts Officer, Directorate of Agriculture, Jammu vice Mr Vishnu Kant Sharma.

Mr Vijay Singh, Accounts Officer, Municipal Council, Kishtwar is transferred and posted as Accounts Officer, Municipal Council Doda vice Mr Romesh Kumar.

Mr Jagteshwar Singh, Accounts Officer/Instructor, Northern Zonal Accountancy Training Institute, Jammu is transferred and posted as Accounts Officer, Civil Aviation Department J&K relieving Mr Bilal Hussian of additional charge of the post.

Mr Vishnu Kant Sharma, Accounts Officer, Directorate of Agriculture, Jammu is transferred and posted as Accounts Officer, Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission relieving Mr Kuldeep Kumar of additional charge of the post.

Mr Mohd Syed Pir, Accounts Officer, in the office of Sr. Superintendent of Police, Handwara is transferred and posted as Additional Treasury Officer, District Treasury, Kupwara against available post.

Mr Romesh Kumar Bhagat, Accounts Officer, Municipal Council, Doda is transferred and posted as Accounts Officer, Municipal Council, Kishtwar vice Mr Vijay Singh.

Mr Surjeet Kumar, Accounts Officer, Ayurvedic Medical College & Hospital, Akhnoor is transferred and posted as Accounts Officer, Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services, J&K relieving Mr Sanjay Manhas of additional charge of the post.

Mr Raj Kumar, Accounts Officer, MRTC, Jammu is transferred and posted as Accounts Officer, Ayurvedic Medical College & Hospital, Akhnoor vice Mr Surjeet Kumar. He shall also hold the charge of the post of Accounts Officer, MRTC, Jammu in addition to his own duties, till further orders.

Mr Hilal Ahmad Wani, Accounts Officer, J&K Board of School Education, Kashmir shall hold the charge of the post of Accounts Officer, Chief Engineer, Mechanical & Hospital Engineering Department, Kashmir in addition to his own duties till Ms Bazila Javid returns from leave.

Mr Fayaz Ahmad Wani, Accounts Officer, Chief Engineer, JKPTCL, Kashmir shall hold the charge of the post of Accounts Officer, Chief Engineer (Planning and Procurement), KPDCL, Srinagar in addition to his own duties, till further orders.

Mr Abhinn Raina, Accounts Officer, Additional District Development Commissioner, Jammu shall hold the charge of the post of Accounts Officer, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu in addition to his own duties, till further orders.

Mr Abdul Rashid Bhat, Accounts Officer, District Fund Office, Kupwara shall hold the charge of the post of Accounts Officer, Sr. Superintendent of Police, Handwara in addition to his own duties, till further orders.

Mr Munish Kumar Spolia, Accounts Officer, Chief Engineer Project Wing, JPDCL, Jammu shall hold the charge of the post of Pay & AO Commercial Wing, JPTCL, Jammu in addition to his own duties, till further orders.

Mr Kuldeep Kumar, I/C Accounts Officer, Directorate of Design, Inspection & Quality Control shall hold the charge of the post of Accounts Officer, Chief Engineer, Mechanical Engineering Department, Jammu in addition to his own duties, till further orders.

The post Govt orders transfer, posting, assignment of additional charge of several officials in Finance Dept appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The IMD’s seasonal rainfall assessment for the period from October 1 to December 31, 2025 shows that the Union Territory received 77.5 millimetres of rainfall against a normal average of 127.7 millimetres. The data was issued by the Meteorological Centre, Srinagar.

District-wise figures indicate a pronounced rainfall deficiency across large parts of the Kashmir Valley. Srinagar recorded 53.8 millimetres of rainfall against a normal of 109.1 millimetres, reflecting a deficit of 51 percent. Baramulla received 56.2 millimetres compared to the normal 132.2 millimetres, while Budgam registered 32 millimetres against an expected 78.9 millimetres, placing both districts in the deficient category.

Shopian emerged as one of the worst-affected districts, reporting a sharp deficit of 78 percent with only 21.8 millimetres of rainfall against a normal of 100.4 millimetres. Kulgam recorded a deficit of 65 percent, Kishtwar 76 percent, and Kargil and Leh districts in Ladakh also witnessed extremely low precipitation levels. Other districts including Anantnag, Bandipore, Kupwara, Ganderbal and Pulwama remained below normal rainfall levels.

In contrast, Poonch district recorded above-normal rainfall with a surplus of 26 percent, while Rajouri remained close to normal levels. Some districts in the Jammu division, including Doda and Reasi, showed comparatively better rainfall distribution during the period.

Meteorological officials cautioned that sustained rainfall deficiency during the winter season could have implications for water availability, agriculture and horticulture in the coming months if normal precipitation patterns are not restored. [KNT]

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The amount has been released against a total sanctioned package of Rs 1,430 crore, approved for rebuilding infrastructure damaged due to floods and cloudburst incidents, including the devastating Kishtwar cloudburst.

Officials told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the sanction for the reconstruction package has been approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs, following assessments of damage in vulnerable and flood-prone areas, particularly in the Jammu region.

The funds will be utilised for the reconstruction of public infrastructure and other essential facilities in flood-affected localities. Areas prone to recurrent flooding in Jammu will be prioritised to ensure long-term resilience and safety of inhabitants.

The package also covers rehabilitation measures linked to the Kishtwar cloudburst, which had caused extensive damage to roads, buildings and public utilities.

Authorities said the deadline for completion of reconstruction and rehabilitation works under the sanctioned package has been set for August 2026. Implementing agencies have been directed to ensure timely execution and proper utilisation of funds.

Officials added that the release of the first installment will accelerate on-ground works and provide relief to affected communities, while further installments will be released in phases based on progress and compliance with guidelines.

The Centre reiterated its commitment to supporting Jammu and Kashmir in disaster recovery and strengthening infrastructure to mitigate future risks. [KNT]

The post Centre releases Rs 944 crore for flood-hit J&K reconstruction appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

In line with the Board regulations, the syllabus has already outlived its validity and thus no further chances will be given to failure/ re- appear students to take up examinations under the old scheme of studies.

According to a notification issued by the Board, the concerned candidates have been advised to prepare as per the new syllabus for the annual private/ bi-annual examinations slated later this year after the conclusion of the summer zone examinations and the declaration of the annual results.

The notification has been issued well in advance to advise the students of the old course to timely switch over to the new syllabus for appearing in annual private/ bi-annual examinations in 2026 and thereafter.

It has been observed that the number of students who still have not cleared the examinations under the old scheme of studies is insignificant.

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