Jammu Bulletin

13 dead, over 50 injured as 2 passenger trains collide in AP

editor October 30, 2023

VISAKHAPATNAM: Two trains crashed on the Howrah-Chennai line in the Vizianagaram region of Andhra Pradesh on Sunday evening, resulting in at least 13 fatalities and over 50 injuries, according to authorities. Three coaches of the Palasa passenger train derailed when it collided with the Rayagada passenger train at Kankatapalli at approximately 7:00 p.m., according to a senior East Coast Railway (ECR) official. At least fifty individuals were hurt, according to information from Vizianagaram Collector S Nagalakshmi. The injured were being moved to hospitals in Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram, according to a senior railway official. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated in a post on X that the government has declared ex-gratia payments for the victims.The injured were all moved to hospitals. On the microblogging platform, he stated, "Ex-gratia compensation disbursement started at Rs 10 Lakh in case of death, Rs 2 Lakh towards grievous injuries, and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries." Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, expressed shock at the tragedy and directed officials to provide ex-gratia payments to the relatives of the deceased, each of whom would receive Rs 10 lakh, and to the injured, each of whom will receive Rs 2 lakh. According to an official announcement, he also declared compensation of Rs 2 lakh for each of the deceased's family and Rs 50,000 for each of the injured from neighbouring states. Saurabh Prasad, the Divisional Railway Manager, visited the accident scene. We will be able to determine the precise number of deceased once that is completed. Thirteen injured individuals have been transferred to the government primary healthcare facility. Some others might have minor injuries, according to Prasad, who spoke to news agency. He continued by saying that after the entangled coaches are separated, they will have a better image. "From the accident scene, we have taken in 32 injured passengers, some of them are critically ill. Additionally, a few injured passengers have been admitted to different hospitals, according to Dr. Anila Sunandini, Vizianagaram's Government General Hospital's superintendent.The accident occurred at approximately 7 p.m. in the Waltair division of the East Coast Railway zone, between Alamanda and Kantakapalli in the Vizianagaram-Kottavalasa railway segment, according to Biswajit Sahu, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of the ECR. He added that the Rayagada passenger had overshot the signal and that trains 08504 (Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger special) and 08532 (Visakhapatnam-Palasa passenger) were both engaged in the collision. The official said that the locomotive of the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger train and two cars from the back of the Visakhapatnam-Palasa passenger train derailed. The DRM, Waltair, and his team are on the scene and are conducting rescue efforts. According to the official, accident relief trains and other emergency apparatus have been activated.Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in contact with the minister of railways, the PMO stated on X, and all necessary help is being given to individuals who are impacted. In the wake of the tragic train derailment between Alamanda and Kantakapalle segment, @narendramodi spoke with Railway Minister Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw and assessed the situation. Authorities are helping those affected as much as they can. The statement read, "The Prime Minister wishes the injured people a speedy recovery and sends his condolences to the relatives of the deceased. All passengers have been moved from the scene of the collision, according to Vaishnaw. "Actions for rescue are in progress.Every passenger has been moved. @narendramodi Ji went over the circumstances. Chatted with Andhra Pradesh's chief minister. Railway staff and state government officials are closely coordinating," he stated on X. Reddy gave the go-ahead for rescue efforts by the officers. He requested that they set up enough ambulances to transport the wounded. Minister Botcha Satyanarayana of Andhra Pradesh arrived as well and is in charge of the rescue efforts. There are also district officials from Vizianagaram at the location. The darkness is impeding the rescue efforts.…

Breaking News header Jammu and Kashmir National

Not possible for Kashmiri Pandits to return to Kashmir despite Govt efforts: Dr. Singh

editor October 30, 2023

NEW DELHI: According to Dr. Karan Singh, a distinguished academic, former Union Minister, and scion of the former State of Jammu and Kashmir, it will not be feasible for Kashmiri Pandits to return to their native land. "I'm frequently asked if Kashmiri Pandits are allowed to return to their homeland. Singh, a Shaivism expert, stated, "I believe it is impossible for Kashmiri Pandits to return to Kashmir, despite the efforts of many Governments to do so. "Successive Governments have constructed safe zones for them, but they are not able to go back to Kashmir," Singh went on. Some people manage to return, but others are unable to do so.For the Kashmiri Pandits, the government has also planned numerous activities, but he continued, "I'm not sure how they can go right now. During the launch of Avanti Sopory's book "Ancient & Lost Temples of Kashmir," Karan Singh spoke these things. He claimed that Kashmiri Pandits were responsible for what he had learned in life. "I get all of my knowledge from Kashmiri Pandits, or vidya. I shall always be grateful to them. However, I find it heartbreaking to witness the struggles this intelligent, well-spoken, and educated community faces," Singh remarked. He added that it is a reality that Kashmir has suffered numerous tragedies over the years, with the Pandit migration of 1989–1990 being the sixth such catastrophe in the history of the area."Kashmir was known worldwide for Buddhism and then Hinduism, but everything that Kashmir stood for was destroyed by Afghans, Turks, and Mughals. Kashmir even hosted a significant Buddhist meeting in the past. Karan Singh stated, "Kashmiri Pandits were only allowed to return to their homeland during our era, which was the Dogras' control over the Valley. He claimed that the Pandits of Kashmir are resilient and have never given up. "You, the Kashmiri Pandit, have an unwavering spirit. You leave your mark on the community wherever you go. You have a battling attitude and have never given up," Singh exclaimed. He stated that, luckily, the rich Hindu heritage of Kashmir has not been thoroughly researched or documented. Great Hindu emperors ruled over Kashmir. Prominent Hindu poets, builders, philosophers, and a wealth of Hindu history from Kashmir, which has sadly not been well documented or presented," Singh said. In a same vein, he claimed, Kashmir has also had Dogra kings, whose histories have likewise been misrepresented and inadequately documented. "The Dogra dynasty was responsible for expanding India's borders to include China, Tibet, and Central Asia. The Marathas were unable to expand India's borders, but we Dogras were able to do so. They engaged in combat inside India's borders. However, none of this is adequately written about or given to the public," Singh remarked. He made a point of pointing to Kashmir's other well-known roads and hospitals, including the renowned Boulevard Road, saying, "All this was built by us." He added that while Maharaja Gulab Singh and Zorawar Singh were only Sikh Empire foot soldiers, they were able to establish one of the most illustrious powers in Indian history by pure willpower and skill. In her book introduction, Sopory stated that we should inform the public about the fruitful conversations that have taken place in Kashmir over the previous two millennia concerning Buddhism, Sanskrit, science, and medicine."We need to do it; if we don't do it, then who will?" she uttered in Kashmiri. She brought to the attention of her audience the period when prominent individuals from China, Persia, and Central Asia would travel to Kashmir and establish the region as the centre of discussions in literature and science. Regarding the temples in Kashmir, Karan Singh stated that his family's Dharma Trust has been doing everything within its power to maintain them operational in Kashmir. For example, many people are unaware of the existence of a temple maintained by the Army in the Pandraten region. In Kashmir, it has been operating smoothly for the past few years, according to Singh. Sopory noted that just three of Kashmir's old temples remain intact: the Parvati (Sharika) temple in Srinagar's Hari Parbat fort; the Kheer Bhawani in Ganderbal; and the Shankaracharya or Jyeshteshwara temple in Srinagar.…

Breaking News header Jammu and Kashmir National Political

Would never invoke religion for votes: Azad

editor October 30, 2023

JAMMU: Ghulam Nabi Azad, the chairman of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), declared on Sunday that he would never engage in hate speech or use religious arguments to win support. The people were also assured by the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir that he would never discriminate against any religion and that his politics will always be grounded in moral and social principles. "My worldview does not support using religion to further hatred and influence politics. "I firmly believe in the politics of merit and hard work," Azad declared while speaking at a public gathering in the Ramban neighbourhood. He claimed that, as seen by the event, people value progressive and constructive politics without communal cards being played."Thousands of people have attended my rally because they value and respect the development initiatives I spearheaded in the area while serving as chief minister of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. "I assure you that more such projects will come up and Ramban will be one of the modern districts in the country if I am given a chance to serve my people again," the leader of the DPAP stated. Throughout his lengthy political career, the former Union minister claimed he has never discriminated against or assisted someone because of their religious affiliation. "Because if we practise such tactics, it can prove to be disastrous and insidious," he said. Since everyone benefits from the colleges, hospitals, and other development initiatives that Azad brought to Jammu and Kashmir, he claimed that his work testifies for his support of pluralism. He declared that he would advance his developmental programme if his party were elected to power. "We want to work for all people, regardless of their social class or religion, so that there is no prejudice and everyone benefits. I'll concentrate on constructing more hospitals and colleges in remote locations," he declared. According to Azad, there would be more road network expansion and connections between rural areas and cities and towns. "This will, in turn, ensure economic growth and job opportunities for our people," he stated. [caption id="attachment_4664" align="alignnone" width="300"] Would never invoke religion for votes: Azad[/caption]

Breaking News header International Jammu and Kashmir National

J&K border residents take to cleaning bunkers in wake of Pakistan shelling

editor October 30, 2023

JAMMU: Residents along the international border have started digging out subterranean bunkers that have been built over the years as a place to take refuge, following days after Pakistani Rangers breached the truce by attacking forward posts and communities along the border. The residents are calling for more of these buildings to be built so they may escape the cross-border shelling, and a big cleaning operation is in progress to make the bunkers livable. Sarpanch of Treva village in Arnia, Balbir Kour, said, "We cannot trust Pakistan and have started a drive to clean the bunkers to make them usable."India and Pakistan have a 3,323 km border, with Jammu and Kashmir hosting 221 km of the IB and 744 km of the Line of Control. The people who live near the LoC and the IB experienced a great sense of relief when India and Pakistan declared on February 25, 2021, that a new ceasefire would be implemented along their borders in Jammu and Kashmir. A ceasefire deal was first signed by the two nations in 2003, but Pakistan routinely broke it; in 2020, there were over 5,000 recorded violations, the most in a single year. The Centre has approved the construction of 14,460 individual and communal bunkers in five districts of Jammu, Kathua, and Samba in December 2017 to protect the people along the border from Pakistani fire. These districts included the villages along the IB and Poonch and Rajouri villages on the LoC. Later, the government authorised more than 4,000 more bunkers for the population that was most at risk. A BSF jawan and a lady were hurt during the about seven-hour-long Pakistan Rangers firing in the Arnia area of the R S Pura sector on Thursday night. This was the first significant ceasefire breach since 2021. Two BSF men were hurt on October 17 when Pakistani gunfire targeted their post.In the midst of intense gunfire and mortar shelling on Thursday night, many terrified individuals—including migrant labourers harvesting paddy—ran to safer locations but later returned home when the guns stopped firing. During two flag meetings in the last ten days, the BSF and its Pakistani counterparts have already voiced a strong objection, emphasising the necessity of maintaining the ceasefire in the greater interest of peace and tranquilly along the border. Kour urged the locals to care for the bunkers like their homes, saying, "After 2018, our villages were pounded with mortars, but we could not use most of the bunkers because we paid no attention to their cleaning." She claimed that before to the truce, the populace had experienced the worst. "I'm worried about the safety of the residents of this panchayat. We currently have seven communal and fifteen individual bunkers, but more are required to protect every home within the Pakistani shelling range." Locals claim that most of the bunkers are covered in wild vegetation and floods, which serves as a haven for snakes and other deadly insects. They also lack electricity and restrooms. "Almost all of the community bunkers have been cleared," ward number five resident Prerna stated.Nirmala Devi had never been fired by Pakistan before, so this was a novelty for her. "If we keep the bunkers clean, we need not flee our villages amid shelling." In order to evaluate the loss, Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar visited the border villages on Saturday with a group of senior civil and police officials, including Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Anand Jain. In addition to Arnia, residents of Jammu, Samba, and Kathua who live near the border have also begun cleaning the security bunkers in their communities. During his visit to the areas impacted by Pakistan, President Rattan Lal Gupta of Jammu province led a team of the National Conference that criticised the government for "not doing enough" to protect the border population. "Despite being built with great fanfare, the bunkers are now worthless because of inadequate upkeep, which has left most of them submerged under rainwater. The government's inaction has resulted in the depletion of the public coffers due to the bunkers' apparent lack of value, according to Gupta. [caption id="attachment_4661" align="alignnone" width="300"] J&K border residents take to cleaning bunkers…

Breaking News header Jammu and Kashmir National Political

J&K receives investment proposal worth Rs 86,000 cr: LG

editor October 30, 2023

PULWAMA: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha of Jammu and Kashmir stated on Sunday that the Union Territory has received investment bids totaling Rs 86,000 crore, indicating the region's growing popularity as a destination for both domestic and foreign investors. "The Industries and Commerce Department has received investment bids totaling Rs 86,000 crore. Speaking at an event at the Industrial Complex at Lassipora, 35 kilometres from Srinagar, Sinha stated that people both inside and outside the nation saw J&K as a preferred investment destination.As he opened 12 outlets with a controlled atmosphere here, Sinha stated that the government was making every effort to see that these investment plans become real projects that would benefit the people of Jammu and Kashmir in terms of growth and well-being. "While we are attempting to implement these ideas, development is impossible without peace. Security personnel will carry out their duties, but citizens must speak out against efforts to sabotage the peace. We won't spare the offenders, but we won't damage or unnerve innocent people," he continued. Speaking about the 12 publically owned controlled environment stores as a profitable economic venture, Sinha predicted that farmers will benefit greatly from them."It (the new storage) will create jobs for 500–600 people and enhance capacity by 60,000 tonnes. There is still room for more; this is just the beginning. He stated that horticulture has enormous potential and boundless opportunities, noting that over the previous six months, the industry has received investment bids totaling Rs 1,250 crore. The CA businesses are a secure investment because they are consistently occupied all year long," he said. According to the LG, 259 additional CA outlets are planned, which should result in the employment of 15,000–16,000 individuals. Regarding the actions made to advance agriculture in Jammu and Kashmir, Sinha stated that the nation has acknowledged the importance of allied sectors and agriculture in the Union Territory. "The welfare of farmers, including the 2.6 lakh marginal farmers as well as the large farmers, has been given priority by the Jammu and Kashmir administration," he stated. He added that the PM Fasal Bima Yojna was being worked on to include horticulture produce. "A farmer training portal has been established. We are also considering the possibilities of lowering losses that occur after harvest. "There is no state receiving as much incentive as J&K has received from PM Modi," he continued. [caption id="attachment_4658" align="alignnone" width="300"] J&K receives investment proposal worth Rs 86,000 cr: LG[/caption]

Breaking News header Jammu and Kashmir National

Police Inspector Playing Cricket Shot By Terrorists In Downtown Srinagar, Critically Wounded

editor October 29, 2023

SRINAGAR, Oct 29: Terrorists shot and gravely injured a Jammu and Kashmir Police officer on Sunday in central Srinagar, according to police. According to the officials, terrorists shot Inspector Masroor Ahmad Wani while he was playing cricket at the Eidgah pitch with several local lads. The wounded cop was flown to a medical facility. He was receiving care from doctors, who said that his condition was critical.The Kashmir Zone Police said, "Terrorists fired upon & injured Inspector Masroor Ahmad near Eidgah, Srinagar," in a post on X, formerly Twitter. He was taken right away to the hospital to receive care. According to preliminary investigation, this terror act involved the use of a firearm. Section blocked off, complaint filed. [caption id="attachment_4653" align="alignnone" width="300"] Police Inspector Playing Cricket Shot By Terrorists In Downtown Srinagar, Critically Wounded[/caption]

Business header National

Centre Asks States Not To Impose Tax Or Duty On Power Generation

editor October 29, 2023

NEW DELHI, Oct 29: The Central government has requested that states refrain from imposing any taxes or duties on electricity produced by any source, including wind, solar, hydro, or coal, adding that doing so would be unlawful and unconstitutional. In a circular published on October 25, the Union Ministry of Power stated that it had been brought to the attention of the Central Government that several State Governments had placed extra fees on the production of electricity from different sources, purporting to be development free/charges/fund.It stated that it is unlawful and unconstitutional to impose such additional costs or fees in the form of taxes or duties on the production of energy, which includes all forms of generation, including nuclear, solar, wind, and thermal. The ministry clarified the constitutional position by stating that the VII Schedule expressly states the authority to impose taxes and charges. The states' authority to impose taxes and duties is listed in entries 45 through 63 of List II of the VII Schedule. Since the Central Government has residuary powers, the State Governments cannot impose any taxes or charges that are not clearly listed in this list, it stated. The states are permitted to impose taxes on the sale or consumption of energy within their borders per Entry-53 of the List-II (State List).This excludes the authority to levy any fees or charges on the production of electricity. This is due to the fact that electricity produced on a state's territory may be used in other states, and no state has the authority to impose taxes or other obligations on its citizens, according to the decision. The ministry continued by saying that where a supply of products or services occurs outside of a state, Article-286 of the Constitution expressly forbids states from charging any taxes or charges on that supply. Additionally, taxes on the sale or consumption of electricity purchased by the Central Government or consumed by it for use by the Government or its agencies are prohibited by Articles 287 and 288.The directives said that no state might impose taxes or levies on electricity generation or interstate delivery under the pretence of charging more or offering a free service for electricity generated from any source, including renewables, hydropower, or thermal energy, in accordance with the requirements of the constitution. The federal government requested that states immediately eliminate any taxes, duties, or fees imposed under the pretence of funding for the generation of power from whatever source. The Ministry had requested in April that states refrain from levying any taxes or duties on electricity generation, particularly from hydroelectric projects. Under the pretence of imposing a cess on the use of water for electricity generation, many states have levied taxes or levies on the production of electricity.However, the power ministry had stated on April 25 that "even though the state may call it a water cess, it is actually a tax on the generation of electricity-the tax is to be collected from the consumers of electricity who may happen to be residents in other states." It said that any tax imposed on the non-consumptive usage of these rivers' water for the production of power would be unconstitutional. The ministry had claimed that hydroelectric projects don't use water to generate electricity, noting that the majority of them are situated on interstate rivers. Similar to how energy from wind projects is produced, electricity is produced by guiding the flow of water via a turbine. The wind is used to turn the turbine, producing power. As a result, the ministry declared that there was no justification for imposing an air or water cess. [caption id="attachment_4650" align="alignnone" width="300"] Centre Asks States Not To Impose Tax Or Duty On…

Breaking News header Jammu and Kashmir National

Sanitary pad vending machines at over 1000 J&K schools soon

editor October 29, 2023

SRINAGAR: The Union Ministry of Education (MoE) has approved the installation of sanitary pad vending and incineration machines in over 1000 government schools in Jammu and Kashmir, in response to growing concerns about the high school dropout rate among females due to menstrual hygiene difficulties. According to officials, the officially supported Samargra Shiksha programme would construct and commission the sanitary pad selling machines and incinerators in 1,025 government schools throughout the Union Territory (UT). In the upcoming days, the installation and commissioning of these equipment will begin.According to experts, surveys have shown that it is challenging for girls to attend school because of a lack of understanding about menstruation, limited access to sanitary goods, and an unwelcoming school climate. "At least 1025 government schools, including 74 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas and 951 high and higher secondary schools, were approved by MoE for the installation of sanitary pad vending machines and incinerator machines," a Samagra Shiksha official stated in a communiqué to the chief education officers (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir.The CEOs have been requested to give the head of the designated schools' institutions instructions on where best to put the equipment on school property. "Schools where electrical fitting is not available, the expenditure incurred on it shall be met from school electric fund and annual school grant," it states. According to an official, a UNICEF survey for India also showed that more than 85% of girls in the nation utilised cloth during their periods rather than the readily accessible and safer sanitary napkins made inexpensively there.Medical professionals estimate that most girls begin their menstrual cycle around the age of twelve. To ensure that their children are ready and knowledgeable, parents should speak with their daughters and schools should start educating their pupils at a young age. [caption id="attachment_4647" align="alignnone" width="300"] Sanitary pad vending machines at over 1000 J&K schools soon[/caption]

Breaking News header National

IED Device Caused Blast At Convention Centre In Kerala: State Police Chief

editor October 29, 2023

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 29:An improvised explosive device (IED) was the cause of the explosion at a convention centre in Kerala on Sunday that left one person dead and 36 injured, according to state DGP Shaik Darvesh Saheb. Reporters were informed by the State Police Chief that an IED was the cause of the explosion based on the results of an initial investigation. "We're looking into it," he stated. According to the DGP, "there was an explosion this morning at approximately 9:40 am in the Zamrah International Convention Centre in Kalamassery in which one person died and 36 people are undergoing treatment."There were differing accounts regarding the quantity of explosions, though. State Ministers V N Vasavan and Antony Raju reported two bombs, but Congress MP Hibi Eden from Ernakulam claimed many explosives based on an account from one of his colleagues who attended the convention. The ministers stated, "What they have told us is that there were two blasts according to the initial findings." When questioned if it was a terror attack, the DGP responded that he was unable to comment at this time. "I can only verify the specifics following the investigation. We are looking at every angle. The senior police official declared, "We're going to find out who's behind this and we're going to take tough action against them." In addition, he requested people to refrain from posting offensive or hateful content on social media and to keep the peace and remain composed. He cautioned that disseminating hateful or inflammatory content on social media will result in harsh punishment. The DGP added that a Special Investigative Team (SIT) will be assembled as soon as he arrived at the scene of the explosion. Vasavan and Raju, meanwhile, informed the reporters that the NIA was among the numerous central agencies on the site. They added that there were about 2,300 individuals in attendance when the event happened, at roughly 9:38 a.m. on the final day of the convention. The ministers, which included state Revenue Minister K Rajan, said that at the time of the explosion, individuals were closing their eyes in prayer. They said that attendees of the event travelled from all around the state. The explosions happened at the Jehovah's Witnesses convention, a Christian organisation that was founded in the United States in the 1800s. Official reports state that the explosion left one woman dead and thirty-six injured. [caption id="attachment_4644" align="alignnone" width="300"] IED Device Caused Blast At Convention Centre In Kerala: State Police…

header National Political

Sikh Community Has Done A Lot To Protect Sanatan Dharma: Rajnath

editor October 29, 2023

Lucknow, Oct 29: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated on Sunday that the Sikh community has made significant contributions to preserving Sanatan Dharma and that Sikhs initiated the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, which will always be remembered by Indians. During Prakash Utsav of Guru Granth Sahib, Singh spoke to a group in Lucknow's Alambagh Gurudwara. "The Sanatan Dharma has been well-protected by the Sikh community. No Indian can overlook their effort for Ram Janmabhoomi either, Singh added."I wanted to share an important fact based on official government records," he stated. An FIR states that on December 1, 1858, a group of Sikhs carrying banners honouring Guru Govind Singh took control of the building and scrawled "Ram Ram" all over the walls. He said, "The Sikhs started the Ram Janmbhoomi Andolan." Singh claimed that while rights are the topic of conversation these days, duties are not. He declared, "The Sikh community is one whose percentage of those who gave their lives for the country and whose percentage in the Army is greater than their population percentage." [caption id="attachment_4641" align="alignnone" width="300"] Sikh Community Has Done A Lot To Protect Sanatan Dharma: Rajnath[/caption]

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