RTI Activist Urges Speaker, CM to Hold Stress Management Session for MLAs

Jammu, 12/Feb/2026: In the wake of the recent heated atmosphere witnessed in the J&K Legislative Assembly, Jammu-based RTI Activist Raman Sharma has urged the  Speaker and Chief Minister to organise a stress management session for all MLAs.

 He said that during the recent proceedings, sharp arguments, shouting and instances of unparliamentary gestures  were seen from several members across party lines. While differences of opinion are natural in a democracy, the dignity and decorum of the House must always be maintained. The Assembly is a respected institution and its proceedings should reflect discipline and mutual respect. He also appreciated the other MLAs who maintain strict discipline in the house despite heated debates.

Sharma suggested that a stress management and behavioural session conducted by experienced professionals could help members remain calm during debates, manage pressure and express their views in a balanced and respectful manner.

 The RTI Activist  further stated that both the ruling side and the opposition should try to understand each other’s perspective, as all members are elected representatives who have entered the Assembly on the strength of public votes.

 He requested Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Assembly  Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma to hold more informal interaction programmes, and lunch gatherings, to improve understanding among members and reduce bitterness.

J & K’s Forgotten Olympic Sport

by: Chetan Prabhakar

      chetanprabhakar@gmail.com

Sporting excellence is never accidental. It is the outcome of sustained planning, professional coaching, functional infrastructure, and institutional accountability. Every medal earned at the national or international level reflects not just individual talent, but the strength of the system supporting that athlete. In Jammu & Kashmir, however, the trajectory of swimming has long reflected a different reality—one marked by prolonged neglect, missing fundamentals, and delayed institutional response. Despite being an Olympic discipline, swimming in J&K has remained on the margins of sports development.

Swimming is among the most technical and physically demanding sports. Performance depends on early talent identification, year-round access to standard facilities, structured training cycles, and professional coaching supervision. Across India, States such as Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Haryana have invested consistently in aquatic infrastructure and coaching ecosystems. These States operate Olympic-size 50-metre pools, appoint qualified government coaches, conduct regular state championships, and ensure consistent participation in national competitions and flagship programmes such as Khelo India.

In Jammu & Kashmir, the situation has historically been starkly different. For more than a decade, there has been no functional 50-metre government swimming pool dedicated to athletes. This absence alone has had a cascading effect on the entire swimming ecosystem. Competitive swimming at the national and international level is conducted almost exclusively in 50-metre pools. Training in shorter or improvised facilities affects stroke efficiency, endurance, pacing, turns, and race strategy. Expecting swimmers from J&K to compete on equal footing at national championships without regular exposure to standard pools is structurally unfair.

Equally damaging has been the absence of government-appointed swimming coaches in the Union Territory. As a result, swimmers have largely been left to learn “here and there,” relying on fragmented guidance, informal arrangements, or short-term training opportunities. There has been no structured coaching hierarchy, no consistent long-term training methodology, and no systematic performance monitoring. Talent has existed, but it has remained unguided.

The systemic neglect extends further. For years together, swimming in J&K has suffered from the absence of regular, state-recognised championships. Without officially recognised state competitions, swimmers are denied a legitimate platform to benchmark performance, qualify for higher events, or gain competitive maturity. State championships are the backbone of any sport’s development pipeline; their absence effectively breaks the pathway from grassroots to elite levels.

The consequences of this breakdown are visible in participation statistics. Swimmers from Jammu & Kashmir have not been consistently represented at National Swimming Championships through Sports Council and Khelo India for extended periods, not due to lack of interest or talent, but due to the absence of structured selection processes, qualifying competitions, and institutional support. Even more concerning is the continued non-participation of J&K swimmers in Khelo India swimming events for years together, despite Khelo India being the country’s premier platform for nurturing young sporting talent.The National Games of India 2025 further exposed the fragility of the system, where selection and participation of swimmers from J&K were marred by allegations of political influence rather than objective sporting merit.

Khelo India was conceived precisely to bridge gaps between States, provide exposure to young athletes, and create a national performance pipeline. When swimmers from an entire Union Territory remain absent from this ecosystem year after year, it reflects not athlete failure, but systemic exclusion. Opportunities lost at the Khelo India stage often translate into permanently lost careers.

In this difficult environment, the role of the Jammu and Kashmir Police deserves explicit acknowledgment. By providing access to their pool facilities and coaching support, the Police have played a crucial role in ensuring that swimmers from the region are at least able to train and occasionally participate at the national level. Without this institutional support, competitive swimming in J&K may not have survived at all.

However, while commendable, such support cannot substitute for a comprehensive, civilian-led sports development system. Police facilities are not designed to function as elite training centres, nor can they replace structured state programmes. As a result, while swimmers may reach national competitions sporadically, achieving medals or competing on par with swimmers from other States remains extremely difficult.

Elite performance in swimming requires lifelong, structured training beginning at a young age. This includes scientific periodisation, strength and conditioning, agility training, recovery protocols, nutrition planning, injury management, and psychological preparation. None of this can be sustained without a standard 50-metre pool, professional coaches, regular competitions, and assured exposure to national platforms. These elements have been missing in J&K for far too long.

The Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council was constituted with a clear vision and mission: to promote sports, identify talent, and facilitate athlete progression from grassroots to elite levels. Once the State, through such an institution, undertakes sports governance—by framing policies, allocating budgets, appointing coaches, maintaining infrastructure, and conducting selections—it assumes a public responsibility to create the minimum conditions necessary for athletes to compete fairly at the national level.

Encouragingly, a recent assurance by the Secretary of the J&K Sports Council has brought cautious optimism. It has been stated that 50-metre swimming pools in both the Jammu and Kashmir regions are proposed to be made functional by the end of March 2026, and that proposals will be initiated for specialised and elite coaching support along with structured training programmes. This acknowledgment of long-standing deficiencies is significant.

If implemented within the stated timeframe, these measures could mark a turning point. Functional 50-metre pools, combined with professional coaching, recognised state championships, regular national participation, and inclusion in Khelo India, would finally place swimmers from J&K on a credible developmental pathway.

What will matter now is execution. Timelines must be honoured, competitions reinstated, selection systems made transparent, and participation in national platforms ensured. Vision statements must translate into water, lanes, stopwatches, recognised championships, and measurable progress.
Swimming in Jammu & Kashmir stands at a crossroads. With sincere implementation, it can move from survival to structured growth. Without it, the sport risks remaining what it has long been—an Olympic discipline remembered in name, but forgotten in practice. About Author: Chetan Prabhakar is an Advocate at J & K High Court.

CWC Orders Immediate Action to Protect Children Used for Begging in Jammu

 RAAG  NGO'S  EFFORT  YIELDS  RESULTS    

Jammu, 03/02/ 2026: The Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Jammu, has directed immediate action to protect minor children found being used for begging at traffic junctions and other public places in Jammu city. Such children fall under the category of “Children in Need of Care and Protection” under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.

  The Child Welfare Committee, through its Chairperson Vidhi Dubey, has issued an order dated 03-02-2026, following the complaint filed by Research and Advocacy Group-RAAG through its Co-Convener Advocate Madhavi Sambyal, raising concern of the grave risks posed to the lives, health, and dignity of the children used for begging, particularly in severe winter conditions and hazardous traffic environments.  

In its order dated the Committee directed the District Child Protection Officer, Jammu, to conduct Children In Street Situation (CISS) Drive on all traffic junctions of Jammu City and rescue children who are being used for the purpose of begging, conduct their comprehensive medical examination and produce them before the CWC for further proceedings. It also asked the DCPO to follow up the cases of all Children rescued/rehabilitated during the previous Children in Street Situation (CISS) drives.  

The complaint filed by RAAG had specifically highlighted that children are being used as tools for solicitation at traffic junctions in Jammu; and that such acts attract penal consequences under Sections 76 and 77 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. Serious concerns were also raised regarding the possibility of organized exploitation, trafficking, and even intoxication of children to keep them passive, all of which require immediate investigation.

RAAG welcomed the order and said it hopes that the directions will lead to consistent action on the ground, ensuring that vulnerable children are kept away from unsafe public spaces and provided care, dignity and protection.

 

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RAAG Files Petition for Protection of Children Used for Begging in Jammu

Jammu, 29/January/2026:The Research and 

Advocacy Group (RAAG), a registered Voluntary organization of Jammu and Kashmir engaged in socio-legal research and Social welfare cause, has filed a petition before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) Jammu seeking urgent intervention for the protection and rehabilitation of minor children allegedly being used for begging at major traffic junctions in Jammu city.

In a separate complaint submitted to the District Magistrate, Jammu, on the same issue, the organisation has also demanded substantive and precautionary measures by the district administration to curb the exploitation of children.

In its plea the  RAAG organization has highlighted the recurring and disturbing sight of  Jammu city wherein women carrying infants and very young children while collecting alms(Money) from motorists at prominent locations including Satwari Chowk, Bikram Chowk and others. In the petition, the  organization has alleged that these children remain exposed for long hours to harsh winter conditions, heavy vehicular traffic, air pollution and a constant risk of road accidents, posing a grave threat to their life, health, safety and dignity.

Petition has been submitted by Advocate Madhvi Sambyal, Founder and Co-Convener of RAAG  wherein it has been stated that  under Section 2(14) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, any child found begging or being used for the purpose of begging is categorised as a “Child in Need of Care and Protection”, thereby mandating immediate rescue and intervention by statutory authorities. The complaint further points out that the use of a child for begging constitutes a punishable offence under Section 76 of the Act.

The petition also demands medical examination of such children to rule out the possibility of administration of intoxicating or harmful substances, an offence punishable under Section 77 of the Act.

RAAG has urged the Child Welfare Committee to conduct detailed inquiries into the identity of the victim children , role of the accompanying adults, and order medical screening.  The organisation has also sought scientific procedures to rule out trafficking or organised exploitation.

While elaborating further about her petition , Advocate Madhvi Sambyal said ‘ It is the collective responsibility of the state and society to take care of the minor children, we cannot allow them to be exploited’. She also invited young volunteers to join the mission of RAAG organization based on legal and constitutional values.                

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How Wind Energy Can Cater J&K’s Energy Demand

 

 

How Wind Energy Can Cater J&K’s Energy Demand

                       “Power in the Air”

Raman Sharma

jkrtiact@gmail.com   

Jammu and Kashmir is known for its mountains, meadows and rivers, but hidden within this beauty lies another kind of power, the power of the wind. Though blessed with sunshine, water and biomass, the region still faces energy shortages. Much of its electricity depends on conventional fuels, leading to deforestation, use of firewood and growing pollution. To address this, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir drafted J & K Wind Power Policy 2023, a major step toward clean and renewable energy.

 

Wind energy is one of the most reliable and sustainable sources of power. Unlike coal or oil, it neither exhausts natural resources nor damages the environment. Countries like Denmark, Germany and Spain have already shown how wind can ensure energy independence. For Jammu and Kashmir, with its varied terrain and climate, harnessing wind power is both practical and promising. Studies suggest that J&K has an installable wind potential of about 5,300 MW at 50 metres and nearly 5,700 MW at 80 metres. These figures show that several districts are suitable for wind farms.

 

The Wind Power Policy 2023 provides a framework to promote investment and public participation. It will remain operative for fifteen years, allowing individuals, companies and institutions to set up wind turbines for their own use or to sell power to the grid. The policy ensures transparent land allotment, simplified permissions and open access. The Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) is the nodal body for project registration and approvals through a single-window system. This clarity is expected to build investor confidence and speed up renewable growth.

 

Jammu and Kashmir’s geography offers both challenges and opportunities. Hilly terrain and cold weather make large operations difficult, but modern technology has made wind generation possible even in tough conditions. New turbines with temperature-resistant blades, better gear systems and hybrid solar-wind models can work efficiently in mountain regions. The Jammu plains and parts of Kathua, Reasi, Rajouri and high plateaus near Ladakh have good potential. Smaller wind turbines can bring power to remote and border villages still off-grid, improving rural life and reducing dependence on wood.

 

The economic benefits of wind power are strong. Once installed, turbines require little running cost as the wind is free. The policy offers incentives such as exemption from electricity duty, 50 percent relief in demand cuts for captive users and concessions in transmission charges. Developers can lease government land at a fixed rate of three hectares per megawatt, easing one of the biggest hurdles in renewable projects. By allowing both captive and third-party power sales at approved or competitive rates, the government has made wind energy a profitable option for industries and investors.

 

Wind energy can open new avenues of entrepreneurship for local youth. Small-scale fabrication, maintenance, logistics and service activities linked with wind farms can provide steady livelihoods. Training in turbine operation and green technologies can prepare young people for modern energy jobs. As these ventures grow, they will generate employment and add to the region’s economic growth.

 

Wind energy projects can even become tourist attractions. The sight of tall turbines turning against snow-covered mountains or open valleys can draw visitors and students. Viewing points and eco-friendly facilities around such projects could promote green tourism, adding income for nearby communities.

 

The policy includes technical guidelines. Developers must set up their own evacuation systems to ensure that power reaches the grid efficiently. Advanced metering will allow real-time monitoring of output. Compliance with Central Electricity Authority standards will protect grid stability and prevent power fluctuations. These measures make the policy both practical and reliable.  

Environmentally, wind energy offers great advantages. Every unit of wind power replaces electricity from coal or diesel, cutting carbon emissions. In a region where ecosystems are fragile and weather patterns are shifting, clean energy will reduce environmental stress and save forests, which many people still depend on for firewood. Wind projects will create jobs in construction, maintenance and services, offering opportunities to local workers and small businesses.

The policy insists on responsible development. Use of second-hand turbines is banned; only machines approved by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy are allowed. Developers are encouraged to explore the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which grants carbon credits for reducing emissions. Income from these credits will be shared between developers and power purchasers, adding an extra incentive to maintain clean operations.  

The larger goal of the Wind Power Policy 2023 is not just to produce electricity but to reshape the region’s energy future. It aims for self-reliance, cleaner air and long-term sustainability. By tapping its wind potential, Jammu and Kashmir can balance hydro and solar resources, ensuring power even in winter when river flow drops. This balanced mix will help the Union Territory meet its growing demand while supporting India’s target of 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030.

The Wind Power Policy 2023 is more than a technical paper. It is a vision for a cleaner and stronger future. It calls for using nature’s resources wisely. With honest implementation, public participation and continued innovation, the winds across Jammu and Kashmir can become a true source of light, livelihood and hope. (The author is an RTI Activist from Jammu).

Jammu Needs Dignified Traffic Policing

Jammu Needs Dignified Traffic Policing

By Raman Sharma

In recent months, Jammu city has witnessed a disturbing trend in the enforcement of traffic laws. From repetitive squats (Uthak-Baithak) as punishment to the use of foul language and even slapping by traffic police officials, such practices have raised serious concerns about the manner in which law is being implemented.  

At several chowks and naka points, traffic officers, often accompanied by self-styled media persons, stop motorists for traffic checks. While ensuring road safety and adherence to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 is indeed a lawful duty, the way these checks are being conducted is increasingly questionable.  

Section 132 of the Motor Vehicles Act empowers police officers to stop a driver and inspect documents, while Section 206 allows temporary seizure of licences under certain conditions. However, these powers must be exercised with fairness, restraint, and respect for citizens’ dignity. Unfortunately, in Jammu, public scolding and humiliation of motorists have become common. Videos of such incidents are recorded by unofficial “media” persons and circulated on social media, causing unnecessary embarrassment. Even if a person violates a minor rule, they still retain their constitutional right to dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution.  

Section 180(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, recognises the right of a person to remain silent and not make self-incriminating statements. The Supreme Court, in D.K. Basu vs State of West Bengal (1997), laid down clear guidelines to preserve human dignity during law enforcement. Even in serious crimes, public humiliation is prohibited — traffic violations should be treated with no less respect.  

The involvement of so-called media channels at these naka points adds another legal and ethical issue. Many of these individuals are not accredited journalists and are often members of personal fan clubs of traffic officials. Their unauthorised recording and uploading of videos violate privacy and police protocols. The Motor Vehicles Act or Police Rules do not allow random individuals to film enforcement proceedings. If genuine media coverage is needed, it should be done officially without disclosing personal details of violators.  

The Jammu and Kashmir Police already have Public Relations sections at various levels to spread awareness about traffic rules. Instead of using these official channels, some officers prefer publicity through unauthorised social media collaborators, turning enforcement into spectacle.

  Moreover, the selective deployment of nakas reveals bias , busy junctions with high visibility often have heavy police presence, while other congested routes remain unmanaged, resulting in severe jams. This selective enforcement defeats the purpose of fair traffic regulation.

Citizens should also be aware of their rights. They can ask for identification of the officer, demand a copy of the challan specifying the section of violation, and must be informed in writing if documents are seized. They cannot be forced to make statements against themselves.

Traffic law enforcement and public dignity are not mutually exclusive. Officers must act with discipline, politeness, and professionalism. Internal guidelines should ban unauthorised individuals at enforcement sites, and officers should receive training in handling violators respectfully.

Jammu city urgently needs effective, technology-driven traffic management  with CCTV surveillance and e-challans  to replace confrontational enforcement. The goal should be to maintain road discipline without violating basic human dignity. 

Law and dignity must go hand in hand. A violator should be penalised according to the law, but never humiliated. The uniform must command respect through fairness and integrity, not fear.

RTI Appeal Filed Against Tehsildar Kathua for Withholding Information on Encroached Water Bodies

   " DENIAL OF RTI INFORMATION REGARDING LAND MAFIA"

Jammu, 26/09/2025: An appeal under Right to Information Act has been filed against Tehsildar Kathua before the First Appellate Authority by RTI activist Raman Kumar Sharma for denial of information regarding encroachments on natural water bodies in Tehsil Kathua.

On 7th September 2025, Raman Sharma submitted an RTI application under registration  number KATHU/R/2025/60086/1 through the J&K government’s online portal seeking details of natural water bodies and encroachments in Tehsil Kathua .

The activist had specifically sought copies of records showing names of the natural water bodies, villages where they are situated, their dimensions, number of encroachments, names of illegal encroachers, and action taken against these mafias who have encroached these water bodies.

Instead of providing the information, the Tehsildar, Kathua, vide his office communication dated 20th September 2025, asked the activist to personally visit his office on 29th and 30th September to inspect the records.

In his First Appeal (under RTI Act) bearing number KATHU/A/2025/60030 dated 24/09/2025 before the Concerned Authority in the office of Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, the activist described this response of the Tehsildar Kathua as a violation of the RTI Act, which mandates  supply of information.

Sharma  argued that compelling inspection in place of providing copies amounts to constructive denial, especially when the applicant resides nearly 90 Km. away in Jammu. The activist also raised concerns about personal safety, pointing out that the matter relates to powerful land grabbers and mafias.

The appeal states that the RTI Act was enacted to ensure transparency and accountability, and various orders of the Supreme Court and High Courts call authorities not to create hurdles in providing information. 

 The appeal also requests that the Tehsildar Kathua and his staff handling RTI applications should undergo RTI training at J&K IMPA, Sidhra, Jammu to understand and sensitization about RTI Act .

The appellant has urged the First Appellate Authority to direct the Tehsildar  Kathua to furnish the complete information within a fixed timeframe.

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Over Rs 6.43 Crore Collected In Fee For 75 Naib-Tehsildar Posts In J&K

 Jammu, Aug 24: The recruitment for just 75 naib tehsildar posts has turned into a windfall for Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) which has collected over Rs 6.43 crore from aspirants in application fees, according to information obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) query.

With each form priced at Rs 600 for general and Rs 500 for reserved category, the money collected shows that over one lakh aspirants had applied for the posts but the deferment of the recruitment process last month has now left these candidates in limbo, RTI activist Raman Kumar Sharma said.

“The sheer scale of the response — over one lakh candidates vying for a meagre 75 posts — speaks volumes about the deepening unemployment crisis. It reflects the desperation of educated youth who, despite degrees and qualifications, are left with few opportunities,” Sharma, who filed the RTI application, said.

The JKSSB in its response to the query said that an amount of Rs 6,43,28,400 was collected as fees from the candidates for 75 posts of naib tehsildar in the revenue department on June 9.

Sharma filed the RTI application on July 21, a week after the JKSSB deferred the recruitment until further notice after the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Jammu, stayed the ‘Urdu-only’ rule for the recruitment.

The activist had sought details about the total number of applications, category-wise, received in response to the job notification and the money collected from them.

The Public Information Officer, JKSSB, in his reply on August 2, refused to share the information about the number of applications before the culmination of the selection process, but shared the details about the total fees collected.

“For thousands of aspirants, many from financially strained backgrounds, the deferment of the recruitment process not only means the loss of hope but also the loss of hard-earned money, as there is no return policy for the deposited application fee,” Sharma said.

Shortly after the advertisement, the recruitment ran into controversy over the mandatory Urdu clause, with the BJP leading the protests, seeking revocation of the “discriminatory order” across the Jammu region – a party bastion where it had won 29 Assembly seats last year.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah defended the Urdu only clause and said there was never any intention to prevent anyone from appearing for the exam.

“Even before Independence, our revenue records were in Urdu. How will a staff member in the revenue department work if he/she does not know Urdu?” Abdullah said earlier.

He said that in the past, officers of Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service and Indian Administrative Service not versed in Urdu used to be given time to learn basics.

“I do not think staff members of the revenue department who do not know Urdu can be efficient for the job,” the National Conference leader said, and advocated for the policy that grants time to the people to learn the language after appointment.

On July 14, a two-member CAT bench stayed the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Revenue (Subordinate) Service Recruitment Rules of 2009 that mandate graduation with knowledge of Urdu as the minimum qualification for the post of naib tehsildar.

Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, reacting to the CAT order, said, “It is deeply unfortunate that our judiciary appears to be influenced by divisive politics.” The People’s Democratic Party president said, “Urdu, a recognised official language for decades, is now being unfairly communalised. Our revenue records and administrative work continue to be maintained in Urdu, and it is only logical that applicants for the post of naib tehsildar possess basic proficiency in the language. This requirement is rooted purely in administrative efficiency, not in any form of divisiveness.”

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Nearly half of central funds for border bunkers in J&K lie unused, reveals RTI

 Jammu, 30/Jun/2025 , Published in The Hindu, Economic Times, Business Standard,Daily Excelsion, Greater Kashmir.

(PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir administration has not utilised nearly half of the central funds allocated for building underground bunkers for border residents over the last five years, according to information obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) application.

The revelation comes amid heightened calls for civilian safety, following last month's Operation Sindoor and the intense cross-border shelling.

Responding to the Right To Information application filed by Jammu-based activist Raman Kumar, the Jammu and Kashmir Home Department said, an amount of ₹242.77 crore was given to the Union Territory administration headed by the Lt Governor between 2020-21 and 2024-25. However, 46.58% of the money remains unspent.

It said Rajouri district accounted for the highest utilisation of funds to the tune of ₹78.05 crore followed by Poonch (₹44.56 crore), Samba (₹42.09 crore), Kathua (₹37.20 crore), Jammu (₹17.51 crore), Kupwara (₹14.85 crore), Bandipora (₹4.33 crore) and Baramulla (₹4.15 crore).

India shares a 3,323-km border with Pakistan, of which 221 km of the International Border (IB) and 744 km of the Line of Control (LoC) fall in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Centre initially sanctioned the construction of 14,460 individual and community bunkers for ₹415.73 crore for border residents facing Pakistani shelling along the LoC and the IB in 2018-19.

 

While 7,298 bunkers were sanctioned for the population along the LoC in the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri, 7,162 underground bunkers got approved for villages along the IB in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts.

Later, the government sanctioned more than 4,000 bunkers to cover a more vulnerable population, including the areas falling in the north Kashmir districts of Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara.

According to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, so far, 9,500 bunkers have been set up along the India-Pakistan border in the Union Territory.

The bunkers proved to be a lifesaver for the border residents during the intense Pakistani shelling last month, minimising human loss, even as massive damage was caused to residential houses, besides the loss of livestock.

Sharing the reply of the Home Department with PTI here, Mr. Kumar expressed surprise over the non-utilisation of funds during the relatively peaceful years along the borders.

"Only 53.42% of the funds were utilised between 2020-21 and 2024-25," he said.

The Home Department said, "Total funds amounting to ₹24,277.85 lakh (₹242.778 crore) have been given by the government of India to the government of Jammu and Kashmir through the Finance Department, J&K during the financial year 2020-21 till date for construction of bunkers for civilians in border districts of Jammu and Kashmir." It said, an amount of ₹6,918.31 was released for 2020-21, ₹4,170 for 2021-22, ₹8,189.54 for 2022-23 and ₹2,500 each for 2023-24 and 2024-25.

However, the reply said that the J&K administration has only spent ₹12,967.869 lakh (₹129.678 crore) for the construction of bunkers for civilians -- ₹4,881.108 lakh in 2020-21, ₹3,318.548 lakh in 2021-22, ₹2,275.313 lakh in 2022-23, ₹846.64 lakh in 2023-24, and ₹1,646.26 lakh in 2024-25.

A total of 27 people, mostly civilians, lost their lives and 70 were injured in intense Pakistani shelling and drone attacks on forward villages in Jammu and Kashmir after Indian armed forces launched missile strikes on terror infrastructure across the border during the intervening night of May 6 and 7 under Operation Sindoor to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam attack that left 25 tourists and a local service provider dead.

Poonch and Rajouri accounted for most of the civilian casualties, prompting requests for the construction of more safety bunkers along the borders.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the shelling-hit areas in both Jammu and Kashmir divisions within two days after India and Pakistan reached an understanding to halt military actions with immediate effect on May 10. He asserted that his government will formulate a policy to build individual bunkers for the people.

"Community bunkers had been built, but they were not used for so long. No new bunker has come up in many years. Wherever I went, people said we should build individual bunkers," he said.

"The government will frame a policy on that, and a scheme will be formulated for the people in these areas which are closer to the LoC and the border, and that would then be taken up with the central government," he added.

He said the community bunkers are a lifeline during moments of crisis.

"We will ensure the construction of more such safer spaces to protect and support our people living in border areas," he said.

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" Matter of Oil Tanker Drivers Union Election is Sub Judice" , Says Raina

Oil Tanker Drivers Union Election to be Held as Per Court's Directions: Union President 

Jammu, 10 June 2025: The All Jammu and Kashmir Oil and LPG Tank Truck Drivers and Cleaners Union has clarified that the matter concerning its upcoming elections is currently under judicial consideration. In a press note issued today, Union President S. Ranjit Singh Raina stated that the incumbent office bearers of the union have no role in determining the date, process, or conduct of the elections. “It is now for the Hon’ble Court to decide,” he said, emphasizing that the matter is sub judice as stay has been issued by a local court of Jammu.

Raina further informed that some aggrieved members of the union had approached the Court of Law in Jammu. In response, the court has appointed a retired District and Sessions Judge to oversee and conduct the union's elections.

Raina also raised concerns over certain individuals who, allegedly impersonating union members and influenced by anti-social elements, have been staging protests outside oil depots. These actions, according to him, are attempts to block the supply of essential fuel and disturb law and order at the sensitive Narwal Depot, which falls under the jurisdiction of Police Post Narwal, Jammu.

“All bonafide members of the union have been made aware of the current legal status regarding the elections. Despite this, some elements continue to mislead and incite our members,” he said.

The Union President reiterated that the final decision regarding the conduct of the elections rests solely with the court. “We respect courts and judges and only the judiciary will now decide the future course of the Union elections,” he concluded.  

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तेल टैंकर ड्राइवर यूनियन का चुनाव अदालत के निर्देशानुसार होगा: यूनियन अध्यक्ष

 "मामला विचाराधीन है, अब चुनाव पर फैसला अदालत करेगी"           :  रणजीत सिंह रैना                                                                            

जम्मू, 10 जून 2025: ऑल जम्मू एंड कश्मीर ऑयल एंड एलपीजी टैंक ट्रक ड्राइवर्स एंड क्लीनर्स यूनियन ने स्पष्ट किया है कि यूनियन चुनाव से संबंधित मामला वर्तमान में न्यायालय के विचाराधीन है।

आज जारी एक प्रेस नोट में यूनियन के अध्यक्ष  सरदार रणजीत सिंह रैना ने कहा कि यूनियन के वर्तमान पदाधिकारियों की चुनाव की तिथि, प्रक्रिया या आयोजन में कोई भूमिका नहीं है। उन्होंने कहा, "अब यह मामला माननीय न्यायालय के अधिकार क्षेत्र में है," और बताया कि जम्मू की एक स्थानीय अदालत ने इस मामले में स्थगनादेश (स्टे) भी जारी किया है।

रैना ने जानकारी दी कि यूनियन के कुछ असंतुष्ट सदस्यों ने जम्मू की अदालत में याचिका दायर की थी। इसके बाद अदालत ने एक सेवानिवृत्त जिला एवं सत्र न्यायाधीश को यूनियन चुनाव की निगरानी और संचालन के लिए नियुक्त किया है।

उन्होंने यह भी आरोप लगाया कि कुछ लोग, जो कथित रूप से यूनियन सदस्य होने का नाटक कर रहे हैं और असामाजिक तत्वों के इशारे पर काम कर रहे हैं, तेल डिपो के बाहर प्रदर्शन कर रहे हैं। उनके अनुसार, ये लोग आवश्यक ईंधन की आपूर्ति बाधित करने और नरवाल डिपो जैसे संवेदनशील क्षेत्र, जो पुलिस पोस्ट नरवाल, जम्मू के अंतर्गत आता है, में कानून व्यवस्था बिगाड़ने की कोशिश कर रहे हैं।

रैना ने कहा, "यूनियन के सभी वास्तविक सदस्यों को चुनाव की कानूनी स्थिति की पूरी जानकारी दी जा चुकी है, इसके बावजूद कुछ तत्व उन्हें भड़काने और गुमराह करने की कोशिश कर रहे हैं।"

यूनियन अध्यक्ष ने दोहराया कि अब यूनियन चुनावों के आयोजन का अंतिम निर्णय केवल न्यायपालिका ही करेगी। "हम न्यायालयों और न्यायाधीशों का सम्मान करते हैं और अब केवल अदालत ही यूनियन चुनावों के भविष्य का निर्णय लेगी".