BARAMULLA: In a determined push to strengthen road safety measures, the Assistant Regional Transport Office Baramulla today conducted an extensive enforcement drive along the Baramulla-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44).
The operation led by Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) Baramulla, Mohammad Mukhtar Sofi was aimed at curbing violations and ensuring strict compliance with traffic norms, particularly in high-traffic and vulnerable zones.
During the drive, the enforcement team issued 24 e-challans for a range of traffic violations. In addition, five show-cause notices were served on the spot to drivers and vehicle owners found in serious breach of road safety standards.
Special emphasis was laid on the inspection of school buses, two-wheelers, and commercial vehicles. A variety of infractions were observed, including riding two-wheelers without helmets, unauthorized vehicle modifications, operating commercial vehicles without valid fitness certificates, absence of speed limiting devices, and failure to wear seat belts.
Speaking to the media, ARTO emphasized the department’s commitment to road safety and public welfare. He stated that the objective of such drives is not merely punitive but also educational - to make commuters more conscious of traffic rules and their role in preventing accidents.
“We are committed to creating a safer commuting environment and will continue such enforcement actions regularly,” he said. The Transport Department has urged all road users to follow traffic laws diligently and cooperate with enforcement teams for a safer and more disciplined road culture in the district.
JAMMU: In a significant initiative to bridge the gap between theoretical legal education and practical courtroom dynamics, The Law School, University of Jammu, organized an immersive court visit for its 6th-semester students as part of its experiential learning pedagogy. The visit aimed to provide students with firsthand exposure to civil and criminal proceedings while fostering meaningful interactions with members of the Bench and Bar.
The students had the privilege of engaging in an insightful interaction with Shri Haq Nawaz Zargar, Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, and Ms. Rekha Sharma, Munsiff JMIC, Jammu, who is also an esteemed alumna of The Law School. The judges shared their invaluable experiences and addressed students' queries on litigation strategies, career challenges, and the evolving competitive landscape of the legal profession. Emphasizing the cornerstones of a successful legal career, they underscored the importance of professional ethics, rigorous research, unwavering integrity, and a compassionate commitment to justice for marginalized sections of society.
Earlier, Prof. Seema Rohmetra, Director, The Law School, while orienting the students, highlighted the transformative power of experiential learning in shaping competent and socially responsible legal professionals. She stressed how "learning by doing" not only enhances legal acumen but also cultivates essential life skills such as critical thinking, discipline, and empathy.
The visit was meticulously coordinated by Dr. Rajneesh Khajuria and assisted by Dr. Palvi Mathavan Puri, Dr. Vandita Sharma, Dr. Ramesh Kumar, Dr. Rubia Wani, and Dr. Nitan Sharma, faculty members of The Law School, who ensured a seamless and enriching experience for the students.
JAMMU: To mark the 35th death anniversary of the eminent poet, freedom fighter and cultural icon, Sarwanand Koul Premi, the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages organized a literary meet at K.L. Saigal Hall, Jammu. The event was participated by Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary as the chief guest, with Brij Mohan Sharma, Principal Secretary, Culture and Professor Ratan Lal Hangloo, former Vice Chancellor of Allahabad University, as the guests of honour.
The program commenced with floral tributes offered by the dignitaries in honour of Sarwanand Koul Premi, paying homage to his multifaceted contributions to literature and society.
In his keynote address, the Chief Secretary highlighted Premi Ji’s unparalleled legacy as a literary luminary and a symbol of social harmony and resistance. Recalling the honours conferred upon him, he mentioned the Sharada Award (2006) and the First Alag Samman (2016), along with the monograph published by Sahitya Akademi in 2008 and the special felicitation by JKAACL in 2018. “He was a voice of resistance and unity, embodying truth, duty, and deep humanism,” said the Chief Secretary.
Quoting Dr. Sohan Lal, he added, “Death is not an end but a transformation, what is true lives on forever.” Principal Secretary, Department of Culture, in his address, underlined the importance of preserving and promoting the ideals Premi Ji stood for, especially in today’s context of cultural resurgence.
Professor Ratan Lal Hangloo lauded the commitment of the legendary poet to inclusive values and intellectual integrity. He stressed the need for young scholars to revisit the works of such towering figures to understand the interplay of literature, activism and cultural identity. Earlier, Harvinder Kour, Secretary, JKAACL, spoke on the inspirational life of Sarwanand Koul Premi, emphasizing his enduring impact on the cultural ethos of Jammu and Kashmir.
The literary session featured a detailed paper presentation by Dr. Sohan Lal Koul, Sahitya Akademi Awardee, shedding light on various dimensions of Premi Ji’s literary oeuvre. Avtar Mota also presented a paper, exploring Sarwanand Koul Premi’s life as a social activist, poet and visionary thinker.
The event also included a Mushaira, where celebrated poets including Ashok Gowher, Dr. Ramesh Nirash, Satish Koul, Santosh Nadam, B.K. Sanyasi, KusumDhar, Rajni Bahar Dhar, and Maharaj Krishan Bhat recited poems paying tribute to the legacy of Sarwanand Koul Premi.
JAMMU: In a comprehensive review meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, the functioning of the public grievance redressal system under the JK Samadhan 2.0 portal was evaluated, with a focus on the pace, quality and effectiveness of responses by the government departments and district administrations. The meeting was attended by the Secretary, Public Grievances Department, along with Administrative Secretaries of various departments while Deputy Commissioners from across the UT participated virtually.
The Chief Secretary emphasized that the success of any grievance redressal mechanism lies not in mere registration of complaints but in their satisfactory and time bound resolution. He underlined that timely redressal of citizens’ issues is key towards reinforcing public faith in the governance system and ensuring their continued engagement with administrative platforms.
Dulloo made out that mere acknowledgement of grievances does not inspire confidence among the citizens. It is only when their concerns are addressed promptly and effectively will people feel encouraged to bring issues to the attention of the administration.
He described public grievances as a valuable diagnostic tool for assessing the health of governance at the grassroots level. An in-depth analysis of grievances, he said, can serve as a map highlighting recurring challenges within departments or particular geographic areas. He urged the departments and district officials to utilize the platform not just for grievance resolution but as a means to strengthen the institutional responsiveness and improve public service delivery on ground.
The Chief Secretary laid special emphasis on the quality of disposal, calling for grievance redressal that leads to the utmost satisfaction of the aggrieved citizen. He directed that no grievance should remain unresolved beyond 30 days. He also instructed all the departments and Deputy Commissioners to conduct regular reviews of grievance status, ensuring that no case remain pending unnecessarily and that responsibility is fixed in cases of unwarranted delay.
Stressing the need for broader citizen participation, Dulloo tasked the Grievances Department with increasing awareness about the ‘JK Samadhan 2.0’ portal. He advised that the portal be highlighted in all government outreach programs and public meetings. He called for periodic bulk SMS campaigns targeting the registered citizens to inform and remind them about the availability and utility of this grievance redressal platform.
Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary also participated in a live demonstration of the JK Samadhan 2.0 portal. During the session, he appreciated the improvements made in the portal and recommended further technological advancements to be taken up in collaboration with BISAG-N to enable more data-driven and insightful handling of grievances.
He suggested integrating features like heat maps based on grievance types and locations, which would allow departments to visually analyse concentration of specific issues and areas of concern. Moreover, he proposed the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other advanced tools to analyse grievances, classify them intelligently, and ensure efficient, targeted and high-quality redressal of each of them.
The Chief Secretary lauded the significant strides made by the department and emphasized the need for focused efforts in districts with lower coverage to ensure equitable access to grievance redressal mechanisms. He appreciated the data-driven approach and urged for intensified IEC (Information, Education & Communication) campaigns to further boost public participation.
Highlighting the functioning of this Department, Secretary, Public Grievances, Aijaz Asad said that a massive surge in registrations under JK Samadhan has been viewed during the previous few months from January onwards. He revealed that the same had reached a significant milestone of 13,08,759 citizen registrations on the portal till date.
Elucidating further, he made out that mere 12,932 citizen registrations were there on this portal as on January 4, 2025 which increased upto 3,49,826 registrations till February 5, 2025. He added that a staggering 9,46,001 new registrations were made during the past two months only. Registrations had been steadily growing since July 2024, which saw only 1,429 registrations by then, he concluded.
It was further disclosed that as of 30th April 2025, the portal recorded 53,342 grievances from citizens, reflecting active utilization of the platform to voice public issues. Out of the total, 39,971 grievances (75%) had been successfully resolved and 13,371 grievances are currently under active review of the departments for quality resolution.
Thus JK Samadhan has effectively managed over 1.3 million citizen registrations and resolved three-fourths of the grievances received, showcasing its role as a reliable and responsive public grievance redressal platform for citizens of the UT.
Moreover, it was given out that at least a family member from each household is being targeted for registration over this portal in order to enable them to reach out to administrative machinery for targeted assistance during the hour of need.
It is worth mentioning here that JK Samadhan stands as a beacon of the government's resolve to bring administration closer to the people. With over 13 lakh citizens already registered and active tracking of grievances, the initiative has set a benchmark in digital, accountable and transparent governance across all the districts of the UT.
SRINAGAR: To sensitize communities about the dangers of drug addiction and highlight Government schemes and benefits available to those affected, District Administration Srinagar hosted a comprehensive drug de-addiction awareness program across all Panchayats in Srinagar Block of the District, targeting the local population.
The series of awareness programmes were held on the directions of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Dr Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat under ongoing Drug Free Jammu and Kashmir initiative. The programmes saw active participation from multiple departments, including Health, Police, Education, Social Welfare, Excise and Rural Development Department.
Experts from these departments delivered informative sessions, shedding light on the issues surrounding drug addiction and the support systems in place to help individuals and families. The Education Department played a crucial role in the program, raising awareness among students about the risks and consequences of drug addiction. Additionally, counseling sessions were conducted to support students and provide guidance on overcoming addiction.
During the programmes, awareness sessions on the risks and consequences of drug addiction were held and information regarding Government schemes and benefits for those struggling with addiction were highlighted in detail. Additionally, Interactive Q&A sessions with experts from participating departments and special focus on student awareness and counseling through the Education Department also were part of the awareness programmes.
These awareness programmes underscored the commitment of local authorities to address the critical issue of drug addiction and promote community well-being. By engaging with the public and providing valuable information, the programmes also aimed to empower individuals and families to make informed decisions and seek support when needed.
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