KATHUA: Deputy Commissioner Kathua Rajesh Sharma on Thursday chaired a meeting of officers here at DC Office complex to review the arrangements for the Navratra and Dussehra festivals.

The meeting deliberated in detail, asking the stakeholder departments to formulate Actions Plan for cleanliness, sanitation, drinking water, uninterrupted power supply, traffic regulation and checking of rates of eatables. The Police Department was asked to come out with a detailed deployment plan for ensuring security arrangements in and around the important temples and shrines of the district.

Stress was laid on maintaining security around important shrines and temples besides different venues of Dusherra festival.   The Deputy Commissioner directed concerned PWD Engineers to start repair and renovation works at Mata Bala Sundri, Mata Sukrala, Doula Mata, Jasrota Mata, Jourian Mata shrines while the local BDOs were asked to repair bridle paths leading to the temples and shrines.

Similarly, the PDD Department was asked to make provision of additional transformers for Mata Jourian and Mata Bala Sundri Shrines to meet any contingency besides ensuring uninterrupted power supply to all the shrines. The RTO was directed to keep a check on overloading and overcharging by the transporters on Yatra routes and to take action against the defaulters. The Traffic Police department was asked to ensure effective traffic regulation to prevent congestion during Navratra festival.

Responding to the issues raised by the Mandir Committees, the DC assured timely repair of defunct high mast lights near all Temple Shrines. The meeting formulated committees for regular inspection of the markets to keep check on single use plastic, quality of eatables and overcharging etc.  Earlier, the Members of management committees, priests of temples and shrines projected problems and demands. The Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned officers for immediate redressal of  the same.

ADC Billawar, ADC Basohli and SDM Bani and SDM Hiranagar,   joined the meeting virtually. They were also asked to ensure all logistic and other services for smooth observance of Navratra festival. ADDC Surinder Mohan; CEO BBDA Atul Gupta; ADC Vinay Khosla; ADC Vishavjeet Singh; ADC Basohli Pankaj Bhagotra; CPO Ranjit Thakur; RTO and other officers of different departments were present in the meeting.

In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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Your voice can reach the world: At JK Monitor, we firmly believe that every well-researched idea has the power to inspire change beyond geographical boundaries. We are delighted to share an encouraging message from one of our esteemed contributors, Dr. Rakesh Verma (J&K Forest Services). ā€œHis article, ā€˜When Trees Become Rights-Bearing Citizens: A Lesson from Canada for India’s Ecological Future,’ published on JK Monitor, received appreciation from La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, the French non-profit organisation that founded and promotes the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.ā€.  Read the message here