Woman’s ST status remains despite marriage to non-tribal, says J&K HC

Directs authorities to reconsider ST certificate denial

Srinagar, Feb 08 (KNO): The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has directed authorities to reconsider their decision to deny a Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate to a woman from the Padri tribe, following her marriage to a non-Padri individual.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal issued this order while referring to a clarification from the Ministry of Home Affairs stating that those belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) or Scheduled Tribes (ST) retain their community status even after marrying outside their community.

The petitioner, Shivaeta Rani, a member of the Padri tribe, was denied an ST certificate by the concerned authorities due to her marriage to a person outside her community.

She challenged this decision before the Additional Deputy Commissioner in Kishtwar, who dismissed her appeal, saying that the matter involved technical issues best addressed under the Reservation Act or by the Law Department. Subsequently, Rani approached the High Court for redress.

During the proceedings, Senior Additional Advocate General Monika Kohli, representing the government authority, acknowledged the Ministry of Home Affairs’ clarification and expressed no opposition to granting relief in this case.

Kohli proposed that the petitioner could apply afresh for the ST certificate.

However, Rani’s counsel highlighted the urgency of the matter, noting that she intended to apply for the civil services examination, with the application deadline on February 11.

Considering this time constraint, the court directed the concerned authority to review its earlier decision without requiring Rani to submit a new application.

The authority was instructed to communicate its decision by February 11, enabling Rani to apply for the examination within the stipulated timeframe.

Justice Nargal said that the decision should align with the clarification issued by the Social Welfare Department, based on the Ministry of Home Affairs’ opinion.

This ruling provides clarity on the rights of individuals from SC or ST communities who marry outside their communities, affirming that such marriages do not affect their original community status—(KNO)

Power Shutdown Scheduled in Multiple Areas for Maintenance and Upgrades

Srinagar, February 08: The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has announced a scheduled power shutdown in several areas to facilitate maintenance and upgradation works on multiple 33KV lines. The shutdown will affect various receiving stations and their respective feeding areas on different dates.

Power Outage Schedule and Affected Areas

February 09 (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)

To install 33KV line materials on newly erected 13-meter ST poles at GIS Grid Tengpora, the power supply will remain disrupted in the following areas:

• Receiving Stations: KP Bagh, Jawahar Nagar, Batmaloo, Exhibition, Rajbagh, Narkara, and Gangbugh.
• Feeding Areas: KP Bagh, Jawahar Nagar, Batmaloo, Exhibition, Rajbagh, Narkara, Gangbugh, Budshah Flats, and Hari Singh High Street.

Additionally, the power supply from Receiving Station Silk Factory will be interrupted, impacting:

• Feeding Areas: Allochibagh, Solina, Rambagh, Old Barzulla, and LD Hospital (to be fed from Receiving Station Rajbagh).

February 10 (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)

For the charging of the augmented 33KV Lisser Hiller Line under the PMDP-R scheme, the following areas will experience power cuts:

• Receiving Stations: Hiller, Shankerpora, Aarkashpora.
• Feeding Areas: Shankerpora, Hiller, Akingam, Badasgam, Aarkashpora, and nearby localities.

February 11, 15, 19 & 22 (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)

As part of the upgradation of the 33KV Wanpoh SICOP Line from 0.1 ACSR to 0.2 ACSR, power supply will remain affected in:

• Receiving Stations: Shamsipora, SICOP, Zirpara, Veeri, Cheniwader, Shuhul Flour Mill.
• Feeding Areas: Veer, Srigufwara, Zirpara, Shamsipora, Bijbehara SICOP, and adjoining locations.

February 11 (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)

For stabilization works under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), the power supply will be interrupted in:

• Receiving Stations: Watrigam, Hachipora, Hadipora.
• Feeding Areas: Watrigam, Hachipora, Hadipora, and surrounding regions.

Public Advisory

Residents and businesses in the affected areas are advised to make necessary arrangements in advance to minimize inconvenience. KPDCL has urged consumers to cooperate during these maintenance activities, which aim to enhance power reliability and efficiency.

For further updates and inquiries, consumers can contact KPDCL helpline numbers or visit their official website.

Weather Update for Jammu & Kashmir (Feb 8–16, 2025)

Srinagar, February 8, 2025: The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has issued a detailed weather forecast for Jammu & Kashmir covering the period from February 8 to February 16, 2025. The forecast indicates varying weather patterns, including cloudy skies, dry conditions, and occasional spells of light rain or snowfall in different regions.

Weather Forecast:

• February 8: The day will remain generally cloudy across Jammu & Kashmir, but dry weather is expected throughout the region.
• February 9: There is a possibility of light rain/snow at isolated locations, particularly in higher altitudes.
• February 10–11: The weather is expected to remain generally cloudy, with the likelihood of light rain/snow at scattered places in North & Central Kashmir and at isolated places in the Jammu Division.
• February 12–14: The region will experience generally dry weather with no major disturbances.
• February 15–16: Cloudy conditions are expected to return, accompanied by light rain/snow at isolated places.

Advisory for Tourists and Travelers:

The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has advised tourists, travelers, and transporters to stay updated with official administration and traffic advisories to ensure safe movement, especially in hilly and high-altitude areas prone to snow accumulation.

For real-time updates and further details, people are encouraged to follow official weather bulletins from MET Centre Srinagar.