Good news for the job seekers especially for those who are planning to make a career in the teaching line as the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has issued a fresh notification for the recruitment of different Railway teacher posts.

Ahead of Snowfall prediction, Dense Fog Engulfs Srinagar

Nights remain chilly as Shopian Shivers at -8.5°C, Larnoo at -8.2°C, Srinagar at -2.2°C

Srinagar, Jan 3 (JKNS): Ahead of snowfall prediction dense fog engulfed Srinagar and adjoining areas, while nights remained chilly in most parts of the valley on friday.

In the early morning, drivers were seen driving carefully while fog lights on.

Details provided by Kashmir Weather to news agency JKNS reads, In Kashmir, Shopian was the coldest place at -8.5°C. Other districts like Anantnag (-7.7°C), Larnoo (-8.2°C), and Khudwani (-7.1°C) also witnessed severe cold. In contrast, Srinagar recorded a relatively milder -2.2°C, while Qazigund and Pahalgam recorded -7.3°C and -4.5°C.

Budgam (-3.2°C), Baramulla (-4.8°C), Pulwama (-6.1°C), Ganderbal (-4.3°C), Kulgam (-6.8°C), and Bandipora (-2.5°C) also experienced biting cold, with Kokernag and Gulmarg at -5.5°C and -4.5°C, it reads.

In Jammu, Katra recorded the highest temperature at 11.0°C, while Padder saw the lowest at -1.2°C. Other districts like Jammu (7.3°C), Samba (6.1°C), Kathua (9.1°C), Rajouri (6.4°C), Udhampur (7.3°C), Poonch (8.1°C), Bhaderwah (2.3°C), Banihal (2.0°C), and Batote (5.8°C) reported varying degrees of winter chill.

Meanwhile, Ladakh remained under intense cold conditions, with Drass recording -8.6°C, Kargil -6.9°C, and Leh -4.4°C.

The cold wave is expected to decrease as wet weather is possible from the coming days.

It is pertinent to mention that Jammu and Kashmir is expected to witness another spell of Snow and Rains from 5th January onwards.(JKNS)

MeT issues ‘yellow alert’ for Jan 5, 6

Heavy snow, rains expected from Jan 4 to 6; Cold wave conditions prevail in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 02 (KNO): The local Meteorological department here has issued a ‘yellow alert’ for January 5 and January 6, saying that heavy rain and snowfall is expected at the isolated places during the period.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the MeT department has issued an alert, stating that there is a possibility of heavy rain and snowfall at the isolated places. “The disruption of traffic on higher reaches snow avalanches, landslides and shooting stones are expected on January 5 and 6,” the MeT has said.

In a detailed forecast, the weatherman has stated that on January 3, the weather is expected to remain generally cloudy with the possibility of light snow at isolated higher reaches.

From January 4-6, Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that moderate to strong WD is expected and under its influence, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain in plains of Jammu and snow at most places of J&K with peak activity during 4th (Night) to 5th (late Night) and 6th morning & improvement from the afternoon.

He added that generally cloudy and dry weather is expected on January 7-10, adding that from January 11-12th, generally cloudy weather is expected with possibility of light snow at isolated places.

In its advisory, the MeT has said that in view of fresh snowfall, sub-freezing temperature & icy conditions over roads in plains and higher reaches, the tourists, travelers and transporters are advised to plan accordingly & follow administration and traffic advisory.

“There is a possibility of heavy snow at isolated higher reaches during 4th night to 5th late night,” it reads.

Furthermore, the night temperature has continued to settle below the freezing point in Kashmir. Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.4 degree Celsius while Kupwara recorded a minimum temperature of 1.4 degree Celsius.

However, Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort, recorded a low of minus 8.6 degree Celsius while Pahalgam, a famous tourist destination recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.0 degree Celsius. Qazigund, a gateway of Kashmir, has recorded a low of minus 5.2 degree Celsius while Kokernag in South Kashmir recorded minus 5.8 degree Celsius—(KNO)

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Govt to deliver free textbooks by Jan-end: Edu Minister

‘No syllabi relaxation to students for upcoming board exams’

Srinagar, Jan 02 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister, Sakina Thursday said that the students enrolled in government-run-schools will receive free textbooks by January-end.

Besides, Itoo further clarified that there will be no syllabi curtailment for the students appearing in upcoming board exams.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the minister during a media interaction said, “All textbooks will be made available by January end. It took some time to make free textbooks available for the students.”

On asking about the curtailment of syllabi in upcoming board exams, Itoo said, “There will be no relaxation in syllabi for the board exams because the session has been changed only upto 9th standard.”

“The date-sheets have been already issued and we have taken students on board also, they have informed us that they are already preparing for the exams,” she said.

About the selling of textbooks by private schools within the institute, the education minister said that the government has constituted a district and zonal level committee. “They have been asked to monitor the violation so that appropriate action is taken against those private schools.”

On the occasion she further said that the School Education Department will allow or disallow private coaching during the winter vacations in accordance with the norms set by the government.

On the occasion Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary said, “The government will look into the issue of dysfunctional technical colleges of Jammu and Kashmir. We will streamline the issue soon.”

Pertinently, KNO earlier this week reported that even after two weeks of winter vacation, the students enrolled in government-run-schools were yet to receive free textbooks from the authorities—thus raising a question on the functioning of JKBOSE.

The delay in delivering the textbooks has left thousands of students at the receiving end as the School Education Department has failed to distribute the course books on time.

In the last week of December-2024, the CEOs of Kashmir region in a meeting with DSEK informed that they have submitted actual requirements of books as per the enrollment for the session 2024-25 to JKBOSE. “However, the receipt of such books is awaited.”

Following the culmination of the previous academic session, the minister had assured that the students would receive free textbooks immediately after the culmination of annual exams.

The minister had ordered and instructed the JKBOSE to ensure that the board will deliver free textbooks on time—(KNO)

Shocking magnitude of irregularities in Fire & Emergency Services Department

ACB probe reveals 109 candidates selected despite securing lower marks than cut-off-marks

5 siblings from Budgam, relatives of officials F& ES department, candidates from same localities selected

Srinagar, Jan 02 (KNO): What could spark an outrage over recruitment process in Jammu & Kashmir, an investigation by the Anti- Corruption Bureau (ACB) has revealed that 109 candidates secured lower marks than the cutoff marks in the job test for the Fire & Emergency Services in 2020, but were selected by showing them to have secured higher marks in the final selection list than the marks actually secured by them.

The ACB also found that five real brothers from Budgam district, along with relatives of officials from the Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) Department and candidates from the same localities, figured in the selection list.

In an official handout, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the ACB said that a manual review of the OMR sheets vis-a-vis answer keys revealed discrepancies in the selection process.

“Out of 690 selected candidates, 109 were found to have secured lower marks than the cutoff marks, but were selected by showing them to have secured higher marks in the final selection list than the marks actually secured by them. For instance, candidates actually securing 11, 17, 24 marks were shown to have secured 90 marks each in the final selection list,” it said.

The ACB said it found that five real brothers from district Budgam were selected and multiple such instances, besides, selection of some relatives of officials of Fire &Emergency Services Department, and the instances of the selected candidates belonging to the same localities have surfaced during the course of enquiry.

According to the ACB, during the course of the probe, the question papers were found beyond the comprehension of candidates who have studied upto 8th standard which is the required minimum qualification—(KNO)

“Ready to Protest in Delhi with least support of 100 MP’s; Fight Must Be for Article 370, Not Mere Statehood”: NC Leader, MP Aga Ruhullah

Srinagar, Jan 02 (JKNS): National Conference leader and MP from Srinagar, Aga Syed Ruhulla Mehdi, reiterated his unwavering stance on the abrogation of Article 370, emphasizing that the fight should focus on its restoration rather than settling for mere statehood.

Taking to social media platform X, Ruhulla as per news agency JKNS said, “After 2019, my political stance has been crystal clear. I told my people that our fight must be for the restoration of 370 and the dignity it embodies for the people of Jammu & Kashmir.”

While addressing calls for statehood, Ruhulla expressed his readiness to join a protest in Delhi. “I AM READY to participate in such a protest and invite those prioritizing statehood to organize it. I will also try to organize support from at least more than 100 Hon’ble MPs,” he said, suggesting January as an opportune time for such a demonstration, coinciding with the adoption month of India’s Constitution.

Ruhulla described the abrogation of Article 370 as a deliberate act of humiliation and a calculated attempt to strip J&K of its dignity. “The abrogation was a political statement, a declaration that our sacrifices mean nothing, and that our future is theirs to dictate. I cannot, in good conscience, sidestep from the fight for our special status and settle for the hollow promise of mere statehood,” he asserted.

Calling for collective action, Ruhulla affirmed his commitment to reclaiming J&K’s honor and autonomy. “Our voices must first rise for our honor, identity, and autonomy. The Tree Remembers,” he said. (JKNS)

Transparency needed in recruitment process: CM Omar Abdullah

Says, Free electricity feasible after full metering

Srinagar, Jan 02 (JKNS): Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, today addressed several pressing issues, including the ongoing Kashmir dispute, recruitment transparency, and the feasibility of providing free electricity to residents.

He made these remarks during a candid interaction session today.

As per the news agency—JKNS, regarding the Kashmir issue, CM Abdullah remarked, even if we were to say the Kashmir issue has been resolved, what about the part across the LoC on the other side? Is that resolved too? The issue remains.

He stressed that any resolution would require comprehensive discussions that include both sides of the border.

Addressing concerns over recruitment in the Fire and Emergency Services, Abdullah called for a transparent approach, stating a report must be prepared to ensure that everyone who is entitled to their job receives it. If there are any irregularities in the recruitment process, a report on these issues must be submitted as soon as possible,” the CM said, stressing the need for accountability to uphold fairness in the recruitment process.

Notably, CM Abdullah also discussed the proposal of providing 200 units of free electricity to residents, saying it would only be feasible once 100% metering is implemented.

“Until then, it is not feasible, as electricity consumption is measured through meters,” he said highlighting the importance of an efficient system to track consumption before such a policy can be put into effect.—(JKNS)