MeT predicts Rain, Snow from 23rd to 25th October in J&K

Srinagar, Oct 17 (NVI): The Meteorological Department Srinagar on Thursday said the weather is expected to become generally cloudy from 24th October, with light rain in lower areas and light snow over isolated higher reaches, mainly in the evening and night.

“The weather forecast for Jammu and Kashmir from 17th to 22nd October 2024 predicts generally dry conditions across the region,” the MeT department said, adding that there are no significant weather events expected during this period, with clear and dry weather likely to prevail.

“However, on 23rd October, the weather is expected to become generally cloudy with the possibility of light rain in lower areas and light snow over isolated higher reaches, particularly in the evening and night,” it said, adding that this change in weather is likely to affect several places across the region.

“From 24th to 25th October, the region will experience generally cloudy skies with a higher chance of light to moderate rain, as well as light snow in the higher altitude areas. Rainfall is expected to be fairly widespread, affecting many parts of the region,” it added.

“Farmers are advised to continue with their harvesting activities, ensure proper storage of harvested crops, and carry out other necessary farm operations,” it said.

“Tourists and trekkers are advised to plan their travels carefully, especially during 24th and 25th October, due to the possibility of adverse weather conditions, including rain and snow,” it said.—(News Vibes of India)

ACB Arrests AEE PWD Sopore for Accepting ₹25,000 Bribe in 2% Commission Scandal

Baramulla, October 16:- The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested Mubarak Ahmad Ganie, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of the Public Works Department (R&B) Division Sopore, for accepting a bribe of ₹25,000 from a local contractor. The arrest followed a complaint that Ganie had been demanding a 2% commission as a bribe to process the contractor’s bill.

According to the complainant, who is overseeing the construction of a Lecture Block (G+2) at the Government Degree College (GDC) Sopore, AEE Ganie demanded a 2% commission on the current bill and previously cleared bills as a condition for processing the payment. Despite the Junior Engineer (JE) having prepared and checked the 8th running bill, Ganie refused to forward it for payment without receiving the bribe.

Unwilling to comply, the contractor approached the ACB with a formal complaint, requesting legal action against the AEE. Acting swiftly, the ACB verified the complaint and found prima facie evidence of misconduct, warranting an investigation under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018.

An FIR (No. 13-2024) was registered, and a trap team, led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy.SP), was formed. On October 16, 2024, the team successfully trapped and arrested Ganie, catching him red-handed while accepting the ₹25,000 bribe at his office. The bribe money was recovered on the spot in the presence of independent witnesses, and additional cash was found during a personal search.

Following the arrest, Ganie’s residence and official quarters were searched, and incriminating documents were seized in the presence of a magistrate and independent witnesses. He was presented before the Special Judge of the Anti-Corruption Court in Baramulla and was remanded to police custody for nine days.

Further investigations into the case are ongoing.

Weather Update for J&K (17.10.2024)

Forecast

• 17th-22nd October: Predominantly dry weather.
• 23rd October: Generally cloudy skies with a chance of light rain in several areas by evening or night; light snow is expected over isolated higher reaches.
• 24th-25th October: Cloudy conditions with light to moderate rain in many areas and light snow on higher elevations.

Advisory

• For Farmers: Continue harvesting activities and secure harvested crops and other farm produce to avoid potential weather damage.
• For Tourists and Trekkers: Plan your outdoor activities accordingly, especially during 24th and 25th October, due to expected rain and snow.

Govt orders transfer of 2 JKAS officers

Srinagar, Oct 16: Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday ordered transfer and posting of two JKAS officers with immediate effect.

As per an order, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Haris Ahmad Handoo, JKAS, Special Secretary in the office of Chief Secretary, is transferred and posted as Special Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.

Reyaz Ahmad Wani, JKAS, Additional Secretary in the J&K Services Selection Board, is transferred and posted as OSD/Private Secretary to the Hon’ble Chief Minister—(KNO)

J&K’s budget for 2025-26 to be presented in Assembly after 6 yrs

5 consecutive budgets tabled in Parl

Preparations to begin soon after FM’s appointment

Jammu, Oct 17: After presentation of five budgets in the Parliament, Jammu and Kashmir’s budget for next financial year of 2025-26 will be tabled in the Legislative Assembly by the new Finance Minister whenever the budget session is called by Omar Abdullah-headed Government.

Though five Ministers have taken oath along with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the portfolios are yet to be distributed and whosoever gets the Finance will have the distinction of presenting first budget of the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory.

Dr Haseeb Drabu had presented last budget of Jammu and Kashmir State in the Legislative Assembly on January 11, 2018 for the financial year of 2018-19 worth Rs 80,313 crore. However, in June 2018, Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP-BJP coalition Government collapsed following withdrawal of support to the Government. In November, 2018, the Assembly was dissolved.

The budget for 2019-2020 was adopted by the then State Administrative Council (SAC) headed by then Governor Satya Pal Malik here on December 15, 2018 to the tune of Rs 88,911 crore.

Subsequent budgets of the Union Territory including 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 were presented and passed by the Parliament in the absence of Legislative Assembly in Jammu and Kashmir.

Ongoing financial year 2024-25 budget was presented in the Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on July 23, 2024 worth Rs 1,18,728 crore. However, an interim budget of the UT (Vote-on-Account) was taken on February 5, 2024 in the Parliament in view of Lok Sabha elections.

Budget for 2023-24 of Jammu and Kashmir was also to the tune of Rs 1,18,500 crore.

The budget for 2025-26 will be presented in the Legislative Assembly whenever the budget session is called by the Government. Previously, the budget session of the Legislature used to be held in January-February in Jammu.

Preparations for the budget will start immediately after appointment of the new Finance Minister as the Department-wise assessments have to be taken by the Ministry before finalization of the budgetary documents, the officials said.

From the ongoing financial year, budget of Jammu and Kashmir Police has been included in the grants of the Union Home Ministry.

Own financial resources of Jammu and Kashmir will also be a concern for the new Government, the experts said, adding since there are high expectations from the new Government and ruling National Conference has also promised certain freebies, it will be a tough task for the new Finance Minister.

“Jammu and Kashmir has generally been dependent on the Central grants,” the experts said.

In PDP-Congress coalition Government from 2002-2008 headed initially by late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and then Ghulam Nabi Azad; then senior PDP leaders Muzaffar Ahmed Baig and Tariq Hamid Karra (now PCC-I chief) were the Finance Ministers while in 2008-2014 NC-Congress coalition Government, National Conference veteran Abdul Rahim Rather was assigned the charge of prestigious Finance Ministry.
Rather has been re-elected in the present Assembly but was not among the Ministers inducted today in the Council of Ministry.

In 2015-2018 PDP-BJP coalition Government, Dr Haseeb Drabu of the PDP served as the Finance Minister.–(Daily Excelsior)