SRINAGAR: During the meeting, the Chief Secretary emphasised over the need for a third-party audit to evaluate the performance of the corporation's mines. He stated that the audit would assess whether the mines are operating at their optimal condition and determine if there is potential to generate more employment within these mining facilities.

Dr. Mehta also called for the development of a mining plan, with expert consultation, to increase the output of the Kalakote coal mines.

The Chief Secretary urged upon the Corporation that all of their activities should aim at boosting the economy of Jammu & Kashmir. He commended the corporation's financial records over the past three years and suggested holding quarterly meetings for better coordination and implementation of decisions.

During the meeting, the Board unanimously agreed that in order to avail the funding under NMET (National Mineral Exploration Trust), J&K Minerals Limited shall surrender the Lease Hold Rights of Sapphire Mine so that Ministry of Mines can take up the work.

Furthermore, the Board approved  e-Auction of rough sapphire to promote transparency .

The Board members in attendance included Secretary Planning Development & Monitoring, Dr Raghav Langer; Secretary Mining, Amit Sharma; Director, Geology & Mining, OP Bhagat; Managing Director, JKML, Vikram Gupta; DG Codes, SL Pandita besides officers from other concerned Departments.(GNS)

SSRINAGAR: Weather department here on Saturday said that a fresh spell of intermittent light to moderate rain in plains and snowfall over higher reaches was very likely in J&K during 16 -20th with main activity on Monday and Tuesday.

“During this wet spell, thunderstorms with strong gusty wind reaching (20-30KMPH) and hailstorms are also possible at some places of Jammu and Kashmir,” a meteorological department official here told GNS.

This wet spell is due to the approaching of a fresh Western Disturbance over North India, he said.

He said there is a possibility of temporary disruption of surface transportation especially over hilly and snowbound areas.

There could be waterlogging in low lying areas as well as damage to orchards. “There is likely to be abrupt fall in day temperature by 7-8°C.”

Regarding temperature, he said, Srinagar recorded a low of 9.1°C against 9.0°C on the previous night and it was 1.5°C above normal for the summer capital.

Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of 6.2°C against 6.0°C on the previous night and it was 0.3°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir.

Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of 4.6°C against 3.6°C on the previous night and it was 1.8°C above normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Kokernag recorded a low of 10.6°C against 9.4°C on the previous night and it was 4.5°C above normal for the place, the officials said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of 7.0°C against 5.4°C on the previous night and it was 5.5°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.

In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at 6.2°C against 5.6°C on the previous night and it was 0.1°C below normal for the north Kashmir area.

Jammu recorded a low of 21.2°C against 20.3°C on the previous night. It was 2.0°C above normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.

Banihal, he said, recorded a low of 9.3°C (above normal by 1.1°C), Batote 13.2°C (above normal by 2.7°C), Katra 19.4°C (2.9°C above normal) and Bhadarwah 8.9°C (1.9°C below normal). Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 0.2°C and 3.3°C respectively, he said. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir reported 151 fresh covid-19 cases while there was one death due to the virus during the last 24 hours, officials said on Friday.

They said that 57 cases were reported from Jammu division and 94 from Kashmir Valley, taking the overall tally to 480746. Among the cases, 174524 are from Jammu division and 306222 from Kashmir Valley.

Providing district wise details of the cases, they told GNS, 38  cases were reported Jammu, 27 from Srinagar, 15 from Budgam, 10 each from Pulwama and Anantnag, nine from Ganderbal, eight each from Baramulla, Kulgam and Kishtwar, five from Kishtwar, four each Udhampur, Doda and Kulgam, three from Bandipora, besides one each from Rajouri, Kathua and Ramban.

There was one death from Jammu division during the time. So far 4789 people have succumbed to the virus and among them include 2356 from Jammu division and 2433 from the Valley.

Besides, they said, 92 Covid-19 patients recovered during the last 24 hours—36 from Jammu division and 56 from Kashmir Valley. There are now 686 active cases— 301 in Jammu and 386 in Kashmir. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: A family head was arrested on allegations of attacking and killing his son even as injuring his wife and daughter in Samba district on Wednesday afternoon. 

An official told GNS that one Kulbir Singh was arrested by police soon after a news of him spread for allegedly attacking and killing his son Jatan Singh and also injuring his wife Poonam Devi and daughter with some sharp-edged weapon at their residence in Rakhi Sum area in Samba district. 

Confirming the incident, a police official told GNS that soon after receiving information a police team rushed to the spot and apprehended the accused within no time. "We have registered a case into the incident and the accused being questioned regarding the unfortunate incident", the official said. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: 15 goats died after a cattle shed collapsed allegedly due to heavy rains in Dhokri area of Poonch on Monday.

Official sources told GNS that late last night, at about 0230 hours, the cattle shed of one Khadam Hussain son of Mohammad Hussain collapsed in W.No. 06 Panchayt Dhokri in Poonch, resulting in the death of 15 goats.  

They said that police have registered a case and started further investigations. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: Body of an 18-year-old girl was recovered from a river in Poonch district and two of her cousin sisters were rescued, officials said on Saturday.   

They said as per information, three cousin sisters from Jandrola area of Tehsil Mandi left their home for paying visit to Guntriyan Ziarat of Sain Baba Marian Sahib on Friday morning. However, as they did not return to their homes till evening, their family members started searching for them. During the searches, at around 22:15 hours, two girls were found near SK Bridge Poonch while another was found dead nearby in the river.

Meanwhile, they said, the police party of Police Station Poonch rushed to the spot and recovered the girl’s body and shifted it to District Hospital Poonch for post-mortem.

Meanwhile the two girls were taken to hospital and police also recorded their statement, they said.

Station House Officer Ranjit Rao told GNS that girls have alleged that they were being allegedly pestered by their respective families and as such decided to end their lives. “As per their statement, they jumped together but one of them died,” he said. However, he said, further investigations in the matter are going on. (GNS)