Pulwama, Feb 9: A private employee lost his life in a fatal accident at Cemtac Cement Factory in the Khrew area of Pulwama district on Monday, officials said.

The incident occurred within the factory premises when a dumper bearing registration number JK01AF-7211 allegedly hit a worker during routine operations. The deceased has been identified as Gh Rasool Regoo.

Officials said the dumper was being driven by Ab Majid Sheikh at the time of the incident. Regoo sustained serious injuries and was immediately shifted to Primary Health Centre Khrew, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Police reached the spot and took cognizance of the incident. Legal formalities have been initiated and an investigation has been launched to ascertain the circumstances leading to the fatal accident.

Further details are awaited. (CNS)

Srinagar, Feb 9: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday informed the Assembly that the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) and the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) together collected over rupees 48 crore as application fees over the last two financial years.

In a written reply to a question from PDP MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, the government provided a year-wise breakdown of the fees collected by the two recruitment agencies.

The figures showed that during 2023–24, JKPSC received rupees 7.39 crore, while JKSSB collected rupees 7.09 crore from applicants. In the following financial year, collections rose sharply, with JKPSC securing rupees 10.50 crore and JKSSB rupees 23.88 crore.

Overall, JKPSC accumulated rupees 17.90 crore and JKSSB rupees 30.98 crore in application fees during the two-year period, the reply said.

Vinod Bhat

New Delhi: In a significant achievement under its ongoing mission-mode drive, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has crossed the milestone of completing over one crore Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBUs) for school-children studying in 83000 schools across the country.

UIDAI had initiated this special MBU drive for school-children in September 2025 after a successful technological integration with the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) application, that enabled visibility of MBUs status of children at schools. This breakthrough helped the UIDAI and schools to jointly identify children who were due for an MBU, and hold camps at schools to complete the MBU.

Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, CEO, UIDAI, had written to Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories apprising them of this initiative by UIDAI and requested their support in conducting focussed MBU camps at schools. UIDAI Regional Offices spread across eight locations in the country have worked tirelessly for five months to coordinate this massive exercise with all the stakeholders, i.e. the Education Departments of States & Union Territories, District-level administration, UIDAI registrars and the school authorities. The mission mode campaign continues to be operational till such time all schools in the country are covered. This initiative has already benefitted 1 crore children in 83,000 schools and many more are set to gain from it.

A child under the age of five enrols for Aadhaar by providing the photograph, name, date of birth, gender, address and birth certificate. The fingerprints and iris biometrics of a child are not captured for Aadhaar enrolment below the age of five because these are not mature at that age. Therefore, providing fingerprints and iris information in Aadhaar by following the process of MBU, upon crossing the ages of 5 and 15 years, is an essential requirement for children. Lack of MBU in Aadhaar may lead to difficulties while carrying out authentication for receiving benefits under various Government schemes, registering in competitive and university examinations like NEET, JEE, CUET etc.

In order to incentivise children to complete MBU and to make the service accessible to all, UIDAI had waived off the charges payable for MBU by children in the 7-15 age group, from 1^st October 2025 for a period of one year. Further, MBU by children between 5-7 years and 15-17 continues to remain free of charge.

In addition to camps held at schools, children can also complete their MBU at any of the Aadhaar enrolment centres and Aadhaar Seva Kendras running across the country. About 1.3 crore MBU transactions have also been completed in the same period, by children visiting these centres.

It’s Board’s resolve to make Katra clean, vibrant, and equipped with modern infrastructure for residents and the millions who arrive as pilgrims: LG Sinha

SMVDSB has decided to spearhead sports development across the Jammu region- cultivating future champions, safeguarding youth health, and transforming Jammu & Kashmir UT into a national sporting powerhouse alongside its spiritual eminence

Jammu, 08 Feb : Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board in its meeting today has taken a series of high-impact decisions to completely transform the Mata’s Shrine and its surrounding region into India’s leading and most vibrant spiritual destination-earning worldwide acclaim.

The meeting was chaired by the Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.

The Shrine Board has approved three key initiatives: an international museum dedicated to Maa Shakti’s spiritual heritage, a sound-and-light spectacle modeled on global pilgrimage sites, and a documentary on the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.

In another important initiative, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has decided to fill vacant positions, with recruitment process set to begin shortly.

The SMVDSB has also greenlit the establishment of coaching centers offering free NEET preparation to youth from surrounding areas.

The SMVDSB approved formulation and phased implementation of a rehabilitation plan for the service providers on Mata Vaishno Devi track, like ponywallas etc, in line with the directives of the National Green Tribunal.

i.In a significant move, a committee has been constituted to assess strategies for expanding pilgrimage numbers, enhancing pilgrimage experience and present recommendations to the board.

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has resolved to prioritize purchases from self-help groups, women and young local entrepreneurs to supercharge regional economy.

The Board has decided that the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board would source Mata’s offerings locally, channeling funds directly into community growth.

Since Mata’s abode puts Katra city on the global map, the board has decided to contribute directly for city’s transformation.

“It’s Board’s resolve to make Katra clean, vibrant, and equipped with modern infrastructure for residents and the millions who arrive as pilgrims,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has decided to spearhead sports development across the Jammu region- cultivating future champions, safeguarding youth health, and transforming Jammu & Kashmir UT into a national sporting powerhouse alongside its spiritual eminence.

The Board also emphasised on specialised training for religious practitioners (Pujaris).

The Board reviewed and ratified actions taken since the previous meeting and took key decisions on 25 important agenda items aimed at strengthening the Board’s functioning and improving pilgrim services.

Emphasizing pilgrim safety, the Board approved enhancement of insurance cover from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh per pilgrim. Besides, endorsed the preliminary concept for constructing an International Museum with the consultation of Asian Heritage Foundation dedicated to Mata Vaishno Devi Ji at Natali, Katra. The proposed Shakti Museum will be the first of its kind and would serve as a religious, educational and cultural center. Additionally, the state-of-the-art light & sound shows will bring mythology to life through a fusion of tradition and innovation. The Lieutenant Governor requested the Board to provide concrete suggestions, enabling the project to be initiated in the coming months and completed within a two-year timeframe.

Progress of major infrastructure projects was reviewed including construction of the Exit Track at Bhawan, New Vaishnavi Bhawan, widening of the Yatra track from Sanjichhat to Bhawan, slope stabilization works, construction of Shri Shankaracharya Ji Temple and allied amenities at Katra and School for Divyangjan at Chaitanya Ashram, Jammu. The Board directed strict adherence to timelines while ensuring the highest standards of quality and safety.

Regarding the newly developed helipad at Village Hutt, the Board approved that following execution of a revised MoU, SMVDSB will provide a one-time financial grant to Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board under the Shrine Act for development and upgradation of pilgrim infrastructure. It was also approved that heli services for both Shrines will operate from the same helipad for the convenience of pilgrims.

The Board appreciated the community welfare initiatives of renovating 15 schools in Reasi and Udhampur districts damaged during the heavy rains of August-September 2025 within just five months.

The Board lauded the initiative of establishing a Sadhna Kaksh (Meditation Hall) at Bhawan; terming it a significant step towards enriching the spiritual well-being of pilgrims. Approval was also accorded for grant-in-aid to institutions under the SMVD Charitable Society, including Gurukul, Hospital, Sports Complex, College of Nursing.

The Board expressed appreciation for the greening initiatives undertaken by SMVDSB and approved a comprehensive Annual Green Plan for 2026–27. The Lieutenant Governor directed the CEO to reaffirm the commitment to environmental sustainability with particular emphasis on promoting a clean and green Katra Town and its surrounding areas.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the Lieutenant Governor laid foundation stones for several pilgrim-centric facilities aimed at enhancing infrastructure and spiritual experience. These included construction of three new temples in Reasi district, restoration of two ancient temples in Jammu district at an estimated cost ₹1.21 Cr, redevelopment of the Bhairon Ji Temple Complex and construction of staff accommodation at Bhawan and Bhairon Ji. The Lieutenant Governor also inaugurated newly constructed cottages at Katra and launched an improvised Pouch Prasad containing dry fruits, an engraved coin depicting the Holy Pindies and a sacred Mouli (Kalava) for free distribution among pilgrims.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, SMVDSB presented a detailed overview of the Board’s activities and progress achieved in implementation of decisions taken during previous meetings.

The meeting was attended by all Board Members including Mahamandleshwar Shri Swami Vishveshvaranand Giriji Maharaj, Shri Baleshwar Rai, Dr. Ashok Bhan, Smt. Sudha Murty, Smt. Gunjan Rana, Dr. K.K. Talwar, Shri Kulbhushan Ahuja, Shri Lalit Bhasin and Shri Suresh Kumar Sharma.

Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor and Shri Sachin Kumar Vaishya, Chief Executive Officer, SMVDSB also attended the meeting.

Vinod Bhat

New Delhi: Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw and Karnataka’s Minister for Large and Medium Industries, M.B. Patil today inaugurated Zetwerk Electronics’ new world-class manufacturing facility for defence, automotive, and IT hardware electronics built in Bengaluru. Inaugurating the program, the Union Minister stated that every product manufactured here will meet high-quality standards. The Minister noted that the manufacturing of electronic components is now growing rapidly. Already, 46 approvals have been granted, and Karnataka is set to receive investments exceeding ₹10,000 crore.

The Minister said that, In the recent budget, the Finance Minister increased the budget for the electronic component manufacturing scheme from ₹22,000 crore to ₹40,000 crore. This will significantly accelerate the electronics manufacturing journey. Our Prime Minister has set a production target of $500 billion by the 2030-2031 financial year. Therefore, we all need to move very quickly in that direction. Today, people are designing complete ‘2-nanometer’ chips in India, which is a major achievement for the country, and equipment manufacturers have also started coming to India. The Minister mentioned that Applied Materials and Lam Research have been brought to India, and the next goal should be to bring ASML.

He further added that commercial production will begin this year. In the coming days, the first commercially produced chip from a semiconductor plant will be in our hands. ‘Semicon 2.0’ will be effective, focusing on design, equipment manufacturing, chemicals, gases, validation, and yield improvement—all functions required for a sustainable semiconductor journey.

We aim to prepare 85,000 silicon engineers over 10 years, and in four years, we have already trained 67,000. Consequently, a large part of chip design will practically happen in India. This will be a major shift in the coming years. With the arrival of the ‘fab,’ we have now mapped a path from 28- nano meter to 7- nano meter, which will be part of Silicon 2.0. We believe in a cooperative system and that the country grows only when all states grow. The Minister urged not to have a narrow outlook but a broad vision to make India a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. He stated that, Hon. Prime Minister has given us this vision, and we should all work unitedly and focus toward that single goal.

TAUSEEF AHMAD

SRINAGAR, Feb 8: The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department made a strong and impactful presence at OTM Mumbai 2026, one of Asia’s premier travel and tourism marts, drawing widespread attention from national and international tourism stakeholders. The three-day event was held from February 5 to 7 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai, and served as a significant platform for showcasing the vast and diverse tourism potential of Jammu and Kashmir.

Adding to the significance of its participation, Jammu and Kashmir was conferred with the prestigious “Best Adventure Tourism Destination” award, reinforcing the region’s growing reputation as a global hub for adventure and experiential tourism. The recognition was seen as a major boost for the Union Territory’s tourism sector, particularly in promoting activities such as trekking, skiing, mountaineering, rafting, and eco-tourism.

The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department set up a dedicated and visually striking pavilion, which recorded heavy footfall throughout the three-day event. Officials said the J&K pavilion emerged as one of the major highlights of OTM Mumbai 2026, attracting tour operators, travel agents, destination management companies, hospitality groups, and tourism professionals from across India and abroad.

The J&K delegation was led by Director Tourism Kashmir, Syed Qamar Sajad (JKAS), whose supervision and active on-ground engagement played a crucial role in ensuring the department’s effective participation. His interactions with industry stakeholders helped facilitate meaningful discussions on promoting Jammu and Kashmir as a year-round tourist destination.

Director Tourism Jammu, Vikas Gupta, along with other senior officers of the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department, also participated in the event. The officials remained engaged throughout the travel mart, holding extensive interactions with exhibitors, tour operators, and travel trade representatives to explore new avenues of collaboration and tourism promotion.

The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Pavilion stood out for its distinct design, vibrant branding, and immersive presentation. In addition to the main pavilion, J&K Tourism branding was prominently displayed at the International Pavilion, while exclusive lanyard branding further enhanced the department’s visibility across the venue, ensuring sustained engagement with visitors and delegates.

The pavilion witnessed a large number of interactions with domestic and international tourism professionals. Multiple structured meetings were held with leading travel companies, tour operators, and destination management firms, focusing on future partnerships, tour packages, and promotional strategies aimed at increasing tourist inflow to the region.

A key attraction at the J&K pavilion was the incorporation of interactive elements, including trade meetings and a virtual reality (VR) experience, which allowed visitors to virtually explore some of Jammu and Kashmir’s most iconic destinations. Officials said the VR experience generated significant interest and helped visitors gain a realistic and immersive feel of the region’s scenic landscapes and adventure offerings.

The pavilion also showcased the rich cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir through the display of Kashmiri classical musical instruments and traditional handicrafts, including papier-mâché items. The cultural presentation added a unique dimension to the tourism promotion by highlighting the region’s artistic and cultural identity alongside its natural beauty.

Notably, officials said this was the first time that Kashmiri crafts and cultural elements were prominently displayed at OTM Mumbai as part of tourism promotion. The initiative was aimed at providing direct exposure to local products and craftsmanship, thereby supporting artisans while enhancing the overall destination branding of Jammu and Kashmir.

Co-exhibitors representing Jammu and Kashmir expressed satisfaction over the Tourism Department’s well-planned marketing strategy, the aesthetic appeal of the pavilion, and the structured engagement with tourism industry stakeholders. They said the initiative created valuable networking opportunities and opened new possibilities for business collaborations.

Officials described the overall response at OTM Mumbai 2026 as highly encouraging and expressed optimism that the extensive outreach and global exposure would translate into increased tourist arrivals to Jammu and Kashmir in the upcoming tourism season, further strengthening the region’s tourism economy.