Srinagar, Apr 17: The 85-km Bandipora-Gurez road was closed on Friday following fresh snowfall at Razdan Top, officials said.

An official told that the vehicular movement on the strategic road connecting Bandipora with the remote Gurez Valley was suspended as a precautionary measure after snowfall made the high-altitude Razdan Pass slippery and unsafe for traffic.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Gurez, Mukhtar Ahmad, said the road shall remain closed until further orders.

“Movement on the Bandipora–Gurez road shall remain suspended until further orders,” Ahmad said.

Officials said snowfall at the pass reduced visibility and created slippery conditions, prompting authorities to halt traffic.

The administration issued an advisory urging residents and travellers to avoid unnecessary movement on the route and to adhere to official directions until the road is declared safe. (KNS)

Srinagar, Apr 17: Moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms lashed Jammu and Kashmir in the past 12 hours, while light snowfall was recorded in the upper reaches of the valley, the Meteorological Department said on Friday.

Director Metrological department Srinagar Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told that the weather is likely to remain generally cloudy with intermittent spells of light rain and thundershowers at many places, particularly during morning and late evening hours, from April 17 to 19.

He added that gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph and possible hailstorms at isolated locations are likely during this period.

The official said the weather is expected to improve from April 20 to 24, with generally dry conditions prevailing across the Union Territory. Similar conditions are forecast for April 25 and 26, though brief spells of light rain or thundershower with gusty winds may occur at isolated places towards the afternoon.

He said strong winds on Thursday evening caused minor disruptions in power supply across several areas of the valley.

The MeT department has advised farmers to suspend farm operations from April 17 to 19 in view of the expected weather activity.

“The advisory has been issued as a precautionary measure to minimise potential damage to crops and ensure safety during adverse weather conditions,” he said.

The department has urged people to remain cautious, especially during periods of strong winds and thunderstorms, and follow official advisories. (KNS)

Jammu, Apr 16 : The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Thursday extended the tenure of Chairperson of the Committee for Fixation, Determination and Regulation of Fee of Private Schools Justice (Retd) Sunil Hali till new appointment.

According to a notification issued by the School Education Department, dated April 16, 2026 a copy reads, In exercise of the powers conferred under rule 4(3) of Jammu and Kashmir Private Schools (Fixation, Determination and Regulation of Fee) Rules, 2022 the Government hereby extends the term of Hon’ble Justice (Retired), Shri Sunil Hali, as Chairperson of the Committee for Fixation, Determination and Regulation of Fee of Private Schools, from the date on which his previous term expires i.e. 31.03.2026, for a further period of one month or till a new incumbent is appointed, whichever is earlier.

The extension has been granted under Rule 4(3) of the Jammu and Kashmir Private Schools (Fixation, Determination and Regulation of Fee) Rules, 2022, it reads.

The notification further stated that the terms and conditions of the office shall remain unchanged as per the earlier notification S.O. 168 dated March 24, 2023.

KD NEWS SERVICE

JAMMU, April 16: In a significant step aimed at strengthening trade connectivity and easing logistical challenges for Kashmir’s producers, Northern Railway is set to introduce a daily parcel train service between Delhi and Budgam from April 17. The initiative is expected to provide a faster, more reliable, and cost-effective transport alternative for fruit growers and handicraft exporters who have long grappled with uncertainties in road-based supply chains.

The service, officially termed the Joint Parcel Product–Rapid Cargo Service (JPP-RCS), will initially operate on a trial basis until May 31. Railway authorities indicated that the service may be converted into a permanent operation depending on its performance and cargo occupancy during the trial period.

According to railway officials, the new service has been designed to significantly reduce transit time while ensuring the safe movement of perishable and high-value goods from Kashmir to major markets in the country. The train operating from Budgam, numbered 00462, will depart at 6:15 am and is scheduled to reach Adarsh Nagar in New Delhi at 5:00 am the following day, covering the journey in approximately 23 to 24 hours.

On the return leg, train number 00461 will leave Adarsh Nagar at 5:00 am and is expected to arrive in Budgam at 10:45 am the next day. The near 24-hour turnaround is seen as a major improvement over road transport, which is often delayed due to weather conditions, highway congestion, and other disruptions along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
The parcel train will make scheduled halts at Bari Brahmana in Jammu and Ambala Cantonment in Haryana to facilitate loading and unloading of goods. Officials noted that the halt timing at Bari Brahmana has been revised in response to feedback received from traders, indicating a consultative approach in planning the service.

The train composition will include eight parcel vans along with one seating-cum-luggage coach, allowing for both cargo handling and limited staff movement. This configuration is expected to cater to a substantial volume of goods, particularly during peak export seasons.

Railway authorities emphasized that the service is strategically aimed at boosting the economic prospects of Jammu and Kashmir by ensuring timely delivery of key products such as saffron, walnuts, pashmina shawls, and a wide range of traditional handicrafts. These products, which form the backbone of the region’s export economy, often suffer losses due to delays and damage during transit via road.

The introduction of this dedicated cargo corridor is also expected to enhance market access for local producers, enabling them to reach national markets more efficiently and competitively. Improved logistics could help farmers and artisans secure better prices for their products while reducing dependence on intermediaries.

Officials further stated that the initiative comes in response to persistent demand from traders, growers, and industry stakeholders who have been advocating for a dependable rail-based cargo solution. The service aligns with broader efforts to integrate Jammu and Kashmir more closely with the national supply chain network.

If the trial proves successful, the daily parcel train could mark a turning point in the region’s transportation landscape, offering a sustainable and resilient alternative to road transport and contributing to long-term economic growth in the Union Territory.

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, is set to table the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, at a special three-day sitting of the Budget Session beginning tomorrow.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to address the special session of Parliament tomorrow afternoon.

The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women legislators, is linked to the delimitation process in the Lok Sabha. The government is planning to implement the women’s reservation ahead of the 2029 General Elections by bringing in an amendment to the 2023 Act and a constitutional amendment to delink the delimitation process from the 2027 census.

According to sources, the government has proposed to increase the number of seats in the House to 850, with 815 seats proposed for the States and the remaining 35 for the Union Territories. The Lok Sabha has 543 seats at present.

While supporting the 33 per cent reservation for women legislators in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures, Congress, however, has opposed the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, to carry out the delimitation exercise in the Lok Sabha.

As the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, is linked to the delimitation process in the Lok Sabha, the government has proposed to increase the number of seats in the House to 850, with 815 seats proposed for the States and the remaining 35 for the Union Territories. The Lok Sabha has 543 seats at present.

Ahead of the special sitting of the Parliament, Congress held a parliamentary strategy group meeting on Wednesday at party president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence, 10 Rajaji Marg in New Delhi, to discuss proposed amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023.

Along with Congress President, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, RJD Working President Tejashwi Yadav, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal, and other prominent INDIA bloc leaders attended the meeting.

After the meeting, INDIA bloc leaders decided to oppose the delimitation bill pushed with an amendment to Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, to provide 33 per cent reservation for women legislators in Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

The Opposition clarified that it is not against the women’s reservation and urged the Centre to implement Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 but objected to the delimitation process, which they believe weakens the representation of the southern and north-eastern states in the Lok Sabha.

Opposition leaders have flagged that the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, does not increase the seats in the Lok Sabha on a pro-rata basis and will allegedly shrink the representation of southern states in the House.

Congress Rajya Sabha MP P Chidambaram on Wednesday called the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, for the delimitation process in the Lok Sabha a “mischievous and diabolical” move, alleging that the representation of the southern states in Parliament will shrink.

He wrote, “The apprehensions I had voiced in the last week have proved right. When the strength of the Lok Sabha is increased by 50 per cent from 543 to 815, the strength of TN will seemingly increase from 39 to 58. But this is an illusion. When delimitation takes place, it will reduce to 46. Uttar Pradesh’s strength will first increase from 80 to 120 and, after delimitation, it will further increase to roughly 140.”

“All the Southern States that have currently a representation of 24.3 per cent will find their representation reduced to 20.7 per cent. This is a mischievous, diabolical move to radically alter the federal balance. This must be OPPOSED,” the Congress leader said. (ANI)