By: Sajid Raina

Srinagar, Feb 05: Jammu and Kashmir Bank has made significant progress in combating fraud with a 50% reduction in the number of such cases in 2023-24 compared to the previous year.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman provided data on fraud cases across all banks, including Jammu and Kashmir Bank, in response to a question in the Lok Sabha.

The amount involved in these frauds also saw a dramatic decline, dropping to just 2.7% of the total amount from 2022-23. This improvement reflects the bank’s enhanced security measures and proactive risk mitigation efforts.

Despite efforts to strengthen security and compliance measures, the bank continues to grapple with varying levels of fraud, with some years seeing alarming spikes in the amounts involved.

The bank reported 13 fraud cases, involving a total of Rs 69.71 crore in 2019-20.  In 2020-21, the fraud cases decreased to 10, but the amount involved surged by 42.3% to Rs 99.23 crore, marking the highest amount in this period.

In 2021-22, both the number of cases and the amount involved dropped, with 12 fraud cases and Rs 14.25 crore, representing an 85.6% decline in the amount compared to the previous year.

In 2022-23, the bank saw a sharp rise in fraud cases, recording 16 cases, the highest in five years, with the amount involved skyrocketing to Rs 298.75 crore, a staggering 1,996% increase from the previous year.

In 2023-24 (till December 2024): Fraud cases decreased to 8, with the amount involved dropping significantly to Rs. 8.10 crore, a 97.3% reduction compared to 2022-23. As of December 2024, only 2 fraud cases have been reported, involving Rs 0.69 crore.

The data reveals a volatile trend in fraud cases, with the amount involved peaking in 2022-23 at Rs 298.75 crore, the highest in the five-year period. (KNO)

By: Raja Syed Rather

Srinagar, Feb 05: The newly inaugurated Z-Morh Tunnel in Ganderbal district is proving to be a game-changer for the Sonamarg tourist destination, boosting winter tourism in the region at a very large scale. Since its opening on January 13, more than 55,000 tourists have visited Sonamarg within just 16 days during the otherwise slow winter months.

The 6.5-kilometer-long tunnel, connecting Gagangir to Sonamarg, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has since facilitated seamless access to the picturesque valley, which was previously difficult to reach due to heavy snowfall and road closures. Official data reveals that among the 55,935 tourists who arrived post-inauguration, 1,114 were foreign visitors.

According to Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, CEO of the Sonamarg Development Authority, 33,990 tourists had visited Sonamarg in the first 10 days of January 2025. However, after the opening of the tunnel, the number surged significantly.

“Earlier, due to the lack of road connectivity, Sonamarg would witness a sharp decline in visitors during December, January, and February, leaving local businesses struggling. This year, however, the scenario has changed completely,” Bhat said.

The increase in tourism has revitalized the local economy, with hotels, restaurants, and shops witnessing a surge in activity. “This place, which usually remained silent during winters, is now bustling with visitors,” Bhat added.

He also noted that Sonamarg currently has about 1.5 feet of snow, making it an ideal location for winter sports. The authorities are in talks with the sports department to organize skiing, skating, ice hockey, and other winter activities to further promote tourism.

Local business owners are optimistic about the future. Irshad Ahmad Wani, a shopkeeper dealing in warm clothing, expressed his satisfaction with the increase in footfall. “The winter was harsh, but our pockets are full thanks to the rush of tourists. With spring and summer approaching, we expect even better business,” he said. (KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 05: Srinagar Police have solved a burglary case by arresting three accused persons involved in the commission of crime, officials said today.

“On 02/02/2025, Police Station Nishat received information that during the intervening night of 1-2/02/2025, some unknown thief/thieves broke the donation box of Mosque/Shrine at Syed Rahman Chowk Nishat and took away some cash,” read a statement.

Accordingly, a case vide FIR No. 07/2025 under relevant sections of law was registered at PS Nishat and investigation  initiated.

During the course of investigation, officers investigating the case acted promptly by using intelligence input & technical evidence to arrest the accused persons. They have been identified as AamirRafiq son of Rafiq Ahmad sheikh @Dobhi resident of BuchwaraDalgate, ⁠MohdSufyanBage son of MohdRafiqBage resident of BageMohalla Uri Baramulla, A/P GulabMohallaDalgate and ⁠Danish Bashir Khan son of Late Bashir Ahmad Khan resident of BuchwaraDalgate, A/P Sumo Stand Khunmoh.

The vehicle (swift car) bearing registration number JK04A-5786 used in the commission of crime has also been seized.

Upon the disclosure of the accused persons, stolen cash has also recovered from their possession.

By: Rehan Qayoom Mir

Srinagar, Feb 05: As the year 2025 enters its second month, officials from Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) on Wednesday said that 143 out of the total 161 projects under the Smart City initiative have been completed.

An official from SSCL informed that the initial budget was Rs 940 crore, and among the remaining 18 projects, work is currently underway. We are hopeful of achieving full completion by March 2025, he said.

Regarding infrastructure developments, the official said that one of the major ongoing projects is Riverfront Phase II, covering the stretch from Amira Kadal to Chattabal.

“The Shahr-e-Khaas development, divided into Sections A, B, and C, along with three other projects, has reached an 85% completion rate,” he said, adding that the underground ducting project along the right bank of the riverfront is progressing well, with about 75% of the work completed.

The completed projects, he said, include the redevelopment of Lal Chowk, upgrades to MA Road and Residency Road, Riverfront Phase 1, the Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS), the SD Net, and the Srinagar data network (Intranet), among others. The upcoming milestone projects include improvements to Batmaloo, Mominabad Road, Dalgate-Gojwara Road and others.

The SSCL’s initiatives aim to transform the urban landscape while preserving the city’s unique cultural heritage, the official said. (KNO)

JAMMU: Commissioner Secretary, Culture, K Ramesh Kumar, today reviewed the functioning of Kala Kendra, emphasizing the need to enhance its operations in line with its aims and objectives.

“All possible resources would be utilised to make Kala Kendra a center of excellence in promoting cultural heritage”, maintained the Commissioning Secretary.

Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL), HarvinderKour; Special Secretaries in Culture Department, TrishlaKumariKundal and MalikzadaSheeraz Ahmed; Secretary, Kala Kendra Society, Dr.JavaidRahi; Deputy Director, Archives, Archaeology and Museums, Dr. Sangeeta Sharma besides other senior officials were present in the meeting.

While deliberating on the initiatives required for further development, K Ramesh Kumar directed the concerned officers to focus on landscaping, renovation and repair of various sections of the building to enhance its aesthetic and functional value.

The Commissioner Secretary was briefed about various activities and programs being conducted by Kala Kendra for promotion and preservation of art and culture in the region. He also inspected different galleries of the institution and appreciated the dedication of the staff and artists in showcasing the diverse cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized the importance of preserving traditional art forms for future generations.

K Ramesh Kumar reaffirmed the government’s commitment towards strengthening cultural institutions and ensuring that Kala Kendra and JKAACL continue to serve as platforms for nurturing and promoting artistic excellence in the Union Territory.

Earlier, Dr.JavedRahi provided an overview of the institution’s functioning, highlighting its significant role in preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Jammu region. He informed that Kala Kendra Society has organized 37 exhibitions and workshops in 2024, including national and international-level events.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner Secretary also reviewed the functioning of JKAACL at the Writers Club, Jammu.

During the meeting, he was apprised that the Academy has conducted 196 major events in 2024, with the participation of over 7000 writers and artists and an audience of lakhs of people. Additionally, the Academy has recently introduced 31 new schemes aimed at promoting art, culture, and languages.

Later, K Ramesh Kumar visited Abhinav Theatre, KL Saigal Hall, and other JKAACL buildings to assess their infrastructure and explore areas for further enhancement.

Srinagar, February 05: Continuing its efforts to eradicate the menace of drugs from the society, Police on Wednesday said to have arrested two drug peddlers in South Kashmir’s Pulwama and Shopian districts.

Pulwama Police arrested a drug peddler at a checkpoint established at Parigam, identified as Mohd Amin Bhat son of Mohd Akbar Bhat resident of Wanpora and recovered 3.5 Kgs of Charas Powder-like substance from his possession, a police spokesman said.

Meanwhile in Shopian, a Police party from Police Post Wachi established a checkpoint at Wachi intercepted a drug peddler identified as Aabid Ahmad Bhat Son of Bashir Ahmad Bhat resident of GanieporaWachi. During the search, 4.300 Kgs of grinded Cannabis & 672 grams of Charas Powder were recovered from his possession.

Accordingly, police said that cases under relevant sections of law have been registered in respective police stations and investigations have been initiated.

“We urge all the citizens to join hands with the police in curbing the menace of drug abuse. Any information related to drug trafficking can be shared to the nearest police establishment or dial 112,” the statement reads.