BANI UPDATE

25/05/2026

DC Kathua reviews arrangements for Eid-ul-Azha celebrations

Kathua, May 25: Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Rajesh Sharma, today chaired a meeting of district officers to review and finalise arrangements for the smooth and peaceful celebration of Eid-ul-Azha across the district.

The meeting was attended ADC Kathua Mahima Madan, by officers from the concerned departments, including Police, Health, Municipal Committees, Jal Shakti, Power Development Department, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Rural Development, Transport and other line departments.

During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner took a comprehensive review of the preparations being put in place to facilitate devotees and ensure hassle-free observance of the festival. He directed all departments to work in close coordination and make necessary arrangements well in advance.

The DC instructed the Municipal Committees to ensure proper sanitation, cleanliness and waste disposal around Eidgahs, mosques and other congregation points. He also stressed the need for adequate drinking water facilities and directed the Jal Shakti Department to ensure uninterrupted water supply at all religious places and adjoining areas.

Reviewing power supply arrangements, the Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned officers to maintain uninterrupted electricity supply during the festival and keep emergency response teams on standby to address any contingencies promptly.

The Health Department was instructed to ensure availability of medical teams, emergency medicines and ambulance services at strategic locations. The Deputy Commissioner also directed the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department to keep a close watch on the availability and quality of essential commodities in the markets.

Emphasising the importance of public convenience and safety, the DC directed the Police and Traffic authorities to put in place adequate security and traffic management arrangements at all major congregation points to ensure smooth movement of devotees and maintain law and order.

The Deputy Commissioner further stressed the need for coordinated efforts among all departments to ensure that the festival is celebrated in a peaceful, orderly and harmonious atmosphere.

ADDC Kathua Surinder Mohan Sharma, ADC Kathua Mahima Madan, ADC Basohli ADC Billawar and other concerned officials.

25/05/2026

Load Carrier Union Submits Memorandum to SDM, Demands Action Against Unauthorized Goods Transport

25/05/2026

Ganga Dussehra Celebrated with Religious Fervour and Enthusiasm in Bani

25/05/2026

DC Kathua reviews progress of Self Enumeration and NMJKA

Stresses Public Outreach, Proper documentation of activities

Kathua, May 25: Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Rajesh Sharma, today chaired a meeting of concerned district officers to review the progress achieved under the ongoing Self Enumeration initiative of Census 2027 and the Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan (NMJKA).

During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner took a detailed appraisal of the measures being undertaken to promote Self Enumeration and directed officers to intensify public awareness and outreach efforts to encourage citizens to avail the digital facility from the comfort of their homes.

Emphasising the importance of citizen participation, the DC stressed the need for extensive sensitisation campaigns highlighting the ease, convenience and benefits of Self Enumeration. He directed all departments to actively publicise the initiative through awareness camps, public interactions and social media platforms. The officers were further asked to involve elected representatives, community leaders, prominent citizens, educational institutions and other stakeholders in motivating the public to adopt the digital mode of self-enumeration.

The DC underscored the importance of establishing facilitation and awareness camps at prominent locations to assist citizens in completing the self-enumeration process and resolving any queries related to the initiative. He called upon all departments to work in a coordinated manner to maximise public participation and ensure wider dissemination of information regarding the ongoing exercise.

Reviewing the implementation of the Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan, the DC directed all district and sectoral officers to ensure regular conduct of awareness, outreach and community engagement activities under the campaign. He stressed that every activity undertaken by departments must be properly documented and uploaded on the designated NMJKA portal for accurate representation of the district's efforts and achievements.

The Deputy Commissioner emphasised that timely and quality reporting is essential for effective monitoring of the campaign. He instructed officers to ensure that events are conducted in a meaningful manner, supported by proper photographic documentation, attendance records and activity reports besides ensuring events uploading on prescribed e-portal. He further directed that daily reports of all NMJKA-related activities should invariably reach the DC Office in the prescribed format for consolidation and review.

The DC called upon all officers to maintain close coordination and ensure effective implementation of both programmes at the grassroots level.

Among others, PO ICDS Mohammed Syed Khan, ADC Kathua Mahima Madan, ADC Basohli Pankaj Bhagotra, ADC Billawar Vinay Khosla, RTO Surinder Sharma, IAS Probationer Nidhi, SDM Hiranagar, DSWO, DSEO, and other concerned officers were also present.

25/05/2026

Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Prashikshan Mahaabhiyan 2026 Held in Kathua, Dr. Jitendra Singh Addresses Workers

24/05/2026

Maa Sheetla Cricket Tournament Concludes, Challa Lifts Trophy; MLA Bani Announces ₹5 Lakh for Sports Ground Upgrade

24/05/2026

Volleyball Tournament in Bani Inspires Youth Participation in Sports Activities

23/05/2026

23/05/2026

DC Kathua reviews progress under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Abhiyan 2.0

Keeps focus on convergence, timely completion and portal-based reporting of water conservation works

Kathua, May 23: Deputy Commissioner Kathua Rajesh Sharma today chaired a meeting to review the progress of Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Abhiyan (JSJB) 2.0 in the district at the DC Office Complex here.

The meeting was attended by ADDC Surinder Mohan Sharma, DFO Kathua Ankit Sinha, CPO Ranjeet Thakur, SE Hydraulic, SDM Hiranagar, ACD, ACP, CAO, CHO, XEN PHE, XEN Irrigation, CEO Municipal Council Kathua, EOs of Lakhanpur and Billawar and other concerned officers.

The meeting was informed that under the previous phase of the campaign, 499 water conservation works were identified, of which 484 have been completed and 15 are under progress. It was further informed that during the current phase, 40 works have been taken up, including 03 Rain Water Harvesting structures, 32 Soak Pits, 02 Village Ponds, 01 Check Dam and 02 other water harvesting interventions. Of these, 36 works have been completed while 04 are in progress.

Reviewing the progress, the Deputy Commissioner emphasized the need for effective inter-departmental coordination to achieve the objectives of the campaign. He directed all departments to ensure timely completion of ongoing works and stressed the importance of proper geo-tagging, documentation and prompt uploading of works on the designated portal for accurate accounting and monitoring of district activities.

The DC directed the Jal Shakti Department to continue geo-tagging of water sources and recharge structures and provide technical support to Panchayats for identification of water conservation interventions. The Agriculture Department was asked to promote water-efficient farming practices, micro-irrigation and awareness regarding water-saving crops.

The Irrigation and Flood Control Department was instructed to focus on watershed management, rejuvenation of water bodies, desilting operations and creation of recharge structures. The Rural Development Department was asked to leverage MGNREGA for development of rainwater harvesting structures, soak pits, village ponds and grey water management facilities, besides generating awareness through Gram Sabhas.

The Forest Department was directed to undertake plantation drives, conserve water bodies in forest areas and support geo-tagging initiatives. The Housing and Urban Development Department was asked to promote rooftop rainwater harvesting in urban areas, rejuvenate urban water bodies and intensify awareness activities.

The DC further directed the Education Department to promote rooftop rainwater harvesting structures in educational institutions and conduct awareness programmes among students. The Social Welfare Department was asked to encourage similar interventions in Anganwadi Centres and strengthen community outreach on the role of women in water conservation and governance.

The DC reiterated that water conservation requires active public participation and called upon all departments to work in a coordinated manner for successful implementation of Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Abhiyan 2.0 across the district.

23/05/2026

Kathua Mining Department Cracks Down on Illegal Mining, Three JCBs, One Dumper and Two Tractors Seized in Bani

22/05/2026

Shree Angat Kumar Memorial Cricket Tournament to Begin from May 31 in Mashka.