Politics

SMVDIME Admission Row: Sajad Lone hits out at BJP for attempting to ‘communalise the medical sciences’

SRINAGAR — People’s Conference president Sajad Gani Lone hit out at the attempt to “communalise the medical sciences” after a BJP MLA demanded reservations for Hindus in MBBS admissions of a university. Lone, a former ally of the BJP, asserted that positions in medical colleges should be secured through a merit-based national-level test. Several Hindu […]

Jammu

Seven limestone blocks to be auctioned in J&K’s first-ever mineral block auction on Monday

JAMMU — Union Minister G Kishan Reddy will lead the first-ever auction of limestone mineral blocks, which will be formally launched here on Monday with a roadshow, an official said. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary are also scheduled to attend the event, reflecting strong Centre-state partnership and […]

Politics

‘Misguided, dangerous’: Tanvir Sadiq slams BJP demand to scrap SMVDIME admission list

JAMMU — National Conference (NC) leader Tanvir Sadiq on Sunday criticised the BJP’s call to revoke the admission list at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), saying the demand to reserve seats for students who have faith in the deity is “misguided and dangerous”. Disgruntled BJP leader Jahanzaib Sirwal also criticised […]

Jammu

Jammu needs strategy to turn pilgrims into long-stay tourists: J&K chief secretary

JAMMU — A targeted strategy is needed to convert the rising pilgrim footfall in Jammu into longer tourist stays by promoting the region’s wider leisure, heritage, adventure and spiritual attractions beyond the main pilgrimage route, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo has said. He stressed on proactive use of digital platforms and social media, including collaboration with […]

Politics

BJP legislators meet LG in Jammu; demands revocation of first MBBS admission list in SMVDIME

JAMMU — A delegation of BJP legislators late Saturday called on Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and sought the revocation of the first admission list issued by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) in Reasi district. The delegation led by Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Sunil Sharma questioned […]

Jammu

‘Operation Drishti’: Army doctors turn community halls into OTs, perform over 400 eye surgeries

JAMMU — Turning ramshackled community halls into sterile operation theatres, Army doctors successfully performed more than 400 intricate surgeries in a row to restore vision of people from far-flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir, many of whome suffered long-neglected “mature” cataracts. The advanced four-day surgical eye camp at Command Hospital Northern Command Udhampur, successfully screened […]