#JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor, Shri Manoj Sinha today inaugurated Tawi Aarti and Light & Sound Show on Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra to welcome Pilgrims of Baba Barfani. Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor said that this sacred journey of faith, discipline and spiritual awakening is a source of inspiration for countless generations. He invited seekers from across the country to participate in this spiritual journey.

“Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra has long been a living thread, weaving together people of diverse languages, cultures and traditions into one shared fabric of faith. With only a few hours remaining before the yatra’s commencement, Jammu Kashmir reverberates with chants to Lord Shiva, and the holy banks of the Tawi are lit by lamps of devotion.

On this auspicious occasion, I extend my warmest greetings and felicitations to all pilgrims. The Tawi Aarti, rooted in ancient practice, stands today as a vibrant symbol of our collective spiritual consciousness, cultural unity, spiritual values and social harmony.

The river’s uninterrupted flow reminds us that just as its waters move freely without distinction, so too should human life be guided by love, cooperation, and mutual respect. Throughout Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, Tawi Aarti will be offered every evening, and each lamp lit will shine as a beacon of hope, purity, renewal, and faith, illuminating not only the path of the pilgrim but the spirit of our society as well,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor applauded the efforts of Jammu Smart City Limited for building Tawi riverfront and ensuring the river’s rightful place at the heart of community life. He said banks that were once neglected have become vibrant centres of culture, tradition, social engagement and spiritual values.

“For centuries Jammu has been known as a centre of spiritual awareness, cultural richness and learning. This land, with its ancient temples, has long embodied spiritual reflection and the finest values of Indian culture. It is therefore heartening to see Jammu reclaiming the distinguished identity for which it has been celebrated in history. I call for people’s active participation to keep the city clean and vibrant.

On this sacred occasion I envision a Jammu that emerges as a global centre for spiritual tourism, cultural studies and human values. I want to see a Tawi riverfront that sets a model for environmental protection, sustainable development and modern urban planning, where nature, culture and contemporary amenities complement one another to create a new model of development,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor also stated that Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra stands as a timeless symbol of our spiritual traditions, cultural legacy, and collective faith. He said it is one of India’s most revered religious gatherings and embodies a responsibility that echoes the devotion of millions across the nation.

“It is therefore incumbent upon us to uphold the sanctity of this pilgrimage by ensuring that every devotee who undertakes this journey is met with the highest standards of safety, dignity, comfort, and care. We must strive to ensure that devotees carry back with them an indelible impression of love, warmth and spirit of service shown by the people of Jammu Kashmir. It is our responsibility to make every pilgrim an ambassador for Jammu Kashmir,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor also launched ‘Raahi: Hop Jammu’ Bus Service, an initiative of District Administration Jammu. It is designed to offer locals and tourists a seamless, convenient, and environmentally sustainable way to explore the rich cultural, heritage, and recreational landscape of Jammu.

With a fleet of air-conditioned e-buses, the service will operate on distinct thematic routes: Tirath Line, Chenab Line, Sarhad Line and Fun Line, connecting the Jammu’s most significant landmarks.

Earlier, the Lieutenant Governor inaugurated Exhibition on Shri Amarnathji Yatra. He also presented Swachhta Souvenirs to Yatris.

Shri Jugal Kishore Sharma, Member of Parliament; Shri Sat Sharma, Member of Parliament and President, Bharatiya Janata Party, J&K; Shri Sunil Sharma, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in J&K Legislative Assembly; Shri Nalin Prabhat, DGP; Shri S.J.M.Gillani, Special DG Coordination PHQ; Ms. Mandeep Kaur, Commissioner Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department; Shri Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Shri Bhim Sen Tuti, IGP Jammu; Shri Shridhar Patil, DIG JSKRange; Dr Rakesh Minhas, Deputy Commissioner Jammu; Dr Devansh Yadav, Municipal Commissioner Jammu and CEO Jammu Smart City Limited and senior officials were present.

Members of Legislative Assembly-Shri Yudhvir Sethi, Shri Arvind Gupta and Shri Surinder Bhagat; Shri Rajesh Gupta; President Vishwa Hindu Parishad (J&K and Ladakh); Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu; religious leaders; prominent citizens and people from all walks of life also attended the Tawi Aarti.

#JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Monday commenced Tatkal registration and token distribution for the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 to facilitate pilgrims who could not secure advance registration.

The Tatkal registration process is being conducted at the Jammu Tawi River Front, while similar facilities have also been made available at Srinagar, Baltal and Pahalgam.

As part of the registration process, pilgrims are required to undergo a mandatory medical examination. Those declared medically fit will be issued a Compulsory Health Certificate (CHC), following which they will receive a registration token.

After completing the registration formalities, pilgrims will be issued their Yatra Permit and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Card, which is mandatory for undertaking the pilgrimage.

The administration has advised devotees to travel strictly according to the date mentioned on their Yatra Permit and not to bring companions registered for different dates, as this may cause inconvenience during the pilgrimage.

In view of the possibility of adverse weather during the initial days of the Yatra, pilgrims have been advised to carry warm clothing, raincoats, umbrellas, torches and other essential items.

The annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra will commence on July 3 through the twin routes of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district. Pilgrims scheduled to undertake the Yatra on the opening day have been advised to report at Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu before the departure of escorted convoys to the Baltal and Pahalgam base camps.

The administration has stated that elaborate security, medical and logistical arrangements have been put in place to ensure a safe, smooth and hassle-free pilgrimage for devotees from across the country.

Fresh Registration, Preferences Open from 23rd to 26th June on JK Admissions Portal

SRINAGAR:  Higher Education Department, J&K, has notified the conduct of the Spot Round for Undergraduate/Integrated PG admissions in Government Degree Colleges of J&K for the Academic Session 2026–27, for filling up the vacant seats remaining after completion of Round-2 admission formalities.

The Spot Round shall be conducted through two parallel streams. Programmes having substantial vacant seats have been placed under the Walk-in Admissions category, where eligible aspirants shall report directly to the concerned colleges for admission. Other programmes shall be filled through Round-3 / Direct System Allotment on the Centralised Admission Portal, https://jkadmissions.in, strictly on the basis of 10+2 merit, preferences submitted by candidates, eligibility, and availability of vacant seats.

As per the notified schedule, fresh registration on the admission portal for candidates who had not registered earlier, along with submission of fresh college/programme preferences for Round-3 programmes, shall remain open from 23-06-2026 to 26-06-2026. This preference submission window is open to all eligible candidates, including fresh aspirants, candidates seeking walk-in admission, and candidates already admitted in earlier rounds who wish to seek upgradation to another college or programme.

Walk-in admissions and document verification at colleges shall be held from 25-06-2026 to 02-07-2026, subject to availability of vacant seats. Candidates seeking walk-in admission must be registered on the Centralised Admission Portal before reporting to the concerned college. Admission fee for such admissions shall be deposited online through the portal only.

Furthermore, Candidates allotted seats in the Round-3/ Direct System Allotment List, that shall be published on the Centralised Admission Portal on 29-06-2026, shall deposit the prescribed admission fee online on or before 01-07-2026 and shall report to the allotted college for physical verification of original documents from 29-06-2026 to 02-07-2026.

The department has informed that  candidates who have not secured admission in any previous round, candidates who were allotted seats earlier but did not complete admission formalities, candidates already admitted but seeking a different college or programme, and candidates whose applications were rejected during verification due to correctable issues may participate in the Spot Round, subject to fulfilment of eligibility conditions. However, candidates who voluntarily cancelled their confirmed admission shall not be eligible to participate.

Fresh applicants shall submit their application online on https://jkadmissions.in and pay the prescribed non-refundable application fee of ₹200. Candidates who had already applied earlier are not required to submit a fresh application or pay any additional application fee. All candidates are advised to carefully verify their mobile number and email address on the portal to ensure timely receipt of admission-related communications.

Higher Education Department has also advised aspirants to visit the counselling and facilitation centres established at Degree Colleges for assistance in form submission and preference filling. Candidates may also explore course offerings and subject combinations available in different colleges through the Directorate of Colleges website https://directorcollegesjk.in under the Courses/Colleges section.

Director Colleges J&K, Dr. Sheikh Ajaz Bashir, appealed to all eligible aspirants to utilise the Spot Round opportunity and complete all admission formalities strictly within the notified timelines. He further advised candidates to regularly check the JK Admissions Portal and follow the official WhatsApp Channel for Admissions 2026–27, linked on the portal, for updates, notices, allotment lists, and schedules.

The allotment of Minor, SEC, MD and other course components shall be done after commencement of classwork as per the notified circular.

SRINAGAR: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, led by its Chairman Dr. Shashi Tharoor called on Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha at Lok Bhavan, Srinagar, today.

The Committee is on a four-day study visit to the Union Territories of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh.

During the interaction, Dr. Shashi Tharoor discussed the Committee’s engagements and meetings held during the visit. He informed that the members had visited border areas in Jammu and the Regional Passport Office yesterday and, today they held detailed interactions with senior Army officials in Srinagar. The members of the Committee also shared their observations and experiences during the visit and discussed various issues.

The Lieutenant Governor, while interacting with the members of Parliamentary Standing Committee, spoke on the socio-economic transformation and developmental journey of Jammu Kashmir over the past six years. He highlighted the significant improvement in the overall security environment and the renewed optimism among the people.

The Lieutenant Governor emphasized that Jammu Kashmir has undergone a remarkable transformation after August 2019, where normal life flows uninterrupted across the Union Territory, aspirations are soaring, and the dreams of its people are being realized.

The Lieutenant Governor also spoke about various infrastructure and development projects being implemented across Union Territory, which are contributing to economic growth and improving the quality of life of the people of Jammu Kashmir.

Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday issued a comprehensive traffic and travel advisory ahead of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY)-2026, scheduled to be held from July 3 to August 28.

Jehlam Times Correspondent reports that the advisory urged the pilgrims, tourists and commuters to follow designated traffic regulations for a safe and smooth journey. According to the advisory, restrictions have been imposed on the movement of civilian traffic through the Navyug Tunnel during specific hours throughout the Yatra period to facilitate the movement of pilgrimage convoys.

Vehicles travelling from Kashmir towards Jammu will not be allowed to cross the Navyug Tunnel before 11:30 AM, while vehicles moving from Jammu towards Kashmir will not be permitted to enter the tunnel after 3 PM each day.

The advisory also prescribes cut-off timings at key locations across the Valley. Vehicles from Mir Bazar heading towards Srinagar and Anantnag must cross before 4 PM, while those bound for the Navyug Tunnel should do so before 5 PM. Similarly, vehicles leaving Panthachowk in Srinagar for Ganderbal, Baramulla or Anantnag must cross the designated points before 3 PM. Traffic towards Manigam and North Kashmir will be allowed until 3:30 PM, while vehicles travelling from Manigam towards Srinagar and North Kashmir must cross before noon.

Traffic from Manigam to Baltal will be permitted until 5 PM. Police have advised pilgrims and tourists to plan their journeys in advance, keep sufficient time for security checks and weather-related delays, and strictly follow directions issued by the Traffic Police, civil administration and security personnel.

Travellers have also been asked to ensure their vehicles have adequate fuel and to avoid unnecessary halts along the route. Those arriving at designated cut-off points after the prescribed timings will be accommodated at the nearest Yatra camp for security reasons. The police appealed to the public to stay updated through official advisories issued by the J&K Traffic Police and cooperate with authorities to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage.

Seeks continued Central support for growth, connectivity, jobs and infrastructure in J&K

NEW DELHI:  Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and discussed a range of key issues concerning Jammu & Kashmir, including the early restoration of statehood, the economic situation and developmental priorities of J&K.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister conveyed the aspirations of the people of Jammu & Kashmir for the early restoration of statehood, underlining that it would mark an important step in strengthening democratic institutions, deepening public participation and advancing the next phase of the region’s development. He requested that the process be taken forward at the earliest.

The Chief Minister briefed the Prime Minister on Jammu & Kashmir’s economic trajectory and ongoing developmental initiatives across key sectors. He highlighted the progress achieved in infrastructure creation, public service delivery and welfare measures, while also outlining areas that require sustained support and investment.

The Chief Minister emphasized the need for continued support from the Government of India to accelerate economic growth, strengthen connectivity, generate employment opportunities, expand infrastructure and enhance public welfare across Jammu & Kashmir. He drew particular attention to the fuller harnessing of the region’s hydropower potential, augmentation of rail services on the Udhampur–Srinagar line in view of the forthcoming apple season and the scheduled closure of Srinagar Airport, development of new tourism circuits, and sustained support for J&K’s farmers, artisans and MSMEs.

“Jammu & Kashmir is committed to being a full and productive partner in India’s growth story,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the early restoration of statehood, coupled with continued support from the Government of India, would further strengthen J&K’s march towards inclusive growth, prosperity and good governance.