Mehbooba alleges corruption in Omar govt
PDP chief and former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has accused the government led by Omar Abdullah of corruption, alleging that a senior minister demanded Rs 30 lakh from an officer in exchange for a transfer. Addressing party workers, the PDP chief claimed that an NC worker, who is also a government officer, approached a minister seeking a transfer but was allegedly asked to pay Rs 30 lakh. She alleged that when the officer raised the issue with NC president Farooq Abdullah, he was told to speak directly to the minister concerned. Without naming the minister, Mehbooba said the incident reflected the level of corruption.
‘Personal mobiles not valid for e-Challans’
In a significant ruling on the legality of electronic traffic challans, a court in Srinagar has held that personal mobile phones used by police officials cannot be treated as authorised electronic enforcement devices under Rule 167A of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989. The judgement was delivered by the Court of Special Mobile Magistrate Srinagar Shabir Ahmad Malik while allowing a plea challenging several e-challans issued for alleged traffic violations. The court observed that a personal smartphone does not attain the legal status of a prescribed enforcement device merely because it is used by a police officer.
‘One ponywala-one horse’ policy in Pahalgam
Authorities in the tourist resort Pahalgam have introduced a “one ponywala–one horse” policy in a move aimed at improving visitor safety and protecting the region’s fragile ecosystem. The move comes nearly a year after the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack. According to the Chief Executive Officer of the Pahalgam Development Authority, it was found that ponywalas were operating four to five horses on a single licence, creating difficulties in regulation and increasing environmental pressure in the hill resort. Under the revised policy, each registered ponywala with a valid licence will now be permitted to operate only one horse.
Fayaz wani
Our correspondent in Jammu and Kashmir
fayazwani123@gmail.com