JAMMU, OCTOBER 6: A comprehensive hand on e-Office training program was conducted today at the Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, Mubarak Mandi, here. “The program was aimed to equip employees of the department with the skills to effectively utilize digital tools and technologies, streamlining workflows and boosting productivity to enable efficient management of e-office services”.The program was organized on the initiative of Director Archives, Archaeology and Museums, Kuldeep Krishan Sidha, in which thirty employees were trained regarding operations, usage and implementation of the e-Office. The e-Office implementation will enable the department to achieve the goal of e-Governance and better delivery of government services.The training program covered various aspects of e-Office application. The session was conducted by e-Office trainer, Ieshan Sharma of Information Technology Department (JAKEGA). The trainer delivered training sessions to equip the participating employees with skill and knowledge to operate e-Office smoothly. He cleared difficulties on various levels to make the e-Office fully functional in the Directorate.This will help the department to go paperless in official works and further improve its efficiency, consistency and effectiveness of government responses which will improve the quality of administration.

JAMMU, OCTOBER 6: The two day refresher course on “Land Revenue Laws, Land Acquisition: Land Reforms and Amendments in Land Acquisition Laws, Procedural Fairness and Natural Justice, Determination of Compensation and Rehabilitation and Resettlement of Affected Persons, Adjudication of Offences & Penalties under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013” organized by the J&K Judicial Academy for District and Session Judges of Jammu province concluded here today.The event was organized under the patronage of Chief Justice, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (Patron-in-Chief, J&K Judicial Academy), Justice Tashi Rabstan, guidance of Chairperson, Governing Committee for J&K Judicial Academy and members of Governing Committee for J&K Judicial Academy at J&K Judicial Academy, Janipur, Jammu.On the first day, the sessions were conducted by Sanjay Parihar, member J&K Special Tribunal, who explained about the Land Revenue Laws and the recent amendments to Land Acquisition Laws. He said that laws are at the heart of the legal framework that governs land disputes, acquisitions, and compensation. He delved into the critical principles of procedural fairness and natural justice in the context of land acquisition. He added that these principles are essential to ensure that the process of land acquisition is not only legally compliant but also morally and ethically sound. He further discussed the determination of compensation and the rehabilitation and resettlement of affected persons, a key element of the 2013 Act.On the second day, the sessions were conducted by R.S. Thakur, Senior Advocate, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, who provided insights into how courts can ensure that compensation is just, transparent, and compliant with the legal standards. The learned Resource Person also addressed the adjudication of offenses and penalties under the Act, ensuring that there is accountability and that the rights of affected persons are upheld.During the valedictory function, Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, Judge, Supreme Court of India, delivered the valedictory address and shared his experience as the judge of Supreme Court of India. He underscored that the laws governing land ownership, acquisition, and compensation such as the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act, 2013 are crucial in ensuring that while the state fulfils its developmental goals, the rights of landowners and affected persons are safeguarded. Justice Kotiswar Singh appreciated the role of Judges in the judiciary saying that as custodians of justice, we must ensure that development and progress do not come at the cost of displacement, disenfranchisement, or the deprivation of fundamental rights.In his special address, Chief Justice, Justice Tashi Rabstan, reiterated that Land revenue laws and procedures have historically played a critical role in shaping both the economic and social landscapes of regions, especially those like Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, where the relationship between land, resources, and people is deeply intertwined. He stated that the Land Revenue Act in Jammu & Kashmir, historically, has functioned as a bulwark protecting the local populace from external pressures. The Chief Justice underscored that in the aftermath of the abrogation, the judiciary has to play an increasingly active role in ensuring that the changes brought by the new laws do not disproportionately affect the vulnerable sections of society—particularly farmers, rural communities, and tribal groups. He advised that as judges and officers of the court, our primary responsibility is to ensure that the rights of these communities are not overridden by large-scale developmental projects or national interests, without due consideration of their traditional rights and unique circumstances.While delivering the welcome address, Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Chairperson, Governing Committee for J&K Judicial Academy, discussed the complexities and challenges associated with Land Revenue laws, particularly in balancing public welfare with the fundamental rights of individuals. He underlined that this program was not only an opportunity to enhance our knowledge but also to ensure that the judgments we deliver are informed, just, and rooted in the principles of natural justice.Sonia Gupta, Director J&K Judicial Academy, conducted the proceedings for the two day Refresher Course and presented the vote of thanks. All the sessions remained very interactive during which all the participants actively participated and shared their experiences, difficulties and also discussed various aspects of the subject topics. They also raised a number of queries which were answered satisfactorily by the worthy resource person.

JAMMU : Like other parts of the country, the celebrations of nine- day long Navratra festival started all over J&K today and there was a heavy rush of pilgrims in the temples from early this morning to pay obeisance to Goddess Durga.

The Navratra, which is an annual Hindu festival observed in honour of the Goddess Durga an aspect of Adi Parashakti, the supreme Goddess spans over nine nights twice a year first in the month of Chaitra (March -April) and then in the month of Ashvin (September-October).
In  Jammu rush of devotees started from early in the morning at the Bawewali Mata temple near here. There was a heavy rush of devotees in the morning and later in the evening at this shrine. The devotees were waiting in long queues in front of temple for darshan both in the morning and evening hours.
As per reports about 5000 devotees performed darshan at the shrine on the first day of Navratra today.
There was also heavy rush of pilgrims in various temples of Goddess Durga in Kathua and Samba district from early this morning. The devotees visited the holy temples of Sukrala Mata and Sundrikota temple in Billawar tehsil, Jandi Mata temple in Hiranagar, Sher Kotla, Sundri Mata in Nagri Parole, Ashapurni and Jasrota temple in Kathua district. As per reports about 9000 devotees paid obeisance in these temples on the first day of Navratra today.
Reports said there was a heavy rush at the Chichi Mata temple situated on Jammu Pathankot National Highway in Samba district. Besides, the devotees from Jammu region hundreds of devotees on way to Mata Vaishno Devi also visited the holy Chichi Mata temple enroute and paid their obeisance to Goddess there. Reports said about 5000 devotees performed darshan in this temple on first Navratra today.
Heavy rush of devotees was seen at Kandoli Mata temple in Nagrota where besides the local devotees the hundreds of pilgrims on way to Mata Vishno Devi also paid obeisance in this holy temple.
As per reports the devotees also visited the holy temples of Mata Kheer Bhawani Tulmulla in Ganderbal district of Central Kashmir, Mata Durga temple at Hariparvat, Srinagar, Jeshta Devi temple Srinagar, Temples at Nagbal Anantnag, Mata Kheerbhawani temple at Tikker, Kupwara and Shailputri temple in Baramulla, Kheerbhawani temple in Manzgam, Kulgam.
All the temples of Mata were decorated fully with flowers and welcome gates on the occasion.
Besides, the devotees held special Pooja in their residential houses and sowed the sacred sakh to worship Goddess Durga in its nine manifestations during nine days of Navratra. After the ninth day with the culmination of festival the Sakh will be immersed in rivers in a traditional way.