The Budgam Times

10/10/2025

FIR Registered After Viral Video Shows Influencers Driving on Green Pastures in Budgam

Budgam, Oct 10, KNT: Authorities in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district have registered a formal police case after a viral video sparked public outrage showing a group of social media influencers driving vehicles across ecologically fragile pastures near the Breinwar forests.

Officials said the case has been registered under the relevant provisions of the Indian Forest Act (IFA) following a formal complaint filed by the Forest Department. The video, which surfaced on social media platforms earlier this week, showed several vehicles driving through lush green meadows, leaving visible tire marks and damaging the delicate ecosystem.

Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, confirmed that legal action has been initiated against the individuals involved. “We have taken the matter seriously. An FIR has been registered and investigation is underway to identify all persons who participated in this unlawful activity,” he said.

He further emphasized that the Forest Department has been directed to ensure that such violations are not repeated and that awareness drives will be conducted to educate locals and tourists about the environmental importance of these meadows.

“The public is being warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone found engaging in illegal off-roading or damaging forest areas. The green pastures are ecologically sensitive and must be protected,” the Deputy Commissioner added.

Officials from the Forest Department said they are working closely with the police to identify all vehicles involved and determine the extent of damage caused to the meadowland. The area falls under a protected forest belt, where any movement of vehicles without official permission is strictly prohibited. [KNT]

09/10/2025

Bye-Elections to 27-AC Budgam.

DEO Budgam Inspects Institutions for Finalization of Dispatch and Collection Centres for Upcoming Bye-Elections to 27-Budgam Assembly Constituency

Budgam, October 09:In view of the Upcoming bye-elections to 27–Budgam Assembly Constituency, the District Election Officer (DEO) Budgam, Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat (IAS) today conducted an extensive inspection of the proposed dispatch and collection centres established for the smooth and efficient conduct of the electoral process.
The DEO visited Boys Higher Secondary School Budgam and Sheikh-ul-Alam Degree College Budgam, the two institutions shortlisted for setting up distribution and collection centres for polling material and related arrangements.
During the inspection, the DEO took a detailed review of logistics, infrastructure, security setup, space management, and other essential facilities required to ensure a seamless dispatch and collection process on the polling and counting days.
He also assessed the availability of basic amenities, vehicle parking, entry and exit routes, and communication arrangements at both venues.
The DEO emphasized that all necessary guidelines and instructions of the Election Commission of India (ECI) shall be implemented in letter and spirit to guarantee free, fair, and transparent elections.
He directed the concerned officers to ensure that all arrangements are finalized well before the polling date and that proper coordination is maintained among all line departments.
The DEO underscored the importance of meticulous planning, timely preparedness, and close monitoring of every election-related activity, including training of polling staff, material management, and security deployment.
The DEO also reviewed the functioning of the Returning Officer (RO) Headquarters established for 27–Budgam Assembly Constituency and instructed the officials to maintain readiness for the upcoming electoral exercise.
Among others, the DEO was accompanied by the Returning Officer 27–AC Budgam, Chief Planning Officer (CPO) Budgam, Dy. election officer budgam ,Assistant Returning Officer (ARO), and other concerned officers and officials of the election machinery.

08/10/2025

J&K Bank and J&K Grameen Bank disburse Rs 100 Cr loans to 2673 SHGs under JKRLM

Marks culmination of month-long campaign supporting Govt’s vision of women empowerment through self-help groups

Srinagar, Oct 08: In line with the Government’s vision of promoting financial empowerment of women through self help groups, J&K Bank and its sponsored entity J&K Grameen Bank have successfully disbursed Rs 100 Crore in loans to Self-Help Groups (SHGs) operating under the Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM).

Marking the culmination of a month-long campaign aimed at strengthening women-led entrepreneurship across the Union Territory, the Bank presented a symbolic cheque of Rs 100 Crore to JKRLM during the ongoing SARAS Mela here at Municipal Park.

During the event, Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Javid Ahmad Dar, who was the Chief Guest, was handed over the symbolic cheque by the Bank’s General Manager (Retail, Agri & MSME/GSS) Rakesh Magotra and J&K Grameen Bank GM Raja Sajad in presence of Mission Director JKRLM Dr. Shubra Sharma, Addl. Mission Director JKRLM (Kashmir) Mohammad Imran Khan, Bank’s DGM Aneet Kanwal Singh, and other senior officers of NABARD, Bank and JKRLM.

Speaking On the occasion, the Minister Javid Ahmad Dar lauded the Bank along with J&K Grameen Bank for sanctioning Rs 100 crore to 2,673 SHGs saying, "it is a significant step toward promoting self-employment and women-led enterprises in rural areas."

General Manager Rakesh Magotra highlighted the Bank’s continued partnership with JKRLM as a key contributor to the Government’s mission of empowering rural communities through inclusive financial interventions.

He said, “J&K Bank takes pride in being an active partner in realizing the Government’s vision. The achievement of this Rs 100 Crore milestone under JKRLM reflects our deep commitment to strengthening the Self-Help Group (SHG) ecosystem and ensuring easy access to credit that enables rural women to build and expand their enterprises with confidence."

The Bank’s proactive efforts in facilitating access to finance for SHGs reinforce its broader mission of promoting inclusive growth, women empowerment, and sustainable livelihood generation across Jammu and Kashmir.

Notably, organised by JKRLM under the aegis of DAY-NRLM, the 11-day SARAS Mela has brought together women artisans and entrepreneurs from across J&K and other parts of the country to exhibit and market their crafts, handlooms, traditional products, and culinary art forms.

08/10/2025

Bye-Elections 27-AC budgam

DEO Budgam Reviews Preparations,Appoints Nodal Officers for Smooth Conduct of Bye-Election to 27-Budgam Assembly Constituency.

Budgam, October 08:In view of the upcoming Bye-Election to the 27-Budgam Assembly Constituency, the District Election Officer (DEO) Budgam, Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat (IAS), today convened an extensive review meeting at the Meeting Hall, DC Office Complex Budgam.
The meeting was called to assess the preparedness of all concerned departments and to ensure the flawless and efficient conduct of the electoral process in the district.
The meeting was attended by the Election Nodal Officers including ADC budgam , ASP budgam , CPO budgam , Dy. Election officer and representatives from key departments including the Fire & Emergency Services, NIC, Police, Health, Education, R&B, DIC, Social Welfare, Transport, and Information Department among others.
At the outset, the DEO stressed upon the importance of meticulous planning and inter-departmental coordination for ensuring the successful conduct of the bye-election.
He said that free, fair, inclusive, and transparent elections remain the top priority of the district administration and all arrangements must conform to the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The DEO directed officers to work in a mission mode and maintain close liaison with the election machinery at all levels to address any issues well in advance.
He called for special focus on accessibility, voter awareness, law and order, and transparency in expenditure monitoring.
During the meeting, the DEO reviewed the preparedness under various election-related components, including logistics, transport, training, communication systems, law and order, micro observers’ deployment, EVM management, postal ballots, and polling personnel welfare. He also emphasized timely completion of training programmes for election staff and mock drills to test the preparedness of all teams.
In line with the ECI guidelines the DEO formally designated and notified District Nodal Officers for various election-related assignments. These officers will serve as the focal points for coordination, supervision, and implementation of the respective components of the election process.
Accordingly, the following officers have been designated as Nodal Officers for the upcoming Bye-Election to 27-AC budgam.
For Law & Order and Permissions to rallies-Mehraj-ud-Din Shah (JKAS), ADC Budgam, for Model Code of Conduct (MCC)-Zahid Rashid, General Manager DIC Budgam, for Postal Ballot/Ballot Papers-Primroze Bashir (JKAS), SDM Chadoora,for Micro Observers-Ashiq Hussain, Executive Engineer R&B Division Budgam, for Logistics-Hilal Ahmad Mir (JKAS), Deputy District Election Officer Budgam.
Similarly for Training -Hilal Ahmad Mir (JKAS), assisted by Sheikh Zahoor, Principal GHSS Magam, for Human Resource and IT Applications-Mir Majid Kanth, District Informatics Officer NIC Budgam, for Poll Personnel Welfare-Javid Ahmad Najar, Chief Planning Officer Budgam, for Voting by Polling Staff-Maroof Shah, District Sheep Husbandry Officer Budgam, assisted by Tahfeem, BDO Nagam, for EVM Management-Gh. Hassan Lone, DYSSO Budgam,for Transport Management-Arif Shah,ARTO Budgam,for Election Expenditure Monitoring-Showkat Ali Rather (JKAS), District Treasury Officer Budgam, for SVEEP Activities-Rifat Irfan Qadri, Chief Education Officer Budgam,for Media, Social Media & MCMC-Erim Aziz (JKAS), District Information Officer Budgam,for ETPBS (Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System)-Javid Ahmad Banday, District Education Officer,for Complaint Management-Zahid Rashid, General Manager DIC Budgam, for Observers Coordination-Ashiq Hussain, Executive Engineer R&B Division Budgam, for Material Management-Shafat Hussain, Executive Engineer REW Budgam,for Health, Welfare & Contingency Plan-Dr. Gulzar Ahmad, Chief Medical Officer Budgam, for PwD / Accessible Elections-Ubaid-ul-Khazir (JKAS), District Social Welfare Officer Budgam.
The DEO highlighted that each nodal officer shall be personally responsible for ensuring comprehensive and timely ex*****on of assigned tasks and shall maintain constant communication with the election control room established in the DC Office Complex.
He further directed all departments to update logistics, transport plans, polling station details, and manpower deployment data at the earliest to avoid any last-minute issues.
The DEO also emphasized the need for public awareness activities under the SVEEP programme to encourage higher voter turnout and ensure that no eligible voter is left behind under the slogan “Nothing Like Voting, I Vote for Sure.”
The DEO underscored that the administration is fully geared up for the bye-election to 27-AC budgam and expressed confidence that with coordinated efforts from all departments, the electoral process in 27-AC Budgam will be conducted in a peaceful, fair, and efficient manner.

07/10/2025

District Election Officer Budgam Chairs Pre-Poll Preparedness Meeting for By-Election to 27-AC Budgam
DEO Calls for Flawless Poll Arrangements to Ensure Free, Fair and Fearless Elections

BUDGAM, OCTOBER 07:-The District Election Officer (DEO) Budgam, Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat (IAS) today chaired a comprehensive pre-poll preparedness meeting to review the arrangements for the By-election of Assembly Constituency 27-Budgam, scheduled to be held on November 11, 2025, as announced by the Hon’ble Election Commission of India (ECI).
During the meeting, the DEO conducted a detailed tehsil-wise review of the election preparedness and directed all concerned officers to ensure seamless and well-coordinated arrangements across the constituency.
At the outset,the DEO reiterated the importance of the strict implementation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and urged all stakeholders to adhere to the guidelines and instructions issued by the Election Commission of India in letter and spirit.
The DEO emphasized the need to provide a level playing field for all political parties, ensuring free, fair, transparent, and peaceful elections in the district. He stressed that all facilities and logistics should be put in place well before the polling date.
Highlighting the scale of the electoral exercise, the DEO was informed by the Dy.election officer budgam that Assembly Constituency 27-Budgam comprises 173 polling stations across 111 polling locations, catering to around 1.25 lakh voters.
The DEO directed officers to ensure all these polling locations are equipped with drinking water, uninterrupted electricity, wheelchairs, and other assured minimum facilities.
He further instructed that polling parties be provided with adequate boarding and lodging arrangements, food kits, refreshments, and toiletries at all polling locations.
The DEO also reviewed the distribution of voter slips and EPIC cards, arrangements for webcasting and installation of signage, and deployment of polling staff, medical teams, and security personnel as per the ECI guidelines.
The DEO directed that all nodal officers sensitize their teams on the strict implementation of the MCC and ensure that all activities are conducted in close coordination with each other.
The meeting also discussed the transportation plan, commissioning of EVMs, establishment of dispatch/collection centres and strong rooms, as well as the district security plan.
The DEO directed that any identified deficiencies be addressed on priority, adding that there is no scope for any lapses.
He further emphasised that all arrangements must be completed well in advance to ensure a free, fearless, and smooth conduct of elections in Budgam district.
Among others, the meeting was attended by ADC Budgam, RO 27-AC Budgam, ASP Budgam, CPO, Deputy District Election Officer, SDMs, Nodal Officers, Tehsildars, and other concerned officers of the district.

06/10/2025

𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗮𝗺 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗙𝗜𝗥 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗹 / 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀

Budgam, October 06, 2025: Budgam Police have registered an FIR against the administrator of a page titled “Kashmir Speaks” for spreading false and misleading information on social media.

Earlier, on 26/08/2025, Police Station Khansahib had registered FIR No. 165/2025 under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) regarding the killing of a horse at village Rakhai. Investigation revealed that the incident had occurred due to a personal dispute between the parties involved.

However, on 05/10/2025, it came to notice that the said page had published false information alleging that the horse was killed for selling its meat in the market at Arizal, thereby creating unnecessary fear and panic among the local population.

Accordingly, FIR No. 187/2025 under Section 353(2) of BNS has been registered at Police Station Khansahib, and investigation has been initiated.

Budgam Police appeal to the public and social media users to refrain from sharing or spreading unverified and false information that may disturb public peace and tranquility. Strict legal action will be taken against those found involved in such activities.

06/10/2025

𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗮𝗺 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝘂𝗴 𝗣𝗲𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲𝗿; 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱

Budgam, October 6, 2025 Continuing its drive against the drug menace, Budgam Police arrested drug peddler and recovered contraband substances in Humhama area.

A police party from Police Post Humhama, led by ASI Gafoor Ahmed, during patrolling near Goripora noticed one person is roaming suspiciously who on seeing the police party tried to flee from the spot. However, police party chased and apprehended the said person.

During his personal search, 05 grams of a heroin-like substance was recovered from his possession and was arrested on the spot. On questioning he revealed his identity as Fayaz Ahmad Sheikh S/o Abdul Rehman Sheikh R/o Bandgam A/P Draigam Khansahib.

Accordingly, case under FIR No. 275/2025 U/S 8/21 NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Budgam. Further investigation is in progress.

Budgam Police urge the public to cooperate in eradicating drug abuse by reporting any related suspicious activity.

03/10/2025

Weather Advisory - Budgam
District Disaster Control Room (24×7) set up to tackle inclement winter weather.

📞 Helpline: 01951-295223 | 9469481342 | 9320647794 | 9186008200
Mail: [email protected]

Public & tourists urged to avoid hilly areas & follow precautions.

18/09/2025

16/09/2025

|| Statehood is not going to be restored. You will have to fight for your rights and live up to the promises you made during elections: Aga Ruhullah

09/09/2025

Candidate elected as India’s 15th Vice President with 452 votes

03/09/2025

Flood fears: Overall situation under control, next 6-8 hours critical, says Divisional Commissioner Kashmir