The Kashmir Pulse

PULWAMA — Pulwama Police apprehended a person and recovered 27 bottles of Wecan-D (Codeine) during naka checking at Checkpora Bypass bridge, police said in a press release issued on August 9.

According to police, a party from Post Newa intercepted a motorcycle bearing registration No. JK01BD-5904, which was travelling from Pulwama towards Newa. During the checking, the bottles were recovered concealed beneath the motorcycle's seat.

The rider was identified as Adil Bashir Ganie, son of Bashir Ahmad Ganie, a resident of Dangerpora, Pulwama, and was apprehended on the spot, police said.

FIR No. 141/2026 has been registered at Police Station Pulwama under relevant provisions of law in connection with the seizure. Police said further investigation is underway to ascertain the source of the recovered substance and trace other possible linkages.

Pulwama Police said it remains committed to curbing drug abuse and the illegal trade of habit-forming substances and urged the public to share information regarding such activities.

SRINAGAR — Jammu & Kashmir’s two power distribution utilities—Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) and Jammu Power Development Corporation Limited (JPDCL)—have proposed a five percent hike in electricity tariff across all consumer categories for the financial year 2026–27.

In their separate petitions submitted to the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) for J&K and Ladakh, both utilities have proposed five percent increase in basic tariff.

“The Petitioner has conveyed its proposal regarding tariff revision for the proposed sub-categories at 5% across the board, along with J&K Government commitment towards subsidy support. Accordingly, the petitioner has requested the Commission to determine the subsidized tariff in accordance with the applicable provisions of law and the relevant Tariff Regulations,” reads the petitions.

The KPDCL and JPDCL have also sought rationalisation of tariff categories, proposing to reduce the number of categories from 13 to 8 and sub-categories from 47 to 22.

“The Petitioner submitted that, in compliance with the Revised Results Evaluation Framework of KPDCL—Part IV (Policy and Structural Reforms, Sub-part (2), Tariff Rationalization)—it has proposed reducing the number of tariff categories from 13 to 8 and sub-categories from 47 to 22,” the petitions read.

The JERC has conducted public hearings on the matter and is expected to take a final call soon on the matter.

President of the Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK), Shahid Kamili, told the news agency KNO that the chamber strongly opposed the proposed tariff hike during the public hearing.

“They have proposed a five percent increase in the basic tariff, but we opposed it. How can industries survive when you increase tariffs in the absence of incentives and marketing support from the government?” Kamili asked.

SRINAGAR — Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday met a delegation led by Kashmir Super League (KSL) Organiser Mushtaq Bashir, which apprised him of plans for the upcoming Kashmir Super League 2026 in Srinagar.

On the occasion, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah unveiled the jersey and football specially designed for the Kashmir Super League.

Earlier, the Chief Minister met MLA Bani Dr Rameshwar Singh and MLA Lal Chowk Sheikh Ahsan Pardesi at Raabita here, who apprised him of various matters concerning their respective constituencies.

The Chief Minister discussed the issues raised by the legislators and assured that matters about public welfare and development would receive due consideration.