The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has authorised designated officers of power utilities in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to disconnect electricity supply upon detection of theft, subject to the Electricity Act, 2003 and the applicable Electricity Supply Code.

According to the JERC order, the Commission considered a request from Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) seeking authorisation for officers in charge of electrical distribution sub-divisions to disconnect supply when electricity theft is detected.

Exercising powers under the first proviso to Section 135(1A) of the Electricity Act, 2003, JERC authorised officers of JPDCL, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) and Ladakh Power Development Department (LPDD) to take appropriate action in cases falling within the definition of theft under Section 135(1).

The authorisation covers officers duly posted as in-charge of respective Electric Distribution Sub-divisions, within their territorial jurisdictions.

It also covers officers holding valid authorisation under Section 135(2) from the competent government authority, within the territorial jurisdiction covered by that authorisation.

JERC clarified that the authority given to officers in charge of Electric Distribution Sub-divisions is independent of the existence of separate authorisation under Section 135(2).

Officers of a rank higher than the rank so authorised may also exercise the power of disconnection within their respective jurisdictions, in accordance with the first proviso to Section 135(1A), the Commission said.

The order, however, makes a distinction between the power to disconnect supply and powers of inspection and search.

JERC said the order confers authorisation for disconnection under Section 135(1A) only. Powers of entry, inspection, search and seizure under Section 135(2) can be exercised only by officers separately authorised under that provision and subject to the safeguards contained in Sections 135(3) and 135(4) and the applicable Supply Code.

Where necessary, the concerned utility will have to seek such separate authorisation from the competent government authority, the Commission said.

JERC has also directed each utility to publish and maintain an updated list of authorised officers at its offices and on its website.

The list must include the names, designations, ranks, territorial jurisdictions and the statutory provisions under which the officers are authorised.

The Commission further directed that photo identity cards issued to officers should accurately reflect the scope of their authorisation. Inspection authority under Section 135(2) should be indicated only where the requisite government authorisation exists.

The utilities have also been directed to comply with the relevant requirements of the JERC Electricity Supply Code Regulations, 2023 for officers authorised under Section 135(2).

“All action shall conform to the JERC for the UT of Jammu & Kashmir and the UT of Ladakh (Electricity Supply Code) Regulations, 2023, as amended, including the applicable requirements for inspection, evidence, assessment and consumer safeguards,” the Commission said.

JERC also directed the utilities to maintain records of disconnections, police complaints and restoration of supply for production before the Commission whenever required.

The order will take effect from the date of its issue.

PULWAMA — The three-day J&K Science Congress 2026 on “Science, Innovations and Emerging Technologies for Sustainable and Viksit J&K” concluded at the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) on Thursday, with participation from scientists, researchers, academicians, innovators, students and experts.

The valedictory session was held at the Nund Reshi Auditorium of IUST, where Minister of School and Higher Education Sakina Itoo stressed the importance of knowledge creation and empowering young people in shaping the future of Jammu and Kashmir.

“The future of Jammu and Kashmir will not be defined merely by infrastructure but by the knowledge created and the young minds empowered,” Itoo said while addressing the gathering as chief guest.

She also emphasised the need to prepare young people not only to seek employment but to become “creators of employment”.

“While talent is everywhere, opportunity must also be made available everywhere,” she said.

Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, who attended the session as guest of honour, appreciated IUST and the Jammu and Kashmir Science, Technology and Innovation Council (JKSTIC) for providing a platform for scientists, researchers and students.

IUST Vice Chancellor Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo said the Science Congress had brought together scientists, researchers and students to deliberate on issues including climate change, disaster vulnerability, sustainability and emerging technologies.

“The enthusiasm of young students, scientists and researchers gives us immense hope for a sustainable and Viksit J&K driven by Science and innovation,” Romshoo said.

He said the Congress had served as a confluence of ideas, innovation and responsibility, highlighting discussions ranging from climate challenges in the Upper Indus Basin to the creativity displayed by school students.

“Our vision for a Viksit J&K can only be realised when we empower our youth to think scientifically and act for a sustainable future,” he said.

Dean Research, IUST, Dr Aabid Hussain Shalla presented a report on the Congress, stating that about 700 researchers and 4,000 participants took part in 26 technical sessions covering 14 themes, besides five plenary sessions and two panel discussions.

The best oral and poster presenters were felicitated by the dignitaries during the valedictory programme.

Dean Academic Affairs IUST Prof. Ajaz Bashir delivered the welcome address, while Dean Outreach IUST Dr Ruheela Hassan proposed the vote of thanks.

Earlier, the day featured the fifth plenary lecture delivered by Romshoo on “Climate Change, Cryosphere Depletion and Emerging Glacial Hazards in the Upper Indus Basin: Implications for Water Security and Infrastructure”. The session was chaired by Prof. Vinod Kumar Gaur, former Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences.

The Congress also featured a dedicated School Students’ Science Programme conducted in collaboration with the National Children’s Science Congress. Students from 20 schools took part, with more than 80 participants presenting posters, models and projects.

SRINAGAR — The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has directed all government and government-recognised private schools across Kashmir division to conduct summative assessments and annual examinations up to Class 8 strictly in accordance with the prescribed government framework and approved academic planner.

The directions were issued by the Inspection and Monitoring Wing of DSEK through a circular reiterating the requirements under relevant School Education Department orders and the academic planner for the current session.

The Directorate has emphasised competency-based assessment in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, along with remedial teaching, supplementary attempts and implementation of the Holistic Progress Card (HPC).

The circular also calls for PARAKH-aligned assessment practices, proper management of assessment data and strengthened Parent-Teacher Meetings.

Chief Education Officers, Cluster Heads, Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) and Heads of Institutions have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the approved academic calendar and assessment framework.

Chief Education Officers have been asked to oversee implementation in their respective jurisdictions, while ZEOs and Cluster Heads have been tasked with monitoring compliance at the zonal and cluster levels.

Heads of Institutions have been specifically instructed to ensure the timely and proper conduct of summative assessments and related academic activities without deviating from the approved schedule.