Srinagar: The ongoing cold wave in Jammu and Kashmir will continue unabated until January 5, the weather office said on Saturday.

"We are expecting light rain and snow in the state after January 5. The present cold wave conditions are likely to continue until then," a Met Department official said.

The minimum temperatures in Srinagar, Pahalgam and Gulmarg on Saturday were minus 3.5, minus 5.5 and minus 6.6 degrees Celsius, respectively.

"Leh was the coldest town in the state at a minus 13.8 followed by Kargil at minus 11.2 degrees Celsius," the official said.

"In the Jammu region, Bhaderwah was the coldest at 1.4 degrees Celsius."

Meanwhile, Jammu city recorded 7.6, Katra 7.8, Batote 4.1, Bannihal 2.3 and Udhampur 2 degrees Celsius as their minimum temperatures.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Bengaluru: Members of the Karnataka Legislative Council from both the treasury and opposition benches raised objections to the Mines and Geology Department’s decision to permit limestone mining by ACC Cement Limited, owned by the Adani Group, despite reservations expressed by the Law Department.

BJP MLC and former minister C T Ravi and Congress MLC K Shivakumar, speaking on behalf of party colleague Arati Krishna, said the department had overlooked the Law Department’s opinion in the matter, as reported by Deccan Herald.

Ravi told the House, on Tuesday that the Law Department had recommended initiating criminal proceedings against the company for allegedly failing to pay royalty amounting to Rs 850 crore to the government. “The Mines and Geology Department has not only failed to initiate action but has also renewed the company’s licence,” he said.

Both Ravi and Shivakumar sought clarity from the Mines and Geology Minister and urged the government to place on record the views of the Finance Department and the Advocate General regarding the issue.

Raising political questions over corporate links, Ravi asked what connection existed between “Ambani, Adani and the party that is always criticising them.”
Responding on behalf of Mines and Geology Minister S S Mallikarjun, Agriculture Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy assured the House that action would be taken in accordance with the law.

He said the company had approached the court and, in compliance with judicial directions, the government permitted it to continue mining operations under its existing licence. “However, no new licence has been issued,” he clarified.

Addressing concerns over the recovery of pending royalty dues despite court orders, Chaluvarayaswamy said, “Adani is not a God here, and we have no connection with him. Royalty will be recovered as per the law.”