KATHUA, Sep 21: The Inter-Zone District-Level Athletic Meet for All Age Group Boys concluded successfully on Sunday at Sports Stadium Kathua, witnessing enthusiastic participation from young athletes representing all 12 zones of District Kathua. The participants showcased their sporting talent, stamina and competitive spirit in various track and field events.
Athletes competed in a series of sprint and middle- and long-distance races across the U-14, U-17 and U-19 age categories. The competitions witnessed spirited performances, with participants demonstrating determination, discipline and sportsmanship throughout the meet.
In the U-19 3000-metre race, Himanshu secured the first position, while Sunil Kumar and Kulbhushan Singh finished second and third respectively. In the U-17 3000-metre event, Asyan Kumar claimed the top position, followed by Balvinder Kumar and Sourav Singh.
In the U-19 1500-metre race, Vinod Singh secured first position, while Digvijay Singh and Arshad Singh finished second and third respectively. In the U-17 1500-metre category, Ajit Kumar emerged victorious, followed by Nitle Kumar and Shotu.
In the U-19 800-metre event, Vishal Sandotra secured first position, followed by Ajay Sharma and Sujeet Sports. In the U-17 800-metre race, Aryan Kumar stood first, while Divyansh and Ankur Singh secured the second and third positions respectively. In the U-14 600-metre event, Divyansh Kumar finished first, followed by Mohd Razgar and Talib Hussain.
In the U-19 400-metre race, Arjun Singh claimed first position, followed by Karan Kumar and Nitik Singh. In the U-19 100-metre sprint, Arun Singh won the gold medal, while Rudra Partap Singh and Varun Kumar secured second and third positions respectively.
In the U-17 100-metre event, Varun Kumar secured first position, followed by Vishal Sharma and Hirdya Basotra. Meanwhile, in the U-14 100-metre sprint, Tarun Kumar emerged victorious, while Vansh Rajput and Manjeet Thakur finished second and third respectively.
Medals were awarded to the students in recognition of their outstanding performances. The athletic meet provided a valuable platform for budding sportspersons to demonstrate their abilities while developing confidence, discipline and a healthy competitive spirit.
The successful conclusion of the meet marked another step towards identifying and encouraging young sporting talent and promoting athletics among students across District Kathua.
ACB Registers FIR Over Rs 41.17 Lakh PMEGP Subsidy Irregularities; Former J&K Grameen Bank Branch Head Booked
SRINAGAR, Sep 21 (Agencies): The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu & Kashmir, has registered a case against a former Branch Head of J&K Grameen Bank, a Business Correspondent and others over alleged financial irregularities, misuse of official position and premature release of capital subsidy under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP).
According to an ACB statement, the case pertains to alleged violations committed during the period 2021–2023 in connection with PMEGP loans and capital subsidy at the J&K Grameen Bank Branch Office, Reban, Sopore, Baramulla.
The ACB has named Arvind Saini, the then Branch Head of J&K Grameen Bank, Reban Branch, and Firdous Ahmad Sheikh, Business Correspondent, along with others in the case.
The anti-corruption agency said its verification found alleged violations of the PMEGP Operational Guidelines issued by the sponsoring agency and adopted by the bank through Circular No. 86 dated June 8, 2022.
As per the ACB, Rs. 41.17 lakh in capital subsidy was allegedly released or adjusted prematurely in 25 PMEGP loan accounts, before completion of the mandatory lock-in period and without the required authorisation or adjustment letter from the implementing agency.
The ACB alleged that the premature adjustment of subsidy facilitated the unlawful closure or adjustment of loan accounts, in violation of the prescribed PMEGP procedures.
The agency further stated that six of the loan accounts were sanctioned in favour of Business Correspondent Firdous Ahmad Sheikh and his family members, which were allegedly closed prematurely through adjustment of the subsidy amount.
During the physical verification of PMEGP-financed units, the ACB said it found that 46 units financed through the branch were not existing at the locations concerned.
The sanctioned/disbursed amount involved in these 46 cases was stated to be approximately Rs. 1.66 crore (Rs. 1,66,72,000).
According to the ACB, the non-existence of the units raised concerns regarding the diversion of loan funds and subsidy and allegedly frustrated the intended objectives of the PMEGP scheme.
The agency has registered FIR No. 05/2026 under Section 13(1)(a) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018, along with Sections 409 and 120-B of the IPC.
The ACB said that further investigation into the case is underway.