NEW DELHI, Oct 3: The Election Commission of India (EC) on October 3 announces byelections to seven vacant Assembly seats in six States to be held in November.
Voting would take place on November 3 and counting on November 6, according to the schedule released by the EC. Bypolls would be held in Andheri East in Maharashtra; Mokama and Gopalganj in Bihar; Adampur in Haryana; Munogode in Telangana; Gola Gokrannath in Uttar Pradesh and Dhamnagar in Odisha.
According to the schedule, the notification for the bypolls would be issued on Friday and the last date for nominations would be October 14. The date of scrutiny of nominations and last date for withdrawal of candidature would be October 15 and October 17 respectively. (Agencies)
By-polls to 7 assembly seats in 6 states on November 3: Election Commission
Rajnath Singh reaches Jodhpur to attend induction ceremony of made-in-India Light Combat Helicopter into IAF
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has reached Jodhpur to attend the induction ceremony of the first batch of indigenously-developed Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) into the Indian Air Force.
The indigenous choppers will be inducted into IAF in the presence of Singh. A ‘sarv-dharam’ prayer was performed at the induction ceremony in the presence of Defence minister Rajnath Singh and IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari.
“The induction of these helicopters will be a big boost to the IAF’s combat prowess,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted earlier.
The new chopper getting inducted into the force is capable of aerial combat and will help the force combat slow-moving aircraft, drones and armoured columns during conflicts. The induction ceremony will be led by Rajnath Singh who has played a crucial role in progressing cases for buying indigenous platforms for forces.
He was also present in the Cabinet Committee on Security which cleared the purchase of 15 of these LCHs for the air force and the army. Of the 15 limited series production helicopters approved, 10 are for the IAF and five for the army. It can land and take off from an altitude of 5,000 metres with weapons and fuel, the officials said.
The choppers have been flown extensively in Ladakh and the desert sector to meet the requirements of the armed forces. The IAF has inducted multiple helicopters to its fleet in the last three-four years with the induction of the Chinooks, Apache attack helicopters and now the LCHs.
The IAF is now also deploying women pilots in Chinook choppers carrying routine supply missions to the northern and eastern borders.
CCS met under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 30, 2022, in New Delhi. The CCS has approved the procurement of 15 Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Limited Series Production at the cost of Rs. 3,887 Cr along with Infrastructure sanctions worth Rs 377 crore.
Light Combat Helicopter Limited Series Production (LSP) is an indigenously designed, developed and manufactured state-of-the-art modern combat helicopter containing approx. 45 pc indigenous content by value which will progressively increase to more than 55 pc for SP Version.
“This helicopter is equipped with requisite agility, manoeuvrability, extended range, high altitude performance and around-the-clock, all-weather combat capability to perform roles of Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), Destruction of Enemy Air Defence (DEAD), Counter Insurgency (CI) operations, against slow-moving aircraft and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs), high altitude bunker busting operations, Counter Insurgency operations in the jungle and urban environments and support to ground forces and would be a potent platform to meet the operational requirements of Indian Air Force and Indian Army,” said the Ministry of Defence.
Advocate Monika Kohli, Mohsin Qadri appointed as AAG
JAMMU, Oct 3: The Jammu & Kashmir Government has appointed advocate Monika Kohli and advocate Mohsin Qadri as additional advocates general.
According to orders issued by J&K government to this effect, advocate Mohsin Qadri has been appointed as AAG in Srinagar wing of J&K High Court and advocate Monika Kohli in Jammu wing of J&K High Court. (KNO)
Amit Shah’s rallies in Rajouri, Baramulla to be grand, historic: Ravinder Raina
Srinagar, Oct 3: BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir president, Ravinder Raina on Monday said that the rallies to be addressed by Union Home Minister, Amit Shah in Rajouri-Poonch and north Kashmir’s Baramulla district during his upcoming visit will be “grand and historic in nature”.
Talking to reporters, Raina claimed that a “sea of people will participate in the twin rallies of Amit Shah in Rajouri and Baramulla districts of Jammu and Kashmir, ” news agency KNO reported.
He said that Amit Shah will arrive in Jammu today and tomorrow he will address a massive rally in Rajouri and day after, he will address a historic rally at Baramulla, wherein people from all across the valley will participate.
Raina said that the decision of holding elections in Jammu and Kashmir lies with the Election Commission of India and that BJP was always ready for elections in J&K. “BJP has started its preparations for elections and whenever ECI decides to hold elections here, BJP will be ready,” he said.
Non-local bank manager escapes militant attack in J&K’s Baramulla
Srinagar, October 3: A non-local bank manager escaped unhurt after terrorists fired at him in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, officials said.
The incident took place in Goushbugh in Pattan area of the north Kashmir district, they said.
Further details are awaited. (Agencies)
Ahead of Amit Shah visit, terrorists kill Jammu and Kashmir
Srinagar, October:
On the eve of Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to J&K, a policeman was killed and a CRPF constable injured when militants attacked a joint checkpost laid by security forces in Pulwama district.The attack came hours after a Lashkar-e-Toiba militant was killed in an encounter in Shopian after a three-hour operation.
The police said the militants targeted the check post at 3 pm. “Terrorists fired upon a joint naka
party of the CRPF and police at Pinglena, Pulwama. In the terror attack, one policeman got martyred and one CRPF man got injured,” the Kashmir Zone Police said in a tweet. The slain policemen has been identified as constable Javid Ahmad Dar. The injured paramilitary soldier was immediately evacuated to a hospital, the police said, adding that reinforcement was sent and the area cordoned off. Shah will be arriving in J&K on a three-day visit on Monday. Besides reviewing the security situation, he will address two rallies in Rajouri and Baramulla districts. In Shopian, security forces had launched an operation after inputs about the presence of a local militant linked to the LeT at Baskuchan village.
As security forces personnel approached the suspected spot, the militant fired upon the search party, leading to an encounter. The militant, identified as Naseer Ahmad Bhat of Baskuchan in Shopian, was killed and his body retrieved from the encounter site.
J&K Commission recommends ST status for Pahari community
Jammu, October:
The J&K Commission on Socially and Educationally Backward Classes has recommended reservation for the Pahari-speaking people ahead of the three-day J&K visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Highly places sources in the government said the commission, led by Justice GD Sharma (retd), had submitted its report with the government and recommended reservation to the Pahari community that could further intensify their tussle with the Gujjar community which has come out against government’s attempt to give scheduled tribe (ST) status to the Paharis.
The Pahari community is expecting that Amit Shah will announce ST status for it during his Rajouri rally on October 4. The border district of Rajouri has significant population of both Paharis and Gujjars, who already have the ST status.
Sources said the panel had also recommended reservation for other tribes in far-off areas of Paddar of Kishtwar. Communities like Gada Brahman and grave diggers, who are mostly from the Muslim community, may also get reservation. It has been learnt that the commission has also recommended reservation for the residents of Teetwal, the last village in Kupwara along Line of Control (LoC).
Members of the Gujjar community in Poonch have said they would have to take to roads if the government grants ST status to Paharis. They say Gujjars still reels under poverty, backwardness, and systemic discrimination.
Gujjar leader Jameel Kohli, chairman of the Block Development Council (BDC) in Poonch, said the Gujjar-Bakerwal youth and activists were against the ST tag for Paharis. “Surprisingly, politicians from the community have maintained silence on the issue,” said Kohli.
A Pahari community leader from the PDP, seeking anonymity, said, “After decades, the Union Government is about to grant us the ST status. It will not affect the other community that has expressed fears of dilution of their rights. It will strengthen the bond between the two communities.”
After his Rajouri rally, Amit Shah will leave for Baramulla on October 5 and later review security situation in Srinagar.
Govt determined to build J&K of Mahatma’s dreams: LG Sinha
Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Sunday said that the government was determined to build the J&K of Mahatma Gandhi’s dreams empowering every section of the society without discrimination.
An official spokesman in a statement issued here said that attending the finale of month-long celebrations held in schools across Jammu and Kashmir to mark the 153rd birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi organised by the Department of School Education, the LG said, “When the country was in a state of gloom in 1947, Pujya Bapuji saw a ray of hope in Kashmir.”
Paying floral tributes to Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, he said, “Violence has no place in a civilised society. Truth and non-violence were the true powerful instruments of Bapu. I urge people to imbibe the timeless teachings of Bapu and contribute to nation-building. Misguided youth should shun the path of violence and join the mainstream.”
The LG said that Gandhi had shown the way to change the world and this change had to start with every individual.
Paying floral tributes to Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, he said, “Violence has no place in a civilised society. Truth and non-violence were the true powerful instruments of Bapu. I urge people to imbibe the timeless teachings of Bapu and contribute to nation-building. Misguided youth should shun the path of violence and join the mainstream.”
The LG said that Gandhi had shown the way to change the world and this change had to start with every individual.
“Let us ensure that Gandhiji’s thoughts and wisdom of one nation, one people enriches our diversity and strengthens our plural culture. We must follow his ideals to achieve the dream of Gram Swaraj and modern education rooted in our ancient values,” he said. “It should be the responsibility of the citizens to strive to translate Bapu’s ideals into action to create a society which is progressive, prosperous and contributes to building a strong Atma-Nirbhar Bharat.”
Noting that Gandhi does not belong to any religion, the LG said that all those who were politicising Gandhiji’s favourite prayers need to understand that his ideals belong to the entire humanity.
“The country under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working on the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas’ and spreading the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and ‘Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti’ to the world,” he said. “Following the ideals of Bapu, we are strengthening three-tier Panchayati Raj Institutions to make the villages Aatm-Nirbhar. Far-flung areas are witnessing unprecedented development.”
The LG said that education was another important aspect on which the government was working with dedication and commitment.
“We are encouraging vocational training and developing schools as model education centers. Our focus is on nurturing scientific temper and curiosity among the children,” he said. “J&K is making unparalleled progress in all sectors. The rights bestowed by the constitution have been extended to the deprived class and tribal community. We have made progress in the direction of empowering farmers, youth, and women.”
Later, the LG felicitated the students and educational institutions that excelled in different activities and competitions including essay writing, speech competition, and quiz competitions during the month-long Gandhi Jayanti celebrations. He also released eminent scientist Prof Gautam Desiraju’s book ‘Bharat: India 2.0’ and appreciated the author for shedding light on the constitution and the civilisational vision of India.
The LG also remembered former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary.
Advisor to Lt Governor Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar lauded the efforts of the students and the teachers of the School Education and Higher Education Departments for the successful conduct of the month-long celebrations of Gandhi Jayanti.
The Shanti Yatra which was started from Anantnag and Jammu on September 7 as part of the celebrations also culminated at the SKICC on Sunday.
Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta said that Gandhi was a living ideology of truth and non-violence and inspired the goal of making J&K 2.0 which would have no place for fear, corruption, drug abuse, and violence of any
Noted Gandhian and Chairperson Swaraj Peeth Trust Rajiv Vora spoke on the movements led by Gandhi against the evils of society.
Eminent scientist and author Prof Gautam R Desiraju gave an overview of the theme and content of his book and enlisted steps for making India a more prosperous and global power.
NAAC grading awards were presented to the colleges from across J&K besides Swachh Vidyalaya Awards were conferred to the best performing schools.
A documentary on the month-long celebrations of 153rd Gandhi Jayanti in educational institutions of J&K was also showcased on the occasion.
Padam Shri S P Varma; Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Atal Dulloo; Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, R K Goyal; Principal Secretary, Higher Education Department, Rohit Kansal; Principal Secretary, School Education Department, Alok Kumar; Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole; and ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar were also present on the occasion.
Mainly dry weather likely in J&K during next 24 hrs
Jammu, Oct 3: The Meteorological (MeT) department on Monday forecast mainly dry weather in Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours.
“Weather is likely to remain dry in J&K during the next 24 hours”, an official of the MeT department said.
Meanwhile, Srinagar recorded 9.6 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam 4.9 degrees and Gulmarg 4.6 degrees as the minimum temperature this morning.
Drass in Ladakh had 0.4 degrees, Kargil 7.8 and Leh 3, while Jammu registered 20.3 degrees, Katra 18.4, Batote 12.2, Banihal 8 and Bhaderwah 10.3 degrees.