JAMMU, Aug 22: The BJP has convened a meeting of its leaders here on Monday to chalk out a “counter-strategy” against the meeting called by the National Conference over the issue of “inclusion of non-local voters” in the revised electoral rolls in Jammu and Kashmir.
J-K BJP president Ravinder Raina has called the meeting of senior leaders at the party headquarters, a party spokesperson said.
He said the meeting is being held to chalk out a “counter-strategy” against the “all- party” meeting called by National Conference president Farooq Abdullah in Srinagar over the issue of inclusion of non-local voters in the revised electoral rolls in the Union Territory.
The NC president had called the meeting after remarks related to the addition of voters in the revised rolls by the UT’s Chief Electoral Officer Hirdesh Kumar raised hackles of the regional parties.
The government on Saturday had issued a clarification, saying the reports of a likely addition of over 25 lakh voters after the summary revision of electoral rolls is a “misrepresentation of facts by vested interests”.
The Kashmiri migrants “will continue to be given the option of voting at their place of enrolment or through postal ballot or through specially set up polling stations at Jammu, Udhampur, Delhi, etc,” it said.
Kumar had recently announced that the Union territory was likely to get around 25 lakh additional voters, including outsiders, after the special summary revision of electoral rolls being held for the first time after the abrogation of Article 370.
The BJP had defended the Chief Electoral Officer and said his remarks are “legally and constitutionally” correct .
BJP’s chief spokesperson Sunil Sethi said under the law, anyone who is a citizen of India and not barred by any law can choose to be a voter in any area, State or Union Territory where he or she may ordinarily reside .
“The same being made applicable to Jammu and Kashmir only. Post Art 370 there has to be one India one law,” he said, accusing the opposition of trying to project the “wrong picture”.
“They are trying somehow to create exceptions in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory which is not permissible. People of Jammu and Kashmir have welcomed the decision (of August 5, 2019) without exception or reservation and political parties have to realise it and live with it,” Sethi said referring to the abrogation of special status of Jammu and Kashmir. (Agencies)
BJP to chalk out strategy against NC-led all party meet over inclusion of non-locals in voter list
Make J&K free of fear, corruption & drugs; job-oriented: LG
Srinagar, Aug 21: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha in the 17th edition of the ‘Awaam Ki Awaaz’ programme today said, Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav provides the perfect opportunity to make four big resolutions- Make J&K fear-free, corruption-free, drug-free and job-oriented.
These resolutions entail the participation of the people to fulfill our resolve and build upon the achievements of the last 75 years, he added.
Observing that ‘janbhagidari’ is a strong foundation of effective and efficient administration Sinha urged the people to become a partner in the developmental journey.
“No strategy of rapid socio-economic transformation will work without active participation of people. The ‘Amrit Kaal Khand’ has infused a sense of self-confidence and we are determined to harness the tremendous capacities of human capital to build a strong and prosperous J&K”, he said, adding that continuous efforts are being made to fulfill the aspirations of the people, particularly the youth, who are the lifeblood of society and guardians of economic development and social progress.
“In a short span of three years, we have introduced reforms in every sector, which has opened up a plethora of opportunities for growth and development. The results are visible as J&K is now moving ahead to be one of the leading regions in sectors like IT, Industries, Tourism, Revenue, Women Entrepreneurship and Youth Empowerment”, the Lt Governor said.
He also expressed gratitude to all the citizens for their immense contribution and wholehearted participation in ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Utsav’.
The Lt Governor also shared inspiring stories of citizens who are making positive impact in the lives of others and playing the role of a change-maker for the society.
‘The story of Haji Mohd Shafi Sheikh is truly inspiring. A pioneer in introducing horticulture in Bhaderwah, he encouraged other farmers for converting their land into orchids, and now three villages have been transformed into exotic fruit hub of Jammu division”, he said.
Appreciating Syed Jalees Qadri, a young entrepreneur from Srinagar for his endeavor of replacing the use of plastic cups with ‘kulhad’ (earthen cups), the Lt Governor said, Jalees is on a mission to promote environmental sustainability and reviving traditional crafts. For environmental protection, it is necessary to adopt a sustainable lifestyle and bring about a change in our behavior. Now, environment-friendly ‘kulhad’, which has been a part of our tradition since ages, is slowly and steadily replacing plastic cups,’ he added.
Acknowledging the determined efforts of Srinagar’s Abdul Rahim Bhat to plant a million trees till 2030 in the Valley, Sinha said that his story is an inspiring tale of common man’s social responsibility. He has planted two lakh trees in the Kashmir valley without help of any organisation. His spirit to give back to the society is commendable.
“Our natural resources are limited, and their conservation & protection is essential for our existence. We must take inspiration from Abdul Rahim Bhat and discharge our responsibility towards protecting natural resources from destruction while walking on the path of development”, he added.
Highlighting the role of Self Help Groups as a facilitator of development, the Lt Governor mentioned about Anita Devi, a resident of Reasi district, who is spearheading a Self Help Group of 1300 women, and has transformed several villages of her area.
She is a living example of ‘Nari Shakti’ who has converted the challenges of remote hilly areas into opportunities, he said.
He also acknowledged the notable work of Kulgam’s Shahina Akhtar for providing free coaching to the women of her area so that they can become self-dependent.
Referring to a suggestion received from Doda’s Reva Raina related to capacity building and credit facilities for women entrepreneurs, the Lt Governor listed various programs of the Government to connect women folks with entrepreneurial endeavors and assured her that all the necessary steps will be taken by the administration.
“We have adopted the MTC model- Market Network, Training and Continuous Support, to create a strong eco-system of Women Entrepreneurs in Jammu and Kashmir with personalized support. Financial assistance of Rs 1840 crore was also given through various banks to the people to start their own employment in the financial year 2021-22. Under Tejaswini scheme, 2000 girls were made entrepreneurs in the last financial year, having been provided a financial assistance of Rs 102 crore. Skill development training has also been ensured by JKEDI to all the entrepreneurs”, Sinha said.
The Lt Governor instructed the JKTPO to integrate the suggestions received from Reva Raina during their upcoming programmes.
On the suggestion of Anita Goel from Inner Wheel Club Jammu on strengthening relationship between the civil society and administration he called upon civil society groups to participate in the process of social development and create awareness about public welfare programs run by the administration.
He thanked Poonam Shashtri from Jammu who suggested for conservation and preservation of heritage sites and assured her that the key ideas will be incorporated in the policies.
The Lt Governor exhorted the enlightened citizens to identify ancient heritage sites in their respective areas to intensify ‘Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan’ initiative. He also called upon all the public representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions to join this campaign.
He also mentioned some thoughtful observations shared by Uma Sharma from Jammu to promote ‘Literary festivals’, ‘Book Cafes’ and scaling up the pace of digitization of libraries.
The valuable insights received from Kupwara’s Altaf Hussain Khan and Ganderbal’s Peerzada Vikar Shah pertaining to maintenance and promotion of gardens and landscaping in J&K, besides promotion and monetization of floriculture were also shared by the Lt Governor.
Apni Party holds a largely attended public rally at Bemina in Srinagar
Srinagar: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Sunday said that “J&K people have realized the fact that violence is the biggest enemy to their social, political and economic interests.” He added that New Delhi does not necessarily need to have peace and tranquility in J&K, but the people of this region do because they have high stakes in a peaceful environment here.
Apni Party President was speaking at a largely attended public rally in the Bemina area of the Shalteng assembly constituency in Srinagar, wherein besides the common masses, hundreds of party workers and prominent party leaders were present.
According to a statement issued here, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari while addressing the gathering extended his gratitude to people for their enthusiastic participation in the rally.
He said, “Your enthusiastic presence in this rally indicates that you understand the fact that people inevitably need peace and tranquility in Kashmir for a better future.”
He added, “People have faith in Apni Party’s agenda, which is to ensure sustained peace, durable prosperity, and economic development in J&K. Our narrative promises a protected future for everyone, especially youth and womenfolk.”
Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari reiterated his promise that Apni Party will continue its truthful politics and will never push people towards evil politics and unachievable goals.
He said, “Unlike the conventional political parties, Apni Party is determined to speak truth to the people even if that does not fetch much political decedents to us. We will not promise you moon and stars rather we will promise you only what we believe that we can fulfill.”
He added, “Apni Party tells our youth that the path of violence has given people of this land nothing except destruction and miseries over the years. Thus, we need to shun violence to pave a way for a peaceful environment which will eventually help us to attain everything that matters to people. Through peaceful means, we can also achieve political and economic empowerment for the people.”
Taking a dig at the traditional political parties, Apni Party President said, “The traditional political parties and their leaders have been misleading the common masses over the past more than 75 years. One of the tallest leaders would change his stance every now and then like one changes his or her clothes. First, he decided to go with India, then he started a so-called ‘plebiscite movement’ here, then he returned back to his earlier stance, and later he promised autonomy. In fact, all his U-turns were meant to keep a hold on power and create a political empire and legacy for his family and his future generations.”
“Then, we got another party here that tried to convince us that it will fight against the dynasty rule in J&K, but the leaders of this party ultimately formed its own family rule here by fooling people through deceitful slogans of self-rule, Pakistan, dual currency and so on.” He added.
Blaming the traditional political parties for the deaths and destruction in J&K, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “Their deceitful narratives and slogans pushed our youth to struggle for the unachievable goals, which eventually landed thousands of youngsters either in jails or in graveyards.”
Apni Party President further said that the traditional political parties are still trying to mislead the people by false promises and by building false narratives.
He said, “Now they are trying to fool people by saying that they will get article 370 back that was abrogated by the New Delhi on August 5, 2019. People must ask them how they are going to get it back and what would be their strategy to undo what was done on August 5.”
He added, “When an official uttered some misleading statement recently, these political parties tried to make a fuss about this statement for their political advantages. However, on Apni Party’s request, the GoI clarified that non-locals are not going to be enrolled in the voter list but only the J&K residents who have attained the age to vote will be incorporated into the list. This clarification has put an end to the fuss that the traditional parties had tried to create to sentimentalize common people for their own political gains.”
However, Syed Altaf Bukhari urged his party workers to keep an eye at electoral rolls to ensure nothing untoward happens. “You should watch the ongoing Special Summary Revision to make sure the process to smooth and transparent.” He said.
Reiterating his promise that if gets the public mandate in forthcoming assembly elections to form the government in J&K, Apni Party will ensure economic dividends to each and every household in J&K. He said, “We will provide up to 500 units of electricity free in winter months to the Valley consumers, and the same amount of free power to people in Jammu during summers, and 300 units of free electricity to the people in the Valley in summers and to Jammu people in winters. Also, we will enhance the present Rs 50,000 marriage assistance to the girls up to one lakh rupees, and the monthly widow and old age pension up to rupees five thousand from existing one thousand rupees.” “Also, we will give four free gas refills annually to every household in J&K.” He added.
Besides Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, the prominent party leaders and senior workers who were present on occasion include the party’s Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir, Chairman of the Party’s Parliamentary Committee Mohammad Dilawar Mir, General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir, Provincial President Mohammad Ashraf Mir, State Secretary Muntazir Mohidin, Chief Coordinator Abdul Majeed Padder, President of party’s Youth Wing and mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Junaid Azim Mattu, Party’s District President for Srinagar Noor Mohammad Sheikh, District President Anantnag Abdul Rahim Rather, Raja Manzoor, Provincial President of Party’s Women’s Wing Dilshad Shaheen, Senior leader Women’s Wing Iram Ji, Hajra Ji, Afroza ji, Noor Mohammad Bhat, Jeelani Kumar, Irfan Zargar, Mohsin Zafar, Aadil Ahmad, Tanbir Singh Sodhi, Shazad Ahmad (Corporator), Zahoor Ahmad, Jan Mohammad Matta, Advocate Mohsin, Ali Mohammad, Imtiyaz Ahmad, Mudasir Ahmad, Meraj ud Din, Manzoor Ahmad Dar, Nazir Ahmad, Farooq Ahmad, Irfan Ahmad, and others.
COVID-19: J&K logs 276 cases
Jammu: At least 276 COVID-19 cases were reported across Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, the government said.
An official spokesman in a statement issued here said that of these 235 cases were from the Kashmir division and 41 from the Jammu division, taking the total number of positive cases to 4,76,044.
Providing district-wise breakup for positive cases, the spokesman said that in the Kashmir division, Srinagar reported 100 cases, Baramulla 52, Budgam 25, Kupwara 24, Kulgam 11, Anantnag eight, Pulwama seven, Bandipora five, Shopian three while no case was reported from Ganderbal.
He said that in the Jammu division, the Jammu district reported 27 cases, Kathua five, Doda three, and Udhampur two while Rajouri, Samba, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban, and Reasi reported no fresh cases. The spokesman said that 589 COVID-19 infected persons also recovered and were discharged from various hospitals including 519 from the Kashmir division and 70 from the Jammu division.
He said of the total 4,76,044 positive cases reported in J&K so far, 2597 are active positive including
2149 from Kashmir division and 448 from Jammu division while 4,68,668 have recovered and 4779 died including 2432 in Kashmir division and 2347 in Jammu division.
The spokesman said that 11,161 doses of COVID vaccine were administered across J&K during the last 24 hours bringing the cumulative number of doses administered to 2,40,82,212.
He said that of the 2,63,66,174 test results available, 4,76,044 samples had tested positive and 2,58,90,130 samples tested negative.
The spokesman said that 9903 COVID tests were conducted during the last 24 hours.
He said that to date 66,99,293 persons were enlisted for observation which included 149 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by the government, 2597 in isolation, and 356 in home surveillance while 66,91,412 persons have completed their surveillance period.
Will go on hunger strike if electoral demography of J&K changed: Sajad Lone
Srinagar, Aug 22: Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone on Monday said they will sit on hunger strike before the Parliament and other constitutional bodies if there is an attempt by the government to change the electoral demography of Jammu & Kashmir.
“The law (Representation of The Peoples Act-1951) is not a threat to us but the intentions of the Government are a threat to us,” Lone said while addressing a presser, news agency KNO reported.
Lone said they neither accept the clarification issued by the Jammu & Kashmir nor they reject it.
“We will wait and watch and if there is an attempt to change the demography of J&K, we will go on hunger strike,” he said.
He said that he will not attend the all-party meeting called by Farooq Abdullah to discuss the issue of inclusion of non-locals into electoral rolls of J&K, saying they will support if anything concrete comes out of it.
“I don’t want to be a point scorer. If something concrete comes out of it, we will support it . They should also support our programme,” he said,
Senior PC leader and former Law Secretary Muhammad Ashraf Mir said that chief electoral officer’s assertions about inclusion of non-locals in electoral rolls of Jammu & Kashmir are not supported by law.
“The law is clear that the person must be a habitual resident of that place for a considerable time. The service voters (members of armed forces) can vote only for their native constituencies irrespective of their places of posting,” he said.
It is pertinent to mention that different political parties are meeting in Srinagar to discuss the issue of inclusion of non-locals in electoral rolls of J&K. The meeting is being attended by NC, PDP , Congress and other parties. Former deputy CM Muzaffar Hussain Baig had said that he will also attend APM if he is invited. But he has not been invited to attend the APM.
SC agrees to list plea seeking review of PMLA judgment
New Delhi, Aug 22: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to list a plea seeking review of its order upholding the Enforcement Directorate’s powers related to arrest, attachment of property involved in money laundering, search and seizure under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
“Okay, we will list it,” a bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana said after the plea was mentioned before it.
It is common experience the world over that money laundering can be a “threat” to the good functioning of a financial system, the apex court had observed on July 27 while upholding the validity of certain provisions of the PMLA. It underlined that this is not an “ordinary offence”.
The Centre has been insisting money laundering is an offence that is committed not only by unscrupulous businessmen but also terror organisations, posing a grave threat to national security.
A bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar had said authorities under the 2002 Act are “not police officers as such” and the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) cannot be equated with an FIR under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
The bench had said supply of an ECIR copy in every case to the person concerned is not mandatory and it is enough if the ED, at the time of arrest, discloses the grounds of such an arrest.
The petitioners in the case had raised the issue of the contents of ECIR not being disclosed to the accused.
The court’s judgement came on a clutch of over 200 petitions filed by individuals and other entities questioning various provisions of the PMLA, a law which the opposition has often claimed has been weaponised by the government to harass its political adversaries. (Agencies)
One dead, three injured in Kathua car accident
JAMMU, Aug 22: One person was killed and three others injured in a road mishap in Kanthal Dhar road in Bani area of J&K’s Kathua district on Monday, police said.
Police said that a car rolled down into gorge on Kanthal Dhar road in Bani Sub division of Kathua district resulting in the death of one person and injuries to three others.
A rescue operation has been launched in the area. (AGENCIES)
Hundreds of farmers reach Delhi to take part in ‘mahapanchayat’
NEW DELHI, Aug 22: Hundreds of farmers from different states started reaching Delhi amid heavy security arrangements to participate in a ‘mahapanchayat’ called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) at Jantar Mantar on Monday.
SKM Leaders claimed at some locations, farmers were being stopped from reaching Jantar Mantar, a claim denied by the Delhi Police.
“The mahapanchayat is a one day-long peaceful event where we will reiterate our demands such as a legal guarantee on MSP and cancellation of Electricity Amendment Bill 2022 among others,” said Abhimanyu Singh Kohar, SKM (non-political) member and organiser of the ‘mahapanchayat’.
He, however, added that the police is yet to give permission for the ‘mahapanchayat’ at Jantar Mantar.
Mr. Kohar said farmers coming from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh were stopped last night and not allowed to reach Jantar Mantar. They were taken to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Rakabganj and Moti Bagh and later released, he said. Kohar said farmers from Punjab, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and some parts of Haryana have reached Delhi and more are coming to take part in the ‘mahapanchayat’.
He said earlier during the farmers’ movement, the central government had promised to consider all our demands but they did “nothing”.
“So here we are again to discuss and raise our demands and chalk out future strategy of the movement,” Mr. Kohar said.
Heavy traffic jam at Ghazipur border
A massive traffic jam was witnessed at Delhi’s Ghazipur border while vehicular movement remained slow at Singhu border amid traffic curbs put by Delhi Police ahead of the ‘mahapanchayat’ called by farmers’ body at Jantar Mantar on Monday, officials said.
They said that all vehicles entering the capital are being checked and the police personnel are on ‘alert mode’.
Long queue of vehicles was seen at the Ghazipur border as each one was being checked by the police. This is part of the security arrangements made in view of the ‘mahapanchayat’, said a senior police officer.
Movement of vehicles at the Singhu Border also remained slow due to additional pickets deployed there in view of the ‘mahapanchayat’, police said.
“Traffic movement has been slow due placement of additional pickets. We are managing the situation according to the flow of traffic. Personnel have been deployed and arrangements would be made without causing any inconvenience to public,” said another senior police officer.
Security beefed up
Officials said security has been beefed up at Delhi borders, including Singhu and Ghazipur points, ahead of ‘mahapanchayat’.
“In this connection, adequate deployment of local police and outside force has been made in outer district at Tikri border, major intersections, along railway tracks and metro stations to avoid any untoward incident,” a police official said.
In a tweet, the police also asked motorists to avoid Tolstoy Marg, Sansad Marg, Janpath Road, Ashoka Road, Outer Circle Connaught Place, Baba Kharak Singh Marg and Pandit Pant Marg due to farmers’ ‘mahapanchayat’.
In November 2020, thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh had camped at border points around Delhi against Centre’s three farm laws, which were repealed a year later. The farmers had suspended their movement in December last year after the Centre assured them to consider their other demands concerning legal guarantee on MSP, withdrawal of cases against them among others. (Agencies)
J&K parties to meet today; discuss issue of ‘inclusion of non-local voters’ in electoral rolls
Srinagar, August 22: The National Conference will hold an “all-party meeting” here on Monday to discuss the issue of “inclusion of non-local voters” in the revised electoral rolls in Jammu and Kashmir.
Parties like the NC and PDP claimed that the administration had not addressed their main concern on whether ”outsiders” ordinarily residing in J-K would be allowed to enrol as voters and the meeting would discuss the clarification issued by the administration on the matter.
“So the meeting will discuss everything threadbare. Even the clarification will be discussed. It is an all-party meeting and every party will present their point of view,” PDP chief spokesperson Suhail Bukhari had said.
NC president Farooq Abdullah had called the meeting to discuss the issue of the “inclusion of non-local voters” in the electoral rolls in Jammu and Kashmir after remarks related to the addition of voters in the revised rolls by the UT’s Chief Electoral Officer Hirdesh Kumar raised hackles of the regional parties.
The government on Saturday issued a clarification, saying the reports of a likely addition of over 25 lakh voters after the summary revision of electoral rolls is a “misrepresentation of facts by vested interests”.
The Kashmiri migrants “will continue to be given the option of voting at their place of enrolment or through postal ballot or through specially set up polling stations at Jammu, Udhampur, Delhi, etc,” it said.
“This revision of electoral rolls will cover existing residents of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the increase in numbers will be of voters who have attained the age of 18 years as of October 1, 2022, or earlier,” it said.
Mainstream political parties have alleged that the “inclusion of non-locals was a clear-cut ploy to disenfranchise the people of Jammu and Kashmir”.
However, even after the clarification, the political parties will go ahead with the all-party meeting convened by the NC president at his residence.
“The ‘clarification’ issued by DIPR is a silent endorsement of the statement given by the Chief Election Officer. Doesn’t address our apprehensions about non-locals en masse being given the power to vote. Yet another design to dispossess people of J&K,” PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti wrote on Twitter on Sunday.
The National Conference also said the clarification did not address whether “outsiders” residing on J-K could vote or not.
“There is no clarity on the most important point of voting rights to outsiders ordinarily residing in J-K,” National Conference (NC) state spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar said.
Dar said the government should make it clear what it meant by ordinarily living persons.
“The problem is that someone has come here and works as a labourer. There is no documentary proof like it is needed in other places that a person has lived for seven or eight years or so and then he becomes eligible to vote there.
“Any such person can come here for two months, deregister himself at his native place and register here to vote, and then return. So, if somebody comes here for two months, will he also be eligible for enrolling himself as a voter here,” the NC state spokesperson said. (Agencies)
All 23 AIIMS to be named after local heroes, monuments, geographical identities
New Delhi: The government has firmed up a proposal to give specific names to all the AIIMS, including that in Delhi, based on regional heroes, freedom fighters, historical events or monuments of the area or their distinct geographical identity.
Majority of the 23 All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have submitted a list of names, after the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare sought suggestions from them in this matter, official sources told PTI.
AIIMS, many of which are operational while others being set up under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), are known by its generic name and distinguished only by their location, an official explained.
“So, the Union health ministry has drafted a proposal to give specific names to all the 23 AIIMS, which include those fully functional, partially operational or under construction,” the source said.
In this regard, suggestions were sought for assigning specific names to different AIIMS, which could be linked to local or regional heroes of prominence, freedom fighters, distinct geographical identity of the area where the institute is located and prominent historical events or monuments of the region,” the source explained.
Majority of these premier health institutes are learnt to have suggested three to four names along with an explanatory note for the names suggested.
Six new AIIMS — Bihar (Patna), Chhattisgarh (Raipur), Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal), Odisha (Bhubaneswar), Rajasthan (Jodhpur) and Uttarakhand (Rishikesh) were approved in Phase 1 of PMSSY and are fully functional.
Out of the 16 AIIMS established between 2015 and 2022, MBBS classes and outpatient department services have been started in 10 institutes, while only MBBS classes have been started in another two. The remaining four institutes are at different stages of development.