NEW DELHI, Aug 4: Launching a scathing attack on the prime minister, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi Thursday said he is “not afraid of Narendra Modi” and will not be “intimidated” by the Enforcement Directorate action in the National Herald case.
Gandhi’s reaction came a day after the ED sealed the office of Young Indian in Herald House in the national capital, and the Delhi police briefly barricaded his residence and the party office here.
Gandhi termed these actions an “attempt at intimidation”.
“We will not be intimidated. We are not afraid of Narendra Modi,” he told reporters outside Parliament. “They may do whatever they want. It does not matter.”
“I will continue to work to protect the country and democracy and maintain harmony in the country. I will continue to do my work whatever they may do,” he said in his first response after the ED sealing the Young Indian office.
On the barricading issue, he said “truth cannot be barricaded”, and added his party will continue to protest.
The former Congress chief said the BJP government thinks its can “silence us by putting some pressure on us”.
“But we will not be silenced,” he said. “What Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are doing in this country and against democracy, we will stand against it whatever they may do. It does not matter.
Not afraid of Modi, will not be intimidated: Rahul Gandhi on Herald case
Fresh batches of pilgrims proceed to pay obeisance at Amarnath cave
Fresh batches of more than 550 pilgrims proceeded through the twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal to Amarnath on Thursday to pay obeisance at the Holy Cave Shrine, officials said.
They said more than 300 pilgrims had paid obeisance at the cave shrine till 11 am taking the total number of people who paid obeisance at the cave shrine to 2, 99,646 so far since the pilgrimage commenced on June 30.
New batches of devotees were allowed to proceed from the traditional Nunwan Pahalgam base camp in south Kashmir and shortest Baltal via Dumail in Ganderbal district on Thursday amid pleasant weather conditions.
As many as 247 pilgrims including 31 women and 1 child proceeded from Baltal on foot and on ponies via Domail to cave shrine of Amarnath to pay obeisance earlier in the day.
As many as 147 pilgrims were also airlifted by chopper from Baltal for paying their obeisance there till 10 am on Thursday. More than 300 pilgrims also proceed from the traditional Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam and at halting points of Chandanwari and Panjtarni in south Kashmir on the day.
Kashmir Weather, an independent observatory mostly dry weather will remain dry and there is a possibility of a short shower towards afternoon/evening.
There was no need for youth to pick up arms given J&K’s enormous resources: LG Manoj Sinha
Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Thursday said that given the enormous resources in the region, there was no need for the youth to pick up arms in 1990.
Addressing a gathering at Ranipora, Mattan, Anantnag, the LG, said that J&K has been bestowed with enormous resources and potential. “There was no need for the youth to pick up arms (in 1990). Even today, some people not happy with the region’s peace continue to misguide young boys,” the LG said.
He said that post 2019, the pace of development has touched new heights. “Before 2019, only 6 km roads were constructed and today 20 kms are being constructed. Before 2019, only 2500 kms were macdemised and today 7500 kms of road are being macdamised per day,” the LG said.
He said today J&K farmers are most happy people given their income. “We are best UT after Punjab and Haryana as far as farmer’s income is concerned,” the LG said.
He said that government led by him is committed to the welfare of Artisans. The LG inaugurated Rs 4.50 Cr Martand Chainstitch cluster. The cluster has been established by the J&K Khadi & Village Industries Board (KVIB) under Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries being administered by Ministry of MSME (GOI), meant for development of clusters to make the traditional industries more productive & competitive. Speaking on the occasion, Sinha reiterated the commitment of his administration in preserving the traditional arts turning moribund for lack of promotion and patronization and stated that UT administration is alive to the aspirations of associated artisans and workers.
He acknowledged the sheer grit and perseverance of these artisans which has let this master craft transfer from generation to generation. He ensured them that every effort would be made to make these traditional handicrafts more remunerative and lucrative for the artisan community.
“There is heartfelt attachment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji towards all Indian trades and crafts. With the active support of the Central Government, the administration is extending every possible hand-holding support so that the age-old and pristine craftsmanship is preserved in its true essence. He outlined that he personally would be more than happy to materialize whatever this community desires to be done by his administration,” the LG said, adding that every country and society in itself is identified by the specific arts, crafts and music. “Kashmir is known for its exquisite crafts and craftsmanship. I am indebted to the artisan community of the UT for professing art forms and possessing skill sets that are renowned not only in Country but world over.”
Vice Chairperson, J&K KVIB, Dr Hina Shafi Bhat announced that the establishment of the Crewel embroidery cluster is one among many steps the Board is taking for promotion of traditional arts and crafts. “Crewel work is pristine in nature which is predominantly done by women are predominantly,” she said. (KNO)
Sajad Lone appeals to Amit Shah to make sure launch of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq
Srinagar, Aug 4 (IANS): Individuals’s Convention Chief Sajad Lone on Thursday appealed to Union House Minister Amit Shah and Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha to make sure the discharge of Hurriyat chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
In a sequence of tweets, Lone stated that Mirwaiz is a non secular head and his continued detention for the final 4 years is against the law in opposition to him. He stated the Mirwaiz has himself been a sufferer of violence and leads forces of moderation and has caught to utterances which signify the true essence of Islam.
Lone tweeted: “Spare a thought for @MirwaizKashmir He’s beneath continued detention for the final 4 years. And none of us has talked about him. My apologies. We could differ politically however he conjures up us as a non secular head. A non secular head who spearheaded the forces of moderation.”
“@MirwaizKashmir has caught to utterances that are reasonable and signify the true essence of Islam. He has non secular duties. His continued incarceration is against the law in opposition to him and in opposition to all these whom he conjures up at a non secular degree.”
“humble attraction to @AmitShah sahib and @manojsinha_ sahib to please guarantee that he’s launched as quickly as attainable. He has himself been a sufferer of violence. Let it’s recognized. There r many wars in Kashmir. And in our actual struggle he’s an unapologetic reasonable.”
India to host UN Security Council members for special meeting on counter-terrorism in October
UNITED NATIONS, Aug 4: India will host diplomats of the 15-nation UN Security Council on October 29 for a special meeting on counter-terrorism.
India is halfway through the second year of its two-year term as an elected non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
India’s tenure at the Council will end in December when the country will also preside as President of the powerful UN organ for the month.
India chairs the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee for 2022 and will in October host diplomats of the 15-nation Security Council, including the US, China and Russia, for the counter-terrorism committee’s special meeting.
Current members of the Security Council are Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Norway and the UAE, along with five permanent members China, France, Russia, the UK and the US.
“Mindful of the increasing threat posed by the misuse of new and emerging technologies,” the United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) has decided to hold a special meeting on this theme,” with the support of its Executive Directorate (CTED), in India on October 29, 2022, according to information on the Committee’s website.
It said the special meeting will specifically focus on three significant areas where emerging technologies are experiencing rapid development, growing use by member states (including for security and counter-terrorism purposes), and the increasing threat of abuse for terrorism purposes, namely Internet and social media, terrorism financing, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
It is not very frequent that the Counter-Terrorism Committee meets outside of New York but the meeting in India will be the seventh time that this is happening. The most recent special meeting of the CTC outside of United Nations headquarters took place in Madrid, Spain, in July 2015, focusing on foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs).
The Committee said further that with the prevalence of technology and rapid rise in digitisation, the use of new and emerging technologies to counter-terrorism is a topic of growing interest among the member states, policymakers and researchers, particularly in the context of the increasing role played by technology in terrorism and counter-terrorism.
This is addressed by the Security Council in a number of counter-terrorism-related resolutions, most recently resolution 2617 (2021), which explicitly cited “emerging technologies”.
The special meeting would be conducted in the six official languages of the United Nations and be open to the wider United Nations membership and other relevant stakeholders.
India’s then Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti had in January this year assumed the Chair of the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee for 2022. Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, the country’s new envoy to the UN, now assumes that role.
Tirumurti had told the UN Security Council briefing on ‘The Use of Digital Technologies in Maintaining International Peace and Security’ in May that there is a need for addressing the abuse of digital technologies by terrorist groups to disseminate terrorist ideologies, radicalise, incite violence, and recruit the next generation of terrorist actors taking advantage of the enhanced online presence of young people.
He had informed the Security Council that India has proposed holding a special meeting of the Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee in India soon.
“The need for member states to comprehensively address and tackle the implications of terrorist exploitation of the digital technologies more strategically has never been more dire,” he said.
“I am happy to inform this Council that India has proposed holding a special meeting of the Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee in India soon, which will exclusively focus on this issue and attempt to provide the way forward,” Tirumurti had said.
The Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) was established in 2001 in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. UNSC Resolution 1373 (2001) had established the Counter-Terrorism Committee as a subsidiary body of the Council.
On the eve of assuming Chair of the CTC in December last year, India had voted in favour of a resolution to renew the mandate of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED).
The UN Security Council, through its written silence procedure, renewed the mandate of the Executive Directorate until December 31, 2025.
“As the Chair of the CTC for 2022, India will make determined efforts to further enhance the role of the CTC in strengthening the multilateral response to counter-terrorism, and more importantly, ensuring that global response to the threat of terrorism remains unambiguous, undivided and effective,” India had said in its explanation of vote to renew the CTED mandate.
Justice U U Lalit, in line to become next CJI, part of landmark judgements including triple talaq
NEW DELHI, Aug 4: Senior-most judge of the Supreme Court Justice U U Lalit, who is in line to become the next Chief Justice of India (CJI), has been part of several landmark judgements including the one which held the practice of divorce through instant ‘triple talaq’ among Muslims illegal and unconstitutional.
If appointed, Justice Lalit will become the second CJI who was directly elevated to the apex court Bench from the Bar.
Justice S M Sikri, who became the 13th CJI in January 1971, was the first lawyer to be elevated directly to the top court bench in March 1964.
Justice Lalit is in line to become the 49th CJI of India on August 27, a day after incumbent Justice N V Ramana demits the office.
Justice Lalit, who was a renowned senior advocate, was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court on August 13, 2014.
He has since been involved in delivery of several landmark judgements of the apex court.
One of the path-breaking verdicts was the August 2017 judgement by a five-judge constitution bench which by a 3-2 majority ruled the practice of divorce through instant ‘triple talaq’ as “void”, “illegal” and “unconstitutional”.
While then Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice S Abdul Nazeer were in favour of putting on hold the judgement for six months and asking the government to come out with a law to that effect, Justices Kurian Joseph, R F Nariman and U U Lalit held the practice as violative of the Constitution.
Justices Khehar, Joseph and Nariman have since retired.
In another important judgement, a bench headed by Justice Lalit had ruled the erstwhile royal family of Travancore has the management right over the historic Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala, one of the richest shrines, holding that the rule of “heritability must get attached to a right of Shebait” (servitor) of the temple.
The bench had allowed the appeal of the legal heirs of Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the younger brother of the last ruler, Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, setting aside the Kerala High Court’s 2011 verdict which directed the state government to set up a trust to take control of the management and assets of the temple.
A bench headed by Justice U U Lalit had ruled that touching sexual parts of a child’s body or any act involving physical contact with ‘sexual intent’ amounts to ‘sexual assault’ under section 7 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act as the most important ingredient is sexual intent and not skin-to-skin contact.
Quashing the controversial ‘skin-to-skin’ judgements of the Bombay High Court in two cases under the POCSO Act, the bench had said the high court erred in holding that there was no offence since there was no direct ‘skin-to-skin’ contact with sexual intent.
The high court had held that no offence of sexual assault under the POCSO Act was made out if there was no direct skin-to-skin contact between an accused and victim.
Born on November 9, 1957, Justice Lalit had enrolled as an advocate in June 1983 and practised in the Bombay High Court till December 1985.
He shifted his practice to Delhi in January 1986, and in April 2004, he was designated as a senior advocate by the apex court.
He was appointed a special public prosecutor for the CBI to conduct trial in the 2G spectrum allocation case.
Justice Lalit is due to retire on November 8, 2022.
Road infrastructure projects revolutionising connectivity in J&K
The road projects being executed across the length and breadth of Jammu and Kashmir are revolutionizing the connectivity and bringing economic prosperity across the UT.
With the construction of new roads, the travel time from Jammu to Kishtwar has been reduced from 7.5 hrs to 5hrs and travel time from Jammu to Srinagar has been reduced from 7-12 hours to 5.5 hours for LMVs. Similarly travel time from Srinagar to Gulmarg has been reduced from 3 hours to 1.5 hours and layover of Trucks reduced from 24-72 hours to 12 hours.
The statistics are reflecting that macdamization is being done at record level with average road macdamization in J&K increased to 20.6 km per day in last three years as compared to 6.54 km per day before 2019, which reflects the progressing development happening here.
According to official data, road length in J&K has increased to 41,141 kilometres and the percentage of blacktop roads has reached to 74 percent as compared to 66 percent in 2019.
Under Pothole free road programme, a target of 5900 kilometres was made for 2021-22 of which 4600 kilometres of road length has been made pothole-free till date.
Remarkably, Jammu and Kashmir has once again been ranked among top three performing States/UTs at national level for construction of road length per year under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
J&K Maintained its rank for the second consecutive year as the Public Works Department (R&B) constructed PMGSY road length of 3284 kms during the year 2021-22 and connected 114 habitations through road networks by executing 427 schemes in the year.
Under PMGSY, an average 9 kms of road length was constructed per day, which was slightly higher than the achievement for the year 2020-21 with an average of 8.67 kms per day and 119 habitations were connected under PMGSY with 3167 kms of road length constructed.
Nearly after 15 years, inner roads of Nihalpora village in Baramulla district are being repaired and macadamized. Home to 1500 families, the village was never on the priority list of the successive popular governments. Potholed roads, traffic gridlocks and waterlogging were commuting nightmares.
Similarly, the people of Darui Panchayat started celebrating and dancing with joy after the road construction work was taken up in their village for the first time since Independence. As soon as the JCB machine was installed, the people of the village started dancing to the beats of the drum and exchanged sweets among themselves. The construction work on 2.50 kilometer road has been started at an estimated cost of Rs 2.29 crore.
Vimla Devi, the Sarpanch of the Panchayat had played very important role in getting the road built. Vimla Devi said people were engaged in trying to get this road constructed since 2009 but finally the work started in 2022. “People were trying to get this road constructed since 2009 and finally the work has been started in 2022. This road is being built under the NABARD scheme”, she said.
JK readies for Digital Agriculture Mission: Atal Dulloo
Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department, Atal Dulloo held a meeting to discuss implementation of Digital Agriculture Mission (Agristack) in Jammu & Kashmir, at Civil Secretariat here today.
It was first-of-its-kind meeting in which the ACS briefed that Digital Agriculture Mission aims to lead farmers towards precision farming. ‘Equipped with the right technology, farmers will be provided knowledge about their soil health and the most suitable crops, soil treatment and the right kind of pesticides and fertilisers for their farmlands. Timely updates would be delivered through call centres or other media’, he informed.
The ACS remarked that data from PM KISAN, Kisan Credit Card, Soil Health Card schemes is already available with the government for implementation of the mission. He directed that Revenue Department ensure dynamic linking of farmer data with digitised land records. Remote sensing and weather data and databases of National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) could also be used for the purpose, it was told.
It was directed that respective officers ensure Aadhar based e-KYC of farmers is done and data of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana scrutinised. Emphasis was also laid on geo-referencing of village records and it was also told that GIS based real time crop survey would be done by March 2023 in this regard.
Once successfully implement, the farmers would be provided a unique ID and customised alerts for their fields. Committees have also been formed for implementation of the mission in J&K, it was informed.
Those present at the meeting included Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar; CEO, JaKeGA, Abhishek Sharma; Director Horticulture Jammu/ Kashmir, Director Agriculture Jammu/ Kashmir and Managing Director, J&K Agro Development Corporation, Arun Manhas among officers from Directorate of Survey and Land Records and other departments were also present at the meeting in person and through video conference.
Former legislator, President J&K JDU call on LG
Former legislator, Sh Surinder Ambardar, and President J&K Janta Dal United (JDU), Sh GM Shaheen called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at the Raj Bhavan here today.
Sh Surinder Ambardar accompanied by Mrs Dil Afroza Qazi and Mr Shabbir A Qazi of SSM College presented a book on Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to the Lt Governor.
He also discussed various initiatives and developments made in the J&K’s education and Industrial sectors, besides other matters.
Sh GM Shaheen expressed gratitude to the Lt Governor led UT Government for the progressive policies and unprecedented reforms brought for rapid development and growth in J&K. He also discussed with the Lt Governor various matters pertaining to better connectivity, development of tourism and power sectors, and the progress on Jal Jeevan Mission. He was accompanied by Sh Khurshid Naqati, State organizer JDU.
The Lt Governor while interacting with the former legislator and JDU leader observed that the UT administration is fully committed to continuously working for touching new levels of development and prosperity in Jammu Kashmir. He urged the public representatives to remain dedicated to the welfare of people of J&K.
Mainly dry weather likely in J&K
The weather is likely to remain dry in the next 24 hours in J&K, the Meteorological (MeT) department said on Thursday.
The weather was dry in the union territory during the last 24 hours.
“Weather is likely to remain mainly dry in J&K during the next 24 hours”, said the MeT department official.
Srinagar had 17.8, Pahalgam 13 and Gulmarg 9.4 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature.
Drass town in Ladakh region had 10, Leh 12.8 and Kargil 16.6 as the minimum temperature.
Jammu had 26.3, Katra 23.1, Batote 19, Banihal 18.6 and Bhaderwah 18.5 as the minimum temperature.