New Delhi: Two persons associated with media organisations were detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) in Jammu and Kashmir this year, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said on Wednesday.
Rai was replying to a question in Rajya Sabha on whether J&K had seen an increase in detention of journalists and local media organisations and a rise in the number of internet shutdowns by the authorities since the revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A in August 2019.
“During the current year, two individuals associated with media organisations have been detained under the PSA as reported by the J&K government,” he said in a written reply.
The minister said after the constitutional changes on August 5, 2019, internet services were temporarily suspended in J&K for the maintenance of law and order and to ensure the safety and security of the public.
However, he said, the internet services were restored in a graded manner.
“Currently, there is no restriction on internet services in J&K. As a law enforcing agency, the Police is duty bound to take action under the law against any person (without any discrimination of profession or otherwise) who is found involved in such activities prejudicial to the security and sovereignty of the country,” the minister said.
Rai said that the orders of temporary suspension of internet services, issued by the competent authority, under the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, during emergent situations, were uploaded on the official website of the J&K government.
The Centre on Wednesday said there were no significant protests in Jammu and Kashmir against the report of the Delimitation Commission even though various political parties have expressed different views on the report.
Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said this in Rajya Sabha replying to a question whether there is widespread resentment regarding the report on the delimitation of assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The government of Jammu and Kashmir has intimated that there were no significant protest against the report of the Delimitation Commission. However, various political parties have expressed different views on the report,” he said, replying to a written question.
The National Conference, the PDP and several other political parties have slammed the report.
The NC said the report “defies any and all logic” and no political, social and administrative reason can justify the recommendations.
The PDP said “delimitation commission has become an extension of BJP; we reject this delimitation report as we don’t trust it. This is nothing but only an attempt to disempower the people of Jammu Kashmir”.
As against previous number of 37 and 46 assembly seats for Jammu region and Kashmir region, respectively, the Delimitation Commission has notified 43 seats for Jammu region and 47 seats for Kashmir region.
Rai said the commission conducted delimitation exercise of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir based on the census data of 2011 and the criteria prescribed under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
The commission has also considered the representations for geographical areas having inadequate communication and lack of public conveniences due to their excessive remoteness or inhospitable conditions on the international border.
Replying to a separate question, the minister said statehood to Jammu and Kashmir will be granted at an appropriate time and the decision to conduct assembly elections there is the prerogative of the Election Commission.
“Yes Sir. Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir would be granted at an appropriate time,” Rai said replying to a question on whether Union Home Minister Amit Shah had stated in Parliament that the statehood to the Jammu and Kashmir would be restored, if so, by when, and if not, the reasons.
On August 5, 2019, while taking the initiative to abrogate Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and bifurcating the erstwhile state into two Union territories, Shah had said in the Parliament that statehood to Jammu and Kashmir would be restored when the situation there becomes normal.
Rai said the Delimitation Commission has notified orders on March 14, 2022 and May 5, 2022 on delimitation of parliamentary and legislative assembly constituencies of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The decision to conduct elections is the prerogative of the Election Commission of India,” he said.
12 Kashmiri Pandits were killed by militants in Jammu and Kashmir during 2020, 2021 and 2022
Kashmir, July 27
Altogether 6,514 Kashmiri Pandits are still residing in Kashmir Valley —highest 2,639 in Kulgam district, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said on Wednesday.
Rai said in Rajya Sabha that no Kashmiri Pandit has left the valley in 2022. The number of Kashmiri Pandits who are still residing in the valley as on July 20 is 6,514, he said, replying to a written question.
The minister said the highest number of Kashmiri Pandits are living in Kulgam district (2,639), followed by Budgam (1,204), Anantnag (808), Pulwama (579), Srinagar (455), Shopian (320), and Baramulla (294), among others.
As many as 12 Kashmiri Pandits were killed by militants in Jammu and Kashmir during 2020, 2021 and 2022, he said.
Replying to another question, Rai said the government has a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and the security situation has improved significantly in the Union territory.
There has been substantial decline in terrorist attacks—from 417 in 2018 to 229 in 2021, he said.
Since the repeal of Article 370 in August 2019, nine government employees (excluding security forces) have lost their lives in terror-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, Rai said. ( With inputs from PTI)
SSP Doda, Abdul Qayoom-JKPS felicitated International Olympian Shooter Sh. Chain Singh for w Silver Medal in 50M Rifle 3 position Team Event at ISSF World Cup in South Korea.
SSP Doda congratulated and complimented him for his hard work and brilliant victory in ISSF World Cup which has brighten up the name of J&K UT in general and District Doda in particular. This brilliant success will definitely inspire the young people of the District to explore the avenues of different platforms at National and International level to achieve the success in sports activities and in other fields.
Display of online services & sensitization of masses about e- Governance initiatives mark the day
Govt is committed to ensure transparency & accountability in its functioning & all measures in place in this regard: DC Rajouri
RAJOURI, JULY 26: “Govt is committed to ensure transparency and accountability in its functioning and best possible measures are being taken in this regard.”
This was said by the Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Vikas Kundal while chairing a mega function organised in the Conference Hall of the PWD Dakbunglow as a part of digital India week.
Others who were present during the event included ADDC, Pawan Kumar; CPO, Mohammad Khurshid; ACR, Imran Rashid Kataria and other District officers besides public in large numbers attended the program.
During the event, different departments of the district had erected their stalls depicting varied online services available with them and the resource persons of these departments motivated the public to avail the benefits of the same.
The resource persons also underlined many e-governance initiatives launched by the Govt to promote transparency, accountability and responsive working culture in departments.
Adressing the event, the DC threw a detailed light on the objective behind the celebration of the week saying that week is aimed at making the public aware of the digital initiatives to provide them the best possible relief.
While enumerating numerous measures being taken by the Govt to make the services easily accessible to the general public, he said that Govt is committed to ensure transparency & accountability in its functioning & all measures in place in this regard.
He also urged the public to ensure their maximum participation in such programs organised by the Govt from time to time and avail themselves with the same.
Continuing its drive to tighten the noose of drug peddlers, Doda Police has booked three notorious drug peddlers and lodged them in District Jail Bhaderwah as preventive detention.
While giving details, Police said that a number of complaints were being received at Police Station Doda that three youth namely 1-Umar Javed S/O Javed Iqbal R/O Doda, 2-Muzamil Ahmed S/O Mujahid Ali R/O Sadiqabad Doda, 3- Amjad Ali S/O Mubarak Ali R/O Sadiqabad Doda consume and supply drugs and are also getting involved other youth of the area in drug addiction. Acting upon this alarming information, Police swung into action and a detailed report of their involvement in drug addiction as well as involving other youth was prepared by Police and Police parties led by PSI Subash Singh, IC PP DH Doda apprehended the drug addicts and produced them before the Executive Magistrate Class 1st Doda where from they were sent to District Jail Bhaderwah under preventive detention.
It is pertinent to mention here that Doda Police has registered (32) FIRs under NDPs Act in which (34) drug peddlers have been booked. Apart from that (26) notorious drug peddlers have been detained in Jail under preventive measures.
Doda Police is repeatedly appealing the general public to extend cooperate and assistance to Police so that drug smuggling, manufacturing/selling of illicit liquor and other crime related activities are rooted out from the society and crime free atmosphere is built up.
Event presided over by Chief Guest, DDC Chairman, Chowdhury Naseem liyaqat & witnessed massive public participation from different walks of life
Achievements under PDD & Renewable energy sector showcased
Govt has achieved unprecedented growth under power sector over the past few years & efforts in this direction would continue to further streamline & improve public service delivery under this sector: DC Rajouri
Electricity plays a very important role in our day to day life and there is a need to use it judiciously
RAJOURI, JULY 27: In connection with the ongoing ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ campaign, a mega event was today organised in the auditorium of BGSBU to celebrate the “Ujjwal Bharat, Ujjwal Bhavishya, Power @2047” program in Rajouri.
The event was organised by the District Administration in collaboration with various stakeholders and was presided over by the District Development Council Chairman, Chowdhury Naseem liyaqat.
Among the others present on the occasion included DDC Rajouri, Vikas Kundal; ADDC, Pawan Kumar; President MC Rajouri, Mohd Arief Jatt; DDC Thanamandi, Abdul Qayom Mir; BDC Rajouri, Darbar Chowdhary; SE PDD, Roshan Lal; SE PWD, Nissar Hussain; ExEn PDD Rajouri, Hasan Mohammad and other officers and dignitaries were present during the program.
At the outset, the chief guest inspected the stalls erected by various agencies to showcase and display their services and achievements with special focus on achievements made in the power sector in the last 75 years.
Adressing the event, the Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Vikas Kundal said that the Govt is doing remarkable work in the field of electricity and the local administration is implementing various schemes with the help of the centre government and the public is getting benefited.
Stressing on the need to judicious use of the electricity, the DC said that electricity plays a very important role in our day to day life and there is a need to use it judiciously.
The Deputy Commissioner also termed the power sector as the vital sector and exhorted to enthuse more vibrancy in the department by strengthening and streamlining their public service delivery mechanism.
Highlighting the Govt’ vision to push the power sector, he said that the Govt has achieved unprecedented growth in the power sector over the past few years and efforts in this direction would continue to further streamline and improve public service delivery under this sector.
The Deputy Commissioner also asked the concerned officers to ensure that proper supply of electricity is maintained in the district while adhering to the curtailment schedules besides he also stressed on taking effective measures to resolve genuine public concerns regarding power supply on priority.
He also asked for ensuring the timely provision of power tariffs to the public and maintained that there should be no outstanding electricity bills so that the dues are paid timely.
The District Development Council Chairman, Chowdhary Naseem liyaqat while speaking during the event threw light on Ujjawal Bharat Ujjwal Bhavishya and highlighted the key achievements of India under the power sector.
He said that the Bijli Mahotsav was being celebrated all over the country under the umbrella of Ujjwal Bharat Ujjwal Bhavishya – Power @2047 to encourage public participation and getting across the developments in the power sector to the citizens at large.
Various cultural programmes, nukkad nataks were presented by renowned artists which were highly appreciated by the audience amid thundering applause.
July 27: Fifteen pilgrims died due to flash floods during the Amarnath pilgrimage in Jammu and Kashmir earlier this month, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said on Wednesday. Rai told Rajya Sabha that no person has been reported missing after the deluge on July 8. ”As per the information provided by the government of Jammu and Kashmir, 15 persons lost their lives due to flash flood,” he said replying to a written question. Rai said various government agencies like the NDRF, the SDRF, Army, CAPFs, and Union Territory government officials were deployed for search operations, rescue, and relief of the pilgrims. The pilgrims were immediately evacuated to safer places and camps and provided accommodation and food while the injured pilgrims were moved to the nearest medical facilities, he said. (Agencies)
Jammu, 27-07-2022: “While the BJP govt is using the vigilante organizations including ED and CBI to intimidate, harass and persecute the opposition, its own leaders involved in massive corruption and scams of gargantuan proportions had been allowed to go scot free and granted immunity from any kind of civil or criminal action. The complaints against the corrupt leaders owing allegiance to the ruling party are summarily rejected while booking the opposition leaders on frivolous charges in a bid to destroy and eliminate all kinds of opposition”, said Mr. Harsh Dev Singh, Former Minister and senior AAP leader while condemning the registration of false cases against Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain and BJP’s mischievous propaganda and false accusations against Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia. He regretted that while those fighting the corrupt BJP regime were being penalized and persecuted, the corrupt elements and criminals affiliated with BJP were being sheltered and provided all support by the present regime thereby making a mockery of the rule of law, constitution and democratic jurisprudence. He was addressing a press conference in Jammu today.
Making a vociferous appeal to the Apex Court to constitute a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) against the corrupt MLAs and Ministers who have accumulated huge wealth and disproportionate assets in the last eight years, Mr. Harsh Dev lambasted the govt for having grossly failed to take action against the blemished politicians of BJP who had looted public exchequer, encroached State lands, Forest lands, Municipal and JDA lands besides having installed illegal brick-kilns, stone crushers, hot mix plants and raised mammoth movable and immovable properties in various parts of the State and outside by abusing their position and authority. He said that local media and even erstwhile Governor SP Malik had referred to several scams in the J&K State in insurance contracts, power projects, Forest and Health Departments besides large scale illegitimate back door appointments but the bigwigs continued to enjoy immunity in view of their political clout with no action whatsoever initiated against the corrupt politicians. He reminisced that the said Governor was on record having made repeated statements about some politicians having raised palatial bungalows with 40-50 rooms each at several places including Srinagar, Jammu, New Delhi and elsewhere through ill gotten wealth. The said Governor had claimed that even he was offered a bribe of Rs. 300 crores for clearing two files by corporates and agencies affiliated to BJP. Regretfully no action was imitated against such corrupt leaders or their political affiliates by confining the enquiry to a few inconvenient officers, lamented Mr. Singh. And interestingly, the BJP tried to cover up the Roshni scam and also filed a review petition in the High Court after its own MLAs were found involved in the nasty Roshni scandal. He accused the BJP govt of having deliberately abolished the Accountability Commission only to protect its corrupt leaders. He said that with Lok Pal also having been denied, the ED and CBI were being used by the BJP govt as its allies to browbeat and demolish the opposition.
Describing the BJP Govt’s tall slogans of providing transparent, accountable and corruption free governance to the people a hoax, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh said that all such rants were made to enchant the masses for political gains. He said that several ex-BJP Ministers and MLAs had been reported to have created huge assets, taken loan from J&K Bank amounting to several crores and got it declared NPA besides having defied norms and procedures and violated Defence Acts besides other violations in constructing un-authorized structures and palatial bungalows. He said that even during demonetization a BJP Minister’s vehicle was widely reported to have been apprehended while carrying huge ‘dirty cash’ for conversion into new currency notes. “Similarly another Minister’s spouse was reported to have been video-graphed while converting black money into gold. Another Minister was accused of having taken several crores as bribe from his colleague for granting permission for construction of private apartments in an environmentally fragile area of Jammu”, Harsh divulged.
Revealing further, Mr. Singh said that several BJP Ministers were accused of promoting transfer industry in the State, allotment of works without tenders and illegal appointments made in govt departments on monetary and extraneous considerations. Moreover, several Ministers and MLAs had encroached huge State lands and Forest lands whose adverse reports had been submitted even by the investigating agencies against them, Harsh disclosed. And while the BJP leaders continued to unauthorizedly occupy govt premises including Ministerial bungalows in violation of SOPs, the administration continued to shelter the delinquents providing the most glaring example of patronized corruption. Not only that, the corrupt leaders of BJP were being provided immunity and due protection in view of they being the members of the ruling party at the centre. He said some BJP MLAs rose from rags to riches within no time and had been accused of raising palatial bungalows after elections besides raising huge moveable and immoveable assets in Jammu city and its vicinity which were disproportionate to their known sources of income. He further disclosed that in replies of RTIs, huge State lands were found to be in illegal possession of said MLAs and their families who had further regularized huge state land under the nasty Roshni scheme besides having been involved in swindling subsidies from Agriculture and Horticulture departments which were supposed to be meant for the poor and the BPL families. Several unemployed youth had claimed to be duped and looted by the said MLAs in the name of employment besides extortions from employees in the name of transfers”, lamented Mr. Singh.
Accusing several Ex-Ministers and MLAs of running illegal pollution creating units including stone crushers, brick kilns, hot mix plants etc. in grass violation of the directions of High Court and Supreme Court and NGT, he regretted that authorities concerned had turned a blind eye to the same in view of the pressure of these powerful politicians running the unauthorized units. Further, holding the Ex-Ministers of the erstwhile PDP-BJP coalition and its Ex-MLAs squarely responsible for most of the irregular practices in the departments of R&B, PHE, PDD, H&ME and RDD in particular, Mr. Singh said that unscrupulous leaders often used their influence and exerted undue pressure on officers to confer undue benefits upon their favourites. He said that taking unfair advantage of their position and authority, several BJP MLAs resorted to coercion to get their unjustified and irregular demands fulfilled and works executed without observing codal provisions.
Urging a judicial probe into the involvement of Ex-MLAs and Ex-Ministers of saffron regime and its allied parties in corrupt deeds, large scale bunglings and other acts of omission and commission, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh said that until noose was tightened around corrupt politicians, good and clean governance would remain a distant dream. Mr. Amit Kapoor (President-Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha), Mr. Abhinav Anand and Mr. Partap Singh (Aam Aadmi Party leaders) were also present in the press conference.
Continuing it’s drive against drug trafficking and substance abuse, Jourian Police under I/c PP PSI Karnail Singh recovered 2.5 grams of heroin like substance from the possession of Mohd Sharief S/o Mohd Mirza R/o village Juda Tehsil Arnas District Reasi A/P Batiara Tehsil Kanachak District Jammu. The accused was arrested from Shunna Naka while he was found in suspicious circumstances and he was rounded up and on his personal search 2.5 grams of heroin like substance was recovered from his possession.
In this regard a case FIR No. 219/2022 U/S 8/21/22 NDPS Act got registered in PS Akhnoor. The arrest and recovery was made on the directions of SHO P/S Akhnoor Insp. Hilal Azhar and under the supervision of SDPO Akhnoor Varun Jandial.
