Jammu,
Congress Seva Dal President Vijay Sharma Babbi has said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are eagerly waiting for Rahul Gandhi’s visit to India. Starting from Kanyakumari and covering a distance of 3500 kms, this yatra will reach its last stop in Jammu and Kashmir. To make this yatra a success, the Congress has completed all the preparations. Every member of Congress is very excited about this visit. The public support received by the Yatra across the country has proved that the countrymen are fed up with the divisive and hate politics of the present government. Wherever Rahul Gandhi is going, he is getting a lot of love. From small children to old, elders are welcoming them on their way which proves that Bharat Jodo Yatra has been a complete success. He said that Rahul Gandhi is trying to unite India by walking for 145 days. For this journey, there should be love in the heart for the country, which is filled with codification in the Gandhi family. If Rahul Gandhi wanted, he could have made big rallies and made attractive promises in front of the people, but he believes in politics of morality and wants communal harmony and peace to prevail in the country. The family from which Rahul Gandhi comes has a history of its own. From the freedom struggle to making India a world leader, the Congress has made the most important contribution. Rahul Gandhi has proved that the real aim of politics should be towards uniting the country and not towards making people fight in the name of religion and caste.
Peoples of J&K eagerly waiting for Bharat Jodo Yatra: Seva Dal J&K
Entrepreneurship Development Program Inaugurated at SMVDU
Entrepreneurship Development Program sponsored by the Higher Education Department
J&K inaugurated at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University from 20-30 December, 2022,
designed for college students and received active participation from various colleges across
J&K. Shri Sumanta S. Sharma, Convener of the Program, welcomed all guests and
participants. Shri Nagendra Singh Jamwal, Registrar, SMVDU, highlighted the university’s
achievements in various fields. Ms. Pooja Gupta, Entrepreneur, Nimbark Organics, Guest of
Honour, encouraged students to pursue their dreams and to become entrepreneurs to help
the employment generation.
The program was inaugurated by Prof. (Dr.) Ravindra Kumar Sinha, Vice Chancellor,
SMVDU, who in his inaugural address motivated the students to become job creators rather
than job seekers and advised them to apply the knowledge to pursue their interests. Dr.
Supran Kr. Sharma, Dean, Faculty of Management and the Program Coordinator
emphasized that the program has been conceived with the idea to make young generation
more familiar with what is happening and developing around them; understand their
strengths; to go beyond their conventional thinking; nurture the culture of experimentation
to redouble the innovation efforts. Dr. Sunanda Gupta, Co-convener of the event, delivered
the formal vote of thanks to the dignitaries and participants. Around 100 students from
different colleges of Jammu including GGM Science College, PSPS GCW Gandhi Nagar,
Govt. MAM College, GDC Kunjwani, GCW Udhampur, Govt. SPMR College of Commerce,
GDC Neeli Nallah, GDC (Boys) Udhampur, GCW Parade and GDC Sidhra, are participating in
this prestigious program, spanning over ten days filled with brainstorming and interactive
sessions on the topics including ‘Entrepreneurship-A Practical Way’, ‘Entrepreneurship-
Myths & Practicalities’, ‘Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Analysis & Business Opportunities’,
‘Business Model Canvas’, ‘Frugal Innovations & Social Entrepreneurship’ etc. The modules of
the celebrated program are prepared in such a way that the objective of National Innovation
and Start-Up Policy may be achieved.
BJP fails to address public issues in J&K: Rajesh Gupta
Jammu, Dec 21 National Democratic Party Indian (NDPI) J&K UT President Rajesh Gupta while addressing
the party workers here lambasted BJP saying that tall promises of development, employment, progress and
prosperity of the region were made with the people who were mesmerized with several other seductive
slogans. He said NDPI will fight the wrong and unconstitutional policies of the BJP which has left the people
of Jammu and Kashmir as unhappy. He said BJP has vowed to finish the identity of Jammu and Kashmir
through unconstitutional and undemocratic moves like abrogation of special status, introduction of new land
laws and bifurcation of the erstwhile State into Union Territories.
NDPI Chief while addressing public issues in a meeting with NDPI leaders accusing the Jammu and Kashmir
administration of failure to address the basic issues of the people, he said the public were fatigued with the
“bureaucratic and proxy” rule and called for early restoration of democracy in the Union Territory. Rajesh
Gupta said elected representatives alone could appreciate the concerns of the public as against the “outside
bureaucrats” who hardly have any accountability to the people. Claiming that bureaucratic rule in the
erstwhile state had proved a “flop show”, Gupta claimed people were fast losing faith in the present
dispensation which had failed to address even their basic concerns. “With people across the new UT
protesting on a day-to-day, uninterrupted power and adequate water supply, restoration of roads and other
essential services, there did not appear to be any takers for their shrill cries,” he said. Gupta also made it
clear before party forum that NDPI is a secular party and respects the integrity and sovereignty of India. He
said Citing history of autocracy in some foreign countries, they opined that end of an authoritarian
government happened following successful mass upsurge.
Gupta said the voters were swayed by pro-Jammu rhetoric and several glamorous slogans given by the
saffron leadership to woo the masses. The gullibility of the Dogras was exploited to the full to attain the high
seats of power. The spell bound people blindly reposed their faith in the BJP giving it a landslide victory from
Jammu region in assembly seats as well as the parliamentary elections, he said.
The leaders those attended the meeting were Umesh Manhas, S.Kuljeet Singh, Tilakraj, Rajiv Luthra,
Sandeep Anand and others
LG Sinha announces three new schemes for agriculture sector, panchayats, towns of J&K
Jammu, Dec 21: Three new schemes, Holistic Development of Agriculture & Allied Sectors, Aspirational Towns Development Programme and Aspirational Panchayat Development Programme were announced by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday, a government spokesperson said in a statement.
The statement said that these projects have been approved by the Administrative Council, chaired by the LG.
In July this year, the UT administration constituted an Apex Committee for holistic development of Agriculture & Allied Sectors for which leading luminaries were invited like Dr Mangala Rai Former DG ICAR, as its Chairman and Dr Ashok Dalwai, CEO NRAA apart from other well known figures in the field of Agriculture, Planning, Statistics & Administration.
The committee working in a mission mode came with a comprehensive plan in the form of 29 projects covering all the sectors within the ambit of APD in a record time of 5 months.
“Having gone through the contents of the projects that have been cleared by the committee and their expected outputs and outcomes, I am confident that a new revolution in the agriculture and allied sectors of the UT is on the anvil. J&K is determined to move forward to touch new heights of success,” Sinha was quoted saying.
The projects which have now been approved by the administrative council and having an outlay of Rs. 5013 crores over the next five years shall transform the agriculture economy of J&K putting it on a new trajectory of growth, doubling the output of the sectors, boosting exports and making the sectors sustainable & commercially viable. This will herald a new phase of farmer prosperity and rural livelihood security in J&K.
These twenty-nine projects will almost double the output of the sectors, boosting exports and making the sectors sustainable & commercially viable. These gains shall be equitable, reaching the last person in the pyramid and ecologically sustainable through efficient use of bio-resources for food, feed & industry. The agricultural output which stands at Rs 37600 crores shall increase by over Rs 28142 crores to reach more than Rs 65700 crores per year, with a resultant increment in sectoral growth rate to 11%. The interventions shall create employment opportunities for over 2.8 lakh youth and establish around 19,000 enterprises. More than 2.5 lakh persons shall be skilled in various agri-enterprises ranging from seed production, precision farming of vegetables, bee-rearing, cocoon production, mushroom farming, integrated & organic agriculture, high-density fruit farming to processing, dairying, sheep & poultry farming as well as fodder production. In the next five years the UT shall have a motivated workforce with agri-entrepreneurial skills in a commercially viable and ecologically sustainable agri-ecosystem.
“I am sure that the J&K of the future will be a role model for the whole country in its agricultural practices and prosperous farming community,” the Lt Governor said.
J&K UT is also rolling out “Aspirational Panchayat Development Programme (APDP)” in UT of J&K and to select the most backward 285 Panchayats (One Panchayat per Block) for their holistic development.
The spokesperson said that a total of 100 measurable indicators have been identified across 9 Sectors namely Agriculture & allied Activities (06 indicators), Health & Nutrition (11), Education (13), Rural Development & Sanitation (07), Beneficiary-Oriented Schemes (04), Skill Development (04), Basic Infrastructure (17), Environment (05) & Good Governance (33), which shall give insight of existing status and incremental progress over a period of time.
On the basis of importance of these sectors, weights shall be assigned to each sector and sub-indicators as per relevance in the life of rural population.
These Aspirational Panchayats shall be developed through convergence of various ongoing District / UT Schemes and Centrally Sponsored Schemes / Programmes. Additional financial assistance of Rs. 10 Lakh shall be provided to the selected Panchayats under the scheme for its further development after achieving saturation in the following parameters like Soil Health Cards, Land Pass Books, Kisan Credit Cards, Shram Cards issued to eligible Laborers, 100 percent Institutional Births,100 percent vaccination of children in the age group of 9-11 months, Zero Percent Out of School Children, 100 percent Solid Waste Collection & Treatment, Aadhaar Seeding with MGNREGA Cards, Issuance of Golden Cards under PMJAY SEHAT.
Some 285 most backward Panchayats shall be selected from 4291 Panchayats of UT of J&K (One Panchayat per Block), on the basis of least aggregate score obtained on the selected 100 parameters/indicators in the Panchayat Development Index in the concerned Block. The data shall be analyzed in PD&MD and most backward Panchayat in the Block shall be identified, the details of which shall be shared with all respective District Development Commissioners for their authentication.
The government said that J&K is rolling out “Aspirational Towns Development Programme” (ATDP), the Urban Reform Incentive Fund (URIF) to incentivize undertaking of reforms in Municipalities, and the Assessment Framework for rating various Municipalities.
The Jammu & Kashmir Municipal Development Index (J&K MDI) – 2022 is a tool to assess the development of Urban Local Bodies across the Union Territory of J&K against the normative development benchmarks. While J&K MDI will act as a guide to evidence-based policy making, catalyse action to achieve broader developmental outcomes, including the Sustainable Development Goals, assess and compare the outcomes achieved by municipal bodies, give citizens an insight into the functioning of local bodies and build a dialogue between the stakeholders, the URIF will provide necessary financial incentive to Municipalities to undertake reforms, in their journey of becoming Aspirational Towns.
Since the 74th Amendment Act gave constitutional recognition to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) as the third tier of governance in 1993, municipalities have become pivotal to urban governance. It is therefore apparent that the development and governance of the cities is determined by the functioning of Municipalities. They are the key agents that provide the enablers into making a city ‘Smart, and Sustainable’.
The assessment framework examines the sectoral performance of Municipalities across a set of 7 verticals/pillars, namely Quality of Life and Services; Economic Ability; Technology; Urban Planning, Governance, Sustainability & Climate Resilience and Citizen Perception, which include 37 sectors/categories and 138 indicators. The Municipal Development Index will act as a guide to evidence-based policy making, catalyze action to achieve broader developmental outcomes including the Sustainable Development Goals, assess and compare the outcomes achieved by municipal bodies, give citizens an insight into the functioning of local bodies and hold them accountable.
Based on the performance of these Municipalities, as per the benchmarks prescribed under J&K MDI-2022, while best performing Municipalities will be encouraged and incentivized though additional grant-in-aid in the form of URIF (Urban Reform Incentive Fund), special funds will also be provided for building capacities and covering gaps in these Municipalities.
“It is our responsibility and resolve to ensure that the aspirations of the people get fulfilled,” the Lt Governor said.
Dalai Lama highlights ‘ups and downs’ between India-China amid Tawang clash
Amid the ongoing tensions between India and China, Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Wednesday highlighted the ups and downs between the two Countries.
While speaking at a public talk on “Compassionate and secular ethics – Educating the heart and mind” in Gurugram on Wednesday, the Tibetan spiritual leader said, “India and China are the two most populous countries. In recent decades too many ups and downs. India is a democracy and respects all religions. India’s tradition is very good. So young Indians should keep India’s thousand-year-old secular tradition.”
The Tibetan spiritual leader also shed light on India’s concept of Karuna and Ahimsa and urged everyone to preserve it. “This world ultimately depends on whole-heartedness. No distinctions between communities and religions. We smile at each other and pray together. India’s concept of ‘Karuna’ and ‘Ahimsa’ is a key thing and we must preserve it,” he said.
Dalai Lama stressed that nowadays human brains are being used as weapons to destroy neighbours. “So, now we look at the world. Aggression, atrocity, violence, so many people are killed, keen to create nuclear weapons. In the last few centuries, too much violence. Now, the human brain is used for weapons, how to kill, and how to destroy your neighbour. That is totally wrong,” he added.
Stressing the fact to build a peaceful world without a weapon, the leader said that peace and violence depend upon us. “We are all the same human beings. All have to live together without any violence. When we pray for world peace, peace will not come from the sky, violence doesn’t come from the sky, all depend on us. In our brain basically, we have this nation, that nation, this religion, that religion. That causes fighting. That is outdated. Disagreements should be resolved, keeping in mind that all are our brothers and sisters, and should build a world without a weapon,” he said.
Calling ancient Indian masters as his source of inspiration, the leader called Indian tradition ‘extremely rich’ and ‘useful’ and asked the young generation to preserve it.
“The Indian tradition is extremely rich, particularly about the mind. Modern India should pay more attention to ancient India tradition. We should not neglect the knowledge of our mind”.
“Ancient Indian Masters are my source of inspiration. These are completely based on reasoning and thinking. I am a student of that tradition”, he said.
Earlier on Monday, said that India is a perfect place and his permanent residence and that he prefers India.
While responding to a query over the Tawang clash, Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama at Kangra airport in Himachal Pradesh said, “Now things… Generally speaking, things are improving, I think in Europe and Africa and also in Asia. Now China also now more flexible. Ok. But there is no point to return to China. I prefer India, best place and Kangra, Pandit Nehru choice. This place is my permanent residence. It’s very right. Thank you.”
This statement came in the backdrop of the December 9 clash where People’s Liberation Army troops contacted the LAC in the Tawang Sector which was contested by Indian troops in a firm and resolute manner. This face-off led to minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides.
Giving a statement in the Rajya Sabha, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh explained to the House about an incident and said, “On December 9, 2022, PLA troops tried to transgress the LAC in the Yangtse area of Tawang Sector and unilaterally change the status quo. The Chinese attempt was contested by our troops in a firm and resolute manner. The ensuing face-off led to a physical scuffle in which the Indian Army bravely prevented the PLA from transgressing into our territory and compelled them to return to their posts.”
He further said “the scuffle led to injuries to a few personnel on both sides”, and clarified that “there are no fatalities or serious casualties on our side”.
“Due to the timely intervention of Indian military commanders, PLA soldiers went back to their locations,” Singh said.
As a follow-up of the incident, the Minister further said, the local commander in the area held a “flag meeting with his counterpart on December 11, 2022, to discuss the issue in accordance with established mechanisms”.
“The Chinese side was asked to refrain from such actions and maintain peace and tranquillity along the border. The issue has also been taken up with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels,” Singh said.
Man Injured In Blast Near Firing Range Rajouri
Jammu: A 55- year-old man was injured in a mysterious blast near Garhi firing range area of Rajouri district on Wednesday.
Officials said that around 9:00 am, a mysterious blast, either due to grenade or shell, took place in which a civilian namely Harbansh Singh (55), son of Santosh Singh of Upper Nonial, Rajouri was injured.
They further said that nature of blast is being ascertained, as a team of Police is already on the spot to verify the nature of incident. (Agencies)
J&K LG reviews preparations for G20 Summit
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a high-level meeting on the preparations for the upcoming G20 Summit meetings to be held in Jammu & Kashmir in 2023.
Calling for extensive preparations ahead of the G20 meet, Manoj Sinha said that the meetings under India’s presidency are an opportunity to share Jammu Kashmir’s achievements and to showcase its rich cultural heritage. Hence, he urged involvement of students and educational institutions in making the events a grand success.
The Lt Governor directed the Higher Education Department to conduct seminars on G20 in the universities and educational institutions across the UT.
Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department; RK Goyal, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department; RR Swain, Special DG CID; Administrative Secretaries; Divisional Commissioners, senior officers of Police and Civil Administration attended the meeting, in person and through video conferencing at Civil Secretariat, and also shared their suggestions.
Whosoever supports ‘terror ecosystem’ in J&K will face action: LG Manoj Sinha
Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Wednesday said that whosoever would be found part of the ‘terror ecosystem’ will face action as per the law and that it was the prime duty of Police and Security Agencies to trace such people.
“Whosoever is found to be part of terror ecosystem will face action, none will be spared. It is the prime duty of police and security agencies to track down such people,” LG said while replying to a query whether action would be also taken against politicians, if found involved in “supporting terror or terrorism”
The LG said that almost all migrant Kashmiri Pandits have been posted at various district headquarters and there may be some whose issues are being settled down.
“We have a nodal officer who is monitoring the grievances of migrant KPs. All measures are being taken to resolve their issues,” the LG said, adding that it was not like one would sit home and enjoy salary and other perks.
He, however, said that some targeted killings of KPs took place after which migrant KP groups raised certain concerns. “The administration took swift action and resolved the issues confronting the KP employees working under PMRP,” the LG said.
The LG was addressing a press conference in Jammu, reported local news agency KNO.
To a query that there were militant threats about opening of developmental centers in J&K, the LG said that it was the J&K Administration and the Centre that takes calls on who would work, who would open offices and who would invest here.
“Who has to stay here or not will be decided by the J&K administration and Government of India,” the LG said.
Asked whether the administration would allow Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra set to enter J&K in January, he said the government believes in democratic principles and no drive or march that is held within such principles are banned or disallowed.
“As far as Covid protocol, we will see and monitor what would be Covid situation (in January),” he said, adding that only such activities that go against India’s sovereignty are banned and disallowed.
To a query that some media reports suggest investment proposals were on papers only, the LG said that he too came through such news reports.
“But the fact remains that there have been investments of Rs 100 Cr, 200 Crore and even Rs 900 Crore as well. We are facing infrastructure related issues at some places that are being addressed. I assure you all that Rs 70,000 Crore investment will be a reality soon,” he said.
The LG said that in the next five years, every town will be developed under the My town My pride program while aspirational Panchayat Developmental Programs will be launched for the development of Panchayats.
He also announced a slew of measures that his administration will be taking to promote and push the J&K’s Agriculture and its allied sectors to promote UT’s economy.
Woman found dead with throat slit in Rajouri
Jammu: A woman was allegedly murdered in Gundha village of Rajouri district of Jammu division as her throat-slit body was recovered outside her house in the wee hours on Wednesday.
Police officials identified the deceased as Shameena Kouser wife of Zulfikar Ali, a resident of Gundha village of Khawas tehsil in Rajouri district.
They said that in the wee morning hours, throat-slit body of the deceased was found lying in front of her house in the village after which a team from Khawas police post rushed to the spot and took the body into possession.
“The body has been shifted to civil hospital for post mortem examination and it is being suspected to be a case of murder as the body is having throat slit,” the officials said.
Police further said that investigation into the matter has been set into motion.
Jammu-Kashmir to Follow Uniform Academic Calendar for First Time in Last 30 Years
First time in the last 30 years, Kashmir gets a full academic session. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has issued an order for a uniform academic calendar. The decision was taken to streamline the academic calendar in schools with the rest of the country.
Tassaduq Hussain Mir, Director, School Education, Kashmir, calls it a great achievement. He says that they have been able to bridge learning gaps this year. Education has suffered a lot due to frequent lockdowns, strike calls, and other such situations.
The annual examinations for classes up to class 9 will now be held in March. Like other parts of the country, now in Kashmir, the class 10th and 12th examinations will also be held in March.
The schools of the two regions so far followed the practice of having summer and winter zones and had different academic calendars based on climatic conditions. The schools begin the new session in April-May in Jammu, while in the Kashmir division, students appear for final exams in October and the new session begins in November every year.
This will also affect the admissions from the next session as the department further ordered that new admissions must commence from the month of March of the calendar year. The decision primarily affects academic session in Kashmir since Jammu already adheres to a March session, barring some areas of the Pir Panjal region. Academic experts are calling it a wrong decision, while private school associations say the service providers have not been taken on board. The class 10 students, however, seemed satisfied with the decision. They said that they will now get enough time to prepare for the exams. Those who used to sit at home in winter after the exams will now prepare for the exams during that time.