SRINAGAR, Dec 6: National Conference on Monday called for holding assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the restoration of statehood to the Union territory and provisions of Articles 370 and 35-A.
The demands were the key features of a resolution passed by the party at a delegates’ session held to elect the party president at the mausoleum of National Conference founder Shiekh Mohammad Abdullah on his 117th birth anniversary.
According to the resolution, the assembly elections have not been announced for Jammu and Kashmir even though the delimitation process has been completed.
“It was promised by the country’s Home Minister that the much-awaited assembly elections will be held after the delimitation process is over. Now that the process is complete and the final updated voter list is out, still there is no announcement for assembly elections,” it said.
“Considering the political situation in J&K, this delegate session resolves that Articles 370, 35-A be restored to their original, undiluted form,” the resolution reads.
It also demanded that the Centre should restore full statehood to J and K and announce the assembly election dates at the earliest.
“We urge the people of India to rise to the occasion and ask the BJP-led central government to remove injustices in J and K,” it added.
The other major demands of the party in the resolution included return of THE NHPC-owned power projects to Jammu and Kashmir and repatriation of prisoners from outside the union territory to jails within Jammu and Kashmir.
“JKNC is committed towards the upliftment and development of every weaker section of the society and welcome the steps taken for conferment of ST Status in favour of Paharis of Jammu and Kashmir. As assured, ST status already conferred in favour of Gujjars and Bakarwals shall not be diluted is also a welcome step,” it added.
The National Conference also passed two other resolutions on press freedom and condition of economy in Jammu and Kashmir.
The party demanded that the media should be provided a free environment to operate and there should be no undue interference from any quarter. (Agencies)
National Conference Wants Elections In Jammu And Kashmir
Gujjars, Bakerwals, Paharis find no place in BJP’s ‘bureaucracy’
Jammu: Thriving on loud narrative of bringing ‘discriminated’ and ‘defeated’ communities from margins of social neglect to the political mainstream of ‘naya Jammu and Kashmir’, the Bhartiya Janta Party puts up, almost every day, shows of the Gujjar, Bakerwal and Pahari communities at its office and in public meetings to seek endorsement of its non-discriminatory politics and rejection of other parties.
Over the last four years, the Gujjar-Bakerwal and Pahari communities have particularly been seen as adorning the BJP headquarters in Jammu with their vibrant political colours. The party leaders and also a select group of representatives of these communities have never minced words in saying that the National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party and the Congress never gave them importance in the organizational leadership which now they expect from the BJP.
However, as the Gujjar-Bakerwals and Paharis continue to add grace to the BJP headquarters and public spaces, the party has announced two-tiers of new organizational bureaucracy which gives a total miss to these communities and very scant representations to Dalits and Sikhs.
This weekend, the Jammu and Kashmir BJP has carried out massive organizational rejig appointing new districts presidents and prabharis (in-charge) and seh-prabharis (co-incharge) of several districts, wings and departments. Both lists hark heavily on the Brahmins, Rajputs and Mahajans, the BJP’s traditional core constituency.
The Gujjar-Bakerwals and Paharis have been left wanting for attention and assignments even in the areas where they make majority.
Take example of Rajouri and Poonch districts, where Gujjars and Paharis fight it out in the BJP’s backyard but none from the community has got any organizational assignments even as several noted faces from both communities have joined BJP in the recent years.
BJP has three organizational districts in Rajouri in Poonch and each has been assigned to a Brahmin leader. Neena Sharma is nominated as President of Nowshera District. Dinesh Sharma is nominated as President of Rajouri District. Rajesh Kumar is nominated as President of Poonch District.
Interestingly, Brahmins populating Rajouri and Poonch districts have recently been declared as ‘ethnic Paharis’ but they have always been the BJP’s political mainstream. Rajouri and Poonch are the Muslims majority districts (Rajouri over 60% and Poonch over 90%), but BJP didn’t consider a Gujjar or Muslim Pahari to become organizational president in these districts which are also now part of the centrally placed Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency.
In entire Jammu province, BJP has not picked any Muslim leader for organizational responsibility even in the Muslim majority districts of Kishtwar, Ramban, Doda and Reasi. Almost all these districts have been assigned to Brahmin and Rajput leaders.
While in the Kashmir Valley, almost all district presidents are from the Muslim community, but the Gujjars and Paharis have not been given chance even in Baramulla and Kupwara districts where they have significant population.
Of the 20 office bearers including a UT vice president, secretary, spokesperson and presidents of 17 organisational districts for Jammu division, there are nine Brahmins, five Mahajans and three Rajputs. No Gujjar, Pahari or any other Muslim face from Jammu region figures in the list of BJP office bearers at the district level.
Similarly, the BJP appointed 37 office bearers for Jammu provincial level and UT level prabharis (in-charge) of districts, Lok Sabha constituencies and other units including two for displaced Kashmiri Pandits. Among these 37, as many as 28 are from upper castes –eleven Brahmins, twelve Rajputs and seven Mahajans. Few Sikhs and Dalits appear in the list, but there is no Gujjar or Pahari leader or any other from the Muslims community from across Jammu region.
However, the same list also has eleven office bearers for various assignments from Kashmir and all of them, of course, are Muslims.
J&K Plans To Set Up Incubator For Cybersecurity-Related Startups
Jammu, Dec 5: Jammu and Kashmir administration is planning to set up a dedicated incubator for cybersecurity-related startups to promote local industries.
Under its recently launched Cyber Security Policy, the administration will also outsource relevant research and development projects to the corporate sector.
It is also mulling to provide special fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to cybersecurity firms operating in the union territory (UT) according to the prevailing government policies.
“The government of J-K shall set up a dedicated incubator for cyber security related startups. The UT shall also develop a venture capital model to provide assistance to first generation entrepreneurs, startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating and intending to enter in this field (cybersecurity),” the policy document said.
Jammu and Kashmir would endeavour to conduct Cyber Security Expos to showcase the advantages of the indigenously developed products by SMEs and Startups, it said.
“This will ensure a platform for cybersecurity enthusiasts to interact and discuss the latest developments across the globe,” the document read.
It said the government would award a certain number of cybersecurity contracts every year to SMEs incorporated in Jammu and Kashmir and devise a mechanism to ensure transparency in the allotment procedure.
“To boost the local industry, special fiscal and non-fiscal incentives will be given to firms operating in Jammu and Kashmir as per the prevailing policy(ies) of the J-K government,” it said.
“Startups Incorporated in Jammu and Kashmir will be provided access to government applications to showcase their product as proof of concept (PoC). These projects may be converted into full-scale government contracts, post performance reviews,” it said.
According to the document, the government will enter into strategic partnerships with the private sector to set up infrastructure such as cybersecurity training and development labs, which in turn will facilitate the development of new products. “To ensure safety at the supply end, the government shall work with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to help individuals assess the existing security levels and devise strategies to protect them from future attacks,” it said.
Further, to avoid fraudulent practices and identify service users, the government would take up personal identity assurance and other measures. It said the J-K government will partner with various institutions, public sector undertakings, government bodies like Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) for driving various initiatives.
“The potential partners include academic and research institutions, private players and other government organisations,” the document read.
According to the policy, the J-K government will promote an annual competition, named the Cyber Security Challenge, which will help identify and nurture individual talent.
“This will be a UT-wide drive to increase awareness as well as build assurance in the community about government initiatives and efforts to secure the cyber space with the help of its stakeholders,” it said.
The government will also establish the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) security assessment facility where product certifications and compliance assessment of all sensitive ICT products linked directly or indirectly to Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) will be done, it said.
“The facility will provide among other services vulnerability assessment and penetration testing services for critical infrastructure sectors, security assessment for control systems, ICT product security assessment and certification service, common criteria evaluation service and protection profiling,” it said, adding the common criteria for Information Technology Security Evaluation is an international standard for computer security certification.
Common criteria will be used as the basis for government-driven certification scheme, product testing and evaluations that will be conducted for government agencies and critical infrastructure, the document said. (Agencies)
Corporator Sahil Gupta got Water samples tested in his ward with the help of PHE department
Bishnah (Jammu)
Bharatiya Janata Party’s Ward No. 7 (Bishnah) Councillor Mr. Sahil Gupta, along with PHE department, got water samples checked in many houses in his ward and recorded all the data.
Gupta told this Awareness Program is going on with the help of PHE department in which house to house tests are being done to find out whether the People drinking Water is Potable to drink or not. Gupta expressed his gratitude to the decision of the Government.
Gupta told that the quantity of water in almost all the houses was fine and the quality of water was also fine, Gupta told that if anyone wants to check the quality of water in his house, he can contact him or go to the department.
Gupta along with Rakesh Kumar, Rohit Kumar, Tushar Digra and Vijay Kumar were also Present during Testing by Employees of PHE department and team.
‘Not here to reopen history’: SC junks PIL to remove ‘wrong’ historical facts on Taj Mahal
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea seeking removal of alleged wrong historical facts related to the construction of the Taj Mahal from history books and find the age of the monument.
A bench of Justices M R Shah and C T Ravikumar asked the petitioner to approach the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and make a representation before it.
The top court was hearing a plea filed by Surjit Singh Yadav seeking direction to the Centre to remove the alleged wrong historical facts related to the construction of the Taj Mahal from history books and textbooks.
The plea also sought directions to the ASI to carry out a probe into the age of the Taj Mahal.
The petitioner contended that his research shows that a magnificent mansion already existed at the site where the body of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s wife Mumtaz Mahal was placed in a dome-like structure.
President Murmu offers prayers at Tirumala temple
President Droupadi Murmu on Monday offered prayers at Sri Venkateswara temple atop Tirumala near here.
On her maiden visit to the hill shrine after assuming officet, she along with her entourage had darshan and participated in various rituals.
Following the temple tradition, the President initially offered prayers in Swamy Pushkarini and later had darshan of Sri Varahaswami temple.
Thereafter when the President reached Mahadwaram of Srivari temple, she was received by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy along with TTD executive officer A.V. Dharma Reddy.
The temple Archakas welcomed the first citizen of India with the traditional Istikaphal honours amidst chanting of Veda Mantras in the accompaniment of Melam.
The President and her entourage went for Srivari Darshan and offered prayers to the presiding deity of Lord Venkateswara inside the sanctum sanctorum.
The chief priest explained about the significance of the Mula Virat, the jewels adorned to the chief deity and Kshetra Mahatyam.
Later, the President was offered Veda Ashirvachanam at Ranganayakula Mandapam.
The TTD Chairman and EO together presented Srivari Theertha Prasadams and dry flower technology photo of Lord Venkateswara along with 2023 TTD diaries and calendars to the President.
Union Minister for Tourism and Culture G. Kishan Reddy, Deputy Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh Narayana Swamy and Satyanarayana, state Tourism Minister R.K. Roja were also present.
Both the senior and junior pontiffs of Tirumala, and one of the chief priests of temple Venugopala Deekshitulu were also present.
BJP on its last legs in J&K: Harsh Dev
JAMMU & KASHMIR
AAM AADMI PARTY*(JKAAP)
Head Office: 73-A/D, Gandhi Nagar,
Near Green Field Ground, Jammu.
PRESS RELEASE 05-12-2022BJP on its last legs in J&K: Harsh Dev
Udhampur, 05-12-2022: Peeved over the failure of the govt to meet the power and drinking water requirements of the people of Chenani constituency besides their neglect by the administration over a host of other issues, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh, Former Minister and senior AAP leader said that the present dispensation had left the people of various rural and remote areas at the mercy of God with none to even listen to their tales of woes and sufferings. He said that with the majority of the rural schools facing chronic staff deficiency, the govt had failed to act so as to save the careers of students. And contrarily it had imposed a ten year ban on recruitment of teachers thereby suggesting that worse was yet to happen with rural education already suffering for the dearth of teaching staff. He said that while the govt was indulging in self praise and incessant chest thumping over its much proclaimed development initiatives, the ground situation was altogether different revealing a complete mismatch between slogans and the physical delivery. He was addressing several public meetings during his tour of Bashat in Chenani and Kuh Nalah in Udhampur East constituency.
Addressing various gatherings, Mr. Harsh Dev lambasted the govt for accusing the general masses for power crisis in the name of power theft. The govt. can’t absolve itself from the responsibility of ensuring un-interrupted supply of basic amenities merely by deflecting the blame upon the public at large. And it’s not the common man who is involved in power theft, mind you. It’s the big, moneyed, powerful and influential people who are using more power by abusing their position and authority and even failing to pay the power tariff. And it’s the unholy nexus between unscrupulous officers and corrupt politicians who are involved in theft of power, water and other resources needed by the society”, asserted Mr. Singh.
Mr. Singh said that the position of water supply was equally pathetic with the concerned authorities having miserably failed to fulfil even the drinking water requirements of the people. The govt which had assured 24×7 power supply and “Har Ghar Nal” scheme had failed to redeem its lofty promises with all round disenchantment growing rapidly amongst the masses. He said that AAP alone could fulfil the aspirations of the people who felt cheated by the present regime. With BJP on its last legs, the people were eagerly awaiting for the much needed change in the erstwhile state.
Mrs. Manju Singh senior AAP leader urged upon the people to strengthen AAP in J&K so that the common masses could be assured of Justice and fair deal. She said that the govt had not only failed to provide basic amenities to the people but had posed the most menacing threat to the very survival of poor and marginalized sections of the society through uncontrolled prices of essentials and raging inflation. She said that with unemployment at its peak and development having come to a grinding halt, the BJP govt had lost the moral authority to continue in office.
17 injured as bus turns turtle in Rajouri
At least 17 persons, who were part of a marriage ceremony, were injured in a road accident in Rajouri district on Monday morning.
An official told that the accident took place when a bus, carrying “Baraatis” turned turtle near Tarkundi LoC road.
He said at least 17 persons were injured in the accident and they were immediately evacuated to a nearby hospital.
The official added condition of five of the injured persons is stated to be serious.
Farooq Abdullah re-elected as NC President
Srinagar, Dec 05: Farooq Abdullah was on Monday elected unopposed as the president of National Conference, reports said.
Quoting NC spokesperson, Imran Nabi Dar, news agency KNO reported that the Srinagar Parliamentarian was elected unopposed in the presidential polls held at the Nawa-e-Subh party headquarters.
The polls were necessitated following Abdullah’s decision to step down as the party president.
Rahul Gandhi interacts with children on first day of Bharat Jodo Yatra in Rajasthan
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi began the Rajasthan leg of his Bharat Jodo Yatra from Jhalawar district on Monday morning, with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot in attendance.
The 89th day of the yatra started from Kali Talai in Jhalrapatan, a rural area on the Rajasthan-Madhya Pradesh border.
Gandhi set off the yatra at 6.10 am when the temperature was 13 degrees Celsius, but he was seemingly comfortable walking in a half sleeves T-shirt and trousers teamed with sports shoes, while the other leaders and workers were seen in jackets.
The other notable leaders who accompanied Gandhi were AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal, Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee chief Govind Singh Dotasra, senior leader Bhanwar Jitendra Singh, and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas.
During the yatra, Gandhi interacted with about half a dozen children and waved at a large number of people who participated in the yatra who called it a “fair”. He sipped his morning tea at a dhaba.
During the yatra, former MP Raghuveer Meena felt uneasiness and he was taken to the district hospital in Jhalawar in an ambulance.
After covering about 14 km, the padayatra halted at Baliborda chauraha. It will resume after lunch from Nahardi area at 3.30 pm.
The Congress party tweeted in Hindi asking its members and supporters not to slow down but deliver “something amazing”. “Bharat Jodo Yatra has saluted the soil of bravery, and Rajasthan, which is a land of histories, will create another history, the party tweeted.
The yatra entered Rajasthan from Madhya Pradesh on Sunday evening. While Gehlot shared pictures on Twitter, Pilot took to the micro-blogging platform to convey that the yatra in the state started with a resolve to fulfil hopes and expectations of the youth.
Dotasara tweeted, “The caravan of Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi to tie India in the thread of love, harmony and unity has now set out to create history in Rajasthan.”
Rajasthan is the only Congress-ruled state where the yatra has entered and will cover about 500 km passing through Jhalawar, Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, Dausa and Alwar districts over 17 days before entering Haryana on December 21. Gandhi will interact with farmers at Lalsot in Dausa on December 15 and address a public meeting at Malakheda in Alwar on December 19.
The yatra started from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 7 and has so far covered the five southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana, and then traversed through Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
It will conclude in Jammu and Kashmir in early February 2023, covering 3,570 km in 150 days.