How scrapping of Article 35A will benefit Dogras: NC to BJP
Kathua, Aug 22 : National Conference Provincial President Mr Devender Singh Rana on Tuesday asked BJP to convince people of Jammu how repealing of Article 35A will benefit the Dogras and safeguard their interests in the overall context.
“Instead of indulging in rhetoric and jingoism, the BJP must realize the fall out of removing this constitutional proviso, which is detrimental to overall interests of the state in general and the people of Jammu in particular”, the Provincial President said while addressing workers here, adding that posterity will never forgive the BJP if Article 35A is tampered with.
He said a growing consciousness is dawning upon the Dogras with regard to their rights and the likely subjugation they might suffer in the event of state subject laws, brought in by Maharaja Hari Singh Ji to retain peculiar identity and heritage of the Duggarland, are dispensed with.
“The apprehensions of the jobs going to outside youth and businesses getting usurped by affluent traders are as grave as they were ninety years ago when the Maharaja Sahib was constrained to bring the law”, he said, adding that the Article 35A may be anything but not-anti national, as it forms important ingredient of the Constitution of India. In fact, this Act endorses the wisdom of the Maharaja and his far-sight which is reflected in the presidential order of 1954. He termed the Act as religious neutral, regional neutral and caste neutral, saying its applicability is more relevant for the Jammu region than the other two regions of Kashmir and Ladakh. The chances of non-state subjects making their way to Jammu are more likely because of its proximity to other parts of the country and conduciveness in terms of security scenario, culture, topography and terrain, he said hoped that the self-proclaimed champions of the Jammu cause will not ignore this reality.
“By generating passions in the mistaken belief of ultra-nationalism, the BJP is undermining and insulting the patriotic credentials of Jammuities, who are more nationalistic than the hyper-nationalists”, Mr Rana said and warned against any move that will not be in the interests of the Dogras—Mahajan Biradari, Brahmins, Rajputs, Khatris, Dogra Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Scheduled Caste and other segments of the society. He hoped the BJP to gauge the popular sentiment against repealing of Article 35A and start course correction by rising above politics and joining saner voices of protecting and safeguarding the state subject laws.
“Protecting Article 35A is saving the proud Dogra heritage and culture”, he said, adding that National Conference will take its crusade in this regard to logical conclusion. He gave the background of the enactment of permanent residence laws in 1927, saying that the Dogra Maharaja Hari Singh Ji had sagaciously acted upon the representation of Dogra Pratinidhi Sabha and Kashmiri Pandit Sabha, keeping in view the threat of outside domination over the poor subjects of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. He said the BJP cannot deprive the Dogras of the great legacy of their Maharja. He questioned the silence of the BJP led NDA at the Centre in remaining mute spectator to the case pending before the Supreme Court notwithstanding such pleas being rejected twice on merit by the apex court in the past.
“What has changed in the past three years that the Centre is acting against the wishes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially at a time when the state is passing through a most difficult phase of its history”, Mr Rana said, asking the BJP to explain the compelling circumstances and convincing the people of Jammu, who are major stakeholders of retaining Article 35A. He said a duty has cast upon every Dogra, irrespective of caste, creed and religion to preserve their glorious heritage and identity, which is being put in peril by the BJP by overt and covert means.
Referring to the misinformation campaign unleashed by the BJP on Article 35A, Mr Rana said these are diversionary tactics to divert the attention from misgovernance of the coalition dispensation, failure in meeting the challenge confronted to the state, poor condition of utility services and above all perpetual discrimination inflicted to the Jammu region during the past three years.
Youth killed in road accident
Srinagar, Aug 22 : Road accident claimed the life of a youth in North Kashmir’s Sopore town of Baramulla district on Tuesday.
A police official said that father-son duo was travelling in a tipper when the accident took place near Yemberzalwari Harwan in Zainageer area. “Father Abdul Ahad was seriously injured while his son Hilal Ahmed (23) died on spot,” the official said and added that injured has been shifted to SMHS Hospital Srinagar for advanced treatment.
Meanwhile, eighteen passengers were injured, three of them critically, after a bus they were travelling in turned turtle near Chontipora village of Mawer area of Handwara in north Kashmir's Kupwara district.
The bus was on its way to Handwara from Mawer.
Station House Officer (SHO) Qalamabad said: "The bus, bearing registration number JK13 3402 overturned today morning at Chontipora village in which almost 18 passengers received minor injuries, while as three passengers were critically injured."
However, other passengers are said to be stable, he said.
Ailing Education Sector:
Girls Higher Secondary and two schools function from tin sheds
Narbal, Aug 22 : At a time when Government has been making tall claims about the up-gradation of infrastructure facilities in Education Sector, two government schools and a college in Narbal area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district function from tin sheds.
The building of Government Girls Higher Secondary School at Narbal was collapsed in 2014 floods and since then girl students are being imparted education in a couple of tin sheds.
“It has been three years and the government is yet not clear whether it has to construct a new building for students or not. It is extremely difficult to take classes in these tin sheds when temperatures are so high,” said a teacher to news agency CNS.
The students as well as teachers lamented that Education Department has been callous towards their sufferings. “We can’t call it a college and it is devoid of all kinds of facilities,” said a group of students.
They appealed Education Minister Syed Altaf Bukhari to visit the Higher Secondary himself to have first-hand experience.
There are two government schools in the same area and both have been functioning from rented dilapidated buildings.
“We brought the matter repeatedly into the notice of Director Education but till date nothing has been done. It seems government is not serious in providing proper building infrastructure to our children,” said parents.
When contacted, an official from Education Department said that a proposal has already been moved to construct new school buildings in all the areas where floods damaged them.
Not rhetoric but concrete action plan to start a political dialogue is required: CPI (M)
Srinagar, Aug 22 : J&K State Committee, CPI (M) concluded its two days session in Srinagar today. The committee discussed the prevailing political situation in the state and adopted following resolutions which were moved by Gh. Nabi Malik, State Secretary.
The State Committee underlined that any attempt to abrogate Article 35A of Indian Constitution would lead to serious consequences. It demanded that the government should convene a special assembly session to discuss this crucial issue and warned that the conspiracy to remove Article 35A will prove disastrous for the entire state and will have very unforeseen dangerous consequences. The conspiracy to remove Article 35A is essentially the agenda of communal, divisive and anti-democratic forces, who want to thrive on uncertainty, discord, hatred and turmoil. It appealed all the democratic forces including, intelligentsia and the civil society, to put their heads together, discuss the situation intensively and raise a united voice against this mischief.
On Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech, the CPI (M) observed that the words should match the deeds and New Delhi must follow an action plan for initiating a purposeful dialogue with all stakeholders in the state without any further delay. Delaying the process of dialogue comes at a huge human cost as people of the state are going through one of the worst phases of unrest. The status quo has upscaled the disillusionment and alienation among the people of the state and delay tactics seemingly adopted by the government in initiating a credible and comprehensive dialogue with the stake-holders amounts to disservice to the people and having dangerous implications. Calling for a purposeful dialogue, it demanded constitution of a committee of parliamentarians across the political spectrum assisted with experts and mandated with an initiation of serious and unconditional political dialogue for finding out an acceptable solution of this vexed issue.
The state committee also expressed serious concern over the government’s failure in tackling unemployment problem in the state, which has reached to alarming proportions. Isolated efforts by the government would not be effective and these too have been marred by the allegations of favoritism, nepotism and political interference and has created a sense of dejection among the educated youths of the state. Highly qualified youth who are hankering for jobs, are questioning the fairness of appointments in various departments. The procedures and processes aren't being followed by the respective departments while making the recruitments which has put the question mark on the credibility of the institutions. The candidates allege that the interview processes are rigged in the favor of influential candidates. There are also allegations of backdoor appointments in several departments which has put the credibility of institutions at stake. The Committee stressed on the need to speed up the process of recruitment in a transparent manner so that thousands of qualified unemployed youth get the sigh of relief.
Anjuman Shari Shian observes martyrdom anniversary of Imam Muhammad Taqi (AS)
Srinagar, Aug 22 : To mark the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Muhammad Taqi A.S, Anjuman Shari Shian organized a mourners conference at Khamnaie Colony Bemina that was attended by thousands of Believers.
While throwing light on the teachings and the character of Imam Muhammad Taqi A.S, senior separatist leader and president Anjuman Shari Shian Aga Syed Hasan Almosvi Alsafvi said that he enriched and expanded the Islamic thought during the period of his Imamat.
He said that Imam Muhammad Taqi A.S shook the foundation of the then ruling dynasty as a result conspiracy was hatched against him and he was martyred. “His character will continue to inspire millions of believers across the globe,” Aga Syed Hasan said.
Expressing anguish over the lack of basic facilities for the people residing at Khamnaei Colony Rakh-e-Arth, Aga Hasan appealed the government to provide basic facilities to them. “Government left these people at lurch after settling them here from Mir Behri Dal. Now it is the responsibility of the government to take care of them and provide facilities to these downtrodden people,” he said.
3 months on:
Four out of five teachers including Headmistress absent from duties
Kishtwar, Aug 22 : Masjid Committee from Haynan Marwah village of Kishtwar district Tuesday alleged that conspicuous absence of four out of five teachers at Government Primary School Haynan has badly affected the education standard at the school.
A delegation led by president Masjid Committee Haynan Kishtwar told news agency CNS that government has posted five teachers at Primary School but four teachers including the Headmistress never attend the school.
The delegation said that four out of five teachers have been virtually missing from past three months as a result students have been suffering.
“We appeal Education Minister and the concerned authorities to take cognizance of this serious matter and save the future of the students,” the delegation said
Srinagar police solves theft case,
Stolen property recovered; accused arrested
Srinagar, Aug 22 : Srinagar police arrested a person involved in theft case of Police Station Lalbazar and recovered the stolen property from his instance.
Police Station Lalbazar received a complaint from one Barkat Ali resident of Hakabazar that some unknown persons barged into his house and took away some mobile phones, cycle and a generator.
Subsequently a case FIR number 33/17 under section 457, 380 RPC was registered and investigation was set into motion.
During the course of investigation, some suspects were rounded up and during questioning one person namely Adil Ahmad Dar son of Mehraj Din Dar resident of Miskeen Bagh, Khanyar was found involved in this crime and stolen property was recovered on his instance
Naeem Akhtar reviews protection works on Bonar, Madhumati Nallahs
Rs 134 cr project to boost tourism potential in Bandipora
Bandipora, Aug 22 : Minister for Public Works, Naeem Akhtar today said that Rs 134 crore protection works on Bonar and Madhumati streams will go a long way in boosting the tourism potential of the district as it will add parks, scenic spots and other areas of attractions along their banks.
The project has been taken up for making the streams ready to handle the enhanced water discharge from Kishan Ganga Hydro Electric Project (KGHEP).
The Minister was speaking at the review of the project on which the work is going apace. The Meeting was attended by commissioner secretary I&FC, CE I&FC, officials of NHPC and other officials.
The Minister said that the entire project will enhance the tourism potential of the district by creating scenic spots all across the streams. He directed the officials to take inputs from the architects and landscape experts so that the beautification of the entire stretch of area will be in tune with natural surroundings. The Minister said that with the beautification of the area, the entire district will become a major attraction for tourists.
The officials said that with the commissioning of 330 MW KGHEP, the water flow in Bonar and Madhumati streams will increase substantially and to deal with the perennial flow of water safely and smoothly, the I&FC department, Kashmir has been entrusted with the job of constructing the protection works along the embankments and bed of these Nallahs. The detailed project report amounting to the tune of Rs 134.87 crore was framed and submitted by the I&FC department Kashmir to the NHPC authorities and accordingly was technically and financially approved by the NHPC authorities. The project involves strengthening and training 8 km length of streams.
Simultaneously a secondary plan for the beautification of the banks of these nallahs as well as for creation of the public utility cum picnic spots is being followed, the officials said. The Minister directed the officials to expedite the works to complete them before the commissioning of the project. The officials said that a piece of land measuring almost 10 Kanals at Sonarwani and another piece of land measuring about 20 Kanals of land near Kaloosa bridge are being are being retrieved for recreational purposes.
Of the seventy works tendered for the project, two have been completed and work is at different stages of completion on the rest of the works.
The under construction protection works have been devised in such a way so as to serve the purpose of protection and to look aesthetically beautiful, the officials further said.
While briefing the Minister about the projects, the officials said that several areas have been identified for creation of parks and scenic spots on the banks of the nallahs. They said that the fast moving water with the background of beautiful mountains would provide an idle setting for both local and foreign tourists. They said that there is huge potential of adventure tourism, fishing and other areas of activity.
Almost seventy (70) number of protection works were advertised in the first instance for the protection of banks and bed of Bona and Madhumati Nallah. In view of the targeted commissioning of the KGHEP project in November 2017, all attention is one the completion of these protection works in time and significant progress is being achieved in this regard.
Mehbooba condoles Sofi Mohi-ud-Din’s demise
Recalls his contribution, conveys heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved
Srinagar, Aug 22 : Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti has condoled the demise of former Minister and PDP leader, Sofi Ghulam Mohi ud Din who passed away this morning after being ill for some time.
The Chief Minister recalled his contribution as a Minister from 2002 to 2005 during which he worked a lot for the development and welfare of the people, particularly of Handwara area. “Afterwards as a leader of the Party, he worked tirelessly for strengthening PDP at the grass root level in Handwara and Kupwara”, she said in her condolence message.
Mehbooba Mufti has conveyed her heartfelt sympathies to the family of the late leader and prayed for eternal solace to his soul.
Ganga visits Kashmir Haat
Calls for making Haat more appealing
Srinagar, Aug 22 : Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chander Prakash Ganga,Tuesday visited the Kashmir Haat here to take the first-hand appraisal of the functioning of the various sections of the Haat.
The Minister inspected various sections including the Craft Museum, School of Designs, Massive Carpet Scheme (MSE) showroom and stalls surrounding the Haat’s lawns.
While inspecting the Designs section at the Haat, Ganga was informed that the Department is actively involved in innovations in designs across all forms of handicrafts, including Kani shawl, copperware, wood carving, papier-mâché, carpet including namda designing, ceiling panels, sozni wall hangings, table runners, cushion covers, willow wickers and lamps and tapestry.
The Minister said innovations in designs is the need of the hour to succeed in export market and called for sustained efforts at design innovations.
He said handicrafts is J&K’s traditional asset and there is need to make the Kashmir Haat more appealing to people.
While inspecting the MSE showroom, Ganga was informed that the Directorate operates 40 centres under the Scheme with each centre having 20 trainers, adding that the beneficiaries are provided loans after completion of training.
Ganga also inspected the Department’s library and was informed that the Department is currently involved in its digitalization.
On the occasion, the Minister asked the Department to formulate a proposal for sustainable maintenance and modernization of the Haat.
He called for continuous holding of exhibitions at the Haat and for keeping its stalls open throughout the year. Ganga also called for opening of two food courts at Haat.
Aadhaar Data: Katoch nominated Nodal Officer
Srinagar, Aug 22, : The Government today nominated Raj Kumar Katoch, Additional Secretary to Government, Information Department as the Nodal Officer for the purpose of security of personal information/sensitive personal data under the Aadhaar Act-2016 and Information Technology Act-2000 respectively
LeT condemns killing of Shopian student
Srinagar, Aug 22 : Militant outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba has condemned the killing of Shopian student Gowhar Ahmed Dar whose bullet riddled body was found in a field on Sunday.
In a statement to news agency CNS, Lashkar-e-Toiba Chief Mehmood Shah said Indian forces and police blame militants for his killing which they themselves have been guilty of. “The reason behind this shameful act is to hide their evil face from the world. The Indian agencies and police are planning evil plots throughout Jammu Kashmir,” he said.
“Since the majority of the Freedom Fighters emerge from the educated youth, therefore India is trying to push away the current and future generation away from their legitimate freedom struggle. They will not succeed in their plans,” LeT Chief said.
Mahmood Shah presented his condolences to the family members of Gowhar Ahmed Dar and said that India won't be able to malign or damage the trust, love and harmony between them.
NEWS SOURCES : CNS