Category: Union Territory

Srinagar: The Railway board chairman VK Yadav while maintaining that the Katra- Banihal rail link is to be completed by december 2022, said that attempts to connect every part of Jammu and Kashmir to the railway are underway at full speed.

According to news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS), Railway Board Chairman VK Yadav said that all capitals of North-Eastern states will be connected to the rail network by 2023.

“These are very important projects which topped the railway’s agenda during the last five years. Work to connect capitals of Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Meghalaya is in progress.

Attempts to connect every part of Jammu and Kashmir to the railway are underway at full speed, and the Katra-Banihal rail link project is likely to be completed by December 2022,” he said.

The chairman however said that Katra- Banihal rail link project is a very difficult project and there are a lot of hardships in the last phase.

“It requires the construction of a large number of tunnels and bridges. Work on the last stretch of 111 kilometers from Katra to Banihal is in progress and the project is targeted to be completed by December 2022,” the chairman added.(KINS)

“Except JKCL, all PSUs profitable”

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Union territory government on Saturday clarified that no decision has been taken for closure of public sector undertakings (PSUs) but reforms are under discussion.

Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi said all PSUs except Jammu and Kashmir Cement Limited (JKCL) are profitable.

“The document viral on social media is not an order issued by the government (for closure of PSUs) but an internal communication. It is an internal discussion,” he told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) over the phone.
“Right now, all PSUs are profitable and they are doing well. They are profitable enough to bear the monthly salaries of its employees,” he said.
However, he said that JKCL is in loss and the discussion was going on what reforms should be taken for its revival.

“Privatization of JKCL can be a good step. But amid the pandemic, its privatization is not a good idea as of now. We are discussing reforms to make PSUs more efficient and profitable,” he said.
He added in case of need, a component from PSU can be privatized.“Discussion is an opportunity for us to see what reforms are needed,” he said.
According to the reports the government had made a proposal to close the J&K Small Scale Industries Development Corporation (SICOP), J&K Minerals Limited and J&K Industries Limited and privatization of J&K Cements Limited.

“In January this year Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, Bipul Pathak issued a communication that the Small Industries Development Corporations (SIDCO) should manage all the industrial estates in the Union Territory to promote large, medium and small scale industries. It was advised that the SICOP should be closed and all the Industrial Estates presently managed by the SICOP should be transferred to SIDCO.

“J&K Minerals and mineral sites being managed by it, be auctioned as per norms, J&K Cement Ltd should be privatized after assessment of its assets in a transparent manner,” the reports had said.

“Similarly, the J&K Industries Ltd was advised to be closed and the industrial units run by it should be privatized/auctioned, whereas J&K Handicraft (S&E) Corporation should be merged with J&K State Handloom Development Corporation”.
The ‘proposal’ to close down four PSUs and privatization of JJKCL was not gone well among industrialists.(KINS)

Srinagar: It is for the information of all the intending Hajj Pilgrims of Hajj-2020 that J&K Haj Committee has received the Passports from Hajj Committee of India, Mumbai for onward distribution among the concerned pilgrims.

As per the statement issued here, it was informed that because of the present situation due to COVID–19 Pandemic, the Haj Committee is not in a position to distribute the passports.

However, it has been decided that the process of distribution of Passports shall be reviewed after Ist August 2020 provided the on-going situation permits for which a separate notification shall be issued.(KNT)

Decision to notify ‘strategic areas’ an attempt to unrecognisably alter the destiny of the people of Kashmir: Peoples Conference

Slamming the decisions by the administrative council paving the way for notifying “strategic areas” for the armed forces, Peoples Conference senior vice president Abdul Gani Vakil said that these moves are meant to alter, unrecognizably, the destiny of the people of Kashmir.

Asserting that the present proposal is aimed at taking complete control of these ‘strategic areas’, Vakil said that Construction activities in strategic areas is ruse to allow changing the demographics and population ratio in Kashmir.

“Why should the government need to give a go by to Control of Building Operations Act, 1988 and the J&K Development Act, 1970? These laws require compliance of Master Plan, building bye-laws and Land Use rules. The government is otherwise empowered to acquire land for defense purposes under existing laws”, he added.

Stressing that Delhi seems to be on a one way trip to disaster in Kashmir, Vakil said that as much as the saner and rational elements are hoping against hope that good sense might prevail in Delhi, Delhi on the other hand seems to be goading the Kashmiris every day.

“This whole exercise is shocking There will be long term consequences. The fight in Kashmir has always been between the unionists and the separatists. One fails to understand whose side Delhi is on. The unionists have been left red faced and humiliated – being rendered to helpless mute bystanders while non locals sit across a table and decide on the fate and destiny of the inhabitants of J and K”, he added.

Vakil further said that it is ironical that in the midst of COVID-19, the administration actually has the time to come up with such lengthy gibberish.

“A state where COVID-19 is truly on rampage and where the administration is so drowned in a world of its own that you can’t find a tablet of the life saving drug Remdesivir, they have the audacity of sitting across a table bring in changes meant to alter unrecognisably the destiny of the people of Kashmir. These are sad days. And now it seems certain that Delhi is keen to push the Kashmiris to the wall. The damage being inflicted is irreversible.”

Srinagar: Amid COVID-19 pandemic University of Kashmir has published datesheet for conducting offline examination for MBBS students, Ist Prof. at Government Medical College

Speaking with Kashmir Today a group of students told “Due to COVID-19 pandemic whole country suffering and University has published datesheet on 8th july even though well aware of the fact that After abrogation of Article 370 we have attended the classwork only for two months thus completed only 10% of our syllabus curriculum. Moreover everywhere in the country all the examinations are being postponed but to our astonishment University of Kashmir has published an examination datesheet, thereby adding more mental trauma to the Students, already facing tremendous hardship due the pandemic.”

“We don’t understand how come the University has published the datesheet, knowing the fact that many students hail from are from RED ZONE areas. Even if we assume that we all are in a condition to appear for examinations but without public transport being available how come students will reach the examination venues? What about Social Distancing? How will be the invigilator be visiting each and every desk of the student appearing in the examination? What if someone infected will be presented there? All these thoughts scare us”

Keeping in mind the scenario of COVID-19 pandemic, Students requested University Administration and Higher Authorities to look into the matter and postpone the examination.

Govt says approval has been granted considering the strategic importance of certain locations, and ‘reconciling security needs with developmental aspirations’.

The Print

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has decided to notify certain areas in the union territory as “strategic areas”, to facilitate smooth construction for the requirements of armed forces.

The governing body for overlooking construction of facilities for the armed forces is the Cantonment Board, which only had authority over areas falling under cantonments in J&K.

However, the J&K administration has now made amendments to the Control of Building Operations Act, 1988, and the J&K Development Act, 1970, thus giving powers to the Cantonment Board and the armed forces to carry out construction activities beyond the cantonments.

“The Administrative Council which met here under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, G.C. Murmu, gave its nod to the proposal of amending the Control of Building Operations Act, 1988, and the J&K Development Act, 1970, to provide for special dispensation for carrying out construction activities in Strategic Areas,” a statement issued by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) read.

“The amendments proposed by Housing & Urban Development Department will pave way for notifying certain areas as ‘strategic areas’ in terms of the requirement of armed forces and in such areas, the regulation of construction activity shall be through a special dispensation. The move is aimed at simplifying the procedures and shall facilitate time-bound development of infrastructure of strategic importance,” it added.

The approval, according to the J&K government, has been granted keeping in view the strategic importance of certain locations and reconciling their security needs with developmental aspirations.

On the significance of the move, a senior government official said: “These areas will be defined as per the operational needs of the armed forces. So, essentially, the area of operation of the armed forces will be classified as strategic areas. The strategic areas or areas of operation are yet to be defined.”

With inputs from The Print

(This story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Srinagar: People in Hazratbal area of Srinagar outskirts were panicked after many family members gave a slip to authorities when asked to get shifted to a quarantine centre.

Locals informed news agency KNT that a female was tested positive for Covid-19 infection at Dhobi Ghat Hazratbal and was subsequently shifted to Isolation Ward of the hospital.

However, the immediate contacts of the said woman, that is her family members in a bid to avoid quarantine period, escaped from the house.

As the news spread in the area, panic created among locals. “It is highly irresponsible act on part of family members. Instead of cooperating with authorities, they fled from the house,” said a local Habibullah Wani.

An official said that three members of the family are missing and they will be traced and subsequently quarantined. (KNT)

The identity and the affiliations of the slain militants could not be ascertained immediately.

Three militants were killed in an operation of the security forces in south Kashmir’s Shopian on Saturday.

“Three militants have been killed in the operation and their bodies were recovered from a cowshed, where they were hiding,” a police official said.

A gunfight erupted in Shopian’s Amshipora early Saturday morning when the security forces launched an operation based of a tip off about the presence of militants in the area.

“Militants opened fire when zeroed in,” said the police.

A joint team of Police, Army’s 62 RR and CRPF was part of the operation.

The identity and the affiliations of the slain militants could not be ascertained immediately.

Three Jaish-e-Muhammad militants were killed on Friday in south Kashmir’s Kulgam, including an IED expert.

Around 136 militants have been killed in stepped up operations in Kashmir so far this year.

With inputs from The Hindu

Lukung (Ladakh): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said progress has been made in the ongoing talks with China to find a solution to the border standoff in Ladakh but he cannot guarantee to what extent it would be resolved as he sent a strong message to the neighbouring country that no power in the world can touch even an inch of the country’s land.

In an address to a group of Army and ITBP personnel at a high altitude forward post in Lukung in eastern Ladakh, Singh said India is not a weak country and it will give a befitting reply to anyone hurting its national pride.

“Talks are underway to resolve the border issue(with China). Whatever progress has been made, the issue should be resolved. But, I cannot give a guarantee to what extent it will be resolved. I want to assure that no power in the world can touch even one inch of India’s land or can occupy it,” he said from a makeshift stage just a few hundred metres from the Pangong Tso lake.

“There cannot be a better option than finding a solution through talks,” he said in the backdrop of a huge Indian flag fluttering in the wind.

Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Yogesh Kumar Joshi, Commander of the 14 Corps Lt Gen Harinder Singh and several other senior Army officials were on the stage when Singh made the remarks.

It was Singh’s first visit to Ladakh after the bitter border face-off between India and China began in multiple locations following a violent clash between the two sides on May 5 in the Pangong lake area. The visit also came a fortnight after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an unannounced visit to Ladakh during which he signalled India’s firmness in dealing with the border row with the neighbouring country.

Before reaching Lukung, Singh visited a forward post in Stakna where he witnessed a major military drill involving attack helicopters, T-90 tanks, infantry combat vehicles and special forces.

The exercise showcased integrated combat prowess of the Army and the Indian Air Force in dealing with complex security scenarios in the high altitude terrain.

A large number of ground commandos, T-90 tanks, infantry combat vehicles, Apache, Rudra and Mi-17 V5 helicopters featured in the drill.

In his address at Lukung, Singh, referring to the Galwan Valley clashes said the Indian soldiers killed in the incident not only showed exemplary courage in safeguarding the border but also protected the pride of 130 crore Indians. Twenty Indian army personnel were killed during the clashes with Chinese troops on June 15.

“I want to say that the country will never forget them. You inspire the whole nation. We do not want unrest, we want peace. We never hurt the pride of any country. But if any country tries to hurt our self-respect and pride, we will not tolerate it at any cost. We will give a befitting reply.”

“India is the only country in the world that has given a message of peace to the world. We have never attacked a nation and have never staked claim to any country’s land. India considers its bordering countries as its family. We believe in the message – ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (world is one family),” he said addressing the soldiers at the Lukung post located at an altitude of 14,000 feet.

The defence minister also carried out a comprehensive review of the security situation in Ladakh and India’s combat readiness with the top military brass. He also interacted with the troops.

The Indian and Chinese troops were locked in a bitter standoff in multiple locations in eastern Ladakh since May 5. The tension escalated manifold after the violent clashes in Galwan Valley.

Following a series of diplomatic and military talks, the two sides began a mutual disengagement process at most of the friction points from July 6.

The Indian Army on Thursday said both sides are committed to “complete disengagement” of troops, and the process is “intricate” that requires “constant verification”. The comments came following the fourth round of Lt General-level talks which was aimed at finalising modalities for further de-escalation of tension in the region.

Separately, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said there is absolutely no change in India’s position on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and any “unilateral attempts” to change the status quo are not acceptable to it. It also said the disengagement process was complex.

The disengagement process began a day after a nearly two-hour telephonic conversation between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on ways to bring down tension in the area. Doval and Wang are designated special representatives for boundary talks.

From Ladakh, the defence minister travelled to Srinagar where he is carrying out a review of the situation along the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan.

PTI

Jammu: A Pakistani intruder was arrested by the Army along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, an official said on Saturday.

The intruder was found moving into this side in Nowshera sector late Friday night and was immediately arrested, he said.

The official said the man was being questioned.

This is the second such arrest along the LoC in the past four days.

On July 15, Abdul Rehman (28), a resident of Nakyal village in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), was arrested when he sneaked into this side from across the LoC in Balakote sector of Poonch district.