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Srinagar: Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh on Wednesday stressed upon youth to utilize their energy in positive ways and make Jammu and Kashmir a peaceful region.

Talking to media persons in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, the DGP urged upon youth of Jammu and Kashmir to come forward and contribute their efforts in building peaceful Jammu and Kashmir. He said J&K Police is utilizing every effort to ensure peace in the region.

DGP who was talking at the sports event organized by Jammu and Kashmir Police said that J&K Police will do its best to provide suitable forums to selected players in their respective sports streams so that their future will be more bright.

“The selected 162 players will be provided respective sport streams for further success in their life. We send these players for further training and promotion”, DGP told reporters.
He said J&K Police has taken an initiative to engage youth in different sports activities aimed to bridge the gap between police and youth.

Urging youth to come forward and contribute in making J&K a peaceful region, the DGP said Jammu and Kashmir Police wants to maintain peace and tranquility in UT through different means. “J&K Police has started several tournaments across the valley wherein several teams took part. In southern and northern parts of Kashmir a large number of youth took part in the activities. Those areas where we have not reached yet will be attended soon”, the DGP said.

He added that from October 21 to October 31, J&K Police has taken up several initiatives aimed to engage youth in sports activities. He at the occasion thanked Deputy Commissioner Bandipora and other police and civil officials for organizing the event. (KINS)

Srinagar: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday said it  conducted searches at several locations, including a trust owned by a leading newspaper owner and some other non-governmental organisations (NGO) in Srinagar in connection with its probe in a “terror-funding case”.

Officials here in the NIA headquarters told news agency KINS that the agency conducted searches on Wednesday morning.

They said in the agency’s operations it was duly assisted by the local police and paramilitary forces including CRPF, as they searched the office of the trust, which is located in the premises of prominent English daily ‘Greater Kashmir’ on Residency Road area in Srinagar.

Simultaneous raids were also carried out at the offices of a local NGO called “Athroat”, which founded in 2000, a houseboat named “HB Hilton” at Nehrupark in the Dal Lake, residence of a human rights activist Khuram Parvaiz at Sonwar and two other places in the old city areas of Srinagar, the officials said.

The NIA officials alleged that it was suspected that these NGOs were receiving money from undisclosed donors, which was being used for funding “terror activities”.(KINS)

Srinagar: Bracing for the freezing cold ahead of the winter, the Lieutenant Government Manoj Sinha has directed the Power Development Department (PDD) to ensure that the people especially living in the winter areas of the valley get adequate supply of electricity.

The LG has also directed the officers to prepare a comprehensive contingency plan in order to meet the winter requirements which witnesses a heavy load.

Sources told news agency KINS that the Deputy Commissioners have been asked to coordinate with various agencies on issues of water and power supply in the winter months.

Sources said that the LG has directed the officers to ensure that the consumers, especially those living in the winter zones get the requisite supply of electricity so that they do not feel any inconvenience especially during the winter season.

Manoj Sinha also asked for maintaining a close liaison with the people at ground to get first-hand information about the problems being faced by them viz-a-viz the power and also hold regular media briefings in order to get the requisite feedback about the remedial measures to be undertaken.

“He asked officials to focus on areas of concern and keep rapid action teams ready and well prepared so as to respond to the damages in emergency situations,” sources said.
The LG also directed for intensifying inspections in all districts to curb the menace of power theft and illegal connections.

Sources said that the top officials have informed the LG about the present status of the power supply and steps being taken to improve and augment the power scenario to ensure adequate power supply to the consumers especially during winters.

Sources said that the LG has also asked them to mobilize staff so that least time gets consumed in the replacement of transformers during the winters and directed for advance dumping of poles and conductors in areas which remain cut off during winters.

Sources said that the government has asked the power development department to identify the vulnerable areas that witness power shutdown during winters so that mobile transformers would be kept at their disposal.

Meanwhile sources told KINS that the LG has said that Deputy Commissioners should adopt a people-friendly approach and ensure time-bound delivery of services.

“You must not forget that civil servants are meant to serve the people. You must treat this opportunity to serve the people as a privilege,” the sources quoting LG said.

Sources said that LG Manoj Sinha has also urged the Deputy Commissioners to explore innovative solutions to problems in their districts, particularly those that they are likely to encounter in the coming winter months.

He also laid emphasis on field visits and instructed the Deputy Commissioners to review such surveys of their officers and take necessary action based on ground reports submitted to them on issues within their districts.(KINS)

Srinagar: The government has decided to hunt the deadwood in the administration and show non-performing officials the exit door.

However the government has said that the dedicated employees would be rewarded for their hard work and honesty.

Highly placed sources told news agency KINS that the government in a phased manner may axe the officials against whom cases of non-performance and corruption were registered in the past.

The government is mulling to issue a list of such officials who will be retired forcefully,” sources claimed.

Sources said that the departments have been asked to compile a register of the government servants who are habitual of corruption and the cases of corruption are already registered against them.

Sources said that the government has made it clear that they are not aganist employees but wants transperancy in the system.

Government sources also mantained that the dedicated employees would be rewarded for their hard work and honesty.

In the past also, the government claimed to have been serious about removing the deadwood from the administration. However, instead of removing the non-performing officials, they end up re-employing them with more doles and sops.

Sources however said that this time there are chances that the government led by Lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha may go up for massive cleanup of the administration with a sole objective to provide good governance to the people at large.

The move is amid LG Manoj Sinha’s promise over the fixing accountability of government officers.

Highly placed sources told news agency KINS that the details of officials with dubious integrity is likely to be taken up and the government will examine vigilance reports, data available about the officers in the departments for the legal action.

“A strong directive will be issued to all the departments to carry out a review of deadwood and corrupt officers,” sources maintained.
LG Manoj Sinha recently in a message had said that “emphasis must be on putting in place effective preventive measures and spreading awareness to eradicate corruption.

Meanwhile one of the top officials in the Anti-Corruption wing Kashmir told KINS that they have clear instructions from the higher-ups to ensure that investigation into all the corruption cases as well as other pending FIRs is completed as expeditiously as possible so as to pave the way for presentation of challans in the Anti-Corruption Courts and securing maximum conviction,”

Sources said in the coming months the focus of the investigating agencies will also shift on the officials, who have amassed huge wealth through illegal means.

“Even the former officers involved in corrupt practices will not be spared and they will be thoroughly investigated,” sources revealed.

Sources reveal that around 150 FIRs have been registered by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) since July, 2019 against officials, which include, some chief engineers, superintendent and executive engineers, and senior officers of forest, health, rural development and other departments.

Sources said that fresh cases were registered against those officers, who were of the opinion that they will never be touched after committing huge frauds due to their close proximity with the then ruling class of the erstwhile state.

It is to be mentioned here that the Centre’s Prevention of Corruption Act in Jammu and Kashmir has stringent provisions to combat corruption.

Anti-graft bodies were working under Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of Corruption Act, 2006, which has been replaced by Centre’s Prevention of Corruption Act.

There are certain provisions under this newly implemented Act which empowers anti-graft bodies to fight with corruption in the new Union Territory.

“In order to influence a public servant, by corrupt or illegal means, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall be not less than three year but may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to fine”.

Under this Act, abetment by a public servant of offences shall be punishable with imprisonment not less than six months but which may extend to five years and shall also be liable to fine.

“Any public servant, who commits criminal misconduct, shall be punishable with imprisonment not less than one year but which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to fine,” the Act reads.(KINS)

Further details awaited.

– KNT

• People`s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration vows to fight for land rights of Kashmiris
• The unconstitutional measure is clearly designed as an attempt to pre-empt the outcome of the challenge before the Supreme Court
• First ever agrarian reform in subcontinent, is an insult to the sacrifices of thousands of freedom fighters and farmers who fought against an autocratic and oppressive rule

Srinagar: The newly created People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) has said that it will continue to fight for the land rights of Kashmiris.

The PAGD issued a statement on Tuesday in which it said that “the alliance strongly condemns the repeal of J&K Land Laws thereby stripping the Permanent Residents of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh of exclusive right to acquire and hold immovable property in the State – now unconstitutionally divided into two Union Territories and granting such rights to non-state subjects.”

Terming the MHA order as a ‘huge betrayal’, Sajad Lone, the PAGD spokesperson, said that this is a massive assault on the rights of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and grossly unconstitutional.

“The alliance has vowed to fight the anti-Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh measure on all fronts,” Lone said.

“The repeal of Big Estates Abolition Act – first-ever agrarian reform in the subcontinent, is an insult to the sacrifices of thousands of freedom fighters and farmers who fought against an autocratic and oppressive rule and a crude attempt to rewrite history. The order made in exercise of powers under Reorganisation Act, 2019, it is stated, is yet another brazen violation of the principle of constitutional proprietary of fundamental importance to a constitutional democracy,” he added.

Sajad added that with a serious challenge to the 5th August 2019 decisions before the top Constitutional Court of the Country and the vires of Reorganisation Act under judicial scrutiny, the Central Government is under an obligation to desist from such acts, out of respect for the Apex Court.

“The unconstitutional measure is clearly designed as an attempt to pre-empt the outcome of the challenge before the Supreme Court. The assault on exclusive property rights apart, changes in urban development laws and creation of Security Zones is bound to prejudicially affect the environment and ecosystem in environmentally fragile regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh in utter disregard of grave environmental concerns” he added.

Mr. Lone added that with a serious challenge to the 5th August 2019 decisions before the top Constitutional Court of the Country and the vires of Reorganisation Act under judicial scrutiny, the Central Government is under an obligation to desist from such acts, out of respect for the Apex Court.

Mr. Lone further added in the statement: “The repeal of Big Estates Abolition Act – first ever agrarian reform in subcontinent, is an insult to the sacrifices of thousands of freedom fighters and farmers who fought against an autocratic and oppressive rule and a crude attempt to rewrite history. The order made in exercise of powers under Reorganisation Act, 2019, it is stated, is yet another brazen violation of the principal of constitutional proprietary of fundamental importance to a constitutional democracy.”

A trooper died on spot after falling from stairs in South Kashmir’s Tral on Tuesday

– KNT

Any Indian citizen can now buy land in Jammu and Kashmir as the Centre on Tuesday issued one of the most significant orders post abrogation of Article 370. Political parties here called it unacceptable saying it was like putting J&K up for sale.

However, the government like previous orders, has not extended the adaptation to Ladakh region. A senior government official said the third adaptation of the laws is only meant for Jammu and Kashmir, not Ladakh.

“Unacceptable amendments to the land ownership laws of J&K. Even the tokenism of domicile has been done away with when purchasing non-agricultural land and transfer of agricultural land has been made easier. J&K is now up for sale and the poorer small land holding owners will suffer,” former chief minister Omar Abdullah said.

Unacceptable amendments to the land ownership laws of J&K. Even the tokenism of domicile has been done away with when purchasing non-agricultural land & transfer of agricultural land has been made easier. J&K is now up for sale & the poorer small land holding owners will suffer.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 27, 2020

With the news laws, according to experts, anyone can purchase land in Jammu and Kashmir even without papers like domicile law and the permanent state subject certificate. “August 5 meant exactly what has come today in formal laws opening Jammu & Kashmir lands to everyone in the country,” political analyst Zafar Choudhary said, adding that no domicile and the PRC was not for purchase of the land.

The home ministry on Tuesday repealed 11 more laws of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir under J&K Re-organisation (Adaptation of Central Laws) third Order, 2020. The legislation repealed as whole include the Jammu and Kashmir Alienation Of Land Act (V of Samvat 1995), the Jammu and Kashmir Big Landed Estates Abolition Act ( XVII Samvat 2007) , The Jammu and Kashmir Common Lands (Regulation) Act, 1956.

The Centre has repealed most of the previous land laws, including the J&K Prevention of Fragmentation of Agricultural Holdings Act, 1960; J&K Prohibition on Conversion of Land and Alienation of Orchards Act, 1975; the J&K Right of Prior Purchase ACT, 1936 A.D; Section 3 of the J&K Tenancy (Stay of Ejectment Proceedings) Act 1966; the J&K Utilisation of Land Act, 2010; and the J&K Underground Utilities (Acquisition of rights of user in land) Act.

The first reaction over the land laws came from Apni Party, which in March this year had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and had got an assurance that the demography of J&K will be preserved.

Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday said the party will go through the gazette notification issued by the Union government with regard to land rights in J&K and would take up its reservations before the top leadership in the country.

“From day one our party’s stand has been very clear on these vital issues. People should understand that our constitutionally guaranteed rights have been taken away long back and whatever was left, was snatched on August 5, 2019, when Articles 370 and 35-A were abrogated. Apni Party will continue its fight for the rights of people and will resist any move that is against the interests of residents of J&K,” Bukhari added.

He said any law which do not safeguard the interests and rights of the people of J&K would be unacceptable to the Apni Party. “Better would have been such laws of urgent nature should have been left to or dealt with in consultation with the duly elected government in Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.

According to officials in March this year, the Centre issued a gazette notification for the adaptation of 37 central laws in the concurrent list for J&K. The gazette notification was issued by the Union home ministry’s department of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh Affairs. Later in April this year, the home ministry ordered adaptation of Jammu and Kashmir state laws, now called Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Adaptation of State Laws) Order, 2020. Out of 138 state laws, 25 have been repealed as whole while other laws have been adopted with substitutes. According to the notification, MHA added a “domicile” clause in the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Decentralisation and Recruitment Act). The government today issued another notification adapting eleven laws pertaining to the land.

“In case of Jammu and Kashmir three adaptations have been made but in the case of Ladakh no such notification has been issued,” said a senior official of the law department.

With inputs from the Outlook

(Except for the headlines, this story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Key Highlights

• Centre has notified new laws which pave way for any Indian to buy land in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu & Kashmir.\
• The order has come into force with immediate effect

Srinagar: National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Tuesday slammed the Central government over new laws that permit anyone to purchase land in Jammu and Kashmir. Before stressing that J&K is now up for sale, Abdullah said that this what the Ladakhis got for giving Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a clear majority in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh polls.

The former Jammu and Kashmir CM took to his official Twitter handle and said, ‘Unacceptable amendments to the land ownership laws of J&K. Even the tokenism of domicile has been done away with when purchasing non-agricultural land and transfer of agricultural land has been made easier. J&K is now up for sale and the poorer small landholding owners will suffer.

“Interesting that the Centre waited till the elections to LAHDC had concluded & the BJP had won a majority before putting Ladakh up for sale. This is what Ladakhis got for trusting the assurances of the BJP,” he added.

Omar Abdullah’s scathing attack has come moments after the Centre notified new laws that pave way for any Indian to buy land in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Centre notifies new land laws for Jammu and Kashmir

In a significant move today, the Centre notified the new land laws for Jammu & Kashmir. The new laws paved way for any Indian to buy land in Jammu & Kashmir.

The MHA notified what it calls UT of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Adaptation of Central Laws) Third Order, 2020. The order comes into force with immediate effect.

“With immediate effect, the Acts mentioned in the Schedule to this Order shall, until repealed or amended by a competent Legislature or other competent authority, have effect, subject to the adaptations and modifications directed by the said Schedule, or if it is so directed, shall stand repealed,” read the order.

With inputs from the Times Now News

(Except for the headlines, this story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi: The Government of India (GoI) has notified land laws, paving the way for any citizen of India to buy land in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The ministry of home affairs in its release stated that the order will be called the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Adaptation of Central Laws) Third Order, 2020, Times Now reported.

According to the report, the order comes into force with immediate effect.

The General Clauses Act, 1897 applies for the interpretation of this Order as it applies for interpretation of laws in force in the territory of India, the order stated.

With the abrogation of Article 370, the act re-constituted the former state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories, ‘Jammu and Kashmir’ and ‘Ladakh’.

On August 5, 2019, the Government of India had unanimously removed Article 370.

The Parliament of India had in August last year adopted a resolution to abrogate Article 370, and passed a Bill to bifurcate the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories – Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, controlled directly by the Government of India.

Article 370 granted Jammu and Kashmir autonomy, and its scrapping was done as all Kashmiri political representatives were kept under detention, communication in Kashmir was blacked out, and thousands were imprisoned.

The removal of Article 370 has made concrete the fears of demographic change in the Muslim majority region of Kashmir, as laws regarding land ownership and citizenship have been changed by the Government of India controlled administration.

Lately, Home Minister Amit Shah said that the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir would be restored as soon as the situation warrants, and asked the representatives to not believe any rumours.

On July 3, BJP’s General Secretary Ram Madhav said that party’s J&K unit is of the opinion that statehood should be given back to the erstwhile state when the time is favourable.

With inputs from Free Press Kashmir

(Except for the headlines, this story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)