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The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday accused PDP president Mehbooba Mufti of “disrespecting” the Indian flag and asserted that the revocation of Article 370 was done constitutionally and that it will not be restored.

Her comments that she will not hold the tricolour till the Kashmiri flag is restored is “downright denunciation” of the national flag’s sanctity, senior BJP leader and Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister had on Friday said that she was not interested in contesting elections or holding the tricolour, the national flag, till the constitutional changes enforced on August 5 last year were rolled back.

She said she would hold the tricolour only when the separate flag of the erstwhile state is restored.

Prasad asserted that Article 370, which gave the erstwhile state a special status and was revoked last year, will not be restored.

It was removed following a proper constitutional process and both Houses of Parliament approved it with overwhelming numbers, he said.

Revoking it was our commitment to the nation and people have appreciated it, he said.

In many ways, Mufti has shown serious disrespect to the very image of India which the tricolour represents, he added.

The minister also hit out at other opposition parties, saying they have maintained a stony silence at her remarks showing serious disrespect to the national flag, even as they criticise the saffron party at the “slightest of issues”.

“This is hypocrisy and double standard,” Prasad said.

He claimed that the revocation of the Article 370 has led to increased development in the union territory with the weaker sections of society, like SCs, STs, OBCs and women, enjoying the same rights that they do in the rest of the country.

People participated in local polls in Jammu and Kashmir with joy and happiness, he said.

“Some people and families who used to rule with impunity and without accountability are going to have problems,” he said.

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

Kupwara: The Lolab Byepass road is in a bad condition and taking a toll on the health of travelers.

The Lolab Byepass road was macadamised last year. However, within months, it started worn-out.

Now the dilapidated condition of the road is giving a tough time to people.

Locals told news agency KINS that authorities have failed to macadamise the road. “It has developed huge potholes and has become unbearable for people to travel,” locals said. They have appealed to the authorities to check how the road was worn- out within months.

Instead macdamising the road, authorities have constructed a parallel road towards Lolab from Kupwara. “It is yet to be connected with the main road and has been left halfway. The Lolab Byepass road needs to be macdamised.

Similarly the road from Kupwara to Bohipora-Gushi, Degree College needs to be repaired,” local said.

Locals said authorities were paying no attention to their repeated pleas.

They have appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to intervene so that these roads are macdamised The concerned authorites could not be contacted for their comments.(KINS)

Srinagar: Fear has gripped government employees after Jammu and Kashmir administration amended services rules to allow the administration to retire government employees at any time after completing 22 years of service or attaining the age of 48 years.

At the same time several political parties while opposing the move have termed it a “draconian”.

On Thursday, the J & K government announced that it has amended civil service rules to allow the administration to retire government employees at any time after completing 22 years of service or attaining the age of 48 years.

The employees can be retired after being given three months’ notice or three months of pay and allowance in lieu of the notice.

The step has not gone well within government employees and politicians in Kashmir.

Employees Joint Act Committee (EJAC) president Fayaz Ahmad Shabnam said they are holding deliberations with employees associations on this issue. “Once we reach some consensus we will announce a future course of action. We will put our viewpoint before the government, people and employees,” he told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

Chairman JKTA, Shah Fayaz said that employees of Jammu and Kashmir Government proved their worth in every challenge and served in all conditions with dedication whether it’s elections in odd situations, floods or earthquakes, covid19. “They without discrimination of any departmental aspect served the society in all odds and ends.”

“Now to weed out inefficient, incompetent, corrupt officials is highly a welcome step, as it streamlines system and justice is delivered, but to make amendments which show disparity as in center there is same rule but qualifying service is 30 years and age limit is 55 but we got 22 years and 48 age limit, this is sheer injustice,” he said.

Shah said, “In past there is record of incompetent, inefficient , corrupt officials but no one showed them backdoor, for this there should be a proper procedure as employees get promotions etc on the basis of APR ( annual performance report), there is proper system already in place. We are not against any policy which helps and benefits smooth functioning of governance but irony is that already rules and procedures to act against any corrupt, inefficient officials are in place.”

CPI-M leader MY Tarigami said the order was ‘draconian’ and would cause uncertainty among the government employees. “The notification/SRO aims to keep the employees under pressure which is bound to cause insecurity among them. It would serve as a tool to the government and bureaucrats to suppress their subordinates. A sword of uncertainty has been kept on the heads of employees which can also be exploited by their superiors,” he said.

While terming the Jammu and Kashmir government’s decision to acquires powers to retire employees at 48 years of age or after completing 22 years of service as an anti-employee and assault on the rights of lakhs of government employees, J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (J&KPCC) Vice-President and former MLC G N Monga demanded the its immediate roll back of this arbitrary decision.
In a statement issued to news agency KINS he said by such order a lot of uncertainty has been created among the employees which ultimately will affect their performance. “A sword of uncertainty has been kept on the heads of employees which can also be exploited by their superiors,” Monga said.

The Congress leader said that when there were already provisions in service rules to retire non-performing employees prematurely, what was the need to take such a decision. “Already lot of arbitrary decisions have been taken by the BJP government at the Center regarding Jammu and Kashmir and now the latest decision will demoralise the government employees,” he said.

Demanding the immediate roll back of this order, Monga said, “This process has not been given a thought before passing. It should be revoked immediately.” (KINS)

Kupwara: A 19-year-old youth made his family and relatives proud by becoming one of the only candidate from border district of Kupwara to qualify JEE-Advance despite lockdown and internet shutdown in the valley for months together.

According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), Anzar Nazir after qualifying JEE mains, have now qualified JEE advance and got selected, in India’s one of the top IIT Roorke to study BTech, in civil engineering.

“Anzar scored +22 and he is lone candidate from district Kupwara with a rank of 188. He is one among 200 selected candidates by IIT Roorke. Living in border district with different life style, Anzar is unknown to mobile, internet and games as people in his surroundings are fond of these things”, says his brother.

Anzar who comes from poor family, his father Nazir Ahmad Dar is working as a labour and feeding his family in tough times. He describes his son, “obedient” and “very hardworking”.

Anzar hails from Sahipora village of Langate. Hepassed his 12th from Government Higher Secondary School, Langate in Medical Science with 60% marks.

While talking to Kashmir News Service, Anzar said since my secondary education I have thought of doing something challenging. “I worked hard, I used to study 8 hours everyday. No doubt I belong to a poor family but my family never let me feel any hardship. I thank my teachers especially to a local academy where I used to go for coaching”, he said.

In his message to other students, Anzar said “I would recommend every student who wants to qualify these professional exams, to work hard and well focused on your studies without wasting time”.

“Neither I have any smartphone nor I was on social media. I was just committed to my goal which I have achieved now”, he said.

Faculty member of Qaziabad institute of Excellence(QIE) Sajad Ahmad Mir, told to KNS, that Anzer Nazir is quite different from other students, very hardworking and down to earth. He is very punctual, he used to come separately for doubt clearing, and we congratulate him. Anzar is an open example to other students who want to do something in their life. I feel that students living in villages don’t need to go miles for coaching classes, we have here now qualified faculty and fertile coaching academies in rural areas, he added.

“His life is very much simple and religious. He remains often away from sports and only concentrates on studies. We supported him at every moment”, Abdul Rashid, Anzar’s uncle told KNS.

The results for the Joint Entrance Examination, (JEE) Advanced 2020 were declared by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi on October 05, 2020. More than 40,000 students have passed the engineering entrance examination. (KNS)

Srinagar: Awami National Conference (ANC) vice-president Muzaffar Shah on Saturday said the confession of UP chief minister Yogi Adityanat that with the abrogationof Article 370 every Indian can buy land in J&K has unambigously cleared the air that New Delhi is only after our land.

Talking to Kashmir News Service (KNS), Shah said that Yogi Adityanath’s remarks have failed BJPs own argument that Article 370 was the reason of growing militancy in the region besides an impediment to the comprehensive development in J&K.

“Earlier Yogi Adityanath and his coterie fanned passions of countrymen about Article 370 that it impedes development and pampers militancy. Now what he confessed in Bihar poll rally exposesd the intention behind that New Delhi has no sympathy with the people of Jammu and Kashmir as they need only our land”, he asserted.

“BJP cheated people at grass root level as its eyes are only after our land”, Shah added.

Alleging BJP of playing communal and divisive politics, the ANC leader said that BJPs stomach has not filled yet as it is still playing Kashmir card across the country.

“Article 370 card is being played in Bihar. Earlier it was played in Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Haryana where BJP was shown door by electorates”, he said.

He continued that these were India’s top leaders including Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, B R Ambedkar, Shama Prasad Mukherjee and others who accorded separate constitution and flag to Jammu and Kashmir, adding “so any comment in support of Article 370 or States flag can’t be termed as seditious”.

Terming the outcry by few BJP leaders over united fight against the decisions taken on August 5, 2019 “unacceptable”, the ANC leader said our rights were snatched arbitrary and unconstitutionally, however the matter is sub-judice so nobody has a right to speak against it.

“How can you speak against Article 370 as the matter is under the consideration of Supreme Court. You are not above the law. It will be brought back to J&K soon”, Shah said. (KNS)

Srinagar: While terming the Jammu and Kashmir government’s decision to acquires powers to retire employees at 48 years of age or after completing 22 years of service as an anti-employee and assault on the rights of lakhs of government employees, J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (J&KPCC) Vice-President and former MLC G N Monga Friday demanded the its immediate roll back of this arbitrary decision.

In a statement issued to news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) he said by such order a lot of uncertainty has been created among the employees which ultimately will affect their performance. “A sword of uncertainty has been kept on the heads of employees which can also be exploited by their superiors,” Monga said.

The Congress leader said that when there were already provisions in service rules to retire non-performing employees prematurely, what was the need to take such a decision.

“Already lot of arbitrary decisions have been taken by the BJP government at the Center regarding Jammu and Kashmir and now the latest decision will demoralize the government employees,” he said.

Demanding the immediate roll back of this order, Monga said, “This process has not been given a thought before passing. It should be revoked immediately.” (KINS)

Srinagar: Leaders of maintain parties who recently formed People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration are likely to give it a formal structure which is likely to be headed by National Conference president Farooq Abdullah.

Last week six mainstream parties held a meeting and formed an alliance for restoration of the special status of the erstwhile state as it existed before August 5 last year.

The meeting was held at the residence of National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and attended by PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone, Peoples Movement leader Javaid Mir, CPIM leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami and Awami National Conference vice-president Muzaffar Shah.

“We have decided that the Gupkar Declaration will be renamed as People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration. Ours is a constitutional battle. We shall struggle for restoration of what was snatched from J&K and Ladakh,” Farooq told reporters after the two-hour meeting.
Now leaders of these parties have decided to give it a formal structure.

“We are working on it and giving it a formal structure. Farooq Abdullah is likely to be its head, while it will have general secretaries, vice-chairperson, coordinators and also a chief spokesperson who can issue statement and talk to the media on behalf of the alliance,” a National Conference leader told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

However, leaders of these parties remain silent whether their alliance will continue for other issues in J&K.

Senior National Conference leader and Member Parliament Retd Justice Hasnian Masoodi said six-parties have united seeking restoration of Article 370.

“This alliance will continue unless we get August 4, 2019 position. We will continue to strive for it,” Masoodi told KINS.

Asked whether these parties will also continue their alliance for any elections to be held in J&K, he replied, “We will decide that time. Presently our prime focus is on restoration of the special position of J&K.”

“There are some differences between these parties. But we are united to fight for restoration of Article 370,” he said.

Senior CPI-M leader M Y Tarigami said it was premature to say whether these parties will fight jointly any election in the future.

“This alliance is on certain objectives so that special status of J&K is restored. Rest time will decide on which other issues these parties will fight jointly,” Tarigami told news agency KINS.

A senior PDP leader said, “Nothing has been decided about other issues. We have met only once. It is premature to comment on what other issues this alliance will fight for.” (KINS)