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Dialogue only way forward to address Kashmir issue: Mehbooba

By
Team JK Report
CM hands-over 108 appointment orders

Maintaining that violence will not help resolve issues, the Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti today said that peace and dialogue is the only way forward towards addressing the Kashmir imbroglio.

“Threads need to be picked up from where these were left by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2005, when a serious effort was made both on external and internal fronts to resolve the Kashmir issue through a credible and meaningful dialogue and confidence building process,” the Chief Minister said while addressing a function organized here in connection with handing-over of appointment orders under SRO-43 to next of kin of the employees of Jammu division who died in harness, to meet the objective of compassionate support.

Also present on the occasion were Minister for Health and Medical Education, Mr Bali Bhagat, Minister for Forest, Ecology & Environment, Choudhary Lal Singh, Minister for Finance, Culture, Labor & Employment, Dr Haseeb A Drabu and Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali.

The Chief Minister, on this occasion, handed-over orders of compassionate appointment under SRO-43 to 108 beneficiaries from 10 districts of Jammu division, including 47 from Jammu, 05 from Reasi, 09 from Kathua, 11 from Udhampur, 10 from Poonch, 07 from Samba, 04 from Kishtwar, 03 from Ramban, 08 from Rajouri and 04 from Doda.

Earlier, the 106 appointment orders under SRO-43 in respect of Kashmir division were distributed at a similar function in Srinagar last week.

Ms Mehbooba said Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi has the mandate to take bold decisions on the lines of Vajpayee Ji for the resolution of the problems in and around Jammu and Kashmir. “We have to ensure that a credible mechanism for dialogue, reconciliation and resolution is put in place and it should not be like the half-hearted efforts made in similar situations after 2008 and 2010 unrests,” she said and called for creating conducive atmosphere for dialogue.

Ms Mehbooba said whosoever wants a solution to the Kashmir problem should understand that solution is not going to come through violence. She said violence has changed nothing on political spectrum of Jammu and Kashmir over the years and has only brought mayhem, miseries, economic disaster, academic breakdown and social disorder to the State.

The Chief Minister hailed the people of Jammu region for maintaining peace and harmony despite repeated provocations by various disruptive elements.

Referring to SRO-43 cases, the Chief Minister said that many appointment cases on compassionate grounds were pending due to various reasons over a long time. “However, the Government is committed to attend to all these cases on priority and has laid special emphasis on their timely finalization,” she said and added that some cases were also cleared through one-time relaxation of rules to absorb children of those who had died in harness.

Ms Mehbooba said the Chief Secretary has been personally monitoring the progress of these cases while as the Principal Secretary to CM and the concerned departments are working on war-footing to finalize the cases of compassionate appointment. “We have been working hard to bring down the pendency of these cases and the concerned officers have been asked to attend to all pending cases on account of compassionate appointment on priority,” she said and added that the beneficiaries should get the benefit without further delay.

Addressing the beneficiaries, the Chief Minister said that she hoped that after appointment to the Government job they shall remain committed and be driven by the thought that how can they contribute at their own level. “You should come up to expectations, remain dedicated and be responsible towards the assigned tasks”, she said.

It was informed on the occasion, that the joining period of 21 days for all those who were handed over the appointment letters shall be considered to commence from today and a circular to this effect will also be issued by General Administration Department.

Pertinently, distribution of compassionate appointment orders for Kashmir division was organized last week at Srinagar, where such appointment orders were given away to 106 NoKs of employees who had died in harness.

Chief Secretary, Mr B R Sharma, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr Navin K Choudhary, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr Pawan Kotwal, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Mr Simrandeep Singh and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.

Curfew lifted from Anantnag, most parts of Srinagar: Police

By
Team JK Report
Stone pelting in Kashmir

According to a statement issued by the Zonal Police Headquarters Kashmir, following improvement in situation, curfew was lifted from Anantnag and major areas of Srinagar this morning.

The Statement said that three stray incidents of stone pelting were reported from Sangam, Ashajipora in Anantnag and Nadigam in Shopian where some trouble-mongers attempted to disturb the situation by pelting stones on police and security force deployments.

“Barring these three incidents of stone pelting, overall situation remained peaceful and under control across the valley till filing of this report,” it said.

The Statement said that restrictions under section 144/CrPC remained in force in the valley. “However, curfew was imposed under the areas of three police stations of Srinagar, Pampore and Pulwama towns only. Increased movement of vehicular traffic and people was observed in major areas of the valley including city Srinagar,” it said.

Mohammad Shafi Qureshi passes away

By
Team JK Report
Late Mohammad Shafi Qureshi

Veteran Congress leader and former Minister, Mohammad Shafi Qureshi, passed away in New Delhi today.

The Chief Minister in her condolence message while expressing sympathies with the bereaved family prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.

During his extended political career spanning over several decades, Mohammad Shafi Qureshi has held key positions at various constitutional, political and administrative levels in the country and has contributed a lot in various spheres during this period.

Chief Minister launches Ujala scheme in JK

By
Team JK Report
CM inaugurates Ujala scheme

Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti Sundayformally launched the Ujala Scheme in Jammu and Kashmir with the distribution of LED bulbs among consumers at a function organized at the Convention Centre here.

Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh, Speaker Legislative Assembly, Mr Kavinder Gupta, Minister for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Abdul Ghani Kohli and several Legislators were present on the occasion.

The National LED programme was launched by the Prime Minister in January 2015 with a target of replacing 77 crore incandescent lamps with LED bulbs. UJALA is successfully running across various states in the country.

UJALA, an acronym for Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All, is a scheme for registered domestic electricity consumers to be implemented by Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department in collaboration with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL).  This scheme is introduced to benefit the consumers and save their day to day energy bill. Under this scheme consumer can buy 5 LED bulbs at the rate of Rs 20 each on production of photostat copy of photo identity card and latest electricity bill. In case of purchase of more than five bulbs, consumers need to pay Rs 95 per bulb.

The LED bulbs will be distributed through special counters setup at designated places. There will be phase-wise distribution and the location of counters would be communicated through awareness campaigns to inform the consumers.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the UJALA scheme has already become a national revolution and today it is at our doorsteps. She further said that the government acknowledges the great savings that the scheme shall bring to the electricity bills of the consumers and has made sincere efforts to ensure that the people of J&K have access to this national scheme. “It will cut down your electricity bills and shall bring in more brightness into your life”, she added.

Describing electricity pivotal to sustenance, the Chief Minister said that it is an essential commodity and everyone has equal right to energy. She added that access to electricity, being a major factor for the economic development, will be a stepping stone in our journey towards economic growth.

“When we speak of electricity and the need to ensure that it reaches everyone, we only think of its generation and that how many plants did we install, how many dams did we built or how many power stations are there in a city or town, however it is time we look at the alternative, that is of saving electricity”, the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister highlighted the importance of energy conservation through the spread of LED bulbs. She noted that it is much more economical to conserve power, than to produce power.  “With each watt saved, we generate one watt of electricity”, she added.

The Chief Minister said that the world is taking big strides in innovative lighting technology and it has now come to our doorstep in the form LED bulb. As one LED bulb consumes one tenth of the energy consumed by a normal yellow bulb, we shall be saving enormous amount of energy if we are able to replace the 80 lakh inefficient bulbs in our state with LED bulbs, she added.

Ms Mehbooba said the Government is working on a comprehensive roadmap to augment the generation, transmission and distribution systems so that quality power supply is ensured to the consumers. However, energy efficiency plays a pivotal role in this roadmap, she said and added it is with this augmented power sector, that we can revitalize J&K’s economy because of its cascading effect on all sectors.

The Chief Minister urged the consumers to come forward and purchase these inexpensive LED bulbs so that their monthly electricity bills are reduced and they contribute positively towards energy conservation. She said hospitals and educational institutions should be given priority while distribution of LED bulbs.

Speaking on the occasion Deputy Chief Minister said launch of Uajala scheme is a historic step towards power saving and augmentation. He said that J&K is the only state offering these LEDs at Rs 20 each which is lowest in the country.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that various measures have been taken to increase the power generation and bring down T&D losses. He said these measures are already showing results.

Speaker Legislative Assembly, Mr Kavinder Gupta also addressed the gathering.

Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr Navin Kumar Choudhary, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr Pawan Kotwal, Commissioner Secretary PDD, Mr Dheeraj Gupta, IGP Jammu, Mr Danesh Rana, Development Commissioner Power, Sheikh Ayaz Gul, Chief Engineers and other officers of PDD and divisional administration were present on the occasion.

Mehbooba visits Insha at AIIMS

By
Team JK Report
Mehbooba Mufti visits AIIMS

Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti Sunday visited Safdarjung Eye Centre at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here to enquire about the welfare of Insha, a young Kashmiri girl undergoing treatment for pellet injuries.

The Chief Minister while interacting with the doctors at AIIMS requested them to make all possible efforts to restore the eyesight of the girl. “Even if she requires an eye transplant to make her see the world around again, the State Government would provide full support for the same,” she told the doctors.

The Chief Minister assured the parents of Insha that the government would ensure best possible treatment, within or even outside the country, for their daughter.

The Chief Minister also enquired about the welfare of a policeman, who was grievously injured during ongoing unrest and is undergoing treatment at AIIMS.

Mehbooba Mufti met PM Modi in Delhi

By
Team JK Report
The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti meeting the Prime Minister Narendra Modi(File)

Calling for putting in place an institutionalized mechanism to address the Kashmir issue, Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti today stressed the need for initiating a credible and meaningful political action on the ground to make peace and stability a reality in the State.

Talking to media-persons after her 45-minute meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister called for reviving the reconciliation and resolution process which was initiated by the then NDA Government headed by Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee between 2002 and 2005. She said the intra and inter-state CBMs initiated during that time had helped transform the situation in the State and the region. “We shall have to pick up the threads from where we left in 2005 and revive the reconciliation and resolution process with fresh resolve,” she said and added that the present Prime Minister has the mandate to take bold political initiatives on Kashmir as was done by Vajpayee Ji.

Ms Mehbooba said she outlined a three-pronged action plan before the Prime Minister for the resolution of the Kashmir issue, including involvement of separatists and Pakistan in substantive dialogue, to work out a solution to the problem in light of the contemporary geo-political realities.

Expressing anguish over the continued violence and killings, the Chief Minister sought involvement of all the stakeholders for resolution of the issues and improving situation in Kashmir. She said the focus of the State government, Government of India and all other parties in the country is to reach out to the majority of the peace-loving stakeholders in Kashmir who want peaceful solution of the problem. “Every political party wants the bloodshed in Kashmir to end and a political process to begin, sooner the better,” she said and added that all the parties, cutting across the divide, including the Hurriyat leaders shall have to come forward and help in saving innocent lives as also engage in a meaningful dialogue process for the peaceful resolution of the issue. She said an ‘All Party Delegation’ will be visiting the State soon to reach-out to the people “and I hope they will meet different shades of political opinion to elicit their views on how to find a way out of the present imbroglio.”

Maintaining that the aspirations and the interests of people of Jammu and Kashmir are supreme for her Government, Ms Mehbooba said the people of Kashmir have been living a life of pain, suffering and uncertainty and they yearn for peaceful resolution of the problems confronting the State. Underlining the fact that she has just been in power for the last two months, Ms Mehbooba asked the people to help her resolve the crisis. “I appeal to all those protesting in the streets. You may be angry with me, I may be angry with you, But please give me one chance to address your concerns and aspirations,” she said.

Calling for greater focus on the resolution of the problem by adding substance to the peace process through substantial confidence building measures, Ms Mehbooba said; “We should not mislead ourselves about brushing the issue under the carpet as was done on earlier occasions like in 2008 and 2010. The country’s political leadership must commit itself to address all the dimensions of the problem in a manner that balances and promotes enduring political and economic stability in the State and the region,” she said and added that the Government of India must involve all shades of political opinion in meaningful deliberations for realistic and just resolution of the problem.

Urging Pakistan to reciprocate with open mind and in good faith to the peace initiatives for the permanent settlement of the issues, Ms Mehbooba said unfortunately Islamabad lost out on an opportunity for reconciliation when Prime Minister, Narendra Modi landed in Lahore December last and when Home Minister, Rajnath Singh visited Islamabad recently for the SAARC ministerial meeting. “Pakistan also has to take a step forward in the interest of peace and stability in the region,” she said.

Stating that not enough has been done to implement the ‘Agenda of Alliance’ between her party PDP and the BJP, the Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister reiterated his commitment that the political, economic and developmental initiatives enumerated in the ‘Agenda of Alliance’ will be implemented with sincerity of purpose.

In her meeting with the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister discussed in detail the prevailing political and security scenario in the State and the region and also the working of the PDP-BJP Coalition Government in the State.

Teenager killed in fresh firing, Rajnath Singh meets delegations

By
Team JK Report
Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Srinagar

A teenager was killed and dozens were injured in scattered clashes on Wednesday as Home Minister Rajnath Singh met leaders of the main political parties in a bid to break the cycle of violence in the Kashmir Valley raging for over six weeks.

Police said an 18-year-old boy was killed in firing by security forces in a south Kashmir village after he sustained pellet injuries in a clash with police in Pinglina village of Pulwama, some 30 km south of Srinagar. At least 40 people were injured in the clash.

Hours later, a suspected militant from a crowd hurled a bomb at security personnel in Pulwama town – a few kilometres further south of the Pinglina village.

Nine policemen, including a superintendent of police, a deputy superintendent and a station house officer, were injured in the attack.

Demonstrations were also held in parts of Srinagar and north Kashmir despite a strict curfew and arrest of dozens of youths participating in stone-throwing protests triggered by the July 8 killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

At least 69 people have been killed and thousands injured in the violence that has crippled normal life in the Kashmir Valley for 46 days.

There seemed no end in sight to the unrest even as the Home Minister arrived here to meet a cross-section of Kashmiri people and seek ways on how to break the logjam. This is his second visit in a month.

Rajnath Singh met delegations of various political parties, including the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, the opposition National Conference and the Congress. The mainstream politicians, according to informed sources, pressed the central government for a dialogue involving all stakeholders, including separatist leaders.

However, government sources in Srinagar ruled out any possibility of the minister meeting with separatist groups, who have been spearheading the agitation, seeking the right to self-determination in Jammu and Kashmir.

The separatist leaders also said there was no possibility of talks with the government “within the framework of Indian constitution”, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said.

He demanded a trilateral dialogue between India, Pakistan and the people of J&K from across the state divided between India and Pakistan.

The minister also chaired a meeting with top police, military and paramilitary commanders and officials of intelligence agencies in the troubled state.

The sources said Rajnath Singh advised maximum restraint while dealing with civilian protests, but sought stiff action against militants mingling with crowds – as happened in Pulwama.

Earlier, on his arrival, the minister was driven through a tense Srinagar amid heightened security and a strict curfew.

Before leaving from Delhi, he tweeted that he “shall interact with civil society groups, political parties, and other stakeholders” during stay in Srinagar.

The minister extended an open invitation to all “who believe in Kashmiriyat, insaniyat, and jamhooriyat”, expressing his willingness to talk with those who have faith in the spirit of Kashmir, humaneness, and democracy.

Rajnath Singh, accompanied by Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and other senior officials, flew in by a special plane into the technical area of the Srinagar international airport.

The minister is staying at the historic Nehru Guest House, on the Zabarwan Hills near the eastern shore of Dal Lake, where the government held talks with the moderate faction of the pro-Pakistan Hizbul Mujahideen militant group in August 2000.

The talks, however, broke down after the leader of the faction, Majeed Dar, was gunned down by militants.

One CRPF personnel killed in Vaishnovdevi; Yatra progressing smoothly

By
Team JK Report
Shri Mata Vaishnov Devi

Today at 12.50 PM a portion of the rock formation fell on the track near the Vaishnovdevi Shrine area as a result of which one CRPF personnel, Head Constable Harvinder Singh, lost his life. The Yatra, which was diverted for some time via the exit route till the debris was cleared, is progressing smoothly via the normal route.

Giving details about the incident, Mr. A. K. Sahu, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, informed that the strata of the rock at this site is sedimentary and one portion of the rock sliced from the main rock strata and fell on the track.

Immediately on hearing about this incident, the CEO along with Additional CEO and Executive Engineer of the Shrine Board rushed to the site of the incident and supervised the rescue operations. The men and machinery as well as the Disaster Management Task Force of the Shrine Board, Police and CRPF immediately cleared the debris and recovered the dead body of Head Constable Harvinder Singh of CRPF 6th Bn. (R/O Dasuya, Punjab). He was deployed on routine duty and died on the spot. All the Yatris are safe and the pilgrimage is progressing smoothly.

Expressing grief over this unfortunate incident Governor N. N. Vohra, Chairman of the Shrine Board, has directed CEO to arrange for an ex-gratia support of Rs. 3.00 lakh being paid to the family of the deceased.

Eight incidents of stone pelting reported in Valley: Police

By
Team JK Report
Stone pelting in Kashmir

According to a statement issued by the Zonal Police Headquarters, Kashmir, today eight incidents of stone pelting were reported from Pulwama, Budgam, Srinagar, Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora.

The statement said during stone pelting near Degree College Pulwama, militants hiding in the mob fired and hurled two grenades on the deployment resulting in injuries to 17 police and CRPF personnel and some civilians. The injured include CO 183 Bn CRPF, ASP Pulwama, DySP Pulwama and SHO Pulwama, the statement added.

At Pinglina, Pulwama miscreants assembled on road and started heavy stone pelting on the police and SF deployment. In order to clear the road and chase the miscreants, Police/Security forces were compelled to use some force, which caused injuries to few miscreants. One of them identified as Amir Gul Mir son of Ghulam Mohammad Mir resident of Ratnipora succumbed to his injuries, the statement said. In this incident a number of police and security forces personnel were also injured, the statement added.

Except for these incidents, overall situation across the valley remained under control till filing of this report. Apart from some police stations of Srinagar and town Anantnag there was increased movement of traffic on roads in rest of the valley, the statement added.

Chief Minister greets people on Janamashtami

By
Team JK Report
Janamashtami celebrated across the state

Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti has greeted people on Janamashtami.

In her message, the Chief Minister while greeting the people expressed the hope that this auspicious occasion will usher Jammu and Kashmir into an era of peace, harmony and prosperity.

Ms Mehbooba said J&K has the rich tradition of communal harmony, brotherhood and tolerance and people have maintained this tradition despite provocations. She hoped that the bonds of communal amity will be strengthened further and these traditions are passed on to future generations.

The Chief Minister also prayed for wellbeing of the people of the state.

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