Page 14 - Jammu And Kashmir Politics

J-K's lithium reserve will be plundered, 'gifted' to firms by BJP: Mehbooba

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday charged the lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir will be gifted to companies that will later donate a part of the "illicit proceeds" to the ruling party at the Centre. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister was reacting to a news report which said the government will again auction the lithium blocks in Jammu and Kashmir "Now J&Ks lithium reserves too are being plundered & gifted to dubious companies who will then donate a part of these illicit proceeds to the ruling party as 'party fund'," she charged in a post on X. The former chief minister also said that the "nexus between BJP and crony capitalists" explained why the Centre was not taking note of legitimate demands of Ladakhi people for inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. "Now that the nexus between BJP & crony capitalists stands exposed it offers the perfect explanation why GOI continues to ignore the legitimate demands of Ladakhis. Disturbing visuals of .

Army cancels seminar on UCC after backlash from political parties in J&K

The Army in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday cancelled a seminar, which was aimed to raise awareness about the Uniform Civil Code and other topics after a backlash from the political parties here. The Army late Friday sent invitations to the media houses for a seminar on the subject "Navigating legal frontiers: Understanding Indian Penal Code 2023 and the quest for Uniform Civil Code". The seminar was scheduled for March 26 at the Kashmir University Auditorium. However, there was a backlash from the regional political parties with former chief minister and National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah questioning the Army's involvement in a "divisive" issue like the Uniform Civil Code in a "sensitive" place like Kashmir. "Is it appropriate for the Indian Army to get involved in the divisive issue of the uniform civil code & that too in a sensitive area like Kashmir? There is a reason the Indian Army has remained apolitical & areligious. This ill-advised UCC seminar is a ..

Will voice aspirations of people of Kashmir in Parliament: Sajad Lone

Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone on Sunday sought support of the electorate in the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency and said he will restore the region's glory and voice the aspirations of the people in the Parliament. "These elections will undoubtedly pave way for the collective betterment of our region, provided the right choices are made by sending representatives who can truly convey the aspirations and pain of the people of Kashmir in the Parliament," Lone, who is the party candidate for the Baramulla constituency, said at a convention of the party workers at Baramulla town. Questioning the performance of the National Conference MPs, who have been elected by the people for more than half a century, Lone criticized them for failing to meet the hopes of the people and remaining mute spectators to the issues concerning the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "There is a lot of pain, agony and suffering among the people, and only those who understand it can truly speak up for

Govt empowers states, UTs to act against 3 banned J-K-based groups

The Centre on Friday authorised all states and Union Territories to take action against three banned Jammu and Kashmir-based groups under the UAPA. The three groups are the Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir (Sumji faction), Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir (Bhat faction) and Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir. In three identical notifications, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs said the Centre directs that all powers exercisable by it under Section 7 and Section 8 of the anti-terror Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, shall be exercised by state governments and Union Territory administrations in relation to the three unlawful associations. On February 27, the home ministry extended the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir, for five years for continuing activities against the security, integrity and sovereignty of the nation. A day later, it announced that the Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir (Sumji faction) and the Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir (Bh

PM Modi launches Rs 5,000 cr project for Jammu and Kashmir's agri economy

He dedicated to the nation about Rs 5000 crore worth 'Holistic Agriculture Development Programme' (HADP)- for boosting agri-economy in Jammu and Kashmir

PM Modi reaches Srinagar, scheduled to unveil projects worth Rs 6,400 cr

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday arrived in Srinagar to unveil a slew of development projects worth more than Rs 6,400 crore and address a public meeting, officials said. This is Modi's first visit to the Kashmir valley after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. The prime minister landed at the Srinagar airport and then flew to Badamibagh Cantonment, the headquarters of the Army's 15 or Chinar Corps, they said. At the Badamibagh Cantonment, Modi would lay a wreath at the War Memorial and pay tributes to the fallen soldiers. He would then drive to Bakshi Stadium via Gupkar and Zero Bridge in a cavalcade to participate in the 'Viksit Bharat, Viksit Jammu Kashmir' programme, officials said. The security apparatus has secured the road from Badamibagh Cantonment to Bakshi Stadium. Tricolours, BJP flags and hoardings welcoming Modi have been put up along the route that will be taken by Modi. Stringent security arrangements have been put in place to ensure an incident-fr

PM's first visit to J-K since Article 370 abrogation; 10 things to know

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Srinagar on Thursday, a first since the abrogation of Article 370. The visit is a part of his ongoing tour to multiple states ahead of the Lok Sabha elections

Union minister assures more opportunities for farmers, pastoralists in J-K

Union Minister Parshottam Rupala has assured all possible support to upscale livestock production, establish a modern fish market and create more livelihood avenues for farmers and pastoralists in Jammu and Kashmir. The minister for fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying along with Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had on Monday inaugurated a two-day technology exhibition-cum-seed mela at the SKUAST-Kashmir. During the event, various works and programmes, including SKUAST-Kashmir's commercial silage unit, the Krishi Radio and rural internship "Student rural exploration programme of J-K government", were inaugurated, an official spokesman said. Rupala commended the Union Territory's administration for transforming the agriculture and allied sector of Jammu and Kashmir and promoting innovation-based agri startups, he said. The Union minister also announced an aqua park for Jammu and Kashmir. He assured all possible support in upscaling livestock production, ...

Yami Gautam-starrer political drama 'Article 370' banned in Gulf nations

Article 370 movie is based on the political event of revocation of the Indian Constitutional article by the Centre, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir

Politics picks up pace in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of key elections

Political leaders are busy meeting party workers, holding rallies and conventions across the UT in the run-up to Lok Sabha and Assembly polls, writes Meraj Bhat

Talks going on with INDIA bloc partners on seat-sharing in J&K, says Cong

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Vikar Rasool Wani on Sunday said that talks are going on with INDIA bloc partners National Conference and PDP on seat-sharing in the Union Territory for the Lok Sabha elections. People will hear good news soon as talks with the NC and the PDP (on seat-sharing agreement) are going on and we will fight the parliamentary elections together, Wani told reporters on the sidelines of a function here. Several political and social activists from the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch joined the Congress in presence of Wani and other senior leaders. My appeal to the people is to strengthen the Congress and our alliance partners so that all of their issues are resolved and J&K is pulled out of the prevailing crisis, he said. Accusing the BJP of destroying Jammu and Kashmir, he said, Only the Congress can mitigate the problems of the people, restore statehood, ensure protection of their rights over land and jobs, hold ...

National Conference will contest Lok Sabha elections alone: Farooq Abdullah

Abdullah was earlier this month summoned by the ED in connection with a money laundering case about the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association

ED issues fresh summons to Farooq Abdullah in JKCA money laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate has issued a fresh summons to National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah for questioning in a money laundering case pertaining to the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), official sources said Monday. He has been asked to depose at the ED office in Srinagar Tuesday. The 86-year-old politician was last called by the central agency in this case on January 11 but he did not appear before it. He is not expected to appear at the Srinagar office of the central agency this time too, sources close to him said. The ED investigation pertains to alleged financial irregularities at the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association. The MP from Srinagar was charge-sheeted by the Enforcement Directorate in this case in 2022. The case relates to siphoning off JKCA funds by way of transfer to various personal bank accounts of unrelated parties, including those of JKCA office-bearers, and by way of unexplained cash withdrawals from its bank accounts, the ED ha

NIA carries out raids to dismantle terror, radicalisation infra in J-K

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids here on Saturday as part of its crackdown against elements allegedly involved in terror funding and radicalisation of youngsters, officials said. The raids are underway at different places, including Gujjar Nagar and Shaheedi Chowk in Jammu city, they added. The officials said a private school and premises linked to three of its functionaries, including the house of the chairman, were raided by the NIA sleuths. Further details are awaited, the officials said.

Budget Session: Bill to amend local bodies' laws in J&K introduced in LS

A bill that seeks to amend laws relating to local bodies in Jammu and Kashmir was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday. Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai introduced the bill on behalf of Home Minister Amit Shah. The Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, seeks to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989; the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Act, 2000; and the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporation Act, 2000.

Open expanse of Dal Lake in J-K increased to 20.3 sq kms in past 2 years

Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday said one-third of Dal Lake in Srinagar has been rejuvenated and its open expanse has been increased for the first time to more than 20.3 square kilometres. The information was given at a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo here to review the measures taken so far for the beautification and cleansing of the famous Dal and Nigeen lakes, an official spokesman said. The Chief Secretary took note of the implementation of Rs 273 crore Dal Lake conservation plan which includes works like dredging, catchment area management, development of sewerage network, eco-parks, viewing decks, jetties and ghats and other conservation works. In the last two years, the spokesman said the meeting was informed, one-third of the Dal lake has been rejuvenated, 6.5 sqkms has been cleared off lily and the open expanse has been increased for the first time to more than 20.3 sqkms. The lake area has not decreased as compared to the earliest possible availab

Jammu-Srinagar national highway remains closes, 400 vehicles stranded

The arterial Jammu-Srinagar national highway remained closed for the second day on Friday due to landslip at various places, officials said. Authorities were trying to clear the landslip debris and restore the traffic on the road connecting Kashmir to rest of the country. More than 400 vehicles are stranded at various places along the highway, the officials said. The 270-km road was closed for traffic on Thursday following landslip at several places, including Sherbibi, Magerkote, Mehad Cafeteria and Dalwas, along the highway, the officials said.

Azad promises to re-implement Roshni scheme if elected to power in J-K

Democratic Progressive Azad Party chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday promised to reintroduce the Roshni scheme if his party wins the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. He also promised to grant five marlas of land to people residing along the India-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir. "The Roshni Act, created by me, will be implemented again if our party comes to power," Azad said at a public rally in Samba district. On November 1, 2020, the Union Territory administration cancelled all land transfers that took place under the JK State Land (Vesting of Ownership to the Occupants) Act, 2001 - also known as the Roshni Act - under which 2.5 lakh acres of land was to be transferred to existing occupants. Over 10 lakh kanals (1 acre is equal to 8 kanals) of land was retrieved in Jammu and Kashmir after the Revenue Department directed all deputy commissioners to ensure 100 per cent removal of encroachments from state land. The former chief minister said that five marlas of land i

Republic Day 2024: J-K govt announces awards for 36 individuals of UT

Thirty-six people, including para archer and Arjuna Awardee Sheetal Devi, were selected for government awards in Jammu and Kashmir on the eve of Republic Day. Late Head Constable Abdul Majeed has been awarded posthumously in the category of award for achievements in the field of bravery that carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and a citation to the awardee, according to an order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) Commissioner-Secretary Sanjeev Verma. The government also conferred the award to Dogri writers Mohan Singh, Inderjeet Kesar, Gojri writer Mansha Khaki and broadcaster and writer Brij Nath Pandit Betab in the category of achievements in the field of literature. For their contribution to performing arts, film and television, actor Gulzar Ganaie, Pahari artist Kartar Chand, theatre artist Pawan Verma, actor and director Kuldeep Raina and vocalist and music composer Munir Ahmad Mir have been awarded. Similarly, Basohli Pashmina artist Neelam Rani, Basohli ...

BSF DG reviews security, operational preparedness of troops in Jammu

Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF) Nitin Agrawal on Wednesday reviewed the security situation and operational preparedness of the troops guarding the border with Pakistan on the Jammu frontier, officials said. Agrawal, who visited areas located close to the International Border (IB), also called on Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at the Raj Bhavan here and briefed him about the security situation along the border. The DG reviewed the security situation and the operational preparedness of the troops with senior BSF officials. Agrawal is currently on a visit to the Jammu region. D K Boora, Inspector General, BSF, Jammu frontier, briefed Agrawal about the security situation here. The BSF DG visited various border outposts in Jammu's Akhnoor sector on August 9 last year and exhorted the troops to maintain effective domination to successfully meet the challenges from across the frontier.