Page 114 - Jammu And Kashmir

J-K can't develop until democratic rights are guaranteed: Farooq Abdullah

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah has said the idea of all-round development of the people of Jammu and Kashmir will remain elusive until their basic democratic rights are guaranteed and respected. Abdullah said human rights are indispensable and inherent to the dignity of every human being. "The ruling dispensation is using J-K to climb the political ladder nationally by employing a narrative that is not corroborated by ground realities," said the Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar in his message on International Human Rights Day. Far from providing jobs to the youth, the incumbent ruling dispensation at the Centre, which is in direct control of J-K's affairs, has shown the door to hundreds of employed youth, Abdullah alleged. "There is not even a single selection process that hasn't ended in a scam. Our government employees are working under tremendous pressure. The sweeping takeover of labour rights by this government is a major concern for all of us. This trend needs to be

Rahul to spend 8 days during concluding phase of Yatra in J-K: Congress

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is going to spend eight days during the concluding phase of the Bharat Jodo Yatra' in Jammu and Kashmir, Senior party leader and Rajya Sabha member Rajni Patil said on Saturday. Patil, AICC in-charge J-K affairs, said Gandhi is expected to enter the Union Territory in the third week of next month and appealed to the people as well as political, social and NGOs to "join the yatra which is above politics and meant to unite hearts for the benefit of the nation". Gandhi is going to spend eight days in Jammu and Kashmir -- four days each in Jammu and the valley -- after reaching here in the third week of January. The date and route were not finalised so far," Patil, flanked by senior party leaders including J-K Pradesh Congress Committee president Vikar Rasool Wani, told reporters here. Earlier, she held a series of meetings with senior party leaders including former legislators and ministers in preparations for the smooth conduct of the yatra in ...

Labour pain for travel sector: Agencies poaching staff to beat shortage

Smaller outfits losing customers, many firms outsourcing to larger players to stay afloat

J&K to bolster Cyber crime cell, set up helpline to record grievances

The Jammu and Kashmir administration will strengthen the cyber crime cell and set up a helpline to record and address citizens' grievances related to cyber frauds and pornography. Under the recently launched Cyber Security Policy, the administration is also taking various steps such as modifying the curriculum for high schools to include aspects of cyber security relevant to children. "The UT of Jammu and Kashmir will augment the existing specialised cyber crime cell (of home department) for investigating complaints pertaining to offences under the Information Technology Act. "The Government shall further strengthen this unit to simplify and galvanize reporting, tackling and tracking progress on cyber-crimes. The UT will strive to create a cyber space free of pornography (especially child pornography), cyber bullying and sexual harassment. The cyber grievance system will be put in place to lay special emphasis on these crimes," reads the policy document. It said J&K would ...

Farooq Abdullah re-elected as NC chief after presidential polls were held

Former chief minister and Lok Sabha member, Dr. Farooq Abdullah was re-elected unopposed as the president of the National Conference (NC) party on Monday

J&K to set up incubator for cybersecurity startups to promote industries

Jammu and Kashmir administration is planning to set up a dedicated incubator for cybersecurity-related startups to promote local industries. Under its recently launched Cyber Security Policy, the administration will also outsource relevant research and development projects to the corporate sector. It is also mulling to provide special fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to cybersecurity firms operating in the union territory (UT) according to the prevailing government policies. "The government of J-K shall set up a dedicated incubator for cyber security related startups. The UT shall also develop a venture capital model to provide assistance to first generation entrepreneurs, startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating and intending to enter in this field (cybersecurity)," the policy document said. Jammu and Kashmir would endeavour to conduct Cyber Security Expos to showcase the advantages of the indigenously developed products by SMEs and Startups, it said. "Thi

J-K to create pool of cyber security analysts to tackle cyber terrorism

Jammu and Kashmir is planning to create a pool of cyber security analysts under the recently launched Cyber Security Policy (CSP) to combat cyber terrorism and cyber attacks. The CSP also talks about setting up computer energy response team (CERT), a nodal agency which will ensure safer and stronger internet by responding to major incidents, analysing threats and exchanging critical cyber security information with trusted partners. According to the official document, the government is also mulling over establishing a think tank for policy and decision inputs, an information security management system to manage sensitive data and a Centre of Excellence to combat modern-day security threats. Further, the Union territory administration is working towards introducing cyber insurance. The CSP along with a digital vision document was launched by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on the concluding day of the two-day national conference on e-governance in Katra on November 27. "The Union ..

J-K LG Sinha chairs Amarnath shrine board meeting, reviews projects

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday chaired the 43rd meeting of Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) in Delhi and said his administration is committed to ensure a hassle-free pilgrimage. During the meeting, the members discussed various ongoing and upcoming projects, an official release said. This year, 3.65 lakh pilgrims visited the 3,880-metre-high holy cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas from June 30 to August 11. According to the release, the board was informed that Border Roads Organisation (BRO) had been asked to restorate and maintain both stretches of the yatra track - the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam in Anantnag district and 14-km shorter Baltal in Ganderbal district. The members were also apprised about the upcoming Yatri Niwas at different locations to increase the holding capacity of the yatris at prominent places. During the meeting, directions were issued for early preparation of all the yatra related works and ensuring their allotment

How smart must smart city planners of Srinagar be?

A city with a rich heritage like Srinagar merits that its planners strike a delicate balance between its great past and its inherent fault lines

Srinagar makes it to the list of top places to visit in 2023, says report

Srinagar makes it to the top places of 2023 to visit in Conde Nast Traveler's latest article, 'The 23 Best Places to Go in 2023

Will continue fight for restoration of J&K's statehood: Ghulam Nabi Azad

The Democratic Azad Party (DAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday said he will continue to fight for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood. The former chief minister also urged the Union government to fulfil its commitment over the same. Azad said his party will create diverse employment opportunities for the youth in a bid to bring lasting peace and stability to the Union territory. "I will continue to fight on the political front to ensure statehood is restored to Jammu and Kashmir and all the rights that were taken away on August 5, 2019, will be granted back to its people", Azad said during his visit to Udyanpur in Doda district. In 2019, the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two Union territories - Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir - and Article 370, which granted special powers to the state, was abrogated. Azad said for lasting peace and stability, his party will create diverse employment opportunities for the youths if it gets into power after

Anti-terrorist operations to not stop till last terrorist is removed: Sinha

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday asserted that anti-terrorist operations will not be stopped until the last terrorist is eliminated in the Union Territory. Sinha also said Jammu and Kashmir has marched a great distance in the last three years in ensuring that no section of society is left behind. "Jammu and Kashmir government is committed that until last terrorist and mentors on the ground are eliminated, anti terrorist operations will not be stopped and assault on terror ecosystem will not be slowed down," the LG said while inaugurating Amar Jawan Shourya Sthal in Reasi. He said that fear, corruption and dynasty rule in Jammu and Kashmir for a long time had caused damaged to the social setup here, but during past 2-3 years, there has been a great change. "The effort is to bring major positive changes in social setup in J&K." He said that for the past thirty years, cross-border terrorism in the Union Territory has been posing a challenge to us. "It is .

First-ever Tribal Winter Festival held in Jammu-Kashmir's Bandipora

A first of its kind Tribal Winter Festival was held in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, an official spokesperson said. Organised by the district administration in collaboration with various departments at Ketson, the festival witnessed huge public participation, he said. Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Owais Ahmed said the festival highlighted the customs and traditions of tribals and also assured development of sports infrastructure in the area to engage the local youth. Addressing the gathering, the deputy commissioner said tribal areas have the potential to attract tourists and boost employment opportunities. He also highlighted the role of various government sponsored, public oriented schemes for the economic upliftment of people. Additional Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Waseem Raja called for public cooperation for promoting tourism in the area. He also urged the public to come forward to register for homestays. The festival witnessed music, dance, and cul

People want to be heard and expect quick action from J-K admin: L-G Sinha

People want to be heard and expect quick action from the administration, Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said on Wednesday, directing the officers to resolve their complaints and strengthen public confidence. Interacting with people during the latest edition of 'LG's Mulaqaat'- a live public grievance hearing programme at the Civil Secretariat here, Sinha said effective handling of complaints and grievances is fundamental to accountability and prompt resolution of public concerns in a timely and cost-effective way. "Listening to people first is the top priority of the administration...people want to be heard and expect quick action from the administration," he said, adding the ease of conversations through LG's Mulaqaat stimulates different departments to support citizen-centric system that provides seamless and integrated public services to meet the increasing societal expectations. Sinha said the interaction has emerged as a people-friendly platform, which enables and ..

'Clandestine approach' to add outsiders: Experts on J-K electoral rolls

A day after the final electoral rolls of Jammu and Kashmir were published, some experts and political parties on Saturday questioned the record addition of over 11 lakh voters to the list, saying it appears that authorities adopted a "clandestine approach" to add outsiders to the list. Out of the 11 lakh new voters, 3 lakh are first-time voters. Eight lakh new voters across different assembly segments can change the total vote bank equilibrium in favour of the ruling party, political expert A N Sadhu said. CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami said non-BJP parties have formed a committee to discuss the issue. The final electoral rolls of Jammu and Kashmir were published on Friday with the highest-ever addition of 11.28 lakh new voters. Taking into account the deletion of names from the electoral rolls, the net increase stood at 7,72,872, a 10.19 per cent increase in registered electors over the draft roll, Joint Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir Anil Salgotra had said. The .

J&K sees highest net increase of 772K voters in final electoral roll

The final electoral roll of Jammu and Kashmir was published on Friday with the highest-ever addition of more than 7.72 lakh voters, officials said. The final electoral roll has a total of 83,59,771 electors -- 42,91,687 males, 40,67,900 females and 184 third gender -- Joint Chief Electoral Officer of Jammu and Kashmir Anil Salgotra said. The release of the electoral roll paves the way for holding of Assembly polls in the Union Territory, the first since Article 370 provisions were abrogated and Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into Union territories in 2019. "There has been a net increase of 7,72,872 electors in the final electoral roll, i.e. a 10.19 per cent net increase of the registered electors over the draft roll," he said. The highest number of additions during a special summary revision was less than 2 lakh earlier. The elector-population ratio has increased from 0.52 to 0.58 during this special summary revision (SSR), he said. This was for the first time in the history o

Raids at residences of scribes over online threats to journos in Kashmir

Police on Thursday carried out raids at multiple locations, including residences of some journalists, in three districts of Jammu and Kashmir in connection with the online threats to scribes given by terror outfits. "Searches are going on in multiple locations in Srinagar, Badgam and Pulwama districts in connection with 'online journalists threat' case," Srinagar police tweeted. According to police, the searches carried out on Thursday were subsequent to the leads received from similar searches done few days ago in the same case. 'KashmirFight', an online page used by terror outfits, had issued a hitlist of journalists accusing them of working at the behest of security and intelligence agencies. At least five journalists, all working for local media outlets, have since resigned from their jobs. Giving details, a police spokesman said raids were carried out at seven locations in Srinagar, Budgam and Pulwama. "The premises which were raided today and subsequently searched belong t

Bank boards can decide on waiving penalty on minimum balance: Karad

The boards of individual banks can decide on waiving the penalty on accounts, which do not maintain a minimum balance, Union Minister of State for Finance Bhagwant Kishanrao Karad on Wednesday said. "Banks are independent bodies. They have boards which can take a decision to waive off the penalty," Karad told reporters here. The minister was responding to a question if the Centre would consider directing banks not to charge any penalty from the accounts where the balance falls below the prescribed minimum levels. Karad was on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir to review the implementation of various financial schemes in the Union Territory. The minister said the banks in Jammu and Kashmir had done a good job over the years and directed them to improve their performance on those parameters where they are lagging behind the national average. "I have told the banks in Jammu and Kashmir to hold Saturday camps to bring the percentage of Jan Dhan Yojana accounts closer to the national

BJP creating confusion in J-K to rule directly from Centre: JKPCC president

Pradesh Congress Committee president Vikar Rasool Wani on Wednesday accused the BJP of creating an atmosphere of confusion in the union territory so that it can rule it directly from the Centre. "The BJP is indulging in falsehood and promotion of hate politics in the country in order to divert people's attention from its failures for the sake of power while adding more confusion in J&K aiming to continue ruling it directly from the Centre," Wani said at the party workers' convention at the Valtengo area in Kulgam district. Wani blamed BJP the government for the losses caused to J&K due to the "wrong policies adopted by it (BJP) while having failed people miserably on developmental, economic, employment and various other fronts". Wani said the developmental process initiated in J&K by UPA-I and UPA-II is nowhere to be seen "What the people of J&K got under the BJP rule is only unemployment, lack of development, unprecedented price hike on essentials and hardships which .

Searches carried out along int'l border in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba

Special Operations Group of the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday conducted a search operation in several forward villages of Samba district along the International Border (IB) here, an official said. The SOG was assisted by the Central Reserve Police Force and the nearly three-hour-long combing operation was carried out as part of border area domination following the recent infiltration attempts from across the border, a police official said. The search operation started in the early hours from S M Pora and covered Sapwal, Chamliyal and Narayanpur areas in Ramgarh sector, the official said. The focus was on detecting any underground tunnel and suspicious material dropped by drones, but nothing suspicious was found, he added. On Tuesday, the Border Security Force (BSF) had shot dead a Pakistani intruder in Arnia sector of Jammu, while another was arrested and later repatriated in Ramgarh sector.