Jammu & Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 18 : Chief Election Commissioner of (CEC) India Rajiv Kumar Wednesday said that elections in J&K are due and the same will be held after taking the weather, security concerns and the schedule of other state polls into account.

Replying to a query in a press conference held in New Delhi, CEC Kumar said that process of delimitation has been completed in J&K. “Fixing, re-arranging polling stations, appointing ROs, AEROs and rest of the formalities have been completed. We are of the view that wherever these things are completed, elections become due and they must be held,” he said as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

The CEC said that elections in J&K will be held after taking weather, security concerns, and schedule of elections in other states into account. He, however, didn’t specify any date or month when J&K would go to polls.

The delimitation process in J&K was completed last year. The Delimitation Commission headed by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, (a retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India),and Sh. Sushil Chandra, (Chief Election Commissioner) and Sh. K. K. Sharma, (State Election Commissioner, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir), as Ex-Officio members of the Delimitation Commission finalised the Delimitation Order for the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.

As per the final Delimitation Order, the following things came into effect from the date to be notified by the Central Government: Out of the 90 Assembly Constituencies in the region, 43 will be part of Jammu region and 47 for Kashmir region keeping in view the provisions of Section 9(1)(a) of the Delimitation Act, 2002 and Section 60(2)(b) of Jammu & Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019.

After consultation with Associate Members, representatives of political parties, citizens, civil society groups, 9ACs have been reserved for STs, out of which,6 are in Jammu region and 3 ACs in the Valley.

There are five Parliamentary Constituencies in the region. The Delimitation Commission has seen the Jammu & Kashmir region as one single Union Territory. Therefore, one of the Parliamentary Constituency has been carved out combining Anantnag region in the Valley and Rajouri & Poonch of Jammu region. By this reorganization each Parliamentary Constituency will have an equal number of 18 Assembly Constituencies each.

Names of some ACs have also been changed keeping in view the demand of local representatives.

It may be recalled that the Delimitation Commission was constituted by the Govt. of India, in exercise of powers conferred by Section 3 of Delimitation Act, 2002 (33 of 2002), for the purpose of delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary Constituencies in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. The Commission associated in its work, five members of Lok Sabha elected from the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. These Associate Members were nominated by the Hon’ble Speaker of Lok Sabha

The Delimitation Commission was entrusted with the work of delimiting the Assembly and Parliamentary Constituencies in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir on the basis of 2011 Census and in accordance with the provisions of Part-V of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 (34 of 2019) and the provisions of Delimitation Act, 2002(33 of 2002)—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Srinagar, Jan 18 : The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday issued separate notices across the Union Territory, asking the people to vacate the ‘state land’ on their own, failing which strict action will be initiated against the illegal encroachers.

The news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) has learnt that the Executive Magistrates 1st Class across J&K have issued notices for the general public with regard to the encroachment of the ‘state land’.

The notices warned the people, who have allegedly encroached upon state land, to remove encroachments on their own within two days.

“If any person fails to remove the encroachment, the department would swing into action and people have to pay the charges of the same,” the notices issued by Executive Magistrate 1st Class in north Kashmir’s Baramulla and Boniyar areas, reads.

Similar notices have been issued in other areas across J&K, reports said.

However, the move has been opposed by the political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, who want the government to reconsider its decision for the sake of the poor people.

National Conference (NC) Vice President, Omar Abdullah said that retrieving the land from people, which has been provided to them under the Roshni scheme, amounts to betrayal.

The order issued by the government has also sparked protests in different parts of the UT, especially in Jammu where people have also been served notices by revenue authorities, asking them to vacate the state land or face demolition.

However, Commissioner Secretary to the Government, Department of Revenue, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri couldn’t be contacted for the comments as repeated calls to reach him didn’t fructify.

Pertinently, Bidhuri has instructed all Deputy Commissioners to ensure that all encroachments on state land, including Roshni and Kahcharai land, are removed to the extent of 100 per cent by January 31, 2023.

The Commissioner Secretary of Revenue has also instructed the Deputy Commissioners to develop a daily anti-encroachment drive strategy and designate Additional Deputy Commissioners as District Nodal Officers for coordination and efficient drive implementation—(KNO)

JK Revolution, Baramulla: January 18, 2023:- After assuming charge today SSP Baramulla Amod Ashok Nagpure-IPS hosts first public interaction at Uri which was attended by various stakeholders of Uri sector.

A warm welcome was given to SSP Baramulla by the public of Uri, Boniyar & Bijhama.The public interaction was also attended by SDPO Uri Shokat Ali-JKPS, SHO PS Uri Inspector Imtiyaz Ahmad, SHO PS Boniyar Inspr Amardeep Parihar, SHO PS Bijhama Inspector Mudasir Nazir and staff of sub division Uri. Public from all corners of Uri, Boniyar, Bijhama including respectable citizens, social/ sports/ cultural activists, Moulvis & Imams, traders & transporters attended the public interaction.

On the occasion, participants highlighted various issues of public importance, and they were assured that their genuine grievances pertaining to Police will be resolved on priority and that of civil administration will be taken up with the concerned departments for their early redressal. While speaking on the occasion, it was reiterated that policing at grassroot level in the district would be revamped to enhance proficiencies of the cops and to develop confidence among the people.

Chairing officer while speaking on the occasion, said that Public Interaction is a bridge between Police and Public and also to hear and redress the grievances of common masses and further added that Community policing is mandatory to boost public confidence which would help in fighting against crime and social evils. During the speech SSP Baramulla assured resolution of problems on traffic violations like speedy and rash driving, holistic tackling of drugs problems.

Referring to the criminal activities in the area, it was stressed upon the officers/ general public to brace up with a missionary spirit to fight against drug abuse and eradicate other social evils from the society and to take a pledge to serve the society with missionary spirit and maintain the dignity of force.

The participants were stressed to co-operate with Baramulla Police in maintaining Law and order in the area and identifying anti national and anti social elements who always try to disrupt the peaceful environment.

The event was concluded with the vote of thanks from both sides.

Meanwhile, SSP Baramulla also visited PS Sheeri, Boniyar, Uri and PP Uroosa and interacted with jawans.

SSP Baramulla while interacting with SHOs/ DO and other staff emphasized upon them to put best possible efforts & ensure maximum services to the department.

During inspection, he stressed upon the supervisory officers and technical staff to work with more dedication in providing necessary services to the personnel and the department continuously. He directed the officers to further improve the efficiency and monitor the working personally. He also impressed upon the officers to solve the problems and genuine demands/ grievances of the subordinates particularly of SPOs and constabulary.

Referring to the different welfare measures the SSP Baramulla said that benefits of the welfare programmes must reach to subordinates. He exhorted upon the officers to seek feedback from the subordinate personnel and take the necessary steps to upgrade the working conditions for achieving better results.

Moreover, security review meeting was conducted with counter parts and SDPO/ SHOs/ DOs of sub division Uri for strengthening anti-infiltration grid in forward areas of Uri sector. JK Revolution

Kulgam, Jan 18 : An assistant executive engineer of Power Development Department (PDD) died of a cardiac arrest on Wednesday, officials said here

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that AEE Mohammad Ayoub of Bon Dailgam area of Anantnag died when he was on way to attend to his duty in Yaripora.

He said Ayoub was posted as AEE at sub division Yaripora in Kulgam district.

“He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead on arrival,” the official said.-(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Jan 18 : A new born baby was found abandoned in sub district hospital Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Wednesday even as police have registered a case in this regard.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that an unidentified woman delivered a female baby and left it abandoned in the washroom of the hospital during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday.

“The parents of the baby couldn’t be located till now, while the baby has been laid to the rest and an enquiry into matter has been initiated,” he said.

He said a case in this regard has also been registered and efforts are on to search trace the parents of the baby—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Jan 18 : The administration in Baramulla and Boniyar areas of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district has asked the encroachers to remove illegal encroachments over state land within three days, failing which strict action would be taken against the encroachers.

In a notice issued, a copy lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the authorities warned the people who have encroached upon state land to remove encroachments on their own within 2 days.

“If any person fails to remove the encroachment, the department would swung into action and people have to pay the charges of the same”, it reads.

It also reads that a strict action under law would be taken against people who fail to remove illegal encroachments over the land.

Meanwhile, a similar kind of notice was issued by the authorities in Boniyar.

Notably, government has issued directions to all deputy commissioners to ensure 100 percent removal of encroachments from state land by the end of this month—(KNO)

Ghulam Qadir Ganie Father of Famous Artist Nazir Ahmed Namely Nazir Art Left for heavenly abode

Ghulam Qadir Ganie who is the Resident of Kokar Hamam Baramulla left the heavenly abode.

Ghulam Qadir Ganie is father of Nazir Art who is professionally a famous Artist in North Kashmir Baramulla District.

Rajouri, Jan 17 : A Village Defence Committee (VDC) member fired in air on Tuesday evening after he mistook hue and cry over a fire incident in Draman village of Rajouri district as suspicious movement.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that fire broke out in a house at Draman village and family members raised hue and cry, seeking help from the people.

On hearing their cry, the official said, many people of the area got suspicious that there was some movement of militants, following which a local VDC member also fired in air.

He said following firing by the VDC member a team of security forces also rushed to the spot—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Jan 17 : The public representatives of Baramulla including the BDC chairperson, sarpanchs and panchs staged a protest demonstration against the recent government order of freezing the 14th FC account months before the deadline for utilization of funds.

They said the utilization of funds under the Fourteenth Finance Commission (FFC) was earlier ensured up to 31 March 2023, however, a recent order stated that the leftover funds are to be surrendered to the Central Account.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the protesting PRIs termed it “totally against the people”. “How did the government issue such an order asking to surrender the amount to the central account as we have three months left for the utilization of funds,” they said.

“We had utilized 80% of funds till now. Rs 47 crores were to be utilized for sanitation, solar lights, transformers, etc”, they said.

They urged the government to revoke the order at the earliest “for the welfare of the people”.

An order copy in possession of KNO reads, “Sanction is hereby accorded to the freezing of funds for its further utilization out of accounts of Halqa Panchayats Block Offices & District Panchayat Offices excepting for ongoing Works under 14 Finance Commission Award with immediate effect. Consequent upon above, the available balance along with interest amount accrued thereupon lying in the bank accounts of Halqa Panchayats/ Block Officer & District Panchayat Offices be Immediately surrendered and transferred to the Central Account of 14h FCA viz, 0110040500000087, J&K Bank, Branch Moving Secretariat Jammu/ Srinagar.”

“Every Block Development Officer to ensure that Panchayat wise surrender statement, duly signed by concerned Panchayat Accounts Assistants and countersigned by Panchayat Secretaries is submitted to the office of Assistant Commissioner Panchayats (ACP) by 22nd January 2023”, it reads.

It directed the deputy commissioners to ensure time-bound compliance of the order and submit a certificate by January 31 so that no funds are left with panchayats on account of the 14th FC funds after the execution of the ongoing works and all remaining funds have been surrendered to the Central Account—(KNO)