Thursday, 30 June 2016

2016-17 Budget Session: Who Did What in Legislative Assembly During 32-Day Business

KL NEWS NETWORK

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Speaker Legislative Assembly, Kavinder Gupta

Speaker Legislative Assembly, Kavinder Gupta

Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly was on Thursday adjourned sine die after transacting business for 32 days during the Budget Session-2016.

Speaker, Kavinder Gupta in exercise of powers conferred upon him under Rule 16 of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly adjourned the House sine die, an official spokesperson said last evening.

The Speaker expressed gratitude to the members of the House for their cooperation in ensuring smooth conduct of the Assembly proceedings.

Gupta also thanked State Administration, the Media, Information department, GAD, Finance, Home, Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs, Estates, Hospitality & Protocol, PHE, Fire & Emergency, Health and Medical Education, Indian System of Medicine, Floriculture, Information Technology, Municipality besides JKTDC, Police & Security Agencies, Government Press for providing adequate support to the Assembly proceedings.

A KL file Image of J&K Legislative Assembly.

A KL file Image of J&K Legislative Assembly.

The Speaker also appreciated the efforts put in by the staff of the Assembly Secretariat during the session for preparing replies as well as responses to questions of the members.

He expressed gratitude to all the departments which were associated with the proceedings of the House during the entire session.

Giving details of the business conducted during the session, Gupta said the session consisted of 32 working days consuming 116 hours and 28 minutes.

He said of the total time, NC was allotted 14 hours and 38 minutes, Congress 12 hours and 9 minutes, PDP 12hours and 46 minutes, BJP 12 hours and 28 minutes, People’s Conference 2hours and6 minutes, CPI (M) 2 hour and 2 minutes, PDF 1 hour and58 minutes and others 3 hours and 25 minutes.

The Speaker said out of 1257 questions, 672 were starred, 585 were un-starred, 211 were taken up and 611 supplementary questions were raised during the session.

He said during Zero Hour 199 points of public importance were raised, 14 government bills were introduced and 13 passed and one Bill referred to select committee.

The Speaker said that 43 private member’s bills including previous were received and out of which 16 taken up and 4 introduced. He said 155 calling attention notices were received, out of which 49 were taken up.

Gupta informed that during the session 98 private members resolutions were received, of which 82 were admitted, 16 disallowed, 14 were balloted for being taken up 5 were taken up in the House and one resolution adopted.

The Speaker said that 1489 cut motions were received, out of which 1445 were listed and 34 were disallowed. He said 9 papers were also tabled in the House besides 9 reports were also presented in the House.

Earlier, several members including Bashir Ahmed Dar, Sat Paul Sharma and Engineer Rashid spoke on the concluding day of the session and appreciated the Speaker for giving ample opportunity to the members to highlight and project the problems in their respective areas.

Ms Mehbooba Mufti took oath as an MLA on Thursday. She won Islamabad By-Polls on held on June 22, 2016.

Ms Mehbooba Mufti took oath as an MLA on Thursday. She won Islamabad By-Polls on held on June 22, 2016.

Meanwhile, Speaker Assembly Kavinder Gupta yesterday welcomed the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, into the House for the first time after winning the Assembly elections from Anantnag constituency segment.

All the members of the House felicitated the Chief Minister with a huge applause and thumping of desks.



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Attention Selected Hajj Pilgrims-2016

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A KL file Image showing a Hajj pilgrim greeting incumbent CM before she l;eaves for Jeddah last year.

A KL file Image showing a Hajj pilgrim greeting incumbent CM before she leaves for Jeddah last year.

The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Thursday issued a notice to all those person who are selected to go on Hajj Pilgrimage this year.

According to the Executive Officer, J&K State Hajj Committee, it is notified for the information of all the selected pilgrims of Hajj-2016 that the last date for remittance of Balance Hajj Amount (Second Instalment) has been extended up to July 18, 2016, an official spokesperson said last evening.



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At the Behest of ‘Molestor’ Non-Local, Kulgam Villagers Beaten, Thrashed by Army

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Indian Army let loose a reign of terror in a South Kashmir village on late Wednesday night. The Army personnel from 9 Rashtriya Rifles stationed at Ashmuji Camp emerged in the Kulpora village of Kulgam district and according to locals they went on rampage abusing, kicking, thrashing and dragging people out from their houses.

The Army even didn’t spare old men and women while an octogenarian Ghulam Hasan Dar was continuously thrashed till he lost his conscience.

Talking to news agency CNS, the locals of Kolapora who held a massive demonstration at Sarandoh village said Army tortured locals at the behest of their non-local ‘informer’ who was not only asked by villagers to leave the area but against whom people had also lodged a complaint in police station accusing him of immoral activities, drug addiction and eve-teasing.

“Ram Pal, an Auto-mobile driver from Haryana was living in a rented house from past several months. Morally degraded Ram Pal frequently used to pass lewd comments on women fold and later on it dawned upon us that he was an ‘Army Informer’ on whose behest, 9 RR cordoned off the hamlet several times,” the protesters said.

“Two days ago, this morally corrupt and teetotaller driver from Haryana tried to molest a girl in the village. We lodged a complaint in police station Kulgam and requested Police to arrest him. As he came to know about that Police action, he hid himself in the Army camp,” they said.

The protesters added that as the night approached a large contingent of Army appeared in the village. “We can’t tell you, what they did to us. They were drunk who even didn’t spare old and women. They smashed windowpanes of houses, beat people to pulp, ransacked houses and caused heavy damage to parked vehicles. They even barged into local Masjid and thrashed couple of youth who are undergoing Aitikaaf (an Islamic practice consisting of a period of staying in a Masjid for 10 days) they said.

The octogenarian Ghulam Hasan Dar who was shivering with fear said that they (Army men) almost tried to kill him when they found other family members not present in the house.

The videos of victims beaten to pulp by Army went viral on social media, inviting criticism from common people.

The ‘hooliganism and barbarism’ depicted by these Army men sparked protest in the area while people demanded an FIR should be lodged against the Commandant of 9 RR and guilty personnel should be arrested.

Deputy Commissioner Kulgam directed police to investigate the matter and book the culprits under law.

Station House Officer Kulgam Muzaffar Ahmed said that on the basis of complaint received from the villagers, they have arrested the non-local driver. “We are investigating the matter and so for we have not registered any case against the Army,” he said.



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Anti-Cow Killing Laws must not be Used to Justify Attacks on Minority: Amnesty

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amnesty-international-logo-1State governments must investigate and bring to trial members of ‘cow protection’ groups which intimidate, harass or attack people in the name of upholding the law, Amnesty International India said in a statement on Friday.

On 10 June, members of a local ‘gau rakshak’ (cow protection) group near Faridabad, Haryana, forced two men, who they suspected were beef transporters, to eat a concoction containing cow dung and cow urine.

“A video of the incident was circulated on social media, which also appears to show that the men had been beaten. The state police have arrested the two men, but have not taken any action against the members of the cow protection group. The killing of cows is banned in Haryana and many other Indian states,” the statement informed.

“Haryana’s Education Minister appeared to defend the violence, saying: Youths are coming forward for cow protection like this. The law has brought a big change in the mind set of people and has swelled the reverence for the sacred animal.”

“The head of the cow protection group told Amnesty International India: We made them eat the concoction to purify them and then handed them over to the police. We are helping the state to punish these people,” the statement added.

“Cow vigilante groups appear to be increasing their violent attacks against suspected cattle traders,” said Abhirr V P, Campaigner at Amnesty International India. “It is the duty of the state – and not vigilante groups – to enforce the law. The silence, and at times encouragement, of public officials only emboldens these groups.”

In September 2015, Mohammed Akhlaq, a 50-year-old Muslim man in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh was lynched by a mob, allegedly after rumours that his family had eaten beef. In October 2015, a 20-year-old man in Himachal Pradesh was killed by villagers for allegedly transporting beef. In March 2016, the bodies of two cattle traders were found hanging from a tree in Jhabbar, Jharkhand.

“Many of those targeted by cow vigilante groups are Muslim men. State governments must condemn these incidents, and prosecute self-appointed vigilantes who take the law into their hands. Anti-cow killing laws must not be used to justify attacks on members of religious minority groups. These are criminal acts and they should be treated accordingly,” said Abhirr.



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Omar Leads NC Delegation to Raj Bhawan to Discuss Land Bill ‘Sabotage

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Leader of Opposition speaks on Land Transfer Bill. (KL Images: Bilal Bahadur)

Leader of Opposition speaks on Land Transfer Bill. (KL Images: Bilal Bahadur)

Leader of Opposition in J&K Legislative Assembly, Omar Abdullah, is heading a delegation of National Conference delegation to Raj Bhawan on Friday.

The delegation headed by NC Working President Omar Abdullah will call on Governor N N Vohra at Raj Bhavan Srinagar at 11:15 am today to discuss the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly especially those of 30th June, 2016 where the Land Transfer Bill was sent to the Select Committee.

“The JKNC Legislative Party delegation will also discuss the passage of the Panchayati Raj Bill in the Assembly with the Governor,” an NC statement said this morning.



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Jama’at ‘Advises’ Edu Min to Study Islam Before Giving Sermons

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Education Minister, Naeem Akhtar

Education Minister, Naeem Akhtar

Rejecting the statement of PDP’s Naeem Akhtar at a Majlis-e-Naat held by SP College on Thursday that the teachings of great Sufis of Kashmir are “secular as such unique in character”, Jama’at-e-Islami (JeI) J&K asked the Education Minister to study the books and teachings of these preachers of Islam which are in consonance with those of the Qur’an and Sunnah and nothing more or less “because Islam is universal and it doesn’t change from region to region nor the time space affects upon it”.

“It has one colour that is the colour of Allah and no other colour can be better than it,” JeI said in a statement on Friday morning.

“Islam is the message of the human nature fulfilling all its demands in a smooth and peaceful manner provided it is allowed to play its role in the human society, the glaring example of which is the gracious time of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and that of the first four rightly guided vicegerents of Islam,” the JeI said.

“Naeem Sahab is sincerely advised to read the Qur’an and the life history of the most loved Prophet (may peace be upon him) and then compare it with the teachings of Hazrat Ameer Kabeer (RA), Hazrat Bulbul Shah (RA), Hazrat Sheikh ul Aalam (RA), Hazrat Mukhdoom Saheb (RA)and their true disciples and there he will find no difference,” the JeI said.

“If we say that they have taught us something other than Islam, then we are falsely blaming them for distortion which is not a fact. Our preachers were the true followers of Islam in all respects and they have advised us too to be so in letter and spirit. We should not defame these divine great personalities by ascribing false things to them but be their loyal disciples and prove the same by following the teachings of Qur’an and Sunnah in our individual as well as collective life sincerely,” the JeI statement said adding, “Naeem Sahab is advised to read Awraad-e-Fateha – a splendid book written by Hazrat Ameer-e-Kabeer (RA) and check in its light his (Naeem Aktar’s) misleading and misinformed statement as Hazrat Ameer (RA) has taught us to be the true and obedient slaves of Allah and true and obedient followers of the most beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW).”

“Jama’at-e-Islami cautions the Muslim Ummah of Jammu and Kashmir against such misleading statements and asks them to firmly believe that Islam has no geographical or regional barriers and what is Islam in the East is Islam in the West,” the statement asserted.

“No doubt Islam teaches us to respect the human dignity and life and property and not to coerce anyone to Islam but at the same time declares in unequivocal terms that Islam being revealed by the Creator of this universe represents the truth in absolute and exclusive form and whatever is written in the Qur’an is the ultimate truth and the sayings which are proved from the prophet Muhammad (SAW) beyond any doubt are absolutely true and no one has any authority or capacity to challenge the truthfulness of Islam,” the statement added.



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Amarnath Yatra 2016: First Batch of 1138 Yatris Leave Jammu for Amarnath Cave

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KL Image: Bilal Bahadur

KL Image: Bilal Bahadur

The first batch of 1,138 pilgrims left Jammu on Friday for this year’s Amarnath Yatra that begins from Saturday.

State Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, junior minister Priya Sethi and Lok Sabha member Jugal Kishore flagged off the first batch of pilgrims from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in winter capital Jammu at 5 a.m. on Friday.
There are 900 males, 225 females and 13 children in the first batch which left in 13 buses, 24 mini-buses and other modes of public and private conveyance in a convoy guarded by the security forces.
Providing security to this year’s Amarnath Yatra is a major security and intelligence challenge for state and central agencies because of the spurt in the violence by militants.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh would arrive in Jammu on Friday on a two-day visit to review the security situation in the state, especially the security arrangements for this year’s Yatra.
Singh would also visit the Amarnath Yatra cave shrine on Saturday.
Sources said Singh would participate in the traditional Puja at the Cave Shrine which heralds the beginning of the Yatra.
Beginning from Saturday, this year’s 48-day Yatra would end on August 18 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals.


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There is a ‘Wazir-e-Tardeed’ to Issue Clarifications on RSS Activities: Geelani

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Terming the government proposal of “surveillance” on the activities of Islamic scholars and Imams (clerics) of the Masajid as “unacceptable”, Hurriyat patriarch Syed Ali Geelani Thursday said that these “adventures will have such a serious and dangerous consequences that the government too will be surprised”.

While naming a coalition minister as “Wazir-e-Tardeed” (minister of refutation) who has been deputed to “cover the anti-Muslim policies of RSS and to issue clarification over their hate statements and he refutes every such statement over which his women leader had compromised with the BJP”.

In a Thursday’s press statement, Geelani expressed his deep concern and anguish over the reports that the CID has begun to collect information and data regarding the Islamic scholars and Imams (clerics) of the Masajid (Mosques) in some areas of the Budgam district.

“It is actually an attempt to bring the Masajid under the control of the government so that their favourite persons and the government Moulvies can be appointed there who will deliver sermons on government diktat,” the ailing leader said.

“Masajid have a vital role in the formation of the Muslim society and these are the awareness centers regarding the collective issues of the Muslims. The Masajid are not only for prayers or worship but at the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the Masjid were the Parliaments, Assemblies, Secretariat and Courts for the Muslims and all the issues relating the Muslim Ummah were addressed in these Masajid,” he said.

“Although this status of the Masajid is no more existing but even then they play a very important role in the Muslim society. The Kashmiri nation is miserably suffering for last 7 decades at the hands of Indian cruel forces and the Masajid have played a very crucial and effective role in the resistance movement during this period. The RSS and Ms Mehbooba Mufti want to influence this character of the Masajid and they want to control these Muslim institutions,” Geelani said.

“It is a direct interference into the religious affairs of the Muslims and it will not be tolerated in any way and at any cost. This move will be resisted tooth and nail. Jammu & Kashmir is not Gujarat or Assam, it is Muslim majority state and nobody will be allowed to dilute its status,” he added.

Lashing out at Ms Mehbooba Mufti, Geelani said, “this lady is dreaming of such things which all the pro-Indians collectively can’t do. In this regard everybody from Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah to Mufti Mohammad Sayeed tried their best but they miserably failed to break the resolve the Kashmiri nation. These people definitely ruled Kashmir for few years but they do not succeeded in conquering the Kashmiri people for India. The Kashmiri nation was, is and will continue to resist the forced occupation of India until they will achieve their goal of freedom,” he asserted.



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Jammu tops in Domestic Violence Incidents; Doda Improves

Heena Muzzafar

SRINAGAR

Rep Picture

Rep Picture

The incidents of domestic violence have seen quite an upsurge in state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The J&K government on Thursday made said that 516 and 364 cases of domestic violence were registered in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

The report in form of figures was revealed in a written reply to NC MLA Mubarak Gul’s question in the Legislative Assembly.

The report said that district Jammu has witnessed the highest number such cases, showing 163 cases in the year 2014 and 95 in 2015, out of which 14 cases have not been admitted by culprits, 196 Challaned and 48 still under investigation for both the years.

However, Samba and Leh have clear records, while Budgam, Ganderbal, Kargil, Bandipora, Pulwama and Shopian have a very few registered cases.

Rajouri follows Jammu with a total number of 113 cases for the year 2014 and 2015.

Srinagar stands third in the list, witnessing an upsurge from 64 registered cases in 2014 to 92 registered cases in 2015.

Doda has shown a positive change from 14 registered cases in 2014 to 3 registered cases in 2015.

While giving details on militancy related incidents, it said that 151 incidents have taken place in 2014 and 143 in 2015, resulting in death of 57 civilians, 86 SF personnel’s and 218 militants and leaving 140 civilians and 187 SF personnel injured in during the time period.

However, 137 militants/ suspected militants have been arrested in the year 2014 and 2015.

While reporting on the ex-gratia granted to the victims, it said that Rs 1 lakh in case of death, Rs 75 lakh in case of partial disability, Rs 5000 in case of minor injury is being provided.

However, in case of damage to immovable property compensation is provided @ 50% on the assessed amount of damages.

The report further revealed that 199 persons from district Srinagar are availing the security cover, out of which 128 are categorised. Out of 71 uncategorised persons, 22 are availing the benefits of secured hotel accommodations.

Under J& K Public Safety Act 1978 and J&K Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1988, 94 persons were detained in the year 2015, out of which 66 persons have already been released, the government said.



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‘Paradise Eleven’ Lifts First ‘Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’ T20 Cricket Tournament

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Mufti Sayeed Cricket Tournament

Amid applause by over 4000 audience, Paradise Eleven – a cricket team from South Kashmir – on Thursday lifted the first “Mufti Mohammad Sayeed T20 Cricket Tournament”.

The initiative by Youth wing of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aims at “spread peace”.

While sharing the details of the first of its kind mega event, Arif Amin, a vocal PDP activist, said that a total of 64 teams participated in the event.

“Finally, Paradise Eleven and Shama Eleven reached the finals which was played today at Shopian Cricket stadium,” he said.

Cricketing sensation Pervez Rasool was the chief guest on the occasion who gave away the prizes and mementos among the winning and runners up teams.

Mufti Sayeed Cricket Tournament 4

PDP youth wing president, Waheed ur Rehman Para, presided over the function.

The event, Arif said, started in May. “The final witnessed sensation as there was tie between the two competing teams,” he said, “it happened two times and finally, empires decided to play a super over.”

“As the supporters of both the teams were emotional, Paradise Eleven needed six runs of the last ball,” he said, “the batsmen recreated Javid Miandad scene and hit a last ball six thus lifting the title.” Javid Miandad of Pakistan once hit a last ball six winning a 5-50 over cricket match against India.

Arif said that this was first tournament and Youth PDP will be holding such events across Kashmir.

Arif said that the guests distributed mementos, cricket uniforms, cricket kits and other sports equipment among the players.

Mufti Sayeed Cricket Tournament 3

Speaking to Kashmir Life, Waheed ur Rehman Para, under whose patronage the Mega event was held, said, “it was dream of late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to empower youth. This initiative was a step towards that.”

Given the rampant drug addiction, Para said, “the push in sports will help us to a large extent to take youth away from this disease.”

Para believes that the youth need to be given time to celebrate. “This will distress them and will enable them to think on developmental front,” he said, “we should give our people chances to celebrate and holding such mega events is a step towards that.”

He said, “youth was focus of late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and it is our endeavour to uphold that dream and create ample opportunities for Kashmir’s youth.”



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First Batch of Amarnath Yatra Flagged Off from Lakhanpur

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Lal Singh flagging off first batch of Amarnath Yatris.

Lal Singh flagging off first batch of Amarnath Yatris.

Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, Ch Lal Singh Thursday flagged off the first batch of pilgrims of Amarnath Yatra from Lakhanpur, the entry point of the state.

Speaking on the occasion Ch Lal Singh said that government has made adequate arrangements for smooth conduct of the Yatra, an official spokesperson said this evening.

“Entire state administration is fully geared up to provide adequate facilities like, drinking water, medicare, and security to the Yatris from base camps to the holy cave”, the Minister said. He appealed the people to undertake the Yatra only after proper medical check-up and registration.

Ch Lal Singh said that adequate steps are being taken for environment protection and exhorted upon the people  to avoid use of polythene during the Yatra to help achieve the objective of polythene free J&K.

District Development Commissioner Kathua, Ramesh Kumar in his welcome address said that district administration has made elaborate arrangements for the Yatra.

Deputy Commissioner Excise, Additional District Development Commissioner, CEO LSDA, ASP Kathua, besides other senior officers of civil and police were present on the occasion.



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Sabotaging Land Bill will Embolden Voices against J&K’s Special Status: NC

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Leader of Opposition speaks on Land Transfer Bill. (KL Images: Bilal Bahadur)

Leader of Opposition speaks on Land Transfer Bill. (KL Images: Bilal Bahadur)

National Conference on Thursday slammed PDP for sabotaging the Land Transfer Bill in the Legislative Assembly by supporting the move of its ally BJP to transfer the bill – aimed at preventing transfer of land to non-state subjects – to a Select Committee.

“This is a brazen murder of democracy, ironically and tragically on the same day when Mehbooba Mufti took oath as a member of the legislative assembly. The Bill was sent to the select committee despite the fact that BJP members were part of the cabinet decision on the twenty third of June to introduce the Bill in the House. This defies sanity and precedent and questions the very existence and writ of the Chief Minister,” NC Spokesperson Junaid Mattu said in a party statement this evening.

The NC Spokesperson said, “PDP’s sell out was exposed in the Legislative Assembly today when PDP’s own members rose in open revolt against their party.

“Even some members of the ruling party were shocked at how a Bill passed through the Cabinet to be tabled in the Assembly could be sabotaged in this manner. National Conference had announced that it would support the Bill and all such measures that are aimed at safeguarding J&K’s special status. Unfortunately it is now pretty evident that for Mehbooba Mufti J&K’s special status is negotiable and she can quite easily barter in lieu of BJP’s continued patronage and benevolence,” the NC Spokesperson added.

Entire Opposition walked out of the Lower House against government's move to send Land Transfer Bill to Select Committee.

Entire Opposition walked out of the Lower House against government’s move to send Land Transfer Bill to Select Committee.

The NC Spokesperson said the transfer of the Bill to the Select Committee was a matter of shame for the Chief Minister as this Bill was approved to be tabled in the Assembly by the Cabinet.

“While this Bill has been killed at BJP’s insistence, the plan to kill the bill was drafted personally by the Chief Minister and her Law Minister. PDP has obliged BJP in sabotaging the Bill without any consideration for the absolutely damaging message this would send out. This emboldens those voices that have sought the erosion of the State Subject Laws and the abrogation of Article 370 and this could very well be the first covert step by the PDP-BJP Alliance to erode the State’s special status. This entire covert plan is being enacted under the direct supervision of the Chief Minister. Nothing could be more tragic,” the NC Spokesperson further added.

“In moving the motion to send the Bill to the Select Committee, Law Minister and PDP Leader Basharat Bukhari has put on record PDP’s role in aiding BJP’s anti-J&K agenda and history will bear a witness to this act of treachery. Those members of PDP who rose in revolt against their own party at this shocking sell out should realize that their party is now at open loggerheads against the people of this State and their legal and political interests. PDP’s continued investment in the politics of betrayal and U-turns is a matter of grave concern and the Chief Minister should know that her deeds will have proportionate and serious consequences,” the NC Spokesperson said.



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Investigate Saika Wanchoo’s Cause of Death: Speaker Directs Govt

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Parents and relatives of a Srinagar woman who was allegedly murdered by her in-laws on May 15 last month Wednesday staged a protest in Srinagar demanding justice.PHOTO BY BILAL BAHADUR

Relatives of Saika Wanchoo staged a protest in Srinagar on June 29, 2016 demanding justice. (KL Image: Bilal Bahadur)

Speaker, Kavinder Gupta Thursday directed the Government to investigate the cause of death of a female Teacher at Sonwar recently.

The Speaker gave the directions after the issue was raised by Engineer Abdul Rasheed in the House, an official spokesperson said this evening.

Rasheed said that the said teacher didn’t die of natural cause but there is a strong suspicion of her being poisoned.

He said that the family members of the teacher also protested recently demanding inquiry in the matter. He demanded that government should order an impartial inquiry into the incident.

Notably, family of a 43-year-old woman of Chanapora, who died on May 15 under mysterious circumstances, on Wednesday staged protest here demanding impartial probe into the case.

The family of Saika Shafi Wanchoo staged a sit-in at Press Enclave and accused police of failing to undertake investigation properly in the case.



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Assembly: The Govt Statement over Security Situation

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Dr Nirmal Singh

Dr Nirmal Singh

Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh Thursday read a detailed statement in the House regarding the Security Situation in the State.

The Dy CM said, during June, 2016, 14 militancy related incidents have taken place, significant of these are Bijbehara on 3rd June, Islamabad on 4th June and Pampore on 25thJune, 2016, an official spokesperson said this evening.

The Security Forces/Police exercised maximum restraint to prevent civilian killings and collateral damage, despite provocation and instead themselves suffered losses.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that due to continuing pressure of security forces/police, the militants are now indulging in attacks on soft targets and at crowded places for revival of waning militancy in the State.

It needs to be appreciated that the security forces/police have been exhibiting utmost professionalism and maximum restraint while handling the law and order situations particularly the stone pelting incidents, during and after their engagements with the militants at various encounter sites.

The Minister said due to active engagement of security forces/police with the militants, the year 2016 has registered an increase in the killing of militants by over 110 per cent and arrest of militants/suspects by 48 per cent and a drop in civilian killings by 11 per cent as compared to corresponding period of 2015.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that our security forces and police are on high alert and all required measures have been taken to pre-empt and thwart any such attack in future.

Through this August House, the Dy. CM said  the State Government in unequivocal terms  condemns the various militant attacks and conveys its sympathies and deep hearted condolences to the families of civilians and the security forces/police personnel who  lost their lives in these incidents.

We re-iterate that violence is going to yield nothing except bring large scale devastation and miseries to the people and hurt the initiatives of the government towards socio-economic development of the State. Therefore, cooperation of people is imperative in carrying forward the agenda of peace and development in the State, the Dy. CM added.



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13 Porters Lost Lives since 1984 @ Siachen: Govt

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The rescue operation in Siachen early this year when ten army men lost their lives in snow avalanche.

The rescue operation in Siachen early this year when ten army men lost their lives in snow avalanche.

Minister for Finance, Dr Haseeb A Drabu Thursday called for strict implementation of laws and social security schemes meant for labour class in Jammu and Kashmir.

Chairing a meeting of Jammu and Kashmir Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, Dr Drabu said the board must monitor the activities around major construction and mining sites in the state to ensure that the legislations meant for the welfare of workers are followed in letter and spirit, an official spokesperson said this evening.

Dr Drabu said that building and other construction workers are one of the largest and most vulnerable segments of unorganized sector and it is the duty of the government to address the issues related to their welfare.

The Minister was apprised about the functions and activities of the board including various welfare schemes undertaken for the welfare of workers like children education, pension, accident coverage, marriage and relief in case of calamities.

The board urged for using ICT for monitoring, tracking and reporting of cess collection, registration of beneficiaries, issuance of identity card to eligible persons, validation and dispersal of benefits to members and fixation of pension.

The board proposed to invite expression of interest from reputed agencies dealing with implementation of e-governance project of similar nature.

Dr Drabu told the board members that due to a surge in mining and construction activities, huge crowd of labourers are seen in different localities of the state which needs to be managed.

He said that the board should identify 10 sites in each district of the state where the labourers are provided proper safety equipment by the employers.

Meanwhile, Dr Drabu said that at present 820 porters are engaged at Siachen Glacier, during current year whereas  13 porters have lost their lives in the higher reaches of Siachen Glacier since 1984.

Replying to a Calling Attention Notice by Deldan Namgial regarding the non-payment of compensation and assistance to the labourers and porters who got injured or killed at Siachen Glacier.

The Minister said that compensation has been paid in all  cases as per Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923 and provisions of  Labour Law as applicable to the State of J&K. Considering  nature of  job of these porters, it would not be feasible to disclose their names and other particulars, the Minister added.



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17 Trades to be Shifted in ITI Zainakote: Government

KL NEWS NETWORK

SRINAGAR

Imran Raza Ansari

Imran Raza Ansari

Minister for Technical Education, Moulvi Imran Raza Ansari Thursday informed the House that ITI Zainakote the extension to ITI Bagh-e-Dilawar Khan, is under construction and 17 out of 25 trades would be shifted there.

Replying to a question by MLA Batamaloo Noor Mohammad Sheikh, the Minister said that present status of ITI Zainakote is that the super structures of administrative block, work shop block and hostel block are completed.

He said the plaster work is presently going on in all the blocks.

The Minister said the administrative and work shop blocks are being constructed by JK Housing Board at a cost of Rs 4.84 crore and Rs 1.40 crore respectively.

He said the hostel block is being executed at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.02 crore through engineering work of Directorate of Technical Education.

The Minister said in addition, another complex is being constructed in the premises of the ITI for conducting hospitality and tourism related trades at a cost of Rs. 1 crore. He said the super structure has been completed and finishing work is in progress.



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Govt sends Proposal for Granting Technical Grades to Fund Employees to GAD

KL NEWS NETWORK

SRINAGAR

Dr Haseeb A Drabu

Dr Haseeb A Drabu

Minister for Finance, Dr Haseeb A Drabu Thursday informed the House that J&K Funds Organization was established in 1986 to maintain the accounts of General Provident Fund (GP Fund) and State Life Insurance (SLI) of State Government employees.

He said prior to that, GP Fund accounts of State Government employees other than Class-IV were maintained by the AG and those of Class IV and SLI Accounts were maintained by the State Finance Department, an official spokesperson said this evening.

Replying to a question read by M Y Tarigami on behalf of Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, the Minister said the gazetted positions in the Funds Organization are manned by officers deputed from Accounts & Treasuries Department.

He said the proposal received from Funds Organization relating to creation of gazetted cadre posts is being examined for action as appropriate.

The Minister said as regards granting of technical grade to the Funds employees a proposal based on the recommendation of the committee constituted has already been forwarded to General Administrative Department for necessary concurrence. He said certain observations made by GAD on the proposal are being replied to.

He said DRWs engaged prior to January 1994 are only eligible for regularization in terms of SRO-64 /1994. He said regularization case of no such worker in Funds Organization is pending.

The Minister said that there is no policy for regularization of casual / contingent paid workers as yet. He said whenever a policy is framed, it shall cover the casual workers of the Organization as well.

Meanwhile, Dr Haseeb A Drabu informed the House that government has earmarked Rs. 150 crore during current financial year for waiver of 50% of KCC loans for the smallest and most vulnerable farmers who had an outstanding balance of less than Rs. one lakh as on March 31, 2015.

Replying to a question by Choudhary Sukhnandan, the Minister said that the Bank wise and district wise details of such loanees as received are being examined and relief on account of such waiver would be provided to the farmers shortly.



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Working with GoI to Pull JK Out of Vortex of Uncertainties: CM

KL NEWS NETWORK

SRINAGAR

Ms Mehbooba Mufti took oath as an MLA on Thursday. She won Islamabad By-Polls on held on June 22, 2016.

Ms Mehbooba Mufti took oath as an MLA on Thursday. She won Islamabad By-Polls on held on June 22, 2016.

Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti Thursday said reconciliation between India and Pakistan on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir will put the State on the trajectory of development and usher the South Asian region in a new era of peace and prosperity.

Speaking on the concluding day of the Budget Session 2016-17 in the State Assembly this afternoon, Ms Mufti said the agenda of her Government is to nudge the two nuclear-armed countries towards starting a meaningful dialogue on Jammu and Kashmir so that the three-decade period of violence in the State comes to an end and the region enters into a new era of peace and prosperity, an official spokesperson said this evening.

“A fruitful dialogue between India and Pakistan took place during my father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s first tenure as the Chief Minister of J&K in 2002. After the change of the then PDP-led government, no progress was made and all the measures taken to restore peace in the State were pushed into oblivion. So the Opposition need not remind us what we have to do,” the Chief Minister said.

Ms Mufti said a meaningful dialogue between India and Pakistan on Jammu and Kashmir is part of ‘Agenda of the Alliance’ of the Coalition Government which is a comprehensive document for resolution of all issues faced by the State.

“If we want peace and prosperity in J&K and if India and Pakistan want to prosper, it will not happen by waging proxy wars or direct wars, or allegations and counter allegations, it will happen if the two countries sit around a table and resolve their differences,” Ms Mufti said.

The Chief Minister said a large chunk of population in both India and Pakistan living in abject poverty don’t get access to basic amenities like healthcare and education.

“The budget spent by two countries on purchasing arms can easily be diverted to building social infrastructure and helping the poor and disadvantaged if the two countries resolve their differences,” Ms Mufti said.

The Chief Minister said the two countries have been engaged in hostilities over the last six decades on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

“These hostilities make the people of J&K their prime targets. But my Government is looking for a way forward. In a meeting with the then Deputy Prime Minister, L K Advani, the Hurriyat leaders had agreed that they will come up with a roadmap for resolving the vexed Kashmir issue. We want the process of dialogue and reconciliation started again so that peace is restored in the State. I am not greedy for chair but my sole ambition is to pull out people from the vortex of violence and address the issue of underdevelopment in Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.

Lauding the parliamentary system of democracy in India, Ms Mufti recalled the words of the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Zulfkar Ali Bhutto, that “if India is thriving, despite her inherent contradictions and challenges, it is because of her democratic traditions”.

“Now see what is happening in countries where democracy has ceased to exist. Full-blown wars are going on in Syria and Libya. The blood of innocents is being spilled. Although people in these countries are free as individuals, they don’t have the freedom to make choices for themselves. In a true democracy, individuals should get that right to decide his or her future which is what makes India such a great country,” she said.

Defending the Coalition Government, the Chief Minister said it was the vision of her late father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to “reconcile the differences of opinion” between Jammu region and Kashmir valley.

“Somewhere there is a perception that what is good for Jammu may be bad for Kashmir and vice versa. It is a difference of perception and it was the vision of Mufti Sahab to bridge these differences,” she said.

The Chief Minister said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir has stabilised to a large extent and the culturally distinct regions of the State are coming closer to each other since the Coalition Government assumed office.

“When the issue of SRO 105 surfaced, the BJP leaders were the first to raise their voice because they are concerned for the welfare of Jammu and Kashmir. We have learnt to accommodate each other and we will learn from each other by committing mistakes,” she said.

Ms Mufti said the PDP-BJP alliance was formed keeping in view the larger welfare of Jammu and Kashmir. “Mufti Sahab was not worried about the chair. He was concerned for the future of Jammu and Kashmir, about the people living in far flung areas who haven’t tasted the fruits of development, about the youths who have been caught in the vortex of violence. We didn’t consider the aspirations of Kashmir only but Jammu region as well. It is the result of his vision that today the BJP members are more worried about communal tension in the State and it is their responsibility to keep the communal harmony intact,” she said.

Condemning the recent attacks on security personnel in Kashmir, Ms Mufti said such acts send a wrong signal about the situation which can have grave consequences on the overall economy of the State.

“These attacks have not yielded anything in past, despite so much bloodshed and they will not yield anything in future. They only bring bad name to Kashmir. The month of Ramzan calls for self-control and restraint. By indulging in such senseless acts of violence, you are showing contempt to this Holy month. Whether a CRPF man dies, a civilian is injured or a militant gets killed, it only perpetuates pain and suffering on the families and in the society,” she said.

The Chief Minister said the government has issued strict orders to the security forces to exercise maximum restraint while dealing with law and order situations.

“It is because of this restraint that the situation in Frestbal near Pampore where eight CRPF personnel were killed, didn’t spiral out of control. I am proud of those personnel who laid down their lives for the safety and security of the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.

“Clarifying” her remarks on the clergy, the Chief Minister said it is the social and moral obligation of the religious scholars who issue sermons in mosques to inform and educate people about the social evils prevailing in the society.

“I am proud to be a Muslim. My remarks on clergy were distorted to suit a particular narrative. My only regret is that in our society which has been gravely affected by social evils like drug addiction, corruption and environmental degradation, our clergy shies away from talking about such issues in their sermons. What stops them from issuing sermons on our dying water bodies, the menace of dowry and unabated use of polythene? Clergy commands respect in the society and they should discuss social evils in their sermons to motivate the people to wage Jihad against such social evils,” she said.

Expressing dismay over legislators’ repeatedly raising in the House the issue of a senior IAS officer allegedly involved in suicide attempt, Chief Minister said the lawmakers should have discussed more pressing issues like drug addiction than dwelling into the personal lives of the officers.

“For God sake don’t reduce the sanctity of this house by raising such petty issues,” she asked the legislators.

“The legislators should have raised and debated drug addiction and consumption of liquor,” she said.

“I recently visited Makhdoom Sahib (RA) shrine, the locals pleaded with me to do something about the menacing drug addiction in the area,” she told the house, “worst is the situation in Jammu.”

However, the Chief Minister, at the same time directed politicians and bureaucrats to maintain “distance between their private and public lives”.

“Don’t get you private lives into public,” she told addressing legislators and bureaucrats. “Have some control on your actions,” she added.

Towards the conclusion of her speech, the Chief Minister appreciated the role of media during the Budget Session.

“You have brought some vital issues of public importance into the notice of this House and I am deeply grateful for that. A lot of work has to be done in J&K and I will need your support in pulling out J&K from its present situation.  You report what you want to but please base your stories on facts, because you help us in correcting wrongs and your work is important for the larger welfare of the society,” she said.

The Chief Minister also expressed gratitude towards the Legislative Assembly Speaker, Kavinder Gupta, Deputy Speaker, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, staff of the Assembly Secretariat, Information Department, IT Branch of Assembly and other officials for smoothly conducting the proceedings of the House for 35 days, the spokesperson added.



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Windfall: Lawmakers Go Home Happy With Salary, Pension Doubled

KL NEWS NETWORK

SRINAGAR

KL file Image

KL file Image

Ms Mehbooba Mufti led PDP-BJP government on Thursday, the last day of the month long budget session, doubled the salaries of the lawmakers and ministers. Even the pensions of the former lawmakers were substantially hiked.

The twin decisions will add Rs 20 crore to the overall spending of the government on lawmakers. Of this Rs 8 crore will be the additional liability on the retired MLAs’ front.

The house passed the amended J&K State Legislature Act 1960 and J&K Ministers and Ministers of State salaries act 1956 almost in a jiffy. Same was the case with the law that governs the pensions of the retired lawmakers.

Interestingly, NC, Congress and most of the Independents excepting Engineer Rashid Sheikh had walked out and boycotted the proceedings when the twin amendments came up. The laws were passed by the treasury benches in absence of any opposition.

Under the new law, the salary of a lawmaker was doubled from Rs 80,000 per month to Rs 1, 60,000.

Chief Minister who was withdrawing a salary of Rs 45000 a month will now get Rs 70,000.

A cabinet minister was drawing Rs 40,000 of salary and now he is entitled to Rs 65000.

Ministers of State, usually referred to as junior ministers were drawing Rs 35000 a month but now they will get Rs 60,000.

By a separate amendment in J&K State legislature members’ pension bill 2016, the government hiked the monthly pension of retired MLAs from Rs 28,000 to Rs 50,000. Besides, their monthly medical allowance was increased to Rs 5,000. But on the suggestion of Deputy Speaker Nazir Khan Gurezi, Finance Minister Dr Haseeb A Drabu agreed to take it to Rs 10,000 per month by issuing an SRO.

Hike in their packages was one of the key demands that transcended the party lines. Mufti Sayeed government in its last term had decided to create an institutional mechanism that would help in hiking the packages as and when required. They had proposed setting up a committee of lawmakers and top officers that would sit, may be, once in five years to take a call on the hike.

Ms Mehbooba government had taken a different course by creating a house committee with Ali Mohammad Sagar as its head. Sagar, however, resigned at the last moment.

When the issue was finally taken up by the lawmakers, Chief Minister intervened and announced doubling the salary.

The government said that hike in salary of members including ministers would cost public exchequer Rs 12 crore a year. For increase in pension, the yearly costs were put at Rs 8 crore a year.

J&K has a bicameral legislature with the lower house having 79 members and two nominated members. The Legislative Council has 32 berths but rarely has it functioned with full capacity.



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Air India Charter’s Tyre Bursts at Sgr Airport; Run Way Closed, Flights Cancelled

KL NEWS NETWORK

SRINAGAR

Srinagar-Airport

Scores of flights on Srinagar air route were cancelled on Thursday afternoon after one of the tyres of an airbus burst at Srinagar International Airport.

Sources told Kashmir Life that a tyre of Air India charter burst when it was to take off from Srinagar runway. The charter is being used by army.

“There was fire in the tyre and the air bus had to stop,” sources said, “it is stuck at one place thus scuttling the run way of other aeroplanes.”

Sources added that around 15 flights were scheduled to land at Srinagar airport but “now it is impossible”.

“The technical staff was mulling to pull the Air India charter but it may damage the run way,” the sources added.



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Assembly: 1292 Families Migrated to PaK since 1990, reveals Government

KL NEWS NETWORK

SRINAGAR

Kashmiri-militants-in-90s

A KL file Image of Kashmiri militants during 1990s

Jammu and Kashmir Government, for the first time, revealed that a total of 1292 families migrated to Pakistan administered Kashmir since early 1990s.

In a written response to MLA Langate, Engineer Rasheed, the Home Department said that though there was no proposal with Revenue Department to get these families back, however, there is a policy for return of militants who have shunned armed path.

The details suggest that Kupwara tops the list wherefrom families have crossed LoC. 534 families have crossed over to other Kashmir from the North Kashmir district, while 255 such families belong to Baramulla. Baramulla and Kupwara border the other Kashmir.

376 families belong to Poonch who have crossed to PaK while one each family from Srinagar, Shopian and Budgam left Kashmir in 1990s.

More so, 99 from Bandipora; 11 from Pulwama; 03 from Ganderbal; 02 from Islamabad and 09 from Rajouri have crossed to “Azad” Kashmir since 1990s.

The reply said that Government vide order number: Home-1376 (ISA) of 2010 dated 23:11:2010 notified policy and Procedure for ‘Return and Rehabilitation of Militants’, aims at return of “misguided youth” to their respective homes who have crossed over to PaK for arms training between 01/01/1989 and 31/12/2009.

The government has notified four routes for their return viz Wagah/Attari border, Salamabad/Chakkan-dabagh, JCP and IGI Airport New Delhi. However, the reply added that such youth have been returning home via Nepal which is not an authorized route.



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Drug Addiction Rampant but House Unfortunately Discussing Suicide Attempt: CM

KL NEWS NETWORK

SRINAGAR

CM Ms Mehbooba Mufti

CM Ms Mehbooba Mufti

Lashing out at those who demanded transfer of a senior IAS officer allegedly involved in suicide attempt, Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday said that Lawmakers should have discussed more pressing issues like drug addiction than raising issue of suicide attempt.

“I am ashamed that the suicide attempt by a lady officer was raised by Lawmakers in the house,” CM said in her closing remarks in the Lower House today as Legislative Assembly was adjourned sine die.

The CM said given the discussion on the suicide attempt by an IAS officer, “people have raised finger of suspicion on every one now”. “Respect the sanctity of house,” she asked Lawmakers.

“The legislators should have raised and debated drug addiction and huge consumption of liquor,” she said.

An IAS officer had attempted suicide recently and PDP’s Javaid Mustafa Mir raised the issue in the house seeking investigation. Even deputy speaker, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, on Wednesday had asked government to present action taken report today. The report, however, was not presented.

The CM revealed as how school and college going girls are “being used for drug supply”. “It is unfortunate,” she said, “but I don’t understand why we don’t see these things.”

“I recently visited Makhdoom Sahib Shrine (RA) a few days, the locals pleaded with me to do something on drug addiction in the area,” she told the house, “worst is the situation in Jammu.”

However, the CM directed politicians and bureaucrats to maintain “distance between their private and public lives”.

“Don’t get you private lives into public,” she told addressing Legislators and bureaucrats. “Have some control on your actions,” he added.

After CM wad done with her speech, Javaid Mustafa Mir, stood to make his point about the issue, however, Chief Minister intervened forcing Speaker to “not allow him to speak”. The house was adjourned and Javaid Mir walked out of the house.



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This 10-Yr-Old Boy Awaiting Financial Help for His 4th Heart Surgery

KL NEWS NETWORK

SRINAGAR

The ailing boy.

The ailing boy.

This ten-year-old boy from Sopore Kashmir has to undergo his fourth heart surgery at Delhi’s AIIMS later this year, but his family is unable to bear the medical expanses.

His first heart surgery was performed in 2006 in which the doctors at AIIMS planted a shunt in his body.

Shunt is a mechanical device implanted under the skin that transplants vital cerebrospinal fluid in the human body.

It was followed by next surgery in 2012 when central shunt was implanted. Third heart surgery was carried out in 2014.

Doctors at AIIMS have advised this ten-year-old boy battling for life, to undergo fourth surgery that is due in the month of October later this year. The surgery costs around Rs 3 lac.

The father of the ailing boy said that he has so far spent about Rs 20 lac on the treatment of his son since 2006.

“For last surgery I had to spend Rs 6 lac at AIIMS in New Delhi,” he said.

He requests the general public to financially support him in saving the life of his son. “The bank account number for depositing any donation and contact number for any query are: Account Number: 0309040100008317; Branch: J&K Bank, Agro High Tech Chankhan Sopore Baramullah; Contact No. /Ph No.: 9070521343,” he said.



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Assembly has Proved Graveyard of Peoples Sentiments, says Rasheed

Riyaz ul Khaliq

SRINAGAR

Er Sheikh Abdul Rasheed addressing media personnel (not in picture) in this KL file Image.

Er Sheikh Abdul Rasheed in this KL file Image.

As the 2016-17 Budget Session of J&K legislative Assembly cam to end on Thursday, firebrand Langate Lawmaker, Engineer Rasheed had last advisory for right wing BJP legislators.

Seeking patience from Speaker Kavinder Gupta while he spoke, the Independent Lawmaker talked about involving Pakistan to “establish” peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

“PDP needs to remember its Self Rule,” he told house, “it has been campaigning for making borders irrelevant but this cannot go hand in hand with BJP’s demand of bombing PaK.”

Rasheed asked Chief Minister Ms Mehbooba Mufti to take steps for interaction between divided Kashmir. “Let us have cross Kashmir interaction between Legislators, it will help us understand each other,” he suggested.

Claiming that credibility of CM was “at stake”, he told Ms Mehbooba Mufti, “you can’t run every time. You had promised us that report on Handwara killings will be presented but you did not.” “Ok, you did not table the report; those who lost their lives can’t come back.”

“Speaker and government have unfortunately tried to represent Delhi in Kashmir rather representing and protecting rights of people of state,” he told the house.

Maintaining that Kashmir issue continues to consume innocent lives, he said, “even if Hurriyat Conference is given a chance to form government, people will continue to be killed because this assembly has become graveyard of sentiments and wishes of sentiments of majority community.”

Asking BJP not to fear any debate on Article 370 or plebiscite, he said, “if this house is powerful one, why should we run away from discussing these things. Let us debate and see who wins.”

Asking BJP members to have patience to listen to him, he said, “we need to talk and have as many interactions.” “This will bring us to some meeting point,” he told the right wing party.

Inviting BJP Lawmakers to visit his Langate, he said, “come with me, I will take you to Sopore, Palhallan. I will make you meet people from Geelani group.”

“By having dialogue, we can bridge gaps and come together,” he told the BJP members, “bombing and wars won’t help us.”

“I have no right to doubt your political wisdom but one fails to understand why you are afraid of even talking to kids and young men? Let you debate with those youngsters, whom you call stone palters and anti-nationals,” he said. “Kashmir can’t be controlled by AFSPA, PSA, threats, bullets and broken promises but the only way to resolve issues and ensure peace is doing justice to the people.”

“I am not agent of anyone but I am agent of my conscience and my people,” he told the House. “Come with me, meet and talk to my people and if you have argument, convince them or get convinced,” he said addressing BJP men.

Invoking Pampore attack in which eight 8 CRPF men were killed, Rasheed expressed surprise that while everybody should be worried over loss of lives under all circumstances, but the House has “brought its own credibility under clout of doubt by not doing justice to even a single Kashmiri who got killed at the hands of forces”.



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Omar Leads Walk Out as Land Bill ‘Sabotaged’

Riyaz ul Khaliq

SRINAGAR

A KL file Image of J&K Legislative Assembly.

A KL file Image of J&K Legislative Assembly.

Entire Opposition including National Conference and Congress and other Independent Lawmakers walked out of the Lower House against “sabotaging” the Land bill.

Led by Leader of Opposition, Omar Abdullah, the NC and Congress targeted ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for “selling interests of J&K state”.

The Legislative Assembly witnessed quite an interesting situation when entire Opposition was in favour of the bill but government after listening to one BJP member detailing the “consequences of the bill” sent the bill to select committee.

Speaking on the issue, NC working president and former CM, Omar Abdullah pressed that the bill be passed.

“This bill was brought in to the house by inexperienced cabinet members of Ms Mehbooba Mufti government,” he said maintain that “PDP and BJP didn’t know the implications of such a bill”.

“Take one step and if you need me, I will be by your side; my team will be with you,” Omar Abdullah during discussion on Governor's speech on May 27, 2016. (KL Images: Bilal Bahadur)

Omar Abdullah

Responding to Sajad Lone’s “lesson”, Omar asserted that Legislative Assembly is for debates and discussions and “not to sabotage any good piece of legislation”.

“Sajad Lone will take some time to learn democracy and parliamentary rules,” he told the house, “he is just a year old in the house but it is good he is giving us lessons on democracy.”

“But I have told you earlier that inexperienced people are in the cabinet; your cabinet passed the draft of the Land Bill and brought it here,” he told the Treasury Benches inviting sharp reaction from Minister A R Veeri.

“This is unacceptable,” Veeri retorted, “the comments by Omar Abdullah are insulting and need to be expunged from the house records.”

Veeri said that he was one of the senior members of the house and “it doesn’t deem good of Omar attacking such members.”

BJP members speaking against the Land bill while Opposition sloganeering in favour of it on Thursday, the last day of Legislative Assembly.

BJP member, Rajiv Jasrotia, speaking against the Land bill while Opposition sloganeering in favour of it on Thursday, the last day of Legislative Assembly.

Later, Omar suo motto took his remarks back “if it had hurt any member”.

Continuing his attack on the PDP led government, Omar said, “Facts are bitter, accept them. “App nay jald baazi mein bill laya hai aura ab fuss gaye ho,” he told the PDP.

He revealed how this Land Bill created uneasiness in the BJP camp after its draft was passed by Cabinet.

“Cell phones started ringing; BJP members started asking their ministers whether they knew what was in the bill which they didn’t know. The BJP members then identified a para in the bill and thus started a fixed match,” Omar alleged.

“Then the coalition partners planned as how two MLAs would demand that this bill be sent to select committee and this what this government is mulling,” he foretold in the house.

Addressing Social Welfare Minister from BJP quota in the J&K Coalition Government, Omar said, “Democracy means majority of the MLAs are in favour of the bill and it should be passed easily.”

“Debate it, we have no issues; pass the bill and make it a law; but no select committee,” he told the government and sat down.

Earlier, speaking on the issue, NC Khanyar Lawmaker, A M Sagar appreciated government for bringing a “good piece of legislation”. “It is a good move that such an official bill has been brought in the house and we all support the bill so it should be passes,” he told the house.

But this forced PDP Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, A R Veeri, who told the house how such “official bills have been sent to select in the past as well”.

However, Communist Lawmaker, M Y Tarigami, had a point. He said, “if my memory supports me, the official bills were sent to select committee in past only when Opposition members pressed for it.”

Earlier, Social welfare Minister, Sajad Lone, asked the Lawmakers, “not to belittle the democracy.”

“Don’t belittle this house,” he said addressing Opposition Benches.

“Democracy is agreeing to disagree,” he said, “we all have same destinies but with different aspirations.”

Defending BJP members’ opposition to Land Bill, he said, “we can’t force our view upon anyone else.” This, he said, “is dissent.”

“This (House) is the space to accommodate different aspirations and grievances,” he added.

Giving push to BJP demand that bill be sent to select committee, PDP’s Baramulla Lawmaker, Javaid Baig reminded the house of “great sacrifices rendered by National Conference in safeguarding interests of J&K”.

“I am an ordinary MLA but Omar Abdullah is not,” he said, “Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah gave infinite sacrifices to keep J&K together. So, it doesn’t behove Omar to press for such a demand which he himself said has political and regional consequences.”

However, Opposition including National Conference and Congress found support from inside ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well. “This house cannot be taken hostage,” former Minister and MLA Amira Kadal, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari told the Speaker, “Majority of the house is in favour of the bill and it should be passed.”

As Bukhari stood and raised voice in favour of the Bill, he was seen asking his other two colleagues including Mohammad Ashraf Mir and Ab Majeed Padder to stand up. But they didn’t oblige. “I don’t understand what this government is up to,” he yelled.

Before Speaker directed the Bill to Select Committee, Revenue Minister Syed Basharat Bukhari said, “given the debate this house witnessed on the Land Bill, it requires more wisdom and debates to make a law out of it. So, it is better we send it do Select Committee for further deliberations.”

Amid anti-government slogans, the NC and Congress Legislators and Comrade Tarigami, the Opposition members alleged that the Land Bill was sabotaged to “favour BJP”.



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Lake Conservation Plan Needs Fresh Push with Greater Resolve: CM

KL NEWS NETWORK

SRINAGAR

KL file Image of Wular Lake.

KL file Image of Wular Lake.

Underlining the importance of Wular Lake in protecting the Kashmir valley from floods, Chief Minister Ms Mehbooba Mufti today said the de-silting effort launched under the comprehensive Wular Conservation and Management Plan needs greater impetus to increase the water holding capacity of the lake.

“The on-going conservation and protection measures for eco-restoration of Wular Lake, its feeder channels, associated wetlands and marshes should gain momentum in view of the devastating floods that struck Kashmir in September 2014,” the Chief Minister said while chairing a review meeting of the Wular Conservation & Management Authority (WUCMA) here this morning, an official spokesperson said this afternoon.

The Chief Minister said Wular Lake not only acts as a huge water storage reservoir but also provides natural way out for the excess or flood waters in the Jhelum and it needs to be protected and conserved at all costs. She said it is a wetland of international importance as it has been declared a Ramsar site for conservation.

Expressing dismay over the slow pace of conservation work, the Chief Minister called for deployment of more men and machinery on the project and accomplishing it within a set time-frame in a mission mode. She called for approaching the Dredging Corporation of India for taking up the dredging the lake on a larger scale.

The Chief Minister, however, stressed the need for creating alternative economic and employment avenues for the local population affected by the conservation project. “The local population shall have to be provided alternative employment avenues by promoting sheep farming, dairying, fisheries etc,” she said.

The meeting was informed that under the 13th Finance Commission, Rs 60 crore were sanctioned and released for taking up conservation and protection measures in Wular Lake. “Till date, Rs 45.39 crore has been utilized for survey and demarcation, catchment conservation and water management of Wular Lake including de-silting,” the meeting was told.

The meeting was informed that the entire periphery of the lake had been demarcated as per authentic revenue record which indicates a lake area of 130 sq kms, of which 27-square kms of lake area is critically silted. As many as 1,159 geo-tagged boundary pillars have been erected delineating the lake boundary from the adjoining areas.

The meeting was informed that dredging operations carried out within the critically silted areas of Wular lake and vital feeder channel (Naaz Nallah) to the extent of approximately 10 lakh cubic meters has successfully been accomplished so far which has resulted in enhancement of the water holding capacity of the water body significantly over an area of more than 1 sq km. Besides, around 26,000 willow trees have been removed from the Lake area.

Measures to arrest soil erosion in the catchment area have been taken by erecting check dams and protection banks and planting over 3 lakh conifers in the adjoining forest area.

The Chief Minister also discussed future funding requirements of the project with directions to the Forest Department to submit a proposal that would ensure uninterrupted funding to accomplish the remaining operations for conservation of Wular Lake as per the Detailed Project Report (DPR).

A detailed power point presentation was made on the various activities carried out by the WUCMA during last 5-years for the long-term conservation, eco-restoration and preservation of the Wular Lake and its associated ecosystems.

The meeting was also apprised about various steps initiated by the WUCMA to control diffused pollution to the Wular Lake by means of direct flow of the harmful wastes and human excreta into the lake. In this regard, the Authority has, so far, provided over 45-low cost sanitation units (toilets) to the population belonging to the BPL families to maintain the sanitation of the lake. Many such units are proposed to be added during the coming years.



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Speaker Adjourns Legislative Assembly Sine Die

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Legislative Assembly Speaker: Kavinder Gupta

Legislative Assembly Speaker: Kavinder Gupta

Speaker Kavinder Gupta adjourned the Lower House of J&K Legislature sine die.

The 2016-17 Budget session commenced on May 25 with Governor’s address at SKICC.

The session witnessed 32 working days.

The speaker informed that 211 main questions were taken up during this session while 611 supplementaries were answered.

The Speaker said that 61 hours 32 minutes were consumed in these days.

Kavinder Gupta thanked his deputy, Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi, who ran the hous ein his absence.

Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti, was the last Lawmaker to speak in the house.



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PDP Surrenders on Land Bill, BJP Pushes It To Select Committee

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PDP-BJP

Ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday surrendered to its ally’s demands that the bill aimed at making changes to end ambiguity in the twin land laws should go to the select committee. This was despite the fact that NC, Congress and most of other independents were supportive of a vote and willing to pass the draft bill.

The high drama on the bill continued for nearly an hour as various leaders from the across the political class debated the issue. Comrade Yousuf Tarigami explained the house that the bill was aimed at doing away with the ambiguities in the land laws and was not against the jammu region.

Earlier Omar Abdullah said the discord over the bill was the outcome of inexperience in the cabinet. He said it was after the approval of they draft by the cabinet that BJP started understanding its implications.

Altaf Bukhari, PDP former minister supported the vote on the bill saying it is pure democracy and should be upheld.

Sajjad Gani Lone said the idea of getting the bill to the house was purely a democratic exercise.

After the end of the hot debate over the issue when finally Basharat Bukhari, revenue minister spoke he said his idea of getting the bill was not to create discord. He said if the select committee approves the bill, it will be good for the piece of legislation.

Earlier, BJP member R S Pathania spoke on the bill. He said the bill should go to the select committee and it should not be a hush-hush affair. He talked of the issue that the bill is aimed at addressing.



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Despite Army Advisory, Youth in Newa Engage Forces At Encounter Site

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Representational Picture

Representational Picture

In a signatory display of solidarity with militants involved in a gun-battle with forces, the youth in Newa area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama came out on streets and pelted stones on forces carrying out operation.  However despite the drumming up support for the militants, the forces shortly claimed their kills in an encounter.

Witnesses told Kashmir Life that youth came out of their houses soon after the gunshots rang up in the area. Amid pro-freedom and pro-militant slogans, the youth started pelting stones at forces near the encounter site in an apparent bid to help the militants to escape.

Notably, the army and other allied forces had warned the locals to stay away from the encounter sites, lest such advances would have fatal consequences. However, defying the warning, the youth came on the road and pelted stones at forces.

But amid clashes, the forces shortly claimed to have shot dead two militants.

No sooner the encounter ended, the area witnessed a spontaneous shutdown with business establishments shut and traffic coming to halt.

Amid the prevailing high tempers in the area, police identified the slain duo as Lashkar militants – Ayoub Lone of Lelhar Kakpora and Manzoor of Gandibagh Kakapora.



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Assembly: What about Report on Handwara Killings?

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Cover_Page_Terror_Square

Jammu and Kashmir government is yet to table the report on civilian Handwara killings.

The Opposition had demanded that PDP-BJP coalition government present report on what led killing of five civilians in North Kashmir’s Handwara and adjoining areas.

The ruling coalition had sought two days when the current 2016-17 budget session started, however, intermittently the government deferred the presentation of report to “appropriate time”.

On Thursday, after Dy CM Dr Nirmal Singh, read out a written statement on Pampore attack, Independent Lawmaker representing Langate – neighbouring assembly segment of Handwara – Engineer Rasheed stood up from his seat and asked government about the status of report on Handwara killings.

“We want to listen from CM Ms Mehbooba Mufti as what happened to the report,” he asked the Treasury benches while Cm Ms Mufti took her seat.

Dy CM tried to leave the house , however, he instantly took his seat back.

“Where are your slogans about HR violations,” Rasheed asked ruling PDP, “you have sold your conscience against power.”

Today, the Legislative Assembly session comes to an end at 2PM.

Notably, Leader of Opposition, Omar Abdullah, in his speeches during this session asked government to “clarify as what had actually happened” in Handwara which led to protests and subsequent killings of civilians.

Earlier, Congress’ Nawang Rigzin Jora stood and asked government to clarify its position viz-a-viz “snatching of rifle from Kashmir BJP man’s PSO in Chadoora”.

“There are reports that the rifle was not snatched but the PSO has handed over his rifle to militants,” Jora alleged, “this is the same BJP which beat their chests on killing of 8 CRPF men in Pampore.”

“BJP has been demanding aerial bombing of PaK but this incident of handing over rifle shows that BJP is actually helping militants in Kashmir,” he told the house.

Jora was supported by NC’s Nagrota Lawmaker.



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Wednesday, 29 June 2016

Two Militants Killed in Pulwama Encounter: Police

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The encounter between militants and forces at Malwari in Newa area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district that broke out on Thursday morning has claimed the lives of two militants.

Two policemen have received injuries in the gun battle.

Police claim to have recovered bodies of both the slain militants.

In the meanwhile youth of Newa and adjacent villages took to streets and pelted the stones on forces involved in operation.



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Assembly: Unsatisfied Opposition Walks out after Dy CM Reads ‘Security Statement’

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The dead CRPF men in Pampore.

The dead CRPF men in Pampore.

Entire Opposition staged a walk out from the Lower House amid anti-government slogans alleging state government was “playing hide and seek” on security related developments in J&K.

Opposition led by National Conference on Wednesday had asked PDP-BJP government to give a detailed statement on the “grave security situation” of J&K.

Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh, read out a prepared statement in which he lauded role of forces based in Kashmir.

He said given the “Fidayeen attack” on CRPF in Pampore on last Saturday, “there many chances of civilian casualties”. “They (CRPF) had arms and ammunition with them but they exercised maximum restraint,” Dr Singh said.

“If CRPF would have retaliated then definitely there would been civilian casualties,” Dr Singh added, “but we should appreciate CRPF men who faced the attack and didn’t react.”

He said there were 14 militancy related cases in June 2016.

“8 CRPF men were killed while 27 others were injured,” he said, “but our forces have been showing utmost professional behaviour.”

He said in current there has been “110% increase in militant killings while there is a drop in civilian killings by 11 %”.

However, Opposition which silently listened to Dy CM, was unsatisfied. “You have given statement on Pampore attack but what about the grave security situation across J&K,” NC’s A M Sagar asked government.

NC and Congress later walked out of the house.



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