New Delhi: A plea has been moved in the Supreme Court challenging the March 2020 decision of the Central government to appoint a Delimitation Commission to redraw the constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir.

The plea moved by Haji Abdul Gani Khan and Dr. Mohammad Ayub Mattoo, both residents of Kashmir, sought directions seeking a declaration that an increase of number of seats from 107 to 114 in the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir is ultra vires the constitutional provisions such as Articles 81, 82, 170, 330, and 332 and statutory provisions particularly under section 63 of the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.

The plea also urged the top court to issue a direction to declare notification issued on March 6, 2020 constituting the Delimitation Commission to take up delimitation in the UT of J&K and states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland as violative of Article 14 of the Constitution.

“In fact, in the State of Jammu and Kashmir, the census operation was completed in 2001, but the delimitation was done in 1995. Even on this count, the entire process adopted is unconstitutional as there was no population census operation during 2011 at all for Jammu and Kashmir,” said the plea.

The plea argued that if August 5, 2019 was to unite the Jammu and Kashmir state with India, then the delimitation process defeats the “new order” of one nation and one Constitution in the country. It said: “While Article 170 of the Constitution of India provides that the next delimitation in the country will be taken up after 2026, why has the UT of Jammu and Kashmir been singled out?”

The plea added that after the census of 2001, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly amended ‘Section 47’ of the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution, vide the Jammu and Kashmir (Twenty-nine amendment) Act, 2002, to put on hold the delimitation exercise till after 2026, identical to and in tune with Article 170 of the Indian Constitution.

“Issuance of Notification by the Law and Legislative Department appointing the Delimitation Commission is without jurisdiction, unconstitutional and ultra vires to the election laws apart from J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019,” it added.

The plea contended that any move to increase the number of seats in Jammu and Kashmir must be preceded by a constitutional amendment, besides the amendment of elections laws, namely, the Delimitation Act, 2002 and the Representation of People Act, 1950.

It added that the Delimitation Commission had issued guidelines and methodology for the Delimitation of Assembly and parliamentary constituencies on July 5, 2004, along with the constitutional and legal provisions. “It clearly stated that the total number of existing seats in the Legislative Assemblies of all states, including UTs of the National Capital Region and Pondicherry, as fixed based on the 1971 census shall remain unaltered till the first census to be taken after the year 2026,” it added. (IANS)

New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said that Russia-Ukraine war has impacted all countries.

Replying to the debate in the Rajya Sabha on the Finance Bill, she said that the impact of a full-blown war in Ukraine is being felt by “all of us” as the war’s impact has disrupted supplies and broken value chains.

“Now we are also facing the situation of a full-blown war in Ukraine which is not some war in some corner of the world but it seems to be having an impact on all countries like the way the pandemic has,” she said.

Sitharaman also pointed out that the Central government did not increase taxes to fund the recovery from the impact of Covid, while citing an OECD report that said 32 countries had increased various tax rates during the pandemic.

“So, no tax was increased for our recovery process to be funded or aided.”

Furthermore, she said that India remains as the top 5 FDI recipient countries in the world.

The minister pointed out that in the last 7 years and 9 months of the present government till December 2021, India received FDI inflows of $500.5 billion, which is 65 per cent higher than the inflows during the 10 years of the UPA government.

On Tuesday, Rajya Sabha continued to discuss the Finance Bill 2022 and Appropriation Bill, 2022 moved by the Finance Minister on Monday. (IANS)

New Delhi: The Russia-Ukraine war has added to international disquiet and it has also underscored that the maintenance of international peace and security can no longer be taken for granted, Indian External Minister S. Jaishankar said in Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

Speaking during the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) ministerial meet, Jaishankar said, “The international system is going through a very challenging phase, perhaps one of the most difficult in recent memory. The challenges of Covid-19 pandemic have not yet fully abated. But recent developments in Ukraine have added to international disquiet. We have all underscored that the maintenance of international peace and security, and even stability can no longer be taken for granted.”

Jaishankar is visiting Sri Lanka from March 28 to March 30.

He said that the BIMSTEC member countries must recognise that we face headwinds – both from the global economy and in some cases from within their own domestic economies.

BIMSTEC is a regional organisation that was established on June 6, 1997 with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration. The member countries of BIMSTEC are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Jaishankar further stated that under challenging circumstances, the member countries should shore up domestic capacities and also need to broaden and deepen cooperation under BIMSTEC. “We need more working together in many more areas; we need more effective and fast paced cooperation. We need to intensify and build on what we have achieved in the last 25 years,” he said.

To cement economic, trade and security cooperation with friendly neighbouring countries in South Asia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be virtually attending the fifth summit of BIMSTEC on March 30.

Jaishankar said, “Tomorrow our leaders will adopt the BIMSTEC Charter. This is a landmark achievement in our effort to develop the institutional architecture for BIMSTEC. But we must not rest on this achievement and instead move on to ‘next steps’ that can be taken to further strengthen BIMSTEC.”

He called to accelerate efforts to boost intra BIMSTEC trade and economic ties. The development of a network of regional supply and value chains will reduce vulnerability to external shocks and give economies greater resilience and transparency.

“This requires us to accelerate cooperation that has been under discussion for long. Simultaneously we must also work on a more ambitious Trade Facilitation agenda,” he said.

The Minister also said that the leaders will also adopt a BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity on Wednesday. “We must also accelerate efforts on ongoing initiatives such as the establishment of a coastal shipping eco system, of port facilities, of ferry services in the Bay of Bengal, as also power grid interconnectivity and a regional motor vehicles agreement,” he said.

He also pointed out that the member countries are in most disaster prone regions of the world. “In this connection we are taking steps to strengthen the functioning of the BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate that is located in India which has been serving this region,” Jaishankar said.

He urged all BIMSTEC partners to consider joining the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).

He also stressed that terrorism and violent extremism, transnational crime and narco-trafficking and cyber-attacks threats cannot be ignored.

“All of these affect our economic development efforts. We need to put in place the remaining elements of the legal architecture that will enable our law enforcement agencies to collaborate more closely and more effectively,” he added.

The Bay of Bengal achieving SDG 14 targets and ensuring a ‘good order at sea’ in keeping with international maritime law, particularly UNCLOS is a priority.

A practical way to proceed is to have discussions using existing dialogue mechanisms, even while we put in place a plan of action in the maritime domain which is consistent with our national priorities. The science of oceans is not easy.

To get matters moving, India is keen to develop platforms and initiatives that can enhance collaboration between our scientists and experts in the maritime domain, he said. (IANS)

Srinagar: An Army man was injured on Tuesday in accidental fire in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district.

Police sources said the soldier belongs to the 34 Rashtriya Rifles.

“The soldier was injured when his service rifle went off accidentally during cleaning in Behibagh camp in Kulgam district.

“The injured soldier was removed to Army’s 92 base hospital in Srinagar for treatment,” sources added. (IANS)

Srinagar: An earthquake of mild intensity jolted Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Tuesday, officials said.

The tremors, which lasted a few seconds, measured 4.3 on the Richter scale, with the location 186 km north of Alchi in Leh in Ladakh. There was no report of any loss of life or damage to property. (UNI)

Jammu: Principal Secretary, Higher Education, Rohit Kansal Tuesday released here the compendium on ‘Mass Awareness Campaign’ on SAVE RIVER DEVIKA compiled by Govt. Degree College, Chenani.

The booklet is the result of a research project completed by the college under the title, “Hydrochemical Impact Assessment, Study of Anthropogenic Pressure and Mass Public Awareness on Protection of Devika Stream and Adjoining Underground Sources of Water (Bowlis) at District Udhampur” sponsored by the J&K Science, Technology and Innovation Council (JKSTIC),  of Department of Science and Technology.

Speaking on the occasion, the Principal Secretary emphasized the importance of undertaking such people-oriented and socially useful academic pursuits. He offered his compliments on the efforts of the entire team behind the research paper. He expressed optimism that other colleges would follow suit and come up with such socially viable research projects.

The Principal Secretary suggested incorporating a research component in the curriculum of every major college in order to enable the students to develop independent critical thinking skills besides honing their research capabilities. Speaking specifically on the current effort, he hoped that this research work would act as a guide to undertake pollution abatement measures of major rivers across the UT by other researchers.

Kansal appreciated the efforts of the College Principal and that of the students in taking this research initiative to create public awareness and to educate the masses on the importance of water bodies and their protection. He maintained that rivers are the lifelines of any civilization. He added that these not only provide us potable water but maintain ecologic balance besides acting as a source of subsistence to many. He expected that the good work would be continued in future as well.

Dr. Pragya Khanna, the College Principal and Chief Investigator of the Project explained that the main purpose of this research was to sensitize the people about the need of making Devika River pollution free. She said that it was a matter of great pride for the institution to be able to join hands with the district administration in this significant venture and contribute towards safeguarding the water body and its adjoining Bowlis.

She also informed that that the research work executed has led to various start-up ideas. She further gave out that its recommendations have the potential to create an impact on the community and support entrepreneurs in setting up different livelihood generating ventures.

Joint delegation of SAKSHAM, Special Olympics Bharat calls on Sinha

Jammu: A joint delegation of SAKSHAM and Special Olympics Bharat- J&K Tuesday called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha here at Raj Bhawan.

The members of the delegation briefed the Lt Governor of their ongoing initiatives for the welfare of special athletes with intellectual or multiple disabilities.

The Lt Governor, while interacting with the members of the delegation said that the UT government is endeavouring to further promote sports in J&K with special emphasis on meeting the needs of specially-abled sportspersons.

We have rolled out the J&K Sports policy-2022 which focuses on creating world-class infrastructure, coaching, and training of sportspersons including para-athletes & players, the Lt Governor added.

The delegation which met the Lt Governor included Avey Gupta Pargal, National Joint General Secretary SAKSHAM; Swami Vishwanath, Kshetra Sanghtan Mantri SAKSHAM; Dr Ashwani Jojra, President, Special Olympics Bharat (SOB) J&K; Sh. Raj Kumar Sharma, Sports Director J&K SOB and Pawan Singh J&K President SAKSHAM.

Srinagar: Director School Education of Kashmir, Tasadduq Hussian Mir, has stressed the need to strengthen initiatives for those children, who left schools during the extended break induced by the Covid-19 pandaemic.

Mir was speaking at the inauguration of a two-day training workshop of District Nodal Officers (DNOs), Master Trainers (MTs) and the Educational Management Information System (EMIS) coordinators.

The training has been organised by DSEK in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Association for Social Workers (JKASW) and the Unicef.

The training, which was attended by coordinators from all 10 districts of the Kashmir division on Monday and Tuesday, was aimed at strengthen programmes aimed at school dropouts, especially those who left during the pandaemic.

The key objective of the workshop was to build capacities of resource groups, who would further train the field functionaries to strengthen programmes aimed at the school dropouts across all districts.

Mir said it is important to strengthen the initiatives for out of school children as there has been a long break in the schooling system because of the Covid-19 pandemic which may have resulted in some children not returning back.

“However, since the schools have opened it is an apt time to focus on building capacities of our cadres to ensure every such child is back in school,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Education Specialist J&K Unicef Danish Aziz  reiterated that the UN body through its implementing partner JKASW is endeavouring to pull in various technical resources to support the education department.

In the closing remarks Ashfaq Ahmad Mattoo, Executive Director JKASW said given the post-Covid challenges in education, government and civil society organisations need to join hands to overcome them, especially, by bringing all children back to schools.

The training was attended by 30 DNO’s, MT’s, EMIS coordinators, besides key personnel from DSEK and was facilitated by senior resource persons from JKASW & Eduweave Foundation. (UNI)

Srinagar: The operational cost of the Banihal-Baramulla rail link in Jammu and Kashmir would be reduced by 40 per cent after electrification of the total length of 137.73 kms.

“Electrification will be more economical and its cost would be 40 per cent lower when compared to running the railways on diesel,” a senior northern railway official said.

Northern Railways on Monday successfully completed the trial run of electric train from J&K’s Budgam to Baramulla district.

With a view to provide an alternative and a reliable mass transportation system to Jammu and Kashmir, the Government of India had planned a 345 km-long railway line joining the Kashmir Valley with the country’s railway network.

The Jammu-Udhampur-Katra-Qazigund-Baramulla rail line, a project of great importance for the local populace and the country as a whole, has been declared as a ‘National Project’. This project is the most difficult railway line project undertaken in the Indian sub-continent.

The terrain passes through the Himalayas, which are young fold mountains full of geographical surprises, high tectonic activity and extremely cold weather conditions.

The railway link across the Pir Panchal mountain range from Banihal town in the Jammu region to Baramulla town in Kashmir is 173.73 kms whose electrification the Northern Railways has undertaken with three main sub-stations at Qazigund, Budgam and Baramulla from where power will be supplied to the overhead equipment.

The officials of northern railways said that there will be 10 power switching stations in the Banihal-Baramulla section.

“Overhead equipment for the rail line will be supplied with a 25 KV power supply. The transmission substation will be fed by a 132 KV supply from different power grids across J&K.

“Supervisory control and data acquisition system (SCADA) to monitor the traction power distribution will be based at Budgam station.

“We have already approached the J&K administration and the Central government for power supply for electrification of the rail link.

“Electric poles will be erected after every 400-420 metres and it would be more eco-friendly compared to running railways on fuel.

In the first phase, a total of 1,271 electric poles were erected between Budgam and Baramulla stations. Of these, the highest number of 305 poles were erected between Sopore and Baramulla.

Besides, poles were erected between Budgam to Mazhama, Mazhama to Pattan, Pattan to Hamray and Hamray to Sopore. (IANS)