Chairs pre-budget meetings

JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday reiterated his government’s commitment to presenting a people-friendly budget for Jammu & Kashmir, emphasising that involvement of public representatives in budget formulation ensures people’s aspirations and needs are reflected.
Chairing a series of pre-budget consultation meetings at civil secretariat Jammu and joined from districts through video conferencing by Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from Anantnag, Budgam, Kathua and Samba districts and District Development Council Chairpersons, the Chief Minister highlighted the significance of such engagements in fostering participatory governance.
Advocate Abdul Rahim Rather, Speaker of the J&K Legislative Assembly and representative of the Charar-i-Sharief Constituency, also participated in the meeting virtually from his office.
The meeting was attended by Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Finance Santosh D Vaidya, Director General Budget J&K, Deputy Commissioners of Kathua, Samba, Anantnag and Budgam districts, DDC chairpersons, MLAs along with other senior officials, both in person and through virtual mode.
In his address, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated, “The primary aim of these consultations is to gather valuable suggestions from prime stakeholders before finalizing the budget. We want to make sure that this budget is not just by the government, but by the people, for the people. Your voices will be represented, as you represent people of Jammu & Kashmir.”
He emphasized that the upcoming budget will not be confined to government offices alone. “You all have won your elections because people have placed their trust in you. Their expectations are linked to your leadership, and through this meeting, we aim to align the budget priorities with the hopes of those who voted and participated in the democratic process,” he told elected representatives including DDCs chairperson and MLAs.
The Chief Minister assured the MLAs and DDC Chairpersons that their inputs would play a crucial role in shaping the upcoming budget, reinforcing the government’s dedication to involving elected representatives in significant decision-making processes.
“These consultations are not a one-off event. We aim to establish consistent coordination with the people’s representatives, ensuring transparency and inclusiveness in governance,” he said. Reassuring the participants, he said “This consultation process will continue, and we will consult with you regularly to address your concerns and provide all possible support.” Addressing the participants, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed confidence that the forthcoming budget session in the J&K Assembly would reflect a collective commitment to serving the people with dedication and sincerity. “Together, we will work to uplift the socio-economic conditions of our people and ensure sustainable development across J&K,” the chief minister added.
Earlier in the consultation sessions, the DDC Chairpersons and MLAs from these four districts highlighted various issues and projects requiring priority attention in the upcoming budget. Key concerns and demands raised included road widening projects, new road projects, enhancement of sports infrastructure, upgradation of health and educational institutions, provision of potable drinking water, development of tourist destinations, strengthening healthcare facilities with adequate staffing and the establishment of new colleges and schools in their constituencies.
The elected representatives expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for initiating these consultations, appreciating the government’s efforts to incorporate grassroots perspectives into the budgetary framework.

New Delhi: Voting to pick a new 70-member Delhi Assembly continued peacefully on Wednesday as the turnout touched 57.70 per cent till 5 p.m. with the ruling AAP eyeing a fourth straight win and the BJP putting up a tough fight to return to power after 1998.
As the turnout continued to rise after a slow start, there were allegations of a model code violation after a brief commotion at a polling booth in Seelampur where a bogus voter was caught casting a vote on someone else’s identity. The incident occurred at Aryan Public School, Booth Level Officer, Seelampur, Gayatri, said.
BJP nominee from the seat, Anil Gaur, accused the rival Congress and the AAP of bringing 300-400 fake voters from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh.
Special Commissioner of Police D.C. Srivastava confirmed getting complaints of attempted bogus voting. “Two persons have been detained on the allegation of bogus voting. The facts are being verified.”
Till 5 p.m., Mustafabad seat recorded the highest turnout of 66.68 per cent followed by Seelampur with 66.41 per cent.
The New Delhi seat of AAP convenor and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal recorded a turnout of 54.27 per cent by 5 p.m. The Greater Kailash seat of Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj recorded 52 per cent voting, Rajinder Nager recorded 57.88 per cent, Patel Nagar 54.63 per cent, R.K. Puram 51.81 per cent and Delhi Cantonment seat recorded 57 per cent voting till 5 p.m.
Chief Minister Atishi’s constituency recorded a turnout of 51.81 per cent till 5 p.m. Former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia’s Jungpura seat recorded 55.23 per cent voting till 5 p.m.
Other turnout trends till 5 p.m. were Sangam Vihar 57.41 per cent, Badarpur 54.51 per cent, Tughlakabad 53 per cent, Okhla 52.77 per cent, Kasturba Nagar 51.70 per cent, Malviya Nager 52.07 per cent, Chhatarpur 60.53 per cent, Ambedkar Nagar 56.98 per cent, Deoli 56.8 per cent and Mehrauli 50.59 per cent.
Till 5 p.m. the turnout in Central Delhi’s Matia Mahal was 61.40 per cent, Ballimaran 59.56 per cent, Burari 56.16 per cent, Sadar Bazar 57.06, Timarpur 53.29 per cent, Karol Bagh 47.40 per cent, Chandni Chowk 52.76 per cent.
In West Delhi, the turnout till 5 p.m. in Janakpuri was 59.28 per cent, Rajouri Garden 58.96 per cent, Madipur 58.13 per cent, Hari Nagar 57.92 per cent, Moti Nagar 55.21 per cent, Nangloi Jat 56.20 per cent and Tilak Nagar 56.65 per cent.
AAP Jangpura nominee Sisodia alleged that rival parties were giving money to voters, a charge which was dismissed by police as ‘unsubstantiated’.
His party colleague and AAP MP Raghav Chadha alleged that at many polling booths in the New Delhi constituency, the party’s polling agents and their relievers faced problems in entry.
AAP MP Sandeep Pathak raised the issue of slow voting in some constituencies, claiming that the party has raised the matter with the EC.
Union Minister Harsh Malhotra accused the AAP of trying to use goons and money on election eve to influence voters. “They want a street fight and vitiate the atmosphere out of fear of a big loss,” he said.
On the eve of voting, the Delhi Police seized Rs 23.76 lakh, six illegal firearms and 4,119 litres of illegal liquor, said a police official.
Earlier, former Chief Minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal and his wife gave up their car and walked down to their polling booth. Both of them escorted their parents, both in wheelchairs, to the booth at a school close to their Ferozeshah Road residence.
Kejriwal’s BJP rival Parvesh Verma performed religious rituals on the Yamuna bank before proceeding to cast his vote with his wife and daughter at the Nirman Bhawan booth.
Congress candidate from New Delhi Sandeep Dikshit cast his vote at a polling booth on Rahim Khan Road and later accompanied voters from the party and members of the Gandhi family – Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra – to their respective booths.
The turnout in the 2020 Delhi Assembly election stood at 62.82 per cent, 4.65 per cent lower than 67.47 per cent in 2015. In 2013, the turnout was 66.02 per cent, 8.42 per cent higher than 2008’s 57.6 per cent.
In 2020, the AAP won 62 out of 70 seats with a vote share of 53.57 per cent. The BJP won eight seats with a 38.51 per cent vote share. The Congress got 4.26 per cent of votes and others polled 3.66 per cent votes.

Jammu: The J&K government on Wednesday issued an order appointing station house officers (SHOs) of police as special police officers, within their respective jurisdiction, under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.
An order issued by Principal Secretary, Home, Chandraker Bharti, under the ITPA, supersedes all previous notifications on the subject.
The order by the Lt Governor appoints all Station House Officers (SHOs) of J&K Police, not below the rank of Inspector, along with SDPOs/DySP Headquarters, as special police officers within their respective jurisdictions under the act with an aim to strengthen enforcement mechanisms against human trafficking and sexual exploitation for commercial purposes.
The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act is a law designed to curb human trafficking and the organised commercial exploitation of individuals.
While the act does not criminalise prostitution per se, it penalises activities such as running brothels, inducing individuals into prostitution, detaining persons for such purposes, and exploiting minors.
Law enforcement agencies exercise powers vested in them under the ITPA to rescue victims and prosecute traffickers, pimps, and brothel operators.
A notorious sex racket jolted the society in Kashmir Valley in 2006. Nearly two dozen politicians and bureaucrats had been named for the exploitation of girls in a sex racket, run by a woman named Sabeena.
Described as the kingpin of the racket, Sabeeba had named politicians and bureaucrats in her recorded statement before the CBI. The CBI later arrested two senior politicians, a top-ranking IAS officer, a Deputy Inspector General of the BSF and a Superintendent of Police based on disclosures by a victim girl. Sabeena later claimed that she had been framed by some politicians and bureaucrats. During a protest on May 1, 2006, an angry mob brought down Sabeena’s house in Srinagar while venting their anger against the sex racket.

Srinagar: Political journey of Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) led by former J&K Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad seems to be at its ‘fag end’ in the Union Territory.
Sources said that all the leaders who had quit Congress in 2022 have decided to rejoin the “grand old party” again.
Many leaders under the leadership of former legislator Taj Mohi-ud-din are set to rejoin Congress in the next few days, they said.
Taj had quit Congress in August 2022 to join DPAP. He later announced his resignation from the party in August last year and contested 2024 Assembly polls unsuccessfully as an independent candidate from Uri constituency.
Other leaders who intend to rejoin Congress include G M Saroori, Muhammad Amin Bhat from Devsar, Ashok Kumar, Gulzar Ahmad Wani and others, sources privy to the development said.
“The mass rejoining is expected to take place in Jammu or in New Delhi this week,” they said.
Several leaders, who are expected to rejoin Congress, have already resigned from DPAP last year.
Pertinently, the DPAP is facing an uncertain future following its crushing defeat in the 2024 assembly elections.
The party’s activities have come to a standstill, with Azad himself maintaining an unusual silence and absence from the political scene in Jammu and Kashmir—(KNO)

By: Ishtiyaq Kar
Jammu:  The Election Commission of India (ECI) is soon to conduct by-polls for the Budgam and Nagrota Assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, which are due before April this year.
Sources said that while the elections were initially planned alongside the Delhi Assembly polls, adverse winter conditions in Kashmir led to their deferment.
“By-polls for two Assembly constituencies are under active consideration of the ECI,” sources said.
Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Electoral Officer P. K. Pole, about the by-polls for these constituencies, he said that ECI holds the final authority to announce these elections.
Both seats fell vacant in October 2024. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah resigned from the Budgam constituency on October 21 after choosing to retain his Ganderbal seat.
The Nagrota seat became vacant following the demise of BJP stalwart Devinder Singh Rana on October 31.
As per Section 151A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, any vacant seat must be filled through by-election within six months of the vacancy. The ECI needs to conduct these elections before the April this year
With the 90-member J&K Assembly currently reduced to 88, the bypolls will restore its strength to 90. Furthermore, five nominations by the Lieutenant Governor—two women MLAs, two Kashmiri migrants (including one woman), and one Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK) refugee—are still pending, which would bring the House to its full strength of 95.
The National Conference (NC) remains the single-largest party with 41 MLAs, followed by the BJP with 28. Congress holds six seats, while the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has three. The bypolls are expected to be a litmus test for all parties ahead of the next general elections in J&K.
Reports had suggested that the BJP may field Devinder Singh Rana’s daughter, Devyani Rana, as its candidate for the Nagrota seat. The NC, however, has not yet disclosed its candidate for either constituency. In the 2024 J&K elections, Omar Abdullah had won the Budgam seat by defeating Muntazir Mehdi by over 18,000 votes, while Devinder Singh Rana secured Nagrota with a margin of 30,472 votes.
Meanwhile, there is no clarity on elections to the four vacant Rajya Sabha seats from J&K, which have remained unfilled since February 2021 due to the absence of a Legislative Assembly.
Even after the new Assembly was constituted in mid-October, the ECI has yet to announce the schedule for these elections.
“The Rajya Sabha Secretariat must refer the vacancies to the ECI. The process is conducted by the Legislative Assembly Secretary, who serves as the Returning Officer,” a senior official explained.
Given the current Assembly composition, an alliance of NC, Congress, and Independents could potentially secure three out of the four Rajya Sabha seats, while the BJP is expected to win one. In the last Rajya Sabha elections in February 2015, the then PDP-BJP alliance had won three seats, while one seat went to Ghulam Nabi Azad, who was with the Congress at the time.
The elections for these four seats must be completed, as per procedural requirements. However, with no formal announcement yet, uncertainty persists over when the elections will be held.

Srinagar: Political leaders from various parties in Jammu and Kashmir visited the residence of ex-serviceman Manzoor Ahmad Wagay in Kulgam on Wednesday to offer condolences after he was shot dead by terrorists on Monday.
Leader of Opposition in the J-K Assembly and BJP leader Sunil Sharma, state BJP president Sat Paul Sharma, and former MLA Ravindra Raina were among those who met the grieving family. PDP leader Iltija Mufti and National Conference (NC) spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar also visited to express their sympathies.
BJP leaders accused Pakistan of orchestrating targeted killings out of frustration over peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir.
“This is condemnable, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice,” said BJP’s Ravindra Raina.
Sharma further blamed the National Conference for the region’s prolonged bloodshed, particularly pointing to the deaths in 2010 during Omar Abdullah’s tenure as chief minister.
“The National Conference has been responsible for the unrest in Kashmir since 1931. The party must remember that their chief minister oversaw the killing of 110 people in just 10 days,” Sharma alleged.
His remarks came in response to NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar, who had earlier claimed that the Centre’s assertions of improved security post-Article 370 abrogation had proven false.
Dar hit back, accusing BJP leaders of politicizing the ex-serviceman’s killing.
“They should be ashamed. I did not blame anyone, but do they forget that the Lieutenant Governor, who controls law and order, belongs to their party?” he said.
PDP leader Iltija Mufti, after meeting the bereaved family, emphasized their plight, stating that they had lost their sole breadwinner.
“The family must be compensated, and an investigation should be ordered as they fear further targeting,” she said.
She also criticized the authorities for detaining a large number of youth in the aftermath of the attack.
“Are we all militants? There is an atmosphere of fear. People tell me they cannot sleep at night. Kashmir has been turned into an open prison,” Mufti remarked. (KINS)

By: Umaisar Gul Ganaie
Behibagh (Kulgam): Blaming Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for 110 killings in 2010, Leader of Opposition (LoP) and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Sunil Sharma on Wednesday alleged that National Conference has been orchestrating turmoil in J&K since 1931.
Talking to reporters here in South Kashmir, Sharma said, “All civilian killings that have taken place here, especially the killing of 9th-class student Tufail Mattoo and thousands of other youth, were due to the NC’s policies. The party is solely responsible for these tragedies.”
“I want to tell the JKNC spokesperson that their Chief Minister was responsible for the killing of 110 people in just 10 days in 2010.” Referring to the post-abrogation scenario, Sharma said, “Since the abrogation of Article 370, terrorism and separatism have suffered a major blow. This is evident to everyone. However, Pakistan-backed elements present are unable to accept this change. They are targeting innocents to create fear.”
“The way the Centre has ensured that Pakistan’s plans in J&K are foiled,” he added.
Meanwhile, BJP J&K President Sat Sharma condemned the killing of an ex-serviceman, Manzoor Ahmad Wagay. “Perpetrators must not go unpunished. Pakistan is trying to destabilize peace but has failed on all fronts. Now, it is resorting to attacks on innocents. Those aiding Pakistan here will not be spared and will be brought to justice,” he said. On the prevailing security situation, he said that the government is actively addressing the issue. “No culprit will be spared,” he said. (KNO)

By: Raja Syed Rather
Kangan, Feb 05: The SSP Traffic Rural Kashmir, Ravinder Paul Singh, has stated that the traffic violations in the region have decreased by an impressive 70 to 80 per cent, crediting the progress to the concerted efforts of traffic police and public awareness campaigns.
Singh emphasized that while the decrease in violations is a positive development; his team is committed to further reducing the remaining 20 percent to ensure safer roads for everyone.
He stressed that traffic violations would not be tolerated and promised that strict legal action would be taken against those found in violation of traffic laws.
Highlighting a significant concern, Singh urged parents to avoid handing over vehicles to their children and cautioned young riders against performing dangerous stunts on the roads. He issued a stern warning, saying, “If anyone is caught performing stunts on bikes or other vehicles, they will face legal action along with a fine.”
As part of the ongoing crackdown, Singh revealed that traffic police teams are actively checking vehicles for proper documentation. Any vehicle found lacking the necessary paperwork will be prohibited from continuing on the roads. (KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 05: The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Customs at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, New Delhi Wednesday seized 10.092 kg of gold coins, valued at Rs 7.8 crore, from two male passengers hailing from Kashmir.
An official said that the passengers, aged 45 and 43, were intercepted after displaying suspicious behavior during profiling.
He said although their baggage scans did not show any anomalies, a personal search triggered by DFMD alerts led to the discovery of concealed gold coins wrapped in plastic inside specially designed waist belts.
He added that the passengers have been detained and further investigations are underway under the Customs Act, 1962. Customs Delhi noted its commitment to curbing smuggling activities and protecting national security. (KNO)