Jammu: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha on Sunday said that his administration intends to make the Union Territory a developed society free of militancy and corruption.

Addressing the attestation/passing out parade of 636 newly recruited Border Security Force (BSF) personnel at the Subsidiary Training Centre in Udhampur, the Lt Governor lauded the role of the security forces for bravely facing various challenges, including infiltration attempts, smuggling of weapons and narcotics from across the border.

“We have faced all the challenges successfully and our security forces are alert. They have played a pivotal role in building a new Jammu and Kashmir by thwarting the designs of the anti-national elements,” said Sinha who inspected the parade and took salute at the march past.

“Decades-old militant ecosystem needs to be dismantled completely. We have continued our efforts to deal a decisive blow on corruption, militancy financing, and militant ecosystem to make Jammu and Kashmir a developed society, free of corruption and fear. This is our target.

“Drug addiction is a big challenge as drugs are smuggled by Pakistan under a conspiracy. You have to play a big role to check the smuggling of drugs,” Sinha said.

The Lt Governor further said: “You are fully capable and ready. The country is witnessing that BSF is performing its duties in mountainous regions, plains, deserts and deep forests with great devotion and dedication. The force is bravely facing every danger to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the nation.

“We are ready to give a befitting response if someone wants to test us,” Sinha added, urging the fresh BSF recruits to live up to the tradition and expectation of the force. (IANS)

Srinagar: A court in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar city has framed charges against two adults accused in the acid attack on a woman in the Hawal area of the city on February 1.

A police statement said charges were framed against the accused under sections 120-B and 326A of IPC.

The case pertains to the acid attack on a young girl in the Hawal area of Nowhatta police station on February 1.

After concluding the investigation swiftly, the Srinagar police had filed the charge sheet of the case on February 22 in record time against two adult accused in the court of the chief judicial magistrate (Srinagar) and against one minor accused in the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB).

Petition was also filed in the JJB to try the juvenile as adult in line with the amended Juvenile Justice Act, as he falls in the bracket of 16-18 years and the nature of the crime was heinous, police statement said.

Subsequently a board has been constituted by the JJB wherein assessment regarding his mental and psychological parameters would be conducted to decide if he could be treated as an adult in the trial.

The charges against the two adults, namely Sajid Ahmad Rather and Muhammad Sultan Kumar, were framed by Principal district and sessions Judge Srinagar, Jawad Ahmed. The next date of hearing has been fixed on March 30, 2022. (IANS)

Jammu: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Sunday said that the next step of this government will be to unveil the same statue of Maharaja Gulab Singh, the founder of Jammu and Kashmir in Pakistan administered Kashmir.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said this while unveiling the statue of Maharaja Gulab Singh at Lakhanpur in Kathua district.

Dr Singh emphasized that the unveiling of the statue of Maharaja Gulab Singh today at Lakhanpur is the historical day for the entire Jammu & Kashmir and pride moment for Dogras which was awaited from the last seventy years.

The Minister maintained that this ceremony has connected everyone as the people from every segment of the society have come here to witness this historical occasion.

He said that post abrogation of Article 370, a new dawn of development has been set in J&K and one of the major developments is the unveiling of the statue of the founder of Jammu and Kashmir today which was long awaited.

While praising the erstwhile Dogra Rulers of J&K, Dr Singh said that the erstwhile Princely State of J&K was the largest among all and the most progressive in terms of development that can be judged from the construction of Ranbir Canal for irrigation under Maharaja Ranbir Singh and the women empowerment schemes under Dogra Rulers.

Dr. Singh further said that their progressive thinking of Dogra Rulers can be imagined from the statement of Maharaja Hari Singh when he said that his religion is justice.

The Minister listed various developments happened in Kathua post abrogation of Article 370 like revival of the Shahpur Kandi Project stalled from many decades, North India’s first Biotech Park, Government Medical College, 200 bridges, Atal Setu, Mega Quintal Seed Processing Plants and development of many National Highway Projects connecting Kathua to various other districts and states.

On the demand of the people of Lakhanpur, Dr. Singh said that Lakhanpur will be established as a big tourist destination being the gateway of Jammu and Kashmir with the development of Highway Villages having all the basic amenities available to attract the potential tourists.

He also stressed that the population of this country consists of 70 percent youth who are in need of unbiased representatives, transparent and progressive government which has been provided to them under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Dr. Singh maintained that the results of Uttar Pradesh elections have sent a clear message to all that the people of this country believes in Suvidha, Samman and Suraksha provided to people under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (UNI)

Kendrapada (Odisha): The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued directives to all Chief Secretaries and Administrators of the States and Union Territories to act on its advisories on mental health care across the country.

The full bench of the NHRC including the Chairperson and all its members passed the order recently while adjudicating a Petition filed by Human Rights Activist Radhakanta Tripathy.

The NHRC issued the advisories in October 2020 and in May last year covering aspects like suicide prevention, right to access mental healthcare, promotion of mental health and preventive programmes, extending outreach of mental health support and post-Covid management in view of the pandemic and rise in incidents of suicide.

Tripathy in his petition pointed out the rise in suicide cases in the country with the outbreak of Covid19 and the failure of the government to take care of people’s mental health due to lack of medical facilities.

Tripathy further submitted that the State Governments and Union Territories have failed to implement the provisions of the Health Care Act, 2017 with regard to mental health issues.

Quoting WHO report, he said about 50 million Indians are suffering from depression.

He alleged that the failure of the Government to recognise persons of unsound mind and those with mental illness, and the inability to take care of them during the Coronavirus pandemic amounts to a denial of human rights of these vulnerable people.

Inactive, Lackadaisical and negligent attitude of Government pose a serious threat to basic human rights of the poor people, migrant workers, daily wagers and farmers, Tripathy alleged Mental health issues in India receive scant attention, even though it, too, wreaks carnage, devastates families, harms and kills scores of people.

Post-pandemic, the country is on the verge of another health crisis, with daily doses of death, isolation and fear generating widespread psychological trauma, Tripathy pointed out.

Crime and law and order problem in India is on the rise and will worsen further as the government has failed to take care of the mental health of the people. Even as the Statute provides for the inclusion of mental illness under insurance cover, as of now no steps has been taken to give effect to it.

He requested the NHRC to make context-specific planning of health-care services at the state level, take effective measures for community-based mental health interventions, psycho-education, psychosocial rehabilitation, support for livelihood during Covid and post-Covid periods, and ensure the mental health of every citizen by preventing, treating and curing mental illness. (UNI)

New Delhi: After his summit meeting with Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to have a summit meeting with another Quad partner, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday that is likely to see the two sides announce an interim free trade deal.

The signing of the early harvest deal would pave the way for negotiations on the full India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement. Australian Trade Minister Dan Tehan is quoted as saying that the early harvest deal has been finalized after multiple rounds of negotiations between the two countries.

Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was last year appointed special envoy to take forward the negotiations that had been stalled. “I’m hoping that we will be able to do it over the next few days,” Dan Tehan told ABC Radio National last week.

“These are tough discussions and obviously in the end we’ve got to make sure it is in our national interest and … in India’s national interest. “My hope would be we would have something by the end of this week or early next week.”

The deal is considered critical for Australia, following the recent export bans from China, with which its relations have taken a downward spiral. The bilateral trade in goods and services between India and Australia increased from US$10.12 billion in 2007 to US$18.08 billion in 2020.

Two-way foreign direct investment was valued at US$1.04 billion in 2020. After the interim trade deal, both sides are keen to push for the full India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) covering most trade in goods and areas such as services, investments, government procurement, and intellectual property.

In 2020, India was Australia’s seventh-largest trading partner and sixth largest export destination, driven by coal and international education. Both sides agreed on formal resumption of negotiations on the CECA during the 17th India-Australia Joint Ministerial Commission held on September 30 last year.

An interim FTA between India and Australia will lower import duties and expand market access for a limited number of items and sectors. Australian producers are keen on encouraging market access for products not made in India or commodities where India experiences a shortfall in supply, such as pulses, grains, and oilseeds. India is likewise keen to secure market access for its textiles, leather, and gems and jewelry.

In January, India had said that sensitive dairy and agriculture items, such as milk, butter, milk powder, or wheat, would be kept out of the trade deal. The focus would be on items not produced in the country, such as blue cheese and Australian tree nuts like macadamias.

In their meetings held in February this year, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Australian Trade Minister Dan Tehan’s teams identified key items to be prioritized for greater market access. Among these, the education sector was identified as offering mutually beneficial prospects for both countries. Among the reported proposals is the possibility of allowing Indian students to extend visas by an additional three-five years.

On Friday, Australian Prime Minister Morrison said that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be discussing enhancing bilateral trade and investment as well as cooperation in defence and security, besides other areas during the virtual summit on Monday. The two leaders would also be discussing the situation in Ukraine.

In a statement, the Australian PM said that he would be hosting PM Modi for the Virtual Annual Leaders’ Meeting on March 21, the second such meeting since the two sides announced the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020.

“Australia and India’s strong bilateral relationship is based on mutual understanding and trust, a commitment to democracy, and a shared vision of an open, inclusive, resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

“Prime Minister Modi and I will discuss deepening our trade and investment relationship and harnessing new economic opportunities to support our mutual economic recovery and growth. “Central to these endeavours are strengthened cooperation in defence and security, science and technology, and critical minerals and clean energy.

“We will also discuss a range of regional and multilateral issues, including the situation in Ukraine and its implications for the Indo-Pacific, and Myanmar. “I look forward to reaffirming our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and advancing our shared bilateral and regional agenda.” (UNI)

New Delhi: Every rural household in 101 districts in several states across the country are getting clean tap water under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), a report said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the JJM on August 15, 2019, with the aim to provide tap water supply to every rural home and public institution by 2024, to enhance ease of living of people.

According to a report of the former Additional Secretary, Drinking Water and Sanitation (Jal Shakti Ministry), Bharat Lal, published in monthly magazine ‘Yojana’, it claimed around 9 crore (46 per cent) rural households across the country have been provided tap water supply connections.

Every rural household in States namely Goa, Haryana and Telangana, and Union Territories (UTs) – Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Puducherry have tap water connections, the report said.

At the announcement of JJM, out of total 18.70 crore rural households, only 3.23 crore (17 per cent) had tap water connections, it said.

As per the report, 7 States and 2 UTs have set the target to achieve 100 per cent coverage of rural households this year, 9 States in 2023, and 8 States in 2024. Among the North Eastern States, Sikkim which targets to achieve 100 per cent coverage in 2022, has so far covered 80 per cent of the rural households, it said.

In Union Budget 2022-23, Rs 60,000 crore earmarked for ‘Har Ghar Jal’ under the JJM to provide tap water connections to 3.8 crore rural households. (UNI)

Srinagar: A student from Rajouri area of Jammu division died after a basketball poll fell on him at Regional Institute of Management and Technology University in Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab, sources said.

They said that Faisal Ahmad Quershi, a resident of Rajouri pursuing BSC Radiology from RIMT Institute in Punjab died after a basketball poll fell on him while playing on Saturday evening.

Additional Spokesman of Jammu and Kashmir Students association, Danish Lone confirmed the incident to a local news gathering agency and said the student died after a basketball poll fell on him while playing. “The body of the student has been shifted to his native village after completing medico legal formalities,” he said.

Punjab Police has taken cognizance of the incident. (KDC)