‘System can’t function as per their whims, 100% electricity to be restored today’

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Monday said that 100 percent electricity will be restored across Jammu and Kashmir by tomorrow and that those who were at the helm of affairs for many decades have failed to take steps to bring qualitative change in people’s lives.

Addressing a gathering on the sidelines of a function at Convention Centre, Sinha said that some people think that the system will work as per their whims and fancies, which cannot be allowed.

“I want to tell 1.25 crore citizens of Jammu and Kashmir that I understand your pain caused by the disruption in electricity supply due to strike by the power department employees. The well-being of each and every citizen is our top priority,” he said, adding that “many generations of J&K have spent their life dreaming about getting an uninterrupted 24 hours supply of electricity and we have taken the bold initiative of reforms in the power sector to realize that dream.”

“Unfortunately, the people who were at the helm of affairs for many decades did nothing; they didn’t want the system to get better to bring qualitative change in people’s lives. Talks have been held with those who were on strike and as on date no dues/salary are pending on part of the government,” he said.

“I do not want to name them, but some people have criticized that the army has been called to restore electricity. Personnel from REC, NTPC, NHPC and officers from the army engineering corps have also come. This only shows our commitment that we restored 60% electricity yesterday and by tomorrow we will achieve 100% restoration.”

“There can be no compromise on the issue of ensuring access to the basic amenities to our people. Tremendous work has been done across the Power sector in the whole country; rural areas are now getting electricity for 20-22 hours. Unfortunately, J&K is still deprived of that. We have made efforts in that direction. Most of you know our cumulative generation capacity is around 3500MW even though the UT has the potential to generate 20000 MW. In the last 6-8 months, the MoUs we have signed with NHPC, under the guidance of Prime Minister, will pave way for generating 3500MW additional power in the next 4-5 years, assuredly.”

He said that there is no dearth of electricity in the country but the UT’s transmission and distribution systems have a limited capacity of carrying electricity from outside. “We have worked in that direction and have been able to achieve 40% of that specific capacity building plan. And I want to assure that the Prime Minister has always extended his support to us and in the last 14 months, we have completed 236 projects to improve transmission and distribution infrastructure and the rest will also be completed, well within timelines. It pains me that despite massive progress in other parts of the country, people of J&K were deprived of minimum requirements to live a civilized life.”

“If some people think that the system will work as per their whims and fancies, it cannot be allowed. The system will work for 1.25 crore citizens without any discrimination. Every step of the UT administration is meant for the betterment of 1.25 crore citizens of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

New Delhi: Foreign Ministers of five central Asian countries met Prime Minister Narendra on Monday and emphasised the readiness of their leadership to further strengthen relations with India.

Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan met the Prime Minister in Delhi.

They are on a visit to participate in the third meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue.

The Central Asian Foreign Ministers conveyed the greetings of their Presidents to Prime Minister Modi and emphasised the readiness of their leadership to further strengthen relations with India.

They briefed the Prime Minister on the deliberations of the India-Central Asia Dialogue held under the chairmanship of External Affairs Minister of India on December 18-19, which focused on trade and connectivity, development partnership and regional developments, including the situation in Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister emphasised the importance that India attaches to its long-standing relations with Central Asian countries, which are part of its ‘Extended Neighbourhood’.

He conveyed his felicitations to the Ministers on the 30th anniversary of their independence this year. He recalled his memorable visits to all Central Asian countries in 2015 and subsequently to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyz Republic.

The Prime Minister underlined the importance of maintaining cultural and people-to-people contacts between India and Central Asia, given the popularity of Indian films, music, yoga etc in the region. He also underscored the potential of enhanced economic cooperation between India and Central Asia, and the role of connectivity in that regard.

The India-Central Asia Dialogue has given impetus to the excellent bilateral relations between India and Central Asian countries. India and the Central Asian countries will mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations next year.

After the dialogue on Sunday, in a joint statement, six countries reiterated strong support for a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan while emphasising the respect for sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and non-interference in its internal affairs.

They had also discussed the current humanitarian situation and decided to continue to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.

They had reaffirmed the importance of UNSC Resolution 2593 (2021) which unequivocally demands that Afghan territory not be used for sheltering, training, planning or financing terrorist acts and called for concerted action against all terrorist groups.

The Ministers also agreed to continue close consultations on the situation in Afghanistan.

“While taking note of the outcome document of the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue of November 10, 2021, Ministers noted that there is a broad aregional consensus’ on the issues related to Afghanistan, which includes formation of a truly representative and inclusive government, combating terrorism and drug trafficking, central role of the UN, providing immediate humanitarian assistance for the Afghan people and preserving the rights of women, children and other national ethnic groups,” the joint statement said.

The ministers stressed that perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terrorist acts must be held accountable and brought to justice in accordance with principle of “extradite or prosecute.” In this context, they called for early adoption of the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.

“They called on the international community to strengthen UN-led global counter-terrorism cooperation and fully implement the relevant UNSC resolutions, Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and FATF standards, the statement said. (IANS)

Srinagar: Chillai-e-Kalan—the 40-day long chilliest part of the winter season has begin today while Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh continued to reel under intense cold conditions with Srinagar recording a low of minus 5.8°C on Monday.

A meteorological department official here said that the mercury in the summer capital was two notches up from previous two night’s minus 6.0°C. However, he said, overall it was below minus 4.3°C than the normal for this time of the year.

While as the 40-day long ‘Chillai Kalan begins today, it is followed by a 20-day long ‘Chillai Khurd’ and a 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha’.

Meanwhile, the mercury in the world famous resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district settled at minus 5.5°C against minus 7.5°C on the previous night, the official said.

Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, had a low of minus 6.0°C against minus 6.0°C on the previous night, he said.

Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 7.4°C against minus 8.7°C on previous night.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 5.9°C against minus 6.0°C on previous night, the official said.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a minimum of minus 5.2°C against minus 6.1°C on the previous night, the official said.

Jammu, the J&K’s winter capital, saw a low of 3.2°C which is minus 5.7°C below normal, he said.

Ladakh’s Leh had a low of minus 13.9°C against last night’s minus 16.0°C while automatic Kargil station recorded minimum of minus 11.5°C. Drass in Kargil, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 19.0°C, the official said.

“Mostly dry and cold weather is likely to continue till December 22 forenoon in both J&K and Ladakh,” the official said, adding, “There’s a modifications in early forecast of snowfall. Now, there’s no forecast of any major snowfall in both J&K and Ladakh.”

However, he said, light to moderate snowfall is expected at many places of J&K and at scattered places of Ladakh especially along Sonmarg-Drass, Parkachik-Padum axis during evening of December 22 to 25. He said that due to mainly clear sky, night temperature Is most likely to fall further during next three days.

“Thereafter, due to the approaching Western Disturbance, we expect gradual fall in day temperature and slight rise in night temperature from December 21 to 26.” (GNS)

Srinagar: Police on Monday claimed to have arrested two militant associates of Jaish-i-Muhammad in South Kashmir Pulwama district.

A police spokesperson said that on specific information about the movements of “anti-national elements”, Police with assistance of 55 RR and 182 Bn CRPF arrested two militant associate of outfit Jaish -i- Mohmmad “involved in providing shelter, logistics and other support to the militants as well as in transporting of arms/ ammunition and explosive material for the militants in Awantipora and Tral areas.”

The arrested persons were in touch with JeM commanders and were involved in transportation of arms/ammunition and were providing other logistic support to strengthen militant network, police said.

As per the statement, arrested militants associates have been identified as Umer Ramzan son of M Ramzan Wani of Brabandina and Javid Ahmad Mala son of Ali Mohammad of Khelan.

“Incriminate material of outfit JeM has been recovered from them. A Case under relevant sections of law stands registered against them in Police Station litter, reads the statement.”

By: Tasaduq Hussain

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir has recorded 5601 incidents of Ceasefire Violations since November 2019; the Ministry of Defence informed the parliament on Monday.

The Defence Ministry was responding to the query raised in the parliament, seeking the details about the number of times Pakistan has violated the Line of Control (LoC) during the last two years and about action taken in retaliation.

Minister of State (MoS) in the Ministry of Defence, Ajay Bhatt in a written reply said that a total 5601 instances of Cease Fire Violations (CFVs) were reported along the LoC under operational control of Indian Army in Jammu & Kashmir from 30 November, 2019 to 29 November, 2021.

The MoS said that the troops deployed on forward posts enjoy complete freedom of action in responding to Pakistan Ceasefire Violations (CFVs).

Regarding the damage to Pakistani posts, the Minister said that substantial damage was inflicted on Pakistan posts and personnel during retaliation by the Indian Army. (KNO)

Chairs meeting for promotion of cultural festivals, approves Rs 3.20 cr expenditure for Phase-I

Srinagar: Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole Monday chaired a meeting for promotion of traditional and cultural festivals in Kashmir through Google Meet.

The meeting was attended by Dy Director Archives, Archeology and Museums, representing Member Secretary; Secretary, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages; Director Tourism; Chief Engineer PWD, (R&B) Besides nominated members of the Committee for implementation of the scheme for promotion of traditional and cultural festivals including Tehsildar representing, CEO J&K, Waqf Board; Director, Doordarshan, Srinagar and Head of Kashmir International NGO.

The meeting deliberated over the identification of places for celebration of festivals in Kashmir division. It was decided that festivals will be organized in two phases with the first phase ending on March 31, 2022.

The Div Com approved the expenditure of Rs 3.20 lakh for the celebration of festivals in the first phase while the expenditure for the 2nd Phase will be Rs 20cr. He also directed for reviewing the list of places where cultural and traditional festivals shall be held.

Besides, the expenditure for shrines has been divided as per the categories with Rs 3 lakh at Small Shrines, Rs 5 lakh at Medium shrines and Rs 10 lakh at Large Shrines.

Also, the concerned officers have been asked to prepare the DPR for the reparation, Conservation and Restoration of heritage sites.  It was informed that out of fifty identified heritage sites, the DPR of twenty two sites is pending.

On the Occasion, Div Com directed concerned officers to expedite the preparation of DPR for pending heritage buildings and sites.

It is pertinent to mention that the objective scheme is to preserve festivals as a part of our composite culture and enhance the festivity of these festivals.

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University College Birmingham (UCB) at India Global Forum, Dubai, to explore potential progression opportunities through institutional partnership with vocational colleges and universities in J&K, officials said on Monday.

For the first time, UCB has decided to set up an office in Jammu and Kashmir to tie up with local educational institutions, facilitate academic exchange programmes and enable students to secure admissions at reduced fees.

Director of Industries and Commerce, Jammu, Anoo Malhotra, and Director Marketing, Admissions and International Recruitment, University College Birmingham, Eileen Pryer, signed the MoU in the presence of Counsel General of India, Aman Puri, during the India Global Forum event held at Taj Dubai.

“We have signed an MoU. We will be exchanging educational programmes and doing many things together. I am inviting her to J&K. We will be providing her with some office space. We will start work as soon as possible,” said Anu Malhotra.

Eileen said it is an incredible opportunity for the University College Birmingham.

“This provides a great opportunity for things to explore, make partnerships with universities and provide wider opportunity for students who may not able to go straight to our programmes. So it is an incredible opportunity. We have a very positive experience,” she said.

The objective of the MoU is to provide a framework within which the parties will seek to develop a formal relationship in exchange of undergraduate/graduate students, technical programs, academic mobility, teaching and research programs. The document would be valid for a period of three years.