Precious Kashmir

LS passes bill to link voter ID with Aadhaar

Front

21/12/2021

New Delhi: A bill to link voter IDs with Aadhaar was introduced, and passed in Lok Sabha on Monday, amid opposition by several MPs who called it a violation of rights of citizens and attack on democracy.

The Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on Monday, and was brought for passage by Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on the same day.

Opposition protests against the Bill in the House saw MPs raising slogans against the Minister as he moved the Bill for consideration and passing.

“There is a provision in the Bill for linking Aadhaar card with voter ID card. This is voluntary and not mandatory,” the Minister said, calling it a major electoral reform.

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the Bill should be sent to a standing committee.

Rijiju however said the 105th report of parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances and Law and Justice stated that the committee is of view that linking Aadhaar with electoral roll will purify electoral roll.

A brief debate on the Bill was held in which BJP MP Nishikant Dubey alleged that the Congress was opposing the Bill because they wanted to give voting rights to “Bangladeshis”. “After this Bill is passed Congress will not be able to make Bangladeshis or Nepalis (voters in India). All these parties are doing vote bank politics. The other point is that polling booths are in Madarssas and Mosques, the Bill will address that. We appeal Bangladeshis and Videshis are not made voters in India”.

Kalyan Banerjee of Trinamool Congress said entire democracy is being taken away by the Bill.

As Banerjee was speaking, a comment was made from the treasury benches calling him a “Bangladeshi supporter”.

Shiv Sena’s Vinayak Raut also opposed the Bill, and questioned why it was being passed in a hurry.

Supriya Sule of the Nationalist Congress party also asked what is the hurry, and also questioned Nishikant Dubey’s charges, stating, “one of their Ministers is Bangladeshi is the allegation in West Bengal”. She said government should bring a comprehensive Bill on electoral reforms, including reservation for women.

Several other MPs said there should be proper debate on the Bill. Bahujan Samaj Party’s Ritesh Pandey said Bills were being bulldozed in Parliament. Anubhav Mohanty of Biju Janata Dal also said the Bill needs to be properly discussed.

Asaduddin Owaisi said the Bill violates the basic structure of the Constitution.

Rijiju replied to the points raised by the MPs and blamed the Opposition for creating a ruckus in the House, as protests continued demanding suspension of MoS Home Ajay Mishra Teni and other issues.

Amid continuing protests, the Bill was passed through voice vote, and the House was adjourned for the day. (UNI)

J&K reports 105 fresh Covid-19 cases, one death

Front

Nadeem Nadu

21/12/2021

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 105 fresh covid-19 cases while as one person succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Tuesday.

27 of the fresh cases were reported from Jammu Division and 78 from Kashmir, taking the overall tally to 339932.

There one death reported from Kashmir division due to the virus during the last 24 hours, they said. So far 4513 persons—2194 in Jammu and 2319 in Kashmir—have died due to the virus, they said.

Giving district wise details of the fresh cases, the officials said that Srinagar reported 31 cases, Baramulla 6, Budgam 10, Pulwama 2, Kupwara 5, Anantnag 3, Bandipora 5, Ganderbal 16, Kulgam 0, Shopian 0, Jammu 19, Udhampur 0, Rajouri 3, Doda 2, Kathua 2, Samba 0, Kishtwar 1, Poonch 1, Ramban 0 and Reasi 0.

Moreover, 192 Covid-19 patients recovered during the time, 32 from Jammu Division and 160 from Kashmir, they said.

So far 334056 patients have recovered, leaving active case tally at 1363—336 in Jammu and 1027 in Kashmir.

They said there was no new confirmed case of mucormycosis (black fungus) reported today. So far 50 black fungus cases have been confirmed in J&K, the officials said. They also informed that 60934 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)

Kashmir parties unhappy with Delimitation Commission’s report

Front

United News Of India

21/12/2021

Srinagar: Amid reports that the Delimitation Commission has proposed six additional assembly seats for Jammu region and one for the Kashmir Valley, Kashmir centric politicians on Monday hit out at the Union government for serving BJP’s interests.

Former Chief Minister and National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah said it was deeply disappointing that the Commission appears to have “allowed the political agenda of the BJP.”

“The draft recommendation of the J&K Delimitation Commission is unacceptable. The distribution of newly created assembly constituencies with six going to Jammu and only one to Kashmir is not justified by the data of the 2011 census,” he said in a series of tweets.

“It is deeply disappointing that the Commission appears to have allowed the political agenda of the BJP to dictate its recommendations rather than the data which should have been it’s only consideration. Contrary to the promised ‘scientific approach’, it’s a political approach,” he added.

Another former Chief Minister and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti said the “real game plan is to install a government in J&K which will legitimise the illegal & unconstitutional decisions of August 2019”.

“My apprehensions about the Delimitation Commission weren’t misplaced. They want to pitch people against each other by ignoring the population census & proposing six seats for one region and only one for Kashmir,” she tweeted.

“This Commision has been created simply to serve BJPs political interests by dividing people along religious and regional lines. The real game plan is to install a government in J&K which will legitimise the illegal and unconstitutional decisions of August 2019,” she added.

Peoples Conference President Sajad Lone said the “recommendations reek of bias”.

“The recommendations … are totally unacceptable. They reek of bias. What a shock for those who believe in democracy,” he said in a tweet.

The Delimitation Commission was set up last year to redraw the electoral constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir and four northeastern states. (UNI)

NC MPs satisfied with parameters of Delimitation Commission: Jitendra

Front

Precious Kashmir

21/12/2021

NC MPs satisfied with parameters of Delimitation Commission: Jitendra

Srinagar: Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh on Monday said that National Conference MPs were satisfied with parameters followed by the Delimitation Commission.

“The Commission has come out with a document that is objectively prepared. All associated members regardless of parties appreciated work done by the Delimitation Commission. NC members were also satisfied by parameters followed by the Commission,” Jitendra Singh told reporters after the delimitation commission held its meeting at Hotel Ashoka in New Delhi.

Jitendra Singh, who is MP from Udhampur Lok Sabha segment, is an associate member of the panel.

Meanwhile, the National Conference (NC) accused Singh of “misrepresenting and distorting the facts with malicious intention”.

“We have clearly expressed our resentment over the draft of the Delimitation Commission, the biased process of seat sharing. The party will NOT be a signatory to this report,” the party tweeted. (KNO)

Div Com Kashmir inspects several grid stations in Anantnag

City

Precious Kashmir

21/12/2021

Div Com Kashmir inspects several grid stations in Anantnag

Anantnag: Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole visited several grid stations in Anantnag on Monday.

Inspecting the grid station at Sarnal, the Div Com was apprised that the station is functioning normally. He was informed that service delivery is being carried out as per schedule.

Div Com interacted with the on duty staff and asked them to be punctual in carrying out their duties.

He also visited the grid station at Nai Basti Khanabal and inspected the functioning of the grid station.

Speaking on the occasion, the Div Com said that regular power supply is essentially during harsh winters and the concerned officials should ensure that curtailment schedule is adhered to.

The Divisional Commissioner was accompanied by DC Anantnag Dr Piyush Singla, SSP Anantnag Ashish Mishra and other senior officials from district administration.

EJAC appeals Govt to settle issues of protesting PDD employees

City

Precious Kashmir

21/12/2021

Srinagar: The Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) Monday urged the government to hold the meaningful talks with the leaders of the JKPEECC at the earliest without losing the precious time.

The EJAC in a statement expressed its deep concern as the way government tries to handle the issue. Government should come with concrete proposals to settle the issues of these employees once for all.

EJAC President Fayaz Ahmad Shabnam said that the struggle of the protesting electric employees is genuine and government should not make it point of prestige rather show its magananimity in resolving the issues.

The EJAC shall not spare any opportunity to standby JKPEECC in their endeavors to get the honorable solution of the projected demands. As already made it public, the EJAC fully supports the organization for getting all the issues solved.

EJAC reiterated its commitment and the stand with the leaders of the JKPEECC.

“The government should not test the patience of the employees rather act sagaciously in view of the sufferings of the stake holders. The employees won’t be left in lurch at this stage. We stand like a rock behind them,”” said Shabnam.

Strategy for online training of teachers may be designed: MoE

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

21/12/2021

Strategy for online training of teachers may be designed: MoE

By: Bhat Imran

Srinagar: The Ministry of Education has said that periodic check-ins and mentoring sessions between teachers and academic resource persons is likely required in the School Education Departments.

The MoE for Government of India (GoI) in an annual project board meeting has said, “Periodic check-ins and mentoring sessions between teachers and academic resource persons may be organized by State SCERTs or SIEs and DIETs by collaborating with NCERT if required.”

The minutes of meeting of MoE also states that the strategy for online training of teachers may be designed, where teachers are guided on teaching methodologies through live-streaming of online tutorials and Massive Open Online Course (MOOCs) through NISHTHA and DIKSHA platform.

Besides, it also states that, “Teachers may be sensitized and oriented about the safety measures such as social distancing norms, sanitization requirements, tracking of students’ health etc.”

“This course has been designed and developed in collaboration with UNICEF and uploaded on DIKSTIA platform with the objective of providing essential knowledge and action plan with demarcation of responsibilities, for prevention of transmission of COVID 19 in the school environment,” it reads.

The MoE also said, “Teachers may be provided with a platform to share their experiences, ideas, best practices, issues and concerns related to e-learning.” (KNO)

Pulwama residents suffer in absence of public transport in evening

Jammu & Kashmir

Jahangeer Ganaie

21/12/2021

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar: The non-availability of public transport in evening hours has caused immense hardships to the people in several areas of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

Hundreds of commuters, mostly office-goers and students could be seen stranded at the sumo stands and on the side of the roads in main town Pulwama and other areas during evening hours.

Locals said that the people from different villages including Litter, Rajpora, Shadimarg, Keller, Tahab, Chandgam, Lassipora, Koil, Awantipora and other areas are facing immense problems due to the lack of public transport service in the evening hours for the last one month in the district.

They said that they have been arriving home late for the last one month due to unavailability of transport. “Public transport disappears here after 4:30 pm, causing trouble for the people. The administration must look into this issue,” Sheeraz Ahmad said.

After 5 PM people hardly get any passenger vehicle to reach home, he said. “I request Deputy Commissioner Pulwama to please look into this matter as people are suffering on a regular basis in this bone-chilling cold,” he said.

Meanwhile, the commuters appealed to the higher authorities to look into the matter so that they could heave a sigh of relief. However, an official from the district administration assured that he will look into the matter. (KNO)

Frequent traffic jams irk commuters in Gbl

City

Precious Kashmir

21/12/2021

By: Raja Syed Rather

Ganderbal: Daily commuters, particularly employees and students, in Central Kashmir Ganderbal district’s main town are facing immense hardships due to the frequent traffic jams in the area, appealing the concerned authorities to take steps to ensure smooth passage to the vehicular movement.

A group of commuters comprising employees and students said that authorities have failed to regulate traffic in the main town Ganderbal particularly from Beehama to Duderhama Chowk, saying that the situation is worsening with each passing day.

They also said that in the absence of proper traffic regulation, the vehicular movement frequently comes to standstill at the vital intersection on Beehama-Duderhama road.

“The local residents mostly keep the vehicles parked on the roads, leading to chaos and frequent traffic jams while the authorities are watching as mute spectators,” they said.

They said encroachers are randomly occupying footpaths, leaving no space for the movement of pedestrians and the moving vehicles even on the main streets of the town, thereby resulting in massive traffic jams.

The failure of the authorities to ensure smooth flow of traffic has evoked strong resentment from the commuters. “Frequent traffic jams have drastically affected our lives and business. The worst affected are the government employees and students who reach late to the offices and respective destinations,” she said.

Furthermore, the major roads in the town remain choked due to the heavy movement of vehicles after an increase in the number of private vehicles, they said, adding that the footpath encroached by people in the market is also a reason for traffic mess.

“We are looking for an adequate parking space in the town, which will put an end to the illegal parking and will help in reducing the traffic mess,” officials said. (KNO)

Ensure teachers don’t take private tuitions: Govt tells DDOs

Anchor stories

Ahmed Shabir

21/12/2021

Ensure teachers don’t take private tuitions: Govt tells DDOs

By: Ahmad Shabir

Anantnag: The government has directed the concerned authorities to ensure that no teacher is involved in taking private tuitions during the winters.

Authorities have asked the teachers and lecturers not to practice private tuition during winter break without the permission of the Director School Education, Kashmir (DSEK).

To implement the directive, Chief Education Officers (CEOs) of various districts have sought certificates from heads of all educational institutions that none of the teachers working in their respective institutions is practicing private tuition.

Sources said that following the directive by the DSEK, the Chief Education Officers have asked all the Zonal Education Officers and heads of other higher secondary schools and high schools to ensure the strict implementation of the order.

“All the teachers and lecturers of the district are directed not to practice private tuition, coaching in any institution without obtaining proper permission from DSEK,” they said.

The circular has also warned DDOs of the government schools and educational zones of penalty if any of the teachers working under them is found involved in the practice.

“Anybody caught unauthorizedly practicing private tuition will be penalized along with his DDO,” the circular in possession of Precious Kashmir reads.

Though the orders banning the private tuitions by government teachers have been issued in the past as well without any implementation on ground but sources said it is for the first time that the DDOs have been asked to certify that none of their teachers is involved in private coaching and threatened with action if anyone certified by him or her is found involved.

In another circular granting sanction to the free winter camps in government run educational institutions, authorities have also asked the private schools to adhere to the winter tuition fee fixed by the government formed fee fixation committee.

Pertinently, many private schools have started winter coaching in either at rented accomodations or in their respective schools.

To prevent these schools from charging huge amounts as winter coaching fee, the government, sources said, has asked them to strictly abide by the fee fixed by its fee fixation committee.

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