By: Yogesh Sagotra

Jammu: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday claimed that abrogation of Article 370 has brought transparency in the governance in Jammu and Kashmir.

“In last two years, the work that has happened in Jammu and Kashmir is absolutely stunning.  The government procurement, government recruitment, government spending of its resources, taxation or deployment of resources or whatever it be, these things are now available online 24X7 and in a very transparent manner,” the Union Finance Minister told reporters while addressing a press conference at Jammu’s Raj Bhawan.

Sitharaman , who is on her first visit to Jammu and Kashmir post abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, said that even recruitment at most senior level is done as per norms and all backdoor operations and leakages have been plugged.

“So in terms of bringing transparency in the governance and in terms of bringing a great transparency in the overall governance, I would honestly thank abrogation of 370,” the Union Finance Minister said.

Stating that Jammu and Kashmir is rapidly passing through developmental phase, she said, “The development is reaching to all sectors and in a transparent manner.”

She said that economy of Jammu and Kashmir will be doubled in next few years as the region is rapidly passing through the development phase. She also said that the projects which were earlier stalled are being completed and communities deprived of benefits are now being benefited.

All social security schemes introduced by the Centre are reaching to the people, she said. “Had good interactions with women entrepreneurs in Kashmir on Monday, which was very inspiring,” said the Finance Minister.

She said that the development of J&K in every aspect is taking place and the World Bank is pooling through an agency for development of this region.“We will ensure that more public sector banks come in J&K so that a healthy credit outreach can be given,” she added. (KNO)

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered termination of two more teachers from government services for on the charges remaining unauthorized absent for a period of more than five years.

Official sources said that two teachers have been terminated from their services under Article 113 of J&K Civil Service Rules (Volume I) of 1956, taking the total number of teachers terminated during the past three days to six.

They said that the teachers who have been terminated from their service were identified as Jameela Akhtar teacher BHS Singhpora of Anantnag and Nighat Hussain teacher BMS Soura of Srinagar.

Meanwhile, as per the termination order against Jameela Akhtar, she has been terminated from her services for remaining absent from her legitimate duties from September 09, 2014.

Similarly, the termination order of Nighat Akhtar stated that she had remained absent from her duties from September 1, 2012 even as she was provided ample opportunities to resume her duties.

On November 21 the authorities also terminated four teachers from the services for remaining absent for more than 5 years from their duties. (UNI)

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir police in Srinagar district on Tuesday said it has solved the murder case of the salesman who was killed in Bohri Kadal area of the city, adding that three accused have also been arrested.

“The case of Ibrahim Ahmad who was working at the shop of Sandeep Kumar Mawa and was killed on November 9 has been solved,” a police statement said on Tuesday.

“Three persons have been arrested who were involved in the commission of the murder by the militants,” the statement said.

Police said that regarding this militancy incident, a case under relevant sections of law was registered.

“To investigate the said militancy crime, a special investigation team was constituted,” the police said. “During the course of investigation, the officials learnt about the involvement of three persons—Aejaz Ahmad Lone, Naseer Ahmad Shah and Showkat Ahmad Dar, all residents of Lelhar Pulwama in the said militancy case.”

“Subsequently, they were arrested in the instant case and during questioning they confessed about their involvement in the commission of said crime,” the statement said.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the above mentioned arrested trio is linked with militant outfit LeT (TRF) and have executed the said militant attack on the directions of militant handler from across the border.

“It was further revealed that the arrested trio has been in touch with Pakistan based militant handler for the last four months.

“On their disclosure, weapon of offence—pistol along with 7 rounds and other incriminating materials including a grenade have been recovered from their possession.

“Besides, the Alto car which was used by the accused on the day of attack has also been seized on their disclosure. Further investigation in the case is in progress,” police statement said.

New Delhi: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday said the date for repealing the farm laws in Parliament would be decided as per procedures, adding that the nodal ministry, the Agriculture Ministry, is already working on it.

Asked when the new farm laws would be listed for withdrawal, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said, “Prime Minister has already announced it. As per Parliamentary practices, when it comes to Parliament, we will look at when it will be listed.”

“Agriculture Ministry is the nodal ministry, they are doing what is required. We will decide the date for bringing it in Parliament when the notice comes,” Jhe said.

The Union Cabinet is likely to take up the repeal of farm laws on Wednesday, days ahead of the Parliament session that starts on November 29.

Government might bring a bill to repeal the law. After the Cabinet’s approval, it would be sent to the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry and the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha secretariat, after which it would be listed in Parliament. (UNI)

New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind conferred gallantry awards to the personnel of Armed Forces, including Galwan Valley heroes, those who fought off Chinese troops, and Indian Coast Guard during Defence Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Kovind conferred a Maha Vir Chakra (posthumous), a Kirti Chakra (posthumous), five Vir Chakras, including four posthumous and six Shaurya Chakras, including one posthumous for displaying conspicuous gallantry, indomitable courage and extreme devotion to duty.

The President also conferred 14 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, two Uttam Yudh Seva Medals and 23 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals for distinguished service of exceptional order.

Mahavir Chakra (posthumously) was conferred to Colonel Santosh Babu, who made supreme sacrifice in protecting India’s sovereignty during the violent face-off with the Chinese troops in Eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley on June 15 last year. His wife and mother received the award.

Among the other Galwan heroes who received the gallantry awards posthumously include Naib Subedar Nuduram Soren (16 Bihar), Havildar K. Palani (81 Field), Naik Deepak Singh (16 Bihar) and Sepoy Gurtej Singh (3 Punjab). Havildar Tejinder Singh (3 Medium) received Vir Chakras himself, the hero who resisted the Chinese aggression.

The citation for Col Santosh Babu reads that the 16 Bihar Commanding Officer was deployed in Galwan Valley during Operation Snow Leopard and was tasked with establishing an observation post in the face of the enemy (China).

The citation states that the late Colonel executed the plan successfully after having organised and briefed his soldiers about the situation with a sound plan.

It further states that Col Santosh Babu’s column faced stiff resistance while holding the position. The adversary attacked using lethal and sharp weapons along with heavy stone pelting from adjoining heights.

He resisted the enemy’s attempts to push back Indian troops and was undaunted by the aggressive action by the overwhelming strength of the enemy soldiers.

Apart from that the Indian Army’s 4 Para Special Forces Subedar Sanjiv Kumar’s kin received the Kirti Chakra for his anti-militancy operation in the Keran sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

Subedar Sanjiv Kumar was killed while he and his squad eliminated from close quarters five militants who had infiltrated the Line of Control. (IANS)

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir police recovered a pistol from a vehicle in J&K’s Anantnag district on Tuesday following which the driver fled from the spot.

“During a routine check, police recovered a pistol from a Vitara Brezza car on Arwani Bridge in Anantnag district today. A person trying to board the car has been arrested while the main culprit, the driver, fled along with the vehicle.”

“Efforts are on to trace the driver and the vehicle. The person detained is being questioned,” police said. (IANS)

New Delhi: The Defence Acquisition Council on Tuesday cleared a proposal for the procurement of GSAT-7C Satellite and Ground Hubs for real-time connectivity of Software Defined Radios (SDRs) for the Indian Air Force.

An Acceptance of Necessity was accorded to the proposal worth Rs 2,236 crore on Tuesday. The complete design, development and launching of satellites will be done in India.

This fulfills the long-pending demand of the IAF to get its own communication satellite.

“The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), in its meeting held on November 23 under the Chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for one Capital Acquisition proposal of Indian Air Force for its modernisation and operational needs amounting to Rs 2,236 Cr under the category of ‘Make in India’,” a statement from the Defence Ministry said.

“The procurement proposal of Air Force was for GSAT-7C Satellite and Ground Hubs for realtime connectivity of Software Defined Radios (SDRs). The project envisages complete design, development and launching of satellite in India,” the Defence Ministry said.

The statement added that the satellite will enhance the ability of armed forces to communicate beyond the enemy lines.

“Induction of GSAT-7C Satellite and Ground Hubs for Software Defined Radios (SDRs) will enhance the ability of our Armed Forces to communicate beyond the Line of Sight (LoS) among one another in all circumstances in a secure mode,” said the statement.

At present, GSAT-7 (Rukmini) and GSAT-7A are India’s dedicated military satellites in India. While Rukmini is exclusively for the Navy, the GSAT-7A is used by IAF and Army. (UNI)

Srinagar: Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded the coldest night of the season as the mercury in the previous night settled at minus 2.3 degrees Celsius.

According to the details available, officials from Meteorological department said that Pahalgam, a famous tourist resort, was coldest in Kashmir where a temperature of minus 4.4 degrees Celsius was recorded in the last night.

In Qazigund, the mercury settled at minus 2.2 degrees Celsius while Kokernag recorded minus 1.1 degrees Celsius.

Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded minus 3.0, it said, adding that the mercury at Gulmarg, a world famous ski-resort settled at minus 0.6 degrees Celsius. (KNO)