Mumbai: A popular digital news portal told the Bombay High Court on Thursday that the new Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 were an “assault on the fundamental right of freedom of speech”.
The portal in its petition has challenged the new IT Rules on.the grounds that it is violative of Articles 14 (right to equality), 19(a) (freedom of speech and expression) and 19(1)(g) (freedom to practise any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business).
Arguing the matter, senior counsel Darius Khambata, on.behalf of news portal, told the division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice G S Kulkarni that the rules had a “chilling effect on the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution”.
“They (rules) are an assault on the fundamental right of freedom of speech. The rules say if news organisations do not follow the code of ethics, then they are open to face prosecution,” Adv Khambata said.
Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh had opposed the petition and contended that simillar petition has been filed in the Supreme Court, which will hear it shortly, hence this petition should also be transferred to the apex court.
The court has adjourned the further hearing till July 16.
IT Rules 2021 “assault on fundamental right of freedom of speech”: news portal to HC
Massive Cabinet rejig by PM Modi
Vardhan, Javadekar among 12 dropped, 2 ex-Congressmen, 3 dozen fresh faces inducted
New Delhi, July 7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday massively rejigged his Cabinet by inducting three dozen fresh faces while dropping 12 ministers, including heavyweight Harsh Vardhan, Ravi Shankar Prasad and Prakash Javadekar.
In all, 43 ministers were sworn-in —15 of Cabinet rank, the remaining 28 as ministers of state—by President Ram Nath Kovind at a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Omission of senior leaders, which also included Ramesh Pokhriyal and Santosh Gangwar in the first-ever cabinet reshuffle since Modi assumed charge for a second term in May 2019, was a surprise.
Dr Vardhan and his junior minister Ashwani Kumar Choubey were asked by the Prime Minister to step down.
The devastating second wave of COVID-19, shortage of medical oxygen and irregular supply of anti-COVID-19 vaccines has left the government in an embarrassing situation.
Prasad, holding the charge of Information and Technology Ministry, caught in the ongoing battle with social media giants like Twitter and WhatsApp over the new IT rules, was dropped.
Among others, the Prime Minister gave cabinet berth to former Congressmen Jyotiraditya Scindia, who helped in bringing the BJP government back to power in Madhya Pradesh, Sarbanand Sonowal who left the Assam chief minister post for Hemant Sarma and Pashupati Kumar Paras estranged uncle of Lok Jan Shakti leader Chirag Paswan.
Modi promoted Hardeep Puri, Anurag Thakur, RK Singh, Kiren Rijiju, Mansukh Mandaviya, Parshottam Rupala and G Kishan Reddy to Cabinet rank.
In his new Cabinet, Modi gave due weightage to poll-bound states with one-fifth of new ministers coming from Uttar Pradesh, three from Gujarat and one from Manipur. Moreover, Hardeep Singh Puri and Anurag Thakur, representing Punjab and Himachal, were promoted to Cabinet.
The Prime Minister also extended his hand to his party BJP’s allies by giving one berth each to JD(U), LJP and Apna Dal. From Uttarakhand Ajay Bhatt replaced Ramesh Pokhriyal in the Cabinet.
To factor in caste and gender balance, the number of OBC’s in the Cabinet have increased to 27 from 13, Dalits from 3 to 12 while women from four to 11, which includes seven new faces.
Modi also inducted two former IAS officer RCP Singh and former private secretary to late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The Modi government also brought former Maharashtra chief minister Narayan Rane was earlier associated with Shiv Sena and Congress.
From Karnataka, where Yediyurappa has refused to step down from the chief minister’s post despite internal frictions, four new faces were inducted into the cabinet.
In Bengal, where the BJP though increased the seat share in the recent Assembly elections, but was miserably defeated by the AITMC, four state leaders were added to the Cabinet.
The Cabinet reshuffle and expansion took place at 1800 hrs after Mr Modi held a high-level meeting at his official residence. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda were also present.
The exercise was slated for 2020 but had to be deferred repeatedly owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A slew of gubernatorial appointments, including that of Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thawarchand Gehlot as the Governor of Karnataka were announced on Tuesday. Also, the government decided to create a separate ‘Ministry of Cooperation with the aim of ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’ (prosperity through cooperatives).
Of the 81 slots of the council of ministers, now 79 are filled by the National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre.
The previous reshuffle was conducted in 2017 when Nirmala Sitharaman was made the Defence Minister. (UNI)
Focus On Tourism
For the last nearly three years, Kashmir has been looking forward to tourists. After the 14 February 2019 bombing along the Jammu-Srinagar highway near Lethpora Pulwama in February 2019, tourism has been in a freefall except for sometime this winter.
On 3 August 2019, the local government ordered all tourists and Amarnath pilgrims to leave. It pressed the official fleet to Srinagar airport and bus terminals to facilitate their exit from J&K. Before August 5, when the centre effectively annulled the special status of Kashmir under Article 370 of the Indian constitution, and put the entire J&K under security and communication clampdown that saw even landline telephony snapped, the tourists and the pilgrims had emptied the Valley as also Jammu region.
Chances of any revival of the tourism industry were inflicted a crippling blow by the covid-19. However, lately, the covid-19 has been on decline and as they said, even a single good event can make a big difference and it can help to bring Kashmir back on the tourist map as the best destination. Kashmir has historically been an attraction for anyone who wants to relax, and enjoy. In the past, the stakeholders have not been able to promote the Kashmir Valley, its unique weather, mountain peaks, water bodies, vast fields and orchids, archeological sites, and cultural signposts. However, to at least see tourism back on rails in Jammu and Kashmir, both the local and central governments need to work in tandem and promote this part of the globe, known to be a paradise on the earth, as an all-season destination locally and internationally.
The administration has now been doing its best to push tourism recovery. In J&K budget 2021-2022, Rs 1,000 crore shall be taken up for development of tourism infrastructure. Officials said the budget
for tourism and culture was Rs 283 crore in 2020-2021 it is Rs 780 crore this financial year
In the same endeavor, Lieutenant Governor has rightly emphasized on providing a unique experience to tourists and increasing their footfall. He has ordered for preparing a comprehensive future plan for promoting the tourism sector in J&K, and identifying new, unexplored tourist spots. The plan needed to be formulated at an earliest and stakeholders should be involved in preparations for a better outcome. There is also a need to develop various tourist circuits while putting special focus on adventure tourism, trekking activities, pilgrimage sites, water sports and other popular ventures.
Also, there is a need for proper maintenance of tourism properties so that they remain in impeccable condition throughout the year.
Volleyball fever grips South Kashmir
Spectators’ stream matches on social media platforms
By: Sameer Showkin Lone
Anantnag: Move over the cricketing frenzies it is the time for Volleyball in south Kashmir. Amid soaring temperatures of summer, the Volleyball fever has gripped south Kashmir districts especially Kulgam and Anantnag.
A volleyball team from Chandigarh (Punjab) comprising players like Rajat Bodla who has represented India at international level in Volleyball have been these days dominating the Kashmiri volleyball teams on the playfields of south Kashmir raising the passion of spectators.
Both young and old people from far off places like Srinagar and Budgam throng to Anantnag and Kulgam villages to witness the high voltage volleyball matches between Kashmir and Punjab.
Unbeaten for the three consecutive games since their arrival in Kashmir, the Punjab team faced their first defeat on Friday (July 3) against the Kashmiri players locally named as Team Bahuballi.
The Kashmiri (Bahuballi) team comprised the players from all the three regions of Kashmir valley (north, center and south Kashmir) with an aim to defeat the Punjab. And the plan worked well as Punjab faced their first defeat against Kashmir in Qazigund volleyball court.
“We were able to defeat the visiting Punjab (Chandigarh) team after the strong players from all the three regions of south, center and north Kashmir formed a single team,” said Altaf Ahmed, a diehard volleyball fan.
The local players who are part of the Kashmir team that defeated Punjab include Asgar and Hanan Dar from south Kashmir, Abid Pathan from north Kashmir, Majid and Afaq from central Kashmir.
Ahmed travels around 100 kilometers daily from Shopian to Anantnag to Kulgam to reach the scheduled venue to watch the high voltage volleyball games.
As this story was being filed, another volleyball match was set to be played at Harnag in Anantnag district at 5 PM on Saturday evening.
People were seen heading towards the venue to watch what the spectators say another spectacular Volleyball match.
As has been the picture, the organisers say they were not expecting such a massive crowd and response.
“The Volleyball over the years has gained prominence in south Kashmir. We have got great talented players but all they need is proper guidance. These players play across Kashmir on their own pocket money. They don’t have any support from any side. Some best players had to leave their volleyball career midway given the financial crisis,” said a prominent volleyball player.
Another former prominent volleyball player from a village in Pulwama district, who was among the spectators, said has around 100 trophies at home which he has won during his heydays in the game.
“But I had to quit at one point of time. If I continued playing volleyball, who would feed my family. We never got any support from the government or sports department. I now drive a tractor to make my both ends meet. I hope these new boys get the support from the government like their counterparts from Punjab who are here playing,” he said, requesting not to be named, for personal reasons.
The spectators not only watch these matches, but some stream it on Youtube and other social media platforms.
Govt committed to improve power supply position in J&K: LG
Srinagar: Putting a spotlight on improvement in the power supply position in Jammu & Kashmir and to provide uninterrupted and reliable power supply to all, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today directed the Power Development Department to introduce strict and innovative measures in order to meet various challenges in fulfilling energy needs of the people.
The Lt Governor was chairing a high-level meeting to review the Power scenario in J&K, wherein he enquired about the way forward and future deliverables planned by the Power Development Department.
The Lt Governor directed the Power department to adopt action-oriented approach to streamline the power transmission and distribution system, besides putting in place a quality control system and setting long term strategy for providing quality power with good mix of different sources of power to the consumers.
While reviewing various components of the Power sector, the Lt Governor passed specific directions on minimizing AT&C losses.
Take preemptive measures for reducing the AT&C losses to bare minimum, the Lt Governor directed the officials.
Stressing on effective patrolling of feeders, the Lt Governor directed for taking strict action against officials responsible for the feeder losses. He further directed for fixing criteria of 50 % weight-age in Annual Performance Reports of the officers with respect to the feeder losses.
The Lt Governor emphasized on putting dedicated focus on real-time monitoring of power consumption, increasing revenue realization, improving billing efficiency, reduction of Power cuts, and addressing the issue of low voltage.
Deploy competent manpower and establish a comprehensive plan for cities and towns with high power consumption. Take remedial measures for ensuring utilization of power infrastructure to their full capacity, the Lt Governor directed the PDD functionaries.
Emphasizing on strengthening the power connectivity in the far-flung areas, the Lt Governor called for reaching out to even the extremely remote and inaccessible areas with electricity. He also instructed the department to prepare a comprehensive plan for effective power connectivity in the vicinity of Shri Amarnathji shrine.
While suggesting the department to explore all the modalities and taking innovative steps for improving the efficiency of field functionaries, the Lt Governor called for incentivizing the field staff for their better performance. This will not only enhance the quality of work on ground, but will also help in improving the revenue generation, he added.
Laying special emphasis on making advance arrangements in the wake of any future vagaries, the Lt Governor asked the department to get ready in advance for the winters and start their preparations from 20th July.
For making the system more transparent and efficient, monitoring shall be done at all levels. Principal Secretary, PDD shall hold the meetings of XENs individually, the Lt Governor directed.
The Lt Governor also instructed the Power Department to rope in professional experts for power purchases. He asked the officials to mention the subsidy provided by the Government on electricity bills for the information of consumers.
As a follow-up to the directions passed in previous meetings regarding Unique Identification numbers for Transformers, the Lt Governor asked the officials for preparing History Cards of transformers with all technical details like damages, repairs, replacement, etc to ensure effective utilization of inventory and stores.
During the meeting, the Lt Governor also enquired about the Power purchases, energy availability, distribution plan, upcoming projects, overall working of the Power Development Department, besides various schemes and programmes being implemented by the department for further improvement and augmentation of power scenario in the UT.
The chair was also briefed about several key issues pertaining to languishing projects, transmission capacity, providing uninterrupted power supply, transmission and distribution.
The Lt Governor asked the department to focus on up-gradation and replacement of old and obsolete infrastructure to keep up with the emerging requirements.
Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary, Power Development Department briefed the chair about the overall power scenario and power potential in J&K.
He informed that the establishment of 6 MW Solar Power Plant at Pampore is in the offing, besides the department is also planning to revive the 10.5 MW Heritage Power project –MOHRA at Baramulla.
The PDD is catering to 20,46,623 consumers with around 18,000 MU energy input to fulfill the power requirement in J&K, he added.
Baseer Ahmad Khan, Advisor to Lt Governor; Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor; Managing Directors, Chief Engineers and other officers of allied Corporations and Agencies attended the meeting.
Education fundamental tool to achieve full human potential: LG
Srinagar: Making new inroads in school education sector, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha Wednesday e-inaugurated multiple educational projects including 08 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBV) and 07 Girls Hostels costing Rs 28 cr worth, besides 344 new ICT labs and 217 CAL centres worth Rs 36.50 cr established in various schools of 9 districts under Samagra Shiksha.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor observed that the new KGBVs and Girls Hostels will increase the enrolment in these residential schools of educationally backward blocks and shall help in bridging gaps in gender equity.
Dedicating the new Information Communication Technology (ICT) Labs and Computer Aided Learning centres to the students of UT of J&K, the Lt Governor said that these labs will be used in the teaching learning process and the students will have access to modern technologies and digital world.
Till date, 1420 CAL centres and 1588 ICT labs have been established at elementary, secondary/senior secondary levels which are helping the students to learn information technology tools of modern times, he added.
The Lt Governor remarked that “Education is fundamental tool for achieving full human potential and maximizing country’s rich talents and resources for the harmonious development of the individuals and the society”. Providing universal access to quality education is the key to economic growth, added the Lt Governor.
Working on these principles, the J&K Government is taking new strides towards Prime Minister’s vision of Knowledge Economy and Knowledge Power. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every child has access to education for making him/her a responsible citizen for nation’s bright future, the Lt Governor maintained.
J&K has a rich history of women achievers, outnumbering male counterparts in academics, sports, culture or any other field, which makes it even more important for the Government to lay a solid platform for them at educational level so that they can aim high, said the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor interacted with the students through virtual mode and congratulated them for their new educational facilities.
Meanwhile, the Lt Governor also inaugurated Online School Affiliation and Recognition portal, developed by National Informatics Centre, which will work as a Private school information system.
Pertinently, the Rs 28 cr worth educational infrastructure projects inaugurated today including Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas at KGBV Tandar Chenani, Udhampur; Ramhal, Kupwara, Kuligam, Gundchabutra; Machaddi & Basholi, Kathua; Mendhar (ChakBanola), Poonch; besides Girls Hostels at Panzipora, Sopore; Raniwari, Srinagar ; Ramnagar , Panchari, Udhampur; Manjakot, Rajouri; Peeri and Chatroo , Kishtwar.
The new ICT labs and CAL centres were established in Bandipora, Baramulla, Budgam, Doda, Kishtwar, Kupwara, Ramban, Reasi and Udhampur.
Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Bishwajit Kumar Singh, Administrative Secretary to Government, School Education Department; Prof. Veena Pandita, Chairperson JKBOSE; Amit Sharma, Chief Executive Officer, JaKeGA; Deep Raj, Project Director, Samagra Shiksha and other senior officers attended the inaugural ceremony.
Hizb commander arrested, killed in encounter: Police
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday said a militant commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen was killed in an “encounter”, less than 24 hours of his arrest in Handwara area of Kupwara district in north Kashmir.
“On 06-07-2021, Handwara Police along with SSB during routine Naka checking regarding enforcement of Covid appropriate behaviour at Watyen Handwara had stopped number of vehicles which were being checked,” a police spokesman said in a statement.
“During checking, one pedestrian was behaving in a very suspicious manner, who was tactfully apprehended by the joint Naka party. During his personal search one grenade was recovered from his possession,” he said, adding, “Accordingly, he was immediately shifted to nearest police post for questioning. During questioning, he identified himself as Mehraj-ud-din Halwai alias Ubaid Son of Abdul Khaliq of Khushal Mattoo Sopore, an active (militant) commander of HM.”
The spokesman further said: “During further questioning, on his disclosure multiple CASOs were launched by Handwara Police, Army, CRPF and SSB in which at village area Pazipora Renan Kralgund Handwara, when CASO was started, the (militant) tried to pin point the location where he has kept his arms and ammunition. Upon reaching at the disclosed hideout location, the said (militant) picked up his hidden AK-47 rifle and started firing indiscriminately upon the joint search party which led to an encounter. In the ensuing firefight the said (militant) got killed.”
The spokesman further said “incriminating material, arms & ammunitions including one Ak-47, 04 Magazines, Power bank, blanket, medicines, etc were recovered from the hideout (encounter site).”
“As per police records, the said (militant) was a categorized A++ (militant) and was group commander of HM. He was active since 2012 and was involved in several killings in north Kashmir.”
The spokesman said that slain was involved in killing of SPO Mudasir Ahmad Dar of Untoo Hamam Sopore on 28-07-2013, attack on Sarpanch Khazir Mohd Parray of Krankshivan on 26-07-2013, killing of Sarpanch Habib Ullah Mir of Goripora Bomai, attack on Panch Zoona Begum of Hardshiva Sopore, attack on police party at Hygam Sopore along with his associates on 26-04-2013, in which 04 policemen got killed besides, decamping with three weapons of the killed policemen, killing of Hurriyat activists Sheikh Altaf-ur-Rehman of Iqbal Nagar Sopore and Khursheed Ahamd Bhat of Bomai Sopore, killing of ex-militant mehraj-ud-Din Dar of Badambagh Sopore and Aijaz Ahmad Reshi of Mundji Sopore.
“Besides, he was involved in attacks on various establishments including attack on Hotel Heemal Srinagar.”
The slain militant was well acquainted with modern means of communication by which he would communicate with other militants and plan and execute different militant activities on ground, the spokesman said. “He was instrumental in motivating and recruitment of youth into (militant) ranks besides was raising funds for promotion of (militant) activities,” the spokesman said. (GNS)
Infiltration bid foiled, one killed in Nowshera
Jammu: One militant was killed and some arms and ammunition were recovered after the Indian Army foiled an infiltration bid at the LoC in Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir, a defence statement said on Wednesday.
“In the early hours of July 7, 2021, a group of Pakistani militants made an attempt to infiltrate across the Line of Control in the Nowshera Sector, District Rajouri (J&K). Alert Army troops thwarted the infiltration bid by suitably employing an integrated surveillance grid alongwith domination by fire, and engaging the militants in a fierce firefight in which one militant was neutralised and his body has been recovered,” an Army statement said.
It said war-like stores including an AK-47 rifle, four magazines of AK-47 with ammunition and two hand grenades have been recovered from the slain militant.
“This action by alert Army troops displays the resolve of Indian Army to thwart any misadventure on the Line of Control,” the army said. (IANS)
J&K airports to receive night flights soon: Govt
Srinagar: Union Home Secretary, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Wednesday chaired a high level meeting to review the implementation of various schemes in Civil Aviation, Agriculture and Horticulture sectors in the two Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Chief Secretary, J&K, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Advisor to LG Ladakh, Umang Narula, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Pradip Singh and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare participated in the meeting.
During the meeting, detailed deliberations were held on the possibility of operationalizing commercial flights at night hours at the airports of Srinagar and Jammu by incorporating suitable facilities and arrangements.
The Chief Secretary, J&K, apprised the Union Home Secretary that infrastructural and technical facilities exist at Srinagar Airport to operate flights up to 10:00 pm. However, during winter months visibility is greatly reduced causing interruptions to air connectivity.
The Secretary, Civil Aviation informed that to improve night-visibility at the Srinagar Airport, efforts are afoot to complete the lighting project at the earliest which would facilitate flights during low visibility round-the-year through concerted coordination with Indian Air Force. Similarly, the ongoing air-strip repair works at Jammu Airport will be completed this week followed by installation of lights by the month end to enable operation of night flights at Jammu Airport, he said.
It was further informed that the Ministry of Civil Aviation is planning to establish international air connectivity through the SrinagarAirport which currently operates international flights for Hajj pilgrimage only.
The Home Secretary also reviewed the status of high density horticulture plantations and its speedy transportation to wider markets.
It was informed that to facilitate the marketing of agricultural and farm products of the northeastern and Himalayan states/UTs, the ‘Krishi-Udan Scheme’ was recently launched. The scheme aims to benefit the local farmers by providing 50% freight subsidy for air transportation of the perishable products. This would enable shipment of perishable products from Jammu and Kashmir to other parts of the country.
Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, J&K, said that in view of the national highway widening project being undertaken by NHIDCL, air transportation of perishables from the Union territory provides relief to the stakeholders associated with agriculture and allied activities. He assured augmentation of air cargo facilities through enhanced coordination between UT administration and Central Government to establish end-to-end linkages.
It was decided that a committee consisting of representatives from J&K Government, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, will be constituted to examine modifications in the existing scheme to cater to the needs of J&K.
Further, it was informed that the UT Government has recently signed a MoU with Go airlines for subsidised air transportation of vegetables and fruits from Jammu and Kashmir, of which the first consignment of Srinagar’s cherry and Jammu’s licchee was dispatched to Dubai and Mumbai, respectively.
The meeting also discussed extension of these facilities and schemes to the Union territory of Ladakh.
Day 2: Delimitation Commission interacts with politicians in Pahalgam
By: Jehangir Ganai
Srinagar: A day after the Delimitation Commission held deliberations with the political parties in Srinagar, the members of the panel Wednesday interacted with the members of the panel at Pahalgam in Southern district of Anangnag.
The members from National Conference, Congress and other parties stressed on holding the delimitation exercise in a free and fair manner while BJP demanded reservation for SC and ST categories and the addition of one more seat from Annatnag district in the upcoming Assembly.
The delimitation panel reached Pahalgam club to meet leaders from various political parties. Majority of the leaders were district parties of political parties that met the delimitation panel.
From the National Conference, former legislator Altaf Ahmed Kaloo led the party delegation and interacted with the members of the delimitation commission. Talking to reporters, Kaloo said that the party supported the view point already presented before the commission by senior leaders in Srinagar.
“We also presented the memorandum and urged the commission that it would have been better if J&K would have been granted full statehood before delimitation. Nonetheless, we urged the panel to conduct a delimitation exercise in a free and fair manner without any injustice to any district or area,” he said.
From the Congress, a delegation headed by Gulzar Ahmed Wani met the panel and said that they reiterated the memorandum submitted by the party chief in Srinagar to the commission. “Whatever apprehension people have, we apprised the commission about the same. We also stressed that statehood should be first restored so that J&K gets an elected government,” Wani said.
J&K Apni Party General Secretary Rafi Ahmed Mir also led the delegation and put forth their point of view. “First of all, we were not expecting that there would be delimitation till 2026 as the exercise was frozen. But now that political developments have taken place, we decided not to stay away and put forth our point of view,” he said.
“We stressed that whatever decision the commission would take should be in a transparent manner and if that happens, it would be a good Confidence Building Measure (CBM).”
Muhammad Rafiq Wani, BJP leader told reporters that they demanded one more additional seat to Anantnag district. “In Kulgam, there has been a great injustice with the district. The delimitation will be fair but yes, this delimitation will close the shops of many politicians,” he said, adding that BJP leaders demanded reservation for SC and ST category people.
Other delegations and leaders who met the panel in Pahalgam include Afzal Parray of CPI (M), Youth of Social and Vikas Foudnation Anantnag led by Munawar Ahmed, Chairman and Gojer Etihad Anantnag Haroon Khatana, Pahari culture and welfare form Anantang led by Shareef Ahmed, Sheikh-ul –Alam Turst Anant led by Bilal Ahmed Mir, Gujjer and Bakerwal conference J&K Muhammad Yaseen Poswal and Sikh Welfare Society Anantnag led by Mashoor Singh. The delimitation commission arrived in Srinagar on July 6 on a four-day visit to J&K. Sources said that the panel members will fly Thursday late afternoon. (KNO)
