Srinagar: Government of India (GoI) Wednesday reiterated that it will continue the discussion with the Chinese side to resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh to achieve the objective of disengagement from all the friction points and restore peace.

In a written reply to a query in Lok Sabha, the MoS Home, GK Reddy as per news agency KNO, said that India’s engagement with China is complex.

“The two sides agree that the future direction of India China relations should be built upon respecting each other’s sensitivities, concerns and aspirations. The two sides have also agreed to manage their differences and not allow differences on any issue to become disputes,” Reddy said in his reply.

Reddy said that the two sides agree that the pending final settlement of the boundary question, maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas is an essential basis for the overall development of the bilateral relationship.

“Since April/May 2020 the Chinese side undertook several attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the western sector,” he said.

The reply also reads that the two sides have maintained communication through both diplomatic and military channels to ensure complete disengagement from all friction points and full restoration of peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas.

Maintaining that the two sides have mutually decided to disengage, the Minister said that the two sides were able to reach an agreement on disengagement in the North and South Bank of the Pangong Lake, which has been completed.

“There are however still some outstanding issues with regard to deployment and patrolling at some other points along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh”, the Minister said.

“Government will continue discussions with the Chinese side to resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh and achieve the objective of disengagement from all friction points and restoration of peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas at an early date,” the MoS said in a written reply.

By: Firdous Qadri

Srinagar: The administration has fixed the retail price of mutton at Rs 535 per kilogram without offal and Rs 490 with it, Kashmir Economic Alliance representative Farooq Ahmad Dar flanked by representatives of various Mutton dealers associations announced on Wednesday. “The fresh rates would be applicable across Kashmir from tomorrow,” Dar said.

While an official announcement was awaited and is expected on Thursday, the fixing of fresh rates for mutton brings to end a four month long disagreement between the government and the mutton dealers.

Ever since the administration fixed the retail price of mutton at Rs 480 per kilogram in November last year, there was a deadlock with dealers demanding a review even as the price is Rs 40 higher than the previously fixed rate in 2016. However it’s about Rs 120 less than what the dealers were selling the highly sought after commodity in Kashmir with a consumption of around 1,000 lakh kg/year.

The deadlock ended after dealers held series of meetings with Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and Director Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs. Earlier several rounds of talks between the dealers and divisional administration had failed to break the ice as the sellers had rejecting the revised government rate even offering Rs 515 per kg in the last meeting on March 6. (GNS)

‘Militancy on decline, response to Pak ceasefire violations gave Indian Army ascendancy’

Srinagar: Lt Gen BS Raju, who is taking over as the new Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) soon, on Tuesday handed over command of the strategic Kashmir-based 15 Corps to Lt Gen DP Pandey.

“The General commanded the Corps in critical phase in 2020 where Kashmir was confronted with the twin challenges of militancy and COVID-19,” reads a statement by army.

“Lt Gen Raju’s tenure over the last one year is defined by an improved security environment prevailing both on the Line of Control and in Kashmir.  With the civil administration and security forces synergising their efforts to bring normalcy back to Kashmir, (militancy) is on decline with assessed residual (militant) numbers being the lowest in a decade.”

On the Line of Control, his approach combined a forward heavy deployment enabled by a dense electronic and surveillance grid, the army statement said.  “Pakistani ceasefire violations were dealt punitive responses resulting in operational ascendancy by the Indian Army.”

The statement added: “To complement relentless and successful counter-militancy operations, Lt Gen Raju ensured an improved Soldier-Citizen connect.  This effort included many successful events all over the Kashmir Valley, co-opting the people in various sports, culture, arts, education, skilling and health initiatives. “

The Army, the statement said, effectively used its deployment grid, especially in far-flung areas to be the first respondent in case of need.  “Grassroot interactions such as intra-dialogue within the youth and ‘Day with Company Commander’ received overwhelming response.”

Gen Raju, the statement said, strongly propagated for a second chance to the “misguided” youth as he believes this to be critical to achieving lasting peace in J&K.  The Army has taken proactive steps to connect with the youth including those who have picked up the weapons against the state.”

There has been a collaborative effort alongwith society members, families and other stake holders to encourage and facilitate return of the “misguided” youth from the path of militancy, it added.  “The effort has got an encouraging response, success in terms of surrenders and support from all sections of the society, and will get additional impetus in the coming months.”

Having served as Uri Brigade Commander, GOC of Victor Force and now as GOC Chinar Corps, Gen Raju reinforced and institutionalised high professional standards and ethical conduct in combat operations, it said. He moves to assume higher responsibilities as Director General of Military Operations of the Indian Army.

“On the occasion of Republic Day, Lieutenant General BS Raju was awarded the prestigious Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM), in recognition of this contribution in taking Kashmir on a positive trajectory on the path of lasting peace.”

In his farewell message, Gen Raju complimented all ranks of Chinar Corps for their dedication and hard work, he also thanked JKP, CAPFs, Civil administration and the people for their relentless support in the joint efforts towards peace and prosperity in J&K.

Releases booklet of PI-WOT, Global Virtual Technology Summit-2021

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today called for exploring more possibilities for strengthening skill-development ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Lt Governor was chairing a meeting on skill development here at Raj Bhavan.

Emphasizing on employment-oriented skill development, the Lt Governor observed that developing emerging Skill Sets among the people, especially the youth and women folks will fill the Skill Gap as per the job-market demand and create better livelihood opportunities.

The Lt Governor also sought suggestions and recommendations from concerned functionaries for better execution and evolving best model of skill development.

He asked the officers to visit other States for getting a better exposure and understanding of different aspects of the skill development model being implemented there.

During the meeting, Sh. Sunil Khanna, Member EC, PanIIT Alumni India; Kalyan T Chakravarthy, Executive Director, PanIIT Alumni Reach for India Foundation and Chittaranjan Samantaray from PanIIT Alumni Reach for India Foundation, shared their expertise and experiences on skill development.

They also gave a detailed presentation of PanIIT Alumni Reach for India Foundation’s non-profit job-oriented skill development model from Jharkhand.

Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor; Ranjan Prakash Thakur, Principal Secretary to Government, Industries and Commerce Department; BK Singh, Secretary, School Education; Simrandeep Singh, Secretary to the Government, IT Department; Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, CEO Mission Youth and other senior officers attended the meeting.
Sanjay Kumar Dahiya, Registrar IIT Jammu and Sh. Naresh Kumar from IIT Jammu were also present.
Later, the Lt Governor released a booklet of PI-WOT, a  Global Virtual Technology Summit to be organized by PanIIT Alumni India from 26th-27th June, 2021.

While addressing the members of PanIIT Alumni India through virtual mode, the Lt Governor appreciated PanIIT Alumni India for taking this initiative with the objective to bring together different stakeholders including innovators, thinkers, researchers and changemakers to deliberate on technology and its application which would benefit the country at large in the coming times.

India is eyeing to be the global leader. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s undeterred resolve to push for a new India would materialize as the country is striving to be ‘AatmaNirbhar’, said the Lt Governor.

In the last few years, the world has been witnessing a rapid change. Every aspect of our lives is impacted with technological innovation and transformative technologies. Technological innovation catering to the modern day requirements will play a pivotal role to create a better future, observed the Lt Governor.

He wished the organisers high success for the Summit and hoped that the event would witness fruitful deliberations on various important aspects of technology interventions.

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, today initiated the project “Awaam Ki Baat” – a Radio program by launching its website here at Raj Bhavan.

The half-an-hour long Radio program to be aired every third Sunday of the month (to start from April), is one of the many sequential steps of broader program aimed at disseminating the progressive steps taken by the government and providing the public with a platform to speak, write and interact with the administration, thereby voicing their suggestions, ideas and creative proposals.

The Lt Governor observed that Awaam Ki Baat is a leap towards strengthening the concept of Jan Bhagidari by inviting people’s participation. It will give voice to the people and a vision to the administration that is symbolic of the collective aspirations of the masses, he added.

Awaam Ki Baat is a novel initiative aimed at seeking the feedback from the public to make the process of governance interactive, participative and people-centric, he added.

Further, by placing the citizenry at the center of the cycle of policy making and seeking grass-root level feedback is set to emerge as a true tribute to the Gandhian principles of administration, said the Lt Governor.

The platform appreciates the heterogeneity of our Union Territory in the truest sense by providing voice to people’s ambitions and crafting a strategy to draft policies that are reflective of people’s aspirations and making the governance paradigm interactional.

“You Speak, We listen” is the underlying theme of the project ‘Awaam Ki Baat’. The public can access the website at “awaamkibaat.jk.gov.in” , and also voice their suggestions through the interactive toll free numbers – 18005722327 for the Jammu Division, and 18005722328 for the Kashmir Division.

The website is also accessible through “.org/.com/.in/.co.in/.net” domains.

Also, there is a dedicated window called “Write to LG” on the website, which gives a portal format for submitting one’s suggestions. The public is also provided with a dedicated email address ‘[email protected]’, which too will collect the useful feedback and channelize it to the respective departments.

Pertinently, LG’s Mulaqaat- Live Public Grievance Hearing has brought reforms in public grievance redressal mechanism, making it more robust and responsive with Lt Governor taking first hand appraisal of people’s grievances every month.

Now, with the “Awaam Ki Baat” program, the UT Government is giving a determined push to strengthening the Government-Public relationship, by inviting suggestions from the public and seeking their active participation in Policy formation.

Jammu: The Administrative Council (AC), which met here under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, today approved the incorporation of the Joint Venture Company (JVC) under the name Ratle Hydro-electric Power Corporation to implement the 850 MW Ratle Hydro-Electric Project (HEP) on river Chenab at Drabshala in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. The proposed JVC will have authorized capital of Rs. 1600 Crore with initial paid up capital of Rs. 100 Crore, out of which the JKSPDCL will contribute Rs. 49 Crore as an initial equity.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to execute the project, was signed between the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, JKSPDCL and NHPC on 03.01.2021 in the august presence of the Lieutenant Governor of UT of J&K and Minister of State, Incharge Power, Government of India.

On the basis of the MoU already signed, the Administrative Council approved the Promoters’ Agreement for the JVC between Government of J&K, NHPC, and J&K State Power Development Corporation Ltd. The Administrative Council further authorized the Principal Secretary to the Government, Power Development Department and the Managing Director, Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Limited to sign the Promoters’ Agreement and other related documents for operationalization of the Joint Venture Company.

The JVC will develop the 850 MW Ratle HEP at an estimated cost of Rs. 5281.94 crore. Ratle HEP is a run-of-the-river project on river Chenab in Kishtwar district and lies in between the Dulhasti HEP on its upstream and the Baglihar HEP on its downstream.

Once completed, it will substantially add to the power generation capacity of Jammu and Kashmir, provide financial and developmental benefits, and enable effective use of western rivers under the Indus Water Treaty.

Srinagar: Ex Deputy Chief Minister (Dy CM)  Muzaffar Hussain Baigh and former patron of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday joined Peoples Conference (PC).

Earlier during the day PC chairman  Sajad Gani Lone accompanied by senior party leaders visited the residence of  Baig. They had conversion with him on a range of issues afflicting the people of J&K in these difficult times.

Sajad, who was a minister in the PDP-BJP coalition government from the quota of saffron party, invited Baig to once again return home and be a part of the party from where he had started his political career. He impressed upon him that the need of the hour is that people like him should share their experience, expertise, knowledge and political wisdom for the betterment of J&K.

Baig keenly participated in the conversation and after detailed discussion expressed his pleasure to be a part of the party from where he started his political career. He said that it gives him immense pleasure to be a part of the party which he joined as a youth and was groomed by Late Abdul Gani Lone, founder of PC.

Today he has the opportunity to groom Sajad Lone and many others to take up leadership role in the future times to come.
Baig said that in his entire public life he had causes for being happy and many causes where he was disappointed where he felt that he couldn’t do enough or didn’t have time to do enough.
But, he said, he felt that apart from many problems plaguing J&K, one of the biggest problems is the quality of leadership. He said that quite often he found that the leaders didn’t have the requisite exposure or the capacity to be able to contribute at a scale and at a level that he or she is supposed to do. He expressed his great desire to contribute by grooming youngsters and building their capacity to a level where they can actually rise up to the occasion and rise up for the people of J&K.

Sajad Lone thanked Baig and reiterated that the entire party looks up to him and believes that at this juncture Mr Baig has a great role in helping the people of J&K to navigate the turbulent and treacherous waters.

Baig was among the founder leaders of PDP and after the death of former CM Mufti Mohammad Sayed was appointed its patron.

However, senior PDP leaders criticized his role during the post August 5, 2019, when centre abrogated Article 370 and 35 A besides divided J&K into two Union Territories (UTs). Later, Baig was sidelined and not invited for meetings after the release of Mehbooba Mufti from the detention.

Safena Baig, wife of Baig, who was president of women wing of PDP contested and later was elected as chairman of District Development Council (DDC) as an independent candidate after she was not given ticket by the party.

Pulwama: A school in the Pulwama district was reopened for educational purposes after around 11 years.

Officials said Government Primary school in Tengpuna village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, which is just two kilometres from main town Pulwama, was clubbed some 11 years before, as no student was studying there.

He said after 11 years, the teaching process has resumed at the school as around 60 students have already taken the admission.

Locals said most of the students, who have been admitted at the school, were students of private schools.

“However, their parents cancelled their admission after they were assured by the teachers that their students will get quality education here,” they said.

The locals thanked the district administration especially chief education officer Pulwama Soni Sanam Qureshi for reopening school after 11 years.

They appealed to the administration that there should be a wall around the school besides adequate teaching staff along with other facilities.

Aameena Bano a local woman said that she has admitted her two kins to the school as they belong to a financially weak family.

She hoped that teachers will deliver upon their promises that they made at the time of taking admission of their children.

The classwork for elementary classes resumed on the 15th of March after remaining closed for about 20 months.

Chief Education Officer Pulwama Soni Sanam Qureshi that government is trying to redress issues wherever there are problems in any school.

“Finally the hard work of teachers, as well as ZEO and others, has paid off and the school has reopened after 11 years. I assure parents that their children will get quality education there,” she said—(KNO)

Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Mir Nasrullah passed away at his Srinagar residence on Wednesday .

He was 95 and is survived by daughter Dr Rubeena and son Mir Amanullah.

Son-in-law of former Prime Minister Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad, Nasrullah was not feeling well for the past few month. He was laid to rest this evening.

Before his appointment as Chief Secretary, Nasrullah taught at Sri Partap College in Srinagar. He along with Sheikh Ghulam Ahmad were the first two Kashmir officers to be inducted into Indian Administrative Service (IAS) through lateral entry. Post retirement he also served as the chairman of Bombay Mercantile Bank.

Srinagar: Nearly 3,800 Kashmiri migrants have returned to Jammu and Kashmir in the last few years and 520 of them after the abrogation of Article 370 to take up jobs under the Prime Minister’s special package, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

The Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said the provision of special jobs for the Kashmiri migrant youths under the PM package is an important part for the rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants, who left the valley in 1990s due to militancy.

“A total of nearly 3,800 migrant candidates have returned to Kashmir in the last few years to take up the PM package jobs. Post abrogation of Article 370 (August 2019), as many as 520 migrant candidates have returned to Kashmir for taking up the jobs that have been provided to them under the rehabilitation package,” he said in a written reply.

Reddy said another nearly 2,000 migrant candidates are also likely to return to the Union Territory under the same policy in 2021 on successful completion of the selection process.

The minister said as per a report of the Relief Office setup in 1990 by the then government of Jammu and Kashmir, 44,167 Kashmiri migrant families are registered who had to move out from the valley due to security concerns.

Out of these, the count of registered Hindu migrant families is 39,782, he said.(KINS)