‘India-Pak ceasefire positive step’

Srinagar:  Terming cessation of ceasefire violations between India and Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) and the international border in J&K as a positive step, General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps Lt Gen B S Raju said ‘it will allow us to address challenges of militancy in a focused manner’.

“We see it as a positive step both for us and the other side. We want to make success out of it…there are challenges, but we will counter those challenges in the most positive manner and we want this particular truce to work,” Lt Gen Raju told reporters on the sidelines of a function held to inaugurate a Community Radio Station by the Army in the apple township of Sopore in north Kashmir district of Baramulla today.

The Army commander said Pakistan often says that it is aligned with the interests of the people of Kashmir. “Now is the time for them to demonstrate it”.

Answering a question about the situation in Kashmir, he said, “We are seeing a very stable environment. All parameters of violence have come down whether it is stone pelting, agitation, or strikes. I think the people in the valley are looking for more peace. They want to get the dividend of the change in the environment.”

Taking about the situation in Sopore, once considered a hotbed of militancy, Lt Gen Raju said thing have improvement significantly on this apple township. “I’m happy that today we are able to interact with the people of Sopore normally. Yes, there were hard times, but things have started to change… locals of Sopore are coming forward and supporting and working with us. We both have moved in the direction of peace”.

“By launching this community Radio Station, we have provided a means of entertainment to the people in north Kashmir. Besides that, it will also act as an important tool for the local administration to communicate with the people,” Lt Gen Raju said.

Srinagar: The authorities on Thursday lifted restrictions on the movement of Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who was placed under house arrest in August 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370 provisions.

“The police has informed the Mirwaiz that there were no restrictions on his movement anymore and that he was free to visit Jamia Masjid on Friday,” a close aide of the Hurriyat chairman said.

However, the administration neither confirmed nor denied the claim made by the Mirwaiz”s aide.

The Mirwaiz, who is also the chief priest of Kashmir, was among hundreds of political leaders — both separatist and mainstream — who were taken into custody or placed under house arrest as the Centre revoked Jammu and Kashmir”s special status under Article 370 of the Constitution 19 months ago.

While most leaders were released by March last year, some including the Mirwaiz continued to be under detention.

Sources said that Mirwaiz will address Friday congregational gathering at historic Jamia Masjid tomorrow after 82 weeks.

Mirwaiz’s release assumes significance given the fact that India and Pakistan recently agreed to honour the ceasefire pact as guns have fallen silent on the LoC across J&K with border residents welcoming the move.

“There is every likelihood that the fresh CBMs may include release of more political leaders who are serving detention but not those facing serious offences/charges,” a source said.

New Delhi:  The EPFO has extended its provident fund, pension, and insurance benefits in UTs of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh to all employees of existing establishments covered under the erstwhile JK PF Act.

Also, it will cover the employees of newly created establishments.

The extension of the social welfare schemes got the formal approval at a meeting of Central Board of Trustees, EFP, in Srinagar on Thursday, which was presided over by Union Labour Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar.

These schemes have been extended consequent upon implementation of EPF Act in J&K and Ladakh from October 31, 2019.

Also, EPFO has set up Regional Offices in Srinagar, Jammu and a facilitation centre in Leh.

The Labour Ministry informed that the social security coverage of establishments under EPFO in J&K and Ladakh has increased by 38 percent,from 3458 on October 31, 2019 to 4754 on January 31, 2021.

The benefits of social security schemes of EPFO in these UTs have been extended to 2.11 lakh subscribers by January, 2021 as compared to 1.29 lakh in October, 2019, registering a growth of 63 percent.

Under EPFO, the EDLI benefit has been enhanced up to Rs 6 lakh for family members of the deceased employees, which was earlier restricted to Rs. 70,000.

Further, the subscribers of these UTs will also get the additional social security cover in the form of pension by EPFO.

The transfer of accounts of the members covered under the erstwhile JK PF Act to EPFO has been 100 per cent completed for 12 out of 22 districts of J&K and Ladakh.

They are Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Rajouri, Poonch, Ganderbal, Bandipore, Kulgam, Kupwara, Baramulla, Leh, and Ladakh. This includes the transfer of 2,338 establishments involving Rs 1,660 crore.

Meanwhile, CBT approved the creation of 98 posts in different cadres required for seamless functioning of Regional offices of J&K and paving the way for smooth absorption of all staff & officers of J&K EPFO into CBT, EPF.

New Delhi: The Biden administration is closely following developments in Jammu and Kashmir and welcomes steps taken by the Narendra Modi government to restore full economic and political normalcy in the Union Territory, consistent with India’s democratic values, says the US State Department.

Spokesperson Ned Price said the US policy towards the issue has not changed, and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has had opportunities to speak to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, both bilaterally and in the context of the Quad.

“Yes. So, as I think we have said from this room before, as a government, certainly as the State Department, we continue to follow developments in Jammu and Kashmir closely. Our policy when it comes to – when it comes to it has not changed,” Price said at a news briefing on Wednesday.

“We welcome steps to return the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to full economic and political normalcy consistent with India’s democratic values.”

Price also made it clear that US’ ties with India “stand on its own” and not hyphenated with Pakistan.

“Look, I think the point we would want to make is that United States has important relationships with India, as I said, but also with Pakistan. These relationships stand on their own in our view. They are not a zero-sum proposition when it comes to U.S. foreign policy.

“We are – we have productive, constructive relations, and productive and constructive relationships with one does not detract from the relationship we have at the other. It does not come at the expense at the relationship we have with the other,” Price said in reply to a question, according to the transcript of the statement available here.

“When it comes to India, we have a global comprehensive strategic partnership, and we’ve talked about that. When it comes to Pakistan, I addressed this the other week: We have important shared interests in the region. And we will continue to work closely with the Pakistani authorities on those shared interests.

“What we have done is we continue to support direct dialogue between India and Pakistan on Kashmir and other areas of – and other issues of concern. Of course, we’ve continued to call for a reduction of tensions along the line of control, returning to that 2003 ceasefire.”

Srinagar: The family members of a Srinagar youth, who was found dead in his apartment in New Delhi on Tuesday, alleged that he was murdered and demanded a thorough investigation into the incident.

The body of Aqif Rashid Bhat was found hanging from the ceiling of the room of his apartment in Jungpora, New Delhi under suspicious circumstances on Tuesday evening.

The family members of the deceased, whose body was brought to Srinagar, alleged that Bhat had injury marks on his face and arms. “A conspiracy was hatched by some people to murder him and showcase it as a suicide,” they said.

They said a thorough investigation should be initiated into the incidents and people responsible for the murder should be brought to book.

New Delhi:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi will receive the CERAWeek Global Energy and Environment Leadership Award on Friday, his office said.

He will also deliver the keynote address at the Cambridge Energy Research Associates Week (CERAWeek) via video conferencing, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.

It is considered the world’s premier annual energy platform, the PMO noted, adding that the event is being held virtually between March 1-5.

CERAWeek was founded in 1983 by Daniel Yergin and is held in Houston annually. The CERAWeek Global Energy and Environment Leadership Award was instituted in 2016.

It recognises the commitment of leadership on the future of global energy and environment, and for offering solutions and policies for energy access, affordability and environmental stewardship, the PMO noted.

Srinagar:  The Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Governor, Manoj Sinha has accorded sanction to the appointment of Zubair Iqbal, Ex. senior vice-president, HDFC Bank, as Chief Financial Consultant (CFC) in the finance department.

As per the order, the appointment has been made on contractual basis for a period of one year from the date of joining.

“In terms of Rule – 194 of GFRs – 2017, sanction is hereby accorded to the engagement of Mr.  Zubair Iqbal Ex, Senior Vice President, HDFC Bank, as Chief Financial Consultant in the Finance Department,” the order reads.

The order states that the term of the contract is one year from the date of joining, assumption of charge and shall be terminable by either party on one month’s notice.