New Delhi, Oct 25:  Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday accused India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of delaying accession of the region and said that the process is now final and complete.
The minister made the remarks on the eve of the Accession Day of Jammu and Kashmir while responding to queries why the accession of the region Kashmir with independent India did not take place on or before August 15, 1947.

“If there was a delay of over two months, it was not on account of Maharaja Hari Singh but on account of the then Prime Minister Nehru who was not forthcoming in his approach and was instead being led by cues and inputs from Sheikh Abdullah,” Singh said.

The minister further asserted that if the then Home Minister Sardar Patel had been given a free hand to handle the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir just as he was handling the other princely states of undivided India, not only the history of Indian subcontinent would have been different, but also the accession of the region would have happened much earlier.

Singh said, “If it had happened, the part of Jammu and Kashmir under Pakistan’s occupation would have also been a part of independent India.”
Singh questioned why Prime Minister Nehru violated the democratic propriety by intruding into the domain of his own Home Minister Sardar Patel.

To put the record straight, the minister said, it was in fact finally Sardar Patel’s intervention which facilitated the landing of the Indian Forces in Srinagar and saved the rest of the parts of the State also from being taken by Pakistan.

Another impropriety committed by Prime Minister Nehru, said Singh, was that instead of frankly and directly dealing with Maharaja Hari Singh, who was at that time the legitimate and official Head of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, Nehru instead preferred to carry on backdoor parleys with Sheikh Abdullah.

It was Nehru again, whose initial dillydallying led to delay in the landing of the Indian Forces at Srinagar before they could drive out the Pakistani invaders, Singh said.

“The draft of the Instrument of Accession signed by Maharaja Hari Singh was the same as that signed by the Heads of other princely states, without any conditions or terms attached.”

Article 370 and 35-A were anomalous additions which came later after Hari Singh had relinquished the throne, he said.

History has been unfair to Maharaja Hari Singh, said the Minister, and hoped that in the changed milieu of today, the record will be put straight and all the misgivings cleared for the benefit of future generations.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 25: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today released a book titled “Ahsasan Hunde Sheeshe Khane” (the glass houses of sensibilities) – a Poetry collection by Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi, Member, Central Waqf Council, and Chairperson, Waqf Development Committee, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India.
The Lt Governor appreciated Dr. Andrabi for carrying the reflection of the tradition of spirituality, intellectual richness of the land and raising important social issues through her poetry.
Folk literature reflects the cultural aesthetics of any region which needs to be preserved and promoted, the Lt Governor observed. He also suggested Dr. Andrabi to translate the book in other languages as well so that it can reach to the wider population
It was informed that the book is the third Kashmiri poetry collection and overall the tenth published book of Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi which has been dedicated to the iconic spiritual saint-poetess of Kashmiri, Lalleshwari popularly known as Lal-Ded. This book is foreworded by famous literary critic and iconic literary historian of Kashmir, Sh. Avatar Krishen Rehbar. It is a collection of ghazals, nazams, dohas, four-line and three line new genres of poetic expression introduced by Dr.Andrabi in Kashmiri. Being linked to the rich past of the land of Rishis, her poetry also carries the essence of the Kashmir of Lalleshwari & Nunda Rishi. Dr. Andrabi’s selected poetry has been translated into many Indian languages.
Vibod Gupta, former MLC, besides Intellectuals & Eminent Scholars- Dr. Ghulam Nabi Haleem, Sh. Parvez Manoos, Sh. Ghulam Nabi Kumar, Sh. Mohammad Aqeel and Sh. Satish Vimal were present on the occasion.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 25: Principal Secretary PDD, Rohit Kansal, today convened a meeting to review the Centrally Sponsored Schemes and installation of Smart Meters.
During the meeting, the Project Implementing Agency (PIA), RECPDCL informed that installation of smart meters shall be started in Srinagar and Jammu cities from 15th November, 2020. In the first phase 20,000 meters would be installed and the process would continue in a phased manner till entire quantity of 2 lakh meters sanctioned under PMDP is installed.
Principal Secretary asked RECPDCL to ensure that there would be no further delays and the metering process in other urban and rural areas under various centrally sponsored schemes is implemented expeditiously.
Briefing the meeting, the officers of RECPDCL informed that with the installation of smart meters, the consumers will be able to know their electricity consumption pattern and bill on real time basis, by which they will be in position to manage load and reduce their monthly bill. The consumers will also know the status of power supply and load in use when away from home, they added.”Smart meters will bring about transparency in metering, billing and collection which will eventually reduce power losses and ensure quality and reliable power supply to consumers,” Principal Secretary observed.
Consumers can recharge the smart meters in the same manner as mobile phones are recharged thus eliminating the requirement of manual meter reading and paper bill distribution, the meeting was told. The meters will be read remotely in Data Centre at Srinagar and Data Recovery Centre at Jammu through communication channels, which will also facilitate the distribution Corporations to know the status of power supply at consumer end and take prompt action in case there is power interruption due to system faults or some other reason.
While reviewing the progress of system strengthening and electrification works under implementation in urban and rural areas, under various centrally sponsored schemes, the implementing agencies informed that out of 11 packages of IPDS and PMDP- Urban schemes sanctioned at a cost of Rs. 1590.00 crore 6 packages will be completed in December, 2020, 4 packages in March, 2021 and one package in June, 2021. Out of 19 packages of DDUGJY and PMDP-Rural schemes, sanctioned at a cost of 1777.00 crore, 4 packages will be completed in February, 2021 and remaining 15 packages in March, 2021. Out of 28 towns of RAPDRP-B projects sanctioned at a cost of Rs. 1665.00 crore 12 towns will be completed in November, 2020, 11 in June, 2021 and 5 in December, 2021.
With a view to ensure that the timelines for completion of projects are adhered to, the Principal Secretary informed that a Project Monitoring Unit has been established at Administrative Department level and a web based Dashboard has been set up through which project status including physical/financial progress, achievements, slippages and bottlenecks are being reported regularly. The Principal Secretary directed to establish a robust Management Information System (MIS) to be linked to Dash Board as the next step. He asked the Project Management Agencies (PMAs) to provide necessary inputs for the Dashboard/ MIS so that corrective measures required to ensure hassle free project implementation is ensured.
The meeting was attended by CEO RECPDCL, MD KPDCL, Additional CEO RECPDCL, Director Finance, Secretary Technical, Chief Engineer Distribution, KPDCL, Chief Engineer Projects, KPDCL and other senior officers. MD JPDCL, Director Planning, Chief Engineer Distribution JPDCL, Chief Engineer Projects JPDCL and other senior officers participated in the meeting via video conferencing from Jammu.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 25: A former militant who was injured by unidentified gunmen in south Kashmir district of Pulwama on October 15 succumbed in a hospital on Sunday morning, official sources said.
They said the unidentified gunmen fired at a former militant, identified as Tanveer Ahmad Sofi, at Kakpora in Pulwama on October 15 evening. “Sofi was injured in the attack,” they said, adding the injured was rushed to local hospital from where he was referred to S K Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS).
The former militant succumbed in the hospital this morning , they said adding police has already registered a case.

Chill grips Kashmir
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 25: The world famous ski resort of Gulmarg and other upper reaches in the Kashmir valley experienced snowfall Sunday afternoon resulting in more chill forcing people to wear warms cloth.
The Met department had predicted rain, snowfall and thundershowers in the valley on Sunday which would follow dry weather from Monday till end of this month.
Much to the delight of tourists, mostly locals, the famed Gulmarg ski slopes experienced snowfall this afternoon, a hotel owner told UNI over phone. However, tree tops and fields had turned slightly white in the upper heights, including seven springs, Khilanmarg and Affarwat, the highest skiing point connected by Gandola Cable Car (CCC) which was made operational only recently after remaining closed since March this year due to COVID-19.
However, the met department had predicted dry weather from Monday till October 31, a big relief to people living in hilly areas who had yet to collect their apple crops and make preparation for winter.
Reports of very light snowfall was also received from other heights in the north Kashmir, including at Line of Control (LoC), where security forces remained on alert to foil any infiltration attempt by militants waiting at launch pads to sneak into this side before heavy snowfall.
The holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas and adjoining areas also received light snowfall. This year the annual pilgrimage was postponed due to COVID-19.

New Delhi, Oct 25: The top commanders of Indian Army will hold a four-day long biannual Commanders’ Conference from Monday, focussing on an overall assessment of Army’s combat readiness in eastern Ladakh as well as other sensitive areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh and IAF chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria will address the commanders on October 27.
The Army Commanders’ Conference is an apex level biannual event which formulates important policy decisions through collegiate deliberations. “The event is attended by senior officers of the Army including the Vice Chief of Army, all Army Commanders, Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) of the Army HQ and other senior officers,” an Indian Army official said.

On the first day, the Commanders will be deliberating on matters related to Human Resource Management.
On October 28, the top commanders will carry out in-depth discussions on the various agenda points projected by the various Army Commanders. On October 29, the Director General of Border Roads (DGBR) will update on the various infrastructure development projects being undertaken by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and allied formations.
“Automation initiatives to optimise utilisation of manpower at various levels of the Army will also be discussed,” he said.
The conference will close with the presentation of Sports Trophy and Flight Safety Trophy, followed by the closing address by the Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane.

“All of us need to sit back and recollect what all we have undergone since March this year when the pandemic broke out. Patience is the key and we shouldn’t lose it. We have to be careful, acting carelessly can prove disastrous.”

We’ll make efforts to supply water to people: CE PHE
Owais Gul
Srinagar, Oct 25: The tussle between the casual labourers and daily wagers and government in Kashmir is all set to leave valleyities into dizzy as the employees will begin 48-hour-long strike from Monday.
The daily wagers, casual labourers and others under the banner of Jammu and Kashmir Casual Labourers Forum have decided to begin 48-hour-long pen down (Kaam Chod) strike from Monday.
Sajad Ahmad Parray, president of the forum said that the government has forced them to take an extreme step today. “We are fighting for over rights from last several decades and will continue till our goal is achieved,” he added.
He further stated that the strike has been called to show the government that the employees who have been pushed to the wall since long are working with honesty and dedication.
Parray also appealed to the employees not to attend their respective offices from tomorrow till next 48-hours to press for their demands.
He said the employees from Jammu province are on pen down (Kaam Chod) strike from last 30 days and now the government has forced employees of Kashmir division to begin a similar protest strike.
Sources said that many PHE offices are deserted as all the employees who are part of strike and were stationed at these offices have left. They added that the water supply will also get affected from Monday morning as the department would not be able to supply the water for the next 48-hours from tomorrow.
However, the local said that it will add to their miseries. A local resident from Old City area of Srinagar told KNO that they are already facing water scarcity for a long now and the decision of employees to go for a strike will push them to face hardships further.
Chief Engineer PHE Iftikhar Wani said the strike by these employees will affect the water supply a bit, but the employees of the department who are also deputed on the plants will perform their duties to ensure that water supply is provided to the consumers. (KNO)

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 25: Former Legislator and various public delegations Sunday called on the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha here at the Raj Bhavan and sought his intervention in early redressal of their issues and grievances.
A delegation of All J&K Mobile Seasonal Teachers Forum led by its President, Shabir Chowdhary apprised the Lt Governor about the issues of the Mobile/ Seasonal Centres.
They requested the Lt Governor for converting Mobile/Seasonal centres into permanent Mobile Primary Schools, especially for Gujjar and Bakerwal community; regularization of seasonal EV (Teachers); provision of mid-day meal, bags, books, and other facilities in the mobile centres; enhancement of salaries; First Aid Training to Seasonal Mobile Teachers, etc.
Abid Hussain Ansari, former MLA, drew Lt Governor’s attention towards various developmental issues of Zadibal constituency. He also projected several welfare issues of the Shia Community.
Faculty Forum SKIMS Medical College-Hospital headed by its President Prof. Naseer A Mir also met the Lt Governor and apprised him of the Administrative issues of SKIMS Medical College.
The Lt Governor enquired about COVID care facilities; bed capacity; ventilators and oxygen supplies, besides other basic Medicare facilities available in the Hospital.
A delegation of All J&K Plus-2 PSC Lecturers’ Association also called on the Lt Governor and projected their concerning issues pertaining to assured career progression, and time-bound promotion.
While interacting with the members of the delegations, the Lt Governor observed that the J&K Government is committed to reaching out to the people with responsive and accountable governance and is taking comprehensive measures for ensuring prompt and speedy disposal of their grievances. UT Administration is dedicated towards equitable development and welfare of all sections of the society without discrimination, he added.
He assured the members of the delegations that all their genuine issues would be looked into meticulously and taken up for redressal.

Leh, Oct 25: A three-tier security cover has been put in place for counting of votes for the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) here on Monday, officials said.
All the electronic voting machines (EVMs) and ballot boxes used for the voting on October 22 have been moved to the strong room in presence of the political parties and their candidates, they said.
Out of 89,776 registered voters, around 65 per cent of the electorate had exercised their franchise in 294 polling stations spread across 26 constituencies in Leh district on Thursday to decide the fate of 94 candidates, including 26 each of the BJP and the Congress.
The AAP is also trying its luck for the first time in the polls by fielding 19 candidates, while the regional parties of the National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have chosen to stay away from the election.
“The counting of votes will start at 9 am tomorrow (Monday). All requisite arrangements, including a three-tier security around the venue, are in place to ensure a peaceful counting exercise,” an official said.
He said CCTV cameras have been installed in and outside the counting hall, while the strong room is being guarded by the CRPF round-the-clock.
An adequate number of police personnel have also been deployed for maintenance of law and order, the official said.
He said special seating arrangements have been made for the contesting candidates and their agents.
Owing to rising COVID-19 cases, all safety measures like wearing of masks, using sanitisers and following social distancing norms are being followed, he said.
For the first time, the administration extended the postal ballot voting services for senior citizens, people with disabilities, individuals who are under home or institutional quarantine, and doctors and paramedical staff deployed at COVID-19 hospitals.
LAHDC-Leh has a total of 30 seats and four councilors are nominated by the government.
Since the formation of the hill council in 1995, Congress had swept the polls thrice, while the Ladakh Union Territorial Front had won the elections in 2005.
The BJP wrested control of the council from the Congress for the first time by winning 18 out of 26 seats in the last elections.