Latest news with #J&KAssembly
Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
J&K House panel asks for documents to probe Jal Jeevan Mission, told by dept: Need 1.3 crore pages
A probe into alleged irregularities in the Jal Jeevan Mission in Jammu and Kashmir has run into paperwork — quite literally. In March, following a debate during the Budget session, the J&K Assembly set up a House Committee to probe claims of irregularities. In response to the committee's request for documents, the Jal Shakti Department is learnt to have written that, based on an average of 200 to 250 pages per scheme — there are 3,253 schemes under the Mission — each set would run into roughly 7.3 lakh pages. Since the committee has sought 18 sets for the members and allied staff, the department has written that this would require over 1.30 crore pages. The department has sought an extension to submit the documents, stating that 'this exercise will not even need more time for compilation, but will also require huge resources for printing/photocopying the required number of sets.' Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather had announced the constitution of the House Committee to 'allay the apprehensions' of both the Treasury and Opposition benches after the March debate on the implementation of JJM. It held its first meeting on May 22. The chairman of the committee, Hasnain Masoodi of the National Conference, said the next meeting is scheduled for Friday, June 27. 'We have sought documents on JJM. However, they have sought some time because they said that the documentation is voluminous. I am hoping that by Friday, they will be able to table it,' Masoodi told The Indian Express. The Jal Jeevan Mission was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2019, to provide each rural household with a functional household tap connection. The J&K House Committee is probing alleged irregularities in this scheme since its implementation in that year. The stated expenditure under the scheme till date in the UT is over Rs 7,000 crore. The committee has requested the department for data regarding the year-wise financial allocation received from the relevant ministry and its utilisation, as well as copies of all administrative and technical sanctions related to JJM works, detailed project reports, tender notices, bid documents, technical and evaluation reports, among other documents.
United News of India
13-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Border conflicts traumatising people, we want permanent peace: Local MLA
Uri (Kashmir), May 13 (UNI) The May 10 ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan has brought relief to this area located near the Line of Control (LoC) but the cessation of fighting should be permanent and not temporary, says Sajjad Shafi, who represents this trouble-torn area as a Member in the J&K Assembly. The doctor-turned-politician lamented that for decades, the inhabitants of Uri had suffered physically and mentally because of the oft-repeated armed conflicts between India and Pakistan. Even the recent cross-border shelling and firing has left the residents of this border area traumatised and fear-struck, the MLA told UNI in an interview here. He said over 50,000 people were evacuated from Uri after intense cross-border shelling by Pakistan began on May 8 and around 500 houses were damaged. Many border residents are still grappling with the mental scars of displacement and violence, he said. Such is the trauma, he said, "When I asked the children at a relief camp if they wanted to go back home, they clung to me and said, 'we don't want to return.' It was "heartbreaking" and "one of the most haunting memories from the recent Indo-Pak border tensions, one that will stay with me forever," the lawmaker said. 'The most painful memory is hearing that someone was martyred or injured, and the cries of children leaving their homes in terror,' he said. Appealing for permanent peace between India and Pakistan, the MLA highlighted that war brings only destruction and suffering. 'It is not the people of Delhi or Islamabad, but we, the border people, who suffer every time. From 1947 to now, generation after generation, we've paid the price," he said. Referring to the May 10 ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, Shafi said while the move has brought temporary calm, more permanent solution is needed. 'We pray the ceasefire holds — not just for now, but permanently. Our people deserve to live normal lives, do agriculture, and work in peace,' said Shafi, who said he was camping in Uri during the height of shelling and firing, a period he described as 'really, really devastating." Noting that decades of violence has repeatedly shattered the lives of border residents, the lawmaker said, 'Our children deserve peace, education, and a future — not trauma. We have the right to live and laugh like people in Delhi, Srinagar, or Lahore. But today, even our children have forgotten how to smile." Urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif to engage in dialogue, Shafi said, 'Become statesmen and talk. Neither India nor Pakistan can change their neighbours, but they can change their future through peace.' Citing ongoing conflicts like Russia-Ukraine and Gaza, he added, 'War has never brought happiness — only devastation. Generations, lands, and futures are lost. The only solution is peace, peace, and peace.' The MLA said that as per the preliminary assessment 500 houses were damaged in the shelling. He added that the final assessment is still underway, but the initial findings have painted a grim picture of widespread devastation. 'The majority of the damaged structures have been completely reduced to rubble, while the rest have sustained partial damage,' the MLA said. Shafi emphasized that the immediate challenge now is to rehabilitate the displaced families, many of whom have lost everything. UNI MJR AKK PRS
Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Opinion In J&K Assembly, the challenge after Pahalgam is framed and Omar Abdullah strikes a resonant note
It was an extraordinary occasion — and the J&K Assembly rose to it, in full measure. In the sombre aftermath of the terror attack in Pahalgam, the expressions of sympathy and solidarity that filled the House during its special one-day session send a message that's at once very simple and enormously powerful: In this moment of collective mourning that follows an act of terror in which the victims were selected by their faith, the people of Jammu and Kashmir will be heard, as they join with other voices in the country. For now, it does not matter whether J&K is a state or a Union Territory. It does not matter whether security is the Centre's responsibility, or that there are limited powers with the Assembly. What matters, as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah put it in a speech ringing with eloquence and empathy, is that the people's representatives condemn the terrorist's strike and everyone participates in the grief of 26 families. In a poignant recitation, CM Abdullah read out the names of those killed on April 22, alongwith the state each belonged to. 'Uttar se dakshin, purab se pashchim… aur beech ki saari riyasatein (north to south, east to west, and all the states that lie in between)… poora mulk is hamle ki lapet mein aaya (this tragedy has enfolded the entire country).' Even in a state that bears the scars of so many terror strikes, the targeting of tourists in a meadow in Baisaran was especially horrific. Because, as the CM said, it broke a lull — in which 'we thought they (terror strikes) are a part of our past, not our future… Now we worry, where will the next one be?' At the same time, Abdullah pointed out that the dark is not without a sliver of light. 'Kya yeh hamaari ijazat se hua (Were we asked before the terrorist killed in our name)?' he asked. The aftermath of the Pahalgam strike is different from those that have gone before because the people have come out to condemn and to say, 'Not in my name.' This time, the ordinary men and women of Kashmir made banners, lit candles and observed two-minute silences in the masjid. The militancy will end only with the people's support, the CM underlined, and this could be the beginning of that. In this moment, he said, it is important not to turn people away. It is necessary to acknowledge and honour, instead, Syed Adil Hussain Shah, the local pony ride operator shot while trying to protect the tourists, and so many unnamed others who reached out to the victims and survivors and opened their doors and hearts to help them. As it endorsed the diplomatic steps taken by the Narendra Modi government after Pahalgam, the J&K Assembly also sent out a sobering note of caution. It appealed to governments to ensure the 'safety, dignity, well-being' of Kashmiris, including students, in other states. Several MLAs pointed out that the demolition of houses of relatives of militants by security forces could be counterproductive, as it amounts to 'collective punishment'. But most of all, the message of the special session was this: The people of J&K have spoken to offer the special empathy that only those who have borne the brunt of terror for long years and decades can. And that going forward, as the Centre decides on the next steps, their voice, as it strikes new chords in the state's political discourse, must not go unheard.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Congress seeks special parliament session after Pahalgam attack claims 26 lives
Live Events Mallikarjun Kharge's letter to PM Modi You Might Also Like: J&K Assembly denounces Baisaran Valley attack You Might Also Like: World must condemn Pahalgam terror attack for which there can be no justification: India's envoy to UN You Might Also Like: Parties should urge govt to convene special session of Parliament over Pahalgam attack: Kapil Sibal (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Indian National Congress has called for a special parliamentary session to address the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir 's Pahalgam, which claimed 26 a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge urged the government to convene a special session of both Houses of Parliament in response to the his letter, Kharge stated that the proposed session would be a platform to express a joint stance on the attack and would demonstrate a collective resolve to address the Congress President also wrote that the opposition believes in unity and solidarity as the need of the hour."At this moment, when unity and solidarity is essential, Opposition believes that it is important to convene a special session of both houses of Parliament at the earliest. This will be a powerful demonstration of our collective resolve and will to deal with the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam on innocent citizens on 22 April 2025. It is our fond hope that the session will be accordingly convened," the letter request comes amid increased political focus on national security and responses to terrorism, amidst outrage and mourning following the terror attack on April on Monday, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly held a special session condemning the terror attack in the session, a resolution was adopted to express strong disapproval of the attack and to extend solidarity to the victims and their and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary moved the resolution condemning the Pahalgam terror attack at the start of the session, following opening remarks from speaker Abdul Rahim resolution endorsed the diplomatic measures announced by the Union Government after the Cabinet Committee on Security resolution was adopted without any division, following which the assembly session was adjourned sine JK Chief Minister Omar Abdullah further affirmed that he would not be demanding statehood for Jammu and Kashmir in the name of the 26 people who have died in a terror attack, stating that his politics was not "so cheap".He, however, stated that he would still demand statehood for the region, but not at this very moment when the country still mourns the loss of the 26 attack in Pahalgam is one of the deadliest attacks in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike, in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. Following the Pahalgam terror attack, India has taken strong measures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism (with ANI inputs)
