Latest news with #SurinderChoudhary
Indian Express
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Hope for good news in August, says J&K Deputy CM on statehood: ‘No better time'
Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Friday said that the National Conference is hopeful of receiving good news regarding the restoration of statehood in August. Hitting out at the BJP, Choudhary said that they 'question us about our poll promises, but I would also like to remind them about their own promise of the return of statehood to J&K.' Emphasising the limited powers of the Omar Abdullah government due to certain 'obstacles' such as the delay in the clearing of Transaction of Business Rules by the Raj Bhawan, the deputy CM said, 'I hope that the Prime Minister and the Home Minister will live up to the promises they have made in the Parliament. It is where Indian democracy draws its power, and I hope that they will fulfil their promises.' Choudhary added that 'there cannot be a better time than this' for the restoration of statehood. Speaking on the sidelines of an event at the National Conference headquarters in Srinagar, Nawa-i-Subh, he said that the UT government has had a 'cooperative' relationship with the Centre and the 'Centre must restore statehood at the earliest possible time.' Over the past week, the Congress, an NC ally in the J&K government, has turned up the tempo in its demand for the restoration of statehood. On July 16, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to the Prime Minister, seeking restoration of J&K's statehood. After this, the party's J&K unit held protests in Srinagar and Jammu, followed by a protest demonstration at New Delhi to push for restoration ahead of Parliament's ongoing monsoon session. The NC government has repeatedly urged the Centre to restore statehood to J&K ever since it was elected in September last year. In June, as PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Katra Srinagar rail link, Chief Minister Abdullah told him, 'I am of the belief that it will not take too long to correct this (statehood). Aur aap hi ke haathon Jammu Kashmir ko dobara riyasat ka darja haasil hoga.' Since J&K's downgrading from a state to a UT, the security apparatus and officials of central services remain outside the ambit of the elected government. Earlier this month, as the CM was restricted from visiting the martyr's graveyard in Srinagar, he took aim at the Lieutenant Governor, underlining that his decency 'should not be mistaken for weakness.'
New Indian Express
15-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
J&K LG should apologise for 'disrespecting' democracy, Constitution: Deputy CM
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Tuesday took a stern view of the alleged police manhandling of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and said Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha should apologise for "disrespecting" democracy, the Constitution and the mandate of the people. Abdullah on Monday scaled the gates of the Naqshband Sahib graveyard to pay tribute to 22 people killed by the Dogra army on July 13, 1931 outside Srinagar's central jail and alleged that he was subjected to "physical grappling". "The LG should apologise for what happened yesterday. He should not apologise to us but to the people who gave the mandate to us, he should seek an apology from that mandate and the Constitution and Indian democracy," Choudhary told reporters here. "The LG should also seek an apology from the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in 1947 for the independence of the country," he added. He said what happened on Monday was a "disrespect" of democracy and the freedom for which lakhs of people sacrificed their lives.
United News of India
20-06-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
No room for compromise on quality of development works: J&K Dy CM to officers
Jammu, June 20 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary asked engineers on Friday to follow the work completion deadlines so that the vital projects are dedicated to the public in time. Chairing a comprehensive review meeting of the Public Works Department here, focusing on the progress on development projects in Jammu Division under NABARD PMGSY, CRIF, Bridges and C&T (Macadamisation) schemes, the Deputy Chief Minister directed the officers to expedite the progress on all works ensuring their timely completion, maintaining all prescribed quality standards. The meeting was apprised of various projects which are at different stages of execution. The concerned officials provided updates on status of projects while highlighting the challenges being faced during implementation of these vital works. 'Instructions have already been given to the executing agencies for strict adherence to the approved plans, ensuring there should be no compromise with the quality of works. Strict action would be initiated in case of any deviation and low quality works', maintained the Deputy Chief Minister. While inspecting the ongoing works, the Deputy Chief Minister directed officials to conduct strict quality monitoring and ensure fast paced execution of the projects. He further directed the engineers concerned to review progress on the projects regularly and blacklist those contractors who are not showing satisfactory performance. While asking for undertaking developmental works in consonance with the local needs and aspirations, the Deputy Chief Minister said developmental plans should be formulated in consonance with the demands and convenience of people of the area. Taking serious note of alleged substandard work on some of the projects, the Dy CM emphasised that there is no room for compromise with the quality of work. Regarding delay in work execution caused due to forest clearance issues, the Dy CM directed the officers concerned to coordinate effectively and ensure timely approvals on this count. He directed all the divisions to work in close coordination to resolve the issues hindering the pace of progress on these ambitious projects. Secretary PWD (R&B) Bhupinder Kumar along with Chief Engineers, Superintendent Engineers, Executive Engineers and senior officials from concerned agencies were present during the meeting. Later, the Deputy Chief Minister visited Samba to inspect the damaged road on National Highway near Chichi Mata. The Dy CM enquired about the shortcomings in the previous designs and asked the officers to fix accountability of the executing agency responsible for the damage. He maintained that providing enhanced road connectivity, reliable bridges and other infrastructure for sustainable and inclusive socio-economic growth is the priority of the Omar Abdullah government. UNI VBH SSP
India Gazette
12-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Handloom sector is identity of Kashmir..need revival": J-K Dy CM Surinder Choudhary
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 12 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary underlined the significance of the handloom and handicraft sector of Kashmir and vowed to revive and promote it. Speaking to mediapersons here on Wednesday, Choudhury said, 'The handloom and handicraft sector is the identity of Kashmir that must be revived and promoted... I've instructed my officers to bring a detailed project proposal to me, which we will escalate to the Chief Minister. 'This isn't just about a product--it's about heritage, dignity, and livelihoods... We used to see these crafts proudly displayed in government buildings, circuit houses, and ministerial homes. Today, much of it has faded. Craftsmen invest over a year to make a single Pashmina shawl, yet their returns are dismal. We must ensure their work is recognised, respected, and fairly rewarded,' the Deputy Chief Minister added. He further emphasised the promotion of handicraft through media. 'I appeal to everyone, including social media creators, to amplify this message. Share these stories with the country and the world,' he said He also said that tourism is key to this revival. On Wednesday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that no amount of development in the region is enough, given Pakistan's constant attempts to destabilise the situation. Abdullah made these remarks while responding during a visit to Aligarh Muslim University's Ahmadi School. The Chief Minister also emphasised that not only are efforts important, but succeeding is also very important to achieve the highest degree of progress and development in Jammu and Kashmir. 'The way our neighbouring country is trying to spoil the atmosphere, we have to ensure that maximum development and progress take place in Jammu and Kashmir,' Abdullah told reporters. The J-K chief minister said that the construction of the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway bridge, is a good thing and that the focus should be on continuing to build such infrastructure. Abdullah said, 'It is a good thing that at present there is the world's tallest railway bridge; our endeavour should be to keep it the same.' The bridge on the River Chenab, being the highest bridge in the world, is a milestone project for the Indian Railways, which was completed after several ups and downs in a difficult terrain. It connects Kashmir to Jammu and the entire country via rail. The architectural marvel Chenab Rail Bridge, situated 359 metres above the river, is the world's highest railway arch bridge. It is a 1,315-metre-long steel arch bridge engineered to withstand seismic and wind conditions. Regarding the reservation bill in Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah stated that since the assembly is not in session, no bill can currently be presented. The Cabinet Sub-Committee has prepared its report, which will be presented to the Cabinet in a few days. 'There is no session of our assembly, so no bill will be presented. The cabinet subcommittee has prepared its report; that report has to be presented in the cabinet. The cabinet meeting is held twice a month. This month it has not happened yet. There will be a cabinet meeting in a few days; the recommendations of the cabinet subcommittee on reservation will be put before the cabinet, and after that it will be considered,' CM added. (ANI)
India Gazette
17-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Indian Army provides vital relief to shelling-affected Poonch locals in Jammu and Kashmir
Poonch (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], May 17 (ANI): The Indian Army carried out a door-to-door outreach in villages near the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch, which were severely affected by recent Pakistani shelling. As part of the relief efforts, Army jawans distributed essential supplies including medicines and ration to the residents, while also interacting with them to understand their needs. A local resident said, 'Our areas were affected by the shelling. The Indian Army has played a very important role on the borders and they are providing us with relief material. We thank the Indian Army. We stand in support of the Indian Army.' 'They are providing us with rations. I pray to God for the long life of these Army personnel. We are with them. Just as they are bravely guarding the borders, we too stand in solidarity with them here in Poonch,' stated another resident. Intense shelling by Pakistan during the recent conflict with India has left a trail of destruction in the border villages and districts across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, with locals suffering damages to their houses and livelihood. Reportedly, the locals have suffered damages to their livestock, properties, and essentially their livelihood in border areas such as Nowshera. Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary visited border villages near the LoC in Rajouri district and interacted with residents affected by recent hostilities. The visit followed the ruthless Pakistani shelling in the civilian areas of Jammu and Kashmir post Operation Sindoor, which was conducted on May 7. The operation was conducted in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, including a Nepali national. Meanwhile, the locals residing in the border villages demanded that the government compensate them for the damaged houses. They also urged the Indian government 'not to spare Pakistan' for its misadventures. In the early hours of May 7, the Indian Armed Forces conducted strikes at nine terror hideouts in the deep areas of Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under the 'Operation Sindoor' in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. (ANI)
