News Analysis India

Tag: Articles 370

  • Two years after Article 370 revocation; JK govt opens up agriculture, horticulture, allied sector to all communities

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR: Over two years after abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday opened up agriculture, horticulture, and allied sector to all communities in the Union Territory.

    “The Administrative Council (AC), which met here today under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, authorized the District Collectors to grant permission to an agriculturist to alienate land to a non-agriculturist subject to certain conditions and procedure for extending primary activities on larger commercial lines and reap benefits under the economy of scale,” an official spokesman said.

    He said J&K has a substantial potential for agriculture and allied sectors, which usually require land up to 80 kanal.

    The decision allows the Deputy Commissioners to permit sale of land up to 20 kanals for agriculture and allied activities, and up to 80 kanal in the case of horticulture orchards.

    “The entire process will be completed within 30 days of making an application to this effect,” the spokesman said.

    He said opening up of agriculture, horticulture and allied sectors would provide people from non-agriculturist class the opportunity to acquire land for agriculture and allied activities and take up such activities as profession to systematically bring new investments in agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry sectors.

    According to the official spokesman, there have been multiple demands by Mahajans, Khatris and Sikhs for the right of sale-purchase of agricultural land for investment in agriculture and allied activities.

    Their resentment, he said, existed on the statutory provision that defined certain sections of the society as the agriculturist class who alone were eligible to own agricultural land under J&K Land Alienation Act Svt.1995.

    As per the spokesman, the decision thus fulfils long pending demands from the civil society seeking rights for sale-purchase of the agricultural land for investment in agriculture and allied activities.

    “It is expected to assist in the revamping of the agriculture sector and aid economic growth to create employment in the primary sector of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

    The centre on August 5, 2019 scrapped Articles 370 and 35A (which granted special status to J&K and barred outsiders from purchasing land and properties in J&K) and bifurcated J&K state into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature).

  • Articles 370, 35 A only gave separatism, terrorism, nepotism, corruption: Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha

    By PTI
    SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Tuesday said Articles 370 and 35A — which were revoked by the Centre in August 2019 — gave only separatism, terrorism, nepotism and large scale corruption to the erstwhile state.

    Addressing a national webinar to mark the birth anniversary Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee as part of Azaadi ka Amrut Mahotsav at Raj Bhavan here, Sinha remembered Mookerjee as the architect of fully integrated and modern India.

    Steadfastly working to realise the goal of “Ek Vidhaan, Ek Pradhaan, Ek Nishaan (one constitution, one leader and one flag)”, Mookerjee’s struggle in J-K was a revolution and he sacrificed his life while fighting for it, the LG said.

    Mookerjee wanted to see Jammu and Kashmir like other states of India with the same rights for the people of J&K as in the rest of India, he said.

    “Today, on his birth anniversary, while expressing my sincere tributes to Dr.Mookerjee from Srinagar, I want to express my gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister for fulfilling his dream on August 5, 2019, leading to the complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the country,” he said.

    Sinha said that due to Article 370, constitutional reforms and hundreds of central laws which would have been helpful in raising the quality of life of people and bringing a surge of development in the region were not implemented in J-K.

    “Article 370 and 35A gave only separatism, terrorism, nepotism and large scale corruption to J-K. There was not a single provision in it that would connect J-K to the mainstream development,” the LG said.

    He added that Article 370 also provided that the Indian flag would be flown only on two occasions in J&K but today, it is being hoisted proudly on every government building of Jammu and Kashmir and in every school.

    All 890 central laws are now applicable here, he said.

    “The rule of only a handful didn’t give leadership opportunities to any young citizen of J-K, but today the youth of J-K are not only making successful political debut but are also marching towards development,” he remarked.

    The Lt Governor said Mookerjee had made immense contributions to the Constitution of India, India’s politics, education and modern industries.

    “I believe Dr.Mookerjee’s arrival in Jammu and Kashmir, 68 years ago, in May 1953, was the first Swadeshi movement of the country after independence. And today, his Tapobhoomi is illuminated with development as his dream turned into reality many years after his arrival,” he said.

    Sinha said Mookerjee had such integrity and dedication for nation-building that he did not rest until the challenge at his hand was resolved.

    “He believed that the basic element of good governance, nationalism, change, prosperity of the society, is wholesome policy and even the most complex problems can be solved with the righteous approach,” Sinha said.

    “I strongly believe that national integration is the first step in the development of citizens and Dr.Mookerjee knew that this unity was incomplete without the complete integration of J-K with rest of the country,” he said.

    “I believe that the country became independent in 1947, but its political consciousness and political sense was found due to Dr.Syama Prasad Mookerjee,” he added.

    Sinha said the views of Mookerjee’s on J-K issue, relations with neighboring countries and reforms in elections were like the fragrance of spirituality in Indian politics.

    “Today, if J-K is moving ahead on the path of development, then it is only because of two personalities, one Dr.Syama Prasad Mookerjee and the other is Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi,” he said.

    “I bow down to Dr.Syama Prasad Mookerjee for his steadfast efforts, amazing valour and supreme sacrifice to get justice. And today Jammu and Kashmir has been fully integrated with India and taking along the crown jewel of India, we have to move forward for the development of the country with full faith, determination,” he said.

    The webinar was organised by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and was attended by Arif Mohammed Khan, the Governor of Kerala; Droupadi Murmu, the Governor of Jharkhand, Prahlad Singh Patel, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Culture and Tourism; among others.

  • Faultlines emerge in Gupkar Alliance as constituents trade barbs

    Express News Service
    SRI NAGAR: It has been over a month since the District Development Council (DDC) election results came out, but the Gupkar Alliance, which emerged as the single largest group post polls, is yet to convene a meeting to chart a roadmap for its declared goal of restoring Articles 370 and 35A. This lack of progress, combined with the People’s Conference allegations that National Conference fielded proxy candidates, indicates that fault lines have already appeared in the seven-party alliance. 

    The constituents – NC, PDP, Peoples Conference, ANC, CPM, CPI and JKPM – are yet to meet on charting declare ‘referendum’ on Article 370 restoration. The first ever DDC polls for 280 seats concluded on December 19, and the Gupkar Alliance had emerged as a single-largest group with 110 seats. Ever since then, only Mehbooba Mufti’s voice has been heard, with other leaders lying low. Be it government policies, eviction of people from forest areas or demanding inquiry into Lawaypora encounter, Mufti has been in the forefront, missing no opportunity to criticise the government. 

    The DDC polls had brought the internal bickering in the Alliance to the fore with the parties accusing each other of fielding proxy candidates. Many leaders had rebelled against the constituents, and had contested against the PAGD candidates. Influential Shia leader and Peoples Conference general Secretary Imran Reza Ansari in a letter to party president Sajjad Gani Lone accused the National Conference of fielding proxy candidates in Pattan, Sonawari and Kupwara Assembly constituencies in north Kashmir. He said that when he met Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, he was served a notice, but the Alliance was mum when NC delegations and CPM leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami called on Sinha.

    Senior PDP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Fayaz Mir also accused the NC of fielding proxy candidates against the PAGD nominees in Kupwara district. He said the Gupkar Alliance leadership should have taken action against seat-sharing formula violators, but no action was taken.

    PDP accuses NC of violating agreementSenior PDP leader Fayaz Mir accused the NC of fielding proxy candidates against the PAGD nominees in Kupwara. He said the leadership should have taken action against the violators