Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated 11 infrastructure projects worth Rs 43.91 crore at the main campus and offsite campuses in Ramnagar, Reasi, and Kathua.
Tag: Manoj Sinha
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J&K L-G launches portal for grievance redressal of immovable properties of Kashmiri migrants
By PTI
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday launched an online portal for time-bound redressal of grievances related to Kashmir migrants’ immovable properties.
The Kashmir migrants can log in to http://jkmigrantrelief.nic.in/ or http://kashmirmigrantsip.jk.gov.in to submit their complaints, an official spokesman said.
The application filed on the portal will be disposed of in a fixed time frame under the Public Services Guarantee Act, 2011, by the revenue authorities under intimation to the applicant, he said.
“The competent authority (Deputy Commissioner) shall undertake survey/field verification of migrant properties and update all registers, within a period of 15 days and submit compliance report to the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor said the initiative will put an end to the plight of the migrants including Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims, who have been suffering since 1990s.
“I met numerous delegations from across the religions in the last 13 months and they unequivocally supported the return of migrants,” he said.
“It is the responsibility of the present to rectify the mistakes of the past. While laying the foundation for a bright future, this is also the time to heal the old wounds. I request all citizens to support the administration in this effort and set a new example of brotherhood,” Sinha said.
Nearly 60,000 families migrated from the valley during the turmoil, out of which approximately 44,000 migrant families are registered with the Relief Organisation, J-K, whereas the rest of the families chose to shift to other states and UTs, the spokesman said.
The hapless migrants had to leave behind their immovable as well as movable properties, the LG said.
“The violence has affected all. Out of those 44,000 migrant families, 40,142 are Hindu families, 2,684 Muslim families and 1,730 belong to the Sikh community.
“During the trial run period of the portal, we have received 854 grievances. It clearly shows a large number of migrant families were awaiting justice. Now, the time-bound action on complaints will not only restore the faith of people in the system but I believe thousands of families achieve closure, justice and regain their dignity,” the Lt Governor said.
It is pertinent to mention that with the onset of the Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir in 1989-1990, a large number of people had to migrate from their ancestral places of residence, particularly in the Kashmir division, the spokesman said.
There was a mass exodus of Kashmiri Hindus as well as a number of Sikhs and Muslim families.
Under compelling circumstances, the immovable properties of these migrants got either encroached or they were forced to sell their properties at throwaway prices, he said.
In order to address this issue, on June 2, 1997, an act namely “The Jammu and Kashmir Migrant Immovable Property (Preservation, Protection and Restraint on Distress Sales) Act, 1997” was enacted, he said.
This act provides preservation, protection and restraint on distress sales of the immovable property of the migrants.
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Manoj Sinha interview: Taliban not a threat, hoping to create 10 lakh jobs, says J&K Lt Governor
Express News Service
After the unveiling of the industrial policy, Jammu & Kashmir had expected about Rs 25,000 crore investment, but the response has so far been overwhelming, J&K Lt-Governor Manoj Sinha tells H Khogen Singh and Fayaz Wani in an interview
What are the big projects are undertaken which have made a difference to the people of J&K?
We have completed about 22,000 projects in the last year. There was a legacy here of languishing projects. A special scheme was launched to complete these projects and we have completed 1,100 of these. Five projects were started 20 years back and 165 about 10 years back. But they were all incomplete. We have converted liability into assets and disaster into dividends.
What type of projects were languishing for the last 10 to 20 years and why?
They include school buildings, roads, government departments, primary health centres etc. In J&K, there was a tradition of the system not working. Now there is total transparency. Without administrative approval, no work can be undertaken. If there is no e-tendering, the treasury will not accept bills.
Has developmental work gained momentum?
Under the PMGSY, on an average 1,600-1,700 kms of roads used to be built in J&K in a year. Last year, the average rose to 3,600-3,700 kms and this year it is 4,000 kms. As far as blacktopping of roads is concerned, an average of 2,200-2,400 kms used to be macadamized. Last year, 6,000 kms of road were macadamized and this year we have fixed a target of 8,000 kms.
What is being done to augment power position?
In the last 70 years, only 3,500 MWs capacity of electricity was installed. It is a power deficit region. We have signed an MoU with the NHPC on the Sawalakote power project. It is being constructed from 1984 and has not been completed yet. Now we are hopeful that it will be completed in five years. I think hydropower is not reliable during peak hours so we need alternate sources of energy. We have signed MoUs for solar power.
What measures are being undertaken to boost tourism and are there any new destinations in the pipeline?
Tourists are coming in large numbers. About 10 lakh tourists came to J&K in July. This is a message in itself and it needs to be understood. People feel it is safe to go to J&K. It is true that there are some tourist destinations that are not known to people. We are trying to tap this potential.
Did unemployment go up during Covid-19 in J&K?
There are more than four lakh government employees and 90,000 daily wagers. We recently advertised for 20,000 government jobs, of whom 4,000 have joined and 12,000 results have been declared. Verification of the rest is going on. We will be giving special weightage to families which do not have a single member in government service. Besides, 1,700 people were appointed in J&K Bank in the most transparent manner. We have abolished interviews for Class III and IV positions.
Self-employment can be a big source of employment and we are trying to break the mindset of the youth who want government jobs only. As per the CMIE data, unemployment rate in J&K was 29.9% in 2016, 21% in 2019 and 19.5% in 2020. Due to our cohesive and targeted efforts, the March 2021 figure was 9.3%. After the second wave, it increased to 10.6% in June.
What has been the response to the industrial policy?
The new industrial policy focuses on ease of doing business. We have got tremendous response from the industry. We were expecting Rs 25,000-30,000 crore of investment and the creation of five lakh jobs. But the response has been such that we are expecting double the investment and the creation of 10 lakh jobs. Many of the investors have even submitted the fees and have been given land also.
Were investors more interested in putting their money in Jammu or the Valley?
We have so far received investment proposals for Rs 25,000 crore. Of this, Rs 12,200 crore is for Kashmir and Rs 12,800 crore for Jammu.
Big industrial houses are showing interest in investing in J&K. JSW is one such.
Will the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan have security implications here?
I don’t see any threat. It will take the Taliban at least 3-4 months to settle down. Our forces are not only ready but they also have clarity of purpose. As per the constitution, the president and the head of a state has a right to dismiss any government employee who is a threat to the state. Even the J&K constitution had the same provision and action was taken. We have sacked 21 government employees for being involved in anti-national activities.
How do you assess J&K’s security situation?
August 15 was celebrated in every school and panchayat. This was for the first time in J&K’s history. Some people met me who wanted to hold such functions. The overall situation has improved and stone pelting incidents are a thing of the past.
When will Assembly elections be held?
The J&K Reorganisation Act says after completing the delimitation, elections will be held. Some people say when elections in Assam can be held without delimitation, why not in J&K. It is a simple thing: seven seats have increased in the J&K Assembly. Who will define boundaries of those seven seats? The PM has said after the delimitation exercise is completed elections will be held. The Delimitation Commission visited J&K for four days. After the delimitation process is completed, elections will be held.
Many political parties have demanded that statehood be restored before holding elections…
The home minister has stated in Parliament that statehood will be restored at an appropriate time. I think people should believe his words. The PM and the home minister have given assurances in this regard.
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Jammu and Kashmir admin committed to ensure dignified return of Kashmiri pandits to Valley: Sinha
He said considerable progress has been made on providing transit accommodation and jobs to Kashmiri pandit migrants in the valley under the Prime Minister #39;s Development Package.
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Jammu and Kashmir administration orders preservation, protection of Kashmiri migrants’ properties
By PTI
SRINAGAR: The Lt Governor Manoj Sinha-led Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Council on Saturday issued instructions for the preservation and protection of Kashmiri migrants’ immovable properties and the removal of any encroachments from them, an official spokesperson said.
To streamline the preservation and protection efforts, the council also approved a Revenue Department proposal to confer powers of commissioners upon deputy commissioners of the Kashmir division under the Agrarian Reforms Act, he said.
Further, the spokesperson said, the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction was directed to develop an online portal to facilitate the migrants in applying for correction of records, demarcation and removal of encroachments, and alienation by way of fraud or distress.
Such applications have to be disposed of in a time-bound manner under the Public Services Guarantee Act, he said.
On Friday, the Jammu and Kashmir administration had said that timely action would be taken against any violation of the J-K Migrant Immovable Property Act, including in respect of religious properties, besides ensuring eviction, custody and restoration of such properties.
On Saturday, the J-K Administrative Council also approved the creation of 110 posts of accounts personnel in the Revenue Department to bring greater transparency in accountancy related activities of its field offices, the spokesperson said.
The new posts will be created in the offices of financial commissioner, IG registration, divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, custodian general and revenue training institutes, Settlement Organisation, Nazol Organisation, and others, he said.
The new accounts cells in the Revenue Department, the spokesperson said, will be a single-point interface for all issues involving financial matters and will act as a bulwark against fiscal indiscipline.
The specialised cells will also play a crucial role in thoroughly scrutinising budget proposals, maintaining departmental accounts in accordance with the requirements under the State Financial Rules and evaluating progress and achievements for seeking supplementary grants, he said.
The newly created posts are — two chief accounts officers, 26 accounts officers, seven assistant accounts officers, 22 accountants, and 53 account assistants.
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Those associated with terrorism won’t be spared: L-G Sinha asserts to root out militancy from J&K
Express News Service
SRINAGAR: A day after a policeman was killed in a terrorist attack, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday asserted to root out terrorism from the pious land of Jammu and Kashmir.
Sinha visited the home of policeman Nisar Ahmad, who was killed in terrorist attack yesterday, in south Kashmir’s Kulgam diatrict.
While extending condolences to the bereaved family, Sinha said “the whole administration is standing in solidarity with the family and would provide every possible support and assistance to them.”
“My visit after last evening’s cowardly militant attack is a clear message to the militants and their sympathizers that we will root out terrorism from this pious land. The Government is determined to make development a mass movement”, the Lt Governor asserted.
Addressing a public gathering at Kund in Kulgam, Sinha noted that the Government will not bow down to the nefarious designs and motives of terrorists.
He said all those who are directly or indirectly involved in terrorist acts will not be spared.
The Lt Governor said that this holy land belongs to Saints and Sufi mystics and any kind of violence here is a crime.
He appealed everyone to join their hands for the progress and development of the Union Territory.
“While the government is implementing policies and plans that will strengthen the young generation to fulfill their desire for progress, it is society’s collective responsibility to identify those who mislead our enterprising youth for their own vested interests,” he added.
Emphasizing that youth is ready to transform the socio-economic landscape of J&K, the Lt Governor observed that it is only a handful of people who want to disturb the process of peace and progress.
“The youth of J&K wants platforms to grow and become successful in life,” he said.
The Lt Governor urged the younger generation to strive for peace, prosperity, development of the common man in order to transform the Union Territory.
He highlighted that Jammu and Kashmir is the land of sages, saints, and Sufi mystics and the fragrance of their words, ideals and teaching is in its every corner. “Whether it is Nund Rishi, Simnani Sahib, all had spread the fragrance of peace and equality of all religions.” he said.
“All religions, whether Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, Christianity, have flourished here and all have said one thing that progress is possible only through peace and love. If some people are being misled from the path of peace, then it becomes the responsibility of the elders to bring them back onto the right path”, added the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor said that there is no place for people in the society who are radicalizing and brainwashing our youth. It is the collective responsibility of parents, teachers, and community elders to counter radical propaganda machinery.
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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.
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Centre mulls release of more political detainees from Jammu & Kashmir
Express News Service
NEW DELHI: The first steps towards removing “Dil ki doori aur Dilli ki doori” as PM Narendra Modi put it in his meeting with 14 leaders from J&K were taken well before their meeting on Thursday.A few political leaders in detention were released days before the high-profile meeting was held in the capital and sources in Ministry of Home Affairs say that a committee will be formed by J&K L-G Manoj Sinha, who will go through the list of remaining detainees on a case-to-case basis. Release of more political detainees could be seen soon.
“The L-G will constitute a committee which will go through a list of 40 people who are in custody under the PSA. Most of them belong to political parties. Based on various factors and depending on the feedback from security agencies their release will be looked into,” a source in the Ministry of Home Affairs told The New Indian Express. “Cases of those who were not charged with offences of violence will be reviewed,” the sources added.
BJP leader and former J&K deputy CM Nirmal Singh, who attended the meeting, said: “In the meeting, the home minister shared data of detainees under PSA who are still in custody. He said there are 40 people who are detained under the PSA, and he said their cases will be reviewed by a committee.”
Release of political prisoners was one of the key demands made by various leaders, including Congress’s Ghulam Nabi Azad, in the meeting with the PM and Home Minister Amit Shah.
In fact, in the run up to the meeting held on Thursday, several political detainees such as PDP’s Naeem Akhtar and Sartaj Madni were released last week. Akhtar was first detained in August 2019 and booked again under the PSA.
After being released in June 2020 he was again taken into custody in December last year. Madni, the uncle of former CM Mehbooba Mufti, was released after six months of detention on Saturday and a day later Akhtar was also released.
Experts have welcomed these developments. “In 2004 after the Hurriyat held two rounds of talks with the then deputy PM LK Advani, Advaniji asked them what it is that they want. They asked for the release of political prisoners. I think they gave a list of some 35 people of which the government ordered the release of around 12,” said AS Dulat, the former R&AW chief.
Skandan Krishnan, a former IAS officer who served as an advisor to former J&K governor Satyapal Malik said “such a move will give the biggest fillip to the local parties”.
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Only objective is to accelerate economic development of J-K: L-G Manoj Sinha
By PTI
JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said the only objective of his administration is to accelerate the economic development of the Union Territory and make it multi-dimensional.He also said that the pace of new industrial schemes had stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but now the efforts would be intensified to take it on the ground in the coming days.
“We are paying close attention to the business, industry, and tourism sectors affected by Corona and decisions would be taken for their convenience. Work will also be done on a war footing to promote the art and culture of Jammu and Kashmir,” Sinha said in his ‘awaam ki awaaz’ programme, aired on all local and primary channels of All India radio (AIR) stations.
He said in the coming days, “we have only one objective – to accelerate the economic development of J&K and make it multi-dimensional”.
Sinha said working within the tenets of financial prudence, transparency, and accountability, the Jammu and Kashmir government is moving ahead the agenda of all-round development in the region.
The lieutenant governor said the recent announcement of Rs 12,600 crore District Capex budget is historic and is more than double the last year’s budget of Rs 5,134 crore.
The budget has been made by people’s representatives keeping in mind the needs of the common man, he said, adding “Jammu and Kashmir is full of self-confidence, I hear the echo of self-power among the people”.
Coming down heavily on the recent issue of unwarranted rumours being spread by a few with vested interests, Sinha said certain elements cannot digest the speedy execution of development work and effective management of COVID-19.
“We need to reject all such rumours and focus on playing a constructive role.
For the past several decades, such people deliberately misled our young generation for personal gains and deprived them of development dividends.
So I humbly request all of you not to pay heed to such rumours,” he said.
Sinha acknowledged the tireless contribution of corona warriors and frontline workers, and termed it as an embodiment of determination and dedication.
“With their hard work, they have laid the foundation stone for the future of Jammu and Kashmir.
Today, Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a new dawn and is moving ahead as an equal society.
The credit goes to these warriors who dedicated themselves to the cause,” he said.
Noting that it was only due to people’s collective efforts the Covid situation in the UT is inching towards normalcy, Sinha said everyone should continue to follow Covid protocol to keep the dreaded infection at bay.
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Jammu and Kashmir government sacks teacher without holding inquiry
Express News Service
SRINAGAR: In a first, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has dismissed a school teacher from service saying it was in the interest of the security of the state.The government invoked Article 311 of the Constitution to terminate the teacher and no inquiry was held.
An order issued by General Administration Department states that “Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, after considering the facts and circumstances of the case, and on the basis of the information available that the activities of Idrees Jan, teacher, Government Middle School, Kralpora, Kupwara, are such as to warrant his dismissal from service.”
“The Lieutenant Governor is satisfied under sub-clause (c) of the proviso to clause (2) of Article 311 of the Constitution of India that in the interest of the security of the State, it is not expedient to hold an inquiry in the case of Idrees Jan, Teacher, Government Middle School, Kralpora, Kupwara,” reads the order. It further states that accordingly, Lt Governor Sinha dismissed Idrees Jan with immediate effect.
However, the government has not specified any reasons as to why he was dismissed. The dismissal of the teacher has come after the government, on April 21, constituted a Special Task Force (STF) under the chairmanship of additional director-general of police, Criminal Investigation Department to scrutinize the cases of employees suspected of activities requiring action under the proviso (C) of Article 311(2) of the Constitution.