Overconfident BJP ‘enhances’ seat target for assembly polls

 

Banners, hoardings prop up with revised Mission 55+

PS BALI   

JAMMU, NOV 3: Overconfident BJP is now eyeing 50+ seats in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, as massive banners and posters are propping up in the prime locations of winter capital boasting about new target.

Interestingly, while life-size hoardings erected at prominent places catch every body’s eye, the working team of the state unit is unaware about any such revised target.  

The multi-dimensional and colorful life-size hoarding can be spotted at the   busy Gangyal Chowk on Jammu-Pathankot Highway. The Hoarding showcases full-size portraits of Prime Minister-Narendra Modi, National Party President-Amit Shah, State President- Jugal Kishore Sharma and State Convener Panchayat Raj Cell- Baldev Singh Billawaria.

The banner also carries many images of BJP symbol ‘Lotus’ along with mission 50+ circumscribed in the map of Jammu and Kashmir, followed by slogan, ‘Delhi Hui Hamari Hai, Ab Jammu Kashmir Ki Baari hai’.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, BJP state spokesperson, Balbir Ram Rattan said that there was no official communiqué in this regard and advised to contact printing in-charge.

When contacted, Literature and Printing in-charge, Brig (retd) Anil Gupta also expressed ignorance about any such development. He said, “The party has not yet decided to set new target, it would be an individual effort and query should be sought from the person(s) who has erected the hoarding,”

 He said Baldev Singh Billwaria - should be asked about the legitimacy of erecting such banners.

 

Confirming the erection of banner as an individual effort, Baldev Singh said, “I have installed this banner on my own with 50+ mission, because recently it was discussed in a party programme that   BJP has the potential to touch over 50 mark in the J&K Assembly Polls,” he said.

Although, party insiders shared that earlier the State unit of the party had targeted 44+ seats in a bid to make maiden opening with complete majority in the J&K, but later on sensing overwhelming response from the people across the state, the unit of the party raised it to 50+.

Pertinently, the BJP is facing much upheaval within after the party dropped many veterans and sitting MLAs from its first candidature list to pave way for new faces and stalwarts of other parties, who had recently joined BJP leaving their old parties. 

Two dissidents of Congress party including Choudhary Lal Singh and R S Pathania have been fielded by the party from Basholi and Ramgarh.   

Assembly polls outdo Saddal landslide Victims; dozens still untraced

PS BALI

Jammu, Nov 2: In the wake of upcoming Assembly Elections, the hope of Saddal landslide survivors to find the bodies of their relatives buried under the debris has gone weary as the district administration has shifted its focus  on   poll preparations  .

According to sources, the work of extricating bodies out of debris in Saddal village of Pancheri, has witnessed sudden slow down, after the administration machinery get busy with making preparations for polls. 

  

Sources said that more than a dozen bodies are still lying under the debris and “Instead of expediting the work, the administration has given primacy to the poll preparations and arrangements,”. They said  that approach of the administration depicts, as if they have lost faith in retrieving rest of the bodies.

“The families of those who are still untraced mark their presence at ravaged site regularly with some hope, but have to return with regret,” they said. 

They added that since the Army in the area has stopped manual extrication of the bodies in view of heavy boulders amid the debris, only two bodies have been retrieved, despite using heavy machinery.

“It’s been almost a month, when ill-fated 53 families of Saddal village were slid-down, burying all houses under tones of rock and mud, but due to callous approach of the administration many remain trapped under debris,” they said, adding that few political leaders had visited the village with relief material in the beginning, but after announcement of assembly elections, nobody entered the area.

Sources claimed that earlier also civil administration was hesitant to step in for the rescue operation, saying ‘rescue operation of this scale was beyond their means’. “The civil administration had raised its hands much earlier, but Army did wondrous job of extricating bodies. And now with the onset of assembly elections, the civil administration is busy preparing for polls, despite having heavy machinery,” they said.

Meanwhile, sources in the local administration alleged that despite promise of adopting ravaged villages of Saddal and Seri for reconstruction and rebuilding purposes, the Union Minister of State in PMO, Dr Jatinder Singh ‘has not visited’ the area, since then.

Local police official, wishing anonymity, said that the police are advised to take strict care of the safety and security during elections and many police personnel had been placed into work for the purpose.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, SSP Udhampur, Mohammad Suleman Choudhary said that the work of extricating bodies is in progress. “Due to poor road connectivity, it was impossible to reach certain parts of the mud slide, which took extra time. We have recently retrieved two more bodies and work to retrieve rest is in progress,” said SSP.

When asked about the visit of Union Minister, SSP maintained distance and advised to contact civil administration.  

Pertinent to mention here that landslide, triggered by heavy rains, buried entire village of some 53 families in Panchari block of the Udhampur on September 7. Of total 41 feared trapped under debris, 28 bodies have been recovered so far.

Political parties relying more on Youth Wings

Assembly Elections 2014:'Local senior leaders envious'

 

PS BALI

Jammu, Nov 1:

As the state prepares to go for polls, political parties are relying more on their Youth Wings by endowing these with more responsibilities to make winning combinations that they hope will place them firmly in the corridors of power.

Most of the political parties in the state have shown faith in the working of their student and youth wings, which are probably assigned to mobilize youth.

Working ideally to generate more and more support at the grass root level, the youth wings of all major parties, viz People’s Democratic Party (PDP), National Conference (NC), National Students Union of India (NSUI), Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha and National Panthers Students Union (NPSU) are these days busy arranging and organizing political events in their respective constituencies.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, PDP youth wing, state General Secretary, Tahir Sayeed said that the party has reposed much faith in the youth wing and has given special responsibilities of promoting party’s manifesto.

“We are been told to mobilize youth and to reach people at grass root for sensitizing them about the manifesto of PDP,” he said, adding that youths are advised to connect with people through social networking sites.

He added that the faith of party president, Mehbooba Mufti in youth wing becomes evident from the fact that suggestions given by the wing are incorporated in the party’s manifesto.

The Bhartiya Janta Party(BJP) , Youth Morcha state president, Ravinder Raina shared that ahead of J&K elections National President BJYM, Anurag Thakur  convened a special meeting with the state unit  and guided members to mobilize youth for maximum support.

He said that the high Command from New Delhi has instructed youth wing to speed up its activities and reach out to the people, especially in backward and rural areas.

“We are advised to hold conventions and conferences across the state, including Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh to motivate youth for maximum support in the upcoming elections,” he said, adding that till now they have constituted 87 teams at District, Block and Tehsil level to promote party’s agenda, constituency wise.

The state president of NSUI, Neeraj Kundan said that they have started work as per the guidelines received from the national high command , which is to raise student issues.

“We have constituted several teams to work at different levels to mobilize support of youth, by raising issues pertaining students. Due to interference of high command from New Delhi, members of Youth wing were made part of congress party mandate,” he said.

Similarly, NPSU state president, Varinder Thakur said that they are working to propagate youth centric politics in the state. “We are visiting different constituencies of the state to aware youth about the party manifesto that is to replace communal and regional politics with student centric politics,” he said.

NCSU, youth wing president, Usman Gani said that they are working tirelessly for the upcoming elections by convening meetings, conferences and one to one interactions.

“We are reaching every nook and corner of the state to inform people about the policies of the party, which is pro-people and pro-poor,” he said adding that the members will leave no stone unturned to stimulate support for the party.

However, members of several youth wings also expressed disappointment over the ‘indifferent approach’ of the local leaders and stated that they 'envy youth wing'.

Members of NSUI and NCSU claimed that senior party leaders do not show interest in the youth wing.

“Since the creation of youth wing, no senior leader has come forward to guide us. Even at the time when elections are overhead, nobody guided us,” said member of NSUI, wishing anonymity he added that they are working on the directions of Rahul Gandhi, who has ‘pressurized’ local leaders to include members of youth wing into party mandate.

Meanwhile, NCSU members resented that despite working for the party, no appreciation is given to their work. “We are working day and night to propagate party’s ideology, but in return we remain unnoticed,” said a NCSU member, adding they sweat hard, while children of leaders enjoy the tickets.

BJP Likely to announce first list of candidates on Nov 2

 'Many old guards may face axe'   

PS BALI

Jammu, Oct 30: Many senior leaders of  Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) may face  axe as the party has decided to field new faces in upcoming assembly elections, sources said.

According to sources, the state unit is waiting for the directions from the center to announce its list of candidates for the upcoming elections, ‘which may possibly be released by November 2.

They said that the selection of candidates for the  state polls  would be based on the calculations of the party president, Amit Shah.

“The party head at New Delhi is conducting survey in the state to select the right candidate for the right constituency, which probably might oust veterans, who have failed to perform better in the last assembly elections,” said sources.

They added that the reports about the replacement of veteran leaders with new faces are rife and many sitting MLAs and former contestants    may be denied ticket to pave way for new faces, including fresh entrants in the party.

“Senior leaders and sitting MLAs including MLA Reasi, Baldev Raj Sharma, MLA Raipura-Domana  Bharat Bhushan and MLA RS Pura Dr Garu Ram Bhagat are likely  to be replaced by new faces,” said sources, adding that new faces are certainly to be introduced in the three constituencies of the Jammu city, viz Jammu west, Jammu east and Gandhi Nagar.

Sources said that party national president Amit Shah wants “functional” faces for the elections, who would be introduced in the areas where   BJP has failed to make its presence.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, Kavinder Gupta, General Secretary BJP said that the final decision in selection of candidates for assembly polls lie with the high command.

“Several new faces are making rounds, as high command has conducted survey in the state to find out possibilities of contesting with old leaders,” he said, adding that after pilot study, it was realized that need has arisen to replace few faces for the betterment of the party.

When asked about the yesterday’s protest by disgruntled BJP leaders, general secretary said that the ‘fertile imagination’ of supporters of those leaders evoked them to protest, “As till now no individual in the party has been intimated about the decision of high command,” he said.

DIG abuses power, son flaunts about it

Photograph showing lavish lifestyle of top cop goes viral on social sites

PS BALI

Jammu, Oct 29:

In an apparent abuse of power, the top Jammu and Kashmir police officer is shown exploiting subordinates, in a series of photographs, reportedly posted by his son on social networking sites, thus evoking strong reactions.

According to sources, the photographs posted by son of Deputy Inspector General(DIG) of Police, Jammu- Samba – Kathua range,  Shakeel Ahmed  Beigh has gone viral on the Social Networking Sites, followed by thread of angry comments.

Sources told Greater Kashmir that the son of Shakeel Beigh, operating Social Networking Site, Instagram with the name of ‘Tonybeig’ has posted several photographs with high-handed captions showing both father and son allegedly enjoying the benefits of power.

 One of the photographs depicts a man, allegedly a police official tying shoelaces of Jammu DIG. The photo is mocked by ‘Tonybeig’ with a caption, ‘Real king-My Dad!! Last time he put his shoes himself was almost 15 years ago.’

Another photograph posted by Tonybeig on Instagram shows an armed security personnel acting as a caddie, while the son of DIG teeing off ball while playing Golf.

Reacting sharply, users have posted a streak of comments on the photographs, some charging Beig of running feudalism in the state, while many comparing him with Saddam Hussain.

Gulzar Ahmed in his comment on facebook writes, “Another Sadam Hussain in the making, Let us see what Mr. Modi will do to Clean Up this act. These people have ruined the State.”

Jan Bodh, another user writes, “This is not the case of a single bureaucrat, it is same with politicians and other pet bureaucrats throughout India. They send their children to foreign countries to enjoy whatever black money they have earned. In J&K, it is more common as centre has given special status to J&K.”

Responding to the report, PDP chief spokesperson, Nayeem Akhtar condemned the act of Jammu Deputy Inspector General and his son for their reported abuse of power, terming their actions as unfortunate.

“It’s good for the society to have ‘Whistle Blowers’ in the family, which exposes the wrong doings of their elders and put it in public domain,” said Akhtar, adding such reprehensible acts clearly reflect how top officials in J&K state are pampered, “this is unfortunately story of all bureaucrats in J&K,” he said.

When asked about the course of action, he said   “Let the government see about it”.

Similarly, Kavinder Gupta, General Secretary BJP said that such incidents of high handedness are witnessed in every state, but the case of tying shoelace is unfortunate. “A proper enquiry should be initiated in this regard, so that no top officer dares to exploit subordinates,” he said.

Meanwhile, despite repeated attempts, Director General (DG), Inspector General of Police (IGP) and  DIG, Shakeel Beig could not be contacted for the comments.

VVPAT system to elude J&K assembly elections 2014

Many DEOs oblivious about the system

PS BALI

Jammu, Oct 28: The latest reform of Election Commission of Indian (ECI), Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system, would elude the Jammu and Kashmir elections- the system that provides a voter confirmation about his intended vote.

Highly placed sources told Greater Kashmir that due to compatibility issues and other constraints with regard to the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the VVPATs system may not be fully introduced in Jammu and Kashmir for these elections. He said some machines compatible with the system may be provided on experimental basis.

“The VVPAT system is compatible only with post-2008 machines, which are around 40% of the total EVMs. Besides, it takes huge time to train poll personnel," said the source .

He revealed that apart from these operational issues, the commission also failed to get enough number of VVPAT units from the Bangalore based, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India (ECIL).

There are financial constraints too. "Approximately 30045 EVM machines are being used. If VVPAT is to be implemented in all the machines, it would require Rs 50.77 crore to implement it," said he.

However, he said that for experiment purposes VVPAT system might be used at few places, depending upon the size and electorate of the constituency, which are yet to be decided.

A Returning officer from urban constituencies maintained that they are being told about the system, but they have not received machines yet.

“Presently we are being told about the system theoretically through manuals.  However authorities are saying that some of these systems are on transit,” he said.

 Giving details about the utility of the system, he said that it would help to dispel doubts of voters about any type of manipulations in the EVMs.

Meanwhile, when contacted many District Election Officers (DEOs) expressed their ignorance about the Vote Verifier.

“Although we are not informed about the system, but the name signifies that it must be something about verification of the voters,” said a DEO , wishing anonymity.

VVPAT is a system, wherein a voter will be able to see the image of the symbol of the candidate to whom he has voted. The image, which could be viewed through a glass window for seven seconds, would be retained in the VVPAT unit.

It is an independent verification system that allows voter to verify that his vote was cast correctly, to detect possible election fraud or malfunction, and to provide a means to audit the stored electronic results.

Important details on CEOs webpage inaccessible

Lists of key election officers not updated

PS Bali

Jammu, Oct 27: With less than 24 hours left to begin the election process in the state, the Official Website of the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Office (CEO) is confronting technical snag, with many important pages, including the details of Returning Officers (RO) and Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) rendered inaccessible.

The official website, when surfed reads ‘This Page is Under Construction’, despite the fact that within 24 hours, the returning officers of about fifteen Assembly segments will make a formal announcement of the elections going to polls under the first phase .

Sources  said that  the important details regarding upcoming elections in the state, including lists of key officers instrumental  in holding the elections are inaccessible, which might trouble the political parties as well as aspiring candidates.

“The names of key officers including Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officer are still missing from the official web page of state election department due to which political parties and aspiring candidates might face trouble”, sources said.

They added that in the wake of elections thousands of visitors on daily basis check the webpage but due to improper information and technical glitch they are inaccessible to important details.

“Since, the chief electoral office has not yet published names of respective returning officers and assistant returning officers in the newspapers, the website was the only option for people as well parties to know their officers,” sources complained .

Meanwhile , officials at chief election office, wishing anonymity said that due to some technical snag, the content from certain pages got crashed. “Engineers are at job to rectify the error and both the lists will be updated soon,” said official.

It is pertinent to mention here that Returning officer will formally announce assembly polls for the first phase tomorrow.

CCE-2014 likely to be deferred for next year

Controversy over appointment of PSC, chairperson, members

‘Will take examination for 2 year vacancies ’

PS BALI

Jammu, Oct 26: The Public Service Commission (PSC) is likely to defer J&K Combined Competitive Examination (CCE)-2014 for next year and possibly merge it with 2015 exams.

Highly placed sources told Greater Kashmir that initially the examinations were postponed due to incessant rains and flash floods and now the examinations are likely to be deferred in the backdrop of controversy over the appointment of chairman and six members.

“Earlier the preliminary examinations for 51 posts were scheduled on October 12th 2014, but due to   floods in the state, all departmental and competitive examinations were postponed,” they said adding it was impossible to hold exams when PSC office at Polo Ground and Solina was submerged in the water.

“Owing to deluge, the old records pertaining to competitive as well as departmental examinations from 1980-2012 got destroyed/damaged beyond recognition,”   they said.

Sources further shared that when Governor, NN Vohra had returned the file concerning the appointments of PSC chairperson and six other members to General Administration Department (GAD) for Vigilance clearance, the chances of conducting examinations are now bleak.

 “The commission is now mulling to take all examinations next year. There is also a possibility of merging CCE-2014 examinations with the next year examinations being held to fill 300 vacant posts,” source believed, adding that in absence of commission chairman and members, these coveted examinations are not possible.

A former PSC member, wishing anonymity said, “The floods had affected the smooth conduct of examinations that were conducted before the fall of winters, but presently the situation is different. Owing to the floods the examinations are already delayed by more than one and now brakes put on by governor in the appointment of chairman and members have made it quite impossible”.

He added that the queries raised by Governor to clear the appointment of members will further delay the examination schedule.

He said that this further delay has minimized the chances of taking examinations this year and the possibilities are high that the commission might merge the vacant posts of two years.

“The queries raised by the Governor to the GAD are ‘very time consuming’,” said former PSC official. He added this process will probably take two to three months and conducting preliminary examinations in the month of January-February will not help commission to streamline the recruitment process. “So it is believed that commission will opt to merge vacant posts of two years,” he said.

The sources claimed that the Governor has sought Vigilance clearance, Annual Performance Report (APRs), integrity certificates, property statements among other essential reports for all seven new appointees, which had not been attached along with the file sent to the Governor for approval.

Sheep husbandry suffers loss of Rs 60 cr, 1.15 lakh sheep and goats perish

Flood aftermath

‘Deptt craves for compensation’

PS BALI

Jammu, Oct 24:

The state sheep husbandry has suffered losses to the tune of Rs 60 crore, with over 1.15 lakh sheep and goats perished in the recent floods that struck the state last month.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, Deputy Director, Sheep Husbandry, Dr Syed Moin Ul Haq that in the recent incessant rains and flash floods, over 15 lakh livestock got affected, out of which 1.15 lakh sheep and goats died.

Besides, huge loss to the livestock, the husbandry also incurred huge infrastructural loss.

“Over 1000 shelter-sheds, meant for livestock got damaged across the state and has affected more than 58,000 farmers associated with this field,” said Dr Haq.

He said that the worst affected areas across the state that suffered maximum loss were Kulgam, Shopian, Poonch, Rajouri, Srinagar, Kupwara, parts of Baramulla and other alpine areas.

“In Kashmir, the infrastructural loss is mostly of damaged shelter-sheds, but in Jammu region the land of the department got washed away at many places, thus raising the loss manifold,” said Deputy Director.

He said that immediately after floods, the department had asked state government for medical assistance, which generally includes immunization of the affected livestock.

“The department received compensation of Rs 75 lakh from the state government for the first-aid of the affected livestock, as against proposed Rs 89 lakh,” Dr Moin said.

He further added that the department held 25 day long immunization camp across the state to provide first-aid to the affected livestock.

However, confirming the loss, Director of the sheep husbandry, Dr Sant Ram said that on the basis of primary assessment of the damage, the technical team of the department has evaluated loss of more than 60 crores.

“We have also received reports from the private farmers about their loss. In Kashmir the assessment is almost complete and accurate, but due to mobility of Gujjars and Bakerwals, we are unable to estimate the exact loss,” said Director.

He said that in many areas reports about washing away of lands, along with shelter sheds and livestock are pouring, which further escalates the amount of loss.

“We have asked state government for compensation of the died livestock, as well as for the damaged infrastructure,” said Dr Sant Ram, adding that the state government has not yet provided single penny for restoration of the affected infrastructure.

“We have projected our loss to the state government more than once, but  received no response. Even the compensation cost for first-aid and livestock feed in several parts of the Jammu region is yet to receive,” Dr lamented.

Election Commission likely to announce Assembly polls after Diwali

Simultaneously impose Model Code of Conduct

PS BALI

Jammu, Oct 22

In view of the upcoming assembly elections in the state, the election commission is likely to announce the much awaited polls in the flood ravaged Jammu and Kashmir by the end of this week.

According to highly placed sources, the Election Commission of India will formally announce assembly polls after festival of Diwali and simultaneously impose the model code of conduct in the state.

Sources further revealed that keeping in view the climatic conditions and geographical terrains of the state, the commission is mitigating to hold polls in the month of mid-November and December.

He said that the decision came after the Full Election Commission, headed by VS Sampath, Chief Election Commissioner, took first hand information about the possibilities of holding assembly polls of the flood hit state.

During this visit, the Election Commission of India also managed to complete its summary revision of voters' list to take the final electoral roll for the flood-hit state. He said, “Completing the summary revision on time was the first indication that EC is, at the moment, focusing on holding elections on schedule in the state,” he said.

He added that the process of finalizing electoral rolls was completed well on time and the applications are into processing mode, where additions and deletions will be made by the J&K CEO.

Earlier, an ECI team headed by Deputy Election Commissioner, Vinod Zutshi visited the state to assess the possibilities to hold Assembly elections in the state on time, or deferred in view of situation arisen due to floods.

During this visit, the team also met with the representatives of various political parties and sought their views on holding of elections and also reviewed the election preparedness made by the administration.  

However, receiving the hints from the election commission, several political parties have entered into the war of advertisement campaigns.

Flood aftermath Tourist footfall in the state faces steep decline

PS BALI

Jammu, Oct 21: Already suffering huge loss of infrastructure in the recent flash floods, the Tourism Industry of the state is now facing another challenge in services sector, with steep decline in the tourist footfall.

According to official sources, the Tourism Industry in Kashmir faces decline of around 60-70 percent, with majority of reservations remain cancelled, whereas in Jammu 40 percent tourist decrease is witnessed as compared to the last year.

Sources revealed that on the primary reports, lakhs of winter tourists have canceled their trips to Srinagar, whereas the Vaishno Devi pilgrims are also not extending their stay.

He said, "The tourists who haven't booked are holding-off and the ones who have reserved are either cancelling the trips or are trying to get out of it."

“The tourism sector is considered the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy and lot of industries including travel, hotels, and handicrafts are directly dependent on it,” he said.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, Director Tourism-Jammu, Soujanya Sharma, said that the tourism department of the state has incurred a loss of over Rs 175 crore.

"The infrastructural loss to the Industry is about Rs 175 crore, but decrease in the tourist footfall is affecting the Industry badly," he said, adding that most of the reservations have been cancelled and maximum hotels across the state are lurking for tourists.

He said that although this is a festive season and number of pilgrims in Jammu region remains low, but this time it is much less than the expected number.

"At present we are receiving little pilgrims for Mata Vaishno Devi, but unlike earlier, these pilgrims do not extend their visit to Kashmir," said Director.

However, he said, “After evaluating the primary damage to the industry, Union Ministry of Tourism has assured Rs 100 crore for the restoration of the damaged infrastructure.”

“The recent flood in state of Jammu and Kashmir has badly hurt state’s tourism industry. Many tourism projects in Jammu region are partially or completely washed away, thus incurring loss of Rs 25 crore,” he said, adding that out of the total amount, Rs 12 crore is for the damage of infrastructure directly under Jammu tourism department, while as rest Rs 13 crore is assessed for the damaged to the various developmental authorities across Jammu region.

It is pertinent to mention here that tourism accounts for about one-fifth of Jammu and Kashmir’s Gross Domestic Product.

The people associated with the tourism industry in the state have suffered this much of loss after the 2008 and 2010 unrest.

With the militancy-related violence at its lowest ebb, the Kashmir Valley was enjoying a huge influx of domestic and foreign tourists, but following the floods of September 7 majority of the tourist reservations stand cancelled.