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Mufti Sayeed to head 25-member cabinet in J&K; PM to attend his swearing-in on March 1

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Mufti Mohammad Sayeed

New Delhi: PDP patron Mufti Mohammed Sayeed will head a 25-member cabinet, half of it from BJP, in Jammu and Kashmir and the swearing-in ceremony on Sunday in Jammu will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

With the PDP-BJP deal sealed after ironing out differences over contentions issues like Article 370 and AFSPA, 79-year- old Sayeed, who will be sworn in as Chief Minister, met the Prime Minister today, capping two-month long hard negotiations between the two parties on government formation.

According to highly-placed sources, Sayeed will be heading a 25-member cabinet which will have 12 BJP MLAs including a Deputy Chief Minister post. This is the first time that BJP is in the government in the state.

Accompanied by chief interlocutor of PDP Haseeb Drabu, Sayeed had a nearly one-hour long meeting with Modi during which he extended invitation to the PM for attending the swearing-in ceremony at Jammu on March one.

Modi and Sayeed were all smiles as they hugged and posed for cameras with their photographs trending on social networks within minutes.

“I have extended invitation to the Prime Minister for attending the ceremony and he has agreed,” Sayeed told reporters after the meeting at PM’s official residence at 7, Race Course Road.

He refused to answer any specific questions on controversial issues like Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) or Article 370 and said the Common Minimum programme (CMP) will be announced at 3 PM on Sunday.

He said lot of discussions have taken place for the past two months to forge a common ground, a common agenda. He equated the PDP-BJP coalition with “bringing together of North Pole with South Pole”.

“The mandate of election is clear that PDP is the choice of people in Kashmir and BJP in Jammu. So we decided that we will unite together to give a government which will give all round development to all the regions in the state,” he said.

“It was discussed how a stable government should be formed. The PDP was of the view that we should not allow the opportunity to go waste as it was a historic opportunity with the government at the Centre that has a clear mandate of people to deliver,” he said.

Sayeed, who will be returning to power after a gap of more than nine years, backed Modi’s slogan, saying, “I also want Sab ka saath, sab ka vikas (development for all).” He was the Chief Minister of the state from November, 2002 to 2005.

When asked about Article 370 which gives special status to the state and AFSPA, Sayeed said, “Leave these issues. These are not issues. We have to do all this (hame karna padta hai)…All this will come in the Common Minimum Programme which will be announced after the swearing-in.”

Asked whether PDP was joining NDA at the Centre, Sayeed said, “it is too early to say that. Ministers will be decided soon. We have found common ground.”

To a question whether the CMP was for governance or for political alliance, he said, “It (the alliance) is both for political and governance. First political and then governance. When political atmosphere will be right then only governance will take place.”

Questioned whether it is a tough road ahead, Sayeed said, “I think it is alright. The PM also has a vision. I think he also understands that it (the alliance) has to be made to work.”

“Both regions (Kashmir and Jammu) should be brought together. On external dimension (mending ties with Pakistan), policy of Atal Bihari Vajpayee should be carried forward. Modiji has agreed,” he said.

The PDP patron said he aims to give a “healing touch” as anguish in one part of the huge country is not a good thing.

“My view was that an opportunity has come that Jammu region and Kashmir region will come together. If BJP got mandate in Jammu and PDP in Kashmir Valley, therefore they have got support of people. There is credibility. When they will merge, it will be dejure. It takes six hours from Jammu to the Valley, but opportunity is there to connect hearts and minds of people,” he said.

Sayeed said second aspect is when former Prime Minister Vajpayee visited Kashmir in 2002-03, he started a journey of friendship in Srinagar.

“He extended a hand of friendship towards Pakistan, saying we can change friends but not our neighbours. So (the then Pakistan President Pervez) Musharraf also responded. It is the dream of the Prime Minister and mine to develop Kashmir as an ‘island of peace’. So, in that process, it is necessary to engage Pakistan,” he said.

“….so I want to repeat history. Today, the Prime Minister has mandate of the people. He has got full legitimacy to deliver,” he said.

The December 23 election results saw a highly-fractured mandate with PDP emerging as single-largest party with 28 MLAs followed by BJP with 25. Erstwhile allies National Conference and Congress ended with 15 and 12 seats respectively.

BJP and PDP, which have been in negotiations for nearly two months now, have sorted out all the differences over Article 370, Armed Forces Special Powers Act, resettlement of West Pakistan Refugees and holding of talks with Pakistan and separatist leaders of the state.

(PTI)

Muzaffarnagar: Falah-e-Aam housing colony for riot victims inaugurated

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Photo: IndiaTomorrow.net

Photos: IndiaTomorrow

New Delhi: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has donated 88 new homes to as many families whose homes were looted and torched during the Sep 2013 Muzaffarnagar riot and they had since been living in community-run make-shift relief camps. More than one hundred people were killed and thousands were rendered homeless during the riot.

At a ceremony at Parsoli area of Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh recently, Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari, the National President of JIH, inaugurated the newly constructed Falah-e-Aam Colony and handed over keys of new homes to the riot victim families.

Falah-e-Aam

Falah-e-Aam

JIH had bought eight bighas of land and constructed 88 houses on it. Each house has cost Jamaat Rs 2.4 lakh. The colony also has a Masjid, a community centre and a primary school.

“We are happy to get a home here, we are thankful to Jamaat,” said Tabassum, one of the beneficiaries standing outside her flat in the Falah-e Aam Colony. Tabassum, a native of Hasanpur village in Muzaffarnagar, has her husband and three young daughters.

Mohammad Qasim is another beneficiary. Originally from Lisarh village, he has also got a flat in JIH’s colony. “For the last two years since after the riot, we had been living in a make-shift relief camp. We had hoped that we will get a home from the government. We have got one from Jamaat. We have forgot our own home which was looted and torched by rioters,” said Qasim standing along with his family inside the Flat No. 3.

Addressing the program, Maulana Umari said: “Whenever a natural or man-made calamity has hit any area of the country, JIH has rushed to help the victims irrespective of their region or religion. We do it on humanitarian ground.”

He also said that JIH has constructed such colonies for riot victims in Gujarat and Assam also.

On the occasion, JIH also felicitated some Hindus who saved several Muslims during the Muzaffarnagar riot.

Besides him, many central leaders of the JIH, including Mohammad Ahmed, Shafi Madani and Maulana Rafeeq Qasmi and Maulana Mohammad Yusuf Islahi were also present on the occasion.

Western UP zone leaders of the Jamaat including Maulana Inamullah Islahi, zonal president and Mohammad Alauddin, relief in-charge of the zone were present at the event.

Eminent dignitaries from the area including Asad Ghalib, Chairman, Sardhana Nagarpalika and Rashid Ali, Chairman, Kerana Nagarpalika attended the program. They appreciated JIH’s initiative.

As many as 40 new houses, a Masjid, a primary school, a maktab and community hall will also be constructed soon by the JIH in the riot hit area.

(Agencies)

India witnessed rise in communal violence under Modi government, says Amnesty

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Trilokpuri-riots

Human rights group Amnesty International today criticised the Narendra Modi-led government, saying under the new regime India has witnessed a rise in communal violence and its Land Acquisition Ordinance has put thousands of Indians at “risk” of forcible eviction.

In its Annual Report 2015, released here, Amnesty highlighted poll-related violence in the lead up to the May 2014 General Elections, communal clashes and failure of consultation on corporate projects as key concerns.

“National elections in May saw a government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party come to power with a landslide victory. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who campaigned on promises of good governance and development for all, made commitments to improve access to financial services and sanitation for people living in poverty.

“However, the government took steps towards reducing requirements to consult with communities affected by corporate-led projects,” Amnesty said in its report.

The report highlighted that, “the authorities continued to violate people’s rights to privacy and freedom of expression. There was a rise in communal violence in Uttar Pradesh and some other states and corruption, caste-based discrimination and caste violence remained pervasive.”

In reference to communal violence, it noted that, “A string of communally charged incidents in Uttar Pradesh prior to elections led to an increase in tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities…Politicians were accused of and in some cases criminally charged with making provocative speeches.”

“…In December, Hindu groups were accused of forcibly converting several Muslims and Christians to Hinduism,” the report said.

The rights body also went on to single out the Land Acquisition Ordinance for criticism as it described the move as a new “risk” to thousands of Indians.

“In December, the government passed a temporary law which removed requirements related to seeking the consent of affected communities and assessing social impact when state authorities acquired land for certain projects,” it said.

“Thousands of people remained at risk of being forcibly evicted from their homes and lands for large infrastructure projects. Particularly vulnerable were Adivasi communities living near new and expanding mines and dams,” it added .

While the group recognised “progressive legal reform”, it was critical of India’s “overburdened and under-funded criminal justice system”.

Amnesty pointed out two court orders as important “gains” for India in 2014, including a Bhopal court’s decision in November to demand that its criminal summons against the Dow Chemical Company to be re-issued and a “landmark judgement” by the Supreme Court in April granting legal recognition to transgender people.

(PTI)

Railway Budget 2015: Prabhu announces slew of passenger friendly measures, but also hikes freight rates

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india-trains

New Delhi: Rail Minister Suresh Prabhu in his budget speech announced a slew of passenger friendly measures such as better ticket booking facilities and more general coaches for the benefit of travellers. Also in line with expectations, no hike in rail fares was announced.

Announcing multiple measures that are meant to improve passenger comfort Prabhu said, “We will throttle tout menace by increasing ticket booking time. We will raise reserved ticket booking window to 120 days versus 60 days now.” “We will ensure quick availability of passenger tickets. Also unreserved passengers can book tickets in 5 minutes,” he said.

Apart from this he said that Rs 120 crore will be spent to install lifts and escalators at major stations. Prabhu also said that more general class coaches will be added to benefit travelers.

Stressing on need to enhance customer experience, Prabhu in his budget speech said that Railways will hike allotment for passenger amenities by 67%.

Outlining his vision for Indian Railways, Suresh Prabhu in his budget speech talked about four main goals that PM Narendra Modi government will work on to get railways out of its abysmal state.

“We want to work on these four goals; to deliver a sustained improvement in customer experience; make railways a safer means of travel; modernise infrastructure of railways and expand capacity and finally make railways financially self-sustainable,” Prabhu elaborated.

Prabhu announced a 247 helpline for Indian Railways. “An all India 247 helpline 138 will be effective from 1/3/2015; Toll free No. 182 for security complaints,” Prabhu said.

Freight rates

Even as he chose to remain silent on freight in his speech and said he will keep passenger tariff unchanged, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu Thursday sought to hike goods rates on a host of items between 2.1 percent and 10 percent in his maiden budget, to garner 13.5 percent additional revenues on this count.

“Then freight structure for the Base Class-100 has been proposed to be increased by 10 percent,” an explanatory statement on freight, appended with the budget documents showed, indicating the hike sought in the most basic goods such as salt for human consumption.

The minister also proposed to reduce the number of classifications to ascertain freight rates, as also rationalise the distance slabs — a move that will see freight revenues jump from Rs.106,927 crore as per the revised estimates for this fiscal to Rs.121,423 crore.

Looking at some of the specific commodities, the revision in the class of freight and the tariff works out to 2.7 percent higher for cement, 6.3 percent for coal, 0.8 percent for iron and steel, 10 percent each for grain, pulses, urea and 0.8 percent for kerosene.

But in some cases there has ben a marginal cut as well – such as 1 percent for high speed diesel, and 0.3 percent for limestone, dolomite and manganese.

“Keeping in view the buoyant trend of freight loading during the course of the year, the revised target of freight loading for 2014-15 has been retained at the budget estimate level of 1,101.25 million tonnes,” said the explanatory statement on the budget.

The increment for 2015-16 has been kept to just 85 million tonnes.

(IANS)

Chhattisgarh govt order allowing employees to join RSS kicks up a row

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Controversy on the order erupted because the Chhattisgarh Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1965 prohibits a government employee from taking part in politics

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh

Raipur: Chhattisgarh government has kicked up a controversy with a notification that allows its employees to join RSS and attend ‘shakhas’, evoking sharp criticism from the Congress which today demanded its immediate withdrawal.

The BJP-ruled state revoked the ban which was imposed during undivided Madhya Pradesh, barring government employees from participating in RSS’ activities, Special Secretary, General Administration Department, DD Singh said.

The order in this connection was issued by the department on February 23. It said, “as far as Rule 5(1) of Chhattisgarh Civil Services (Conduct) Rules 1965 is concerned, its restriction does not apply to RSS.”

Slamming the Government decision, Congress said, “This is a blatantly illegal order. RSS is clearly a political organisation and also firmly believes in the establishment of Hindu Rashtra which is against the Constitution of India.”

“How can a government servant swearing allegiance and faith to the Constitution be a member of an organisation which is against the basic principles of the Constitution,” said Congress spokesman Sandeep Dikshit in Delhi.

Another spokesman Randeep Surjewala said, “It is a blatant attempt to politicise government servants and an attack on the Constitutional scheme of independence of bureaucracy. Chief Minister Raman Singh’s desperation to seek lost political ground will have catastrophic results for impartiality of administrative set up and delivery of citizen services. Indian National Congress strongly condemns such ludicrous decisions and demands immediate withdrawal of the government order.”

Former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi said, “It is an unconstitutional move. It will indoctrinate government servants. They will go to shakhas and will no longer remain impartial.”

In Raipur, T S Singhdeo, Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly, said, “The order dilutes the difference between government and a political party. RSS has been claiming to be a social-service apolitical outfit but everyone is well aware of the fact that they are running the BJP from backdoor.”

“Hence, association of government employees with such organisation will harm the democratic process,” he said

The Chhattisgarh Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1965 prohibits a government employee from taking part in politics.

“No government servant shall be member of, or be otherwise associated with any political party or any organisation which takes part in politics nor shall he take part in, subscribe in aid of, or assist in any manner, any political movement or activity,” it said.

(PTI)

UNICEF, IMA to deal with child sexual abuse cases

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child-abuse-sexual

New Delhi: The UN’s children’s fund (UNICEF) and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Wednesday joined hands to strengthen the response of medical practitioners in identifying, reporting and treating cases of child sexual abuse (CSA).

Announcing the special partnership, the IMF and the UNICEF India chapter said that they will equip medical practitioners with a detailed understanding of diverse facets of child sexual abuse along with relevant legal provisions.

“Medical practitioners are often the first point of contact in a child sexual abuse case, and are required to take prompt action to ensure immediate and effective treatment of the child,” they said.

“Violence against children is all too often unseen, unheard and under reported. This partnership with the medical fraternity of the country will play a key role in strengthening the care for child survivors and in bringing new ideas and expertise to support our mission in generating awareness among medical and allied professionals,” David McLoughlin, a UNICEF official said.

“Every case of child sexual abuse has to be taken as medical emergency. Treatment has to be provided free of cost by the government as well as private medical facilities, A. Marthanda Pillai and K.K. Aggarwal national president and honorary secretary general, IMA respectively, said in a joint statement.

In a case of sexual assault of a child, it is the legal duty of a doctor to give medical care, collect forensic evidence, report the offence to the police and give testimony in court if required, they added.

In India, 4.5 percent of girls aged 15-19 have been subjected to sexual abuse. Boys are also exposed to sexual violence but usually to a less extent, a release issued here said.

(IANS)

HC issues notice to centre on poor condition of beggars' homes

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Representational Image

Representational Image

New Delhi: The Centre and the Delhi government have been sent a notice by the Delhi High Court on Wednesday on a PIL seeking basic facilities at beggars’ homes in the national capital.

A division bench comprising of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice R.S. Endlaw have asked for a response from the central government, Delhi government and Delhi police by April 22.

The PIL (public interest litigation) was pending before the Supreme Court since 2000. The apex court had it transferred to the Delhi High Court this year, asking to take appropriate action as the case relates to beggars’ homes in Delhi.

The PIL had sought for basic human and fundamental rights for the beggars in the national capital and also to make arrangements for “clean shelter, proper food, clothing and other necessary basic amenities including proper medical aid facilities to all the beggar institutions”.

It also sought appointment of visiting committees for periodic visits to these institutions and increase in the number of beggars’ homes in Delhi.

The PIL further sought directions not to keep juvenile criminals/insane beggars in the company of other beggars housed in the institutions.

Filed by one Karnika Sawney, the plea sought direction to the Centre for providing vocational training that would provide meaningful work and provision of payment of minimum allowance to the inmates for the work done by them.

(IANS)

Major shake-up in Karnataka police establishment, M N Reddi to be DGP

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Bangalore City Police Commissioner, M N Reddi. File Photo.

Bangalore City Police Commissioner, M N Reddi. File Photo.

Bengaluru: The police establishment is set for a major shake- up ahead of the selection of the new State police chief, which is due in two days. The city is also likely to get a new Police Commissioner as the incumbent M.N. Reddi is due for promotion shortly.

The meeting of the committee to select the new chief is scheduled for Friday, as the incumbent Director-General and Inspector-General of Police (DG&IGP) Lalrukhoma Pachau will retire on Saturday.

While three senior officials, Sushanth Mahapatra, Om Prakash and R.K. Dutta, are in the race for the top post, the government is yet to take a call on whether or not to go by convention of seniority.

1979-batch IPS officer Mr. Mahapatra is the senior-most and he has threatened to go to court if his seniority is given the go-by. However, it is said to be a close race between 1981-batchmates Mr. Dutta and Mr. Prakash.

While sources say that the political leadership favours Mr. Dutta, who is presently on central deputation to the CBI, he is the junior-most of the three and also has an inquiry, of forging his attendance register to get a law degree in 2011, pending against him. This may pave the way for Mr. Prakash to have a shot at the top position, sources say.

Meanwhile, the State government has also submitted a proposal seeking sanction of two more Director-General of Police (DGP) rank posts.

The proposal is presently pending before the Ministry of Home Affairs and is expected to be granted in a month’s time.

If the posts are created, two senior-most ADGP rank officials Kishore Chandra H.C., presently ADGP (Law & Order), and M.N. Reddi, city Police Commissioner, will be promoted as DGP, which will leave the two prime postings the officials hold presently vacant.

Lobbying for the two prime postings of city Police Commissioner and ADGP (Law & Order has already begun. This will lead to a major re-haul of the State Police Department, say Home Ministry sources.

(Agencies)

Seven PFI activists taken into custody from Bantwal taluk for Shivamogga violence

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(Representative image)

(Representative image)

Bantwal: As many as seven activists of Popular front of Indian have been taken into custody in different parts of Bantwal taluk by the police in connection with post-PFI rally violence in Shivamogga.

At least two persons were killed and several injured in the aftermath of a communal clash that erupted after miscreants pelted stones at a PFI rally on February 19.

Police sources said that they picked up the PFI activists in Bantwal on Tuesday night after watching the video footage of PFI rally and the clashes.

A team of police from Shivamogga rural station searched for them for two days at Kelaginapete, Kalladka and Farangipet in the taluk, it is learnt.

According to police, around 60 PFI activists from Bantwal were present during the clashes in Shivamogga.

The arrested accused are Muhammed Mushar (21), son of Pakeer Saheb from Posat in M Kody Kundapur, Asheed Ahmed (32), son of K A Hussain from Posat in M Kody, who is an interior designer by profession, as well as Arshad Ahmed (27), son of K Ibrahim, and Muhammed Hanif (43) from the same village. They were arrested on Tuesday February 24.

(Agencies)

Indian-American Muslims demand justice for Gujarat victims on 13th anniversary

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riots-india

by Kaleem Kawaja

On the occasion of the 13th anniversary of the massacre of over one-thousand Muslims in Gujarat on February 27, 2002, the Washington DC based Indian-American Muslim NGO, Association of Indian Muslims of America (AIMA) has issued an appeal to India’s President and Prime Minister to help expedite criminal cases against the culprits responsible for the massacre.

AIMA reminded the two top political heads of the Indian government that 13 long years after the well organized brutal attack by some sectarian organizations on a large number of innocent Muslim men, women and children in Ahmedabad and other cities in central Gujarat, only very few of the hundreds of culprits have been sentenced to jail. The Gujarat state government legal authorities are continuing to delay criminal proceedings in courts of law against the many culprits despite clear instructions by the Supreme Court of India.

In the years since the violence, in several instances the Gujarat state government legal authorities have destroyed critical evidence against the culprits, who in various instances were ministers, senior police officials and officials of the Gujarat government. The enquiries conducted by the enquiry commissions appointed by Gujarat government were a sham and committed many irregularities.

Several reputed Indian and International human rights organizations including the United Nations Human Rights body have made categorical statements asking the Indian government and courts to speed up the cases against the culprits. Yet the courts in Gujarat state are either dropping the cases claiming that there is not sufficient evidence, or are causing extreme delays.

Speaking on behalf of the many families of the victims of the February 2002 Gujarat massacre, AIMA also made an appeal to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India to take steps to correct the malafides and corruption in the lower level justice system in Gujarat that is continuing to prevent bringing the many culprits to justice in the above sectarian violence.

Kaleem Kawaja is the Executive Director of Association of Indian Muslims of America.

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