z Tuesdayz November 24, 2020 3 Kathua- 6-lane Highway work started LG condoles passing away of former Assam CM „ STATE TIMES NEWS welfare of the people. His demise is a great loss to JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha on the political sphere and his contribution to the Katra-Delhi Express Corridor to complete by 2023: Dr Jitendra Monday offered his heartfelt condolences on the development of Assam and well-being of its peo- „ STATE TIMES NEWS Highway Authority of its completion. He said, the hubs in Jammu & Kashmir, passing away of former Chief Minister of Assam, ple will always be remembered, said the Lt NEW DELHI: Union (NHAI), Dr. Jitendra Singh Expressway Road Corridor Haryana and Punjab. Tarun Gogoi. Governor. Minister of State said, this Express Highway is will be a game - changer and While the survey has been "I am saddened to learn about the passing away He expressed his condolences to the bereaved (Independent Charge) going to be a game-changer bring about not only ease of completed and land acquisi- of the former Assam Chief Minister. He was a family and prayed to the Almighty to grant eter- Development of North and also the first of its kind in travel but also promote rev- tion is under progress from seasoned politician, who worked tirelessly for the nal peace to the departed soul. Eastern Region (DoNER), North India when it becomes enue generation and business Delhi up to Pathankot, simul- MoS PMO, Dr. Jitendra functional. activity. taneously the Highway from Singh disclosed here on He said, it would be possible A unique feature of this new Pathankot-Kathua to Jammu Monday that the landmark to cover the journey from Expressway Corridor, said Dr. will also be broadened and Katra-Delhi Expressway Katra to Delhi in about seven Jitendra, would be that it will made into six lanes. Road Corridor will complete hours and from Jammu to connect two important holy Dr. Singh said, there had by 2023 and work on the Delhi in over six hours. People the sanction of this project cities of Katra - Vaishno Devi been some delay in the project Kathua-Jammu Highway will then prefer to travel by and expressed gratitude to and Amritsar before it reaches due to COVID pandemic, oth- extension from four lane to six road instead of undertaking Union Minister for Road Delhi. This will also promote erwise the Expressway lane has started. rail or air journey, he added. Transport and Highways religious tourism and at the Corridor could have been com- After receiving an update on Dr. Jitendra thanked Prime Nitin Gadkari for having same time, provide connectivi- pleted even before the pro- the project from the National Minister Narendra Modi for approved Rs. 35,000 crore for ty to industrial and economic posed timeline. Pak continuously attempting to create Power shutdown „ STATE TIMES NEWS adjoining areas will remain disturbance in J&K: DGP JAMMU: Superintending affected on November 24 from Presents rewards to members of joint party for Nagrota encounter Engineer O&M Circle Jammu 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. JPDCL on Monday has Similarly, to carry out branch lighted requirements would be informed that to execute work cutting under the corridor 33 redressed on priority. The of execution of cable laying, KV Hiranagar-Ramkot Line, DGP said that shields already stringing, pole erection etc. by the power supply to Dinga issued in Kashmir valley would M/s L&T, the shutdown of 11 Amb, Katli, Manwal, Ujh, also be provided to personnel KV feeders is being observed. PHE, Ludera, Lakhri and in Jammu zone. He said that During the shutdown, the adjoining areas will remain protection jackets and helmets power supply to Bohri, Thather, affected on November with higher level of protection Bhalwal, Udheywala and their 25 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. would also be made available adjoining areas will remain Meanwhile, Chief Engineer to increase safety and capabil- affected on November 24, 25, (Distribution) JPDCL Jammu ity of J&K personnel fighting 26, 27 and 28 from 8:00 AM to informed that for installation of against terrorism. BP vehicles 2:00 PM. Control & Relay panel and with additional features would Meanwhile, to carry out Transformer, the shutdown of DGP, Dilbag Singh presenting rewards to personnel who also be provided to increase the branch cutting under the corri- 33KV Jakh line is being were part of Ban Toll Plaza encounter. efficiency of personnel on anti- dor of 6 KV Keerian Tap Line observed. During the shutdown, terror front, he added. The alongwith routine maintenance the power supply to Jakh, „ STATE TIMES NEWS Ban toll Plaza. He said that DGP then rewarded officers of 1X10 MVA, 66/11 KV R/Stn Sarore, Industrial area Jakh JAMMU: The neighbouring response to the terror activity and Jawans who took part in Keerian, the power supply to and its adjoining areas will country is repeating its evil was very quick and adequate the operation at Ban Toll Keerian Local, Industry remain affected on November attempts very often to create and added that different forces Plaza. (Crushers), CNC Keerian and 24 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. disturbances in J&K. It was on ground exhibited a great stated by Director General of spirit, and mutual coordina- Police, Dilbag Singh at tion. He said that with the col- Congress asks BJP to explain its sharing power with District Police Lines here on lective efforts and good under- Gupkar Alliance parties in Kargil Hill Council Monday during a function, standing between J&K Police wherein the DGP presented and other security agencies a „ STATE TIMES NEWS falsehood as well as political opportunism of the rewards to personnel who were cross-border tunnel has been JAMMU: Congress on Monday asked BJP to ruling BJP. part of Ban Toll Plaza detected in Samba district. He explain its power sharing with the parties of the BJP should explain its position and should encounter. said that our neighboring Gupkar Alliance in Kargil Hill Council before have come out of the Coalition Government IGP Jammu Mukesh Singh, country is repeating its evil raising questions to the Congress Party which before questioning other parties especially DIG JSK Range Vivek Gupta, attempts very often to create has history of sacrifices for the unity and integri- Congress, which is only limited to electoral seat SSP Jammu Sharidhar Patil, disturbance in Jammu and ty of the Nation. sharing at few places in J&K without being part Commandant 160 BN CRPF Kashmir. Our mutual efforts In a hard hitting statement, Congress ques- of the alliance, JKPCC Chief Spokesperson said. K D Joshi, SP Operations will continue to foil these tioned double standards of the BJP, as the Party Sharma said that BJP always befools and Naresh Singh and other senior attempts with fortitude, he is sharing power with PDP and NC in the Kargil exploit people for electoral gains while reminding officers of Jammu District added. Hill Council contrary to its public posturing in 2014 elections BJP not only mainly cam- were also present on the occa- DGP also sought reports against patriotic credentials of two of its alliance paigned to stop PDP from coming to power and sion. On the very outset, DGP from the field officers and per- Partners in the Hill Council with an attempt to secured mandate from Jammu at this slogan, complimented Jammu police/ sonnel with regards to the exploit the sentiments of the people. but later shared power with the same Party for security personnel for clean safety gears and other require- JKPCC Chief Spokesperson Ravinder Sharma almost over three years betraying the mandate of and successful operation at ments and assured that high- said that this exposes the double standards and the people. Opposition leaders continue to be denied security in DDC elections despite terror threats: Harsh „ STATE TIMES NEWS that the existing regime in J&K officers who were acting more JAMMU: Providing the most was not only openly supporting as BJP servants than public glaring example of abuse of the BJP in DDC elections but servants. He said that non public exchequer for promotion had refused to entertain even adherence to any set of norms of a particular political party, the genuine concerns of opposi- and differential treatment of Harsh Dev Singh, JKNPP tion as also their complaints political parties by abusing of Chairman and former Minister, regarding abuse of official public exchequer and confer- on Monday lambasted the govt machinery by ruling party can- ring benefits upon favourities for refusing adequate security didates. was not only a crime but a cover to opposition leaders JKNPP leaders along with newly joined member Som Nath. This not only amounted to financial scam which needed while providing police escorts to abuse of authority by security due attention of the Lt. even petty workers of BJP. opposition leaders. The highly ments, he revealed. wing of police but was also a Governor and Chief Secretary He said that police adminis- partisan conduct of the police He was addressing a press violation of the guidelines of of the UT. tration was behaving as B- authorities had not only posed conference here while admit- ECI categorically assuring a While welcoming Som Nath, team of BJP with huge para- a serious threat to the lives of ting Som Nath, Senior Vice level playing field to all parties a prominent trade union leader phernalia of police personal and the opposition leaders but had President Jammu Province, and candidates irrespective of into the party fold, Prof.Bhim security vehicles provided to discouraged many of them PHE Employees Association their political affiliations, said Singh, Harsh Dev and BJP leaders for campaigning from participating in electoral in NPP along with his support- Singh. Seeking a high level Balwant Singh Mankotia re- in DDC elections while declin- process due to extremely hostile ers. Seeking personal indul- probe into the whole gamut of iterated the party's resolve to ing even the minimum required conditions and threats of anti gence of the Lt Governor and security allotment, Singh called continue the struggle for the security cover to the leaders of national and other criminal ele- President of India, Singh said for punitive action against the lower rung employees. Abrogation of Art 370: Curse or blessing for Jammu? Abrogation of Article 370 is generally seen and hailed in Jammu region for its potential to steer the 'neglected and marginalised' region to progress, prosperity and development. The people hope the perpetual discrimination to end with the p0licy of appeasement becoming harsh reality of the past.

Abhiruchi Khajuria, and Jammu could never understand why this ues to be struggling against many things. Homemaker: Jammu had step motherly treatment was being meted out Abrogation of Article 370 must bring some high expectations in terms of to it. Within the regions, be it Ladakh or dynamic changes for all of us from modern bus development and employment Jammu, resentment was brewing among mass- stands to railway stations to airports. after the abrogation of Article es for equitable share in every sphere. The Industry and the corporate must generate job 370. Jammu, due to its weak hope finally was seen when Article 370 was opportunities for local people. Trade and busi- leadership and Kashmir-cen- 'abandoned for good'. It is now more than a ness should be promoted for overall growth in tric loyalty by the successive year but nothing substantial has been the economy so that we become self-reliant. central governments, could achieved. People want to see the changes on Blessing or curse now entirely depends on the never see the sun rising towards its horizon. the ground and not just fake promises. Basic government if they are able to deliver in an Tourism industry was never promoted thus amenities are still lacking with no healthcare, equitable manner then its a blessing and if limited opportunities for the youth to get jobs. no modernisation of Jammu city. Road connec- they fail and continue the same old fashion Most of the sops announced went to Kashmir tivity is still a distant dream. Jammu contin- then its a failure.

Isha Bharati Pandit, PG English, CUG: Abrogation of Vishal Mahajan, Businessman: The decision to abro- Article 370 is a dream come true for the female folk of the gate Article 370 was welcomed by Jammu with a hope erstwhile Jammu & Kashmir State in particular as they that it will bring development and equality. Article were the worst hit of gross discrimination meted out to 35A, which comes under Article 370, proscribed non- them due to Article 35A. permanent residents of J&K from permanently set- The female folk have rightly celebrated the abrogation of tling in the state, buying immovable property, acquir- Article 370, 35A and land acts thus making them truly the ing land, applying for government jobs or any kind of citizens of the State turned Union Territory and India. scholarships, aids as well as other public welfare proj- Earlier, some families, who ruled this erstwhile State of J&K used to ects. The people of J&K will now lose these benefits associated with the oppose its abrogation tooth and nail to keep their hegemony intact and loot permanent resident certificate. The new land laws are unacceptable. We the UT at will while depriving not only the females of their rightful due but did not lose our special status for this. Only fake promises and false also the rest of the people, some of whom were brainwashed to oppose its statements galore here and nothing has really changed on ground level. abrogation. Moreover, as per my view what has been promised is not being delivered Even as some people, particularly in the Valley, are demanding its restora- to us. Business is suffering, there are no packages for the middle class, tion, we the real nationalist people appreciate the abrogation and would no employment and no tourism. It is just a betrayal of the government fight tooth and nail if any government tries to revoke it now. with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.