Journalism of Courage
With the Election Commission saying that polls in Kashmir would be held “at the earliest”, parties in the Union Territory have begun their preparations on the ground.
An NC spokesperson said that Abdullah will hold a series of meetings with the party cadre, adding that the “visit underscores the party’s commitment to maintaining direct contact with ground-level workers and mobilising them for the electoral battle ahead.”
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said Friday on a visit to J&K: “The time has come to take forward the dreams of democracy you people have seen and shown us by turning up in large numbers and standing in long queues at polling stations during the recent Lok Sabha elections, and to give you an elected government through (Assembly) elections.”
The CEC, who was accompanied by election commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and S S Sandhu, did not share a timeline within which the electoral process will be completed.
Kumar had added that “on our return to Delhi, we will have an assessment of the security situation and the availability of forces before announcing the election schedule”.
Replying to a question about the Supreme Court’s September 30 deadline for holding assembly polls in the Union Territory, he said, “We will keep this in mind before taking a decision on the matter.” The publication of final electoral rolls will be done on August 20, he said.
The Student Federation of India and the Democratic Youth Federation of India — two student organisations linked to the CPM — on Saturday said they will block roads across West Bengal on Sunday to protest the murder of a woman postgraduate trainee doctor at the state-run Kar Medical College and hospital.
A 31-year-old doctor was found dead at a seminar hall in the hospital on Friday morning. According to an inquest report, the body was found with multiple injuries and blood.
The incident has triggered a major protest in the hospital, with many doctors ceasing work to demand a thorough probe. On Saturday, doctors from other medical colleges also joined the protest.
Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “The incident is unfortunate and despicable. It feels like a personal loss to me. Their [doctors] anger and demands are justified and I support it.”
“I was in Jhargram yesterday, but I was keeping track of all the developments. I spoke to the family of the victim and assured them of proper action in this case. I have directed that the case should be placed before a fast-track court. If needed, the accused will be hanged, even though I am not pro-capital punishment. But they should be given the strictest punishment,” she added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Sunday release 109 varieties of seeds that have been developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
“The country’s scientists have done research and found a variety of paddy which gives higher production and requires 20% less water. Efforts have also been made to reduce pest infestation. Science should reach directly to each farmer from laboratory to land,” Union Minister for Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan said of the event.
“The agriculture budget, which used to be Rs 27,000 crore under the UPA (United Progressive Allied) government, is now Rs 1.52 lakh crore, including allied sectors. A subsidy of Rs 1.95 lakh crore was provided on fertilizers during last year. This year there is a provision of a subsidy of Rs 1.70 lakh crore, which will rise if consumption increases,” Chouhan said.
— With inputs from PTI
