Sindh continues to face discrimination and suffering by Pak govt

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October 12, 2022

Pakistan Sindh Province — Representative Image

The province of Sindh has been meted out with discriminatory treatment in water issues, this has become the fate of the province since Pakistan’s independence.

The injustice to Sindh continues till day against the province. If Sindh authorities remain silent on this matter it only adds to the discrimination and suffering of Sindh people, reported local media.

Earlier, when other parties used to be in power in Islamabad, the Sindh government’s excuses were that they are not getting any support and there is none to listen to them in Islamabad which saved them from the Sindh people’s ire.

“But how can the Pakistan People’s Party/Sindh government make an excuse now when it is a key partner of the federal government?” questioned the Pak vernacular media. It advised the Sindh government to play an effective role in helping Sindh get its share of water and to stop all thefts on its share of water.

Punjab continues taking away Sindh’s share and Punjab does not care for Indus River System Authority (IRSA) directives; on top of all this, Sindh’s irrigation department is sitting quietly, added the publication.

Moreover, it remains to be seen how much gas Sindh gets from its gas deposits in Sindh and how much is given/distributed to other provinces. Sindh is already grappling with several issues. If gas is made unavailable in Sindh, it will only add to Sindh’s woes, especially during winter just as power cuts become a big outcry during summer, reported local media.

The statements being made by Sindh Chief Minister that Thar coal projects will bring prosperity, locals will get jobs and locals’ future will be brighter now, all these and more of such statements are being heard from time to time in Sindh and at Thar, but yet hundreds of children keep dying of mal-nutrition at Thar year after year.

Who will own up to responsibility for such a situation here Thar? Sindh and federal governments must go beyond empty statements and must take effective and result-oriented measures for ease of life in Sindh, reported local media.

Meanwhile, in Mehar (Sindh), the flood victims took out a protest procession and staged a dharna on the Indus Highway against the cutting and cracking of the Mahesar Wah and Sam branches.

The protestors said that due to the carelessness of the officers, Mehar and Radhan road has been submerged up to 2 km away from the flood water, and there is also a danger of drowning the colonies. The irrigation department is not closing the cuts and cracks, reported local media.

“Those who are outsiders should not be allowed to cast their vote in Union Territory” says, Ex J&K CM Ghulam Nabi Azad

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ANI

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October 12, 2022

Jammu and Kashmir ECI New Order Ghulam Nabi Azad — Image: ANI

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday said that those who are outsiders should not be allowed to cast their vote in the Union Territory.

“People outside shouldn’t cast their vote in the UT. Only local voters should be allowed. They can vote in their states in a sealed envelope, as per the system. The importance of voting in Jammu and Kashmir has been that only locals vote – be it Jammu or Kashmir,” said the chief of the newly announced Democratic Azad Party.

The Jammu administration on Tuesday issued an order authorising tehsildars (revenue officials) to issue certificates of residence to those residing in the winter capital for more than one year to facilitate their entry in the ongoing special summary revision of electoral rolls.

The purpose of the certificate of residence is to ensure that no eligible voter is left for registration in the ongoing special summary revision of electoral rolls. People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday attacked the ruling government stating that the value of the vote of a Jammu and Kashmir voter will be finished.

She further said that this law is not applied anywhere in the country except in Jammu and Kashmir and the “BJP wants to eradicate the original citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and settle the outsiders.”

“With the help of delimitation, they strategically planned to divide the constituency in such a way that it favours the vote of BJP, but people of J-K discovered that BJP is using to gain their vote,” she added.

Speaking to media persons in Kulgam, the PDP chief said, “This means that the value of the vote of a J&K voter will be finished. This law is not applied anywhere in the country except Jammu and Kashmir.”

“I have been telling for 23 years that the desire of BJP to abrogate article 370 is illegitimate. They want to eradicate the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir,” the former Chief Minister said.

Mufti said that if people in the Union Territory come from outside and settle over there then the culture, society and employment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir will be lost.

“There is already high crime rate in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370. BJP want to bring a clash among communities of UT. People of J-K need to understand that our destiny is unique,” she said.

She claimed that the people of Ladhak, Leh and Kargil sabotaged the strategy of divide and rule of BJP adding that similarly, people of J-K need to unite and sabotage the evil conspiracy of BJP.

“With the help of delimitation, they strategically planned to divide the constituency in such a way that it favours the vote of BJP, but people of J-K discovered that BJP is using to gain their vote,” she added.

Earlier, taking to Twitter, Mufti had said that the Centre’s “colonial settler project” has been initiated in the region. “BJPs attempts to create religious and regional divisions between Jammu and Kashmir must be thwarted because whether it’s a Kashmiri or a Dogra, safeguarding our identity and rights will be possible only if we put up a collective fight.

She further said, “The ECI’s latest order for the registration of new voters makes it clear that GOIs colonial settler project has been initiated in Jammu. They will bear the first blow to Dogra culture, identity, employment and business.”

Notably, in August, Election Commission announced the schedule of the Special Summary Revision in Jammu and Kashmir, and announced that the people who were not voters in the Assembly after the abrogation of Article 370 from the region can now be named on the voter’s list.

According to an official, the person needs not to be a “permanent resident” of the Union Territory for the same. The final electoral roll after due disposal of all claims and objections filed within the stipulated time period would be published on November 25, 2022.

“value of vote of J&K voter will be finished” says, Mehmooba Mufti on ECI order

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ANI

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October 12, 2022

Mehbooba Mufti Jammu ECI New Order — Image: PTI

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday attacked the ruling government for the Election Commission’s order for registration of new voters in Jammu, stating that the value of the vote of a Jammu and Kashmir voter will be finished.

She further said that this law is not applied anywhere in the country except in Jammu and Kashmir and the “BJP wants to eradicate the original citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and settle the outsiders.”

“With the help of delimitation, they strategically planned to divide the constituency in such a way that it favours the vote of BJP, but people of J-K discovered that BJP is using to gain their vote,” she added.

The Jammu administration on Tuesday issued an order authorising all tehsildars (revenue officials) to issue a certificate of residence to people residing in the district for more than one year. The purpose of the certificate of residence is to ensure that no eligible voter is left for registration in the ongoing special summary revision of electoral rolls.

Speaking to media persons in Kulgam, the PDP chief said, “This means that the value of the vote of a J&K voter will be finished. This law is not applied anywhere in the country except Jammu and Kashmir.”

“I have been telling for 23 years that the desire of BJP to abrogate article 370 is illegitimate. They want to eradicate the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir,” the former Chief Minister said.

Mufti said that if people in the Union Territory come from outside and settle over there then the culture, society and employment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir will be lost.

“There is already high crime rate in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370. BJP want to create a clash among communities of UT. People of J-K need to understand that our destiny is unique,” she said.

She claimed that the people of Ladhak, Leh and Kargil sabotaged the strategy of divide and rule of BJP adding that similarly, people of J-K need to unite and sabotage the evil conspiracy of BJP. Earlier, taking to Twitter, Mufti had said that the Centre’s “colonial settler project” has been initiated in the region.

“BJPs attempts to create religious and regional divisions between Jammu and Kashmir must be thwarted because whether it’s a Kashmiri or a Dogra, safeguarding our identity and rights will be possible only if we put up a collective fight.

She further said, “The ECI’s latest order for the registration of new voters makes it clear that GOIs colonial settler project has been initiated in Jammu. They will bear the first blow to Dogra culture, identity, employment and business.”

Notably, in August, Election Commission announced the schedule of the Special Summary Revision in Jammu and Kashmir, and announced that the people who were not voters in the Assembly after the abrogation of Article 370 from the region can now be named on the voter’s list.

According to an official, the person needs not to be a “permanent resident” of the Union Territory for the same. The final electoral roll after due disposal of all claims and objections filed within the stipulated time period would be published on November 25, 2022.

Flood situation in Assam becomes critical

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ANI

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October 12, 2022

Assam floods — Representative Image: PTI

The flood situation in Assam’s Dhemaji district has become critical after flood waters submerged more areas under Jonai Sub-Division in the district on Wednesday.

Following the torrential rains in the past few days in parts of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, the water levels of Siang, Dibang, and Datung rivers and other tributaries have been rising and the flood waters entered several villages in Shivpuri, Ramdhan Dikhari area, as per reports.

Many villagers have left their homes and taken shelter in higher lands, safer places. The SDRF and district administration teams are engaged in rescue operations in the flood-affected areas. A flood-affected villager of the Shivguri area said that the water level is gradually increasing since October 5.

“Some houses in our Shivguri area have been submerged by flood waters. We are now facing massive problems. The water levels of the Siang, Datung, and Dibang rivers are increasing. The flood-affected people and domestic animals are facing a food crisis,” the flood-affected villager said.

The flood waters have submerged 1265 hectares of cropland in the Dhemaji district. The Dhemaji district administration has set up six relief distribution centres in flood-hit areas.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), nearly 34,000 people in three districts of Assam are affected by the fresh wave of flood. 15084 people have been affected alone in Dhemaji district while 14895 people were affected in Lakhimpur and 3857 in Dibrugarh district.

According to the ASDMA flood report, 22 villages in the Dhemaji district, 23 in the Lakhimpur district and 1 village in the Dibrugarh district have been affected by the current wave of flood.

Sagar Dhankar murder case: Delhi Court frame charges against Sushil Kumar and 17 others

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ANI

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October 12, 2022

Sushil Kumar Sagar Dhankar Murder Case Delhi Court — Image: PTI

A Delhi Court on Wednesday framed charges under sections of murder, attempt to murder, rioting, unlawful assembly and other sections including criminal conspiracy against Olympian Sushil Kumar and 17 other accused in junior wrestler Sagar Dhankar murder case.

The court has also framed charges against two absconded accused persons. Additional Sessions Judge Shivaji Anand of Rohini Court directed to frame charges against the accused persons under sections 302, 307, 323, 109, 148, 149 read with 120B.

The court directed to produce all the accused persons physically on October 15, 2022, for admission or denial of charges by the accused persons. The court has divided the whole incident into parts and directed to frame charges accordingly. The charges are framed against accused persons under section causing hurt and robbery in relation to the incidents that happened in Chhatrasal stadium.

Second, in relation to the incidents of Shalimar Bagh, the charges have to be framed under sections of kidnapping, causing grievous hurt, criminal conspiracy including rioting and unlawful assembly against 10 accused excluding Sushil Kumar.

Third, the court has also directed to frame charges in relation to the incident that happened at Model Town under sections of criminal conspiracy, rioting and Unlawful assembly against 15 accused persons excluding Sushil Kumar.

On October 3, 2022, the court reserved the order on framing of charges in junior wrestler Sagar Dhankar’s murder case after hearing the arguments of the Prosecution and accused persons. In this case, Olympian Sushil Kumar is one of the accused. Other 17 people are also accused in the matter.

The prosecution had submitted that there is sufficient evidence to show the intention of the accused persons to kill Sagar Dhankar. On the other hand, it had been submitted by the accused persons that it is not a case of murder but of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

The counsels for accused persons argued before the court saying that the case of murder is not made out against the accused persons. Advocate R S Malik counsel for the accused Sushil Kumar had submitted that this is not a case of section 302 (murder) but of 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) IPC.

As per the post-mortem report of the deceased, the injuries inflicted were not sufficient to cause that, advocate Malik argued.

On the other hand, it had been submitted by the Delhi police that there is sufficient evidence to frame charges of murder and abduction against wrestler Sushil Kumar and other accused Persons.

Additional public prosecutor (APP) Atul Shrivastav had submitted, “the manner in which Sagar and three others were abducted and brought to Chhatrasal Stadium. Thereafter they were beaten up mercilessly by the accused, showing that they wanted to establish their supremacy.”

Sagar and Sonu were allegedly beaten up in Chhatrasal stadium on the night of 4 May 2021. Sagar had succumbed to injuries during treatment in the hospital and Sonu Mahaal was grievously injured in the incident.

APP Atul Shrivastav had shown the video related to the incident. In order to show the intention of the accused persons. He had also argued that the accused person wanted to establish their supremacy, therefore, they beat up Sagar and others after entering the stadium on the day of the incident.

The APP had submitted that this act of the accused attracts section 459 (while committing lurking house-trespass or house-breaking, causes grievous hurt to any person or attempts to cause death or grievous hurt to any person) of IPC which has a punishment of life imprisonment.

The investigation officer on Friday informed the court that the FSL report has been received and sanction for Prosecution under Arms Act has been obtained. The Court recently allowed an application for early hearing in the matter noting that the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report has been awaited since the last one year. This case is pending at the stage of argument on charge since October 2021 as the FSL report is awaited.

The sanction under Arms Act has also not been filed. This case is related to the alleged murder of junior national champion wrestler Sagar Dhankar in the Chhatrasal Stadium in May 2021 over a property dispute. Sagar and his friend were allegedly beaten by the accused persons. Sagar later succumbed to the injuries.

Calcutta HC directs West Bengal Police to constitute SIT to probe Mominpur incident

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ANI

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October 12, 2022

West Bengal Calcutta High Court Mominpur Violence — Image: PTI

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed West Bengal Police to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the Mominpur incident.

After the investigation, the SIT will have to submit its report in court. The Calcutta High Court has also directed the Kolkata Police Commissioner to take steps so that there is no further violence.

The tensions flared up in Mominpur on Sunday after religious flags put up in the area for the Milad-un-Nabi festival were allegedly torn up, which soon turned violent with the vandalization of several vehicles and shops.

Reports said a group of people later in the night surrounded the Ekbalpore police station in protest against the violence and demanding the arrest of the accused. Some police personnel have been reportedly injured. Security has been tightened in the area since then.

The West Bengal Police on Monday imposed section 144 in the Ekbalpur area of the state for two days. The two-day curfew (from October 10 to October 12), has been imposed amid the ongoing law and order situation in the region due to the violence that erupted in Mominpur and the ransacking of Ekbalpur police station on Sunday evening.

Meanwhile, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Governor La Ganesan demanding an urgent deployment of central forces in the region.

“The Hindu community has come under attack in Khidirpore Mominpur area of Kolkata on the eve of Lakshmi Puja,” Adhikari, also the leader of the opposition, said in the letter.

He said many shops and bikes belonging to Hindus were vandalised by hooligans and anti-social elements in the violence.

“The onslaught has similarities to the Panchla violence which happened in June in the Uluberia area of Howrah district. At that time, the violence spread across West Bengal, especially in Nadia and Murshidabad districts,” Adhikari wrote.

India’s debt ratio is projected to be 84 per cent of its GDP by 2022, higher than many emerging economies

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PTI

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October 12, 2022

GDP, Economy,India — GDP, Economy, India | Image: Representative

India’s debt ratio is projected to be 84 per cent of its GDP by the end of 2022, which is higher than many emerging economies, but its debt is a little bit easier to sustain, a senior IMF official has said.

Stressing that it is important for India to now have a very clear medium-term objective on the fiscal, Paolo Mauro, Deputy Director, Fiscal Affairs Department, International Monetary Fund, said there’s still not a whole lot of clarity on the fiscal anchor.

“It would be very important to give reassurance to people and to investors that things are under control, and things are going to become less vulnerable over time,” Mauro, told Agencies in an interview.

“In terms of the debt ratio, India right now at the end of 2022, we’re projecting it at about 84 per cent of GDP.

That is higher than in many emerging economies,” he said.

Of course, India has a lot of special features being the most populous country in the world by now and being a very large, emerging economy, he said.

“The other things that are special in a way or distinctive compared with other emerging economies are that most of India’s debt is in non-indexed domestic currency and there’s a large investor base from India. So those are good features to have and that’s what makes this debt a little bit easier to sustain,” Mauro said.

Having said that, the rollover, the necessity to borrow every year is very significant. It’s about 15 per cent of the GDP, he said.

“So, in some ways, the debt vulnerabilities are something that one needs to keep an eye on and be mindful of the fiscal deficit,” he said.

He noted that the fiscal deficit is about 10 per cent of the GDP right now. That is quite a bit higher than in most emerging economies. About six-and-a-half per cent of the GDP is from the central government the rest is from the states, he said.

“I think, given the global conjuncture and country-specific circumstances, inflation is a little bit on the high side… looking at all of those things, it makes sense to reduce the deficit, and to bring down the debt gradually over time,” Mauro said.

Another good thing for India is that growth is traditionally very high.

“That helps maintain that ratio at a stable level, maybe even bring it down if growth continues to be very strong. But without a reduction in the fiscal deficit, it would be difficult to, on the one hand, keep inflation in check and on the other hand, also reduce the debt ratio,” he said.

Mauro said that it was necessary to reduce the deficit as well.

According to official data released last month, the central government’s fiscal deficit touched 32.6 per cent of the annual target in the current financial year till August as against 31.1 per cent recorded a year ago.

In actual terms, the fiscal deficit — the difference between expenditure and revenue — was Rs 5,41,601 crore during the April-August period of this financial year.

Responding to a question, Mauro said India has a very good information system that allows better distribution of cash transfers than in many other countries, including some advanced economies. “One area where I would recommend a reform would be for example, the fuel taxes,” he said.

“It would be advisable for the fuel excise tax cuts to be reversed,” he added.

“Fuel taxes were reduced for everybody. The gains tend to go particularly to people who have cars, who are not necessarily the poor, they’re people who can afford the car just to give one example. So, I would say lifting those reductions to the taxation on fuel would be something that I would advise,” he said.

Emphasizing fiscal transparency, Mauro said beyond clarifying what broad fiscal objectives are, it’s also important to provide information to people where the government is spending the money, how much revenues are they collecting in a simple way so that people can get a sense of what’s going on.

“So fiscal transparency is an area where further progress would be helpful,” he said.

Mumbai land scams are under political patronage

By

Vaidehi Taman

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October 12, 2022

cidco, mumbai, land scam, mumbai land scam, devendra fadnavis, fadnavis, land, mumbai scam — Image: Agency

CIDCO land scams are rampant but so far, no concrete actions are taken against authorities because these scams are done under political patronage. When Devendra Fadnavis was Maharashtra’s chief minister there was the biggest ‘land scam’ in Navi Mumbai. CIDCO land, which was given to project-affected people for agricultural purposes, got denotified for development purposes by the revenue department. The formerly reserved 24 acres were allotted to eight farmers and was bought by private developers for peanuts. However, due to the denotification, the land’s rates went up, to the sole advantage of the developer. This episode hit the headlines and Congress in opposition raked up this matter but Devendra Fadnavis just cornered them in counter allegations but never answered to the accusations made against him.

City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) has registered a cheating case against 11 people, including a developer and five of its employees, for causing a loss of Rs 17 crores by illegally selling a plot originally used for building houses for CIDCO employees. A housing society acquired the plot at Nerul in 2002. Sneha Pushpa Housing society was formed in 1993 and was supposed to house only CIDCO employees. In 2002, the plot was given to the housing society on a 60-year rent agreement against a deposit of ₹73.79 lakh, as per the complaint of a CIDCO officer. The then chairman of the 30-member society inducted a developer, Haresh Nagji Chheda, as a member. Eventually, all members were replaced with non- CIDCO people. As per the CIDCO rules and regulations for the lease of land, only CIDCO employees can be members of the housing society.

Recently, the Navi Mumbai Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested a CIDCO officer and an agent for accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000. The accused have been identified as Sagar Madanlalji Tapdiya (47), an assistant estate officer from CIDCO, and private agent Ravindra Hukmichand Chajed (54). While Tapdiya is a resident of sector 16 in Kharghar, Chajed resides at Khanda Colony in Panvel. The complainant had approached CIDCO to transfer a property to his name. He met Chajed who said ₹50,000 will be needed for the procedure. Actions are being initiated and if you have more proof go to the appropriate authorities for action, please.

On several occasions, the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO) had staked its claim over the 24-acre plot of land at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a chargesheet against 24 people, including a former chief of state planning agency CIDCO, in a land scam in the district which dates back to 1984. The charge sheet was filed by ACB in the court of Thane Additional Sessions Judge M C Khadke. The accused include officials of the Revenue Department, Co-operation Department, CIDCO and real estate developers, who according to the document, conspired to cause monetary losses to the exchequer. They were charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Because of government affiliation and influences, many publication houses have wrongfully acquired CIDCO lands. The lands are allotted too many businesses at a very nominal rate.

Mumbai is not new to land scams and the politicians are guards of land sharks and mafias. Mumbai slums, CIDCO and MIDC are subjected to land scams and in each scam directly or indirectly there is political approval. Many politicians also have acquired benami properties and there is no action or accountability. Mumbai real estate scams have been rampant in the past ten years. Many builders in the Mira-Bhayander area were found to have used bogus paperwork to show that a particular plot of land in Bhayander was developed under a “green zone”. If we go to Kalyan’s west side, all green zone properties are converted into chawls and row houses. Corrupt KDMC approves these projects in the greed of bribes. Builders have no fear as the administration is on their laps for money. Local netas have a stake in every construction project.

The Metro 3 car shed site at Aarey Colony was always a forest, contrary to what the government claims, said the Aarey Conservation Group (ACG) on Friday, producing documents alleging a Rs 60,000-crore land scam. Until 2016, the colony was part of an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ), which was denotified to allow construction activity. Almost 250 acres more land than required for the Metro project were claimed at both Aarey and Kanjurmarg to benefit builders. The Kanjurmarg plot activists suggested that the Metro car shed is Maharashtra government-owned and not under litigation – contrary to what the state claims.

Till 2015, the forest department held that all of Aarey was required to be included in the ESZ of Sanjay Gandhi National Park. But in early 2016, it was the then chief minister Devendra Fadnavis who was in his CM’s war room, directing the department to denotify parts of Aarey for the Metro. Eventually, almost 408 acres of Aarey was denotified by the forest department for the Metro, in compliance with the CM’s war room directives. The war room minutes revealed that Fadnavis had directed that the areas for Metro depot be termed as ‘depot and allied activities, with ‘allied activities’ to mean commercial development, but this was not to be revealed till necessary later.

Samsung and Apple are working to upgrade the softwares for thier phones to enable 5G services

By

PTI

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October 12, 2022

Samsung and Apple will upgrade the software for their 5G-enabled phones in India in November-December as the government has pushed smartphone manufacturers to quickly roll over to the high-speed network.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 1 launched 5G services amid much fanfare, with leading telecom operators Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio outlining plans for rollout of the services in a select few cities. But most users in those select cities haven’t yet got the 5G services due to patchy networks and agonising delay in smartphone companies pushing out required software patches over-the-air.

With 5G not just enabling faster internet but also holding promise of rapid economic progress and boosting job creation, the government wants the companies to get cracking now.

And many companies have started falling in line. Apple in a statement said it will start rolling out 5G software updates for iPhone users in December.

The upgrade will include models, including the iPhone 14, 13, 12 and iPhone SE. “5G will be enabled via a software update and will start rolling out to iPhone users in December,” Apple said.

Apple said it is working with carrier partners in India to bring the best 5G experience to iPhone users as soon as network validation and testing for quality and performance is completed.

Korean handset maker Samsung on Wednesday pledged its commitment to rolling out over-the-air updates across all its 5G devices by mid-November, to enable Indian consumers experience the high speed services seamlessly.

“We are working closely with our operator partners and are committed to rolling out OTA updates across all our 5G devices by mid-November 2022, enabling Indian consumers to experience 5G seamlessly,” a Samsung India spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said that Samsung has pioneered 5G technology development since 2009 and took the leading role in standardising 5G technology globally. “In India, Samsung has the widest portfolio of 5G devices,” the spokesperson added.

Behind the scenes, telecom operators squarely blame handset manufacturers for the delay in rolling out the crucial software updates and patches, arguing that the frequencies and the spectrum auction and allotment timelines were clearly evident to smartphone players well in advance.

Handset manufacturers, however, contend that the 5G network itself is not widely available, and that joint trials between telcos and smartphone companies are necessary for smooth consumer experience.

With millions of subscribers in India having 5G-ready phones, but unable to access services satisfactorily, senior officials of the telecom department and IT ministry on Wednesday held a meeting with smartphone companies and telecom operators to iron out issues related to providing smooth access to 5G services.

Sources said the handset manufacturers were firmly asked to prioritise the rollout of software patches, although no firm deadline has been given to them.

Another meeting of operators and smartphone companies alongwith their respective associations will be held in two weeks, sources added.

Bharti Airtel is the only company to have commercially launched 5G services while Jio has started beta trials.

Bharti Airtel has started rolling 5G in eight cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Siliguri, Nagpur and Varanasi while Jio has started beta trials in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Varanasi.

The 5G services will progressively cover the entire country over the next couple of years — Jio promises to do that by December 2023 and Bharti Airtel by March 2024.

According to an Ericsson report, over the past two years, India has witnessed three times increase in smartphone users who own a 5G handset.

The study reveals that over 100 million users with 5G-ready smartphones wish to upgrade to a 5G subscription in 2023 while more than half of them are open to upgrading to a higher data tier plan in the next 12 months.

For 5G services, smartphone manufacturers need to push out a software update to enable high-speed services on most phones. This is despite the fact that 5G smartphones have been sold in the country for some time now.

The primary reason for this, according to industry sources, is that the frequency bands supporting 5G were not available. And now, OEMs need to release an update to enable and optimize the radio frequencies for 5G. Some phones may need a change in the settings section to enable 5G. More than 128 models of 5G phones are available in the market. P

Jammu administration issues an order; people residing in Jammu for more than year can register as voters

By

ANI

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October 12, 2022

Jammu Voter Registration — Representative Image

The Jammu administration on Tuesday issued an order authorising all tehsildars (revenue officials) to issue a certificate of residence to people residing in the district for more than one year.

The purpose of the certificate of residence is to ensure that no eligible voter is left for registration in the ongoing special summary revision of electoral rolls.

“Whereas, Special Summary Revision, 2022 has been started in Union territory of the Jammu and Kashmir with effect from September 15,2022, for registration of new voters, deletion, correction, transposition of voters who have migrated, died since last Summary Revision,” read the order of the Deputy Commissioner, Jammu.

Whereas, as per guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India, the order said any of the following documents can be accepted as proof of residence: water/electricity/ gas connection for one year; Aadhar card, current passbook of nationalized/scheduled bank/ post Office; Indian Passport; Revenue Department’s land owning record including Kisan Bahi; registered rent/lease deed (in case of Tenant); registered sale deed in case of own house.

The order further said these guidelines further provides that in case none of the mentioned documents is available, field verification is a must. As for example, category like homeless Indian citizens who are otherwise eligible to become electors but do not possess any documentary proof of ordinary residence, the Electoral Registration Officer shall designate an officer for field verification.

“It has been noticed that some eligible voters are facing hardships in registration as Voters for non-availability of documents mentioned hereinabove; Now, therefore, keeping In view the urgency involved in the matter and to ensure that no eligible voter is left for registration during the Special Summary Revision, 2022. In District Jammu, all Tehslldars are authorized to issue certificates of residence after conducting necessary field verifications, to the person(s) residing In District Jammu for more than one year, for the purpose,” added the order.

However, the move received backlash from former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti. Taking to Twitter, Mufti said, “ECI’s latest order for registration of new voters makes it clear that GOIs colonial settler project has been initiated in Jammu. They will bear the first blow to Dogra culture, identity, employment and business.”

The former CM of the erstwhile state further said, “BJP’s attempts to create religious and regional divisions between Jammu and Kashmir must be thwarted because whether it’s a Kashmiri or a Dogra, safeguarding our identity and rights will be possible only if we put up a collective fight.”

Notably, in August, Election Commission announced the schedule of the Special Summary Revision in Jammu and Kashmir, and announced that the people who were not voters in the Assembly after the abrogation of Article 370 from the region can now be named on the voter’s list.

According to an official, the person needs not to be a “permanent resident” of the Union Territory for the same. The final electoral roll after due disposal of all claims and objections filed within the stipulated time period would be published on November 25, 2022.