Srinagar
The Lok Sabha has approved the resolution seeking an extension of President rule in Jammu and Kashmir for a further period of six months with effect from July 3, 2019, reported All India Radio (AIR).
The report said that the House also passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2019. The bill proposes to give reservation in educational institutions and government jobs to people living within 10 kilometres of the International Border in Jammu.
“The Bill will replace the Ordinance promulgated in this regard. Home Minister Amit Shah had moved the resolution and the bill related to Jammu and Kashmir,” said the report.
Replying to a debate, the report said that the Home Minister gave a stern message through Parliament that those who want to break the country, should have fear in their minds as the national security, the security of Indian Citizen and securing border are the top priority of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government.
The report quoted Shah as having said that the surgical strike and air strike were conducted in the defence of national security and no civilian were killed except the “terrorists”. He said the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards ‘terrorism’ and it will continue.
The Home Minister expressed confidence that the government will be successful in achieving it with the help of our citizens. He also said, the government reviewed the security cover provided to 2000 separatists and found there is no need to give security cover to 919 such people.
He hit out at the Congress for the present situation in Jammu and Kashmir saying that the party had not taken the people of the state into confidence. He alleged that the Congress is responsible for the partition of India.
The Home Minister said it was the Congress which had misused Article 356 and imposed President Rule on 93 occasions. He said, the Centre has accorded top priority to the development of Jammu and Kashmir and listed out the development programmes being implemented in the State.
He informed the House that in 2015, the Narendra Modi government had announced 80 thousand crore rupees package for the overall development of the state. He said, 82 per cent fund of the total package has already been sanctioned to the State.
He said the situation has improved in the State as no violence took place in the recently held Lok Sabha elections in the State. On holding assembly elections in the State, Shah said, whenever the Election Commission decides to have democratic elections in the state, polls will be held.
Earlier, Initiating the discussion, NK Premachandran of RSP opposed the resolution of President Rule but supported the provisions of the reservation bill that ensure a reservation. He said that citing security reasons for not holding assembly elections is not true.
Manish Tiwari of Congress also opposed the resolution related to President rule in the state but supported the reservation bill. He said, the Congress had handed a progressive State to succeeding governments, reported All India Radio.
