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Same-sex marriage: CJI says it is for Parliament to effect changes in law, equality demands that queer persons not discriminated against

editor October 17, 2023Leave a comment

NEW DELHI:The Special Marriage Act should be changed by Parliament, not the court, according to Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud, who delivered his ruling on Tuesday on 21 petitions seeking legal recognition for same-sex unions. Justice Chandrachud stated at the opening that there were four judgements in the case, including those of himself, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat, and P S Narasimha. A fifth judge, Justice Hima Kohli, is included on the five-judge panel. The CJI, who is in charge of the constitution bench, instructed the federal government, the states, and the Union Territories (UTs) to make sure that the LGBT population is not subjected to discrimination, stating that queer is a long-known natural phenomena that is neither urban nor elitist. In regards to the CJI's decision to provide certain rights to queer couples, Justice Kaul said he concurs. He added that legal recognition of non-heterosexual unions is a step towards marriage equality and that "non-heterosexual and heterosexual unions must be seen as both sides of the same coin." During the reading of his verdict, Justice Bhat stated that he shares some of the CJI's opinions and holds others of his own. The Chief Justice of India stated in his decision on the crucial issue that Parliament must consider whether a change in the Special Marriage Act's administration is necessary. The court cannot create laws. It can only interpret it and make it happen, he continued. According to Justice Chandrachud, the court has taken note of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta's declaration that the government will convene a committee to deliberate on the privileges and rights of those who are members of LGBT unions. He ordered the Centre, states, and UTs to take actions to educate the public about gay rights and make sure that intersex children are not allowed to have sex-change procedures at a young age when they cannot fully understand the consequences as he read out the operative portion of his decision. Before filing a police report (FIR) against a gay couple for their relationship, the CJI instructed the police to make some preliminary inquiries. He claimed that homosexuality or queerness is not a phenomenon unique to urban areas or the wealthy.According to Justice Chandrachud, it would be erasing to think of gay people as just living in metropolitan areas. Queerness can exist regardless of caste or status. To say that marriage is a "static and unchanging institution" would be false, he claimed. According to Justice Chandrachud, the right to life and liberty guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution begins with the freedom to select one's life mate. The CJI stated that refusing to accept such an association would constitute discrimination and that the right to join into a union involves the freedom to select a partner and its recognition. All people, including queers, have the freedom to assess the morality of their own lives, he said. According to the CJI, this court has acknowledged that equality mandates that LGBT people not be subjected to discrimination. According to him, it would be discriminatory against gay couples if the law made the assumption that only heterosexual couples could make excellent parents. The verdict is currently being announced. After a lengthy, 10-day hearing, the bench deferred its decision on the pleas on May 11. The Centre had stated to the Supreme Court during the arguments that any constitutional ruling it reached on the petitions seeking approval of same-sex unions might not be the "correct course of action" since the court would not be able to predict, envision, understand, and cope with any consequences. On April 18, the supreme court began hearing arguments in the case. The bench made it clear during the arguments that it will not consider personal laws governing marriages when deciding the petitions for judicial recognition of same-sex unions and that the Special Marriage Act's definition of a man and a woman is not "an absolute based on genitals." Some petitioners had requested the supreme court to utilise its full authority, "prestige, and moral authority" to pressure society into recognising such a union so that LGBTQIA++ people might live "dignified" lives like heterosexuals. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, pansexual, two-spirit, asexual, and ally persons are collectively referred to as LGBTQIA++.The Centre informed the court on May 3 that it would form a committee under the direction of the cabinet secretary to look into administrative measures that may be done to meet the "genuine humane concerns" of same-sex couples without addressing the question of legalising their union. On April 27, the court requested information from the Centre regarding whether same-sex couples can receive social welfare advantages such as opening joint bank accounts and designating a life partner in provident fund, gratuity, and pension plans without worrying about whether their marriage would be recognised by the law. [caption id="attachment_4086" align="alignnone" width="300"] Same-sex marriage:…

IGP reviews security situation in Kathua district

editor October 17, 2023Leave a comment

KATHUA: Anand Jain, the Inspector General of Police for the Jammu Zone, met with all the supervisory officers and other police personnel on Monday to evaluate the crime situation and general operation of the Kathua District. A press statement stated that the resolution of cases filed during the current year and those that were previously pending was reviewed, discussed, and given directions. Anand Jain, the inspector general of police for the Jammu Zone, arrived at Kathua in the company of DIG JKS Range Shakti Pathak and his team of officers. IGP Jammu Zone talked with all the officers on his first visit and greeted them, stating that the main goal of the meeting was to identify and discuss any problems with the investigation and how to make it better.The cases involving narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (NDPS), cattle smuggling, crimes against property and crimes against people, and inquest proceedings were the main topics of discussion. According to the statement, the participants were instructed to focus on NDPS cases with a specific focus on identifying the source, carrier, and destination. "In order to address the theft incidents, a plan must be developed, night patrols must be strengthened, and the beat system must also be improved. He also stressed the need of successfully prosecuting NDPS cases and other instances with a high likelihood of conviction, according to the press release.In his briefing to the officers, the IGP instructed them to wrap up any open cases or public complaints in order to provide relief to the general people. He also gave I/Os instructions to quickly wrap up any cases that were given to them for conducting the investigation. By exercising effective oversight over the operations of police stations, he urged the officers to improve the CI grid and boost the fundamental operations of the police. The IGP Jammu Zone was updated by SSP Kathua Shivdeep Singh Jamwal, JKPS, on the law and order, crime, and security situation as well as other actions being carried out by Kathua Police in the district through a thorough power point presentation. According to the press release, he also emphasised steps taken to bolster the security system and enhance policing. "Subsequently, IGP Jammu, Anand Jain, convened a public meeting at the Conference of DPL Kathua, in which a sizable number of honourable persons, including DDCs, BDCs, senior citizens, Beopar Mandal Members, etc., participated and discussed different topics of public concern. The chairing officers gave them assurances that their legitimate complaints about the police would be addressed in a timely manner, according to the press release. Participants were urged to work with authorities to stop the drug epidemic and identify ANEs and ASEs who constantly try to disturb the tranquilly, according to the release. [caption id="attachment_4080" align="alignnone" width="300"] IGP reviews security situation in Kathua district[/caption]

CS Dr. Mehta reviews completion of JSCL projects

editor October 17, 2023October 17, 2023Leave a comment

JAMMU: Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, the chief secretary, reviewed the projects under the Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) that are planned to be finished at this time of the year today. Along with other relevant officers, the meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary, H&UDD, the Commissioner Secretary, IT, the Commissioner JMC, and the CEO, JSCL. The Chief Secretary urged the officers to act forcefully and take all required steps to improve Jammu's general atmosphere. He emphasised that the city's ongoing beautifying initiatives should be finished right away to increase its visual attractiveness.Dr Mehta remembered that in order to significantly improve the outlook of this capital city, measures like providing Vikram Chowk a facelift, installing view cutters before SRTC Yard, upgrading Bahu Fort Road, Satwari Chowk and Airport Road should also be carried out. In light of the officers' commitment to provide all services online in the UT, he also urged them to deliver all IT-based smart solutions to city people. He implied that city dwellers deserved not only top-notch infrastructure but also all services that could be accessed by simply pressing a button. The Chief Secretary gave the order to dedicate the already received ones to the public as soon as possible while taking note of the new 100 e-buses that JSCL plans to put into service. He requested that the department either hire those with the necessary skill sets or deputise the necessary staff from the sizable employment base of the UT. He urged them to finish the procedures as soon as possible so that the people could use the bus service without further delay. On this occasion, the Chief Secretary officially launched a number of new and reorganised IT-based services on the "MyJammu" webpage. He urged the administration to inform municipal residents of the uses and advantages of these programmes. He requested that service delivery for the general population be made both efficient and affordable by using their comments to continuously improve the quality. The Chief Secretary was informed that several of these services would guarantee that the residents' quality of life would be improved. It was stated that these include litigation and document management systems in addition to general information services, tourism information services, GIS services, smart addressing system, grievance portal, and G2C services. Such IT-based solutions allow citizens to reserve services like renting machines, cleaning septic tanks, water tankers, community halls, and hoarding space.Additionally, it would inform app users of the precise locations of public infrastructure such as hospitals, fire stations, blood banks, government buildings, schools, libraries, parking lots, bike stations, bus stops, train stations, and airports, in addition to senior citizen and women utility infrastructure in the city. You can use the portal to upload photos to the service for submitting GPS-based complaints about sanitation. The municipal body would then visit the area, dispatch a sanitation team to check the area's cleanliness, and provide an immediate response to the resident who had complained. The firm received praise from the country's chief secretary for making decisions equal to those observed in the nation's large, cutting-edge cities. [caption id="attachment_4074" align="alignnone" width="300"] CS Dr. Mehta reviews completion of JSCL projects[/caption]

LG chairs District Development Review meeting at Anantnag

editor October 17, 2023Leave a comment

ANANTNAG: The District Development Review meeting was presided over by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in Anantnag. The meeting evaluated the status of development projects, the implementation of Centrally Sponsored & UT Sector Schemes, and the saturation of Welfare Schemes in the District. Ch Mohd. Yousuf Gorsi, Chairman DDC Anantnag, Vijay Kumar, ADGP Kashmir, Shailender Kumar, Principal Secretary Public Works (R&B), Dr. Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lt. Governor, Vijay Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, and top officers were present at the meeting. The Lt. Governor praised the District Administration for its outstanding efforts to guarantee the effectiveness, openness, and dependability of public services. To reap the advantages of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme, he instructed other districts to adopt the innovative Main Bhi Kisan idea of the Anantnag District Administration.According to him, this project will increase young involvement in the developing agriculture and related sectors and bring about a qualitative change in the industry. The District Administration was given the go-ahead by the Lt. Governor to ensure that the power and road infrastructure is always in good condition and acceptable for traffic, as well as to be well-prepared for the winter season. The district administration and the relevant departments should properly implement measures of vital items and increased contingency plans for sensitive areas, he said. He also gave specific instructions to the district officials about the distribution of incentives under programmes geared towards farmers, health care, and education.The Lt. Governor demanded that "Poshan Abhiyan" become a Jan-Andolan in order to enhance important nutrition-related metrics. The 'Poshan Abhiyan''s' success depends on public participation. He emphasised that society as a whole should take action to raise awareness and cooperate with the District Administration for the welfare, development, and safety of mother and child. The Lt. Governor also reviewed the developments in a number of different fields and programmes, such as tourism, youth empowerment, infrastructure, sports, employment creation, industries, cooperatives, PMAY, Jal Jeevan Mission, the state of transit accommodations, and revival, restoration, and heritage preservation in architecture.The chair was updated by Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid, Deputy Commissioner of Anantnag, on the general operation of the district administration as well as the advancement…

Div Com Jammu reviews progress on Delhi Katra Expressway, Ring Road

editor October 17, 2023Leave a comment

JAMMU: Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar presided over a meeting of interested Deputy Commissioners and NHAI executives today to assess the status of the construction on the Jammu Ring Road Project and the Delhi Amritsar Katra Motorway Project. The meeting was attended by Sachin Kumar Vaishya, Deputy Commissioner for Jammu; Rakesh Minhas, Deputy Commissioner for Kathua; Abhishek Sharma, Deputy Commissioner for Samba; ACR Reasi, Chief Engineer for JPDCL; Project Directors for NHAI; and other relevant personnel. The Jammu Ring Road Project and the Delhi-Amritsar Katra Motorway were also closely investigated by the Div Com. It was notified that all executed packages had work ongoing. The Div Com also looked at the distribution of compensation and the acquisition of land.For the efficient completion of work on prestigious road projects, he gave the pertinent Deputy Commissioners instructions to resolve land difficulties and bottlenecks, if any, on a priority basis. Additionally, he gave them instructions to finish the payment of land acquisition payments in a timely way. The Div Com urged NHAI officers to keep in constant contact with the relevant Deputy Commissioners in order to handle minor remaining concerns, and it was reported that the majority of the land issues had been resolved. In order to meet the expressway's deadline for completion, NHAI officers were urged to speed up construction on the Delhi-Katra section. The Div Com strongly noted the slow development on the package falls in the Reasi district and gave the Project Director the order to hire extra workers and equipment for quick progress.The Divisional Commissioner emphasised the importance of maintaining surfaces where work has been done properly in order to ensure efficient traffic flow on the National Highway. The Div Com instructed Chief Engineer JPDCL to move a power line that was coming into the Ring Road project's route at Jagti as soon as possible while studying Ring Road. [caption id="attachment_4068" align="alignnone" width="300"] Div Com Jammu reviews progress on Delhi Katra Expressway, Ring Road[/caption]

Dr Jitendra inaugurates Katra Navratri festival, expresses concern over drug menace

editor October 16, 2023Leave a comment

KATRA : Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space, expressed his concern today about the drug epidemic that is now affecting the holy sites of Katra Vaishnodevi and Reasi district. The minister expressed his concern over hearing reports of an increase in juvenile substance usage in this area. In the previous two days, the Minister had review talks on the issue with the local government and police enforcement. In order to accomplish Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's goal of making India a developed country by 2047, Dr. Jitendra Singh pleaded with parents and the local government to wean children off of narcotics. He said that children's potential must be tapped into in this endeavour.He asserted that the sanctity of the holy city of Katra must be upheld and that it must serve as a model for societal principles. According to the minister, a strategy plan is being created at the social and local administration levels to combat drug addiction. He said that in order to stop the threat, hotspots would be found and social awareness would be raised. Dr. Jitendra Singh was addressing after the Central Bureau of Communication, Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, opened the Navratri festival and Multimedia Exhibition in this location to commemorate the auspicious Navratras.The Government Boys' Higher Secondary School in Katra is hosting a week-long exhibition with the theme "9 Years of Seva, Sushasan and Garib Kalyan." The display takes place during Katra's Navratri Festival. Dr. Jitendra Singh, who spoke at the event, declared that the development of the area is the top priority of the administration at the Centre, which is led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He claimed that over the past nine years, the area had undergone revolutionary transformation. Dr. Jitendra Singh mentioned infrastructure projects and stated that Reasi now boasts the highest railway bridge in the entire world. Soon, the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Motorway will be completed.According to him, Katra was the second station in the nation to receive the Vande Bharat train, and when the rail line is completed with Kashmir Valley by the end of this year, Katra would be a significant junction. The Minister was informed that Katra was chosen for the Modi government's PRASAD programme and that it would soon also receive a Multimode Inter Station. Joint Director of the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), Shri Ghulam Abbas, stated in his speech that the division has been educating the people about government initiatives and projects. He stated that this show is a part of attempts to spread the word to the general public. Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Ms. Babila Rakwal, SSP Reasi Amit Sharma, and DDC Chairman Reasi Sarv Singh Shashi Gupta, the chairman of the municipal council, Vice Chairman Ajay Baru, DDC members, PRIs, and other top administrators were present. Ajay Nanda, a former minister, Baldev Sharma, Prabhat Singh, Rohit Dubey, and other local activists were also in attendance. [caption id="attachment_4064" align="alignnone" width="300"] Dr Jitendra inaugurates Katra Navratri festival, expresses concern over drug menace[/caption]…

SC refers to 5-judge bench pleas challenging electoral bond scheme for political funding

editor October 16, 2023Leave a comment

NEW DELHI: On Monday, the Supreme Court forwarded a number of arguments contesting the legality of the electoral bond programme for funding political parties to a five-judge Constitution panel. Judges J. B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, along with Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, announced that they had received a request to refer the urgent case to a larger bench for a decision. The matter will be heard on October 30, the bench announced, as it was previously scheduled.The panel had earlier agreed to set the case for a final hearing after taking note of attorney Prashant Bhushan's arguments that the problem needed to be resolved before the electoral bond programme opened for the 2024 general elections. On this matter, four PILs are still open. In March, one of the PIL petitioners stated that, of the Rs 12,000 crore in electoral bonds that have been issued to date, two-thirds had gone to one major political party. As part of efforts to increase openness in political fundraising, electoral bonds have been proposed as an alternative to financial contributions made to political parties. [caption id="attachment_4055" align="alignnone" width="300"] SC refers to 5-judge bench pleas challenging electoral bond scheme for political funding[/caption]

224-mtr viaduct completed in Ramban on Jammu-Srinagar NH : Gadkari

editor October 16, 2023October 16, 2023Leave a comment

JAMMU: Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, announced on Monday that the building of a 224-meter (2-lane) viaduct at Sher-e-Bibi has been completed successfully, improving connectivity throughout the area and facilitating travel through difficult terrain. A post on X said, We have successfully finished building a 224-meter (2-lane) viaduct at Sherebibi in Jammu and Kashmir, at an estimated cost of 12 crores. This infrastructure is located along the Ramban to Banihal portion of NH-44. "This 224-meter segment, as a part of the broader project, not only reduces the travel distance by 125 metres, thus mitigating steep gradients, but also avoids the need for a steep cutting with a hill slope angle exceeding 80 degrees."Additionally, it substantially eases traffic flow by avoiding the treacherous hills in the Sherebibi Area. It's crucial to remember that this project contributes to the region's economic development and improves connections everywhere. We continue to be consistent in our commitment to providing Jammu & Kashmir with world-class highway infrastructure, guided by the inspirational leadership of the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji. [caption id="attachment_4050" align="alignnone" width="300"] 224-mtr viaduct completed in Ramban on Jammu-Srinagar NH : Gadkari[/caption]

LG chairs review meeting with Bandipora District Administration

editor October 16, 2023Leave a comment

BANDIPORA: Today, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha presided over a review meeting with the Bandipora District Administration to assess the state of the district's infrastructure projects, Centrally supported programmes, and UT sector initiatives. Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, the chief secretary, Sh Abdul Gani Bhat, the chairman of the district development council in Bandipora, Sh Vijay Kumar, the ADGP in Kashmir, Sh Sarmad Hafeez, the secretary of the youth services and sports department, Sh Vijay Bidhuri, the divisional commissioner in Kashmir, and other senior officials were present at the meeting. The Lt. Governor gave the district administration specific instructions to carry out a winter action plan in order to improve the quality of life for residents.He gave the Power Development Department instructions to promptly replace any damaged transformers and to maintain a buffer stock for remote and snow-covered areas. The Lt. Governor gave the Power, Education, Health, Agriculture & Horticulture, and Tourism Departments instructions to work in a mission mode to support Bandipora's growth and development after reviewing the sector-by-sector developments. The district's development would be accelerated by tourism. He emphasised that in order to fully realise Bandipora's enormous tourism potential, the administration and stakeholders must take immediate action. The Lt. Governor urged the district administration and other stakeholders to work together to promote cooperatives in the district and implement the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme effectively. We must also work diligently to achieve the goal of TB by utilising all available health care programmes.He murmured, "Mukt Bandipora." He also instructed the Social Welfare department to pay ASHA and Anganwadi staff their honoraria on time. The development picture for the District and the advancements made on the Transit Accommodation for Employees at Odina and other significant infrastructure projects were given by Dr. Owais Ahmad, Deputy Commissioner of Bandipora.Later, the Lt. Governor spoke with a number of delegations made up of PRI representatives, Tribal community members, and district students and gave them assurances that their concerns will be addressed in a timely manner. [caption id="attachment_4032" align="alignnone" width="300"] LG chairs review meeting with Bandipora District Administration[/caption]

DC lists measures for optimal use of multi level bus stand

editor October 16, 2023Leave a comment

JAMMU: District Magistrate Sachin Kumar Vaishya convened a meeting with the district administration to discuss operational issues and work with stakeholders at the location in an effort to close gaps and improve the effectiveness and prudent functionality of the multi-level parking garage at Jammu Bus Stand. Officers from the Jammu Development Authority, including SSP Traffic Jammu City, Faisal Qureshi, and SP North, Kulbir Handa, as well as Additional Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh, Assistant Commissioner Revenue Piyush Dhotra, Tehsildar Jammu Kamal Preet Singh, and Superintending Engineering attended the meeting. The District Magistrate's visit was primarily focused on listening intently to the complaints of business owners, bus drivers, and other stakeholders operating in and around the bus station.The meeting's goal was to come up with practical ways to encourage both the general public and bus operators to utilise the bus stand's amenities, including the parking spaces, to the fullest. The DC stressed the necessity for strict adherence to the boarding and deboarding procedures, stressing the need of aiding passengers without impeding or harming bus operators financially, as well as guaranteeing peaceful coexistence at the bus stop. At the meeting, it was decided that combined teams would be responsible for stopping the buses and enforcing the boarding and disembarking of passengers at the appointed locations. In order to offer a positive environment for the general public visiting the bus stand, the discussion also covered the operation and maintenance of necessary amenities including restrooms, stores, and cafeterias inside the bus stand complex. The discussion during the meeting also focused on ways to improve amenities at the Inter-State Bus Terminal in Narwal, opening the door to moving all interstate sleeper bus services there. [caption id="attachment_4029" align="alignnone" width="300"] DC lists measures for optimal use of multi level bus stand[/caption]

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