GST Is Beneficial For Consuming States : Zenith M.Sangma

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Taxation, Housing, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Meghalaya Zenith M. Sangma, who is also an GST expert and attended the Srinagar GST meet held recently talked to News Kashmir  in an exclusive interview  with Rameez Makhdoomi and Farzana Mumtaz.

How beneficial will be GST for a place like Kashmir?

GST  will be definitely fruitful for a place like Kashmir and entire Jammu and Kashmir state as it is beneficial to Meghalaya like state, as  we both are consuming states and it is quiet productive for consuming states since it is a destination based tax.

What were the main decisions taken in GST Srinagar Meet ?

Some important decisions were made. Mostly we decided what tax rate will be imposed on different commodities and also on services .We have also advocated that in our states for products like raw areca nut ,Dryfiz  no tax should be imposed but for sin goods heavy tax should be imposed.

With states having right to have own GST law, wont it create chaos by one central law and many state based GST Laws. Your take?

There is conflict in certain issues, but through debate, threadbare discussion  we will resolve the issues facing GST .

Many critics state GST is import preferential and thus it will hit make in India initiatives?

It is a good question and in this regard I want to state that the rates would be fixed in a such a way that import commodities do not get the undue advantage .

A state like Jharkhand, Bihar have different financial structures as compared to Assam, Meghalaya .How will GST Cater to this facet?

Yes it is true and especially the manufacturing states would be initially losing for few years due to GST and in this regard amendment has been made and constitutional provision is made that for five years Government of India will compensate such states.

Will GST be a different from VAT experience ?

When we work out the overall features it looks GST would be a good experience . In a state like Meghalaya we would be gaining in most of sectors.

Have you recommended any reforms in GST ?

Yes we have recommended reforms- for example in Handloom sector as we have lot of weavers working in handloom sectors and for statistics vise North East accounts for  more than 50 percent of handloom and weavers in India so in this regard products made by weavers themselves will have zero tax .

How do you find the position of Congress in Meghalaya amid rise of BJP allover India ?

The ideology of Congress is very strong  and grass rooted in Meghalaya and it is slated to do well again in upcoming general elections .

What has been impact of rising Cow politics on State like Meghalaya?

The rise of right wing politics has been felt in Northeast India , but we do not like this beef ban and nobody can dictate us what to eat. Without beef our people cannot servive.

Your Message to Youth ?

Youth are the future of nation and if we do not pay attention, focus to youth issues we will face lot of problems and we have to teach youth how to be more productive. We in Meghalaya are embarking on many programmes to help youth in grooming.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Late Marriages

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In other parts of world  child marriage has all along been a grave issue, as a matter of fact a universal issue , but here in the Valley of Kashmir, given the unstable  nature of situation, the dilemma is that the marriage of boys and girls is getting delayed and late marriages is thus a serious issue . Late marriages have in fact become a strange norm here .According to a  study conducted few years  by senior sociologists at University of Kashmir, the average age of marriage of the females has shot up from 20.7 to 27.83 years. As far as the males, the age of marriage has risen to 31.53 years from 23.63 years in normal times.

Experts state manner in which the Kashmir society has shaped its social fabric and the violent circumstances prevailing are said to be among the main reasons behind this upsetting phenomenon..

Pertinently, the main causes are – political turmoil, practice of dowry, accomplishment of modern education and unemployment are the main reasons resulting into a trend of late marriages.
But there are some voices that clearly describe the prevailing turmoil being the chief reason behind late marriages. Thousands of Kashmiri youth have been killed during 28 years of militancy. Secondly, due to turmoil in the Valley, a large number of Kashmiri boys go outside the state to pursue further studies where they marry their class or college mates.

The need of the hour is to initiate a revolutionary movement to curb this unpleasant tendency of late marriages in our society.

 

Looming Governor Rule!

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News Kashmir Exclusive

Kashmir and political uncertainty have always been linked especially since the past three decades as Kashmir conflict has taken a deadly turn .Governor rules have often been imposed in Kashmir by the Central Government to ease out the situation . Currently, with the PDP BJP Government looking an unholy alliance due to contradictory ideologies the option of Governor Rule does not look farfetched .Plus the ever worsening ground situation in shape of increased protests, killings, arrests, student agitations have made matters worse.

 

The pulse on ground from masses to analytical paradigm is that Governor rule is  in offing .

 

While talking to News Kashmir , political analyst Muhammad Tauseef , commenting on prospects of Governor rule states-”

The Government in Kashmir seems to be heading nowhere ,situation is getting bad to worse every day and turning gloomy every passing moment .No confidence building measures taken , suppression against the youth coupled with massive fear being installed in masses makes the ground very difficult for the Government .It looks now clear that if the situation further goes out of control ,governor rule looks all the more imminent. The PDP BJP alliance from day one looked unholy and with time it has proven more disastrous .”

Even the mainstream polity of the state seem to be batting for the imposition of Governor rule in the state .Just few days back National Conference President DR. Farooq Abdullah  said that Governor’s rule should be imposed in Jammu and Kashmir, adding that it is “unavoidable and imperative” to restore peace in the state. His statement came soon after Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley earlier in the day.

There has been much speculation recently that the alliance between Mufti’s People’s Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party is breaking down. Reports had even suggested that Mufti might be replaced by a BJP leader. Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said that replacing her would not help the alliance, PTI reported.

On the otherhand many a voices are stating that Governor rule could be round the corner .

 

 

Mushtaq Ul Haq Ahmad Sikander, writer and activist states – ” Since the past three decades  on account of violent political turmoil Jammu and Kashmir state has often seen Governor Rule being imposed , nowadays the situation is looking more heading towards the Governor Rule .From day one this Government of PDP BJP has been dismal to say the least .Masses are highly dissatisfied with present Government like anything and it seems out of this deep mess the Governor rule might be the only option available .The history of Governor rules at critical junctures makes it look highly possible that governor rule might be imposed.”

Next few weeks look all the more interesting in the turmoil hit state of Jammu and Kashmir.

 

Escalating Violence

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News Kashmir Exclusive

The strife-torn region of Kashmir had witnessed a period of relative calm for few years, but a recent spate of increased violence  since 2016 post killing of militant commander Burhan Wani which have resulted in number of civilian, police, army, militant fatalities is a grim reminder of the ever escalating tensions in Kashmir, which has been at the heart of enmity between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan since 1947 .

From every analytical paradigm of ground situation the things looks to be heading from bad to worse. Be it recent killings of policeman, Bank Guards at Kulgam or bloodbath at Meer Bazar, killing of kashmiri Army officer in India army after abduction like events have gloomed environ.

At this juncture of time, in the Valley of Kashmir, the urge for achieving honorable peace is even greater than it was ever before. The sane voices and commoners aptly suggest that peace is important because we need a better world for our next generations. Every wise voice suggests that peace is important for our survival and growth and because we can enjoy the benefits of the latest technological and scientific advancements only in times of peace.

Mushtaq ul Haq Sikander, eminent writer and analyst states – “ At present the situation seems to be heading to very pessimistic outlook with growing violence and upheavals. Since the birth of contemporary Kashmir conflict in 1947 the human tragedy has been exceptionally huge, be it in form of refugees, migrants, political dissidents or prisoners. The human tragedy has multiplied and reached to demonic proportions since the initiation of mass armed struggle in early 1990s. The violence of both sides has consumed thousands, destroyed property worth billions, maimed hundreds, orphaned and widowed thousands. The disappeared, incarcerated, half widows have added to the already escalating miseries.

 

The tragedy of armed forces and police goes unnoticed. They too get consumed without gaining any empathy or sympathy from the masses as they are being witnessed as collaborators, occupation forces and perpetrators of atrocities. None mourns about their loss as human tragedy. The distinction between Who is right and who is wrong gets blurred in the conflict, and the vicious cycle of violence continues in which innocent humans and State’s forces get consumed as cannon fodder, while the politicians, capitalists and elites with vested interests achieve their nefarious designs by keeping the pot of the conflict boiling. It is high time Kashmir issue is settled in democratic manner.”

Even commoners are worried about the worsening situation in Kashmir.

 

Gulzar Ahmad, a commoner said,” The present situation in Kashmir is terribly bad with every passing day fear and violence are growing. On larger level too, Peaceful relations among peoples and nations are threatened in the contemporary world by alienation, misconceptions, and above all by unsolved burning conflicts like Kashmir and Palestine. The only way out to root out extremist phenomenon’s and to ensure a peaceful world is to solve these burning conflicts through the medium of dialogue. “

But, ground pulse is that  all the stake holders have to take into account the aspirations of masses in to consideration while addressing the current grim situation of Kashmir .

The need of time being stressed out is that institution of dialogue needs to be revived.

Enthusiastic participation of youth in Police recruitment process continues

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6171 participated in two days

 

SRINAGAR MAY 11: Police recruitment process for the post of constable continues for the second day with tremendous participation of youth in District Anantnag and Bandipora.

In these districts, both male and female candidates in large numbers are turning up for the recruitment venues.

In Bandipora, the two days recruitment rally concluded with 2797 candidates appeared in the first phase of recruitment process among which 842 candidates were declared qualified.

In Anantnag, as many as 3374 candidates appeared in physical test in first two days among which 1161 were declared qualified. The recruitment rally in Anantnag will continue for the next two days.

The candidates who have qualified the physical test will have to appear in the written test for final selection for which the dates will be issued separately.

 

Crying Kashmir

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News Kashmir Exclusive

Bloodshed, Curfews, Killings, Arrests , Pellet blindings, injuries, Shutdowns have once again defined life in Kashmir in year 2017. One after another Painful event have rattled Kashmir over past few months.

On March 28, 2017,  three civilians were killed as they  succumbed to injuries in the clashes near the encounter site in Chadoora village of Budgam district,

At least nine  people were killed in clashes with security forces during 9 April,2017,  by-election to the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat, which recorded a historic poor voter turnout of 7.14%.

Violence witnesses was unprecedented for a election day in Kashmir .

“

There were more than 200 incidents of violence, mostly in Budgam district, which included stone-pelting, petrol bomb attacks, setting ablaze of a polling station, some vehicles and attempt to burn another two polling booths,” Jammu and Kashmir chief electoral officer Shantmanu said.

On Monday, MAY 01, 2017 ,at least five policemen and two security guards were killed after suspected militants attacked a cash van outside Jammu and Kashmir bank’s Kulgam branch in south Kashmir

 

In The wee hours of Thursday, 04 May, 2017,  Indian army launched a Comprehensive anti-terror operation amidst incident of bank robberies, cash van robberies and snatching of rifles in Jammu and Kashmir.

 

Pertinently, security forces isolated more than 20 villages of Kashmir’s Shopian district and initiated search operations.

 

“Today’s combing operation (in Kashmir) is to make sure that situation is brought under control, post recent incidents,” Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat told media on Thursday. “Banks have been looted, policemen have been killed. That is why today’s combing operation is taking place,” he informed.

The ground zero atmosphere is that pain, fear, disappointment, bloodbath, carnage witnessed in 2016 is carrying on in 2017 as well. As a result of renewed turmoil the developmental pace has taken a strong hit in Kashmir .

Mushtaq Ul Haq Ahmad Sikander, a political analyst stated  “ The current situation in Kashmir is quiet pensive with pain, bloodbath, fear defining the daily life in Kashmir. Time has come to solve the political conflict of Kashmir according to aspirations of masses and put an end to bloodshed. It is high time that all the concerned stakeholders get together and initiate a meaningful dialogue to settle the issue once for all. Ground realities in present times lay more emphasis on solution otherwise we are heading for an era of destruction.”

Amid era of flaring emotions, bloodshed it looks the valley of Kashmir is crying.

 

 

 

 

 

Inhuman treatment from in-laws, Husband forces young engineer Mudasir to commit suicide : Relatives

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News Kashmir Exclusive

Alleging inhuman treatment,  mental torture by husband ,in-laws  lead her to take the grave step of suicide the relatives of Mudasir Aziz ,Junior engineer  posted at Irrigation Department Ganderbal held protests today .

Pertinently, Mudasir  comitted suicide by plunging into River jehlum few days back at old bridge Zainakadal  ,she was

W/o  Javaid Ah Bungree,S/o Mohd shafii  Bungree, R/o Hamza  colony illahi bagh  near masjid Hamzah.

 

The relatives alleged demanding salary , inhuman behaviour from in-laws  forced Mudasir to take the extreme step.

Her dead body is yet to be fished out.

 

Russia: Syria safe zones to be shut for U.S., coalition planes – agencies

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(Reuters) The safe zones which are being created in Syria will be closed for warplanes of the United States and those of the U.S.-led coalition, Russian news agencies quoted Russian envoy at Syria peace talks Alexander Lavrentyev as saying on Friday.

Turkey and Iran agreed on Thursday to Russia’s proposal for “de-escalation zones” in Syria, a move welcomed by the United Nations but met with skepticism from the United States.

Russia, Turkey and Iran signed on Thursday a memorandum on creating safe zones in Syria, while the delegation of the armed Syrian opposition walked out and shouted angrily after a new round of peace talks held in the Kazakh capital Astana.

Russia, Turkey and Iran act as guarantors of the Astana peace process.

Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov said that next Syria peace talks would be held in Astana in mid-July.

“The Syrian Arab Republic supports the Russian initiative on de-escalation zones and confirms its commitment to the cessation of hostilities regime signed Dec. 30, 2016, which includes not bombing these regions,” said state news agency SANA, reporting a foreign ministry statement.

The report also said the Syrian army would continue to fight against what it termed terrorist groups across Syria.

SSMD participates in Asian Designer Week

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New Delhi 5th May:
SSMD School of Fashion and Design in collaboration with MODART International Paris and VIDM New Delhi participated at the Asian Designer Week today and displayed a Kashmiri traditional collection. The participating designers had come together from all over the world and appreciated the outstanding designs by the Kashmiri students of SSMD who showcased their designs on such a huge platform for the first time.

Speaking on the occasion, Director, SSMD School of Fashion and Design, Ms. Insha Qazi mentioned that due to turmoil in Kashmir the students have lesser opportunities and hence SSMD aims to provide a creative release to the pent-up energy for the students in such events. She said that encouraging participants in such events act as a catalyst, in order to empower youth so that they generate self employment opportunities. She also spoke at length about the Institute’s commitment to provide the best facilities for their students at extremely reasonable prices, and with special considerations for those who find it beyond their means to show case their talent, because creativity does not come with a price tag attached.

Speaking about the collection on display, she said that the collection was named “Hamin Asto” which literally translates to ‘This is it’, taken from the Persian saying “Agar Firdaus, Bar Ruhe Zamin Ast, Hamin Asto, Hamin Asto, Hamin Ast” (If there is a heaven on earth, it’s here, it’s here, it’s here) that was popularised by Emperor Jahangir, when he first visited Kashmir and was charmed by its beauty. The garments were inspired by the rich and lush Mughal gardens of Kashmir and were a tribute to the absolute beauty of the Valley. She said that their garments stood out because the embroidery done on the products was exclusively handcrafted with precious gold and silver threads called Tilla and Däbka, done by the skilled craftsmen of Kashmir and designed meticulously by the students of SSMD. The fabrics ranged from chanderi, fine mulmul, matka silk, voile, and rich regal velvet. Techniques like hand block printing had been used with vegetable dyes and gold leaf embossing with a generous use of quilting and tilla hand embroidery in resham. The collection had heavy use of thread and metallic gold.

E-GAG

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News Kashmir Exclusive

In the present times of growing technology, over the past few decades the medium of Internet has emerged as the lifeline for carrying our daily chorus of life  . Internet has multiple positives -We access news and other related websites to update ourselves about the current affairs, we rely on the communication platform it offers to communicate with the world. Be it using a social networking website like Facebook, twitter  to post what’s happening in our lives and connecting with global audiences , or using an application like Whataspp, Skype or Viber to talk to our dear ones; web is the medium. Be it to get  information or to entertain ourselves, Internet is always our first choice. Even in many places internet is  used  to order food and used as medium to  shop in fast life of current times .

Unfortunately, the conflict ridden valley of Kashmir has suffered a lot due to frequent internet gags over the past few years and Infact has seen more gags imposed on internet  than war devastated Yemen, Iraq and Syria etc . Now in latest shocker and seen as a reaction to students agitation Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered suspension of internet services in the trouble-hit valley for a period of one month or till further orders.

In an order, the Home Department has directed all ISP’s that “any message or class of messages to or from any persons or class of persons relating to any subject or any pictorial content through the following social networking sites shall not be transmitted in the Kashmir valley for a period of one month or till further orders.

As per the government directive, social networking sites to be suspended include Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, QQ, WeChat, Ozone, Tumblr, Google+, Baidu, Skype, Viber, Line, Snapchat, Pinterest, Telegram, Reditt, Snapfish, YouTube (Upload), Vine, Xanga and Flickr.

 

Masses and all voices of sanity are aghast over the move . Mir Imran, a human rights activist stated – “ Frequent internet gags cripple the economy of Kashmir and also the basic rights of life . The Internet is today regarded as the largest information base. And in present times , it has become an integral part of our lives. Its access methods have also evolved over time, starting from dial-up connections, slowly graduating to broadband, developing further into wireless access, and then to cellular technology. Over the past few years to suppress the public opinion government is using the tool of internet gag very often and this is affecting livelihood of scores of youth . This E-GAG should stop and grave political issues should be dialogued rather than sentiments crushed by these dangerous gags.”

 

Despite the fact that state contributing a large contribution to the revenue of telecom companies, authorities have suspended internet services 29 times in J&K from 2012 to April 2017.

In a related development Jammu and Kashmir Young Journalist Association (JKYA) has threatened to launch protests against the continued internet blockade . In  an important meeting at its office, during which the participants termed the continuous internet blockade as an attack on very basic right to live. JKYJA stated that E Curfew amounts an attack on bread and butter of many.

JKYJA President, Ajaz Ahmad War stated – “The continuous blockade of internet is not only hitting the journalist community but every sphere of life. Now blocking of Social networking sites like Facebook and Whataspp will prove disastrous as online world is source of earning for many spheres  of life in present age of technology. If the decision is not revoked JKYJA in collaboration with likeminded organizations will hit the streets soon.”

Frequent Internet gags are definitely leaving adverse impacts on Kashmir.