State ready for joint elections: Guv

Amir Karim Tantry
Tribune News Service
Jammu, January 11

Governor Satya Pal Malik on Friday said the state government was ready for holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the state.

“We are ready for elections but it is up to the Central government and the Election Commission of India to decide,” Governor told mediapersons on the sidelines of a function held here.

With this statement, the Governor has put the ball in the court of Government of India for taking a call on the elections. Recently, Home Minister Rajnath Singh had informed both Houses of Parliament that the government was ready to hold elections in the state and would provide every help to ECI.

The state came under Governor’s rule on June 20 after the BJP withdrew its support from the Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government. The Governor dissolved the Assembly on November 21 when the NC, PDP and Congress tried to come together and form a government, and on December 20, President’s rule was imposed in the state.

Within six months of dissolution of the Assembly, elections are to be held in the state and as Lok Sabha elections are also due in a few months, it is expected that the ECI might conduct the Assembly elections in J&K alongside the Lok Sabha elections.

The Governor earlier addressed a gathering of sarpanches of Jammu province after the rural development department administered the oath of office to the elected representatives at a function here.

Speaking on the occasion, Maliksaid the problem in the Valley was among the age group of 13-23 as they didn’t have any place to showcase their talent.

“They don’t have cinemas, cafes, sports fields and any other place to go to, thus they get involved in other things,” he said.

“Youth should be given opportunities to harness their talent,” the Governor said, mentioning the recent victory of Real Kashmir football club over the famous Mohun Bagan. He told sarpanches to work for youth in their areas.

‘Build playground in every village’    

Governor Satya Pal Malilk on Friday asked the authorities to build a playground in every village of the state as Kashmiri youth did not have much to do in the evenings. He said sports helped in overall development. “The youth has nothing to do after 6 pm even in Srinagar city. They do not have cinema halls, cafes or a place to visit for entertainment,” Malilk said while addressing sarpanches in Jammu.