Srinagar, May 15: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kashmir Unit on Friday announced a protest march in Srinagar against the operation of wine shops in the Kashmir Valley and demanded a complete ban on the sale and purchase of liquor across the Kashmir Division.

According to the statement issued by the party’s Co-Media incharge J&K Sajid Yusuf Shah, as per news agency JKNS, the protest will also be directed against the ruling National Conference for allegedly defending and promoting the sale of alcohol in the region.

As per the programme, BJP leaders and workers will assemble at Ram Munshibagh, Sonwar, at 10:00 AM and march towards the residence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at Gupkar.

The party said the protest aims to raise public sentiment against liquor sales in Kashmir. 

The move from BJP comes days after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that his government was not planning to expand liquor outlets in Jammu and Kashmir, but maintained that an outright ban on alcohol was not practically possible at present. 

He had said that liquor was already being consumed in the region and questioned whether people wanted it to be sold openly under regulation or pushed underground through illegal channels. (JKNS)

A delegation of Panun Kashmir met Amit Sharma, IAS, Chief Principal Census Officer (CPCO) and Director Census Operations & Citizen Registration (DCO & DCR), Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, on Thursday and submitted a detailed memorandum highlighting concerns and expectations of the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community in the context of Census 2027.

The delegation, as per a statement, projected various issues relating to identification, classification and demographic enumeration of displaced Kashmiri Pandits during the upcoming Census exercise and sought appropriate consideration of matters concerning territorial linkage, recording of displacement-related details and preservation of demographic identity within official Census records.

The memorandum submitted by the delegation to CPCO Amit Sharma stressed that the prolonged displacement of the community should be viewed distinctly and requested that appropriate Census mechanisms be evolved for identifiable and accurate demographic enumeration.

The delegation also emphasised the importance of maintaining linkage of displaced families with their original places of residence in the Kashmir Valley within Census records.

During the interaction, CPCO Amit Sharma patiently heard the concerns projected by the delegation and assured them that the memorandum would be forwarded to the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, through proper channel for appropriate consideration.

While interacting with the delegation, Sharma also apprised them of the major digital initiatives and features being introduced in Census 2027, which will be India’s first fully digital and paperless Census exercise. He informed that the upcoming Census will involve use of mobile-based digital applications, geo-referenced mapping, real-time monitoring systems and advanced digital platforms for conduct and supervision of Census operations.

Amit further highlighted that one of the most significant features of Census 2027 is the introduction of Self-Enumeration, under which citizens will be able to voluntarily submit their Census details through a secure online portal during the notified self-enumeration period before household visits by Enumerators. He informed the delegation that displaced Kashmiri Pandit families residing in different parts of the country can also actively participate in the Self-Enumeration process and accurately furnish their Census details through the digital platform.

CPCO Sharma stated that the Self-Enumeration facility has been designed to make Census participation more convenient, transparent and citizen-centric, especially for people residing outside their original places of residence. He encouraged the members of the displaced community to actively participate in the exercise and ensure accurate furnishing of demographic details during the notified self-enumeration period.

Amit also informed the delegation that Census operations are conducted under the strict provisions of the Census Act, 1948, which guarantees confidentiality and protection of personal information collected during enumeration. He clarified that no personal information such as Aadhar number, bank account details, PAN details or financial transaction records are collected during Census operations.

The delegation was further informed that extensive preparatory activities for Census 2027 are presently underway across Jammu & Kashmir, including appointment and digital registration of Enumerators and Supervisors, training of field functionaries, geo-referenced formation of House Listing Blocks, implementation of the Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS) and large-scale awareness campaigns regarding Census 2027 and self-enumeration.

The delegation appreciated the detailed interaction and thanked the census authorities led by CPCO Amit Sharma for patiently hearing their concerns and sensitising them regarding various aspects of the upcoming digital census exercise.

Anantnag, May 14: The Food Safety Department in Anantnag has seized 150 cases of a basil seed drink marketed as an imported product under the “American” brand during raids conducted across the district, officials said Thursday.

The seized stock is valued at approximately Rs 3.56 lakh.

The raids were conducted at M/S Aayet Trading Company at General Bus Stand Anantnag, M/S Hamas on Bypass Road and M/S Valley Traders & Distributors at Pushoo Market following “credible inputs” regarding the sale of the product in local markets, officials said.

“During scrutiny of the labels, serious discrepancies were observed,” an official said..

Officials said the product was labelled as “American” brand basil seed drink, claiming to be a “Product of Thailand” manufactured by “Golden AND SUN EXPORT, Bangkok, Thailand.”

However, authorities said the labels lacked mandatory importer details and carried a fake FSSAI licence number.

“Investigation conducted so far suggests that despite being marketed as an imported commodity, the product is suspected to have been manufactured locally,” the official said.

According to officials, preliminary investigation revealed that the consignments had allegedly been procured from firms based in Sonipat, New Delhi and Jammu.

The department said the seized stock has been taken into custody for legal and analytical proceedings under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, while samples have been sent for laboratory analysis.

“The Department of Food Safety reiterates its commitment towards safeguarding public health and advises consumers to remain cautious while purchasing food products carrying suspicious or misleading labels,” an official said.