Latest news with #Para
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Quota report sent to law dept: Oppn accuses J&K govt of delaying tactics
Opposition leaders came down heavily on Jammu and Kashmir government and termed its decision of sending the reservation report to law department, calling it as delaying tactics to undermine merit. After the cabinet meeting that was chaired by J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday evening the reservation report was sent to law department. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Waheed Para on Thursday came down heavily on Jammu and Kashmir government's handling of reservation issue and said that the government cannot continue to hide behind excuses. He said that there was no resolution despite passage of six months leaving the students heartbroken and their trust in the system shattered. 'Six months ago, the J&K government promised to resolve the reservation issue through a subcommittee report. That deadline has passed, leaving thousands of students heartbroken and disillusioned, their trust in the system shattered and their futures put on hold,' Para said in post on X. On June 10, health minister Sakina Ittoo had said that the report of 3-membered sub committee on quota has been completed and would be submitted before the cabinet for a decision. However after a meeting of chief minister Omar Abdullah and his cabinet colleagues on Wednesday, the government made no mention of what transpired about the committee report. Para said that this is a deliberate denial of justice. 'These students have already endured violence, lockdowns, and lost opportunities. Now, as they seek fair representation and rationalised reservation, the government is pushing them further to the margins,' he said. The PDP MLA from Pulwama said that National Conference government has the power to strike down the BJP-imposed policy with a single administrative order. 'But the party that promised to reverse BJP's damage is now complicit in continuing it. If this is their response to a pressing youth issue well within their control to solve, then what should we expect on Article 370, statehood, or the Wakf Amendment Bill, which requires them to speak truth to power?,' Para said. The new reservation policy was introduced by lieutenant governor-led administration, before the assembly elections early last year, had squeezed the general category to 40%, which form the majority of the population, and increased reservation for reserved categories to 60%. After the elections, there were widespread demands for reversing the policy in recruitment and admissions prompting the Omar Abdullah-led government to form a three member cabinet sub-committee on December 10. Para said that erasing merit in Kashmir is not just a political issue but also a national security concern, given that Jammu and Kashmir is a border state where the youth are vulnerable to militancy, radicalism, and cross-border influences. 'If the Kashmiri youth are not offered hope, it will only empower subversive elements, further destabilising a generation and future. The government's inaction risks pushing these young people into a corner, forcing them to choose between studying and preparing to face the world or fighting against a system that has failed them,' he said. In April, J&K government had defended the new reservation policy in the high court facing backlash from the students and opposition. Para said that the government must act now. 'It cannot continue to hide behind excuses while the students' futures hang in the balance. Rationalisation of reservation and proportional representation represent the only fair path forward, and it must be implemented without further delay,' he said. 'Those claiming committee is helping students are either lying or complicit,' he said. Peoples Conference chairman Sajjad Lone said government has no idea about reservation. 'I have all along maintained that the government is clueless on reservations and has no intentions of doing anything. Now coming to this draft proposal. To the best of my knowledge anything sent to cabinet should be vetted by the law department. It is not the other way round. You can't send something to cabinet which is outside the domain of law. It looks like another round of time wasting tactics,' he wrote on X. Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari asked government to set a timeframe to resolve this issue. 'Set a clear timeline to resolve the reservation issue. With each passing day, merit continues to get undermined. Government must act swiftly and avoid any delaying tactics,' Bukhari wrote on X. Awami Ithead Party chief spokesman Inam ul Nabi said that this is not governance—it's an elaborate circus of deceit, delay and diversion. 'The Omar Abdullah government has once again proved that its words are hollow and its promises mere gimmicks. After over six months of public build-up, backdoor committee sittings and false assurances, the so-called CSC report has not even reached the Cabinet table in any serious form. What more proof do we need of their sheer indifference towards justice for open merit candidates,' he said adding that the Cabinet's latest move to 'rework' the report a 'well-scripted betrayal'.
Indian Express
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
J&K Opposition slams Omar govt for not addressing concerns on reservation — ‘deliberate denial of justice'
A day after the cabinet subcommittee on reservations tabled its report to the Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, the Opposition has targeted the ruling National Conference for 'delay' in making the document public. Government sources told The Indian Express Wednesday that the report had been forwarded to the Law Department for review. Introduced in April last year by the Lieutenant Governor-led UT administration, the UT's reservation policy amends Rule 4 of the J&K Reservation Act of 2005 to increase reservation for reserved category in the state to 67 per cent from 43 per cent, with 3 per cent horizontal reservation to ex-servicemen. This has meant that only 33 per cent was left for the general category of candidates – a change that has been vehemently opposed by various political parties as well as students. Student groups from the 'Open Merit' or general category have been demanding a rationalisation of this reservation for over a year. The protests prompted Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's government to announce a subcommittee to look into the issue. PDP leader Waheed Para said Thursday that the J&K government had promised to resolve the reservation issue through a subcommittee report. 'That deadline has passed, leaving thousands of students heartbroken and disillusioned, their trust in the system shattered and their futures put on hold,' Para said. Terming the delay in addressing concerns of the protesting students 'a deliberate denial of justice,' Para said: 'These students have already endured violence, lockdowns, and lost opportunities. Now, as they seek fair representation and rationalised reservation, the government is pushing them further to the margins'. The Pulwama MLA said that the ruling National Conference government has the power to 'strike down' the BJP-imposed policy with a single administrative order, 'but the party that promised to reverse BJP's damage is now complicit in continuing it.' Meanwhile, People's Conference chairman Sajad Lone Thursday accused the government of being 'clueless' on reservation and stated that they have 'no intentions of doing anything.' 'Coming to this draft proposal. To the best of my knowledge, anything sent to the cabinet should be vetted by the law department. It is not the other way round. You can't send something to the cabinet which is outside the domain of law. It looks like another round of time-wasting tactics,' Lone said. The protests were among the first challenges faced by the elected government in J&K. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had met with students protesting outside his residence in December 2024. In April, the government-appointed cabinet subcommittee began deliberations with student groups and in the first week of June, the minister concerned Sakeena Itoo announced that the subcommittee had compiled its report and it would be presented before the UT cabinet. However, after the cabinet met Thursday, the findings of the report were not made public and sent to the law department for review. The reservation policy has also been challenged in the High Court of J&K and Ladakh.
Cision Canada
2 days ago
- Sport
- Cision Canada
CPC awards 18 sport organizations with grants in support of Para sport programming Français
A total of $200,000 to be distributed through 2025-26 Paralympic Sport Development Fund OTTAWA, ON, June 18, 2025 /CNW/ - Eighteen sport organizations across Canada have been awarded 2025-26 Paralympic Sport Development Fund grants for a total of $200,000, the Canadian Paralympic Committee announced Wednesday. The complete list of recipients and their projects can be found HERE. Grants varying from $5,000 to $20,000, funded through the Paralympic Foundation of Canada, are being provided to support specific initiatives that contribute to athlete and coach development along the Paralympic pathway, including in areas related to recruitment, coaching, competition, club development, training camps, or other programming that enhances capacity. The recipient organizations are located across seven provinces, with four of the supported programs serving multiple regions throughout the country. The grants will enhance the development and programming of 14 sports, including two multi-sport initiatives. Two sports have received grants for the first time – Para climbing, which has been added to the Paralympic program for LA 2028, and five-a-side football. CPC is also supporting specific inclusion initiatives aimed at engaging more people with a disability in Para sport through increasing opportunities for under-represented groups. Two of these programs have been funded for 2025-26, supporting the increase of women and girls playing wheelchair tennis and creating a Para sport framework focusing on the needs of Indigenous communities. "Congratulations to each recipient of this year's Paralympic Sport Development Fund," said Karen O'Neill, CEO, Canadian Paralympic Committee. "The work of each of these organizations is so important to an inclusive, quality Paralympic sport system in Canada, and there are so many exciting initiatives being supported through the grants. We cannot wait to see the success of the projects and thank each organization for their impactful leadership and collaboration." The Paralympic Sport Development Fund has now granted more than $1.5 million to sport organizations in Canada and is an important part of CPC's commitment to fostering an inclusive Paralympic sport system in Canada.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Macpac To Supply Kit For NZ Paralympic Team At Milano Cortina 2026
Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) is delighted to unveil Macpac as the official apparel supplier of the NZ Paralympic Team for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games (6-15 March 2026). The iconic New Zealand-based brand, which specialises in technical outdoor apparel and equipment, will kit out the NZ Paralympic Team, including high tech insulation, outerwear and rainwear. With the same design philosophy Macpac uses to equip explorers, mountaineers and adventurers, every item has been carefully selected to support the Para athletes' needs as they aim to perform with pride for New Zealand at Milano Cortina 2026. Equipping outdoor enthusiasts since 1973, Macpac was also the official apparel supplier for PNZ and the NZ Paralympic Team at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. PNZ CEO Greg Warnecke said: 'We are thrilled to announce Macpac as our apparel partner for the NZ Paralympic Team at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. Macpac is a hugely recognisable and highly respected New Zealand brand that strongly aligns with our value of excellence and demonstrates the same performance and resilience as our Para athletes do, in reaching the pinnacle of their sport. 'We are delighted to partner with Macpac for a second successive Paralympic Winter Games and our Paralympians and support staff at the Paralympic Winter Games will benefit from Macpac's quality products, all with a strong connection to home.' Macpac Managing Director Cathy Seaholme said: 'We're incredibly proud to once again support Paralympics New Zealand and the NZ Paralympic Team. PNZ share our spirit of determination under pressure, grit in the face of adversity and an ability to adapt, persist and perform no matter the challenge, values which deeply resonate with Macpac. It's a privilege to help them represent Aotearoa New Zealand on the world stage.' Notes: About the New Zealand Paralympic Team NZ Paralympic Team strives to challenge perceptions towards disability, showcasing high performance athletes who prove anything is possible. Since Tel Aviv 1968 Paralympic Games, 237 New Zealand Paralympians have been part of New Zealand Paralympic Teams competing at 27 Paralympic Games (15 summer and 12 winter) winning a staggering 245 medals (210 in summer and 35 in winter). About Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) Paralympics New Zealand is the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) for New Zealand. We are a charity and our overall vision is 'Transforming lives through Para sport'. As a member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), we are part of a worldwide social change movement, which uses the power of sport to positively influence community perceptions of disabled people and to promote a more diverse and inclusive society. To do this, we support and celebrate the achievements of Para athletes at international and national competitions all year round. Every two years, we lead New Zealand teams to the Paralympic Games. We also work in the local community to advocate for sport to become more accessible for disabled people and to support the creation of more systems and programmes to enable participation in Para sport. Our funding comes from a mix of public donations, fundraisers, philanthropic partners, commercial partners, plus government and community grants, which together make our Para sport, community and advocacy programmes possible.
United News of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
NIA opposes bail relaxation for PDP's Waheed Para
Srinagar, June 14 (UNI) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has strongly opposed a plea filed by MLA and People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Waheed Para seeking relaxation of his bail conditions. In a detailed objection submitted to the Special NIA Court in Jammu, the anti-terror agency said Para's plea is not maintainable and needs to be dismissed as 'intention of the applicant/ accused is to flee from the clutches of law.' PDP's Para is leader of the Legislature Party in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. Parra had been jailed for around 19 months under sections of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act in 2020 and was released on bail by the J&K High Court in 2021. While granting bail, Para was directed not to leave the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir without the prior written permission of the court during the period of bail. Para, who represents the Pulwama assembly segment, was one of three legislators from the party who won the elections last year. The MLA had pleaded before the court that he may be allowed to travel to any part of the country citing his constitutional obligation as a legislator. 'Trial in the instant case is being conducted expeditiously on regular basis. There is a strong apprehension that the applicant/ accused would misuse the liberty and may not come back to face the proceedings in relation to chargesheet that has already been filed,' the NIA said in its objections. The NIA said that the investigations have revealed that the accused Parra 'entered into the conspiracy with other co-accused for raising funds to procure arms and ammunition for terrorists of the banned terrorist organisation Hizb-ulMujahideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba, operating in Kashmir valley.' 'Besides, Waheed Para extended financial support to the separatist leaders for furtherance of secessionist activities,' the anti terror body told the Court. 'The said bail conditions in no way prevents the accused from discharging his constitutional duties as an elected MLA,' NIA said 'In the event that his presence is specifically required outside the Union Territory of J&K in furtherance of any constitutional obligation, the court may consider such requests on a case-to-case basis'. The NIA said that based on the evidence that came on record, charges in the court have been framed under section 120B of the IPC, sections 17, 18, 39 & 40 of the UA(P)Act in December 2022. The NIA, while praying for dismissal of Parra's application, said that he is 'not a law abiding person and is involved in serious offences related to national security'. The Special NIA Court is yet to pronounce its order on the application.
