J&K situation normal: Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha
On Wednesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah took questions on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the Rajya Sabha. He is also expected to table a report on President's Rule in Maharashtra, and will address the controversy around the repeal of SPG cover of the Gandhi family and Manmohan Singh. Here are more details.
All government offices, courts open in J&K: Shah
Shah cited examples of restoration of normalcy in the region since the Centre repealed J&K's special status on August 5 and bifurcated it into two Union Territories. He said all Urdu/English newspapers and TV channels are functioning, as are all banking services. "All government offices and all courts are open," he said, adding the Block development council elections witnessed 98.3% polling.
No civilian has died in J&K since August 5: Shah
Shah said there are adequate healthcare services, petrol, diesel, kerosene, LPG and rice in J&K, adding, "All landlines are open." He said internet facilities will be restored at an appropriate time after inputs from local agencies. He reiterated that not a single civilian has been killed in J&K since August, despite news reports stating otherwise. "Incidents of stone-pelting have declined," he added.
Shah highlighted importance of Citizenship Amendment Bill
Further, clarifying that the National Register of Citizens is different from the Citizenship Amendment Bill, Shah said the latter is necessary to accord Indian citizenship to Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain, Christian, Parsi refugees, discriminated on the basis of religion in Pakistan, Bangladesh or Afghanistan.
Shah then took questions on National Register of Citizens
"The process of NRC will be carried out across the country. No one, irrespective of religion, should be worried," Shah said. He added, "People whose name hasn't appeared in the draft have the right to go to the Tribunal. Tribunals will be constituted across Assam. If any person doesn't have the money to approach Tribunal, Assam government will bear the lawyer's cost."
Rajya Sabha to take up Surrogacy, Transgender Bills today
The Rajya Sabha will also take up two crucial legislations: the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill for further consideration. For now, the Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 2 pm.
