Amid Tight Security, Independence Day Celebrated in Kashmir With Great Charm.

Omar Hoists National Flag.

5 Dariya News (Yawar Shafi)

Srinagar 15-Aug-2014

Kashmir valley witnessed enormous celebration on the eve of Independence Day amid tight security and shutdown call given by Hurriyat Leaders.Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah hoists the national flag at Bakhshi Stadium in Srinagar and take march pass parade. Scores of Students from various institutions performed cultural show on the occasion. Several other cultural programmes held during the occasion.

Addressing the Independence Day function at the Bakshi Stadium Omar Abdullah said, I challenge all those people who are trying to stoke passions in the state by saying that thousands are languishing in prisons in Jammu and Kashmir.If 100 people are in prisons here this time, I would say that is a big number. He appealed people to participate in the state elections due here in November-December in large numbers. He says that despite separatist appeals people have been voting in the past and will do so this time also. Addressing the last Independence Day function of his six year term, Abdullah highlighted the achievements of his government.

Meanwhile, Omar Announces Reduction of Electricity Tax by 12% and Declares Himself For CM Candidate in Upcoming Elections. Omar While speaking to Media Persons at Bakhshi Stadium in Srinagar says that in addition to the relief of common man, Government took this initiative by reducing power tax from 22% to 10%, i.e.. Only 12% of total power tax will be implemented onwards.Omar Abdullah also announced reservation of 5 percent for Paharies speaking people and 2 percent for OBCs at a press conference.The Chief Minister says that while his government has provided 40 percent more power to the people during his present tenure,

he wanted to give them further relief by way of reducing electricity duty. He says the change in the fee structure is the jurisdiction of the State Electricity Regulatory Authority (SERA), as such, he could provide the relief to the people by way of reducing the electricity duty.He says that his government had persuaded the Central Government for declaring Pahari speaking people as Schedule Tribes and he had expected that the UPA-II Government would decide in this regard but that didn’t happen.  He says In order to give relief to the Pahari speaking people as also accommodate the demand of OBCs, I announce 5 percent reservation quota for Pahari speaking people and 2 percent in favour of OBCs”, he said adding that OBCs are presently enjoying 2 percent reservation and the increase of more 2 percent will raised it to 4 percent. He said he would continue to pursue the declaration of Schedule Tribe status for Pahari speaking people at the Central level.

Omar Abdullah also declared himself the chief ministerial candidate of his National Conference in the Assembly elections in the state.He says that, I am hopeful that the next government will be headed by me. Omar Critisized that he was emptying the state coffers on populist measures as a last ditch effort ahead of Assembly elections, Omar said he was contesting the polls to win.He syas, Don't think that I am emptying the treasury for the next person. As far as I am concerned, I am fighting these elections to win them and not to lose them.