No compromise with country's interests: BJP cautions NC, PDP on their poll manifestos
New Delhi (PTI): Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir may make poll promises they deem fit but if any of them advocates for stone pelters, terrorists and those who take funds from Pakistan in their manifesto, strict action will be taken by the Centre, the BJP said on Sunday.
"Whatever they say for the elections, there will be no compromise with the country's interests, be it Mehbooba Mufti, Farooq Abdullah or Omar Abdullah," senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said while replying to queries at a press conference at the party headquarters.
"If in their manifesto they advocate for stone pelters, terrorists and those who take funds from Pakistan, then the government of India will take strict action. Let it be very clear," he added.
The former Union minister was replying to reporters' queries on poll promises made by the PDP and the NC in the run-up to assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir which will take place in the Union territory in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1. The results of the polls will be announced on October 4.
Prasad also targeted the Congress over its alliance with the National Conference and said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should clarify his party's stand on its ally's promise of reinstating Articles 370 and 35A in Jammu and Kashmir if voted to power.
On August 5, 2019, Articles 370 and 35 A, which gave a special status to Jammu and Kashmir, were abrogated and the erstwhile state was bifurcated into two Union territories -- Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir.
"What has happened to the Congress party? Rahul Gandhi should make them understand that any proposal to reinstate Article 370 can find its way only with a constitutional amendment by Parliament," the BJP leader said.
"They (National Conference) are saying there that Article 370 will be reinstated. How many Lok Sabha seats are there in Kashmir? Will that be enough to fulfil the requirement (of passing a Constitutional amendment in Parliament?" he asked.
Prasad said that if the Congress wants, a motion for such a constitutional amendment in Parliament may be admitted.
"Then Rahul Gandhi should clarify if he is also secretly talking about restoration of Article 370 there. This is a serious question," he added.
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Maharashtra sets up state vaccination task force to strengthen immunisation programme
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has set up a State Vaccination Task Force to strengthen the regular immunisation programme and review the progress of related campaigns, a health department official said on Monday.
The State Vaccination Task Force will comprise at least 29 members and will be headed by the administrative head of the health department, he informed.
The government has also constituted separate district-level and municipal vaccination task forces to improve implementation and address challenges at the grassroots level, he said.
Municipal task forces, chaired by respective civic commissioners, have been constituted in view of the vast urban population in Maharashtra and the role of civic bodies in implementing different health programmes.
The district-level task forces will function under the chairmanship of collectors.
"Complete immunisation of children at the appropriate age is an extremely simple, cost-effective and highly effective measure to reduce child mortality and the prevalence of diseases among kids. Immunisation is a powerful tool for reducing illness in children," maintained the official.
To ensure full vaccination of all children, the state government implements various campaigns from time to time as per the central government guidelines, he pointed out.
"Active participation and cooperation of other relevant government departments are essential (in making these campaigns successful)," according to the official.
The state-level body will review the regular immunisation programme, associated campaigns and vaccine-preventable diseases in detail. It will also conduct focused assessments of high-risk districts and municipal corporations, including vacancies at district, municipal and sub-district levels, availability of cold chain equipment, resource gaps and training requirements, he noted.
The state task force will review allocation and utilisation of funds for immunisation and ensure timely action by officers concerned based on reports from district and municipal task forces and state-level monitoring mechanisms, the official said.
It will also ensure active coordination and participation of other government departments in immunisation drives, while district and municipal task forces will carry out similar functions at their respective levels, the official added.
