JAMMU: Under fire from political parties, the Mufti Moham-mad Sayeed government on Friday withdrew the circular ask-ing constitutional authorities to maintain the sanctity of the state flag, saying it was not approved by a competent authori-ty.
The government said appropriate administrative action will be taken af-ter enquiry into the circumstances leading to the issuing of this circular.
The draft of the circular was not approved by the competent authority before issue of the same on 12th March, 2015, and as such stands with-drawn with immediate effect, an official spokesman said here today.
Appropriate administrative action will be taken after enquiry into the circumstances leading to the issuing of this circular, he added.
The Mufti government had yesterday issued a circular asking all consti-tutional authorities to maintain the sanctity of the state flag, at all costs, as is being done in respect of the Union Flag.
Jammu and Kashmir has a separate constitution and separate flag un-like other states under special status.
Explaining further, the spokesman said since December 12, 2013, the state government has been pursuing a case in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court wherein the petitioner has prayed for a di-rection that the Republic Day of the state should be celebrated when the state constitution was adopted and became enforceable.
It was also prayed that all the constitutional authorities be commanded to use the state flag on all their official vehicles, offices and buildings with dignity and honor demonstrating the sanctity of the flag.
The spokesman added that the State Government had not responded to the case and had not filed a reply as desired by the Court. The court gave a last chance to the State Government to file a reply on or before it comes up for hearing which was expected to be anytime now, he said.
The spokesman further added that in order to avoid any adverse order in a sensitive Constitutional matter, the State Government intended to file an affidavit in the Court today contesting all the pleas made by the petitioner, the official said.
In the affidavit, it stated that it will issue a circular reiterating the respect that is to be accorded to the Union as also the State flag taking recourse to J&K Prevention of Insult to the State Honour Act, 1979, in the latter case, the official said.
However, the draft of the circular was not approved by the Competent Authority be-fore issue of the same on 12th March, 2015 and as such stands withdrawn with im-mediate effect. Appropriate administrative action will be taken after enquiry into the circumstances leading to the issuing of this circular, he added.
Omar questions withdrawal of flag circular
Former chief minister Omar Abdullah today questioned the State Governments de-cision to withdraw the circular on according the State flag sanctity, saying the order was correct and timely.
Why on earth would they withdraw the order? The order was correct & timely, Omar wrote on twitter.
The working president of opposition National Conference also asked Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed about his statements about standing up to the BJP, RSS and Centre.
What was that about standing up to the BJP/RSS/Centre Mufti Sahib? he asked.
Under fire from political parties, the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Government today withdrew the controversial circular asking constitutional authorities to maintain the sanctity of the State flag, saying it was not approved by a competent authority.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
