Nirmal Kumar Singh

Nirmal Singh was born on 22 January 1956 to a humble family in Karanwara Basohli, Jammu and Kashmir. He did his primary education in his native place. He is the youngest of his two brothers. His father was a security aide of the erstwhile Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir (princely state). Singh has done PhD in history from University of Jammu in 1988 and retired as a professor in the Department of History, the University of Jammu in 2017.[http://myneta.info/jk2014/candidate.php?candidate_id=787 Dr. Nirmal Kumar Singh(Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)):Constituency- BILLAWAR(KATHUA) – Affidavit Information of Candidate:] After being elected to J&K Legislative Assembly in 2014 and becoming Deputy Chief Minister of the erstwhile State, Singh acted as a guide for two of his students who were preparing for PhD thesis submission. Despite being busy with his new assignment as DyCM, Singh ensured he is present at the university to watch the submission. Singh authored a book titled 'Inter Communal Relations in Jammu and Kashmir from 1846-1931', a deep insight into the crucial phase of history of Jammu and Kashmir. He has guided at least four PhD and five M Phil scholars.{{cite news|title=Meet Nirmal Singh, history professor cum deputy chief minister|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-meet-nirmal-singh-history-professor-cum-deputy-chief-minister-2069685|work=DNA India|access-date=18 March 2015}}

Singh started taking an active interest in political activities at a young age. He was arrested during the Emergency period in 1975.{{cite news|title=BJP's frontrunners from Jammu for CM post, just in case|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/bjps-frontrunners-from-jammu-for-cm-post-just-in-case/|work=Indian Express|access-date=5 January 2015}} After serving the ABVP as a pracharak in different parts of the country, Dr Singh returned to Jammu and joined the University of Jammu as a lecturer in the Post Graduate Department of History. Besides teaching at the department, he also took the mantle of the J&K State President, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and following a directive from the RSS joined the BJP. He was appointed the State General Secretary of the party in 1998.

Singh contested several Lok Sabha and state assembly elections. His first election was 2002 Lok Sabha By-Election from Jammu (Lok Sabha constituency), he came second with 1,98,277 votes and Chowdhary Talib Hussein of Jammu & Kashmir National Conference was declared victorious under allegations of heavy rigging.{{cite news|title=Parties allege rigging in Jammu bypoll, result withheld|url=https://m.rediff.com/election/2002/feb/25_bye_agen_rep_2.htm|work=rediff.com|access-date=25 February 2002}}

Singh was among the first politicians from Jammu to demand the Reorganisation of the State of Jammu and Kashmir on a regional basis amid heavy discrimination with Jammu and Ladakh regions by Kashmir centric state governments. While he was the State President of Bharatiya Janata Party he released a booklet containing figures to show how Jammu was discriminated against by the state government. In that booklet, he pointed out that out of 2.5 lakh total State Government employees only one lakh were from the Jammu region in 2004. The State Secretariat had over 85 per cent of employees belonging to Kashmir, while their strength was about 15 per cent from Jammu. The booklet indicated that the investment in the irrigation projects in Kashmir was Rs 38.98 crore against Rs 14.15 crore in Jammu where the geographical area was {{cvt|26,293|km2}} against {{cvt|15,953|km2}} in the Kashmir valley. The Booklet also pointed out that Jammu was denied its due share of seats in the Assembly with only 37 seats to the region against 46 of Kashmir. More importantly, in 2004, the average number of voters per Assembly Constituency in the Kashmir region was 55,367 while in Jammu was 78,170 and an average number of voters per Lok Sabha Constituency in Kashmir region was 8,48,971 while in Jammu was 14,46,145. Jammu has 2 Lok Sabha Constituencies and Kashmir has 3.{{cite news|title=Reorganise J&K on regional basis, demands BJP|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040309/j&k.htm|work=The Tribune|access-date=9 March 2004}}

Singh contested his second election again from Jammu (Lok Sabha constituency) during 2004 Indian general election. This time he lost with a margin of 17,558 votes against Congressman Madan Lal Sharma.{{cite news|title=National Conference on comeback trail|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040514/j&k.htm|work=The Tribune|access-date=14 May 2004}}

In 2008, Singh contested from Gandhinagar Assembly Constituency against Raman Bhalla of Indian National Congress. He lost the election by 2263 votes.{{Cite web |url=https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3796-jammu-kashmir-2008/ |title=Jammu & Kashmir 2008 - Jammu & Kashmir - Election Commission of India |access-date=23 November 2021 |archive-date=15 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115141531/https://eci.gov.in/files/file/3796-jammu-kashmir-2008/ |url-status=live }}

During 2009 Indian general election Singh contested from Udhampur (Lok Sabha constituency) against Chaudhary Lal Singh of Congress. Lal singh won the election with a margin of 13,394 votes.{{cite news|title=Congress candidate wins from Udhampur-Doda seat|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/congress-candidate-wins-from-udhampur-doda-seat-109051600232_1.html|work=Business Standard|access-date=16 May 2009}}

Singh won his first election during 2014 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election from Billawar constituency in Kathua district by defeating sitting Congress MLA by a margin of nearly 17,975 votes. He scored 43,447 votes while his closest rival Manohar Lal Sharma of Congress could get only 25,472 votes.{{cite news|title=PDP single largest party at 28; BJP creates history, bags 25 seats|url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/pdp-single-largest-party-28-bjp-creates-history-bags-25-seats/|work=The Daily Excelsior|access-date=24 December 2014}} BJP got 25 seats and formed the Government with Peoples Democratic Party with Mufti Mohammad Sayeed as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.{{cite news|title=Mufti Sayeed takes oath as J&K Chief Minister|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/mufti-sayeed-takes-oath-as-jk-chief-minister/article6948272.ece/|work=The Hindu|access-date=1 March 2014}} On 1 March 2015, the newly elected ministers took oath to their respective offices. Singh became the first BJP Deputy Chief Minister and took charge of Minister of Power Development as well as the Minister of Housing & Urban Development in the Cabinet on the same day.{{cite news|title=Jammu and Kashmir: BJP lands key ministries|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/jammu-and-kashmir-bjp-lands-key-ministries/article6956346.ece|work=The Hindu|access-date=4 March 2015}}{{cite news|title=Mufti Sayeed takes oath as J&K Chief Minister|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/mufti-sayeed-takes-oath-as-jk-chief-minister/article6948272.ece/|work=The Hindu|access-date=1 March 2014}} Singh was among the top names considered for the post of Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, if BJP had got the upper hand in the negotiations to form the Government with PDP.{{cite news|title=BJP's frontrunners from Jammu for CM post, just in case|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/bjps-frontrunners-from-jammu-for-cm-post-just-in-case/|work=Indian Express|access-date=5 January 2015}}

On 7 January 2016, Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed died in AIIMS New Delhi after multiple organ failures.{{cite news|title=J&K Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed dead|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/JampK-Chief-Minister-Mufti-Mohammad-Sayeed-dead/article13986437.ece|work=The Hindu|access-date=7 January 2016}} On 4 April 2016, Mehbooba Mufti took the oath of the Chief Minister and Singh was sworn in for the second term as Deputy Chief Minister in a simple function held at Raj Bhavan in winter capital Jammu. The coalition was saved after 3 months of wrangling between Ms Mufti and BJP, over the future of their coalition government.{{cite news|title=Mehbooba Mufti: Kashmir's first woman chief minister|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-30585105|publisher=BBC News|access-date=4 April 2016}}{{cite news|title=Mehbooba Mufti takes oath as Jammu and Kashmir CM|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/politics/050416/mehbooba-mufti-takes-oath-as-jammu-and-kashmir-cm.html|work=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=5 April 2016}}

As Minister of Power, Singh worked for strengthening the power distribution and power generation in Jammu and Kashmir. He pushed various power projects in the State costing ₹4,153 crore, especially Pakal Dul Power Project with capacity of 1000 MW. An amount of ₹1,263.9 crore was earmarked to ensure the augmentation of State's transmission system. While answering a question in State Assembly on 28 January 2017, Singh said under PMDP an amount of ₹220 crore has been earmarked for improving power infrastructure at tourist destinations, ₹1,039 crore for augmentation of distribution infrastructure, ₹116 crore for improving distribution network for four industrial estates, ₹900 crore for capital cities and an amount of ₹105 crore for small grids and smart metering.{{cite news|title=Govt taking initiatives to ensure 24×7 power supply: J&K Deputy CM Nirmal Singh|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/govt-taking-initiatives-to-ensure-24x7-power-supply-jk-deputy-cm-nirmal-singh-4495779/|work=The Indian Express|access-date=28 January 2017}} Singh pushed the officers of J&K Power Development Department (PDD) to meet the targets set for completion of various center-funded schemes. In a meeting, convened on 17 March 2018, to review the progress of various schemes, Dr Singh suspended the Superintending Engineer and Executive Engineer of PDD, Kishtwar district with immediate effect for not meeting the set targets. MoS Power Asiya Naqash, Com Secretary Power Hridesh Kumar, MD J&K State Development Power Corporation Shah Faesal, Secretary Technical Power and Chief Engineers, representative of project monitoring and implementing agencies and senior officers of the department were present in the meeting.{{cite news|title=DyCM for timely completion of power sector schemes|url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/dycm-for-timely-completion-of-power-sector-schemes/|work=Daily Excelsior|access-date=17 March 2018}} On 28 March 2018, Singh launched the initiative of providing electricity to 53 un-electrified villages of Kishtwar, Kupwara, Bandipora, Leh and Kargil in the Off Grid Mode from Kishtwar. The initiative was implemented by J&K State Power Development Corporation Limited (JKSPDC) in collaboration with IIT Madras. Indian Air Force air lifted the Solar panels from Chandigarh to the remote areas on the request of State Government.{{cite news|title=Dy CM Launches Electrification Project For 53 Villages From Kishtwar|url=https://www.crosstownnews.in/post/25226/-dy-cm-launches-electrification-project-for-53-villages-from-kishtwar-.html|work=Cross Town News|access-date=28 March 2018}} Singh also worked for the 100% electrification of Jammu and Kashmir under many schemes including center-funded 'Power for All' scheme. He stressed on the Prime Minister’s vision of providing 24×7 electricity to every household of J&K and implementation in transparent and efficient manner.{{cite news|title=Dy CM for early completion of works to augment power sector|url=https://kashmirreader.com/2018/03/17/dy-cm-for-early-completion-of-works-to-augment-power-sector/|work=Kashmir Reader|access-date= 17 March 2018}} On 11 December 2017, he launched Saubhagya (Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojna) in J&K with motive of providing free electricity connections to the poor of the erstwhile State.{{cite news|title=Jammu and Kashmir govt. launches 'Saubhagya' scheme|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jammu-and-kashmir-govt-launches-saubhagya-scheme/article21464608.ece|work=The Hindu|access-date=12 December 2017}}

On 17 April 2018, Singh was given the additional charge of the Departments of Industries & Commerce and Forest, Ecology & Environment by the Chief Minister after former ministers Chander Prakash Ganga and Chaudhary Lal Singh resigned.{{cite news|title=J&K Dy CM gets charge of Industries and Commerce, Forest departments|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/j-k-dy-cm-gets-charge-of-industries-and-commerce-forest-departments-118041701192_1.html|work=Business Standard|access-date=17 April 2018}} {{cite news|title=Nirmal Singh got Forest,Industries portfolios|url=https://kashmirlife.net/nirmal-singh-got-forestindustries-portfolios-171811/|work=Kashmir Life|access-date=17 April 2018}}

On 29 April 2018, Singh resigned as the Deputy Chief Minister as a part of a cabinet reshuffle.{{cite news|title=Nirmal Singh resigns as J-K deputy CM ahead of cabinet reshuffle|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/nirmal-singh-resigns-as-j-k-deputy-cm-ahead-of-cabinet-reshuffle/articleshow/63964288.cms|work=The Economic Times|access-date=30 April 2018}} On 10 May 2018, Singh was elected as Speaker of Legislative Assembly, defeating Usman Majid, Congress MLA from Bandipora. The motion to elect Dr Singh was moved by Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Syed Basharat Ahmed Bukhari and seconded by then Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta.{{cite news|title=Nirmal Singh Elected As Speaker Of Jammu And Kashmir Assembly|url=https://www.ndtv.com/srinagar-news/nirmal-singh-elected-as-speaker-of-jammu-and-kashmir-assembly-1850545|work=NDTV|access-date=11 May 2018}}

On 21 November 2018, Governor Satya Pal Malik dissolved the J&K Legislative Assembly but Dr Singh continued to hold the chair of the Speaker.{{cite news|title=Jammu & Kashmir Governor dissolves Assembly after rivals stake claim to govt formation|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/jk-assembly-dissolved-amid-claims-for-power/articleshow/66739283.cms?from=mdr|work=The Economic Times|access-date=22 November 2018}} On 16 November 2019, Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, J&K Government issued a notification No. LD(PAB)2019/12, stating that Dr Nirmal Singh ceased to hold the office of Speaker of the erstwhile State of J&K with effect from 31 October 2019.{{cite news|title=Nirmal Singh is no more Speaker of Legislative Assembly|url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/nirmal-singh-is-no-more-speaker-of-legislative-assembly/|work=The Daily Excelsior|access-date=17 November 2019}}

The All-Party meeting was called upon and chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 June 2021 at New Delhi. Singh was invited to the meeting along with senior politicians from Jammu and Kashmir.{{cite news|title=PM Modi's all-party meet with J&K leaders today: List of attendees|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pm-modi-all-party-meet-jk-leaders-list-of-attendees-1818673-2021-06-24|work=India Today|access-date=24 June 2021}}

After the killing of Rahul Bhat, a clerk under the special employment package for Kashmiri migrants by terrorists in Budgam district on 12 May 2022, in an interview with The Indian Express, Dr Singh stressed that apart from the government’s protective measures for the migrant community, the permanent return of Kashmiri migrants to their homes in the Valley will be possible only when the local majority community also comes out in their support.{{cite news|title=Rahul Bhat's killing: Kashmiri Pandits take out protest march in Srinagar|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/may/21/rahul-bhats-killing-kashmiri-pandits-take-out-protest-march-in-srinagar-2456331.html|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=21 May 2022}}{{cite news|title=Nirmal Singh interview: 'After Rahul Bhat's killing, Kashmiris hit roads to protest it… this is a ray of hope… Assembly polls may be held by Oct-Dec'|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/nirmal-singh-interview-jammu-and-kashmir-migrants-kashmiri-pandits-elections-7926935/|work=The Indian Express|access-date=20 May 2022}} In October 2022, a committee of Senior BJP Leaders from J&K was constituted to look into the issues related to PM package employees, reserved category employees and minorities living in Kashmir Valley. Singh headed the committee which also included former MLC Ajay Bharti, BJP senior leader, H L Bhat and Kashmir Displaced District president, Chand Ji Bhat. The committee visited Aalwpura Migrant Colony in Shopian district along with Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner, K K Sidha. The committee also visited Vessu migrant colony in Kulgam district and Hawal migrant camp in Pulwama district. The committee held meetings with Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, P K Pole, District Development Commissioner, Shopian and SSP Shopian to take the stock of the situation.{{cite news|title=BJP team meets Div Comm, discusses security issue of minorities|url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/bjp-team-meets-div-comm-discusses-security-issue-of-minorities/|work=Daily Excelsior|access-date=28 October 2022}} A deputation of Kashmiri migrant employees met Singh on 3 April 2023, he was listening to the public grievances at BJP headquarters, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu. He stated that BJP is committed for accelerating construction of transit accommodations for the Kashmiri migrant employees. Dr Singh is available every Monday at the BJP Office, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu for grievance redressal of general public.{{cite news|title=BJP for accelerated construction of transit accommodations : Nirmal Singh|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/jammu/bjp-for-accelerated-construction-of-transit-accommodations-nirmal-singh/|work=Greater Kashmir|access-date=4 April 2023}}{{cite news|title=Dr Nirmal Singh listens to public grievances at J&K BJP HQ in Jammu's Trikuta Nagar|url=https://www.takeonedigitalnetwork.com/dr-nirmal-singh-listens-to-public-grievances-at-jk-bjp-hq-in-jammus-trikuta-nagar/|work=Take One Digital Network|access-date=24 April 2023}}

File:Nirmal Sir Addressing Bhalessa Gandoh bhadrawah.jpg|Dr Nirmal Singh addressing people of Bhalessa Gandoh, Bhadrawah

File:Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Sports Complex in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir.jpg|Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates Sports Complex in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir.

File:The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh addressing the Sainik Sammelan, during his visit to the CRPF Camp, in Anantnag district.jpg|The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh addressing the Sainik Sammelan, during his visit to the CRPF Camp, in Anantnag district. Dr Nirmal Singh and S P Vaid, DGP, J&K Police are also present.

File:Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital.jpg|Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Katra. Dr Nirmal Singh is second from the right.

File:All-Party Meeting on Jammu and Kashmir Group Photo (cropped).jpg|Delegates at the All-Party Meeting at Prime Minister's residence in New Delhi called upon on 24 June 2021. Dr. Nirmal Singh is third from the left in the back row.

File:Dr Nirmal Singh in Leh Ladakh.jpg|Dr Nirmal Singh, Ashok Kaul, General Secretary (Org.), J&K BJP and other BJP Workers in Leh, Ladakh.

File:Dr Nirmal Singh and Dineshwar Sharma.jpg|Shri Dineshwar Sharma visited Dr Nirmal Singh's residence at Jammu during his tenure as an Interlocutor to the Government of India for the state of Jammu & Kashmir.

File:Dr Nirmal Singh tours Dhar Mahanpur Basohli.jpg|Dr Nirmal Singh tours Dhar Mahanpur, Basohli along with BJP Workers.

File:Dr Nirmal Singh and Prem Kumar Dhumal at Palampur.jpg|Dr Nirmal Singh and Shri Prem Kumar Dhumal, former Chief Minister of Himachal at Palampur.

File:Dr Nirmal Singh at the New Delhi BJP HQ.jpg|Dr Nirmal Singh, Shamsheer Singh Manhas, Kavinder Gupta and other senior leaders of J&K BJP at the New Delhi BJP HQ for celebrations of the Election of Shri J P Nadda as National President of BJP on 20 Jan 2020.

File:Dr Nirmal Singh felicitating Corona Warriors at Billawar.jpg|Dr Nirmal Singh felicitating Corona Warriors at his Vidhan Sabha Constituency Billawar.

File:Dr Nirmal Singh COVID Relief Campaign.jpg|Dr Nirmal Singh flagging off the Relief Material during first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Mahanpur, Basohli.

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{{Succession box

| before = President's Rule

| title = Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir

| years = 1 March 2015 – 6 January 2016

| after = President's Rule

}}

{{Succession box

| before = President's Rule

| title = Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir

| years = 4 April 2016 – 29 April 2018

| after = Kavinder Gupta

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Nirmal Kumar}}

Category:1956 births

Category:Living people

Category:Dogra people

Category:Jammu and Kashmir MLAs 2014–2018

Category:People from Kathua district

Category:Deputy chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir

Category:State cabinet ministers of Jammu and Kashmir

Category:University of Jammu alumni

Category:Academic staff of the University of Jammu

Category:Speakers of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly