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Jammu Police arrest man with cash, weapons

Jammu: Police in Jammu have arrested one person along with cash and sharp edged weapons in Miran Sahib area here on city outskirts, here on Monday.

Police on Monday said that acting on specific inputs, one person was arrested last night with cash and weapons.

Police said that a man identified as Charanjit Singh alias Dholla, resident of Phinder was arrested with two sharp weapons and Rs 12.5 lakh cash.

“A case has been registered and we have started the investigation,” police added.

ANTF J&K Police arrests drug peddler in Srinagar

Contraband substances recovered

Srinagar: Continuing its efforts to eradicate the menace of drugs from the society, the Anti Narcotic Task Force (ANTF) of  J&K Police, a specialized unit to check rising menace of drugs, foiled a bid to smuggle Heroin worth lakhs in Srinagar.

According to a police statement, acting on specific information regarding smuggling of drugs by a drug peddler namely Ab Qyoom resident of Sultan Daki Uri Baramulla in a Vehicle (EON) bearing registration number JK01S-1701, a team of ANTF apprehended the said person from Sonawar near GB Panth Hospital, Srinagar. During his personal search 200 grams  of Heroin like substance was recovered from  his possession.

He has been arrested and shifted to a police station where he remains in custody. Vehicles used in the commission of crime have also been seized.

Accordingly, a case vide FIR No. 17/2022 under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station CBK and investigation has been initiated and more arrests are expected.

Meanwhile, police have requested the community members to come forward with any information regarding drug peddlers in their neighbourhood.

Persons found indulging in drug peddling will be dealt as per law, reads the statement issued by J&K Police to Precious Kashmir.

“Our consistent actions against drug peddlers should reassure the community members that we are making efforts to keep our society free from the scourge of drug menace,”it added.

 

Army’s Operation Sadbhavana benefitted 30,000 students: Rajnath Singh

New Delhi: As many as 30,000 students benefitted from Operation Sadbhavana in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh informed Rajya Sabha on Monday. “Total 36 Army Goodwill/Army Goodwill Public Schools are being run by the Army in Jammu and Kashmir. In addition, 7 such schools are being run in Ladakh. So far, 30,000 students have benefitted from the scheme in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Currently, 14035 students are studying in these schemes,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in a written answer to MP Mahesh Paddar. Responding to another question on the quantum of money spent on Community Development Projects, along with the category of projects, Rajnath Singh said that an amount of Rs 838.6 crore has been spent on Community Development Projects in respect of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that Operation Sadbhavana funds are being utilised for Education, Human Resource, Skill Developments, Sports, Health, National Integration, Infrastructure and Ecology and Environment. Operation Sadbhavana is a humane initiative undertaken by Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to address aspirations of people affected by scrooge of terrorism, sponsored and abetted by Pakistan. The operation has provided succour to a large section of population in Jammu and Kashmir.

 

Bangladesh to appeal against sledging, umpiring in Test defeat to South Africa

Durban: Bangladesh has decided to lodge an official complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over excessive sledging during the first Test at Kingsmead.

As the umpires had allegedly ignored their on-field complaints, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided to complain to the ICC against the on-field officials too.

Bangladesh were all out for 53 in their second innings as South Africa won by 220 runs.

Bangladesh have already filed one complaint — about the umpiring – during the ODI series but wants to take up some other issues that cropped up during the Test, which Bangladesh lost on the final day by 220 runs after collapsing for 53 in their second innings.

BCB cricket operations chief Jalal Yunus said, “We have already lodged one complaint about the umpiring after the ODI series. The match referee [Andy Pycroft] had an argument with our manager Nafees Iqbal, but then we gave him a written complaint. We will lodge another official complaint about this Test match.”

“Sledging definitely took place from both sides, but when they started it and took it overboard, we complained to the umpires. It wasn’t acceptable. We properly condemn it. We have to accept the umpires’ decisions, but the ICC must reinstate neutral umpires,” Jalal Yunus told ESPNcricinfo.

Bangladesh skipper Mominul Haque supported the officials and expressed disgruntlement with the umpiring.

“Sledging is quite normal, but the umpires didn’t seem to notice it,” Mominul said after the game. “The umpiring in the match is not in our control, but I think the ICC should think about bringing back neutral umpires.”

Bangladesh players were also seen speaking with the umpires. Bangladesh batter Shakib-ul-Hasan, who left the tour early because of personal reasons, had also tweeted that the ICC should look at reinstating neutral umpires considering the improved Covid-19 situation in most parts of the cricketing world.

Bangladesh were unhappy with many lbw appeals rejected by the umpires. They had reviewed a not-out decision against Dean Elgar but the umpire’s call was upheld as ball-tracking showed that the ball was only clipping off stump.

There were many appeal that were rejected that the Bangladesh players thought were very close.

Toll Of Diabetes     

A pan-India study has suggested that more than half of newly diagnosed diabetes patients in the country have additional risk factors that place them under “very high risk” for major atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

The study, India’s largest to probe what proportion of newly diagnosed diabetes patients also carry other risk factors, has found 60.5 per cent of a sample of 5,080 patients at very high risk and 39.5 per cent at “high risk” of cardiovascular disease. The study underlined the need for early diagnosis and risk reduction.

As per the experts, diabetes itself adds to the risk of coronary artery disease and ischaemic stroke, independently of the other risk factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease.

In the new study, the doctors screened 5,080 people diagnosed with diabetes between 2017 and 2020 at 928 medical centres in 121 cities across India and found that 4,192 (82.5 per cent) of them had at least one abnormal cholesterol reading.

The most prevalent abnormal cholesterol level was low high-density lipoprotein, or low “good” cholesterol, in 55 per cent of the patients, followed by high triglycerides (51 per cent), high total cholesterol (27 per cent) and high low-density lipoprotein, or bad cholesterol (26 per cent).

In 2018, a survey conducted by GMC Srinagar showed that one out of every ten residents of Srinagar aged over 20 years has insulin dependent diabetes.

Diabetics are known to have a weaker immune system and, thus, higher susceptibility to infections.

Experts stress that eating foods with high sugar and carbohydrate content can lead to increased blood sugar levels which may eventually cause diabetes over time. Instead of refined carbohydrates, it is better to choose complex carbohydrates like whole grains, oatmeal and vegetables.

It is important to stay physically active and avoid a sedentary lifestyle. One should try to engage in physical activities like walking, swimming, cycling, yoga, etc. for at least 30 minutes every day. However, one should refrain from outdoor activities if there’s too much smog or pollution outside.

Persistent uncontrolled high blood sugar levels in diabetes patients can cause damage to other organs such as the heart, kidneys, eyes, or blood vessels. The pan-India study’s results call for appropriate screening of newly diagnosed patients and intensive clinical management of other risk factors. The people also need to be guarded and should take all preventive measures.

 

Want Kashmir’s younger generation to become self reliant: LG Sinha

Visits Surajkund International Crafts Mela, highlights unique cultural, artistic heritage of J&K

Haryana: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has said that the aim of the government is to train Kashmir’s younger generation to become self reliant.
Addressing the participants at Surajkund International Crafts Mela in Faridabad, LG Sinha said, “Our aim is to connect young generation with crafts tradition& provide them with training, design, financial assistance and such other infrastructural support as are required for its growth.”
J&K is the theme State/UT of the world’s biggest fair to promote craftsmen, handicrafts, and handlooms, in which around 20 countries are participating.

the Lt Governor appreciated the earnest efforts put in by everyone associated with the Mela to provide a common platform to the various regions across the country to showcase their Crafts, Culture, Cuisine, Heritage and Folks.

The Lt Governor highlighted the endeavours of the UT Government for promoting the Handcraft and Handloom sector, besides providing platforms to the local artisans at national and global markets.

J&K Government has unveiled several new initiatives under integrated handicraft development and export promotion scheme to expand the market of traditionally gifted handmade products, boost employment opportunities and ensure social security for artisans, the Lt Governor said.

The unique cultural and artistic heritage of J&K, and priceless handicrafts, handlooms evoke admiration world over, observed the Lt Governor.

“Our aim is to connect young generation with crafts tradition& provide them with training, design, financial assistance and such other infrastructural support as are required for its growth”, the Lt Governor added.

The Lt Governor was pleased to note that Jammu and Kashmir is the theme partner after a gap of 22 years with Uzbekistan, a partner country.

I hope that the rich craft tradition of Jammu and Kashmir and mutual understanding between different nations, states, cultures and craftsmen will be deepened through such initiatives, added the Lt Governor.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor interacted with the artisans of J&K UT and reiterated the Government’s commitment to provide every possible assistance to the artisans who have been hit due to global pandemic.

The Lt Governor also spent some time in the Apna Ghar and was delighted and impressed that J&K Government has built some remarkable structures on the Mela ground of Surajkund, in a short span of time, depicting the glorious heritage of J&K.

He also witnessed a cultural program, fashion show, and a short documentary on the fabrics of J&K.

A grand fashion show was organized by the Handloom and Handicrafts Department in the main chaupal area and got an overwhelming response from the audience.

Pertinently, about 60 stalls have been allocated free of cost to the artisans of J&K UT. During the past ten days, around 5 lakh people have already visited the Mela, especially the cultural events, paintings, and mouth-watering cuisines of J&K which are popular amongst visitors.

LG pays obeisance at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine

 Upcoming Katra-Amritsar-Delhi Expressway will make journey more convenient for pilgrims

 Around one lakh cr being spent to transform infrastructure in J&K

 In last 3 months, 80 lakh tourists visited UT

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today paid obeisance at the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji and released a bhajan and Web-Series on Maa Vaishno Devi at the SMVD Spiritual Growth Centre, Katra.
The Lt Governor also released the biography of well-known entrepreneur, J C Chaudhry, who facilitated the making of the bhajan and web-series on Maa Vaishno Devi.

The Lt Governor congratulated the family members of Ramanand Sagar and CEO, SMVDB for contributing to the making of Bhajan and Web Series on Maa Vaishno Devi.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor extended his wishes on the auspicious occasion of Navratri and prayed for peace, progress, prosperity, and well-being of the people.

Underlining the significance of the pious days, the Lt Governor said that nine days of Navratri inspire us to move towards the Vedic way of life. He said that the values of Yoga and Meditation are being adopted all across the world and people are getting familiar with different aspects of spirituality.

The Lt Governor further said that the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ to people around the world.

The Lt Governor also congratulated SMVDSB, CEO Ramesh Kumar and his team on National Water Award to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board at the 3rd National Water Awards ceremony.

Talking about the great strides J&K is making in the different sectors, the Lt Governor said that the upcoming Katra-Amritsar-Delhi Expressway will make the journey towards Katra more convenient for the pilgrims.

“In the last one and a half years, Jammu Kashmir has created new records in infrastructure development across every sector. Around One Lakh Crore is being spent to transform infrastructure in the UT. In the last 180 days, around 80 lakh tourists have visited J&K”, he added.

On the occasion, the Lt Governor congratulated Sh J C Chaudry on his biography and said that his life story would inspire many young minds to do hard work and excel in their life.

J C Chaudhry while speaking on the occasion shared his personal story of success and expressed his deep devotion to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.

The Bhajan released today has been sung by renowned Singer Sonu Nigam and the teaser of the web series on Maa Vaihsno Devi was also shown on the occasion.

K K Sharma, Member SMVDSB; Dr Raghav Langer, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Ramesh Kumar, CEO SMVDSB; Babila Rakwal, Deputy Commissioner Reasi; family members of Ramanand Sagar, besides senior officials of Police and civil administration were present on the occasion.

Prefer state, common land for public purposes: Govt directs DCs     

Record independent opinion if indenting department insists on proprietary land

By: Ibni Maqbool

Srinagar: The Jammu & Kashmir Government has directed district collectors that state land/ common land should be given preference and first priority while acquiring land for any public purpose.

In an order, a copy of which is in possession of The Precious Kashmir, the Financial Commissioner Revenue has directed district collectors that before initiating the process for acquisition of proprietary land, they shall ensure that state land/ common land available in the district which may be suitable for the public purpose be given preference and first priority.

“The district collector shall furnish a certificate that there is no state land/ government land/ common land available which would serve the public purpose,” reads the order.

The district collectors have also been asked to undertake consultation with the indenting department, ensure field visit at appropriate level and if the indenting department insists upon acquisition of proprietary land, the district collector shall record his independent opinion while submitting the case.

According to the FCR’s order, these directive shall be applicable to all land acquisition cases in Jammu & Kashmir.

The directive has been issued after government observed that district collectors are processing cases of acquisition of proprietary land for different departments as per their indents.

“This entailed financial implication for the government, delay in execution of the project serving the avowed public purpose due to lengthy process involved, rate determination and related disputes and sometimes litigation, apart from depriving the landowner his / her land,” the order states.

It is worthwhile to mention that “The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act (Fair Compensation Act) became applicable in Jammu & Kashmir from October 31, 2019. Before its application, the land acquisition was being carried out under J&K’s own land acquisition law.

Eyeing Assembly polls, Centre steps on development accelerator in J&K

BY: AMRESH SRIVASTAVA

New Delhi: The Centre has stepped on the gas for the infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. Major infra projects are on the verge of completion, officials in the Ministry of Home Affairs said.

According to the Union Home Ministry’s data, a total of 1,41,815 new works/projects have been taken up under various sectors/schemes in the UT since 2019. Funds amounting to Rs 27,274 crores have been provided for the completion of these projects.

“Keeping the impending assembly election in the UT of J&K in mind once the delimitation commission completes the process, the Centre has directed the UT administration to speed up the completion of the projects before the stipulated time,” a senior official said.

Home Ministry officials said that the projects’ construction and procurement activities have created significant employment opportunities for skilled as well as unskilled labourers, engineers, transporters and small businesses in addition to those engaged in supply of material, equipment and tools in the private sector. “It is estimated that this investment has generated employment of about 1169 lakh man-days in the UT of J&K,” the Ministry informed Parliament recently.

The MHA also informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a ‘Reconstruction Plan for J&K’ involving an outlay of Rs 80,068 crore in November 2015, also known as the ‘PM’s Development Package-2015′. It was based on Humanitarian Relief, Crisis Management, Social Infrastructure Development Projects and Economic Infrastructure.

Under the PM’s Development Package, the progress of projects being implemented in the UT of J&K has accelerated wherein 53 projects pertaining to 15 Ministries are being implemented at a cost of Rs 58,477 crores in various sectors such as Roads, Power, Health, Education, Tourism, Agriculture, Skill Development. Out of these 25 projects have been completed or completed substantially.

The Union Home Ministry also said that under the languishing projects programme, 1193 projects worth Rs 1984 crores were completed, including five projects which were incomplete for more than 20 years, 15 projects for more than 15 years and 165 projects for more than 10 years.

According to the MHA statistics, a total of 39,345 km of roads were completed prior to 2019 while 41,141 km of roads have been completed till March 15, 2022. During this period, 66 percent of blacktop roads have increased to 74 percent.

The average macadamization of roads was only 6.4 km per day prior to 2019 which has now increased to over 28 km per day.

The J&K administration has also taken up the pothole free roads programme and a target of 5,900 km was set for 2021-22 out of which 4,600 km have been made pothole free roads.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojna, prior to 2019, an average of 1,622 km was made per year in the UT which has now gone up to 2,127 km per year. Now it stands at the fourth position in the national rank.

The officials in the Ministry also said that before 2019, the average layover of trucks on the Jammu to Srinagar highway was over 24 hours, now because of the better road condition the layover period has reduced to 12 hours. The passenger buses reach the capital city in just 5.30 hours now from over 7 hours from Jammu.

Similarly, the travel time between Jammu to Kishtwar has been reduced to five hours from over seven hours.

The government has initiated 21 hydro-power projects with an aggregate capacity of 5186 MW. The major hydro power projects include Pakaldul, Kiru, Kwar, Uri (stage-II), Dulhasti (stage-II), Sawalkote, Kirthai-II and Rattle. Before 2019, the hydro-power generation was 3505 MW there.

The government has also taken a new initiative with the help of the Union Power Ministry to revamp the Distribution Sector Scheme. A new scheme “Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme” (RDSS) and projects worth Rs 11767 crore were approved to reduce AT&C losses and to ensure 24×7 power availability.

Apart from these, the construction of the two new All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), one in Jammu and one in Awantipora in Pulwama district, seven new medical colleges, two state cancer institutes and 15 nursing colleges have also been speeded up while parts of the educational wings have been operationalised recently.

A total of 854 seats to medical education were added which includes 600 MBBS, 50 PG courses, 26 BDS, 38 MDS, and 140 DNB (A post graduate course after MBBS) while the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu have been made functional. The number of Government Degree Colleges and Engineering Colleges has increased from 96 to 147 in the UT of J&K.

For rail connectivity to Srinagar from the rest of the country, the railways highest Chenab bridge, located in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district, is expected to be completed by September this year. The MHA officials said that four new national highways will be completed during this year while the execution of the Delhi- Amritsar-Katra highways has also been taken up.(IANS)

Delimitation Panel to hold hearing in Srinagar today

New Delhi: The will visit Srinagar and Jammu on April 4 and 5 to hear members of the public and civil society groups who have submitted suggestions and objections on its draft delimitation proposal for the Union territory.

Around 300 representations were received by the panel — headed by retired judge Ranjana Prakash

Desai and having chief election commissioner Delimitation Commission Supreme Court and J&K state election commission chief as ex-officio members – between March 14, when it placed its

delimitation proposal in the public domain, and March 21, the last date for people to submit objections and suggestions.

The  public hearings – likely to conducted district-wise for the Jammu region in Jammu and for the region in Srinagar — will give a chance to the people and groups that have filed objections and suggestions on the proposed reconfiguration of assembly and parliamentary constituencies in J&K, to present their arguments before the delimitation panel.

Sources said most of the representations received by the delimitation commission are from Jammu (around 60), Anantnag (40) and (40). The ones from Anantnag mostly relate to objections regarding the proposal to redraw the Anantnag parliamentary constituency to include areas from both Jammu and Kashmir region and rechristen it as Anantnag-Rajouri.

Over 40 representations seek a change on nomenclature of the constituencies, while others have demanded inclusion or exclusion of certain areas from a redrawn constituency. Among the 300 representations received by the Commission are some purely congratulatory letters on the

Delimitation work; they do not contain any suggestion or objection to the delimitation proposal.

Not a single representation has been received from the two districts of Pulwama and Shopian, a source said.

An examination of the 300 representations received by the commission found many to be raising the same or similar issues. Hence, prior efforts may be made by the J&K chief electoral officer to convince the groups from every district to nominate a few representatives to place the arguments before the delimitation panel. This way, the Commission will be able to hear all views without any repetition.

Based on the public hearings, the delimitation panel may decide to rework the delimitation draft in line with what it feels are reasonable suggestions or objections of the public. The Commission hopes to bring out its delimitation award for J&K in early May.

The delimitation award cannot be challenged in any court of law. Of the seven seats to be added to J&K assembly, the delimitation panel has proposed six in Jammu region and one in Kashmir region. Interestingly, it has combined assembly segments from both Jammu region and Kashmir  region to redraw the Anantnag parliamentary constituency, which will now be renamed as Anantnag-Rajouri. Each of the five parliamentary constituencies in J&K will comprise 18 segments.

In a first, nine assembly constituencies in J&K are proposed to be reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs), of which six will be in Jammu division and three in Kashmir division. The number of assembly seats reserved for Scheduled Castes will remain 7.