Precious Kashmir

PM to address webinars on Jal Jeevan Mission, housing today

Front

23/02/2022

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address two webinars on Wednesday — one on water and another on housing — as part of a series on the implementation of Union Budget 2022-23.

The first webinar is being organised as part of achieving the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ objective of providing 55 litre per capita per day (lpcd) clean water through taps to every rural household. It is being organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

The second webinar is being organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD).

The webinar series is part of the new practice of discussion and dialogue with various stakeholders associated under the programme.

The webinars would witness the participation of government officials, representatives from various ministries, institutes, consultants, domain experts etc.

In all, 100 districts, 1,144 blocks, 66,647 gram panchayats and 1,37,642 villages have become ‘Har Ghar Jal’. In a short span of 30 months, over 9 crore rural households in the country have been provided with tap water connection.

Three states — Goa, Telangana and Haryana — and three UTs — A&N Islands, D&N Haveli & Daman & Diu and Puducherry — are providing 100 per cent tap water coverage to its people.

While presenting the Union Budget 2022-23, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had made several announcements that recognise the importance of urban housing and the increasing pace of urbanisation.

As many as 80 lakh houses will be completed for the identified eligible beneficiaries of PM Awas Yojana, both rural and urban, and Rs 48,000 crore has been allocated for this purpose benefitting around 4 crore citizens of the country. (IANS)

Govt making strenuous efforts to encourage new investment: LG

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

23/02/2022

Govt making strenuous efforts to encourage new investment: LG

Delegation of LJK Economic Growth & Development Dialogue calls on Sinha

Jammu: A delegation of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir Economic Growth and Development Dialogue (LEAD) Tuesday called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan.

The delegation comprising of LEAD Directors Sunil Shah and Surinder Mohan Gupta, apprised the Lt Governor about the work being done by their organization to motivate entrepreneurs from across the country to invest in Jammu and Kashmir.

They further informed that LJK-LEAD is going to launch a Startup and Innovation program for the youth of J&K.

The representatives of LEAD welcomed the new policies being implemented by the Lt Governor led UT Government and the Union Government for the industrial growth in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Lt Governor, while interacting with the members of the delegation, said that the UT Government is making strenuous efforts to encourage new investment, and nurture the existing industries to strengthen the socio-economic stability in J&K.

The Lt Governor assured the LEAD representatives that all their issues and suggestions would be taken up for consideration.

Move into operational profits within 3 months: CS to JKTDC

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

23/02/2022

Jammu: Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta Tuesday chaired the Board of Directors meeting of the J&K Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC).

Administrative Secretary, Tourism Department, Administrative Secretary, Planning Development and Monitoring Department, MD JKTDC, Director Tourism, Kashmir and Director Tourism, Jammu along with concerned officers of the department participated in the meeting.

To optimally utilize all properties and resources of the Corporation, the Chief Secretary directed immediate completion of all ongoing projects so that the same is put to productive usage within one month. He also asked the Corporation to move into operational profits within three months.

The JK Tourism Development Corporation was also asked to ensure proper maintenance and upkeep of its official website and various social media handles by resolving all accessibility issues within one week. He asked the Corporation to follow the mantra of ‘No asset incomplete, No asset underutilized’.

The Chief Secretary emphasized streamlining the booking arrangements by adopting dynamic pricing software to offer attractive booking options to tourists and travelers. For proper book-keeping of the accounts of the Corporation, the concerned was also directed to shift to an automated accounting system within 3 months while timely completing the yearly account audits.

Dr. Mehta further directed the Tourism Development Corporation to outsource its 12 identified properties in consultation with the NITI Aayog. Similarly, the Tourism Department was also asked to take up outsourcing of the 15 newly constructed infrastructure for their optimal utilization by the public. He laid special emphasis on high end Golf Tourism.

Regarding the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) meetings, the JKTDC was asked to regularly hold their meetings for timely promotions in the interest of their employee.

Kashmir experiences fresh snowfall, rains

City

Precious Kashmir

23/02/2022

Kashmir experiences fresh snowfall, rains

Srinagar: Amid fresh snowfall and rains, night temperature recorded a rise in Kashmir Valley on Tuesday.

A meteorological department official here said Gulmarg received about 8 cms of fresh snowfall in since overnight till 0830 hours. He said some plains and upper reaches also had a snowfall. Srinagar recorded rains and sleet. Due to overnight cloud cover, the night temperature settled above freezing point except for Gulmarg and Pahalgam.

Srinagar recorded a rise of 6 degrees Celsius with mercury settling at 3.8°C against last night’s minus 2.2°C in the summer capital of the J&K. The temperature was above 2.9°C than the normal for this time of the year in Srinagar, he said.

Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recorded a low of 2.2°C against minus 2.8°C on the previous night, he said.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, had a low of 2.2°C against minus 3.0°C on the previous night, the official said.

Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 2.4°C against minus 6.0°C last night, he said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 5.0°C against minus 8.0°C on the previous night, he said.

The temperature was 1.7°C above normal for this time of the year in the famous resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a low of 2.2°C against minus 3.0°C on the previous night, the official said.

While ‘Chillai Kalan’, the 40-day long harshest period of winter ended on January 30, and 20-day long ‘Chillai Khurd’ culminated on February 19, Kashmir is presently under the grip of 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha’.

Jammu recorded a low of 12.8°C against 8.1°C on the previous night, the official said. The temperature was 2.2°C above normal for the J&K’s winter capital during this time of the year, he said.

Banihal recorded a low of 4.6°C, Batote 7.3°C and Bhaderwah 5.1°C, the official said.

Ladakh’s Leh recorded a low of minus 8.6°C against last night minus 13.5°C while mercury at automatic station in Kargil settled at minus 12.4°C. Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 14.0°C against minus 21.6°C on the previous night, official said.

Weatherman has forecast widespread light to moderate rain and snow, during February 22-23.

“Widespread light to moderate rain/snow, mainly over higher reaches most likely during February 22-23 with main activity on February 22 (night) and February 23,” said the official here, adding, “It may affect highways like Jammu-Srinagar, Sinthan Top, Sadhna Top etc.” After this spell, the official said, there’s no forecast of any major rain or snow for next 10 days. (GNS)

JLNM hospital gets NBE accreditation in Anaesthesia, Ophthalmology, Paediatrics

City

Precious Kashmir

23/02/2022

Other institutions will also get accreditation for DNB courses: Director

Srinagar: Director Health Services Kashmir (DHSK), Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather on Tuesday congratulated JLNM Hospital Srinagar for getting National Board of Examination (NBE) accreditation for the department of Anaesthesia, Ophthalmology and Pediatrics for Diplomate of National Board (DNB) courses.

The director while hailing the contribution of Shri Vivek Bhardwaj, Additional Chief Secretary, J&K Health and Medical Education Department said they have been able to get the accreditation under the guidance and support of the ACS.

He said the ACS has been constantly taking the reviews about the progress of DNB accreditation and has solved all the issues pertaining to DNB courses and has been the guiding force in achieving the desired results.

JLNM has been accredited in the department of Anesthesia (2 post MBBS seats and 1 post-diploma seat) Ophthalmology (1 post MBBS seat and 1 post-diploma seat) and Paediatrics ( 4 diploma seats). JLNM has already got accreditation in medicine besides DH Kupwara and DH Kulgam had been accreditated for DNB courses.

Spokesperson DHSK, Dr Mir Mushtaq said the director congratulated the staff and administration of JLNM hospital and hoped that other institutions of the valley will also get the accreditation for DNB courses in near future.

He said the NBE programs are the cornerstones for the upgradation of health care services since it provides an opportunity to doctors to upgrade their skills.

“It will help in producing more qualified doctors and help in better patient care delivery and will overcome the shortage of specialist doctors at peripheries,” he said.

The DNB courses have been introduced in district hospitals and new Govt. Medical Colleges besides old GMCs and SKIMS in order to strengthen the institutions, decongest the GMCs and to address the shortage of specialists in J&K.

Meanwhile, DH Udhampur has been accredited in the department of obstetrics and gynecology (1 Post MBBS Seat).

GMC Anantnag has been accredited in the department of Psychiatry which includes 2 post MBBS seats and 1 post-diploma seat) and in ENT 1 post MBBS seat and 1 post-diploma seat and in medicine 4 post MBBS seats have been accredited.

Similarly, GMC Kathua has been accredited in the department of obstetrics and gynecology which includes 2 post MBBS seats and 2 post-diploma seats.

GMC Rajouri has been accredited in the department of Anaesthesia which includes 2 post MBBS seats and 1 post-diploma seat.

The DNB courses are expected to drastically improve the health care services in the far-flung districts and improve the services in the tertiary care institutions as well.

This is also expected to markedly bring down the referral from the far-flung districts to the already overburdened tertiary care institutes.

J&K reports 137 fresh Covid-19 cases

Front

Nadeem Khawaja

23/02/2022

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 137 fresh Covid-19 cases even as there was no death due to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Tuesday.

They said 100 of the fresh cases were reported from Jammu Division and 37 from Kashmir Division, taking the overall tally to 452547.

Giving district wise details, the officials said that Srinagar reported 22 cases, Baramulla 3, Budgam 7, Pulwama 0, Kupwara 0, Anantnag 1, Bandipora 3, Ganderbal 0, Kulgam 1, Shopian 0, Jammu 30, Udhampur 22, Rajouri 3, Doda 25, Kathua 6, Samba 2, Kishtwar 0, Poonch 3, Ramban 8 and Reasi 1.

A few cases were confirmed at GMC Anantnag and include male (27) from DK Marg DH Pora, male (38) from CR Pora Kulgam, male (36) from Ganapora.

There was no death reported in the last 24 hours, they said. So far 4747 persons have succumbed to the virus—2324 in Jammu and 2423 in Kashmir.

Besides, they said, 381 Covid-19 patients—257 from Jammu and 124 from Valley— recovered during the time. So far 446352 people have recovered, leaving the active case tally at 1448— 785 in Jammu and 663 in Kashmir.

They said there was no new confirmed case of mucormycosis (black fungus) reported today. So far 51 black fungus cases have been confirmed in J&K, the officials said. They also informed that 23745 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)

Chargesheet In Acid Attack

Edit
Oped

Precious Kashmir

23/02/2022

Three weeks after the dastardly attack on a 24-year-old woman, the police have filed a charge sheet against three people including the main accused, a man who made acid available and a juvenile accomplice. Considering the complexities, a special investigation team, constituted for the purpose, has made painstaking effort and it must be acknowledged. The arrest of the accused persons within 12 hours of the crime is praiseworthy, so is filing of the 1000-page chargesheet within three weeks of the crime.

The charge sheet details the role of the accused and criminal conspiracy so hatched to carry out the attack. However, it will all be a nullity if the trial does not culminate in punishment of the culprits. It must be borne in mind that an accused is innocent unless proven otherwise by the court of law. The accused also deserve to be provided fair trial. The ends of justice would meet with speedy trial.

The prevention of such attacks will entail that culprits are awarded the severest punishment so as to be a deterrent in future. There is outrage over the acid attack on the young woman. As per police, the attack on the young woman was carried out by a stalker who wanted to marry her and couldn’t take no for an answer. The heinous act has been right described as worse than murder. It is scarring physically and emotionally for life to the victim.

Many of the survivors suffer from severe mental trauma as they are shunned due to their disfigurement. Jobs are not easy to get as appearances matter to many employers. Even homes on rent are denied to survivors.

The acid attack is an assault on the collective conscience of the society. As put by the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, no words of condemnation will suffice. The administration should ensure free and effective treatment, including reconstructive surgery, free medicines, rehabilitation and aftercare to the victim besides rehabilitation.

The attack also showed how imperfect the sale of the acid is in Jammu and Kashmir. Concentrated acid sold is relatively cheap and can be accessed through a variety of informal sector users. Since then administrations has taken measures so as to ensure that sale of the acid is regulated as per the guidelines set forth by the Apex court. There should be continuous watch and any deviation by the concerned must be dealt with sternly. The police have done it’s bit by filing the charge sheet. In turn the judiciary shall take a lead by serving exemplary punishment to the culprits, of course after proper trial but with a reasonable dispatch.

Southern Army Commander takes stock of military establishments in B’luru

National

Indo Asian News Service

23/02/2022

Southern Army Commander takes stock of military establishments in B’luru

Bengaluru: Lieutenant General J.S. Nain, GOC-in-C Southern Command, visited the Rashtriya Military School in Bengaluru on Tuesday, where he was briefed on the initiatives undertaken for the induction of the first-ever batch of girl cadets in the school.

He also undertook an extensive tour to review the ongoing renovation and development works at the school. The visit ended with a motivational interactive session with the cadets and staff of the school.

Improvement in academic standards and all-round development of students has been one of the prime focus of the Army Commander. He has been actively involved in multiple academic initiatives and maintains constant engagement with academic institutes by means of visits and addresses over video conferencing, a defence release noted.

Addressing the staff and cadets of the school, Nain complimented the staff on their unflinching commitment and resolve to maintain continuity in imparting quality education throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

He further emphasised that in addition to achieving academic excellence, necessary emphasis should be ensured by the staff towards character building and enhancing moral values among the cadets.

He exhorted the cadets to nurture their academic skills, and also develop physical and mental endurance through sports and extra-curricular activities.

He also called upon all the cadets to continuously strive towards becoming a valuable citizen contributing to nation building.

The officer also visited the ASC Centre and College where he was briefed about the initiatives taken by the establishment to synergise the army, industry and academia, and efforts towards development of technological solutions for the Indian Army through the Army Technology Hub, Bengaluru (ATHB).

The visit culminated with a windshield tour of the ASC Centre and College.

Deepak Chahar ruled out of T20I series against Sri Lanka

Sports

Indo Asian News Service

23/02/2022

Deepak Chahar ruled out of T20I series against Sri Lanka

New Delhi: Indian pacer Deepak Chahar has been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka, beginning February 24.

The 29-year-old recently suffered a hamstring injury during the final T20I against West Indies in Kolkata on Sunday. After dismissing the West Indies openers in the run chase, the bowling all-rounder walked off the field holding his hamstring without completing his second over.

According to a Cricbuzz report, Chahar has not travelled with the team to Lucknow where India will play the first of the three T20Is against Sri Lanka on February 24. The next two T20Is will be played in Dharamsala on February 26 and 27.

The BCCI are not expected to name a replacement considering India already have many bowling options in their squad. The Rohit Sharma-led side will be bolstered by the return of Jasprit Bumrah for this series.

Bumrah, who is returning after a break, has also been named vice-captain for the series. Apart from the 28-year-old, India also have Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan, Mohammed Siraj and Harshal Patel in the squad.

Chennai Super Kings had bought back Chahar for a whopping Rs 14 cr in the IPL 2022 mega auctions.

2-day wet spell to begin today

Front

United News Of India

22/02/2022

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir would likely experience widespread rain or snow on February 22-23, affecting the Srinagar-Jammu highway and other routes in the Valley.

There will, however, be no major spell of rain or snow the next 10 days, the Meteorological Department said.

The minimum temperature in the Valley was below freezing point on Monday. Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, had a low of minus 2.2 degrees Celsius against minus 0.9 degree Celsius the previous night.

But the maximum temperature continued to be above normal in Kashmir.

The ski resort of Gulmarg settled at minus 8 degrees Celsius for a second consecutive day on Monday.

Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 6 degrees Celsius, Qazigun on the Srinagar-Jammu highway recorded minus 2.8 degrees while Kokernag was hit by minus 1.6 degrees Celsius. Kupwara district recorded minus 3 degrees Celsius.

Jammu recorded a low of 8.1°C, same as on the previous night, the official said. The temperature was 2.5 °C below normal for the J&K’s winter capital during this time of the year, he said.

Banihal recorded a low of 4.6°C, Batote 3.4°C and Bhaderwah 0.8°C, the official said.

Ladakh’s Leh recorded a low of minus 13.5°C against last night minus 10.7°C while mercury at automatic station in Kargil settled at minus 18.2°C. Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 21.6°C against minus 13.5°C on the previous night, official said. (UNI)

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