Srinagar: The government on Sunday ordered commencement of “offline” teaching for all classes after February 28 in winter zone schools in Jammu and Kashmir.

The J&K State Executive Committee (SEC) however kept attendance at indoor gatherings to 50 per cent of the authorized capacity while cinema halls, theatres, restaurants, clubs, gymnasiums and swimming pools have been permitted to function at 25 per cent of the authorized capacity with due precautions.

Announcing the guidelines after a fresh review of the COVID-19 situation, the SEC, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary A K Mehta, said that the Winter Zone Schools of J&K shall commence offline teaching for all classes after February 28 when winter vacation come to end.

“The Head of the Institutions must ensure that guidelines related to vaccination for students above 15 years, social distancing norms and Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) are followed strictly including regular screening at the entrance of the Institution,” reads the order issued here.

“All the Summer Zone School students in J&K of Classes 9th to 12th between 15-17 age group whose routine offline teaching commenced from 14 February 2022 must carry a vaccination certificate with them,” the order reads further. The Heads of Institutions must ensure vaccination is done of every student above 15 years of age in their respective institutions, it said.

“The vaccination adherence shall be ensured through coordination with the Department of Health and Medical Education J&K. Every school must further ensure full compliance to Covid Appropriate Behaviour and SOPs. They must also ensure screening and testing of any symptomatic students to contain any possibility of spread of the virus in their Institutions.”

Regarding the offline mode of teaching for other classes in Summer Zone Schools which shall begin from February 21, the Heads of Institutions shall be responsible for adherence to Covid Appropriate Behaviour in their respective schools and prepare proper plans for the same, the order reads further. “Symptomatic students should not be allowed to attend school. No student should be allowed to attend School without mask.”

The SEC underlined that Enforcement of Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) was critical in determining the need for additional restrictions.

“The District Magistrates (Chairperson, DDMAs) of respective Districts of J&K shall adopt a Zero Tolerance policy towards non-compliance of CAB and shall ensure due action against defaulters under relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act, Epidemic Act and the Indian Penal Code”.

The DMs, the SEC said, shall constitute inspection teams of district officers to check whether the instructions contained for enforcement of CAB are being implemented by the concerned with due responsibility.

“Further, the DMs shall constitute joint teams of Police and Executive Magistrates for intensifying enforcement of Covid Appropriate Behaviour and ensure no violator is let off,” it said, adding, “The joint teams shall submit daily report regarding activities carried out by them and their assessment of compliance level.”

Srinagar: Famous tulip garden of Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar city will be thrown open on March 20 as 15 lakh tulips are expected to bloom this year.

Sheikh Fayaz, commissioner/secretary floriculture department told some reporters that because of the comparatively better weather this season, the tulip garden will be thrown open earlier than usual.

He said 2 lakh tourists visited the garden last year.

The official said another tulip garden will be developed in the Sonamarg hill station while Pahalgam will have a rose garden.

He said 100 kanals of land have been identified in Sonamarg for setting up a Tulip garden.

“Department, besides maintaining old gardens, is all set to develop new theme based gardens in the Valley to attract more tourists.

“Department is now handling those parks which have more than 10 kanals of land and the rest of the small parks have been handed over to the municipality.

“The department has taken over such parks which were earlier handled by J&K Bank like Iqbal park and Badamwari garden.

“Department is fully prepared this year and new projects are being started for beautification and maintenance of new gardens and parks in the Kashmir Valley”, the official said. (IANS)

Briefed on security situation along LAC in Ladakh

Srinagar: Northern Army Commander, Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, AVSM arrived in Leh on Sunday on a five days visit to the Ladakh region.

This is his maiden visit to Fire and Fury Corps after taking over the command of the prestigious Northern Army Command, based at Udhampur.

On his arrival at Fire and Fury Corps Headquarters on 20 February 2022, the Army Commander was briefed by Lieutenant General A Sengupta, AVSM, YSM, General Officer Commanding Fire and Fury Corps on the prevalent security situation along the Line of Actual Control.

He interacted with the senior officers of Fire and Fury Corps and lauded the operational preparedness of the formation. The Army Commander complimented Fire and Fury Corps for the conduct of people friendly operations and assisting the civil administration in improving the quality life of people in the border areas.

He was appreciative of the excellent Soldier – Citizen connect, which has resulted in overall harmonious relations between the Armed Forces and the civil administration.

Earlier in the day, Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi interacted and lauded women ice hockey players at NSD Stadium Leh on the sidelines of the LG Ice Hockey Championship which commenced on 19 February 22.

The women players participating in the tournament have represented India in the Asia Challenge Cup. The Army Commander appreciated their contribution and achievement towards gaining international recognition to Ladakh in Ice Hockey, since the entire Indian Women’s Ice Hockey Team comprises of players from Ladakh region.

Later the Army Commander visited the prestigious Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre, in his capacity as Colonel of the Regiment of JAMMU and KASHMIR RIFLES and LADAKH SCOUTS.

The Army Commander paid obeisance at the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre War Memorial in remembrance of the gallant ‘Nunoos’ who have given the supreme sacrifice while serving the nation.

He was also briefed by Colonel Rinchen Dorje, Commandant of the Regimental Centre on the training and various activities being undertaken by the LADAKH SCOUTS. The Army Commander complimented the Regiment for being the flag bearers of the Indian Army in Ladakh and urged them to continue with their efforts towards nation building.

The Army Commander will visit troops deployed in forward areas and will also interact with officials of the civil administration during his visit to Ladakh.

New Delhi: A 10-member Indian delegation will visit Pakistan for the annual meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission from March 1-3, a senior Jal Shakti Ministry official said on Sunday.

In a first since the signing of the Indus Water Treaty between the two countries, three female officers will also be part of the Indian delegation, which will be advising the Indian Commissioner on various issues during the meeting, the official said.

Last year, a delegation led by the Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters had visited India for the annual meeting.

The annual meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission will be held in Islamabad, Pakistan between March 1 and 3, 2022, Pradeep Kumar Saxena, Indian Commissioner for Indus Waters, said.

The delegation will comprise Saxena’s advisors from the Central Water Commission, the Central Electricity Authority, the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation and the Ministry of External Affairs.

The Pakistan side will be led by Syed Muhammad Mehar Ali Shah, the Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters.

The Indian delegation will leave for Pakistan through Atari border on February 28 and will return through the same route on March 4.

The agenda for the meeting is being finalised between the two Commissioners, officials said.

Pakistan’s objections on Indian hydroelectric projects namely Pakal Dul (1,000 MW), Lower Kalnai (48 MW) and Kiru (624 MW) in Chenab basin in Jammu and Kashmir and few small hydroelectric projects in Ladakh are likely to be on the agenda for discussion.

According to the treaty, India has been given the right to generate hydroelectricity through run-of-the-river projects on the western rivers subject to specific criteria for design and operation.

The pact also gives the right to Pakistan to raise objections to designs of Indian hydroelectric projects on the western rivers. Pakistan has raised objections on the design of these projects.

India, however, asserts that the design of the project is fully compliant with the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and certified by the Central Water Commission and the Central Electricity Authority, the apex organisations of the country in the field of water resources and power.

Saxena said that in the forthcoming meeting, the Indian side will explain its position to Pakistan. He said Pakistan’s apprehensions will be “addressed amicably through continued bilateral discussions in the spirit of the treaty”.

Under the IWT signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, all the waters of the eastern rivers – Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi – amounting to around 33 million acre feet (MAF) annually is allocated to India for unrestricted use.

The waters of western rivers – Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab – amounting to around 135 MAF annually have been assigned largely to Pakistan. India is permitted to construct the run of the river plants on western rivers with limited storage as per criteria specified in the treaty.

Under the provisions of Article VIII(5) of the Indus Waters Treaty, the Permanent Indus Commission is required to meet regularly at least once a year, alternately in India and Pakistan. The last meeting of the Commission was held on March 23-24 2021 in New Delhi. (Agencies)

New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will lead an Indian parliamentary delegation to the United Arab Emirates from February 21 to 25 on the invitation of the Speaker of the United Arab Emirates.

This is first ever visit under the bilateral exchange of parliamentary delegations from either side.

The delegation includes Sushil Kumar Modi, Fauzia Tahseen Ahmed Khan, M K Vishnu Prasad, P Ravindhranath, Shankar Lalwani and Sujay Radhakrishna Vikhepatil and Secretary General of Lok Sabha Utpal Kumar Singh and Joint Secretary Ajay Kumar. During their visit to the United Arab Emirates, the delegation apart from meeting their host, Saqr Gobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council of UAE, will also call on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces, as well as Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Birla will also address the Federal National Council on February 22. The delegation will visit places of cultural and historical importance at Abu Dhabi and Dubai. (UNI)

Jammu: Security forces have arrested a close aide of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit with a pistol and magazines in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Sunday.

Police said a team of police, SSB and Army on Saturday arrested Adil Bhatt from Thathri area. “One Chinese pistol, two magazines and nine rounds were recovered from him,” a police officer said.

“As per initial reports, he was being controlled by Mohd Amin alias Haroon, a militant from Doda operating from Pakistan,” the source added. (UNI)

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir home department on Sunday ordered transfer and postings of eight SSPs and SPs and assigned additional charge to another SSP in the interest of administration with immediate effect.

Shridhar Patil, AIG Technical will hold additional charge of Director Police Telecommunication. Shailender Singh, SSP Reasi has been transferred and posted as SSP Security Workshop.

Randeep Kumar, awaiting posting in PHQ was adjusted as Commandant IRP 2nd Batallion. Pawan Kumar Parihar, awaiting posting in PHQ, was posted as Commandant IRP 16th Batallion. Amit Gupta, Commandant IRP 16th Batallion, is transferred and posted as SSP Reasi.

Mohammad Aftab Mir, awaiting orders of adjustment, has been posted as Additional SP Bhaderwah. Mamta Sharma, Additional SP Crime Jammu, was transferred and posted as SP south Jammu.

Mushim Ahmed, SP Security Workshop, has been transferred and posted as Additional SP Poonch against a vacancy. Deepak Digra, SP South Jammu, was transferred and posted as Deputy Commandant IRP 24th Batallion.