Precious Kashmir

For 3rd consecutive year, J&K’s budget to be presented in Parliament

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08/02/2022

For 3rd consecutive year, J&K’s budget to be presented in Parliament

MHA submits proposals to Finance Ministry

By: Ibni Maqbool

Srinagar: For the third consecutive year, Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory’s budget would be presented in the parliament.

Sources told The Precious Kashmir that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to present J&K’s annual budget for 2022-23 and revised estimates for 2021-22 in the parliament in March.

“The administration of Jammu & Kashmir has prepared budget proposals after holding discussions with different departments,” they said, adding that J&K administration has submitted these proposals to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

This newspaper has learnt that MHA has forwarded these proposals to Union Finance Ministry, which will present them in the parliament.

According to sources, the size of J&K’s budget is expected to more than one lakh crore rupees like the past two budgets.

It is worthwhile to mention that J&K was allocated Rs 35581 crore in the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the parliament on February 01.

Of the allocations, Rs 33923 crore would be utilized resource gap of UT, Rs 279 crore for UT disaster response fund, Rs 273 crore as rehabilitation for Dal- Nageen lake, Rs 130 crore as grants towards equity contribution for 624 MW Kiru, Rs 300 crore as grants towards equity for Rattle 800 MW and Rs 500 crore as support for capital expenditure of UT.

The budget is being presented in the parliament as legislative powers of the J&K assembly are vested with it in absence of an elected government in the UT. Jammu & Kashmir is without an elected government since June 2018 when BJP withdrew support to Mehbooba Mufti-led government, citing deteriorating security situation in the State.

No Room For Complacency

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Oped

Precious Kashmir

08/02/2022

From the last few days, there has been a significant decline in the number of covid-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir. In the last 24 hours, as the data bears out, J&K has seen the lowest daily count of covid-19 cases in 30 days. The data is indicative of the fact that people have complied with covid-19 appropriate behavior more than breaching it. However there is no room to be complacent in the response. The situation demands that instead of slipping into a complacency mode, the people and the government must undertake aggressive measures to allow the pathogen to raise its ugly head again. There is no room for complacency, particularly in the wake of the devastating impact of the second wave.

The Lt Governor also rightly observed recently that though the number of new positive cases have declined, there is no room for complacency. The Health & Immunization Department needs to focus on booster doses to senior citizens, frontline workers and vaccination among the 15-18 age group. There should be continued adherence to Covid Appropriate Behaviour which is paramount.

Emphasizing on the CAB, the Lt Governor rightly called for the need to continue following CAB until the pre-Covid normalcy is restored.

The World Health Organization (WHO) chief, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, also in a recent briefing, noted that 90 million cases of coronavirus have been reported since the Omicron variant was first identified 10 weeks ago. His statement comes in the context of many countries easing their restrictive movement measures amid public fatigue. From WHO’s perspective, the blanket lifting of restrictions poses a problem as most people appear to believe that Omicron is less threatening compared to previous variants and that two shots of vaccines are an adequate defence against the virus. Ghebreyesus underlined that a narrative that “preventing transmission is no longer possible and no longer necessary” had taken hold and this was problematic. This was false, Ghebreyesus underscored at the briefing, as the virus continues to evolve and four of the six WHO regions globally are reporting an increasing trend in deaths.

Covid-appropriate behaviour, including masking and social distancing, must be strictly enforced. Any slackness based on the serosurvey could prove dangerous. Lessons must be learnt from the devastation caused by the second wave. There is no time to lose and no room for laxity.

J&K’s new electoral map: Delimitation Commission proposes to carve out 10 smaller assembly segments

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Ibni Maqbool

07/02/2022

J&K’s new electoral map: Delimitation Commission proposes to carve out 10 smaller assembly segments

By: Ibni Maqbool

Srinagar: Delimitation Commission in its second draft presented before the Members of Parliament (MP) a few days back has proposed to carve out at least ten smaller assembly segments in Jammu and Kashmir.

In its draft proposal, a copy of which is with The Precious Kashmir, the delimitation commission headed by former Supreme Court judge, Justice (Retd.) Ranjana Desai has proposed to carve out 10 smaller assembly segments.

The draft proposal was shared with Members of Parliament of Jammu and Kashmir by the delimitation commission on Friday evening to seek their suggestions and objections, if any.

According to the proposal, seven such segments are in Jammu region and three in Kashmir.

As per details, Gurez (Bandipora), Karnah (Kupwara) and Kunzer (Baramulla) have less than one lakh population.

While the population of Gurez is 37992, Karnah and Kunzer have 87627 and 99763 souls, respectively.

In Jammu region, Bani (Kathua), Mughalmaidan (Kishtwar), Padder (Kishtwar), Shri Mata Vaishno Devi (Reasi), Kishtwar (Kishtwar), Basholi (Kathua) and Ramgarh (Samba) figure in the list of segments having population of less than one lakh souls. These segments respectively have population of 74905, 84442, 51279, 73684, 94975, 84711 and 94344.

It is worthwhile to mention that the proposal would be put in public domain after MPs would submit their suggestions/ objections to the panel.

The commission would then seek feedback from the general public and hold public sittings at different places in J&K to decide on suggestions/objections received from the public.

The delimitation commission was constituted by the Government of India on March 06, 2020 to fix boundaries for 90 assembly segments and five Lok Sabha seats of J&K. The extended tenure of the panel is coming to an end in the first week of March.

COVID-19: Weekend lockdown ends in J&K

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Precious Kashmir

07/02/2022

Coaching centres to resume offline teaching with 50% capacity

Srinagar: With steep decline in the number of daily Covid-19 cases, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Sunday lifted weekend restrictions and also allowed coaching centres to resume offline teaching with a rider.

However, according to an order by State Executive Committee headed by Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, the night curfew shall continue across Jammu and Kashmir as well as there shall be full adherence to Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB).

As regards the education institutions, the SEC ordered that all Colleges, Schools, Polytechnics, ITIs, etc shall continue to adopt “online” medium of teaching. “There shall be no in-person teaching,” the order reads.

“Coaching Centres for Civil Services/Engineering/NEET etc. are permitted to adopt offline medium of teaching at 50% of their capacity subject to condition that both faculty members as well as students are fully vaccinated and the Head of the centre ensures due precautions such as CAB and adherence to SOP,” the order reads further, adding, “Educational institutions shall be permitted to direct attendance of vaccinated staff for administrative purposes only.” The Head of the institution, it said, must ensure that guidelines related to social distancing and Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) are strictly followed.

“Night Curfew shall continue to remain in force in all Districts from 10 pm to 6 am with complete restriction on non-essential movement,” the order adds further.

All the Government Department(s)/Office(s) have been asked to minimise conducting in-person meetings or interactions etc. “All Administrative Secretaries/ Head of the Department(s)/ Institution^) shall ensure optimal use of virtual mode for conducting official meetings etc.”

To reduce the rate of transmission within J&K, it said, all efforts shall be made by Authorities through active involvement of PRIs, Community Leaders, Market Associations and Federations.

“IEC campaign for containing surge in Covid cases/3rd Wave shall be undertaken immediately by all District Magistrates (Chairperson, District Disaster Management Authorities) in their respective jurisdictions highlighting the necessity of Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB),” the order reads, adding, “The Department of Health and Medical Education, Jammu and Kashmir shall sensitise people about the Variants of Concern/Variants of Interest (VoC/Vol) of Covid-19 including the new Variant B.1.1.529 (Omicron)”.

The State Executive Committee also reiterated that all the offices should regulate the attendance of its employees in such a manner so as to ensure that appropriate Social Distancing Norms are maintained.

“Pregnant Women Employees will be exempted from Physical attendance. They shall be allowed to work from home,” it said, adding, “Employees with disabilities shall also be given option to work from home.”

The maximum number of people permitted to attend any indoor gathering shall be strictly restricted to 25, it said.

Banquet Halls in all the Districts of J&K are permitted to allow gathering up to 25% of the authorised capacity (with verifiable RT-PCR or Rapid Antigen Test for Covid19 not older than 72 hours), in open spaces only, it said.

“Cinema halls, theatres, multiplexes, restaurants, clubs, gymnasiums and swimming pools are permitted to function at 25% of the authorised capacity with due precautions such as CAB and adherence to SOP,” he said, adding, “All Deputy Commissioners shall intensify testing and ensure full utilisation of available RT-PCR and RAT capacities. There shall be no drop in testing levels.”

Chief Medical Officers of all districts have been asked to submit a daily report regarding the utilisation of available RT-PCR capacities to the District Magistrates concerned. “Besides, District Magistrates shall also go for capacity expansion of the RT-PCR testing as per the requirement.”

The Deputy Commissioners have been asked to focus on the positivity rates of the Medical-Blocks under their jurisdictions. “Intensified measures related to Covid management and restriction of activities shall be undertaken in these Blocks.”

Markets shut for 2nd straight day

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United News Of India

07/02/2022

Srinagar: All major roads in Srinagar wore a deserted look due to the weekend lockdown restrictions on non-essential movements being strictly enforced in Jammu and Kashmir to scuttle the rise in Covid-19 cases on Sunday, official sources said.

The traditional Sunday market where thousands of vendors usually put their stalls from Tourist Reception Centre to Residency road, Lal Chowk, Amirakadal and Hari Singh High Street in the city centre selling all day to day items including fresh and second hand clothes was off due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

The stalls at Makkah market on Moulana Azad road were also shut. Several other roads including down town and Shar-e-Khar also wore a deserted look in view of the restrictions.

Security forces deployed at vulnerable places in Srinagar were seen enforcing restrictions strictly.

Reports of complete lockdown were also received from all major towns and district headquarters of Kashmir valley.

The 57-hour-long weekend lockdown begins on Friday from 9 pm to Monday 6 Am.

The Covid-19 positive cases showed a decline during the past one week and Jammu and Kashmir recorded only1606 fresh cases, out of which 887 were from Jammu Division and 719 were from Kashmir valley, besides Srinagar recorded only 212 cases on Saturday.

The authorities in Jammu and Kashmir imposed a weekend lockdown on January 15 following the rise in Covid-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir. (UNI)

J&K records lowest tally in 26 days at 1151 cases

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Nadeem Nadu

07/02/2022

‘9 persons die in 24 hours’

Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir recorded 1148 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday— the lowest in the past 26 days. Nine persons also succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, the officials said.

511 of the fresh cases, they said, were reported from Jammu Division and 640 from Kashmir Valley, taking the overall tally to 446648. J&K had reported 1148 cases on January 11.

They said five deaths were reported from Jammu Division and for from Kashmir Valley, taking the overall toll to 4715—2307 in Jammu and 2408 in Kashmir.

Regarding the district wise details of the fresh cases, they said, Srinagar reported 197 cases, Baramulla 54, Budgam 116, Pulwama 38, Kupwara 62, Anantnag 63, Bandipora 22, Ganderbal 28, Kulgam 48, Shopian 12, Jammu 168, Udhampur 63, Rajouri 11, Doda 117, Kathua 32, Samba 25, Kishtwar 1, Poonch 6, Ramban 36 and Reasi 52.

Besides, they said, 4393 Covid-19 patients recovered during the time— 1378 from Jammu Division and 3015 from Kashmir. So far 424521 people have recovered, leaving the active case tally at 17412—5698 in Jammu and 11714 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 21158 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)

Govt to re-advertise all withdrawn posts

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Precious Kashmir

07/02/2022

‘Vacancies referred to agencies for fast track recruitment’

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday said that all the vacancies recalled by a recent decision of the Administrative Council shall be referred again to recruitment agencies for fast track recruitment as per the new domicile, reservation and recruitment rules providing equal opportunity to all.

A free, fair and merit based selection shall be quickly ensured, the government said in an official communiqué issued here.

It is also clarified that withdrawal of posts referred to PSC /SSB before 31.10.2019 has only been done for posts where selections have not been made and results have not been declared.

It is important to note that a number of posts referred to PSC /SSB by various departments, have remained stuck up for long time, in some cases 2004 onwards. Some of these posts could not have been advertised, as they were against recruitment rules. Therefore, selection against these posts could not have been made. Withdrawing these posts was essential to ensure that they can be filled up as per rules in vogue, opening opportunities for youth of J&K.

Appointments to posts referred are required to be made in a timely manner, normally within a year or so. Delay of several years vitiates the recruitment process.

Recruitment Rules of various departments have been changed/ updated. The qualifications and experience required for a number of posts has changed.

After 31.10.2019, some posts were also transferred to the Union Territory of Ladakh. Selection against posts transferred to the Union Territory of Ladakh can no longer be made. Hence, withdrawal of these posts was essential.

It is important to note that job opportunities for the youth have not been curtailed in any way due to withdrawal of these posts. All these posts will be re-advertised soon and recruitment completed on fast track mode. It is also worth mentioning that recruitment against another about 3000 Class IV posts which had been advertised recently is being completed soon.

Gulmarg receives fresh snowfall, rains lash other Kashmir parts

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United News Of India

07/02/2022

Srinagar: Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district received fresh spell of snowfall, while other parts of the Valley experienced rainfall on Sunday.

The Meteorological Department has forecast of scattered to fairly widespread light rain, snow and traces over Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours.

Affarwat and Kongdori in ski-resort of Gulmarg received another fresh spell of light snowfall on Sunday, much to the delight of the tourists staying there. The sky was overcast and fog engulfed the meadow of the valley, said a MeT official.

The minimum temperature was recorded at minus 7.5 degrees Celsius, which was 0.8 degree below normal in this period of the season.

Parts of Kashmir valley, including Srinagar, received light rain this morning. The sky is overcast with cold conditions prevailing across.

Srinagar, the summer capital of Kashmir, recorded minimum temperature of 2.8 degrees, which was 3.2 degree above normal during this period of the season.

Pahalgam in South Kashmir recorded minus 3.7 degrees, Qazigund 1.2 degrees and Kukernag 1.1 degrees.

The frontier Kashmir district of Kupwara recorded minimum temperature of 0.1 degrees, he added. (UNI)

Committed to safeguard interests of every section: LG

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Precious Kashmir

07/02/2022

Delegation of Sikh community, others call on Sinha

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha on Sunday said that the government is committed to safeguard interests of every section.

A delegation of the residents of Sidhra area of Jammu comprising members of Sikh Community called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhavan today.

The delegation headed by S. Jarnail Singh Malhotra projected the demand pertaining to the construction of Gurudwara Sahib near Tawi Vihar Colony Sidhra.

Later, Sanjeev Manhas, BJP Youth Leader accompanied by Gangadhar also called on the Lt Governor and apprised him about various issues like inclusion of Mandal block including Raipur Satwari area under Smart City project; beautification of Tawi banks; development & extension of Gaushala and conservation of pond at Mandal.

The Lt Governor gave a patient hearing to the members of the deputations and assured them that all their concerns and demands would be looked into meticulously.

The Lt Governor observed that the UT Government is committed to equitable development of all regions, besides safeguarding the interests of every section of the society.

Govt to shift acid attack survivor

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Precious Kashmir

07/02/2022

‘4 Chennai tickets provided to family, one doctor’

By: Sheikh Danish

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to shift the acid attack survivor to Chennai hospital tomorrow for eye treatment and four tickets have already been provided to the victim’s family on Sunday.

Official sources said that the administration on the advice of doctors has decided to shift the acid attack victim to Chennai hospital for specialized eye treatment.

They said the government has provided four tickets to the family and they are scheduled to leave for Chennai hospital at 09:00 AM from Srinagar Airport.

The official sources said that a doctor will be accompanying the victim to Chennai hospital.

It is worth mentioning that Apni Party led by Syed Altaf Bukhari has also provided one ticket to the victim family.

It has been learnt that besides the victim, her parents, younger sister and paternal cousin will leave for Chennai hospital tomorrow.

Pertinently, a 24-year-old acid attack survivor has suffered severe burn injuries while the doctors have said that she is unlikely to regain her eyesight as the cornea of her eye has got damaged. (KNO)

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