Precious Kashmir

Death of Govt employee at DH Pulwama: DHSK suspends 4 doctors

Anchor stories

02/02/2022

Death of Govt employee at DH Pulwama: DHSK suspends 4 doctors

Orders probe; locals stage protest, demand complete reshuffle

By: Ahmad Shabir

Anantnag: Director Health Services, Kashmir, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather Tuesday suspended four doctors and constituted an inquiry team to probe the death of a government employee at District Hospital Pulwama on Monday.

A class-IV government employee Mohammad Hussain Hafiz suffered a heart attack on Monday and was immediately taken to DH Pulwama. Hussain, later was declared dead by the doctors.

His attendants, however, alleged that the treatment to the deceased employee was delayed due to the absence of doctors in the hospital, who later staged a protest in the hospital premises.

Relatives of the deceased accompanied by scores of traders of the town on Tuesday again held a protest against the death of the employee due to alleged absence of doctors.

Protesters alleged that the monopoly of doctors posted in the hospital has messed the healthcare at the facility completely.

“Most of the doctors posted at the hospital spend most of the time at private clinics. They force the patients to get the surgeries done at private hospitals. Many doctors at the hospital have not been shifted from the last six to eight years as a result of which lobbyism rules the roost at the facility,” locals alleged.

“We want a complete reshuffle in the hospital and only then can we expect improvement in the healthcare here,” the protesters said.

Following the protest, Director Health Services Kashmir, placed four doctors under suspension till pending inquiry.

“Pending inquiry into the death of a patient at district hospital Pulwama, four doctors are placed under suspension with immediate effect,” the order issued by DHSK reads.

The suspended doctors as per the order include Dr Hilal Ahmad, Atfer Nadir, Dr Ashraf and Dr Gulzar.

In separate order, DHSK ordered constituting a committee at divisional level to probe the matter. The inquiry team has been asked to submit the factual report within two days.

Tourism deptt intends to start border tourism in Kashmir

City

Indo Asian News Service

02/02/2022

Tourism deptt intends to start border tourism in Kashmir

Srinagar: As a dividend of the sustaining ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, tourism department officials in Jammu and Kashmir said on Tuesday that they have written to the authorities for opening up of tourism along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir.

The decision by the DGMOs of the two countries in February last year to respect the bilateral ceasefire agreement has brought normalcy in the lives of hundreds of people living on the two sides of the LoC and the international border in Jammu and Kashmir.

Since last year, a large number of visitors to Kashmir have been showing keen interest to visit hitherto unexplored places.

The border districts of Kupwara, Bandipora and Baramulla have huge tourism potential spread along the LoC.

In September last year, Ajay Bhatt, MoS in the Defence Ministry, held a meeting with the officials of the tourism department and other stakeholders.

During the meeting, the minister had assured the tourism department officials and other stakeholders that the ministry is committed to promote tourism in the border areas in J&K on priority basis.

In August 2021, a tourism festival was held at the Bangus Valley in Kupwara district where Lt Governor Manoj Sinha had said that both the UT’s tourism department and the Army will facilitate visits to remote places like the Bangus Valley.

Sources said the officials of the tourism department have written to the district development commissioners of Kupwara, Bandipora and Baramulla for starting the process of border tourism.

In this regard, to begin with, the tourism department would like to start border tourism in places like Gurez, Karnah, Uri, Bangus Valley etc., sources said. (IANS)

ADGP decorates SP ranks

City

Precious Kashmir

02/02/2022

Srinagar: Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Security, J&K joined by Swarn Singh Kotwal SSP Security Central Pool Jammu, Ashok Kumar Commandant JKAP 4th Security Bn.Jammu, and M.Y.Kichloo SSP Security Civil Secretariat, J&K decorated SP rank to Firdous Ahmad Khan, Nisar Hussain Shah and Chanderjeet Singh here on Tuesday.

The Security Chief on the occasion congratulated the newly promoted officers and stressed upon them to make innovative changes to ensure better deliverence to the people of the UT.

The ADGP said the promotion adds more responsibility and challenges in the working assignments and hoped that the officers would continue to work with zeal and zest as an SP.

He further said that security of the people and integrity of the Nation should be our priority to live up to the expectations of the people. Officers of Security Hqrs R.S.Sambyal SSP (Tech), R.P.Singh SSP Staff Officer, Arvind Rathore CPO and Farooq Ahmad PS to ADGP were present on the occasion.

ReK list of Zone Drugmulla: HC asks DC Kupwara to specify ‘who conducted interview’

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

02/02/2022

ReK list of Zone Drugmulla: HC asks DC Kupwara to specify ‘who conducted interview’

Srinagar: Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has asked Deputy Commissioner Kupwara to file an affidavit, specifying clearly as to whether the interviews for the 12 posts of Rehbar-e-Khel for zone Drugmulla were conducted by him or the Additional District Development Commissioner, Handwara.

Hearing a petition filed by the aggrieved candidates, a bench of Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur also directed authorities to make available the records of the selection process more particularly the minutes of the meeting pertaining to the interview be also made available on or before the next date of hearing on February 17.

“One of the issues raised in the present petition is whether the selection committee which conducted the interview for the 12 posts of Rehbar-e-Khel falling in district Kupwara was properly constituted or not,” the court said in the order.

The specific stand taken by the ‘non-selected’ candidates, the court said, is that not only was the committee not properly constituted, even the interviews were conducted by the Additional District Development Commissioner whereas, as per the policy, the same had to be conducted by the District Development Commissioner of the concerned district.

“This issue has not been specifically replied to by the official respondents in their response. In that view of the matter, it is deemed appropriate to direct the Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara to file an affidavit specifying clearly as to whether the interviews conducted for the 12 posts of Rehbar-e-Khel were in fact conducted by the District Development Commissioner, Kupwara or the Additional District Development Commissioner, Handwara,” the court said, adding, “The records of the selection process more particularly, the minutes of the meeting pertaining to the interview be also made available on or before the next date of hearing.”

In one of the pleas, it has been submitted that on 27 October 2017 sanction for adoption of policy formulated by the Youth Services and Sports Department regarding engagement of Rehbar-e-Khel came to be accorded and three thousand posts of Rehbar-e-Khel came to be created.

The ‘non-selected’ candidates have also alleged the authorities of nepotism vis-à-vis the selection of ‘selected’ candidates.

The Youth Services and Sports Department accordingly issued the advertisement notification on 13 February 2018 thereby advertising 12 posts of Rehbar-e-Khel for zone Drugmulla besides posts for other zones of the District Kupwara.

It has been submitted that some applicants having the basic as well as additional qualification as required for the post of Rehbar-e-Khel applied for the post and they along with other candidates including the selected one were subjected to viva and interview.

“(We) performed exceptionally well in the interview and expected their selection on the basis of their overall academic merit and performance in the interview. However, (District Youth Services and Sports Officer Kupwara) has issued the provisional selection list thereby selecting the 12 applicants for the post of Rehbar-e-Khel and ignoring the petitioners despite their superior merit position,” they said.

The District Development Commissioner of the district who is the Chairman of the Selection Committee did not conduct the interview of the candidates but the Additional deputy Commissioner Handwara substituted him during the interview process which is not permissible under law, they said.

Some applicants have specifically pointed out towards the close relation of the members of the interview committee with the selected candidates which has paved the way for their selection.

‘The respondents did not even receive the objections of the petitioners as have been invited in terms of the impugned notification which also points out towards nepotism and favouritism in the selection process,” they said, adding, “The selection of the private respondents is based on extraneous considerations as all the selected candidates have been systematically given more points in the viva while as petitioners despite their superior academic merit and exceptional performance in the interview have been awarded low marks to throw them out of selection zone.”

The aggrieved party is being represented by advocate Shafaqat Nazir, the ‘selected’ candidates by Moomin Khan while as the government represented by Sajad Ashraf (GA). (GNS)

GHPU honors SKAUST scientist for his contribution in social sector

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

02/02/2022

Srinagar: Global Human Peace University (GPHU) has announced to honor Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Dar with ‘Doctor of humanity (Honoris Causa) for his contribution in social sector.

Dar who has a doctoral degree at his disposal in genetics and plant breeding is a scientist at MRCFC, Khudwani (SKAUST).

The university received the nomination of Dr Mustaq for the honor from RJ Academics.

The university honors Dr Mushtaq for his achievements and qcontribution in the development of society and nation besides for his efforts in improving the living standards of orphans and needy.

Dr Mushtaq has been delivering online classes for last several years with his lectures motivating hundreds of desperate people. Dr Mushtaq’s contributions in social sector have earned him many prestigious awards from different national and international institutions in the past as well.

He has also published atleast 120 papers, reviews, books and articles in a short span of time. Dr Mushtaq in 2021 was also selected for Nebraska Lincoln (USA) American visiting scientist fellowship.

Army conducts medical checkup of locals in Machil sector

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

02/02/2022

Srinagar: Army in Machil sector near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district conducted a ‘Khariyat Patrol’ by a lady medical officer to provide medical care and attention to pregnant women and children during the ongoing winter season.

Due to the snowfall the road connectivity to the village with the rest of Kashmir gets disconnected.

Srinagar based defence spokesman said during the ongoing winter season the Army stationed a lady doctor for the pregnant women who face a lot of hardships in terms of medical care as the situation gets aggravated due to snowfall and roads remain cut off with the rest of the valley in Machil Sector.

“The snowfall at Z-gali makes roads slippery besides avalanche threat making it impossible for the local people to shift the patients for treatment outside the Macchal sector for treatment,” he said.

To provide due medical care and attention to women and children in Machil Bowl, the Army made available a lady medical officer, centrally located at Dudi who conducted a ‘Khairiyat patrol’ in T Sunt Payeen village to inquire about the well-being of the villagers especially pregnant ladies, women, girls and children on January 31, 2022.

The Doctor carried out medical examinations of not only the pregnant ladies but also of other villagers, including men and children.

Such Khairiyat patrols will continue by the lady doctor in the days to come with special focus on addressing the medical needs of pregnant ladies, he said.

The locals appreciated and expressed their gratitude for the efforts of the Indian Army for such initiatives.

Kejriwal announces Rs 10 lakh assistance to Delhi rape survivor

National

Indo Asian News Service

02/02/2022

Kejriwal announces Rs 10 lakh assistance to Delhi rape survivor

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday announced an assistance of Rs 10 lakh to help the Kasturba Nagar rape victim, whose horrendous ordeal had shaken the city.

“I have ordered Rs 10 lakh assistance amount to help this daughter. Delhi government will do everything possible to get justice for this daughter. We are hiring a good lawyer for her. We will also fast-track this matter so that the daughter can get justice as soon as possible,” he said in a tweet.

Later in the day, Revenue and Law Minister Kailash Gahlot, along with Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal, met the 20-year-old survivor, who informed them that she was abducted from her home and gang-raped by three men who are involved in illicit trade of liquor and drugs locally. While they were gang-raping her, the women present therein were instigating the men to rape her.

She further informed that they beat her up brutally, shaved her head, blackened her face and made her walk around the neighbourhood with a garland of slippers and shoes. A video of the unfortunate incident was also received by the Commission which clearly showed the sad plight of the victim.

Maliwal had earlier issued notice to Delhi Police seeking immediate arrest of all the culprits, both men and women. She had also recommended that the girl and her family be shifted to a safe house and be provided protection.

She said that the an application in the court for interim compensation has been filed and a DCW team is present with the survivor 24×7, adding: “We will also rehabilitate the girl. Strongest punishment must be given to the culprits so that no one will dare to do such a crime again.”

On Friday, a total of 11 people, including nine women, were arrested in connection with the incident.

India needs to decide whether KL Rahul is an opener or middle-order batter: Agarkar

Sports

Indo Asian News Service

02/02/2022

India needs to decide whether KL Rahul is an opener or middle-order batter: Agarkar

New Delhi: Ahead of the upcoming ODI series against West Indies, former cricketer Ajit Agarkar has said that Team India needs to decide whether KL Rahul will play as an opener or a middle-order batsman in the longer run.

The 29-year-old Rahul opened the innings for India along with Sikhar Dhawan and also led the team in the three-match ODI South Africa in absence of Rohit Sharma.

“I think that’s the first thing they need to decide, whether he is an opener or a middle-order batsman because he was the captain in South Africa and he opened, which to me it was a bit disappointing because he’s been so successful at number 4 or 5 and that’s the role that they were looking at,” Agarkar told Star Sports.

“If that is not going to be the case then again you have got to stick to what you decide if you are going to be an opener then you may as well open the innings with Rohit in the series. So, that will be interesting to see because Shikhar Dhawan is there as well,” he added.

Agarkar also said that he is not sure about Dhawan’s future, adding that India have multiple options at the top order.

“I am not sure in a year or year-and-a-half’s time where Shikhar Dhawan would be, even though he has got runs in South Africa. You have got a couple of explosive players like Ishan Kishan or even someone like Rishabh Pant. Who knows whether it will work, giving him a chance for the top of the order,” he added.

The three-match One-day International series between India and West Indies will be played behind closed doors at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad from February 6.

3rd Wave Fluctuates

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Oped

Precious Kashmir

02/02/2022

Division administration has Covid-19 positivity rate of third wave continues to “fluctuate.” In the last 24 hours as of 5p.m on February 1, J&K reported covid-19 2751, over 200 more than the previous day.

During his visit to DRDO Hospital Khonmuh and GB Panth Hospital to review the present situation of Covid-19 pandemic, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir called for preparing exigency plan of adequate Oxygen supply to the hospital by identifying two more Oxygen plants which can be used during emergency to maintain constant supply of medical Oxygen. The direction is to be looked at in two ways. One is it is better to be prepared while another is the possibility of the emergency in due course of time.

Last month, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya interacted with State Health Ministers, Principal Secretaries, Additional Chief Secretaries of States/UTs.

The important take away was fine-tuned warning regarding the highly transmissible omicron: A high surge in the case can overwhelm the medical system and the concerned authorities need to ramp up the infrastructure to meet the challenges as may be posed in due course of time. Since then, the covid-19 cases have skyrocketed but fortunately the numbers of hospitalizations remained low. At the same time the third wave is not over by any stretch of imagination. To put in plans in advance is good. However the governments must adapt and change plans with the changing situation. In this context, J&K government has already ordered an audit of various important aspects and ramping up of the infrastructure. Looking at the overall challenges thrown by the Omicron, it has already galloped across the U.S. and many countries in Europe at a pace never seen since the pandemic began. The sharp rise in daily cases is not surprising given the highly infectious nature of the Omicron variant. As per credible estimates, it spreads nearly three times faster than the highly Delta variant which otherwise is also highly transmissible. While Omicron has emerged as the dominant variant in a few countries, it has not completely displaced the Delta variant so far even as it threatens to do so in near future. At the same time, it must be borne in mind that Delta has not been defeated. Put another way round, there are twin threats from the two variants. In such a scenario, the administration should keep testing people with more reliance on RT-PCR testing. There must be strict adherence to covid-19 appropriate behavior and all measures, which are identified already, need to be taken without fail.

Covid cases decline, mortality rate increases in J&K

Front

Nadeem Nadu

01/02/2022

Covid cases decline, mortality rate increases in J&K

2550 test positive, 15 die in UT

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported significant decline in the number of covid-19 cases as 2550 were confirmed in the last 24 hours even as 15 persons succumbed to the virus during the time, officials said on Monday.

They said 974 of the fresh cases were confirmed from Jammu Division and 1576 from Kashmir Valley, taking the total count to 435425.

Regarding the fresh fatalities, the officials said that ten among them were reported from Jammu division and five from Kashmir valley. So far 4674 people have died due to the virus—2285 in Jammu and 2389 in Kashmir Valley.

Giving district wise details, he said, Srinagar reported 391 cases, Baramulla 210, Budgam 172, Pulwama 84, Kupwara 225, Anantnag 138, Bandipora 171, Ganderbal 18, Kulgam 140, Shopian 27, Jammu 500, Udhampur 120, Rajouri 53, Doda 90, Kathua 11, Samba 14, Kishtwar 107, Poonch 21, Ramban 32 and Reasi 26.

Some of the cases were confirmed at diagnostic laboratories of GMC Srinagar, GMC Anantnag and District hospital Pulwama.

The GMC Srinagar cases include Female (28) (NA) from Kulgam, female (45) (NA) from Zaffron colony, male (35) (NA) from Safakadal, male (105) (NA) from Bandipora, male (26) (NA) from Kupwara, male (50) (NA) from Nawakadal, male (71) (NA) from Budgam, female (74) (NA) from Habakadal, female (54) (NA) from Rawalpora, male (67) (NA) from Chadoora, male (65) (NA) from Budgam, female (70) (NA) from Budgam, male (37) (NA) from Pulwama, male (40) (NA) from Nowgam, female (24) from Qamarwari, male (37) (NA) from Elahibagh, male (35) from Nawhara Pulwama, female (45) from Pulwama, female (50) from Pinglena Pulwama, female (26) from Pinglena Pulwama, male (45) from Pinglena Pulwama, female (28) from Pinglena Pulwama, male (60) from Prichoo Pulwama, female (35) from Shalimar, male (34) from Naidkhah, male (60) from Tangpora, male (40) from Batamaloo, female (60) from Batamaloo, female (40) from Batamaloo, male (27) from Hyderpora, male (55) from HMT Sgr, male (48) from Bemina, female (43) from Bemina, male (16) from Baghat, female (51) from Baghat, male (74) from Mehjoor nagar, female (28) from Batamaloo, female (29) from HMT, female (20) from Peerbagh, male (48) from Hyderpora, male (64) from Sgr and male (31) from Brain.

The GMC Anantng cases include The GMC Anantnag cases include male (30) from Tangmarg DH Pora, female (30) from Nandimarg, female (33) from Ahmadabad DH Pora, female (30) from Danipora, male (34) from Damhall, male (35) from CRPora, male (35) from Wattoo, female (36) from Margibal, male (45) from Gujarpora, male (35) from Nagnard, five males (26, 35, 40, 35, 55) from Chimmer, male (70) from Kutmarg, male (19) from Pariwan, male (19) from Samnoo Kulgam, male (28) from Malwan, female (48) from Nillow Kulgam, male (42) from Odura Kulgam, female (24) from Reban, female (35) from Kulgam, female (20) from Chawalgam, female (32) from Chellen, female (27) from Wangam, male (42) from Shigunpora, male (41) from Chambgund, male (41) from Bogund, male (45) from Pomby, female (36) from Dardgund, male (25) from Srandoo Kulgam, male (35) from Lirrow Kulgam, female (26) from DK Marg Kulgam, male (22) from Khull Kulgam, male (50) from Buchroo, male (48) from Bumbrath Kulgam, male (50) from Frisal, male (56) from Khee, male (48) from Kalam Kulgam, male (62) from Mahipora, male (32) from Wanpoh, male (25) from Ponwa, male (44) from Srandoo, male (50) from Lamad, male (45) from Korel Ang, male (55) from Tantray Pora Kulgam, male (62) from Cheyan, male (43) from Ashtal, male (51) from Agroo, male (49) from Supat, male (52) from Kulgam, male (36) from Manzgam, male (64) from Daderkoot, male (50) from Tangbal, male (50) from Akhran, male (50) from Qaimoh, female (40) and male (29) from Tarigam, female (42) from Khudwani, female (35) from Okey Kulgam, female (31) from Jogipora Kulgam, female (25) from Begam Kulgam, male (32) from Deegam, two males (52, 26) from Bongam, male (70) from Chanapora, female (63) from Devpora, male (45) from Zawoora, male (30) from Nazneenpora, male (25) from Khathallan, male (45) from Kangnoo, male (35) from Parewan, male (44) from Laisoo, male (50) from Zainapora, male (50) from Rawalpora, female (32) from Pagnoo, male (45) from Devpora, male (46) from Trenz, female (55) from Yadar, two males (35, 16) from Wachi, female (30) from Kanigam, male (40) from Drawini, male (40) from Reban, four females (68, 78, 26, 28) from C/O PHC Achabal, male (50) from Sheteepora Bij, male (70) from Waghama Bij, male (21) from Kokernag, female (33) from Nagam Kokernag, male (45) from Watnard Kokernag, male (44) and female (35) from Adhal Kokernag, male (44) from Soaf Kokernag, male (27) from 19 RR Kokernag, female (30) from Ahlan Kokernag, female (22) and male (30) from Vailoo Kokernag, male (35) from Aishmuqam, female (40) from Larkipora Aishmuqam, female (35) from Siligam Ang, female (60) from Hapatnard, two females (60, 59) from Nambal, male (59) from Mattan, male (59) from Fohar, female (35) from Ang, female (32) from Jammu, female (18) from Seer Hamadan, female (50) from Salia, male (10) from Manigam Ang, female (50) from Brad Ang, male (58) from Mattan, male (46) from Krangsoo, female (50) from SK Colony, female (49) from Mulsoo Ang, female (36) from Maharashtra, male (20) and female (61) from Cheripora Shangus, two males (37, 60) from Chittergull Shangus, two males (27, 35) from Nowgam Shangus, female (25) from Shangus Ang, male (NA) from Sadoora, male (30) from Qazigund, male (NA) from Omoh Verinag, female (NA) from Dooru Verinag, female (48) from Srinagar, female (25) from Kund, male (54) from Banihal, male (40) from Babapora, male (29) from Nussu, male (49) from Nillow Kulgam and female (26) from Matibugh Kulgam.

The District Hospital Pulwama cases include female (55) from Zarken shopian, female (30) from Dompora, female (33) from Thokerpora, female (45) from Kalampora, female (35) from Marham shopian, male (28) from Pinglena, male (32) from Ratnipora, male (50) from Pulwama, female (33) from Prichoo, male (26) from Dangerpora, female (55) from Dangerpora, male (45) from Gudoora, female (32) from Koil, female (39) from Hanthoora, male (35) from Chadigam, male (36) from Prichoo, female (34) from Rahmoo, female (45) from Dalipora and male (60) from Talangama.

Besides, they said, 6433 Covid-19 patients recovered during the time—1853 from Jammu Division and 4580 from Kashmir. So far 394379 people have recovered, leaving active case tally at 36372 —9579 in Jammu and 26793 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 32645 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)

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