Srinagar: Anti-Corruption Bureau on Monday arrested a Patwari (revenue official) while allegedly demanding and accepting Rs 3500 bribe in Qazigund area of south Kashmir.

“ACB arrests Mohammad Abbas, Patwari Halqa Kewa, Qazigund District Kulgam for demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 3,500 from complainant for providing of revenue extracts,” ACB said in a statement.

It said a complaint was received, alleging that Mohammad Abbas, Patwari Halqa Kewa, Qazigund District Kulgam was demanding bribe for providing revenue extracts.

The complainant alleged that the accused Patwari has demanded Rs.3500 from him in lieu of providing Revenue Extracts viz Intikhaab for obtaining KCC Loan.

“Upon receiving the instant complaint prima facie offence U/S 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 was found made out,” it said, adding, “Consequently, case FIR No. 02/2022 was registered at Police Station ACB Anantnag. Mohammad Abbas, Patwari Halqa Kewa, Qazigund District Kulgam was arrested while demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 3500 from the complainant.”

He said further investigation of the case was going on.

Lauds efforts of implementing agencies for fast progress on projects

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha on Sunday reviewed the progress of mega projects of Jammu Division through camera-mounted drones via videoconferencing from his office at Raj Bhawan.

The review included three undergoing projects- AIIMS Jammu, IIT Jammu, and Jambu Zoo. The Lieutenant Governor lauded the efforts of implementing agencies for fast progress on the projects.

During the meeting, the chair was briefed about the physical and financial progress of the projects.

Rs 1661 Crores have been sanctioned for the AIIMS Jammu project at Vijaypur including Rs. 1452 cr for construction & Rs. 209 cr for Medical Equipment & Furniture, while works worth Rs 1253.78 Crores has been tendered so far, informed Prof. (Dr.) Shakti Gupta, Director, AIIMS Jammu.

Under Phase-I of the project, the prestigious project includes Hospital; Medical College; Nursing College; Staff Quarters; Student Accommodation; Auditorium, AYUSH building, Night Shelter and other development works.

It was informed that the manpower deployed at the site has been enhanced manifold for completion of the work within the stipulated time-period.

Briefing about the progress made on permanent Campus of IIT Jammu, Dr. Manoj Singh Gaur, Director IIT Jammu informed the meeting that an amount of Rs 1283.94 Crores have been sanctioned for the project.

It was informed that completed works under Phase-1A and Phase-1B have already been inaugurated by Union Home Minister, while works under Phase 1C are in progress.

Giving details about the Jambu Zoo, Suresh Kr. Gupta, PCCF / Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K, briefed that funds amounted to Rs 49.17 Crores have been approved under JKIDFC against the total project cost of Phase-I worth Rs 62.41 Crores.

Pertinently, Central Zoo Authority (CZA) was approached for approval of layout plan as required under the provisions of Central Act i.e Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and revised layout and animal enclosure designs were submitted to CZA for approval.

Animal Enclosure Designs were approved by CZA on 27-08-2021. Master Layout Plan submitted to CZA on 12-08-2021 after incorporating the observations made by DIG CZA during her visit to Jambu, it was informed.

The expected dates of completion of the mega projects are March 2023 for phase 1 of AIIMS Jammu, September 2022 for phase 1 of Jambu Zoo, and April 2023 for phase 1C of IIT Jammu.

Dr. Raghav Langer, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, and concerned officers of executive agencies also attended the meeting.

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 4615 new covid-19 cases while seven persons succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Sunday.

They said 1401 of the fresh cases were confirmed from Jammu Division and 3214 from Kashmir Valley, taking the total count to 432875.

Regarding the fatalities, the officials said that four among them were reported from Jammu division and three from Kashmir valley. So far 4659 people have died due to the virus—2275 in Jammu and 2384 in Kashmir Valley.

Giving district wise details, he said, Srinagar reported 889 cases, Baramulla 479, Budgam 663, Pulwama 69, Kupwara 613, Anantnag 244, Bandipora 21, Ganderbal 46, Kulgam 159, Shopian 31, Jammu 826, Udhampur 151, Rajouri 45, Doda 133, Kathua 40, Samba 46, Kishtwar 59, Poonch 35, Ramban 48 and Reasi 18.

Some of the cases were confirmed at GMC Anantnag and include female (29) from Imamsahib, male (60) from Wuyan, male (50) from Arwani, male (38) from Kaprin, male (50) from Pulwama, two males (37, 40) from Dachipora, male (33) from Rawalpora, female (40) from Nayon, male (46) from Pahnoo, female (50) from Trenz, male (42) from Dewpora, female (35) from Batapora, male (40) from Khujpora, female (25) from Zainapora, male (52) from Nagbal, female (30) from Wachi, female (60) from Handew, female (50) from Aglar, female (32) from Nadigam, male (50) from Hillow, male (52) from Chitragam, female (50) from Zeban, female (40) from Kashwa, female (30) from Check Sangran, male (50) and female (18) from Tulren, female (68) from Berigam, male (35) from Kraloo, male (26) from Nussu, male (43) from Dailgam, male (45) from Sransoo, male (40) from Hallan, female (34) from Chowgam, male (60) from Nowgund, male (55) from Pahalgam, female (35) from Nigeenpora, female (21) from Pratapora, female (40) from Oril Kund, female (30) from Dalwacth, female (13) and male (10) from Manzmoh, female (13) from Churat, female (40) from Y K Pora, female (27) from Ghulabagh, male (30) from Malikabad, female (25) from Lammer, female (27) from Watihal, male (28) from Kuchipora, male (45) from Khahgund, male (18) from Sadiwara, male (18) from Verinag, male (40) from L Monda, male (65) from Khudwani, female (9) from Bonigam, female (24) from Danow Bogund, female (15) from Shopiyaan Qaimoh, male (56) from Yaripora, male (32) from Buchroo, female (27) from D H Pora, female (25) and male (27) from Qaimoh, two males (28, 30) from Wanpoh, male (45) from Narwani Shopian, female (18) from Frisal Yaripora, male (35) from Matibugh Kulgam, male (44) from Khanabal, male (30) from Chowgam, male (50) from Pachigam, female (30) from Churat, female (30) from Panzath, female (50) and male (30) from YKPora Ang, female (30) from Badragund Ang, male (45) from Sopat Kulgam, female (25) from Banihal, male (30) from Qazigund, male (22) and female (35) from Kund Kulgam, male (20) from Akingam, female (50) from Damhall, two males (25, 60) and female (25) from H Tooru, female (52) from Achabal, male (28) from Hardpora, male (55) from K Kalan Bij, male (30) from Hiller, male (65) from Mattan, male (60) from Hapatnard, male (40) from Shamsipora, male (46) from Kheribal, male (50) from Nambal, male (30) from Hutmurrah, male (60) from Paibugh, female (31) from Chattisgarh, two males (27, 31) from Surat, female (22) from Koot Verinag, female (25) from Kapran Verinag, male (50) from Larkipora, male (26) from Verinag, male (30) from Thajiwara, two males (16, 13) from Dooru Shahabad, male (33) from Manzmoo Qazigund, male (24) from Thamn Koot, male (63) from Zadipora, male (23) from Batengoo, male (45) from S K Colony, male (56) from Sarnal, two males (8, 13) and three females (90, 38, 60) from Janglat Mandi, male (40) from K P Road, female (28) from Moominabad, female (47) and male (53) from 99RCC, female (55) from Kokernag, male (35) from Pampore, male (39) from Moominabad, male (19) from Nanil, male (70) from Lisser, female (70) from Banihal, female (23) from Monghall, male (28) from Bijbehara, female (31) from S K Colony, male (40) from Ganderbal, male (48) from Surat, female (33) from Bangalore, male (29) from Nagpur, male (29) from Srinagar, female (49) from Wukha Shangus, female (48) from Dardpora Shangus, male (18) from Pahloo Shangus, female (22) and male (40) from Uttersoo, male (40) from Shangus, female (32) from Khull Shangus, male (24) from Kawarigam, two males (26, 32) from Brah Shangus, female (18) from Bijbhera, female (60) from Bangward DH Pora and male (8) from Dudkuchn DH Pora.

Besides, they said, 6557 Covid-19 patients recovered during the time—1585 from Jammu Division and 4972 from Kashmir. So far 387946 people have recovered, leaving active case tally at 40270—10468 in Jammu and 29802 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 17144 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)

‘Education institutions, including coaching centres to remain closed for in-person teaching’

Srinagar: Authorities on Monday reduced weekly lockdown duration to 57-hours while as education institutions including coaching centres shall continue to be closed for in-person teaching.

“There shall also be complete restriction on non-essential movement in the entire J&K from every Friday 9.00 PM to Monday 6.00AM,” reads the order issued by here by State Executive Committee headed by Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta. Earlier the lockdown would start from 2p.m. on Friday and now it will be from 9.00 p.m.

Night Curfew shall continue to remain in force in all districts from 9 pm to 6 am with complete restriction on non-essential movement.

As regards the education institutions, the SEC ordered that all Colleges, Schools, Polytechnics, ITIs, Coaching Centres for Civil Services and Engineering or NEET etc. shall continue to adopt online medium of teaching. “There shall be no in-person teaching,” reads the order.

“Educational institutions shall be permitted to direct attendance of vaccinated staff for administrative purposes only. The Head of the institution must ensure that guidelines related to social distancing and Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) are strictly followed”.

The State Executive Committee also reiterated that all the offices shall 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.”

All employees with disabilities shall also be given option to work from home, it said.

“A maximum number of people permitted to attend any indoor/ outdoor gathering shall be strictly restricted to 25,” the order reads.

Banquet Halls in all the Districts of J&K have been permitted to allow gathering up to 25 vaccinated persons (with verifiable RT-PCR or RAT not older than 72 hours) or 25% of the authorised capacity (whichever is less), preferably in open spaces.

“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.”

All Deputy Commissioners have been asked to 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, the order reads, shall 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 shall also 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.”

There shall be renewed focus on Panchayat level/Medical Block mapping of cases and effective micro-containment zones shall be constituted wherever number of Covid-19 Positive cases reaches 3 or above, the order reads further.

“The DCs shall keep active track of the positivity rates in their respective jurisdictions. Strict perimeter control (Micro-Containment Zone) shall be implemented for localities where Covid-19 Positive Cases number reaches 3 and above. This shall be done to ensure no movement of people in or out of these zones, except for medical emergencies and for maintaining supply of essential goods and services.”

Says such infra to bring great opportunities in sports field, employment

Union Minister hails PM’s initiative of building stadium in Ladakh

Srinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday announced that an open synthetic track and astroturf football stadium will be built in Ladakh.

The stadium will be built at a height of more than 10,000 feet and its construction will be completed soon, he said while addressing the nation in this year’s first Mann Ki Baat.

“Ladakh will soon be blessed with an impressive Open Synthetic Track and Astro-Turf Football Stadium. This stadium is being built at a height of more than 10,000 feet and its construction is going to be completed soon. This will be the largest open stadium in Ladakh where 30,000 spectators can sit together”, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation.

Friends, today I want to share with you one such information about Ladakh which you will definitely be proud to know about. Ladakh will soon be blessed with an impressive Open Synthetic Track and Astro Turf Football Stadium: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi

The football stadium will have a synthetic track with 8 lanes and there will also be a hostel facility with one thousand beds. The stadium is FIFA certified as well. PM Modi further said that such infrastructure will also bring great opportunities in the field of sports, tourism and employment.

“Whenever such a big sports infrastructure comes up, it brings great opportunities to the youth of the country. Alongwith such an arrangement, movement of people from all over the country takes place, tourism gets promoted and many employment opportunities are created. The stadium will also benefit many of our youth in Ladakh,” said PM Modi.

Meanwhile, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur hailed the Prime Minister’s initiative of building the stadium in Ladakh.

“Respected Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, it is a very pleasant experience to see your policies to promote sports and sportspersons coming to fruition. Today everyone associated with sports is feeling this change. @kheloindia There is a revolution in the field of sports. At an altitude of more than 10,000 feet in Ladakh,” tweeted Anurag Thakur.