Jammu: Union Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), V Srinivas Friday presented the first copy of District Good Governance Index (DGGI) to Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta here in presence of Principal Secretary Information and Higher Education, Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary, GAD, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi and DG IMPARD, Sourabh Bhagat.

The maiden exercise is the sequel to the many administrative reforms taken in hand by J&K administration post August, 2019. The exercise is first of its kind in the country where districts have been rated as per their score computed on public feedback and reforms taken in making the governance process simple, swift, innovative, accessible and accountable.

On the occasion the Chief Secretary termed it as a milestone in improving the overall culture of offering people-friendly administration with an inherent sense of accountability along with transparency in its functioning.

He said the exercise is prelude to the umbrella process taken by the government to make governance more responsive, reformative, reasonable, rational and accessible at doorsteps of people.

Dr Mehta lauded both DARPG and IMPARD for culminating this tedious exercise in such a short duration of time. He maintained that this exercise would be made more evolved and inclusive in future overspreading to even the lowest levels of administration.

Earlier it was said that the DGGI framework has 58 indicators drawn from different aspects of development and district administration. It encompasses 10 sectors such as agriculture and allied sector, commerce and industry, human resource development, public health, public infrastructure and utilities, economic governance, welfare and development, public safety and judiciary and citizen centric governance in computing the overall score of the district in the index.

After an elaborate exercise of data collation followed by data sanitization the final index was computed using standard and tested data normalisation and scoring methods, as was revealed on this occasion.

The index would reflect comprehensive rank of districts based on composite 10 sectors. The DGGI will also offer a window on indicator-wise performance of the districts, a much easier way of understanding their performance on governance process, as was said by the concerned officers during this official event.

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Covid-19 cases continue to mount as Jammu and Kashmir reported 5720 new infections while five more persons succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Friday.

They said that 1890 the fresh cases were confirmed from Jammu Division and 3830 from Kashmir Valley, taking the overall tally to 384381.

Regarding the deaths, they said, four were from Jammu division and one from Kashmir. So far 4591 people have died due to the virus—2241 in Jammu division and 2350 in Kashmir Valley.

Giving district wise details, the officials said that Srinagar reported 1341 cases, Baramulla 688, Budgam 550, Pulwama 170, Kupwara 208, Anantnag 237, Bandipora 241, Ganderbal 246, Kulgam 106, Shopian 43, Jammu 1306, Udhampur 100, Rajouri 62, Doda 103, Kathua 61, Samba 99, Kishtwar 18, Poonch 48, Ramban 22 and Reasi 71.

A number of the fresh cases were confirmed at diagnostic laboratories of GMC Srinagar and Anatnag besides District Hospital Pulwama.

The GMC Srinagar cases include female (29) (NA) from Shalimar, female (54) (NA) from Shalimar, male (59) (NA) from Shalimar, male (36) (NA) from Lalbazar, female (57) (NA) from Brain, female (47) (NA) from Shalimar, female (16) (NA) from Brain nishat, female (38) (NA) from Brain nishat, male (30) (NA) from Tulmullah ganderbal, male (52) (NA) from Nishat, male (36) (NA) from Brain, female (59) (NA) from Harwan, male (38) (NA) from Habbak Sgr, male (28) (NA) from Nagabal dara, female (29) (NA) from Nishat, male (29) (NA) from Nishat, male (28) (NA) from Harwan, female (34) (NA) from Ishbar nishat, female (25) (NA) from Ishbar nishat, female (26) (NA) from Sgr, female (26) (NA) from Baramulla, male (51) (NA) from Natipora, male (24) (NA) from Anantnag, male (27) (NA) from GDC hostel, female (29) (NA) from GDC Sgr, male (26) (NA) from GDC hostel, female (30) (NA) from Qamarwari, male (58) (NA) from Qamarwari, female (30) (NA) from Nowshera, male (27) (NA) from Pulwama, male (39) (NA) from Rajbagh, female (35) (NA) from Rajbagh, male (20) (NA) from Rajbagh, female (24) (NA) from Sgr, female (27) (NA) from Shalimar, male (65) (NA) from Habbak, female (30) (NA) from Habbak, female (75) (NA) from Batamaloo, male (69) (NA) from Batamaloo, female (60) (NA) from Batamaloo, male (85) (NA) from Batamaloo, male (35) (NA) from Chattabal, female (28) (NA) from Bandipora, female (32) (NA) from Eidgah, female (24) (NA) from Pulwama, female (22) (NA) from Pulwama, male (24) (NA) from Anantnag, male (30) (NA) from Pulwama, male (23) (NA) from Kupwara, male (40) (NA) from Sgr, male (29) (NA) from Anantnag, female (65) (NA) from Sgr, female (50) (NA) from Sgr, male (22) (NA) from Kupwara, male (26) (NA) from Pampore, male (27) (NA) from Sgr, female (62) (NA) from Sgr, female (30) (NA) from Bemina, female (50) (NA) from Sgr, male (65) (NA) from Budgam, male (24) (NA) from Sgr, female (55) (NA) from Sgr, male (29) (NA) from Harwan, male (90) (NA) from Ganderbal, female (90) (NA) from Gopalpora, male (60) (NA) from Sgr, female (28) (NA) from Rawalpora, female (60) (NA) from Rawalpora, female (33) (NA) from Kargil, male (21) (NA) from Anantnag, female (25) (NA) from Sanatnagar, female (23) (NA) from GMC, male (25) (NA) from Bandgam, female (70) (NA) from Budgam, male (24) (NA) from Sgr, male (27) (NA) from Sgr, male (28) (NA) from Sgr, male (35) (NA) from Chadoora pulwama, male (35) (NA) from Sangerwani pulwama, male (30) (NA) from Pakherpora, female (27) (NA) from Indranagar, male (45) (NA) from Chanpora, male (03) (NA) from Hyderpora, male (49) (NA) from Chanpora and male (36) (NA) from Natipora.

The GMC Anantnag cases include male (15) from Malik Mohalla, male (41) from Ratnipora, male (22) from Tharin Keller, female (35) from Abhama Pul, male (32) from Herpora, female (23) from Charimarg, female (28) from Awneera, male (40) from Mah Kulgam, male (35) from Panewa Kulgam, three males (36, 36, 53) and two females (36, 21) from Sahoo DH Pora, two males (40, 50) and female (28) from Damhall DH Pora, male (35) from Khull DH Pora, male (36) from Kulgam DH Pora, female (15) from Manzgam Kulgam, female (35) from Laroo Kulgam, two males (10, 58) from Okey Kulgam, female (19) from Motergam Kulgam, male (45) from Hablish Kulgam, male (46) from Behibagh Kulgam, female (45) from Qazigund, male (66) from Laisoo Kulgam, female (19) from Akhal Kulgam, male (24) from Pulwama, male (21) from Sachin Dailgam, male (50) from Nai Basti, female (32) from Soura, female (26) from Shangus, female (25) from GMC Ang, female (28) from Pulwama, female (46) from Malaknag, male (27) from Anantnag, male (32) from Ashajipora, male (67) from Anchidora, male (60) and female (25) from Khanabal, male (25) from Sarnal, two males (53, 23) from Anchidora, female (15) from Bijbehara, female (27) from Lazibal, male (35) from KP Road, male (38) from Nowgam Shangus, three females (14, 18, 40) from Ashajipora, male (40) from New Qazibagh, three males (45, 45, 42) from South Campus, female (62) from Achgoza Pul, male (21) from Narwani, female (24) from Dailgam, male (28) from Khundroo, male (50) from Imooh, two females (28, 60) from Gulshan Abad and female (36) from Wardwan.

The DH Pulwama cases include male (30) from Prichoo pulwama, female (28) from Pulwama, male (30) from Kakapora, female (30) from washbugh, male (30) from Murran, male (37) from Chadoora, female (40) from Arihal, male (48) from Chattapora, male (45) from Koil, female (50) from Ariham, female (28) from Trichal, female (20) from Rahmoo, female (50) from Parigam, female (27) (NA) from Malangpora, female (27) from Nowgam, female (35) from Gongoo, male (32) from Heff shirmal, male (60) from Koil, male (25) from Drabgam, male (35) from Gudoora, female (35) from New colony pulwama, male (10) from New colony pulwama, female (30) from Drisoo pulwama, female (33) from Wasoora, male (17) from Payer pulwama, male (26) from Sheikhara pulwama and female (30) from Babhara Pulwama.

Besides, they said, 1877 Covid-19 patients recovered during the time—819 from Jammu Division and 1058 from Kashmir. So far 344908 people have recovered, leaving active case tally at 34882—11602 in Jammu and 23280 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 39460 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar: Officials on Friday said that the infectivity rate along with bed occupancy in Jammu and Kashmir is increasing with each passing day and people shouldn’t take the current wave lightly.

Officials said that cases are increasing at an alarming rate from 169 positive cases reported on January 01 to around 6,000 cases that were reported on January 20.

They further added that people shouldn’t take this wave lightly otherwise it can prove costly.

Spokesperson, Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, Mir Mushtaq said that with each passing day cases are increasing besides that more beds are getting occupied.

Mir said that there is a misconception among people that Omicron is very mild but they must know that it is highly infectious affecting everyone and people taking it lightly can prove costly.

He said that though Omicron is causing less severity than Delta that doesn’t mean that it can’t cause severity.

“People who are taking lightly and aren’t following Covid appropriate behaviour and transmitting viruses to others which includes vulnerable people can prove dangerous,” he said.

“Even when people are saying that it is mild, there are dozens of patients who are on oxygen so people shouldn’t remain complacent at this stage,” Mir said. (KNO)

Srinagar: A 64-hour-long weekend lockdown came into effect on Friday in Jammu and Kashmir.

The weekend lockdown rules have been tweaked into increase its length as Covid surge in the union territory refused to subside.

All non essential moments have been restricted starting 2 pm Friday with police making public announcements to adhere to guidelines.

Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday extended the weekly lockdown by 16 hours till Monday 6 am.

Public announcements were made at all key cross sections, including Residency road, Lal Chowk, Amirakadal other areas of Srinagar. Violators were warned they will dealt with strictly.

The health officials urged people to follow the standard operating procedure (SOP) by wearing face masks and maintaining distance.

Jammu and Kashmir has recorded the highest number of 5,992 fresh cases besides seven deaths due the coronavirus in the UT on Thursday.

The authorities have exempted the pregnant women from physical attendancing during the lockdown and allowed them to work from home till further orders. (UNI)

Srinagar: A Core Group consisting of top officials of civil administration, intelligence agencies and security forces in J&K met on Friday at Badami Bagh Cantonment to review the security situation in Kashmir.

The meeting was co-chaired by the General Officer Commanding, Chinar Corps, Lt Gen DP Pandey and Director General of Police Jammu & Kashmir, Dilbag Singh.

The core group reviewed the intelligence inputs and security parameters of 2021. Year 2021 witnessed a reduction in (militant) infiltration, reduced (militant) incidents, reduced (militant) recruitment, increased operations based on HUMINT, reduced collateral damage, no civil casualties in law and order situation, reduced SF casualties, increased arrest of (militants and booking of OGWs,” Army said in a statement

“All pointing to effective conduct of joint operations and activities by intelligence and security agencies. There has been increased neutralization of Pakistani (militants) in last few weeks. The effort of the frontline soldiers and operatives of all agencies were acknowledged by all present.”

The core group discussed fresh strategies of the militants organizations and their handlers including use of “Hybrid militants and targeting of soft targets.”

15 militants were killed in 2021 were fresh names not on the security forces radar. “The core group discussed the setting up of SIA and the increased booking by NIA is showing impact of focused intelligence and investigation efforts,” it said, adding, “These efforts have been effective in targeting drug, hawala and the OGWs networks. Legal action on those willfully harbouring (militants is being increased as the harbourers have direct involvement in (militant) activities.”

The officials stated that the ceasefire has improved the security situation along the border, however, intelligence inputs of militant launch pads and training activities in Pakistan indicate the need to be alert along the Line of Control, it said.

“On the Line of Control, late snow has kept the infiltration routes open for longer time, however effective domination has ensured decrease in overall infiltration including those from South of Pir Panjal,” it said, adding, “The vigil on the Line of Control against infiltration of men, drugs and weapons is continuing.”

The officials shared the challenge of “propaganda of the nexus through internet and social media”.

“Sadly, these efforts include propaganda to legitimize killing of Kashmiri civilians by the (militants). The use of social media to spread disinformation is widespread and needs to be countered proactively by a joint effort,” it said, adding, “Efforts at synergy in exposing fake news, booking of radicals trying to foment unrest and proactive sharing of information by state agencies are being upgraded.”

The DGP and the Corps Commander commended the officials present on improved security indicators. They appreciated that post the abrogation of Article 370, certain bench marks were set which have been achieved successfully for the restoration of peace and prosperity in the region, the statement said.

The DGP stated that reduction in local militant recruitment is one parameter that all must approach with continued focus,” it said, adding, “A special mention was made on the measures taken to minimize the collateral damage in operations despite risk to own soldiers.”

He recommended continued efforts to give chance of surrenders to local militants to give them a second chance at living a fruitful life.

“The Corps Commander called upon all to treat 2022 as a transformative year where common man used to zero civilian casualties in 2021 should see 2022 as the year when things turned for good for the long term,” it said, adding, “He cautioned the trend of the (militants) to use urban areas with thick built up area for operations as they provide more avenues to hide or escape and puts higher onus in security forces to exercise restraint to avoid collateral damage.”

He expressed satisfaction at low SF casualties in 2021 by better intelligence-based operations and improved tactical drills, the army statement reads further. “He called for continued efforts along with the civil society to counter the separatist propaganda and break the cycle of violence for long term peace in Kashmir.” (IANS)