Srinagar, Sep 25: Inspector General of Police Kashmir range Vijay Kumar today said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of police has been constituted to probe Advocate Babar Qadri’s killing.

Addressing a press conference at Police Control Room (PCR)  here the IGP Kashmir said that advocate Babar Qadri’s killing took place at 6:20 pm yesterday, when two masked men entered into his Hawal, Srinagar residence as clients with files in their hands.

“They told Qadri that they had to discuss some accident related case but fired at this head with pistols. Qadri sustained four bullet wounds in his head and died on the way to hospital,” he said.

While fleeing, IGP Kashmir said, militants fired a few bullets in the air. “We have constituted a SIT headed by an SP rank officer that will probe the killing of Qadri and the outfit involved in the act,” he said. The IGP said that Babar in his last tweet had tagged PHQ Jammu. “Had he aged Srinagar police of PHQ Kashmir, we would have taken note,” Kumar said. (KNO)

Death toll mounts to 1111, infected people near 70000 mark
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, Sep 25: Jammu and Kashmir reported 23 more COVID-19 related deaths including a 30-year-old man in last 24 hours, taking the fatality count to 1111, while 1218 more people tested positive for the virus in the Union taking the tally of the infected cases to 69832.
Among the victims, official sources told GNS that eleven each belonged to Jammu region and Kashmir.
As regards Jammu, they said, five of the victims were from the J&K’s winter capital while two were from Udhampur and one each from Kathua, Doda, Samba and Poonch.
Regarding Valley, they said, six were from Srinagar, three from Pulwama and one each from Kupwara, Ganderbal and Shopian.
The victims from Valley include 75-year-old woman from Kadikadal Srinagar, a 75-year-old from Chundina Ganderbal, 66-year-old from Narpora Shopian, an 80-year-old man from Konibal Pampore, an 80-year-old man from Noorpora, a 30-year-old of Uthmulla Pulwama, , a 67-year-old man from Hundi Kupwara, a 70-year-old man from Lasjan, an 80-year-old from Al Farooq Colony Bemina, a 66-year-old from Rawalpora Srinagar, a 75-yearold from Botakadal Srinagar and a 60-year-old woman from Hamdaniya Colony Bemina.
Among others, the victims from Jammu include a 71-year-old of Preet Nagar, a 65-year-old woman from Morh, and a 58-year-old from Janipora Jammu.
With these deaths, the number of people who have succumbed to the virus has gone upto 1110 in Jammu and Kashmir.

1218 fresh COVID-19 cases in J&K, tally at 69832

Meanwhile, 1218 new COVID-19 cases in last 24-hours in Jammu and Kashmir, taking the total count in J&K to 69832.

Among the cases, official sources told GNS that 642 were confirmed from Jammu Division and 576 from Kashmir Valley.
Giving the district-wise breakup, they said Srinagar reported 224, Budgam 61, Baramulla 64, Pulwama 51, Anantnag 36, Bandipora 26, Kupwara 31, Ganderbal 53, Kulgam 5, Shopian 25, Jammu 240, Rajouri 44, Udhampur 60, Kathua 39, Doda 61, Samba 30, Poonch 51, Ramban 48, Reasi 14 and Kishtwar 55.
A number of these cases were confirmed at CD and SKIMS diagnostic laboratories including 39 cases from army’s BB Cantt Srinagar, two from RR, five doctors, 24 CRPF and nine BSF personnel besides two minors.
The CD cases include female (35) from Srinagar, two males (27, 29) from RR Panzgam Red Zone, thirty nine males (20, 27, 31, 45, 38, 33, 32, 29, 25, 30, 30, 31, 24, 26, 45, 39, 34, 27, 35, 23, 33, 36, 42, 30, 48, 30, 24, 30, 38, 40, 39, 23, 44, 23, 26, 26, 28, 31, 26) from BB Cantt Srg, female (23) from Bemina, male (57) from Indranagar Srg, female (NA) from Sonwar Srg, female (07) from Shangergund, male (39) from Model Town Sopore, male (11) from Green Town Sopore, male (23) from Boniyar Baramulla, female (43) and male (14) from Green Town Sopore, female (29) from Noorbagh Sopore, male (50) from Hanfia Colony Sopore, female (30) from Shangergund, male (15) from Hanfia Colony Sopore, female (75) from Noorbagh Sopore, male (48) from Nowpora Sopore, male (35) from Pinglena, female (31) from Narwa, female (34) from Sadipora Tahab, female (30) from Begumbagh Kakapora, female (35) from Nowpora, female (50) from Chandgam, female (50) from Check Awantipora, male (35) from Rahmoo, female (48) from Noorpora Tral, female (29) from Pulwama, male (50) from Chewakalan, male (24) from B B K Shit, three females (28, 24, 37) and two males (14, 75) from Buchoo, male (15) and female (40) from Amirabad, female (30) from Chandrigam, three males (50, 23, 65) from Uthoora Pulwama, male (28) from Trich Pulwama, three males (33, 31, 62) and female (28) from Pahoo Pulwama, two females (50, 28) and two males (37, 35) from Galbugh Pulwama, male (60) from Kakapora Pulwama, male (44) from Konibal Pampore, female (52) and male (25) from Parigam Pulwama, male (26) from Anzwala, male (55) from Harnoo, male (49) from Kha Bazar, male (45) from Pattan Bla, female (35) from Kantibagh Baramulla, male (25) from Kreeri Baramulla, male (17) from New Colony Fatehpora, female (78) from Baramulla Kantibagh, female (25) from Khawaja Bagh Baramulla, male (55) and female (18) from New Colony Fatehpora, female (23) from Khawaja Bagh Baramulla, male (28) from Pulwama, two females (58, 65) from Bemina, male (60) from Bandipora, male (70) from Charisharief Budgam, male (70) from Qamarwari, male (25) from Nawabazar, male (45) from Padshahibagh Srg, male (37) from Naseembagh, male (20) from Peerbagh, NA (78) from Srinagar, male (60) from Khanyar, female (NA) from Nawabazar, male (NA) from Budgam, two females (26, 40) from Barbarshah, male (NA) from Bemina, female (55) from Eidgah Srg, female (17) from Jawahar Nagar, male (14) from Baghat, male (NA) from Lolab, female (45) from Lal Bazar, male (25) from Bemina, male (31) from HMT, female (30) from Tangmarg, male (29) from Karan Nagar, male (42) from Pulwama, female (37) and two males (42, 40) from Chandpora, male (60) from Nishat, male (68) from Dalgate, male (55) from Ishber, male (15) from Nigeen, male (46) and two females (65, 35) from NA, male (45) from Rainawari, male (50) from Hajin, female (55) from Kawoosa, female (33) from Bemina, female (42) from Jawahar Nagar, two males (26, 62) from Safakadal, two males (36, 37) from Hawal, female (50) from Karan Nagar, male (42) from Buchpora, male (51) from Gogjibagh, male (30) from Sonwar, female (44) from Bemina, male (NA) from Baghat, male (16) from Bemina, male (34) from Habakadal, female (35) from Fateh Kadal, two males (69, 35) and female (65) from Lal Chowk, female (NA) from NA, male (40) from Srinagar, male (37) from Batmaloo, female (NA) from Nowgam, two females (17, 70) from Eidgah Srg, male (34) from Khaja Bazar, male (50) from Eidgah, male (NA) from Kadi Kadal, male (NA) from NA, female (NA) from Bemina, male (72) from Chattabal, male (57) from Safakadal, male (48) from Nowbugh, female (55) from Pulwama, female (50) from HMT, female (70) from Safakadal, male (60) and female (65) from Budgam, male (30) from Batmaloo, male (55) from Nishat, male (50) from Srinagar, male (61) and female (50) from Sarnal.
The Anantnag cases include male (35) from Nambal Mattan, male (47) from Shampora Qazigund Anantnag.
The Srinagar cases include female (48) from Peerbagh, female (38) from Bemina, male (36) from Ahmadnagar, female (38) from Nowshera, female (72) and male (27) from Elahibagh, female (18) from Nowshera, three males (55, 22, 40) and two females (60, 52) from Gulab Bagh, male (32) from Skims, female (60) from Buchpora, female (45) from Nowshera, two males (62, 14) from Indranagar, two males (38, 65) from Hawal, male (37) and two females (23, 18) from Soura, male (35) from Hyderpora, female (50) from Noorbagh Srinagar.
The Baramulla cases include male (26) from Singhpora Pattan, male (40) from Nowpora Jagier, male (70) from Sopore, male (28) from Babareshi Baramulla.
The Budgam cases include three males (28, 30, 38) from Waripora Crpf Camp, male (36) from Magam, female (45) from Alamdar Colony Gopalpora, female (55) from Hussaini Colony, female (40) from Krala Pora Peer Colony, male (55) from Barzullah, male (50) from SDH Nagam, male (26) from Dalipora Nagam, two males (75, 45) from Nagam, male (45) from Kherigund, two males (45, 40) from Attina, female (55) from Bachroo Chadoora, male (13) from Soibugh, two males (80, 40) from Zoogu, male (47) from Khansahib, male (60) from Charisharief, male (49) from Charisharief Futlipora, female (02) from Charisharief Nowgam Budgam.
The Pulwama cases include female (30) from Noorpora Awantipora, male (40) from Kralpora, male (32) from Rajpora Pulwama.
The Bandipora cases include male (55) from Pahloo Bandipora.
The Doda cases include female (35) from Baderwah Sarai Bla Doda.
The Ganderbal cases include male (35) from Safapora, male (57) from Manigham, male (64) from Theru, male (55) from Ganderbal, male (27) from Lar Ganderbal.
The Kupwara cases include male (30) from 172 Bn BSF Kupwara, male (30) from 175 Bn Bn BSF Kupwara, male (42) from 177 Bn BSF Kupwara, two males (32, 39) from Gulgam, two males (21, 23) from Lalpora, male (20) from Kandi, female (25) and male (28) from Lachipora Handwara, female (35) and male (12) from Shumnag, male (48) from Hundi, female (65) from Marhama, male (43) from Darbagh Chadoora, male (39) from Dharpora Lolab, male (82) from Handwara Kupwara.
The CRPF cases include male (37) from 144 Bn Crpf Nehru Park Srg, two males (43, 26) from 68 MBSC Trehgam Kup, male (28) from 15 Adu Trehgam Kup, male (26) from 57 RR Karnkari Kup, male (29) from 175 Engr TA Niyari Kup, two males (21, 40) from 14 Sikh Niyari Kup, two males (42, 30) from 28 IDSR Niyari Kup, male (31) from 528 Asc Bn Niyari Kup, male (27) from 28 Div Camp Niyari Kup, male (39) from 59 Engr Regt Niyari Kup, male (37) from 428 Fh Niyari Kup, male (29) from 528 Asc Bn Niyari Kup, male (27) from 59 Engr Regt Niyari Kup, two females (40, 27) from 428 Fh Niyari Kup, male (37) from 628 EME Bn Niyari Kup, male (24) from 19 Garh Niyari Kup, male (36) from 19 Jat Niyari Kupwara.
The BSF cases include six males (26, 29, 47, 38, 40, 38) from Ch Bsf Humhama Srinagar.
Moreover, they said 1478 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and were discharged from various
hospitals— 805 from Jammu Division and 673 from Kashmir Valley. (GNS)

Singer S P Balasubrahmanyam dies due to COVID

New Delhi, Sep 24: Another 86,052 cases and 1,141 deaths were reported across the country in the past 24 hours.
As per the Union Health Ministry, the case tally of India has climbed 58,18,571, while the death toll surged to 92,290. The total number of recovered stands at 47,56,165 in numbers and 81.74 in percentage.
The active cases are now 9,70,116, around 17 per cent of the total cases.
India lost one of its legendary playback singers S P Balasubrahmanyam due to COVID-19. The 74-year-old versatile singer breathed his last in Chennai hospital.
The condition of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who is infected by both COVID-19 and dengue, is better now, an official said.
West Bengal Transport Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Director General of Delhi Prisons Sandeep Goel tested positive for the contagion.

State-wise, Maharashtra has recorded maximum 12,82,963 cases and 34,737 deaths, followed by 6,54,385 infections and 5,558 fatalities in Andhra Pradesh and 5,63,691 cases and 9,076 deaths in Tamil Nadu.

The Maharashtra government has decided to limit the use of remdesivir injections in the treatment of COVID-19 infection.
In Delhi, the government directed the officials to retest all symptomatic patients, who have tested negative on rapid antigen tests.
The Ministry of AYUSH approved a proposal for carrying out a clinical study to assess the role of Vasa and Guduchi in therapeutic management of symptoms in positive patients.
In sports, Cricket Australia postponed a one-off Test against Afghanistan and an ODI series against New Zealand, citing complexity of scheduling international matches.
Globally, the United States remains at the top with more than 71 lakh cases and over two lakh deaths. Brazil at third spot has recorded over 46 lakh cases and more than 1.39 lakh deaths.

Strenuous efforts being made to promote Ayurveda globally: Dr Jitender Singh
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Sep 25: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) AYUSH, Shripad Yesso Naik and Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region, Dr Jitendra Singh today laid e-foundation for Post Harvest Management Centre for Medicinal Plants in the premises of Institute of High Altitude Medicinal Plant under National Medicinal Plants Board, Ministry of AYUSH besides e-inaugrating 21 AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres upgraded under Ayushman Bharat operational at Kathua, Samba and Jammu districts.
Among others who attended the program through Video Conferencing included Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, J&K, Atal Dulloo, Joint Secretary Ministry of AYUSH, Roshan Jaggi besides Deputy Commissioner, Doda, Dr Sagar D Doifode, Director ISM, ADC Bhaderwah, ASP Bhaderwah, CEO Bhaderwah Development Authority and other senior officers.
Dr Jitendra Singh, while speaking on the occasion, said that persistence efforts have been made to establish the first of its kind institute in Bhaderwah area. He lauded the efforts of district administration for taking the project on war footing basis for larger interest of farmer’s fraternity. He said that with establishment of this prestigious institute many researchers and scholars will visit the district to conduct their research works. “The farmers will get actual education about herbal cultivation besides the produce will be certified, branded, packed and sold to the Ayush industry as well as in the national markets which will in turn enhance farmer’s income”, he asserted.
Dr Singh said that the Union Government under the leadership of Prime Minister, Narendera Modi is making strenuous efforts to promote Ayurveda not only at the national but international level as well. He added that the development activities have gained a significant momentum in the UT as well as in Udhampur Doda constituency in the past six years. He made a mention of several projects which were the long pending demands of the general public of the constituency like newly sanctioned Women College at Doda, Degree College at Marmat and Thathri, new alternate highway of Sudhmahdev, GMC at Doda, Kathua and Udhampur, 2 power projects at Kishtwar.
While addressing the participants, Shripad Yesso Naik said that almost 194 AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres worth Rs. 11 crore have been sanctioned for the UT in the last two years, of which, more than 50 have been made operational with the availability of latest IT equipments, availability of medicine, doctors etc. He said that AYUSH has reoriented the health facilities across the country and is playing pivotal role even during this time of Covid-19 pandemic. He said that with the coming of this institute herbal cultivation will be increased in the entire Chenab valley, new seeds will be produced and given to the farmers for herbal cultivation.
“The initiative has been taken to shift the traditional system of farming towards herbal farming which has huge potential in the present times across the world”, he maintained while highlighting the benefits of Ayurveda. He said that 4 new AYUSH hospitals were earlier sanctioned for J&K and the construction work on all of those is going on fast pace, one Ayurveda college at Jammu has already been made functional while the Unani Medical College at Kashmir is at completion stage and shall start functioning in the coming days.
He asked the UT administration to start recruitment process for these institutions and assured that funds will be made available to the concerned to ensure further streamlining of the sector in the UT.
He informed that so far around Rs 4.00 crore have been released for establishment of different components of Institute of Medicinal Plants. He further informed that during the current financial year 100 more AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres have been approved for J&K taking the total figure of approved AYUSH HWCs to 194. The Ministry of AYUSH is also promoting cluster cultivation in far flung areas suitable for herbal cultivation and shall also promote the Atma Nirbhar Abhiyan under the sector, he added.
Atal Dulloo informed that the components which are being established in the Institute of High Altitude Medicinal Plants include District Collection Centre, Drying shed and Storage Godown (Post Harvest Management Centre). These shall constitute a complete package for the Farmers, Growers, Traders and entrepreneurs associated with Medicinal Plants Sector, he added. He further said that the department shall not leave any stone unturned in ensuring that the facilities will be provided in all approved AYUSH H&WCs.
Director Indian Systems of Medicine (AYUSH), Dr Mohan Singh, briefed the participants on the objective of Institute of High Altitude Medicinal Plants being established at Bhaderwah in district Doda and AYUSH HWCs being established across J&K.
Deputy Commissioner, Doda, Dr Sagar D Doifode, informed that the Revenue department shall ensure that each and every ISM Dispensary currently functioning in rented buildings shall be provided government land. He informed that government land will soon be identified for 50 bedded AYUSH Integrated Hospital in the district. He further informed that around 600 kanal of land is under cultivation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in the district.
DDC informed the Union Ministers that in the last two years the herbal cultivation in the district has jumped from 250 kanal to 650 kanal and the lavender and marigold cultivation has increased manifold in the district.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Sep 25: Jammu & Kashmir Government like other States/UT’s is fighting COVID-19 pandemic with grit and determination. And health workers are at the forefront of this fight.
So far seven of the health workers, while on duty, contracted the virus and lost their precious life while fighting against this dreaded virus. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Government of India under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package provides an insurance cover of Rs. 50 lakh to a total of around 22.12 lakh public healthcare providers across the country, including community health workers, who may have to be in direct contact and care of COVID-19 patients and who may be at risk of being impacted by this.

It also includes accidental loss of life on account of contracting COVID-19. On account of the unprecedented situation, private hospital staff/ retired/volunteer/ local urban bodies/contract/daily wage/ ad-hoc/outsourced staff requisitioned by States/ Central hospitals/autonomous hospitals of Central/States/UTs, AIIMS & INIs/ hospitals of Central Ministries can also be drafted for COVID-19 related responsibilities.
These cases will also be covered subject to numbers indicated by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The insurance provided under this scheme would be over and above any other insurance cover being availed of by the beneficiary.
Mission Director National Health Mission, J&K, Bhupinder Kumar said that claims of the doctor from Pulwama, doctor from Bandipora & that of a health worker from Baramulla, have so far been settled and payment has been made to the affected families. He further added that rest of the claims are under submission and shall be settled soon.
He lauded the efforts of the COVID-19 Warriors and further said that all the public healthcare providers of Jammu & Kashmir, including community health workers, who may have to be in direct contact and care of COVID-19 patients and who may be at risk of being impacted by this are covered under the scheme.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Sep 24: Principal Secretary Power Development & Information, departments, Rohit Kansal today reviewed the arrangements regarding the flagship “Back to Village-3 (B2V3) programme starting from 2nd October to 12th October, 2019 at Civil Secretariat here.
Commissioner Secretary GAD, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, Secretary Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Sheetal Nanda, Secretary Planning, Development, Monitoring and Disaster Management Departments, Simrandeep Singh, Director Information and Public Relations, Dr. Syed Sehrish Asgar was also present during the meeting while all the Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir, Jammu Divisions, Chief Engineers of PDD, Jal Shakti of both divisions participated in the meeting through video conferencing.

While chairing the meeting, the Principal Secretary stressed upon the DCs that the fundamental objective of B2V3 programme should be action oriented approach on all the works that have been allotted or started during the previous two Back to Villages programmes.
He impressed upon the Deputy Commissioners that the plan for works to be carried out in this phase of B2V should be prepared well in advance besides arrangements for holding Gram Sabhas, Ward Sabhas, Bal Sabhas and Mahila Sabhas should be done earliest and the public should be made aware about these programmes beforehand.
Kansal instructed the DCs that proper mechanism should be developed regarding segregation of grievances received during the B2V3. He added that the public should also be intimated about the status of these grievances in a proper time frame.
Highlighting the need of departmental coordination during the programme, the Principal Secretary maintained that B2V is entirely an inter departmental effort. He directed the DCs to ensure that all departments are represented during the B2V3 programme besides specified counters of all departments should be established in each visiting block highlighting different beneficiary schemes and other programmes for the general public.
Terming this phase of B2V village has unique affair, Rohit Kansal informed the meeting that during B2V3 Safai Abhiyan in all Panchayats should be carried out with other activities like mega Gram Sabha and sports programmes. He asked the DCs that people should be encouraged about using dustbins and biodegradable materials so as to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings. He directed them to hold awareness camps in each panchayats for the same besides other mediums should also be used to maximize the reach of the information disseminated.
Kansal impressed upon the DCs that they should establish Control Rooms for B2V3 programme in their respective districts and directed them that they should hold a meet with visiting officers of Panchayats before and after B2V3 programme.
The Principal Secretary, impressed upon the DCs that all the arrangements regarding B2V3 should be made on priority and directed them that all the visiting officers should be given a list of activities to be carried out in their respective visiting blocks.
He further instructed the DCs that the visiting officers should be provided with information regarding languishing projects, major developmental plans and schemes carried in the district, besides action taken report on all the works carried out during B2V1 and B2V2 should also be given to each visiting officer. He directed them that a detailed meeting with all the line officers in their districts should be held before the actual start of B2V3.

Speaking during the meeting, Commissioner Secretary GAD, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi stressed upon the officers that they should develop an appropriate training schedule for all the visiting officers of the Panchayats as this phase of B2V is much larger than the earlier phases.
Secretary Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Sheetal Nanda informed the meeting that the preparations for training have been finalized and master training programme for master trainers will start from tomorrow who in turn will impart turn to visiting officers in their respective districts.
She further informed the meeting that the material regarding B2V3 is ready and directed the DCs that they should collect the same material from offices of Directorates of Rural Development of their respective divisions.
Meanwhile, during the course of meeting, Rohit Kansal also reviewed the progress of ongoing Jan Abhiyan and maintained that this unique programme has been received well on the ground by the public and has transformed the developmental scenario of entire Jammu and Kashmir.
Highlighting on the successful implementation of Jan Abhiyan and previous two phases of B2V, Rohit Kansal informed the meeting that these unique missions of reaching out to the public at their doorsteps will be institutionalized and are going to be regular affairs as they will help in formulation of district plans according to Panchayats.
The Principal Secretary impressed upon the Deputy Commissioners that the upcoming Block Diwas on 30th September will be the main activity before the actual start of B2V3. He directed them to ensure that reports on all the developmental works going on in their respective districts is submitted before the final Block Diwas day.
Complimenting the Deputy Commissioners for successful implementation of Jan Abhiyan, Rohit Kansal maintained that this revolutionary programme of equitable development has brought governance to the doorsteps of the general public.

‘Compensate academic losses in subsequent years by curtailing breaks, vacations’
Riyaz Bhat
Srinagar, Sep 25: The University Grants Commission (UGC) Monday ordered Universities and Colleges to commence classes for new academic session 2020-21 from November-01 for first year Undergraduate and Postgraduate students.

UGC also directed the Universities and Colleges to complete the admission process by October-31.

The new amended UGC guidelines, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reads, “The academic session 2020-21 may commence from 01-11-2020 for first year students.”

“The UGC in August 2020 requested the expert committee to revisit the guidelines dated issues earlier in May and July respectively and suggest the revised admissions and academic calendar, and other connected matters, for the first year of UG and PG programmes for the session 2020-2021,” it reads.

The UGC report reads that the Commission at its emergent meeting held on September-21-09 considered the report of the expert committee and based on the report approved the UGC guidelines on academic calendar for the First Year of Under-Graduate and Postgraduate students of the Universities for the session 2020-21 in view of COVID-19 pandemic.

UGC said, “The academic calendar for the first year students proposed in the guidelines issued on April-04 stands amended. Hence, the academic session 2020-21 may commence from 01-11-2020 for first year students.”

In detailed guidelines, the UGC said that the admission process should be completed by October-31, commencement of classes of the first semester or first year students of fresh batch from November-01, preparatory break from March-01-2021 to March-03-2021, conduct of examinations March-08-2021 to March-26-2021.

UGC also said that the semester break shall be observed from March-03-2021 to April-04-2021, commencement of classes for even semester shall commence from May-04-2021 followed by the preparatory break from August-01-2021 to August-08-2021and the examinations shall be conducted from August-09-2021 to August-21-2021 then again semester break shall be observed from August-22-2021 to August-29-2021 and the commencement of next academic session for this batch shall start from August-30-2021 accordingly.

“If there is a delay in declaration of the results of the qualifying examinations, the universities may plan and start the academic session by 18-11-2020. The teaching learning process may continue in offline or online or blended mode,” it reads.

UGC said that all universities may follow a 6-day week pattern for the academic session 2020-21 and 2021-2022 to compensate the loss for this batch of students.

In order to avoid financial hardship being faced by the parents due to lockdown and related factors, UGC said that a full refund of fee be made on account of all cancellation of admissions and migration of students upto 30-11-2020 for this very session as a special case.

“Thereafter, on cancellation or withdrawal of the admissions up to 31-12-2020, the entire fee collected from a student shall be refunded in full after deduction of not more than Rs.1000 as processing fee,” UGC said.

The Commission urged the universities to compensate the delay in the start of academic session in the subsequent years by curtailing the breaks and vacations so that the batch of students would get their final results for award of degree timely.

“The Guidelines as issued earlier in April and July, highlighting the modes of teaching, conduct of examinations, and importance of physical and social distancing shall remain unchanged and shall remain mandatory in that respect,” it reads.

The UGC also said that if the university faces difficulty in making admissions as per the existing policy, it may adopt alternative modes of admission process, if otherwise legally tenable.

“In case of educational institutions located at places where the respective government has imposed restrictions on gathering of public, the institutions may plan accordingly,” UGC said—(KNO)

Mubashir Aalam Wani

Srinagar, Sep 25: The weatherman here has predicted light rainfall and stated that the Western Disturbance will hit Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.
A fresh western disturbance on Saturday will likely bring rain or snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir, Deputy Director Meteorological department, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad told KNO.
He added that very light rainfall would occur in plains while there is possibility of very light snowfall in higher reaches at isolated to scattered places as well.
Ahmad also said that reports of rainfall from South Kashmir districts were received this evening, but it was due to a local development only and was not part of Western Disturbance.
He further told KNO that the weather conditions would improve from Sunday morning.

Srinagar, September 25: Two sisters were killed and two others injured in a road accident when an ambulance turned turtle near Nipora Mir Bazaar area of Qazigund in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Friday.
An official told GNS that, an Ambulance on way from Jammu towards Srinagar bearing no. PB 02 BY 1387 driven by Umer Jehangir son of Mohammad Jehangir of Dangyar Jammu carrying two ladies (COVID-19 positive patients) namely Haji Maryam Sheikh and Zareena Shiekh daughters of Ghulam Mohammad Shiekh of Sangra Bata Kishtwar turned turtle at Nipora stop due to the over speed by the said driver.
In this incident both the ladies died on the spot. Driver and one more person namely Arfan Khan son of Mohammad Sadiq of Poonch were also injured.
One of the lady’s body is lying in Vessu hospital and another at District hospital Anantnag.
Meanwhile a case has been registered and investigation taken up.(GNS)

Jahangeer Ganaie
Ganderbal, Sept 25: A research scholar from central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district has brought laurels to Jammu and Kashmir by winning “Her Rising Awards 2020” for which she was nominated earlier.
Mir Muskan-un-Nisa, a resident of Arampora Ganderbal, who is a research scholar at SKUAST, Kashmir bagged the “Her Rising Award 2020” in women starters category and she was declared winner in India’s largest carrier fair for women.
The award ceremony which was scheduled to be held at Bangalore, however, due to COVID-19 it was held online.
Muskan said that she is very happy for winning ‘Her Rising Award 2020’ in the starter category among over one thousand candidates.
“I got this award on the basis of achievements, life experience, dedication to a vision and intelligent persistence. I was representing Kashmir,” she said.
She said that she was also applauded by CEO JobsForHer for getting All India 5th rank in ICAR JRF exams, silver medal in all India inter agriculture university youth festival, best photography award in national level photography competition and many other awards.
Muskan said thanked her parents, relatives, friends and colleagues for voting for her and helping her in getting this award.
“The aim of my life is to work for the welfare of the society. Whether it is my profession or any other work, my sole aim is to work for the welfare of my own society,” she said—(KNO)