Precious Kashmir

Naderbagh villagers aghast over dilapidated road condition

City

22/01/2022

By: Raja Syed Rather

Ganderbal: Inhabitants of Naderbagh Haider-maidan area of Wayil in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district are facing a lot of inconvenience due to dilapidated conditions in the area.

As per the reports received, the remotest area Naderbagh Haider-maidan of Ganderbal district which is a few kilometres away from Gutlibagh road is suffering badly due to dilapidated and muddy road which was newly constructed by rural development department Ganderbal last year.

“In winter days even the light rain turns the roads into muddy and full of water which creates difficulties for commuters, students and especially patients to commute,” said a local Ghulam Mohammad Ganie.

Locals said they have approached rural development department Ganderbal but they said there is a paucity of funds to execute further work.

Meanwhile, the locals urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and district administration Ganderbal to redress the genuine grievance at the earliest. (KNO)

JKPCC seizes 2 vehicles loaded with 432 KG banned Polythene

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

22/01/2022

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) Friday seized two vehicles and 432 KG of banned polythene carry bags of below 75 microns.

A team of J&K Pollution Control Committee headed by Divisional Officer, JKPCC Jammu South seized a Scooty (Honda Activa-125) carrying banned polythene carry bags weighing (Approx.) 12 KG, In another major crackdown a Mahindra Pick up van bearing registration no. PB06AZ7742 was intercepted by JKPCC team at Anti Polythene Check Post Lakhanpur and recovered 21 bags weighing 420 Kgs of banned polythene carry bags from the said vehicle being carried to UT of J&K. Manufacturing, stocking, distribution, sale and use of Polythene Carry bags below 75 microns has been banned as per GoI Notification G.S.R. 57(E) dated 12.08.2021.

J&K Pollution Control Committee has appealed to the general public to stop the purchase and use of polythene carry bags below 75 microns thickness.

MHA amends rules to allow companies to increase fire arms production

National

Indo Asian News Service

22/01/2022

MHA amends rules to allow companies to increase fire arms production

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday changed provisions to increase the annual fire arms production calibre-wise and allowed the manufacturers to enhance their annual production of licensed capacity by giving intimation to the licensing authority and also to state governments within 90 days from the end of the present financial year.

According to the revised rule called the Arms (Amendment) Rules, 2022 notified on Thursday by the ministry, “No further endorsement on the licence as to capacity shall be required.”

Rule 60A of the amended Arms Rules mentions that “the new manufacturer who has been issued a licence in Form VII under these rules may apply for enhancement or restoration or re-fixation or calibre-wise revision of his licensed capacity and the provisions of rule 60 shall apply mutatis mutandis to such manufacturers”.

According to Rule 60B, which enhances the annual production, “The manufacturer who has been issued a licence in Form VII under these rules shall be permitted to have enhanced annual production of firearms or ammunition or calibre wise revision of his licensed capacity by giving intimation to the licensing authority and also to the state government concerned within 90 days from the end of the financial year and for which no further endorsement on the licence as to capacity shall be required.”

However, it is also directed that manufacturers shall establish online electronic connectivity under its user ID with the National Data Base of Arms Licence (NDAL-ALIS) system of the Central government and provide for a monthly electronic online transfer of data regarding firearms manufactured and sold or transferred, and ammunition manufactured, sold, transferred or consumed for the month, as recorded in the registers. (IANS)

NDRF rescued over 7.13 lakh people trapped in disasters: MoS Home

National

Indo Asian News Service

22/01/2022

New Delhi: The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has rescued over 7.13 lakh people trapped in disasters in 7,600 operations since its inception in 2006, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said on Friday.

In his address at 17th Raising Day of the Force here, he said due to the high level of efficiency, determination and hard work of NDRF personnel, it has been setting new records in the field of disaster management while continuously engaged in relief and rescue operations. Today, NDRF has made a mark in the field of disaster response and disaster mitigation across the globe in disaster management with its hard work and selfless humanitarian services, he added.

Noting that disaster management is a specialised field, Rai said that the NDRF is a unique force with the capability to provide relief in all kinds of disasters like building collapses, floods, tsunamis, cloudbursts, earthquake, landslides, cyclones, train accidents etc.

“Equipped with diverse capabilities, specialised training and modern equipment, NDRF is the world’s largest force due to its ability to deal with natural disasters as well as man-made disasters,” he added.

He also said that NDRF personnel have accomplished their goals effectively and their response to crises has been appreciated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah as well as countrymen at every level. This is the reason that this force has become synonymous with trust and confidence among the common people at the time of disaster for the citizens, he added.

Inaugurating two new camp complexes of RRCs (Regional Response Centre), he said that these will provide better facility and environment to its personnel and they will also be able to improve their efficiency.

Referring to the NDRF’s other activities, the Minister also said that it was a matter of pride that apart from effective disaster relief operations, it is also working beyond borders for mutual cooperation in the field of disaster risk reduction and has successfully organized many international programmes/events wherein exercises with SAARC member countries, SCO member countries and BIMSTEC member countries are prominent activities to gain experience from the other countries. (IANS)

Malan, de Kock half-centuries lead South Africa to series win

Sports

Indo Asian News Service

22/01/2022

Malan, de Kock half-centuries lead South Africa to series win

Paarl: Half-centuries by Janneman Malan (91 off 108) and wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock (78 off 66) helped South Africa defeat India by seven wickets in the second ODI at Boland Park on Friday. The win also means South Africa go 2-0 up and clinch the ODI series with the final match at Cape Town on Sunday still to be played.

After Rishabh Pant produced a career-best act of 85 off just 71 balls while skipper KL Rahul contributed 55 and Shardul Thakur unbeaten 40 to take India to 287/6, South Africa chased down the total with 11 balls to spare, the highest successful chase at the Boland Park, as India were short of wicket-taking options and looked flat on the field.

Chasing 288 on a scorching day, South Africa were off to a scintillating start, collecting 66 runs in power-play. De Kock blazed to 46 runs off just 32 balls, going brutal on Bhuvneshwar Kumar, taking him for two boundaries and a six. De Kock then smashed Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin for boundaries before he survived a stumping attempt by Pant.

To rub salt into wounds, de Kock swept Ashwin over deep backward square leg for a huge six before Malan reverse-swept the off-spinner for a boundary. Things started to look ominous for India as they lost a review on an lbw decision against Malan and the openers brought up the 100 of their stand with de Kock easily pulling Kumar over deep mid-wicket and then sweeping Shardul Thakur over deep backward square leg.

Malan reached his fifty and on the very next ball, Thakur broke the 132-run partnership. De Kock missed a flick and was hit on pads by a full toss swinging in late. A confident India took the review and got to change the decision as replays showed the ball hitting the stumps.

Post de Kock’s fall, Malan took centre stage with a rollicking six over deep mid-wicket off Ashwin. With Temba Bavuma looking crisp, Malan brought out delightful short-arm jabs and reverse sweeps to keep South Africa in full control of the chase. Thakur came under smashing in the 33rd over as Malan drove him through cover before Bavuma pulled over mid-wicket and glanced through fine leg as 14 runs came off it.

The 80-run stand for the second wicket was broken by Bumrah, whose length ball on the middle stump beat the inner edge and hit the stumps after brushin’ past Malan’s right elbow, dismissing the right-hander nine runs short of his hundred. In the next over, Bavuma tried to flick but the leading edge popped back to Chahal.

Rassie van der Dussen took two boundaries off Ashwin in the 39th over, while Aiden Markram took back-to-back boundaries off Kumar through cover and deep square leg in the 44th over to bring up fifty of the partnership for the fourth wicket. Markram and van der Dussen knocked off the remaining runs to seal a series win for South Africa and extend their winning run on the tour to four matches across formats.

Earlier, Pant and Rahul’s 115-run partnership off 111 balls made one feel like India would go past 300 runs. But South Africa, despite four dropped catches, struck hard as India slipped from 179/2 to 207/5. Tabraiz Shamsi was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts, taking 2/57 while Markram and Keshav Maharaj supported well with 1/34 and 1/52 respectively.

Joining forces at 63/2 and after surviving a terrible miscommunication almost resulting in a run-out of Rahul, Pant broke the shackles with a huge slog-sweep off Maharaj for six followed by Rahul attacking Maharaj and Markram for a boundary each. Pant began to take centre stage in the counter-attack, collecting boundaries regularly off Maharaj and Markram.

With Rahul dropping anchor, Pant continued his controlled aggression, welcoming Shamsi by sweeping him twice followed by a late cut. Pant soon reached his fifty and continued to smash boundaries for fun. South Africa’s woeful time on the field continued as Rahul, once given a reprieve at 8, was dropped on 46 by Markram.

Pant continued to hit Shamsi for runs, including a one-handed six down the ground after a whip past mid-on. With Rahul reaching his fifty and Pant going strong, India had got a great platform to accelerate. But the 115-run partnership for the third wicket was ended by Magala, as Rahul flicked to short mid-wicket, departing for 55.

In the very next over, Pant danced down the pitch to loft off Shamsi but holed out to lo’g-on. Following the duo’s dismissals, India was unable to get the momentum back. Shreyas Iyer was given not out on an lbw appeal off Shamsi. But the bowler got to change the decision as replays showed the ball crashing into stumps. Venkatesh Iyer was dropped by van der Dussen at cover but couldn’t make the most of it as de Kock effected a very sharp stumping when the left-hander’s back-foot was up in the air.

Thakur continued to take boundaries off Andile Phehlukwayo before giving the same treatment to Shamsi and Maharaj. Ashwin joined the party by sweeping Maharaj over deep mid-wicket before finishing the innings with a boundary crunched over extra cover off Magala as the unbeaten 48-run stand lifted India to a 280-plus score.

Earlier, India blazed to 57/0 in the first ten overs. Shikhar Dhawan was strong in flicking and driving off pacers. Despite being circumspect, Rahul got two boundaries through off-side. After power-play, Dhawan was the first to depart, slog-sweeping straight to Magala at deep mid-wicket as Markram broke the opening partnership.

Maharaj troubled Virat Kohli with turn and bounce twice before getting the right-hander to drive on the up to extra cover, dismissing him for a five-ball duck. Pant and Rahul combined for a resurrection act but that went in vain as South Africa made a tricky target look like a stroll in the park.

Brief scores: India 287/6 in 50 overs (Rishabh Pant 85, KL Rahul 55; Tabraiz Shamsi 2/57, Aiden Markram 1/34) lost to South Africa 288/3 in 48.1 overs (Janneman Malan 91, Quinton de Kock 78; Jasprit Bumrah 1/37, Yuzvendra Chahal 1/47) by seven wickets

COVID-19 resurgence: 3-day weekend lockdown to begin today

Front

Precious Kashmir

21/01/2022

COVID-19 resurgence: 3-day weekend lockdown to begin today

Srinagar: Amid rise in Covid-19 cases, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday ordered imposition of 64-hours weekly lockdown beginning Friday 1400 hours till further orders.

“There will be complete restriction on non-essential movement in the entire J&K from every Friday 2.00 pm to Monday 6.00 am, henceforth,” Chairman State Executive Committee and Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta said in an order, amending the previous order issued last week.

Amid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the entire J&K and the presence of variant of concern (Omicron), the State Executive Committee, in exercise of the powers conferred upon it under Section 24 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 ordered: “That there shall be a complete restriction on non-essential movement in the entire UT of J&K from every Friday 2.00 pm to Monday 6.00 am, henceforth,” reads an order issued here by the Chief secretary and chairman SEC.”

“Pregnant Women Employees will be exempted from physical attendance. They shall be allowed to work from home,” the order reads further, adding, “These directions shall be applicable till further orders.”

There has been surge in covid-19 cases in J&K. On January 1, J&K reported 169 cases, 165 cases on January 2, 178 on January 3, 199 on January 4, 418 on January 5, 349 on January 6, 542 on January 7, 655 on January 8, 687 on January 9, 706 on January 10, 1148 on January 11, 1695 on January 12, 1966 on January 13, 2456 on January 14, 3251 on January 15, 3499 on January 16, 2817 on January 17, 4651 on January 18 and 5818 on January 19 and 5992 on January 20.

The SEC underlined that Enforcement of Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) was critical in determining the need for additional restrictions.

“All the Government Department(s)/Office(s) shall minimise conducting in-person meetings/interactions etc. All Administrative Secretaries/ Head of the Departments)/ Institution(s) shall ensure optimal use of virtual mode for conducting official meetings etc,” reads an order by SEC.

To reduce the rate of transmission within J&K, the SEC said that 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 SEC reiterated that maximum number of people permitted to attend any indoor or outdoor gathering shall be strictly restricted to 25.

“Banquet Halls in all the Districts of J&K are 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.”

It ordered that 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

As regards the education institutions, all Colleges, Schools, Polytechnics, ITIs, Coaching Centres for Civil Services/Engineering/NEET etc. have been asked to adopt online medium of teaching. “There shall be no in-person teaching.”

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

“There shall also be complete restriction on non-essential movement during weekends in entire J&K,” the order reads, 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.”

The Deputy Commissioners have been also asked 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.”

The DCs have been also asked to 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.”

Inter State movement of passenger transport of SRTC or Stage Contract Private Passenger Buses have been permitted for fully vaccinated person or persons with verifiable RT-PCR not older than 72 hours or based on RAT on-spot with strict compliance with CAB.

“Entry into Parks shall be permitted to vaccinated persons only with due verification. Surprise checks shall be conducted by inspection teams to assess the implementation and initiate corrective measures.”

SOPs not followed, lockdown necessary: DC Sgr

Front

United News Of India

21/01/2022

Srinagar: The authorities in Kashmir valley did not rule out the possibility of imposing a lockdown if people did not take due precautions to save themselves from the Covid-19’s Omicron variant.

“ …If people did not take extra precautions and follow all directions for safeguarding from the virus, lockdown remains the ultimate option,” District Magistrate Srinagar Aijaz Asad said while talking to media persons in Srinagar on Thursday.

“We don’t want to suffer economically by imposing a lockdown, people just need to take appropriate and extra precautions to save themselves from getting infected with the virus”, he added.

He said the Covid-19 infected cases are rising continuously and they are being monitored.

“There is no need to be panic…just follow the guidelines provided for taking precautionary measures”, he said and added “we are not in favor of imposing lockdown, people have to take extra measures to tackle the covid-19 virus situation”.

He said, there are so many things and steps to take to contain the virus before imposing the lockdown. “No doubt the hospitalizations of covid-19 virus infected patients is less, but not necessary to make presumptions, the virus is behaving differently at places”, he said.

He said a research of University of Edinburgh stated that the hospitalisation is two third less against the delta virus, but still patients are being hospitalised.

Asad said the virus is changing its colors and so far nobody is hundred percent sure that it would go easily. He urged people not to become a self medical expert or doctor…”don’t live in any misconception about the virus that the impact of it is mild”.

“You see that the death rate is not zero….there are patients with co-morbidities and elderly who are vulnerable to the virus are being hospitalised…every life is important for the authorities” DM Asad added. (UNI)

Covid claims 7 lives, J&K breaks another record, reports 5992 new cases

Front

Nadeem Nadu

21/01/2022

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Covid-19 cases continue to mount as Jammu and Kashmir reported 5992 fresh cases while seven persons succumbed to the virus in last 24 hours, officials said on Thursday.

They said 1920 of the fresh cases were confirmed from Jammu Division and 4072 from Kashmir valley, taking the overall tally to 378661.

Giving district wise details, the officials said that Srinagar reported 1306 cases, Baramulla 825, Budgam 636, Pulwama 125, Kupwara 137, Anantnag 137, Bandipora 237, Ganderbal 270, Kulgam 243, Shopian 34, Jammu 1217, Udhampur 200, Rajouri 70, Doda 72, Kathua 105, Samba 86, Kishtwar 47, Poonch 23, Ramban 42 and Reasi 58.

Seven persons also died during the time—five from Jammu division and two from Kashmir. So far 4586 people have died due to the virus—2237 in Jammu division and 2349 in Kashmir Valley.

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

The GMC Srinagar cases include male (18) (NA) from Hyderpora, female (24) (NA) GMC, male (40) (NA) from Baramulla, female (40) (NA) from Kupwara, male (40) (NA) from Rajouri kadal, male (50) (NA) from Pattan, female (40) (NA) from Sgr, female (25) (NA) from Malpora, male (30) (NA) from Kawdara, male (50) (NA) from Sgr, female (30) (NA) from Shopian, female (27) (NA) from Jammu, male (35) (NA) from Kursoo, female (30) (NA) from Shopian, male (45) (NA) from Bandipora, female (45) (NA) from Sgr, male (47) (NA) from Chadoora, male (03) (NA) from Bemina, female (26) (NA) from Eidgah, male (45) (NA) from Qamarwari, male (40) (NA) from Anantnag, female (30) (NA) from Eidgah, male (30) (NA) from Chattabal, female (40) (NA) from Pulwama, female (50) (NA) from Kupwara, male (28) (NA) from Sanatnagar, male (30) (NA) from Sanatnagar, male (42) (NA) from Sanatnagar, male (21) (NA) from Sanatnagar, male (26) (NA) from Sanatnagar, female (50) (NA) from Babdem Sgr, male (39) (NA) from Nawakadal, female (37) (NA) from Iqbal abad, male (30) (NA) from GDC, male (37) (NA) from Chadoora, male (35) (NA) from Budgam, male (30) (NA) from Sgr, female (21) (NA) from Pulwama, male (48) (NA) from Bemina, female (28) (NA) from Natipora, male (29) (NA) from Nowgam, male (13) (NA) from Hawal, male (42) (NA) from Hawal, female (10) (NA) from Hawal, female (26) (NA) from Pampore, female (35) (NA) from Shopian, male (14) (NA) from Lawaypora, male (35) (NA) from Chattabal, male (17) (NA) from Bandipora, male (39) (NA) from Batamaloo, female (14) (NA) Bagi mehtab, female (30) (NA) from Rainawari, female (26) (NA) from GDC, male (21) (NA) from Bandipora, female (18) (NA) from Habakadal, female (30) (NA) from Bemina, female (33) (NA) from Soura.

The GMC Anantnag cases include male (33) from Kulgam, female (26) from Dooru Ang, three males (63, 32, 29) from Zadipora Khanabal, male (23) from Sherpora Ang, male (50) from Wantra Kulgam, male (20) from Sundu Ang, male (27) from Monghall, male (49) from Malaknag, female (34) from GMCA, two males (31, 40) and female (30) from Pampore, female (26) from Qazigund, male (28) from Baghi Mehtab, female (36) from Tarigam, male (37) from GMC Ang, female (31) from Iqbalabad, male (25) from Kadipora, female (55) from Kheram, male (37) from Fatehpora, female (55) from Kokernag, female (21) from Bijbehara, male(70) from Mir Bazar, male (67) from Kp road, eighteen males (34, 7, 30, 22, 55, 32, 53, 32, 5, 50, 23, 50, 50, 35, 73, 15, 26, 45) and five females (12, 65, 34, 42, 48) from Charigam Sallar, male (26) from Heeward Kapran, male (45) from Malik Abad, male (39) from Sadoora Larkipora, female (22) from Dooru Shahabad, male (45) from SDM Office Dooru, male (41) from Ratnipora, male (40) from Tral, female (70) from Keegam, male (35) from Balapora, female (40) from Shadimarg, male (40) from Trenz, male (33) from Imamsahib, male (34) from Shemshipora, two males (28, 60) and two females (55, 25) from Killora, female (44) from Wachi, male (20) from Reban, female (15) from Chitragam, male (32) from Devipora, male (70) from Kawarigam, male (28) from Achabal, male (50) from Bon Dailgam, male (52) from Palpora, female (24) from Brakpora, male (45) from Brienty, male (35) from Sandoo, male (2.5) from Bonigam, female (32) from Dailgam, female (70) from Trahpoo, male (25) from Akingam, male (28) from Damhall, four males (46, 43, 31, 52) from Bijbehara Sirhama, two males (38, 35) from Kokernag, female (35) from Sagam Kokernag, female (20) from Nambal Mattan, male (16) and female (11) from Seer Hamdan, male (27) from Mattan Batpora, female (45) and two males (13, 14) from Lazibal, female (20) from Bamnoo Pulwama, male (70) from Keller Shpn, female (28) from Buderhama, female (45) from Ahmedabad D.H Pora, male (30) from Manzgam DH Pora, male (31) from H V Gam Kulgam, male (22) from D H Pora Kulgam, male (28) from Mattan, male (32) from Malpora Kulgam, male (20) from Kandipora Kulgam, male (32) from Kulgam, male (45) from Shopian, male (30) from Qazigund, male (36) from Ashmuji Kulgam, male (62) from Bhan Kulgam, male (40) from Devsar Kulgam, male (44) from Lamad Kulgam, male (39) from Yaripora Kulgam.

Cases confirmed at DH hospital Pulwama include female (20) from Arihal Pulwama, female (31) from Bala Nowpora Pulwama, female (30) from Wanpora Pulwama, female (30) from Shadab kherwa, female (33) from Pirpora, male (30) from Rajpora, male (32) from Pinglena, male (18) from Narwa, male (35) from Padhampora, male (40) from Bonora, male (50) from Bonora, male (50) from Bonora, male (40) from Bonora, male (50) from Bonora, male (50) from Bonora, male (50) from Bonora, male (50) from Bonora, female (30) from Rangmulla, male (40) from Ratnipora, female (40) from Nowgam Sgr, male (50) from Arigam, female (32) from Shadab shopian, male (39) from Sanzwatri, female (45) from Koil, male (40) from New colony, female (32) from Chakoora, female (60) from Panzgam Pulwama, female (12) from Prichoo, female (30) from Wasroora, female (25) from Shopian and male (35) from Tral.

Besides, they said, 1177 Covid-19 patients recovered during the time—716 from Jammu Division and 461 from Kashmir. So far 343031 people have recovered, leaving active case tally at 31044—10535 in Jammu and 20509 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 35461 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)

1500 doctors, paramedics test positive since Jan 1

Front

Jahangeer Ganaie

21/01/2022

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar: Amid the steep surge in positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir, the hospitals are facing staff shortage as hundreds of staff members have tested positive for Covid-19 since the third wave has begun.

An official from Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar said that around 800 doctors and paramedics of GMC and its associated hospitals were tested positive for Covid-19 and most of them were tested positive in the last one week.

Dr Salim Khan, Head of Department community medicine at GMC Srinagar, said that there is shortage of manpower in all hospitals as doctors, nurses and other paramedics have tested positive for Covid-19.

He said that most of them were tested positive in the last one week due to which there are only four doctors and staff members working where earlier ten were working.

Doctors from SMHS, CD hospital and GB Pant children hospital also said, “Doctors presently on duty have heavy workload as dozens of doctors and other staff members are in isolation after testing positive for the virus.”

A senior doctor from JVC Bemina which was recently declared as Covid designated hospital again said that dozens of doctors and staff members working in the hospital have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 10 days.

A senior doctor from GMC Jammu also said that around 500 doctors and paramedics of GMC and its associated hospitals have been tested positive in the last two weeks.

“We are working our level best to treat every patient on time but in absence of a large section of staff, there is heavy load on the staff presently working,” he said.

A senior health official said you won’t find any hospital from where doctors and other staff haven’t tested positive for Covid-19 in the last few days as currently the infectivity rate is very high.

Senior doctors advised patients that as the infectivity rate is very high, people should visit hospitals only when it is necessary.

“People must try to avoid hospitals till they can and should avail benefit of tele-consultation at this stage,” they said. (KNO)

Eco Sensitive Zones around wildlife sanctuaries in J&K: Govt sets up panels headed by DCs to prepare zonal master plan

Anchor stories

Ibni Maqbool

21/01/2022

Eco Sensitive Zones around wildlife sanctuaries in J&K: Govt sets up panels headed by DCs to prepare zonal master plan

By: Ibni Maqbool

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government has set the ball rolling for preparation of zonal master plans for areas declared as eco-sensitive zones around wildlife sanctuaries in the Union Territory.

To begin with, the government has ordered constitution of district level committees for preparation of the zonal master plans for eco-sensitive zone(s) notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change around four wildlife sanctuaries and one national park.

According to an order, a copy of which is with The Precious Kashmir, the committees would be headed by concerned DCs and concerned wildlife warden would be their member secretary.

The order states that committees shall comprise of district officers of J&K Pollution Control Committee, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Department, Jal Shakti Department (Irrigation and Flood Control), Industries and Commerce Department and a faculty member from faculty of Life Sciences of a degree College of the respective district (to be nominated by the chairman).

The master plan has to prepared for ESZs of Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajparian Wildlife Sanctuary, Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary and Kishtwar High Altitude National Park.

The committees have been directed to prepare zonal master plans for the respective eco-sensitive zones in the manner as specified in the notifications and the guidelines issued by the central government.

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