Precious Kashmir

Closure of Coaching Centres: Disaster Management asked to look into matter after representatives meet CS

City

21/01/2022

Closure of Coaching Centres: Disaster Management asked to look into matter after representatives meet CS

By: Neyaz Elahi

Srinagar: At a time when 22 State Presidents of Private Schools Associations across India has written to PM Modi and CM’s of their states to reopen educational institutions in the light of a recent statement from Education Expert of Work Bank, Coaching Centres Association of Jammu and Kashmir met Chief Secretary Arun Mehta impressing upon him allow them to conduct offline classes.

Sources said that six members of Private Educational Institutions Association of Jammu and Kashmir called on Chief Secretary. The members sought permission for conducting off-line classes for IAS, KAS, NEET, JEE with 30% of the capacity for the vaccinated students.

One of the members present in the meeting despite repeated requests didn’t divulge any information, however, another member on condition of anonymity said that they informed the Chief Secretary that in states like Rajasthan, HP, Assam, Goa, and others, permission to conduct offline classes have been given citing that examination is just 4 months away and also the age groups of the students who are enrolled with coaching institutes are above 18 and vaccinated.

“We requested him (Chief Secretary) to allow us to conduct offline classes with at least 30 % strength which will be around 25 students in a class, for the betterment of aspirants. We assured him that we will strictly follow Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) while conducting physical classrooms,” he said.

The positive aspect of the meeting was that Chief Secretary Arun Mehta wrote to the Additional Chief Secretary who in a communique to Secretary Disaster Management asked him to look into the matter.

“We met both the Chief Secretary and the Additional Chief Secretary and we hope the government will make a decision shortly in this regard,” he said.

Those who participated in the meeting were Owais Ali Bhat from Chanakya IAS Academy, Khurshid Alam from KIE, Amit Vidya from Mandir Classes, Azhar from Exceptional Academy for comp, Ghulam Rasool War, Chairman, Coaching Association of J&K, and Waseem Ahmed from Ignited Minds.

Meanwhile, the Private Schools and Children Welfare Association has demanded the re-opening of the education sector for behoof of future of students. The Association has said that It doesn’t make sense to shut the education sector in the name of the Corona Virus.

Ever since the government ordered the closure of coaching centres and schools, netizens and common people have been raising eyebrows. “Tourism and sports events are being organized on daily basis, markets are open, transport is open, one can see over-loaded buses plying on the roads, hoteliers serving customers at one place, political events or rallies being organized without any cap but when it comes to education, Covid-19 surfaces.”

“The irony is that yesterday 111 micro-containment zones were de-notified by Srinagar administration but most of the newspapers ignored this development and instead came up with the news report with bold headlines that 54 localities in Srinagar have been declared micro containment zones. Sensationalism makes things worse, the more we give hype, the more go into depression,” said an educationist. (KNT)

MeT forecasts ‘widespread’ snowfall on weekend

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

21/01/2022

MeT forecasts ‘widespread’ snowfall on weekend

Srinagar: Weatherman on Thursday revised its earlier forecast by now predicting widespread moderate rain and snow during 22 to 23rd January in Jammu and Kashmir.

“An Active Western Disturbance is Most likely to cause Widespread Moderate Rain/Snow in J&K during 22-23rd Jan,” an official of the meteorological department here said, adding, that the weather system may temporary cause disruptions in surface and air transportation. “(Probability of Occurrence as of today is 75%),” he said.

Light rains lashed plains in Jammu and Kashmir while upper reaches including Gulmarg received fresh snowfall, officials said on Thursday.

A meteorological department official here said that Srinagar received 2.9mm rain in last 24 hours till 0830 hours today while the summer capital of the J&K recorded a low of 2.2°C against last night’s 2.7°C.

Kashmir is presently under the grip of 40-day long harshest period of winter, known locally as ‘Chillai Kalan, which started from December 21. It is followed by a 20-day long ‘Chillai Khurd’ and a 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha’.

Gulmarg had about 8cms of fresh snowfall during the time and recorded a low of minus 5.0°C against minus 6.0°C on previous night, he said. The temperature was 2.7°C above normal for this time of the year in the famous resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, had 4cms of snowfall and recorded a low of minus 0.6°C against minus 1.9°C last night, he said.

Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, had 2mm of rainfall and recorded a low of 0.7°C against 1.3°C on the previous night, he said.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, also had 1.6mm of rain during the time and recorded a low of minus 0.1°C against 0.2°C on the previous night, the official said.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir received 3.4mm of rainfall during the time while as it recorded a low of 1.2°C , same as on the previous night, the official said.

Jammu, received 5.1mm of rains and recorded a low of 8.5°C against previous night’s 9.1°C which is 1.4°C above normal for the J&K’s winter capital during this time of the year, he said.

Banihal recorded a low of 1.4°C, Katra 7.5°C and Bhaderwah saw a minimum of 1.6°C, the official said.

Ladakh’s Leh recorded a low of minus 9.0°C against last night’s minus 11.4°C while mercury at automatic station in Kargil settled at minus 15.0°C. Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 15.9°C against last night’s minus 19.2°C, official said. (GNS)

92 JKAS, JKPS officers retiring in 2022

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

21/01/2022

By: Faizan Wani

Srinagar: As many as 92 officers of Jammu & Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) and Jammu & Kashmir Police Service (JKPS) are attaining superannuation in the calendar year 2022.

Details available lay bare that 56 JKPS officers and 36 JKAS officers would retire in the year 2022. Both the Home department and General Administration Department- who are respectively cadre controlling authority for JKPS and JKAS- have already notified the names of officers who are attaining superannuation in the next 12 months.

According to notification of Home department, 56 officers of different ranks, mostly deputy superintendents of police (DySPs), would retire in the next 12 months.

Of them, seven officers would retire on January 31, six on February 28, 11 on March 31, nine on April 30, six on May 31, one on June 30, three on July 31, one on August 31, three on September 30, four on October 31, one on November 30 and four on December 31.

It is worthwhile to mention that 36 JKAS officers would also retire in the calendar year 2022. Those figuring in the list include Gazzanfar Ali (Director General Youth Service & Sports), Farooq Ahmad Shah (Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department) and Showkat Aijaz Bhat (Commissioner State Taxes, J&K). (KNO)

Snow cricket in Gurez catches eyes of Int’l cricketers

Sports

Precious Kashmir

21/01/2022

Snow cricket in Gurez catches eyes of Int’l cricketers

Famous celebrities desire to play cricket over frozen track

By: Sajid Raina

Bandipora: After witnessing huge tourist flow in summers for the first time, the Gurez Valley in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district is yet again attracting the people from outside Jammu and Kashmir as some video clips have went viral on the social media platforms, in which the youth from the locality could be seen playing cricket over snow.

The video clips as well as the photographs of the cricket over snow in Gurez have even caught the eyes of the international cricket players.

The photographs and videos of snow cricket played on the frozen track at snow bound Gurez valley, which is cut-off since December following the snowfall and is likely to remain disconnected for a few more months, are presently viral on social media and are attracting attention of celebrities all over the world.

An Australian batting star, Marnus Labuschagne, who plays internationally for the Australian national team and domestically for Queensland also shared the video of young boys playing cricket over snow at Bagtore with a caption “how good is this”.

Fakhar-e-Alam, a famous Pakistani actor, TV host and a singer also shared the video of the cricket match played on a frozen track in Bandipora’s Gurez valley and wrote: “I wanna play cricket here with these guys….this looks so much fun..”

However, the locals from Gurez after witnessing such a response from the people on the social media platforms, hoped that the local youngsters would get support from the BCCI and other international players.

“Hope @BCCI @BCCIdomestic @SGanguly99 @IrfanPathan @ICC will support our younsters to perform on national and international level Gurez valley is full of talent needs little bit support from administration and Govt I assure starts will come from Gurez valley,” a local from Gurez wrote on Twitter.

Pertinently, people of Gurez, living in the border area organized snow cricket tournaments on the frozen snow ground in a bid to promote tourism during winters in Gurez and attract the attention of the administration.

The youngsters of three villages including Markoot, Achoora and Bagtore in the border valley of Gurez, have organized three snow cricket tournaments on the snowclad ground.

According to locals, the only aim behind organising these tournaments is to attract the government’s attention to this area as there is a lot of potential for winter sports activities in Gurez. (KNO)

Gadkari approves Rs 1,200 cr road upgradation project in K’taka

National

Indo Asian News Service

21/01/2022

Gadkari approves Rs 1,200 cr road upgradation project in K’taka

Bengaluru: Union Minister for National Highways and Road Transport, Nitin Gadkari, has approved a Rs 1200 crore project to upgrade the existing 2-lane Shiradi Ghat road into a 4-lane highway.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) would take up the project and complete it in two years, Gadkari said on Thursday.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has assured full cooperation and speedy approvals for implementing the project, a press note from the CM’s office stated.

The Shiradi Ghat road needs immediate upgradation. The road is usually in pitiable condition during the monsoon season.

Once the upgradation work is complete, the entire stretch of highway between Bengaluru and Mangaluru would become a 4-lane road, accelerating the economic growth of the region.

The Union minister has also instructed the NHAI to study a proposal to build a 6-lane tunnel through the Shiradi Ghat.

High Positivity Rate

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Oped

Precious Kashmir

21/01/2022

Jammu and Kashmir, on Thursday, reported 5992 Covid-19 cases, the highest ever single-day daily count in cases recorded in J&K. On average, J&K has reported 3718 cases every day in the past week, which means the trajectory has now surpassed the previous peak of 1330 reported for the week ending January 7. This rising case rate has come right in the middle of the winter, which could intensify the spread. This peak has also been accompanied by a rise in the positivity rate

At a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary today it was apprised that although the Omicron variant is maintaining a high transmission, raising the weekly positivity rate from 0.5% to 5.4% over the previous fortnight, the oxygen bed occupancy and ICU bed occupancy are currently at a comfortable level of 7.7% and 14.0%, respectively. It was given out that the healthcare facilities have been ramped up and are in a state of readiness to cater to any eventualities.

A fast-rising positivity rate typically suggests that a region is testing inadequately and is, thus, letting the virus get more prevalent.

However, the government said that in comparison to the second (Delta) wave, Jammu and Kashmir has doubled its testing capacity to over 80,000 daily tests which is also being reflected in the higher number of daily reported cases. It was informed that although number of reported daily cases has crossed the peak of the second wave, the comparative peak positivity rate and bed occupancy rate during the current wave continue to remain low at 7.0% and 6.2% viz-a-viz second wave’s 10.9% and 60.8% respectively.

Jammu and Kashmir is also maintaining a lower positivity rate in comparison to the national average of about 17%.

The road map ahead is clear. First, the government should improve testing, in overall numbers as well as the share of RT-PCR tests. Not only will that narrow down on cases and bring down the positivity rate, it will also provide more credible data.

Second, there is no alternative to stronger citizen compliance to social distancing norms. People must adhere to the covid-19 appropriate behavior. Restrictions are not desirable, given the economic costs, but this hinges on citizens behaving responsibly. For now the government decision to impose curbs on non-essential travel for over 60 hours is appropriate but hopefully the need should not arise next week and for that to happen, there should be more testing while people should follow CAB religiously.

COVID-19: Biggest single-day spike in J&K as 5818 test positive

Front

Nadeem Nadu

20/01/2022

COVID-19: Biggest single-day spike in J&K as 5818 test positive

4 people die in last 24 hours across UT

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Covid-19 cases continue to mount as Jammu and Kashmir reported 5818 fresh cases while four persons died due to it in last 24 hours, officials said on Wednesday.

They said 1752 of the fresh cases were confirmed from Jammu Division and 4066 from Kashmir valley, taking the overall tally to 372669.

Giving district wise details, the officials said that Srinagar reported 1745 cases, Baramulla 791, Budgam 594, Pulwama 230, Kupwara 93, Anantnag 217, Bandipora 130, Ganderbal 84, Kulgam 162, Shopian 20, Jammu 1131, Udhampur 105, Rajouri 85, Doda 63, Kathua 100, Samba 89, Kishtwar 5, Poonch 66, Ramban 53 and Reasi 56.

Four persons also died during the time—all from Jammu division. So far 4579 people have died due to the virus—2232 in Jammu division and 2347 in Kashmir Valley.

A number of these cases were confirmed at various diagnostic hospitals here and include Male (38) (NA) from Chanpora, female (21) (NA) from Narbal, female (21) (NA) from Khansahib budgam, female (25) (NA) from Khaag, male (43) (NA) from Barbarshah, female (35) (NA) from Hawal, female (30) (NA) from Lalbazar, male (42) (NA) from Barbarshah, male (35) (NA) from Lalbazar, male (44) (NA) from Bemina, male (13) (NA) from Bemina, male (54) (NA) from Bemina, male (35) (NA) from Chattabal, male (44) (NA) from Alochibagh, male (45) (NA) from Bemina, male (58) (NA) from Buchpora, female (21) (NA) from Kanihama, male (33) (NA) from Hyderpora, male (80) (NA) from Awantipora, male (80) (NA) from Zaldagar, female (23) (NA) from Elahibagh, male (65) (NA) from Soura, male (45) (NA) from Balgarden, male (44) (NA) from Hyderpora, female (41) (NA) from Solina, male (25) (NA) from Tangmarg, female (45) (NA) from Anantnag, female (31) (NA) from Bemina, female (23) (NA) from GMC Sgr, male (30) (NA) from Pulwama, female (24) (NA) from GMC Sgr, female (22) (NA) from GMC Sgr, female (22) (NA) from GMC Sgr, male (50) (NA) from Sgr, female (24) (NA) from Sgr, male (21) (NA) from GMC Sgr, male (36) (NA) from SMHS Sgr, male (90) (NA) from Baramulla, male (20) (NA) from Anantnag, male (20) (NA) from Anantnag, male (50) (NA) from Pulwama, female (02) (NA) from Shopian, female (65) (NA) from Sgr, male (28) (NA) from SMHS Sgr, male (70) (NA) from Habakadal, female (58) (NA) from Elahibagh, female (38) (NA) from Elahibagh, male (37) (NA) from Budgam, female (23) (NA) from Gulab Bagh, male (35) (NA) from Baramulla, male (55) (NA) from Bemina, male (41) (NA) from Budshah nagar, female (41) (NA) from Chanpora, female (28) (NA) from Sgr, male (35) (NA) from Anantnag, male (29) (NA) from Pulwama, female (28) (NA) from Karangar, male (23) (NA) from Budgam, male (27) (NA) from Chanpora, male (34) (NA) from Sgr, male (53) (NA) from Ahmed nagar, male (25) (NA) from Beerwah, male (44) (NA) from HMT, female (30) (NA) from Shopian, female (25) (NA) from Anantnag, male (29) (NA) from Pulwama, female (27) (NA) from Noorbagh, female (20) (NA) from Soura, female (25) (NA) from Baramulla, female (41) (NA) from Jawahar nagar, female (40) (NA) from Shopian, male (28) (NA) from Ramban, male (55) (NA) from Budgam, male (38) (NA) from Bagi mehtab, female (25) (NA) from Hyderpora, male (18) (NA) from Hyderpora, male (37) (NA) from Natipora, male (38) (NA) from Tral, female (29) (NA) from Eidgah Sgr, male (23) (NA) from Batamaloo, male (54) (NA) from Soura, male (33) (NA) from Humhama, female (32) (NA) from Sonwar, female (45) (NA) from Bemina, male (09) (NA) from Bemina, male (16) (NA) from Bemina, male (57) (NA) from Khaniyar, male (40) (NA) from Chanpora, female (85) (NA) from Dalgate, male (44) (NA) from CD hospital, male (55) (NA) from CD hospital, male (80) (NA) from Harwan, male (50) (NA) from kupwara, male (57) (NA) from HMT, female (65) (NA) from Habakadal, female (50) (NA) from Rajbagh, female (24) (NA) from Sangerwani pulwama, female (55) (NA) from Abhama pulwama, female (03) (NA) from Abhama pulwama, male (50) (NA) from Gabbarpora pulwama, female (75) (NA) from Rajpora pulwama, male (10) (NA) from Bellow pulwama, male (42) (NA) from Fatehkadal and female (15) (NA) from Bandzoo pulwama.

Besides, they said, 1255 Covid-19 patients recovered during the time—592 from Jammu Division and 663 from Kashmir. So far 341854 people have recovered, leaving active case tally at 26236—9336 in Jammu and 16900 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 41266 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)

Taking virus mild a mistake: DC Sgr

Front

Precious Kashmir

20/01/2022

Srinagar: As the summer capital of J&K recorded highest-ever daily Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar Mohammad Aijaz Asad said that taking the virus “mild is a mistake.”

“1745 positive cases in Srinagar today. That is way ahead of 1300 cases during peak of second wave. Virus is warning us. Taking it mild is a mistake,” he said in a tweet.

Time and again, the deputy commissioner appealed to the people of Srinagar to abide by covid appropriate behavior and do not invite complete lockdown. He said violation of CAB will have serious repercussions. (GNS)

Omicron causing hospitalisations, deaths worldwide: WHO

Front

Indo Asian News Service

20/01/2022

New Delhi: In a fresh warning, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said that Omicron variant of the coronavirus is causing hospitalisations and deaths the world over, and the narrative that it is a mild disease is misleading.

Amid an ongoing resurgence across the world, the global coronavirus caseload has topped 333.5 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 5.55 million and vaccinations to over 9.68 billion, according to Johns Hopkins University.

“Make no mistake, Omicron is causing hospitalisations and deaths, and even the less severe cases are inundating health facilities,” the WHO chief said late on Tuesday.

“Omicron may be less severe, on average, but the narrative that it is a mild disease is misleading, hurts the overall response and costs more lives,” he added.

India on Wednesday reported 2,82,970 fresh Covid cases in the last 24 hours, which is a rise of over 18 per cent from the previous day’s count.

According to Tedros, Covid is circulating far too intensely with many still vulnerable.

“For many countries, the next few weeks remain really critical for health systems. I urge everyone to do their best to reduce risk of infection so that you can help take pressure off the system,” he emphasised.

Tedros said that we can still significantly reduce the impact of the current wave by sharing and using health tools effectively and implementing public health and social measures that we know work.

“Every variant of the COVID-19 virus, including Omicron, is dangerous and can cause: severe disease, death, further virus mutations and jeopardise the effectiveness of the tools we have to fight it,” said the WHO. (IANS)

Street light scam surfaces in Pulwama, DDC members aghast

Anchor stories

Precious Kashmir

20/01/2022

Street light scam surfaces in Pulwama, DDC members aghast

Have followed due process while procuring lights, says ADC

By: Sameer Lone

Pulwama: A major streetlight scam has surfaced in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district as the officials in Rural Development Department (RDD) have purchased streetlights allegedly at exorbitant rates to benefit a blue-eyed contractor, official sources told Precious Kashmir.

“The RDD officials have purchased the streetlights at nearly 100% increase in price without following proper procedure for tendering. The highest price of a street light installed by the RDD cost Rs 14000, while the officials in Pulwama bought them at more than Rs 24000,” sources added.

The residents of Pulwama have appealed to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor to intervene in the matter and task the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to investigate the scam.

It was further learnt that the streetlights are yet to be installed and administration has released an advance payment only to favour a few blue-eyed contractors thus incurring losses to Panchayat Raj Institution funds.

The Rural Development Department with consent and approval of the District Development Council members and PRIs installs street lights in Panchayat halqas out of the PRI funds in Jammu and Kashmir.

The tenders are floated by the Rural Development Department with the approval of the Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal.

The DDC members in Pulwama district have also approved the plan to install solar street lights in their constituencies and it was vetted by the ACD.

According to the sources, the ACD office opened the link for e-tenders on GeM portal for a particular period of time so that his blue-eyed contractors get the tenders.

They said that only a few companies filed the tenders while others could not as the link was not put up for public.

“The link for the e-tender was put on the GeM portal during a prescribed time so that only the above favourite companies can apply. We didn’t see the link,” several companies and the contractors said.

As per the DDC members, they had approved the plan of nearly Rs one crore for installation of the lights and were expecting that the villages falling in their halqas will get adequate street lights.

But they were shocked to see that each light has been purchased between Rs 23,000 to Rs 24000 when the similar lights cost Rs 12000 to Rs 13000 in the market.

Reportedly, the same lights were installed by JAKEDA in Jammu and Kashmir for Rs 12000 each.

Sources further said the Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) office has released half of the payment to the contractors before the execution of the work.

The companies have shown exorbitant cost for the lights and officials in ACD are in league with them, they added.

Following stiff resistance by the DDC members who rejected installing the lights in their constituency and Halqas, the district administration Pulwama had put on hold the process of installation of the lights.

When contacted for their comments, the majority of DDC members in the district said they have rejected the proposal because of the higher rates and loss to the PRI funds. “We didn’t agree to install the lights as they have been purchased at very exorbitant rates simply to embezzle funds meant for development,” the DDC members said.

ACD Pulwama Hilal Ahmed Mir told Precious Kashmir that they have cleared the matter following the due process.

Asked if he could elaborate what does ‘cleared’ mean, the ACD said there are different specifications of street lights. “We have followed the due process while procuring the lights,” he said.

The members demand that the only option to save the public money and PRI funds is to float reverse tenders or cancel the previous tenders so that public funds are saved.

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