Precious Kashmir

Kangan villagers aghast over frequent damaged transformer

City

14/01/2022

By: Raja Syed Rather

Ganderbal: Residents of Wani Mohalla in Kangan area are up in arms against the power development department (PDD) after their electric transformer develops technical snags regularly.

The transformer was damaged for the third time in ten days due to which the whole area is reeling under darkness.

Local residents alleged that the department is wasting money in repairing it again and again instead of changing a few metres of wire which can solve the problem.

“63 KV transformer was upgraded to 100 KV in 2012 and then it was upgraded to 250 in 2016 but unfortunately old electric poles and LT line were not changed,” a local resident of Wani Mohalla said.

Another local said that they approached the concerned department so many times for a few metres of wire but the department is not exchanging it, due to which the people in the area are under dark in this cold winter.

Residents have appealed to the administration to look into the matter. (KNO)

PCPG meetings held in Sopore, Pulwama

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

14/01/2022

Srinagar: As a part of Public outreach programme, Police in Sopore and Pulwama facilitated PCPG meetings at Police Station Bomai and Pulwama respectively. The meetings were held while following social distancing norms and other protocols.

In Sopore, the meeting was chaired by SHO PS Bomai Insp Imtiaz Ahmad, besides other police officers were also present. The meeting was attended by respectable citizens of Bomai, Tujjar, Traders union and other adjoining areas.

During the meeting, the participants highlighted various issues faced by them. While addressing the participants, the chairing officer assured them full cooperation in resolving the genuine problems pertaining to Police in shortest possible time while the issues pertaining to civil administration will be taken up with the concerned at an earliest. The chairing officer also sought their cooperation in maintaining peace & stability in the area. The participants were also briefed about the apprehensions of spread of Covid-19 and were requested to spread awareness among masses to follow Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB).

The participants in the meeting assured their full co-operation to Police in tackling social evils and also appreciated the efforts of Police in facilitating community interaction meets where participants express their opinions freely.

Meanwhile, another meeting was chaired by SHO PS Pulwama Insp. Basharat Ali. The meeting was attended by respectable citizens of town Pulwama and large number of Numberdars, Chowkidars, traders Association.

During the meeting, the participants highlighted various issues faced by them. While addressing the participants, the chairing officer assured them full cooperation in resolving the genuine problems pertaining to Police in shortest possible time while the issues pertaining to civil administration will be taken up with the concerned at an earliest. The participants were also briefed about the apprehensions of spread of Covid-19 and were requested to spread awareness among masses to follow Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB). The chaired officer also briefed participants about preventive measures to contain spread of COVID-19.

Don’t shift staff in contravention of orders: Govt to HoDs

Anchor stories

Ibni Maqbool

14/01/2022

Don’t shift staff in contravention of orders: Govt to HoDs

By: Ibni Maqbool

Srinagar: The administration of Jammu and Kashmir has directed administrative secretaries to issue instructions to all heads of the departments working under their administrative control to desist from practice of shifting staff from Srinagar to Jammu and vice-versa in contravention to instructions issued by the government.

A communiqué in possession of The Precious Kashmir reveals that General Administration Department on January 6, 2022 directed the administrative secretaries to share the details of heads of the departments who have shifted their staff from Srinagar to Jammu or from Jammu to Srinagar in contravention of the instructions to the GAD immediately.

The GAD has pointed out that some heads of the departments have shifted their staff from Srinagar to Jammu and Jammu to Srinagar at their own in contravention of the instructions issued on the matter.

On April 26,2021, the government had issued an order, wherein amongst other things, primary locations of various offices which previously used to move in full/camp from Jammu to Srinagar and vice-versa was fixed either at Jammu or Srinagar.

According to the order, the move offices of heads of the departments which shall move in full shall also continue to remain functional at both Jammu as well as Srinagar.

” Administrative secretaries shall ensure arrangements for smooth functioning of offices of these heads of departments at both locations,” the order states.

The order further states that employees shall work at locations of the HoDs allotted to them as per orders to be issued by their administrative secretaries.

On October 28, the GAD further directed administrative secretaries to dispose of issues pertaining to utilization of staff at Jammu/Srinagar in the subordinate offices, under their control in terms of instructions already conveyed on April 26.

Study group to be formed for working out LIFE-forest matrix: Env Minister

National

Indo Asian News Service

14/01/2022

Study group to be formed for working out LIFE-forest matrix: Env Minister

New Delhi: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, said on Thursday that a study group will be formed to explore how to improve forest cover and forest quality, incorporating the lifestyle change needed to combat climate change.

“This will be an internal study group – ministry level – that will further analyse how to increase qualitative forest and the LIFE mantra offered by the Prime Minister,” Yadav said while releasing the India State of Forest Report 2021 (ISFR-2021).

He was referring to LIFE — the lifestyle for environment — mantra floated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the annual climate change summit at Glasgow in November last year as an important action tool for combating climate change.

Yadav told IANS that LIFE, or the environment-friendly lifestyle as advocated by Modi on the global platform, naturally has components of increasing green cover, utilising green technology, turning to renewable energy and most importantly, adopting traditional Indian lifestyle that does not focus on increasing consumption, but is need-based.

“With all such steps, we are naturally looking at saving forests, increasing forest cover and tree cover,” the minister said, adding, “We will cull out actionable points from the ISFR 2021 report and then discuss how to incorporate better solutions.”

The ISFR-2021 has been brought out by the Forest Survey of India (FSI).

Earlier, while releasing the report, the minister expressed happiness over the fact that the present assessment reveals that 17 states/UTs have above 33 per cent of the geographical area under forest cover.

“The focus of the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not just to conserve the forests quantitatively, but to enrich them qualitatively as well,” he said.

The ISFR-2021 provides information on forest cover, tree cover, mangrove cover, growing stock, carbon stock in India’s forests, forest fire monitoring, forest cover in tiger reserve areas, above ground estimates of biomass using SAR data and climate change hotspots in Indian forests.

Lower vaccination in children

Edit
Oped

Precious Kashmir

14/01/2022

On January 3, administration like other parts of the India started vaccination to the children in 15-17 age group in Jammu and Kashmir. 8 lakh and 33 thousand children have been estimated to be jabbed in the J&K.

Government designated 10645 centres for providing the dose, the Bharat Biotech’s COVAXIN which is the only vaccine with Emergency Use Listing (EUL) for the 15-17 years age-group and recommended by ‘Covid-19 Working Group’ of the National Technical Advisory Group on immunization.

Additional chief secretary health Vivek Bhardwaj had said that the government was hopeful to carry one lakh jabs and was hopeful of completing the task “very soon.” Chairing a meeting of Covid task force Chief secretary was informed that Jammu and Kashmir has administered 32% vaccine to 15-17 age category. While the government underlined that it was speeding up vaccination drive in the particular age group, there is need to do more, especially to overcome hesitancy that is shown up in the data itself. Such a scenario demands more work to be done to ensure more and more children are covered. Parents who hesitate, as per some experts, are taking “an enormous risk and continuing to fuel the pandemic.” The government must persuade more and more children to take the jab.

There is also a need to prioritize administering booster doses in vulnerable populations, besides, expediting vaccination among eligible sub-adults. Omicron has a growth advantage over the delta variant and as such requires ardent mitigation and containment measures from an early stage, preferably when the positivity rate breaks out the 10% benchmark.

The Omicron is perceived as less dangerous than the delta variant responsible for the second wave but the people need to raise their guard and remain cautious and vigilant to the infection since it has a high rate of transmission and can infect a larger group of people over shorter periods. It remains the social and moral responsibility of every citizen to be responsible for themselves and those around them. As urged by the Chief Secretary, people must exercise due diligence against any symptom of infection in the interest of their family members as well as that of society at large. The vaccines have proved highly safe and effective at reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death, global data has shown. The administration must get its act together and take steps so that most of the eligible take the jab.

COVID-19 cases mount, J&K records 1695 fresh cases

Front

Precious Kashmir

13/01/2022

COVID-19 cases mount, J&K records 1695 fresh cases

Active case toll reaches 6242, UT registers one more fatality

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday reported 1695 fresh coronavirus positive cases, 547 more than the previous day’s tally, while one person succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said.

They said that 812 of the cases were reported from Jammu Division and 883 from Kashmir Valley, taking the overall tally to 348201.

Giving district-wise details, officials said that Srinagar reported 320 cases, Baramulla 250, Budgam 116, Pulwama 30, Kupwara 52, Anantnag 40, Bandipora 36, Ganderbal 18, Kulgam 20, Shopian 1, Jammu 438, Udhampur 68, Rajouri 42, Doda 10, Kathua 93, Samba 30, Kishtwar 9, Poonch 22, Ramban 15 and Reasi 85.

A number of these case were confirmed at CD hospital’s diagnostic laboratory and include female (50) (NA) from Noorbagh sgr, female (58) (NA) from Bemina, male (38) (NA) from Sgr, male (08) (NA) from Brain, male (66) (NA) from Hyderpora, female (49) (NA) from Chattabal, female (19) (NA) from Chattabal, male (57) (NA) from Chattabal, female (35) (NA) from Sgr, male (66) (NA) from Buchpora, male (40) (NA) from Sgr, male (60) (NA) from Sgr, male (20) (NA) from Sgr, male (36) (NA) from Sgr, male (38) (NA) from Tangmarg, female (56) (NA) from Baramulla, male (29) (NA) from Solina Sgr, female (18) (NA) from Qamarwari Sgr, male (30) (NA) from Bemina, male (30) (NA) from Sgr, female (47) (NA) from Pampore, male (57) (NA) from Kadikadal Sgr, female (53) (NA) from Kadikadal, female (33) (NA) from Sgr, male (18) (NA) from Parimpora, male (26) (NA) from Hyderpora, female (22) (NA) from GDC hostel, male (32) (NA) from Peerbagh, male (18) (NA) from Nowshera, male (55) (NA) from Safakadal, male (02) (NA) from Safapora ganderbal, female (20) (NA) from Bemina, male (45) (NA) from Mirgund baramulla, male (25) (NA) from Tral pulwama, male (24) (NA) from Baghat, female (22) (NA) from Shalteng, female (38) (NA) from Chota bazar, male (70) (NA) from Shopian, male (38) (NA) from Narwah pulwama, female (26) from Chewa kalan, female (30) from Malangpora pulwama, female (25) (NA) from Drangbal pampore, female (08) (NA) from Beighpora pulwama, male (50) (NA) from Lonepora newa, female (08) (NA) from Pulwama, male (14) (NA) from Shalteng, female (32) (NA) from Hyderpora, male (48) (NA) from Chattabal, female (24) (NA) from Nowgam, male (70) (NA) from Tailwan anantnag, male (70) (NA) from Darmuna budgam, male (50) (NA) from Kakapora, female (43) (NA) from Chanpora, male (43) (NA) from Chanpora, male (10) (NA) from Chanpora, male (23) (NA) from Nishat, male (44) (NA) from Nishat, female (70) (NA) from Khaniyar, male (50) (NA) from Khaniyar, female (45) (NA) from Khaniyar and male (17) (NA) from Khaniyar.

There was one death, from Jammu division, due to the virus during the last 24 hours, they said. So far 4547 persons—2212 in Jammu and 2335 in Kashmir—have died due to the virus, they said.

In last 24 hours, they said, 262 patients—140 from Jammu and 122 from Kashmir recovered. So far 337412 have recovered, leaving active case tally at 6242—3348 in Jammu and 2894 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 71,541 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)

J&K likely to seek Rs 297 cr under CAMPA in next fiscal

Anchor stories

Ibni Maqbool

13/01/2022

J&K likely to seek Rs 297 cr under CAMPA in next fiscal

By: Ibni Maqbool

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government is likely to seek Rs 297 crore under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) for the next financial year.

Documents in possession of The Precious Kashmir lay bare that the executive committee of CAMPA headed by principal chief conservator of forests is expected to consider and recommend the annual plan of operations for next financial year for the total amount of Rs 297 .13 crore.

The executive committee of J&K CAMPA is expected to meet under the chairmanship of Dr. Mohit Gera, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force, on January 18, 2022 at Jammu.

Among other things, the proposed CAMPA funds would be utilized for compensatory afforestation, protected areas (national Parks wild life sanctuaries, catchment area treatment plan and integrated wildlife management plan.

Once cleared by the executive committee, the proposals would be placed before chief secretary-led steering committee of CAMPA for approval.

Subsequently, the Chief Secretary-led panel would recommend the proposal to national CAMPA for consideration and approval.

It is worthwhile to mention that preparation of annual plan of operations 2022-23 under the CAMPA commenced with the CAMPA secretariat writing to the implementing agencies (IAs) to assess the requirement of funds for next fiscal on the basis of the criteria stipulated in the said communication.

Thereafter, lA wise outlay along with a set of guidelines was circulated by the CAMPA secretariat on September 30, 2021. Later, the PCCF issued a detailed set of guidelines for preparation of APO 2022-23.

Indoor sports stadium at Rajpora Pulwama nears completion, players upbeat

Anchor stories

Precious Kashmir

13/01/2022

Indoor sports stadium at Rajpora Pulwama nears completion, players upbeat

By: Aabid Hameed

Pulwama: After missing several deadlines, Jammu and Kashmir government is all set to complete the much-awaited indoor sports stadium in Rajpora area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

Shabir Ahmad Najar, Deputy General Manager of J&K Projects Construction Corporation Limited (JKPCC), executing agency of the project, said that indoor sports stadium is almost complete with very little work pending.

He said that very soon, it will be handed over to the concerned department following which the local youth can avail the benefit of the project.

Another official of JKPCC said that the stadium is complete and only flooring is pending on which the work is going on and it will be completed within a weeks’ time.

He said that due to the frequent lockdowns and other issues, the project got delayed so far, but now it has been almost completed.

He said that project is being completed at the cost of around Rs four crore.

Players from different villages of the area said that they are very much hopeful that by enhancing the sports infrastructure in the area, the youth will get engaged in different sports activities and will remain away from drug menace.

They said the project has taken more time in completion but are hopeful that it will help the local players to reach higher levels.

“Our valley is facing the nuisance of drug addiction, which is due to lack of recreational opportunities given to our youth and such projects are very important to keep them away from drugs,” said Danish Ahmad, a local cricket player.

“I am hopeful that this sports stadium will help us in engaging more and more youth in sports activities and keep them away from drugs and other evil things,” he said.

Rashida Simnani, a lady wrestling player from the area, who has won many medals at national level in Wrestling, said that once the project is completed, it will definitely help players in practice besides that it will help in engaging more and more youth in sports activities.

She said that drug addict is main issue in the society currently and such kind of projects will obviously help in overcoming drug addiction, besides it will help in making the women empowered by giving them different trainings.

Players said that the facility will put an end to the sufferings they were effacing during the wet weather conditions as their practice got affected many times in the past during rains or winter season.

PM Modi to discuss Covid situation with CMs today

Front

Indo Asian News Service

13/01/2022

New Delhi: Amid a rise in the Covid cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to discuss the situation with the chief ministers on Thursday evening, sources said on Wednesday.

During the interaction with the chief ministers, Modi will review the Covid situation in the country and steps implemented to control the spread of the virus.

“In the meeting, the Prime Minister will discuss state-specific scenarios, best-practices and the public health response,” sources said.

On Sunday, Modi had chaired a high-level meeting to assess the Covid situation in the country, ongoing preparedness of health infrastructure and logistics, status of the vaccination campaign in the country and the emergence of new Covid-19 variant Omicron and its public health implications for the country.

In the meeting, the Prime Minister had said that a meeting with the chief ministers would be convened to discuss state-specific scenarios, best-practices and the public health response.

The Prime Minister had directed the officials to ensure adequate health infrastructure at the district level.

After a detailed discussion, the Prime Minister had directed that intensive containment and active surveillance should continue in clusters reporting higher cases and required technical support be provided to states which are currently reporting higher number of cases.

He highlighted the need to ensure effective usage of masks and physical distancing measures as a new normal to control the spread of the virus.

The Prime Minister further exhorted the need for effective implementation of home isolation for mild/asymptomatic cases and to disseminate the factual information to the community at large. (IANS)

Activate war rooms, isolation facilities: CS to H&ME Deptt

Front

Precious Kashmir

13/01/2022

Reviews public health response to Covid surge in J&K

Jammu: The Covid task force met under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary, Jammu & Kashmir, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta in which Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Medical Education Department, Administrative Secretaries of Home and Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction along with the officers of H&ME department.

In view of the surge in COVID cases, the Task Force reviewed the public health response and various mitigation measures being put in place for effective containment and mitigation of the infection in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Task Force was apprised that Jammu and Kashmir has administered 1.94 crore vaccines to vaccinate 107% and 101% eligible population with the first and second dose, respectively. The UT is further speeding up its vaccination drive in the 15-17 age category and has already achieved 32% coverage.

The Chief Secretary asked the Health & Medical Education Department to prioritize administering booster doses in vulnerable populations, besides, expediting vaccination in the 15-17 age group and replenishing the stock of COVID specific medicines. The department was directed to ensure strict enforcement of CAB, COVID SOPs, and protocols towards ensuring the highest caution and preparedness and lowest fatality.

Dr. Mehta emphasized that Omicron has a growth advantage over the delta variant and as such requires ardent mitigation and containment measures from an early stage, preferably when the positivity rate breaks out the 10% benchmark.

Observing that Omicron is being perceived as less dangerous than the delta variant responsible for the second wave, the Chief Secretary appealed to the public to raise their guard and remain cautious and vigilant to the infection since it has a high rate of transmission and can infect a larger group of people over shorter periods. “It remains the social and moral responsibility of every citizen to be responsible for themselves and those around them; they must exercise due diligence against any symptom of infection in the interest of their family members as well as that of society at large”, Dr. Mehta maintained.

People were further appealed to avoid visiting crowded places and all symptomatic persons to appropriately isolate themselves and seek medical assistance, if required. In the event of non-availability of home isolation, institutional isolation facilities can be availed.

The Chief Secretary directed immediate activation of emergency control rooms and decentralized COVID war rooms and re-activation of Panchayat level isolation facilities and COVID Care Centres to contain the rural spread of the disease.

The NHM was asked to widely publicize the COVID helplines and UT/Divisional/District-level emergency contact numbers for assistance including tele-consultations through bulk messages and proper advertisement, besides promoting medical interactions with medical experts on both electronic and social media. The Department was also asked to create visual content in vernaculars on COVID good practices for circulation among the general public.

The Chief Secretary directed ramping up of testing facilities in Jammu and Kashmir to conduct over 2 lakh daily tests in the coming days while maintaining the contact tracing ratio at 1:15.

The Task Force was further apprised that under ECRP-II, all infrastructural preparations have been completed and ICU beds, oxygen supported beds, and ventilators are in a state of readiness. At present, the bed occupancy in Jammu and Kashmir is less than 10% and the medical facilities are maintaining a healthy and comfortable state.

Dr. Mehta further impressed upon the Health Department to circulate treatment SOPs for minor children and train the pediatrics staff accordingly, besides ensuring the availability of the best treatment and facilities including suitable ventilators and related machinery to this age category which has hitherto remained less affected from COVID-19.

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