Precious Kashmir

Night temp plummets; Gulmarg freezes at minus 10 again

Front

11/01/2022

Srinagar: Weather in Kashmir valley improved as the sun appeared in Srinagar after a spell of recent rains and snowfall while the night temperature recorded a drop with the mercury settling at minus 10.0 degree Celsius at the famous ski resort of Gulmarg on Monday.

A Meteorological Department official said that Srinagar, recorded a low of 0.2 degree Celsius against 0.3 degree Celsius the previous night which is 2.1 degree Celsius above normal for this time of the season, he said. The sun appeared in Srinagar playing hide and seek after several days of wet weather.

The famous ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir settled at minus 10.0 degree Celsius for the second consecutive day on Monday which is minus 2.2 degree below normal during this period of season.

Qazigund on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway recorded a low of 0.6 degree Celsius against the 0.4 degree Celsius recorded on the previous night, he said.

Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 2.6 degree Celsius against the minus 1.8 degree Celsius on previous night, he said.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 1.7 degree Celsius against minus 2.3 degree Celsius a day ago, the official said.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir settled at minus 0.6 degree Celsius on Monday, the official said.

Ladakh’s Leh recorded a low of minus 9.5 degree Celsius against the minus 8.2 degree Celsius while mercury at the automatic station in Kargil settled at minus 7.0 degree Celsius and minus 8.8 degree Celsius at Drass, the official said. (UNI)

Traffic to ply from Sgr towards Jammu today

Front

Precious Kashmir

11/01/2022

Jammu: The Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir with the outside world, reopened for fresh traffic on Monday after remaining closed for the past three days owing to heavy snowfall and landslides at several places in Ramban district, officials said.

“Tomorrow, subject to fair weather and better road condition LMVs passengers shall be allowed from Srinagar towards Jammu (only one way) in view of narrow and slippery conditions of road at many places on Jammu-Srinagar highway,” traffic police said in a statement. It said that traffic shall be allowed from Navyug Tunnel (Qazigund side) at 0900 hours upto 1300 hours. “No Bus will be allowed,” it said, adding, “ TCU Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the traffic. No Vehicle shall be allowed before and after cut off timing.”

Earlier, officials said traffic from both the Jammu and Srinagar was allowed after the arterial road was cleared landslides at Panthiyal and Maroog by road clearance agencies.

The thoroughfare was closed for traffic on Friday afternoon, shortly after it was opened after two-day closure following heavy snowfall and multiple landslides between Chanderkote and Ramsu.

The officials said the traffic was allowed from Jammu to Srinagar early Monday morning. Traffic from Srinagar towards Jammu got green signal only after 11 am, they said.

During the day, traffic was temporarily halted at Nagrota Jammu and Jakhani Udhampur in view of the fresh landslides which were cleared by road clearance agencies, paving way for resumption of travel, the officials said.

Meanwhile, Mughal Road, connecting Shopian with Poonch and Rajouri districts, remained closed for vehicular movement in view of snow accumulation at Peer Ki Gali.

Also, Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road remained shut for vehicular movement in view of snow accumulation on Zoji la axis and has been closed till further orders.

Traffic movement on kishtwar-sinthan road also has been halted on Kishtwar-Sinthan road in view of snow accumulation, they said. (GNS)

LG interacts with DDC Chairpersons, VCs of Jammu division

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

11/01/2022

LG interacts with DDC Chairpersons, VCs of Jammu division

It is our firm resolve to remove developmental imbalances: Sinha

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Monday interacted with the Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons of District Development Councils of Jammu Division at Civil Secretariat.

During the interaction, the Lt Governor took first-hand appraisal of the district-specific developmental needs of the people, and received feedback from the DDCs on implementation of developmental works and progress made under District Capex in their respective constituencies.

The Lt Governor reiterated the commitment of J&K Administration for delivering good governance to the villages by strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions.

“It is our firm resolve to remove developmental imbalances. Sustained economic growth, efforts to meet the basic needs of the people and better quality of life constitute priorities of district administration and PRIs”, said the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor acknowledged the crucial role being played by the DDCs & other PRIs in ensuring benefits of rapid economic growth flows to the lowest rung of the society.

Emphasizing the need to maintain transparency and accountability in the development process, the Lt Governor said that the efficient technological tools like BEAMS-EMPOWERMENT are helping in monitoring of projects & expenditure for smooth coordination so that projects are not held up due to inordinate delays.

DDCs are now regularly monitoring ongoing projects in districts and evaluating for timely implementation of all important programmes. The Government services are also being connected with a feedback system to bring fundamental changes in the public service delivery mechanism, added the Lt Governor.

During the interactive meeting, the DDC Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons welcomed the Lt Governor’s initiative to interact with the DDCs and listen to their issues and concerns.

They apprised the Lt Governor about District-specific issues pertaining to tourism development; employment generation; augmenting power and water supply; saturation of public welfare schemes; upgradation of health & education infrastructure; strengthening road connectivity; creating more banking facilities in rural and far-flung areas; capacity building & exposure visits of DDC members, besides putting special focus on snowbound and far-flung areas.

DDC Chairpersons also submitted a 10-point memorandum to the Lt Governor regarding various administrative and other concerning issues.

The Lt Governor assured due consideration of the issues projected by the DDC Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons for their redressal at the earliest.

Addressing the issue of promoting the tourism sector of Jammu Division, the Lt Governor said that the UT Government is giving dedicated focus on improving infrastructure and enhancing connectivity to tap immense tourism potential of the region.

The Lt Governor directed the Commissioner/Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj to hold regular review meetings with the Chairpersons and other members of DDCs for continuous assessment of the implementation of developmental projects.

On being apprised about the drug menace in some districts, the Lt Governor said that the UT Government is putting special focus on fighting the evil of Drug addiction through ‘Nasha Mukti Abhiyaan’.

The DDCs were further advised to involve themselves in Swachhta planning of every village.

Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department; Shaleen Kabra, Principal Secretary to the Government, Home Department; Mukesh Singh, ADGP Jammu; Mandeep Kaur Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department; Dr Raghav Langer, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.

Axing of walnut trees posing threat to life, property permitted

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

11/01/2022

By: Sajidah Yousuf

Srinagar: Amid demand of organic walnuts of Kashmir, the authorities in a weeks’ time have permitted axing of scores of Walnut trees in three districts of the region that according to them poses threat to life and property.

According to the official figures, axing of nearly two dozen walnut trees was permitted by Assistant Commissioner of Central Kashmir in first week of January.

The official figures reveals that the authorities in district Shopian have permitted axing of twenty walnut trees followed by the district Ganderbal and Kulgam with one walnut tree respectively.

One of the government orders in this regard reads, “ In pursuance of the provisions of Section 5, of Jammu and Kashmir Preservation of Specified Trees Act, 1969, the applicants of Saidapora Bala Tehsil and District Shopian is permitted to fell down twenty walnut trees (Specified Tree) which are posing threat to life and property falling under Survey, situated in village Saidapora Bala Tehsil and District Shopian.”

The similar orders have been issued for district Ganderbal and Kulgam respectively.

Earlier, in the year 2021 axing of at least 27 walnut trees were permitted in order to pay a way for the corridor of 220KV Mir Bazar Wagoora transmission line at nine villages of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district. (KNO)

ACB team nabs Police ASI on bribery charges

City

Precious Kashmir

11/01/2022

ACB team nabs Police ASI on bribery charges

Srinagar: Anti-Corruption Bureau on Monday evening apprehended an Assistant Sub-inspector of police on allegations of taking bribe, official sources said.

They said that an ACB team apprehended one Mohammad Sultan presently posted in Police Station Kupwara while taking bribe from Kupwara market.

“The alleged cop said to be a resident of Dardpora Kralpora was apprehended on the spot”, they said.

Meanwhile, a senior police officer also confirmed about the arrest of the cop. (GNS)

Budgam residents protest against PDD

City

Naveed Ul Haq

11/01/2022

By: Naveed Ul Haq

Budgam: Residents of Bonyar Surasyar in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Monday staged a protest against Power Development Department (PDD) and alleged that department cheated local residents as well as District magistrate Budgam by installing the transformer without repairing the same just to appease the Deputy Commissioner.

Locals said that electric transformer had developed a snag a few weeks ago and they had requested DC Bandipora to get the transformer repaired.

“The height of cheating is that the PDD installed back the transformer without reparing the same just to appease the DC Bandipora. When the transformer was installed and started, it made loud noises as if blast was taking place,” the locals alleged.

A local resident appealed DC Budgam to take strict action against those who made fun of residents and the administration on the pretext of repairing the transformer.

Executive Engineer PDD Chadoora, Irshad Ahmad told KNO that the transformer was brought from Pampore station so that residents can be provided electricity quickly, but it failed.

He also said that people will be given a new transformer tomorrow so that they do not face any difficulties. (KNO)

3 drug peddlers held in Bla, Gbl: Police

City

Precious Kashmir

11/01/2022

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir police on Monday claimed to have arrested three drug peddlers in Baramulla and Ganderbal districts of the Valley and recovered contraband substances from their possession.

In Baramulla, a police party of Police Station Pattan under the supervision of SDPO Pattan Nawaz Khanday at a checkpoint established at Jheel Bridge Hanjiwera, Pattan intercepted a suspicious person identified as Zahoor Ahmad Malla resident of Kripalpora Payeen Pattan, a police spokesman said.

During checking, the officers were able to recover 110 grams of charas besides, cash amount of Rs 5780 believed to be proceeds from narcotic crime was also recovered from his possession. He has been arrested and shifted to police station where he remains in custody.

Meanwhile in Ganderbal, a pPolice party of PP Nagbal at a checkpoint established at Bakura Crossing intercepted two suspicious persons who on seeing the Police party tried to escape from the spot but the alert police party chased and apprehended them tactfully.

The arrested persons have been identified as Gh Jaleena Bhat son of Ab Rashid Bhat resident of Bakura and Gh Mohammad Wani son of Asadullah Wani resident of Ladhermar Chowker Pulwama. During checking, officers were able to recover 150gms of Charas from their possession. They have been shifted to police station where they remain in custody.

Accordingly, cases under relevant sections of law have been registered in respective Police Stations and further investigation has been initiated.

“Our consistent actions against drug peddlers should reassure the community members that we are making efforts to keep our society free from the scourge of drug menace,” police said.

Prof. Naseer Iqbal nominated as Executive Committee member of IIPA JK

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

11/01/2022

Awantipora: Registrar, Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) Prof. Naseer Iqbal has been appointed as an executive committee member of the Indian Institute of Public Administration’s (IIPA) J&K regional branch.

According to an official statement, the executive committee members have been nominated for the period 2022-24 in its 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on January 8, 2022.

Prof. Naseer is a life member of Astronomical Society of India, Indian Physics Association and is also member of Board of Studies in various Universities of the country.

IIPA JK is one of the 23 Regional Branches of Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi, an autonomous academic institution of national eminence for training, research and information dissemination in streams related to the ethos of public administration and is known for a premier centre for training and research in public administration and management.

IIPA was established throughout the country to promote and provide for the study and imparting of training related to public administration and the machinery of government.

LS Speaker, RS Chairman review Covid preparedness in Parliament

National

United News Of India

11/01/2022

LS Speaker, RS Chairman review Covid preparedness in Parliament

New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday took stock of situation in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sources said a major sanitation drive is going on in Parliament House this week, in view of the upcoming Budget session.

Orders have been given that only officials of Director level and above have to attend office regularly.

Pregnant women, Divyangs and people with co-morbidities have been allowed to work from home.

“Situation is being monitored continuosly for the upcoming session, and the situation is under control,” the source said.

Around 400 staff of Parliament had tested positive for Covid during a test drive held on January 6 and 7, raising concerns.

The tests come as Parliament heads toward Budget Session, even as the dates have not been announced yet.

Testing for staff and MPs has been arranged in the Parliament complex, and the Lok Sabha Secretariat has also started booster dose vaccinations for MPs above 60, as per the government guidelines.

A circular issued on Sunday said arrangements have been made for MPs above 60 years with comorbidities to get booster shots of Covishield or Covaxine in the Parliament complex. (UNI)

BJP president tests positive for Covid

National

United News Of India

11/01/2022

New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president JP Nadda tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday.

“I got my covid test done after showing initial symptoms. My report has come positive. I am feeling fine now. On the advice of doctors, I have isolated myself,” Nadda said in a tweet.

“All those who have come in contact with me in the last few days are requested to get themselves checked,” he said.

Several politicians, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Bihar Deputy Chief Ministers Tarkishore Prasad and Renu Devi, and several others have tested positive for Covid-19 during the ongoing Omicron induced wave.

This news comes at a time when the country recorded 1,79,723 fresh cases and 146 related deaths, taking the toll to 3,57,07,727 and death tally to 4,93,936 as per the Union Health Ministry data on Monday.

More than 400 parliament staff members also tested positive for Covid-19 last week.

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