Precious Kashmir

Complete all high-standard sporting facilities under PMDP by Mar 2022: CS

Jammu & Kashmir

09/12/2021

Complete all high-standard sporting facilities under PMDP by Mar 2022: CS

Jammu: Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta Wednesday chaired a meeting to review the functioning of the Youth Services & Sports Department and take stock of achievements registered so far in the current financial year.

The Principal Secretary, Youth Services and Sports (YSS) Department, Director Youth Services and Sports Department, Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, and other senior officers of the Department attended the meeting.

It was informed that the Department is organizing various sports activities and undertaking several infrastructural projects across Jammu and Kashmir to promote a sporting culture in the Union territory.

During the current financial year, the J&K Sports Council organized various UT, Divisional, and District level competitions and engaged 8.70 lakh athletes which saw a 600% increase from the financial year 2017-18.

The Council also inaugurated a state-of-the-art Gymnastics Academy at M.A Stadium Jammu which is fully equipped with world-class and international federation-approved apparatuses. It is the first-ever such academy in the country which has international standard facilities for artistic, rhythmic and trampoline gymnastics in one place.

The Department will be organizing 15 national-level events in the next quarter including the National Snow Rugby Championship at Gulmarg, Sub-Junior National Soft Tennis Championship, National Thang-Tha Championship at Srinagar, Junior National Volleyball Championship at Jammu, and Federation Cup Wushu Championship at Srinagar.

Under Khelo India Scheme, 2 Centres of Excellence have been established- one for fencing in Jammu and another for Kayaking & Canoeing at Srinagar. Similarly, 40 Small Khelo India District Level Centers are coming up across Jammu and Kashmir which will be completed by March 2022.

These Centres will provide sporting facilities for at least 2 disciplines per district from badminton, basketball, boxing, football, handball, hockey, judo, kabaddi, karate, korfball, penchak silat, table tennis, taekwando, thang-ta and wushu.

Further, to promote sports among people with disabilities (PwDs), the Department is organizing various tournaments including Blind National Cricket Tournament, wheelchair race and carom, among others, under the theme ‘Know me for my Abilities, not my Disabilities’.

Under the Prime Minister’s Development Package, the Sports Council has completed 22 projects so far at an estimated cost of Rs. 175.04 crore. It will be completing another 8 projects by March 2022.

Additionally, the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports organized various school games and extra-curricular activities to engage 5.60 lakh students and players in sporting activities.

The Department will be organizing YSS Cup Tournaments in 4 disciplines of kabaddi, kho-kho, volleyball, and cricket at block, district and UT levels with an expected participation from 11,500 registered players.

The Chief Secretary directed the Department to complete all high-standard sporting facilities under PMDP and ensure their functioning in every district by March 2022. So far, 14 such multi-purpose indoor halls have been completed and the remaining 8 are under progress. Besides, the Department was also asked to ensure functioning of at least one floodlit stadium in all districts to allow for evening tournaments and events.

Emphasizing the quality of training and guidance being provided to the aspiring athletes and players, Dr. Mehta asked the Department to work towards ensuring greater participation of UT’s youth in various national and international events. It was informed that Arif Mohammad Khan, an athlete from Kashmir has qualified for the winter Olympics in Beijing and is currently being provided financial assistance of Rs. 10 lakh for training in Austria.

LG pays tribute to Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

09/12/2021

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, has paid homage to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji on his ‘Martyrdom Day’.

He said that Guru Ji’s sacrifice for upholding the principle of freedom of conscience and his vision for establishing an inclusive and harmonious society will be the guiding philosophy for humanity till eternity.

“This solemn occasion reminds all of us, the Guru’s great teachings and supreme sacrifice. He was the embodiment of universal brotherhood, peace, and harmony. His life and teachings are a source of inspiration for all citizens”, the Lt Governor said.

The Lt Governor called upon people to follow the high ideals of humanism, benevolence, and tolerance. ‘On this pious day, we must rekindle the spirit of self-sacrifice and resolve to strive for collective good, uplift individual lives, and achieving greater harmony and compassion in the society’, he observed.

Online applications invited for trainers for Haj-2022

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

09/12/2021

Srinagar: Online applications have been invited from the desiring Muslim Govt. Employees (Permanent) of Jammu & Kashmir till 20th December, 2021 for imparting Orientation/ Training to the Pilgrims of Hajj-2022.

The applicants must have performed a Haj preferably during the years 2017, 2018 and 2019 and should generally not be more than 58 years of age.

Applicants of age 25-58 years as on 31 December, 2021 are eligible to apply online. They must have gotten two (2) doses of approved vaccine against Covid-19.

Apart from this, the applicants must be fully conversant and fluent in English/Urdu/Hindi/local language/ dialects and computer literate besides being efficient enough to receive/ transmit latest information/messages through email/WhatsApp and other available sources of E-Media.

The applicants must possess thorough knowledge of the logistics and rituals of Hajj and Umrah. They must be mentally and physically fit, capable of addressing/ giving lectures to relatively large gatherings and in a position to spare time for imparting training.

Any applicant having Criminal records against him/her in any Court of Law shall not apply.

The desiring applicants can apply Online through Haj Committee of India website www.hajcommittee.gov.in . The applicants are advised to upload the requisite documents at the time of filling up of Online Application Forms.

No offline application or copy of downloaded online application will be accepted by this office. The last date / time for filling up online applications are 20th December, 2021 at 23:59 hours.

For further details aspirants are requested to go through the Circular No. 3 dated: 07 December, 2021 issued by Haj Committee of India, Mumbai.

JKRLM Block BK Pora organizes 2-day eye screening camp

City

Precious Kashmir

09/12/2021

JKRLM Block BK Pora organizes 2-day eye screening camp

Srinagar: Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission Block BK Pora organized two-day Eye Care camp for SHG members in collaboration with District Health Department Budgam and Essilor Vision Foundation.

In this three tier collaboration, the SHG members will be provided with free of cost eye and vision care services.

On the inaugural Dr Majid Nazir Eye specialist sub-district hospital Chadoora appreciated the efforts of Block Mission Management Unit BK pora for organizing eye care camp for women SHG members associated with Umeed.

He expressed that eye care needs are neglected by and large by the general population and specifically in Rural Settings people remain busy in day to day activities and adjust with the poor eye vision rather than coming up for the check up.

He further stated that a section of the population who can’t afford to buy the spectacles do not turn up for eye checkups. He added there are more chances of ocular diseases in women associated with handicrafts related activities and these eye care of camps will surely create more awareness among the women population and correction of vision a reality for them.

On the occasion, Senior Manager Essilor Vision Foundation Bangalore Shri Dharma Prasad Rai remotely through video conference expressed that vision has direct correlation to the quality of life and productivity of the working population and for the learning outcome of the children.

He expressed happiness for Rural Livelihood Mission Block BK pora for taking up this important initiative that will directly result in improved productivity of the women SHG members who are engaged in handicrafts related activities.

In an official communiqué, Additional Mission Director Kashmir JKRLM Mr Riyaz Ahmad Beigh expressed his content to partner with Essilor Vision Foundation for providing free of cost spectacles to the deserving women SHG members of Block BK pora.

He said that we look forward for more such collobortive endeavors by Essilor India Vision Foundation for the people of Jammu & Kashmir. He said that to accelerate the concept of better life through better vision Essilor is working at the forefront.He remarked Essilor’s mssion to eradicate poor vision from the face of earth in one generation is appreciable.

On the occasion Block Program Manager BK Pora Madina Bukhari expressed her sincere gratitude to District Health Department Budgam, and Essilor India Foundation Bangalore for making it possible to let the eye care services be accessed by the rural women SHG members.

She emphasized that Essilor Vision Foundation extended their resolve to eliminate poor vision and its lifelong consequences and reached out to the poor rural households of Block BK pora for enabling better vision.

She thanked Principal Boys HSS School B K Pora Syed Rifat for providing the logistical support for the camp.

CCAK demands early registration of coaching centres

City

Precious Kashmir

09/12/2021

CCAK demands early registration of coaching centres

Srinagar: Coaching Centres Association of Kashmir (CCAK) Wednesday called on the government to clear the registration files of all coaching centres at the earliest so that the centres and students don’t suffer in the coming academic session.

The Association, as per a statement, said that the winters are usually the peak season for coaching classes and pendency of registration and other issues hamper their smooth functioning.

“The registration of all our coaching centres ended in May 2021. After that all of our members submitted the files for registration but till date the registration is still awaited,” said Lateef Masoodi Working President of CCAK.

CCAK said that in the absence of registration, the Coaching Centres Association is unable to conduct elections and elect a body which acts as a bridge with the government. “Once the registration process is completed, we will come to know about our members and thus conduct elections to elect a new governing body,” said Masoodi. “The new government body will ensure that all rules and regulations are followed and new measures for the benefit of students are taken.”

The Association demanded that the registration be given for a longer period for the benefit of both students and coaching centres. “We want either 5 year registration or life time registration for our coaching centres. Typically a student starts coaching in class 9 and it continues for at least next five years upto the preparation of entrance examinations. So a 5 year coaching will suit a student too,” said Masoodi. “The government can have annual monitoring and inspections, we don’t object to that. But preparing files for registration every year is an unnecessary burden and it takes toll of time and resources of our coaching centres.”

CCAK also called on the government to rationalise tax structure of coaching centres. “As of now we pay 18.5 percent GST. Plus we have to provide 10% free quota for poor students. This is a collective 28 % burden on coaching centres and it has to be ultimate paid by students who wants to enrol in coaching. We want government to adjust 10% in the GST and later it can provide it to the poor students from that kitty. That way poor students will be benefited and an average student won’t have to pay extra burden from its coaching fee,” said Masoodi.

The Association also expressed displeasure of frequent change of staff in the coaching centres. “It is unfortunate that there is frequent change of teachers in various coaching centres. It is like horse trading, where teachers join higher paying centres mid-session. There should be some rule prohibiting midsession change of teachers,” said Masoodi.

CCAK demanded that a single nodal agency should be given the authority to monitor coaching centres. “Currently every other department interferes in our work. Be it revenue, Police or education department, all interfere in our working. We appeal the government to entrust either Education department of IMPA with the responsibility to monitor coaching centres. This will remove ambiguity and clash of jurisdiction of various departments,” said Masoodi.

Smartphone Use By Children

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Oped

Precious Kashmir

09/12/2021

According to a study, “Effects (Physical, Behavioural and Psycho-Social) of using Mobile Phones and other devices with internet accessibility by children” by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), 23.80 percent of children use smartphones while they are in bed, before going to sleep which increase with age.
The Study, based on a sample size of 5000 from rural and urban all the zones of the country, concluded that this has an adverse impact on children.
Use of smart phones at inappropriate times can have detrimental impact on the health and well-being of children, it underlined. One such impact, it said, is reduction in level of concentration among children.
As per the study, 37.15% of children, always or frequently, experience reduced levels of concentration due to smartphone use.
According to researchers, the use of interactive screen time on such devices could also impair a child’s development of the skills needed for math and science.
Radiation is another health concern. Cellphones work by using radio waves, which is a form of radiation. So whether you’re holding your device to your ear or sleeping with it near your head, your body may be absorbing this energy, according to the National Cancer Institute. However, research still hasn’t definitively linked this exposure to health problems in children and teenagers.
The frequent use increases children’s social isolation, robs children of time for social activities with others, and interferes with social development. In addition, frequent mobile use may increase children’s social isolation, resulting in depression and loneliness. Also, more time spent using media can displace time used for quality parent-child interaction, such as sharing enriching experiences and activities
Repeated exposure to violence and aggression through smart phone use including playing violent games or viewing violent media programs can lead to aggressive and violent behavior.
Exposure to violent media also tends to increase anxiety and fear, as well as the acceptance of violence as an appropriate means for solving conflicts.
The frequent mobile use increases children’s social isolation, and hinder opportunities for social interaction with family and friends, resulting in emotional and behavioral problems
NCPCR recommended a bigger portion of land in the communities needs to be identified as a playground for children that will encourage them to involve themselves in games and sports. The parents need to ensure that children play in the field more than they spend time using the smart phones.

Brazil legend Pele hospitalised again to undergo colon tumor treatment

Sports

Indo Asian News Service

09/12/2021

Brazil legend Pele hospitalised again to undergo colon tumor treatment

Brasilia: Brazilian soccer legend Pele has been hospitalised for a colon tumor treatment, Sao Paulo’s Hospital Albert Einstein said on Wednesday.

The three-time World Cup winner had surgery to remove a colon tumor in September, with the hospital saying at the time that he would also need to have chemotherapy.

The hospital in its medical bulletin on Wednesday said the 81-year-old was in a stable condition and would be discharged in the next few days, a BBC report said.

It also added that Pele was now “continuing” his treatment.

Regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, Pele has suffered from a series of health issues in recent years. He had prostate surgery in 2015 after he was admitted to hospital for the second time in six months, and he was admitted again for a urinary infection in 2019.

Pele is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 games and one of only four players to have scored in four World Cup tournaments.

Gen Rawat had good academic connection with TN

National

Indo Asian News Service

09/12/2021

Gen Rawat had good academic connection with TN

Chennai: India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat (63), who along with his wife Madhulika Rawat was among the 13 persons who were killed after an IAF chopper they were travelling in crashed near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, had a strong academic connection with Tamil Nadu.

Rawat was on a visit to his alma mater Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington (Nilgiri Hills) to address the faculty and student officers of the staff course.

He had also secured diplomas in management and computer studies from the University of Madras.

Delimitation Commission aims to complete exercise at earliest: MHA

Front

Precious Kashmir

08/12/2021

Delimitation Commission aims to complete exercise at earliest: MHA

By: Aqib Ahmad

Srinagar: Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, on Tuesday said that Delimitation Commission headed by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai endeavours to complete the exercise of redrawing boundaries of Assembly and parliamentary constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir “as early as possible.”

Responding to a question in the ongoing winter session of the Lok Sabha by BJP parliamentarian Satyadev Pachauri, Minister of State, MHA, Nityanand Rai however did not specify definite time-period for the completion of the exercise by the Commission which also comprises of Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and J&K State Election Commissioner K K Sharma.

“The Government has constituted a Delimitation Commission headed by Justice (Retd.) Ranjana Prakash Desai for the purpose of delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” Rai said in a written reply to question by Pachauri, former Minister from Uttar Pradesh who wanted to know whether any steps have been taken for completion of the work of delimitation at the earliest in Jammu Kashmir by the centre as a result of the meeting held with the “representatives of various political parties of Kashmir recently.”

“The Delimitation Commission has held extensive consultations with various stakeholders like State Election Commissioner of UT of J&K, Chief Secretary, Govt. of J&K, Registrar General of India, Surveyor General of India, District Election Officers of all 20 districts of J&K,” he said as per the reply.

The Delimitation Commission visited various places in Jammu & Kashmir from 6th to 9th July this year to “receive inputs from the stakeholders”.

“The endeavour of Commission is to complete the said exercise as early as possible,” Rai said responding to specific query by the parliamentarian about the time by which the work delimitation was likely to be completed.

Recently Home Minister of India Amit Shah said that first delimitation will take place, then elections will be held and then the process to restore statehood will begin.

“I have said this many times. Now they know that this will be the chronology so they want to create political dispute by demanding the opposite,” Shah had said in response to question on the demand of J-K political parties that elections should take place after statehood is restored.

Under the constitutional scheme prior to 5 August 2019, the delimitation of assembly constituencies fell within powers of the erstwhile state of J&K and under the second proviso to Section 47 of the Constitution of J&K, the redrawing boundaries of the assembly was to be undertaken once the figures of the first census after the year 2026 are published, meaning thereby census of 2031.

However, as the things stand, the freeze on delimitation exercise brought in by the erstwhile government headed by then Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and upheld by the Supreme Court, has been lifted under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, the wires of which are under challenge before the top court of the country.

Under Part-V of the ‘Reorganisation Act, redrawing of the assembly constituencies has to be carried through a process defined in Delimitation Act, 2002.

Jammu and Kashmir saw the last delimitation exercise in 1994-95, after 22 years, which resulted in an increase in the number of Assembly constituencies from 76 to 87. The Jammu region saw an increase of five seats (from 32 to 37 seats), the Kashmir Valley an increase of four seats (from 42 to 46) and Ladakh two seats (from two to four).

The erstwhile State as a whole had a total of 111 seats—24 reserved and vacant for Pakistan administered Kashmir.

Post 5 August 2019 and the split of the State into two Union Territories—J&K and Ladakh—, the complexion of the legislative Assembly changed. Four Ladakh seats were declared void, reducing the strength of the J&K assembly to 83 from 87. At the same time, the new Act provided for increasing the number of seats to 90.

Section 60 of the Reorganisation Act deals with exercise and provides among others reservation of the seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Legislative Assembly having regard to the “relevant provisions of the Constitution”. Also, the constituencies in which seats are reserved for the SC and the ST shall, as far as practicable, are to be located in areas where the proportion of their population to the total population is the largest, according to the Act.

This exercise has been started and is being carried out by a Delimitation Commission, whose orders have the force of law and cannot be questioned before any court. The objective is to redraw boundaries (based on the data of the 2011 Census) in a way so that the population of all seats, as far as practicable, be the same throughout the J&K.

On March 6, 2020, the government of India set up the Delimitation Commission whose five associate members include National Conference MPs— Farooq Abdullah, Mohammad Akbar Lone and Hasnain Masoodi—besides Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Dr Jitendra Singh, and Jugal Kishore Sharma of the BJP.

Although the Commission was tasked to finish delimitation in a year, on March 4 this year, it was granted a year’s extension. This was done on the request of the commission members since it couldn’t make much progress due to the “Covid-19-induced shutdown across the country.” Moreover, J&K State Election Commissioner K K Sharma was appointed only on October 30 last year, following which he was busy with the District Development Council (DDC) polls in J&K that concluded last December and saw People’s Alliance For Gupkar Declaration, an alliance of various mainstream parties for restoration of Article 370 and 35A, win big. (GNS)

If borders are safe, prosperity will follow in all areas: LG

Front

Precious Kashmir

08/12/2021

If borders are safe, prosperity will follow in all areas: LG

Says J&K admin committed to ensure best infra to border dwellers

Samba: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha Tuesday said that the Jammu and Kashmir administration is committed to ensure best infrastructure to border dwellers and that if borders are safe, prosperity will follow in all the areas.

Sinha today visited the border areas of Samba district and reviewed the developmental scenario, besides interacting with the brave BSF Jawans at the Chamliyal BoP.

The Lt Governor also paid obeisance at the revered shrine of Baba Chamliyal near international border, where he prayed for the peace, prosperity and the well being of the people of J&K.

At the BSF Border outpost, the Lt Governor observed the International border and interacted with Jawans of BSF and lauded their commitment and devotion to the duty.

He remarked that if borders are safe, prosperity will follow in all the areas.

Later, addressing the gathering of local people and PRI representatives, the Lt Governor observed that the J&K Administration is committed to ensure that the border villages have best infrastructure at par with developed towns.

“J&K has started development ‘Utsav’ in bordering villages. Our aim is to provide maximum resources to the bordering villages”, he added.

The Lt Governor also launched “Panchayat Darpan” App, first web portal in J&K UT designed and created by NIC samba, which provides information regarding Panchayats’ profiles, department wise Schemes, Social Security schemes, panchayat wise data on development works, grievances, financial achievements, auditing, and other aspects of various line departments.

Interacting with PRI representatives and public of border area, the Lt Governor took first hand appraisal of the impact of different government schemes and welfare measures.

In order to give impetus to establishing good governance and accentuating development in border areas of UT, a separate provision will be kept in the UT budget for Border Area Development, the Lt Governor announced.

While addressing the gathering, the Lt Governor said that under the guidance of Prime Minister, the UT government is tirelessly working to ensure that benefits of social security and welfare schemes percolate to every citizen.

Recalling the directions issued during LG Mulaqat program last year, the Lt Governor informed that the villages adjoining to the international border are given the benefit of the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act 2005, which they were not getting earlier.

He added that taking cognizance of the issue of inclusion of villages adjoining the international border for benefits under J&K Reservation Act 2005, we decided to implement 3% reservation in 174 of those villages, this year.

The Lt Governor observed that specific thrust is being laid to extend all possible benefits to border population, besides continuously upgrading the health, education, electricity, and water supply infrastructure in the border areas.

“It is our primary responsibility to provide good roads, electricity, water, school facilities, employment to youth, job opportunities to the border villages and we are committed to it, he added.

The Lt Governor also informed that the pious land of Baba Dilip Singh Ji, Chamliyal, has recently been included in the Tourist Village Network by Mission Youth, placing it on the tourism map of the country. He observed that the step will bring comprehensive Development and new employment opportunities for the youth.

Terming youth as the builders of our present and future, the Lt Governor said that youth have significant role to play in making J&K a developed and prosperous region. The administration has started many programs keeping youth, women, farmers and deprived sections at the center of government policies, making them partners in the development journey of J&K, he added.

He appealed to youth and women of border areas to connect with programs like Rise Together, Mumkin, Hausal, Tejaswini, Saath, and other entrepreneurial programs in tourism sector, under which along with financial assistance, necessary training is also provided by the UT administration.

Speaking on the problems faced by the farmers of border belt, the Lt Governor asked the BSF authorities to work in coordination with the District Administration in facilitating the farming activities along the fence.

Regarding the problem of irrigation in Kandi areas, the Lt Governor assured that the administration is working towards providing sufficient supply of water in the areas.

“I am also aware of the canal water requirement for Kandi Belt and it will be resolved soon. Every year a large part of the fertile land gets washed away by the banks of the Basantar river. A project report of Rs 25 crore has been sent to the Central Water Commission for its permanent protection and after getting the technical approval, the Central Flood Control Department will also be requested to start work on that project soon”, he informed.

The Lt Governor said that various projects under different programs of the border area development have been completed since 2019.

The Lt Governor reiterated that the government is constantly making efforts to facilitate communication and speed up economic activities in the border villages.

On the occasion, the Lt Governor also presented the keys of commercial vehicles to two local youth under the ‘Mumkin’ Scheme.

Keshav Sharma, DDC Chairman; Members of DDC council Samba; BDC Chairman Ramgarh Block; Sarpanchs and Panchs were present on the occasion.

Mukesh Singh, ADGP Jammu; Dr Raghav Langer, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Anuradha Gupta, Deputy Commissioner Samba; Rajesh Sharma, SSP Samba; Senior officers of BSF; District Officers along with people of border villages were also present on the occasion.

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