Srinagar: Amid the fear of the Omicron variant, Jammu and Kashmir government announced on Thursday that it has decided to impose a fine of Rs 20,000 and take action as per the law if anyone is found hiding their international travel history from the last two weeks at Srinagar airport.

This was decided during a recent meeting which was chaired by Kashmir’s Divisional Commissioner Pandurang K Pole and attended by senior district and health officers of Srinagar and Budgam.

As per the minutes of the meeting, it was decided that all international travelers (including those domestic travelers who have a history of international travel during the past two weeks) shall be subjected to RT-PCR test upon their arrival at Srinagar Airport.

“Any travelers found hiding their international travel history shall be liable for punishment as per the laws and a fine of Rs 20,000 shall be imposed on him or her,” it said.

As per the new directions, all these travelers would be sent to administrative quarantine.

“After collection of sample for RT-PCR test all these travelers shall be sent to administrative quarantine either Government (free) or private (paid) as per their choice till their reports are available and if found positive, the same shall be sent for Genome sequencing promptly; the patient shall be admitted in a separate ward at DRDO Hospital, Khanmoh, Srinagar and treated as per the standard protocol,” it said

“If the reports come out negative, they shall be put in home quarantine or hotel quarantine (in the case of tourists) for seven days, during which they shall be monitored by the respective chief medical officers. If any symptoms are observed during this period, they shall be immediately tested again otherwise they shall be re-tested on the day through RTPCR and if found negative, they shall self monitor their health for the next seven days. If their second RT-PCR test comes out positive the person shall be immediately shifted to DRDO hospital  Khonmoh Srinagar and his/ her sample sent for Genome sequencing,” it added.

The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir also directed Director Srinagar International airport to ensure the establishment of a Private Rapid RT-PCR testing facility for the convenience of travelers who may be willing to get themselves tested through it.

Pole also instructed Deputy Commissioner Budgam to engage SRTC buses and private vehicles for ferrying of international travelers from the airport to the administration’s quarantine facilities.

The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir instructed for the constitution of special surveillance teams of chief medical officers to ensure that the international travelers strictly observe home quarantine for one week.

The samples of those found positive for COVID-19 and with intentional travel history shall be sent for Whole Genome Sequencing on a fast track basis, the Divisional Commissioner said. (UNI)

New Delhi: Two individuals in India have been detected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Karnataka, Union Health Ministry informed in a press briefing on Thursday.

The individual, both male, aged 66 and 46 have recently travelled to South Africa where the majority of the cases for the new variant have been reported, sources said.

However, the symptoms of both the cases are mild in nature so far, it added.

The Union Health Ministry further informed that all primary, secondary and tertiary contacts of the reported Omicron cases are being traced.

“The network of INSACOG labs are analysing the samples of the travellers from ‘at-risk’ countries who are found positive with the COVID-19. These two cases were found carrying Omicron variant during the genome sequencing of their samples,” National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Director Sujit K Singh said while interacting with media.

Meanwhile, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) informed via a statement that the 66-year-old man who have been confirmed infected via the Omicron was fully vaccinated.

The municipal body of Bengaluru also said that contacts of the 44-year-old case have tested positive and the samples have been sent for genome sequencing.

“One of the two patients is a 66-year-old male while the other is a 46-year-old male. The former had returned from South Africa and was fully vaccinated,” according to BBMP.

“Three primary contacts and two secondary contacts of the 46-year-old male tested positive between 22nd and 25th November. All are isolated. Their samples have been sent for genome sequencing, results are awaited,” it informed.

Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry maintained that the cases of Omicron, reported across 29 nations have been found exhibiting “mild symptoms”.

The Union Ministry urged for greater caution and stated that there is no need for panic as long as rigorous public health measures are followed.

“29 countries have reported 273 cases of Omicron with the highest concentration in South Africa. However, all the cases are suffering from the mild nature of COVID-19 disease,” Joint Health Secretary Luv Agarwal said.

Agarwal also said that Testing and treatment protocols remain unchanged for Omicron.

“Masking, vaccination and rigorous public health measures are still effective against the new variant. Testing and treatment protocols remain unchanged for Omicron. Efficacy of vaccines against the new variant is being studied as more evidence emerges,” he said.

However, the ministry still cautioned the public since the available evidence from the affected regions by Omicron suggest that the new variant could be the most transmissible variant of Coronavirus detected so far.

“According to genomic modelling, it is being said that Omicron could be 5 times more infectious than the original strain of SARS-CoV-2. More evidence is needed to ascertain transmissibility and severity of Omicron variant,” said Agarwal citing observations from WHO. (UNI)

New Delhi: External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Thursday said India so far has not imposed any travel bans from any specific countries.

Asked about the concerns around the Omicron variant, and whether India plans to put in place any aviation curb, Bagchi said, “Omicron is an evolving situation… two cases have been confirmed in Karnataka”.

Referring to putting 11 countries, including all European countries and UK, in the “at risk” category, the Spokesperson said, “this is a technical decision, I would say, based on facts and evidence by our health regulatory authorities. This list existed prior to Omicron.”

“This is based on the incidence profile of Covid 19 in those countries and it changes based on what happens on the ground,” he said.

“I am not aware of any particular country having raised the fact is they are on list or not… We don’t have travel curbs as such, some countries have stopped flights from that region, we haven’t done that. We have instead intensified surveillance mechanism and protocol for those who happen to come from at risk countries, who have to undertake on arrival RTPCR test etc, and undergo home quarantine. I would refer to health ministry guidelines… This is not flight curbs,” Bagchi said.

Commenting on the two cases detected in India, the Spokesperson said, “I don’t think the presence of two cases, who have already been quarantined, who are being specially monitored, the impression that Omicron is present in India is wrong. They are two people, they have been isolated”.

I won’t like to speculate how the world looks at it, I certainly think there are many countries where similar cases have been found, we have not imposed any travel restriction,” said Bagchi.

Two cases of Omicron have been reported in Karnataka, both patients are male, of the age 66 and 46 years, government has said. (UNI)

Srinagar: In continuing with its efforts to cover 100 percent rural households with functional tap water connections under Jal Jeevan Mission by 2022, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has provided 4.62 lakh tap water connections in two years.

In the first phase of the roadmap devised by the Mission Directorate, Jal Jeevan Mission J&K, two Districts — Srinagar and Ganderbal which include 11 Blocks, 383 Panchayat and 925 Villages were covered with 100% piped water tap connections.

The ambitious flagship programme Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) was launched on August 15, 2019.

Under JJM, the UT of J&K has set a target to cover all the 20 districts of UT by September 2022.

According to the data of the Jal Shakti Department, Out of 18.35 Lakh rural households, 5.75 Lakh (31.36%) were connected with piped water connection at the start of the mission i.e., 15th August 2019. Jammu and Kashmir have covered 10.37 Lacs (56.51%) households with tap water connection till date and out of which 2.22 lakh tap water connections have been provided during the year 2020-21.

Jal Jeevan Mission has mobilised all its men and machinery in the ongoing 2nd phase, to cover 11 districts, which includes 153 blocks, 1952 Panchayat and 3254 villages with 4.91 Lakh Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs).

During the last leg of the JJM in J&K, 7 districts involving 121 blocks, 1660 Panchayat and 2623 villages shall be covered with 3.12 Lacs functional household tap connections.

A senior official of the Jal Shakti Department said the objective is to cover 100 per cent of households in a time-bound manner while ensuring the functionality of already provided connections.

In line with the appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to further improve ‘ease of living’ in rural areas by providing facilities like financial inclusion, houses, road, clean fuel, electricity and toilets, the Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide drinking water to every rural household, by 2024.

Saharanpur: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given recognition to the country on the global level and similarly, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has eradicated corruption from the state and leading it on the path of development.

“Today, I want to congratulate UP CM for restoring the respect of the citizens by freeing western Uttar Pradesh from the clutches of goons, mafia and bad elements, who ruled the region,” he said.

Shah was addressing a public gathering after laying the foundation stone for Maa Shakumbhari State University here.

He said that earlier in UP, there was a big conspiracy to close the sugar mills and sell them.

“Now whether it is western UP or eastern UP, not a single sugar mill has been sold or closed anywhere after the formation of BJP’s Yogi government,” he said.

He also disclosed that during the BJP regime, the cane farmers have been paid 90 per cent of their dues and rest 10 per cent would be paid soon. UP government has paid Rs 1.44 lakh crore to the cane farmers so far, he added.

The BJP leader said, “I was listening to Akhilesh ji’s speech on TV sometime back, where he questioned the law and order in UP in the BJP regime. I want to ask him that what type of lens did he use to see such things. I have brought a comparison of Akhilesh’s five years and Yogi’s five years.

“The incidents of dacoity have decreased by 70 per cent, robbery by 69 per cent, murder incidents by 30 per cent, riots by 33 per cent and dowry killings by 22.5 per cent under Yogi’s rule, in comparison to Akhilesh’s regime,” Shah said.

He further asked SP president, “Just go home and see the figures Akhilesh ji, under your rule there was mafia raj in UP but today, the BJP government of Yogi Adityanath ji has strengthened the law and order.”

Talking about the development of area, he said earlier, it used to take eight hours to reach Saharanpur from Delhi, now it takes only three hours.The distance has reduced due to good roads. Not only the road distance has decreased because of Modi ji, the distance of the heart has also decreased, the Minister commented.

He said, “When I came to Saharanpur in 2017, people here used to complain about migration and criminal activity. Then I told them that once you form the BJP government, these forces will migrate and leave the area. This is the truth. It is a matter of great fortune and joy for me that Yogi has invited me to lay the foundation stone of a university in the name of Maa Shakumbhari Devi on this holy and historical land.

“Today, I request the people of Western Uttar Pradesh that once again your blessings are needed and your support is needed for BJP. This time again, the 300 mark has to be crossed in UP Assembly by BJP with your blessings,” the Minister added.

Union Education Minister and election In-charge of UP Dharmendra Pradhan, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, along with other state Ministers, were present in the function. (UNI)

Jammu: The Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta chaired a meeting to review the functioning of the Public Works (R&B) Department and take stock of progress made under the flagship programme, ‘Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana’ (PMGSY).

Principal Secretary, Public Works (R&B) Department and the concerned officers of the Department were present in the meeting.

It was informed that presently the department is maintaining 41,584 km road length across Jammu and Kashmir which includes National Highways, PMGSY, R&B roads and 1343 bridges.

Under PMGSY I & II, sanction was given to 3463 schemes including 241 bridges covering a length of 19,078.34 km to connect 2144 habitations at an estimated cost of Rs. 12,592.46 crore.

It was informed that so far the department has completed 2400 schemes including 132 bridges, with a length of 15,802.34 km and connected 2026 habitations.

In the current financial year, the department has completed 272 schemes with a length of 1500 km to connect 69 habitations and will also target completion of additional 880 schemes and 2000 km of road length in the next four months.

The Chief Secretary asked the department to focus on providing connectivity to all habitations with population of over 1000 as per the 2011 census through the time-bound implementation of PMGSY and NABARD projects in the road sector by March 2023.

To ensure hassle-free and time-bound shifting of various utilities, the Chief Secretary directed the constitution of a standing committee comprising the Administrative Secretaries and officers of the departments of Jal Shakti, Power Development, and Public Works (R&B). The committee will formulate a mechanism and accordingly draw a road map to ensure resolution of issues hampering the process of utility shifting.

The department was also asked to keep a check on the quality standards of new constructions and ensure the creation of high quality infrastructure, besides undertaking routine inspections with focussed attention on maintenance work. It was further asked to focus on developing proper drainage and camberage for surface water drainage so as to prevent road damage during heavy rainfall.

Moreover, the department was asked to prioritize blacktopping of roads towards developing and maintaining pothole-free roads in Jammu and Kashmir. The department will be macadamizing 8,000 km of road length during 2021-22 during this financial year.

Under the 3rdphase of PMGSY, the PWD Department has submitted a proposal identifying 1,750 km of rural roads to be developed in the next financial year.

The Chief Secretary also reviewed issues related to un-awarded  works, forest clearances, land acquisition, quality standards, and  utility shifting.

Over the years, the Public Works Department has been  registering progressive achievements under the Pradhan Mantri  Grameen Sadak Yojana. The Department has achieved completion of  1500 km of rural road in the first three quarters of current financial  year which far exceeds the achievement of 1325 km registered in the  financial year 2019-20.

The Department completed approximately 1785 km road length  (under 89 schemes) in the financial year 2016-17, 1804 km (under  151 schemes) in 2017-18, 1622 km (under 226 schemes) in 2018- 19, 1325 km (under 214 schemes) in 2019-20, 3167 km (under 272  schemes) in 2020-21, and is likely to surpass last year achievement  this year.

New Delhi: India’s quota of Haj pilgrims has increased and India now sends the second highest number of pilgrims for Haj after Indonesia, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Thursday.

Naqvi was replying to an issue of public importance raised by DMK leader TR Baalu. Baalu questioned why the ferrying point of Haj pilgrims has been changed from Chennai to Kochi in Tamil Nadu.

“The ferrying point should not be shifted from Chennai International Airport to Kochi, which is 700 km away from Chennai. Chennai International Airport is being used as an embarkation point by the pilgrims coming from Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, South Andhra Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands,” Baalu said raising the issue.

In reply, the Minority Affairs Minister said, “Haj pilgrimage has not been done for the last two years during the pandemic period… Under the Modi government, the quota of Indian pilgrims to Haj has increased the most, and today, India sends the largest number of Haj pilgrims after Indonesia.

Naqvi said ferrying points have been reduced only in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Before Corona, there were 21 ferrying points which have now been reduced to ten, which include Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai and Srinagar,” he said.

“Our intention is that all who want can undertake the Haj pilgrimage,” said Naqvi.

In response to a question by Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Madrasas, Naqvi said there are around 28,590 registered Madrassas in the country and there are around One lakh 47 thousand teachers in them.

He added that funds for Madrassas have been approved based on the recommendation of Madrassa boards of different states. (UNI)

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Police in Baramulla district busted a militant module of Lashkar-e-Taiba — The Resistance Front (LeT-TRF) by arresting three associates involved in Palhallan grenade attack, officials said on Thursday.

“Police along with 29RR and SSB 2nd Bn established a joint MVCP/naka at Wussan Pattan and intercepted three suspicious individuals who tried to flee from the spot after watching the joint naka party,” police said.

“They were tactfully apprehended by the alert party and were identified as Asif Ahmad Reshi, son of Nissar Ahmad Reshi, Mehrajudin Dar, son of Sonaullah Dar and Faisal Habib Lone, son of Habibullah Lone, all residents of Gund Jehangir, Hajin, District Bandipora.”

Police said during the course of investigation and technical leads revealed that the arrested trio were working as militant associates of LeT (TRF) and involved in a recent grenade attack at Palhallan on Nov 17, 2021.

“On their disclosure, two grenades were recovered from their possession,” police said.

“Investigations also revealed that the arrested trio was given instructions by the militants across the border and the aim behind the attacks was to create an atmosphere of fear and chaos and to draw reaction against Kashmiri Youth outside the Union Territory. Further investigation into the case is going on.” (IANS)

Srinagar: With reference to the demands of students of School of Law with regard to their upcoming examination of LLB and BA LLB, Kashmir University on Thursday said that the matter was amicably resolved in consultation with the students.

It is resolved that the already-issued date sheet shall remain in vogue, a statement issued here said.

However, the examination of papers scheduled from 6th December 2021 to 14th December (in both LLB and BA LLB) will be rescheduled, it said, adding that the papers scheduled from 15th of December 2021 (in both LLB and BA LLB) shall be held as per the datesheet.

The examination shall be held in offline mode, the statement said.

It is reiterated that the University is committed to work in the best interests of its students to ensure their degrees are completed well in time. The university authorities have been in constant interaction with them over the current matter, the statement added.