Precious Kashmir

Posts at SKIMS: Aspirants stage protest, demand final selection list

City

02/12/2021

Srinagar: The aspirants, who have applied for different posts at SK Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), staged a protest on Wednesday, demanding issuance of the selection list.

According to a local news gathering agency, scores of aspirants assembled here at Srinagar’s press enclave to press for their demands.

They said that they have applied for different posts in SKIMS on 25 December last year, saying that the merit list has already been declared on 5th Oct 2020 while the selection list is still awaited.

The protesting aspirants said that they have been facing immense hardships in absence of the selections list, adding that the two-month delay in declaring the final selection list is adding to the miseries of the candidates.

We appeal the Lieutenant Governor led administration and other concerned authorities to look into the matter at an earliest and ensure that the final selection list is made public, they said. (KNO)

DC Sgr chairs DLAFC meet for commemoration of Flag Day

City

Precious Kashmir

02/12/2021

Sanctions funds for upgradation of infra at Sainik Bhawan

Srinagar: In connection with Armed Forces Flag Day to be commemorated on 7th December, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad Wednesday chaired a meeting of District Level Armed Forces Committee (DLAFC), here at Meeting Hall of the DC Office Complex.

Joint Director Planning, General Manager DIC, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Chief Education Officer, Chief Medical Officer, Zila Sanik Officer and other concerned were present in the meeting.

Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner said that 7th December is observed as the Armed Forces Flag Day to remind all of us to express gratitude as well as appreciation to the military personnel including soldiers, sailors and airmen who valiantly safeguard the nation.

The DC said that the need of the hour is to increase the contribution through various means for Ex-Servicemen. He assured the Zila Sanik Officer that all possible support will be provided from District Administration for infrastructure upgradation in addition to support under SDRF for welfare of Ex-military personnel.

The DC further said that a voluntary contribution box shall be set up in the DC Office, in addition to the contribution made by the employees regarding Armed Forces Flag Day. The DC also directed for providing a Computer system to the Zila Sainik Bhawan. He also sanctioned funds for upgradation of infrastructure at Sainik Bhawan.

The Deputy also directed for providing 50 blankets out of Red Cross on the eve of Armed Force Flag day which shall be distributed among the war widows on the day.

World Aids Day: JKSACA says over 5500 positive cases reported in J&K

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

02/12/2021

Srinagar: World Aids Day was celebrated across Kashmir on Wednesday to create awareness about this deadly disease.

December 1 is marked as World AIDS Day and the whole world comes together to mourn those 35 million people, who have succumbed to the condition ever since its identification in 1984.

According to J&K State Aids Control Society (JKSACA) figures, over 5500 people have been detected in J&K so far. Majority of them are from Jammu region.

While Government Nursing College Baramulla Wednesday celebrated World Aids Day to educate people about this deadly disease, the nursing students held a debate and discussion about the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

They also held a rally and distributed pamphlets to create awareness about this life threatening disease.

Similarly, as part of webinar series, the fifth multidisciplinary webinar was organised by the Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Srinagar in collaboration with the Department of Psychiatry GMC Srinagar, Department of Immunology SKIMS and J&K AIDS Control Society emphasising on this year’s theme, End Inequalities: End AIDS.

The webinar was inaugurated by Prof. Samia Rashid, Principal/ Dean GMC Srinagar. Dr. S. Muhammad Salim Khan, Professor & HOD Community Medicine gave the keynote address emphasizing the importance of convergence stakeholders in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Muzamil Hassan, Lecturer, Community Medicine and organising secretary gave a detailed presentation on the Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS, global scenario and its management modalities.

Dr. Imtiyaz Rasool, senior resident, department of Immunology SKIMS gave an extensive PowerPoint presentation on the mechanism of HIV transmission and it’s effects on various immunity cells in the body. He discussed the mechanism of antiretroviral therapy, including HAART and therapeutic vaccines and future directions.

Dr. Syed Mehvish, registrar at the department of Psychiatry, IMHANS-K, GMC Srinagar deliberated on the psychiatric perspective of neuropsychiatric manifestation and management of cases with HIV/AIDS.

She emphasised that HIV/AIDS is an illness due to behaviour and require multi disciplinary approach to address it.

She talked about the bidirectional relationship between HIV/AIDS and mental illnesses.

Imtiyaz Ahmad Khan, assistant director, JK AIDS control society gave an overall scenario of HIV/AIDS in Jammu and Kashmir, efforts made by JKSACS in containment of HIV/AIDS.

The webinar was conducted under aegis of J&K branches of Indian association of preventive and social medicine (IAPSM) and Indian public health association (IPHA).

Aids is a life threatening disease in which a person’s immune system becomes weak and redundant, thereby causing it to easily get affected by various common infections which is most cases lead to death. (KINS)

Winter begins

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Oped

Precious Kashmir

02/12/2021

Officially, as put by the Director meteorological department, the winter has begun from December 1. The preceding few weeks already have seen freezing weather conditions with mercury recording freefall almost on a daily basis. The first day of the winter started with mercury in Srinagar falling to minus 2.5 degrees Celsius, the lowest so far this season. Hilly areas have been under a deeper freeze. The ensuing days are bound to be freezing. Also, people of J&K, more particularly people of Kashmir Valley, are hoping that they do not have to endure severe curtailment of the facilities necessary to alleviate the sufferings. One of the important facilities, if not the facility, is availability of electricity. Unfortunately, there is already curtailment in the schedule daily supply and more so agonizing power outages have started to haunt the people of Kashmir Valley. In fact, it is an old story that people of J&K have been subjected to time and again, notwithstanding the claims by the successive governments regarding improvement. People have to bear the harshness of the winters in absence of electricity.

Despite augmenting power supply, the uninterrupted power supply or providing it even as per the time schedule announced by the PDD seems a far cry. Rather it appears to be unattainable. The people have been craving to see the concerned department improve its performance, and to provide electricity for a reasonable time. The absence of electricity makes life miserable, irrespective of whether it is spring, summer, autumn, or winter. However, in terms of severity, it ought to be winter. The scale of hardships caused by it is not something one needs to explain. The importance or dependency on electricity is simply more in contemporary times as against the past when people would do with burning woods or utilize charcoal differently.

Given the importance, the frequent and unscheduled power cuts are nothing short of violating the basic requirements of life. The concerned authorities must be held responsible for this. While people need to use electricity judiciously, the authorities need to respond to the public outcry on the important matter urgently. Gaps need to be fixed and demand-supply ensured. Senior officers of the department recently said that there was need for “reasonable and fair curtailment schedule” as also its strict adherence. Hopefully statements are complied with in practice in toto rather than the breach and not restricted to paper only as has been the case in the past.

Father liable to maintain son till he becomes a major, rules SC

National

Indo Asian News Service

02/12/2021

Father liable to maintain son till he becomes a major, rules SC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said a child should not suffer in the dispute between a husband and wife, as it held that it is responsibility of the father to maintain the son till he attains the age of majority.

A bench of Justices M.R. Shah and A.S. Bopanna said: “Whatever be the dispute between the husband and the wife, a child should not be made to suffer. The liability and responsibility of the father to maintain the child continues till the child/son attains the age of majority. It also cannot be disputed that the son has a right to be maintained as per the status of his father.”

The bench noted that the mother of the child is not earning and she is residing at her parental house at Jaipur.

“Therefore, a reasonable/sufficient amount is required for the maintenance of her son including his education etc. which shall have to be paid by the respondent-husband, irrespective of the decree of dissolution of marriage between the appellant-wife and the respondent-husband,” it added.

The apex court, exercising its power under Article 142 of the Constitution, confirmed the divorce decree awarded to the husband and wife by the family court and the high court. It also directed the father to provide Rs 50,000 maintenance per month.

The bench took into consideration the estranged couple has not been staying together since May 2011 and therefore, there is an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage between them.

The bench noted since December 2019, the father had stopped paying the amount, which was being paid under the order passed by the Army authorities on November 15, 2012.

“The respondent-husband is directed to pay Rs 50,000 per month with effect from December 2019 to the appellant-wife towards the maintenance of the son as per the status of the respondent herein. The arrears @ Rs 50,000 per month from December 2019 to November 2021 shall be paid within a period of eight weeks from today.”

The marriage between the couple was solemnised on November 16, 2005, and the man was then serving as a Major. The couple’s child is now aged 13 years.

In May 2018, the family court passed a decree for dissolution of the marriage between the husband and wife on the ground of cruelty and desertion by the wife, and it was confirmed by the high court.

IPL: Flower resigns as PBKS coach, Bayliss leaves SRH ahead of 2022 season

Sports

Indo Asian News Service

02/12/2021

IPL: Flower resigns as PBKS coach, Bayliss leaves SRH ahead of 2022 season

New Delhi: Trevor Bayliss and Andy Flower, the coaches of Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings respectively, have resigned from their positions ahead of the 2022 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Flower, the former Zimbabwe captain, had joined Punjab for his debut stint in the IPL ahead of the 2020 season. He was working as a head coach along with team director Anil Kumble.

“It is correct, Andy has left Punjab Kings. He wanted to explore other opportunities and we respect that,” Punjab Kings co-owner Ness Wadia told Cricbuzz on Tuesday.

Wadia also confirmed that the former India skipper Kumble will continue to be the head of Punjab Kings’ coaching staff.

The 53-year-old Zimbabwean is now expected to take up a position in the coaching staff of one of two new IPL teams – Lucknow and Ahmedabad. Earlier, KL Rahul, who has been Punjab Kings’ captain for the past two seasons, also decided not to continue with the team. He is expected to be captain of the new Lucknow franchise.

If Lucknow manage to rope in Flower as head coach and with Rahul also tipped to head to the same franchise, there could be a reunion of the duo.

Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad management has also confirmed that they are in search of a new coach as Bayliss has decided to move on.

“He has moved on and we’ll announce the new coach soon,” an SRH official said.

Bayliss, one of the most successful coaches, having guided England to the Ashes and World Cup victories, took over the Hyderabad team immediately after the 2019 World Cup. However, he had moderate success with the SRH – having finished third in 2020 and at the bottom in 2021.

The 58-year old, who had previously led Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL titles – in 2012 and 2014 – is believed to be in talks with a few other IPL teams.

J&K pushing targets for economic growth, employment: LG

Front

Precious Kashmir

01/12/2021

J&K pushing targets for economic growth, employment: LG

Invites industry leaders at Kolkata to invest in UT
Announces enhancement of ID scheme outlay to meet exceeded expectation of investments
‘Proposed investment reached Rs 31k cr, expected to cross Rs 51k cr by end of financial year’

Kolkata: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha Tuesday said that announced the enhancement of the Industrial Development scheme outlay to meet the exceeded expectation of Investments in Jammu Kashmir.

Sinha held interactions with the Industry leaders at Kolkata and invited them to invest in the Union Territory of Jammu Kashmir.

The event organized by Jammu & Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation (JKTPO), Department of Industries and Commerce, J&K in association with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) included Industrialist/ Investors from Eastern India.

While discussing about the host of interventions made by the UT Government for creating a sustainable, balanced, progressive and competitive industrial ecosystem in the region, the Lt Governor made several important announcements on the occasion.

The Lt Governor has announced the enhancement of the Industrial Development scheme outlay to meet the exceeded expectation of Investments in Jammu Kashmir.

‘The proposed investment has already reached Rs. 31,000 Cr and is expected to cross Rs 51,000 Cr by the end of the financial year. Given the response received, the government is enhancing the scheme outlay to meet the demand’, the Lt Governor observed.

With the quantum jump witnessed in the proposals received for setting up business enterprises, the demand for land has correspondingly increased, and to meet the growing demand, Land Bank is being developed across the UT. The Lt Governor announced that the UT government is coming up with the rules governing change of land use shortly to facilitate the setting up of business enterprises on private land.

‘This will ensure the seamless establishment of business enterprises on private lands. Business enterprises coming up on private land shall be entitled to all the incentives as per extant policy and procedure’, the Lt Governor added.

Due to the second wave of Covid and subsequent lockdown, several new industrial units have not been able to come into production within the specified timelines. To redress the issue, the Government is mulling to give a one-time extension to such units, upto March 31, 2022 for coming into production, announced the Lt Governor.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor said that J&K UT is on a mission to renovate, reinvent, and ready to take a quantum leap to become the fastest-growing region in the country, pushing the targets for economic growth and employment.

Our aim is to deepen the trust with the business conglomerate, build the industrial base and strengthen the socio-economic stability, observed the Lt Governor.

Under the guidance of Prime Minister and Home Minister, we worked out a blueprint to unlock investment flows and are in the process of developing a business culture, an industrial ecosystem in J&K that has been missing since Independence, the Lt Governor noted.

Elaborating on the efforts being made by the UT Government to encourage new investment, and to nurture the existing industries, the Lt Governor said that J&K is one of the best destinations in the country for setting up new businesses as of now with the best incentives and improving infrastructure facilities.

“We are fulfilling all the crucial requirements of the industries including transparent policy of land allotment, private industrial estate development, ensuring ease of doing business, besides the administration has actively worked with solutions approach and introduced around 160 new initiatives and reforms in a short period of time”, the Lt Governor observed.

Promotion of industrial units, providing capital Incentive, a liberal capital Interest subvention, GST Linked Incentive, Ease of Doing Business, development of sector-specific Industrial Estates and Parks, Single Window system, are some of the reforms brought in by the government to unleash the potential of the industrial sector, the Lt Governor added.

The Single Window Portal is being made live with 120 online services. For keeping in sync, the J&K Single Window Portal is being integrated with National Single Window System shortly. Further, J&K shall be the first UT to implement all the 301 business reform action points under Ease of Doing Business initiative of DPIIT by 31st December, 2021, informed the Lt Governor.

Highlighting the immense possibilities presented by Jammu & Kashmir, the Lt Governor observed that the region offers abundant raw material for Agro & Food processing, manufacturing, land, labour, quick and competitive means of transportation. Besides, there is an ‘amazingly easy interface with the government’ through responsive governance & minimum government, in addition to being logistically the most attractive region with industrial land bank, sector-specific policy and international air cargo facility.

In addition, by December, 2022, the train will also reach Kashmir giving alternate all-weather connectivity to the valley, he added.

The Lt Governor further announced that the UT administration has a detailed “What you need” plan ready because we know that everybody wants a return on their investment sooner than later.

“This is the dawn of a new era for the growth, development, and overall well-being of the people of J&K. Barriers to trade and commerce have been removed. The people of J&K can now fully enjoy the rights and benefits enjoyed by all other citizens of India,” the Lt Governor observed.

Ranjan Prakash Thakur, Principal Secretary to J&K Government, Industries & Commerce Department and Ankita Kar, Managing Director, JKTPO elaborated on investment opportunities that J&K is offering to the Industries.

Principal Secretary Industries invited industry members to visit J&K and witness the changes on the ground themselves and take benefit of the best industrial policy in the country.

“We are confident that such steps coupled with the Central Government’s and UT Administration’s efforts in J&K will soon create an environment for attracting industry to the UT,” said Subhasendu Chatterjee, Vice Chairman CII West Bengal State Council and Wholetime Director of Haldia Petrochemicals.

The interactive session facilitated prospective investors to have a dialogue on the immense investment opportunities presented by the verdant region.

A video of J&K encapsulating different developments in the UT in the last two years was also showcased on the occasion.

The event was attended by over 40 delegates and some prominent industry groups included Tata Steels, Haldia Petrochemicals, Anmol Feeds, Eveready Industries, KCT Industries, Herbalife Industries, Green Ply Industries, Titagarh Wagons, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited.

Submit progress reports on development projects: Govt to HODs

Anchor stories

Precious Kashmir

01/12/2021

Submit progress reports on development projects: Govt to HODs

‘RFDs to judge performance of deptts, delay in public delivery won’t be tolerated’

By: Sameer Lone

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government led by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has directed all the departmental heads to submit monthly reports about their departments functioning and any inordinate delay in public delivery won’t be tolerated.

A senior official in the civil secretariat told the Precious Kashmir that the Lt Governor has made it clear to the department heads to work with a motto of development and welfare of the people.

“Development projects are the backbone of a region’s holistic development. People of J&K have very high expectations from the government, so make sure that all the projects and public grievance redressal and public works are completed within the stipulated time frame to fulfill the aspirations of the people,” the official quoting government’s directives to departments.

Sources told that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Secretary have expressed concern in various meetings over the delay in the public delivery system and grievance redressals.

“The beneficiaries under various schemes like PMAY get the installments too late. The Chief Secretary has taken a serious notice of similar complaints and has directed the deputy commissioners to take immediate measures to avoid delays,” a senior official said.

The departmental heads have been directed to submit monthly progress reports about their works and pendencies and justify the delays with proper remarks, failing which necessary action will be taken against the concerned officer.

The officers have been directed to work in a close synergy to remove any bottlenecks coming in the way of progress of works, besides ensuring timely completion of all the projects with strict adherence to the quality norms.

The official said departments have also been told to submit annual Results Framework Document (RFD) to the government.

The RFD is aimed to judge the “performance of departments” and to bring “transparency” in their functioning.

“Once the departments submit their RFD report to the government, the planning, development and monitoring department has to prepare its own report to check the progress of development in J&K,” the official said.

Govt committed to channelize energy of youth in positive direction: CS

Front

Precious Kashmir

01/12/2021

Jammu admin organizes C-DYTE Border Youth Festival-2021

Jammu: The district administration Tuesday organized C-DYTE Border Youth Festival-2021 at BSF Ground Paloura. Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Divisional Commissioner, Raghav Langer, ADGP, Jammu, Mukesh Singh, IG, BSF DK Boora, DIG BSF Sudhir Kumar Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Anshul Garg besides senior district officers from concerned departments were present during the event.

Meanwhile, C-DYTE athletic meet, job fair and placement drive, awareness camp for government schemes and distribution of sanction letters among 10 beneficiaries under Be-rozgar se Swarozgar scheme were also the part of the event.

While speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary said that a nation with the highest number of youth in the world can become a global leader in every field as the youth with their innovative ideas can be the catalyst for change.

Chief Secretary motivated the young generation to participate in sports and extracurricular activities and stressed on the need to create bigger platforms for young sportsmen to display their talent. He said that J&K administration is committed to channelize energy of youth in a positive direction by generating enhanced opportunities for them, whether it is sports, studies, self-employment, entrepreneurship etc.

He appreciated the efforts of district administration Jammu and other concerned departments for organizing the Festival to provide a platform to young and budding talent from rural areas of the district. He also visited the stalls of departmental exhibitions established during the job fair.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner, Anshul Garg, apprised the Chief Secretary that Centre for District Youth Training and Empowerment C-DYTE, Jammu, is one of the initiatives of Jammu administration in collaboration with Department of Mission Youth towards empowerment of young minds by providing them trainings at their door steps.

He said that C-DYTE was started with an aim to equip the district youth, who desire to get entry into the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Paramilitary and Indian Defence Forces with necessary physical and mental skills thereby facilitating their recruitment into the armed forces. It also encourage activities like sports and recreation, drug de-addiction drives, facility of libraries, reading rooms, career counselling sessions, Yoga and meditation classes.

Deputy Commissioner informed that 9 centres of C-DYTE covering all the youth of border areas have been opened on pilot basis at Arnia, Suchetgarh, Phalain Mandal, Marh, Pargwal, Khour, Akhnoor, Samwan and Kharaballi in which 630 trainees (70 each centre) are getting training.

On the occasion, folk artist Rumalo Ram and party mesmerised the audience with their stunning performance on “Geetru”.

C-DYTE Suchetgarh was adjudged as overall champion of C-DYTE athletic meet-2021.

Kansal reviews functioning of power sector in Budgam

Front

Precious Kashmir

01/12/2021

Budgam, Chadoora grids to be augmented, Waterwani, Ratithan stations to be commissioned

Srinagar: Principal Secretary, Power Development and Information Departments, Rohit Kansal, Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the functioning of Power Development Department (PDD) of Budgam district.

He took a first-hand appraisal of all ongoing central and UT level projects in the district, besides reviewing the winter preparedness, languishing projects and other projects under CAPEX budget of the district.

The Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Shahbaz Mirza welcomed the Principal Secretary and briefed him on the power situation of the district. This was followed by a detailed presentation on the power scenario.

The Principal Secretary was briefed that the 50 MVA Nowbugh Chadoora grid station which had been languishing for nearly a decade was completed this year. As a result, major relief had been provided to Nagam, Charar e Sharief and other areas by way of reduction in curtailment hours.

Kansal said in order to provide further relief to the people, the 10 MVA Waterwani receiving station should be completed and commissioned by the 15th of December. He also directed the officers for the augmentation of Budgam grid station to be done next year and removal of all other bottlenecks for improving the power sector in the district.

He said that considering that power supply has been enhanced significantly in most of the Budgam district a reasonable and fair curtailment schedule has to be properly framed and strictly adhered to.

He sought details from the officers about the unscheduled power cuts and disturbed power supply and directed them to strictly ensure that no unscheduled cuts were imposed and in case of any exigency adequate information should be shared with the consumers.

He pointed out that people acknowledge the genuine difficulties of the department provided details are shared with the consumers openly and transparently. He also directed the concerned officers to seek regular feedback from the public and make redressal of genuine grievances, which come through different media, a regular feature.

While reviewing the position of AT&C losses and revenue generation, the Principal Secretary regretted that the position of losses and revenue collection remained a matter of serious concern.

He observed that reduction of losses and uninterrupted supply were two sides of the same coin and if losses were brought down below 20%, the KPDCL would be in a position to supply uninterrupted power. Conversely, if illegal power usage and theft continued unabated, the position of the department to supply power would be severely constrained.

Kansal also sought a detailed list of all the feeders which suffer more than 80 percent losses and directed the field staff to take immediate remedial action.

He also took serious note of the use of crude heating devices which were not only illegal but also a safety hazard. He asked the DC Budgam Shahbaz Mirza to provide all possible support to the department in carrying out intensive drives to seize crude heaters besides seeking support from the public in this regard. He also appealed to the public to make judicious use of power and desist from illegal use of power.

Later the Principal Secretary also visited the Nowbug grid station and reviewed its functioning. He reviewed the progress in the work of further augmentation of the grid by way of addition of 50 MVA capacity and directed that the work should be expedited and completed in the current financial year.

Among others the meeting was attended by Managing Director Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited Basharat Qayoom, Secretary (Tech) Bashir Ahmad Dar, Chief Engineer KPDCL Aijaz Ahmed, Chief Engineer projects Javed Dar, Chief Engineer Transmission Hashmat Qazi and Superintending Engineers, Executive engineers of different wings besides other field staff.

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