Precious Kashmir

Financial Commissioner chairs pre budget discussions

Front

27/11/2021

Jammu: Finance Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Finance Department, Atal Dulloo, Friday held Pre Budget discussion with the representatives of 12 delegations of Trade, Commerce and Industries sectors from Jammu and around 12 delegations from Kashmir who joined online at Excise and Taxation Complex, Rail Head, here.

Commissioner, States Taxes Department, Showkat Aijaz Bhat, Director, Expenditure Division-I, Finance Department, P. K. Bhat, Excise Commissioner J&K, K. S. Chib, Director General Budget, Finance Department, M Y Itoo, Additional Commissioner, (Administration and Enforcement) States Taxes Department, Jammu, Nitu Gupta, and Additional Commissioner, (Administration and Enforcement) States Taxes Department, Kashmir, Manzoor Ahmed, were present in the meeting.

The delegations said that J&K has suffered economically in the past and business has incurred huge losses which have also led to unemployment especially since the outbreak of Covid-19. They demanded special economic packages and conducive atmosphere to give boost to the trade activities.

Meanwhile, the representatives also flagged the issues confronting them and others ailing the industrial units in the division related to finance, banks, electricity, roll back of hike in GST rates applicable from January 2022, Comprehensive economic package, release of Covid relief fund, preference to local manufacturers on Gem portal, NPAs, besides many other issues pertaining to their respective business.

Financial Commissioner interacted with all the delegations and assured them that their valuable suggestions would be taken into account and their genuine grievances would be resolved in a time bound manner. He also said that the memorandums submitted by various delegations will be examined on merits and genuine issues will be resolved.

The meeting was attended by Chamber of Commerce & Industries (CCI) led by Arun Gupta, Chamber of Traders Federation led by Neeraj Anand, Federation of Industries Jammu and Bari Brahmana Industries Association led by Lalit Mahajan, Association of Industries Samba led by Vijay Aggarwal and Arjun Malhotra, Laghu Udyog Bharti J&K led by Parveen Pargal, PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industries led by Rahul Sahal, Confederation of Indian Industries led by Ravnish Gulati, All J&K Transporters Association led by Vijay Singh Chib, Jammu Association of Tour Operators led by Amrik Singh and Travel Agents Association of Jammu led by Jatinder Koul.

Also the delegations from Kashmir comprising Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries led by Shaikh Ashiq, Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir led by Shahid Kamili, Batamaloo Traders Federation led by Abrar Khan, Kashmir Industrial Revival and Developments Forum led by Muzamil Baba, Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federations led by Hilal Ahmed, Sadiq Baqal & Bashir Kongposh, Kashmir Economic Forum led by Showkat Choudhary, All Kashmir Transporters Welfare Association led by Shabir Ahmad Matt, PHD Chamber led by Mushtaq Chaya, KHARA led by Fayaz Ahmad Bakshi, Travel Agents Association Kashmir led by Mohammad Akram participated online.

Law exams as per schedule: Prof Talat

Front

Precious Kashmir

27/11/2021

Srinagar: Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University, Prof. Talat Ahmad Friday chaired a meeting at his office chamber.

The meeting was attended by Prof. Farooq Ahmad Masoodi, Dean Academic Affairs., University of Kashmir, Prof. Beauty Banday, Head and Dean School of Law, University of Kashmir and Dr. Mohd Yasin Wani, Course Coordinator, School of Law, University of Kashmir.

In the meeting it was clearly directed by Prof. Talat Ahmad that the end semester examinations of BALLB 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 9th and LLB 2nd, 4th, and 5th semester shall be held as per the already notified date sheet and the scheme.

Therefore, all the concerned students are directed not to give any heed to any kind of rumours and concentrate on preparing for the examination.

He wished best of luck to the students for the examinations and their bright future.

Militant killed, infiltration bid foiled in Poonch: Army

Front

Precious Kashmir

27/11/2021

By: M S Nazki

Poonch: Army on Friday claimed to have foiled an infiltration attempt by killing a “Pakistani militant” along the Line of Control in Poonch district last night.

“On night 25 November 2021, Pak (militant) attempted an infiltration bid along LoC in Kanga village of Bhimber Gali sector in Poonch district,” defence ministry spokesman based in Jammu said in a statement, adding, “Alert Indian Army troops successfully foiled the infiltration attempt and one Pak (militant) has been eliminated.”

The body of the “militant along with weapon and ammunition” has been recovered, he said. “Operation is in progress,” he said.

The army identified the killed militant as Mohammad Arif son of Khan Mohammad of Panjani Balakote. “He went to Pakistan 1991 and worked in Pakistan Army 15 Sindh as a source,” the spokesperson said.

He said that one AK-47 rifle along with two magazines and sixty rounds were recovered from his possession. (GNS)

Gadkari promises 8-hr travel between Delhi, Sgr by 2023

Front

Indo Asian News Service

27/11/2021

By: Ahmed Ali Fayyaz

New Delhi: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari has promised to reduce the travel time by car between New Delhi and Srinagar from 24 hours to just 8 hours, while the drive between Jammu and Srinagar in December 2023 would be of an incredible four hours.

Addressing a public meeting at Doda after laying foundation stone for 25 surface communication projects, with aggregate length of 259 km worth Rs 11,721 crore and announcing five new highways in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Gadkari on Wednesday said the construction of the four-lane national highway (NH-44) from Jammu to Srinagar would be completed in the next 24 months.

After completion of the ongoing road projects, the Union Minister added that Jammu and Srinagar would get three road corridors that are currently in different stages of execution. “Srinagar-Jammu national highway (NH-44) will be completed within two years and the travel journey will be reduced to just four hours,” he said. This would mean a total driving time of eight hours from Delhi to Srinagar.

Significantly, in his first meeting with the Jammu and Kashmir politicians in over two years on June 24, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had emphasised on reducing Kashmir’s distance from Delhi-Dil ki duri aur Dilli ki duri. Gadkari’s ambitious project alongside green-lighting the rail linkage between Srinagar and Delhi in the next two years would be a veritable game changer in the process of Kashmir’s physical integration with the rest of India.

The Union Minister added that the second road corridor between Jammu and Srinagar through Doda-Kishtwar (NH-244) and the third one through Akhnoor-Rajouri-Shopian (Mughal Road) would serve as alternate arteries and connect two hilly wings to the two capital cities.

Referring to the 650-km Delhi-Katra express highway, Gadkari said the work had been distributed in different packages and already started on 16 packages in Punjab and Haryana. “After the completion of the Delhi-Katra express highway, the travel time between major cities, including Delhi-Amritsar, will be four hours, Delhi-Katra six hours and Delhi-Srinagar eight hours. This is my promise and it will be fulfilled,” he said.

The Union Minister said work was also under various stages of completion on the 1350-km long Delhi-Mumbai expressway which would reduce the travel time between India’s political and financial capitals from 24 hours to just 12 hours. It is estimated to be completed within the expenditure of Rs 90,000 crore. He said that Delhi-Chandigarh, Delhi-Dehradun, Delhi-Haridwar and Delhi-Jaipur Road journeys would be covered in just two hours.

As regards the four-lane highway between Jammu and Srinagar, Gadkari added that work was going on speedily on the last two packages. While 85 per cent of work had been completed on the 95-km long Jammu-Udhampur-Nashri section (which includes a 10-km long tunnel), the 60-km section between Nashri and Banihal would be completed by December 2023.

These projects, which are strategically important for the swift movement of defence forces along with the agricultural, industrial and socio-economic progress of the region, will provide all-weather connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir.

The projects will connect all major roads leading to various district headquarters and will help in the generation of employment and self-employment opportunities.

Making a significant announcement, the Minister said the road communication projects worth Rs 1,00,000 crore-equal to the total expenditure on 1350-km long 8-lane Delhi-Mumbai Expressway-would be executed in Jammu and Kashmir in the next two years. Tunnels to the tune of Rs 50,000 crore were already under execution in the UT.

Gadkari’s yet another remarkable announcement came about a road, including a tunnel under the Sadhna Top, between Kupwara and Tangdhar (LoC) and a road, including a tunnel from Bafliaz (Rajouri) to Peer Ki Gali near Shopian, Kashmir. Once completed, these two arteries would provide 24x7x365 connectivity through the two hilly terrains.

“Four things water, power, transport and communication are imperative for the success of tourism and industrialisation, which will help in elevating poverty, creating jobs and boosting economy,” the Minister said, adding that the Centre was making all-out efforts to bring development and prosperity to Jammu and Kashmir.

Referring to the development of roads in J&K, he said when the BJP came to power in 2014, the total length of roads in Jammu and Kashmir was 1,695 km, which was expanded to 2,664 km by 2021. J&K, he said, was the only part in the country where tunnels worth over Rs 50,000 crore were currently being constructed. These include Asia’s longest road tunnel near Zojila on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh highway.

“I assure you that the infrastructure will be at par with the western European standards during the Modi government,” Gadkari said about the roads under execution and in the pipeline. (IANS)

Standard Testing

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Oped

Precious Kashmir

27/11/2021

There is steady increase in covid-19 infections as well as deaths as a consequence to it in Jammu and Kashmir.

While there have been right calls from the government for remaining vigilant and cautious, almost all activities are allowed while the number of tests, especially Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) are not being matched to the requisite number. This perhaps stands reason that the Lieutenant Governor, during district-wise assessment of Covid situation with Covid Task Force, DCs and SPs, called for increasing tests with 30 per cent RT-PCR testing.

The statement comes as the Centre raised concern over decline in weekly Covid-19 testing rates and to increase the same to avoid missing infections.

Also Chief Secretary and Chairperson, State Executive Committee, has time and again called for increasing the RT-PCR tests in the total mix, underlining that it should be scaled up on the best effort to 70% or more excluding the travelers.

The RT-PCR test actually detects RNA (or genetic material) that is specific to the virus and can detect the virus within days of infection, even those who have no symptoms.

According to ICMR, individuals with symptoms identified negative by rapid antigen testing should be linked with the RT-PCR test facility.

Those who test negative for COVID-19 by rapid antigen test are to be definitely tested sequentially by RT-PCR to rule out infection, whereas a positive test should be considered as a true positive and does not need reconfirmation by RT-PCR test.

As has been rightly pointed out by the Lieutenant Governor and the SEC, there is a need to increase the test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 and to achieve it all the concerned need to put act together

The authorities in J&K, especially health, should also ensure that the protocol is followed in all districts sans any leniency. Centre in its recent report imply that testing and tracing has been reduced and the same should be stepped up besides containment measures. It is clear that variants and virulence of the virus determine the severity of the disease. Precautionary measures are best called to repel any further outbreak of the disease.

The need for caution cannot be overemphasised. On ground, the Covid protocols are observed in breach rather than compliance. Efforts need to be stepped up to prevent any probable future surge, especially predicted 3rd wave.

J&K has lowest fertility in India, records 0.6% decline in 5 years

Jammu & Kashmir

Jahangeer Ganaie

27/11/2021

J&K has lowest fertility in India, records 0.6% decline in 5 years

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar: The National Family Health Survey for 2019-21 has revealed that Jammu and Kashmir has the lowest fertility in whole India and has recorded a decline of 0.6 per cent fertility rate since 2015-16.

Experts in Jammu and Kashmir believe that there are many reasons for infertility but the most common reasons are late marriage, knowledge of contraception, obesity, change of lifestyle and use of junk food.

Dr Farhat Jabeen head of department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at GMC Srinagar said that there are multiple reasons behind increase in infertility in J&K and most common is late marriages as when the age advances the problem associated with fertility escalates.

“Poverty, unemployment, dowry, the tradition of extravagant weddings, roadblocks to higher education, and wait for government jobs are some of the key reasons for the disturbing late marriage trend,” she said, adding that the peak fertility of girls is between 18 years and 25 years, and it is not unusual for girls to get married nowadays in their late 20s or 30s, by when there is already a significant decline in their fertility.

The problem of infertility is perceived more of a female problem, but experts say that men are responsible for this problem, either solely or partly in almost half of the cases.

She said polycystic ovary (ovarian) syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age which is increasing, obesity, lifestyle modifications, change in food habits and diabetes are also contributing to infertility.

Jabeen said there is a need to have a system in place in society, avoid late marriages, change food habits, control weight in order to avoid decline in fertility.

Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of a woman’s reproductive organs. It is a complication often caused by some STDs, like chlamydia and gonorrhea. Other infections that are not sexually transmitted can also cause PID.

Experts said that PID is common now and it is because when you have more than one sex partner and use an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control.

Jabeen said that abortion cases have increased and septic abortion conducted by an untrained person and often leads to infection in genital tract and leads to infertility.

Dr Jyoti Haq HOD of Obstetrics and Gynecology at GMC Jammu while talking with KNO said that contraception that is the deliberate use of artificial methods or other techniques to prevent pregnancy as a consequence of sexual intercourse is main reason for the increase in infertility.

“Besides that lack of knowledge about contraception and less awareness is also one of the reasons for infertility in J&K,” Haq said.

She said that obesity, late marriage, chronic sitting, fast food, waiting for jobs and delaying child births are also reasons for infertility.

“Marriage at an appropriate time, awareness among the well read ladies that what is the right age of marriage, change in lifestyle, exercise are must to avoid further decline in it,” Jabeen said.

Experts believe that other causes of infertility among women include disturbance of oocyte maturation, tubal factor infertility, endometriosis, abnormalities of ovaries, fallopian tubes, or the uterus and antibodies against oocytes or sperm.

“The reasons for infertility in men include disturbances of sperm maturation and sperm transport disorders. Around 15 to 30 percent of the affected couples the causes for infertility can be found in both partners. In 5 to 10 percent cases no organic cause can be found neither in the men nor in the women. In this situation stress may be the cause,” experts said. (KNO)

Over 55% school students opt for learning via traditional mode in 2021: ASER

City

United News Of India

27/11/2021

Over 55% school students opt for learning via traditional mode in 2021: ASER

By: Bhat Imran

Srinagar: Around 55 percent of school students of Jammu and Kashmir in 2021 preferred to carry learning activities through traditional means while only 30 percent opted for online mode, a survey by ASER reveals.

It was learnt that the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2021 reveals, a total of 55.1 percent students from both private and government-run-schools carried their educational activities through the traditional means during the selected survey time.

The report further reads that only 13.1 percent of the students had taken part in academic activities that were given to the students via broadcast medium and 28.9 percent via online means.

ASER in a breakup wise report said that among the enrolled children who did learning activities at home during the reference week includes 55.2 percent of students of government schools who took education via traditional means, 10.8 percent via broadcast medium and 23.8 percent via online means respectively.

Similarly, from the private schools, 55.1 percent of students took part in academic activities via traditional means, 16.8 percent through broadcast medium and 37.3 percent of students did learning activities at home via online medium. (KNO)

India allows scheduled commercial int’l flights from Dec 15

National

United News Of India

27/11/2021

India allows scheduled commercial int’l flights from Dec 15

New Delhi: India on Friday decided to allow scheduled commercial international flights from December 15, after almost 20 months of suspension in the wake of Covid pandemic.

Countries have been divided into three categories with separate capacity restrictions for resumption of flights.

Full capacity would be allowed with countries classified as “not at risk” by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).

Regular flights would not be allowed to be operated with countries in the “at risk” category.

Countries in Europe including the United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong and Israel figure in the “at risk” group as per MoHFW.

“The matter of resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services to/from India has been examined in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and it has been decided that scheduled commercial international passenger services to/from India may be resumed from 15.12.2021,” Ministry of Civil Aviation said in a communication to aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on November 26.

The Ministry said that resumption of international flights would imply reversion to bilaterally agreed capacity entitlements and termination of air bubble arrangements.

Air bubble is temporary arrangement between two countries aimed at restarting commercial passenger services when regular international flights are suspended.

“The seats under air bubble arrangement which have already been sold by airlines, which are in excess of capacity entitlements under bilateral ASAs (air service agreements)/traffic rights available with the airlines, will be allowed to be operated till 14.12.2021,” the Aviation Ministry said.

The decision to allow regular commercial international flights is set to bring huge relief for flyers as they would now have more options to fly and additional capacity would bring fare levels down across the global network.

Rajiv Mehra, President of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) welcomed the government move to open the international skies but said that regular flights should be started with countries such as UK, Netherlands and France among others.

He expects the fare level to substantially come down compared to prevailing ticket prices in Vande Bharat flights.

“The present ticket prices (in Vande Bharat flights) is 2-3 times higher than pre-Covid level. The tickets which cost Rs 60,000 are currently priced at Rs 1,80,000 or even more. With the start of regular flights they should come down. They should be available at 15-20% higher rates compared to pre-Covid prices. But that would happen in January-February and not immediately,” Mehra said.

As Covid pandemic started spreading to the world, India suspended international flights with effect from March 23, 2020. But with lakhs of Indians stranded in various countries, the government allowed special flights in May last year to evacuate them and the operations was named Vande Bharat Mission.

International passenger flights are currently being operated under air bubble arrangements with various countries and are approved by the aviation regulator. (UNI)

Night temp plummets again in Kashmir

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

27/11/2021

Srinagar: A day after some respite, mercury dropped to below freezing point across Kashmir Valley with Pahalgam being the coldest at minus 3.3°C on Friday.

A meteorological department official said that mercury in Srinagar settled at minus 1.3°C against previous night’s 0.4°C. On November 23, the mercury settled at minus 2.3°C which is lowest temperature recorded so far this season.

Qazigund recorded a minimum temperature of minus 1.2°C against 0.0°C on the previous night, he said. It was minus 1.3°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, the official said.

Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 3.3°C against minus 0.2°C on previous night and it was the coldest place across J&K.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of 0.6°C against 1.2°C on previous night and normal of 0.6°C, the official said.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 1.9°C against 0.1°C on the previous night, the official said.

Gulmarg, the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir, recorded a minimum of minus1.8°C against minus 1.2°C on the previous night, the official said.

Ladakh’s Leh recorded a low of minus 7.5°C against last night’s minus 4.0°C while Kargil town recorded a low of minus 3.4°C. Drass in Kargil, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of Freezing Mercury minus 10.8°C, the official said.

Weatherman has said that freezing cold conditions will continue for now even as there was no forecast for any snowfall till the first week of next month.

“The cold conditions shall continue and as far as the possibility of snowfall is concerned, the weather is likely to remain dry till the first week of December,” the official added. (GNS)

Public Grievance Module facilitated on Kashmir Zone Police website

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

27/11/2021

Srinagar: In order to bring transparency from the police station level all the way among the top officers in the Kashmir region, a website of Zonal Police Headquarters Kashmir was facilitated with a public grievance redressal mechanism, here on Friday.

This has been done on the directions of Inspector General of Police Kashmir Vijay Kumar.

A police spokesman said, any person or party having any grievance on any matter related to police station or any individual police officer/official, especially with regard to misuse of official power/position and unwarranted harassment can file his/her grievance online along with relevant details through the public grievances module on the Kashmir Police Website https://kashmirpolice.jk.gov.in

“The grievance/complaint shall be monitored by designated officer at ZPHQ Kashmir and appropriate action as envisaged under law shall be taken within 15 days from the date same is received,” the spokesman said.

A part from filing of online grievances/complaints against the police personnel, suggestions/comments from community members to improve the police-public relationship shall be appreciated.

One has to browse the website, click on grievances, fill the required details viz, name, email, mobile number, district, type Message (grievance/complaint/suggestion/comments) Captcha check and send.

“Within a period of 15 days, a reply or action taken report shall be mailed to the complainant,” the spokesman said.

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