Srinagar: All educational institutions, including coaching centres, will continue to remain closed in Jammu and Kashmir till further orders.

An official spokesman said on Monday that a detailed review of the current COVID situation in the Union Territory was conducted by Chief Secretary. The meeting was also attended by Additional Chief Secretary Health and Medical Education, Principal Secretary Home, Divisional Commissioners Kashmir and Jammu, Deputy Commissioners, Superintendent of Polices and other officers.

He said later in an order, the Secretary stated that due to uneven trend in the daily COVID cases, it is observed that there is a need to continue with the existing containment measures in all districts.

There shall be no weekend curfew in any district, the order said, adding that night curfew from 2000 hrs to 0700 hrs next morning will continue.

The order said that maximum number of people permitted to attend any indoor or outdoor gathering shall be restricted to 25.

All schools and higher secondary, including coaching centres, shall continue to remain closed or on-site and in-person teaching till further orders. However, the educational institutions are permitted to seek personnel attendance of vaccinated staff for administration purpose.

All Deputy Commissioners (DC) shall intensify testing by making optimum use of available rt-PCR and RAT capacities, the order by SEC said adding there shall be no drop in testing level.

The District Magistrates (DM’s) shall ensure full compliance of COVID appropriate behavior and defaulters firmly dealt with. (UNI)

Srinagar: Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta Monday chaired a meeting to review the progress achieved under the centrally sponsored scheme ‘UMEED’ in Jammu and Kashmir.

Principal Secretary, Rural Development Department and Mission Director, J&K Rural Livelihood Mission along with concerned officers of the Department participated in the meeting.

It was informed that J&K Rural Livelihood Mission has so far established 46,000 self-help groups and linked them to financial institutions, besides releasing Rs. 15.82 crore in favour of 3,955 Self Help Groups. During the current financial year two additional blocks have been brought under the fold of J&K Rural Livelihood Mission.

Stating that self help groups have huge potential in Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Mehta directed the JKRLM to ensure establishment of additional 11,000 self help groups by 30th September, 2021 by ensuring social mobilization of rural women, besides identifying various commercial activities suited for the rural economy to establish fruitful forward and backward linkages.

The Chief Secretary further directed the Mission to immediately establish permanent SHG haats at district and block headquarters for providing a ready market to various SHG products. The Mission was asked to draw a SHG-wise calendar for all districts and give wide publicity to weekly sales of diverse products in advance.

He also directed appointment of ‘Bank Sakhis’ in Panchayats having more than 50 SHG bank linkages to assist SHG members in availing various banking facilities.

Dr. Mehta urged upon the Principal Secretary RDD to take up convergence between agriculture-based rural SHGs and various other schemes of agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, and animal and sheep husbandry departments; to evaluate their contribution in doubling the farmers’ income. It was also decided that interactions will be held with leaders of SHGs of all districts to obtain a feedback on the functioning of the scheme.

It was also informed that the Mission has trained 8,039 mahila kissan in agro-ecological practices, besides establishing all-women dairy FPO of 250 Self Help Groups (SHG) members in convergence with NABARD.

To enhance market opportunities and strengthen marketing linkages, the Mission has hired two marketing agencies for training and entrepreneurship development of rural SHG women with special focus on institutional innovation of SHG products for enhancing their competitiveness.

Inaugurates 1000 LPM Oxygen Plant at GMC Kathua under PM Care Fund

Kathua: Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region and PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh Monday said that Government of India has taken numerous steps to augment medical infrastructure in Healthcare institutions of Jammu & Kashmir to deal with the challenges like Covid-19 and other medical situations.

He also inaugurated 1000 LPM capacity Oxygen Generation Plant here at Government Medical College, Kathua.

Pertinently, the newly installed Oxygen Generation Plant has been installed under PM Care initiative. The DRDO, NHAI, PWD and Mechanical Engineering Department were roped in to install the Plant in the shortest possible time.

With the addition of 1000 LPM Plant, the total Oxygen Generation Capacity  in GMC Kathua has gone up to 3250 LPM.

The Union Minister also dedicated a portable Ultrasound Machine and two CBC analysers worth Rs 35.89 lakh provided under his MPLAD fund.

Dr Jitendra also inspected the Covid Vaccination Centre and interacted with people and Nursing Staff deputed to undertake the age appropriate inoculation drive at GMC Kathua.

The Union Minister said Jammu & Kashmir has taken lead in Covid Vaccination and it has become possible with the dedication of the medical staff who are reaching out to people braving all odds. He directed Principal GMC to incentivise those staff members who register lowest wastage of Covid Vaccines.

Later, Dr Jitendra distributed Ration among the beneficiaries of Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Yojna( PMGKY) at Hatli Morh.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Singh said the initiative of providing free ration to the identified group of people adversely affected by the Covid situation has been worked out with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modiand is being extended till this year’s October month.

Dr Jitendra Singh also chaired a meeting with elected representatives of PRIs, ULB’s and Officers of District Administration at the Conference Hall of DC office complex.

DDC Chairman, Kathua Mahan Singh put forth development issues before the Union Minister which were related to the early completion of key roads, revised payment of Border Bunkers, tapping of Tourism potential areas of the district etc.

Vice Chairman, DDC, Raghunandan Singh and other elected members highlighted development related issues of their respective areas.

Dr Jitendra Singh assured that necessary intervention required for taking up the issues of the elected members with concerned authorities will be ensured. He appealed to the PRI and ULB members to keep close liaison with the officers of district administration to remove any bottlenecks hampering development schemes.

Later, Dr Jitendra Singh witnessed the First ever Girl Cricket Tournament match held at Sports Stadium, Kathua.

The 15 over Cricket match was won by Super Warriors by beating Raya Women Cricket Club by ten wickets.

In his address, Dr Jitendra Singh said the initiative of organising maiden women Cricket Tournament aims at promoting sports culture among the Girls to ensure that the women of New India remain at the forefront in every field.

He said the Arun Jaitley Memorial Sports Complex coming up at Hiranagar will change the sports scenario of Jammu and Kashmir. He added that Jammu Kashmir Cricket Association and Sports Council are being entrusted with the role to find new sports talent and provide required infrastructure to nurture it to meet international standards.

New Delhi:  India today expressed hope that the situation in Afghanistan “stabilises soon” and “there is an inclusive dispensation which represents all sections of Afghan society”.

Speaking at the United Nations Security Council, India as per NDTV said, “Voices of Afghan women, aspirations of Afghan children and the rights of minorities must be respected. A broader representation would help the arrangement gain more acceptability and legitimacy”.

Fear has been looming large in the war-torn nation which fell to Taliban as the US forces started leaving the country after 20 years of occupation.

The five-year Taliban regime before the US invasion in 2001 was known for its implementation of hardline Sharia laws, under which women were denied education and employment. Full face covering was mandatory and they were not allowed to leave home without a male companion. Violations meant public floggings. Stoning for adultery and executions took place in city squares and stadiums.

This time, Taliban has been issuing statements that it would form an inclusive government, won’t take revenge on political opponents or harass investors. “No one should worry about their life,” it said in a statement over the weekend, reported news portal Bloomberg.

“We shouldn’t embrace arrogance,” Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban’s deputy leader, said on Monday. “Now is the time when we will be tested on how we serve and secure our people, and ensure their good life and future to the best of our ability,” Bloomberg quoted him as saying.

But it has not reassured the people. Video footages from Kabul have shown people swarming at the airport, desperate to get away. The majority of those fleeing the country are women and children.

“We hope that the situation stabilises soon, and the parties concerned address the humanitarian and security issues. We also hope that there is an inclusive dispensation which represents all sections of Afghan society,” India said in its address.

Earlier today, India said Hindus and Sikhs from Afghanistan will be given priority for repatriation once commercial flight service begins from Kabul.

“The government will take all steps to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals and our interests in Afghanistan,” the foreign ministry said.

India also said it would stand by Afghans “who have been our partners in the promotion of our mutual developmental, educational and people to people endeavours”.

New Delhi: In its first official response after the fall of the Ashraf Ghani government, India said on Monday that it is monitoring the situation in Afghanistan at high levels but the process of evacuating its nationals from there has been paused as operations of commercial flights from Kabul airport have been suspended.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, in a statement, also talked about India’s willingness to accommodate Afghan nationals, who have been on good terms with India.

A day after the Taliban took over Kabul and Ghani exited the country, plunging the country in turmoil, thousands thronged the airport seeking flights out of the country. The situation became so chaotic that Kabul airport suspended all commercial operations.

The MEA spokesperson said: “Commercial operations from Kabul airport have been suspended today. This has forced a pause in our repatriation efforts. We are awaiting the resumption of flights to restart the process.”

“The security situation in Kabul has deteriorated significantly in the last few days. It is changing rapidly even as we speak,” the spokesman said, referring to the fast-paced developments of Sunday that saw Kabul fall without a fight.

Bagchi said the situation in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover “is being monitored on a constant basis at high levels”.  The Government of India “will take all steps to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals and our interests in Afghanistan,” he said.

Last week, India had to close its consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif after the Taliban encircled the city. Indian diplomatic staff and other Indians there were flown back to India on a special flight. India had shut its Kandahar consulate last month in the face of the advancing Taliban.

Bagchi said the Government is closely monitoring all developments in Afghanistan. “We have been issuing periodic advisories for the safety and security of Indian nationals in that country, including calling for their immediate return to India,” he said.

The statement said that the Indian embassy in Afghanistan had circulated emergency contact numbers and had also been extending assistance to community members. “We are aware that there are still some Indian nationals in Afghanistan who wish to return and we are in touch with them,” it added.

The statement also said that India is in constant touch with the representatives of Afghan Sikh and Hindu communities. “We will facilitate repatriation to India of those who wish to leave Afghanistan,” the spokesman said.

“There are also a number of Afghans who have been our partners in the promotion of our mutual developmental, educational and people to people endeavours. We will stand by them,” the statement said.

Last Thursday, India appealed to its nationals in Afghanistan to leave the war-wracked country and the Indian Embassy in Kabul issued a fresh advisory, its fourth, urging Indian nationals there to leave by available commercial flights.

India has 1,500 nationals in Afghanistan, including Government of India officials, the MEA has stated in reply to a Parliament question earlier.

India has been involved in reconstruction and developmental efforts in Afghanistan, and has provided development assistance of over $ 3 billion to Afghanistan. As part of this over 500 infrastructure and development projects have been undertaken since 2001. Many of the completed projects have been handed over to the Afghanistan government, the MEA said in reply to a parliament question. (UNI)

New Delhi: Hindus and Sikhs from Afghanistan will be given priority once commercial flight service begins from Kabul, India said today — a day after Taliban took control of the city. As panic-stricken Afghans gathered at the airport to skip the war-torn country, India said it would “facilitate repatriation to India of those who wish to leave Afghanistan”.

“The government will take all steps to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals and our interests in Afghanistan,” foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told reporters as per NDTV.

Pointing to the situation in Kabul that’s “deteriorating by the day”, the ministry said, “We are in constant touch with the representatives of Afghan Sikh and Hindu communities. We will facilitate repatriation to India of those who wish to leave Afghanistan”.

“There are also a number of Afghans who have been our partners in the promotion of our mutual developmental, educational and people to people endeavours. We will stand by them,” Bagchi added.

Commercial flight operations from the Kabul airport have been suspended. “This has forced a pause in our repatriation efforts. We are awaiting the resumption of flights to restart the process,” Bagchi told reporters.

Afghan airspace was shut yesterday amid chaos at the Kabul airport, where US security forces fired in the air yesterday as the crowds became unmanageable. Five people died – the cause is not known yet. Later the airport was placed under a security cordon.

India has been evacuating her citizens as well as some Afghan nationals since Taliban started advancing as US and NATO forces withdrew. “We are aware that there are still some Indian nationals in Afghanistan who wish to return and we are in touch with them,” Bagchi said today.

Sources have told NDTV that more than 200 Indians — including Foreign Ministry staff and paramilitary soldiers stationed for their security — are yet to be evacuated from Kabul. An aircraft is on stand-by at the Kabul airport to pick them up. But transferring them from the Indian mission compound to the airport is proving a hurdle. Taliban has enforced a curfew in the city, sources said.

Jammu: Stating that challenges do exist on every front, Director General (DG), Border Security Force (BSF), S S Deswal on Monday said that the force trusts its capabilities and sincerity in safeguarding the Indian Borders.

“Time to time we take a review of the border situation and other related issues and if required, also take up them at the right quarters,” the DG BSF told reporters here at a press conference.

He was flanked by Inspector General, BSF, Jammu Frontier, N S Jamwal and other senior officers.

Deswal was here in the region to flag off the Freedom Run and Cyclothon from Octroi Border Outpost organised by the BSF Jammu Frontier on the occasion of 75th Independence Day celebrations.

On the prevailing drone threats along the international border he said, “Many attempts were made to airdrop and smuggle narcotics and weapons but the alert security forces foiled the enemy’s nefarious designs.”

“Drone threat is a challenge and our security forces have detected most of them and handled them accordingly. In the coming days, technologically we will be able to deal with it more efficiently,” he said.

“We are at a very advanced stage on this issue (drone threat),” he said.

The BSF Chief when asked about impact on India’s borders after Taliban’s captured of Kabul which invariably meant capturing Afghanistan, he replied, “situation is being closely monitored. What is happening in the neighbouring country is their internal matter but we are keeping a close watch on every situation.”

“We are ready for every possible consequence,” he said.

On Pakistan violating the ceasefire twice on the international border after the February 25 ceasefire agreement, the Director General said, “whatever be the international conventions or bilateral agreements, are being religiously followed by India as a nation with other countries.”

“As far as the ceasefire agreement is concerned, there is no violation from our side and we are trying our best to exercise restraint from the day the ceasefire agreement was announced and will continue in a similar way with good intentions,” said Mr Deswal.

“We are keeping every watch on cross border activities and ready to face any challenge and will respond in an appropriate manner at the right time,” he said.

On laser fencing, he said that technology is being used on Indian borders, adding, “part of the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS), two pilot projects were launched in Jammu and Kashmir and they are under action. When, where and what is required, is discussed on a regular basis for its further augmentation.”

Pertinent to mention that the former Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in September 2018, inaugurated a stretch of laser fence along the international border in Jammu.

The pilot project — part of the CIBMS — is meant to provide round-the-clock surveillance on the border, uses thermal imager, underground sensors, fibre optical sensors, radar and sonar technologies to make “vulnerable stretches of the IB fool proof”.

Earlier the DG BSF flagged off a contingent of 100 cyclists from the BSF, which was organised on the occasion of India’ 75th Independence Day celebration.

The rally will culminate at Dandi (Gujarat) on October 2, (Gandhi Jayanti), covering a distance of about 1993 Kms.

Several cultural programmes were also organized at the venue to celebrate the occasion. (UNI)

By: Sheikh Danish

Srinagar: A fortnight before the marriage ceremony, the dreams of two would-be brides got shattered after a massive blaze reduced their residential house at Basant Bagh area of Srinagar into ashes.

The blaze broke out in the wee hours of Monday morning.

In the blaze, one residential house belonging to Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh got reduced to ashes.

Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh said that he was scheduled to host the guests in the first week of September, saying that his two daughters are scheduled to get married.

“The devastating fire has shattered all our dreams. We have lost everything in the blaze,” he said, adding that the gold worth lakhs of rupees and cash were also reduced to ashes in the massive fire.

He said that there are no hopes left now and the family is in distress.

Sheikh, along with family and all the neighbours appealed the Lieutenant Governor led administration to help the affected family at this crucial juncture. (KNO)