Jammu: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha took a comprehensive review of the status of various projects being executed by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, at the Raj Bhavan here on Friday.

The Lt Governor was briefed about the status, pace of works, and issues of various projects including the four-laning of Jammu-Akhnoor Road; two-laning with Paved Shoulder of Chenani-Sudhmahadev road section; Sudhmahadev-Goha Tunnel in the Jammu Division, besides the current status of Z-Morh Tunnel; Zojila Tunnel; Baramulla-Tangmarg-Gulmarg road among others in the Kashmir Division.

During the meeting, the Lt Governor directed the officials to expedite the pace of work on the major road projects. He issued directions for removal of any pending bottlenecks, besides calling for synergizing inter-agency/department coordination for achieving optimum results.

On the four-laning of Jammu-Akhnoor Road, the chair was briefed about the progress achieved under various packages of the project. It was informed that around 70 % progress has been achieved in the Canal Head to Ganesh Vihar stretch of the prestigious project, involving construction of a 4.6 km long Flyover.

The Lt Governor issued explicit directions to the concerned officials to stick to the timelines of the project. “This project is going to ease the life of thousands of our citizens. There should be no delay in the execution and the adherence of the set timelines must be ensured”, he added.

The meeting also discussed the current status of two-laning of Chenani-Sudhmahadev road section of NH-244, Sudhmahadev-Goha Tunnel, Goha–Khellani in the Jammu region. Further, a team of senior NHIDCL officials shall visit Doda next week, to resolve all pending issues related to the NH-244 project by working in synergy with district authorities.

Status of various projects being executed in the Kashmir division was also reviewed, including the Z-Morh Tunnel; Zojila Tunnel; Baramulla-Tangmarg-Gulmarg road, among others.

It was informed that the connectivity of Sonamarg highway will be ensured during the ensuing winter season and there would be effective deployment of snow cutters along all major roads that are affected due to heavy snowfall.

The Lt Governor directed the officers to undertake the technical supervision of works like earth-cutting along the highways. He observed that it is imperative to ensure the highest quality of works besides preserving the fragile ecology.

Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Shaleen Kabra, Principal Secretary to the Government, Home Department; Shailendra Kumar, Principal Secretary to Government, Public Works (R&B) Department; Manoj K Dwivedi, Administrative Secretary, Mining Department; Vikas Kundal, Managing Director, JKPCC; besides Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir, and Deputy Commissioners of concerned districts attended the meeting in person and through virtual mode.

Executive Director, NHIDCL Jammu and Executive director, NHIDCL Kashmir along with senior functionaries of NHIDCL also attended the meeting.

Srinagar: Reviewing preparations for the celebrations of 75th Independence Day (ID) with the theme “Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav”, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta on Friday directed officials to unfurl national flag at all District, Sub-district Tehsil headquarters and panchayats on August 15.

An official spokesman said here Friday afternoon that Dr Mehta today asked the officers concerned to undertake all necessary preparations for the ensuing Independence Day celebrations at both the capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu.

The Chief Secretary impressed upon district administrations to acknowledge contributions of citizens towards nation-building and enlist individuals with exemplary achievements in this regard.

As a mark of respect and appreciation to civilians with distinguished contributions to public welfare, Dr Mehta asked the concerned to identify 75 roads and schools to be named after them.

The Rural Development Department (RDD) was asked to ensure commencement of all identified works and projects during the run-up to the 75th Independence Day with robust monitoring for their timely completion, besides completing and inaugurating the ongoing projects.

He asked various departments to organize events, competitions, and activities at district, school, and panchayat levels in tune with the 75-week celebration plan of ‘Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav’. “These events are to be widespread to ensure participation of a large number of citizens, in an endeavour to raise awareness on the ideals of the Constitution”, he added. The School Education and Higher Education departments were asked to organize online quiz, poetry, essay, and similar competitions and encourage students for participation through webinars.

The Chief Secretary stressed conducting a dedicated 15 days’ cleanliness drive with special focus on public places and offices across Jammu and Kashmir to achieve major transformation towards a clean and tidy Jammu and Kashmir.

During the meeting, it was informed that keeping in view the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the Independence Day function will be observed with due regard to the COVID SOPs and protocol based on social distancing, wearing of masks, proper sanitization, and limited congregations. As such, it was decided that participation from students and vulnerable persons will be restricted, besides introducing technological interventions toward e-celebrations.

Further, Chief Secretary directed the concerned to ensure arrangements regarding various facilities including transport, parking, seating, availability of water, electricity, deployment of health, fire and emergency staff & equipment, and illumination of buildings.

Administrative Secretaries of departments of Health & Medical Education, Home, Power Development, Public Works, General Administration, Jal Shakti, School Education, Higher Education, Culture, Youth Services & Sports, Youth Services & Sports, and Hospitality & Protocol, besides, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Additional Director General of Police, Inspector General Police Kashmir andJammu, along with Head of Departments (HODs) of concerned departments participated at the meeting.

Srinagar: Four Central Reserve Police force (CRPF) man, including an Assistant Sub Inspector and a civilian were injured in a grenade attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Friday.

Official sources said that unidentified militants hurled a grenade at a CRPF party at Khanpora Bridge in Baramulla on Friday.

‘A CRPF ASI and three other jawans, besides a civilian were injured in the attack,’ they said, adding the wounded were rushed to a hospital.

They said the militants managed to escape during the chaos created due to the blast.

‘Additional security forces have been rushed to the area and a search operation has been launched to nab the attackers,’ they said.

Security forces have also established checkpoint within 3 km radius of the attack site and vehicles, particularly two-wheelers, are being checked before allowing them to move forward. (UNI)

By: M S Nazki

Poonch:  The rescue operation to find out 19 missing persons including eight women following a cloudburst on intervening night of July 27 and 28 continued at Honzar village in Kishtwar district.

So far seven people have died while seventeen others were rescued in injured condition, five of them critically. However, rescuers met with no success on Friday as there was trace of the missing persons, the officials said.

“Additional Director General of Police, Jammu, Mukesh Singh and Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr Raghav Langer personally supervised the rescue and relief operation in the cloudburst hit Hounzar village of Tehsil Dachhan during their two day visit to the area,” officials said.

The officers trekked on foot for total 34 kms (both sides) to get the first hand information amidst difficult terrain and continuous rainfall, they said.

The missing persons include Saja Begum (60) wife of Ghulam Mohidin, Khursheed Ahmed (31) son of Mohammad Iqbal, Fida Hussain (26) son of Mohammad Ramzan, Mohammad Sharif  (40) son of Ghulam Rasool, Almina Tasbassum (22) daughter of Mohammad Iqbal, Mata Begum (45) wife of Lala Tantry, Ghulam Mohammad (70) son of Ghulam Rasool, Fazal Hussain (18) son of Rustom Ali Chopan, Tariq Hussain (50) son of Nazir Ahmed, Zarina Begum (40) wife of Tariq Hussain, Mata Begum (45) wife of Ghulam Rasool, Fatima Begum (56) wife of Ghulam Ahmed, Bashir Ahmed (45) son of Rustum Ali, Begum (45) wife of Abdul Rehman, Sharifa Begum (38) wife of Ghulam Mohammad, Shakir Hussain (22) son of Ghulam Ahmed, Ghulam Ahmed (65) son of Abdul Aziz, Zubaida Banoo (25) daughter of Ghulam Ahmed and Khalid son of Haji Gami.

Accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Ashok Sharma; DIG DKR range Uday Bhaskar Billa; SSP Kishtwar Shafqat Hussain Butt; ADC Kishtwar, Kishori Lal Sharma;  SDM Marwah Dr. Mohsin Raza, DFO Marwah, Vijay Kumar; Executove Engineer PMGSY Mohd. Aslam Lone besides other officers, the team of officers supervised and   monitored the rescue operation being conducted by the teams of SDRF, NDRF, Police, military, district administration and locals.

The Divisional Commissioner and ADGP conducted on-site inspection of devastation caused by flash floods which were triggered by excessive rain and cloudburst.

Indian Air Force (IAF) had pressed three helicopters from Jammu, Srinagar and Udhampur and made eight sorties, transferring relief load of 2250 kgs, 44 NDRF and SRDF personnel and four medical assistants besides evacuating two critically injured persons from Soundar to Kishtwar for specialised treatment, the officials said.

Six teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) with sophisticated equipment are involved in the operation along with other rescuers from police, Army and local volunteers, the officials said.

During the visit, the Div Com and ADGP met with the villagers and victims and also inquired about the operation being conducted by the rescue teams.

The locals demanded the constitution of a Rehabilitation Committee to facilitate the provision of Relief and Rehabilitation of the affected people in an efficient and transparent manner.

They demanded for the employment of the NOKs of the deceased on immediate basis besides restoration of essential services like electricity, water supply and other relief measures.

The Div Com listened to their grievances and said that the government is at their doorstep to provide each and every possible relief in these tough times.

Besides, he assured them that directions have been issued to the concerned officers for making all provisions for restoring normal life in the area.

He directed SDM Marwah to expedite the process of disbursement of compensation as per SDRF norms as already announced by UT govt to be extended into the accounts of the victims on immediate basis.

Further, DFO was to repair the damaged infrastructure likes bridges etc as per SDRF rules urgently.

Besides directed the heads of all the concerned department to assess the damages in livestock etc for necessary actions.

Enroute, he also met with delegations at Suid, Sounder and Hanzer and listened their demands and suffering being faced by them. People demanded public health centre at Housar, establishment of Helipad at Hounzar, besides demanded timber for suffer, special SPO recruitment, establishment of bank branch at Suid.

He assured them that all their genuine demands and issues shall be redressed at an earliest with all possible efforts. (GNS)

Srinagar: An under construction bridge and several roads were damaged on Friday due to flash floods triggered by cloudbursts and heavy rain in parts of Kashmir valley.

Meanwhile, the several residential houses and shops were inundated due to these flash floods, though there was no report of any loss of life in Pulwama and Ganderbal districts.

Official sources said that panic gripped Tral in Pulwama on Friday afternoon due to flash flood, triggered by a cloudburst and heavy rain. “A under construction bridge between Deedar Pora and Lam in Tral was washed away due to the flash flood,” they said, adding some roads were damaged due in the area.

They said flash floods were also witnessed in villages Nunnar and Gutlibagh in central Kashmir district of Ganderbal, where several roads were damaged. “Houses and business establishments in these areas were also inundated,” they added.

Official from State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and other concerned departments have reached the spot and launched restoration work.

Earlier, a bridge and some roads were damaged while a vehicle was washed away in a flash flood triggered by heavy rain in north Kashmir district of Kupwara in the wee hours on Friday.

A Met department spokesperson said that rain and thundershowers would occur at most places in Kashmir valley during the next 24 hours. (UNI)

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday directed all the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to undertake tours or field visits necessarily on every Wednesday and Saturday of a week to far-flung areas in their respective districts.

“Instructions have been issued from time to time impressing upon, among others, the Deputy Commissioners to undertake extensive tours within their districts particularly the far flung, remote and difficult areas. Besides bringing administration to door steps, such tours help in on spot resolution of many issues,” reads an order by Manoj Kumar Dwivedi (IAS), Commissioner Secretary to the Government.

“Accordingly, all concerned are enjoined upon to ensue implementation of these instructions in true letter and spirit,” the order, adding, “The Deputy Commissioners shall ensure undertaking tours/ field visits necessarily on every Wednesday and Saturday of a week and interact with the general public for resolution of their issues during these tours.”

The Deputy Commissioners have been asked to submit copies of their tour notes to the General Administration Department on quarterly basis. “Further, the Administrative Secretaries and other senior field functionaries shall not ordinarily schedule any meeting/tour involving Deputy Commissioners, on these days.”

Jammu: Jammu Police on Friday morning launched a search operation after a suspected drone was spotted near the bordering village in Akhnoor area here.

Police said that villagers on Thursday night spotted a blinking light and informed the police.

“It was probably a drone spotted near Bhalwal in Pargwal village close to the International Border at Akhnoor,” a senior police official said.

“Locals claimed that they noticed a blinking red light in the sky following which police teams immediately swung into action and launched a search operation but nothing was found.”

“The searches were also carried out in the morning at the location identified by the villagers,” he said.

Last week, Jammu Police shot down one hexacopter fitted with a 5 kg Improvised Explosive Device near Kanhachak-Akhnoor area.

Earlier on Thursday night, a drone with blinking light was also spotted thrice at different locations in bordering Samba district.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Samba, Rajesh Sharma said that a suspicious flying object, possibly a drone with blinking white light, was spotted at three locations near Army Camp, Bari Brahmana, Sandi village near ITBP Camp, Ghagwal and forwarded Chalarian village.

Drone activity has increased manifold in a month especially after attacks on Air Force Station, Jammu. (UNI)

New Delhi: India and China will hold the 12th round of Corps Commander-level talks at Moldo on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on Saturday to iron out an agreement for the next phase of disengagement in Eastern Ladakh.

“The talks will begin at 10.30 am,” said a military source.

The latest round of talks will take place after a gap of three months. Indian military delegates will meet their counterparts to discuss disengagement of troops at the friction areas such as the Hot Springs, Gogra and the Depsang plains spread over 900 sq km land.

While the build-up in Depsang was not considered as part of the current standoff that started in May last year since the escalations here took place in 2013, India has insisted during the recent military commander-level meetings to resolve all the issues along the LAC.

“The initial attempt will be to resolve the issues in Gogra and Hot Springs. Finding a solution to Depsang might be tricky and take longer time,” said an officer.

In April, during the 11th round of Corps Commander-level talks, the focus was on disengagement at the friction points of Gogra, Hot Springs and Depsang.

On February 20, the two sides had held the 10th round of military dialogue to de-escalate tension along Line of Actual Control.

China has been enhancing military infrastructure across the LAC for some time now. Looking at it, India has changed its posture towards China, and unlike its previous defensive approach that placed a premium on fending on Chinese aggression, India is now catering military options to strike back and has reoriented its forces accordingly.

India has reoriented around 50,000 troops whose main focus is on the disputed borders with China.

The reorientation comes at a time when China is refurbishing its existing air-fields in the Tibetan Plateau that will allow twin-engine fighter aircraft to be stationed, sources said.

In addition, China has also also brought troops from the Tibet military region to the Xinjiang region.

The Chinese side is also rapidly building infrastructure in the Tibetan Plateau. (IANS)

New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) declared the Class 12 results on Friday. A total of 99.37 per cent students have passed the exam. Among the passing students, 99.13 per cent are boys and 99.67 per cent are girls.

The CBSE said that the pass percentage of girls in the board results is 0.54 per cent more than boys.

This year the Class 12 result in Kendriya Vidyalayas is remarkable with a 100 per cent success rate. Similarly, the result of the Central Tibetan Schools is also 100 per cent.

This year the board had cancelled the Class 12 examinations due to coronavirus. The result was prepared through an internal assessment system.

The Class 10 results are likely to be declared next week. Like last year, this year also Class 12 results were released before Class 10 by the CBSE.

The board released the results on its official website. Students can download their result through their roll number and date of birth. The results can also be downloaded in Digilocker. Students can also download and print their results.

Students can check their result through the official website of CBSE and UMANG app. Apart from this, students can also get the result through SMS.

This year the board examinations could not be conducted due to the Covid pandemic. In view of this, CBSE decided to prepare the Class 10 and 12 board results under a special formula. While deciding the result of Class 12, the previous performance of a student in Classes 10, 11 and 12 was taken into consideration. (IANS)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated Class XII students on successfully passing CBSE examinations.

Addressing them as young friends, Modi also wished them a bright, happy and healthy future.

In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said, “Congratulations to my young friends who have successfully passed their Class XII CBSE examinations. Best wishes for a bright, happy and healthy future.

To those who feel they could have worked harder or performed better, I want to say – learn from your experience and hold your head high. A bright and opportunity-filled future awaits you.

Each of you is a powerhouse of talent. My best wishes always.

The Batch which appeared for the Class XII Boards this year did so under unprecedented circumstances.

The education world witnessed many changes through the year gone by. Yet, they adapted to the new normal and gave their best. Proud of them!”

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Friday declared the Class XII results in which 99.37 per cent students passed.

Overall pass percentage of girls is 99.67 per cent against 99.13 per cent of boys.

The CBSE Class 12th board exams for the year 2021 were cancelled over the prevailing COVID19 situation in the country and keeping the safety of students in mind.

The CBSE has prepared the results on the basis of its alternative assessment policy.