By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 635 new novel coronavirus cases during the last 24 hours, the lowest single-day count in 71 days, even as 12 more people succumbed to the virus during the time, officials said on Wednesday.

They said that 193 of the new cases were reported from Jammu Division and 442 from Kashmir Valley, taking the overall case tally to 309361.

Regarding the 12 fresh Covid-19 deaths, they said six each were reported from Jammu Division and Kashmir valley, taking the total toll to 4217.  It was April 6 when J&K reported 561, lowest than the infections confirmed today.

Giving the district-wide details, the official said that Srinagar reported 129 cases, Baramulla 64, Budgam 76, Pulwama 27, Kupwara 26, Anantnag 49, Bandipora 23, Ganderbal 17, Kulgam 23, Shopian 8, Jammu 54, Udhampur 22, Rajouri 19, Doda 32, Kathua 16, Samba 3, Kishtwar 9, Poonch 14, Ramban 24 and Reasi 0.

Moreover, they said 1649 more COVID-19 patients have recovered, 541 from Jammu Division and 1108 from Kashmir. So far, 293763 people have recovered, leaving the active positive cases at 11381 in J&K—4190 in Jammu and 7191 in Kashmir.

A number of the fresh cases were confirmed at diagnostic labouratories of CD hospital here and GC Anantnag, they said.

The CD cases include male (NA) from Soura, female (20) from Shalimar, male (NA) from Batmaloo, male (36) from Shmglipora Khag, two males (80, NA) from Lal Bazar, male (35) from Rajouri Kadal, two females (25, 30) from Soura, male (85) from Kupwara, female (NA) from Budgam, two males (19, 20) from D R Industry Lassipora, fifteen males (23, 21, 21, 19, 18, 25, 22, 18, 26, 17, 30, 17, 01, 17, 25) from Popven Plywood Industry, male (18) from NA, two females (06, 57) from Frestbal, female (25) from Alochibagh, male (33) from Tulbagh Pampore, male (29) from Reshipora Kakapora, female (35) from Samboora, female (27) from Drangbal Pampore, male (24) from Pahoo, two females (35, 06) from K K Bagh, female (45) from Namlabal Pampore, female (55) from Awantipora, female (26) from Kandizal, male (25) from Panthachowk, male (40) from Frestbal Pampore, male (26) and female (45) from Zewan, male (32) from Drangbal Pampore, female (32) from Shadipora, female (01) from Zewan, female (25) from Mandora, female (35) from Haryana, male (45) and two females (33, 26) from Mandora, female (32) from Narastan, female (34) from Lethpora, female (30) from Buchoo, female (30) from Uthmullah Pul, male (19) from Kalampora Pul, two males (24, 40, 75) from B B Cantt Srg, female (35) from Kreshbal, female (58) from Habakadal, two females (28, 60) from Eidgah, female (24) from Safakadal, male (21) from S R Gunj, male (45) from Kawdara, female (35) from Safakadal, female (50) from Aalikadal, male (60) from Lal Bazar, male (40) from Noorbagh, male (27) from Safakadal, female (65) from Eidgah, male (28) from Noorbagh, female (45) from Danamazar, female (69) from Rainawari, male (70) from Baghi Mehtab, male (52) from Batmaloo, male (75) from Pampore, female (60) from Khrew, female (64) and male (45) from NA, male (35) from Nowgam, female (50) from Khayam, male (48) from Rainawari, two males (50, 40) from Lal Bazar, male (35) from Buchpora, female (47) from Saderbal, male (42) and female (37) from Elahibagh, female (65) from Bota Kadal, male (18) and female (21) from Ahmadnagar, male (28) from Gulab Bagh, male (26) and female (24) from Ganderbal, male (23) from Naseembagh, female (35) from Nigeen Hazratbal, female (55) from Nigeen, male (50) and female (45) from Natipora, male (45) from Panzinara, male (45) from Firdous Abad, male (40) from Alochibagh, male (26) from Kishtwar and male (45) from Padshahibagh.

The GMC Anantnag cases include female (49) from Khandipora, male (29) from Mir Danter, female (23) from Chowgam, female (56) from Kulgam, female (39) from Nowgam Srg, female (70) from Sangam, female (24) from Srigufwara, female (26) from Rampora Mattan, male (63) from Bilal Colony Bangidar, male (73) and female (65) from Pushwara, male (38) from Qazi Mohalla, female (17) from Shirpora Bala, female (30) from Sarnal, female (09) from Pushwara, female (25) from C I Dass, female (20) from Achabal, male (45) from Zalangam, male (50) from Daksum, female (56) from Bidder, female (38) from Kullar, male (35) from Awoora, female (50) from Wangam Shangus, female (50) from Utresoo Shangus, female (45) from Tailwan Shangus, male (16) from Kanganhall Achabal, female (55) from Andoo Shangus, male (31) from Utresoo Shangus, male (24) from Dailgam Ang, male (28) and two females (45, 28) from Fatehpora, male (26) from Damjan and female (75) from Gund Nowroz. (GNS)

New Delhi: India recorded 62,224 new cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of infections to 2,96,33,105, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday.

Besides, the country also saw 2,542 deaths, pushing the total number of fatalities to 3,79,573. The death toll stands at 1.28 per cent.

A total of 1,07,628 patients recuperated during the past 24 hours, pushing the number of recoveries to 2,83,88,100. With these new recoveries, recovery rate jumped to 95.80 per cent.

Now, active caseload further declined to 8,65,432, less than nine lakh active Cases after 70 days, shows the data.

Meanwhile, weekly positivity rate is currently pegged at 4.17 per cent.

Daily positivity rate was recorded at 3.22 per cent, less than five per cent for the ninth consecutive day, the Ministry added.

So far, the country has carried out more than 38.33 crore tests.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 38,33,06,971 tests have been conducted, of which 19,30,987 were carried out in the past 24 hours.

On the vaccination front, a total of 26,19,72,014 doses have been administered since January 16 this year, of which 28,00,458 were administered in the past 24 hours.

Kerala saw the highest number of cases (12,246), followed by Tamil Nadu (11,805), Maharashtra (7,652 ) and Andhra Pradesh (5,741).

On Tuesday, India had recorded 60,471 cases and 2,726 deaths in the past 24 hours.

Yesterday, the Ministry said that the prior registration on COWIN platform is not required to get vaccinated.

“Walk-in & assisted registrations are being facilitated for citizens above 18 years of age at all COVID-19 vaccination centres in the country, the Ministry had said on Tuesday. (UNI)

‘District records significant improvement’

Srinagar: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad Wednesday said that due to timely measures and tireless efforts by District Administration, a significant improvement has been seen in the situation arising from the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic.

The DC said this while briefing the media about the present Covid-19 situation in the district.

Giving details, the DC informed that Srinagar has recorded 68521 Covid-19 cases so far out of which 65833 patients have recovered from the deadly disease and district has achieved recovery rate of 96.1 percent.

He said the Covid positivity rate in district has declined to 4.72 percent and the number of active cases now stands at 1873. While till date 728905 Covid related tests including RAT and RT-PCR were conducted, he added.

The DC further said that Mega anti Covid-19 Vaccination drive has been started across Srinagar by organizing Vaccination Melas at prime City locations in coordination with Trade bodies and Civil Society members which witnessed huge response from general  public including trader, transporters, street vendors, shopkeepers who were inoculated anti Covid-19 vaccine.

Till date 310000 persons have been covered under ongoing vaccination process, DC said. He further said Srinagar is 3rd district after Jammu and Baramulla districts where highest number of Covid-19 doses were administered.

The DC also informed that 100 percent population above the age group of 45years stands vaccinated in all Panchayats of Srinagar district besides vaccination procces for age group between 18-44 years will be completed soon.

With regard to notified containment zones in Srinagar, the DC said there are 104 containment zones and no containment Zone shall be de-notified till satisfactory vaccination.

The DC reiterated his appeal to general public to get vaccinated at the earliest for safety and protection of themselves, family and whole society, besides to suppress expected 3rd wave of Covid-19.

At present stage we need to be more careful and follow Covid-19 SOPs in letter and spirit to make entry into Green Zone, the DC maintained.

By: Mubashir Aalam Wani

Srinagar: Transporters continue to face huge losses due to the ongoing lockdown as the sector has incurred the losses of Rs 200 crore in the ongoing lockdown due to Covid-19 pandemic.

In total, Rs 700 crore losses have been registered till now since after abrogation of Article 370 on Aug 5, 2019.

General Secretary Transport Kashmir, Mohammad Yousuf said that, “Transporters are worst hit by the lockdown not only due to the pandemic, but we are suffering since Aug 5 2019 after abrogation of Article 370.”

“We are in loss of over Rs 700 crore from Aug 2019 which includes Rs 200 crore loss from April 2021 in a fresh lockdown imposed by administration following Covid-19 spread,” Yousuf said.

Yousuf said that, “in previous lockdowns when we were asked to carry only 50 percent seat capacity and the fare was increased by 30 percent but in the ongoing lockdown administration has ordered for 50 percent seat capacity but no fare rate has been increased after ease in the current lockdown.”

“Price of petrol and diesel prices is already touching the sky and we have been asked to move only with 50 percent seat capacity and no hike in fare price. How can we continue our business with this arrangement,” he said.

“Administration earlier had initiated a relief process in form of insurance of Rs 5000 for mini buses and Rs 3000 for sumo and Tavira and Rs 2000 for auto rickshaws respectively, but unfortunately only 200 to 300 transporters have received that amount while rest didn’t get a single penny,” Yousuf said.

“We appeal to the government to reinitiate the pending relief process. Jammu transporters have already received the money but we are being ignored,” he said. (KNO)

Reasi: Reasi has become the first district of Jammu & Kashmir UT to register zero Covid positive case post second-wave as per the today’s testing report.

As per the Reasi administration, intensive vaccination drive in the district and proper implementation of covid guidelines by frontline workers and police  has helped the district to achieve this much success.

“Zero indeed has great value. Very grateful to our doctors and frontline workers who worked tirelessly and risked their lives to save others,” DC Charandeep Singh said.

The DC further appealed to the general public to maintain and follow Covid appropriate behaviour to completely eradicate the deadly virus.

By: Naved ul-Haq

Srinagar: A Lashkar-e-Toiba militant was killed in an overnight gunfight at Wagoroa area of Nowgam in Srinagar, police said Wednesday.

A police official said that on the intervening night of June 15-16, acting on specific information about presence of militants in Wagoora area of Nowgam Srinagar, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Srinagar Police, Army and CRPF.

“During the search operation as the presence of militants got ascertained, he was given an opportunity to surrender, however, he fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated leading to an encounter,” the official said.

He said that in the ensuing encounter, one militant was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of the encounter. “He has been identified as Uzair Ashraf Dar resident of Wandina Melhoora, Shopian,” the official said, adding that a pistol, several rounds, and a grenade was recovered from the slain militant.

A police spokesman in a statement said that as per police records, he was part of groups involved in many incidents including attack on security forces. “He was linked with Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit,” the spokesman said. “Arms, ammunition & other incriminating materials were recovered from the site of the encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe his complicity in other crimes.”

In this connection police have registered a case under relevant sections of law and investigation has been initiated. People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared off of all the explosive materials, if any.” (KNO)

Srinagar: Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta Wednesday inaugurated the e- Vigilance Clearance System.

Commissioner Secretary, General Administration Department, Director Anti Corruption Bureau, and Director IT& SS, University of Kashmir were present during the inauguration.

The Chief Secretary observed that the system has been developed to simplify the process for seeking NOC and vigilance clearance in a time-bound, efficient and transparent manner.

While complimenting the team associated with the development of the online system, the Chief Secretary asked the concerned to ensure that the process of issuance of NOC is completed within seven days from the date of submission of online application. He stressed upon integration of CPIS data with Vigilance Clearance Portal to enhance the efficiency of the system by giving access to already existing employee database.

He further asked GAD to explore and replicate the module of the Government of India in vigilance clearance system.

The e- Vigilance Clearance System will modernize the manual vigilance clearance process by making it time-bound and transparent.  The Project has been designed and developed by the IT Expert Team of the Directorate of Information Technology & Support System, University of Kashmir in collaboration with the General Administration Department.

The new portal will allow online submission of applications by departments, real-time monitoring of applications and time-bound issuance of the no objection certificate with inbuilt mechanism of auto-reminders to both ACB & GAD on pendencies. The employees will also be informed on the status of the application through email/SMS.

Srinagar: International Cricketer, Suresh Raina Wednesday called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, here at Raj Bhavan.

Raina apprised the Lt Governor about the functioning of cricket academies, and the schools which he has adopted to develop and nurture young sporting talents in the UT.

He further informed the Lt Governor about the future strategy of his dedicated project to promote sports in Jammu and Kashmir, and also presented his Book “Believe” to the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor appreciated the efforts of star cricketer in giving a fillip to sports culture in J&K and assured him of all possible support from the UT administration.

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday accorded sanction for re-designation of Atal Dulloo (IAS), Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department as Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Medical Education department.

An order in this regard has been issued by the government. (GNS)

Directs constitution of committee to enquire matter

Srinagar: During a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Wednesday assured the people of Jammu division that a committee will be constituted by the Chief Secretary to enquire into the recent unscheduled power outage in various areas.

The Lt Governor said much before the onset of summer, several meetings were held under preparation plan to prevent erratic electricity supply in Jammu division for May-June when mercury soars high.

“Unscheduled power cuts that Jammu faced was not normal. That’s why, I have asked the Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta to constitute a committee to enquire into the matter and those found responsible should be given the highest punishment as permissible under the law. I want to assure the people that your sweat will not go in vain and officers responsible for your suffering will be punished soon,” the Lt Governor said.

The Lt Governor said despite losses to the tune of Rs. 3,500 Crores incurred every year on electricity, the Union Territory is working round-the-clock to strengthen transmission, distribution network, and power generation capacity in the UT. The results were visible on the ground during winter when people in the Kashmir valley for the first time had uninterrupted power supply even during the snow, he added.

“J&K has been bestowed with enormous hydro resources, however, out of total identified power potential of 14,867 MW, only 3504.90 MW could be harnessed since the past 70 years. In the last 11-months, we have finalized the project that will generate 3500 MW within next 4 years. Transmission network upgradation works have been taken up, not just to evacuate power from the upcoming power projects, but also to provide robustness to the existing system spread across the UT as also to plan for the future power requirements with the ultimate goal of 24X7 Power for All,” Lt Governor observed.

The Lt Governor said adequate key logistics in terms of transformers, poles and conductors have been stocked in remote areas in addition to divisional stores so as to ensure swift restoration in case of damage to electrical infrastructure due to weather vagaries.