Srinagar: Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta Monday chaired a meeting to review the functioning of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in Jammu and Kashmir.

Commissioner/Secretary Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Directors Jammu and Kashmir, and concerned officers of the Department participated in the meeting.

At the outset, Commissioner/Secretary, FCS&CA, Zubair Ahmad gave a detailed presentation on the overall functioning of the department in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Taking note of the J&K’s 6th ranking in the index measuring performance under ‘One Nation One Ration Card’, the Chief Secretary appreciated the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department for efficiently implementing the scheme across the Union territory. “One Nation One Ration Card System is an important citizen-centric reform and its implementation ensures availability of ration to beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) through portability across the country”, he observed.

It was informed that the Department is ensuring food security to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir by timely and efficient distribution of food grains at highly subsidized and affordable prices through a network of 6738 Fair Price Shops (FPS). The Department has distributed 1.03 lacs metric tonnes of foodgrains to the beneficiaries in the month of May, 2021.

The Chief Secretary directed the Department to weed out fake beneficiaries through 100% Aadhar enrolment by 31st July 2021, besides operationalizing the online biometric-authenticated sale of ration across all 6738 FPS.

It was informed that the Department is formulating a nomination policy whereby beneficiaries in old age or those living with disabilities can nominate a responsible person after due verification to collect the quota of the subsidized ration on their behalf.

Reviewing the supply chain management towards end-to-end computerization to contain wastage and pilferage of food grains, the Chief Secretary directed the Department to implement real-time online monitoring of their storage and transportation to-and-fro all stores and FPS within one month.

The Chief Secretary directed FCS&CA Department to undertake a thorough review of kerosene distribution in Jammu and Kashmir in line with the guidelines of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna.

The Department was also asked to undertake third party review of the Public Distribution System in Jammu and Kashmir bringing forth the satisfaction level of consumers.

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday ordered constitution of Technical and Grievance Committees for conservation and management of wetlands.

The Technical Committee is headed by Director, Department of Environment, Ecology & Remote Sensing while it members include Chief Conservator of Forests (Working Plan, Research & Training), Special Secretary (Technical), Department of Forest, Ecology & Environment, J&K (member secretary), Law Officer, J&K Pollution Control Committee, Dr. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Kashmir, Dr. Deepika Slathia, Sr. Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Jammu and Er. Ajaz Rasool, Retired Superintendent Engineer, Lakes & Waterways Development Authority. The committee, formed in terms of Rule 5(6) of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, can also co-opt any other member as per requirement, reads an order by Manoj Kumar Dwivedi (IAS) Commissioner/ Secretary to the Government.

The committee has been tasked to review brief documents and management plans and advise on any technical matter referred by the Wetland Authority.

“The Technical Committee shall meet at least once in every quarter to perform its functions, as per Rule 5(7) of the Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017,” the order said.

The wetlands being vital parts of the hydrological cycle are highly productive ecosystems which support rich biodiversity and provide a wide range of ecosystem services such as water storage, water purification, flood mitigation, erosion control, aquifer recharge, microclimate regulation and aesthetic enhancement of landscapes. Many wetlands are threatened by reclamation and degradation through drainage and landfill, pollution (discharge of domestic and industrial effluents, disposal of solid wastes), hydrological alteration (water withdrawal and changes in inflow and outflow), over-exploitation of their natural resources resulting in loss of biodiversity and disruption in ecosystem services provided by wetlands.

Meanwhile, grievance committee shall be headed by Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K, and its members include Additional Commissioner, Jammu/Kashmir, in the offices of Divisional Commissioner, Jammu/Kashmir, Member Secretary, J&K Pollution Control Committee and Special Secretary/Additional Secretary, Department of Forest, Ecology & Environment (Member-Secretary of the Authority).

The terms of reference for the committee include providing a mechanism for hearing and forwarding the grievances raised by public to the Authority.

“The Grievance Committee shall meet at least once in every quarter to perform its functions, as per Rule 5(7) of the Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017,” the order said. Department of Environment, Ecology and Remote Sensing has been nominated as the Nodal Department for preparing digital inventory etc of wetlands of Jammu and Kashmir. (GNS)

Srinagar: The third anniversary of renowned journalist from Kashmir, Shujaat Bukhari was observed on Monday. Bukhari, Editor-in-chief of a local daily, was killed three years ago on this day at Srinagar’s Press Enclave.

On his third anniversary today, many journalists from Jammu and Kashmir as well as his colleagues paid glowing tributes to the slain journalist.

The journalists took to the social media platform and recalled the contribution of Shujaat Bukhari in the field of journalism. They highlighted his work through their social media posts.

Meanwhile, politicians also paid tributes to Bukhari in a statement issued here.

National Conference (NC) paid glowing tributes to noted journalist and founding editor of Kashmir Media Group Dr. Syed Shujaat Bukhari on his third martyrdom anniversary.

Party Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar while paying glowing tributes to Shujaat Bukhari said, “I pay my tributes to all those journalists who lost their lives in the line of duty. On this day I particularly remember Shujaat Bukhari Sahib; the jinxed providence of our state robbed us from a bold voice in his shape, I pray for peace to his soul and much-needed strength to his family and friends.

“No society can think of harvesting the fruits of democracy without securing its press fraternity with all the required freedom, safety and dignity. However, it is imperative for the press fraternity to uphold the dignity associated with the profession at any cost. The struggle by embattled journalists and the press fraternity of Kashmir to fight for the rights of people is commendable. I take this opportunity to salute the valour of our journalistic community, who notwithstanding curbs and persecution have been rendering their duties with dedication.”

Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference (JKPC) paid glorious tributes to veteran journalist and peace activist Syed Shujaat Bukhari.

PC spokesman while highlighting the immense contributions of Late Shujaat Bukhari said that the coming generations shall see in Shujaat an epitome of courage and selflessness who lived and died as a fearless and objective journalist. He led a dynamic and active life and never bartered his principles for any materialistic gains, added the spokesman.

“Today is his third death anniversary. Three years have passed when he was silenced. But one still wonders who died that day- Shujaat or his killers? On this day Shujaat gave us all a reason to be proud of objective, fearless, and selfless journalism. Mourning his death will be naive, let us celebrate the courage with which he fought in the forefront. Rest in Peace Shujaat,” said the PC spokesman.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told the United Nations that in the last 10 years, around 3 million hectares of forest cover has been added in India.

In his keynote virtual address on ‘High-Level Dialogue on Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought’ at the UN, the Prime Minister said the total combined forest cover of India has been raised to almost one-fourth of the country’s total area.

Modi spoke at the opening segment in his capacity as the President of the 14th Session of the Conference of Parties of United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

Terming land as the fundamental building block for supporting all lives and livelihoods, Modi called for reduction of the tremendous pressure on land and its resources.

“Clearly, a lot of work lies ahead of us. But we can do it. We can do it together,” he said.

The Prime Minister also listed the steps taken by India to deal with the land degradation issue. He said that India has taken the lead to highlight land degradation issues at international fora.

The Delhi Declaration of 2019 called for better access and stewardship over land, and emphasised gender-sensitive transformative projects.

In India, over the last 10 years, around 3 million hectares of forest cover has been added. This has enhanced the combined forest cover to almost one-fourth of the country’s total area, the Prime Minister informed.

Modi conveyed to the UN that India is on track to achieve its national commitment of land degradation neutrality.

“We are also working towards restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. This would contribute to India’s commitment to achieve an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent,” he said.

The Prime Minister gave the example of the Banni region in Rann of Kutch in Gujarat to illustrate how restoration of land can start a virtuous cycle of good soil health, increased land productivity, food security and improved livelihoods.

In the Banni region, land restoration was done by developing grasslands, which helped in achieving land degradation neutrality. It also supports pastoral activities and livelihood by promoting animal husbandry.

“In the same spirit, we need to devise effective strategies for land restoration while promoting indigenous techniques,” the Prime Minister stressed.

In the spirit of South-South cooperation, India is assisting fellow developing countries to develop land restoration strategies.

A Centre of Excellence is being set up in India to promote a scientific approach towards land degradation issues, informed the Prime Minister.

“It is mankind’s collective responsibility to reverse the damage to land caused by human activities. It is our sacred duty to leave a healthy planet for our future generations,” the Prime Minister concluded. (IANS)

By: Naveed- Ul- Haq

Budgam: Eleven days after Ompora incident in which a leopard mauled a 4-year-old girl to death, search operation by the wildlife officials continued at various hotspots of the area to eliminate the man-eater animal.

Officials said that the leopard was earlier spotted by locals and security forces inside the Deputy Commissioner’s office premises but wildlife officials have not received any information about the presence of the leopard in the area since then.

“Search operation is continuing from the last eleven days and staff has been deployed at every hotspot to eliminate this man-eater leopard,” an official said.

“We deputed teams at hotspots like Rangreth, DC complex, Ichgam, Khanpora, Qazibagh and Gudsathoo to either catch or kill the animal. Infact authorities have started the cleaning process of nursery at DC complex but couldn’t find the leopard again,” an official said.

Officials said teams are placed around 10 kilometres from the place of incident and have placed around 15 cages, cable traps, in Ompora nursery and nearby locality besides have placed at least 20 shooters at vulnerable spots to kill the leopard.

“We have also placed camera traps to record the movement of the leopard, however haven’t located the leopard from the day it was spotted at DC complex late Tuesday evening,” an official said.

Meanwhile, District Forest Officer (DFO) Budgam said that the work is going on a war footing basis on the 160 kanal of the nursery and 40 percent of the fallen trees were removed from the nursery while 30 percent of thinning and branch cutting has also been completed.

He said that the forest department is making a DPR which they will complete in two days and sent to the government to release funds for fencing of the nursery.

“The officials are working round the clock. Manpower of forest protest force, wildlife, SDRF and forest department are on job to eliminate or catch the leopard,” he said.

He said that area is being properly santised by the officials, to prevent any untoward incident in the future.

Earlier on June 3, four-year-old girl was mauled to death by the leopard after she was taken away by the man-eater from her home in Ompora Housing Colony in Budgam. (KNO)

By: Naveed Ul Haq

Budgam: The residents of Check Mohalla in Qazipora village of Chadoora in Budgam district Monday chose a unique way to protest against the government’s failure of repairing the important road link by planting paddy crop on the road stretch to attract attention of authorities.

The villagers planted paddy saplings as a mark of protest on the Chadoora-Check Mohalla Qazipora road to highlight its poor condition.

Residents alleged that authorities never paid interest to repair the road their and the village is only six kilometers away from Chadoora tehsil.

The residents of the village said that the road is in dilapidated condition as the stretch has not been repaired since a decade due to which they face many problems.

“We took to the streets a number of times to press for our demands but all in vain as the concerned authorities failed to take any step in this regard,” the locals said, adding that they also approached the concerned authorities several times in the past but no steps were taken to redress their demands.

“We apprised R&B department about the bad condition of these roads but they did nothing,” they said.

They appealed the district administration to repair and macadamize the road so that they can heave a sigh of relief. (KNO)

Srinagar: “Everything about the emergence of third Covid-19 wave, its severity and impact on children has been talked about on Social Media but there is equal possibility of preventing or suppressing it, by ensuring cent percent vaccination of the entire population”, said Dr Rouf, Public Health consultant.

“The strategy of vaccination of the entire population must be implemented properly without leaving behind any eligible individual,” said Dr Rouf while emphasizing on the importance of vaccination.

“This will increase the defence mechanism against new infection in the body and nullify chances of catching virus again,” he said while elaborating on the benefits of vaccination.

He said that if all the adults in a family get vaccinated, the chances of children getting infected is highly unlikely as vaccinated parents become a shield for children.

He maintained that infodemics needs to be curbed which induces fear and covid vaccination phobia among the people. He advised educated people to cross check the source of news from the Google to ascertain veracity of content of news which will help them not to fall for fake stories.

He said that the research regarding covid vaccination for children is being conducted in many countries and added that if vaccination for children is allowed in near future then the process shall be taken on priority basis. This, he said, will protect children from the deadly disease.

“The data regarding the second wave shows adults as well as children have developed immunity against the virus and children remained mostly unaffected except some children with co-morbidity diseases. However, the intensity of the third wave and its adverse impact depends on the mutation of corona virus and behavior of new variants viz-a-viz propagation and severity of infection,” Dr Rouf explained.

Moreover, he said that people need to bring about behavioral changes in themselves corresponding to covid, like developing the habit of mask wearing and washing of hands frequently. This will protect us, in case we may have to live with covid for a few more years, he added.

Dr Rouf rejected the claims of some people regarding feeling  suffocation while wearing masks, saying that there was an advisory for wearing double mask and it is not appropriate to make such excuses.

Public health consultant, Dr Rouf said that he has been working in the covid for one and a half year and yet he never got infected by covid because of vaccination and observance of Covid SoPs, particularly wearing of masks.

Besides, he emphasized that the covid guidelines issued by the government time and again like maintenance of physical distance, wearing of mask and washing of hand with soap, shall have to be followed without any lethargy.