Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday announced further ease in the COVID restrictions in eight districts in the Union Territory in view of significant decline in the number of fresh Coronavirus positive cases.

Meanwhile, markets and roads on Sunday wore a deserted look as restrictions on movement of people and traffic continued since Friday due to weekend COVID curfew imposed across Union Territory, where 866 fresh positive cases, including 601 in Kashmir and 265 in Jammu, on Saturday. As many as 14 patients – six from Kashmir and eight from Jammu – lost their lives due to the virus in the UT on Saturday.

An order issued by the J&K administration said that further relaxation in COVID restrictions have been granted in eight districts, including Poonch, Reasi, Ramban and Doda in Jammu division and Shopian, Kulgam, Ganderbal and Bandipora in Kashmir. “The relaxation was given following significant improvement witnessed in these districts in terms of decline in total weekly new cases, total positivity rate, bed occupancy, case fatality rate, and vaccination coverage of targeted population,” it said.

As per the order, barber shops, salons and parlors have been permitted to remain open all day in a week, except Saturdays and Sundays. “Standalone shops, outdoor bazaars and outdoor shopping complexes are also permitted to open on all days in a week, barring on Saturdays and Sundays,” it added.

For government and private offices, the order said they can function without any restrictions, subject to strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines. “The wholesale trade of liquor shall continue to be permitted to operate on 5 days in a week, except Saturdays and Sundays across J&K,” it added.

The order further directed district magistrates to ensure full compliance to COVID-19 appropriate behavior and deal strictly with defaulters under relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act and the Indian Penal Code.

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 774 fresh covid-19 cases, lowest single-day infection tally in 68 days, even as 12 more people succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Sunday.

Among the fresh cases, 229 were from Jammu Division and 545 from Kashmir Division, taking the tally to 307412. It was after 68 days that J&K reported lesser single day infections tally than today as 561 cases were reported on April 6.

Providing district wise details, the officials said that Srinagar reported 149 cases, Baramulla 38, Budgam 83, Pulwama 49, Kupwara 64, Anantnag 59, Bandipora 38, Ganderbal 22, Kulgam 35, Shopian 8, Jammu 38, Udhampur 4, Rajouri 36, Doda 55, Kathua 8, Samba 8, Kishtwar 20, Poonch 30, Ramban 22 and Reasi 8.

Regarding the COVID-19 deaths, they said, seven were reported from Jammu Division and five from Kashmir valley, taking the overall tally to 4186.

Moreover, they said, 1965 more COVID-19 patients have recovered—698 from Jammu Division and 1267 from Kashmir Valley. There are 15081 active cases—5546 in Jammu and 9535 in Kashmir.

A number of fresh cases were confirmed at diagnostic laboratories of CD and GMC Anantnag.

The CD cases include male (70) from Nowshera, female (24) from Fatehkadal, male (35) from Hawal, female (21) from Zakura, female (75) from Bota Kadal, four males (28, 32, 48, 60) from Zoonimar, female (33) from Hawal, male (70) from Nowshera, male (17) from Zadibal, female (36) from Buchpora, male (29) from Shahbada, female (28) from Dangerpora Shadimarg, male (23) from Naira Pul, male (32) and female (05) from Bagh Sangerwani, female (60) from Hall Pul, male (36) from BB Cantt Srg, female (13) from Srg, male (75) and female (60) from Budgam, female (60) from Rainawari Srg, female (70) from Pul, male (38) and female (33) from Awantipora, female (16) from Kadalbal Pampore, female (33) from Kanjinag, male (42) from Frestbal Pampore, female (23) from Zewan, male (23) from Shar, male (37) from Kadalbal Pampore, female (35) from Zaffron Colony, female (10) from Marvel, male (38) from Kadalbal Pampore, female (45) from Pul Gadoora, male (25) from Nawakadal, two males (22, 40) from Noorbagh, female (48) from Chattabal, male (31) from HMT, female (55) from Noorbagh, female (12) from Bemina, male (06) from Noorbagh, male (25) from Lalbazar, female (29) from Karanagar, male (39) from Elahibagh, male (30) from Aalikadal, male (38) from Nawakadal, male (49) from Bemina, female (50) and male (35) from IMHANS, male (30) from Rainawari, female (50) from Habba Kadal, female (26) from Karan Nagar, two males (50, 36) from NA, female (29) from KP Road, female (Na) from Qamarwari, female (30) from Kishtwar, two males (60, 24) and female (30) from Nowgam Srg, male (23) from Bemina Srg, female (30) from Safakadal, male (70) from Saderbal, male (44) from Kupwara, two females (27, 40) from Barzulla Srg, male (21) from Noorbagh, female (27) from Baghi Mehtab, female (70) from Qamarwari, male (65) from Shopian, male (Na) female Chattabal Srg, male (78) from Nowgam Srg, female (65) from Shopian, male (50) from Rajouri, male (50) from Rainawari, male (35) from Pulwama, male (47) from Natipora, female (30) from Chanapora, male (30) from Bemina, male (60) and female (52) from Batmaloo, male (35) from Malaroo, female (30) from Nawakadal, female (23) from Alochibagh, male (23) from Balgarden, female (29) from Mehjoor Nagar, male (30) from Alochibagh, male (32) from Batmaloo, male (34) from Bemina, female (19) from Eidgah, female (60) from Batmaloo, female (22) from Jahagir Chowk, two females (30, 55) from Qamarwari, female (15) from Batmaloo, male (61) from Bemina, female (28) from Pampore, female (12) from Khanyar, female (50) from Bemina, male (65) from Batmaloo, female (06) from Habba Kadal, female (47) from Magarmal Bagh, male (30) from Gangbugh, female (60) from Bemina, male (64) from Alochibagh, female (55) and male (10) from Batmaloo, male (53) from Baghat, female (45) and male (30) from Batmaloo, female (23) from Tengpora, female (43) from Khanyar, female (30) and two males (47, 42) from Safakadal, male (42) from Bemina, male (40) and two females (42, 22) from Batmaloo, male (45) from Bemina, male (47) from Rainawari, female (45) and male (55) from Fatehkadal, female (45) from Safakadal, male (60) from Habbak, male (20) from Umer Colony A, female (35) from Harwan, female (38) from Batpora, male (30) from Nishat, female (32) from Nishat, female (50) from Alamdar Colony, female (50) from Habak Shanpora, NA (NA) from Hazratbal, female (25) from Habak Crossing, male (34) from Amda Kadal, male (23) and three females (60, 22, 21) from Lal Bazar, two females (17, 14, 40) from Nowshera, male (60) from Bota Kadal, male (25) from Awanta Bhawan, female (40) from Nowshera, female (14) from Fatehkadal, male (38) and female (37) from Ompora Budgam, female (65) from Noorbagh, male (80) from Budgam, male (31) from Kupwara and female (75) from Baramulla.

The GMC Anantnag cases include female (23) from Qaimoh, female (30) from Kawaki Bazar, male (27) from Kulgam, female (35) from Shamsipora, male (32) from TN Pora, male (30) from Tral Pul, male (24) from Akhran Kulgam, female (13) from Dangerpora Ang, two males (30, 65) from Damhal Khashipora, female (35) from Salia, female (65) from Wanpoh, female (47) from S K Colony, male (31) from Shangus, female (35) from Cheeni Chowk, female (26) from Sadiq Abad, male (70) from Ashajipora, male (55) from Moominabad, male (05) and female (55) from S.K Colony, female (50) from Nai Basti, male (26) from Janglatmandi, male (40) from Hiller, male (50) from Soaf, male (50) from Panzgam, two females (34, 05) from Magraypora Nanil, two males (68, 44) from A.K Pora, male (16) from Hakura, male (19) from Yaripora, male (35) from Yarikha and female (06) from Kounsarbal. (GNS)

New Delhi: India has reported 80,834 fresh Covid-19 cases, lowest after 71 days, and 3,303 fatalities in the past 24 hours, according to the Union Health Ministry on Sunday.

The fresh addition took the active case tally to 10,26,159, while the death toll soared to 3,70,384 and the cumulative caseload now stands at 2,94,39,989.

On a positive note, recoveries continued to outnumber the daily new cases for 31 consecutive days with 1,32,062 patients being recovered during the past day, hence pushing the recovery rate to 95.26 per cent.

Country’s testing capacity has also been substantially ramped up with a total of 37.81 crore tests being conducted so far in the nation.

Under the nationwide vaccination drive, a total of 25,31,95,048 people have been vaccinated across the country till now with 34,84,239 being inoculated in the last 24 hours. (UNI)

Srinagar: A private hospital on Sunday was imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 by District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Srinagar after the hospital was found violating the Covid-19 SoPs and protocols during a surprise visit.

An official said that on the directions of chairman DDMA Srinagar, a team of officials headed by the executive magistrate South along with other officials made a random inspection of a private hospital by the name in Magarmal Bagh locality of Srinagar.

“During the on spot inspection it was found that patients were crowded in the waiting area and social distancing Covid protocols were violated, following which a fine of Rs 20,000 was imposed. The hospital authorities were directed strictly to adhere to Covid -19 SoPs and guidelines,” said the official.

The official said that the hospital could have been sealed, the way Covid-19 SoPs and guidelines were violated, however, many patients were admitted in the hospital and were under treatment so hospital authorities were given stern warning to comply with the Covid-19 guidelines.

“In coming days the random inspection drive will be intensified and wherever the violations will be found, violators will be dealt with sternly”, he said. (KNO)

By: Majid Hussain

Srinagar: At a time apprehensions of ‘severe side-effects’ of COVID-19 vaccine like impotence and infertility make people ‘hesitant’ to administer the dose, the health experts here have claimed that the vaccine is the only risk-free weapon to combat deadly virus and its variants.

A good number of people in Kashmir are still reluctant to take the vaccine as they believe the same is ‘ineffective’ and may cause severe health issues like sterility and impotence.

Health experts however termed as baseless that COVID-19 vaccine has any serious side-effects, saying 80 percent of the population need to be immunized against the virus to achieve herd immunity.

Talking to ‘Precious Kashmir’, Dr Saleem Khan, Nodal Officer for COVID-19 and Head of the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, GMC, Srinagar, said vaccination is necessary if people want to survive the approaching 3^rd of COVID-19.

He said 80 percent of the population needs to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity to combat the approaching 3^rd of Corona-Virus which he said might be more lethal than previous phases of the pandemic.

Dr Khan said COVID-19 vaccine is effective and there is scientific evidence available about its side-effects.

“30 percent of the population including children below 18 years and pregnant women are vulnerable to the infection and they can be affected in case people continue to be hesitant to take the dose. There is no scientific evidence that COVID-19 vaccine has any side-effects,” he said.

He also said that 60 percent of the population in the United States administered 2^nd dose of COVID-19 vaccine while Israel achieved a cent percent target and resumed normal life.

Dr Saleem Khan said had there been any authenticity in what is fuelled about the COVID-19 vaccine; America and Israel like countries would not have recommended the same for their people.

“With a vaccine, many more people could become immunized without getting sick. If not enough people take the vaccine, though, achieving herd immunity becomes much more difficult. So far as myths about serious side effects of vaccines are concerned, these are baseless allegations as some anti-vaccine mafia is spreading misinformation regarding vaccines on social media,” he added.

Renowned influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan said the vaccine is effective enough to combat the virus. He also blamed social media for spreading misinformation about COVID-19 vaccine.

Dr Nisar said the reason to make people hesitant to take the dose is because it is new and was created quickly. He said in the past, development and approval of most vaccines took years. For the COVID-19 vaccine, creation and approval took less than a year.

“I appeal to people not to get influenced by misinformation and get vaccinated as quickly as possible. We do not have any other alternative to fight the pandemic but getting vaccinated is the only option to contain the virus,” he told ‘Precious Kashmir’.

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Financial Commissioner (Health and Medical Education) Atul Dulloo Sunday stated that continuous efforts have been made for revamping of the Health Sector in Jammu and Kashmir, especially during the last two years, by way of up-gradation of health infrastructure, improving health care delivery services.

“Moreover, improvement in supply chain mechanism, human resource strengthening and undertaking reforms in Medical and Nursing Education, also resulted in improvement of health indicators of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir as revealed by the National Family Health Survey-5 report (2019-20) released in December 2020,” the Health Commissioner said.

Sharing the details, Dulloo said that MBBS seats are increased with the establishment of five New Medical Colleges sanctioned at Anantnag, Baramulla, Doda, Kathua and Rajouri at a cost of Rs 189 Crore per college.

The infrastructure of these Medical Colleges he said that is at different stages of completion, however, classes have been made operational for the first batch of MBBS students on a makeshift arrangement basis in four medical colleges from the year 2019-2020 while as in Medical College Doda, classes for the first batch have been started from the academic session 2020-21.

“With the sanction of five new medical colleges, the MBBS intake capacity has increased from 500 to 1100 seats in the UT of J&K while two additional new Medical Colleges, one each at Handwara and Udhampur have been sanctioned by MoH&FW, GOI at a cost of Rs 325 Crore per college and the work on these colleges has also been put to execution,” he claimed.

The Financial Commissioner added that in order to strengthen Ayush Health Care services, Ayurvedic Medical College at Jammu and Unani College at Srinagar have been made functional and the First Batch of 60 BUMS Students in Unani Medical College at Ganderbal, Kashmir started from the academic session 2020-21.

On the establishment of AIIMS, Dulloo asserted that two All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), one each at Vijaypur, District Samba and Awantipora, District Pulwama @ Rs 2000 Crore were sanctioned by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India under PMDP.

“Boundary Walls on the both sites completed and work on main campus started by the CPWD and the first Batch of 50 MBBS students of AIIMS, Jammu (presently functional in AIIMS, Rishikesh) is being shifted in the makeshift arrangement to Medical College, Jammu till completion of AIIMS building at Vijaypur, Samba,” he narrated.

The Health Commissioner, however, also added that the BSc. Nursing and BSc. Paramedical Education has also been strengthened manifold.

“To improve Nursing education and availability of trained Nursing Staff, five B.Sc. Nursing Colleges have been sanctioned under PMDP, out of which, BSc. Nursing Courses have been started in three nursing colleges during 2020-21 viz. GMC Anantnag, GMC Baramulla and Nursing College Gangyal with an intake capacity of 140 seats. First batch of BSc. Nursing has started,” he revealed.

Besides this, 10 more Nursing Colleges have been approved by way of Up-gradation of existing ANM/GNM Schools under CSS, “Strengthening of Nursing Services” thus making a total of 15 Nursing Colleges in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, said Dulloo adding, “Up-gradation of infrastructure in these colleges is at different stages of completion and proposal for the creation of requisite posts for running these colleges is under consideration.

“For the first time in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, BSc. Paramedical courses have also been started in seven Govt Medical Colleges with intake capacity of 590 seats and the first batch of B.Sc paramedical students have already been started,” he said. (UNI)

Srinagar: A section of senior officers of administration termed the order about suspension of two ACDs and 11 BDOs by Rural Development Department (RDD) as ‘harsh action’, saying that they have not embezzled funds rather payment has been made above and over authorized amounts.

According to a statement, senior officers said the suspension of 13 officers including two ACDs and 11 BDOs of RDD has sent shock waves across Jammu and Kashmir.

“It is said that ‘right to interpretation’ is a right in itself, thereby different people have luxury to interpret the order in their own ways,” they said.

People having knowledge of e-FMS easily understand that it is not embezzlement by any means, rather simply payments made over and above the authorized amounts in respect of works that stand executed fully on ground and bills framed and checked in proper, they added.

“The government owes these funds to the concerned facilitators and is bound to pay the remaining amounts. If rules are emphasized upon, the person who executes a work can claim the amount immediately after completion and Govt is bound to pay,” they said, “This settles the debate about misappropriation or embezzlement of funds.”

Further with implementation of panchayati raj act, panchayats have been empowered fully to make payments against the works executed. At panchayat level,it is the panchayat secretary who is the first signatory and the concerned sarpanch is the final disbursing authority, they explained.

“The role of BDO has thus been limited to monitoring and appraising government about the implementation of various schemes. BDOs can’t by any rationale stop a Sarpanch from making payments when Sarpanch is backed by an Act and subsequent government orders and circulars,” statement reads.

Government has suspended these officers and this may have been done with a purpose to streamline the system and with enquiry the facts will be out and accountability will be fixed, one of the senior officers further added.

“But the social stigma these things bring in a society like ours brings more harm than benefits as it makes officers reluctant to be innovative and adhere to quick disposal because at the end of the day, insecurity brings loads of inertia with it,” they rued. (KNS)

Srinagar: Authorities have ordered that no vehicle with outside number shall ply in any public place unless registered in accordance with Motor Vehicles Act in J&K.

“It has been observed that considerable number of vehicles registered outside Jammu & Kashmir (from adjoining States of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi etc.] have been purchased by the residents of the Jammu and Kashmir and are being plied across the Jammu & Kashmir unauthorizedly, without having been registered with the concerned Registering Authorities (RTOs/ARTOs), in contravention to the explicit provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989,” reads a circular issued by Hirdesh Kumar (IAS) Commissioner Secretary to Government, Transport Department.

“It has been reported that number of old vehicles purchased from outside J&K are also being plied in the Jammu and Kashmir without paying token tax/road tax as required under J&K Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1957 and without the transfer of ownership in favor of purchaser (transferee] and the state exchequer is bereft of considerable amount on this account,” the circular reads. “There is high probability of such vehicles being used for carrying unlawful activities.”

The government referred to ‘relevant sections’ of the Act, underlining that every owner of a motor vehicle shall cause the vehicle to be registered by the registering authority in whose jurisdiction he has the residence or place of business where the vehicle in normally kept.

Refereeing to section 47, the Circular said stated that when a motor vehicle registered in one State has been kept in another State, for a period exceeding twelve months, the owner of the vehicle shall within such period and in such form containing such particulars as may be prescribed by the Central Government, apply to the registering authority, within whose jurisdiction the vehicle then is, for the assignment of a new registration mark and shall present the certificate of registration to that registering authority.

Referring to section 50 dealing with transfer of ownership, it reads that in the case of a vehicle registered within the same State, within fourteen days of the transfer, report the fact of transfer, in such form with such documents and in such manner, as may be prescribed by the Central Government to the registering authority within whose jurisdiction the transfer is to be effected.

In the case of a vehicle registered outside the State, within forty-five days of the transfer, the copy is to be forward to the registering authority. (GNS)

Seeks email details of arrested PDP leader Parra

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Police has approached Google and US authorities, asking them to preserve the e-mails allegedly sent by arrested Peoples Democratic Party youth wing President Waheed Parra to Pakistan-based militant groups.

Parra has been charge sheeted by the Counter Intelligence Wing Kashmir (CIK) of J&K CID under the Prevention of Unlawful Activities Act (UAPA) allegedly for establishing a nexus with militants to seek their backing for political gains and for reciprocating by way of providing a range of help and support which led to militant strikes.

Through the Ministry of External Affairs, J&K Police has approached US authorities, by invoking the provisions of the mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT), to provide necessary assistance in the case.

“Google US has been approached through proper channels as per their standard norms to provide details/contents of emails exchanged by Parra through his three emails IDs with militant groups in Pakistan,” a source said.

While the CIK has submitted the charge sheet against Parra in a local court, the NIA has also presented a charge sheet against him in the designated court for allegedly paying Rs 5 crore to the son-in-law of separatist leader, Syed Ali Geelani for keeping the Valley in turmoil after the death of Hizbul ‘poster boy’, Burhan Wani in 2016.

Both Parra and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti have denied the charges, terming them “politically motivated”. (IANS)

Bandipora: A 42-year-old man succumbed to his injuries on Sunday after a tin sheet of a rooftop fell on him due to strong winds last evening in Gund-Qaiser village of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district.

An official said that Bashir Ahmad Kumar, resident of Gund-Qaiser was grievously injured after a tin sheet of a rooftop of a nearby house fell on him due to strong winds last evening.

He said that following the incident the injured man rushed to district hospital Bandipora, where from he was referred to SKIMS Soura for specialised treatment.

The official said that after battling for life for about 17 hours, the injured man breathed his last today at SKIMS. (KNO)