By: Majid Hussain

Srinagar: Dispelling rumors regarding further division of the newly carved out Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday assured that there is no plan to grant statehood to Jammu, and to keep Kashmir under New Delhi’s control.

BJP General Secretary for J&K, Vibodh Gupta said the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A was in the agenda of BJP and its allies since seventy years but there is no plan to change the present status of the newly carved out UT.

He appealed to the administration to identify those spreading rumors and creating confusion among the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“I must clear that there is no plan to grant statehood to Jammu and keep Kashmir under the direct control of New Delhi, these are rumors and people need not to be confused at all. Abrogation of Article 370 and 35A was in BJP and its ally’s agenda and these had to go. I appeal to the administration to identify rumor mongers and take stringent action against them,” BJP leader told the media.

He said Jammu and Kashmir is being loved by the 135 crore people of India and the BJP led dispensation at centre will spare no moment to make it more beautiful in every aspect.

On being asked about Badamibagh Cantonment Board’s recent decision to levy property tax from the people living around, he said BJP will take up the matter with concerned and ensure people do not face any inconvenience.

“There was no such provision in J&K in past as well and we will surely take up the matter with concerned authorities and ensure the bills if distributed are immediately taken back. We don’t wish people to face any sort of inconvenience,” Gupta said.

Regarding delimitation process, he said the Delimitation Commission being an autonomous body works independently and only the chairman of delimitation commission is authorized to speak on its functioning.

The BJP leader however assured that there would be no disparity with any region or district as was done in the past “I assure you on behalf of my party that there would be no disparity with any region or district as the process of delimitation of constituencies is not being done on the basis of religion and region”

Over Rs 2 cr withdrawn unauthorizedly from e-FMS account: Govt

Srinagar: The government on Friday suspended two Assistant Commissioners of Development (ACDs) and 12 Block Development Officers (BDOs) in Kashmir Valley for unauthorized withdrawal of funds from E-FMS account.

According to separate orders issued by Principal Secretary to the Government, Rural Development Department, Bipul Pathak, ACDs of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district and South Kashmir’s Anantnag district have been placed under suspension for unauthorized withdrawal of funds (excess) from e-FMS account.

An order under number 145 – RD&PR of 2021, dated 11-06-2021 reveals that District Anantnag has withdrawn amount of Rs. nine lakh from Common account (eFMS, Material & Wages) unauthorizedly.

It further reveals after seeking explanation from ACD, he submitted that BDO Pahalgam, BDO Sogam, BDO Breng, BDO Bijbehara, BDO Larnoo and BDO Verinag have made excess payment and violated the conditions of release of payments.

However, he has not provided the names of concerned BDOs, it said, adding that the district Anantnag is continuously withdrawing excess amount unauthorizedly and as on date Rs 15 lakh has been withdrawn.

“In the backdrop of above, ACD Anantnag has failed to perform his duties to control his BDOs from excess withdrawal (unauthorized) so, Mr. Nisar Ahmad Malik, KAS, ACD Anantnag is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect and shall remain attached with the Directorate of Rural Development Kashmir. Mr. Ideel Saleem, KAS, Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Anantnag shall hold the charge of ACD Anantnag in addition to his own duties till further orders,” the order said.

In a separate order, it said that perusal of NREGA Soft on 08-04-2021 revealed that District Baramulla has withdrawn an amount of Rs. 1.91 crores from Common account MNREGA (eFMS, Material & Wages) unauthorizedly.

Similarly, the ACD has failed to provide proper reason and give block- wise and GP- wise data indicating the blocks withdrawing excess amount against the funds released, it further states.  According to the order, the district is continuously withdrawing amount unauthorizedly and as on date Rs 2.04 crores has been withdrawn.

“In the backdrop of above, ACD Baramulla has failed to perform his duties to control his BDOs from excess withdrawal (unauthorizedly) so, Mr. Yaar Ali Khan (KAS), ACD Baramulla is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect and shall remain attached with the Directorate of Rural Development Kashmir. Mr. Gulzar Ahmad KAS, Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Baramulla shall hold the charge of ACD Baramulla in addition to his own duties till further orders,” the order said.

Meanwhile, in a separate order, the government has suspended 11 BDOs for unauthorized withdrawal of funds (excess) from e-FMS account in Noorkhah, Parenpillan, Singhpora, Sopore, Uri, Wagoora of district Baramulla and Sogam, Pahalgam, Bijbehara, Breng, Larnoo, Verinag blocks of district Anantnag.

The Block Development Officers are hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect and are attached with the Directorate of Rural Development Kashmir, the order reads.

The BDOs inlcude Junaid Amin Bhat (Jr. KAS) BDO (Probationer) Shangus holding additional charge of block Sogam, District Anantnag, Shakeeb Arsallan(Ir. KAS) BDO (Probationer) Pahalgam, District Anantnag, Talat Mahmood Wani (Ur. KAS) BDO Bijbehara, District Anantnag, Muzaffar Hussain Wani, BDO (Jr. KÁS) Breng, holding additional charge of block Larnoo, District Anantnag, Umar Bashir, (Ir. KAS) BDO (Probationer) Verinag, District Anantnag, Nassir Ahmad I/C BDO Noorkhah, District Baramulla, Hilal Ahmad Bhat, (Jr. KAS), BDO Parenpillan, District Baramulla, Sheeba Inayat, (Jr. KAS), BDO Singhpora, District Baramulla, Fahmeeda Bano I/C BDO Sopore District Baramulla, Mohd. Aarif Shah, (Dr. KAS) BDO (Probationer) Uri, District Baramulla and Abdul Rashid Gar al 1/c BDO Wagoora, District Baramulla.

Director Rural Development Department Kashmir has been asked to make suitable alternative arrangements to look after the charge of these blocks.

In a separate order, the government has announced the suspension of BDO Shopian Muzaffar Ahmad Sheikh also. He has been attached with Directorate of Rural Development Department Kashmir. (KNO)

Chairs series of meetings on Covid containment

Srinagar: In order to review the effectiveness of containment measures, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha Friday chaired a series of high-level meetings, wherein members of Covid Task Force, Deputy Commissioners, SPs, and other senior officials participated here at Civil Secretariat.

Emphasizing on conducting the vaccination drive on mission mode, the Lt Governor fixed June 30, 2021 as a deadline for the 100% saturation of the first dose of vaccination for 45 and above age group.

He further directed the officials to ensure that 30% of the targeted population falling under 18-44 age group is inoculated with the first dose by July 15th, 2021.

While taking a district-wise appraisal of the Covid situation, the Lt Governor suggested a host of measures to Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, SPs, Health Department needed to be implemented to bring down the positivity rate across the UT.

Taking note of the decrease in positivity rate being registered in most of the districts, the Lt Governor observed that the collaborative efforts from all the stakeholders, coupled with comprehensive surveillance of COVID-19, decentralization of healthcare system, accelerated vaccination drive, rigorous testing for early case detection, prompt contact tracing, effective Covid Clinical Management and continuous augmentation of healthcare infrastructure, human resources and the committed efforts of our Doctors, Paramedics, and other corona warriors  have yielded favourable results in controlling the spread of corona virus in the UT.

Corona Warriors, Front-line workers, citizens and the entire team of J&K Administration worked hard to save lives and secure our future, he added.

Next few days are crucial in terms of making further improvements in all indicators of the Covid containment measures. With optimum utilization of testing and vaccination capacities, strict adherence of SoPs, following Covid Appropriate Behaviour in letter and spirit, and by working 24×7, we can address the challenges of Covid pandemic, the Lt Governor said.

On areas with low vaccination rate, the Lt Governor directed the concerned DCs to strategize a comprehensive plan in coordination with the Police and Civil administration to accelerate the vaccination drive. Districts with the scope of improvement need to go some extra mile to achieve desirable results.

Ensure no Social gatherings, Marriages, and community programmes, takes place without prior permissions. Constitute Joint teams of Police, District Administration and Health department for Special enforcement drives and spreading continuous awareness through announcements regarding adherence of Covid appropriate behaviour, besides conducting door-to-door vaccination and involving community elders to complement the Administration’s efforts, the Lt Governor directed the DCs.

He also stressed on notifying Micro-containment zones on scientific parameters to ensure its effective outcome.

The Lt Governor asked the Police department to distribute face masks amongst the violators at checkpoints. The message should be clear that the aim is not only penalizing but care and protecting the people. They need to be aware that the restrictions are for their welfare and safety, he added.

Stressing on effective operationalization of Covid Care Centres in Panchayats, the Lt Governor instructed the DCs and CMOs to fix the responsibilities for proper functioning of these centres with all requisite facilities and its maintenance.

Now, as the impact of the Covid has been controlled a greater extent, it has to be ensured that Covid management measures and developmental activities must go together following all SoPs. We have to accelerate development work & build a strong economy with Innovative, Concrete and resolute policies and its implementation, observed the Lt Governor.

Basic amenities must be made available to the people. Maximum services should be made available on-line, focus should be on face-less service delivery on time, the Lt Governor told the DCs.

He also directed the DCs to submit the report on the construction of community toilets in their respective districts.

Directions were also passed regarding establishment of offices and accommodations for DDC Chairpersons; identification of youth for extension of benefits of Mumkin scheme under Mission Youth; Hostels for wards of martyrs of Police, Para-Military and Army; completion of pending works identified under Back to Village programme; training of para-medical and other frontline workers; clearing pendency under PMGKP.

He passed specific directions to speed up the process for identification of beneficiaries under the Special Scheme ‘सक्षम- SASCM’ envisaged by the Government for Families which have lost their bread earner during pandemic.

The Lt Governor also gathered inputs and feedbacks from the participants of the meetings on the present Covid scenario.

Meanwhile, Atal Dullo, Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department gave a detailed briefing on scientific data-driven analysis and other important aspects of the Covid management. He informed that the positivity rate of J&K has moved down to 2.2%.

Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lt Governor; Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Dilbag Singh, DGP; Shaleen Kabra, Principal Secretary to the Government, Home Department; Shailendra Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Government, Public Works (R&B) Department; Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor; Ranjan Prakash Thakur, Principal Secretary to the Government, Industries & Commerce Department; Pandurang K Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Sheetal Nanda, Secretary to the Government, Social Welfare Department; Vijay Kumar, IGP Kashmir; Dr. Raghav Langer, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Deputy Commissioners and SPs, attended the meeting, in person and through virtual mode.

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 906 fresh covid-19 cases during the last 24 hours, lowest single day count in 63 days, even as 17 people succumbed to the virus during the time, officials said on Friday.

They said 244 of the fresh cases were reported from Jammu Division and 662 from Kashmir Valley, taking the overall tally to 305772. It was for the first time 63 days that J&K reported less than the number of covid-19 cases reported today as 808 infections were confirmed on April 8.

Regarding the COVID-19 deaths, they said, nine were from Jammu Division and eight from Kashmir, taking the overall toll to 4160.

Providing district-wise details, the officials told GNS that Srinagar reported 156 cases, Baramulla 86, Budgam 92, Pulwama 63, Kupwara 74, Anantnag 54, Bandipora 44, Ganderbal 31, Kulgam 53, Shopian 9, Jammu 53, Udhampur 19, Rajouri 39, Doda 21, Kathua 11, Samba 21, Kishtwar 14, Poonch 43, Ramban 18 and Reasi 5.

Moreover, they said, 1885 more COVID-19 patients have recovered—712 from Jammu Division and 1173 from Kashmir. There are 17585 active positive cases—6472 in Jammu and 11113 in Kahsmir.

A number of fresh cases were confirmed at diagnostic laboratory of GMC Anantnag and include include male (65) from Nunmi, female (25) from Malwan, male (55) from Poniwah, female (42) from Banimullah, female (43) from Panzgam Soaf, male (50) from Soaf, male (18) from Watnard, female (70) from Poshkeeri Ang, male (30) from Aamun Kulgam, male (32) from Dailgam, male (45) from Sarnal Bala, male (23) Sadoora, male (16) from Ramban, male (22) from Nai Basti, male (18) from Kokernag, female (29) and male (34) from S K Colony, male (40) from Pethbugh Dailgam, female (60) from Dailgam, male (20) Mir Danter, male (06) from Moominabad, female (18) from Kulgam, male (65) from Bogund, male (27) from Khanpora, male (27) from Yamrach, male (40) from Badimarg, female (55) from Yaripora, female (25) from Sarsuna, female (35) from Tangbal, male (35) from Kanjikullah, male (18) from Kokernag, male (65) from Parigam, male (35) from Matibugh, (41) from Tengbal, male (20) from Guffan, male (21) from Rajouri, female (25) from Chanigam, male (26) from Atinag Shangus, female (47) from Chandanwari Ang and female (80) from Bariangam Shangus. (GNS)

New Delhi: India has reported 91,702 fresh Covid-19 cases, less than one lakh for the fourth successive day and 3,403 fatalities in the past 24 hours, according to the Union Health Ministry on Friday.

The fresh addition took the active case tally to 11,21,671, while the death toll soared to 36,3,079 and the cumulative caseload now stands at 2,92,74,823

On a positive note, recoveries continued to outnumber the daily new cases for the 29th consecutive day with 1,34,580 recoveries being recorded on Friday, pushing the recovery rate to 94.93 per cent.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that a total of 37,41,42,384 samples have been tested so far for coronavirus. Of this, 20,44,131 were tested in the past one day.

On the vaccination front, a total of 23,90,58,360 people have been vaccinated across the country till now with 27,76,096 inoculated in the last 24 hours.

The country’s cumulative vaccination coverage has reached 24,60,85,649 till date with 32,74,672 inoculations yesterday. (UNI)

Srinagar: Streets again wore a deserted look as restrictions on movement of people and transportation were re-imposed on Friday to curtail the spread of COVID-19 virus in Kashmir valley.

As many as 1117 new positive cases, including 785 from Kashmir and 332 from Jammu, were on Thursday reported in the Union Territory. Twenty five people, including 12 from Kashmir and 13 from Jammu, lost their lives to the infection on Thursday.

The administration on May 31 gave some relaxation in the month-long COVID curfew after significant decline in the number of positive cases in the valley. However, most of the districts administrations, besides weekend curfew, have decided to impose restrictions on Fridays as well to keep the spread of the virus in check.

Markets were on Friday closed as shops and business established have been allowed to open on rotational basis between Mondays and Thursdays in the valley, where the number of COVID positive cases has witnessed a significant decline during the last over three weeks though there was no letup in the number of deaths due to the virus.

Even though there was no formal order by the district administration Srinagar, most the roads and market places, including Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital were sealed since early on Friday morning to prevent movement of people. Shops and businesses established were closed though few private vehicles and three wheelers were plying in roads in downtown, civil lines, uptown in Srinagar in view of weekend curfew.

Business and other activities were crippled in central Kashmir districts of Budgam and Ganderbal, where roads have been closed with barbed wires in most parts to prevent movement of vehicles and people.

Deputy Commissioner of Budgam said that there shall be complete Corona curfew on Friday in the district. “We appreciate cooperation and commitment shown by public so far. Let us all fight this war against COVID-19,” he added.

Similarly, the Deputy Commissioner of Ganderbal said that there will be complete Corona Curfew on Friday in the district and only essential services will be permitted.

Reports of similar restrictions were coming from other parts of the valley, including Sopore, Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara in north and Shopian, Anantnag, Pulwama and Kulgam in south Kashmir. Shops and business establishments were closed and roads wore a deserted look in these districts, where police parties were patrolling their respective areas to ensure strict implementation of the weekend curfew.

The Deputy Commissioners in these districts have issued separate orders for strict implementation of COVID curfew on Friday.

The administration in April ordered the closure of all universities, colleges, schools, and coaching centres in the Union Territory till May 15 though teaching and non-teaching staff were asked to attend schools and colleges. But, the J&K administration later allowed teaching and non-teaching staff to stay home in view of a surge in COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir. The closure of the educational institutes was extended till May 30 and then till June 15.

Teachers, however, are conducting online classes from home in the valley though many students alleged that they were unable to attend these classes due to the non-availability of smartphones. The decision to allow teachers to take online classes from their respective homes was taken after many teaching and non-teaching staff members of government schools tested positive for the virus in the Union Territory. (UNI)

Srinagar: Prayers remained suspended in all main shrines, Jamia Masjids and other worship places in the Kashmir valley, where authorities re-imposed corona curfew on Friday to prevent any further surge in the COVID-19 positive cases.

However, Friday prayers were offered in small mosques, particularly in the interior parts, and devotees were seen wearing masks and also keeping social distancing during the congregational prayers.

The main doors of historic Jamia Masjid in the down town city remained closed and no prayers were offered in the worship place since holy month of Ramadhan when Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid (AAJM) announced suspension of prayers following increase in the COVID positive cases in the valley. The AAJM, headed by Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) had said that no prayers would be held in the Masjid till further orders. Mirwaiz remained under house arrest since August 4, 2019 a day before the centre abrogated Article 370 and 35 A besides divided the Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories (UTs).

Jammu and Kashmir Wakf Board has also announced suspension of all prayers, including Friday, in about 133 shrines and other worship places under its control in the UT J&K. Therefore, no prayers were held in Asaar-e-Sharief, Hazratbal , which houses the Holy Relic of Prophet Muhamma, on the bank of Dal Lake. Similarly no prayers were held at the shrine of Hazrat Mehboob-ul-Aalam, Hazrat Syed Sahib, Sonawar, Hazrat Gousal-ul-Azam at Khanyar and Sarai Bala, Khankha Moula and other shrines in Srinagar.  However, in the interior parts congregational prayers were offered by the devotees.

Reports reaching from central Kashmir district of Badgam said no prayers were offered in main shrine, including the shrine of Hazrat Sheikh Nooruddin Wali at Charar-e-Sharie, and other worship place.

Similar reports were also received from south and north Kashmir, where main shrines and Jamia Masjids remained closed. (UNI)

Shopian: Hirpora village situated on the historical Mughal road in Shopian district has so far recorded the lowest Covid-19 positivity rate in the district.

The local Health Authorities of the district attribute the lowest positivity rate in the village to the strict adherence of Covid-19  SOPs and guidelines issued by the Government from time to time.

Earlier, during the first wave of the pandemic, this Hirpora village was considered as the hot bed of the coronavirus as more number of Covid Positive cases were reported from this village than any other in the district.

But, the locals have learnt a lesson from the first wave of the pandemic and are strictly ensuring usage of masks, hand sanitizers, maintaining social distancing and washing hands properly besides sanitization around their surroundings to avoid the spread of Covid-19 pandemic, added the health authorities.

Despite unlocking and partial resumption of activities, the traders, transporters, fruit growers, religious leaders, Imams and people in general are adhering to the SOPs and guidelines religiously to avoid repetition of happenings in the first wave.

The Health Authorities said, it is due to this reason that the situation arising is under control in the village and the rate of positivity during the 2nd wave is witnessing a massive decline.

The Health Authorities say that the health education was imparted to the masses and other service providers in the village from time to time, and this must have also played a vital role resulting in lowest positivity rate during 2nd wave at Hirpora village.

Srinagar: Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta on Friday convened a meeting to review the recent power outages in Jammu region. Principal Secretary, Power Development Department and Chief Engineers along with MD, Power DISCOMs participated in the meeting.

It was informed that Jammu province has witnessed a year-on-year increase in power utilization and maximum load capacity by 29.43% and 11.36%, respectively. The Chief Secretary directed the department to rationally analyze supply and demand of electricity in various regions of the Union Territory.

He further directed regular monitoring of issues related to power transmission channels and ensuring uninterrupted power supply during the ongoing summer season.

Expressing concern on the distribution loses of over 70% in some feeders, the Chief Secretary directed taking immediate measures for checking AT&C losses on priority at such feeders and fixing of accountability.

Chief Secretary asked the department to draw a strategy for regular preventive maintenance drives to fix minor faults in the auxiliary machinery and equipment at all grid stations. “Timely repairs and restoration works will not only cost less but will also prevent major malfunctions and failures in the future”, he said.

To make public grievance redressal prompt and efficient, especially in times of power failure, the Department was asked to ensure round-the-clock accessibility of field officers in their respective jurisdictions and give wide publicity to the contact numbers.

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administration Friday asked all Treasury officers of Kashmir to make proper arrangements in the pension section of treasuries so that the issues confronting pensioners are resolved.

Directorate of Accounts and Treasuries in a circular issued here directed the concerned to deal with pensioners politely and ensure their grievances are addressed on priority.

It further reads that an adequate number of chairs be kept in the pension section so that the pensioners do not stand for long or face any difficulty.

“In order to overcome the difficulties being faced by the pensioners, a proper arrangement must be made in the pension section of treasuries. They shall not be made to stand for long. Adequate number of chairs should be kept in the pension section and they should be dealt with politely and redressal of grievances of pensioners must be kept on top priority,” reads the circular.

They have also been directed to enclose necessary documents including Administrative approval of, technical sanction, availability of funds, pre and post geo-tagged photographs while proper mechanism of e-tendering is followed.

The circular also states that any bill or document which is defiant in any way be returned to the concerned Drawing and Disbursing Officer along with written memo in both offline and online modes.

“KYC updation shall be completed within a period of 10 days from the date of issuance of the circular. All the Treasury Officers of Kashmir division are directed to adhere to the instructions in letter and spirit,” it adds.