By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 1098 new covid-19 cases while 17 more people succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Wednesday.

They said that 324 of the cases were reported from Jammu division and 774 from Kashmir Valley, taking the total count to 303749.

Also, they said, ten deaths were reported from Kashmir valley and seven from Jammu division, taking the overall toll to 4118.

Providing district-wise details, the officials said that Srinagar reported 254 cases, Baramulla 54, Budgam 113, Pulwama 65, Kupwara 75, Anantnag 69, Bandipora 23, Ganderbal 41, Kulgam 64, Shopian 16, Jammu 97, Udhampur 22, Rajouri 46, Doda 41, Kathua 18, Samba 8, Kishtwar 10, Poonch 35, Ramban 37 and Reasi 10.

Moreover, they said, 3046 more COVID-19 patients have recovered—944 from Jammu Division and 2102 from Kashmir. A total of 279779 people have recovered, leaving the active positive cases to 19852— 7516 in Jammu and 12336 in Kashmir, they said.

Also, one new confirmed case of mucormycosis (black fungus) has been reported today, bringing the cumulative number of confirmed cases to 18 in J&K, they said.

A number of fresh covid-19 cases were confirmed at diagnostic laboratories of CD hospital here and GMC Anantnag, they said.

The CD cases include female (34) from Gusoo Pul, male (51) from Kangan Pul, male (25) from Kakapora, female (30) from Chanapora Srg, female (38) from Washbugh, male (35) from Payeen Rajpora, female (20) from Lajoora, male (32) from Norwa, female (29) and male (30) from Frestbal, female (50) from Drangbal Pampore, male (40) from Khonmoh, female (30) from Shar, male (67) from Shopian, male (10) from Kadalbal Pampore, male (39) from Pahroo, male (29) from Lethpora, female (37) from Kadalbal Pampore, male (37) and female (37) from Krenchoo, female (37) from Karnabal, male (42) and female (39) from New Colony Pul, two males (22, 25) from Hycon Pencil Sidco, two males (30, 55) from Dangerpora Pul, female (30) from Aglar Pul, female (48) from Tenghar Pul, female (22) from Rajpora Pul, male (20) from Shopian JK, male (34) from Mastpora Shpn, five males (22, 60, 55, 54, 01) and two females (45, 35) from Rathsuna, six males ( 27, 26, 21, 50, 21, 32) from Tral, two females (04, 35) from Lam, male (45) from Anantnag, male (70) from Srinagar, female (30) from Kupwara, female (70) from Khrew Pampore, male (45) from Bandipora, male (80) from Srinagar, male (25) from BB Cantt Srg, two females (40, 35) and two males (50, 40) from Palpora, female (50) from Noorbagh, female (65) from Ganderbal, male (33) from Waniyar, female (32) from Noorbagh, male (27) from Eidgah, male (35) from HMT, male (30) from Bagwanpora, male (28) and female (60) from Safakadal, female (55) from Karanagar, female (45) from Elahibagh, male (32) from Bandipora, female (45) from Padshah Bagh, female (27) from Habakadal, male (38) from Pulwama, male (50) from Soura Srg, male (32) from Ratnipora Pul, female (35) from Amda Kadal Lalbazar, male (54) from Rainawari Srg, two males (50, 50) and female (40) from NA, male (40) from Kupwara, male (50) from Safapora, male (28) from Safakadal, female (40) from Lasjan, female (22) from Akhran, female (20) from Barabar Shah, two females (32, 13) and male (45) from Khanyar, female (28) from Rajouri Kadal, male (45) from Nawabazar, female (51) from Gojwara, female (52) from Rambagh, female (75) from Lal Bazar, male (62) and female (56) from Hafiz Bagh, female (36) from Chatterhama, male (45) from Ishber Nishat, female (35) from Habak, female (23) from Shalimar, female (25) from Pandach, three males (36, 38, 20) from Harwan, male (72) from Kanitar Saderbal, male (38) from Harwan, male (46) from Lal Bazar, female (70) from Hawal, male (40) from Lal Bazar, two males 25, 52) and female (21) from Hawal, male (25) from Zoonimar, male (21) from Soura, female (40) from Mandibal, female (25) from 90 Feet Soura, male (41) from Lal Bazar, male (50) from Nowhatta, female (25) from Handwara, male (70) from Hawal, female (60) from Pulwama, two males (33, 22) from Srinagar and male (30) from Kralpora.

The GMC cases include two males (38, 22) from Ichoo, male (23) from Puroo, female (25) from Halsidar, male (51) from Kokernag, male (20) from Omoh Verinag, male (45) from Verinag, male (50) from Banagund, female (28) from Khungund, female (19) from Verinag, female (70) from Omoh Verinag, male (42) from Halsidar, male (30) from Cheeni Chowk, female (30) from Hazratbal, male (37) from Mir Danter, female (41) and male (13) from Krangsoo, male (35) from Mir Danter, male (27) from Janglat Mandi, male (70) from Bilal Colony KP Road, male (43) from KP Road Ang, female (35) from Bul Bul Nowgam, two males (43, 17) from Khanabal, male (25) from Shirpora, male (39) from Shamsipora Mattan, two females (21, 46) from Donipawa Ang, male (50) from Arder Ang, female (16) from Pazalpora Bij, two males (35, 34) from Reasi PA Marhama Dadoo, male (60) from Rampora Ang, male (52) from Gopalpora, male (30) from Brienty, female (58) from Nanil, male (75) from Mattan, male (78) from Nowgam Shangus, male (27) from Kandiwara, male (28) from 18 RR E Coy Seer Hamadan, female (31) from Kehribal, male (40) from Shangus Ang, male (39) from Utresoo Ang, male (59) from Rakhi Barah, male (50) from Chittergul Shangus, female (28) from Cherpora Shangus, female (41) from Thokerpora Vrg, two females (43, 07) from Verinag, female (31) from Halsidar, male (31) from Changoo, male (61) from Manzmoo, female (30) from Gutligund, male (37) and female (05) from Larkipora, female (60) from Mishipora, female (45) from Chadder, male (75) from Ghat, female (24) and male (24) from T N Pora, female (21) from Danew, male (35) from Hawoora, female (22) from Wanigund, male (70) from Wanpora, female (75) from Ghat, female (75) from Khrewan, male (35) and female (60) from Chadder, female (49) from Qaimoh, female (24) and male (26) from Sonigam, female (19) from L G Pora, female (65) from Harnag, female (30) from Mishipora, male (42) from Bhan, male (33) from Yaripora, male (30) from Shamsipora, female (30) from Mishipora, male (33) from Nipora, male (28) from Ashmuji, male (10) from Malpora, male (48) from Khrewan, female (35) from Bhan, male (35) from Budroo, female (45) from Hanger, male (18) from Tungdanoo, female (80) from Yamrach, male (70) from Katapora, female (52) from Budroo, female (29) from Kujjar, male (35) from Turigam, female (35) from Khanpora, male (35) from Yaripora, female (30) from Nussu, male (40) from Sadoora, female (45) from Baihama, female (31) from Nowgam, seven males (40, 32, 35, 17, 23, 18, 36) and two females (35, 13) from ATM Damjan, female (50) from Sangus Kulgam and male (30) from New Colony Akhran. (GNS)

New Delhi: India registered 92,596 fresh cases of COVID-19 and 2,219 casualties in the past 24 hours, according to the data updated by the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the country had recorded a 63-day low of 86,498 cases.

The fresh addition took the active case tally to 12,31,415, while the death toll soared to 3,15,235, and the cumulative caseload now stands at 2,90,89,069.

The active caseload in the country is 12,31,415, less than 13 lakh after 57 days comprising 4.23 per cent of the total infections, while 2,75,04,126 people have recovered from disease so far amounting 94.55 per cent of recovery rate. The case fatality rate stands at 1.22 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that a total of 37,01,93,563 samples have been tested so far for coronavirus. Of this, 19,85,967 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. (UNI)

By: Bhat Imran

Srinagar: The government on Wednesday canceled all pending exams 10th and 12th standard in view of the prevailing COVID-19 situation.

It has also said that the procedure for marking scheme will be prepared soon by the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (BOSE).

Meanwhile, LG led administration while taking to micro blogging site Twitter said, “In view of safety and well-being of students due to Covid pandemic, all pending JKBOSE Examinations session 2020-21 (Regular/Private) for final exams of class XI and XII across JKUT for which examination/results are awaited, are cancelled.”

He also said that the detailed procedure for publishing results along with a scheme of marking will be completed by JKBOSE shortly.

The officials of BOSE said that the Board had submitted the proposal to the government to take a call on pending exams of these classes.

“The pending exams of 11th and 12th classes were cancelled for the Jammu division only,” the official said, adding, “In Kashmir division, Board had already completed pending exams.” (KNO)

Srinagar: As many as 1574 people were fined and nine others were arrested in the last 24 hours for violating the Covid norms set by the government, a police spokesman said on Wednesday.

A police spokesman said that during the last 24 hours, police have arrested nine persons, lodged one FIR and also realized fine to the tune of Rs 1,59,580 from 1574 people throughout the Kashmir for violating the various guidelines, rules and SOPs regarding Covid-19.

“The special drive against the violators of Covid-19 guidelines and rules continued throughout all the districts of Kashmir Valley to ensure that people adhere to SOPs and guidelines envisaged by government to curb COVID-19 pandemic,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, police urged the people to cooperate in containing the spread of Coronavirus by following the SOPs, guidelines and protocols for their own safety and for the safety of others. “The special drive shall continue throughout the districts of Kashmir Valley to strengthen the safety measures,” police said.

By: Jahangir Sofi

Srinagar: Amid the second wave of global pandemic novel Coronavirus in Kashmir, the addition of more 4000 LPM medical oxygen in the valley, has taken the total availability to around 27,375 LPM in the valley hospitals now said an official.

Top officials said that, so far the LG led administration in Kashmir had augmented around 23,375 LPM medical oxygen and with the arrival of five more oxygen plants for the valley the around 27,375 LPM medical oxygen is available now in the different hospitals of the valley.

Officials further told that after the second wave hit the valley, the augmentation of new oxygen generation plants started on war footing and four units of 1000 LPM were installed at SMHS hospital taking its total oxygen generating capacity to 5600 LPM, making it valley’s highest oxygen generating hospital, with its earlier capacity of just 1600 LPM only.

While talking about the distribution plan and further augmentation of medical oxygen plants in the valley, an official said 1000 LPM oxygen generating plant is under installation process at Critical Health Centre Kupwara, another 1000 LPM oxygen plant is under installation at the district hospital Pulwama, while one 1000 LPM oxygen plant has been reserved for the under construction pediatric hospital Bemina.

“Two oxygen plants of 500 LPM capacity are also under installation at Trauma hospital Bijbehra and Critical Health Centre Chanapora,” he said.

Highly placed sources in the administration said that, in a bid to augment the further medical oxygen availability in the government-owned health institutions of the valley, “Government is mulling to further enhance the availability of medical oxygen by the first week of July this year.”

According to the proposal sent by the Government for procuring the oxygen plants in the valley, out of 37, a total of twenty-six oxygen plants have been received so far. (KNO)

Srinagar: Morning walkers and joggers are again out on streets in summer capital, Srinagar, where paid parks, including Iqbal Park, which remained flooded with people in the morning and evening hours before the second wave of COVID-19, continued to wear a deserted look.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration on April 24 announced the closure of all paid public parks till further orders to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir.

The State Executive Committee (SEC) had said that account of the prevailing COVID situation in J&K, the SEC in exercise of the powers conferred upon it under Section 24 of the Disaster Management Act, hereby, orders that all paid public parks shall remain closed for visitors till further orders.

Due to corona curfew in view of increase in the COVID cases, majority people remained indoor due to threat of getting infected.

However, as the administration eased corona curfew restrictions following drop in the COVID positive cases, joggers and morning walkers are back on the streets in Srinagar though there is always a threat of accident.

In many areas, including uptown, civil lines and down town, people including elderly persons and women walking and doing different exercises on main and interior roads. We have decided to jog on the roads since all paid parks which were used by people, particularly in the morning and evening hours daily are still closed, the morning walkers said.

They said the Dr Sir Mohumannad Iqbal Park in the city remained closed since April 25. The park remained flooded with hundreds of walkers and joggers, including women, before the park was declared out of bounds for them by the administration due to corona curfew, they added.

The otherwise busy park wore a deserted look this morning as all gates remained shut. Water in the artificial pond in the park looks dirty as it has reportedly not been changed since the imposition of corona curfew.

Similarly, other paid parks, including Badamwari in the down town, also remained closed for visitors. Hundreds of people were jogging and doing other physical exercises in the park before the imposition of lockdown.

‘We have left with no alternative but to walk and jog on roads though there is a threat of accident’, said Nissar Ahmad who was walking on main Srinagar-Natipora road today alongwith his diabetic wife. She had been advised by doctors to do brisk morning walk for about half an hour to control diabetes, Nissar a retired government employee said. However, he said they were walking in the Iqbal park which was safe from dust and accidents besides dogs.

Witnesses also saw people, including women, walking on Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh fly over. Though there is a threat of being hit by speedy vehicles, but at least it is free from dogs and dust, said Bashir Ahmad.

The walkers and joggers demanded immediate lifting of ban on paid parks since majority elders have taken corona vaccine and are following Stand Operating Procedure (SOP)—wearing masks and keeping social distance.

Doctors and experts said taking morning or evening walks by people is a good sign. It shows how people now care for their health, which was missing in the past. However, doing physical exercises and other activities on roads is dangerous, they said and demanded reopening of parks with strict instructions to follow SOPs.

By: Owais Gul

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir continued to reel under the scorching heat on Wednesday with officials informing that the twin capitals of the Union Territory including Srinagar and Jammu have recorded the hottest day of the season so far.

On the fourth straight day, most parts of the Valley as well as Jammu recorded scorching heat.

During the ongoing heat wave, the youth as per the witnesses could be seen beating the heat at Nallahs and other places in Srinagar and in outskirts where they take bath in the afternoon hours.

A large number of youth were seen taking a bath today in Chandpora area of Budgam, witnesses said, adding that in Harwan and other places too, the rush of children was also visible.

Meanwhile, the officials in the Meteorological department (MeT) said that the twin capitals of J&K including Srinagar and Jammu recorded a maximum of 34.7 degrees Celsius and 45.8 degrees Celsius, which was the highest so far in the ongoing season.

Kupwara in north Kashmir also recorded the hottest day today where the maximum temperature settled at 34.6 degrees Celsius.

The MeT official here has said that the prevalent weather conditions would continue in Jammu and Kashmir till June 10 evening. The official also said that there is a forecast of light rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir till June 11, 2021. (KNO)

New venture will promote UT’s business, employment at national level: LG

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday signed historic MoUs – Memorandums of Understanding with Policy Advocacy Research Centre (PARC) here at Civil Secretariat.

In presence of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, the MoUs were signed between Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Government, Department of Agriculture Production & Farmers’ welfare; Ankita Kar, Managing Director, J&K Trade Promotion Organization and Kiran Shelar, Director, PARC.

The Lt Governor, in his address, observed that the J&K Government, through dynamic economic reforms, is creating a conducive ecosystem for investment, building collaboration, and partnerships to explore new markets and align potential investors for the UT, besides supporting socio-economic development, local opportunities for employment and bringing stakeholders to a common goal of sustainable growth in J&K.

“Action-oriented policies and strategic investments by potential investors will bring ground-breaking transformation in Agriculture & Industrial sectors in J&K while triggering productivity growth and quality upgrading”, remarked the Lt Governor.

Speaking on the future outcomes and the impact the agreements will make on the present economic ecosystem of the UT, the Lt Governor said that with the UT Government’s partnership with the PARC, we are aiming at catalyzing investments and effective policy implementation in sectors contributing to economic growth, job creation, increasing farmers’ income, business opportunities, growth in GDP, and providing sector-wise opportunities to potential investors, besides strategically reaching out to private stakeholders.

A new beginning has been made in J&K’s agriculture sector today. The MoU signed by Agriculture department with PARC will strengthen the end-to-end value chain of agricultural products that would ultimately benefit the farmers and bring structural transformation in agriculture and horticulture sector. The first phase of the agreement focuses on Millet and Pulses in Rajouri, Poonch, and Banihal sub-divisions, observed the Lt Governor.

In the coming days, other districts will be included for value addition of agricultural and horticulture products, creating national and international farm-to-market linkages, he added.

Underscoring the positives of the MoU signed between J&K Trade Promotion Organization and PARC, the Lt Governor maintained that the new venture will expand the reach of the UT at the national level to promote business, investment, and employment in J&K. Best practices of other investment-friendly States/UTs will be implemented in J&K, thus making it a more preferred destination for the investors.

It will also be our endeavour to identify and invite the firms listed in the Bombay Stock Exchange to invest in J&K. It will not only limit to the investment aspect only, we will also partner with firms for the capacity building of local entrepreneurs, added the Lt Governor.

While speaking on the occasion, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, termed J&K Administration as one of the most transparent across the country that has brought a fundamental change in the socio-economic ecosystem of the UT. J&K offers immense opportunities for the investors in various growth potential sectors which can contribute towards economic growth, employment creation, trade opportunities in the Union Territory, he added.

We are working on Prime Minister’s vision of doubling the farmer’s income through immediate implementation of major policy decisions and interventions, besides linking local products to the wider markets, said Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture Production & Farmers’ welfare.

In his address, Ranjan Prakash Thakur, Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department said that J&K is witnessing the dawn of the new era of socio-economic development.

Transparency, faster decision-making and commitment to the development of J&K- motto of our administration. We are offering best incentives and economic packages to facilitate the stakeholders of industrial sector, he added.

Ashish Kumar Chauhan, Managing Director, Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) informed the chair that around 200 youth from J&K have been imparted the training in Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) Sector through Livelihood Generation Training Programme under the ambit of BSE and Mission Youth, J&K.

Vikram Sankaranarayanan, Executive Director, PARC delivered the Directorial address, while Kiran Shelar, Director, PARC presented the Vote of Thanks.

Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor; Ambarish Datta, Managing Director and CEO, BSE Institute Limited, and other senior Government officials and members of PARC were present on the occasion.

Entrepreneurs of companies like Acme Process Systems Pvt. Ltd, Okie Ventures Pvt. Ltd , SK SPL group and Quest Global, who were on their visit to J&K to assess the investment prospect in their relevant sectors were also present.