Precious Kashmir

Advisor Baseer Khan meets deputations, individuals

Jammu & Kashmir

09/06/2021

SRINAGAR: Several deputations and individuals today called on Advisor Baseer Khan to apprise him of their grievances and demands at Civil Secretariat here.

A delegation of Auqaf Wuhan Pampore met the Advisor and raised several developmental issues and demands related to their area. They raised the issue about the need for a playground in their locality besides development in power, education and other demands.

A delegation of Power Development Department Association from Kashmir Division also met the Advisor and apprised him of their several issues.

Similarly a delegation from Baramulla also met the Advisor and raised issues regarding public amenities in their locality.

A BDC member also met the Advisor and sought his intervention into various issues.

Advisor Baseer Khan assured the deputations and individuals that all the grievances and issues raised by them would be addressed at the earliest.

Sarmad Hafeez discusses tourism development with stakeholders

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

09/06/2021

SRINAGAR: Secretary, Tourism & Culture, Sarmad Hafeez, today held detailed deliberations with tourism stakeholders from Kashmir regarding present status of tourism sector in the region.

The meeting was attended by Director Tourism Kashmir, G N Itoo; Director SKICC, Bakshi Javed Humayun; Deputy Director, Tourism (Registration), Ahsan-ul-Haq Chisthi, representatives of travel and tour operators, white water rafting, mountaineering, hiking and trekking besides cycling and other concerned.

The representatives put forth different issues and suggestions for tourism promotion with respect to their concerned fields in the Kashmir valley.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary impressed upon the stakeholders to use social media platforms as marketing and promotional tools and rope in social media influencers and bloggers to promote our tourist destinations worldwide.

Sarmad Hafeez maintained that J&K has a huge potential in terms of tourism and recreational activities where the local stakeholders from the tourism sector would offer and advertise tourist destinations to people outside so that the Union Territory would be number one tourist destination in the country.

He asked the stakeholders to organize events like cycling; mountain biking, hiking, mountaineering, recreational water sports and related activities so that national as well as international players would be invited for such events in order to promote J&K tourism.

He said visiting tourists could be facilitated in such activities at different destinations through information brochures, hiring shops, recreational equipments among other facilities.

Events like marathon cycling will have international value where the best people from the country could be invited to take part, he said.

He said both the department and the stakeholders should work together for betterment of tourism sector as the intent of the government is to help local stakeholders to take maximum benefit through these tourism activities.

Principal Secretary, VC KVIB review Board’s performance under JKREGP

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

09/06/2021

SRINAGAR: Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Ranjan Prakash Thakur, today chaired Monitoring Committee meeting under J&K Rural Employment Generation Programme (JKREGP).

Vice Chairperson, Jammu and Kashmir Khadi Village Industries Board (JK KVIB), Dr. Hina Shafi Bhat and concerned senior officers were also present on the occasion.

The meeting had a detailed review of performance of implementation of JKREGP scheme envisaging self-employment opportunities to unemployed educated youth of J&K. It was informed that a margin money to the tune of Rs. 22.14 crore has been released for establishment of 866 units under different sectors like manufacturing, service and agriculture besides allied schemes during the year 2020-21.

Principal Secretary was apprised that there is a huge success with regard to implementation of the scheme and first generation entrepreneurs have been benefitted with the scheme. A financial dispensation of Rs. 60.00 crore has been advanced by the banks against the Margin Money component of Rs. 22.14 crore which has created employment opportunities for 5196 persons, he was informed further.

Principal Secretary was also apprised that for the current financial year an outlay of Rs. 25.00 crore has been earmarked for establishment of 1231 units in the rural areas of J&K to benefit unemployed youth particularly educated ones falling in the age group of 18-40 years. Besides, entrepreneurship development programmes for 933 aspirant entrepreneurs were organized by J&K KVIB to enhance the entrepreneur and financial skills of the entrepreneurs financed by the banks.

Principal Secretary appreciated the performance of J&K KVIB in ensuring timely utilization of Margin Money funds by the Board. He stressed upon the officers to work in a mission mode in order to take benefit of JKREGP to all sections of the society.

Among others the meeting was attended by Director Industries & Commerce, Jammu and Kashmir, Director Planning Industries & Commerce, officers from various banks including J&K Bank, J&K State Cooperative Bank and J&K Grameen Bank besides officers of the Board.

India’s defence exports see substantial rise

National

United News Of India

09/06/2021

New Delhi: India exported defence products worth Rs 9,116 crore in 2019-20 — a substantial rise from Rs 1,941 in 2014-15.

The government attributes the upward turn in exports to increased partnership with the private sector and expanded shipment to 84 countries.

This is stated in an E-booklet titled ’20 Reforms in 2020’ Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released on Monday.

The EBook highlights the major reforms undertaken by the ministry in 2020 to bring about greater cohesion and modernisation of the Armed Forces through policy changes, innovation and digital transformation.

Reforms also focused on the ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi; increased collaboration with the industry to boost defence exports; measures to accelerate defence acquisitions with greater transparency; digital transformation; strengthening of border infrastructure, it says.

“The increased partnership with the private sector has led to a substantial rise in defence exports. The value of total defence exports rose from Rs 1,941 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 9,116 crore in 2019-20.”

Also, for the first time, India figured in the list of defence equipment exporting nations, as the exports expanded to more than 84 countries.

Singh termed the E-booklet as an important document on the bright future of the defence sector in the country.

“The booklet is a reflection of the resolve of the Government, under the able leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, to make the defence sectorstronger and more efficient,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the reforms undertaken by MoD will make India a global powerhouse in the defence sector in the times to come.

Don’t Push Complacency

Edit
Oped

Precious Kashmir

08/06/2021

Lately, covid-19 cases have seen a downward trend in India and Jammu and Kashmir.

On Monday, June 7, India logged 1.06 lakh new coronavirus infections during the last 24 hours, its lowest daily rise in almost two months. It marked a drop of 12 per cent from the previous day’s 1.14 lakh cases that were reported to be the lowest in two months. The death toll due to pathogens reached 3,49,186 with 2,427 new fatalities, the lowest in around 45 days.

As regards Jammu and Kashmir, 977 fresh virus cases, the lowest single-day spike was reported since April 8. On Sunday, J&K reported 1440. Put in other words, a net decline of 463 cases has been recorded in the COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

The data suggests that a second wave is ebbing in most parts of the country and as such many states have started opening up markets and establishments. Amid this, there has been a statement by various people at the helm of affairs which suggest that covid-19 has been defeated. While it is good that measures done to contain the pathogen spread have paid off the desired results, equally important is to ensure that no such statement is made that drives people to lower the guard.

The first wave which peaked last year was blamed on extraneous factors. The authorities have admitted that the complacency to covid-19 behavior was to be blamed for the second wave which is only ebbing and not over by stretch of imagination. The governments declined that a mutant strain of the virus which is said to be more infectious drove the present wave.

The government should continue and that too vigorously with all the measures which have helped to bring the covid-19 numbers down. There is no room for complacency. Wait and watch policy could prove detrimental as in the past which a place like J&K can hardly afford to bear. There is need for continuing with tests, tracking and isolating infected persons alongside with due adherence to caution which remains pivotal to save lives and livelihood.

The administration’s message to not be complacent and continue to adhere to mask use is in the right scientific spirit and must continue to be listened and adhered to.

A recent tweet by the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar is worth mentioning that the “virus appears walking away only to set in an Ambush!”

COVID-19 positivity rate on decline in Kashmir

Anchor stories

Afaq Bhat

08/06/2021

COVID-19 positivity rate on decline in Kashmir

161 positive cases in Srinagar lowest data since outbreak of second wave: Deputy Commissioner

By: Afaq Bhat
Srinagar: During the past few days number of COVID-19 cases in Kashmir are on a decline and the positivity rate is dropping, but the experts are of the opinion that the guard cannot be lowered till the virus is defeated completely.
It’s in place to mention here that the administration had imposed a month-long complete lockdown in Kashmir after the surge in cases in April this year. The restrictions have been lifted partially to restore the semblance of normalcy, but the officials and experts have been reiterating that people need to follow COVID-19 appropriate behavior to keep the virus at bay.
On Monday Jammu and Kashmir reported 977 fresh COVID-19 cases, the lowest single-day spike in two months. As many as 288 cases were reported from Jammu division and 689 from Kashmir, taking the overall tally of infected persons to 301467.
An expert while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “Vaccines are working as the people who took Covid jabs are better equipped to fight the pestilence. The second wave of the pandemic has made it clear that the virus has not gone anywhere and it can raise its ugly head at any point of time.”
He said that the decline in the number of positive cases doesn’t mean that the pandemic is over. “We have to take precautions and very importantly get ourselves vaccinated without wasting any time. People have to give up vaccine hesitancy if they want to get rid of the virus.”

“161 positive cases in Srinagar today is lowest data of the lower data since the outbreak of Covid second wave. But the pandemic is not over yet. A median between lockdown and unlock holds the key,” tweeted Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Ajaz Asad.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal, Krittika Jyotsna and DC Kupwara Imam Din told reporters that the positivity rate in their districts has declined considerably.
“The cumulative positivity rate has come down from 11.5 % to 6% in Ganderbal district, and the recovery rate has also increased to 89 percent,” Jyotsna said.
The DC Kupwara while briefing the media men stated that the recovery rate has increased upto 89 percent whereas, the positivity rate has significantly come down from 9.5% to 5.33% in the district.
A medico said, “Hospitals in Srinagar are still crowded but patients are recuperating. Things are looking better but it’s too early to declare Kashmir pandemic free.”
He said that the aggressive vaccination drive being carried out by the Health Department has helped and “if it continues at the same pace we can hope that coming months can be better.”

Centre to take over vaccination drive from States: PM Modi

Front

United News Of India

08/06/2021

Centre to take over vaccination drive from States: PM Modi

Says adults to get free inoculations from June 21

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced free anti-COVID-19 vaccines doses for people between 18 to 45 years of age as well from June 21 onwards.

Till now Centre was providing free vaccine doses to people of and above 45 years of age and healthcare and frontline workers while for those in the age bracket of 18 to 45, the States were procuring 75 per cent of doses and 25 per cent were allocated for private companies.

“From June 21, the Centre will procure 75 per cent vaccines for 18 to 45 years of category which the States were procuring and provide them free to the people,” Modi while addressing the nation.

The Prime Minister said the 25 per cent of doses will remain reserved for private companies to buy but they can sell it above Rs 150 from the purchase price.

Modi stated that the earlier arrangements of giving room to States to buy the vaccines was granted as per their willingness but now when several States have raised difficulties and objections to such a process, the Centre decided to do away with the earlier system and purchase for everyone.

The Prime Minister said in the next two weeks the Centre and State will chalk out new guidelines for the procurement.

Applauding his government over the vaccination drive, Modi said that had the government not vaccinated frontline and healthcare workers before the second wave, the situation would have been more disastrous.

He claimed that procurement of foreign vaccines is not easy and highlighted smallpox and polio vaccines which he claimed took years for importing.

However, within a short time and under tremendous pressure, India was able to produce two indigenous vaccines, Modi said and applauded the scientific community for achieving the impossible.

He said had the government not manufactured indigenous COVAXIN, the country would have been in a much deeper crisis.

The Prime Minister stated that negotiations are taking place to import foreign vaccines as well as research on another indigenous vaccine that can be administered through nose.

He assured in the coming months, the government will be able to vaccinate a mass number of people.

Modi said the COVID-19 is the deadliest pandemic in the past century. “This is the deadliest pandemic in the past 100 years. The modern world has not seen such a pandemic. Our country has fought this pandemic at many levels,” he said.

The Prime Minister mentioned about the oxygen scarcity which arose during the middle of the second wave and underlined the role played by the Air Force, Railways and other offices and department in meeting the challenge.

He asked the citizens to not lose guard against the COVID-19 and follow the guidelines strictly.

Several States have recently raised objections over the procurement process in which they were offered a high price by the seller while the Centre a lower price. The questions were also raised why the centre is taking only people above 45 years of age in his ambit and excluding others.

The Supreme Court is also hearing the same matter and had issued a notice in the same regard.

India started its vaccine drive from January mid onwards in phases and so far inoculated 23 crore doses. The government has also administration of three vaccines so far–indigenous Covaxin produced by Bharat Biotech and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Covidshield manufactured by Serum Insitute of India and invented by UK’s AstraZeneca and Sputnik V produced by Russia.

Modi had on April 20, addressed the nation over the COVID-19 situation. (UNI)

J&K records lowest single-day spike in two months

Front

Nadeem Nadu

08/06/2021

977 test positive, 16 die of Covid

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 977 fresh covid-19 cases, the lowest single-day spike in two months, even as 16 more people succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Monday.

288 of the fresh cases were confirmed from Jammu Division and 689 from Kashmir Valley, taking the overall tally to 301467.

Last time it was on April 8 when J&K reported lowest single day daily of 808 cases.

Regarding the 16 COVID-19 deaths, they said, seven were reported from Jammu Division and nine from the Valley.

Giving district-wise details, the officials said that Srinagar reported 161 cases, Baramulla 44, Budgam 103, Pulwama 95, Kupwara 107, Anantnag 66, Bandipora 35, Ganderbal 42, Kulgam 28, Shopian 8, Jammu 100, Udhampur 34, Rajouri 29, Doda 36, Kathua 7, Samba 18, Kishtwar 17, Poonch 12, Ramban 22 and Reasi 13.

Moreover, they said, 4178 more COVID-19 patients have recovered, 1178 from Jammu Division and 3000 from Kashmir. There are 23524 active positive cases—8723 in Jammu and 14801 in Kashmir.

Also, one fresh confirmed case of mucormycosis (black fungus) has been reported today, bringing the cumulative number of confirmed cases to 16 in the J&K.

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

The CD cases include male (55) and female (15) from Tailbal, female (30) from Mehjoor Nagar, male (65) from Hawal, male (39) from Batmaloo, male (42) from Hawal, male (43) from Noorbagh, female (65) from Soura, female (42) from Hawal, female (45) from Kathimedan, male (25) from Lal Bazar, female (34) from Zadibal, male (48) from Shalla Bagh, male (54) from Sikhbagh, two males (65, 35) and female (40) from Lal Bazar, female (45) from Hawal, female (55) from Peerbagh, male (55) from Nawakadal, female (55) from Eidgah, male (75) from Safakadal, female (40) from Shunlipora, female (55) from Wangampora, two males (50, 45) from Noorbagh, male (22) from Qamarwari, male (40) from Gonipora, female (45) from Rajmahal Pul, male (45) from Nazneenpora Spn, female (20) from Karapora Budgam, male (28) from Bihar/ Peerpora Pul, female (60) and male (39) from Hall Pul, male (23) from Kakapora, female (30) from Pahoo, male (45) and female (NA) from Wirbag, male (36) from Tengen, female (37) from Alochibagh, male (45) from Sumerbugh, female (35) from Lethpora, male (33) from Khrew, male (36) from Namlabal Pampore, two females (28, 28) from Androosa, male (25) from Tulbagh Pampore, female (21) from Vandekpora, female (42) from Sumerbugh, female (20) from Pahoo, two males (20, 30) from Shabir Agro Sidco, female (35) from Ladrimad Pul, female (28) from Panzgam Pul, female (31) from Parraypora Srg, female (70) from Shareefabad, male (26) from Tral, male (NA) from Shopian, male (40) from Soura, male (34) from Shalteng, male (65) from Pampore, male (52) from Bemina, male (45) from HMT, three females (40, 16, 35) from Bemina, two females (58, 30) from Chattabal, female (32) from Kulgam, female (45) from Batmaloo, female (43) from Safakadal, female (23) from Tangpora, male (31) from Ikhrajpora, male (32) from Poonch, male (25) from Tral, female (22) from Badshah Nagar, female (22) from Jahangir Chowk, male (34) and female (03) from Tengpora, female (35) from Batmaloo, male (60) from Habba Kadal, female (08) from Natipora, male (32) from Bandipora, two females (29, 56) from Habak, female (38) from Saderbal, female (28) from Shalimar, female (22) from Tailbal Kashipora, male (52) from Khag, male (55) from Eidgah, male (67) from Branwar, female (3M) from Chivpora, male (45) and female (50) from Malla Bagh, male (50) from Zoonimar, female (26) from Lalbazar, female (58) from Parimpora, female (40) from Khanyar, male (50) from Zaina Kadal, female (20) from Nowpora, male (32) from Kali Andar, male (41) from Rajouri Kadal, female (14) from Khanyar, female (75) from Achabal, male (75) from Budgam, female (75) from Padshahibagh and male (55) from Srinagar.

The GMC Anantnag cases include male (31) from Nonmai, male (23) from H S Bugh, male (30) from Narwani, male (24) from Nonmai, male (37) from H S Bugh, male (38) from Peeripora, male (29) from Chowgam, male (70) from Chawalgam, male (60) from Banimullah, male (45) from Gahind, female (55) from Kund, male (64) from CR Pora, female (40) from Nowpora, female (65) from Kujjar Kulgam, male (65) from Shoul Batengoo, male (65) from C.S. Pora, female (65) from Aader Guri, male (45) and female (60) from Khanabal, female (20) from Kotwal Gali, female (30) from Nai Basti Ang, male (36) from Hard Tooru, female (31) from Lazibal, male (21) from Ashajipora, male (20) from Mir Danter, male (17) from Watnard, male (15) from Bagbal and male (35) from Kounsarbal. (GNS)

Cases plummet further, over 1 lakh test positive in India

Front

United News Of India

08/06/2021

New Delhi: India recorded 1,00,636 new cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, the lowest in 61 days, taking the total number of infections to 2,89,09,975, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.

Besides, the country also saw 2,427 deaths, pushing the total number of fatalities to 3,49,186.

Total 1,74,399 patients recuperated during the past 24 hours, pushing the number of recoveries to 2,71,59,180. With these new recoveries, recovery rate jumped to 93.94 per cent.

Now, active caseload further declined by 76,190 to stand at 14,01,609, less than 2 lakh since 11 successive days, shows the data.

Meanwhile, weekly positivity rate is currently pegged at 6.21 per cent.

Daily positivity rate was recorded at 6.34 per cent, less than 10 per cent for the 14th consecutive day, the Ministry added.

So far, the country has carried out more than 36.6 crore tests.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 36,63,34,111 tests have been conducted, 15,87,589, of which were carried out in the past 24 hours.

On the vaccination front, a total of 23,27,86,482 doses have been administered since January 16 this year, of which 13,90,916 were administered in the past 24 hours.

Tamil Nadu registered the highest 20,421 cases, followed by Kerala with 14,672 cases, Maharashtra– 12,557 cases, Karnataka–12,209 cases and Andhra Pradesh–8,976 cases.

Maharashtra saw the highest deaths in the last 24 hours (618 ), followed by Tamil Nadu (434), Karnataka (320), Kerala (Kerala) and West Bengal (107).

The daily COVID cases had peaked on May 6, 2021, as 4.14 lakh cases were registered, after which the numbers have started coming down steadily. (UNI)

Div Com receives 9 new Oxygen plants

Front

Precious Kashmir

08/06/2021

Srinagar: Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole Monday received fresh consignment of nine new medical oxygen plants to be installed at various health facilities in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Div Com along with other officers received the consignment at Srinagar Airport.

Sharing the details, Div Com said that out of nine oxygen generation plants, five would be installed in Kashmir, while the four plants would be installed at various health facilities in Jammu division.

He said five oxygen plants with generation capacity of 4000 LPM shall be installed at CHC Kupwara, DH Pulwama, Children Hospital Bemina with 1000 capacity LPM each, while as 500 LPM generation capacity shall be installed at CHC Chanapora and Trauma Hospital Bijbehara.

He said the State-of-the-Art plants imported from Europe shall enhance the health infrastructure and enable the medical authorities to tackle any covid related exigencies efficiently.

The Div Com appreciated the role of all concerned including Indian Air Force, Custom Authorities and Civil Aviation for their efforts in ensuring timely arrival of the consignment to J&K.

He said that though the normal installation takes 15 days time, however, the Mechanical Department which has been working tirelessly shall ensure its installation in 10 days time of these five oxygen plants to further augment supply of oxygen in the Valley.

1...4,0564,0574,058...5,032 Page 4,057 of 5,032