Precious Kashmir

A K Mehta formally takes over as J&K CS

Front

08/06/2021

Srinagar: BVR Subrahmanyam on Monday handed over the charge of Office of the Chief Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir, to Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta.

Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta is an AGMUT (erstwhile J&K) cadre IAS officer of the 1988 batch and has vast administrative experience in both Jammu and Kashmir and the Government of India. Previously he has served in the Government of Jammu and Kashmir as Financial Commissioner, Finance Department, Principal Secretary, Power Development Department, and Commissioner Secretary, Information Technology Department among other important positions. He has also served in the Union Government as Additional Secretary, Environment, Forest & Climate Change between 2015 and 2019, and Joint Secretary, Urban Development between 2008 and 2012.

BVR Subrahmanyam, a Chattisgarh cadre officer of the 1987 batch will be proceeding to the Union Government as Officer on Special Duty, Department of Commerce; after serving as J&K’s Chief Secretary for nearly three years. He will take over as Commerce Secretary, Government of India on 30th of June, 2021, upon superannuation of the incumbent Commerce Secretary.

CS interacts with DDC chairpersons, others

Front

Precious Kashmir

08/06/2021

Srinagar: Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta on Monday chaired a marathon meeting with the chairpersons of District Development Councils (DDCs) of all districts of Jammu and Kashmir to stay abreast with the ground realities, local needs, and issues faced by the local self-governments.

Principal Secretary, Home Department, Principal Secretary Rural Development Department, besides, Divisional Commissioners, Kashmir/Jammu, Deputy Commissioners and District SPs of all districts participated in the meeting.

While interacting with the elected representatives of the 3rd-tier government, the Chief Secretary informed that the District Development Councils, Block Development Councils and Panchayats have laid the foundation of vibrant grassroot democracy and given expression to the local needs in the Union territory.

He said that the recent devolution of powers with respect to 29 functions enumerated in the 11th schedule of the Constitution of India has further strengthened the Panchayati Raj Institutions in Jammu and Kashmir. “Although the reforms have recently been introduced in the UT, J&K has rigorously implemented the provisions in letter and spirit and has caught up with better performing states/UTs in empowering the PRIs as institutions for local government and project planning and implementation in accordance with felt needs”, he added.

The Chief Secretary urged the District Development Councils to encourage participatory democracy during plan formation through wider public outreach and participation. He also asked them to remain vigilant to the COVID threat and vigorously promote COVID appropriate behavior within respective jurisdictions.

The DDC Chairpersons apprised the Chief Secretary on various district-specific needs and issues faced by them. The Chief Secretary assured the District Development Councils of extended support and assistance towards progressive strengthening of PRIs and effective implementation of various provisions enshrined in the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act. He directed the divisional and district administrations to extend support and cooperation to the members of DDCs and BDCs.

Joint camp set up in Budgam to capture leopard

Front

Precious Kashmir

08/06/2021

Srinagar: In a bid to track down the man-eater leopard who killed the four-year-old girl in Ompora area of Budgam, WildLife and Forest Protection Force (FPF) Monday set up a joint camp in the district to trace the wild animal.

The Forest department and the WildLife officials also issued a list of Dos and Don’t for the people of district to prevent further attack by the animal on humans.

Officials said that in the backdrop of the unfortunate incident of lifting of a child by a leopard in Ompora, the Principal Chief Conservator Forests Mohit Gera along with the officers of the Department of Wildlife Protection, Forest Department and Forest Protection Force visited the vulnerable areas of Wanbal, Rangreth, Ompora, old airport, Baghi-mehtab, Dhamsana Kralpora, Yechigam Budgam, Thokerpora Budgam and Navhar charishareef to ensure that all possible measures are taken and such incident does not reoccur.

“The PCCF also examined the efforts being made to capture the conflict leopard and initiated measures like establishment of permanent camp at Ompora and other vulnerable spots to be jointly manned by Department of Forest, Wildlife and Forest Protection Force; intensified patrolling within a radius of 10 Km from the control rooms; deploying of Camera traps; creation of intensive awareness drives regarding Do’s and Don’ts to be strictly observed to avoid such incidents in future,” officials said, adding that the Gera also directed the DFO Pir Panjal Division for immediate removal of fallen material and pruning & thinning of plantation as well laying of more paths.”

As per officials, Gera stated that the plantation area also needs to be suitably reinforced with suitable fencing. “The wildlife department to follow up with local municipality to intensify stray dog management and waste disposal,” the officials said that “PCCF also called for installing of lights around the perimeter of the plantation either solar lights or through PDD. He also called for installation of hoardings for carrying message regarding steps to be followed by the public in case leopard is sighted. There is a need also to enhance the involvement of people in preventive measures as well as agencies like Wildlife SOS, which can play a very important role in preventing such ugly incidents.”

In the meanwhile, the Regional Wildlife Warden Kashmir Rashid Naqash informed that one Leopard has been rescued from Khudpora, Khansahib Budgam about 15 Km away from the site of the incident, which is a different territory.

The Do’s and Don’ts issued by the Forest and WildLife Department read: “Do not move alone especially during early and late hours, children and woman should be more careful, hence they must move in groups.”

“Avoid going to nearby forest area in early morning or evening hours, which is the peak activity time for Leopards. Do not chase or try to go near to Leopard if sighted from a distance.

Livestock, poultry and pets should be attended by three to four persons. Any type of bell or sound producing device be put around the neck of cattle. They should also be kept in safe sheds before the onset of Dusk,” the advisory reads. “Avoid using of bush growths and forest areas for nature call in late evening or night hours, this time coincide with peak activity of leopard.

Provide sufficient light around your utilities and outside your home. Do not dump kitchen waste around your houses as this invites stray dogs to the spot which in turn invite leopard movement.”

The advisory further reads that the inhabitants of the area should regularly remove all bushes or shrubs from the vicinity of their houses. Clearance of the vegetation will increase the visibility and help to keep the Leopard away.

“The cattle shed in the houses should be constructed safe enough, using wooden material or concrete structure, also pet dogs kept in the houses can also alarm the presence of predator in the vicinity of their houses,” the advisory reads, further, adding that “It has been observed that whenever leopard is sighted, people make a lot of noise which can prove dangerous. As such the wild animal feels insecure and may attack. In case any Leopard is seen, Forest Department, Wildlife Protection Department, Forest Protection Force may be informed immediately on the given numbers.” (KNO)

Williamson hails added context of World Test C’ship

Sports

United News Of India

08/06/2021

London: Ahead of the final against India, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has praised the ICC World Test Championship for bringing more context to the sport’s most traditional format.

The Black Caps will take on India in the inaugural WTC final at Southampton from June 18, having earned their spot in the decider over the two-year tournament cycle.

Both sides left it late to secure their spots, with New Zealand ultimately having to win six Tests on the trot to make it and India having to prevail over England across four matches.

‘They have looked to bring about more context to the Test format and I think we saw it at the end of the competition, teams trying to push their case for qualifying which made way for a lot of exciting results,’ Williamson said an ICC release.

‘I thought it proved to be great adding that context and for us to see ourselves in the position we are in the finals now. It is exciting,’ he added.

The New Zealand skipper believes the carrot of playing in the WTC final saw sides around the world playing a different brand of cricket to try and win one of the two coveted spots.

‘Obviously the idea behind the tournament structure of Test championship and added points and these sorts of things to entice and improve the brand of the game and I think when it came to the crunch time, you could see the equation of what they had to do to be involved in the final,’ he added.

‘You saw sides play that way which is what they are after. Hopefully, that has generated a lot of interest from the public and enjoyment of the Test game, which is obviously what cricketers are involved in.

It is the pinnacle and I certainly enjoy playing it. It has added a good element to the Test format,’ he added.

The No 2 team on the ICC’s Test rankings, New Zealand are facing the one team above them in the decider. If they finish their current series against England without defeat and beat India in the final, they can move to the top of the Test rankings.

“We are looking forward to that when we are taking on the top-rank side in the world,” Williamson said of the final.

“We know how strong they are and the depth they have. So exciting to be playing against each other at a neutral venue,” he added.

Entry of leopards, bears into residential areas on rise in Kashmir, reveals data

City

Abid Bashir

08/06/2021

Of 1650 incidents in one year, 1050 resolved successfully, 50 animals killed in mob retaliation

By: Abid Bashir

Srinagar, June 7: Man-animal conflict has shown a steep fall over the past four years in Kashmir but the entry of wild animals like leopards and bears into the residential areas of Valley has increased manifold, reveals four-year data available with the WildLife department.

The data accessed by KNO suggest that in the past four years, damage to human life and property has declined considerably but the number of occurrences of spotting bears and leopards in human spaces has increased.

Regional WildLife Warden for Kashmir Rashid Naqash said that figures about last one year state that out of 1650 cases of such incidents reported from human areas, 1050 cases were successfully resolved by offering safe corridors for conflict animals towards its natural habitat.

“Around 350 cases were reported where the department put cages and trapped problematic animals around 150 cases where animals were tranquilized and later rehabilitated in natural habitat,” Naqash said. “More than 50 animals were killed by mob in retaliation. This indicates that measures like setting up 22 control rooms working round the clock in different districts and tehsil levels have achieved a high degree of success.”

Wild Life Warden Wetlands and the Man-Animal Conflict Expert, Ifshan Dewan told KNO that there are a series of reasons responsible for the entry of wild animals into human spaces in Kashmir. “There has been a change in the behavior of wild animals especially leopards due to non-availability of food in their natural habitat. Easy availability of food, shelter in human spaces and fast urbanization are the primary reasons for the entry of wild animals into residential areas,” she said. Dewan said that throwing out waste food items like rice, poultry and other items is also attracting wild animals into human spaces. “One more reason behind why leopards are entering residential areas is people are keeping pets at their homes like rabbits, dogs, chicken etc which should be avoided.”

She also urged parents not to allow their children to go out of their homes in the early morning and late evening hours—(KNO)

Urbanization reason for increase in conflict: Wildlife Dept

City

Tasaduq Hussain

08/06/2021

By: Tasaduq Hussain

Baramulla: Amid the scare of human-wild conflict, authorities in North Kashmir Monday said though there is a rise in the wild attacks on humans, the teams remain deputed round the clock and people should not panic rather adhere to the advisories.

In north Kashmir comprising of Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora districts several wild animals were spotted at different places. However, there were no reports about any mid-event at any place across the three districts.

Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Mohammad Maqbool Wildlife Warden North Kashmir circle said that the human-wild conflict existed ever since humans came to the world but in recent the conflict has increased more while the department is taking appropriate steps to deal with the situation besides advisories is issued from time to time.

He said that awareness is generated and preventative measures are made public to ensure the safety of people while they (people) need to restrict their unnecessary movement and keep their children under close vigil besides women should not be allowed to go to the forests.

“People need not panic rather adhere to the advisories issued by the wildlife department,” he said.

About Pattan, the top officer said that the situation is being closely monitored since last week besides awareness is generated through different means and walls have been painted with required preventive measures written on them to ensure the safety of every individual.

Maqbool said that people need to cooperate and inform the department or police in case any wild animal is found anywhere and be at ease since fruit season has arrived and there are chances of movement.

About the rise in human-wild conflict, the warden said urbanization, expansion of agriculture, roads constructed within the forests including the overgrazing has led to the rise in human-wild conflict.

He also said that the wild animals usually remain and move in groups and people should not presume they are everywhere in a specific geographical area—(KNO)

Hold monthly meetings to sort out issues of tribal population: Farooq Khan to DCs

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

08/06/2021

All projects should be completed without any further delay

SRINAGAR: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan today stressed upon all the Deputy Commissioners to at least hold a meeting each month to look into the issues and obstacles hindering affairs and projects concerning the tribal population of their districts.

He emphasised upon them to assign priority to the issues of this population so that they are resolved immediately. He asked them to sensitize all their sectoral officers about the vitality of such matters so that this section of the population also rises to the ladder of holistic progress registered throughout nation simultaneously.

Advisor Khan reviewed the progress made so far in each of the projects and Tribal Sub Schemes (TSS) taken up under the Tribal SubPlan (TSP) with the Special Central Assistance (SCA).

The meeting was attended by Secretary Tribal Affairs, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary; Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Aijaz Asad; Additional PCCF; Directors of Horticulture; Directors of Sheep Husbandry; MD J&K Housing Board; Chief Engineers of PWD, JKPCC and CPWD.

All other Deputy Commissioners and Jammu based officers attended the meeting through video conferencing.

Advisor Khan asked all the DCs to first complete all the pending projects and submit utilization certificates against each of such projects. He further directed to frame DPRs for all the projects identified under several central schemes or Capex budget at an earliest so that work on these projects is started in the ensuing work season.

Khan also urged all the officers to take up the issues they face with the concerned administrative department so that these issues are resolved forthwith. He asked each of the DCs to prioritize these issues so that a substantial change is seen on ground regarding the overall development of this chunk of population.

Khan impressed upon the officers that this population is generally resource less. These pertains to their day to day matters therefore deserves their utmost attention for making their lives easy. He asked them to review establishment of residential schools, hostels, employment & income generation units coming up for this population in their areas.

He asked them to facilitate this population in every manner. Make seeking of education, scholarship, medical aid and employment affordable for them. He urged the DCs to make the movement of the nomadic population easy and protect their rights guaranteed by the law.

The Secretary Tribal Affairs asked the DCs submit the DPRs of projects as per the proposed format so that the necessary Administrative Approval and Technical Sanction is accorded to them. He asked them to establish the required seasonal schools in their districts so that the class work starts there. He urged them to look for alternate accommodations where the projects would take time in completion.

The Secretary asked the DCs to identify land for all the new residential schools, hostels, research institutes wherever requisitioned. He asked them to simplify acquisition of scholarships for tribal students as per new GoI guidelines. He directed the executing agencies to pace up work on construction of Tribal Museum and Directorate office.

The meeting was informed that there are some 27 cluster tribal model villages developed across J&K against which a central share of Rs 108 crores are to be spent. Moreover milk villages in 10 districts having sizeable population of tribals are established at an estimated cost of Rs 14.40 crores with milk chilling plants for value addition at Rs 100 lacs, the meeting was informed.

It was also given that community halls at 8 locations for tribal population are coming up at Rs 3.50 crores. Many Eklavya Model Residential Schools are nearing completion while few more are to be established soon, the meeting was informed. More than half a dozen ST/G&B hostels are nearing completion and would be made functional in near future.

In order to make the education reachable to the children of nomadic population a total of 1516 seasonal centres were established during 2020-21 engaging 1748 educational volunteers. These centres imparted education to 32547 migratory children accruing the expenditure of more than Rs 10 crores.

In addition to this the TSP envisages providing of road connectivity facilities, drinking water facilities, power facilities to the tribal villages for which funds are earmarked each year under SCA to be spent as part of TSS. The motive is to bridge the gaps in sectors like education, health, agriculture, skill development, employment-cum-income generation, etc in favour of this section of population.

Anganwadi workers stage protest, demand release of wages

City

United News Of India

08/06/2021

Srinagar: Anganwadi workers on Monday protested in the summer capital, Srinagar, demanding release of pending wages since 2018 and inclusion in incentive programme announced by the administration for frontline health workers dealing with COVID-19 patients.

The All Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Association (AAWHA) also wrote a letter the Advisor to Lt Governor, J&K, urging him to mitigate their problems, including release of pending wages and arrears.

Scores of Anganwadi workers assembled at Press Enclave in Srinagar on Monday and demanded that their wages, which are pending from last about three years, be released immediately.

Raising slogans, the workers also demanded inclusion in incentive programme announced by the J&K administration for frontline health workers dealing with COVID-19 patients. “We have been at the forefront of fight against COVID-19 and other initiatives launched by the government from many years. However, when it comes to getting our dues, we have been left out in the open to fend for our serves,” AAWHA president Tasleema Subhaan told UNI.

She also said that they have been promised regularization many times in the past, but so far no initiative has been taken by successive government in this regards. “On top of this, we have not received our wages from last about three years. How are we supposed to take care of our families,” she said.

“The workers will be left with no option but to stop working if our demands were not met,” she added.

Meanwhile, the association in the letter to the Advisor to Lt Governor highlights to issues confronted by them, including pending wages and exclusion in the incentive programme for frontline workers.

Delhi Metro services resume after gap of 28 days

National

United News Of India

08/06/2021

New Delhi: Delhi Metro services resumed on Monday after a gap of 28 days amidst the ongoing pandemic with the provision of travel with 50 per cent seating only for the containment of Covid.

To ensure compliance to Covid appropriate behaviour inside Metro premises, around 15 metro stations were intermittently closed briefly during morning and evening peak hours, a DMRC spokesperson said.

A total of 9 special flying squads were also deployed to randomly check inside trains for any kind of violations and counsel people to refrain from doing so for their own and everyone’s safety, the spokesperson said.

‘Till 8 pm, 84 passengers were advised to get down from the coach for travelling in standing position, 73 were penalised for not wearing masks and 106 were counselled to follow social distancing and wearing masks properly,’ the spokesperson said.

‘Approximately passenger journeys performed till this hour was around 4.5 lakh today in view of the drastically reduced capacity owing to the adherence to the guidelines issued by the Government on 5th June 2021,’ the spokesperson said.

About 4000 smart cards were sold today.

Vaccination panacea against COVID-19 pandemic: Advisor Baseer Khan

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

08/06/2021

Reviews measures taken by Budgam admin to tackle pestilence

BUDGAM: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan today visited Magam, Budgam in order to have a detailed review of arrangements put in place amid the 2nd wave of Covid -19 pandemic.

The program was attended by DDC Chairman Nazir Ahmad Khan, Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Shahbaz Ahmed Mirza, SDM Beerwah, CMO, ACD, representatives of Trade, Transportation Union Magam and religious heads.

Speaking on the occasion, Advisor Baseer Khan said the aim and objective of today’s visit is to have an interaction with all stake holders who are critical in fighting war against COVID-19 pandemic. He said, support and Cooperation from public proved pivotal in achieving success and containing 1st wave of Covid-19 and same alertness and dedication need to be shown in dealing with 2nd wave of Covid-19. He said proactive and aggressive approach has been initiated by the administration in tandem with the civil society and other social organizations including religious leaders which has brought down the incidence of positive cases substantially. He also emphasized on relentlessly pursuing the objective in order to give a final blow to this pandemic.

Commenting upon the availability of resources, the Advisor said there is no dearth of resources, whether it is oxygen, medical or any other resource. With the active intervention of Prime Minister and Lieutenant Governor, the UT has received overnight 9 high quality oxygen plants from Frankfurt Germany and now in addition to that 9 more plants have been received.

He said Covid care centers set up at Panchayat level across U.T of J&K is a bold and effective decision to enhance bedding capacities in rural areas which shall play a significant role in stopping spread of Covid-19 pandemic.

The Advisor also said that COVID-19 in J&K has been systematically dealt with; infrastructure wherever necessary has been raised and resources have been mobilized in unprecedented manner. The Advisor further said that public need to be made aware about the advantages of tele-consultations and tele-medicine as the initiative is showing enormous results as large section of society as well as patients are getting benefited through this initiative.

The Advisor directed District Administration to remain in state of alert to meet any challenges amid Covid-19. The Advisor further emphasized upon aggressive testing and reiterated that vaccination process is panacea and permanent solution to curb the Covid-19 pandemic. He urged people to enthusiastically go for vaccination.

The Advisor urged upon the Religious heads, Civil society to use their influence and approach in spreading the message and make people aware about the importance of adhering to SOPs like wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, avoiding unnecessary venturing out and gatherings. The Advisor on the occasion hailed cooperation and support of general public, particularly during current wave as they seem to follow all instructions in letter and spirit.

While suggesting the measures taken to improve the electricity in the district Budgam, the Advisor divulged that Rs 21 Crore have been allotted to District Budgam under Barbed wire Scheme to improve electricity supply in District.

The Advisor reiterated that the way people presently are following all instructions and are implementing guidelines strictly, in coming days, there will be enormous change in ground situation, eventually defeating the pandemic successfully. The Advisor on the occasion appreciated and hailed the sincere efforts and resilience shown by all covid-19 warriors. He said everybody is on forefront while facing the unprecedented challenges.

During the program DDC chairman Budgam Nazir Ahmad Khan raised the issue of non-functioning of some already existing PHCs, besides nonpayment of incentives to doctors and paramedics who are on internship presently engaged with Covid-19 care duties. The Advisor assured the DDC Chairman that matter shall be taken up with Lieutenant Governor at an earliest. The Advisor said despite lockdown measures, wage employment will continue as well as construction work, subject to all SOPs and guidelines strictly adhered.

Earlier, DC Budgam Shahbaz Ahmed Mirza presented a detailed status of till date happenings amid Covid-19 pandemic, containment measures, procedures and other initiatives taken up by district administration in curbing the spread of this pandemic. He said Budgam has recorded 87% recovery rate as 1577 covid positive cases remain out of total 12785 till date. Positivity rate has gone below 5% and stands at 4.93% at present in District. Presently RAT and RTPCR is aggressively going on at all containment zones and other requisite locations. He said, 437 level 2 beds, in addition 299 beds equipped with oxygen facility have been kept ready to accommodate the requirement if needed.

Covid-19 control rooms have been set up in all 10 medical blocks, have received 4967 phone calls till date from public inquiring about Covid-19 related queries besides other medical issues. Regarding oxygen supply, the DC said that construction of oxygen plant at Beerwah has started while as team from Directorate of Health services has inspected other sites at Char-i-Sharief. Efforts are on to set up oxygen plants at Magam & Chadoora as well, the DC said.

The DC said in containment zones about 70,000 tests have been done to boost the process further. Door to door surveillance is being carried out in order to trace the vulnerable old age and senior citizen patients. Regarding the supply of ration to needy ones, the DC said under NFSA & PMGKY ration has been distributed throughout the District.

The DC said with relentless efforts from all concerned Budgam district has achieved 78% vaccination for person with 45 or above age and remaining population above this age category shall be vaccinated at an earliest.

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