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Welder dies after falling from hut

By: Sarhan Shafi

Srinagar: A 21-year-old welder has died after falling off from an under construction Government Medical College Baramulla building in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Thursday.

Reports reaching GNS that Sajad Ahmad Dar (21) son of Mohammad Abbas Dar, a resident of Beerwah Budgam fell off a building while engaged in his occupational work, resulting in his instant death.

Confirming the incident, a senior police official told GNS that the person has fallen off from the third floor of an under construction building at GMC. “A case has been set underway into the incident for further investigations”, the official added. (GNS)

PM reviews India’s preparation for Tokyo Olympics

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reviewed India’s Olympics preparations for Tokyo Olympic which will commence from July 23.

Directing that every qualified and probable athlete, support staff and officials travelling to the Tokyo Olympics must be vaccinated as soon as possible, he said that sports was at the heart of our national character and our youth are creating a strong and vibrant culture of sports.

“The wishes of 135 crore Indians will be with our youngsters who are participating in the Olympics and for every young sportsperson shining on the global stage, a thousand more will be inspired to take up sports”, he said, adding that he would be connecting with our Olympics contingent through a video conference in July, to encourage them and wish them on behalf of all Indians.

During the course of the review, Mr Modi was apprised about the various steps taken towards ensuring uninterrupted training for athletes amidst the pandemic, participation in international competitions to win Olympic quota, vaccination of athletes, and customised support being provided to them.

Officials also said that special attention will also be given towards motivating athletes and boosting their morale of athletes while they participate in the Olympics. Therefore, regular video conferences will be organised with their parents and family members back in India, through the course of the competition.

The Prime Minister was briefed that a total of 100 athletes have qualified for Tokyo Olympics across 11 sports disciplines and about 25 more athletes are likely to qualify for Tokyo Olympics details of which will emerge by end of June 2021.

While a total of 19 Indian athletes had participated at the last Paralympics in 2016 at Rio de Janeiro, a total of 26 para athletes have qualified and 16 more athletes are likely to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.

SC grants Centre two weeks to decide Class 12 evaluation criteria

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday welcomed the government decision to cancel the Class 12 Board exams amid the Covid-19 pandemic and gave the CBSE and ICSE two weeks to place on record the objective criteria by which they intend to assess the performance of the students.

“We’re happy to know you’ve taken a principled decision to cancel the exams,” said the bench comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari, adjourning the matter for two weeks to place on record the objective criteria to assess the students since in-principle decision to cancel exams has been taken.

Attorney General KK Venugopal, on behalf of the Centre, sought a time of four weeks but agreed after the court pointed that there is apprehension among students to get admission into higher education courses in the country and abroad.

Petitioner Adv Mamta Sharma prayed that notifications issued by ICSE and CBSE postponing Class 12 exams to an unspecified date be struck down.

Ms Sharma requested the bench for a uniform direction for the cancellation of exams to be passed for state boards as well that cater to 1.2 crore students.

The ICSE, represented by advocate J K Das, urged the court to give more time, at least three weeks, to prepare the criteria for assessment.

However, the Court said that it will go through the objective parameters for the assessment of marks so that if anyone has any objections it can be dealt with.

The apex court will hear the matter further on June 17.

Jobless amid Covid-19

Covid-19 has been easing just a bit lately. However it continues to affect life and livelihood. Many precious lives have been lost to contagion while a huge number of people have been infected. Fresh cases have not stopped either. On June 2, Jammu and Kashmir reported 1718 new infections while 24 others succumbed to the virus. It has already stretched health care facilities. Also one key way in which this crisis is getting reflected is in the unemployment figures. The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) in the latest data showed that urban unemployment rate has soared to almost 18%, the highest in a year, as lockdowns and curtailed economic activity continued to hit the jobs environment across the country.

The CMIE report is sometimes used as a substitute for evaluating the health of the labour market and it shows that the unemployment spike is not confined to just urban centres. The national unemployment rate and rural joblessness too have gone up sharply in the past recently.

If one considers weekly data for May, urban unemployment rose from 10.08% in the week ended May 2 to almost 18% in the week ended May 30 .

The labour force participation rate (LFPR) and employment rate also fell in urban India. FPR dropped to 35.69% in the week ended May 30, against 37% in the week ended May 16, the CMIE data showed. However, rural unemployment fell four percentage points in the week ended May 30, from a fortnight ago, to 9.58%.

National joblessness dropped a little over two percentage points during the same period. As per the latest weekly data, the national unemployment rate stands at 12.15%

While covid-19 cases are only rising, it has started to pinch given the fact that the pandemic has already hit the global economy hard, increasing poverty in practically every country, reducing employment and pulling people down from middle-income groups into low-income groups and in some cases to the brink of poverty.

The report points out the ugly situation and more worse will happen if the pandemic is not contained immediately. Controlling the covid-19 pandemic is pivotal for revival of the various sectors including the tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. The present situation seems to be reassuring but there should be no room for complacency. However the unemployment situation appears grim and new jobs are going to be very scarce even when the economy begins to recover. In such a scenario, there is an urgent need for measures to heal the economy and support those whose livelihood has been severely affected.

GMC Anantnag: After alleged misinformation, Govt forms panel to ascertain claims

Committee directed to submit details about bed strength today

By: Ahmad Shabir

Anantnag: A day after the principal, GMC Anantnag, Dr Showkat Jeelani allegedly misinformed the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha about the strength of ICU beds for Covid management at the facility, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, P K Pole on Wednesday constituted a committee to ascertain the claims on the ground.

Sinha on Tuesday visited GMC Anantnag to review the Covid-19 situation at the facility having been declared as territory care hospital for twin southern districts, Anantnag and Kulgam.

Lt Governor during his visit sought the detailed information regarding the Covid management and patient care. GMC Principal informed Sinha that GMC has 40 ICU beds available for patient care.

As soon as the claim about the strength of ICU beds was reported by online portals and newspapers, the social media users discredited the claims of GMC authorities.

Many users described the information provided to LG by GMC principal as false and lie while as some accused him of misleading Sinha.

“Principal GMC Anantnag today informed the Lt Governor that the hospital is having the capacity of 120 Covid dedicated beds with 40 ICU beds.”

“Reads the pressnote issued by the Directorate of information. But the fact of the matter is the hospital is without a full fledged ICU. There are only four ICU beds providing only non-invasive ventillation. None of the patients has been intubated so far in the hospital,” tweeted a journalist, Khalid Gul.

Another Facebook user sarcastically wrote, “GMC Anantnag has 40 ICU beds. Khodaya tarr (Oh God what a big lie).”

Scores of other Facebook users expressed anger over Principal GMC misinforming the LG.

Following the social media outrage over the ‘false’ claim of the principal, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, P K Pole today constituted a three-member committee including a senior doctor from Medical College Srinagar and Additional DC Anantnag to find out the exact ICU bed strength in the GMC.

Sources in the hospital said that the committee members early morning reached the hospital to check whether the principal had lied to the LG or his claim was based on facts.

The committee, according to sources has been asked to submit the fact finding report within a day only.

Precious Kashmir talked to one of the committee members who refused to comment on the fact finding, saying that “We cannot comment over the matter. We will submit the report before the LG tomorrow,” he said.

The Principal of the GMC while speaking to the reporters was stick to his claims that the hospital has only 40 ICU beds and enough nursing and mechanical staff for the purpose.

However, official sources in GMC, said that the hospital has not more than eight ICU beds that too with non-invasive ventilation only.

“Going by the medical standards, the hospital has no ICU bed. Yes, there are around eight ICU beds available in the hospital but they are used only for non-invasive ventilation. Since the medical college started functioning, not a single patient has been provided invasive ventilation and patients needing the same continue to be referred to Srinagar. Many of them die on way to Srinagar hospitals,” said a source in the hospital.

He said that he fails to understand what the principal sahab actually means by ICU beds. “His claim has been a hard topic among the doctors among the doctors since yesterday,” the source said.

A resident, Yasir said that people of South Kashmir had high hopes attached with LG’s visit to GMC. “The principal of the GMC misled him badly,” he said.

People flouting SOPs should be penalized for jeopardizing public health: Govt

CS calls for ‘zero-tolerance’ policy of Govt towards COVID inappropriate behavior

Srinagar: Chief Secretary, Arun Kumar Mehta Wednesday chaired a meeting to review COVID containment measures including the progress of vaccination drives.

Financial Commissioner Health & Medical Education, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Mission Director National Health Mission (NHM), Director SKIMS, Principals GMC Srinagar/Jammu, and Directors Health Services Jammu/Kashmir participated in the meeting.

The Chief Secretary complimented the efforts of the Health & Medical Education Department, divisional and district administrations in mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reviewing the stock position of vaccines, the Chief Secretary directed achieving universal vaccination of 45 and above age category by the end of June. He directed the Health & Medical Education Department to prioritize and saturate the targeted groups of vulnerable population in 18-45 age category; and organize systematic vaccination drives for prompt vaccination of the remaining segment on arrival of the next consignment of vaccines.

The Department was asked to strengthen the panchayat-level COVID care centres as grid of COVID related services by facilitating COVID testing therein and lifting at least 10 samples per day towards early detection of COVID cases and subsequent establishment of micro-containment zones in cases of high positivity rate.

The Chief Secretary reiterated the ‘zero-tolerance’ policy of the Government towards COVID inappropriate behavior and asked the Department to promote its awareness among general masses through wider IEC activities including advertisements and radio talk shows. “People flaunting such an inappropriate behavior in disregard to the laid down SOPs should be penalized for jeopardizing public health”, he said. He also emphasized timely testing, tracking, treatment and isolation as the way forward.

J&K reports 1,718 Covid cases, 24 deaths

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By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 1718 fresh covid-19 cases while 24 people succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Wednesday.

They said 585 of the fresh cases were confirmed in Jammu division and remaining 1133 in Kashmir Valley, taking the overall tally to 294078.

Regarding the deaths, the officials said that seven deaths were reported from Jammu division and 17 from Kashmir Valley, taking the death toll to 3963. This is the lowest single-day death toll recorded in Jammu and Kashmir in 38 days as 21 people died on April 25.

Providing district wise details, the officials said that Srinagar reported 320 cases, Baramulla 102, Budgam 137, Pulwama 158, Kupwara 90, Anantnag 103, Bandipora 62, Ganderbal 53, Kulgam 81, Shopian 27, Jammu 169, Udhampur 57, Rajouri 75, Doda 52, Kathua 25, Samba 41, Kishtwar 33,  Poonch 62, Ramban 49and Reasi 22.

Moreover, they said, 3391 more COVID-19 patients have recovered, 1327 from Jammu Division and 2064 from Kashmir valley. There are now 31579 active positive cases, 11480 in Jammu and 20099 in Kashmir.

Meanwhile, officials said two new confirmed cases of mucormycosis (black fungus) have been reported today, bringing the cumulative number of confirmed cases to 12 in the J&K.

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

The CD cases include male (30) from Kalampora Pul, male (20) from Keller, male (19) from Kachdoora, female (08) from Murran Pul, male (14) from Banderpora Pul, female (48) from Dangerpora Pul, female (45) from Shahabad, male (60) and female (52) from Kuchmulla, female (20) from Lurgam, two females (45, 05) from Dharmgund, female (55) from Batagund, two females (50, 38) and two males (40, 55) from Shaldraman, female (34) from Aripal, male (37) and two females (60, 14) from Awantipora, male (28) from Kakapora, male (12) from Samboora, female (50) from Noorbagh, female (32) from Kanikadal, male (60) from Batwara Srg, male (65) from Chadoora Budgam, female (38) from Safakadal, two males (40, 36) from Kawdara, two females (35, 35) from Bemina, two males (24, 55) from Eidgah, two females (18, 42) from Zainakadal, female (19) from Eidgah, male (30) from Bongam, female (48) from Jamnagri, female (30) from Batpora, male (NA) from Lal Bazar, male (38) from HMT, female (22) from Chanapora, two males (24, 43) and two females (47, 54) from Batmaloo, male (46) from Chattabal, female (55) from Shalteng, female (55) from Bemina, female (37) from Chotabazar, female (40) and male (18) from Qamarwari, female (60) from Chattabal, male (70) from Karanagar, female (06) from Barzulla, female (NA) from Rawalpora Srg, male (NA) from Nowgam, male (28) from Islamabad, male (NA) from Zadoora Pul, two males (17, 18) from Maloora Srg, female (55) and male (17) from Pather Masjid Srg, female (38) from Baghat Srg, female (28) from Ashmuji Kulgam, female (45) from Pulwama, female (22) from Pather Masjid Srg, female (35) from Mehjoor Nagar, female (23) from Safapora Gdbl, male (83) from Nawabazar, male (40) from Nowhatta, male (17) from Chattabal, female (09) and male (29) from Parimpora Srg, female (NA) from Qamarwari, male (63) from Nowshera, male (45) from Airport Srg, male (NA) from Habba Kadal, male (NA) from Nowgam Srg, male (32) from Nawabazar, male (75) from Rainawari, three males (45, 65, 05) and female (60) from Kathidarwaza, female (55) and male (60) from Habbak, female (50) from Narwara, male (45) from Barabarshah, female (38) from Khanyar, female (52) from Naid Kadal, male (40) from Zainakadal, female (12) and male (68) from Illahibagh, male (45) from Shalimar, male (40) from Mallabagh, female (43) from Nigeen, female (36) from Harwan, male (20) from Tailbal, female (23) from Sadakadal, male (35) from Awanta Bhawan, male (24) from Ishber Nishat, male (82) from Saderbal, male (50) from Karfali Mohalla, male (53) from BB Cantt Srg, male (55) from Narwara, male (45) from Zoonimar, male (40) from Sikhbagh, male (50) from Botakadal, male (34) from Soura, male (29) from Zakura, male (65) from Hawal, male (34) from Alamgiri Bazar, male (22) from Shadipora, male (37) from Pulwama, male (05) from Baramulla, male (60) from Srinagar, male (25) from Boonura, male (60) from Karimabad, female (38) from Wuyan, male (29) from Androsa, male (37) from Drangbal Pampore, two females (46, 11) and male (16) from Baghat Srg, male (65) from Shalimar, female (45) from Saimoh, male (40) from Chersoo, eight males (19, 18, 30, 21, 18, 28, 22, 21) from JK Ply Industry Lassipora, male (37) from Rajbagh, male (27) from Kokerbazar, female (32) from Tengpora, female (46) from Old Barzulla, male (60) from Kak Sarai, male (44) from Alochibagh, male (Na) from Panthachowk, female (40) from Budgam, male (53) from Handwara, male (60) from Padshahi Bagh, two males (60, 55) from Shopian, female (30) from Zewan Srg, male (48) from Rathpora, four females (30, 18, 05, 22) and male (26) from Srinagar and female (08) from Bemina Srg.

The GMC Anantnag cases include female (40) from Tungdanoo, male (46) from Kujjar, female (25) from Yaripora, male (50) from Matibugh, female (48) from H S Bugh, female (30) from Matibugh, female (17) from H S Bugh, female (37) from Shirpora, female (40) from Aglar, female (24) from Yaripora, two males (29, 34) from Kharpora, female (53) from Adigam, male (36) from Zalangam, male (40) from Pouru, female (50) from Moominabad, male (71) from Naidpora, male (60) from Ujroo Qzd, female (25) from Chowgund, two females (57, 26) from Hiller, three males (16, 13, 23) and female (37) from Mirmidan, male (50) from Dooru, female (08) from Verinag, female (32) from Hallan, male (25) and female (34) from Mirmidan, female (45) from Nowgam, male (53) from Arabal Dooru, male (50) from Banihal, male (55) from GMC Ang, male (30) from Lalagarh UP, male (40) from Kadipora, female (28) from GMC Ang, male (50) from Mir Bazar, male (38) from TB Shah, female (07) from Sarnal, male (38) from Mattan, female (55) from Hanji Danter, male (31) from Moominabad, male (43) from Sarnal Bala, female (50) from Lazibal, male (42) from Suruna Ang, male (33) from Chee Ang, female (23) and male (23) from Moominabad, male (65) from Nagnarian Shangus, female (30) from Sagam, male (65) from Arwani Qaimoh, female (42) from Nunmai Yaripora, female (45) from Hassanpora Tawela, female (37) from Punchpora Marhama, female (20) from Sirhama Sirgufwara, male (45) from Nanil Mattan, male (43) from Pran Bawan Mattan, male (25) from Chakpath, male (31) from Lukbown, male (30) from Anantnag, male (24) and female (24) from Nowgam, female (61) from Gutligund, female (35) from Bragam, female (45) from Thaman, male (56) from Sadiwara, male (42) from Hiller, female (30) from Bumthan, male (29) from Kabamarg, three males (35, 38, 39) and female (37) from Sadoora, four males (50, 60, 67, 16) and female (25) from Malipora, male (29) from Bonigam, female (45) from Chandian, male (44) from Vessu, male (58) and female (25) from Qaimoh, male (38) from Hawoora, male (28) from Wanpoh, male (44) from Khudwani, male (20) from Qaimoh, female (55) from Khrewan, male (25) and two females (15, 45) from Wanpoh, male (42) from T Tachloo, female (28) from B Tachloo, female (40) from Ghat, male (35) from Nipora, male (29) from Khanabal, male (50) from Tachloo, male (21) from Bhan, two males (65, 37) from Baghi Wanpoh, female (26) from Bhan, female (40) from Khudwani, male (25) from Kachdoora, female (25) from Howrah, male (24) from TN Pora, female (30) from Bhan, male (30) from Uranhall, male (24) from Rehpora, female (40) from Gassipora, male (40) from Nowbal, male (37) from TB Shah, male (40) from Laram, male (32) from Shurat, female (07) from Kadder, female (70) from Frisal, male (35) from Gundipora, two males (57, 36) from Sopat, female (23) from Qasba Devsar and male (30) from Lanker Pumbay. (GNS)

India logs 1.32 lakh cases

New Delhi: India recorded 1,32,788 fresh Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, pushing the total infections to 2,83,07,832, Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday.

Besides, the country also saw 3,207 deaths due to COVID-19, taking the total number of fatalities to 3,35,102. The death toll stands at 1.18 per cent.

Daily recoveries continued to outnumber the daily new cases for 20 consecutive days, as 2,31,456 patients recuperated during the past 24 hours, pushing the number of recoveries to 2,61,79,085. With these new recoveries, recovery rate jumped to 92.48 per cent.

Now, active caseload further declined by 1,01,875 to stand at 17,93,645, according to the Ministry data.

Meanwhile, weekly positivity rate is currently pegged at 8.21 per cent.

Daily positivity rate dipped to 6.57 per cent, less than 10 per cent for ninth consecutive days, the Ministry added.

So far, the country has carried out more than 35 crore tests.

According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 35,00,57,330 tests have been conducted so far, of which, 20,19,773 were carried out in the past 24 hours.

On the vaccination front, a total of 21,85,46,667 doses have been administered since January 16 this year, of which 23,97,191 were administered in the past 24 hours.

According to the Ministry, the 60 and above age group have received 35 per cent of the total doses administered so far, while 45-60 age category and 18-44 age category received 42.9 per cent and 22.1 per cent doses respectively.

Maharashtra reported the highest 854 deaths in the past 24 hours, followed by Tamil Nadu (490), Karnataka (464), Kerala (194), Uttar Pradesh (175), West Bengal (137) and Andhra Pradesh (104).

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu registered the highest 26,513 cases, followed by Kerala with 19,760 cases, Karnataka with 14,304 cases, Maharashtra with 14,123 cases and Andhra Pradesh with 11,303 cases.

On Tuesday, India had recorded over 1,27 lakh new Covid-19 cases and 2,795 deaths.

196 held for violating norms in Kashmir

Srinagar: As many as 1826 people were fined while 196 others were arrested during the last 24 hours for violating COVID guidelines in Kashmir valley.

A police spokesperson on Wednesday said that continuing its efforts to curb the outbreak of second wave of coronavirus, J&K police enhanced its efforts to sensitise the masses about controlling the highly contagious COVID-19.

”During the last 24 hours, police arrested 196 persons, lodged 91 FIRs and also realised fine to the tune of Rs 2,21,480 from 1826 people throughout the Kashmir valley for violating the various guidelines/rules/SOPs regarding Covid-19,” he said.

He said the special drive against the violators of Covid-19 guidelines/rules continued throughout all the districts of Kashmir Valley to ensure that people adhere to SOPs/guidelines envisaged by government to curb COVID-19 pandemic.

”Community members are once again requested to cooperate with the Police in containing the spread of Coronavirus by following the SOPs/ guidelines/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,” he added. (UNI)

Don’t pay heed to misinformation about Covid vaccines: Govt

Srinagar: The divisional administration Kashmir on Wednesday issued a rebuttal to the media post by DAK President which has created panic amongst masses. The president had said that all those persons who are allergic to any ingredient of covid-19 vaccine must not receive the jab.

In this connection, the State Surveillance Officer/ Epidemiologist,  Kashmir Dr Talat Jabeen, in a statement has informed the public that the vaccination is safe and efficacious, and under present circumstances is the main weapon to combat the dreadful virus. Further she has requested people to adhere to the Covid Appropriate Behaviour to remain safe in this dreadful pandemic.

According to the fact sheet of the Covishield vaccine issued by the Serum Institute of India, the vaccine ingredients are L-Histidine hydrochloride monohydrate, Magnesium chloride hexahydrate, Polysorbate 80, Ethanol, sucrose, sodium chloride, Disodium edetate dehydrate(EDTA), besides water for injection. Further from the fact sheet of vaccine from Bharat Biotech vaccine (COVAXIN) its ingredients are; aluminum hydroxide gel, imidazoquinoline, 2-Phenoxyetonal and phosphate buffer saline. These ingredients are often used in many other vaccines which are given in routine immunization of children and adults.

So far we have administered 3323862 doses of covid vaccine in the Union Territory of J&K as of 1.06.2021 and have not found any severe adverse event of its ingredients in 99.99% beneficiaries. Out of these 3323862 doses given we had only 105(0.0032%) mild adverse events following immunization and 9 (0.0002%) serious adverse events following immunization.

Therefore, the claim in this news item is not correct. The Covid-19 vaccine is completely safe and not a single death was found causally associated with covid vaccination. We must hesitate in forwarding such types of messages on social media /print media & as well as electronic media. The doctor’s fraternity here in Kashmir division also today debunked this news and stated that currently the vaccination is the most potent tool to fight against this virus. We must not pay any heed to any false information circulated in some sections of the media fraternity.