New Delhi: India registered 1,86,364 fresh cases of COVID-19 and 3,660 casualties in the past 24 hours, according to the data updated by the Union Health Ministry on Friday.

The fresh addition took the cumulative caseload to 2,75,55,457 while the death toll soared to 3,18,895.

The active caseload in the country is 23,43,152 comprising 8.50 per cent of the total infections while 2,48,93,410 people have recovered from disease so far amounting to 90.34 per cent of recovery rate. The case fatality rate stands at 1.16 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that a total of 33.90,39,861 samples have been tested so far for coronavirus. Of this, 20,70,508 were tested in the past one day.

On the vaccination front, a total of 20,57,20,660 people have been vaccinated across the country till now with 29,19,699 administered in the last 24 hours. (UNI)

Srinagar: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad Friday said that the Srinagar district has shown a significant decline in Covid-19 positive cases and covid related hospital admissions in the past few days.

He was giving a brief about the latest Covid-19 scenario in the district. Giving details, he informed that the positivity rate of Covid cases has declined from 36 percent in mid of May to 8.7 percent on 27 May, 2021 whileas recovery rate of district has picked up at 83 percent. He said there are about 5800 active Covid-19 cases in the district.

The DC said that due to relentless testing and vaccination drives across the district there was an overall reduction in Covid cases, however, there is need to be extra cautious by strictly adhering to Covid-19 Appropriate Behavior at all levels.

With regard to the ongoing Covid-19 vaccination process, the DC informed that a population of over 2.80 lakh of target groups has been administered Covid vaccine doses in the district till date. He said vaccination centers have been established across the City to cover the rest of the targeted population.

It was also given out that Srinagar district ranks at 3rd place in terms of total vaccine doses across districts of J&K.

The DC urged the people to get vaccinated at an earliest to curb the Covid-19.

Similarly, on the directions of Lieutenant Governor, the district administration Srinagar has setup Covid care centres at all 21 Panchayats of the district with all medical equipments, oximeters, besides Medical and Paramedical staff to manage and contain the Covid-19 effectively in rural areas, said the DC.

He further informed that under different Social Security schemes, financial assistance of Rs 5.60 crore has been disbursed among 5222 beneficiaries and Rs 2.19 crore has been also provided to construction workers. Requisite number of Mandays has also been generated under MNREGA and payments also stand released.

Div Com launches Taskeen Tele- Counselling for Covid affected children

Srinagar: In a brief interaction, 190 Oxygen Concentrators were officially handed over to Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Pandurang K. Polehere on Friday at his office.

Commissioner Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Zubair Ahmad also present on the occasion, stressed upon the coordination of relief efforts of the government and non-governmental organisations in J & K to mitigate the challenges posed by the pandemic.

These 190 Oxygen Concentrators have been supported by Mission Oxygen, KFORD and HWVO.

While discussing the relief and COVID response efforts across Kashmir, Iqbal Lone CEO KFORD apprised the officials about the relief and support efforts from Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiative.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and Commissioner Secretary, FCS&CA,  while revealing the details of huge augmentation efforts made by the government for increasing both oxygen generation  and refilling capacity across all hospitals, appreciated the support of providing these oxygen concentrators  to be used by the government hospitals, particularly in peripheral areas, across Kashmir division.

They also lauded the contributions being made by the organization, during these tough and challenging times.

Meanwhile, Pole launched Taskeen, a tele- counselling for psychological support of Covid-19 affected children during the pandemic.

The counselling has been started in wake of the growing concerns among parents. A team of Psychologists and resources persons on alternate days shall provide counselling to address fear, anxiety and other mental stress related issues among the Covid-19 affected children  by providing them psychological first-aid and emotional support.

Div Com said that a team of psychologists, experts shall cater to children in quarantine, isolation and in Covid care centres. The counselling shall also be given to the children who have their parents or near ones as Covid positive, besides also to those children who have lost their family members to the virus.

The panel shall also be available to all children and parents seeking psychological support though phone, audio and video calls.

The resource persons shall be contacted through their contact numbers, Dr Sadaqat  on 7006519806 phone number on Monday, Aijaz, 7006314064 on Thursday and  Masood on 6006175373 on Saturday between 10 am to 4 pm.

The Covid Control Room Kashmir has taken various measures to address mental related issues among children and parents, arranging tele- consultation of doctors, psychologists and field related experts to reach out to the general public in the pandemic.

Srinagar: Government on Friday appointed Arun Kumar Mehta (IAS, AGMUT) as the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Consequent upon the appointment of B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, IAS (CG:1987), Chief Secretary, J&K, as Officer on Special Duty in the Department of Commerce, Government of India, Arun Kumar Mehta, IAS (AGMUT:1988) is hereby appointed as Chief Secretary, J&K from the date B.V.R. Subrahmanyam relinquishes the charge,” reads the order, a copy of which lies with GNS.

BVR Subrahmanyam was on Thursday appointed J&K Officer on Special Duty in the Department of Commerce, Government of India. He was also named Secretary in the Commerce Department with effect from June 30 when the incumbent superannuates.

The union Home Secretary later approved Mehta’s appointment as new J&K Chief Secretary and asked the local administration to issue orders to this effect.

Search operation continues in Sopore

Srinagar: A Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) militant, who was active from March 26 this year, was killed in a gunfight with a joint team of police and security forces in Shopian district of South Kashmir on Friday, officials said.

“At about 1500 hours, acting on a specific input regarding presence of (militants) in orchards of village Ganapora area of Shopian, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 44RR and 14Bn CRPF in the area,” a police spokesman said in a statement.

During the search operation, he said, as the presence of militants got ascertained they were given repeated opportunities to surrender, however they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated, leading to an encounter, he said.

“In the ensuing encounter, one (militant) was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of the encounter.”

He has been identified as Aitmad Ahmad Dar resident of Awend Shopian. “He was linked to LeT. As per police records, the killed (militant) was active since 26/03/2021 and was involved in several cases.”

The spokesman said arms and ammunition including one AK-56 rifle and other incriminating materials were recovered from the encounter site.

“IGP Kashmir congratulates Police and security forces for conducting successful operation in a professional manner without any collateral damage.”

Meanwhile, the spokesman said at about 1930 hours, a joint party of Police and security forces at Usmanabad Warpora area of Sopore while laying cordon of a suspected house was fired upon by militants to escape from the house during brief exchange of fire. “Reinforcements came and a nearby orchard cordoned and search was going on. Further details shall follow,” he added.

Measure aimed to appreciate their contribution towards COVID control: Dulloo

Srinagar: In a major decision, the government has accorded approval for substantial hike in salary of employees who are working under National Health Mission in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The decision, in this regard, has been conveyed to the Union Territory in the approval received for the Programme Implementation Plan for the financial year 2021-22 projected by the J&K government.

As per the approval accorded by Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in addition to annual increment budget of 5 per cent, for the first time, an additional increment of about 12 per cent has been approved as hike in salary for NHM employees through restructuring and rationalization.

The exact amount of individual increment in this regard shall be notified by the Executive Committee of State Health Society headed by Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department, Atal Dulloo, shortly.

Financial Commissioner, Atal Dulloo, while complimenting the NHM employees for the incentive, said that this endeavor of the government is aimed at to boost the morale of the employees and encourage and appreciate their contribution towards working tirelessly in curbing Covid-19. “Such perks are always being given by the government to recognize the services of those who put their selfless services for the cause of humanity and set examples for others to follow”, he maintained.

Mission Director NHM, J&K,    Mohammed Yasin Choudhary, said that the salary hike, particularly the salary revision was one of the long pending demands of NHM employees working in the Union Territory. It was under consideration of the Government and was actively pursued by the UT administration in the National Programme Coordination Committee Meeting for 2021-22 with the Union Ministry.

He thanked Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, Advisor to LG, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar and Financial Commissioner, Atal Dulloo, for their efforts in ensuring approval of this increment in favour of NHM employees for recognition of their services. He added that in these tough times of the pandemic, “COVID warriors” of Health and Medical Education Department, including NHM employees, have risen to the challenge and are selflessly providing holistic health care services to counter the spread of Corona virus and treat the infected.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Jammu and Kashmir government in its employee friendly measures had also recently announced grant of loyalty bonus for contractual staff of the National Health Mission (NHM) for the financial year 2020-21.

Srinagar: A trade body was among the groups who welcomed the appointment of Arun Kumar Mehta as the new Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir.

Officers belonging to Jammu Kashmir Administrative Service have congratulated A K Mehta, Financial Commissioner, Finance, on being appointed as the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement, the officers have hailed the contribution rendered by Mr. Mehta in various previous assignments during his career and hoped that during his tenure as CS, J&K would march ahead on the path of prosperity and development.

In a statement released to media, the Jammu & Kashmir administrative officers fraternity said that Mehta being a member of J&K cadre of IAS is fully aware of all matters and has wealth of experience of working in J&K and hoped that the same would be utilised for the welfare of people.

The officers pledged all support and cooperation to Mehta in this regard.

JKAS officers also thanked the outgoing CS, B V R Subrahmanyan for his stewardship and efficient handling of the issues in J&K. They have wished him best for his next assignment as the Union Commerce Secretary.

Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I) in a statement welcomed the appointment of the new Chief Secretary of J&K Arun Kumar Mehta and bid farewell to his predecessor and incumbent BVR Subrahmanyam for his new assignment in the Commerce Ministry at the Centre.

As Arun Kumar Mehta (IAS) has been appointed a new Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, KCC&I President, Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad and General Secretary Farooq Amin have hailed the appointment and expressed expectations and high hopes from the new Chief Secretary.

KCC&I spokesperson said the appointment has come at a time when the J&K is going through successive lockdowns triggered economic crisis, and is reeling under pandemic lockdown. It has expressed full hope in the administrative capabilities of Arun Kumar Mehta to bail out Kashmir out of the economic crisis.

As Arun Kumar Mehta has more than three decades of experience in bureaucracy with key positions in J&K and Centre, the KCC&I has expressed high hopes from his administrative acumen and experience.

As previously he has held key positions in J&K as DC Baramulla, Power Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir before proceeding onto his central deputations. His tenure in Kashmir is remembered for his several initiatives like fast track development process to bringing accountability and transparency in governance.

Further, KCC&I has expressed joy and hope at the appointment of BVR Subrahmanyam in the Commerce Ministry. It also expressed high hopes with outgoing Chief Secretary as he will represent Kashmir at the centre as he is aware of the economic situation in the UT of J&K.

Meanwhile, the Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) congratulated Arun Kumar Mehta for being posted as the new Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir.

Expressing immense pleasure, EJAC President Fayaz Ahmad Shabnam hailed the decision of the government for assigning the top most administrative post of J&K to Arun Kumar Mehta.

In a statement, he said that, “On behalf of all the employees of J&K especially the EJAC leadership, I welcome Mehta as the new Chief Secretary of J&K”.

Shabnam said that EJAC has full confidence that being an honest and competent administrator, Mehta will continue to work to ensure the progress and prosperity of the people, especially the employees of J&K. He added that the employees are optimistic that Mehta will address all the lingering issues of the employees and will protect their interests at all platforms.

EJAC president highlighted that the whole world including JK is struck hard by the pandemic on all fronts and it needs very incredible leadership and statesmanship to overcome the ongoing and upcoming challenges and bring back the JK to its glory and prosperity and hoped that the new Chief Secretary will overcome all such challenges.

Shabnam also assured full cooperation to Mehta for the bright future of J&K and in implementing the aspirations of the employees.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday conducted an aerial survey to review the damages caused by the severe cyclonic storm ‘Yaas in Odisha and West Bengal.

Expressing solidarity with the people affected by the cyclonic storm, the Prime Minister announced financial assistance of Rs 1,000 crore for immediate relief activities. Of this, Rs 500 crore would be given to Odisha, while the remaining amount would be allotted to West Bengal and Jharkhand on the basis of the extent of damage.

The Union government will also deploy an inter-ministerial team to visit the states to assess the extent of damage, based on which further assistance will be announced.

The Centre has assured all help for restoration and rebuilding of the infrastructure in the affected areas.

An amount of Rs 2 lakh ex gratia would be given to the next of kin of the deceased, while Rs 50,000 would be given to the injured persons.

During his visit to Odisha and West Bengal to review the situation arising out of cyclone Yaas, the Prime Minister undertook an aerial survey of the affected areas in Bhadrak and Baleswar districts in Odisha, and East Midnapore in West Bengal.

In Bhubaneswar, the Prime Minister chaired a meeting to review the relief and rehabilitation measures undertaken so far.

The Prime Minister was briefed that the maximum damage due to cyclone Yaas happened in Odisha, and in some parts of West Bengal and Jharkhand.

Modi assured the people of Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand that the Centre will work closely with the state governments at this difficult time, and extend all possible assistance for the restoration and rebuilding of the infrastructure in the affected areas.

The Prime Minister expressed his solidarity with all those who suffered due to the cyclone and expressed deep sorrow to the families which lost their kin during the calamity.

“We have to continue the focus on more scientific management of disasters. As the frequency and impact of cyclonic storms are increasing in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, communication systems, mitigation efforts and preparedness have to undergo a major change,” Modi said.

He also spoke about the importance of building trust among the people for better cooperation in relief efforts.

Modi appreciated the preparedness and disaster management measures of the Odisha government which resulted in minimal loss of lives. He also noted that the state has embarked on long-term mitigation efforts to deal with natural disasters. (IANS)

New Delhi: The central government has transferred the 220kv Srinagar-Drass-Kargil-Khaltsi-Leh Transmission System to Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd, the firm said in a statement on Friday.

Power Grid built the transmission system “on consultancy basis under the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan (PMRP),” it said. The Rs 2,266 crore project was completed in over four and a half years and commissioned in February 2019.

The Centre had earlier announced that the transmission system would be transferred to the Power and Development Department (PDD) of the former Jammu and Kashmir state upon commissioning for operation and maintenance and related activities.

The 335km long transmission line has been built at the height of around 3000-4000 meters. The project includes four 220/66 kV Gas Insulated Substations at Drass, Kargil, Khaltsi and Leh.