Srinagar: As many as 946 people were fined while 186 others were arrested during the last 24 hours for violating COVID curfew and other guidelines imposed to curtail the spread of the infection in Kashmir valley.

A Police spokesperson on Tuesday said that continuing its efforts to curb the outbreak of a second wave of Coronavirus, J&K Police have enhanced its efforts to sensitise the masses about controlling the highly contagious COVID-19.

“Police have also enhanced the efforts to implement the COVID-19 guidelines/SOPs/restrictions strictly in the valley,” he said, adding slew of measures including restrictions under section 144 CrPc, have been put into place to contain the spread of the infection.

“During the last 24 hours, police arrested 186 persons, lodged 98 FIRs and also realized a fine to the tune of Rs 1,23,120 from 946 people for violating the guidelines/rules in Kashmir valley,” he said.

He said the special drive against the violators of Covid-19 guidelines/rules would continue in all the districts of Kashmir 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 the safety of the people. The special drive shall continue throughout the districts of Kashmir Valley to strengthen the safety measures,” he added.

Jammu: Union Home Secretary, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the management of the COVID-19 pandemic across all Union territories.

Chief Secretary, Jammu & Kashmir B V R Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretaries of all Union territories, and Union Secretaries of the concerned departments participated in the meeting.

The Union Home Secretary cautioned the UTs on the successive surges and asked them to remain vigilant to the situation. Advising the UTs to learn from their experiences, the Home Secretary asked them to keep pace with testing and vaccination rates, besides enforcing COVID appropriate behaviour and strengthening the medical infrastructure.

At the outset, Union Secretary, Health and Family Welfare gave a presentation on prevailing situation in the UTs. It was mentioned that J&K is performing reasonably well in mitigating the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic with 3,946 cases per million population being reported over the last two weeks and 62 deaths per million during the same period.

Giving a brief of the measures being taken in J&K to contain the spread of COVID, the Chief Secretary informed that the Government has enhanced both testing and vaccination capacities. “The early detection of infection has allowed for timely medical intervention, whereas vaccination was found to reduce the severity of disease in patients – both strategies have been successful in restricting COVID-related fatalities in the UT”, he added. Currently, Jammu and Kashmir is among the leading regions in the country in vaccination of above 45 years age group having vaccinated 66% of its eligible population which is well above the national average of 32%. Within J&K, 4 districts- Ganderbal, Jammu, Samba, and Shopian, have achieved100% coverage in this category, while the remaining continue with promising progress. To pace up vaccination in the 18-45 age category, it was requested that Jammu and Kashmir be provided with a sustained supply of vaccines in the coming months.

Further, the Chief Secretary informed that through the Government’s timely response, the daily number of COVID cases has reduced from an all-time high of 5500 to 2200 in two weeks. The same period also witnessed a reduction in the case positivity rate from 13% to 6.2%. It was highlighted that the districts having higher vaccination rates reported lower positivity rates, thus establishing a correlation between vaccination and success of containment measures.

Underscoring the shift of disease’s catchment area, the Chief Secretary pointed out that in Jammu and Kashmir more cases are now being reported from rural than urban areas, adding that such cases are as high as 55% and 60% in Jammu and Kashmir divisions, respectively.

Regarding augmentation of medical infrastructure and facilities in the Union territory, it was informed that the Government has recently adopted a strategy to establish 5-bedded COVID care facilities with at least 1 oxygen supported bed at approximately 4000 Panchayats to provide immediate medical care to the COVID patients who can then be referred to higher-level facilities in case of emergency. Additionally, 33000 COVID care medical kits have been distributed for usage by patients in home isolation.

It was announced that the twin 500-bedded temporary hospitals being established by the Defence Research and Development Organization will commence operations at Jammu from tomorrow and at Srinagar from 1st July, thereby greatly reinforcing COVID dedicated medical infrastructure in the Union territory. The Chief Secretary requested that to establish continuous oxygen supply to these facilities, two dedicated oxygen tankers for these hospitals be provided to Jammu and Kashmir.

It was further requested that considering the rural spread of the disease, two 250-bedded DRDO designed hospitals be additionally approved for peripheral districts.

The Union Home Secretary lauded the efforts of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir in mitigating the spread of COVID infections especially the rollout of targeted vaccination drives. He assured full support and coordination with regard to vaccines and assistance with medical facilities, and asserted greater indulgence with well-performing States and Union territories.

Takes stock of Covid patient care at SKIMS Bemina, SMHS

Srinagar: Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir Pandurang K. Pole Tuesday visited SKIMS Medical College Hospital, Bemina and SMHS Hospital, GMC Srinagar to take on the spot stock of health facilities being provided to the Covid patients in these tertiary care hospitals.

During the visit, the Div Com inspected various Covid designated wards and enquired from the patients about the services being provided to them in these hospitals. He also noticed several shortcomings which were directed to be looked upon at the earliest by the concerned Medical Superintendents.

He instructed the Medical Superintendents to ensure quality care to the patients and also emphasized on rational use of drugs and optimal Oxygen supply to the critically ill patients.

On spot instructions were given for managing the oxygen outlets as per guidelines and as per guidance given in the capacity building training. Distribution of Oxygen cylinders should be facilitated in wards with the help of hospital Security Personal or other law enforcing agencies.

He also stressed upon only one attendant per patient should be allowed to enter the Covid ward after wearing proper PPE kit and strictly adhering to Covid appropriate behaviour and  following infection control measures.

It was pointed out that maintenance of inpatient records along with notes/entries of senior consultants must be checked upon by the concerned nodal officers of these hospitals on a daily basis.

Later, the Div Com chaired a review meeting regarding the Covid-19 mitigation activities in the Kashmir division at Divisional Covid-19 Control Room Kashmir.

The meeting was attended by Medical Superintendents and Nodal officers of Tertiary care hospitals of Kashmir along with Director Health Services Kashmir. The meeting was also attended by Incharge and various senior level officers of Divisional Covid Control Room Kashmir.

The Div Com reviewed the progress achieved in controlling the second wave of Covid-19. During the meeting he stressed upon the optimal usage of RT PCR tests at all these tertiary care hospital laboratories and ensure timely reporting of these tests to the general public.

He also directed the nodal officers that people who wish to travel outside state/ country may be advised to go for RT PCR testing at government designated private labs in order to ease the burden on these over stretched laboratories.

The Div Com stressed upon further augmentation of oxygen supported bed capacity in these hospitals in order to deliver the quality health care to the patients at these tertiary care hospitals. He also directed the concerned officers to ensure oxygen audit in their hospitals. A clear direction was given to Nodal Officers of these hospitals to conduct a mock drill of installed firefighting equipment at their hospitals so that they shall be ready for any untoward mishap.

Regarding BLACK FUNGUS (Mucormycosis) Divisional Commissioner Kashmir directed all Nodal Officers of tertiary care hospitals as well as Director Health Services Kashmir to notify all the suspected and confirmed cases of this disease to the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) on daily basis and provide hassle free treatment to these patients at all levels.

During the meeting the Div Com expressed his satisfaction over the streamlining of the patient referral system and also re-emphasized the need for a correct, robust and efficient referral system in place.

LG Sinha releases pictorial e-compendium at Raj Bhawan

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha Tuesday released a pictorial e-Compendium of 1676 projects completed during 2020-21 under the District Capex, here at Raj Bhavan.

The publication of the compendium is part of transparency framework to inform stakeholders of developmental works and enable them to participate in the process of identification and execution of works, which has assumed even greater significance in view of grass-root level planning process being promoted in the UT after the landmark implementation of 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, observed the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor noted that the number of projects completed during 2020-21 at 1676 is higher than 1165 projects completed during 2019-20, despite the Covid 19 pandemic, which is result of a host of reforms institutionalized in project execution, such as mandatory Administrative Approval, e-tendering, physical verification, due budgetary provision, submission of geo-tagged photographs and online payment through JK PaySys.

It is an attempt to bring about greater accountability, the characteristic of emerging work culture in the UT, the Lt Governor said.

The District Capex is an extremely important component in the overall developmental framework of the Districts of J&K. The government has put all the 1676 infrastructure projects completed during 2020-21 into public domain with geo-tagged photographs.

Initiated last year, this practice involves putting every government work into public domain so that people participate in monitoring of expenditure being incurred under various schemes. The objective behind this is to ensure that money is spent as per the needs and aspirations of general public to address the gap between what is projected and what is actually achieved on ground, he added.

Urging people to actively participate in the developmental process so that projects implemented are in line with their needs, the Lt Governor said that the novel initiative is aimed at making the administration more responsive, besides inculcating a kind of responsibility among all the stakeholders from top to grassroots level.

“It will sensitise actual beneficiaries to be watchful and take due interest in making every penny spent from government coffers attain what it is envisioned to achieve originally while envisaging such developmental activities. This document is a visual glimpse of what we have achieved, and what needs to be done going forward”, the Lt Governor added.

The Lt Governor instructed all the Deputy Commissioners to host the relevant portions of this compendium on their district websites so that maximum number of people gets access to the same. He also asked them to encourage people to come forward with their feedback so that necessary action is initiated as per their suggestions.

Arun Kumar Mehta, Financial Commissioner, Finance Department, while speaking on the occasion, said that several procedures have been streamlined in the UT of J&K under the guidance of the Lt Governor, with the objective of improving public service delivery.

This e-Compendium provides information which can be easily accessed and understood, besides serving as a useful reference for all stakeholders, he added.

Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor was also present on the occasion.

Urge Govt to waive off interest on loans for next 5-years’

Srinagar:  Tour operators on Tuesday demanded a comprehensive bailout package.

In a statement they said, “Be it leisure, adventure or pilgrimage operators the government should give interest waiver for various loans raised by tour operators in different segments like purchase of tourist taxis, adventure tourism equipments, trekking and camping equipment, office automation, technology tools, power back-ups, staff trainings, term loans and soft loans.”

The statement said, “ The interest should be waived off for next 5 years. We also demand a GST waiver for all tourism products for the next two years. The major annual expenses of not less than seven to eight lakhs are spent annually by a tour operator on six months advance promotional activity such as participation in trade fairs, printing of publicity material, pen drives & on vendor management through Google etc., besides expenses on travelling and boarding.”

It said, “Kashmir tourism industry has been in doldrums since 2019. It needs a respite and the government should come forward to help us. There was some improvement in tourism activity from December 2020 till March 2021 but unfortunately the 2nd COVID-19 Wave has again disrupted the tourism activity. We have suffered projected losses around Rs 1350 crore till November 2020.”

It said, “The tourism incentive scheme should be extended for the next 15 years. Travel agents and tour operators should be included in the scheme and all pending cases should be released at the earliest.”

The statement said, “Recently the government had announced a relief of around Rs 3 Cr to the weaker section of the society such as Shikara Wallas, Pony Wallas etc, indeed it was a welcome step, but the amount is too meager for them to survive till the next tourism season starts, which is not likely to commence before 2022.  However, the legitimate tour operators, numbering around 700 – 800 who are the front runners in promoting destinations have been ignored and left to fend on their own. It is paramount to give brief about the tour operators and their financial implications.”

The statement said, “The tourism incentive scheme should be extended for the next 15 years. Travel agents and tour operators should be included in the scheme and all pending cases should be released at the earliest.”

Srinagar: The government forces on Tuesday launched a search operation in the hills of high-profile Gupkar areas in the summer capital, Srinagar, after suspicious movement was observed, official sources said.

They said that suspicious movement was observed in the wee hours on Tuesday in the hills near Gupkar area, where the houses of former chief ministers, politicians and officers of security agencies are located.

“A search operation was immediately launched by security forces in the hills while security has been beefed up on Gupkar road,” they said.

However, they said so far nothing suspicious has been found during the operation. This is for the first time since the eruption of militancy that searches were conducted in the hills. (UNI)

Srinagar: Suspected militants lobbed a grenade at a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) party in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Tuesday, officials said.

CRPF officials said militants lobbed a grenade at a ‘naka’ party outside a CRPF camp in Tral area, but it missed the target and exploded on the road, causing no injuries or loss.

Additional police parties have reached the spot. The area has been cordoned off and a search operation has been started to nab the attackers. (IANS)

Jammu: The Government of India has sanctioned establishment of three Common Incubation Facility Centres worth Rs. 7.81 crore at Anantnag, Baramulla and Jammu.

Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare Department, Navin Kumar Choudhary, while explaining about details of this approval, informed that the first Incubation Facility Centre will be established at Anantnag with an estimated cost of Rs. 2.70 crore which will have focus on processing fish and fishery based products. The Centre will aim for a manifold increase in production of fish, processing, packaging and export to different parts of the country as well as abroad, he added.

He said that the second Centre will be established at Narwal, Jammu, with an estimated cost of Rs. 2.68 crore for processing of dairy products. The Government is according focused consideration on increasing milk production and Jammu and Kashmir is likely to be transformed into milk surplus territory, he added. He said that focus of this facility will be to promote value addition by way of producing milk based products like butter, cheese, ghee, chocolate and packaging and marketing of the products on scientific lines. He added that J&K will soon turn into one of the important destinations of milk based products.

Choudhary further informed that the third Incubation Facility Centre will be established at Baramulla for processing of apple and other fruits and vegetables. This will give a new dimension to processing, packaging of fruits and vegetables of international standard and consequently better marketing and income to the growers. Horticulture Department is already implementing an ambitious scheme of High Density Plantation and establishment of large scale CA stores, he added.

Choudhary further informed that one more proposal of establishment of Incubation Centre at Ramban is likely to be considered by the Center government shortly. This proposed Centre will focus on olive, lavender and other important products like Rajmash of erstwhile Doda region.

He further informed that three sanctioned Incubation Facility Centres at Anantnag, Baramulla and Jammu will be completed in one year’s time. He hoped that these Centres will prove to be a milestone in the history of processing and marketing of Agricultural, Horticulture, Dairy and Fish products in J&K. It will certainly help in achieving the goal of doubling the income of farmers.

Jammu and Kashmir Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (J&K HPMC) Limited has been designated as the Nodal Agency for execution of all these three sanctioned projects.

MD, JK HPMC, Shafaat Sultan, expressed confidence over setting up of these Centres within the given time lines.

By: Naveed Ul Haq

Budgam: At least two minor girls and a boy died on Tuesday evening after they fell into a pit in Narwara Beerwah area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

Official sources said that the trio fell into a pit while playing in Beerwah area, saying that they were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors declared them dead on arrival.

They identified the trio as four-year-old boy Sabzar Ahmad, three-year-old Dua Jan and two-year-old Arsheman Bashir—all the residents of Narwara Beerwah.

Meanwhile, a police officer said that an investigation into the matter has been initiated. (KNO)

Srinagar: Government of Jammu and Kashmir has Tuesday ordered transfers and postings in administration, appointing Surinderjit Singh as Private Secretary (HoD Rank) in State Election Commission.

The Government Order No. 464-JK (GAD) of 2021 Dated: 25-05-2021 to this effect, states that Javaid Ahmad Mir, Private Secretary in the State Election Commission, J&K, is transferred and shall await further orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department.

Ghulam Mohammad Wagay, Private Secretary in the Tribal Affairs Department has been transferred and shall await further orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department, it states.

“Surinderjit Singh, Private Secretary (HoD Cadre) presently awaiting orders of adjustment in the Directorate of Animal Husbandry, Jammu is transferred and posted in the State Election Commission, J&K on ex-cadre basis”, it concludes.