New Delhi: India registered 2,11,298 fresh cases of COVID-19 and 3,847 casualties in the past 24 hours, according to the data updated by the Union Health Ministry on Thursday.

The fresh addition took the cumulative caseload to 2,73,69,093 while the death toll soared to 3,15,235.

The active caseload in the country is 24,19,907 comprising 8.84 per cent of the total infections while 2,46,33,951 people have recovered from disease so far amounting to 90.01 per cent of recovery rate. The case fatality rate stands at 1.15 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that a total of 33,69,69,353 samples have been tested so far for coronavirus. Of this, 21,57,857 were tested in the past one day.

On the vaccination front, a total of 20,26,95,874 people have been vaccinated across the country till now with 18,85,805 administered in the last 24 hours.

New Delhi: With an aim to check on the spread of the deadly second surge of Coronavirus, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday extended nationwide Covid 19 containment measures till June 30.

In a communication to the State Chief Secretaries, the Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said the order dated April 29, 2021, issued to ensure compliance to the containment measures for COVID-19, as conveyed by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) D.O. letter dated April 25, 2021, has been extended up to 30th June 2021.

Noting that the strict implementation of containment and other measures has led to a declining trend in the number of new and active cases, across States and Union Territories (UTs), barring some areas in the Southern and North-Eastern regions, Mr Bhalla further said that despite the declining trend, the number of active cases presently have been still very high, therefore the containment measures may continue to be implemented strictly.

Any relaxation by States/UTs may be considered at an appropriate time, in a graded manner, after assessing the local situation, requirements, and resources, he added.

The Home Secretary also asked them to continue compliance to the containment measures, as has been advised by MoHFW in their letter dated 25.04.2021, to fully overcome the pandemic and the necessary directions may be issued to district authorities in the respective states UT, for taking all necessary measures along with the disseminating the awareness to the public and the field functionaries, for their effective implementation. (UNI)

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar: The work on two Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) hospitals in both Jammu and Kashmir divisions is in full swing and both hospitals are almost near completion.

Officials in the health department said that around 95 percent work has been completed on DRDO hospital Jammu already while work on the pending part is going on in full swing and it is expected to be completed in the next two to three days.

They said that around 80 percent of the work has also been completed on DRDO hospital in Central Kashmir and is expected to get completed in the first week of June.

The officials said that such facilities in both divisions was the need of the hour and it will greatly help the locals.

Financial Commissioner Health and Medical Education Atal Dulloo said that work on both DRDO hospitals is going on with full speed and both hospitals will start functioning very soon.

He said that DRDO hospital in Jammu will be completed in the next two days and DRDO hospital in Kashmir will be completed by June 05.

The DRDO had started construction of two 500-bed hospitals one each in Jammu and Kashmir.

The 500 bed Covid hospital is being constructed at State land near Amarnath Yatri Niwas Bhagwati Nagar Jammu.

In Kashmir, the hospital is being constructed at Khanmoh area in the outskirts of Srinagar.

The hospitals will have 500 isolation beds with oxygen support including 125 fully equipped ICU beds.

Meanwhile, in a bid to prevent further spread of Covid-19 in rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Financial Commissioner (FC), Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department said that the govt has initiated a programme, ‘Training for Master trainers’ wherein frontline workers at block and village level shall be trained to conduct Covid-19 tests and besides raise awareness among masses about Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB).

The FC, H&ME said this during the inauguration of a training programme titled, ‘Training of Trainers for Covid-19 Management and Possible 3rd Wave’ at JLNM Hospital, here.

Among others, Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, P K Pole; Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar Ajiaz Assad; Director, Health Services Kashmir,  Mushtaq Ahmad Rather and other officers of the Health department.

Speaking on the occasion, Dulloo said that the current trend of Covid-19 cases show that the virus has spread in villages while earlier it was limited to cities and major towns and to overcome the challenge this training programme has been organised.

He said that under ‘Training for Master trainers’, frontline workers including Anganwadi workers, Asha Workers, ANM,  Sarpanchs, Panchs, Lumberdars, Chowkidars and other concerned shall be provided training regarding conduct of Covid tests under the supervision of Medical Officers.

He also said that they shall create awareness regarding CAB besides disposal of PPE, gloves and masks in a proper way among the rural people to curb the spread of contagious virus to rural areas.

Highlighting the importance of Covid Care Centres (CCCs), the FC H&ME said that  these CCCs at Panchayat and block level; primary health centers and sub-centres will help to stop the referral of non-severe Covid patients to tertiary care hospitals which will eventually reduce pressure on such hospitals.

Meanwhile, the Div Com Kashmir said that at the beginning of the outbreak of Covid pandemic little information was available regarding the measures to contain its spread. However, Divisional administration gave first preference to ensure availability of N95 Masks, PPE kits for the physicians who were treating covid positive patients.

But, he said, the second wave created new challenges of oxygen demand regarding which various measures were taken including the establishment of oxygen plants in tertiary and district hospitals to meet the demand besides ensuring sufficient availability of oxygen cylinders.

He further said that in view of the possible emergence of third wave, the government has begun to take concrete measures starting from ‘Training for Trainers’ and establishment of functional CCCs at Panchayat level and block level. He said the training programme for master trainers shall continue till Ist June, and later the master trainers will provide training at district level to frontline workers till 10th June.

Speaking on the occasion, the Director, Health Services Kashmir, said that  the motto of the programme was to prepare manpower and train them to contain the possible third wave.

He said that the DHSK will involve medical experts of various fields including Pediatrician, Anaesthesia, Microbiology, Social Preventive Medicine to impart training to ASHAS, Anganwardi workers, ANM, and other people who would be associated with the Panchayat Covid  Centers including Sarpanchs, Panchs and volunteers.

In consonance with the LGs directions of creating Covid bed facility in Panchayats, the Director said that the Directorate is on the mission mode to establish five beds in each Panchayat and thirty to forty beds at  block level to ensure timely and quality treatment to Covid patients.

This endeavour will also facilitate those home isolated patients who do not have a proper isolation room with bed and attached washroom.

Later, he informed that there has been no shortage of oxygen, deficiency of medicine or any other issue in Kashmir province regarding the Covid patient treatment. (KNO)

Reviews Covid situation in Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi

Rajouri/ Reasi: In order to take stock of prevailing on-ground Covid-19 situation and containment efforts in the Districts, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Thursday reviewed health institutions in Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi districts.

The Lt Governor sought a detailed status of Covid Containment efforts, vaccination, testing, distribution of covid kits, establishment of Panchayat Covid Care centres, IEC activities, necessary life-saving equipment like availability of oxygen supported beds, ventilators, oxygen capacity & supply etc.

Test, track, treat and transformation of health infrastructure are the four keys to fight COVID pandemic. We need to put in our best efforts to contain the spread of Corona virus, the Lt Governor observed.

Emphasizing on the availability of requisite medicare facilities for the border dwellers, the Lt Governor directed the concerned DCs, CMOs, Police Administration to put dedicated efforts to strengthen health centres in the border areas.

During his visits to GMC Rajouri and District Hospital Reasi, the Lt Governor took a round of various sections of the Hospitals, wherein he interacted with doctors, paramedical staff and enquired about the healthcare facilities and infrastructure available there.

The Lt Governor appreciated the frontline health workers for dedicatedly serving the people during Covid pandemic.

“I appreciate doctors, nurses for their tireless efforts. People will always remember how our healthcare workers made them feel in the crisis & how they worked selflessly to save lives”, said the Lt Governor.

Doctors’ and Paramedical staff’s undaunted spirit to go beyond the call of duty is changing lives, setting an example for humanity and creating a stronger society, he added.

The Lt Governor interacted with Ms. Manju Devi, Staff Nurse in District Hospital, Reasi and also appreciated Sh. Som Raj, Incharge housekeeping & Security Services at GMC Rajouri, for discharging their duties with great commitment and setting examples for other frontline workers.

Strengthen human resources of the hospitals & Covid Care Centres and prepare for future challenges, the Lt Governor told the officers. He further called for augmenting healthcare infrastructure at grassroots level.

The most important gift that doctors and paramedical staff can offer to the people is their presence and attention in the COVID wards of hospitals and Primary Health Centres in rural areas, observed the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor passed various directions to the concerned officers for effectively tackling the spread of Covid pandemic. He directed for micro containment zones in the towns to isolate pockets with high positivity rate.

While taking the district-wise status of availability of medical oxygen, the Lt Governor was informed that new oxygen generation plants would become operational soon, thus augmenting the oxygen availability in the districts, adding 4250 LPM Oxygen capacity at Poonch; 3250 LPM at Rajouri and 1000 LPM in Reasi.

Regarding the demand and supply of oxygen to patients in GMC Rajouri, it was informed that 1000 LPM PSA Oxygen Generation Plant (OGP) is functioning efficiently. One 1000 LPM capacity is also sanctioned, besides three 750 LPM plants would be made functional in the coming days.

Poonch DC and SP who were present in the meeting at Rajouri, briefed the Lt Governor about Covid situation and work going on to set up Panchayat Covid Care Centres. It was informed that the civil works for three Oxygen Plants of 750 LPM capacity have been completed, and one more 1000 LPM Oxygen Generation Plant at DH Poonch stands sanctioned. Further, Oxygen Plans of 200 LPM, 300 LPM and 500 LPM shall be installed at Mandi in the coming time.

Also in Reasi, one 1000 LPM capacity Oxygen Generation Plant is functioning at DH Reasi, whereas another of the same capacity is sanctioned for CHC Katra.

Meanwhile, Dr. Brij Mohan Gupta, Principal, GMC & AH, Rajouri apprised the Lt Governor about the health care facilities being extended to the patients in the Hospital.

DC, Rajouri, Rajesh Kumar Shavan informed the Lt Governor that Covid care centres have been established in all the 312 panchayats in Rajouri, besides Telemedicine facility has been extended to 2742 patients.

He also apprised the Lt Governor that 87% of HCW, 86% FLW and 60% above 45 years age-group have been covered with first dose of vaccine and 2040 Covid kits have been distributed in Rajouri.

The Lt Governor directed the Hospital Administration and DC Rajouri to increase the bed capacity of newly created 9 bedded ICU facility to 25 bedded capacity, besides early completion of the installation of 750 LPM Oxygen Generation Plants by deploying multiple teams working in three shifts.

Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Inder Jeet  informed that a total of 84% of HCW, 79% of FLW and 70% of 45 + age group have been given the first dose of Covid vaccine. He further informed that Covid Care Centres have been established in all 229 panchayats of the district, while 1572 covid kits have been distributed under covid containment measures.

Similarly, Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Charandeep Singh apprised the Lt Governor that under covid containment efforts in the district, 99.62% of FLW, 75.62% of HCW and 63.2% of 45+ age group have been vaccinated. Covid Care Centres in 65 panchayats have been established and 898 Covid kits have been distributed to eligible people. Telemedicine facilities are also being provided to the needy patients, he added.

During his visits, the Lt Governor was accompanied by BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor; Mukesh Singh, ADGP, Jammu; Sheetal Nanda, Secretary to the Government, Social Welfare Department; Dr. Raghav Langer, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; Dr. Renu Sharma Director Health Services Jammu, and other senior officers.

Srinagar: The government has asked the general public whosoever has taken the first dose of Covaxin outside the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and are due for 2nd dose, to register themselves for the same at their respective Deputy Chief Medical Officer’s office within next three days.

According to a handout issued here today by the Directorate General of Family Welfare, MCH and Immunization in this regard, such persons have been asked to come along with their first provisional certificate (downloaded) of their vaccination done outside the UT.

Asks officers not to give any breathing space to enemies of peace

By: Umaiser Gul

Kulgam: Jammu and Kashmir police chief, Dilbagh Singh Thursday said that the ongoing situation due to Covid has affected the anti-militancy operations in the Union Territory to some extent as many policemen and security forces have tested positive for the virus while there is a huge deployment of policemen on roads to enforce lock-down.

Director General of Police (DGP), however, said that the anti-militancy operations are not on a halt and it was not like police have given a free-hand to militants to roam around as operations are being conducted on the basis of “specific inputs” in areas.

Talking to media men at Kulgam after touring many South Kashmir areas to review the security measures, the DGP said that during the review, special focus was laid on enhancing the anti-militancy operations across South Kashmir.

“COVID pandemic has affected anti-militancy operations to some extent. But it is not like we are leaving areas free for militants to roam around. Many policemen and security forces personnel have tested positive for the virus,” DPG said.

He said that despite the fact that police is fighting Covid pandemic and enforcing lockdown through its deployments on roads and streets across the Valley, “specific lead based anti-militancy operations” are being conducted in South Kashmir and other parts of Kashmir.

Replying to a query that whether the local militant recruitment has gone down, the DGP Singh said that police never wants boys to join militancy. “Police have been working hard to prevent misguided youth to return. In Kulgam, a group of youth who were about to join militancy were brought back and united with their families,” he said, adding that “similarly, in other districts of south Kashmir, many such groups were prevented from treading a wrong path.”

However, the DGP said that militant outfits like Jaish-e-Muhammad, Lashkar-e-Toiba and Al-Badr are getting “oxygen” from across the LoC to lure new boys into the militancy fold. “Unfortunately, the recruitment is still taking place, but the graph is very less compared to previous years,” he said. “Police have been doing a lot on this front to plug it completely and I believe more steps need to be taken to stop it fully.”

He said that police have been able to persuade many youth even during live encounters to surrender. “Young boys get ready to surrender but older ones aren’t ready. Efforts are on from our end to reach out to misguided youth to help them come back,” he said. About the total number of militants active in South Kashmir, DGP Singh said that since the number of militants keeps on fluctuating with the time, at present there are about 100 odd militants active in southern districts of Kashmir.

He said the role of the police force is doubling with each passing year as new offices are being set up, new posts being created and new equipment being installed at police stations. “DPLs are being enhanced on modern lies and staff too being equipped with the latest gadgets. Police force will soon get the latest weaponry as well,” the J&K police chief said.

Meanwhile, Singh visited the twin South districts Anantnag and Kulgam where he chaired security review meetings with the jurisdictional officers and took stock of the situation in these districts.

He also inaugurated 13 different facilities for police officers and personnel in district Kulgam.

Accompanied by IGP Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, the DGP was received by DIG SKR Abdul Jabbar and SSP Anantnag Imtiyaz Hussain at Anantnag and was given guard of honour on his arrival. In the afternoon, the DGP visited district Kulgam, he was received by SSP Kulgam, Gurinderpal Singh and other jurisdictional officers.

DGP chaired the officers’ meetings at both the district headquarters which were attended by the concerned district SsP and other senior officers. After getting a briefing from the concerned district SsP regarding the security scenario and police response on COVID-19 front in these districts, the DGP addressed the jurisdictional officers.

In his address, DGP stressed upon officers to be vigilant and not to give any breathing space to the enemies of peace who are looking to create disturbances. He said that the peaceful atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir has been achieved after a lot of hard work and sacrifices by police and security forces and added that more efforts are required to consolidate the peace in J&K.

DGP further complimented the police personnel for handling different challenges successfully and stressed upon them to continue work with the same dedication in the future.

Singh said that JKP along with other sister agencies have succeeded in creating a sense of security among the minds of the people and impressed upon the officers to work with full professionalism, sincerity and in a dedicated manner for the welfare of the people while taking due care of their security.

He advised the police to continue their fight against the drugs and book all those involved in this menace as it has emerged as a major threat in recent times.

DGP while reviewing the J&K police’s response to the second wave of COVID-19 directed the officers for implementing all the precautionary measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19 infection.

He said that in these crucial times adopting government directives are necessary for safeguarding the lives from Corona infection. He said that PHQ has sanctioned a relief of over Rs. 44 lakh in favour of 882 personnel who got infected in 2nd Wave of COVID-19.

The meeting at Anantnag was attended by DIG, SKR, Abdul Jabbar, SSP Anantnag Imtiyaz Hussain, ASP Anantnag Nikhal Borkar and SP Ops Anantnag Parvaz Ahmad, and in Kulgam the meeting was attended by SSP Kulgam Gurinderpal Singh, all SDPOs of Kulgam and other jurisdictional officers.

DGP later in the afternoon inaugurated newly constructed facilities which included Equipment Warehouse, Armory at DPL, Block II office Complex, Additional SP residence at DPL Kulgam, Modernized Police Control Room, Power and Control Centre, renovated office Block at DPO, Mess and dinning Bock, Modernized Barracks for Jawans at PC Camp in Amnoo Kulgam, Command Post at Jawahar Tunnel, DySP Ops residence at Devsar, SDPO residence cum office at DH. Pora.

The newly constructed Administrative Block at DPL that was also inaugurated today has been named after DySP Aman Thakur who laid down his life in the line of duty during an encounter at Turigam, Kulgam on February 24 in 2019. The Block consists of DySP DAR office, DySP DAR staff room, Training Hall, RI office, Lo office, Manshiyat, Conference Hall, Mini Auditorium and Cafeteria. (KNO)

Subrahmanyam appointed as OSD in Commerce Ministry

Srinagar: The union government decided on Thursday to appoint senior IAS officer, Arun Kumar Mehta as the chief secretary of J&K.

In a communication addressed to J&K Lt governor, Manoj Sinha, the union Home Secretary, Ajay Bhalla said, “Pursuant to the appointment of Shri B.V.R.Subrahmanyam IAS (CG; 1987) chief secretary, Jammu & Kashmir as officer on special duty in the department of commerce, government of India, it has been decided with the approval of the competent authority that Shri Arun Kumar Mehta, IAS (AGMUT: 1988) will take over as chief secretary, J&K from the date Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam relinquishes the charge, and until further orders.

“Orders to this effect may be issued by the government of Jammu & Kashmir.”

Among the three front-runners — Pradip Kumar Tripathi, Sudhanshu Panday and Arun Kumar Mehta—sources had said that Mehta has emerged as the first choice because of his integrity, honesty and a better grasp of administrative affairs in J&K.

Meanwhile, B V R Subrahmanyam was appointed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Commerce Ministry. The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

“The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, IAS (CG;87), Chief Secretary, Jammu & Kashmir as Officer on Special Duty in the Department of Commerce,” the order reads.

“The ACC has also approved his appointment as Secretary, Department of Commerce upon superannuation of Shri Anup Wadhawan, IAS (UK:85), Secretary Department of Commerce on 30.06.2021,” the order added.

BY: Naveed- ul- Haq

Budgam: A 47-days-old baby died within hours after immunization in Soibugh area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Thursday.

It was the second death in 24 hours at the PHC after the immunization.

Family sources said that the infant, identified as Naveen Kumar, died after he was given the immunisation vaccine at the PHC Soibugh.

“The baby was vaccinated at Soibugh PHC. He took the dose and within a few hours the baby developed a reaction, we shifted him immediately to GB Panth hospital, where he breathed his last,” family said.

Pertinently, this was the second death post-immunisation reported from the PHC since yesterday, earlier 45 days old baby Ziyan Ahmed Mir died after being vaccinated at the same Health Centre at Soibugh area of Budgam.

Medical Superintendent GB Panth hospital said that yesterday the child was brought dead to the hospital.

About the death of another child, the Medical Superintendent said he is not aware of the case, thus can’t comment on the issue.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Budgam Tajamul Hussain said that both the children were vaccinated under immunisation and after the observational time they went home and one of the family came back to the hospital with their kid who had developed some problems.

“The doctors referred them to GB Panth hospital Srinagar where the child lost his life after the first line treatment,” Hussain said.

“Regarding another child he too received the vaccine for routine immunization but at home during the midnight after developing some problems, the family took the kid to GB Panth hospital where doctors received the child with cardiac arrest,” he said.

Hussain said they were not sure if the vaccine was directly linked with the baby’s death in any way.

“Baby could have an existing disease. We need to wait for final forensic reports,” he said. “We are yet to conduct a detailed verbal autopsy with the baby’s parents to understand their medical condition. “

Hussain said for now routine immunization drives have been stopped in the entire district for one week to check whether there is anything wrong with the vaccine.

“We are investigating the matter and regarding the death of the two children, a probe has been started,” he said. (KNO)

Handwara: A teenage girl was killed while her mother sustained injuries after an explosion occurred at Tarathpora in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district. The injured lady was referred to Srinagar hospital under critical conditions for specialized treatment.

The officials said that the mother identified as Sara Begum and her daughter Gulnaza were injured near their house at Shaherkoot after a shell went off in the morning hours today.

A senior health officer at District Hospital Handwara said that the teenage girl was declared brought dead on arrival while her mother Sara Begum has been referred to Srinagar under critical conditions.

A police official said that the duo had gone to the forest yesterday and have got regionally famous forest vegetable ‘Daaid’ with which they have also brought some metal-like material similar to a shell.

He said that the metal objects including the vegetables were out under the open sky today. “The metal got heated and due to other physical sources, it went off during which the mother-daughter duo suffered injuries,” the official said. He also said that the daughter identified as Gulnaza has succumbed to her injuries.

An official informed that a case has been registered in this regard while the investigation was set into motion. (KNO)

Jammu: Pursuant upon the personal intervention of Farooq Ahmed Khan, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor J&K, the Ministry of Consumers Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Government of India has revised estimates of procurement of wheat from 10000 Mts to 17500 Mts.

Also the procurement period has been extended for another 10 days from 31.05.2021 to 10.06.2021.

The overwhelming response of farmers in procurement mandies prompted the UT administration to take up the demand for revision of procurement   targets and extension of period with GOI.

The procurement of wheat which is underway in three districts namely Jammu, Samba & Kathua (19 procurement Mandies) has already exceeded the initial target of 10000 Mts and touched an all time high of 13000 Mts as on date.

The bumper wheat crop in the region and rewarding Minimum Support Price fixed by Government of India have contributed for record procurement.

It is estimated that nearly 5000+ framers will benefit from marketable surplus sale of Wheat in procurement Mandies pegged at Rs 34.56 Crore. The payments through DBT are being paid to the farmers without involvement of any middlemen. During previous Kharif Marketing Season also record procurement of 38100 Mts of Paddy by FCI was registered in Jammu region.

The farmers have hailed the revision of procurement targets and extension of period.  The farmers thanked Farooq Khan, Advisor for taking up the matter with GOI and also praised Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare Department and FCI for facilitating wheat procurement during the season.