Precious Kashmir

Teenager’s body fished out after 6 days

City

28/05/2021

By: Sheikh Danish

Srinagar: The body of a 17-year-old boy, who drowned on May 21, was fished out on Thursday morning from river Jhelum in Guzarbal area of Noorbagh in Srinagar.

Official sources told KNO that the boy identified as Moomin Ahmad Dar son of Abdul Rehman Dar of Chattabal slipped and drowned in river Jhelum at Weer area of Chattabal on May 21.

They said the rescue operation was launched to retrieve his body, which continued for the last six days.

They said that today the river police retrieved the body from Jhelum near Guzarbal area of Noorbagh. Moomin was a student of class 11th.

The official sources said that the body will be handed over to his family after legal formalities.

Dheeraj Gupta reviews development activities at Anantnag

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

28/05/2021

‘Finish procurement of collection, transportation infrastructure for Rs 191.91 cr SWM project by June end’

SRINAGAR: Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Dheeraj Gupta, today visited Anantnag and held a meeting to review progress on development works being executed in the district.

Gupta had a detailed assessment of several major projects including flagship programs in urban development sector, sewerage and drainage, solid waste management besides My Town My Pride, languishing projects and developmental plan 2021-22 of Urban Local Bodies.

Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, Dr. Piyush Singla, Director Urban Local Bodies Kashmir, Presidents of Municipal Councils and Committees, Director, Planning, H&UD Department, Additional District Development Commissioner, Chief Executive Officer, UDAK, SE PW (R&B), Chief Executive Officers and Executive Officers of ULBs besides district officers of allied departments attended the meeting.

Principal Secretary was apprised of the progress made in the Urban Development Sector by Director Urban Local Bodies through a detailed Power Point Presentation.

While taking stock of various developmental works, Principal Secretary maintained that the officers and executing agencies must use acquired expertise to fast track the project execution amid strict adherence to prescribed SOPs regarding Covid-19.

Principal Secretary emphasized that the government is committed to provide basic infrastructure especially in metropolitan areas and cities including towns under MRDA for which adequate funds have been earmarked and are available for its utilization. He directed all officers and executing agencies to frame Detailed Project Reports that will make towns livable and improve urban infrastructure and quality of life of its inhabitants besides formulation of development plans of small and medium residential colonies besides construction of affordable accommodation flats wherever such development is feasible.

Principal Secretary said that DPRs regarding effective management of solid waste have been approved for all ULBs of Kashmir division for an amount of Rs. 191.91 crore and asked for completing the procurement of collection and transportation infrastructure by ending June 2021.

It was informed in the meeting that an amount of Rs. 1.25 crore has been approved under Capex budget 2021-22 while Rs.42.40 crore have been approved under FC grants, which is ten times higher than previous allocations.

Principal Secretary further directed the officers to conduct survey for identifying additional demand of Community Type/Public Toilets (CT/PT) and portable toilets.

Pertinently, so far, an amount of Rs.520.10 lakh has been spent on construction of 44 CTs/PTs while Rs.826.65 lakh has been expended on Individual House Hold Units (IHHL).

6 youth mulling to join militancy arrested: Police

City

Precious Kashmir

28/05/2021

‘7 militant aides nabbed’

Awantipora: Police Thursday claimed that six youth who were intending to join militant ranks have been arrested in South Kashmir’s Awantipora.

Police said that joint forces comprising soldiers from 42 Rashtriya Rifles, 130 and 180 Battalions CRPF and Police carried out multiple raids and arrested six youth.

Police identified them as Aqib Ahmad Dobi of Tral, Mufeez Ahmad Zargar of Tral-e-Payeen, Saifullah Ahmad Shah of Takiya Gulab Bagh Tral, Liyaqat Ahmad Khanday alias of Amlar Tral, Shoaib Ahmad Bhat of Chersoo Awantipora and Bilal Ahmad Zaboo of Tral-e-Bala.

Police said that the arrested youth were motivated and indoctrinated by the militant associates and militants to join their ranks.

Police said that investigation reveals that arrested youth were motivated by Pakistan based militant commanders to join militancyand asked to establish contact with their ground cadre in Awantipora and Tral area.

Besides, Police said that Awantipora Police along with security forces busted militant module and arrested 7 militant associates of proscribed outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad.

Police identified them as Sajad Ahmad Sheikh of Pinglish Tral, Adil Hussain Sheikh, Mohammad Iqbal Baba both residents of Tral-e-Bala, Yasir Amin Dar of Noorabad Tral-e-Bala, Showkat Ahmad Sheikh, Ubaid Ahmad Mir both residents of Batagund Tral and Adil Rashid of Kranzbal Tral.

Police as per KNT said that the arrested militant associates are involved in providing logistics, shelter, transporting of arms/ammunition and other kind of support to militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad in Tral and Awantipora areas. “They were in touch with Pakistan based Commanders through different social media platforms. Incriminating material was recovered from them.” (KNT)

BJP sarpanch expelled for duping people in Anantnag

Jammu & Kashmir

United News Of India

28/05/2021

Srinagar: A BJP sarpanch — who was arrested for duping two families by promising them of getting their kin, detained for questioning in a militancy related case, released in south Kashmir district of Anantnag — was on Thursday expelled from the party.

“The matter was brought into the notice of party high command… the Sarpanch has been expelled from the basic membership of the party,” BJP Vice President of J&K Sofi Yousuf told reporters on Thursday.

Official sources said that two suspects (name withheld) were called for questioning in a militancy related case. “As the youth were being questioned, the family approached the local Sarpanch Nisar Ahmad, who sought money for the release of the youth,” they said.

“When the Sarpanch enquired about the youth, he was informed that they will be released if not found guilty,” they said, adding Nisar took Rs 1.1 lakh from the families to get the youth released.

They said the duo during questioning was found innocent and subsequently released. “After reports of Nisar taking money from the families came out, he was arrested and a case was registered in Police Station Anantnag,” they added.

India’s singles campaign ends in French Open Qualifiers

Sports

United News Of India

28/05/2021

Paris: India’s singles challenge at the qualifying event of the French Open came to an end after all players – Sumit Nagal, Ramkumar Ramanathan and Ankita Raina lost their respective matches, here.

The No 27 seed Nagal went down 3-6, 3-6 to Alejandro Tabilo of Chile in the men’s qualifying draw on Wednesday.

After losing the opening set, Nagal had started his comeback bid strongly by taking a 3-1 lead in the second set. But, he lost five games in a row to crash to defeat against World No 166 Tabilo.

Ramkumar Ramanathan, who was pitted against former top-40 player and Asian Games champion Denis Istomin also suffered a 1-6, 2-6 defeat in second round clash, which lasted for an hour and five minutes.

Ankita Raina’s yet another attempt to qualify for the singles main draw of a Grand Slam failed as she was defeated by higher-ranked Greet Minnen.

Raina, who had rallied to a thrilling win over Arina Rodionova in the opening round on Monday, bowed out after a 2-6, 0-6 defeat to 17th seed Minnen of Belgium.

Earlier on Tuesday, Prajnesh Gunneswaran had lost 2-6, 2-6 to German Oscar Otte in the first round.

Meanwhile, Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan will now feature in the men’s doubles draw while Raina will compete in the women’s doubles with Lauren Davis of the USA.

The doubles Grand Slam on the claycourt will begin on Sunday.

Jaishankar to meet Defence Secy Austin over evolving India-US partnership

National

United News Of India

28/05/2021

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said he has a “big agenda” for India-US relation and would see to translate the fundamental converges between the two sides into actionable policies.

Jaishankar in Washington is set to discuss a broad range of issues with key officials of the Joe Biden administration including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Defence Secretary Llyod Austin and Indo-Pacific Coordinator Kurt Campbell. He is also expected to meet US Trade Representative Katherine Tai.

As he is the first high-level Indian visitor since the Biden administration took office, Jaishankar is likely to cover all aspects of the strategic partnership.

He will meet Defence Secretary Austin on Friday to continue discussions that the two held in New Delhi in March and carry forward the robust bilateral defence and security relationship.

“We’re looking forward to having him here at the Pentagon and hosting him for a good set of talks, Friday,” said Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby.

Ahead of the talks, Jaishankar in a conversation with H R McMaster, former US National Security Advisor, on Wednesday said India-US relations has come a long way over the years and the canvas has spread wide.

“It is today one of the major relationships in the world and my own sense is that in Washington today, there is a real appreciation of the potential of this relationship, what it can do.

And it’s true of New Delhi as well.”

He was participating in an episode of Battlegrounds with McMaster at the Hoover Institution to discuss how the US can work together with the world’s largest democracy on economics, diplomacy, and security to build a better future.

Jaishankar drew the audience’s attention to the commonalities such as the pluralistic nature of the two societies, political democracies and market economies, and because of that “we have fundamental convergences.”

“I think the challenge before us is how to translate those convergences into actionable policies,” he said.

The EAM said he is looking forward to working on these with the Biden administration.

The State Department also earlier said Secretary Blinken looks forward to meeting Jaishankar to discussing a broad range of issues, including COVID-19 relief, efforts to strengthen Indo-Pacific cooperation through the Quad, enhanced UN and multilateral cooperation, and a range of other shared regional security and economic priorities.

Rising Food Prices

Edit
Oped

Precious Kashmir

27/05/2021

Without any doubt, these have been very difficult times for the majority of the people because of the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the economy. A large number of people in the informal sectors have either lost their jobs or their livelihood has been severely impacted as businesses struggle to cope with the effects of the ongoing health crisis.

The pandemic continues to bring more challenges every passing day. More people fall victim to the virus while case tally continues to grow. Jammu and Kashmir recorded yet another grim milestone as the toll due to the virus crossed 3700 marks with 40 more officially confirmed deaths in 24 hours as of 1700 hours on May 26.

Even though there has been a reduction in the number of cases just recently, the situation continues to be grim. The hospitals are occupied with those needing critical care and some vast buildings stand turned to covid-19 facilities by the administration. With rural spread, Panchayat buildings are being converted into facilities for managing the covid-19 patients.

While there is gloom everywhere, some unscrupulous people are taking undue advantage of the situation. At a time when people are facing hard times due to the mounting covid-19 cases, skyrocketing prices of essential commodities have doubled their woes. People are forced to purchase commodities at whatever prices are fixed by the retailers. Fruits and vegetables continue to be sold at exorbitant prices with hardly any takers for the notified rate list by the government.

Complaints galore across the Valley that people are forced to purchase commodities at prices fixed by the retailers. Not only vegetables and fruits, edible oil prices have virtually gone through the roof with some brands being sold more than 25-30 percent more than they used to be not so long ago. Mutton is sold for Rs 65 more than the government fixed rate.

It is here that the administration should come forward and streamline the markets especially in controlling factors that are associated with pure malpractices by some unscrupulous people. The administration needs to face local challenges with a lot more authority than it is showing or lacking presently.

The rising food prices in these circumstances should not end up proving the government’s inability to do its job properly and protect citizens from profiteers and market manipulators. It is time the administration do the job and take to task the errant which only encourages the former at the peril of citizens. The official machinery needs to step up efforts to give relief to the common consumer.

Fighting COVID-19: DRDO hospitals will ease pressure on health infra across J&K

Anchor stories

Afaq Bhat

27/05/2021

Fighting COVID-19: DRDO hospitals will ease pressure on health infra across J&K

By: Afaq Bhat

Srinagar: The 500-bedded temporary Covid hospitals being set up by Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in Jammu and Srinagar are likely to start functioning soon.

According to the officials the DRDO hospital at Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu would be functional in next 10 days. “The work on DRDO hospital at Khonmoh in Srinagar is also going on and it’s also likely to be completed soon,” said an official.

Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar chaired a high level meeting to review the progress of work on establishment of two 500 bedded DRDO Hospitals at Jammu and Srinagar respectively on Tuesday.

Advisor Bhatnagar directed the concerned officers to expedite the pace of work and ensure that the hospitals are completed within the given timelines and dedicated to public use at the earliest.

An observer while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “The setting up of DRDO hospitals in Jammu and Srinagar on a war footing basis has proven it beyond doubt that when the government wants it can do anything.”

He said that the need for these hospitals had arisen due to major hospitals in Jammu and Srinagar facing space crunch due to the spike in the COVID-19 cases during the ongoing second wave. “The setting up of these private hospitals would prevent the health infrastructure from crumbling due to extreme rush of patients,” the observer added.

He said, “The initiative taken by the government has instilled confidence among the people that they won’t be left in lurch and every possible help will be provided to them to fight the pandemic. At present we are all caught in a difficult situation. The virus is refusing to relent and people are shying away from getting vaccinated. People should bear in mind that vaccination is the key to defeating the virus.”

A medico said, “One more 500-bedded hospital in Srinagar will prove to be of great help as there is a possibility about a third COVID-19 wave breaking out. The second wave has taught us many lessons. The surge in cases could be abrupt and if the patients get the treatment on time their lives could be saved.”

He said, “Setting up of DRDO hospitals, and 5-bedded COVID-19 care centers in every Panchayat are very good initiatives. More such steps need to be taken to prevent the predicted third wave of COVID-19 from taking an ugly turn. We need to be prepared to face any eventuality.”

Govt launches ‘SASCM’ for Covid affected families in J&K

Front

Precious Kashmir

27/05/2021

Govt launches ‘SASCM’ for Covid affected families in J&K

Leaving no one behind, ensuring social protection to affected families: LG

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha Wednesday launched a special scheme for financial assistance to families which have lost their only bread earner due to COVID pandemic, as part of its endeavour to ensure necessary support to families in their moment of crisis.

The J&K Government has adopted a comprehensive approach, by creating a Special Cell in the Social Welfare Department to identify and track support to these families over time, in the spirit of leaving no one behind. Under the scheme, called ‘सक्षम’ or ‘Special Assistance Scheme for COVID Mortalities (SASCM)’, cash assistance of Rs 1000 per month shall be provided to the spouse and the eldest member of the family.

Apart from this, the scheme provides for a scholarship of Rs 20,000 per annum for school going students and Rs 40,000 per annum for college going students. A family in distress shall be eligible for scholarship for two children, if they are not getting any other scholarship. The assistance is not limited to above. The Special Cell in the Social Welfare Department shall also explore further assistance under other existing schemes of the government for which the family may be eligible. An important element of support shall be financial assistance for self employment for any of the surviving members who wishes to start any business for livelihood support.

The scheme announced today is in furtherance of the announcement of Lieutenant Governor regarding a special assistance scheme for families which are in a state of distress due to COVID related death of their bread earner. The Lt Governor took the decision during a high level meeting on 11th of May. The assistance under the scheme shall commence next month. The launching of the scheme is an indication of the commitment of the Government of J&K towards welfare of vulnerable segments of society in line with ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’.

“We have taken prompt and decisive action to support elderly, women and children. Our decision is about personal protection and mitigating vulnerability of families, which have lost their bread-earner by extending long-term assistance. The government’s aim is to take care of their day-to-day lives and ensure financial security,” the Lt Governor observed.

Our commitment to support vulnerable families is long-term. Therefore we are creating a special cell to track the welfare of affected families. The pension and scholarship is only part of our assistance. Other parts shall be extending all possible assistance through existing schemes and support for self employment. It is a comprehensive approach, aimed at overall support to empower these families,” the Lt Governor added.

Cover all eligible children under scholarships without bias: LG to deptts

Front

Precious Kashmir

27/05/2021

Reviews extension of benefits under various social welfare schemes

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday directed department of Social Welfare, Higher Education and department of School Education to ensure that every eligible child is covered under respective scholarship without discrimination.

In order to review the extension of benefits under various welfare schemes, Sinha chaired a meeting, here at Raj Bhavan, in which he called upon the concerned officials to put dedicated efforts in ensuring 100% saturation of social security & beneficiary-oriented schemes across J&K.

While reviewing the coverage of eligible beneficiaries under 55 flagship schemes implemented in J&K, and category-wise status of Beneficiary Oriented Schemes, the Lt Governor expressed satisfaction over several welfare schemes reaching maximum saturation, despite the Covid pandemic.

The meeting was informed that 100% target has been achieved under SAUBHAGYA, PM Ujjwala Yojana ,UJALA, Mission Indradhanush, Social Security Schemes–Pension under NSAP & ISSS, PM Matru Vandana Yojana Kisan Credit Card, PM Mudra Yojna, MGNREGS, Merit cum Means Minority Scholarship, IDSRR-Scheme for Sheep Farm Units, DBT-LPG and National Youth Corps.

Minority Pre-Matric Scholarship has gone up by 391% with 4,49,424 beneficiaries covered against the targeted 1,14,856. Minority Post-Matric also registered excellent numbers with 287% saturation, thus taking the tally of beneficiaries to 53,403.

With a view to provide succour to women in distress, the Lt Governor directed the officials to ensure functioning of “One Stop Centre for Women” across all districts to support them, besides Observation centres, special & shelter homes for children in every district of the UT.

The Lt Governor asked the Department of Social Welfare, Higher Education and Department of School Education to ensure that every eligible child is covered under respective scholarship without discrimination.

We have a collective responsibility to make sure that no eligible beneficiary is left behind. Take comprehensive measures to reach out to every eligible beneficiary, besides making the welfare schemes, envisioned by the Centre and the UT Government, easily accessible to the people so that maximum population can reap the benefits, the Lt Governor asked the officers.

While reviewing the implementation of various modules of education through telecasting, radio, online and community classes, in view of Covid pandemic, the Lt Governor directed the Education Department to make modules more interactive.

Focus on early and primary education in the curriculum for laying a strong foundation for the future, added the Lt Governor.

During the meeting, the Lt Governor sought a detailed status of progress made under Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, Social Security Schemes-Pension, other Social Security Schemes, Schemes for Students, Schemes for Farmers, Schemes for Skill Development/ Entrepreneurship/Subsidies, Bank-linked Schemes, Schemes for Social Welfare and Minority Affairs (Beneficiaries disbursed through approved Institutes/NGOs/Agencies).

Sheetal Nanda, Secretary to the Government, Social Welfare Department briefed the chair about the coverage of welfare schemes for the year 2020-21.

She informed that around 3,47,405 beneficiaries were covered SAUBHAGYA till March 31,2021; the benefits of PM Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) were extended to 12,60,685 beneficiaries; 25,09,000 benefited under PM Jan Dhan Yojna(PMJDY); 9,26,000 under PM Suraksha Bima Yojna(PMSBY); PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) covered around 3,95,000 beneficiaries.

Under Ayushman Bharat, 14,79,649 Golden cards have been issued with 51.24 cr amount paid for the settlement of bills; 134558 Houses were sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana Gramin (PMAY-G) ; 12,85,217 beneficiaries were covered under Kisan Credit Card Scheme, besides benefits of PM Mudra Yojna were extended to 2.93 lakh souls, it was informed.

BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Arun Kumar Mehta, Financial Commissioner, Finance Department; Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor; BK Singh, Secretary School Education; Sushma Chauhan, Administrative Secretary, Higher Education Department and other senior officers attended the meeting, in person and through virtual mode.

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