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.

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar: In total, ten black fungus cases have been detected in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir so far of which two have died while remaining eight are being treated, health officials said Wednesday.

A senior health official said that  there are eight “strong suspected” cases of black fungus popularly known as Mucormycosis admitted in J&K hospital.

“The suspected cases include three from Kathua, two from Jammu and one each from Reasi and Udhmapur in Jammu division and one from Srinagar in Kashmir division,” the official said.

He said that a person who was a suspected case of black fungus died on Wednesday and before him, another infected person had died in GMC Jammu.

Financial commissioner health and medical education Atal Dhulo said that there are eight suspected cases of black fungus in J&K at present. J&K government has already declared black fungus as an epidemic. (KNO)

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 3037 fresh covid-19 cases while 40 more people succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Wednesday.

They said 1089 of the fresh cases were reported from Jammu Division and 1948 from Kashmir Valley, taking the total number of cases to 278859.

Also 40 COVID-19 deaths have been reported—19 from Jammu Division and 21 from Kashmir Valley, taking the fatality count 3702.

Providing district wise details, the officials said that Srinagar reported 493 cases, Baramulla 260, Budgam 197, Pulwama 145, Kupwara 153, Anantnag 212, Bandipora 89, Ganderbal 219, Kulgam 117, Shopian 63, Jammu 445, Udhampur 83, Rajouri 126, Doda 91, Kathua 82, Samba 46, Kishtwar 35, Poonch 66, Ramban 99 and Reasi 16.

Moreover, they said, 4023 more COVID-19 patients have recovered—1770 from Jammu Division and 2253 from Kashmir. There are 43892 active positive case—17724 in Jammu and 26168 in Kashmir, they said.

A number of the fresh cases were confirmed at CD hospital and GMC Anantnag’s diagnostic laboratories, they said.

The CD cases include female (70) from Chinar Masjid Srg, three males (43, 10, 08) and two females (40, 12) from Safanagri, female (24) from Dalgate, female (30) and male (30) from Wanganpora, male (60) from Noorbagh, female (17) from Bemina, two males (34, 32) from Sangam, female (NA) from Eidgah, male (28) from Lal Bazar, two males (NA, 63) from Safakadal, male (27) from Gandarpora, female (45) from Nawakadal, female (38) from Soura, female (39) from Qamarwari, male (26) from Batmaloo, female (21) from Bemina, male (21) and two females (85, 24) from Karfali Mohalla, female (35) from Rainawari, male (38) from Eidgah, female (11) from Kawdara, female (29) from Nawakadal, male (45) from Fateh Kadal, male (60) from Khanyar, male (45) from Zaina Kadal, male (38) from Anantnag, male (48) from Hawal Srg, female (29) from Srg, male (40) from Nishat Srg, male (34) from Parim Pora, male (49) from Batmaloo, male (34) from Batmaloo, male (50) from Lal Bazar, two females (60, 25) and male (83) from Srinagar, female (65) from Eidgah Srg, male (60) from Kulgam, male (40) from Shalteng Srg, female (36) from Pul, male (40) from Chattabal Srg, female (59) from Budgam, female (62) from Sanatnagar, male (20) from Lal Chowk, male (60) from Pattan Baramulla, female (52) from Pandrathan, male (48) from Tailbal, male (26) and two females (18, 42) from Isher Nishat, male (50) and female (48) from Harwan, female (30) from Nishat, female (35) from Shalimar, two males (28, 61) and female (48) from New Theed, female (20) from Gutlibagh, female (26) from Pul, male (47) from Noorbagh, male (56) from Bagender Namlabal, female (29) from Namlabal, male (32) from Padgampora Awantipora, male (50) from Pampore, male (45) from Seerbagh, female (28) from Samboora, male (50) from Zaffron Colony, male (75) from Barsoo, male (33) from Lethpora, female (35) from Lajurah, male (45) from Ratnipora, female (58) from Naira Pul, female (16) from Dangerpora Pul, two males (45, 42) from Dalipora Pul, two males (70, 35) and female (65) from Chatapora Pul, two males (14, 25) and two females (05, 23) from Kangan Pul, female (26) from Chakura Pul, male (70) from Tahab Pul, three males (26, 18, 25) from Gaberpora Pul, male (35) from Uthmullah Pul, four males (51, 42, 32, 50) from Pachara Pul, female (70) from Pinglena, female (37) from Chewakalan, male (45) from Karimabad, female (13) from Doonigund, male (55) from Sail, female (13) from Chersoo, male (25) from Noorpora, female (40) from Larkipra, male (30) and female (24) from Amirabad, female (26) from Shaldaraman, female (26) from Chandrigam, female (30) from Karmulla, male (65) from Banihal, male (20) from Shopian, male (30) from Bohrikadal, male (39) from Bakshipora, male (16) from Rajouri Kadal, female (22) from SR Gunj, male (20) from Habakadal, female (25) from Bemina, female (50) from Chanapora, male (27) from Rajbagh, male (70) and four females (35, 30,  28, 25) from Barzulla, female (42) and two males (42, 12) from Alochibagh, male (45) from Baghi Mehtab, male (68) and female (45) from Zaina Kadal, male (23) from Panthachowk, male (32) from Batmaloo.

The GMC cases include male (47) from Mah, two males (17, 38) from Sonigam, three females (70, 70, 15) and male (40) from Kokergund, three males (27, 67, 35) and female (35) from Sonigam, female (45) from Damidullah, male (25) from Shalipora, male (40) from Noonmai, male (51) from Hadigam, male (32) from Turigam, male (37) from Tungdanoo, male (45) from Shalipora, female (26) from Yaripora, male (60) from Yamrach, male (30) from Turigam, two males (36) from Batpora, male (29) from Katapora, male (26) from Turigam, male (72) from Bugam, male (50) from Frisal, female (17) from GBS Anantnag, female (32) from Marhama Bij, male (70) from Goriwan Bij, two males (45, 50) from Watnard, male (71) from Soaf, male (45) from Watnard, male (45) from Adigam, male (40) from Hiller, male (35) from Narpura, male (18) from Panzgam, male (60) from Bidder, male (60) from Bimdora, male (70) from Verinag, female (25) from Kuteygund Doru, female (10) from Arabal Doru, male (45) from Mandipora Doru, two males (40, 37) from Lok Bawan, male (29) and two females (40, 47) from Khudhamam, female (55) from Dodhwagan, male (45) from Achabal, male (54) from Furrah, male (55) from Pampore Pul, male (75) from Sarnal Bala, male (36) from Arwani Ang, male (35) from Kaprin Shpn, female (35) from Cheeni Chowk, female (75) from Cheripora Ang, male (45) from Kulgam, male (55) from Chittergull, male (25) from Khayar, female (65) from Dehruna, female (60) from Sirhama, female (24) from Ashmuqam, male (45) from HQI Sect RR, male (35) from IST Sect RR, female (28) from Anantnag, male (70) from Laram, male (50) from Akhran, female (23) from Cheeni Chowk, two males (14, 32) from Janglat Mandi, male (35) from Anzullah, female (23) and male (27) from Nai Basti, male (65) from Chee, male (02) from Danter, two females (63, 38) from Dangerpora, male (70) from Lazibal, male (54) from Nambal, female (33) from Mehman Mohalla, female (25) from Achabal Adda, male (22) from Mir Danter, male (50) from Thaji Wara, male (35) from Shopian, male (05) from Cheeni Chowk, male (49) from TB Shah, male (27) from Furrah, female (50) and male (33) from Nowpora, male (45) from Furrah, four females (24, 55, 30, 25) and four males (24, 20, 20, 45) from Nowpora, male (30) from Redwani, male (32) from Wanpoh, female (25) from Shamsipora, female (45) from Kulgam, female (36) from Batpora, male (45) from Bhan, male (21) from T N Pora, male (27) from Wanpoh, male (55) from Khrewan Chadder, male (32) from Qaimoh, female (60) from Chadder, female (62) from Bogund, male (30) from Vessu, male (39) from Wanpoh, female (50) from Laram, female (21) from Nowbal, male (29) from Bogund, male (42) from Wanigund, male (32) from Bogund, male (46) from Wanpoh, two females (49, 45) from Qaimoh, female (50) from Hawoora, female (52) from Wanigund, female (36) from Haranag, two males (55, 39) from Bhan, male (26) from Kawakibazar, female (23) from Pazalpora, male (60) from Yaripora, male (45) from Kharbare, male (18) from Tundanoo, male (40) from Balsoo, male (50) from Kanjikulla, male (24) from Tarigam, male (48) from Noonmai, male (32) from Krangsoo, male (40) from Pahalgam, female (45) from Dogripora Pul, female (22) from Goriwan Bij, female (25) from Zirpora Bij, male (46) from West Bengal PA Uranhall, male (30) and female (25) from Dandipora, two males (41, 27) from Ichoo, female (25) from Sagam, male (24) from Anderwan, male (56) from Tangpawa, male (45) from Lowermunda, male (34) from Nowgam Verinag, female (23) and male (43) from Verinag, female (43) from Doru Arabal, female (21) and male (20) from Verinag, male (42) from Nowgam, female (20) from Reun Chougund, male (28) from Dooru, male (20) from Gutligund Verinag, male (20) from Mandipora Doru, two males (27, 34) and female (18) from Hakura, female (32) from Babdaar, male (22) from Kokagund. (GNS)

New Delhi: India on Wednesday recorded 2.08 lakh fresh Covid-19 cases and 4,157 fatalities in the past 24 hours, pushing the infection tally to 2,71,57,795 and the death toll to 3,11,388.

Daily recoveries continued to outnumber the new cases for the 13th consecutive day today, as 2,95,955 recoveries were registered in the last 24 hours, as per data shared by the Union Health Ministry.

With recoveries surpassing new cases, the number of active cases fell to 24,95591, a decline of 91,191 cases in 24 hours.

The recovery rate has now increased to 89.66 per cent. The weekly positivity rate is at 11.45 per cent, daily positivity rate at 9.42 per cent, less than 10 per cent for the two consecutive days.

With 2,95,955 patients recovering from the contagion in the past 24 hours, a total of 2,43,50,816 recoveries have been recorded so far.

Over 20 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far, along with the highest ever 22.17 lakh tests conducted in a single day. (UNI)

Srinagar: “Corona pandemic has affected mental health of the people due to isolation, restriction on movement, social gathering and idleness which has barred people to have normal social interaction and outdoor activities,” said Dr Junaid Nabi, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Srinagar on Wednesday.

Another reason which has affected mental health is fear, stigma and isolation period of Covid positive patients, Dr Junaid said.

“The fear of catching infection and the later repercussions has taken maximum toll on sound minds”, said the Psychiatrist and added that it is essential to overcome the fear psychosis with a positive mind that “the pandemic phase is temporary and this shall pass too.”

Besides, the stigma attached to covid-19 infection has also affected the mental health of patients, he said, while speaking about the behaviour of people towards covid positive patients. “Some people don’t come to help  infected patients, instead they run away from them” this behaviour is absolutely wrong, he said,  and called for a compassionate attitude towards patients to help them out of the disease.

Moreover, children and old aged people constitute two susceptible age groups who have been silently affected by the pandemic and it has also impacted  their mental health, Dr Junaid said. “As children haven’t been to school for one and half year now due to pandemic lockdown, they were not able to interact, play and express themselves with friends and classmates”, he said  adding that due to this isolation children tend to develop  stress and anxiety, which parents need to take care of so that children don’t feel lonely.

“Parents need to  engage their wards in various hobbies and creativity”, besides “working parents should capitalize this period to spend most of the time with children by involving them in physical and mental activities that would be beneficial for both parents and children.” he advised.

Regarding old aged people, psychiatrist said that they are vulnerable as well as easy target of virus and have been distressed with the pandemic. This age group also needs to be taken care of very well, he said. “It is the responsibility of younger members in a family to share valuable time with them and interact more and more with them to keep them in high spirits.

Further, he said that SOPs should be followed properly and in a standard way and stressed on the idea that following SOPs doesn’t mean to make your life miserable.

Srinagar: As part of a vaccination drive launched by the Government, the Information Department organized a vaccination camp for media persons at the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Srinagar.

As many as 100 media persons coming in the 18-44 age group were vaccinated today at the Media Complex of DIPR. The vaccination drive is being conducted on the directions of Director Information & PR Rahul Pandey. The journalists working in all districts of J&K are also being vaccinated at District headquarters.

The media persons working for international, national and vernacular press organizations got the first dose of the vaccine during the drive. Those inoculated with anti covid-19 vaccine included reporters, photojournalists, sub- editors, editors and  many journalists working with both print and electronic media outlets.

Speaking on the importance of holding vaccination for journalists, Haris Ahmad Handoo Joint Director Information said that media persons have been categorised as a  priority group for vaccination by the Government and nature of their duties is such that they come in public contact during reporting, that is why this high-risk group is being vaccinated on priority,”.

He said that the Information department in coordination with the Department of Family Welfare, MCH & Immunization and Health department shall ensure all media persons get vaccinated. The vaccination teams are being deployed by the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar in this regard.

Information department has urged all journalists working with print, electronic media to come forward for vaccination as it is important for their safety and their families as they have to perform their professional duties everywhere and require protection from the risk of contracting infection.

Later, JD Information thanked District Administration, Health & Family Welfare departments for deploying a dedicated team of doctors and paramedics for the vaccination drive.

Earlier vaccination drives have also been conducted for working journalists and staff associated with Media Organizations on 27th March and 22nd May at Press Club and another vaccination camp for Media was organized by District Administration Srinagar at Press Enclave on 25th May.

By: Owais Gul

Srinagar: Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir, over 83 lakh people have been tested across the Union Territory for the virus of which over 80 lakh were detected negative till May 26, 2021 (Wednesday).

Official figures revealed that 2,78,859 people have been tested positive across Jammu and Kashmir till May 26 (Today).

Of 2,78,859 cases, 43,892 are active positive cases in J&K, the figures further revealed, adding that 21,420 out of the total cases are travelers and 2,57,439 are others.

According to the official figures, a total of 83,59,251 tests have been conducted since the outbreak of the disease while 80,80,392 samples have been tested as negative till 26^thMay, 2021.

Figures suggest that a total of 2,31,265 people who were tested positive since the outbreak of the disease in J&K have recovered while 3,702 out of the total cases have died.

Of total 3,702 fatalities till May 26, 1,784 belong to Jammu division while 1,918 are from Kashmir division.

Pertinently, J&K, like other parts of the country, is grappling with the second wave of the COVID-19, which led to a steep surge in the positive cases from last one month. However, the figures suggest that the daily positive cases are declining with each passing day from the last nearly one week across the Union Territory.

On Tuesday, the Union Home Secretary, Ajay Kumar Bhalla while chairing a high-level meeting to review the management of the COVID-19 pandemic across all Union Territories, was informed that through the Government’s timely response, the daily number of COVID-19 cases in J&K 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%, Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam had informed the chair. (KNO)