Srinagar: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Pandurang K Pole Monday chaired a review meeting regarding the arising situation of Covid-19 in Kashmir division at Divisional Covid Control Room Kashmir.

The meeting was attended by Medical superintendents and Nodal officers of Tertiary care hospitals of Kashmir along with Senior officers of the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, Incharge CCRK and others concerned.

The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir reviewed the progress achieved in controlling the second wave of the Covid-19. During the meeting the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir stressed upon the optimal use of Oxygen at these tertiary care hospitals by ensuring the proper monitoring of Oxygen delivery at these points. The Divisional Commissioner stressed upon further augmenting the skilled man power at SKIMS Medical College Bemina, SKIMS Soura and GMC Srinagar at an earliest in order to deliver the quality health care to the patients at these tertiary care hospitals.

He directed the concerned officers to ensure patient analysis on a daily basis, so as to shift the mild to moderate   patients of Covid-19 from these tertiary care hospitals to Level II hospitals for further management which will help in better bed utilization at these hospitals.

He directed Nodal Officers of these tertiary care hospitals to further enhance the bed capacity at their respective hospitals keeping in view the increase of Covid-19 cases.

Director Health Services Kashmir was directed for pooling of logistics and staff at appropriate centres for their better utilization in mitigating the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jammu: The team of Doctors deputed by Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Monday called for conducting genome study in Jammu while observing that the high mortality here may be because of the double mutant Indian strain.

Addressing a press conference here today after visiting several covid care facilities in Jammu and Samba districts, the team advised for intensifying testing in the areas witnessing huge surge in cases.

“There is need to increase testing in such areas and the samples, as per the protocol, be sent to Delhi for genome study” the team of doctors said and assured that the results would be shared with the UT within a week’s time.

The Visiting team comprising Dr. Mahesh Waghmare, NCDC, Dr. Pranay Verma, Joint Director NCDC & Dr. Navneet Sharma, Professor Internal Medicine, PGI, Chandigarh also called for strict enforcement of COVID Appropriate Behaviour in the public places.

They further advised for intensifying the surveillance of the home isolated cases, so that patients are shifted to the hospital well in time when required.

Efficient Triage facility and framing of discharge policy was also emphasized for better patient management and adequate bed availability.

Earlier, the team, after arriving here on Sunday, visited GMC Jammu and had a threadbare discussion with the Doctors, besides visiting the isolation wards.

On day two, the team visited District Samba and inspected the containment and micro containment zones & met with surveillance teams working at the grass-roots level.

Later in the afternoon, they held a virtual meeting with IDSP teams of 10 districts of Jammu Division.

The meeting was also attended by Choudary Mohammad Yasin, Mission Director NHM, J&K, Dr. Renu Sharma Director Health Services Jammu and the  Chief Medical Officers of all districts.

Srinagar: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Mohammed Aijaz Asad Monday said that district administration is working on war footing basis to break the chain of corona virus infection in Srinagar.

DC said this while giving a brief regarding the Covid-19 mitigation measures undertaken by the district administration Srinagar.

Divulging the details, the DC said that the district administration is making all out efforts to ensure strict adherence to Covid-19 SOPs including wearing of masks, hand hygiene and maintenance of social distancing. He said Corrona Curfew has yielded good results so far and decline in Covid positive cases has been seen.

DC hoped that district administration with support of general public would overcome the situation that evolved due to the 2nd wave of Covid-19.

He said on the directions of Lieutenant Governor, Covid Relief of Rs 1,95,93,000 has been released in favour of 19593 Building and other Construction Workers in Srinagar district, besides  various other measures have also been taken to strengthen the system to fight the war against Covid-19 and in this regard bed capacity is being augmented at  various health facilities  and Covid care centers in the city.

Besides these, sufficient availability of oxygen supply has been made by commissioning medical oxygen plants at various health facilities, while more oxygen plants would be added soon to further strengthen the oxygen support system.

He also informed that district Administration Sringar has started Community Triaging for effective Covid-19 management and in this regard Community Triaging teams are going door to door for better supervision of Covid-19 management at zone-level.

DC also said that under DRDO a 500 bed hospital is being constructed at Khonmoh in Srinagar which shall be made operational by May 30 to further increase the bed capacity in district.

By: Mubashir Aalam Wani

Srinagar: The Corona Curfew continued for the third straight week in Jammu and Kashmir in order to prevent the virus from spreading while police claimed to have arrested 169 persons in the last 24 hours for violating the norms.

Notably, Corona Curfew is in place across Srinagar district and other districts from April 29 evening and has been extended for the four times consecutively. The government has announced Corona Curfew in Srinagar and other 19 districts of Jammu and Kashmir till May 24, 2021.

Eye-witnesses informed that police and paramilitary troops were deployed although in large number to enforce the lockdown restrictions. The barricades and concertina wires were erected at many places and bridges to thwart the public movement, they said.

Meanwhile, all the shops and business establishments barring emergency services remained closed throughout the day in Srinagar and other districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, as per a statement, during the last 24 hours, police have arrested 169 persons, lodged 79 FIRs and also realized fine to the tune of Rs 110,660 from 789 people for violating the guidelines and rules throughout Kashmir valley.

The special drive against the violators of Covid-19 guidelines and rules continued throughout all the districts of Kashmir Valley to ensure that people adhere to SOPs and guidelines envisaged by the government to curb COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, police urged people to cooperate in containing the spread of Coronavirus by following the SOPs, guidelines and protocols for the safety of the people. “The special drive shall continue throughout the districts of Kashmir Valley to strengthen the safety measures,” police said. (KNO)

Srinagar: Two local militants affiliated with Al-Badr, a militant outfit were killed in an encounter that raged between forces and militants in Khonmoh area in Srinagar outskirts on Monday morning.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that two Al-Badr militants have been killed in Khonmoh, Srinagar encounter and the slain duo are locals.

Talking to media persons at Pantha Chowk here, the IGP said that Srinagar police received a tip-off yesterday evening after which the lead was further developed. “Police, army and the CRPF laid a siege in Khonmoh area.

Two militants were hiding in the area. They were repeatedly asked to surrender, but they turned down all offers,” the IGP said. “This morning, the encounter started and both the militants were killed. The slain duo is locals from Al-Badr outfit.”

He said that Khonmoh and Khrew areas are connected with Tral belt of Pulwama district and this stretch usually witnesses militant movement.

IGP also said that there are five militants active in Srinagar who are being tracked while there is a vast network of Over Ground Workers (OGWs) in the district of which many were arrested while C-category OGWs are being counselled and handed over to their families.

“There were six active militants in Srinagar of which one was recently killed in Kokernag (Anantnag) gunfight. Now there are five local militants still active in Srinagar who would either be killed or apprehended,” IGP Kashmir said.

He said that there is a vast network of OGWs active in Srinagar district of which many have already been arrested and booked under PSA and many are still on the police radar. “There are C-category OGWs who are being counselled and handed over their families,” the IGP said.

Asked whether there was any foreign militant active in Srinagar, he said inputs about the movement of foreign militants continue to pour in but as of now “no foreign militant is permanently active in Srinagar district.”

To a query that IEDs are turning out to be a major challenge for security forces, the Kashmir police chief said that security forces are effectively dealing with the IED threat as evident with the recent seizure of 10-kg IED material in Shopian followed by the detection of another one by the army. “We are aware of the IED threat and are effectively dealing with the same by timely detection,” he said. (KNO)

 Srinagar: The 11th High Powered Committee (HPC) meeting Monday passed a slew of directions for the release of jail inmates, except those involved in serious crimes, to decongest the prisons in the Union Territory of J&K.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey, who is also Executive Chairman of J&K Legal Services Authority, for implementation of directions of the Supreme Court of India with regard to the containment of coronavirus in J&K prisons.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary Home Department, Shaleen Kabra; DGP Prisons, Dr B Srinivas; Member Secretary JK Legal Services Authority, MK Sharma and other concerned.

The Committee was constituted by the Jammu and Kashmir government following an order by the Supreme Court on March 23, 2020 and May 07, 2021, directing the States and the UTs to decongest jails to ensure social distancing among the prisoners.

At the outset, the Committee appreciated the efforts of the prison department for not only managing the COVID-19 breakout in the prisons but also for maintaining hygiene in the jail premises.

The Members of the Committee discussed and deliberated upon the proposed category of prisoners, who may be considered for grant of interim bail for 90 days in view of the present circumstances.

The Committee decided to release all the jail inmates who were earlier released on parole or on interim bail for 90 days as per the directions of the Supreme Court in March 2020.

Justice Magrey directed the Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority to coordinate with the other two members of the Committee to find out the category of convicts/UTPs who can also be released pursuant to the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court. Such an exercise shall be completed within a week and the report be placed before the Committee.

Justice Magrey directed the DGP (Prisons) to coordinate with the Health department to ensure vaccination of jail inmates as well as staff on priority.

Besides this, the Committee directed the jail authorities to take appropriate steps by ensuring that the inmates and the staff wear masks and maintain social distancing and by keeping the  frequently visited areas like kitchen, bathrooms etc. hygienic to prevent  the spread of Covid-19.

Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey, further directed the Legal Service Institutions across the UT of J&K to provide the services of Panel Lawyers to the inmates who are eligible to be released from the custody by moving applications on their behalf.

It also called for the additional release of prisoners on paroles or interim bail orders for which DGP Prisons and member Secretary JKLSA were asked to workout modalities within the stipulated time.

The Committee also suggested the creation of additional accommodation or temporary accommodation within or outside jail complexes for ensuring strict adherence to Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs) of COVID-19 issued by the medical experts.

Further, the high powered committee also decided to discontinue all the visits of outside visitors including NGOs but while doing so the families of the jail inmates will have excess to meet the prisoners by use of virtual mode or by phones.

Frequent sanitization of jails and better medical facilities were also decided to be ensured in all the jails of J&K.

The Committee decided to accelerate to hold awareness campaigns among jail inmates regarding SOPs to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

The Committee further decided to ensure safety of prisoners by frequent testing and complete vaccination of jail inmates along with the jail staff.

It also called for measures like transportation of released inmates by providing them proper transport facilities in view of Corona curfew.

Srinagar: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan on Monday received the consignment of 7 Oxygen Generation Plants from Germany, Frankfurt on behalf of Jammu and Kashmir government at Srinagar Airport.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, PK Pole and Chief Engineer, Kashmir (Mechanical), were also present on the occasion.

Advisor said that with the Commissioning of these 7 plants, the oxygen requirement in the hospitals of the J&K will almost be fulfilled and will cater to our daily requirements.

Among the 7 plants, 5 will have a capacity of 1000 LPM each while the two plants will have a capacity of 1500 and 600 LPM.

The Advisor thanked the Prime Minister, Lieutenant Governor, Air Force by whose efforts the oxygen generation plants have been received within two days only which otherwise would have taken 2 months.

He said that the supporting infrastructure for the oxygen plants is almost ready and it is expected to be installed and to be commissioned within a few days of time.

The advisor said that medical oxygen has become an important commodity in the fight against this pandemic and with the commissioning of these oxygen generation plants, the oxygenated bed capacity of the hospitals will be greatly enhanced.

He said that the government is keeping a keen eye on the developments and is taking adequate steps to augment its capacity.

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Monday upheld its single bench’s verdict, dismissing petitions which had challenged Jammu and Kashmir Bank’s re-notification for filling up of 1500 banking associates’ vacancies.

On March 22 last, the court’s single bench had dismissed petitions filed by at least 288 aspiring candidates who had participated in the selection process pursuant to a notification on 6 October 2018 and had challenged the bank’s 15th April 2020 announcement cancelling the whole process.

Subsequently, the bank had issued an advertisement notice (no. JKB/HR-Rectt-2020-27 & 28) on 1 January 2020, inviting applications from the desirous candidates for the posts.

In their appeal against the dismissal of petition by the single bench, the appellants— prospective candidates— said that they applied for the posts pursuant to the advertisement notice on 6th October 2018. The examination was conducted online, but before completion, the selection process as a whole was cancelled, they said. They contended that the action on part of the bank infringes their legal rights and the same was also “arbitrary”.

“The cancellation of the selection process was challenged by the appellants by invoking the extraordinary jurisdiction of the Court. The writ Court dismissed the petition recording that as the petitioners were only prospective candidates, they have not acquired any indefeasible right to seek selection/appointment on the basis of the advertisement alone and therefore the cancellation of the selection process do not infringes any of their legal right,” a division bench of Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul.

“There is no arbitrariness in the cancellation of the selection process as the court records that it stands admitted to the appellants that the respondents (bank) had the authority to cancel the selection process.”

The division bench observed that the stand of the bank that the recruitment process in question had gone wrong “stands substantiated by the records.”

“The respondents (bank) have construed the recruitment district wise and framed the merit list accordingly. Moreover, the respondents have not applied a rule of reservation in selection process which certainly was incurable,” the court said, adding, “ Therefore, the cancellation of selection process is justified and is not arbitrary.”

As regards the argument that reservation is not applicable, the court said it is a debatable point.

However, the court said that in such circumstances if the process as a whole has been cancelled it cannot be said to be illegal or arbitrary. (GNS)

By: Bhat Imran

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government has directed to hoist ‘Tricolour’ flag in all the schools at district and cluster level on August 15 in the Union Territory of J&K.

In an official communiqué, the government has passed the directions of hoisting the flag under the calendar of activities for celebration of ‘Aazadi Ka Maha Utsav’.

The flag hoisting ceremonies will be conducted at district and cluster level on August-15.

A Top official in the administrative department confirmed that Tricolour directives were made by the government. “This is not the order of the School Education Department but the government wherein directives have been made to hoist Tricolour in all government buildings including in school buildings,” the official said.

The communiqué reads that it had planned to organize the dance competition for the students of class 9-12 with a theme ‘Ek Bharat Shresht Bharat from April-04 to May-01.’

In the calendar of activities for celebration of Aazadi Ka Maha Utsav, the government has said that essay writing competition with a theme ‘unity in diversity and Atmnirbhar Bharat’ was also scheduled till May 29 followed by Music competition with a theme ‘Mother language’, role plays with a theme heroes of independence and Independence day quiz with a theme India’s freedom struggle. (KNO)