Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday ordered transfer of 33 KAS officers in the interest of the administration with immediate effect.

According to an order issued here, Narinder Singh Bali, KAS, Special Secretary to the Government, Youth Services and Sports Department has been transferred and posted as Additional District Development available vacancy.

Muzaffer Ahmad Peer, KAS, awaiting orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department, has been posted as Additional District Development Commissioner, Ganderbal, against an available vacancy, reads the order.

Kanta Devi, KAS, Deputy Labour Commissioner, Jammu has been transferred and posted as Additional District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, against an available vacancy.

Pawan Kumar, KAS, awaiting orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department, has been posted as Additional District Development Commissioner, Rajouri, against an available vacancy.

Akramullah Tak, KAS, Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir has been transferred and posted as Additional District Development Commissioner, Budgam, against available vacancy.

Jyoti Rani Slathia, KAS, Joint Director, Employment, Jammu has been transferred and posted as Additional District Development Commissioner, Reasi, against an available vacancy.

Sham Lal, KAS, Additional Mission Director, J&K Rural Livelihood Mission, Jammu has been transferred and posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, against an available vacancy.

Sachin Dev Singh, KAS, awaiting orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department, has been posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, against an available vacancy.

Dr. Ravi Kumar Bharti, KAS, Additional Secretary to the Government, Tribal Affairs Department has been transferred and posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner, Doda, against an available vacancy.

Shabir-ul-Hassan, KAS, awaiting orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department, has been posted as Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Budgam, against an available vacancy.

Navdeep Wazir, KAS, Deputy Secretary to the Government, Tourism Department has been transfetred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Udhampur, against an available vacancy.

Ashwani Kumar, KAS, Deputy District Election Officer, Kathua has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Samba, against an available vacancy.

Bilques Jan, KAS, Deputy Director, ICDS, Social Welfare, Kashmir has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Ganderbal, against an available vacancy.

Ideel Saleem, KAS, Deputy Director, Tourism, Kashmir has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Anantnag, against available vacancy.

Ashok Kumar, KAS, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Katra holding additional charge of Sub-Registrar, Katra has been transferred and posted as Project Officer, Wage Employment (ACD), Jammu, against an available vacancy.

Sohan Lal, KAS, Deputy Director, Rural Sanitation, Jammu has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Kathua, against an available an T vacancy.

Minakshi Vaid, KAS, awaiting orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department, has been posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Jammu, against an available vacancy. Mohammad Rashid, KAS, Deputy Director, Employment (Central), J&K has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Rajouri, against an available vacancy.

Sandeep Seointra, KAS, awaiting orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department, has been posted as Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Kathua, against an available vacancy.

Gulzar Ahmad, KAS, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Srinagar has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Baramulla, against an available vacancy.

Swaran Singh, KAS, General Manager, J&K Road Transport Corporation, Jammu has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Ramban, against an available vacancy.

Syed Altaf Hussain Musvi, KAS, Deputy Secretary to the Government, Youth Services and Sports Department has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Bandipore, against an available vacancy.

Mohammad Ashfa, KAS, awaiting orders of adjustment, has been posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Doda, against an available vacancy.

Rizwan Asgar, KAS, Collector, Lakes and Waterways Development Authority, Srinagar has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Shopian, against an available vacancy.

Nazwan Nazki, KAS, Deputy Director (Administration) in the Directorate of Social Welfare, Kashmir is transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Pulwama, against an available vacancy. Shurjeel Ali Naiku, KAS, Deputy Director, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Kashmir has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Kulgam, against an available vacancy.

Mir Zahida, KAS, Deputy District Election Officer, Budgam has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Budgam, against an available vacancy.

Shabir Ahmad Wani, KAS, Deputy Secretary to the Government, Horticulture Department has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Kupwara, against an available vacancy.

Shafiq Ahmad, KAS, Deputy Director, District Employment and Counselling Centre, Rajouri has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Poonch, against an available vacancy. Zakir Hussain, KAS, Deputy District Election Officer, Reasi has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Kishtwar, against an available vacancy.

Deebah Khalid Peer, KAS, Deputy Director, Handicrafts, J&K has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Srinagar, against an available vacancy.

Aijaz Ahmad Shah, KAS, Deputy Director, Urban Local Bodies, Kashmir holding additional charge of Deputy Director, Rural Sanitation, Kashmir has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Pulwama, against an available vacancy.

Johar Ali, KAS, Sub-Registrar, Srinagar (West), has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Kupwara, vice Bashir Ahmad Bhat, KAS, who has been asked to report to the General Administration Department for further posting.

New Delhi: India on Sunday reported a spike of 3,11,170 fresh cases of COVID-19 and 4,077 casualties during the past 24 hours.

According to the data updated by the Union Health Ministry, the fresh addition took the total tally beyond 2.46 crore while the death toll soared to 2,70,284.

The active caseload in the country is 36,18,458 comprising 15.07 per cent of the total infections while 2,07,95,335 people have recovered from disease so far amounting 83.83 per cent of recovery rate. The case fatality rate stands at 1.09 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that a total of 31,48,50,143 samples have been tested so far for coronavirus. Out of this, 18,32,950 were tested in the past one day.

On the vaccination front, a total of 18,22,20,164 people have been vaccinated across the country till now. 

‘No compromise on production, ensuring availability of Oxygen in COVID hospitals’

Srinagar: Director Health Services Kashmir (DHSK), Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather Sunday claimed that the government is well-equipped to tackle the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Kashmir division. He also said that no compromise is being made on production and ensuring availability of Oxygen in the COVID designated hospitals in the Valley.

Divulging the details, the Director said that all district and sub-district hospitals in urban as well as in rural areas, besides associated or tertiary care hospitals across Kashmir are well prepared to meet any emergency situation arising due to Covid pandemic.

He said medical oxygen which has been seen as one of the key requirements in case of severe cases in Covid care hospitals has been made available in all such hospitals to meet the demand, “The medical Oxygen plants with a minimum capacity of production of 1000 LPM and at some places 2000 LPM have been installed in all the Covid hospitals in Kashmir,” Dr Rather added.

He said since Oxygen is considered as a lifeline to ensure survival of patients, so no compromise is being made on the production and ensuring the availability of the same in all Covid hospitals.

Talking about the supply position of medicines especially those mostly used in treatment of Coronavirus by the doctors, Dr Rather said that they have enough stocks of medicines available with them which are being supplied to the hospitals as per demand and requirement. He further assured that there is no shortage of such medicines and all treatment protocols of patients are going on smoothly.

The Director said that people need not to press the panic button and government has already put in place 2nd line including extra beds at various places in all the districts including Srinagar at Hajj house, NIT and at other identified venues in addition to SMHS, JLNM, C.D hospital and SKIMS.

“In case all the beds at our Covid care hospitals are occupied, there is always a 2nd line at our disposal to cater to the demand and provide best of the treatment facilities to the patients and fight the pandemic,” he added.

While appealing people to follow Covid-19 related SOPs in letter and spirit and get vaccinated, the Director said, “People should follow SOPs even after the vaccination and ensure strict adherence to three things including mask, hand hygiene and social distancing”.

He said on the directions of Lt. Governor, the health department has started distribution of Kits for patients in home isolation which includes both medicines and pulse oximeters so that they are provided healthcare facilities at their doorsteps.

Dr Rather said that besides distribution of Kits, the government has established Call Centres both at districts as well as at divisional level to assist patients in home isolation. “The home isolation patients can make a call to these Call Centres in case they feel health related complications, an ambulance with a doctor shall arrive at their home and conduct a check-up of the patient and in case he requires admission in hospital the same shall be done,” he added.

Srinagar: The government forces on Sunday detected and defused an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

Defence spokesman in a statement issued here said that the security forces have been getting intelligence on attempts by militants to use an IED against security forces in South Kashmir.

“On 15 May 21, based on a Jammu and Kashmir Police input, a cache of 10 kgs of gelatin sticks and other stores for making IED was recovered at Barapore village of Pulwama district. Some suspects and Over Ground Workers were arrested,” the statement said.

“Today morning, the security forces launched an operation based on input of presence of an IED between Sugan and Turkhwangam in Pulwama district. At about 11 am, the security forces detected an IED and defused it,” it said.

Intense search operation was launched in the area to nab the militants.

Srinagar: The restrictions in order to prevent the virus from spreading continued across Jammu and Kashmir for the 18th successive day on Sunday.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration yesterday extended the ‘Corona Curfew’ by another week till May 24 in all 20 districts in the Union Territory. This was the fourth successive extension of COVID curfew in the Valley since April 29.

The extension in the lockdown in the UT has come in the backdrop of unabated rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in J&K, particularly the summer capital, Srinagar, which has recorded the major chunk of positive cases during the last over a month.

Streets wore a deserted look as shops and business establishments were closed and traffic was off the roads in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir valley, where security forces have closed the majority of the roads with barbed wires and barricades to stop the movement of people.

All the roads and market places, including Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital, remained sealed to prevent movement of people. Shops and businesses established were closed while all the roads were deserted as traffic and people were off the roads in downtown, civil lines, uptown in Srinagar. But, people with emergency or associated with essential services, including doctors and paramedics, were allowed to move on the roads after proper verification at various checkpoints established by police.

Reports of similar restrictions were coming from other parts of the Valley, including Sopore, Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara in north and Shopian, Anantnag, Pulwama and Kulgam in south Kashmir. Shops and business establishments were closed and roads wore a deserted look in these districts, where police parties were patrolling their respective areas to ensure strict implementation of the lockdown.

Business and other activities remained crippled in central Kashmir districts of Budgam and Ganderbal, where roads have been closed with barbed wires in most parts to prevent movement of vehicles and people.

Meanwhile, during the last 24 hours, Police has arrested 19 persons, lodged 10 FIRs and also realized fine to the tune of Rs 144,270 from 907 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 government to curb COVID-19 pandemic,” a police statement said.

Moreover, 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,” the statement added. (With inputs from UNI)

Says grateful to Corona warriors in fight against virus

Jammu: Continuing the initiative of making the process of governance more participatory and people-centric by giving a platform to the public to share their suggestions and views, the second episode of ‘Awaam ki Awaaz’ radio programme was on Sunday aired on all local and primary channels of All India Radio (AIR) stations in J&K. The telecast of the programme was also broadcast on DD Kashir.

Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha dedicated the second run of the radio programme to Corona Warriors and expressed his gratitude towards them for putting their lives at risk for the service of the people.

We are grateful to our Corona warriors in the fight against Covid-19. Union Territory of J&K is indebted to all the selfless Corona Warriors, Doctors, Paramedics, Ambulance drivers, frontline workers, and those involved in production and supply of essential items and services, observed the Lt Governor.

Addressing the people of J&K, the Lt Governor shared the slew of measures recently announced by the UT Government to help those who unfortunately lost their loved ones to Covid-19.

Along with the entire country, Jammu and Kashmir is also going through the challenging times of Corona virus. In the last few weeks, many families in the Union Territory have lost their loved ones to the epidemic. The administration is with them in this hour of grief, said the Lt Governor.

“I know no human life can be compensated for. But it is the responsibility of the government to take care of its people and to stand with them in these tough times”, added the Lt Governor.

We have taken many such decisions, as will provide relief to the families affected by this catastrophe. Senior citizens who have lost the only earning member of their family will be provided with special pension for life. Children, who have lost their parents to Covid-19 pandemic, will be provided with special scholarships. Every family who has lost their near and dear ones due to Covid-19, will be provided with financial assistance for self-employment through Jammu & Kashmir Bank, the Lt Governor maintained.

Covid-19 pandemic has affected the lives of some of the most vulnerable sections of society. J&K UT Administration is providing Rs1000 per month to registered construction workers, ponywalas, palkiwalas, pithuwalas for the next two months. Apart from this, the amount allocated by the government to the beneficiaries of the Social Security Schemes will be transferred immediately and ration will be provided on priority basis to all ration card holders. In these challenging times, the Old-age Homes, Orphanages will be extended all the support from the government including rations, he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji has emphasized on the importance of human life. We have to fight the Covid pandemic by following the Corona Protocol completely while taking the development of Jammu and Kashmir to new heights. From May 8, dry ration is being made available to poor families under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, said the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor also called for Jan Bhaghidari and cooperation in the fight against the deadly virus. I urge everyone to wear face-masks, register themselves for the vaccination, get tested and ensure Covid appropriate behaviour at all times to combat Covid pandemic, added the Lt Governor.

While sharing several inputs received from Doctors, citizens, nurses, and frontline health workers for tackling the spread of the deadly virus more effectively, the Lt Governor made special mention of Dr. Sharmeen Mushtaq from Srinagar and Dr. Shabnam Rizvi from Reasi who have urged for strict compliance of corona protocol and stringent action against unscrupulous elements indulging in black-marketing and hoarding of medicines.

Dr. Huma Mirza from Rajouri, Dr. Sachit Sharma from Kathua, Dr. Pallavi Sharma and Dr. Aditi Saini from Jammu gave their valuable suggestions pertaining to testing of children on priority basis in the houses with Covid positive persons, importance of wearing double protection masks, punishing the hoarding and black marketing of oxygen and medicines, restricting public gatherings, motivating people for getting their whole family vaccinated.

Dr. Umar Jan from Ganderbal raised a significant issue in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic regarding mental health of the people and suggested on-call advice from trained psychiatrists to build positive thinking in people and help them in fighting the stress.

The Lt Governor observed that the government is providing actionable information on coping with Covid-19 related stress and anxiety. People can speak to the doctors through district helpline numbers, he added.

Doctors and healthcare workers are working day and night to protect the citizens. These people faced great challenges since the beginning of the epidemic and many Corona warriors have sacrificed their lives in this battle. Public must pay attention to their advice and strictly follow the Corona Protocol”, said the Lt Governor.

While sharing suggestions received to strengthen the infrastructure, the Lt Governor observed that the UT Administration is fully prepared in the fight against Corona.

In the last 6 months, J&K Administration has strengthened health infrastructure across J&K. We have added 26 new Oxygen Generation Plants. 14 more plants will be added by the end of this month and additional 34 Oxygen Generation Plants will be installed within 6 months. In the next 6 months J&K will have a total of 99 Oxygen Plants in the Medical Facilities of Jammu and Kashmir to serve the general public, the Lt Governor maintained.

Replying to the suggestions received regarding various important aspects of covid containment measures, the Lt Governor underscored several Covid control measures undertaken by the Government including establishment of Covid control rooms in all districts; distribution of Covid kits to corona positive people and people with Covid like symptoms; constitution of committees up to panchayat level for covid management; enhancing health facilities at Primary, Community and District Health Centres; besides establishment of 24×7 operational war room for oxygen in Jammu and Srinagar as preventive measures against hoarding of oxygen cylinders and ensuring its smooth supply.

We are still in a better position than many developed countries when it comes to health infrastructure. Nevertheless, I believe that there is a need to improve primary health centres right now, the Lt Governor continued.

Responding to the suggestion of Kuldeep Gupta, a resident of Hiranagar Kathua for appointing college and school teachers who have received both doses of the vaccine as volunteers for administrative work in hospitals and Covid Care Centres, the Lt Governor assured him that his suggestion would be looked into earnestly by Health Department and further informed that the administration is roping in retired doctors, paramedical staff and MBBS final year students for Covid and non-Covid healthcare centres.

He also called upon the doctors to discharge their duties with utmost dedication.

Addressing the people who are insisting on Self medication due to misinformation, the Lt Governor requested them to take the medicines after consultation with the doctors only .

Referring to a video of Vijay Nath Mishra ji in which he has inspired the people to fight against Corona through a motivational story, the Lt Governor called upon the youth to help the needy by joining voluntary organizations.

During the programme, the Lt Governor shared some of the inspiring stories of Good Samaritans, and saluted their spirit and dedication towards human service.

We are grateful to the amazing civil society groups, NGOs and voluntary organizations, friends from media, healthcare workers, nurses like Meenu Sharma & Reeta Devi from Jammu, Murtza Jan from Pahalgam, Neelofar from Anantnag, for relentless efforts and strength they all have been providing to the society.  This is an unprecedented contribution to the service of humanity, said the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor made special mention of Meenu Sharma, Dr. Vasudha, Rita Devi and Darshal Lal who are testing people in mohallas of Jammu.  Currently, Meenu performs 150 to 200 Covid tests every day. I salute Meenu and all the members of her team for their invaluable contribution in human service.

Meenu suggested that every hospital should have a counselor who can provide advice and correct information to the family members of Corona positive people.

The Lt Governor further said that like Meenu, Mortaza Jan of Pahalgam and Neelofar of Anantnag are also rendering their valuable services in Covid management since last one year. He also shared suggestions received from them related to transportation for nursing staff, availability of sufficient quantities of PPE kits for nursing staff.

The Lt Governor mentioned three doctors from Jammu, Dr. Somnath Verma, Dr. Rajesh Menia, and Dr. Akhil Mahajan who are providing pro bono treatment to people without any fees.

I would also like to thank Manu Rana of Jammu, his companions Amit Sharma, Ashok Kumar, and Vishal Chaudhary who are providing Oxygen Cylinder to the needy, said the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor mentioned about a teacher from Kulgam, Sh Manzoor Lave who helped people during Ramzan by providing food to the people in Hospitals and Quarantine centres and continues to do so. He also spreads awareness through a loud speaker installed in his car regarding the Covid protocols.

The Lt Governor shared a phrase of Mahatma Buddha – “This Too Shall Pass”. Together we will fight Covid-19. Be supportive to each other and stay safe, said the Lt Governor.

“I once again salute all Corona warriors and all the staff involved in the healthcare system”, concluded the Lt Governor.