Srinagar:  The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jammu and Kashmir Wakaf Board Mufti Muhammad Farid ud din Wednesday made a fervent appeal to the Imams of Masjids and Shrines affiliated with the Board to permit only minimum number of people and devotees for prayer in view of huge spike in Covid-19 Positive cases in J&K.

The CEO requested people to avoid assembling in large numbers during prayer times and play a responsible role in containment of virus spread. He asked people to pray at home in this deadly pandemic.

He said thousands of persons are tested covid-19 positive on a daily basis which has rung the alarm bells.

He stated that despite many endeavors by governments across the world, this virus continues to consume precious lives. He said in this regard it is imperative for the people to follow guidelines religiously and cooperate with administration so the lives can be saved.

Srinagar:  Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian on Wednesday suspended the Ramadhan related congregations including Shab-i -Qadar and Youmi Al-Qudus in wake of rising COVID-19 cases.

Aga Syed Hassan Al Mosavi Al-Safavi said “in continuation of the executive order No. JKANESS/Tabligh20/2020/03/05 that was issued last year in March, we suspended all  congregations, Friday Prayers, Congregational prayers, Majalis, Marsi Khawani.”

He said in a virtual meeting with all zonal presidents across Kashmir and Ulema of Hawa Ilmiya Jamia Babul Ilem, where the latest covid related developments were discussed, it was already decided not to invite any international delegates of Qaris or NaatKhawns as has been taking place in past years. “The 40-day self-confinement (chilla) in Masjids was also barred this year.”

Aga Hassan also advised the people to pray individually at their homes and explore spirituality with Allah and Ma’rifat of the Prophet (SAW) Ahl-e-Biat in these times of crisis.

“Performing social responsibility is of utmost importance, so voluntarily donate alms and charity, share your surplus and make supplication for the well-being of every person of the world,” he said.  (KNS)

Supply coming, situation to stablize from today: MD JKMSCL

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, April 28:  Amid the steep surge in Covid-19, the families of sick Covid-19 patients are moving from pillar to post to arrange Remdesivir injections as almost all major hospitals in J&K are running out of stock from the last several days.

All major hospitals including SKIMS Soura, SKIMS Bemina, SMHS, CD Hospital, JLNM and others are facing acute shortage of the Remdesivir given mainly to sick patients.

PRO SKIMS Soura Dr Kulsooma said stock of Remdesivir has exhausted given the unexpected rise on Covid patients.

Medical Superintendent SMHS Dr Nazir Ahmad Choudhary said Remdesivir is not available at the hospital and he is not sure when they will get the stock.

Choudhary said that they contacted JKMSCL who has assured that very soon that stock would be available.

Medical Superintendent Chest Disease Hospital Dr Saleem Tak said CD hospital has no stock of Remdesivir from last three days.

Dr Shifa Deva Medical Superintendent at SKIMS Bemina said JVC Bemina hasn’t been notified as Covid designated hospital as of now again but there is no supply of Remdesivir available at the hospital.

Dr Bilqees Shah Nodal officer at JLNM hospital Srinagar said hospital is running without Remdesivir from last four days.

She said that they are trying to contact different sources and companies in this regard but as of now nothing has been received.

She said that Remdesivir is must for the sick COVID-19 patients because it is very effective as by administering Remdesivir, patients hardly needs oxygen supply besides that they recover in a very quick time.

Managing Director Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (JKMSCL) Dr Yashpal Sharma told KNO that there is shortage of Remdesivir across globally.

He said that the production of Remdesivir was actually closed after Covid-19 cases and but the production has been restarted after the recent spike.

Sharma said that the Government of India (GoI) has intervened and have fixed quota state/UT wise.

“We have been given two companies namely Mylan and Sun Pharma and have already distributed over 4000 vials of Sun Pharma to hospitals in last few days,” he said.

He said they were expecting more supply today morning from Karnataka, however, flight got delayed and it reached Srinagar around 3 pm.

He assured that till tomorrow morning, situation will get stabilised as every hospital will get supply—(KNO)

By: Yogesh Sagotra

Jammu:  In a tragic incident, two persons including a contractor died, while another one sustained critical injuries when a mysterious blast shook a chemical factory in Kathua area of Jammu region on Wednesday.

Talking to reporters, SSP Kathua Romesh Kotwal said that a chemical factor where zink and copper items are made witnessed a blast. “It is not clear whether the blast was deliberate or due to negligence”.

He said two charred bodies have been found of them is a local contractor Shakeel Ahmed and another one is a labourer, whose identity is being ascertained. “The third one who is also believed to be a labourer has been shifted to GMC Kathua”.

He said police are investigating the nature of the blast.

“We are also searching the place to find whether anyone else is caught inside the factory. Fire tenders have arrived the spot and are dousing the flames,” the SSP said and termed the incident as unfortunate—(KNO)

Srinagar: In view of the steep rise in Covid cases across the country, the banks operating in J&K shall conduct banking business for public from 10 am to 2 pm with reduced staff presence in branches as well as in controlling offices.

The new standard operating procedures will be implemented with immediate effect till May 31, 2021 to safeguard people amid huge spike in COVID19 cases in J&K.

Pertinently, soon after the communication from Indian Banks Association to SLBC/UTLBC Conveners advising them to hold deliberations with stakeholders regarding circumstances and issue appropriate advisories to banks; the J&K Bank, Convener J&K UTLBC, conducted a meeting through video conferencing. The meeting was attended by President (LBD/UTLBC), Vice President (LBD/UTLBC) and senior level officers of the banks operating in the UT of J&K including SBI, PNB, JKGB, EDB, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, UCO Bank, Canara Bank, PSB, and JKSCB.

In order to strike a balance between public health and economic necessities of the people, the stakeholders unanimously proposed measures for implementation by the banks. The measures include curtailing bank business time from 10 am to 02 pm with banking hours restricted from 10 am to 4 pm with reduced staff in branches as well as in controlling offices.

Urging the customers in particular and people in general to make use of digital channels for their banking needs and avoid visiting bank branches unnecessarily, Chairman and MD R K Chhibber said, “Together we have braved the first wave of the ongoing pandemic and with your support and cooperation, I believe, we shall overcome the second wave as well. However, we need to take precautions, follow guidelines issued by the government from time to time.”

“Let me reiterate, J&K Bank will stand by all its stakeholders ensuring uninterrupted banking services and financial support within the regulatory framework while strictly following COVID-19 related protocols”, he added.

Meanwhile, the UTLBC has also advised the local branches/offices of the banks to ensure uninterrupted banking services to the public through Branches, ATMs and Banking Correspondents besides facilitating credit needs in a smooth and seamless manner. Besides, all meetings, training events and camps shall be conducted through online mode to avoid mass gathering.

Jammu:  High Court on Wednesday quashed allotments of nine quarters by Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) made from the year 1993 till 2015 at posh Gandhi Nagar area in Jammu.

A division bench of Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Rajnesh Oswal quashed the allotments made mostly in favour of the Corporation’s officials, observing that allotments made are illegal and contrary to principle of equality.

“The allotments as well as consequential rent deeds/rent agreements made in favour of the respondents are quashed,” the court said and directed the allottees to vacate the premises within a period of six months.

So far as other Municipal shops, flats and garages are concerned, the court directed the authorities to examine the individual cases and proceed in accordance with the law laid down by the Supreme Court in numerous decisions and take appropriate actions within a period of six months extendable by another period of six months only.

“It is evident from the record produced by the respondents (officials) that allotments were made to JMC officers, other Government servants and the private persons just on their asking and there was no policy for the allotment of the flats/quarters.

“No advertisement was ever issued for the purpose of inviting applications for allotment of flats/quarters so as to enable other eligible persons to participate in the allotment process.

“The assets being public property could not have been allotted in a manner as has been done in an arbitrary and opaque manner,” the court observed.

Qazigund: A woman and her son were killed in a road accident after a truck hit them in Qazigund area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, officials said here on Wednesday.

An official said the mother-son duo died when a truck ran over them near Tollpost Qazigund.

He said the truck was being driven by one Ishfaq Ahmad Bhat and it was on its way from Jammu toward Srinagar.

The duo was taken to a nearby hospital, where they were declared brought dead.

He identified the deceased as Ruby Jan wife of Showkat Ahmad Monchi and her son Jasir Ahmad son of Showkat Ahmad Monchi of Badermona locality of Qazigund.

Srinagar:  The University of Kashmir Wednesday decided to postpone all its offline examinations, including UG and PG examinations, till May 15 in view of the ongoing pandemic situation.

The varsity also decided to close its hostels till May 15, 2021 in the interest of the safety of the hostel boarders.

The decisions were taken pursuant to a meeting of the varsity’s advisory committee which was convened to deliberate upon the conduct of examinations and the recent directions/orders from the government of J&K in the matter.

The meeting, chaired by Prof Neelofar Khan, was attended by top KU functionaries and officers including Dean Academic Affairs Prof Shabir A Bhat, Dean Colleges Prof Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Sangmi, Registrar Dr Nisar A Mir, Controller of Examinations Prof Irshad A Nawchoo, Provost (Girls) Prof Aneesa Shafi, Provost (Boys) Prof Sheikh Aijaz Mohammad, Coordinator CBCS Prof Mohammad Shafi, Chief Proctor Prof Showket A Shah, In-Charge Director IT and SS Dr Maroof  Qadri, Joint Registrar Dr Ashfaq A Zarri, Special Secretary to VC Dr Tanveer A Shah and President KUTA Dr Manzoor A Chachoo.(KNS)

Jammu: The Crime Branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday filed a charge sheet against a former special secretary (legal) in the home department for forging his own date of birth for undue benefits.

A Crime Branch spokesman said Crime Branch Jammu produced charge-sheet against retrospectively retired Special Secretary (Legal) Home Department J&K Govt. viz Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Ganai S/O Abdul Salam Ganai R/O Hanjura Teh Chadoora District Budgam A/P Quarter No. EP-265 Exchange Road Jammu  in case FIR No. 14/2021 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 120-B, 191, 201 RPC, r/w sec. 5(2) P/S Crime Branch, Jammu.

“Charge-sheet has also been produced against deceased Mohammad Salim Qasmi S/O Mohammad Tayyab Qasmi R/O Mohalla Barziaullah, Deoband, UP for his role in the conspiracy but the proceedings against him would be abated since he has expired. Gh. Mohi-Ud-Din Ganai has been charge-sheeted for misusing his official position, whereby he took unauthorized custody of his service book and forged his date of birth therein to get undue benefits as a public servant. The charge-sheet has been produced in court of Special Anti-Corruption, Jammu in a record time of 48 days of the registration of the case for judicial determination,” he said.

The case owes its origin to a written communication made with Crime Branch Jammu, by the J&K Government along with allied documents including a written complaint lodged by Ghulam Mohammad Bhat S/O Medha Bhat R/O Hanjura Chadoora, alleging that Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Ganai who was till 05.03.2021 posted as Special Secretary (Legal) to Home Department J&K Govt, has used his official position to grab money & enjoy power as a Senior Legal Officer.

“It was also alleged that the accused has forged & manipulated his own Date of Birth in official records. As per his actual D.O.B, he was supposed to have retired two years back in March, 2019. By forgery & manipulations the accused has added four more years to his due government service, at senior rank by taking undue advantage of his official position,” the spokesman said.

He said one the basis of complaint and enquiry report, the instant criminal case was registered by Crime Branch Jammu on 09-03-2021 for in-depth investigation. Consequently, the accused was arrested by Crime Branch team to face the investigation.

“The accused was retrospectively superannuated from service on 05.03.2021 by the Govt. w.e.f the date on which he should have retired, i.e. March 2019. During the further course of investigation records were seized, statements of the witnesses were recorded and scientific evidence was sought which established that the accused Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Ganai had forged his date of birth from 03.03.1959 to 03.03.1963 by misusing his official position as a Public Servant. Charges of  hatching criminal conspiracy, forgery, misuse of official position, cheating has been proved against the accused,” the spokesman said.