Precious Kashmir

97th BoD meet of JKPCC: Bhatnagar directs for maintaining transparency at all levels

Jammu & Kashmir

17/04/2021

Jammu: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar Friday chaired the 97th Board of Directors (BoDs) meeting of Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) at Civil Secretariat here.

The meeting was attended by Financial Commissioner Finance, Arun Kumar Mehta, Principal Secretary, PW(R&B), Shailendra Kumar, MD JKPCC, Vikas Kundal, Development Commissioner Works, Sami Arif Yesvi, Chief Engineer PW (R&B) Kashmir, Showkat Jeelani and Chief Engineer PW (R&B), Jammu, Ashok Kumar Kikloo.

While chairing the BoD, the Advisor said that the JKPCC being one of the premier project executing agencies should ensure that it always maintains transparency at all levels, besides putting in place various corrective measures where ever required.

The Advisor said that timely payment should be made to the contractors having satisfactory work achievements and after proper certification.

While reviewing the functioning of the Corporation, Advisor Bhatnagar directed the officers for timely completion of projects as the work of JKPCC is being judged by the outcome.

Underlining the need for ensuring the usage of quality material in the works, the Advisor said quality of works and timely completion of projects should be the benchmark of the Corporation.

MD JKPCC while presenting an overview of functioning of the Corporation said that the JKPCC has completed 27 projects fully while 66 projects are going to be completed this year.

The BoD accorded approval for confirmation of Budget proposals for Establishment Budget, Capital Budget and Works Budget for the financial year 2020-21.

The BoD also held threadbare discussions on various agenda points like adoption of open e-tendering for projects entrusted to JKPCC including Civil, Mechanical and Electrical components and adoption of EPC mode for some major projects.

Ex legislator calls on Lt Governor

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

17/04/2021

Jammu: Former MLC, Surinder Choudhary Friday called on Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha here at Raj Bhavan.

The former Legislator apprised the Lt Governor about various welfare issues of border dwellers pertaining to execution of BADP projects, recruitment, besides creation of sports facilities and infrastructure.

The Lt Governor, while interacting with the former Legislator assured that the genuine demands and issues projected by him would be addressed on merit.

J&K Government is putting in dedicated efforts to reach out to the people, especially those living along the borders and remote areas, and is making on-ground assessment of area-specific needs for accelerating the developmental process to meet the aspirations of the people, said the Lt Governor.

Goa likely to impose restrictions on inbound tourists

National

Indo Asian News Service

17/04/2021

Panaji: The steep spike in the number of Covid-19 cases is a “dangerous” trend and the Goa government is likely to place some restrictions on entry of tourists to the coastal state, Goa BJP president Sadanand Shet Tanavade said on Friday.

“The manner in which Covid-19 cases in Goa are rising, it does appear dangerous to some extent. I have spoken to the Chief Minister that there is a need for some restrictions. 100 per cent lockdown cannot be a solution. Some functions or big events involving huge gathering need to be controlled,” Tanavade told reporters.

“People coming from outside should be checked. In this regard, some decision will be taken soon. I have spoken to him (CM) in this regard,” Tanavade said.

Goa recorded its highest tally of Covid-19 cases during the ongoing second wave with 927 persons testing positive in the state in the last 24 hours, according to state Health Ministry statistics.

Kashmir Law College students stage protest, demand punishment to ‘erring students’

City

Precious Kashmir

17/04/2021

By: Faizan Wani

Srinagar: Students from Kashmir Law College Friday hit streets to protest alleged ragging of juniors by 3rd semester students, stating that the later brought “goons” who vandalized college property and beat students.

Protesting students alleged that erring 3rd semester students besides harassing their juniors also brought some rented goons who vandalized college furniture, beat students to pulp and threatened the staff.

The students including girls assembled at Press Enclave to lodge their protest against the bullying of junior students at Kashmir Law College Nowshera.

The slogan shouting students carrying pictures of alleged rented goons holding ‘knuckle-punches’ in their hands demanded stringent action against erring students, who they alleged broke all records of ‘rowdiness’.

Zakariya Ashraf, an 8th semester student said some 1st year law students brought the issue of alleged bullying by 3rd semester students a few days back which became the cause of disagreement between the two sides.

He said the 3rd semester students who were exposed after the recent episode of hooliganism at Kashmir Law College are now trying to put blame on 8th semester students for the mess.

“Some 1st semester students came to us and informed us that they are being bullied by their seniors, we assured them that ragging will not be allowed in this college and we took the issue up with erring students, who instead of feeling sorry, started beating us,” Zakariya told reporters.

He also said that the parents of erring students also joined them in beating students while rented goons played their part by vandalizing college property, abusing students and staff and threatening the college head.

He said the entire college administration and other students stand by their side to come to the rescue of some juniors who were being bullied by erring 3rd semester students.

“Had we done anything wrong, college administration, faculty and students would not have supported us. We want the students who uploaded fake video on social media to gain public sympathies and those who were hired by them to create ruckus in the college be brought into book,” he added. (KNO)

Arrest, disengagement of woman SPO step taken in haste: Tarigami

Jammu & Kashmir

United News Of India

17/04/2021

Srinagar: Terming the arrest and disengagement of a woman Special Police Officer (SPO) in Kulgam, Communist Party of India (M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Targami said it was decision taken in haste.

In a statement, he said that instead of lodging FIR and taking harsh measures, such incidents must be dealt with persuasion.

Apparently, this incident is an outburst of anger and should have not been dealt with harshly, he said in a statement Friday afternoon.

He alleged harassment of common people is the reason for such incidents.

It is high time that law enforcing agencies have a re-look at the situation and ensure common people are not harassed as its results are not positive, Tarigami said.

JMC’s Sanitary Supervisor arrested by CBI in bribe case, many on radar

Jammu & Kashmir

United News Of India

17/04/2021

Jammu: Acting tough against corrupt practices, the sleuths of Central Bureau of Investigation on Friday arrested a woman sanitary supervisor posted in Jammu Municipal Corporation for demanding and accepting a bribe from the complainant.

“A complaint was lodged with the CBI that one Sanitary Supervisor namely Shahzadi Gill of Jammu Municipal Corporation was demanding a bribe of Rs 50,000/- to reinstate the complainant working under her supervision,” a CBI official told UNI.

He said that acting on a complaint, a trap was laid this morning and the lady supervisor was caught red handed while demanding and accepting the bribe.

“Searches were also conducted at JMC and at residence of the supervisor in Residency Road,” he said.

“There were already so many compliments lodged with the CBI of corruption in the municipal corporation and previously also record was seized to investigate the cases,” said an official.

He said the arrested lady was hand in glove with senior officers and they are also under scanner as she has spilled the beans during investigation.

The official said that a case was registered and investigation are in progress.

Covid-19 surge forces govt decisions

Edit
Oped

Precious Kashmir

16/04/2021

On Thursday, the government said the covid-19 surge was unprecedented in Jammu and Kashmir as it deferred the biannual darbar move to Srinagar. The government said the civil secretariat, which is the seat of administration, will function both from Srinagar and Jammu cities simultaneously till further orders.

In a related move, the administration extended closure of schools upto 12^th standard as well as ordered closure of all the coaching centres in J&K till April 30. Ongoing remaining 10^th class examinations conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir Board Of School Education have been cancelled while decisions regarding 12^th standard exams have been deferred.

Last two years have been disruptive for students who remained away from their schools and friends and have been forced to deal with new ways to study online, restricted to their homes. For poor or other disadvantaged students, the struggle has been even tougher as most of them do not have same access to digital learning etc.

While the decision on deferring the Darbar move is debatable amid the fact that there are no restrictions on number of travelers arriving either by air or road nor is there any limit on number of passengers in local buses, closing the schools and coaching centre seems prudent. In fact there is no choice, and the government has taken the right call. Amid alarming surge, the administration has also done well in ordering augmentation in the number of bed capacity for Covid-19 patients at all designated hospitals. There is also a need to augment availability of ventilators at all designated hospitals. Ensuring availability and smooth supply of oxygen to hospitals is also imperative. Amid increase in the cases, there is also need to increase testing capacity for RTPCR— considered the “gold standard” for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

It is also imperative that people take the situation more seriously and given the statements by the government and consequent actions, it seems that Jammu and Kashmir is heading down the same route as Maharashtra and New Delhi. Both were forced to take extreme steps by the ravaging virus. The government and people should move with caution. Otherwise there could be more economic hardship when businesses and workers are still nursing the wounds of the first lockdown. It is important that more people are vaccinated and covid-19 appropriate behavior is adhered to in letter and spirit.

Amid COVID-19 second wave, pre-schools put lives of kids at risk

Anchor stories

Afaq Bhat

16/04/2021

Amid COVID-19 second wave, pre-schools put lives of kids at risk

Srinagar: After the surge in COVID-19 cases, the government ordered closure of all the educational institutions across Jammu and Kashmir upto class 12^th but surprisingly pre-schools continue to operate in uptowns areas in Srinagar.
According to the details available with Precious Kashmir a few pre-schools are functioning in Humhama, Rawalpora, and other uptown areas. “One fails to understand what these pre-schools are teaching the kids below 4-yrs of age amidst the second COVID-19 wave,” asked a parent.
It’s in place to mention here that the government had ordered the closure of schools after these institutions turned into COVID-19 hot spots as many students and teachers tested positive for the pestilence.
On Thursday the State Executive Committee (SEC) said that the Schools in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir shall continue to remain closed for imparting on-campus or in-person education to the students of all classes till April 30.
Besides schools, the government said that all the coaching and tuition centers imparting in-person teaching to students shall also remain closed in the entire UT till April 30.
Another parent said, “These pre-schools are openly flouting the government order and are putting at risk the lives of small kids. If an 18-year old cannot go to school what’s the logic behind asking kids below 4-years to attend the offline classes in the pre-schools.”
A medico said, ‘The government should close these pre-schools without any delay as it can lead to a catastrophe. Kids can act as potential carriers of the virus and infect the elders in their homes.”
He said, “At present our priority is to prevent the number of Covid cases from increasing. Keeping pre-schools open is not acceptable. The managements of these institutions need to be pulled up and administration should act.”
Meanwhile, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Syed Abdul Hanief Balkhi said that necessary action will be initiated in this regard. “We will send a team to verify the reports and if any violations are found, necessary action will be initiated,” he told Precious Kashmir.
According to the officials a detailed review of the current COVID-19 situation in Jammu and Kashmir was conducted with the Financial Commissioner, Health Department, Administrative Secretary School Education, Divisional Commissioner of Jammu and Kashmir regions and other officers. “It was decided during the meeting that educational institutions will remain closed till April 30. It’s surprising that pre-schools are not adhering to the government directions. If the reports are found true these institutions will be sealed,” said an official.

COVID-19: Govt defers Darbar Move

Front

Precious Kashmir

16/04/2021

Secretariat to function in Srinagar, Jammu simultaneously

Srinagar: The government on Thursday differed Darbar Move and ordered that the Civil Secretariat, the seat of Jammu and Kashmir administration, shall function both in Srinagar and Jammu.

“In view of sharply rising cases of COVID in J&K, the Govt has taken few important decisions ensuring safety of employees…•Darbar move deferred because of COVID •Secretariat to function in both #Srinagar & #Jammu •Office functioning not to be affected because of eOffice,” Lieutenant Governor Manjor Sinha said in a tweet.

“Secretaries will function from both locations in an equitable manner Office functioning will not be affected as files to move electronically between both Secretariats in e-Office.”

The civil secretariat and other move offices besides the Raj Bhavan were close in Jammu on April 30 and to start functioning in Srinagar from May 10.

The practice of ‘Darbar Move’ was started by Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1872 to escape extreme weather conditions in the two regions of the state. Under the arrangement, the administration functions in Jammu during six months of winter and in Srinagar during summer. The practice was continued later with the aim of providing governance benefits to both Kashmir and Jammu regions for six months by turns.

On March 30 last, Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam chaired a high-level meeting to review the preparations for the move here and announced that there would be a substantial reduction in the transportation of records during the exercise.

“The government has taken concrete steps to switch to paperless offices by rolling out e-office in the moving departments. As such, most of the official record has been uploaded to the e-office, and training of employees has begun,” he had said.

The switch to online mode would help avoid wear and tear as well as any loss of official record during the bi-annual transit, besides saving the associated transportation costs, he had said. (GNS)

Covid-19: J&K reports 1141 new cases, 4 deaths

Front

United News Of India

16/04/2021

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Government on Thursday informed that 1141 new positive cases of novel Coronavirus (434 from Jammu division and 707 from Kashmir division), have been reported thus taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 142877.

Also four deaths have been reported, one from Jammu Division and three from Kashmir Division.

Moreover, 487 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals including 116 from Jammu Division and 371 from Kashmir Division.

According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Coronavirus (Covid-19), out of 142877 positive cases, 10040 are Active Positive, 130791 have recovered and 2046 have died; 758 in Jammu division and 1288 in Kashmir division.

The Bulletin further said that out of 6648718test results available, 6505841 samples have been tested as negative till April 15.

Till date 1641528 persons have been enlisted for observation which included 71500 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 10040 in isolation and 132646in home surveillance.

Besides, 1425296 persons have completed their surveillance period.

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