Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha who is in the national capital is likely to meet top central ministers to brief them on security and financial aspects of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Sinha is likely to stay in New Delhi till Sunday.

Sinha’s visit to the national capital comes two days after the
Rs 1, 08,621 crore budget of Jammu and Kashmir was tabled in the Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Sources said that Lieutenant Governor is likely to discuss the overall developments with the senior functionaries of the Central Government.

“The LG would stay in Delhi for a couple of days wherein he will also discuss the security situation with the central ministers and others.
Jammu and Kashmir’s annual budget has seen a steep hike during the past three years. In 2019-20, J&K had Rs 88,911 crore worth budget which went up to Rs one lakh crore for 2020-21.

Regarding the current financial year of 2020-21, sources said because of the financial discipline maintained by the Finance Department in Jammu and Kashmir, there was no major financial crunch.
“There has been full cooperation of the Union Home and Finance Ministries to the Jammu and Kashmir Government,” sources said.

LG Manoj Sinha had thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for “yet another historic budget with emphasis on the growth and development of Jammu and Kashmir.”

He recently said that the government was committed to investing more money in new and accelerated infrastructure projects, supporting new investments and increasing business landscape through incentives in new industrial schemes.

Gujarat: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today visited AMUL Plant at Anand District, Gujarat to have a first-hand appraisal of the facilities being put up for the milk production, processing and other related products.

He was accompanied by Dr. Rupinder Singh Sodhi, Managing Director, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd, AMUL.

The Lt Governor discussed the modalities for promoting milk production and increasing its capacity in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, with active involvement of various stakeholders like AMUL.

J&K Government is making reformative interventions to bring a new era of White Revolution in the UT, besides creating better livelihood opportunities for farmers and those associated with dairy production, said the Lt Governor.

Speaking on the growth potential of Milk Production and Dairy-farming in J&K, the Lt Governor observed that the sector has a great potential to generate huge employment in the UT and can contribute massively in the socio-economic transformation of the farming community.

J&K Government is working on multi-pronged strategy to increase milk production and double the Dairy farmers’ income. Big players like AMUL, in collaborative efforts with the Government has a major role to play in the promotion and growth of milk production and other related activities in the UT, he added.

The Lt Governor also asked Dr. Rupinder Singh Sodhi, MD, GCMMF Ltd, AMUL for working out a comprehensive plan for bringing revolutionary changes in the dairy sector in J&K.

The Lt Governor underlined the importance of exchanging ideas and sharing of knowledge, besides replicating the successful models being implemented in other States/UTs for having better outcomes.

Ahmedabad: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today visited Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad to take on-spot assessment and get first-hand information on the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Project, on whose lines Tawi Riverfront in Jammu would be developed.

The Lt Governor discussed in detail about the challenges and best practices adopted during the development of Sabarmati Riverfront, besides flood control measures to be taken while developing Tawi Riverfront.

The concerned officials also briefed the Lt Governor about the development model and concept of the Sabarmati Riverfront.

An overview was taken by the Lt Governor pertaining to the development of Biodiversity Park, streets, River Promenade, and general facilities under Sabarmati Riverfront Development project. He also enquired about the mechanism being laid down for the development of upcoming attractions like Pedestrian Bridge, Sports complex, Multi-Level Car Parking etc.

Rivers are the cradle of civilization and reflect the culture and history of a place. We will ensure aesthetic value of Tawi Riverfront, developing natural purification capability, besides sustainable development of environment and urban infrastructure.  Experts are being roped for early execution of the prestigious Tawi Riverfront Project which was pending for many years, said the Lt Governor.

Sh. Keshav Varma, Chairman, Sabarmati River Front Development Corporation Ltd (SRFDCL) has been sharing his expertise with the J&K Government for development of Tawi Riverfront on the lines of Sabarmati Riverfront which is one of the important components of Jammu Smart City project, he added.

Learning gained from the experience of this visit will be applied in full letter and spirit to develop Tawi Riverfront on the lines of Sabarmati Riverfront, observed the Lt Governor.

Commissioner, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Shri Mukesh Kumar gave a detailed briefing about the operation of the riverfront as well as future development.

Pertinently, a team of senior officers headed by Principal Secretary to  Lt Governor, Sh. Nitishwar Kumar has recently visited Ahmedabad and took a detailed assessment of various facets of Sabarmati Riverfront project.

Jammu Development Authority (JDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation for developing the riverfront on the Tawi River.

Srinagar: The government on Friday ordered transfer of twenty five SSPs and SPs in Jammu and Kashmir with immediate effect.

According to Home Department’s order Rayees Mohammad Bhat (IPS), AIG (P&T), PHQ has been transferred and posted as SSP Baramulla vice Abdul Qayoom.

Dr. Vinod Kumar (IPS), awaiting orders, has been posted as SSP Poonch Ramesh Kumar Angral.

Sandeep Choudhary (IPS), SP Anantnag has been transferred and posted as SSP Srinagar Dr Mohammad Haseeb Mughal.

Chandan Kohli (IPS), SP Rajouri has been transferred and posted as SSP Jammu vice Shridhar Patil (IPS).

Dr. G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy (IPS), SP Handwara has been transferred and posted as SP Kupwara vice Ambarkar Shriram Dinkar (IPS).

Sudhanshu Verma (IPS), SP Hazratbal Srinagar has been transferred and posted as SP Sopore vice Javid Iqbal.

Sandeep Gupta (IPS), SP North, Srinagar has been transferred and posted as SP Handwara vice Dr. G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy (IPS).

Sheema Nabi Qasba (IPS), SP East, Srinagar has been transferred and posted as SP Rajouri vice Chandan Kohli (IPS).

P.D. Nitya, IPS, SP North, Jammu has been transferred and posted as SP Ramban vice Haseeb ur-Rehman.

Tanushree (IPS) has been posted as SP East, Srinagar vice Ms. Sheema Nabi Qasba (IPS).

“Javid Iqbal Matoo, AIG (Buildings) PHQ shall hold the additional charge of the post of AIG (P&T) PHQ,” the order says.

Suhail Munawar Mir, SSP CID SB Kashmir has been transferred and posted as SP Ganderbal vice Khalil Ahmad Poswal.

Shailendra Singh, SSP Crime, Jammu has been transferred and posted as SP Reasi vice  Rashmi Wazir.

Imtiyaz Hussain Mir, SSP Security, Kashmir has been transferred and posted as SP Anantnag vice Sandeep Choudhary (IPS).

Sheikh Zulfikar Azad, SP Security, J&K has been asked to hold the additional charge of SSP security Kashmir.

Tahir Saleem Khan, SP Awantipora has been transferred and posted as SP Budgam vice Amod Nagpure, (IPS).

Mohammad Zaid, CO IR-9th Bn has been transferred and posted as SP, Bandipora vice Rahul Malik (IPS).

Mohammad Yousuf, Addl SP, Kulgam has been transferred and posted as SP Awantipora vice Tahir Saleem Khan.

Ramesh Chander Kotwal, SP APCR Jammu has been transferred and posted as SP Kathua vice Shailendra Mishra (IPS).

Shafqat Hussain, SP Railways, Kashmir has been transferred and posted as SP, Kishtwar vice Harmeet Singh.

Paramvir Singh, awaiting orders, has been posted as Additional Secretary (Technical) on deputation to Road Safety Council vice R.K. Bhat, who has been asked, pending investigation in FIR registered against him, to remain attached in the Home Department.

Shahzad Ahmad Salaria, SP West, Srinagar has been transferred and posted as SP APCR, Jammu vice Ramesh Chander Kotwal.

Perbeet Singh, Addl. SP Anantnag has been transferred and posted as SP (West), Srinagar vice Shahzad Ahmad Salaria.

Mubashir Hussain, Addl. SP, Security Kashmir has been transferred and posted as SP (North), Srinagar vice Sandeep Gupta (IPS).

“Shailendra Mishra IPS, Rahul Malik, IPS, Shridhar Patil, PS, Ambarkar Shriram Dinkar, IPS, Amod Nagpure, IPS, Dr. Mohd. Haseeb Mughal, Haseeb ur-Rehman, Abdul Qayoom, Ms. Rashmi Wazir, Ramesh Kumar Angral, Harmeet Singh, Javid Iqbal and Khalil Ahmad Poswal shall report to the PHQ and await further posting orders,” the order reads, adding, “Irshad Hussain Rather, SO to DIG, CKR Srinagar is transferred and posted as SP Hazratbal Srinagar vice Sudhanshu Verma (IPS).

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Government on Friday ordered promotion of fifteen IPS officers, four of them as Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) in the Higher Administrative Grade (HAG)- Level 15 of Pay Matrix, with effect from 1 January this year.

The officers promoted as ADGPs include Mukesh Singh, M. K. Sinha, Sunil Kumar (on profonna basis) and Danesh Rana.

“One post of the ADGP in the HAG – Level 15 of Pay Matrix is added temporarily in terms of proviso second below Rule 4 of IPS (Cadre) Rules, 1954,” reads an order issued by the Home Department on the directions by Lieutenant Governor.

Also, four officers of 2007 batch have been promoted to the grade of Super Time Scale-(i)-DIG (Level-13A of the Pay Matrix) with effect from January 1. They include Dr. Sunil Gupta (on proforma basis), Sujit Kumar, Vivek Gupta and Mohammad Suleman Choudhary.

Three officer of 2008 batch have been promoted to Selection Grade of IPS (Level 13 of the Pay Matrix) with January 1 and include Tejinder Singh (on proforma basis), Abdul Jabbar and Udayabhaskar Billa.

Also, four officers of 2017 batch have been promoted to the Senior Time Scale of IPS (Level-11 of the Pay Matrix) with effect from January 1 and include Anayat Ali Choudhary, Mohita Sharma (subject to completion of “CSWT Indore attachment” component of training, Nikhil Borkar (subject to passing of the Swimming Test and receipt of final assessment report from SVP, NPA Hyderabad” and Tanushree subject to passing of the Swimming Test and receipt of final assessment report from SVP, NPA Hyderabad.

Dozen surrender during live encounters

Nearly 12 militants killed this year

Jammu: Maintaining that the security agencies are preparing a plan for the smooth conduct of the annual Amarnath Yatra, the Director-General of Police (DGP) J&K Dilbag Singh Friday said there is no threat to the Yatra this year and security arrangements for all vital spots are being prepared.

Addressing reporters on the sidelines of the plantation drive in Jammu, the DGP said that like every year there is a separate drill for the arrangements of Amarnath Yatra.

“We know what type of security arrangements are required along the highway and at Langer places including the tracks of Baltal and Pahalgam,” he said.

Singh said that the plans like in past years are being prepared on the same pattern and all the arrangements on the security level will be done.

To a query about the threat to Amarnath Yatra, the DGP said that as of now there is no threat to the annual Amarnath Yatra, and neither are there any such reports.

On sticky-bombs, Singh said that the topic is now gradually getting older but there is no denying it’s a new tactic.

“Some peace enemies from our neighbouring country remain busy in doing all this and this sticky-bomb is a new thing sent along with a magnet that can be fixed with any vehicle and metal surface which is a threat,” the DGP said, adding that we have our security drills to tackle everything.

He said that in the last couple of years, efforts were made to bring back youth who picked arms, and around three dozen were reunited with families due to their cooperation in the last year and all of them are living a normal life now.

“Even this year the efforts are underway to persuade youth to shun the gun and there is a huge success with youth understanding what lies on the path,” Singh said.

Singh assured that the process will continue and reiterated that militants are given chances to surrender even during the encounters despite having weapons with them.

“Nearly a dozen militants surrendered during live encounters last year,” he said.

About the killing of the top militants and commanders in the valley, the DGP said that recently a top commander of Lashkar in North Kashmir Gani Khawaja was killed and the Jaish top commander Sajad Afghani was killed in Shopian encounter recently.

“Hidaitullah top commander of the newly floated militant organization Lashkar E Mustafa has been killed and then Nazir who also headed a new organization. Two have been apprehended while two have been killed,” Singh said.

He further said that in the ensuing year nearly 12 militants have been killed and around three dozen people associated with different militant organizations in form of separate modules have been arrested. (KNO)

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir’s coronavirus caseload rose to 128249 as 152 more people tested positive for the infection while one more person succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Friday.

Of the fresh cases including 50 travelers and a minor, 31 were from Jammu Division and 121 from Kashmir Division, the officials told GNS.

Giving district-wise details, they said, Srinagar reported 69 cases, Baramulla 15, Budgam 15, Pulwama 5, Kupwara 6, Anantnag 2, Bandipora 1, Ganderbal 3, Kulgam 1, Shopian 4, Jammu 20, Udhampur 0, Rajouri 4, Doda 2,  Kathua 2, Samba 0, Kishtwar 0, Poonch 0, Ramban 3 and Reasi 0.

A number of these cases were confirmed at diagnostic laboratories of SKIMS Soura, CD hospital and GMC Anantnag.

The SKIMS cases include female (60) from Latina Beerwah, male (14) from Charangam, two females (55, 34) and male (10) from Chanapora Main Chowk, female (14) from Sogam Chadoora Budgam, female (75) from Khansahib Budgam, three males (42, 07, 31) and female (38) from Pandach Ganderbal, male (65) from Soura, female (30) from Buchpora, male (28) from Qamarwari, male (42) from 90 Feet, female (35) from Makdoom Sahib, male (60) and female (27) from Ellahibagh, female (50) from Mallabagh, female (48) from Qamarwari, male (45) from NA Srinagar and female (75) from Chanapora Srinagar besides female (46) from Rajgarh Ramban.

The CD cases include male (30) from Alamgiri Bazar, male (53) from Botakadal Lal Bazar, male (22) from Shalimar, male (67) from Brane, male (75) from Samboora, two males (NA, NA) from Baghat Barzulla, male (55) from Kupwara, male (77) from Karan Nagar, male (60) from Budgam, female (65) and two males (60, 75) from CDH, male (75) from SMHS, male (40) from Baghat, male (90) from Puna Maharshtra, male (36) from Pattan, female (27) from Mallabagh, male (27) from Bemina, male (64) from Srinagar, male (60) from Kargil, male (55) from Hazratbal, male (66) from Mallabagh, female (35) from Habak, male (59) from N.I.T, male (55) from Rainawari, male (14) and two females (50, 40) from Khaniyar.

The GMC Anantnag cases include male (23) from Batapora and female (65) from Zirpora.

Regarding the fatality, they said, the victim belonged to the Jammu and took the toll to 1979—732in Jammu and 1247 in Kashmir.

Moreover, they said, 72 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and were discharged from various hospitals—06 from Jammu Division and 66 from Kashmir Valley.

So far, they said, 125118 have recovered—52323 in Kashmir and 75926 in Jammu. There are 1152 active cases—268 in Jammu and 884 in Kashmir. (GNS)

All doses have to be administered within 4hrs: FC Dulloo

Srinagar: Around 6.6 per cent of Covid vaccine doses in Jammu and Kashmir have been wasted out of around 5 lakh vaccine doses that have been administered in the region so far.

In India, out of 3.46 crore doses which have been administered so far around 23 lakh vaccine have gone waste.

Financial Commissioner Health Atal Dulloo told KNO that the waste percentage in J&K is around 6.6 per cent.

He said that each Covishield vial had 10 doses in total and once opened, all doses have to be administered within four hours, otherwise, it goes to waste and the remaining doses have to be destroyed.

However, Dulloo said that vaccination process is picking up pace and more and more people are getting vaccinated.

Officials said that the vaccine wastage can be largely attributed to less number of people turning up to get vaccinated.

State Immunisation Officer Dr Qazi Haroon said that around five lakh people in J&K have so far received Covid vaccine doses and the process is going on.

He said that the waste percentage of vaccines as compared to other states is comparatively low.

Pertinently, only four states in India have a waste percentage more than J&K which includes Telangana (17.6 per cent), Andra Pradesh (11.5 per cent), Uttar Pradesh (9.4 per cent) and Karnataka (6.9 per cent).

Notably, the national average wastage percentage of Covid vaccine doses is 6.5 per cent.

Srinagar: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Friday said Covid-19 could stay with us forever.

“Covid-19 pandemic would end at some point, but the virus will continue to circulate in the human population,” said DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

“Covid-19 will become yet another infection joining many other diseases that humanity has learned to live with.”

“We will probably be living with this virus for rest of our lives,” he said.

“But the impact of the virus in terms of deaths, illness and the need for social isolation will lessen.”

“Cases will wax and wane over time,” DAK President said.  “Outbreaks will pop up here and there.”

“One of the reasons to believe that Covid-19 will be around forever is that the virus is constantly changing and adapting to challenges,” he said.

“The existence of animal reservoirs that can keep reinfecting humans is another reason why virus is not going to go away.”

“Over time we may end up with a situation similar to the flu or common cold,” Dr Nisar said.

“Like flu, Covid-19 could eventually become a seasonal illness.”

“The 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic could offer a clue about the course of Covid-19,” he said.

“The H1N1 pandemic was over in about 16 months, but the virus did not disappear. Instead it has turned into a seasonal flu strain that circulates all years, and peaks during winter.”

“Covid-19 could ultimately become another seasonal respiratory virus, like the four other coronaviruses that cause a sizeable proportion of common colds,” Dr Nisar said.

“Covid-19 is still in a pandemic phase because infections continue to increase across the globe and many people are still susceptible.”

“Vaccination is critical to end the pandemic phase of the virus,” he said.

“When enough people will get vaccination against the virus, and that too quickly we may see an end to the pandemic soon.”

“Even with vaccination, virus is going to stay around and cause smaller outbreaks, much like seasonal flu.

And, we may need booster shots of Covid-19 vaccine on regular basis to maintain immunization over time,” said Dr Nisar.