Precious Kashmir

Lt Governor chairs review meeting of Smart City projects

Jammu & Kashmir

18/03/2021

Sinha directs for speedy completion of projects by taking up multiple works simultaneously

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the progress being made on the prestigious Jammu and Srinagar Smart City Projects.

During the review meeting, the Lt Governor asked the concerned functionaries to make a visible impact while working with high professionalism and clear vision.

Laying special emphasis on accelerating the approval of DPRs and tender allotment process, the Lt Governor directed CEOs of Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) and Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) for constituting a technical committee for early vetting of DPRs of the projects.

Directions were also issued to reduce the completion time of projects by taking up multiple works simultaneously.

The Lt Governor called for putting dedicated focus on improving infrastructure & services, increasing mobility and enhancing the administrative efficiency, besides maintaining inter-departmental coordination to transform Jammu and Srinagar into modern and sustainable cities.

While reviewing the progress on installation of Advertisement Panels, the Lt Governor observed that communication and feedback is the highest priority of Administration and directed the officers for engaging in continuous communication with the public.

While reviewing the Smart Poles project under Jammu Smart City Limited, the Lt Governor directed CEO JSCL for keeping a feature for expansion in scale of the project in future.

Sinha also reviewed the improvement of road network component of the Jammu Smart City Projects and directed for completing the survey at the earliest. He asked the concerned officers to give due care and attention to reducing inconvenience to the public while executing the work.

CEO JSCL Sushma Chauhan and CEO SSCL Shahid Iqbal Choudhary gave PowerPoint presentations giving details of status of various projects of JSCL and SSCL.

The Lt Governor sought the present status and future course of action of various projects including Integrated Command & Control Centre (ICCC); upcoming ICCC integrations; smart urban mobility & Intelligent Traffic Management System; City beautification; efficient green initiatives; solid waste management; undergrounding of overhead utilities.

For proper implementation of Smart City Projects, Sinha directed for creating in-house capacity for increasing efficiency. He set project-wise timelines for completion of various projects

BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Arun Kumar Mehta, Financial Commissioner, Finance Department; Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary to Government, Housing and Urban Development Department; Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor; Sanjeev Verma, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; M Raju, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Jal Shakti Department; Avny Lavasa, Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation; Rahul Pandey, Director, Information and Public Relations; Athar Aamir ul Shafi, Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation; Babila Rakwal, Vice-Chairperson, JDA, members of PMC; HoDs; Chief Engineers and other senior officers attended the meeting, in person and through virtual mode.

JKP went through difficult phases but faced challenges: DGP

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

18/03/2021

Jammu: DGP’s dinner for the participants of the Inter Zone Sports Meet was organized at the end of the final day event at Gulshan Ground Jammu last evening.

Besides, DGP Dilbag Singh, the dinner was attended by ADGP Armed, J&K A.K. Choudhary, IGP Jammu Zone Mukesh Singh, IGP Armed Jammu Danesh Rana, commandants of Jammu Based Battalions and other senior police officers of different zones.

While speaking on the occasion, DGP said J&K Police went through difficult phases but faced all the challenges and conquered each challenge with fortitude.

He said Jammu and Kashmir Police in the process has lost hundreds of colleagues while protecting the interests of the country.

He said that this dedicated force has lost its 15 personnel and thousands were affected during peak period of COVID-19 while protecting the people from the virus.

Singh said leading this brave and dedicated force of the country is a proud feeling for him. “At every forum he is highlighting the commitment and achievements of this force and at every forum people are very keen to know more about J&K Police. We have to continue our work with full commitment for betterment of people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

Recalling his posting as commandant 7th Bn when militancy was at its peak, the DGP said that police orchestra, police band performances were organized at Gulmarg, Pahalgam which attracted hundreds of tourists and locals.

Transfer of teachers to be put in abeyance

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

18/03/2021

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir government has asked all Chief Education Officers of Kashmir to stop publishing or issuing of any kind of transfers or posting orders with immediate effect till process of ATD 2021 by School Education Department was completed at its level.

“Director School Education. Kashmir is advised to put on hold all transfer orders issued by the CEOs under ATD 2021 and also issue instructions to all Chief Education Officers of Kashmir Division to stop publishing /issuing of any kind of transfers/ posting orders with immediate effect till process of ATD 2021 by School Education Department is completed at its level,” reads an order issued B. K. Singh, Administrative Secretary School Education.

“If any order has been issued in violation of various instructions issued so far, they may be kept in abeyance till further orders. It may be dealt at highest priority,” further reads the order. (GNS)

KU to hold on-campus classes for 1st semester students from Mar 22

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

18/03/2021

Srinagar: The University of Kashmir Wednesday announced that the classes for 1st semester students shall be held in offline mode from March 22.

The decision to this effect was taken pursuant to recommendations of a high-level committee of academics and officers chaired by Dean of Academic Affairs Prof Shabir A Bhat.

A notification issued by the office of Academic Affairs said the 1st semester classes shall be held in physical/offline mode from 22 March 2021 and the examination of all courses, including OE/GE thereof, shall also be conducted in physical/offline mode.

“The teaching departments where the number of students in a class exceeds more than 30 shall conduct the classes in a dual mode (offline/online) on a weekly basis to ensure safety of students and faculty by strictly observing the Covid-19 SOP guidelines/directions,” the notification reads.

The 3rd semester students (2019 batch), according to the notification, will continue with the online classes but shall attend the 4th semester classes in offline mode as and when they complete the online examination of the 3rd semester.

“All other examinations already started either in offline or online mode shall remain unaffected,” the notification reads, adding that the notified Covid-19 SOPs/guidelines issued by the government shall be followed in letter and spirit by all concerned.

Prof Bhat said the notification has been sent to deans/heads/directors of all faculties/departments/campuses for compliance.

“We are in the process of making the teaching departments fully operational for offline classes. We urge heads of departments and students to ensure strict adherence to SOPs related to Covid-19 for hassle-free conduct of the teaching work,” he said. (GNS)

Sunday market to be regulated between Polo view & Linz Café: SMC

City

United News Of India

18/03/2021

Srinagar: Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Major Junaid Azim Mattu on Wednesday said that the weekly Sunday market will be regulated on Residency road between Polo View Chowk and Linz Café in the summer capital, Srinagar.

Asserting that all vendors will be registered for sanitation charges, safety norms and regulations to be upheld, he said unauthorized vendors outside defined area won’t be allowed.

However, the vendors have expressed concern over the decision of the administration, alleging that it will render hundreds of people unemployed at a time when economy has already suffered due to unrest in 2019 and COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. Once the directions are implemented, the 3-km-long market will be reduced to less than half-a-km.

“Have passed directions for the Sunday Market on Residency Road to be regulated between Polo View Chowk and Linz Cafe. All vendors to be registered for sanitation charges and safety norms and regulations to be upheld,” Mattu wrote on micro-blogging site twitter.

He gave these directions after holding a meeting Residency Road Businessmen’s Association. “Held a detailed meeting with the ‘Residency Road Businessmen’s Association’ at my office today along with officers of SMC’s Sanitation, Drainage, Works and Revenue Wings,” he said.

He said an elaborate beautification plan is being worked out for Residency Road and the Jehlum Bund.

The Srinagar Mayor said SMC City Roads Division has asked to conduct a comprehensive survey of city road stretches without pedestrian footpaths. “Footpaths and pedestrian walkways to be made a mandatory planning and infrastructure norm,” he said.

“SMC, in a ‘Road Aesthetics Policy’ between SMC Works, City Roads (R&B) and Urban Forestry will define and implement following standards for main roads. “Trees on both sides of roads – every 40 feet. Twin Dustbins – every 200 feet. Street Furniture + Art Installations,” he tweeted.

The famous weekly market usually attracts thousands of customers from different parts of the valley. Business worth crores of rupees is done in the market every week in the market in which goods, ranging from a hairpin to carpets, are sold on economical rates.

Masoodi demands upgradation of existing infra in colleges, universities in JK

City

Precious Kashmir

18/03/2021

New Delhi: National Conference Member of Parliament Hasnain Masoodi from Anantnag raised the issues confronting education sector in Jammu and Kashmir in Lok Sabha, seeking proper and efficient implementation of National Education Policy 2020 on ground to make benefits reach the beneficiaries.

While participating in discussion on demand of grants for Education, Masoodi expressed concern over meager 2 percent increase in budgetary allocations for School and Higher Education emphasizing that the pandemic Covid-19 confronted education to new challenges, he said that the education sector deserves better deal and higher allocation.

The NC MP expressed deep concern over drop in enrolment and increasing dropout rates at middle and secondary and higher secondary rates. “The school education lacks infrastructure and adequate teaching staff and infrastructure problem impact school education in Jammu Kashmir more than elsewhere as sub zero temperatures require a better accommodation.”

Masoodi demanded increase in subject areas be taught at South Campus Anantnag and corresponding increase in teaching staff and support staff. He also sought setting up an independent KU Campus at Kupwara to cater requirements of the students from far flung areas of north Kashmir.

He also demanded regularization of Assistant professors engaged on contractual basis for successive academic sessions in Universities and Colleges. “The early regularization would end their uncertain future.”

Resolve geology, mining crisis in JK: Bukhari

City

Precious Kashmir

18/03/2021

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari Wednesday expressed deep concern over the lackadaisical attitude of the government that has led to a grinding halt in developmental activities, black-marketing and an unprecedented escalation in prices of construction material across Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a press conference here, Bukhari regretted the acute shortage of construction material that has led to illegal extraction and hoarding of construction material like sand, aggregate, gravel and stones causing immense sufferings to the general public.

“It is highly unfortunate that the natives of J&K who have been associated with minor mineralogy business since decades have been sidelined and the contractors from outside J&K who are yet to produce environmental clearances have been given a free hand to control the market,” he observed while appealing for personal intervention of the Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha into the matter.

Bukhari said the e-auction for extraction of raw material was held clandestinely without giving any wide publicity to the tendering process which has drastically resulted into exclusion of the local contractors.

“Now what has added to this fishy allotment process is that the successful non-resident J&K contractors are yet to fulfill the requisite terms and conditions especially getting environmental clearances. Despite these noticeable shortcomings, these contractors are indulging in illegal extraction of raw material through their sub contractors in connivance with the concerned departments,” he said.

Bukhari said the government must frame a comprehensive policy taking in view the Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand models wherein the rights of the locals on their natural resources have been safeguarded and insulated against the impact of e-auctioning process.

He demanded that the government must regulate the prices of the raw material needed for construction purposes and ensure its hassle free availability in the markets.

Apni Party President demanded that all the left out mineral blocks in J&K should be immediately demarcated and notified within the radius of around eight kilometers for stone crusher units and at least 50 per cent of these demarcated blocks should be reserved for the local stakeholders.

India’s vaccine wastage at 6.5 pc: Health ministry

National

Agencies

18/03/2021

‘Telangana and Andhra Pradesh top the list’

New Delhi: India’s overall percentage of COVID-19 vaccine wastage is at 6.5 per cent, with Telangana and Andhra Pradesh topping the list with 17.6 per cent and 11.6 per cent of vaccine wastage respectively, informed the union health ministry on Wednesday.

“India’s overall percentage of COVID-19 vaccine wastage is 6.5 per cent. Telang

ana and Andhra Pradesh recorded 17.6 per cent and 11.6 per cent of vaccine wastage respectively. We have told the states that vaccine wastage needs to be drastically reduced,” Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said at the weekly press briefing.

He added that states have been requested to do testing, tracking and treating in a more efficient manner amid the recent spike in COVID-19 cases.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed disappointment at this wastage while speaking to Chief Ministers in the meeting that was held earlier in the day regarding the COVID-19 situation, said Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a detailed discussion with states and Union Territories on the COVID-19 situation and vaccination. He expressed disappointment at vaccine wastage. It is a precious commodity. At an individual level and for the country, this wastage is not right. He has said that wastage should be absolutely minimal,” Paul said.

Till now, over 3.51 crore total doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administrated, Bhushan informed.

“On March 15, 8.34 million COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered worldwide, of which India alone administered 36 per cent of doses.”

As many as 28,903 new COVID-19 cases and 17,741 recoveries were reported in India in the last 24 hours taking the total cases in the country to 1,14,38,734, including 2,34,406 active cases and 1,10,45,284 recoveries.

The death toll stands at 1,59,044 including 188 fatalities recorded in the last 24 hours.

Covid-19 Impact On Children

Edit

Precious Kashmir

17/03/2021

No official study has been conducted to assess the impact of Covid-19 lockdown on the mental development and health of children, the government said. However, beyond doubt Covid-19 intensified challenges on numerous counts, more so mental health front. The pandemic and lockdown has brought about a sense of fear and anxiety around the globe and has led to short term as well as long term psychosocial and mental health implications for children and adolescents. The quality and magnitude of impact on minors is determined by many vulnerability factors like developmental age, educational status, pre-existing mental health condition, being economically underprivileged or being quarantined due to infection or fear of infection. Newer forms were found during the course of the pandemic. Raising a firewall against threats to physical health has had adverse consequences for mental health.

Mental illness in Jammu and Kashmir is yet to be recognized as a significant contributor to poor health. This is not only reflected in the skewed ratio between patients and mental health professionals but also in the appalling treatment meted out to patients in spite of the concerns expressed by the courts, medical professionals, and the media. On a large front, there is need for incorporating provisions for recognizing newer forms of anxiety in the Mental Healthcare laws and fostering public engagement with matters of the mind.

To address the burden of mental disorders, the Government of India says that National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) is being implemented since 1982. The Government needs to continue supporting implementation of the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) under NMHP in all districts of the country. To generate awareness among masses about mental illnesses, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities need to be made an integral part of the NMHP in real sense. There is need to provide class teachers with facilitative skill to promote life skill among their students, provide the class teachers with knowledge and skills to identify emotional conduct, scholastic and substance use problems in their students and provide them with a system of referral for students with psychological problems to the District Mental Health Team for inputs and treatment. There is also need to work zealously to involve other stakeholders like parents, community leaders to enhance development of adolescents.

There is also a pressing need for planning longitudinal and developmental studies, and implementing evidence based elaborative plan of action to cater to the psycho social and mental health needs of the vulnerable children and adolescents.

New political front to emerge in North Kashmir?

Anchor stories

Afaq Bhat

17/03/2021

New political front to emerge in North Kashmir?

Srinagar: Speculations are rife that a few big wigs are going to join the Peoples Conference led by Sajad Gani Lone soon and there is a possibility about a new political front being formed in north Kashmir.
Recently, National Conference leader, from Kreeri in Baramulla district Basharat Bukhari, tendered his resignation from the NC, he didn’t mention any specific reason for him calling quit but it seems that he too may be joining the new front.
In his resignation letter to NC president Farooq Abdullah and vice-president Omar Abdullah, Bukhari, who had joined the party in December 2018, said: “Very respectfully, I hereby disassociate from the party (J&K National Conference) from this day onwards. Please be kind enough to acknowledge the above-mentioned expression and oblige.”
In a separate letter to Omar, Bukhari expressed his gratitude to the NC vice- president for his love and affection towards him (Bukhari) during his brief stint as a party member. Prior to joining NC, Bukhari was associated with Peoples Democratic Party and was also a minister in the PDP led coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir.
On Monday, general secretary of Peoples Conference, Imran Raza Ansari, tendered his resignation from the party post.
Ansari, who was also a minister in PDP-BJP coalition government in the erstwhile state of J&K, joined the PC in November 2018 after resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Taking to micro-blogging site twitter, Ansari said, “As our Party @JKPC_ is growing and lots of leaders have started joining this caravan of change I am requesting my party President @sajadlone to accept my resignation from the post of General Secretary effective today.”
An analyst while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “Ansari in his resignation has clearly hinted that many more people are likely to join the Peoples Conference. It appears that north Kashmir may have its own set of political leaders and modalities have already been finalized.”

Pertinently, in the election for chairperson for District Development Council (DDC) in Baramulla district last month Peoples Conference had voted for Safina Beg, wife of the former PDP patron, Muzaffar Hussain Beigh, and helped her win the election. Three members of PC, two from Apni Party and Muzaffar Dar (an independent candidate) had supported Safina Beg.
An observer said, “It appears that Basharat Bukhari, Safina Beg and others are likely to be a part of the political front that will be led by Sajad Gani Lone.”
It may be recalled that the Peoples Conference had pulled out from the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration—an amalgam that comprised the National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party and other smaller parties—soon after the DDC election results were declared. The PC had accused NC of “backstabbing” it by fielding proxy candidates in Kupwara district. The NC, PDP, PC and few other parties had contested the DDC elections under one banner and had bagged more than 100 seats together.

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