Precious Kashmir

HQ NC signs MoU with IIT Jammu

Front

06/03/2021

Udhampur: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Headquarters Northern Command represented by Lieutenant General S Harimohan Iyer, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Northern Command and Indian Institute of Technology, Jammu (IIT Jammu) represented by Prof Manoj Singh Gaur, Director, Indian Institute of Technology, Jammu on Friday.

Defence spokesman said objective of this MoU is to leverage the academic and technological prowess of Indian Institute of Technology, Jammu and domain knowledge/ expertise of Northern Command, in development of defence technology solutions and taking up joint projects for innovative solutions to weapon systems and equipment related problems of Northern Command.

“The scope of the cooperation will be Research and Development (R&D) activities related to Northern Command, leveraging IIT Jammu’s expertise and technical infrastructure, and mutual interest and benefits on Research and Development (R&D) projects to solve Army’s problems which require research and experimentation. The cost with respect to development of the project will be borne by the respective organisations as mutually agreed upon in respect of each project,” he said.

Vehicles used for militant activities being seized: Police

Front

United News Of India

06/03/2021

Srinagar: Five vehicles which were used for militant activities in Jammu and Kashmir are being seized under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), and 255 ultras were killed and 299 arrested, a police spokesman said Friday evening.

He said in exercise of power conferred by section 25 of UAPA, Jammu and Kashmir Police Headquarters has accorded permission for seizure of five vehicles to restrict the militant activities in the Union Territory (UT).

He said following the due procedures of the law the Police has accorded sanction for seizure of four vehicles which include one, Mahindra Bolero, one Auto load carrier, one Eon Car, oneTavera and a Truck through different orders to ensure that the militant activities are kept under check.

These vehicles were used for transportation of arms and ammunition and militants.

In 2021 so far, Police Headquarter (PHQ) has accorded sanction for seizure of fifteen vehicles which include ten four wheelers and five two wheelers. The permission for seizure has been granted under section 25 Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967.

Section 25 Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 provides for the more effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of individuals and associations, and for dealing with militant activities, and for matters connected therewith.

During last over three decades Police along with the other security forces and investigation agencies is fighting the sponsored militancy to ensure peaceful atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said in last year alone 255 militants were killed and 299 were arrested in different operations.

LG’s Principal Secy chairs weekly review meetings

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

06/03/2021

Directs for using innovative measures to saturate coverage of PMJAY-Sehat; ensure 100% saturation of public welfare schemes

Jammu: Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor, Nitishwar Kumar Friday chaired a series of meeting to assess the progress being made on the implementation of directions of the Lieutenant Governor.

The meetings were held at Civil Secretariat and the Raj Bhavan here in which Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners were present in person and through virtual mode.

Secretary, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Sheetal Nanda informed the Principal Secretary that the target of 3500 trainings under Himayat scheme has almost been achieved. She also informed that houses under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana are being constructed as per targets and 500 such houses were completed in the last week.

Regarding Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, PMJAY-SEHAT scheme, it was informed that 45 lakh individuals have been registered out of which 37 lakh Golden cards have been issued to the beneficiaries.

The Principal Secretary also summoned daily status report on working and non working/faulty equipments in health centres and hospitals across the UT.

Speaking to the representative from Transport Department, the Principal Secretary directed that the process of launching new fleet of 140 buses of the JKRTC be expedited and launched for the public soon.

It was informed by the Skill Development Department that the Centre for Invention, Innovation, Incubation , and Training (CIIIT) Jammu is ready to be inaugurated by mid-March.

The Principal Secretary took stock of projects of the Power Development Department, MoUs of which were signed earlier this year. The projects include Ratle, Kirthai-II, Uri-I, and Dulhasti hydropower projects and are at different stages of administrative approval and clearances, he was informed.

In a separate meeting held at the Raj Bhavan, the Principal Secretary reviewed the conduct of Block Diwas which was held at each district of the UT yesterday. The meeting was attended by Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners of J&K.

Assessing the successful conduct of the yesterday’s Block Diwas, the Principal Secretary sought further inputs for improving it and widening its reach and ambit. He asked the Deputy Commissioners to further explore possibility of making the event more attractive and inclusive of even greater participation of the public.

Directions were issued by the Principal Secretary for using innovative measures to saturate coverage under PMJAY-Sehat and asked the DCs to use the format devised to include the people left out in SECC data for Golden Cards by approving them on the spot, through a suitable committee.

Dulloo chairs BoDs meet of JKMSCL

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

06/03/2021

JAMMU: Financial Commissioner, Health & Medical Education Atal Dulloo Friday chaired the Board of Directors (BoDs) meeting of Jammu & Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (JKMSCL).

The meeting was attended by Mission Director, NHM, J&K, Choudhary Mohammad Yasin, Director General Accounts & Treasuries, Director General Planning & Monitoring, Principal, Government Medical College Jammu, Principal, Government Dental College, Jammu, Director Health Services, Jammu, Director ISM J&K andState Drug Controller, J&K while as Principal, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Principal, Government Dental College, Srinagar and Director Health Services, Kashmir participated in the meeting through video conferencing.

Dulloo, who is also the Chairman of BoDs while speaking in the meeting directed the officers to ensure proper implementation of Free Drug Policy of the Government of India.

He impressed upon the JKMSCL to ensure that the Rate Contracts of the Medicines required for implementation of Project are made available in shortest possible time.

The Financial Commissioner also reviewed the availability of Anti-Rabies Vaccine, Hemophilia, Thalassemia Drugs, Dental equipments and other stock position during the meeting.

Managing Director, JKMSCL, Dr. Yashpal Sharma gave a detailed power point presentation on the functioning of JKMSCL and discussed the various agenda points which included the approval of the Budget Estimates for the financial year 2021-22 and various other issues related to the day to day functioning of the JKMSCL.

The BoDs laid stress on enhancement of the budget for the year 2021-22 on account of procurements made for Drugs, Machinery, Equipments, etc during COVID pandemic, besides the annual supplies made to the various Healthcare institutions of J&K.

The BoDs were informed about the procurements made by the JKMSCL for COVID supplies from July, 2020 till date besides Purchase Orders for the annual supplies for the year 2021-22 have been placed as per the requirements of the respective HODs.

The BoDs were also informed that the Rate Contracts of most of the COVID items have been issued and even the buffer stocks of the supplies are being maintained in the Regional Drug Ware Houses.

The BoDs also reviewed the ongoing project of strengthening of Healthcare Institutions under World Bank Project through JKMSCL in association with Jammu & Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency and Jehlum and Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP).

The Board was informed that out of Rs. 367 Crore provided under JTFRP, JKMSCL was asked to make procurement of 300 Crore and out of which supply orders for 210 Crore have been placed and equipment worth 90 Crore has been installed in the respective healthcare institutions.

After leading G23 in Jammu, Azad says Congress victory in upcoming assembly polls a top priority

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

06/03/2021

New Delhi: Days after leading the Congress’ ‘Shanti Sammelan’ in Jammu attended by senior party leaders, Congress veteran Ghulam Nabi Azad on Friday said the party’s victory in forthcoming Assembly elections in four states and one Union Territory is his top priority at the moment.

“Victory of Congress party in forthcoming assembly elections is my priority at the moment,” he said.

Azad recently retired from Rajya Sabha and has been advocating reforms in Congress including immediate internal elections.

He also said he is available wherever he is invited by candidates or the party for campaigning.

Azad is one of the key members of ‘G-23’ (or the group of 23 dissenting leaders, who had questioned the party’s functioning in a letter to interim president Sonia Gandhi) calling for sweeping reforms in the party.

Last week Azad along with other senior leaders openly expressed displeasure with the current state of affairs within Congress.

Recently at another public event, Azad drew parallels between himself and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that the latter has not forgotten his roots and proudly calls himself a “chaiwala” as well as he does not hide his true self.

Following the statement, Congress party workers burnt his effigy and raised slogans against him in a protest in Jammu.

Many senior party leaders including Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president (JKPCC) Ghulam Ahmad Mir called the remark an “anti-party activity” and demanded clarification from him.

A total of 824 assembly constituencies will be going for polls in four states–Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam– and the Union Territory of Puducherry between March 28 and April 29. Results will be declared on May 2.

No relief for Mirwaiz, remains under house arrest

City

United News Of India

06/03/2021

Srinagar: There was no relief for chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who is under house arrest since August 5, 2019 when the Centre abrogated Article 370 and 35 A besides dividing Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories (UT).

Putting at rest all media reports quoting unnamed official sources about release of the Mirwaiz from house detention, a spokesman for the HC said this afternoon that the chairman was informed last night again that restrictions on his movement will continue.

The Hurriyat spokesman said in fact more forces had been deployed outside the Nigeen house of the Mirwiaz, who was conveyed that senior police officials Thursday night that he remained under house arrest. Therefore, they said, he will not be allowed to go to historic Jamia Masjid to offer Friday prayers there.

The Spokesman said the Mirwaiz was to address Friday congregation at the historic worship place after 82 weeks.

Alleging that after announcing his release from 20 months detention, the government again backtracked, he said adding since early this morning additional forces have been deployed outside the Nigeen house of the Mirwaiz to prevent him from moving out.

Extension to delimitation panel won’t delay polls: BJP

City

Precious Kashmir

06/03/2021

Jammu: Senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Kavinder Gupta on Friday said that apprehension on J&K not going for assembly polls in near future has no basis at all since the extension given to delimitation process doesn’t mean that it will linger on exercise or will delay the polls.

In a statement, Gupta said delimitation panel is already on toes and the work is going on with fast pace.

He said that time and again PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have publicly confirmed that they want politically chosen dispensation in the UT and it is now matter of days only when their dream will be realised.

The senior BJP leader said centre is keen in holding free and fair elections in J&K to install a government which is capable of taking care of people’s aspirations unlike previous ones which seldom worry about masses and rather spend all the resources just to satiate their petty political interests and personal gains.

“Looking into the past in the erstwhile State of J&K, the regimes here were akin to private limited companies which except building their own private empires never thought of giving even a little proportion of the bounties being offered by the then governments at the centre”, he said adding delimitation is the first step after abrogation of Article 370 that will help in setting things right in J&K.

Gupta said the delimitation process has been envisioned by the BJP to give appropriate representation to the populace without any prejudice or scope of any kind of injustice.

Fishes to be made available on Maha-Shivratri eve

City

Precious Kashmir

06/03/2021

SRINAGAR: The Department of Fisheries today informed that elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure availability of fishes across Kashmir on the occasion of Maha-Shivratri, to be celebrated on 11th of March 2021.

It was given out that the Fishes shall be made available at all existing sale outlets/ Rearing Units of the department in Kashmir division. Besides, the departmental mobile Refrigerated vans shall also be deployed at various Pandit dominated areas in Srinagar city on 9th and 10th of March 2021.

Rajnath lauds soldiers for taking on Chineses Army in Ladakh

National

United News Of India

06/03/2021

New Delhi/Kevadiya: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday lauded and saluted selfless courage of soldiers during the recent Eastern Ladakh standoff.

Addressing the Combined Commanders’ Conference at Kevadia, Singh said, ‘India’s resolute response on the borders has helped in positive and peaceful resolution of certain significant issues. I salute the selfless courage displayed by the soldiers.’

‘Our ability to secure India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty from external threats and internal challenges have been strengthened in the recent years. Our forces today are proactive and more resolute in their response,’ he said in a series of tweets.

He noted that enhanced defence capabilities will allow us to be better prepared for contingencies.

During the address, he spoke on a wide range of issues pertaining to the defence and security of the nation, the emerging nature of military threats, the critical role of the Armed Forces in meeting these challenges and the nature of warfare in future.

‘We as a country are looking to strengthen our ability to create secure and stable environment that can facilitate India’s economic growth,’ the Defence Minister said.

‘Our national interests are defined by the elements of National integration, sovereignty, sociology-economic development, conservation of our values and peaceful and harmonious region and world. We are committed to protect the territorial integrity and ensure peace in the region,’ he tweeted.

Pandemic impact on kids

Edit

Precious Kashmir

05/03/2021

Covid-19 pandemic hardly spared any sphere of life. It took a massive toll on people’s health. It hit the economy hard and some sectors were even completely wiped out. But education has been one of the biggest victims across the globe, more so in Kashmir where schools were shut for almost two years. The educational institutions were closed on account of unprecedented lockdown in connection with the 5 August 2019 decisions. And when they reopened for a fortnight in March last year year, covid-19 lockdown forced their closure again. Kashmir’s education sector has suffered for years and the covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the existing challenges.

A study by the Centre for Science and Environment indicates that 375 million children, from newborns up to the age of 14, are likely to suffer the long-term effects of the pestilence which ravaged the globe. The issues highlighted range from malnutrition, stunting and increased child mortality to losses in education. Ironically, the global attention to the myriad plight of minors and children has been invisible. The survey says that millions were forced out of school all over the world.

Even at the best of times, the protection of children’s lives, rights and health has to be negotiated around formidable roadblocks, including State apathy. The picture becomes even bleaker for children — especially those on the margins — born or growing up during the pandemic.

Some opinion makers point out that the pandemic has revealed long-standing inattention to children’s developmental needs as basic as exercise, outdoor time, conversation, play, or even sleep. Lack of social interaction is considered colossal. That is especially true for lower elementary school students as learning through social interaction with other children is just as valuable as the academics. Isolation has also affected students in another way. Recent researches point out that the COVID-19 pandemic is taking a significant toll on children’s mental health, especially anxiety, fear and depression.

In many countries like India, the minors are at greater risk of disease, poverty, food shortage and even sexual violence while facing poorer access to basic rights such as education and healthcare. There is an urgent need for holistic comprehension of the overlapping nature of the challenges so as to design appropriate plans. The government needs to carry out an extensive assessment of the learning loss and devise well-thought-out interventions to bridge the learning gap, and ensure that issue regarding dropouts is addressed. There is a need for holistic approach as problems are too complex to be solved by a piecemeal approach.

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