Srinagar: With the emergence of new Covid-19 variants, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Wednesday said Covid-19 vaccines should be tweaked to tackle new mutated versions of the novel coronavirus.

“We need to modify the existing Covid-19 vaccines to deal with new variants,” said DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

“Currently, three Covid-19 variants – South African variant, Brazilian variant and UK variant are circulating in the human populations which appear to spread more swiftly than the original strain,” he said.

“Some of these variants have been found to evade the effectiveness of the existing vaccines that have been developed against the original strain of the novel virus.”

“A study from University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg has showed that Oxford vaccine had significantly reduced efficacy against the South African variant,” DAK President said.

“An inability to protect against variant strains may severely limit the strategic benefit of vaccines containing only the original strain.”

“In order to have long term efficacy against Covid-19, it may be necessary for vaccines to include multiple variants of the novel virus,” he said adding “this strategy is routinely applied against influenza and all formulations in recent years have included three to four variant forms.”

“Vaccines containing only one variant may induce little or no protection against variant strains that are already circulating among highly mobile human populations.”

“Only those vaccines which are able to provide protection against multiple variants of the virus can bring the Covid-19 pandemic to an end,” Nisar said.

“Vaccine manufacturers need to update their existing shots to address the ongoing genetic evolution of Covid-19.”

“Some vaccine developers have started to redesign their vaccines so that they could better target the variant forms of Covid-19 that are currently circulating in the human population,” added DAK president.

New Delhi: India on Wednesday recorded 11,067 new cases of COVID-19 during the past 24 hours, pushing the country caseload to 1,08,58,371, while the death toll soared to 1,55,252 with 94 more fatalities.

The figure of daily deaths remained below hundred for the fifth consecutive day. Six States account for 80.85 per cent of the daily deaths. Maharashtra saw the maximum 35 casualties followed by Kerala 19 and Punjab 8.

According to the Union Health Ministry, the active cases further shrank by 2114 to stand at 1,41,511. It is now 1.30 per cent of the total caseload. Two States – Kerala and Maharashtra- account for 71 per cent of the total Active Cases of the country.

The past 24 hours saw 13,087 people recovering from the deadly virus, taking the total recovery count to

1,05,61,608, which is 97.27 per cent of the case tally. The fatality rate stood at 1.43 per cent. Kerala has reported the maximum number of single day recoveries with 6,475 newly recovered cases. 2,554 people recovered in Maharashtra in the past 24 hours followed by 513 in Karnataka.

According to Health Ministry, Nineteen States/UTs have not reported any death in the last 24 hours. These are Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, J&K (UT), Jharkhand, Puducherry, Manipur, Nagaland, Lakshadweep, Meghalaya, Sikkim, A&N Islands, Ladakh (UT), Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Daman and Diu and Dadar and Nagar Haveli.

As per the Indian Council of Medical Research(ICMR), 7,36,903 samples were tested on Tuesday, taking the total number of tests carried out by the body till date to 20,33,24,655.

On the vaccination front, more than 66 lakh (66,11,561) beneficiaries have received vaccination under the countrywide COVID19 vaccination exercise. The total cumulative vaccination coverage of 66,11,561 includes 56,10,134 healthcare workers and 10,01,427 frontline workers. 1,34,746 sessions have been conducted so far.

Notably, India is the topmost country to reach the 6 million mark of COVID vaccinations in just 24 days.

Srinagar: One militant was killed when troops foiled yet another infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LOC) in Uri sector in north Kashmir district of Baramulla, army said on Wednesay.

An army official said two infiltrators were spotted crossing Rewand Nala along LoC by surveillance devices in Dulanja, Uri in north Kashmir on Tuesday late night.

“The troops launched search operation and established contact with the infiltrators. Pakistani post fired back to provide cover to one of the infiltrators,” he said.

The official said one infiltrator was killed. “The deceased has been identified to be from Kamalkote area of Uri in  Baramulla district”.

He said an AK assault rifle, a magazine and 30 rounds were recovered from his possession.

Sources said that deceased has been identified as Sarfraz Mir, a resident of Kamalkote.

“Mir, a surrendered militant, had gone to Pakistan for arms training in 1990 and returned to the valley in 1992,” they said.

In 2005, Mir again crossed over to the other side of the LOC, they said adding Mir is around 57 years of age. (Additional inputs from UNI)

Traffic allowed from Jmu to Sgr

Srinagar: The weather turned pleasant as bright sunshine greeted people in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir valley, where the mercury during the night dipped slightly due to open skies.

A Met department spokesperson said the weather will remain dry during the next three day, which could result in further dip in the night temperature though the mercury during the day is expected to improve in Kashmir.

After witnessing below normal night temperature in Srinagar, people woke up to a sunny Wednesday morning. Against minus 1.2 degree recorded on Tuesday, the night temperature in the city dipped and settled at minus 1.6 degree, which is a degree below normal. However, weather remained pleasant throughout the day due to sunshine in the city, where people were seen basking in the sun in parks, balconies and open fields. The maximum temperature recorded on Tuesday in the city was slightly below normal due to cloudy skies.

“The skies will mainly clear during the next 24 hours in Srinagar, where the maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 13 degree and minus 3 degree, respectively,” he added.

World famous ski resort of Gulmarg, which is covered under several feet of snow, also witnessed pleasant weather as bright sunshine greeted tourists, including adventure lovers. But, the mercury during the night at Gulmarg, which is known for its ski slopes and quality of snow, dipped and settled at minus 4 degree, against minus 3.5 degree recorded on Tuesday. The night temperature at the ski resort settled about 3 degree above normal. “Tourists, particularly adventure lovers, are out on ski slopes, enjoying different snow related activities on a sunny day,” a hotelier from Gulmarg told UNI over the phone.

The night temperature at world famous tourist resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, dipped about two degree from Tuesday and settled at 4 degree, which is about 2 degree above normal. The weather at the health resort also turned pleasant during the day due to sunshine.

The mercury at Qazigund, gateway to the valley, Kupwara in north Kashmir and tourist resort of Kokernag settled at minus 3.8 degree, minus 1.8 degree and minus 3.5 degree, respectively.

Meanwhile, fresh traffic from Jammu to Srinagar was on Wednesday allowed to ply on 270-km-long highway, which connects Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, after clearing stranded vehicles till late last evening.

“Hundreds of vehicles left Jammu for Kashmir on Wednesday morning as fresh traffic was allowed to ply on the highway after clearing the vehicles, which were stranded on the road for several hours on Tuesday due to landslides, till late last evening,” a traffic police official said.

He said traffic on the highway was suspended on Tuesday afternoon due to fresh landslides at Marog in Ramban district.

However, he said the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) made the road traffic worthy again in the evening and vehicles, stranded at various places on the national highway, were cleared till late last evening.

The forces have been advised not to ply against traffic plan in view of traffic congestion on the highway and narrowness of bailey bridge at Kela morh, where main concrete bridge was damaged after a retaining wall collapsed on January 10 evening. The baily bridge was installed by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) after National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) said it will take time to repair the damage. “Working on the retaining wall was going on, but it was not immediately clear when the work will be completed,” he added.

Frequent closure of the highway since its expansion has been a major cause of concern for the people living in Kashmir, where suspension of traffic results in increase in the rates of essential commodities by many folds.

Srinagar: The government Wednesday ordered constitution of District Level Single Window Committee(s) for each district of Jammu and Kashmir for facilitating the execution of mining leases of e-auction for project proponents where clearance/NOC applications have not been received or are under process.

The ten-member committee is headed by respective Deputy Commissioner and its members include Additional Deputy Commissioner (Convener),  Assistant Commissioner (Revenue), Divisional Forest Officer, Executive Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Executive Engineer, Jal Shakti Department, District Mineral Officer, District Officer Pollution Control Board, Assistant Director Fisheries and Wildlife Warden

The committee has been tasked to issue necessary clearance on behalf of all concerned agencies within 30 days which may extend to 45 days in exceptional circumstances for reasons to be recorded in writing.

The terms of reference also include to place the matter before the concerned Divisional Commissioner in case of any delay for resolution, reads an order.

“The Additional Deputy Commissioner shall be the Nodal Officer for receiving Clearance/NOC applications at a single point,” it said, adding, “The Committee shall be serviced by Directorate of Geology and Mining J&K, which shall clearly indicate the nature of clearance /information to be sought from each stake holder department.” (GNS)

Jammu: Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the initiatives for conservation of diverse water bodies in Jammu Kashmir.

Administrative Secretaries of the departments of Revenue, Housing & Urban Development, Forest, Ecology & Environment, besides Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Chairman, J&K Water Resources Regulatory Authority, Chairman, Pollution Control Board, Director, Department of Ecology, Environment & Remote Sensing among others participated in the meeting.

It was informed that approximately 3800 water bodies including ponds and lakes have been identified across the Union Territory for conservation and efforts are afoot for their preservation, protection and rejuvenation.

The Chief Secretary impressed upon the Forest Department to intensify the conservation efforts toward geo-tagging of water bodies, restoration of ecological   balance of marine ecosystems, testing the water quality in such areas, grading the water bodies on monitoring parameters for effective follow-ups, and putting in place a district-level grievance redressal mechanism.

Later, in a separate meeting, the Chief Secretary also reviewed the status of District Environment Plans prepared under the guidance of the National Green Tribunal.

The Chief Secretary directed the District Environment Plan Committees to review respective plans and convey modifications, if any by March 2021, to be incorporated in the UT Plan before further submission to the Central Pollution Control Board. They were also asked to upload a copy of respective plans on the official web portals for information of the wider public.

Washington: The United States on Wednesday welcomed the resumption of 4G mobile internet in Jammu and Kashmir and termed it an important step for local residents.

The State SCA (the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in the US State Department) said in a tweet that it looks forward to continued political and economic progress to restore normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir.

“We welcome the resumption of 4G mobile internet in India’s Jammu and Kashmir. This marks an important step for local residents and we look forward to continued political and economic progress to restore normalcy in J&K,” US State Department said.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration had said on February 5 that 4G mobile internet services were being resorted in entire Jammu and Kashmir.

The 4G mobile internet services in Jammu and Kashmir were suspended after the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories in August 2019.

Jammu:  Commissioner Secretary, Labour & Employment Department, Saurabh Bhagat Wednesday chaired a meeting to finalize the Jammu & Kashmir Rules for Labour Codes at Civil Secretariat here.

Speaking during the meeting, the Commissioner Secretary said that the codes have been drafted in a manner which will help in overall upliftment of the workforce in entire Jammu and Kashmir.

Bhagat maintained that with the implementation of these codes, labour sector in the region would come at par with the rest of the country and will increase the wages among workforce. He added that this will also improve ease of doing business in J&K.

He said the codes would devolve more powers to implementing agencies to penalise private institutions and others job providers who underpay their workers and employees. The new codes also mandate gratuity even if a worker has been employed for one day only.

Bhagat hailed J&K is first to formulate and notify these draft rules than rest of the country. “J&K has been given the powers to draft its own version of the national policy.”

Pertinently, the Central Government has combined 29 existing labour laws and reorganised them into four codes; Code on Wages, 2019; Industrial Relations Code, 2020; Social Security Code, 2020 and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.

Numerous highlights of these codes include fixation of a nationwide minimum wage by the Centre, bonus calculation and payment, payment of gratuity on pro rata basis, prohibition of lay-offs and social security for formal and informal workers.

‘10850 people killed in 65,398 road accidents across J&K’

Srinagar: The fatal circle of deaths and injuries through accidents continues unabated on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway, as is revealed by the official figures accessed by news agency KNO.

The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway has seen over 8,128 road accidents and 1,750 resultant fatalities in the last decade.

A lifeline to the Kashmir valley, the highway (NH 44) with a total length of above 300 km lies in the Kashmir valley for the first 68 km (up to Qazigund), then passes through a series of dangerous mountains up to Jammu.

All supplies including foods, vegetables and other life-saving essentials are transported through this highway from Jammu towards Srinagar.

The accidents in the Kashmir valley overall are seeing an upward trend, as figures reveal that a total of 10,850 people were killed in 65,398 road accidents across Jammu and Kashmir in last ten years.

As per data compiled by the traffic department, since 2010, 65,398 road accidents happened in which 10,850 people have lost their lives and 89,597 people received injures.

In 2010, a total of 1073 persons were killed while as 8655 people were injured. In 2011, 1121 persons were killed and 9944 injured. In 2012, the death toll rose to 1165, while as 9755 persons were injured, 990 persons died. Around 8681 persons were injured in 2013. In 2014, 992 persons were injured and 8043 were injured. In the year 2015, 917 people were injured and 8142 persons were injured. In 2016, 958 were killed and 7677 were injured. In 2017, 926 were killed and the injured persons were 7419. In 2018, 984 people were injured and 7845 injured. In 2019, a total of  996 persons were killed,  7532 were injured. In 2020, 728 people were killed, while as 5894 were injured.

Many analysts from the Kashmir valley blame the pathetic condition of the roads and the Srinagar-Jammu Highway for the increase in the number of accidents on the highway. Though the Government has initiated various projects for the safety and security of the commuters, the slow pace of the work has been questioned from various quarters of the society.

Talking to a news agency, Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Project Manager of Qazigund-Banihal tunnel, Gaurav Gopal said that the work is expected to be completed by April 2021.

“The work on the Qazigund-Banihal four-lane tunnel is expected to be finalised by April 2021,” Gopal said.

The construction of the Qazigund-Banihal tunnel was started over a decade back but missed several deadlines will now make the travel over Srinagar Jammu Highway easier with the less consuming time that will be a major relief for the people of both Kashmir and Jammu division especially for the tourists who visit the Valley to enjoy the snowfall.

Additional Director-General of Police (ADGP) J&K Traffic, T Namgyal told Kashmir News Observer that the human activity has increased massively on the highway and there has been a lot of incursions.

“The local traffic is also plying on the highway which has increased the load on the road, causing problems,” he said.

He blamed the absence of alternate roads to the areas along the highway.

“The highway is more of a city road. We need service lanes and services roads for people who live on the highway,” he said.

Nasir Ali Khan founder of Kashmir Road Safety Foundation (KRSF), an NGO blamed the administrative officials for the increasing accidents on the Kashmir roads.

“There is no smooth flow of traffic on the highways. The drivers should also take care of the speeding,” he said—(KNO)

Srinagar: Appreciating the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government for taking appropriate steps to deal with the external threat, BJP MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal in Lok Sabha said that it’s was during the Congress rule when China encroached on the vital places in Ladakh.

Jamyang Namgyal, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that a year after the abrogation of Article-370, both Ladakh and Jammu Kashmir has progressed on the path of prosperity and development while a grassroots democracy has been reviewed.

Thanking Modi, Namgyal said that be it COVID-19 pandemic, the security of Galwan Valley, and other concerns related to this country including, border, socioeconomic natural and man-made challenges Prime Minister with his broad 56 inches, chest moved forward taking on all the obstacles.

Sharing experience about the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir with two separate UTs, he said that after the UT status for Ladakh, the union government sanctioned a budget of Rs 13000 crore which is itself a history for the proper development and prosperity.

“Rs 232.41 crore of the budget have been sanctioned for both the autonomous hill councils empowering them financially by the Modi government, he said adding that after the reorganization both the councils are directly connected with the government of India after amending the acts.

“Keeping in view the aspiration of Ladakhi, including the land, environment, employment, cultural identity, the 6th schedule constitutional safeguard has been assured by the Home Minister of India,” he said.

He said post the bifurcation, the Modi government-sanctioned university, two-degree colleges, national skill institute, and another mammoth project for educational institutions for the region.

In the health sector, the government has facilitated the people in remote areas with telemedicine, a medical college, Ayush Ministry announced a college, he informed

“UPA government ignored the region in the past decades,” Namgyal said.

Namgyal informed the house that 54 mobile network towers have been installed in Ladakh and the remote areas are being facilitated with the internet.

“Rs 480 crore have been sanctioned for the up-gradation of the lone airport that will reflect the culture and identity of the region on an international pattern,” he said.

About the border protection, the MP said that roads and bridges have been constructed for border security besides all-weather Zojila Tunnel is being constructed.

“Not a war zone, Kargil is a peaceful zone, MP said while maintaining that the district is being developed with tourist attraction potential destination.

While answering a question about the encroachment by China in eastern Ladakh, the MP said that it was during Congress’s time when 1000 kilometres land were taken by China including Aksai Chin in 1962.

“Zorawar fort in Dimjang was demolished by PLA and used as an observing point up to 2008-2012,” he said.

“The Incident trade point was also taken away from 2008-09 during the Congress-led union government but thanks to PM Modi who has strengthened the volume of the army there and protected the borders well,” MP Jamyang said in the house.

Taking a dig at the former chief minister of J&K he said that, Farooq Abdullah, led government in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir never made efforts for the betterment of the Gujjar-Bakerwal Community rather after the abrogation of Article-370 Union Government gave them exclusive political reservation in the recently concluded DDC elections to uplift them

“Grassroots democracy has been brought to Jammu and Kashmir with the conduct of different local elections without even a bullet fired and anyone killed,” he said

Jamyang said that “some of the districts in Kashmir valley know as a hotbed of militancy voted with 60-70 per cent turnout with elderly people coming out to vote.”

He also said that “there was no shoot at site order site issued.”

Namgyal while referring to former chief ministers said that this government has no issue with Muslims rather with some ideologies, like Farooq Abdullah demanding the restoration of Article-370 with help of China isn’t acceptable at all and Mehbooba statement for not holding up the national flag unless the special status is restored—(KNO)