New Delhi:  As many as 23,28,779 beneficiaries have been vaccinated for COVID-19 till 6 pm Wednesday across the country, including 2,99,299 people vaccinated today, said Manohar Agnani, Additional Secretary, Union Health Ministry on Wednesday.

According to the Union Health Ministry, as on January 27, 6:00 pm, a total of 41,599 sessions have been held.

“A total of 16 hospitalisations and nine deaths have been reported so far. None of these deaths has been causally linked with COVID-19 vaccination,” said Agnani during a press briefing.

“No case of serious/severe AEFI/Death is attributable to vaccination till date. Total hospitalizations till date stand at 16 while the hospitalization per cent against the vaccinations is 0.0007 per cent,” he added.

In Delhi, 6,441 beneficiaries have been vaccinated till 6 pm today, according to the Union Health Ministry.

India’s COVID-19 count has reached 1,06,89,527 which includes 1,76,498 active cases and 1,03,59,305 discharges.

Jammu: Continuing J&K Government’s initiative to bring reforms in public grievance redressal mechanism making it more robust and responsive, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today held the 4th run of LG’s Mulaqaat- Live Public Grievance Hearing here at Civil Secretariat.

During the two-hour long live interactive programme, the Lt Governor interacted with as many as 22 applicants, randomly selected from across the UT, through videoconferencing, and took firsthand appraisal of their issues and grievances.

Today’s interaction was the latest in the series of LG’s Mulaqaatprogramme under which, every month, the Lt Governor meets individuals from across the UT, listens to their issues/concerns for resolving them on the spot, thus making the grievance redressal mechanism robust, responsive and more efficient, besides monitoring the performance efficiency of online Grievance Redressal System JK-IGRAMS.

The interaction proved to be fruitful for some of the applicants as, with the intervention of Lt Governor, their issues got resolved on the spot, while timelines were set by the Lt Governor for redressal of the remaining issues being raised during the programme.

“Grievance redressal system has been institutionalized for prompt and speedy disposal of public grievances. UT Government is making the administrative system transparent, responsible and accountable to the people”, observed the Lt Governor

The Lt Governor said that the objective behind holding the one-on-one interaction with the public is to reform the service delivery structure of the governmental processes, making it more efficient and responsive.

While taking the feedback from the people on online Grievance Redressal System JK-IGRAM, the Lt Governor asked the officers to be more sensitive and responsive to the issues of the public and take requisite measures to minimize the difficulties of common people.

The Lt Governor sought details of the status of the grievances put forth during the interaction from the concerned officers who, in turn briefed the Lt Governor on measures taken for the redressal of the grievances received and their present status.

Expressing satisfaction over the constant increase in the rate of disposal of grievances since the 1st session of LG’s Mulaqaat, the Lt Governor asked the officers to focus more on the quality of disposal of public issues. He further directed the officers to ensure quick disposal of files in Government departments treading the path of accountability and transparency.

The Lt Governor also assessed the implementation of directions passed during the previous interactions.

In one case, an applicant apprised the Lt Governor about his grievance of facing shortage of raw material for making pottery and saving his ancestral trade, on which, the Lt Governor directed the concerned Deputy Commissioner to resolve the issue on priority and assured the potter that all necessary support would be given to him from the government.

Similarly, a Public Health entrepreneur who has established a hospital raised the issues of extension of benefits under related schemes. The Lt Governor, while lauding the efforts of the applicant, assured him all possible assistance under the UT Government’s initiatives like J&K Healthcare Investment Policy and New Industrial scheme.

In another case, the Lt Governor, on being apprised about the issue of allotment of land for establishing Composite Regional Centre by a social activist, directed the concerned Divisional Commissioner to identify the land for the same. He further assured the applicant that the matter would be taken up with the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for its early redressal.

Earlier, Secretary, Public Grievances, Simrandeep Singh briefed the Lt Governor on the status of grievances and measures taken to improve the efficiency of the grievance redressal system.

BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department;  Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor; Administrative Secretaries; Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, HoDs, and other senior officers also remained present during the interaction, in person and through virtual mode.

Srinagar: An army soldier was killed and three others injured in blast triggered by militants along Jammu-Srinagar National Highway near Kulgam in south Kashmir on Wednesday.

A police spokesperson said the IED blast took place at Government Middle School Subhanpora area of Kulgam at about 1015 hours.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that a rudimentary IED with a low powered explosive and ball bearings was planted in an abandoned building inside the school premises, where the Army personnel used to visit on routine basis,” the spokesperson said. The IED was probably planted by militants during the night hours, he said.

In the blast, he said, four soldiers of army’s 24RR sustained injuries and were evacuated to nearby hospital for the treatment. Among the injured one Army soldier succumbed to his injuries.

Accordingly, he said, a case FIR No. 05/2021 under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Qaimoh. “Investigation is in progress and officers continue to work to establish the full circumstances of this incident,” he said, adding, “Area has been cordoned and search in the area is going on.”

Earlier, army in a statement said that it was a grenade blast in which four soldiers were injured. “(Militants) lobbed grenade on Army’s Road Opening Party during the sanitisation drill at 1015 hours today in general area Shamshipura, Khanabal, Kulgam. Four soldiers sustained splinter injuries and were provided first aid and later evacuated to 92 Base Hospital,” Army’s Srinagar based Col Rajesh Kaliasaid in a statement.

Srinagar: Nearly two months after being shot at by the suspected militants, a 24-year-old youth from Bilal Colony area of Soura succumbed to his injuries at a hospital here, officials said on Wednesday.

They said the youth, Nadif Hanie Khan son of Muhammad Hanief, died late last night at SKIMS Soura where he was admitted since December 1 when the gunmen fired upon him near his residence.

Medical Superintendent SKIMS Dr. Farooq Jan told GNS that Nadif has a firearm injury in head and died at the hospital overnight. Police have already registered a case in this regard. (GNS)

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Police Crime Branch (CB) have arrested an accused from West Bengal (WB) involved in National Scholarship Portal for Merit Cum Means Scholarship under Minority Quota for J&K students in 2018-19 scam.

A spokesman of the CB said in a statement that a team of CB Kashmir headed by Deputy Superintendent of Police proceeded to West Bengal and arrested one accused person namely SelimSekh, son of Giyasuddin Miya of village TinsatabighiBerabad, Malda, West Bengal in connection with the case under various sections of Crime Branch Kashmir”.

He said the accused in criminal conspiracy with the other accused persons uploaded fake application forms on National Scholarship Portal for Merit Cum Means Scholarship under Minority Quota for J&K students during the year 2018-19 for district Kulgam in south Kashmir.

“Subsequently, fake verifications were conducted from the institutes which did not exist in the states mentioned in the application forms”, he said.

The accused in connivance with other accused persons have shown the fake beneficiaries to be the residents of district Kulgam and got deceitfully verified by the district social welfare officer Kulgam and managed to transfer the amount of Rs 1.34 crores from the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India into the Bank accounts of 463 fake beneficiaries of District Malda, West Bengal maintained in various branches of State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, United Bank of India (Now PNB), Allahabad Bank, IDFC Bank and BangiyaVikasGramin Bank. “The arrested accused is being questioned for further investigation,” he added.

Holds 389 JKSRTC workers entitled to retirement benefits

Srinagar: Observing pension is not an ex-gratia but a payment for the past service rendered by an employee, Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Wednesday held entitled to retiral benefits 389 members of Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation Association.

The petition was filed by the members comprising Sweepers, Helpers, Cleaners, Bus Washers, Assistant Fitters, Fitters, Conductors and Drivers through association’s Coordinator.

The petitioner sought a direction to the administration to treat them as Government employees and, consequently, entitled to retiral benefits, including gratuity, pension etc. as extended to employees who were earlier working in the erstwhile Government Transport Undertaking etc.

“…pension is not an ex gratia payment but it is a payment for the past service rendered and it is a social welfare measure rendering socio-economic justice to those who in the heyday of their life ceaselessly toiled for employers with a legitimate expectation that in their ripe old age they would not be left in lurch,” a bench of Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey said while quashing an order by virtue of which the concerned authorities had rejected a representation filed by these employees seeking their entitlement to pension and other retiral  benefits.

After hearing both the parties, the court also allowed petition and quashed the order of General Manager (Admn), JKSRTC dated 29.10.2016.

“The petitioners are held entitled to all the retiral benefits, including pension, gratuity etc. on par and on the analogy of the section of the employees of the Corporation who were employees of the erstwhile Government Transport Undertaking (GTU) and had opted for the service of the Corporation, and also on the analogy of their counter parts in the JKI and other Corporations,” the court said, adding, “the petitioners shall be paid the arrears of necessary dues as may be payable to them from the date of their retirement.” (GNS)

Srinagar: Barring Srinagar and Kokernag, the mercury dropped slightly across Kashmir Valley, the weatherman said on Wednesday.

A Meteorological department said that Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K, recorded a low of minus 2.0°C against minus 2.4°C on the previous night.

The minimum temperatures have consistently remained far below normal this season. On January 14, Srinagar witnessed the season’s coldest night at minus 8.4°C which was the chilliest one in more than 25 years. In 1991, Srinagar witnessed a low of minus 11.8°C while the lowest ever temperature was recorded on 31 January 1893 when the mercury had plummeted to minus 14.4 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, the mercury settled at minus 7.7°C in Pahalgam against minus 7.1°C on the previous night in the world-famous health resort.

Qazigund, the gateway town of J&K, recorded a low of minus 4.4°C against 2.8°C on the previous night while Kokernag recorded a minimum of minus 8.3°C against 9.0°C on the earlier night.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 12.0°C against 11.5°C earlier night, the official said.

The mercury settled at minus 2.0°C in the in Kupwara against minus 1.4°C on the previous night, the official said.

Kashmir is in the middle Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day winter period which commenced on December 21 and ends on January 31. The period is considered the harshest of the winter when the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum.

The cold wave, however, continues even after that in Kashmir with a 20-day-long ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day-long ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold). The weatherman has forecast mainly dry weather with morning mist in the plains of J&K for the next 24 hours. The weather is likely to stay dry till January 31, the MeT official added. (GNS)

BY: Jahangir Sofi

Srinagar: After a long lull and break, Bollywood is gradually making a comeback as a team of Mumbai based Film Producers Guild has arrived in Srinagar to explore possibility of film shootings in Kashmir.

Sources privy to the team comprising 24 members, told KNO that the team will be visiting the many locations in the valley for film shooting.

With timely snowfall in the valley, Tourism bookings surged and Tourists from across India planned their trips to the valley, especially in world famous Ski destination Gulmarg.

The place witnessed full bookings on the eve of Christmas and New Year due to the heavy influx of Tourists from the rest of the country.

Recently, many Bollywood celebrities were witnessed visiting the valley and aspired for the film shootings in Kashmir.

Secretary Tourism SarmadHafeez while speaking to KNO said: “Mumbai based Producers Guild an umbrella body of various Production Houses are on a three day visit in Kashmir. Apart from their planned visits at different locations in the Kashmir, they will be also meeting the various stakeholders associated with the industry.”

Recently many Bollywood celebrities visited the valley which included actress Sana Khan, TV Host and Anchor Aditya Narayan, who visited Srinagar and Gulmarg to spend vacations here in Kashmir.

Kashmir being an acclaimed Tourist destination and picturesque locations for Film Shootings and also attracts National and International visitors. Dal Lake, Mountainous resorts of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg are among the major attractions for the Film Industry.

Hospitality and Tourism are, in fact, a part of Kashmir valley’s tradition, culture, and economic development.

Many Film Production Houses have expressed their desire to shoot here in Kashmir.

Director Tourism G.N.Itoo said: “Producers Guild will be briefed about scenic locations idle for Film Shooting. Through this, we want to promote Film Tourism in the valley.”—(KNO)

Decision after assessing situation, say officials

Srinagar: Based on a considered and wide-ranging assessment of the prevailing situation, the government may restore 4G Internet services in more districts in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, KINS has learnt.

Highly placed sources said that the review by top authorities will be carried out and if there is an improvement in the security situation appropriate action will be taken accordingly.

“We are assessing the situation. We may open it (4G) in more districts as and when we deem it appropriate, given the level of peace we have in the province,” said a top source in the administration wishing not to be named.

One of the top officials said that as a measure of precaution, they are not opening 4G services even when they were aware that there is already peace in most of the districts.

Since the ban on 4G, the government has been maintaining that these security measures such as the internet ban were necessary to better integrate the region with India, foster greater economic development and stop threats from “anti-national elements”.

Interestingly Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, recently had  gave hints on restoration of high speed 4G internet services in the remaining eighteen districts of the Union Territory (UT) soon.

“I know 4G is working in just two districts of J&K. There is a committee examining the issue. Hopefully, there will be good news soon in the coming days,” he had said while replying a question at a press conference in winter capital Jammu.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration recently extended the suspension of internet till February 6, saying the services will continue to be restricted to 2G. The ban was extended to all districts except Ganderbal and Udhampur districts.

In an order, the administration also said Internet connectivity shall be continued to be made available, with Mac-binding.

Principal Secretary to the Union Territory administration ShaleenKabra had said that he was satisfied with the reports of law enforcement agencies that it was necessary to extend the ban “in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the state and for maintaining public order.”

It is to mention here that the J&K administration restored 4G services in Udhampur and Ganderbal districts on a trial basis on August 16 last year, but refused to extend high-speed mobile internet beyond these precincts citing inputs from security agencies.

Srinagar: The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) produced a charge-sheet against former incharge of Doodpathri Development Authority (DDA) in the court of Special Judge Anti Corruption, Srinagar, in a corruption case.

A ACB spokesman said here Wednesday evening that the bureau  produced a charge-sheet in Case FIR Number 11/2013 Police Station Vigilance Organisation Kashmir (now ACB), under section 5(1) d r/w 5(2) PC Act Svt 2006 of J&K PC (Amendment) ACT 2014, r/w sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120–B, RPC against Mohammad Dilawar the then Incharge DDA (Now retired), Ghulam Rasool Lone the then Supervisory Officer Doodhpathri  (Now retired), Ghulam Mohammad Thokar, the then Supervisory Officer Doodhpathri (Now retired) before the Court in Srinagar.

He said the instant case was registered by ACB on the outcome of a verification on the allegations that accused officers of DDA, had drawn an amount of Rs Ten lakhs for various works which included Rs one lac on account of hiring of Sumos for conducting inspection of works and bulk of the amount was misappropriated.

He said the during the course of investigation it was revealed that with regard to the embezzlement on account of the hiring of vehicles by the officers of DDA at different occasions, the particulars of the vehicles were obtained from concerned RTOs and it transpired that except two vehicles, the registration numbers of all other vehicles claimed to be Sumo vehicles hired by the officers as mentioned in their records were actually not sumo vehicles but Motorcycles, cars and tractors.

“It was also revealed that the bills/receipts on this accounts were prepared by the officers fraudulently by abusing their official position and causing a wrongful loss to the state exchequer on account of hiring of Sumo’s,” he said.

He said the accused persons were presented before the court for further legal action.The case has been listed for March 6,2021, he added.