Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Jan 22: The government has made hoisting of the tri-colour must for all government buildings on the eve of R-Day, stating the national flag must be hoisted atop all government, semi government and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) across Union Territory.
Additional Secretary to the Government, Rohit Sharma has issued an order under number 03-JK(GAD) of 2021, dated 22-01-2021.
“It is impressed upon all the Administrative Secretaries/Divisional Commissioners/Deputy Commissioners/Heads of the Departments and Managing Directors of all PSUs/Corporations to ensure that National Flag is flown on all Government offices/buildings across the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Republic Day, 2021,” reads the order.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will preside over the function and take the salute in the main function, being held at the Maulana Azad Stadium, Jammu, a separate order issued by the government few days back reads.

New Delhi, Jan 22: The Centre informed the Supreme Court on Friday that Union Public Services Commission (UPSC) aspirants, whose preparations for the October 4 preliminary examination were severely restricted due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, will not be given another chance or attempt for the civil services exams.
Additional Solicitor General S V Raju submitted to a bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar that he had received information late on January 21 about the government’s unwillingness to give another opportunity to the aspirants.
The Court directed the ASG to put the submission on record in an affidavit.
The bench also comprising B R Gavai and Krishna Murai posted the matter for gearing on January 25.
In previous hearings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had been telling the court that a decision to grant another chance to UPSC aspirants was under active consideration of the Central government and the UPSC.
Several aspirants, who had appeared in the UPSC prelims on October 4, 2020, had filed a plea seeking a second attempt at the exams in the wake of difficulties suffered by them due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The petitioners said while everyone had a choice to save their attempt by leaving the exam in 2020, last attempters had no choice.
On December 18, 2020, the petitioners had argued for a second opportunity and age relaxation.
On October 26, the ASG, appearing on behalf of the Department of Personnel and Training, informed the Top Court that the government was considering giving last-chance candidates another attempt.
In September, the Apex Court had refused to postpone the October preliminary examinations but had recorded the government’s assurance to take a decision on granting a second chance for “last-attempters”.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Jan 22: Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) has filed a writ petition before the Supreme Court seeking restoration of 4G mobile internet services.
The Association said the restriction on the high-speed internet has severely impacted the quality of education for lakh of students in the entire Jammu and Kashmir.
“Our students have been suffering since 05 August 2019 due to prolonged school closures which were first imposed in the aftermath of abrogation of Article 370 and then extended on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. The children of Jammu & Kashmir have already lost two academic years because it is impossible to conduct online classes using video-conferencing tools like Zoom or WebEx at 2G mobile internet speed,” the association pleaded in the petition. Furthermore, the severe impact of school closures and the inability to shift to remote learning has been recognised by the Jammu & Kashmir State Board of School Education which had to reduce the syllabus by 40% for annual examinations scheduled in 2020 for students in Class 10, 11 and 12. However, no such concessions are available for students from Jammu & Kashmir who are appearing for national level competitive exams where the syllabus remains unchanged and where they must compete with students from other parts of India who have the ability to continue their education through high-speed internet access,” the Association said in its petition.
It said denial of access to education has taken a toll on the mental health of children in Jammu & Kashmir and they are suffering from high levels of stress, anxiety and depression. “For these reasons, we have once again approached the Supreme Court seeking enforcement of the fundamental right to education guaranteed by the Constitution and we hope the Court will restore 4G mobile internet access to protect the future of our students”.

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Jan 22: The Administrative Council (AC), which met here under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, approved the adoption of J&K PWD Engineering Manual, 2020 by the Public Works Department (PWD).
The Engineering Manual has standardized the engineering practices with an aim to provide uniform code of practice for bringing more transparency and accountability in the operations of the Public Works Department.
Spanning over 29 chapters, the manual has codified various activities regarding human resource management, project preparation methodologies, engineering investigation, GIS/IT/RMMS monitoring, bidding documents, contract management, quality control mechanism and asset management among others.
It has introduced uniformity in the documentation of proposals, estimations, bids and record-keeping.
The manual will serve as a guide to keep pace with the contemporary engineering needs in conformity with existing practices and procedures to ensure transparency and engineering perfection.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Jan 22: The Kashmir is bracing for fresh spell of snowfall from Friday evening.
A Met department official said light to moderate snow would occur at most places in Kashmir under the influence of a Western Disturbance (WD), which is active in the region.
“The system created by this WD, which originated from the Arabian Sea and approached the region though Afghanistan and Pakistan, will further build during the next 24 hours,” he said.
He said under the influence of this WD, light to moderate snow would occur across the valley on Saturday, when surface and air connectivity between the valley and rest of the country could be disrupted.
He said there is possibility of heavy snow at isolated places in Valley, especially in higher reaches.
“From January 25, mainly dry weather till ending January,” the official said.
The chilly weather conditions continued throughout the day due to overcast conditions, coupled with ice-cold winds. World-famous Dal Lake and other water-bodies remained frozen in Srinagar, where authorities have warned people, particularly youth and children, not to walk on the frozen water.
The night temperature in Srinagar settled at minus 6.1 degree, which is about 4 degrees below normal.
The world famous health resort of Pahalgam was the coldest place in the valley at minus 7 degree.
The night temperature at Gulmarg settled at minus 6 degree.
The mercury at Qazigund, gateway to the valley, Kupwara in north Kashmir and Kokernag settled at minus 6.2 degrees, 4.8 degree and minus 6.5 degree, respectively.
The Kashmir is in grip of intense cold.
Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, P K Pole said he has directed the officers to stay alert at their headquarters in view of the fresh snowfall prediction.
“The officers have been directed to gear up and men and machinery ready to tackle the post snowfall situation,” he said. (Additional inputs from KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 22: The forces have intensified searches and frisking in Srinagar to foil any attempts by militants to smuggle arms and ammunition into the city ahead of Republic Day functions.
The security men have established checkpoints in the city, including at Court Road and TRC in civil lines. The security personnel were conducted random searches of passenger vehicles, besides two-wheelers, before allowing them to go ahead.
“We have directions to conduct random searches of vehicles and check the identity cards of those onboard,” security force personnel, deployed at TRC, said.
They said all three wheelers, besides motorcycles, were being properly checked before allowing them to go ahead.
Similar, checkpoints have also been established in the city outskirts and vehicles coming into Srinagar are being checked thoroughly.
Official sources said that a fresh alert has been issued to security forces and state police personnel on the group to remain alert to foil any attempts by militants to smuggle arms and ammunition in the city to cause disturbance on Republic Day.