New Delhi, Jan 20 Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday gave its approval for the investment of Rs.5281.94 crore for 850 MW Ratle Hydro Electric (HE) Project located on river Chenab, in Kishtwar district of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
This new Joint Venture Company (JVC) to be incorporated between National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Ltd (JKSPDC) with equity contribution of 51 percent and 49 percent respectively.
The Centre has also been supporting the J&K Government by providing grant of Rs 776.44 crore for equity contribution of JKSPDC in the JVC to be set up for construction of Ratle HE Project (850 MW) while the NHPC shall invest its equity Rs 808.14 crore from its internal resources.
The Ratle Hydro Electric Project shall be commissioned within a span of 60 months. The Power generated from the Project will help in providing balancing of Grid and will improve the power supply position.
The construction activities of the Project will result in direct and indirect employment to around 4000 persons and will contribute in overall socio-economic development of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Further, UT Government will be benefited by getting free power worth Rs 5289 crore and through levy of water usage charges worth Rs 9581 crore from Ratle Hydro Electric Project, during project life cycle of 40 years.

Fresh snow spell from tomorrow

Srinagar, Jan 20: There was still no respite from chilly weather conditions as the mercury settled several degrees below normal in Kashmir valley, where a fresh spell of snow is predicted from Friday.

However, bright sunshine greeted people late in the morning, resulting in some respite from chill though ice-cold winds from snow-clad mountains continued in the valley, where the summer capital, Srinagar and tourist resort of Pahalgam were the only two places which witnessed some improvement in the night temperature.

A Met department spokesperson told UNI that weather will remain dry during the next two days in Kashmir valley. “Cold wave will continue till Thursday due to dry weather and open skies,” he said.

He, however, said a fresh Western Disturbance (WD), which originated from the Arabian Sea and is approaching the region through Afghanistan and Pakistan, will hit the region on Friday. “Under the influence of this WD, light snow is predicted on Friday at some places. The system will intensify, resulting in light to moderate snow at most places on Saturday and Sunday,” he said, adding heavy snow is predicted at isolated places on January 23.

After witnessing an improvement of degree in the night temperature from Tuesday, people in the summer capital, Srinagar, woke up to a chilly and foggy Wednesday morning. However, as the day progressed, the sun came out, resulting in some improvement, though ice-cold winds continued in the city.

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. Hospitals in the city have also witnessed a heavy influx of patients with broken bones following slipping on frozen interior and link roads. Against minus 7 degree Celsius recorded on Tuesday, the night temperature in the city settled at minus 6 degree, which is 4 degrees below normal.

Qazigund, the gateway to the valley, remained the coldest place in the valley for the third successive day on Wednesday even as the mercury dipped marginally and settled at minus 8.7 degree, which is five degrees below normal.

The world-famous ski resort of Gulmarg was the only place in the valley where the minimum temperature settled above normal. Against minus 6.2 degrees recorded on Tuesday, the night temperature at the ski resort settled at minus 6.5 degree, which is about two degrees above normal. “All the hotels in the resort are booked and people associated with tourism are very happy as they are doing brisk business,” a hotelier from Gulmarg told UNI over the phone.

He said tourists are taking advantage of sunny days in the ski resort and enjoying different snow-related activities. “All the ski slopes have been thrown open for tourists and other adventure sports lovers,” he added.

The night temperature at the world-famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, improved and settled at minus 8.3 degrees, against 8.2 degrees recorded on Tuesday.

The mercury at Kupwara in north Kashmir and tourist resort of Kukernag dipped and settled at minus 5.8 degrees and minus 7.9 degrees, respectively.

Urges community elders, influencers to use technology to identify, monitor mischievous preachers

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Jan 20: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today inaugurated Prominent Religious Leaders Conference on ‘De-radicalization’ organized by JKNPF here.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor called for comprehensive measures involving both de-radicalization & counter-radicalization strategy.
Terming modern education and holistic development as the only solution to all the problems, the Lt Governor laid special emphasis on adopting an integrated approach for de-radicalization and counter-radicalization through seamlessly involving three pillars- civil society including Muftis & community influencers, family and civil administration.
“Closely examining the radicalization process is the need of the hour, which I believe is fourth generation warfare. We should assess and develop resources, measures and mechanisms, required to counter such elements and extremist ideologies”, said the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor urged community elders and influencers to use the technology to identify and monitor mischievous preachers for a broader mapping.
De-radicalization is the process by which an already radicalized person is brought back into mainstream of the society, while counter-radicalization is the process by which vulnerable persons are prevented from getting radicalized. We must check propagation of non-contextual as well selective messages from holy books. If anyone is treading a wrong path, it’s our responsibility to show him the right path, the Lt Governor maintained.
We have to develop the concept of winning the hearts and minds as future power will be built by those societies and the country, which control the minds and hearts of the people through equitable development of the society. We must focus on a comprehensive measures involving community, family and much required stress on positive messages, introducing books on prominent Muslim figures like Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, Maqbool Sherwani, Salim Ali etc, besides chapters on peace and harmony in schools and madrasas, said the Lt Governor.
He further said, “This program has been organized in view of national integrity, to bring collective energies of the citizens together, to self-introspect and to take citizens in the right direction, and I appreciate this effort.”
The Lt Governor said that this conference and the discussions with eminent scholars will lead to national integration and positivity among the people. He mentioned that if we trace the history of radicalization, it has its footprints somewhere else, and it was being promoted in an organized manner through social media. Through the joint efforts, a lot of control has been exercised on it but the attempts towards radicalization are rapidly increasing using the technology, he added.
Mentioning the teachings of Sufi Saint Mohammad Syed, the Lt Governor said that J&K has been home to values of equality and fraternity, cultural relations, communal harmony and sufi traditions.
He further said that different religious leaders have also spread the message of unity, tolerance and community activities. But there are some disgruntled elements also who have sown the seeds of hatred to divide the people. I hope that the religious leaders here will show the right path to elements spreading hate and to the disoriented people, the Lt Governor said.
The initiative of the religious leaders through this religious meet will strengthen the secular character of brotherhood, and will also bring the misguided people who have walked away from the path of harmony and brotherhood, back into mainstream, observed the Lt Governor.
There is no other nation in the world where even after so much diversity, so many cultures live together harmoniously with love, he added.
Highlighting various initiatives taken by the government for the welfare of youth, the Lt Governor observed that the UT government has initiated a mission for progress and development. The youth has been provided with means of Skill development and self employment for starting work according to their interest. A young boy Khurram, from Udhampur who has not only started his own business but has employed other youth as well has been a great inspiration for the rest of the youth in his community. Stories like his also need to be highlighted. Moreover, with the unprecedented Rs 28,400 crore New Industrial development scheme, not only new industries will come but the existing ones will also grow. Around 4.5 lakh youth will get employment avenues and opportunities. We also must spread this word in the public so that we work as a collective power, the Lt Governor maintained
For a stable livelihood for youngsters, the J&K Government has started a “Mumkin” program through which they are provided small commercial vehicles with zero margin money. Apart from this, under the Himayat programme and Mission youth, skill training for employment is also given to the youth. Platforms and facilities have also been made available for promoting Sports and cultural activities among youth, he observed.

The Lt Governor said that the way youngsters are participating actively, one can experience a new dawn.

The Government is working on the principles of equitable and holistic development. For the welfare of Kashmiri Pandit community, we are working on 6000 thousand houses and 6000 jobs for them and this process will be completed soon, the Lt Governor maintained.

The vision of the Prime Minister is very clear- Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishvaas. We are moving forward with the same feeling. India is a land of unity in diversity. Despite hundreds of languages, religions and different cultures, our thinking is one, we are and will always be one, observed the Lt Governor.

Several prominent religious leaders, people from various communities, social activists, and Youth leaders joined the conference. Sanjay Kumar, a Social Activist and Program Director (J&K) of Art of Living was the Guest of honour.

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Jan 20: The J&K Service Selection Board (JKSSB) informed that till yesterday, the Board has received 2,22,285 online applications for various categories of posts advertised under Advertisement notification no. 04 of 2020 while as  913 applications have been received for the posts advertised under notice no.05 of 2020, since the commencement of online application forms.

Further, the JKSSB informed that after receiving various representations from the candidates regarding extension in last date of submission of online applications, the Board has decided to extend last date for submission of online applications for Advt. No. 04 of 2020 and Advt. No. 05 of 2020 up to 27-01-2021 and  10-02-2021 respectively.

Furthermore, the JKSSB informed that the grievances from the applicants pertaining to the filling of online applications including multiple Payment issues are being resolved and addressed on day to day basis for which  separate grievance cell and helpdesks have been made operational. Apart from that, the option of registering grievances regarding multiple payments is also being activated in next few days on the portal which will further enhance ease for applicants.

For the convenience of aspirants, two helpline numbers 0194-2435089 and 0191-2461335at Srinagar and Jammu respectively have been established for the convenience of aspirants. In addition, to resolve the problems reflected by the candidates while submitting application forms, a dedicated email address under the domain [email protected] is operational for ease of candidates.

Pertinently, JKSSB has invited online applications for 2814 posts of different categories from eligible candidates for participating in the selection process for District /Divisional /UT Cadre posts of various departments advertised under Advertisement Notification Nos. 04 of 2020, 05 of 2020, 06 of 2020 and 07 of 2020.

‘Don’t accept random friend requests’

Srinagar, Jan 20 The Cyber Police on Wednesday warned public about falling prey to ‘sextortion’ by accepting random friend requests and video calls on social media sites, including Facebook and WhatsApp.

A Cyber Police Kashmir official said that accepting random friend requests, video calls on Facebook or WhataApp from strangers can land people in trouble. ‘Blackmailers have devised a modus operandi to befriend people online and later get their intimate photos/videos. Then they morph these photos and videos to appear as pornographic photos and videos to blackmail the victim and demand huge money,’ he said.

He said these blackmailers lure people by attractive photos in their Facebook and WhatsApp profile. ‘They engage the victims in a video call during which they show them pornographic clips and record the whole incident,’ he said.

He said the victims are later blackmailed and huge money is demanded. ‘General public should remain cautious as anyone can fall prey to this cyber blackmailing,’ he said, adding the victims should not accept friend request from strangers and engage in a video chat with them.

‘If anyone falls prey they should not panic and inform their family and friends, besides lodge a complaint with the police immediately,’ he said, adding they should preserve all evidence, including screenshots, to help police.

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Jan 20: The Government on Wednesday informed that 109 new cases of COVID-19, 45 from Jammu division and 64 from Kashmir division, were reported today, thus taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 123647. Also no COVID-19 death was reported from any part of Jammu and Kashmir.
Moreover, 113 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals including 56 from Jammu Division and 57 from Kashmir Division.

According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Corona virus (Covid-19), out of 123647 positive cases, 1099 are Active Positive, 120625 have recovered and 1923 have died; 716 in Jammu division and 1207 in Kashmir division.

The Bulletin further said that out of 4319042 test results available, 4195395 samples have been tested as negative till 20th January, 2021.

Till date 1043766 persons have been enlisted for observation which included 34849 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 1099 in isolation and 70170 in home surveillance. Besides, 935725 persons have completed their surveillance period.

Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Srinagar has 25903 positive cases (including 36 cases reported today) with 253 Active Positive, 25197 recovered (including 22 cases recovered today), 453 deaths; Baramulla has 8072 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today) with 56 Active Positive, 7843 recovered (including 07 cases recovered today), 173 deaths; Budgam reported 7729 positive cases (including 07 cases reported today) with 52 active positive cases, 7562 recovered (including 07 cases recovered today), 115 deaths; Pulwama has 5678 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today) with 67 Active Positive, 5523 recovered (including 06 cases recovered today)and 88 deaths; Kupwara has 5631 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today) with 58 Active Positive, 5479 recoveries (including 06 cases recovered today), 94 deaths; Anantnag district has 4858 positive cases (including 06 cases reported today)with 53 Active Positive, 4721 recovered (including 03 cases recovered today), 84 deaths; Bandipora has 4682 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today)with28 Active Positive and 4593 recoveries (including 02 cases recovered today), 61 deaths; Ganderbal has 4578 positive cases with 73 Active Positive, 4459 recoveries and 46 deaths; Kulgam has 2685 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today)with 38 Active Positive, 2593 recoveries (including 04 cases recovered today)and 54 deaths while as Shopian has 2554 positive cases (including 01case reported today)with36 active positive cases, 2479 recoveries and 39 deaths.

Similarly, Jammu has 24743 positive cases (including 38 cases reported today) with 191 active positive cases, 24185 recoveries (including 18 cases recovered today), 367 deaths; Udhampur has 4186 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today)37 active positive cases, 4092 recovered (including 34 cases recovered today)and 57 deaths; Rajouri has 3864 positive cases (including 01 case reported today)with 07 active positive, 3802 recoveries and 55 deaths; Doda has 3427 positive cases (including 01 case reported today)with 07 Active positive, 3356 recovered (including 03 cases recovered today)and 64 deaths; Kathua has 3249 positive cases with 02 active positive cases, 3196 recovered (including 01case recovered today) and 51 deaths; Kishtwar has 2730 positive cases with 01 Active Positive, 2707 recoveries;22 deaths; Samba has 2826 positive cases (including 01 cases reported today)with 88 active positive cases, 2698 recoveries and 40 deaths; Poonch has 2485 positive cases (including 01case reported today)with 30 active positive, 2431 recoveries and 24 deaths; Ramban has 2130 positive cases with 13 active positive, 2096 recoveries and 21 deaths while Reasi has 1637 positive (including 01 case reported today)with 09 active positive cases, 1613 recoveries and 15 deaths.

According to the bulletin, among the total 123647 positive cases in J&K, 11488 have been reported as travelers while 112159 as others.

The Bulletin said that the breakup represents districts from which the patients have been traced or are ordinarily residing.

The bulletin added that there are 1321 COVID dedicated beds, 1185 Isolation beds with 1159 vacant beds and 136 ICU beds where 115 beds are vacant in Jammu division while there are 2345 COVID dedicated beds, 2197 Isolation beds where 2098 beds are vacant and 148 ICU beds where 135are vacant beds in Kashmir division. There are a total of 3666 COVID dedicated beds, 3382 Isolation beds with 3257 beds vacant and 284 ICU beds with 250 vacant beds in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Central Government is continuously monitoring the evolving situation of Covid-19 in the Union Territory and is providing all necessary support towards effective containment of the spread of Covid-19 and better clinical management of positive cases.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Jan 20: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Wednesday said vaccine is the only way to stop Covid-19 pandemic.
“Vaccinations would bring an end to this ongoing public health crisis,” said DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.
“In order to get back to normal, we need enough people to get vaccinated. The sooner we get more people vaccinated, the sooner we start reliving our lives.”
“If people want business as usual, their kids back in school and playing sport, they should roll up their sleeves and get Covid-19 vaccine,” DAK President said.
“Covid-19 vaccine is the biggest gift science has provided to humankind,” he said.
“The discovery of a “safe and effective” vaccine in less than a year is an extraordinary achievement in the history of science.”
Dr Nisar said vaccines are one of the great modern triumphs of public health and are the best tools to prevent disease and death.
We have seen how vaccines have eradicated diseases like smallpox and polio.
He said Covid-19 has infected millions and claimed so many lives, and is still raging.
“We have the vaccine now. We can breathe collective sigh of relief,” Dr Nisar said.
“Vaccine would protect you from getting Covid-19 infection and prevent you from getting seriously ill even if you do get the virus. Getting vaccinated will also protect people around you, particularly people at increased risk of severe illness from Covid-19.”
“We need to build trust in people about the safety, effectiveness and importance of the vaccine,” he said.
“Thousands of healthcare workers in Kashmir have received the shot and no major adverse effect has been reported.”
“Authorities need to crack down on those who spread rumors and misinformation about Covid-19 vaccine.
People need to be booked for promoting anti-vaccination propaganda and there is an urgent need to penalize social networking sites for uploading false information regarding the vaccine.
Misinformation has the potential to create public skepticism over Covid-19 vaccine which could undermine our fight against the coronavirus pandemic,” said Dr Nisar.

Srinagar, Jan 20: The government has asked its workforce to attend the main official January 26 functions in Jammu and warned them that any dereliction will be construed as disobedience of the instructions.
“The main function of the Republic Day-2021 is being held at the Maulana Azad Stadium, Jammu, where the Lieutenant Governor will preside over the function and take the salute. All Officers/Officials of the Government and Public Sector Undertakings, Stationed at Jammu, are called upon to attend the function as a part of their official duty,” reads a circular issued by the government.
“All Heads of Departments and Chief Executives of Public Sector Undertakings shall ensure their own participation and also of the employees subordinate to them in the function,” it said, adding, “Failure to attend the function will be construed as dereliction of duty and disobedience of the Government instructions.” (GNS)

Jammu, Jan 20: At least three heavily armed militants were killed while four soldiers sustained injuries after army foiled a major infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Keri Battal area of Jammu’s Akhnoor.
Defence sources told KNO that on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, a group of five heavily armed militants tried to sneak into this side through Keri Battal sector but were intercepted and challenged. “Exchange of fire took place between army troops and infiltrators. Of the five infiltrating militants, there were killed while two others may have gone back or may be hiding in the area,” a defence official said, adding that in the operation four soldiers also sustained gunshot wounds and were evacuated to the hospital.
The army, however, didn’t issue any official statement over the infiltration bid but sources confirmed that the operation was still going on to rule out possibility of presence of any other militant in the area.