Precious Kashmir News
Gurez, Jan 15: Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, PK Pole along with Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Dr Owais Ahmad on Friday visited snowbound Gurez Valley near LoC for 02 days marathon camp to deliver COVID-19 vaccine and also to have first-hand appraisal of winter preparedness and snow clearance efforts.

The first Phase of COVID19 vaccinations will kick-start on January 16 (Saturday). The Officers handed over the vaccines to the concerned Health officers to be dispatched to the Vaccination centres.

Later Divisional Commissioner conducted a meeting to review the functioning of all the departments of Sub-Division Gurez and took stock of the snow clearance operations, winter preparedness, development works, welfare schemes and work culture in the offices.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate Gurez Dr Mudasir Wani gave a brief about the functioning of the departments and highlighted the achievements and target of various departments.

Div Com discussed the facilities provided by the health department and gave directions to the health authorities to airlift pregnant ladies before their date of delivery as the valley remains cut off from the rest of the UT owing to heavy snowfall.

The meeting discussed arrangements made regarding roll-out of vaccination in the Gurez Valley. The DC informed the Div Com that they are chalking out a special vaccination plan for this subdivision keeping in view the adverse weather conditions of this region.

While reviewing winter preparedness, Pole stressed on storage of more Kerosene, Petroleum and Rice in abundance for the convenience of the people.

Further Snow clearance remained top of agenda. At the end of the review meeting, the DivCom directed all the officers to work with the people neck to neck as this area witnesses heavy snowfall. He impressed upon the officers to address public grievances and solve their genuine problems on priority.

Later the Div Com interacted with the recently elected BDC chairperson, DDC member and PRI members. He listened to their issues very patiently and assured the redressal of their grievances. The people from civil society and senior citizens also met Div Com.

He while addressing the delegations said that the people of Gurez have always remained true nationalists and never supported communal thinking. He said the welfare of the people of Gurez remains a top priority for the government and due attention will be given towards the issues of this valley.

Total cases 123,108; death toll rises to 1,920; recovery rate over 97 percent
Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Jan 15: Jammu and Kashmir on Friday recorded five more deaths due to COVID-19 taking the death toll to 1,920 in the Union Territory while 144 positive cases were reported taking the tally of positive cases to 123,108 in J&K.
Of the exact number of 123,108 cases, 72,081 are from Kashmir and 51,027 from Jammu division. Officials said that among 144 new cases, 80 belong to Kashmir division while as 64 are from Jammu division, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir division have reached to 72,081 including 70,116 recoveries and 1,205 deaths while as total number of positive cases in Jammu division have reached to 51,027 including 49,644 recoveries and 715 deaths.

The officials said that total number of active cases in Jammu and Kashmir are 1,428 including 760 from Kashmir division and 668 from Jammu division.

With 179 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in Jammu and Kashmir has reached to 119,760 which is 97.28 percent of the total cases.
“Cases tested positive in J&K include 40 from Srinagar, 02 from Baramulla, 02 from Budgam, 03 from Pulwama, 03 from Kupwara, 06 from Anantnag, 02 from Bandipora, 10 from Ganderbal, 03 from Kulgam and 09 from Shopian in Kashmir division while as 64 from Jammu division include 46 from Jammu, 02 from Udhampur, 00 from Rajouri, 00 from Doda, 01 from Kathua, 09 from Samba, 00 from Kishtwar, 01 from Poonch, 05 from Ramban and 00 from Reasi,” officials disclosed.
Notably, in the last 24 hours five persons who were tested positive for COVID-19 have died, among them two belong to Kashmir division and three to Jammu division.
As per officials figures, 25,865 positive cases including 453 deaths and 25,099 recoveries are from Srinagar, 8,052 including 172 deaths and 7,824 recoveries are from Baramulla, 7,696 including 7,535 recoveries and 114 deaths are from Budgam, 5,658 including 5,488 recoveries and 88 deaths are from Pulwama, 5,611 including 94 deaths and 5,447 recoveries are from Kupwara, 4,845 including 4,704 recoveries and 84 deaths are from Anantnag, 4,678 cases including 4,577 and 61 deaths are from Bandipora, 4,556 including 4,431 recoveries and 46 deaths are from Ganderbal, 2,677 including 2,579 recoveries and 54 deaths are from Kulgam and 2,545 including 2,432 recoveries and 39 deaths are from Shopian.
In Jammu division, 24,544 including 23,802 recoveries and 367 deaths are from Jammu district, 4,178 including 4,037 recoveries and 57 deaths are from Udhampur, 3,862 including 3,789 recoveries and 55 deaths are from Rajouri, 3,426 including 3,333 recoveries and 64 deaths are from Doda, 3,243 including 3,184 recoveries and 51 deaths are from Kathua, 2,816 including 2,672 recoveries and 39 deaths are from Samba, 2,729 including 2,699 recoveries and 22 deaths are from Kishtwar, 2,470 including 2,420 recoveries and 24 deaths are from Poonch, 2,126 including 2,095 recoveries and 21 deaths are from Ramban and 1,633 including 1,613 recoveries and 15 deaths are from Reasi.
As per the daily information bulletin, 992,679 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 32,270 persons have been kept under home quarantine besides that 1,428 persons are in isolation.
According to the bulletin, 908,095 persons have completed surveillance period and 48,966 persons are under home surveillance besides that so far results of 4,211,448 samples are available.
Out of 4,211,448 the number of samples tested negative stands at 4,088,340 while as 123,108 have tested positive, among them 1,428 persons are active, 119,760 persons have recovered and 1,920 persons have died. (KNO)

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Jan 15: With healthcare workers to be the first to get COVID-19 vaccine in the initial phase of inoculation beginning on January 16, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Friday said many doctors, nurses and paramedical staff are hesitant to take the vaccine which is worrisome.
“Vaccine hesitancy among medical personnel is a major concern,” DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan said.
He said vaccine hesitancy – which encompasses delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccine – will pose a serious problem. “It is a troubling development, especially since healthcare workers are at higher risk of contracting the virus and their sickness would mean disruption of healthcare delivery system,” he said.
The DAK President said medical staff would imperil patients by snubbing COVID-19 shots. “Unvaccinated staff have the potential to transmit the disease to patients who are vulnerable to COVID-19 related complications and death,” he said.
“The vaccine-hesitant attitude among medical professionals might percolate down to the general population,” Dr Hassan said, adding the idea of vaccinating healthcare providers first is to help pave way for broader vaccine acceptance.
He said it is the medical professionals who should be educating public about the importance of vaccine. They have to play an important role in fostering vaccine acceptance among vaccine-hesitant. “But if they are themselves reluctant for the vaccine, they are unlikely to address the fears of vaccine-hesitant people,” Dr Hassan said
“If vaccine hesitancy is not addressed, it could mean we could be seeing outbreak for years. We can’t just write off somebody’s decision and say well that is their personal decision. Because it is not their personal decision, it is about the whole community,” he said.
The DAK president said that vaccine hesitancy in healthcare workers will have implications on vaccine coverage among the population. “We will need enough people to get vaccinated against Covid in order to stop the pandemic. The sooner we can get more people vaccinated, the sooner we can get back to some semblance of normalcy,” he said.
“Healthcare workers should be conscious of their responsibility and act as role models for the society. They should come forward to take the jab because it is the only way to end the pandemic,” he added.

Washington, Jan 15: Earlier, the US President-elect picked another Kashmiri origin Aisha Shah as the Partnerships Manager for his White House Office of Digital Strategy.
Fazili, who has been the Director of Engagement for the Community and Economic Development Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, has also served in President Obama administration. Photo source: Twitter/ @Sameerafazili
Fazili, who has been the Director of Engagement for the Community and Economic Development Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, has also served in President Obama administration. Photo source: Twitter/ @Sameerafazili
US President-elect, Joe Biden has roped in a second Kashmiri origin woman in his administration ahead of his inauguration next week, reports said.
As per reports, Sameera Fazili, a Kashmiri origin woman has been picked by the Biden administration as Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, expected to improve manufacturing, innovation and domestic competition.
Fazili, who has been the Director of Engagement for the Community and Economic Development Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, has also served in President Obama administration as a senior adviser at the NEC and at the Treasury Department.
She will be the second Kashmir origin woman to be part of the Biden administration.

Earlier, the US President-elect picked another Kashmiri origin Aisha Shah as the Partnerships Manager for his White House Office of Digital Strategy.

Stresses need to follow SOPs, use PPEs
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Jan 15: Principal Secretary, Power Development Department and Information, Rohit Kansal, today convened a meeting of senior officers to discuss safety issues of field workers of the department.
Kansal said that safety of field workers including daily wagers engaged in operation and maintenance of power stations and lines is government’s prime priority. He observed that a number of work related accidents can be minimised tremendously by ensuring strict implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) for safe working besides using standard safety devices and Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs).
Principal Secretary directed the officers to formulate a comprehensive plan for providing safety net to field workers for which adequate funds shall be provided by the government. The plan must include provision of safety devices like Isolators on all Feeders, Earth Rods and PPEs like Safety Belts, Safety Helmets, Safety Shoes, Rubber Hand Gloves etc.
Regarding implementation of SoPs for safe working, Principal Secretary stressed that the Safety Manual and SoPs shall be placed on website of each Corporation involved in generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. These documents shall also be made available in various offices and work sites of these Corporations for strict implementation. He also directed to conduct mock safety drills and training for implementation of SoPs and use of safety devices and PPEs.
Principal Secretary assured that there shall be no shortage of safety devices and PPEs and the same shall be procured as and when required.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Technical PDD, Bashir Ahmad Dar; Special Secretary PDD, Ravinder Sadhu; Additional Secretary PDD, Dr Desraj Bhagat; Director Finance PDD, Mohammad Sultan Malik; Director Planning PDD, Rakesh Jamwal; Deputy Secretary, Malik Wasim Ahmad and other senior officers of the department.

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Jan 15: The government of Jammu and Kashmir today sanctioned appointment of Sub Judges as District Judges on ad-hoc basis.

According to an order issued in this regard, the sanction has been accorded in terms of Rule 20 of the Jammu and Kashmir Higher Judicial Service Rules 2009, as recommended by the J&K High Court.

Those promoted included Sh. Abdul Nasir, Sh.Surinder Singh, Sh.Javid Ahmed Gilani, Sh. Mohammad Amin Mir, Sh.Ajay Kumar Gupta, Sh.Sudhir Kumar Khajuria, Sh. Om Prakash Thakur, Sh.Gowher Majid Dalai, Sh.Javed Alam, Sh.Mehraj-ud-Din Sofi, Sh. Surjeet Singh Bali, Sh.Om Prakash Bhagat, Sh.Manjeet Singh Manhas, Sh.Naushad Ahmed Khan, Sh.Som Lal, Sh. Mohammad Ashraf Bhat and Sh.Pradeep Kumar.

These ad-hoc appointments shall be for a period of six months or till the regular selection/appointment is made, whichever would be earlier.

Additional commissioners to adjudicate such pleas in 7 days
Nasir Azam
Srinagar, Jan 15: Ahead of election for offices of chairperson and vice-chairperson of district development councils in J&K, the administration of the Union Territory has empowered additional commissioners of Kashmir & Jammu divisions to hear petitions against the election for these prestigious positions.
The Rural Development & Panchayati Raj department has come up with a notification to authorise additional commissioners of both the divisions to hear petitions against election of chairperson and vice-chairperson of DDCs.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 43 of the J&K Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 read with rule 108-Z0 (1) of Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Rules, 1996, the Government hereby notify additional commissioner in the office of divisional commissioner , Jammu and Kashmir, to be the authority for their respective divisions for the purposes of the Act and Rules,” reads the notification issued by the department, a copy of which lies with the KNO.
The move comes as rules governing conduct of election for DDC chairpersons provide that these authorities shall be notified within 30 days of declaration of results of the polls. The results of DDC polls were declared on December 22 by the State Election Commission (SEC).
According to the rules, the appeals against election of chairperson and vice-chairperson shall be decided within seven days after receipt of the petitions.

The order passed by the notified authorities shall be final, the rules reveal.
As already reported by KNO, the election for chairperson and vice-chairperson of DDCs shall be conducted through secret ballot and every candidate for the post of chairperson and vice-chairperson shall be nominated by two elected members, one as proposer and another as seconder.

Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Jan 15: AGMUT cadre in which the Jammu and Kashmir cadre was recently merged, has got 11 IAS Probationers out of 179 allocations.
Officials told KNO that these 11 officers will get a chance to serve in Jammu and Kashmir too as officers in J&K will come from the AGMUT cadre now.
They said that Indian Administrative Service Probationers, who got AGMUT cadre include Namgyal Angmo, Jatin Kishore, Azharuddin Quazi, Egna Cleetus, Sarjan Yadav, Giri Sankar, Yahni Nagrajan, Yashaswani Priyank Kishore, Shishir Gupta and Vishakha Yadav.
Pertinently, the Jammu and Kashmir cadre of IPS, IAS and Indian Forest Service (IFoS) was merged with the AGMUT cadre on 7 January this year and its officers will now be posted by the central government.
Moreover, the officers of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir cadre can be posted to Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and any UT—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 15: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday granted one-time relaxation in upper age limit for the aspirants of Jammu and Kashmir Combined Competitive Examination (JKCCE), saying that the decision has been taken in view of demands of several delegations and aspirants.
In a tweet from the official account of the office of LG J&K, it has been announced that for the open merit candidates, the age limit has been increased to 37-years while for the reserve and in-service candidates the age limit has been increased to 39 years.
It also added that for the physically challenged candidates, the age-limit has been increased to 40 years.

“In view of demand of several delegations/aspirants, the J&K government for the last time granted one-time relaxation in upper age limit for JKCCE. 37 years for open merit candidate, 39 years for reserve & in -service candidates and 40 years for physically challenged @manojsinha,” office of LG J&K tweeted.

New Delhi, Jan 15: Former NDTV journalist Nidhi Razdan tweeted today that she had been the target of a “very serious phishing attack” and had learnt that what she believed was an offer to teach at Harvard University was fake. Ms Razdan had quit NDTV last year after a 21-year stint to take up the offer.
In her statement on Twitter, Razdan said she had been given to believe that she would be joining Harvard in September but while she was preparing for her new job, she was told because of the pandemic, classes would begin in January.
She said she sensed something amiss in the delays and noted what she called “administrative anomalies” in the process described to her.
“At first, I had dismissed these anomalies as being reflective of the new normal being dictated by the pandemic, but recently the representations being made to me were of an even more disquieting nature. As a result, I reached out to senior authorities at Harvard University for clarity. Upon their request, I shared some of the correspondence that I believed I had received from the University,” Razdan said.
“After hearing from the University, I have now learnt that I have been the victim of a sophisticated and coordinated phishing attack. I did not, in fact, receive an offer by Harvard University to join their faculty as an Associate Professor of Journalism. The perpetrators of this attack used clever forgeries and misrepresentations to obtain access to my personal data and communications and may have also gained access to my devices and my email/social media accounts.”
She said she had filed a complaint with the police and requested immediate steps to identify and prosecute those behind the “abominable attack”.

Razdan said she had also written to the Harvard University authorities. “I hope that the police are able to get to the bottom of this attack on me at the earliest and help me bring this unsavoury incident to a swift end,” she wrote.