Srinagar, Dec 23: Only one-way traffic was resumed on the highway, connecting Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh region with Kashmir valley, and dozens of vehicles, mostly trucks stranded at Kargil, Drass and other places were allowed to move towards Srinagar on Wednesday.
However, the historic 86-km-long Mughal road and Anantnag-Sampthan road remained closed due to accumulation of heavy snow and slipper road conditions.
Meanwhile, Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) from Srinagar to Jammu while only stranded Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) and security forces are advised to ply from Jammu to Srinagar.
Official sources said only one-way traffic has been resumed on 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh national highway after remaining suspended for about two weeks due to accumulation of snow and strong winds coupled with below freezing temperature which resulted in slippery road condition, particularly at Zojila pass.
Today vehicles were allowed to ply from different parts of Kargil towards Srinagar, sources told UNI.
Dozens of vehicles, mostly truckers from Punjab, were stranded at Kargil, Drass and other places for the past two weeks due to closure of the Srinagar-Leh highway.
The road was closed due to accumulation of snow and strong winds. The authorities have decided to keep the highway open till the weather permits. The centre has sanctioned a tunnel at Zojila to make it all weather road, which remained closed due to snowfall during winter months.
A traffic police official said the Mughal road, connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region also remained closed due to accumulation of snow. There is very little chance of reopening of the road which is seen as alternative to Srinagar-Jammu highway. The road which was this summer used for transportation of fresh fruit from Kashmir to other parts of the country, remained closed during winter months due to heavy snowfall every year.
The Anantnag-Sampthan road, linking south Kashmir with Kishtwar in Jammu also remained closed due to snow.
He said LMVs will ply from Srinagar to Jammu on Wednesday and vehicles had to cross Zig Qazigund between 1000 hrs to 1400 hrs. The HMVs, stranded at Jakheni Udhampur and Nashree tunnel are allowed to move towards Srinagar on the highway, he said adding security forces are also advised to ply from Jammu to Srinagar.
Traffic resumes on Srinagar-Leh highway, Mughal road still closed
MDM scheme:Over 58% children not screened for health check-up during 2019-20
Bhat Imran
Srinagar, Dec 23: With no contingency plan to avoid any untoward incident, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has failed to conduct health screen checkup to 58 percent children while availing the perks of Mid Day Meal (MDM) scheme during the financial year 2019-20.
The Ministry of Education (MoE) has said that only 42 percent of children have been screened under Health check-up in the region.
It has been learnt that the MoE in a Project Approval Board (PAB) meeting of MDM has said only 42 percent children of Jammu and Kashmir were screened under health check-up during 2019-20 and only 13 percent schools were having School Nutrition Garden (SNG).
However, the authorities from Jammu and Kashmir in a meeting with MoE have said “that health checkups and required medicines are being provided regularly to the children and cook cum helpers by the department of health.”
On asking for the details about the contingency plan to avoid any untoward incident, the JK authorities in a meeting told MoE, “As of now, there has been no contingency plan in place. However, the important phone numbers and instructions have been displayed on the main walls and boards of the school buildings to avoid any untoward incident.”
“Instructions have been given to the cooks and the dealing teachers to avoid any unhygienic activity or lapses while cooking and serving MDM to the children. Fresh water taps have been installed in the schools,” the officials said in the meeting.
It was also apprised that Health Department and Food Corporation Supply and Consumers Affairs (FCS&CA) department are being repeatedly requested for conducting regular meetings with education department and to ensure all safety measures be adopted to tackle any untoward incident—(KNO)
JK people have shown trust in PM’s leadership: Nadda
New Delhi, Dec 23: Noting that the BJP has emerged as the single-largest party in the maiden DDC polls in Jammu and Kashmir, its president J P Nadda on Wednesday said the people of the Union Territory have expressed their trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership through their votes.
Every vote in the BJP’s favour underscores the people’s faith in the ideology of development, Nadda said in tweets, expressing his gratitude to the voters.
He said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under Modi’s leadership is committed to J&K’s all-round development and connecting its people with the national mainstream.
MCA student goes missing in Baramulla
Family appeals son to return home
Peerzada Waseem
Baramulla, Dec 23: Family members of 24-year-old youth, who have gone missing since 20 December, have urged their son to return home and appealed to the government to help them in tracing him.
A 24 year old youth Saqib Ashraf son of Mohammad Ashraf Lone from Fategrah Baramulla, has been missing since 20 December while he was coming from Kashmir University.
On 20 December, Saqib left Kashmir university, but didn’t return to his home, his family said.
After coming to know that Saqib has not returned home, his father tried his mobile number. However, his phone was switched off.
Unable to make any contact with their son, an anxious family started searching in the neighborhood.
“Next day we called our relatives and friends and everyone we could think of to know if they had any information about Saqib, but nobody had any clue of where he might have gone,” they said.
The missing son has left the family shattered who are pleading their son for immediate return.
“We appeal to our son, for the sake of God please don’t leave us like this and return home as soon as possible, we cannot live without you,” said his father while breaking in tears.
“If he is with any militant outfit, we request them to please send our son back to us. He is very innocent. We don’t have any support except him,” he said.
Saqib’s family has also registered a missing report of their son in the police station Sheeri—(KNO)
Police solves ATM break case, accused arrested in Pulwama
Srinagar, Dec 23: Police Wednesday evening claimed to have solved a case about an attempt to break an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) in south Kashmir district of Pulwama.
A police spokesman said this evening that on December 21, 2020 a written complaint was received from Branch Manager Axis Bank, Larkipora Padampora that during the intervening night of December 20 and 21 some unknown burglars attempted to break open the bank ATM installed at Larkipora.
Accordingly, a case FIR Number 192/2020 under relevant sections of law was registered in Police Station Awantipora and investigation was set into motion.
Acting promptly upon this case, police arrested the accused and during the course of investigation the accused person disclosed his involvement in the commission of crime. He has been identified as Suhail Ahmad Bhat Resident of Padgampora Larkipora.
Cabinet nod for revised DTH service guidelines
New Delhi, Dec 23: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved revision in guidelines for providing direct to home (DTH) services in the country under which licenses would be issued for 20 years, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said.
He said the change in guidelines would also allow 100 per cent FDI in the DTH sector.
While the Commerce Ministry had spoken of 100 per cent FDI in the DTH sector, the guidelines of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry needed to be changed.
Changes have been approved for 100 per cent foreign direct investment in the sector. Till now, the FDI was limited to 49 per cent, Javadekar told a media briefing.
The TRAI was consulted in this regard, he added.
Week-long workshop on research methodology concludes at KU
Budding researchers should focus on applicability of research: Registrar
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 23 A week-long workshop on research methodology in social sciences concluded at the University of Kashmir. The workshop was organised jointly by the varsity’s Media Education and Research Centre (MERC) and Department of Social Work (DoSW).
Addressing as chief guest the valedictory session of the workshop, KU Registrar Dr Nisar Ahmad Mir as per a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that research has to be designed and planned so as to respond to the needs and demands of the society.
“Research is fuelled by curiosity and gets reflected in its ability to provide validated and fact-based answers to questions concerning the society at large,” he said, adding that budding researchers should focus on key principles underlying research and its practical applications.
“What you learn through research and what you eventually give to the society is important,” Dr Mir said, asserting that the aim of academic research is not just to push further the boundaries of knowledge but to develop an understanding of research tools and techniques, research strategy, research design and research methodology.
“We are trying to have some consensus at enhancing the stipend/scholarships for our university’s research scholars as well as increasing the number of fellowships too,” he said.
Elaborating on core workshop objectives, Head MERC Dr Aaliya Ahmed said it was designed to equip research scholars with a set of skills and potentiality to undertake effective research in their respective disciplines and to acquaint them with hands-on approach on developing a broader understanding of research methods and techniques.
“From developing hypotheses to framing research design, quantitative and qualitative research tools, analysis and interpretation of data, the workshop tried to cater to the needs of research scholars,” she said, adding that participating scholars had plethora of questions and their detailed interactions with resource persons during various technical sessions offered them greater exposure and broader canvas to work on their approved research themes.
Dr Ahmed also said they intend to organise more such workshops in future. Dr Shazia Manzoor, senior faculty from DoSW assured more such collaborations in future. “Interdisciplinary and collaborative approach is a positive sign towards developing academic and research culture,” she said.
Referring to Covid-19 pandemic, she said there have been difficult times but research activities continued to be carried out in the university in line with the necessary guidelines.
SEHAT health insurance:Over 78,000 Srinagar residents have enrolled so far: DC Sgr
Srinagar, Dec 23: Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Choudhary who is also the Chairman of the District Health Society Srinagar Wednesday reviewed the progress of enrolments made under the SEHAT health insurance scheme of the J&K government. He also reviewed the arrangements for rollout of the scheme in Srinagar on 26 December.
The flagship scheme which stands for Social, Endeavour for Health and Telemedicine provides a health-cover of 5 lakh rupees per family per year. It allows portability of benefits across the country, has no cap on family size and involves free and cashless treatment in empanelled hospital located across the country. Any citizen can apply for the scheme which is linked to more than 23,000 public and private hospitals across India apart from those in J&K.
Speaking during the meeting, the DC said the general public needs to be made aware of the scheme and asked the concerned departments including the Health & Family Welfare, Rural Development, ICDS, Information, Social Welfare among others to launch awareness campaigns about and enrolment drives under the scheme.
The departments were asked to launch aggressive public awareness campaigns through hoardings, digital messages on VMD screens, pamphlets, advertisements as well as messages through the print and electronic media.
During the meeting it was informed that more than 78,000 residents of Srinagar have been enrolled under the SEHAT scheme so far adding that this was in addition to 92,000 beneficiaries enrolled earlier under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
The meeting was informed that the district administration aims to cover a population of over 10 lakh people in the next three months for which public participation under the scheme has been solicited. It was informed that more than 115 Common Service Centres or CSCs have been activated in the district for beneficiary enrolment while as delivery of printed cards will start from 26 December with the formal rollout of the scheme.
In Srinagar, enrolled beneficiaries can avail of benefits including free and cashless treatment under the scheme at 24 government and private hospitals – which also include dialysis centres – empanelled under the scheme.
DDC poll results change political equations in Jammu and Kashmir
Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Dec 22: Results of the District Development Council elections have made it explicitly clear that political equations in Jammu and Kashmir have changed drastically post abrogation of Article 370.
An analyst while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “It’s crystal clear that if Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) remains intact it would give a tough fight to other political parties.”
It’s in place to mention here that PAGD—an amalgam of Kashmir based parties— was formed just one month before the DDC polls were announced in Jammu and Kashmir. It’s headed by National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti is the vice-president while chairman of Peoples Conference Sajad Gani Lone is the spokesman of the amalgam. The PAGD also comprises of few other parties like Awami National Conference and CPI (M).
The analyst said, “These results have set the tone and tenor for the forthcoming assembly elections that are likely to be held after the delimitation process in Jammu and Kashmir is completed. If the PAGD decides to contest the forthcoming elections collectively we can see many more interesting contest in future that will have altogether different permutations and combinations.”
A politician said, “The emergence of PAGD is an indication that the Kashmir based parties cannot afford to part ways in future. These political formations will have to stay together to pose any challenge the other parties.”
He said, “Bharatiya Janata Party, Apni Party and the independents too have won good number of seats. If the voting trends remain same in the forthcoming assembly elections anyone can rule Jammu and Kashmir in the coming days. These polls have made it clear that dynamics of politics in J&K has changed completely. The parties which were bete-noire in the past will have to shun their differences to remain relevant in J&K, especially in Kashmir.”
The politicians said, “Many of us were under the impression that PAGD won’t contest the DDC polls but the leaders decided to jump into the fray as most of them realized that if they decide to boycott it will lead to their parties becoming irrelevant. The results have proved that decision taken by the PAGD leaders has helped the amalgam and other Kashmir based parties.”
An observer said, “We have to see how these DDC boards will function after these are formed. Will these boards really help the people or these will just be symbolic? In coming days many things will become clear.”
DDC Poll Results: PAGD heading towards majority, BJP second
Alliance likely to win 115 seats, BJP 77, Apni Party 11, independents 54
Srinagar, Dec 22: Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration—an amalgam pf Kashmir based parties including National Conference (NC) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), CPI (M), Jammu Kashmir Peoples Conference (JKPC) and Jammu Kashmir People Movement (JKPM)— was heading towards majority in the maiden District Development Council (DDC) elections held in the union territory.
As the vote counting for DDC elections—first ever polls after the abrogation of Article 370 in J&K— was going on when this report was filed the results for 247 constituencies were declared of which PAGD—an amalgam of mainstream parties— had won 97 seats (NC 57, PDP 26, JKPC 6, CPI-M 5, JKPM 3), BJP had won 70 seats, independents 44, INC 22, JKAP 10, JKNPP 2, PDF and BSP one each.
According to the figures available on the official website, https://ceojk.nic.in/, the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) was leading in over 18 seats.
The counting is going on and it seems that the PAGD would attain the figure of 115 while BJP would likely bag 77 seats. It is predicted that INC would bag 26 seats while JKAP would secure 11 and independents would emerge victorious on 54 seats.
The vote counting would end probably late in the night as the counting on was going on when the report was last filed.
Pertinently, the DDC polls were conducted in eight phases from November 28 this year and witnessed a huge participation of people across Jammu and Kashmir in all the eight phases.
The former minister and Congress leader Taj Mohi-ud-din, wives of former legislators in Kashmir were among the candidates who were in the electoral fray.
A total of 280 constituencies went for polls in eight phases while 2178 candidates were in the fray.
In Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, the counting ended in the afternoon. Out of 14 constituencies, seven seats were bagged by independent candidates while JKAP secured three and PAGD emerged victorious on three seats.
