Precious Kashmir

Dulloo launches portal for online registrations, validation of Pharmacies

Front

17/12/2020

Precious Kashmir News
Dec 16: Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department, Atal Dulloo, formally launched portal for online registrations/validation of Pharmacies under Pharmacy Act, 1948.
As many as, 3 candidates who had uploaded their documents were handed over certificates as Registered Pharmacist on spot.
Financial Commissioner, while appreciating functioning of Pharmacy Council of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, expressed hope that all stakeholders shall get immensely benefitted by this initiative. He said that Pharmacists play a pivotal role in the healthcare system and their contribution is critical towards mitigating sufferings of ailing masses.
He expressed hope that the Pharmacy Council shall strive hard to ensure that the practice and profession of Pharmacy in the Union Territory of J&K is regulated in an efficient manner and this body continues to uphold the sanctity of moral ethics, code and conduct among Pharmacy professionals.
He appreciated the Jammu & Kashmir Pharmacy Council for eliminating physical interface in various services offered by it. He said that a transparent, accountable and time bound system is always required to address the problems being faced by candidates aspiring to acquire grant/renewal of their Pharmacist Registration certificates. He said in the past these applicants had to run from pillar to post to get their bonafide claims settled. He however expressed hope that Pharmacy Council shall secure due diligence to ensure that the Web Portal designed for the purpose is subjected to periodic reviews and updated as per requirements of beneficiaries.
He lauded the Central Government for considering a onetime exemption of considering all those Registered Pharmacists who were registered under the repealed State Law, i.e J&K Pharmacy Act, Samvat, 2011 (1955 A.D) by incorporating a proviso 32C in the Pharmacy Act, 1948.
He said that the candidates pursuing profession and practice of Pharmacy in the UT of J&K have been enabled and motivated to join the national main stream in all aspects governing the field.
He directed the President of J&K Pharmacy Council, Lotika Khajuria, to arrange periodic training programs targeted to enhance the technical expertise of Pharmacists who are engaged in hospital Pharmacies across the U.T borders. He also directed the concerned authorities to provide a toll free number for redressal of any grievance that may accrue due to administration of Pharmacy regulation.

JKTPO, DGFT to provide overview on export documentation, procedures to boost exports

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Precious Kashmir

17/12/2020

Virtual workshop on export registration for craft entrepreneurs on Dec 22
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 16: The Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom, Kashmir, has urged the principal stakeholders associated with various famed handicraft products made in Kashmir to participate in a virtual workshop being jointly organized by Jammu & Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO) and Director General Foreign Trade (DGFT) on December 22.
Director, Handicrafts & Handloom, Kashmir, Mussarat Islam has advised the entrepreneurs, artisans, weavers and other stakeholders associated with craft business to register themselves with JKTPO on its official website – www.jktpo.in for participation in the workshop being held in digital mode.
“The handicrafts and handloom sector of Kashmir has a strong production base and offers ample opportunities for building entrepreneurship to venture into the global export arena,” he added.
Export registration shall provide the craft entrepreneurs access to various benefits under the foreign trade policy and enable them to become part of a worldwide network of exporters in the international market.
During the workshop, the craft entrepreneurs shall be provided an overview of export documentation and procedures for export registration with DGFT.
In terms of Section 2.63 of the Handbook of Procedures of DGFT, Directors of Handicrafts & Handloom Department in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir are the export licensing issuing authority. Over 350 Registration-cum-Memberhip-Certificates have been issued by the Department to boost export of genuine hand-made craft items from Kashmir valley.

SC seeks GoI’s reply on PIL for uniform grounds of maintenance, alimony for all

National

Agencies

17/12/2020

New Delhi, Dec 16: The Supreme Court Wednesday sought a response from the Centre on a plea seeking laying down of “gender and religion neutral” uniform grounds of award of maintenance and alimony for all citizens in matrimonial disputes as per the spirit of Constitution and the international conventions.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde issued notices to the union ministries of Home Affairs, Law and Justice and the Women and Child Development on the PIL filed by BJP leader and lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay.

“We are issuing notice with a great caution,” said the bench which also comprised Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian after hearing senior advocate Meenakshi Arora for sometime.

The plea seeks direction to the government to take appropriate steps to remove the prevailing anomalies in the grounds of maintenance and alimony and make them uniform for all citizens without discrimination on the basis of religion, race, cast, sex or place of birth.

At the outset, Arora said, “the religion may treat gender differently but the Constitution will not allow women to be treated differently”.

She was responding to a court’s question asking her to justify the comparison of Hindu and Muslim women in cases relating to maintenance and grant of alimony.

The senior lawyer referred to the provisions of the Constitution and said the government can make a special legislation on the issue.

She said the apex court has passed orders when issue of gender rights has come to fore as the legislation making process has been “too slow”.

Taking not of her submissions, the bench said “we are conscious of what we have done and what we have not done. We are asking you a pure question of law. We are talking about grounds of divorce which are accepted by particular religion.”

The bench referred to earlier apex court verdict given in the Catholic church matter and asked whether it is discriminatory if states apply fundamental rights of equality and gender justice under Articles 14 and 15 respectively in such matters.

Arora responded “State has to ensure that rights and dignity of an individual is protected. State is required to step in when there is violation of rights and dignity.”

She said that a practices in a religion is one thing but there are fundamental rights also which have to be protected.

Mayor orders facelift of Achan filling site

City

Precious Kashmir

17/12/2020

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 16: While touring to different areas of the city in order to review sanitation and other allied functions of Corporation, Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu today visited Municipal Landfill Site Achan.
Mattu was accompanied by Joint Commissioner Works Ishtiyaq Ahmed Shah, Executive Engineer Mechanical Itrat Naseem, Assistant Direct Planning Khursheed Makhdoomi, Chief Sanitation Officer Mudasir Banday , Solid Waste Management Officer Nazir Baba and other officers of the Corporation.
The SMC officials briefed Mayor about the various steps being taken for improvisation of garbage management at the site and regarding the mechanism of waste segregator in place.
He took stock of mechanism of waste disposal and has passed on immediate directions to increase capacity of Mechanical Segregator and composting plant being installed there.
Mattu called for a facelift of Land fill site Achan and stressed the need for construction of multi storied structure at site equipped with latest infrastructure, including Solid Waste Management office, a mini conference hall and a dormitory and other necessary facilities that can be used in exigency.
A need to have control room that will entirely monitor the CC TV exercise which shall be shortly installed at Achan was also decided at site.
It was also decided that Joint Commissioner Works will formulate a DPR for construction of Drainage network facility within the Landfill site.
Directions were also passed on to have massive plantation on an earmarked Buffer zone at Achan which will beautify the place as well.
Mayor also directed that necessary vaccination of employees at Achan shall be done after every six months for the betterment of their health.
On the occasion Joint Commissioner Works was also directed to install at least 50 high mast lights within the Premises of Landfill site. (KNT)

Justice Magrey visits DCC Srinagar takes stock of its functioning

City

Precious Kashmir

17/12/2020

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 16: Jammu and Kashmir High Court Judge and Chairman of Juvenile Justice Committee High Court of Jammu and Kashmir, Justice Ali Mohammad Magray Wednesday visited District Court Complex Srinagar to take stock of the functioning of the Courts at district Srinagar.
He also reviewed infrastructural requirements to ensure that in view of the harsh winter the Judicial Officers, lawyers and litigants do not face any problem.
While appreciating District Judiciary Srinagar for conducting physical and virtual hearing of cases, Justice Magrey hailed Principal District and Sessions Judge Srinagar and the Judicial Officers for keeping the courts functional both through physical as well as virtual mode. He also called them Covid warriors and hoped that they will continue contributing their best for the benefit of people.
While interacting with the Principal District and Sessions Judge Srinagar, Justice Abdul Rashid Malik and other Judicial Officers, he said that the District Srinagar is the first court in the country to have resumed the physical hearing of cases with due regard to the preventive measures in view of COVID-19 pandemic.
Justice Magrey stressed upon the Judicial Officers to strengthen the trust and confidence of the litigants upon the judicial system. He expressed his satisfaction on the functioning of courts and said the District Judiciary has come up to the expectations of the people besides, strengthened their faith in the justice delivery system despite working in difficult situations.
He also reiterated the speedy disposal of old cases, taking up cases of under-trials and bail applications with expeditious dispatch and also dealing with interim stay applications as early as possible. He also referred to the plight of children in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection.
Justice Magrey who is also Chairman of Juvenile Justice Committee High Court of Jammu and Kashmir stressed upon the need to ensure that the provisions of Juvenile Justice Act and Rules are effectively implemented to see that these children are restored and rehabilitated and no child in difficult situation suffers for lack of proper care as envisaged under the system.

Focus On Silent Pandemic

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Precious Kashmir

16/12/2020

There is great excitement about the arrival of a potent vaccine that is likely to save many lives that otherwise might have been tragically claimed by the novel coronavirus. While most people across the globe await the vaccine with a bated breath and it won’t be long when the viable one would be available, the virus has exposed many weakness which if given due attention would not have made it so dangerous by already claiming around 1.5 million lives worldwide with global case fatality rate hovering around 2.3 per cent. India has registered close to 140,000 deaths out of close to 10 million cases. Over 1800 people have died in Jammu and Kashmir alone.

It is reported from large studies that people with pre-existing medical conditions or co-morbidities like chronic lung diseases, obesity, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, chronic kidney diseases, chronic liver diseases and type 2 diabetes, are over-represented among patients who develop severe Covid, a later phase of the disease which has proven to be more fatal.

Research done in different parts of the globe has revealed that severe Covid is less due to the viral load the patient is carrying. It stems more from aberrant hyperactivity of the immune system, which was no doubt triggered by the infection but creates problems more due to dysfunctional braking mechanisms.

On considering the comorbidity situation in India, the number of severe Covid patients having pre-existing metabolic co-morbidities is much higher. A finding showed that almost one-in-two severe Covid patients had diabetes. This tells that in the absence of pre-existing ailments, the Indian case fatality rate perhaps could have been even lower. Like others in this part of the globe, Jammu and Kashmir has been experiencing a steadily progressing prevalence of non-communicable diseases, especially diabetes.

More importantly in contrast to the West, where obesity is more often associated with the development of type 2 diabetes, in this part of the world non-obese individuals are also affected by this condition in large numbers. In 2018, a survey conducted by GMC Srinagar showed that one out of every ten residents of Srinagar aged over 20 years has insulin dependent diabetes.

Covid-19 is not the first infection that makes diabetics more susceptible. Diabetics are known to have a weaker immune system and, thus, higher susceptibility to infections. A greater effort should be made to screen the population for diabetes much before complications arise. While it would be a very critical tool in being prepared against any future epidemics, the people also need to be guarded and should take all measures to be guarded.

SMC to act against illegal, unauthorized commercial constructions

Anchor stories

Gul Owais

16/12/2020

SMC to act against illegal, unauthorized commercial constructions

Mayor shoots letter to CS, seeks constitution of SIT, time bound probe

Gul Owais

Srinagar, Dec 15: After complaints of illegal and unauthorized commercial construction in the last six months, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Mayor has written to the government to seek a time bound probe to make facts public.

Soon after assuming the chair for the second time after the Municipal elections were held, SMC Mayor Junaid Azim Matoo has written to the Chief Secretary, J&K government to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged illegal constructions in Srinagar areas falling within the limits of the corporation.

Matoo, who has switched to Apni Party headed by Syed Altaf Bukhari informed about this decision through a tweet wherein he said that unauthorized commercial constructions are coming up in Srinagar.

He added that some of the buildings include those with deviations from authorized permissions in the last six months.

“There has been an unprecedented spurt in massive unauthorized commercial constructions in Srinagar (as well as those with deviations from authorized permissions) in the past 6 months. I’m writing to Chief Secretary, J&K Govt seeking constitution of an SIT and a timebound probe,” Matoo tweeted.

Moreover, the official twitter handle of SMC Mayor shortly informed that the Mayor has formally sought the constitution of the SIT and a time bound probe to bring the facts about the illegal and unauthorized commercial constructions within the Municipal limits of Srinagar.

“Mayor Srinagar @Junaid_Mattu formally seeks the constitution of an SIT and a time-bound probe into illegal, unauthorized commercial constructions in Srinagar,” The Mayor of Srinagar tweeted.

Sources within the SMC told Precious Kashmir that many residential houses have been turned into commercial buildings in Srinagar following which complaints started pouring in.

“The complaints about it were pouring in from a long time back, but the action for this would be initiated now after some of the building owners were found violating the norms,” they said, adding that a probe would be soon conducted in this regard and all those involved will be dealt with strictly as per the law.

However, Mayor SMC couldn’t be contacted to have further comments in this regard while officials in the corporation informed that the process to act against the violators will be initiated only after the probe is conducted by the government.

Sexual abuse of women at public, work place places

Anchor stories

Gul Owais

16/12/2020

Sexual abuse of women at public, work place places

Govt asks committee to submit initial recommendations by Jan 2021
Gul Owais
Srinagar, Dec 15: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has finally taken steps to ensure prevention and protection of women from sexual abuse at public, private and work places across the Union Territory.
The government has constituted a committee to finalize arrangements for setting up of ‘One Stop Centres’ across Jammu and Kashmir for monitoring the prevention and protection of women from sexual abuse. The committee has been asked to submit its initial recommendations by 30-01-2021.
“Sanction is hereby accorded to the constitution of a Committee, comprising of the following, to finalize arrangements for implementation of guidelines regarding setting up of One Stop Centres in every district for monitoring the prevention and protection of women from sexual abuse at public, private or work places in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” an order issued under number 1107-JK (GAD) of 2020, dated 14-12-2020.
The order was issued by Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government states that Principal Secretary to the Government, Social Welfare department has been appointed as Chairman of the committee while Secretary to the Government, Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Representative of Director General of Police, J&K (not below the rank of Inspector General of Police), Representative of Home Department (not below the rank of Special Secretary), Representative of State Legal Services Authority have been appointed as members. As per the order Mission Director, Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPD) will be Members Secretary and Representative of Director Health Services, Jammu/Kashmir (not below the rank of Deputy Director will also be Member (S) of the committee.
The Inspector General (IG) CRPF, J&K, Charu Sinha shall be Special Invitee in the Committee, it said.
The committee has been asked to monitor the establishment of One Stop Centres (OSC) in accordance with the guidelines and SOPS issued by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India. “To prepare a proposal for providing the services required at OSCs, such as emergency response and rescue services, medical assistance, assistance to women in lodging FIR/NCR/DIR, psycho-social counselling, legal aid counselling, shelter, video conferencing to the victims/survivors of rape/sexual abuse,” it further added.
To facilitate the emergency response and rescue services to the women affected by sexual violence, the committee has been further directed, adding that it should ensure medical assistance to women affected by sexual violence, the order in its terms and references section reads. “To assist women in lodging FIR/NCR/DIR, with respect to offence amounting to rape/sexual abuse. To provide psycho-social support/counselling to the women affected by sexual violence. To ensure that counsellors follow a prescribed code of ethics, guidelines and protocols in providing counselling services,” it added.
“To facilitate legal aid and counselling to women victims of sexual violence to enable them to have free legal aid/advice and access to justice through an empanelled lawyers, or UT/District Legal Services Authority. To provide temporary shelter facility to aggrieved women. For long term shelter requirements, arrangements shall be made with Swadhar Greh/Short Stay Homes (managed/affiliated with Government/NGO),” it further said, adding “To provide Video Conferencing facility to the women victims of sexual violence to enable them to have access to speedy and hassle free police and Court proceedings.”
According to the order, the committee shall submit its initial suggestions/recommendations by 30.01.2021 and shall be serviced by Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Department.

Phase VII: 31 DDC constituencies to witness polling today

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Precious Kashmir

16/12/2020

Phase VII: 31 DDC constituencies to witness polling today

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Dec 15: Thirty one constituencies are set to go for polling in the seventh phase of ongoing District Development Council (DDC) polls and 438 Panch and 69 Sarpanch seats will also witness voting on December 16, 2020 across Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a Press Conference here, State Election Commissioner (SEC), KK Sharma informed that a total of 31 DDC constituencies will go to polls including 13 seats from Kashmir division and 18 from Jammu division.

Giving further details, the SEC said that against the 13 DDC constituencies of Kashmir division going to poll tomorrow, there are 148 candidates in fray including 34 females. In Jammu division, there are 150 candidates in fray for the 18 DDC constituencies in this phase, including 38 females.

687115 electors (359187 male and 327928 female voters) are going to elect their representatives in all 31 DDC constituencies, he said and added that a total of 1852 polling stations have been designated with 1068 in Kashmir division and 784 in Jammu division.

The SEC further informed that of 117 Sarpanch vacancies notified in the 7th phase, 30 have been elected unopposed. There shall be a contest in 69 constituencies and 231 candidates including 79 females are in fray, he added.

Similarly, he said that out of the total 1270 Panch vacancies notified in this phase, 416 elected unopposed with 438 constituencies will go for elections with 1000 candidates contesting the elections including 287 female candidates.

The SEC said that all the requisite arrangements for this phase are in place including man power, election material and security arrangements in all poll going areas.

Referring to the arrangements in place in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the SEC said adequate arrangements have been put in place to ensure safety of all stakeholders including the voters coming to vote at the polling stations. ‘Sanitizers, thermal scanners and face masks have been arranged at the polling stations to ensure that SOPs issued by the concerned authorities, including wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing, are strictly followed at the polling stations”, he added.

Petrol bomb attack on PAGD candidate ‘averted’

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Precious Kashmir

16/12/2020

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 15: A petrol bomb attack on Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) candidate, contesting District Development Council (DDC) elections, was averted by his supporters in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, former chief minister and PAGD vice president Mehbooba Mufti has demanded enquiry into the incident and stern action against the two accused, who were caught and handed over to police by the supporters of the candidate.
Official sources said that the workers of PAGD candidate Tariq Majnon caught two suspicious persons during a rally at Wavera in Kupwara. “During checking, two petrol bombs were recovered from the accused,” they said, adding the duo was immediately handed over to police.

The workers of the PAGD candidate alleged that the accused, identified as Faisal Ahmad and Faisal Ahmad, are supporters of another DDC candidate. “One of the accused is the son of a sarpanch,” they alleged.

Taking to twitter, Mehbooba, who is also the president of PDP, said two miscreants tried to hurl a petrol bomb at PAGD candidate Tariq Majnon’s rally in Wavera, Kupwara. “They were caught & handed over to the police. Request @hello_anshul @KKSharmaJK @JmuKmrPolice to initiate an enquiry & ensure stringent action,” she tweeted.
District Magistrate of Kupwara Anshul Garg was quick to respond to Mehbooba’s tweet, saying, “Ma’m, the administration is seized of the matter and the miscreants shall be dealt strictly, as warranted by law. Meanwhile, security of all contesting candidates is being ensured to the fullest extent.”
The incident comes just days ahead of DDC elections scheduled to be held in Wavera Block on December 19.

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