‘UT has conducive business environment; talented young men & women armed with new innovative ideas to contribute for ‘Atmanirbhar J&K’
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Dec 5: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today delivered keynote address at the “IIT-2020: The Future is Now” Global Summit, organized by PanIIT USA. The Summit aimed to bring together change-makers, innovators, and thinkers and inspire them to redefine humanity’s future.

During his address, the Lt Governor appreciated the PanIIT USA for focusing on important issues like global economy, technology innovation, health, habitat conversation, and universal education through this Global Summit.

Sharing his views on the global business environment, the Lt Governor stated that – “We are devising new paths, new policies, and new technological tools to strengthen our business ecosystem for the post-pandemic world”.

“I have four Mantras for the ‘Present’ & a ‘New Future’- Peace, Progress, Prosperity, and People First. Being a civil engineering student, I realize that in order to create sustainable development, our growth prospects must depend significantly on policies that are inclusive, people-centric, focus on domestic investment & consumption while at the same time are enabled to compete with top players in the global market”, observed the Lt Governor.

While lauding the invaluable contributions of the IIT alumni in nourishing business ecosystem to life and engineering the sustainable future, the Lt Governor remarked, “In India, we have an oasis of talent, it may look like a small drop on the global stage, but they are tributaries of a great river of technology innovation & evolution. IITs & IITians have again demonstrated their capabilities by coming up with innovative solutions to tackle COVID”.

Speaking on business opportunities in J&K, the Lt Governor observed that the young population armed with new innovative ideas is ready to realize the entrepreneurial dreams and in turn contribute to making ‘Atmanirbhar Jammu Kashmir’. We have a conducive environment, a robust grass-root democratic system and talented young men and women to set up innovative business and services, he said.

The Lt Governor highlighted the achievements made towards promoting budding entrepreneurs and said that the UT Government has exceeded the initial target of extended handholding to 8600 young boys and girls, two from each 4290 Panchayats, for setting up their business, and within three weeks, for which more than 12,000 applications were received.

There are new found dreams of youth of Jammu and Kashmir who are keen to exploit rich dividends of real democracy and do something extraordinary for themselves and the society. We have sanctioned all the cases and today I can proudly say within a short span of a month, in our Union Territory, we have added a team of entrepreneurs in different sectors. These harbingers of change at the grass-roots with right assistance from administration can offer long-term and sustainable solutions to diverse sectors and also improve the business environment in the Jammu Kashmir Union Territory, the Lt Governor affirmed.

The Lt Governor also shared his views on new entrepreneurs and current challenges, and said that the current crisis and the turmoil in several sectors have opened the doors of challenges and opportunities for new entrepreneurs.

He further stressed on the need to put extensive focus by the world economy on at least 6 sectors- Infrastructure, Services, Industries, Start-ups, Agriculture and Technology where new entrepreneurs would need handholding and other assistance. The industry sector in today’s environment requires a new language of re-engineering, of creative solutions, of transforming small and medium enterprises, he maintained.

The Lt Governor said that as we are becoming a ‘remote society’ in which virtual is the new normal, there is a hastened demand for closer cooperation between academia and the industry. The appetite for solutions that is in harmony with nature and humankind is much more today to facilitate smoother transformation from withering away pre-COVID to post-COVID era the world is eagerly awaiting for.

Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his undeterred resolve to push for a new India would materialize as the country is striving to be ‘Atmanirbhar’ or self-reliant. His mantra of holistic, balanced growth and focus on digital infrastructure is our guiding principle, he added.

The Lt Governor observed that we have made decent progress in creating digital networks across the country for effective penetration of technology at Gram Panchayat level which paid rich dividends.

“I believe increased investment in design, innovation and manufacturing can make India not just ‘Atmanirbhar’ but a potent player in the global value chain. India is going to play a major role and our comparative advantage lies in large scale manufacturing infrastructure, availability of land, labour, natural resources, technological advancement, financial development and ease of doing business”, said the Lt Governor.

Fatalities mount to 1742, total cases 112,757
Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Dec 5: Jammu and Kashmir on Friday recorded 12 deaths due to COVID-19 taking the death toll to 1,742 in the Union Territory while 501 positive cases were reported taking the tally of positive cases to 112,757 in J&K.
Of the exact number of 112,757 cases, 67,028 are from Kashmir and 45,729 from Jammu division. Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that among 501 new cases, 234 belong to Kashmir division while as 267 are from Jammu division, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir division have reached to 67,028 including 63,277 recoveries and 1,125 deaths while as total number of positive cases in Jammu division have reached to 45,729 including 42,729 recoveries and 617 deaths.
The officials said that total number of active cases in Jammu and Kashmir are 5,009 including 2,626 from Kashmir division and 2,387 from Jammu division.
With 469 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in Jammu and Kashmir has reached to 106,006 which is 94.01 percent of the total cases.
“Cases tested positive in J&K include 92 from Srinagar, 12 from Baramulla, 40 from Budgam, 22 from Pulwama, 18 from Kupwara, 12 from Anantnag, 13 from Bandipora, 11 from Ganderbal, 04 from Kulgam and 10 from Shopian in Kashmir division while as 267 from Jammu division include 147 from Jammu, 06 from Rajouri, 34 from Udhampur, 16 from Doda, 10 from Kathua, 02 from Poonch, 10 from Samba, 18 from Kishtwar, 12 from Ramban and 12 from Reasi,” officials disclosed.
Notably, in the last 24 hours 12 persons who were tested positive for COVID-19 have died, among them six belong to Kashmir division and six to Jammu division.
As per media bulletin, patients who have died include one each from Srinagar, Budgam and Anantnag and three from Bandipora, in Kashmir division and two from Jammu, three from Kuthua and one from Samba in Jammu division.
As per officials figures, 23,591 positive cases including 426 deaths and 21,978 recoveries are from Srinagar, 7,563 including 163 deaths and 7,191 recoveries are from Baramulla, 7,085 including 6,697 recoveries and 103 deaths are from Budgam, 5,181 including 4,935 recoveries and 86 deaths are from Pulwama, 5,262 including 85 deaths and 4,960 recoveries are from Kupwara, 4,603 including 4,396 recoveries and 80 deaths are from Anantnag, 4,481 cases including 4,296 and 55 deaths are from Bandipora, 4,272 including 4,062 recoveries and 39 deaths are from Ganderbal, 2,612 including 2,498 recoveries and 51 deaths are from Kulgam and 2,378 including 2,264 recoveries and 37 deaths are from Shopian.

In Jammu division, 21,297 including 20,201 recoveries and 314 deaths are from Jammu district, 3,579 including 3,332 recoveries and 50 deaths are from Rajouri, 3,779 including 3,275 recoveries and 51 deaths are from Udhampur, 3,192 including 2,966 recoveries and 57 deaths are from Doda, 2,867 including 2,731 recoveries and 42 deaths are from Kathua, 2,404 including 2,333 recoveries and 22 deaths are from Poonch, 2,545 including 2,296 recoveries and 33 deaths are from Samba, 2,562 including 2,309 recoveries and 19 deaths are from Kishtwar, 1,988 including 1,875 recoveries and 20 deaths are from Ramban and 1,516 including 1,411 recoveries and 09 deaths are from Reasi.

As per the daily information bulletin, 804,184 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 20,185 persons have been kept under home quarantine besides that 5,009 persons are in isolation.

According to the bulletin, 746,114 persons have completed surveillance period and 31,134 persons are under home surveillance besides that so far results of 3,148,894 samples are available. Out of 3,148,894 the number of samples tested negative stands at 3,036,137 while as 112,757 have tested positive, among them 5,009 persons are active, 106,006 persons have recovered and 1,742 persons have died—(KNO)

New Delhi/Ambala, Dec 5: Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij on Saturday tested positive for the novel coronavirus, 15 days after he was administered a trial dose of India-based company — Bharat Biotech’s — COVID vaccine.
“I have been tested Corona positive. I am admitted in Civil Hospital Ambala Cantt. All those who have come in close contact to me are advised to get themselves tested for corona”, the Minister informed through social media.
The pharmaceutical giant had announced the commencement of Phase III trials of its vaccine — COVAXIN — on November 16 after which he volunteered for its trials.
Notably, the trial volunteers were set to receive two intramuscular injections approximately 28 days apart which means that the 67-year-old Minister was yet to receive the second dose of the vaccine.
Meanwhile, Bharat Biotech, in a statement, clarified that Covaxin clinical trials are based on a two-dose schedule, given 28 days apart. “The vaccine efficacy will be determined 14-days post the 2nd dose”, it said.
The company said that Covaxin has been designed to be protective two weeks after volunteers receive second dose. It further said that the phase three trial is a double-blind study where volunteers have a 50 per cent chance of receiving vaccine or either placebo.
A placebo is used in clinical trials to test the effectiveness of treatments and is most often used in drug studies.
Haryana has so far reported 2,40,841 cases of COVID-19 and 2,539 related deaths.
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain wished Mr Vij a speedy recovery and said that the centre should take cognizance of the doubts raised over the efficacy of the vaccine.

3rd phase records 61.10% voter turnout

49.25% voters exercise franchise in Sarpanch By-polls

Precious Kashmir News

Jammu, Dec 5: State Election Commissioner, K.K Sharma, informed that 61.10 percent and 49.25 percent voter turnout was recorded on Friday in the third phase of vacant Panch and Sarpanch By-polls 2020 respectively

SEC informed that by-poll for Panch vacant seats were held in 327 constituencies in the third phase. A total of 31844 electors (including 16600 males and 15244 females), out of 52118, exercised their right to franchise in the 3rd phase of Panch By-Elections which began at 7 am and ended at 2pm, he apprised futher. He informed that Jammu division recorded 79.47 per cent and Kashmir division recorded 59.63 per cent voter turnout during the 3rd phase of Panch by-elections.

Regarding vacant Sarpanch constituencies, 49.25 per cent polling was registered during the 3rd phase in 66 constituencies in which a total of 39852 electors (including 21307 males and 18545 females), out of 80913, voted to choose their representatives. Besides, 74.74 per cent polling was registered in Jammu division where as 42.57 per cent voting was recorded in Kashmir division.

In Jammu division, Kishtwar district recorded the highest voter turnout of 89.55 per cent for Panch by-elections followed by Rajouri with 88.29 per cent and Ramban with 86.10 per cent. Similarly, Kulgam district topped the voter turnout in Kashmir division with 77.11 per cent followed by Budgam with 74.21 per cent and Bandipora with 64.88 per cent.

Inspects Upper Sind Hydro Power project Kangan, Alesteng Grid station
Precious Kashmir News
Ganderbal, Dec 5: Principal Secretary, Power Development and Information Departments, Rohit Kansal, today chaired a high level meeting to review the functioning of Power Development Department (PDD) in Ganderbal and Bandipora districts at Mini Secretariat Ganderbal.

The meeting was attended by MD KPDCL (Kashmir), Ajaz Ahamd, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Shafqat Iqbal, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Dr. Owais Ahmad, Secretary (Tech) Bashir Ahmad Dar, CE (Distribution) Aijaz Ahmad Dar, CE Transmission Hashmat Qazi, CE Projects Javed Yousuf and CE (Load Dispach MY Baba, MD PDC, SE O&M Circle Ganderbal besides Executive Engineers of different wings of PDD.

Principal Secretary was given firsthand appraisal by the SE O&M Circle Ganderbal and concerned Engineer from Bandipora about the power scenario of twin districts besides status of languishing projects and progress on centrally sponsored schemes in both the districts.

He said that PDD being the vital sector is receiving focused attention from the government. He stressed upon the concerned engineers to maintain discipline in functioning of the department and said that no laxity would be tolerated on part of any official with regard to regulation of power supply to the people.

The meeting also reviewed the status of languishing projects including segregation of 11KV Repora feeder, segregation of 11KV Saloora feeder and construction of 33/11 KV Receiving station along with 33KV Line at Batwina

in Ganderbal and concerned briefed the Principal Secretary about the physical and financial progress on these projects.

While underlining the importance of these projects of the department in twin districts, Principal Secretary said that adequate infrastructure has been created to improve power scenario across J&K and said these projects after completion shall establish a robust power supply mechanism in both the districts. He directed the concerned SEs to take periodic review of pace of progress on the projects to ensure their early completion.

While taking review of progress made under various schemes, Principal Secretary was informed that the works taken up in the twin districts under various schemes are at different stages of completion.

Rohit Kansal emphasized upon timely Bill delivery to the consumers and asked the concerned officers to keep their activities at maximum to plug power pilferage. He exhorted upon the Executive Engineers to ensure load agreement is brought to realistic figures as per the usage and requirement of the consumers to enable government ensure round the clock electricity availability in the districts.

To ensure uninterrupted power supply to the consumers especially in winter season in both the districts, Principal Secretary directed for taking intensive drives to seize crude heaters and asked the DCs to provide all possible support to the department in this . He also asked for initiating instant legal action against those who are involved in manufacturing and sale of such gadgets which are already banned.

Principal Secretary also reviewed the functioning of Transformer Repair Workshops in both the districts and directed the concerned to take all necessary measures to augment the repairing capacity of the workshops so that damaged transformers are repaired within a shortest possible time.

On the occasion, Principal Secretary also took stock of functioning of Power Development Corporation. He instructed the concerned to speed up the pace of work on ongoing projects. He asked them to work in unison with district administration and remove bottlenecks, if any, for timely completion of the projects.

Later, Principal Secretary inspected 105 MW Upper Sind Hydro Power (USHP) Project at Kangan and took stock of its functioning. He inspected various components of the station.

Principal Secretary also visited 280 MW Alesteng Grid station and inspects different units.

New Delhi, Dec 5: The National Investigation Agency on Saturday said that it has filed a charge sheet against 6 in Handwara Narco-terrorism case before Jammu NIA Special Court.
The six accused are Abdul Momin Peer aka Peerzada Momen who was working as Assistant Lineman in Handwara while Syed Iftikhar Andrabi working as Village level worker at Block Development office, Kupwara.
The third accused Islam-ul-Haq Peer was running a sanitary shop and the fourth one Afaq Ahmad Wani was working as Branch Manager in Baramulla Central Cooperative Bank, Handwara.

The two other accused Saleem Andrabi who is son of Syed Iftikar Andrabi, and Muneer Ahmad Banday, a cement shop owner are absconding whereas rest four of them have been arrested in this case.
The case pertains to seizure of 21 Kg Narcotics (Heroin) and Rs 1,35,89,850 cash from the accused persons in Handwara district in Jammu and Kashmir when accused Abdul Momin Peer’s Creta vehicle was intercepted by the Police Naka Party on June 11 this year.
The vehicle was searched and cash amount of Rs 20,01,000 and two Kg Heroin were seized. Abdul Momin Peer was arrested and following his disclosure, accused Syed Iftikar Andrabi and Islam-Ul-Haq Peer were arrested by the J&K Police.
Later, NIA took over this case on June 23 and investigation was taken up. Accused Afaq Ahmad Wani, who was on run, was arrested by them on July 16 on the basis of technical surveillance analysis.
“Investigation revealed that accused persons including Abdul Momin Peer and Saleem Andrabi were involved in cross-border smuggling and supply of Narcotic drug Heroin in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country after procuring the same from their associates based abroad including Pakistan”, the probe agency officials said.
Accused Iftikhar Andrabi and Abdul Momin Peer visited Pakistan several times during 2016-17.

Kupwara, Dec 5: The administration placed two government employees under suspension for violating of Model Code of Conduct and indulging in political affairs in Kupwara district on Saturday.

According to KNO, two government employees were suspended and two separate inquiries were initiated against the duo for the violation of model code of conduct and taking part in the ongoing political activities across the district.

In this regard an order issued by the deputy commissioner Kupwara said that an employee  Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Sheikh of Zabb Magam Handwara, had filed nominations as the independent candidate and it was rejected because of him being in government services, according to a report submitted by Superintendent of Police, Police District Handwara, to the office of District Development Commission Kupwara on November 30.

“It has been further reported that the official is still involved in campaigning for election in Magam and Handwara constituency as his son namely Faisal Mohi-ud-Din Sheikh has also submitted nomination for Nutnussa Constituency as independent candidate,” reads the order, a copy of which is with KNO.

In order to ascertain the status of the employee, a report was sought from concerned Chief Medical Officer who in response submitted that the individual is government Employee in Health department and is presently working at Medical Block Zachaldara as Basic Health Worker.

“The involvement of the official in filing of nomination papers and indulging in election campaigning is clear violation of Model Code of Conduct, which deserves punitive action as warranted under law,” the ADC said, adding, “(Ghulam) Mohi-ud-Din Sheikh Basic Health worker presently working at Medical Block Zachaldara is hereby placed under suspension and is attached with Assistant Commissioner Development Kupwara with immediate effect, who shall conduct the enquiry into the matter and furnish a detailed report within 15 days.”

In another order issued by Additional Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, a copy of which lies with news agency KNO regarding the suspending of Microbiologist PHE Sub Division Sogam, Reyaz Ahmad Tantary said that, followed a complaint filed with Governor’s Grievance Cell J&K regarding the official’s participation in Election related rallies and political meetings.

“The participation of the government employee in election rallies is clear violation of Model Code of Conduct which deserves punitive action as warranted under law,” reads the order.

The ADC also attached Tantray with Accounts Officer of deputy commissioner’s office with immediate effect. “The accounts Officer shall conduct the enquiry into the matter and furnish a detailed report within 15 days,” the order added.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 5: Chairman District Level Coordination Committee (Deputy Commissioner) Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary Saturday urged all residents and traders of Srinagar to take part in the ongoing 7th Economic Census in the district being held as part of the nationwide exercise to collect data on non‐farm economic activities carried out in the country.
It is notable that non‐farm economic activities being carried out in the country have a lot of diversity in terms of organization and management. Conducting periodic Economic Census has been the means of measuring the diversity of non‐farm economic activities in all its major dimensions — the aim being to evolve policy interventions for their economic boost.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) GoI has partnered with CSC e-Governance Services India Limited to conduct the Economic Census which is being held this year after a gap of five years.
Being held under the provisions of the Collection of Statistics Act 2008 the Census is being conducted through a door-to-door survey of each household and commercial establishment. The data collected – using a mobile application – will include information on basic characteristics of a business or trading establishment like nature of activity, number of persons engaged, type of ownership, et cetera.
Dr Shahid has urged all residents, particularly business establishments, to cooperate with the designated enumerators and take part in the ongoing 7th Economic Census. He urged the presidents of traders associations to facilitate conduct of the census exercise within their respective markets.
The Economic Census also provides information on clustering of various economic activities or occupations at different locations and on lack of adequate involvement in such vocations in some locations. Comparing the information provided by two consecutive Economic Censuses will throw light on locations becoming more and more economically active, locations that are not so, and on emerging activities, and those that are waning away over time. This information is important for policy-makers in the government for evolving policy interventions.
The 7th Economic census was to be completed by March 2020 but got delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The MoSPI has now extended the deadline for completing the census up to 31 December 2020.