Baramulla, Nov 29: A Power Development Department (PDD) casual labourer and a driver died due to electrocution at two different places in north Kashmir district of Bandipora, official sources said.
They said PDD worker identified as Assadullah Parray, was got in contact with a live wire when he was repairing transmission line at village Markhundal Sumbal in Bandipora. However, he was immediately rushed to hospital where he was declared dead.
Police has registered a case and initiated proceedings, they said.
Sources said in another incident a tipper (truck) driver identified as Sheer Ahmad, resident of Banihal Ramban in Jammu region, died due to electrocution when his vehicle came in contact with High Tension (HT) wire at Shadipora Sumbal in Bandipora district.
Police has initiated proceeding after a case was registered, they said.
PDD worker, driver due of electrocution in B’pora
Man found dead in Srinagar
Srinagar, Nov 29: A man was found dead under mysterious circumstances in the down town Srinagar on Sunday, official sources said.
They said a 35-year-old Manzoor Ahmad Mir, a resident of Jabdi in border town of Uri in Baramulla district was found dead in his rented room at Shah Mohalla, Chattabal in Srinagar. Mir was living as tenant in the room and was running a tea stall near a school in Karan Nagar area of the city.
The cause of his death was not known, they said adding police has registered a case and initiated investigation.
Seat sharing: NC grabbing lion’s share hurts PAGD allies
Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Nov 27: The differences among the Gupkar alliance partners over seat sharing agreement have brought to fore the cracks which can widen if the leadership doesn’t address this issue forthwith.
On Thursday senior leader of Peoples Democratic Party Ghulam Nabi Hanjura addressed a news conference here and urged Dr Farooq Abdullah, president of the Peoples’ Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) to take a note of this issue to avoid confusions and infighting within the amalgam.
“There were already issues on seat sharing in the amalgam and I was crestfallen the moment I saw NC has fielded its candidates on 13 out of fourteen seats in Budgam constituency. This is not good for the alliance. I appeal to the alliance head to review decisions on seat sharing before the differences grow deeper,” Hanjura had said.
An analyst while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party are the two major constituents of the PAGD. If the main partners come at loggerheads with each other, then one can imagine what could be the future of the alliance.”
He said that soon after the PAGD decided to contest the DDC polls—slated to be held in eight phases from Saturday onwards in Jammu and Kashmir— it was decided that only one candidate of each party will contest from the DDC constituency. “But in many places where the party candidates were denied mandate, they are contesting as independents against the PAGD nominees. This can lead to votes getting divided and opponents chipping in,” the analyst added.
He said, “The PAGD leadership is caught in a difficult situation. On one hand NC and PDP have got their workers who have stood with their parties during difficult times, while on the other hand these parties have to follow the agreement they have entered into to put up a fight.”
An observer said, “The DDC elections are a litmus test for the PAGD as the results of these polls will shape up the future of the local politicians in Kashmir. But if the partners indulge in bickering they will end up on the losing side and it can have far-reaching consequences in the long run.”
Referring to the assertions of senior PDP leader, Ghulam Nabi Hanjura about National Conference grabbing more seats, the observer said, “The PDP leader has spoken what others wanted to say. It’s not PDP only other alliance partners are also feeling the pinch. The NC grabbing lion’s share is hurting everyone.”
CD Hospital: Patients suffering from respiratory ailments have nowhere to go
Avoiding patients to avert any medical emergency, says MS
Asif Iqbal
Srinagar, Nov 27: With the advent of winters a sizeable number of Valleyites have been suffering from diverse respiratory ailments, however in the middle of all this the lone specialised hospital – Chest and Diseases Hospital – catering these patients has gone out of bounds much to the dismay of visitors.
A group level delegation of patients told GNS that they had visited the hospital here at Dalgate, “however much to our dismay all of us were made to retreat and asked to seek the treatment from any alternate hospital.”
When asked for the reason, the hospital management, as per the group told them that the hospital is exclusively dealing with COVID infection patients.
“People suffering from any other associated ailments’ are supposed to visit any alternate hospital to seek medical assistance”, the hospital authorities as per the group said.
“CD (hospital) is one of the specialized hospital which has been exclusively catering the patients suffering from respiratory diseases”, the group members said adding “However the current stance from them (hospital authorities) is quite perplexing.”
“We do concede that the hospital is presently involved with treatment of COVID infection but then where would people suffering from other related ailments go”, they said.
“We urge the hospital administration to make some makeshift arrangement for the non-COVID patients for their better care and treatment for the fact that the doctors with specialisation in the subject are available at this (CD) hospital only”, they said adding “We don’t want to take any risk by visiting other allied hospitals which may have less facilities and less specialisations to deal with such patients.”
When contacted Medical Superintendent Dr. Saleem Tak told GNS that “We don’t have much space available here even as the hospital has already been declared a designated COVID facility centre” adding that “If there is mix-up of COVID and non-COVID patients, it may potentially lead to a medical emergency.”
“Even then the non-COVID patients suffering from any respiratory ailment can visit SMHS or JVC to seek medical help”, the medical officer said.
Meanwhile when contacted Dr. Naveed HOD of the tertiary hospital told GNS that the hospital administration has already taken up the issue with higher-ups adding that they are waiting for the a response.
“We have offered to start the OPD services at a designated place where routine patients can be segregated from covid patients maintaining all SOPs to avoid risk of transmission of infection. Hopefully we will recieve a clearance from higher authorities for the same. He added that for recovered covid patients we have already started post COVID-19 clinic in Kashmir Nursing Home.” (GNS)
J&K all set for first polls post Article 370 abrogation
Srinagar, Nov 27: Jammu and Kashmir is all set to witness its first elections since being reorganised as a union territory last year with the maiden District Development Council (DDC) polls beginning on Saturday, officials said.
They said by-elections to 12,153 panchayat constituencies are also taking place along with the DDC polls. Out of these, 11,814 are in the Kashmir valley and the rest 339 in Jammu.
Campaigning for the first phase came to an end on Thursday and officials said elaborate arrangements have been put in place for the smooth conduct of the polls and special measures taken in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As many as 1,475 candidates are in the fray for the first phase of these polls, they said.
The eight-phase elections are seen as a triangular contest among the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), the BJP and the Apni Party floated by former finance minister Altaf Bukhari.
The PAGD — an amalgam of several mainstream political parties, including NC and PDP, seeking the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status which was revoked by the Centre last year — has been accusing the Bukhari-led party of being a B-Team of the BJP.?
There are 280 DDC seats in the union territory – 140 each in Jammu and Kashmir regions, the officials said, adding 14 constituencies have been earmarked in each of the 20 districts of the union territory.
Out of 1,475 candidates, 296 are contesting the first phase of the DDC polls, they said, adding 172 of them are from the Kashmir valley and 124 from the Jammu region.
In the first phase of the DDC elections, 43 constituencies will go to polls — 25 in Kashmir and 18 in Jammu, the officials said.
For the by-elections to panchayats, 899 candidates were in the fray for the Panch seats and 280 for the sarpanch seats, they added.
A total number of 2,644 polling stations have been set up and there are be 703620 electors for this phase, the officials said.
Voting for the first phase will take place from 7 am to 2 pm, they said.
State Election Commissioner K K Sharma has directed for setting up of special polling stations for Kashmiri migrants at Jammu and Udhampur so that they can effectively exercise their right of franchise.
Those registered in Jammu will vote at the designated polling stations at Jammu and those at Udhampur would be voting at polling stations set up in that district, he said.
He said necessary COVID protocols have been put in place for ensuring the safe polls.
Sanitisation of polling stations and counting centres would be done before the polling date and afterwards as well, officials said.
Availability of all protective and sanitisation equipment like sanitisers, non-contact thermometers, face-masks , face-shields and PPE kits have been provided at the polling stations as well as for the staff and the voters, they added.
Sharma interacted with deputy commissioners of all districts of Jammu and Kashmir through video conferencing which was also attended by the respective CMOs and senior officers of state election commission.
He said foolproof method mechanism has been devised for the postal ballots from absentee voters especially COVID-19 patients in home and institutional isolation and quarantine.
SEC appeals people to cast their votes
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Nov 27: State Election Commissioner K.K Sharma Friday held a press conference and briefed the media about the arrangements being done to conduct the DDC elections and Panchs/Sarpanchs by-polls in a smooth and peaceful manner.
While giving the details regarding District Development Council elections, the SEC said that there are total 280 constituencies in UT of J&K (14 in each district) out of which voting will be conducted in 43 constituencies from 7 am to 2 pm in phase I. He further informed that total 296 candidates are in electoral fray including 207 male and 89 female candidates for DDC elections in Phase I.
Regarding Sarpanchs by-poll elections, KK Sharma said that the sarpanchs election will be conducted in 94 constituencies and total 279 candidates (203 males, 76 females) are contesting in phase I. Similarly, in Panchs by-poll elections, which are going to be held in 368 constituencies, total 852 candidates are in electoral fray out of which 635 are male and 217 are female candidates. He also informed that 768 Panchs including 36 Sarpanchs have been elected unopposed.
State Election Commissioner further informed that more than 67 lakh voters in J&K who are eligible to cast their votes out of which 7 lakh voters shall use their right to vote in phase I. He also said that out of 7 lakh voters more than 3 lakh 72 thousand are from Kashmir division and 3 lakh 28 thousand are from Jammu division. He also said that 2146 polling stations have been setup to conduct the elections of Phase I in a smooth manner.
The SEC said that all the arrangements regarding elections have been completed besides man power, election material and security arrangements have also been already put in place. He said that adequate security arrangements with the deployment of security forces have been done.
Regarding the SOPs related to COVID 19 pandemic, the SEC urged the people to follow the guideline issued by the Election Commission besides put their face masks and maintain the social distance during polling. He also said that sanitizers, thermal scanner and face masks shall also be provided to the voters, in case they forget to carry their own face masks/ sanitizers. The SEC appealed to the people to come forward to participate in the biggest festival of democracy and urged them to go to their polling stations and cast their vote.
It is pertinent to mention that DDC Elections & Panchayat By-Polls 2020 are being held in 8 phases commencing from 28th November to 19th December. The counting of votes shall be conducted on 22nd of December.
Administrative Council clears 850 MW Ratle Hydroelectric Project
Rs 5300 cr project to be executed in joint Venture
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Nov 27: In a significant decision the J&K Administrative Council in its meeting here today approved the proposal for development of 850 MW Rattle Hydroelectric Project in Joint Venture Mode by NHPC and JKSPDC. The Rs 5300 crore project would be executed by a new Joint Venture Company-Jammu Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited to be formed between the JK Power Development Corporation (JKPDC) and the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). The equity contribution of JKPDC in the company pegged at Rs. 776.44 crore will be provided as grant from the Government of India.
Today’s decisions will pave the way for an early beginning of work on the project. All the clearances for the project are already in place; hence the project is expected to be completed within 36 months of the start of work. With the equity contribution of J&K being made available as a grant and with the project being executed in JV mode, the project would be a major developmental and financial benefit to J&K which would benefit from sale of power as well employment opportunities and other developmental benefits arising out of the project.
The Administrative Council also approved the exemptions to the project in order to make it viable. However, the accord of exemptions has also been restricted to the bare minimum necessary to obtaining viability of the project. Accordingly exemption of the UT’s share of free power (12%) from the project was approved in a decremental manner only. The AC also ordered that the share of free power will be restored to the normal quota of 12% from the 12th year onwards. Approval for waiver of water usage charges (WUC) for the project for a period of 10 years from the first year of Commercial operation (CoD) of the Project as well as reimbursement of SGST by the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for all supplies to the project was also accorded.
The Administrative Council also approved signing of the Supplementary MoU between JKPDD, Government of Union Territory of J&K and JKSPDCL with NHPC Limited for implementation of the project. The supplementary MoU would supplement and modify some of the provisions of the original MoU signed on Feb 3, 2019.
It may be recalled that although a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed among J&K Power Development Department, J&K State Power Development Corporation Limited and NHPC Limited on 3rd Feb, 2019 regarding the execution of the project in JV mode, yet the matter had remained pending due to a rethinking to execute the project on 100% ownership basis by NHPC instead of already agreed Joint Venture mode. The Government of J&K had been consistently arguing for execution of the work in the JV mode as agreed in the Feb 2109 MoU. Finally, the contention of the Govt of J&K was accepted and the Public Investment Board (PIB) in its meeting held last month recommended execution of project in JV mode.
J&K has over 20,000 MW of hydro power potential, out of which 16000 MW has been identified. While the 1000 MW Pakal Dul project and 624 MW Kiru are already under execution by Chenab Valley Power Project Private Limited (CVPPL), a Joint Venture of JKSPDC, NHPC and PTC India limited, the 540 MW Kwar is likely to be taken up shortly. Today’s decision regarding execution of 850 MW Ratle by Jammu Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited- a JV to be formed between NHPC and JKPDC will ensure that over 3000 MW additional generating capacity will be available to supplement the demand-supply position in J&K and boost the overall economy of the UT.
COVID-19: 8 more die, 565 test positive
J&K death toll mounts to 1676, Budgam becomes 4th district to record 100 deaths
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, Nov 27: Jammu and Kashmir reported eight more COVID-19 deaths, while 565 more people tested positive for the virus in the union territory on Friday, officials said.
They said that fatality count in the UT has mounted to 1676, while 108871 people have tested positive for the pestilence in J&K till date.
Among the victims, who died today One was from Budgam district and with this the central Kashmir district became the fourth district in the J&K to record 100 or more deaths due to the virus, officials said, adding that
five deaths were reported from Jammu and three deaths were reported from Kashmir.
While two deaths each were reported from Jammu and Doda, one each was reported from Udhampur, Srinagar (a 65-year-old man from Umarabad) and Anantnag (a 71-year-old woman from Shangus) besides Budgam 9a 65-year-old woman from Wangwas Nagam).
With these deaths, the total fatality count in the Valley has reached 1097 and 579 in the Jammu region.
Srinagar district with 416 deaths tops the list followed by Jammu (296), Baramulla (161), Budgam (100), Pulwama (86), Kupwara (82), Anantnag (78), Doda (55), Bandipora (50), Kulgam (50), Rajouri (49), Udhampur (47), Ganderbal (37), Shopian (37), Kathua (36), Samba (29), Poonch (22), Ramban (18), Kishtwar(16), and Reasi (9).
J&K reports 565 new cases
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir reported 565 new covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the overall tally to 108871. Among the infected include a former BJP minister besides six soldiers and three minors.
Official sources told GNS that Srinagar reported 88, Baramulla 35, Budgam 23, Pulwama 21, Kupwara 29,
Anantnag 8, Bandipora 9, Ganderbal 14, Kulgam 5, Shopian 6, Jammu 142, Rajouri 19, Udhampur 49, Doda 36, Kathua 17, Poonch 1, Samba 15, Kishtwar 28, Ramban 13 and Reasi 7 (GNS)
A number of these cases were confirmed at CD and SKIMS Soura diagnostic laboratories. The CD cases include female (42) from Khrew, female (10) from Dharamgund Aripal, female (41) from Kahlil, male (65) from Lam, female (50) from Hari Parigam, two females (03, 35) from Neibugh, five males (42, 45, 31, 38, 26) from BB Cantt Srg, female (45) from Handwara, two males (37, 53) from Rawalpora, male (40) from Rainawari, female (70) from Nowshera, male (09) and two females (05, 60) from Baghat Barzulla, male (55) from Rampora, male (57) from CDM Srg, male (NA) from Hyderpora, male (49) from Rawalpora, female (50) and male (55) from Nawabazar, female (60) from Batamaloo Srg, male (60) from Dalgate, female (23) from HMT, male (NA) from HYDS, female (42) from Kangan, female (50) from Zainakadal, male (26) from Budgam, male (80) and female (75) from Peerbagh, male (50) from Jagirpora, male (55) from Goloora, female (65) from Ganderbal, female (40) from Kralpora Budgam, male (90) and female (56) from Bemina, male (45) from HMT, male (NA) from Tangmarg, male (62) and female (25) from Buspora, female (53) from Peerbagh, male (50) from Bandipora, male (78) from Hawal, female (23) and male (60) from Peerbagh, male (23) from Batamaloo, NA (76) from Chanapora, female (40) from Salambad Uri, male (40) from Bandi Uri, female (20) from Nambla Uri, female (35) from Salambad Uri, female (55) from Dawaran Uri, male (35) from Lalpora Lolab, female (55) from Chattabal, male (65) from Habakadal, male (81) from Chanapora, two females (60, 30) and three males (37, 32, 63) from Soura Srinagar.
SKIMS Cases
The BB Cantt cases include male (42) from BB Cantt , male (21) from Shankerpora Nowgam, male (40) from Hanjoora Chadoora, female (25) from Khurdi Gurwai, male (55) and female (26) from Zabar Mohalla, two females (40, 37) from Housing Colony Ompora, female (48) from Sheikhpora, male (40) from Pandit Colony Sheikhpora, male (34) from Palpora, female (48) from Beerwah Budgam, female (65) from Saloora, male (49) and female (50) from Kachan Gbl, two males (48, 14) and two females (13, 14) from Serch, female (11) from Wahidpora, two females (20, 20) from Larsun Ganderbal, male (60) from Nagabal, male (65) from Kangan, female (NA) from Rabitar Ganderbal, female (32) from NA, female (20) from Kangan, male (30) from Khalmulla Ganderbal, female (58) from Baghat, male (69) from Nowhatta, female (66) from Buchpora, female (54) from Rainawari, female (40) from Lal Bazar, female (45) and male (52) from Lalbazar, male (68) from Rawalpora, male (50) from Mil Stop, female (29) from Abdullah Bridge, female (20) from Rajbagh, male (40) from Dara, male (64) from Saidakadal, male (25) and female (32) from Naik Bagh, female (54) from Buchpora, male (54) from Nowshera, male (20) from Buchpora, male (21) from Nowshera, male (59) from Ahmadnagar, male (27) from Buchpora, male (21) from Ahmadnagar, male (56) and female (45) from Nowshera, male (37) from Basant Bagh, male (48) from Buchpora, male (36) from Hawal, male (33) from Hamza Colony, male (29) from Buzhama, male (35) from Chattabal, female (85) from Qamarwari, male (49) from Buchpora, female (77) from Nowshera, male (58) from Brane, male (80) from Shalimar, male (74) from Chattabal, male (80) from Khajabazar, male (78) from Lal Bazar, male (58) from Peerbagh Srinagar, female (31) from Narwa Pulwama, male (82) from Zasow Pulwama, female (75) from Watapora Bandipora, male (55) from Handwara, female (65) from Machil Kupwara, female (60) from Khanabal, male (64) from Bragpora Anantnag, cases include male (67) from Khanpora, male (38) from Sopore, two males (65, 73) from Noorbagh Baramulla, male (65) from Dachan Kishtwar, male (20) from Kote Rajouri.
Moreover, they said, 596 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and were discharged from various hospitals— 200 from Jammu and 396 from Kashmir Division. (GNS)
COVID-19 vaccines could be available by mid-2021
London, Nov 27: Ten Covid-19 vaccines could be available by the middle of next year if they win regulatory approval, but their inventors need patent protection, the head of the global pharmaceutical industry group said on Friday.
Vaccines by Pfizer and BioNtech, as well as Moderna and AstraZeneca have shown promising results in large clinical trials, but there is no question of “cutting corners”, said Thomas Cueni, director-general of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA).
“So far 3 we have 3 out of 3 were hits. I would expect that we will see something similar with Johnson & Johnson, I would expect that we would see similar positive results with Novavax, and many others, Sanofi Pasteur, GSK are in there, Merck,” he said.
‘Big Pharma’ and biotech firms have invested heavily in research and development and in boosting manufacturing during the pandemic to be able to roll out vaccine doses, Cueni told a Geneva news briefing.
It would be a mistake to lift patent protection to allow compulsory licensing and try to make vaccines requiring such complex quality assurance without expert staff and quality control procedures, he said.
“We will hopefully by the next summer have probably 10 vaccines which have proven their value. But all of them really need to be submitted by rigorous scientific scrutiny by the regulators.”
At the World Trade Organisation (WTO), India and South Africa have proposed allowing a temporary waiver to allow compulsory licensing for patented products during the pandemic. The United States, European Union and Switzerland and others have rejected it, trade officials say.
Cueni, asked about the proposal, said: “For me this questioning of IP is really primarily politics, but it’s politics which is not helpful because it would send very negative signals in terms of disrespect to the system which allowed the world to react so fast and so responsibly.”
Vaccine manufacturing plants often need 50 quality assurance staff making hundreds of checks during production, he said, emphasising that the companies would not exploit the pandemic.
Cueni said that IFPMA archives showed there had never been a compulsory license granted for a vaccine and pointed to the difficult technology and know-how. Nearly every member company had committed to “not-for-profit” or socially responsible pricing during the pandemic, he added.
‘Extend special parole for 8 weeks if pandemic worsens’
Nasir Azam
Srinagar, Nov 27: The Jammu & Kashmir government has authorised director general of police (prisons) to extend special parole of convicts by eight more weeks if the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the UT does not improve or further worsens.
According to an order issued by Home department of J&K Union Territory, a copy of which is in possession of news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), DGP Prisons has been empowered to further extend parole by eight more weeks.
“In exercise of the powers conferred under sub-section (5) of section 432 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. 1973 and in continuation of the Government Order No. 1OO-Home of 2020 dated 02-04-2020 and Government Order No. 154-Home of 2020 dated 29-07-2020. sanction is hereby accorded to the authorization of the Director General of Police (Prisons), J&K, being the competent Authority under the Jammu and Kashmir Suspension of Sentence Rules, 2020. notified vide S.0-114 dated 29-03-2020, to grant special parole for another eight weeks, in respect of categories of convict prisoners mentioned in the order ibid, extendable for further eight weeks, If the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the UT of JK does not improve or further worsens. subject to the conditions laid dawn in Government Order No. 1OO-Home of 2020 dated 02-04-2020,” reads the order, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
On April 1, a three-member high-powered committee, headed by J&K state legal services authority, executive chairman Justice Rajesh Bindal, and having principal secretary (Home) Shaleen Kabra and DGP (Prisons) V K Singh as its members, passed directions for the release of jail inmates, except those involved in militancy-related cases to decongest the prisons in the Union Territory.
