Precious Kashmir

J&K Bank Banking Associate exams to begin from Jan 1

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28/11/2020

PO Mains Exam to be held on Dec 27

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, Nov 27: The examination for the recruitment of Banking Associates in Jammu and Kashmir Bank will commence from 1st January 2021. As many as 143763 aspirants have applied for the recruitment of 1500 vacancies advertised by the Bank.

The test, for the recruitment of the clerical staff will be conducted in nine phases across UT of J&K and in the rest of country, will conclude on January 31, 2021.

The Mains Examination for the recruitment of 350 Probationary Officers will be conducted on December 27 in a single shift.

It is pertinent to mention here the preliminary exams for recruitment of probationary officers that are currently going on will conclude on December 1st followed by Mains examination for the same scheduled on 27th December, 2020.

Notably, the exams, held through online mode, are being conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), Mumbai- sponsored by Indian Banks Association, an umbrella organisation of 227 member banks- with technical expertise being facilitated by the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). The role of the J&K Bank is solely observatory in nature to ensure smooth conduct of the examinations.

The centers have been allotted to the aspirants in accordance with the preferences opted by them at the time of submission of their application forms.

A detailed notification regarding the call letters and further queries alongwith the helpline numbers will be issued separately.

SMC Mayor joins Apni Party

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Precious Kashmir

28/11/2020

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, Nov 27: Junaid Azim Mattu, who was recently elected as Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Friday joined Apni Party at its office in Srinagar.

Mattu was welcomed into the party-fold by Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, Party’s Provincial President Mohammad Ashraf Mir and District President Srinagar Noor Mohammad Sheikh.

While welcoming him, Bukhari said Mattu would get all possible support from the Party cadres and functionaries in serving the people of Srinagar city. He pledged that the Apni Party’s will always be on equitable development of the entire Jammu and Kashmir especially the twin cities of Srinagar and Jammu.

“I hope that Mattu will first focus on counter measures to stem the spread of COVID-19 and would start a new era of holistic development of all wards and constituencies of Srinagar City especially focusing on restoration of pristine glory of Shehr-e-Khas,” he observed.

He said that Apni Party will have a zero tolerance for corruption and would ensure that there is no discrimination in development of wards and constituencies in Srinagar.

Thanking Apni Party leadership for the faith and confidence reposed in him Mattu said that his joining was motivated by certain eye-opening realizations including gimmickry adopted by the traditional political parties in the region.

“Altaf Bukhari is not only a humble human being but a visionary leader who believes in action rather than in words. I could see Apni Party is a dependable political platform that believes in pragmatic approach and delivery on the ground,” said Mattu.

Famous springs in Khrew losing sheen, officials in slumber

Jammu & Kashmir

Jahangeer Ganaie

28/11/2020

Jahangeer Ganaie
Khrew (Pulwama), Nov 27: Several famous springs in Khrew town of Pampore belt in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district are fast losing its glory due to official apathy and are now on the verge of extinction.
Locals of Khrew area said these springs were known for fresh water and the whole area was using its water for drinking purposes, However, locals said that all the springs in the area got polluted since past two decades and have almost dried up.
“At present our 60 percent of our irrigation facilities in the area depend on these springs. But if efforts are not taken at an earliest, we will loose these water bodies in a few years,” said Muhammad Mehraj, a resident of Khrew area.
Abdul Hamid, another resident said that heaps of garbage and polythene are lying in and around these springs. “There is no one to care about these water bodies,” he said.
Nagbal spring of Khrew, locals said, was known for fresh water and fish as well. “Due to pollution, the spring turned into a garbage dump while authorities watched this all by acting as mute spectators,” he said.
Locals said that Municipal Committee Khrew is getting huge revenue from trucks that carry cement factories to other areas but haven’t taken any step for the development of this town and for the preservation of these springs.
“There were over a dozen springs in our area, but most of them have been already encroached by locals and there is no access to most of them,” said Ab Rashid, another local resident.
He said that a Gandak Nagh, another spring, where people used to treat their skin related disease after taking bath in it or by spraying it’s water at the disease spots, has been also encroached upon.
“If authorities won’t take immediate steps, very soon, there will be no traces of these water bodies,” he added.
“We have been informing officials time and again to take immediate steps for the preservation of these springs and locals will cooperate. However, their repeated promises proved hoax on ground,” he said, adding, “We have once again requested higher ups to look into the matter and take immediate steps for the preservation of these springs.” (KNO)

Keep Virus Surge Under Check

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Precious Kashmir

28/11/2020

The world is waiting for the covid-19 vaccine with a bated breath. However, there is some distance still to travel before it becomes reality. In keeping with the reality, the government released a new set of guidelines to be effective until December 31, calling for enforcement of Covid19-appropriate behavior. The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, has asked states and Union territories to strictly implement Standard Operating Procedures on various activities and regulate crowds. The governments can impose additional fines and curbs on gatherings but there can’t be any lockdown outside containment zones without the permission of the central government. There is also a call for stricter enforcement of existing rules like wearing mask, maintaining social distancing. In the demarcated red zones, the containment measures shall be followed and include strict perimeter control to ensure there is no movement of people in or out of these zones, except for medical emergencies and for maintaining the supply of essential goods and services. But outside the containment zones, all activities have been allowed except the large gatherings. The measures are in recognizing with the potential of the covid-19 to spread with renewed vigor and as such ordinary people need to remain vigilant and realize the fact the virus is far from being overcome.
Recently, in his comments at a meeting, Prime Minister underlined the need to take precautions which will help prevent the spread of the disease. In recent weeks, a range of factors, the most important of which is the fact that citizens have been reckless in their movement, interaction, and visits to crowded places , have contributed to a spike in Covid-19 cases across states and UT including Jammu and Kashmir. It is true that there is an established medical protocol to deal with the disease, and fatality rate is low but it does not means that a go by is given to the established precautionary measures . The cautionary note by PM is important to save lives and government must strive towards target of a positivity rate which is far less till the vaccine is ready to be distributed.
There is also need for the government to come up with comprehensive plans, including cold storage facilities, to ensure the distribution of vaccine as and when available. The challenge must be meet on range of factors–procure, store, prioritise, distribute–and ensure that every citizen is equipped to battle the disruptive health challenge.

Government declares holidays on scheduled dates for DDC, Panchayat bye-elections

National

Precious Kashmir

27/11/2020

Srinagar/Jammu, Nov 27: Government on Thursday announced holidays for scheduled election days of DDC and Sarpanch bye-elections across Jammu and Kashmir.

An order in this regard, of which a copy lies with GNS, reads that “Public holiday shall be observed in the respective Gram Panchayat(s)/Municipal Bodies on the day of Poll, on account of Elections to District Development Councils and Panchayats/Municipal Bodies Bye-elections 2020 (sic).”

“Public holiday shall be observed in the respective Gram Panchayat(s)/Municipal Bodies on the day of Poll, under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1981, on account of Elections to District Development Councils and Panchayats/Municipal Bodies Bye-Elections-2020”, the order reads.

“Paid holiday shall be granted on the day of Poll to every person (entitled to vote) employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking or any other establishment, on account of Elections to District Development Councils and Panchayats/Municipal Bodies Bye-Elections 2020”, the order reads further.

Low-Speed Internet

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Precious Kashmir

26/11/2020

The government continues to give one or the other reasons for continuing the ban on high-speed internet—3G and 4G— in all except Ganderbal and Udhampur districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Security forms the core of the reasons given by the government and of late it’s regarding apprehensions about the disruption of ensuing elections to DDC and other pending polls to the local bodies.

The ban on 3G and 4G has been extended till December 11 now. The ‘G’ word in the terminology means ‘generation’. The people in other parts of the country are looking forward to 5G internet connectivity and people of J&K should not be kept away. In technical parlance, most people in J&K are relegated to 2G or are still at second generation. About 2G and 4G speed, a famous jurist once famously said that it was akin to comparing a bullock cart to a bullet train.

After more than a year, the government started on the trial basis the 4G internet in the two districts from mid-August after “taking into consideration the option to tryout of opening up high-speed internet despite the current security situation as reflected in the inputs of the security agencies”.

The decision followed recommendations by a Special Committee, constituted for the purpose, that the present situation “could permit “ a carefully calibrated easing of some restrictions in limited and specified geographical areas which are comparatively less sensitive from “national security, internal security, border security and public order standpoint, subject to strict monitoring and periodical review.”

The restoration of the 4G internet in two districts followed the former Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu’s interview to a national daily that the J&K government was not averse to the restoration of the high-speed internet as “Pakistan will do its propaganda, whether it is 2G or 4G. It will always be there”.

Finally, the special committee allowed the trial in the areas having a low intensity of militant activities and minimal spillover effects on neighbouring areas. It said the impact of the trial should be assessed by the State Level Committee periodically but at least once in seven working days. Notably, it was said the Committee will review the outcome of the trial after a period of two months or before that if so required. Almost three months have elapsed and the government continues with 2G internet.

“Before that” the option should be tried and access to high speed internet should be allowed in more districts in a graded manner.

Students await COVID cure as educational institutions remain closed

Anchor stories

Afaq Bhat

26/11/2020

Students await COVID cure as educational institutions remain closed

Srinagar, Nov 26: The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll over the education sector in Kashmir.
Schools, colleges and universities have been closed since August 5, 2019, when the Centre announced its decision to abrogate J&K’s special status. When it appeared that educational institutions will reopen the COVID-19 broke out and it led to these institutions getting closed again. For the past few months, students have been attending the online classes but many have not been able to get online education due to one or other reason.
An observer while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “The slow internet speed in Kashmir has played a spoilsport. Despite that schools, colleges and other institutions have made every possible attempt to ensure that teachers reach out to the students and make them learn. But still many lacunas have been left open.”
A parent said, “Despite schools remaining closed the private educational institutions have been charging the fee and parents have been left with no other option other than to pay through their nose. We have been paying the tuition fee regularly.”
It’s in place to mention here that since August 2019, many teachers working in the private schools have lost their jobs. Besides teaching staff, non-teaching staff has also faced the brunt of the job cuts and layoffs.
“Initially our salary was slashed but later many teachers and others were sacked. We have been told by the private schools to return after the schools reopen. It’s not only the students who have suffered, but everyone associated with the education industry has faced the brunt. Many private schools have winded up the operations completely,” said a teacher.
He said, “During winter season, students in large numbers used to visit the coaching institutes but this year parents are not that keen in sending their wards to these institutions as the fear of getting infected due to COVID-19 is still prevailing everywhere.”
An expert said, “Normalcy cannot be restored till the COVID-19 vaccine comes. The shield is must for restoring the lost confidence of the people. No parent wants to risk the life of his ward.”
He said that in whichever places schools and colleges were reopened, the experiment failed miserably. “In the United States and Israel schools became the COVID hot spots. Same thing happened in few states across the country. Cure is must before children return to schools and the vaccine is not that far away,” the expert added.

2 soldiers killed in Srinagar attack

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United News Of India

26/11/2020

IGP says JeM militants involved

Srinagar, Nov 26: Two soldiers of Army’s Quick Reaction Team (QRT) were killed in a militant attack on Thursday afternoon on Srinagar-Baramulla road in the city outskirts, official sources said.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar said three militants—two foreigners and one local—reportedly belonging to JeM were involved in the attack.
Kumar said initial reports said three militants travelling in a Maruti car fired indiscriminately at QRT of Army at Aban Shah Chowk, HMT, Khushipora in the city outskirts Parimpora Thursday afternoon. The injured were rushed to 92 Base hospital where they succumbed.
A defence ministry spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said militants attacked QRT in general area. However, being crowded area troops exercised restraint to avoid any civilian casualties and collateral damage. He said a massive search operation was launched in the entire area.
Kumar said security forces chased the car and it seems that three JeM militants, including two foreigners carried out the attack adding the group involved will be identified soon.

Later, security forces searched vehicles, particularly two and three wheelers.

PDP urges Farooq to sort out differences over seat sharing in PAGD

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Precious Kashmir

26/11/2020

Faizan Wani

Srinagar, Nov 26: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is a signatory to People’s Alliance of Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) Thursday said that differences within the alliance may grow deeper, incase its head, Dr Farooq Abdullah does not ‘review’ decisions taken on ‘seat sharing’.
Addressing a press conference at PDP head office, party General Secretary, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura appealed PAGD president Dr Farooq Abdullah to review decisions on seat-sharing before the differences between different parties within the amalgam grow deeper.
He said National Conference (NC) has fielded its official candidates in certain areas where PDP candidates contests on PAGD ticket.
He said any party including NC, PDP, PC or ANC should immediately withdraw candidature of their official candidates from those constituencies where PAGD candidates are contesting DDC elections.
Hanjura alleged that NC without any consultation with alliance members allotted some seats of Congress to its own candidates after the party pulled out from the PAGD. The PDP leader said the crises may grow deeper within PAGD in case the issues on seat sharing are left unresolved.
“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 added.
He said that has always been sincere to PAGD and is ready to offer any sacrifice for the common cause for which the alliance was formed. He said that he walked out from the PAGD meeting when 4 seats in Beerwah, 2 each in Budgam and Chadoora and 1 seat in BK Pora was allotted to NC.
He said despite strong objection by PDP NC took two seats in Surasyar block while Pakhapora was allotted to PC “I strongly objected and walked out of the meeting. I told them there should be two seats each for the two parties”

Hanjura also said there was no seat for PDP while NC took Chadoora seat and BK Pora was allotted to JKPM. He said as far as PDP’s stand is concerned DDC and Panchayat elections mean nothing to the party. (KNO)

Weather improves, Mercury settles below normal

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United News Of India

26/11/2020

Weather improves, Mercury settles below normal

Srinagar, Nov 26: Even though weather witnessed major improvement on Thursday, mercury remained below normal in the Jammu and Kashmir, where isolated light rain or snow on higher reaches is predicted during the next 24 hours.

Sun was out today from behind the clouds though the intensity of the heat was low in the valley, including summer capital, Srinagar, where people could be seen enjoying warmth weather after three days of chilly conditions due to rain and snow on upper reaches. People, including students, were seen basking in the sunshine in the parks and other open places.

Met spokesman said this evening that there could be isolated rain or snow on the higher reaches in the J&K during the next 24 hours. However, mainly dry weather is predicted over plains of J&K, and Ladakh. During the subsequent two days, the weather will remain mainly dry, he added.

Despite improvement in the weather after sun came out from behind the clouds, the maximum temperature today was still below normal in the valley, where the minimum temperature was above normal barring in world famous ski resort of Gulmarg.

Srinagar, where people are facing frequent power failure, the maximum temperature was 11.6 degree, which was still 2.2 degree below normal. However, it was several notches more than yesterday when it was just 5.6 degree, he told UNI. He said the minimum temperature was 2 degree which was 1.9 degree above normal due to overcast sky during the night. The sky would be partly cloudy with morning fog and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 10 and minus 02 during the next 24 hours in Srinagar.

The world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, the maximum temperature was 1.5 degree today, which was 5.7 notches below normal. However, it was one degree more than yesterday when it was 0.4 degree. The minimum temperature was minus 3.5 degree,1.4 notches below normal after receiving 14,2 mm rain and snow.

The famed health resort of Pahalgam, where snowfall was received in the upper reaches for the past three days, the maximum temperature today was 7.1 degree, 3.6 degree below normal while the minimum temperature was minus 0.2 degree which was 1.7 notches above normal.

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