Sinha interacts with Div Coms, DCs, SPs; reviews election preparedness;
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Nov 25: In view of the ensuing District Development Council (DDC) election and by-elections for Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies (ULB), the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha Wednesday reviewed the election preparedness of the administration in a high-level meeting with Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, and Superintendents of Police through video-conferencing, here at Civil Secretariat.

Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir briefed the Lt Governor about the status of preparedness regarding the elections particularly the logistical issues in view of the snowfall in remote hilly regions across the Union Territory.

During the review, the Lt Governor directed the officers to take all the requisite measures to maintain neutrality and ensure free and fair election. He directed them to take all the preemptive measures for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the elections, besides availability of basic facilities to be ensured for the security forces and polling staff. “DCs and SPs to meticulously ensure free movement of candidates of all parties, security arrangements and other preparatory measures for the ensuing elections”, he added.

Ensure all the facilities for people in far-flung areas so that everyone can exercise their right to vote irrespective of caste, creed, religion, or gender, said the Lt Governor.

Meanwhile, during the review of COVID-19 management and control efforts in J&K, the Lt Governor also took the first-hand appraisal of the preparations regarding the COVID vaccine delivery in the backdrop of the Prime Minister’s Video-Conference on Tuesday.

The Lt Governor asked the Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department, Atal Dulloo, to plan in advance and prioritize the delivery of the vaccine.

He asked the officers to ensure that all the COVID related SOPs and advisories shall be followed during elections also.

Later, the Lt Governor also took stock of the winter preparedness and logistic arrangements being made by the various departments across the UT. He asked the concerned officers to ensure uninterrupted drinking water and power supply, availability of public utilities like firewood, ration, medicines and other basic amenities and essential supplies, during the harsh winter days, especially in remote and difficult terrain areas.

He also laid special emphasis on ensuring uninterrupted road connectivity and proper Traffic management for smooth vehicular movement.

Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department; Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor; Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, and other senior officers were present on the occasion.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Nov 25: State Election Commissioner, Jammu and Kashmir, K.K Sharma Wednesday said that fool proof mechanism has been put in place to ensure peaceful, transparent and secure conduct of first time District Development Council elections and panchayat by elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir which would go a long way in ensuring decentralization of powers to the grass root level.

State Election Commissioner was interacting with All Deputy Commissioners of Jammu Division through Video conferencing while chairing a meeting held to review law and order situation and security arrangements for ensuring smooth and successful conduct of polls being held between November- 28 to December-19.

The meeting among others was attended by Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Sanjeev Verma and IGP Jammu Mukesh Singh besides other concerned.

“Arrangements are being put in place to ensure conduct of polls in a free and fair manner across the UT,” the SEC maintained saying that “we have to ensure safe elections are held in the UT.”

While obtaining necessary feedback from the concerned Deputy Commissioners of different districts, the SEC was informed that adequate security arrangements shall be provided to all participating candidates whether party based or independent including star campaigners besides all other facilities to ensure comfortable campaigning in their respective areas.

Terming these elections as historic and watershed in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, SEC said the DDC polls which are being held for the first time in the UT are important and shall ensure district level leadership to the people besides accelerating the development activities of every area and village.

Besides discussing law and order and security arrangements, Heli services to far flung areas of Jammu division and other districts were also discussed during the meeting.

The SEC directed the Divisional Commissioner Jammu to ensure that snow clearance is done in the areas which are snowbound or are likely to get the snow fall in ensuing days. He said that an effective mechanism should be put in place so that the voters do not suffer and areas do not remain cut off from the district headquarters.

While reviewing the special arrangements of postal ballots for various categories of people including senior citizens and COVID- 19 positive in isolation and Migrant voters as well, the SEC said that they should ensure everyone who can’t turn up to the polling booth is given the opportunity to exercise his/ her right to franchise.

SEC asked the officers to ensure that necessary awareness is also created among people to follow all Covid related SOPs including use of face masks and hand sanitizers while participating in the election process. He also asked concerned officers and officials to ensure availability of face masks and hand sanitizers at all polling booths during the voting process to ensure containment of the spread of Covid-19.

Death toll mounts to 1663 in J&K, total cases at 107819
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, Nov 25: Jammu and Kashmir reported 12 more COVID-19 deaths in the last 24 hours, while 489 more people tested positive for the virus, officials said on Wednesday.
They said that fatality count due to COVID-19 has mounted to 1663, while 107819 have been infected due to virus in J&K till date.
Officials said that those who succumbed to the virus today include six each from Jammu and Kashmir regions.
The victims from Valley includes a 57-year-old woman from Phoruphet Langate in Kupwara district besides five from Srinagar—a 60-year-old woman from Lalbazar, a 60-year-old woman from HMT, a 80-year-old Natipora, a 66-year-old man from Lalbazar, a 60-year-old from Mehjoor Nagar.
Regarding Jammu, they said, three victims were from Udhampur, two from Samba and one from Kathua.
With these deaths, the total fatality count in the Valley has reached 1091and 572 in the Jammu region.
Srinagar district with 413 deaths tops the list followed by Jammu (292), Baramulla (160), Budgam (99), Pulwama (86), Kupwara (82), Anantnag (77), Doda (53), Bandipora (50), Kulgam (50), Rajouri (49), Udhampur (46), Ganderbal (37), Shopian (37), Kathua (36), Samba (29), Poonch (22), Ramban (18), Kishtwar(16), and Reasi (9).

33 travelers, 7 cops among 489 new cases
Meanwhile, thirty-three travelers were among 489 fresh COVID-19 cases reported in Jammu and Kashmir in last 24 hours, taking the total count to 107819.
Of them, 264 were from Jammu Division and 225 from Kashmir Division, officials said.
Giving district-wise details, they said, Srinagar reported 85, Baramulla 39, Budgam 33, Pulwama 5, Kupwara 24, Anantnag 5, Bandipora 17, Ganderbal 12, Kulgam 0, Shopian 5, Jammu 126, Rajouri 5, Udhampur 46, Doda 27, Kathua 10, Poonch 3, Samba 12, Kishtwar 22, Ramban 5 and Reasi 8.
A number of these cases were confirmd at CD hospital’s diagnostic laboratory and among others includes seven policemen.
The cases include male (23) from Chanapora Srg, seven males (33, 28, 28, 32, 27, 31, 31) from ITBP Lethpora, female (14) from Peerbagh, female (28) from Srinagar, male (67) from Sanat Nagar, male (64) and female (34) from Peerbagh, male (70) from Nowhatta, female (33) from Pampore, female (54) from Dalgate, female (70) from Chanapora, male (46) from Jammu, male (35) from Kathua, male (41) from Rainawari, male (48) from Rawalpora, male (45) from Zainakadal, male (50) and female (26) from Khanyar, three females (50, 74, 57) and five males (76, 80, 36, 26, 68) from NA, female (58) from Gogjibagh, male (46) and female (22) from Bemina, male (65) from Shalteng, female (25) from Natipora, female (35) from Ganderbal, male (49) from Lasjan, female (33) from Fazul Haq Colony Zakura, female (28) from Eidgah, male (33) from Alamgiri Bazar, female (30) from Bemina, female (72) from Baramulla, male (70) from Safakadal, male (40) from Hawal, male (70) from Saidakadal, female (60) from Keller, female (25) from Avengund, male (NA) from Khansahib Budgam, male (70) from Kunzer Baramulla, male (80) from Nehama Pampore, male (75) from Charisharief Budgam.
Moreover, they said 570 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals— 186 from Jammu Division and 384 from Kashmir Valley. (GNS)

New Delhi, Nov 25: Noting that the main focus now is to consolidate the substantial gains that have been achieved in containment of COVID-19 in the country, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday issued guidelines for stricter surveillance, containment and caution, which will be effective between December 1 and 31 this year.
Keeping in view the recent spike in new cases in a few States and Union Territories (UTs), in a fresh guidelines, the MHA said “there is need to maintain caution and to strictly follow the prescribed containment strategy”, which is focused on “surveillance, containment and strict observance of the guidelines and SOPs” issued by the Home Ministry and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW).
“Local district, police and municipal authorities shall be responsible to ensure that the prescribed containment measures are strictly followed. States and UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may impose local restrictions, with a view to contain the spread of COVID-19,” the MHA guidelines said.
However, there shall be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of people and goods, it said, adding that for cross land-border trade under treaties with neighbouring countries, no restrictions can be imposed. No separate permission/approval/e-permit will be required for such movements, it added.

Srinagar, Nov 25: Authorities on Wednesday issued avalanche warning for eleven districts of Jammu and Kashmir besides Leh district of Ladakh.
“Medium danger (yellow alert) avalanche warning has been issued by Disaster Management Authority for higher reaches of District Kishtwar, Kupwara and Bandipora,” officials said.
“Besides, low danger (yellow alert) avalanche warning exists for higher reaches of Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban, Doda, Anantnag, Kulgam, Baramulla, Ganderbal and Leh Districts.”
The authorities have advised the people living in these areas to take precautions and not to venture in avalanche prone areas. (GNS)

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Nov 25: Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, Wednesday chaired his 33rd interaction through PRAGATI with Union Secretaries of various Ministries and Chief Secretaries of States/UTs.

Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam also participated in the video conference.

Reviewing the operationalization of agricultural reforms in the country, the Prime Minister said that the reforms are aimed at transforming the nation and it is only through excellent performances that the States/ UTs can utilize their potential of capturing global markets.

Construction of the 1000MW Pakal Dul Hydro Electric Project (HEP), coming up at Kishtwar, J&K also came up for discussion. The Prime Minister was informed that all the outstanding issues which had stalled the project have been resolved and work is progressing at good speed now. The civil works on the HEP will be completed by January, 2025 and the project will be commissioned by then.

The Prime Minister said that through the initiative of the Ministry of Commerce to develop districts as export hubs, India can tap the potential of becoming a member of the Global Export Chain. He impressed upon the States/UTs to develop a suitable mechanism so as to encourage districts to proactively encourage export of region-specific items, thereby, transforming the commerce landscape of not only the concerned state but of the nation.

The Prime Minister desired that long-delayed projects should be expedited by the respective state governments. He directed that regular reports on the progress of such projects be sent to the PMO.