NIA questions PDP youth leader
Srinagar, Nov 23: National Investigation Agency (NIA) Monday questioned the PDP’s youth leader Waheed ur Rehman Para in connection with the DySP Devender Singh and Hizbul Mujahideen commander Naveed Babu’s arrest case, in New Delhi. Para will be questioned for the second consecutive day on Tuesday as well.
A top NIA official told KNO over phone from New Delhi that today, PDP youth leader Para was questioned for the entire day in New Delhi office of NIA. “He has been asked to report to NIA headquarters Delhi for the second consecutive day on Tuesday where he will be questioned,” the official said.
On January 12, DySP Devender Singh, along with Hizbul Mujahideen commander Naveed Babu besides a lawyer were arrested while travelling in a vehicle from Srinagar to Jammu on January 19, this year. On June 19, suspended the DySP managed to get the bail, while the NIA stated that it was investigating another case against DySP Singh. (KNO)
DySP Devender Singh case
SpiceHealth set to revolutionize Covid-19 testing in India
Kolkata, Nov 23: In a move that is set to revolutionize Covid-19 testing in India and make Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests affordable for the common man, SpiceHealth Monday announced that it will conduct this key test known as the most decisive and crucial for Covid-19 testing starting at Rs. 499/- only.
Also, in a huge relief for people undergoing the swab test, the report would be available within just 6 hours from the time of sample collection as compared to the average 24-48 hours – the time committed for similar test reports at present. The RT-PCR is the most commonly used and the most accurate COVID test worldwide.
A significant proportion of the tests will be conducted in collaboration with agencies of the Government of India and State governments.
SpiceHealth’s first mobile testing laboratory at ICMR, AIIMS, was inaugurated by Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, in the presence of Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Prof. Balram Bhargava, Secretary DHR & DG, ICMR, Ajay Singh, CMD, SpiceJet and Avani Singh, CEO, SpiceHealth.
SpiceHealth, a health care company founded by the promoters of SpiceJet, and led by Avani Singh, and GeneStore will jointly establish mobile molecular diagnostic testing facilities across the country as a Make-In-India initiative. The testing kits and laboratory facilities have been certified by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the mobile laboratories have been duly accredited by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).
Avani Singh, CEO, SpiceHealth said, “Today is a momentous day for all of us at SpiceHealth as we take this crucial step towards ensuring affordable Covid-19 testing to as many Indians as possible. Despite being the world’s second most affected country by Covid-19, with over 9 million reported cases so far, India has found it challenging to scale up RT-PCR testing for the virus. We are proud to be able to contribute to our country’s efforts to fight this global pandemic.”
“The RT-PCR test, known for its diagnostic accuracy, is the most commonly used COVID test worldwide. By offering this test at a fraction of the current price, ensuring a much faster turnaround time of just six hours, and deploying mobile laboratories which are easily transportable to the remotest areas, we hope to significantly scale up testing across the country.”
Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet said, “Just as ‘affordable flying’ has been the constant endeavor of SpiceJet, facilitating affordable, quick and easily available medical solutions is the constant endeavor of SpiceHealth. Taking a Covid-19 test should be as easy as visiting a neighborhood store, while ensuring utmost safety, and that is exactly what we are aiming to build at SpiceHealth. Facilitating affordable and easily accessible Covid testing facilities will go a long way in restoring normalcy in the country and building a stronger India.”
SpiceHealth has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the ICMR for setting up testing facilities (laboratories) and collection centers across the nation. To begin, the first testing facility has been set up in Delhi. Each testing laboratory will have the capacity to process 3,000 test reports-a-day to start with.
Many more of such testing facilities will come up in different parts of the National Capital as well as the rest of the country in the coming days.
CGM NABARD, Director CSIR-IIIM call on Lt Governor
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Nov 23: R.K Srivastava, Chief General Manager, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) called on Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha at the Raj Bhavan here Monday.
The CGM briefed the Lt Governor about the various ways in which NABARD is providing support under RIDF to the UT government for developing rural infrastructure. It was further informed that this year NABARD focused on strengthening of Agri-Marketing, Post-Harvest Management and Irrigation Infrastructure and with a view to address the issue of improving farmer’s income, NABARD is currently providing support to 17 FPOs in the UT mainly for mushroom, dairy, vegetable, rice, honey, medicinal plant and carpets. Moreover, support is also being provided through Watershed Development Funds and Tribal Development Fund in districts like Samba, Udhampur, Rajouri and Anantnag.
The Lt Governor advised the CGM to take all requisite measures for promoting agriculture and keep assisting in development of rural areas through financial as well as non-financial assistance, besides collaborating with Agriculture Universities both in Jammu as well as Kashmir to take their research to farmer’s field.
Meanwhile, Dr. D Srinivasa Reddy, Director, CSIR-IIIM (Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine) called on the Lt Governor and discussed several issues related to the promotion of Scientific and Industrial Research, besides various programmes and activities which are being carried out under CSIR.
The Lt Governor stressed upon promoting innovations and recent advancements in Scientific and Industrial Research for creating a broad knowledge base to develop IIIM as a centre of excellence in all facets of natural products research and technology.
Erratic power supply irk consumers across Kashmir
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Nov 23: Even after the Power Development Department (PDD) issued ‘the lowest curtailment schedule in a decade’, the additional power cuts have irked the consumers across the Valley, thus leaving the people to lurch at large.
People from different parts of the Valley said that the PDD doesn’t adhere to the power schedule and provide erratic power supply to them.
They said that unscheduled power cuts have irked them the most, adding that the claims of providing adequate power supply this winter has fallen flat on the ground.
The consumers said that they were expecting adequate electricity this winter as the Alesteng grid station and other receiving stations were commissioned by the government, but unfortunately, there was no end to the power paucity in the Valley this year as well. “ In September, there were tall claims from the PDD
The locals appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha led administration and the concerned department to ensure adequate electricity supply to them.
Meanwhile, PDD Chief Engineer, Aijaz Ahmad Dar said the department has been providing 1450 MWs of electricity as against the requirement of only 1100 MWs.
However, he said that the excessive misuse of electricity was compelling the department to go ahead with the additional power cuts. “In case the electricity will be used judiciously, the department will be able to provide electricity as per the schedule,” Dar said.
Giving further details, Chief Engineer told KNO that the department has conducted at least 15000 inspections across the Valley and nearly 7000 heaters have been destroyed so far.
“We are trying to provide more electricity, but the people don’t cooperate in this regard,” he said, adding that the people would get adequate electricity in case they use it judiciously.
“The department is providing extra electricity against the requirement,” he said—(KNO)
Ban toll Plaza encounter: DGP rewards joint party, says response was very quick
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Nov 23: Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh on Monday said the response of joint security party to Ban Toll, Nagrota encounter was very quick and rewarded the joint party.
The DGP presented rewards to personnel, who were part of Ban Toll Plaza encounter.
IGP Jammu, Mukesh Singh, DIG, JSK Range, Vivek Gupta, SSP Jammu, Sharidhar Patil, Commandant 160 BN CRPF, K.D Joshi, SP operation Naresh Singh and other senior officers of Jammu District were present on the occasion.
The DGP complimented the Jammu police/ force personnel for clean and successful operation at Ban Toll Plaza. “The response to the terror activity was very quick and adequate and added that different forces on ground exhibited a great spirit, and mutual coordination.”
He said with the collective efforts and good understanding between Jammu and Kashmir Police and other security agencies a cross-border tunnel had been detected in Samba district.
“Our neighboring country is repeating its evil attempts very often to create disturbance in Jammu and Kashmir. Our mutual efforts will continue to foil these attempts with fortitude,” the DGP said.
He also sought reports from the field officers and personnel with regards to the safety gears and other requirements and assured that highlighted requirements would be redressed on priority.
The DGP said shields already issued in Kashmir would also be provided to the personnel in Jammu zone. He said that protection jackets and helmets with higher level of protection would also be made available to increase the safety and capability of J&K personnel fighting against militants.
“The BP vehicles with additional features would also be provided to increase efficiency of personnel on anti-militancy front,” he said.
Man nabbed in NDPS Act dies in Jammu hospital
Jammu, Nov 23: An accused arrested in NDPS Act and Unlawful activities died in a hospital here after developing some health issues.
Police sources said the accused namely Kuldeep Kumar, 45, who was arrested by Arnia Police but lodged in R S Pura Police custody, late on Sunday night complaint of Blood Pressure problem.
“The accused after complaining of BP problem, fainted following which he was rushed to the Government Medical College and Hospital but he was declared dead,” police sources said.
SDPO R S Pura Shabir Khan told UNI, “the accused was arrested few days back and he was having some heart problem. Last night he developed some problem and was taken to the hospital.”
He was arrested from elsewhere and was in the custody of R S Pura Police, said the SDPO.
Received complaints against pvt schools charging annual fee: CEO Sgr
Asks schools to adjust already collected annual fee in tuition fee of upcoming months
Bhat Imran
Srinagar, Nov 23: The School Education department on Monday said that it has received complaints from Lieutenant Governor’s Grievance Cell against the private schools of charging annual fees.
According to the order of Chief Education Officer (CEO) Srinagar, the complaints were received against the management of Tyndale Biscoe and Mallinson Girls School, Sheikh Bagh Srinagar.
“This office is in receipt of complaints through LG’s Grievance Cell, wherein it has been alleged that the School authorities are forcing students and parents to pay annual charges for the session 2019-20 and the same has been collected from most of the students and parents,” it reads.
CEO Srinagar said that the amount charged is in contravention to the circular issued earlier this year in May by the Department of School Education.
In the circular issued earlier, it has been clearly ordered that annual fees, if any, can be charged monthly on a pro-rata basis after schools re-open.
“In view of the directions to refrain private schools from charging any annual charges from students for the session of 2019-20, the charges already collected thereof be adjusted in the monthly tuition fees of students, failing which action shall be initiated against the school management,” the order reads.
CEO asked the schools to file the Action Taken Report (ATR) in this context within a period of two days positively, for the appraisal of the concerned authorities—(KNO)
Kashmir: Power cuts become a norm, situation likely to worsen
Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Nov 22: With the advent of winter pesky power cuts in metered and non-metered areas across Kashmir have become a norm.
Many areas are witnessing load shedding for many hours and the situation is likely to worsen in the coming days. Kashmir Power Development Corporation has made it clear that demand is more and supply is less and this gap cannot be filled till the winter ends.
This is not for the first time that Kashmir is facing power cuts during winter. It has been happening for the past so many years. Winter means no power.
“In the areas where there are no meters the power cuts are justified as people don’t make judicious use of the electricity. In metered areas power cuts have to be carried out to strike a balance,” said a KPDCL official.
He said, “Besides supply being less, transmission and distribution losses are the another factor responsible for the power cuts.”
The Power Department has struggled for years to plug in these losses but has not succeeded. “The government has already finalized a plan to install smart meters in J&K and in coming months the electricity will become a pre-paid commodity. We need to get ready to shell extra money to keep our homes glowing,” said a consumer.
Another official of the KPDCL said, “The revenue collection has always been a cause of concern for the Power Department. Everyone is aware of the fact that the KPDCL purchases electricity at higher rates and later sells it at subsidized cost.”
He said, “People will have to bear these cuts as they get electricity at very cheap rate. For the past four years, power tariff in J&K has not been increased and it has remained the same. Despite our repeated attempts we have not been able to install the meters in the areas where we have faced resistance from the people. So how is it possible for the department to provide uninterrupted power supply during winter months. If people want power then then will have to pay for it as they cannot have the cake and eat it too.”
Another consumer said, “Despite power supply being irregular we have to pay hefty electric bills every month. Electricity is becoming dearer with each passing day but the power scenario continues to be grim. Every year we hope that situation will improve but it doesn’t happen. Power cuts in winter have become inseparable parts of our lives and we have accepted it as our destiny.”
Level playing
People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration has complained, in a letter to State Election Commissioner, that candidates fielded by it are being restricted from campaigning freely. The letter also claimed that in a “strange and unique” manner the PAGD candidates are immediately whisked away to “secure locations in the name of security and confined to those secure locations”. The candidates are not allowed to convass and are completely out of touch with those from whom they are supposed to seek votes, it says.
A day after it, State Election Commissioner held a security review meeting in Kashmir Valley and important takeaway, as per a press release issued by the government is that “all advanced arrangements are being put in place to ensure the conduct of transparent polls in free and fair manner across the J&K.” Importantly also, the SEC said that the “goal” of the election conducting body was to ensure safe elections in the J&K.”
The SEC also said 165 additional police force companies have been brought from outside J&K to ensure adequate security arrangements are being made for all participating candidates. While the statement tacitly rejects the PADG’s claims, it also does answer the queries in black and white. As rightly pointed by SEC, the election body’s role is to ensure transparent polls in free and fair manner. It cannot be done without addressing the concerns by PAGD which is a conglomerate of several local parties and are “unitedly fighting” the upcoming District Development Council (DDC) elections. Originally formed to fight for the restoration of Article 370, the reason for them to plunge into DDC elections was to secure too sacred space of “democracy”.
The decision to participate in the elections by parties like National Conference, People’s Democratic Party, J&K People’s Conference and Communist Party of India (Marxist) holds the potential for melting the ice that had formed overall political activity in the Jammu and Kashmir since 5 August last year. It could not have been easy to arrive at this decision even as the powers given to the DDCs are vast.
The SEC needs to address the People’s Alliance concerns. A level playing field must be allowed in the elections to ensure their integrity. While security concerns cannot and should not be brushed aside, the soul of democracy must not be heart either. Both security and democracy should go hand in hand.
Coronavirus Pandemic: 5 more die of covid-19, JK toll rises to 1629
564 new positive cases, total case surge to 106548
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, Nov 22: A 32-year-old was among five more covid-19 related deaths reported in Jammu and Kashmir in the last 24 hours, taking the number of those succumbing to the virus to 1629, officials said on Sunday.
Among them, official sources said four were from Jammu division and one from Kashmir Valley.
The victims from Jammu include two each from Jammu and Udhampur district. Among others, the victims include a 52-year-old woman from R S Pora Jammu, a 32-year-old man from Udhampur and a 63-year-old man from Jawahar Nagar Jammu. The victim from Kashmir valley was from Srinagar, they added.
With these deaths, the total fatality count in the Valley has reached 1074 and 555 in the Jammu region.
Srinagar district with 403 deaths tops the list followed by Jammu (289), Baramulla (159), Budgam (98), Pulwama (86), Kupwara (80), Anantnag (77), Doda (52), Bandipora(50), Rajouri (49), Kulgam (48), Ganderbal (37), Shopian (36), Udhampur (39), Kathua (35), Samba (26), Poonch (22), Ramban (18), Kishtwar(16), and Reasi (9).
Meanwhile, 564 new positive cases — 274 from Jammu division and 290 from Kashmir division – were reported on Sunday, taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 106548.
According to the daily Media Bulletin, out of 106548 positive cases, 5700 are Active Positive, 99219 have recovered and 1629 have died; 555 in Jammu division and 1074 in Kashmir division.
The Bulletin further said that out of 2810409 test results available, 2703861 samples have been tested as negative till November 22, 2020.
Till date 763975 persons have been enlisted for observation which included 19180 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 5700 in isolation and 46800 in home surveillance. Besides, 690666 persons have completed their surveillance period.
Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Srinagar has 22350 positive cases (including 107 cases reported today) with 1485 Active Positive, 20462 recovered (including 152 cases recovered today), 403 deaths; Baramulla has 7243 positive cases (including 52 cases reported today) with 536 Active Positive, 6548 recovered (including 84 cases recovered today), 159deaths; Pulwama reported 4987 positive cases (including 25 case reported today) with 166 active positive cases, 4735 recovered (including 19 cases recovered today), 86 deaths; Kulgam has 2576 positive cases (including 06 case reported today) with 74 Active Positive, 2454 recoveries (including 09 cases recovered today), 48 deaths; Shopian has 2301 positive cases (including 04 case reported today) with 69 Active Positive, 2196 recovered (including 04 cases recovered today) and 36 deaths; Anantnag district has 4503positive cases (including 08 cases reported today) with 181 Active Positive, 4245 recovered (including 16cases recovered today), 77 deaths; Budgam has 6705 positive cases (including 28 cases reported today) with 299 Active Positive and 6308 recovered (including 17 cases recovered today), 98 deaths; Kupwara has 5059 positive cases (including 32 cases reported today) with 521 Active Positive, 4458 recovered (including 14 cases recovered today), 80 deaths; Bandipora has 4339 positive cases (including 06 cases reported today) with 185 Active Positive, 4104 recovered (including 09 cases recovered today), 50 deaths and Ganderbal has 4098 positive cases (including 22 cases reported today) with 266 active positive cases, 3795recoveries (including 10 cases recovered today)and 37 deaths.
Similarly, Jammu has 19746 positive cases (including 121 cases reported today) with 584 active positive cases, 18873 recoveries (including 125 cases recovered today), 289 deaths; Rajouri has 3378 positive cases (including 21 cases reported today) with 103 active positive cases, 3226 recovered (including 06 cases recovered today), 49 deaths; Ramban has 1841 positive cases (including 15 cases reported today) with 160 active positive, 1663 recoveries (including 03 cases recovered today) and 18 deaths; Kathua has 2683 positive cases (including 06 cases reported today) with 74 Active positive, 2574 recovered (including 08 cases recovered today), 35 deaths; Udhampur has 3302 positive cases (including 44 cases reported today) with 391 active positive cases, 2872 recovered (including 15 cases recovered today) and 39 deaths; Samba has 2368 positive cases (including 15 cases reported today) with 137 Active Positive, 2205 recoveries (including 41 cases recovered today) and 26 deaths; Doda has 2947 positive cases (including 29 cases reported today) with 171 active positive cases, 2724 recoveries (including 25 cases recovered today), 52 deaths; Poonch has 2369 positive cases (including 02cases reported today) with 73 active positive, 2274 recoveries (including 00 cases recovered today), 22 deaths; Reasi has 1414 positive cases with 60 active positive, 1345 recoveries and 09 deaths while Kishtwar has 2339 positive cases (including 17 cases reported today) with 165 active positive cases and 2158 recoveries (including 22 cases recovered today) and 16 deaths.
According to the bulletin, among the total 106548 positive cases in J&K, 10574 have been reported as travelers while 95974 as others.
The bulletin added that there are 1306 COVID dedicated beds, 1170 Isolation beds with 998 vacant beds and 136 ICU beds where 82 beds are vacant in Jammu division while there are 2345 COVID dedicated beds, 2197 Isolation beds where 1726 beds are vacant and 148 ICU beds where 114 are vacant beds in Kashmir division. There are total of 3651 COVID dedicated beds, 3367 Isolation beds with 2724 beds vacant and 284 ICU beds with 196 vacant beds in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
