New Delhi, Nov 12: The government has asked Twitter to respond within “five working days” as to why it showed Leh as part of Jammu and Kashmir instead of a separate Union Territory, sources have said.

If Twitter doesn’t respond or if it’s not “satisfactory”, sources said the government has several options – it can block access to Twitter under the Information Technology Act, and a police case can be filed with up to six-month imprisonment.

In a notice, the government said showing Leh as part of Jammu and Kashmir was a “deliberate attempt by Twitter to undermine the will of sovereign parliament of India which had declared Ladakh as a Union Territory with its headquarters in Leh”, the sources said.

“Twitter remains committed to partnering with the government of India and the Ministry of Electronics and IT to serve the public conversation. Duly responded to the letter and as part of our correspondence, shared a comprehensive update with latest developments regarding geo-tag issue,” Twitter spokesperson said,

Last month, Twitter came under heavy criticism and faced backlash from social media users after its geotagging feature displayed “Jammu & Kashmir, People’s Republic of China” in a live broadcast from Leh’s Hall of Fame, a war memorial for fallen soldiers in Ladakh.

This had triggered angry responses from netizens who demanded that stringent action be initiated against the micro-blogging platform.

Meanwhile, an industry watcher said that in case Twitter does not fall in line even after the latest notice, possible options could include action initiated under Section 69A of the IT Act for banning access to Twitter in India.

Also, under the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, the government can lodge an FIR, which has punishment of up to 6 months of imprisonment.

Deputations of JKAS, doctors, employees union call on Sinha

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Nov 12: Several deputations of JKAS Association, doctors and employees’ union Thursday called on Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha here at Civil Secretariat.

A deputation of Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) Officers Association led by its General Secretary, Shahid Saleem put forth various demands pertaining to their service and career progression.

The Lt Governor held a detailed discussion with the visiting officers’ delegation and assured that all the genuine demands and issues put forth by them would be looked into meticulously for their early redressal.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor also urged the officers to work with dedication for public welfare and ensure accountability and transparency while discharging their duties.

Similarly, another deputation of Resident Doctors Association called on the Lt Governor and discussed several issues related to their service, security, accommodation, besides other matters related to their profession.

The members of the deputation apprised the Lt Governor about the present health scenario in Jammu and their services during COVID-19 pandemic.

The Lt Governor appreciated the role of resident doctors during the pandemic and hoped that the association would be instrumental in providing best health care to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir.

Similarly, a deputation of J&K Lower Grade Employees Union headed by Maqbool Hussain also met the Lt Governor and submitted their memorandum of demands and also discussed their various service matters.

The Lt Governor gave a patient hearing to the members of the Employees’ Union and assured that the genuine service matters brought into his notice would be looked into for redressal.

Meanwhile, a delegation of residents from Marh area led by Advocate Abhinav Sharma, former President, J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu apprised the Lt Governor about various local issues pertaining to alternate road connectivity for the locals living in border villages in case of border shelling; upgradation of road network and other developmental issues of the area.

The Lt Governor observed that the UT Government is working for the welfare of the people and the genuine developmental needs and issues of the people would be addressed on merit.

Srinagar, Nov 12: Barring districts Ganderbal and Undhampur, the authorities on Thursday extended high speed 3G and 4G internet ban across Jammu and Kashmir for another fortnight.

While high speed internet remains banned in the J&K from August 5 last year, the government has cited attempts to disrupt upcoming polls for which it said that the subversive elements ‘heavily rely” upon it.
The government said the recently announced elections to 280 District Development Council Constituencies and bye-elections to more than 13400 vacancies in PRIs/ULB, spread cross J&K are witnessing “high level of interest” amongst the people.
“It is apprehended that the (militants) and separatist elements shall make every possible attempt to disrupt the democratic process. During the last fortnight, there have also been targeted killing of the civilians, political activists, that manifest the nefarious designs of the (militants) to dissuade general public from participating in the election process,” reads an order issued by the Principal Secretary Home Shaleen Kabra.
“Such unlawful acts heavily rely upon high speed mobile internet connectivity and are required to be thwarted by taking appropriate pre-emptive measures to create an environment of safety and security for the contesting candidates and the general public.” The government said that taking note of the observations regarding regulation of internet services made in the report or the Special Committee constituted by the Supreme Court and the reports of the law enforcement agencies regarding the prevailing security environment, directions for allowing access to the high speed internet services were issued while ensuring that the same do not impede the efforts of the Government towards COVID Control measures, enabling access to educational programmes and ensuring conduct of business activities in an effective manner.
“These directions have had a salutary effect on misuse of data services for rumor mongering, circulation of fake news, inducement of local youth to join the (militant) ranks and coordination of (militant) activities and the situation requires continued close monitoring considering the attempts of infiltration from across the border, presence of foreign (militants) affiliated lo Pak based (militant) outfits and a number of (militant) acts in recent past necessitating even complete suspension of the internet/telecom services, albeit for a limited period of time.”
Subsequently, the government has extended the internet ban on high speed mobile data services except in the districts of Ganderbal and Udhampur till November 26.
“The directions shall be effective from today, the 12th November, 2020 and remain in force till 26th November, 2020, unless modified earlier,” the government said and directed the IsGP, Kashmir and Jammu to communicate these directions to service providers forthwith and “ensure their implementation in letter and spirit.”

Srinagar, Nov 12: Suspected militants on Thursday evening lobbed a grenade towards the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Khanyar area of Srinagar, officials said.
They said that militants hurled a grenade towards CRPF 144 battalion in Khanyar area near Baba Dawood Khaki bridge, which failed to explode. (KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 12: After successful conduct of first paper of class 10 off-line examination peacefully on Wednesday, the annual Class 12th examination, being conducted by J&K State Board of School Examination (JKBOSE), commenced on Thursday in the Kashmir valley amid COVID-19 safety measures, including maintaining social distancing, officials said here.
The examinations of 10 and 12 classes are the first offline education-related activity since the pandemic broke out in the valley in March this year. However, education department had ordered reopening of high and higher secondary schools in September after remaining closed for six months due to COVID-19 pandemic. But majority students stayed away from their educational institutions.
The class 12th examination was actually to start from November 10 but was rescheduled from today.
They said other COVID-19 safety measures are also in place to give a secure environment to the students. “Facemasks have been made mandatory for students and examiners in all the centres in the valley,” they said, adding all the examination centres were also fumigated to minimize the risk of infection.
In many examination centres, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) workers were sanitizing classrooms before the start of examination. Students without wearing masks were not being allowed to enter the examination hall. However, at some places they were provided masks.
“This year, the number of examination centres were almost doubled to maintain social distancing in view of COVID-19 pandemic,” they said.
The closure of schools in March this year had comes as a setback for the students who resumed classes after seven months due to lockdown in Kashmir post abrogation of special status of erstwhile state of J&K and winter vacation from December to March.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Nov 12: The Jammu & Kashmir Mutahida Majiles-e-Ulema (MMU) has formed the “J&K Halal Certification Board”.
“The participants in recently held one-day session unanimously emphasised the need for such certification. There was a consensus among all members that as mechanical slaughter house cutting and packing plants and food processing and manufacturing units are coming up across J&K a halal certification board comprising of Islamic scholars needs to be formed. This is to ensure that halal practices relating to slaughtering and food manufacture are followed and people are provided with halal, hygienic and pure food,” a spokesman of MMU said.
He said the members unanimously agreed and subsequently constituted “The Jammu & Kashmir Halal certification Board” under the patronage of MMU head and cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who is under house detention since August 5 last year.
“It was decided that members of the board will include a Mufti from each Islamic school of thought. The newly formed “J&K Halal certification Board” comprises of Mufti Nazir Ahmad Qasmi, Mufti Muhammad Yaqoob Baba Al Madni, Agha Syed Hussain Al Mosvi, Moulana Showkat Ahmad Keing and Mufti Ghulam Rasool Samoon. However, there is a possibility of adding more members later on if needed,” the spokesman said.
He said it was decided that members of J&K Halal certification Board”will personally inspect the slaughter house plants and food processing and manufacturing outlets here and will consequently issue halal certificate to them after meeting the criteria.
“As such, the J&K Halal certification Board appeals all the local owners/proprietors of slaughter houses and packing units of the dressed animals and food manufacturing and processing outlets and factories , to contact the board to get the halal certification ,” he added. (KNS)

New Delhi, Nov 12: Serum Institute of India (SII) has completed enrolment of volunteers for phase 3 clinical trials of Covishield, a COVID-19 vaccine it licensed from the Oxford University-AstraZeneca. Further, it has already manufactured 40 million doses of the vaccine, under the at-risk manufacturing and stockpiling licence from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).

SII and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the apex body in India for biomedical research, has completed the enrolment of all 1,600 participants for the trial on October 31, said SII. At present SII is conducting Phase 2/3 clinical trials at 15 different centres, across the country. ICMR has funded the clinical trial site fees while SII has funded other expenses for Covishield. Further, ICMR and SII have collaborated for clinical development of COVOVAX (Novavax) developed by Novavax, USA and being upscaled by SII, said the company.

Covishield has been developed at the SII Pune laboratory with a master seed from Oxford University/Astra Zeneca. The vaccine made in the UK is currently being tested in large efficacy trials in UK, Brazil, South Africa and USA. “The promising results of the trials so far give confidence that Covishield could be a realistic solution to the deadly pandemic and is by far the most advanced vaccine in human testing in India,” said SII.

“ICMR has played a huge role in coming forward and strengthening India’s fight against COVID-19. The collaboration will further aid us in putting India at the forefront of developing an immunogenic and efficacious vaccine,” said Adar Poonawalla, CEO of SII. “At present, India plays a prominent role in vaccine development and manufacturing globally,” says Dr Balram Bhargava, Director General of ICMR.

US-based Novavax has initiated its late phase trials in South Africa and the UK and will soon commence the same in the USA. SII has received the bulk vaccine and Matrix-M adjuvant from Novavax and will soon fill and finish them in vials. This vaccine formulated at SII (COVOVAX) will be tested in a Phase-three trial in India and an application for the same to regulatory authorities will be made soon by ICMR and SII.

Meanwhile, WHO is in discussions with the Russian institute that developed the Sputnik V candidate vaccine against COVID-19 over its potential application for emergency use listing, the UN agency said on Thursday.

Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine is 92% effective at protecting people from COVID-19 according to interim trial results, the country’s sovereign wealth fund said on Wednesday.

The WHO, in a statement said, “WHO has been in touch with the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, who expressed interest in applying for WHO emergency use listing.”

“We look forward to receiving the data for their Sputnik V candidate vaccine. If a product submitted for assessment is found to meet the criteria for listing, WHO will publish the results widely,” it said.

Jammu, Nov 12: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has bagged the First Prize of the ‘National Water Awards-2019’.

The Award has been given by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, in recognition of the significant strides made by the Shrine Board to promote water conservation and proper management of water in the category of ‘Best Institution/ Resident Welfare Association/ Religious Organisation for Successful Campus Usage’.

The Award ceremony was organised through virtual mode on November 11-12, 2020 from New Delhi.

1. Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India was the Chief Guest at the inaugural ceremony of the Award distribution ceremony, while the Awards were given by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Jal Shakti and Rattan Lal Kataria, Union Minister of State for Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Ramesh Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, who received the award through online mode, thanked the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti for recognising the work done by the Shrine Board for water conservation and proper water management, adding that this award will encourage more and more to work for water management.

Pertinent to mention that the Shrine Board besides making concerted efforts to provide the best possible facilities to the pilgrims is, interalia, taking continuing initiatives and adopting best water management practices and techniques for water conservation. These include construction of water harvesting ponds and undertaking other works in the slopes of Trikuta Hills, installation of Water ATMs, recycling of Sewage Treatment Plants water for reuse in flushing of toilet blocks, installation of waterless urinals and rooftop rainwater harvesting etc.

To promote rainwater harvesting, the rain shelter shed on two sections of Tarakote Marg has been designed with the provision of collecting rainwater in the hood and taking it down to the collection tank through piped network envisaging subsequent use for landscaping work and sweeping purposes. Various provisions have also been made in the residential buildings of the SMVDIME as well as SMVDNS Hospital at Kakryal for rainwater harvesting for use in landscaping work etc, thereby saving a large quantity of water. The Board has made such provisions in its several other buildings also.

The installation of dedicated Fire Hydrants from Bhawan to Adhkuwari via Himkoti to mitigate fire incidents during summer season by lifting of treated water from Bhawan STP to reservoirs of 50,000 gallons capacity each at Hut Station, Bhawan, Saket, Himkoti and Adhkuwari, in normal course is to be utilised for floriculture, washing of track, construction works etc.

The Board is also promoting the re-use of treated water from various STPs for flushing of toilet blocks, landscaping etc. In this context, an adequate water storage facility has been constructed at the Shrine Board’s Sports Complex at Katra and the treated water from STP at Niharika as well as rain water runoff from Niharika Complex is collected and used for landscaping and flushing purposes.

Srinagar, Nov 12: Expressing satisfaction after meeting Lt Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha, Jammu and Kashmir Casual and Daily Wage Forum (JKCDWF) on Thursday announced to defer their 18-day old strike.

LG has acknowledged our demands and announced to set up a high level committee to finalize the modalities with the consultation of representatives of  the forum,  JKCDWF president Sajad Ahmad Parray told reporters in Srinagar today.

He said JKCDWF has gone on “Kaam Chood Hartal” in support of their demands from October 26.

We were called by LG Sinha for a meeting at Jammu which was very encouraging, he said.

Our demands included regularization of over 61000 daily wagers and casual workers, implementation of minimum wage Act, revisiting of SRO 520, consideration of cases of land donors, benefit against death cases of workers and non payment of wages.

Parray said Sinha during the meeting gave patient hearing to us and acknowledged the legitimacy of our demands and agreed to long pending issues of regularization of temporary employees. However, LG expressed inability of the administration to regularize all the 61000 temporary employees in one go and  promised that regularization will be done in a phased manner for which a high level committee will be constituted  in coming days to finalize the modalities.

Therefore, he said, we deferred our strike.