Srinagar, Oct 23: Jammu and Kashmir High Court has directed Education Department to inform it about the measures being taken to ensure compliance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the Covid guidelines on the issue of reopening of Schools at this stage.
Hearing a plea, seeking directions to the government to continue with the virtual mode teaching process to the students’ community, a division bench of Chie Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Puneet Gupta issued a notice to Principal Secretary to Government, School Education Department and others for a response to be filed “positively” within a week.
“In view of the seriousness of the issue as stated in the application, the reply shall be positively filed within one week from today,’ the court said and posted the application for further consideration on November 12.
“N. H. Shah, learned Sr. AAG, who is representing the Education Department shall inform this Court about the measures being taken to ensure compliance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the Covid guidelines on the issue of reopening of Schools at this stage,” the court said.
In her plea, the applicant—Azra Ismail—submitted that the Government of India as well as the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has imposed Standard Operation Procedures and the guidelines in respect of all categories of persons uniformly that includes the private individuals as well as Government servants.
On 31 August this year, she said that the Government of J&K issued guidelines for opening of All Schools in Jammu & Kashmir but most of them had close to zero attendance.
“The teachers with 50% staff were required to attend the duties as per the roster to be adopted by the concerned head of the Schools. It needs to be mentioned that as per the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines the Schools which fall within the containment zones have to remain off because of the Covid-19 restrictions imposed by the Government under the Disaster Management Act,” she said, adding, “However, regardless of such restrictions the teachers are being compelled by the Government to attend the Schools in contravention to the SOPs and guidelines.”
The applicant claimed that there was hardly any School equipped with sanitization material or hygienic sanitary system to check or reduce the vulnerability under the precarious conditions.
It may be pointed out that many Government schools in Srinagar city are housed in private buildings where there is hardly any lavatory facility or portal water and proper ventilation of classrooms, she said. “There is no impress account or funds at the disposal of Government School Management for making arrangements to standardize the SOPs regarding maintenance of personal hygiene and other precautionary measures in order to neutralize viral effect.”
Consequently, she said, the SOPs are likely to remain elusive for exposing the inmates to vulnerability of Covid-19 contagion especially within or around containment zones.
The applicant has sought court’s direction to the Principal Secretary School Education Department to continue with the virtual mode teaching process to the students’ community and that the teachers may be allowed to conduct the teaching process from the respective residences.
“If at all the Schools are resolved to be opened, the same may be done in consonance with the SOPs and guidelines issued by the Government of India as well as the government of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.”
She has also sought directions to Directorate of School Education to publicize the restrictions on the opening of schools or attendance of staff within containment zones in furtherance to the SOPs and guidelines. (GNS)
Reopening of Schools:HC asks admin to list measures
Dulloo pitches for added dedication, hard work to tackle COVID-19 during winters
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 23: Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, Atal Dulloo, Friday pitched for added dedication and more hard work to tackle effectively with COVID -19 spread during winter months.
He said this at a Covid-19 Response booklet launching function held at Divisional Covid Control Room, Kashmir (DCCR).
Among others the function was attended by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole, In-charge DCCR Kashmir, Srikant Balasaheb Suse, In- Charge Principal GMC Srinagar, Dr Tanvir Masood, Epidemiologist, Dr Talat Jabeen, Deputy Director Dentistry, Dr Jahan Zaib and other concerned.
Dulloo said the disease can throw new challenges during winter season and need is to work with more dedication and coordination for effective Covid control in the Valley.
He appreciated DCCR Kashmir and all officers and officials there for well management of the situation and effective control of spread of virus across Kashmir. “The successful handling of the situation in Kashmir has been the result of efforts put up by all concerned through the Control Room. The emerging and re-emerging of disease poses new challenges which needs innovative solutions and coordinated efforts to tackle with”.
Later, FC visited various sections and blocks of the Covid Control Room and took stock of contact tracing, sampling, red zone surveillance, IEC activities, distribution of Immune boosting Medicines and other related functioning.
Speaking on the occasion, the Divisional Commissioner appreciated all officers and officials of different departments for their tremendous work for containment of spread of coronavirus. He said that the pandemic situation was dealt smoothly within the available resources in Kashmir.
Earlier, In charge DCCR Kashmir spoke on the launch of Covid-19 Response Booklet, terming it a highlight of overall work done for containment of virus in Kashmir.
Govt increases MBBS seats from 500 to 1100 in GMCs
Female aspirants to get 50 % reservation
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 23: In a significant achievement, the total number of MBBS seats in Government Medical Colleges of Jammu and Kashmir has increased from 500 for 2018-19 to 1100 seats for the current academic session 2020-21.
In this regard, Health & Medical Education Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir got Letter of Permission (LoP) from National Medical Commission, New Delhi for Government Medical College Doda to admit 100 MBBS students for the current academic session 2020-2021 while Government Medical College Anantnag and Government Medical College Baramulla have also got permission to admit second batch of 100 students.
Worthwhile to mention that Government Medical College Rajouri and Government Medical College Kathua have already got permission for second batch with intake of 115 and 100 seats respectively whereby the total MBBS seats in J&K have now been enhanced from 500 (2018-19) to 1100 (2020-21) seats during the current academic session 2020-21.
The make shift arrangement for admission of MBBS students in Government Medical College Doda to accommodate the Lecturer Theatres, Labs, Dissection Hall, Library, Museum, Faculty rooms, Administrative block etc. have also been made ready and is fully equipped and furnished to start MBBS classes in the current academic year.
The main buildings of all the new Government Medical Colleges are in various stages of completion and are expected to be ready for use in the next few months.
Pertinently, addition of 115 MBBS students this year will make 1100 MBBS seats available in Medical Colleges of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir for the aspirants of MBBS Course, which is a great achievement of the UT Government. Also, 50 per cent of these seats shall be made available to female aspirants as per the MBBS Admission Policy of the UT.
J&K becomes first UT to launch Public Financial Management System at district level
Additional Controller General of Accounts e-inaugurates DPMUs in 8 districts
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 23: The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has become the first UT in the country to operationalize Public Financial Management System (PFMS) at the district level with e-inauguration of eight district offices here on Friday by Additional Controller General of Accounts, Subodh Kumar Mathur.
Joint Controller General of Accounts, Sushil Pal and Assistant Controller General of Accounts, Shakeel Maqbool were present on the occasion.
The rolling out of these offices in Jammu and Kashmir will result in improved program administration and management, direct payment to beneficiaries and greater transparency and accountability in use of public funds at the district level and below levels.
Shakeel Maqbool, nodal officer for J&K, highlighted the significance of PFMS in further improving accounts administration and congratulated PFMS, State Directorate J&K team for taking initiative of operationalizing District Project Management Units (DPMU) despite the challenging times in the wake of COVID pandemic.
Pertinently, PFMS State Directorate J&K was established in 2016 in J&K like in rest of states and UTs for operationalising PFMS and now J&K has emerged as the first UT in the country in terms of expanding the PFMS to districts which is a significant achievement for all the stakeholders.
3 die, 8 injured in Doda accident
Driver, conductor killed in Mughal Road mishap
KNS/KNO
Doda, Oct 23: At least three persons died while as eight others suffered injuries after a vehicle they were traveling met an tragic accident in Doda district of Jammu Division.
Reports reaching to Kashmir News Service said that today around 2:30 Pm a Tata Sumo (JK06-5717) on way from Khillani to Hambal (Deni) rolled down into a gorge at Domail near Hambal Marmat, resulting the death of three persons and injures to eight others.
Soon after the accident the injured person has been shifted to nearby hospital for treatment.
The deceased trio has been identified as Jahangir Hussain (Driver) son of Syedullaha of Dadni Marmat, Tara Money son of Prem Singh of Hambel Marmat and Ishtyaq Ahmed son of Mohammad Akram of Dadni Marmat.
Meanwhile, a police officer also confirmed the incident to KNS and said investigation in this regard has been taken up.
Driver, conductor killed in Mughal Road mishap
Meanwhile, a driver and a conductor of a tanker were killed in a road accident that took place on Mughal Road in Jammu’s Poonch district on Friday morning.
An official told KNO that the duo was killed when the tanker they were travelling in plunged into a deep gorge on Mughal Road near Poshana.
He identified the deceased driver as Tarvinder Singh and conductor as Mangal Singh.
The official said police have taken up cognizance of the matter.
Some people want to weaken India by promising restoration of Article 370: PM Modi
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday targeted the opposition, saying it siding with the forces conspiring to weaken India by promising Article 370 restoration.
The Prime Minister Modi while addressing a first poll rally in Bihar, lashed out on opposition and said “Some endeavoring to weaken India within by promising restoration of Article 370”.
Referring to the killing of army troopers, including by those from Bihar, in Galwan valley during Indo-China border standoff in eastern Ladakh, Modi hit out at the opposition.
“They are saying they will restore Article 370 if they come to power. Look at their audacity; they are still daring to seek votes from the people of Bihar. Isn’t this insult of the sentiments of Bihar which sends its sons and daughters to borders to protect the country”, PM Modi said.
He accused the opposition of siding with forces which are conspiring to weaken India by promising to restore Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir if it comes to power.
Referring to the Galwan clash, Modi said the sons of Bihar laid down their precious lives for tricolor but didn’t let ‘Mother India’s head’ bow.
Class 10, 12 exams to commence from Nov 9, 10
BOSE announces syllabi relaxation by 40 per cent
Bhat Imran
Srinagar, Oct 23: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (BOSE) Friday said that the annual examinations for 10th and 12th standard of Kashmir division and winter zones of Jammu division will commence from 9th and 10th November respectively.
According to KNO BOSE has further raised the relaxation of syllabi by 10 percent for 10th and 12th standard.
“Annual Regular Exams for class 10th and 12th will commence from 9th and 10th November respectively for Kashmir and winter zone of Jammu. BOSE raises relaxation by 40 percent and the students have to attempt only 60 percent marks which will be raised to 100%,” Advisor to Governor K K Sharma said.
According to the date sheet issued by BOSE, the annual examinations for Class 10th will commence from November-09 and will culminate on November-27.
Similarly, the annual examinations for 12th standard will commence from November-10 and will culminate on December-12.
Amid COVID-19, BOSE top officials said that they will soon issue the Standard Operating Procedures (SPOs) before conducting the exams of both classes.
Pakistan to stay on FATF ‘Grey List’ till Feb 2021
New Delhi, Oct 23: Pakistan will stay on the “grey list” of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) till February next year, the body ruled on Friday.
Pakistan, which has not met six of the 27 points it had to fulfill, “needs to do more”, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) said, according to sources. It said an on-site visit by the FATF would only be done once Islamabad fulfills all conditions and only then Pakistan will have the curbs lifted.
“Pakistan has completed 21 out of 27 items. It means that the world has become safer but six deficiencies need to be repaired. We give them a chance to repair their progress and if not then a country will be pushed to the blacklist,” the FATF said.
With Pakistan remaining in the grey list, it has become increasingly difficult for it to get financial aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the European Union, exacerbating problems for the cash-strapped country.
The decision was taken at the end of the three-day virtual plenary of the FATF that was earlier scheduled in June. Pakistan got an unexpected breather after the global watchdog against financial crimes temporarily postponed all evaluations and follow-up deadlines in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
The watchdog also put a general pause in the review process, thus giving additional four months to Pakistan to meet the requirements.
To avoid the blacklist, Pakistan has needed the support of three countries and it has been consistently backed by China, Turkey and Malaysia to dodge the label. Currently, North Korea and Iran are in the FATF blacklist. Pakistan needs 12 votes out of 39 to exit the grey list and move to the white list.
Pakistan was placed on the grey list by the FATF in June 2018 and was given a plan of action to complete it by October 2019. Since then, the country continues to be on that list due to its failure to comply with the FATF mandates.
The FATF is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.
The FATF currently has 39 members including two regional organisations – the European Commission and Gulf Cooperation Council.
India is a member of the FATF consultations and its Asia Pacific Group. (NDTV)
PDD completes another receiving station in Kashmir
Another commitment fulfilled: Kansal
Srinagar, Oct 23: The Power Department has completed another receiving station in Kashmir.
Principal Secretary, Power Development Department, Rohit Kansal in a tweet said that 6.3 MVA receiving station at the cost of Rs 3.54 crore was completed in Tujjar Sharief. He added that another commitment has been fulfilled. “Yet another project completed today. Another commitment fulfilled. 6.3 MVA Rs. 3.54 crore Receiving station Tujjar Sharief completed and charged,” Kansal tweeted.
Govt yet to appoint standing counsels in subordinate courts of JK
Nasir Azam
Srinagar, Oct 23: The government is sitting over appointing standing counsels for representing it in the subordinate courts of Jammu and Kashmir.
In June 2019, the state administrative council(SAC) headed by then Governor Satya Pal Malik had approved a proposal for engaging 120 standing counsels for representing different departments in subordinate courts of J&K after disengaging those recruited during the PDP-BJP rule.
But till date not a single lawyer has been engaged as standing counsel, raising questions about government’s policy of engagement of standing counsels.
In March this year, the government constituted a committee to recommend the engagement of standing counsels for the subordinate courts of Jammu & Kashmir.
Subsequently, an advertisement was issued on March 11, 2020 for inviting applications from advocates.
The last date for filing applications for the posts was extended from time to time which finally expired on September.
On October 20, the government came up with a notification, asking candidates to produce the deficient documents within 15 days’ period.
In June last year, the Law department terminated the standing counsels who were engaged in the three-and-a-half-year rule of the previous PDP-BJP government. “Sanction is hereby accorded to the disengagement of all standing counsels engaged from time to time for contesting cases before subordinate courts within the state with immediate effect,” reads the order issued by the department after SAC decision.
