PM Modi launches campaign to trim virus spread

United News of India
New Delhi, Oct 8: As India reported another 78,524 fresh cases of COVID-19 and 971 more deaths in the past 24 hours, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a public movement to promote wearing of masks, maintaining social distance and regular hand wash to prevent the spread of the infection.

With the new additions, the total number of cases have reached 68,35,655, highest outside the United States, while the death toll surged to 1,05,526, third largest in the world.

‘Let us always remember: Wear a mask. Wash hands. Follow social distancing. Practice ‘Do Gaj Ki Doori.’ Together, we will succeed. Together, we will win against COVID-19,’ PM Modi said in a social media post.

Under the campaign, more focus will be put on high case-load districts, simple and easily understandable messages will be communicated through all types of platforms apart from fixing posters and banners about COVID-19 and awareness of government health schemes.

Despite the high number of cases, recovery rate reached to 85.25 per cent in the country. The active cases at present are 9,02,425, around 13.20 per cent of the total caseload, as per the official data.

Among the deaths, maximum 39,072 were reported from Maharashtra, followed by 9,984 from Tamil Nadu, 9,574 from Karnataka, 6,200 from Uttar Pradesh, 6,086 from Andhra Pradesh, 5, 616 from Delhi, 5,376 from West Bengal, 3,712 from Punjab and 3,531 from Gujarat.

President Ram Nath Kovind appealed to the citizens to stand united to defeat COVID-19. “The nation stands united to defeat COVID-19 through collective determination and discipline. I urge fellow citizens to #Unite2FightCorona! Let us all – Wear a mask, Wash hands, Practice social distancing. Together we will fight, we will win!, (sic)” President Kovind tweeted.

A similar appeal was also made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The national average of COVID-19 tests per day per million population is 865, the Union Health ministry said.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar Oct 8: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has empowered the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to impose Property Tax through the Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Municipal Committees in their respective areas.

The powers have been vested by way of several amendments in the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Act, 2000 and Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporation Act, 2000 carried through the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Adaptation of State Laws) Order, 2020 issued by the Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla.

Earlier, there were no explicit provisions via imposition of Property Tax in both these laws enacted by the Legislature of erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir. However, in the year 2011, the Legislative Council had referred the Bills seeking to amend J&K Municipal Act and J&K Municipal Corporation Act to pave the way for imposition of Property Tax to the Joint Select Committee after these Bills were approved by the Legislative Assembly. But both the Bills lapsed because of inordinate delay in decision on the part of the Joint Select Committee. (CNS)

Div Com Pole inaugurates webinar

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 8: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K. Pole today inaugurated a Webinar on 15th Anniversary of Kashmir Earthquake-2005.

The webinar was organised to discuss Challenges, Resilience & Mitigation and was jointly organized by National Institute of Disaster Management and Institution of Engineers (India), Jammu & Kashmir UT, Srinagar, in collaboration with the Divisional Administration, Kashmir and J&K chapter of Indian Red Cross Society, Srinagar.

The Div Com on the occasion stressed on the need to enforce building codes and implement building by laws in J&K, both in urban as well as rural areas, so that all new constructions are earthquake resistant.

He stressed on the need to utilise the local traditional construction knowledge, as well as new technologies to make all structures safe. He also proposed that a few important buildings will be identified as life-line buildings, on a pilot-basis, in vulnerable districts, for their retrofitting in order to make them earthquake resistant.

The Div Com emphasised on ensuring that all engineered and non-engineered structures are made earthquake resistant.

He also shared his experiences as District Magistrate of Latur Maharashtra, and spoke about the Latur Earthquake of 1993, where the affected villagers were shifted to new locations instead of repairing and reconstructing in-situ the existing damaged structures, and instead ex-situ new safe structures were taken up, adhering to all planning processes, which proved to be a best practice in the state.

He impressed upon all the Officers and participants to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to make J&K safe.

Er. Aamir Ali, Chairman IEI J&K State Centre, Srinagar said that the 2005-earthquake was the severest earthquake encountered in our lifetime, which resulted in massive destruction on both sides of the Line of Control.

He said that post earthquake, innovative and effective relief & rehabilitation measures were taken by the Government to establish Institutional mechanism, to deal with disasters, including setting up of State Disaster Management Authority, Divisional & District Disaster Management Authorities and State Disaster Response Force.

The panellists included Kamal Kishore, Member National Disaster Management Authority, Dr. Vineet K. Gahalaut, National Geophysical Research Institute Hyderabad, Tinny Sawhney, Aga Khan Development Network, Dr. Rajendra Desai, National Centre for Peoples Action in Disaster Preparedness Ahmedabad and Dr. C.V.R Murthy, Professor IIT Madras.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 8: The AMIE Summer-2020 examinations are scheduled to be held from 10th to 16th of October, 2020, throughout the Country, including Srinagar, as one of the Centres. The schedule is available on website www.ieindia.org.

The candidates who have already registered themselves for AMIE Examination for Srinagar Centre, Code No.190 are informed that the Venue for their examinations has been fixed as: The Institution of Engineers (India), J&K State Centre, Church Lane, Near Amar Singh Club, Sonwarbagh, Srinagar. TeleFax: 0194-2501156 and Mobile/WhatsApp No. 6006290696.

New Delhi, Oct 8: The Centre has extended the facility that allows its employees to visit Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the northeast while availing leave travel concession (LTC) by two more years till September 25, 2022, according to a Personnel Ministry statement issued on Thursday.
The eligible Central Government employees get reimbursement of tickets for to and fro journey, besides paid leave, when they avail LTC. (AGENCIES)

Prez, PM, others express condolences

New Delhi, Oct 8: Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan passed away in a Delhi hospital on Thursday after a prolonged illness.
He was 74.
In a tweet, his son and LJP leader, Chirag Paswan, MP from Jamui in Bihar, said, “Papa is no more in this world, but I know wherever you are, you are always with me. Miss you Papa.”
The senior Dalit leader from Bihar had been unwell for a few weeks. He had been suffering from a heart condition for a long time.
He was admitted into Escorts Hospital here. He had undergone heart surgery and was likely to undergo another one in a few weeks.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah had called up Chirag Paswan to enquire about the health of the Union Minister.
Considered to be one of India’s prominent Dalit leaders, Ram Vilas Paswan has had an active political career of over five decades.
He has been a part of the Narendra Modi government since 2014 and has held several portfolios.
He was currently holding the portfolio of Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders of several political parties expressed condolences on his death.
In a condolence message, the President said, ”in the demise of Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, the nation has lost a visionary leader. He was among the most active and longest-serving members of parliament. He was the voice of the oppressed and championed the cause of the marginalized.”
In a condolence message, the PM said ”Mr Ram Vilas Paswan Ji rose in politics through hard work and determination. As a young leader, he resisted tyranny and the assault on our democracy during the Emergency. He was an outstanding Parliamentarian and Minister, making lasting contributions in several policy areas
I am saddened beyond words. There is a void in our nation that will perhaps never be filled. Mr Ram Vilas Paswan Ji’s demise is a personal loss. I have lost a friend, valued colleague and someone who was extremely passionate to ensure every poor person leads a life of dignity.”

CPM leader Sitaram Yechury, express his condolences, said, ”Deepest condolences on the passing of my friend Ram Vilas Paswan. We had been associated for many decades, in times when he stood with India’s secular and democratic order. My solidarity with the family and Chirag Paswan in their moment of grief.”

Congress leader and former Union Minister Kapil Sibal said, ”Sorry to learn of the passing away of a valued colleague and friend Ram Vilas Paswan. My heartfelt condolences to @iChiragPaswan and the family. May his soul rest in peace.”

Dalit leader Jitan Ram Manjhi said India lost a great leader with Paswan’s death and he lost a big brother.

“This tragedy is unbearable for me. His absence will always trouble me,” Manjhi added.

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Oct 6: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha conveyed his heartfelt condolences on the sad & untimely demise of Union Minister, Ram Vilas Paswan.

The Lt Governor described him as a towering public figure who worked dedicatedly for the welfare of the people.

“I am deeply saddened by the demise of Ram Vilas Paswan Ji. His passing away is a huge loss to the nation and his contribution to public life will always be remembered”, he said.

In his message, the Lt Governor prayed for the eternal peace to the departed soul and extended his sincere condolences to the bereaved family members and well-wishers in this moment of grief.

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, Oct 8: Parents have accused Tyndale Biscoe School of ‘fraud’ in the process of Nursery Class admission.

The parents alleged that School grabbed money from the gullible parents and never conducted the interview for the new admissions.

Without giving any reason and justification, the school management uploaded the list of selected candidates leaving those parents in shock who were waiting for an interview call, they said.

The Tyndale Biscoe issued a notification on its official website in August about Nursery Class Admissions.

Parents were asked to complete all the formalities and submit the forms along with Rs 800.

“Over thousand parents applied and deposited Rs 800 and I was one among them who wanted to get his ward admitted in the prestigious school. I was desperately waiting for an interview call but to my shock, school without conducting any interview, came up with a list of selected students. How and why they did it and why they befooled parents and grabbed money from them are some questions whose answers parents are seeking,” said Arshid Ahmed.

Father of a kid said that school grabbed over Rs 10 lakh from the naïve parents in one go and now these parents are not being allowed to enter into school premises, citing Covid-19 as reason.

“The matter needs to be probed. We request Directorate of School Education to take the school management to task for cheating parents,” he said.

Another father of a kid who is a senior government officer and also an alumnus of Biscoe School said he was informed that interview was not conducted due to prevailing pandemic and only the wards of school alumni were enrolled. “When I asked I am also an alumnus of this school, why my ward was left out, there was no answer from them.”

The list uploaded by the School on its official website shows 150 wards have been enrolled out of which 5 wards are from staff members and 6 are from Below Poverty Line.

The School Principal couldn’t be contacted despite repeated attempts.  (KNT)

Srinagar, Oct 8: A motorcyclist was killed in a road accident in Srinagar on Thursday.
Official sources said that a youth was critically injured when his motorcycle was hit by a speeding tipper in Srinagar on Thursday. “The injured was immediately taken to a hospital where he was declared brought dead,” they said.
They said after completing all the legal and medical formalities, the body of the deceased was handed over to his relatives for last rites. “The driver of the vehicle has been arrested,” they said, adding police has registered a case and initiated investigation into the incident.

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Oct 8: As part of the ongoing ambitious ‘Back to Village (B2V) Programme’, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar Thursday visited Panchayat Halqa Flora Nagbani of Marh block and Panchayat Halqa Bhalwal-A of district Jammu and held interactions with the elected representatives and general public to take stock of the issues and demands of these areas as well as status of various ongoing developmental works there.
Addressing the locals at Panchayat Halqa Flora Nagbani, Advisor Bhatnagar highlighted that connecting people with the administration for efficient and smooth public service delivery is the prime objective of B2V3. He added that the Government has launched an array of B2V campaigns in order to empower PRIs and bring development to the doorsteps of common man.
The Advisor further said that the Government is keen towards achieving saturation in individual beneficiary schemes and urged upon the locals to come forward with their developmental aspirations and needs.
During the visit, Advisor Bhatnagar interacted with locals and PRI representatives who highlighted number of issues pertaining to inadequate drinking water facility, power supply, better health services, repair and renovation of roads besides other issues with the Advisor.
The Advisor gave them patient hearing and assured them that their demands and issues have been documented and they shall be redressed at the earliest with the intervention of the concerned departments.
Meanwhile Advisor Bhatnagar also visited Panchayat Halqa Bhalwal-A in connection with the B2V3 programme and interacted with locals and PRI representatives there.
Addressing the gathering there, Advisor Bhatnagar said that LG Administration is committed for overall and equitable development of Jammu and Kashmir. The Advisor apprised the people about different government initiatives and welfare schemes meant for socio-economic empowerment of rural areas and asked them to come forward and take advantage of welfare programmes announced by the government from time to time.
Advisor Bhatnagar impressed upon the officers present there to launch specific Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns for mass awareness of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and other individual beneficiary schemes so that maximum people take benefits from them.
During the visit, Advisor Bhatnagar interacted with locals and PRI representatives who highlighted number of issues pertaining to inadequate drinking water facility, power supply, health facilities, repair and renovation of roads besides other issues with the Advisor.
The Advisor gave a patient hearing to the grievances raised on the occasion and said that the present dispensation is committed to provide all basic facilities at the doorsteps of the common masses so that they don’t have to visit the Government offices for getting their problems redressed.
The Advisor also issued on-spot directions to several concerned departments to take the notice of the public issues pertaining to their respective departments.