Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 8: Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) has decried Government’s decision to privatize distribution of electricity
KEA co-chairman Farooq Ahmad Dar said they oppose the proposed decision of the Government to go for privatization.
Calling the move anti-people, Dar said Kashmir witnessed the uncertainty suffered huge economic losses and paying hefty amounts as power fee to private companies will add to their hardships.
“Privatization of power will not only affect poor people but also hit daily workers working in the department,” he said.
Dar said through privatization of the power sector, the water resources J&K would be exploited further.
“Already our water resources have been exploited for many years. But now with this step, the power generated from the UT will be supplied to other States while Kashmir will be left to the mercy of God,” he said. (CNS)
KEA opposes Govt’s decision to privatize electricity
JKPCC contractors stage protest, demand release of payment
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 8: Jammu Kashmir Project Construction Corporation Contractors Thursday staged protest demonstrations at JKPCC headquarters, demanding immediate release of their payments.
Protestors assembled under the banner of Contractors Committee headed by Abdul Salam Dar and raised pro-justice slogans. They said that they were forced to take streets as authorities have failed to release their due payments from past 3 years.
“We demand immediate release of our due payments, which are pending for more than three years despite Project Authority receiving the funds with directions to clear the liability,” Abdul Salam Dar said.
He said the contractors fail to understand why their payment is not released despite Project Authority having sufficient funds.
“We have time and again taken up the matter with concerned officials and discussed in detail about the grievances and demands pertaining to pending payment on account of various works executed under the instruction of Managing Director JKPCC,” he said.
The protestors said despite card holders they are now intentionally being sidelined whenever JKPCC invite e-tenders. “JKPCC should clear our liabilities as we are suffering immensely,” they said.
Contractors said that they would wait till next week and would decide future strategy after getting the response from the authorities.
When contacted, MD, JKPCC, Vikas Kundal said there is paucity of funds across India due to pandemic.
“Once we receive funds, bills of contractors will be released,” he said. (KNT)
KU organizes webinar on promising careers in agriculture, allied fields
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 8: The University of Kashmir on Thursday organized a webinar on promising careers in agriculture and allied fields.
Dean Academic Affairs Prof Akbar Masood inaugurated the webinar, organized by the varsity’s prestigious Centre for Career Planning and Counselling (CCPC).
Addressing the participants, Prof Masood underscored the importance of agriculture and allied sectors vis-à-vis economy, and complimented the CCPC for organizing the webinar on important themes.
Director CCPC Prof Mohammad Shafi highlighted the objectives of the webinar.
“In view of the importance of agriculture in today’s world, the need of the hour is to explore careers in this field and its allied sectors,” he said.
He said the CCPC would organize a series of webinars on career counselling.
“This is our second webinar to expose students to promising careers in various fields, including agriculture and innovations. A lot needs to be done to encourage youth to tap the vast potential of the farm sector,” Prof Shafi said.
Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, SKUAST-K, Prof. Abdul Hameed Hakeem, talked about career opportunities in agriculture, including seed companies, pesticide industries, food processing units, secondary agriculture, and medicinal and aromatic plant sectors.
Dr Bilal Pandow, Consultant CCPC moderated the webinar, while Consultant (training, coaching and tests) at the Centre, Hina Kazmi, presented a vote of thanks.
Earlier, the CCPC started a series of webinars on exploring “why, what and how” of innovations.
SRTC workers without salaries from 4 months
Srinagar, Oct 8: Demanding release of pending salaries, scores of Road Transport Corporation workers Thursday staged a protest here in Kashmir capital Srinagar.
The SRTC workers who assembled here in Press Enclave Srinagar lamented that despite repeated demonstrations, the Corporation didn’t release their salaries from past four months. They threatened to intensify the protest and said that the workers will observe strike and protest in coming days.
The protesting employees were carrying placards which read “Frontline Workers Are Without Salary” and “Regularize Service of Consolidated Employees”.
Workers Union Chairman Wajahat Hussain said despite working as frontline workers during the Covid-19 pandemic they are without salaries from past 4 months.
The protesting workers also demanded implementation of 7th Pay Commission, SRO-43 in light of Board of Directors Decision, concrete steps to ensure recovery of money of RTC pending with intending agencies, DPC of all cadres and deposition of unremitted CPF of employees.
They demanded the release of long pending trip money of crew, adjustment Fuel Challans issued during the election and other duties and release of post retrial benefits in favour of retired employees. (KNT)
Private hospitals fleece patients, charge hefty sum for surgeries, allege patients
Hospitals charging genuine amount from patients, allegations baseless: Owners
Owais Gul
Srinagar, Oct 8: Amid ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the people across the Valley, who visit the private health institutions here, have alleged that they are being charged hefty sums for surgeries, thus fleecing the hapless patients.
Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a lady patient, who is scheduled to undergo a surgery after some days at a private hospital, said that she was asked to keep Rs 40,000 ready for the surgery following which the procedure will be started.
“I am not the only case, who has been asked to keep the amount ready, but there are many patients who were there in the queue and have been asked to keep the hefty sum ready for the surgery,” she said.
She added that she would have preferred to visit the government hospital instead of a private health institute, but the ongoing pandemic is compelling the hapless patients to visit the private hospitals where unfortunately, the poor patients are being left to lurch at large.
Another patient, who has also got a date for the surgery told KNO that he was asked to get Rs 80,000 ready for the surgery, which will be conducted probably in the next week.
He added that such a behavior of fleecing the patients will only leave poor patients to suffer. “The government hospitals are filled with the COVID patients and people don’t want to visit these hospitals at this juncture to keep themselves away from the virus. But, the poor patients due to the behavior of private hospitals are being forced to enter the danger zone (Government hospitals) for surgery related issues,” he added.
The patients later appealed to the government to intervene into the matter and ensure the charges being collected from them will be reduced so that poor patients can also afford to visit the private hospitals.
Meanwhile, Dr. Muzaffar Jan, owner of Modern Hospital said charging sum solely depends upon the surgery.
“There are many components involved like, room charges, theatre charges, medicine charges, anesthetic charges and surgeon charges. We are not collecting the charges as per will, but charge as per the procedure. Charges of theater are Rs 3500 per hour while room can be taken by the patient as per the comfort. We don’t force anyone to take the room as per our choice. We are collecting genuine sums from the patients,” he said.
He said in most of the cases, Rs 22,000 to Rs 35,000 are being charged from the patients for the surgery, which include, room charge, surgeon charge, anesthetic charge, medicine and other charges as well. (KNO)
B2V3 rolled out for holistic dev of rural areas: Advisor Baseer
Distributes agri machinery, sports items, domicile certificates, KCC cards, Ladli Beti sanction letter, hearing aids to beneficiaries
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 8: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan Thursday said that the Back to Village (B2V) programme should not be seen as a ritualistic/routine exercise but has been rolled out after proper planning for the holistic development of the rural areas.
The Advisor made these remarks while speaking at village Razwan in district Budgam while taking stock of the proceedings of the government’s ambitious B2V3 programme where a large number of people were present.
“B2V is an ambitious programme of the present administration to reach out to the people at grassroots level and involve them in the mission of equitable development. This is a well planned exercise and rolled out after giving due consideration to the aspirations and expectations of the people. The prime objective of the government is to achieve best basic amenities for inhabitants living in villages,” he said.
The Advisor said that the huge participation of the locals is a testimony to the success of the B2V1 and B2V2 phases. “I congratulate the people of this locality for participating in the third phase of B2V. This indicates the success of the earlier phases of the B2V programme, thus encouraging the locals to participate with enthusiasm,” Advisor said.
The Advisor said that it is an exemplary model of public outreach where officers interact with the common masses to assess their developmental aspirations thus bridging the gap between people and the administration.
The Advisor said that the Lieutenant Governor is personally visiting many villages and remote areas and listens to the people’s grievances and demands. “This shows the seriousness and sensitivity of the present administration towards meeting the aspirations of its people. The LG wants to see changes in the developmental scenario of rural areas,” the Advisor said adding that the LG holds in-depth review of all the departments and evaluates the progress of the developmental works on a periodic basis.
The Advisor further said that B2V is a golden opportunity for the public to seek redressal of their issues and grievance and they should take every advantage out of it.
The Advisor said that the government has empowered and endowed the panchayats with powers and authority necessary to enable them to function as institutions of local self-government with the responsibility of preparing plans for socio-economic development and for implementing them.
He also said that government’s aim is to handhold the Panchayats and to assist them wherever they face any impediments in using the funds devolved for development based on local priorities to further strengthen grassroots democracy and participatory development.
He also asked people that they should figure out the irregularities/shortcomings, if any, and bring to the notice of the elected representatives for its redressal.
Later, Advisor distributed brush cutter, water motor, sports items, domicile certificates, KCC cards, Ladli Beti sanction letter, baby kits hearing aids, and wheel chairs among the beneficiaries.
He also inspected various stalls put up by the various departments highlighting their key activities and products.
2nd Phase of Gulmarg Gondola to be re-opened on Oct 10
Skyview Patnitop to resume Ops on weekends
Precious Kashmir
Srinagar/Jammu, Oct 8: After resuming cable car service for tourists visiting Gulmarg, the government is reopening the 2nd Phase of Gulmarg Gondola, Kongdoori to Apharwat, for commercial operation on Saturday (October 10).
The concerned authorities have informed that this second phase shall be operational only on weekends that is Saturdays and Sundays for the time being while the operation of Gondola for first phase that is Gulmarg to Kongdoori will continue to remain functional on daily basis.
Meanwhile, all necessary preventive protocols and SOPs regarding COVID-19 like social distance, sanitization of cabins before and after boarding and deboarding of passengers, wearing of masks, temperature checking etc. are being strictly adhered to.
Meanwhile, Skyview Patnitop by Empyrean, the recently launched hospitality venture of Empyrean Skyview Private Limited will officially resume its operation for visitors on weekends from October 10 till November 30.
During the lockdown due to the pandemic, the site was comprehensively audited for Covid preparedness by SGS- the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company.
The spokesman said a Covid-ready compliance certificate of safety was issued to ESPPL just before the reopening making it a safe destination for all visitors and employees with stringent SoP’s like online bookings, thermal screening, social distancing, sanitization routines and digital menus, etc in place.
Skyview Patnitop located at Patnitop, Jammu is a new mountain adventure destination for the new age, responsible traveller, the first of its kind in the Himalayas.
Set over 11 acres in a scenic countryside, comprising a Ropeway (India’s Highest in terms of ground clearance-over 65 mts.), adventure activities (such as Zipline, Magic Carpet, Tubing Sledge onsite and other leisure activities such as trekking, biking, hiking, birding, offsite), a range of F&B offerings, as well as first class accommodation for every taste and pocket.
Not only has it transformed Patnitop into a new tourist destination with its state-of-art ropeway that connects Sanget, an idyllic hamlet where the lower terminal is situated to welcome visitors, to Patnitop, the upper terminal, but by taking a lead in green mobility, it has also eliminated a 45-60 minute road journey by way of a picturesque gondola ride of over 2.8 kms of inclined destination in just 10-12 minutes.
Syed Junaid Altaf, Managing Director, Empyrean Skyview Projects, stated, “Empyrean’s vision of creating a world-class integrated mountain tourism infrastructure destination for tourists is now open once again to welcome visitors”.
“Skyview Patnitop is an ideal getaway for tourists who visit nearby Katra for religious tourism and for those looking to combine or extend their stay in Patnitop,” he said.
COVID-19: Restrictions lifted, virus no more a mystery
Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Oct 7: Restrictions that were imposed in Kashmir soon after the outbreak of COVID-19 in March this year have almost been lifted but people are being asked to follow the norms in letter and spirit to keep the virus at bay.
A health expert while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “It seems that the peak is over but we cannot be complacent. People have to take the precautions as the virus is still very much present and anyone can get infected.”
He said that during the past few days number of people testing positive for COVID-19 has declined and the fatalities too seem to have come down. “All of us are aware of the fact that COVID-19 won’t go on its own and a vaccine only can act as a protective shield, life cannot return to complete normal till the people are vaccinated,” the expert added.
He said that lockdown and restrictions have been lifted everywhere across the globe as the countries have realized that shutting things down is not the solution. “The lockdown provided a chance to the experts to study the virus and come up with its anti-dode. When the pandemic broke out initially doctors had no idea about how to treat the patients as it was an entirely a new virus. Along with the passage of time they came to know the medicines which the patients were responding to. They became aware that mortality rate is not that high and the more than 80% to 90% patients do recover after getting infected. Last seven months have revealed many secrets about the COVID-19 virus,” he added.
It’s in place to mention here that the latest studies have revealed that the COVID-19 virus dies 10-day after it infects a person. “Last month J&K administration changed the protocol for the infected patients. The new protocol stated that anyone who tests positive needs not to be tested again for COVID-19 after 10 days. The decision about not to go for the repeat test was taken after the new study revealed that virus dies after the specific period,” the expert added.
A medico said, “When the pandemic broke out all of us were clueless about how to handle the patients. There was a fear and a scare. Hospitals were crowded, Chaos and confusion was prevalent everywhere. But now the things are different people have accepted COVID-19 as part of their lives and have realized that they have to live with it.”
He said, “Life is returning back to normal but the vaccine has to come for us to get rid of this virus, which has made us dance during all these months.”
3 militants killed in Shopian gunfight: Police
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 7: Three militants, two of them owing allegiance to Al-Badr and another to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, were killed in an overnight gunfight with a joint team of police, army and CRPF in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, officials said on Wednesday.
A police spokesperson said that at about 1900 hours on Tuesday, cordon-and-search operation was launched by Police, Army’s 44 RR and CRPF’s 178 battalion in village Sugan area of Shopian amid specific input about presence of militants.
“During the search operation, as the presence of (militants) got ascertained they were given opportunity to surrender. However they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated, leading to an encounter,” the spokesperson said.
“Due to darkness the operation was suspended and the whole area was put under strict cordon. (Militants) trapped inside made certain attempts to break the cordon and escaped from the spot,” he said, adding, “In the wee hours, the operation was resumed and in the ensuing encounter three (militants) were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the encounter site.”
The slain have been identified as Sajad Ahmad Malla of Maldera Shopian who was affiliated with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Junaid Rashid Wani of Tumalhaal Pulwama and Waseem Ahmad Magray of Chakoora, both from Al-Badar, the spokesman said.
As per police records, the killed militants were part of groups involved in planning and executing several attacks on security establishments, he said.
“Incriminating materials including arms & ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other (militant) crimes.”
He said that keeping in view the prevailing pandemic due to COVID-19 and to ensure the safety of people from inherent risk of contracting the infection, the bodies of the militants have been sent to Handwara for burial after completion of all medico-legal formalities.
Reyaz Naikoo’s close aide killed in Ganderbal: DGP
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 7: Director General of Police Dilbag Singh on Wednesday said the militant killed in a counter attack by PSOs of a BJP worker in Nunar Ganderbal last evening was a close aide of slain Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander Reyaz Naikoo.
The DGP also said that the attacks on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway cannot be ruled out as long as militancy continues in J&K.
“Last night our protected person of Nunar and two policemen, constables Altaf Hussain and Jahangir who were deployed on PSO duties with him were leaving from house for other location when militants fired upon them,” the DGP said, adding, “The fire was responded by our brave colleague Altaf Hussain in which he was injured and in the fire he killed the militant who has been identified as Shabir (Ahmad Shah) of Awantipora.”
He said that slain militant was “right hand man” and worked as OGW of Reyaz Naikoo, the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander who was killed on May 6 this year near his native village in Awantipora area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
“He (Shabir) was sent to Ganderbal. We are proud that the PSO (Altaf Hussain) gave the befitting reply without caring for life and (died in the process). We are proud of him. We express sympathies to his family. The way he responded to militant firing, we feel proud of him,” he said speaking to the reporters on the sidelines of the wreath laying ceremony here, adding, “(Shabir) was right-hand OGW of Reyaz Naikoo for a long and came into active militant later. He had recently joined active militancy. He was sent for target hitting by Hizb.”
To a question how security establishment sees the attack in Ganderbal considered being a peace district and how the militant was able to move to the spot, the DGP said: “For a militant, the entire area is open. He can move from any place. He works on the dictation of Pakistan.”
The DGP also referred to TRF which he called as “mouthpiece of Pakistan and ISI.” “ Recently 39 journalists were threaten by the TRF. They are the people who are doing their job honestly,” he said, adding, “They (militants) target people who are working for peace and development on the directions from Pakistan. Pakistan is the big collaborator of the killings. They damage our Kashmiri people. TRF is Pakistan and ISI’s mouthpiece. They do not want people to do their routine work. We have given befitting reply in the past and will continue to do so in future.”
Asked if any militant was injured in Ganderbal, he said, there is indication as regards it “given the blood trail”. “District SP said that more than one militant was involved.”
Asked about recent highway attack in which two CRPF men were killed and three others were injured, he said that there are clues on which the police was working. “Very soon we will payback.”
He said that deployments made on the highway are calibrated and one cannot rule out attacks along the thoroughfare. “Amid militancy, one cannot rule out such attacks. You see whenever there is attack on highway, we kill them in counterattack. This is a continuous process.”
Asked if there is drone monitoring planned along the highway, he said, “there has been such monitoring at few places. Use of technology will be done in future.” (GNS)
