Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Sep 2: Schools in Kashmir have started enrolling fresh students despite the fact that educational institutions in the Valley have remained closed for the past one year.
The advertisements for admissions have started appearing in the local dailies and the message is being sent out that admissions are open. “Even in COVID-19 times these schools are demanding hefty admission fees. In many schools the process is going on quietly,” said a parent.
He said that every parent wants that his child should get quality education and he can go to any extent to secure admission for his/her ward. “All of us are aware about the fact that we will have to pay the admission fee and without that no school will admit our children. The capitation fee in the schools has become a norm. But the management of these institutions should realize that the last one year has been tough for every Kashmiri and most of us are facing financial crisis,” the parent said, adding that “these institutions should give some relaxation vis-à-vis paying the admission fee.”
An owner of a private school while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “Parents are approaching us and want their children to be enrolled so that they can join the school as soon as the pandemic ends. The admission fee being charged by schools is nominal and I don’t think that parents should have any issues about it.”
It’s in place to mention here that since August 5, 2019 when schools were closed in Kashmir, parents have been paying the tuition fee and in some cases 50% of the bus fee also.
“Private schools have not faced much loss as their revenue collection has not declined. It’s the responsibility of these institutions to give some relaxation to the parents, who have been paying through their nose to ensure that their wards remain on rolls,” said another parent.
He said that the government should intervene and direct the schools to waive the printing charges for next year and also take nominal admission fee. “Education of children is a must but the private schools need to show some mercy towards the parents. They can’t just resort to blackmailing by stating that names of the children whose parents have not cleared the dues will be struck off. The schools that are resorting to such tactics should be dealt with sternly,” the parent said.
Despite repeated attempts Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK) Muhammad Younis Malik didn’t pick up the phone.
A query through a text message whether the DSEK has framed any policy to ask the private schools to waive the admission fee or give concession in it went unanswered as the Director didn’t respond.
Even in COVID times, private schools demand admission fee
Over 1000 people killed in more than 5800 accidents in 2019: NCRB Report
Gul Owais
Srinagar, Sep 2: The fatalities in road accidents in Jammu and Kashmir witnessed surge in 2019 compared to past four years as over 1000 people died across the Union Territory in the mishaps, official data revealed.
An annual report compiled by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in possession of Precious Kashmir has revealed that Jammu and Kashmir recorded 1054 deaths in traffic accidents in 2019. Of them, 1009 deaths occurred in the road accidents, the report said.
Notably, the fresh NCRB report revealed that a total of 1,81,113 people have died in 4,67,171 traffic mishaps across the country.
The NCRB report, which has been compiled as per the data provided by the States and UTs, further added that a total of 5839 traffic mishaps have occurred in Jammu and Kashmir in the last year.
In these mishaps, a total of 7517 people have sustained injuries. Of them, 6149 injured persons were male while 1368 were female, the report said.
It added that a total of 1054 persons including 865 male and 189 female have died in the traffic mishaps last year.
The report revealed out of total 5839 traffic accidents, 5795 among them have taken place on roads only, adding that 1009 people have died in the mishaps on road only, which include 829 male and 180 female.
In Jammu and Kashmir, 44 railway accidents have taken place in the year 2019, which has left 45 people dead, the report said, adding that 36 among them were male and 9 were female.
The figure revealed in the fresh report has surpassed the previous four years toll as less than 1000 deaths each year have occurred in the mishaps from 2015-18.
In the years 2015, 16, 17 and 18, the figures available revealed that 917, 958, 926 and 984 people respectively have died in Jammu and Kashmir in the mishaps.
The rise in the mishaps and subsequent deaths in Jammu and Kashmir have come to the fore at a time when the government is claiming that series of steps have been taken to reduce the number of mishaps in the Union Territory.
After the increase in the number of road accidents the government had constituted Jammu and Kashmir Road Safety Council to frame the road safety policies. The District Road Safety Committees were also put in place to ensure that steps at district level are taken to save human lives by preventing road accidents. “The council is working with an aim to prevent accidents and reduce the number of deaths by 2020,” the government had said.
The Road Safety Fund was also established in 2018 which is being managed by a Committee headed by the Administrative Secretary, Finance Department.
It had stated that Rs 5.70 crore were spent in 2018-19 and Rs 26.5 crore were allocated for the year 2019-20 to identify and remove the black spots on roads to ensure a safe journey.
The report has also put a question mark on technical measures which were taken to ensure safety on roads and regulate traffic through scientific data and technology based methods. For this, the government had launched Road Accident Data Management System (RADMS) to enable the transport, police and other departments to take corrective measures for ensuring road safety.
COVID-19: J&K reports 14 more deaths, 641 new cases
Nadeem Nadu/Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Sep 2: Jammu and Kashmir reported 14 more COVID-19 deaths in last 24 hours, taking the fatality count due to the pestilence to 733 in J&K, officials said on Wednesday.
Among the deaths, nine were reported from Kashmir and five from Jammu division including three from winter capital of the J&K and one each from Kathua and Udhampur.
Regarding the victims from Valley, officials said, three were residents of Srinagar, two from Kulgam while one each were from Pulwama, Anantnag, Kupwara and Ganderbal.
They said a 65-year-old woman from Lalbazar Srinagar who was admitted on August 30 died this evening at SKIMS Soura.
They said a 65-year-old from Wandhama Ganderbal died a week after he was admitted to SKIMS Soura. His age mate from Mitergam Pulwama, who was admitted on August 27 died last night at the tertiary care hospital.
Also, a 65-year-old from Budgam who was admitted to SMHS hospital on August 28 with hypertension and type 2 diabetes among other ailments succumbed this morning, they said.
A 70-year-old man from Mughalpora,Kupwara, admitted on August 27 as a case of bilateral Community Acquire Pneumonia died at SMHS. Among other victims include a 65-year-old woman from Buchpora Srinagar, an 85-year-old woman from Kanimazar Srinagar, a 45-year-old man from Check Ashmuji Kulgam, a 40-year-old man from Nawbal Batpora Kulgam and a 65-year-old woman from Ahoom Shangus.
Regarding Jammu fatalities, they said, a 65-year-old man from Chenani Udhampur, who was admitted to GMC hospital Jammu on August 21 and diagnosed “Old CVA, Hypertension and Bilateral CAP”. “He died at around
07.19 a.m. today,” a senior doctor at GMC Jammu told GNS.
Sources said a 45-year-old from Simbal Camp R S.PURA was brought dead to GMC last night and tested positive later.
A 55-year-old man from Billawer Kathua who was admitted on August 31 and diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension, COPD and CKD died last night at GMC, they said.
A 55-year-old woman from Bage -Bahu Jammu, admitted on August 31 and diagnosed with hypertension, pyrexia and acute respiratory distress besides
Bilateral community acquired pneumonia died last night, they added.
With these deaths, officials said, 734 people have succumbed to the virus in Jammu and Kashmir so far. Among them, they said, 659 were from the Valley while 75 others from Jammu division.
Srinagar district with 226 deaths tops the list followed by Baramulla (100), Budgam (63), Anantnag (51), Pulwama (55), Kupwara (49), Jammu (50), Kulgam (37), Shopian (28), Bandipora (26), Ganderbal (24), Rajouri (5), Doda (4), Poonch (4), Kathua (4), Udhampur (3), Samba (2) and Ramban (1). (GNS)
COVID-19: JK reports 641 new cases, tally at 38864
Srinagar, Sep 2: As many as 641 more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday thus taking the tally of infected persons in the Union Territory to 38864, officials said.
They said of the fresh cases 367 were reported in Kashmir and 264 in Jammu. Moreover, 595 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals, 92 from Jammu Division and 503 from Kashmir Division.
According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Corona virus (Covid-19), out of 38864 positive cases, 8053 are Active Positive, 30079 have recovered and 732 have died; 75 in Jammu division and 657 in Kashmir division.
The Bulletin further said that out of 996481 test results available, 957617 samples have been tested as negative till September 02, 2020.
Till date 467207 travelers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for observation which included 46228 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 8053 in isolation and 45978 under home surveillance. Besides, 366216 persons have completed their surveillance period.
Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Srinagar has 9499 positive cases (including 131 cases reported today) with 1463 Active Positive, 7811 recovered (including 177 cases recovered today), 225 deaths; Baramulla has 2862 positive cases (including 22 cases reported today) with 474 Active Positive, 2288 recovered (including 39 cases recovered today), 100 deaths; Pulwama reported 2700 positive cases (including 16 cases reported today) with 478 active positive cases, 2167 recovered (including 33 cases recovered today), 55 deaths; Kulgam has 1944 positive cases (including 11 cases reported today) with 152 Active Positive, 1755 recoveries (including 35 cases recovered today), 37 deaths; Shopian has 1703 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 78 Active Positive, 1597 recovered (including 11 cases recovered today), 28 deaths; Anantnag district has 2389 positive cases (including 30 cases reported today) with 528 Active Positive, 1810 recovered (including 27 cases recovered today), 51 deaths; Budgam has 2580 positive cases (including 56 cases reported today) with 681 Active Positive and 1837 recovered (including 35 cases recovered today), 62 deaths; Kupwara has 2135 positive cases (including 18 cases reported today) with 575 Active Positive, 1511 recovered (including 37 cases recovered today), 49 deaths; Bandipora has 2235 positive cases (including 27 cases reported today) with 702 Active Positive, 1507 recovered (including 33 cases recovered today), 26 deaths and Ganderbal has 1521 positive cases (including 54 cases reported today) with 427 active positive cases, 1070 recoveries (including 76 cases recovered today) and 24 deaths.
Similarly, Jammu has 3576 positive cases (including 167 cases reported today) with 1402 active positive cases, 2124 recoveries (including 40 cases recovered today), 50 deaths; Rajouri has 934 positive cases (including 14 cases reported today) with 144 active positive cases, 785 recovered (including 16 cases recovered today), 05 deaths; Ramban has 661 positive cases (including 07 cases reported today) with 20 active positive, 640 recoveries (including 05 cases recovered today), 01 death; Kathua has 951 positive cases (including 19 cases reported today) with 231 Active positive, 716 recovered (including 09 cases recovered today), 04 deaths; Udhampur has 849 positive cases (including 08 cases reported today) with 163 active positive cases, 683 recovered (including 01 case recovered today), 03 deaths; Samba has 738 positive cases (including 14 cases reported today) with 178 Active Positive, 557 recoveries, 03 deaths; Doda has 445 positive cases (including 08 cases reported today) with 85 active positive cases, 356 recoveries (including 01 case recovered today), 04 deaths; Poonch has 450 positive cases (including 14 cases reported today) with 110 active positive, 336 recoveries (including 11 cases reported today), 04 deaths; Reasi has 423 positive cases (including 16 cases reported today) with 88 active positive, 335 recoveries while Kishtwar has 269 positive cases (including 07 cases reported today) with 74 active positive cases and 194 recoveries (including 09 cases recovered today) and 01 death .
According to the bulletin, of the total 38864 positive cases in J&K 6668 have been reported as travelers while 32196 as others.
The Bulletin said that the breakup represents districts from which the patients have been traced or are ordinarily residing.
The bulletin has informed the people that, the best way to protect themselves from COVID-19 is by maintaining physical distance of at least 2 meter from others, frequently cleaning hands with an alcohol based hand sanitizer or washing them with soap and water and following good respiratory etiquette and hygiene.
As a measure for social distancing in public places and workplaces wearing a face cover is compulsory.
The bulletin again explained that early detection of COVID-19 can prevent the spread of disease so we need to be responsible for the well-being of ourselves and everyone around us. “Not disclosing symptoms could put life of individuals and their families at risk. In case of symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing report early. Do not fear, call COVID-19 helpline numbers and seek medical advice”.
Advisory has further exhorted upon the people not to step out of home, unless absolutely necessary. “If you have to move out for unavoidable reasons, ensure that you wear a mask and practice social distancing, personal hygiene and frequent hand washing with soap and water.”
In case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24×7 at their doorsteps by calling on toll-free number 108 while as pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialing toll-free number 102.
People can also call on toll-free national helpline number 1075; J&K COVID-19 Helpline Numbers 0191- 2549676 (UT level Cell), 0191-2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jammu Division), 0194-2440283 & 0194-2430581 (For Kashmir Division) for support, guidance, and response to health-related queries on Novel Corona virus Disease (COVID-19).
The bulletin has informed that the Directorate of Indian Systems of Medicine, J&K is distributing AYUSH Medicines having immunity boosting, immuno-modulator, anti-oxidant, rejuvenator, anti-stress, metabolism regulator, anti-allergic, anti-pyretic, anti-tussive, bronchodilator, etc properties during the COVID-19 pandemic. The department so far has provided medicine to 8.84 lakh people that include various frontline workers, senior citizens, PRIs, police/paramilitary personals and general masses. Moreover, preventive measures and Yoga therapies are also being advised to the people to take care of lifestyle/mental disorders so that physical and mental health is ensured during this pandemic.
Public is advised to strictly follow the advisories issued by the government from time to time and rely only on the information released by the government through the daily media bulletin to print and electronic media.
People are also advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time
COVID-19: India registers over 60,000 recoveries, 62026 fresh cases
New Delhi, Sep 2: Total COVID-19 recoveries in India have crossed 29 lakh (29,01,908) as of Wednesday, the last 10 lakh recoveries being recorded in only 17 days in comparison to preceding 10 lakh recoveries which were recorded in 22 days.
As the daily recoveries increase, India registered more than 60,000 recoveries each day for the sixth day in a row. With the recovery of 62,026 cases in the past 24 hours, India’s Recovery Rate among the Covid-19 patients has further improved to 76.98 per cent.
Twelve states have reported a Recovery Rate more than the national average. Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu alone accounted for around 30 per cent of the total recoveries.
Since May 2020, there has been a 58 times hike in the number of recovered patients.
The number of recovered cases has overtaken the active cases by more than 21 lakhs. There has been a four-fold jump in the average weekly recoveries from the first week of July to last week of August.
A significant feature of India’s management of Covid-19 cases is the growing rate of recovered patients. As India continues to sustain its progressively increasing rate of recoveries, a higher number of patients are recovering and being discharged from hospitals and home isolation.
Steroid drugs reduce deaths in critically ill COVID-19 patients: Study
Washington, Sept 2: Cheap and readily available steroids have been found to reduce the risk of death in critically ill coronavirus patients by 20%, according to a study.
An international team of researchers analysed seven trials involving three different types of anti-inflammatory corticosteroids.
The study, which was co-ordinated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and analysed by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) at the University of Bristol, looked at patient mortality over a 28-day period after treatment.
It found that treatment with one of three types of corticosteroid led to an estimated 20% reduction in the risk of death.
Researchers said it was equivalent to about 68% of critically ill patients surviving after treatment with the steroids, compared to approximately 60% surviving without them.
The results of the study, which involved the drugs dexamethasone, hydrocortisone and methylprednisolone, were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on Wednesday.
Jonathan Sterne, professor of medical statistics and epidemiology at the University of Bristol, said: “Steroids are a cheap and readily available medication, and our analysis has confirmed that they are effective in reducing deaths amongst the people most severely affected by Covid-19.
“The results were consistent across the trials and show benefit regardless of age or sex.”
He explained that the findings pointed to “eight fewer deaths for every a hundred critically ill patients assigned to corticosteroids”.
The seven control trials recruited 1,703 critically ill coronavirus patients from 12 countries from February to June.
The study included patients who were taking part in the Oxford University-based Recovery trial, which used the drug dexamethasone.
Researchers said the mortality results were consistent across the seven trials, with dexamethasone and hydrocortisone giving “similar effects”.
But there were too few patients involved in tests of methylprednisolone to enable researchers to estimate its impact with precision.
The study found that the steroids benefited patients regardless of whether they were on a ventilator.
But researchers said it appeared to have a greater effect on those who did not require medication to support their blood pressure.
The Recovery trial, which used dexamethasone, found the drug reduced deaths by up to a third among patients on ventilators, and by a fifth for those on oxygen.
Scientists from Brazil, Canada, China, France, Spain, the UK and the USA were involved in the study.
Martin Landray, professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of Oxford, who leads on the Recovery trial, said: “These drugs have been around for decades, they are the sort of drugs that every medical student learns almost as soon as they open a clinical pharmacology text book.”
The real advantage is that we understand now it is a class effect of the steroid, that there is more than one choice. This means that there should be better world supply, there shouldn’t be any shortages
He said dexamethasone and hydrocortisone, which can be taken orally or intravenously, were “widely available, cheap, well understood drugs”.
As an example, he said treating 12 people with dexamethasone costs around £60.
But he warned that the “impressive” results “are not sufficient to lead to a complete resumption … of life as we knew it”.
He said that social distancing and wearing face masks “remain as important as ever”.
Anthony Gordon, professor of anaesthesia and critical care, NIHR Research Professor, Imperial College London, who led one of the individual trials said the findings were “not a cure”.
“The real advantage is that we understand now it is a class effect of the steroid, that there is more than one choice. This means that there should be better world supply, there shouldn’t be any shortages,” he said.
Ladakh Standoff: Govt blocks 118 Chinese Mobile Apps including PUBG
New Delhi, Sep 2: The government on Wednesday banned 118 more Chinese mobile apps, including the popular PUBG, for being involved in activities prejudicial to India’s sovereignty and security, an official statement said here.
The mobile apps include PUBG Mobile, PUBG Mobile Lite, InNote, VooV Meeting – Tencent Video Conferencing, Super Clean – Master of Cleaner, Phone Booster, WeChat reading, Government WeChat, Small Q brush, Tencent Weiyun, Pitu and WeChat Work.
The government had banned TiKToK and WeChat earlier.
‘The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India invoking it’s power under section 69A of the Information Technology Act read with the relevant provisions of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules 2009 and in view of the emergent nature of threats has decided to block 118 mobile apps since in view of information available they are engaged in activities which is prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order,’ the statement read.
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Ministry of Home Affairs has also sent an exhaustive recommendation for blocking these malicious apps.
Likewise, there have been similar bipartisan concerns, flagged by various public representatives, both outside and inside Parliament.
There has been a strong chorus in the public space to take strict action against Apps that harm India’s sovereignty as well as the privacy of the citizens, the Ministry of Electronics & IT said.
Ladakh LG calls on President Kovind
New Delhi, Sep 2: Amid fresh tension between the Indian Army and China’s People Liberation Army, Lt Governor of Ladakh RK Mathur called on President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Wednesday evening, sources said.
Details of the meeting were not immediately available.
The Lt Governor had earlier this week met Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy and reportedly discussed the LAC issue.
6 structures damaged in Gurez shelling
Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Sep 2: As many as six structures including four residential houses, a government high school and a madrasa were partially damaged after Pakistani troops violate ceasefire and resorted to shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Bagtore area of Gurez in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
Official sources told KNO that Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked motor shelling in Tarabal area last evening during which at least four residential houses, government high school and a madrassa got partially damaged.
They said that the roof and ceiling of government high school Tarabal got damaged due to the shelling from across the border.
They said that the Pakistani forces violated the ceasefire along the LoC last evening and targeted forward defense locations in Tarabal area.
They added that the Indian Army has given a “strong and befitting” response to the ceasefire violation.
A police officer said that some residential houses have been partially damaged in the shelling. However, he also said that no casualties or injury were reported during the shelling.
All pending newspaper payments to be cleared within a week: Info Deptt
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Sep 2: Reacting to the news story “Even in COVID times Info Deptt withholds advt payments” which appeared in ‘Precious Kashmir’ on Wednesday, the department today said that all the pending payments of the newspapers will be cleared in a week.
A statement released by the department said, “The bills received by the department are being verified and reconciled and it is expected that payments would be released to the newspapers within one week.”
The statement said, “The bills of advertisement payments are being cleared from time to time. Joint Directorate of Information and Public Relations has clarified that in Kashmir division alone, an amount of Rs 8.61 crore has been disbursed to local newspapers and national dailies during the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic and phase-wise lockdown. The department has cleared previous year’s liability and has asked newspaper organizations to furnish bills to the department for further payment.”
“The DIPR has made adequate funds available to both its divisional offices for making payment to newspapers and publications on account of their advertisement bills and an amount of Rs 11 crore each has already been released to Kashmir and Jammu divisions during the current financial year up to ending August 2020,” the statement added.
