Precious Kashmir

Jammu man duped of Rs 19 lakh by cyber fraudsters, CB begins probe

Front

27/08/2020

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Aug 26: A man was duped of Rs 60 lakh by a gang of cyber fraudsters here, following which the crime branch registered a case on Wednesday, officials said.
A spokesman of Crime Branch said Crime Branch Jammu registered a formal criminal case against accused Ms. Soni Sharma for impersonating as an official of RBI, Forex Department, New Delhi and defrauding the complainant to the tune of Rs.19, 33,174/- through NEFT/RTGS into the different accounts of the accused persons from his different accounts as an advance tax money, expenditure etc. The other accused involved in the commission of crime have been identified as Roto Kuldeep; Nadeem Khan S/O Nanhe Khan R/O 2266/1, Shiv Mandir, Shadikhampur, Patel Nagar, New Delhi; Harish Kumar S/O Manoj Kumar R/O 355-A, Block-C Bilashpur Camp, Badarpur, South Delhi; Mandeep Singh S/O Parpreet Singh R/O WZ-10, Tihar Village Subhash Nagar, New Delhi; Rakesh S/O Dalip Kachari R/O W. 10 Dimapur Sadar, Dimapur, Nagaland; Kamil Ali S/O Navisher Ali R/O B-248, Nehru Camp Govindpuri, Kalkaji South Delhi.
The spokesman said complainant was induced by the accused that she had huge money with her and was interested in establishing business in India. “For this purpose the complainant was informed telephonically that he would receive a huge payment of Rs. 8,56,35,06,000/- “
“In the complaint, Ravinder Singh Nag S/O Sh. Hans Raj Nag R/O W. No. 02, H. No. 07, Near Bus stand, Katra, District-Reasi, J&K, lodged a written complaint with Crime Branch Jammu that he was deceived by Soni Sharma, who identified herself as an official of RBI, Forex Department, New Delhi and cheated him by inducement,” he said
Crime Branch initiated preliminary verification and established prima facie offence against the accused u/s 420,120-B IPC.
“Accordingly, a formal case is registered in P/S Crime Branch, Jammu against the above mentioned accused persons for in-depth investigation,” the spokesman said.

JK Tourism industry incurs Rs 1168 Cr loss since August 5, 2019

Front

Precious Kashmir

27/08/2020

Riyaz Bhat

Srinagar, Aug 26: Following the abrogation of Article-370 and the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir has recorded a revenue loss to tune of over Rs 1168 crores while in 2019 there has been a decline of 34 percent in tourist footfall.

The officials in the tourism department have calculated this loss on account of non-functional tourism industry in Kashmir division on the basis of hypothesis of the tourist arrival and their expenditures.

Official documents revealed that the loss of tourism industry in Kashmir Division is Rs 1166.81 Crores (approximately) on account of non-functional tourism industry from January-04-2019 to June-30-2020.

This information was revealed by the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the tourism department in a reply to the queries of a Right to Information (RTI) application filed by the RTI activist M M Shuja.

“During the year-2018 the number of domestic and foreign tourists visited Kashmir valley was 8,307,58 while as the tourist arrival during 2019 was reported as 56,553,2 which shows there is a decline of 34 percent in tourist footfall and which happened in the aftermath of constitutional changes on August-05-2019,” the PIO said.

In a reply to RTI queries, the PIO of tourism department said that during the year 2020, the tourist arrival from January to ending July is 17,874 which shows drastic decline in tourist footfall which happened due to Covid-19 Pandemic and subsequent lockdown.

“Assuming that if a tourist visits to Kashmir valley and spends at least of Rs 20,000 during the stay, then the amount spent by tourists during the year 2018 works out as a total number of tourists multiplied by Rs 20,000 that is Rs 1661.52 crores,” it reads

The PIO said that similarly during the year 2019, the amount spent by the tourists could be charted out as the total number of tourists (5,65,532) multiplied by Rs 20,000 is equal to Rs 1131.06 Crores.

“Besides, during the year 2020 upto ending July, the amount spent might work out as 17,874 multiplied by Rs 20,000 is equal to Rs 35.75 Crores,” he replied.

The PIO said, “It is clear that after assuming the tourists who visited Kashmir valley have spent a minimum of Rs 20,000 each from January-04-2019 to July-31-2020 works out as Rs 1131.06 and Rs 35.75. Hence, the loss of revenue on account of non-functional of tourism industry in Kashmir Division is 1166.81 Crores (approximately) on the basis of assumption referred above.” (KNO)

Thief arrested in Budgam, stolen mobile phones recovered

Jammu & Kashmir

United News Of India

27/08/2020

Srinagar, Aug 26: Police arrested a thief and recovered stolen mobile phones worth lakhs of rupees in the central Kashmir district of Badgam, a police spokesman said on Wednesday.
He said several reports were received from different persons that their mobile phones were stolen in the district. However, a special team was constituted by the Beerwah Police Station and a thief was arrested. Later on his disclosure stolen mobile phones worth lakhs of rupees have been recovered, he said.
Further investigation has been initiated, he said adding mobile phones will be returned to their owners after proper verification.

Passenger cabs looting travelers in Handwara, allege commuters

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

27/08/2020

Aatif Qayoom

Handwara, Aug 26: Residents of Handwara town of Kupwara district on Wednesday alleged transporters of looting passengers and appealed authorities to intervene into the matter.

The passenger vehicles plying on Kulangam-Handwara, Qalamabad – Handwara, Rajwar- Handwara, Magam- Handwara and adjoining routes are taking undue advantage of Covid-19 pandemic and have resorted to looting passengers. Reports said that Sumo’s, tavera and other cabs plying in the district have shelved rate list set by Government.

“Vehicles plying within the routes of district are charging passengers of their own will,” residents said adding they are compelled to bow their heads as authorities have failed to take the involved into task.

They urged the government to look into the issue and deal strictly with those who resort to charge arbitrary fares in wake of pandemic.

They also said though Government erstwhile ordered drivers to charge 30% extra fare from passengers in wake of pandemic as drivers were given strict directions to board only 50% passengers but unfortunately the drivers are resorting to over load the vehicles and as such the Government orders have been absolutely shelved. (KNS)

Rohella reviews functioning of Cluster Head institutions

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

27/08/2020

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Aug 26: Commissioner Secretary Higher Education, Talat Parvez Rohella, Wednesday chaired a meeting of Principals of Cluster Head Institutions of Kashmir & Jammu Divisions at Cluster University Srinagar.
The meeting was convened to discuss the establishment/ functioning of innovation/ incubation centers at the Cluster Head Institutions already identified.
Director Colleges, Higher Education Department, Director Finance, Higher Education Department, Registrar Cluster University Srinagar & Jammu, Deans of various Universities, Directors of various Institutions were present in the meeting while as Principals of Jammu Division Colleges attended the meeting through online mode.
Commissioner Secretary, highlighted the significance of establishment of such Centers underscoring the role of Cluster Head Institutions and Mentor Institutions in the functioning of these Centers. He stressed for organising and conducting hackathons, idea of competition, mini-challenges for various problems related to various sectors so as to promote creative problem solving among students with the involvement of industries, NGO’s, Government Departments and civil societies requiring immediate solutions for societal, industrial, environmental, health and developmental issues.
Emphasis was also laid on conducting workshops on conceptualization of ideas, project formulation, prototype development, entrepreneurship, patenting, preparing project reports, loans and facilities from Government agencies, information on technologies.
Later, Commissioner Secretary directed the Cluster Head Institutions to sign MOU with the Mentor Institutions for conducting training workshops, capacity building of potential student and faculty innovators, field visits, hackathons for aspiring students and Faculty for which funds stand already released to the concerned Institutions by Higher Education Department.

Major fire in Engineering complex in Srinagar

City

United News Of India

27/08/2020

Srinagar, Aug 26: Major fire damaged second floor and attic of the Engineering complex, housing the office of Chief Engineers (CE) of Public Health Engineer (PHE) and Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) at Raj Bagh, Srinagar in the wee hours of Wednesday, official sources said.
They said fire broke out in the second floor at 0030 hrs in the wee hours on Wednesday. However, before the fire tenders could reach the spot fire spread to entire complex, housing the offices of CE PHE and I&FC.
Dozens of fire tenders, including from Fire and Emergency Headquarter, Batmaloo, were rushed to extinguish the leaping flames, clearly visible from major parts of the city.
However, the fire was later brought under control, they said adding the second floor and attic of the complex had been damaged.
Sources said official record has also been damaged in the fire adding the cause of fire was not known. However, exact damage due to fire was being ascertained.
Police has registered case and started investigation, they said.

Shiv Sena demands CBI probe into death of UP minister Chetan Chauhan

National

Precious Kashmir

26/08/2020

The Uttar Pradesh unit of the Shiv Sena on Monday demanded a CBI probe into the death of state minister Chetan Chauhan, who succumbed to COVID-19, questioning the circumstances under which he was shifted from a government hospital in Lucknow to a private facility in Gurgaon.A delegation of the Shiv Sena met Governor Anandiben Patel and handed over a memorandum to her in this regard, the party said in a statement here.
Chauhan, 73, succumbed to COVID-19 on August 16.
Initially, he was admitted to Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI) in Lucknow. After his health deteriorated due to kidney-related ailments, he was shifted to Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon where he was on life support for nearly 36 hours.”Under what circumstances was late minister Chetan Chauhan shifted from SGPGI in Lucknow to Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon? Did the government have no faith in SGPGI, a prestigious institution?” the Shiv Sena asked in its statement.
“The minister was hurt by the attitude of the doctors and staff of SGPGI. Till now, no action has been taken against the guilty doctors and staff of the SGPGI. In the entire episode, the government continued to sleep, and two ministers succumbed to COVID-19,” it said.
On August 2, state technical education minister Kamla Rani Varun, 62, had died days after testing positive for COVID-19.”The government must conduct a CBI probe,” the Shiv Sena said.
Earlier, Samajwadi Party MLC Sunil Singh Sajan had alleged that Chauhan died not because of COVID-19 but due to carelessness in his treatment at the SGPGI.
Raising the issue in the Upper House of the Uttar Pradesh Legislature on Friday, he alleged that Chauhan received poor treatment at the state-run hospital. He had also claimed that he and Chauhan were admitted in the same ward of the hospital.”Once during a round, a doctor and a nurse asked who is Chetan, to which the minister raised his hand since he was a simple person. He was asked as to when he got infected with the virus, to which he explained the entire matter to the hospital staff.””At that time, another personnel asked Chauhan what do you do, to which he said he is a minister in the Yogi Adityanath government,” Sajan had said.
He had said he was angered by the behaviour of the hospital staff with Chauhan

Food adulteration

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Precious Kashmir

26/08/2020

Last week, the J&K high court sought monthly reports as regards action taken by the authorities against those indulging in food adulteration. The last time the government filed such a report was on 23 September 2019 and the J&K’s top court had observed then that the government action “shows a hopeless state of affairs.”

The issue has been on the court’s radar for quite a sometime and its intervention led to the creation of infrastructure and recruiting of the staff in the department meant to effectively deal with a very important issue.

Due to lockdown on account of August 5 2019 decisions and present pandemic, the issue did not attract the same focus as before. However, the last week’s order by the court is significant in the sense that it has brought the issue is back to focus. Unfortunately, the problems which plagued the system still exist so does the problem of adulteration. One cannot say with certainty that the complaints of past have gone or still exist. However, there have been appalling instances of food adulteration. For example, reports suggest, mustard oil was being mixed with potentially dangerous substances. Then reports surfaced milk is being thickened with urea, detergent powder and other such stuff. There were also reports that fruits and vegetables are being artificially coloured and chemicals are being injected by unscrupulous people for profit. Not long ago we came across reports that some unscrupulous elements are involved in adulteration of spices with various adulterants laced with dangerous dyes. Apart from lifestyle, the source of most of the diseases is the quality, and kind of food people consume.

It is a fact that the equality of the food available in the markets is deteriorating. It is now a recognized fact that deteriorating food quality has brought terrible results to fore.

The studies show a sharp rise in dangerous diseases like cancer, largely attributed to food. The experts have been stressing the implications of junk and packaged food. What has also come under focus is that spices, pulses, red and white meet, available in the markets need a strict vigil. Today we are again confronted by this threatening scenario that adulteration poses.

Beyond doubt, the food items available in the markets pose a threat to health of people and the concerned authorities need to devise mechanism with renewed focus.

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Beigh’s reappearance fails to bring PDP together, leaders tread different paths

Anchor stories

Afaq Bhat

26/08/2020

Beigh’s reappearance fails to bring PDP together, leaders tread different paths

Srinagar, Aug 25: Peoples Democratic Party patron and former deputy chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Muzaffar Hussain Beigh re-emerging on the scene nearly one year after the abrogation of Article 370 seems to have not gone well with his party leaders.
The PDP meeting which was called by Beigh in Srinagar on Monday was cancelled due to “party leaders questioning” Beigh’s role after scrapping of J&K’s special status.
A politician wishing not to be named said, “Muzaffar Beigh is a leading lawyer in Supreme Court and he is a legal luminary, he could have filed a petition in the Apex Court to seek the release of the PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, who has been in detention for the past more than a year. But he didn’t do that for the reasons best known to him,” the politician added.
After the meeting was called off the PDP leaders claimed that they were forced to do so as they didn’t get the permission from the authorities. “Someone needs to tell the PDP leaders that National Conference has held several meeting during the past one week. How come NC was permitted and PDP was prevented?” asked an analyst.
Referring to the statements of Muzaffar Beigh after the abrogation of Article 370, the analyst said, “Beigh was among the first Kashmiri politicians who asked the people to forget the J&K’s special status and move ahead. He had even said that Articles 370 and 35-A are dead and people should look beyond it.”
He said, “Many people were surprised when Beigh issued a statement supporting the Gupkar Declaration issued jointly by the political parties in Kashmir.”
The declaration which was issued after the joint meeting of the political parties at the residence of National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah in Srinagar demanded restoration of J&K’s special status.
An observer said, “PDP leaders who had objected to Beigh calling for a party meeting had valid reasons. The senior most leader of the party remained absent from the scene when the party needed him most.”
However, the observer was quick to add that “After 2015 when the PDP joined hands with BJP to form the government in J&K it sidelined Beigh and didn’t give him any frontal role. After the passing away of former J&K chief minister late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, he was appointed as the PDP patron, a move which many people believed, was aimed at pacifying him.”
The observer said, “The PDP leadership has not been so kind to Beigh in the past. This fact can neither be overlooked nor ignored. Everyone is aware of the fact that the PDP at present is on crossroads and it has to put up a Herculean effort to make a comeback.”

COVID-19: 16 more die in J&K

Front

Nadeem Nadu

26/08/2020

Death toll nears 600 mark in Kashmir, Jammu records 50 fatalities till date; Srinagar on top with 200 casualties
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, Aug 25: A 95-year-old man from Srinagar’s Kawdara area on Tuesday was among 16 persons who died to COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir overnight, taking the fatality count to 649 in J&K, they said.
Among the casualties, thirteen were from Kashmir Valley while three persons including a 53-year-old and a 63-year-old male from Bakshi Nagar Jammu died in the Government Medical College (GMC) in the winter capital. The other death from Jammu division was that of a 45-year-old woman from Kathua who died at GMC Kathua.
Sources told GNS that a 66-year-old woman from Monghal Kulgam died at SKIMS Soura, four days after she was admitted to the hospital.
A 46-year-old man from Sumbal Bandipora, who was also admitted to the hospital on August 2 died this morning, they said.
Also, a 52-year-old man from Anchar Soura died at the tertiary care hospital, ten days after he was admitted and diagnosed with multiple underlying ailments.
A 45-year-old CRPF man from 162 battalion who was posted at Humhama Budgam died at SKIMS Soura six days after he was admitted to the tertiary care hospital.
A 95-year-old man from Kawdara Srinagar died four days after he was admitted to CD hospital, one of the exclusive facilities for the management of covid-19 patients in the Valley. According to a doctor at the hospital he was suffering from severe Covid19 pneumonia with hypertension, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and BPH. He was declared dead at 12:40 a.m.
An 80-year-old covid-19 positive woman and having multiple ailments from Bamnoo Achgoza Pulwama died at district hospital Pulwama, they said.
A 65-year-old woman from Maisuma Srinagar died at SMHS hospital, eight days after she was admitted with bilateral community acquired pneumonia.
An 86-year-old man from Safapora Ganderbal died eight days after he was admitted to SKIMS Bemina, also among exclusive facilities for the management of the COVID-19 patients here.
A 65-year-old man from Tangmarg who was admitted to SMHS hospital few days back as a case of hypertension, diabetes and bilateral community acquired pneumonia died at SMHS hospital, they said.
A 65-year-old man from KhanSahib Budgam who was admitted as a case of bilateral CAP also died at the SMHS hospital.
A 70-year-old man from Kupwara who was admitted to the hospital on August 10 with Bilateral CAP died this evening.
A 62-year-old man from Rawalpora Srinagar died at CD hospital this evening, four days after he was admitted with underlying ailments.
A 50-year-old man from Sheikhzoo Ganderbal was also among the victims, they added.
With these deaths, 649 people have died in Jammu and Kashmir—50 from Jammu division and 599 from Valley with more than 200 victims from Srinagar alone.

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