Anantnag, Aug 19: Six officials of different government departments were suspended on Wednesday in this south Kashmir district for unauthorized absence from duty, an official spokesman said this evening.
He said District Development Commissioner (DDC) Anantnag, Kuldeep Krishan Sidha today during the surprise visit placed 6 officials from Animal Husbandry and Rural Development Department under suspension for their un-authorized absence from duties.
The District Heads of these officials have been directed to enquire into the matter and furnish report within 21 days.
Meanwhile, he later visited Kehribal to review ongoing developmental works.
During the visit, the DDC asked the concerned Engineers to pace up the work and ensure completion of these works within the stipulated time.
Responding to the demands of public, Sidha assured construction of playfield and satellite fruit mandi on the available state land presently under the disposal of Horticulture Department.
6 officials suspended for unauthorized absence in Anantnag
Advisor Khan inspects progress of works of sports facilities at Srinagar
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Aug 19: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan took stock of progress of sports infrastructure development works at Multipurpose Indoor Sports Hall Polo Ground and Water Sports Center Nehru Park here Wednesday.
During his visit to Multipurpose Indoor Sports Hall Polo Ground, Advisor Khan inspected various sections of the sports facility and had a firsthand stock of the ongoing works.
He directed the concerned executing agency to pace up the remaining works at the sports hall so that the facility would be dedicated to the sports persons and other players at the earliest.
On the occasion, the Advisor was briefed that the sports hall will relieve burden of Srinagar’s lone Indoor Stadium and will have facilities for playing many indoor games like Judo, Badminton, Martial Arts, Table Tennis etc.
The Indoor hall is being executed by the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council at a total cost of Rs five crore.
Advisor Khan also inspected the nearby Football, Hockey and Rugby fields and was told that synthetic turfs are being laid at Hockey field and other renovation works would be executed soon for Football field as well as Rugby field.
Advisor Khan also directed the concerned engineers to preserve the aesthetic environs of the hall which also houses Football, Hockey and Rugby fields.
Later, the Advisor also inspected the Water Sports Center at Nehru Park where he took stock of the renovation works and inspected different sections of the sports facility.
The Advisor also interacted with the water sports players who have won laurels at various national and international games.
Advisor Khan later inspected the proposed spot for floating jetty and rowing room meant for stationing rowing boats.
The Advisor directed the concerned officials to identify a place and to hire a consultancy agency for laying artificial watercourse for holding slalom water sport.
Cabinet approves setting up of NRA to conduct CET
New Delhi, Aug 19: In a major reform, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved setting up of a National Recruitment Agency to conduct computer-based Common Eligibility Test for Central Government jobs.
The decision taken at today’s Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pave the way for reform in the recruitment process for Central government jobs by amalgamating three agencies — Railway Recruitment Board, Staff Selection Commission and Institute of Banking Personnel Selection.
Stating that this was a long-standing demand of the young job seekers and would put an end to mental stress and running around, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar briefing the press after the Cabinet meeting said this would do away with taking several tests and running to various centres.
The National Recruitment Agency (NRA) will be an autonomous society under Societies Act having representatives from SSC, RRB and IBPS. NRA will conduct Tier-1 examination-Common Eligibility Test (CET), an online examination. Further, every district will have at least one exam centre.
With this, the preliminary exam for all non-gazetted posts comprising Group B and C (non-technical) posts will be held in common.
The candidates who qualify the exam will apply to any of the recruitment agencies for higher level of examination.
The validity of the test score will be for three years and there will be no bar on the number of attempts subject to the upper age limit.
At present, the exams conducted by three agencies: banking personnel selection agency IBPS, Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) and the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) will be unified.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh told reporters the setting up of the agency will bring ease of recruitment, ease of selection and thereby ease of living for aspirant candidates.
Briefing mediapersons about the National Recruitment Agency, C Chandramouli, Secretary to the Government, said, “There are almost more than 20 recruitment agencies in central government. Although we are making exams of only three agencies common as of now, in course of time we will be able to have Common Eligibility Test for all recruitment agencies.”
The merit list of Common Entrance Test will remain valid for three years during which the candidate can apply for jobs in different sectors depending upon his aptitude and preferences.
ERA starts work on rigid concrete pavement on Civil Sectt-Rambagh road
Rigid concrete pavement technology being used for 1st time ever in Valley
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Aug 19: Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency Wednesday started work on Rs 9.16 crore “Rigid Concrete Pavement “of Civil –Secretariat to Rambagh Chowk road. The work on the sub-project being executed under World Bank funded JTFRP (Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project) was kick started in presence of Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Chief Executive Officer, J&KERA/JTFRP.
Javed Iqbal Tara, Director, Kashmir JKERA informed CEO,JKERA/JTFRP that the 1.9 kms long road stretch is being upgraded with an objective of making the flood vulnerable portions of the Indira Gandhi road resilient to floods by using the rigid concrete pavement technology instead of the conventional flexible pavement which is more susceptible to damages during water logging. He said the road portion is being upgraded at an approximate cost of Rs 9.16 crore and will be strengthened with the laying three layers comprising of GSB (Granular sub Base), DLC (Dry Lean Concrete) and the final layer of PQC (Pavement Quality Concrete) The project has a timeline of 12 months and will directly benefit thousands of people living on both the sides of the road which include Rambagh, Solina, Allochibagh, Tulsi Bagh, Hazuri Bagh, Magarmal Bagh, Saraibala, Shaheedgunj, Maharaji Bazar, Natipora,Bakshi Stadium,Batmaloo etc.
Abid also inspected the progress of work on the “Rigid Concrete Pavement” of 1.49 km Peerbagh-Humhama road portion of the Indira Gandhi road in Srinagar. Director, Kashmir, JKERA informed that work on road stretch is in full swing and as on date work on 500 meters of road stretch has been completed.
This is for the first time that ‘Concrete Rigid Pavement Technology’ is being used at a large scale for up-gradation of roads in Jammu and Kashmir. The rigid concrete pavement technology is being used as a long term protection against the recurrent damages caused due to the frequent water logging during the torrential rains and to make the vital road stretch leading upto to the Srinagar International Airport more durable and flood resilient.
Similarly another very significant road in Srinagar city which is also vulnerable to recurrent damages due to water logging – eastern foreshore road around the Brari-Nambal water body in downtown Srinagar is also being upgraded using the “Rigid Concrete Pavement” technology under JTFRP. Confirmatory survey on the sub-project is underway and work on sub-project is being started soon.
The Chief Executive Officer, J&KERA/JTFRP directed the engineers to complete all the necessary formalities that are prerequisite for the start of work on other road sub-projects.. He also directed engineers to closely supervise and monitor the progress of works under execution to ensure that timelines for the completion of these works are met and all the quality control parameters of the works are fully complied with.
J&K ERA is executing the road upgradation sub-project as PIU (Project Implementation Unit) for the World Bank funded JTFRP (Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project) under the component of Construction of Roads and Bridges.
Mull Over Exam Modes
There is no clarity when schools and other educational institutions will reopen in this part of the globe including Jammu and Kashmir. Rather, it would be a fight against covid-19 pandemic that will decide the future. Even though the centre government clarified that it has not ordered the closure of the schools till December, the Education Minister made it clear that the educational institutions, closed since mid-March, will re-open only after discussion with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Home Affairs “once the situation is conducive.”
In the present uncertain scenario, the government needs to have various plans ready as regards the examinations which are only a few months away. There is need to mull over choices and also put in place plans for hassle-free examinations, the mode and modulus of which shall also require to be formulated.
The usual paper pen exam would be a difficult task to conduct but it would be too early to rule it out as a possibility given the fact the final examinations for 10 and 12th classes among others are normally conducted in early November and afterwards. Given the fact that the government has already slashed syllabus by 30 percent for students from Class IX to XII to reduce course load in view of the extraordinary situation arising due to the coronavirus pandemic, mass promotion is ruled out as a viable option. Practically speaking, mass promotion is not a good solution given the fact that the students will face problems in their future prospects and the credibility of their certificates will remain questionable.
There is no doubt that the usual examination is the best option. However, it remains dependable on how the covid-19 pans out especially when both number of cases and deaths due to it are unrelenting. Already nearly 30000 people have been infected while around 565 people have succumbed to the virus so far in J&K. The government needs to look into alternatives and shall explore assessment based examination among the options for the benefit of the students. The modalities for assessment can be worked out by the authorities and may include online assignments etc. There can be several other options which needed to be worked out to avoid last minutes glitches in the interest of students who must be keen to be evaluated and move forward in a time-bound manner.
Doctors’ catching COVID-19 creates ripples, people worried
Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Aug 18: Doctors and other members of the medical fraternity catching COVID-19 have created ripples in Kashmir.
Death of a renowned chest specialist from Srinagar’s old city has shocked the people. The COVID is hitting the frontline warriors hard. Prominent among those who have been infected due to the virus include, Head of Department of CD Hospital in Srinagar, which was designated as the COVID-care facility soon after the epidemic broke out. The medico has recovered and is back on job. Last week president of Doctors Association of Kashmir, who during the past 6 months has been continuously making people aware about how dangerous this virus is, also tested positive and is still undergoing treatment.
Besides these doctors many others from medical fraternity have fallen prey to COVID-19, a 40-year doctor from north Kashmir became the first case of re-infection and died even after getting recovered.
A doctor while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “The medicos in Kashmir have been working in very difficult conditions. When the pandemic broke out doctors were not even provided PPE kits. They had to arrange the safety kits on their own. There were many instances where doctors had to face the ire of people for none of their fault. We were targeted without any reason.”
An expert said, “Doctors have been at the receiving end since the day pandemic has broken out in the Valley. Despite massive awareness campaigns, people didn’t follow the COVID norms. In the initial days they were unable to understand the importance of wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and hand hygiene. This also led to the sharp increase in the COVID-19 cases in Kashmir.”
He said, “The doctors in Kashmir have done a commendable job and have worked tirelessly. They have treated patients without any specific line of treatment. At present situation is better as the recovery rate has gone upto 70%. The COVID warriors who have laid down their lives while fighting this deadly virus will always be remembered for their selfless service to the human race.”
An official said, “Initially there were many problems but along with the passage of time many issues have been resolved. We are ensuring that doctors and other members of the medical fraternity are given all the possible facilities. Everyone is aware of the fact doctors are working in a very difficult situation and are trying their best to save the human lives. The government won’t let them down and no stone will be left unturned to protect them.”
COVID-19 kills 12 more in Kashmir, J&K toll 566
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, Aug 18: Kashmir reported twelve more deaths attributed to COVID-19 since overnight, taking the fatality count due to the deadly virus in Jammu and Kashmir to 566 on Tuesday.
Official sources told GNS that those who succumbed to the virus include four from Anantnag, three from Kupwara, two each from Budgam and Srinagar besides one from Bandipora.
They said a 70-year-old man from Handwara who died at SKIMS Soura, six days after he was admitted to the tertiary care hospital.
A 55-year-old woman from Ompora Budgam who was admitted to SMHS hospital here on August 16 died today. Also, a 65-year-old man from Trehgam Kupwara died at the SMHS hospital, they said.
A 65-year-old man from Handwara died at CD hospital Dalgate Srinagar, one of the exclusive facilities for the management of the covid-19 patients here. “She was declared dead at 4:30 a.m.,” a doctor at the hospital told GNS.
Two patients succumbed at SKIMS Bemina, also among the exclusive facilities for the covid-19 patients here.
A senior doctor at the hospital said that a 55-year-old woman from Gulab Bagh Srinagar died nine days after the admission.
The second death reported at the hospital includes a 50-year-old woman from Makhama Magam who died three days admission. “Both the patients were suffering from multiple ailments,” the doctor added.
Four deaths were reported from Anantnag and include a 65-year-old woman from Gopalpur, a 65-year- old from Ashmukam and a 55-year-old woman from Noupora Akhran and a 70-year-old man from Shangus Kreeri who died at Government Medical College hospital Anantnag.
A 65-year-old woman from Nawa Kadal Srinagar having hypertension, hypothyroidism and bilateral Community Acquired Pneumonia died at SKIMS Soura.
Regarding the fatality from Bandipora, they said, a 65-year-old man from Bandipora died at SMHS hospital later in the afternoon, three days after he was admitted to the hospital with bilateral community acquired pneumonia.
With these deaths, officials said, 566 people have succumbed to the virus in Jammu and Kashmir sofar—525 from the Valley and 41 from Jammu division.
Srinagar district with 180 deaths tops the list followed by Baramulla (88), Budgam (44), Anantnag (43), Kulgam (31), Pulwama (40), Kupwara (37), Shopian (25), Jammu (29), Bandipora(23), Ganderbal (14), Rajouri (3), two each in Doda, Poonch and Udhampurbesides one each in Ramban, Samba, and Kathua.
JK reports 434 new cases, tally nears 30,000 mark
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Aug 18: As many as 434 more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, thus taking the total number of cases in the Union Territory to 29326, officials said.
They said of the fresh cases 346 were reported in Kashmir and 88 in Jammu.
Moreover, 590 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals, 110 from Jammu Division and 480 from Kashmir Division.
According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Corona virus (Covid-19), out of 29326 positive cases, 6879 are Active Positive, 21886 have recovered and 561 have died; 41 in Jammu division and 520 in Kashmir division.
The Bulletin further said that out of 811167 test results available, 781841 samples have been tested as negative till August 18, 2020.
Additionally, till date 418363 travelers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for observation which included 42307 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 6879 in isolation and 44529 under home surveillance. Besides, 324087 persons have completed their surveillance period.
Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Srinagar has 7026 positive cases (including 66 cases reported today) with 1396 Active Positive, 5453 recovered (including 302 cases recovered today), 177 deaths; Baramulla has 2475 positive cases (including 37 cases reported today) with 642 Active Positive, 1745 recovered, 88 deaths; Pulwama reported 2122 positive cases (including 27 cases reported today) with 431 active positive cases, 1651 recovered (including 56 cases recovered today), 40 deaths; Kulgam has 1728 positive cases (including 16 cases reported today) with 210 Active Positive, 1487 recoveries (including 03 cases recovered today), 31 deaths; Shopian has 1579 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today) with 96 Active Positive, 1458 recovered (including 10 cases recovered today), 25 deaths; Anantnag district has 1857 positive cases (including 42 cases reported today) with 358 Active Positive, 1456 recovered (including 33 cases recovered today), 43 deaths; Budgam has 1834 positive cases (including 06 cases reported today) with 490 Active Positive and 1300 recovered (including 24 cases recovered today), 44 deaths; Kupwara has 1637 positive cases (including 66 cases reported today) with 467 Active Positive, 1134 recovered (including 11 cases recovered today), 36 deaths; Bandipora has 1535 positive cases (including 59 cases reported today) with 762 Active Positive, 751 recovered (including 06 cases reported today), 22 deaths and Ganderbal has 987 positive cases (including 24 cases reported today) with 463 active positive cases, 510 recoveries (including 35 cases recovered today) and 14 deaths.
Similarly, Jammu has 2033 positive cases (including 28 cases reported today) with 739 active positive cases, 1265 recoveries (including 46 cases recovered today), 29 deaths; Rajouri has 790 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 97 active positive cases, 690 recovered (including 26 cases reported today), 03 deaths; Ramban has 629 positive cases (including 05 cases reported today) with 27 active positive, 601 recoveries (including 07 cases reported today), 01 death; Kathua has 677 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today) with 105 Active positive, 571 recovered (including 11 cases recovered today), 01 death; Udhampur has 662 positive cases (including 13 cases reported today) with 103 active positive cases, 557 recovered (including 06 cases recovered today), 02 deaths; Samba has 589 positive cases (including 12 cases reported today) with 175 Active Positive, 413 recoveries, 01 death; Doda has 347 positive cases (including 04 cases reported today) with 46 active positive cases, 299 recoveries , 02 deaths; Poonch has 332 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today) with 75 active positive, 255 recoveries (including 03 recoveries today), 02 death; Reasi has 302 positive cases (including 14 cases reported today) with 175 active positive, 127 recoveries (including 01 case recovered today) and Kishtwar has 185 positive cases (including 04 cases reported today) with 22 active positive cases and 163 recoveries.
According to the bulletin, of the total 29326 positive cases in J&K 5604 have been reported as travelers while 23722 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 8.03 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 ensued 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.
Final phase of COVID-19 vaccine trials begins today
New Delhi, Aug 18: The final phase of testing of one of three Corona vaccines, being developed in the country, will begin on Wednesday.
Briefing the media, Dr V K Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, said on Tuesday that three vaccines were being developed in the country, of which human trials for one vaccine will start from Wednesday.
Speaking about vaccines, Dr Paul said, while one vaccine was in the stage of phase-3 trials, the other two were also progressing well and were in the phase 1-2 of clinical trials.
“We have reviewed all these vaccine candidates. These are progressing well and their developments are taking place in a reassuring manner,” he said. “The outline of vaccine administration and supply chain is ready. As and when required, detailed and micro-level planning for vaccine administration based on a scientific approach according to the characteristics of the vaccine will be adopted,” he added.
He said two doses of a vaccine may have to be taken, and accordingly the plan will be prepared.
Stating that discussions were going on with the vaccine manufacturers, Dr Paul further stated, the Government held discussions with vaccine manufacturers to know about the facilitations they are expecting from the Government. To a reporter’s query, he replied, “We requested the vaccine manufacturers to indicate what possible prices could be. Pricing is very complex as some of these vaccines are at an early stage. We have some insights into what the price range could be, but this is an information that will be refined as we move along.”
Individual vaccine manufacturers have been requested to provide more clear-cut data on their individual production capacities and how their capacities would pan out with time, encouraging them very actively to ramp up capacity with facilitations.
“This is a dialogue in motion,” he said, noting that India had huge potential and capacity in vaccine manufacturing.
Dr Paul said the vaccine, which is in the first and second phase, and their results will be available in one to two weeks and the vaccine which has reached the third stage, it will take longer to get the results, an official release here said.
COVID-19: More than 3 cr Covid samples tested in country, over 19 lakh patients cured
New Delhi, Aug 18: More than three crore samples of Coronavirus have been tested in the country, of which 899,864 samples were tested in the past 24 hours while over 19 lakh patients have been cured across the country, which is about 2.93 times of the total active cases of infection.
Briefing the media on the condition of Corona in the country on Tuesday, Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Ministry of Health, said only 25 per cent of the total Covid-19 cases reported in the country were active, which were being treated in hospitals or in home isolation.
At present, more than 55,000 of Corona infected had recovered every day and the Corona Mortality Rate has also reduced to less than two per cent.
He said on an average, 2,30,751 patients were tested daily from July 1 to 7 in the country and from July 22 to 28 this number increased to 4,21,940 samples daily and from August 12 to 18 the figure has increased to 8,08,488. As many as 899,864 samples were examined Monday, which is a record for the highest number of sample tests conducted in a day.
He said the average daily average rate of Covid-19 in the country was decreasing and the rate was 10.03 per cent between July 8 and 14 and 9.03 per cent between July 22 and 28. Due to better clinical management of the Central and state governments, it has come down to 7.72 per cent between August 12 and 18.
So far, 19,77,779 Covid patients have been cured in the country and the number of active cases at present is only 6,73,166. At present, the recovery rate of Covid patients has increased to 73 per cent and it is continuously increasing. The recovery rate of Covid patients in the country was only 7.35 per cent on April 7, which rose to 27.41 per cent on May 5 and to 48.47 per cent on June 9. The rate increased to 62.62 per cent on July 21 and now it has been recorded at 73.18 per cent on August 18, the official said.
