Precious Kashmir News

Jammu, Aug 7: As many as 473 more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, thus taking the tally of the infected people in the Union Territory to 23927, officials said.
They said of the fresh cases 345 tested positive in Kashmir and 128 in Jammu.

Moreover, 510 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals, 142 from Jammu Division and 368 from Kashmir Division, the officials added.

According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Corona virus (Covid-19), out of 23927 positive cases, 7260 are Active Positive, 16218 have recovered and 449 have died; 34 in Jammu division and 415 in Kashmir division.

The Bulletin further said that out of 695620 test results available, 671693 samples have been tested as negative till August 07, 2020.

Additionally, till date 384044 travelers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for observation which included 42615 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 7260 in isolation and 43889 under home surveillance. Besides, 289831 persons have completed their surveillance period.

Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Srinagar has 5822 positive cases (including 123 cases reported today) with 2353 Active Positive, 3322 recovered (including 142 cases recovered today), 147 deaths; Baramulla has 2073 positive cases (including 32 cases reported today) with 382 Active Positive, 1614 recovered (including 56 cases recovered today), 77 deaths; Pulwama reported 1769 positive cases (including 26 cases reported today) with 718 active positive cases and 1024 recovered (including 30 cases recovered today) and 27 deaths; Kulgam has 1593 positive cases (including 16 cases reported today) with 154 Active Positive and 1410 recoveries (including 33 cases recovered today) and 29 deaths; Shopian has 1508 positive cases (including 08 cases reported today) with 198 Active Positive, 1286 recovered (including 03 cases recovered today) and 24 deaths; Anantnag district has 1498 positive cases (including 13 cases reported today) with 315 Active Positive, 1153 recovered, 30 deaths;  Budgam has 1462 positive cases (including 24 cases reported today) with 428 Active Positive and 1000 recovered (including 50 cases recovered today) cases and 34 deaths; Kupwara has 1209 positive cases (including 28 cases reported today) with 223 Active Positive, 963 recovered (including 06 cases recovered today), 23 deaths; Bandipora has 962 positive cases (including 48 cases reported today) with 344 Active Positive, 601 recovered (including 48 cases recovered today) and 17 deaths and  Ganderbal has 630 positive cases (including 27 cases reported today) with 289 active positive cases and 334 recoveries and 07 deaths.

Similarly, Jammu has 1473 positive cases (including 61 cases reported today) with 703 active positive cases and 747 recoveries (including 13 cases recovered today), 23 deaths; Rajouri has 754 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today) with 253 active positive cases, 498 recovered (including 10 cases recovered today), 03 deaths; Ramban has 576 positive cases (including 01 case reported today) with 62 active positive, 513 recoveries (including 67 cases reported today), 01 death; Kathua has 574 positive cases (including 09 cases reported today) with 116 Active positive, 457 recovered (including 02 cases recovered today), 01 death; Udhampur has 618 positive cases (including 23 cases reported today)  with 205 active positive cases, 411 recovered (including 21 cases recovered today), 02 deaths; Samba has 478 positive cases (including 11 cases reported today) with 181 Active Positive and 296 recoveries, 01 death; Doda has 302 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today) with 65 active positive cases, 235 recoveries (including 17 cases reported today), 02 deaths; Poonch has 253 positive cases (including 01 case reported today) with 91 active positive, 161 recoveries, 01 death; Reasi has 214 positive cases (including 16 cases reported today) with 141 active positive, 73 recoveries (including 02 cases recovered today) and Kishtwar has 159 positive cases with 39 active positive cases; 120 recoveries (including 10 cases recovered today).

According to the bulletin, of the total 23927 positive cases in J&K 4830 have been reported as travelers while 19097 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 metre 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 handwashing 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 dialling 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).

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.

New Delhi, Aug 7: India on Friday reported the highest single-day spike of 62,538 COVID-19 cases during the past 24 hours, raising the total tally to 20,27,075.

The tally includes 6,07,384 active cases and 13,78,105 cured/discharged/migrated.

This is the ninth consecutive day that COVID-19 cases have increased by more than 50,000.

The total recoveries have jumped to 13,78,105 with recovery of 49,769 patients in the past 24 hours,

according to the Union Health Ministry data.

Total 886 patients succumbed to the virus in the past 24 hours, taking the overall death toll to 41,585.

There are 6,07,384 active cases of Novel Coronavirus infection in the country presently, while the recovery rate among COVID-19 patients has gone up to a new high of 68 per cent.

The active cases witnessed a surge of 11,883 cases.

While the recovery rate is at a record high of 68 per cent, the Case Fatality Rate has touched a new low of 2.05 per cent, thus ensuring low mortality among the COVID-19 patients. These two in tandem have enabled a higher and rising difference – more than 7.7 lakh – between the number of recovered patients and active cases in India.

The total recoveries have jumped to 13,78,105 with recovery of 49,769 patients in the past 24 hours, an official statement here said.

As 6,39,042 samples were tested on Thursday, the national positivity rate was recorded at 9.78 per cent.

Till now, 2,27,88,393 samples have been tested for COVID, as per the Indian Council of Medical Research.

The worst-hit Maharashtra recorded its biggest single-day spike of 11,514 Coronavirus cases. It’s tally now stands at 4,79,779. Andhra Pradesh is inching closer to the two lakh mark. It has added over 10,000 fresh cases for the second consecutive day.

The National Capital added 1,299 new cases to its tally of 1,41,531 cases. Total 15 people succumbed in the past 24 hours.

New Delhi, Aug 7: The Central government on Friday sought some more time from the Supreme Court to restore 4G internet connection in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that there has been a change of the Lieutenant Governor and thereby, it will need some more time to revert in the case.

A bench of Apex Court, headed by Justice N V Ramana, was hearing a contempt plea against the government over the delay in restoration of 4G mobile internet services in the Union Territory of J&K.

The Court asked the Centre and the UT to explore the possibility of restoring 4G in select areas, and added that this matter can’t get delayed further.

The authorities must now come up with a definite stand, the Court observed and fixed the matter for further hearing on August 11.

The Apex Court asked Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Central government, whether any part of J&K can get 4G internet services or not.

SG Mehta replied that he will get instructions in the matter. He opposed the plea for Contempt proceedings against the Home Secretary, other officials and made it clear to the Apex Court that the earlier orders to set up the review committee had been followed.

“We will hear the matter again on the next date of hearing, which is August 11,” the Apex Court said.

Not a single soul cried when leaders were detained last year

> Things were designed for corruption
> Doctors working in the Middle East were drawing salaries in JK
> 30 families milked JK Bank

Srinagar, Aug 7 : People in Jammu and Kashmir have to keep patience to enjoy a whole lot of benefits of the Centre’s move to nullify Article 370 as many positive initiatives have not been rolled out fully yet, Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam has said.

Jammu and Kashmir was a “broken state” and there was “no system” in place due to years of misgovernance, corruption and “unbelievable levels of fraud” committed by leaders of mainstream parties and separatist organisations, he said.

Therefore, not a “single soul had cried” over the detention of political and separatist leaders in August last year, when the Centre announced its decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 of the Constitution, he added.

Subrahmanyam, a 1987-batch IAS officer who was hand-picked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “clean up” the Jammu and Kashmir administration, said mis-governance and corruption had continued for so long that the system collapsed from inside.

“People have to be patient to get a whole lot of benefits after the abrogation of Article 370 as what had happened on August 5 last year, have not been rolled out fully (yet),” he told a group of visiting journalists here.

On August 5 last year, the Central Government had announced abrogation of Article 370 provisions and bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into Union Territories (UT) — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Subrahmanyam said before he came to Jammu and Kashmir in June 2018, he met the Prime Minister and sought his guidance for his new assignment.

“The Prime Minister told me: Go, clean up the administration, rebuild it and hand over the ”amanat” (precious possession) to the local people,” he said.

The Chief Secretary said he has been working sincerely to create a robust institutional infrastructure which is free of corruption.

“There was a terrible situation here. Things were designed for corruption. Mis-governance and corruption were for so long that the system has collapsed from inside. The whole state was a big ponzi scheme,” he said.

Subrahmanyam said there were scores of incomplete projects, land acquisition was a big scam and there were instances when doctors working in the Middle East were drawing salaries in Jammu and Kashmir as it had no system of monitoring.

He said frauds in Jammu and Kashmir were at “unbelievable levels”. “There were frauds in jobs, frauds in projects, frauds were everywhere”.

“The JK Bank CMD was the scamster number one. Twenty families or a maximum 30 families milked the JK Bank. There was no accountability. All other PSUs (public sector undertakings) in other states submit their report to the assembly, the PSUs in other states come under RTI, CVC (Central Vigilance Commission). But the JK Bank is accountable to none,” he said. (Agencies)

Ibni Maqbool

Srinagar, Aug 8: Jammu & Kashmir food security was at the heart of a 49-year-old directive, under which Army and paramilitary forces required No-Objection Certificate (NoC) from State’s Home Department to acquire land.

Documents in possession of Precious Kashmir reveal that the directive was issued by the Revenue Department in 1971 to protect cultivable land in J&K.

“The purpose for obtaining this “No objection Certificate”  is to protect cultivable lands for being used for any other purposes to conserve food production in the state,” reads the circular issued by then administrative secretary, Revenue , Sohan Kumar.

The directive was issued by the Revenue Department after Home department took up matter with it on May 10, 1971.

The circular, which was withdrawn last month by J&K government citing implementation of central land acquisition law, stated that acquisition of land by central and state agencies was hampering food production in the State.  “Due to the increase in the tempo of development activities in respect of the implementation of five -year plans, large tracks of land including good cultivable lands are also acquired for various departments to which is affecting adversely the production of food grains  in the state and hamper our efforts in achieving self-sufficiently,” the directive states.

The circular directed Deputy Commissioners to discourage acquisition of irrigated land by central organisations and agencies.

When contacted, Principal Secretary Revenue, Pawan Kotwal told Precious Kashmir that the circular was withdrawn as there are provisions of central land acquisition law, which has become applicable to J&K.

“The circular became redundant due to implementation of central law,” he said.

In an order issued on July 24 , the Revenue  Department withdrew the circular, citing extension of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 to the UT.

New Delhi /Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 7: At least 17 people were killed after an Air India Express plane with 191 on board from Dubai skidded off the runway and broke in two while landing at Kerala’s Kozhikode on Friday amid heavy rain, the police said.
Among those killed were the two pilots of Flight IX 1344, authorities said. Four people are still stuck inside, the Kerala Police chief said.
Most on board have been evacuated and at least 50 injured, including 15 in serious condition, have been taken to hospital, authorities said.

There were 174 passengers, 10 Infants, two pilots and five cabin crew members on board the aircraft.
The flight was part of the Vande Bharat programme that has been bringing back Indians from abroad amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Television images from the site showed part of the fuselage of the Boeing 737 jet ripped apart with debris strewn all over.
The incident took place amid very heavy rainfall in the area around 7:40 pm. Emergency services personnel were seen working in the dark and spraying the wreckage with water.
According to flight-tracking website FlightRadar24, the aircraft circled the airport several times and made two attempts to land.
The Kozhikode airport is one of Kerala’s most prominent international terminals and handles a significant number of flights from abroad, Congress lawmaker Shashi Tharoor told NDTV.
“Pained by the plane accident in Kozhikode,” tweeted PM Modi
Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, “Distressed to learn about the tragic accident of Air India Express aircraft in Kozhikode, Kerala. Have instructed NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) to reach the site at the earliest and assist with the rescue operations.”
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan tweeted:
Kerala has been hammered by heavy rainfall through the day that triggered landslides and left at least 15 people dead.
Around 50 others are still feared trapped in debris after a landslide in the hilly Idukki district early Friday.

Srinagar, Aug 7: To bring out students from psychological stress, Board of School Education has formulated a policy regarding reduction in syllabus or its rationalization and has sent it to higher authorities for administrative approval.

Talking to Kashmir News Service (KNS), Veena Pandita, chairperson BOSE said department has formulated a policy which will be sent to Principal Secretary Education Department Dr Asgar Samoon for administrative approval so that the stress level of students in wake of Covid-19 pandemic will be eased.

“We have asked students to fill examination forms for class 10th, 11th and 12th as we have to fill them for database purpose whatever the circumstances are?”, she said.

She said we can’t predict how long pandemic will continue. So we want to have a strategy at place. I will become impossible for the department to workout database of students at last moment.

She appealed students not to panic at this juncture as department needs database for discussion with the government to ensure relief to student community.

“We can’t workout reduction in syllabus, rationalization or time of examinations at the eleventh hour, so we have started the process”, the official said.

She added that relaxation in syllabus and other examination related affairs are academic decisions. “We too have to fix the line like CBSE has given relaxation of 10 percent syllabus to students”, she said.

Asked what steps BOSE has taken for easing hardships of students amid pandemic, she added that it was impossible to gather at a single platform at this juncture. We had asked concerned quarters to send their suggestion by August 6 and we received comments from them.

“We are drafting procedure how to go ahead? By Monday or Tuesday we will formulate the policy and according will send it to Principal Secretary Education Department for administrative approval”, Pandita added.

She hoped that within seven to ten days department will be ready with a particular program how to go ahead.

Riyaz Bhat

Srinagar, Aug 07: The pending civil works in school education department were halted due to shut down following the abrogation of Article-370 and outbreak of COVID-19, Jammu and Kashmir government has informed the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD)

The representatives of Jammu and Kashmir however, informed MHRD that the efforts were underway by way of execution of civil works

“It is expected that UT shall be completing the pending works by December 2020,” the government said.

The official documents read, “All the pending works could not be completed within the stipulated time period because of clampdown since August 2019 in the UT of JK due to abrogation of Article 370 coupled with nationwide lockdown due to outbreak of COVID-19.”

Earlier the J&K authorities had said that government will complete all the pending civil works in 2018-19.

The MHRD in the previous academic year has directed the JK government to rationalize teacher deployment so that there is no single teacher school and the schools have comfortably Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR)

MHRD said that the JK authorities have ensured that further efforts are being made so that no school is functioning with a single teacher. The state also committed for a comfortable PTR both at primary and upper primary level. Subject-wise PTR is also ensured.

In a reply to the queries of MHRD, the government said, “The rationalization of teachers has been done to a great extent but there are still certain schools with single teachers. The process is underway to cover these schools also by way of rationalization which is expected to be completed by December, 2020.”

Srinagar, Aug 7: Massive search operations have been launched and sniffer dogs pressed into service after cloths of a Rifleman abducted by suspected militants on Sunday evening were found in an orchard in Shopian in south Kashmir on Friday morning.

Official sources said rifleman Shakir Manzoor of 162 Territorial Army (TA) was reported missing since 1700 hrs on Sunday. However, his abandoned burnt car was later found at Rambhama Kulgam same evening, he said adding it is suspected that the soldier has been abducted by militants.

Sources said Shakir, who had come to celebrate Eid-ul-Adha with family, had left his home at Harmain Shopian Sunday evening in the car. However, when he did not return back, police was informed and a massive hunt was launched to trace him.

However, this morning some villagers informed the police that they found some cloths in an orchard at Landoora, Shopian.

Sources said the entire area was immediately sealed and sniffer dogs were pressed into service after the cloths of the army man were recovered.

The forces have launched massive search operation to trace the kidnapped soldier.

Meanwhile, family members of the abducted army man have appealed to abductor to release him on humanitarian grounds.

This is not the first time army men who had come on leave to celebrate festivals or other social gatherings with their were abducted by militants in south Kashmir. However, some of them were released while others were killed.

Army officer Lieutenant Umar Fayaz was abducted and later killed by militants in May 2017 in Shopian in south Kashmir. The Army authorities had directed all army men from Kashmir to take extra precautions when they visit home on leave.

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, Aug 7: The Crime Branch Kashmir has started probe into the coming up of illegal structures and shopping malls in Srinagar by flouting norms.

In a statement issued here, a Crime Branch spokesman said there are complaints that reportedly Illegally constructed shopping malls have cropped up in Srinagar city. “This has happened through large scale flouting of construction norms”.

“Crime Branch Kashmir conducted raids at various places across Srinagar regarding illegal constructions,” he said.

The raids were conducted at Chanapora, Karanagar, Sanat Nagar, Zakura, Balhama, Pandach etc.

Sources said involvement of top brass in Srinagar Municipality has not been ruled out. “The involvement of middle rung municipality officers is also being looked into it”.

They said those found guilty in flouting norms will be dealt as per law.

“Further inquiry into the matter has been taken up,” they said. (KNS)