Reviews security arrangements ahead of Eid, Aug 15
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Jul 30: J&K Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh on Thursday reviewed overall security arrangements of the Union Territory (UT) ahead of Eid-ul-Adha and August 15 functions.
A high level security review meeting was held at Police Headquarters (PHQ) Srinagar today under the chairmanship of Director General of Police J&K Dilbag Singh. During the meeting over all security scenario of the UT particularly security arrangements with regard to EID, and Independence Day were discussed, a police spokesman said.
He said the efforts of collective fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by the Police, CAPFs and Civil Administration were also discussed.
In his address, the DGP appreciated the feedback of the senior officers and jurisdictional officers on different subjects. He directed that the coming fortnight or so the forces have to remain very alert and have to put into use all their resources so that the religious festivals as well as the Independence Day celebration pass off peacefully.
The DGP said that there will be provocations by the anti-national and anti social elements during this period and as such all the personnel deployed on nakas, on operations, on static guards and other deployments need to be briefed on regular basis.
He complimented the officers and said that a lot of good work has been done during the last few months on operations as well as on the law & order front, however, the guard cannot be lowered and there is a need to consolidate the gains.
The DGP said that all the efforts must be put in place to enhance the security of the vulnerable people and places. He said that the officers can take the decisions keeping in view the local requirements, conditions etc. The DGP also said that all the logistics such as BP Bunkers fitted with CCTVs have been provided and advised the officers that these resources must be made good use of. The incidents of sensitive and law & order nature must be recorded and later on analysed, he said.
The DGP said that the supervisory officers must ensure that the jawans on duty remain alert and put on BP patkas, jackets to safeguard themselves and also do their duties efficiently.
The DGP said that the Plasma donations by the Police personnel has been appreciated by the civilians as precious lives are being saved through this attempt.

He said the units and districts must make a list of police personnel who can be screened for plasma donation. The donors must be duly rewarded.
He further advised that due precautions and COVID protocols must be followed during the celebration of the religious as well as on the national festivals.

New Delhi, July 30: The second last day of July brought good news for India, a country, which had suffered a huge blow in the hands of Novel Coronavirus, second only to the US and Brazil, witnessed a ray of hope on Thursday, after reaching the landmark achievement of more than 10 lakh recoveries, till now.

However, on the grimmer side, the peninsular nation registered the biggest ever 24-hour rise of 52,123 cases and witnessed loss of 775 lives in the same period.

The death toll has now mounted to 34,968, while the overall tally of cases has now risen to 15,83,792.

The spurt in cases, according to observers, owed to the high-number of testing that the country was conducting from the past few days. The country tested more than 4,46,642 samples on Thursday.

The average daily tests (on a rolling week-on-week basis) have increased from 2.4 lakh in the first week of July to more than 4.68 lakh in the last week of July.

India, from past some days, has seen a drop in mortality rate.

‘The average death rate of the country is 2.21 per cent today, but there are 24 states of the country, where the Corona death rate is less than the national average,’ a Union Health Ministry official said.

The death rate was 2.43 per cent on July 21 and 3.36 per cent on June 17.

According to MHA official Rajesh Bhushan, the positive rate of infection is also improving continuously. Going by the data for the past seven days, the positive rate in 21 states of the country is less than 10 per cent.

Positive rates in Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan are less than five per cent. In case of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry and Odisha, the positive rates are more than 10 per cent.

Despicable Act

In a staggering incident, a laboratory technician in Maharashtra was booked for rape after he took vaginal swabs to conduct Coronavirus tests on a patient, senior Police Inspector of Badnera, Punjabrao Wanjari said.

According to the official, a 24-year-old girl went to take the COVID-19 test after her colleague at a local mall was found positive. However, the lab technician told her that it was essential to take vaginal swabs for accurate test results for Coronavirus.

After the test, the girl discussed the incident with her brother, who inquired with doctors and came to know that there is no such test for the contagion.

The technician has been booked under IPC Sections 354 and 376, following a complaint and further probe was underway, the official added.

Healing touch of Ayurveda

The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi has started providing free testing and treatment to patients in its COVID 19 Health Centre (CHC). Union Ayush Minister Shri Shripad Yesso Naik visited the CHC on 28th July 2020 to review the arrangements at the Centre for treatment of COVID-19 patients. During the visit, the minister announced that CHC will provide free of cost testing and treatment facilities to all the patients.

He also inaugurated the Intensive Care Unit of CHC which has been equipped with ventilator facility and all other standard provisions of ICU. AIIA has also been designated as COVID-19 testing centre (RT-PCR and Rapid antigen testing) by Government of Delhi. A COVID Call Centre has been established at AIIA for handling queries related to COVID 19 being raised by the general public telephonically.

Khadi in demand

As the popularity of the Khadi Face Masks grows across the country due to its fine quality and affordable price, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has received a purchase order from Indian Red Cross Society to supply 1.80 lakh face masks.

As per KVIC, the IRCS masks will be made of 100 per cent double-twisted handcrafted cotton fabric in brown colour with red piping. KVIC has especially designed these double-layered cotton masks for the Indian Red Cross Society as per the samples provided by them.

The mask will have suitably printed IRCS logo on the left side and the Khadi India tag on the right side. The supply of masks will begin by next month. The execution of this order will require over 20,000 meter of fabric which will generate 9000 additional man days for the Khadi artisans.

Building infrastructure amid pandemic

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth, today, jointly inaugurated the new Supreme Court building in Mauritius through video conference.

The building is the first India assisted infrastructure project within the capital city of Port Louis to be inaugurated after the Covid pandemic.

The landmark project has been completed with grant assistance of USD 28.12 million from the Government of India.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Modi noted the importance of human-centric approach as the underlying philosophy of India’s development cooperation and commended the role of people-oriented infrastructure projects in further cementing the close ties between India and Mauritius.

Global Scenario

The global tally of infected by the novel Coronavirus surpassed 17 million on Thursday, Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering said. According to the latest statistics, the tally across the world stood at 17,029,155 while the death toll has reached 667,011.

The United States was the worst affected country with 4,423,917 cases and 150,713 fatalities, followed by Brazil with 2,552,265 cases and 90,134 deaths. Nations having more than 300,000 cases include India, Russia, South Africa, Mexico, Peru, Chile and Britain.

Gul Owais

Srinagar, July 30: Tall claims of Srinagar Municipal Corporation  about Solid Waste Management (SWM) have remained confined to papers only as the corporation is grossly falling behind in men and machinery, thus taking a toll on the efficient disposal of waste in the City.

According to the details available with Precious Kashmir,  SMC’s official website, reads that the corporation requires at least 3600 Safai Karamcharis (sweepers) but has only 2018 of which 1765 have been appointed on regular basis while as rest of 343 are working on consolidated bases.

The details available on the SMC website also reveal that the Corporation also lacks machinery and the equipment meant to clean the garbage, thus puncturing the claim of the SMC of green and clean Srinagar City.

The corporation, according to the website, requires 25 dumper placer vehicles but has only 12 available.  The corporation also sans dumper bins. Of 400 dumper bins actually required, the corporation only has 110 available.

The shortage of such machinery and equipment comes at a time when the corporation, especially those who were elected in the Municipal elections are bragging about many steps being haven taken to enhance the equipment and other things in the corporation for the betterment of the people.

However, the details added that out of ten Refuse Collectors required, the corporation has only one while it also reveals that out of 400 Refuse Collector Bins (Kerb side bins) required, it has only 20.

The corporation is also running short of tipper trucks. “Out of 34 required, the corporation is only having 24 available,” the data, which is also available on the SMC’s official website reveals. It added that the corporation also sans 480 tricycles as the corporation has only 20 tricycles available against the requirement of 500.

It added that SMC sans two compactors for the dumping site. “Out of three required, the corporation has only one compactor for the dumping site,” the data reveals.

Jammu, July 30:  A senior officer of Provident Fund was booked on Thursday after he landed into the net of the Anti-Corruption Bureau into a case of disproportionate assets.

An official spokesman of Anti-Corruption Bureau Jammu here said that a case has been registered against Parvinder Singh, Assistant Commissioner (Provident Fund, Jammu) of Chatha Farm, Jammu on the basis of secret verification and reliable information that he has accumulated huge assets moveable and immovable which are disproportionate to his known sources of income by indulging in corrupt and illegal practices.

As per discreet enquiries and confirmation available with ACB, the Assistant Commissioner (Provident Fund, Jammu) by abuse of his official position has amassed illegal wealth and raised the properties in his name or in the name of his family members.

The properties included five top branded luxurious cars, Benami property in the name of his close relatives and a huge bank balance.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, July 30: Advising heightened surveillance on all fronts, Lt Governor (LG) of Jammu and Kashmir G C Murmu stressed on keeping a close watch on all vital installations to ensure safety and security of people.

A Rajbhavan spokesman said Thursday evening that General Officer Commanding (GoC) 15 Corps, Lt General, B S Raju, called on the LG at the Raj Bhavan here Thursday.

The GoC briefed the LG about recent internal security developments and the prevailing security scenario in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. They also discussed about various important issues related to security management in J&K.

The LG advised for heightened surveillance on all fronts and stressed on keeping a close watch on all vital installations to ensure safety and security of the people of the UT.

He underlined the high importance of maintaining a sustained coordination between the Security Forces and the Civil Administration to meet the security challenges in the UT.

The LG lauded the role being played by the Security Forces in safeguarding the territorial integrity of J&K and appreciated their sustained support to the Administration in containing the spread of COVID-19.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, July 30:  Jammu and Kashmir administration is all set to start a series of programmes from August 5 onwards to highlight its achievements on after the abrogation of Article 370 during the past one year.
According to the details available with Precious Kashmir the Chief Secretary has asked all administrative secretaries in Srinagar to be present from August 8 to 11. “An important event is likely to be organised in Srinagar on August 10. The event is being coordinated by the Principal Secretary, Information, and the Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj,” said an official.
He said that points which are likely to be highlighted include spending under the ₹80,000-lakh Prime Minister Development Package, the market intervention scheme to buy apples directly from farmers, issuance of domicile certificates among different communities, election of chairpersons for the block development councils will top the highlights.

The new employment rules to bring in transparency, more focus on the written tests rather than interviews, and more powers to grassroot representatives and extending insurance schemes are likely to be highlighted during these functions.

The other major achievements include application of all Central laws, a massive drive by the anti-corruption body, domicile certificate made basic eligibility condition for government recruitment and issuing these certificates to discriminated categories such as West Pakistan refugees, Gurkhas, Safai Karamcharis, women married outside etc.

Srinagar, July 30: A soldier was injured when militants attacked an Army vehicle on Thursday in south Kashmir district of Pulwama, an army official said.

He said militants fired a grenade from a UBGL at area domination part of Army from an orchard at Drabgam in Pulwama on Thursday. “One soldier was injured in the attack,” he said, adding the wounded was immediately taken to a hospital, where his health condition is stated to be stable.

He said the militants managed to escape from the spot after firing at security personnel briefly, adding additional security forces have been rushed to the area and a search operation has been launched to nab the attackers.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, July 30: Jammu and Kashmir Government on Thursday refuted the claims of senior Congress leader Saifuddin Soz that he has been under house detention.
“Mr. Saiffudin Soz former MP and Minister not under arrest or detention. He has been to Delhi twice in October and December. Free to go wherever he likes  with usual security drill. No question of lying in Supreme Court,” Government spokesman Rohit Kansal tweeted.

Govt orders fast tracking of clearance process  

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, July 30:   The Jammu and Kashmir government today ordered the fast tracking of Environment Clearance Process in minor minerals mining operations across J&K.

The order issued by the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department and Industries and Commerce Department said that in view of the acute and unprecedented shortage of key material for development works and challenging Covid-19 pandemic, it is hereby ordered that the Terms of Reference (ToRs), Public Consultation and Environment Clearance, till whichever stage already obtained /completed in favour of the previous allottees of the minor mineral blocks shall be deemed to have been transferred in favour of the new allottees of e-auction process, on the same terms and conditions of the TORs, Public Consultation and EC.

“The new allottees shall complete the remaining elements of the EC/CTO process and shall commence mining operation only after the completion of the due procedure,” the order said.

Quoting a reference invited to the amendment made by the Ministry of Mines, in the provisions of the Central, Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 in January, 2020.

“It is now provided, for major minerals that, successful bidders of the mining blocks, where mining leases are expiring under the provisions of the Act, and selected through auction as per prescribed procedure shall deem to have acquired all valid rights, approvals, clearances, licenses and the like vested with the previous lessee for a period of two years,” the order said and added that it shall be lawful for the new lessee to continue mining operations on the same land for a period of two years.

The order further stated that accordingly, the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) vide Notification dated 28-03-2020 notified that the new lessee shall deem to acquire the valid EC vested with the previous lessee and continue mining operations on the same terms and conditions of the EC on the same lease area for a period of two years or till it obtains fresh EC, whichever is earlier.

We engage them under NHM: Principal
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, July 30: As nurses in Kashmir are fighting on the forefront amid COVID-19, SKIMS Medical College Bemina has invited applications for engagement of nurses on contractual basis on mere monthly remuneration of Rs 14,500.
On Wednesday, the SKIMS Medical College Bemina issued a notification for engagement of 54 nurses on contractual basis with a monthly remuneration of just Rs 14,500.
It is quite contrary to the fact that SKIMS Medical College has engaged lab technicians with monthly remuneration of Rs 30,000.
Similarly, senior residents recently engaged at SKIMS Soura are paid a monthly stipend of Rs 67,700 in addition to other allowances as per government rules.
One of the nursing scholars said SKIMS Bemina College has been biased towards nurses.

“They can’t have a biased approach towards one particular profession. We are PG degree holders in nursing and working on remuneration of mere Rs 14,500 is an insult to our profession and dignity,” the nursing scholar said.

Another nursing scholar said the notification was violation of Supreme Court guidelines which says equal pay for equal work.
“Why this discrimination only with us? We are always on the forefront. Despite that there is a biased approach towards the nursing profession. In Mumbai hospitals, second year nursing students are paid Rs 20,000 per month in addition to their stipend. Rs 30,000 are paid for third year students. Staff nurses engaged for COVID are paid Rs 50,000. But here we are getting peanuts,” the scholar said.
Another nurse said she loves her job but wished she would get acknowledged for her dedication.
“It is a nurse who is always with patients unlike others. Despite that, our work does not get acknowledgement,” she said.
Nurses working especially in government hospitals are at risk catching infections while handling patients.
The aspiring candidates have appealed to the administration to review the notification to make remuneration synonymous with current nursing professionals of the SKIMS.
Principal SKIMS Medical College Bemina Dr Riyaz Ahmad Untoo said they have invited applications for engagement of nurses on contractual basis.
“We asked the government to provide us nursing staff. We were told to engage them on contractual basis under NHM. We have nothing to do with it. Rs 14,500 remuneration is fixed as per NHM guidelines,” Dr Riyaz said. (KINS)