Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, July 24: As many as 353 more people tested positive for COVID-19, thus taking the total number of cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 16782, officials said.
They said 129 cases were reported in Jammu division and 224 from Kashmir division.
Moreover, 508 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals, 35 from Jammu Division and 473 from Kashmir Division.

According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Corona virus (Covid-19), out of 16782 positive cases, 7269 are Active Positive, 9217 have recovered and 296 have died; 21 in Jammu division and 275 in Kashmir division.

The bulletin further said that out of 559399 test results available, 542617 samples have been tested as negative till July 24, 2020.

Additionally, till date 347939 travelers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for observation which included 42781 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 12 in Hospital Quarantine, 7269 in hospital isolation and 40919 under home surveillance. Besides, 256662 persons have completed their surveillance period.

Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Bandipora has 561 positive cases (including 36 cases reported today) with 167 Active Positive, 387 recovered (including 14 cases recovered today) and 07 deaths; Srinagar has 3648 positive cases (including 40 cases reported today) with 2088 Active Positive, 1478 recovered (including 213 cases reported today), 82 deaths; Anantnag district has 1131 positive cases with 389 Active Positive, 721 recovered (including 03 cases reported today),  21 deaths; Baramulla has 1740 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 600 Active Positive, 1078 recovered (including 130 cases reported today), 62 deaths; Shopian has 1352 positive cases (including 59 cases reported today) with 446 Active Positive, 886 recovered (including 57 cases recovered today) and 20 deaths; Kupwara has 1008 positive cases with 385 Active Positive, 607 recovered  (including 05 cases recovered today) and 16 deaths; Budgam has 984 positive cases with 447 Active Positive and 517 recovered cases (including 03 cases recovered today) and 20 deaths; Ganderbal has 309 positive cases with 163 active positive cases and 141 recoveries and 05 deaths; Kulgam has 1437 positive cases (including 83 cases reported today) with 506 Active Positive and 905 recoveries (including 31 cases recovered today) and 26 deaths and Pulwama reported 1132 positive cases (including 04 cases reported today) with 545 active positive cases and 571 recovered (including 17 cases recovered today) and 16 deaths.

Similarly, Jammu has 757 positive cases (including 45 cases reported today) with 272 active positive cases and 472 recoveries (including 05 cases recovered today) and 13 deaths; Udhampur has 386 positive cases (including 04 cases reported today)   with 86 active positive cases, 299 recovered and 01 death; Samba has 362 positive cases (including 13 cases reported today) with 174 Active Positive and 187 recoveries (including 05 cases reported today) and 01 death; Rajouri has 508 positive cases (including 07 cases reported today) with 384 active positive cases and 122 recovered (including 02 cases recovered today) and 02 deaths; Kathua has 433 positive cases (including 29 cases reported today) with 145 Active positive and 287 recovered (including 08 cases recovered today) and 01 death; Kishtwar has 96 positive cases (including 04 cases reported today) with 62 active positive cases and 34 recovered (including 05 cases reported today); Ramban has 463 positive cases (including 24 cases reported today) with 223 active positive and 240 recoveries (including 01 case recovered today); Reasi has 99 positive cases (including 01 case reported today) with 54 active positive and 45 recovered; Poonch has 166 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 34 active positive and 131 recoveries and 01 death while Doda has 210 positive cases  with 99 active positive cases and 109 recoveries (including 09 cases recovered today)  and 02 deaths.

According to the bulletin, of the total 16782 positive cases in J&K 3744 have been reported as travelers while 13038 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.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, July 24: The State Executive Committee (SEC), headed by Mr. B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary, J&K, met here today and sanctioned an amount of Rs.50 crore under SDRF in favour of Deputy Commissioners of twenty districts of the UT, for further intensifying the COVID containment efforts as well as for meeting any eventuality arising on account of any notified disaster.
It is pertinent to mention that the administration of all the districts across the Union Territory have been engaged in extensive COVID Containment efforts for the past five months. Some of the most notable activities being undertaken in this regard are providing institutional quarantine facilities in all the districts with lodging, food and stay facilities; setting up and management of COVID Care Centers, sampling and testing facilities at Lakhanpur; Jammu Railway Station; Qazigund; Ramban; Jammu/Srinagar Airports, etc.
The meeting was attended by A. K. Mehta; Financial Commissioner. Finance: Pawan Kotwal; Financial Commissioner, Revenue and Simrandeep Singh, Secretary to the Government, Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction.

Srinagar, Jul 24: Strict restrictions continued for the second successive day on Friday in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir in view of lockdown ordered by administration to curtail the rapid rise of fresh COVID-19 cases and deaths from last over fortnight.

However, in view of Eid-ul-Adha, which will be celebrated on August 1, the markets in Kashmir will reopen for three days from July 28 to facilitate hassle-free purchase of sacrificial animals and other necessary items.

Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary on Friday said that for backup, the administration has created 3000 bed capacity while 2000 more will be added soon in Srinagar (in view of rise in COVID-19 cases).

He said the administration has made good use of lockdown time for these fully equipped facilities. “Please rest assured on this front,” he added.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration had announced a complete lockdown in areas which have been categorised as Red Zones in Kashmir, barring Bandipora, from Wednesday evening to July 27 due to spike in the number of Covid-19 cases.

Of the total 285 deaths since March this year, 250 people have lost their lives due to COVID-19 in 49 days, and 270 people in 63 day in J&K, where the total the number of infected persons have surpassed 16,000-mark

Official sources said that strict restrictions continued on Friday on movement of individuals, vehicles and all activities in Kashmir valley, particularly Srinagar, which is the worst hit area in terms of deaths and fresh COVID-19 cases.

However, they said essential service and medical emergencies have been kept out of the ambit of restrictions and would be allowed to move after proper verification.

All the roads and market places, including Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital, remained sealed with authorities seeking cooperation from the public to curtail the spread of COVID-19 by strictly adhering to the lockdown.

Shops and business established remained closed and traffic was off the roads in downtown, civil lines, uptown in Srinagar in view of the lockdown. But, some roads witnessed traffic jam due to roadblocks and checking.

They said all Executive Magistrates along with respective SHOs shall personally monitor enforcement of lockdown and take necessary action in case of violations. “No inter and intra district movement will be allowed without valid permission or staff on medical/health duty,” they said.

“Any violation of the lockdown order will attract proceedings and action under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, Section 51 of the Disaster Management Act and provisions contained in the Epidemic Diseases Act,” they added.

Reports of similar restrictions were coming from other parts of the valley, including Sopore, Baramulla, Kupwara in north and Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian in north Kashmir.

Business and other activities were also remained crippled in central Kashmir districts of Budgam and Ganderbal, where roads were closed with barbed wires in most parts to prevent movement of vehicles.

The restrictions were eased in Srinagar in the second week of June, following J&K administration allowing certain activities, including reopening of malls, barber shops, hotels and restaurants with new guidelines in the Union Territory. Meanwhile, parks and gardens were re-opened earlier this week after remaining closed for about four months. The restrictions were once again briefly re-imposed in Srinagar and some other parts of the valley on July 13 after spike in COVID-19 cases.

Pulwama, July 24:  In south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, the number of positive cases is increasing with each passing day. The district has a large number of quarantine centres compared to other districts but when compared to other districts in the Valley, the recovery rate of COVID-19 infected people in Pulwama is very low, which has evoked concern among the people.

Although, the number of Coronavirus cases in Pulwama in the early days was very low as compared to other districts, but after the opening of the lockdown, the cases increased at a brisk rate. Consequently, the district administration re-imposed lockdown here.

Initially, the lockdown was announced for five days. However, it was later extended up to July 31.

Pertinently, it is not just the number of COVID-19 cases in Pulwama which have increased, but the southern district has seen a rise in the number of Red Zone areas as well. As many as  69 villages have been declared as Red Zone while as 17 villages have been tagged as Buffer Zone. The administration has also imposed fines on those who were violating advisories and ventured out without face masks.

The death toll from this epidemic in Jammu and Kashmir has risen to 294. In Pulwama, the death toll stands at 16.

There have been 1128 cases so far in the district, of which about 500 are still affected by Coronavirus. (KNT)

Srinagar, July 24: A constable of Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) has donated O-negative plasma to save the life of a Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS) officer admitted in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of S K Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Bemina, a police spokesman said.

He said the KAS officer Tasaduq Jeelani, Special Secretary, Social Welfare Department (SWD) needed O-negative Plasma.

He said setting an example and leading from the front Police constable Syed Zulfikar Ali, posted at Anantnag in IRP 11th Battalion had volunteered to donate the plasma to Jeelani, who is admitted in ICU of JVC hospital and was in immediate need of (O- negative) plasma.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sandeep Mehta Commandant of IRP without wasting any time facilitated two donors from  his battalion as soon as he got the news about the immediate need of plasma for the KAS officer.

The Constable who had previously recovered from Covid-19 voluntarily donated his plasma on Wednesday to save a precious life.

Jeelani is said to be recuperating from the disease. His family and friends have thanked Constable Ali and SSP for their support.

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, July 24: Jammu & Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Limited – JKMSCL, a fully owned company of J&K Government, is leading the fight against COVID-19 pandemic at the forefront by providing uninterrupted key medical supplies in the form of equipment, safety material and medicines.

Since the outbreak of the COVID Pandemic, the corporation extended all resources at its hand to strengthen the Health Care Institutions in the UT. It provided 6566 Oxygen Cylinders (B- type and D-type) including 2673 for Jammu Division and 3893 for Kashmir Division.

In view of rapid increase in serious patients in Kashmir Division, the purchase orders for supplying additional 5192(D-type& B-type) oxygen cylinders was placed and supplies have started reaching in the UT .

Besides, 2800 Oxygen Concentrators have also been provided (970 in Jammu and 1830 in Kashmir Division) to increase the oxygen supported beds in the Covid Healthcare Facilities in Jammu & Kashmir. In addition, 327 ventilators have been provided- 151 in Jammu Division and 176 in Kashmir Division.

The installation of the ventilators is under progress and additional 400 ventilators are expected from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, under Prime Minister’s Care fund very shortly.

Around 2600 finger-tip pulse oximeters, 3000 Non-contact thermometers, 776 patient Monitors, 126 ECG Units, 805 Fowler & Semi Fowler beds, 840 bedside lockers, 1200 Saline Stands etc. have also been provided.

To ensure the safety of Health care professionals,  around 3.30 Lakh PPE kits, 3.90 Lakh N95 Masks, 37.00 Lakh Triple Layer Masks, 65,000 Sanitizers etc have been made available for use in various health institutions of J&K and sufficient stocks are being maintained to overcome any unforeseen event.

The Purchase Orders for Machinery/Equipments for 05 additional COVID testing labs in New Govt. Medical Colleges have also been placed and these labs are likely to be made functional in the next two weeks.

Furthermore, to strengthen COVID testing in the existing Labs, JKMSCL has provided 6,04,000 Viral Transport Media (VTM) Kits, 1,90,700 RT-PCR Kits, 160000 RNA Extraction Kits, 25000 Rapid Antigen Tests etc.

For treatment of very serious patients, JKMSCL has placed a Purchase order for Inj. Ramdesivir 1020 vials and supplies are expected shortly.

Financial Commissioner, Health & Medical Education, Atal Dulloo,  while appreciating the team work at JKMSCL, informed that the supplies have been arranged despite complete lockdown in/outside the country and thanked all people involved in UT/Central Govt., who supported the transportation of supplies for management of COVID-19 patients.

Mumbai, July 24: Pharma major, Cipla on Friday said that it has been granted regulatory approval by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for the launch of Favipiravir in the country under the brand name Ciplenza.

The accelerated approval for manufacturing and marketing of the drug is aimed at meeting the urgent and unmet medical need for COVID-19 treatment options in the country through restricted emergency use.

As part of its efforts to enable speedy access to cater to the demand, Cipla will commercially launch Ciplenza in the first week of August priced at Rs 68 per tablet. To ensure fair and equitable distribution of the drug, supplies will be undertaken predominantly through hospital channels and via open channels, prioritised for regions with a high burden of COVID-19 cases.

The drug has been jointly developed by Cipla and CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT). As part of this partnership, CSIR-IICT has successfully developed a convenient and cost-effective synthetic process for Favipiravir. The entire process and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) of the drug has been transferred to Cipla to manufacture and market the drug at scale.

Favipiravir is an off patent, oral anti-viral drug that has been shown to hasten clinical recovery in COVID -19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms.

Srinagar, July 24: Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad who met Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in New Delhi demanded that J&K’s statehood should be restored before holding assembly elections.
Azad told KNS over phone that he called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed political and social affairs of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said that he expressed his concern with regard to increasing COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in Kashmir.

“I also demanded that the statehood should be immediately restored and it should be followed by the assembly election. The various development activities can be carried out only if there is elected state government. Due to result of prolonged Governor rule the development activities have come to standstill; so it is in the interest of the development of the state that elected government be put in place.

During his meeting with PM, Azad also raised issue of downgrading of security of political leaders and demanded security, vehicles and accommodation for politicians irrespective of party affiliations.

Azad told PM that militancy has increased and it’s unfortunate the security of political leaders has been reduced and accommodation should be provided to leaders irrespective of political leaders.

” I informed Prime Minister need for political activities in J&K. The political activities pave way for development and people participation in development increases which is not case during Governor’s Administration,” he added.

Azad also demanded the augmentation of capabilities and capacities for effective fight against Covid-19 in J&K.

The meeting was held regarding the Kashmir specific issues only and lasted for more than hour. (KNS)

Srinagar, July 24:Government of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday ordered disbursement of salary in advance for the month of July to the employees of UT in wake of Eid-ul-Adha.

An order issued by Arun Kumar Mehta, IAS, Financial Commissioner, Finance Department reads, “It is hereby ordered that salary bills for the month of July, 2020 shall be presented in the treasuries on 29th of July, 2020 for advance payment of salary on 30th of July, 2020. “

Precious Kashmir News

Jammu, July 24: Chief Justice, Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Justice Gita Mittal, has approved the scheme for Internship and e-Internship in the J&K High Court.

Responding to the need to put in place a proper scheme in the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir for engagement of law students (unpaid), either on a regular basis and/or e-internships, who may be remotely located as well, the Chief Justice has conceptualized this scheme.

Showing utmost concern towards the difficulties being faced by the law students in seeking opportunities for internships in offices/ chambers of Judges, law offices, lawyers chambers etc. and being unable to observe the practical working of courts and learn research work during the Covid 19 pandemic, the scheme has been accorded approval for implementation by the Chief Justice in the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir.

Pertinently, prior to the approval of this scheme, there was no such scheme for engagement of law Interns in the High Court of J&K.

Under the scheme, the Chief Justice and the Judges of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir can permit internships to law students, either regular or by way of e-internship.

To be eligible for applying as an Intern, the candidate must be pursuing LLB course from a recognized Law College/ University established by law in India and should be eligible for enrolment as an Advocate with the Bar Council of India or State Bar Councils on conclusion of the LLB course and must have a good working knowledge of computer.

As per the scheme, Law Universities/ College(s) have been authorized to make recommendation(s) for internship of a candidate. A candidate can also apply directly either to the Registrar General or to the Judge of the High Court through his/her private secretary with whom the applicant seeks to intern.

The scheme further envisages that the Law Intern will be issued an experience certificate by the Registrar General on successful completion of internship with the approval of the Judge with whom the intern was attached.

Pertinently, law internships are established programs’ in courts all over the world including several high courts in India. Internships are fixed term permissions granted to law students to attend and observe court proceedings, read files of cases, undertake legal research on points assigned to them and any other law related activity.

With the approval of the scheme, the law students studying in various colleges/universities/law Schools and other institutions shall get an opportunity to further hone their legal skills and understand both breadth and depth of legal knowledge.