New Delhi, July 19: India’s top medical body – the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has issued a ‘red alert’ for medicos and medical administrators involved in COVId-19 containment efforts and asked them to raise their guard while announcing that of the total 1,302 doctors infected with COVID-19, 99 doctors have succumbed to the disease in India so far.
Of those dead, 73 were above the age of 50 years, 19 in the age-group of 35-50 and seven below 35 years. Among the 99 who have lost their lives, 57 of them were general practitioners. This is the first time since the pandemic, IMA has released data on doctors who have lost their lives while battling the highly contagious virus.
Issuing a statement, the top medical body said, “IMA declares RED ALERT to doctors and medical administrators, if COVID-19 mortality needs to decrease in the country then it has to start with doctors and India’s healthcare system.”

Analysis of data shows that while senior and young doctors are equally infected with COVID-19, mortality is higher among elders. While this is on expected lines, there is scope for reducing deaths across the age spectrum. Meticulous adherence to norms and discipline inside hospitals will have a salutary effect.

Along with the data, the IMA has strongly recommended practices that India’s healthcare system should follow in a bid to decrease the mortality rate.

New Delhi, July 18: India on Saturday summoned Pakistan High Commission Charge d’Affaires Syed Haidar Shah and lodged a strong protest against killing of three innocent civilians in an unprovoked ceasefire violation by their security forces in Krishna Ghati sector of Jammu and Kashmir on July 17.

The deceased belonged to one family.

“India condemns, in the strongest terms, the deliberate targeting of innocent civilians by Pakistan forces”, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

As many as 21 Indians have been killed and 94 injured in over 2711 unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Pakistani forces this year alone.

India also protested Pakistan’s continued support to cross border infiltration into its territory, including supporting cover fire provided by Pakistani forces.

Pakistan was called upon to adhere to the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding for maintaining peace and tranquility along the Line of Control and the International Boundary.

Jammu, July 19: The armies of India and Pakistan on Sunday evening exchanged gunfire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Sunderbani forward sector area of Rajouri district.

The officials told KNO that the Army has also destroyed four unexploded mortar shells in Poonch’s Mendhar Sub division.

In Sunderbani, officials said that Pakistan Army violated the ceasefire and resorted to unprovoked firing at about 07 PM in the evening.

The exchange of fire between both the sides was going on when the last report was last filed. “Use of both small arms as well as mortar weaponry is going on,” they said.

Earlier in the day, Indian Army destroyed four Pakistani unexploded shells that were found lying in Lanjiote village area of Balakote.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, July 19: Asserting that misinformation is being spread on regulating construction in ‘Strategic Areas’ for armed forces, J&K government on Sunday said that a few political parties are deliberately misleading people as if land is being transferred to security forces and the entire Union Territory is being turned into a military establishment.

“The Government has recently approved a special dispensation for regulating construction in ‘Strategic Areas’, required by the Armed Forces for their direct operational and training requirements. Some misgivings have been expressed in the media regarding the decision. A few political parties are deliberately misleading people as if land is being transferred to Armed Forces and entire J&K is being turned into a military establishment. It is being alleged that new areas are going to be declared as strategic where laws regulating development will not prevail,” the government said in a statement issued here on Sunday.

It said that all these are baseless comments being made without reading facts. “It is important for the people to correctly know the facts, understand the rationale and importance of the decision, to avoid believing these mindless misrepresentations and misgivings,” the statement said.

The statement further said that the decision has nothing to do with the transfer of any land to the Armed Forces, adding the transfer, both acquisition or requisitions, continues to be governed by the existing law and the norms on the subject.

“There is no decision to either transfer any new land or declare areas outside cantonments or army land as strategic. In fact, it is the stated policy of the Government to regulate and harmonize the requirement of land by the Armed forces to meet the competing demands of development and internal security,” it said.

It said that the Armed Forces in Jammu and Kashmir are not only entrusted with the responsibility of defending the boundaries of the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh but are also involved in combating insurgency.

“During past some years, the Defence Forces have brought to the notice of the government that multiple issues keep commonly coming up in their infrastructure development activities which are not only cumbersome and time-consuming, but at times go against strategic interests,” it added.

The statement said keeping in view the strategic importance of constructing such infrastructure within a defined timeframe, it has been felt that a special mechanism needs to be put in place for such strategic infrastructure needs. “On the other hand, it is also important to ensure that whatever development takes place, especially when it is in the local areas of development authorities, it conforms to the overall developmental plan. The reconciliation of these two competing exigencies of public interest is important. It is with the above objective the Government has approved this special dispensation,” it said.

“What it means? It simply means that in the so called notified “Strategic Areas”, within existing Armed Forces land, the responsibility of ensuring that construction activities are undertaken as per the Developmental Control Regulation of the Master Plan and all environmental safeguards are observed, has been delegated to the Armed Forces themselves,” it added.

The statement said adequate safeguards have been kept to ensure that the provisions are not misused, adding only an Army Authority, not below the level of a Corps Commander, could make a request to the Government for earmarking such area as strategic only for direct operational and training requirements of Armed Forces. “Additionally, the Government will satisfy itself  about the reasons cited for declaring the areas as Strategic Area and will have such area notified accordingly, to the extent and with such conditions as may be required,” it said.

“As would be seen, the special dispensation neither gives any powers to the Armed Forces to acquire more land in the Jammu and Kashmir, nor does it allow them any unbridled powers, without observing environmental safeguards and Developmental Control Regulations of the Master Plan. It only facilitates fast tracking of the construction of strategic assets, in the overall national interest, while observing all norms,” it added.

Mainstream political parties, including the National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peoples Conference (PC) have lashed out at Jammu and Kashmir government for giving nod to notify certain areas in the Union Territory as ‘strategic areas’ to allow construction requirement of armed forces.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, July 19: The Administrative Council (AC) on Sunday approved Jammu and Kashmir Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules, 2020 for regulation and promotion of the real estate sector which includes sale of plot, apartment, building and real estate project.

An official spokesperson said that the Administrative Council, which met here under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor G C Murmu, accorded sanction to the draft Jammu and Kashmir Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules, 2020 under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, which has been recently made applicable to the Union Territory by way of an Adaptation Order issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

“The decision will facilitate establishment of Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Authority in the Union Territory for regulation and promotion of the real estate sector which includes sale of plot, apartment, building and real estate project, in an efficient and transparent manner,” he said.

He said rules will also protect the interest of consumers through established adjudicating mechanism for speedy dispute redressal.

“The new rules make it mandatory for all real estate projects and real estate agents to receive prior registration through a web-based online system.  As such, details about the promoter in respect of track record, real estate projects executed, litigations, as well as details regarding registered agents, consultants, developmental plans, financial details among others will be made public,” he said.

“The rules, in addition to defining powers of the Authority and Appellate Tribunal and prescribing penalties, have provisions for filing of complaint by aggrieved persons with the Authority for any violation under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development), Act, 2016. The Rules also provide for preparation of budget, maintenance of accounts and filing of Annual Report by the Authority,” he said.

He said the augmented legal framework in Jammu and Kashmir will bring transparency and boost investments in the real estate sector and bring a paradigm shift in working of the real estate industry.

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, July 19: Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu today asked the general public, besides representatives of ULB’s & PRI’s to play a significant role by actively participating in developmental activities.

The Lt Governor was interacting with the representatives of ULB’s & PRI’s from Shopian, who called on him at the Raj Bhavan and apprised him of their concerning issues.

The delegation led by Javed Ahmad Qadri, Seh Prabhari, BJP Kisan Morcha J&K and comprising of Subash Koul, President Municipal Committee Shopian; Ashok Bali, Vice President, Municipal Committee Shopian; Block Development Council Chairpersons and members including AK Pandita, Mohd Yousuf Kalas, Ab Hameed Shah, Gh Hassan Reshi, Manzoor Ahmed Malik and Mohammed Saleem Sheikh from Immamshab, Keller, Shopian, Hermain, Zainpora and Kanjiwalwer, besides Mohd Younis Shah, BJP District President Shopian and Gh Mohd Bhat, BJP District Secretary, Shopian projected various developmental issues of Shopian district pertaining to macadamization of existing roads & construction of PMGSY roads to unconnected areas; augmentation of irrigation facilities at Keller; upgradation of schools; augmentation of water supply; transportation from Pir ki Gali to Shopian and other issues of public importance.

They further drew Lt Governor’s attention towards the issues pertaining to the welfare of Supporting Staff engaged under MGNREGA.

On augmenting water supply, the Lt Governor observed that the UT Government is resolute to connect every household with tap drinking water under Centrally Sponsored Jal Jeevan Mission by the year 2022. The Government is establishing Paani Samitis in villages and the PRI’s have an important role to play in achieving the said goal, he added.

He said that the Government has initiated an extensive public outreach programme to address the public issues and developmental needs at local level to accelerate the developmental process.

The Lt Governor assured the members of the delegation that all the genuine demands and issues put forth by them would be looked into meticulously for their early redressal. He urged them to continue their sustained efforts for the growth and advancement of their area, on all fronts.

Holds virtual interaction with Judicial Officers

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, July 19: Chief Justice Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Justice Gita Mittal is reviewing the functioning of all the District Courts of UTs of Jammu and Kashmir & Ladakh in a phased manner. The review is being carried through virtual mode.

Working of District Courts of Kargil, Shopian, Kulgam and Reasi was reviewed by the Chief Justice on 13th  of July 2020.  Interaction with Judicial Officers of District Kathua, Poonch, Doda and Ganderbal was held on 14th of July 2020 and functioning of District Courts of District Budgam,Samba, Rajouri and Bandipora was received on 18th of July 2020.

Chief Justice was joined by administrative Judges of the respective Districts during the interaction through the Virtual mode.

Reviewing the functioning of the District Courts, Chief Justice impressed upon all the Judicial officers of these 12 Districts to expeditiously dispose of old cases with main thrust on main cases. Magistrates were advised to ensure prompt execution of maintenance orders so that the persons in need of immediate maintenance are able to reap the actual benefit of maintenance order.

Judicial Officers were directed to devote their time in identifying priority cases, discussing the ways and means to reduce pendency of cases and disposal of cases pertaining to weaker sections of the society as well as of under trail prisoners. Judicial officers were advised to increase hearing of cases of emergent nature through video conferencing facility.

Taking stock of the infrastructure issues of District Courts, Chief Justice impressed upon Principal District & Sessions Judges to aggressively take up the matter of infrastructure with the administration as well as with the concerned Civil Departments. Status of ongoing projects, land acquisition proceedings for construction of new Court Complexes was also reviewed by the Chief Justice.

Chief Justice shall also be interacted with the Judicial officers of the remaining ten Districts in a phased manner in near future.

Jammu, July 19: Till today morning, 1,84,250 Registrations have been done by the candidates on JKSSB’s Online Portal, since the commencement of online application submission from 10th July, 2020 and  95,150 candidates completed their online application submission process for Class IV posts. It has been noted that about 90600 unique visitors visited the online application portal of JKSSB yesterday.

Pertinently, the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board has advertised 8575 Class IV posts for District/Divisional/Union Territory cadre in various departments under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Appointment to the Class-IV (Special Recruitment) Rules, 2020, in pursuance of General Administration Department’s Revised Indent No. GAD/Mtg/RB-IV/50/2020 Dated 22.06.2020 under Advertisement Notification No. 01 of 2020 dated 26.06.2020.

Further, the Services Selection Board has operationalized two helplines one each at Srinagar and Jammu for the convenience of aspirants. In addition, any person who finds difficulty in submission of application form due to technical issue or for any other reasons, may send a self-explanatory mail at [email protected] for seeking guidance, clarification etc.

Pulwama, July 19: In a shocking incident, a 13-year-old boy in Qasbayar village of Southern district Pulwama committed suicide after his younger brother didn’t let him play the game on a mobile phone.

The incident happened in Dangerpora Mohalla of Qasbayar village when the duo was playing inside their home.

Locals told KNT that playing PUBG mobile game on the mobile phone, which probably belonged to their father, became a bone of contention between the two brothers. Consequently, the elder one gave up and ended his life.

The deceased boy, whom locals identified as Asrar Ahmad son of Farooq Ahmad Bhat, died after he hanged himself.