Srinagar, Jul 14:  Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh has tested negative for COVID-19 while results of several top officers in Police Headquarters in this summer capital is awaited, official sources said.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 test of several high ranking officials will be done on Tuesday in PHQ Srinagar, where a massive sanitization driver was launched on Monday after a senior police official tested positive for the infection.

Official sources said the test of DGP Singh, which was conducted on Monday, came out to be negative on Tuesday for Coronavirus. “The test result of the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) also came negative for COVID-19,” they added.

They said result of several top officers is still awaited while the officials, whose test for COVID-19 was not conducted on Monday, would be done on Tuesday.

They said that the test result of an Assistant Inspector General (AIG), working at PHQ Srinagar, came positive for COVID-19 on Monday. “Following the news, all the officials, including officers, were asked to come out of the premises and a massive sanitization driver was launched in the PHQ in Hyderpora,” they said.

As many as 153 people have lost their lives due to infection in 40 days, and 173 people in 54 day in J&K, where the COVID-19 positive cases have surpassed 10,800-mark. The death toll in the Union Territory has mounted to 189, prompting authorities to re-impose strict restrictions in many areas in the valley to curtail the spread of the virus.

Ishtiyaq Ahmad

Srinagar, July 13: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar on Monday said that COVID19 situation is being reviewed regularly and appropriate decisions are taken as per need.

Talking to news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS), Bhatnagar said that parks were reopened for public recreation.

“No tourism place was reopened for tourists. Local parks were reopened for public recreation. It was expected that people would maintain social distancing and other safety guidelines at public parks as was expected at markets,” he said while replying to a query.

He said that COVID19 situation is being reviewed regularly at all levels and appropriate decisions are being taken accordingly.

He said strict enforcement of restrictions in containment zones to contain the spread of COVID19 in J&K is necessary.

“All decisions and directions issued are in public interest. It was also observed that people are violating safety guidelines. We appeal people to follow directions and safety guidelines for their own good,” he said.

To encourage COVID19 warriors, Bhatnagar has announced cash reward with citation to Ambulance Driver Jameel Ahmad working with CMO Srinagar, for rendering exemplary services during the pandemic.

He has also directed the heads of Health care institutions of Jammu and Kashmir to recommend names of staff persons who have played commendable roles during this time so that they can be suitably rewarded.

B R Bhatnagar said People need to understand the gravity of the situation and take precautions.

“People need to follow the guidelines properly that include wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, and washing hands by using sanitizers and soap frequently,” he said, adding that this was the only way to contain the virus spread,” he told KINS.

As far as the government’s role, he said that the government was taking all measures by keeping health set up ready to treat Covid-19 patients. “We are taking measures that include robust testing, collection of samples and ensuring proper quarantine for those who test positive,” Advisor Bhatnagar said.

Srinagar, July 14: A Srinagar man who was stranded in Saudi Arabia due to Covid-19 pandemic died in a hospital there.

Family sources told news agency KNT that 87-year-old Haji Abdul Ahad Malik, a resident of Housing Colony Sanat Nagar, Srinagar had gone to Saudi Arabia for Umrah pilgrimage in February and stayed there with daughter and his son-in-law after the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. His daughter is a gynecologist.
Sources added that his return ticket was on 25 March but due to sudden lockdown and cancellation of flights forced him to stay there.   “Since June last month, he was not keeping well and had been admitted in a hospital. His test for Covid-19 infection was found negative. He was asthmatic and died in the hospital. He was laid to rest there in Saudi Arabia.

Srinagar July 14: In wake of spike in admission cases of Covid-19 patients in Valley, Department of Hospital Administration, SKIMS, Soura ordered patients admitted in Sarai-II to immediately vacate rooms.

An order issued to Security Officer SKIMS reads, In view of administrative emergency and shifting of Covid-19 patients to Sarai-II, you are advised to direct the patients/attendants staying at Sarai-II to vacate the rooms immediately without further notice.

Pertinently on Sunday, authorities ordered enforcement of another lockdown after huge spike and subsequent deaths of Covid-19 patients recorded. (KNT)

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, July 14:  Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu on Tuesday visited north Kashmir district of Bandipora and met with the family of BJP leader Waseem Bari, who was killed along with his father and brother by militants last week.

The visit comes two days after Bharatiya Janata Party General Secretary Ram Madhav, Union Minister Jitendra Singh and other leaders on Sunday visited Bandipora and meet the family members of Bari.

An official spokesperson said that the LG visited the house of Bari and handed over the financial assistance of Rs 20 lakhs to the Next of Kin (NoK) of the deceased.

The LG conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members of the victims, he said.

The Lt Governor strongly condemned the killings and said that the perpetrators of this dastardly act of violence would be brought to justice. “Such heinous act is an attempt to spread fear, and there can be no justification for such attacks,” LG Murmu added.

Bari, his father Bashir Ahmad and brother Umer Bashir at his shop, which is adjacent to his residence and opposite a police station in Bandipora, were killed by militants last week. Following the incident, 10 SPOs were dismissed and arrested by police for ‘negligence’.

Accepting that there was a security laps, IGP, Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar had said all the 10 Personal Security Officers (PSOs), who were guarding BJP leader, have been dismissed and taken into custody.

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, July 14: Asserting that active public participation is imperative for developmental process, Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu on Tuesday said the Government of Jammu and Kashmir is laying special focus on it.

This was stated by the Lieutenant Governor during his visit to Bandipora district where he interacted with various delegations to take stock of the developmental needs of people of the district, an official spokesperson said.

He said the Lt Governor also e-inaugurated six developmental projects worth Rs 8.52 crore and laid foundation stones of five projects worth Rs 21.52 crore for Bandipora district, besides reviewing the progress being made on various developmental projects and works under execution.

Earlier, the Lt Governor conducted an aerial survey of Wular Lake to inspect the dredging, restoration work and the overall condition of the lake. He was accompanied by Chief Executive Director, Wular Conservation & Management Authority (WUCMA), Syed Farooq Ahmad Gillani.

In continuation to his public outreach programme, the Lt Governor met 16 delegations including deputation of BDC Chairpersons, representatives of PRIs, Urban Local Bodies, Bandipora Civil Society, Tehsil Coordination Committee Hajin, Traders Federation, Fruit Growers Association, representatives of Schedule Tribe (Gujjar and Bakerwal) community, representatives of Fisherman Community, Artisans Association, Self Help Groups of Engineers, National Youth Corps members and progressive farmers’ members. He took stock of their grievances and other developmental issues of Bandipora district.

While interacting with the members of the delegations, the Lt Governor observed that the Government is taking various initiatives to cater to the developmental needs of the people of J&K, with special focus on strengthening the grass root level of democracy through public participation in the developmental process, the spokesperson said.

Stressing on effective implementation of public welfare schemes, he asked the locals to avail of maximum benefits of various welfare schemes and sought their active participation in developmental programmes launched by the government.

The members of the delegations projected various demands pertaining to empowerment of PRIs and proper security for its members, augmentation of healthcare infrastructure, establishment of Women’s Degree College in Bandipora, loans to farmers at lower interest rates, augmentation of irrigation facilities, strengthening road connectivity, augmentation of power and water supply, establishment of Training and Skill Development Centres for girls, development of tourism sector in the district, beautification and development of Bandipora town, beautification of Wular lake and its coastline, early completion of District Hospital complex, augmentation of sports infrastructure, special relief package for artisans to compensate losses due to COVID-19 lockdown, construction of Bandipora-Gurez Road Tunnel, improvement of mobile network and augmentation of Solar Power Plant in Gurez, establishment of Maternity Hospital in Gurez, insurance scheme for fishermen community, establishment of fruit and vegetable Mandi and early completion of already taken up works under different schemes including Back to Village Programme.

The Lt Governor assured the delegations to review all their genuine issues and demands and issued on-spot directions to the concerned officers for early redressal of some issues projected by the public pertaining to their respective departments. He further directed the concerned officers to set timelines for completion of incomplete and languishing projects, besides prioritizing the local issues like macadamization of roads, augmentation of power infrastructure and provision of drinking water supply and B2V works.

He also advised the people to take all necessary precautions with regard to the containing of COVID-19 by following all SOP’s issued by the government from time to time, besides wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.

The six projects worth Rs 8.52 cr inaugurated today included- 1×50 Mtr Span Steel bridge over river Kishenganga at Dawar Gurez; RCC weir and embankment protection works at Madhumatti Nallah under CSR of KGHEP-NHPC; Sheep Extension Center at Kunan; bridge over Nagmerg Nallah Aloosa connecting eight revenue villages benefiting more than 15,000 souls; 1×25 Mtr Span Foot Bridge at Athwatto and 6-roomed school building constructed at High School Mantrigam.

Besides, foundation stones of five projects worth Rs 21.52 cr were laid today including – maintenance/ upgradation of Kaloosa Gurdal Road under PMGSY; construction of Panchayat Bhawan Lowdara; 0.50 MGD Rapid Sand Filtration Plant under NABARD WSS Ajas to benefit more than 20,000 souls; 0.20 MGD Rapid Sand Filtration Plant under NRDWP WSS Mantrigam to benefit 7,000 souls and construction of Bus Adda at Nussu.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, July 14:  Stressing for intensifying Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) to flush out militants, Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh on Tuesday said  security forces are offering sacrifices to achieve peace in the Jammu and Kashmir.

The DGP today visited district Budgam in central and Awantipora in south Kashmir to review the security, law & order and crime scenario of these districts.

He interacted with officers and jawans of the Police component Budgam and chaired jurisdictional officers meetings at Awantipora, a police spokesman said this evening.

The DGP said that J&K Police along with other security forces have been following the mission of achieving peace in Jammu and Kashmir with a lot of sacrifices and added that we need to be more focused and determined so that long lasting peace is achieved for the people here.

He said continued coordination and collective efforts are required for achieving the desired results.

The DGP stressed for intensified cordon and search operations to flush out the militants. He emphasized to be prepared to tackle any situation and any subversive act by the militants and their masters across from the border.

Singh said that the successes against the militants in recent times across Jammu and Kashmir are well appreciable yet we should continue our actions against them with coordinated strategies to bring durable peace in Jammu and Kashmir. The DGP inaugurated a monitoring cell at District Police Lines (DPL) Budgam.

Chairing the jurisdictional officers meeting at Awantipora Singh complemented the Police and security forces for clearing the foot prints of  Hizb from Tral. While complementing the Jammu Kashmir Police personnel and security forces for maintaining the peace and order said that besides fighting militants,  Police has to ensure that other crimes are under check and cases of social crime, drug peddling etc must be registered and investigated professionally. He emphasised quality and transparent investigation of all kinds of heinous crime so that the criminals are brought to law.

The DGP directed the district SsP to make strong cases against the identified individuals who are habitual offenders in Drug peddling and poppy cultivation. The process of registering and challaning such cases should be on fast track and the culprits booked under Public Safety Act (PSA) as well in suitable cases. The DGP also directed the district SSP to review the security of peoples representatives on a regular basis.

The DGP said that public cooperation has helped to make our efforts fruitful in maintaining law and order. He directed the officers that while dealing with any situation they should ensure that law-abiding people were not put to any inconvenience during their day-to-day activities.

The DGP reiterated that the support of community is essential and more and more public cooperation should be ensured by prioritizing community-based programmes. He directed the officers that all possible help should be extended to the public as and when required.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, July 14: The Union Home Secretary, Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Tuesday chaired the second meeting of Joint Committee on Service matter (JCoS) for Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Ladakh, an official spokesman said here this evening

He said B V R Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary, Umang Narula, Advisor to Lt Governor, UT of Ladakh alongwith Administrative Secretaries of Home Department, General Administration Department and Forest, Ecology & Environment Department participated in the meeting.

During the meeting, it was informed that Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India (GoI), has received cadre review proposals in respect of all three All India Services (AIS)- Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Forest Service (IFS), and the same are being expedited for early notification. As per the revised proposals, the cadre strengths of IAS, IPS and IFS have been proposed as 191, 154 and 106, respectively, excluding  posts in Ladakh.

It was mentioned that an extensive exercise is underway to formulate transfer policy of UT officers to Ladakh, which will be shortly finalized. It was further revealed that there will be special package of incentives to be given to the employees who will be posted in Ladakh.

Further, with regard to career progression of UT officers, it was informed that eligible officers will soon be inducted into IPS and IFS, respectively. Ministry of Home Affairs asked for early resolution of seniority issue in the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service for inducting the eligible officers to IAS.

The meeting also discussed matters relating to interim cadre strengths of All India Services as well as State Services of both the Union Territories, proposal of split of officers, promotion of officers of AIS’, transfer/deputation of non-All India Services and UT officers between the two UTs.

Srinagar, July 14: Jammu and Kashmir High Court (HC) has directed Union Territory (UT) Home Secretary Shaleen Kabra to appear before a bench on Thursday over poor internet speed which had impacted online hearing.
Kabra has been directed to appear via video conference and apprise the court about the impact of the restrictions on e-connectivity of courts.
A Division Bench of the HC comprising Chief Justice Mittal and Justice Sanjay Dhar passing an order on its “Own Motion”  expressed concern over urgent issues involving the rights of the residents of the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
In its three-page order, the bench said that virtual hearing has been necessitated because of the strict lockdown being enforced, following a sharp spike in coronavirus cases.

However, the court said, we find that despite best efforts on the part of our IT experts, it has been impossible to have even a bare semblance of a hearing. We have struggled to have virtual/or audio connectivity with the amicus curiae (Monika Kohli) and the several counsels appearing before us. Even the learned Advocate General has expressed grave difficulty in joining the hearing,” the order said.

The court noted that access to justice is a fundamental right “and cannot be impeded” while reasoning that courts remain accessible to every citizen of the UTs.

The mobile and landline service of all Cellular companies, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) were suspended on August 5 last year when Centre scrapped Article 370 and divided the Jammu and Kashmir into two UTs.

However, landline was restored after about a month, the 2G mobile internet service was restored only in January this year. However, due to very low speed people are struggling to work smoothly on 2G speed. A case is pending in the Supreme Court for restoration of 4G high speed internet.

Srinagar, Jul 14: Two incharge chief engineers were transferred on Tuesday, officials said.

In the interest of Administration, the following transfers and postings of i/C chief engineers are hereby ordered with immediate effect:

Naresh Kumar awaiting orders of adjustment is posted as I/C Chief Engineer, Sawalkote, HEP JKPDC against available vacancy. He shall also hold the charge of Chief Engineer Kirthai HEP 1 and II in addition to his own duties.

Manjeet Kotwal awaiting orders of adjustment is posted as I/C Chief Engineer, CI&D Wing, J&KPDC Jammu against available vacancy.