Power curtailment in Kashmir to reduce by 6-8 hours during winter season

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, July 13: In a major boost to the power sector in Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu today e-inaugurated 10 power projects worth Rs 19.51cr for Districts- Srinagar, Shopian, Anantnag, Budgam and Kulgam and laid foundation stones for  7 others costing Rs 30.35 cr for Srinagar, Pulwama, Anantnag and Baramulla districts of Kashmir.

This is in addition to the two projects viz Augmentation of 33/11 KV Receiving Station Yaripora from 2×6.3 MVA to 2×10 MVA, Kulgam and Construction of 6.3 MVA Receiving Station, Batagund (Gulbagh), Tral, Pulwama costing Rs. 2.40 cr and Rs. 3.13 cr respectively, which were recently inaugurated by the Lt Governor during his tour to the said Districts, thus taking the total of newly commissioned power projects to 12 at the cost of Rs 25 cr.

Baseer Ahmad Khan, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor; BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary;  Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary, Power Development Department, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, Managing Director, KPDCL, Chief Engineers and other senior officers were present on the occasion.

The Lt Governor observed that with the commissioning of new projects sanctioned under PMDP, IPDS, DDUGJY and languishing projects being implemented by KPDCL and RECPDCL, the power curtailment in Kashmir would be reduced by 6-8 hours during winter season. Pertinently, during winter season, there used to be 12-16 hours of power curtailment in some parts of Kashmir Division. The commissioning of 12 Receiving Stations is a great leap forward to improve the capacity constraints from distribution side, he added.

Principal Secretary, Power Development Department, Rohit Kansal informed that the newly inaugurated projects will benefit around 35,000 households across Kashmir.

The Lt Governor said that the Government of J&K is aiming to achieve the larger goal of self-sufficiency in Power sector and stressed on putting concerted efforts towards achieving medium term target of providing reliable power supply to the consumers with no more than 2 hours of power curtailment.

During the last two years, J&K has witnessed rapid progress in execution and completion of major developmental projects. The projects under PMDP were sanctioned in 2015. However, the work on most of these projects started in the years 2018 and 2019 only, and within a short span of time, these projects are being commissioned, he added.

The Lt Governor set November 2020 as the timeline for the completion of 7 projects whose foundation stones were laid today. He also advanced the completion target for two power projects from December 2021 to May 2021.

The projects inaugurated today included- Construction of  33/11kV 10 MVA Receiving Station near DC Office Shopian, benefiting 1300 households; Augmentation of 33/11kV Receiving Station Qazigund from 1x 10 MVA to 2×10  MVA, benefiting 8200 households; Augmentation of 33/11kV Receiving Station SICOP (Bijbehara) from 1×6.3MVA to 2×6.3 MVA which would benefit 2850 households; Construction of  33/11kV 10 MVA Receiving Station Hanjoora, benefiting 1800 households; Augmentation of 33/11kV Receiving Station Kanir from 1x 6.3 MVA to 2×6.3 MVA which would benefit 2500 households; Augmentation of 33/11kV Receiving Station Khag from 1x 6.3 MVA to 2×6.3 MVA; Augmentation of 33/11kV Receiving Station Devsar from 1x 6.3 MVA to 2×6.3 MVA; Augmentation of 33/11kV Receiving Station  Owantabhawan  from 2×6.3 MVA to 2×10 MVA; Augmentation of 33/11kV Receiving Station  Bone & Joint  from 2×6.3 MVA to 2×10 MVA and Construction of  33/11kV 6.3 MVA Receiving Station Kellar benefiting 4400,5200, 2000, 2200 and 3000 households respectively.

Whereas, the works for which foundation stones were laid included construction of -3/11kV 6.3 MVA Receiving Station  Awantipora-II; 33/11kV 10 MVA Receiving Station  District Hospital Anantnag; 33/11kV 1×10 MVA GIS Receiving Station  Pahalgam; 33/11kV 1×10 MVA  GIS Receiving Station  Batamaloo; 33/11kV 10 MVA  Receiving Station  Ellahibagh (Rangpora); 33/11kV 10 MVA Receiving Station Aali Masjid (Sangam Takanwari) and 33/11kV 10 MVA  Receiving Station Bugoo (Model Town) Sopore.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, July 13: Two minor boys drowned in separate place in Kashmir, including world famous Dal Lake in Srinagar and a stream in north Kashmir district of Kupwara on Monday.

Official sources said that a minor boy, identified as Ayaan, a resident of Khanyar, was fishing in Dal Lake near Dalgate in Srinagar on Monday when he slipped and fell into the waterbody. “Other people fishing at the spot, jumped into the lake to save the minor boy,” they said.

However, they said the minor boy could not be saved, adding his body was later fished out from the lake.

In another incident, a minor boy, identified as Omar Farooq, drowned in a stream in Handwara in Kupwara on Monday evening while he was taking a bath.

They said after completing all the legal and medical formalities, the bodies of the deceased were handed over to their relatives for last rites.

New Delhi, July 13: The Karkardooma court in Delhi on Monday dismissed the bail plea of  expelled Aam Admi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain, in connection with the murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) staffer Ankit Sharma during the riots in northeast Delhi on February 25.

Additional Sessions Judge Vinod Yadav asserted that Hussain was present at the crime spot and used rioters as “human weapons, who on his instigation could have killed anybody.”

The court refused to approve the bail application of Hussain, being the main accused in the case.

“There is a possibility that he may use his influence to tamper with the evidence or threaten the witnesses, ” the court observed.

The police also opposed Hussain’s bail plea before the court. Earlier, on July 9, the court had reserved its order for today after hearing his bail plea.

Hussain is in judicial custody since March 16. He was booked in various cases in connection with the riots including anti-terror law — Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, in a case related to alleged conspiracy in the riots.

Clashes between of pro- and anti-CAA protesters in Jafrabad on February 23 night turned into communal violence and spread across northeast Delhi over the next four days leaving at least 53 people dead and around 200 injured.

Jammu, July 13: Chief of Army Staff, General MM Naravane on Monday visited forward areas of the Rising Star Corps to review the current security situation and operational readiness of the troops deployed on ground in Jammu-Pathankot region.

The Army Chief was received in Jammu by Lt Gen RP Singh, GOC-in-C Western Command, Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, GOC Rising Star Corps, Maj Gen VB Nair, GOC Tiger Division and Air Cmde AS Pathania, AOC, AF Stn Jammu.

The COAS was briefed by Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, GOC, Rising Star Corps on the operational preparedness, up-gradation of security infrastructure and the internal security matters.

General MM Naravane, accompanied by GOC Tiger Division, reviewed operational preparedness in forward areas. He interacted with the field formation Commanders and troops on ground during forward area visit.

He also visited the forward areas of Gurj Division and was briefed by Maj Gen YP Khanduri, GOC Gurj Division.

The COAS reinstated the fact of ‘Zero tolerance’ against the ceasefire violations by Pakistan and infiltration attempts by militants.

He further highlighted that all agencies of the services and Govt are working together relentlessly and will continue to do the same to defeat the nefarious design of proxy war being fueled by our adversaries.

The Army Chief addressed all ranks of Western Command through video conferencing and lauded the morale of the troops.

He expressed complete confidence in Indian Army’s capabilities to thwart any misadventure by the enemies of our country and handle any situation.

He also commended the efforts of all the formations of Western Command in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting the ongoing ‘Op Namaste’.

New Delhi, July 13: Amid the ongoing disengagement process, senior Indian and Chinese military commanders will meet at Chushul in Eastern Ladakh on Tuesday for fourth times since the border standoff erupted in early May.

They will further discuss the next phase of disengagement between the two armies, sources said on Monday.

The meeting is expected to focus on the Pangong Tso areas and the strategic Depsang plains, with a complex disengagement process that began after previous military talks on June 30 progressing in Galwan Valley, Hot Springs and Gogra, said one of the officials cited above.

The current disengagement process began after military-level talks on June 30, and a subsequent conversation on July 5 between national security adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

In Tuesday’s talks, the two commanders are expected to discuss the phased withdrawal of weapons and equipment to a mutually agreed distance from all friction areas along the contested Line of Actual Actual (LAC), and finally the restoration of status quo ante, the sources added.

Riyaz Bhat

Srinagar, July 13:  The government on Monday said it will cancel the recognition of the private schools that violate the orders of the School Education Department and charge miscellaneous fees in the name of tuition fee during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The School Education department also warned the management of private schools of strict action in terms of relevant provisions of law in case of any violation.

Following the government orders of de-recognition of involved private schools, the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) carried a series of stories wherein many private schools of Kashmir were allegedly charging the miscellaneous fee in the name of tuition fee.

In this regard, the Directorate of School Education Department (DSEK) issued a circular, asking the private schools to refrain from violating the government orders.

DSEK on June-16 issued circular— instructing all recognized private schools to charge only tuition fee from students on a monthly basis instead of quarterly basis for the lockdown period.

“No fee hike shall be made during the academic session 2020-21 and the annual fee, if any, can be charged monthly on a pro-rata basis, after schools reopen,” reads the circular.

DSEK in a circular said that the complaints are pouring on a frequent basis that some recognized private schools are still charging tuition fees as well as miscellaneous fees under the caption of tuition fee.

It further stated that no School shall deny access to online education, material or classes for the continuous assessment to poor and deserving students, who are unable to pay school fees due to the prevailing situation.

The School Education department impressed upon the recognized private schools to adhere to the instructions in letter and spirit.

“In case any violation or non-seriousness, strict action shall be initiated against the particular School in terms of relevant provisions of law, which includes de-recognition thereof without further intimation,” it reads.

In view of COVID-19 pandemic, the government earlier instructed the private schools in Jammu and Kashmir to extend the last date of deposit of school fees up to April-30 without any late fees.

“No school shall either charge any fee for the online learning, assignments or shall link the result of the child on the basis of home assignment, “the government directed—(KNO)

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, July 13: To execute more than 130 projects, NABARD has sanctioned Rs 462 crores during the year 2019-2020 in Jammu and Kashmir.

“In the midst of the ongoing pandemic, NABARD is stepped into its 39 years of formation on July 12 and it is time to look back at the progress we have made during the last few years,” R K Srivastava, who took over as new Chief General Manager of NABARD, J&K here said on Monday in a handout.

He said that NABARD has sanctioned Rs 462 crore for execution of 139 projects during 2019-20, said Mr Srivastava.

He said that as on March 31 this year, cumulatively 3785 projects are sanctioned with RIDF loan of Rs 6821.27 crore.

“These projects will cover 15537 km of road length, 12814 meters of bridge length, construction of 1400 school rooms, 80 veterinary hospital etc,” said the new CGM adding that a population of around 15 lakh benefited from WSS projects.

NABARD also supported the banks operating in UT with refinancing assistance of Rs 152 crore during 2019-20 for meeting the crop loan requirements and agri-term loan activity like dairy, poultry, sheep husbandry, he said adding that J&K Gramin Bank was our major partner and NABARD has also promoted 17 FPOs since the inception of FPO concept in the UTs of J&K and Ladakh benefitting 2300 farmers.

NABARD has also promoted the first Of Farm Farmer Producer Organization (OFPO) named as Shehar Carpet Producers Company with a membership of 300 weavers in Baramulla and Bandipora districts of Kashmir, he added.

The CGM said that the first-ever watershed project of J&K UT covering 1003 ha in seven villages in Kathar Rajool Panchayat of Samba district was implemented successfully.

“The project outcomes are increased water availability, crop productivity and a significant increase in milk production,” he added and said that one more watershed project is under implementation in Channi Mansar area of Udhampur district.

NABARD also provided support to Commercial Banks, Cooperatives and RRBs and India Post payment bank for furthering financial inclusion through different schemes viz Mobile VAN, PoS, Financial Literary Programme during the year 2019-20, he asserted.

In order to commemorate the foundation day NABARD has sanctioned six projects viz. three demonstration vans and 434 Financial Literacy programme to J&K Grameen Bank, formulation of 100 JLGs to VOESEP, Anantnag, Skill Development Programme on Aariand Embroidery to VOESEP, Eshakti digitization of SHGs in Udhampur and Samba districts.

Beijing, July 13:  Two WHO experts have arrived in China for cooperation on researching the origin of the COVID-19 virus, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Monday.

After consultation between the two sides, the Chinese government had agreed that the World Health Organization would send experts to Beijing to exchange ideas with Chinese counterparts on science-based cooperation in novel coronavirus origin-tracing, Hua told a press briefing.

The fundamental consensus between China and the WHO is, origin-tracing is a scientific issue which should be studied by scientists through international research and cooperation across the globe, Hua stressed.

It is also the view of the WHO that origin-tracing is an ongoing process probably concerning many countries and localities, and the WHO will conduct similar trips to other countries and regions in light of the actual need, she said.

Srinagar, July 13: All roads leading to the “Mazaar-e-Shoudha” the graveyard of martyrs of 1931 in the downtown Srinagar were closed and no function by any political party was allowed on Monday.

The mainstream political party leaders said that they had applied for permission to pay tributes to martyrs today but were denied by the administration.

Till last year official function was being held at the martyrs graveyard and chief ministers, police chiefs and leaders of main political parties were paying floral tributes on this day every year. However, the Union Territory (UT) administration in 2019 dropped Martyrs Day from the list of official holidays in the UT alongwith birthday of NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.

Last year then Governor Satya Pal Malik’s advisor Khursheed Ahmad Khan, politicians and top officers of civil and police administration, including then Divisional Commissioner, Baseer Ahmad Khan, paid floral tributes to martyrs.  Khan is presently advisor to Governor G C Murmu.

Hundreds of security forces and police personnel have been deployed in the downtown to maintain law and order.

Security forces had closed all roads leading to martyrs graveyard at shrine of Naqashband sahib Khawaja Bazar in the downtown with barbed wire. Roadblocks were also erected at many places.

People living in Khawaja Bazar and adjacent areas alleged that security forces did not allow them to even purchase milk or bread this morning. Vegetable venders, who were coming from the outskirts, were also directed to go back, they alleged.

Security forces have closed the main gate of graveyard and a bullet proof vehicle had been parked to prevent people from entering the shrine area, where the graveyard is located.

Srinagar, July 13: Taking a dig at people who are wearing mask but not covering nose and mouth for the prevention of COVID-19 pandemic , former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said your (people) chin does not need the protection of a mask.

Your chin does not need the protection of a mask but your nose and mouth do, the vice president of the National Conference (NC) Omar said adding use a mask for the sake of your own health not because you will be fined if you do not.

Taking to micro-blogging site twitter, Omar said, “This tweet is for all the people I’ve seen on TV, on the streets & around me. Your chin doesn’t need the protection of a mask, your nose & mouth do. Use a mask for the sake of your own health not because you will be fined if you don’t”.

He also re-tweeted a tweet of 56th Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo which reads “One is a mask. The other is a chin guard. No one told you to wear a chin guard. Wear a mask”.

Meanwhile, District Magistrate (DM), Srinagar, Dr Shahid Choudhary concerned over the reports of people not wearing masks in the city and outskirts, said that the fine for face mask violations has been enhanced to Rs 1000  whereas the violation of social distancing guidelines in red zones will be fined at 10000 rupees. “There will be other punishments too,” he said.

In another tweet, Omar sought help from a recovered COVID-19 patient to donate plasma for a woman saying what better gift can a COVID survivor can give to celebrate his or her recovery then to help someone else to recover.

The tweet said, “I hope someone comes forward to help Rameez by donating plasma for his mother. What better gift can a #Covid_19 survivor give to celebrate his/her recovery than to help someone else recover. If we start to #PayItForward so many more people will benefit.”

He was responding to a tweet which reads “My mother has been quite critical of Covid positive at SKIMS, plasma two points might be needed, if anybody is willing to donate . Kindly help saving life. Handfolded plea to any covid survivor.”