New Delhi, July 9:  India is the second largest country in the world in terms of population, but the number of Corona cases and deaths per million population is the lowest in the world.

OSD of the Ministry of Health Rajesh Bhushan told a press conference here on Thursday that the average number of Corona cases per million population in the world is 1,497 but in India the figure is 538. Even a small country like Chile there were 15,747 cases per million people. In the United States it stood at 8,832 and in Iran (2,925), Britain (4,218), Russia (4,802), an Spain (5,393).

He said the number of deaths per million population in Britain and Spain was 40 times higher than in India. The average deaths from Corona per million population in the world is 69.3 people but in India it is 15 people per million. In Spain, 607.3 people per million people and 653.9 people in Britain died of Covid symptoms.

Of the total number of 269,789 active Corona cases in the country so far, 476,378 patients have been cured and the recovery rate has reached 62.09 per cent. The Corona recovery rate in the country on May 3 was 26.59 per cent, which increased to 47.40 per cent on May 31 and it has been steadily increasing.

The number of people between 45 and 59 years of age constitute 15 per cent of the population, but in this group, the death rate of Corona is 32 per cent. Apart from this, the share of those in the age group of 60 to 74 is eight per cent, but in this age group, the death rate of Corona has been 39 per cent and the deaths of Corona of people above 75 years is 14 per cent.

Corona deaths in India accounted for 53 per cent of the 10 per cent of the population and 60 to 74 age groups accounted for eight per cent of the deaths and Covid-related deaths in this category have been 39 per cent and population over 75 years.

New Delhi, July 9: India’s COVID-19 contagion tally on Thursday climbed past 7.6 lakhs , after registering a record breaking rise of 24,879 fresh infections in the past 24 hours while 487 people lost their lives in the same period pushing the death toll to 21,129.

The total confirmed cases of the pandemic at present across the nation are 7,67,296, the health ministry update said.

However, on the brighter side with the improving recovery rate, the number of cured and discharged cases have now reached 4,76,378 pan India so far.

The cases at present under active medical supervision in the country stand at 2,69,789 , while the difference between the active cases and recoveries has been increasing on the positive side.

Meanwhile, a total of 1,07,40,832 samples have been tested for COVID as per the Indian Council of Medical Research till Wednesday.

New Delhi, Jul 9: Stating that the Line of Actual Control (LAC) must be respected and observed, India on Thursday reiterated that neither side should take any unilateral action to alter it.

The first phase on disengagement between troops of India and China have been completed.

“We remain convinced of the need for maintenance of peace and tranquility in the border areas and the resolution of differences through dialogue, at the same time, we are also strongly committed to ensuring India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said during the virtual weekly media briefing here on Thursday.

India has spelt out categorically about its position on different aspects of the current situation in the Western Sector of India-China border areas. “They include our position that recent Chinese claims to the Galwan Valley area are exaggerated and untenable,” he said.

“The diplomatic and military officials of both sides will continue their meetings to take forward the process of disengagement and de-escalation as agreed to by the Special Representatives,” Mr Srivastava said.

The next meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China border affairs (WMCC) is expected to take place soon, he added.

On July 5, the Special Representatives (SRs) of India and China on the Boundary Question — NSA Ajit Doval and Wang Yi, State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China had a telephone conversation.

During the conversation, the NSA conveyed categorically India’s position on the recent developments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) including in the Galwan valley area.

NSA emphasised in this context that the Indian troops had always taken a very responsible approach towards border management and at the same time, our forces were deeply committed to ensuring India’s sovereignty and security, the foreign ministry had said in a statement.

Nasir Azam

Srinagar, July 9: The Jammu & Kashmir government has proposed modifications in the Central Waqf Act before constituting the Waqf Board in the newly carved out Union Territory.

Official documents in possession of news agency KNO reveals that UT administration has decided to vigorously pursue the proposal submitted to Centre for J&K -specific amendments in the Central Waqf Act.

Under the Jammu & Kashmir Re-Organisation Act, Centre is empowered to make adaptations and modification in central laws as well as laws of erstwhile state protected by the Parliament.

According to documents, advisor (Haj and Auqaf Affairs) Farooq Ahmad Khan during a meeting held on May 28, 2020 desired that the proposal regarding amendments in Wakf  Act 1995 with regard to UT of J&K,  which has already been submitted to Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Minority Affairs, need to be followed up.

The Central Waqf Act became applicable to J&K UT after two state laws governing management of Wakf properties were abolished by the Parliament.

The Jammu & Kashmir Wakf Act-2001 and The Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Specified Wakfs and Specified Wakaf Properties (Management and Regulation) Act 2004 were the laws  governing management of  Muslim Shrines and properties in the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir.

The Waqf Board and Waqf Council constituted under these laws ceased to exist with abolition of these laws from October 31, 2019 when J&K Re-Organisation Act came into effect—(KNO)

Jehangeer Ganaie

Pulwama, July 9: A soldier and a woman were injured after militants fired at an army ambulance at Ladhoo area of Pampore in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Thursday.

“Militants fired upon an Army vehicle at Ladhoo, Pampore in which one Army personnel and lady received minor injury. She has been discharged from hospital after treatment,” Kashmir zone police wrote on its official Twitter handle.

“An ambulance with QRT moving from Khrew was fired upon by militants from near a Mosque at Laddoo Mor, Lethpora, Awantipora at 6 PM. One soldier injured, evacuated to 92 BH, stable. One civil lady sustained injuries in the crossfire, stable. Area being searched,” Defence Spokesman in Srinagar, Colonel Rajesh Kalia told KNO.

A police official said that the woman had minor splinter injuries in her head and was immediately referred to Sub-District Hospital Pampore, where she was treated and later discharged. He said that the injured soldier was shifted to Army’s 92 base hospital in Srinagar where his condition was stated as stable.

Meanwhile, joint teams of security forces cordoned off the area and launched a massive search operation to nab the attackers.

Ishtiyaq Ahmad

Srinagar, July 9: Terming killings of Bharatiya Janata Party leader and his other family members a heinous crime, Director General of police (DGP) Dilbag Singh Thursday said that a massive manhunt has been launched to track down the killers

“The killing of BJP leader Waseem Bari and his father and brother is a heinous crime and has been taken very seriously. Waseem was a very vocal leader, very active and always on ground doing his political activity,” the DGP told KINS.

The DGP said that Waseem was out of his house and when he returned, his Personal Security Officers (PSOs) went to their room to relax, which they should not have done. “Waseem went to his shop-cum residence where his father and brother were present. The militant who has been identified as Abid Haqani with a silencer fitted pistol fired at the trio which resulted in their killing while another foreign militant was also part of the act, who has been identified as well,” DGP Singh said.

He said that the entire security apparatus in the district is on toes and a massive manhunt has been launched to track down the killers of Waseem and his family members. “The people who are part of the political system and are carrying out political activities doesn’t suit Pakistan and militants. Though a large number of militants who were involved in the killing of civilians and political workers, have been killed already, we will get the killers of Waseem very soon,” he said.

He said the killing of Waseem coincided with the fourth death anniversary of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani and all precautions were taken by the security forces to foil any untoward incident. “Unfortunately, militants chose the evening time when security forces had already withdrawn from the area,” DGP said.

On whether there was a security lapse, he said Kashmir is a place where militants are keeping a gun with them and that there may be certain kinds of loopholes and that were because of “our own limitations.”

“My IG and DIG have already visited the site of the incident. The SSP Bandipora has already suspended all 10 PSOs of the slain BJP leader for laxity in their duty. They have been arrested as well,” he added.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, July 9: Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory (UT) Lt Governor Girish Chandra Murmu has condemned the killing of Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and his father and brother by militants on Wednesday night in north Kashmir district of Bandipora.

BJP leader Sheikh Waseem Bari, his father Bashir Ahmad and brother Umar Bashir were shot at by militants from a very close range at Bandipora when they were sitting in their shop last night. However, all the three were declared brought dead by doctors at the district hospital.
LG Murmu in a condolence message on Thursday morning has said that the barbaric act of killing innocent people is against the humanity and the perpetrators of this cowardly act shall be brought to justice.

He expressed his deepest sympathies with the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls.

Meanwhile, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan in his condolence message termed the killings as senseless and murder of humanity and said “the militants and their handlers are carrying such acts because of their frustration due to the pro-active role of our security forces against militancy.”

He said the perpetrators of this cowardly act shall be brought to justice.

He also expressed his deepest sympathies with the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls.

Meets various delegations, public representatives; inaugurates projects
UNI/Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, July 9: Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Girish Chandra Murmu on Thursday chaired a joint security review meeting in south Kashmir district of Kulgam, a police spokesman said.

He took a detailed review of existing security arrangements regarding upcoming Amarnath Yatra, the spokesman said.

The meeting was attended by DGP J&K Dilbag Singh, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Pandurang K Pole, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar, DIG (SKR)Anantnag Atul Kumar Goyal, DIG CRPF Dalip Singh Ambesh, SP Kulgam Gurinder Pal Singh and other officers of Security forces of District Kulgam.

During the meeting, Superintendent of Police Kulgam briefed the LG about various drives launched by Kulgam Police to tackle anti social elements in the District, he also briefed about the necessary arrangements put in place to contain the spread of COVID-19, and arrangements in place at the ground level for forging coordination among different forces deployed in the District for maintaining law and order.

LG Murmu applauded the efforts of security forces in maintaining peace and stability, and for preventive measures which have been taken to eradicate the spread of Coronavirus.

He laid focus on strengthening coordination among the forces so as to ensure crime-free society. He emphasised upon better and close coordination between all agencies to ensure smooth conduct of Shri Amarnath Yatra, and for preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Meets various delegations, public representatives; inaugurates projects  

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor interacted with about 15 delegations in Kulgam. These included representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies, traders’ federation, Awquaf committees, transporters, fruit and vegetable growers association, senior citizens and ST community members to take first hand appraisal of the developmental needs of the area, besides taking stock of the various projects and works under execution.

The Lt Governor also inaugurated projects and laid foundations stones of various works of public importance.

During the interaction, the members of the delegations put forth a number of demands pertaining to drinking water, power supply, package for transporters, augmentation of receiving stations, flood protection bunds for residential areas, installation of solar lights for remote ST areas, development of play fields, beautification of Veshoo nallah, approval for Polytechnic College at Yaripora and early completion of PHC Yaripora, Transformer and restoration of power supply to the Badijalan  and completion of works already taken under B2V2, besides release of work done claims of the years 2016 to 2018 taken and executed under MGNREGA.

The Lieutenant Governor observed that the government is putting dedicated efforts in reaching out to the people of J&K to address their issues and grievances and meet their developmental aspirations.

He assured the delegations about quick redressal of the problems and fulfillment of their genuine demands. He also said that an amount of Rs 1200 crore has been already sanctioned for upgradation of Power infrastructure, and directed Superintending Engineer PDD to restore power supply to the remote areas within 15 days.

He further directed the concerned Engineers for completion of languishing projects for which funds have already been released.

He said that the Government is providing free Health Insurance to about 25 lakh families of J&K under Ayushman Bharat scheme. Further, Power, Roads, Healthcare and Education are the priority sectors for the government, for which the administration is working tirelessly, he added.

He directed DDC Kulgam to identify land for the rehabilitation of victims of 2014 floods belonging to Adigatnoo village.

The Lieutenant Governor also sanctioned Rs 2 crores for completion of bypass road from Laroo to fruit mandi, including construction of embankment at three vulnerable spots at Khudwani on Nallah Veshoo.

During his visit, the Lt Governor laid the foundation stone of 50-bedded integrated AYUSH hospital at an estimated cost of Rs. 7.50 Cr, steel truss bridge over Zadran nallah at Kanchloo Kund with an estimated cost of Rs. 45 lakhs under the 13th Finance Commission.

He also e-inaugurated a ramp and lift facility in District Hospital Kulgam, Rural Haat at Devsar at an estimated cost of Rs 84 lakhs, double circuit 11 KV line from Nillow to Mohammad Pora Kulgam under PMDP and a 2×10 MVA receiving station at Yaripora .

Those present included Member Parliament, Nazir Ahmad Laway, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K. Pole, DDC Kulgam, Dr. Showkat Aijaz Bhat, Directors of Education, Health, Rural Development, Chief Engineers of R&B, Jal Shakti, I&FC and District officers.

New Delhi, Jul 9: Ushering in a new revolution in the connectivity of roads and bridges in sensitive border areas close to the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday inaugurated six major bridges through video conferencing from here.

The bridges, which the Defence Minister dedicated to the nation, are of strategic importance and were completed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in a record time.

The Minister congratulated all ranks of BRO for completing the works of six bridges in record time and complimented them for contributing towards nation building by working in the most difficult terrain and weather conditions.

He said that roads and bridges are the lifeline of any nation and play a vital role in the socio-economic development of far flung regions.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to prioritise development activities in J&K, he said that “our Prime Minister is regularly monitoring the progress of these projects and adequate funds are being provided for their timely execution.”

Singh said, “It is a pleasant experience to inaugurate these bridges that ‘connect people’, at a time when the world is insisting on keeping distance, being isolated from each other (due to COVID-19). I would like to congratulate the Border Road Organisation on completing this important task with great skill.”

Complementing BRO the minister said, “Continued construction of roads and bridges in the border areas of the country with total commitment by BRO would help in realisation of the efforts of the Government to reach to the remotest areas. Roads are the lifeline of any nation.”

Roads in the border areas are not only strategic strengths, but also act to connect remote areas with the mainstream.

In this way, be it a strategic necessity of the Armed Forces or other development work related to health, education, trade, all these are possible only with connectivity, he added.

Thanking the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their cooperation, he said, “I am sure that the construction of modern roads and bridges will bring prosperity to the region. Our government is committed to promoting infrastructure on our borders and necessary resources will be provided for this.”

“Our government has a keen interest in the development of Jammu and Kashmir. Keeping in mind the need of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Armed Forces, many other development works are also in the pipeline, which will be announced in due time. About 1,000 kilometre long roads are currently under construction in Jammu region,” he added.

The minister acknowledged that over the last two years, with the use of latest technologies and state-of-the-art equipment the BRO has done cutting of over 2,200 kilometres about 4,200 kilometres of roads surfacing and about 5,800 metres of permanent bridges have been constructed.

He assured that the government has ensured that sufficient resources are provided to the BRO for the construction of strategic roads. Despite the COVID-19 epidemic, the Government will not let the resources of BRO fall short. Also, the ministry will take care of the facilities of BRO’s engineers and personnel, he added.

The six bridges were inaugurated in the presence of Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge) and MoS Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space Dr Jitendra Singh. Member of Parliament, Jammu Jugal Kishore Sharma was present on the site through video link.

The two bridges on the Tarnah Nallah in Kathua District and four bridges located on Akhnoor-Pallanwala road in Akhnoor/Jammu district have spans ranging from 30 to 300 metres and were constructed at a total cost of Rs 43 crores.

These bridges constructed by Project Sampark of the BRO will facilitate movement of Armed Forces in this strategically important sector and will also contribute towards the overall economic growth of remote border areas.

It is apparent that there has been a major surge in outcomes delivered by the BRO in the last few years.

This is evident from the fact that BRO has executed about 30 per cent more works in the financial year (FY) 2019-20 as compared to FY 2018-19.

This has happened because of adequate budgetary support from the Government and due to the effect of structural reforms and focused/dedicated efforts by the BRO.

The annual budget of BRO that varied from Rs 3300 crore to Rs 4600 crore in years 2008-2016, saw a substantial rise to Rs 8050 crore in 2019-2020.

With focus of the government in improving infrastructure in border areas, the budget for 2020-2021 is likely to be Rs 11,800 crore.

This will give a major boost to ongoing projects and will expedite the construction of strategic roads, bridges and tunnels along our Northern borders.

Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen Harpal Singh, DG Border Roads, underlined the contribution of BRO to nation building and thanked the minister for his continuous guidance and support while expressing confidence that the BRO shall continue to strive towards meeting laid down targets in line with our overall National Strategic Objectives set forth by the government.

Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, Director General of BRO Lt Gen Harpal Singh at Delhi and along with senior Army and Civil Administration officials on site were present on the occasion.