Srinagar, July 8: Very less number of people visited Mughal gardens and other parks, which were reopened from Wednesday after remaining closed for about four months to curtail the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

The gardens and parks in the Union Territory were reopened from Wednesday despite no letup in the number of fatalities and upward spiral in new COVID-19 cases in J&K, where so far 146 patients have died due to the virus while about 9000 people have been infected.

However, authorities said that all the visitors have to strictly observe the already given protocols and medical advises related to Covid-19, including wear face masks, use hand sanitizers and maintain social distancing norms both inside and outside these picnic spots.

Very few people, who were wearing facemask, could be seen visiting Mughal gardens, situated along the boulevard road on the bank of famous Dal Lake, during the day after a gap of about four months in Srinagar, where the maximum temperature settled at 31.9 degree, which is about 2 degree above normal. However, the number slightly increased in the evening.

The floriculture department has set up thermal screening at the entry gates of all these gardens, parks to check visitors for any COVID-19 symptoms. Hand sanitizers have also been made available by the department for the use of visitors.

A good number of people visit Dal Lake and non-vegetarian eateries — particularly serving roasted meat, chicken and fish — along boulevard road in the evenings after relaxation in lockdown last month. Though, this has been condemned by many, including Doctors Association of Kashmir (DAK), which has linked ignoring recommended precautions with surge in new cases and deaths due to the novel Coronavirus.

“People have started thronging public parks, gardens and picnic spots. Playing fields are full, roads are chock-a- block with traffic and markets are crowded,” DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan said.

“Economy should not be preferred over lives as gardens are not important for the survival of human beings. Opening gardens and parks at a time when deaths and new COVID-19 cases are on the rise is unscientific,” he added.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Jul 8:  Asserting that the government is mulling to give mining rights to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) on land under their jurisdiction through short term permits, Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam on Wednesday said the decision is aimed at empowering these institutions to raise funds, address shortage of key construction material and keep a tab on prices.

Subrahmanyam, while chairing a meeting to take stock of issues being faced in mining of construction material, also called for synergy and coordination between various stakeholders including Geology & Mining Department, State Environment Authority, Pollution Control Board, Public Sector Undertakings and lease holders of mining blocks, an official spokesperson said.

The Chief Secretary urged upon Commissioner/ Secretary Industries to examine and submit a proposal regarding possible devolution of mining rights to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) on land under their jurisdiction through short term permits.

He said the decision is aimed at empowering PRIs to raise funds through mining surpluses and address shortage of key construction material in local market, besides keeping a check on their prices.

The spokesperson said that it was also recommended that the framework for extraction procedure under local self governance mechanism, along-with sharing of revenue between Geology & Mining Department and PRIs may also be worked out.

Further, Administrative Secretary, Industries & Commerce, was asked to identify 100 locations where PRIs could be given rights for STPs and the department can apply for various permits and clearances on behalf of PRIs, besides providing them logistic support on a pilot basis.

Moreover, the department was instructed to expedite approval of mining plans in all e-auctioned blocks by July 20, 2020.  Ecology & Environment Department and Pollution Control Board were directed to expedite clearances within the rules.

Similarly, Geology & Mining Department was instructed to forward mining projects of second phase auction for environmental clearance by July 31, 2020.

The Chief Secretary urged Industries Department to consider streamlining of mining auction to stabilize sale prices of minor minerals by developing a long term price fixation mechanism.

Regarding simplification of process of obtaining environmental clearances, Chief Secretary directed Administrative Secretary, Forest to examine the matter and revisit the checklist of required documentation and keep it to the minimum required by law.

Srinagar, July 8: The Army on Wednesday paid rich tribute to a soldier, who was killed in an encounter with militants in south Kashmir district of Pulwama on Tuesday.

An Army official told UNI that three security force personnel, including two Army soldiers and a policeman, were injured while a militant was killed on Tuesday in an encounter which ensued after security forces launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Gosu area in Pulwama. “The injured were immediately taken to Army’s 92 base hospital, where one of them identified as Naik Rajwinder Singh succumbed,” he said.

He said Naik Rajwinder Singh was on Wednesday paid a befitting tribute by the Army in a solemn ceremony at Badami Bagh Cantonment.

“General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 15 Corps (Chinar Corps), Lt Gen BS Raju and all ranks paid homage to the soldier on behalf of a proud nation,” he said.

Lt Gen BS Raju paid tribute to the soldier, saying the sacrifice he has made is in the true spirit and highest tradition of Indian Army.

The Army official said that 30-year-old Naik Singh had joined Army in 2011. “The soldier belongs to village Dodra in Patiala District in Punjab,” he said.

He said that the mortal remains of the slain soldier would be flown to his native place, where his last rites would be performed with full military honour.

500 pilgrims to be allowed per day

New Delhi, July 8: The Amarnath Yatra will be conducted in a staggered manner this year, with no more than 500 pilgrims allowed per day, as a result of coronavirus lockdown restrictions, the government said Wednesday evening.

In a high-level meeting at government offices in North Block in Delhi, it was decided that the yatra to a shrine sacred to devotees of Lord Shiva would be allowed for a fortnight starting July 21.

“This year only 500 pilgrims will be allowed in a day and that too in a staggered manner,” a senior functionary in the Home Ministry told NDTV.

Related issues, such as routes, were also discussed in the meeting.

“Only the 16-kilometre Baltal route will be accessible this year as it is shorter and you can complete the yatra in a day,” he said.

The Pahalgam route will not be opened as it is covered in snow.

The yatra, which normally takes place over 42 days, was scheduled to commence from June 23 but it was delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The shortened yatra will see COVID-19 specific SOPs (standard operating protocols) in place, such as testing of people from outside Jammu and Kashmir and social distancing.

Authorities are particularly concerned because the symptoms for COVID-19 infection and high-altitude sickness are almost identical.

Wednesday’s meeting was attended by Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy and Jitendra Singh and senior Home Ministry officials, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu and Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam, as well as divisional commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir also attended, via video conference.

The 2019 Amarnath Yatra was cut short following militant threats; these came ahead of the government’s decision on Article 370, which gave Jammu and Kashmir special status.

In 2018, the Amarnath Yatra was held over 60 days.

Meanwhile, pilgrimages to the Vaishnodevi shrine have been suspended till July 31; it is likely that locals will get first access when it is re-opened.

Srinagar, July 8: Dr Farooq Ahmad Lone, a retired IAS officer, on Wednesday took oath of office as member of Public Service Commission (PSC).

An official spokesman said this evening that chairman PSC B R Sharma administered oath of office to Dr Lone.

He was administered oath of office at Srinagar through video conferencing mode, the spokesman added.

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, July 8: Minister of State for Home Affairs, G Kishan Reddy, along with Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu today reviewed the progress of various administrative and developmental works in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir through video conferencing.

Minister of State, PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh; Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar; BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Gyanesh Kumar, Additional Secretary, MHA;  Arun Kumar Mehta, Financial Commissioner, Finance department; Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education; Bipul Pathak, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor, besides Administrative Secretaries of various departments and senior officers of MHA took part in the deliberations.

In the meeting, implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes, Prime Minister’s Development Package, progress on issues raised during the Outreach Programme carried out by the Union Council of Ministers in January, 2020 and the issues related to implementation of J&K Reorganization Act, 2019 were reviewed.

The Union Minister expressed satisfaction and appreciated the efforts of the UT administration in speeding up the execution of various projects under PMDP, CSSs and other development programmes.

While reviewing the Border Area Development Programme, the Union Minister desired that the infrastructural gaps in border villages should be filled up within next two years in order to ease the difficulties faced by the border residents.

The Union Minister also desired that action must be initiated in case of all the demands put forth by the public before the Union Ministers during the Outreach programme held by them in January, 2020 and the MHA be updated about the progress.

The Minister was informed that 17 projects under PMDP have been completed or substantially completed whereas work on 31 more projects is moving fast.

Under Health sector, it was informed that the work on AIIMS Samba has begun while the work on AIIMS Awantipora is likely to start from August, 2020. Moreover, MBBS course classes have already started in 4 newly established Medical Colleges at Anantnag, Baramulla, Rajouri and Kathua, while as in GMC Doda, the classes would begin from this year. The Government of India has also released 1st instalment of funds for two more Medical Colleges at Handwara and Udhampur.

A detailed presentation was also given on Special Initiative to ensure 100% coverage of eligible beneficiaries under Flagship Schemes being implemented in J&K UT. The efforts of the UT administration for the special drive to cover all eligible beneficiaries under 55 schemes of the Central government were lauded. The UT has ensured 100% coverage of beneficiaries under 32 schemes and was committed to achieving the universal coverage under other schemes of the Central Government as well.

It was informed that J&K being a leader in universalization of Health Insurance, over 11 lakh Golden Cards have been generated and 3.5 lakh families have at least one Ayushman Bharat Golden Card under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna. Efforts for coverage of students under 14 scholarship schemes for students and saturation of Kisan Credit Cards were also praised by the Union Minister.

The meeting was also informed that the UT has launched Kisan Pakhwada with the aim of doubling rural credit and saturation under KCC; besides enhancing agricultural productivity for small and marginal farmers through technological interventions. Efforts are on to ensure area specific crop insurance for different crops and fruits, it was informed.

The Ministers of the Union Government also lauded the efforts of UT administration in effective and result oriented implementation of the Centrally Sponsored schemes under which Rs 6414 crore were spent in the UT during 2019-20.

The Lieutenant Governor informed the MHA that the UT administration is in the process of developing a web portal for comprehensive monitoring of Centrally Sponsored Schemes under implementation in J&K, which would be launched shortly. He assured the Union Minister that all the issues requiring attention would be sorted out on priority. He also briefed the Minister about the roadmap for accelerated recruitment and implementation of reservation rules in the UT.

On Outreach Programme held by Union Ministers in various Districts of the UT, it was given out that a total number of 1066 demands were made by the public during the Programme, out of which action has been initiated on 440 demands, whereas 626 such demands are under consideration of the UT Government, at various levels which would be expedite to take them forward.

Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, July 7 : Four more deaths related to COVID-19 were reported in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, taking the number of total deaths due to the pandemic to 143 in the Union Territory.

An official told KNO that  four deaths include a 60-year-old woman from Kunzar, Baramulla, a 78-year-old lady from Khrew, Pulwama and 65-year-old woman from Noor Bagh, Srinagar and 62-year-old male from Batpora, Anantnag.

Dr. Saleem Tak, Medical Superintendent at CD hospital said that a woman from Kunzarwho was admitted on July 03 and was kept on ventilator died at CD hospital today morning.

He said that the patient was suffering from multiple ailments including COPD and pneumonia. A senior doctor at SMHS said that the 78-year-old woman from Khrew Pulwama who was admitted at SMHS and tested positive for Covid-19 died today. He said that the woman was tested positive a few hours after her death. Tehsildar Pampore Ishtiyaq Mohiuudin also confirmed to KNOthat an elderly woman from Khrew area of Pampore died at SMHS and that she was tested positive for Covid-19.

Dr. Nazir Choudary said that a 65-year-oldwoman from Noor Bagh, Srinagar who was admitted in triage ward of SMHS was suffering from multiple ailments.

He said that the woman tested positive after her death. Dr Farooq Jan, Medical super indent at SKIMS, Soura while confirming the fourth Covid death in a day, said that a 65-year-old man from Batpora,Anantnag district died this evening.

“He was admitted on July 6 to the hospital and was having hypertension, and other underlying medical conditions. He was tested positive for virus today,” DrJan said.

With four more deaths, the toll in Jammu and Kashmir has reached to 143 including 129 from Kashmir and 14 from Jammu division.

Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar, July 7:  The Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday reported 256 fresh COVD-19 infections, taking the number of cases to 8931 in J&K.

The new cases— 74 from Jammu division and 182 from Kashmir Valley—include at least 29 paramilitary CRPF and SSB men besides eight men from Beacon (109 RCC Kupwara) and minor who tests returned positive at SKIMS lab.

Giving district wise breakup of the cases, officials said Srinagar reported 61, Baramulla 30, Rajouri 20, Kupwara 18, 16 each in Kulgam and Pulwama, Ganderbal 14, Doda 13, ten each in Budgam and Kishtwar, Jammu 12, eight each in Anantnag and Bandipora, Poonch seven, Kathua six, two each in Udhampur, Samba and Ramban and Shopian one.

Dr. G H Yatoo, Nodal Officer Coronavirus Control Measures at SKIMS Soura told GNS that out of the total samples which were processed at the viral diagnostic laboratory of the hospital, 101 returned positive for the virus.

Professor Farooq Jan, Medical Superintendent SKIMS Soura, told GNS they include 20 from CRPF Battalions, 15 from Kulgam, 14 from Pulwama, 11 each from Budgam and Srinagar, eight each from Bandipora and Kupwara, six from Anantnag, five from Baramulla, two from Ganderbal and one from Shopian.

The cases from Anantnag include three females (62, 52, 24) from Lazibal, female (52) from Nai Basti,

male (62) from Anantnag and Male (38) from Hardu Toru while Bandipora ones include male (62) from Ward-6 , two males (34, 32) from Dawar, male (38) from Naidkhai, three males (52, 42, 26) from Gundjahangeer  and male (51) from Nadihal.

The Baramulla cases include male (30) from Seer Sopore , male (65) from Rafiabad, male (62) from Baramulla, female (60) from Uri and male (22) from Pattan while those from Budgam are Male (28) from Indigo Airport , female (29) from Durbal , two male (17, 47) from Aarath , male (11) and two females (29, 60) from Kawoosa Magam , male (50) from Check Wanihama, female (65) from Malpopra Khag, male (52) from Jawalapora  and male (34) from Krimshore Budgam.

The 20 from CRPF Battalions are (44, 45, 49, 37, 36, 33, 30, 32, 33, 25, 50, 36, 28, 32, 28, 25, 26, 48, 40, 40) from 54 Bn Nishat Srinagar.

The cases from Kulgam include male (37) from Tamil, male (40) from Ladgoo, male (48) and 01 female (65) from Kanipora, male (30) from Larroo, six males (55, 52, 58, 55, 48, 40) from Hq/18 Bn Kulgam, female (70) from Takipora Kulgam , male (42) from Matibugh Kulgam besides male (58) and female (17) from Kulgam.

The cases from Kupwara include men (43, 40, 45, 49, 46, 49, 40, 40) from 109 RCC Kupwara while those from Pulwama male (30) from Murran Pulwama, female (38) from Sirnoo , male (50) from Wanpora, male (40) from Nikas, two females (55, 56) and male (65) from Chandgam, female (25) from Bra Bandina, male (75) from Malpora, male (52) from Karimabad, three males (27, 28, 30) from SSB Bajwani  and male (04) from Pulwama.

The cases from Srinagar include Male (70) from Ellahibagh, male (56) from Buchpora, male (18) and female (16) from Ahmad Nagar , male (32) from Rainawar, two male (27, 23) from Batamaloo, male (20) from Chattabal, female (56) from Shalimar , male (28) from Noorbagh and male (48) from Barbershah while Shopian case female (45) and Ganderbal cases include female (31) from Girat and female (30) from Tulmulla Ganderbal.

Dr Riyaz Untoo, Principal SKIMS Bemina, told GNS that out of 695 samples processed at the hospital’s lab, 6 tested positive for COVID-19, all from Srinagar including  female (70) from Bemina, female (29) from Padshahi Bagh, female (35) Qamarwari, female (32) from Hyderpora, female (33) from Raj bag And male (84) from Soura.

Meanwhile, 81 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and were discharged from various hospitals—22 from Jammu and 59 from Kashmir.