Precious Kashmir

Advisor Baseer Khan reviews SOPs for resuming MGNREGA activities

Jammu & Kashmir

25/04/2020

Emphasizes on social distancing, usage of masks, personal sanitation at work sites

Precious Kashmir News

SRINAGAR, APRIL 24: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan chaired a meeting to review the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for resumption and roll out of Rural Development Department activities during the lock down in Jammu and Kashmir.
During the meeting instructions were conveyed for resumption of MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) activities as per the Guidelines issued by Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India.
The meeting was informed that in view of the instructions of the Union Government, the Administrative Department vide Circular No: 13 RD& PR of 2020 Dated: 21/04/2020 issued SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for resumption of MGNREGA works during the lock down period in the UT of J&K.
It was further informed that under the SOPs, DPO and PO MGNREGA must ensure that an adequate shelf of works is approved in every GP in order to meet the demand for the works of the job seekers.
Further, the meeting was informed that DPC-??? would start works at district level as per demand of wage seekers for areas outside the demarcated containment zones. However, if any new area is included in the category of containment zones, then MGNREGA activities allowed in that area will be immediately suspended.
The DPC will also ensure allocation of works in such a way that social distancing could be maintained at the works sites. During the allotment of works, it shall be ensured that the on-going and incomplete works should be completed first.
Speaking on the occasion, the Advisor emphasized the need for adherence to Social Distancing, usage of masks and personal sanitation at the work sites.
He further directed to focus on Irrigation and Water Conservation Works, Construction of Ponds, Wells, Horticulture and other related activities.
As per MIS reports 344 works have been taken up by Rural Development Department (RDD) under MGNREGA in seven districts of Kashmir Division in which 27 works were taken up in Budgam district 27, 14 works in Bandipora, 18 in Baramulla, 20 in Ganderbal, 4 in Kulgam, 240 in Kupwara and 21 works in Pulwama districts. The natures of the works taken up by the districts are mainly of Irrigation and Rural Connectivity related.

COVID-19:DC Kulgam visits red zone village Batpora, inpects quarantine centers

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

25/04/2020

Precious Kashmir News

KULGAM, APRIL 24: Deputy Commissioner (DC), Kulgam, Showkat Aijaz Bhat, today visited several areas of district Kulgam to take first hand appraisal of enforcement of restrictions and lockdown in the district.
He visited several areas including D. H. Pora, K. B. Pora, Khull, Ahmadabad, Kounsabal, Nihama, Mirhama, Liroo, Yaroo, and other villages and monitored the enforcement of the Covid-19 restrictions.
Earlier, he visited Red zone village Batpora of Tehsil D. H. Pora and the officers informed him about the measures in place to break the chain of Corona virus infection.
He directed the concerned to ensure complete lock-down in the village and ensure that no inward or outward movement takes place in the area.
The DC also inspected quarantine centers at Khull, K. B. Pora and other places and took stock of arrangements put in place at these centers.
He was accompanied by ADC, Shabir Hussain, BMO, Shugufta Salam, Tehsildar, Niyaz Ahmad and other officers.He appealed the people to stay at home to break the chain of Corona virus infection and urged them to adhere to social distancing and offer Nimaz e Taraveh at home during the month of Ramadhan, in view of COVID-19 infection.

Restrictions intensified in Red zones villages of Anantnag

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

25/04/2020

Precious Kashmir News

ANANTNAG, APRIL 24: As prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC, Disaster Management Act, and the Epidemic Disease Act are already in place in the district, the District Magistrate, Anantnag reiterated that no inward and outward movement of any person from the red zones villages should be allowed and the people should stay in their homes to ensure complete lockdown as restrictions have been intensified.intensify
“The area has become more vulnerable as far as further transmission of the COVID-19 virus is concerned, hence is has become imperative to take stringent precautionary measures by declaring concerned villages as red zones and adjoining villages as buffer zone,” the DM said.
This entails complete restriction of vehicular movement toward the red zone villages, accept the vehicles carrying essential commodities for the inhabitants of such villages, he added.DM directed the officials concerned to ensure supply of essential commodities as per laid down protocols in the villages covering both local residents and outside labourers, and warned of stern action against anyone trying to violate the orders.
The authorities have reiterated that violations will invoke relevant sections of IPC and stringent action shall be initiated under section 269 IPC ( unlawfully or negligently doing something which is likely to spread infection of any dangerous disease to life) , section 270 IPC ( malignant act likely to spread infection of dangerous disease to life), section 271 IPC (knowingly disobeying any quarantine rule) and section 188 IPC ( for disobeying any Government orders.
Meanwhile on the directions of DM, Additional District Magistrate Anantnag, Syed Yasir Kubrvi, today visited the red zone areas of Nowgam, Pushroo and Sombruna to assess the observance of lockdown and to take stock of supply of essentials.
The Administrator, Red zone, DFO, Anantnag, Tehsildar Shangus and SDPO Achabal were accompanying him.

Senior SKIMS Bemina Doc claimed he got exposed to COVID-19 patient, but ‘refused to go for administrative quarantine’

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

25/04/2020

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, April 24 :In a startling revelation, a senior doctor at SKIMS Medical College Bemina has claimed he got exposed to COVID-19 patient, but allegedly refused to go for administrative quarantine.
The SKIMS Bemina College has been receiving coronavirus patients since April 3.
On April 11, a senior doctor of the hospital brought into the notice of hospital administration that he got exposed to COVID-19 patient. He told the authorities that he won’t attend duties as he needs to be home quarantined.
After which Medical Superintendent SKIMS Hospital wrote a letter to Principal SKIMS Medical College that a doctor (name withheld) has stated that he has got exposed to COVID-19 patient during duty on April 11 and is under home quarantine.Subsequently, Principal issued an order, a copy of which lies with news agency KINS, which reads, “As reported by the doctor, that he has got exposed to COVID-19 positive patient in the ward and has started isolation. As per the guidelines laid down for the said purpose in J&K, he has to be shifted to administrative quarantine immediately and accordingly vehicle and security guard with well protected cover to be transferred to the quarantine centre at Zakura as conveyed by the DHO and the Coordinator SKIMS Medical College Hospital.”After which, the Medical Superintendent SKIMS Medical College Hospital issued another order. The letter a copy of which is in possession of KINS reads, “In reference to letter received from Principal, following staff are directed to ensure transfer of doctor from home to quarantine at Zakura. Deployment monitor will make a vehicle available for the said purpose with the protective gear of driver of the said vehicle. Senior security supervisor SKIMS MCH to depute a security personal with vehicle which will go to pick-up the professor from his residence to quarantine centre Zakura and later provide a report in this regard. On-duty RHA will ensure that the vehicle leaves from hospital premises with the required staff for necessary action.”A top official said on condition of anonymity that when the vehicle was sent to his home, the doctor surprisingly had said officials he was not exposed to COVID-19.

PDD lineman electrocuted to death in Parimpora

City

Precious Kashmir

25/04/2020

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, April 24 : A lineman of the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Ltd (erstwhile Power Development Department) died of electrocution in Parimpora area of Srinagar city on Friday.
A police officer told GNS that Bashir Ahmad Parray (42) son of Ghulam Mohiuddin Parray of Lawaypora received an electric shock while repairing an electric line near Fruit Mandi area of Parimpora late today afternoon.
Parray had suffered serious burn injuries in the incident, the officer said.
He was immediately taken to SMHS hospital where doctors declared him brought dead on arrival, the officer added.
An officer of the power department said that Parray was working as a lineman in the department.

Will lifting of lockdown end COVID-19 threat?

Anchor stories
Front

Afaq Bhat

25/04/2020

Will lifting of lockdown end COVID-19 threat?

Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Apr 24: With just eight days left for the second phase of countrywide lockdown to end, the big question which is looming over the minds of people is would lifting of lockdown end the COVID-19 threat.
An analyst while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “It looks difficult that lockdown will end in one go. Even if the government decides to lift the restrictions this will be done in a phased manner.”
Referring to the recent statement of World Health Organization Chief that the virus is there to stay and most of the countries are in an early stage of fighting the pandemic, the analyst said, “The alarm sounded by the WHO Chief is a warning that things won’t return to normal soon. At present the Union Health Ministry is claiming that doubling rate of COVID-19 patients has come down and situation is improving. But lot of time is needed to make things fall at place.”
He said, “Ending the lockdown in a phased manner after completion of 42-days will be a compulsion for the government as everything cannot remain shut forever. But a few experts have predicted that the COVID-19 in India will peak in mid of May. This prediction too cannot be brushed aside. Things are not as simple as they are appearing. It’s a complicated situation and finding a way out is a very difficult task.”
An observer said, “Life after lockdown ends is not going to be same. The outbreak of COVID-19 has changed the entire world. People will have no idea about how to go with their lives if the COVID-19 cure or vaccine is not found. If the lockdown is lifted without finding a cure it will make people feel insecure. China ended the restrictions in Wuhan after it succeeded in containing the virus and no fresh cases were reported.”
Recently a leading researcher from the United States claimed that the second wave of the COVID-19 could be more deadly. He expressed concern over the people getting re-infected after recovering. “The countries hit by COVID-19 have been caught between the devil and the deep sea. The countries which did not go into a lockdown mode soon after the COVID-19 pandemic broke out have been the worst sufferers. Causalities in the United States, United Kingdom, Italy and Spain have been high as these countries waited to close down everything,” the observer added.
He said, “Ending lockdown after May 3 in India will be a tough call for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He would never want the gains of lockdown-1 and lockdown-II getting lost till the COVID-19 curve flattens.”

COVID-19: Kashmir reports 27 fresh cases, J&K tally reaches 454

Front

Precious Kashmir

25/04/2020

COVID-19: Kashmir reports 27 fresh cases, J&K tally reaches 454

Bandipora worst hit, no new case reported in Jammu
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Apr 24: Jammu and Kashmir Government on Friday said that 27 new positive cases of novel Coronavirus, (all from Kashmir division), have been reported thus taking the total number of positive cases in the Union Territory to 454.

According to the daily Media Bulletin, out of 454 positive cases, 340 are Active Positive, 109 have recovered and five have died.

Furthermore, till date 65722 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for surveillance which includes 6162 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 260 in Hospital Quarantine, 340 in hospital isolation and 11970 under home surveillance. Besides, 46985 persons have completed their surveillance period.

The Bulletin further said that out of 11764 test results available, 11310 samples have tested as negative till April 24, 2020.

Moreover 17 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged, 05 from District Hospital Shopian, 04 from SKIMS Soura, and 08 from GMC, Baramulla.

Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Bandipora has 108 positive cases wherein 85 are Active Positive, 22 recovered and 01 has died, Srinagar 79 positive cases with 51 Active Positive, 27 recovered and 01 died, Baramulla 52 positive cases with 38 Active Positive, 12 recovered, and 02 died; Shopian has 60 positive cases with 49 Active Positive, 11 recovered; Kupwara has 45 positive cases with 39 Active Positive and 06 recovered; Anantnag district has 16 positive case and all are Active Positive; Ganderbal has 14 positive cases with 12 Active positive and 02 have recovered; Budgam 14 positive cases of which 05 are Active Positive and 09 recovered cases; Kulgam has 06 cases and all are Active Positive; Pulwama 03 positive cases who all have recovered.

Similarly, Jammu has 26 positive cases of whom 21 are Active Positive and 05 have recovered, Udhampur 20 positive cases of which 11 are Active Positive, 08 recovered and 01 died, while as Samba district has 04 positive cases and all are Active Positive; Rajouri has 04 positive cases, 01 active positive and 03 cases have recovered; Kathua has 01 positive case which is active positive; Ramban has 01 positive case who is Active Positive. Meanwhile, Kishtwar has only 01 positive case who has recovered.

The Bulletin said that the breakup represents districts from which the patients have been traced or are ordinarily residing.

COVID-19: 1752 cases in 24 Hours in India

Front

Precious Kashmir

25/04/2020

COVID-19: 1752 cases in 24 Hours in India

Biggest spike, recovery rate at its highest too
Tally rises to 23,452; 4,748 recover

No new cases reported in 80 districts in last 14 days

New Delhi: India registered 1,752 new coronavirus cases on Friday – its biggest single-day spike since the beginning of the pandemic – taking the total to 23,452. The number of deaths rose to 723 with 37 more people dying from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, the Health Ministry said.

Earlier in the day, the government said that a total of 4,748 people have recovered from COVID-19 so far, taking the share of recovered patients to 20.57 per cent of the total active cases – also the highest yet.

India’s doubling rate of coronavirus cases has improved to 10 days, from 7.5 days reported earlier this week, the centre said, suggesting that the lockdown enforced since last month to check the spread of the highly contagious disease is a success.

It also said that there are 80 districts now where no new cases have been reported in the last 14 days, suggesting the chain of transmission has been broken.

“Till date, there are 80 districts in the country that have reported no new cases in the last 14 days. The chain of transmission is being broken by the collective efforts of people and administration. We should see that the green zone districts maintain the status of no new cases and also, new districts get added into this category,” senior health ministry official Lav Aggarwal said in his daily press briefing.

COVID-19 made us realise importance of self-reliance: PM Modi

Front

United News Of India

25/04/2020

COVID-19 made us realise importance of self-reliance: PM Modi

Interacts with Panchayat chiefs through video conferencing
United News of India
New Delhi, Apr 24:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the Coronavirus crisis has taught India the need to be self-reliant to tackle such challenges.

In an interaction with village panchayat chiefs, through video conferencing, the PM said, “The Coronavirus Pandemic has made us realise that becoming self-reliant is the key requirement to tackle such challenges. Coronavirus crisis has set so many challenges for us.”

It has given us a lot to think about and taught about the way we act. It has made it absolutely clear that we have to depend only on ourselves for our survival. The coronavirus crisis has taught India to be self-sufficient and not depend on others for anything we need in our daily lives.’

Addressing the village Panchayat chiefs on the occasion of Panchayati Raj Day, the Prime Minister, who wore a scarf as a face mask during the video conferencing, also praised villages for handling the crisis better than cities.

“Villages have shown that our traditions, culture and learnings are from the ground level upwards and not the other way around. Villages have handled the crisis better than cities. They are handling social distancing better with more discipline. There is much to learn from you all,” he said.

Noting that the Gram Panchayats play a pivotal role in making country self -reliant, the PM said, ‘Developed and self-reliant villages are key for a developed nation. Government ‘s initiative of allowing the manufacture of mobile phones in the country has empowered villages and brought them with the digital mainstream.’

The PM said that India has shown to the World that it is fighting the pandemic with full determination to win.

‘Despite odds and impediments, we have shown the world that we are fighting against COVID19 with full determination to win, without giving up,’ he said.

‘We have also witnessed the resilience of the Indians in the last 2-3 months during the crisis. Despite odds and impediments, we have shown to the world that we are fighting it with full determination to win, without giving up,’ PM Modi said.

On the occasion, the PM inaugurated e-GramSwaraj portal and a mobile application.

Terming E-Gram Swaraj as a step towards making complete digitalisation of Gram Panchayats, the PM said, ‘E-Gram Swaraj is a step towards complete digitalisation of Gram Panchayats. All development related works and fund allocated for them in Panchayats can be seen on this portal. This will ensure transparency in development-related works.’

Referring to the NDA government initiatives to make available broadband connections in villages, the PM said, ‘Just 6 years back, only 100 Panchayats had broadband connectivity. Today, 1.25 lakh Panchayats are connected with broadband. Number of CSCs has crossed 3 lakh. SWAMITVA yojana is a big step towards full digitisation of all villages.’

PM hails Bla BDC Chairperson for his role

Front

Precious Kashmir

25/04/2020

PM hails Bla BDC Chairperson for his role

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, Apr 24: Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, today lauded the efforts and proactive measures adopted by Block Development Council Chairperson, Block Narwav, Baramulla district, Mir Mohamad Iqbal, towards containing spread of Coronavirus pandemic.

The PM, during his interaction with the Sarpanchs from across the nation through video-conferencing as a part of Panchayati Raj Day observance, expressed satisfaction over the outstanding performance of Mir Mohamad Iqbal saying that this has become possible by the great synergy between the government, block administration and the public as well. He described Iqbal as a leader of masses in true sense.

“I congratulate all people of the block for cooperating in our fight against the virus. The block has done a commendable job and the mantra espoused by the BDC should be emulated across Jammu and Kashmir so that we defeat the Coronavirus as soon as possible,” the PM said. He also said that “Do Gaz ki Doori” should be followed in letter and spirit all the time.

Block Development Council Chairperson informed the Prime Minister about the proactive measures taken up by the Panchayati Raj Institutions and the block administration of the UT which have helped the district to contain the spread of virus.

“The authorities motivated and guided us that how the PRIs can take proactive measures to reduce the spread of this unseen enemy,” briefed Iqbal. He said that his BDC in collaboration with ASHA workers, ICDS workers and PRI members, after a brief orientation by a team of doctors, started door to door awareness campaigns about preventive measures like social distancing, wearing of masks, frequent washing of hands with soaps and hand sanitisers.” He also talked about the role of PRIs in identifying people who had a travel history and ensuring the implementation of complete lockdown in the block.

“PRI members and other volunteers remained on roads to make the lockdown successful and to ensure the mandatory social distancing is being followed strictly. We adopted and spread an important message while ensuring social distancing “Respect all, suspect all”, Chairperson added. ‘As a result of these proactive measures, I can say our block is almost COVID free. We also worked pro-actively towards ensuring essential supplies to all the needy in the block”, he maintained.

Pertinent to mention, that the Panchayati Raj Institutions along with offcials of the Department of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, J&K have been actively involved in the UT in making and distribution of home-made masks, distribution of ration, sanitisation activities, maintaining social distance, ensuring quarantine and isolation, identification of people with travel history and other prospects, IEC activities etc.

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