Precious Kashmir

Chief Justice administers oath to 3 High Court judges

Front

08/04/2020

Chief Justice administers oath to 3 High Court judges

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Apr 7: Chief Justice Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Justice Gita Mittal today administered oath of office to three newly appointed Judges of the common High Court for the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul, Justice Sanjay Dhar and Justice Puneet Gupta were sworn in as permanent Judges in a simple but impressive ceremony in Chief Justice’s Court at Jammu wing of the High Court.
On account of guidelines with regard to measures for containment of COVID-19 pandemic in the country issued by the Government of India and the Government of Jammu & Kashmir and in order to avoid gathering as well as to maintain social distancing, the sitting Judges of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir joined the oath ceremony through Video Conference. The oath ceremony was live streamed on internet through webcast also.

The ceremony was attended by sitting Judges of the High Court through video conferencing while sitting in their respective residences at Jammu, Chandigarh and Srinagar. Advocate General, Assistant Solicitor General of India of both the wings of the High Court, President Bar Association, High Court of J&K, Jammu, Secretary Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs UT of J&K also joined the oath ceremony through Video Linkage.

Warrants of appointment of Judges were read by Registrar General (Officiating) High Court of Jammu and Kashmir Jawad Ahmed in English and Hindi.

All the Sitting Judges of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir who participated in the oath ceremony through Video link congratulated the newly appointed Judges immediately after the oath ceremony. Advocate General, ASGI Jammu and Srinagar, Secretary Law Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, President High Court Bar Association Jammu also congratulated the newly appointed Judges and conveyed their best wishes.

With the appointment of Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul, Justice Sanjay Dhar and Justice Puneet Gupta as Judges of the High Court, the strength of J&K High Court increased from nine to twelve. The J&K High Court has sanctioned strength of 17 Judges including 13 Permanent Judges and 4 Additional Judges.

Prior to their appointment as Judges of the High Court, Justice Vinod Chatterje Koul was posted as Chairman, Sales Tax Tribunal while as Justice Sanjay Dhar was Registrar General of the J&K High Court and Justice Puneet Gupta was discharging his judicial duties as Member, Special Tribunal, Jammu.

Advisor Farooq Khan reviews activities for providing relief to labourers

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

07/04/2020

Advisor Farooq Khan reviews activities for providing relief to labourers

Rs 16 crore disbursed among 1.60 lakh workers

Precious Kashmir News

Jammu, Apr 7: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan today held a meeting to review the various mitigation activities being undertaken for providing relief to migrant inter-state and local labourers.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Labour and Employment (L&E), Saurabh Bhagat; Labour Commissioner, Abdul Rashid War; CEO Secretary, J&K Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (JKBOCWWB), Muzaffar Ahmad Peer and other concerned officers.

During the meeting, Secretary L&E, Saurabh Bhagat briefed the Advisor that Labour Commissioner, J&K has disbursed an amount of Rs 16 crore to 1.60 lakh workers @ Rs 1000 per worker as one time relief for procuring essential commodities.

He also apprised the Advisor that seven dedicated help lines established for migrant inter-state workers and two for labourers from J&K stranded in various parts across the country are functioning properly and providing help and guidance to the labourer groups.

He added that relief, ration and medical assistance-cum-facilities are also being extended to these stranded labourers.

On the occasion, Advisor Khan directed the Labour Commissioner, J&K, CEO JKBOCWWB, Director Environment to distribute masks to the stranded labourers and keep ESIC Model Hospital at Bari Brahmana ready for utilization for COVID-19, if need arises.

Work collectively to combat pandemic: Advisor Baseer Khan to departments

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

07/04/2020

Work collectively to combat pandemic: Advisor Baseer Khan to departments

‘Health institutions well equipped to tackle any exigency’

Precious Kashmir News

Jammu, Apr 7: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan, who is overall in-charge of Coronavirus Control efforts in Kashmir Division, today convened a meeting to review the measures being initiated by various departments regarding Prevention and Control of Covid-19.

Secretary Rural Development Department and Panchayat Raj, Sheetal Nanda, Mission Director National Health Mission, Bhupinder Kumar and other officers attended the meeting.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole, Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir Division, Director FCS&CA Kashmir and other officers participated in the meeting through video conferencing.

The meeting held threadbare discussion on various issues regarding status of Covid- 19 patients, Quarantine and Isolation Centers, issue of outside labourers, Helpline numbers for old age, infirm persons, status of supply of Essential Commodities, medicines, containment plan at Micro and Cluster level viz-a-viz Red Zones, Integrated Disease Surveillance plan, up gradation of infrastructure of CD hospital Srinagar, enhancement of lifting capacity of Mir bazar store Anantnag and related issues and concerns.

The Advisor directed the Block Development Council Members, Sarpanchs and Panchs to work in close co-ordination with Health and other departments regarding conduct of door to door survey in their respective areas to find out people with Covid- 19 symptoms.

The Advisor asked the Health officials to maintain a constant watch over the suspected cases and ensure immediate reporting so that the COVID-19 affected persons could be shifted to the designated hospitals for timely treatment. He stressed the concerned departments to ensure conduct of sanitation and fumigation drives particularly in the red zone areas on regular basis. He also asked for ensuring deployment of adequate staff in the areas declared as red zones.

The Advisor asked the DCs to classify their respective districts into zones and address the issues of the people accordingly.

Khan asked the concerned officers to make sure that persons who are being home quarantined for 14 days are properly monitored by the panchayat members so that there is no chance of further contamination. He also asked for maintaining record of persons who are coming from outside so that a proper surveillance is kept on them.

Emphasizing the significance of strict adherence to the advisories being issued by the government in containing the Coronavirus spread, the Advisor made a fervent appeal to the public to maintain social distancing and postpone all functions like marriages including religious congregations. He urged people to cooperate with the administration and be well-informed about all precautions needed to be followed to prevent spread of the pandemic. He also asked them to inform the administration in case they come to know about anyone with foreign travel history in their neighbourhood and family as well for their own safety. Such cases can be reported to the control rooms immediately and identity of the informing person would be kept confidential.

The Deputy Commissioners informed the Advisor that there is no shortage of essential commodities in their respective districts to meet the public needs. They apprised that the lockdown is being strictly imposed in their areas and testing of suspected Coronavirus is being done by the doctors as per the health guidelines.

Baseer Khan, while taking stock of other necessary facilities being extended to the people, was informed that there is sufficient stock of medicines including triple layer masks available in the Valley. Besides, food items are being provided to non local labourers and their health related issues are being taken care off.

He also reviewed the facilities being made available at quarantine centers.

The Advisor directed all the Deputy Commissioners to provide doorstep distribution of ration and other essential commodities to the consumers so that old age people and weaker sections do not suffer on this account.

Baseer Khan reiterated the need of working in tandem for raising awareness among the community about the disease and the precautions to be taken. He directed the officials to put in their best efforts to prevent the spread of the virus and asked them to intensify efforts to find anyone who might have come in contact with the suspected cases. He stressed upon the concerned to deal with the situation as per the recommended guidelines and operating procedures in combating the deadly disease.

The meeting was informed that overall situation is under control and Health institutions have been equipped efficiently to combat any exigency in the wake of this dreaded pandemic.

Decontamination tunnel installed at Lal Ded hospital

City

Precious Kashmir

07/04/2020

Decontamination tunnel installed at Lal Ded hospital

Al-Misda Masoom

Srinagar, Apr 7: To ensure safety of patients and the hospital staff, the administration of valley’s premiere maternity hospital Lal Ded has installed a decontamination tunnel to decontaminate every person entering hospital’s In Patient Department (IPD).

According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the decontamination tunnel was installed in the hospital to ensure safety of every person including patients, doctors and the hospital staff in view of Covid-19 threat.

According to the hospital authorities the LD hospital has been grappling with the problem of flow of patients and their attendants amid growing threat of Covid-19 in the valley.

“People here in Kashmir have a habit of carrying many people along when visiting the hospital with a patient. Under these circumstances maintaining social distancing has been a tough ask of the hospital administration. So to ensure the safety of patient as well as the hospital staff we decided to install a decontamination tunnel,” they said.

They said that the hospital administration has also taken several other measures to curb the spread of Covid-19. Besides, installing this tunnel, the hospital administration along with the security personnel deployed there make continuous announcements to ensure social distancing in the hospital premises.

Medical Superintendent LD hospital, Dr. Shabir Siddiqui said that besides installing the decontamination tunnel they were also strictly maintaining social distancing in the hospital premises.

He said that the administration in the hospital has started counselling to spread awareness about maintaining social distancing among the people visiting the hospital on daily basis.

He further said that inside the hospital they are maintaining proper hygiene but they can’t be held responsible for what happens outside the hospital premises. “Moreover, concrete results can be achieved only after people themselves would realize that all this is for their own benefit.”—(KNO)

Fight against COVID-19: KU extends logistic support to Health Department

City

Precious Kashmir

07/04/2020

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Apr 7: The University of Kashmir has decided to extend its logistic support to the Health Department of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in its fight against COVID-19.

A team comprising of officials from National Health Mission and Health Department UT of J&K on Monday had a detailed meeting with the Vice Chancellor University of Kashmir Prof. Talat Ahmad, in which COVID-19 testing measures at KU were discussed.

The team visited Varsity’s Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry departments and took stock of the labs and facilities available at these departments interms of equipments and other logictical support which could further boost the testing measures in the fight against COVID 19

The team also interacted with the scientists and some faculty members in these departments and sought their scientific inputs and feedback for smooth conduct of Covid-19 tests at KU.

During the interaction, it was decided by the Varsity authorities that in order to augment the COVID-19 testing facilities in the UT of J& K the University will provide RT-qPCRs, Refrigerated Centrifuges and other equipments to the health department.

On this occasion, Prof. Talat assured the team that University would provide all the necessary support and guidance to the health department in the battle against COVID-19

Eidgah, Lalbazar declared Red Zones

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

07/04/2020

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Apr 7: Amid growing number of positive cases for Coronavirus, police on Tuesday sealed Eidgah and Labazar areas in Srinagar district to prevent the spread of the disease.

Authorities declared Eidgah and Lalbazar areas as Red zones, the police immediately sealed both the areas to avoid any further spread of the pathogen.

The containment order of these areas has come after some people in these areas tested positive for COVID-19. Earlier in the day three people had tested positive from the Eidgah area including a 10 year old boy who had hugged previous contact. Later in the afternoon two young sisters aging 20 and 23 and their 19 year old cousin tested positive in Lalbazar area.
Both the areas were sealed and all the entry and exit points towards these areas were sealed.
The twitter handle of DC’s office tweeted the containment order which read:, “Eidgah and Lal Bazar areas declared as containment zones have been sealed — all entries & exits closed. The areas have been sealed to prevent spread of COVID-19 out of there and enable smooth assessment to determine extent of spread after several positive cases surface therefrom.”

Earlier on Monday Rajbagh and Jawaharnagar areas of Srinagar city were declared as Red zone and public movement restrictions had been imposed in these areas.

Panic is detrimental

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Precious Kashmir

07/04/2020

In the history of humankind, no virus has spread as fast and as far as the novel coronavirus. The prime reason is underlined in the fact China is at the centre of world trade and economy and its biggest trading partner are at least 120 countries besides other regions.
Ever since its outbreak, the cases of coronavirus and deaths caused by it are accelerating. World over, there are over 13,60,000 confirmed cases and nearly 77000 deaths reported as on April 7.
In Jammu and Kashmir, 125 people tested positive for the dreaded disease and three persons have died of the pathogen.
Amid the pandemic of unprecedented proportions, the absence of basic measures required to combat the disease can only worsen the situation.
The outbreak has meant that society has to redefine the fundamental principles which have governed it. The government introduced travel restrictions and social distancing measures in a bid to keep the disease restricted to those with travel history and their immediate contacts.
Lately, there has been a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases and even though authorities have not declared it, the Stage 3, which means that a person with no travel history to an affected country or direct contact with a confirmed case tests positive for COVID-19, is not distant.
Lately, the health authorities have also admitted that the “localized community transmission” has been seen in some pockets and we are in between Stage 2 and Stage 3.
In other words, it is an indication that the undiagnosed and likely asymptomatic carriers are spreading it, and makes breaking the chain of transmission increasingly tough.
This also means need to be ready and not to induce panic. Being informed means being prepared for what lies ahead. Stage 3 will require people to exercise a greater degree of responsibility. They have to ensure social distancing; they have to ensure social solidarity and care for the more vulnerable sections. Employers will need to be even more sensitive towards their staff, more particularly working at lower levels and having meagre resources or savings. Patients will need empathy, not stigmatization which unfortunately has been the increasing trend recently.
The WHO has issued guidelines specifying that one of the ways to reduce the risk of infection is by regularly and thoroughly cleaning one’s hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or washing them with soap and water. Regular washing becomes important as the virus tends to be viable from hours to more than a day on different surfaces that are regularly touched with hands.

COVID-19 outbreak big blow to economy, recession has begun

Anchor stories
Front

Afaq Bhat

06/04/2020

COVID-19 outbreak big blow to economy, recession has begun

Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Apr 6: The decision of the Union Cabinet to slash the salaries of Central Ministers and Members of Parliament by 30 percent for the coming year seems to be an indication that country’s leadership has foreseen the expected downturn in economy due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
An analyst while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “The COVID-19 has broken the back of the economies across the world. This deadly virus has brought down the all the countries on their knees. The recession has begun and it will take a long time for the world to come out of it.”
He said, “The top leaders opting for salary cut is an indication that the salaries of the government employees may also be slashed in coming days. Four states, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana and Odisha have already announced the salary cut for their employees. If the lockdown continues there is every possibility about other States and Union Territories following the suit.”
An observer said, “It looks like that we are heading towards financial emergency. It seems that private sector will be the worst hit if the Coronavirus spreads. We are heading towards a full blown economic crisis.”
He said, “The COVID-19 besides claiming precious human lives has brought all the activities on the planet earth to a grinding halt. At present situation looks gloomy. Containing this virus is turning out to be a Herculean task.”
“The prevailing uncertainty has made one thing clear that no power is superpower except the Almighty. Entire human race is looking towards each other and is trying to find a solution. Except staying at home there seems to be no way out, entire human race has been confined within the four walls,” the observer added.
Another analyst said, “The coming days are going to be tough. We have to remain prepared for salary cuts and job losses. Even if the human beings are able to contain this virus they will find it very difficult to put their economy back on the track. The time to spend lavishly seems to have ended.”
He said, “The life after COVID-19 is going to be completely different. Experts have predicted that India will witness the COVID-19 peak by the end of this month and in the first week of May. Everyone is keeping fingers crossed. All are hoping that somehow we succeed in containing the COVID-19 spread. Time only will tell how this deadly virus will behave in coming days. More than anything saving lives at this point of time is a priority.”

3 more test positive in Kashmir, J&K tally mounts to 109; 85 in Kashmir, 18 in Jammu , 35243 persons under observation

Front

Precious Kashmir

06/04/2020

3 more test positive in Kashmir, J&K tally mounts to 109; 85 in Kashmir, 18 in Jammu , 35243 persons under observation

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Apr 6: The Government Monday informed that three new positive cases of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), all from Kashmir division, have been reported today thus taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 109.

According to the daily Media Bulletin on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), out of 109 positive cases, 103 are Active Positive, 04 have recovered and 02 have died. Regarding their location, 85 cases are from Kashmir and 18 from Jammu division.

Furthermore, till date 35243 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance which include 10556 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 615 in Hospital Quarantine, 103 in hospital isolation and 17506 under home surveillance. Besides, 6463 persons have completed their 28-day surveillance period.

The Bulletin said that till date 1708 samples have been sent for testing of which 1583 have tested as negative, and 16 reports are awaited till April 06, 2020.

The bulletin urged the general public to stay indoors, strictly implement social distancing measures, disclose recent travel history to COVID-19 affected countries and report any contact with positive cases voluntarily.

The bulletin stressed on people to take extra time and care for themselves during the COVID-19 outbreak. While detailing some simple strategies the bulletin reads, “Spending quality time with family and getting involved in family discussions while staying at home during this period will help reduce anxiety and distress. Try to connect with your family members & loved ones through phone call or video call if they stay far from you.”

The bulletin called on people to engage in recreational activities like solving puzzles, playing some board games, listening to music, reading etc to reduce boredom. “It is important to be physically active. Simple stretching exercises, simple yoga postures, walking indoors or meditation will be beneficial not only for your physical health but also mental health. Keep yourself busy in doing small activities at home to reduce boredom like gardening, cleaning and cooking etc. Cut down on listening to news all the time as it may be upsetting,” the bulletin reads.

The general public has been advised to avoid unnecessary visit to hospitals. In case anyone develops fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, seek medical advice promptly by calling on Covid-19 helpline numbers so that they can be provided correct medical advice and directed to the right health facility, if needed.

The Bulletin informed the general public that in case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24×7 at their doorsteps by calling on toll free No. 108. Pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialling toll-free No. 102.

Besides a 24×7 toll-free national helpline number 1075, the government of Jammu and Kashmir has also set up helpline numbers in this regard: 0191-2549676 (UT level Cell for J&K), 0191-2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jammu Division), 0194-2440283 and 0194-2430581 (For Kashmir Division) for support, guidance, and response to health-related queries on novel coronavirus disease.

With regard to personal hygiene, the bulletin advised on frequent hand washing with soap and water and to observe, coughing and sneezing etiquettes.

Public is advised to strictly follow the advisories issued by the Government from time to time and are urged to rely only on the information released by the government in this regard through the daily media bulletin to print and electronic media.

People are advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time.

COVID-19 claims 111 lives in India, positive cases at 4281; Global death toll surpasses 70k mark

Front

United News Of India

06/04/2020

COVID-19 claims 111 lives in India, positive cases at 4281; Global death toll surpasses 70k mark

United News of India
New Delhi/ Washington, Apr 6: The death toll due to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) rose to 111 and the number of cases in the country mounted to 4,281 on Monday when the country entered to the 13th day of its lockdown to contain the spread of the pandemic.

Maharashtra has reported the most coronavirus deaths at 45, followed by Gujarat at 11, Madhya Pradesh at nine, Telangana and Delhi at seven each, Tamil Nadu and Punjab at six each.

With 50 fresh positive cases the tally mounted to 621 in Tamil Nadu on Monday.

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Kerala and Telangana are the worst-affected states in the country.

As many as 42 doctors, nurses and 50 other staff members of DY Patil Medical College and Hospital in Pimpri were sent to quarantine on Monday, a day after a 32-year-old auto-rickshaw driver from Khadki Bazaar tested positive for Coronavirus while being treated for accident injuries.

Wockhardt Hospital near Mumbai has been sealed and declared a containment zone by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) as at least 29 staffers of the hospital tested positive for the coronavirus, officials informed on Monday.

The staffers included three doctors and 26 nurses.

The infections reportedly spread after four patients, including two suspected cases, were shifted here from the Kasturba Hospital a fortnight ago.

Global death toll surpasses 70k mark; Spain, Italy give world some hope

As the world battles with novel coronavirus, the global death toll on Monday crossed the 70,000-mark with total confirmed cases reaching 12,89,380.

According to John Hopkins University, the current death toll till 2000 hrs (IST) is 70,590.

US continue to maintain the top spot in the total number of confirmed cases. So far 3,37,933 have tested positive of the deadly virus while as many as 9653 people have lost their lives.

Despite such alarming figures, a ray of hope has emerged from the two worst-hit European nations — Spain and Italy.

The number of new COVID-19 cases and new deaths continued to fall in Spain, according to the daily data published by the Spanish Ministry for Health on Monday.

The total number of confirmed cases recorded in the 24 hours between Sunday and Monday rose by 4,273 to 135,032 from 130,759. The growth has slowed down continuously. A total of 6,023 new infections were registered between Saturday and Sunday, fewer than the 7,026 new cases in the previous 24 hours and 7,472 between Thursday and Friday.

Data in Italy suggests a similar trend. The death toll there is the highest in the world, standing at 15,887. But again, infections and daily deaths are dipping, and the number of people in intensive care in Lombardy – the worst affected region in Italy – is decreasing.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte however has said he is not sure when the lockdown restrictions will be lifted.
South Korea also confirmed 47 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, which was down by 34 from the previous day, marking the fewest daily number since the drastic outbreak of the disease in February. According to the Yonhap news agency, there are now 10,284 confirmed coronavirus cases in South Korea, 186 patients have died from the disease. The day before the death toll stood at 183.

China has also contained the spread of the coronavirus in general. During Sunday, there were only 39 new confirmed cases nationwide, 38 of which were imported. As a result, China doesn’t have enough confirmed cases for further vaccine testing.

As several countries are marking a drop in cases, meanwhile, the news of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitting to a hospital worried millions of people who have been tested positive of the coronavirus.

US President Donald Trump, today, during White House press briefing extended his well wishes to the Prime Minister Johnson. “All Americans are praying for him. He’s a great friend of mine, a great gentleman and a great leader,” Trump said, adding that he was sure the prime minister would be fine because he is “a strong person”.

Japan to declare emergency
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he would make an announcement about the state of emergency on Tuesday amid the coronavirus pandemic, but the cities would not be shut down. “On April 7, I intend to declare the state of emergency,” Abe said, as aired by the NHK broadcaster. The measures will concern Tokyo and its surroundings and six other prefectures. However, “unlike in the foreign countries, the cities will not be closed,” Abe said.

The prime minister announced a new set of anti-crisis measures worth 108 trillion yen, or about $989 billion, which is roughly equivalent to the 20 percent of the country’s GDP.

With more than 1.2 million coronavirus cases been confirmed worldwide as of Monday, the world’s population have been put confined and the experts round the globe echo the prediction that the COVID-19 can linger for years. Many countries have started to pour investments into projects related to vaccine development.

A COVID-19 vaccine may be the best hope for the world to return to a normal life, experts opined.

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