Category: Union Territory

Such procedures have multiple benefits: Dr Lizza

Pulwama, Nov 18: For the very first time, Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH) was conducted at district hospital Pulwama.

The procedure was conducted by Dr Lizza (Consultant Gynaecologist) at District Hospital Pulwama and was assisted by Dr Shakeel a general surgeon and anesthesia team lead by Dr M Y Tak, Dr Iffat, Dr Wajahat, Bashir Ahmad and Mehraj Ahmad (OT technicians).

Dr Lizza while talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that patient from Rahmoo, Pulwama, who was about 50 years-old, presented with genital prolapse and the patient was planned for LAVH (laproscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy) which is an operation to remove the uterus and cervix through the vagina, with the aid of a small operating telescope called the laparoscope.

“This procedure was first of its kind ever done is a peripheral hospital,” she said. “

This was the first advanced minimal access surgery done in district hospital Pulwama and such procedures have multiple benefits for the patients.”

She added that such procedures have very less recovery time and the patient is up and above soon as compared to open procedures.

Notably, Dr Lizza is the one who has started Laparoscopic procedures and other major surgeries at District hospital on routine basis so that people are not forced to visit LD hospital.

Our hospital possesses very advanced equipment and it is our duty to make use of them for the benefits of patients so that there will be less burden on already overburdened LD hospital, Dr Lizza said—(KNO)

Dr Sahab won’t contest polls anymore: Tanvir Sadiq; Party fixes Dec 5 for Prez polls; Dr Farooq says will continue to head party till elections; Party leaders say Omar front runner for new chief’s post, but it can be anyone else too; Time to infuse new energy into party, will continue to benefit from Dr Sahab’s experience: NC leaders

Srinagar, Nov 18: National Conference Friday hinted that its incumbent chief and J&K’s senior most politician Dr Farooq Abdullah may take rest from politics and the new chief would lead the flock from December 5 this year, the day when the party will hold presidential polls.

The party in its poll notification has choosen December 5, the birth anniversary of its patriarch and founder late Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, for electing new chief. Dr Farooq, however, will continue to remain the NC president till the new chief is elected by the delegates on December 5. “I haven’t stepped down yet. I will remain the NC chief till elections for the post of president are held,” the octogenarian leader told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), over phone. Dr Farooq was reacting to media reports suggesting that he has already stepped down as the NC chief.

As J&K has witnessed change in the political turf vis-à-vis politics post article 370 revocation on August 5, 2019, NC insiders said that party leadership from top to bottom felt the need to infuse new energy into the UT’s oldest party. “There was a yearning that the party needs to make some changes in the leadership and also at the lower and middle-rung level, so steps are afoot and electing a new president is part of the same rejuvenation process,” said one of the old guards of NC, wishing not to be named. He, however, said that the party will continue to benefit from “Dr Sahab’s decade’s old political career and his vast experience.” “In simple words, he will continue to guide us and we will continue to benefit from his political experience. Electing a new chief doesn’t mean, Dr Sahab will fly to London and settle there….,” he said.

NC Chief spokesman Tanvir Sadiq told KNO that Dr Farooq will not contest upcoming Assembly polls. “This is what Dr Farooq sahab feels about elections…… Let’s see what happens in the future,” he said. “Let elections take place on December 5, and we will have a new party chief. Party delegates will choose the new president.”

Interestingly, the party recently announced the names of constituency incharge for Kashmir in a bid to raise the morale of party cadre across the Valley. The new constituency heads are frequenting their areas and meeting people to gauge the ground situation, take feedback from workers and to formulate “a new strategy on the feedback received from ground zero.”

“The party is not in a sleeping mode and rather we are in touch with our workers. There is no denying the fact that post abrogation of article 370, the political atmosphere has changed and we being the oldest party, are seeking suggestions from our workers both old and new,” said a newly nominated constituency in charge of the party, wishing not to be named.

To a query whether Omar was set to take the control and lead the flock after December 5, he said the majority of the leaders in the party will obviously vote for Omar but “you never know….” “NC believes in democracy… May be someone else may emerge victorious as party chief….”

Party sources said that the name of new party chief will be announced by Dr Farooq himself at the mausoleum of the party founder Sheikh Abdullah at Hazratbal, Srinagar on December 05—(KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 18: Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar has expressed serious concern that even today, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, could not go to the historic central Jama Masjid Srinagar to offer Friday prayers due to his continued house detention for the last more than three years, saying that the valley’s top-most religious leader is not being allowed to perform his religious duties.

The Anjuman Auqaf in a statement expressed strong resentment against the undue restrictions imposed on Mirwaiz, and condemned such dictatorial behavior of authorities, terming it extremely unfortunate.

Due to the continued detention of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, the ‘minbar and mihrab’ of the historic grand mosque are silent as Jama Masjid Srinagar is the centre of spirituality and reformation for Muslims in the valley.

The Anjuman Auqaf said that a large number of people from the nook and corner of the valley who come to Jama Masjid Srinagar continue to face severe disappointment due to the absence of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir here. Their sentiments are being hurt and they consider the continued house arrest of their beloved leader as a sheer interference in religion.

The people from all walks of life continue to demand the release of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 18:  Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Friday has warned of possible triple virus threat this winter.

“We could be facing a triple virus whammy of Covid, Flu and RSV this winter,” said DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

“All three of these viruses are expected to go up as we get into the cold season,” he said.

“The season is already off to a rough start with respiratory illnesses spiking across Kashmir valley.”

Dr Hassan said flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are not new. We see them every year during winter months. RSV particularly affects young children.

But in the last two seasons people were hardly exposed to these viruses because of Covid precautions like masking and social distancing,” he said

“Now that people are out without masks, travelling extensively, business has resumed and children are back to schools, there are more opportunities for these viruses to circulate and they could make a comeback,” he said.

The DAK President said in typical years a good percentage of the population gets infected with these viruses and builds immunity against the infections.

“What we are seeing are a couple of years where we didn’t see infections. So more people are susceptible to these viruses in this season that could lead to higher rates of infections and also more severe cases,” he said.

Dr Nisar said pandemic has added another virus to the season mix.

While Covid-19 has leveled off, but like other respiratory viruses, we could see uptick in winter.

“In the face of possible triple virus threat, people should get flu shot and Covid booster.

And, taking common sense precautions, such as staying home when sick and maintaining personal hygiene, can also help keep everyone healthy and prevent hospitals from getting overwhelmed,” he said.

Scammers try to lure unsuspecting victims

Many users have been receiving messages on WhatsApp and via SMS from unknown numbers which claim that the user’s electricity connections will be disconnected unless they contact a certain number. “I received a SMS on November 17, that my Electricity Power will be disconnected as last month Bill was not paid, since new digital electricity meters have been installed initially I thought may be due to some glitch in PDD Department we are having this issue.” said a user to Kashmir Today.

“So I checked the JKPDD Bill Sahuliyat App, where I usually pay my electricity bills. But all the dues were paid. That is when I suspected it was a scam,” consumer added.

Meanwhile, The J&K Power Development Department has already issued an advisory, warning consumers against fraudulent billing messages

“Unless a communication contains your Consumer Name and ID, please do not respond, ” the JKPDD said in a statement.

JKPDD consumers are requested to be aware of this SMS that scammers are floating to the masses.
Unless a communication contains your Consumer Name and ID, please do not respond. pic.twitter.com/WqfEz2Efed

— JKPDD IT&C Division Kashmir (@itpdd_kashmir) June 21, 2022

1% folic acid, Vitamin B12, iron being added to rice to ensure iron-deficient rice to people: Dir FCS&CA

Srinagar, Nov 16: The government on Wednesday ruled out the allegations of ‘plastic rice’ being supplied to the people and said that some vitamins and iron are being added to the rice to ensure that consumers will get iron-deficient rice.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Director Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Kashmir Abdul Salam Mir, said that for the last three years, some districts are being supplied rice in which folic acid, Vitamin B12 and iron is being added.

“Adding one percent of folic acid, Vitamin B12 and iron is aimed at ensuring that the rice being supplied to the people is iron-deficient,” he said. He further added that there is no need to panic as the government is not supplying ‘plastic rice’ to the consumers.

“We have already started awareness in this regard from the last one year and people are quite aware about it. The rice being supplied to the consumers is good in quality and there was no need to panic,” he said—(KNO)

Baby was female as per our operation note, will look into all angles again: Med Sup

Srinagar, Nov 16: A family from Budgam has alleged that the authorities at SKIMS Bemina also known JVC have given them a female baby when their baby was male and demanded investigation into the matter.

A family from Patlibagh, Budgam while talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that their daughter-in-law has given birth to a baby on November 03 at JVC hospital and everyone that time told them that she has given birth to baby boy and even staff members congratulated them for giving birth to baby boy and informed his condition is not well and he has been incubated.

They said since last 13 days no body from their family was allowed to enter the ward where the baby was kept, however, on Tuesday evening they informed that baby has died.

“We took body of the baby home without looking it whether the baby is male or female when even on death certificate and other documents male baby has been clearly written and on Wednesday when we asked a local Molvi to give baby last bath, he informed us that baby is female not male,” they said.

“We buried the baby and went to the hospital again to enquire about the issue. The officials at the hospital misbehaved with us and even snatched out documents,” they alleged.

They said government must look into the matter and enquire it so that justice will be delivered.

Meanwhile, Medical Superintendent JVC Dr Shifa Deva told KNO that a lady namely Rukhsana was admitted in JVC on Nov 03, prime with left Ventricular failure and a senior surgeon conducted her surgery and as per the operation notes, she has given birth to a female baby and she was intubated as baby was having perinatal asphyxia and was admitted in ward 07 where baby was being treated.

“When the attendant went to MRD section to get the ticket, he has told the person there they have male baby which he had written on the ticket,” she said. “Our doctor never comes to congratulate anyone and inform anyone congratulations you have given birth to male or female and attendants must come and identify those persons who have informed them.”

She, however, said that they will look into the issue from all angles definitely and will constitute a committee. “It seems to be a technical error and will definitely try to do whatever is needed,” she said—(KNO)

Urge Govt to revisit decision; Despite hike, monthly tariff in J&K still less than other parts of country: CE KPDCL

Srinagar, Nov 16: Amid the complaints of pesky power cuts across Kashmir, the government has increased the monthly tariff by 8-12 per cent to the consumers across Jammu and Kashmir while the people have expressed resentment against the move, appealing to the authorities to revisit the decision.

The consumers received bills as per hiked tarrif, barely two days after the KPDCL announced fresh curtailment schedule for Kashmir—four and-a-half hours cut in metered areas and 8 hours power cut in non-metered areas.

The consumers from different areas across the Valley told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the monthly tariff of electricity has been increased by the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), saying that from around 700 rupees per month, they have been served the bill of Rs 920 this month.

The residents of different areas including Srinagar, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Tral, Shopian, Kulgam and other parts said that they were surprised when they received a monthly bill of Rs 920 this month from KPDCL.

That said, they fail to understand the logic behind the abrupt hike in the electricity bill. “Hikes in power tariff are increasing our sufferings. We are unable to pay double electricity bills,” the locals said.

Abdul Hameed, a resident of Pulwama said that he was getting a bill of around Rs 550 till August month this year, however, his monthly tariff was increased to around 750 in September but in November, he received a bill of Rs 920.

“I fail to understand how my load has increased in the last two or three months and how the tariff has been increased to such an extent,” he said. He added that the monthly tariff has been hiked at a time when there has been almost no change in the power schedule this winter.

People from other areas echoed similar views, saying that the daily unscheduled and frequent power cuts have taken a heavy toll on them while on other hand the PDD was giving a hike in their monthly bills.

He said people living in these areas are financially weak and this hike will add to the miseries of the consumers further.

“If government is increasing monthly tariffs then they must upgrade the infrastructure as well. The power lines are tied with trees as the department did not provide adequate electric poles in the area,” he said.

The residents appealed to the PDD to reconsider their decision to hike the monthly bills especially in the prevailing tough times.

Meanwhile, Chief Engineer, KPDCL, Javed Yousuf Dar admitted the hike of 8-12 per cent in monthly tariff across Kashmir, saying that the previous tariff was as per 2014-15 as there was no change since then and the regulator has allowed to hike the tariff by 8-12 per cent this year. “In certain cases, the hike may be less or in certain cases, it may be more. Inspite of this hike, the tariff in J&K is still less than other parts of the country.”

“The people should understand how much electricity they are using. I have personally paid over Rs 3656 for the last month as electricity bill. The tariff is still less compared to the other parts of the country” he said—(KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 16: A massive fire on Wednesday evening completely damaged Jamia Masjid in Drass area of Kargil, officials said.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a massive fire erupted inside Jamia Masjid Drass, damaging it completely.

He said that the fire erupted from the “Hamam” and soon engulfed the entire Masjid

The official said that the fire was later put off with the help of army, police and fire and emergency department, however, it caused massive damage to the Masjid—(KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 16: The Income Tax department on Wednesday raided multiple business units of Khyber group in Srinagar and Gulmarg.

Reliable sources told Srinagar based news agency Kashmir Dot Com (KDC) that sleuths of the Income Tax department along with police raided the residential house of Abdul Rouf Trumboo, son of Ghulam Ahmad at Gogji-Bagh here. Tramboo is the owner of Khyber business group. The searches related to income tax are going on.

Another team of the Income Tax department headed by the Deputy Director IT raided the office of (Khyber) owned by Rouf tramboo at Hazuri Bagh near Dhar Pharmacy where searches are being carried out.

Similarly, a third team of the department raided the Khyber Himalayan Resort (hotel) at Gulmarg. All the entry and exit points have been sealed and searches are being carried out by the sleuth of the Income tax department.

An official also confirmed the raids to KDC and said searches are being conducted since morning and details of which will be shared after the conclusion of all searches. (KDC)