Category: Union Territory

Srinagar: Joint Directorate of Information Kashmir Division has expressed grief and sorrow over the sudden demise of Ex. Assistant Information Officer Maqsood Hussain Reshi, who breathed his last on Wednesday, October 07.

In this connection, a condolence meeting was convened here under the chairmanship of Joint Director, Information Kashmir, Haris Ahmad Handoo wherein he lauded the role of the ex. Officer of the department.

The Joint Director in his address expressed deep sorrow and grief over the demise and offered sympathies with the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.(KINS)

Hospitals charging genuine amount from patients, allegations baseless: Owners

Srinagar: Amid ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the people across the Valley, who visit the private health institutions here, have alleged that they are being charged hefty sums for surgeries, thus fleecing the hapless patients.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a lady patient, who is scheduled to undergo a surgery after some days at a private hospital, said that she was asked to keep Rs 40,000 ready for the surgery following which the procedure will be started.

“I am not the only case, who has been asked to keep the amount ready, but there are many patients who were there in the queue and have been asked to keep the hefty sum ready for the surgery,” she said.

She added that she would have preferred to visit the government hospital instead of a private health institute, but the ongoing pandemic is compelling the hapless patients to visit the private hospitals where unfortunately, the poor patients are being left to lurch at large.

Another patient, who has also got a date for the surgery told KNO that he was asked to get Rs 80,000 ready for the surgery, which will be conducted probably in the next week.

He added that such a behavior of fleecing the patients will only leave poor patients to suffer. “The government hospitals are filled with the COVID patients and people don’t want to visit these hospitals at this juncture to keep themselves away from the virus. But, the poor patients due to the behavior of private hospitals are being forced to enter the danger zone (Government hospitals) for surgery related issues,” he added.

The patients later appealed to the government to intervene into the matter and ensure the charges being collected from them will be reduced so that poor patients can also afford to visit the private hospitals.

Meanwhile, Dr. Muzaffar Jan, owner of Modern Hospital told KNO that charging sum solely depends upon the surgery.

“There are many components involved like, room charges, theatre charges, medicine charges, anesthetic charges and surgeon charges. We are not collecting the charges as per will, but charge as per the procedure. Charges of theater are Rs 3500 per hour while room can be taken by the patient as per the comfort. We don’t force anyone to take the room as per our choice. We are collecting genuine sums from the patients,” he said.

He added that in most of the cases, Rs 22,000 to Rs 35,000 are being charged from the patients for the surgery, which include, room charge, surgeon charge, anesthetic charge, medicine and other charges as well.

Dr Imran, owner of Florence hospital in Srinagar, couldn’t be contacted for the comments as he didn’t receive the repeated phone calls from this reporter—(KNO)

Srinagar: J&K Bank Chairman and Managing Director R K Chhibber today held an interaction with a Kashmir Youth Entrepreneurs Federation (KYEF) delegation led by its President Babar Chowdhary at Bank’s Corporate Headquarters.

Executive President Arun Gandotra and Special Secretary to the CMD Karanjit Singh were also present in the meeting.

Urging young entrepreneurs to be the agents of positivity, the CMD said, “Young entrepreneurs are our future. Be messengers of positivity. J&K Bank will always encourage and support aspiring entrepreneurs to realize their ambitions and dreams.”

The CMD said that young entrepreneurs, women in particular, have shown keen interest in recently launched schemes for them.
“In line with the LG’s directions, the bank created special desks for youth and women entrepreneurs at all its zonal offices/Business Units to counsel them and facilitate their commercial ventures.

We have seen tremendous response from the young entrepreneurs. We have received as many 3552 applications in the first five days out of which 529 cases have been disbursed and 1000 have been sanctioned,” the CMD said.

The CMD said that various recommendations from the working committee, of which he was a member of,were considered favorably by the UT of J&K government.

“The committee inter alia recommended that eligibility criteria for 5 % interest subvention should benefit maximum business accounts.

The government of UT of J&K was considerate enough to devise the economic package in such a way that majority of business accounts would be eligible for that. The 5 % interest subvention is going to be a game changer and would go in a long way in revival of business in the UT,” he said.

KYEF President hailed the J&K Bank for its entrepreneur-friendly schemes saying, “Youth want to work in a meaningful way and they look upto J&K Bank for support and encouragement.

J&K Bank CMD has been on forefront in making sure young entrepreneurs are encouraged and setting up of special desks for young entrepreneurs and women is a praiseworthy decision. Supervision of the progress by the CMD personally is a real booster for the aspiring entrepreneurs.”

The delegation also felicitated R K Chhibber for his extension as the CMD of J&K Bank.
The KYEF delegation included Head Women Wing Farkhanda, Joint Secretary Yasir Mufti, members Zubair Zargar, Rehan and Hilal Ahmad Bhat.(KINS)

Srinagar: Union minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday said the Vande Bharat train from Delhi to katra, home to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, would resume soon.

He said the matter of resumption of train to Katra in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Navratri festival was discussed with Railway Minister Piyush Goyal.

“Discussed with Railway Minister Sh @PiyushGoyal. #VandeBharatExpress train from Delhi to #KatraVaishnoDevi to resume soon. This should be a reassuring piece of information for pilgrims from across the country planning a visit to Holy shrine during #Navratri festival,” Singh tweeted.

Singh, the Minister of State for Personnel, is Lok Sabha member from Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur constituency.

Train services in the country, which were halted in late March due to coronavirus-induced lockdown, are being resumed in a graded manner. (KINS)

Srinagar: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq led All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Thursday reiterated its call to release all political prisoners detained in jails in J&K and elsewhere in India.

In a press statement, APHC said that “thousands of Kashmiris including Hurriyat leaders and activists, young boys, journalists, lawyers and traders and ordinary Kashmiris are languishing on one fictitious charge or other in jails in J&K or outside such as Tihar, Agra, Kotbalwal, Jodhpur, Amphalla, Haryana Jails.”

“Neither are they being tried in courts nor any legal proceedings initiated. Their arbitrary detention is just being prolonged. Many among the prisoners are those who are being detained even after serving their sentences,” the APHC said.

It added that the he mental and physical condition of many among the prisoners is a matter of concern, while the fear of contracting the Covid 19 virus in cramped up spaces of jail is a constant fear among the prisoners and their families.

APHC said that all political prisoners should be released including those under arbitrary house detentions. It appealed to human rights groups, civil society member’s legal fraternity both in India and outside to raise its voice against these targeted detentions.

“The atmosphere of fear intimidation unaccountability and uncertainty pervades every sphere of life in J&K to silence dissent and demands. In such a situation one must be patient but not lose hope,” read the statement.
It added that “APHC stands firm on its principles and rights of the people of J&K.”

It also demanded the immediate release of its chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who is under house arrest since August last year.(KINS)

Srinagar: On the 15th anniversary of earthquake which hit Kashmir in 2005, experts have called for earthquake resistant constructions.

On October 8, 2005, a massive earthquake hit and created destruction across Kashmir.
Kashmir has been witnessing frequent earthquakes. As per the details of Meteorological Department Kashmir accessed by news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) that over 140 earthquakes have been reported in the last one decade.

JK is vulnerable to disasters. At least 13 districts out of 100 districts in India have been identified as ‘multi hazard districts’.

In connection with the 15th anniversary of Kashmir earthquake-2005, a webinar on challenges, resilience and mitigation was jointly organized by National Institute of Disaster Management and The Institution of Engineers (India), Jammu & Kashmir State Centre, Srinagar, in collaboration with the Divisional Administration, Kashmir & Indian Red Cross Society, J&K Branch Srinagar.

The webinar was inaugurated by Pandurang K. Pole Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, who stressed on the need to enforce building codes and implement building bye laws in J&K, not just in urban areas, but also in rural areas, so that all new constructions are earthquake resistant.

He stressed on the need to utilise the local traditional construction knowledge, as well as new technologies to make all structures safe. He proposed that a few important buildings will be identified as life-line buildings, on a pilot-basis, in vulnerable districts, for their retrofitting in order to make them earthquake resistant. He emphasised on ensuring that all engineered and non-engineered structures are made earthquake resistant.

He also shared his experiences as District Magistrate of Latur Maharashtra, and spoke about the Latur Earthquake of 1993, where the affected villagers were shifted to new locations instead of repairing and reconstructing in-situ the existing damaged structures, and instead ex-situ new safe structures were taken up, adhering to all planning processes, which proved to be a best practice in the State.
He impressed upon all the Officers and participants to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to make J&K safe.

Er. Aamir Ali, Chairman IEI J&K State Centre, Srinagar welcomed the participants and said that 2005-earthquake was the severest earthquake encountered in our lifetime, which resulted in massive destruction on both sides of the Line of Control. He said that post earthquake, innovative and effective relief & rehabilitation measures were taken by the Government to establish Institutional mechanism, to deal with disasters, including setting up of State Disaster Management Authority, Divisional & District Disaster Management Authorities and State Disaster Response Force.

However, the lessons learnt from the earthquake of 2005 were not effectively implemented to enhance capacities to minimise risk and vulnerability due to earthquakes. The panellists included Kamal Kishore, Member National Disaster Management Authority, Dr. Vineet K. Gahalaut, National Geophysical Research Institute Hyderabad, Tinny Sawhney, Aga Khan Development Network, Dr. Rajendra Desai, National Centre for People’s Action in Disaster Preparedness Ahmedabad & Dr. C.V.R Murthy, Professor IIT Madras.

Kamal Kishore, Member NDMA discussed challenges faced in Institutional mechanism for financing reconstruction, rehabilitation and recovery. He emphasised on utilising appropriate technology for owner driven constructions and ensuring quality checks and control.

He further suggested that while considering resettlement of populations from vulnerable areas, their livelihood should also be considered. He also spoke about capacity building for earthquake resistant structures, and scaling up training of engineers and masons for servicing the demand. He suggested that post disasters not only structures should be built back better, but also the livelihood and social equity in economic terms of the affected population.

Dr. Vineet K. Gahalaut from National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad described the damage pattern of Kashmir Earthquake-2005, and defined variability in earthquake processes in the Himalayan region, with special reference to earthquake processes in Kashmir Region. He highlighted about strain accumulation, subsurface structures, scenario generation, building code enforcement, retrofitting and outreach.

Tinny Sawhney from Aga Khan Development Network, shared her experiences about challenges faced during reconstruction & rehabilitation after the Kashmir Earthquake. She mentioned about the masons training programme for earthquake resistant construction techniques and technical assistance & monetary subsidy given for reconstructing earthquake resistant structures. Dr. Rajender Desai explained how low-cost earthquake resistant technologies and retrofitting of existing structures can be achieved.

The webinar was moderated by Er. M. Aaquib Sultana Waheed Deva, Honorary Secretary, IEI-JKSC. The webinar was attended online by senior Government Officers from various Departments, including experts, professionals and more than 300 participants from the community etc.(KINS)

Srinagar: The Central Public Works Department has come under the scanner for allegedly doing faulty soil testing of the land proposed for the Central University Kashmir.

In a recently held meeting, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir was told by Central University Kashmir authorities that Central Public Works Department had done faulty soil testing on the varsity land in Ganderbal.

“Soul resting report and other works done by Central Public Works Department was faulty and they have been already reported for investigation by the bureau of CVC and CBI. The Vice Chancellor said that several executing agencies including NBCV and NPCC have also failed to adhere to the timelines for the construction of pre-engineered buildings and other works alloyed to them and the university has suffered a lot on account of their follies in terms of its finances as well as reputation,” minutes of the meeting reads, a copy of which lies with news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

The varsity authorities told Divisional Commissioner that encroachment of land by certain individuals needs to be vacated immediately. Following which Divisional Commissioner as per the minutes of the meeting directed DC Ganderbal to constitute a committee of Revenue, Police and CUK for demarcation and removal of encroachments from CUK land.

The CUK is presently functioning from multiple campuses in Ganderbal including green campus erstwhile college of physical education Tulmulla campus, allotted site Nunar campus DIET building, Science and Arts block, old district hospital and the older structures and buildings at these sites were renovated and refurbished besides construction of new structures was done by the campus development with of the varsity before the class work was started.

As per the documents, CUK is a mega project and important project as thousands of students from JK and other parts of the country will be pursuing their higher education through it.

“Construction Department has also constructed scores of other classrooms in the other campuses and roughly around 70,000 sq feet new structures were raised in a matter of six to nine months only and repairs works equivalent to around 50,000 sq ft were also made during this period,” the documents read.

The varsity is offering 45 postgraduate undergraduate and five year integrated research and diploma programmes “It was acknowledged that the varsity’s inability to construct the permanent structures at its alloyed site as per the already drafted and approved master plan at Tulmulla citing several technical reasons especially the low load bearing capacity of the major chunk of land transferred by the govt to the university,” the document reads.

Srinagar: Few days after Lieutenant Governor J&K Manoj Sinah offered rehabilitation policy for local militants if they come back to mainstream; BJP expressed disagreements over the offer of Sinha and said “those taking up arms must be dealt only with bullets”.

According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), BJP Jammu and Kashmir President Ravinder Raina said that “there can never be any rehabilitation offer for those who have taken up arms against the national integrity and sovereignty” and added “such elements must be dealt only with bullets”.

BJP leader reacted to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s recent appeal to local militants to shun the path of violence. LG who was speaking in south Kashmir’s Shopian district promised local militants to help them with jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities if they will come back to mainstream.

“Pakistan sponsored militancy has enough bled Jammu and Kashmir for the past three decades. The militants goes to Pakistan for arms training, come back with arms and then kill innocent people and forces personnel”, Raina said and added “Those taking up arms against the national integrity and sovereignty can never be given any jobs. They can only be straighten by bullets”, BJP leader said.

“Under PM Modi government there can never be any rehabilitation for militants who are up for destabilizing peace”, Raina added. (KNS)

Rajouri: Lieutenant Governor J&K Manoj Sinha on Thursday said “justice will be assured at any cost” to families of slain trio killed in Amshipora Shopian encounter on July 18 this year.

According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), LG Sinha who was on visit to Rajouri walkined almost half-a kilometer and reached Tarkassi village where he met family members of three youth killed in a fake encounter in Amshipora village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district. LG at the occasion talked with the family members and assured parents of the slain trio that justice will be delivered at any cost.

“He visited the house of Muhammad Yousuf, the father of one of the slain trio while other two families were also present at Yousuf’s house. LG gave a patient hearing to the demands put forth by the families and assured them all possible help from the Government. He also assured family members that justice in the ongoing case will be ensured at any cost”, an official told KNS.

He said the family members of slain trio demanded justice from LG Sinha and compensation, stating that so far J&K Government and Police have been very cooperative with them.

“The LG assured all three families that justice will be delivered and there would be no laxity. He asked the families to let the probe complete first and hailed their patience”, he added. (KNS)

Srinagar: Constant contact tracing and strict home isolation of the positive persons has helped greatly containing the spread of COVID-19 infection in Reasi district.

In consonance with the guidelines issued regarding the home isolation policy, the district administration Reasi along with the health department devised a smart mechanism.

A surveillance officer has been deployed in each of the four blocks of Reasi, Pouni, Katra and Mahore who work under the supervision of Zonal Medical Officer. The area under the jurisdiction of the surveillance officer has been divided into further zones where the frontline workers like ASHA and Anganwadi workers have been deputed to deliver their vital services at ground level under the guidance of ISM Doctors.

Soon after the patients test positive, the Health team along with PRIs members counsel the patients and ask them to opt whether to stay at home in isolation or Covid Care Centre.

For a COVID patient to be kept in home isolation, the health team contacts patients through video calls to know about their health status and ensures that all the logistics arrangements have been put in place for the convenience of the patient.

The health team has also started counselling Covid-19 patients and their family members through Video Call to help them to overcome the stigma and anxiety related to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

For the proper screening of the home isolated patient, the doctor counsels the patients through Video Call and a routine checkup of the patient on a daily basis is conducted by the ASHA worker and FMPHW who checks BP, oxygen saturation rate, pulse rate and general symptoms of the patient.

If the patient shows symptoms of COVID19,the frontline workers immediately call at 108 for the ambulance and then the patient is shifted to the COVID Care Centres or a dedicated COVID care hospital for further treatment. The team would also make video calls to the patient from time to time to know about his/her wellbeing. The PRI members of the concerned areas have also been involved in this process to assist the health officials in ensuring the successful implementation of the home isolation policy.

Due to aggressive contact tracing and regular visits made by the FMPHW, Anganwadi and ASHA workers to the persons in home isolation for their regular health checkups, the rate of infection has reduced to a great extent. Reasi district has the lowest death doubling rate as compared to other districts.

The administration is also conducting aggressive testing of the suspected persons to contain the spread. On an average 500-600 samples are taken per day, while with best medicare facilities the cure rate is 70 percent. The district administration is also making it sure that the people follow the SOPs, guidelines in letter and spirit- the best way to counter the spread of the CoronaVirus.

With these figures, the district Reasi is in far better state than the other districts of the UT and this has become possible with the active support of panchayats /ULBs along with the vision and planning of the Medical Department, Revenue and Police Team.

The tireless endeavours of the authorities of Reasi District in countering the spread of COVID19 have received appreciations from the common masses.

The medical team comprising Chief Medical Officer, Dr.Rajeev Sharma; Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr.Younis; District Immunization Officer, Dr Usha Kiran; Block Medical Officer Reasi, Dr.Saleem Khan; BMO Pouni, Dr.Kamal Zadoo; BMO Katra, Dr Gopal Dutt; BMO Mahore, Ashraf Kohli; Area Surveillance Officers, Dr Kavita and Dr Sameer have delivered excellent services in the time of crisis and played a significant role in containing the spread of COVID19 in the areas of their respective jurisdiction.(KINS)