Category: Union Territory

Jammu: Due to ongoing corona virus (COVID-19) Reserve Bank of India has provided a facility of EMI deferment for three months. Fraudsters are using this panic situation to defraud the customers by calling them and asking sensitive details like OTP, PIN, Account Number etc in order to defer their EMIs.

Posing as bank representatives, fraudsters calls the customer and asks for his/her account number/mobile number/debit card details for verification. Using the details, they initiate an online transaction and ask for the OTP saying that it is required for completing the process of deferment of EMIs on loan. One OTP is provided by a customer, money is siphoned away. The fraudster may send a malicious link in SMS or email in connection with EMI which if clicked, may install malware to compromise the mobile/computer.

To make general public aware about these type of cyber frauds, Jammu and Kashmir Police appeals that EMI deferment does not require OTP sharing. Never share OTP/PIN / password with anyone. Banks never ask for any such information. Never click on links shared by unknown numbers/emails. Never share your bank account number, card details, CVV and OTP with any caller. Banks never ask for such details. In case of need or doubt, contact customer care number given at the back of your Debit/Credit Cards or that mentioned on official website of bank/card company.

Srinagar:  Bank borrowers, including small businesses, startups and individuals, who have sought EMI deferment, are finding that their accounts are getting debited.
 
All borrowers from Jammu Kashmir Bank are complaining that RBI directions, the Bank continued to debit their accounts in times of harsh lockdown period.
 
Muhammad Iqbal from Rajbagh, who is a contractor by profession told KNT that he like many others have not sought EMI deferment, but were hoping that their accounts will not get debited due to emerging crisis.

“We were wrong. Jammu Kashmir Bank didn’t show any courtesy and continued to debit the accounts of borrowers,” he said.
     
An entrepreneur Adil Ahmed who employs over 12 people in his venture said that he had asked for a deferment of his monthly EMI, as early as April 1. However, the amount was debited from his account on April 29.
   
Reyaz Ahmed said that he had taken a car loan and the monthly EMI is Rs 14,295. Despite requesting for deferment my account got debited.”

“I have an EMI debit of Rs 4,500 on the end of every month for my LCD loan. I am jobless but somehow arrange the amount. I was hoping the bank will not debit my account this time, but I was wrong,” Tanvir Ahmed said.
 
An official from Jammu Kashmir Bank said that in wake of Covid-19 threat, Bank is operating under reduced staff strength and processing delays, say they are working on delaying debits so that they can attend to all the moratorium requests. (KNT)

Srinagar: Currently weather is cloudy to overcast at most places of Kashmir and Pirpanchal area, mainly clear in plains of Jammu and cloudy with strong winds at many places of Ladakh region, especially in LEH district.

The officials of weather department told news agency KNS that mainly clear Weather is expected till 3rd May and A spell of light to moderate rain with thunderstorm is most likely at most places of J&K and at scattered places of Ladakh region during 4 to 7th May.

However, a brief spell of rain with thunderstorm at isolated places of J&K is also possible from 30th to 3rd May due to local weather Development.

There’s no forecast of any continuous heavy rainfall during nxt 7 to 10 days.

Advisory: Farmers, especially orchardists are advised to spray their fruit plants before 4th to avoid any loses.

New Delhi: College sessions will begin in August for current students and September for new ones, the University Grants Commission said on Wednesday. Schools and colleges have been closed across the country since last month amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Detailing the guidelines for examinations and academic calendar for the universities in view of the COVID-19 crisis and subsequent lockdown, the commission said the exams for final semester students will be conducted in July.

“Intermediate students will be graded based on internal assessment of the present and previous semester. In states where the COVID-19 situation has normalised, there will be exams in the month of July. For terminal semester students, exams will be held in July,” the UGC said.

“Universities may follow a six-day week pattern and devise proforma to record travel or stay history of staff and students for the lockdown period. Extension of six months will be granted to MPhil, PhD students and viva-voice be conducted through video conference,” it added.
The commission clarified that the guidelines are advisory in nature and universities may chalk out their own plan taking into consideration issues pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic. (NDTV)

HC directs Govt to inform it about steps for addressing violence against senior citizens, children and disabled

Srinagar: The Jammu & Kashmir Government has informed the High Court that 16 cases of rape and 64 incidents of molestation were reported during the lockdown period in the Union Territory.

According to report, available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), submitted by the Social Welfare department,16 cases of rape, 64 cases of molestation and one case of eve teasing have been reported in Jammu and Kashmir during the lockdown period.

As many as 1314 calls have been received from the affected persons on the emergency number 181 from 24th March, 2020 to 24th April, 2020, out of which 65 are related to violence against women, the government submitted.

The remaining 956 calls were reported by migrant labourers, who were in distress on account of the lockdown, it further said.

As per the government, Rs 10 lakh for each district of UT of J&K has been sanctioned out of SDRF fund for COVID-19 containment for victims of domestic violence for providing temporary accommodation, food clothing, medical care etc.

“Additionally, the department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRR) Government of J&K has issued directions to all the Deputy Commissioner for designating 10 beds in each District Quarantine Centre exclusively and accessible for victims of domestic violence in the J&K,” the High Court order reveals.

The High Court has directed the government to consider notifying appropriate spaces so that women in difficulty have easy access to them. “Women in distress would not have easy access to the Anganwadi Workers. Ease of access has to be a primary concern for notifying an authority, especially in the urban areas.

It may not be correct that women as a rule would be uncomfortable in making a complaint against the violence to male members of the society. It is essential for the Social Welfare Department to consider ease of access of the women in distress, as a basis for notifying the authority,” a bench comprising Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rajnesh Oswal observed.

“So far as designation of informal safe spaces for women for reporting domestic violence/abuse without alerting the perpetrators is concerned, the Social Welfare Department has informed that it has notified Anganwadi Workers for the reason that women/complainants would not be comfortable in expressing their personal issues with the male members of the society.

We had cited the example of grocery stores and pharmacies in foreign countries being notified as such safe spaces for the reason that every family is accessing grocery stores and pharmacies even in the lock down period,” it further observed.

The Court also directed the department of Social Welfare and member State Legal Services Authority examine the requirements and steps necessary to mitigate the complaints and difficulties of victims of elderly abuse; child violence; violence against disabled and transgenders in the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh.

“A report of measures in place; steps under way and those contemplated regarding them be placed before us before the next date of hearing,” the Court directed—(KNO)

SRINAGAR: Principal SKIMS Bemina College Dr Riyaz Ahmad Untoo Wednesday said “non performing” doctors of the hospital were aghast with him.

Some doctors at SKIMS Medical College Bemina Wednesday protested against hospital administration seeking “standard” personal protective equipment. The doctors of Gynecology Department have said they can’t perform surgeries without proper protective gear.

While, Principal SKIMS College Bemina Dr Riyaz Ahmad Untoo said they provide proper protective gear to doctors. “The hospital administration is providing 90 GSM PPE kits to doctors. Still there are some who don’t want to work. Some people are spreading misinformation that doctors are not provided protective gear which is baseless. Some non performing doctors are aghast with me,” Dr Untoo told news agency KINS.

As per the details, there are 20 doctors in the Gynecology Department of SKIMS Medical College Bemina. Among them seven are faculty members, eight senior residents and five PGs.

Surprisingly, the Gynecology Department with a team of around 20 doctors have conducted just one surgery of delivery since March 20.
“Despite a huge pressure on other hospitals like Lalladed, JLNM hospitals, the Gynecology Department of SKIMS Bemina Medical College has conducted one surgery during COVID period. We fail to understand for what they have been appointed here,” an official told news agency KINS.

The official said the doctors are claiming that they are not provided proper protective gear and are at the risk to get exposed. “SKIMS Bemina has same PPE which doctors use in other hospitals. If they were not provided proper PPE then how did they (SKIMS Bemina doctors) conduct surgery recently on a pregnant lady,” the official added.

While Dr Riyaz also admitted that Gynecology Department of the hospital has conducted one delivery surgery during the COVID period.(KINS)

Srinagar, April 29: Amid surge in COVID-19 cases, less than three percent patients needed the ventilator support in Jammu and Kashmir and the recovery percentage of the Union Territory is better than national average.

Over 580 people have been tested positive for coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir. However, only around three percent patients needed ventilator support.

“People should not worry Kashmir over shortage of ventilators. Only critical care patients need the ventilator support,” an official of Health Department told news agency KINS.

Ventilators are required for COVID-19 patients who develop acute respiratory distress syndrome when the lungs are filled with fluids that make it difficult to breath.

“But we needed ventilator for very less patients which are a good sign for J&K. A ventilator is used when lungs are filled with fluid. Such patients find it very difficult to be oxygenated in a normal way,” the official said.
There are apprehensions among people as there are around 230 ventilators in Jammu and Kashmir.

Government has said they have ordered 400 more ventilators.
“Most of the ventilators are occupied by patients suffering from other ailments. But very less people needed ventilator support so far,” a doctor at SKIMS Sours said.

Till Tuesday evening, over 566 people were infected by coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir with eight deaths which makes around 1.41% death rate.

Around 170 people have recovered. J&K recovery percentage is 30 percent more than the national average which stands at 23%.

Medical Superintendent SKIMS Soura Dr Farooq Ahmad Jan said people should not panic and patients get recover.

“Very less percentage of people needs ventilator support. Even people with mild symptoms are recovering on their own,” he added.

Director, SKIMS Dr. A G Ahanger Tuesday said that there are 24 Covid positive cases undergoing treatment at the hospital while 238 such patients have been discharged, so far.

“SKIMS has an efficient and dedicated team of medicos, para medicos and other staff for effective handling of COVID-19 cases besides it has dedicated four levels of isolation facility for treatment of Corona patients,” he informed while elaborating on measures being taken up by the Institute to deal with patients of this dreaded virus.

“Since the outbreak of pandemic, we have dedicated six ventilators for such patients besides keeping ready around 30 bedded facilities for various levels of isolation 1, 2, 3, and 4 depending upon the severity of the disease,” the Director said.

He said that the Institute has 36 ventilators apart from the ventilators exclusively dedicated for covid cases.
He said that they have purchased around 20 more transport ventilators and are getting three more from a voluntary organisation who are donating as a matter of charity to do their bit of contribution at the society level. (KINS)

Srinagar: The Covid-19 pandemic has added to the responsibilities of Jammu and Kashmir police with those deployed in Srinagar facing extra burden of dealing with the issues they never confronted before.

Srinagar, the city of 1.5 million is seeing police in a “new avatar.” From enforcing lockdown to checking the prices of essential commodities, arresting burglars, to preventing the drug abuse, the police has now taken an active role in the burial of those who die of Covid-19 pandemic.

On Tuesday, the death of elderly woman in Rainawari area of old Srinagar, forced police to volunteer themselves for a role they never did before in Srinagar. It was all about digging the grave for the Covid victim, the elderly woman who died in Chest disease hospital, a day after she was tested positive.

Since almost all the family members of the deceased woman were under hospital quarantine, the police moved a step ahead and dug a grave at Srinagar’s largest graveyard Malkhah, themselves.

A picture that went viral on the social media showed policemen digging a grave for the deceased woman from Rainawari.

“Our boys volunteered for it and dug the grave,” one of the top police officials told KINS. A doctor in a Srinagar hospital told news agency KINS that almost all the family members of the deceased woman were under quarantine and none of them could participate in the funeral or burial of the woman, barring few relatives.

“It is not that family refused to take the body of the woman. Since all of them were under quarantine, they couldn’t participate in her funeral. The neighbours of the woman were supposed to stay indoors as per WHO guidelines,” he said.

Police help for the burial of the woman came at a time when police men especially those deployed in Srinagar district, are facing tremendous workload given the fact that they are enforcing lockdown on streets amid fasting, arresting the violators of lockdown and also maintaining law and order.

The police men also support health departments screening drive and go along with the teams of doctors to ensure door to door surveys and contact tracing is done in a hassle free manner.

In all this, burial of Covid-19 victim was an extraordinary task done by the police for which locals of Rainawari and the relatives of the woman were all praise for. “This is really a human gesture and we are thankful to police for performing last rites including digging of the grave for the woman,” locals of Rainawari said.(KINS)

Srinagar: Sixteen more people have tested positive of the novel coronavirus in Kashmir, taking the number of the Covid-19 patients in J&K to 581.

Official sources told GNS that among them, six were confirmed at Viral Diagnostic Lab of SKIMS Soura and include four from Budgam and one each from Baramulla and Kulgam districts.

Bulk of the cases, 10 were confirmed at the COVID-19 testing laboratory at Chest Disease Hospital, Dalgate and include nine from Anantnag District and one from Srinagar.

As per the official data, there are now 581 cases in Jammu and Kashmir and 58 of them are in Jammu division. (GNS)

“There is no evidence of a person being infected from the exposure to corpse who died from coronavirus,”

Srinagar: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Wednesday said there is no risk to catch the infection from the bodies of persons who die from the novel coronavirus.
“Cadavers do not transmit disease,” said DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

“There is no evidence of a person being infected from the exposure to corpse who died from coronavirus,” he said.

Dr Nisar the main driver of transmission of COVID-19 is through respiratory droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
“There is no chance of spread of infection from a dead person. The dead person won’t cough or sneeze,” he said.

“The virus doesn’t survive in the human body after death,” he added.
Dr Nisar said health care workers and family members should be sensitized that dead people cannot spread the novel virus and there is no reason to worry as long as standard precautions are followed.

“For health care workers, mortuary staff and others handling bodies, these standard precautions involve wearing PPE,” he said

“For family members, they involve not touching the body, wearing basic protective gear and not gathering in groups to pray,” he added.

Dr Nisar said persons preparing the deceased for burial should follow recommended standard protocols.

“The belongings of the deceased do not need to be burned or otherwise disposed of. Clothing and other fabric should be washed with water and detergent,” he said.

Dr Nisar said family and friends may view the body after it has been prepared for burial in accordance with custom.

“Religious rituals such as reading from religious scripts and any other religious rites should be allowed,” he said.

Dr Nisar said burials should take place in a timely manner, in accordance with local practices.

“However, the number of attendees in funeral should be restricted, so that social distancing measures could be followed among the individuals,” he said.

“While authorities should see to it that standard precautions are followed, they should also ensure that dignity of dead bodies is respected according to their cultural and religious traditions,” said Dr Nisar.