Category: Union Territory

Cant purchase power at exorbitant rates, ready to procure electricity at Rs 8, but rates given not affordable, two-day rainfall won’t bring any respite: CE KPDCL, says curtailment to continue for more days

Srinagar, Apr 21: The government on Thursday said that it can’t afford to procure electricity from outside Jammu and Kashmir due to the exorbitant rates and that the long power cuts will continue for some more time.

It said that the shortage of coal in Delhi grid has added to the existing problem while less rainfall in the month of March too has resulted in the less availability of electricity in Kashmir.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Chief Engineer, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), Javid Yousuf Dar said that the present scenario would continue for some time.

He said that the demand has increased due to the rise in temperature and the generation at the same is less due to the deficient rainfall.

Dar added that the rainfall from the last two days would not bring any respite from the present power scenario, saying that there is already a huge deficient rainfall and just two days of rains can’t change the situation.

The Chief Engineer said that there is no option other than going ahead with the power cuts due to the decline in power generation.

He said that the KPDCL at this juncture can’t procure electricity from outside Jammu and Kashmir as the rates for per unit have increased due to the absence of coal.

“We were ready to procure electricity at the rate of Rs 8, but the rates at present are unaffordable. Nobody can procure the electricity at present,” Chief Engineer said, adding that the electricity has not been procured and thus simultaneously the non-availability of electricity would lead to the power cuts.

Pertinently, the people across the Valley here are complaining of erratic power supply especially during the peak hours of Sehri and Iftaari.

The government had promised adequate electricity to the consumers during the holy month of Ramadan. However, the power scenario worsened on the ground as pesky power cuts have led to the sufferings of people in Srinagar and elsewhere in the Valley.

The local consumers said that it is for the first time that the people here are being pushed to the wall in the holy month of Ramadan as such a power scenario has never been witnessed in the past—(KNO)

Srinagar, Apr 22: Just two-days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu, an encounter has started between militants and security forces in Sunjwan area of Jammu on Friday.

A senior police officer told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that encounter has started and two fidayeens have got trapped where exchange of fire is going on.

He said that Jammu is already on high alert and trapped militants were planning to strike ahead of PM’s visit.

It is pertinent to mention here that PM Modi is scheduled to visit Jammu on April 24—(KNO)

It can trigger pandemic in future, says Dr Safder

Srinagar, Apr 19: In a significant scientific breakthrough, researchers at Washington University in the United States have discovered how the deadly Rift Valley fever virus infects human cells.

The discovery has been done by a virologist from Zaloora, Sopore of north Kashmir Baramulla, Dr Safder Ganaie, one of the leading scientists involved in the discovery.

The discovery by Dr Ganaie and his colleagues was recently published in the prestigious journal Cell. He and his team found that the Rift Valley fever virus, speared by mosquitoes, enters human cells via a protein normally involved in mopping up low-density lipoproteins – the carriers of so-called ‘bad cholesterol’ — from the blood.

The discovery is expected to lead to therapies that prevent Rift Valley fever or reduce its severity. The World Health Organization lists Rift Valley fever as a prioritized disease likely to cause epidemics in the near future.

In an exclusive chat with news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Dr Ganaie said that the virus is spread by mosquitoes among domesticated animals, which then pass it on to people.

The study was conducted in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh, University of Toronto, Harvard University, and Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and he was the lead author of the study, he said

To find out how the virus invades cells, Dr Ganaie and his team disrupted 20,000 normal genes by using CRISPR technology and found that the virus failed to infect cells that lacked the gene for LDL receptor-related protein 1, or LRP1. Further experiments showed that the virus needs LRP1 to infect hamster, bovine, monkey, and human cells, indicating that it uses the same protein across distantly related species.

“This discovery will help us to understand how the Rift Valley fever virus spreads not only throughout the human body but also how it is able to infect mosquitoes and different species of mammals,” he said.

Dr. Safder Ganaie is Kashmir based virologist in the USA. His research is focused on emerging and re-emerging viruses that cause fatal diseases in humans including Ebola, Hantavirus, Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, La Crosse, Rift Valley Fever and Oropouche virus.

He said we were working on the discovery for the last three years. Asked whether there is any chance of the virus spreading fast in the globe, he said WHO and US NIH declare these viruses category A pathogens with a potential to cause pandemic in future. After the virus attains certain mutations, they become highly infectious. But when it would happen, we don’t know. Therefore investigating these viruses and how they infect cells will help us to develop treatment in advance.

These viruses are investigated in only highly equipped bio-containment laboratories of biosafety level -3 and -4. In the past decade, Dr Ganaie has made several discoveries regarding how these viruses infect human, and animals. Most of these viruses don’t have any virus specific treatment available.

His studies have been published in the highly reputed international journals of virology including Cell, PLos Pathogens, Journal of Virology, mBio.

He completed his primary education from his native village and got his Bachelor’s degree in Science from Degree College Sopore. Dr Ganaie joined Kashmir University for his Master’s degree in Biotechnology. After completing his master’s, he did qualify fellowship exams like CSIR, UGC, ICMR-Junior Research Fellowship, and GATE exams to pursue research in the bioscience field.

In 2012 he decided to pursue his PhD in the United States and joined the University of Kansas. He earned his PhD degree with honours from The University of Kansas. For his outstanding research accomplishments, he received the 2018-Micro Remi Amelunxen Award from the University of Kansas. He has received awards and presented at different international conferences in the USA and China—(KNO)

Allege that despite repeated court orders, temple properties have been illegally given on lease which in cumulative analysis is a large-scale fraud

New Delhi, April 18: Migrant Kashmiri Pandits led by the Reconciliation, Return and Rehabilitation of Migrants, a private organisation, have demanded a SIT probe into alleged large-scale racket of leasing and selling of land of temples in the Valley by some people in connivance with government officials.

The Reconciliation, Return and Rehabilitation of Migrants works for migrants of Kashmir.

The Pandits held a protest over the matter. They have appealed to the Lt Governor ofJ&K, Manoj Sinha, to immediately order the probe.

They alleged the Jammu and Kashmir administration/revenue department has failed to protect the temple properties and has been unable to vacate the temple properties/premises which have been illegally leased out by the respective managements which had become defunct and dubious.

They said in the absence of Pandit community in the valley, a few people in collusion with the J&K govt officialsoperated defunct temple trusts in between 1989 till 2022 andsold out/leased out temple properties.

“We request Honorable Lt Governor that an SIT probebe ordered immediately and the government officials should also be identified who in connivance with a selective group of people operated defunct temple trusts in between 1989 – 2022 and sold out/leased out temple properties in Kashmir illegally,” Reconciliation, Return and Rehabilitation of Migrants chairman Satish Mahaldar said.

He added that despite repeated court orders, temple properties have been illegally given on lease which in cumulative analysis is a large-scale fraud.

Besides the court orders, there is Jammu and Kashmir Migrant Immovable Property (Preservation, Protection and Restraint on Distress, Sales) Act, 1997 vogue, which has been breached time and again.

The protesters said it is surprisinghow non-resident Kashmiri migrants are allowed to sell temple properties when the respective districts deputy commissioners are the custodians of all migrant properties.

They expressed concern that the J&K governmenthas failedto retrieve the land, and also not taken action against these defunct trusts/societies.

“We suspect that the J&K government is protecting its employees who are involved in selling temple properties for a long time,” Mahaldar alleged.

Srinagar, Apr 16: Large number of kids in Kashmir are suffering from fever, cough and runny nose with doctors and experts noting cross infection among children as the reason behind the rise in infection.

There is heavy rush of children being brought to hospitals especially to GB Pant Hospital and clinics of doctors, they said.

“My son was having a fever and I straight away took him to GB Pant Hospital. I saw a heavy rush of children waiting for consultation,” said a parent Nasir Ahmad of Srinagar, who, seeing the rush, visited a doctor for consultation at the clinic.

Paediatrician at Children Hospital Dr Altaf Ahmad told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the number of children being brought to OPD at the hospital has almost doubled.

From the last three years. Children were not coming in contact with their counterparts due to Covid pandemic and there were no cross infections.

He said there is no need to worry as it is upper respiratory tract infection which has infected children.

Fever, runny nose, and cough are common right now.

He said children should consume a healthy diet and drink lukewarm water to stay hydrated.

He said that there is no need for unnecessary panic as children can get two or three viral infections and sometimes it can happen in a single month but there is no need to worry as it is attributed to one illness—(KNO)
[16/04, 8:40 pm] +91 90868 20334: Identify persons who brought disrepute to Edu dept by devastating enrolment in Govt Schools: Authorities ask Officials

Bhat Imran

Srinagar, Apr 16 (KNO): Authorities have asked the concerned officials to identify the persons who have brought the department to disrepute by devastating the enrollment in government schools which finally ended in merger of such institutions.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Chief Education Officer (CEO) Srinagar in the second week of March has constituted a zonal level committees who were also directed to identify the officials responsible for leaving buildings unattended for a long time which led to its dilapidated condition.

“In the backdrop of the advisory issued by the Administrative Department, the zonal level committees shall inquire into the matter and furnish detailed factual report in light of the instructions conveyed by the administrative department, Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB).”

The CEO said that the enquiry officers are directed to ensure the identification of school buildings which are lying vacant due to merger of schools.

“Identification of officials who have brought the department to disrepute by devastating the enrollment in schools which finally ended in merger of such schools and turned the valuable assets and infrastructure into abandoned buildings especially in respect of those ReTs who have been instrumental to merge such schools where the enrollment warned after their regulation,” it reads.

Earlier, the Deputy Secretary to government, Umesh Sharma in an official advisory has said that he was directed to request to investigate and inquire and fix responsibility on the officials who have brought the department to disrepute by devastating the enrollment in schools.

“That finally ended in merging of such schools and turned the valuable assets and infrastructure into abandoned buildings especially in respect of those RReTs who have been instrumental to merge such schools where the enrollment waned after their regularization; shall be treated as per law for such acts,” reads the advisory.

CEO Srinagar wasn’t available to comment on the current status of the matter—(KNO)

Anantnag, April 13: A 28-year-old casual labourer with PDD was electrocuted to death while repairing an electric line in this south Kashmir district on Wednesday, officials said.

They said the casual labourer– Shabir Ahmad Khan, 28, son of Mohammad Iqbal Khan of Check Ishardas Mattan got electrocuted while repairing electric line at at Wantrag Kehribal. He was immediately shifted to Public Health Centre (PHC) Mattan where doctors declared him brought dead. A police official confirmed to GNS the death of the casual labourer . “Police have taken the cognizance and further proceedings are underway,” the official added.(GNS)

Srinagar, Apr 12: In the past six years, Jammu and Kashmir traffic department has collected a whopping amount of Rs 68 Crores from the traffic rule violators.

According to the official figures available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Traffic City Jammu, Traffic Police Rural Kashmir and Traffic Police National Highway Ramban has collected Rs 68,31,80,307 since 2016-2021 on account of Compound Challans, Court Challans, on spot fine and crane charges.

The highest number of fine has been recovered by the Traffic City Jammu.

These figures were revealed by the Public Information Officer (PIO) in a reply to the queries filed by the applicant M M Shuja.

The PIO has said that the traffic city Jammu in the past six years has collected a total fine of Rs 33,26,40,328 from the traffic violators that include Rs 42,70,82,01 in year 2016, Rs 30,31,110 in 2017, Rs 60,67,62,10 in 2018, Rs 60,45,30,01 in 2019, Rs 77,81,22,00 in 2020 and Rs 87,95,96,00 in the year 2021.

Similarly, the PIO Traffic NHW Ramban has said that it has collected fine of Rs 15,05,28,282 from the traffic rule violators from the past six years.

The PIO said that it collected Rs 20,48,93,30 in the year 2016 followed by Rs 16,94,84,35 in 2017, Rs 29,82,01,37 in 2018, Rs 31,05,60,89 in 2019, Rs 21,86,55,16 in 2020 and Rs 30,34,87,75 in the previous fiscal.

Likewise the, Traffic Police Officer of Rural Kashmir has said that it has collected Rs 20,00,11,697 from the traffic rule violators in past six years—(KNO)

Srinagar, Apr 12: With India reporting two cases of new XE variant, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Tuesday said it is unlikely to cause a new wave of Covid-19.

“The new variant is not a cause of concern for us and there is no need to worry about it,” said DAK President and Influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

“First detected in United Kingdom in January 2022, XE is a recombinant variant, which means it is a hybrid version of two most prevalent Omicron strains – BA.1 and BA.2,” he said.

Dr Hassan said most of our population has already been exposed to these variants in the third wave which was triggered initially by BA.1 and later by BA.2. Almost all People have antibodies against these sub variants by way of prior infection

“With high vaccination rates and natural immunity, the possibility of having a wave due to this variant is less,” he said

The DAK President said the fact that there has been no significant increase in the incidence of the XE variant since its detection 3 months ago shows that it is not something to be bothered about.

Omicron appeared in November 2021, and it was all over the world in 4-5 weeks and replaced Delta which caused the second wave in April- May last year.

“XE has not done that. It doesn’t look like we have to worry about it,” he said.

“Recombinant variants are not an unusual occurrence, particularly when there are several variants in circulation,” said Dr Nisar.

Two other recombinant variants – XD and XF which are combinations of Delta and Omicron have also been identified.

He said recombinants tend to last for lesser time. Virus fitness does not increase by a recombinant event.

“Frequent changes in genome structure are part of the natural life course of viruses and there is no need to panic,” he added.

Pulwama, Apr 7: A non-local driver escaped unhurt after militants allegedly tried to target him in an orchard in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

Sources told news agency Kashmir News Trust that a non-local driver from Pahatankot, identified as Sonu Sarma son of Banarasi Das was present in Yadar Shahu orchards of Littar Pulwama when militants fired upon him that missed the target.

They said that the timely arrival of joint forces ‘forced’ militants to fled away from the spot. During the melee, the non-local driver slipped and fell on a stone.

“He has suffered a minor injury in his thigh due to a stone. He is alright,” said a doctor. (KNT)

Srinagar, April 06: Encounter has started between militants and government forces in Haripora Imam Sahib area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Wednesday.

Reports reaching GNS that a joint team of Police, Army and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in Haripora.

As the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces, triggering off a gunfight.

A senior police officer also confirmed to GNS about exchange of firing between militants and security forces.

As per the sources two to three militants are believed to be trapped.(GNS)