Category: Union Territory

Typographical error, no such proposal before Govtt: Additional Chief Secretary; Clerical error, erroneous document taken down, says MD NHM

Srinagar, Dec 23 : National Health Mission (NHM) evoked sharp criticism by mentioning Srinagar’s Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences as ‘Shri Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences’ in its document on Hepatitis control program uploaded on its official website. After massive criticism on social media, the NHM put down the document saying “it was a typographical error.”

As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the document went viral on the social media sites where people were raising questions over the sudden name change of SKIMS by the government.

“This name-sake government is worthy only of this! Attending to whims of the fugitives, they think they can change anything on ground?,” a netizen tweeted.

Another person tweeted: “Where is Shri Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences Srinagar in #Kashmir? Any idea! Was going through National Viral Hepatitis Control Program PDF booklet & noticed that Funds have been released this Institute for fighting Hepatitis-C. GMC Srinagar & Jammu too have 109.93 Lakhs,” tweeted another netizen.

National Conference spokesman Imran Nabi Dar also tweeted: “Shocking that the Govt document has resorted to such irresponsible and provocative distortion of J&Ks premier medical Institute SKIMS name. Fix responsibility. Correct it. Now!”

Reacting over the issue Mission Director, National Health Mission, Muhammad Yasin Choudhary initially termed the document as “fake and concocted” and said that SKIMS Soura is not a model treatment centre under National Viral Hepatitis control programme.

“This is a FAKE and CONCOCTED document. SKIMS Soura is not a Model Treatment Centre (MTC) under NVHCP (National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme) under NHM J&K. We clearly disown this piece of wrong information. @NHMJK5,” he tweeted.

However, he later while apologizing earlier tweet said that there was a clerical error at the Ministry’s end that entailed the wrong full form in the document that has been taken down.

“I apologize for the misinformed comment earlier. The erroneous document has been taken down. There was a clerical error at the Ministry’s end that entailed the wrong full form in the ppt. Request everyone to please do not assume any unjustified notions.@NHMJK5.” he tweeted later.

Meanwhile, Additional Chief Secretary Health and Medical Education Vivek Bhardvaj told KNO that there is no such proposal before the government and there was a typographical error in the presentation of 2018.

“Please check the facts. It’s a presentation of 2018 where a typographical error had been made. No such proposal,” he said—(KNO)

‘Seeks details of non-performing teaching, non-teaching employees, SED to submit list soon’

Srinagar, Dec 23: The government has asked the Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) to furnish the list of its teaching and non-teaching employees that have turned to be the ‘deadwood’ for the department.

Principal Secretary of School Education Department, B K Singh in an official communiqué issued to the DSEK has said, “The Department of Education has huge number of employees and many of them are not performing their duties to the level of expectations and desired results leading to large drop out and lower outcomes.”

“How a department having around 1.10 Teacher Student Ratio have such a result,” Singh questioned.

The news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) has leant that Singh has said that “It becomes inevitable to identify the non working or dead wood in both teaching and non teaching faculty who have either emptied the schools in enrollment by mostly resorting to private coaching or side business or have created corrupt and malicious work culture in offices.”

“This has put the public at great inconvenience and has proven counterproductive to the growth of the department,” he said.

“In this backdrop the DSEK is directed to prepare a list of such employees as per the norms and furnish the list to this office within the 15 days for onward transmission to general administration for necessary action otherwise serious action under rules will be taken,” Singh said—(KNO)

Srinagar, Dec 23 : The health and medical education department Jammu and Kashmir has shortlisted 15 candidates for the post of director Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Soura Srinagar.

As per a communique, a copy of which lies with Kashmir News Service (KNS), the H&ME department had issued notification inviting online applications on prescribed proforma from Indian Nationals for the position of Director, SKIMS, Soura, for which 36 application were received.

The communique reads that subsequently, these applications were scrutinised vis-a-vis the prescribed qualifications and required experience by a Screening Committee, constituted for the purpose by the General Administration Department.

It reads that accordingly, the Screening Committee submitted its report to the General Administration Department, wherein it has shortlisted fifteen candidates for the same.

“Now, therefore, it is to inform all the above applicants that the interaction before the Selection Committee for the post of Director, SKIMS Soura will be held on December 28 at 11:00 AM in the Meeting Hall of Civil Secretariat in Jammu.”

It further reads that the applicants are requested to kindly make it convenient to be present at the scheduled venue, date and time along with their original testimonials, failing which they would not be considered for the personal interaction before the Selection Committee.

“They should be prepared to make a brief presentation before the Selection Committee on their vision about SKIMS institute and the way forward,” it reads. (KNS)

Mugal, B’pora Gurez, Sonamarg-Zojila roads closed

Bandipora, Dec 23: Several areas in the higher reaches of Kashmir received fresh snowfall, while some parts in the plains were lashed by light rains on Thursday, officials said.

The higher reaches of Kashmir including the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg in Baramulla, Gurez in Bandipora and Central Kashmir’s Sonamarg area experienced fresh snowfall early in the morning, the officials said.

They told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the historic Mughal Road connecting Poonch district of Jammu province with Shopian in south Kashmir has been closed for all kinds of vehicular traffic, owing to fresh snowfall in upper reaches of the area.

The authorities this morning also closed the 85-km-long Bandipora-Gurez road in north kashmir for vehicular movement after fresh snowfall at Razdan Pass.

“Due to fresh snowfall in Gurez and at Razdan Pass, the only road link connecting Gurez with the rest of the world has been closed for traffic movement,” the officials said.

Meanwhile, Sonamarg-Zojjila road was also closed after upper reaches of Zojila in Ganderbal district of Central Kashmir received fresh snowfall.

“Snowfall in Drass and Sonamarg has led to closure of Sonamarg-Drass road,” an official said.

A local Meteorological department said that the present weather condition would likely to continue till next 24 hours.

“Another Snow spell of greater intensity is most likely during 26-27th, ” it said.

“Expect, Widespread light to moderate snow in plains of Kashmir, rain in Jammu and Moderate snow at scattered places of Ladakh especially Kargil Zanskar region. Light snow also possible at some places in Leh dist. (Mainly over Higher reaches),” the Met said—(KNO)

Srinagar, Dec 23: Security forces on Thursday claimed to have averted a major tragedy by defusing an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

Official sources told (KDC) that an IED weighed approx 5 Kgs was detected by 50 RR, 183 Battalion of CRPF and SOG near Graveyard of village Wanpora in Pulwama, which was later destroyed by the bomb disposal squad.

A Police officer confirmed to KDC that an IED was recovered and later destroyed. A case under relevant sections of law is being registered in this regard and further investigation is on, he added. (KDC)

Jammu , Dec 22  Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti has once again sparked a row with more controversial remarks. Speaking at a party rally in Jammu, Mufti attacked the Union Territory administration and claimed that it “faces a threat” from the PDP.”They say that the PDP has threats due to COVID-19, but they have a threat from the PDP. I was not allowed to address rally in Jammu city due to COVID-19. But I’m thankful to the Eidgah Committee for allowing their space for our rally. Authorities don’t fear COVID, they fear PDP,” asserted Mehbooba Mufti.Further attacking the administration and the Centre, she remarked that the government claims Muhammad Ali Jinnah divided India and Pakistan. However, Mufti has claimed that “today there are many more Jinnahs who are dividing people”. She added that Jammu and Kashmir is being used as a “testing laboratory”. Attacking the Centre, the PDP chief said that instead of talks with parties of the erstwhile state, the army was called in “They say Jinnah divided India and Pakistan. But today, there are many more Jinnahs who are dividing people,” said Mufti In a controversial remark, Mehbooba Mufti compared India with former Pakistan president and general Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq. She recollected the recent mob lynching in Pakistan and remarked that Imran Khan “came out against it” while people in India “are felicitated” for similar crimes. Additionally, she has said that India is way ahead when it comes to global  hunger index as compared to Pakistan and Bangladesh.”Our country is way ahead when it comes to global  hunger index as compared to Pakistan and Bangladesh. India’s GDP is lower than Bangladesh. How will the youth get jobs and the lands are being given away to the industrialists?,” Mufti asked.In another explosive statement, Mehbooba Mufti during her speech spoke about the farmers’ protest. She also claimed that people of Kargil and Ladakh stood and got their rights. She also called upon the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to stand against the Centre.”I want to tell you, the way people of Kargil and Ladakh stood and got their rights. If youth of JK gets against them, they have to return us everything,” said Mehbooba Mufti Mufti’s remarks come after her rally flouted COVID-19 norms even as concerns surrounding the Omicron variant loom in the country. While making explosive statements and attacking the Centre, she went on to thank the Eidgah Committee for providing space for her party’s rally.( KINS)

Srinagar, Dec 22: An Assistant Sub-inspector of Police, who was gravely injured in a militant attack, succumbed to wounds on way to hospital, official sources told GNS.

The militants fired upon ASI Mohammad Ashraf of Awantipora, leaving him critically injured with two bullet wounds in neck and chest, at Bijbhera.

He was shifted to SDH Bijbhera where from he has been shifted to Srinagar hospital for advanced treatment. However he died on the way, they said. A police officer confirmed the dead of the the ASI.

Soon after the attack whole area has been cordoned off to nab the attackers. Further details awaited. (GNS)

Srinagar, Dec 22: With Jammu Omicron cases having no travel history or contact with any positive case of the new variant, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Wednesday said this could be an indication of possible community spread of the new variant. 

“It is possible these cases could be an instance of community spread of Omicron,” said DAK President and Influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

The DAK President said first three cases of Omicron variant of Covid-19 were reported yesterday from Talab Tillo and Bantalab areas of Jammu province.

“All the three cases have no history of foreign travel or exposure to any person infected with the variant,” he said.

“This gives us to understand that these cases might have contracted the infection from the community exposure,” Dr Hassan said.

He said these cases are significant as they mean that the infection might be spreading untraced in the community,” he said.

“This could indicate the beginning of community transmission,” said Dr Nisar.

He said community transmission means when a person contracts the virus from an unknown source. The individual picks up the infection without having travelled to countries where the virus is circulating or having been in contact with a confirmed case.

“A state of community transmission implies that the virus is in the community and it is possible for everyone in the community to catch the infection,” he added.

General Secretary DAK Dr Arshad Ali said there may be many more cases than just few that have been confirmed.

“To pick them up we need to expand genome sequencing. If we don’t expand genetic testing, how can we say there is no community spread,” he said.

Spokesperson DAK Dr Riyaz Ahmad Dagga said travel history alone should not be the deciding factor for sequencing the samples

“we need to shift our focus from a predominantly target testing to community testing as that would determine the actual burden of community transmission and would allow us to implement informed containment strategies,” he said

“Omicron variant is at Community transmission stage in Countries like UK, South Africa and US.

Cases have erupted in Karnataka, Delhi, and Maharashtra where source of infection has not been traced which raises fears of community spread in India too,” he added.

Chillai Kalan, the harshest winter periods of 40 days, begins with Winter Solstice every year.

Winter solstice 2021 in Jammu and Kashmir is at 9:29 p.m. Tuesday 21 December.

Winter solstice is the day with the shortest period of daylight and longest night of the year.

Tonight will be the first night of Chillai Kalan.

Srinagar, Dec 21: In yet another instance of communal harmony, the local Muslims in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district Tuesday helped perform the last rites of a 71-year-old Kashmiri Pandit lady who died on Monday evening.

Setting an example of communal harmony and brotherhood, the local Muslims in main town Tral in Pulwama district came together to help perform the last rites of their elderly lady Pandit neighbour.

Shishi Raina, wife of Pandit Nath Raina, resident of main town Tral Monday evening died after a brief illness on Monday evening.

As only few family members were around, Nath’s local friends and neighbors from the Muslim community took it upon themselves to help perform his last rites.

The local Muslims organized and performed his last rites and mourned her death as one of their own. They shouldered her coffin and arranged wood for the cremation in the town.

“She was one of us. We never thought of him as a Kashmir Pandit. We arranged everything needed for the cremation,” said Abdul Gani, a middle aged man from the locality.

“She has been living here among us for many years. We have lived alongside each other and done everything together,” said another local.

Locals said that this family has never left Kashmir despite facing many problems and it was our duty to help them.

“Once we heard about her sad demise, locals rushed to the spot and arranged everything and took part in his last rites like they took part in last rites of muslims,” they said—(KNO)