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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)

Qazigund, Nov 15: Have a deep attachment with the nature, a newly married couple has kick-started the plantation drive in Qazigund area of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Tuesday.

The couple Touseef Ahmad and Afrooz Jan from Kulgam district started plantation drive under social forestry division Anantnag/Kulgam at Sailaloo Qazigund by planting trees.

Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Touseef said they are thankful to social forestry division Anantnag who provides them the opportunity to plant trees at Sailaloo area of Qazigund. “Like us every couple should come forward and motivate others. It is responsibility of everyone to plant trees as they provide oxygen and keep environment clean”, he said.

Altaf Ahmad Hakeem, Range officer, Qazigund said this year they have discussed to plant trees through innovative idea and this step is among them. “We are doing plantation in schools, colleges and other places but today the step taken by the couple is unique and we encourage it”, he said.

Divisional forest officer, social forestry division Anantnag/Kulgam , Shama Roohi said: “The department is conducting plantation drives but to do something new today a couple kick started the drive here at Sailaloo Qazigund”.

“During the phase the department is going to plant one lakh twenty five thousand trees in Kulgam district under all schemes,” she said. “Today’s plantation drive was under strip scheme.”—(KNO)

Advocate slew of preventive measures for winter months to prevent

Srinagar, Nov 15: With Kashmir witnessing low and sub-zero night temperature, doctors have advised people to take precautions as the risk of heart attacks and strokes doubles in winters.

Kashmir’s leading medico and president Doctor’s Association Kashmir Dr Nisar ul Hassan told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the number of heart attacks and strokes increases in winters as frigid temperatures constrict blood vessels and increases blood pressure as blood tends to be thicker and stickier during extreme cold, increasing chances of heart attack or stroke.

He said that lack of sunlight during winters leaves people vitamin D deficient. which is associated with increased risk of dying from heart attack or stroke. Besides, winter flu also increases risk of such cases.

“People need to take precautions in order to avoid the risk of heart attack or stroke. People must keep themselves warm, avoid going out in the chilly cold for a walk and keep diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol under control and quit smoking,” he said.

He said that people should eat a healthy diet, mainly fruits and vegetables and wear warm clothes and cover their heads.

Dr Susheel Kumar, HOD Cardiology Government Medical College Jammu said that risk of heart attacks and strokes doubles during winters as peripheral body temperature dips leading to vasoconstriction, increased viscosity of blood, increased platelet aggregation and increased tendency to succumb to viral infections purposive besides more blood pressure, less physical activity and more dieting and smoking which leads to heart attacks and strokes—(KNO)

Renowned cleric from southern Kashmir’s Shopian district Sarjan Barkati was released, late Tuesday evening, his family confirmed.

Says Commissioner SMC & Mayor is involved in scams

Srinagar, Nov 15: BJP corporator Nazir Gilkar with other corporators & leaders held press conference in Srinagar, The Corporator & BJP Leader Nazir Gilkar slams the SMC Commissioner & Mayor for using Funds without approval of Council. Gilkar said the Macdemization process has done in 2 Constituencies only & the rest Constituencies were not Macdemization in the city.

Gilkar said this scam of Crores in SMC done by Mayor & Commissioner SMC , The hoppers purchasing Scam is also a big jolt in SMC.

Gilkar appeals Administration to probe the matter through ACB.

‘Instead of ordering ban on gadgets, Govt should ensure free electricity to J&K people’

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief and former chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said that Jammu and Kashmir is part of India because of the first prime Minister of India, Late Jawahar Lal Nehru.

Addressing media persons, Mehbooba, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that it is because of Jawahar Lal Nehru’s secularism, democratic values and other leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Moulana Abdul Kalam Azad, Dr B R Ambedkar and Sardar Vallabhai Patel that J&K is part of India today.

“Had there been no relation between Jawahar Lal Nehru with Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah and relation with Kashmiris then J&K would not have been part of India. If the present regime would have been in the government in 1947, Jammu and Kashmir could never have opted to integrate with India where there is no scope for secularism, democracy,” she said.

She further said that unity is the only way to fight for the rights and can help in restoring Article 370.

Mehbooba also said that it is unfortunate that despite generating the electricity, the people here are being asked not to use the heaters and boilers; rather the government should ensure free electricity to the people and give compensation to J&K for Indus-Water Treaty.