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Srinagar, Mar 04: The Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Governor administration on Thursday postponed the holiday on account of Shab-i-Mehraj from March 11 to March 12.

An order, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), issued by Commissioner/Secretary to Government, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi said that Shab-i-Mehraj holiday will now be observed on Friday, March 12.

“In partial modification of Government Order No. 1159 – JK (GAD) of 2020 dated 24.12.2020, it is hereby ordered that the holiday on account of Shab- i – Miraj shall now be observed on 12th March, 2021 (Friday) instead of 11th March, 2021 (Thursday),” reads the order.

The Saudi Arabia Government made the Covid-19 vaccine compulsory for all the pilgrims of Hajj this year. According to the Healthy Ministry officials of Saudi Arabia, the Covid-19 shot for all the pilgrims performing Hajj in 2021 has been made mandatory. People who don’t follow the rule will not be allowed to perform Hajj.

“The Covid-19 vaccine is mandatory for those willing to come to the Hajj and will be one of the main conditions (for receiving a permit to come),” stated the Saudi newspaper Okaz report.

The decision has been made to maintain a safer environment and avoid the virus spread during Hajj.

In 2020, only 1000 pilgrims were allowed for Hajj taking the Covid-19 virus into consideration. However, India’s Ministry of Minority and Affairs that the process for Hajj 2021 will be decided after receiving the instructions from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Srinagar, Mar 04: Jammu & Kashmir government has withdrawn nomination of Zubair Iqbal as director from the Board of Directors of Jammu & Kashmir Bank.

“Pursuant to Regulation 30 of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations 2015, we wish to intimate that Mr. Zubair Iqbal , Govt. nominee Director (DIN:08742685) has ceased to be the Director of the Board of Bank consequent upon withdrawal of his nomination by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir,” reads an official document , a copy of which is lying with Kashmir Today

This information was submitted by Muhammad Shafi Mir, company secretary, J&K Bank to National Stock Exchange of India Limited and BSE Limited.

Zubair Iqbal was nominated as the first managing director of J&K Bank in May last year but his appointment was not cleared by the Reserve Bank of India.

He was nominated as the first managing Director of J&K Bank after a rigorous process of selection overseen by a high- level three-member committee under chairmanship of Tapan Ray, ex -Union Corporate Affairs Secretary, Arun Kumar Mehta, Financial Commissioner, Anand Madhukar, Officer on Special Duty, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, Government of India.

Approx sale, profit-loss on daily basis is Rs 3.20 Cr, says Association President

Srinagar, Mar 03: With no letup in tussle between the government and mutton dealers over the rates, Kashmir’s mutton industry has suffered a cumulative loss of Rs 400 Crores in the past four months.

The dealers opine that the marginal loss on daily basis is Rs 3.20 crores.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), All Kashmir Wholesale Mutton Dealers Association (AKWMDA) president Mehraj-ud-Din said that Kashmir was consuming almost Rs 4 Crore worth mutton a day.

“The mutton (Outside livestock) was being consumed at the cost of Rs 4 Crore a day before the tussle, but now the meat consuming has declined by at least 80 per cent,” he said, adding that in last four months, the people affiliated with the trade have suffered a marginal loss of Rs 15 Crore, saying that the sale loss is too much high.

He added that only 20 per cent meat is being consumed across Kashmir on a daily basis due to the prevalent situation, which continued from November last year, when the government fixed fresh rates and asked the mutton dealers to sell mutton at the rate of Rs 480 per kg.

He said that comparing the previous figure, the mutton dealers are suffering 80 per cent losses per day, which is Rs 3.20 Crore on a regular basis.

“From Rs 4 Crore daily, the market has reduced to just Rs 80,000,00 per day across Kashmir,” Mehraj said, adding that these losses are not expected to end until and unless the rigid policy towards the mutton dealers will come to an end.

Amid prevalent situation, the estimated sale and profit loss to the mutton dealers in a month is Rs 96 Crores.

“We could have done a business of nearly 400 crore during these months, but have been deprived. The losses, if we look, are very much high. We are not being pushed to the wall as our EMIs of banks and other things are being deducted with no business at all,” he said.

Notably, the government and the mutton dealers on February 27 held a meeting to discuss the issues. However, the meeting failed to end the deadlock as the mutton dealers continued to press for a hike in the rates, which was increased by the government from Rs 480 in November 2020 to Rs 515.

Director Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Bashir Ahmad Khan wasn’t available for the comments—(KNO)

To complete 20 months under house detention on March 5; May lead Meraj-e-Aalam gathering at historic Jamia Masjid, to address Ulema Council meet over phone tomorrow

Srinagar, Mar 02: Chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is likely to be released from 20-month long house detention this week, official sources said Tuesday.

Official sources told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that Mirwaiz, who will complete 20 months under house detention at his Nigeen residence in Srinagar is likely to walk free this week and more like ahead of Friday.

“There is every possibility that Mirwaiz may be released from his house detention ahead of coming Friday,” said an official source, adding that he may be allowed to address a religious gathering at the historic Jamia Masjid on the occasion of auspicious occasion of Mehraj-e-Aalam (Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) journey towards skies and back).

Mirwaiz was placed under house arrest on August 4, 2019 a day before the GoI announced scrapping of Article 370 and sliced the erstwhile state of J&K into two Union Territories—J&K and Ladakh.

Pertinently, Mirwaiz is scheduled to address the Ulema Council meet at Mirwaiz Manzil Rajouri Kadal, Srinagar tomorrow (Wednesday) on the issue of growing drug abuse in Kashmir, Meanwhile, top security officials remained tightlipped about Mirwaiz’s release when asked whether the Kashmir’s head priest is being set free from 20 month long house detention—(KNO)

London: The Pfizer and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines for COVID-19 are highly effective in reducing severe coronavirus infection among people aged 70 years and above, according to a study.
The research, posted as a pre-print and yet to be peer-reviewed, estimated the effect of both the COVID-19 vaccines on laboratory confirmed symptomatic disease in individuals aged 70 years or older in England.
The researchers, including those from Public Health England (PHE), compared the rate of hospitalisation and deaths in confirmed COVID-19 patients aged over 80 who were vaccinated more than 14 days before testing positive, with unvaccinated cases.
Data suggests that in the over 80s, a single dose of either vaccine is more than 80 per cent effective at preventing hospitalisation, around 3 to 4 weeks after the jab, PHE said in a statement.
Evidence for the Pfizer vaccine suggests that it leads to 83 per cent reduction in deaths from COVID-19, it said.
The data also shows symptomatic infections in over 70s decreased from around three weeks after one dose of both vaccines.
“Vaccination with either a single dose of Pfizer or Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination was associated with a significant reduction in symptomatic SARS-CoV2 positive cases in older adults with even greater protection against severe disease,” said the authors of the study, adding both the vaccines show similar effects.
They said the protection was maintained for the duration of over six weeks of follow-up, and there is a clear effect of both the vaccines against the UK variant of concern.
Experts say the new analysis adds to growing evidence that the vaccines are working, and are highly effective in protecting people against severe illness, hospitalisation and death.
“This adds to growing evidence showing that the vaccines are working to reduce infections and save lives,” Mary Ramsay, PHE Head of Immunisation, said in the statement.
“While there remains much more data to follow, this is encouraging and we are increasingly confident that vaccines are making a real difference,” Ramsay said.
However, she cautioned that the protection is not complete and it is not known yet how much these vaccines will reduce the risk of someone passing the coronavirus onto others.
“Even if you have been vaccinated, it is really important that you continue to act like you have the virus, practise good hand hygiene and stay at home,” Ramsay added. PTI

‘GoI has to return with interest what was snatched from us’

Anantnag March 02 : Peoples Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti Tuesday stated that gun was not a solution to any problem, saying Kashmiris should learn from the “peaceful” farmers’ protest to garner support from across the world.
Addressing a party convention at Dak Bunglow in South Kashmir’s Anantnag, Mehbooba said gun was no solution to any problem.
“I appeal our children don’t pick up the gun. It is no solution to any problem. It is giving a bad name to our struggle as Kashmiris are being labeled as terrorists. This is the reason the world is not advocating our cause and our children are getting killed. We should learn from farmers how they are holding peaceful protests without holding stones and guns in their hands. World is supporting them,” she said, according to news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
She asked her party workers to raise their voice peacefully. “We don’t have any war with India and its people. We are fighting against the BJP government,” Mehbooba said.
“We are seeking from India what was snatched from us on August 5, 2019 by the Parliament. Will we seek this from Pakistan or China? No. We are seeking from the Indian Parliament. Why BJP gets angry when I say they have to return with interest what was snatched from us,” she asked.
She said the Kashmir issue was lingering for the last 70 years. “It was Mufti Mohammad Saeed’s dream to bring peace in J&K. He even joined hands with the BJP when we formed government in 2015. My father believed dialogue was the only solution to any problem. In 2003, when we formed the government, New Delhi held talks with Pakistan and Hurriyat and peace returned here. New routes were opened. New schools and colleges were established. Mufti Sahab told Vajpayee to make borders irrelevant and wanted a peaceful solution to Kashmir problem,” she added. (KINS)

No conclusion yet, Mutton dealers say Admin must consider reports submitted by officials: KEA

Srinagar, Mar 01: A crucial meeting between the government and the mutton dealers of Kashmir failed to break the ice as the two sides couldn’t find out a solution to end the stalemate.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the government held a meeting with the mutton dealers and other traders regarding the rates of mutton in the Valley on February 27. “The reports compiled by the Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) and the government itself were not considered for fixing the fresh rates,” the mutton dealers said.

They said that the reports submitted by the government officials and the traders should have been considered. “It seems that the government is thrusting its decision on us despite going through the facts,” they said.

President Mutton Dealers Association, Mehraj-ud-din told KNO the government officials have submitted a report to the department in which they have stated that the Valley is receiving mutton at the cost of Rs 497 in wholesale while KEA has mentioned the amount as Rs 518. “There are different wholesale rates coming to the fore and the government is sticking to its rigid policy and is trying to thrust its decision on them,” he said.

He said the government in a meeting although increased the rate from Rs 480 to Rs 515, adding that the new rates too are not favorable for the mutton dealers and thus simultaneously rejected it as well.

“We want that the reports submitted before the government should be considered to bring a lasting solution in this regard,” he said, adding that the next meeting has not been fixed yet—(KNO)

Srinagar: The Uttrakhand tragedy has raised a fear among people with experts predicting the possibility of bursting of dams in Jammu and Kashmir.

Photo Credit: PTI

Rescue operations underway near Dhauliganga hydropower project after a glacier broke off in Joshimath causing a massive flood in the Dhauli Ganga river.

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The flash floods in Uttrakhand last month left scores of people dead and many missing.
As Jammu and Kashmir are also mountains regions, experts believe that there is a possibility of Uttrakhand like tragedy here.
There are a large number of dams in Jammu and Kashmir where electricity is generated and being supplied to various parts of the country.
J&K has a hydro-electricity potential of 20,000 megawatts while over 3,500 megawatts are generated at present.
In North Kashmir’s Bandipora, people living near 330 megawatts Kishenganga hydroelectric project, fear that flash floods could occur in the area any time.
Similarly in Chenab belt of Jammu region, experts said there is an imminent threat of bursting of water bodies due to frequent earthquakes as rocks have loosened.
A geologist Professor R K Ganjoo of Jammu University said snow avalanches are a common feature in higher Himalayas including in Uttrakhand and Jammu and Kashmir.
He said climatologists have always opposed construction of dams on higher reaches. “When we construct any dam, we dump steel, iron, and these things retain heat resulting an increase in temperature and disturb the environment leading to Uttrakhand like incidents. The Chenab valley in Jammu and Kashmir is vulnerable for Uttrakhand like incidents as rocks have developed cracks there due to frequent earthquakes and blasting. The dams have been constructed on a narrow valley in Chenab and there is a possibility of massive devastation at any time,” he told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
Professor Ganjoo suggests construction of small dams and also on broad valleys. “All projects in Chenab are in narrow valley and create an imbalance in releasing of heat. Similarly, Kashmir has witnessed huge damage to the environment due to ill-planned constructions,” he said.
Noted geologist of Kashmir Professor G M Bhat said Chenab valley was vulnerable to cloud bursts. “Major dams have been constructed on upper reaches. If there is a cloud burst, there will be a huge devastation due to flash floods. Earthquakes are also creating cracks in dams,” he told news agency KINS.
Similarly, he said the government should not allow constructions near rivers. “But still government allows them to construct houses near water bodies. Those who have built their houses need to be rehabilitated,” he said.
He said earthquakes are also a concern considering the high seismicity in J&K.
“Only solution to avoid major catastrophe is that instead building huge dams, the government should build small hydroelectric projects with small reservoirs, the water of which can be easily controlled,” Professor Bhat said.
A 2018 study conducted by seismologists from the Bangalore-based Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research forecast that an earthquake of magnitude of 8.5 or more is overdue in these parts of the Himalayas. (KINS)