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Srinagar: There is no change in retirement age of employees of J&K, however, to streamline government department, performance of employees can be reviewed after 22 years of service and at the age of 48.

BJP President J&K Ravinder Raina claimed that step gas been taken only so that no performing and corrupted officials can be shown way.

If non performing and corrupt employees will be asked to retire, others will work well for the welfare of general public, he said.

Pertinently Jammu and Kashmir’s civil service regulation rules were amended on Thursday to allow the administration to retire government employees at any time after completing 22 years of service or attaining the age of 48 years, an official said.

The employees can be retired after being given three months notice or three months of pay and allowance in lieu of the notice, the official said.

On the orders of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the administration has introduced certain substitutes in 226(2) Article of Jammu and Kashmir Civil Service Regulations, the official said.

He said a notification was issued by Finance Department in this regard.

The notification states that in exercise of powers conferred under provision to Article 309 of Indian Constitution, Lieutenant Governor has directed that Article 226(2) of Jammu and Kashmir Civil Service Regulations may be substituted as “226 (2): (a) Notwithstanding anything contained in these Regulations, government may, if it is of the opinion that in the public interest to do so, require any government employee other than one working on a post which is included in Schedule II of these rules, to retire at any time after he/she has completed 22 years of qualifying service or on attained 48 years of age. (PTK)

Says, J&K is incompatible with today’s India

Srinagar: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti Friday put forth a clear cut message to New Delhi, saying till our flag is not restored and decisions taken by New Delhi on August 5, 2019 are not revoked, New Delhi will found no shoulder to carry its flag in Jammu and Kashmir. She added youth of J&K has sacrificed immensely for the resolution of Kashmir issue and now it is the time for leadership to give blood for lasting peace in the region if need arises.

Addressing a maiden press conference at her Gupkar residence in Srinagar after Central Government abolished Article 370 and 35(A) on August 5, 2019, Mehbooba vehemently condemned the abrogation of Article 370 by Modi led BJP Government. “August 5 decisions were dacoit by BJP in J&K which were taken illegally and without consultations with real stakeholders. BJP committed a big blunder on that day. They violated its own constitution.

They have no right to snatch special status of Jammu and Kashmir”, she said.

While issuing a clear warning to New Delhi, the PDP chief said that BJP should come out of this thought that J&K will remain without Article 370 for ever. “People of J&K are shell-shocked. They look disappointed. But I want to clear myself here that till our flag is not restored and decisions taken by New Delhi on August 5 are not revoked, there will no shoulder in J&K to carry tri-color”, Mehbooba said.

She thanked mainstream political leaders including Dr Farooq, Omar Abdullah, Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami, Sajad Gani Lone and others besides party workers for enquiring her after her release from 14-months long detention.

“I met workers of my party soon after my release. They are by heart with Late Mufti’s vision. I marked the disappointment on their faces. They are shell-shocked”, she said.

About People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, PDP chief said that all political parties sat and deliberated upon the nefarious designs of New Delhi. “We formed Gupkar Declaration headed by Dr Farooq Abdullah and resolved that all rights will be brought back snatched by New Delhi on August 5, 2019”.

At the occasion, Mehbooba sought full cooperation from media and general public in the struggle taken up for the restoration of Article 370. “The way media raked up public concern on abrogation of Article 370 was praiseworthy. Few media personnel were summoned to Cargo for questioned and harassment, even FIRs were lodged against few for taking up people’s voice. We need to unite so that we will contest challenges of New Delhi”, She said.

Lashing out on few national media outlets, the PDP chief alleged that some media institutions of New Delhi have started “fake TRP” actions aimed to denigrate the image of Jammu and Kashmir and its people who have been suppressed forcibly by BJP Government.

She alleged that BJP has destroyed the constitution of its own country by replacing it from party’s anti-people agenda. “They passed Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), acted against farmers and minorities and are trying to replace the constitution of the country by party’s anti-people agenda”, She said.
Without naming UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, the PDP chief said that BJP has nothing to show in their progress card and is playing Kashmir card for divisive politics.

Giving hint to New Delhi to shun its muscular approached in Kashmir, Mehbooba said that I want to convey New Delhi this fact that Kashmir is an issue. “If BJP will keep its eyes closed, it can’t change reality”, She, according to KNS added.

Mehbooba said that nobody is safe in India especially Muslims and Dalits who have been harassed and subjugated. “We are incompatible with today’s India as nobody is feeling safe within. Muslims and Dalits especially are being harassed continuously”, she said.

When asked whether she will contest polls in future, the PDP chief said “I have no interest in elections. Till our constitution is not restored, I will not go for elections”.

When asked why PDP paved way to BJP in Jammu and Kashmir that led to abrogation of Article 370, Mehbooba said that it was not the alliance with BJP that led to the abrogation of Article 370 as everything was done from the Parliament.

“It was the Parliament that was misused. Parliament has no right to do this. We stood like a wall for Article 370”, she added.

Asked whether she has any regret of forging an alliance with BJP, Mehbooba said she regrets for posing a faith on the leader from the party who have demolished the constitution of the country.

When asked about Indo-China border conflict, she said that China has reportedly grabbed 1000 square kilometer of in Ladakh because abrogation of Article 370 pushed them to do so, adding “Decisions taken on August 5, 2019 internationalized Kashmir issue”.

To a query about Geelani’s refusal to talk with All Party Delegation few years back, Mehbooba said the refusal to meet the delegation led to the huge losses, adding that the delegation was not from the BJP leaders.

“Geelani refusal brought bad name to J&K across the country. If he was not willing to talk, he should have at least allowed them to enter into house”, PDP chief said. (KNS)

Srinagar: According to the Power Controller, Kashmir Province, Srinagar, in order to carry out stabilization and repairs 132KV D/C Mir Bazar Mattan Transmission Line shall observe shutdown on October 26 and November 01, from 9 am to 5 pm.

The power supply to the area fed from the said Transmission line shall remain affected.(KINS)

Srinagar: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Thursday said that flu vaccine would protect you from severe Covid-19 disease.

“Flu shot would reduce your risk of dying from Covid-19 infection,” said DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

“A study on the elderly population in the United States found that a 10 percent increase in the flu vaccine coverage in an area can reduce Covid mortality in the area by 28 percent,” he said.

DAK President said at least two other studies have indicated that flu shots provide protection against severe Covid-19 infection.

“One of these studies conducted in Italy indicated that areas in which more people took flu vaccine had a lower death rate from Covid-19 infection,” he said.

“In another study, researchers in Brazil found that a flu shot can reduce mortality by 20 percent when taken before the onset of Covid-19 and about 27 percent when the vaccine was given after the onset of Covid-19,” he added.

Dr Nisar said flu vaccine trains the immune system of a person to quickly recognize and clear away any harmful organism including those not targeted by the vaccine.

Also, vaccine produces protective neutralizing antibodies and specific T-cell response that could provide cross-protection against Covid-19 infection.

“We could be facing a confluence this winter of a flu pandemic and a still raging Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

“People can catch flu and Covid at the same time and that increases their risk of ending up in ICU or on a ventilator.”

“That makes this year’s flu vaccine vitally important,” Dr Nisar said adding “flu vaccine will reduce the risk of simultaneous infection and reduce the burden on health care system that is currently struggling from the Covid pandemic.”

“While flu vaccination is recommended for all, it is especially needed in young children, elderly, pregnant women and people with underlying medical conditions,” he said.

“Ideally, people should get the vaccine by the end of October. However, getting vaccinated later can still be beneficial and vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season even into January or later,” said Dr Nisar.(KINS)

Srinagar: BJP J&K President Ravinder Raina on Thursday said that party will celebrate the ‘Accession Day’ of Jammu & Kashmir with the union of India on October 27.

Raina, who was addressing party meeting in Jammu said Oct 27 holds a great significance before hardcore patriotics. He said the party will celebrate the day with full zeal which would possible with the abrogation of Article 370.

“This is the day they have longed for and the land of brave have got what it deserved for decades together”, Raina has said.

He said that the entire Jammu and Kashmir is set to celebrate the occasion like 15th August and every BJP leader and activist will make his or her more than maximum efforts for the same.

BJP leader said that most likely senior union minister will also address the occasion which is so “special” for the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh as this marks the day when with the pious efforts of all the hardcore patriots the whole territory incorporated into the union of India.

“BJP will organise a grand rally, which will be of both physical as well as virtual in nature and the programmes will be held in every district and mandal level”, Raina continued.

Former Deputy Cheif Minister Dr Nirmal Singh while addressing the meeting said that there were numerous attempts made by individual forces to alienate the gullible masses and overshadow the importance of the day with their malicious campaigns and they are even doing this to this day but their evil efforts will never go succeed. (KINS)

Srinagar: In a rare incident, two militants surrendered after their families were brought to the encounter site in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, said IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar on Thursday.

After the newly recruited militants were encircled by security forces in Tujjar area of Sopore town, they surrendered.

The Al-Badr militants have been identified as Abid and Mehraj. A joint operation was launched by the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Indian Army after receiving a tip-off.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police said, “Newly recruited militants Abid and Mehraj of Al-Badr were encircled by forces on a tip-off surrendered before the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Indian Army.”

The Jammu and Kashmir Police brought their families to the encounter site to persuade them to surrender and eventually they surrendered before the security forces.(KINS)

Srinagar: In view of the situation arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of India had taken a series of steps to curtail the inward and outward movement of international passengers since February, 2020.

The Government has now decided to make a graded relaxation in visa and travel restrictions for more categories of foreign nationals and Indian nationals who wish to enter or leave India.

Therefore, it has been decided to permit all OCI and PIO card holders and all other foreign nationals intending to visit India for any purpose, except on a Tourist Visa to enter by air or water routes through authorized airports and seaport immigration check posts.

This includes flights operated under Vande Bharat Mission, Air Transport Bubble arrangements or by any non-scheduled commercial flights as allowed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

All such travelers will, however have to strictly adhere to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare regarding quarantine and other health/COVID-19 matters.

Under this graded relaxation, Government of India has also decided to restore with immediate effect all existing visas (except electronic visa, Tourist Visa and Medical Visa).

If the validity of such visas has expired, fresh visas of appropriate categories can be obtained from Indian Mission/Posts concerned.

Foreign nationals intending to visit India for medical treatment can apply for a Medical Visa including for their medical attendants.
Therefore, this decision will enable foreign nationals to come to India for various purposes such as business, conferences, employment, studies, research, medical purposes etc.(KINS)

Srinagar: The progress of various developmental schemes has been hit by the COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir.

Jammu and Kashmir administration has set up a target of doubling to increase enrollment in various schemes for financial inclusion in the new Union Territory.

There are various centrally sponsored schemes including PMJDY, PMJJBY, PMSBY, SUPI, Mudra Loan and APY for poor people.

As per official documents, government has set up a target to double enrollment in these schemes.

“Under PMJDY, PMSBY and PMJJBY targets have also been assigned to the banks to reach milestones of 22 lakh accounts in PMJDY and eight lakh and four lakh enrollments under PMSBY and PMJJBY respectively,” the document reads.

However, an official of Rural Development Department told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) that work of these schemes has been badly hit due to COVID-19.
“We could not increase in enrollment in these schemes because of coronavirus. We hope things get settled so that we could work to ensure enrollment in these schemes,” the official said.

Before COVID-19, Finance Department had launched a campaign to achieve complete financial literacy of the entire population and to enhance the livelihood options for the people, “who have been traditionally left out of such endeavors”.

“In order to reach out to all the segments of the population in each district, all lead district managers across J&K have been advised to organise special camps during the campaign period to push credit growth and enhance enrolments under different social security schemes,” the document reads.

District development commissioners were also directed to involve PRI functionaries like Panches, Sarpanches and BDC chairmen to spread awareness amongst the people about the different financial inclusion schemes of government of India and Union Territory.

An official said there are five main factors that go behind the conceptualization of financial inclusion including financial empowerment of every citizen, formalizing the economy, enhancing national productivity, bringing in transparency and optimization of national resources.(KINS)