Kashmir.Watch

Blog

  • Coronavirus | China rejects U.S. charge of vaccine research theft

    Hackers are trying to steal data on COVID-19 cures’

    Agence France Press

    Beijing accused the U.S. on Thursday of smearing China after Washington alleged Chinese hackers were attempting to steal research on developing a vaccine against the coronavirus (COVID-19).

    The claims have added fuel to tensions between the global superpowers, who have traded barbs over the origin of the pandemic that has killed 3,00,000 people.

    U.S. authorities said on Wednesday that Chinese hackers were trying to obtain coronavirus data on treatments and vaccines, warning the effort involved Chinese government-affiliated groups and others.

    ‘Significant threat’

    The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said China’s efforts posed a “significant threat” to the U.S. response to COVID-19.

    “China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to such smearing,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a regular press briefing.

    “Judging from past records, the U.S. has carried out the largest cybertheft operations worldwide,” Mr. Zhao told reporters.

    He stressed that Beijing has significant achievements of its own in the fight against the pandemic.

    China is “also leading the world in COVID-19 vaccine research and treatment”, and therefore has more reason to worry about cyber espionage itself, Mr. Zhao said.

    He added that the country has cracked down on cyber-hacking, and that any cyber attack hindering the global fight against the pandemic should be condemned by people around the world.

    Responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s reference to COVID-19 as the “Plague from China”, Mr. Zhao said the U.S. should stop blaming and discrediting others, and focus on their own prevention and control work.

  • Coronavirus | Congress decries ‘empty package, wrapped in speeches for over three days’

    Economic stimulus package has turned out to be an empty promise’

    Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman displayed “arrogance, ignorance and insensitivity” while giving out details of the economic stimulus package that has turned out to be a jumla (empty promise), the Congress said on Thursday.

    While the party’s chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala called the stimulus package a jumla, senior leader Ahmed Patel said, “It is an empty package wrapped with speeches since the last three days.”

    Addressing a joint online press conference, Lok Sabha member Manish Tewari and party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said the humanitarian crisis surrounding the migrant workers is a defining image of the coronavirus crisis in India, but the government had fallen woefully short in addressing it.

    “The image of our migrant workers walking to reach the safety of their homes will haunt us for a long time. Was it not your responsibility to answer what are you doing about them?” Mr. Tewari asked the government.

    ‘Bamboozle people’

    “You are trying to bamboozle people by throwing big numbers at people. We don’t have words to express our anguish and our heads hand in shame,” Mr. Tewari said, adding that the government had earmarked only ₹3,500 crore of the ₹20 lakh crore stimulus package.

    Ms. Shrinate said that the government was trying to solve a demand side issue with supply side tools.

    “All the government has done is announce loan melas (fairs) for different sets of people. Where is the assistance?” asked Ms. Shrinate.

    She added that only direct cash transfers on the lines of Congress’ NYAY minimum guarantee scheme to the bottom 13 crore households would have helped the poor cope with the crisis.

    “MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) wages have been revised annually for a decade now. Today’s FM (Finance Minister) announcement no big deal. Nothing on what’s urgently needed: 1. Provide wages for month of April. 2. Increase no. of MGNREGA days to 200. Ironic that those who ridiculed MGNREGA now rely on it,” tweeted former Union minister Jairam Ramesh.

    Rahul tweets

    Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi tweeted they would make their voices reach the government.

    “here is dense darkness and times are difficult. Have courage, all of us are standing for the safety of all of them. We will ensure that their screams reach the government and they get the help they deserve. They are not the ordinary public of the country, they are the flagbearers of the country’s self-respect. We will never let them bow down,” Mr. Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.

    With inputs from The Hindu

  • Schools to re-open only when situation is normalized: HRD Minister

    New Delhi: Putting clarity on the question of when schools would re-open, the HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank today stated that there was no plan to reopen schools as yet.

    In a live webinar with teachers, the education minister shared that the government along with NCERT and UGC are formalizing various plans on re-opening the universities and resuming classes post lockdown.

    As for the schools, however, he stated that schools would re-open only when the present situation is normalized.

    He shared that various plans are being considered on how and when to reopen the schools.

    Plans like spaced seating arrangement, different timings for various classes and further division of classes was being considered to ascertain the best model for reopening schools, colleges and various educational institutes in the country.

    In a related news, in a press conference, Arvind Kejriwal also confirmed that Delhi schools are not likely to be reopened yet.

    HRD Minister conducted a live session for the teachers today – Acharya Devo Bhava.

    Addressing the teachers, the minister spoke on the various measures being taken to ensure learning does not stop.

    Speaking on Vidyadaan and other online digital learning app like Diksha, he asked the teachers to adapt the digital learning process and also to contribute to the same.

    Urging the teachers to take this as an opportunity, HRD minister said that this should be taken not as a challenge but an opportunity.

    When addressed with the question on opening of schools and colleges, he stated that UGC Guidelines have been issued about resuming classes in Universities from August 1 and for new session from September 1.

    On the question about reopening of schools, HRD Minister was clear that there was no plan as yet to re-open schools.

    “The health of our students is our key concern. The schools will be open only once the situation caused due to coronavirus is normalised,” the HRD Minister said.

    While the country has been in lockdown since March 25, schools and colleges across the country have been closed since March 16, 2020.

    All the examinations have also been postponed. As the boards are getting ready to resume the examinations and checking process, schools have kept the momentum of learning up by adapting digital learning means for online classes.

  • Death of Covid patient: Hospital Management clarifies position

    Jammu: The deceased S. Surjeet Singh, age 70 years R/o Digiana, Jammu who was brought dead to the GMCH Emergency on 12-05-2020 at 07:20 pm, was immediately examined by doctor on duty and was found dead. Since, his attendants suspected his death due to COVID-19, on their insistence his dead body was shifted to Mini Mortuary, GMC Jammu, the area which is specially designated for Covid-19 suspect/ COVID positive dead bodies following all Standard precautions. His Naso Pharyngeal Swab was taken in the Mortuary for COVID19 and sent for testing on priority basis. His COVID test was reported Positive on 13-05-2020 at around 01:40 pm and after this, all the concerned agencies (CMO Jammu, Epidemiologist Jammu, SHO Bakshi Nagar) for tracing and testing of contacts and disposal of dead body were informed immediately.

    One of his attendant reported to Hospital Administration around 06:30 pm and he was asked to contact and coordinate with local Police authority for shifting and cremation of dead body. At around 08:00 pm some more attendants came and asked for ambulance for shifting of dead body as they had planned cremation on the same day at Jogi Gate, Jammu and the ambulance (JKO2BS 9324, Driver Sh. Pawan Kumar, Mob No. 9419261815) was provided immediately. At around 08:30 pm, after providing all personnel protective gears to four attendants of the patient along with driver of the ambulance, the body was shifted to Cremation Ground at Jogi Gate.

    However, since patient attendants were not allowed to cremate the body there due to objections raised by the local residents, the driver was forced to bring the dead body back to the hospital, where on the instructions of the Hospital Administration, the body was again kept in designated chamber in GMC Mortuary for COVID-19 patients.

    On 14-05-2020 at 05:45 am, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Jammu informed Assistant Medical Superintendent, GMCH that the cremation of dead body shall be done at 06:30 am following this, an ambulance (JKO2BD 2065, Driver Mohd Akram, Mobile number (9697102524) was kept ready at the mortuary site at around 6.40 am for shifting of deceased.

    Two attendants of the deceased arrived around 08:00 am but were not ready to assisting and shifting of the dead body initially but were convinced by the administration and members of their religious organisation for the same. Following this, three sanitary workers and two attendants in full personnel protective gears shifted the dead body from Mortuary to the Ambulance for formal cremation at Shastri Nagar Cremation ground with the coordination of the local/civil administration at 09:40 am.

    Keeping in view, above mentioned fact the allegations labelled against the Government Medical College administration are false and baseless the Hospital authorities have fully supported for Cremation of the deceased with honour. (KNT)

  • No fee hike, charge tuition fee only: Govt tells Pvt Schools

    Srinagar: School education department Thursday directed private schools not change fees quarterly stating that the decision about transport charges shall be taken separately.

    The education department has also issued instructions to private schools for collection of tuition fees from students to ensure withdrawal of salary of staff. According to News Agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), School education department has directed the private schools to only charge tuition fees on monthly bases and not to hire fees.

    The order issued by government reads that, “Only tuition fees shall be charged from students on monthly basis, instead of quarterly basis for the lockdown period”.  “No fee hike shall be made during academic session 2020-2021”, it reads

    It reads that, “annual fee, if any, can be charged monthly on pro-rata basis, after schools re-open.”

    “No school shall deny access to online education, material, classes to poor/deserving students unable to pay school pay due to prevailing situation”, the order reads.

    The order further reads that “registration of private schools, which have expired during lock down period shall be deemed valued till lockdown period is over.”  “A view regarding transport charges shall be taken separately,” reads the order—(KNO)

  • Protests in Leh over new containment rules

    Returnees barred from containment zones for 14 days

    Local people held a demonstration in Ladakh’s Leh district on Thursday against the Union Territory administration’s new COVID-19 containment rules and the move to charge between ₹2,500 and ₹3,000 at non-administrative quarantine facilities from the students and pilgrims who had returned. Scores of protesters took to the streets in Leh’s Chuchot, a containment zone, and began a demonstration against the rules to counter the pandemic in the region.

    The police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the protesters.

    Saira Bano, a Block Development Council chairperson, who was injured in the scuffle, demanded action against policemen who thrashed women protesters. “We have already conveyed [to the administration] that we are ready for surveillance of our kids and pilgrims, as per the WHO guidelines. The way rules are followed in other containment zones should apply in Leh as well,” said Ms. Bano.

    According to Leh District Magistrate’s order, those arriving from outside Ladakh and have relatives in containment areas “will not be allowed to enter their villages under any circumstances… They shall be allowed to live with friends and relatives outside the containment zone for 14 days.”

    Sayeeda Ladakhi, a councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Leh (LAHDC-L) from Chuchot, in a letter addressed to Commissioner Secretary, Health, Rigzin Samphel, demanded that the U.T. administration rescind the order. She said the ₹2500 to ₹3000 tariff fixed by the DM for non-administrative quarantine centres had caused resentment among the people. “Students, pilgrims and patients have already suffered in the past two months due to the lockdown. They are forced to live in hotels paying heavy daily tariff,” she said.

    Tundup Nubu Cheetha, another resident, asked why LAHDC-L had failed to organise a quarantine facility for people free of cost.

    District magistrate, Leh, Sachin Kumar Vaishya, was not available for his comment.

    With inputs from The Hindu

  • JK to launch Uber, Ola type cab service soon

    Suggestions for Jammu and Kashmir Aggregator draft Rules 2020 invited

    Srinagar: Transport Department J&K has called for objections/ suggestions regarding “Jammu and Kashmir Aggregator draft Rules 2020”.

    Principal Secretary School Education and Transport Department Dr Asghar Hassan Samoon said that Uber, Ola cab type aggregator would operate in J&K once the policy is approved.

    He said that any company registered under the companies act or a registered firm can apply for a licence to the Transport Commissioner to become an aggregator.

    “The applicant shall be in operation for at least three years, have valid GST and PAN besides atleast 250 taxies/ autos, a developed MIS system, web- portals and mobile app for operation along with details of parking facility and 24*7 call center and a registered office in the area of operation,” reads the Jammu and Kashmir Aggregator draft Rules 2020″.

    Dr Samoon said that licence granted under these rules shall be valid for a period of 5 years and is subject to renewal after showing satisfactory performance.

    “The licensing authority will suspend cancel the licence if the licence fails to comply with any terms/conditions prescribed or any driver of the vehicle attatched with the licensee is guilty of any misbehaviors or misconduct with any passenger or a complaint against the licensee has been proved to be genuine,” draft rules read.

    Dr Samoon added that fare charged by the cabs shall not be more than as notified by the Government.

    “The licensee shall display the fare rate and provide a fare rate estimator on the website/ internet enabled app used by the licensee to connect the driver and the passenger. The app should have all the security features with up to date technology.” (KNS)

  • Pakistan awards ₹442bn Diamer-Bhasha dam contract to joint venture between Power China and FWO

    PTI

    The contract signed on Wednesday covers construction of a diversion system, main dam, access bridge and the 21MW Tangir hydropower project.

    Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government has signed a whopping ₹442 billion contract with a joint venture of a Chinese state-run firm and a commercial arm of Pakistan’s military for the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha dam.

    Chinese state-run firm China Power holds 70% and the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), a commercial arm of the Armed Forces of Pakistan, 30% share in the consortium, Dawn newspaper reported.

    The contract signed on Wednesday covers construction of a diversion system, main dam, access bridge and the 21MW Tangir hydropower project.

    The eight Million Acre Feet (MAF) reservoir with 272-metre height will be the tallest roller compact concrete (RCC) dam in the world. It will have a spillway, 14 gates and five outlets for flushing out silt. The diversion system involves two tunnels and a diversion canal — all three having one kilometre length each, the paper said.

    The bridge — a box girder structure — under the contract will be constructed downstream of the dam structure while the 21MW power plant will be built to meet energy requirements of the project during construction.

    Prime Minister Khan was briefed on the progress of the project a couple of days ago. The construction work on dam will begin in a couple of weeks.

    Diamer-Bhasha dam project chief executive officer Amir Bashir Chaudhry and authorised representative of China Power Yang Jiandu signed the agreement on behalf of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and the joint venture, respectively.

    Water Resources Minister Faisal Vawda, Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing, Wate Resources Secretary Mohammad Ashraf, Wapda chairman retired Lt. Gen. Muzammil Hussain, Pakistan Army engineer-in-chief Lt. Gen. Moazzam Ejaz and FWO director general Maj. Gen. Kamal Azfar attended the signing ceremony.

    The Wapda chairman expressed hope that the Diamer-Bhasha dam would be completed as per the timelines to cope with the increasing water and electricity requirements of the country. The dam project with a total financial outlay of about ₹1,406.5 billion would be completed in 2028, he said.

    The total financial outlay includes land acquisition and resettlement, confidence building measures for social uplift of the local people, construction of dam and power houses.

    General Muzammil Hussain said the project would have a gross storage capacity of 8.1 MAF and power generation capacity of 4,500MW. However, the electromechanical and power generation project would be taken up separately at a later stage.

    Wapda has already awarded a ₹27.182 billion contract for dam’s consultancy services to Diamer-Bhasha Consultants Group (DBCG). The consultancy agreement includes construction design, construction supervision and contract administration of the dam project.

    The Council of Common Interests (CCI) had approved the project for construction in 2010, but it suffered delays because of international lending agencies which remained associated with the project but later backtracked because of opposition from India as major part of the dam is located in Gilgit-Baltistan, the paper said.

    The government has already spent about ₹170 billion on the project since then on land acquisition and other expenses.

    In view of the lenders’ resistance, it was decided about four years ago to divide the multi-purpose project into two major components — ₹650 billion worth of dam project to be constructed with the public sector funds and ₹750 billion worth of power project most probably to be developed in independent power producer (IPP) mode at a later stage, the paper added.

    The core project development (dam structure) alone is estimated to cost almost ₹270 billion. The project offers a very attractive internal economic return of 15.7% even at a 12% discount rate, according to project documents.

    The project is designed to serve as the main storage dam of the country, besides Mangla and Tarbela dams, and its storage would be helpful for alleviating flood losses. The dam will have a 6.4 MAF usable water storage capacity.

    The project is estimated to help alleviate acute irrigation shortage in the Indus basin irrigation system caused by progressive siltation of the existing reservoirs, besides substantially contributing to reduce intensity, quantum and duration of floods and reduce magnitude and frequency of floods in the River Indus downstream.

    The project will also have trickledown effects on all sectors of the economy by accelerating development and creating job opportunities, besides improving availability of water and clean energy.

    The completion of the dam would increase the country’s storage capacity from 30 to 48 days and make power generation facilities an attractive future investment by the private sector to add 4,500MW of additional electricity to the national grid, according to Dawn.

  • Covid-19 | 5 from Srinagar tested positive in SKIMS

    Out of 3619 tests from Srinagar 5 tested positive.

    Srinagar Details:

    1. Iddgah: 02
    2. Lal Bazar: 01
    3. Nawa Kadal: 01
    4. Kanipora: 01

    Further two cases reported from Shopian, three from Ramban and one each are from Pulwama and Udhampur.

    It may be noted that today No sample tested Positive at CD Hospital, Srinagar, all 748 Samples tested at CD Hospital turned to be negative.

    Cumulative Tally: 983

    Fatalities: 11

  • DC Srinagar, the man behind safe and successful evacuation of Kashmiri students stuck in Indian States/ abroad

    Srinagar: There has been a huge hue and cry over the safety and return of Kashmiri students stuck in various Indian states and also in various countries but Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary decided to take the challenge head-on to ensure every single student reaches Srinagar safely. In his endeavor he has finally succeeded amid prayers and praises from the students who reached their homes safely amid challenging times of Covid-19.

    Witnesses told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that a large number of students evacuated from Delhi, Gurgaon, Chandigarh expressed gratitude to Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary for arranging buses for them to move back home after a distressed 45-day long period of uncertainty and hopelessness as they were stuck in various parts of country and abroad.

    The students belonging to various districts who reached TRC Srinagar last evening and today morning, including two groups of medical students and others from various institutions apart from some IT professionals. They said that DC Srinagar promptly took up the matter of arranging buses for them with the higher authorities and also for movement passes for which he deserves applauds and praises.

    The distressed students told KNO that many of them would not have been able to reach homes given the non-availability of buses and extremely high rates of fare being charged.

    “DC Srinagar arranged 11 buses from students from various areas of capital region and organised them into groups for movement. Permissions were granted by J&K Resident Commission through local District Magistrates,” said a visibility happy group of students while landing at TRC here.

    Pertinently, each 45 seater bus carried 25-26 students in a group to maintain social distancing as per the policy of Delhi Government. More than 260 students arrived back in these buses. Some of them remained stuck between Kathua-Samba for a long time in view of heavy rush and screening of inbound passengers.

    Arriving at TRC Srinagar they expressed gratitude to DC Srinagar for his personal efforts to make it happen which was otherwise getting tough in view of non-availability of buses and scattered students. They said that WhatsApp groups of students were made and DC was added in groups to facilitate . These students belonged to several districts including Srinagar, Bandipore, Anantnag, Budgam. Pulwama and Kulgam.

    “Each bus costs Rs 1.30 lakh while as 11 buses organized so far,” official sources said. “The DC Srinagar is also in touch with students in some other cities like Jaipur and Meerut for evacuation.”

    It is pertinent to mention that 500 students arrived from Bangladesh in 3 flights while as 4th flight on special request of J&K Govt stands scheduled for March 19. Officials said that bulk tickets were booked by DC office Srinagar to make it convenient for students in view of cumbersome booking process leading to failure of payment and other online payment issues and coordination.

    “The students have been accommodated in several hotels of Srinagar while as DC Srinagar has overseen their arrival and arrangements,” they said—(KNO)