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  • How Wise and Practical is the proposal of shifting of Houseboats to Dole Demb ?

    How wise it would be:

    Laying of concrete road and parks to the mooring site will certainly leave the chance for more encroachments and more garbage, human exert etc in the lake body, live example western fore shore road. It will be a destruction for the lake and at the same time counter productive for the ecological balance.

    Putting houseboats in Dole Demb would result only in pollution of Dal. World has gone miles ahead of technology. We can think better than connecting houseboats with STP’s

    We demand restoration of lake to its pristine glory and grandeur. All Water Channels which have been filled upto and are not navigable now need to be reactivated to ensure regular water flow through the Dal and Nigeen Lake.
    Dal Lake, Brarinambal-Nalla Mar and Nigeen Lake, Pokhribal to Gillsar, Khushhaalsar and Anchar Lake were basically part of an integrated wetland syste. Unless and until the these waterbodies are cleared of the muck and the encroachments, the Nigeen as well as Dal Lake are not going to be wriggled out of the mess these are in.

    Last but not the least, remove all the road inside Dal, Rehabilitate the families under proper rehabilitation program with the genuine demand s and don’t worry for the 3% pollution of houseboats as per Rurkee report. Constructions around Lake, blockade of springs, and closure of Nalla Mar affected adversely the Lake.

    The backbone of the development of Kashmir is Tourism and the tourism in turn depend upon waterbodies, therefore the water bodies need to be conserved in the first instance and the measure taken so fare need to be reassessed.

    Manzoor Wangnoo

    Chairman NLCO Nageen Lake Conservation Orginisation

    And NTTA Nagin Tourist Traders Association

  • Praying in the Masjid with Coronavirus: Mufti Menk

    Is Coronavirus a punishment from Allah?

    Watch Video:

    (This story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

  • Coronavirus: Iran death toll rises to 988

    Iran: CoronaVirus death toll rises to 988. 135 new deaths reported in the last 24 hours.

    Total COVID2019 cases in Iran stand at 16,169.

    Iran Health Ministry Statement.

  • Police custody of Kashmiri couple accused of IS links extended

    GK News Network

    A Delhi court on Tuesday extended by seven days the police custody of a Kashmiri couple and another accused who were arrested for having alleged links with an ISIS module.

    Additional Sessions Judge Dharmendra Rana sent the trio to the custody of police.

    Jahanjeb Sami and his wife Hina Bashir Beg were arrested by the Delhi Police for allegedly promoting the Islamic State’s ideology of hatred and inciting Muslims to take up the violent struggle against the state.

    Special Cell Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Pramod Kushwaha claimed that the couple had ties with the Islamic State of Khorasan Province.

    Delhi Police’s Special Cell had also claimed that the couple was also involved in instigating protests against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

    The couple was allegedly running a social media handle — Indian Muslims Unite — to increase participation in the anti-CAA and NRC demonstrations.

    The police had seized four mobile phones, one laptop, one external hard disc and incriminating material from their house and a case was registered against them.

    (This story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

  • Governor In J&K “Usually Drinks Wine, Plays Golf”: Satya Pal Malik

    “The Governor has no work to do. A person who is the Governor of Kashmir usually drinks wine and plays golf. Governors of other states stay away from getting involved in any tussle,” he said in Baghpat.

    Baghpat, UP: Goa Governor Satya Pal Malik on Sunday said the governors in the country “do not have much work to do”. In Jammu and Kashmir, the governor “drinks wine and plays golf.”
    Mr Malik, former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, made the remarks at an event in Uttar Pradesh.

    ANI UP

    @ANINewsUP
    #WATCH Goa Governor Satya Pal Malik in Baghpat: Governor ka koi kaam nahi hota. Kashmir me jo Governor hota hai aksar wo daru peeta hai aur golf khelta hai. Baki jagah jo Governor hote hain wo aaram se rehte hain, kisi jhagde me padte nahi hain.

    “The Governor has no work to do. A person who is the Governor of Kashmir usually drinks wine and plays golf. Governors of other states stay away from getting involved in any tussle,” he said in Baghpat.

  • J&K Admin Declares COVID-19 As Epidemic

    ‘Those refusing to follow coronavirus prevention, treatment orders will be penalised’

    JAMMU – The Jammu and Kashmir administration has declared the coronavirus infection an epidemic and said any person who refuses to follow orders on prevention or treatment of the disease would be dealt under the law.

    This was declared in a four-page notification issued by the Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department, Atal Dulloo, following an order of Lt Governor Girish Chander Murmu.

    So far, three patients have tested positive for coronavirus in the Union Territory, where normal life virtually came to a standstill with the government imposing prohibitory orders banning assembly of more than four persons in almost all districts to counter the disease’s threat.

    The government has already closed down all educational institutions, multiplexes, cinema halls, shopping malls, food courts, parks and gardens, clubs and road side eateries till March 31.

    Announcing the regulations under the Epidemic Diseases Act, the notification said the Jammu and Kashmir Epidemic Diseases (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020, would come into force with immediate effect and will have jurisdiction over the entire Union Territory.

    “Surveillance personnel have been empowered to enter any such premises after giving reasonable opportunity to the owner or occupier for the purpose of surveillance of instances of fever or cough or respiratory difficulty, enquire into or undertake physical examination as they think fit, the notification read.

    “Such persons shall be bound to cooperate and render all possible assistance to facilitate such surveillance, inspection, enquiry and examinations, it read.

    Surveillance personnel, who will be designated by districts magistrates, have been empowered to direct, arrange or put suspected persons under home quarantine or escort them to an institutional quarantine facility or isolation facility, the notification read.

    However, it said if the owner or occupier(s) of any premises or any individual suspected or confirmed with COVID-19, refuses to take measures for prevention or treatment including home quarantine, institutional quarantine or isolation, or refuses to cooperate” with surveillance personnel and authorities, they will invite the “provisions of Section 133 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) , it read.

    The magistrates can also pass any other coercive action as they deem necessary and expedient for enforcing the cooperation and assistance.

    However, in the case of a minor, such order will be directed to the guardian or any other adult member of the family, the notification read.

    “Anyone who contravene any of the provisions of these regulations or disobeys an order and obstructs performance of functions, duties and responsibilities entrusted upon any authority under these regulations, shall be deemed to have committed an offence under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860), it read

  • 450 people continue to be under preventive detention in Jammu and Kashmir

    GK News Network

    Former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti continue to be in detention since August 5 when the central government announced the abrogation of Article 370.

    A total of 450 people, including stone pelters, miscreants, over ground workers (OGWs) and separatists of Jammu and Kashmir are presently under preventive detention in various jails, Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

    Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said regular review is being undertaken on case to case basis and accordingly, extension in detention or revocation is made based on reports of field agencies and ground situation.

    The government of Jammu and Kashmir has reported that in order to prevent commission of offences involving breach of peace and tranquility, activities prejudicial to the security of the state and maintenance of public order, nearly 450 people including stone pelters, miscreants, over ground workers (OGWs), separatists, etc., are presently under preventive detention and are lodged in various jails and subsidiary jails, he said in a written reply to a question.

    Even though DMK member A Ganeshamurthi asked the government to reply on the total number of political leaders who are under house arrest along with the reasons for their arrest, the union minister did not give any details.

    Former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti continue to be in detention since August 5 when the central government announced the abrogation of Article 370.

    Another former chief minister Farooq Abdullah was released last week after seven months in detention.

    (This story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

  • Pandurang Kondbarao is new Div Com Kashmir

    Srinagar, Mar 17: The government on Tuesday appointed Pandurang Kondbarao Pole, Secretary to the Government, Department of Food, Civil, Supplies and Consumer Affairs, as Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir. A 2001-batch IAS officer will replace Baseer Ahmad Khan who has been appointed as 4th advisor to lieutenant governor irish Chandra Murmu.
    Beside appointment of the Pole as Divisional commissioner, the government has ordered transfer of five other top officers.
    According to an order issued here, Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon, IAS(JK:1993), Principal Secretary to the Government, Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department, holding additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Transport Department, has transferred and posted as Principal Secretary to the Government, School Education Departrnent. He has been asked to continue to hold the charge of Administrative Secretary, Transport Department, in addition to his own duties, till further orders.
    Navin Kumar Choudhary, IAS(JK:1994), Principal Secretary to the Government, Education Department, holding additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Technical Education Department, has been transferred and posted as Principal Secretary to the Government, Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department. He has also been asked to hold the additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Agriculture and Horticulture Departments, upon the retirement on superannuation of Manzoor Ahmad Lone, IAS on 31.03.2020. “He shall also continue to hold the charge of Administrative Secretary, Technical Education Department, in addition to his own till further orders,” reads the order issued by General Administrative Department.
    Shailendra Kumar, IAS(JK:1995), Chief Electoral Officer, J&K and Principal Secretary to the Government, Election Department, has transferred and posted as Principal Secretary to the Government, Social Welfare Department. The officer has been also asked to be Officer on Special Duty in the Public Works (R&B) Department. “He shall hold the additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Public Works (R&B) Department, upon the retirement on superannuation of Mr. Khurshid Ahmad Shah, IAS on 30.4.2020.”
    Simrandeep Singh, IAS(JK:2008), Administrative Secretary, Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, has been asked to hold the charge of Administrative Secretary, Department of Food, Civil, Supplies and Consumer Affairs, in addition to his own duties, till further orders.
    Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, IAS(JK:2012), Additional Secretary to the Government, Finance Department, holding additional charge of CEO, Mission Youth, has been asked to also hold the additional charge of Chief Executive Oficer, J&K Economic Reconstruction Agency, till further orders, relieving Principal Secretary to the Government, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department of the additional charge of the post.
    Babila Rakwal, KAS, Director, Handlooms, J&K, has been transferred and posted as Vice-Chairman, Jammu Development Authority, relieving Ms. Avny Lavasa, IAS, Commissioner, lammu Municipal Corporation of the additional charge of the post. “She shall also hold the charge of Additional Chief Executive Officer, Metropolitan Region Development Authority, Jammu, in addition to her own duties, till further orders,” reads the order. Mussarat-ul-Islam, Director, Handicrafts, J&K, has been asked to hold the charge of the post of Director, Handlooms, J&K, in addition to his own duties, till further orders.

  • Slew of measures taken to combat Coronavirus infection

    Televised coaching classes to be financed by Administration: DC Srinagar

    Srinagar, Mar 17: At a time when Coronavirus is creating ripples and panic among people, authorities have decided to take foolproof measures in containing this lethal infection and for this purpose District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) have issued certain guidelines and orders.

    District Development Commissioner Dr Shahid Iqbal Chowdary told Kashmir News Trust that scores of decisions rather measures have been taken to check Coronavirus infection.

    He said certain directions have been given to certain departments and agencies. Chowdary said that the public transport shall, for now, remain under constant vigil by Traffic Police and Transport Department. “Any vehicle found overloaded shall be seized and not released till further orders.”

    He said Srinagar Municipal Corporation has already started the process of sanitization and fumigation of bus stops, fruit markets and other important places.

    “Department of Legal Metrology, Drug Controller Organization with active support of Executive Magistrates and Police, shall continue to conduct daily checks in markets and ensure that there is no violation of Essential Commodities Act 1955.”

    “Commissioner SMC has been asked to depute 5 Nodal Officers for Zones of Srinagar, anchoring coordination from all departments and sister agencies for ensuring that all public places including bus stops, fruit markets etc are sanitized with notified disinfectants.”

    District Development Commissioner Srinagar said that the team of Health Department deputed at Airport has been further strengthened in terms of manpower and logistics for effective screening of travelers in coordination with the Director Airport and Commandant CISF shall also obtain services from SMC for sanitization measures.

    He said in order to keep those in isolation whose samples are taken for testing; separate wards have been created in hospitals as well. “Essential Services Departments have put in place the mechanism for 24×7 responses to public needs and issues. Any lapse in this regard will invite suspension of concerned authorities.”

    Dr Shahid Iqbal Chowdary said that to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus, the trade and business organizations shall initiate steps required to avoid over-crowding at such locations.

    He said that police have been asked to initiate steps to put in place required measures for avoiding public gathering except bus stop and railway stations.

    He added that an amount of Rs one crore has been release to GMC, SMC, SKIMS, CMO and other for such measures as may be required for an effective response to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus. He said that all schools, colleges, universities, caocing centres and other educational institutions, government and private shall continue to remain closed till further orders. The Heads of Departments and Institutions shall devise and submit proposal for televised coaching classes by March 20 this month which shall be supported and financed by District Administration Srinagar. (KNT)

  • Mumbai man dies of COVID-19, third fatality in India

    GK News Network

    India on Tuesday reported its third coronavirus fatality with a 64-year-old man dying in Mumbai, Health Ministry officials said as the number of positive cases rose to 125.

    The patient, whose wife is stable, is the first COVID-19 death in Maharashtra, the officials said.

    Earlier, a 76-year-old man from Kalaburagi in Karnataka with a travel history to Saudi Arabia and a 68-year-old woman in Delhi died after they tested positive for the infection.

    The 125positive cases include 22 foreign nationals.

    According to ministry data, 13 people have been discharged so far, including the three Kerala patients who were discharged last month following their recovery.

    The Mumbai patient was admitted to the city’s Kasturba Hospital and was suffering from multiple health issues apart from being infected by the novel coronavirus, said BMC chief Praveen Pardeshi.

    (This story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)