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Srinagar: The medical experts in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir Friday ruled out the possibility of transmission of coronavirus through reproductive organs stating that the recent studies have found no change or abnormal behaviour in a man or woman after proper research.

Kashmir valley was abuzz with the speculations after a number of unmarried and married people turned positive for the novel coronavirus whether the virus affects the reproductive capabilities of both the genders, however, the medical experts have ruled out the possible transmission.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), valleys top influenza expert, Dr. Nisar Ul Hassan said that so far there is no evidence and study to prove that this virus affects the fertility of men or women and the recent study about the same has ruled out any change or abnormality in reproductive system.

He said the main reproductive organs of male have cells which contain receptors (ACE2), which are important for viral entry into the cells like other organs because the virus is believed to enter through these proteins on the surface of the cells which are present in all organs.

“In a recent study wherein 181 male patients were infected with this virus and they had recovered, the researchers didn’t find the virus in the semen of the patients though there were some hormonal changes during the infective phase in these men but the main sex hormone testosterone level remained the same in the infected individuals,” he said.

Dr Nisar said that there was no difference in the male sex hormone but some changes witnessed were temporary and after they (Patients) recovered these hormones came to baseline which can happen with any virus including this coronavirus.

“It was not studied what happens to the sperm count which is important whether there is any reduction in count and abnormality of sperm during the illness but then the researches drew the conclusion that there is no fertility issue as the virus was not found in the semen and there is no change in the main sex hormone,” Dr. Nisar said.

He said the research is reassuring and encouraging because it doesn’t affect the fertility capability of a person.

“There are ACE2 receptors in the reproductive organs (Ovaries, uterus) of women as well where hypothetically the virus could enter these organs through these receptors but there is no evidence as of now that the virus affects these organs.”

He said that there is no evidence about the pregnant positive ladies leads to the transmission of the virus from mother to the baby as there is no miscarriage so the results are encouraging for both male and female.

“As of now we have no evidence that there is any effect in fertility of men or women by the virus but we have to wait because the virus is new and these studies are early and conclusion has to be drawn by way of larger studies.”

He also said “we need to learn more about it by way of larger studies especially for the absolute conclusion and we need to follow these patients by way of sperm count and the quality of the sperms to be really sure that this virus doesn’t cause any problem in the reproductive system.”—(KNO)

Srinagar: The Railway board chairman VK Yadav while maintaining that the Katra- Banihal rail link is to be completed by december 2022, said that attempts to connect every part of Jammu and Kashmir to the railway are underway at full speed.

According to news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS), Railway Board Chairman VK Yadav said that all capitals of North-Eastern states will be connected to the rail network by 2023.

“These are very important projects which topped the railway’s agenda during the last five years. Work to connect capitals of Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Meghalaya is in progress.

Attempts to connect every part of Jammu and Kashmir to the railway are underway at full speed, and the Katra-Banihal rail link project is likely to be completed by December 2022,” he said.

The chairman however said that Katra- Banihal rail link project is a very difficult project and there are a lot of hardships in the last phase.

“It requires the construction of a large number of tunnels and bridges. Work on the last stretch of 111 kilometers from Katra to Banihal is in progress and the project is targeted to be completed by December 2022,” the chairman added.(KINS)

“Except JKCL, all PSUs profitable”

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Union territory government on Saturday clarified that no decision has been taken for closure of public sector undertakings (PSUs) but reforms are under discussion.

Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi said all PSUs except Jammu and Kashmir Cement Limited (JKCL) are profitable.

“The document viral on social media is not an order issued by the government (for closure of PSUs) but an internal communication. It is an internal discussion,” he told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) over the phone.
“Right now, all PSUs are profitable and they are doing well. They are profitable enough to bear the monthly salaries of its employees,” he said.
However, he said that JKCL is in loss and the discussion was going on what reforms should be taken for its revival.

“Privatization of JKCL can be a good step. But amid the pandemic, its privatization is not a good idea as of now. We are discussing reforms to make PSUs more efficient and profitable,” he said.
He added in case of need, a component from PSU can be privatized.“Discussion is an opportunity for us to see what reforms are needed,” he said.
According to the reports the government had made a proposal to close the J&K Small Scale Industries Development Corporation (SICOP), J&K Minerals Limited and J&K Industries Limited and privatization of J&K Cements Limited.

“In January this year Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, Bipul Pathak issued a communication that the Small Industries Development Corporations (SIDCO) should manage all the industrial estates in the Union Territory to promote large, medium and small scale industries. It was advised that the SICOP should be closed and all the Industrial Estates presently managed by the SICOP should be transferred to SIDCO.

“J&K Minerals and mineral sites being managed by it, be auctioned as per norms, J&K Cement Ltd should be privatized after assessment of its assets in a transparent manner,” the reports had said.

“Similarly, the J&K Industries Ltd was advised to be closed and the industrial units run by it should be privatized/auctioned, whereas J&K Handicraft (S&E) Corporation should be merged with J&K State Handloom Development Corporation”.
The ‘proposal’ to close down four PSUs and privatization of JJKCL was not gone well among industrialists.(KINS)

Srinagar: It is for the information of all the intending Hajj Pilgrims of Hajj-2020 that J&K Haj Committee has received the Passports from Hajj Committee of India, Mumbai for onward distribution among the concerned pilgrims.

As per the statement issued here, it was informed that because of the present situation due to COVID–19 Pandemic, the Haj Committee is not in a position to distribute the passports.

However, it has been decided that the process of distribution of Passports shall be reviewed after Ist August 2020 provided the on-going situation permits for which a separate notification shall be issued.(KNT)

Decision to notify ‘strategic areas’ an attempt to unrecognisably alter the destiny of the people of Kashmir: Peoples Conference

Slamming the decisions by the administrative council paving the way for notifying “strategic areas” for the armed forces, Peoples Conference senior vice president Abdul Gani Vakil said that these moves are meant to alter, unrecognizably, the destiny of the people of Kashmir.

Asserting that the present proposal is aimed at taking complete control of these ‘strategic areas’, Vakil said that Construction activities in strategic areas is ruse to allow changing the demographics and population ratio in Kashmir.

“Why should the government need to give a go by to Control of Building Operations Act, 1988 and the J&K Development Act, 1970? These laws require compliance of Master Plan, building bye-laws and Land Use rules. The government is otherwise empowered to acquire land for defense purposes under existing laws”, he added.

Stressing that Delhi seems to be on a one way trip to disaster in Kashmir, Vakil said that as much as the saner and rational elements are hoping against hope that good sense might prevail in Delhi, Delhi on the other hand seems to be goading the Kashmiris every day.

“This whole exercise is shocking There will be long term consequences. The fight in Kashmir has always been between the unionists and the separatists. One fails to understand whose side Delhi is on. The unionists have been left red faced and humiliated – being rendered to helpless mute bystanders while non locals sit across a table and decide on the fate and destiny of the inhabitants of J and K”, he added.

Vakil further said that it is ironical that in the midst of COVID-19, the administration actually has the time to come up with such lengthy gibberish.

“A state where COVID-19 is truly on rampage and where the administration is so drowned in a world of its own that you can’t find a tablet of the life saving drug Remdesivir, they have the audacity of sitting across a table bring in changes meant to alter unrecognisably the destiny of the people of Kashmir. These are sad days. And now it seems certain that Delhi is keen to push the Kashmiris to the wall. The damage being inflicted is irreversible.”

Srinagar: Amid COVID-19 pandemic University of Kashmir has published datesheet for conducting offline examination for MBBS students, Ist Prof. at Government Medical College

Speaking with Kashmir Today a group of students told “Due to COVID-19 pandemic whole country suffering and University has published datesheet on 8th july even though well aware of the fact that After abrogation of Article 370 we have attended the classwork only for two months thus completed only 10% of our syllabus curriculum. Moreover everywhere in the country all the examinations are being postponed but to our astonishment University of Kashmir has published an examination datesheet, thereby adding more mental trauma to the Students, already facing tremendous hardship due the pandemic.”

“We don’t understand how come the University has published the datesheet, knowing the fact that many students hail from are from RED ZONE areas. Even if we assume that we all are in a condition to appear for examinations but without public transport being available how come students will reach the examination venues? What about Social Distancing? How will be the invigilator be visiting each and every desk of the student appearing in the examination? What if someone infected will be presented there? All these thoughts scare us”

Keeping in mind the scenario of COVID-19 pandemic, Students requested University Administration and Higher Authorities to look into the matter and postpone the examination.

Govt says approval has been granted considering the strategic importance of certain locations, and ‘reconciling security needs with developmental aspirations’.

The Print

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has decided to notify certain areas in the union territory as “strategic areas”, to facilitate smooth construction for the requirements of armed forces.

The governing body for overlooking construction of facilities for the armed forces is the Cantonment Board, which only had authority over areas falling under cantonments in J&K.

However, the J&K administration has now made amendments to the Control of Building Operations Act, 1988, and the J&K Development Act, 1970, thus giving powers to the Cantonment Board and the armed forces to carry out construction activities beyond the cantonments.

“The Administrative Council which met here under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, G.C. Murmu, gave its nod to the proposal of amending the Control of Building Operations Act, 1988, and the J&K Development Act, 1970, to provide for special dispensation for carrying out construction activities in Strategic Areas,” a statement issued by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) read.

“The amendments proposed by Housing & Urban Development Department will pave way for notifying certain areas as ‘strategic areas’ in terms of the requirement of armed forces and in such areas, the regulation of construction activity shall be through a special dispensation. The move is aimed at simplifying the procedures and shall facilitate time-bound development of infrastructure of strategic importance,” it added.

The approval, according to the J&K government, has been granted keeping in view the strategic importance of certain locations and reconciling their security needs with developmental aspirations.

On the significance of the move, a senior government official said: “These areas will be defined as per the operational needs of the armed forces. So, essentially, the area of operation of the armed forces will be classified as strategic areas. The strategic areas or areas of operation are yet to be defined.”

With inputs from The Print

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

Srinagar: People in Hazratbal area of Srinagar outskirts were panicked after many family members gave a slip to authorities when asked to get shifted to a quarantine centre.

Locals informed news agency KNT that a female was tested positive for Covid-19 infection at Dhobi Ghat Hazratbal and was subsequently shifted to Isolation Ward of the hospital.

However, the immediate contacts of the said woman, that is her family members in a bid to avoid quarantine period, escaped from the house.

As the news spread in the area, panic created among locals. “It is highly irresponsible act on part of family members. Instead of cooperating with authorities, they fled from the house,” said a local Habibullah Wani.

An official said that three members of the family are missing and they will be traced and subsequently quarantined. (KNT)