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SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR MAY 14:

Jammu and Kashmir Finance Department has released an aggregate amount of rupees fifty-five crores to respective Divisional Commissioners and all Deputy Commissioners under DRF as part of COVID crisis mitigation programme.

An order OM No. FD-VII-14 (53) SDRF/2010-151 dated: May 14, 2021 to this effect, of which a copy lies with Srinagar-based news agency Global News Service (GNS), states that “Finance Department conveys authorization for release of Rs 55.00 crore in favour of DMRR&R Department out of Disaster Response Fund below M. H: 2245- Relief on account of natural calamity, Sub Head: 1076- Disaster Response Fund & Detailed head: 032- Relief & Rehabilitation for placing the funds at the disposal of respective offices.”

All 20 Deputy Commissioners will get a total of Rs 2.25 crore each, amounting to 45 crores, and Divisional Commissioner Kashmir/Jammu are to receive Rs 5.00 crore each – totaling to 55 Crores.

The conditions as laid down for the utilization of funds say that the funds’ upto Rs 25 lakhs could be utilized for meeting disaster related needs of the police by each DC.

The funds shall be utilized as per SDRF norms of Government of India including the recent relaxation/modifications for Covid-19 related activities and the decision be got duly approved by the State Executive Committee, it says.

The DMRR&R Department by the virtue of the order has been asked to communicate latest SDRF norms to Divisional Commissioners and all Deputy Commissioners.

The UCs of previous releases if any and the current release shall be furnished within stipulated time frame immediately after expenditure is incurred and that further installments shall be released only once UCs are submitted in time bound manner, it further states.

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, MAY 14 :

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has deployed a central team to Jammu to assist the Health department of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in COVID-19 control and containment measures.

According to an order, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), “In view of increasing number of COVID-19 cases being reported, the Central team is being deployed to Jammu to ascertain the reasons for surge and assist State/UT Government in CoVID-19 control and containment measures.”

The team comprises of Dr. Pranay Verma, Joint Director, Epidemiology Division, NCDC, Delhi, Dr. Mahesh Waghmare, Microbiology NCDC, Delhi and Dr. Navneet Sharma, Professor, Dept. of Internal Medicine, PGIMER Chandigarh.

“The team shall undertake the visit immediately, visit hotspot areas, ascertain reasons for surge in number of COVID-19 cases, and brief the Chief Administrator about key findings and recommendations and the remedial measures to be taken,” the order reads.

It reads that the Regional Director, RoHFW, Jammu and Kashmir shall coordinate with the team for travel and stay arrangements.

“TA/DA shall be paid by respective institutions. On completion of visit, the team shall submit a report to DM Cell, MoHFW,” it added—(KNO)

SNS KASHMIR

WASHINGTON MAY 14

The UN Security Council will meet this weekend to discuss the situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip, the US announced Thursday.

In announcing the Sunday meeting, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US’s UN envoy, said the Biden administration “will continue to actively engage in diplomacy at the highest levels to try to de-escalate tensions.”

Her Twitter post did not specify whether the meeting would be held in an open or closed format, nor did the US mission immediately have a statement with additional details.

Diplomats earlier told Anadolu Agency that the US blocked a public virtual meeting of the UN Security Council to address the escalating conflict. The nixed Friday meeting was requested by China, Norway and Tunisia.

But the US said “an open meeting tomorrow will not support these de-escalatory efforts,” according to the diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

On Wednesday, the US blocked a Security Council statement regarding the spiraling violence as Israel continued to pound densely-populated Gaza with airstrikes amid continued rocket attacks from Palestinian groups.

The nixed statement followed a second council briefing from UN Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian Peace Tor Wennesland.

It “expressed deep concern about the latest situation in Gaza and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities” and further “expressed concern about the tensions and violence in East Jerusalem, especially in and around the holy sites.”

“Council members demanded immediate cessation of all acts of violence, provocation, incitement and destruction. They called for respect for international law, including international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians,” it said.

The death toll from Israel’s continuing offensive on Gaza has left 109 dead, including 28 children and 15 women, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. An additional 580 people have been injured.

Seven Israelis have been killed in recent violence — six in rocket attacks, in addition to a soldier who was killed when an anti-tank guided missile struck his jeep.

Tensions have been running high in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem over the past month as Israeli settlers have repeatedly clashed with residents following a court order for the eviction of Palestinian families in the area. The Israeli Supreme Court later delayed a hearing on an appeal.

Palestinians protesting in solidarity with residents of Sheikh Jarrah have also been targeted by Israeli forces and settler groups.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and annexed the entire city in 1980 in a move that has never been recognized by the international community. (ANADOLU AGENCY)

SNS KASHMIR

NEW DELHI MAY 14 :

India reports 3,43,144 new COVID19 cases, 3,44,776 discharges and 4,000 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry

Total cases: 2,40,46,809
Total discharges: 2,00,79,599
Death toll: 2,62,317

Active cases: 37,04,893

Total vaccination: 17,92,98,584

Covid-19 Administrator Zeeshan Khan provided his vehicle to pregnant woman in labour pain

Mohammad Haris

Baramulla:Amid lockdown restrictions, Zeeshan Khan-KAS -BDO Baramulla and Administrator for Covid-19 containment Zone of Baramulla town- provided his own vehicle to a pregnant lady to reach hospital from Azadgunj Baramulla hospital.

” During my routine movement in micro containment zone Azadgunj, a pregnant lady withering in labour pain was on road side in search of transport,without wasting time she was given my vehicle and shifted to GMC Baramulla for immediate treatment,” said Zeeshan KhanAdministrator for Covid-19 containment Zone of Baramulla town.

The family members of the pregnant woman attending her hailed the efforts of the Administrator and prayed for his safety.

At least dozen faculty members inflected by Covid-19 virus, struggle to get even beds in SKIMS

SNS KASHMIR

Srinagar: Amid pandemic pogrom that has engulfed the entire globe and caused large scale devastation in India, at least dozen senior faculty members in the premier tertiary care institution, SKIMS  have tested positive sending alarm bells ringing.

The faculty members rued the facilities in SKIMS where even senior professors allegedly had to fend for themselves and many are being managed at their homes.

“While some are getting managed at home, others like the current chief of a major super speciality had to struggle to find a bed in the institute. They have castigated the management of COVID in SKIMS with no clear plan in place. There is a direct mixing of COVID and non-COVID cases, OPD’s are running and there is a perfect environment for the disease to spread,” sources in SKIMS said.

“Despite requests by the senior faculty, the administration managed to somehow mess the things and as a result there is a danger to the whole medical personnel resource. Director has messed the management in his ‘I know all” attitude and this has resulted in serious compromise of the working of the institute,”said a senior faculty member of SKIMS.

The faculty members furthe informed that besides the heads of departments of many departments like Anasthesia, CVTS, Pediatric Surgery, Neurology, etc, there are a countless residents who have been affected by the disease.

“No facilities exist for the staff. Our head had to struggle to find a bed and is battling for life in the IDB block” said another senior faculty member.

“The way the pandemic has been managed in this hospital has left a lot wanting. Nearly 250 patients are admitted with COVID and there are 6-10 deaths each day. But the mismanagement continues” he said.

There are allegations of serious irregularities in the procurement of various equipment and supplies by the current administration and despite lots of active vigilance cases.Nothing could have been more cruel to the people of this place who see SKIMS as the last resort of hope.

Reyaz Rashid

SNS Kashmir

SRINAGAR: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said numerous political leaders continue to be under detention in Jammu and Kashmir “purely” for their ideology as she condoled the death of detained senior separatist leader Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai.

Deeply saddened to know about Ashraf Sehrai sahab’s sudden demise. Like him countless political prisoners & other detainees from J&K continue to be jailed purely for their ideologies & thought process. In today’s India one pays a price with his life for dissent, Mehbooba wrote on Twitter.

Sehrai, who was arrested under the Public Safety Act in July last year, died at a hospital in Jammu on Wednesday, officials said.

Sehrai, 77, a close confidant of hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, was shifted to the Government Medical College (GMC) hospital from the district jail in Udhampur after his health deteriorated on Tuesday evening, they said.

Mehboooba said the Centre should immediately release detainees.

The least GOI can do in such dangerous circumstances is to immediately release these detainees on parole so that they return home to their families, she said.

Reyaz Rashid

Sopore, May 04 : The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir zone Vijay Kumar Tuesday said that the militant involvedIn a tweet, IGP informed that the foreign militant involved in the killing of two councilors and a policeman is trapped in the ongoing sopore encounter.

“One foreign militant involved in killing of two councillors and a policeman, is trapped in the encounter”, said IGP Kashmir in a tweet.

Notably on March 29, militants attacked the councilors scheduled meeting at sopore in which a councilor and a policeman died on the spot while another councilor succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Srinagar.

Srinagar, May 4 : At least 23 people succumbed to the covid-19 in Jammu and Kashmir since last evening, officials said on Tuesday.

A senior official said that nine among the fresh deaths were reported at GMC Jammu and others in various hospitals of Kashmir, taking the fatality count to 2444.

Among others, the victims from Kashmir include a 57-year-old from Sonawar Srinagar who died at SMHS hospital, a 50-year-old man from Pakherpora Budgam who died at SKIMS Soura, a middle-aged man from Pampore Pulwama who died at CD hospital, a 65-year-old from Anantnag who died at SMHS hospital, 69-year-old man from Watergam Baramulla who also died at SMHS hospital, an 82-year-old man from Hawal Srinagar who died at CD hospital , an 82-year-old man from Batamaloo who died at JLNM hospital Raniwari, a 50-year-old woman from Shangus Anantnag died at SKIMS Soura, an 80-year-old man died at GMC Anantnag , a 55-year-old woman from Asham Bandipora died at JVC hospital , an elderly man from Tral Payeen Pulwama died District Hopsital Pulwama and a 60-year-old man died at SMHS hospital.

Regarding the total toll, the officials said 990 were reported from Jammu and 1454 from Kashmir Valley. (GNS)