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SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, APRIL 29 :

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has quashed the order of Regional Transport Office mandating the vehicle owners who have purchased their vehicles bearing outside Registration Mark to apply for a new Registration Mark in Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier the court had reserved its judgment on two petitions challenging the UT administration’s Circular mandating the vehicle owners to apply for a new Registration Mark for the vehicles purchased outside Jammu and Kashmir.

Reports said that a Division Bench at Srinagar comprising of Justices Vinod Chatterji Koul and Ali Muhammad Magrey that had reserved its judgement after hearing the writ petitions filed by one Zahoor Ahmad Bhat and Irshad Hussain Munshi, challenging the authority of the Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir, today quashed the circular issued by RTO.

The main argument raised in the petitions was that only Central Government is a competent authority under the Motor Vehicles Act to regulate registration of vehicles.

The Division Bench in its verdict as per news agency Kashmir News Trust said that: “We have already noticed the scheme of law, which provides for assignment of new registration mark but deem it proper to reiterate that if the vehicle once registered in any State in India, it shall not be required to be registered elsewhere in India, but when the Motor Vehicle registered in one State, has been kept in another State for a period of exceeding 12 months, the owner shall apply to the Registering Authority within whose jurisdiction the vehicle is for the assignment of new registration mark, this is as provided under Sections 46 and 47 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Therefore, a life time tax that is levied at the point of registration of a vehicle in terms of Section 3 of the Motor Vehicles Act, cannot be levied on a vehicle registered, merely on a presumption that a vehicle registered outside Union Territory of JK, has remained in the Union Territory of J&K for a period exceeding 12 months.” (KNT)

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, APRIL 28 :

Jammu and Kashmir reported 3023 covid-19 fresh cases even as 30 more people succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, the highest ever fatalities count reported in a single day so far, officials said on Wednesday.

Among the fresh cases, they said, 989 were from Jammu Division and 2034 from Kashmir Valley, taking the total number of infections to 169077.

Giving district-wise details, the officials told GNS that Srinagar reported 951 cases, Baramulla 246,
Budgam 199, Pulwama 82, Kupwara 79, Anantnag 160, Bandipora 59, Ganderbal 54, Kulgam 145, Shopian 59, Jammu 499, Udhampur 61, Rajouri 90, Doda 27, Kathua 87, Samba 50, Kishtwar 22, Poonch 26, Ramban 71 and Reasi 56.

Moreover, they said, 963 more COVID-19 patients have recovered—306 from Jammu Division and 657 from Kashmir. There are 24313 active cases, 9518 in Jammu and 14795 in Kashmir.

Regarding the deaths, they said, 12 were from Jammu Division and 18 from Kashmir Valley, taking the overall toll to 2227.

Regarding fresh fatalities, officials told GNS that an 82-year-old from Kishtawar, Asarabad who was admitted in a hospital on 24 April with bilateral CAP died last night.

An 85-year-old man from Gori Mohalla Brein Nishat also died last night at SKIMS Soura, they said.

Two persons aged 70 and 65 years respectively from Chendilora Tangmarg and Kunzer also died at SKIMS Soura, they said.

A 75-year-old man from Badamwari Hawal Srinagar and a 76-year-old man from Zakura Srinagar also died due to the virus at the tertiary care hospital, they said.

A 58-yearold woman from Balgarden Srinagar, who was admitted today with T2DM, HTN C B/L CAP, died at SMHS hospital.

A 60-year-old woman from Chanapora died at SKIMS Bemina, a day after she was admitted to the health facility, they said.

An 80-year-old man from Gousiya colony Kanispora Baramulla died at Indoor Stadium Baramulla, five days after he was admitted there.

Also, a 70-year-old man from Tangmarg,Baramulla died in Indoor Stadium Baramulla, they said,
A 75-year-old woman from Nowshehra Srinagar died at CD Hospital, one of the exclusive facilities for the management of the covid-19 here, during intervening night of April 27 and 28, they said.

A 50-year-old woman (official of Arts Emporium) from Tengpora Batamaloo died at the CD hospital, they said.

Three persons succumbed to the virus at JLNM hospital, also among exclusive facilities for the covid-19 and the victims include a 62-year-old woman from Nawakadal Srinagar, a 65-year-old from Pampore in Pulwama district and a 45-year-old from palpora Srinagar.

Three deaths were reported at GMC Anantnag and the victims include a 65-year-old from Hiller, 69-year-old from KP Road, and 63-year-old man from Anantnag, they said.

Two women—60-year-old and 63-year-old respectively, died at GMC Jammu since last night, they added. (GNS)

SRINAGAR, APRIL 28,:

Khateeb Jamia Masjid Srinagar Syed Ahmed Syed Thursday made an appeal to people to not congregate and offer namaz at home.

Syed Ahmed Syed told news agency Kashmir News Trust that Government should impose lockdown across Kashmir Valley like last year.

“It is the need of the hour to close public parks, tourist places, shrines and mosques. People should offer prayers at home and supplicate before Almighty Allah,” Syed said.

While emphasizing the need to observe social distancing as the only measure to combat coronavirus, head cleric of Jamia Masjid even made an appeal to Ulemas and clerics of Jammu and Kashmir who yield influence over people to direct the community against congregation in the mosques. (KNT)

‘People must co-operate, rush in public transport a challenge, will take transporters on board to find solution’

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, APRIL 28 :

Authorities on Wednesday imposed section 144 within Municipal limits of Srinagar after the COVID cases spurt in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir stating that the main aim is to prevent virus spread.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Sandeep Choudhary while talking to the media persons said that police and other security forces have been deployed on the roads since morning to impose section 144 CrPC in letter and spirit with an aim to prevent the virus from spreading.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), he said that the 50 per cent shops as per the government order are closed. He appealed the traders and shopkeepers to follow the orders in letter and spirit.

SSP Srinagar further appealed the traders and common people to follow the limitations over the assembly of people under section 144 CrPc as well.

However, he said that the rush in the public transport is a challenge as the people are still travelling in these vehicles, saying that they are trying to find a solution in this regard as well by taking the transporters on board to ensure that the rush in these vehicles is reduced.

“Our target is to prevent the virus from spreading. Police, administration, civil society and common people have to coordinate with each other as it is the only way to combat the virus at this juncture,” he said—(KNO)

SRINAGAR, APRIL 28 :

As relatives of Covid-19 patients continue to report shortage of key drugs like Remdesivir, Jammu and Kashmir does not figure in the interim allocation list of Tocilizumab injections for states and UTs.

Remdesivir is primarily meant for moderately, severely ill covid patients while tocilizumab is given to those who are severely, critically ill.

Even as the officials claim enough supply stock position of the key drugs, reports continue to pour in regarding their non availability in the Valley’s hospitals and pharmacies.

A doctor on the condition of anonymity told GNS that there is already shortage of Tocilizumab and it was surprising that J&K does not figure in the interim allocation list.

“It seems that central government has not been conveyed about the demand of the Tocilizumab by the concerned authorities,” the doctor said and urged the concerned functionaries to express the concerns and ensure adequate supplies amid rising covid-19 cases.

A number of doctors working in COVID19 designated facilities told GNS that both Remdesivir and Toclizumab have been found to be effective in many cases. “We tried to avoid prescribing Remdesivir and Toclizumab injections but other drugs were not found as effective as these two are,” they said, adding, “We have raised the issue with the concerned authorities.”

The doctors said that the relatives of the patients have been continuously reporting that it was very hard for them to manage the drug from market owing to shortage. Whether there is shortage and such situation is being created by the unscrupulous elements need to immediately checked by the government and action as warranted need to be taken on both counts, they said.

The Drug Controller General of India has designated Remdesivir as an institutional supply only drug in view of the emerging Covid situation and a quota of 10,500 vials per week has been fixed for J&K by GoI, at present, officials said.

However, doctors said that the quota may also be required to get enhanced in view of the emerging “grim situation.” (GNS)

Directs for early installation of Oxygen Generation Plants across the UT

Takes stock of number of beds available in Covid Health Centres, Covid Care Centres, and Hospitals in each District

Calls for intensifying vaccination drive; taking on onboard the religious leaders for motivating people to adopt Covid Appropriate Behaviour

SNS KASHMIR

JAMMU, APRIL 27:

In view of the emerging Covid-19 situation in J&K, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor, Nitishwar Kumar today chaired a meeting of all Deputy Commissioners through virtual mode and reviewed the mechanism put in place in the Districts for addressing the situation.

During the meeting, the Principal Secretary sought the latest status from the concerned Deputy Commissioners regarding the installation of Oxygen Generation Plants across the UT and passed strict directions for installation of the same in the shortest possible time, wherever pending.

He also took stock of the number of beds available in Covid Health Centres, Covid Care Centres and Hospitals in each District and directed them to augment the same.

Emphasizing on developing quick response system in all Districts, the Principal Secretary enquired about functioning of Covid Control Rooms, besides execution of incoming calls and handling of Covid related queries.

The Deputy Commissioners apprised the Principal Secretary about the status of installation of Oxygen Generation Plants. It was informed that civil works for most of the plants have been completed and the same would be made functional at the earliest besides, test run in some of the installed oxygen generation plants are also being done after which they will be made functional to their designated capacity.

It was further informed that the Covid Control Rooms are operating 24×7 helplines for providing necessary assistance to public and keeping a check on people in Home isolation in all the Districts of the UT.

While directing to ensure speedy installation of oxygen plants in the hospitals, the Principal Secretary asked the Deputy Commissioners to closely monitor the works and use the option of employing multiple teams and night shifts wherever necessary.

The Principal Secretary asked the Divisional Commissioners to closely monitor the overall situation and ensure the provision of logistics and equipment required at the District hospitals in both regions.

He also instructed the Divisional Commissioners to keep a strict check on the black marketing of oxygen cylinders and deploy Magistrates and concerned staff to cross check the supply of oxygen cylinders reaching their destinations from the source industrial plants.

The Principal Secretary, while seeking the details of bed capacity in different government hospitals across the UT, directed the Deputy Commissioners to ramp up the numbers of beds with oxygen support system.

The Principal Secretary further issued directions to all Deputy Commissioners to ensure strict adherence to Covid SOPs and enforcement of ceiling on the number of people allowed in congregations and functions in their respective districts. He advised them to ensure that people provide a prior intimation of the functions to the respective Tehsildars and receive a receipt of the same.

Keeping in view the surge in the Covid cases, directions were also passed to declare new micro containment zones for mitigating the spread of corona virus.

Develop a suitable mechanism by monitoring situations in the district hospitals and use an effective referral policy so as to avoid the possibility of sudden load of Covid cases in Level 1 tertiary care Covid Hospitals in Jammu and Srinagar, the Principal Secretary advised the Deputy Commissioners.

The Principal Secretary asked the Deputy Commissioner to take onboard the religious leaders in their districts in motivating people to adopt covid appropriate behaviour and minimize public gatherings.

He also directed the Deputy Commissioners for intensifying the vaccination drive in the age-appropriate categories and to deploy robust testing and contact tracing methods for mitigating the spread of the deadly virus.

Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir Divisions, besides Superintendent Engineers of concerned departments were also present during the meeting

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, APRIL 27 :

The district administration Srinagar on Tuesday declared eight more areas as Containment Zones in the district in view of the fresh detection of COVID-19 positive cases.

According to the order issued by the DDMA Srinagar, the areas which have been declared containment Zones are Fatehkadal, Batpora, Chanpora, Panthachowk, Nowshera, Rawalpora, Hawal.

In a separate order issued by the Srinagar authorities, Rajbagh area of Tehsil South has also been declared as containment zones in view of the detection of more than twenty fresh Covid-19 cases.

District Magistrate Srinagar, who is also the chairman of DDMA, Mohammad Aijaz Asad in an order, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that it has become imperative to take preventive measures in these localities to contain the further spread of the Covid-19.

“More than twenty Covid-19 positive cases have been reported from Rajbagh area of Tehsil Rajbagh Srinagar, developing into a cluster of MCZS. We apprehend that the Covid-19 positive patients in the said cluster might have come in contact with many other persons in the area and there are chances of further transmission of the deadly virus in the locality and its surroundings,” the order reads.

It states that in order to break further transmission of Covid-19 in the area and its surroundings, it is felt expedient to take stringent measures by restricting movement of people and other activities in and around its surroundings.

“The area of 300 mtr radius from epicenter in, Rajbagh shall be containment zone. There shall be no inward or outward movement of any person from/to the said area. In case the spread of clusters goes beyond 300 mtr, the committee headed by Administrator of the containment zone (Tehsildar) may decide boundary of containment zone,” it reads.

The order reads that tehsildar concerned shall be the administrator of the Containment Zone. “He shall coordinate with all the fine departments to ensure the availability of all basic requirements including Food grains, LPG medicines etc in the Containment Zones.”

As per the order, the CMO Srinagar should activate the Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) immediately for survey and surveillance in the area besides line listing and contact tracing. “The Commissioner SMC shall depute teams immediately to sanitise the Containment zone and the exercise shall be repeated as per SOP. He shall submit daily Action Taken report for perusal of Chairman DDMA. The SSP Srinagar shall ensure that all entry and exit points in the Containment zone are sealed, other than one designated entry and exit for exigencies and emergency and restrictions on movement of the people in the containment zone are affected in letter and spirit as per SOPs,” the order states.

The order further states that he shall deploy requisite number of personnel to man the entry and exit points. “Any person /group/institution found violating the directions of this order shall be booked under relevant act/ rule/ law.”

The order states that accordingly the containment zone shall be managed and contained by committee of officer including tehsildar, Executive engineer PWD, SHO, TSO, ward officer SMC, medical officer nominated by ZMO, who shall be responsible for implementing SOPs and directions.

“The committee under supervision of Tehsildar shall be responsible for management and containment of zone. Administrator should ensure that announcements are made inside containment zone for restricting movement and implementation of SOPs.”

It states that it shall be also ensured that all basic requirements of population are provided at their doorsteps for which administrator can involve any employee of any department within his jurisdiction.

“Tehsildar to establish 24*7 control room meant exclusively for Containment Zone. Sub Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) shall be responsible for overall monitoring and supervision and shall ensure teams work in coordinated manner,” it states—(KNO)

SNS KASHMIR

PULWAMA, APRIL 27 :

Para-military troopers extended helping hand to a man who fell unconscious while driving his private vehicle on Srinagar-Jammu Highway near Pampore.

Sources told news agency Kashmir News Trust that a man identified as Nisar Ahmed fell unconscious while driving his private vehicle on Srinagar-Jammu Highway. His wife immediately informed the CRPF troopers of 110 Battalion deployed on NH-44 (Highway).

The troopers rushed towards the vehicle and called an ambulance of the Unit and shifted the man to Sub-District Hospital Pampore, where his condition is stated to be stable.

A CRPF official told KNT that it was the duty of troopers to help the man and they performed it. He said CRPF is always there for people. (KNT)

RAJOURI, APRIL 27 :

Wife of a BSF inspector was found hanging from a ceiling fan on Tuesday in the official quarter in BSF camp in Sunderbani area of Rajouri.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the woman identified as Sanju Bala, a resident of Andhra Pradesh was found hanging inside the official quarter.

He said that the police have taken possession of the body for post mortem and have started investigation into the matter—(KNO)

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, APRIL 27 :

The government on Tuesday said that teaching and non-teaching staff was not required for any educational establishment in Jammu and Kashmir.

Top officials of the State Executive Committee informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the teaching and non-teaching staff of all Schools, Colleges, Technical education and Skill development institutes was not required in-person.”

The official said that the staff shall work from home and the decision was taken in view of surge in COVID-19 cases across Jammu and Kashmir—(KNO)