New Delhi, Sep 19: With 4,858 new coronavirus infections being reported in a day, India’s tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 4,45,39,046, while the active cases increased to 48,027, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.
The death toll has climbed to 5,28,355 with 18 fatalities, which includes eight deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.
The active cases comprise 0.11 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has increased to 98.71 per cent, the health ministry said.
An increase of 105 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours, it said.
The daily positivity rate was recorded at 2.76 per cent, while the weekly positivity rate was at 1.78 per cent, according to the health ministry.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,39,62,664, while the case fatality rate was 1.19 per cent.
According to the ministry, 216.70 crore doses of vaccines have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive.
India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.
It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.
India crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4, three crore on June 23 last year and four crore on January 25 this year. (Agencies)

SRINAGAR, Sept 17: A huge cache of arms was recovered in a joint operation by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police, said officials on Saturday.
The searches were made based on a specific intelligence input by agencies regarding the presence of a cache of arms/ ammunition in the area of Hathlanga, Uri.
“Joint parties of Baramulla Police and Army 3 Rajput today launched a search operation in wee hours near Hathlanga area of Uri sector including Hathlanga nallah which led to the recovery of arms/ ammunition,” said a statement by Jammu and Kashmir Police.
The officials recovered 1 AK -47 Rifle, 1 AK Magazine and 28 rounds of AK 47 Ammunition.
A case under the Indian Arms Act has been registered in the Uri Police Station.
Further investigations are underway.
Earlier the Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested a hybrid terrorist, who was in touch with Pakistani handlers, from Reasi and recovered arms and ammunition from his possession on September 15.
Police received information that a person namely Zaffer Iqbal, a resident of Angralla tehsil under Mahore police station in Reasi district was in touch with terrorist handlers in Pakistan.
According to Police, Zaffer’s brother namely Mohd Ishaq was a terrorist of outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and got killed in an encounter with security forces in Rajouri and reportedly one of his relatives namely Abdul Rashid, a resident of Reasi is in Pakistan and is also working with terror groups.
On this information, Jammu and Kashmir Police registered a case under sections 120-B, 121, 121-A, 122, 123, 124 IPC and teams of Reasi Police raided and arrested Zaffar Iqbal from Plaasu Nallah and put him under sustained interrogation. During interrogation, Zaffar confessed his intimacy with terror organizations and about the commission of the offence.
On this, a joint operation of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Indian Army and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was launched in Angrala forest and arms, ammunitions, as well as explosives, were recovered from a hideout in the area.
Forces recovered two pistols, four magazines, 22 9 mm live rounds and a grenade.
During further disclosure, terror fund Rs 1.81 lakh which was to be used for terror-related activities was also recovered.
Terming the arrest and recovery a big success, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Reasi Amit Gupta said that Zaffar was in touch with Terror groups and a major terror strike has been averted with his arrest.
SSP further added that Pakistani handlers are in constant effort for the revival of terrorism in the upper reaches of district Reasi and people like Zaffar are working for them. He appealed that peace-loving citizens of Reasi disowned terrorism in past also and no such attempt will be successful in this area. (Agencies)

J&K Prisons Department , in collaboration with Akhil Bhartiya Terapanth Yuvak Parishad , organised blood donations camps at 13 prisons of J&K, on 17th September 2022 , on the Birthday of Hon’ble Prime Minister, to support the Country Wide Mega Blood Donation Drive ,to raise awareness about humanitarian issue of donation of blood .

The blood donation camps were open for volunteers from amongst the staff and citizens and a large number of volunteers donated blood. All prescribed/proper protocol was followed to ensure all round safety.
Certificate and refreshment were provided to the donors , as a mark of our gratitude .

Director General Prisons, J&K- Sh. H.K. Lohia, IPS also donated blood at Central Jail Srinagar. Speaking on the occasion, he said that donating blood is one of the most precious gift , for humanity, and it strengthens the virtue of donation and inculcates , the concept of One Universe One Human Race as anyone can give to another person – “the gift of life” . Blood donation is noble virtue , which not only saves precious lives but also benefits the donor. Shri Lohia complimented and thanked the donors and medical/para-medical staff from Health and Medical Education Department as well as all Supporting Staff , Media and Countrymen , for supporting the drive. He added today is Vishwakarma Diwas also , and the Giant Strides , Mega Projects , will receive Blessings , befittingly.

Union Health Ministry has launched a massive blood donation campaign called ”Raktdaan Amrit Mahotsav” Pakhwara (fortnight) from 17th September – 1st October 2022. This initiative urges individuals to donate blood and support the Prime Minister’s Vision for Mankind.

Jammu: A statement by Dr Karan Singh that his relations with his party are “almost zero” has actually endorsed former J&K Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad’s claims in his resignation letter with regard to functioning of Congress party. This was stated by former MLA Thakur Balwan Singh reacting over Dr Karan Sing’s statement adding that the way people throng Azad’s public rallies indicates that they are determined to be part of the realistic politics in Jammu and Kashmir under the dynamic leadership of Ghulam Nabi Azad. Balwan Singh asserted that former J&K Chief Minister’s new party will not let down the people of J&K as the party, unlike the conventional political parties, has set achievable goals to ensure a better future for the people, especially the youth.He said Azad’s policy and goals are unambiguous and attainable. We want sustained peace here so that people could reap its benefits in terms of their political and economic empowerment. A peaceful atmosphere in J&K will fetch us everything that matters to the people.

Cautioning people against attempts to polarise the situation in the region ahead of assembly elections, Balwan Singh said politics is meant to bring people closer to each other but “there are some parties who are out to divide people on the name of religion, region, caste and creed.We cannot afford internal fighting. If we have to move forward, we have to stand united and not fall to mischievous propaganda,” Singh said, adding “we have to bring down the walls of hatred and become one for our nation and its progress and prosperity.” He said Azad Sahib never played politics on the basis of region or religion. “We will continue to work for the betterment of the people, their prosperity and ensure no discrimination.

He said, “Our struggle is based on justice as our state was snatched along with our rights over land and jobs.” “We have never imagined that the largest Dogra state will be downgraded. This has happened for the first time in our country and no other government can think of such a flawed decision, he said, adding “I regret the thought which led to the suffering of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.” We need a change which is possible when you support us. You have seen the rule of National Conference, PDP and BJP and now it is easy for you to decide whom to vote for,” he said, appealing to the people to reject the parties dividing them. We need a change which is possible when you support us.

Singh said that to bring a transformation in their socio-economic lives, people of J&K must afford one chance to Azad Sahib with a decisive mandate, as his credentials as a development-oriented personality are well established. Former MLA said that Ghulam Nabi Azad being a selfless leader believes in peace and prosperity and there exists no example which can be cited from the history of state politics where such multiple contributions have been made by anyone in this shortest duration. He reiterated that Azad’s unrelenting efforts and visionary policies resulted in empowerment of common masses which is the reason that people are now comparing the era of Azad with the tenure of other leaders and they reach to a prudent conclusion that no past example exists in this behalf.

Singh further said our new party will focus on the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, protection of land and jobs for its residents and the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, he said. He said Azad Sahib has clear and practical agenda and asked people to support him in achieving the target to take Jammu and Kashmir to new heights of development and prosperity. He said restoration of full statehood, right to land and employment to native domiciles, creating employment and return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits are top priorities of Azad Sahib.

Singh further said people of J&K should support Azad Sahib to ensure honour, dignity, respect and integrity of the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and start confidence-building together. Expressing concerns over growing unemployment, Singh said, “former CM has a plan for the creation of job opportunities. Singh claimed that under leadership of Azad Sahib, people of J&K are ready to support him to fight to ensure justice to the people of Jammu and Kashmir as his vast political experience will definitely bring down the “walls of hatred” for prosperity and development.

Ladakh, Sep 17 : Congress has retained the Timisgam constituency by winning the crucial Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh by-poll for the seat.

Officials said that Indian National Congress (INC) candidate Tashi Tundup won the by-election for 22- Timisgam constituency of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh by a margin of 273 votes defeating the BJP candidate.

Tundup secured 861 votes while his rival BJP candidate got 588 votes. A total of 14 NOTA were also cast.

Notably, out of total 26 seats, BJP had won 15 in 2020 elections, Congress nine and two were independents. Timisgam seat was won by Congress but due to the death of councillor Sonam Dorjey, by-polls were held on September 13.

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Friday said that till 2018 only 9500 girl children got the benefit of the Ladli Beti scheme while in the last three years, more than 1 lakh girl children had been linked with this programme, and Rs 150 crore transferred directly into their bank accounts.

An official spokesman in a statement issued here said that inaugurating the free artificial limbs and calipers distribution camp at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu (SKUAST-J) to mark the birth centenary celebrations of late Dr Uttam Chand Shastri, the LG said that earlier financial assistance for the marriage of poor girls was provided to 100 to 200 beneficiaries but the government had covered 9309 such beneficiaries within a year with the overall financial assistance of Rs 37.15 crore.

He said that there had been an increase of 206 percent in scholarship to the children of poor families as compared to 2018-19.

“Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the J&K government is making dedicated efforts to bridge the gap between the aspirations of the citizens and the administrative delivery for the development of an inclusive society in J&K,” the LG said. “The government is committed to reaching out to all those seeking assistance.”

He said bringing specially-abled people into the mainstream was the government’s top priority.

“Aids and assistive devices for the empowerment of Divyangjan (specially-abled) and bringing them in the mainstream of the society has always been one of the topmost priorities of the government. Such initiatives are fitting tribute to the ideals and values that our society stands for,” the LG said.

He said that the Divyangjan in J&K had been brought under the ambit of the pension scheme.

“There was no integrated system for physically and mentally-challenged people,” the LG said. “For the first time, J&K has been linked with the National Trust Portal so that they are given all the facilities and rights granted to them by the Centre.”

He said that selfless efforts to help others in need were the true service of mankind.

“It is our primary responsibility to mobilise resources for the Divyangjan, create infrastructure and facilities to make them equal partners in the nation’s development journey,” the LG said. “Enlightened citizens of the society and voluntary organisations should come forward and complement the government’s efforts to provide succour to the sufferings of the people and contribute to the accessible India campaign.”

He said that last year, the government decided to distribute a total of 4000 motorised tricycles to provide universal access, accessibility, and dignified life to the specially-abled across J&K.

“A total of 1000 motorised tricycles were distributed in the first phase in July this year and this has brought a paradigm shift in the lives of those 1000 beneficiaries,” the LG said.

“Social Welfare Department is implementing a comprehensive plan to reach out to the beneficiaries and a special enrolment campaign was launched. With the dedicated efforts, the number of beneficiaries receiving the pension benefits has doubled,” he said. “Our objective is to achieve 100 percent saturation of schemes for Divyangjan, women, and senior citizens in the current financial year.”

The LG said that the Central Government Act for the Welfare of the Senior Citizen which was not applicable in J&K before August 2019 had been implemented.

“Elderline helpline is meeting their needs and geriatric wards have also been started for the care of the elderly in all the district hospitals,” he said.

The LG said that the ancient texts were a beacon of light for humanity.

“The source of our prosperous present and future is deeply-rooted in Sanskrit scriptures. I convey my best wishes to Chudamani Sanskrit Sansthan for social service and promotion of Sanskrit,” he said.

The LG felicitated Dr Sanjay Sharma of GMC Jammu and Dr Vikas Padha of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Super Speciality Hospital for their exemplary service and endeavour towards the noble cause of serving the people.

He appreciated Chudamani Sanskrit Sansthan, Basohli, Shri Kailakh Jyotish Avim Vedic Sansthan Trust, Mahavir Seva Sadan, and Abha Bagrodia Charitable Trust, Kolkata; SKUAST-J and Central Sanskrit University, Ranbir Campus, Jammu for the remarkable, self-less, and noble initiative.

Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Adhokshajanad Dev Tirtji Maharaj appreciated the development works carried out by the J&K administration, especially for the promotion of Sanskrit.

He lauded the government’s arrangements for this year’s Amarnath Yatra.

“Not only the government, but everyone should come forward to serve mankind,” he said.

VC SKUAST-Jammu Prof J P Sharma in his address highlighted the initiatives taken by the university while discharging social responsibility.

Former minister Sham Lal Sharma while complementing the organisers of the camp said that this message should be conveyed to every nook and corner of J&K so that a maximum number of needy persons can be helped.

Chairman, Mahavir Seva Sadan and Abha Bagrodia Trust Kolkata Vinod Bagrodia expressed gratitude to all the stakeholders for organising the free artificial limbs and calipers distribution camp.

He said that a total of 130 beneficiaries received artificial limbs and calipers in the camp.

Mayor JMC Chander Mohan Gupta, VC SMVDU Prof Ravinder Kumar Sinha, ADGP Jammu Mukesh Singh, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, DIG Vivek Gupta, Director SSF and Head Trustee Chudamani Sanskrit Sansthan Shakti Pathak, Director, Central Sanskrit University Jammu Madan Mohan Jha, Director Agriculture, Jammu K K Sharma, Trustee Chudamani Sanskrit Sansthan Jitendra Dev Sharma, President Shri Kailakh Jyotish Avim Vedic Sansthan Trust Mahant Rohit Shastri, and President Traders Federation Ware House Nehru Market, Jammu, Deepak Gupta were also present on the occasion.

Doda:

Assistant Commissioner Development Doda, Phulail Singh (JKAS) on 16 sep held the meeting of all BDOs and Engineering staff here in his office chamber to review the performance under various RDD schemes and Area Development Plan.

While reviewing the progress of Amrit Sarovars ongoing in the district and Completion of pending works approved under MGNREGA the ACD Doda directed to complete all the works under above mentioned sectors in time, besides sets deadline for completion of Amritsarovars , saturation of Soakage and Compost pits under MGNREGA and PMAY houses by 2nd of October.

Regarding expenditure against the works approved under Area Development Plan the ACD Doda directed to ensure complete expenditure by 15th of November, besides directed the BDOs to conduct performance appraisal of all the supporting staff of MGNREGA on priority so that the non performing staff shall be disengaged.

The ACD directed the BDOs and Engineering staff to ensure regular monitoring of works so that all the targets shall be achieved in letter and spirit, besides directed to ensure quick redressal of public issues and to conduct field visits.All the Block Development Officers were directed to ensure usage of Area Officer Application for monitoring of works under MGNREGA and PMAY schemes.

Ex En REW Pankaj Sharma was also present in the meeting.