New Delhi, Jul 28: India added 20,557 new coronavirus infections pushing the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 4,39,59,321, while the active cases increased to 1,46,323, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.
The death toll climbed to 5,26,211 with 44 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.
The active cases comprise 0.33 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.47 per cent, the ministry said.
An increase of 1,297 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.
According to the ministry, 203.21 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide 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.
The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year. It crossed the four-crore mark on January 25 this year. (Agencies)
India logs 44 new Covid fatalities
Jammu-Srinagar National Highway closed for traffic due to shooting stones
JAMMU, July 28: Amid heavy rainfall in J&K, the Jammu -Srinagar national highway has been blocked for vehicular traffic due to shooting stones at Panthyal and Mehad areas of Ramban district on Thursday, officials said.
“Jammu -Srinagar NHW (NH-44) blocked at Panthyal and Mehad Ramban due to shooting stones. People are advised not to travel on Jammu -Srinagar NHW without confirmation from TCU Jammu/Srinagar/Ramban, ” a Traffic Police official said. (Agencies)
HC orders completion of KCCI elections within a month
Srinagar: The High Court of J&K and Ladakh Wednesday asked the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar to ensure elections of office bearers of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) were held within a month.
In this regard, a bench of Justice Sindhu Sharma asked the DC to take all steps to conclude the elections to the business body.
Last year on March 23, the court had observed that the parties were ready to hold elections to elect the office bearers of KCCI for which they had proposed and suggested the names of three persons each from rival factions to associate in conducting of elections.
Accordingly, the court had directed that these six persons would form and function as a committee for conducting elections.
Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar was directed to supervise the elections.
Subsequently, on May 9, 2022, the court was informed that the elections had not been conducted so far although a notification in this regard had been issued.
“This court in terms of order dated March 23, 2021, has directed six persons, named therein, to conduct elections. DC Srinagar was directed to oversee the elections and take all steps as may be required in this regard,” the bench said.
The DC Srinagar has submitted his report stating that steps were initiated in terms of the order of the court to ensure the conduct of elections of KCCI but the election could not be held as the committee sought some time to allow fresh nomination or withdrawal from previously-nominated candidates.
“Further, some members disagreed with the mode and conduct of elections as they insisted that elections are to be held for the year 2022-23 in terms of the notification issued in the year 2020-21 for which terms were to expire in September 2022,” he said in his report and sought appropriate directions from the court.
“The counsel for both the sides were given time to seek instructions. They have fairly agreed to the withdrawal of one of the nominated candidates, who has moved an application and fresh nominations, if any, in terms of the election notification already issued within a week,” the court said. “Elections are to be held in terms of the election notification already issued as per the directions of this court within a month.”
The bench said that as all other issues had already been considered by the court vide order dated March 23, 2020, a notification stood issued which prescribes the terms.
“The DC Srinagar, as well as the members of the committee, should conduct KCCI elections in terms of order dated March 23, 2022, read with an order dated May 9, 2022, within a month,” the court said. “DC Srinagar should take all steps and ensure the conclusion of elections within a month and report accordingly.”
Heavy rainfall: Schools closed in Poonch dist, Jammu-Poonch highway restored for traffic
Poonch July 28: Authorities on Thursday restored traffic on the Poonch-Jammu-highway which was briefly closed for traffic due to landslides and shooting stones triggered by heavy rainfall even as several other roads in Poonch district are being restored, officials said on Thursday.
Dy SP Traffic Poonch-Rajouri, Aftab Bukhari said that traffic on the Poonch-Jammu highway was suspended after landslides at Kalai point this morning after which they pressed men and machinery into action and restored the traffic.
He said that traffic on other roads affected by heavy rainfall in the district are also being restored. Traffic on the Mughal road connecting Poonch district in Jammu with Shopian in Kashmir was also restored on Thursday after remaining affected due to a landslide yesterday. The district administration Poonch has advised people to stay indoors.
Meanwhile, the local School Education Department has closed schools for the day, however teachers have been asked to remain present at the institutions.
‘2 J&K media persons detained under PSA in 2022’
New Delhi: Two persons associated with media organisations were detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) in Jammu and Kashmir this year, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said on Wednesday.
Rai was replying to a question in Rajya Sabha on whether J&K had seen an increase in detention of journalists and local media organisations and a rise in the number of internet shutdowns by the authorities since the revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A in August 2019.
“During the current year, two individuals associated with media organisations have been detained under the PSA as reported by the J&K government,” he said in a written reply.
The minister said after the constitutional changes on August 5, 2019, internet services were temporarily suspended in J&K for the maintenance of law and order and to ensure the safety and security of the public.
However, he said, the internet services were restored in a graded manner.
“Currently, there is no restriction on internet services in J&K. As a law enforcing agency, the Police is duty bound to take action under the law against any person (without any discrimination of profession or otherwise) who is found involved in such activities prejudicial to the security and sovereignty of the country,” the minister said.
Rai said that the orders of temporary suspension of internet services, issued by the competent authority, under the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, during emergent situations, were uploaded on the official website of the J&K government.
No significant protests in JK against Delimitation Commission report: Government
The Centre on Wednesday said there were no significant protests in Jammu and Kashmir against the report of the Delimitation Commission even though various political parties have expressed different views on the report.
Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said this in Rajya Sabha replying to a question whether there is widespread resentment regarding the report on the delimitation of assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The government of Jammu and Kashmir has intimated that there were no significant protest against the report of the Delimitation Commission. However, various political parties have expressed different views on the report,” he said, replying to a written question.
The National Conference, the PDP and several other political parties have slammed the report.
The NC said the report “defies any and all logic” and no political, social and administrative reason can justify the recommendations.
The PDP said “delimitation commission has become an extension of BJP; we reject this delimitation report as we don’t trust it. This is nothing but only an attempt to disempower the people of Jammu Kashmir”.
As against previous number of 37 and 46 assembly seats for Jammu region and Kashmir region, respectively, the Delimitation Commission has notified 43 seats for Jammu region and 47 seats for Kashmir region.
Rai said the commission conducted delimitation exercise of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir based on the census data of 2011 and the criteria prescribed under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
The commission has also considered the representations for geographical areas having inadequate communication and lack of public conveniences due to their excessive remoteness or inhospitable conditions on the international border.
Replying to a separate question, the minister said statehood to Jammu and Kashmir will be granted at an appropriate time and the decision to conduct assembly elections there is the prerogative of the Election Commission.
“Yes Sir. Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir would be granted at an appropriate time,” Rai said replying to a question on whether Union Home Minister Amit Shah had stated in Parliament that the statehood to the Jammu and Kashmir would be restored, if so, by when, and if not, the reasons.
On August 5, 2019, while taking the initiative to abrogate Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and bifurcating the erstwhile state into two Union territories, Shah had said in the Parliament that statehood to Jammu and Kashmir would be restored when the situation there becomes normal.
Rai said the Delimitation Commission has notified orders on March 14, 2022 and May 5, 2022 on delimitation of parliamentary and legislative assembly constituencies of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The decision to conduct elections is the prerogative of the Election Commission of India,” he said.
6,514 Kashmiri Pandits still living in Kashmir Valley, govt tells Rajya Sabha
12 Kashmiri Pandits were killed by militants in Jammu and Kashmir during 2020, 2021 and 2022
Kashmir, July 27
Altogether 6,514 Kashmiri Pandits are still residing in Kashmir Valley —highest 2,639 in Kulgam district, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said on Wednesday.
Rai said in Rajya Sabha that no Kashmiri Pandit has left the valley in 2022.
The number of Kashmiri Pandits who are still residing in the valley as on July 20 is 6,514, he said, replying to a written question.
The minister said the highest number of Kashmiri Pandits are living in Kulgam district (2,639), followed by Budgam (1,204), Anantnag (808), Pulwama (579), Srinagar (455), Shopian (320), and Baramulla (294), among others.
As many as 12 Kashmiri Pandits were killed by militants in Jammu and Kashmir during 2020, 2021 and 2022, he said.
Replying to another question, Rai said the government has a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and the security situation has improved significantly in the Union territory.
There has been substantial decline in terrorist attacks—from 417 in 2018 to 229 in 2021, he said.
Since the repeal of Article 370 in August 2019, nine government employees (excluding security forces) have lost their lives in terror-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, Rai said. ( With inputs from PTI)
Today felicitated International Olympian Shooter Sh. Chain Singh for wining Silver Medal in 50M Rifle 3 Position Team Event at #ISSFWORLDCUP2022 in South Korea.
SSP Doda, Abdul Qayoom-JKPS felicitated International Olympian Shooter Sh. Chain Singh for w Silver Medal in 50M Rifle 3 position Team Event at ISSF World Cup in South Korea.
SSP Doda congratulated and complimented him for his hard work and brilliant victory in ISSF World Cup which has brighten up the name of J&K UT in general and District Doda in particular. This brilliant success will definitely inspire the young people of the District to explore the avenues of different platforms at National and International level to achieve the success in sports activities and in other fields.Digital Week, Day 02: DC presides over main function in Rajouri
Display of online services & sensitization of masses about e- Governance initiatives mark the day
Govt is committed to ensure transparency & accountability in its functioning & all measures in place in this regard: DC Rajouri
RAJOURI, JULY 26: “Govt is committed to ensure transparency and accountability in its functioning and best possible measures are being taken in this regard.”
This was said by the Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Vikas Kundal while chairing a mega function organised in the Conference Hall of the PWD Dakbunglow as a part of digital India week.
Others who were present during the event included ADDC, Pawan Kumar; CPO, Mohammad Khurshid; ACR, Imran Rashid Kataria and other District officers besides public in large numbers attended the program.
During the event, different departments of the district had erected their stalls depicting varied online services available with them and the resource persons of these departments motivated the public to avail the benefits of the same.
The resource persons also underlined many e-governance initiatives launched by the Govt to promote transparency, accountability and responsive working culture in departments.
Adressing the event, the DC threw a detailed light on the objective behind the celebration of the week saying that week is aimed at making the public aware of the digital initiatives to provide them the best possible relief.
While enumerating numerous measures being taken by the Govt to make the services easily accessible to the general public, he said that Govt is committed to ensure transparency & accountability in its functioning & all measures in place in this regard.
He also urged the public to ensure their maximum participation in such programs organised by the Govt from time to time and avail themselves with the same.
THREE NOTORIOUS DRUG PEDDLERS OF DODA BOOKED UNDER PREVENTIVE DETENTION AND LODGED IN JAIL
Continuing its drive to tighten the noose of drug peddlers, Doda Police has booked three notorious drug peddlers and lodged them in District Jail Bhaderwah as preventive detention.
While giving details, Police said that a number of complaints were being received at Police Station Doda that three youth namely 1-Umar Javed S/O Javed Iqbal R/O Doda, 2-Muzamil Ahmed S/O Mujahid Ali R/O Sadiqabad Doda, 3- Amjad Ali S/O Mubarak Ali R/O Sadiqabad Doda consume and supply drugs and are also getting involved other youth of the area in drug addiction. Acting upon this alarming information, Police swung into action and a detailed report of their involvement in drug addiction as well as involving other youth was prepared by Police and Police parties led by PSI Subash Singh, IC PP DH Doda apprehended the drug addicts and produced them before the Executive Magistrate Class 1st Doda where from they were sent to District Jail Bhaderwah under preventive detention.
It is pertinent to mention here that Doda Police has registered (32) FIRs under NDPs Act in which (34) drug peddlers have been booked. Apart from that (26) notorious drug peddlers have been detained in Jail under preventive measures.
Doda Police is repeatedly appealing the general public to extend cooperate and assistance to Police so that drug smuggling, manufacturing/selling of illicit liquor and other crime related activities are rooted out from the society and crime free atmosphere is built up.