JAMMU, Nov 8: Widespread light to moderate rain/snow occurred in Jammu and Kashmir during the last 24 hours as the MeT office said on Tuesday that generally cloudy weather is expected during the next 24 hours.
“Generally cloudy weather with chances of light rain/snow are likely in J&K during the next 24 hours”, an official of the MeT department said.
Meanwhile, Srinagar had 4.3 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam minus 1.6 degree and Gulmarg minus 2.6 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature this morning.
Drass town in Ladakh region had minus 4.8 degree, Kargil 3.4 degrees and Leh minus 5.6 as the minimum temperature.
Jammu had 13.8 degrees, Katra 11.2, Batote 5.8, Banihal 2.2 and Bhaderwah 3.4 as the minimum temperature. (AGENCIES)
Generally cloudy sky likely in J&K during next 24 hrs: MeT
T20 World Cup 2022 | Rohit Sharma sustains injury in nets
ADELAIDE, NOVEMBER 8: The Indian team on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 suffered a massive scare as captain Rohit Sharma sustained a powerful blow on his forearm during an optional session ahead of India’s T20 World Cup semi-final against England on Thursday.
Rohit was taking customary throwdowns from S. Raghu at the Indian net session when a short ball hit his right forearm and he was instantly in deep pain, leaving the nets immediately.
Rohit tried a short arm pull and throwdowns being hurled at 150 plus speed from 18 yards climbed on him and he missed the shot by a split second.
He left the session and after that a big ice pack was tied to his right arm but he looked desolate and in considerable pain even while watching the training from a distance sitting on the ice box.
Mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton was seen talking to him for a considerable amount of time.
At this point with 48 hours left for the game, the Indian medical team will definitely try its best to get him on the park unless there is a fracture which will possibly rule him out of the playing XI. (Agencies)
Multi-pronged approach helps reduce infiltration in J&K
New Delhi, Nov : Multi-pronged approach has helped reduce terrorist infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir since 2017 with the number of such attempts dropping to 73 in the year 2021, according to a report by the Union Home Ministry.
The annual report for 2021-22 made public by the ministry said the Centre in tandem with Jammu and Kashmir administration adopted a multi-pronged approach to contain cross-border infiltration.
This included strengthening of the border infrastructure, multi-tiered deployment along International Border, Line of Control and near the ever changing infiltration routes, construction and maintenance of border fencing, and construction of culverts and bridges on nullahs.
The efforts of the security forces were further helped by proving of improved technology, weapons and equipment, improved intelligence and operational coordination, installation of floodlight on the International Border and synergizing intelligence flow to check infiltration and pro-active action against terrorists within the Union territory, the report said.
The government has adopted various counter measures to neutralize the efforts and capabilities of militants to disturb peace, besides encouraging policies to mainstream the youth, including providing employment opportunities to wean them away from militancy.
While the number of infiltration bids in 2017 stood at 419 with 136 estimated infiltrations (terrorists who managed to cross over), the figure dropped to 73 infiltration attempts with 34 terrorists possibly slipping into the valley, according to the report. (Agencies)
Centre reserves seats for ‘terror victims’ in MBBS, BDS courses in J&K
JAMMU, Nov 8: Children orphaned by terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir will be eligible to avail of reservation for admission to MBBS and BDS colleges. The Board of Professional Entrance Examination, Jammu and Kashmir has released a detailed notification regarding the same. To obtain the quota, students need to at least pass the medical entrance exam. Further, they will have to apply separately for the quota. Among those who apply, students will be selected based on merit. For the current academic year, the applications under the central pool will begin from November 11.
” Board undertakes that mere submission of applications shall not confer any right on the applicant for his/her selection, which shall be done by the concerned Ministry Government, of India, in accordance with the rules/ procedures on the subject,” stated official notice.
Only students who are permanent residents of Jammy and Kashmir or those whose parents are employed with the state/UT government, or employees of central or other government-related departments, or kids of employees having headquarters within Jammu and Kashmir.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR THE QUOTA –
— Domicile Certificate of UT of J&K
— NEET- Score Card 2022.
— 10+2 Marks Card.
— Date of Birth Certificate.
— Category Certificate, if any
“It shall be necessary for the candidates to obtain minimum marks at the 50th percentile at NEET-2022. However, in respect of candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC, the minimum marks shall be at the 40th percentile. However, in respect of candidates with a specified disability, the minimum marks shall be at 45th percentile. The percentile shall be determined on the basis of highest marks scored in the All India Common Merit List in National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for admission to MBBS/BDS Courses,” stated the official notice. (Agencies)
PM Modi greets people on Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary
New Delhi, November 8
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday greeted people on the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.
“May his noble teachings continue to guide us in our endeavour of building a just and compassionate society,” Modi said.The prime minister had on Monday addressed a function to celebrate the Sikh guru’s 553rd birth anniversary. He said that inspired by the Guru’s thoughts, the country is moving ahead with the spirit of welfare of 130 crore Indians.
Yogi govt recommends CBI probe in Ayush admission scam
The Uttar Pradesh government has recommended a CBI inquiry into the Ayush admission scam.
Confirming the development, an official spokesperson said: “Following orders from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the case of anomalies in Ayush colleges admission has been referred to the CBI.”
At least 12 per cent admissions in Ayush colleges of the state for the academic session 2021-22 could be bogus with a scam around the counselling process surfacing.
There are 7,338 seats in various government and private Ayush colleges in the state, of which 891 have come under the lens.
The anomalies were flagged by the Union Ayush ministry last week.
After an internal probe, director, ayurvedic services, UP, Prof S.N. Singh lodged an FIR on Saturday.
In his FIR, the department named UPTRON Limited, Gomti Nagar, its vendor company Soft Solution Private Limited and the company’s representative Kuldeep Singh, who were booked for the anomalies.
Charges of criminal conspiracy (section 120 B), dishonesty (420), forgery for the purpose of cheating (468), fraudulently or dishonestly used as genuine any document (471) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) were pressed on the three parties.
Four officials were suspended by the state government in connection with the Ayush admission and counselling scam.
The UP Police formed a special task force to probe the matter.
The complainant alleged that the designated organisation/ persons were asked to conduct the online counselling, based on National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) merit. But the representative reportedly fiddled the data they obtained from the directorate which led to admission of undeserving candidates, he alleged.
A departmental probe revealed that the natural order of the merit was not followed in many cases. Also, in some cases, the selected students had not even appeared for the NEET.
They believe that the company worked upon a doctored merit list to accommodate its candidates.
Meanwhile, trusting the counselling records provided by the designated agency, the Director General of Medical Education and Training (DGME) went ahead with the admission of the candidates.
But eventually when the anomalies surfaced, the DG office summoned the company to probe the matter. He alleged that the company resorted to dillydallying and corrupted the database to escape trouble.
Zone Miran Sahib organizes zonal level competitions under Panchayat Talent Hunt Programme
Jammu: Zone Miran Sahib today organized zonal level competition under Panchayat Talent Hunt Programme level –II with an aim to provide a suitable platform to the talented youth in the district and to identify, nourish and embellish the young generation in the field of arts. ZEO Miran Sahib, Swarna Devi, Principal, GGHSS Miran Sahib, Mussarat Jabeen, BDO Miran Sahib,Afshan Hamal ,DDC Member Vidya Mottan, BDC Chairman Dalip Kumar, Sarpanchs Badrinath Sharma,Ravinder Singh,Sadiq Ahmad besides Headmasters of 12 High Schools , 25 Middle Schools of Zone Miran Sahib were present on the ocassion.
ZEO Miran Sahib, Swarna Devi speaking on the occasion said that the main aim of conducting these activities is to identify and nurture the talents from a young age to boost the self -confidence in student’s skills which will be translated into studies to gain parallel academic excellence. Various in-school competitions and interschool competitions provide a good exposure to the students. It helps in channelizing energy, encourages social growth, promotes emotional well – being, makes individual more responsible, relaxes the mind, helps in better time – management, taps the potential of the child, improves the confidence level, builds Inter-Personal relationship and prepares the students for a Career.
Art, craft, cookery, creative writing, cognitive skills, debate, dance, gardening, music, theatre arts are given importance to inculcate a strong system of values. Students are free to choose their course which depends on their interest, skill and capacity and they progress in one area throughout to become professionals in their talent. Hence along with academic knowledge they develop their skills, she added.
Principal, GGHSS Miran Sahib, Mussarat Jabeen in her address said that co-curricular activities are intended to bring social & intellectual skills, moral, cultural & ethical values, personality development, and character advancement in students. In this highly competitive world, better grades act as game changers while taking admissions in other schools, colleges, or institutions. Co-curricular activities provide better opportunities as students pursuing these activities are given more preference over those who aren’t involved in such types of activities.
BDO Miran Sahib speaking on the occasion said that School activities play a significant part in the development of students. Co-curricular activities have become a fundamental part of school life and aides in improving students learning at school. These activities are mandatory & necessary for every student to participate. Co-curricular are structured and balanced with the scholastic educational/ academic curriculum so that every student gets the opportunity to learn beyond studies.
Sarpanch and senior DAP leader Badrinath Sharma speaking on the occasion said that when at an early stage of life, children are given tasks of responsibility to handle; they become much better in handling these types of odd situations in their later life too. This fosters a sense of self-confidence, accountability & responsibility within them.Co-curricular activities improve the learning experiences of students, help them identify and develop their inner talents like creative & public-speaking skills, leadership qualities, etc.
Sarpanch Ravinder Singh said that Co-curricular activities offer them an opportunity of thinking unusually and getting the innovative ideas of their own. These activities help the students develop an enriched learning experience by providing them a chance of imagining new ways of solving an issue or answering a question.
J&K Mahila Morcha campaigns for BJP candidate from Bharmour Constituency, HP Dr Janak Raj
People determined to continue with BJP Government in Himachal Pradesh: Ritika Trehan
Bharmour (HP) : BJP Mahila Morcha J&K Spokesperson Ritika Trehan under the leadership of President Sanjita Dogra along with Bharmour Women Wing President Manisha Thakur and Meenakshi Jamwal beside others organized door to door campaign for BJP candidate from Bharmour Constituency, Himachal Pardesh Dr Janak Raj at Mahila village today. Impressed by support and enthusiasm for BJP, J&K BJP Mahila Morcha Spokesperson Ritika Trehan expressed confidence that with pro-people policies of PM Modi Govt in heart and mind of every Indian, BJP will create history by forming govt second time in a row with a huge margin that has never been seen in the past.She said that whether it is Centre or the Dev Bhoomi Himachal Pradesh, the situation for Congress is dwindling because neither it has a capable leader, nor any policy for the country or this state, therefore victory of the BJP in the State elections is certain.She said that Congress is known for loot and plundering of resources of states and regions therefore the people should ensure that no candidate of this party could make entry to the state’s Assembly as this is imperative for safeguarding the interests of all the natives of Himachal Pradesh.
Trehan claimed that from the campaign she was convinced that the people have determined to continue with BJP Government in the Himachal Pradesh by changing the tradition of not repeating the government of a party twice. She stated that people across Himachal Pradesh are fully satisfied with the pro-people policies of Modi Govt especially in view of the enormous benefit received by the people under the centrally sponsored schemes that have percolated right upto the grass-roots level.Enumerating the achievements of the BJP led Government, she said that during the Congress rule there were only two medical colleges in Himachal but as of today the number has gone up to 6 medical colleges which in itself indicated the rising graph of development in this State. Two years back there were six oxygen plants in the state while now there are about 48 plants,she asserted.
She said that Himachal Pradesh achieved 100 percent vaccination and stood first among the Indian States in accomplishing this feat during the first and second phase Covid-19 vaccination drive. Moreover, under the Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana houses were provided to the homeless with 8000 plus covered in urban areas and 7000 plus in the rural areas of the State. Similarly under “Har Ghar Nal Yojana” 16 lakh connection were provided to the people in Himachal.
She said that multiple centrally sponsored schemes have been launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the benefit of farmers and poor people of Himachal Pradesh. She further said that in view of such a background today the people of Himachal Pradesh have decided to change the earlier tradition viz-a-viz Govt formation and are fully determined to continue with BJP Govt this time and make history in the State.
Ritika further said that state government’s initiatives for empowering women had started showing “encouraging results”.She said they were now getting opportunities to excel in their lives and also feeling “more secure”. The present government has launched many ambitious schemes for the welfare of women, and these would go a long way in making them independent, she added.
She state government’s ‘Shakti Button App’ and ‘Gudiya Helpline’ were proving to be a boon in checking violence and crime against women. State had also set up a ‘Saksham Gudiya Board’ to frame recommendations of the police department for empowerment of minor girls and young women. The board is reviewing the implementation of all woman-centric programmes in the state.
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur had launched Shashakt Mahila Yojana, which envisages women’s empowerment by providing them an interface for socio-economic development of rural women by creating awareness about their rights and facilitating institutional support.
She said the state government had enhanced the one-time grant given to girls belonging to BPL families under the “Beti Hai Anmol Yojana” from Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000. Under the Mother Taressa Asahaya Matri Sambal Yojana, finance assistance has been hiked from Rs 4,000 to Rs 5000 per child a year. Money under the scheme has to be given to economically weak women as child maintenance.
Jhiri Mela begins after two-year COVID gap in Jammu
Jammu, Nov 7: The 10-day-long annual Jhiri Mela commenced here on Monday after a two-year gap due to the pandemic with thousands of devotees from across the country thronging the fair to seek blessings at Baba Jittoo temple.
The fair is being jointly organised by the directorate of tourism in collaboration with district administration from November 7 to 16.
The Jhiri Mela is held every year during ‘Karthik Purnima’ to pay obeisance at Baba Jittoo temple in village Jhiri to seek blessings.“All necessary arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the Mela, which is visited by one lakh people per day from different parts of the country,” Kumar told reporters.
He said since farmers mostly visit the Mela, the government has put up special awareness stalls to inform them about the new schemes and technologies introduced for their benefit.
Kumar said the key feature of the Mela is to promote the sports and cultural richness of the region to make this event accessible among the citizens.
Over 10 lakh devotees from across the Jammu region and neighbouring states including Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana are expected to take part in the fair to commemorate the sacrifice of the Baba, a farmer who gave up his life in protest against the oppressive demands of the ‘zamindar’ (landlords) about 500 years ago. His daughter, as per the legend, also took her life by jumping on her father’s funeral pyre.
The devotees also take a customary dip in the Baba-da-Talab, a natural pond four km from the temple which is believed to have curative powers, officials said. (Agencies)
Delay in decision over construction of Srinagar-Leh transmission line led to Rs 700 Cr loss: CAG
SRINAGAR: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has slammed the authorities over delay in taking decision for construction of Srinagar-Leh transmission line, saying it not only led to huge cost escalation but also caused a generation loss of 1,602.64 MUs and an extra expenditure of Rs 700.25 crore due to billing of deemed generation to Power Development Department.
In its report, the CAG has revealed that delay in taking decision over construction of the transmission line caused huge financial losses.
“Due to delay in taking decision for construction of the line, not only huge cost escalation had occurred but there was also a generation loss of 1,602.64 MUs and an extra expenditure of Rs 700. 25 crore due to billing of deemed generation to Power Development Department,” reads the CAG’s compliance audit of activities selected Central Public Sector Enterprises.
In 2003, the Government of India announced a special package for J&K comprising a 375 km transmission system project from Srinagar to Leh via Kargil with four substations at Drass, Kargil, Leh and Khaltsi at an estimated cost of Rs 377.52 crore.
However, in September 2004, the scope of the transmission system was revised by shifting overhead line between Gagangir to Zojila Pass to underground line along with change in the transmission capacity at Kargil sub-station, being an avalanche prone area, which led to an increase in estimated cost to ₹633.79 crore,” reads the report.
On December 15, 2004, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir accorded its approval for execution of the project by Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL); however, the project was put on hold by the Ministry of Power on June 27, 2005.
The project was finally approved by the Government of India in January 2014 at an estimated cost of Rs 1,788.41 crore with scheduled completion period of 42 months from the date of release of first installment of fund. The first installment was received on March 01, 2014 and the approved commissioning schedule of the project was September 2017.
The project was planned and implemented by PDD and commissioned in January 2019 with a delay of 16 months from the scheduled date.
The CAG has said that due to time lag in approval/ implementation of the transmission system, completion cost has escalated to Rs 1,583.36 crore from initial estimated cost of Rs 633.79 crore.
The audit further noticed that in the absence of national grid connectivity due to delay in commissioning of Srinagar -Leh transmission system, Chutak and Nimmo Bazgo hydro power stations were operated in isolation mode and could not be optimally utilized upto their designed capacity and their generation had to be curtailed up to the limited requirements of the Ladakh region only. “As a result, 1,602.64 MUs of power could not be generated which resulted in generation loss,” the report states.
According to the report, NHPC raised a bill of ₹1,166.56 crore for deemed generation from these two projects on the Power Development Department. “Actual generation from these two power stations was only 736.75 MUs (29 percent) against their generation capacity of 2,524.36 MUs. The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, however, allowed NHPC to claim the tariff in respect of deemed generation. Accordingly, NHPC raised a bill of ₹1,166.56 crore for deemed generation on Power Development Department (J&K) and received part payment of ₹267.59 crore from the Power Development Department and the balance amount is yet to be paid,” the report states.