Jammu, Dec 9: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha along with officers and staff of Raj Bhavan on Thursday condoled the sad demise of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, and 11 other Armed Forces personnel, who lost their lives in a tragic helicopter crash on Wednesday.

Raj Bhavan officials also observed silence for two minutes in the memory of General Rawat, his wife, and 11 Armed Forces Personnel killed in the accident.

Conveying his deepest condolences to the members of the bereaved families, the Lt Governor said that General Rawat’s passing away is an irreparable loss to the nation.

“The country will forever remain indebted to General Rawat for the reforms he brought about in the armed forces, and for his outstanding leadership and vision,” the Lt Governor said.

UNI

OHCHR statement against Indian security forces in J&K baseless, unfounded: MEA

India

Asian Mail

December 2, 2021

New Delhi, Dec 2 : The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday slammed the statements issued by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on specific incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, calling it “baseless and unfounded allegations against law enforcement authorities and security forces of India”.

The MEA also called out the “clear bias” shown by OHCHR in referring to proscribed terrorist organisations as “armed groups”.

In response to media queries regarding the statement made by the Spokesperson of OHCHR on Wednesday, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said: “We have seen the statement made by the Spokesperson of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on specific incidents in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The statement makes baseless and unfounded allegations against law enforcement authorities and security forces of India.

“It also betrays a complete lack of understanding on the part of the OHCHR of the security challenges faced by India from cross-border terrorism and its impact on the most fundamental human right ‘the Right to Life’ of our citizens including in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Referring to proscribed terrorist organisations as ‘armed groups’ demonstrates a clear bias on the part of OHCHR.

“As a democratic country, with an abiding commitment to promote and protect the human rights of its citizens, India takes all necessary steps to counter cross border terrorism.

“National security legislations, like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) were enacted by the Parliament to protect the sovereignty of India and ensure security of its citizens.

“The arrest and subsequent detention of the individual referred to in the statement was done entirely as per provisions of law.

“Authorities in India act against violations of law and not against legitimate exercise of rights. All such actions are strictly in accordance with the law.

“We urge the OHCHR to develop a better understanding of the negative impact of terrorism on human rights.”

On Wednesday, the OHCHR issued the statement over the arrest of a Kashmiri youth “expressing its concern”.

Jammu: Women Club ‘Meri Pehchaan’ gives away Maharaja Hari Singh Dogra Samman Award

Regional
Jammu

Asian Mail

December 2, 2021

Jammu, Dec 2: A Jammu based Women Club ‘Meri Pehchaan’ presented the Maharaja Hari Singh Dogra Samman Awards to personalities and people for their contributions in the society, it was reported on Thursday.

A handout issued here on Thursday said that Maharaja Hari Singh Dogra Saman Award 2021 was organised by Women Club ‘Meri Pehchaan’ at Royal Retreat, Hari Niwas Palace on Tuesday.

The dignitaries who were felicitated by Maharaja Hari Singh Dogra Saman Award included Acharya Laxmi, Narayan Tripathi, Dr Prashant Gaikwad, Dr Sindhu Tai Sapkal, family of Capt Vikram Batra, Major Sudhir Kumar Walia, Martyr Abhijai Thapa, Anil Paba, Rifleman Shubham Sharma JAKRIF, Hawaldar Roshan Lal and Col V K Sahi.

Chairman of ‘Meri Pehchaan’, Sandhya Gupta said that the club every year conducts this award ceremony and the award is a true tribute to the Maharaja Hari Singh and through this event, the legendary Maharaja will never be forgotten by generations to come.

She also said that the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh should be declared as an government holiday, which is also one of the major demands of people of Jammu.

Dignitaries like Jammu Mayor Chander Mohan Gupta, former minister Gulchain Singh Charak, ex MLC Ramesh Arora, Major Govardhan Jamwal, Shiv Nirmohi, Capt. Balal Singh, Padam Shri SP Verma attended the occasion.

Amid fears of the Omicron variant, J&K to impose fine on those hiding international travel history

Regional
Kashmir

Asian Mail

December 2, 2021

Srinagar, Dec 2: Amid the fear of the Omicron variant, Jammu and Kashmir government announced on Thursday that it has decided to impose a fine of Rs 20,000 and take action as per the law if anyone is found hiding their international travel history from the last two weeks at Srinagar airport.

This was decided during a recent meeting which was chaired by Kashmir’s Divisional Commissioner Pandurang K Pole and attended by senior district and health officers of Srinagar and Budgam.
As per the minutes of the meeting accessed by the UNI, it was decided that all international travelers (including those domestic travelers who have a history of international travel during the past two weeks) shall be subjected to RT-PCR test upon their arrival at Srinagar Airport.
“Any travelers found hiding their international travel history shall be liable for punishment as per the laws and a fine of Rs 20,000 shall be imposed on him or her,” it said.
As per the new directions, all these travelers would be sent to administrative quarantine.
“After collection of sample for RT-PCR test all these travelers shall be sent to administrative quarantine either Government (free) or private (paid) as per their choice till their reports are available and if found positive, the same shall be sent for Genome sequencing promptly; the patient shall be admitted in a separate ward at DRDO Hospital, Khanmoh, Srinagar and treated as per the standard protocol,” it said
“If the reports come out negative, they shall be put in home quarantine or hotel quarantine (in the case of tourists) for seven days, during which they shall be monitored by the respective chief medical officers. If any symptoms are observed during this period, they shall be immediately tested again otherwise they shall be re-tested on the day through RTPCR and if found negative, they shall self monitor their health for the next seven days. If their second RT-PCR test comes out positive the person shall be immediately shifted to DRDO hospital Khonmoh Srinagar and his/ her sample sent for Genome sequencing,” it added.
The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir also directed Director Srinagar International airport to ensure the establishment of a Private Rapid RT-PCR testing facility for the convenience of travelers who may be willing to get themselves tested through it.

Pole also instructed Deputy Commissioner Budgam to engage SRTC buses and private vehicles for ferrying of international travelers from the airport to the administration’s quarantine facilities.
The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir instructed for the constitution of special surveillance teams of chief medical officers to ensure that the international travelers strictly observe home quarantine for one week.
The samples of those found positive for COVID-19 and with intentional travel history shall be sent for Whole Genome Sequencing on a fast track basis, the Divisional Commissioner said.

A slight improvement in temperature ahead of snowfall in Kashmir on Dec 4

Regional
Jammu
Kashmir

Asian Mail

December 2, 2021

Srinagar, Dec 2 : Although there was a slight respite from the intense cold conditions in Kashmir on Thursday, but the mercury stayed below freezing point in the valley ahead of moderate snowfall and rain predicted by the MET centre from the evening of December 4 onwards.

There is no let up in cold wave conditions despite a slight improvement in night temperature as Srinagar which experienced the season’s coldest night with minus 2.5 degree Celsius a day ago showed an improvement and recorded temperature at minus 1.8 degree Celsius on Thursday.

Meanwhile, a MET office Srinagar suggests a fresh Western Disturbance is most likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir and adjoining areas from the evening of December 4 to December 6 afternoon. It said on December 5 widespread light to moderate snowfall in middle and higher reaches of the Kashmir valley and Jammu region and light snowfall and rain over plains will occur in the Union Territory.

Higher reaches of north Kashmir districts of Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipora and in south Kashmir district of Shopian including Ganderbal district in central Kashmir may receive 6 inches to 9 inches of snow during the period.

It has also warned that there may be temporary disruption of air and surface traffic at Zojila, Sinthan top, Razdan top, Mughal Road due to the snowfall and freezing temperature on December 5, the MET office said.

The tourist resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir was the coldest place in the Kashmir valley, although there was an improvement in the night temperature by a degree, recorded at minus 4.2 degree Celsius against minus 5.2 degree Celius recorded the previous day.

Meanwhile, Union Territory of Ladakh continues to be in the grip of intense cold and temperature at Air Force station of Drass further dipped to minus 11.8 degree celsius on Thursday against the minus 10.8 degree celsius recorded the previous day, while in Leh the temperature showed considerable improvement and was recorded at -6.3 degree celsius against the minus 11.9 degree celsius recorded the previous day, an overall improvement of over four degrees and at Kargil it was recorded at minus 7.9 degree Celsius against the minus 7.4 degree recorded on Wednesday.
The famous ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir, although showing a slight improvement in the night temperature, recorded temperature of minus 1.5 degree Celsius against the minus 1.6 degree Celsius the previous day. However, freezing cold conditions were covered with a thick fog, making the movement of tourists staying there difficult.

Qazigund on Srinagar-Jammu national highway was recorded at minus 1.5 degree Celsius against minus 3.3 degree Celsius recorded on Wednesday, while Kokernag recorded minus 1.4 degree Celsius against minus 1.8 degree Celsius the previous day.

In the frontier Kashmir district of Kupwara, the minimum temperature showed a slight improvement and was recorded at minus 3.3 degree Celsius against the minus 3.5 degree Celsius the previous day, the MeT office said.

India logs 9,765 new Covid-19 cases, 477 deaths

India

Asian Mail

December 2, 2021

New Delhi, Dec 2: India has recorded 9,765 new Covid-19 cases in past 24 hours in the country, the Union Health Ministry said on Thursday.

According to latest bulletin issued by the Ministry, the latest addition has pushed cumulative case tally to 3,46,06,541 while death toll rose to 4,69,724 as 477 succumbed to the virus.

On the other hand, 8,548 more people have recovered in the past one day, taking the total recoveries to 3,40,37,054.

The recovery rate stands at 98.35 per cent, highest since March last year.

The cumulative active caseload now stands at 99,763, less than one per cent of the total cases, the figures showed.

According to the bulletin, 64.35 crore tests for Covid-19 have been done so far.

Meanwhile, India has administered 124.96 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccine so far.

Cold intensifies in Kashmir, Ladakh; MeT predicts snow, rain on Dec 5

Regional
Kashmir
Top Stories

Asian Mail

November 29, 2021

Srinagar, Nov 29 : Cold conditions continued in Kashmir Valley and Ladakh, as the mercury plunged by a few notches, with dry conditions prevailing in the two Union Territories, making life miserable for the residents.

The Meteorological Department has issued a weather advisory, stating that a western disturbance is most likely to hit Jammu and Kashmir during December 5-7, causing widespread light to moderate snowfall and rains in the plains of Jammu. Some places on higher reaches (above 2000 m) may receive heavy snow of around 1-2 feet, whereas plains are likely to receive 2-3 inches of snow.

There is no forecast of heavy snow or rain in plains, the MeT office said and added that a temporary disruption of traffic over passes of Zojila, Sinthan Top, Razdan Top, Mughal Road would cause due to snow and freezing temperatures.

Cold wave conditions further intensified in Kashmir valley with a dip in night temperature as Srinagar recorded minus 1.1 degrees Celsius against minus 0.2 degrees on Sunday. Fog covered most of the places in the Valley, including the famous Dal Lake and Boulevard Road.

Ladakh Union Territory was also in grip of intense cold as Air Force station of Drass recorded minus 11.2 degrees against minus 10.9 degrees a day ago, while Leh registered minus 11.8 degrees against minus 10.5 degrees and Kargil recorded minus 7.2 degrees against minus 6.2 degrees on Sunday.

The MeT office said the tourist resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir remained the coldest place in Kashmir valley, where the minimum temperature further dipped to minus 3.4 degrees against the minus 3.0 degrees a day ago. Intense cold breeze conditions continue to prevail there with most of the small water bodies frozen due to the plunge in the night temperature.

The famous Ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir was the second coldest place in Kashmir valley with the minimum temperature recorded at minus 2.2 degrees against minus 1.5 degrees the previous day. Freezing cold conditions were covered with a thick fog, making the movement of tourists staying there difficult.

Qazigund on Srinagar-Jammu national highway, where temperature was recorded at minus 1.3 degrees a day ago, on Monday plunged to minus 2.0 degrees, while Kokernag recorded minus 0.5 degrees against the minus 0.2 degrees the previous day.

In frontier Kashmir district of Kupwara, the minimum temperature was recorded as minus 1.6 degrees against the minus 1.4 degrees recorded the previous day, the MeT office said.

Delhi air quality remains in ‘very poor’ category

India

Asian Mail

November 25, 2021

New Delhi, Nov 25 ( UNI ) The air quality in the national capital continued to remain in the ‘very poor’ category on Thursday, as the, air quality Index (AQI) stood at 362 according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).

The air quality Index (AQI) on Wednesday was recorded at 328.

According to the SAFAR bulletin, the effective farm fire count has reduced to 432 and its contribution to Delhi’s PM 2.5 on Thursday is 2 percent.

The concentration of PM 2.5 and PM 10 stood at 201, in the ‘very poor’ and 337 in the ‘poor’ category respectively around 11 am, as per the agency.

Earlier the agency said from November 27 onwards local surface winds are likely to increase which will result in improvement of air quality.

Several areas in the national capital including ITO, Lodhi Road, and Mathura Road recorded air quality in the ‘very poor’ category with an AQI of 411, 309, and 346 while the AQI at Anand Vihar and Jahangirpuri were in the ‘severe’ category with an AQI 436and 463 respectively.

According to data from Central Pollution Control Board the Air Quality Index in the neighbouring parts of Delhi, also was in the ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ category including Faridabad (at 438), Ghaziabad (314), Gurugram (334) and Noida (414).

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 is satisfactory, between 101 and 200 is moderate, 201 and 300 is poor, 301 and 400 is very poor, while AQI between 401 and 500 is severe.

Meanwhile the Delhi government on Wednesday said that schools, colleges and educational institutions in the national capital will reopen from Monday, November 29 onwards.

“Schools, colleges and educational institutions will be allowed to reopen in the city. Work from home in government offices will end on November 29, but we request people to use public transport” Delhi Environment minister Gopal Rai said on Wednesday.

He said that CNG and electric trucks carrying non essential items will be allowed to enter Delhi from November 27 onwards. The ban on entry of diesel and petrol trucks carrying non essential items will continue till December 3.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) the sky will remain clear with the minimum and maximum temperature likely to hover around 10 and 28 degree Celsius respectively.

“The relative humidity at 0830hrs in the morning stood at 95 percent,” IMD said.

COVID-19: India records 9,119 new cases, 396 more fatalities and 10,264 recoveries

India

Asian Mail

November 25, 2021

New Delhi, Nov 25 : India recorded 9,119 new cases of COVID-19 and 396 more fatalities during the past 24 hours, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in it’s latest update on Thursday.

With the addition of these new cases the cumalative case tally has reached 34,544,882.

The overall death toll from the disease has reached 466,980. The past 24 hours saw 10,264 recoveries nationwide.

The country currently has 109,940 active cases. Yesterday 90,27,638 more vaccines were administered nationwide taking the overall vaccination tally to 119,38,44,741.

More than 33.96 million people have recovered in India since the start of the outbreak.

A total of 11,50,538 tests were conducted yesterday.

Wednesday saw 9,281 new coronavirus cases being reported, along with 437 fatalities.

Fuel prices remain unchanged

Business

Asian Mail

November 25, 2021

New Delhi, Nov 25 : The prices of petrol and diesel remained unchanged for the 21st day in a row on Thursday.

The fuel prices had come down sharply on November 4, 2021, after the Center announced reduction in excise duties on petrol and diesel by Rs five and Rs 10 respectively.

In the national capital a litre of petrol costs Rs 103.97, it costs Rs 104.67 in Kolkata, Rs 109.98 in Mumbai and Rs 101.40 in Chennai.

Similarly, a litre of diesel is available at Rs 86.67 in New Delhi, Rs 89.79 in Kolkata, Rs 94.14 in Mumbai and Rs 91.43 in Chennai.

After the Centre cut the excise duties, most state governments and union territories too reduced Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel, providing much relief to the common man.

Some states, mostly non BJP-ruled, are yet to undertake any reduction in VAT on motor fuels.

However, Punjab and Rajasthan have reduced the taxes from their side.

Prices of diesel and petrol were rising for the last few days across the country, breaching all previous records but the Centre’s announcement to cut the excise duties gave relief to people using the two motor fuels. The rise in the fuel prices in the domestic market was mainly attributed to global upsurge in crude oil prices.