3rd phase of vaccination begins to cover 15 lakh prioritized beneficiaries

JAMMU, MARCH 01: The Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam today chaired a meeting of the UT Steering Committee on COVID-19 to review the progress of vaccination drives that were rolled out in January 2021.

Administrative Secretaries of departments of Health & Medical Education, Revenue, Housing & Urban Development, Information, Transport, Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM) and Deputy Commissioners of all districts were present at the meeting.

The Chief Secretary asked all the DCs to closely monitor the trajectory of COVID infections to prevent a surge in cases and assiduously expedite vaccination of priority groups in accordance with the schedule of vaccination drives.

It was informed that in the initial phases of COVID-19 vaccination, 70% of health workers and 57% of front line workers totalling 3,81,200 people have been vaccinated in Jammu and Kashmir with no reported case of any serious adversity. The next phase of vaccination for the 3rd prioritized group began today to cover approximately 15 lakh people above the age of 60 years, and persons with co-morbidities in the age group of 45-59 years.

It was further informed that the vaccine will be administered across 2034 COVID Vaccination Centres (CVCs) including 34 private centres. DCs were asked to supervise and monitor vaccination drives across the CVCs under their jurisdiction, besides ensuring that prices of vaccines at private establishments do not cross the prescribed limit of Rs. 250 per dose. The vaccines will be administered free of cost at all government CVCs.

Moreover, at the vaccination centres, arrangements have been made for the advance booking of appointments through a slot system on a day-to-day basis. The slots will be proportioned to accommodate reserved appointments of COWIN registered beneficiaries, 2nd dose beneficiaries and open/walk-in beneficiaries. The district administrations were advised to promote awareness on registrations through the COWIN app, categories of prioritized beneficiaries, and COVID vaccination centres through various IEC activities.

DCs were asked to ardently promote COVID appropriate behaviour, improve the rate of testing to meet respective target quotas, and mobilize the targeted beneficiaries towards vaccination process through the frontline workers- ASHAs, AWWs, ANMs, etc.

2.Health check up of students begins in Govt schools of Kashmir, winter zone of Jammu division

JAMMU, MARCH 1: Mission Directorate of Mid-Day Meal in conjunction with National Health Mission today launched health check-ups of students in government schools of Kashmir division and winter zone of Jammu division under Mid Day Meal (MDM) scheme.

Pertinently, these health check-ups were launched in all government schools of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir recently to ascertain any deficiency in students reading in classes 1st to 12th by tracking their health status. These students had earlier been issued ‘Student Health Cards’.

Administrative Secretary, School Education Department, B. K. Singh, appreciated the Mission Directorate of Mid-Day Meal for initiating this noble initiative for the students studying in government schools. He said that all government schools will maintain proper health record of all enrolled students adding that 12.07 Lakh Health Cards have been distributed till date in all government schools in association with National Health Mission as a part of Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram. The major information in the cards will include immunization record of a child, bi-annual examination of a child, deficiency diseases and developmental delays, head to toe for 4Ds to find out defects at birth, a checklist of all commonly existing disorders among children and their preliminary diagnostic tools.

Meanwhile, Mission Director Mid-Day Meal, Dr Arun Manhas revealed that soon after re-opening of schools after the outbreak of Covid-19 the administration took up this gracious mission of ensuring health check-up of students studying in government schools. Initially, these checkups are being done in Poonch, Samba, Kathua and Jammu, he said adding that weekly schedules are prepared and being monitored by the Nodal Officers nominated by both the Directorates.

3.JKSSB conducts Phase-III of objective type test for Class-IV Posts

Board bars 3 candidates for 3 years from participating in SSB exams for indulging in malpractice during exam today

JAMMU, MARCH 01: J&K Services Selection Board (JKSSB) under Accelerated Recruitment Drive successfully conducted 3rd Phase of OMR based Objective type Written Test for 8575 District/ Divisional/UT cadre posts of Class-IV of various departments today from 12 noon to 2 pm.

The third phase of the examination was conducted today at 379 examination centres. In this phase, 1.34 lakh candidates were scheduled to appear in the examination and 1.095 lakh candidates appeared, the Board informed.

A statement issued here by JKSSB further said that the officers/officials deployed for examination duty while exercising extra vigil detected, 04 cases of unfair means who were found to be in possession of Bluetooth devices/electronic equipment taken in stealthily and 04 candidates with fabricated / doctored admit cards have also been detected. The JKSSB has decided to debar 03 candidates found to be using unfair means from participating in the JKSSB examinations for 03 years.

Further, the statement added that in respect of 04 cases of fabricated / doctored admit cards, the Board is contemplating stringent action against such candidates in due course in pursuance of Section 27(a) of the Jammu & Kashmir Services Selection Board (Conduct of Examination) Regulations, 2013 after completion of necessary formalities.

The candidates found indulging in unfair means were immediately put in isolation and were not allowed to leave the examination centre till completion of the written test. The Board appreciates the efforts and extra vigil exercised by the invigilatory staff and has decided to suitably acknowledge their contribution in strengthening the endeavor of the JKSSB in ensuring fair & transparent conduct of examination, it added.

As per the communiqué by JKSSB, about 4.04 lakh candidates had applied for these posts out of which 3.286 lakh candidates appeared; 1.094 lakh candidates in the first phase, 1.097 lakh candidates in second phase and 1.095 lakh candidates appeared in third and last phase of the examination. The statement added that, a multi layered structure for supervision has been established with one Centre Observer and Centre Magistrate for each Examination Centre, in addition to the Centre Superintendent. 382 Magistrates, 382 Centre Observers and 382 Centre Superintendents were deployed. In addition, more than 5600 Invigilators and sufficient number of class-iv staff was also deployed for smooth conduct of the examination.

To ensure transparency and fairness during the examination process, videography of critical events has been done at each centre. Besides, there was one General Observer appointed by the General Administration Department & Chief Inspector appointed by the respective District Magistrates to monitor the examination. Senior officers of the J&K SSB & District Administration are also proactively monitoring the examination, the statement added.

Adequate security has also been deployed at each Examination Centre by the J&K Police for frisking and maintenance of law and order. Six cases of unfair means have been detected so far against whom stringent action has been taken by J&K SSB.

For ensuring the conduct of examination in a fair and transparent manner, all the District Magistrates had issued Prohibitory Orders under section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) around the Examination Centres during the timing of examination. SoPs under COVID-19 protocol were also ensured during the conduct of examination.

The Chairman JKSSB complimented the role played by all the Deputy Commissioners, SSPs, Staff of JKSSB and of other line departments like School Education, Higher Education, Jal Shakti, Power Development Department, Housing & Urban Development Department and Private Educational Institutions for their support and cooperation for the smooth conduct of examination.

4.Bulletin on Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19)

JK reports 63 new positive cases, 123717 recovered so far

JAMMU, MARCH 01-The Government on Monday informed that 63 new positive cases of novel Corona virus (COVID-19), 09from Jammu division and 54 from Kashmir division, have been reported today, thus taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 126504.Also 01 COVID-19 death has been reported from Kashmir Division.

Moreover, 56 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals including 18 from Jammu Division and 38 from Kashmir Division.

According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Corona virus (Covid-19), out of 126504 positive cases, 829 are Active Positive, 123717 have recovered and 1958 have died; 725 in Jammu division and 1233 in Kashmir division.

The Bulletin further said that out of 5226361test results available, 5099857 samples have been tested as negative till 01thMarch, 2021.

Till date 1317942 persons have been enlisted for observation which included 33583 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 829 in isolation and 109000 in home surveillance. Besides, 1172572 persons have completed their surveillance period.

Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Srinagar has 27037 positive cases (including 18 cases reported today) with 342 Active Positive, 26234 recovered (including 20 cases recovered today), 461 deaths; Baramulla has 8267 positive cases (including 07 cases reported today)with 90Active Positive, 8002 recovered (including 01 cases recovered today), 175 deaths; Budgam reported 7885 positive cases (including 04 cases reported today)with 30 active positive cases, 7735 recovered (including 05cases recovered today), 120 deaths; Pulwama has 5863 positive cases (including 06 cases reported today)with 36 Active Positive, 5737 recovered(including 06 cases recovered today) and 90 deaths; Kupwara has 5689 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today),15 Active Positive, 5577 recoveries, 97 deaths; Anantnag district has 5029 positive cases (including 11 cases reported today)with 41 Active Positive, 4901 recovered (including 05 cases recovered today), 87 deaths; Bandipora has 4719 positive cases (including 01 cases reported today)with20 Active Positive and 4637 recoveries (including 01 cases recovered today) , 62 deaths; Ganderbal has 4672 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today)with 16 Active Positive, 4609 recoveriesand47deaths; Kulgam has 2733 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today)with 20 Active Positive, 2659 recoveries and 54 deaths while as Shopian has 2608 positive cases21 active positive cases, 2547 recoveries and 40 deaths.

Similarly, Jammu has 25235 positive cases (including 07 cases reported today) with 117 active positive cases, 24745 recoveries (including 08 cases recovered today), 373 deaths; Udhampur has 4314 positive cases (including 01 cases reported today)58active positive cases, 4199 recoveries (including 07 cases recovered today)and57 deaths; Rajouri has 3876 positive caseswith 01 active positive, 3820 recoveries (including 01 cases recovered today)and 55 deaths; Doda has 3438 positive caseswith02 Active positive, 3372 recovered and 64 deaths; Kathua has 3261 positive cases (including 01 cases reported today)with 05 active positive cases, 3203 recoveredand 53 deaths; Kishtwar has 2738 positive caseswith 05 Active Positive, 2711 recoveries and22 deaths; Samba has 2839 positive caseswith 05 active positive cases, 2794 recoveries (including 02 cases recovered today)and 40 deaths; Poonch has 2520 positive caseswith05active positive, 2491recoveriesand 24 deaths; Ramban has 2135 positive caseswith00 active positive cases, 2114 recoveriesand 21 deaths while Reasi has 1646 positivewith 00 active positive cases, 1630 recoveriesand 16 deaths.

According to the bulletin, among the total 126504 positive cases in J&K, 12351 have been reported as travelers while 114153 as others.

The Bulletin said that the breakup represents districts from which the patients have been traced or are ordinarily residing.

The bulletin added that there are 1091 COVID dedicated beds, 962 Isolation beds with 956 vacant beds and 129 ICU beds where 123 beds are vacant in Jammu division while there are 1570 COVID dedicated beds, 1484 Isolation beds where 1417 beds are vacant and 86 ICU beds where 76are vacant beds in Kashmir division. There are a total of 2661 COVID dedicated beds, 2446 Isolation beds with 2373 beds vacant and 215 ICU beds with 199 vacant beds in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Central Government is continuously monitoring the evolving situation of Covid-19 in the Union Territory and is providing all necessary support towards effective containment of the spread of Covid-19 and better clinical management of positive cases.

The government has also started free tele-consultation general OPD services by Specialists/MBBS Doctors for the residents of J&K under National Tele-consultation Service. People can avail these services from Home by registering online on web portal https://esanjeevaniopd.in/. The services are available on Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. People can also download and install esanjeevani OPD app from google play store.

Besides, 24×7 Rapid Antigen Testing facility for COVID-19 has been started outside the emergency of GMC Hospital Jammu. The facility will be very useful for segregation of patients in emergency wing of GMC Jammu.

Meanwhile, a 24×7 COVID Control Room has been set up for redressal of the grievances related to COVID-19 positive patients admitted in the Associated Hospitals of Government Medical College, Jammu and Government Hospital, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu. Patients or attendants can call at 0191– 258 5444 (Control Room), Exchange: 0191-258 2626 / 258 5542 / 258 4290 /258 4291 / 258 4292 / 258 4293/ 258 4294 for assistance.

The bulletin has informed the people that, the best way to protect themselves from COVID-19 is by maintaining physical distance of at least 2 meter from others, frequently cleaning hands with an alcohol based hand sanitizer or washing them with soap and water and following good respiratory etiquette and hygiene.

As a measure for social distancing in public places and workplaces wearing a face cover is compulsory.

The bulletin again explained that early detection of COVID-19 can prevent the spread of disease so we need to be responsible for the well-being of ourselves and everyone around us. “Not disclosing symptoms could put life of individuals and their families at risk. In case of symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing report early. Do not fear, call COVID-19 helpline numbers and seek medical advice”.

Advisory has further exhorted upon the people not to step out of home, unless absolutely necessary. “If you have to move out for unavoidable reasons, ensure that you wear a mask and practice social distancing, personal hygiene and frequent hand washing with soap and water.”

In case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24×7 at their doorsteps by calling on toll-free number 108 while as pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialing toll-free number 102.

People can also call on toll-free national helpline number 1075; J&K COVID-19 Helpline Numbers 0191- 2549676 (UT level Cell), 0191-2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jammu Division), 0194-2440283 & 0194-2430581 (For Kashmir Division) for support, guidance, and response to health-related queries on Novel Corona virus Disease (COVID-19).

The bulletin has informed that the Directorate of Indian Systems of Medicine, J&K is distributing AYUSH Medicines having immunity boosting, immuno-modulator, anti-oxidant, rejuvenator, anti-stress, metabolism regulator, anti-allergic, anti-pyretic, anti-tussives, bronchodilator, etc properties during the COVID-19 pandemic. The department so far has provided medicine to 13.80 lakh people that include various frontline workers, senior citizens, PRIs, police/paramilitary personals and general masses. Moreover, preventive measures and Yoga therapies are also being advised to the people to take care of lifestyle/mental disorders so that physical and mental health is ensured during this pandemic.

Public is advised to strictly follow the advisories issued by the government from time to time and rely only on the information released by the government through the daily media bulletin to print and electronic media.

People are also advised to refrain from spreading rumors and pay no heed to them at the same time.

5.Union Secy Tourism reviews functioning of tourism sector in JK

Holds meet with Dir tourism Kashmir, senior officers

SRINAGAR, MARCH 01: Union Secretary Tourism, Arvind Singh who is on a 2-day visit to Kashmir on Monday reviewed the overall status of the tourism sector and the various tourism promotional activities being undertaken by the J&K Tourism Department to attract travellers to the region.

During his visit, Union Secretary, Tourism, held meeting with Director Tourism Kashmir, Dr G N Itoo, MD JKTDC, Nisar A Wani, MD Golf Development Authority and SKICC, Bakshi Javid Hamayun, CEO, GDA, Inam-ul-Haq, Principal, Institute of Hotel Management, Rajbagh and other officers.

Union Secretary Tourism, was briefed about the initiatives taken by the J&K Tourism Department since September, 2020, the status of tourist inflow, facilities being extended to the tourists, COVID measures in place and the upcoming festivals and road shows being organized both within and outside J&K.

Director, Tourism, Kashmir, Dr G N Itoo, informed about the various upcoming festivals including Doodpathri Festival next week, the Badamwari and Tulip Festival layer this month, which are expected to attract a huge number of travellers to the Union Territory.

The Union Secretary appreciated the efforts of the UT government for the promotion of the tourism sector and hailed the successful conduct of the mega Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg. During his visit, Secretary Tourism also visited Gulmarg and inspected various facilities their.

Union Secretary Tourism also met various tourism stakeholders and service providers at Gulmarg. The stakeholders urged him to intervene in the up-gradation of the facilities at Srinagar Airport, increasing frequency of the flights night landing system at Srinagar and in starting of direct flights from major cities like Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad.
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On the occasion, Union Tourism Secretary reiterated that the various issued highlighted by tourism stakeholders will be looked into.

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