SRINAGAR, Jan 19: As Pakistan refuses to return Trans-Line of Control (LoC) trade trucks unless authorities here release driver of the Pakistan occupied (PoK) truck who was arrested by police in Uri, Baramulla after a major narcotics haul was recovered from his truck on Friday at Salamabad Trade Facilitation Centre, Uri, the standoff continued.
Sources said that Mohammad Shafiq Awan son of Abdul Aziz Awan of Shard, Muzaffarabad, PoK from whose truck 114 kilogramme narcotics was recovered was today produced before Judicial Magistrate and he was sent to 10 days police remand.
Awan was detained by police initially after 114 packets of narcotics was recovered from his truck bearing registration number RIS-102137 during searches at Salamabad Trade Facilitation Centre, Uri on Friday and was formally arrested yesterday.
Police so far arrested three people who are affiliated with the trans-LoC trade. They include Shoukat Habib of M/s Shoukat Habib Trading Corporation Bandipora and Tariq Sheikh of Baramulla who is trading through Shoukat Habib’s company and Mushtaq Ahmad Khan of Uri, who is a trade agent.
Sources said that involvement of two PoK based Kashmiris in the narcotics trade has surfaced during the questioning of the arrested traders. They are Fayaz Ahmad and Altaf Ahmad, who are associated with Al-Fajar Trading company that had send the consignment of almonds from PoK.
Sources said that police have detained three more persons and they are being questioned. “The consignment of narcotics was booked for Tariq Sheikh but actual recipient of the consignment is not known yet. Police is looking for the main trading agent of the narcotics”, sources added.
As the stand of continued and trucks remained stranded on either side of the LoC, the families and drivers are worried lot. A 57-year-old PoK driver, Mohammad Shabir Khan son of Ghulam Din Khan resident of Pinari near Chakoti Muzaffarabad, told Excelsior that he is worried as he has small children and aged mother back home. “They would be much worried about our safety. We want this standoff to end soon so that we can return home”, he added.
Mohammad Muzaffar of Uri whose son Shakeel Ahmad has gone across the LoC with his truck says he is concerned about his son’s safety. “My son and his truck is across and we are suffering daily losses of Rs 2000-3000”, he added.
In the meantime standoff continued as PoK authorities kept 27 trucks detained that had gone with goods as part of LoC trade from Salamabad Trade Facilitation Centre, Uri to Chakoti Trade Facilitation Centre, Muzaffarabad on Friday and 48 PoK trucks along with their drivers remained stranded at Salamabad as PoK authorities refused to take them back unless 49th truck and its driver is released.
Sources said that Director General trans-LoC Trade, Retired Brigadier Mohammad Ismael Khan of PoK has made it clear to the Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Khawaja Ghulam Ahmad, during a meeting at Aman Setu last evening that they will neither let off 27 trucks nor accept 48 PoK trucks unless 49th truck and its driver is released.
Sources said that Khawaja has made it clear to the PoK authorities that the driver is involved in narcotics trade and he has been arrested under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and can’t be released.
Both, Jammu and Kashmir Government and PoK Government have communicated the standoff arisen out the recovery of narcotics to the respective Central Governments’ and so far no direction has come from either of the two Governments.
This is the first time that the trucks were detained by Pakistan and it refused to take back its own trucks since barter trade of around two dozen listed items between India and Pakistan that operates for four days a week through Aman Setu LoC from Salamabad Trade Facilitation Centre in Uri to Chakoti Trade Facilitation Centre, Muzaffarabad was started in October 2008 as part of Jammu and Kashmir specific Confidence Building Measure between India and Pakistan.
JAMMU, Jan 19: The State High Court has stayed a seniority list of Foresters being promoted as Rangers Grade-I, wherein, undue favour to many ‘blue eyed’ people has been accorded.
Justice Bansi Lal Bhat of J&K High Court while issuing notices to the Commissioner Secretary Forest, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, J&K and others has stayed the operation of entire list issued vide order No. 03 of 2013 dated 24-12-2013 by the PCCF. The court vide its order dated January 10, 2014 asked the Forest authorities not to operate the list and stop the proceedings for the promotions as Range Officers Grade–I, till the final disposal of the writ petition.
Interestingly, in the `tentative list’ prepared by the authorities, instead of 37 already qualified candidates, 115 have been included. Many of them, who managed to have find place in the seniority list for the promotion as Rangers are simply 10+2 and the self sponsored DDRs. They were not recommended by the Forest Department for any such training as per norms. And not only this, some of the influential candidates were regularized during 2012, but `somehow’, managed place in the list.
The list was challenged in the court of law by the highly qualified as deserving candidates, who were ignored and `favourites’ were picked up by the higher authorities in the Department for the reason best known to them. They initially, moved a representation to the Chief Conservator of Forests Kashmir and Jammu besides the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests J&K, Abhay Kumar and Commissioner/ Secretary Forest. Observing a discouraging response from the authorities at the helm of affairs, the aggrieved ones then moved to the court of law for getting the things corrected within the system prevailing in the department and seek justice.
While challenging the list and moving representation to the PCCF, representatives of NGFOA termed this move as a gross violation of SRO 106 of 1992, as the SRO clearly mentions that its benefits can be extended to only such in-service Foresters who are not DDR ( Directly Deputed Rangers) trained at the time of their initial appointment and are sponsored subsequently by the Government. Even the Administrative Department has also in its letter No. FST/NG/67/2012 dated 25-10-13, has clarified a clear violation of the rules in this concern. It pointed out that these Self sponsored DDRs were regularized in December 2012 and are most juniors. They were still under going probation period of two years.
As per SRO-106 of 1992, “the minimum eligibility criteria for Range Officer, is BSc Forestry or its equivalent from any University recognized by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research,” and in case of 20 % quota which was kept for KFC (Kashmir Forest Training Course) toppers, it quotes- “20% by promotion from Govt sponsored Foresters having done Rangers’ training course from a Recognised Rangers Training College and having five years experience as Forester on the norms prescribed by Government for such training course.”
Unfortunately, these `favourites’, have neither been sponsored by the J&K Forest Department, nor qualified the State Public Service Commission exams and above all they have not been the toppers in KFC. They were indeed deputed by the local private agencies for DDR training course at their own. These self styled DDRs were neither appointed by the department, nor by the SSRB but were temporarily adjusted by the Government on ad hoc basis subject to the conditions laid down in their appointment orders.
The highly placed sources in the department said that in J&K Forest Department there was a provision before 2004, that 20% quota was kept for in service Foresters who were toppers in KFC training course. They used to get further deputed by the department for DDR training course, which in turn favoured them to get promoted to Range Officers Grade -I. But as per the revised entrance and training rules 2004, the eligibility criteria for becoming RO-I was changed and the 20 % quota reserved for in-service Govt sponsored DDR Foresters was not modified only to absorb those Foresters who completed their DDR sponsored by the Forest Department only. In the past KFC toppers were used to be sponsored for the raid training for next promotion. The SRO as such has not been modified and there still remains few FFC toppers who have already undergone Ranger’s training to be promoted as RO-I. Ultimately after this adjustment the SRO will become infractitious.
Again, in case of Range Officer Grade –I , the eligibility criteria as per revised entrance and training rules 2004 issued by Director Forest Education, Dehradun, is minimum BSc Forestry, or its equivalent from any University recognised by ICAR while the KFC, DDR & SFS should be considered as Departmental Certificate courses. In the Department 50 % posts of RO-I have to be filled from BSc Forestery and KFC trained foresters, 30 % posts have been kept for direct recruitment to be filled by PSC and 20 % quote which was kept for in-service KFC toppers which has become fractitious as per the revised training and entrance rules. It has been found that most these newly regularised candidates do not possess the qualifications as per revised rules of 2004 but still managed to find place in list, depriving others highly qualified (MSc Forestry) and deserving candidates.
PCCF J&K, Abhay Kumar when contacted said that some seniority list of 37 DDR Foresters who had been temporarily placed as I/C Range Officers Grade –I vide various Govt orders was issued as it stood on 1-1-2013. As per a communiqué from Administrative Department vide letter No. FST/NG/67/2012 dated 25-10-13, it was sought to clarify and fix the seniority of other in-service DDR Foresters who have done DDR training prior to the initial appointments in pursuance of appointment under SRO 43 of 1994 and those DDRs who were initially engaged on ad hoc basis and later on regularised.
The PCCF claimed that there was shortage of officers and the department intended to fill up the vacant posts by effecting promotions. He said in this process, some candidates whose interests clashed went to the court and sought stay and the entire process has been stalled. It will affect many candidates and also normal functioning of the department, Mr Kumar maintained.
RK Kalsotra, State president, All India Confederation of SC/ST/OBC Organization addressing media persons in Jammu on Sunday. — Excelsior/Rakesh
JAMMU, Jan 19: Terming it detrimental to the interests of SC/ST/OBC/RBA/ALC and other reserved categories consisting of more than 85 percent population of the State, RK Kalsotra, State president, All India Confederation of SC/ST/OBC Organization, J&K opposed the move of the Government to introduce catch-up rule in the State.
While addressing the media persons here today, Mr Kalsotra said that despite apprising the Chief Minister about the concerns of the reserve classes many a time, Mr Omar Abdullah seems hardly aware of the of the rules governing seniority of the Government officers which are determined by the Civil Services Rules, 1956 -rule 24(C.C.A Rules), adding that these rules state that the seniority of person who is subject to these rules has reference to the service, class, category or the grade with reference to which the question has arisen and such seniority shall be determined by the date of his first appointment to such service, class, category or the grade as the case may be.
Mr Kalsotra further said that in this rule, first appointment in a service, class, category or the grade means appointment by promotion in a particular cadre and not in a lower one. Seniority in the new cadre starts afresh.
He said the catch up rule which entitles the officer of the general category to regain seniority over the reserved category officer who has become senior to him by reservation, has not been yet introduced by the Central Government wherein the reservation rules were made applicable in 50’s.
State president, All India Confederation of SC/ST/OBC Organization, J&K, as to why the State Government is in a hurry to introduce it when the reservation rules in the State were made applicable in 70’s that too after the great sacrifice of Shaheed Bhagat Amar Nath ji.
Mr Kalsotra further said that seniority by CSR rules 1956- Rule 24(CCA) is further supplemented by SRO 110 of 2000 in the case of reserved category officers.
A large number of members of the Organisation attended the press conference.
JAMMU, Jan 19: Throwing Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines to winds for ulterior motives, the Revenue Department has transferred 59 officers associated with the Summary Revision of the Electoral Rolls. With this unjustifiable step, the department has also scuttled the inquiries into many land grabbing incidents as several of these officers were conducting probes into the land scams besides making mockery of the State Government’s Transfer Policy. Unlike other transfers and postings, this order was intentionally not given due publicity to ensure that the blue-eyed officers join at their new places of postings discreetly.
The Revenue Department vide Order No.Rev/Gaz/157 of 2014 dated January 10, 2014, the copy of which is available with EXCELSIOR, ordered transfers and postings of 59 officers, mostly Tehsildars despite being aware of the fact that Tehsildars being Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO) cannot be transferred before the conclusion of ongoing Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls, the last date of which is January 31, 2014.
Unlike other transfers and postings, this order was intentionally not given due publicity so that blue-eyed officers among the list of 59 join at their new (choicest) place of posting discreetly, official sources told EXCELSIOR, adding “this can be gauged from the fact that majority of the senior officers, who are directly associated with the Tehsildars, came to know about the transfer order only when the transferred Tehsildars approached them for being relieved from their present positions”.
While many of these 59 officers joined at their new place of postings, several others failed to do so as some Deputy Commissioners refused to entertain the order on the ground that the same was in blatant violation of the Election Commission of India guidelines, which clearly state that whosoever is associated with the Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls shall not be transferred till the completion of this vital exercise or approval of ECI is taken in case of compelling circumstances, sources informed.
“This blatant violation of Election Commission guidelines also came to the notice of Deputy Election Commissioner, Vinod Zutshi, who was in Jammu on January 16-17 to review the arrangements being made for the forthcoming Parliament elections”, sources said, adding “though Mr Zutshi, while taking serious note of the Revenue Department order, has asked the Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey to see that the order is not implemented yet the order has already been implemented albeit not fully”.
Pointing towards the Election Commission of India’s communiqué to Chief Secretary regarding shifting of officers posted in home towns by February 15, sources said, “the Revenue Department order is also in violation of this direction as several of the officers have been transferred to their home towns”, adding “this indicates that the Revenue Department was either not aware of this standing instruction of Election Commission or was least bothered to follow the same”.
“The transfer order will also scuttle the ongoing inquiries into several land grabbing incidents as many of the transferred officers were conducting probes one way or the other”, sources said.
Such land grabbing incidents include that of Bajalta and Gharota, which were brought to the fore exclusively by EXCELSIOR. These land grabbing incidents were required to be taken to the logical conclusion at the earliest because of the huge chunk of Government land worth several crores of rupees involved in the same.
By transferring the officers associated with the inquiries into land grabbing incidents the Government has conveyed that it doesn’t want to take the probes to the logical conclusion.
It is pertinent to mention here that in Bajalta area the land mafia has made two major attempts to grab and damage 487 kanals State land under Khasra No.219 of village Pargalta. Similarly, in village Ghaink of Gharota Niabat the land mafia made attempt to encroach upon 51 kanals of land. The preliminary inquiry into Bajalta case has already pointed out involvement of subordinate revenue officials and certain private persons.
The Revenue Department order has further violated the State Government’s Transfer Policy which fixes minimum two years tenure for the officers at a particular post. “What were the compelling circumstances for the Revenue Department to transfer several officers prematurely”? sources asked, adding “since this order has violated various norms the Government owes an explanation to the general public”.
ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR, Jan 19:
Twenty paramilitary troops were killed and 30 others injured today in a bomb attack by the Taliban inside a cantonment in Pakistan’s restive northwest, prompting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to cancel his visit to Switzerland.
The army retaliated by shelling suspected militant hideouts in the area. The Pakistani Taliban, which claimed responsibility for the attack, issued a statement saying it was ready for talks with the Government.
The blast ripped through a private van hired by the Frontier Corps to take troops from Bannu in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province to North Waziristan tribal region, a safe haven for Taliban and Al Qaeda elements.
“Twenty security personnel (were killed) and 30 others were injured in a vehicle-borne IED attack in Bannu cantonment today,” the military’s media arm said in a statement.
The explosion occurred at 8.45 am (Pakistan time) when the van was parked at a Parade Ground in the cantonment. “Frontier Corps troops were sitting inside the vehicle and lined up for move to North Waziristan Agency,” the statement said.
Military sources said six bodies were mutilated beyond recognition. “DNA tests are being carried out to identify them. Fifteen injured in a very critical condition were shifted to a military hospital in Peshawar by helicopter,” a source said.
Earlier reports said 22 troops were killed but the military confirmed 20 deaths.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said Sharif had cancelled his visit to Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum in the wake of a spike in terror attacks, including the incident in Bannu.
“Our nation is united against extremism and terrorism and the sacrifices rendered by our citizens and personnel of law enforcing agencies will not go in vain,” Sharif said. Earlier, he strongly condemned the attack.
Shahidullah Shahid, spokesman for the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, said in a statement his group carried out the attack to avenge the killing of its leaders.
At the same time, he said the Taliban were ready for talks with the Government. “Our stance about the dialogue is very clear. If the Government proves its power and sincerity, we are ready for meaningful talks despite our great losses.”
Referring to the issue of a possible ceasefire if peace talks are initiated, Shahid said this would depend on the Government as it had “started the war and sent troops to the tribal regions at the behest of the US”.
He said, “The Government should now declare ceasefire as it will have to create an conducive atmosphere for talks. We can also review our operations if the Government takes some confidence-building measures.”
However, security experts viewed the Taliban’s offer as an attempt to stall any military action in the area.
Bannu, which stands at the gateway to the semi-autonomous Waziristan tribal region, is 150 km southwest of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa capital Peshawar.
The town has witnessed several attacks and was the scene of a massive jailbreak in April 2012, during which 384 prisoners, including dozens of hardened militants, escaped from a central prison.
President Mamnoon Hussain too strongly condemned the attack in Bannu cantonment, saying such cowardly assaults could never weaken the resolve of law enforcing authorities and the people to continue pursuing their struggle against militancy and terrorism. (PTI)
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said today that his Government would redouble efforts to create conditions to restore sense of security in which the Kashmiri Pandits can consider returning to their homes in the Kashmir Valley.
In a tweet on completion of 25th year of the migration of Kashmiri Pandits, Omar said: “today see the start of 25th year that Kashmiri Pandits had to flee their homes in the Kashmir Valley. Words will never be enough nor should they be. Time to redouble efforts to create conditions where their (the Kashmiri Pandits) sense of security is restored and Pandits can consider returning (to their homes in the Kashmir Valley)”.
It was on this day in 1989 that the Kashmiri Pandits had started leaving their homes in the Kashmir Valley and migrated to Jammu after the killings of some prominent leaders of the community and targeting of their property by the militants.
The Kashmiri Pandit organisations observe January 19 as Holocaust Day.
DIG B A Itoo receiving guard of honour at Srinagar on Sunday.
SRINAGAR, Jan 19: The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) celebrated its 2nd annual Raising Day today at SDRF 1st Battalion Burzulla. Deputy Inspector General of Police, SDRF, HG & CD, Kashmir, B.A. Itoo was the chief guest and took salute on march past.
The chief guest while addressing the participants elucidated the importance of disaster management, preparedness and mitigation in the State.
Commandant SDRF 1st Bn, Mehraj Shah, in his speech gave brief description of the activities carried out by the SDRF last year especially during Shri Amarnathji Yatra-2013 and imparting of awareness and training to the college, school students, ASHA workers, NCC cadets and the general masses throughout Kashmir valley including Leh and Kargil.
A good number of officers from various departments and prominent citizens attended the Raising Day function.
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Council today adopted a strong worded political resolution denouncing terrorism, Chinese aggressions and Pakistan’s support to militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj moved political resolution in the National Council being held in New Delhi. Former BJP national president Venkaiah Naidu dwelt in detail on the resolution, which the National Council unanimously adopted along with the amendment of BJP national executive members and party’s senior leader, Dr Jitendera Singh.
The resolution voiced deep concern over China’s territorial ambitions in Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh, Pakistan’s support to terrorism and UPA’s soft approach toward terrorism as well as China and Pakistan.
The resolution said terrorist has been spreading not only in Jammu and Kashmir but also other parts of the country due to `soft policies’ of the UPA Government, which has miserably failed to check the menace.
The resolution also called for taking tough stance against China for its frequent aggressions in Leh and Pakistan’s attempt to foment trouble on the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.
Anil Gupta providing relief material to a beneficiary at Jammu on Sunday.
JAMMU, Jan 19: JKDF State president Anil Gupta today reiterated that party was determined to work for the welfare and resettlement of ex-servicemen and their families.
Participating as chief guest in the 3rd Raising Day of All J&K Paramilitary Forces Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association at Muthi, Anil Gupta said that JKDF would raise the issue of granting dual pension to personnel of Paramilitary forces in case a retired person from these forces is reemployed in any Civil Department of Central or State Government.
The Government decision to grant dual pension in this regard is currently applicable to only retired defence forces personnel.
“Keeping the Paramilitary forces out of these recommendations is unfair as well injustice to the thousands of retired personnel and their families of this country,” Anil Gupta said and alleged that these disparities have arisen due to lackadaisical approach of Government to recognize the services of ex- Paramilitary forces personnel at par with the Defence forces.
J S Bajju, president of All J&K Paramilitary Forces Ex-servicemen Association highlighted some other demands also, which include ex-Gracia to handicapped/medically ground ex-servicemen CAPF persons by the concerned State, 20 percent reservation to the wards of Para military forces ex-servicemen persons for recruitment, 15 percent quota for railway reservation, allotment of hostel for the CAPF ex-servicemen personal at the district level, free medical facility in State Government hospitals, free legal counseling, Rs 50000 from State Government to the personal who are awarded with gallantry award by the Central Government, VAT exemption on CSD Canteen items, revised pension cases accordance to the Sixth Pay Commission, one rank/one pay, pension on last revise pay scale, etc.
MoS Health, Shabir Khan administering pulse polio drop to a child on Sunday.
JAMMU, Jan 19: First round of Intensified Pulse Polio Immunization Programme began today with the administration of Pulse Polio drops to children at various places across Jammu and Kashmir.
Over 19.50 lakh children are being administered pulse polio drops through 11,477 booths established across the State in the first phase of the campaign. 45,370 trained personnel have been deployed to man the polio booths as also undertake door-to-door campaign with 315 mobile and 298 transit teams. For the purpose, 25 lakh pulse polio doses (vaccines) have been kept available at the hospitals and designated booths in both the divisions of the State.
This campaign will continue for another two days by way of house-to-house activity to trace and administer polio drops to the children left out on the first day of the round.
Minister for Medical Education, Youth Services and Sports, Taj Mohi-ud-Din launched the programme by administering Polio drops to children at SMGS Hospital Shalimar, Jammu while the Minister for CA&PD and Transport, Ch Mohammad Ramzan administered Pulse Polio drops to several children at District Hospital Handwara.
Minister of State for Health, Shabir Ahmed Khan formally launched first round of pulse polio immunization campaign 2014 at Kond Mohalla Dalgate, Srinagar this morning by administering pulse polio drops to new-born and other infants.
The Minister was accompanied by Secretary Health Services, Gazanfar Ali, Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman, Mission Director NRHM, Dr Yashpal, Director Family Welfare, Dr Baldev Sharma, State Immunization Officer, Dr Dolamo and other senior officers of the Health Department.
On his return to Jammu this afternoon, the Health Minister straight way drew to Sarwal where he also administered pulse polio drops to 4 children including one newborn at Government Hospital, Sarwal.
Member Legislative Assembly, Prof Chaman Lal, Director Family Welfare, Dr Baldev Sharma, Mission Director, NRHM, Dr Yash Pal Sharma, Chief Medical Officer, Jammu, Dr Javid Bakshi were among others present on the occasion.
The Minister said it should be ensured that the children of snow-bound areas like Gurez, Machal and Karnah, Zanskar, Drass, Numa in Kashmir division and Padder, Warwan and remote and snow-bound areas of Rajouri, Poonch, Bani in Jammu division are covered by extending the drive for two to three days more in these areas.
The Intensive Pulse Polio Campaign in Reasi was launched at District Hospital by DDC Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary who was accompanied by Dr Mohd Younis, Chief Medical Officer.
At Katra, Pulse Polio campaign was launched by Additional SP Katra Kulveer Singh at Community Health centre in the presence of Deputy Chief Medical Officer Reasi Dr K C Dogra, Block Medical Officer Dr Gopal Dutt, staff member and locals.
SDM Mahore Ashwani Khajuria and DSWO supervised the campaign in Mahore and CEO Ashok Kumar Sanyal supervised in Pouni block.
More than 53,000 children in age group of 0-5 will be covered in three days through door to door campaign for eradication of pulse polio in Reasi. 364 centres have been established and 17 mobile teams constituted for ensuring 100 percent coverage. In 21 critical areas special teams have been distributed. In all 1638 officials are involved in the campaign. The monitoring cell in the office of Deputy Commissioner is constantly evaluating the field progress through random checking and feedback.
In Udhampur, over 84,500 children in the age group of 0-5years were administered oral Polio Vaccine. The DDC Udhampur, Yasha Mudgal launched the drive by administering Oral Polio vaccine to a baby in the District hospital. Chief Medical Officer, Dr Arun Sharma, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Santosh Sharma, Medical Superintendent, Dr Chander Parkash, Deputy Medical Superintendent, Dr Deepak, staff members, volunteers and ASHA works were present during the programme.
The first round of nationwide IPP was started in Doda by DDC Mubarak Singh who administering Polio drops to the children at New District Hospital. ADC Doda Imam Din and Chief Medical Officer Ajay Kumar Gupta besides Doctors and senior functionaries of the Health Department were present in the programme. The
DDC said that 610 Pulse Polio Immunization Booths have been established, 180 in Ghat Block, 90 in Bhaderwah, 125 in Assar, 70 in Gandoh and 145 in Thathri Block to provide vaccine to 78518 children. He also revealed that 2440 workers have been engaged for Booths and house to house activities which comprises of 680 workers for Health Department, 520 from ICD’s, 975 ASHA workers and voluntary workers, and 265 from Education Department.
In Samba, IPPI campaign was formally launched by DDC R K Varma at District Hospital Samba by administering polio drops to the children in the age group of 0-5years.
Chief Medical Officer Samba Dr Kartar Chand District Immunization Officer Dr Parminder Singh and Medical Superintendent District Hospital Dr A S Slathia besides doctors and senior functionaries of the Health Department were present on the occasion.
Lions Club Vijaypur Gourav organized a camp where children below the age of five years were administered pulse polio drops. Sat Dev Slathia coordinated between the Lions Club and Health Department in organizing the camp.
A Pulse Polio immunization Camp was organized under the aegis of BWWA at Ftr Hospital BSF Jammu today. The camp was inaugurated by Sweety Raina, acting president (BWWA) and Dr Vinod Kumar, Comdt (Med) along with its Hospital staff.
Total 121 children were administrated Pulse polio Vaccine during the camp. Similar Pulse Polio camp will be organized on February 23 in Ftr hospital BSF Jammu.
A Pulse Polio immunization camp was organized by 76th battalion of CRPF at Sector-7 in Channi Himmat Jammu, under the supervision of Dr Supinder Singh, Medical Officer and under command of Commandant Vikram Singh Thakur. Besides, the team of CRPF also administered polio drops to about 170 children by visiting door-to-door in the area.
Ex-servicemen (J&K) Cell organized a Pulse Polio camp at Buta Nagar where 51 children were administered the drops. The camp was supervised by Bishmaber Singh, who was assisted by Vijay Singh, Meenakshi Raina and others.
Rotary Club organized Pulse Polio Immunization camps at SIDCO Morh and Sarore Adda where children. In these camps, a number of children were administered pulse polio drops. Jai Ram, Kewal Gupta and Rajan Badyal supervised these camps.
At Baramulla, Pulse Polio Immunization Programme was inaugurated by the DDC Ghulam Ahmad Khawaja from slum area.
At Gurez, SDM inaugurated the Programme in the Tehsil in presence of the field staff while at Budgam, Chief Planning Officer, Noor Mohammad Wani administered Pulse Polio drops to the children upto 5 years of age at Chief Medical Officer’s office Budgam.
At Anantnag, PPIP was launched by the DDC Dr Farooq Ahmad Lone while at Kulgam, DDC Jehangir Mir administered Pulse Polio drops to children for formally launching the campaign.
At Bandipora, District Development Commissioner, Bandipora, M Y Zargar along with Chief Medical Officer Bandipora launched the Programme at Aham Sharief Bandipora where about 20 children were administered polio drops.
At Shopian, DDC Bashir Ahmad Bhat launched the campaign by administering polio drops to several children at District Hospital Shopian. 215 polio booths were established where 902 employees were deployed for the said programme.
At Pulwama, Chief Medical Officer, Pulwama launched the campaign and informed that 74,106 children are being covered in the district. For the purpose, 457 polio booths were established where 1828 employees were deployed.
In Ganderbal district, 43,139 children under the age of 0-5 years are being covered under PPI Programme. For the purpose, 223 polio booths were established where 936 employees were deployed for the said programme.
At Leh, 21,511 children under the age of 0-5 years were covered under the Programme in the district. 376 polio booths were established for the purpose.
Despite cold and minus temperature, parents got their wards administered polio drops at nearest Booths in Kargil district. The Health department had dispatched logistics and vaccine to far flung areas of the district two day earlier and established 382 booths, 10 transit camps and 3 mobile teams.
