Manzoor-ul-Hassan

Srinagar, Jul 12 : Out of 4,299 gram panchayats (GPs) in Jammu and Kashmir, 2,993 lack broadband internet connection, an official data published on a Germany-based global data and business intelligence platform Statista.com, revealed Friday.

As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), this makes up nearly 70 percent of panchayats lacking high-speed internet connectivity under the scheme.

BharatNet scheme, also known as the National Broadband Mission, was launched in 2021 for implementation in a phased manner to all gram panchayats (approximately 2.5 lakh) in the country. The aim was to provide non-discriminatory access to broadband connectivity to all the telecom service providers.

The objective of the scheme was also to enable access providers like mobile operators, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Cable TV operators, and content providers to launch various services such as applications like e-health, e-education, and e-governance in rural and remote India.

Currently, over 2.1 lakh villages and gram panchayats, were equipped with internet access across India. Of these, Uttar Pradesh had the maximum connectivity in its rural areas with over 47,000 internet-equipped gram panchayats, followed by Maharashtra during the measured period.

In J&K, a crucial meeting of the 5th State Broadband Committee constituted to oversee the broadband mission, was held last month under Chief Secretary J&K, Atal Dulloo, who emphasised fixing timelines for the completion of each of the components as the union was reportedly lacking in the implementation.

Dulloo also asked for carrying out the joint survey by the Rural Development Department (RDD) and BSNL to assess the readiness of all the panchayats for the installation of Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) and the functionality of VSATs, provided earlier.

According to official data, under the Amended BharatNet Program (Phase III), the central government has approved will cover all the remaining GPs and Block Headquarters—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jul 12 : Corresponding to the celebration of forthcoming Independence Day with enthusiasm, patriotism & gaiety, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri on Friday chaired a high level meeting to ensure befitting arrangements for the observance of national festival and Flag hoisting ceremony.

The meeting was attended by Commissioner SMC/CEO SSCL; Deputy Commissioners of all Districts; Director Colleges, officers of Health, Floriculture, School Education, Information, Hospitality & Protocol, Government Medical College, SKIMS, RDD, PHE, PDD, R&B, AACL, UEED, YSS, SRTC, Transport, Fire & Emergency, Forest Protection, Sports Council and other departments.

While from security departments, the meeting was attended by IGP Kashmir Zone, DIG CRK, DIG Armed, SSPs and senior officers of CRPF, BSF and other agencies.

Addressing the meeting, Div Com underlined the importance of top-notch arrangements to exhibit colorful display to celebrate national event.

On the occasion, he asked the security & other departments to prepare their parade contingent and begin the practice in advance.

He directed concerned officers of the School Education Department for deputing the students for parade contingent training well in time for synchronizing the practice with other contingents.

Similarly, he instructed concerned departments for deployment of band contingents and upgrading the presentation.

Also, Div Com asked officers of Cultural, Education & Sports departments for making arrangements for the presentation of cultural programmes to enthrall the participants & guests.

SRTC was asked to make the arrangements of vehicles for the participants while the Hospitality & Protocol department was directed to make arrangements for providing refreshment to all participants.

The Floriculture Department was asked to decorate the stage with flowers of different colors for enhancing the vibrancy besides spraying of flower petals while hoisting the National Flag.

Regarding the live commentary of the event, Div Com directed officers of Information, Radio & Police departments to depute the expert officers one each for the assigned job.

Div Com directed concerned for making proper seating arrangement for participants besides ensuring drinking water facility and availability of uninterrupted electricity.

The Joint Director Information was instructed to begin the conduct of Quiz & Essay writing competitions for students under the theme besides organise National Anthem singing competitions.

Moreover, Div Com directed CE, R&B for making the arrangement for installing LED Screens at the venue and providing a good quality sound system.

Regarding the traffic management, Div Com directed SSP Traffic Srinagar to execute a meticulous plan for the movement of vehicles bound to the venue.

Besides, Div Com asked all the officers to sensitize their staff for displaying proper posture when the National Anthem is being played while Flag hoisting.

Bidhuri also directed concerned for conducting sanitation drive at the venue to ensure cleanliness all around.

Later, Div Com visited Bakhshi Stadium to inspect the arrangements where he gave a slew of directions to the officers of various departments for smooth & successful celebration of Independence Day—(KNO)

Brief spell of rains expected till July 20: Weatherman

Srinagar, Jul 12 : Amidst the forecast of moderate rainfall and flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir, the maximum temperature has recorded a dip on Friday with Srinagar, the summer capital of the Union Territory, recording a day temperature of 29.6 degree Celsius.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the highest temperature in Kashmir was recorded at Kupwara at 31.2 degree Celsius while the mercury in other parts settled below 30 degree Celsius today.

Qazigund, a gateway of Kashmir, has recorded a maximum temperature of 2702 degree Celsius while Pahalgam, a famous tourist destination has recorded a maximum temperature of 25.1 degree Celsius.

In Kokernag, the mercury settled at 25.8 degree Celsius while in Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort, the mercury settled at 22.2 degree Celsius.

The details however, reveal that except for Kupwara and Gulmarg, the mercury settled below normal in rest parts of the Valley today.

The three stations in Jammu division including Jammu, Katra and Bhaderwah, have also recorded below normal temperatures today.

In Jammu, the mercury settled at 34.0 degree Celsius while Katra and Bhaderwah recorded 30.4 degree Celsius and 27.2 degree Celsius respectively.

As per the details, Banihal and Batote recorded a maximum temperature of 28.8 degree Celsius and 28.1 degree Celsius respectively.

Meanwhile, the weatherman here has predicted a brief spell of rain for the next few days.

Director Meteorological department, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, told KNO from July 13 to July 15, a brief spell of rain and thundershower is expected at scattered places while a brief spell of rain and thundershower is expected at isolated places on July 16 and July 17.

From July 18 to July 20, the MeT Director said that a brief spell of rain and thundershower is expected at scattered places—(KNO)