J&K nods guidelines for ex-gratia to kin of victims

2 deaths, 174 new cases; Jmu admin issues fresh SoPs

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday has approved procedural guidelines for disbursing ex-gratia relief of Rs 50,000 to the next of kin of the victims of COVID while the Union Territory reported 174 cases and 2 deaths.
Moreover, the surge in positivity has prompted, the administration of Jammu district to issue fresh SoPs to combat the infection.
“The relief of Rs. 50,000 to the next of kin of COVID victims will be disbursed in through a transparent verification process via aadhar linked direct benefit transfer (DBT),” Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta was informed while chairing a meeting of the UT Executive Committee for Disaster Management to review the requirement of funds in districts for disaster preparedness, mitigation, and COVID management.
It was informed that so far 4,176 people have died across J&K due to COVID-19.
As per the approved guidelines, the Deputy Commissioners in consultation with the Health Department will provide the ex-gratia relief of Rs. 50,000 to the next of kin of COVID victims including those involved in relief operations and preparedness activities; based on valid death certificates issued in this regard.
The guidelines also require the Deputy Commissioners to provide the online application link for seeking the ex-gratia relief on the district’s official web portal.
Chief Secretary observed that the death certificates mentioning COVID as the cause of death might not have been issued to victims in the earlier wave and accordingly directed the Department to lay down SOP and also constitute a grievance redressal committee to facilitate the families in availing the required documentation.
Moreover, the Jammu and Kashmir recorded 174 fresh cases of coronavirus, taking the infected number of people to 3,35,881 while two fresh deaths due to the virus were reported from the Union Territory in the past 24 hours.
Of the fresh cases, 25 were from Jammu division and 149 from Kashmir division, the officials said.
They said Srinagar district recorded the highest of 58 cases followed by 43 cases in Baramulla district.
There are 1,684 active cases in the UT, while the number of recovered patients stands at 3,29,731, the officials said.
The death toll in the UT due to the pandemic was 4,466, as two fresh deaths were reported in the past 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the officials said there were 49 confirmed cases of mucormycosis (black fungus) in the UT as no fresh case was reported since Tuesday evening.
In view of surging COVID positive cases, District Magistrate Jammu Anshul Garg on Wednesday said the hoteliers and banquet hall owners to face strict action like penalties or sealing of the venue for violating the directives.
Garg, who is also the Chairperson, District Disaster Management
Authority in an order said necessary precautions regarding prevention and control of Corona Virus infection are being taken by the District Administration in co-ordination with Police and Health authorities and the District Administrate has imposed Night Curfew from 2200 hours to 0600 hours in the territorial jurisdiction of District Jammu.
"It has been reported that the restrictions imposed are not being enforced in letter and spirit especially in Hotels and Banquets where social gatherings are taking place, thus leading to rise in number of positive cases which are being reported in the District," said Garg.
He therefore, said in view of the mentioned facts, the Sub Divisional Magistrates and Tehsildars shall convene meetings with all owners of Hotels and Banquet Halls within their respective jurisdiction to ensure that the COVID appropriate behavior is observed and no event continues beyond 2200 hours ; conduct random inspection of the premises of these Hotels and Banquet Halls for any violations of COVID appropriate behaviour and initiate necessary remedial measures including penalties and sealing of premises floating guidelines.
He further ordered to ensure contact tracing and comprehensive testing of the areas where positive cases are being reported in their respective jurisdiction and will be recommend for notification of micro containment zones to the District Disaster Management Authority.
"The Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu will ensure that instructions are passed on to all the Station House Officers for strict enforcement of night curfew and only essential services shall be allowed after 2200 hours within the entire district," said the order.