In JK, 79% students of 14-16 years use Smartphone for Social Media purposes: ASER

64% students use Smartphone for education purposes

Srinagar, Jan 28 (KNO): In Jammu and Kashmir, more than 79 percent students of 14-16 years of age in a survey have reported that they use Smartphones for social media related activities while only 64 percent students have reported that they use the gadget for education purposes.

The latest Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) of 2024 that was released on Tuesday, of those who can use a Smartphone, 79.4 percent of adolescents of 14-16 years of age says that they used the Smartphone for social media purposes in the seven days prior to survey.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the report further states that the 64 percent students had used Smartphones for education related activities seven days prior to the survey.

The sampling of the survey is based on selection of 30 random villages in each district, 20 households in each village. It also surveyed all children of age 3-16 in household and assessed all children of age 5-16 in household. The sampling method has remained consistent over time.

The study further reveals that 93.7 percent adolescents of 14-16 years of age in Jammu and Kashmir were having a Smartphone at home and 83.9 percent were able to use it. Besides, 48.5 percent of adolescents of 14-16 years of age reported that they have their own Smartphone—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 28: A series of Western Disturbances (WDs) is expected to impact Jammu and Kashmir starting Wednesday night, potentially bringing light rain and snow to scattered to fairly widespread areas over the region for the next six days, officials said.

The Meteorological Centre Srinagar predicted a six-day wet weather beginning Wednesday.

The weather generally will remain dry till Wednesday afternoon with the possibility of light snow at isolated higher reaches during the night.

It said a fresh spell of light rain/snow at scattered to fairly widespread places is likely to occur during the night of January 29 till the morning of January 30 and at isolated places during January 31.

There is a possibility of another spell of light rain and snow in scattered to fairly widespread places on February 1 and 2, while a few middle and higher reaches may receive moderate snowfall during the period, the MeT office said, and yet another light spell of snow can’t be ruled out at scattered places on February 3.

The weather will likely remain generally cloudy on February 4 and 5 with the possibility of light rain and snow scattered to fairly widespread places.

Meanwhile, the night chill persisted in the Kashmir Valley, though there was a slight improvement as Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of -4.3°C against the -5.5°C on Monday, officials reported.

This was 3.4°C below the average for the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir during this period of the season.

There is a possibility of a rise in minimum temperature by 2-4°C at many places from January 29 onwards, the MeT office said.

The minimum temperature recorded during the intervening night of Sunday and Monday at Pahalgam in south Kashmir further dipped by a few notches and was recorded at a low of -6.6°C against the -6.4°C the previous night. This was -1.1°C below normal for the tourist spot.

Gulmarg in north Kashmir improved by a few notches and settled at -5°C against the -5.2°C the previous night. However, it was 2.6°C above normal for the famed ski resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district during the period.

Qazigund on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway had a low of -4.1°C, Kokernag -1.6°C, and the frontier Kashmir district of Kupwara recorded a low of 4-1°C, the MeT office said.

The 40-day-long harshest part of the winter, “Chillia Kalan,” in the Kashmir Valley will end on January 30.

CM Omar Abdullah reviews implementation of Schemes of Jal Shakti Department

JAMMU, JANUARY 27 (BAN): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a review meeting of the Jal Shakti Department here at the Civil Secretariat.

The meeting discussed the progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Jammu and Kashmir.

CM emphasized the need for effective implementation and robust monitoring mechanisms to achieve the mission’s objectives. The meeting was attended by Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs Javed Ahmad Rana, Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Jal Shakti Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Finance, Commissioner Secretary H&UDD, Commissioner Secretary Forest, Ecology & Environment, Mission Director JJM and other senior officers from concerned departments.

During the meeting, ACS Jal Shakti presented a comprehensive overview of the mission’s progress, goals, and challenges.

He highlighted that 81% of households across Jammu and Kashmir have been connected with tap water supply under the Jal Jeevan Mission and efforts being made to achieve the remaining targets.

It was informed that mission aims to provide 55 litres per capita per day (lpcd) of safe and clean drinking water, adhering to BIS 10500 standards. The adoption of alternative and effective designs, coupled with detailed technical scrutiny of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), has led to significant cost savings amounting to Rs 522 crore, underscoring the department’s commitment to efficiency and innovation.

The Chief Minister reviewed various challenges faced during the mission’s implementation, including low tender responses, delays in the supply of Galvanized Iron (GI) pipes in Jammu and Ductile Iron (DI) pipes in Kashmir, and incidence of dry bore wells in multiple districts. Electro-mechanical issues were also highlighted as significant concerns impacting the timely execution of projects.

The proposed project size under the Jal Jeevan Mission covers 3,253 schemes aimed at ensuring sustainable water supply system.

The meeting was informed that establishment of District Project Management Units (DPMUs) and continuous technical review by consultants are being carried out to ensure the quality and success of the mission.

The Chief Minister stressed the importance of robust third-party monitoring mechanisms to enhance transparency and accountability.

He directed that complaints from specific areas be addressed promptly by engaging these monitoring agencies for swift resolutions. Furthermore, he called for addressing concerns related to the improper laying of water supply pipes above ground and ensuring the sustainability of water resources in affected regions.

The meeting also focused on water quality monitoring and surveillance, with the Chief Minister emphasizing the need to strengthen Pani Samities at the Panchayat level.

He encouraged regular interaction with concerned Ministers and MLAs to define their roles and responsibilities in enhancing the effectiveness of these committees.

In addition, the meeting discussed the operation and maintenance of rural water supply and extension of the Nal Jal Mitra Programme, e-billing systems and other operational aspects. The Chief Minister highlighted the urgency of addressing manpower shortages within the department to improve service delivery and achieve mission objectives.

The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction with the progress made under the Jal Jeevan Mission while reiterating the importance of sustaining momentum and overcoming challenges.

He assured full government support in realizing the mission’s vision of providing clean and reliable drinking water to every household in Jammu and Kashmir.(BAN)