Srinagar, June 19 : Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Wednesday called for a law mandating doctors to prescribe cheaper generic drugs instead of costly branded medicines.

“Unless a legal framework is put in place, the push for generic drugs will remain an idea without implementation,” said DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

“It is well within the competence of Jammu and Kashmir (JK) to bring its own legislation due to the constitutional position of the state,” he said.

DAK President said the law will make drugs affordable to poor people who are not able to buy expensive brand-name drugs.

“More than 30 lakh people in JK do not have access to medicines due to lack of purchasing power,” he informed.

Dr Nisar said while use of generic drugs has increased over time, in JK doctors continue to dole out expensive branded drugs when equally effective and cheaper versions are available.

 “For writing costly branded medicines pharma companies provide doctors everything from luxury cars, family trips to household items,” he said adding that “even the chemist shops get huge margins for selling branded medicines.”

Dr Nisar said there is a deep-rooted nexus between doctors and pharma companies that is keeping generic drugs away from poor patients.

“The nexus is misleading people about generic drugs that is preventing these drugs from getting popular,” he added.

“Generic drugs are copycat versions of branded drugs and cost 80 to 90 per cent less than branded medicines as manufacturers do not have to spend on development and promotion of the drug.

Lyrica, the drug used for nerve problems, costs Rs 842 for a strip of 14 tablets whereas its generic version costs a meager Rs 70. Another branded drug, Glivec used for treating blood cancer is sold at a monthly cost of Rs 1.2 lakh while its generic version is sold at Rs 8000 only,” said Dr Nisar. (GNS)

Poonch, June 19 : In an embarrassment to government, a patient was carried to hospital on shoulders due to lack of road connectivity in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

The incident – the video of which has appeared on social media – took place at Bramsar, Gujjar Mohalla Wader Bala area of Rajwar in Kupwara where some men are seen carrying the patient on palanquin to all the way hospital which is several kilometers away.

The old-aged patient from Wader Bala had been suffering from severe pain. And due to lack of proper road connectivity in the village, no vehicle could pass through the village.

The incident exposes the tall claims of successive regimes of having carried out development in the far-flung areas.

It also illustrates how authorities have failed to provide basic facilities to people in remote parts of the Valley.

People who face medical emergencies have no other option than carrying patients on shoulders or in palanquins like bundles of hay. (GNS)

Mega underground aquarium to come up at Zabarwan foothills

SRINAGAR, JUNE 19- Advisor to Governor, K Skandan, Wednesday reiterated  Government’s commitments to strengthen tourism infrastructure in the State and added that various measures are underway to boost  the tourism sector.

The Advisor made these remarks during his visit to Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden here today.

Principal Secretary Animal/Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Department, Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmed Khan, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Director Floriculture, Abdul Hafiz Shah, Director Fisheries, R. N. Pandita, and other officers accompanied the Advisor.

On the occasion, the Advisor said the Government is working on several plans to boost tourism in the state, adding parks in Kashmir, especially Mughal gardens, have remained a major attraction for domestic and international tourists.

He said the Government has taken several steps to boost tourism and focus is being laid on the development of tourism-related infrastructure in the State.

During the visit, Advisor was briefed about a state-of-the-art underground aquarium with world-class facilities which would be constructed in Kashmir valley on the lines of South East Asia Aquarium Singapore for which land is being identified in the vicinity of Botanical Garden at Zabarwan foothills.

For the purpose, he was informed that two committees, comprising officials from Floriculture, Fisheries and Tourism Departments are being constituted which would be headed by DC Srinagar with a mandate to identify the land for the underground aquarium.

It was said that the consultants from Floriculture, Fisheries and other allied Departments would examine the technicalities for the establishment of the mega aquarium in Kashmir on the lines of Singapore Aquarium.

The Advisor while appreciating the officers said such state-of-the-art infrastructures would boost tourist inflow to Kashmir.

He said the project would provide an added tourist attraction in the vicinity of the Dal Lake, Mughal Gardens and Tulip Garden at the foothills of Zabarwan Mountain.

SRINAGAR JUNE 19 – Advisor to the Governor, Mr. Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, has expressed deep shock and sorrow over the death of two persons in a raft capsize in Pahalgam yesterday.

A three-day rafting championship began on Monday in memory of Rouf Dar, the brave-heart tourist guide who died earlier this month while rescuing tourists from river Lidder.

In his condolence message, Ganai, who is Advisor in-charge Tourism Department, conveyed his heart-felt sympathies to the bereaved families of the deceased and prayed for peace to the departed souls. He also wished speedy recovery to those injured in the incident.

SRINAGAR, JUN 19: In view of Shri Amaranth Ji Yatra-2019 starting from 01st July 2019, the Traffic Police City Srinagar is going to hire six passenger light motor vehicles (PSVs) in good condition having valid J&K route permit.

In this connection, all the interested persons/ transport agencies are informed to approach their office along with valid documents of their vehicles with proposed hiring rates, which shall not exceed rates fixed by government. Vehicles of the owner who shall propose lowest rates shall be approved for hire w.e.f 01-07-2019. It is further informed that the hired vehicles can be de-hired at any time without assigning any notice.

The application of interested persons/ transport agencies should reach to the office of SSP Traffic City (Polo View) Srinagar, by or before 25-06-2019. Application received after due date and time shall not be accepted / entertained.

Taking cognizance of the fire incident at bank’s Botshah Mohalla business unit, Chairman and MD R K Chhibber today made a surprise visit to the restored branch to see in person that the uninterrupted services are being dispensed to the bank’s customers.

The chairman along with President M Younis Patoo also interacted with the staff and customers on the occasion.

He also inspected few branches along the way in downtown and took stock of the services being provided to the customers.

Employees express grief, offer condolences to families of the deceased

Srinagar, June 19 : Director Tourism Kashmir Nisar Ahmad Wani Thursday convened condolence meeting to pray for the peace to the departed employee and a rafter who died in a tragic raft capsize at Pahalgam.

All the officers and employees of the department attended the condolence meeting and expressed grief over their deaths.

Director Tourism Kashmir Nisar Ahmad Wani said this is a very tragic incident and the department shares the grief and pain with the bereaved families.

“I convey my deepest condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased at this time of grief.”

Director also prayed for peace to the departed souls.
A two-minute silence was also observed in remembrance of the deceased.

Srinagar: Kashmiri Sikh Community leader Indumeet Singh has felicitated for his initiative of plantation drive on the eve of 550th Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s.

Day long programme was orgainsed by Forest department with an aim “Protect Earth , Restore Land , Engage People”.

While speaking on the occasion Indumeet Singh raised various issues related with Environment problem and promised together we will work to save our environment.

Indumeet also said On eve of 550th Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s , I along with my volunteers will do massive plantation in different areas of Kashmir valley.

Later , commissioner Secteray of Forest department honoured Indumeet Singh for his idea and initiative. He assured for his full support to the initiative.

“Very soon we are going to start plantation drives in kashmir valley, i urge all youth join us for this noble Cause” adding he said ” I am thankful to worthy Commissioner Secteray of Forest department and other dignitaries for their support “.

Umer Rashid

Srinagar, June 19 : Police have arrested five persons and claimed to have recovered material used for making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from Zainapora area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Tuesday night.

A police officer told GNS that a special team of police in separate raids arrested the five persons and recovered material used for making the explosive devices including IEDs.

The officer identified the arrested persons as Aqib Nazir Rather son of Nazir Ahmad Rather of Awneera Shopian, Amir Nazir Wani son of Nazir Ahmad
R/o Durpora Shopian, Sameer Mushtaq Bhat son of Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat of Shirmal Shopian, Faisal Farooq Ahanger son of Farooq Ahmad Ahanger of Moolu Chitragam, Shopian and Rayees Ahmad Ganie son of Mohd Ayoub of Dangerpora Shopian.

These associates were planning to target police and security forces by planting explosives during their movement in the area, the officer claimed.

“Besides material, on the disclosure of these arrested associates of militants, a sophisticated IED was also recovered from their possession thus a major tragedy was averted in the southern district,” the officer said.

The officer said that a case under FIR number 39/2019 under section 16,18, 38, 39 Unlawful Activities (Prevention Act) has been registered and further investigations taken up.