Jammu, November 22:

As India assumes the G20 presidency for a year from next month, National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Monday said the country could use this opportunity to engage Pakistan to address Kashmir issue and also help the world end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

The former J&K CM said he was tired of advocating dialogue with Pakistan as he was dubbed as anti-national. “I am happy that we (India) are assuming the presidency of G20 and I hope the PM (Narendra Modi) will be successful in ending the Russia-Ukraine war that had badly hit the world economy,” Farooq told reporters here. After assuming the G20 presidency for a year on December 1, India will chair over 200 meetings that aim to secure global economic growth.

According to Farooq, he will also join the Bharat Jodo Yatra of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi once it enters the UT.

A delegation of Opposition parties, including the Congress, the PDP, the CPI and the Akali Dal (Amritsar) under the aegis of the All Parties United Morcha (APUM), met Farooq in Jammu and discussed the current political situation in the UT. “There is need to stand against the politics of hate and division in order to strengthen the socio-religious brotherhood,” he said.

A statement of the APUM read that Farooq agreed to have more united and coordinated campaign against the attempts to create political and social division in society. 

Srinagar: Under the campaign of Nasha Mukht Bharat Abhiyan, the Divisional Administration Kashmir on Monday issued an advisory for the sale of X, H, and H1 drugs.

In an official handout, the administration mentions dos and don’ts to adhering to the sale of these scheduled drugs.

It makes mandatory to mention on the prescription the date of dispensing, the number of tablets dispensed along with the stamp of the chemist for Schedule H, H1, and X drugs.

The instructions state that all records and registers should be maintained as indicated in the Act/Rules and they should be made available for inspection by the Commissioner of Food and Drugs Control Administration or any other officer authorized by him in this regard.

Similarly, chemists dispensing scheduled drugs must ensure safety control measures such as video cameras and the prescription should be dispensed only if it is presented within 7 days of its issue.For each Schedule H1 and X medicine dispensed, the pharmacist must record the: name, address, patient’s DoB, name of medicine supplied and quantity supplied, prescription date and dispensing date, and name, and address of the prescriber.

When storing or archiving records and data, pharmacies should ensure they are able to locate and retrieve individual documents or information when needed.

The advisory directs not to dispense medications if the prescription is incomplete, or has alteration(s) without any countersign by the doctor; also not to dispense tramadol, buprenorphine, tapentadol, codeine, methylphenidate for any online prescriptions.

Also, not to dispense psychotropics to minors not accompanied by guardians and not to dispense a prescription when you have reasonable cause to believe that the prescription has been forged or obtained fraudulently and if forged, retain the prescription and forward it to the authorities.

Moreover, it directs not to dispense medications if you do not have a required license-for drug like Schedule X.

In charge of the Divisional Control Room Tahir Magray said that this is part of initiatives taken under Nasha Mukth Bharat by the Govt of India including the toll-free helpline no 18001807202.

Besides, JK Admin is ensuring strict adherence to standing acts and laws related to Schedule X, H and H1 drugs so that any diversion of such drugs into unsafe hands and antisocial elements is averted.

The instructions state that all records and registers should be maintained as indicated in the Act/Rules and they should be made available for inspection by the Commissioner of Food and Drugs Control Administration or any other officer authorized by him in this regard.

Similarly, chemists dispensing scheduled drugs must ensure safety control measures such as video cameras and the prescription should be dispensed only if it is presented within 7 days of its issue.

For each Schedule H1 and X medicine dispensed, the pharmacist must record the: name, address, patient’s DoB, name of medicine supplied and quantity supplied, prescription date and dispensing date, and name, and address of the prescriber.

Srinagar, Nov 22: Night temperatures dropped below zero in all places except Srinagar and Kokernag in Kashmir Valley, meteorological department said on Tuesday.

While Ladakh remained under deep freeze, all places except Banihal in Jammu division witnessed below normal temperatures, reported news agency, GNS, quoting an official of MeT.

He said Srinagar recorded a low of 0.2°C against 3.7°C on the previous night. The temperature was 0.1°C above normal for the summer capital during this time of the year, he said.

Qazigund recorded a low of minus 1.2°C against 3.0°C on the previous night. The temperature was 1.8°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.

In Pahalgam, the mercury settled at minus 4.2°C against minus 3.5°C on the previous night and it was 1.8°C below normal for the south Kashmir resort, he said.

Kokernag recorded a low of 0.6°C against 3.4°C on the previous night and it was normal for the place, he said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 3.5°C against minus 3.4°C on the previous night, the official said. It was 1.4°C below normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at minus 1.8°C against minus 0.3°C on the previous night, the official said. It was 1.3°C below normal for the north Kashmir place, he said.

Jammu recorded a low of 9.1°C against 8.9°C on the previous night. It was 2.4°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said. Banihal recorded a low of 4.°C (2.4°C above normal), Batote 4.0°C (0.8°C below normal), Katra 9.0°C (0.7°C below normal) and Bhadarwah 2.0°C (0.1°C below normal).

In Ladakh, Kargil recorded a low of minus 7.6°C, Leh minus 9.8°C and mercury in Drass, the world’s second coldest place after Siberia, settled at minus 13.3°C, the official said.

The MeT department has predicted mainly dry weather for next 24 in J&K and said that no large change was expected till the end of this month.

JAMMU, Nov 22: Pakistani intruder was killed and another arrested on Tuesday as the BSF foiled their separate attempts to infiltrate into this side from across the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir, a spokesperson of the border guarding force said.
The infiltration attempts were scuttled by the alert troops in Arnia sector of Jammu and Ramgarh sector in Samba district in the early hours of the day, the Border Security Force (BSF) spokesperson said.
Giving details, he said the BSF troops opened fire on a Pakistani intruder when he was noticed aggressively approaching towards the border fence in Arnia sector.
”He was challenged to stop but he did not pay any heed. Finding no other alternative, the troops fired and killed him,” the spokesperson said.
In another incident, the spokesperson said troops apprehended a Pakistani intruder as he approached the fencing after crossing the IB in Ramgarh sector.
”He was brought inside the Indian side of the fence after opening the gate. Nothing incriminating was found from his possession so far,” the spokesperson said.
He said the entire area in both the sectors is being thoroughly searched. (Agencies)

Sopore, Nov 22: In a major relief to public, transporters in Sopore town of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district resumed their services after six days deferring their strike till Saturday after administration agreed to redress their demand.

Quoting an official, news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reported that in view of the strike by the transporters, the earlier order of allowing ‘illegal’ Sumo vehicles into the Sopore bus stand has been reviewed and a committee has been set up to identify proper mechanism for smooth functioning of transport in the town.

He added that transport services have resumed and are now plying normally from the general bus stand, Sopore.

Confirming the development, chairman All Kashmir Transport Confederation, Mohammad Shafi said they have deferred the strike till Saturday and have resumed transport services after administration agreed to their demand.

“We have been assured that our demand will be fulfilled within 4-5 days. So we have unanimously decided to defer the strike call and resume services till Saturday,” Shafi said.

Shafi, however, said if the administration failed to address or fulfill their promise within a stipulated period of time, they will launch a massive agitation.

Transporters were on an indefinite strike since Tuesday last week, opposing the move of accommodating “illegal sumos” in general bus stand. Earlier, on Monday, administration in a review meeting to streamline traffic in the town issued a formal order, to accommodate “illegal sumos” in the general bus stand, Sopore.

SRINAGAR: In a significant spike today J&K Bank share touched its 52 week-high price at Rs 45.45 on NSE & BSE. The scrip eventually settled at Rs 44.25 on BSE and Rs 44.20 on NSE registering over 5% growth while witnessing total trading of over 30 million shares during the day. Notably, the share has registered a return in excess of 40% since the declaration of Sep’2022 quarterly / half-yearly results outperforming the sectoral and broader indices.

Celebrating the price-rise at the Bank’s corporate headquarters, MD & CEO Baldev Prakash called it a big moment for the Bank and thanked all the stakeholders especially governments of twin UTs (J&K and Ladakh) for their continued support, Bank’s Board of Directors for their valued guidance and above all Bank’s valuable customers and clients for their unflinching trust and loyalty. All the Bank’s Vertical Heads, Divisional Heads, GMs, DGMs, Zonal Heads, Cluster Heads attended the brief celebratory function through video-conferencing on the occasion.While addressing the Bank’s staff on the occasion, MD & CEO said, “Our share has touched the 52-week high price with Bank’s market capitalization crossing the milestone of Rs 4000 Crore to make it a memorable day for all of us. I believe, it is the fructification of individual efforts that each one of you are putting in everyday to achieve the business goals of the Bank that includes improving the Asset quality by reducing NPAs and managing SMAs”, adding, “Riding on the back of healthier financial numbers, planned organisational transformation and improving work-culture; our market perception is on a rising curve with the value proposition being acknowledged by the market players. We must ensure that the scrip maintains the upward trend by delivering improved results on a sustained basis.”

“And I assure all the stakeholders that we won’t allow anything to impede our journey towards growth and glory”, MD asserted.

Besides expressing his pleasure on the enthusiastic participation and contribution of staff towards achieving the business goal of Rs 2.22 Lac Cr by the end of this fiscal, he further said, “Since our dreams and aspirations are associated with this institution, I am sure that we will continue to work together as a cohesive team to accomplish all the business goals through our tried and time-tested institutional resolve.”

On the occasion, expressing their faith in and appreciation for his strong leadership and prudent guidance, the participants congratulated MD & CEO Baldev Prakash for the Bank’s improving performance and perception. “Together, we have done it and together we shall accomplish all the organisational goals in future as well”, echoed the participants in unison.

By King RJ 

Bhadarwah Nov 21 : To further expand the reach of Purple revolution, Ministry of Science and technology through CSIR-IIIM distributes 4 lakhs rooted plants of lavender among 200 progressive farmers drawn from Ramban, Udhampur, Reasi and Doda District beside 15 visiting farmers from North Eastern states of Meghalaya and Nagaland, in a function at Jammu and Kashmir’s Bhaderwah on Monday.

  The plant were distributed among the farmers after an awareness cum training programme at Lal-Ded Auditorium of Bhadarwah Campus in which beside senior Scientist of CSIR-IIIM Jammu, some of those agriculturists who are successfully growing lavender led by Touqeer Bagban explained the nuances of Lavander farming and also motivated the participants to switch from traditional agricultural practices to growing of aromatic plants for better future. 

  Scientists and technocrats including Dr Sumeet Gairola Nodal scientist Aroma Mission, Dr Qazi Parvez, Dr V P Rahul and Dr Shakir Sultan explained the scientific techniques to grow aromatic lavander Crop for better yield and also how to take care of the plants during drought or rainy season.

  Dr V P Rahul, senior Scientist CSIR-IIIM Jammu said that the motivation and distribution of Lavender plants is primarily aimed at catalyzing rural empowerment through cultivation processing, value addition and marketing of aromatic plants (for North Eastern Region & J&K Farmers) under CSIR Aroma Mission Phase 2.

    Referring to the lavender cultivation in the region, Chairman District Development Council (DDC) Doda, Dhanantar Singh Kotwal who was the chief guest said that Lavender is an avenue of employment generation and will help the farmers in doubling their income.

  Beneficiary farmers especially the one from Meghalaya and Nagaland were upbeat about the new farming venture they are going to take up in the form of lavender Cultivation in their respective states and expressed their gratitude to the Ministry of Science and Technology for giving them the opportunity to be a part of the ‘Purple Revolution’ in India.

  “Aroma therapy is the new big thing in the world and demand of essential oils especially that of Lavander is ever increasing. To let us be part of the ‘Purple revolution’ will surely help the farmers of North Eastern Region in a big way,” said Dr R P Bansal, Consultant Aroma Mission Meghalaya Government.