Hyderabad: Bharat Biotech, a global leader in vaccine innovation, developing vaccines for infectious diseases, Wednesday announced the first interim analysis of its BBV152 (COVAXIN®).

The whole virion inactivated COVID-19 vaccine candidate demonstrated an interim vaccine efficacy of 81% in its Phase 3 clinical trial. The trials involved 25,800 subjects, the largest ever conducted in India, in partnership with the Indian Council of Medical Research, according to a statement issued here on Wednesday.

“Today is an important milestone in vaccine discovery, for science and our fight against coronavirus. With today’s results from our Phase 3 clinical trials, we have now reported data on our COVID-19 vaccine from Phase 1, 2, and 3 trials involving around 27,000 participants.

COVAXIN® demonstrates high clinical efficacy trend against COVID-19 but also significant immunogenicity against the rapidly emerging variants,” said Dr. Krishna Ella, Chairman & Managing Director, Bharat Biotech.

BBV152 contains a whole virion inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, which is produced in Vero cells. It is stable at 2 to 8°C (refrigerated) and is shipped in a ready-to-use liquid formulation that permits distribution using existing vaccine supply chain channels. BBV152 has a 28-day open vial policy as a unique product characteristic, thus reducing vaccine wastage by approximately 10-30%.

BBV152 is based on an established manufacturing platform with a better safety profile when compared to other vaccine platforms. The inclusion of the Algel-IMDG adjuvant enhances T-cell immune responses to COVID-19, leading to long-term protection.

“I want to thank every one of the participants, who volunteered to participate in this vital clinical trial, our partners, principal investigators across 25 study sites, and our team at Bharat Biotech who dedicated their time to this vaccine discovery,” said Suchitra Ella, Joint Managing Director, Bharat Biotech. “We could not have achieved this public-private partnership milestone without the relentless commitment of those involved.”

The Phase 3 study enrolled 25,800 participants between 18-98 years of age, including 2,433 over the age of 60 and 4,500 with comorbidities. The primary endpoint of Phase 3 clinical trial is based on the first occurrence of PCR-confirmed symptomatic (mild, moderate, or severe) COVID-19 with onset at least 14 days after the second study vaccination in serologically negative (to SARS-CoV-2) adult participants at baseline.

The first interim analysis is based on 43 cases, of which 36 cases of COVID-19 were observed in the placebo group versus 7 cases observed in the BBV152 (COVAXIN®) group, resulting in a point estimate of vaccine efficacy of 80.6%.

The interim analysis included a preliminary review of the safety database, which showed that severe, serious, and medically attended adverse events occurred at low levels and were balanced between vaccine and placebo groups. The trial’s conduct and monitoring are as per Good Clinical Practice guidelines and have been outsourced to IQVIA.

Srinagar:  Jammu and Kashmir recorded 104 fresh Covid-19 cases on Wednesday. However, there was no death due to Covid-19 in the UT in last 24 hours.

Of of the fresh cases, 17 were from the Jammu division and 87 from the Kashmir division of the Union Territory.

Srinagar district recorded the highest of 53 cases followed by 12 in Baramulla district and 11 in Jammu district.

While five districts did not report any fresh case, 12 other districts had cases in single digits.

With the fresh cases, the total cases in J&K has risen to 1,26,693.

The number of active cases was 875 in &K while 1,23,860 patients have recovered from the infection so far, the officials said.

The death toll in J&K is 1,958 as no fresh fatality has been reported from the Union Territory in the past 24 hours, they said.

Srinagar: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a massive probe into alleged bribery and embezzlement of public funds in the Jammu and Kashmir and the investigation agencyhas cracked down on the culprits.

Several investigating teams comprising senior officers have been formed to review the records of government construction agencies, corporations and other government departments.

CBI sources revealed that people of Jammu and Kashmir have been going through the worst hardships for many years due to corruption  and now agency is going after the corrupt officials.

“Efforts are being made to do so and large-scale action has been taken in this regard,” they said.

A CBI official said people from J&K facing severe hardships due to corruption in  civil  and other departments  as well as in other construction agencies, banks and corporations over the past many years.

“Although in the past the jurisdiction of the CBI was limited to the Central agencies only, since Jammu and Kashmir became a Centrally Administered Territory, the powers of CBI have been greatly expanded and now The CBI covers all the departments of Jammu and Kashmir including the central institutions as well as local level civil offices, police departments, public and private banks, various construction agencies and corporations etc. and majority of  these departments and corporations are allegedly involved in frauds and irregularities over the last several years are being investigated,” he said.

The officer said CBI is working hard to curb the system of bribery in J&K and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“And investigative teams headed by competent officers were formed The teams are closely scrutinizing the assets and bank accounts of the officers and employees involved in the corruption during which large scale irregularities and frauds have been uncovered in various departments and soon in this regard. Action will be taken in accordance with the law,” he said. (KNS)

Srinagar: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday claimed to have arrested a Patwari while accepting a bribe for mutation of the land in the valley.

“A case was registered against a Patwari, Bemina, Budgam on the allegations of demanding bribe of Rs 35,000 from the complainant for mutation of the land,” a statement issued by CBI said on Wednesday.

The statement said that it was further alleged that the bribe was negotiated to Rs 23,000, out of which an amount of Rs 10,000 was already paid.

“CBI laid a trap and caught the Patwari, identified as Mohammad Afzal, red handed while demanding and accepting the remaining bribe amount of Rs 13,000,” it said.

Searches were conducted at the residence of accused which led to recovery of incriminating documents. The arrested accused was produced before the Competent Court and remanded to three days Police Custody.

Asks Forest Deptt to explore possibility of making Dachigam more accessible local destination, lays special emphasis on protection of Mansar-Surinsar lakes, wetlands

Jammu:  Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha Wednesday paid homage to all the martyrs of the Forest Department who have laid down their lives and made supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. “I salute the bravery of forest personnel working day and night to protect Forests, Wildlife and the Environment”, said the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor was speaking at the Passing out Ceremony of the Forest Guards of 32nd, 56th, and 66th Course here at Convention Centre. The ceremony started with the Guard of Honour to the Lt Governor by the personnel of the Forest Protection Force, J&K.

To mark the occasion, the Lt Governor planted saplings of Rudraksh in the premises of Convention Centre.

B V R Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary was the Guest of Honour on the occasion.

During his address, the Lt Governor congratulated the 98 pass-outs and exhorted them to discharge the noble responsibility of conserving natural resources and biodiversity with utmost zeal and dedication.

Emphasizing on extending J&K’s green cover, the Lt Governor called for development of Eco Parks across J&K and establishing more Bal Vans, and green areas specifically for the Senior Citizens, besides comprehensive plan for the conservation of ecology in and around Mansar-Surinsar lakes and protection of wetlands and wastelands.

He also asked the department to focus on Hangul conservation and explore the possibility of making the Dachigam as a more accessible local destination.

Highlighting the role of forest frontline staff in protection and conservation of forests and the biodiversity, the Lt Governor said that Forest Guards are no less than soldiers of our Defence and Police forces. He asked the department to organize programmes on 11th September-Forest Martyr’s Day every year to mark the efforts of frontline staff and pay tribute to their valour and sacrifices.

The Lt Governor appreciated the department on notable increase of forest cover as reported by Forest Survey of India in its 2019 report.

J&K with an increase of 348sq km of forest cover has figured among top 5 States/UT that have registered the highest increase in forest cover. These forests have enabled J&K to receive a higher proportion of funds, around Rs 1700 Cr annually under the 15th Finance Commission. I congratulate the Department for this, said the Lt Governor.

Underscoring the importance of Forests, the Lt Governor said that a nations’ strength predominantly rests in its natural and human resources. In natural resources, India ranks among the top twelve mega-diverse countries of the world and UT of Jammu and Kashmir harbors huge diversity due to its geographic and altitudinal variation, he added.

Speaking on the positive impact of forest products on the economy of the UT, the Lt Governor observed that the monetary value of benefits like timber, firewood, fodder and non-timber Forest Products as assessed by Directorate of Economics & Statistics are worth around Rs 3000 Crore which is more than 2% of the GDP of J&K. Focusing on new avenues like Ecotourism and promotion of Wood-Based Industries, the contribution to GDP can be increased substantially, added the Lt Governor.

On the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, the Lt Governor said that the Government is committed towards the welfare of the communities dependent on forests who were earlier deprived of their rights.

The Forest Department and the Tribal Affairs Department are working tirelessly to ensure livelihood security, dignity and prosperity to Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwelling communities, the Lt Governor maintained.

The Lt Governor called on the Forest Department to make various interventions through innovative methods, use of technology and active involvement of people for ecological restoration and conservation.

“I am sure that the Green Jammu & Kashmir Drive with a target of planting One Crore plants will contribute significantly in this direction”, said the Lt Governor.

He informed that the 98 Forest Guard Trainees who have successfully completed the training course are from Forest Guards Training School, Doomi, Akhnoor; Soil Conservation Training School, Miran Sahib, Jammu, and Kashmir Forest Training School, Chitternar, Bandipora.

On the occasion, the Lt Governor felicitated the trainees who excelled in academics and extracurricular activities.  He also extended his greetings to the people on World Wildlife Day and World Hearing Day.

Among the passed out Forest Guards Trainees, Nitish Rasgotra received award for Best All Round Trainee for 56th Course, Forest Guard Training School, Doomi; Varun Dev Singh received award for Best All Round Trainee for 32nd Course, Soil Conservation Training School, Miran Sahib, and Abdul Rashid Bhat for 66th Course, Kashmir Forest Training School, Chitternar.

By: Owais Gul

Srinagar: With no letup in tussle between the government and mutton dealers over the rates, Kashmir’s mutton industry has suffered a cumulative loss of Rs 400 Crores in the past four months.

The dealers opine that the marginal loss on daily basis is Rs 3.20 crores.

All Kashmir Wholesale Mutton Dealers Association (AKWMDA) president Mehraj-ud-Din said that Kashmir was consuming almost Rs 4 Crore worth mutton a day.

“The mutton (Outside livestock) was being consumed at the cost of Rs 4 Crore a day before the tussle, but now the meat consuming has declined by at least 80 per cent,” he said, adding that in last four months, the people affiliated with the trade have suffered a marginal loss of Rs 15 Crore, saying that the sale loss is too much high.

He added that only 20 per cent meat is being consumed across Kashmir on a daily basis due to the prevalent situation, which continued from November last year, when the government fixed fresh rates and asked the mutton dealers to sell mutton at the rate of Rs 480 per kg.

He said that comparing the previous figure, the mutton dealers are suffering 80 per cent losses per day, which is Rs 3.20 Crore on a regular basis.

“From Rs 4 Crore daily, the market has reduced to just Rs 80,000,00 per day across Kashmir,” Mehraj said, adding that these losses are not expected to end until and unless the rigid policy towards the mutton dealers will come to an end.

Amid prevalent situation, the estimated sale and profit loss to the mutton dealers in a month is Rs 96 Crores.

“We could have done a business of nearly 400 crore during these months, but have been deprived. The losses, if we look, are very much high. We are not being pushed to the wall as our EMIs of banks and other things are being deducted with no business at all,” he said.

Notably, the government and the mutton dealers on February 27 held a meeting to discuss the issues. However, the meeting failed to end the deadlock as the mutton dealers continued to press for a hike in the rates, which was increased by the government from Rs 480 in November 2020 to Rs 515. (KNO)

SC rejects PIL against Abdullah

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking  action against former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah for making statements against the scrapping of Article 370.

The bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul observed that the expression of views that are different from the opinion of the government cannot be termed seditious.

The PIL filed by petitioners Rajat Sharma and Neh Srivastava was against the National Conference leader’s remarks on the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. It also alleged that the Abdullah sought help from Pakistan and China against India on the matter.

While dismissing the plea, the Apex Court also slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 on the petitioners for failing to substantiate the allegations made in the litigation.

The plea cited alleged remarks made by Abdullah that he sought help of China and Pakistan against India on Article 370.

The plea contended that Abdullah’s statement is anti-national and seditious and government should be directed to take appropriate action declaring him as underserving candidate to be a member of Parliament.

Srinagar:  National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah on Wednesday welcomed the renewed bilateral engagement between India and Pakistan after a long hiatus, saying the changed understanding of both the neighboring countries with respect to Jammu and Kashmir will act as forerunner of peace and prosperity in the region.

Commenting on a series of initiatives being taken by the GoI, Omar said the renewed outlook of both the countries give an inkling of a changed mind set towards Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the evolving situation has made it pretty clear that the outlook of both the countries has undergone a big change and has been replaced with a policy of peaceful engagement.  He said it was a welcome step that must be carried forward positively.

Remarking on the development, he said, “We have been pleading with the GOI to restore 4G services   over a period of time, but all of a sudden the service was restored. The let-up to the woes of people wasn’t confined to that measure only. Over the period of time we saw how both the neighboring countries came up with a DGMO level talk on the cessation of violence on the LOC, IB.”

“It was much later, to our surprise though that we were able to learn that the DGMO level formations were a product of diplomatic negotiations, which all of us were unmindful of. Reports of allowing Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to offer congregational prayers at Jamia Masjid after 18 months also gives an insinuation about the changed attitude we hail on account of it being in sync with our stated policy underscoring goodwill between India and Pakistan as a means to foster peace in J&K,” he said.

Extolling the workers in their unbeaten spirit, he said that despite all the undue intervention from the administration the party workers were able to take on the challenges effectively on their own during the DDC elections.

Soldiers found dead inside army camp in Rajouri

Srinagar:  An Army officer posted at Army Depo in Khanmoh area of Srinagar on Wednesday shot himself dead, sources said here.

Sources said Lieutenant Colonel Sudeep Bhagat Negi, who was posted at the depot, shot himself from his service weapon at around 8.30 am.

They said he was immediately evacuated to medical facility, where he was declared brought dead.

An army official said circumstances of the incident are being investigated.

Meanwhile, an army sepoy was on Wednesday morning found dead in a camp of Army’s Ace of Spades division near Chawa area of Rajouri district.

An official said the sepoy, posted in an army camp near Chawa area on the outskirts of Rajouri town, was found lying in a pool of blood with bullet marks on his body.

“The body has been taken to GMC Associated Hospital Rajouri for post mortem examination and other medico-legal formalities,” he said.

The official said that investigation into the matter was going on to find out the cause of death as the deceased is having bullet marks on his body.

Srinagar:  High Court on Wednesday reiterated that a person cannot be put under preventive detention on the grounds which formed basis of an earlier order that has either expired or has been quashed by a Court.

Quashing a detention order under Public Safety Act against one Mushtaq Ahmad Wani alias Channa of Soaf Shali, Kokernag  in south kashmir’s Anantnag district, a bench of Justice  Sanjay Dhar also referred to Apex Court’s judgment—Chhagan Bhagwan Kahar Vs. N. L. Kalna and others—to underline that an order of detention cannot be made after considering the previous grounds of detention when the same had been quashed by the Court. “If such previous grounds of detention are taken into consideration while forming the subjective satisfaction by the detaining authority in making a detention order, the order of detention will be vitiated,” the court said, adding, “It is of no consequence if the further fresh facts disclosed in the grounds of the impugned detention order have been considered.”

Referring to another judgement by the top court, Justice Dhar observed that even if the order of detention comes to an end either by revocation or by expiry of the period of detention, there must be fresh facts for passing a subsequent order.

“A fortiori when a detention order is quashed by the Court issuing a high prerogative writ like habeas corpus or certiorari, the grounds of the said order should not be taken into consideration either as a whole or in part even along with the fresh grounds of detention for drawing the requisite subjective satisfaction to pass a fresh order because once the Court strikes down an earlier order by issuing rule, it nullifies the entire order.”

Subsequently, the court quashed the impugned order of detention against Wani which was passed by the Deputy Commissioner Anantnag 7 July 2020. “Direction is issued to the respondents (officials) to release (Wani) from the preventive custody forthwith, provided he is not required in connection with any other case.” (GNS)