As the country continues to struggle with spurt in the cases of polio outbreaks, the centre has approved Rs 3203 crore for the eradication of polio for the next three years from the current financial year.
The cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs gave its approval for implementation of the Polio eradication strategy with an estimated expenditure at Rs 3203.98 crore for the year 2009-2010 to 2011-12, according to the official statement. The main objective of the project is to achieve the goal of zero transmission of polio and obtaining international polio free certification for accomplishment of this goal, the annual strategy for polio eradication is decided on the basis of the recommendations of the India Expert Advisory Group (IEAG) consisting of national and international Experts. The IEAG has recommended a total of six National Immunization Day (NIDs), 9 Sub National Immunization Day (SNIDs), and 40 mop-up rounds for the period 2009-10 to 2011-12, the statement said.
However, the outbreak of the disease in areas like Western UP and some parts of Bihar continues to place India as the second most afflicted nation in the world, after Nigeria. The total number of cases went up to 676 in 2006, 874 in 2007 and 559 in 2008, though it came down drastically to 66 in 2005.
Pulse Polio Immunization (PPI) was started in India in 1995-96. This is the largest public health intervention ever taken up anywhere in the world. The estimated number of children aged between 0-5 years to be vaccinated in a NIDs is around 172 million. The SNIDs, in the high risk states/areas will cover about 69 million children between 0-5 years. Mop Up immunization round will be undertaken in the districts and in the surrounding areas, where polio cases will be reported, covering about 7.5 million target population,
According to the latest statistics with the WHO monitoring cell, India ranked second in the case of polio cases last year, behind Nigeria which recorded 798 cases. This year, upto July 31, India reported 206 cases whereas Nigeria had 363 cases. Pakistan is standing way down on the third spot with 31 cases.link
Friday, 21 August 2009
Thursday, 20 August 2009
'Bihar a role model through special programme
From a state that had become synonymous with 'poor' governance, Bihar has now emerged as a role model for other states through a specially-crafted programme, the Central government feels.
The Centre has asked nine Naxal-affected states to adopt Bihar's novel initiative 'Aapki Sarkar Aapke Dwaar' programme for providing essential services to people in gram panchayats.
The Union Panchayati Raj Ministry in a recent circular pointed out that weak governance structures and weakness of the local administration are both cause and effect of Left-wing extremism.
Every panchayat should be on the lines of 'Aapki Sarkar Aapke Dwaar' programme of Bihar, it said and asked the affected states to improve quality of governance and service delivery by delegating sufficient administrative and financial powers to panchayat raj institutions.
"This is needed urgently in at least the 33 most extremist-affected districts," the Ministry said in its circular to chief secretaries of the Naxal-hit states.
It further said that the innovative use of Backward Regions Growth Fund (BRGF) grants to address specific local problems, updating and computerising land records including forest land and common property resources and adopting an integrated strategy for tackling development and security challenges can also help check the menace.link
The Centre has asked nine Naxal-affected states to adopt Bihar's novel initiative 'Aapki Sarkar Aapke Dwaar' programme for providing essential services to people in gram panchayats.
The Union Panchayati Raj Ministry in a recent circular pointed out that weak governance structures and weakness of the local administration are both cause and effect of Left-wing extremism.
Every panchayat should be on the lines of 'Aapki Sarkar Aapke Dwaar' programme of Bihar, it said and asked the affected states to improve quality of governance and service delivery by delegating sufficient administrative and financial powers to panchayat raj institutions.
"This is needed urgently in at least the 33 most extremist-affected districts," the Ministry said in its circular to chief secretaries of the Naxal-hit states.
It further said that the innovative use of Backward Regions Growth Fund (BRGF) grants to address specific local problems, updating and computerising land records including forest land and common property resources and adopting an integrated strategy for tackling development and security challenges can also help check the menace.link
Lalu wants janata hotels for Bihar's poor
Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad on Thursday asked the Bihar government to open "janata hotels" in rural areas to provide cheap food to poor people in view of the drought.
Last week, 26 of the state's 38 districts were declared drought-hit. Bihar has recorded a 38 percent rainfall deficit so far this monsoon season.
"The government should initiate a move to provide lunch and dinner at Rs.2 for the poor who are likely to be hit hard by the drought," Lalu Prasad said on Thursday.
The former railway minister also asked middle class and affluent people to restrict their intake of food to save food grains.
"We should take care to consume less to save food grains," he said, adding that as per official records India has a foodstock buffer for just 13 months.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for an aid package of Rs.23,071 crore to meet the financial burden caused by the "unprecedented drought".
A 11-member central team Wednesday embarked on a three-day visit to the drought-hit districts.
The drought has affected about 1.26 crore families in 26 districts with paddy coverage showing an overall shortfall of 57 percent. link
Last week, 26 of the state's 38 districts were declared drought-hit. Bihar has recorded a 38 percent rainfall deficit so far this monsoon season.
"The government should initiate a move to provide lunch and dinner at Rs.2 for the poor who are likely to be hit hard by the drought," Lalu Prasad said on Thursday.
The former railway minister also asked middle class and affluent people to restrict their intake of food to save food grains.
"We should take care to consume less to save food grains," he said, adding that as per official records India has a foodstock buffer for just 13 months.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for an aid package of Rs.23,071 crore to meet the financial burden caused by the "unprecedented drought".
A 11-member central team Wednesday embarked on a three-day visit to the drought-hit districts.
The drought has affected about 1.26 crore families in 26 districts with paddy coverage showing an overall shortfall of 57 percent. link
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
After mangoes, now export litchis to US
India, which exported mangoes to US in 2007 after a 17 year long ban, will now export fresh litchi to US for the first time. Export may begin in next summer season.
“We are gearing up for export of litchi to US for the first time. The procedures for treating the fruits have been mutually agreed. Farmers in Bihar, which is the country’s largest litchi producer, will be the main beneficiary,” said Asit Tripathy, chairman of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
Ranjan Kedia, promoter of Radha Krishna Impex Ltd, the country’s largest litchi exporter said the modalities have been worked out and a formal application will now go from APEDA to the USFDA. Permission is expected by the end of year.
“Currently, we only export processed litchi to US. Now, we shall be in a position to export fresh litchi as well. We will use sulphur dioxide as a post harvest fumigant and this will prevent blackening of skin and improves shelf life,” said Kedia.
At 250,000 tonnes of litchi production, India is the second biggest litchi producer after China. Bihar accounts for nearly 80 per cent of the produce. India exports around 1,300 tonnes of fresh and processed litchi, mainly to Europe and Asian countries. According to Kedia, the value of litchi export would be close to Rs 5 crore.link
“We are gearing up for export of litchi to US for the first time. The procedures for treating the fruits have been mutually agreed. Farmers in Bihar, which is the country’s largest litchi producer, will be the main beneficiary,” said Asit Tripathy, chairman of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
Ranjan Kedia, promoter of Radha Krishna Impex Ltd, the country’s largest litchi exporter said the modalities have been worked out and a formal application will now go from APEDA to the USFDA. Permission is expected by the end of year.
“Currently, we only export processed litchi to US. Now, we shall be in a position to export fresh litchi as well. We will use sulphur dioxide as a post harvest fumigant and this will prevent blackening of skin and improves shelf life,” said Kedia.
At 250,000 tonnes of litchi production, India is the second biggest litchi producer after China. Bihar accounts for nearly 80 per cent of the produce. India exports around 1,300 tonnes of fresh and processed litchi, mainly to Europe and Asian countries. According to Kedia, the value of litchi export would be close to Rs 5 crore.link
18 child labourers from Bihar rescued from Delhi
Eighteen child labourers, who were rescued from New Delhi by the officers of Bihar Labour department with the help of Delhi police and and NGO were brought to Patna by a train.
Mukhatarul Haque, State convenor of Bacchpan Bachao Andolan, a Patna based NGO told reporters here that the child labourers reached Patna by Shramjeevi express who were received by deputy labour commissioner Ramchandra Choudhry.
Choudhry later sent the child labourers to their respective villages under escort.
Of the 18 released children, six each belonged to Darbhanga and Sitamarhi, two to Samastipur and one each to Motihari, Purnea, Katihar and Begusarai districts, Haque said adding that they were engaged in the bakery, shoe factory and zari making factories located in different parts of the national capital.
He said a fine of Rs 20,000 would be realised from the owners of these factories and the amount would be deposited in the account of state government's Child labour development fund. The fine money would be spent on the rehabilitation of the released child labourers, Haque said.link
Mukhatarul Haque, State convenor of Bacchpan Bachao Andolan, a Patna based NGO told reporters here that the child labourers reached Patna by Shramjeevi express who were received by deputy labour commissioner Ramchandra Choudhry.
Choudhry later sent the child labourers to their respective villages under escort.
Of the 18 released children, six each belonged to Darbhanga and Sitamarhi, two to Samastipur and one each to Motihari, Purnea, Katihar and Begusarai districts, Haque said adding that they were engaged in the bakery, shoe factory and zari making factories located in different parts of the national capital.
He said a fine of Rs 20,000 would be realised from the owners of these factories and the amount would be deposited in the account of state government's Child labour development fund. The fine money would be spent on the rehabilitation of the released child labourers, Haque said.link
Huge quantity of explosives seized
One person was arrested with a huge cache of explosives near Kunda village in Bihar's Sheikhpura district, police said today.
Sub-Divisional Police Officer Santosh Kumar Gupta said police during patrolling last night intercepted a vehicle on Sheikhpura-Puraina road near Kunda village, about 3 km from the district headquarters, and held Mohammad Wahid for illegally carrying 76 packets of gelatine sticks and 100 kg of ammonium nitrate.
The license for these items, mainly used for mining purposes and destroying bunkers, is issued by the Defence Ministry, Gupta said, adding that the arrested person was being interrogated.link
Sub-Divisional Police Officer Santosh Kumar Gupta said police during patrolling last night intercepted a vehicle on Sheikhpura-Puraina road near Kunda village, about 3 km from the district headquarters, and held Mohammad Wahid for illegally carrying 76 packets of gelatine sticks and 100 kg of ammonium nitrate.
The license for these items, mainly used for mining purposes and destroying bunkers, is issued by the Defence Ministry, Gupta said, adding that the arrested person was being interrogated.link
Bihar officer found possessing property worth several crore
19 An enforcement officer of Bihar transport department has been found in possession of property worth several crore rupees during raids by the state vigilance authorities.
Sleuths of Bihar Vigilance Investigation Bureau raided the house of Kapil Muni Rai and seized Rs 22.30 lakh in cash, jewellery worth Rs 16 lakh and three luxury cars, ADG (vigilance) Anil Sinha told.
Sinha said raids, which lasted till late last night, were conducted simultaneously at various premises owned by Rai in Purnia, Ara and Patna .
Rai owns a palatial house and flat at posh A G Colony in Patna apart from having a large house and a three-storey commercial complex at Jagdev Nagar in Ara (Bhojpur), Sinha said.
Documents related to investment in several real estate projects were also seized.
This is the second major operation by the bureau against corrupt public servants within a fortnight. Earlier the bureau officials had disclosed property worth several crore from an official of the state industrial training institute, Sinha said.link
Sleuths of Bihar Vigilance Investigation Bureau raided the house of Kapil Muni Rai and seized Rs 22.30 lakh in cash, jewellery worth Rs 16 lakh and three luxury cars, ADG (vigilance) Anil Sinha told.
Sinha said raids, which lasted till late last night, were conducted simultaneously at various premises owned by Rai in Purnia, Ara and Patna .
Rai owns a palatial house and flat at posh A G Colony in Patna apart from having a large house and a three-storey commercial complex at Jagdev Nagar in Ara (Bhojpur), Sinha said.
Documents related to investment in several real estate projects were also seized.
This is the second major operation by the bureau against corrupt public servants within a fortnight. Earlier the bureau officials had disclosed property worth several crore from an official of the state industrial training institute, Sinha said.link
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