BJP leaders, alliance ministers meet Parrikar, say no leadership change
Panaji, Sep 14 : Top BJP leaders and alliance ministers in the BJP-led coalition cabinet on Friday met ailing Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar at a private clinic in Candolim village.
The former Defence Minister was admitted to the health facility two days ago.
Parrikar -- who earlier on Friday attended Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at his ancestral home in Parra village, located about 10 km from Panaji -- is fine, both PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar of the MGP and Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai of Goa Forward said, after meeting the Chief Minister.
This is the first time Parrikar, 62, has met members of his cabinet as well as top BJP leaders since September 6, when he returned from his third visit to the US, where he is undergoing treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer.
"His health is good," Sardesai told reporters, after meeting Parrikar at the private clinic in Candolim beach village, located 15 km from Panaji.
Dhavalikar said the Chief Minister was working at the hospital and clearing files.
When asked if the alliance leaders had sought a change of Parrikar's leadership, in view of the Chief Minister's poor health, Dhavalikar said: "He is doing work. When he is doing work, where is the question of taking charge."
BJP sources also said central observers would arrive in Goa soon to take stock of the political situation in view of Parrikar's illness.
The Chief Minister has been recuperating at his private residence near Panaji ever since his return from the US on September 6.
He was admitted to the private clinic last week, before being admitted a second time, two days ago, after informed sources said he had developed fever.
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Maharashtra sets up state vaccination task force to strengthen immunisation programme
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has set up a State Vaccination Task Force to strengthen the regular immunisation programme and review the progress of related campaigns, a health department official said on Monday.
The State Vaccination Task Force will comprise at least 29 members and will be headed by the administrative head of the health department, he informed.
The government has also constituted separate district-level and municipal vaccination task forces to improve implementation and address challenges at the grassroots level, he said.
Municipal task forces, chaired by respective civic commissioners, have been constituted in view of the vast urban population in Maharashtra and the role of civic bodies in implementing different health programmes.
The district-level task forces will function under the chairmanship of collectors.
"Complete immunisation of children at the appropriate age is an extremely simple, cost-effective and highly effective measure to reduce child mortality and the prevalence of diseases among kids. Immunisation is a powerful tool for reducing illness in children," maintained the official.
To ensure full vaccination of all children, the state government implements various campaigns from time to time as per the central government guidelines, he pointed out.
"Active participation and cooperation of other relevant government departments are essential (in making these campaigns successful)," according to the official.
The state-level body will review the regular immunisation programme, associated campaigns and vaccine-preventable diseases in detail. It will also conduct focused assessments of high-risk districts and municipal corporations, including vacancies at district, municipal and sub-district levels, availability of cold chain equipment, resource gaps and training requirements, he noted.
The state task force will review allocation and utilisation of funds for immunisation and ensure timely action by officers concerned based on reports from district and municipal task forces and state-level monitoring mechanisms, the official said.
It will also ensure active coordination and participation of other government departments in immunisation drives, while district and municipal task forces will carry out similar functions at their respective levels, the official added.
