CM urges Odisha people to avoid panic buying, hoarding amid West Asia crisis
Bhubaneswar (PTI): Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday urged the people of the state to refrain from panic buying to keep the supply chain functioning smoothly amid the West Asia conflict.
He also lauded the Central government's move to cut excise duty on petroleum, terming it a "timely" and a forward-looking step that prioritises citizens and upholds the 'nation first' principle.
The government has slashed excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 per litre each, a move aimed at shielding domestic consumers from a surge in global oil prices triggered by the West Asia conflict, at an estimated revenue cost of Rs 1.75 lakh crore.
After attending a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with chief ministers and lieutenant governors to discuss the situation arising out of the West Asia conflict, Majhi said the Odisha government was following the national approach towards the crisis.
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"The state Government is ensuring that accurate information reaches every citizen, the availability of essential commodities remains uninterrupted, and any instances of hoarding or black marketing are strictly prevented," he said in a post on X.
The chief minister appealed to the people of Odisha to remain aware of the evolving situation, exercise patience, and avoid unnecessary purchasing so that the system functions smoothly.
He said the meeting focused on the 'Team India' spirit to overcome the challenges ahead, emphasising economic stability, proactive agricultural planning, and focused attention on border and coastal states for shipping and essential supplies.
Chairing the meeting on Friday night, Prime Minister Modi on Friday said the global situation arising out of the West Asia conflict remains dynamic, and asserted that maintaining economic and trade stability, ensuring energy security, strengthening industry and supply chains, and safeguarding citizens' interests remain the government's top priorities.
This was the first time that the prime minister held a meeting with the chief ministers on the West Asia conflict that started on February 28 with attacks by the US-Israel combine on Iran, prompting retaliatory action by Tehran on its Gulf neighbours and Israel.
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India misses 2025 TB elimination target; cases stand at 185 per 100,000 population
New Delhi: India reported an estimated 2.7 million tuberculosis cases in 2025 which translates into an incidence of 185 cases per 100,000 population, according to the latest official update on the disease burden.
The figure is more than four times the elimination benchmark set under the National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis. The plan had aimed to bring down incidence to 44 cases per 100,000 population and mortality to three per 100,000 by 2025. The target was announced in March 2017 and was set five years ahead of the global End TB goals and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Data indicate that TB notifications have increased by 13 per cent compared to pre-Covid levels, as IndiaSpend reported in July 2025. Public health experts have said higher notification does not necessarily reflect a rise in incidence, but indicate improved case detection. Authorities have stepped up efforts to improve reporting and plug gaps in diagnosis and treatment, under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP).
According to a 2019 study published in PLOS Medicine, the most substantial gap occurs during the testing stage, with nearly half of those with incident tuberculosis not receiving diagnostic tests. Experts say stigma, restricted availability to molecular testing, and dependence on sputum microscopy continue to impede early detection.
According to official data, 19.3 million smear microscopy tests were performed in 2023, compared to 6.83 million molecular tests using the CBNAAT/GeneXpert and Truenat platforms, indicating that smear-based diagnosis will continue to be used. While doctors report inconsistent implementation across regions, legislation mandates 100% molecular testing for suspected tuberculosis patients.
Health officials point to the increase of diagnostic infrastructure, which includes approximately 10,000 Nucleic Acid Amplification Test equipment and over 25,000 microscopy centers across the country. Eexperts identify operational difficulties such as specimen transportation, machine maintenance, supplier chains, and unequal distribution of skilled staff.
Under the TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, the government has expanded active case-finding in high-risk areas and identified 1.58 lakh vulnerable villages and urban wards using an AI-based mapping tool. Under which the latest campaign document states that of the 2.73 million cases reported in 2025, 35 per cent were asymptomatic.
Specialists warn that up to half of microbiologically diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients may not show characteristic symptoms, contributing to continuous community transmission. To increase early diagnosis of drug resistance, it is advised that chest X-rays and molecular testing be used more frequently.
Specialists warn that up to half of microbiologically diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients may not show characteristic symptoms, contributing to continuous community transmission. To increase early diagnosis of drug resistance, it is advised that chest X-rays and molecular testing be used more frequently.
The government increased financial aid for Tuberculosis patients under the Nikshay Poshan Yojana to ₹1,000 per month, as the disease is mostly linked with malnutrition and poor living conditions and those with a BMI less than 18.5 are given energy-dense nutritional supplements for the first two months of therapy.
