Each BPL family to be given health benefit up to Rs 5 lakh: Minister Shivanand Patil
MRPL-sponsored equipment distributed
Mangaluru, September 18: Under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana and Arogya Karnataka Scheme, each BPL family would be given free healthcare facility up to Rs 5 lakh in the state, said Health and Family Welfare Minister Shivanand Patil.
After distributing the medical equipment to the physically disabled children, sponsored by the MRPL worth Rs 1.85 crore, at the town hall here on Tuesday, he said that under the both the programmes, the state government has planned to give treatment to over 1600 diseases. Total 1.20 crore families would get the benefit of this scheme, he said.
Due to scarcity of doctors in government hospitals, the government has appointed 420 doctors including 180 specialist doctors and 240 doctors and 1618 nurses were appointed. In coming days, few more hundred doctors and other staff would be appointed to ensure good healthcare facilities to the people, he said.
The state government has taken steps to give compensation to the endosulfan affected people on the line of Kerala. Their annual pension was increased by 33 percent and priority was being given to them in government appointment, he said hailing the contribution of the MRPL.
Presiding over the programme, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said that the state government has done a good job by merging the Arogya Karnataka with Ayushman Bharat Yojana of the central government and appreciated the contribution of the MRPL to the district.
MLA Dr Y Bharat Shetty, ZP president Meenakshi Shantigodu, vice president Kasturi Panja, standing committee president Anitha Hemanath Shetty, MRPL Group Manager (HR) BHB Prasad, Group Manager (Finance) Subrata Bandyopadhyay, Deputy Commissioner Saskinath Senthil, ZP CEO Dr MR Ravi, Wenlock, Lady Goschen Hospital Joint Director Dr Damayanti Krishnamohan, Wenlock hospital district surgeon Dr Rajeshwari Devi, DHO Dr M Ramakrishna Rao, physically disabled district nodal officer Dr Rathnakar, woman and child welfare department deputy director Sundar Poojary and others were present.
Equipment worth Rs 1.85 cr distributed
The MRPL, in association with the district health and family welfare department, has distributed medical equipment worth Rs 1.85 crore for physically disabled and children’s care centres. Tricycles, wheelchairs, artificial limbs, and other materials were distributed to 1093 physically disabled and TV, fans, washing machines, books, desks, benches and others were given to 71 child care centres on the occasion.
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Nearly 700 km of Karnataka rivers polluted; cities, towns depend on contaminated water
Shivamogga: A total of 693.75 of river stretches across Karnataka are polluted, and water from several of these rivers is being supplied to towns and cities, the State government informed the Legislative Assembly.
According to a report published by The New Indian Express on Monday, replying to an unstarred question by Thirthahalli MLA Araga Jnanendra during the winter session in Belagavi, Forest, Environment and Biodiversity Minister Eshwar Khandre said rivers are classified into five categories, P1 to P5, based on Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels, with P1 being the most polluted.
He reportedly said untreated domestic wastewater from urban and rural areas is the main reason for river pollution. Arkavati, Lakshana Teertha, Tungabhadra, Bhadra, Tunga, Cauvery, Kabini, Kagina, Krishna, Shimsha, Bheema and Netravati are the polluted rivers and so far, 112 polluted drainages along these rivers have been identified.
Khandre explained that rivers are classified into five pollution categories P1 to P5. The Arkavati River has been placed in the P1 category, while no rivers fall under P2 and P3. Tungabhadra, Bhadra and Shimsha are categorised under P4, and eight other rivers fall under P5.
Khandre allegedly said domestic wastewater from municipalities, towns and villages along riverbeds is being discharged into at least 17 rivers, identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This is the primary cause of river pollution.
According to the report, the minister said drinking water is being supplied from polluted rivers in districts such as Mandya, Ramanagara, Vijayapura and Shivamogga. In parts of Uttara Kannada, Ballari, Vijayanagara and Bagalkot, local bodies are also drawing water from polluted river sources.
In 2022-23, CPCB identified South Pinakini, Aghanashini, Sharavathi and Gangavali rivers too as polluted. But wrote to CPCB, stating that these rivers are not polluted and sought their removal from the list. An action plan is being prepared for the South Pinakini River, he said.
On remedial measures, Khandre reportedly said the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board is setting up sewage treatment plants as per the directions of National Green Tribunal.
As per the report, under 12 river rejuvenation plans, the state generates 817.31 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage. While 41 STPs with a capacity of 614.1 MLD are operational, 203.21 MLD of sewage remains untreated.
Work is underway to establish 19 STPs with a capacity of 248.91 MLD, while 39 more STPs with a combined capacity of 357.92 MLD are in the planning stage. Progress is being monitored and reported regularly to the NGT and the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti.
The minister reportedly said the state government gave its approval for underground drainage works worth Rs 535.56 crore in 2021 for 24 cities/towns besides Rs 523.80 crore for nine UGD projects.
