BWSB bars residents from using underground water, Kaveri River water for Holi celebrations
The Bengaluru Water Supply Board has issued a directive urging city residents to refrain from using Kaveri River water or water from borewells for commercial events such as rain dance or pool parties during the Holi festival. However, the board clarified that there are no restrictions on celebrating Holi within the confines of one's home.
Highlighting the declining groundwater levels in the city due to insufficient rainfall, D V Ram Prasad, the President of the Board, emphasized the importance of collective cooperation to address Bengaluru's water scarcity issues. He noted that many borewells have already dried up, underscoring the need for prudent water usage.
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Prasad clarified that the board does not intend to prohibit traditional Holi celebrations. However, the organization of commercial events like rain dances and pool parties using water from borewells or the Kaveri River is discouraged. He stressed that if such events are organized, they must strictly avoid utilizing borewell water or water from the Kaveri River.
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Statewide ban on IV Ringer Lactate usage: Dinesh Gundu Rao
Bengaluru: In response to the deaths of postnatal women at Ballari District Hospital, the Karnataka government has temporarily suspended the use of IV Ringer Lactate solution across the state as a precautionary measure, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced on Saturday.
Speaking to the media in Bengaluru, the minister explained that doubts about the quality of the IV solution had arisen, prompting the decision. He clarified that Ringer Lactate, along with glucose solutions, has been routinely used in hospitals for years. However, out of the 192 batches supplied by the Karnataka State Drugs Logistics and Warehousing Society, concerns were raised regarding two specific batches.
"In light of these concerns, we stopped the use of all 192 batches as a precaution. Following this, the supplying company obtained a High Court order for testing, and the Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) conducted an analysis. The CDL report confirmed the usability of the solution, allowing the state to form a technical committee to review and permit the use of certain batches that met quality standards. Despite this, doubts have surfaced specifically at Ballari District Hospital," the minister stated.
To address these concerns, the batches supplied to Ballari Hospital have been sent for anaerobic testing to determine whether the IV solution contributed to the deaths. The test results are expected within a week, after which a final decision on the use of IV Ringer Lactate will be made.
"Until then, we have issued directives to hospitals statewide to suspend the use of IV Ringer Lactate. Every life is important to us, and precautionary measures are essential when suspicions arise," Gundu Rao emphasised.
