Karnataka forms stillbirth surveillance panel amid rising cases
Bengaluru: In response to a concerning rise in stillbirth rates across the state, the Karnataka Department of Health and Family Welfare has established a Stillbirth Surveillance and Response (SBSR) committee to monitor and address the issue.
According to department data from August, as cited by Deccan Herald on Saturday, the stillbirth rate in Karnataka stood at 3.41% per 1,000 births, a figure that has surged dramatically in some districts, reaching as high as 9.8%.
This alarming spike has raised serious concerns among health authorities, particularly in districts like Haveri, Dharwad, Chamarajanagar, and Mysuru, which have reported the highest numbers. Even districts with historically low or zero stillbirth rates have seen sharp increases.
The newly-formed SBSR committee will track the number of stillbirths and causes, adhering to the International Classification of Diseases for Perinatal Mortality guidelines (ICD-PM). The panel will examine preventable deaths and use data to inspect districts with the highest cases.
It will also identify treatment gaps and recommend solutions to the health department, the report added.
Under the new system, hospital nodal officers are required to report stillbirths within 24 hours to district and state health officials.
Failing to register deaths will result in serious charges against hospital officials, while government officials will face internal investigations for failing to register cases.
Private hospitals that do not register stillbirths will face action under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishment Act, 2007.
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Budget 2026 lacks policy vision, offers no solutions: Kharge
New Delhi (PTI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said the Modi government has run out of ideas, and the Union Budget for 2026-27 does not provide any single solution to India's many economic, social and political challenges.
In a post on X, he said there is no policy vision or political will, and this Budget offers no solutions and not even slogans to hide the absence of policy.
"The Modi Government has run out of ideas. #Budget2026 does not provide a single solution to India's many economic, social, and political challenges.
"'Mission Mode' is now 'Challenge Route'. Reform Express rarely stops at any "Reform" Junction. Net result: NO policy vision, NO political will," he said in his post.
Kharge said farmers still await meaningful welfare support or an income security plan.
"Inequality has surpassed the levels seen under the British Raj, but the Budget does not even mention it or provide any support to SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and Minority communities.
"The Finance Commission's recommendations will have to be studied more, but they do not appear to provide any relief to State Governments which are under severe financial stress. Federalism has become a casualty," he said.
"This Budget offers no solutions, NOT even slogans to hide the absence of policy!," the Congress chief said.
In her speech, Sitharaman announced that the target for capex will be raised to Rs 12.2 lakh crore for FY27 from Rs 11.2 lakh crore earmarked for the current fiscal year.
She also announced a slew of measures to boost infrastructure in the country, including in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
The budget came in the backdrop of global uncertainties, trade frictions and US tariffs and slowdown in exports.
With Union Budget 2026, Nirmala Sitharaman created history as she presented her ninth consecutive Budget and became the longest-serving finance minister.
