Will make roads in Madhya Pradesh like 'Hema Malini's cheeks': Minister P C Sharma
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh minister P C Sharma has said the pothole-ridden roads in Bhopal would soon be made "pretty" like actor-turned-politician Hema Malini's "cheeks".
Expressing concern over the bad condition of roads, the state law minister said the roads have spots similar to small-pox, like "the (BJP general secretary) Kailash Vijayvargiya's cheeks".
"Under the leadership of Public Works Minister Sajjan Vermaji and directives of Chief Minister Kamal Nathji, the roads would be repaired in 15 days. They will be made 'chakachak' (pretty), like Hema Malini's cheeks, in 15 to 20 days," Sharma told reporters here on Tuesday.
He was accompanied by minister Verma during inspection of a road near Habibganj railway station.
"Roads in the state were built like that of Washington and New York. What happened to these roads in just one rain (monsoon)? There are potholes everywhere," the minister said.
He was apparently referring to former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's remarks made two years ago, when he said the state's pathways were better than those in Washington.
Last week, minister Verma said the state government demanded 1,188 crore from the Centre to repair roads, culverts and bridges under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
"The Centre has not given a penny so far," he said. Verma alleged that the BJP-led NDA government was discriminating against the Congress-ruled Madhya Pradesh.
Roads in several parts of the state are in a bad shape following heavy monsoon rains this year. Verma earlier said the rain-affected roads in the state would be repaired by November 30.
He also said that the state government will also conduct an inquiry into the bad condition of roads.
"You (BJP) should be ashamed as these roads were built during your tenure. In a short span, the roads have got damaged. All this is due to corruption under the previous BJP government," he said earlier.
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44 peacocks die of H5N1 in Karnataka’s Tumakuru; minister orders precautions
Bengaluru (PTI): After 44 peacocks died of the H5N1 virus in Tumakuru district, Karnataka Minister Eshwar Khandre on Saturday directed officials to implement strict precautionary measures to prevent its spread across forest areas, including zoos and bird sanctuaries.
The directive comes after laboratory reports from the ICAR–National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal recently confirmed H5N1 avian influenza as the cause of the deaths.
According to the state forest minister, the peacocks died between April 16 and 21 in and around Bommanahalli and Kolihalli villages in Urdigere hobli, and Bairasandra and Hullenahalli villages in Gulur hobli of Tumakuru district.
“In this context, instructions have been issued in line with the revised H5N1 Action Plan of the Central Government to prevent the spread of infection across all forest areas, including zoos, bird sanctuaries, Magadi Lake, and the community reserve at Kokkare Bellur,” Khandre said in a note addressed to the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden.
He also directed that any deaths of birds, whether migratory or local, must be reported immediately, and that samples from carcasses should be collected and sent for testing.
If required, a nodal officer may be appointed to monitor the situation across the state, he added.
Authorities have established an infected zone within a 0–3 km radius and a surveillance zone extending from 3 to 10 km.
According to the Health Department, surveillance for fever, Influenza-Like Illness (ILI), and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) will be carried out over the next 10 days, covering a population of 20,432 across 38 villages.
In light of the situation, the department has advised the public to follow precautionary measures to minimise the risk of infection by avoiding contact with sick or dead birds and maintaining hand hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap and water.
It has also suggested the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) while handling birds or their droppings, and advised ensuring that poultry and eggs are thoroughly cooked (above 80 degrees celcius) before consumption.
The health department has also recommended avoiding close contact with individuals exhibiting symptoms of respiratory illness.
The department said it is closely monitoring the situation and has put necessary precautionary measures in place.
The public has been advised to remain vigilant and report any unusual bird deaths or symptoms promptly, officials added.
Avian influenza (H5N1) is a subtype of the influenza virus that infects birds and mammals, including humans in rare instances, according to the World Health Organisation. Human cases reported so far have been mostly linked to close contact with infected birds or other animals, or with contaminated environments.
