Sand problem : Udupi District In-charge Minister upset against DC for no action
Udupi, September 16: “Though the Chief Minister and myself have directed the deputy commissioner to take action to solve sand problem in the district, no action was taken. I would ask the officer once again. Not only the opposition parties, but the time has come for everyone to stage protest”, said District In-charge Minister Jayamala.
After holding a discussion with Opposition Leader in the Legislative Council Kota Srinivas Poojary and MLA Raghupathi Bhat on sand issue at the Circuit House here on Sunday, the Minister said that sand problem was a common issue and irrespective of any party or cadre, everyone should think about it. Not only the opposition parties, but the ruling parties should also take the side of the people. So, the district administration should immediately allow the sand mining in the district, she said.
Even she has been asking the Deputy Commissioner about the delay in beginning the sand mining in the district. Both the opposition party and ruling party have asked the authorities to take steps. But nothing was done. She does not know as to why the district administration has been dilly-dallying in the issue, she added.
When asked about the survey being conducted by Kundapura AC, the Minister said that that survey was not proper as there was no norm. The district administration has created a new norm. By the time they complete the survey, another rainy season would come. So, the district administration should not play with the emotions of the people and issue order to start sand mining immediately, she demanded.
About the supply of sand from neighbouring districts, she said that the district authorities have to calculate the availability of sand and the demand in the district and how much sand could be extracted from the quarries. If the district got the sufficient sand here, there was no need to get the sand from other districts. If there was scarcity, then the sand could be brought from neighbouring districts, she said.
MLA warns overnight protest
The district administration should write to NITK to conduct survey on September 17 to identify the sand blocks. In turn, the NITK should conduct the survey by September 19. Otherwise, all MLAs, irrespective of political parties, would stage overnight protest in front of the deputy commissioner’s office from September 20, MLA Raghupathi Bhat warned.
The Chief Minister, during his recent visit to the district, has directed the deputy commissioner to write to the NITK to conduct survey. But the deputy commissioner has not taken any action even after 10 days. Meanwhile, the DC has directed Kundapur AC to conduct the survey. This was a systematic conspiracy to avoid the sand mining in the district, he alleged.
Kota Srinivas Poojary, BJP district president Mattaru Rathnakar Hegde and others were present.
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4 children test HIV positive in MP govt hospital; contaminated blood transfusion suspected
Satna/Bhopal (PTI): Four children suffering from thalassemia have tested HIV positive at Satna District Hospital in Madhya Pradesh allegedly due to contaminated blood transfusions, officials said on Tuesday.
The case is four months old and an investigation is underway into it, an official said.
Officials suspect the use of contaminated needles or blood transfusions for the spread of infection to the children.
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MP Health Minister Rajendra Shukla told reporters in Bhopal that he has ordered a probe into the matter and sought a report.
“It is also being investigated whether the blood transfusion took place in other hospitals also or only in the government hospital,” he said.
The affected children, aged between 12 and 15 years, received blood transfusions from the hospital's blood bank, as per an official.
Devendra Patel, in-charge of the blood bank at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel District Hospital in Satna, said four children have tested HIV positive and an investigation is underway to determine how they got infected.
"Either an infected needle was used or a blood transfusion occurred. These are the two main reasons I believe. Blood transfusion seems to be the most likely cause," he told PTI Videos.
All these children suffer from thalassemia, and some have received 80 or 100 blood transfusions, he said.
A family member of one of the affected children said that their child was found to be HIV positive during a routine checkup about four months back, and he has been receiving medication, but it had proven to be of no use.
After taking the medication for HIV, the child starts vomiting, feels low and becomes ill, he said.
After the four children were detected with HIV infection, their family members were also tested and the results came out negative, he added.
The Opposition Congress targeted the government over the matter and demanded the resignation of Health Minister Shukla.
Speaking to reporters in Bhopal, Congress MLA and former minister Sachin Yadav claimed such incidents were continuously occurring in Madhya Pradesh.
Earlier, a case of toxic cough syrup came to light in Chhindwara, followed by incidents of rat bites at hospitals in Indore and Satna, and now children have been given HIV-infected blood, he said.
"The health minister is unable to manage the department. He should resign. A murder case should be filed against those responsible for the Satna incident," Yadav said.
Senior Congress leader Sajjan Singh Verma termed it a failure of the government. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's government has no connection with ground realities, he charged.
"Somewhere rats are roaming in hospitals, somewhere children are being given HIV-infected blood. Instead of preventing HIV, you are spreading it. Mohan Yadav should wake up from his slumber. Children are the nation's heritage and should be taken care of," he added.
