Public health to prevail over revenue: CM
During a review with officials from the Excise Department, the Chief Minister stressed the importance of public health vis-à-vis income generation. He stated that while most states focused on revenue from liquor policies, public health was his government's priority.
Chandrababu Naidu pointed out that providing liquor with lower alcohol content could significantly protect the health of consumers. "We must not just think of revenue when it comes to liquor policy. The primary focus should be the health of our citizens," he said.
The Chief Minister expressed his view that millions of families had suffered under the previous government due to the sale of 'poor-quality liquor'.
He emphasised the need to protect the poor from financial woes and impaired health caused by consumption of inferior liquor. The review, attended by Ministers Kollu Ravindra and Kondapalli Srinivas, was held as the current bar policy is set to expire. Officials presented proposals for the new policy, which is based on a report submitted by a sub-committee of the cabinet.
The new policy will allow for bar licences to be issued by draw of lots. The state currently has 840 bars. The cabinet sub-committee has suggested an annual licence fee structure based on population: population below 50,000, Rs 35 lakh; population up to 5 lakh, Rs 55 lakh; and population above 5 lakh, Rs75 lakh.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Janmashtami to be celebrated at every police station: Yogi
1 2 Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said Janmashtami would be celebrated at every police station and police training institute in the state on Aug 16. "The occasion would provide trainees with an opportunity to showcase their cultural and artistic talents, making the festival a symbol of cultural unity," Yogi made this announcement during his visit to Moradabad where he inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 87 development projects worth Rs 1,172 crore. Accusing the Samajwadi Party of having tried to restrict Janmashtami celebrations when it was in power, Yogi said his govt would ensure grand celebrations across the state. Referring to the result of the Kundarki bypoll held in Nov 2024, where BJP trumped the SP candidate in a Muslim majority area, the CM called it Moradabad's rejection of SP's and Congress' divisive politics. "The public chose satisfaction over appeasement, leading to the forfeiture of SP-Congress deposits," he said. Highlighting the global recognition which Moradabad's handicraft are getting, the CM said "It was the commitment of BJP's double-engine government to elevate the city and its products on the world stage. Once known for chaos and hooliganism, Moradabad is now renowned for its excellent handicrafts and brass items under the ODOP scheme, exporting products worth Rs 11,000 to Rs 15,000 crore." He added that Moradabad's artists, including one who received a Padma award, are working tirelessly to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a self-reliant India. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Most Luxurious Hotels in the World Learn More Undo by Taboola by Taboola The CM urged people to gift Swadeshi or locally made products to friends and families during festivals to promote local talent and encourage local economies. The CM also linked Raksha Bandhan and the Kakori Train Action anniversary, which are falling on the same day this year. He paid tributes to revolutionaries like Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Thakur Roshan Singh, Rajendra Prasad Lahiri and Chandrashekhar Azad, who sacrificed their lives for the country's freedom.
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Prostate health in focus as BPH drug demand rises in Gujarat
Ahmedabad: The sale of drugs used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)—a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland—has surged by 70% over the past four years, indicating a significant rise in cases across the state. According to data from Pharmarack, the moving annual total (MAT) for BPH drugs was Rs 55.24 crore in June 2021, which rose to Rs 93.93 crore in June this year. The MAT for the overall urology segment also saw a 42% increase, from Rs 115.22 crore to Rs 164.2 crore during the same period. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad "BPH affects a significant portion of men aged 50 and above, causing urinary difficulties and impacting quality of life. While the condition has always existed, the sharp rise in diagnosed cases and medical interventions reflects broader trends," said a pharmaceutical distributor who requested anonymity. Industry sources said that pharma companies have improved drug delivery through fixed-dose combinations, leading to better patient compliance and outcomes. The most common prescriptions now include alpha-blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, which help alleviate symptoms and slow further prostate growth, Pharmarack data indicated. According to urologists in Ahmedabad, men are increasingly addressing symptoms of an enlarged prostate rather than ignoring them. The stigma around men's urological health is gradually diminishing, especially in urban and semi-urban areas. Dr Rohit Bhattar, a uro-onco surgeon at a city-based private hospital, said, "There has been a significant rise in BPH cases over the past decade. While traditionally considered a disease of old age, we are now seeing some patients even under the age of 50, often due to other health conditions and lifestyle factors. Greater awareness today also plays a role compared to a decade ago." While metros and Tier-I cities initially drove demand for BPH drugs, pharmaceutical industry sources report that Tier-II cities and rural areas are now seeing growing traction. Dr Hemang Bakshi, another uro-onco surgeon, noted, "The rise in drug sales must be viewed in the context of increased life expectancy. Medications are often prescribed to maintain or enhance prostate function over time. Since onset typically occurs around the age of 60, patients may remain on treatment for several years. This extended treatment duration is a contributing factor. We've certainly seen a decadal rise in the incidence of the condition. " Experts say improvements in healthcare access and preventive diagnostics in Gujarat have made a noticeable impact. Routine check-ups, ultrasounds, and PSA tests are increasingly being used to detect prostate issues at earlier stages.
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Govt engages Tata Tech to upgrade state polytechnics
Lucknow: The UP govt in collaboration with Tata Technology Limited (TTL) would set up Tata Technology Excellence Centres in 121 govt polytechnics across the state to help these technical educational institutes meet industry requirements. In a govt order (GO), additional chief secretary, technical education, Narendra Bhooshan said the decision was taken to bridge the industry-academia gap prevalent in the diploma sector of technical education. "In polytechnics, some topics have become irrelevant or are not in accordance with industry requirements. These centres will upgrade them and bridged the industry-academia gap," Bhooshan said. For this, Rs 57.3 crore will be spent on installation of machines and equipment in each of the 121 polytechnics. Of the total Rs 6935.8 crore, 87%, that is, Rs 6034.2 crore, will be borne by TTL, and the remaining 13% (Rs 1063.9 crore) by the govt. Also, the state govt will spend an additional Rs 858 crore – Rs 709.2 lakh per institution – towards civil infrastructure and other basic facilities. In the first phase, 45 polytechnic institutions will be upgraded. The project is aimed at providing quality technical education to students studying in the diploma sector of the state, thereby enhancing employment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How Retirees Can Potentially Minimize RMD Taxes SmartAsset Learn More Undo It will also help students acquire essential skills like soft skills and personality development as per industry requirements. As per the GO, TTL will involve global partner companies and institutions in upgrading the polytechnics. TTL will also prepare the project document related to the execution of the upgradation work and determine short, medium, and long-term strategies in it. In addition, they will prepare a baseline study report related to the status of the polytechnic institutions before the implementation of the project. TTL will also make available two trainers for the first two years and one trainer for the third year in each selected institute from its own sources. Besides, it will ensure the availability of training material, an online platform for training, and experts from industries as per demand in all 121 institutes and organise dialogue programmes at regular intervals.
