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Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Financial lapses pile up under Chandigarh Housing Board's roof: RTI
Having rolled out no new housing projects for nearly a decade, the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has also failed to ensure proper handling of public funds, as revealed by documents obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The RTI reply revealed long-pending unsettled staff advances to seven IAS officers, including Amar Nath, Ankur Garg, KS Wahi, late Mohanjit Singh and Varsha Joshi. (HT) As per the balance sheets for 2022-23 and 2023-24, the board has not even finalised its accounts for 2023-24, providing only provisional data. The financial records show that the board has been holding on to stale cheques worth ₹66 lakh, issued to various stakeholders years ago, but never encashed. The RTI reply also reveals long-pending unsettled staff advances to seven IAS officers, including Amar Nath, Ankur Garg, KS Wahi, late Mohanjit Singh and Varsha Joshi. The advances, ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹80,000, have remained outstanding for years. In one case, the board also owes ₹21,000 to former IAS officer Bhupinder Singh. Financial data further shows that while the board's revenue fell from ₹127 crore in 2022-23 to ₹85 crore in 2023–24, certain expenditures ballooned. Diwali gift expenses rose from ₹12.60 lakh in 2022-23 to ₹14.63 lakh in 2023-24, and conveyance costs surged from ₹55 lakh to ₹90 lakh in a single year, despite no new housing projects. RTI activist RK Garg, who procured the data, alleged that these figures pointed to serious financial mismanagement. He called for a five-year audit of the board's accounts by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). 'The public's money needs to be safeguarded,' he said. Repeated attempts to reach CHB secretary Akhil Kumar for comment went unanswered. Established in 1976, with the primary objective of providing reasonably priced and good quality housing in Chandigarh, CHB had last successfully launched a housing scheme in 2016, when it had offered 200 two-bedroom flats in Sector 51 for ₹69 lakh each. With no successful project over the past decade, the board is struggling to justify its existence.
Time of India
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Arunachal govt transfers 30 officials across depts
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh govt has affected a major bureaucratic reshuffle by transferring 30 officials across various departments and districts in the state. According to a notification issued by chief secretary Manish Kumar Gupta on Saturday, commissioner of coordination and economics & statistics Ankur Garg has been given the additional charge of the planning and investment department while retaining his present responsibilities. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Commissioner of transport, urban development, urban local bodies, town planning, and housing, Vivek Pandey has been given the additional charge of chairman of the Arunachal Pradesh staff selection board (APSSB). Agriculture commissioner Bidol Tayeng has been appointed commissioner of public health engineering & water supply, replacing PK Sain, while chief conservator of forests Samuel Changkija has been posted as agriculture secretary. Yashpal Garg, commissioner of personnel, administrative reforms (AR), and law, has been appointed commissioner of personnel, vigilance, and law, and Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to chief secretary. He has been relieved from the charge of administrative reforms and training. Tayi Kaye, currently serving as secretary of cultural affairs, has been posted as secretary of fisheries, relieving H Tari from the post. YVVJ Rajasekhar has been appointed APSSB secretary, replacing KK Singh. Land management director Mamata Riba, has been given additional charges as secretary of civil aviation, gazetteer, public libraries, and art & culture. Lower Subansiri deputy commissioner Vivek HP has been appointed as secretary of health, replacing Ira Singhal, who will be the new secretary of administrative reforms and training. Disaster management secretary Dani Salu has been given additional charge of the Public Works Department (PWD). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Disaster management director Komkar Dulom, has been appointed secretary of general administration, stationery and printing, district administration, and protocol, the notification said. Rural development director Kanto Danggen, has been posted as secretary of food and civil supplies, legal metrology, and consumer affairs. BJ Duia has been appointed as secretary of research. Tawang deputy commissioner Kanki Darang has been appointed as additional secretary-cum-director of disaster management. Namgyal Angmo, joint secretary of education will be the new deputy commission of Tawang. pti
Trade Arabia
04-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Air India Express appoints Khimji's Travel and Tourism as RA
Air India Express has appointed Khimji's Travel and Tourism as its representative agency (RA), for Oman. The partnership was announced at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai, underscoring the airline's ongoing commitment to expanding its reach and strengthening customer engagement in the key Oman market, the airline said. Under this partnership, Khimji's Travel and Tourism will provide comprehensive sales, marketing, and distribution support to Air India Express in Oman. This localised approach will improve accessibility for travellers and trade partners while supporting Air India Express' broader growth plans in the region. Khimji's Travel and Tourism stands out as a trusted, innovative, and customer-centric travel management company in Oman, offering a wide range of services for leisure and business flyers, and leveraging both its local expertise and international partnerships to deliver exceptional travel experiences. Air India Express operates operates over 50 weekly flights from Muscat to 10 Indian cities: Chennai, Delhi, Kannur, Kochi, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram, and Tiruchirappalli. The airline also operates three weekly flights from Salalah, directly connecting the South Indian cities of Kochi and Kozhikode. Dr Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India Express, said: 'As one of our key markets in the Middle East, Oman holds significant importance for Air India Express, thanks to the vibrant Indian expat community and the growing number of Omanis choosing Indian destinations for leisure and medical tourism. This partnership will help us stay closer to our customers and offer them even more reliable and seamless travel options to and from India.' Malvika Khimji, Director, Khimji's Travel and Tourism, said: 'We are honoured to collaborate with Air India Express, a prestigious airline renowned for its market leadership on Indian-Middle East routes and focus on customer-centric travel. This partnership aligns with our vision of delivering affordable and reliable travel solutions to India while catering to the rising demand from both Indian expatriates and Omani travellers. We look forward to supporting Air India Express in meeting its operational and customer service goals in Oman.'
Tourism Breaking News
02-05-2025
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Air India and Air India Express appoints dnata as their representative in the UAE
Post Views: 115 Air India and Air India Express have announced the appointment of dnata Representation Services as their General Sales Agent (GSA) and Representative Agency (RA), respectively, in the UAE. The agreement, formally signed at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai, reflects the Air India group's continued focus on enhancing reach and customer engagement in the strategically important UAE market. Under this partnership, dnata Representation Services will provide comprehensive sales, marketing, and distribution support to both carriers across the UAE, excluding Abu Dhabi and Al Ain for Air India. This localised approach will improve accessibility for travellers and trade partners while supporting the Air India group's broader growth plans in the region. Air India operates 82x weekly flights from the UAE to India, while Air India Express connects five cities—Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah—with over 240x weekly flights from the UAE. The UAE represents the single-largest international market for Air India Express and remains one of the most significant global markets, serving millions of Indian expatriates and other travellers. Kaizad Postwalla, Head of International Sales – GMEA & North America, Air India, said, 'The UAE is a key market in our international network. We are pleased to partner with dnata Travel Group, whose deep understanding of the region and proven track record in travel services will help us better connect with customers, drive demand, and enhance service delivery in the market.' Dr. Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India Express, added, 'Our collaboration with dnata Travel Group marks another step in expanding our commercial presence in the region. As our network and fleet grow, this partnership will help us stay closer to our customers and offer them even more reliable and seamless travel options to and from India.' Simon Woodford, Vice President Global Air Services at dnata Travel Group, commented: 'This partnership builds on our shared commitment to delivering outstanding travel experiences and strengthening connections between the UAE and India — two vibrant markets with deep ties. With our extensive local expertise and market reach, we look forward to supporting the Air India group's ambitious growth plans, while offering travellers and trade partners enhanced access, convenience, and service across the UAE.' With a growing network of 45 domestic and 43 international destinations served by Air India, and 38 domestic and 17 international destinations by Air India Express, the Air India group continues to invest in partnerships and service enhancements that bring India closer to the world.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Sedentary lifestyle, increasing screen time, prolonged desk job and junk diets fuel a fatty liver epidemic among India's youth
Once considered a condition of the elderly, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD ) is now increasingly affecting young adults in India, particularly those in sedentary professions, posing a significant public health challenge. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now reclassified as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is emerging as a significant health concern among young Indians, especially those engaged in sedentary occupations. Recent studies indicate a sharp rise in prevalence, with lifestyle factors such as prolonged sitting, poor dietary habits, and lack of physical activity being primary contributors. "A study conducted by the University of Hyderabad revealed that over 80% of IT professionals suffer from MASLD, with 71% classified as obese and 34% diagnosed with metabolic syndrome . These findings underscore the impact of sedentary work environments and unhealthy lifestyles on liver health." Dr. Ankur Garg, Director & Senior Consultant, Centre for Liver-GI Diseases and Transplantation (CLDT), Aakash Healthcare. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo The high prevalence of MASLD among IT professionals is a wake-up call. The combination of long working hours, physical inactivity, and poor dietary choices is taking a toll on the younger workforce. A Silent Progression NAFLD often develops quietly, with fat gradually accumulating in the liver. In its early stages, it may not cause any noticeable symptoms, making it difficult to detect without medical screening. However, the disease can escalate to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, or even liver cancer if left untreated. 'The liver is a resilient organ, but this resilience often means that damage goes unnoticed until it's too late. By the time patients come to us with symptoms like fatigue, abdominal discomfort, or unexplained weight loss, significant damage may already have occurred.' Dr. Amit Miglani, Director & HOD – Gastroenterology, Asian Hospital. Not Just the Obese While obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol remain common risk factors, doctors are observing an increasing number of NAFLD cases among non-obese individuals. This emerging trend points to the multifactorial nature of the disease, with genetics, insulin resistance, and visceral fat playing critical roles. "Fatty liver is no longer a disease confined to those who are overweight or diabetic. We're now diagnosing young, seemingly healthy professionals who barely show any symptoms until the condition is in an advanced stage. Many of our patients with fatty liver have a normal BMI but still show signs of metabolic dysfunction. This tells us that lifestyle choices and genetic predisposition can be just as damaging as excess weight.' Dr Abhishek Yadav, Consultant and Director - HPB and Liver Transplant Surgeon, Jupiter Hospital. Lifestyle at the Core Experts agree that the modern sedentary lifestyle is a major contributor to this rise. Prolonged sitting, lack of exercise, and diets high in processed foods all contribute to fat buildup in the liver. These habits are particularly prevalent among India's urban youth, whose workdays are dominated by screens and minimal physical movement. 'Sedentary behavior reduces insulin sensitivity, leading to insulin resistance—one of the key drivers of NAFLD. Unfortunately, our current work culture encourages long hours at desks with little regard for movement or nutrition.' added Dr. Ankur Garg. The Gut-Liver-Brain Axis Emerging research suggests that fatty liver disease, particularly in its advanced stages, can have a profound impact on neurological health. The liver plays a critical role in filtering toxins from the blood, and when its function is compromised, harmful substances like ammonia can accumulate and affect brain function, Dr Praveen Gupta, Principal Director & Chief of Neurology, Fortis Hospital said. "There's growing evidence that the gut-liver-brain axis is significantly affected in patients with NAFLD. When liver health deteriorates, it can lead to subtle but chronic neurological disturbances that often go unnoticed until they worsen like memory lapses, difficulty concentrating, slowed thinking, mood changes, irritability or depression, and disturbed sleep patterns. In more severe cases, coordination problems or tremors may occur," Dr Gupta explained. Call for Early Screening and Prevention Health experts are urging primary care providers to incorporate liver function tests into routine health check-ups, particularly for those with risk factors. Policymakers are also being called upon to support public health awareness campaigns and fund research initiatives to better understand the spread and impact of NAFLD in India's diverse populations. 'We need to shift focus from treatment to prevention. Simple lifestyle modifications like 30 minutes of daily exercise, reducing processed food intake, and consuming more fiber-rich diets can go a long way in preventing fatty liver disease.' Dr Aakaar Kapoor, CEO & Lead Medical Advisor City XRay and Scan Clinic Pvt Ltd. As India's youth faces the consequences of an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, experts stress that the time to act is now. Early intervention, lifestyle changes, and regular medical check-ups could help curb the growing burden of fatty liver disease before it becomes an irreversible crisis.
