Latest news with #Bhushan
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Urgent Need for Action on Hepatitis: Experts
New Delhi: Only 3 per cent of hepatitis B patients in India are aware of their condition, and less than 1 per cent of eligible individuals receive antiviral treatment. "These are not just statistics—they reflect a silent public health crisis that demands immediate, coordinated action,' said Rajesh Bhushan, Former Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Chairperson, Illness to Wellness Foundation , during his keynote address at the 'Illness to Wellness' Awareness Conference held in New Delhi on World Hepatitis Day. Organised by the Illness to Wellness Foundation, the conference was held under the theme 'Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment for Hepatitis'. It brought together leading medical professionals, public health advocates, and policymakers to discuss India's rising hepatitis burden and the need for stronger policy, better access, and increased public awareness. Bhushan identified five urgent priorities- Expanded screening and surveillance, Timely administration of the hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine, Decentralised access to treatment, Community-level awareness campaigns, Use of real-time data to drive interventions. He also emphasised the importance of collaborative action. 'Strategic interventions must be led not just by the government but through partnerships with civil society, the private sector, healthcare professionals, and the medical community,' he said. The conference served as a platform to call for coordinated national efforts to tackle hepatitis and move closer to elimination targets. In his welcome address, Anil Rajput, Chairperson, Advisory Council, Illness to Wellness foundation, said, 'This year's World Hepatitis Day theme, 'Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down,' is a powerful reminder that the fight against hepatitis requires a holistic, multi-dimensional approach that addresses the social, economic, and systemic roots of the disease.' During the session, health experts highlighted alarming global data that only 45% of new-borns receive the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth, which is a critical gap in prevention. They also emphasised that WHO's 2030 target to eliminate hepatitis, which calls for a 90% reduction in new infections and 80% treatment coverage, hinges on several key strategies: universal vaccination, timely diagnosis, people-centred care, and widespread public awareness to combat stigma. The conference concluded with a call to action: to break the silence, scale the response, and build a hepatitis-free Bharat by 2030.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
We will step in if there's mass exclusion in SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar: SC
The Supreme Court on Tuesday said the Election Commission (EC) is a constitutional authority and it is deemed to act in accordance with law, but if there is mass exclusion in the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, the court will step in. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi fixed a timeline for considering a batch of pleas challenging the Election Commission's SIR exercise in Bihar, and said that hearing on the issue will be held on August 12 and 13. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal and advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for petitioners, once again alleged that people are being left out from the draft list to be published on August 1 by the poll panel, and they will lose their crucial right of voting. Bhushan said the EC has issued a statement that 65 lakh persons have not submitted the enumeration forms during the SIR process as they are either dead or have permanently shifted elsewhere. He submitted that these people will have to apply afresh for inclusion in the list. Live Events Justice Surya Kant said, "The Election Commission of India, being a Constitutional authority, is deemed to act in accordance with the law. If any wrong doing is done, you bring to the notice of the court. We will hear you." Justice Bagchi told Bhushan, "Your apprehension is that 65 lakh-odd voters will not feature in the draft list. Now ECI is seeking correction in the electoral roll. We are overviewing the process as a judicial authority. If there is mass exclusion, we will immediately step in. You bring 15 people whom they say are dead and are alive." Sibal, appearing for RJD MP Manoj Jha, said the Election Commission knows who these 65 lakh people are and if they mention their names in the draft list, no one will have a problem. "If the draft list is conspicuously silent, you will bring to our notice," Justice Kant said. Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for the poll panel, said that even after the draft list publication, enumeration forms can be filed. The bench asked the petitioners and the poll panel to file their written submissions by August 8. It appointed nodal officers from petitioners side and the Election Commission side for filing written submissions/compilations. On Monday, underscoring the "presumption of genuineness" of Aadhaar and voter ID , the top court refused to stay the publication of the draft electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar, and said it would once and for all decide pleas against the Election Commission's SIR of electoral rolls. It asked the poll panel to continue accepting Aadhaar and voter ID for the SIR exercise in Bihar in compliance with its order, saying both documents had a "presumption of genuineness". Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for NGO Association for Democratic Reforms, had submitted that the electoral rolls should not be finalised in the interim, pressing for an interim stay on the publication of the draft rolls on August 1. The apex court, however, referred to the top court's previous order noting the petitioners did not press for an interim relief, which couldn't be allowed now, and said the matter would be interpreted once and for all. On July 10, a bench headed by Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia asked the EC to consider Aadhaar, voter ID and ration cards as valid documents as it allowed the poll panel to continue with its exercise in Bihar. The top court on Monday said the Election Commission suggested that the list of 11 documents for SIR was not inclusive but exhaustive, and they were using both Aadhaar and voter IDs for the purpose of identification. Dwivedi said Aadhaar was not a proof of citizenship and the voter card was not relied upon as it was a revision exercise or else there was no use of such an exercise. Justice Kant had then remarked, "Any document on earth can be forged. The Election Commission can deal with cases of forgery on a case to case basis. Instead of en masse exclusion it must be en masse inclusion." Dwivedi said the poll panel was accepting both Aadhaar and voter IDs but with certain supporting documents. The EC affidavit has justified its ongoing SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar, saying it adds to the purity of the election by "weeding out ineligible persons" from the electoral rolls.
News18
3 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
We will step in if theres mass exclusion in SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar: SC
Last Updated: New Delhi, Jul 29 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday said the Election Commission (EC) is a constitutional authority and it is deemed to act in accordance with law, but if there is mass exclusion in the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, the court will step in. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi fixed a timeline for considering a batch of pleas challenging the Election Commission's SIR exercise in Bihar, and said that hearing on the issue will be held on August 12 and 13. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal and advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for petitioners, once again alleged that people are being left out from the draft list to be published on August 1 by the poll panel, and they will lose their crucial right of voting. Bhushan said the EC has issued a statement that 65 lakh persons have not submitted the enumeration forms during the SIR process as they are either dead or have permanently shifted elsewhere. He submitted that these people will have to apply afresh for inclusion in the list. Justice Surya Kant said, 'The Election Commission of India, being a Constitutional authority, is deemed to act in accordance with the law. If any wrong doing is done, you bring to the notice of the court. We will hear you." Justice Bagchi told Bhushan, 'Your apprehension is that 65 lakh-odd voters will not feature in the draft list. Now ECI is seeking correction in the electoral roll. We are overviewing the process as a judicial authority. If there is mass exclusion, we will immediately step in. You bring 15 people whom they say are dead and are alive." Sibal, appearing for RJD MP Manoj Jha, said the Election Commission knows who these 65 lakh people are and if they mention their names in the draft list, no one will have a problem. 'If the draft list is conspicuously silent, you will bring to our notice," Justice Kant said. Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for the poll panel, said that even after the draft list publication, enumeration forms can be filed. The bench asked the petitioners and the poll panel to file their written submissions by August 8. It appointed nodal officers from petitioners side and the Election Commission side for filing written submissions/compilations. On Monday, underscoring the 'presumption of genuineness" of Aadhaar and voter ID, the top court refused to stay the publication of the draft electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar, and said it would once and for all decide pleas against the Election Commission's SIR of electoral rolls. It asked the poll panel to continue accepting Aadhaar and voter ID for the SIR exercise in Bihar in compliance with its order, saying both documents had a 'presumption of genuineness". Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for NGO Association for Democratic Reforms, had submitted that the electoral rolls should not be finalised in the interim, pressing for an interim stay on the publication of the draft rolls on August 1. The apex court, however, referred to the top court's previous order noting the petitioners did not press for an interim relief, which couldn't be allowed now, and said the matter would be interpreted once and for all. On July 10, a bench headed by Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia asked the EC to consider Aadhaar, voter ID and ration cards as valid documents as it allowed the poll panel to continue with its exercise in Bihar. The top court on Monday said the Election Commission suggested that the list of 11 documents for SIR was not inclusive but exhaustive, and they were using both Aadhaar and voter IDs for the purpose of identification. Dwivedi said Aadhaar was not a proof of citizenship and the voter card was not relied upon as it was a revision exercise or else there was no use of such an exercise. Justice Kant had then remarked, 'Any document on earth can be forged. The Election Commission can deal with cases of forgery on a case to case basis. Instead of en masse exclusion it must be en masse inclusion." Dwivedi said the poll panel was accepting both Aadhaar and voter IDs but with certain supporting documents. The EC affidavit has justified its ongoing SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar, saying it adds to the purity of the election by 'weeding out ineligible persons" from the electoral rolls. PTI MNL MNL MNK MNK view comments First Published: July 29, 2025, 13:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
United News of India
17 hours ago
- Health
- United News of India
World Hepatitis Day 2025: Only 3 pc Hepatitis B Patients in India aware of their ailment
New Delhi, July 28(UNI) Just about three per cent of Hepatitis B Patients in India are aware about their ailment, and less than one per cent of them receive treatment, said Rajesh Bhushan, Former Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India today. "Only 3 pc of hepatitis B patients in India are aware of their condition, and less than 1% of eligible individuals are receiving antiviral treatment. These are not just statistics, they reflect a silent public health crisis that demands immediate, coordinated action,' said Bhushan while addressing the 'Illness to Wellness' Awareness Conference held in New Delhi on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day. The Illness to Wellness Foundation organised the conference in New Delhi today, to mark World Hepatitis Day, centred around the theme 'Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment for Hepatitis.' The event brought together medical experts, policymakers, and public health advocates to highlight the urgency of tackling India's growing hepatitis burden through policy reform, improved access, and greater public awareness. Bhushan underscored the need for bold, systemic efforts. He identified five urgent priorities to address the increasing hepatitis cases - expanded screening and surveillance, ensuring timely birth-dose vaccination, decentralisation of treatment access, driving community-level awareness, and using real-time data for action. He also stressed the need for robust partnerships and said, 'Strategic interventions must be driven not only by the government but also through collaboration with civil society, the private sector, public health professionals, and the medical community'. During the session, health experts highlighted alarming global data that only 45 per cent of new-borns receive the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth, which is a critical gap in prevention. They also emphasised that WHO's 2030 target to eliminate hepatitis, which calls for a 90% reduction in new infections and 80% treatment coverage, hinges on several key strategies: universal vaccination, timely diagnosis, people-centred care, and widespread public awareness to combat stigma. UNI RKM SSP
News18
20 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
SC to hear pleas over police reforms, ad-hoc appointment of DGPs
Agency: PTI New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine after two weeks a range of issues including the ad-hoc appointment of DGPs in some states. A bench of Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justices Justices K Vinod Chandran and N V Anjaria said it would also consider a plea of petitioner and former DGP Prakash Singh seeking to put a system in place where a panel comprising chief minister, the leader of opposition and the chief justice of the high court select the director general of police (DGP). Advocate Prashant Bhushan said like the appointment of the CBI director, a three-member panel could be set up to appoint a suitable person as the DGP. The bench also took note of the submission of senior lawyer Anjana Prakash who said due process was not followed in the appointment of Jharkhand DGP Anurag Gupta. Gupta was set to retire on April 30 under the Central government's rules on reaching the age of 60 but the state government wrote to the Centre for extension of his tenure, it was alleged. 'All these matters are important and will require sometime," the CJI said. The CJI asked the counsel, appearing for various parties, to provide the copies of their petitions to senior advocate Raju Ramachandran who would assist the bench as an amicus curiae. The pleas relate to the implementation of the top court's 2006 verdict on police reforms that recommended steps like separation of investigation and law and order duties. After 2006, the top court also passed another set of directions, including no ad hoc or interim appointment to the post of DGP by the state governments. The Union Public Service Commission, in consultation with a state government and other stakeholders, will have to prepare a list of three senior police officers and the state can appoint any one of them as DGP, the top court then said. Bhushan and others have alleged the apex court guidelines were being flouted by various state governments. 'There has been rampant corruption in the appointment of police chiefs… rampant," Bhushan said. PTI SJK SJK AMK AMK view comments First Published: July 28, 2025, 20:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
