Latest news with #Indo-Bhutan
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Health
- India Gazette
Assam Health Minister Ashok Singhal reviews department's performance; issues directives to strengthen services in flood-affected areas
Dispur (Assam) [India] June 2 (ANI): Health and Family Welfare Minister Ashok Singhal on Monday reviewed the functioning of the Health and Family Welfare Department during a meeting held at the National Health Mission office in Guwahati, Assam. The meeting reviewed various aspects of the department's work, including implementation of schemes, infrastructure development and the delivery of health services, particularly in flood-affected areas. Minister Singhal emphasised the need for continuous health check-ups and the timely distribution of essential medicines in relief shelters. Singhal instructed doctors, nurses and health workers to remain fully alert to tackle the rise in waterborne and other infectious diseases during and after the floods. He also reviewed the department's efforts to control the spread of malaria in the Indo-Bhutan border areas of Kokrajhar and Chirang districts. During the meeting, the Minister identified several priority areas and issued directions for immediate action. He directed the department to establish a Fast Referral Unit (FRU) in each Assembly constituency to provide maternal, pediatric and emergency health services. He also instructed the Director of Ayush, Assam, to arrange regular yoga training sessions at every Ayushman Arogya Mandir as part of the Fit India Movement and to encourage community participation in health awareness initiatives. Minister Singhal stressed the importance of fully digitizing the administrative and information systems of the department to enhance efficiency and transparency. He asked officials to ensure the availability of essential medicines in every government hospital across the state. Additionally, he directed the department to conduct regular training and personality development programs for doctors, nurses, ASHA workers and all healthcare staff to improve the quality of service delivery. The meeting also included a detailed review of the current status of blood banks in the state, the progress of Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and Ayushman Assam, Mukhya Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AA-MMJAY) and precautionary measures to be taken in light of the recent rise in COVID-19 infections. Minister Singhal emphasised the need for a proactive and people-centric approach in delivering healthcare services, especially in times of crisis like the ongoing floods. The meeting was attended by senior officials including Commissioner & Secretaries Dr P Ashok Babu and Barnali Sharma, Commissioner & Secretary of Medical Education and Research Dr Siddharth Singh, Director of Health Services Dr Umesh Phangcho, Director of Health Services (Family Welfare) Kamaljit Talukdar and Executive Director of the National Health Mission, Assam, Dr Manoj Choudhury. (ANI)
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mamata urges Centre to set up Indo-Bhutan river commission
1 2 Kolkata/Siliguri: CM Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that the state had approached Centre to form an Indo-Bhutan river commission and include a representative of Bengal in it. "Bengal sees a lot of floods… We have informed Centre that our representative should be there in the river commission. If water is suddenly released from Bhutan's dams, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri are affected," said Banerjee at Siliguri's Uttar Kanya, at an administrative meeting. "We will again send a letter to Centre to quicken the process," she added. "Bengal is like a boat. When it rains in Sikkim, north Bengal gets flooded. When it rains in Jharkhand, south Bengal gets submerged," Banerjee said. Accusing the BJP-led Centre of neglect, she added, "Assam gets money. But we don't. In Bengal, we proposed two dams but these were not accepted. In Sikkim, however, 14 dams were constructed. Speaking too much about this will only increase bitterness..." Urging the administration to set up a 24/7 disaster management centre for north Bengal districts and blocks at Uttar Kanya, the CM said: "Floods are already taking place in Sikkim and Bhutan. Be with the people, prepare for monsoon work." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Banerjee asked for greater vigilance at the borders to stop Nepal-produced tea from entering north Bengal in an unrestricted manner. "A serious problem is being faced by tea workers here. Cheaper tea is being imported from Nepal because they don't have to pay any tax... adulteration of tea is also taking place. I asked the labour department to take care of it." "The Darjeeling tea brand is also getting affected... why should Centre have such a treaty with Nepal? It is wrong that they don't have to pay taxes. The chief secretary should write strongly to Centre about this. We are not against any country, but Centre cannot do this — impose tax on us but not on Nepal. Make arrangements to hold checks at the border," she added. The CM also asked the forest department to ensure there was enough food for wild animals so that they didn't have to cross over to human settlements. She also directed municipalities to refrain from collecting enhanced taxes. "I will not allow anyone to collect taxes for making their own houses or buying cars," said Banerjee.
