Latest news with #PradhanMantriJanVikasKaryakram
Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Mizoram CM Lalduhoma urges Centre to raise beneficiaries under NFSA
Aizawl, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Monday urged the Centre to raise the number of beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act in the state by 1.7 lakh, an official statement here said. During a meeting with Union Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi in New Delhi, Lalduhoma informed the Union minister that only 60.26 per cent of the entire ration card holders in the state are now covered under NFSA, the statement said. The chief minister urged Joshi to give additional allocation and increase the number of NFSA beneficiaries by 1.7 lakh in addition to the existing beneficiaries, it said. Joshi assured Lalduhoma of all possible help on his part, the statement added. According to Mizoram Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department director Saizikpuii, the Centre has previously allocated 7,06,296 beneficiaries under the NFSA to avail free food grains, of which 99 per cent has been filled. She said that the state requires more allocation in terms of beneficiaries as many eligible beneficiaries are yet to be covered under the NFSA and that a single-member family of the Antyodaya Anna Yojana or AAY beneficiary will now be included under Priority Households . She expressed hope that all eligible beneficiaries may be covered under the NFSA if the Centre provide additional allocation. Under the NFSA, the AAY beneficiary receives 35 kg of free food grains or rice per family, while the PHH beneficiary receives 5 kg of free rice per person and additionally purchase 3 kg of rice per person at the subsidised rate of ₹15 per kg, according to Saizikpuii. Lalduhoma also called on Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Development of North Eastern Region Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and discussed key development projects in the state on Sunday, official sources said. While the chief minister reviewed important projects in Mizoram under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram and discussed future plans with Rijiju, he also discussed several development projects, including the proposal for the upgradation of Golf Course in Thenzawl in Serchhip district, to international standard and felicitation of markets for local agricultural products with the DoNER minister, the sources said. Scindia on his part assured Lalduhoma that he would pursue the proposal for the upgradation of Thenzawl golf course and assist Mizoram in marketing local agricultural products, particularly ginger and Mizo bird's eye chilli and also development of sports sector in the state, the sources added.
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Govt. hospital in Tiruchi to get PET scan centre soon
The installation of a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan will begin within three months at the superspeciality block of the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital (MGMGH) in Tiruchi, authorities said on Monday. 'We have got the approval from the Directorate of Medical Education and Tamil Nadu Medical Service Corporation to lay the groundwork for the PET scan centre. This is part of our effort to develop a full-fledged oncology block that will serve patients more effectively,' a senior official at the hospital said. He told The Hindu that ₹140 crore had been sought under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK). Staff for the PET scan centre, including medical and radiation oncologists, would be deputed from other institutions. 'The diagnostic equipment need space and radiation safety, so we will begin planning the civil works accordingly within a few weeks,' said the official. 'At present, MGMGH sees approximately 1,500 in-patients every month (both for screening and with the disease). In terms of surgical performance, there are roughly 25 to 30 major surgeries and 40 to 50 minor procedures performed each month. Last year, 404 cancer surgeries were carried out while 326 patients received radiotherapy treatment,' said the official. Lack of facilities Sources said every month, 60 to 70 cases from MGMGH are referred for radiotherapy and chemotherapy to Thanjavur Medical College and other centres like Madurai. 'Those needing and undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy for cancer are already prone to infection. Besides this, patients' attenders tend to lose their earnings during travel to these centres. This has made it imperative for Tiruchi GH to develop its own full-fledged oncology block,' said the official. Free cancer screening camps were launched in Tiruchi district's health centres last week, for people aged above 18. The camps will be testing for breast cancer, cervical cancer, and oral cancer with the aim of raising awareness about treatment and rehabilitation of survivors. 'The camps have created a new momentum in improving cancer care. MGMGH will be aligning with the district health authorities in providing solutions after the screening. Though PET scans are available through Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme in private centres, the common man, especially people from economically weaker sections of society, would prefer to reach out to a public healthcare facility for such crucial tests,' said the official. 'We are extending the working hours of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan centre, so that results can be shared with the patient within three days, rather than 10,' he added. A site behind the ESI Hospital is being considered for the proposed oncology block at MGMGH.
