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Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
1 in 3 of Punjab's groundwater samples contains uranium beyond safe limits, Rajya Sabha told
Chandigarh: One-third of groundwater samples analysed by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) in Punjab have tested positive for toxic levels of Uranium, along with harmful concentrations of Arsenic, Fluoride, and Nitrate, raising serious public health concerns. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Punjab has long struggled with groundwater contamination, often linked to industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and poorly managed waste disposal systems. Such pollutants can cause severe health complications ranging from chronic illnesses to irreversible organ damage. In a written reply to MP Swati Maliwal in the Rajya Sabha on July 28, the Union ministry of state for jal shakti reported that 32.6% of groundwater samples tested in Punjab exceeded the permissible uranium limit of 0.03 mg/L—the highest contamination rate recorded among all tested parameters. In comparison, 10.7% of samples in Delhi crossed the same threshold. Elevated uranium levels in drinking water are known to cause kidney damage and other long-term health issues. Out of 908 samples analysed in Punjab, 296 contained uranium beyond the permissible limit. In addition, 13.8% of samples had fluoride levels above the safe limit of 1.5 mg/L, linked to ailments such as arthritis, infertility, hypertension, neurotoxicity, and a higher risk of skeletal cancer. Long-term exposure can also damage the liver, kidneys, and lungs. Out of 922 samples, 12.6% exceeded the nitrate limit of 45 mg/L, 4.8% were contaminated with arsenic beyond the 0.01 mg/L threshold, while 6.7% of samples showed electrical conductivity above 3000 µS/cm at 25°C, indicating high salinity levels in groundwater. These alarming findings come even as Punjab was declared 'Har Ghar Jal' in April 2023, with the state reporting functional household tap water connections (FHTCs) for all 34.27 lakh rural households across 11,977 villages. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to the ministry, under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) guidelines, states and Union territories are required to take corrective action in cases of major water quality contamination. This includes alerting the health department for mitigation and initiating both short-term and long-term measures, particularly in cases involving uranium, arsenic, fluoride, or bacteriological contamination. Punjab govt has informed the Centre that remedial steps are initiated whenever contamination beyond permissible limits is detected—starting with immediate relief measures and followed by sustainable, long-term solutions. The Centre has also advised all states, including Punjab, to plan and implement piped water supply schemes based on alternative safe sources for villages facing water quality issues. Under JJM, 10% of total fund allocation is weighted towards populations residing in chemically contaminated habitations.
Indian Express
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Transgender students' enrolment improves in schools, universities; UP, Bihar tops the list
The enrolment of transgender students in schools, colleges, and universities across India has improved in many states over the last three academic years, according to data tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday in response to a question by MP Swati Maliwal. As per the statement provided by the Ministry of Education, the number of transgender students enrolled in schools rose from 155 in 2021–22 to 965 in 2023–24, reflecting a six-fold increase. States such as Uttar Pradesh (327) and Bihar (282) recorded the highest numbers in 2023–24 in schools. Read | Transgender students await inclusion of third gender category in forms; Maharashtra registers highest number of applicants However, Rajasthan has seen a decline in numbers, with transgender student enrolment dropping from 107 in 2021–22 to 77 in 2023–24. A similar trend is observed in West Bengal, where the count fell from 211 in 2022–23 to 62 in 2023–24. In higher education, the enrolment of transgender students also showed a substantial rise. As per the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), the number of transgender students in universities and colleges increased from 302 in 2020–21 to 1,448 in 2022–23 (provisional data). Among the states, Uttar Pradesh again led with 369 students, followed by Maharashtra (158), Madhya Pradesh (124), and Telangana (104) in 2022–23. Other states with notable enrolment figures included Tamil Nadu (98), Rajasthan (101), and Karnataka (73). While some states/ regions like Delhi, West Bengal, and Kerala showed consistent numbers, others like Nagaland, Ladakh, and Lakshadweep reported negligible or no transgender enrolment across years. The data underscores the need for sustained policy interventions, institutional support, and awareness initiatives to ensure that transgender students are not only enrolled but also retained within the educational system.
The Hindu
23-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Parliamentary proceedings: In five years, 295% rise in the number of people seeking de-addiction treatment, govt. data shows
In the past five years, the number of people seeking de-addiction treatment for substance abuse at government-supported facilities has seen a 295% rise, data tabled in the Parliament on Wednesday showed. The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment tabled comprehensive data on its National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, showing that various types of de-addiction centres supported by the Centre had treated 2.08 lakh people in 2020-21. This number had risen to over 8.23 lakh in 2024-25. The number of people seeking treatment for addiction from these centres has been consistently increasing in the last five years, even as government set up about 288 new de-addiction facilities in the same time period. This data on the increasing number of people seeking treatment for de-addiction comes as the Social Justice Ministry is preparing to launch a nationwide survey to study patterns of substance use and abuse in the country. This survey would build upon the one conducted in 2017-18 by the Nation Drug Dependence Treatment Centre at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi. Currently, the Union Social Justice Ministry supports a total of 696 de-addiction facilities of different categories. These include Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts, Outreach and Drop-in Centres, District De-Addiction Centres (DDACs), Community-based Peer Led Interventions, and Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs). Of these, 288 new ATFs and DDACs have come up in the last five years, government data showed. The data on people seeking treatment for addiction was put out by the Social Justice Ministry in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Swati Maliwal on Wednesday. Minister of State for Social Justice B.L. Verma, in his response said that, in 2024-25, ₹170.26 crore was released to the NGOs and voluntary organisations running the facilities. The 2017-18 survey on substance abuse had concluded that alcohol was the most used substance, with over 15 crore people estimated to be using it, of which around 30 lakh were estimated to be minors (between 10-17 years of age). This was followed by cannabis, opioids, sedatives, inhalants, cocaine, stimulants such as amphetamine, and hallucinogens, respectively.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Dedicated to cancer care, 3 Pb hospitals battle staff crunch
1 2 3 4 Chandigarh: Even as Punjab battles a growing cancer burden, three premier institutions designated for cancer care in the state are operating under severe manpower shortages, seriously undermining service delivery despite significant financial and infrastructural investment. Punjab has recorded a consistent increase in cancer cases. According to data from the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Cancer Registry Programme (ICMR–NCRP), the estimated number of cases rose from 39,521 in 2021 to 42,288 in 2024, a 7% increase. The incidence is projected to reach 49,922 by 2026, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen oncology services across the state. In response to a question raised by Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, the Union health ministry stated that cancer care infrastructure in Punjab has been expanded under the Strengthening of Tertiary Care Cancer Facilities scheme. A State Cancer Institute (SCI) was established at Government Medical College, Amritsar, and a Tertiary Care Cancer Centre (TCCC) is functional at civil hospital, Fazilka. While radiotherapy and chemotherapy services are available in Amritsar, Fazilka currently offers only chemotherapy. Also, the Tata Memorial Centre has operationalised two dedicated cancer care facilities -- the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital (HBCH) in Sangrur and Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre (HBCH&RC) in New Chandigarh. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa Prices in Dubai Might Be Lower Than You Think! Villa for sale in Dubai | Search Ads Learn More Undo Severe Staffing Shortages Across Facilities Despite these developments, staffing remains critically inadequate. At Government Medical College, Amritsar, only 19 out of 43 sanctioned posts are filled, with 24 (55.81%) lying vacant. This includes all senior resident positions in radiotherapy, most posts in surgical oncology, and the entire Nuclear Medicine and Medical Oncology departments. At civil hospital, Fazilka, only 4 out of 28 sanctioned posts (14.28%) have been filled. The hospital lacks professors and associate professors in radiotherapy and surgical oncology, and preventive oncology is short of an assistant professor. The situation is equally dire at the Tata Memorial Centre-run facilities. Out of 637 sanctioned posts at HBCH Sangrur and HBCH&RC New Chandigarh, 393 (61.69%) are vacant. This includes major gaps in medical, scientific, technical, and nursing staff -- 223 nursing posts remain unfilled out of a sanctioned strength of 340. Funding and Patient Support Measures The Union health ministry reported that Government Medical College, Amritsar, received a total sanction of Rs 114.61 crore, with Rs 55.88 crore released. Civil hospital, Fazilka was allotted Rs 44.71 crore, with Rs 20.12 crore disbursed. The Tata Memorial Centre's two cancer hospitals were sanctioned Rs 663.71 crore, of which Rs 602.23 crore has already been utilised. To ease the financial burden on patients, the Mukh Mantri Punjab Cancer Rahat Kosh Scheme (MMPCRKS) offers assistance of up to Rs 1.5 lakh per cancer patient through empanelled hospitals. Under Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), families receive Rs 5 lakh per year for secondary and tertiary care treatment. The scheme has also been extended to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income. To reduce out-of-pocket expenses, the government has launched initiatives like the National Free Drugs and Diagnostics Services, Jan Aushadhi Kendras (PMBJP), and AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment). The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has capped ceiling prices of 131 scheduled anti-cancer formulations and fixed retail prices for 28 others. Customs duty has been waived, and GST has been reduced from 12% to 5% on three anti-cancer drugs in 2024–25.
