Latest news with #department
The Hindu
a day ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Health dept. reiterates steps to prevent COVID-19 transmission
The Health department has reiterated the public health alert that people take adequate personal protection to prevent themselves from contracting COVID-19. Masking in public places as well as in closed spaces like auditoriums are important to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, especially since the LF.7, the new variant in circulation, which is a sublineage of Omicron, is highly transmissible. The OP clinics and emergency rooms in many hospitals have begun to show an uptick in the number of people coming with respiratory infections. Though most are mild cases, cases with secondary bacterial infections, requiring antibiotics, have also been going up. Testing has gone up in both private sector as well as public sector hospitals, following a Health department directive that all cases with respiratory symptoms be tested so that influenza cases (which can benefit from early treatment with antivirals) can be separated from COVID-19 cases. Masking must in hospitals Masking and maintaining cough etiquette are extremely important to prevent disease transmission. Masking is mandatory in hospitals so that they do not turn into transmission centres for COVID-19. All hospitals have also been instructed to strictly adhere to infection control practices. Pregnant women and people with comorbidities, especially uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension, should take the masking mandate seriously, Health Minister Veena George said here. Testing goes up She said that COVID-19 cases are going up in Kerala because testing has been increased across districts. According to the Health ministry's data, of the 6,491 active cases in the country (as on June 9), 1,957 are in Kerala. However, only about 80 persons are hospitalised, Ms. George said. The Health authorities are keeping a close watch on hospitalisations and ICU admissions across districts and these seem to be stable, officials said.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Covid precautions to be followed in schools after vacation: Odisha SME minister
BHUBANESWAR: The School and Mass Education (SME) department is keeping a close watch on the Covid situation and will follow appropriate precautions as per the advisory of the Health and Family Welfare department, once the schools reopen. Informing this on Thursday, SME minister Nityananda Gond asked citizens to remain alert in view of the rising Covid-19 cases. 'The government is giving top priority to the health and safety of all,' he said, asking people not to panic. The minister further informed that teachers and students would be sensitised on Covid-19 and asked to properly follow precautionary measures, if any, issued by the Health Department. 'As students will go to schools and attend classes together, it is important for them to be careful about Covid. Those with cold symptoms may need to wear mask as a precautionary measure, while those with acute health issues may be advised to remain at home. We will strictly follow the guidelines of the Health department for the safety of students and teachers,' he said. SME officials said schools across the state will reopen after summer vacation ends on June 18. However, as more than 75 lakh students are expected to resume classes after the vacation, department officials said adequate precautionary measures need to be followed to ensure the students and teachers remain safe and education of the children is not hampered. The state has already started witnessing a gradual spike in new Covid cases this season. As per sources in the Health department, the Covid-19 tally has already jumped to 23 following detection of eight new cases on Monday and Tuesday. Keeping in view the increasing number of cases, the ICMR has also urged people with comorbidities and elderly persons to remain alert and follow Covid safety protocol.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
High-range belt of Kottayam taps into big investments with ‘Rising Poonjar 2K25'
Spanning the Wagamon hills in the north to the forests of Sabarimala in the south, Poonjar, a picturesque region in the eastern high ranges of Kottayam, is opening its doors to investment and entrepreneurship. In a move to boost enterprise and economic activity in the region, the Industries department is organising an investment meet titled 'Rising Poonjar 2K25' at Erattupetta on Monday. The event, inspired by the Invest Kerala Global Summit, will be held at Barakat Square and inaugurated by Industries Minister P. Rajeeve. According to Poonjar legislator Sebastian Kulathungal, the meet will showcase a wide range of investment projects within the Poonjar constituency and nearby regions. So far, 206 entrepreneurs have registered, with investment proposals totaling ₹2,042 crore. The projects are expected to generate employment for 7,381 people. Potential areas 'The constituency holds immense potential across sectors such as tourism, agro-based and value-added food products, IT/ITES, rubber-based industries, wood products, and spice-based enterprises. With the proposed Sabarimala Greenfield International Airport in Erumely set to boost regional connectivity, this meet aims to catalyse industrial and commercial growth. The goal is to enhance local production, create jobs, and improve household incomes,' Mr. Kulathungal said. The event also aims to streamline the process of setting up businesses by ensuring necessary permissions, technical assistance, and access to capital through financial institutions, government agencies and local self-governments. A wide variety of projects are expected to be launched as part of the initiative. Registration for the event will begin at 9 a.m. on Monday. A panel session, scheduled from 9.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., will cover business registration procedures, government support schemes and capital-raising strategies. The session will be led by G. Rajeev, Additional Director of the Department of Industries and Commerce, and his team. Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine will inaugurate the exhibition. Minister for Cooperation and Devaswom V. N. Vasavan will deliver the valedictory address.
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Former bank security guard held for supplying ammunition to poachers
Bangiriposi IIC Birendra Senapati said apart from the firearm and ammunition, police also recovered Giri's gun licence, Aadhaar card, and several money receipts indicating the purchase of ammunition over the past decade. Giri's arrest is linked to an earlier case registered by the Forest department in which five persons were nabbed for poaching in Similipal. Firearms and bullets were recovered from them, and investigation later revealed that the ammunition had been supplied by a source in Bangiriposi. 'During interrogation, Giri admitted to having procured the ammunition and sold it illegally to poachers. He was operating this racket since 2015. A case has been registered under sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act and Section 120(B) of the BNS and further investigation is on,' the IIC said. Senapati further said the poachers involved in the killing of a forester and a forest guard in Similipal two years back had sourced their ammunition from Giri.
Hindustan Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Lapses in Haryana's e-tenders spark probe by urban local bodies
The department of Urban Local Bodies (ULB), Haryana, has launched a wide-ranging inquiry into procedural lapses in the state's e-Tenders Haryana procurement system, following a scathing audit by the principal accountant general (audit), Haryana. The audit flagged significant irregularities in sanitation and solid waste management contracts awarded between 2018-19 and 2022-23, officials said, adding that eight contractors and four tenders have been affected. In a memo dated June 3, the ULB directed all municipal commissioners and district municipal commissioners to submit detailed clarifications and corrective actions taken on the flagged discrepancies. The deadline for submission is one week. 'A consolidated and comprehensive response is essential to address the audit observations made by the Principal Accountant General. Any procedural lapses that compromise transparency and fairness in public procurement will be dealt with firmly,' said a senior ULB official, requesting anonymity. According to the audit report, three major areas of concern have emerged. First, several tenders were cancelled despite valid and competitive lowest (L-1) bids. These include Tender IDs 2022_HRY_231151_1 and 2022_HRY_231157_1 (related to Manesar Division I and II) and 2022_HRY_218507_1 (pertaining to the Integrated Solid Waste Management project for the Panchkula Cluster). Additionally, tenders for dumpsite remediation in Sector 23, Panchkula—IDs 2022_HRY_251382_1 and 2022_HRY_231622_3—were also cancelled without documented justification. Second, the report noted that certain tenders allowed insufficient time for bid submission, potentially restricting fair competition. This was observed in tenders related to mini tippers with hoppers, among others. Third, the audit pointed to inadequate time provided for bidder representation during technical evaluation stages—critical for fair assessment of eligibility and capacity. This was flagged in tenders related to door-to-door waste collection in Division-II, Manesar, and again in the Panchkula remediation tenders. Beyond these specific issues, the audit cited systemic non-compliance with mandatory timelines and disclosure norms. Key project details and evaluation outcomes were either delayed or not uploaded on the public procurement portal, undermining transparency.
