Latest news with #department
The Hindu
16 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
‘Oru Thai Nadaam' drive launched in Alappuzha
The Haritha Keralam Mission has launched its 'Oru Thai Nadaam' (sapling planting) drive in Alappuzha. The initiative aims at planting one crore saplings across the State by September 30. The district-level inauguration of the campaign was held earlier this week on the Komalapuram Spinning Mill premises. The event was inaugurated by Alappuzha district panchayat president K.G. Rajeshwari. As part of the campaign, saplings of various species, suitable for the region and facing the threat of extinction, will be planted in various local bodies across the district through initiatives like Pachathuruth, Ormathuruth and afforestation drives. In addition to the saplings provided by the Forest department, those required for creating Pachathuruths will be sourced from nurseries under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and other local places. The plantation drive will also be carried out in areas declared as green streets and green towns under the Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam campaign. Officials said 17 new Pachathuruths had already been established on 149 cents of land in the district. In the coming days, saplings will be planted at various sites under 63 local self-government institutions, including the premises of government and private institutions, public spaces, vacant plots in urban areas, school campuses and office compounds. Various organisations, employees, and students will also take part in the campaign, said an official.
The Hindu
2 days 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
6 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
7 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
04-06-2025
- 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.
