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Chandigarh, Haryana

Haryana Health Minister launches online portal for empanelment of private hospitals, private hospitals will get empanelment certificate online

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IEP Chandigarh, April 5

In order to provide transparent and better and quick health services to the people in Haryana, today, Haryana Health and Family Welfare Minister Sh. Anil Vij launched a portal and a software. Sh. Vij launched the online portal for empanelment of private hospitals here today and now the process of empanelment of private hospitals will be online and online empanelment certificates will be issued to the Private Hospitals. Similarly, Sh. Vij also launched the Randomization and Real Time Inspection Software (Drug Wing) of the Food and Drug Administration Department for inspection of drug licensee’s institutions. Haryana is the first state in the country to launch this software.        He said that Haryana Government is committed to provide best healthcare facilities to its employees, pensioners & their dependents, especially tertiary & super-specialty healthcare facilities. The same is facilitated through empanelment of private hospitals in addition to government health institutions. To ensure highest quality standards, only JCI/ NABH accredited hospitals are taken on the panel, since 2017. There is no fee for empanelment.He informed that Presently, the applications for empanelment are submitted in hard copy, in DGHS office by hand or by post. The applications are taken on file and processed at various levels, starting from clerk to final approval by Hon’ble Health Minister. There were reported delays in processing of files due to various reasons, such as submission of incomplete application/ invalid documents by applicant hospitals, postal delays, undue communications for completing the application, loss of documents during such communications etc. It also created unrest among applicant hospitals due to non-availability of tracking system for the status of their applications, leading to undue visits to DGHS office or higher offices.        He said that health department has developed an online portal for processing applications of private hospitals for empanelment with Haryana Govt. The empanelment portal was unveiled by Hon’ble Health Minister, Haryana on 05.04.2023 from his office in Haryana Civil Secretariat. The applications with complete set of required valid documents will be submitted on the portal. Login I’ds have been created at 4 levels: PM branch (ASMO/DD), DGHS, ACS (Health) and Hon’ble HM for processing and subsequently, for approving/ rejecting the applications.        The online empanelment portal enables efficient, quick processing of applications as well as facilitates real time tracking, currently 423 private hospitals on panel        The online empanelment portal will enable efficient and expeditious processing of such applications. It also has feature of real time tracking of the application. The shortcomings, if any, will be highlighted on the portal for rectification by applicant hospitals. There will be no requirement to visit any office. It also has Dashboard for authorities to monitor the functionality/ pendency of applications; along with Dashboard for users (State Govt. employees/ pensioners) with complete information regarding each empanelled hospital e.g. period of empanelment, scope of services, no. of beds, details of doctors, etc. The ‘online empanelment portal’ is another example of Haryana Government’s commitment towards proficient, transparent and swift service delivery. At present, there are 423 (211 multi-specialty and 208 single specialty) private hospitals on the empanelment of the state government.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Haryana Govt promoting startups: Dushyant Chautala

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IEP Chandigarh, April 5

Haryana Deputy Chief Minister, Sh. Dushyant Chautala said that the state government is promoting and supporting startups in the state so that youth can become entrepreneurs and job providers.Taking this initiative ahead, a startup policy has been framed by the government to provide concessions to youth to begin their Startups, he added.        The Deputy Chief Minister said this while addressing as the chief guest at the “Startup Symposium and Industry Ignite-2023” programme organized at CII Auditorium, Chandigarh here today.        Speaking about the vision of Haryana Government at the programme, he said that the state government is coming up with the project of Global City to be set up on about 1,000 acres in the month of May, which may help the state in terms of development.        Inspiring the youth to learn new technologies related to electric vehicles and aerospace, he said that the coming times will create new employment opportunities in the filed of these technologies. He said that the Haryana Government has started several new courses under the “Haryana Skill Development Mission” to impart and enhance new skills among the youth of the state. Advanced practical knowledge is being imparted to the youth by linking technical colleges with the industries so that the youth can get  suitable job or begin their own startups, he added.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Requested Union Minister to provide relaxation in quality norms of wheat being procured during Rabi season 2023-24: Dushyant Chautala

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IEP Chandigarh, April 5

Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Shri Dushyant Chautala written to Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Piyush Goyal to take necessary action in order to provide relaxation in quality norms of wheat which are being purchased during Rabi Marketing Season 2023-24 by the procuring agencies of the State.Deputy Chief Minister said that the procurement of wheat started in Haryana from 1st April 2023. He told that untimely rains and hail storm began just before harvesting in the month of March, 2023 which has flattened and slashed the standing crops in Haryana.Sh. Dushyant Chautala  said that the reports have been taken from major procuring districts i.e. Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Fatehabad, Sirsa, Jind and Yamuna Nagar regarding lustre loss to the wheat crops due to heavy rains in the month of March, 2023. Most farmers were caught by surprise by the repeated rain and hail storm that has lashed fields full of mature crops. It can curtail production and adversely affect the quality of grains.He said that keeping this in mind, the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has been written to provide relaxation in quality norms of wheat being procured during Rabi Marketing Season 2023-24.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Vigilance Bureau arrests CA for extorting bribe Rs 26 lakh

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IEP Chandigarh April 5

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its anti-corruption campaign, has arrested a chartered accountant (CA) Ankush Sareen, resident of Ludhiana, for taking a bribe of Rs 26 lakh in the name of income tax officers at Chandigarh.          Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the VB said this case has been registered against the above said CA, who is practising privately, after investigation of an online complaint lodged at the Chief Minister’s anti-corruption action line.          Giving details he added that the complainant Parminder Singh Sidhu, resident of village Malsian, district Ludhiana, has alleged that the above said CA had taken Rs 26 lakh in two instalments for giving a bribe to the income tax officers in lieu of settlement of a notice served to his relatives residing in USA regarding an income tax return.          The complainant further informed that he had handed over Rs 25 lakh cash to the CA at his residence on 15-01-2023 and also made a video. After this, CA Ankush Sareen had obtained Rs 1 lakh more for junior officers of income tax department from the complainant on 26-01-2023.          The spokesperson said during an enquiry from the IT department, the complainant came to know that said notice of IT department had not been filed and he realised that said CA had taken a bribe fraudulently in the name of income tax officers by making him fear of heavy penalty and had not given further to anyone. Then he called the said CA to return his money back as his work had not been done but he didn’t.          The spokesperson added that the VB unit of Ludhiana range has investigated the allegations levelled in the complaint and registered a corruption case at VB police station Ludhiana against the above mentioned CA after finding him guilty for extorting a bribe money by making him fear of heavy penalty. Further investigation in this case was under progress, he informed.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Aashika Jain directs to ensure regular cleaning drives in periphery of the defence airport

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IEP SAS Nagar, April 5

A joint meeting of civil and IAF authorities was held to discuss important issues pertaining to the Air Force Station and surrounding infrastructure under the chairpersonship of Deputy Commissioner Ms. Aashika Jain. The various issues pertaining to the Air Force Station were deliberated upon.Executive Officer, MC Zirakpur  informed that cleaning of drains has been carried out by the Municipal Council and work related to cleaning of drain is being carried out by XEN Drainage and same will be completed in two more days. IAF authorities expressed their satisfaction over already completed work of cleaning of drains.A joint visit by all concerned civil and IAF officers is also planned for the coming week to monitor progress and identify pending issues.  MC SAS Nagar, MC Zirakpur as well as BDPO Mohali were directed to ensure regular cleaning drives of the area in periphery of the defence airport, similar direction was given to XEN Drainage to ensure biannual cleaning of all drains. Regarding access to three crash gates of the Indian airforce station, it was informed that all gates are now clear of any kinds of encroachment and all concerned local authorities were directed to get the access made/get the necessary repair works done.Regarding concern expressed by defence authorities over drone flying near defence area, they were informed that prohibitory orders are already in place and any such violation if still noticed may be immediately brought to the notice of police to be dealt as per law.It was also decided that a joint coordination meeting with IAF officers will be made a monthly feature now onwards as there is an overlap of jurisdiction of several departments /officers in the area located in periphery of the defence airport. So it was decided that this joint meeting will be attended by all concerned officials of the district like MC SAS Nagar, MC Zirakpur, GMADA, BDPO Mohali, Drainage as well as police, so that all issues raised by IAF are not just assigned to respective officers but are also redressed by concerned officials in time bound manner.It was appreciated by the IAF officials that defence lands were mutated by the revenue officials in favour of the defence authorities. This long pending issue was resolved through coordination between both organisations and active contribution of revenue officials.The meeting was attended by ADC (General) Aminder Kaur Brar, ADC (UD) Damanjit Singh, EO MC Zirakpur and officials of IAF.

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Government presents misleading figures of loan and budget to hide the real situation from the public: Hooda

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IEP Chandigarh

Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda has stated that the government is deliberately presenting roundabout and misleading figures regarding the budget and debt so that the public does not get to know the real situation. 

Addressing a press conference today, Hooda challenged the claims of the government through figures and said there is a big contradiction in the figures presented by the government itself. “For example, in 2020-21, the government presented an estimated budget of Rs 1,55,645 crore. Later it was revised to 1,53,384 crores. The original budget was further reduced to 1,35,909 crores. Similarly, the estimated budget in 2022-23 was 1,77,235 crores, which was revised to 1,64,807 crores.

“If we talk about loans, in 2020-21, the government told that the state has a debt of Rs 2,27,697 crore. Whereas in the CAG report, the debt was stated to be Rs 2,79,967 crores and according to the RBI, this debt was Rs 2,62,331 crores. Similarly, in 2022-23, the government showed a debt of Rs 2,43,701 crore across the state, whereas according to the RBI, this debt was Rs 2,87,266 crore. That is, a difference of 44,513 crores was seen in the official data itself,” he pointed out.

“Similarly, when the CAG report will come, then more difference would be seen. In such a situation, it is very unfortunate that the Chief Minister accuses the Leader of the Opposition of presenting different loan figures, while the government itself seems to be deliberately entangled in the putting out different figures,” he said.

Hooda said he stands firm on his point even today. “The state has a debt of more than Rs 4 lakh crore, including internal debt and all liabilities as the government itself told in the budget of 2023-24 that the state has a debt of 2,85,885 crores. The CAG report stated liabilities of Rs 36,809 crore (by March 2022), which increases by 3000 to 4000 crore every year. Therefore, as of today, these liabilities are around 44,000 crores,” he stated. 

“Similarly, various departments of the Haryana government owe Rs 46,193 crore to discoms towards electricity bills and unpaid subsidies. As par report uploaded in e-paper business standard dated 26.09.21 as data complied by Ministry of power GOI. This is more liability than all the states in the country. State Public Enterprises have a debt of Rs 47,211 crore. (As stated by hon’able cm in aasembly.)By including all kinds of liabilities on Haryana, the total loan on the state comes to Rs 4,23,229 crore,” he added.

“This is why the Congress is repeatedly demanding a white paper from the government. In this, the total internal debt of the state, public account deposits (small savings), debt taken by public enterprises, additional liabilities (payable by the government to all service providers and suppliers) till March 31, 2023 should be mentioned,” he pointed out.

The former Chief Minister pointed out that the debt figures on the state are also worrying because the debt burden on the state has increased by 4 times from 2014-15 to 2022-23, while the SGDP has increased by only 2.1 times during this period. We have a problem because the growth rate of loans is more than the economic growth rate of the state,” he stated.

Hooda also mentioned that the fiscal deficit of the state is also increasing continuously. “It was 2.07% of SGDP in 2013-14 which has increased to 3.29% in 2022-23. In actual expenditure it may increase up to 3.35%. Similarly, the ratio of debt to GSDP is also worrying as it has gone up from 15.1% in 2013-14, to 25.78% by 2022-23 and it rises to 32.47%, if revised state debt, public account deposits (small savings) and state guaranteed loans are also added, 

The government figures themselves show that the government does not even have a budget to meet its daily expenses, because the budget of 2023-24 shows that the government has a total income of Rs 1,09,122 crore, while the expenditure is ₹1,26,071 crore, showing that there is a revenue deficit of Rs 16,949 crore. 

He also pointed out that the expenditure on payment of internal debt is also increasing continuously. The government is estimating to take a debt of Rs 64,840 crore in 2023-24, whereas Rs 56,470 crore (principal- 35,220 crore + interest- 21,250 crore) is to be spent on debt servicing. That is, out of the total loan with the government, only Rs 8,370 crore is left for the expenditure.

Hooda pointed out that In the budget, the government has also exaggerated the figures of capital income. For example, in 2019-20, capital income was shown as Rs 1778 crore, while the government received only Rs 54 crore. Similarly, in 2020-21, the government showed an estimated income of Rs 3750 crore, but the government received only Rs 63 crore. 

The estimated income in 2021-22 was shown as Rs 5000 crore but the government received only Rs 67.5 crore. The government has shown an estimated capital income of Rs 5394 crore in 2022-23 and Rs 5200 crore in 2023-24. But looking at the past records, it can be guessed that it will hardly be 50-60 crores only. It is clear from this that the government has no money for capital development.

In his budget speech, the Chief Minister said that the government would spend Rs 57,879 crore, which is 31.5% of the total budget, on capital asset creation. Whereas, according to the government itself, Rs 35,220 crore will be spent on loan repayment and Rs 4,198 crore will be spent on loan and advance payments. That means only Rs 18,460 crore will be left with the government for creation of capital assets. Which is just 10% of the budget. In such a situation, the claim of 31.5% proves to be mere speculation.

Hooda said the government every time inflates the budget figures, which later come down to the revised and actual budget to mislead the public. For example, in 2022-23, the government presented an estimated budget of Rs 1,77,256 crore, which was later revised to Rs 1,64,807 crore. As the actual figures come, it will be further reduced, but the government tries to show the loan figures less every time. 

In 2022-23, the government had shown an internal debt of Rs 2,43,779 crore, which increased to Rs 2,56,265 crore in the revised budget, an increase of Rs 12,486 crore. Thus, the budget was shown in excess of Rs 24,932 crore, which is 14 per cent.

Around 15-18% inflated budget is presented by the current government every time. In the budget presented in 2015-16, the actual budget was 85% of the estimated budget. The actual budget for 2016-17 was just 83% of the estimated, 2017-18 just 82%, 2018-19 86%, 2019-20 83%, 2020-21 81.4% and 2021-22 86.63%.

Hooda also pointed out the contradictions in the Governor’s address as he informed that there has been an increase of 26.53 percent in GST collection and 22.47 percent increase in excise in 2022-23. “On the contrary, the income from tax in the budget was revised from 82,653 crores to 75,714 crores. In such a situation, it is beyond understanding that if the income of the state is increasing, then how is the tax collection decreasing in proportion to GSDP? How did the tax collection which was 8.1 per cent of GSDP in 2020-21 come down to 7.6 per cent in 2022-23? It appears that the government’s tax collection is being fudged or the GDP figures given by the government are messed up,” he pointed out.

The former Chief Minister said that the government has announced to spend Rs 20,340 crore on education, which is only 2% of the GDP, while the new education policy recommends spending 6%. “In such a situation, the announcement made by the government to open 11 new medical colleges seems only on paper. Similarly, the government has announced to spend Rs 9,647 crore on health services, which is only 5.2% of the budget. Whereas in the National Health Policy 2017, 8% expenditure on health services was recommended by the year 2020 only,” he said. 

Talking about the agriculture sector, the government has announced to spend Rs 7342 crore on it. “This is just 3.9% of the total budget while 60% of Haryana’s population is dependent on agriculture. It is unfair to spend less than 4% for such a large population,” he pointed out.

Hooda stated that the government has made airy claims regarding per capita income as the government has given per capita income of Rs 2,96,685 which brings the annual income of each family is Rs 14,83,425. “There are 30 lakh families in the state who directly depend on agriculture. The NSSO report states that the total income of farmer families does not exceed Rs 22,841 per month i.e. Rs 2,75,000 per annum. On the other hand, the government claims that 30 lakh families (whose income is less than 2.50 lakh) in the state are the beneficiaries of the Ayushman Yojana,” he said.  

“In such a situation, the claim of per capita income of Rs 2,96,685 does not fit on the ground. If the government wants to collect real income data, then it should collect district-wise details of per capita income,” he stated.

Chandigarh

Over 1600 complaints received in 24 hours for charging exorbitant fees and funds by private school: Harjot Singh Bains

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IEP Chandigarh, April 3

          The Punjab government has received gigantic number of complaints on the email addresses issued by Punjab State School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains to file complaints to prevent frivolous loots by private schools such as exorbitant fees hike, buying books of a particular publisher, frequently changing colour and design of uniforms and shoes among other things.

          Disclosing this, the Education Minister said that in the last 24 hours, more than 1600 complaints have been received on email, which have been sent to the Education Minister Task Force constituted at the district level, for redressal of the complaints. The task force will visit the schools to verify the facts and submit the report to the regulatory authority.

          The Education Minister said that looting in the name of education will not be allowed in the state as per the guidelines of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

          He said that notices have been issued to 30 private schools of the state for not following the government instructions. The Punjab Regulation of Fees of Unaided Educational Institutions Bill 2016 and 2019 has been violated by these schools. These schools have been asked to submit their response in this regard within 7 days.

          He said that the notice has been issued to Ram Ashram School of district Amritsar; Gurukul Public School, ICSE and Eastwood International School, Doomwali, CBSE of district Bathinda; Pine Grove Public School, Bassi Pathana of district Fatehgarh Sahib; Panacea Sen. Sec. Public School, CBSE, Saint Kabir Gurukul SSS, CBSE, Assumption Convent School Abohar, ICSE, Aspire International School Gobindgarh, CBSE, LRS DAV Sr Sec Model School Abohar, CBSE of district Fazilka; Galaxy Star Public School, ICSE of district GURDASPUR; Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Phalahi, CBSE of district Hoshiarpur; Sacred Heart Convent School, Utala, ICSE, Spring Dale Public Sen Sec School Khanna Khurd,  CBSE, Ram Lal Basin Public School of district Ludhiana;  Sh. Guru Nanak Dev Academy Jhunir, Sardoolgarh CBSE, Jindal International School, Rampur Mander, English Grammar School Bareh, Teh. Budhlada, CBSE, NRM Holy Heart Convent School, Budhlada, NRM Holy Heart Convent School, Boha, Bhs Sen. Sec. School, Barnala, Mother’s Dream Public School, Budhlada, CBSE  of district Mansa; Asra International School Rajpura CBSE, Sant Baba Ranjit Singh Public SSS, DHURI, CBSE, Steelmans Punjab School Channo, CBSE, Heritage Public School, Bhawanigarh, CBSE, Gyansh Global School Salempur Sherpur Dhuri, CBSE, Sanskar Valley Smart School Bhawanigarh, CBSE, British Convent School, Sunam, ICSE of district Sangrur and Skonis World School, Ghatour, CBSE, Rayat Bahra International School, Sahauran, CBSE of district SAS Nagar.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Suggestions from public till 15 April with regard to new sports policy

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IEP Chandigarh, April 3

          In order to make Punjab regain its first position in sports, new sports policy fulfilling the ground realities will be implemented soon. A draft has been prepared with the suggestions of experts from department of sports and to make it more efficient, suggestions from people have been sought till April 15.

          Today, in a press statement, Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer said that new sports policy would prove helpful in fulfilling the promise of making Punjab a number one state made by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Till April 15, 2023, players and concerned people can send their suggestions via email suggestions.sportspolicy.punjab@gmail.com so that these suggestions can be added into sports policy before finalising the draft.

          The Minister said that the sports policy will strengthen the sports department and see recruitment of more coaches, increase the seats in the sports wings, create a sports-friendly environment, and provide financial assistance to the players to prepare for international competitions, including all important events of every sport for a cash prize, giving jobs to players, incentives to coaches doing a good job and starting awards for coaches, preparing a common calendar by the sports department in collaboration with the departments of school education and higher education and scholarships for players.

          It’s worth mentioning, that Gold Medalist Hockey Olympian and Arjuna Awardee Surinder Singh Sodhi, Former Chief Coach of Boxing and Dronacharya Awardee Gurbaksh Singh Sandhu, Vice President of Punjab Olympic Association and Ex DGP Rajdeep Singh Gill, Sports Director of Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Saboo Dr. Raj Kumar Sharma along with the representatives of Sports Authority of India, N.I.S., School and Higher education have been included in the experts committee of sports policy.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Vigilance Bureau nabs ASI, Head Constable for taking bribe Rs 5,000

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IEP Chandigarh April 3

          The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, on Monday nabbed an Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Surjit Singh (No. 214/Ludhiana) and Jagpreet Singh, Head Constable (HC), both posted in police station, Delhon, Ludhiana district for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000.

          Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the VB said the above said police officials have been arrested on the complainant of Atma Singh, resident of Sayian Kalan, Ludhiana district.

          Giving details he added that the said complainant has approached the VB unit Ludhiana range and alleged that the above said police officials have demanded Rs 20,000 to release motorcycle of his son who have been arrested in NDPS case but the deal has been struck at Rs 10,000. The complainant further informed that the HC has taken Rs 5,000 on behalf of ASI as a first instalment of bribe.

          The spokesperson informed that a VB team from Ludhiana range laid a trap and the accused police officials have been arrested on the spot while taking a bribe of Rs 5,000 from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses.

          In this regard a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against both the accused at VB police station Ludhiana range. Further investigation in this case was under progress.

Chandigarh

Public Health Best Practices of PGIMER Chandigarh showcased to senior delegates of Myanmar 

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IEP Chandigarh

During the field visit to PGIMER Chandigarh on 8th Day of 21st International public health management development program organized by PGIMER, Chandigarh supported by Indian Technical and Economic cooperation (ITEC), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, various good practices like ROTTO centre (Regional Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation), Tele- Evidence and Telemedicine centre were demonstrated. In sync with its vision of holistic development ROTTO North in collaboration with Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh reiterated its commitment for the noble cause of Organ Donation by organising an engaging and impressive sensitisation session for 39 International Delegates from Myanmar, Ministry of Health.  ROTTO was the first organ transplant in the country and has consistently received the best centre since its inception in 2015-2016, said Ms Saryu Consultant (IEC/Media) ROTTO PGIMER. She also said that ROTTO has helped save 336 lives with 147 cadaver organ donations.

The senior delegates also visited the Tele evidence, the first in the country to initiate Tele evidence i:e testimony of doctors through video conferencing, rather than their physical presence in the court. This facility has saved 1.92 crores over a period of 2 years said Dr. Vipin Koushal, besides saving 30000 hours of doctors. The innovative practice of Tele-medicine was also demonstrated, which is connected to the neighbouring states and SAARC countries for providing basic and highly specialised care. PGIMER has excelled itself in providing sate of art digital health to the citizen of the country and has been a torchbearer for the digital mission said Dr. Sonu Goel, Program Director.

Later in the day, Dr. Archisman Mohapatra, Director, Grid Council said, for the success of any health programs effective communication between the researchers and policy makers is the current need. Through a mixed methodology of teaching such as presentation, role plays, movies and case scenarios, he reiterated the Role of ITEC Nations in conducting contextual policy focused research.