IEP Chandigarh, September 29

Banwarilal Purohit, Governor, Punjab and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh today launched accident & disabilities insurance cover for the Municipal Corporation employees. As per the scheme, Rs. 40 lacs will be given to families of account holders in case of accidental death or total disability.

This mega beneficiary scheme for MCC employees, conceived in collaboration with Punjab & Sind Bank, was launched during a programme held at Rani Laxmi Bai Mahila Bhawan, Sector 38-C, here today evening in the presence of Smt. Kirron Kher, Hon’ble Member Parliament, Smt. Sarbjit Kaur, Mayor, Sh. Dharam Pal, IAS, Worthy Adviser to the Administrator, UT, Chandigarh, Sh Nitin Yadav, Home Secretary UT ,Sh. Swarup Kumar Saha, MD & CEO, Punjab and Sind Bank, senior officers and councilors of MCC.

While addressing the  employees of MCC and others present during the event, the Governor said that aiming to provide such exhaustive insurance coverage  to about 10500 employees working in the Municipal Corporation and their families was an excellent step. It was commendable that the insurance cover for was for  all its employees, not just regular but contractual, outsourced, daily wagers, employees from group A to group D. He also congratulated the Punjab & Sind Bank for this noble initiative, which has offered such huge benefit to all MCC employees.

He said that it is our responsibility to protect and safeguard the interests of workers in general and especially those who constitute  poor, deprived and disadvantage sections of the society. He said that this initiative shall go a long way towards creating a healthy work environment and higher productivity.

Smt. Kirron Kher, Member Parliament, Chandigarh said that this will give a huge relief to employees and their families. Earlier, in case of any accidental death of outsource employees, the MCC, being the principal employer was bound to give relief to the family of deceased employee out of its own funds, which was a big burden on the exchequer of the Corporation. Now the bank has given this mega insurance cover to the employees of MCC, which is indeed a joyous  news to all.

Smt. Sarbjit Kaur, Mayor , in her address, said that, that the MCC has started this scheme for all its 10500 employees working in  different wings of MC  including 925 door to door waste collectors, 543 daily wagers, 76 contract basis and 5272 on the outsourced staff, 1100 employees of Lions firm which is looking after the sanitation work of sectors from 31 to 62.

She said that presently, only group D employees were insured under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojna (PMSBY) and Pradhan Mantri Jeewan Jyoti Bima Yojna (PMJJBY). The premium for these insurances is being paid by the MC @ Rs. 12/- and Rs. 330/- per annum per employee. The insurance cover upto Rs. 2 lacs only is payble under each scheme in case of natural/accidental death. But now the Punjab & Sind Bank has provided mega accidental/disabilities insurance cover of Rs. 40 lacs.

Sh. Dharam Pal, IAS, Adviser to the Administrator said that this initiative of Municipal Corporation towards the welfare of its employees is probably the first of its kind in the entire country. He said it will not only cover the accidental or disabilities insurance but shall also provide various other services including education and care of  children of the deceased employees.

Ms. Anindita Mitra, IAS, Commissioner, MCC said that zero balance salary accounts of all category of employees i.e. regular, contractual, daily wagers, outsourced, such as door to door waste collectors, safaimitras, safaikarmacharis have been opened in the P&SB, which has offered insurance in death case Rs. 40 lacs accidental coverage, total disability Rs. 40 lacs accidental coverage; Rs. 40 lacs for death due to animal bite, insect bite, snake bite.

She further said that in case of partial disability, the insurance cover will be given as per the percentage of the disability as mentioned in the schedule; Air accidental Rs. 1.20 crores; child education benefit from 12 years to 22 years upto two girls child Rs. 24 lacs (Rs. 12 lacs each), one girl and one boy, Rs. 12 lacs plus Rs. 6 lacs, two boys Rs. 12 lacs (6 lacs each) and in case of natural death Rs. 2.50 lacs will be given.

IEP CHANDIGARH

In order to raise awareness about overall Cardiovascular health and wellbeing, World Heart Day is observed annually on 29th September all across the globe. Despite phenomenal developments in the field of medical sciences, cardio-vascular diseases still remain the single largest cause of death and illness throughout the globe. A comprehensive well-being approach should be applied so that the overall burden of disease could be significantly reduced, commented Prof Rajesh Vijayvergiya, from the Cardiology department, PGIMER, Chandigarh.

This year the theme of World Heart Day is USE HEART for EVERY HEART and this puts the onus on every individual not only to adapt to a heart-healthy lifestyle for oneself but also to motivate others so that every single person gets benefits from it, commented Prof Vijayvergiya.  

The good part is that, unlike many other chronic illnesses, Cardiac diseases can be well prevented to great extent by simply incorporating a couple of healthy lifestyle-related changes. Prof Vijayvergiya emphasized that by getting involved in regular physical activity, reducing salt intake, regularizing sleep, minimizing psychological stress and regular meditation, cardiac risk could be cut down significantly. Each one of us should come together to motivate one another by adopting a healthy lifestyle and also take proper medical consultation in case of any heart health-related issue is suspected rather than delay it.

There is a concern about cardiac death and heart attacks in young people also, although they were doing regular gym activity and having a strict low calories diet. Regarding this, Prof Vijayvergiya commented that certain cardiac risk factors such as smoking, strenuous physical exercise or excess of mental stress and a family history of heart disease can also lead to acute cardiac events such as death or heart attack in a seemingly healthy individual. To avoid such incidents, he stressed screening of all healthy populations after the age of 40 years. Those with risk factors like overweight, smoking, diabetes and hypertension may require a screening after the age of 30 years and this screening should be repeated every 2-5 yearly, or in between if any abnormal cardiac symptoms appear in an individual.

There is also a concern about COVID infection and increased incidence of heart attack, for which he replied that due to the pandemic there was a surge in cardiac risk factors such as smoking, increase body weight, physical and mental stress, and discontinuation of cardiac drugs, which leads to increase heart attacks. COVID infection itself can adversely affect the heart by decreasing its pump capacity and acute blockage of coronary arteries, which can lead to adverse events.

Regarding screening for early diagnosis of heart disease in the general population, he advised following points: – 

•      Begin risk factor assessment in adults at age 20.

•      Assess smoking status, diet, alcohol intake and physical activity at every routine evaluation.

•      Record blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI) and pulse at each visit (at least every two years).

•      Measure fasting serum cholesterol, and blood glucose according to the person’s risk for hyperlipidemia and diabetes, respectively (at least every 5 years; if risk factors are present, every 2 years).

•      After the age of 40 years, each individual should be evaluated for heart disease— ECG, Echo and TMT.  It should be repeated 2-5 yearly depending upon the underlying risk. Those with the risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, obesity or having symptoms of heart pain should be screened from the age of 30 years.

IEP Chandigarh, September 28

Haryana Police has issued an advisory urging citizens not to share any information or respond to phone calls from unknown numbers showing fear of deporting their relatives from abroad.

                    Sharing the information here today, a Haryana Police spokesperson informed that cyber offenders are using various tactics to dupe people. A new trend of cyber crime has come to the fore in which thugs have started targeting those whose relatives/children are either living or studying abroad.

                    In one such case, a complaint in Panchkula district told that his nephew is studying in Canada. According to the complaint, the victim’s wife received a call on from an unknown number in which the caller introduced himself as her nephew and said that he had been caught up in a fight with someone during the party. Other person has been injured in the fight and if he is not given medical treatment, police will take action. Coming to the words of thugs, the complainant has transferred a total amount of Rs 7.5 lakh to the thugs in three installments. Realizing the fraud, he lodged a complaint on 1930. The cyber team immediately freezed the transaction of Rs 2.5 lakh.

          Similarly, in another case, a person was duped of 6 lakh by cyber scammer by pretending himself to be a nephew living abroad under the same modus operandi, in which the cyber team saved Rs 2.5 lakh after a complaint filed on 1930.

                    Additional Director General of Police, Crime, Sh. OP Singh, said that every person who is connected through any digital medium (be it social media or internet banking) is the target of cyber thugs. With the changing scenario, cyber thugs have also changed their tactics to dupe people. Having children and relatives abroad has become a common thing nowadays and cyber criminals are succeeding in their plans by showing fear of deporting them. Cautioning people to be aware of such scammers, he said that the public has to take care that social media accounts are kept locked. Try to limit your Personal Information on Social Networks. Don’t be hasty on calls coming in the name of foreign relatives. Be completely satisfied first and only then take any action. If, however, you still become a victim, register your complaint immediately on 1930.

IEP Chandigarh, September 28

Goa Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant said that Goa will always be indebted to the martyr Sardar Karnail Singh Benipal a resident of Haryana, who laid down his life for the Goa’s struggle for freedom from Portuguese rule.Dr. Sawant first paid tributes to martyr Sardar Karnail Singh Benipal and later addressing the media persons at a press conference held here today, he announced that a road leading from Goa International Airport would be named after Shaheed Karnail Singh Benipal.Dr. Pramod Sawant said that on the call of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, the entire country is celebrating Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. During this period, the unsung martyrs who sacrificed their lives for freedom are remembered.“Goa is also celebrating 60 years of its independence and as a part of these celebrations,  I have specially visited  Barola village in Ambala  to meet Smt.  Charanjit Kaur, wife of martyr Karnail Singh Benipal and has presented a cheque of Rs. 10 lakh and a citation to her as a gesture of honour,” said Dr. Sawant.The Chief Minister assured that all possible help would be provided to Smt. Charanjit Kaur in the future also.The government school of Barola will be named after Shaheed Karnail Singh or his wifeMLA, Ambala, Sh. Aseem Goel said that Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal has announced that the middle school located in village Barola in Ambala district will be named after Shaheed Karnail Singh Benipal or his wife Charanjit Kaur. The school will be named once the Panchayat will pass the resolution.Sh. Aseem Goel also welcomed Dr. Pramod Sawant. He said that it is a very commendable step by the Chief Minister of Goa to honour the wife of Martyr Karnail Singh Benipal.Memorial for the martyrs being built in Patradevi, GoaDr. Pramod Sawant said that in the memory of the known and unknown martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the independence of Goa, a memorial is being built in the memory of the martyrs at Patradevi. A statue of Shaheed Karnail Singh Benipal has also been made in the government school of Patradevi. Apart from this, the Goa government is also honoring the families of the martyrs involved in the liberation of Goa.As demanded by the family, Sonali Phogat’s murder case has been handed over to CBIDr. Pramod Sawant said that the investigation of Sonali Phogat’s murder case has been handed over to CBI  as per the demand of her family. Goa Police is fully cooperating with CBI in this matter. At the same time, Goa’s Anti Narcotics Cell is tightening the noose around those involved in drug abuse. Many raids have been conducted within 3 years, in which the accused have been caught. Apart from this, drug peddlers are also being caught.Goa is continuously working in the field of tourismThe Chief Minister said that Goa is continuously working in the field of tourism. We have also received an award for tourism in the past. Infrastructure is constantly being developed,” added Dr. Sawant.  He assured that app-based taxis will be launched inside Goa in a few days.Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Dr. Amit Agrawal and other senior officers were also present on this occasion.

IEP Chandigarh September 28

Goa Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant reached Barola village in Ambala district of Haryana to meet Charanjit Kaur, wife of Sardar Karnail Singh Benipal, who was martyred in the Goa Liberation Movement. During this, he also presented a cheque of Rs 10 lakh to  Smt. Charanjit Kaur as a gesture of honour.

While celebrating the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and 60 years of Goa’s liberation, the Government had announced to give special honour to martyr Karnail Singh Benipal.  A special invitation was sent to his wife Smt. Charanjit Kaur by the Goa government to attend the ceremony but due to her ill health, she could not attend the same.

The Chief Minister of Goa had promised her brother and Sister-in-law who had attended the programme on behalf of Smt. Charanjit Kaur that he would especially reach  Ambala to meet Charanjit Kaur. Fulfilling the same, Dr. Sawant reached Barola village in Ambala today and met Smt. Charanjit Kaur and family members.

The Haryana Government extended its full cooperation to organize the visit of Dr. Pramod Sawant to Barola village in the Ambala district.

Notably, Sardar Karnail Singh Benipal wanted to see Goa free from Portuguese rule after India got independence. Meanwhile, the Goa Vimochan Sahayak Samiti, a Pune-based organization working for the liberation of Goa, decided to go on a mass satyagraha by crossing the border of Goa on  August 15, 1955.

They also sought help from political parties. Accordingly, the satyagrahis were divided into groups. One group tried to enter Goa through the Patradevi border, while the other planned to enter South Goa via Pollem border and Castlerock border.

A young widow from Madhya Pradesh Sahodradevi Rai was, holding the Indian tricolour and leading the group of Satyagrahis along with others at Patradevi. As their group tried to enter Goa, she was shot and hot injured.

At this juncture, 25-year-old Sardar Karnail Singh Benipal of Isru village in Punjab came forward and challenged the police to shoot him instead of attacking women. He too was shot on the Goa border at Patradevi and became a martyr.

This incidence in Goa’s history is hardly known at the National level wherein several unarmed Satyagrahis from various parts of India were shot by Portuguese authorities on  August 15, 1955. These unarmed satyagrahis believed that Goa is an integral part of India and that without the liberation of Goa,  India’s independence would be incomplete.

IEP CHANDIGARH, SEPTEMBER 28

Accomplishing one more milestone,  PGIMER writes another success story in transplant surgery as a 32-year-old simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant recipient from Uttarakhand delivered a baby girl, 4 years after undergoing a simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant here in PGIMER.Prof. Ashish Sharma, Head, Deptt. of Renal transplant Surgery,  PGIMER while enumerating PGIMER’s milestones in transplant surgery shared, “Less than 150 pancreas transplants have been carried out in India so far. Out of these, PGIMER alone has contributed 38 of these. This is the first childbirth happening after pancreas transplant at our institute and possibly the first in India. While globally pancreas transplant remains fairly common with nearly 35,000 pancreas transplant having been performed in United States, It has just started in our country.”Expressing her happiness at the successful delivery in this high risk case, Prof. Seema Chopra, Obsetrics In-charge at PGIMER stated, “There were different opinions as she was considered to be a high risk patient given her past history of diabetes, hypertension and kidney failure. Ultimately, after consultation with obstetrics team, she decided to proceed ahead. Fortunately, her glucose, blood pressure and kidney function remained within normal limits throughout the pregnancy. However, in view of high-risk status it was decided to perform a Caesarean section at nine months and she delivered a female baby of weight 2.5 kg with uneventful recovery.”The mother to the newly born baby girl was diagnosed to be suffering from type one diabetes since the age of 13, i.e. from 2005 when she developed loss of consciousness and had been under treatment of Deptt. of Endocrinology, PGIMER since then.Detailng about the case management, Prof. Sanjay Bhadada, Head, Deptt. of Endocrinology, PGIMER, shared, “The mother’s  diabetes was labile and required >70 units of insulin every day along with strict monitoring of blood glucose. Despite this, it was difficult to control and in one instance she required hospitalisation with ventilator support. In 2016 she developed swelling of entire body when it was diagnosed that she had developed kidney failure. She was initiated on Dialysis twice a week in 2018.”She was lucky to undergo simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant when one brave heart donor family donated organs of their deceased dear one after his brain death here in PGIMER.After this transplant, both diabetes and renal failure got cured and she had been leading a normal life. Two years later she got married and now she is a mother to a lovely baby girl.

IEP Chandigarh, September 28

The Finance and Contract committee of Municipal Corporation Chandigarh has decided to renovate Harijan Dharmshala at Dadumajra colony with special repair works. This was decided in a meeting of F&CC held here today under the chairpersonship of Smt. Sarbjit Kaur Dhillon, Mayor and attended by Ms. Anindita Mitra, IAS, Commission and other members of committee namely Sh. Mahesh Inder Singh Sidhu, Sh. Saurabh Joshi, Sh. Jasbir Singh, Smt. Taruna Mehta, Smt. Gurbax Rawat  and other senior officers of MCC were present during the meeting.

The members of committee discussed other various important agenda items in detail and accorded approval for the following:

·        The committee members decided to extension of lifting of dead animals from MC Limits of Chandigarh from 13.09.2022 to 12.12.2022.

·        Providing and laying of 200mm (8”) i/d sewer line near House No. 91 to 169, Sector 45-A, Chandigarh at an estimated cost of Rs.13.85 lacs.

·        Providing and laying of 90mm HDPE pipe line in parks near House No. 225, 277, 409, 551, 829, 970, 1301, 1505, 1540, 2008, 2025, 2642, 2764, 2774, 2777, 2819, 2859, 2877, 2879, 2897, 3144, 3884, 3966 etc. Sector 47, Chandigarh under the jurisdiction of SDE MCPH Sub Division No. 19, Chandigarh at an estimated cost of Rs. 27.47 lacs.

·        Providing and laying of 90mm & 110mm HDPE pipe line in parks near House No. 2330, 2339, 2411, 2472, 2521 & 2290 of Sector 27-C near House No. 485, 495, 503, 756, 778, 1624 & 2218 of Sector 29 A&B, Chandigarh under the jurisdiction of SDE MCPH Sub Division No. 19, Chandigarh at an estimated cost of Rs. 21.71 lacs.

·        Providing lights at various dark spots in Dadumajra Village, Chandigarh at an estimated cost of Rs. 5.02 lacs.

·        Providing and fixing new Children Play Equipments, Sector 56, Chandigarh at an estimated cost of Rs. 4.32 lacs.

·        Special Repair of Harijan Dharmshala at Dadumajra Colony, Chandigarh at an estimated cost of Rs. 8.49 lacs.

·        Special repair and renovation of Anganwadi’s inside Dharmshala and Panchayat Ghar at Dadumajra village and Colony, Chandigarh at an estimated cost of Rs. 9.76 lacs.

·        Construction of sealing wall and construction of road surrounding area Police Staff Quarters near Police Station, Sector 11, Chandigarh at an estimated cost of Rs. 9.46 lacs.

·        Purchase of 02 nos. Truck with hydraulic system for cattle catching at an estimated cost of Rs. 15.75 lacs.

·        Providing and laying of 600mm (24”), 450mm (18”) & 300mm (12”) i/d SWD pipe line for smooth disposal of rain water at V-3 Dividing road of Sector 52 & 61 (Side) from #1406 to #1488, Sector 61, Chandigarh at an estimated cost of Rs. 26.87 lacs.

·        Construction of throughway in park near H.No. 1168, Sector 8 and construction of toe wall & re-laying of damaged walking track by demolishing in park near H.No. 1062, Sector 8, Chandigarh at an estimated cost of Rs. 10.88 lacs.

·        The committee member passed the proposal for providing of Library Books, LED TV 55”, Water Cooler, Double Bed, Mattress, Bed Sheet with Pillow Cover, Four Playing Card Table, Newspaper Stand, Carrom Board, Chess Board and Ludo Games at Community Centre, Sector 27-B, Chandigarh at an estimated cost of Rs. 2.66 lacs.

·        Providing and fixing stainless Steel House Indicator Board in Sector 31, Chandigarh at an estimated cost of Rs. 12.83 lacs

·        Providing and fixing PCC Tiles footpath balance portion on V-5 road in Sector 32-A & B, Chandigarh at an estimated cost of Rs. 23.73 lacs.

IEP Chandigarh, September 28    

       Main Branch Upper and off-taking canals/distributaries/minors of the Upper Bari Doab Canal system  will remain closed for 16 days.          An official spokesperson of Water Resources department informed that in view of the status of crops and weather, Main Branch Upper and its off taking Canals/Distributaries/Minors will remain closed from 05.10.2022 to 20.10.2022 (both days inclusive) for construction works of tapping points at RD 79383 Main Branch Upper, RD 24900 Lahore Branch, RD 38040 Lahore Branch and RD 133000 Main Branch lower.