IEP Chandigarh, July 28

In a ‘dawn of new era’ in the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday gave a major relief to 12,710 contractual teachers in the Education department by handing over regularisation letters to them thereby fulfilling a major promise with the teaching fraternity.

In a function held at the local Tagore theater, the Chief Minister said that after assuming the charge of office he had laid thrust on regularising the services of these teachers by overcoming all the legal and administrative hiccups. Bhagwant Mann said that the motive was to ensure the secure future of teachers as he firmly believes that if the future of teachers is protected then only they can transform the destiny of the students. He said that the state government had made concerted efforts due to which this historic day is being witnessed today.

Striking an emotional chord with other employees too, the Chief Minister said that the problem of every employee will be solved for which the state government is already making all out efforts. Asserting that he is there to resolve all the issues faced by the teaching fraternity, Bhagwant Mann said that being son of a teacher he knew the problems of the teachers very well adding that he is duty bound to resolve all of them. He said that the state exchequer belongs to the people and every single penny will be judiciously utilised for the well being of every strata of society.

Citing an incident where life of a girl from border village was transformed by his strenuous efforts as an artist, the Chief Minister said that girl was facing severe hardships to pursue education but due to his humble effort she scripted new success story in life adding that if an artist can do this then the head of state can do much more. He said that it was unfortunate that these teachers had to work on meagre salaries and had to protest for their lawful rights due to apathy of successive governments. Bhagwant Mann said that even the workers under MGNREGA used to get more salaries then the teachers due to which he was peeved as it was an atrocity on the nation builders.

The Chief Minister said that this is not a favour on anyone but it is his bounden duty to serve the state and the masses. Bhagwant Mann said that he has been blessed that people of the state have reposed so much trust in him adding that he will make every effort to uphold this faith.  He said that his government is making every effort to ensure the holistic development of the state and prosperity of its people.

The Chief Minister said that from now onwards the word contractual will be forever eliminated from before the name of these teachers. He said that every year a 5% increment will be given to these teachers along with other benefits including holidays. Bhagwant Mann said that in another historic initiative the state government has decided that the teachers will only render service related to teaching work and no other non-teaching duty will be assigned to them.

The Chief Minister said that the Union government had demanded 66,000 teachers for conducting the census in the state but he has clearly refused and asked the centre government to rather enrol unemployed youth for this purpose. He said that this will help the youth in getting firsthand knowledge of government work besides enhancing their resume. Bhagwant Mann said that such actions can be taken only by that person who is connected with the people at ground root level. 

The Chief Minister said that the leaders living in the palatial palaces can’t take such decisions as they are not aware of realities at ground level. However, Bhagwant Mann said that though he does not possess such huge houses, the unflinching love and faith of people is his entire property and treasure. He said that when people of the state are with him then nothing else in the form of money and wealth is required.

The Chief Minister said the successive state governments had befooled the people by giving incentives in the last year. He said that these people had looted the people during their regimes and never bothered about their well being. However, Bhagwant Mann said that his government is working from day one to ensure the welfare of the people of state.

The Chief Minister expressed hope that these teachers will discharge their services efficiently for imparting education in the state. He said that the day is not far when due to joint efforts of the state government and teachers, Punjab will emerge as a front ranking state in the field of quality education. Bhagwant Mann said that a new revolution is being witnessed in the field of education and all of us are fortunate to be part of it.

IEP Chandigarh

Under the theme, “One Life, One Liver,” this year’s World Hepatitis Day on 28th July 2023 highlighted the importance of the liver for a healthy life, and the need to raise awareness about viral hepatitis and scale up prevention, testing and treatment to optimize liver health, prevent liver disease and attain the WHO goal of reducing new hepatitis infections by 90% and deaths by 65% by 2030.

Hepatitis literally means inflammation of the liver and may occur due to various causes among which viral hepatitis, alcohol related liver disease and fatty liver are the commonest. There are five types of hepatitis viruses ( Hepatitis A to E ) among which Hepatitis D is practically absent in India. Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E viruses causes acute hepatitis and jaundice. They are spread through feco-oral route via contaminated water and food.

Therefore, filtration or adequate boiling of drinking water, keeping food covered and other hygiene practices like washing hands with soap after going to the toilet, trimming of nails etc. are utmost important measures to prevent Hepatitis A and E. Although a vaccine is available for the prevention of Hepatitis A, as of now it has not been incorporated into national immunization schedule.  

Currently, there are no approved vaccines for the prevention of Hepatitis E. Jaundice due to Hepatitis A and E viruses is usually self-limiting , resolves within a few weeks and requires only symptomatic treatment.

Only a small fraction of these patients develops acute liver failure, a devastating condition with high risk of death. However, these viruses do not cause chronic hepatitis and patients who recover do not suffer from lasting liver damage.

Unlike Hepatitis A and E, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses are notorious for causing chronic hepatitis where the virus persists in the liver and surreptitiously causes chronic liver damage which can progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Worlwide, it is estimated that there are more than 35 crores (350 million) patients with Hepatitis B and C with a new infection occurring every 10 seconds (i.e. 3 million every year). Most patients remain asymptomatic till they develop end-stage liver disease. Thus, many patients remain unaware of their infection and finding these missing millions, treating currently infected patients and preventing new infections remain key for tackling the scourge of viral hepatitis. Like HIV, Hepatitis B and C viruses are spread via blood and body fluids and therefore avoiding intravenous drug use, safe sexual practices, ensuring new needles/razors and sterilised medical instruments are crucial for prevention. Also, a very effective vaccine is available for prevention of hepatitis B, which requires only three doses at 0, 1 and 6 months. This vaccine has also been incorporated in the national immunization schedule. Unfortunately, there are no vaccines for Hepatitis C. Fortunately, there has been a revolution in the management of these viruses in the new millennium. Hepatitis B can be effectively suppressed and Hepatitis C can be completely “cured” in more than 95% patients using oral drugs said Dr Ajay Duseja, Professor and Head, Department of Hepatology, PGIMER, Chandigarh.

In India, it is estimated there are around 5-6 crores (50-60 million) patients with chronic viral hepatitis and testing these subjects for viral hepatitis is the only way to detect them. Viral hepatitis diagnosis and management in India is now supported by National Viral Hepatitis Control Program under the aegis of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. PGIMER Chandigarh serves as a Model Treatment Centre under the program for both the state of Punjab and Union territory of Chandigarh. In PGI itself, almost 150-200 new patients of Hepatitis B and C are seen per month in the liver clinic run twice a week by the Department of Hepatology of the Institute. Antiviral drugs are also distributed to around 80 to 100 new patients every month free of cost under the support of National Viral Hepatitis Control Program said Dr. Arka De, Assistant Professor, Department of Hepatology, PGIMER Chandigarh. As a Model Treatment Center, the Department of Hepatology also receives referrals of complicated cases including treatment failure, cirrhosis and liver cancer from all over India, particularly from the neighboring states of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir. In fact, combined together both Hepatitis B and C are responsible for 60-65% of patients’ liver cancer seen in the liver clinic and are the second commonest cause for cirrhosis liver, informed Dr Duseja and Dr De. 

World Hepatitis Day was launched by the World Hepatitis Alliance in 2008 in response to the concern that chronic viral hepatitis did not have the level of awareness, nor the political momentum, seen with other communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria. This is despite the fact that the number of people chronically infected with, and the number of deaths caused by, hepatitis B and C is on the same scale as these conditions.

World Hepatitis Day has generated massive public and media interest, as well as support from governments, high-profile Non-Governmental Organizations and supranational bodies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO). Every year thousands of events take place around the world, from rock concerts and press briefings to ministerial meetings and fundraising events. In May 2010, the World Health Assembly passed a resolution on viral hepatitis which, together with vital commitments on prevention, treatment and patient care, made World Hepatitis Day an official WHO awareness day. In recognition of the birthday of Professor Baruch Blumberg, who won the Nobel Prize for discovering the hepatitis B virus, WHO decided that World Hepatitis Day will take place on 28 July every year.

IEP Chandigarh, July 27

Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday said that the infrastructure of the district treasury offices across the state will be strengthened to bring further improvements in their performance.During a meeting with representatives of Punjab State Khazana Karamchari Association (Punjab State Treasury Employees Association) here at Vit te Yojna Bhawan, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that latest computers and other necessary equipments will be provided besides the renovation of these offices wherever required. He asked the representatives of the association to apprise the department about their suggestions and requirements in this regard.Meanwhile, the Finance Minister discussed in detail the demands mentioned in the memorandum submitted by the association with the officials of the treasury branch, and asked them to start the process to fulfill the legitimate demands. He said that timely promotion of every employee should be ensured. He asked the representatives of the association to play an active role in motivating their colleagues to further improve the delivery of the services.Secretary Expenditure cum Director Treasury Mohammad Tayyab and Additional Director Treasury Simarjit Kaur were also present in this meeting.  

IEP Chandigarh, July 27

In a bid to ensure the welfare of animals and stop cruelty against them, Punjab Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister Mr Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Thursday ordered that all pet shops and dog breeders should be registered with the Punjab State Animal Welfare Board. A notification in this regard will be issued, he said.Chairing a meeting of the Managing Committee of the State Animal Welfare Board here at Punjab Bhawan, Mr. Gurmeet Singh Khudian directed the department officials to start the registration process at the earliest.Urging people to stop cruelty towards stray animals, he also asked the department officials to hold seminars, lectures and social media campaign to sensitise people on human-animal harmonious living and be compassionate towards animals.Underlining the steps being taken for the welfare of the stray animals, Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Mr Vikas Pratap apprised the Cabinet Minister that Societies for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCAs) have been constituted in all the districts and these societies are actively working for the welfare of animals. Apart from this, there are around 471 registered gaushalas in the state, while, 20 cattle ponds have also been constructed by the state government for rehabilitations of the stray animals.      Prominent amongst others present in the meeting included Director Animal Husbandry Dr. Rampal Mittal, Joint Secretary Mr. Rakesh kumar, IFS Mr. T. Gnana, Joint Director Dr Sangeeta Toor,  Joint Director Dr G S Bedi, AWBI Dr S.Bharat Kumar, Advocate Simranjit kaur, Sukhwant Singh Gill, Nandini kakkar and Dr Puneet Malhotra.

IEP CHANDIGARH/SANGRUR, July 27: 

         As the ongoing anti-drug campaign launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann started gathering mass support, Punjab Police on Thursday achieved major success after at least 67 villages and 20 wards of the Sangrur district have passed a resolution to oppose and socially boycott drug sellers and make their villages drug-free.          This is yet another achievement came amidst the series of Cordon and Search Operations (CASO) focused on drug trafficking, anti-social elements and criminals being conducted by the Punjab Police to make Punjab a drug-free and crime-free state. On Wednesday, residents of two notorious areas in district Sri Muktsar Sahib including village Midda and Mohalla Chhajghar of Malout had pledged to stay away from drugs.          On Day-4, the CASO was conducted in two districts of Patiala Range including Sangrur and Barnala on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav. The entire operation was conducted under the overall supervision of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Patiala Range Mukhwinder Singh Chhina and SSPs were directed to meticulously plan this operation and deploy maximum Police Force.          While congratulating the Sangrur Police team for achieving this milestone, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla exhorted the public to come forward to completely eradicate the menace of drugs from the state to transform it into the ‘Rangla Punjab’. He said that Punjab Police have not been leaving any stone unturned to nab the drug smugglers to break the drug supply, but public support is a must to cut the demand.          Divulging more details, the Special DGP said that the Police teams have arrested 11 anti-social elements after registering eight first information reports (FIRs) during the operation. Apart from this, the Police teams have also rounded up 60 suspicious persons for questioning, he added.          The Special DGP said that the strong force of 1200+ Police personnel under the supervision of SSP Sangrur Surendra Lamba and SSP Barnala Sandeep Kumar Malik carried out CASO in drug hotspots identified in their respective districts.          Meanwhile, IGP Mukhwinder Singh Chhina has specially invited 10 such panchayats for a meeting to appreciate their efforts in the fight against drugs. He urged more people to join hands with the Punjab Police to wipe out drugs from the state. 

IEP Chandigarh, July 27

After the approval of Punjab Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, 106 Junior Coaches have been promoted as Coaches by the Sports department.Sports Minister Meet Hayer said that on the instructions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, continuous efforts are being made by the Sports Department to create a sports-friendly environment in the state and the government is committed to making Punjab the number one state in the country in sports. He said that 106 Junior Coaches working in the sports department have been promoted as Coaches.Meet Hayer further said that to strengthen the Sports department, where the posts of all the groups will be filled soon after the implementation of the new sports policy, promotions are also being made. He said that from village level sports centres to state level centres of excellence are coming up in the state. Attention is being given to giving the right direction to the youth of Punjab and channelizing their energy in the right direction so that the players of Punjab shine the name of the state and the country at the national and international levels.