Month: August 2024

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Saturday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and listed a series of demands after the sexual assault and death of a female trainee PG doctor at Bengal’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The IMA has demanded a Central Act incorporating the amendments of 2020 in the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 into the draft “The Healthcare Services Personnel and Clinical Establishments (Prohibition of Violence and Damage to Property Bill 2019).

The IMA said that this would strengthen the existing 25-state legislation.

The IMA further demanded that the hospitals should be declared safe zones with security entitlements as the first step.

“The security protocols of all hospitals should be no less than an airport. Declaring the hospitals as safe zones with mandatory security entitlements is the first step. CCTVs, deployment of security personnel and the protocols can follow,” it said.

“The 36 hours of duty shift that the victim was in and the lack of safe spaces to rest and adequate restrooms warrant a thorough overhaul of the working and living conditions of the resident doctors,” the IMA added.

It also demanded a meticulous and professional investigation of the crime in a time frame and rendering of justice.

“Appropriate and dignified compensation to the bereaved family commensurate with the cruelty inflicted,” it said.

“We appreciate your remarks about the safety of women in your Independence Day address. We appeal to you for your benign intervention at this stage. This will give confidence to not only women doctors but also to every woman in workplace. 60 per cent of Indian doctors are women. This percentage is as high as 68 per cent in the Dental profession, 75 per cent in Physiotherapy and 85 per cent in Nursing. All Healthcare professionals deserve a peaceful ambience, safety and security at the workplace. We are appealing for your benign intervention to ensure appropriate measures to meet our demands,” the IMA said.

A nationwide withdrawal of services has been announced by doctors of modern medicine starting from 6 am on Saturday, August 17 to 6 am Sunday, August 18.

On August 9, a postgraduate trainee doctor was raped and murdered on duty at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, which has led to nationwide strikes and protests by the medical fraternity. (ANI)

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Ahead of the Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir starting from September 18, former cabinet minister, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali, on Saturday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi and is set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party tomorrow.

Zulfkar told ANI that he will hold a press conference tomorrow about his decision to join the BJP.

J-K BJP Unit said that Zulfikar Ali will join BJP tomorrow at BJP headquarters, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu.

“Today I met with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding several issues in our area. We had a detailed discussion over the elections (upcoming Assembly elections in J&K) also. About joining BJP, I will speak tomorrow by holding a press conference at 10:30 am,” he said.

Ali also mentioned that as Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory, every party has to work with the Central Government.

“Whether it was PDP or National Conference, they remained part of the BJP. At present, there is a government at the Centre with whom we have to work with as JK is a union territory,” he added.

Earlier today, in a blow to Democratic Progressive Azad Party chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad ahead of the assembly polls, former Jammu and Kashmir minister, Taj Mohiuddin has announced his resignation from the party.

Mohiuddin told ANI over the phone that he would rejoin the Congress soon.

Meanwhile, the Assembly elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases from September 18 to October 1, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced on Friday.

As per the announcement, the voters in Jammu and Kashmir will cast their votes on September 18, and September 25, and the third phase will take place on October 1, along with Haryana.

The counting of the votes will take place on October 4 for Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir.

In Jammu and Kashmir, there are 87.09 lakh total electors. Of which 44.46 lakh are male, 42.62 female, 169 are Transgender, 82,590 PwDs, 73943 very senior citizens, 2660 centenarians, 76092 service electors, and 3.71 lakh are first-time voters.

In December of last year, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to conclude the election process by September 30, 2024.

Jammu and Kashmir will witness elections after a gap of ten years as the last assembly election was held in 2014. The PDP-BJP coalition government fell in June 2018 when the latter withdrew support to the then-Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti. (ANI)

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Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who will now face prosecution in the alleged MUDA scam, said on Saturday that the entire State cabinet is standing with him.

“The entire Cabinet, party high command, all MLAs, MLCs, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs are with me…,” he briefly told reporters here today.

The Karnataka government has said they will challenge the Governor’s action in the High Court.

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot today granted permission to prosecute Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the alleged MUDA scam, according to the Raj Bhavan sources.

Siddaramaiah has, however, been maintaining that “everything was done according to the law”.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar today said that the state government will put all their weight behind Siddaramaiah.

“We stand with CM Siddaramaiah. The party, the high command the entire state and the Cabinet stand with him. We will fight it legally and we will fight it politically as well… Whatever notice and sanction has been given is against the law. We have made all our preparations to fight it legally, this is nothing but a clear conspiracy against backwards-class CM Siddaramaiah who is running the government for the second time.”

On the other hand, the BJP is mounting pressure, demanding that the resignation of the chief minster.

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya said that the CM “must resign to make way for an impartial investigation”.

Defending the governor’s move, BY Vijayendra who is the state BJP President, said that the governor has exercised his constitutional powers.

“The Hon’ble Governor has exercised his constitutional powers and allowed legal action to be taken against the chief minister’s Muda scam complaint,” he said in a post on X.

Earlier, a complaint was filed by social activist Snehamayi Krishna against Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and nine others for allegedly forging documents to claim compensation from the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). (ANI)

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As doctors continued their strike over the assault and death of a female trainee-PG doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi has registered more than 90 per cent reduction in admissions, OPDs and operation theatres.

According to an official status report signed by Dr Nirupam Madaan, Medical Superintendent of AIIMS, Delhi, the Emergency services and ICUs are functioning normally as of Saturday.

However, OPDs, admissions, operation theatres, Radiological investigations and Nuclear medicine have registered more than 90 per cent reduction while laboratory services have been affected by more than 80 per cent.

Meanwhile, following the announcement of a nationwide strike over the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder incident by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), doctors at All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi staged a protest march inside the campus on Saturday.

The doctors were seen holding posters and raising slogans of “We want justice.”

Indian Medical Association (IMA) National President Dr Asokan on Saturday said that the time is ripe for PM Narendra Modi’s intervention into the rape and murder incident of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata adding that they will be writing to the Prime Minister.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has declared a 24-hour withdrawal of services by all the modern medicine doctors of the country irrespective of the sector and place of work in response to nationwide outrage over the rape and murder of a second-year trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College.

While emergencies and casualties will function, the IMA said that OPDs or elective surgeries will be suspended from 6 am on Saturday till 6 am on Sunday, August 18, 2024.

On August 9, a postgraduate trainee doctor was raped and murdered on duty at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, which led to nationwide strikes and protests by the medical fraternity. (ANI)

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The most awaited Group A match of the Durand Cup, featuring Mohun Bagan Super Giant against East Bengal FC, has been abandoned.

The match was scheduled to take place at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on August 18, 2024, at 7:00 PM.

On Saturday, the Durand Cup committee released a statement, “On behalf of the Durand Cup Organizing Committee, this is to regretfully inform you that the final Group A fixture between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC, scheduled to be played at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on August 18, 2024 at 7.00pm, stands abandoned.”

Mohun Bagan leads Group A with 2 wins and 6 points, boasting a goal difference of 7. East Bengal is also on 6 points but has a lower goal difference of 4 compared to Mohun Bagan.

“The process of refund of the tickets will begin from August 19, 2024, and fans can bring their purchased tickets to the respective box office from where they were bought to initiate the refund process,” it added.

The statement indicated that the process for ticket refunds would start on August 19, 2024.

Fans were advised to bring their purchased tickets to the box office where they were originally bought to begin the refund procedure.

On Friday, NorthEast United cruised past Odisha FC 5-1 to enter the knockouts from Group E of the Durand Cup which was played here at the SAI Stadium on Friday.

Jithin MS scored a brace while Guillermo Fernandez and Thoi Singh scored a goal each for the Highlanders and an own goal by Tankadhar Bag completed the scoreline. Paogoumang Singson scored the consolation for the Juggernauts, as per a press release from Durand Cup.

With this win, NorthEast United finished Group E on top with nine points from three matches while Odisha FC finished their campaign with three points.

Juan Pedro Benali named a strong and experienced lineup for the important match against Amit Rana’s young Juggernauts with the former looking for a spot in the knockouts and the latter hoping to finish the tournament on a high. Mirshad M.K started in goal for The Highlanders, the third keeper in three matches.

Jithin MS scored twice within the space of three minutes to hurt Odisha FC within the first 20 minutes of the first half. The Kerala winger received a simple through ball over the top and he expertly found the goal past the rushing goalkeeper for the first goal.

A couple of minutes later, Odisha FC gave the ball away on the edge of the box and Ajaraie found Jithin unmarked inside the box. The winger tried to put the ball on a plate for his teammates but it was deflected back to him by Odisha captain Lalliansanga and the forward did not have much trouble in finishing past Niraj Kumar in goal for his second of the game.

Interestingly, Odisha FC had the better possession statistics in the first half than NorthEast but the young side could not create any clear-cut chances to trouble the Highlanders’ defence. On the other hand, NorthEast United looked dangerous while going forward with the lively Jithin M.S always available to find spaces behind the defence.

Odisha looked rejuvenated in the second half, but it was once again NorthEast who scored to take the match away from the opposition. Thoi Singh did well to fire a low cross inside the box which was deflected in his own goal by Tankadhar Bag in an attempt to clear his lines.

Odisha FC had their best run in the game in the next ten minutes and scored their only goal of the match through a stunning strike by centre-back Paogoumang Singson from way outside the penalty box. That goal was the only bright spot in Odisha’s game as they conceded a fourth soon. Moroccan striker Ajaraie played his strike partner Guillermo through on goal and the Spanish forward calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper.

NorthEast completed their dominant display with their fifth goal by Thoi Singh who was set up by the brilliant Mohammed Ali Bemmamer as the Highlanders cruised to the knockouts for the second consecutive year. (ANI)

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After the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Monkeypox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), a detailed review of the Monkeypox situation and the preparedness was taken by the Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda in a meeting with the senior officials of the Ministry on Saturday.

There are no reported cases of Monkeypox in India as of date.

In the meeting chaired by the Union Health Minister, it was decided that as a matter of abundant caution, certain measures [such as sensitizing the health units at all the airports, seaports, and ground crossings; readying the testing Laboratories (32 in no.); gearing up health facilities for detecting, isolating and managing any case, etc.] are put in place.

In the meeting, it was noted that Monkeypox infections are usually self-limiting lasting between 2-4 weeks and patients generally recover with supportive management. The transmission requires prolonged close contact with an infected case and is generally through the sexual route, direct contact with body/lesion fluid, or contaminated clothing/linen of an infected person.

WHO had earlier declared Monkeypox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in July 2022 and subsequently revoked the same in May 2023. Globally since 2022, WHO has reported 99,176 cases and 208 deaths due to Monkeypox from 116 countries. Since the 2022 declaration by WHO, a total of 30 cases were detected in India with the last case in March 2024.

A Joint Monitoring Group Meeting under the Chairmanship of the Director General of Health Services consisting of experts from relevant fields was held on August 16 to review the situation.

The meeting was attended by experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), World Health Organization (WHO), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Directorate General of Health Services (Dte.GHS), Central Government Hospitals, All India Institute of Medical Sciences AIIMS etc.

Although the possibility of a few imported cases being detected in the coming weeks is not entirely ruled out, it was assessed that the risk of a large outbreak with sustained transmission is presently low for India.

The situation is being monitored closely by the Ministry. (ANI)

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Gurugram (Haryana) [India], August 17 (ANI): Visitors and staff members were evacuated from malls in Gurugram on Saturday after district administration received a bomb threat to all the malls in the district via email, officials said.

Beginning around 10 am today, teams of police administration, dog squad and civil defence team carried out search operation, Mohit Sharma, Chief Civil Defence Team, Gurugram said.

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh Police this morning conducted a security mock drill at the DLF Mall of India in Noida.

DCP Noida Ram Badan Singh said, “A security mock drill was conducted in DLF mall. These kinds of drills are conducted to conduct checks in large areas to make sure that no one is in danger. Fire services, dog squad, and police teams participated in the drill.”

Earlier on August 9, an unidentified man allegedly made a call to the Government Railway Police control room, claiming that RDX had been planted at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), police said.

Following the call, police conducted searches at all CSMT stations but nothing was found.

In a statement, Government Railway Police (GRP), in Mumbai said, “An unidentified person made a call claiming that RDX was being placed at CSMT. As soon as the call was received, the GRP police informed the local police and bomb squad. A search was conducted at all CSMT stations, but nothing was found,” police said.

“The officer mentioned that when an attempt was made to trace the caller’s location, it showed up near CSMT. Shortly after, the individual switched off the mobile phone. The number used to make the call was traced to locations in both Mumbai and Bihar,” police said. (ANI)

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Mounting pressure on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who will now face “prosecution” in the alleged MUDA scam, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya said on Saturday that the CM “must resign to make way for an impartial investigation”.

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Saturday granted permission to prosecute Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam, according to the Raj Bhavan sources on Saturday. Siddaramaiah has been maintaining that everything was done according to the law.

“The honourable governor of Karnataka has sanctioned protection against CM Siddaramaiah regarding the serious allegations he is facing in the MUDA scam. This is a very significant development. The nature of the allegations is very serious,” the BJP MP told ANI.

“The investigating agencies will now have to start the process of prosecution. Needless to say, one cannot expect the CM to continue in office while agencies reporting to him, are investigating charges against him. So the principles of natural justice and principles of morality demand that CM Siddaramaiah must resign and make way for impartial investigation,” he added.

Challenging the move, the Karnataka government said they would move the High Court against the governor’s permission for prosecution.

Defending the governor’s move, BY Vijayendra who is the state BJP President, said that the governor has exercised his constitutional powers.”The Hon’ble Governor has exercised his constitutional powers and allowed legal action to be taken against the chief minister’s Muda scam complaint,” he said in a post on X.

Senior Minister in the Siddaramiah cabinet Priyank Kharge criticised the move and said the BJP was using the governor’s office for political motives.

“Raj Bhavan is being misused as the BJP’s tool to undermine a democratically elected government. The Constitutional head of the State is sparking a constitutional crisis to appease his political masters. The Central Government may throw its full weight behind this, but we stand firm with the Constitution on our side,” Kharge said.

Earlier in the month, refuting the allegations, CM Siddaramaiah said,” In the case of Muda, everything was done according to law. I have not exerted any kind of influence on the allotment of the plot. My wife has been given a replacement plot in 2021 during the government period of the BJP government as per the law.”

Earlier, a complaint was filed by social activist Snehamayi Krishna against Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and nine others for allegedly forging documents to claim compensation from the Mysuru Urban Development Authority. (ANI)

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The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has declared a 24-hour withdrawal of services by all the modern medicine doctors of the country irrespective of the sector and place of work in response to nationwide outrage over the rape and murder of a second-year trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College.

Emergencies and casualties will function. No OPDs. No elective surgeries. The withdrawal commenced at 6 am on Saturday and will end at 6 am on Sunday, August 18, 2024.

Resident Doctors’ Association UCMS (University College of Medical Sciences) and GTBH (Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital) in Delhi will continue their strike today. They will have a General body meeting at 9.30 am. As part of the strike, OPD (Outpatient Department), elective services, laboratory and lab services will be shut down.

Resident Doctors Associations of Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital and Madras Medical College also organised a boycott protest in Chennai against the incident of rape and murder of a woman doctor in Kolkata.

A protesting resident doctor in Chennai said that emergency services will continue during the strike.

“In accordance with the IMA notification, we are going for a boycott of all our elective services. Emergency services will continue. All we are asking for is justice for the victim and her family. We are with them… It has been a week but no serious investigation has been done in the case. Some scapegoats have been arrested, but the original culprits are still out there,” he said.

In Mumbai, a relative of a patient at Sion Hospital said that his patient is in the intensive care unit (ICU) and the service at the hospital is running smoothly despite the nationwide strike.

“Our patient is in ICU. The services are proper. We don’t have any problem. But I think that what happened in Kolkata is wrong. Those who have done wrong should be punished… Doctors are serving the people selflessly. The government and the people should support them… The services (at the hospital) are running smoothly,” he said.

Another relative of a patient at Sion Hospital in Mumbai said that there are fewer doctors but the services are running smoothly.

“We are facing difficulties. But because of the incident that happened, there will be difficulties. What needs to be done, has to be done… The doctors will not leave their strike until there is a solution… There are fewer doctors but the services are running smoothly,” he said.

The Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital also announced a nationwide strike over RG Kar Medical College rape and murder.

Meanwhile, on call for a nationwide doctors’ strike, General Secretary of the Indian Medical Association, Anil Kumar J Nayak said that all IMA members will observe the strike on Saturday. Only emergency & casualty services will be available. Three days ago, we spoke to Union Health Minister JP Nadda (on the law to curb attacks against doctors), and he was very positive. NMC also has issued circulars over the security and management of CCTV cameras. We say that we will do duty if there is security. Today, there are over 60% of women doctors.

He further mentioned, “We met the victim’s family, who were treated poorly by the hospital administration. We urge the National Commission for Women to visit Kolkata. Although we haven’t been able to meet the Chief Minister, we’ve presented our demands, which include safety and security for women. All junior and resident doctors across the country are on strike. This is a crucial moment for unity; it’s a do-or-die situation.”

A nationwide withdrawal of services has been announced by doctors of modern medicine starting from 6 am on Saturday, August 17 to 6 am Sunday, August 18, per the official statement released by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Thursday.

Notably, the strike has been called by IMA amid the ongoing protest in Kolkata over the rape-murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College.

In its official statement, IMA stated that routine OPDs and elective surgeries will not take place during those 24 hours; however, other essential services will be maintained.

On August 9, a postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered on duty at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, which led to nationwide strikes and protests by the medical fraternity.

The incident triggered massive protests. On Wednesday, the protest ground and the hospital campus at RG Kar were vandalised by a mob, forcing the security personnel to disperse the crowd. (ANI)

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The Assembly elections for Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases from September 18 to October 1, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced on Friday.

As per the announcement, the voters in Jammu and Kashmir will cast their votes on September 18, and September 25, and the third phase will take place on October 1, along with Haryana.

The counting of the votes will take place on October 4 for Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir states, announced Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.

The election body has directed the enforcement agencies to be impartial and transparent for a smooth and fair polling, ensuring a level playing field, the CEC said.

The dates to file the nominations for the first phase will be on August 27, nominations for the second phase will be on September 5, and September 12 is the last day to file nominations for the third phase of the Jammu and Kashmir elections.

There are a total of 90 assembly constituencies, of which 74 are General, nine are ST and seven are SC.

In Jammu and Kashmir, there are 87.09 lakh total electors. Of which 44.46 lakh are male, 42.62 female, 169 are Transgender, 82,590 PwDs, 73943 very senior citizens, 2660 centenarians, 76092 service electors, and 3.71 lakh are first-time voters.

In December of last year, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to conclude the election process by September 30, 2024.

Jammu and Kashmir will witness elections after a gap of ten years as the last assembly election was held in 2014. The PDP-BJP coalition government fell in June 2018 when the latter withdrew support to the then-Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti.

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