Health Ministry focuses on Kala Azar eradication
Union Health Minister, Dr Harsh Vardhan, has set up a core group to sketch a detailed plan of action to wipe out the vector-borne disease Kala Azar by 2015.
In 2004, the government had set a target for eradicating the disease, by 2008. Since then, it has been revised twice to 2010 and finally to 2015. The new governments Health Minister has reviewed the resources at his command and expressed confidence in achieving the target.
Kala Azar, also known as Visceral Leishmaniasis, a zoonotic infection whose carrier is the sand fly found in the eastern UP, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, usually attacks during the monsoon season. It is the second deadliest vector borne disease after malaria. At present, the disease is prevalent in about 54 districts, with Bihar most affected. Around 90% of visceral leishmaniasis cases occur in 5 countries which include Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sudanand Brazil.
The treatment of this disease is also challenging as patients have developed resistance to Sodium Stibogluconate, a 1920s drug developed through the research of the late Dr U.N. Brahmachari. Now three other drugs are being administered but they lack strong empirical evidence on their success. One of them is generally used for chemotherapy of breast cancer and has grave side-effects.
Union Health Minister, Dr Harsh Vardhan, has set up a core group to sketch a detailed plan of action to wipe out the vector-borne disease Kala Azar by 2015.
In 2004, the government had set a target for eradicating the disease, by 2008. Since then, it has been revised twice to 2010 and finally to 2015. The new governments Health Minister has reviewed the resources at his command and expressed confidence in achieving the target.
Kala Azar, also known as Visceral Leishmaniasis, a zoonotic infection whose carrier is the sand fly found in the eastern UP, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, usually attacks during the monsoon season. It is the second deadliest vector borne disease after malaria. At present, the disease is prevalent in about 54 districts, with Bihar most affected. Around 90% of visceral leishmaniasis cases occur in 5 countries which include Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sudanand Brazil.
The treatment of this disease is also challenging as patients have developed resistance to Sodium Stibogluconate, a 1920s drug developed through the research of the late Dr U.N. Brahmachari. Now three other drugs are being administered but they lack strong empirical evidence on their success. One of them is generally used for chemotherapy of breast cancer and has grave side-effects.
The treatment of this disease is also challenging as patients have developed resistance to Sodium Stibogluconate, a 1920s drug developed through the research of the late Dr U.N. Brahmachari. Now three other drugs are being administered but they lack strong empirical evidence on their success. One of them is generally used for chemotherapy of breast cancer and has grave side-effects.
Government ambiguous on Direct Tax Code, says Bill has lapsed
As per the Government, the Direct Taxes Code, which proposed revamp of the six-decade old Income Tax Act, has lapsed. No commitment has been given on reviving the same.
The Minister of State for Finance Nirmala Sitharaman gave a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha which said that with the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha, the Direct Taxes Code Bill, 2010 has lapsed. The DTC, which proposed replacing the old Income Tax Act of 1961, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 30, 2010.
As per the Government, the Direct Taxes Code, which proposed revamp of the six-decade old Income Tax Act, has lapsed. No commitment has been given on reviving the same.
The Minister of State for Finance Nirmala Sitharaman gave a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha which said that with the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha, the Direct Taxes Code Bill, 2010 has lapsed. The DTC, which proposed replacing the old Income Tax Act of 1961, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 30, 2010.
India, UK talk about civil nuclear, extradition and trade matters
During a meeting between the India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her British counterpart Foreign Secretary of State William Hague, both sides decided to soon start negotiations for civil nuclear cooperation. Hague pushed for sale of its Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) despite itsEurofighter Typhoon losing out to France’s Rafale.
At present, the bilateral trade between the UK and India stands at $ 15 billion with the UK being the 3rd largest investor in India. Both nations also talked about ways to boost trade ties with India inviting British firms to invest in its Bangalore-Mumbai Economic Corridor infrastructure project. By November 2014, India is expected to give a “perspective plan” to the UK suggesting various “nodes” where they can invest.
Both countries agreed to soon begin negotiations for civil nuclear cooperation pact, almost one-and-a-half years after UK Prime Minister David Cameron and his then counterpart Manmohan Singh decided to have such an agreement.
During a meeting between the India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her British counterpart Foreign Secretary of State William Hague, both sides decided to soon start negotiations for civil nuclear cooperation. Hague pushed for sale of its Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) despite itsEurofighter Typhoon losing out to France’s Rafale.
At present, the bilateral trade between the UK and India stands at $ 15 billion with the UK being the 3rd largest investor in India. Both nations also talked about ways to boost trade ties with India inviting British firms to invest in its Bangalore-Mumbai Economic Corridor infrastructure project. By November 2014, India is expected to give a “perspective plan” to the UK suggesting various “nodes” where they can invest.
Both countries agreed to soon begin negotiations for civil nuclear cooperation pact, almost one-and-a-half years after UK Prime Minister David Cameron and his then counterpart Manmohan Singh decided to have such an agreement.
Granville Austin: Eminent Indian Constitution academic passed away
Granville Austin (87), a distinguished scholar of India’s Constitution and a Padma Shri awardee, passed away in Washington.
Austin wrote two critically acclaimed political histories of the Indian Constitution – ‘The Indian Constitution: A Cornerstone of A Nation’ and ‘Working A Democratic Republic: The Indian Experience.
For his works, the Government of India conferred upon him Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honor in India, in 2011.
Austin worked as a journalist/photographer and later worked with the US Information Service, Department of State, Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and on the staff of a US Senator.
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