Governance

As told to Parliament (July 2, 2019): Japanese encephalitis deaths increasing in Assam

All that was discussed in the House through the day

 
By DTE Staff
Published: Tuesday 02 July 2019

Japanese encephalitis deaths increasing in Assam
Instances of deaths due to Japanese encephalitis have increased in Assam. Out of 182 people who died due to Japanese encephalitis, 94 died in Assam.

This is an increase from 87 deaths in 2017, shows the data presented in Parliament by Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Health.

Dengue cases to increase in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh
Scientific studies have projected that the number of dengue cases will increase manifold, stated Choubey in Parliament.

According to the National Institute of Malaria Research’s ongoing work, the states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are likely to have enhanced transmission of dengue.

720 cases reported and 153 children dead due to AES in Bihar
As on June 28, 2019, 720 cases had been reported and 153 children had died in Bihar due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES).

Health is a state subject. However, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken several measures to support Bihar in containing AES cases, said Choubey.

About 39% of milk samples did not comply with quality parameters
Instances of substandard and adulterated milk sold into the market had come to the notice of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, the Union Health Ministry informed Parliament. 

About 39 per cent of milk samples did not comply with the quality parameters — fat, Solid not-fat (SNF), sugar and maltodextrin.

At least 9.9 per cent samples were found to be unsafe for consumption due to presence of harmful contaminants in excess of specified limits coming mainly from poor quality of feed, irresponsible use of antibiotics and poor farm practices.

Just 29% of India’s solar target achieved so far
The government had set a target of installing 100 Giga Watt (GW) of solar power capacity by 2022 against which, a solar power capacity of 29.41 GW had been installed as on May 31, 2019, stated the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. 

Taking an average investment of Rs 4.25 Crore per MW, a total investment of Rs 4,25,000 Crore is required for setting up of 100 GW of solar power said the ministry

Herbicide tolerant GM cotton seeds are not approved for sale in India

Herbicide-tolerant GM cotton seeds are not approved by the competent authority for sale in India, Union Minister of Science and Technology, Harsh Vardhan told Parliament. However, keeping in view, the reports on illegal cultivation of unapproved Herbicide Tolerant (HT) cotton, Department of Biotechnology had constituted a Field Inspection and Scientific Evaluation Committee to assess the veracity of spread of unapproved HT cotton in India.

177 hectares of forest land to be wiped out by Goa-Tamnar Transmission Project Ltd

A total of 177 hectares of forest land would be wiped out by the Goa-Tamnar Transmission Project Ltd, the Union Ministry of Power informed Parliament.

However, the actual affected area which would be used for tree felling and execution of work will be only 23.098 hectares. This affected area would also be compensated with the provision of dwarf/medicinal plants below the conductor. The project developer would also do compensatory afforestation in double the area.

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