Monthly Archives: August 2018

Cabinet can also discuss increase in retirement age

The state government may raise the minimum service required for employees to draw pension to 25 years. This is one of the major recommendations made by the Cabinet Sub-committee on Resource Mobilisation headed by Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri. The Cabinet can discuss the contentious issue pertaining to the necessary amendment to the pension rules at its next meeting. The pension liability of the government following the restoration of the old pension scheme has risen tremendously and the state is at present not in a position to bear this additional expenditure.

The other issue of raising the retirement age of employees by one year from 58 years to 59 years can also be discussed at the Cabinet meeting along with the assessment of its impact on the unemployed youth. In the past also, the Virbhadra Singh government had raised the retirement age of its employees by one year to postpone the payment of retirement benefits.

At present, all state government employees, who have completed 10 years of regular service, are entitled to pension benefit. The decision to increase this service period to 25 years can deprive many employees of the benefit of both old pension scheme (OPS) or new pension scheme (NPS).

The Cabinet Sub-committee on Resource Mobilisation has recommended that considering the financial health of the state and the debt burden crossing Rs 1 lakh crore, the Cabinet will decide as to which decisions can be taken.

About the decisions pertaining to government employees, it has been recommended that they should be stopped from availing of commutation of pension. At present, any employee, who has retired, can take 40 per cent of the total pension amount and if this practice is to be stopped, an amendment to the Pension Rules will be required. The state government is fully authorised to do so though the employees will challenge its decision in the court of law.

Another recommendation of the Cabinet sub-committee is that the 20-year time period, which is mandatory for availing of full pension, should be raised to 25 years. Besides, pension will be given to employees with less than 25 years, as per their service period.

The renewed wave of protests marks the second day of nationwide demonstrations since Trump took office

Thousands of protesters rallied in Washington and other cities across the US on Saturday to voice their opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies on deportations, government firings, and the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.

Outside the White House, protesters carried banners that read “Workers should have the power,” “No kingship,” “Stop arming Israel” and “Due process,” media footage showed.

Some demonstrators chanted in support of migrants whom the Trump administration has deported or has been attempting to deport while expressing solidarity with people fired by the federal government and with universities whose funding is threatened by Trump.

“As Trump and his administration mobilise the use of the US deportation machine, we are going to organise networks and systems of resistance to defend our neighbours,” a protester said at a rally at Lafayette Square near the White House.

Other protesters waved Palestinian flags while wearing keffiyeh scarves, chanting “free Palestine” and expressing solidarity with Palestinians killed in Israel’s war in Gaza.

Some demonstrators carried symbols expressing support for Ukraine and urging Washington to be more decisive in opposing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.

Since his January inauguration, Trump and his billionaire ally, Elon Musk, have gutted the federal government, firing over 2,00,000 workers and attempting to dismantle various agencies.

The administration has also detained scores of foreign students and threatened to stop federal funding to universities over diversity, equity and inclusion programs, climate initiatives and pro-Palestinian protests. Rights groups have condemned the policies.

Near the Washington Monument, banners from protesters read: “hate never made any nation great” and “equal rights for all does not mean less rights for you.”

Demonstrations were also held in New York City and Chicago, among dozens of other locations. It marked the second day of nationwide demonstrations since Trump took office.

Brig SS Gill with Bharat Bhushan Ashu

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Cybercriminals allegedly placed a retired Indian Army colonel and his wife under “digital arrest” and duped them of Rs 49 lakh in this Himachal Pradesh district, police said on Fri day. The complainant re ceived a video call on WhatsApp in which a man introduced himself as an “officer of the Mumbai Crime Branch”. The suspected fraudster claimed that the retired army of ficer’s Aadhaar was used to procure four SIM cards and open a bank account in Mumbai that was used to launder Rs 2 crore. The fraudster also threat ended to look into the couple’s bank accounts. The victims were under “supervision” of the fraudster for almost 11 hours a day since first receiving a call on March 23. They were also kept on video call while transferring money via RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement) to the account number provided by the accused, according to the complaint lodged by the retired army officer. Claiming that the source of the couple’s funds was being investigated, the accused demanded money and the complainant

transferred Rs 9 lakh on March 29 and Rs 40 lakh on April 4. The couple were kept under “digital arrest” till April 7. When they realised they had been cheated, they approached the police on April 10. A case of cheating was registered at the Cyber Crime police station in Mandi and Rs 5.58 lakh frozen in some suspicious accounts.

The Municipal Corporation (MC) is considering a proposal to exempt the wives of defence personnel from paying property tax. The agenda in this regard will be placed before the next meeting of the House Tax Committee of the MC. As…

The Municipal Corporation (MC) is considering a proposal to exempt the wives of defence personnel from paying property tax. The agenda in this regard will be placed before the next meeting of the House Tax Committee of the MC.

As per the provisions of the property tax bylaws notified by the UT Administration, no tax is levied on residential lands or buildings owned or self-occupied (no portion is let out) by the persons who have served or are serving in the naval, military or air forces of the country, for 300 square yards. For property over 300 square yards, only 50 per cent tax shall be charged.

The MC has received various representations, requesting that the exemption may also be extended to the spouses of the serving defence personnel or ex-servicemen.

Major RS Gujral, president, Chandigarh Defence Colony Welfare Association, Sector 35, said the move was in the right direction and would provide a lot of relief to the families of the defence personnel, if approved.

He said in cases where the ownership of a complete house or part of it is transferred in the name of wife due to settlement within families, she is presently required to pay the property tax, which is not justified.

Besides the defence personnel, widows or disabled persons, who are entitled to the benefits of deductions under Sections 80 U of the Income Tax Act 1861, are also exempted from the levy.

At Dhun Dhai Wala, a small village in the border belt of Tarn Taran district, the memory of Naik Lal Singh is cherished. A martyr of the Battle of Saragarhi, one of the best known but scarcely documented war, Naik…

Neha Saini Tribune News Service

At Dhun Dhai Wala, a small village in the border belt of Tarn Taran district, the memory of Naik Lal Singh is cherished. A martyr of the Battle of Saragarhi, one of the best known but scarcely documented war, Naik Singh’s legacy has been preserved in the form of a Saragarhi Memorial at the village that stands as a testament to his sacrifice and that of his comrades.

Annual commemorations are held to honour their legacy, attracting commoners and dignitaries alike. In a recent development, members of the village panchayat, led by sarpanch Jagroop Singh, and locals dug up a well located at the memorial site and made it functional. The villagers, in collaboration with Punjab INTACH Tarn Taran chapter, had moved a proposal to develop the memorial site, including Naik Lal Singh’s family land, into a heritage site.

During a recent visit of INTACH ex-chairman Maj Gen LK Gupta (retd) to Naik Lal Singh’s memorial, he said the historic well, which was in a state of disuse, should be conserved and preserved. Dhun Dhai Wala village panchayat led by sarpanch Jagroop Singh and Surjit Singh from Saragahi Welfare Society, members of panchayat and village women, led by Parkash Kaur, started the process of digging up the well, along with Dr Baljit Kaur, INTACH Tarn Taran convener.

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Maj Gen Balwinder Singh, INTACH State Convener, said with the help of the village panchayat and volunteers, manual digging of the well was done. “After 15 feet digging, the water was found. The well is now functional. Earthen buckets that were used to extract water at that time were found while digging, confirming that the well is historic indeed,” said Maj Gen Balwinder Singh.

Born at Dhun Dhai Wala, Lal Singh hailed from a family with a rich martial tradition. The village, located on fertile land, has been a nurturing ground for many bravehearts, who have served the Indian Army.

The land on which the well is situated belonged to Naik Lal Singh. Next to the well is the War Memorial of Naik Lal Singh. “In September every year, a function is held wherein over 2,000 people from nearby villages gather to remember Lal Singh’s sacrifice,” said Dr Baljit Kaur, Tarn Taran INTACH chapter convener.

In September last, recognising the historic significance of the Saragarhi battle and the need to preserve its legacy, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) initiated efforts to maintain and promote the related sites. The third generation of Naik Lal Singh’s family attended the memorial ceremony and pledged the land for heritage use. “Last year, defence personnel from the British and US Army came to pay tribute as history of Saragarhi martyrs is well known in Europe,” added Maj Gen Balwinder Singh.

Battle of Saragarhi

On September 12, 1897, the British Indian Army’s 36th Sikh Regiment (now 4 Sikh) was stationed at the Saragarhi post, a small outpost connecting two major forts — Lockhart and Gulistan — in the North-West Frontier. Naik Lal Singh was at the Saragarhi fort and made a supreme sacrifice, along with, all the 21 soldiers while fighting back more than 10,000 Afghan tribesmen.

Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Sikh soldiers displayed exceptional valour. They repelled multiple assaults, inflicting significant casualties on the attackers. The battle lasted for several hours, during which all 21 defenders, including Lal Singh, were martyred. In recognition of their unparalleled bravery, all 21 Sikh soldiers were posthumously awarded the Indian Order of Merit, the highest gallantry award for Indian soldiers at the time. The honour is considered equivalent to the present day Param Vir Chakra.

There has been a sudden increase in the number of illegal weapons being seized along the International Bor der in Punjab this week, with the Border Security Force (BSF) recovering 11 pistols in the last five days. Along with weapons, the BSF has also recovered over a 100 rounds of ammuni tion so far this month. In comparison, eight pistols and nearly 100 rounds were recovered near the border in March and three pistols were recovered in February, BSF sources said. Six pistols of different makes, along with 97 live rounds, were found in the fields yesterday evening in Amritsar, making it among the highest number of guns to have been recovered in a single day. The spurt in the attempts to smuggle illegal weapons has implications for the law and order in the state, BSF officers said. This comes close on the heels of sev eral improvised explosive devices (IED) being found last week by the BSF ahead of the border fence along a route frequently traversed by the BSF and local farmers in the Gurdaspur sector. A BSF trooper was seri ously injured after one of the IEDs, connected by a network of wires, exploded while it was being defused. Sources said that while re coveries or narcotics, weap ons and drones are a regular affair along the border, the presence of IEDs was a rare occurrence. The recoveries made by the BSF are in addition to any illegal weapons that may have been seized by the po lice in different parts of the state. The seized weapons are believed to have been dropped by drones launched from Pakistan. Some of the weapons were wrapped in yellow polythene that is typi cal for cross-border smug gling consignments. In April so far, the BSF has neutralised about 10 drones in the vicinity of the border and seized over 5 kg narcot ics. In addition, five persons suspected to be involved in smuggling have also been apprehended and items such as currency, motorcycles and mobiles have been recovered from their possession. Drones have become the major means of pushing contraband into Punjab from Pakistan. All captured drones are examined foren sically to determine their place of origin, flight path and destination. The BSF drone workshop, established in August 2024 in Amritsar, has successfully completed the technical analysis of 200 Pakistani rouge drones to extract valuable intelligence and develop future strate gies to counter the drone menace. AGENCIES

World Liver Day (April 19)

Mahesh Sharma

World Liver Day (WLD) is celebrated on April 19 every year as a reminder of the importance of liver and the need to take proactive measures to maintain its health.

The WLD was launched in 2010 by the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) with the intent to commemorate its foundation in 1966 and to raise awareness about critical hepatic disorders.

India needs to pay sustained attention to observe the day as the burden of hepatic diseases, including viral hepatitis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is elevating sharply, posing significant challenges to our healthcare system and making liver mortality rates higher.

Recognising the importance of dietary habits in maintaining the health of the largest gland of the body, the World Health Organisation has announced ‘Food is Medicine’ theme for WLD-2025.

The theme emphasises the importance of nutrition in maintaining and upgrading liver health, informing how dietary modifications can prevent and manage liver diseases. It also promotes mindful eating and healthier food choices to safeguard the liver.

Critical analysis of the theme of the year interprets that doctors and liver specialists are not just practicing to prescribe medicines, rather they can also prescribe healthy food for individuals according to their age, gender and profession.

This year’s theme should prompt us to ask our healthcare provider about nutrition plans and resources, besides taking prescription as treatment or preventive medicine.

Celebrating the day is also important because liver plays a vital role in various body functions, including metabolism, detoxification and storage and digestion of fats and other nutrients. The day encourages adopting healthy lifestyles, including a balanced diet, regular exercise and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption. Food tips can work as a game changer for liver health, which is further a regulating factor for other vital organs.

Millions of Indians are living with liver disorders which could be prevented through organised steps to spread awareness on the subject.

About 40% people living a sedentary lifestyle are suffering from some grade of NAFLD, wherein fat accumulates in the liver making it ‘fatty’. If unchecked, it is sure to grow as a silent epidemic.n

Celebrating the day in true spirit and following the WLD-2025 theme is imperative to check further rise in incidences of Hepatitis B and C, liver damage, cirrhosis and liver cancer.

We can ill afford to ignore the fact that India topped the global chart for liver mortality in 2021.

Doctors across Chandigarh unite to highlight the silent rise of liver disease. They urge residents to embrace lifestyle changes for better liver health

The liver, often overlooked, is now at the centre of a growing health concern. This World Liver Day, observed on April 19 every year, Chandigarh’s leading medical institutions, including the PGIMER, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, and Max Hospital, Mohali, observed different events to sound the alarm on liver disease, educate the public on its prevention and offer screening facilities — all under this year’s resonant theme, “Food is Medicine.”

At the forefront of the initiative was the Department of Hepatology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, which launched an extensive screening and awareness drive starting April 19. “Most liver diseases remain silent in early stages and can lead to irreversible damage if not detected in time,” said Prof (Dr) Ajay Duseja, head of the department. “Three major culprits — alcohol-related liver disease (ALD), fatty liver (MASLD) and viral Hepatitis B and C — continue to burden our healthcare system,” Prof (Dr) Duseja said.

PGIMER’s screening initiative, in collaboration with its Department of Psychiatry, is focusing on high-risk groups — individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and persons who inject drugs (PWIDs) — attending the Drug De-addiction and Treatment Centre. These individuals are being tested for Hepatitis B and C and undergoing transient elastography, a non-invasive test to detect liver scarring and fat content.|

Dr Sunil Taneja, Additional Professor, Hepatology, emphasised on the role of lifestyle. He said, “Most liver conditions stem from unhealthy habits. Awareness and prevention go a long way in ensuring liver health.”

To instil these values early, the PGIMER and the Indian National Association for Study of the Liver (INASL) organised a Liver Health Awareness Programme at Delhi Public School, Chandigarh, on Thursday (April 17). Over 500 students, teachers and staff participated in the session. “Children are the key. If they learn healthy habits early, we can prevent the next wave of liver disease,” said Dr Duseja, who also chairs INASL’s newly formed taskforce on preventive hepatology.

The message echoed across other city hospitals. Dr Arvind Sahni, Director, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, said, “Approximately 120 million Indians have a fatty liver, many unknowingly.” While stressing on the need for early diagnosis and lifestyle changes, he said, “A simple ultrasound can detect fatty liver before it progresses to cirrhosis. Avoiding processed foods, alcohol, and sedentary habits can change the course of one’s liver health.”

Dr Sahni further advised a practical approach. He said, “Even 2.5 hours of exercise a week, plus a diet rich in greens, whole grains, nuts, berries and turmeric can go a long way. Also, vaccinations against Hepatitis B and responsible medication use are vital.” He also recommended drinking black coffee (without cream/sugar), which research suggests improves liver inflammation.

Dr Gurbakshish Singh Sidhu, Principal Consultant, Gastroenterology, Max Hospital, Mohali, said the symptoms of liver disease — fatigue, jaundice, abdominal swelling — often show up too late. “Timely detection is the cornerstone of saving lives. Unfortunately, low awareness remains our biggest challenge,” he said. He urged people to get regular liver check-up, especially those with obesity, diabetes, or high cholesterol.

He said, “Simple dietary steps like high-fibre, low-fat meals and avoiding sugary drinks and fast food can protect your liver for life.”

From classrooms to clinics, Chandigarh took a unified step toward protecting the liver — the body’s metabolic powerhouse — reminding everyone that health starts not just with treatment, but with awareness, education and the food on our plate.