Latest news with #RTI)Act
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Lavish spending raises eyebrows in bankrupt BeMC
Berhampur: Even as Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) experiences financial bankruptcy, it has reportedly spent crores, not on essential public services, but on cosmetic renovations of its own offices and official residences. In a scathing observation, senior BJP leader and State Bar Council member Pitabas Panda questioned the ethics behind such spending, revealing data obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. According to the information accessed, a staggering Rs 2.34 crore has been spent over the last five years on renovation, beautification and new construction of BeMC's office premises and the official residence of the Municipal Commissioner. This includes Rs 11.89 lakh spent solely on the Commissioner's government bungalow, where Rs 1.09 lakh went toward installing just one air conditioner and Rs 2.45 lakh was used to beautify the open land within the compound. Even more astounding, the Municipal Office building itself underwent a makeover worth Rs 2.22 crore. Among the listed expenses: Rs 5.73 lakh for toilet renovation and Rs 20 lakh for a new conference hall. An additional Rs 4.08 lakh was spent on woodwork for the office. These expenditures come at a time when the citizens of Berhampur are still deprived of basic civic amenities. Long-delayed infrastructure projects, like construction of a cow shelter at Hugulapata and development of Adua Bandha Park at Gosaninua Gaon, remain incomplete due to alleged shortage of funds. Pitabas raised a serious question on the priorities of BeMC: 'When the taxpayers of Berhampur are denied even the minimum civic benefits, is it justified to spend lakhs of rupees merely to beautify official buildings and residences?' The revelations have sparked sharp criticism from local residents and civic activists alike, who see this as a classic case of misplaced priorities and fiscal mismanagement. As Berhampur navigates economic adversity, this tale of extravagant bureaucracy has necessitated public scrutiny.
Deccan Herald
2 days ago
- Health
- Deccan Herald
India recorded over 7,000 suspected heatstroke cases
India reported 7,192 suspected heatstroke cases and only 14 confirmed deaths due to extreme heat between March 1 and June 24 this year, according to data obtained by PTI under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The country had reported nearly 48,000 cases of heatstroke and 159 deaths due to extreme heat in 2024, the warmest year on record in India since 1901. The data, shared by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), reveals that the majority of cases were reported in May, the peak of the summer season, with 2,962 suspected cases and three confirmed deaths. April saw 2,140 suspected cases and six confirmed deaths, while March recorded 705 cases and two deaths. During June, up to June 24, 1,385 suspected cases and three deaths were documented. Andhra Pradesh accounted for more than half of the total suspected heatstroke cases, reporting 4,055 during the period. Rajasthan reported 373 cases, followed by Odisha (350), Telangana (348) and Madhya Pradesh (297). Despite these high numbers, several states with hundreds of suspected cases reported no confirmed deaths. The data shows that Maharashtra and Uttarakhand reported the highest number of confirmed heatstroke deaths, at three each. Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal reported one death each. The figures highlight the limitations of India's surveillance system, which experts say captures only a fraction of the actual burden. The NCDC data is collected under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and relies on hospitals to report cases. This means deaths that occur outside medical facilities or are not correctly diagnosed as heat-related often remain uncounted. A PTI investigation in June revealed that India's reporting of heat-related illnesses and deaths is fragmented, with different agencies presenting widely varying figures. For 2015-2022, the NCDC recorded 3,812 heat-related deaths, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported 8,171, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported 3,436.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
India recorded over 7,000 suspected heatstroke cases, 14 deaths in March-June period: RTI
India reported 7,192 suspected heatstroke cases and only 14 confirmed deaths due to extreme heat between March 1 and June 24 this year, according to data obtained by PTI under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The country had reported nearly 48,000 cases of heatstroke and 159 deaths due to extreme heat in 2024, the warmest year on record in India since 1901. Data findings The data, shared by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), reveals that the majority of cases were reported in May, the peak of the summer season, with 2,962 suspected cases and three confirmed deaths. April saw 2,140 suspected cases and six confirmed deaths, while March recorded 705 cases and two deaths. During June, up to June 24, 1,385 suspected cases and three deaths were documented. Andhra Pradesh accounted for more than half of the total suspected heatstroke cases, reporting 4,055 during the period. Rajasthan reported 373 cases, followed by Odisha (350), Telangana (348) and Madhya Pradesh (297). Despite these high numbers, several states with hundreds of suspected cases reported no confirmed deaths. The data shows that Maharashtra and Uttarakhand reported the highest number of confirmed heatstroke deaths, at three each. Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal reported one death each. Call for better surveillance and reporting system The figures highlight the limitations of India's surveillance system, which experts say captures only a fraction of the actual burden. The NCDC data is collected under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and relies on hospitals to report cases. This means deaths that occur outside medical facilities or are not correctly diagnosed as heat-related often remain uncounted. A PTI investigation in June revealed that India's reporting of heat-related illnesses and deaths is fragmented, with different agencies presenting widely varying figures. For 2015-2022, the NCDC recorded 3,812 heat-related deaths, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported 8,171, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported 3,436. A senior health ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, had admitted that confirming heatstroke deaths is inherently difficult. "Surveillance systems capture only a fraction of actual cases. We have some numbers, but never the full picture," the official said. The official also noted that many hospitals are understaffed, which hampers timely and accurate reporting. "Manual data entry adds to the problem. Even if deaths occur, they may not be properly classified as heat-related," he said. Several states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala and West Bengal, have in previous years failed to submit complete data to the NCDC. In some instances, authorities have been accused of suppressing death figures to avoid compensation claims. According to Abhiyant Tiwari, Lead for Climate Resilience and Health at NRDC India, attributing deaths directly to heat is a global challenge. "Many heat-related deaths are misclassified as heart attacks or other causes. Excess mortality data during heatwaves provides a better picture of the true toll," he said. Experts say the absence of a single comprehensive reporting system weakens India's ability to prepare for and respond to extreme heat events, which are expected to worsen with climate change. Soumya Swaminathan, Advisor to the Health Ministry, told PTI earlier that strengthening death reporting systems is critical. "Only accurate data can inform better policies," she said.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Sericulture dept holds seminar on RTI Act
Nandyal: An awareness seminar on the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, was held on Saturday at the Sericulture Department office in Nandyal district. The event was organized to help officials and staff understand the importance and implementation of the RTI Act in government departments. Advocate Adiga Sridhar was the keynote speaker and provided a detailed presentation on the RTI Act. He explained the Act's goals, its role in promoting transparent governance, and the legal responsibilities of government employees. Sridhar also covered the procedures for responding to information requests, the types of information that can be disclosed, and the deadlines for doing so. Additionally, he discussed relevant topics such as the Conduct Rules and recent changes in public service laws. District sericulture officer K Nagesh, along with assistant directors from Atmakur, attended the seminar. Nagesh stated that the sericulture department is dedicated to implementing the RTI Act on time, as directed by the department's director. He emphasized that providing information within the specified time frame is crucial for accountable governance. About 50 officials and staff from the sericulture department participated in the seminar. The session was informative and is part of the department's ongoing effort to effectively respond to public information requests and uphold the spirit of the RTI Act.
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Health
- Business Standard
India recorded 7K heatstroke cases, 14 deaths in March-June period: RTI
India reported 7,192 suspected heatstroke cases and only 14 confirmed deaths due to extreme heat between March 1 and June 24 this year, according to data obtained by PTI under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The country had reported nearly 48,000 cases of heatstroke and 159 deaths due to extreme heat in 2024, the warmest year on record in India since 1901. The data, shared by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), reveals that the majority of cases were reported in May, the peak of the summer season, with 2,962 suspected cases and three confirmed deaths. April saw 2,140 suspected cases and six confirmed deaths, while March recorded 705 cases and two deaths. During June, up to June 24, 1,385 suspected cases and three deaths were documented. Andhra Pradesh accounted for more than half of the total suspected heatstroke cases, reporting 4,055 during the period. Rajasthan reported 373 cases, followed by Odisha (350), Telangana (348) and Madhya Pradesh (297). Despite these high numbers, several states with hundreds of suspected cases reported no confirmed deaths. The data shows that Maharashtra and Uttarakhand reported the highest number of confirmed heatstroke deaths, at three each. Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal reported one death each. The figures highlight the limitations of India's surveillance system, which experts say captures only a fraction of the actual burden. The NCDC data is collected under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and relies on hospitals to report cases. This means deaths that occur outside medical facilities or are not correctly diagnosed as heat-related often remain uncounted. A PTI investigation in June revealed that India's reporting of heat-related illnesses and deaths is fragmented, with different agencies presenting widely varying figures. For 2015-2022, the NCDC recorded 3,812 heat-related deaths, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported 8,171, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported 3,436. A senior health ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, had admitted that confirming heatstroke deaths is inherently difficult. "Surveillance systems capture only a fraction of actual cases. We have some numbers, but never the full picture," the official said. The official also noted that many hospitals are understaffed, which hampers timely and accurate reporting. "Manual data entry adds to the problem. Even if deaths occur, they may not be properly classified as heat-related," he said. Several states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala and West Bengal, have in previous years failed to submit complete data to the NCDC. In some instances, authorities have been accused of suppressing death figures to avoid compensation claims. According to Abhiyant Tiwari, Lead for Climate Resilience and Health at NRDC India, attributing deaths directly to heat is a global challenge. "Many heat-related deaths are misclassified as heart attacks or other causes. Excess mortality data during heatwaves provides a better picture of the true toll," he said. Experts say the absence of a single comprehensive reporting system weakens India's ability to prepare for and respond to extreme heat events, which are expected to worsen with climate change. Soumya Swaminathan, Advisor to the Health Ministry, told PTI earlier that strengthening death reporting systems is critical. "Only accurate data can inform better policies," she said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
