Latest news with #SOPs
New Indian Express
6 hours ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Lapses in food safety persist in Telangana schools despite SOPs, multiple poisoning cases reported
HYDERABAD: The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) introduced by the state's School Education department to maintain food quality in government-run schools and hostels have not been fully enforced, despite multiple food poisoning incidents being reported annually from these institutions. The SOPs, launched in September last year on a pilot basis in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) hostels and urban residential schools, were later claimed to have been implemented across all government, social welfare, tribal welfare and minority educational institutions in the state. However, reports from the ground suggest otherwise. Several recent and past food poisoning cases, including those at Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Gurukul School in Laxmipur mandal (Jagtial district), Mudigonda Tribal Ashram Girls School, Government High School in Munaganoor, and Tribal Ashram High Schools in Asifabad and Mancherial, point to continued lapses in hygiene and food safety protocols. According to sources, self-help groups assigned to prepare mid-day meals in many schools often do not follow basic food safety norms. Meals are reportedly left uncovered, raw materials are poorly stored, cleanliness is not maintained, and supervision is minimal. Though the SOPs called for the formation of task forces to oversee food quality, this has not been implemented effectively, largely due to staff shortages and lack of dedicated funds. A key reason for weak enforcement, according to Telangana State United Teachers' Federation (TSUTF) General Secretary Chava Ravi, is the absence of Mandal Education Officers (MEOs) in most areas. 'Out of 620 mandals, only 16 have regular MEOs. In the rest, senior teachers or headmasters are handling additional responsibilities. This has led to poor supervision and failure to implement SOPs,' he said. Asif Hussain Sohail, president of the Telangana Parents Association for Child Rights and Safety, said the SOP initiative was positive in intent but poorly executed. 'In most state-run institutions, including SC/ST hostels and minority schools, there is no proper monitoring. We have made repeated representations, but no real action has been taken. The recent food poisoning cases are not isolated incidents – they reflect systemic negligence.'
Express Tribune
11-07-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
'Prevent blindness in premature babies'
Mayor Murtaza Wahab directed all hospitals under the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) to implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and clinical guidelines related to Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), a preventable eye condition that can lead to lifelong blindness if not diagnosed and treated in time. The directive follows formal communication from the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) calling for preventive measures.
Business Recorder
05-07-2025
- Business Recorder
Man arrested for keeping lion without license
LAHORE: The Punjab Wildlife Department on Friday apprehended an accused on the charges of keeping a lion without a license and transferred the lion to a security facility after recovering it. The lion attacked and injured three persons including two children after escaping from a farm house in Shah Di Khoi area. The injured were rushed to hospital while owner of the lion escaped the scene to save their pet. Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb strongly condemned the incident, stating that those injured during related incidents were immediately shifted to the hospital and are currently under treatment. She directed authorities to launch a strict crackdown against individuals keeping wild animals illegally. The Wildlife Department has lodged an FIR, stating that keeping a lion without a license and proper safety measures constitutes a non-bailable offense under current laws, carrying a punishment of up to seven years imprisonment and a fine of five million rupees. Under the new wildlife regulations, a formal permit, a cage of specified size, and full compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are mandatory for keeping any wild animal. Officials confirmed that enforcement of wildlife laws is being carried out rigorously as part of an environmental protection mission under the special directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The Wildlife Department has appealed to the public to immediately report any information about individuals keeping lions or other wild animals illegally by calling helpline 1107. Maryam Aurangzeb firmly stated that no one will be allowed to endanger human lives, and those keeping wild animals must fulfil all legal requirements. Otherwise, they will face strict legal action and penalties. The Wildlife Department has reiterated that no leniency will be shown to those keeping wild animals without licenses, and legal action will be taken to ensure the safety of both humans and wildlife. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Mint
03-07-2025
- Mint
8 in 10 vehicle owners of Delhi oppose fuel ban for end-of-life automobiles: Survey
A majority of vehicle owners in Delhi (79%) are against the 'fuel ban for old vehicles' rule, according to a new survey released on July 3. In the survey by LocalCircles, people were asked whether they supported the Delhi government's new rule that petrol pumps cannot sell fuel to 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles (including two-wheelers). Out of 16,907 who responded to the question, 79 per cent said 'no,' and the remaining 21 per cent said 'yes.' In essence, 79 per cent of vehicle owners in Delhi, which is about 8 in 10 people surveyed, are against the 'fuel ban for old vehicles' rule. Starting July 1, all end-of-life (EOL) vehicles — diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years — irrespective of the state in which they are registered, cannot be fuelled in Delhi, according to a directive by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). In essence, 79 per cent of vehicle owners in Delhi, which is about 8 in 10 people surveyed, are against the 'fuel ban for old vehicles' rule. A 2018 Supreme Court ruling banned diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in Delhi. A 2014 National Green Tribunal order also prohibits the parking of vehicles aged over 15 years in public areas. While the policy aims to reduce vehicular emissions in Delhi, its sudden and rigid enforcement has led to panic, protests, and logistical strain, the survey found. The LocalCircles survey received over 33,000 responses from residents of 11 districts of Delhi. 67 per cent of respondents were men, while 33 per cent of respondents were women. The Delhi government issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on June 17, mandating that all petrol pumps must maintain a log, either manual or digital, of all denied fuel transactions involving such vehicles. The survey also found that, as against 44 per cent of four-wheeler vehicle owners, as many as 87 per cent of two-wheeler owners are upset by the new fuel rule and seizure of old vehicles. The findings are based on a comparison of the car owners' survey in June 2025 and the all-vehicle owners' survey in July 2025. The survey also found that, as against 44 per cent of four-wheeler vehicle owners, as many as 87 per cent of two-wheeler owners are upset by the new fuel rule and seizure of old vehicles. Among the 62 lakh vehicles that qualify as old vehicles in Delhi, 70 per cent are two-wheelers. Amid the growing backlash on social media over the 'no fuel for old vehicle' rule, Delhi's environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa wrote to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to put it on hold for now. We urge the Commission to put the implementation of Direction No. 89 on hold with immediate effect. The minister urged the commission put the implementation of Direction No. 89, which mandates the denial of fuel to End-of-Life (EOL) vehicles in Delhi, till the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system is integrated across the Capital and NCR. 'We urge the Commission to put the implementation of Direction No. 89 on hold with immediate effect till the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system is seamlessly integrated across the entire NCR. We are confident that the ongoing multi-pronged efforts of the Delhi Government will achieve substantial improvements in air quality,' Sirsa's letter to the commission read. Key Takeaways A significant majority of Delhi vehicle owners oppose the fuel ban for old vehicles. The policy aims to reduce air pollution but faces backlash due to its sudden implementation. The survey highlights a stark difference in sentiment between two-wheeler and four-wheeler owners.
Forbes
03-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Role Of SOPs In Building A Systemized Business
Andrey Shelokovskiy of Nomad Painting is an experienced business development leader and sales professional in the coatings industry. In fast-growing companies, chaos often masquerades as hustle. Everyone's moving fast and working hard. But without clear systems, that momentum eventually halts under miscommunication, burnout and avoidable errors. One of the most powerful ways to bring order to that chaos is by implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs). SOPs are more than just documents. They're the backbone of scalable operations, and they're essential for building a business that doesn't rely on constant supervision or memory. Whether you're leading a team of five or 50, well-defined SOPs allow you to deliver consistent results, reduce turnover and create a culture of clarity and accountability. SOPs Prevent Operational Chaos When I started my painting business in 2022, we had no SOPs and no clear guidelines for how to handle day-to-day operations. Every decision, every customer situation, every jobsite question came back to me. At some point, it became easier to just do the work myself. And that's how most small business owners stay trapped in the owner-operator role and eventually burn out. Without documented processes, businesses become bottlenecked by the founder. Mistakes multiply, decisions stall and no one can move forward without your input. SOPs change that by transforming guesswork into repeatable systems. When everyone understands the 'how' behind each recurring task, from prepping a home for painting to communicating with a customer, the entire operation becomes more efficient and independent. SOPs Reduce Turnover By Empowering Teams High turnover often stems from confusion, frustration and a lack of support. When new hires are thrown into roles without clear instructions, it's not just overwhelming, it's demoralizing. That was our experience early on. New team members would shadow others or ask questions constantly, but there was no structure behind the onboarding. Once we began building SOPs, training became far easier and more consistent. Processes didn't have to be reinvented with every new hire, and employees gained confidence more quickly. Even simple procedures, like jobsite setup checklists or daily communication protocols, made a huge difference. Teams that feel equipped are more likely to succeed and stay. SOPs Shape A Stronger, Healthier Company Culture Culture isn't about slogans on a wall—it's how people feel when they show up to work. Do they know what's expected? Do they feel supported? Are standards clear and fair? SOPs contribute directly to a healthy culture by aligning expectations and eliminating ambiguity. When roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, there's less finger-pointing and more problem-solving. And when team members follow the same playbook, collaboration and accountability improve. SOPs Are The Foundation For Scale Most founders eventually face the same dilemma: Growth becomes limited by how much they can personally oversee. SOPs are the bridge from owner-dependence to true scalability. In our case, documenting systems allowed us to delegate more confidently, expand our team and maintain quality as we grew. SOPs made the business easier to manage and far more valuable in the long run. If you're not sure where to begin, start simple. Record the issues that come up most frequently, then turn each one into a basic process your team can follow. Over time, those small systems will add up to a fully operational framework that runs with or without you. Final Takeaway If your company still relies on verbal instructions or 'just ask [name]' as your operating model, you're not alone—but you are vulnerable. SOPs don't just reduce chaos; they unlock clarity. And with clarity comes consistency, efficiency and long-term sustainability. In short, SOPs are the infrastructure behind every business built to last. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
