HEALTH

Stubble burning, a health hazard
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 11
Over 50 per cent of the city’s population is estimated to be suffering from a number of respiratory problems owing to the continuous burning of wheat stubble by farmers in villages, despite being advised by farm scientists not to do so. Sudden temperature variation is also responsible for respiratory ailments, according to medical experts.

“Burning of wheat stubble by farmers is a major one cause for respiratory problems” says Dr Rajesh Mahajan, Lecturer in the Chest Department of the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital.

“Since this was the peak time for harvesting, the number of patients, including children, youngsters and the old, visiting the chest OPDs has increased manifolds. On an average 40 to 50 patients with respiratory problems come to our OPDs everyday”, Dr Mahajan said.

Patients come with several problems to the doctors during these months. “Complaints of burning sensation on the nasal lining, frequent sneezing, trouble in breathing, weakness due to breathlessness, cough and mild fever” are common symptoms arising out of allergies. Doctors say that most of the farmers who burn wheat stubble are generally unaware about the fact that it deteriorates the condition of asthmatic patients and pollutes the environment. Farmers resort to burning of the straw as it is easier than removing it manually.

“Medicines are the only solution. I am dependent on inhalers, steroids and oral solutions during these days. I often get asthmatic attacks due to the rising temperature during harvesting season”, says Aparna, a young girl of 25 who is suffering from bronchial asthma.

Dr Mahajan also said that regular medication was the only solution to such problems. Some patients while talking to Ludhiana Tribune demanded that the administration should check burning of wheat stubble in the fields which was causing health problems. “If proper care is not taken during these months, there can be a sharp rise in attacks among the asthmatic patients who may need hospitalisation”, he added.

Chemists sore over hike in licence fee
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 11
Members of the District Chemists and Druggists Association have decided to present a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner against increase in the renewal fee of drug licences from Rs 40 to Rs 500.

In a meeting held here on Wednesday, the president of the association Mr Vinod Sharma appealed the government to withdraw the increase which was an “unnecessary extra financial burden” on the chemists. He said such an increase would have an adverse affect on the chemists and druggists.

The role of the police during all-India bandh on May 5 was also condemned by the association members. They demanded disciplinary action against the police officials responsible for the excesses done to the chemists.

Mr Lalit Verma, general secretary of the association, assured All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists Association that Ludhiana unit would be extending its co-operation to all such movements which were aimed at the welfare and interest of chemists.

SPORT

Cricket trials
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 11
Trials to select the Ludhiana district under-16 cricket team for the Inter-District Summer League Cricket Tournament organised by the Punjab Cricket Association, will be held on May 13 at the Arya College for Boys.

According to a press note issued here yesterday by Mr Vinod Chitkara, general secretary, Ludhiana District Cricket Association (LDCA), players born on or after September 1, 1985 are eligible to apply for the same. He further said that the trial for the senior team would be held on May 12.

ADMINISTRATION

Projects worth Rs 8.87 cr for city
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 11
The Finance and Contracts Committee (F&CC) of the Municipal Corporation has approved development projects worth Rs 8.87 crore which includes a sub-way near the Mini Secretariat at Ferozepur Road, a foot bridge near the Government College for Women, purchase of nine fire-tenders, four-laning of Metro Road in Focal Point, re-laying of the link road from Bharat Nagar Chowk to general bus stand and cleaning and desilting of 12.5 km of open drains and 7.5 km of underground sludge sewer lines in the city.

The F&CC accorded approval to tenders received for building of roads and streets, drains and laying brick flooring worth Rs 5.31 crore, augmentation of sewerage and water supply schemes worth Rs 66.32 lakh, repairs and maintenance of parks in city localities worth Rs 8.55 lakh and purchases for health branch worth Rs 41.61 lakh.

Revised estimates for roads and streets worth Rs 1.29 crore, streetlights worth Rs 56.76 lakh, water supply and sewerage schemes worth Rs 46.37 lakh and maintenance of parks worth Rs 7.58 lakh were also sanctioned by the F&CC.

Among major development projects cleared in the meeting of the F&CC are construction of a subway near the Mini Secretariat on Ferozepore Road at an estimated cost of Rs 65.92 lakh and a foot bridge near the Government College for Women on Ferozepore Road at a cost of Rs 12.19 lakh. The MC would strengthen its Fire Brigade Department by inducting nine more fire-tenders, to be purchased at a cost of Rs 1.08 crore and Rs 5.08 lakh would be spent for cleaning and desilting 12.5 km open rain water drains and 7.5 km of sludge sewer lines in the city.

The F&CC also sanctioned a sum of Rs 59.62 lakh for running and maintenance of 160 tubewells and three disposal works in the city for a period of one year by private contractors and an expenditure of Rs 2 lakh was approved for maintenance of the MC swimming pool for a period of seven months by a private firms. Tenders received for the four-laning of Metro Road in Focal Point at a cost of Rs 46.91 lakh and laying pre-mix on the link road from Bharat Nagar Chowk to general bus stand at a cost of Rs 24.89 lakh also received nod of the F&CC.