The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

HEALTH

WORKSHOP
Ways to minimise radiation side-effects discussed
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 4
“By judicious use of three milestones of radiation protection i.e. time, distance and shielding, the radiation dose can be kept to the minimum possible level. Any radiological procedure should be undertaken adhering to the Principal of ALARA (as low as minimum as reasonably possible)”, stated Dr P. Nathuram, Head of the Radioactive Standards Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, in his keynote address today on the fourth day of National Radiation Safety workshop being held at Christian Medical College and Hospital.

Dr Nathuram stressed that it was possible to reduce the dose to a person by making him spend less time in the area of radiation work. Similarly, larger the distance between the source of radiation and the worker, lesser the exposure rate. Shielding was another vital aspect of radiation protection. Thicker the shield, lesser would be the radiation, reaching the area where people were working.

Earlier in the day, Mr Anurag Aggarawal, Deputy Commissioner, lighted the lamp and delivered the inaugural address. Expressing a keen interest in physics and research activities pertaining to health sciences, he appreciated the efforts of Radiotherapy unit and CMCH for spreading awareness on radiation safety.

Dr Rajeev Kapoor, Deputy Medical Superintendent, CMCH, in a press note issued today said certain principals should be followed for the safety of patients, patients’ attendants and radiation workers.

A warning device that indicated whether the beam was “On” or “Off” should be there on the control panel and on the door.

Patients rendering help to children or infirm patients for radiotherapy must wear rubber aprons and gloves and the escort should position himself/herself in such a manner that the radiation hazard was minimum.

In all diagnostic procedures particular attention must be given to the protection of the gonads of the patients by using gonadal shields having lead equivalence of 0.5 mm. Intensifying screens or fast films should be used to reduce the patient dose.

Paramedical staff burn Budget copies
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 4
To protest against the ‘anti-employee policies’ of the Punjab Government, the Paramedical Health Employees Union burnt the Budget copies here today.

Mr Himmat Kumar, president of the union, in a press statement said the government had frozen the dearness allowance, stopped the medical allowance and LTC, which showed their anti-worker policies.

The agitation was addressed by Mr Himmat Kumar, Mr Amarjit Singh, Mr Nirmal Singh, Mr Jagdev Singh, Mr Kamaljit Singh, Mr Krishan Dev, Mr Buta Singh and Mr Sampooran Singh Garcha.

ADMINISTRATION

Contractors told to ensure quality
Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, July 4
The contractors, enlisted with the Municipal Corporation, have been told in explicit terms to provide efficient, transparent and up-to-the-mark workmanship in execution of different development works in the city. Interacting with a deputation of contractors here today, the MC Commissioner Mr S.K. Sharma, said that the civic administration did not want to go in for any confrontation with them but at the same time there would be no compromise on quality, quantity and time schedule for completion of the works.

It may be recalled that following a review of the ongoing development works on Wednesday, the MC Commissioner had ordered that show-cause notices be issued to 39 contractors, who had either failed to commence work after the receipt of work orders or had left the work incomplete.

While assuring the contractors that the civic body was responsive and always open to their just and genuine demands and difficulties, Mr Sharma outrightly rejected the demand that the development works being executed in the full knowledge of the area councillor and the residents, there should be no further checking by any other agency. It was pointed out to the contractors that it was the statutory duty of the technocrats and other officials of the MC to ensure that the work had been carried out strictly according to specifications and the material used was of good quality.

The Commissioner further told the contractors that necessary steps will be taken to make sure that the process of checking and verification of the quality and specifications at the level of the MC were not time consuming and no harassment was caused to the contractors. In response to the common complaint by the MC contractors of their payments being delayed, which put them in a piquant situation, Mr Sharma said that the financial health of the civic body had already taken a turn for the better and subject to availability of funds, due priority shall be given to pending bills of the contractors.

The contractors were asked by the MC Commissioner to execute all the development works in time since any delay ultimately brought suffering for the city residents. At the same time, he issued instructions to senior officials of the engineering wing to take samples of the material used in all development projects at different stages so that the civic body could deliver the goods and come up to the expectations of the people in the mega city.

Voters’ list revision from July 15
Our Correspondent

Khanna, July 4
The process of revision of the voters’ lists - 2003 will start from July 15. The directions regarding this have been issued to the electoral registration officers by the Deputy Commissioners-cum-District Election Officers. The election staff will go from door to door for the registration of the voters from July 15 to August 14. Lists of voters will be prepared up to August 22. Elementary publication of the lists will be held on October 14. The objections and claims can be lodged up to October 31. The claims and objections will be settled up to December 31 after which the supplementary lists will be printed. The final lists will be published on January 6.