EDP staff flay health scheme
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, August 3
The All-India Census EDP Staff Association has alleged that the Central Government Health Scheme has totally failed to provide facilities to serving Central Government employees and their kin. According to a press note, the medical facilities being provided to them were inadequate as there was just one dispensary in the area.

“No indoor or outdoor treatment has been tied up with referred hospitals, including General Hospital in Sector 16, the PGI and Government Medical College and Hospital in Sector 32. No tests, X-ray and scanning facilities are available at the dispensary.”

“Location disadvantage and unsuitable timings are also causing inconvenience. Moreover, medicines prescribed and disbursed are not of standard companies satisfying WHO norms. Employees are being forced to compulsorily subscribe to the scheme subscription with effect from April to July, 2002, for four months at a stretch deducted from their salaries while scheme cards were disbursed in May, 2002.

“All employees have paid the scheme subscription under protest which should be refunded back.” The members further demanded that the subscription should not be demanded from the employees until and unless the scheme was fully operational near the residential areas of the employees with full-fledged facilities.

Focus on breast-feeding
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, August 3
World Breast Feeding Week is being observed by the Chandigarh Chapter of the Indian Academy of Paediatrics from August 1 to 7.

The theme for the week focuses on health and nutrition needs of women before and during pregnancy and health through successful breastfeeding.

The chapter plans to organise lectures on the importance of breastfeeding. Distribution of pamphlets and training classes for paramedical staff will also be part of the programmes. Special classes for pregnant women and nursing mothers will also be held.

Helpline for mentally challenged
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, August 3
If you want any information regarding the facilities for mentally challenged children, their rights or issues related to guardianship, you can ring up at 647760 from 9 am to 10 pm every day. The information will be given by the Sector 32 Government Institute for Mentally Retarded Children (GIMRC).

According to Dr B.S. Chavan, Joint Director of the GIMRC, the institute has been made the National Trust Information Centre with Mr C.B. Pahuja as its Nodal Officer. It will also give information on local committees and the needs of the challenged.

‘Issue I-cards to salespersons’
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 3
To check incidents of burglary in the city, the Chandigarh police has asked the UT Administration to issue identity cards to salespersons. According to information, this would keep a check on burglary incidents during the daytime.

SDO dismissed
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, August 3
Sub divisional Officer of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, Kuldeep Singh, was dismissed today from service following conviction from a local court in a corruption case. He was working with the Public Health Department of the MCC and was caught red-handed accepting bribe by the UT Vigilance Bureau from an industrialist, Mr Tesjasvi Kumar, last year. The SDO was convicted in June, this year. The dismissal orders were passed by the MCC Commissioner, Mr M.P. Singh.