The Uttar Pradesh government has implemented the Uttar Pradesh Fire and Emergency Services Act, 2022, on the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, according to a statement released bv the government.
Uttar Pradesh Principal Secretary (Home), Sanjay Prasad said that this was an attempt to strengthen the fire and emergency services in the state.
According to the statement, to bring uniformity in the Fire Service Act across India, the Model Fire Service Bill of 1958 and the amended Model Fire and Emergency Service Bill of 2019 were circulated by the Union government for adoption by the state governments.
The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to implement the provisions of the Model Fire and Emergency Service Bill, 2019.
The state government has also given its approval to the Centre’s directive with the implementation of the ‘Uttar Pradesh Fire and Emergency Services Act, 2022’.
With the adoption of the Model Fire and Emergency Service Bill, 2019, a proper balance will be established between the duties and responsibilities of the Fire department for the effective performance of statutory/state duties, the Principal Secretary added.
Yogi govt adopts ‘Tithi Bhojan’ concept in midday meal
The Uttar Pradesh government will introduce ‘Tithi Bhojan’ (community lunch) as a part of the midday meal scheme.
This comes four years after the Union ministry of education approved the guidelines for all states to follow the practice.
The scheme is aimed at ensuring greater community participation and promoting involvement of religious and charitable institutions.
It was first started in Gujarat in 2014, after which the Union ministry of education issued directives for its replication in all states.
The scheme uses community participation to reproduce traditional practice of providing food to large numbers of people on special occasions and festivals.
According to an order issued by special secretary, basic education, Awadhesh Kumar Tiwari, the scheme seeks to involve members of the community to provide nutritious food to children.
“The food should be prepared in the school kitchen and the menu will be fixed by the head teacher and members of the school management committee,” Tiwari said.
The members of the community may voluntarily contribute/sponsor either utensils or food on special occasions/festivals.
Among food items that should not be served include fried food like poori, paratha, pakodi, milk-based items like paneer, kheer and daliya, and junk food like burger, pizza and Maggi.
‘Tithi Bhojan’ is when on a particular ‘tithi’ (date), or special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries or festivals, members from the general public provide nutrition packed meals, or additional components to the mid-day meal for children.
People may contribute either a full meal or separate food items in the form of sweets, namkeens, fruits or sprouts.
Tithi Bhojan is not a substitute for a midday meal.
Officials said that during ‘Tithi Bhojan’, food items should be provided according to food habits of children of the region concerned. A combination of cereal, pulse, and vegetables may be provided in case of a full meal.
UP to start 6 more viral load testing centres
Uttar Pradesh will start six new viral load testing centres, focusing on testing of hepatitis B and C patients, said Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who also holds the health portfolio.
“The testing will be free of cost,” Pathak said in a statement.
The National Viral Hepatitis Control Program was started in 2017 and six model treatment centres are running in the state with a total 81 treatment centres.
There are five state labs and seven other viral load laboratories.
To improve the testing and treatment facility, six more viral load centres are to be started soon.
Dr Abhishek Shukla, secretary-general, Association of International Doctors, said: “The viral load of hepatitis refers to the amount of virus present in the bloodstream. This blood test measures the amount of hepatitis virus or viral load in the blood of chronically infected patients. Viral load helps in deciding line of treatment and dose of drug.”
Till October 2022, a total 29,776 hepatitis C patients were registered at the centres and 16,111 had completed treatment. Also, 2,290 hepatitis B patients are under treatment.
Symptoms of hepatitis include tiredness, reduced hunger, nausea, headache, and visibly yellow eyes. The liver gets swollen.
“Liver diseases are increasing and with precaution we can ensure we remain safe from the infection. The state is committed to providing free treatment to patients,” said Pathak.