Landslides hit Valley crops

Srinagar (PTI): Over 5,000 houses and 131,000 tonnes of crops have been damaged in the Valley where 209 people were killed in snowfall-triggered avalanches recently.

Nearly 50 per cent of oilseeds, pulses, vegetables and wheat sown on 102,000 hectares of land have been damaged, resulting in a loss of about 131,000 tonnes of crops.

The horticulture sector, the mainstay of Jammu and Kashmir, has been affected to an extent of 40 per cent, with the almond crop being the worst hit, official sources said.

Electricity supply to vital installations like hospitals, telephone exchanges and water supply schemes has been restored while roads to all major towns and district headquarters have been reopened.

To meet the shortage of essential commodities due to the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar Highway, 40 tonnes of green vegetables, 16 tonnes of onion and potatoes, 11 tonnes of powder and liquid milk, 45,000 eggs, 300 packets of medicines, 23 kilolitres of petrol and 200 kilolitres of kerosene have been airlifted to the Valley.

HC notice to medical council

New Delhi (PTI): Delhi High Court on Monday issued notices to the Medical Council of India (MCI), Delhi University and the ministry of health and family welfare on a petition challenging the council?s refusal to grant registration for practice to a former bio-chemist of a government hospital here.

Justice Manmohan Sarin asked the respondents to file replies by April 19, the next date of hearing.

Triloki Nath, who worked as a bio-chemist and senior bio-chemist in lNJP and G.B. Pant hospitals for 28 years, contended that the council?s refusal order on January 4 amounted to violation of his fundamental right to earn livelihood and live with dignity as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Nath, a M Sc in medical bio-chemistry from Delhi University, submitted that the degree was equivalent to MD in medical bio-chemistry and both were recognised as medical qualifications under the MCI Act 1956 and the holders can practise bio-chemistry.

Nath claimed that the medical council had informed him in March 2003 that M Sc in medical bio-chemistry from Delhi University was a recognised medical qualification and that he could practise in the field.

Jawan kills colleagues

Varanasi (PTI): A Provincial Armed Constabulary jawan shot dead three persons and wounded four in the Bansphatak area on Monday.

Constable Ram Gyan Prajapati allegedly fired from his rifle after an altercation over boarding a PAC bus. Head constable U.S. Rai, constable P.S. Yadav and a trader were killed and four jawans received bullet injuries. Prajapati has been arrested and the injured hospitalised.

Check on goons

Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): The Kerala government is formulating a legislation to check the growing activities of criminals, chief minister Oommen Chandy told the Assembly on Monday. The draft of the bill, which is ready, will be discussed at an all-party meeting to be called soon.

Pregnant woman

Mumbai (PTI): A 25-year-old pregnant woman received serious injuries after she jumped out of second-floor window of Bhabha Hospital in Bandra on Sunday. Shamim Banu, who was expecting for the second time, had complained of abdominal pain. While doctors were examining her, she suddenly pushed them aside and jumped out. She later gave birth to a dead baby.

Clean-up drive

Madurai (PTI): The Madurai Municipal Corporation will launch a Rs 11.49-crore solid waste management programme to make the city cleaner, free from plastic wastes and tourist-friendly. The public will sort out domestic garbage as degradable and non-degradable waste. NGOs and self-help groups will also be involved in the waste collection, corporation commissioner-in-charge C. Rajamani said on Monday.

Murder in court

Hyderabad (PTI): A man accused in the murder of a Telugu Desam Party activist was killed on the Rengareddy court premises on Monday. Saibaba Reddy, accused in the murder of Narasimha Reddy in Vanasthalipuram last year, had gone to the court to appear in connection with the case and was attacked by four persons with swords.

The Wildlife Trust of India has begun an awareness campaign among fishermen in Gujarat to protect whale sharks from poachers. The sharks visit the state?s coastline for breeding.