Ahmedabad firm devises kit for nuclear, bio attack Wednesday, October 31, 2001
NEWS SOURCE : TIMES NEWS NETWORK
AHMEDABAD: Gujarat seems to be leading the way as far as preparedness to combat any biological or chemical attack is concerned. Not only is it the first Indian state to have readied an action plan to counter anthrax, but the first-ever emergency first-aid kit to counter any kind of nuclear-biological-chemical (NBC) warfare has also been developed by an Ahmedabad-based company.
Troikaa Pharmaceuticals Limited has readied and supplied 10 such kits to Gwalior-based Defence Research & Development Establishment (DRDE), one of the three organisations recognised in the world for NBC warfare, and the brain behind the development of this indigenous first-aid tool against dreaded bio-chemical weapons.
"The kit is the brainchild of DRDE which they asked us to develop three years back in the interest of national security. Initially we were reluctant to divert our resources but finally gave in as a service to the country, because DRDE insisted that though there are quotations from foreign manufacturers it wanted the same to be developed indigenously," said Ketan Patel, managing director of Troikaa. He admitted that he had never foreseen the product could come in so handy to deal with the current bio-warfare threat.
So what exactly is the kit all about? Packed in a 70x55x50 cm water-resistant box, the kit is armed with 42 components including all the advanced essential medications like antidotes and antibiotics for the most dreaded germs and chemicals that threaten mankind, special NBC pads for protection against nuclear radiation, water poison detection kit to the most basic things like surgicals, syringes and even sterilised water. An instruction manual in the kit make access to drugs easier in case of an emergency.
"The high point of the kit is the single source availability of antidotes for cyanide, mercury, nitrogen-mustard and related poisoning and antibiotics for almost all the dreaded bioterrors including anthrax, plague, brucellosis etc., plus all the added medical tools that a medico would need to tackle any surprise attack," said Patel.
It needs mention here that the kit is not equipped to handle botulism and small-pox attack. "This is primarily because there is no ready vaccine available for these two deadly diseases," he said.
Except for these disadvantages, experts insist the kit is user-friendly especially in emergency situations likely to be posed by the current biochemical war threat, given the fact that it is water and vibration resistant, has a shelf life of two years and can come in handy to treat as many as 30 patients in one stroke.
"The kit looks promising. We have asked for details about the kit from the company and are in the process of making suitable additions and subtractions to enhance its user-friendliness. If the situation demands, we will acquire the same to remain better prepared," said a member of the core team of the state health department at the Civil Hospital which is actively pursuing the present contents of the kit and ways to better the same.
Troikaa too is aware of the sudden increase in the market-value of its product and concedes that it will be making efforts to explore possibilities of marketing it to friendly countries. "We have signed a MoU with the DRDE to sell this kit and in case the biochemical war threat persists, we will definitely explore the possibility to offer this product to friendly countries. Most countries are going to need such a product and we have an advantage of providing it at 1/20th of the price charged at international level," said Patel. The kit is still priced at Rs 2 lakh per kit, obviously too expensive for Indian standards.
News Source : The Times of India [India's best Newspaper]
Govt takes first step on MMCB Wednesday, October 31, 2001
News Source : TIMES NEWS NETWORK
AHMEDABAD: Two days before the deadline set by the Centre to generate Rs 800 crore from co-operative banks in Gujarat to revive the grounded Madhavpura Mercantile Co-operative Bank, the state government took its first step in the direction by convening a meeting of representatives of local co-operative organisations. Two earlier meetings convened by the government for this purpose had been postponed for inexplicable reasons during the previous Keshubhai Patel regime.
In any case, with the prospect of raising Rs 800 crore from the co-operative banks looking quite distant, the Gujarat government has sought an extension of two months from the Central Registrar of Co-operative Societies for raising the amount for implementation of the revival package of the ill-fated Madhavpura Mercantile Co-operative Bank (MMCB). The deadline is to expire on October 31.
Official sources said state finance minister Nitin Patel convened the first meeting on Monday to solicit support from co-operative banks for the revival package. The meeting was attended, among others, by Jairambhai Patel of the State Co-operative Bank, Amit Shah of Ahmedabad District Co-operative Bank, Girish Chowksi, a representative of the Gujarat State Urban Co-operative Banks' Federation, Ramesh Ambalal Shah, a representative of the Gujarat Chambers of Commerce & Industry and R S Patel, a representative of the Ahmedabad Urban Co-operative Banks' Association.
As per the revival package agreed upon by various state co-operative banks and the state government, the co-operative banks were required to contribute Rs 800 crore as their contribution towards the revival of MMCB. The amount had to be raised within a period of one and half months of the announcement of the revival package on August 24, 2001. The scheme became operational on September 15 and the co-operative banks were required to collect the stipulated amount by October 31.
It is not yet known how the Central Registrar will react to the Gujarat government's request for an extension of the deadline. Sources said if the Centre refuses to oblige, liquidation of the bank was the only possibility. Sources said the co-operative banks have not even commenced the process of raising the amount of Rs 800 crore as they find the interest of 7.5 per cent on the deposits too low.
Sources said that the Central Registrar has been assured that the state government would raise Rs 800 crore from co-operative banks by December-end, an unlikely possibility looking at the fact that the board of directors of several leading co-operative banks have already rejected the idea. According to government officials, the deadline could not be met in view of last month's political developments which brought in Narendra Modi as a replacement for Keshubhai Patel.
Moreover, a high-level committee, which was set up under the chairmanship of former state finance minister Vajubhai Vala for mobilising Rs 800 crore had not been able to achieve much because of the preoccupation with political developments.
State finance minister Nitin Patel however said on Monday after the meeting that the implementation of revival package of MMCB was going on as per scheduled and hoped that the state co-operative banks' federation would mobilise Rs 800 crore which they have committed while reaching an agreement with the Central Registrar of Co-operatives and Reserve Bank of India.
While speaking to reporters, Patel said the progress achieved in the disbursement of deposits was reviewed at the meeting. The minister said the co-operative banks would have to shell out four per cent of their deposits towards the package and they would not back out from their promise as 164 co-operative banks have lost deposits of around Rs 600 crore with the MMCB.
News Source : The Times of India [India's best Newspaper]
Anthrax scare in TDO's office Wednesday, October 31, 2001
News Source : TIMES NEWS NETWORK
VADODARA: The anthrax scare reached rural Vadodara on Monday when an envelope containing an unknown white powder was received by Pavi Jetpur taluka development officer (TDO).
According to district collector Bhagyesh Jha, white powder poured out after the TDO opened the envelope and there was panic in his office.
"The sample has been sent to SSG Hospital for tests. Though no one has taken ill, we are not taking any chances and will have the sample tested," said Jha.
Gas leak creates panic: Panic gripped a village near Savli following a gas leak from a chemical factory in the area. About six persons were reported to have complained of itching in their eyes.
District collector Bhagyesh Jha said olium gas leaked out of Swami Chemicals. Jha has despatched a team of doctors to ascertain whether the leak has had any effect on the people.
News Source : The Times of India [India's best Newspaper]
Petrol pump fire fuels queries regarding solvent scam Tuesday, October 30, 2001
By a Correspondent, AsianAge
Vadodara: Skeletons have stumbled out of cupboard after Friday’s fire at Swagat petrol pump.
Police sources said that the tanker, which was found at the pump, was reportedly emptying solvent into storage tank of the petrol pump.
The fire had broken out at Swagat Petrol pump at around 5 am on Friday in which one person was partially burnt. Petroleum products worth Rs12 lakhs were destroyed in the fire. Moreover, a nearby residential complex was also affected by the fire.
According to police, the fire broke out after the tanker, which was emptying its content into the underground tank at the petrol pump caught the spark from some unknown source. Police said that the three partners of the pump Harish Patel, Jaypal Mangrola and Amish Patel are absconding.
Though police is yet to get substantial evidence, the absence of key persons handling the pump has raised many questions about the whole issue. It should be recalled that Vadodara rural police had unearthed the petrol adulterating scam in 1999 and many persons were arrested under the Prevention of Black Marketing act including police officer Kabhai Chauhan. The recent revelation of petrol adulteration has refueled the issue.
Speaking to The Asian Age police commissioner J. Mahapatra said that the officials are investigating the matter and if they find substantial evidence, action will be initiated.
He said that they have already sent the necessary samples to the laboratory for analysis.
“If it is established that the tanker was emptying solvent into the underground tanker legal action will be taken,” he said. He further said that there are chances that the inquiry will be handed over to the district authorities and if the allegations are proved, the accused will be detained under PBM.
Sayajigunj police inspector P I Patel said, preliminary examinations suggest that the tanker was emptying solvent. “But to confirm it we have sent the samples to the forensic science laboratory” he added. The district supply officer has also started investigation.
Police sources also added that after the much-talked solvent issue, which took place in 1999, the group had become active again. An official requesting anonymity said that in past few months it was observed that the fuel tankers were emptying the content either late in the night or early in the morning and the Friday fire at Swagat has proved this.
He, however, adds that it would be interesting to see what kind of action is initiated against those who are involved. In the earlier scam, which ran into crores of rupees the culprits were identified but are still roaming scot-free.
News Source : The AsianAge [ The coolest newspaper for city ]
‘Take action against all forms of terrorism' Tuesday, October 30, 2001
By a Correspondent, AsianAge
Ahmedabad, Oct. 27: Chief minister Narendra Modi called upon the Rajkot district administration to deal effectively and sternly with all the forms of terrorism. Spread of fake currency, transportation of drugs and activities of banned and suspicious anti-national institutions should be vehemently checked by the police, he added.
Chief minister Narendra Modi was in Rajkot on Saturday to review the working of the district administration. He asked the entire administration to gear up to solve the difficulties of the people.
The chief minister said that the district administration should form permanent system of coordination between the revenue, police, panchayats and local self-governments to effectively solve the problem of the state.
He advised the district administration to go out of their office and know the problem of the people and try to solve them by interaction with them. The chief minister also inquired about the water supply and the food and civil supply department of the city.
The chief minister said that he would visit the earthquake-affected areas of the district in a special visit. Mr Modi visited Rajkot for the first time after taking over as chief minister. The BJP workers received Mr Modi at the airport.
News Source : The AsianAge [ The coolest newspaper for city ]
