Assam govt working round the clock to safeguard fauna, says CM Sarma

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Guwahati, March 26 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said the state administration has been working round the clock to safeguard the wild animals in the Kaziranga National Park and the animal habitat has been expanding as a result of these efforts.

Taking to his X handle, CM Sarma wrote, “Expanding faunal habitats. During regular patrolling, Biswanath Police spotted a tiger at the 6th extension of Kaziranga National Park in Biswanath. We are creating suitable habitats for our faunal friends and safeguarding them round the clock so that they continue to thrive.”

CM Sarma mentioned earlier that Assam has witnessed a significant boost in tourism in recent years, with over three crore domestic tourists visiting the state in the last four years.

He said that the surge in visitors reflected Assam’s growing appeal as a prime travel destination in India.

The CM highlighted that the state’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and improved infrastructure have played key roles in attracting tourists.

“Assam has become a favourite tourism destination, drawing visitors from across the country,” he said.

In addition to domestic tourists, CM Sarma noted that more than 60,000 foreign visitors have explored Assam since 2021. The rising influx of international travellers further underscores the state’s expanding global footprint in the tourism sector. l

The Chief Minister credited several government initiatives aimed at enhancing connectivity, preserving cultural landmarks, and promoting ecotourism for this growth.

With its lush landscapes, wildlife reserves like Kaziranga National Park, and vibrant festivals, Assam is steadily gaining recognition as a top-tier travel destination in India.

CM Sarma also asserted that the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) has witnessed a huge surge in the number of tourists, especially after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site last year.

PM Modi is the first Prime Minister of the country to spend a night at the Kaziranga National Park. He visited there in March 2024 before the commencement of the Lok Sabha polls.

–IANS

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Jan Aushadhi Kendras sales surged 200x in last 10 yrs, citizens saved Rs 30,000cr: Centre

New Delhi, March 1 (IANS) The Jan Aushadhi Kendras, which provide quality medicines at affordable prices, have witnessed a 200 times surge in sales, enabling citizens to save Rs 30,000 crore in the last 10 years, the Union government said on Saturday.

The number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras has increased by 180 times in the last decade, according to the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.

To date, about 15,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras are open across the country, it said.

Jan Aushadhi Kendras, set up under the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), is a public welfare scheme, that provides quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses.

Launched in November 2008, the Scheme is being implemented through the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI).

“In the last 10 years, the number of Kendras has increased by 180 times and the sales have also increased more than 200 times. In all, during the past 10 years, total savings of approximately Rs 30,000 crore for the citizens have been possible due to this noble scheme,” said the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.

Notably, the PMBJP made sales of Rs 1,470 crore (at MRP), leading to a savings of about Rs 7,350 crore for the citizens in the financial year 2023-24.

In the current financial year, 2024-25, the PMBJP has made sales of Rs 1,760 crore (at MRP) till February 28, the Ministry said.

The PMBJP offers about 2,047 drugs and 300 surgical equipment which are sold in retail shops at 50 per cent to 80 per cent cheaper than branded medicines.

The Ministry also plans to “open 25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras by March 31, 2027, across the country”.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers and Health and Family Welfare, J.P. Nadda on Saturday inaugurated the week-long celebrations, ahead of Jan Aushadhi Diwas.

Jan Aushadhi Diwas is celebrated every year on March 7.

As part of the celebrations, the Union Minister flagged off the Rath (Chariot) and 10 other vehicles carrying the information about PMBJP from Nirman Bhawan.

“Citizens of the country must participate in these programmes for wider awareness and to create a jan-andolan for Jan-Aushadhi,” said Nadda.

–IANS

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Man beaten to death in Gurugram, accused held

Gurugram, March 11 (IANS) A man was allegedly beaten to death by a person with a cricket bat on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, police said.

The victim was identified as Neeraj (28). He was residing in Sainipura Mohalla in the Jharsa village of Gurugram.

The accused, identified as Sanjay (26), has been arrested for the crime.

According to the police, during the wee hours of Tuesday, a police team of Jharsa Police Post received information regarding the murder of a man in Jharsa village. Upon information, the police team reached the spot, where they recovered the victim’s body with injury marks on his head.

The deceased’s sister filed a police complaint; she stated that his brother Neeraj was sleeping outside the room. At around 2:00 a.m., she suddenly heard a voice. When she came out, she saw an unknown person had entered her house and was repeatedly hitting his brother Neeraj on the head with a cricket bat. After this, she, along with other family members, caught that man and handed him over to the police.

Due to the injuries, her brother died on the spot. Based on her complaint, a case was registered under the relevant sections at the Sadar Police Station Gurugram. The police arrested the accused Sanjay, a resident of Madhya Pradesh.

During the preliminary investigation, it was found that the accused, Sanjay, is a drug addict, and on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, when the victim was sleeping outside his room, Sanjay killed Neeraj by hitting him on the head repeatedly with a cricket bat kept in the room.

The cricket bat used in the crime has also been recovered, police said.

“The police team is questioning the accused thoroughly about the reasons for the murder. Further action will be taken in the case as per the rules. Further investigation is on,” said Sandeep Kumar, spokesperson of the Gurugram Police.

–IANS

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