Lifestyle

New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) The Delhi High Court, on Tuesday, issued notice on a contempt petition alleging non-compliance with its earlier order directing Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to examine safety and regulatory concerns regarding the use of certain diabetes drugs for weight loss.

A single-judge bench of Justice Sachin Datta sought responses from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) and the Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, and granted them four weeks to file their replies.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on May 21.

The contempt plea, filed through advocate Rohit Kumar, alleged that the authorities failed to comply with the Delhi High Court's July 2025 direction requiring them to decide on a representation raising regulatory concerns about the use of GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs for weight management and aesthetic treatment.

According to the petition, a bench of Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela had earlier permitted the petitioner to submit a supplementary representation along with relevant material and directed the competent authority to consider the same in accordance with law, consult experts and stakeholders, including manufacturers, and take a decision within three months of its submission.

Appearing for the petitioner, the counsel submitted that despite clear judicial directions, "no substantive steps" were taken for several months.

It was said that although a supplementary representation had been filed on July 13, 2025, the authorities failed to act on it within the prescribed three-month period.

The representation, the contempt plea said, highlighted issues, including waiver of India-specific clinical trials, under the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019, alleged gaps in pharmacovigilance safeguards, regulatory inconsistencies, and aggressive marketing practices.

It also added that even after reminders, including an email sent on January 29, 2026, no response was received from the authorities.

Saying that nearly eight months had passed since submission of the representation, the petitioner contended that the continued inaction amounts to wilful disobedience of the Delhi High Court's binding directions.

The petition said that the order passed on July 2, 2025, imposed a "clear and time-bound obligation" on CDSCO to take a decision within three months, and that "mere internal processing or informal emails saying that the matter is under consideration do not constitute compliance with a binding judicial direction".

--IANS

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Gandhinagar, March 17 (IANS) Gujarat has allocated Rs 59.14 crore in the 2026-27 state budget for the construction of “pink toilets” for women across urban areas, as part of an expanded push under the 'Nirmal Gujarat 2.0' programme to strengthen sanitation infrastructure and public hygiene.

The initiative, to be implemented in municipal corporations, municipalities and urban pilgrimage sites, is among four new components introduced under the cleanliness campaign for the upcoming financial year.

The facilities are intended to provide safe, clean and modern sanitation spaces for women in high-footfall urban locations.

The Nirmal Gujarat scheme, launched in 2007 by then chief minister and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has expanded in scope over the years beyond basic cleanliness drives.

Under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Nirmal Gujarat 2.0 was introduced in 2024 with the objective of enhancing public awareness on cleanliness and positioning the state among the leading performers in sanitation.

According to officials, each pink toilet unit will include four standard toilet seats, one seat designed for differently-abled women, a changing room, a baby feeding room and a designated area for a female caretaker.

The facilities are designed to address hygiene, accessibility and safety requirements for women in urban settings.

The provision for pink toilets forms part of a wider allocation of Rs 329.54 crore for the four newly added components under Nirmal Gujarat 2.0.

These include strengthening door-to-door solid waste collection in urban local bodies, construction of women-focused sanitation facilities, improved operation and maintenance of public toilets, and river cleaning initiatives.

Officials stated that the measures are aimed at ensuring 100 per cent door-to-door waste collection in urban areas and facilitating effective implementation of 'Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0' targets.

They added that the operation, maintenance and management of all public toilets in municipal areas will also be strengthened under the programme.

The announcement comes shortly after International Women’s Day was observed globally, with the state government indicating that the decision reflects its continued focus on women’s hygiene, safety and access to essential public amenities.

--IANS

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Amaravati, March 17 (IANS) The Andhra Pradesh government is set to launch a scheme, offering free bus travel to differently-abled citizens across the state.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will launch the ‘Divyang Shakti’ scheme on Wednesday as a special Ugadi gift for 12.7 lakh differently-abled people.

The government said that the scheme underscores its renewed focus on social equity, mobility, and last-mile dignity, while also reinforcing its governance narrative of “welfare with scale.”

The Chief Minister will formally inaugurate the programme in Amaravati in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, Minister Nara Lokesh, and BJP state president PVN Madhav - signalling a coordinated NDA political messaging around inclusive governance, said an official release.

Chief Minister Naidu and senior leaders will travel alongside beneficiaries on RTC buses post-launch. The Chief Minister will also host a community lunch for people with disabilities, reinforcing the administration’s emphasis on empathy-led governance.

The Divyang Shakti Scheme is expected to benefit over 12.76 lakh individuals, including 11.16 lakh persons with disabilities and their attendants, making it one of the largest state-led mobility support programmes for the differently-abled in India.

Key features of the scheme include free bus travel for persons with disabilities across Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) services, 50 per cent fare concession for attendants accompanying beneficiaries, and eligibility for individuals with over 40 per cent disability.

The scheme’s coverage expanded across 21 categories of disabilities. The government will annually provide Rs 207 crore to APSRTC for the implementation of ‘Divyang Shakti’.

In a coordinated statewide rollout, MLAs will simultaneously launch the scheme in their constituencies, travel with beneficiaries, and participate in community outreach events.

The launch of ‘Divyang Shakti’ builds on the success of the ‘Stree Shakti’ scheme, under which women in Andhra Pradesh have undertaken over 52 crore free bus journeys, backed by a government outlay exceeding Rs 1,826 crore.

By extending similar mobility rights to persons with disabilities, the Naidu government is broadening its welfare template beyond gender to disability inclusion, a move that is likely to resonate strongly in both social and political discourse, the release added.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Tuesday urged the Union government to enact a law recognising paternity leave as a social security benefit, while striking down a provision that limited maternity benefits for adoptive mothers based on the child’s age.

A bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan observed that the question of granting paternity leave, including its duration and conditions, falls within the policy domain of the Centre, but stressed the need for a legal framework acknowledging fathers as equal caregivers.

"We urge the Union to come out with a provision recognising paternity leave as a social security benefit. The duration of such leave must be determined in a manner that is responsive to the needs of both the parent and the child," the Justice Pardiwala-led Bench said.

The observations came while the top court delivered its verdict on a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the constitutional validity of provisions that limited maternity leave for adoptive mothers.

In its judgment, the Supreme Court struck down Section 60(4) of the Social Security Code, 2020, which provided that adoptive mothers would be entitled to maternity leave only if the adopted child was below three months of age.

The bench held that the provision created an unreasonable classification and violated the guarantee of equality under Article 14 of the Constitution.

"The needs of an adoptive child are no different from those of a biological child. Although biology has traditionally been the predominant lens through which kinship is understood, adoption is an equally valid pathway. Biological factors by themselves do not determine family. An adopted child is not different from a natural child," the apex court said.

The PIL had originally challenged Section 5(4) of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, introduced through the 2017 amendment, which granted 12 weeks of maternity leave to adoptive mothers only when the adopted child was below three months old.

During the pendency of the PIL, a similar provision was incorporated under the Social Security Code, 2020.

Holding the restriction to be unconstitutional, the bench held that the benefits of maternity leave must extend uniformly to all adoptive mothers, irrespective of the age of the child at the time of adoption.

The apex court further highlighted that the needs of an adoptive child are no different from those of a biological child, particularly in the early stages of integration into a new family environment. It also highlighted the broader importance of shared parenting and the need to recognise fathers’ role in early childcare, observing that such recognition could contribute to better developmental outcomes for children while promoting greater gender equality in caregiving responsibilities.

At present, Indian law provides for paid maternity leave of up to 26 weeks under the Maternity Benefit Act for eligible women, but there is no comprehensive statutory framework governing paternity leave.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) Surveillance drives, inspections and random sampling of food products, done by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), include 5,18,559 sample analysis which led to 88,192 penalties and 3,614 convictions, the government said on Tuesday.

The measures taken by FSSAI led to 1,161 licence cancellations over 2022–23 to 2024–25 after random sampling of various food products including milk, ghee, spices, honey, paneer and other foods, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

The surveillance drives are conducted throughout the year by the officials of Food Safety Departments of the respective States/UTs and Regional Offices of FSSAI to check compliance with the quality and safety parameters and other requirements as laid down under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

A total of 56,259 risk‑based inspections were carried out in the period, where frequency of inspection is decided based on risk associated with Food businesses and issued guidelines, the minister said. Annual inspections are to be conducted for all food categories identified as high risk.

Further, FSSAI has notified 252 food testing laboratories and 24 Referral Food Laboratories for the analysis of appellate samples.

It also funded Mobile Food Testing Laboratories — “Food Safety on Wheels” (FSWs) -- and deployed 305 of them across 35 states or UTs, to combat adulteration as FSWs are equipped with basic infrastructure for on spot testing of adulteration in various food commodities.

FSSAI extends financial and technical assistance to states/UTs which includes strengthening enforcement and compliance such as licensing and registration, consumer grievance redressal, capacity building for officers.

Strengthening of the food testing ecosystem such as high end or basic equipment for labs and promotion of FSSAI initiatives such as ‘Eat Right Campus’, ‘Eat Right School’ are some other activities.

FSSAI is mandated to lay down science‑based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption, the minister said.

However, he added that the state food safety authorities are primarily responsible for enforcement at the field level.

—IANS

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New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) From eradicating smallpox in 1977 to eliminating polio and neonatal tetanus, administering 200 crore COVID-19 doses, and now pursuing Measles-Rubella elimination — India's immunisation journey is one of verified, milestone-by-milestone achievement, an official fact-sheet said on Tuesday.

India has eradicated smallpox, polio and maternal and neonatal tetanus through vaccination, and continues to expand its immunisation programme — most recently launched HPV and indigenous Td vaccines in 2026.

India’s robust Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), a wide-spread network of publicly funded healthcare centres, workers and cold-chain infrastructure, and a strong digital network, have delivered results.

“The UIP is one of the world's largest immunisation programmes, reaching 2.9 crore pregnant women and 2.54 crore newborns every year, free of cost. Full immunisation coverage has risen from 62 per cent in 2015 to 98.4 per cent in January 2026,” the fact-sheet said.

Percentage of zero-dose children to the total population has declined from 0.11 per cent in 2023 to 0.06 per cent in 2024.

In the past decade, various new vaccines were added to the programme – Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) (2015), Rotavirus Vaccine (RVV) (2016), Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine (2017) and Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) (2017).

A nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign was launched on February 28, 2026. The campaign was launched from Ajmer, Rajasthan by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It targets 14-year-old girls to protect them from cervical cancer. Around 1.15 crore girls across India are expected to receive the vaccine free of cost at government health facilities.

India's vaccine cold chain is one of the largest in the world — spanning nearly 30,000 cold chain points, from Government Medical Supply Depots at the national level down to Primary Health Centres at the sub-district level.

According to the statement, these storage points at hospitals, community health centres, primary health centres and other health facilities are equipped with over 1.06 lakh ice-lined refrigerators and deep freezers, and 432 walk-in cooler and walk-in freezers for bulk vaccine storage.

Conducting over 1.3 crore immunisation sessions annually across this network, maintaining temperature integrity at every point is critical to ensuring vaccines reach the last beneficiary in potent condition, the statement added.

--IANS

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Mumbai, March 17 (IANS) Bollywood actress Bhagyashree recently took her social media account to share glimpses from her adventurous holiday in Finland, where she visited the Santa village and also swam in the icy ocean at minus 25 degrees Celsius.

Taking to her social media account, the Maine Pyaar Kiya actress posted pictures and videos from the thrilling experience.

In one picture, she is seen floating in Arctic waters wearing a bright orange survival suit. Surrounded by floating ice chunks, Bhagyashree seems to be tapping into her adventurous side.

Sharing the moment, she wrote, “Swimming in the ocean at -25°. It was an experience beyond imagination.”

In another post, she added, “#traveltalesbyb As I closed my eyes, I was felt the magnitude of nature, and how miniscule we are.”

The actress also shared glimpses from her visit to the famous Santa Claus Village.

In one of the pictures, Bhagyashree is seen posing happily at the entrance of the village dressed in a red winter coat paired with earmuffs and gloves.

In another clip, the actress is seen warming herself near a bonfire in the middle of the winter landscape.

Along with the pictures, she captioned the post as, “SantaVillage ! Acres of winter Santa land within the Artic Circle... from reindeers to gingerbread cottages, bonfires with marshmellows, hot chocolate and cookies, building a snowman to meeting Santa.”

She added, “While I missed my children, I kinda became a child again. Simple joys of surprises, seeing something new. Travel brings you a different kind of happiness. Grateful n thankful.”

For the uninitiated, Bhagyashree is currently having a blast at her exotic vacation in Finland along with her husband Himalaya Dassani and a group of her close girl best friends.

The trip seems to be a part of her ongoing travel spree. Bhagyashree has been globetrotting across international destinations as well as several scenic locations within India over the past few months.

On the professional front, Bhagyashree made her Bollywood debut with the 1989 film Maine Pyar Kiya opposite Salman Khan.

The movie was directed by Sooraj Barjatya and produced by Rajshri Productions.

Soon after the film’s success, she married businessman Himalaya Dassani and stepped away from Bollywood for a long period to focus on her family life, though she did appear in a few projects over the years, but they all remained limited in scale.

In the past few years, Bhagyashree has gradually returned to the media glare, staying active through films, television appearances and social media.

–IANS

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Bhubaneswar, March 16 (AINS) The Odisha government on Monday announced the formation of a single-member Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the tragic fire at the Trauma Care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, which claimed the lives of ten patients.

According to a notification issued by the Odisha Home Department, the state government described the incident as a matter of serious public importance.​

“The State Government are deeply concerned about the issue and thinks that, this being a matter of serious public importance, should be inquired into by a Judicial Commission of Inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952,” reads the notification.​

The state government has appointed Laxmidhar Biswal, Retired District Judge, as the sole member of the Commission. The inquiry is mandated to be completed within 60 days from the date of publication of the notification in the Odisha Gazette.​

The Commission has been instructed to examine the sequence of events leading to the tragic fire mishap, the role, conduct and accountability of persons or authorities in this incident, the hospital and other agencies’ preparedness in dealing with such incidents and the effectiveness of measures taken before and after the incident to save the lives of the patients.

The government also asked the commission to make recommendations to prevent the recurrence of similar tragedies.​

“The Headquarters of the Commission shall be at Cuttack. However, the Commission may hold the Inquiry at any other place as may be considered necessary for the purpose of inquiry,” the notification added.​

The notification comes in the wake of widespread public concern over the tragic incident, which also left several patients critically injured. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had earlier announced a judicial inquiry, assuring stringent action against any negligence that may have contributed to the disaster.​

The government also formed a six-member fact-finding team, headed by Development Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh, to investigate the causes of the tragic fire.

The SCB fire has reignited debates over hospital safety measures, particularly in intensive care units, and highlights the urgent need for stringent safety protocols and emergency preparedness. The judicial inquiry aims to provide a comprehensive report on the lapses, accountability, and preventive steps to safeguard lives in the future.​

According to reports, a major fire broke out at the ICU of the Trauma Care centre at the SCB medical college due to a suspected electrical short circuit between 2 AM and 3 AM on Monday. Seven patients critically injured in the incident died immediately, while three others succumbed after being shifted to other ICUs.

--IANS

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Washington, Mar 16 (IANS) U.S. President Donald Trump Monday announced that White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer but will continue working from the White House while undergoing treatment.​

Trump disclosed the diagnosis in a social media message, praising Wiles as a close adviser and expressing confidence in her recovery.​

“Susie Wiles is an incredible Chief of Staff, a great person, and one of the strongest people I know, but, unfortunately, she has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, and has decided to take on this challenge, IMMEDIATELY, as opposed to waiting,” Trump said.​

The President said Wiles had already begun preparing for treatment and had the support of a strong medical team.​

“She has a fantastic medical team, and her prognosis is excellent! During the treatment period, she will be spending virtually full-time at the White House, which makes me, as President, very happy! Trump said.​

Trump also described Wiles as one of his most trusted advisers inside the administration.​

“Her Strength and her Commitment to continue doing the job she loves, and does so well, while undergoing treatment, tells you everything you need to know about her,” he said.​

Calling her a key figure in the administration, Trump added that she remains central to his team.​

“Susie, as one of my closest and most important advisors, is tough and deeply committed to serving the American People,” he said.

Trump also said he and First Lady Melania Trump were standing by Wiles as she began treatment.​

“Melania and I are with her in every way, and we look forward to working with Susie on the many big and wonderful things that are happening for the benefit of our Country!” the President said.​

White House officials quickly rallied behind Wiles following the announcement.​

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised Wiles’ leadership and personal character in a social media message.​

“Susie Wiles epitomises what it means to be a strong leader. She is also one of the nicest people I’ve ever met,” Leavitt wrote.​

She added that Wiles had played a critical role in Trump’s political comeback and now in the administration.​

“Susie led President Trump’s historic 2024 comeback campaign and is now spearheading the most successful administration in history,” Leavitt said.​

Leavitt also said the White House staff was united in supporting the chief of staff during her treatment.​

“I know I speak for the President and the entire White House when I say that we are all praying for Susie and rallying behind her as she prepares to fight this battle against breast cancer,” she wrote.​

Wiles appeared with Trump at a Kennedy Centre board meeting in the White House East Room shortly after the President announced it.​

Wiles is widely regarded as one of Trump’s most influential advisers and a key architect of his 2024 election victory. Known for keeping a relatively low public profile, she has played a central role in shaping the political strategy of Trump’s second administration.​

During Trump’s first presidency, the White House saw frequent turnover in the chief of staff position. Wiles’ tenure has been viewed by many observers as providing a more stable leadership structure within the administration.

--IANS

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Mumbai, March 16 (IANS) Maharashtra Minister Uday Samant, on Monday, told the State Legislative Council during Question Hour that a task force will be established to take action against unauthorised and unregistered nursing homes operating in the state.

The issue was raised through a question by member Chitra Wagh, while members Bhai Jagtap, Sanjay Khodke, and Sachin Ahir raised supplementary questions.

Minister Samant said that private hospitals and nursing homes in the state are registered and inspected as per the Maharashtra Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1949, and its relevant rules.

However, since complaints have been received regarding unregistered or unauthorised nursing homes operating in some areas, there is a need for coordinated action at the state level.

Minister Samant announced that "A task force will be formed under the chairmanship of the Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development Department and the co-chairmanship of the Additional Chief Secretary or Principal Secretary of the Health Department. The task force will include Divisional Commissioners, Police Officers, and other necessary officials. It will review all nursing homes in the state, take action against unauthorised ones, and present a comprehensive report before the House during the next session."

Since the current legal provisions for fines and punishment are limited and proving insufficient, the task force will also draft a proposal to make necessary amendments to the relevant laws for stricter action, the Minister said.

He also added that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will be directed to conduct a survey and collect data on unauthorised nursing homes.

Minister Samant told the House that the task force will submit its report within 90 days to ensure effective action against unauthorised nursing homes for the safety of patients in the state.

Meanwhile, State Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Prakash Abitkar said in the state Assembly that the state government is taking strict action against hospitals that charge patients despite the implementation of the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY) and the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).

He also shared that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now being utilised to increase transparency within these schemes.

The issue was raised in the state Assembly by member Nana Patole (Congress), with Sunil Prabhu (Shiv Sena-UBT), Babanrao Lonikar (BJP), and Ratnakar Gutte (Rashtriya Samaj Paksh) also participating in the discussion.

Minister Abitkar said that the state government has received several complaints regarding irregularities.

Consequently, fines totaling nearly Rs 60.47 lakh have been levied across 338 cases in the state.

In Akola district, 12 complaints were filed against a private hospital for charging patients for tests and surgeries covered under the welfare schemes.

"The State Health Assurance Society investigated and ensured one patient was refunded. Punitive action is proposed against the hospital, and inquiries are ongoing for the remaining 11 complaints. Following the integration of the Ayushman Bharat scheme with the Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, the number of covered illnesses and treatment packages has been increased. AI systems are being used to scrutinise complaints and ensure immediate action, making the implementation more effective," Minister Abitkar added.

He said that the Committees involving public representatives have been established.

District-level review meetings, chaired by Guardian Ministers, are directed to be held every three months.

"If hospitals are found charging additional money from patients under these schemes, immediate action will be taken. For repeat offenders, the state government will proceed with filing criminal charges," Minister Abitkar clarified.

--IANS

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