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ITANAGAR :  The Department of Health and Family Welfare has declared all hospital and healthcare premises across Arunachal Pradesh as strict Tobacco-Free Zones in a major initiative aimed at promoting public health and ensuring a clean and safe healing environment. The directive, issued under the provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (COTPA) Act, 2003, came into effect from May 19 and applies to all government hospitals, Community Health Centres (CHCs), Primary Health Centres (PHCs), sub-centres, medical colleges and private healthcare institutions across the state. Under the new guidelines, use of all forms of tobacco, including smoking, gutkha, paan masala and chewing tobacco, has been strictly prohibited within hospital premises, including offices, wards, corridors, parking areas, canteens and gardens. The department also reiterated the COTPA provision banning sale and distribution of tobacco products within a 100-yard radius of healthcare institutions. All hospitals have been directed to install prominent “No Tobacco Zone” and “Tobacco Kills” signboards at entry points and other visible locations. The guidelines further mandate placement of collection boxes at entry gates for visitors carrying tobacco products before entering hospital premises. Medical Superintendents and Medical Officers In-Charge of healthcare facilities have been authorised to function as Tobacco Monitors to ensure compliance and report violations. The order also prohibits spitting of tobacco products within hospital campuses, citing the risk of spreading infectious diseases, and makes it clear that no designated smoking areas will be permitted inside healthcare institutions. In addition, district hospitals and medical colleges have been instructed to provide tobacco cessation counselling services and refer patients and staff to District Tobacco Cessation Centres for support in quitting tobacco use. To ensure effective implementation, surprise enforcement drives will be conducted by district administrations and District Tobacco Control Cells. Violators, including staff, patients and visitors, will face penalties and disciplinary action as per law. In a statement, Health and Family Welfare Commissioner Pawan Kumar Sain appealed to citizens and healthcare workers to cooperate in making the initiative successful, stating that maintaining tobacco-free hospitals is essential to reducing exposure to second-hand smoke and promoting overall public wellness.  

  NAMSAI : A three-day Regional Training on Sub-National Malaria Elimination Verification (SNMEV) began in Namsai on Thursday with participation from 19 districts of Arunachal Pradesh that have maintained zero indigenous malaria cases since 2022. Namsai Deputy Commissioner C R Khampa inaugurated the programme in the presence of National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control (NCVBDC) Assistant Director Dr Sambit Pradhan, Regional Office of Health and Family Welfare Regional Director Dr Atiqur Rahman, State Programme Officer Dr K T Mulung, Namsai District Medical Officer Dr Sulanti Namchoom, NCVBDC Senior Consultant Dr Kalpana Baruah, programme officers and district consultants. The training aims to prepare districts for Sub-National Malaria Elimination Verification and strengthen efforts to sustain malaria-free status while preventing the re-establishment of malaria transmission. Representatives from all 19 malaria-free districts participated in the programme and discussed strategies for surveillance, monitoring and continued preventive measures. The participating districts included Longding, Kurung Kumey, Kra Daadi, Lower Subansiri, Upper Subansiri, Kamle, Pakke Kessang, Siang, East Siang, West Siang, Lower Siang, Dibang Valley, Lower Dibang Valley, East Kameng, West Kameng, Tawang, Anjaw, Leparada and Namsai. (DIPR)  

AALO : A District Consultative Committee (DCC) meeting for the quarter ended March 2026 was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall here under the chairmanship of Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Mabi Taipodia on Thursday. The meeting was attended by NABARD District Development Manager (DDM) Benjamin Gangte, Heads of Departments of various line departments and branch managers of banks operating in the district. Lead District Manager (LDM) Aalo welcomed the members and highlighted the objectives of the meeting. He presented the performance of banks against Annual Credit Plan targets under Priority Sector, Other Priority Sector and Non-Priority Sector lending, along with the district’s Credit-Deposit (CD) ratio up to March 2026. Bank-wise achievements under various government-sponsored schemes were also reviewed. During the meeting, the Annual Credit Plan for the financial year 2026-27, prepared by the LDM Aalo, was formally launched by ADC Mabi Taipodia. NABARD DDM Benjamin Gangte briefed the members on the objectives and targets of the Potential Linked Credit Plan (PLP) and shared the pre-PLP intimation for the financial year 2027-28. He also handed over a copy of the PLP to the chairperson. District Horticulture Officer requested banks to promptly communicate the acceptance or rejection status of beneficiaries under various schemes and raised concern over recall of some applications even after sanction or approval. District Veterinary Officer urged banks to avoid overlapping loan proposals and ensure early disposal of pending loan cases from previous years. Joint Director of Industries also requested branch managers to regularly update the department on the status of loan proposals forwarded by it, stating that timely reports were necessary for submission to the competent authority. Addressing the meeting, ADC Mabi Taipodia stressed the need for better coordination between banks and government departments for effective implementation of schemes. She advised bankers and the LDM to maintain regular liaison with departments and provide weekly or fortnightly updates on the status of schemes to avoid delays and communication gaps. (DIPR)      

    ROING : A coordination meeting to review monsoon preparedness in Lower Dibang Valley district was held in Roing on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Lower Dibang Valley Deputy Commissioner Fwwrman Brahma. The meeting was attended by Lower Dibang Valley Superintendent of Police Ringu Ngupok, District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO) Tsering Ngurup, heads of departments, administrative officers and representatives from the Border Roads Task Force (BRTF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Power Grid Corporation. Reviewing the preparedness of various departments and agencies, DC Brahma advised public sector undertakings, including NHPC, NHIDCL and Power Grid, to instruct their labourers to remain cautious and avoid venturing into the Dibang river during the monsoon season as a precautionary measure against possible disasters. He also directed departments and agencies to clear roadside drains to prevent waterlogging and flooding in residential colonies. The DC further instructed officials to identify and map vulnerable areas in towns and villages across the district. DDMO Tsering Ngurup urged all departments to maintain adequate buffer stocks of essential commodities, medicines and other emergency supplies to ensure preparedness during the monsoon season. (DIPR)

    BOMDILA : A coordination-cum-orientation meeting on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was held at Kameng Club in Bomdila on Wednesday under the chairmanship of West Kameng Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Dr Dilip Kumar. The meeting was attended by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), Booth Level Officers (BLOs), Booth Level Agents (BLAs), representatives of political parties, panchayat members, senior leaders and officials. Addressing the gathering, Dr Kumar highlighted the importance of coordination among election officials, political parties and voters to ensure smooth and transparent electoral processes. He urged officials to carry out their assigned responsibilities with sincerity and maintain effective coordination during election-related duties. A detailed PowerPoint presentation on the Special Intensive Revision process was delivered by Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-Deputy District Election Officer Ashok Tajo. He emphasised the need for accuracy in voter registration and urged all EROs to ensure that no eligible citizen is left out of the electoral roll while preventing inclusion of ineligible persons. The meeting concluded with an in-house discussion among election officials and political party representatives on various issues related to electoral roll revision and voter registration. (DIPR)

KHONSA : The Khonsa Battalion of the Assam Rifles provided swift rescue and medical assistance to two civilians injured in a road accident at Borduria in Tirap district. Responding promptly to the incident, Assam Rifles personnel rushed to the accident site and administered immediate first aid to the injured before ensuring their safe evacuation for further treatment. The damaged vehicle involved in the accident was also recovered, helping restore normal movement along the route. The timely response highlighted the Assam Rifles’ commitment towards public welfare and emergency assistance in remote and challenging regions of the Northeast. Local residents appreciated the humanitarian assistance extended by the Khonsa Battalion and expressed gratitude for its continued support to the community. The incident once again reflected the Assam Rifles’ enduring dedication to the people of the region, in line with its motto, “Friends of the Northeast.”