Friday, March 29, 2024

Ranchi diary

Must Read

Express News Service
PDS shops told to drop biometric authenticationAmid an unprecedented rise in Covid-19 cases, the Jharkhand government has decided to do away with biometric authentication at the Public Distribution System shops. Instead, a One-Time-Password will be sent to the registered mobile numbers of the beneficiaries. According to a letter issued by the State Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, all PDS shops have been asked not to use the biometric authentication system till May 31. The letter clearly states that no beneficiary shall be asked to use their thumb impression to authenticate the biometric data during this period. This is to help avoid the spread of the coronavirus. 

Former BJP state president dies of Covid-19 Former member of parliament and one-time BJP state president Laxman Gilua died on Thursday of Covid-19. The 57-year-old was undergoing treatment at the Tata Motors Hospital in Jamshedpur after testing positive. He breathed his last at 2.10 am. He was admitted to the hospital last week. According to hospital authorities, his condition had progressively worsened. He was administered Remdesivir on April 23, but it did nothing to improve his condition. Jharkhand reported a record 149 Covid-19 deaths in a single day, pushing the toll to 2,395. While the tally climbed to 2,21,489 with 8,075 fresh cases, a health department official said on Friday. Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday received the first dose of the Covid vaccine and appealed to the people to get inoculated.

25-year-old trampled to death by wild tuskersA 25-year-old-man was trampled to death by a herd of wild tuskers as he was trying to chase them away with the help of a burning torch. One of the elephants attacked Ajay Sharma, following which he died. On being informed, the forest officials reached the spot and reviewed the situation. A sum of Rs 70,000 was handed over to the family of the deceased as compensation. The villagers claimed that the herd of elephants has been roaming around in the area for the last few weeks. They claim the elephants have killed several people previously.

Cops chalk out plan to curb witch-huntingIn a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Jharkhand police have chalked out a plan of action to curb incidents of witch-hunting. As per the plan, local Pahans (exorcists) will be identified and made to furnish personal bonds, promising they will not engage in witch-hunting. Local Superintendents of Police (SPs) have been appointed as nodal officers. They have been asked to identify areas, which are witch-hunting hotspots and review the situation regularly. According to the order issued by Police Headquarters, all the SPs have been asked to make the local Pahans or Bhagat furnish personal bonds. 

Mukesh RanjanOur correspondent in Jharkhand mukesh.r@newindianexpress.com

Latest News

The wait of the fans is over, the release date of Heeramandi has been announced…

People are eagerly waiting for director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar'. #HeeramandiKabReleaseHogi is also trending...