National Nuggets

CM directs hospitals to conduct Elisa test for confirmation of Dengue
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday directed all government hospitals and labs to conduct only NS1-Ag (Elisa) and MAC-Elisa test for confirmation of dengue. A tweet by CMO Delhi said,”All government hospitals and labs in Delhi to conduct only NS1-Ag (Elisa) and MAC-Elisa test for the confirmation of dengue”. The direction by the Chief Minister’s Office comes a week after the Delhi government had banned the sale of rapid diagnostic kits for detection of dengue for their “non-reliable” test results. The Delhi government also said it had decided to put a price cap of Rs 600 on dengue tests – antibody and NS1 antigen – and Rs 50 for checking platelet count. It was also announced that the anti-corruption helpline number 1031, would be turned into a helpline as well to tackle the menace. (UNI)
Pak violates ceasefire again
Jammu: Violating the ceasefire again, Pakistani troops fired on forward posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. “Pakistani troops resorted to firing on forward posts along the LoC in Poonch sector around 0955 hours”, a Defence Spokesman said here. Pakistan troops overnight fired mortar bombs and used automatic weapons to target forward posts along the LoC in Balakote sector of Poonch district from 7.45 PM to 12 AM, Spokesman said. With today’s ceasefire, Pakistani troops have violated the ceasefire 21 times in September this year. Pakistani troops had yesterday violated the ceasefire thrice in Krishnagati and Balakote sectors of Poonch district. (PTI)
Army jawan booked for rape attempt
Jammu: An Army jawan was booked for allegedly attempting to rape a housewife at Mendhar area in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. “A case has been registered against jawan Sepoy Muneer Hussain of 13 JAKLI, resident of Chhatral for rape attempt,” police today said. They said the jawan, who had come to his home on leave, last evening forcibly barged into the house of one Mohd Zaid and tried to commit rape on his wife, when she was alone at home. “She raised an alarm, following which the accused fled away,” police added. A manhunt for the absconding jawan has been launched, police said. (UNI)
11-yr-old boy injured in accidental firing in Udhampur
Jammu: An 11-year-old boy was injured in an accidental gun fire in a remote village of Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir. “The boy, identified as Jarnail Chand, 11, resident of village Moungri, Udhampur, accidentally suffered a bullet injury while fiddling with country-made licensed weapon at his home late last night,?? police here said. They said he was rushed to hospital from where he was referred to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu. “The child has received injury in his left thigh and his condition is stable,” a doctor here said. (UNI)
20 red sanders woodcutters held in AP
Kadapa (AP): Police have arrested 20 suspected red sanders woodcutters from Railway Kodur mandal of the district and seized 23 red sander wood logs worth Rs 7 lakh from them. Based on a tip-off, a police team was sent on a combing operation in Desettipalli forest in Railway Kodur mandal last evening where they held 20 red sander wood cutters while they were trying to illegally cut red sanders wood and seized 23 logs from their possession, Rajampeta DSP Aravinda Babu said today. The officer said all these 20 persons belong to Tiruvannamalai and Tiruvallur districts of Tamil Nadu and work under supervision of one Vijay, who is based in Vijayawada. In another raid yesterday, seven suspected red sanders woodcutters were nabbed from Mydukur bus stand here, Mydukur police station personnel said. (PTI)
Bengal State Handloom Society to showcase sarees on Flipkart
Kolkata: In order to cater to more buyers, West Bengal State Handloom Weavers Co-operative Society Limited with its exclusive handloom sarees has decided to tie up with online shopping platform Flipkart. Its premiun brand Tantuja?s Jamdani, printed silk, handloom sarees, self designed sarees of various ranges are available on online stores like Flipkart, official sources here said. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has always encouraged the growth of MSME. To showcase West Bengal’s handloom in other states and in London she has opened Biswa Bangla brand stores. She has also instructed MSME minister Swapan Debnath to revive Muslin, an almost decaying fine handloom. “The customers can avoid Puja rush and make their choice of sarees online. They will receive the delivery at their doorstep,” Mr Debnath said. “Now at a click of a mouse or a gentle tap on your smart phone you can choose a Jamdani, Tangail, handloom or silk printed saree from Tantuja,” the minister said. ?We are in the business for the past three and a half months and have made a business of Rs10.5 lakh. Through stores like Flipkart it has become easier for NRIs and Bengali families living in other states to get Bengal handlooms at their doorstep,” he added. (UNI)
Mobile phones, cash seized from Bihar’s Beur jail
PATNA: In yet another reminder of how criminals with political connections as well as aspirations enjoy a good lifestyle even behind bars, police seized mobile phones, cash and other items during a raid at central Beur jail in Patna early on Thursday, police said. The raid was conducted by a Patna police team along with administrative officials after a tip-off that criminals turned politicians and gangsters were using mobile phones to influence voters, threaten political rivals and trying to manage the poll campaign from behind bars.  Items recovered from the prisoners’ wards included mobile phones, SIMs, chargers, cash, sharp-edged weapon and cigarettes. Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Vikas Vaibhav said objectionable items had been seized from the wards of some powerful prisoners. (IANS)
Traders oppose fuel price hike in Jharkhand
Ranchi: Traders, truck drivers’ association and political parties in Jharkhand on Thursday opposed the hike in petrol and diesel prices which was approved two days ago by the state cabinet. The state government’s decision on Tuesday to increase petrol and diesel prices by 11 percent has invited a sharp reaction from the Jharkhand Petroleum Dealers Association, Jharkhand Truck Association and political parties. After the application of new taxes, petrol will get costlier by Rs.4.54 per litre and diesel will get costlier by Rs.4.21 per litre. At present the price of petrol is Rs.60.26 per litre and that of diesel is Rs.47.41 per litre. (PTI)