Minister distributes sanitizers, masks

Kangra: State Industries Minister Bikram Singh Thakur on Tuesday distributed sanitizers in Paragpur, Garli and Dadasiba markets in Kangra district and provided masks to people, besides getting markets sanitised in his Jaswan Pragpur constituency. He distributed sanitizers on the Dadasiba Civil Hospital campus and at the Tehsil office and called upon people to follow the guidelines. OC

Medicine shortage hits arthritis patients

Palampur: Hundreds of arthritis patients in Kangra district have been moving from pillar to post in search of a medicine known as hydroxychloroquine, which is used for the treatment of the acute rheumatic disease. At present, this medicine is not available in Kangra markets. Many patients said they had visited dozens of chemist shops in Palampur, Kangra, Tanda, Pathankot and Dharmshala to buy this medicine, but in vain. A senior rheumatologist said since experts have said that chloroquine is effective in the treatment of Covid-19, it had disappeared from the market ,causing inconvenience to arthritis patients. OC

Truck workshops to remain open

shimla: Deputy Commissioner Amit Kashyap on Tuesday said all workshops of trucks on the national highway in the district would remain open. All shops that mend punctured tyres would remain open from 10 am to 5 pm and repair or mechanic shops for light transport vehicles would remain open every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 am to 1 pm. Insurance offices in Shimla would also remain open between 10 am to 2 pm. The drivers of vehicles carrying essential items were facing difficulty in getting faults repaired. The district administration has sought cooperation from counsellors in helping people with depression, stress and related issues. TNS

Ex-servicemen donate Rs51 lakh

Hamirpur: The Himachal Pradesh Ex-Servicemen Corporation on Tuesday donated Rs 51 lakh to Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. The cheque was handed over to the CM by Brig (retd) Khushal Thakur, chairman of the corporation, for the HP Covid-19 solidarity fund. He said the donation had been made to help the government fight the pandemic. He said there were over 1.15 lakh ex-servicemen in the state who are trained to serve in emergency situations. He said they were ready to help the government in the present situation. OC

Allow carton production: Cherry farmers

Shimla: Cherry growers have urged the government to allow the manufacturing of cartons and cardboards as the fruit season is nearing. Farmers say cherries grown at the lower elevation will be ready for harvesting by April 25. However, factories manufacturing packaging materials such as cardboards, cartons and punnets have not resumed production, says Prakash Thakur, former vice-chairperson of the HPMC. TNS

Governor honours doctors, workers

Shimla: Governor Bandaru Dattatraya honoured doctors, nurses and safai karamcharis at Raj Bhavan on World Health Day on Tuesday. He said World Health Day is celebrated on April 7 to spread awareness about maintaining good health and a balanced lifestyle. Director Health and Family Welfare Dr Ajay Kumar Gupta; Medical Superintendent, IGMC; Dr Janak Raj, Associate Professor, IGMC; Dr Vimal Bharti, Staff Nurses Manju, Meena Thakur and Kavita, Ward girl Naseema, security personnel Naresh Kumar and Ramesh Kumar and Safai karamchari Suresh were honoured by the Governor. TNS