Inefficient doctors at PHCs will have to face music: UTK

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Suresh Vamanjoor)

September 11, 2013

Kadaba, Sep 11: Minister for Health U T Khader has given a strong warning to all the doctors working at the Primary Health Centres of legal action against them if they are found to be not delivering their duties efficiently.

The general public brought to the notice of the Minister various problems including that of non availability of doctors at Kola PHC in the night, as the Minister took out time to give a patient hearing to the grievances of general public at Kola PHC, after inspecting a site for construction of 'Endo Palana Punarvasathi Kendra' at Alankar, on Tuesday.

Responding to this, Mr Khader instructed the Taluk Health Officer to visit all the PHCs in the taluk and take stock of the situation existing there and bring to his notice the names of the doctors who are not performing their duty efficiently.

"If I am not given with the report with regard to the doctors who are guilty of dereliction of duty then the Taluk Health Officer will be held responsible," he said further directing the Taluk Health Officer to prepare the report after forming a Health Advisory Committee locally.

Mobile clinic for endo victims

The Minister said that the fund of Rs 25 lac that was being provided by the government for the functioning of Kola and Kokkada Endo Palana Kendras has been increased to Rs 50 lac.

Keeping in mind those victims who are not in a position to visit the centres, the government is contemplating to have 'mobile clinics' to extend medical care for them.

"The CM has earmarked adequate funds for the same in the budget," said Mr Khader adding that as far as relief to the endo victims is concerned an estimation of Rs 50 crore has been prepared and in this regard a sum of Rs 5 crore will be released to the department in the first phase on approval.

Mr Khader said that the government is also thinking of providing monthly pension to the parents of the endo victims so as to secure their life as well.

UTK visits endo victims

Mr Khader visited the residences of Puthu Monu and Shashank, two endo victims living at Suruli village of Alankaru. He promised the victims to extend government aides to them. The Minister also savoured tea and snacks prepared for him at the residence of Shashank, thereby bringing smiles on the faces of not just the family members but also the villagers who had gathered to see the Minister.

UTK on his way back from endo affected areas, took part in 'Ganeshothsava' celebrations that were going on at Ramakunja-Athur.

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Elusive bamboo shrimp resurfaces in Mangaluru estuary after 70 years

News Network

December 7,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

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Air India Express brings back Mangaluru–Muscat direct flights from March 2026

News Network

December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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