Doorstep voting facility for senior citizens, disabled this election in Jharkhand.

Source – hindustantimes.com

Nearly 498,000 senior citizens and disabled people in Jharkhand will be able to exercise their franchise from their homes through postal ballot for the first time during this assembly elections, beginning from November 30, officials said.

Jharkhand’s chief electoral officer (CEO), Vinay Kumar Choubey, said the Election Commission of India (ECI) has made provision for voting through postal ballot for senior citizens above the age of 80 years and persons with disability (PWD).

“The voters of these categories who want to cast their votes through the postal ballot will have to fill form-12 D. Once they filled the form, they will not be able to participate in the normal process of voting at polling stations,” Choubey said.

There are nearly 218,000 senior citizen voters above 80 years of age and the number for PWD is around 280,000.

Booth level officers (BLOs) will visit houses of such persons and get these voters to fill the required form. The forms should reach the returning officer within five days following the date of notification of election, officials said.

“Polling teams will be constituted in this regard soon. The number of teams will depend on the number of voters wanting to cast their votes through postal ballot,” Choubey said.

“The team will visit house to house for the election process. Each team will be provided with adequate security and vehicles. Video-recording of the voting will also be done,” he said.

He said these voters would also be informed in advance about the date when the polling team would reach to them.

“The process of postal voting will be completed three days before the polling. For example, Jharkhand will go to the first phase polls on November 30. So, the process of the postal ballot will be completed by November 27,” he said.

Due to old-age complications or disability, many people face trouble to make it to polling stations to cast their votes during elections. The ECI felt their problems and made changes accordingly, officials said.

“After the Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission felt that an amendment in the election rules was needed so that persons with disability can also exercise their rights through postal ballot or e-voting,” chief election commissioner (CEC), Sunil Arora, said this while announcing the election dates for Jharkhand on November 1 in New Delhi.

“So, commission made a recommendation to the union government (ministry of law and justice), which was accepted by the Centre. The new initiative is being introduced for the first time in Jharkhand elections,” he had said.

The poll body has also directed state official to arrange proper access to the disabled, who want to exercise their franchise at polling stations.

Poll Graphics

Total voters: 2.27 crore

Male voters: 11.18 crore

Female voters: 1.09 crore

Third gender voters: 248

Young voters (Age 18-19): 4.21 lakh

Persons with disability: 2.8 lakh

Senior citizens above 80 years: 2.18 lakh

JD (U) banking on Jharkhand, Delhi assembly polls for national party status.

Source – hindustantimes.com

The Janata Dal (United) led by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has set its eyes on the upcoming Jharkhand and Delhi assembly polls which could be critical to its efforts of being declared a national party.

The elections to the 81-member Jharkhand assembly will be held in five phases beginning November 30; Delhi will go to polls early next year.

After assuming charge for the second consecutive term as the party’s national president in Delhi, Kumar, on Wednesday made a strong pitch towards realizing the target at the earliest.

“My priority as the party president is to expand its base in other states including Jharkhand, Delhi and the north-east to get national party status for the JD-U,” he said.

According to the criteria set by the Election Commission of India (ECI), a national party needs to get at least 6% of the votes across a minimum of four states, or 2% of the total seats in the Lok Sabha from at least three states, or it should be recognised as a state party in at least four states.

At present, there are six recognized national parties in India — the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M).

JD(U)’s ambition to expand its national footprints received a boost after it won 8 out of 60 assembly seats in Arunachal Pradesh , next only to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party which won 41 seats and secured a majority, in elections in May this year.

However, it performed badly in assembly polls in Chhattisgarh (2018), Rajasthan (2018), Karnataka (2018), and Gujarat (2017). In Nagaland, the party won one seat. In Assam, JD (U) contested four seats in collaboration with AlI India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) led by Badruddin Ajmal, but could not win a single seat.

In Kerala, JD (U) contested seven seats under the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), but failed to open its account.

“The JD (U) has the requisite share from two states, Bihar (70 seats) and Arunachal Pradesh, and we narrowly missed the target in Nagaland,” said the party’s principal general secretary, K C Tyagi.

In Delhi, the party is eyeing Poorvanchalis, the migrant population from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh who dominate certain pockets of the city. In 2015, over a dozen members of the 70-member Delhi assembly were from Purvanchal.

The JD (U) has contested Delhi assembly elections in the past too. In 2013, it contested 27 seats and won 1. In 2015, the party contested 12 seats but failed win any.

“In Delhi, we might be contesting close to 35 seats where the voters from Purvanchal have a say in deciding the fate of the candidate,” said a senior JD (U) leader who spoke on condition of anonymity.

In Jharkhand, some party leaders say that the JD(U), which is part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, will go solo and contest all the 81 seats in the November-December polls. In 2005-06 ,JD (U) had seven legislators in Jharkhand.

However, the party lost its sheen after the 2009 polls and has failed to win a single seat in any election thereafter.

“Our strategy for Jharkhand and Delhi is clear. We want to contest independently and with full strength. The number of seats to be contested will be decided later,” said Afaque Ahmed Khan, the party’s national general secretary.

DM Diwakar, professor, AN Sinha Institute for Social Studies, Patna, said that vying for national status is the ambition of every party.

“Nitish Kumar’s party wants to send a message that it is expanding its base, thereby projecting him as a national leader. On the other hand, wherever the JD (U) contests, it indirectly helps the BJP as it erodes the votes of the party opposed to the BJP.”

You have a home in Ranchi too: Sakshi Dhoni on Hardik Pandya’s throwback post.

Source – indiatoday.in

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya and former India skipper M.S. Dhoni share a very close relation not only on the field but also off-the-field. The young all-rounder on Saturday had posted an image on social media stating that he is missing the Ranchi cricketer and his adorable daughter Ziva following which the Mumbai all-rounder received a heartwarming reply.

Dhoni’s wife — Sakshi Singh Dhoni reminded Hardik that he has a home in Ranchi too. In the image posted by Hardik, Sakshi commented: “Awww Hardik Pandya, you know you have a home in Ranchi too, right?”

Hardik, who last month underwent a successful surgery to treat his lower back issue which ruled him out of cricket for an indefinite period, seemed to be missing his teammates and the quality time he spent with them. The Mumbai cricketer had on Saturday took to photo and video-sharing social networking website Instagram where he posted a picture of himself with former India skipper Dhoni and his daughter Ziva. Sharing a throwback picture, Hardik had captioned it: “Miss this little one (and the big guy too).”

Earlier, Hardik was seen enjoying a pool session with Ziva and Dhoni at the stumper’s residence in their hometown Ranchi.

Pandya last featured in the three-match T20I series against South Africa at home where he aggravated his back. He was, therefore not picked in the squad for the three-Test series against the Proteas and for the series against Bangladesh.

The right-handed all-rounder was checked by the doctor who treated him during India’s tour of England in 2018 and the 2019 World Cup.

On the other hand, it is not clear when Dhoni will again don the gloves for the national team. He has been away from international cricket since India’s exit from the World Cup after losing the semi-final clash against New Zealand.

BSSC Recruitment 2019: Apply for 1505 Urdu Anuwadak posts on bssc.bih.nic.in, Check Details here.

Source – pagalguy.com

BSSC Recruitment 2019

The Bihar Staff Selection Commission, BSSC has welcomed applications from candidates to apply for Urdu Anuwadak posts in the organization. The candidates shall apply for the post through the official site of BSSC. The closing date to apply for the post is till December 4, 2019, respectively. This recruitment drive shall recruit around 1505 posts in the state.

The online application process will commence from November 5, 2019, onwards. The candidates shall read following to know about eligibility, vacancy break up, important dates and other information.

Important Dates:

Name of the EventDates
Starting date of application5th November 2019
The end date of application4th December 2019

Vacancy Details:

  • Sahayak Urdu Anuwadak: 1294 Posts
  • Urdu Anuwadak: 202 Posts
  • Rajbhasha Sahayak (Urdu): 9 Posts

The official website to get more details on BSSC Recruitment 2019 is www.bssc.bih.nic.in .

Age Criteria:

  • Sahayak Urdu Anuwadak

The candidates must fall in the age group of 18 – 37 years.

  • Urdu Anuwadak

The candidates must fall in the age group of 21 – 37 years.

  • Rajbhasha Sahayak

The candidates must fall in the age group of 21 – 37 years.

Education Qualification:

  • Rajbhasha Sahayak

The candidates should hold a graduation degree in Urdu from any acknowledged University or Institute.

  • Urdu Anuwadak

The candidates should hold a graduation degree from any recognized university.

  • Sahayak Urdu Anuwadak

The candidates should hold a 12th passed.

Pay Scale:

The pay scale shall be for Sahayak Urdu Anuwadak, Rajbhasha Sahayak (Urdu) is Level 6 and for Urdu, Anuwadak shall be Level 5 as per government rules.

Application Procedure:

Enthusiastic candidates can apply for Urdu Anuwadak, Sahayak Urdu Anuwadak & Rajbhasha Sahayak Posts within the online mode. The candidates are recommended to read instructions before applying to any post.

For more details regarding the same, the candidate shall check the official notification through the mentioned number above or stay updated regarding the same through our page.

UPSC IES and ISS Mains Result 2019 released at upsc.gov.in, here’s how to check.

Source – hindustantimes.com

Union Public service commission has declared the result for Indian economic services and Indian Statistical services Mains examination 2019. Candidates who had appeared in the examination can check their results from the UPSC’s official website at upsc.gov.in. The written examination was held by UPSC in June, 2019.

Candidature of the selected candidates is provisional until they are found eligible for the post. Candidates have to produce original documents or certificates in support of their age, educational qualifications, community, physical disability (if any), and etc at the time of personality test.

Candidates are required to fill the Detailed Application Form (DAF), which will be available on Commission’s website from October 17 to October 31, 2019, till 6 pm.

Here’s the direct link to check the results. – https://upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/WR-IES-ISS-2019-NameWise-Engl.pdf

How to check the result:

1.Visit – https://upsc.gov.in/

2.Click on the link that reads, ‘Indian Economic Service and Indian Statistical Service Examination, 2019,’ appearing under the What’s New section on the home page

3.A new page will appear on the display screen

4.Click on the link available to check the result

5.A PDF file will appear on the display screen

6.Scroll down and look for your name in the list of shortlisted candidates

7.Download the result and take its print out for future use.

The shortlisted candidates would be called for interview and personality test. The schedule for the interview will be uploaded on the commission’s official website. However, the exact date of interview will be informed to the candidates via e-summons letter which is likely to be made available on the official website by November 19, 2019.

BPSC 65th PT Exam: Answer key released at bpsc.bih.nic.in

source – hindustantimes.com

Bihar Public Service Commission has released the provisional answer key for 65th combined (Preliminary) examination.Candidates who have appeared in the examination can check the answer key online at, bpsc.bih.nic.in.

The preliminary examination was conducted on October 15, 2019, in a single shift from 11 am to 2 pm at 718 exam centers spread over 35 districts. According to the officials, about 4 lakh candidates had registered for the preliminary exam.

Candidates can challenge the answer key by providing appropriate representations on or before November 11, 2019, till 5 pm. Candidates have to send their objection through a speed post to the following address:

Exam controller, Bihar Public Service Commission, Jawharlal Nehru Marg (Bali Road), Patna, 800001

Here’s the direct link to check the provisional answer key for BPSC 65th combined prelims examination – http://www.bpsc.bih.nic.in/Advt/65CCE-(Pre)-Answer-Key-GS-For-Invitation-of-Objection.pdf

How to check the answer key:

1.Visit the official website – http://www.bpsc.bih.nic.in/

2.On the home page, click on the link that reads, ‘Answer Key :: General Studies : Booklet Series A, B, C, D’

3.Answer key in the PDF format will appear on the display screen

4.Download the answer key and takes its print out for future reference.

TMH first Jharkhand hospital to get Bone Marrow Transplant facility.

Source – avenuemail.in

TV Narendran, CEO and MD, Tata Steel today inaugurated the recently established 2 bed Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) facility at the JGMH Block of Tata Main Hospital (TMH) in the presence of R Ravi Prasad, President Tata Workers’ Union. Chanakya Chaudhary, Vice President, Corporate Services, Tata Steel and Air Marshal (Dr) Rajan Chaudhry, AVSM, VSM (Retd.), General Manager (Medical Services) were also present on the occasion.

The BMT facility – the only one its kind in Jharkhand and one of the few in the Eastern region – is a standalone dedicated facility which would bring international level care to patients from Jharkhand and adjoining areas at reasonably affordable rates. A team led by eminent Medical Oncologist Dr (Brig) Anil Kumar Dhar, ably supported by the departments of Medical Oncology, Pathology, Critical Care and Nursing under the guidance of Dr. Rajan Chaudhry has already conducted a successful transplant for a complicated case of Lymphoma. The transplant has given new lease of life to the patient.

Narendran said, “TMH has been selflessly serving the community in and around Jamshedpur for more than a hundred years. The addition of the Bone Marrow Treatment facility is a testament to the continuous effort to bring in advanced treatment for cancer care. The new facility addresses the complete ecosystem involving the entire ecosystem involving infrastructure, medical resources and research with the objective to offer state-of-the-art treatment to patients.”

R Ravi Prasad said, “With advanced treatment such as Bone Marrow Transplant now available in Jamshedpur, patients from this region will no longer need to travel across the country for such facilities. It is indeed a matter of great satisfaction that a successful transplant has already taken place. I congratulate the entire TMH team on this momentous occasion and wish them all the best in their efforts to alleviate the pain and suffering of cancer patients.”

Bone Marrow Transplant is a therapeutic treatment modality which is a boon for patients of leukemia (blood cancer), lymphomas (malignancies of the lymph nodes) and multiple myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow itself). It is also the only curative therapy for non-malignant disorders like Thalassemia and Sickle cell anemia which are endemic in this part of the country. BMT is a procedure in which the diseased bone marrow is destroyed and replaced by healthy bone marrow or stem cells transplanted from healthy cells of the patient or a matched donor.

Raghubar Das: ‘Mob lynchings not just in Jharkhand should not be made political agenda’.

source – indianexpress.com

Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das speaks to Abhishek Angad on incidents of lynching and the upcoming state polls. Excerpts:

During our reportage, we found out that the most vulnerable sections of the society are not getting the benefit of central schemes.

All such schemes have been implemented as per the 2011 Census. I am aware of what you have mentioned. I frequently speak to people and it will be addressed. By 2022, nobody will be left homeless, but this will not happen quickly. It will take time.

You have said the government has focused on roads, electricity and water. At Maspera, Sundarpahari, in Godda, ill people are being carried to hospitals on cots because there is no road. Water scarcity has been the biggest problem of the state capital during summer. You once said you will provide 24×7 electricity, that has not happened.

A government needs at least 10 years to complete its work. I am not saying Ram Rajya has come. At Sundarpahari, the local MLA is from JMM. What did they do? On electricity, I was misquoted. I had said electricity will reach every village….it has reached 30 lakh more houses in the last five years — compared to 39 lakh in the last 14 years…It will take time. Regarding water, we have started conservation. There is no scarcity of water, but it has to be managed well…

The government put thrust on Momentum Jharkhand. What is the total investment that came in?

Work worth Rs 72,000 crore is going on in sectors like power, food processing and textiles. In the coming years, Jharkhand will become a textile hub. Garments are being exported to European countries over the past two years. Now footwear will be manufactured in Jharkhand.

But how much is the business it is generating worth?

You think only if it is big business. My focus is on MSMEs because I have to end poverty and MSMEs are the spine of the economy.

Recently, Jharkhand Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industries put up several hoardings in parts of Ranchi targeted at the state government’s “insensitivity” towards the businesses. They complained they were facing issues in starting businesses and much- touted single window clearance was not implemented.

I have not been monitoring it since last six months, but in every district a nodal officer has been appointed for this purpose. There may be one or two stray incidents and I am not rejecting the claim entirely.

You have created land banks where the government acquired uncultivated and common land to attract investment. Many have criticised this and said the tribals or villagers were not spoken to.

These are people who are anti-development and do not want growth of the poor. When I conduct choupals, I ask people did the government take the land? The answer is in negative. It is the government’s land. So, land mafia and anti-development people are having a stomach ache. People who took away land are now talking about land rights now. Look at the violation of Chotanagpur Tenancy Act and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act by the Soren family.

You have initiated an inquiry against them…

Soren family are residents of Gola. How come they have properties in Dumka, Pakur which are clear violation of SPT Act? They also have properties in Ranchi.

So what is happening in the case…

A showcause notice has been issued to them after we received complaint.

Mob violence has become a nuisance in Jharkhand. Recently, a Christian tribal in Khunti and Tabrez Ansari in Saraikela, who was made to chant Jai Shri Ram, died. In the last three years, 21 deaths happened due to child-lifting rumours and on the suspicion of cow slaughter or beef possession. Also, more than 90 people have died after being suspected of witch-hunting. Why is this happening?

Mob lynchings are not just happening in Jharkhand. Is it not happening in Delhi, Bihar or Congress-ruled states? First of all, this is wrong . Nobody has the right to take law in their hands. As for the 20-21 deaths, the dead were deranged people who were lynched on the suspicion that they were thieves. If you leave one or two incidents, maximum people who died were deranged. I am keeping a tab and have directed police and the administration to handle it effectively, but it should not be made a political agenda.

What about incidents where mob violence is driven by religious polarisation, such as the Tabrez Ansari case.

This should not happen and this is wrong. People should not see Hindus and Muslims in cases of lynching. This is being done by parties indulging in vote bank politics. If a Muslim dies, it becomes an issue…AAP came from Delhi to Saraikela to give Rs 5 lakh (in the Ansari case), how many other lynching victims’ families have they reached out to? They are not pained by the lynching, they have to play vote bank politics. This is wrong.

What directions have been given?

Police are meeting a lot of people in the villages to make them aware. But social media is a problem. Something happens somewhere and people want to spoil the environment

But the witchcraft killings…

This is mostly specific to Gumla, Khunti and Lohardaga areas. People need to be more aware. We have made a law, but the tribals in the villages are still uneducated and uninformed. The society needs to sort this issue and take responsibility. The government makes announcements in various villages against the practices. The civil society should also come forward.

Regarding implementation of MGNREGA, some people told us that getting money for work done takes time. Some people don’t opt for it. Recently, in Chanho block, a person allegedly committed suicide because he incurred debts after he got a well constructed under NREGA and did not receive money. The state’s liability under NREGA’s components is high.

There is corruption at the lower levels and we are trying to make it more transparent. There is corruption at the block level and in times to come we will it make it corruption-free. There has been a lot of improvement. Yes, liability it there, and I have asked to create a special fund for the payments under NREGA because the fund comes from the Centre. So that we don’t have to wait for the central fund and we clear the payments and later adjust it. Why should a poor person wait?

But the PESA Act has not been implemented in the state?

Any development work conducted in the state is done after talking to the Gram Sabha. How can one say it is not being implemented?

During the Pathalgadi agitation, a lot of people were arrested and sedition cases were invoked. The same was done against a few activists who supported Pathalgadi on social media? Recently, Arjun Munda said in an interview that the state government should review this?

Whatever has happened is under the law and I dont want to comment. But yes, no innocent should be implicated. There are different views, but I don’t interfere.

In Jamshedpur and Saraikela, a lot of labourers were laid off during a recent slowdown in automobile sector. What is the status now and has the state government done anything?

Measures were taken by the Central government and things will normalise soon.

Migration has been an issue in Jharkhand?

It is no longer the case. The situation is reversing after we set up various companies. People are getting jobs here.

The Aadhaar-based biometric authentication in PDS led to exclusion of many beneficiaries.

Now everyone has Aadhaar. We have also given directions that ration be given even if there is no biometric authentication.

What is your stand on NRC?

People who are Bangladeshis have to go. We will implement NRC.

What is your understanding of the political climate in Jharkhand after the results in Maharashtra and Haryana where the BJP could not achieve its target?

One cannot compare one state with the other. These states do not have 26 per cent tribals. We will aim high. We will definitely win 65 plus seats in the Assembly polls.

A strong opposition is important for democracy. What would you say about the opposition in Jharkhand?

A critic is very important so that gaps in governance is known. But I am sad that here the opposition is very weak. There is infighting in the Congress. Within JMM, brothers were fighting. In RJD, there was a split. The opposition should work hard, but it is sad that the opposition does not want any Raajhit. They want Swahit. The people have started understanding that and they will be shown the doors.

UPSC CDS Exam 2020: Check examination scheme and other information here.

Source – indiatoday.in

PSC CDS Exam 2020: Attention candidates, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Combined Defence Services Examination (I) 2020 official notification today, October 30. The notification was published on the official website of UPSC i.e. upsc.gov.in. Candidates can visit the website to check the notification. As per the UPSC exam calendar, the UPSC CDS Exam 2020 is scheduled to be held on February 2, 2020.

UPSC CDS Exam 2020: Registration details

  • The UPSC CDS (I) Exam 2020 registration process will conclude on November 19.
  • Vacancy details: UPSC CDS Exam 2020
  • Total posts: 418

UPSC CDS Exam 2020: Examination scheme

As per the notification, the competitive examination comprises:

  • Written examination: Candidates who successfully fill the application will be called for written exam
  • Interview for intelligence and personality of such candidates as may be called for interview at one of the services selection centres.

UPSC CDS Exam 2020: How to apply

Candidates are required to apply online using the link www.upsconline.nic.in.

UPSC CDS Exam 2020: Application fee

All the candidates (excepting Female/SC/ST candidates who are exempted from payment of fee) are required to pay a fee of Rs 200 either by depositing the money in any Branch of SBI by cash, or by using net banking facility of SBI, State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur/State Bank of Hyderabad/State Bank of Mysore/State Bank of Patiala/State Bank of Travancore or by using Visa/Master Credit/Debit Card.

UPSC CDS Exam 2020: Educational qualification required

  • IMA and Officers’ Training Academy: Degree of a recognised university or equivalent.
  • Indian Naval Academy: Degree in engineering from a recognised university/institution.
  • Air Force Academy: Degree of a recognised university (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or bachelor of engineering.

Note: Graduates with first choice as Army/Navy/Air Force are to submit proof of graduation provisional certificates on the date of commencement of the SSB interview.

About UPSC:

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is an organisation that works under the central government to recruit staff for various posts in the various ministries and departments, and in subordinate offices.
The commission also conducts examinations for the recruitment in various departments of the state.

Doctor Part of Inspection Team in Patna Now Patient of Dengue, Chikungunya.

Source – news18.com

An entomologist from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi, who was visiting Patna to inspect the houses breeding dengue spreading mosquito Aedes aegypti larvae, has been tested positive for dengue.

Dr Ram Singh, joint director of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and head of the Centre for Medical Entomology and Vector Management, New Delhi, was sent to Patna on October 3, Hindustan Times reported. However, he was rushed to sickbay after he was tested positive for dengue and chikungunya on Saturday.

Dr Ram Singh is one of the members of the central team dispatched by Union Minister of State for Health Ashwini Kumar Choubey, to help prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases in Patna and other parts of Bihar that witnessed rains between September 27 and 29.

Singh, who is suffering from high-grade fever and excruciating pain in joint, could not return to the national capital with the rest of the members of the team on Saturday. A fortnight-long operation by the Central team in Bihar came to an end this weekend.

Dengue, chikungunya and other mosquito-borne diseases including malaria, zika virus, and Yellow fever spread during monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. These mosquitoes breed in fresh stagnant water.

Initial symptoms of dengue include high fever and severe headache which is usually accompanied by fatigue, rashes, vomiting, soaring of eyes, joint and muscles pain among others.

Singh said he has been shivering with high fever and have pain in my joints since Friday. “I had to return to Delhi yesterday (Saturday) but am still here under the care of Dr Krishna Pandey of the Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRIMS) after my blood serum test tested positive for Dengue and Chikungunya,” he added.

During the inspection, Dr Singh had visited a number of waterlogged houses to check for larvae of dengue spreading mosquitoes. He was accompanied by microbiologists and entomologists who collected the samples of water from piped sources and tanks to check for the presence of microbes and those in buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, or trash containers, to check vector density of Dengue.

Health camps were also set up by the Central team and blood samples of patients with fever and other dengue-like symptoms were collected. The Central team concluded its operation on October 18 after consultation with the state government.

The Central team included doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi; Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi; Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi; the National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi; Regional Malaria Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, directorate of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), New Delhi; the NCDC, New Delhi; AIIMS-Patna and the Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRIMS), Patna.

Earlier, two BJP lawmakers of Bihar — Nitin Navin and Sanjiv Chaurasia — both residing in Patna, were tested positive for dengue.

So far this year, 2,538 people from Bihar have tested positive for dengue of which 1,916 are from the state capital Patna.

On the other hand, 293 patients were tested positive for Chikungunya, of which 268 were from Patna.

Dengue has claimed lives of at least five people in Patna since October 15, but the state government has so far not attributed any of these deaths to the mosquito-borne disease.