Hazaribagh: Huntergunj police started an investigation after coming across a viral video of child marriage at a local temple.

Both the boy and girl belong to Khuntikewal village. They got married on Sunday. Huntergunj circle officer Mithilesh Kumar will be sending notices to people involved in the matter.

Sources said village elders and a local representative played a key role in getting them married. Even new clothes also arranged for 13-year-old bride and 14-year-old groom. However families didn't manage to arrange a priest hence the elderly women took the responsibility to solemnise the marriage.

Panchayat's deputy mukhia Sangeeta Devi husband Anuj Yadav and panchayat samiti member Sukani Devi's husband Lalji Bhuiyan played an important role in this matter.

The matter reached the police only after the video went viral. Officer-in-charge of Huntergunj police station, Rajeev Ranjan will lodge an FIR against those involved.

(Vishvendu Jaipuriar)

Minister promises medical college at Bokaro

Badal Patralekh inspecting Sadar Hospital on Monday. The Telegraph picture

Bokaro: State agriculture minister Badal Patralekh announced the establishment of a medical college at the Sadar Hospital campus after inspecting it on Monday. The minister said, "I found that Sadar Hospital holds all the merit of becoming a medical college. I assured that Sadar Hospital will be made medical college". However this is not the first time when any state or central minister has announced to set up a medical college in Bokaro.

In the past decade, many ministers and political leaders had announced setting up a medical college in Bokaro. But with every change of government, the project never materialised. Leaders of the Opposition blame the ruling government for not setting up a medical college in Bokaro.

Residents view these announcements as attention grabbing tactics by ministers.

Durga Charan a resident said, “Every time ministers come and make an announcement of opening of medical college which never becomes reality. They only try to grab our attention.”

During the visit, the minister met patients admitted in the Covid ICU and appreciated doctors, nurses and other staff for their courage and hard work in treating patients.

(Our correspondent)

Bokaro hospital inks deal with Serum Institute

K.M. Memorial Hospital The Telegraph picture

Bokaro: The district’s K.M. Memorial has claimed to have become the first private hospital in state which has signed a contract with Serum Institute of India for the supply of 20,000 doses of Covishield, the Indian variant of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine against the novel coronavirus.

The hospital is also in the process of getting Russia’s Sputnik V Covid vaccines.

The inauguration of the vaccination program for 18 years and over was done by assistant Civil Surgeon Dr. NP Singh on Monday. Managing director of K.M. Memorial, Dr Vikas Pandey said, “We are the first to tie-up with SII and received the first lot of 5000 vaccines of Covishield. We began the vaccination drive from today focusing more on vaccinating 18-45 age group.”

On the first day of the vaccination drive, 100 residents were inoculated. They have received 600 more bookings in advance for the vaccination. The majority of those who have booked are 18-22 years of age. Dr Vikas Pandey said the vaccines will be procured directly from the SII.

The Covishield vaccine has been priced at Rs 1030 at K.M. Memorial. During the inaugural function, Dr N P Singh said, “The K.M. Memorial hospital has taken a good initiative by signing the deal directly with SII for the vaccine. It will help people of the district to get the vaccine.”

(Our correspondent)

BCCL officer takes stock of Covid preparations

PVKRM Rao, Director (Personnel) of BCCL conducted a review the Covid treatment, awareness and vaccination programme during an online meeting held on Monday with Area General Managers and Area Personnel Managers of different operational areas.

Several ongoing activities including awareness drive for Covid-19 safety protocols at collieries and offices, facilitating terminal dues to legitimate dependents of employees dying due to Covid-19 were also discussed during the meeting. Issues like quarter allotment, facilitating plastic engineering training were also touched upon at the meeting.

Rao instructed the area general managers to immediately attend to the requirements with regard to Covid-19 as and when the need arises and fulfill them at the earliest. He assured full assistance for all urgent matters related to Covid-19.