Kerala temple fire : PM rushing to the spot, announces ex-gratia relief to bereaved and injured

Kollam's Puttingal Temple Fire: 102 Dead, 10,000 Were Watching Fireworks

  

Kollam Kerela : Over 100 people have been killed and 350 injured in a massive fire that broke out during a fireworks display at the Puttingal temple in Kerala's Kollam district early this morning.

The fire started around 3 am at a ground next to the temple packed with 10,000 to 15,000 people watching an all-night fireworks display that had been banned by the state government.

New Delhi : The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has expressed sadness and shock over the fire tragedy which happened at a temple in Kollam district of Kerala today morning.  
" Fire at temple in Kollam is heart-rending and shocking beyond words. My thoughts are with families of the deceased and prayers with the injured. 

Spoke to CM Oommen Chandy about the fire at a temple in Kollam. Arranging for immediate shifting of those critically injured via helicopter. 

Have also asked my Cabinet colleague and Health Minister JPNadda to immediately reach the site of the fire tragedy in Kollam. 

I will be reaching Kerala soon to take stock of the situation arising due to the unfortunate fire tragedy in Kollam", the Prime Minister said in a series of tweets. 

The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the fire in Kollam. The PM also announced a solatium of Rs. 50, 000 to those who are injured in the fire. 

The Prime Minister is constantly monitoring the situation and is in touch with officials. PM has asked airforce and navy to assist in making arrangements for immediate shifting of critically injured via helicopter.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kollam with a team of burn specialists.

President Pranab Mukherjee Condoles Loss Of Lives

President Pranab Mukherjee today expressed heartfelt condolences over the loss of lives in the massive fire at a temple in Kerala.
He tweeted:"Urge state government and other agencies to provide all help to bereaved families and medical assistance to the injured," the President said.

Vice President condoles the tragic loss of lives at Puttingal temple in Kerala

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Hamid Ansari has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives at Puttingal temple at Paravaur in Kollam District, Kerala, here today. The Vice President has conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He wished speedy recovery to the injured.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh today described the fire at a Kerala temple that killed over 100 people as "deeply distressing".

"The news of major fire at Puttingal temple in Kollam is deeply distressing. Extremely pained over the loss of lives in the accident. My heartfelt condolences to the families of those who died in the accident. My prayers are with the injured," Mr Singh tweeted.

"Spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy regarding the accident who apprised me of the situation. Assured him of all possible help from the Centre," he added.

Over 100 have died and 350 have been injured when fireworks led to a massive fire at Paravur town's Puttingal temple, about 60 km from state capital Thiruvananthapuram.

Sonia Gandhi Expresses Grief Over Kerala Temple Fire

Congress President Sonia Gandhi today expressed grief over the loss of lives in the temple fire tragedy in Kerala that has left over 100 dead.

Praying for the departed souls and well-being of the injured, she has asked the state government to ensure ample and immediate relief measures.

Amit Shah Cancels Public Programmes

BJP President Amit Shah, who was scheduled to address two rallies in Kerala today, cancelled his public events in the state in the wake of Puttingal Devi Temple fire tragedy.

"Pained beyond words at the loss of life in fire incident in Puttingal temple, Kerala. My prayers with the family of those affected.

"Cancelling all my public programmes scheduled in Kerala today," he said in tweets.

Mr Shah was to address public meetings in Kannur and Pathanamthitta today in the poll-bound state.

Navy, IAF Deploy Ships, Helicopters To Help In Rescue Operations

The Indian Navy and the IAF have deployed six helicopters and one Dornier aircraft to help in rescue operations at the Kerala temple where a fire has left over 90 dead.

The IAF has deployed four choppers including Mi17 and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).

The Indian Navy is deploying one Dornier and two ALH with medical teams from the southern naval command.

It has also deputed three Naval ships -- INS Kabra, Kalpeni and INS Sukanya with medical stores to Kollam coast to give medical assistance to the injured.

They will be deployed in consultation with local administrative authorities, a Navy spokesperson said.

Surgical teams have also been put on standby at the Naval command hospital in Kochi.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the temple had defied orders not to allow "competitive fireworks", which are a tradition during the seven-day festival of Goddess Kali.

"A spark from the crackers being burst fell into the stack of crackers kept in a makeshift compartment at the ground, triggering the fire. The space was an open ground," a police official said.

Visuals on TV showed huge clouds of white smoke and explosions in the night sky. Successive explosions sent huge chunks of concrete flying as far as a kilometer according to a witness. Some parts of the temple roof caved in.

A police case has been registered against the temple authorities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is heading to the site with a team of burn specialists and has asked the state government not to stand on ceremony for his visit.

Govt sends team to probe storage of firecrackers

Government has rushed the Chief Controller of explosives safety organisation PESO to probe the use and storage of firecrackers at Puttingal Devi Temple complex in Kollam where 102 people have died and over 280 injured in a major fire.

"Instructed the Chief Controller of Explosives (PESO) to rush to the #KeralaTempleFire site to check on legal/illegal storage/ use of... firecrackers/explosives," Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a tweet.

Controller of explosives, Kochi has reached the spot and the controller from Chennai will also join in, she said in series of tweets, adding that officials of Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), DIPP will work closely with district authorities to establish facts.

The fire broke out in Puttingal Devi Temple complex during a display of fireworks for which there was no permission was given by the authorities, according to Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy.

The mishap occurred as sparks of the fireworks fell on the store room 'Kambapura' and the firecrackers kept there exploded with a deafening noise.

International Convention on World Homoeopathy Day inaugurated today

   

New Delhi : Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH inaugurated the International Convention on World Homoeopathy Day here today. While inaugurating a Homoeopathic International Convention, Shri Naik, greeted the people of India on the occasion of World Homoeopathic Day.

Shri Naik, in his inaugural address, expressed regret over the fact that the potential of Homoeopathy remains largely unexplored and, therefore, underutilized in public health. This, despite the fact that Homoeopathy is practised in more than 80 countries of the world and is known to be effective in various communicable and non-communicable diseases, chronic diseases and diseases of children and mothers, he added. He said that, during pregnancy, when expecting mothers are usually advised not to take much medication, Homoeopathy is a safe alternative. The scope of prevention of various epidemic diseases through Homoeopathy is also huge, but not yet tapped, he added.

Shri Naik said that Homoeopathy, in India, has been well institutionalized. We have 212 Homoeopathic hospitals and more than 8000 Homoeopathic dispensaries. He said there are almost 3 hundred thousand Homoeopathy practitioners in India. There are 195 undergraduate and about 40 post-graduation medical colleges and the National Institute of Homoeopathy is a model institute for education and medical care through Homoeopathy, he added. He also said that there are more than 400 licensed pharmacies, most of whom are GMP compliant.

Shri Naik said that India have signed Memoranda of Understanding with Sri Lanka, Mexico, Cuba, Nepal, Mauritius and Mongolia. A MoU on cooperation in research and education has been signed between the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) and Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine, he added.

The Minister, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik also released a commorative stamp and a souvenir on this occasion.

The Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH Shri Ajit M. Sharan informed the gathering that the Government of India is putting in all efforts to develop centers of excellence in Homoeopathy. North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy is being given impetus and work on All India Institute of Homoeopathy has been initiated, he added. He also said that the centers of excellence so formed would be models for education, research and patient care in specific fields. Shri Sharan highlighted the importance of research for scientific advancement of Homoeopathy.

The International Convention on World Homoeopathy Day is being organised by CCRH, an autonomous research organization of Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India and an international organisation Liga Medicorum Homeopathica Internationalis (LMHI). Scientists and homoeopathy doctors from 23 countries including Brazil, Russia, South Africa, Italy, Netherlands, U.K., Austria, Armenia, Canada, Israel, Australia, Bangladesh, Japan, France, UAE, Cuba, Nepal, Turkey, Argentina, Slovenia, Pakistan, Ghana and Kenya are participating in this convention.

The event is being organized to commemorate the 261^st birth anniversary of the founder of Homoeopathy Dr. Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician, who was a great scholar, linguist and acclaimed scientist. The theme of the convention is ‘Integrating Homoeopathy in Healthcare’.

The convention will deliberate upon various significant issues in Homoeopathy. It includes special sessions on ‘Homoeopathy on Cancer’, ‘Homoeopathy on Mental Health’, ‘Homoeopathy on Epidemics’, ‘Homoeopathy on Public Health, Clinical Research studies, Drug Validation and Drug Development’ among others.

Among the invited guests are Mohd. Nasim, Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of Bangladesh, Mr. Mushtaq Alam, Minister of State for Health, Govt. of Nepal, Mrs. Fozia Manzoor, Counsellor of  High Commission, Pakistan and Mr. Anura Jayawickrama, Health Secretary, Sri Lanka.

Obama says Trump, Cruz doing Democrats a 'favor'

San Francisco : President Barack Obama on Friday told donors that Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Ted Cruz were doing Democrats a "favor" by exposing extreme views within their party on issues such as immigration and national security.

"I actually think that Donald Trump and Ted Cruz have done us a favor," Obama said, referring to policy positions that would restrict Muslims and Mexicans from entering the country.

Obama said Trump and Cruz, the two front-runners in the Republican nomination contest ahead of the Nov. 8 presidential election, have upset mainstream "establishment" Republicans with their insurgent campaigns.

But he told about 100 people at the annual "signature" fundraising dinner for Nancy Pelosi, Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, that Trump had laid bare what some in the Republican party had been saying for years.

"He said, 'You know what? I can deliver this message with more flair, with more panache,'" Obama said.

Speaking in an opulent two-storey atrium with marble pillars in the home of billionaire oil heirs Gordon and Ann Getty, where donors paid $33,400 per couple to benefit the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Obama mocked Trump.

"In 10 months, I will no longer be president of the United States. But in 10 months, I will - contrary to Mr. Trump's opinion - still be a citizen of the United States," he said, drawing laughter and cheers from the crowd.

Trump had long raised questions about whether Obama, who was born in Hawaii, was actually born outside the United States.

It was Obama's fourth stop on a fundraising swing through San Francisco and Los Angeles. Earlier, in San Francisco, Obama held a private roundtable at the Potrero Hill home of Susan Sandler and Steve Philips for the Democratic National Committee with about 25 people who paid up to $33,400 to attend.

He started Friday in Los Angeles with a breakfast event at the Brentwood home of "Spiderman" actor Tobey Maguire, closed to the media, where an undisclosed number of $33,400-tickets raised money for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

On Thursday, he spoke at a fundraising dinner for the DCCC in a tent with seating for about 80 people outside the Bel Air home of Alan Horn, chairman of Walt Disney Studios, and Cindy Horn, an environmental activist.
(Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)

India in talks to buy U.S. Predator drones, has eye on China, Pakistan

New Delhi : India is in talks with the United States to purchase 40 Predator surveillance drones, officials said, a possible first step towards acquiring the armed version of the aircraft and a development likely to annoy Pakistan.

India is trying to equip the military with more unmanned technologies to gather intelligence as well as boost its firepower along the vast land borders with Pakistan and China. It also wants a closer eye on the Indian Ocean.

New Delhi has already acquired surveillance drones from Israel to monitor the mountains of Kashmir, a region disputed by the nuclear-armed South Asian rivals and the cause of two of their three wars.

As defense ties deepen with the United States, which sees India as a counterweight to China in the region, New Delhi has asked Washington for the Predator series of unmanned planes built by privately-held General Atomics, military officials said.

"We are aware of Predator interest from the Indian Navy. However, it is a government-to-government discussion," Vivek Lall, chief executive of U.S. and International Strategic Development at San Diego-based General Atomics, told Reuters.

The U.S. government late last year cleared General Atomics' proposal to market the unarmed Predator XP in India. It was not clear when the delivery of the drones would take place.

The navy wants them for surveillance in the Indian Ocean, where the pilotless aircraft can remain airborne for 35 hours at a stretch, at a time when the Chinese navy is expanding ship and submarine patrols in the region.

Moves by India to enhance its defense capabilities have in the past provoked sharp reactions from Islamabad, where the government and military are worried about falling further behind their bigger rival in the arms race.

Pakistan's foreign ministry could not be reached for comment on Friday, the start of the weekend there, while the military had no immediate comment.

RELATED COVERAGE

CARTER VISIT

India's air force has also asked Washington about acquiring around 100 armed Predator C Avenger aircraft, which the United States has used to carry out strikes against Islamist militants in Pakistan's northwest and neighboring Afghanistan.

But it would need clearance from the Missile Technology Control Regime group of 34 nations as well as approval from U.S. Congress before any transfer of lethal Predators could happen, officials said.

The push for the drones comes as U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter heads to India this weekend for talks to cement military collaboration in the final months of the Obama administration.

Indian military officials said they expected the request for the armed aircraft to figure in Carter's talks with his Indian counterpart, Manohar Parrikar.

Washington wants India to sign a set of agreements including on the use of each other's military bases that would help them operate together.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has signaled its willingness to move forward with the proposed pacts after the previous administration did not act for more than a decade.

Retired air vice marshal Manmohan Bahadur said the proposed acquisition of armed Predators would give the military the ability to carry out cross-border strikes, or even attack targets lying deeper inside a neighboring country.

"But at the end of the day, it's a political decision. It's one thing to lob artillery shells, its another to use air power, that's an escalation," he said.

India has not moved against Pakistan militarily despite blaming militant groups based there for orchestrating attacks on its soil including one on Mumbai in 2008, in part out of fear it would spiral into a broader conflict.

But a drone strike might be a less risky option, experts said.

Ejaz Haider, a Pakistani security analyst, said Islamabad would object to the transfer of such drones in the region.

But he questioned their effectiveness if they entered Pakistani air space, since it would probably try to shoot them down, something it did not do with U.S. drones.

"There is obviously going to be push-back from Pakistan, because if it (the drone) does get through in some way or other it enhances Indian capability," he said.

(Additional reporting by Doug Busvine in NEW DELHI and Hashim Asad in ISLAMABAD; Editing by Mike Collett-White)

India steel ministry may appeal to Modi over anti-dumping rules

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends a meeting with Saudi King Salman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia April 3, 2016.

REUTERS/SAUDI PRESS AGENCY/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS

New Delhi : India's steel ministry is considering appealing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to back a proposal to toughen up anti-dumping rules to tackle a flood of cheap imports threatening its steel industry, a government source said.

India is among a number of countries and groups such as the European Union weighing up taking further measures against cheap exports from countries such as China and South Korea.

Indian purchases of Chinese steel products rose 5 percent in the 11 months to February, provisional government data showed, after more than trebling in the fiscal year ending March 2015. Imports from Japan were up 39 percent, while shipments from South Korea rose 54 percent between April and February.

Because of the distress in India's steel industry, the ministry had written a letter seeking to change anti-dumping rules, said the source, who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to media.

According to the source, the letter had asked the trade ministry to alter anti-dumping rules unchanged for two decades to reflect only the dumping margin. This should effectively raise the duty and bring India in line with the United States and Canada, while meeting World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, the source said.But the trade ministry turned the proposal down and Trade Secretary Rita Teaotia said current rules were internationally accepted and followed, among others, by the European Union.

"They are asking us to amend the rules, but they are looking at only one country, the United States," Teaotia told Reuters.The steel ministry was now considering approaching the federal planning body, Niti Aayog, or the Prime Minister's office to press its case, according to the government source.

India's steel secretary and Modi's office were not immediately available for comment.

STEEL SECTOR LOBBYING
Indian companies accuse South Korea, Japan, Russia and especially China, which produces nearly half of the world's 1.6 billion tonnes of steel, of unfairly flooding local markets with cheap products and undercutting them as demand slackens at home.

India last week extended a safeguard import tax on some steel products until 2018 and imposed a floor price on overseas purchases in February, but companies such as JSW Steel, Tata Steel and Kalyani Steels have been lobbying for more measures.

New Delhi currently takes into account the margin of dumping and the margin of injury to the industry and restricts anti-dumping duty to the lower of the two. The dumping margin is the loss for an exporter selling to another country, while the injury margin is how much the Indian steel industry is undercut.

The domestic industry also has to prove that dumped imports are causing or likely to cause injury.

Indian steelmakers say a change in anti-dumping rules would prevent the steel industry from dying out and stave off the dependence of sectors such as engineering goods on imports.

The government has issued notices to China, Japan and South Korea proposing a probe on "dumping" of some steel products, according to a source at the Directorate General of Anti-Dumping & Allied Duties.

"What we have been trying to explain to the user industry is that we are part of the same value chain," said Seshagiri Rao, joint managing director at JSW Steel.

"If I am impacted today and you don't support us - because it is unfair trade which is happening - the same thing will happen to you."

China's commerce ministry did not respond to requests for comment on the impact any changes to anti-dumping rules might have on its exporters.

India Celebrates World Health Day 07 April 2016

The Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Shri J.P. Nadda addressing at the function to celebrate World Health Day, on the theme ‘Beat Diabetes’, in New Delhi on April 07, 2016. The Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) and Health & Family Welfare, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, the Secretary (Health and Family Welfare), Shri B.P. Sharma, the Secretary (DHR) and DG (ICMR), Dr. Soumya Swaminathan and other dignitaries are also seen.

The Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) and Health & Family Welfare, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik addressing at the function to celebrate World Health Day, on the theme ‘Beat Diabetes’, in New Delhi on April 07, 2016. The Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Shri J.P. Nadda, Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Secretary (Health and Family Welfare), Shri B.P. Sharma, the Secretary (DHR) and DG (ICMR), Dr. Soumya Swaminathan and other dignitaries are also seen.

India Welcomes advent of Hindu New Year

President and Vice President greets countrymen on Chaitra Sukladi, Gudi Padava, Ugadi, Cheti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba

New Delhi : The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee in his message on the eve of Chaitra Sukladi, Gudi Padava, Ugadi, Cheti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba has said: -

“On the auspicious occasion of Chaitra Sukladi, Gudi Padava, Ugadi, Chetti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba, I extend greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens.

These traditional festivals mark the advent of spring and the new year. They represent the multi-hued cultural heritage of our country. May the joyous festivities usher in prosperity and reinforce the message of fundamental unity of our vast and diverse nation”.

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Hamid Ansari has greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of Ugadi, Gudi Padava, Chaitra Sukladi and Cheti Chand. He said that may these festivals bring peace, harmony, prosperity and happiness in our lives and said ;
“I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the joyous occasion of ‘Ugadi, Gudi Padava, Chaitra Sukladi and Cheti Chand’.

These festivals mark the beginning of traditional New Year and reflect the composite culture and rich heritage of our country.

May these festivals bring peace, harmony, prosperity and happiness in our lives.”

Importance of Gudi Padwa/ Ugadi/ Cheti Chand/ Navreh/Sajibu cheiraoba

      

Gudi Padwa, the first Holy festival which marks the beginning of the New Year, new month and new day for the Hindus falls onChaitra Shukla Pratipada. (8th April 2016) It is known as Gudhi Padwa (in Maharashtra), Ugadi in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh), Cheti Chand (Sindhi), Naba Barsha (Bengal), Goru Bihu (Assam), Puthandu (Tamil Nadu), Vishu (Kerala)] On this very day Lord Brahma created the Universe. Therefore for Hindus, this day carries special importance. The day is celebrated with an auspicious bath, followed by decorating the doorway with a ''Toran''  performing ritualistic worship and hoisting the Gudhi.

Gudhi Padwa is celebrated as Ugadi (or Yugadi) in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The day, begins with ritual showers (oil bath) followed by pooja to god and Panchanga Shravana. Houses are decorated with Mango Leaves and Rangoli and everyone in the family wear new clothes and celebrate the festival by wishing each other New year greetings.

Navreh also celebrate as Kashmiri New Year’s Day. It is celebrated by Kashmiri Pandits mainly as New Year's day.The Kashmiris celebrate this day with great joy & enthusiasm.

"Sajibu Cheiraoba" is the new year of the Meiteis of Manipur.  The Sajibu Cheiraoba is a traditional festival celebrated on the first day of Sajibu month (equivalent of April) every year.

The eating of a specific mixture called Bevu-Bella (Neem and Jaggery) in Kannada, symbolizes the fact that life is a mixture of good and bad, Happiness and Sorrow. Eating Neem and Sweet Jaggery means one need to take both Good and Bad or Happiness and Sorrow should be accepted together and with equanimity through the New Year.

In Karnataka a special dish called Obbattu or Holige (Puran Poli), is prepared on this occasion. It consists of a filling (gram and jaggery/sugar boiled and made in to a paste) stuffed in a flat roti like bread. It is usually eaten hot/cold with ghee or milk topping or coconut milk at some places of Karnataka.

‘Gudi Padwa’ is the day on which the universe was created. Since on this day Lord Brahma created the universe and the Satyayug began, it marks the commencement of the New Year.

Implementation of One Rank One Pension

New Delhi : The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval for implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP). The details are as follows: 

1. The benefit will be given with effect from 1st July, 2014. 

2. Pension will be re-fixed for pre 1.7.2014 pensioners retiring in the same rank and with the same length of service as the average of minimum and maximum pension drawn by the retirees in the year 2013. Those drawing pensions above the average will be protected. 

3. The benefit would also be extended to family pensioners including war widows and disabled pensioners. 

4. Personnel who opt to get discharged henceforth on their own request under Rule 13(3) 1(i)(b), 13(3) 1(iv) or Rule 16B of the Army Rule. 1954 or equivalent Navy or Air Force Rules will not be entitled to the benefits of OROP. It will be effective prospectively. 

5. Arrears will be paid in four half-yearly instalments. However, all the family pensioners including those in receipt of Special/Liberalized family pension and Gallantry award winners shall be paid arrears in one instalment. 

6. In future, the pension would be re-fixed every 5 year. 

7. Constitution of Judicial Committee headed by Justice L. Narasimha Reddy, Retd. Chief Justice of Patna High Court on 14.12.2015 which will give its report in six months on the references made by the Government of India. 

The implementation of OROP will result in enhanced pension for the pensioners/family pensioners of Defence Forces. The setting up of the Judicial Committee headed by Justice L. Narasimha Reddy will help in the removal of anomalies that may arise in the implementation of OROP order dated 7.11.2015. 

Financial implications on account of grant of OROP including Pre-Matured Retirees (PMR) cases would be Rs. 10925.11 crore for payment of arrears and annual financial implication would be Rs. 7488.7 crore. Till 31st March, 2016, 15.91 lakh pensioners have been given the first instalment of OROP, which amounts to Rs. 2,861 crore. Information is being gathered for processing on priority basis, the cases of 1.15 lakh pensioners after filling in the gaps of information such as the length of service being assessed, etc. 

India steps up fight against cigarette firms over health warnings

New Delhi : India's health ministry has ordered government agencies to enforce a new rule for bigger health warnings on cigarette packs, stepping up a fight against the country's $10 billion cigarette industry that has shut down its factories in protest.

The health ministry's action highlights a growing conflict between the tobacco industry and the federal government which wants manufacturers to cover 85 percent of a cigarette pack's surface in health warnings, up from 20 percent.

India's biggest cigarette maker ITC Ltd, part-owned by British American Tobacco, has not implemented the government order, saying it contradicts a parliamentary committee's recommendation for warnings to cover half a cigarette pack.

K.C. Samria, a joint secretary in the health ministry, wrote to government departments on Monday to ensure strict implementation of the new rules, letters seen by Reuters showed.

"The implementation of the rules requires strong support," Samria said, adding bigger warnings would create awareness about the ill effects of tobacco use.

Smoking kills about 1 million people in India each year, according to researchers at BMJ Global Health.

The rules will also apply to imported cigarette packets, as well as those being sold at duty-free shops at Indian airports.

"DRASTIC" RULES

The tobacco industry has said the new rules are impractical and create ambiguity as the parliamentary panel's report had called for warnings to cover half the packs' surface area.

The panel's report is not binding on the government.

ITC and its rival Godfrey Phillips India Ltd, which is a partner of U.S.-based Philip Morris International, shut factories on Friday in protest.

The Tobacco Institute of India estimated the production halt costs the industry $53 million a day.

ITC has said it is currently not ready to print bigger warnings on its packs. Godfrey has said it has started preparatory work to print new warnings.

ITC said it did not have any immediate comment on Tuesday. Godfrey could not immediately be reached for a comment.

A health ministry official said the directives on health warnings were clear and it would not bow down to the industry's "pressure tactic" of shutting the factories.

"The ministry has handled industry pressure well, it is a commendable step," said Amit Yadav, director, southeast Asia region at Framework Convention Alliance for Tobacco Control, a group of more than 350 organizations.

(Reporting by Aditya Kalra; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani and Jane Merriman)