Govt ensuring health of JNV, Niangbari students

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 19: Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma today said district school education officer (DSEO), Ri Bhoi has been asked to conduct regular monitoring and supervision on the JNV, school, Niangbari to ensure the incident of students falling sick is not repeated.

“The state education department has also taken serious note on the matter and has instructed the district school education officer, Ri Bhoi district to conduct regular monitoring and supervision on the said school and also to ensure that such incident is not repeated,” Sangma said while replying to a call attention motion moved by UDP MLA from Nongpoh Mayralborn Syiem in the Assembly.

He said the complaint of the residential students of the particular school has no connection with the PM Poshan (Mid-Day Meal) Scheme under the State of Meghalaya.

He informed after observing visuals that appeared on a news channel on July 26 that students of the school fell sick, immediately on July 27, the deputy commissioner deputed the Food Safety Officer, Ri Bhoi District, Nongpoh and a report submitted by FSO along with the executive magistrate to collect the samples of water and food for testing and conduct an enquiry on the matter.

Thereafter, the samples of water and food collected were sent to the state food testing laboratory, Pasteur Hills, Government of Meghalaya on the same day for analysis.

On August 2, the Food Safety Officer was again deputed to conduct a surprise checking inspection on the quality of food given to the students of JNV, Niangbari, during dinner time and to take samples of the same and get it tested and report has been submitted by FSO and food samples served to the students on that day were collected and sent to Mitra SK Private Limited, Building P-48, Udayan Industrial Estate, 3 PAgladanga Road, Kolkata West Bengal for analysis.

With regards to water supply, Sangma said a letter has been forwarded to the PHE department to prepare an estimate of a deep bore well construction at JNVSchool, Niangbari and the deposit work estimate for providing additional water supply at JNV School (proposed by drilling of bore well, construction of storage tank, pump house etc) amounting to Rs 33.86, 240 have been prepared and submitted by the EE PHE department and the same has been forwarded to Principal JNV, Niangbari for onward approval from the competent authority.

Based on the inquiry reports, the deputy commissioner also issued strict instructions to the school principal of JNV, Niangbari for compliance to ensure that only fresh and hygienic food is provided to the students.

Dalu, Asiragre under grip of African Swine Fever

Staff Reporter

Shillong, April 6: The state government has declared Dalu and Asiragre villages under Dalu Block in West Garo Hills District as ‘epicenters’ of African Swine Fever.

This was based on the test result of pig tissue samples dated March 30, 2023, regarding confirmation of the African Swine Fever outbreak in Meghalaya by the North Eastern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (NERDDL) Guwahati vide letter dated March 31, 2023, Secretary in-charge AH & Veterinary Dr Manjunatha C said in a notification issued today.

As per the National Action Plan for control, containment and eradication of African Swine Fever published by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, the restrictions are applicable with immediate effect in the villages under 1 (one) a kilometre radius surrounding infected premises (epicentre of disease) designated as “Infected Zone” and in all villages falling under 10 KM radius surrounding infected premises (epicentre of disease) designated as “Surveillance Zone”.

Restrictions in the Infected Zone:

The notification said there shall be no movement of pigs, genetic material, meat, feeds, equipment, veterinary medicine from Infected Zone into Surveillance Zones and Disease-Free Zone.

All equipment/supplies associated with pig should not be moved out of the pig sheds/pig farms in Infected Zones.

The pig farm owners and pig handlers shall maintain hygiene and bio-security in pig farms and restrict entry of people into farm premises.

There shall be restrictions of the movement of people to the infected premises.

There shall be a complete prohibition of the movement of pig handlers from one pig shed to another.

Vehicles shall be allowed to move out of the infected zone only after cleaning and disinfection.

If pigs are swill-fed, the source of the swill feed should be traced for identification of other possible contact premises.

No person is allowed to take out any pig alive or dead which is infected or suspected to be infected from African swine fever.

No person is allowed to take out any pig feed or bedding materials or other materials namely carcass, skin or other parts or products of such animals which has come in contact with any animal infected or suspected to be infected from African swine fever.

The carcasses shall not be allowed to move out of the infected premises and shall be disposed of in the infected premises itself.

In case of exception where carcass disposal is not possible, the transport of carcasses should be undertaken by the agencies under the control of the District Veterinary office following strict biosecurity protocols and using leakproof vehicles.

The dead pigs should be should be disposed of by deep burial with sufficient lime cover only and not thrown in rivers/canals/streams/water bodies.

After the carcasses have been disposed of, the premises and any potentially contaminated vehicle and equipment shall be cleaned and disinfected under the supervision of the Veterinary Officers/Rapid Response Team (RRT).

Preliminary disinfection of infected premises should be carried out under the direction and supervision of Veterinary Officers/Rapid Response Team (RRT).

Secondary disinfection shall be carried out by the owner in accordance with the direction of the Veterinary Officers/Rapid Response Team (RRT).

Contaminated feed, slurry, swill, bedding, farm waste products, litter in infected premises shall be disposed of by deep burial.

There shall be a complete ban on the slaughter of pigs and the sale of pork and pork products in the Infected Zone.

Swill feeding (kitchen and restaurant waste) of pigs is prohibited.

Pig markets and abattoirs in the infected zone should strictly be closed down.

The District Veterinary Officer and RRT shall take steps locally to ensure that everyone in and around the infected zone is made aware of the restrictions and requirements in force there.

Local institutions such as Municipalities, village Dorbars, Dolloi, Headmen, Nokmas etc, shall assist the Veterinary Officers/RRT in the discharge of their duties and take necessary measures to prevent the outbreak or spread of disease as provided under Section 30 of the Act.

Whoever places or causes or permits to be placed in any river, lake, canal or any other water body the carcass or any part of the carcass of any animal which at the time of death was known to be infected with ASF, shall be guilty of any offence and on conviction, be punished in the cases of a first offence with a fine of two thousand rupees or with imprisonment of one month in case of non-payment of fine and in case of subsequent conviction with a fine of five thousand rupees or imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with both as provided under Section 33 of the Act.

Under Section 40 of the Act every Competent Officer, Director, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department and Veterinary Officer while exercising any power or performing any duty under the said Act shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of Section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.