Vol. 12 Issue 3
Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media, Bangalore
13 September 2012 INSIDE
Doubts cast over city TB records By Pushkar Banakar TUBERCULOSIS is
the
No. of TB cases registered between 2007-2012 Source: NTI
blight of India yet Bangalore
• Mumbai • Delhi • Kolkata • Bangalore
remains TB-free according to state records. No single case of tuberculosis has been reported in the city
– – – –
since 2007 according to the Renewed National Tuberculosis
Mr. Reddy, was the only person
Control Programme (RNTCP).
available for comment.
The government embarked on a massive drive to eradicate tuberculosis from India. The Na-
437 786 663
tional Tuberculosis Control Pro-
Cousin will fill dead mafia boss’s
gram
boots, police say.
0
In 2011, there was a severe
vate hospital.” He claims that the depart-
functioned
from
>Page 2
1991-2011. outbreak of a new type of tuberculosis, Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB).
Almost every other city in
He said: “It has always been
ment is working towards spread-
The government of India im-
India has registered hundreds of
like this and I do not know why it
ing awareness of the disease in
plemented RNTCP, a revised
cases in the last five years.
is not being improved.
the city.
control programme, to overcome
Dr. Anup Khare, a specialist, said: “It is practically impossible
“No other staff has reported to the office in a long time.”
“We do conduct day long
MDR-TB. It widely promoted the
Arakere residents fight to save
awareness camps twice a month
use of Directly Observed Treat-
their lake from the builders.
for a place not to register any
Even the secretary of KSTA,
in schools, nursing colleges,
ment Short (DOTS) course and
case of TB for such a long pe-
has not reported for duty in the
medical colleges and pharmacy
free antibiotics.
riod.”
last three months.
colleges,” he said.
Across India, it is almost im-
Even though records state
Reddy, when asked about
The senior doctor, missing
possible to find a city free of TB.
no cases of TB, chemists have
the unavailability of the senior
from his post, could not be con-
In Hyderabad alone, 1,112
Rifampicin, medicine for TB,
doctor, said: “He does not come
tacted even after repeated at-
cases were reported in the last 5
stocked for sale.
here. He generally goes to a pri-
tempts.
years.
The Karnataka State Tuber-
Better sports facilities and policies for school children. >Page 3
culosis Association (KSTA), responsible
for
>Page 2
spreading
awareness of tuberculosis lies in near ruin. The building, in Shivaji Nagar, is almost deserted and one of its senior doctors hasn’t turned up to work for three months. The office does not only seem abandoned by its staff but
Disabled people struggle to ac-
the infrastructure also lies neg-
cess the ID card offices. >Page 3
lected. The doors and windows are Photo: Nupur Gour
in need of repair. The walls are turning yellow in places and the paint is peeling off the walls. There is no provision for lights or fans in the office. There is a computer in the office but no electricity. Assistant Project Manager,
Main entrance to Bangalore’s only TB centre (inset) leading to a near-abandoned office.
High Court judge rules against state pollution board. > Page 3
Seven years without wages Photo: Reshma Tarwani
By Reshma Tarwani
Mrs. Glory Rosalind
Glory Rosalind, an employee
claimed her bosses and col-
Basavraju said: “The Employers
of Karnataka Food and Civil
leagues discriminated against
had accepted their fault initially
Supplies Corporation Depart-
her and took them to court.
but changed their statement
Accidents rampant in the city
right after the first hearing of the
due to reckless drivers.
ment (KFCSC), has not receievd her entitled salary since 2005. Mrs. Rosalind joined KFCSC
As a result of her protest, she was demoted to a junior assistant’s post.
case.” When questioned on why
in 1984 as a trainee and was
In 2005, she filed another pe-
Mrs. Rosalind is not quitting the
soon promoted to Senior Assis-
tition against the corporation
job, she said: “I won’t do that. I
stant but her salary remained on
which were again ignored.
am not scared of these man-
a trainee’s grade.
After she filed the case, her
According to Rosalind, her
employers stopped her wages.
> Page 4
agers. I will fight for my post and my salary. I know I will win it."
colleagues shunned her as she
According to her employers’
The case is still pending in
A government clerk claims
was a Catholic in a Hindu domi-
version, she was demoted be-
the High Court and she is wait-
Lives of technicians at risk in pri-
she has not been paid her
nated office.
cause of inefficiency in work.
ing for the next hearing.
vate hospitals of Kengeri.
salary for past seven years.
In
1986,
Mrs.
Rosalind
Mrs. Rosalind’s lawyer, M.C.
>Page 4