Gujarati News: June 2005

Khambat College charging extra fees
Wednesday, June 29, 2005 | JJ

Students of Khambat Arts, Science and Commerce College affiliated to Gujarat University have registered a complaint with Gujarat University against college authorities charging high fees in the name of celebrating Golden Jubilee Year. Gujarat University V-C AU Patel said ‘‘Students have alleged that the college is charging Rs 250 more than its actual fees. This, the college says, is because it wants to celebrate its golden jubilee year.’’ Complaint of the student’s state ‘‘the receipt issued for the extra fees charged by the college was in the name of Mandal and not the college, while for the actual fees the receipt was issued in the name of college.’’ Patel said ‘‘We have asked the committee to look into the matter. Strict action will be taken against the college if it is proved.’’

Empty shells recovered from Jamnagar
Wednesday, June 29, 2005 | JJ

Jamnagar district Superintendent of Police Manoj Shashidhar said about three ton of empty shells were recovered from 60 bags kept in Harshadpura village on the outskirts of Jamnagar city in Saurashtra region. The bags were found lying abandoned. SP Shashidhar said "The consignment largely consists of empty shells of fired bullets and do not contain any explosives." He added "We have also called the forensic experts to examine the contents of the bags."

Largest gas discovery in the country
Wednesday, June 29, 2005 | JJ

State-owned Gujarat State Petroleum Corp has made the country's biggest gas discovery -- 20 trillion cubic feet gas worth $50 billion in the KG#8 block, located six km away from the shore of the Yanam-Kakinada coast of Andhra Pradesh off the southeast coast. Gas was found after drilling up to 5061 meters at a temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Gujarat chief minister said "This discovery will almost double the current gas production of the nation and the state government's priority would be to begin its commercial production and sell at the earliest."

Godhra train carnage case accused arrested
Wednesday, June 29, 2005 | JJ

Gujarat Police arrested Irfan Abdul Majid alias Bhobho accused for his alleged involvement in the godhra train carnage of February 2002 which claimed 59 lives and left 24 others injured. Bhobho was arrested from his residence at Vali-falia Number two and was handed over to Railway Police for further interrogation.

Godhra train carnage case accused arrested
Wednesday, June 29, 2005 | JJ

Gujarat Police arrested Irfan Abdul Majid alias Bhobho accused for his alleged involvement in the godhra train carnage of February 2002 which claimed 59 lives and left 24 others injured. Bhobho was arrested from his residence at Vali-falia Number two and was handed over to Railway Police for further interrogation.

Monsoon kills eight in Gujarat
Tuesday, June 28, 2005 | JJ

In different incident such as building collapse, electrocutes and drowning related to the Monsoon eight people were killed in different parts of Gujarat. According to police and fire brigade sources four persons died in Vadodara, two each in Surat and Ahmedabad, police and fire brigade sources said. People have been shifted to safer place were in some areas where water has submerged the area and government has requested people near the overflowing dams to move to safer places. Moderate-to-heavy rain was still continuing in many parts of the Gujarat.

Heavy rains lashed different part of the State
Sunday, June 26, 2005 | JJ

Heavy rains lashed different part of the State during the last 24 hrs. According to Ahmedabad Met Office, Porbandar recorded 141mm rainfall, Veraval 139 mm, Amreli city 102.4 mm, Bhavnagar 60 mm. Official sources said Surat city received total 267 mm received 153 mm, Vadodara city received 153 mm received 153 mm. Several prime localities and societies of Vadodara city were submerged under knee-deep water with three hours - 133 mm rainfall.

Gujarat attracts highest industrial investment
Sunday, June 26, 2005 | JJ

Latest report from the Industry Division of the National Informatics Centre (NIC) shows that Gujarat has attracted the highest industrial investment of Rs 43,054 crore in the form of Industrial Entrepreneurs Memorandum (IEMs) between January 1 and May 31, 2005. Chattisharh comes distant second with an investment of Rs 17,097 crore and Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh come next.

POTA review committee case adjourned
Sunday, June 26, 2005 | JJ

POTA review committee case was adjourned till Monday by High Court. Public prosecutor H M Dhruv is opposing POTA review committee’s recommendation to withdrawal POTA charges against 131 accused in the train carnage case. Defense counsel Nitya Ramakrishnan had filed an application seeking clarification on the role of public prosecutor in POTA cases in Godhra carnage. POTA review committee recommendation is to withdraw the case against the accused as there was no evidence of any conspiracy and instead asked the State Government to try the accused under Indian Penal Code and Arms Act.

VMC's anti-encroachment operation leads to Clash
Friday, June 24, 2005 | JJ

Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) anti-encroachment operation, on either side of the busy Jubilee Baug market area, lead to violent clash, injuring four persons and three security men. Violent clash erupted when police resorted to lathicharge on the encroachers who opposed VMC authorities with strong resistance and stone pelting.

Some Ayruvedic aphrodisiacs for males banned
Friday, June 24, 2005 | JJ

Gujarat government banned some "Ayruvedic aphrodisiacs for males" on sale in Gujarat as it contains substance that has harmful side effects. An official statement said the sample tested by Food and Drugs Control Authority (FDCA) found sildenafil citrate, an active ingredient of Viagra, in samples of three brands of medicines that were claimed to be "Ayruvedic aphrodisiacs for males." Sildenafil citrate is used in Viagra to counter erectile dysfunction.

ADM Chaudhary to investigate Bus Accident
Friday, June 24, 2005 | JJ

Additional District Magistrate PD Chaudhary was appointed by Kangra district administration to investigate the bus accident in which 19 tourists from Baroda were killed when the bus they were traveling fell into a gorge. All the victims were BSNL employees and their family members on a holiday from Vadodara, was going to Manali.

Elections for Rajya Sabha seats on July 14
Friday, June 24, 2005 | JJ

Elections for three Rajya Sabha seats which become vacant as the six years tenure of Ahmedbhai Patel, Lalitbhai Mehta and Savitaben Sarda will be held on July 14. Last date for filing of the nominations is July four, scrutiny will be held on the next day and the date for withdrawal of nominations is July seven. Secretary of the Gujarat Vidhan Sabha shall be the Election Officer.

GAIL plans two New pipeline projects in Gujarat
Friday, June 24, 2005 | JJ

GAIL Chairman and Managing Director Proshanto Banerjee told a news conference that GAIL proposes to lay a Rs 3,000 crore Jagdishpur-Haldia pipeline, Rs 3,000 crore Dadri-Nangal pipeline. Capacity of the pipeline shall be of 12 million standard cubic meters per day each and will carry LNG imported at Dahej. GAIL has also proposed two other pipeline Rs 2,000 crore Kochi-Coimbatore-Bangalore pipeline and Rs 5,000 crore Kakinada-Uran pipelines. Kochi-Coimbatore-Bangalore pipeline would carry gas from the upcoming LNG import terminal at Kochi in Kerala and Kakinada-Uran pipeline is being planned to transport the Government's share of gas from the gilds in the Krishna Godavari Basin in Bay of Bengal.

D-Link to conduct channel meets in Ahmedabad
Friday, June 24, 2005 | JJ

D-Link India is conducting channel meets in Ahmedabad as a part of its channel partner empowerment program to update and train its partners on its products, pre-sales and technology. It will carry out channel meets in other 35 cities across the country. D-Link India, Director, Sales Prabodh Vyas said, "The objective of the channel meets is to launch Get into the Flow - Succession, under which, the existing D-Link and Gigabyte partners will be felicitated and new partners from new cities acknowledged and enrolled into the program."

Centre to hand over Gujarat cases to CBI
Thursday, June 23, 2005 | JJ

Central government will hand over cases related to riot in Gujarat in 2002 to CBI if required. Home Ministry official said “The government will entrust the investigations into the riot cases to the CBI if Gujarat makes a request or if the courts direct so.” He also added “The government will also support any plea for transfer of cases under trial to courts outside Gujarat.”

Bodies of Pathankot victims flown to Vadodara
Thursday, June 23, 2005 | JJ

Bodies of Pathankot victims flown to Vadodara in which 19 tourists killed when the bus they were traveling fell into a gorge. All the victims were BSNL employees and their family members on a holiday from Vadodara, was going to Manali. All the injured and killed tourist were flown to Vadodara with the help of two IAF Mi-17 helicopters and Air Force Planes.

High Court judges sworn
Thursday, June 23, 2005 | JJ

Chief Justice Mr Bhavani Singh administered the oath to Mr Justice Maheshkumar Rasikbhai Shah and Mr Justice Kalpeshbhai Satyendra Zaveri as High Court judges at a simple ceremony. Advocate General S N Shelat, Law Secretary Belaben Trivedi, Additional Advocate General K B Trivedi, Government Pleader A D Oza and Gujarat High Court Bar Association President Yatin D Oza were present at the occasion.

Science & Technology techniques for farmers
Thursday, June 23, 2005 | JJ

Speaking in a two-day national seminar on ''Monsoon 2005 - Ancient & Modern Techniques” Gujarat Governor Naval Kishore Sharma asked meteorologists and astrologers to work in cooperation and to benefit the farmers. He said that ''the real India lives in 6.5 lakh villages, not in the metros, cities or towns''. Mr. Sharma added ‘‘we need to adopt Israeli techniques for harvesting the rain water for optimum benefits to the farm sectors.'' Gujarat Agriculture Department, Anand Agriculture University (AAU) and All India Vedik Research Organisation of Varanasi jointly conducted the seminar.

400 Gujaratis illegal immigrants detained in UK
Thursday, June 23, 2005 | JJ

British immigration authorities detained 400 Gujaratis illegal immigrants in UK who claim to have lost their travel documents. British immigration authorities are trying to find the roots of detained illegal Gujarati migrants as most of them have given wrong address. Scotland Yard is corresponding with Gujarat police and government officials for ‘‘closer cooperation between the agencies for faster verification of information provided by illegal immigrants and people staying over in UK.’’

Gujarat NRE plans to buy 30% of Zinico
Wednesday, June 22, 2005 | JJ

Gujarat NRE Coke Ltd in a statement to the Bombay Stock Exchange announced that it had plans to buy 30% of the equity of Australian exploration company Zinico Resources NL. Gujarat NRE Vice Chairman Arun Kumar Jagatramka said in the statement "a significant portfolio of prospective iron ore and base metals projects in Tasmania, Australia." "The portfolio of assets compiled by the board and management of Zinico Resources is exceptional and presents an ideal opportunity for our company to gain a further strategic exposure to the broader minerals industry in Australia." No comments was immediately available form Zinico.

Monsoon arrived in Gujarat with heavy showers
Wednesday, June 22, 2005 | JJ

Monsoon arrived in Gujarat with heavy showers in Saurashtra and south Gujarat region. AB Mazumdar Director (weather forecast) of Pune meteorological department said there were strong indications of a healthy nation-wide revival based on the activity on the western coast. RK Bakliwal, Director of IMD "The depression is moving away from the coast but the threat perception remains. There is a possibility that a re-curvature may take place and manifestations like localised torrential rains and strong winds may be experienced on the coast."

Flights rescheduled by Alliance Air
Wednesday, June 22, 2005 | JJ

Alliance Air has rescheduled flights between Ahmedabad and Kolkata due to operational reasons. Kolkata-Ahmedabad Flight CD7267/7268 will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays leaving Kolkata at 1545 hrs. Flight will reach Ahmedabad at 1825 hrs and leave for Kolkata at 1855 hrs, arriving Kolkata at 2005 hrs.

Sunder Singh Bhandari passes away
Wednesday, June 22, 2005 | JJ

Founder member of Jana Sangh, former Governor of Rajasthan, Bihar and Gujarat and former BJP Vice-President Mr Sunder Singh Bhandari passed away at his Kalkaji residence at around 0500 hrs. He was not keeping well for some time. He was associated with the Jansangh for a long time. Bhandari, started 'Pracharak' in the RSS.

Sreekumar’s petition to be replied by July 14
Wednesday, June 22, 2005 | JJ

Additional Director General of Police Sreekumar’s petition against promoting two police officials despite having charges against them was taken up in the court and Central Administrative Tribunal gave last chance to Gujarat government to file its reply by July 14. S B doctor government counsel said they would have to "probe the specific allegations levelled by Sreekumar in his plea against two police officials, who were promoted recently". Anand Yagnik Sreekumar's counsel said the reasons given by the government were not satisfactory. Yagnik said "The plea states that a senior police officer D G Vanjhara, against whom corruption and criminal cases are pending, was also promoted while the brother of a cabinet minister, who is a police official and has cases pending against him, was also promoted even though Sreekumar who had a spotless track record was superceded."

Life sentence for burning wife
Wednesday, June 22, 2005 | JJ

City sessions Judge I S Vora of Ahmedabad the fast-track court sentenced Gulabsinh Parmar, an autorickshaw driver to life holding him guilty of burning his wife to death a few years back. According to dying declaration of Parmar’s wife Champa, Parmar poured kerosene on his wife while she was sleeping in their Vadaj chawl and set her on fire as Champa had constant fights over Parmar’s drinking and gambling habits.

Gujratis top list of Indian tourists visiting Bengal
Monday, June 20, 2005 | JJ

Gujratis top the list of Indian tourists visiting Bengal every year and most of the domestic tourists who visit Gujarat every year are Bengalis. Gujarat tourism department organised a road show at a city hotel to woo Bengali tourists. West Bengal is also planning similar road shows in Gujarat next month to attract more tourists from Gujarat. C. V. Som, MD, Gujarat Tourism Development Corporation, Kingshuk Biswas, marketing manager, Gujarat tourism, T. K. Burman, principal secretary, tourism, West Bengal, S. Bhattacharjee, MD, WBIDC and 300 travel and tour operators attended the Gujarat road show. Burman said ‘‘we have given them all support they have asked for. And for our promotional programmes in Gujarat in July, they have promised all help to us,’’ Burman informed ‘‘Gujratis top the list of tourists who visit our state every year, followed by Marathis and Tamils.’’

Medical tour service at Ahmedabad
Monday, June 20, 2005 | JJ

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Petrol Pump goes on one-day strike
Monday, June 20, 2005 | JJ

All India Federation of All India Petroleum Traders called on a 24-hours strike to press for hike in commission on sale of petrol and diesel. FAIPT president Ashok Badhwar told, "The strike is total. We have shown our solidarity." Company-owned-company-operated sites such as Reliance, Essar and Shell remain operational. An official of the Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) said "We had stocked up the company-owned retail outlets during the past two days. We anticipate some rush but there are adequate quantities to meet a day's requirement."

Gujarat rejects POTA panel's recommendation
Monday, June 20, 2005 | JJ

Narendra Modi government in Gujarat rejected to withdraw prosecution against the 131 accused in the Godhra train carnage case despite the recommendations of the Central POTA Review Committee, the Guajrat High Court and the Supreme Court in this connection. Centre will send a "strong message" to the Gujarat Government is planning to implement the recommendations of the POTA Review Committee through court. The issue was raised by Left leader in the the UPA-Left Coordination Committee.

Special Economic Zones approved
Monday, June 20, 2005 | JJ

Government has approved Special Economic Zones approved for Surat. The proposal of Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation for setting up Apparel Park in Surat was approved for Special Economic Zones. This is the second Special Economic Zones, the first one for gems and jewelers. Two other Special Economic Zones approved are one each in Haryana and Karnataka.

Surat’s diamond unit relocating to China
Monday, June 20, 2005 | JJ

Pravin Nanavati, a leading exporter and president of the Surat Diamond Association, said "China is also encouraging Surat's unit owners to set up shop there." "Now, no less than 100,000 people are involved in the trade in China and diamond experts from India are being lured to work there." Ten out of every 12 diamonds sold worldwide are polished in this south Gujarat town but most of the 300,000 artisans engaged in the trade. Industry sources say cheap labour, technological expertise and quality labour are China's strong points. "Our diamond industry still uses semi-automatic machines," points out a leading Surat trader.

Sadhus from Gujrat seeks Advani's resignation
Sunday, June 19, 2005 | JJ

Sadhus from Gujrat affiliated to VHP have formed a group and seeks Advani's resignation from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency. Mahant Acharya Avichaldasji one of the sadhus of this group said Sangh would agitate and work against Advani till he gives up his Lok Sabha seat and resigns from active politics and will launch a door-to-door campaign on this issue.

Gujarat theatres will not screen "Jo Bole So Nihaal"
Saturday, June 18, 2005 | APA

"Jo Bole So Nihaal" was withdrawn from most of the cinema houses in Gujarat following the two bomb blasts in Delhi theatres that killed one person and injured 60. The film, angered the Sikh community whose leaders said several scenes had hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikhs. They disagree on the title itself which they say gives the impression that it would be a religious film which it is not," said Mahender Singh, a Sikh student. The protesters claim that there are scenes that hurt religious sentiments. The theatre owners in Rajkot cancelled the shows while the cultural city of Vadodara, four theatres continued to screen the film albeit with security arrangements, though a multiplex cancelled screenings.

Gujarat Class ten results show improvement
Thursday, June 16, 2005 | APA

Ahmedabad The Gujarat state board announced results Tuesday in which 56.18 percent students passed Class X examinations conducted in March. The results showed an improvement of 3.49 percentage points over the last year, a Gujarat State Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board release said. Anuj Prajapati of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel High School, Anand town, secured the top rank with 96.86 percent. There were 34 students in the top ten merit positions, 21 boys and 13 girls. Hardik Pandya of Sheth C.N. Vidyalaya, with 95.86 percent, stood second in the state and the first in Ahmedabad city. As many as 58.49 percent of the boys passed the state's exams, whereas the figure for the girls was 64.39 percent. The results were far better for the English medium students, 88.15 percent of whom cleared the exams, compared to only 54.80 percent of the Gujarati medium students.

Four arrested in Ahmedabad for cricket betting
Thursday, June 16, 2005 | APA

Ahmedabad Police here Tuesday arrested four people, two of them having links with Mumbai-based bookie Shobhan Mehta, for allegedly running a betting racket on cricket. Munir Ahmed Shirin Ahmed Pathan and Motiram Tejwani, who were among those arrested, were active in illegal betting for the past 10 years, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) D.G. Vanjhara said. They were linked with Mehta, he asserted.
Two others arrested are computer operators working with the bookies. Police seized two cars, laptops, mobile phones and cash. The total recovery is over Rs.600,000. Vanjhara claimed the two bookies had networks in Jalandhar, Bangalore and various places in Punjab. "They have a turnover of Rs.1.5 billion in the last 10 years," he said. Those arrested are believed to have revealed the names of 20 others associated with them, officials said.

Anthrax hits remote Gujarat village, 43 cattle dead
Wednesday, June 15, 2005 | APA

Jamnagar, Gujarat, June 2 : At least 43 sheep and goats died of deadly anthrax in Badanpur village in Jopdiya taluka in the district during the last fortnight, District Health Officer K P Patel said today.

Talking to UNI, Mr Patel said the post-mortem reports had confirmed the deaths as 'anthrax positive.' Though all deaths due to anthrax had so far been reported from only one village and no human being was reported affected by the disease, the health authorities, were sparing no chance in the vigilance, he said.

Mr Patel said two or three sheep or goats had died almost daily in the village during the last fortnight. However, no more deaths were reported since last Saturday, the official said.

The disease is caused due to a bacillus, common among sheep, goats and cattle, but communicable to human beings also, especially to those coming in contact. It is known as malignant pustule and is also called wool sorters' disease.

Taking precautions, the caracass of all the affected sheep and goats had been buried in five-feet deep pits and covered with plenty of limestone powder, Mr Patel said.

The health department has initiated a door-to-door survey of about 1,000 cattle and 5,000 people living in the village, he added.

Hearing on POTA charges in Godhra case posted for June 15
Wednesday, June 15, 2005 | Editor

Ahmedabad, June. 15 (UNI): The special POTA court on Monday posted the hearing for June 15 on the reply filed by the State Government, pleading that POTA charges against all the accused in the Godhra train carnage case should be upheld.

The Government's reply was filed after the Central POTA Review Committee had in its report observed that the POTA charges against the accused be dropped and instead, asked the State Government to try the accused under Indian Penal Code and Arms Act as there was no evidence of a conspiracy.

The defence counsel on Monday urged the court to reject the reply filed by the Gujarat Government.

Gujarat to set up Rs 50 cr Venture Fund
Wednesday, June 15, 2005 | Editor

Gandhinagar: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today said his government will set up a Venture Fund of Rs 50 crore to promote entrepreneurship and applications in the sphere of biotechnology.

He said the state government will contribute Rs ten crore to the Fund and the rest will be mobilised from financial institutions.

The Chief Minister was speaking at a meeting of the Gujarat Council of Biotechnology meeting here.

He said the state has identified Biotechnology as a tool for future socio-economic development and is determined to tap the potential offered by it. It has already prepared a draft policy document, which spells out a strategic roadmap to overall development of biotechnology in Gujarat.

He also announced the setting up of the Gujarat Biotech Park in Vadodara as a public-private sector partnership and selection of the private sector partner will be initiated very shortly through competitive bidding.

Gujarat is considering setting up of a cord blood bank as it is the present treatment option for many incurable diseases. ''It can take a lead in stem cell research and create HLA registry facilities for addressing blood-related disorders like Thalassemia,'' he added.

As this year has been declared as the Year of Urban development, the Chief Minister said the state would use biotechnology for treatment and useful conversion of domestic effluent in bigger cities like Ahmedabad and Surat. ''We are considering a specific project for effluent management as exclusive model in urban planning which will serve dual purpose -- it will not only sanitise waste but also increase availability of organic manure in bulk and encourage organic farming,'' he said.

Modi also spoke of establishing up new avenues for biotech research. ''Two centres of excellence have already been set up in Bhavnagar and Vadodara and efforts are on to initiate two or three dedicated PG courses in biotechnology.'' The state is also planning to establish a Marine Biotechnology Institute to study and develop the rich marine resources.

The meeting was attended by Gujarat Government Adviser Manju Sharma, Minister of State for Industries Anil Patel, Chief Secretary Sudhir Mankad, Dr Nagarajan, Director of IARI, Prof Subhash Chandra of IIT Delhi, Dr S S Khanuja of CIMAP Lucknow, Dr K K Tripathy, Advisor to Government of India and Dr V P Kamboj, Director of NAS Allahabad and hosts of noted academicians, scientists and industrialists.
(Source: Sify)

Women flock to Gujarat BPO firms
Wednesday, June 15, 2005 | Editor

Business Standard
The number of women working in business process outsourcing (BPO) companies in Gujarat is a lot more than that is the metro cities. This is attributed to the fact that the state is considered to be a lot safer for women.

N D Panchal, senior manager (services) and company secretary, Gujarat Informatics Ltd, said: "One of the reasons for the phenomenal jump in the BPO industry in Gujarat is that the state has an image of providing a safe working environment. With BPO companies recruiting more women, they prefer safer cities." Gujarat has added 20 new BPO companies in the last one year.

The BPO centres have a lot of night shifts as most of these cater to clients in the US. Day time in the US means night here. Most companies prefer to employ women to handle their BPO activities as clients prefer to speak to women as they can understand the problems of clients better.

Anupam Saxena, general manager (marketing), Infocity, said: "At Infocity, there are many young women who come on their own vehicles for night shifts. This shows that Gujarat is a lot safer compared with the metro cities. Several BPO companies have armed guards in pick-up and drop-home vehicles that escort women. This shows how unsafe the metros are, specially for women. Some companies also use wireless radios to keep in touch with employees at night."

Darshak Mehta, general manager of Motif India Infotech Pvt Ltd, said: "Gujarat is much safer for women as it is a dry (alcohol is banned) state. The crime rate is a lot lower than other states and the working environment is hassle free."

People in the industry believe Gujarat could have well over 10,000 seats operational by the end of this financial year, of which 60 per cent will be women employees.

"Many organisations in Delhi take special care to create a safe environment for their women employees. In fact, companies take the trouble of reassuring parents and guardians of women working at BPO centres. Parents of women employees are invited to check out the working environment at the centres. In Gujarat, there are no such such hassles and women are working freely at night," said Saxena.

Rs 8-cr project launched to fight thalassaemia
Wednesday, June 15, 2005 | Editor

GANDHINAGAR: Alarmed by the revelation that Gujarat has the highest number of thalassaemia patients in the country, the state government on Tuesday decided to launch a Rs 8-crore project to fight the genetical disorder.

Currently, 25,000 people in Gujarat suffer from the disease which is increasing with the growth in population. The proportion of thalassaemia is 40 per one lakh population compared to the average of 15 in the country as a whole. This is one-and-a-half times the national average, said a senior official at the end of the first meeting of the Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission here.

To fight the deadly disease, the project would involve human leucosite antigen (HLA) blood registry, facilitating bone marrow transplatation, so essential to treat the genetical disorder.

The need to have this type of registry is particularly found essential because donors with requisite HLA type matching blood are just one out of every one lakh! Currently, no data is available on HLA and public interest in fighting thalassaemia is extremely limited.

Another important decision taken is launching of a project on establishing an umbilical cord blood bank. Considered essential to develop stem cell therapy, the blood bank, said official sources, would be a source of treatment for diseases like thalassaemia and sickle cell anaemia requiring stem cell replacement.