Boathouses to be revamped - Muttukad Boat house

Chennai: Though water sports have not taken off in a big way in the state, boating seems to be increasingly patronised by visitors, mostly families. Taking into account the increasing footfalls at the boating yards and also the heartwarming arrival of winged visitors, the Tamil Nadu Tourism Develo­pm­ent Corporation (TTDC) has plans to refurbish the Mut­tukadu and Mudaliark­up­pam boathouses.

In addition to offering bo­at rides, these boating yards are soon set to transform into bird-watching spots. The Pelicans characterised by long beak and large thr­oat pouch, have become regular visitors to the Mutt­u­kadu boathouse over the last four years and since last year the tall, pink wading birds with thick downturned bills – the Flam­ingos too have started frequenting this place.
The Flamingos’ slender le­gs, long, graceful necks and ability to fish grab the atte­ntion of onlookers.

These birds are prominently seen from November to February in a year and those taking a boat ride slyly slither towards the birds and settle down for a photo and video session. As bird-watching has become an added attraction here, the TTDC has proposed to establish a watch tower to facilitate the visitors to get a better view of the avian friends. A binocular is likely to be provided at the wat­chtowers.

Week-ends are the busiest days at the boating yards. On an average about 5,000 persons visit Muttukadu boathouse on Sundays and 2,000 on Saturdays. Besides about 800 to 1,000 persons visit the boathouse on a da­ily basis from 9 am to 6 pm, a senior TTDC official said.

Apart from refurbishing the existing facilities, the tourism corporation would take up a beautification drive also with the funds obtained from the Asian Development Bank. A parking lot, illumination, drinking water and sanitation facilities, among others, will also be provided in order to upgrade amenities.

BSNL waives installation charges

BSNL Chennai Telephones has waived installation charges for new connections booked under landline, broadband and combo plans.

The waiver amounts are Rs.250 for broadband, Rs 750 for urban landline, Rs.550 for rural landline, Rs.500 for urban combo plan and Rs.300 for rural combo plan. This concession is applicable only for customers booking under annual payment option, a press note said.

Booklet on insulin to be distributed

To create awareness among diabetics and medical practitioners about the right way of using insulin injections, a booklet on guidelines will soon be distributed in the city.

Addressing presspersons on Tuesday, C.R. Anand Moses, treasurer, Diabetes Association of India, said one-third of diabetes patients are insulin dependent. But several of them have psychological barriers against using insulin injections or do not know the right practices.

Awareness needed

A. Sundaram, advisory member of FIT India, and one of the authors of the booklet, said several people use wrong techniques and inject in the same place. They must rotate injection spots for effective blood sugar control.

The booklet provides detailed description on the use of insulin techniques. It is also available online atwww.fit4diabetes.com/ india, said A. Paneerselvam, DAI co-chairman.

Compiled by a team of 14 doctors, the booklet has been released by the Forum for Injection Technique India, an autonomous body formed to promote safe injection practices.

January is observed as insulin injection month as the first insulin injection was administered on January 11, 1922 in Canada.

Several diabetics have psychological barriers against using insulin injections or

do not know the right practices

Food business: no more extension of dates for registrations, licences

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has warned food business operators across the country that the deadline for obtaining licences and registration under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, will not be extended again.

When the Act was notified and implemented from August 5, 2011, businesses were given an initial deadline of a year to register.

It was extended from August 4, 2012 to February 4, 2013 and again to February 4 this year, R. Kathiravan, Designated Officer of Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department (Food Safety Wing), told The Hinduhere on Tuesday.

Following this directive, food safety officials have launched an awareness campaign urging all food businesses ranging from road side eateries and canteens to star-category hotels and restaurants to either register or obtain licence.

The Act provides for imposing a fine of up to Rs. 5 lakh besides imprisonment up to six months on food businesses operating without licences.

The Designated Officer estimated that there must be around 22,000 food businesses in Coimbatore district. Till now, 2,658 food business operators have been issued licences and another 6,636 issued registrations, totalling 9,264.

Firms with annual turnover below Rs. 12 lakh will require registration and those above have to obtain licences.

“The process had been simplified and can be done completely online within a couple of hours. They can even post the documents to the Food Safety Office,” he said.

The benefit for consumers was that all licensed/registered food outlets and dealers will have had their kitchens and storehouses inspected by the officials at least once a year besides being subjected to random checks. They would also be trained on the proper storage of various food materials and identification of expiry dates in food product packs.

They would have legal responsibilities that would prevent them from selling adulterated and non-branded products, Dr. Kathiravan said.

Even anganwadi centres of Integrated Child Development Services, noon meal centres in Government schools and Amma Canteens must obtain licences/registration. All the 1,434 fair price shops in the district have already obtained licences.

The Food Safety Act mandated all food manufacturers, packers, distributors, importers, 100 per cent food export-oriented units, restaurants, canteens, transporters and food processors to get registered or obtain a licence.

The FSSAI was created under this Act as a statutory body under the Union Health Ministry to lay down science-based standards for food articles and regulating manufacturing, processing, distribution, sale and import of food.