Corp Bank slashes interest rates on home loans

 

Mangalore, November 17: The Mangalore-based public sector Corporation Bank has slashed the interest rates on its ‘Corp Home’ loan with effect from November 18.  With this, the floating rate of the loan up to five years has come down to 9.25% from the previous rate of 9.5%, a release from the bank said here on Saturday.  For loans having repayment period between five to ten years, the rate will be 9.75% and for loans having repayment period between 10 and 25 years, it will be 10.25%, the release said.

In case of fixed rate loans up to five years, the interest rate will be 9.5%, between five and ten years, the rate will be ten per cent and for loans having repayment period between 10 years and 25 years, the rate will be 10.5%, the release said. In all the above cases, interest is charged on daily reducing balance, the release added.  The Equated Monthly Installment (EMI) is the lowest in the case of Corp Home Loan at the rate of 921 rupees for a sum of rupees one lakh and for a repayment period of 25 years, the release said. The revised rates are applicable even for the existing loans under floating rate basis, the release added.
 

Karnataka ban old vehicles to check pollution

 

Bangalore, November 17: In a move to reduce increasing pollution levels in the city, the Karnataka Government has banned plying of more than 15-year-old commercial and transport vehicles in three phases.  Starting from January one, 2003, commercial and transport vehicles, which are more than 20-years-old would be banned in the city limits, according to a Government notification.

Vehicles aged between 17 and 20 years should not ply from May one, 2003, and those between 15 and 17 years from May one, 2004. The notification comes into immediate effect.  Some 20,000 vehicles are reported to be more than 20 years old and 16,000 vehicles between 17 and 20 years and 25,000 vehicles between 15 and 17 years.  Violation would invite penal action under relevant sections of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
 

Plan to develop Wenlock Hospital with WB aid

 

Mangalore, November 17: The Government is planning to develop the Government Wenlock Hospital, Mangalore with aid from the World Bank, said Health and Family Welfare Minister Kagodu Thimmappa here on Saturday.  Speaking at a press conference, Thimmappa said the Chief Architect had been consulted to retain the original architectural glory of Wenlock Hospital and make further improvements as part of the plan.  The Minister told pressmen that Rs. 198 lakh was being spent for the development of the Government Wenlock and Lady Goshen Hospitals.  All the 27 districts in the state were being provided with AIDS Consultation Centres and Blood Banks were ready in 20 districts, he added.

 

KMC Newborn Week programmes take off
 

Manipal, November 17: The week-long programmes organised as part of the National Newborn Week Celebrations 2002 was inaugurated at Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Hospital here on Friday by KMC dean Dr. R. S. P. Rao. The programme, which started on Friday, will continue till November 21.  Dr. K. K. Diwakar, professor and head of neonatal division, department of pediatrics, told reporters that mankind has known the significance of neonatal care for generations. “The Indian ethos is not complete without the ceremony to herald the birth of a child in our household,” he said.

The Manipal Neonatal unit has an annual admission of over 700 with over 150 neonates being ventilated every year. While the need for a sophisticated NICU was recognised and a 15 bed NICU with two ventilator beds started in 1990, first NALS instructors course was also held in the same year here.  “Being prepared for attending to a delivery became sacrosanct as advantages of neonatal resuscitation started becoming evident. The team approach for managing an infant has been functioning in Manipal for over four decades now,” Diwakar claimed.  Diwakar also stressed the role of neonatal nurses, paramedical staff, ward attenders and doctors walking that extra mile, often beyond the call of responsibility to “prevent a bud of life from withering before it has blossomed.

 

Epilepsy Association inaugurated at KMC

 

Mangalore, November 17: ‘Epilepsy is a disease and not a curse’ as believed by many ignorant people and the Indian Epilepsy Association (IEA) should extend full support to help people suffering from this disease and remove misconceptions among the population about epilepsy, said Prof. K. P. Ganeshan here on Friday.  He was speaking after eminent neurologist and former dean of Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Mangalore, Dr. K. R. Shetty inaugurated the Mangalore chapter of Indian Epilepsy Association (IEA) on the National Epilepsy Day jointly organised by IEA Mangalore Chapter and South Kanara branch of Indian Medical Association here.

Proper diagnosis followed by treatment with allopathic medications, under the careful supervision of medical specialists could control epilepsy. He narrated the features/symptoms of epilepsy and its prevention and cure by audio/visual programmes.  Dr. Lekha Pandit, secretary of the IEA explained the primary objectives of the Association to conduct regular community level awareness and treatment programme for epileptics and to provide subsidised medication and patients rehabilitation.  Dr. Rabhavendra Bhat, president of IMA, South Kanara branch, Dr. Ajith Kumar, secretary IMA, Dr. J. P. Shetty, programme co-ordinator were also present. The function was attended by a large number of participants representing various medical/educational institutions.