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Business Times
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Times
A COE benefits more Singaporeans if given to a private-hire car: Jeffrey Siow
[SINGAPORE] A Certificate of Entitlement (COE) benefits more Singaporeans if given to a private-hire car (PHC) company than a private car owner, said Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow. In an interview with local media on Jun 11, he countered the idea that PHCs are 'bidding up the prices of the COEs and therefore depriving Singaporeans of owning a car'. As PHCs provide access to private transport on a pay-per-use basis, they drive down demand for COEs, he argued. Without PHCs to meet the needs for private transport, more people would want their own car. 'If you have one COE left to allocate, is it better… to give it to a private car owner who then drives maybe two trips a day and leaves the car in the garage, or is it better to share the car among a much larger group of Singaporeans who can have access to the use of a car when they need it? Surely it must be the latter, right?' In the long term, Singapore could review the COE system as a way of allocating vehicles, he added. 'But my guess is that in the short term, there won't be major tweaks.' BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Asked how Singapore will continue to manage traffic congestion, Siow said the current focus is completing the roll-out of the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) 2.0 system, while autonomous vehicles (AVs) could help in the longer term. 'I think the focus now is just sort of replacing (ERP 1.0), making sure that we get the replacement on track and (making) sure that every car is installed. As I said, that will take some time,' he said. 'After that, we can take a look at what to do in the next phase,' he added, without elaborating. The first-generation gantry-based ERP system is being replaced with satellite-based ERP 2.0 that allows for distance-based charging. Around 500,000 vehicles have been fitted with the new system as at June 2025, and the roll-out is expected to be completed by 2026. Last year, then-transport minister Chee Hong Tat said the authorities were open to a one-off increase in the total vehicle population, spread over a few years, with higher usage-based charges to prevent congestion – but such a move would need to be carefully studied. In thinking about the next phase of private transport policy, the starting point is the need to limit the total vehicle population, said Siow. Then the consideration is what to do 'at the edges, at the margins… to adjust that top-line number', he said. AVs could be a 'game changer' for private transport if they eventually present a good alternative to owning a car, similar to PHCs now, he noted.
Hindustan Times
08-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Punjab to hire retired doctors to assess quality of health care in govt facilities
In a move aimed at improving health care delivery in government-run facilities, the Punjab government has decided to hire retired doctors to conduct quality assessments. In the circular issued to all civil surgeons – HT has a copy of it – the state health department has invited applications from retired doctors to conduct National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) assessments under the National Health Mission (NHM). As per the written orders, these retired professionals will be empanelled to carry out assessments of district hospitals, community health centres, primary health centres (PHCs), Urban PHCs (UPHCs), and sub centres. 'Applicants must have a sound understanding of public health systems. Preference will be given to those having previous experience or training in quality improvement initiatives or NQAS assessments,' reads the health department's letter. Currently, 1,962 (51%) out of the total 3,847 sanctioned posts of general medical officers are lying vacant. A similar situation prevails in the specialist cadre, where 990 (47%) of the 2,098 sanctioned posts are vacant. Meanwhile, the Punjab civil medical services association (PCMSA) said the government should give priority to young doctors in recruitment. Dr Akhil Sarin, state president, PCMSA, said, 'Instead of giving jobs to young doctors, the government is hiring retired doctors. This move by the government is not in the right direction. We demand that young doctors should be given priority in every recruitment.'
The Hindu
05-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Bhadradri Kothagudem Collector earns praise for promoting community-driven water conservation efforts under JSJB initiative
Bhadradri Kothagudem Collector Jitesh V. Patil has earned wide appreciation from the Ministry of Jal Shakti for his pro-active role in promoting community-driven water conservation efforts under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) initiative in the predominantly tribal dominated district. According to official sources, the construction of low-cost soak pits involving various government departments and all stakeholders in a collaborative mode and the impactful on-ground efforts under the JSJB initiative from April 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025, in the district came in for praise by the Jal Shakti Ministry. Under the JSJB initiative, thousands of soak pits and rainwater harvesting structures have been constructed through shramadan in different government buildings, including Anganwadi centres, schools and PHCs, besides several other locations across the district, to conserve water and increase the ground water table, sources added.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
‘People above 30 years should get BP checked regularly'
Varanasi: To mark , the health department on Saturday launched a month-long public awareness campaign and screening activities. Chief medical officer Dr Sandeep Chaudhary said: "Every year on May 17, World Hypertension Day is celebrated. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This year, the theme is 'measure your blood pressure accurately, control it, live longer'. The aim is to promote the prevention, early detection, and treatment of hypertension at the community level." During this period, awareness programmes will be held at district hospitals, all urban and rural CHCs and PHCs. These will include walkathons, marathons, rallies, cycling rallies, quizzes, slogan writing, painting competitions and street plays. Additionally, screening camps will be organised at govt health units, bus stands, railway stations and urban slums, where checks for hypertension, diabetes, and cancer will be conducted. The deputy CMO and programme nodal officer Dr YB Pathak said everyone over the age of 30 should regularly get their BP checked. "For this, under the STEMI project, arrangements have been made for testing at all community health centres (CHCs), including district hospitals. Anyone can go there to get tested," he said. He said: "Hypertension is also known as high blood pressure. It often results from an irregular lifestyle, obesity, ignoring stress and poor diet. By adopting a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle, we can certainly avoid it. High BP can lead to serious conditions like heart attack, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and vision loss." Common symptoms include headaches, excessive stress, chest pain or heaviness, difficulty breathing, sudden anxiety, difficulty understanding or speaking, sudden numbness, tingling or weakness in the face, arms, or legs, or blurred vision. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Preventive measures include maintaining an average blood pressure between 85 and 135. "If it exceeds this, seek treatment. Such patients should regularly monitor their blood pressure and pay special attention to their diet. Exercise to maintain a balanced weight, and avoid smoking and alcohol consumption," he said.
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Collector inspects Primary Health Centre in Namakkal
Namakkal District Collector S. Uma held an inspection at the Yelur Primary Health Centre (PHC) in the district on Saturday. The Collector made a surprise inspection at the PHC in Yelur that comes under the Puduchatram panchayat union and verified the records of patients' arrival, treatment facilities, medicine availability, attendance of doctors and nurses, details of pregnant women registered at the PHC, and records of blood samples. The Collector also inspected the Outpatient (OP) ward and interacted with the people waiting in the OP ward and inpatients regarding the facilities provided to them. The Collector told the people at the PHC that treatment provided at PHCs and government hospitals was on a par with private hospitals, and that it was being provided free of cost under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme. Similarly, treatment is provided at government and private hospitals for accident victims under Innuyir Kappom Nammai Kakkum scheme. Later, in another function at Yelur, the Collector and Rajya Sabha member K.R.N. Rajeshkumar flagged off two buses on extended routes. The town bus from Tiruchengode to Periya Manali will now operate to Yelur PHC. Likewise, the Rasipuram-Yelur town bus has now been extended to Pudupatti Colony.
