1. State launches first rare blood donor programme
Highlight:
- Launch in Karnataka: The ‘Rare Blood Donor’ programme was launched in Karnataka by Rotary Bangalore TTK Blood Centre’s BMST, in association with the Karnataka State Blood Transfusion Council.
- Statewide Initiative: Blood centres across Karnataka will receive training and awareness about rare blood groups under this programme.
- Registry for Karnataka Donors: BMST is forming a registry of voluntary donors with rare blood groups specific to Karnataka.
- Support from Health Minister: Karnataka’s Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao launched the programme on National Voluntary Blood Donation Day (October 1).
- Rare Blood Testing in Karnataka: Extended blood group testing by serology and molecular techniques will be done in Karnataka to identify rare blood types among patients and donors.
- International Collaboration in Karnataka: Anonymized data of Karnataka’s rare blood donors will be shared with the International Rare Donor Panel.
Significant Role for Karnataka: Apart from the ICMR Mumbai centre, Karnataka’s BMST is the only centre in India that has started this rare blood donor registry.
2. Chinese garlic glut in market worry Karnataka farmers
Highlight:
- Chinese Garlic Influx: Chinese-grown garlic has flooded markets in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada, raising concerns among local farmers.
- Price Difference: Chinese garlic is priced at Rs 50-60 per kg, significantly cheaper than Indian varieties, which sell for Rs 250 per kg.
- Raid in Udupi: Udupi Municipal Commissioner seized five quintals of Chinese garlic at the APMC yard, with plans to verify its legitimacy before releasing it to the market.
- Market Impact: The larger size and easier peeling of Chinese garlic make it more popular with customers, affecting the demand for local garlic.
- Price Pressure: Traders in Shivamogga expect the influx of Chinese garlic to lower the prices of Indian garlic from Rs 200-225 per kg to Rs 175-150 per kg.
- Licensing Issue: Chinese garlic has entered under wholesalers’ trade licenses, with no special trading license required for retail sales.
Periodic Appearance: According to a trader, Chinese garlic periodically enters Indian markets and helps regulate garlic prices.
3. Shakti scheme
