Aroundtown

Slum Dept official charged with embezzlement
The government on Wednesday filed a first information report against Purshottam Kumar,an assistant director of the Slum Department,for embezzling Rs 3.5 crore. Kumar,who was posted as Assistant Director (Cash),used to allegedly collect rent from squatters and instead of depositing it in the Slum Board’s account,keep it with himself. He also used to allegedly issue fake counterfoils with bank stamps to squatters in return for the money. Walia has directed a special officer of the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board to study older records for further investigation.

Six-yr-old undergoes rare liver transplant
Six-year-old Tavish has become the world’s youngest child to undergo a liver transplant surgery to cure Factor VII deficiency,a rare bleeding disorder. Costing Rs 15 lakh,the surgery was conducted at Medicity Medanta,and the child was discharged on Wednesday. Before specialists diagnosed his rare condition,Tavish used to bleed in the brain,kidneys and under his skin. Dr AS Soin,Chief Surgeon and Chairman of Medanta Institute of Liver Transplantation,said it was a huge challenge as Tavish weighed just six kg,and constantly required special injections to improve the blood clotting process. Also,the transplanted liver had to be treated to a strict exercise routine for one month before the surgery could be conducted. Factor VII deficiency,a fatal disease due to difficulties in diagnosing and treating,affects one in 500,000 babies.

Two youths drown in Yamuna,one rescued
Two youths drowned in the Yamuna in the Capital on Wednesday evening while they were taking a bath,fire brigade officials said. The incident took place in Madanpur Khadar in South Delhi around 6 pm while three persons were taking a bath in the river. The deceased persons have been identified as Viplav (23) and Sandeep (18). The third person,Rakesh (15),was rescued.