Swine flu has claimed 34 more lives as the nationwide toll from the H1N1 virus so far touched 1,075 with the number of cases of the disease inching towards the 20,000 mark this year.
Data collated by the Health Ministry said that altogether, 1,075 persons have now perished from the disease in 2015 while the number of those affected by swine flu stands at 19,972 as on February 28.
The ministry had on Saturday said that the toll as on February 27 was 1,041 while the number of persons affected by swine flu in various states was 19,046.
The data on Sunday showed that Gujarat has crossed Rajasthan in terms of the number of deaths with 265 casualties while 4,368 people are affected by the disease in the state.
Rajasthan has seen 261 persons falling prey to the H1N1 virus with 5,528 cases reported.
In Madhya Pradesh, swine flu has claimed 153 lives while 1,010 people were affected by the virus. The toll in Maharashtra touched 143 with 1,735 cases having so far come to light.
In Telangana and Punjab, the disease has claimed 57 and 42 lives, respectively while in Delhi, 10 persons have died due to swine flu. The number of affected persons in the national capital has risen to 2,891.
The disease has claimed the lives of 46 persons in Karnataka with Haryana (21 deaths), Andhra Pradesh (12 deaths), Himanchal Pradesh (eight deaths), Jammu and Kashmir and Kerala (both seven deaths) also grappling with swine flu.
Health Minister JP Nadda had earlier said that the 21 laboratories capable at present of testing swine flu were "not enough" and the government was planning to set up H1N1 testing facilities in every state with financial provisions being made for it.
The government has repeatedly asserted that it was "very serious" about combating the disease and has asked the people to not panic but remain alert. (PTI)

Riba, one of the doyens of the cooperative movement in Arunachal and wife of former chief minister late Tomo Riba, received the honouor during the 12th annual conference of the Arunachal branch of Asom-Arunachal Lekhika Sanmmanoy Rakkshi Somaroh Samiti (AALSRSS) at Kristi Kendra here.
"In spite of the fact that you got married to an Arunachalee long ago and accustomed to a new culture, your heart still beats for your mother tongue. The formation of AALSRSS is testimony to your unparalleled love and respect for it," the memento presented to her read, adding "In true sense, you are the true ambassador for cultural integration, promotion and development of languages of both the states."
Reciprocating the love and respect shown to her, Riba appealed to all to maintain the age-old relationship between the people of both the sisterly states.
"The peoples of both the states have equal responsibilities to keep this cordial relationship alive and intact," she said.
Award winning author and Chief Information Commissioner YD Thongchi, in his address, highlighted the achievements of Assamese women writers. He said that 11 Sahitya Academy Awards have so far been bagged by women writers in Assam which deserved appreciation.
"It is only in literature front the Asamese women are marching equally along with their male counterparts," Thongchi, who himself is a noted Assamese writer.
Thongchi pointed out that lack of a common language has badly affected literature and literary activities in the state.
Stressing on strengthening the existing age-old cordial relationships between the peoples of the two states further, several speakers asserted, "Even though we were separated geographically, the bond we have since time immemorial will remain so for ever."
Earlier, Asom-Arunachal Lekhika Sanmmanoy Rakkshi Somaroh Samiti, Arunachal branch AALSRSS secretary Tutumani Barua earlier briefed last yearâ€(TM)s activities of the Samiti.
The meeting was attended, among others, by Assam Lekhika Samaroh Samity secretary Subarna Saikia Bordoloi, LDWWC president Deepanjali Dutta, secretary Swarna Bora and Arunachal Pradesh Literary Society convenor-cum-assistant general secretary Dr Pekba Ringu.

The discussions covered included status of repair and maintenance of civil works of Pacha hydel project, ATMA activities, CBSE exam preparation, forest royalty and reviewed actions taken on the basis of last meeting. (DIPRO)

The AAPBSU demands included creation of 3rd AAP Battalion for deployment along the disputed inter-state boundary to provide safety and security to the people and full fledged director along with subordinate officers and staffs to make the borders affairs department functional, the union resolved to intensify the movement against till the demands are met, an AAPBSU release said.

The mortal remains were handed over to the family after conducting the post mortem while a search was launched to trace the absconding driver, police sources said.
Okit, 28, also vice president of All Bogong Students Union, a resident of Yapgo village here, was on way to Pasighat market from Raneghat when the mishap occurred.
The mob assembled on the spot got enraged and set the truck afire. The situation went out of control Sunday morning when the civil society members including students agitated inside the GREF camp at Raneghat pressing for three-point demands.
As the police, GREAF officers and public could not resolve the crisis, ADC Ruchika Katyal (along with officers rushed to the GREF camp to resolve the issue after a meeting.
Accepting the demands, the GREF authority assured to handover the driver after locating him, pay ex-gratia and other compensation as per law within 48 hours and construct a memorial for Okit with due consent of the bereaved family. (DIPRO)

The Drugs & Cosmetic Act-Rule 65 is not implemented in the state though stateâ€(TM)s assistant drugs controller and drugs licensing authority had notified its implementation, it said enclosing the copy of the public notice, the UDF said in a release.
The notice called for strict implementation of the Act, mandatory presence of pharmacists in drug stores, compulsory sell of life saving drugs only against prescription and effective billing system.
The drug controller administration is in under the health services director and only six drugs inspector are employed in the state at present.
All drug licenses and pharmacists registration need to be online for the safety of 13 lakh people of Arunachal, a state located along Bhutan, China and Myanmar, said the UDF, which had launched â€~Clean Arunachal â€" Healthy Arunachal" abhiyan here for patientsâ€(TM) safety recently.
Pointing out that it has been taking initiative to sensitize the central and state governments for establishment of drug testing laboratory, pharmacovigilance centre in Arunachal would also pursue the Centre for support to the state.

EKSWCO chairman Kya Safar Pao encouraged the student to regularly participate in such events voluntarily to meet the objective of education to serve the society. He urged them to be the torch bearer of the society to spear awareness against the social evils through NSS.
Principal Robin Hisang highlighted the values of studentsâ€(TM) participation in such social activities which imbibed a sense of responsibility and discipline in their personal life.
NSS programme officer Pussang Tama briefed the students on the motto, â€~not me but youâ€(TM) and asked them to pay back to the society through such social activities. (DIPRO)

Arunachal Pradesh Agricultural Product Marketing Board chairman Ngurang Pinch, agriculture department officers including director (Marketing) Mudang Butang and DAO-cum-agricultural produce marketing committee (APMC) secretary Joram Toko were present, according to an official release.