மதுரையில் இருந்து வெளியூர் செல்ல கடைசி பஸ்கள் நேரம் அறிவிப்பு

மதுரையில் இருந்து வெளியூர் செல்ல கடைசி பஸ்கள் நேரம் அறிவிப்பு

Added : ஏப் 20, 2021 02:00

மதுரை : தமிழகத்தில் இன்று முதல் இரவுநேர ஊரடங்கு (இரவு 10:00 - காலை 4:00 மணி) அமல்படுத்தப்படுவதால் மதுரையில் இருந்து வெளி மாவட்டங்களுக்கு கடைசியாக இயக்கப்படும் அரசு பஸ்கள் நேரம் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

ஆரப்பாளையம்  மற்றும் மாட்டுத்தாவணி பஸ் ஸ்டாண்ட்களில் இருந்து கடைசியாக இயக்கப்படும் பஸ்கள் நேரம் விவரம்:ஆரப்பாளையம் பஸ் ஸ்டாண்டில் இருந்து சேலம், கோவை, ஈரோடு - மாலை 5:00 மணி. கொடைக்கானல் -மாலை 5:45 மணி. திருப்பூர், பொள்ளாச்சி- மாலை 6:00 மணி. கரூர், கம்பம், பழநி - இரவு 7:00 மணி. தேனி, பெரியகுளம், திண்டுக்கல்- இரவு 8:00 மணி. நிலக்கோட்டை (வழி சோழவந்தான்) - இரவு 8:30 மணி.

மாட்டுத்தாவணி பஸ் ஸ்டாண்டில் இருந்து திருச்செந்துார், நாகர்கோவில் - மாலை 5:00 மணி. ராமேஸ்வரம், தென்காசி - மாலை 6:00 மணி. திருச்சி, ராமநாதபுரம், நெல்லை - இரவு 7:00 மணி. ராஜபாளையம் - இரவு 7:30 மணி. சிவகங்கை, கோவில்பட்டி, சிவகாசி - இரவு 8:00 மணி. அருப்புக்கோட்டை, நத்தம் - இரவு 8:30 மணி.மாவட்ட பகுதி மற்றும் மாநகராட்சி எல்லைக்குள் இரவு 10:00 மணிக்குள் பஸ்கள் போய் சேரும் வகையில் இயக்கப்படும்.

ஞாயிறு முழு ஊரடங்கில் இயக்கப்படாது என பொது மேலாளர் ராஜேஸ்வரன் தெரிவித்துள்ளார். சென்னைக்கு மதுரையில் இருந்து சென்னைக்கு செல்லும் அனைத்து அரசு விரைவு போக்குவரத்துக் கழக பஸ்களும் பகல் 12:00 மணிக்கு மேல் இயக்கப்படாது என பொது மேலாளர் (எஸ்.இ.டி.சி.,) அபிமன்யூ தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

'ஆன்லைன்' சேவை பேரூராட்சிகளில் துவக்கம்

'ஆன்லைன்' சேவை பேரூராட்சிகளில் துவக்கம்

Added : ஏப் 20, 2021 01:41

பேரூராட்சிகளில் முடங்கியிருந்த, 'ஆன்லைன்' சேவை, மீண்டும் செயல்பாட்டுக்கு வந்தது.மாநிலத்தில் உள்ள பேரூராட்சிகளில், 2012 -- 13 நிதியாண்டு முதல், நிர்வாக பணிகள் கம்ப்யூட்டர் மயமாக்கப்பட்டன.

சொத்து வரி, குடிநீர் கட்டணம், தொழில் வரி வசூல், கட்டட அனுமதி, பிறப்பு, இறப்பு சான்று பணிகள், பிரத்யேக, 'சாப்ட்வேர்' உதவியுடன், 'ஆன்லைன்' மூலம் மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டன. இணையதள சேவையை, தனியார் நிறுவனத்தினர் பராமரித்து வந்தனர். கடந்த முதல் தேதியில் இருந்து, இணைய சேவை முடங்கியது. மத்திய அரசின் தகவல் தொழில்நுட்ப துறையின் கீழ் செயல்படும், தேசிய தகவல் மையமான, 'நிக்' கட்டுப் பாட்டின் கீழ், இணைய சேவையை கொண்டு வர உள்ளதாக கூறப்பட்டது.இந்நிலையில், நேற்று முதல், மீண்டும் இணையதள சேவை துவங்கியது. 'அடுத்த மாதம், 31ம் தேதி வரை, தனியார் நிறுவனத்தினரே இணைய சேவை பராமரிப்பு பணிகளை மேற்கொள்வர்' என, அதிகாரிகள் கூறினர்.

Delhi placed under lockdown for a week; no option, says Kejriwal

Delhi placed under lockdown for a week; no option, says Kejriwal

‘Health Infra May Collapse Otherwise’

AlokKNMishra@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:20.04.2021

A beleaguered Delhi government has imposed a week-long lockdown in the city from 10 pm onwards on Monday till 5 am on April 26 to arrest the alarming rise in Covid cases. The surge has left the healthcare infrastructure stretched to its limits and caused acute shortage of oxygen. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal warned that if strict measures were not taken now, the healthcare system could collapse.

All non-essential movement, including that of domestic helps, has been prohibited. Public parks, malls, markets, liquor shops, barber shops, saloons, beauty parlours, cinemas, non-essential private offices, etc. will remain shut with the aim to break the chain of coronavirus transmission.

Migrants climb into buses to leave New Delhi on Monday

Travel agents appeal to keep offices shut in Guj

Due to the steep surge in Covid-19 cases, Travel Agents’ Federation of India (TAFI) – Gujarat has appealed to all travel agents to keep their offices shut till April 30 as a self-awareness measure. Other trade associations, such as jewellery markets in Ratanpole and Manek Chowk, cutlery market, Madhupura, and New Madhupura markets and the grain merchants association also extended their plans for keeping their markets shut over the weekend till the end of April. TNN P3

CAPITAL LOCKDOWN

Delhi public transport to run with restricted capacity

Public transport like the metro, buses, cabs and autorickshaws will be allowed to run with a restricted sitting capacity but they can carry only those people who are exempted from the lockdown.

“If the health system collapses, then I fear we might witness a huge tragedy," said the CM at a press conference after discussing the Covid situation with lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal. Kejriwal said he has always been opposed to such lockdowns but the government was left with no other option.

Soon after the announcement, migrant workers began gathering at Anand Vihar ISBT while many people stormed various liquor shops across the city to stock up. In the melee, Covid-appropriate behaviour went for a toss.

“I understand how people lose their jobs and salaries during lockdowns. This is especially difficult for the economically weaker sections and daily wage labourers. The last time a lockdown was imposed in the entire country, we saw how a large number of migrant workers began returning to their villages. I would like to appeal to them, with folded hands, that this is a short lockdown, for six days. Please do not leave Delhi. You will lose a lot of time, money and energy in travelling. Stay in Delhi. I strongly believe that this short lockdown would not be extended,” said Kejriwal.

Among the exemptions that have been granted is the movement of people for marriage- related gatherings. Up to 50 people will be allowed on producing a soft or hard copy of the wedding card while only up to 20 people will be allowed for funeral-related gatherings. All other social, political and religious gatherings have been banned. Visitors have been barred from religious places which, however, can stay open. Bars and restaurants will remain closed but home delivery is allowed.

The lockdown was announced the day the weekend lockdown ended. Unlike the 2020 lockdown, this short lockdown does not prohibit interstate travel.

People can go to the airport, railway stations and ISBT with avalid ticket and also use public transport services.

‘How are you, son?’ Woman calls up dead son from outside hosp

‘How are you, son?’ Woman calls up dead son from outside hosp

Yogesh Chawda & Parth Shastri TNN

Ahmedabad:  20.04.2021

Poonam Solanki, in her late sixties, stood outside the 1,200-bed Covid hospital at Civil Hospital here recently. A phone in hand, she was on a video call with her son Mahendra, 30.

“How are you son? Do they give you good food? I’m praying for your fast recovery from corona,” she told her son on the other side of the call. She hung up after asking him to get well and return home soon. The call lasted for over five minutes.

For any passerby, Poonam could have been one of the hundreds of people talking to their relatives fighting Covid-19 infection inside hospital wards — the only difference was that Poonam’s son had succumbed to the virus six months ago.

Poonam’s relative told TOI that Mahendra died on September 24 at the Civil Hospital and what Poonam sees on her screen is the last recording of the video call with him.

“He ran a milk parlour in Narol. He was hospitalized here for about 5-6 days before he succumbed to the infection. He was very close to his mother. She is aware that her son is no more but there are days when, overcome with grief, she slips into denial and comes to the Civil Hospital in a bid to connect with him. As she is mostly alright, we get her to the hospital and to the same spot where she last chatted with Mahendra.

“This gives her a sense of calm. We know it is not healthy but we don’t have a better way to help her handle her grief,” said a relative.

With Covid-19 unleashing an unprecedented tragedy in the state, there are many people across Gujarat who are left grappling with the sudden loss of their near and dear one

Govt has already executed measures suggested by Manmohan: Vardhan

Govt has already executed measures suggested by Manmohan: Vardhan

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:20.04.2021

Former PM Manmohan Singh’s five-point advisory to PM Narendra Modi on Sunday on how to fight the Covid-19 pandemic drew a sharp response from health minister Harsh Vardhan who said the ex-PM was being misled by his advisors as the government has already implemented the steps suggested by him.

“It does seem that those who drafted your letter or advised you have done a great disservice to your standing by misleading you regarding material that is already in public domain. For example, take the point that you have mentioned about allowing import of vaccines that have already been approved by credible foreign authorities. You made this suggestion on April 18 but a decision on this was taken a week ahead of your suggestion, on April 11,” Vardhan said.

“The same is the case with your suggestion regarding providing funds and other concessions to augment vaccine manufacturing. This decision was also taken many days before receipt of your letter and multiple vaccine manufacturing entities have been funded by the government to immediately enhance production,” the minister added.

In his response, released hours before Singh tested positive for Covid-19 and had to be admitted to AIIMS, Vardhan agreed with the former PM’s emphasis on vaccination as a defence against the pandemic, but said the government had already rolled out the world’s biggest vaccination drive.

Full report on www.toi.in

SHARP RESPONSE: Health minister Harsh Vardhan said former PM Manmohan Singh was being misled by his advisors

Modi urges top doctors to dispel rumours about Covid treatment

Modi urges top doctors to dispel rumours about Covid treatment

Meets Pharma Industry Leaders, Lauds Their Role In Covid Battle

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:20.04.2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged the country’s leading doctors to educate people against rumours on Covid-19 treatment and prevention.

“In these difficult times, it is very important that people do not become a victim of panic. Along with proper treatment, emphasis must also be on counselling of patients admitted in hospitals,” the PM said while interacting with doctors via video conferencing on the Covid-19 issue and vaccination. Modi also encouraged doctors to use tele-medicine for treatment of other diseases, in case there was no emergency.

Prominent doctors including Devi Shetty, Shashank Joshi, Naresh Trehan, Sushila Kataria and IMA president J A Jayalal, along with several others, attended the interaction with the PM.

The PM said the pandemic was spreading rapidly in Tier 2 and 3 cities as well. He called for accelerating efforts to upgrade resources in such places. He urged doctors to connect with their colleagues working in Tier 2 and 3 cities and give them online consultations to ensure that all protocols are followed correctly.

“During the same time last year, it was due to our doctors’ hard work and the nation’s strategy that we were able to control the coronavirus wave. Now that the country is facing the second wave, all doctors, our frontline workers, are confronting the pandemic with full force, and are saving the lives of millions of people,” the PM said, adding that vaccination was the biggest weapon in the fight against coronavirus.

Later, the PM interacted with leaders of the pharmaceutical industry via video conferencing. He noted the crucial role of the pharma sector in the fight against the pandemic and appreciated reduction in the price of drugs like remdesivir. To keep the supply of medicines and medical equipment smooth, he urged the pharma industry to ensure seamless supply chains.

Full report on www.toi.in

NO ALTERNATIVE: In a virtual interaction with doctors, PM Modi said vaccination was the biggest weapon in the Covid fight

Remdesivir no magic bullet: AIIMS chief

New Delhi:

Amid rising concerns about shortage of medicines and oxygen while the country reels under a massive surge in Covid-19 cases across the country, AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria emphasised on the need to follow the ‘right time and right usage’ of drugs, steroids and oxygen in treatment of hospitalised patients.

Underlining that most patients in home settings do not require these medicines and are recovering with proper care and clinical management, Dr Guleria said the drugs being used in treatment of Covid-19 are ‘investigational’ and therefore need to be used properly as per the protocol. “It’s important to understand that remdesivir isn’t a magic bullet and isn’t a drug that decreases mortality. We may use it as we don’t have an anti-viral drug. It’s of no use if given early to asymptomatic individuals or ones with mild symptoms. Also of no use, if given late,” Dr Guleria said. TNN

Tour operators hit as people cancel trips

Tour operators hit as people cancel trips

Devanathan.Veerappan@timesgroup.com

Madurai:20.04.2021

Tour operators in Madurai are witnessing large-scale cancellation of trips following the second Covid-19 wave. Operators say that this comes at a time when domestic tourism just started picking up demand.

There are around 50 tour operators in Madurai district, who handle organized trips to domestic and foreign locations. All sorts of tours including leisure, medical and corporate have come down ever since the pandemic broke out.

Domestic tourism started picking up a few months ago after states relaxed restrictions and normalcy returned. People from southern districts were planning tours for recreation to destinations such as Kashmir, Goa and north eastern states this summer. But they have started cancelling them as Covid-19 cases are touching new heights.

“Our members had a considerable number of bookings to destinations such as Kashmir and a few north east states. But they are receiving requests for cancellations at the last minute,” Forum of Tour Organisers president A Satheesh Kumar said.

“Tourism was the first industry to be affected and will be the last industry to be revived due to Covid-19. Tour operators are struggling to cope with the situation. Air ticket bookings has also come down drastically.

“Many flights are also getting cancelled throughout the nation due to less demand,” he said.

Travel Club president (Madurai) G Raveendran said that tourists from other states who were planning holidays in tourist destinations in southern districts are also cancelling. Apart from tour organisers, hoteliers too are affected. “A prominent hotel in Kodaikanal has seen cancellation of 600 rooms booked for this week alone. Some of the corporate companies, which planned holidays for its employees have cancelled them at the last minute,” he said.

The situation looks grim for international tourism in the next couple of years as business travel abroad has come to a standstill.

However, lakhs of money paid by tour operators in advance for ticketing has been locked up with airline agencies.

“Tour operators are in the midst of financial distress. If the money held by airlines is released, we can get some relief. The Central government should intervene and take measures to get us the money. We do not know when we can make use of it as revival is not in sight for now,” he said.

People from southern districts were planning tours for recreation to destinations such as Kashmir, Goa and north eastern states this summer. But they have started cancelling them as Covid-19 cases are touching new heights

Sailing from Chennai to Russia in just 24 hours

TIME IS MONEY

Sailing from Chennai to Russia in just 24 hours

New Sea Link To Vladivostok To Help Avoid Middle East

V Ayyappan & P Oppili | TNN

20.04.2021

If everything goes as per plan, giant oil tanker ships carrying crude oil or LNG may sail into Chennai from Vladivostok in Russia in a year.

Two years after it was first mooted, Chennai Port Trust will start the process to identify a consultant this week to study feasibility of a Chennai-Vladivostok sea link via the Straits of Malacca and South China Sea, covering ports in Malaysia, Philippines and South Korea.

A tender was floated in March and the technical bids will be opened on Friday. The commercial bids or final bids are expected to be opened on April 22.

The consultant will study the route, its revenue potential, the goods that can be transported and other details in around four to five months after the contract has been awarded.

The Eastern maritime corridor is shorter and ships will be able to sail to the destination in Russia in 24hours as against the longer route via Suez Canal and Europe.

The main aim of the route is to import crude oil and LNG as part of the efforts to explore import options from countries other than those in the Middle East, said an official.

ONGC Videsh has already started production in an offshore field off Sakhalin Islands in Russia. There is also scope for bringing coal, timber, machinery, agriculture produce, vehicles, tin, gold, diamond and other materials from Russia.

Sources in the Chennai Port Trust said there are some cargo movements from Chennai to Vladivostok at present. This cargo passes through Visakhapatnam, Kolkata, Myanmar, Malaysia and reaches Suez Canal from there to the east coast of Russia. This also means that the cargo needs to be clubbed with those headed to other ports. So far there is no direct connectivity between Chennai port and the Russian ports. Hence it was proposed to take up the study to explore the possibility of improving the trade between the two nations.

“We feel that if a study on this route is done, it will help in understanding the potential that it will provide to those in the trade. The study will also help in learning about the types of cargo that can be transported from Chennai to Vladivostok,” said a senior official. The route is being prepared after Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed an agreement at Vladivostok in 2019.

The proposed eastern maritime corridor will link ports of Chennai, Visakhapatnam and Kolkata with those of ports in Vladivostok, Vostochny and Olga in the east coast of Russia.

City hospital performs rare surgery

City hospital performs rare surgery

Chennai:20.04.2021

Doctors at Rela Hospital have performed a liver transplantation without blood transfusion on a 3-year-old Ukrainian girl.

Milana was referred to the hospital with a critical medical condition. Since her family belongs to Jehovah’s Witness (followers of a Christian faith that prohibits use of blood or blood products during treatment) her parents asked for performing the surgery without blood transfusion, an official release said.

Hospital chairman professor Mohamed Rela said with liver failure blood does not clot and meticulous care was taken during surgery to reduce blood loss.

Rlys, airlines crack down on mask violation

Rlys, airlines crack down on mask violation

Chennai:20.04.2021

Airlines and railways have started to penalise passengers for not wearing masks.

While Southern Railway collected ₹500 fine from 290 passengers each at major railway stations in the city in the last two days, a 44-year-old man was booked for refusing to wear a mask inside a flight that landed at Chennai from Kannur on Monday. Police said airline staff advised the passenger to wear masks by explaining the risks when they spotted him boarding without a mask at Kannur. However, he refused to pay heed. After the airline staff alerted the control room, police detained him when the flight touched down in Chennai at 11.30am. He was booked under the Pandemic Act and also for threatening the airline crew. TNN

City’s 18% positivity rate worries experts, doctors

City’s 18% positivity rate worries experts, doctors

Komal.Gautham@timesgroup.com

Chennai:20.04.2021

The city’s Covid-19 positivity rate of 18% is almost double the state’s 9.7% and the number of its total active cases has crossed 24,000 recorded on July 5, 2020. As on April 18, the city had 25,011 active cases.

City-based Covid data analyst Vijayanand said the doubling period for Chennai stood at eight days. If the present trend continues, there will be 50,000 cases in a week. “For entire TN, the doubling time is nine days and the cases, at this rate, will touch one lakh in the next six days.”

At present, Greater Chennai Corporation has more than 1,500 people in Covid care centres and even if 80% are in home isolation, the numbers in the coming weeks will be ery high and hospitals will be overwhelmed, said experts.

Infectious diseases expert Dr S Subramaniam said the problem is that the state has not upgraded the process, and the protocol used in March 2020 is being followed now. “We need to make quick decisions. Earlier only a few, mostly elderly, were symptomatic. Now, after one person in a family tests positive, almost all his/her contacts are testing positive, most of them youngsters and symptomatic. We cannot give them home isolation as it is risky,” he said.

With the current surge in cases, the trend of oxygen bed occupancy must be monitored, said Dr P Ganesh Kumar, assistant director at National Institute of Epidemiology. Data on proportion of active cases under oxygen support will help project the number of oxygen beds which would be filled with current increase in cases.

Corporation officials said that in the current surge more youngsters are getting affected. “For every positive case, a minimum of six contacts are being traced. The problem is all of them are testing positive. Last year, only symptomatic were tested and most of them tested negative. The entire trend has changed,” said an official.

The civic body has 12,600 beds in Covid care centres and is prepared to scale up the number to 20,000. “But we are aware this won’t be enough,” he said.

Dr Subramanian said bed shortage was far worse than last year because of the number of youngsters requiring hospitalization. “I have two pregnant mothers in ICU now. We have no new protocols on treatment as we are still following the older one.”

TN scrambles to add oxygen beds

TN scrambles to add oxygen beds

Data On Beds Not In Public Domain

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:20.04.2021

Government medical college hospitals in Chennai on Monday struggled to increase oxygen beds amid a dearth of resources including doctors, postgraduates and nurses. The public too were hassled as information on bed availability in government hospitals wasn’t available in the public domain.

The state Covid webpage showedthatof the116government-enlisted private hospitals for Covid care, 91 updated their status until Monday. Of these, 28 reported an occupancy of 100% or more, while 31 had more than 70% occupancy. On an average, 70% of oxygen beds across all private hospitals were occupied. No such information was available for government hospitals. Director of medical education Dr R Narayanababu said no patient was turned away. “But since many are asking for information about government hospitals, we are working towards putting it up on the portal.”

Information from the covid control room at the Directorate of Medical Education showed that by 3pm, nearly 72% of beds in five government hospitals were occupied. The occupancy was at 36% in health centres and 12% at Covid Care Centres.

Most patients in the four medical college hospitals and Government Covid hospital in Guindy have moderate or serious illness requiring oxygen. At the Guindy hospital, 250 of the 550 beds are oxygen beds. The government plans to add another 150 beds here.

On Monday, staff at the 3,628-bed Rajiv Gandhi Government General Gospital were dragging oxygen pipelines to more than 150 beds. “We had set aside1,618 beds as isolation beds for Covid treatment. Of this, a little more than 850 are oxygen beds, and they are all taken. We are adding oxygen pipelines to more beds,” said dean Dr E Theranirajan.

Converting a bed into oxygen bed is more than just civil work. “We have adequate oxygen capacity to convert almost all beds to oxygen beds. But it’s not just about dragging the gas pipe,” said a senior Stanley Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) professor. “We have to match it with human resources.” Of the 1,200 designated for Covid care at SMCH, 750 are oxygen beds.

“Nearly a third of all our postgraduate students are not working because they have exams. Last year, several doctors, nurses and paramedical staff were posted or deputed to city hospitals. We don’t have them this year,” he said.

Of the 380 nurses at SMCH, 10-15 are posted to manage wards where there are senior or vulnerable patients with moderate/severe illness. Health officials said facilities will be ramped up.

Manmohan & T’gana CM KCR test +ve

Manmohan & T’gana CM KCR test +ve

DurgeshNandan Jha & Koride Mahesh TNN

20.04.2021

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi on Monday after testing positive for Covid-19. The 88-year-old has taken both doses of Covid vaccine. Meanwhile, a public meeting that Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao held in Halia for the Nagarjuna Sagar assembly bypoll has led to the town becoming a Covid hotspot with nearly 60 people, including KCR, from the one lakh gathering testing positive.

Former PM Manmohan Singh (L) & Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao

‘Manmohan’s condition is stable, showing mild symptoms’

TRS candidate, Nomula Bhagat and family members of politicians who attended the meeting too tested positive.

Senior officials said KCR has mild symptoms at present and is being treated at his farmhouse in Erravelli. The public meeting was held on April 14. Voting for the bypoll was held on April 17 and the result is on May 2.

KCR, who was suffering from mild fever, body ache and other symptoms since Sunday tested positive for Covid-19 in a rapid antigen test. Later, an RTPCR test result too was positive.

Telangana chief secretary Somesh Kumar told TOI that a special team of doctors has been deputed to monitor KCR’s health. The staff and people who moved with him closely have also been asked to get themselves tested and go for home isolation for a few days.

Former PM Singh has mild symptoms of the disease, including fever and has been admitted to the AIIMS Trauma Centre, which is a dedicated Covid facility, hospital sources said, adding that his condition is stable. The decision to hospitalise the former PM was taken considering his age and history of illness. Singh is known to be diabetic and a heart patient. He has undergone two bypass surgeries. In 1990, he underwent a bypass surgery in the UK, followed by an angioplasty in 2004 in Delhi. In 2009, he again underwent bypass surgery at AIIMS to open-up blocked arteries.

Worried migrant workers in a hurry to get back home

Worried migrant workers in a hurry to get back home

Crowds Throng Chennai Central After TN Announces Further Restrictions

Shanmughasundaram.J@timesgroup.com

Chennai:20.04.2021

Hoping to return to their hometown in Rajasthan before things go out of control, Ram Prasad along with eight of his family members reached MGR Central railway station on Monday morning to catch a train. Prasad’s family reached Chennai by bus from Dindigul where he was a daily wage labourer in a plywood-making unit. However, he was worried to see anxious guest workers like him slowly and steadily congregating at the railway station.

Fearful of a repeat of the exodus last year, guest workers are crowding railway stations and making inquiries on trains to their destinations. On Sunday, the Tamil Nadu government had put in place restrictions after Covid-19 cases breached the 10,000 mark for the first time. The restrictions have caused panic among hundreds of guest workers. “We have been adhering to the SOPs that are in place since last summer. We have advised employers to take care of the workforce,” said a senior IAS officer in the department of labour.

LONG WAIT: Migrant workers at MGR Central on Monday

Pondy imposes 10pm-5am night curfew

Puducherry has decided to impose night curfew between 10pm and 5am from April 20 to contain the spread of Covid-19. Hotels have been asked to close by 8pm and allow only parcel service later. The Beach Road will be closed by 5pm.

To avoid harrowing scenes like last yr, many spend days at stns

Chennai: “I want to see my family reach home (native village) before things turn unpleasant,” said Prasad, who was worried about getting train tickets on time and a safe journey amid the Covid-19 surge.

A group of youth from Odisha recalled their experience last summer and said they were “chased like dogs and treated badly” when they tried to escape the lockdown. “We don’t want that to happen this time,” said Vidhuth in not-so-fluent Tamil. They sell carpets for a living in Chennai.

A few yards away, Shivraj and his extended family took refuge beneath a tree. It has literally turned their home for the past three days. “We are trying to book tatkal tickets for 10 family members, barring five of our children. Only four tickets were confirmed. Without a confirmed ticket, no one is let into the station. I don’t know what to do,” said Shivaraj of Bihar’s Bhagalpur district. He along with his brother and father were selling terracotta dolls in and around Tambaram. Though the situation was grim in their state, he said they had “no other choice”.

Gopal, a porter, said they had been seeing an unusual crowd in the past three days. “We can see hundreds of youngsters and women with children sitting with their belongings, packed and waiting restlessly to get tickets to their destination,” said the young porter pointing to the long queue at the tatkal counter, while a Southern Railway official said trains bound to north and northeastern states were going packed.

A small section of guest workers from MSMEs in Coimbatore and garment sectors in Tirupur have begun leaving TN too. The departure began a week ago and over the past two days, there has been a marginal increase in those leaving Coimbatore. However, the vast majority of guest workers in both cities have decided to wait and watch as they had returned only three months ago after almost six months in their hometowns.

As of now, there has been no sign of reverse migration from the central part of TN, particularly Karur, Trichy and Pudukottai districts that have a significant number of guest workers. A similar situation prevailed in Madurai and other southern districts.

(With inputs from V Mayilvaganan, M K Ananth and K Sambath Kumar)

LONGING TO GET AWAY: Migrant workers camp at Chennai Central railway station on Sunday waiting for tickets to get home

Hospitals reel as shortage of trained nurses hits hard

Hospitals reel as shortage of trained nurses hits hard

Many Leave For Better Salaries Elsewhere

Ardhra.Nair@timesgroup.com

Pune:19.04.2021 

Hospitals in the city are facing an acute shortage of nursing staff after many took up offers in their native states and abroad for lucrative pay packages.

Workload in the Covid-19 pandemic has increased and hospitals have upped their bed capacity to accommodate more patients, stretching the nursing staff to the limits.

Many hospitals said earlier one nurse managed 5-6 patients, but now it is 15 patients. Similarly, if the ratio for ICU beds was one nurse per bed, it is now three beds per staff.

Abrarali Dalal, chief operating officer in Sahyadri Hospitals, said their units were full just like the last year’s. “There is a global shortage of nursing staff. Indian nurses are getting lucrative offers, especially from the Gulf countries. Fresh graduates are not available as colleges have not held exams or have delayed the results during the pandemic. There is a shortage of senior nursing staff to cope with the sudden increase in patients. Nurses are now working almost beyond their capacities,” he added.

Noble Hospital said they need over 400 nurses but have  235. Most are from other states and have gone back home or abroad, some switched to the jumbo facilities while 30 went into government health services.

“Some nurses stopped coming after the March salary. We have complained to the police station that 25 nurses have left without any intimation and don’t take our calls. The government is asking us to increase the beds, but where is the manpower? We have told senior doctors and consultants to do ward duty which is not their job profile. Attrition in nurses affects us the most because about 70% of the work when a patient is admitted in the hospital is done by hem,” executive director H K Sale said.

Lokmanya Hospital, Chinchwad has doubled the salaries during the pandemic but it is still hard to retain them.

“If earlier we had one nurse per patient on a ventilator, now we are forced to have one nurse for 2-3 patients on a ventilator. Since there is more probability of healthcare workers contracting the virus, they are leaving for their native places because they feel that even if they test positive, they should be near their loved ones rather than staying in isolation in an unknown place,” COO Shrikrishna Joshi said.

They have increased operational beds for Covid patients to 150, but the nursing staff strength has not gone up. Earlier a nurse would care for six patients, now it is 15.

Arrear pending since ’90? Anna University lets you clear it

Arrear pending since ’90? Anna University lets you clear it

Anna University has announced a special chance for students admitted since 1990 to clear their pending arrear exams.

Published: 18th April 2021 04:18 AM 

By Sushmitha Ramakrishnan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Anna University has announced a special chance for students admitted since 1990 to clear their pending arrear exams. They will get three chances in August/September 2021, February 2022, and August 2022. The university, in a statement on Friday, advised students to utilise these chances “with utmost care and diligence” since it will be the final opportunity. It said two categories of students will be permitted for these special exams.

“Students of university department of Anna University, Chennai, admitted in the academic year 1990 onwards — both UG and PG under full-time and parttime mode,” is one category. The consideration will also be extended to students of affiliated colleges of Anna University and students admitted to colleges affiliated at the time of admission.

However, the chance will only be provided to students who were admitted since 2002 and those who were pursuing their third semester at least, in 2001. The eligibility criteria includes: “Students of affiliated colleges of Anna University and students admitted in the affiliated colleges at the time of admission i.e. during academic year 2001 (3rd semester onwards) and currently in autonomous ones including distance education offered by Anna University.”

Have an uncleared arrear from 1990? Anna Univ gives a chance

Speaking to Express, M Venkatesan, the controller of examinations of the varsity, said the decision was finalised in the 260th syndicate meeting held on February 16. The varsity had previously given two chances to clear arrears, for students admitted in the university department since 2000. While the first chance was given in November 2019, the second was completed only in April 2021 due to the lockdown and other restrictions.

“Students could not fully avail this because of the lockdown. However, we have extended the consideration all the way back to 1990 for the benefit of students this time,” said a senior official from the varsity. Other details about the special exams will be updated subsequently on Anna University’s web portal, the statement said. A decision on the initiative was taken during the meeting the vice-chancellors held on July 29, 2020 under the chairpersonship of principal secretary, Higher Education Department.

Professors in Tamil Nadu forced to canvass students for college admissions

Professors in Tamil Nadu forced to canvass students for college admissions

Come admissions season, private colleges turn professors into marketing executives to rope in new students every year, letting education take a backseat.

Published: 19th April 2021 03:53 AM 

By Express News Service

COIMBATORE: Come admissions season, private colleges turn professors into marketing executives to rope in new students every year, letting education take a backseat. From sourcing students’ database illegally from government schools to making cold calls to students, the faculty members allege they are being exploited by managements.

M Kaviyarasan, an assistant professor at a private college on the outskirts of the city, alleged that the staff members were forced to collect class 12 student databases, including their contact numbers, by visiting schools daily. “During the visits, headmasters do not treat us with respect and often do not part with the details.” To overcome these hurdles, a few colleges have been bribing headmasters with cash and furniture to get the students’ details, Kaviyarasan added.

“This poses a big challenge to us every year. Although the government clearly says colleges should not involve professors in other work, they continue to do so,” he rued. Besides fieldwork, professors make cold calls as well. A female professor at a college in the city said that she was made to work as a telemarketer to explain course details, fees, facilities, etc. to over 150 students daily. “Meanwhile, every male professor has been assigned a target of ensuring at least five admissions in a field visit.”

Salaries of a few professors also hinge on their ability to secure admissions. Another faculty member at a private arts and science college said that he would receive his pre-Covid salary of `19,000 only if he achieves his target of three admissions.

A Head of Department at a private college said that admissions were on top of the priority list of his management. “Admission comes first, college work is second, and teaching comes last” he claimed.

Speaking to TNIE, Regional Joint Director of Collegiate Education Kalaiselvi said that a circular would be issued to private colleges on Monday directing them to not use professors for canvassing students.

ICUs scarce in Kovai

Coimbatore: Beds in ICUs are fast-filling up in the city, an alarming fact which indicates that patients are delaying seeking medical help. Over 50 per cent of ICU beds (50 to 60 beds) in CMCH were occupied. On the other hand, all 14 beds in the ICU at ESI Hospital were occupied. Dean of CMCH A Nirmala said most of the patients reported low oxygen saturation level, and difficulty in breathing.

மத்திய அரசு அதிகாரிகளுக்கு வீட்டில் இருந்தே வேலை

மத்திய அரசு அதிகாரிகளுக்கு வீட்டில் இருந்தே வேலை

Added : ஏப் 19, 2021 04:04

புதுடில்லி: மத்திய அரசின் பல்வேறு அமைச்சகங்கள் மற்றும் துறைகளில், பெரும்பாலான அதிகாரிகளை, வீட்டில் இருந்து வேலை பார்க்கும்படி கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

கொரோனா வைரஸ் பரவல் இரண்டாவது அலை மிக தீவிரமாக உள்ளது. நாட்டின் பல்வேறு மாநிலங்களிலும், குறிப்பாக டில்லியில் வைரஸ் பாதிப்பு அதிகமாக உள்ளது.இந்நிலையில், பல்வேறு மத்திய அரசின் அமைச்சகங்கள் மற்றும் துறைகளில், வாய்ப்புள்ள அதிகாரிகளை, வீட்டில் இருந்து வேலை பார்க்கும்படி கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

அனைத்து துறைகளுக்கும் இது தொடர்பான உத்தரவு எதையும், பணியாளர் நலத் துறை பிறப்பிக்கவில்லை. இருப்பினும், சூழ்நிலையை பொறுத்து, அந்தந்த அமைச்சகங்கள் மற்றும் துறைகள் இந்த முடிவை எடுத்துள்ளதாக தெரிகிறது.சார்பு செயலர் மற்றும் அதற்கு கீழ் நிலையில் உள்ள ஊழியர்கள் மட்டும், வீடுகளில் இருந்து பணியாற்றும்படி கூறப்பட்டுள்ளதாக தெரிகிறது.இந்நிலையில், 45 வயதுக்கு மேற்பட்ட அனைத்து ஊழியர்களும், கொரோனா தடுப்பூசி போட்டுக் கொள்ளும்படி, அனைத்து துறைகளுக்கும், சமீபத்தில் சுற்றறிக்கை அனுப்பப்பட்டுள்ளது.

4 airlines face FIR for ‘flouting norms’ on Maha-Delhi route

4 airlines face FIR for ‘flouting norms’ on Maha-Delhi route

Saurabh.Sinha@timesgroup.com

19.04.2021

The Delhi government on Sunday asked the Delhi police to lodge an FIR against four airlines — Indi-Go, Vistara, SpiceJet and AirAsia India — for flouting the rule of flying in people from Maharastra to the capital with negative RT-PCR report. Airlines, on their part, said they adhere to all norms and had not received any FIR till Sunday evening.

“…it has been observed that a large number of passengers fly from Maharashtra to Delhi without a valid RT-PCR report... written to SHO of IGI Airport to lodge FIRs against four flights (possibly one each by) Indigo, Spice Jet, Vistara and Air Asia… for carrying passengers from Maharashtra without valid RT-PCR tests,” the Delhi government said in a statement on Sunday. This action has been sought under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Delhi requires people flying in from Maharashtra to have a negative RT-PCR report from a test done within 72 hours of departure, and those coming without it must get quarantined for 14 days. States have different requirement in terms of RT-PCR reports and quarantine for those coming from other states.

An IndiGo spokesperson said the airline has not “received any FIR against it…” AirAsia India said in a statement it is in “compliance with guidelines and protocols issued by the respective regulatory bodies… we have not received any information from any authority on this matter [FIR].” Comments from Vistara and SpiceJet are awaited.

In this ever-evolving pandemic situation, airlines have had their own issues with RT-PCR test reports. In the past few months, there have been several instances of airlines globally being barred from flying to certain places for bringing in passengers with negative reports who test positive on arrival. This has happened with Indian carriers too in places like UAE and Hong Kong. Tamil Nadu had barred a UAE budget carrier for flying in passengers for some days after a person flew in with a negative report but was positive.

Since RT-PCR tests need to be undertaken 3-4 days before departure, there is a possibility of passengers getting infected sometime after giving nasal swab samples. This discrepancy pin test report and actual Covid status was found to be very high with reports from certain labs in India. After that UAE, for instance, barred airlines from flying people from India with reports from some labs here. The Emirates site says “If you are flying from India, Pakistan, Nigeria or Bangladesh, you must get your certificate from one of the labs listed in the designated laboratories document to be accepted on the flight (to Dubai).”

An airline official said: “We have given strict instructions to check-in staff to follow entry requirements of all states. If someone gives a forged test report or if someone with a negative report tests positive on arrival, what can we do? The last thing we want to do is wilfully defy rules and run foul of the law also.”

INVALID RT-PCR REPORTS?

-ve test report must for train travellers from 5 states, Delhi

-ve test report must for train travellers from 5 states, Delhi

Mumbai:19.04.2021

Maharashtra government on Sunday declared Kerala, Goa, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi-NCR region and Uttarakhand as places of ‘sensitive origin’. Passengers arriving by train from these five states and union territory will have to carry a RT-PCR negative report and the Covid test must have been done within 48 hours of travel, said the state government order. It will be the joint responsibility of the railway and local disaster management authorities to ensure the curbs and protocol are followed.

On Saturday, the government had held talks with railway authorities about imposing curbs and issuing a protocol for passengers arriving in Maharashtra, especially from THE Kumbh Mela in Uttarakhand.

As per the order, passengers found to be Covid positive, or displaying symptoms or refusing to undergo screening will be moved to quarantine centres. Passengers with RT-PCR negative reports who also test negative in the rapid antigen test at the arrival station will be stamped for 15-day home quarantine. Those caught violating the home quarantine rule, except for medical emergency, will be fined Rs 1,000 and moved into institutional quarantine. TNN

MBBS grads can’t skip bond service

MBBS grads can’t skip bond service

State Warns Of Action Against Absentees

Yogita.Rao@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:19.04.2021

MBBS graduates in Maharashtra who have completed their internships before March 31 will have to go through the mandatory bond service this year. The Directorate of Health Services issued a circular to this effect on Friday. The circular for the first time also includes the list of around 2,500 eligible graduates. Even the ones keen on pursuing post-graduation will have to serve the bond till they secure a seat. The circular specifies that penal action will be taken against candidates not reporting to the allotted centre within seven days.

Additionally, the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) will be deploying over 7,000 medical interns on Covid duty across the state soon, besides creating a pool of 11,000 graduating nurses available for fresh appointments in hospitals facing a shortage. “Post-graduate entrance exams have been postponed in the country. Whenever students get a seat they can opt out, but till then they will have to complete the bond service. We are in a pandemic and action will be taken against students resisting the bond service. The compulsory bond will ensure we have doctors in district hospitals and rural centres too," said Dr TP Lahane, director, DMER, to which students have to apply. Exemption will be granted only to those who pay Rs 10 lakh as bond, as is the rule.

Medical graduates have been asked to apply to DMER by April 21 in an online process. Offline applications will not be accepted, said the circular. Candidates have been asked to apply for Thane, Pune, Nashik, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Akola, Aurangabad and Latur circles only. Students who tried to apply have sought to know why Mumbai is not available as an option.

While students sign the bond every year during admissions, most do not honour it after graduating. But with the state ramping up facilities, the requirement for manpower will soon go up. DMER is, therefore, making bond service mandatory this year, especially for rural areas. “The process has moved online for the first time, but there is no clarity on several aspects,” said Dwij Mehta, an MBBS graduate. Another student said there are vacancies at jumbo Covid centres in Mumbai too. “The circular says students getting an allotment will have to report to the institute within seven days, failing which penal action will be taken. But without clarity on whether Mumbai will be allowed at a later stage, how do we apply online now?” she asked.

Lahane said students who have already started working at Covid centres will be allowed to continue. Sudha Shenoy, a parent representative said, “If PG aspirants complete a few months of bond service before their admissions, will it be carried forward later?” She added that all these doubts should be clarified in another circular soon.

Hong Kong bars flights from India till May 3

Hong Kong bars flights from India till May 3

Saurabh.Sinha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:19.04.2021

Hong Kong has barred passenger flights from India, Pakistan and the Philippines for 14 days from April 20 over Covid-19 fears. Passengers who have stayed in these places for more than two hours to board a transit flight to Hong Kong have also been barred for 14 days.

These three countries “will at the same time be specified as extremely high-risk (Covid) specified places… so as to restrict persons who have stayed in these places from boarding for Hong Kong,” a government statement said late on Sunday night.

Hong Kong has a “placespecific” mechanism under which if five or more passengers from a place test positive on flights from there — irrespective of airline — in a seven-day period, that place will have passenger flights barred to land in the country for 14 days.

Hong Kong and China do not have an air bubble with India.

2 members seek annulment of BCU syndicate decisions

LETTER TO GUV

2 members seek annulment of BCU syndicate decisions

SruthySusan.Ullas@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:19.04.2021

Two syndicate members of Bengaluru City University have written to the governor and the state government questioning three decisions recently approved by the syndicate, notwithstanding their dissent.

According to Karan Kumar and Jyothi Vijay, the syndicate approved the campus redevelopment plans of the academic block and sports complex without the authorised agency showing approved plans and estimates on paper. They pointed out that the cost estimate of a building of 45,000 sqft carpet area has been quoted at Rs 31.7 crore, a much inflated figure.

The duo demanded withdrawal of the proposed ‘Master plan of campus redevelopment for BCU’ as it lacked an approved master plan, a detailed project report (DPR) and detailed estimates. They also wanted the decision on allocation of resources for the proposed sports facilities over the academic block in the proposed phase 1 scrapped as it was skewed and not in line with the aspirations of the significant stakeholders of the university. They wanted the proposal to demolish the ‘yet-to-be-used new block’ withdrawn as it was inconsistent with the NEP 2020 goal of having a minimum of 5,000 students in a university, among other reasons.

“We voiced our dissent during the syndicate meeting but were overruled by a majority vote. But if the decisions are wrong and don’t conform to the Act, the government can annul them. We’ve written to the chancellor and the pro-chancellor, apart from the principal secretary of the higher education department, highlighting the errors. If the government does not interfere, I plan to seek legal justice,” said Kumar. The decisions were made at the special syndicate meeting on February 25 and March 20.

The members also expressed displeasure over two more tenders — e-Document Generation System and the Rs 1-crore tender on e-governance in exam — approved by the syndicate, which they fear will be a den of corruption.

BNU exams to begin today

Bengaluru North University has announced its new schedule for exams that were postponed due to the transport strike. They will be held from Monday (April 19). Details are available on website www.bnu.ac.in. This includes BA, BSc, BEd, MA, MSc, MCA, MCom, MA, MFA, MSW, MBA and MTTM programmes. Meanwhile, some students have raised concerns about the university conducting offline exams in the middle of the pandemic. “...We’re dealing with the most unresponsive and apathetic education system. We want the exams to be cancelled. It’s not plausible to gather in a hall together to write exams while the country averages 2 lakh positive cases every day,” read a tweet.

5 pvt univs get nod in K’taka; 6 in pipeline

5 pvt univs get nod in K’taka; 6 in pipeline

Sandeep.Moudgal@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:19.04.2021

Five entrants have joined the growing league of private/deemed universities in Karnataka, with the state government giving the go-ahead in a notification issued on April 16.

The five universities — St Joseph’s, New Horizon, Sri Jagadguru Murugarajendra, Vidyashilp and Atria — will now be allowed to expand their campuses and launch new courses. Murugarajendra University will be based out of Chitradurga, about 200km from here, and the other four will be in Bengaluru.

The addition of five varsities will take the state’s total of such universities to 30. A senior officer said that at least 6-7 colleges and education institutions are seeking the university status, and the tally may breach the 40 mark in the next two years. Deputy CM CN Ashwath Narayan, who holds the higher education portfolio, told TOI that there is an increasing need to bring more private universities.

Govt strengthening public varsities: Min

With the decision raising a debate on whether Karnataka would “privatise” higher education over the next few years, the state government said the way forward is to increase the number of private universities and also consolidate the strengths of the public varsities in the state.

“Most of these institutions, which are being given the university status, are not-for-profit organisations. With our economy being more knowledge-driven, we need to strengthen our education system with investments,” said deputy chief minister CN Ashwath Narayan.

He also said the state is strengthening its existing public universities and institutions. “We are integrating technology to support our universities to match the needs of the industry. From corporate social responsibility funds to setting up our own source code for the learning management system, the government is investing in our institution as well,” he said.

The Karnataka State Higher Education Council said the government will give emphasis to public universities and colleges as well. “Our intention is to increase the number of public institutions with more researchoriented focus. However, when people apply for a university status, we will examine the infrastructure and necessary requirements,” said KSHEC vice-chairman P Thimmegowda.

A member of the KSHEC said when the state doesn’t have funds to ramp up the quality of education in public varsities, it is obvious private ones will mushroom to drive the market.

Applicant needs 25 acres, 3,000 students

As per the law, any private/deemed university applicant needs 25 acres of land and at least 3,000 students on its campus. With the new National Education Policy, these requirements may be diluted due to the growing cost of land and increased need of practical courses.