Studying vax requests from states very carefully: Russia

Studying vax requests from states very carefully: Russia

New Delhi:26.05.2021

Russia is getting requests from Indian states and companies for the supply of Sputnik V vaccines, said Russian deputy envoy Roman Babushkin, adding that “all proposals” are being studied “very carefully”.

Speaking to reporters, the deputy envoy said that supplies of Sputnik V, the world’s first registered vaccine against coronavirus, are going on according to the “contract obligations and schedules”. “Supplies of Sputnik V are going on according to the contract obligations and schedules. We are getting some more requests from other Indian companies and state governments and all proposals are being studied very carefully,” he added.

Sputnik V was registered in India under the emergency use authorisation procedure on April 12, and vaccination against coronavirus with the Russian vaccine started on May 14.

India has so far received two consignments of the Covid-19 vaccines. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and Panacea Biotec, one of the leading pharmaceutical producers in India, on Monday launched the production of the Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine.

Highlighting the Sputnik V progress, Roman said, “Sputnik V is one of the vaccines which is included in the Indian mass vaccination drive and it speaks for itself. The preliminary schedule is to reach 850 million doses in India per year. We know there is interest from other business partners and even state governments, all these proposals we are studying very carefully.” ANI

Times View: It makes little sense for different states to be engaging with different manufacturers in different countries to buy vaccines. With the manufacturers themselves refusing to deal with them individually in several cases, the plan, whatever it was, doesn’t seem to be working. The Centre should aggregate the needs of different states and present them as a single list to manufacturers abroad. Otherwise, the process will further get delayed to the detriment of the common people.

Health staff taking Covaxin after two doses of Covishield

Health staff taking Covaxin after two doses of Covishield

Sunitha.Rao@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:26.05.2021 

Many healthcare workers who have already received two doses of Covishield are now taking a shot of Covaxin and are using a different telephone number and ID to register for the third jab.

Some doctors justified the behaviour saying: “These people work in areas where the viral load is high. They didn’t have a choice when the vaccines were rolled out but now there is better understanding of the two vaccines. What is wrong if a healthcare worker takes another shot?”

When the vaccination drive was rolled out for healthcare workers in January, employees in only six government institutions in Karnataka were administered Covaxin, while the rest were given Covishield.

Stray incidents of doctors dying even after receiving two doses may be another reason to seek a booster dose, said a doctor. “Also, many healthcare workers have taken antibody tests 28 days after two doses of Covishield. In some cases, the results were negative. These healthcare workers are now keen on taking Covaxin,” doctors said.

Denying others

Dr MK Sudarshan, chairperson, Covid Technical Advisory Committee, said he is aware of the trend and while he believed they were acting out of fear and seeking better protection, he admitted they were denying others of immunity. “Covaxin is based on whole inactivated [killed] virus, which is expected to provide better immune response as all antigens are likely to be present,” Dr Sudarshan said. “But, by seeking over protection for themselves amid a shortage of vaccine, they are robbing those in need of the vaccine of an opportunity to gain protection against the virus.”

A member of the Covid expert committee called the trend “unhealthy”. “This should not lead to confusion among the general public who have taken Covishield,” the expert said.

Staff in Bengaluru hospitals suggest there are enough doses to go around since not all taking the shot are concerned about certificates. “Moreover, since the manufacturer factors in spillage, all vials come with an additional dose [11th dose]. If used carefully, the 11th dose can be made available and it would go unrecorded. It’s a loophole which some are seeking to exploit,” sources said.

Not Karnataka alone

The trend is not limited to Karnataka alone. Dr T Jacob John, top virologist from Tamil Nadu, said he had heard of such incidents in that state. “I was asked by some doctors if there were any risks. I said I can’t make any recommendations or approve what they were doing,” said Dr John.

But Dr John said interchanging vaccines is scientifically fine. “There is nothing called over-immunisation. Two doses of Covishield and one dose of Covaxin would help them feel emotionally good,” he said.

Empirical evidence

Dr Sudarshan said interchanging doses was tried (with one dose each) in France, Spain and Germany with vaccines like AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna. “In India there are no guidelines and no evidence. However, there is empirical evidence from our experience with anti-rabies vaccines,” said Dr Sudarshan.

However, Dr Sudarshan said exceptions can be made for those who suffer anaphylaxis reaction after the first dose. Other experts agreed, citing the example of a dental student who suffered an adverse event following immunization. “She was given Covishield. She is a fit case for giving two doses of Covaxin now,” said doctors dealing with the case.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE: Health workers transport vaccine does and syringes from a hospital in Bengaluru on Tuesday

From today, social media firms lose legal protection over third-party content

From today, social media firms lose legal protection over third-party content

Pankaj.Doval@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:26.05.2021

Large socialmedia companies such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and WhatsApp lose legal protection for the user content posted on their platforms from today (Wednesday), and stand answerable to Indian civil and criminal laws just like any other ordinary citizen or local entity.

Till yesterday (Tuesday), they enjoyed immunity when it came to the content posted by any third-party user on their platforms.

The only obligation on them was to take down any illegal content that they noticed on their own, or when it was highlighted to them by the state, or the courts, or any responsible/aggrieved party.

Now it’s a civil and criminal liability on them for any illegal post. The companies, clearly unnerved by the new rules for large social-media intermediaries – that were announced on February 25 this year – may opt for a legal challenge to protect their officials as well as operations in India, in case the government does not grant an extension in implementation of the norms (they were given three months to prepare for the new regime).

“However, a constructive dialogue with the government still remains to be the first choice, and any decision to approach the courts comes in only later,” company officials told TOI, on condition of anonymity.

Full report on www.toi.in

‘Working to fall in line with new IT rules’

New Delhi:

As social media and internet companies enter a new regulatory regime in India, top players such as Facebook (that runs Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp) and Google (Google, YouTube, Blogger.com) said they are taking steps to fall in line even while discussing the matter further with the government, reports Pankaj Doval. A spokesperson for Facebook said, “We aim to comply with the provisions of the IT rules and continue to discuss a few of the issues which need more engagement with the government. ”

Full report on www.toi.in

Icon that inspired Big temple now in a shambles

Icon that inspired Big temple now in a shambles

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

26.05.2021

The Kailasanathar temple is fading away into the sands of time — or at least it’s murals are. A walk around the 1,300-year-old temple shows figures etched on to the temple walls with disfigured faces and missing embellishments of the thrones that form miniature scenes in alcoves.

Realising that the temple, which is on the tentative list of Unesco’s world heritage sites, is in dire need of attention, the Archaeological Survey of India is planning to rope in experts from the IITs to help preserve one of the oldest temples in TN.

The sandstone and lime mortar structure has been ravaged by time though conservation efforts are made every year.

According to official sources, chemical conservation is not arresting the deterioration. “It is a completely lime plastered structure built using sandstone. Now, it is time to use traditional methods so that the issue is addressed permanently,” said an ASI official. At present, in the Pallava-era temple chemical conservation is done annually at the sanctum sanctorum. On the walls outside, certain sculptures have been destroyed beyond recognition.

Former archaeology officer and secretary of the Madurai-based Pandya Nadu Centre for Historical Research C Santhalingam says Rajaraja Chola was inspired by the Kailasanathar temple to build the Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur. “The reason being Kailasanathar temple had all the aspects and features of a Shiva temple.”

Built by Pallava king Rajasimha I (700-728CE) as an edifice to adorn his capital of Kancheepuram, the temple is said to have survived the rivalry between the Pallavas and the Chalukyas of Vatapi. Though the victorious Vikaramaditya destroyed the capital, he was overwhelmed by the lavish beauty of the temple and left the city untouched.

FADED: Many murals on the walls of the Kailashnathar temple are eroded beyond recognition

Kancheepuram waits to get back on global tourism map

11 Temples From District On Unesco’s Tentative List Of World Heritage Sites Shows Region’s Potential

Kancheepuram waits to get back on global tourism map

Yogesh.Kabirdoss@timesgroup.com

26.05.2021

Till a decade ago, a visit to Chennai meant a oneday tour package through the temple town of Kancheepuram and a pit-stop at Mamallapuram to soak in the architecture and culture of the region. But over the years, the lack of promotion and infrastructure to draw tourists pushed Kancheepuram behind as the Shore Temple and Brihadeeshwarar temple at Thanjavur began to be considered more accessible.

Today the district remains famous as a pilgrimage site but largely in the southern part of the country. Navigating through the town’s narrow bylanes full of colour and flavours need patience and determination as most temples do not have an approach road. Many of the temples are not maintained properly and hardly provide information to tourists unfamiliar with Tamil culture. The recent announcement of 11 ancient temples in Kancheepuram making it to the Unesco’s tentative list of world heritage sites opens an avenue for the region to be back on the tourism map. This will ensure better care of the structures as the final honour brings with it international recognition.

Built by the Pallavas and Cholas between AD700 and AD1200 the 11 temples that were submitted by the Union culture ministry to Unesco on April 13 are: Kailasanathar, Piravatneswara, Iravathanesvara, Parameswara Vinnagaram Vaikunta Perumal, Muktesvara, Arulala or Varadharaja Perumal, Ekambaresvara (Thirukachiekambam), Jvaraharesvara, Pandava Dootha Perumal, Yathothkari Perumal and Ulagalanda Perumal.

After inclusion on the tentative list, the final declaration as a world heritage site can take years as Unesco’s World Heritage Committee studies the dossiers presented on the sites and makes detailed inspections before taking a decision. But being on the list puts focus on the potential of the site. Approved Tour Guides Association president P Asoka says the world heritage tag for temples can help Kancheepuram regain its tourism momentum. “Many international travellers explore world heritage sites of every country. The move will mean more visibility, better upkeep and cleanliness around the world heritage sites. It will also help in creating infrastructure such as parking lots and toilets, facilities that are essential to tourists,” he says.

While six of the 11 temples on the list are maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), five are under the state’s Hindu religious and charitable endowments department. According to ASI sources, ASI will play a key in conservation and renovation of world heritage sites. “Restoration works cannot take place without the consent of the high level committee or ASI at world heritage sites,” an official said.

So far the state has four temple complexes that are Unesco world heritage sites — the monuments at Mamallapuram, the Brihadeeshwara temple at Thanjavur, the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Brihadeeshwara temple at Jayankondam, and the Airavatheeswara temple at Darasuram. Outside the temple too regulations are put in place. R Komagan, chairman of Gangaikondacholapuram Development Council, said areas around the 11 Kancheepuram temples will come under the regulations that apply to ASI and state government’s monuments, after they are declared world heritage sites. There will be no threat to the existing buildings, but construction of new structures will be regulated. “This is to maintain the ambience and environment around the sites. Priority would be given for funding as well, as they attract foreign tourists,” he says.

Tamil Nadu Tour Travel and Hospitality Association president V K T Balan says such a distinction comes as a boon for the local economy, particularly to the hospitality sector, as more hotels come up to cater to visitors. The Sri Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangam, the Chettinad village clusters and the Padmanabhapuram palace in Kanyakumari are on the tentative list since 2014.

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Can’t ignore proof because witness is victim’s relative, observes high court

DISMISSES PLEA

Can’t ignore proof because witness is victim’s relative, observes high court

K.Kaushik@timesgroup.com

Madurai:

Dismissing a man’s revision petition challenging his conviction in an accident case, Madras high court has observed that merely because the witnesses are related to the victim or complainant, their evidence cannot be ignored.

The prosecution case is that a person named Ramar took his daughter Munidurgadevi to Malli Bazaar at Srivilliputhur on April 18, 2009. When they were waiting to cross the road, a van driven by petitioner Balamurugan ran over Munidurgadevi killing her on the spot. Malli police registered a case against Balamurugan.

Srivilliputhur JM II court in 2010 convicted and sentenced the petitioner to oneyear simple imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 3,000. Balamurugan appealed against the verdict in Virudhunagar district and sessions court which dismissed it and confirmed the JM’s order. He filed the present petition, challenging the trial and appellate court orders.

Justice K Murali Shankar said that it is the contention of the petitioner that the two witnesses in the case are relatives of first witness Ramar, father of the deceased. "It is settled law that the evidence of witnesses cannot be discarded merely on the ground that he is a relative or interested witness. A witness may be called ‘interested’ only when he derives some benefits from the result of a litigations or in seeing the accused person punished and a witness cannot be said to be an ‘interested’ witness merely by virtue of being a relative of the victim," observed the judge.

The judge further said that if the evidence of the relative witnesses are cogent, credible and trustworthy, the same can be relied on. In this case, both the witnesses have deposed the manner in which the accident occurred by reiterating the witness of Ramar.

The judge said that all the witnesses had stated that the van was driven at high speed by the petitioner in a rash and negligent manner. The appellate court has re-assessed the entire evidence and given its finding concurring with the JM court. The courts have rightly appreciated the evidence and arrived at correct findings. Hence, the judge dismissed the revision petition.

Supriya Sahu is forests secy in major reshuffle

Supriya Sahu is forests secy in major reshuffle

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:26.05.2021 

In a major reshuffle in the bureaucracy, the state government on Tuesday posted Supriya Sahu as principal secretary of environment and forests department. She was principal secretary/chief executive officer of Tamil Nadu small tea growers’ industrial cooperative tea factories’ federation limited (Indcoserve).

TN industrial development corporation chairperson and managing director Kakarla Usha has been posted as secretary in school education department, while Dheeraj Kumar has become principal secretary in higher education department.

Sandeep Saxeena has been posted as additional chief secretary in the public works department and additional chief secretary Dayanand Kataria in transport department. Kumar Jayant is principal secretary of revenue and disaster management and K Gopal is principal secretary of rural development and panchayat raj department.

Hitesh Kumar S Makwana has been posted as principal secretary of housing and urban development vice D Karthikeyan, who has been posted as principal secretary, highways and minor ports.

B Chandra Mohan has been posted as principal secretary, tourism, culture and religious endowments department. Transport secretary C Samayamoorthy has been shifted as agricultural production commissioner and secretary, agriculture and farmers’ welfare department.

Selvi Apoorva has been posted as principal secretary, handlooms, handicrafts, textiles and khadi department.

K Manivasan has been posted as principal secretary of adi-dravidar and tribal welfare department. A Karthik is principal secretary, backward classes, most backward classes and minorities welfare department. Shambhu Kallolikar is the new principal secretary of social welfare and nutritious meal programme.

Lab technician mowed down by SUV was to get married next year

Lab technician mowed down by SUV was to get married next year

Sindhu.Kannan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:26.05.2021

Twenty-one-yearold lab technician A Yamuna, who was mowed down by a car driven by a drunk man near KMCH on May 21, was all set to get married in January 2022, with a software engineer based in Saudi Arabia.

The family was happily preparing for her wedding after her engagement in April and it was the last wedding in the family. After finishing her lab technician course, Yamuna was working in the Corona ward in KMCH. She asked her family members to schedule the wedding in January next year as she said cases might come down then.

Though this was Yamuna’s first job she was never scared treating Covid patients. She was in fact one among those who raised their voice demanding safety for staff in the Corona ward and staged a protest a couple of months ago.

On May 21, Yamuna was unwell and had requested for leave when she was asked to come for a while to attend a few patients. While returning home on her scooty a SUV driven by Abdul Qayyum under the influence of alcohol mowed her down.

Yamuna was the youngest daughter of Arumugham and Uma Rani. The family is shattered as they lost the sole breadwinner. His father Arumugham who has a small cycle repair shop is now jobless due to the lockdown. Yamuna was not only meeting her family expenses but also taking care of her elderly parents as her brother and two sisters are married and settled elsewhere.

“She was specific that the engagement shouldn’t be a grand one as people are dying of Covid 19. But she had dreams of her own for her wedding,” said Kamalesh, Yamuna’s uncle. "Nothing can bring her back. Drunken driving is something which has to be dealt with seriously," says Kamalesh.

Uma Rani who remained inconsolable, has been hospitalized twice as her health condition deteriorated. The groom who is yet to recover from the shock of losing his fiancée is shattered as he was unable to land in India for her funeral.

‘Professional Courses May Start Only In November’

UG admissions may be pushed to Sept

‘Professional Courses May Start Only In November’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:26.05.2021 

If Class XII board exams are held in July-end or in August, depending on the pandemic situation, career consultants say admissions to undergraduate courses will be pushed to September like last year.

Admissions to professional courses such as MBBS and BE, BTech are likely only by October as the National Eligibility-cum Entrance Test (NEET) scheduled for August 1 is likely to be postponed.

The school education department held a meeting with officials on conducting Class XII board exams and entrance exams on Tuesday. "We have drafted suggestions on conducting Class XII board exams. After discussing with the chief minister M K Stalin, we will forward it to the Centre," school education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi told reporters after the meeting.

Asked if there would be changes to the board exam pattern in view of the pandemic, the minister said no state governments wanted any changes.

Career consultant Jayaprakash Gandhi said professional courses may start only in November. “Conducting board exams online is ruled out. If board exams are conducted in August, then the NEET exam will be postponed to September. The admission process will take place in October and academic year will start only in November for professional courses," he said. As a result, there may not be a gap between two semesters, which may impact students learning additional skills and going for internship, he added.

.For arts and science courses, the classes for UG students will only start in September, said Thomas Amirtham, principal of Loyola College. "We may need to have a separate academic calendar for first year students. Colleges may have to extend the academic year and scrap the summer holidays," he added.

Consultants said delay in starting the academic year also would affect the students planning to go abroad for higher studies.

"Foreign universities have only one intake in September or October for medicine. If NEET is delayed, the counselling process may go on till January next year. Last year, many students have to change their plans to go abroad after delay in medical counselling," said R Sureshkumar, managing director, Truematics Overseas Education Consultancy in Chennai.

A majority of students travel abroad to study engineering, management and arts courses only at the postgraduate level. Since the universities are planning to wind up the online exams by July, there will not be a problem for these students, he added.

The school education department held a meeting with officials on conducting Class XII board exams and entrance exams on Tuesday.

High Courts Weekly Round-Up [May 17, 2020 To May 23, 2020]

High Courts Weekly Round-Up [May 17, 2020 To May 23, 2020]: Allahabad High Court 1. Entire Medical System In Smaller Cities And Villages In UP is Like 'Ram Bharose', Says Allahabad High Court in COVID19 Suo Moto Case [In-Re Inhuman Condition At...

Delhi High Court Restrains WhatsApp & Telegram From Illegally Circulating Copies Of Times Of India, Navbharat Times E-Newspapers

Delhi High Court Restrains WhatsApp & Telegram From Illegally Circulating Copies Of Times Of India, Navbharat Times E-Newspapers: In an interim order passed last week, the Delhi High Court hasrest

Madurai mid-air wedding: SpiceJet initiates action against passengers for flouting COVID norms; DGCA off-rosters crew

Madurai mid-air wedding: SpiceJet initiates action against passengers for flouting COVID norms; DGCA off-rosters crew

India's aviation watchdog, DGCA has already initiated an investigation over reports of mid-air marriage ceremony and has ordered taking the crew off duty.

Published: 24th May 2021 04:34 PM 

A picture that went viral on social media, of the couple tieing the knot in the chartered aircraft.

By PTI

NEW DELHI: The DGCA has off-rostered the crew of a SpiceJet flight in which a mid-air wedding took place in Madurai in Tamil Nadu amid many guests and relatives in alleged violation of COVID-19 norms on Sunday, with the district administration launching a probe into the matter.

The chartered flight left the Madurai airport and remained airborne for approximately two hours yesterday morning before returning there, sources said on Monday.

A senior official of aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the flight crew has been off-rostered for not enforcing the social distancing norms onboard.

Madurai Collector Dr Aneesh Sekhar said a preliminary enquiry has been initiated into the matter based on the video footage being circulated in the social media.

"Appropriate action would be taken if there was any COVID-19 violation," Sekhar told PTI.

Meanwhile, the DGCA official said SpiceJet has been directed to lodge a complaint with the relevant authorities against those people who did not follow the COVID-19 norms inside the flight.

He also said that the DGCA "will take strict action" after it completes its probe into this matter.

Images and videos of the mid-air wedding were circulated on social media on Monday, purportedly showing people standing extremely close to each other as the couple tied the knot.

Responding to the matter, an airline spokesperson said, "A SpiceJet Boeing 737 was chartered by a travel agent in Madurai on May 23, 2021 for a group of passengers for a joy ride post their wedding."

"The client was clearly briefed on Covid guidelines to be followed and denied permission for any activity to be performed on board. The approval for this flight was taken as a joy ride for the wedding group," he said.

The spokesperson added the agent and guest passengers were briefed in detail, both in writing as well as verbally, on social distancing and safety norms to be followed according to the Covid guidelines, both at the airport and onboard the aircraft throughout the journey.

"The group was repeatedly briefed on the safety norms to be followed by the operating cabin crew and advised to follow the protocols laid down by the DGCA, including restrictions on photography and videography."

"Despite repeated requests and reminders, the passengers did not follow the guidelines and the airline is taking appropriate action as per rules," he said.

Meanwhile, the Madurai Collector also warned of action if any violations were found.

"At present we are sourcing evidence to ascertain if violations had occurred. Appropriate action would be taken depending upon the confirmation," Sekhar said.

Asked if there was any specific complaint of violation, he said the administration was acting based on the marriage video.

India has been badly hit by the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic during the last few weeks.

On Monday, the country reported 2,22,315 new covid cases, the lowest in 38 days, pushing the total positives to 2,67,52,447.

As many as 3,03,720 persons have succumbed to the virus so far, including 4,454 today.

On Sunday, Tamil Nadu, one of the high prevalent states, added 35,483 new infections, with the state's active covid cases being 2,94,143.

Madurai reported 1,139 patients on May 23 while its active cases stood at 13,091.

Complete lockdown bitter medicine but people have to take it, says TN CM

Complete lockdown bitter medicine but people have to take it, says TN CM

"Please adhere to the guidelines issued for preventing Corona. I make this appeal not only as a Chief Minister but also as your brother," Stalin said in a video message.

Published: 24th May 2021 06:47 PM 

Police check for the e-pass due to the complete lockdown in Coimbatore City on Monday. (Photo | U Rakesh Kumar, EPS)

By T Muruganandham

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday renewed his appeal to the people to adhere to government guidelines to help contain the spread of Covid on a day when the weeklong intensive lockdown began in Tamil Nadu from 4 am on Monday.

"People's unnecessary movement is the only reason for the present situation. Due to the complete lockdown with concessions, the infection had come down a little bit but did not come under control. So, lockdown without concessions can alone contain this infection completely.

"This is the only way for everyone in the state and the people should understand this. Please don't come out except for medical needs. The complete lockdown is a bitter medicine but people have to take it. Please adhere to the guidelines issued for preventing Corona. I make this appeal not only as a Chief Minister but also as your brother," Stalin said in a video message.

The CM pointed out that the intensified lockdown is only being enforced to break the chain of Covid-19 transmission since many had loitered around using the concessions granted earlier for getting essential requirements.

"Corona is not spreading on its own but through humans. So, all of you have to take a vow not to spread this infection or to infect others," he added.

Elaborating further, the Chief Minister said the number of people being affected by this infection has reached alarming proportions. The daily new cases have exceeded 35000 at a time when states smaller than Tamil Nadu that had touched 50000 new cases per day are now seeing a fall, he noted.

The Chief Minister said within two weeks of assuming office, the DMK government had begun implementing numerous welfare schemes for the people of the State - Rs 4000 each for rice cardholders, free bus travel for women, reduction of Aavin milk price by Rs 3, payment of compensation for the families of those killed in the police firing against anti-Sterlite protestors, implementation of the scheme for resolving public grievances within 100 days of assuming office and above all, numerous Corona prevention measures being implemented on a war-footing.

He also cited the appeal to the President to release the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case as a significant move.

Centre’s allocation of Covid vaccines is ‘somewhat disappointing’: Madras HC

Centre’s allocation of Covid vaccines is ‘somewhat disappointing’: Madras HC

During the hearing, a section of advocates told the court that the vaccination drive should be extended to other professions, classifying them as frontline workers.

Published: 25th May 2021 04:31 AM 

People waiting for their turn to get vaccinated at a special camp at Triplicane, in Chennai on Monday | R Satish Babu

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Central government on Monday informed the Madras High Court that about 216 crore vaccines will be available by the end of the year for every Indian to get inoculated. However, the court observed in its order that the planned allocation of Covid vaccines by the Central government to the State appears “somewhat disappointing”.

“Though the Centre maintains that the allocation is based on the population of a State, positivity rate prevailing in such State and other objective factors, the allocation to Tamil Nadu, as indicated in the Centre’s affidavit, may require to be revisited,” observed the first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy.

Additional Solicitor General R Shankaranarayanan submitted that as per the Centre’s plan, 216 crore doses of the vaccine should be available by the end of the year for every Indian to be fully vaccinated. The bench recorded the submission and said, “There have been cases of mucormycosis in the State and the required drugs are in short supply. The Centre has indicated that measures have been put in place to manufacture the drugs immediately and in bulk upon reducing the quantum of production of other medicines for the moment.”

However, there is hope that vaccines would be available in greater numbers upon the various manufacturing units augmenting their production facilities, the court added. The court was also assured that the possible disruption due to Cyclone Yaas has been taken into consideration by the Centre considering the oxygen supply. During the hearing, a section of advocates told the court that the vaccination drive should be extended to other professions, classifying them as frontline workers.

The court then said, “Suggestions have been made that personnel involved in delivering food, the remaining police personnel, healthcare workers, and even advocates and judges who come in contact with litigants, should be earmarked for prioritised vaccination. It will be open to the State to take a considered decision in such regard.”

Villagers jump into river to evade shots

Villagers jump into river to evade shots

Arshad Afzaal Khan TNN

Ayodhya:25.05.2021

Even as people in many states are scrambling to get vaccinated, residents of a village in Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki district fled their homes and jumped into the river Saryu when a team of health officials reached there to carry out a vaccination campaign on Saturday evening .

Residents of Sisauda village later said they jumped into the river as a rumour had spread in the village that it was not a vaccine but a poisonous injection.

Sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Rajiv Shukla said, “We reached the village with a medical team to vaccinate villagers. However, as soon as they saw us approaching, many of them ran away. When we tried to stop them, they jumped into the river.”

“We tried to sensitise them about the importance of the vaccine but they did not relent. We tried hard to allay their apprehensions, but only 14 people got themselves inoculated,” he said.

Residents of Sisauda village in Uttar Pradesh said they jumped into the river as a rumour had spread that it was not a vaccine but a poisonous injection. Officials tried to convince the villagers, but only 14 people got inoculated

Horse’s funeral gets K’taka village sealed

Horse’s funeral gets K’taka village sealed

Shreyas HS & Basavaraj Meeshi TNN

Belagavi:25.05.2021 

An entire village in Gokak taluk here has been sealed for 14 days after hundreds of people participated in the funeral of a horse belonging to a mutt and believed to be the local “guardian deity” against Covid-19. The 24-year-old horse died on Sunday, three days after it was let loose to roam the village “to ward off the ongoing second wave of Covid-19” and “future scourges too”.

The district police have registered a case as villagers thronged the funeral in violation of masking and distancing norms, and videos of the procession went viral. Taluk health officer Muttanna Koppad said directives have been issued to conduct 450 tests. So far, 25 villagers have undergone rapid antigen tests and all tested negative. RT-PCR tests will be conducted only on those showing Covidlike symptoms, he added.

On May 19, the horse was brought to Maradi village from the mutt on the request of residents who believe its presence will ward off all evil and plagues, including Covid. During the first wave too, the horse was made to wander in Maradi and villagers said not one person was infected in a population of about 1,200.

The horse was let loose from the mutt on the intervening night of May 19-20 after a puja and it returned around 3pm on Thursday after roaming the village. It was found dead in its shed on Sunday. Mutt authorities said the horse may have died of old age.

As news of the horse’s death spread, villagers began to gather at the mutt. They told police that the death of the “guardian deity” has come as a shock and last rites must be performed as per tradition to pacify the gods. An FIR has been filed under sections of disaster management act and Karnataka Epidemic Act among others, SP Laxman Nimbargi told TOI.

Clarification

Clarification

25.05.2021

New Delhi 

The headline ‘Flu shots to kids before monsoon will curb Covid cases: Maha panel’ carried in some TOI editions on Monday was erroneous. The report does not suggest it. It focused on the Indian Academy of Paediatrics’s recommendation to give seasonal flu shots to children below 5 years and those with co-morbidities so that cases of children getting seriously sick or hospitalised with influenza would reduce. This would, in turn, help decongest hospitals, reduce the demand for RT-PCR tests and free up beds should Covid cases see a rise. Influenza and Covid are caused by different viruses and there is no evidence to suggest that flu vaccine offers direct protection against Covid.

2 days to go but Twitter, FB, WA yet to comply with govt norms

2 days to go but Twitter, FB, WA yet to comply with govt norms

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:25.05.2021

The stage is set for another showdown between the government and social media giants over compliance with the new norms for platforms that have over 50 lakh users in the country.

With just two days to go to comply with the new norms for significant social media intermediaries, barring Koo, none of players including Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram have complied with the new regulations that require them to appoint a resident grievance officer, a chief compliance officer and a nodal contact person. The government had given the firms three months to comply fulfil the requirements with the deadline set to expire on Wednesday.

Although some of the platforms had sought six months, the government currently does not appear in any mood to relent. Their failure to comply with the norms opens the global giants to lose their status and protections as intermediaries and also makes them liable for criminal action, sources said. While Twitter declined to comment, Facebook did not respond to a query from TOI.

Sources argued the failure to comply with the notified rules is detrimental to the interests of those who suffer abuse on social media but do not know whom to approach for grievance redressal. The stipulations require the social media entities to furnish monthly reports on the complaints received and those that have been settled.

Nothing wrong in Delhi govt order putting all docs in one category:HC

Nothing wrong in Delhi govt order putting all docs in one category:HC

New Delhi:25.05.2021

Delhi High Court on Monday said there was nothing wrong in the decision of Delhi government directing all doctors and medical staff to function in a single category, irrespective of the differences in their seniority and specialisation, in treatment of Covid patients, saying there should not be any “ego issue”.

Justice Rekha Palli said that “prima facie” there was nothing wrong with the May 16 notification, which appeared to be dealing only with Covid management duties of doctors and they should not come to court with such pleas.

“What is the problem with this? What is your ego issue in this? I don’t see anything wrong in this. I am sorry a doctor is coming to court like this. Prima facie I see nothing wrong with the order. It is only with regard to Covid management,” Justice Palli said at the start of the hearing of the petition, which challenged the notification contending that it was arbitrary and issued without the approval of the LG.

The petitioner-doctor, represented by advocate Payal Bahl, was aggrieved by the notification as it put allopathic and non-allopathic doctors as well as junior and senior residents in one category for treating Covid patients, claiming that this could put patients’ lives at risk.

Delhi government, represented by additional standing counsel Anuj Aggarwal said he needs time to get proper clarification and the court listed the matter for hearing on May 27. PTI

Virtual counselling for speciality medical vacancies

Virtual counselling for speciality medical vacancies

25/05/2021

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI

Service Post Graduates (PG) will be posted to speciality vacancies in the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) and Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services (DMS) institutions through virtual counselling. Both the authorities have published the vacancy list prior to counselling after several years, a move that a section of doctors say will go a long way in ensuring transparency in postings.

“This is the first time we will be holding a virtual counselling for posting service PGs. A total of 550 doctors will be appearing for the three-day counselling to be held from May 25. There are 1,200 posts,” R. Narayana Babu, DME, said.

30% calls made to Covid helpline 104 are irrelevant

30% calls made to Covid helpline 104 are irrelevant

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:25.05.2021

At least three out of 10 calls that reach the 104 hotline were irrelevant calls that clogged the line and could have kept a person in need of oxygen or ICU bed waiting. The 108 hotline for ambulances has also been facing similar problems, officials say.

The health department’s unified control room, or the war room, has received nearly 41,000 requests for beds between April 30 and May 22. Analysis of the telephonic triaging by doctors and paramedical staff show that only 35% of the callers required beds. “An equal number of people were advised home quarantine because they had good levels of oxygen saturation. They also had mild or no symptoms,” said health secretary J Radhakrishnan. But what has upset officials is that nearly 30% of the calls the hotline received until April 21 – about 12,396 – were irrelevant calls. “Some of these calls can be a menace when health staff are fighting to identify beds in high occupancy districts,” he said.

Staff at the control room say they receive calls for non-emergency reasons such as to verify RTPCR test results, seek information about health insurance schemes or complain to them about bad health policies, hospital infrastructure. Callers are directed to call other helplines so the hotline can remain free for patients in need.

Officials say some callers insist on discussing current affairs or civic problems, some others remain silent on the call. Similar calls land in the state’s 108 ambulance hotline. “Silent calls are very scary because we don’t know if the caller is silent because he is sick or if he or she is playing a prank,” said state head of operations M Selvakumar. The staff, he says, are trained to find out. They quickly disconnect the line after telling callers not to call the hotline or to use other helplines for nonemergency services. “If there is a call repeatedly from one number, we block the number for some time,” he said.

(For need other than O2/ ICU beds call – O44-29510400, 044-29510500/944-434-0496/ 875-444-8477)

Middlemen at cemeteries, crematoriums under check

Middlemen at cemeteries, crematoriums under check

Siddharth.Prabhakar@timesgroup.com

Chennai:25.05.2021

Greater Chennai Corporation officials at the zonal level are now wary of brokers who pose as family members of deceased and book a slot at crematoriums and burial grounds for free while charging ₹15,000-₹20,000 from families.

Civic body staff now ask personal details of the deceased like the names of immediate family members, date of death and the hospital the person died at, to ensure that brokers are weeded out. In addition, zonal officials also have started spreading word among residents that there is no fee for last rites, including transporting the dead to the crematorium or burial ground.

A sanitary inspector told TOI that recently they came across cases where brokers called and tried to book slots. In some cases, they found that the person had died many days ago; in other cases, they found that brokers hung up as soon as they were asked questions about the deceased’s immediate family members.

“We have all details of the deceased in our system. So nobody can cheat us,” the sanitary inspector said. In addition, officials have also started getting testimonials from family members that cremations were done for free at GCC run centres.

Corporation deputy commissioner (works) Meghanath Reddy said vigilance officials are also being asked to conduct regular checks at these centres to ensure those collecting bribes are nabbed. “All crematorium staff will be given a blue uniform with tags and also identity cards for public to differentiate them from brokers,” Reddy said. Another development, especially in central and south Chennai, has been that sanitary inspectors have been asked to bury or cremate only those who lived in that ward or zone.

For instance, the crematorium at Triplicane was overburdened till a fortnight ago with more than 20 bodies turning up at their gates everyday. “This was because government hospitals were sending it to use as we were the closest,” an official at the crematorium said.

After intervention by senior corporation officials and local MLAs to allow last rites of only local residents, the number has dropped to 10, the official added.

UNDER WATCH: A burial ground in the city

Restaurants in crisis as grocery stores, veggie shops shut

Restaurants in crisis as grocery stores, veggie shops shut

Yogesh.Kabirdoss@timesgroup.com

Chennai:25.05.2021

The closure of grocery and vegetable shops from Monday has put eateries and restaurants in a fix. Several eateries may run out of essential commodities in the coming days leading to a shutdown later this week and this could impact those depending on food from restaurants, particularly those under home quarantine.

Unlike leading restaurant chains and star hotels with facilities such as cold storage, most standalone restaurants buy commodities on a daily basis. Though many of them have bought a significant quantity of vegetables ahead of the full lockdown, some last a maximum of three days. Besides, the absence of adequate manpower could adversely hit the supply chain from kitchen to delivery of food.

Of the 8,500 eateries and restaurants in and around Chennai, less than 40% are operating now. A chunk of nonvegetarian eateries are unlikely to operate from Tuesday due to the non-availability of meat and fish. With grocery and vegetable shops closed, owners of small time eateries are worried about sourcing essential commodities.

Muthulakshmi, who runs an eatery at Tambaram, said vegetables were available for the next two days. “Later, we have to depend on those sold through mobile mini trucks. If vegetables cannot be sourced, we may have to close down briefly,” she said. The eatery offering breakfast and dinner serves 70-80 parcels daily.

M Ravi, president of The Chennai Hotels Association, said the absence of neighbourhood grocery shops will hit eateries hard. “How can you cook if oil is not available? Moreover, several workers in the hospitality sector have left the city to their hometowns,” he added. Such factors will lead to more number of eateries closing later this week, he said.

On Sunday, eateries and hotels made significant purchases of vegetables at the Koyambedu market where, from Monday, entry for all customers including hoteliers, retail and wholesale traders has been banned.