Superspeciality hospital coming in Guindy

Superspeciality hospital coming in Guindy

Govt. announces free city bus travel for transpersons and the differently abled

04/06/2021

The hospital will come up on the King Institute campus

.B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

The Hindu

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI

The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday made six major announcements, including the construction of a 500-bed multi-superspeciality hospital at Guindy and free city bus travel for transpersons and the differently abled.

The announcements coincided with former Chief Minister and DMK leader M. Karunanidhi’s birth anniversary.

An official release said a state-of-the-art library would be built in Madurai at a cost of ₹70 crore in memory of Karunanidhi. ‘Ilakkiya Mamani Virudhu’ will be instituted for Tamil literary figures on a par with Kalaimamani awards. Free houses will be given to the recipients of Jnanpith, Sahitya Akademi and other national and State awards.

Warehouses will be established at a cost of ₹30 crore in Tiruvarur.

The ₹250 crore hospital will come up on the campus of the King Institute. The state-of-the-art library, to be built over 2 lakh sq ft, is meant to benefit the people of southern districts. It will be similar to the Anna Centenary Library in Chennai, which has been serving the people of northern districts.

Transpersons and the differently abled can travel free on town buses, in a measure similar to the benefit announced for women last month. “This order will come into force after the lockdown is lifted,” the release said. The ‘Ilakkiya Mamani Virudhu’, comprising a cash prize of ₹5 lakh and a citation, will be presented to three writers every year.

Under the dream house scheme, a house will be given free to scholars who are natives of Tamil Nadu and have won important awards. The house will be in their native district or in any district of their choice.

The government will construct a 16,000-tonne storage unit at a cost of ₹24.3 crore in Tiruvarur, besides 54 drying units and solar dryers costing ₹6.2 crore.

New IT rules don’t apply to us, Google tells HC

New IT rules don’t apply to us, Google tells HC

03/06/2021

Staff Reporter NEW DELHI

Google told the Delhi High Court on Wednesday that the new Information Technology Rules 2021, which came into effect late last month, did not apply to the U.S.-based tech giant as it was a “search engine” and not a “social media intermediary” like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

On April 20, the High Court issued a slew of directions on a petition by a woman who claimed her photographs and images, though not in themselves obscene or offensive, were taken from her Facebook and Instagram accounts without her consent, and uploaded on a pornographic website with derogatory captions added to them.

Why not buy 100% vaccines if you get discount, SC asks Centre

Why not buy 100% vaccines if you get discount, SC asks Centre

Bench questions Union govt.’s logic that it is getting the sop due to bulk orders

03/06/2021

Krishnadas Rajagopal NEW DELHI

The Supreme Court has questioned the Centre’s logic that manufacturers are selling it COVID-19 vaccines for a hefty discount because it places bulk orders. The court then asked the government why it cannot buy 100% of the vaccines at a discount instead of leaving the States to fend for themselves.

“The Central government justifying its lower prices on account of its ability to place large purchase orders for vaccines raises the issue as to why this rationale is not being employed for acquiring 100% of the monthly CDL [Central Drugs Laboratory] doses,” a Bench, led by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, noted in a 32-page order.

The Centre can buy vaccines for ₹150, while the States have to shell out between ₹300 and ₹600.

If the Central government’s unique monopolistic buyer position is the only reason for it receiving vaccines at a much lower rate from manufacturers, it is important for us to examine the rationality of the existing Liberalised Vaccination Policy against Article 14 [right to equality] of the Constitution since it could place severe burdens, particularly on States/Union Territories suffering from financial distress,” the court held.

It said the Centre, with a ₹35,000 crore budget to buy vaccines, has money to spare unlike the States which have suddenly been burdened with the task to cough up funds for vaccines. “The Union Budget for 2021-2022 earmarked ₹35,000 crore for procuring vaccines. In the light of the Liberalised Vaccination Policy, the Central government is directed to clarify how these funds have been spent so far and why they cannot be utilised for vaccinating persons aged 18-44,” the court ordered.

Central varsities wait for clarity on CUCET

Central varsities wait for clarity on CUCET

Consultation was held in March

03/06/2021

Priscilla Jebaraj NEW DELHI

With major school boards cancelling their Class 12 examinations, students looking to apply for college are now waiting for clarity regarding a new avatar of an old admission method — the Central Universities Common Entrance Test (CUCET). In March, about 45 Central universities were told that the National Testing Agency would conduct the CUCET this year for all aspiring students, but the pandemic may have cast a pall of uncertainty over those plans.

“We were told that the NTA would take over the conduct of the exam, and it would be used for all admissions, with separate tests for UG and PG courses... About 45 universities consented,” said the admissions director of one of the newer universities in southern India, who did not want to be named. He claimed that the older universities such as the Jawaharlal Nehru University, the Delhi University (DU), Jadavpur and Shantiniketan were not so keen on a common entrance test, as they have their own admission processes.

However, the controller of examinations from one of the older institutions said all Central universities were on board. “All the controllers were unanimous that apart from a common entrance test, we should have a common counselling process as well, as is done for [engineering admissions via] JEE,” he said.

DU Vice-Chancellor P.C. Joshi told The Hindu on Tuesday that if the Education Ministry approves the use of the CUCET, that could be implemented, adding that the DU would not compromise on merit.

Officials at the Education Ministry, NTA and UGC did not respond to queries regarding CUCET 2021

Relief for engg colleges, worry for others

Relief for engg colleges, worry for others

Bharat.Yagnik@timesgroup.com

Ahmedabad:03.06.2021

The state government’s decision to cancel the Class XII state board exams may prove a blessing in disguise for engineering colleges, where more than half of all seats went vacant last year.

However, for arts and commerce colleges, the decision brings the challenge of adding 1.25 lakh seats for the academic year 2021-22. This is to be done in anticipation of the large number of students who are likely to pass this year due to the cancellation of the Class XII board exams.

“Last year, some 34,000 seats at engineering colleges went vacant after the admission committee and the private colleges could not fill them. This year, more students will qualify for engineering courses due to which the number of vacant seats may fall substantially,” said an education department official.

This is expected to benefit private colleges which were left with more than 50% of all seats vacant last year, he added.

Approximately 1.40 lakh science stream students and 5.43 lakh general stream students were expected to take the board exam.

Wednesday’s decision applies to only regular students and the government is yet to take a call on ‘repeater candidates’, who number 1.25 lakh students for Class XII general stream.

Last year, about 3.71 lakh students took the Class XII (general) board exams of which 2.87 lakh cleared it and took admission in commerce and arts colleges.

“This year about 1.25 lakh more students are expected to apply for admission to arts and commerce courses. The education department will have to ensure addition of almost 1,000 divisions to accommodate the huge additional number,” said Jayvantsinh Sarvaiya, president of Gujarat State College Principals’ Association.

About 53,000 students of Class XII science (Group A) were expected to take the board exams this year. Students who have opted for Group A with mathematics can qualify for engineering courses after fulfilling other criteria. In comparison, there 56,000 students in this group last year of whom about 42,500 cleared the exams.

While the board is yet to announce assessment criteria for students, experts feel the overall number of students clearing Class XII and applying for college admissions will far exceed that of last year.

No clarity on GujCET

After the cancellation of the board exams, the government is exploring the possibility of holding the Gujarat Common Entrance Test (GujCET), the state-level exam is held annually for science students seeking admission to in degree engineering, diploma engineering and pharmacy courses in government, grant-in-aid and self-financed engineering institutions in Gujarat. “Unless there is clarity on GujCET, the college admission process cannot be initiated. Last year about 1.25 lakh students had taken the entrance test,” said a source in the Gujarat board. The merit lists for college admission were drawn up by giving 40% weight to percentile obtained by the candidate in GujCET 2020 and 60% weight to percentile obtained in the Class XII (science) board exams. TNN

Decision on JEE (Main) tests, NEET-UG next week

Decision on JEE (Main) tests, NEET-UG next week

New Delhi:03.06.2021

The government will review the situation next week before it is likely to finalise new dates for the remaining two JEE (Main) tests, as well as take a decision on whether NEET-UG could be conducted on August 1, reports Manash Gohain.

The ministry of education will also decide on the fate of the Central University Common Entrance Test (CUCET) after CBSE announces the assessment scheme for the class XII boards. Due to surge in Covid-19 cases in April, the April and May editions of JEE (Main) were postponed and registration of NEET-UG which were supposed to commence from May 1 was kept in abeyance.

According to a senior education ministry official, “A review meeting next week will assess the situation. Given the present situation, the NEET-UG is likely to be postponed.”

After the cancellation of the class XII exams, concerns are being raised by experts on expected disparities in school level evaluation across the country, as well as challenges that universities are likely to face in normalising the differences in results prepared by school boards.

1,000 govt employees died of Covid since March 2020: Assn

1,000 govt employees died of Covid since March 2020: Assn

ManuAiyappa.Kanathanda@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:03.06.2021

At least 1,000 fulltime and contract employees of Karnataka government have succumbed to Covid-19 and around 1 lakh workforce has been infected with the virus since March last year, according to informal surveys by employees’ associations.

“According to department-wise data collected by our association, 518 full-time employees have died of Covid-19 since last year. The total number of employees who have died of Covid-19 is well over1,000 if we take into account data provided by other associations which have contracted staff as members,” claimed CS Shadakshari, president of the Karnataka State Government Employees’ Association (KSGEA).

Other associations are those of contract employees and workers, ASHA workers and anganwadi teachers who are not full-time government employees. Hence, they do not come under KSGEA.

Victims’ families yet to get aid

There are 6.5 lakh government employees. The government has offered Rs 30 lakh ex-gratia to kin of those who have died due to Covid-19 and jobs to dependents based on their education qualification.

“About 400 teachers have lost their lives, largely in Kalaburagi and Belagavi divisions. This is because many of them were sent on election duty,” said Karnataka Primary School Teachers’ Association president Basavaraj Gurikar.

Some of the deceased were in irrigation, rural development, panchayat, public works, agriculture, revenue and animal husbandry departments. At least 21 forest department personnel died of Covid-19.

Employee association members said kin of many employees were yet to get full benefits from the government.

› Belagavi village sees 86 Covid-19 deaths in May, P 4

Seniority Cannot Be Claimed From A Date When The Incumbent Was Not Borne In Service: SC [Read Judgment]

Seniority Cannot Be Claimed From A Date When The Incumbent Was Not Borne In Service: SC [Read Judgment]: 'The Law is fairly well settled in a series of cases, that a person is disentitled to claim seniority from a date he was not borne in service.'

Fixation Of Seniority Between Direct Recruitment Employees And Promoted Employees

Fixation Of Seniority Between Direct Recruitment Employees And Promoted Employees: The issue relating to ascertaining the seniority in a post where employees are appointed both through direct recruitment and promotion from feeder post has evolved by a series of precedents. The...

Temporary AYUSH docs at GRH shown the doors

Temporary AYUSH docs at GRH shown the doors

The AYUSH doctors assisted the PG doctors at the hospitals by way of oxygen management for patients - ensuring the right amount of oxygen supply for every patient, among other things, they said.

Published: 02nd June 2021 10:20 AM 

By Express News Service

MADURAI: Days after allopathy doctors were recruited temporarily in the district, AYUSH doctors who were recruited last year temporarily for Covid duty, at the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) and the Government Hospital for Thoracic Medicine (GHTM) at Thoppur were shown the doors on Tuesday.

Speaking to TNIE, a homoeopathy doctor said, "As many as 33 AYUSH doctors were temporarily recruited for posting on Covid duty at the GRH and GHTM, through a private manpower agency in June-July last year when the pandemic peaked during the first wave. While four of them opted for transfer, 29 doctors continued to work at the two hospitals under the control of the Directorate of Medical Education."

A Siddha doctor added, "AYUSH doctors who completed BHMS/BSMS were roped in by the government at a time when MBBS doctors were hesitant to take up Covid duty. We were recruited at a salary of Rs 60,000 per month, of which Rs 4,600 goes to the manpower agency. Although our work orders stated that we were being recruited for three months, our contract period was extended through oral instructions from the State Health Department."

The AYUSH doctors assisted the postgraduate doctors at the hospitals by way of oxygen management for patients - ensuring the right amount of oxygen supply for every patient, among other things, they said. "Now, the 80 medical officers (MBBS doctors), who were recruited last week, do the same work assigned to us, indicating that we have been replaced by them," the AYUSH doctors opined. The doctors also claimed that they were not paid their salaries for the past four months.

Another homoeopathy doctor, on condition of anonymity, stated that the temporary AYUSH doctors worked only in Covid wards, posted one week in the wards, the next week in-home quarantine, returned to the Covid wards in the third week and the cycle continued. Meanwhile, the department doctors are posted in non-Covid wards as part of routine duty, giving them a respite.

The Siddha doctor said, "It came as a rude shock at a time when we were hoping to get another extension of service period, as the previous extension ended by May 31. There was no prior intimation."

A group of AYUSH doctors submitted a petition to Collector Dr S Aneesh Sekhar on Tuesday evening, seeking to appoint them alternatively at any other Covid Care Centres or Interim Covid Care Centres.

Dean Dr Rathinavel said that the termination of temporary AYUSH doctors posted at government medical colleges came as an oral instruction from the office of the Directorate of Medical Education late on Monday night. "Had it been a GRH-specific instruction, arrangements would have been made to retain them. But, their termination is a statewide decision," he mentioned.

Southern Railway resumes 33 pairs of train services in Tamil Nadu and Kerala after two weeks

Southern Railway resumes 33 pairs of train services in Tamil Nadu and Kerala after two weeks

Although the railways extended the cancellation of select trains owing to poor patronage, most of the services were resumed amid speculation that lockdown curbs may be relaxed after June 7

Published: 02nd June 2021 07:18 PM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: After being suspended for two weeks on account of the lockdown in the state and Kerala, Southern Railway has resumed 33 pairs of reserved special train services.

The express special trains which include daily, weekly and Mainline Electrical Multiple Unit (MEMU) services were resumed between May 31 and June 1, according to railway sources.

Although the railways extended the cancellation of select trains owing to poor patronage, most of the services were resumed amid speculation that lockdown curbs may be relaxed after June 7.

According to official documents, the daily special trains were resumed on the following routes in Tamil Nadu:

Arakkonam – Jolarpettai, Chennai – Jolarpettai, Coimbatore – Mayiladuturai, Chennai Egmore – Rameswaram, Chennai – Karaikudi, Chennai – Madurai, Chennai – Tiruchy, Chennai – Erode, Chennai – Coimbatore, Chennai – Bengaluru, Chennai – Tirupati, Chennai Egmore – Puducherry, Coimbatore – Nagercoil, and Chennai Egmore – Thanjavur.

Weekly/tri weekly trains have been resumed on the following routes:

Chennai – Madurai, Chennai – Nagercoil, Chennai – Nizamuddin, Tambaram – Nagercoil, Rameswaram – Coimbatore, Mangaluru – Puducherry, Kanniyakumari – Puducherry, Gandhidham – Nagercoil.

MEMU express specials have been resumed on the following routes:

Villupuram – Madurai, Arakkonam – Salem, Kannur – Coimbatore, Tiruchy – Palakkad Town and Tiruchy – Rameswaram.

Anxiety among TN students after CBSE cancels Class 12 Board exams

Anxiety among TN students after CBSE cancels Class 12 Board exams

Stakeholders divided over the practicality of conducting State Board Class 12 exams but stand united for the idea of coming up with a meaningful way to evaluate students

Published: 03rd June 2021 05:04 AM 

Express Illustration

By SUSHMITHA RAMAKRISHNAN And JEYALAKSHMI RAMANUJAM

Express News Service

CHENNAI/MADURAI: The decision to cancel CBSE Class 12 public exams came as a shocker to students, parents, and even many school authorities. As Tamil Nadu mulls over the possibility of cancelling the State Board exams, stakeholders remain divided on the matter. However, everyone is on the same page on quickly coming up with a meaningful way to evaluate students to aid applying for higher education.

The Centre on Tuesday cancelled the CBSE Class 12 public exams. Following this, it is expected that some combination of internal assessments conducted by the schools will be used as a yardstick to grade students. However, if Tamil Nadu government cancels the State Board exams, it cannot rely on internal assessment scores as many schools did not have the capacity to conduct online tests for students during the lockdown.

Lack of internal assessments

The majority of CBSE and affluent private State Board schools conducted quarterly, half yearly, and revision exams online in addition to the cumulative assessment of class tests. These assessments can be used to ultimately derive a final grade. However, many State Board schools did not conduct any test or were able to hold only one or two revision exams when schools were opened briefly earlier this year.

“Many CBSE schools had already conducted multiple online tests. However, this is not true of State Board schools,” said KR Nandhakumar, head of the Tamil Nadu Matriculation, Higher Secondary and CBSE Schools Association, adding that the State government may not have much choice but to conduct an exam, at least for government school students.

R Visalakshi, the head of the Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association, said, “Board exams to go on or not, the government should tell us soon how students will be evaluated.” She said passing all students in Class 12 was not a viable solution as it will cause chaos while applying for higher education. “Attendance for online classes was not compulsory; meaning, exams were not compulsory. Some children, therefore, did not write any test. How is it their fault when everything was optional to begin with?” she questioned.

Students who plan to apply for higher education in professional courses are in favour of conducting public exams while others do not want to risk exposure to Covid-19. Even teachers are divided. PK Ilamaran, head of Tamil Nadu Teachers Association (TNTA) said government should prioritise the safety and welfare of students in the wake of the pandemic and cancel the public exams. He, however, said that the State should consult stakeholders on evaluation procedures.

The competitive exam conundrum

On the other hand, S Arumainathan, president of the Tamil Nadu Parents Teachers Association, told Express that many schools, particularly State government schools, did not conduct any serious internal assessments. “If they cancel State board public exams without cancelling competitive exams like JEE and NEET, students will be in a fix.

They will have to rush to coaching classes to crack these exams,” he said. MDMK leader Vaiko also opined that the situation will increase the importance of common entrance exams like NEET, paving way for the union government to implement the National Education Policy silently. “The decision of cancelling the board exams and not the competitive exams has been made without any consultation. Tamil Nadu students will be at disadvantage as they will not have enough experience to face competitive exams,” said KPO Suresh, leader of the Tamil Nadu Post Graduate Teachers Association.

“The DMK needs to pass a resolution in the Assembly, inform to the union government and proceed to Supreme Court’s to get concurrence. All these must be done before the National Testing Agency (NTA) begins to invite applications for NEET,” said Suresh.

State Platform for Common School System (SPCSS) Tamil Nadu General Secretary P B Prince Gajendra Babu said, “The Union government’s decision is not based on the interest of the students. In a pandemic situation, if CBSE conducts exam, it might affect the students, so the exams are cancelled, but the same students, when they write National Eligibility Test for admission into colleges, will they not be affected? We are unable to understand the logic here.

In the States where the New Education Policy (NEP) is already in effect, there will be All India Exam by NTA and only its score will be considered by colleges for admission and not the Class 12 board exam score. Whether you conduct the exam or not, it becomes irrelevant. States need not follow CBSE and depending on the their condition, State Board Class 12 exams should be conducted at a later date by giving timetable well in advance,” he said.

Ensure equal opportunity, fairness while appointing staff: HC tells TN varsities

Ensure equal opportunity, fairness while appointing staff: HC tells TN varsities

The Madras High Court on Tuesday ordered that all State-run universities in Tamil Nadu must ensure equal opportunity, fairness and transparency while appointing staff.

Published: 02nd June 2021 04:41 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Tuesday ordered that all State-run universities in Tamil Nadu must ensure equal opportunity, fairness and transparency while appointing staff. The court issued the direction after it was found that a person, who did not possess any valid educational qualifications, was appointed as assistant technical officer (library) by the Bharathiar University in Coimbatore.

Justice R Mahadevan in his order said, “His appointment has deprived opportunity to eligible candidates. In furtherance to illegality, he has not only enjoyed the fruits of his illegal appointment but also all benefits attached until and post retirement.” The court also ordered the university to videograph interviews, revoke illegal appointments and recover salary paid to such candidates.

The judge made the observations while disposing of petitions moved by Dr K Ramesh and two others challenging the appointment of one Gowthaman. “Though his appointment was challenged, the Registrar did nothing to revoke it. Knowing fully well that he did not possess required qualifications, Gowthaman continued in the post and enjoyed benefits.

Therefore, culpability is to be fixed on the person liable to recruit candidates, and whenever illegal appointments are made, immediate action must be taken not only to stop the continuance of service of appointees, but also against the persons who were responsible for such selection,” the order added.

In conclusion, the court said, “The benefits of public employment, not only includes social security, respect from society and monetary benefits throughout the tenure of employment, but also is extended post retirement. Hence, the appointments to government jobs, more particularly in universities and educational institutions have become a matter of public and judicial scrutiny.”

Numbers show TN not ready to open up

Numbers show TN not ready to open up

At 19%, State TPR Four Times Higher Than Centre’s Guideline of 5%; Vax Coverage Poor

Pushpa.Narayan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:03.06.2021

The number of fresh cases of Covid-19 is falling as is the test positivity rate in most districts, but the numbers are nowhere near the levels the Centre has set for opening up.

On Tuesday, the Centre set three guidelines for opening up — average seven-day test positivity rate (TPR) of less than 5%, more than 70% vaccination coverage among the 45-plus age group, and “community ownership of care and Covid-19 appropriate behavior”.

No district in the state has a weekly TPR below 5%. Kancheepuram and Sivaganga have the lowest TPR of between 9.4% and 9.6%, followed by Vellore (11.2%). And public health officials said they will not be able to predict if these rates will fall below 5% by June 7, when the state has to extend or lift lockdown restrictions.

On Wednesday, the state said at least 23 districts have reported a decline in the weekly TPR. For instance, fresh cases in Chengalpet came down to 996 on Wednesday from around 2,600 at the beginning of the lockdown. The TPR that was around 32.4% in this district dropped to 19.9% this week. Similarly, daily fresh cases in Chennai came down from around 7,500 to less than 2,500 and the TPR is now 11.4% compared to 23.3% when the lockdown began. However, the TPR in above the state average of 19% in at least 23 districts.

“Despite aggressive testing and isolation, we don’t know why cases are not coming down in some parts of the state. While we have been able to bring down the positivity rate and infection rate in Chennai and surrounding region, we don’t see similar results in parts of the west or central region,” said health secretary J Radhakrishnan. The issue was discussed even at the medical experts meeting with chief minister M K Stalin on Wednesday.

Tirupur’s TPR has touched 38.1% compared to 32.8% last week. Despite decrease in cases, Coimbatore is reporting a TPR of 36.6% compared to 30.5% last week. Erode's TPR, which was around 27% last week, is inching close to 30%.

“Test results are delayed and hence isolation is delayed. This is one the main reasons for increase in cases despite lockdown,” said a senior official in Tirupur. Samples from smaller districts are now being sent to nearby districts to expedite results, he said.

Secondly, less than 50% of the healthcare providers in the state and only 31% of frontline workers have taken both doses of the vaccine.

While the state says it can’t measure coverage among people above 45 years (with comorbid conditions), only 20% of people above 60 years have received the first dose and 8% are fully vaccinated. But the vaccination numbers, too , aren't uniform. While Greater Chennai Corporation has said 55% of the above-45 population in the city has been vaccinated, the Nilgiris district announced that at least 60% of the population in the same age group has been vaccinated.

India may get Pfizer’s vaccine in July

India may get Pfizer’s vaccine in July

Final Deal Still Pending Between Govt & American Drug-Maker

Sushmi.Dey@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:03.06.2021

The government’s decisions to ease regulatory norms for clearing foreign-made vaccines for use in India and an in-principle consensus on an indemnity waiver are intended to facilitate supply of Pfizer’s vaccine against Covid-19, which officials hope can be made by July.

The final agreement between the government and the American drug-maker on indemnity and procurement norms are still pending, though the two parties have arrived at an in-principle consensus, sources said.

According to a source, the government may give a complete waiver to foreign-made vaccines that have been approved for restricted use by the US Food and Drug Administration, European Medicines Agency, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, UK., Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Japan, or which are mentioned in WHO Emergency Use Listing.

While Pfizer has been insisting on supplying the vaccines through the Centre, the government is working out a mechanism whereby the Centre can negotiate a price with the company and states and UTs can procure the jabs directly from the company at the pre-fixed price, the source said.

However, final signing of the agreement may still take a few days. Besides, despite the waivers and agreements, any company importing the vaccines will have to make a formal application, with documents of approval secured abroad, seeking emergency use authorisation from the drug regulator.

“Once all the documents are submitted and a formal application is made, the approval can come in around 10 days but supplies will take time to arrive and depend on the existing bookings and available stockpile with the company,” a senior regulatory official said.

Pfizer too said it is in talks with the government to make its Covid-19 vaccine available in India.

Apart from Pfizer, Cipla too has been negotiating with the government seeking fasttrack approvals to bring Moderna’s single-dose Covid-19 booster vaccine to the country.

Full report on www.toi.in

DOSE OF IMMUNITY: Students and employees who are travelling to foreign countries for education and employment line up to get vaccinated at a special camp in Bengaluru on Wednesday

Experts want state to unlock in phases, 1st in dists with fewer cases

Experts want state to unlock in phases, 1st in dists with fewer cases

Pushpa.Narayan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:03.06.2021

An expert panel at a meeting with chief minister M K Stalin on Monday has suggested that lifting of lockdown in the state must be staggered as the three-week shutdown has not brought down cases uniformly across Tamil Nadu. The state government, however, must continue to make efforts to augment beds and human resources across districts to handle subsequent waves and infections in children, the panel said.

Doctors pointed out at the meeting about cases peaking at different districts at different times. For instance, while cases in Chennai region have dropped drastically, fresh cases continue to swell in parts of western region. Even within the region, cases in Erode are increasing, but the count in Coimbatore has started declining. “Extending lockdown in a region that has lower infection rate and empty hospital wards may not make sense. Health policies must make economic sense too,” said National Institute of Epidemiology deputy director Dr Prabhdeep Kaur. The decision to tighten or reduce curbs should be made based on district-level epidemiological factors, she said.

TN may get a lab for genome sequencing

As new variants of the SARS-Cov 2 emerge across the globe, officials in the state public health laboratory drafted aproposal to set up a whole genome sequencing lab for Tamil Nadu. If approved, TN will get its own lab to sequence genomic code of the virus by the end of June at a cost of ₹2 crore.P 4

‘Upgrade health infra in tier-2 cities, small towns’

High positivity rate, increase in number of cases or deaths, high occupancy rate in hospitals, and doubling time of infection are some of the factors that must be considered while deciding on restrictions, she said.

Experts also discussed the need to upgrade health infrastructure and human resources in tier-2 cities and smaller towns. Deans Dr E Theranirajan and Dr R Jayanthi said the state should ask doctors to stop prescribing steroids for long duration to prevent infections such as mucormycosis (black fungus).

WHO chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan said the state should prepare to handle subsequent waves. Besides protecting the unvaccinated vulnerable population — elderly and people with comorbidities — the state has to draft policies to protect children in the subsequent waves, she said.

Woman claims she was given 2 doses together

COVID VAX BLUES

Woman claims she was given 2 doses together

Kozhikode:03.06.2021

A 46-year-old woman has complained that she was administered two doses of Covishield vaccine, one after the other, during her vaccination at Kadameri community health centre here on Tuesday.

Rajula, hailing from Karakandi near Teekuni, has been admitted to the Kozhikode medical college hospital after she fainted on returning home and experiencing weakness in her limbs.

Local health centre authorities, however, said that the woman was not administered two doses of the vaccine. They said that the first attempt to administer the vaccination was aborted after insertion of the needle due to blood return and the vaccination was provided in the second attempt. District RCH officer T Mohandas said that a report has been sought from the doctor concerned on the incident.

Rajula’s husband Nizar said that he, along with his wife, had gone to the CHC for the first dose of Covishield vaccine and after administering the first jab, the nurse gave another injection to Rajula. “When I was given the single dose of injection, I told the nurse that my wife, who was administered the vaccine just ahead of my turn, was given two shots,” he said.

Nizar said that Rajula fainted around 7pm and was taken to a hospital in Vadakara and later shifted to Kozhikode medical college. Nizar has filed a complaint with the district collector and district medical officer. TNN

Model tenancy law gets Cabinet nod, to serve both owners & tenants

Model tenancy law gets Cabinet nod, to serve both owners & tenants

Dipak.Dash@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:03.06.2021

More than six years after it was first mooted by the Centre, the Union cabinet on Wednesday approved the Model Tenancy Act which aims to protect the interests of both tenants and landlords.

The government expects this model law, which states can adopt and enact, will open up a large number of residential and commercial properties for rental purposes as the legal framework will eliminate the fear of owners losing their properties.

While announcing that states have the option to adopt the policy, housing and urban affairs minister Hardeep Singh Puri said he expects BJP-ruled states to roll it out and that other states would also do so as it benefits the common man. He said the policy, once notified by the states, will cover urban and rural areas. The model law lays out the norms for establishing separate rent authorities, courts and tribunals in every district to protect the interests of owners and tenants.

The model Act says that the rent and duration of tenancy will be fixed by mutual consent between the owner and tenant and there has to be a written agreement. It suggests that the security deposit for residential properties won’t be for more than two months’ rent and for commercial properties, it can’t be more than that of six months.

For revision of rent, landlords need to give a written notice three months in advance and the new rent will be on mutual consent.

Full report on www.toi.in

We are an ‘aggregator’, not a ‘social media’: Google to HC

We are an ‘aggregator’, not a ‘social media’: Google to HC

Says New IT Rules Not Applicable To Its Search Engine

Abhinav.Garg@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:03.06.2021

Arguing that it is an “aggregator” and not a “social media intermediary”, Google on Wednesday moved the Delhi high court, contending that the new Information Technology rules for digital media were not applicable to its search engine as it did not fit the definition of “Significant Social Media Intermediary” (SSMI) which has been made a part of the rules mandating strict compliance.

It challenged a single judge order of HC where certain directions were issued against Google, ruling that the new rules apply to it.

A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh issued notice to the Centre, Delhi government, Internet Service Providers’ Association of India, Facebook and others on the plea by the global firm, seeking their stand.

Appearing for the company, senior advocate Harish Salve said the single judge had misinterpreted some of the provisions and wrongly applied them on the search engine. The plea urged the court to set aside a single judge order which applied the rules on the company while dealing with an issue related to removal of offending content from the internet.

While Salve sought a stay on coercive steps against Google in case the earlier order was not complied with, the bench refused to grant interim order and said it will examine the stand of the other stake-holders.

The case stems from a plea filed by a woman seeking to block offensive and objectionable content against her uploaded on a pornographic site. The single judge had directed Delhi police to ensure the offensive content was removed and directions were also issued to search engines, including Google, Yahoo and Bing, to “globally de-index and de-reference” the offending content from their search results.

It directed search engines to use automated tools, to proactively identify and globally disable access to any content which is exactly identical to the offending content, that may appear on any other websites/online platforms.

Full report on www.toi.in

A bench of the Delhi high court issued notice to the Centre, the Delhi government and Facebook seeking their stand on Google’s plea

Stalin starts on an inclusive note, how long will honeymoon last?

Stalin starts on an inclusive note, how long will honeymoon last?

A Month On At The Helm, DMK Chief Chooses A Different Path Than His Father’s, Taking Opponents Along

R Rangaraj

03.06.2021

For all the standards and goals set by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam patriarch, M Karunanidhi struggled to expand the horizons of his party beyond traditional lines. Taking forward the DMK legacy, chief minister M K Stalin, through his inclusive gestures, seems to have managed to reach out to sections beyond party lines and earn encomiums even from opponents of the DMK.

The limited scope of the DMK’s popularity could be assessed with the 1989 assembly polls in mind, when the AIADMK split after the death of its tallest leader MGR in December 1987. The DMK was elected to power, but secured only about one-third of the votes. In 2006, the DMK won on the strength of a strong alliance which included the Congress, the PMK and the Left, to touch 44% vote share . In 2016, the DMK indirectly projected Stalin as the heir apparent to get close to 40% vote share but lost out to the AIADMK which boosted its own vote share to 41.1%, and J Jayalalithaa barely scraped through. The DMK only came close to the majority mark, but it was apparent that Stalin did attract a percentage of voters who wanted change.

On Karunanidhi’s 97th birth anniversary on June 3, as the DMK takes stock of its gains after a month of being in power again, the critics of the party have been silenced by Stalin’s approach ever since he assumed office on May 7.

The subdued note of celebration was quickly replaced by action on a warfooting against the pandemic.

In the past, the DMK and the AIADMK governments had been guilty of winding up or renaming pet schemes of each another soon after coming to power. Stalin has shown no keenness to alter the status quo, especially relating to Amma Unavagam. The arrest of DMK men who vandalised an Amma Unavagam outlet, seeking to remove the photograph of Jayalalithaa and the reassurance that the Amma Unavagam scheme would continue to reach out to the poor, the commitment to the Annadhanam scheme of temples, the quick steps to raise availability of vaccines and oxygen beds in hospitals, have all contributed to broaden Stalin’s support base beyond his party.

The push to appoint efficient senior officers such as V Irai Anbu and T Udhayachandran has also gone down well with the bureaucracy. Stalin has adopted a judicious style bringing in a new team of officers in crucial posts like Gagandeep Singh Bedi (Chennai corporation), and retaining the team led by the health secretary J Radhakrishnan.

The move to set up a committee of MLAs from various parties has also created a sense of confidence in officialdom.

These moves have earned the appreciation of a couple of the AIADMK. Former deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam has welcomed the government’s “acceptance” of some of his demands.

Stalin’s refusal to be drawn into a slanging match with the AIADMK and other opposition parties despite provocative statements, has got him new admirers. Sections within the DMK are surprised over the “inclusiveness” and “maturity” of the CM.

There is a new air of freedom in government complexes as compared to the slavish mentality among ministers noticed in the Jayalalithaa era as well. Stalin comes across as first among equals at these meetings and in public appearances alongside ministers and officials. Ministers handling the portfolios of health, finance, education and transport have been allowed to hold discussions with their respective departments and interact with media, indicating greater democracy and transparency in the government than before.

How long this approach will continue is anybody’s guess. Some of his critics believe this would last only during the “honeymoon” period, but Stalin watchers say his approach of dealing with issues on a non-party basis, is different from the Kalaignar era and would continue even as he keeps his doors open for suggestions.

As for the DMK, Stalin has told his partymen that politics can take a backseat during the pandemic. The situation is not conducive to hold elections to urban local bodies, besides vacant rural bodies. The local councillors and the presence of elected representatives at the tier-3 levels, could also help in better governance. At least until then, Stalin would ensure that politics is kept away, and focus would be on dealing with the pandemic. Chambers of industries and commerce feel the new dispensation of proactive ministers and skilled officers in key positions could help accelerate growth through a new regime of incentives and concessions. They expect this to be ushered in once the pandemic is dealt with.

While Stalin builds on the image of his father and draws support from the legion of Kalaignar fans, he has embarked on a new path of inclusive growth and diversified appeal, beyond religion, caste and community divide.

Stalin has been careful to maintain a balance between the Dravidian plank of the party and the sentiments of Hindus, in a marked departure from the Karunanidhi legacy. Karunanidhi was known to make acerbic comments about Hindu gods and goddesses off and on, and this upset devout Hindus who saw the DMK as an anti-Hindu party. The BJP has been trying to build such a narrative, but the DMK under Stalin nipped it in the bud.

Stalin has been keen to convey that he does not want to carry the baggage of the past, especially the picture of his party being anti-Hindu On the political front, he has proved to be bipartisan. Though hamstrung by a low resource base, he has begun implementing some of the poll promises. Work well begun is half done. Stalin has crossed more than the halfway period in a short span. In that sense, he has managed to overcome the stiff opposition from a section of the political spectrum and the electorate, and go beyond the confines of the DMK. Going forward, his government will have to come to grips with rising debts and aspirations.

(The writer is a senior journalist)

Email your feedback to southpole.toi@timesgroup.com

Private trains to soon run in state

Private trains to soon run in state

Firms To Be Selected By End Of June

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:03.06.2021

Southern Railway has completed groundwork to enable private players to run trains from Chennai and other cities in the state as the Railway Board is gearing up to select firms by the end of the month. The financial bids for running trains, including on11 routes in Chennai cluster, will be opened by June-end. The project cost for Chennai cluster will be Rs3,221crore, covering around 1,052km, the highest after Mumbai.

The routes identified include Chennai to Madurai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Kanyakumari, Tiruneveli, Mumbai, Mangalore, Secunderabad and Delhi. Railway Board chairman and CEO Suneet Sharma said in a virtual press conference on Wednesday that railways was going ahead with the tender process and more than 10 players are eligible for bidding. "We will open the tender in June and we hope to get proper response from the companies," he said.

As the companies who were qualified to bid for the project in the request for qualification have already started to set up ties and to get rolling stock, technology transfer and other finer details, running of private trains may start running along these routes by end of the year or earlier.

The private operator will bring rolling stock, fix fare and run the train using railways' crew. As per the arrangement, railway zones were told to identify stations, maintenance yard, washing lines, pitlines within existing facilities for maintaining the private trains or earmark land for the operator to build such facilities near the stations.

A senior official of Southern Railway did not reveal the specifics but said that the zone has identified all the required infrastructure like stations, maintenance yards or lands for private trains.

Sources said that Tambaram could be a terminal for south-bound private trains while Tondiarpet yard was being considered for maintaining private trains. Railways has started adding passenger facilities at Tambaram and has also recently modernised its yard which will also have an automatic train washing system.

Railway Board specifications said that an exclusive electrified line should be identified at yards so that the private trains could drive in and drive out without having to depend on railway-owned shunting locos.

Sharma said that a request for qualification was called and there were successful firms who became eligible and we called for a request for proposals and there is a day fixed for opening of tender.

NEW HORIZON: The financial bids for running trains, including on 11 routes in Chennai cluster, will be opened by June-end

Have ties with Centre like MK did: BJP to Stalin

Have ties with Centre like MK did: BJP to Stalin

Shanmughasundaram.J@timesgroup.com

Chennai:03.06.2021

If chief minister M K Stalin and his cabinet colleagues follow former DMK chief M Karunanidhi’s policy of maintaining cordial relations with the Centre, it would benefit the state, said BJP Tamil Nadu president L Murugan on Wednesday.

Murugan said in a statement that Karunanidhi followed the policy of maintaining good relations with the Centre whenever he was in power in the state, because it helped in the state’s growth.

The present DMK government, especially state finance minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan was deviating from that path, he said. Murugan lashed out at Thiagarajan for his view expressed in the GST council meeting that there would be no union without the states. The minister said the Centre should not act like a begrudging donor. Murugan said Thiagarajan’s comments were “childish”.

The BJP leader urged Stalin to advise his ministers to avoid confrontation with the Centre. “They should be focusing on the welfare of the people. This is not the time to do petty politicking,” said Murugan.

Reacting to Stalin’s statement that the failure of the previous AIADMK government in controlling the first wave of Covid had led to the second wave wreaking havoc in Tamil Nadu, Murugan said Stalin and his party colleagues should take the responsibility for creating scare among the people about the vaccines when they were in the opposition. It resulted in vaccine hesitancy among the people. If more people had come forward to take vaccination, the pandemic could have been controlled in Tamil Nadu, said Murugan.

Stalin should ask himself whether he functioned as a responsible opposition leader then, said Murugan.

State to decide on conducting Class XII exams in two days

State to decide on conducting Class XII exams in two days

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:03.06.2021

The state government will take a call on conducting Class XII board exams after getting feedback from teachers, parents, students, health experts and educationists in the next two days, school education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said on Wednesday.

Online meetings will be held and suggestions received on tnschooledu21@gmail.com and on helpline 14417, the minister said.

On Tuesday, citing Covid-19, the Centre cancelled CBSE Class XII exams and said the assessment would be based on objective criteria in a time-bound manner. Students not satisfied with the assessment will be given the option of appearing for exams when the situation is conducive, it said.

Following the Centre’s announcement, chief minister M K Stalin held a meeting with the school education minister.

“The central government took a decision to cancel CBSE Class XII exams when most states were in favour of conducting them. The CM wanted us to get the opinion of teachers, parents, students, health experts and educationists before taking a call on Class XII exams. He also wanted to know the stand of other states on cancelling Class XII exams,” the minister told reporters.

“Students’ health is very important to us. At the same time, Class XII exams and marks are also important for students. At present, there are mixed opinion about the cancellation of board exams. We will take a decision based on a majority of the views," he said.

At the meeting of education ministers last week, Tamil Nadu said it was in favour of conducting the board exams.

Graduates flying abroad in fix over vaccine shortage

Graduates flying abroad in fix over vaccine shortage

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:03.06.2021

Students from Chennai headed overseas for higher studies are in a fix because of the vaccination policy and visa appointments.

While several foreign universities have made vaccination compulsory for all incoming students, states like Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra (Mumbai) have announced that doses will be reserved for these students at vaccine centres. But there is no such policy in Chennai or other parts of Tamil Nadu. Given the vaccine shortage, many students return home without getting jabs even after queuing up for long.

While some have struggled to get the first dose at private hospitals, the long gap between doses has left many fearing whether they would get it before flying abroad.

Vaibhav Singh, co-founder of Leap which offers financial services to Indian students wanting to pursue higher education abroad, said, “Many students who were supposed to start their classes last year deferred it to this year, hoping to be able to attend offline classes. The second wave added more uncertainty to their plans.”

Now that countries like the US are opening up flights for international students, or allowing vaccinated students to attend classes; students will be able to attend classes in-person. Helping them with priority vaccinations will be a great move to allow them to start degrees in the Fall of 2021, he said.

Many others are facing issues with visa appointments. Some foreign consulates in Chennai are closed and are not accepting regular and even expedited appointment (EA) requests.

“I haven’t slept properly for weeks now because of the anxiety surrounding the visa process,” said a student, who got his PhD admission in the spring of 2021, requesting anonymity. He deferred his admission to the Fall because he was unable to get an appointment till November. His programme starts on September  1.

Alekya Kastury, an engineer from Chennai, said further delay in appointments will impact their travel plans. “It is going to be a situation in which we will be entering classes as soon as we land,” she said.

Many students slated to fly abroad have struggled to get their first dose at private hospitals

Vaccination for 45+ to continue

Vaccination for 45+ to continue

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:02.06.2021

The Tamil Nadu health departmenton Tuesday received 4.95 lakh doses of covid vaccine even as most districts inthe state complained of empty stock. The consignment included 75,000 doses of Covaxin and of 4.2 lakh doses of Covishield health minister Ma Subramanian said.

“So far, the state has received1.1 crore doses of the vaccine including 4.95 lakh doses we received on Tuesday. The state has administered 90.5 lakh doses and the state now has a stock of 6.5 lakh doses of the vaccine. This will be distributed across the state for vaccination in all districts. All districts will start vaccination by Wednesday,” he said. Priority and additional doses will be given to the western districts, where the caseload has been high, he added.

The fresh stock would help the state continue the vaccination drive for a few more days. “However, these doses are for people aged above 45 years. For people in the 18-44 age group, the state will make the purchase from the two manufacturers,” the minister said.

On Tuesday, 98,183 people including 47,567 in the 18-44 age group took the vaccine on Tuesday.