Airlines can resume food on flights of less than 2-hr duration

Airlines can resume food on flights of less than 2-hr duration

14.11.2021

Serving food on flights with a duration of less than two hours can be resumed, the Union health ministry is learned to have informed the civil aviation ministry after the latter sought inputs from it for amending the existing regulations.

The health ministry has also said that the crew members on a flight need not wear coveralls but should continue to wear gloves, masks and face shields, according to sources.

Under the existing guidelines, airlines are not allowed to serve meals in flights that have a duration of less than two hours. The ban came into effect from April 15.

When the scheduled domestic flight services were resumed on May 25 last year after the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the ministry had allowed the airlines to serve in-flight meals under certain conditions.

“The civil aviation ministry is reviewing the on-board meal services in domestic flights in view of a decline in the number of daily COVID-19 cases and has sought inputs from the health ministry for amending the existing guidelines.

“The health ministry has now informed that serving food on flights of less than two hours can be resumed and that the crew members need not wear coveralls but should continue to wear gloves, masks and face shields,” a source said.

With 11,850 fresh cases, India's COVID-19 tally has shot up to 3,44,26,036, while the number of active cases of the infection has declined to 1,36,308, the lowest in 274 days, according to the health ministry's data updated at 8 am on Saturday. PTI

Two arrested, minor detained for MBBS student’s murder

Two arrested, minor detained for MBBS student’s murder

Yavatmal:14.11.2021 

Yavatmal Police on Saturday arrested two youths and detained a juvenile for the murder of Ashok Pal, a final-year MBBS student of Vasantrao Naik Government Medical College, earlier this week. A cash reward of Rs 1 lakh cash has been declared for officers involved in arresting the trio.

“The three accused were on a motorbike which hit Pal who was returning to his hostel from the college library on the campus November 10 night. This led to an argument which ended up in the accused stabbing Pal to death,” Yavatmal SP Dilip Patil-Bhujbal said.

Cops claimed that the trio has confessed to the crime during questioning. TNN

Krishna loses mother hours before ceremony

Krishna loses mother hours before ceremony

Neeraj, Others Receive Top Sports Awards

Sabi.Hussain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:14.11.2021

In a cruel turn of events, Tokyo Paralympics gold medalist badminton player Krishna Nagar lost his mother in an unfortunate incident, hours before he was to receive his Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award from President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhawan here on Saturday. Krishna, who had won the gold in the men’s singles SH6 final in Tokyo, was in Delhi to receive the award along with 11 other Khel Ratna recipients when the tragic news reached him.

Initially, Krishna wasn’t told about his mother’s passing away over phone by his physiotherapist father Sunil Nagar. It was only when the 22-year-old reached his home in Jaipur that the devastating news was shared with him. She was 49. Narrating the sequence of events, Krishna told TOI from Jaipur: “It was November 10 (Wednesday) and I was about to leave for the awards ceremony. It was 12-12:30pm and I had told my mother to cook food for me. My father had also come home around that time from his work and three of us were having a fun time. I didn’t notice when she headed to the roof. I had taken a shower and was drying my towel when I heard a loud thump. Upon checking, I realised that my mother had fallen to the first floor of our house from the terrace.” “We immediately rushed her to the hospital and the doctors admitted her to the ICU ward. The doctors assured me that she was showing signs of improvement and I left for Delhi on Thursday. But she died in the hospital last night. She never regained consciousness after the fall,” Krishna said, in a choked voice.

Meanwhile, Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and Tokyo Paralympics stars were among an unprecedented 12 sportspersons who were presented with the country’s highest sporting honour, Khel Ratna, in a glittering national sports awards ceremony here. The President also bestowed 35 sportspersons with the Arjuna as the country celebrated its best-ever show at the Olympics and Paralympics.

SECOND-YEAR STUDENTS DOING DUTIES WITH FIRST-YEAR SEATS NOT FILLED

SECOND-YEAR STUDENTS DOING DUTIES WITH FIRST-YEAR SEATS NOT FILLED

NEET SS delay: Senior residents bear juniors’ load

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad: 14.11.2021 

Senior resident doctors pursuing super specialty courses at medical colleges in Gujarat are forced to handle duties assigned to first-year resident doctors for six more months due to delays in the admission process.

“Students who joined the first year of super-specialty courses last year and are now in their second year, have to continue the medical duties of their juniors as the firstyear resident doctors are yet to enroll for their courses,” said an MD doctor who has completed his PG medical studies this year and is waiting for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Super Specialty (NEET SS) 2021 exams to be held. The first-year students have to carry ward duties as part of their studies.

There are about 100 seats for super-specialty courses in the state. The exam was earlier to be held on November 11 but it has been postponed to January 10, 2022.

The MD doctor quoted earlier said he was offered a job at a corporate hospital in Ahmedabad but he could not join due to repeated delays in NEET SS exam.

“The term for first-year students starts in September-October, but this time it is not likely to start before March next year. So, the second-year students will have handle duties of junior doctors for another six months,” he said.

Another aspirant who wants to join the three-year super specialty course said his studies for a PG medical programme ended in July and he is waiting for the NEET SS exams.

“For the last ten years there has been some issue or the other during exams,” said the PG qualified doctor.

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences had originally planned to conduct the NEET SS 2021 in a new pattern. Forty-one PGqualified doctors moved the Supreme Court of India, stating that the last-minute changes will have an adverse effect on the candidates.

The Supreme Court came down heavily stating that it cannot make last-minute changes to such an important exam.

Death of schoolgirl: Police book principal

Death of schoolgirl: Police book principal

Coimbatore: 14.11.2021

The RS Puram all-women police on Saturday booked the principal of a private matriculation school under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act for her failure to report a sexual harassment complaint that a Class XII girl student, who committed suicide at her house by hanging on Thursday, raised against her teacher. Police are on the lookout for principal.

The principal, Meera Jackson, was booked under Section 21 (punishment for failure to report or record a case) of the Pocso Act, after parents, students and members of various associations staged protests at the victim’s house and the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital, stating they would receive the girl’s body only after arrest of the principal. The protesters said the principal had failed to take action against the teacher based on the girl’s complaint and demanded the school management to issue a compensation of ₹50 lakh to the victim’s family. The school transferred Meera to another school a few months ago.

Police arrested the teacher, K Mithun Chakravarthy, on Friday night. TNN

‘Extended dose-gap of Covishield showed better immune response’

‘Extended dose-gap of Covishield showed better immune response’

Puts To Rest Any Immediate Need For Booster Shots: Study

Sushmi.Dey@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:14.11.2021

The extended gap of at least 12 weeks between the two doses of Covishield has resulted in better immune response among majority of vaccinated Indians, subsiding any immediate requirement for booster shots, an official assessment of real-life data from sero prevalence studies has shown. Citing the findings, experts have also ruled out any possibility of reducing the gap between two shots of Covishield.

The findings will soon be submitted to the health ministry for further consideration for policy making, an official source said. “We have been reviewing the data on a regular basis and now since large scale data of vaccinated people is available, we have studied that too. Any decision will be driven by these scientific facts,” the source said.

According to the source, there is “no question of reducing the gap because the data shows that the immune response has improved with a gap of three months between two doses of Covishield”.

Of the total more than 112 crore doses of Covid vaccine administered in the country so far, 88% are Covishield, a vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZencea. The vaccine is manufactured locally by the Serum Institute of India.

India is currently administering the second dose of Covishield at 12-16 weeks gap.

While more than 79% of the eligible adult population has received at least the first dose of a Covid vaccine, around 39% are fully vaccinated with two doses. While there are around 12 crore people overdue for a second dose, a major reason for the slow progress of second-dose coverage is also the long gap between two jabs of Covishield, which constitutes the majority of vaccination.

As the majority of eligible population is now covered with the first dose of the vaccines and there is also adequate stock, some states, as well as public health experts, have written to the Centre asking it to reduce the gap so that people have increased protection with two doses of Covishield.

Full report on www.toi.in

Doctor ADVERTORIAL

 

MMC told to settle ₹23 lakh dues to mess contractor

MMC told to settle ₹23 lakh dues to mess contractor

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:14.11.2021

A city civil court has directed the Madras Medical College dean to settle dues worth ₹23 lakh to a contractor who was running the mess at the MMC post graduates hostel.

The contractor, K Srinivasan of Arumbakkam, in his petition stated that he entered into an agreement with the institution in June 2008 to run the mess. His contract was renewed every year and he ran the mess until 2016.

Subsequently, a fresh tender was issued and the petitioner had moved the Madras high court against it. The act of the authorities spoiled the goodwill and reputation the petitioner had earned among the students, the petition stated and citing various heads, sought dues of ₹41 lakh.

In response, the authorities submitted that the petitioner and his son had attacked students for complaining about non-availability of food during dining hours and had indulged in unauthorized sale of food to outsiders. After perusing all submissions and documents, additional sessions judge, S T Lakshmi Ramesh held that the contractor be paid ₹23 lakh dues alone and not the claims towards vessels, groceries and other compensation.

Bhopal’s Habibganj station to be renamed after Rani Kamalapati

Bhopal’s Habibganj station to be renamed after Rani Kamalapati

Dipak.Dash@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:13.11.2021

The revamped Habibganj railway station in Bhopal is likely to be renamed as Rani Kamalapati station. The Madhya Pradesh government has recommended this name to the Centre. Rani Kamlapati was the widow Gond ruler of Nizam Shah, chief of Ginnorgarh. This gains significance considering that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate this redeveloped station on Monday, the day his government launches the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, a week-long celebration of contribution of tribal leaders. Gond comprises the largest tribal group of India with more than 1.2 crore population. Linguistically, Gond belongs to the Gondi–Manda subgroup of the South Central branch of the Dravidian language family.

This will be the second such redeveloped station after Modi was re-elected in 2019. The earlier one was in Gandhinagar. The world-class railway station with airport-like facilities has been revamped in public-private partnership (PPP) mode at a cost of Rs 450 crore. The modern station will have several features such as segregation of passengers based on arrivals and departures, enough sitting arrangement at platforms, lounges, concourse as well as dormitories and retiring rooms.

PM Modi will inaugurate this redeveloped station on Monday, the day his govt launches the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, a week-long celebration of contribution of tribal leaders in the country

Now, Bennett University’s engineering bachelors can opt for master’s from Florida

Now, Bennett University’s engineering bachelors can opt for master’s from Florida

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:13.11.2021

Bennett University has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with University of Florida, which will offer its engineering students a shorter way to get a master’s degree from the American university after completing their engineering bachelors at Bennett. The universities also look forward to develop joint study programmes.

Under the MoU, the faculty from the US university will teach special courses to Bennett students. The faculties can also explore joint research funding by applying for various international grants.

“Bennett University is fast moving to have its international tie-ups across all continents to give multiple options to its students for international experience. It ranges from summer immersion programmes, semester abroad programmes to vertical mobility,” said Deepak Garg, dean of international relations and corporate outreach.

“Through our tie-ups, we also endeavour to promote collaborative research, faculty exchange, joint academic publications and beyond. In the fast-changing world, international collaborations have become key to success as they offer access to latest innovations and knowledge,” he added.

Sanjay Ranka, distinguished professor at the department of computer information science and engineering at University of Florida, discussed his research about 21st century smart city transportation solutions with students and the Bennett faculty.

These solutions are being field-tested at intersections in City of Gainesville and Seminole County.

Bennett University has recently renewed its relations with University of Nebraska, Omaha that encompasses different facets of collaboration, including cultural exchange, seminars and joint research.

Previously, the university has also collaborated with Georgia Tech, Cornell and Babson for enhanced teaching-learning experience of its students.

Healthcare professionals in Mysuru protest salary cut, unpaid allowance

Healthcare professionals in Mysuru protest salary cut, unpaid allowance

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mysuru:13.11.2021

A day after members of the Resident Doctors Association of Mysuru Medical College and Research Institute launched an indefinite protest demanding full salary and payment of arrears of Covid allowances, they took out a rally on Friday to the deputy commissioner’s office pressing for the immediate release of funds.

Abstaining from all work except emergency services, resident and junior doctors began their rally from KR Hospital and reached the DC’s office after passing through Irwin Road, JLB Road, and Vinobha Road. They later submitted a memorandum to the government through the DC.

Protesting doctors said they risked their lives while toiling during the pandemic. The government had promised to pay Rs 10,000 as Covid allowance to resident and junior doctors, PG students and interns, and junior nurses but these healthcare professionals haven’t received the allowance for the past three months.

“About Rs 15,000 has been deducted from the stipend of senior resident doctors. Junior nurses have not received salary for several months now, nor have they received the Covid allowance,” protesting doctors said. “The government is keeping mum and has not given a valid reason for the delay.”

Protestors say they have been hearing different explanations. While local officials say grants have not been given, senior officials in Bengaluru claim grants have been released.

GIVE US OUR DUE: Except essential services, doctors abstained from work and took out a march in Mysuru on Friday

No takers in pvt hosps, state goes from negative figures to wasting 0.3% doses

No takers in pvt hosps, state goes from negative figures to wasting 0.3% doses

WOES MOUNT Docs Say Of 10 Shots Of Covishield In A Vial, They Administer Only Five Or Six; Wastage Within Permissible Limits

Sunitha.Rao@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:13.11.2021

Private hospitals say they are struggling to exhaust the massive stock of Covid-19 vaccine doses they have in their possession and, as a result, a number of shots, especially Covishield, are being wasted. Private hospitals in Bengaluru have nearly two lakh doses of Covishield in stock, and hospital managements say there are few takers for these paid doses.

A private medical college in Bengaluru said they administer only about four or five doses of Covishield from a vial of 10 doses. The remaining doses go to waste since they must be used within a stipulated number of hours of opening a vial.

“We had 1,000 vials of which we have so far administered 645 doses,” said the hospital while admitting that vaccine wastage is a major cause of concern. “We have had to waste 62 doses of Covishield.” This, despite hospitals quietly providing booster doses for staff and their relatives.

College authorities say they are at their wits’ end and don’t know what to do. “Typically, two or three people come in the morning seeking Covishield. If we do not administer the doses, we don’t know if they will return. These vaccines will expire in February and must be exhausted. Once we open a vial, not more than five or six doses are administered. The rest go to waste,” college authorities said.

They also admitted booster doses are being provided for their staff based on requests.

“If we stop administering booster doses for those most vulnerable, wastage will only go up,” the hospital said.

For every dose lost, the hospital incurs a loss of Rs 630. One dose of Covishield in a private hospital costs Rs 780, including Rs 150 that goes towards administrative charges.

Stock redistributed

Another private hospital which faced a similar situation in early October, has now redistributed all its doses to sister concerns. Hospitals have been urging the government to buy their stock of vaccines which will go to waste if they are not utilised.

However, Dr Arundhathi Chandrashekar, mission director, National Health Mission, Karnataka, said the government’s hands are tied. “There is no provision for the government to buy these doses. Private hospitals have to judiciously use them,” she said.

Karnataka, one of the first states to record negative Covid-19 vaccine wastage, is now seeing 0.3% wastage. “While it is no longer negative wastage, the 0.3% wastage is still within permissible limits,” said Dr Arundhathi.

Dr KV Trilok Chandra, special commissioner, health, BBMP, said hospitals have a list of all those who are due for the second dose and suggested they contact these individuals and persuade them to take the shot to prevent wastage.

However, hospitals TOI spoke with said there is no demand for paid vaccination.

“In many cases, those who took the first dose in our hospital, have availed the second dose elsewhere, perhaps in government facilities,” said a hospital. “When we call them, these individuals say they are fully vaccinated.”

No walk-ins

Dr Sharan Patil, chairman, Sparsh Hospital, said they have a stock of 50,000 doses of Covishield. “We try to ensure doses are not wasted as the vaccines are administered only based on prior appointments. We do not allow walkins. However, despite our efforts, a small quality of doses are wasted sometimes. This is nothing but a national waste,” he said.

At Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Jayanagar, which has a huge quantity of vaccines, no vial is opened post lunch unless there are 10 vaccine seekers, said Dr Yateesh Govindaiah, unit head. He said if there are an insufficient number of people, the hospital takes contact details of those who walk in and ask them to come back the next day. Follow up calls are also made the next day.

Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (PHANA) had earlier broached the matter with brass of the state’s health and family welfare department. “We can only issue an advisory to hospitals to make sure that they don’t waste doses,” said Dr HM Prasanna, president, PHANA.

ALL-ROUND WASTE: While private hospitals charge Rs 780 per shot, they incur a loss of Rs 630 for every dose of Covishield lost

Hospitals have been urging the government to buy their stock of vaccines. However, Dr Arundhathi Chandrashekar, mission director, National Health Mission, Karnataka, said the state’s hands are tied. “There is no provision for the government to buy these doses. Hospitals must judiciously use them,” she said.

Covid spared kids, but it made them eat more snacks, irritable

Covid spared kids, but it made them eat more snacks, irritable

95% Parents Said Pandemic Impacted Their Kids: Study

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai:13.11.2021

While children have largely been spared severe Covid infection, the pandemic-induced lockdown changed their life in multiple ways, resulting in more screen time, lesser physical activity and higher irritability, found a survey in Mumbai.

Conducted ahead of Children’s Day to gauge the emotional and nutritional impact of the pandemic on children, doctors from the three Fortis Hospital at Mahim, Mulund and Vashi interviewed 7,670 parents. They found that half of the parents were worried about their children’s reduced attention span and more than a third about their child’s weight gain and unhealthy snacking habits. Only parents of children in the five to 18 age group were interviewed.

Overall, 95% of the parents interviewed said the pandemic impacted their child’s “physical, emotional and social growth”. A research paper in medical journal JAMA Network, on October 1, underlined a correlation between children’s mental health and their physical activity and screen time. The study surveyed 1,000 school-aged children in the US.

PEEK-A-BOO: Doctors from three Mumbai Hospital had interviewed 7,670 parents

Over 60% of the parents felt their children had become ‘clingy’

It found that children who were engaged in more physical activity and less screen time had better mental health outcomes. The Fortis Hospital survey found the balance between screen time, physical activity and mental health couldn’t be maintained by many. The ‘work from home’ culture resulted in parents being in close physical contact with children, but unable to pay attention to them.

“Parents worked from home, but they were not accessible to their children. We came across cases where the children were locked away in a different room so parents could work. This must have impacted young children’s emotional makeup,” said Dr Sameer Sadawarte.

Six out of 10 children had become agitated and irritated during the lockdown periods. Over 60% of the parents felt their children had become “clingy” and demanded that parents spend time with them.

During the first wave in 2020, the lockdown was so stringent that children were not allowed to go to the playground or even the housing society’s garden to play.

Pediatrician Jesal Sheth said, “Children show more resilience as compared to adults, but the fact that their growth process was disrupted for a long period by physical inactivity is a matter of concern. As life limps back to normalcy, we must try to involve our children in physical activitiesand help them socialize.”

Close shave for 2,300 as boulders fall on train in TN

Close shave for 2,300 as boulders fall on train in TN

13.11.2021

Around 2,350 passengers on board Kannur-Yeshwantpur Express had a narrow escape after boulders fell on it in Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu in the early hours of Friday. Seven coaches derailed between Sivadi and Muttampatti in the Omalur-Bengaluru section of Bengaluru division around 3.50am on Friday. No casualties or injuries were reported. There were 2,348 passengers on board the train which left Kannur in Kerala at 6.05pm on Thursday.

Rlys issues order to drop ‘special train’ tag, revert to pre-Covid fares

Rlys issues order to drop ‘special train’ tag, revert to pre-Covid fares

New Delhi:13.11.2021

Under pressure from passengers over hike in fares, the Indian Railways on Friday issued an order to discontinue the ‘special’ tag for mail and express trains and revert to pre-pandemic ticket prices with immediate effect.

Since the coronavirus-triggered lockdown was eased, the railways has been running only special trains. It started with long-distance trains and now, even short-distance passenger services are being run as special trains with “slightly higher fares” to “discourage people from avoidable travels”.

In a letter to the zonal railways on Friday, the railway board said trains will now be operated with their regular numbers and fares will revert to normal pre-Covid prices. Ticket prices of special trains and holiday special trains are marginally higher.

“In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, all regular mail/express trains were being operated as MSPC (mail/express special) and HSP (holiday special). It has now been decided that the MSPC and HSP train services, included in the Working Time Table, 2021, shall be operated with regular numbers and with fares as applicable for the concerned classes of travel and type of train, as per the extant guidelines. “This issues with the concurrence of passenger marketing directorate of railway board,” the order dated November 12 said.

In another order, the railway board clarified that the second class of such trains shall continue to run as reserved except for any relaxation permitted in a special case. It also said that for tickets booked in advance, no difference of fare either is to be collected by railways or any refund shall be permitted. Neither order however specifies when the zonal railways are required to revert to their pre-Covid regular services. PTI

Toll collection at 2 ECR plazas stops due to stir over wage cuts

Toll collection at 2 ECR plazas stops due to stir over wage cuts

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:13.11.2021

User fee collection came to a temporary halt at two toll plazas on East Coast Road (ECR) on Friday after contractual staff went on a flash protest against unannounced salary deductions.

Vehicles travelling along the ECR had a free ride at the toll plazas in Uthandi and Mahabalipuram as staff abstained from work for almost an hour.

The staff, roped in by an agency on behalf of Tamil Nadu Road Development Corporation (TNRDC), are deployed to collect user fee and manage traffic along toll lanes for ₹10,000 as monthly salary. But they did not receive their entire salary amount. “Every month, ₹1,000-₹5,000 is deduced,” said one of the affected workers, requesting anonymity.

Authorities attributed these cuts to losses incurred by TNRDC in the toll collection process. As per guidelines, these staff can exempt ambulances, fire tenders, judges, convoys of the President/Prime Minister/governor/chief minister and MPs.

Apart from this, they can exempt only those with Local Resident Passes (LRPs). But every day, at least 5,000 vehicles, which don't belong to any of these categories, are allowed to cross the toll without any fee, said a TNRDC official.

The contractual staff at Uthandi said that almost 75% among them were cars of local politicians, who hold some position in their parties. "If we were to stop and argue with them, it would lead to unnecessary trouble. Vehicles behind keep honking continuously and eventually it will cause traffic congestion. So, we have no other choice but to allow them," he said.

The TNRDC official in response said that they have sorted this out with the concerned agency and toll collection resumed in the afternoon. Besides contract staff, some of the full-time employees have also complained against TNRDC for improper pay deductions.

FREE FOR ALL: Uthandi toll plaza on Friday

Air travel seeing swift recovery: IndiGo CEO

Air travel seeing swift recovery: IndiGo CEO

Operating More Domestic Flights On Peak Travel Days Than Pre-Covid, Says Dutta

Saurabh.Sinha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:12.11.2021

India is witnessing a swift recovery in domestic air travel as the pandemic subsides. The country’s biggest airline IndiGo is now operating more domestic flights on peak travel days like weekends or holidays than it did before Covid, on the back of increased connections to smaller cities. But flight tickets could soon cost more as the combined pressure of rising jet fuel prices and falling rupee has reached a point where airlines need to pass on this hike in operating cost to passengers in terms of higher fares.

IndiGo CEO Ronojoy Dutta said, “In pre-pandemic times, we had about 1,600 daily flights of which 400 to 450 were international. Currently, we have about 1,400 daily flights of which nearly 80 are international. (These numbers vary from lean to peak travel days.) The peaks are looking good. The government has allowed 100% domestic capacity and our bookings at this time are 90-95% of pre-Covid levels.”

But the incessant rise in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) or jet fuel prices and fall in rupee could now force airlines to increase fares to avoid going bust.

“Crude has gone from $43 a barrel last October to $84 now. We need some relief on taxes. Fares need to reflect higher fuel price, higher operating cost (added to by the falling rupee). Fuel is a problem and fares have to be brought higher,” Dutta said.

“Airlines around the world got some government help. We didn’t get any, which is fine. But excise on fuel (11%) and other indirect taxes in India are very high. Airlines pay 21% indirect tax and this is effectively the highest for any industry in India because we don’t get input tax credit on fuel. This needs to be softened as we are a critical infra player,” Dutta said.

Meanwhile, preparing for competition from Tata-Air India, IndiGo has ordered new “improved, softer and more comfortable seats” for its entire fleet. “The order has been placed for the new seats,” Dutta said.

IndiGo is going to start getting the Airbus A321 XLR (extra-long range) on which it will do up to seven-hour non-stops to cities like Tel Aviv, Milan and Dusseldorf. It is finalising the product for these flights that will include the new seats, ovens for hot meals and in-seat plug sockets so that passenger their keep personal electronic devices charged during the journey.

Anna University postpones orientation amid flood fury

Anna University postpones orientation amid flood fury

With rain unleashing its fury, engineering colleges in the State have postponed induction and orientation programmes scheduled for first-year students.

Published: 12th November 2021 05:17 AM 

By Binita Jaiswal

Express News Service

CHENNAI: With rain unleashing its fury, engineering colleges in the State have postponed induction and orientation programmes scheduled for first-year students. Anna University had chalked out a special induction programme this year to help students get acquainted with teachers and peers.

As part of the programme, Anna university had decided to conduct lectures on human values, yoga sessions, games and a campus tour for first-year students. However, due to the rains, the university was not able to organise any of these events.

“The induction programme was scheduled to conclude on November 13, but since Monday, we have not been able to conduct any of the activities. We are expecting the rains to stop on Friday, and then, we will have a meeting to decide when can we conduct the induction programme,” said Anna University Vice-Chancellor R Velraj.

Most of the 440 engineering colleges in TN also have plans to postpone their induction programmes. “We had plans to start classes from November 9, but rains played spoilsport. For the time being, we will continue with online classes,” said S Senthil, principal of a private engineering college in the city.

Power supply affected in central, north Chennai

Power supply affected in central, north Chennai

According to TANGEDCO data, as on Thursday noon, 44.2 lakh consumers in the city were without power supply.

Published: 12th November 2021 06:23 AM 

The Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam radial road goes under water after Narayanapuram lake fills up completely on Thursday | Ashwin Prasath

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Incessant rains since Wednesday evening resulted in power cuts in parts of central and north Chennai. As the streets were flooded, power had to be shut down as part of precautionary measures.

According to TANGEDCO data, as on Thursday noon, 44.2 lakh consumers in the city were without power supply. Minister of Electricity V Senthil Balaji inspected a few waterlogged areas on Thursday. “We have enough manpower to resume power within 24 hours. Instructions have been given and hospitals are prioritised,” he said.

Pulianthope, Perambur, West Mambalam, Velachery, Mudichur, and Madipakkam were among the worst-affected areas. “It is risky to resume power in those areas. Most of the complaints have been addressed,” said an TANGEDCO official Apart from the flooded areas, power was resumed for most of the areas by Thursday evening.

No more work gaps for spouses with H-4, L-2 visas

No more work gaps for spouses with H-4, L-2 visas

Lubna.Kably@timesgroup.com

12.11.2021

Thousands of spouses of non-immigrant visa holders such as H-1B and L-1 (held by those on intra-company transfers) will no longer have to fear employment gaps and resultant financial hardship, owing to delays in processing of their employment authorisation documents (EADs).

Dependants such as the spouse of an L-1 visa holder are issued a L-2 visa. H-4 visas are held by dependents, including the spouses of H-1B visa holders.

In a settlement agreement that was issued on Wednesday, pursuant to a class-action suit filed by 15 plaintiffs (majority of them being Indian spouses) against the department of homeland security (DHS), L-2 visa holders will enjoy automatic work authorisation ‘incident to status’. In other words, this means that spouses of those who are deputed to US on intra-company transfers will no longer have to apply for work authorisation prior to working in America.

Under the settlement with DHS’ immigration agency US Citizenship and Immigrant Services (USCIS), nearly a lakh Indian spouses of H-1B visa holders with employment authorisation documents (EADs) will get an automatic work extension for up to a maximum of six months. A detailed guidance note from the USCIS is expected in the coming weeks. An acute backlog in processing of EAD applications, which took upward of ten months, meant that many spouses who were gainfully employed, or even those who were self-employed (ranging from dentists to freelance graphic designers) found they could no longer work. Many, including those holding jobs in the technology sector, lost their jobs as their employers could not wait for months till their EAD was adjudicated. The problem was compounded because an EAD can be filed by an H-4 visa holder only six months prior to the expiry date of the current work authorisation document.

The settlement reverses a USCIS policy that prohibited H-4 spouses from benefiting from automatic extension of their employment authorisation during the pendency of standalone EAD applications. Under the terms of the settlement, H-4 visa holders who timely file their EAD renewals will qualify for an extension of up to 180 days.

Jesse Bless, AILA director of federal litigation, said: “Today marks a historic change for L-2 spouses who will now enjoy work authorisation incident to status. AILA’s membership has long advocated for the correct statutory interpretation and we’re delighted to have reached this agreement, which includes relief for H-4 spouses, through our litigation efforts.”

Under a settlement with USCIS, nearly one lakh Indian spouses of H-1B visa holders with employment authorisation documents will get an automatic work extension for up to a maximum of six months

Common entrance test for 41 central univs from next year

Common entrance test for 41 central univs from next year

Manash.Gohain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:12.11.2021

Shelved in 2021 due to the pandemic, the Union education ministry is finalising the details of the Central University Common Entrance Test (CUCET) to be conducted from 2022 for 41 central universities.

According to ministry sources, the details will be announced by December-end so that aspirants and institutions can start the preparations. The exams, as envisaged in the NEP 2020 are likely to be conducted twice a year. The computer-based common entrance test for the central universities, which includes the likes of JNU, BHU and DU, would comprise of three hours of testing divided into two sections --Common Aptitude Test (50 questions) and Domain Specific Test (30 questions each) and will eliminate the individual exams that many of the universities conduct presently.

According to sources in the MoE, the ministry is finalising the proposal based on the report of the committee set up by the UGC and the admissions to the central universities for the 2022-23 will be based on the CUCET score.

“The ministry is ready to implement the CUCET from 2022 as planned under the NEP 2020. The details and the dates will be worked out soon. The ministry is planning to announce the details as early as possible so that the candidates and universities get time to prepare,” said the official.

The official said education minister Dharmendra Pradhan has asked the officials to work on the recommendations of the UGC to roll out its implementation without any further delay. “The exams were scheduled for implementation from 2021 and the ground work was completed in March 2021. However, due to the lockdown it couldn’t happen,” said the official.

Tatas will take over Air India by the 3rd week of January: Scindia

Tatas will take over Air India by the 3rd week of January: Scindia

New Delhi:  12.11.2021

Soaring aviation turbine fuel prices have led to a 400% increase in Indian airlines’ operating cost in recent months. And had the government not recently raised domestic fare bands by 12.5% some months back, there “won’t have been any airline left for us to board”, Union aviation minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia said at the Times Now Summit 2021 on Thursday.

“We are seeing tremendous amount of green shoots. The last weekend saw a high of 3.8 lakh passengers daily, with the pre-Covid high being 4.2 lakh. So we are only 10% below the pre-Covid high. Almost 90% of (domestic) traffic has recovered. But it is important to be cautious,” he said.

He said Air India will be transferred to its new owner, the Tata Group, by the third week of January 2022. The country will next year also see a startup, Akasa, take to the skies along with a reborn Jet Airways. TOI had last week reported that January 23 is the “long stop date” by which Tatas have to take over the airline. TNN

Air fares to the US spiral after travel curbs eased

Air fares to the US spiral after travel curbs eased

Petlee.Peter@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:12.11.2021

Air fares from Bengaluru to various destinations in the United States have skyrocketed after the US opened its borders for fully vaccinated travellers across nations on Monday. The US had closed its borders as a measure to contain the pandemic.

Now, a one-way ticket from Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport to JFK Airport, New York, starts at Rs 91,000, up from Rs 35,000-50,000 earlier, leaving several people who had intended to travel in a quandary.

Elderly Bengaluru couple Ajith and Shanta, who were eager to meet their first grandchild, were thrilled when travel curbs were eased. Their grandchild was born in the US in mid-2020. “We were all set to fly to New York after the ban was lifted, but ticket prices have more than doubled. The best return fare we can get is Rs 1.6 lakh per passenger,” said Shanta.

Return air fares to New York would usually cost Rs 70,000 to Rs 1 lakh but now, while Rs 1.6 lakh is the cheapest, the cost of a ticket goes all the way up to Rs 2.5 lakh. Passengers are unable to find cheaper tickets and indications are that fares will only rise.

Puja, a communications executive from Hyderabad, said her sister had planned to fly from San Francisco to Bengaluru to visit her family in Hyderabad. She hadn’t seen them in two years. “We checked for tickets in December and were stunned to see return fares cost $3,400 which is over Rs 2.5 lakh on conversion,” Puja said. “The holiday season will only see airfares going up.”

Indiver Rastogi, president of Global Business Travel, Thomas Cook, India and SOTC said airfares have seen a surge of between 30% and 100% when compared to pre-pandemic levels. “This is because of significant pent-up demand across leisure, visiting friends and relatives (VFR) and business segments in the face of limited capacity.”

He said a San Francisco-Bengaluru pre-pandemic return fare of Rs 90,000 has seen a 100% jump to Rs 1,80,000 and for New York-Bengaluru the fare increase is approximately 67%. “However, resumption of commercial flights will ease capacity constraints and pricing will fall,” he said.

Prahlad Krishnamurthi, chief business officer, Cleartrip, said demand for the US is improving for travel dates around mid-December and January and bookings have shown an uptick in the recent past.

BMTC to issue student passes from Nov 14

BMTC to issue student passes from Nov 14

Bengaluru:12.11.2021

BMTC has decided to issue smart cardbased student passes from November 14 at Bangalore-One centres.

“Online applications for student pass issuance for 2021-22 are available on Seva Sindhu portal (sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in) and BMTC portal (mybmtc.karnataka.gov.in),” said a press release. “Passes will be issued at 95 Bangalore-One centres from 8am to 6:30pm on all days,” it added. TNN

13 flights diverted to Bengaluru from Chennai due to bad weather

13 flights diverted to Bengaluru from Chennai due to bad weather

12.11.2021

Bengaluru:

Thirteen flights scheduled to land at Chennai airport were diverted to Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Thursday following heavy rain and windy conditions in Tamil Nadu resulting in suspension of flight landing till evening.

Two flights from Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, were also diverted to Bengaluru due to bad weather.

Chennai and its suburbs have been battered by nonstop downpour since Wednesday evening, resulting in flooding in the most parts of the city. As the Tamil Nadu capital also experienced strong wind, Chennai airport authorities decided to suspend landing of flights there from Thursday afternoon till evening.

In an official statement, the authorities said that due to severe rain and heavy cross wind, arrivals would remain suspended from 1.15pm to 6pm. Departures would continue. The decision was taken considering the safety of passengers.

Accordingly, 10 flights scheduled to land in Chennai after taking off from different domestic destinations were diverted to Bengaluru after Thursday noon and three more diverted flights touched down at KIA by evening. Flight operations at Chennai airport resumed after 6pm. TNN

Ahmedabad-Delhi train travel to be much quicker

Ahmedabad-Delhi train travel to be much quicker

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

12.11.2021

With the railways intent on completing double tracks between Mehsana and Palanpur, come 2022, the Ahmedabad-Delhi rail route may get shorter and less time consuming.

Work on the Ahmedabad-Udaipur gauge conversion is also being run on war footing and expected to be complete soon. This will open up a new rail route to Delhi from Ahmedabad.

Railway officials said that with some parts of the route to Delhi converted to double track the travel time by Ashram Express from Ahmedabad to Delhi has already been cut down by 2 hours and 10 minutes, from earlier 17 hours 30 minutes to the current 15 hours and 20 minutes. With the rest of the ongoing work completed, this time would drop to 14 hours and 30 minutes said a railways official. Currently, the Rajdhani takes 13 hours 35 minutes to reach Delhi from Ahmedabad. That time too will be shortened.

Completion of electrification work will reduce the travel time further, said railway officials.

“The track is likely to undergo inspection by March next year after which it will be commissioned for passenger traffic,” said a senior railways officer. He said the electrification being tested in Ajmer division will also be commissioned by the middle of next year.

About the Ahmedabad-Udaipur-Delhi route, he said that travelling time to Udaipur, which is about 220-odd km will come down to four hours and then another 13 hours to go from Udaipur to Delhi via that route.

For instance, the travel time by Ashram Express will be cut by 3 hours

As water enters wards, hosps rush to shift patients

As water enters wards, hosps rush to shift patients

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

12.11.2021

More than 100 patients from Chromepet Government Hospital were moved to Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital and Government Kasturba Gandhi Hospital on Thursday after water gushed into wards on the ground floor.

Director medical services Dr S Gurunathan said all patients were stable but they had to wade through kneedeep water to board ambulances and jeeps. Power supply was suspended for safety reasons.

The flooded wards brought back memories of 2015 floods and residents revived their demand for the hospital’s demolition. “The hospital is in a low lying area and there is no path for water to flow out. State should bring down the hospital and build a enew facility,” said social activist V Santhanam.

Attendants were annoyed that patients were shifted only after the hospital was flooded. “With the slightest of rain the hospital gets flooded,” said Palanivel S, whose niece delivered at the hospital. “The mother had to wade through contaminated water with the child.”

Doctors at the flooded peripheral hospital in K K Nagar moved two patients to Royapettah GH. “In most hospitals, we have placed high power motors to pump out water,” said director of medical education Dr R Narayanababu.

LATE MOVE: Patients were shifted from flooded hosps and pumps were used to clear the water

Wet spell set to subside from today

Wet spell set to subside from today

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

12.11.2021

There could finally be some respite from the downpour as the IMD has said the wet spell will subside from Friday.

IMD has forecast light to moderate rain for the next two days over the city. But the break may not be for too long, as a fresh low pressure area is likely to form over south Andaman sea around November 13. On Thursday, the depression over the Bay crossed near Chennai coast between 5.30pm and 6.30pm.

“From Friday onwards, there are chances of reduction in rainfall,” said S Balachandran, deputy director general, IMD.

For the next 48 hours, IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall with cloudy skies in the city and suburbs. Isolated places over Nilgiris, Coimbatore and Kanyakumari districts may receive thunderstorms with heavy rain on Friday.

Balachandran said Tamil Nadu recorded 40cm rainfall this northeast monsoon season beginning October 1 against a normal of 26cm. Chennai registered 74cm against a normal of 42cm, recording a 77% surplus rain.

IMD later tweeted, “A fresh low pressure area is likely to form over south Andaman sea and neighbourhood around November 13. It is likely to move westnorthwestwards and become more marked during the subsequent 48 hours.” But weather enthusiasts said there are chances for the system to skip Chennai and move up in latitude towards Andhra Pradesh.