Faulty answer key in CBSE Hindi paper, rectified after complaint

Faulty answer key in CBSE Hindi paper, rectified after complaint

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:  10.11.2021

A wrong answer key was sent to schools by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Thursday for Term 1 Hindi test of Class X. As teachers found the results of a particular question paper set unusual during evaluation, they complained to the board, following which a revised key was sent.

According to a principal, the board had to send the revised key for one set. “Such a thing has never happened. The keys are sent when evaluation start. Obviously, teachers had to re-evaluate and upload the papers, so it was extra work,” said another principal.

With the Term 1 examination being multiple-choice questions, the students fill in the answers in an OMR sheet, and the evaluation takes place on the day of a test itself.

“As we were doing the evaluation, the performance of students was below average. Not a single student scored above 15 in the bundle I had. We kept insisting that the answer key is problematic, it needs to be rechecked,” said a teacher who is part of the evaluation at a private school. “Once we had finished, the coordinators came running and asked us to stop the evaluation. This was because the answer key issued by CBSE was wrong.”

The teacher added that CBSE then uploaded a new answer key. “We did the evaluation all over again. The student who got 11/40 earlier now scored 39/40. Just imagine if there was no human intervention in between!”

CBSE did not respond to the query on the matter.

Some principals also claimed there was a delay in sending the code for downloading and printing the question papers. “In my school, it was not a problem because just around 150 students took the exam. But in schools with over 300 students, it is a time-consuming process, adding to the stress,” said a principal.

Clean sweep: All AKTU gold medals bagged by girls from IET

CONVOCATION ON DECEMBER 16

Clean sweep: All AKTU gold medals bagged by girls from IET

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Lucknow:  10.11.2021

Four girls, all from the same college, have won the four gold medals at Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU).

The winners, students of Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), will be conferred the medals during the convocation ceremony on December 16.

In all, 92 medals will be awarded at the event.

Aatmika Rai of BTech (chemical engineering) and Aditi Gupta of BTech (electronics and communication engineering) have won at the undergraduate level while Ajita Bhadouria of master’s in business administration and Bhawna of master’s in computer application have won at postgraduate level.

AKTU declared the names of all 92 medal winners from private and government colleges on Thursday.

The gold winners have one common wish: to see IET among the top 10 institutes of the country in the National Institutional Framework Ranking (NIRF). The institute will aim for NIRF ranking for the first time in the session 2021-22.

“It is believed that IET is the best engineering college in the state but it is one of the best in the country, be it in terms of faculty or placements. We had the best faculty, who taught us to develop practical knowledge of everything. Rote learning doesn’t work if one wants to score well,” said Aatmika, who wants to make a career in research.

Aditi said, “IET has good infrastructure and is upgrading itself with industry needs. I wish to see my college among top rankers.”

Ajita, who is a government teacher, said, “I was regular with classes and made my own notes. IET has the best faculty and it deserves to be top-ranked,” she said.

TTD: No room bookings from Jan 11-14

TTD: No room bookings from Jan 11-14

Tirupati:  10,12,2021

In view of Vaikunta Ekadasi and Dwadasi, which fall on January 13 and 14, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams cancelled advance reservation of all rooms at Tirumala from January 11 to 14. TTD said decision was taken as part of its commitment to give priority to devotees to book accommodation at Tirumala in current booking mode on first come first serve basis. “There would be no room allotments at MBC-34, Koustubham rest house, TBC counter, ARP counters from January 11 till midnight of January 14, 2022. Donors cannot claim privilege allotments during this period,” TTD added. TNN

GST fraud: Firms registered on ID of rickshaw puller and tea-seller

GST fraud: Firms registered on ID of rickshaw puller and tea-seller

Kumar Mukesh TNN

Hisar:  10.12.2021

During 2018 and 2019, out of a total of 51 FIRs registered in Hisar division on charges of GST fraud, 15 FIRs are such in which a firm has been registered on the ID of rickshaw pullers and tea-sellers. Now to solve these cases, the police will interrogate the officials of the excise and taxation department and the concerned CA, Hisar inspector general of police (IGP) Rakesh Aarya said.

According to the rules, whenever a firm applies for a GST number, the officer of the department concerned has to physically identify the firm, place and persons on the spot and only then the GST number is issued. In 15 cases, it has come to the fore that the officers of the department did not do physical verification and issue GST numbers to them, due to which GST fraud of crores of rupees has not been solved yet.

Maximum 38 cases were registered in Sirsa

According to data received from the Hisar IGP, officeout of 51 FIRs registered regarding GST fraud in 2018 and 2019, 38 have been in Sirsa district. Similarly, seven FIRs were registered in Hisar, five in Jind and one in Fatehabad district. In seven, out of 51 FIRs, the firms concerned deposited the dues with the department, after which the police submitted the closure report in court. In 27 cases, police investigation is still going on for two to three years.

Probe into 15 outstanding cases will be completed in a month, says IG

IGP Rakesh Arya said that during the investigation of 15 FIRs, it was found that the registration of the firms was done on the ID of the rickshaw puller and the tea seller. Now, during the investigation of these FIRs, apart from the responsible officers of the concerned department, the CA will also be questioned. However, in 27 cases, a total of 32 persons have been arrested and police reports have been presented against them in the court. Properties, vehicles, bank accounts of the accused worth crores of rupees have also been sealed. Orders have been given to complete the investigation of the remaining 15 FIRs in a month, IGP said.

Chauhan is SUPVA V-C, students say expected ‘icon’

Chauhan is SUPVA V-C, students say expected ‘icon’

Sat Singh TNN

Rohtak:  10.12.2021

The appointment of former television actor Gajendra Chauhan as the vicechancellor of Pandit Lakhmi Chand State University of Performing and Visual Arts (SUPVA) in Rohtak has disappointed many a varsity students and ex-students who were waiting for a notable film personality to head their institution.

The students said that when the search was underway for the full time V-C of SUPVA, they were expecting the names of iconic personalities like Anupam Kher, Satish Kaushik or even Randeep Hooda but to their disappointment, Gajendra Chauhan got the appointment at the coveted post.

Raising concern on the issue, Yogesh Vats, former students of SUPVA and Bollywood director said that varsity has been turned into a place of “adjusting political personalities.” “The institute of film and television was established as an autonomous body, but now appointments are done on political recommendations, sometimes on caste consideration and sometimes for ideological reasons,” he alleged. On the appointment of Mahabharat fame Gajendra Chauhan as VC, he said that notwithstanding the party affiliations, Chauhan is at least from a film background.

“I sincerely hope that he would not let his political leanings get in the way of fixing long-pending varsity issues in the larger interest of the students,” he added. Ranjeet Chauhan, another former 2012-13 batch student from SUPVA, said that the varsity needed a full-time vicechancellor as presently Prof Rajbir Singh was holding additional charge along with Rohtak’s MDU.

He said that there are apprehensions in mind about Gajender Chauhan due to his controversial period at FTII, Pune, but still students feel that he should be given a chance to run the varsity for sometime before arriving at any conclusion.

Another student, who is in his final year, told TOI on anonymity that the students are concerned about their creative freedom in film making. “We have heard his views and seen his tweets about his right wing ideology, which shows that there is narrow space for creative freedom in films,” he said.

Implement UGC pay scale for state teachers, demands BJP ,,,,,,,,,, Chandigarh:

 Implement UGC pay scale for state teachers, demands BJP

Chandigarh: 10.12.2021

BJP has written to Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi highlighting the “sad state of affairs in higher education in the state” where the teachers were on continuous protests seeking implementation of the UGC pay scale. Punjab BJP leader Subhash Sharma said that Punjab was the only state that had failed to implement the notified pay scales so far. TNN

SC: After free care, can’t file consumer case against doctor

SC: After free care, can’t file consumer case against doctor

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:  10.12.2021

The Supreme Court has said that a person cannot file a consumer complaint against a doctor after getting free of cost treatment from a government hospital.

In terms of Section 2(1)  (d)(ii) of the Act, a consumer is the one who hires or avails of any services for a ‘consideration’ which has been paid or promised or partly paid or partly promised. Under this definition a person cannot be termed as consumer and file complaint against government hospital.

Now the SC has further clarified that a complaint cannot be filed against goverement doctors too. “... A medical officer who is employed in a hospital renders service on behalf of the hospital administration and if the service as rendered by the Hospital does not fall within the ambit of 2(1)(0) of the Act being free of charge, the same service cannot be treated as service under Section 2(1)(0) for the reasons that it has been rendered by medical officer in the hospital...,” a bench said.

EXPERT ADVICE Omicron Not Fatal, But Covid Protocol Still Must

EXPERT ADVICE

Omicron Not Fatal, But Covid Protocol Still Must

G Srinivasa Rao, director of public health, Telangana, answers queries from TOI readers on the new variant of Covid-19, its symptoms, severity quotient and if a booster dose is on its way

How dangerous is this Omicron variant and what precautions should one take to keep safe and not contract it? —Manav Parikh

As per the evidence and clinical studies so far, especially from SA (the epicentre of this Omicron), the variant is not dangerous, does not require hospitalisation and does not cause death. Completing the vaccination process, wearing masks, hand sanitisation, social distancing, avoiding crowded places, will give maximum protection from infection/its complications/need for hospitalisation and certainly from death.

What are the symptoms of Omicron? Can it cause severe illness and will existing treatments work? — Shreshtha Raghuwanshi

It usually leads to severe body pains, headache, and weakness. The usual symptoms of Covid-19 (loss of smell/taste, respiratory symptoms, breathlessness etc) are not observed. However, it may take a further three to four weeks for it to fully evolve and for us to know much more. Omicron as of now is not causing serious symptoms/disease. The existing treatment protocols for Covid-19 are to be followed and will be effective. Symptomatic, supportive treatment, isolation at home is enough.

If one does get infected with this variant, what are the general drugs available in the market that one can use to treat it immediately? —Katuru Durga Prasad Rao

It is advisable to get tested for Covid-19, get it confirmed by a doctor and then go for treatment, which varies for non-Covid/Covid/other respiratory disease. It is not advisable to use any medicine without a doctor's prescription/supervision. However, it is assured that all required medicines are abundantly available.

Should we continue following Covid-19 appropriate protocol like wearing masks\using sanitisers\checking temperatures? Should we again start avoiding crowded places like theatres, malls etc? —Krithika L Rao

Certainly yes. We need to take all these measures which help in preventing not only Covid/Omicron/ but other commonly communicable respiratory infections as well.

How vulnerable are completely vaccinated people to this infection? —Rakesh Kumar

Omicron as of now is being detected among the vaccinated population too. But the vaccine prevents it from becoming serious, the need for hospitalisation and death.

Is the variant more likely to cause serious infection among those who have taken only one dose? —Dhanya Raj

There is no such evidence so far. However, those who took a single dose and are due for the second dose I suggest they finish the schedule.

What are the chances of reinfection among the Covid-19 recovered patients? -Pa-rimala G Tadas

There are no studies available yet to ascertain this. But it will be a mild disease for people who have been infected earlier.

Is the virus also dangerous for school going children between 10 and 17 years of age? Is it safe to send them to school? —Akash Singh

Though Covid-19 infections have been observed among school going children so far, they have mostly been mild and not life threatening. They have not required any hospitalisation. The same applies to Omicron as well – that is, if at all it occurs among children. It is safe and needed too for children to be sent to school so as to prevent certain other physical/psychological effects observed due to prolonged home stays with online classes.

I am a retired person running a small tuition class. As there were growing concerns about the efficacy of the vaccine, I have stayed away from it. But now, with the new variant, I am a little worried. What should I do? —Joseph Moolayil

You certainly should take the vaccine since you are certainly susceptible to Covid-19/Omicron infection and its complications, which may be life threatening even if you do not have any pre-existing illnesses, taking your age into consideration.

Though we still do not have any Omicron cases in Hyderabad, what measures are being taken by the government to ensure it doesn’t make its way into the state? Also, does this variant spread much faster? —Geetali Banerjee

As of now, screening of all flyers (especially international), ensuring testing/tracing, enforcing quarantine etc are being taken up by the government. It is up to individuals and community also to follow Covid-19 appropriate behaviour personally and within their society, to keep the disease at bay. And yes, it does spread much faster than other variants. But thankfully, it is only a mild disease.

With the new variant looming large, why is booster dose not being given to people who are ready to take it? At least senior citizens and others with comorbidities can take it, right? —G S Narayana

Yes, the possibility of a booster dose is being debated and discussed by experts and will be given shortly, based on their recommendations. However, those who took only one dose should receive the due second dose without fail.

n What's your advice to pregnant women/ lactating mothers on Covid-19 vaccination? — Nikhita Menon

It’s highly recommended for them to take the vaccine since it will protect the mother directly and the baby indirectly (by transferring antibodies)

Any special/priority group for vaccination? —Karthik V

All persons above 18 are eligible. However, senior citizens with comorbidities (DM, hypertension, cancer, respiratory/heart/kidney/liver diseases) should receive Covid-19 vaccine compulsorily.

How about vaccination for children? — Neetu Singh

As per the available information it is going to start in a phased manner all across the country in 2022. Children from 12 to 18 years of age, especially with comorbidities will be given vaccines on priority basis. In the case of children younger than that, data/ studies suggest that they have good immunity and Covid-19 is unlikely to become a serious/life threatening issue among them, even if they are infected.

How important is the vaccine cerficate? -Ramesh Rao

It is going to be as important as an ID proof we carry for all practical purposes. But, different from a regular ID, you may need to carry it to enter malls, cinema halls, hotels etc in the future. At present, it is mandatory for air travel to all international and some domestic destinations.

Any further advice for common people to stay safe? — S S Sekhar

People should avoid crowded places up to Sankranti. Travel only if compulsory. Make Covid-19 appropriate behaviour a part of your routine life.

Senior citizens, especially with comorbidities, young children and pregnant women to be more cautious. Do not panic, do not believe in rumours, irresponsible social platforms, check with reliable health authorities for facts and latest updates.

Singapore taken off list of ‘at risk’ nations

Singapore taken off list of ‘at risk’ nations

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

10.12.2021

India has removed Singapore from the list of Omicron at risk countries, thereby removing the requirement of everyone arriving from there being tested on arrival.

The move comes as a big relief due to pent up travel demand between the two countries with Singapore having a significant population of Indian diaspora.

Unlike several countries such as Germany, France, UK, US, Canada and UAE that have had an air bubble with India during the pandemic allowing eligible categories of people to travel, Singapore and India created a vaccinated travel lane from November 29, 2021. The arrangement has started with six daily flights from Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai and Singapore’s Changi Airport.

Bizman duped of ₹1L by man posing as customer care executive of courier firm

Bizman duped of ₹1L by man posing as customer care executive of courier firm

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bhopal:  10.12.2021

A 35-year-old storekeeper was allegedly duped by unidentified accused posing as the customer care operator of a courier company. The storekeeper was looking for the customer care number of the courier company to track a package dispatched from Surat. He got a fake number online, and the fraudster sent him a link to transfer Rs 3. When the victim clicked on t he link and entered his bank details, the accused hacked his smartphone using a remote access application and siphoned of Rs 1.02 lakh from his two bank accounts in five minutes.

The victim approached the cyber-crime branch and filed a complaint. The cybercrime branch registered a Zero FIR and transferred the case diary to Kolar police station where a case was registered against unidentified accused on Wednesday.

Complainant Mukesh Sen, 35, a resident of Damkheda A-Sector in Kolar, works as a storekeeper in a lift company for the past 12 years. He told police that on November 30, he was waiting for a parcel sent from Surat through a courier service. The delivery was delayed so he searched for the courier agency customer care number to track the parcel.

Sanskrit univ of Devprayag to be named after Gen

Sanskrit univ of Devprayag to be named after Gen

Dehradun:  10.12.2021

On the first day of the winter session of the Uttarakhand assembly, Devprayag MLA Vinod Kandari moved a proposal to name the underconstruction Sanskrit University at Devprayag after CDS General Bipin Rawat, which was approved by the House, reports Kautilya Singh.

Haridwar MLA and state BJP chief Madan Kaushik also tabled a proposal to name the Sainya Dham, being built in Dehradun in memory of those who died in the line of duty, after Rawat.

Culling of birds starts in Alappuzha

Culling of birds starts in Alappuzha

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kottayam:  10.12.2021

After bird flu was confirmed in the Kuttanad region of Kerala’s Alappuzha district, thousands of poultry were culled on Thursday evening. In Purakkad, where the mass death of ducks were confirmed due to bird flu, the remaining ducks and poultry in a one-kilometre radius were culled.

The district administration has banned sale of eggs, meat and faeces (manure) of the poultry. The order issued by the district collector will be enforced in Champakkulam, Nedumudy, Muttar, Veeyapuram, Karuvatta, Thrikkunnappuzha, Thakazhi, Purakkad, Ambalapuzha Thekku, Ambalapuzha Vadakku and Edathua panchayats and Haripad municipal region.

Boy back in class after letter to PMO

BANISHED OVER FEE

Boy back in class after letter to PMO

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Madikeri:  10.12.2021

A school in Kodagu has reportedly allowed a class 5 boy back into the classroom after allegedly banishing him to the library because his family had not cleared the full fees.

The boy Muthanna’s father has claimed that his son was allowed back into the classroom only after he wrote to the Prime Minister’s Office’s grievance redress system. Muthanna, 10, is in Coorg Public School in Gonikoppal town, Kodagu district. The boy has been studying here from class I.

The school and Muthanna’s father Navada Belliappa have different versions about the fees. When TOI asked the school for its reaction, it got an email. The school wrote Belliappa had “not paid school fee since 2020”. The school also said he had not replied to “our request to pay the fees”. “Bad propaganda is being spread through social media against the institution,” the school said.

Belliappa, a businessman, has a different story to tell. He wrote to the PMO grievance redress department that his son was barred from entering his class from November 30, 2021, for not paying his full fees. He claimed he had paid Rs 40,000 in 2020-21 and Rs 60,000 in 2021-22.

He wrote that a member of the school staff had “abused” his son and told him he was being made to sit in the library because he hadn’t paid his full fees. On the other hand, Belliappa, said the school had not communicated anything to him, despite his repeated queries. “My son is crying most of the time,” he wrote, seeking action from the PMO on December 1.

Belliappa told TOI he had paid Rs 60,000 for 2021-22, following the previous year’s fee structure but the school management had asked for Rs 1,10,000 as this was the new higher fee. “They increased the fee too much in the middle of this Covid crisis. I sent my objections by email on the high amount which is not possible to pay. They didn’t respond to my appeal. Instead, they sent my son outside the class and restricted him to the library room. They demanded the full payment of fees to allow him to attend classes,” Belliappa said. The father said he then wrote to the PMO.

SC: Cannot file consumer plaint against govt docs

SC: Cannot file consumer plaint against govt docs

New Delhi: 

The Supreme Court has said that a person cannot file a consumer complaint against a doctor after getting free of cost treatment from a government hospital.

In terms of Section 2(1)(d)  (ii) of the Act, a consumer is the one who hires or avails of any services for a ‘consideration’ which has been paid or promised or partly paid or partly promised. Under this definition a person cannot be termed as consumer and file complaint against governemnt hospital. Now the SC has clarified that a complaint cannot be filed against goverement doctors also.

“...a medical officer who is employed in a hospital renders service on behalf of the hospital administration and if the service as rendered by the Hospital does not fall within the ambit of 2(1)(0) of the Act being free of charge, the same service cannot be treated as service under Section 2(1)(0) for the reasons that it has been rendered by medical officer in the hospital who receives salary for the employment in the hospital. It was thus concluded that the services rendered by employeemedical officer to such a person would therefore continue to be service rendered free of charge,” the SC said. TNN

Int’l fliers question RT-PCR charges, new 2% testing rule

Int’l fliers question RT-PCR charges, new 2% testing rule

Mehul.Jani@timesgroup.com

Surat:10,12,2021

Despite well-defined SOP issued by the government, the passengers, arriving from countries not in the ‘at risk’ list, who are randomly selected to undergo Covid-19 test are giving a tough time to airport officials.

Apart from “Why only me?” and “Why should I pay for the test?”, the airport officials have got used to international passengers complaining about the long wait they have to endure to get the RT-PCR test results.

Similar scenes were played at the Surat international airport after landing of the Sharjah-Surat in the wee hours of Thursday. Teams of airport staff, airline staff, Surat Municipal Corporation’s health team and laboratory staff were ready to screen the 164 passengers of the flight that landed at around 12.15am. Things were going on smoothly till the airline staff announced the names to 2% passengers, six in case of this flight, who were selected to undergo RT-PCR tests. It was not long before the six passengers — two German passport holders, one woman holding an Australian passport and three Indian citizens — started complaining.

The passengers questioned the logic behind testing just a few passengers. “If the government genuinely wants to check the spread of the new variant, they must check all the passengers, not just 2%,” a passenger said. Another passenger complained about being made to pay for the tests. “The government or the airline should pay for the test,” he reasoned.

The woman with an Australian passport said that she is not from an ‘at risk’ country still she is put through testing. “My kids are suffering as along with me they too have to wait at the airport till the RT-PCR test results arrive,” she said.

As per SOP, travellers are required to pay Rs 2,700 for rapid RT-PCR test, the result of which takes roughly one hour. Passengers can also opt for a regular RT-PCR test that costs Rs 400 but the result of which takes around six hours.

When TOI contacted airport officials for their comments, they said, “We have already discounted our 13% royalty. Many passengers protested about the 2% rule and the RT-PCR charges, but they must understand that we are just implementing the SOPs issued by the government.”

Students prepare to fly as Oz opens borders

Students prepare to fly as Oz opens borders

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:10,12,2021

Akash Mistry decided to pursue a master’s degree programme from Australia after completing his degree engineering in civil and infrastructure from Adani Institute of Infrastructure Engineering. He got admission to the University of Adelaide in July 2020 but could not be on campus as the country closed its borders due to Covid pandemic. After waiting for over 17 months during which he began online studies by opting for two subjects per semester, Mistry is now ready to fly and start on-campus education.

“Earlier, the Australian government said that the borders will reopen from December 1, but due to omicron variant, the plan has been revisited. As per the latest government guidelines, the border will now reopen from December 15,” said Mistry.

Thousands of students in the city, hoping to study in Australia, are working on their travel plans.

From December 15, fully vaccinated international students can travel to participating states and territories in Australia, quarantinefree without needing to apply for a travel exemption, according to the official website of Department of Home Affairs, Australian government.

Bhavin Thakker, a visa consultant, said that there are about 22,000 students from India who are expected to travel to Australia this year. Ritesh Desai, also a visa consultant from the city, said students from India have started looking to other overseas options like the US, Canada and the UK after Australia closed its borders for such a long time.

The ticket prices from Ahmedabad to Australia have soared from about Rs 50,00 per ticket to Rs 1.25 lakh following the announcement to reopen borders from December 15, he further said.

Harsh Prajapati, who took admission at Southern Cross University, in June 2020 has attended three semesters online. He is now ready to fly on December 19, and fulfill his dreams to study on campus in Australia.

Omicron concerns: Threefold rise in mask sales

Omicron concerns: Threefold rise in mask sales

10L Disposable Masks Being Sold Every Day

Niyati.Parikh@timesgroup.com

Ahmedabad: 10.12,2021

As the new cases of Covid-19 begin showing a steady rise along with the added concern of the new Omicron variant, people have surely pulled their guards up. Clearly, the sale of masks as well as immunity boosters has increased threefolds in the past one week, according to estimates by Federation of Gujarat State Chemists and Druggists’ Association (FGSCDA).

In the past week, an estimated 10 lakh disposable masks and 3 lakh N95 masks were sold across Gujarat on a daily basis, suggest FGSCDA estimates. Gujarat is home to at least 24,000 chemists and pharmacies.

Alpesh Patel, chairman, FGSCDA, said, “With a steady rise in cases, people have their guards up. Especially with fewer restrictions on gatherings and public movements in place, people are exercising caution and are becoming increasingly careful and are choosing to wear masks at offices and other public places. As a consequence, the sales have gone up.” Gujarat reported some 70 fresh cases of Covid-19 on Friday till 5pm, according to data provided by the state government.

Even the demand for sanitisers has gone up by at least 50%, according to estimates by chemists. “In November, the sales of both masks as well as sanitisers had drastically dropped with barely any demand. However, over the past week to 10 days, the demand has once again begun picking up. People come asking for N95 masks as well as sanitisers,” said Ankur Aggarwal, co-founder, Medkart.

The sale of immunity boosters is also seeing a marginal increase. “So far, there is no exceptional demand for Covid-related medicines. However, some customers who had stopped purchasing immunity boosters such as vitamin C have once again begun placing orders for these medicines, ” said an Ahmedabad-based chemis.

Pay for juvenile diabetes treatment: Court

Pay for juvenile diabetes treatment: Court

INSURERS COULD NOT ESTABLISH THAT CHILD’S TYPE-1 DIABETES IS GENETIC DISORDER

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad: 10.12.2021

A consumer court has ordered an insurance companies to reimburse the expenditure on treatment of juvenile diabetes with observation that the insurers could not establish that the child’s type-1 diabetes falls under the category of genetic disorder.

According to case details, Viramgam-resident Anilkumar Chavda’s 10-year-old son suffers from type-1 diabetes and was hospitalized in 2017.

Chavda had obtained a Happy Family Floater Policy with Silver Plan from the Oriental Insurance Co Ltd and M D India Health Care Services Pvt Ltd.

He sought reimbursement for treatment, Rs 48,882, which the insurers declined on the ground that the patient was treated for a disease which is a genetic disorder and according to the Mediclaim policy clause 4.15, such claim is not payable.

Chavda sued the insurers through Mukesh Parikh of Grahak Suraksha and Action Committee with the Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, Ahmedabad (City), where the insurance companies submitted that the claim papers were scrutinised and investigated by TPA and it found that the treatment for the child was genetic in origin and therefore not payable.

After hearing the case, the commission said that the child was hospitalised for type-1 diabetes treatment, but there was nothing in medical papers to indicate that the ailment falls under the category of genetic disorder, nor was there a remotest whisper in any of the papers produced by the insurers.

The commission cited a 2018 circular issued by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and how the circular was put in abeyance after the orders of the Supreme Court and Delhi high court with regard to rejection of Mediclaim related to treatment of genetic disorder. Since the insurers in this case could not adduce any rebuttal evidence to establish that type-1 diabetes is a genetic disorder, “we hold that the opponents (insurers) have wrongly rejected the claim and which is a pointer to the deficiency in service and unfair trade practice”.

The commission ordered the insurers to pay Rs 43,938 with 7% interest since the date of filing of complaint. It deducted 10% of the claim according to the policy only. Besides, the insurers have been told to pay Rs 5,000 to Chavda as compensation towards mental harassment and legal expenditure.

REGION DIGEST

REGION DIGEST

10.12.2021

YouTuber held for tweet against govt

YouTuber Maridhas, who posted a controversial tweet about the DMK government, was arrested by the cyber crime wing attached to the Madurai city police on Thursday. A team of police officials went to arrest Maridhas at his house situated in Surya Nagar. However, BJP cadres including former MLA and Madurai district president of BJP Dr P Saravanan also went there and picked up an argument with the police officials against his arrest. They questioned the police officials for the reasons for the arrest and raised slogans against the police and the government. But, police managed to arrest Maridhas and took him to the nearby K Pudur police station.

Decomposed body found in house: The decomposed body of a 50-year-old man was found at his house in Keezhadevadhanam in Trichy on Wednesday. The deceased was identified as A Selvakumar, 50 at Keezha Devadhanam. Neighbours noticed his body after a stench emanated from the house that had been locked from December 6. Locals informed his wife S Sujatha, 40, who was residing in Keeranur in Pudukkottai district. The cause of death was yet to the ascertained by the Fort police station.

Elephant tramples man to death: A wild elephant trampled a 70-year-old man to death at Anaikatti on Thursday morning. According to police, the man, identified as K Karai of Arnadukadu village near the Anaikatti forest, had gone to the forest to attend nature’s call. Police recovered the body and sent it for postmortem. The Thadagam police are investigating the incident.

TNSTC driver dies of heart attack: A 45-year-old bus driver parked the bus he was driving with more than 40 passengers safely on the roadside moments before he died of a cardiac arrest on Thursday morning. M Arumugam, attached to the Madurai mofussil bus depot, has been a driver with the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) for 13 years. He was driving on the Madurai-Kodaikanal route and left the Arapalayam bus stand in the city at 6.20am.

Narikurava family thrown out of bus, staff suspended

SWIFT ACTION

Narikurava family thrown out of bus, staff suspended

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kanyakumari:12.10.2021

Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) has placed under suspension the driver and conductor of a government bus on charges of forcing a narikurava family to get down from it at Nagercoil on Thursday evening. This was after a video of a visually-impaired old man, a woman and a child being ejected out of the bus and their luggage bundles thrown out by the conductor was circulated on social media. The child was seen inconsolably crying in distress.

TNSTC Nagercoil division general manager held an inquiry and initiated action against both the employees. A statement from the manager said the bus (TN 74 N 1802) attached to Thiruvattar branch was running on route number 565 from Nagercoil to Tirunelveli with C Nelson as driver and C S Jayadas conductor. As the bus was leaving Vadasery bus stand, the family was forced to get down from the bus. Information technology minister T Mano Thangaraj tweeted that action has been taken against the driver and conductor after he took up the issue with top TNSTC officials.

This is the second such incident of TNSTC crew forcing people belonging to certain classes of the society to get down from buses this week in the district. Both the incidents were caught on video and shared on social media, resulting in suspension of the crew. In the previous incident, a woman selling fish was forced to get down from the bus. A senior TNSTC official also apologised to the woman in person.

Madras School of Economics’ 1st BA course in 2022-23

Madras School of Economics’ 1st BA course in 2022-23

35% Of Seats Reserved For TN Students

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:10.12.2021

The Madras School of Economics (MSE) is opening its doors to Class XII passouts looking to pursue an undergraduate degree in economics. It plans to unveil its first BA in economics programme in 2022-23 with 50 seats. It will also reserve 35% of seats for students from Tamil Nadu.

The school, which ranks second after Delhi School of Economics, boasts of nearly 100% placement for its postgraduate degree programmes with average salary of ₹12 lakh per annum.

“Our degree programme will have a strong quantitative component. So, students with maths background in higher secondary will be preferred. We are planning to create awareness about this degree programme among city school students,” said K R Shanmugam, director, Madras School of Economics.

Tamil Nadu students can also compete for the remaining 65% of seats.

Students wishing to join this degree programme may have to write an entrance test in June next year. The institute also plans to allow UG students to study on for five years for an integrated degree.

“Students who complete this BA programme will find it easy to pursue a masters or PhD in foreign universities as the institute is following a similar approach. The syllabus, various options for the students and details of entrance test will be finalised at the academic council meeting in February,” Shanmugam added.

MSE will award its own degree for UG, PG and PhD students. The state recognised MSE as an institute of special importance in economics and allied subjects and management with degree granting power through Madras School of Economics Act, 2020. So far, the institute offered these programmes jointly with Central University of Tamil Nadu (CUTN) in Tiruvarur.

Students wishing to join BA (economics) course may have to take an entrance test in June 2022

Centre gives same old reply to query on 2nd city airport

Centre gives same old reply to query on 2nd city airport

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:10.12.2021

The ministry of civil aviation continued to present more or less the same old answer regarding the proposed second airport for Chennai in Parliament without any actual updated on the status of the project.

Though the erstwhile AIADMK government identified new locations for the second airport, the ministry in July 2021 replied that two sites were identified.

The reply presented on December 6, in response to DMK Rajya Sabha MP P Wilson, says that four sites are identified.

No reply talks about the Union government including the Sriperumbudur site in the National Infrastructure Pipeline.

“The state government of Tamil Nadu has identified four potential sites for development of a second airport in Chennai and has requested AAI to inspect these sites and prepare the feasibility study report,” the reply presented on December 6 said.

However, AAI has conducted preliminary study for these sites and also completed feasibility report for the site at Sriperumbudur.

The response presented in Parliament does not mention if the current DMK government has given approval for any of these locations for a new airport.

In an answer presented in Parliament in July 2021, the ministry of civil aviation said, “State government in November 2019 identified two locations of Mamandur and Parandur. However, they are yet to finalize the site for setting up of the second airport near Chennai.”

Wilson said repeating the same set of answers shows that the ministry is not interested in developing a new airport in Chennai.

The AIADMK government did not show interest in building an airport in Sriperumbudur and new locations were identified after a delay of nine years. But it was at the end of the term.

In July, the civil aviation ministry said two sites were identified. On December 6, it responded to DMK Rajya Sabha member P Wilson saying four sites were identified

Four city zones have over 100 active cases

TWO ZONES HAVE FEWER THAN 10

Four city zones have over 100 active cases

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:10.12.2021

Four of Greater Chennai Corporation’s 15 zones had more than 100 active Covid-19 cases as of Thursday. At present, the city has 1,265 active cases with 125 new cases recorded on Thursday.

Kodambakkam tops the list with 172 active cases, followed by Teynampet with 168, Adyar with 146 and Anna Nagar with 119.

Official data shows Teynampet has two streets with more than six active cases. Abhiramapuram First Street in Mylapore has eight cases and Luz Church Road in Mylapore has 10.

“In Abhiramipuram, of the five adults who tested positive, four have been vaccinated, except for a 60-yearold woman. We are carrying out an intense vaccination drive in the whole locality,” said an official. All residents of Luz Church Road have been vaccinated. Instructions have been given to ensure 100% vaccination in these zones, officials said.

Meanwhile, two zones in Chennai have fewer than 10 active cases. Thiruvottriyur zone has nine cases and Manali has five.

Officials urged residents to take part in the mega-vaccination camp taking place on December 11 across 200 wards. “The camp is to be held from 9am to 4pm, and we have a target to vaccinate 4 lakh people during the day,” an official said.

City docs race against time to get organs for 3 patients

City docs race against time to get organs for 3 patients

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:10,12,2021

Three patients at MGM Healthcare got a new lease of life after organs from deceased donors were airlifted from Chandigarh and Visakhapatnam for two heart transplants and one lung transplant simultaneously in three operating rooms. All three patients , one of whom is a child, are recovering normally.

It was a race against time as teams coordinated the transport of the organs through Green Corridors in the three cities. A team of more than 60 people lead by the chief surgeon Dr K R Balakrishnan, head of anesthesia Dr Suresh Rao and chief cardiologist Dr Ravikumar were involved in this process. The entire process, right from harvesting and transporting of the organs and successfully transplanting themtook 14 hours.

“Travelling from Chandigarh to Chennai without a direct air connectivity is not an easy task. The team reached Chennai after travelling over 7 hours,” said Dr K R Balakrishnan adding that the cold ischemic time, which is the time between removal of the heart from the donor and implanting it in the recipient was 8 hours. In a release, the hospital said the recipient was very sick in the intensive care awaiting a donor organ for a long time and that the new heart is functioning normally. The organ fromVisakhapatnam was transported using an air ambulance.

10 test +ve on Alagappa Tech campus

10 test +ve on Alagappa Tech campus

Corpn To Meet Edu Institutes Today On Covid

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:10.12.2021

A cluster of about 10 cases so far has been detected on Anna University’s Alagappa College of Technology campus. A day after one student from tested positive for Covid-19, Greater Chennai Corporation officials organised a camp to test all other students on campus.

“So far, tests have been conducted for 300 students. Of this, nine students tested positive for the viral infection,” health minister Ma Subramanian said on Thursday.

Officials said they would test all 763 students on campus, teachers and other staff. “We do saturation testing on campus. Samples of positive patients are sent to the whole genome sequencing lab,” Subramaniam said after visiting the campus with senior health and civic officials.

The 10 students who tested positive are asymptomatic and are in quarantine at the government Covid centre on King’s Institute campus.

The varsity has suspended physical classes for students of Alagappa College of Technology. Hostel students have been quarantined in their hostel rooms. “Online classes will continue for the next two weeks. Physical classes will resume only after confirmation that there are no new cases among hostel students,” a university official said. Other campuses like College of Engineering, Guindy, continued regular in-person classes on Thursday.

The corporation along with the health and revenue departments has called for a meeting on Friday with educational institutions to discuss following Covid protocols.

Health secretary J Radhakrishnan said there won’t be any knee jerk reaction following the Covid cluster.

The university was told to allow students in batches to hostel messes to maintain social distancing. In most clusters detected in educational institutions, health workers found high transmission among students who met at canteens for lunch or tea. “Students don’t wear a mask in the canteen, sit close to each other and chat. This increases transmission rate,” the health minister said. The department will conduct a high-level meeting with school and higher education departments on guidelines to be followed in hostel messes, he added.

GUARD UP: Health officials test students at Anna University hostel. Officials said all students, teachers and staff on campus will be tested

Lab issued corpn notice for bungled Covid data record

Lab issued corpn notice for bungled Covid data record

It Delayed Informing Civic Body Of Test Result

Omjasvin.MD@timesgroup.com

Chennai:10,12,2021

The Greater Chennai Corporation has issued a notice to a private lab in Mannadi for improper recording of information about those undergoing Covid tests, which made tracing a Covid positive couple a tough task.

Officials said the lab had also informed the couple first about their test results and delayed informing the corporation.

City health officer Dr M Jagadeesan issued the notice to KHM labs in Mannadi, (zone 5 - Royapuram) seeking a response. The couple was about to fly to Dubai and wanted a Covid-19 negative certificate, officials said. Officials sources told TOI that the husband (42) and wife (38) from Kalmandapam in north Chennai had given samples for Covid-19 tests in the lab on December 4. “The couple had tested positive on December 5 but the private lab did not tell the corporation about their results but informed the couple instantly,” official sources said.

As a result, the couple absconded and did not quarantine or hospitalize themselves. “When informed on Monday, we verified the register of the private lab only to find that the address only had the name of locality but no door number,” officials added.

After locating the right house following searches, officials found the couple hiding inside. “We have admitted them to a private hospital,” officials added.

Shamsuddin of KHM labs, said it was the fault of the data-entry operator. MD of the lab Harris Farvez said they had informed the patients about their positive status on sympathetic grounds as they had a flight ticket to cancel.