PM announces booster shots for frontline workers, 60-plus population; vaccination also to begin for 15-18 age group

PM announces booster shots for frontline workers, 60-plus population; vaccination also to begin for 15-18 age group

The mega announcements by the PM come even though the country’s top advisory panel on immunization was yet to give its final recommendation on booster doses or vaccination for kids.

Published: 25th December 2021 10:24 PM |

A health worker administers Covid vaccine to a migrant worker at KSR Bengaluru railway station. (Photo | Vinod Kumar T, EPS)

By Sumi Sukanya Dutta

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced precautionary additional Covid19 vaccine doses for healthcare and frontline workers across India, saying that they may be at a higher risk of contracting infection in case there is a surge of infection, in the wake of threat from the Omicron variant.

In an address to the nation, he said the precaution dose will also be available for citizens above 60 years of age and with comorbidities on the advice of their doctor from January 10 next year as well.

The precaution dose denotes a third dose of the vaccine for the fully vaccinated but Modi refrained from using the term "booster dose", as it is generally referred.

Administration of vaccine for this group of population, estimated to be around 3-4 crore in number, will begin on January 10.

He also announced that beginning January 3, adolescents aged 15-18 years will be eligible for Covid19 vaccination.

Additionally, people aged 60 and above with comorbidities will also be eligible for booster or additional shots of Covid19 vaccine, on their doctor’s advice, starting January 10.

The mega announcements by the PM come even though the country’s top advisory panel on immunization was yet to give its final recommendation on booster doses or vaccination for kids.

Amid Christmas and the coming new year festivities, Modi asked people to be alert and take all preventive measures but added that they should avoid panic as he reassured them about the health measures in place to deal with any exigencies.

Administration of nasal vaccine and world's first DNA vaccine against Covid will soon start in India as well, he said The prime minister said global experience shows that following all preventive measures at a personal level is "big weapon" to fight Covid and so is vaccination.

This is time to be careful, while engaging in festivities, he said.

"I would urge all of you not to panic, be careful and alert. Remember to mask up and keep washing hands," Modi said.

Noting that India started giving the vaccine to its citizens from January 16 this year, Modi said due to the people's collective effort and will, India has crossed the "unprecedented" and very difficult milestone of having administered 141 crore vaccine doses.

"Today, more than 61 per cent of India's adult population has received both doses of the vaccine. Similarly, about 90 per cent of the adult population has received single dose of the vaccine," he said.

Underlining that he was sharing key decisions with the people of the country on the occasion of Christmas, Modi said that vaccination for children between the age of 15 years to 18 years, will start in the country on January 3, 2022.

This will reduce the worries of children going to schools and colleges and their parents, and boost the fight against the pandemic, Modi said, adding that the move is also likely to aid in normalisation of teaching in schools.

"We all have experienced that the corona warriors, healthcare and frontline workers made a huge contribution in keeping the country safe in this fight. They still spend a lot of his time in the service of oronavirus patients," he said.

"Therefore, from the point of view of precaution, the government has decided that 'precaution dose' of vaccine will be administered to healthcare and frontline workers from January 10, Monday" Modi said.

This will strengthen the confidence of healthcare and frontline workers, he said.

Giving an overview of healthcare infrastructure in the nation, Modi said that as the virus is mutating, "our confidence to take on challenges is also multiplying".

"Our innovative spirit is also growing. The country today has 18 lakh isolation beds, 5 lakh oxygen supported beds, 1,40,000 ICU beds. If ICU and non-ICU beds are taken together, there are about 90,000 beds for children. Today the country has over 3,000 PSA oxygen plants functioning and four lakh oxygen cylinders have been provided across the country," he said.

"States are being helped to prepare a buffer dose of necessary medicines. They are also being provided with adequate testing kits," he said.

The decision, said the PM, had been taken by the government in the interest of people at large.

He cautioned people not to panic but to stay vigilant, citing conflicting data from several other countries which are seeing a fresh wave of Covid19 infection.

Modi also said that a nasal vaccine against Covid19 is on the cards in India, apart from world’s first DNA vaccine (ZyCov D by Zydus Cadila) against Covid19.

Lauding scientists and health workers, he said the seriousness of vaccine was identified very early and along with research on it, work was also focussed on approval process, supply chain, distribution, training, IT support system and certification.

Modi emphasised that India's fight against the virus has from the very beginning been based on scientific principles, scientific consultation and scientific method.

Eleven-month vaccine campaign, the prime minister said, has brought relief and normalcy in the everyday lives of the countrymen.

Economic activities have been encouraging compared to many countries of the world, he said while noting that alertness remains of paramount importance.

He also cautioned against efforts to spread rumours, confusion and fear by some quarters.

Modi's address came on a day officials said the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted emergency use authorisation to indigenously-developed Bharat Biotech's Covaxin for children above 12 years with certain conditions.

It is the second vaccine to receive the regulator's nod for use among those below 18 years after Zydus Cadila's needle-free COVID-19 vaccine ZyCoV-D.

The significant announcement on booster doses for healthcare and frontline workers comes amid growing clamour for the third shot of Covid19 vaccines for them as there is growing evidence of high breakthrough infections due to the Omicron variant.

More than two months after an expert panel endorsed Covaxin for kids, the Drug Controller General of India on Saturday approved the Covid19 vaccine by Bharat Biotech for the 12-17 age group in India.

However, the country's highest drug regulator has permitted the vaccine only for adolescents and not for kids under 12, as recommended by the subject expert committee on Covid19 in October.

Earlier, the Hyderabad based vaccine maker had said that it had submitted data from clinical trials in the 2-18 years age group for Covaxin to the regulator which was thoroughly reviewed by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization and the subject expert committee.

“This represents one of the first approvals worldwide for Covid-19 vaccines for the 2-18 age group,” the company had said . “We now await further regulatory approvals from the CDSCO prior to product launch and market availability of Covaxin for Children.

Raches Ella, clinic lead of Covid vaccines at the company had also said in a tweet that Covaxin has been “reported to be safe and immunogenic” in a pediatric cohort and “the approval in children will help expedite the reopening of schools”.

Now, Covaxin has become the second vaccine, after Zydus Cadila’s ZyCoV D, to be permitted for under 18 population group in India even though the country is yet to clearly spell out its policy on Covid vaccination for minors.

Approved for adolescents aged 12-17 years of age in August by the DCGI, along with adults, ZyCoV D however is still to be rolled out for any population group in the country.

Meanwhile, Officials in the CDSCO said that though the amount of Covaxin recommended for minors remains the same—0.5 ml—as it is for adults and will also be administered in two doses- 28 days apart- there will be slight difference in the approach.

“It has been discussed that for adolescents, vaccines can be supplied in pre-filled syringes—instead of vaccines being taken out of vials at the time of administration,” said an official.

This, officials said, was recommended in order to ensure that exactly the specified quantity of vaccines are administered in kids as the higher quantity may lead to adverse effects.

AICTE Racket offering fake AICTE jobs in state busted

Racket offering fake AICTE jobs in state busted

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:26.12.2021

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has busted a major job racket in the state where scamsters targeted unemployed youngsters from the rural villages. Working till the last minute detail, the gang went on a fake hiring spree in the technical council for non-existent positions such as state coordinator, head inspection officer, and even taluk coordinators. The scam came to light when AICTE received calls inquiring about the vacancies.

The racket was meticulously planned with scamsters conducting exams and selecting only those who scored above 50% marks for ppointment. They even came up with separate dress codes for male and female candidates at the exam centres along with mandatory trimmed fingernails and clean shave appearance for the physical interviews conducted in star hotels.

The AICTE southern regional office came to know about the scam when some candidates cross-checked with the council about the vacancies. "It was ascertained from the phone calls that the recruitment process is being done confidentially and the interviews are being conducted in star hotels. They are using AICTE's logo and asking for the bank details of candidates. Around 18 people have been recruited," M Sundaresan, regional officer of AICTE, said in his complaint. The racketeers are mainly targeting youth in Thiruvannamalai, Vellore, Kanchipuram, Salem, Madurai and Coimbatore districts.

Talking to TOI, Sundaresan said, AICTE has not advertised for recruitment for any post. "There are only 13 sanctioned posts in the AICTE's southern regional office. But the scamsters are recruiting 18 people in every district," he added.

The racketeers are planning to start another interview round on Sunday.

Those selected said their bank details were collected. Officials feared there is a possibility of fraudsters taking money from the selected candidates and police should immediately stop them.

Muslim girl free to marry on attaining puberty: HC

Ajay.Sura@timesgroup.com

Chandigarh:26.12.2021

Accepting the plea of a 17-year-old Muslim girl who got married to a Hindu boy against the wishes of her family and relatives, the Punjab and Haryana HC ordered the police to protect the couple. The court also made it clear that a Muslim girl on attaining puberty is at liberty to marry anyone she likes and the guardian has no right to interfere if the match is equal.

“The law is clear that the marriage of a Muslim girl is governed by the Muslim Personal Law. As per Article 195 from the book, ‘Principles of Mohammedan Law by Sir Dinshah Fardunji Mulla’, Petitioner No.1 (girl) being 17 years of age, is competent to enter into a contract of marriage with a person of her choice. Petitioner No. 2 (her partner) is stated to be about 33 years old. Thus, Petitioner No. 1 is of marriageable age as envisaged by Muslim Personal Law,” observed Justice Harnaresh Singh Gill.

Justice Gill observed, “The court cannot shut its eyes to the fact that the apprehension of the petitioners needs to be addressed. Merely because the petitioners have got married against the wishes of their family members, they cannot possibly be deprived of the fundamental rights as envisaged in the Constitution.”

The counsel for the petitioner contended that under Muslim law puberty and majority are one and the same, and that there is a presumption that a person attains majority at the age of 15 years. The counsel also contended that a Muslim boy or Muslim girl who attains puberty is at liberty to marry anyone he or she likes and their guardian has no right to interfere.

He said Article 195 from the book ‘Principles of Mohammedan Law by Sir Dinshah Fardunji Mulla’ defines capacity for marriage — every Mahomedan of sound mind, who has attained puberty, may enter into a contract of marriage.

The law is clear that the marriage of a Muslim girl is governed by the Muslim Personal Law. As per Article 195 from the book ‘Principles of Mohammedan Law by Sir Dinshah Fardunji Mulla’, petitioner No. 1 (girl) being 17 years of age, is competent to enter into a contract of marriage with a person of her choice. Petitioner No. 2 (boy) is stated to be about 33 years of age. Thus, petitioner No. 1 is of marriageable age as envisaged by Muslim Personal Law

Justice Harnaresh Singh Gill

NMC leaves MBBS interns to the mercy of private medical colleges

NMC leaves MBBS interns to the mercy of private medical colleges

TNN | Dec 24, 2021, 10.53 AM IST

The National Medical Commission, despite several representations from medical students that interns in private colleges be paid a stipend equivalent to that being paid in state government-run colleges, has notified that interns will be “paid stipend as fixed by the appropriate authority like the institute or university or the state in which candidate is doing internship”. This has already resulted in interns being paid stipend much lower than what is paid in government colleges in several states.

Rajya Sabha MP from Kerala Binoy Vishwam wrote to the NMC on December 8 pointing out that the stipend is paid “as a matter of right and not charity” and that NMC’s notification allowed “for great ambiguity and arbitrariness” in the stipend. “It may also result in management of private colleges denying a stipend to MBBS interns as they have complete discretion without any safeguarding mechanism,” stated the letter. In Kerala, most private colleges are paying interns Rs 6,000-15,000 when the state government pays Rs 25,000. In most states, private colleges pay roughly 30% less than what is paid in government colleges.

In the case of post graduate residency, the NMC schedule clearly mentions that “the residents of private medical college / Deemed Universities should be given stipend at par with that of PG residents of government medical colleges in that state”.

In 2017, the executive committee of the MCI did not approve the recommendation of the academic committee on internship allowance for MBBS students stating that graduate medical education (GME) regulations did not provide for payment of stipend to interns and thus the issue was beyond the purview of the MCI. However, in 2018, the Board of Governors that superseded the MCI considered introducing a provision into GME regulation that stated: "All the candidates pursuing compulsory rotating internship at the institution from which MBBS course was completed, shall be paid stipend on par with the stipend being paid to the interns of the State Govt. Medical Institution / Central Government Medical Institution in the State / Union Territory where the institution is located."

The provision was never introduced and the BoG was dissolved, after which the MCI was replaced by the NMC, which was expected to tighten regulation of private colleges, something the MCI had been accused of not doing. However, the NMC, sought feedback on a Draft Regulation Compulsory Rotating Internship, 2021 on April 21 this year in which it left fixing of stipend to “appropriate authority”. No changes were made after feedback and the unchanged draft was gazetted on November 18.

“The central government has the power to intervene and change this decision of the NMC. Section 45 of the NMC Act states that the commission and the autonomous boards ‘in exercise of their powers and discharge of their functions under this Act, be bound by such directions on questions of policy as the Central Government may give’. This issue has been hanging fire from 2017, from the time of the MCI,” said Dr KV Babu, who has been writing to the ministry and the NMC seeking an urgent response on the issue.

4.6 lakh special entry darshan tickets booked in less than 1 hour

4.6 lakh special entry darshan tickets booked in less than 1 hour

Tirupati:25.12.2021

Lord Venkateswara devotees booked 4.6 lakh special entry darshan tickets in less than an hour after the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams released the online quota for January 2022 on Friday.

TTD released 20,000 special entry darshan tickets for January 1 and also for the 10- day Vaikunta Ekadasi period between January 13 and 23.

For other days of the month, TTD released about 12,000 special entry darshan tickets per day.

TTD will also be releasing online slotted Sarva Darshan tokens at the rate of 5,000 tickets per day for January on Saturday.

The temple trust is also contemplating to release 5,000 slotted Sarva Darshan tokens under the current booking slot for the convenience of the devotees from December 31 in Tirupati. TNN

It’s chancellor who reconstitutes board of studies: Guv to HC

KANNUR UNIVERSITY

It’s chancellor who reconstitutes board of studies: Guv to HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kochi:25.12.2021

The governor, who is the chancellor of the Kannur University, has informed the high court that as per the practice so far, the university’s board of studies is reconstituted by the chancellor based on proposals from the vice chancellor.

The submission by the chancellor was in the form of an affidavit filed in response to an appeal related to the reconstitution of the board of studies.

Through the affidavit, the chancellor pointed out that the reconstitution of board of studies should be based on the university statutes as per Kannur University Act. In the statute (Kannur University First Statute 1998), it is prescribed that the chancellor should nominate the chairman and members of board of studies, the affidavit.

However, Section 25(xvi) of the Act also empowers the syndicate to appoint members to the board of studies, the affidavit said. Thus, a harmonious reading of the Act and the statutes provides for nomination of the chairman and members of the board of studies by the chancellor and the power of appointment of the members vests with the syndicate, as per the affidavit.

The chancellor then said in the affidavit, “In the past the chancellor had reconstituted the board of studies on receipt proposals from the vice chancellor, including the present incumbent vice chancellor. The exercise was carried out under the provisions as detailed above.”

Another Omicron case in city, govt calls meet of pvt hosps

Another Omicron case in city, govt calls meet of pvt hosps

Sumati.Yengkhom@timesgroup.com

Kolkata:25.12.2021

One more Kolkata resident, a 27-year-old who returned from UK last week, tested positive for Omicron on Friday. This is the third confirmed case of Omicron among patients under institutional quarantine in Kolkata. Earlier, a sevenyear-old boy from Farakka and a 49-year-old from Kolkata had tested positive for this variant at Telangana and New Delhi.

Even though the Omicron count in Bengal is not yet alarming, health experts fear the number could multiply soon given its high transmissibility. The state health department on Friday asked all private hospitals to keep their infrastructure ready and called a meeting with them on Monday.

The latest Omicron patient, a resident of south Kolkata, has been working in Dublin, Ireland, for the past five years. He reached the city last Friday, flying from Manchester via Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. He tested negative on arrival but developed symptoms later and was admitted to Woodlands Hospital after testing Covid positive.

“The patient has been allotted a single room in the Covid-19 unit as per the isolation protocol. He is stable,” said Rupali Basu, MD & CEO of Woodlands.

Currently, two other Covid patients in hospital isolation — one in Kolkata and another in Kharagur — are awaiting genome-sequencing reports. Another 26-year-old woman, who arrived in Kolkata from UK on December 10, tested negative for Omicron on Friday. She was Covid negative on arrival but was admitted to Beliaghata ID Hospital after developing symptoms.

‘Pvt hosps must ramp up infra for Omicron cases’

The five Omicron cases in the state and the suspected ones have international travel history. Anticipating more such international flyers needing hospital isolation, the health authorities have asked private hospitals not to refuse international flyers, who test positive on arrival, and prefer private hospital treatment.

“Some Covid-positive international travellers prefer private hospitals. Private facilities need to step up isolation infrastructure for suspected and confirmed Omicron cases,” said a health official. The health department has shared a document, ‘Infrastructure information regarding private hospital for isolation of Covid Omicron suspect admission from the airport’ with private hospitals. The hospitals have to update details, including number of Covid beds, Covid ICU beds, isolated beds for international flyers and the number of ventilators.

“We will have an online meeting with private hospitals on Monday where Covid infrastructure update, with stress on facilities for Covid-positive international travellers and those detected with Omicron,” said a Swasthya Bhawan official.

Can CM be interim chancellor in guv’s place? State explores

Can CM be interim chancellor in guv’s place? State explores

Governor Seeks UGC Probe Into Role Of Private Univs

Poulami.Roy@timesgroup.com

Kolkata:25.12.2021

The Bengal government is seeking legal opinion on whether the chief minister can be made the chancellor of state-run universities for an interim period as the governor, the present chancellor, has failed to see anything positive in Bengal universities, education minister Bratya Basu said on Friday.

“We will explore the constitutional provisions and take legal advice on whether this can be done at a provincial level,” he said in response to Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar’s statement that he would like to call for a UGC probe into private universities’ role. Basu took it as a threat and said: “After CBI and ED, UGC is being used as a threat.”

The statement comes after Dhankhar took to Twitter to post a video in which he said none of the 11 private university chancellors or vicechancellors had heeded his invitation – as the university visitor and governor – to attend a Raj Bhavan meeting on December 23.

The governor said he would urge UGC to “seriously probe” the role of private universities since these have “breached their roles regarding the visitor”, and asked the Bengal government to reexamine appointments of all vice-chancellors.

Dhankhar complained that VCs were appointed bypassing him and said the situation was “alarming which indicated the rule of the ruler and not law”.

Vice-chancellors staying away from a Raj Bhavan meeting was not the first such instance. In January 2020, vicechancellors of state-run universities didn’t turn up for a meeting at Raj Bhavan, sparking a war of words. In the present instance, the private university heads had cited “Omicron” and their personal health fears due to age and comorbidities.

Basu said: “It is sad that we hear nothing positive from him (Dhankhar). He must shed this confrontationist attitude and work as an enabler. He now cites unionism and gives the threat of UGC. Like CBI and ED, UGC now comes to the list. You can’t expect anything more from a person who had been the legal aide of a movie star implicated in killing deer.”

Basu further said: “But if he continuously sits on files, delays decisions and appointments, we will explore the suggestion made by the Kerala governor and consider whether as an interim measure, we can replace him by the chief minister as university chancellor.”

Kerala governor Arif Mohammad Khan had, in an attempt to end animosity with his own government, written to CM Pinarayi Vijayan to take over as chancellor so that the governor didn’t have to interfere in “political appointments” in his role as chancellor.

The Bengal government had in 2019 curbed the chancellor’s role after it felt that the governor was standing in the way of education matters.

Full report on www.toi.in

Education minister Bratya Basu said the government will explore the Kerala governor’s suggestion and consider whether as an interim measure the Bengal governor can be replaced by the CM as university chancellor

1.6L ex gratia applications against 1.4L Covid deaths

1.6L ex gratia applications against 1.4L Covid deaths

Nisha.Nambiar@timesgroup.com

Pune:25.12.2021

The Maharashtra government has received 1.62lakh applications for Rs50,000 ex-gratia from the kin of covid deceased against 1.41lakh covid deaths registered in the state.

Officials said some of these applications may either be duplicate or there could be more applications from kin. Over 50,000 applications are being scrutinised over multiple claims, said officials.

Local authorities have been grappling with incomplete details, duplicate applications and incomplete forms, affecting disbursement of exgratia, officials said. The data will be verified with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) portal before disbursement of ex-gratia.

All local authorities have been asked to double check and verify family members’ details and then disburse the amount. A senior state government official from the state disaster management authority said that multiple IDs linked to a single patient and multiple claimants have been uploaded by many local authorities. “The local teams will check on the claimants and if there are any issues, they can approach the district level grievance committee members. Only after due checks and agreement between claimants will the amount be disbursed,” said an official.

Recently, Latur district collector BP Pruthviraj sought a report after it came to light that names of people still alive were on the list of covid deceased.

Stop passing the buck when you see files, cabinet secy tells officers

Stop passing the buck when you see files, cabinet secy tells officers

Dipak.Dash@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:25.12.2021

For years, government officials have taken refuge in phrases such as “may also see” or “may kindly see” on files that move from one desk to another just because no one wants to take a call on the matter mentioned in them — a case of passing hot potatoes around in circles.

The “syndrome” has caught the attention and drawn criticism from the country’s top bureaucrat at a time when the government is seeking to speed up decision-making and reduce red tape, with cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba urging senior officers to consciously avoid taking recourse to such phraseology and encourage other colleagues not to succumb to risk-averse behaviour.

Seeking a change in the way the government works, the cabinet secretary said at a workshop on ‘Increasing Efficiency in Decision Making’ that unless government departments change their culture and take timely decisions, even big-ticket announcements made by the government will not take off.

Decisions can be taken at jr level: Gauba

Several levels don’t make any value addition; they don’t make any significant contribution to decision-making and also these don’t mean qualitatively better scrutiny. What they certainly mean is more time consumed and diffused responsibility so that they can say that so many other people also looked at that issue and so there is abdication of responsibility,” he said, referring to file submissions at multiple levels while speaking at the event which was part of the Good Governance Week.

Gauba’s comments came after coal secretary Anil Kumar Jain flagged how many officers were simply putting their signatures on files without adding any value. Road transport secretary Giridhar Aramane also cited how there was huge delay in issuing toll fee notification for highway stretches as the files had to pass through several layers of officials, which has now been drastically reduced.

The cabinet secretary said that in the government system, there is a culture of marking papers to the higher-ups even when the decisions can be taken at the junior level. “We are familiar with the syndrome of ‘may also see’ or ‘may kindly see’ so that you feel safe that it has been seen by somebody else or somebody above. I think this has to do with risk avoidance. The DoPT and DAPRG (administrative reform and grievances redressal department) should look at the root cause of why this syndrome has developed and what needs to be done,” he said.

The government has pushed the reforms to reduce the levels for file submission up to four against the earlier practice of such submission at 7-8 levels.

Flyers from Dubai must quarantine at home for 7 days

Flyers from Dubai must quarantine at home for 7 days

reports Chaitanya Marpakwar.

Mumbai:25.12.2021

The BMC on Friday made a seven-day home quarantine compulsory for all passengers arriving from Dubai, a travel hub where many change flights leading to mixing of people. Fully-vaccinated city residents won’t have to undergo an Rt-PCR test at the airport. After seven days, if they test negative they will have to self-monitor for a week more and if they test positive, they will be moved to institutional quarantine. Those from rest of Maharashtra will be transferred by the collector to their home cities and will not be allowed to take public transport. Those from other states will be allowed to take connecting flights but the airport authorities will have to inform their home destination airports about their arrival from Dubai,

Bill tabled to make min pro-chancellor of univs

Bill tabled to make min pro-chancellor of univs

Mumbai: 25.12.2021

The state government on Friday tabled amendments to the Maharashtra Public Universities Act to introduce the post of a prochancellor which will be occupied by the minister of higher and technical education. The pro-chancellor’s powers are to be wide ranging: from chairing the university's senate, its high-level decision making body, to presiding over the convocation ceremony in absence of the chancellor. TOI has access to a copy of the draft bill which was tabled in the upper house. It will come up for discussion in the coming week. Experts say the move is a blow to the autonomy of the universities, reports Hemali Chhapia.

WB seeks to axe guv, make CM head univs

The WB government plans to seek legal opinion on whether the CM can be made chancellor of state-run universities as governor Jagdeep Dhankar, the chancellor, does not see anything positive in the varsities, education minister Bratya Basu said. TNN

‘Amendments retrograde, detrimental to higher edu’

Among the amendments, the state has also proposed altering the selection method of the vice chancellor.

The state will now receive the list of five nominees picked by the selection panel, shortlist two for the consideration of the governor, the chancellor of universities.

“If the state does not approve any of the person so recommended, it may call for a fresh panel either from the same committee or after constitution of a new committee,” said the draft.

The plan has been roundly criticised by eminent academicians. “The concept of autonomous universities was given to us by the Britishers. Under that the VC is the head of the institution and no one can enter the campus or interfere in its functioning. The chancellor is expected to save the university from the influence of the state government or politics. That freedom should not be taken away. We are facing a conflicting situation,” said former vice chancellor of Pune University Ram Takawle.

Bhushan Patwardhan, former vice chairman of University Grants Commission, said the amendments are “retrograde” and “detrimental” to higher education.

“These changes will have long term adverse impact on the universities. The amendments are crossing all limits. Ministerial level interference in the appointment of the VC and selecting a person of their choice and ideology is like taking over education. If the universities’ freedom is taken away, the central government will have to step in and stop this. I hope the state reconsiders these amendments,” said Patwardhan.

He recalled that in 30 years of being a part of the university system, he had never seen such interference. Some other states have made attempts to dilute the autonomy of their universities but those were met with protests and the states were forced to retreat. Except once, when the Maharashtra Public Universities Bill was amended in 1974 and all financial powers were taken away by the state, including the right to create new positions.

“With these proposals, the state has murdered the autonomy of universities,” said former pro-vice chancellor of Mumbai University A D Sawant.

TIMES VIEW: Maharashtra now holds the dubious reputation of going against the broader national policy of depoliticizing campuses. Experts are worried about the likely impact on universities if the minister begins to chair meetings. Interference in day-to-day functioning of campuses by politicians goes against the spirit of academic freedom. It bears repetition that this government sought to directly appoint a registrar to the Mumbai University by sidestepping the procedure. The courts had to intervene and the state lost the case.

COVID-19: Omicron scare pushes up international airfare from Tiruchy

COVID-19: Omicron scare pushes up international airfare from Tiruchy

The international sector is already reporting a heavy jump in ticket fare as Omicron has forced many countries to impose more regulations.

Published: 25th December 2021 12:59 PM 

Taxi drivers waiting for customers at Tiruchy international airport. (File photo| MK Ashok Kumar, EPS)

By Jose K Joseph

Express News Service

TIRUCHY: Flight ticket rates would usually report a jump close to Christmas and New Year. However, the travel sector in the city is expecting a heavy hike in international airfare and domestic fare this year. Many of them opined that the holiday season and uncertainties created by the Omicron variant of COVID-19 may result in a heavy jump in ticket fares.

"At present, we are not reporting heavy fare hikes for tickets to Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad. There may be a hike of Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 due to Christmas and New Year. For instance, the ticket fare from Tiruchy to Chennai would come around Rs 2,500 to 3,500. Similarly, for Bengaluru and Hyderabad, the fare would come around Rs 4,000. But, if you are booking in the last minute, you might have to spend more money. However, if the State governments come up with more regulations, the domestic sector may report a heavy hike in ticket fare," said P Kumar, a travel agent in the city.

But, the international sector is already reporting a heavy jump in ticket fare as Omicron has forced many countries to impose more regulations.

"In the case of Singapore, you would have to spend about Rs 40,000 or more for one side. Apart from that, you would also have to spend more money for hotel quarantine. For Malaysia, the ticket fare for one side would come between Rs 30,000 to 40,000. But, you can opt for home quarantine in Malaysia. However, the Malaysian government would inspect the home facility of your relative or friends to ensure that the home quarantine is safe," said Kalidasan, a major travel agent in the city.

"Otherwise, you would have to pay for quarantine in a hotel. In the West Asian sector, the ticket rate for one side was Rs 15,000 to 20,000 last month. Now, the fare would come between Rs 30,000 and 40,000. The international sector is reporting such a heavy hike due to regulation and decreasing flight operations. Apart from this, there is also a panic among people about a third wave and lockdown. Therefore, many NRIs are cancelling their plan to stay for a long time in their home state and booking international flights to reach abroad before the imposition of tighter regulations," he added.

Many travel agents opined that the ticket hike in the international sector may come down only if there is some relaxation. "Before COVID, we used to have about 6 or 7 flights to Singapore per day. Now, only Air India Express is operating to Singapore. In fact, before the pandemic, we used to spend only Rs 10,000 for flights to Singapore as we were having so many flights. Now, Sri Lanka is the only international destination that you can travel to by spending Rs 10,000 to 15,000 from Tiruchy. So, we can expect a drop only if we resume more operations," said B Ramesh, another travel agent.

(All the ticket fares mentioned are subject to change)

33 students of medical college, 26 school students test positive for COVID-19 in Karnataka

33 students of medical college, 26 school students test positive for COVID-19 in Karnataka

All the medical students were isolated in R L Jalappa Hospital and are under treatment and stable. So far, 1192 samples of their primary and secondary contacts were collected, said Dr Charani.

Published: 25th December 2021 04:49 PM 

According to sources, of the 33 medical students, 32 are female and one male (File Photo | PTI)

By Express News Service

Thirty-three medical students of Kolar Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College have tested positive for COVID-19.

The genomic test reports are awaited by district health officials, said District Surveillance Officer Dr Charani.

According to sources, preliminary reports say they had no travel history, but their travel to Bengaluru cannot be ruled out, said a health official.

Dr Charani said according to the college management, internal examinations are under progress for the past 45 days, so none of the students went to their hometowns. The entire block where the students were staying has been declared a containment zone.

All the medical students were isolated in R L Jalappa Hospital and are under treatment and stable. So far, 1192 samples of their primary and secondary contacts were collected, said Dr Charani.

According to sources, of the 33 medical students, 32 are female and one male. The first case of a female medical student was reported on December 17.

It may be recalled that this is the second cluster in the district. Earlier, scores of nursing students from a private institute in KGF tested positive when they returned to the college from Kerala.

26 students test positive in a school in Kodagu

A total of 26 students tested positive for COVID-19 in an institution in Kodagu. The students are from Atturu Jnanaganda Residential School near Kushalnagar. The school management arranged for the COVID-19 tests to be done on the students nearly two days ago and a total of 387 students gave their swabs for tests, of whom 26 have tested positive.

“The students are studying in classes between 5th and 10th grade. Arrangements are in place to test all 600-odd students in the school. The institution has been declared as a containment zone,” confirmed Dr Srinivas, the Somwarpet taluk health officer.

Telangana increasing beds to prepare for 3rd wave: Health Minister Harish Rao

Telangana increasing beds to prepare for 3rd wave: Health Minister Harish Rao

The Minister further went on to state that Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is closely monitoring the third wave situation and has asked the Health Department to add 1,600 beds in the city to tackle

Published: 25th December 2021 09:16 AM 

Telangana Health and Finance Minister T Harish Rao (File photo| EPS)

By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: In a major boost to public healthcare in the eastern part of the city, a new 100-bed ward was inaugurated by Health Minister T Harish Rao at the Vanasthalipuram Area Hospital on Friday. The Minister also inaugurated an Oxygen Generation Unit and a 12-bed ICU ward as well.

“The State is expediting all its works to tackle the third wave (Of Covid-19) and these beds have been put in place as part of the same. We would also like to extend thanks to Infosys for providing the Oxygen plant as part of Corporate Social Responsibility,” said Harish Rao. The 12-bed ICU was donated by a non-governmental organisation Nirmaan.

The Minister further went on to state that Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is closely monitoring the third wave situation and has asked the Health Department to add 1,600 beds in the city to tackle it. “We have identified six more hospitals in the State to add 100 beds each and will ensure that we are well prepared for the third wave,” he informed.

Harish urges residents to not be lax in festive season

Urging citizens to not be lax ahead of the festive season, the Health Minister urged all to wear masks and follow Covid-19 protocols as the Omicron variant spreads fast.

UoM syndicate gives nod to investigate exam scam

UoM syndicate gives nod to investigate exam scam

With this opportunity, a total of 117 students who did not enrol in this university wrote online exams with the help of study centres.

Published: 24th December 2021 06:16 AM 

University of Madras. (File Photo)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The University of Madras syndicate panel has approved investigating into the online exam scam. Fearing spread of Covid-19, the distance education institute allowed students to write exams from home in December 2020. The institute also permitted pupils to clear arrears from 1980-81.

With this opportunity, a total of 117 students who did not enrol in this university wrote online exams with the help of study centres. The university officials also uploaded the 117 applications after getting bribe of Rs 3 lakh for each student and provided serial numbers as well.

While the concerned official verified the permanent pass register (PPR), there was no information about the students. Although the officials tried, they were unable to find the admission details that caused the fraud.

V-CS Gowri told TNIE that “the approval to enquire into online exam malpractice has been given by the syndicate members. Besides, the syndicate decides to form a panel to investigate the scam.” The V-C also pointed out that three-to-five members are to be assigned to the investigation panel, but the members are yet to take a decision when the inquiry panel is likely to be formed. He also added results of the 117 students were held back till the panel completes investigation.

Bus conductors now free to kick out unruly passengers

Bus conductors now free to kick out unruly passengers

TN govt set to amend MV rules as women harassment cases increase

Published: 25th December 2021 06:39 AM 

By B Anbuselvan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Due to multiple cases of women being harassed in a bus, the transport department has now empowered the drivers and conductors to alight passengers who sing or make inappropriate gestures towards women commuters.

On Thursday, the home transport department released a draft gazette notification amending the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 with respect to sections 28 & 38 of the Motor Vehicle Act 1988 on the responsibilities of the driver and conductor. The amendments will come into force within 30 days from the date of draft publication.

So far there was no provision to act against travellers who annoy other commuters. Now, motor vehicles provisions under the responsibilities of driver and conductors of stage carriage vehicles (bus) have been amended, enhancing their powers to regulate the behaviour of occupants. This will allow them to evict those who annoy other commuters. Ensuring the smooth operation of the bus is a responsibility of driver and conductor,” said a senior transport official.

The amendment also restricted the bus crew from questioning or touching women travellers. “The bus crew shall not make any physical contact or touch women commuters under the pretext of assisting them to board or deboard. The driver or conductor shall not behave in a way annoying women travellers,” the notification read. The regulations come in wake of a series of recent incidents and repeated complaints from women that they were often humiliated by the bus crew while travelling in ordinary buses where they are allowed to travel for free.

On December 7, an elderly woman in Kanniyakumari who sells fish was deboarded from a government bus as she smelled of fish. Similarly, a Narikurava family had also faced discrimination at the hands of the bus crew. On December 10, the driver and conductor of a TNSTC bus in Villupuram were arrested on the charges of attempting to molest a woman on the bus. The conductor and driver are now bound to comply with these regulations and any deviations will be perceived as dereliction of duty which could lead to departmental action, added the official.

Arumuga Nainar, General Secretary of Transport Employees Federation affiliated to the CITU, said “What is the necessity for amending the rules to punish the driver or conductor while there were regulatory guidelines in force? In ordinary buses, women commuters are reluctant to purchase price-less tickets which led to an altercation in a few places. In such cases, conductors issued a memo for causing loss to transport corporations.”

The transport employees association will study the amendments in detail and represent it to the government, added Nainar.

Pvt colleges pay MBBS interns a pittance

Pvt colleges pay MBBS interns a pittance

Rema.Nagarajan@timesgroup.com

25.12.2021

The National Medical Commission, despite several representations from medical students that interns in private colleges be paid a stipend equivalent to that being paid in state government-run colleges, has notified that interns will be “paid stipend as fixed by the appropriate authority like the institute or university or the state in which candidate is doing internship”. This has already resulted in interns being paid stipend much lower than what is paid in government colleges in several states.

Rajya Sabha MP from Kerala Binoy Vishwam wrote to the NMC on December 8 pointing out that the stipend is paid “as a matter of right and not charity” and that NMC’s notification allowed “for great ambiguity and arbitrariness” in the stipend. “It may also result in management of private colleges denying a stipend to MBBS interns as they have complete discretion without any safeguarding mechanism,” stated the letter. In Kerala, most private colleges are paying interns Rs 6,000-15,000 when the state government pays Rs 25,000. In most states, private colleges pay roughly 30% less than what is paid in government colleges.

In the case of post graduate residency, the NMC schedule clearly mentions that “the residents of private medical college/deemed universities should be given stipend at par with that of PG residents of government medical colleges in that state”.

In 2017, the executive committee of the MCI did not approve the recommendation of the academic committee on internship allowance for MBBS students stating that graduate medical education (GME) regulations did not provide for payment of stipend to interns and thus the issue was beyond the purview of the MCI. However, in 2018, the board of governors that superseded the MCI considered introducing a provision into GME regulation that stated: “All the candidates pursuing compulsory rotating internship at the institution from which MBBS course was completed, shall be paid stipend on par with the stipend being paid to the interns of the state govt. medical institution/central government medical institution in the state/UT where the institution is located.”

The provision was never introduced and the BoG was dissolved, after which the MCI was replaced by the NMC, which was expected to tighten regulation of private colleges, something the MCI had been accused of not doing. However, the NMC, sought feedback on a Draft Regulation Compulsory Rotating Internship, 2021 on April 21 this year in which it left fixing of stipend to “appropriate authority”.

In Kerala, most pvt colleges are paying interns Rs 6,000-15,000 when the state govt pays Rs 25,000. In most states

Cold wave grips K’taka; B’luru shivers at 9.7°C

Cold wave grips K’taka; B’luru shivers at 9.7°C

ManuAiyappa.Kanathanda@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:25.12.2021

Several districts in Karnataka are facing cold-wave-like conditions, with the early-morning temperature going under 10 degrees Celsius. Bengaluru shivered at 9.7 degrees Celsius early Friday as minimum temperatures continued to dip in the city.

As per the forecast for the next week, the minimum temperature in various parts of the state is likely to dip by 3-4 degrees Celsius. Normal temperatures in several districts, especially in the North Karnataka region, might drop below 10 degrees Celsius.

Barred by GU, prints papers of 5 varsities

GSSSB EXAM PAPER LEAK

Barred by GU, prints papers of 5 varsities

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:25.12.2021

The role of Surya Offset, an Ahmedabadbased printing press, has come police radar for its role in alleged leak of question papers in the state government exam for recruitment of head clerks. The press that was mired in controversy in the past too with Gujarat University blacklisting it in 2004-05, was printing papers for about five universities in the state including Saurashtra University and a university in Bhavnagar, according to sources in the education department.

The exam, held for the recruitment of head clerks on December 12 by the Gujarat Subordinate Service Selection Board (GSSSB) where nearly 88,000 aspirants had taken the test, was annulled after the paper leak episode came to light.

Also, the question paper for third semester BCom economics exam for Saurashtra University that was allegedly leaked earlier this week, was also printed at Surya Offset, according to sources.

“The printing press has been blacklisted in the past by Gujarat University after a paper leak scam came to light in 2004-05. The investigating team had pointed at the printing press’ role in the alleged leak back then. As a result, Gujarat University blacklisted the press,” said a former vice-chancellor of the university.

The paper was leaked for a final year BCom examination in 2004-05 academic year.

“One of the promoters of the printing press has served jail term for his alleged involvement in an exam paper scam,” he further said.

Chief minister to inaugurate Tambaram, Avadi police commissionerates on Jan 1

Chief minister to inaugurate Tambaram, Avadi police commissionerates on Jan 1

Selvaraj.A@timesgroup.com

Chennai:25.12.2021

Chief minister M K Stalin will inaugurate newly created Tambaram and Avadi commisssionerates on January 1.

The commissionerates are finalised after several rounds of discussions with a high-level committee comprising senior police officers including DGP C Sylendra Babu, chief secretary, home secretary, finance secretary.

As per the tentatively finalised structure, each commissioner will be in the rank of additional director-general of police (ADGP). Apart from him, two joint commissioners of police (JCoPs), and five deputy commissioners of police (DCPs) will also be there.

Each commissionerate will have two police districts within its jurisdiction. For instance, Tambaram commissionerate will have Pallikaranai and Tambaram police districts headed by DCPs. The armed reserve and motor transport will have a DCP, central crime branch will have a separate DCP, and the city intelligence unit will be manned by one DCP. Likewise, in Avadi commissionerate, Red Hills and Avadi will be have separate DCPs. There will also be three other DCPs for armed reserve wing and motor transport, central crime branch (CCB), and city intelligence unit.

In the two commissionerates, there will be at least nine new police stations and six new sub-divisions.

The Tambaram commissionerate is set up at a fourstorey private building near the Sholinganallur traffic junction. Special officercum-commissioner of police M Ravi has identified a fiveacre government land near Outer Ring Road (ORR) near Tambaram. The new building for the commissionerate will come up there soon.

The Avadi commissionerate is set up at a four-storey building belonging to the state disaster rescue force opposite near Avadi bus terminus. Special officer-cumcommissioner of police Sandeep Rai Rathore has also identified another piece of government land closer to the ORR to build a permanent structure for the commissionerate.

On September 13, Stalin in the state assembly announced two new commissionerates would be created. Later on October 1, the government issued a separate order notifying M Ravi as the special officer for the Tambaram commissionerate and Sandeep Rai Rathore as the special officer for the Avadi commissionerate.

Train cancellations trip travel plans of many

Train cancellations trip travel plans of many

Services Hit As Bridge Built In British Era Develops Crack

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:25.12.2021

Holiday travel plans of several people went for a toss after Southern Railway cancelled many trains from Chennai to Coimbatore, Bengaluru, Mangalore, Vellore, Mettupalayam, Erode, Yelagiri, Thiruvananthapuram on Christmas eve after a bridge on Arakkonam-Katpadi section developed a crack on one of its pillars.

The trains will be suspended till Sunday as repairs to the British-era bridge built in 1865 across Ponnai River are likely to take more time.

The disruption has come at a time when the services were fully booked for weekend travel. More than 20,000 passengers are likely to be affected because of the disruption.

As people searched for alternative options, air fare touched ₹9,000 to ₹11,000 to Kochi, ₹8,200 to Thiruvananthapuram, ₹3,500 to ₹9,000 to Bengaluru and ₹3,500 to ₹9,500 to Coimbatore for travel today (December 25).

Railways had sent out messages of cancellations and diversions to those who booked tickets online.

"The recent cyclones that hit Tamil Nadu in November 2021 and the resultant floods caused havoc to the bridge. A technical expert team from Structural Engineering Research Center (SERC-CSIR) along with railway engineers inspected the bridge to find ways to repair it at the earliest", said an official release.

Public univs in Maha may now have a super vice-chancellor

Public univs in Maha may now have a super vice-chancellor

Hemali.Chhapia@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:25.12.2021

Maharashtra’s public universities may now have a super vice-chancellor. In a blow to the autonomy of varsities, the state government on Friday tabled amendments to the Maharashtra Public Universities Act to introduce the post of a prochancellor which will be occupied by minister of higher and technical education.

The pro-chancellor’s powers are to be wide ranging: from chairing the university's senate, its high-level decision-making body to presiding over the convocation ceremony in absence of the chancellor. TOI has access to a copy of the draft bill which was tabled in the upper house.

The state has also proposed altering the selection method of the vice-chancellor. The plan has been roundly criticised by academicians.

“The concept of autonomous universities was given by the Britishers. Under that the VC is the head of the institution and no one can enter the campus or interfere in its functioning. The chancellor is expected to save the university from the influence of the state government or politics. That freedom should not be taken away. We are facing a conflicting situation,” said ex-vice-chancellor of Pune University Ram Takawle.

Half of tested Omicron cases had 2 doses: ICMR

Half of tested Omicron cases had 2 doses: ICMR

Several States announce night curfew

25/12/2021

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI

With India identifying nearly 358 cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, an analysis of 183 of them by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) found that nearly half of them were fully vaccinated. A little over a quarter had no international travel history but had likely come into contact with those infected. None of those evaluated had severe symptoms, with close to 73% being asymptomatic. Of them, 60% were men.

This was disclosed by the Health Ministry on Friday.

Of the 17 States where the variant has been confirmed, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat have announced night curfews.