NEWS TODAY 25.09.2024

 

How twins evaded arrest for long time

How twins evaded arrest for long time

TIMES OF INDIA NEW DELHI 25.09.2024 

On Sept 21, a woman was purchasing fruits at Burari Chowk when two men on a motorcycle swooped in, yanked her chain, and sped off towards Sant Nagar. There had been a string of similar snatchings earlier. With CCTV footage revealing two suspects who seemed to be one, the question loomed: 

how do you catch a criminal who can literally double his alibi? Delhi Police had to win this game of cat and mouse. The investigation, led by inspector Ajit Kumar and SI Shubham, zoomed in on the registration number of the motorcycle and found out that it belonged to a father of twins, said DCP Manoj Meena.

The double alibi lay unmasked. Police raided several hideouts and, using CCTV footage, tracked the look alike twins’ movement, which led them to Harit Vihar. Within 24 hours, Vishal and Vikash were in cuffs. Their notorious snatching spree was over. During interrogation, the twins revealed how, when detained by police after a crime, they would use their facial likeness to confuse the investigation. They would either pretend to be the other sibling or claim innocence, saying they were elsewhere when the crime was committed. 

They were, in fact, picked up in some cases where CCTV provided clinching evidence but were let off due to lack of evidence. Investigation revealed that Vishal and Vikash have a history of robbery, snatching, theft, and Arms Act cases. Vikash, an active history sheeter of Burari police station, was released from jail in Nov 2023 and promptly resumed criminal activities with his brother. 

Vishal also has a history of crime with multiple theft and snatching cases registered against him, not just in Burari but also in Wazirabad and Mahendra Park. The twins' arrest’ solved six snatching cases in Burari. Police have recovered the stolen gold chain, weighing 15 grams, and seized the motorcycle. Cops untie twin tangle to solve 2-in-1 mystery 

New Delhi : It began as two much of a riddle. How can a suspect be in two places at the same time? Be caught on CCTV snatching a necklace while being clicked on another camera miles away at the same moment? It took a while, but Delhi Police solved this puzzle of faces with a number — a motorcycle registration number. Tracking a bike used in last week’s brazen daylight heist near Burari Chowk, police found its owner who turned out to be a father of twins. Police ended up nabbing two for the price of one, ending the terror run of 23 year-olds Vishal and Vikash. The carbon-copy siblings had exploited their twin advantage for weeks, leaving behind a trail of snatched gold and shattered lives.

Plea opposes delinking nursing from med univ

Plea opposes delinking nursing from med univ 

NURSING SCAM 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 25.09.2024v 

Bhopal/Jabalpur : Vishal Baghel, the petitioner in the public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the MP high court over fake nursing colleges operating in large numbers in MP, on Tuesday presented an application before the division bench, opposing the move of the state govt to disaffiliate nursing and paramedical courses from the MP Medical University. 

The state govt sought time from the court to respond to the application. The Indian Nursing Council (INC) also requested time to present an affidavit in support of its reply submitted in the court earlier. The court, granting time to the state govt and the INC, deferred the hearing of the case for four weeks. 

President of the Law Students' Union, Vishal Baghel, in his petition, had raised the issue of a large number of fake nursing colleges operating in the state, particularly in the tribal areas, which don't have the requisite infrastructure or manpower to run the nursing courses. In its probe, the CBI had given a clean chit to 169 nursing colleges, pointed out deficiencies in 74 but said that they can be rectified, and found 65 nursing colleges as unfit to operate. 

Later, the court constituted a three-member committee headed by a retired HC judge , to examine the 74 nursing colleges. The 65 nursing colleges found unsuitable for operation will be shut, and their students will not be adjusted in any other college, the court had said. 

In the meanwhile, CBI officials involved in the probe were arrested by the CBI Delhi team on charges of demanding a bribe from proprietors of nursing colleges to give their colleges a fitness certificate, thereby putting the probe in question. Following this, HC ordered a fresh probe into the 169 colleges given a clean chit by the CBI. The court had further asked the CBI to inspect the colleges in the presence of a judicial magistrate.

Pay up pending bills or lose salary: Discom to govt staff

Pay up pending bills or lose salary: Discom to govt staff 

500 Govt Employees With ₹1Cr Unpaid Electricity Bills Identified 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

 Bhopal : In its ongoing outstanding energy bill recovery drive, the central discom is now targeting govt employees who are defaulters. The outstanding bills have amounted close to Rs 1 cr and the discom has threatened to withhold the salaries of those that do not pay their bills and send a list of defaulters to the department heads and treasury. In a first, the discom has identified around 500 govt employees in Datia district who have energy bill outstanding of more than Rs 10,000 each. These govt officials and employees have been instructed to pay their outstanding bills within seven days, said official sources from the discom..

 The company has stated that those who do not pay their outstan- ding bills will not receive their salary next month, offi- cials said. Managing Director of the central discom, Kshitij Singhal, had written to the collectors of all 16 districts in the company's operational area, urging them to ensure that govt employees pay their dues. Following this, the collectors also wrote to all dept heads in their districts, emphasising the need for this action. The letter mentioned that many govt employees, whether regular, contractual, or from external sources, do not regularly pay their electricity bills. Singhal has written a letter to take action against such employees, including withholding their salaries and stipends. 

The company noted that some employees owe bills amounting to lakhs of rupees, the discom said in an official statement. 

Women Leave Job To Look After Family; Merely Because Wife Is Able Bodied & Is Capable Of Earning Livelihood Does Not Absolve Husband From Providing Her Maintenance:

Women Leave Job To Look After Family; Merely Because Wife Is Able Bodied & Is Capable Of Earning Livelihood Does Not Absolve Husband From Providing Her Maintenance: 

Delhi HC   By Tanveer Kaur|24 Sept 2024 

The Delhi High Court observed that the fact that the wife is able bodied and can earn a livelihood does not absolve a husband from providing maintenance to his wife and children. The Court said that the Petitioner is insulting not only his wife but the entire womankind while contending that his wife is only a parasite and is abusing the process of law. The Court was hearing a Criminal MC challenging the order of the Additional Sessions Judge which upheld the Metropolitan Magistrate’s order. 

The Magistrate had directed the Petitioner to pay maintenance of ₹30k per month to the respondent. Additionally, the Petitioner was ordered to pay ₹5L to the respondent for injuries, mental torture, and emotional distress, along with ₹3L in compensation, including ₹30k for litigation costs. 

“The fact that the Respondent is able bodied and can earn a livelihood does not absolve a husband not to provide maintenance to his wife and children. Indian women leave their jobs to look after the family, cater to the needs of their children, look after their husbands and his parents. The contention that the Respondent is only a parasite and is abusing the process of law is nothing but an insult not only to the Respondent herein but to the entire women kind.” Advocate Sanjay Kumar Tiwary appeared for the Appellant. Brief Facts- The Respondent-wife sought maintenance, alleging abuse by the Petitioner-husband and claiming that he had an extramarital affair. She alleged that he abandoned her and their two children without financial support. She stated that the Petitioner was financially well-off, owning a business, properties, and vehicles, while she was unemployed and dependent. The Trial Court awarded maintenance and compensation. The Court rejected the Petitioner’s appeal, but the Appellate Court upheld the Trial Court's decision, rejecting his claims. The Petitioner has challenged the trial Court decision in the present petition. 

The Court observed, “The Apex Court has consistently upheld that the conceptualisation of Section 125 was meant to ameliorate the financial suffering of a woman who had left her matrimonial home; it is a means to secure the woman‟s sustenance, along with that of the children, if any. The statutory provision entails that if the husband has sufficient means, he is obligated to maintain his wife and children, and not shirk away from his moral and familial responsibilities.” The Court mentioned the Apex Court decision in Apex Court in Chaturbhuj v. Sita Bai, (2008) and quoted, “Whether the deserted wife was unable to maintain herself, has to be decided on the basis of the material placed on record. Where the personal income of the wife is insufficient she can claim maintenance under Section 125 CrPC. The test is whether the wife is in a position to maintain herself in the way she was used to in the place of her husband…it was observed that the wife should be in a position to maintain a standard of living which is neither luxurious nor penurious but what is consistent with status of a family. The expression “unable to maintain herself” does not mean that the wife must be absolutely destitute before she can apply for maintenance under Section 125 CrPC." 

The Court said that the fact that the Respondent/Wife is capable of earning cannot work to her detriment. Accordingly, the Court dismissed the Petition. Cause Title: Amit Chandi v. Aarti Chandi (Neutral Citation: 2024:DHC:7173)

https://www.verdictum.in/court-updates/high-courts/delhi-high-court-amit-chandi-v-aarti-chandi-2024dhc7173-maintenance-section-125-crpc-husband-wife-desertion-1552509

"This fraud must end, " Supreme Court rejects Punjab's NRI quota plea Synopsis

"This fraud must end, " Supreme Court rejects Punjab's NRI quota plea Synopsis

ECONOMIC TIMES 25.09.2024 

The Supreme Court has dismissed Punjab's plea to expand the NRI quota in medical colleges, emphasizing that distant relatives of NRIs should not receive admission benefits. Meanwhile, Karnataka is seeking approval to introduce a 15% NRI quota in government medical colleges by 2025-26, aiming to generate revenue and improve educational facilities. The Supreme Court has rejected the Punjab government's plea challenging the High Court's verdict on the widening of the NRI quota in medical colleges. 

The apex court stressed that distant relatives of NRIs cannot be granted admission benefits, stating, "This fraud must end." The ruling comes as the Karnataka government is pushing for the introduction of a 15% NRI quota in government medical colleges, starting in the 2025-26 academic year. Earlier this month, the Punjab and Haryana High Court quashed the Punjab government's notification that amended the conditions for NRI quota admissions in medical colleges across the state. The bench, consisting of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal, ruled that the state's August 20 notification, which broadened the definition of NRI candidates to include distant relatives, was "arguably unjustified." 

The court pointed out that the NRI quota was originally intended to benefit genuine NRIs and their children, giving them access to education in India. However, the government's move to include relatives like uncles, aunts, grandparents, and cousins in the NRI category undermined the policy's original intent. "By broadening the definition, the door for potential misuse is opened, allowing individuals outside the policy's intent to take advantage of these seats, potentially bypassing more deserving candidates," the court observed. 

On August 28, the court had already stayed the notification after receiving a plea from Geetan Verma and other aspirants. They argued that a prospectus for medical admissions had been issued on August 9, only for the government to change the admission criteria through the August 20 notification, which they said was not permissible.  The court criticized the vagueness of the new provision, which allowed distant relatives to qualify as guardians simply by claiming they had looked after a student. It noted that this opened up opportunities for manipulation, allowing individuals to claim guardianship for the sole purpose of securing admission under the NRI quota. This, the bench argued, dilutes the merit-based admission process, unfairly disadvantaging more academically qualified students. 

Karnataka's quota pitch

Meanwhile in June, Karnataka’s Medical Education Minister, Sharan Prakash Patil, wrote to the National Medical Commission (NMC) seeking approval to create 508 supernumerary MBBS seats in 22 government medical colleges. These seats, which would be above the existing intake, are intended to cater to NRI students. Patil cited the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines and the National Education Policy 2020, which encourage the admission of international students to Indian institutions, as justification for this proposal. Currently, Karnataka only permits NRI admissions in private medical colleges, where students pay fees ranging from ₹1 crore to ₹2.5 crore. In contrast, states like Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab charge between USD 75,000 to USD 100,000 for NRI seats in government medical colleges. Patil believes that introducing the quota in Karnataka would generate significant revenue, improving facilities and the quality of education in medical colleges, which face financial challenges despite government funding. Patil has proposed an annual fee of ₹25 lakh for NRI students, estimating that this could generate ₹127 crore in the first year alone. He expressed confidence that the Centre would approve the proposal, allowing the state to implement the NRI quota in government medical colleges by the 2025-26 academic year

Punjab’s NRI quota criteria a ‘fraud’ on education system:SC

Punjab’s NRI quota criteria a ‘fraud’ on education system:SC

Dhananjay.Mahapatra@timesofindia.com 25.09.2024 

New Delhi : Supreme Court on Tuesday castigated the AAP govt in Punjab for expanding the eligibility criteria for availing 15% NRI quota in admissions to state-run and private medical and dental colleges to include ‘wards’ of NRIs and termed this a “fraud on the education system to mint money”. Taking exception to the last-minute expansion of criteria for NRI quota after the last day of submission of applications to include any near relative or ward of NRIs for admission to medical colleges, a bench of CJI D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra strongly criticised the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led AAP govt for devising a “money spinning” mechanism. 

“Look at the expressions — ‘nearest relatives’ and ‘wards’ of NRIs. Anyone can be a nearest relative, even a third cousin. And what did the govt mean by ward of an NRI? Any and everyone can be termed a ward of an NRI, and the proof is just an affidavit by the person residing abroad,” the bench said. 

Dismissing Punjab govt’s appeal against HC’s Sep 10 order quashing the new criteria, the CJIled bench said, “These are all back door entries, and this is nothing but a money-spinning device for the govt. It must stop.” Appearing for general category students, who are to avail the vacant NRI quota seats, senior advocate Abhimanyu Bhandari said a general category student with 630 out of 700 marks would not get a seat but an NRI ward with just 200 marks could get admitted. 

“In Punjab, it is not difficult to find an NRI,” he said. The CJI said the Punjab and Haryana HC bench led by CJ Sheel Nagu had given the correct judgment by quashing the Aug 20 corrigendum to the medical admission prospectus and directing the state to complete the admissions as per the unamended prospectus which entitled only children of NRIs to take admission under the NRI quota. For Punjab, additional advocate general Shadan Farasat argued that the AAP govt had followed  the same process that was being implemented for NRI quota admissions by Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chandigarh and the Union govt.

Siddha assn president held for issuing fake Siddha certificates

Siddha assn president held for issuing fake Siddha certificates 

Cuddalore : All-India Siddha Medical Officers' Association’s TN president Subbaiah Pandian was arrested by Cuddalore CBCID sleuths on Monday on charges of issuing fake certificates to people, authorising them to practise Siddha medicine. The fake certificate racket was busted after passers-by found several certificates dumped at a canal near Chidambaram and alerted police and Annamalai university officials. 

The university authorities, upon verification, found that they were fake. Police managed to trace and arrest three people involved in preparing fake certificates. The arrested were identified as Sankar, Krishnamoorthy, and Nagappan. The case was later transferred to CBCID. Police said the accused admitted to procuring fake certificates through Subbaiah Pandian to practise Siddha medicine after paying him money ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹5 lakh. 

A CBCID team searched Pandian’s house and seized more than a dozen fake certificates. They brought him to Cuddalore for detailed inquiries.

Race club case: HC reserves order on suit challenging termination of lease

Race club case: HC reserves order on suit challenging termination of lease 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 25.09.2024 

Chennai : Madras high court on Tuesday reserved its order on a suit moved by Madras Race Club (MRC) challenging the action of state govt in terminating the lease of 160 acres of land allotted to it in Guindy. Concluding the final arguments on the interim application moved by the club seeking leave to move the suit without the mandatory two months’ notice, Justice R M T Teeka Raman reserved his order. Representing the govt, senior advocate Dushyant Dave submitted that he was surprised that the club has moved a fresh civil suit when the issue is already pending before a division bench of this court. 

“This is a classic case of forum shopping,” he said. Once the order of termination of the lease is issued, the resumption of possession of the property is automatic, he added. Moreover, so far, the order of termination of the lease has not been challenged by the club. So, we are within our rights to do what should be done, the senior advocate said. He added that the club has approached the court suppressing vital facts that the lease was not only terminated but the possession of the property was already taken by the state. Fifteen days’ time was given to the club only to vacate the building and remove the horses, he said. Producing copies of communications issued by the collector and the revenue de- partment, he said the documents would categorically show that the possession of the property was taken on Sept 9. As to the submission made by the advocate-general before the division bench that the possession of the property is yet to be taken, Dushyant Dave said, “What AG made was not an undertaking, but misreading of the GO. 

It happens.” He relied on a Supreme Court judgement and contended that the govt is not bound by undertakings made by govt ad- vocates before the court. Representing the club, senior advocate A L Somayaji contended that even if the lease was  terminated, the state cannot take immediate possession of the property without issuing appropriate notice and providing reasonable time to vacate. Senior advocate Gopal Shankaranarayanan submitted that the govt is earning a revenue of ₹10 crore from members of the club and if it is closed it would affect the owners and trainers of the horses.

NEWS TODAY 25.09.2024

 

Dean to file report on GRH buildings

Dean to file report on GRH buildings

The Hindu Bureau MADURAI 25.09.2024 

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday took suo motu cognisance of news reports about a portion of the ceiling of a building in Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) here coming off. The court directed the GRH Dean to file a report.

A Division Bench of Justices R. Subramanian and Sunder Mohan observed that the news reports said a portion of the building in GRH was in a dilapidated condition and a portion of the ceiling had come off.

The court directed the High Court Registry to issue notice to the Health Secretary, the Director of Medical and Rural Health Services and the GRH Dean.

The court sought response from the officials on the action to be taken to either renovate or reconstruct the buildings which were in a dilapidated condition.

The court also directed the GRH Dean to file a report in consultation with Public Works Department officials on the extent of damage and the buildings which were in a dilapidated condition.

The court posted the matter for hearing to October 15.

Former HC judge slams Governor Ravi’s remark on ‘secularism’

Former HC judge slams Governor Ravi’s remark on ‘secularism’

Making a point: Former Madras High Court Judge K. Chandru speaking about ‘Caste discrimination in educational institutions’ in Madurai on Tuesday. G. Moorthy

Recently Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi and Social Welfare Minister P. Geetha Jeevan had to dine with students at  a school to educate parents, who opposed the appointment of an SC cook, about equality, says Justice K. Chandru

The Hindu Bureau  MADURAI 25.09.2024 

Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi’s comment that the term ‘secularism’ was an European concept and an interpolation in the Indian Constitution was against the oath taken by him while assuming office that he would protect and defend the Constitution, said former Madras High Court Judge K. Chandru.

Speaking about ‘Caste discrimination in educational institutions’ at an event organised by Justice Bhagwati Foundation and Justice Shivraj V. Patil Foundation at Justice V. Krishna Iyer Community Hall here on Tuesday, Mr. Chandru said, “If Mr. Ravi thinks that he is above the Constitution by uttering such statements, he could very well step down from the position and shout against it.”

Even when the BJP which selected him for the post promised to respect the Constitution, he questioned its integrity, he noted.

Referring to the recommendations of the one-man committee headed by him, he said though there was no assurance that the State government would implement all the recommendations for eliminating casteist practices in educational institutions, the report should be taken to all sections of people, especially students, to relieve them of the casteist mentality.

“Some of the practices... in educational institutions were even more harsh when projects like mid-day meal scheme were launched. A school administration in Tirunelveli opposed appointment of a Scheduled Caste woman as cook and when the Collector threatened to seal the school, it went to the court,” he said.

“When a school administration which was to profess equality went all the way to defend caste-based discrimination, I passed an order for the school administration to be taken over by a third person,” he added.

Mr. Chandru said recently Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi and Social Welfare Minister P. Geetha Jeevan had to dine with students at a school to educate parents, who opposed the appointment of an SC cook, about equality.

Slamming the Tamil film ‘Kavundampalayam,’ Mr. Chandru said such films without any social responsibility reiterated blatant casteist remarks like ‘Nadaga Kadhal’ (fake love) targeting men of a particular community.

Police these days were very keen on enforcing moral policing by separating couples united by love, he added.

“The USA which introduced amendments against discriminations based on caste and religion seemed to be enforcing it more efficiently than India which has more vigorous Act and laws like the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act,” he said.

If the rules enshrined in the Constitution were followed rigorously by the rulers most of the caste atrocities could be avoided, but the caste-ridden Indian society could hardly experience such governance, he said.

Later, Mr. Chandru delivered a lecture condemning the recent Waqf Amendment Bill and three new criminal laws.

NEWS TODAY 25.09.2024

 

Madras univ convocation: Higher edu secy will sign certificates, says minister

Madras univ convocation: Higher edu secy will sign certificates, says minister

A RaguRaman@timesofindia.com 25.09.2024 

Chennai : In the absence of a vice-chancellor for Univesity of Madras, higher education secretary Pradeep Yadav, who is also convener of the three member syndicate committee that runs the university, will sign the degree certificates, higher education minister K Ponmudy said here on Monday. 

More than one lakh students are expected to be conferred their degrees at the 166th convocation of the university that is scheduled to be held on Tuesday. With a section of professors raising an issue over the official signing of the degree certificates, Ponmudy said the decision will not affect stu dents as it had been approved by the syndicate of the university. The convocation was delayed as the university established in 1857 has been functioning without a vice-chancellor for the last year.

Earlier, addressing the gathering after presenting the Tamil Nadu scientist awards, Ponmudy asked teachers and professors to help develop a research mindset among students. “Our state govt has allocated ₹63 crore to set up a research park at Anna University. Further, the govt is also awarding 120 research fellowships to scholars under which they would each receive ₹25,000 a month,” he said. As many as 44 professors who were selected for the Tamil Nadu scientist awards for the years from 2018 to 2021 received their awards. 

The minister said the department will take steps to announce scientist awards for 2022 and 2023 soon. Pradeep Yadav, directorate of technical education (DOTE) commissioner T Abraham, Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology member secretary S Vincent and others participated in the event.

Employee transferred on request can’t claim seniority over new circle cadre: HC

Employee transferred on request can’t claim seniority over new circle cadre: HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  24.09.2024 

Bengaluru : An employee transferred on his request to another circle and who has given consent and an undertaking for giving up the seniority in the circle where he is transferred, cannot march over the seniority positions in the transferred circle cadre, the high court ruled recently. A division bench made this observation while allowing a writ appeal filed by state-owned Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) and two other electricity distribution companies. The case pertains to five employees, three from Udupi circle and one each from Mandya and Hassan circles, who were transferred to Tumakuru circle during 2008-09 upon their requests. They are presently serving as mechanics. 

Aspiring to get promotion to the post of junior engineer under the 10% quota reserved for inservice candidates, they claimed that the length of their services should be counted (for the purpose of promotion) from the date of their entry in service, ever since they served in the previous circle, in terms of the earlier resolution of 2020. The single bench directed KPTCL to consider the case of petitioners for promotion reckoning their seniority from the date of their joining duty. 

The KPTCL challenged the same, arguing that clauses in the Karnataka Electricity Board Employees Seniority Regulations provide for foregoing of seniority by the transferred employee when the employee himself opts for another circle. The division bench noted that if the transferred employee is given seniority in the transferred circle on the basis of his date of entry in service in the previous circle, the entire circle-wise seniority will go topsy-turvy and chaos would ensue. The seniority for the purpose of promotion in two circle cadres cannot be mixed up. The single judge proceeded on a wrong footing to view that the stipulations in the transfer policy were in contradiction to regulations. 

The petitioners  who got themselves transferred upon their own request to another circle, in light of the regulations and the cadre position, cannot claim seniority over the employees in the transferred cadre for promotion, the bench observed

CMRL’s first driverless train ready.

CMRL’s first driverless train ready.

The train will likely arrive at the Poonamallee depot by mid-October, say CMRL officials. It will be operated between Poonamallee and Porur stretch on corridor 4 of the Phase II project. The operations are likely to begin next year

Sunitha Sekar CHENNAI 23.09.2024

Chennai Metro Rail’s first driverless train has been manufactured and it is likely to be transported from Sri City to the Poonamallee depot by mid-October.

For the ₹63,246-crore Phase II project, Chennai Metro Rail’s objective is to have driverless trains, unlike the Phase I project, which has a train operator on board.

The contract for this work was given at a cost of ₹1,125.92 crore.

Seven months ago, the manufacturing of the first train got under way at Sri City, with the delivery target set for the end of August. However, the date to deliver the train was put off.

According to officials of Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. (CMRL), though the manufacturing has been finished, there will be a testing process called ‘static testing’, which will be done at Sri City, and thetrainis likely to be brought to the depot only by the middle of October.

Sources said that the manufacturing process encountered a delay as it took time to procure a few components for thetrain.

The driverless train will be operated on the Poonamallee-Porur stretch, a part of corridor 4 of the Phase II project. The operations are likely to begin next year.

‘Minor setback’

“We don’t anticipate any more delays, and the train should arrive next month; we will subsequently start the testing process. This setback will not affect the Phase II work as we will complete the inspection and testing process within five months. The viaduct work between Poonamallee and Porur will be completed only by that time. Once it is ready, the trials will begin along the viaduct between Poonamallee and Porur,” an official said.

Since the coaches will arrive separately, they will be first linked, and then, the systems such as passenger information, pantograph, brakes, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and train control management system will be checked.

“Initially, we will test the train at 10 kmph, and then, increase the speed to the maximum of 90 kmph,” a source said.

With nod for 60 more medical colleges, total no. rises to 766

With nod for 60 more medical colleges, total no. rises to 766

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 23.09.2024

New Delhi : The Centre has approved 60 new medical colleges across the country. With this, the number of medical colleges has increased from 706 in 2023-24 to 766 so far in 2024-25. In the past decade, there has been a 98% increase in the number of medical colleges — from 387 in 2013-14 to 766 (govt: 423, private: 343) in 2024-25, according to health ministry. “The number of MBBS seats in India has increased 6%, from 1,08,940 in 2023-24 to 1,15,812 in 2024-25,” said a senior official.

She added that there has been a 6% increase in PG medical seats, from 69,024 in 2023-24 to 73,111 in 2024-25. “During the last 10 years, the number of PG seats increased by 39,460 (i.e., 127%) from 2013-14 (31,185 seats) to 2024-25 (73,111 seats),” the official said.