Government forms 3-member panel to study pension schemes

Government forms 3-member panel to study pension schemes

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI  05.02.2025

The Tamil Nadu government has constituted a three-member committee to study the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), and submit a detailed report with recommendations within nine months.

IAS officer Gagandeep Singh Bedi, and former Director of Madras School of Economics K.R. Shanmugam are its members. IAS officer Pratik Tayal would be the Member Secretary, a release said. The CPS was introduced for State government employees, who joined service on April 1, 2003. The National Pension System was introduced for employees of the Union government from January 1, 2004. However, the CPS was followed for the State government employees. There have been representations from the State government employees to resume the OPS, which was followed before April 1, 2003. The Union government issued a notification for the UPS on January 24, 2025.

Frederic Engels, State coordinator of CPS Abolition Movement, said it was a “betrayal” by the DMK government as only a year was left before the Assembly poll in the State.

U.S. deports Indians as Trump tightens immigration rules

U.S. deports Indians as Trump tightens immigration rules

Major crackdown: A file photo of detained immigrants being boarded on a U.S. C-17 military aircraft last month.reuters

U.S. military aircraft takes off with 200 people; Indian side said to have confirmed nationality of all individuals before they were put on the plane

THE HINDU 

Kallol Bhattacherjee  05.02.2025

NEW DELHI

Days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expected visit to the U.S., the Donald Trump administration has started the process of deporting illegal Indian immigrants.

Sources confirmed that a wide-bodied military aircraft took off from the U.S. early on Tuesday morning carrying around 200 Indian nationals. Official sources here said that the Indian side confirmed the nationality of all the individuals before the U.S. authorities went ahead with the deportation.

Mr. Modi had spoken to President Donald Trump last week following which the White House announced that the Prime Minister was expected to visit Washington DC in February. “We will work together for the welfare of our people and towards global peace, prosperity, and security,” Mr. Modi said after the telephone conversation.

Shortly thereafter, Mr. Trump addressed the issue of illegal immigration from several countries, including India, and said, “He [Mr. Modi] will do what’s right when it comes to taking back illegal Indian immigrants from America.”

The conversation was held against the backdrop of reports that the two sides were in discussion over the presence of at least 18,000 Indian nationals in the U.S. who were being viewed as illegal immigrants by the Trump administration.

“The United States is vigorously enforcing its border, tightening immigration laws, and removing illegal migrants. These actions send a clear message: illegal migration is not worth the risk,” a U.S. Embassy spokesperson said here on Tuesday in response to a question on the deportation of the Indian nationals.

Indian sources, however, pointed out that while the deportation of Indian nationals who had landed in the U.S. through dubious means was not new, the use of a military aircraft to carry out the task was a new method.

Chennai Power Cut On February 5:

Chennai Power Cut On February 5:

TANGEDCO To Suspend Supply In 190 Locations

 — Details

Chennai Power Shutdown: In Chennai, some of the prominent areas to be affected by power cut include Adyar, Vyasarpadi, Thiruvellavoyal, Kundrathur, Irumbuliyur, G G Nagar, Kovoor, and Porur.

By : ABP News Bureau | Updated at : 04 Feb 2025 06:03 PM (IST)

The power supply will be suspended from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Source : Pixabay

Chennai Power Shutdown: Chennai residents in several key areas will face a temporary power outage on Wednesday, February 5, as Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) undertakes maintenance work, as per reports. The power supply will be suspended from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with restoration expected ahead of schedule if work is completed early.

Some of the prominent areas affected include Adyar, Vyasarpadi, Thiruvellavoyal, Kundrathur, Irumbuliyur, G G Nagar, Kovoor, and Porur, reported Live Chennai.

List of Areas Affected by Power Cut on February 5

Power Cut Areas In Vyasarpadi:

Central Cross Street (10th to 19th), MKB Nagar (1st to 8th Main Road), MKB Nagar (1st to 6th Cross Street, 10th to 19th East Cross Street), ABC Kalyanpuram, Sathyamurthy Nagar (1st to 25th Street and 42nd Street), Samiyarthottam (1st to 4th Street), Palla Street (1st to 4th), Udhaya Suriyan Nagar, EH Road, BV Colony, Sastri Nagar, Indira Nagar, Vyasarpadi Industrial Estate, Gandhi Nagar, Stephen Salai, Vyasar Nagar, Pudhu Nagar, MPM Street, Vyasarpadi Market Street, as per the report.

Power Cut Areas In Thiruvellavoyal:

Chenghazhuneermedu, Ramanathapuram, Merattur, Kalpakkam, Vellambakkam, Uranambedu, Kattupalli, Neithavoyal, Voyalur, Kattur, Thiruppalaivanam, Kadapakkam, Kaniyampakkam.

Power Cut Areas In Kundrathur:

Sathyanarayanapuram, Ponniamman Koil Street, Part of Vigneshwara Nagar, Kundrathur Main Road, M.S. Nagar, Senthil Nagar, Bhell Nagar, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Nagar, Amman Nagar, Shanmuga Nagar, Jayalakshmi Nagar, Aarthi Industrial Estate.

Power Cut Areas In Kovoor:

Irandam Kattalai, Manikandan Nagar, Metha Nagar, Reddy Street, Annai Thersa Nagar, Abdul Kalam Street, Moondram Kattalai, Karaima Nagar, Sadhanadhampuram, Pudhuvedu, reported Jagran.

Power Cut Areas In Adyar:

SBI Colony, Karpagam Garden, Padmanaba Nagar (4th to 5th Street), Parameshwari Nagar, Jeevarathnam Nagar, Shanthi Colony, Venkateshwara Nagar, Arunachala Puram, Marundheeswarar Nagar, Sriram Nagar, Anna Street, Muthulakshmi Street, Valmiki Nagar, RBI Colony, East Mada Street, Kalakshetra Road, Valmiki Street, Vembuliamman Koil Street, Ramasamy Garden, Besant Avenue, Adyar Bridge Road, R.S. Compound, LB Road, Besant Nagar (1st to 7th Street), Sastri Nagar, Lakshmi Puram, MG Road, Sivagami Puram, Malaviya Avenue, Radha Krishnan Nagar, Kuppam Beach, CGE Colony, RSGT Colony, Jayaram Street, Subramaniyam Colony.

Power Cut Areas In Irumbuliyur:

Selliammankoil Street, Arul Nagar, Balaji Nagar, Roja Thottam, Ponnan Nagar, Yamuna Street, Narmadha Street, Shanthi Nagar, Thiruvallur Street, KK Nagar, Erikkarai Street, Sriram Nagar, Devanesan Nagar.

Power Cut Areas In G G Nagar:

ERI Scheme (10th Street), VGN Phase 2, TRI Star Apartment, Rathinavel Pandian Street, 2nd to 5th Block of East Mugappair, ORI Salai, Pughazendhi Salai, Nolambur (1st Main Road, 6th Main Road), Durga Apartment.

Power Cut Areas In Porur:

Lakshmi Nagar, New Colony, Pillaiyar Koil Street, Lakshmi Nagar Anna Salai, Murthy Avenue, Trunk Road, reported One India.

TANGEDCO has urged residents in the affected areas to plan their activities accordingly. The power supply will resume before 2:00 PM if maintenance work is completed ahead of schedule.

62-year-old paediatrician set to join MD pharmacology course

62-year-old paediatrician set to join MD pharmacology course

Dr. Ramchander, with a distinguished career in the field of paediatrics spanning over three decades, cracked the NEET-PG 2024 and secured a seat in MD (Pharmacology)

Updated - February 04, 2025 11:50 am IST - NIZAMABAD

P. Sridhar

Dr. Neeli Ramchander | Photo Credit: By Arrangement

In his quest to acquire a new qualification and take up medical teaching, Dr. Neeli Ramchander, the 62-year-old noted paediatrician of Nizamabad town, is all set to join the MD (Pharmacology) course in the Government Medical College, Nizamabad, on Tuesday.

Dr. Ramchander, with a distinguished career in the field of paediatrics spanning over three decades, cracked the NEET-PG 2024 and secured a seat in MD (Pharmacology). As the adage goes, “Learning is a continuous process in life”, Dr Ramchander is poised to become a student to become a specialist in pharmacology at the age of 62. He held various key positions including national vice-president of Indian Academy of Paediatrics-2014, founder-president of Telangana State Paediatrics Body.

“My unfulfilled ambition to pursue MD course prompted me to appear for NEET PG-2024,” said Dr. Ramchander, a recipient of a host of awards including President of India’s National Redcross Gold Medal (2017-2018).

“I had left B.Pharm course in 1982 and joined the MBBS course in Kakatiya University the same year. I did Diploma in Child Health (DCH) between 1991 and 1993 to offer my services in the field of paediatrics. But I could not fulfill my ambition to pursue MD course as I had devoted my whole time for the profession and social service in the last three decades,” he added.

Now the opportunity came for me to join the MD course and I am eager to complete the course with utmost diligence, he vows. This will help me acquire a new qualification to start a new innings in the field of teaching, asserts Dr. Ramchander, expressing his readiness to share his professional expertise with future healthcare professionals.

Published - February 04, 2025 02:10 am IST

'Why TN Governor Unable To Decide On Bills & Referring Them To President? We Want To Know' : Supreme Court Hears Tamil Nadu Govt's Pleas

'Why TN Governor Unable To Decide On Bills & Referring Them To President? 

We Want To Know' : Supreme Court Hears Tamil Nadu Govt's Pleas

Gursimran Kaur Bakshi

4 Feb 2025 7:35 PM

The Supreme Court today(February 4) heard the two writ petitions filed by the Tamil Nadu Government against the Governor, Dr. RN Ravi, for withholding assent for the bills(some of which relate to removing the Governor from the post of Vice-Chancellor of the various universities) passed by the Legislative Assembly between 2020 and 2023. They were submitted for the Governor's assent between January 13, 2020, and April 28, 2023.

Several files relating to the decision of the Government regarding the grant of premature release of prisoners, sanction for prosecution and the appointment of members of the Tamil Nadu Service Commission are also pending approval before the Governor. They were submitted between April 10, 2022 and 15 May, 2023.

As per the chronology of the events, on November 13, 2023, the Governor declared he was withholding assent on 10 Bills. Following this, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly convened a special session on November 18, 2023 and re-enacted those Bills.

While the matter was sub-judice, on November 28, the Governor referred some Bills to the President, after the Assembly re-enacted them following the Governor's earlier declaration that he was withholding his assent. This was after the Supreme Court had questioned the Governor for sitting over Bills pending his assent since January 2020. In fact, in November 2023, when the notice was issued in the first writ petition, the Court termed the Governor's inaction a "matter of serious concern".

Today, before a bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, Senior Advocates Mukul Rohatgi (appearing for Tamil Nadu Government in the first petition) and Abhishek Manu Singhvi (appearing for Tamil Nadu Government in the second writ petition) both discussed the interpretation of Article 200.

Mukul Rohatgi's arguments

Rohatgi argued that once the Governor says that he was withholding assent, the option of sending those bills to the President for reconsideration does not arise and the Governor is bound to give assent after the assembly re-enacts the bills. He added: "If he[Governor] does not do that, the entire system of democracy fails."

Rohatgi argued that is nothing but a "subversion" to the Constitution. He has prayed for the Court to make a declaration that the Governor did not act in accordance with Article 200.

It should be noted that when the Tamil Nadu matter was filed, a similar issue in the State of Punjab was going on. On November 23, 2023, a bench headed by former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, comprising Justices Pardiwala and Manoj Misra observed that if a Governor decides to withhold assent to the Bill, then he has to return the Bill to the legislature for reconsideration. This was to clarify a situation which may not be explicitly stated in the Constitution as to what is to be done after the Governor withholds the assent for a Bill.

Justice Pardiwala inquired what happens to a situation where the Bill is sent to the State legislature and is re-enacted but not to the satisfaction of the Governor. Rohatgi responded: "He has no choice. Suppose he says the whole Bill is unconstitutional or parts require a review. He sends it back with this message, then this will be deliberated by the House. The House after that message either accepts his views and amends the Act or go by its decision. Otherwise, the system of democracy will fail in this country. One hand, there are crores of people and on the other, there are delegates who are doing their job. The one person, however high its office may be, he has to according to the Constitution."

Singhvi's arguments

Singhvi argued that this was a case of the Governor simply doing "nothing". As per Singhvi, in the first part of Article 200, he can grant assent or send it to the President for reconsideration. The option of referring to the President has to be done at the first instance and not as an afterthought.

Now, the Governor can exercise the option of sending it back to the State legislature as per the first proviso (this is what is referred to as withholding the assent). If he does so, and if the State legislature reconsiders it and sends it back, the Governor has "no option but to grant assent". After this stage, the Governor no longer can reserve the bill for the President's assent. Singhvi added that however in the rare exception, as envisaged in the last proviso, the Governor can do so if the Bill intends to derogate the powers of the High Court.

When Justice Paradiwala questioned if the second proviso is a proviso to the first proviso, Singhvi answered it affirmatively. That is, the only exception to 'shall not withhold assent' in first proviso is the second proviso which relates to the High Court issue.

Further, Singhvi referred to the November 23 order and argued that despite the matter being sub-judice, on November 28, the reenacted Bills were sent to the President in the second round of referral.

As against this, the Attorney General of India R. Venkataramani, in one of those hearings, had stated that the proviso where the Bill is sent for the State legislature for reconsideration can only be exercised when the Governor returns the Bill which did not happen in this case. Today as well, Venkataramani clarified that the Bills were returned not for re-enactment but the Governor had simply clarified that he is withholding assent. He said: "Once he withholds assent, it does not fall under the first proviso."

At one point in time, Justice Pardiwala was interested to know what is the scheme of sending the Bills to the President by the Governor. He added: "Why is the Governor unable to take decision and why is he referring to the President of the country? We would like to understand...Now, a third thing has come that I outright decline to grant 'assent'. Rightly or wrongly, the Governor says so that I am not referring it to the assembly also I am not sending it to the President. But I am not granting 'assent'..This is what it appears it has happened here."

Singhvi responded: "He is creating a new Constitution for himself...The argument not at all sanctified by the Constitution and never accepted is that I told the assembly I am withholding assent. That does not amount to Bills being reenacted. And it allows a reference to the President. That is nothing illegal argument...See the violence it takes place by tinkering like this with the Constitution."

Reference was made to the 1974 judgment of the Shamsher Singh & Anr vs State Of Punjab on the constitutional interpretation of Article 200. Senior Advocate P. Wilson also made brief submissions and referred to the Supreme Court earlier chastising the Governor for not administering oath to a Minister after his conviction was suspended.

In the first matter against the sitting Governor, the issue raised by the Tamil Nadu Government is that the Governor has been sitting over several bills passed by the legislature and files submitted by the State Government. It has been argued that as per Article 200 of the Indian Constitution, the Governor is obliged to return the Bill "as soon as possible". It is the State's plea that the Governor is acting as "political rival" which has resulted in a "constitutional deadlock".

In another matter, the Tamil Nadu Government has challenged the three notifications unilaterally issued by the Governor for constituting search-and-selection committees for the appointment of Vice-Chancellor in the Bharathiar University, Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University and Madras University.

The Court will continue to hear the matter on Thursday where the Attorney General for India R Venkataramani will argue for Governor.

As the bench was about to rise, Justice Pardiwala told AG to make efforts to resolve the issue "over a cup of tea" in the next twenty-four hours. If there is no breakthrough, the matter will be decided as per merits, the judge said.

Case Details: THE STATE OF TAMIL NADU v THE GOVERNOR OF TAMILNADU AND ANR| W.P.(C) No. 1239/2023 & THE STATE OF TAMIL NADU v. THE VICE CHANCELLOR AND ORS| W.P.(C) No. 1271/2023 [notice not issued]

After Indore, begging banned in Bhopal too

 After Indore, begging banned in Bhopal too

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 04.02.2025

Bhopal : After Indore, Bhopal will be the second city in Madhya Pradesh to be free of beggars. Bhopal district collector Kaushlendra Vikram Singh on Monday signed an order prohibiting begging on city streets. The order issued by the district collector under the Civil Defence Code of 2023 also known as Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 prohibits begging at any public place in Bhopal city. Under the order action will be taken against those giving alms to beggars or buying anything from them. The decision is aimed to rid the city of begging menace and especially with an eye on the Global Investors Summit that is scheduled later on Feb 24 and 25. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the summit while delegates and industry representatives from across the globe are likely to participate in the two-day deliberations. Talking to TOI, Singh said he has signed the order and it comes into force with immediate effect. Action would be taken to enforce the order, he said. Earlier in July 2024, Indore administration had banned begging and in Dec the district administration decided to lodge an FIR against anyone begging or giving alms to beggars. Singh, said the night shelter (Rain Basera) at community health centre in Kolar township will be notified as "Bhikshu Grah" where beggars will be shifted.

Periyar University accused of imposing New Education Policy for Ph.D. admissions

Periyar University accused of imposing New Education Policy for Ph.D. admissions

The SFI and Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam have alleged that the Periyar University administration was imposing New Education Policy, without the Tamil Nadu Government’s consent.

M. Sabari  04.02.2025

Salem

The Students Federation of India (SFI) and Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam (DVK) have accused the Periyar University administration of imposing New Education Policy (NEP), and demanded to cancel the regulations issued for Ph.D. admission.

According to the faculty attached to Periyar University, the varsity had recently issued regulations for Ph.D. for students who joined after July 1, 2024, in compliance with University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations 2022. In that regulation, the university has mentioned the eligibility criteria for Ph.D. as a pass in Class X, Plus-Two, UG and PG, (10+2+3+2) or 10th, PUC, UG and PG, or 10th, three-year diploma, UG and PG, or 10th, Plus-Two, and five-year integratedprogramme, 10th, Plus Two, four-year UG and PG, or 10th, plus two, and four-year UG degree (10+2+4) as per UGC guidelines.

Meanwhile, SFI and DVK have raised objections to adding the qualification 10+2+4 for Ph.D., alleging that this was in the New Education Policy that a candidate shall join Ph.D. without completing PG, if he or she passed the four-year UG Programme.

DVK president Kolathur Mani alleged that admitting candidates without PG degree was indirectly implementing the Union Government’s NEP. While the Tamil Nadu government did not give its consent to implement the NEP, the Periyar University administration is trying to implement it. The Tamil Nadu government should oppose the University’s move and take steps to cancel these regulations issued by the university. The government should ensure the old regulations are followed for Ph.D admission, Mr. Mani added.

The SFI district secretary, S. Pavithran, said that the Periyar University had purposely issued these regulations to divert the various issues against the administration. If these regulations are implemented, it will be like accepting the 16 years of education qualification for a Ph.D., as per NEP. The government should take action against the officials who released these regulations.

Officialsattached to Periyar Universityhave denied these allegations.

Periyar University Vice-Chancellor R. Jagannathan was not available for comments.

NEWS TODAY 04.02.2025

 

NMC to take up patients’ appeals against state council rulings

NMC to take up patients’ appeals against state council rulings

Rema.Nagarajan@timesofindia.com 04.02.2025

In a victory for patients’ rights, the National Medical Commission has decided that it will take up appeals of patients in cases against doctors. For almost five years, since the NMC was constituted in Sept 2020, it has been rejecting patients’ appeals stating that only doctors have the right to appeal against decisions of state medical councils. However, the NMC decision is yet to be made public. The minutes of the NMC meeting held on Sept 23, 2024, obtained through the right to information, showed that the NMC had agreed that all appeals received by its Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) will be entertained. In case of action not being taken by state councils on complaints filed by non-medicos (read patients or their families) even after issuance of reminders by the boards, it was decided that EMRB may take over the com plaint/matter from the state council and dispose of it. The NMC was refusing to hear patients’ appeal citing section 30(3) of the NMC Act 2019. 

The Section states: A medical practitioner or professional who is aggrieved by any action taken by a State Medical Council under sub-section (2) may prefer an appeal to the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB)against such action, and the decision…” Citing this section the EMRB and the NMC stated that the law only allowed medical practitio ners aggrieved by decisions of state councils to appeal. “I have been repeatedly arguing that patients have the right to appeal against decisions of state medical council under the ethics regulations of 2002, which have been in force all through,” said Dr KV Babu an ophthalmologist and RTI activist, who has been following up the issue through RTI applications and complaints to the ministry and the NMC since 2022. 

The clause allowing patients to appeal was added to the ethics regulations of 2002 following a Supreme Court order. Responding to several complaints from patients, the health ministry added a provision for patients to appeal in the draft of the National Medical Commission (Amendment) Bill  which was made public in Dec 2022. However, the bill has remained in limbo. In Aug 2023, the NMC brought in a new ethics code to replace the ethics regula tion of 2002. However, in the face of protests from doctors and the pharmaceutical and medical device industry, the new regulations were held in abeyance and the NMC reiterated that the old regulations would be applicable. However, patients’ appeals continued to be rejected. “The NMC Act states that ‘the rules and regulations made under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, shall continue to be in force and operate till new standards or requirements are specified under this Act or the rules and regulations made there under’. 

The ethics code was not replaced by the NMC, except briefly in Aug 2023. Otherwise, the 2002 regulations have been in operation right from the inception of the NMC. So, the NMC’s decision to disallow appeals of non-doctors was always illegal. I am happy that finally better sense has prevailed,” said Dr Babu. Over the years, over a hundred patient appeals have been rejected

Choice-filling for PG med seats ends today

Choice-filling for PG med seats ends today 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  04.02.2025 

Ahmedabad : The central govt health ministry announced an extension for postgraduate medical course choice filling until 11.55pm on Tuesday (Feb 4). The admission committee for professional undergraduate & postgraduate medical educational courses (ACPUGMEC, ACPPGMEC) on Saturday launched a fresh round of choice filling after the NEET PG percentile criteria were reduced in Jan. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) adjusted the NEET PG 2024 qualifying percentile across categories on Jan 4 to address unfilled MD, MS, and diploma positions across the country. The revised criteria permit general and EWS (economically weaker section) category candidates scoring 15 percentile and above to join counselling, while SC, ST, OBC, and PwD categories can participate with 10 percentile and above. 

Committee sources indicated that nearly 900 students were eligible for this choice-filling round, which concludes at 11.55pm on Tuesday. The previous year witnessed the NEET PG qualifying percentile being reduced to zero across all categories due to widespread vacancies. In Gujarat, following second-round allocations for postgraduate medical programmes, 212 positions remained unreported in MD, MS, and diploma courses, with 69 seats unfilled, amounting to 281 vacant positions.

FMGE certificates of 3 medicos revoked

FMGE certificates of 3 medicos revoked 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 04.02.2025

Ahmedabad : The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has ordered the revocation of foreign medical graduate exam (FMGE) certificates of eight medical students for submitting false information. The students include three from Gujarat (two from Anand and one from Ahmedabad), two from Karnataka, and one each from Delhi, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. All of them graduated from LLC Caucasus International University in Georgia. 

The board has directed state medical councils to immediately cancel these candidates’ practice registrations. According to the Jan 27 order, these candidates appeared for FMGE in Dec 2022 or June 2023 and provided fraudulent provisional documentation of their medical courses. The FMGE eligibility requires completion of a six-year medical programme, including an internship from Semesters 6 to 12.

Investigation revealed discrepancies between the subjects listed in their provisional documentation and the actual sixth-year curriculum. Sources said these candidates submitted provisional certificates without completing their mandatory internships. The NBEMS is expected to investigate similar cases where foreign medical students may have submitted provisional certificates without fulfilling the internship requirement

Bennett Univ launches School of Design

Bennett Univ launches School of Design 

04.02.2025

Bennett University has launched the School of Design, which will offer a four-year Bachelor of Design (B Des) programme with three specialized tracks in Fashion Design, Communication Design, and Game Design. In a statement, the university said the school will foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and handson learning with industry leaders. Workshops and labs like Metal Workshop, Wood Workshop, VR Lab Design and Gaming Studio, Media Lab, Fashion–Pattern Making & Garment Construction Studio and Ceramic Studio will provide hands-on practical environments where students merge theory with practice. The statement added that the school’s advisory board includes several industry leaders. “This collaboration between industry and academia ensures that students receive cutting-edge knowledge, hands-on experience, and global industry exposure, equipping them to excel in the dynamic world of design,” it said. TNN

Govt eyes PG route to create 10,000 new medical seats

Govt eyes PG route to create 10,000 new medical seats

DurgeshNandan.Jha@timesofindia.com 04.02.2025

New Delhi : After increasing the number of undergraduate (UG) medical seats to approximately 1.2 lakh, the govt is now focusing on increasing postgraduate (PG) seats. Sources said PG medical seats are going to be the focus in fulfilling the budget announcement for adding 10,000 medical seats over the next one year. This will increase avenues for MBBS graduates to pursue a higher degree and to fulfil the rising demand for specialist doctors, said a source. India is well-placed to achieve the WHO recommendation of one doctor per 1,000 population by 2030, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25, tabled in Parliament a day before the Union budget was presented on Feb 1. 

The report said at present, there are 13.86 lakh doctors in the country, which translates into a current availability ratio of 1:1263.

“The WHO standard norm of 1:1000 seems to be attainable by 2030 with a conservative 50,000 doctors being licensed every year till 2030,” it added. Meanwhile, the Post-Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC), with a view to enhance quality and uniformity of PG medical education, has decided to constitute an expert committee for each specialty. These committees will be responsible for preparing a model curriculum and developing assessment forms for assessing institutes besides addressing other academic requirements.

Periyar univ’s PhD criteria sparks row

Periyar univ’s PhD criteria sparks row

TNN | Feb 4, 2025, 03.59 AM IST

Salem: The eligibility criterion announced by the Periyar University for admission to doctoral degrees has sparked a controversy.

The university has mandated four-year bachelor's degree, in accordance with the 2020 new education policy (NEP), to seek admission for PhD in the university.

However, in Tamil Nadu, the eligibility criterion is a postgraduate degree.

Founder of Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam 'Kolathur' Mani viewed this change in the university’s announcement as a subtle implementation of the Union govt’s NEP.

District secretary of the Students Federation of India S Pavithran said the state govt is yet to accept the Union govt’s NEP. “It is an attempt to indirectly impose the Union government's NEP,” he added.

However, vice-chancellor R Jaganathan refuted these claims, stating that the guidelines clearly specify that candidates must possess a postgraduate degree. He said, "To distinguish between professional undergraduate degrees such as agriculture and engineering and those in arts and sciences, we have included provisions for candidates with four-year degrees in arts and sciences.” The VC acknowledged that this detail was unintentionally overlooked during the guideline formulation.

UGC serves notices to colleges for failing to comply with anti-ragging regulations

UGC serves notices to colleges for failing to comply with anti-ragging regulations

TNN | Feb 4, 2025, 03.59 AM IST

Chennai: The University Grants Commission (UGC) served show-cause notices to 18 colleges in the country, including two each in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, questioning why appropriate action should not be initiated against them for failing to comply with the anti-ragging regulations, 2009.

UGC secretary Manish R Joshi said the institutions failed to obtain anti-ragging undertakings from students as required by the regulations.

He directed them to submit their written explanations detailing the reasons for the lapse and the steps to be taken to rectify it.

The commission, apart from the four colleges in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, sent notices to three colleges each in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, two colleges each in Assam and Delhi, and one college each in Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

LGBTQIA+ rights: HC calls for curriculum reform in med edu

LGBTQIA+ rights: HC calls for curriculum reform in med edu

Feb 4, 2025, 04.00 AM IST

Chennai: The sexual orientations and gender identities of people who are part of LGBTQIA+ commuity are natural; it is not a disorder, Madras high court said on Monday while questioning the usage of the term ‘gender identity disorder’.

“Somehow, the impression is given that LGBTQIA+ identities are a disorder. Why should we use the term ‘gender identity disorder’? It shows the mindset,” Justice N Anand Venkatesh said. Nature decided to create someone this way, he added.

The court made the observations on a 2021 plea moved by a lesbian couple seeking protection from police torture and opposition from their parents. The judge expanded the scope of the plea to revamp the curriculum in medical colleges to tackle LGBTQIA+ phobia and recognise their legal rights.

The court then censured the National Medical Commission (NMC) for dragging the court’s suggestion to change the curriculum of medical education to do away with the outdated notions about the LGBTQIA+ community.

The commission is yet to amend its regulations to classify conversion therapy as professional misconduct, as the revised 2023 regulations are yet to be notified, the judge said.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu govt informed the court that it was proposing to come up with two policies one for the welfare of transgender and intersex persons and another for persons who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. To this, Justice Anand Venkatesh wondered why the state decided to come up with two different policies and directed it to report the difficulties, if any, in having one unified policy.

The court then adjourned the hearing to Feb 17.

Madras HC to begin final hearing on suo motu revision against Ponmudy’s acquittal on Apr. 7

Madras HC to begin final hearing on suo motu revision against Ponmudy’s acquittal on Apr. 7

K. Ponmudy

Mohamed Imranullah S.

CHENNAI  04.02.2025

The Madras High Court on Monday decided to commence on April 7 the final hearing on a suo motu revision petition taken up by it in August 2023 against the acquittal of Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy, his wife P. Visalatchi, and another individual in a disproportionate assets case registered against them in 2002.

Justice N. Anand Venkatesh fixed the date of the final hearing after ascertaining the convenience of Advocate-General P.S. Raman, representing the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), as well as the senior counsel to be engaged by the Minister and two others. He said the hearing would take place between April 7 and 17.

This was the first of the six suo motu revision petitions that Justice Venkatesh had taken up in 2023 against the discharge/acquittal of Mr. Ponmudy and Ministers I. Periyasamy, K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran, Thangam Thennarasu, former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, and former AIADMK Minister B. Valarmathi in different cases.

‘Bid to subvert system’

The judge had taken up the suo motu revision against Mr. Ponmudy after observing that the events leading to the acquittal order passed by the Vellore principal district and sessions court on June 28, 2023, revealed “a shocking and calculated attempt to manipulate and subvert the criminal justice system”.

The charge levelled by the DVAC against the Minister was that he had amassed wealth during his tenure as Transport Minister between 1996 and 2001. The prosecuting agency had booked not only the Minister and his wife but also his mother-in-law and two friends as the co-accused in the case.

In 2004, a Chief Judicial Magistrate in Villupuram discharged all the accused from the case, and the High Court, too, confirmed the discharge order in 2006. However, following an appeal by the State, the Supreme Court reversed the discharge orders and ordered the conduct of the trial.

The Minister’s mother-in-law and one of the two friends died before the framing of charges in 2015 and hence, the trial court proceeded only against the three surviving accused. The trial was conducted before the principal district court, which had been designated as a special court for Prevention of Corruption Act cases.

On April 26, 2022, the Principal District Judge wrote a letter to the High Court, requesting permission for conducting special sittings on four holidays in May 2022 to conduct the trial since the Supreme Court had insisted upon expeditious disposal.

The request was considered and rejected by the High Court on its administrative side only on June 7, 2022, long after the expiry of the dates when the district judge had planned to conduct the proceedings.

“The official memorandum not only communicates the refusal of permission but also shockingly injuncts the Principal District Judge, Villupuram, from exercising her judicial powers over the case by directing that the case should not be taken up until further orders,” Justice Venkatesh wrote in his interim order in August 2023.

(For the full report, visit https://bit.ly/4aHiZs0).

Oncologists discuss latest developments in cancer care at Wellness Series webinar

Oncologists discuss latest developments  in cancer care at Wellness Series webinar

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI

To mark World Cancer Day, The Hindu Wellness Series, in association with Kauvery Hospitals organised a webinar on ‘Advancements in Cancer Care’.

Three experts — A.N. Vaidhyswaran, senior consultant and director of radiation oncology at Kauvery Hospital, Chennai; Indhuja M.V., consultant medical oncologist at Kauvery Hospital, Tirunelveli, and B. Anis, consultant surgical oncologist at Kauvery Hospital, Tiruchi — spoke about the latest developments in radiation, medical, and surgical oncology. Dr. Vaidhyswaran, who spoke about the cancer trends in the country, said breast cancer is the most common cancer in India and that lung cancer is more widespread in the west.

He also elaborated on the radiation therapy and spoke about the advancements in it, a press release said.

Dr. Indhuja said: “Cancer is caused by genetic mutations, and this method helps analyse those changes.” She also spoke about immunotherapy, Adoptive T-Cell Therapy and Targeted Therapy, which greatly help in improving cancer treatment.

Dr. Anis said, traditionally, during the cancer surgeries, removal of the affected organs, surrounding tissues and lymph nodes, and this often resulted in complications.

“While surgery remains a cornerstone of cancer treatment, medical interventions such as chemotherapy play an equally crucial role,” he said.

Watch the full video here: bit.ly/40Htg35

Ajith Abraham appointed V-C of Sai University

Ajith Abraham appointed  V-C of Sai University

The Hindu 04.02.2025

Ajith Abraham has been appointed the Vice-Chancellor (V-C) of Sai University, according to a press release. Earlier, he was the V-C of Bennett University in Greater Noida, dean of the faculty of computing and mathematical sciences at FLAME University in Pune, and the founding director of the Machine Intelligence Research Labs, a non-profit scientific network for innovation and research, the release said.

Doctors oppose T.N. govt.’s plan to appoint 658 specialists through walk-in interviews

Doctors oppose T.N. govt.’s plan to appoint 658 specialists through walk-in interviews

The Hindu Bureau 04.02.2025

Chennai

The Legal Coordination Committee for Government Doctors (LCC) has strongly opposed the Tamil Nadu government’s recent announcement to appoint 658 specialist doctors, including 207 obstetricians, through walk-in interviews. According to LCC, the move, which was announced by the Health Minister, would cause confusion and set back the healthcare sector.

The committee said Tamil Nadu, known for its robust healthcare infrastructure, should adhere to established procedures, such as those involving the Medical Services Recruitment Board, rather than rushing appointments through walk-in interviews. In a press release, the LCC raised concerns over the transparency of such a process, recalling previous opposition from both doctors and the DMK when similar schemes were proposed under the previous regime.

The LCC also called for new doctors to be appointed to supernumerary positions under the Directorate of Medical Services and Directorate of Public Health to avoid disrupting the careers of specialist doctors already in government service, particularly those completing higher education. It said doctors with experience should be prioritised in appointments.

Supreme Court dismisses advocate’s petition to recall Tamil Nadu Governor

Supreme Court dismisses advocate’s petition to recall Tamil Nadu Governor

R.N. Ravi

The Hindu Bureau 04.02.2025

NEW DELHI

Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna on Monday disagreed with a submission made by a petitioner-advocate that Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi had “insulted the entire people of Tamil Nadu”, saying, “Nobody does that…nobody can do that.”

Heading a Bench comprising Justice Sanjay Kumar, the Chief Justice dismissed a petition filed by advocate C.R. Jaya Sukin alleging that the Governor had been criticising Tamil culture and humiliating the people of the State for following Dravidian concepts.

Walkout from Assembly

Mr. Sukin referred to the Governor’s walkout — the third in as many years — on January 6 over the singing of ‘Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu’ (invocation to Mother Tamil) and not the National Anthem before his customary address to the Legislative Assembly.

The petition urged the court to direct the President’s office, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Home Ministry, all arraigned as respondents to the petition, to immediately recall the Governor. The Bench dismissed the case as “misconceived”.

“We function within the Constitution. We are already examining matters which require our attention…we cannot entertain a petition like this, not like this,” Chief Justice Khanna said. In January, the top court had asked Attorney General of India R. Venkataramani, appearing for the Governor, to push for a resolution to the continuing stalemate with the State government over the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in major State universities.

The court is hearing multiple petitions filed by the Tamil Nadu government, represented by senior advocates A.M. Singhvi, Mukul Rohatgi and P. Wilson, and advocate Sabarish Subramanian, over the conduct of the Governor in relation to the grant of assent to key Bills on higher education, remission of prisoners, government orders and constitution of search committees for the appointment of Vice-Chancellors.

Mr. Wilson had compared the Governor’s conduct to that of a “political opponent”.