NEWS TODAY 5.3.2025

 

Retiree loses ₹6.5cr to cyber scam

Retiree loses ₹6.5cr to cyber scam 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 06.03.2025

Chennai : A former forest service officer lost ₹6.58 crore to cyber fraudsters who lured him to join bogus share trading apps through WhatsApp messages. In his complaint, Krishnan Kumar Kaushal, 60, who retired in July 2024 as principal chief conservator of forests, said that he received the messages in Dec 2024. Believing the promises of high returns, he downloaded two apps and transferred all his savings, retirement benefits and house sale proceeds totalling ₹6.58 crore to the bank accounts mentioned. After observing the payees were in different parts of the country and doing different businesses and the data in the apps was fake, he registered a complaint with ‘1930’ cybercrime helpline. A case was registered and investigations begun.

MM C launches student initiative to boost organ donation awareness

MM C launches student initiative to boost organ donation awareness 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 06.03.2025

Chennai : Madras Medical College launched the Students’ Charter of Deceased Organ Donation Programme in collaboration with the transplant authority of Tamil Nadu (Transtan). Students are being taught about the increasing demand for vital organ transplantation, organ scarcity, and the purpose of organ transplant registry in the state. “The aim is to engage me dical students in deceased donor organ transplantation. Volunteers will be enrolled and trained to be ambassadors for the programme,” said college dean Dr E Theranirajan. 

“They will undergo comprehensive training on the science and laws surrounding brain deaths and organ donations. As ambassadors, they will conduct sensitization sessions for various communities,” he said. The programmes will clear myths, and increase organ donations, said senior nephrologist Dr N Gopalakrishnan, who is also member secretary of Transtan. “Govt’s decision to accord state honours increased the organ pool. But with better awareness among the community, we will be able to reduce wastage and save more lives,” he said. In 2024, the state recorded 268 organ donations — the highest since the launch of the programme in 2008. This year, Transtan has received nearly 50 donations

NMC issues clarification on NIOS students’ eligibility for NEET UG: Check details here

NMC issues clarification on NIOS students’ eligibility for NEET UG: Check details here

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has confirmed that NIOS students are eligible for NEET UG 2025 under GMER-23 regulations. Clarifying confusion over NTA’s NEET-UG Bulletin 2025, NMC stated that NIOS students, including those taking an additional subject at an authorized institution, can apply. NEET UG 2025 registration is open until March 7.

TOI Education

Mar 1, 2025, 9:47 IST

NIOS enrollment

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a clarification regarding the eligibility of National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) students for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) Undergraduate 2025. The clarification follows concerns over discrepancies between the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) NEET-UG Bulletin 2025 and NMC regulations.

In response to an RTI application dated February 11, 2025, the NMC addressed confusion regarding NIOS students’ eligibility for NEET UG 2025 due to interpretations of the NEET-UG Bulletin 2025. The commission clarified that students from NIOS, state open schools, or private candidates qualify under the GMER 2023 regulations.

NIOS students eligible for NEET UG 2025

Furthermore, the NMC noted that students are permitted to study an additional subject through NIOS, provided it is undertaken at an authorized institution. This clarification aims to address concerns among aspirants regarding their eligibility status.

Meanwhile, the National Testing Agency (NTA) began the online registration process for NEET UG 2025 on February 7. Interested candidates can apply for the exam through the official website, neet.nta.nic.in, until March 7, 2025.

NEET UG is the gateway for admission to MBBS, BDS, and other medical courses across India. The NMC’s clarification provides relief to NIOS students seeking to appear for the exam, ensuring they remain eligible under the latest regulations.

Candidates can check the official notice as provided here.

For more information, candidates are advised to visit the official website of the National Medical Commission.

NMC guidelines on foreign medical graduates binding on State Medical Council, says Health Minister Satya Kumar

NMC guidelines on foreign medical graduates binding on State Medical Council, says Health Minister Satya Kumar

“The Registrar of the Andhra Pradesh Medical Council does not have any independent authority to modify the NMC guidelines issued from time to time,” Satya Kumar Yadav said

Published - March 05, 2025 03:00 am IST - VIJAYAWADA

G.V.R. Subba Rao

Andhra Pradesh Medical and Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav has asserted that the State government has to adhere to the guidelines issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC) on Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs).

“The Registrar of the Andhra Pradesh Medical Council does not have any independent authority to modify the NMC guidelines issued from time to time,” Mr. Satya Kumar said on Tuesday (March 4, 2025).

“As per the NMC guidelines, the FMGs who studied online during their final year should have to do two years of internship (one year is clinical clerkship and one year is internship), and those who studied online during both penultimate and final years must complete three years of internship (two years will be clinical clerkship and one year internship), the Minister said in the Legislative Assembly.

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLAs Pusapati Aditi Vijayalakshmi Gajapathi Raju, Nelavala Vijayasree, and Gondu Sankara Rao served a notice under Rule 74 calling the attention of the Minister on ‘Problems of foreign medical graduates’.

The Minister, making a statement, said some FMGs who returned to India due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine War, and studied part of their MBBS course online, had requested the A.P. Medical Council to grant Permanent Registration after completing one year of internship as per the compensation certificates issued by the respective universities and also as per the NMC guidelines, he said.

After verification of the compensation letters submitted by the FMGs, it was found that they did not mention the period of online study and the period of compensation of online study with offline mode.

Hence, the A.P. Medical Council did not consider their applications for Permanent Registration, and they were directed to continue their Internship for a period of one more year to make-up for the loss of clinical training due to online study. But they ignored the orders of the A.P. Medical Council, the Minister said.

For FMGs who completed the entire course in the offline mode by staying abroad, Permanent Registrations were being granted after completion of one year of Internship in Andhra Pradesh.

A Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) is a one-year programme that the FMGs must complete in India after obtaining provisional registration from the State Medical Council. “The A.P. Medical Council is continuously communicating with the NMC for necessary instructions regarding the issues raised by the FMGs,” he added.

Published - March 05, 2025 03:00 am IST

Tambaram residents oppose water deposit hike, demand rollback

Tambaram residents oppose water deposit hike, demand rollback

Activist Govindarajan told TNIE that the deposit hike is unjustified, particularly given the unreliable water supply and ineffective installation of water meters.

Unreliable water supply also affects the residents of Tambaram Corporation.(Photo | Express)

S Kumaresan

Updated on:

05 Mar 2025, 10:36 am

CHENNAI: The residents of Tambaram City Municipal Corporation (TCMC) have strongly opposed the hike in water connection deposit from Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,500.

They criticised the corporation for implementing the hike without a public consultation, placing an additional financial burden on middle-class and low-income households.

Several residents, along with activists, including SM Govindarajan, president of the United Federation of Residents Welfare Associations, have appealed to Chief Minister MK Stalin, Municipal Administration Minister KN Nehru, and TCMC commissioner S Balachander through X to revoke the revised charges.

Although the deposit is refunded at the time of surrendering the service connection, it has caught those from financially backward families off guard, said residents.

Govindarajan told TNIE that the deposit hike is unjustified, particularly given the unreliable water supply and ineffective installation of water meters. The residents asked the corporation to ensure a regulated quantity and duration of supply before hiking the deposit. VS Jayaraman, another resident, said that he, along with several others like V Santhanam, had made several attempts to oppose the revised deposits but no action was taken.

Commenting over the issue, TCMC AIADMK floor leader G Sankar told TNIE that the issue was raised several times in the council but nothing was done to address the concerns of the residents before going ahead with the revised deposits.

Responding to the concerns, corporation commissioner Balachander told TNIE that the increase was made as per the corporation’s by-law. “Residents are not required to pay the revised charges in one go; they can opt for two or three instalments to ease the financial impact on them,” he stated.

Non-MBBS VC for medical university faces Rajasthan doctors' opposition

Non-MBBS VC for medical university faces Rajasthan doctors' opposition

Mar 5, 2025, 2:29 IST

Haribhau Bagde.

JAIPUR: Rajasthan's medical fraternity reacted with outrage Tuesday to governor Haribhau Bagde appointing someone with a doctoral degree in pharmaceutical sciences as vice chancellor of Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS), terming it "unacceptable" and threatening a statewide agitation if the decision wasn't revoked, reports Intishab Ali.

The state chapter of IMA has written to Bagde, saying Pramod Yeole being asked to take charge of RUHS was at odds with the institution's responsibility of setting high standards in medical education, and improving public health outcomes. Thirty medical colleges are affiliated to the university. Yeole was previously VC of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University in Aurangabad and pro VC of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University.

முன் பதிவில் லாமல் முன் பதிவு பெட்டிகளில் பயணிக்க டி-ரிசர்வ் டு டிக்கெட்!

3/5/25, 6:52 AM 

முன் பதிவில் லாமல் முன் பதிவு பெட்டிகளில் பயணிக்க டி-ரிசர்வ் டு டிக்கெட்! 

விரைவு ரயில்களில் முன்பதிவு பெட்டிகளில் பயணிக்க டி-ரிசர்வ்டு டிக்கெட்!

அவசரமாக ரயிலில் பயணிக்க வேண்டியவர்கள், முன்பதிவு செய்யாவிட்டாலும், முன்பதிவு பெட்டிகளில் பயணிக்கும் வசதி உள்ளது. அதுதான் டி-ரிசர்வ்டு டிக்கெட். 

வட மாநில தொழிலாளர்களால், முன்பதிவு செய்த பெட்டியிலேயே, தங்களது இருக்கையில் நிம்மதியாக பயணிக்க முடியவில்லை என்று அண்மைக் காலமாக ரயில் பயணிகள் புலம்பி வரும் நிலையில், முன்பதிவு செய்யாமலேயே, முன்பதிவு பெட்டிகளில் பயணிக்கும் வசதியை அளிக்கும் டி-ரிசர்வ்டு டிக்கெட் பற்றி அறிந்துகொள்ள வேண்டும். இது மிகவும் பழைய வசதிதான் என்றாலும், இது பற்றி பயணிகள் பலருக்கும் தெரியாமல் இருப்பதால்தான், இது பற்றி தற்போது விளக்கங்கள் வெளியாகி வருகிறது.

முன்பதிவு செய்யாமல், முன்பதிவு ரயில் பெட்டிகளில் பயணிக்கும் வசதியை இந்த டி-ரிசர்வ்டு டிக்கெட் வழங்குகிறது.  இந்த டி-ரிசர்வ்டு டிக்கெட் முறையை தெற்கு ரயில்வே அறிமுகப்படுத்தி செயல்படுத்தி வருகிறது. இந்த டிக்கெட் எடுத்தவர்கள் முன்பதிவில்லா மற்றும் முன்பதிவு பெட்டிகளில் பயணிக்க முடியும். 

இந்த டி-ரிசர்வ்டு டிக்கெட்டை, ரயில் நிலையத்தில் உள்ள டிக்கெட் கவுண்டர்களில் மட்டுமே எடுக்க முடியும். 

இந்த சேவையை முன்பதிவு செய்ய முடியாது.  முன்கூட்டியே பெறவும் முடியாது. நாம் டிக்கெட் கேட்கும் ரயில் நிலையத்திலிருந்து ரயில் புறப்படுவதற்கு ஒரு மணி நேரத்துக்கு முன்பாக மட்டுமே இந்த டிக்கெட்டை எடுக்க முடியும். டிக்கெட் கவுண்டர்களில் டி-ரிசர்வ்டு டிக்கெட் என கேட்க வேண்டும். நாம் கேட்கும் ரயிலில் டி-ரிசர்வ்டு படுக்கை அல்லது இருக்கை காலியாக இல்லை எனில் வழங்கப்படாது. 

இந்த ரயில் டிக்கெட், ரயிலில் பயணிக்கும் தூரத்தைப் பொறுத்து கணக்கிடப்படுகிறது. அதிகபட்சம் 100 கிலோ மீட்டருக்குள்தான் இந்த டிக்கெட் மூலம் பயணிக்க முடியும். தெற்கு ரயில்வேயில் இயக்கப்படும் 35 ரயில்களில் டி-ரிசர்வ்டு படுக்கை வசதி பெட்டிகள் பயன்பாட்டில் உள்ளன. இந்த வசதியை மேலும் விரிவுபடுத்தவும் தெற்கு ரயில்வே திட்டமிட்டுள்ளது.

இந்த வசதி எப்படி செயல்படுத்தப்படுகிறது? உதாரணமாக கொல்லம் விரைவு ரயிலை எடுத்துக் கொள்வோம். இந்த ரயிலில் நெல்லை - சென்னை பயணிக்க ஒரு படுக்கை வசதி முன்பதிவு செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது. அப்போது நெல்லை - கொல்லம் வரை அந்த இடம் காலியாகவே இருக்கும். எனவே, இந்த காலியாக இருக்கும் படுக்கை வசதியை நெல்லை - கொல்லம் செல்லும் பயணி பயன்படுத்த அனுமதி அளிக்கும் வகையில் செயல்படுத்தப்பட்டிருப்பதே இந்த டி-ரிசர்வ்டு டிக்கெட். 

ஒருவர், முன்பதிவில்லா பெட்டியில் பயணிக்க டிக்கெட் எடுக்கும்முன்பு, அதே ரயிலில் டி-ரிசர்வ்டு இருக்கை காலியாக இருக்கிறதா என்பதை கேட்டுக் கொள்ள வேண்டும். இருந்தால், சற்று அதிகக் கட்டணம் செலுத்தி அந்த டிக்கெட் எடுத்து கூட்டம் இல்லாமல் பயணம் செய்யலாம். இல்லை என்றால் முன்பதிவில்லா டிக்கெட் எடுத்துக் கொள்ளலாம். 

Increase in undergraduate seats sought in three government medical colleges, says Health Minister

Increase in undergraduate seats sought in three government medical colleges, says Health Minister

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI  05.03.2025

Tamil Nadu has sought an increase in the number of MBBS seats at three government medical colleges at Namakkal, Tiruppur and Virudhunagar from 100 to 150 each, Health Minister Ma. Subramanian said shortly after meeting Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The three medical colleges have infrastructure and faculty posts to accommodate 150 students each. “As of now, the intake is 100 seats each. We have asked for an additional 50 seats each,” he said.

Mr. Subramanian added that they have submitted a memorandum with 11 demands to the Union Health Minister.

The State has requested for sanction of another 24 urban and 26 rural primary health centres (PHC) and 500 health sub-centres (HSC) in the State. These additional centres were essential based on the population and requirement, he said.

Other demands

Strengthening of cancer care services in Tamil Nadu under the tertiary care initiative scheme at a cost of ₹447.94 crore, strengthening of neurosurgery departments, establishment of simulation and skill labs in 22 tertiary care institutions at ₹603.45 crore were also sought during the meeting.

The demand to establish a second All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Coimbatore was reiterated. On the progress of construction works at AIIMS, Madurai, Mr. Subramanian said that the State had taken up works for electricity connection and drinking water as asked by the AIIMS administration in Madurai.

He, along with the Health Secretary, would visit the site next week, he added.

Health Secretary P. Senthilkumar, Tamil Nadu House Resident Commissioner Ashish Kumar and National Health Mission Director, Tamil Nadu, Arun Thamburaj were present.

Dismissed employee entitled to leave encashment, rules HC

Dismissed employee entitled to leave encashment, rules HC

TNN

Feb 28, 2025, 23:47 IST

Dismissed employee entitled to leave encashment, rules HC

Bengaluru: An employee dismissed from service as a penalty is entitled to encashment of privilege leave, the Dharwad bench of Karnataka high court ruled recently. Justice M Nagaprasanna made this observation, while allowing the petition filed by one G Linganagouda.

A resident of Hosapete in Vijayanagara district, the petitioner was working as an assistant manager in Pragathi Krishna Grameena Bank. On March 31, 2012, the bank initiated disciplinary proceedings for certain misconduct, and ultimately on Dec 19, 2014, dismissed him from service. Thereafter, he submitted a representation seeking encashment of 220 days of accrued leave. However, the same was turned down by the management, citing misconduct. Linganagouda challenged the same.

After perusing the materials on record, Justice M Nagaprasanna noted that as per the judgements of the Bombay and Madhya Pradesh high courts, leave encashment to an employee is trite, a statutory right and the right to receive terminal benefits is recognised as a right to property obtaining under Article 300A of the Constitution of India.

"Article 300A mandates that persons not be deprived of property save by authority of law. Therefore, it becomes unmistakably clear that any attempt by the employer to take away the right of any part of terminal benefit, which in the case at hand is leave encashment, without any umbrage of a statutory provision, is sans countenance. Therefore, it is a right of an employee not only under the statute, even under the fountainhead of all statutes – the Constitution of India," the judge further observed.

Private medical colleges save crores on stipends as NMC dithers

Private medical colleges save crores on stipends as NMC dithers

Private medical colleges are saving significant amounts by underpaying or not paying stipends to MBBS interns and resident doctors, despite regulations. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has been ineffective in enforcing standards, leading to disparities and financial exploitation in private institutions.

Rema NagarajanTNN

Mar 2, 2025, 18:17 IST

Private medical colleges are saving crores of rupees by either not paying stipends to MBBS interns and resident doctors or paying them a fraction of what government medical colleges pay. According to the National Medical Commission (NMC), the data on stipend payment submitted by colleges showed that 60 (33 govt colleges and 27 private ones) were not paying MBBS interns any stipend.

Most private colleges have not even submitted the information on how much stipend is being paid. After initially threatening to take action, in the face of colleges not even submitting data sought from them, the apex regulator, the NMC, has passed the buck to state authorities.

Thousands of MBBS students doing clinical duties during the final year internship are being paid less than the national floor minimum wage of Rs 5,300 per month according to the data submitted to Supreme Court by NMC. Data from 20 private colleges shows that they pay Rs 5,000 or less. Many colleges have admitted that they do not pay any stipend. Though this information was available to NMC in July last year, no action has been taken against any college.

The NMC’s PG Medical Education Regulation 2023 stipulate that private colleges have to pay a stipend equivalent to what government colleges of the state pay resident doctors. However, the NMC (Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship) Regulations, 2021 are vague about how much MBBS interns should be paid. They state that "all interns shall be paid stipend as fixed by the appropriate authority applicable to the institution/University or State". Taking advantage of this, many private colleges pay MBBS interns a pittance.

“I had alerted the health ministry to the vague wording in the clause regarding stipend for MBBS interns in 2022, when the draft was put up for comments from the public, and later raised objections when the suggestion was not incorporated. I had requested them to amend the clause to make it mandatory for all colleges to pay stipend at par with government medical colleges of the particular state. Neither the health ministry nor the NMC has done anything about it,” said Dr KV Babu, an RTI activist who has been pursuing the issue over five years.

The stipend paid by some private colleges is as low as Rs 2,000 per month though they take several lakhs as fees per year. For instance, in Andhra Pradesh, government colleges pay MBBS interns Rs 22,500 per month. However, many private colleges are paying just Rs 2,000-5,000 as stipend per month. The tuition fee alone for the MBBS course in these private colleges is Rs 65 lakh for management quota students and over Rs 1.2 crore for NRI quota students. Most of these colleges with about 150 seats each would have had to spend roughly Rs 4 crore per year if they paid stipend equal to what government colleges are paying. By paying the interns a pittance, a college could save over Rs 2 crore or more each year, even as they collect around Rs 50 crore just from tuition fees.

Similarly, in Karnataka, MBBS interns in state government colleges are paid a stipend of Rs 30,000 per month. But many private colleges are paying just Rs 10,000-12,000, while their annual tuition fees for management and NRI seats could be as much as Rs 25 lakh to Rs 45 lakh per year. In Pondicherry, while government colleges pay Rs 20,000 as stipend, a deemed university medical college with 250 seats, where annual tuition fees are Rs 25 lakh, pays just Rs 5,000. The college earns over 1.2 crore from each MBBS student, but spends less than one lakh rupees on stipend for each student.

There is wide variation even in the stipend paid in government colleges from about Rs 35,000 in Assam to just Rs 12,000 in Uttar Pradesh. This is despite a long-standing demand of MBBS students for the amount to be centrally fixed and made mandatory for all colleges whether government or private. NMC was not even acting on the issue of non-payment of stipend till the Supreme Court categorically stated that paying stipend was mandatory. The case drags on as NMC claims to be struggling to get data from medical colleges. Instead of asking colleges, which are under its direct control, the NMC has been writing innumerable letters to the directorate of medical education of various states asking them to submit the data from all colleges on payment of stipend.

Stipend paid to MBBS interns (in Rs)

State

Govt

Pvt

Assam

35,000

NA

West Bengal

29,700-32,000

12,500-28,000

Karnataka

30,000

10,000-25,000

Odisha

28,000

15,000

Tamil Nadu

25,000-27,300

2,750-13,500

Delhi

26,300

no info

Meghalaya

26,300

NA

Kerala

26,000

10,000-16,000

Telangana

25,900

2,000-10,000

Arunachal

25,000

NA

Andhra Pradesh

22,500

2,000-10,000

Tripura

20,500

no info

Bihar

20,000

10,000

Goa

20,000

NA

Himachal Pradesh

20,000

no info

Pondicherry

20,000

2,500-5,000

Gujarat

18,200

12,000

Maharashtra

18,000

4,000-12,000

Uttarakhand

17,000

5,000

Punjab

15,000

15,000

J&K

12,300

no info

Haryana*

12,000

no info

Mizoram

12,000

NA

Uttar Pradesh

12,000

4,000-7,500

Sikkim

NA

14,500

NA- not applicable since the state may not have a private college, or a govt college in the case of Sikkim

No info- the information has not been submitted by the state/college

*only one college has given data and the amount is wrong since Haryana revised the stipend to Rs 17,000 in 2018 and last year it was revised again to Rs 24,310.

States which had not submitted any information included Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Manipur, Nagaland, and the union territories of Chandigarh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The stipend in govt colleges in Rajasthan is Rs 14,000, in Jharkhand it is Rs 17,000, Rs 15,900 in Chhattisgarh and almost Rs 14,000 in Madhya Pradesh.

Source: Affidavit filed by the NMC in court in July 2024

Madurai AIIMS begins hiring

Madurai AIIMS begins hiring

TNN | Mar 3, 2025, 03.53 AM IST

Madurai: As the construction of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Madurai progresses in Thoppur, with the first phase set for completion by early 2026, the institution has begun recruiting for 39 faculty positions across various departments. The last date for applications is April 4.

An official notification said, applications are invited for four professor posts, four additional professor posts, five associate professor posts, and 26 assistant professor posts.

Selected candidates will initially be posted at Government Medical College, Ramanathapuram, the temporary AIIMS Madurai campus, and later transferred based on the progress of the Thoppur campus. More details are available on the official AIIMS Madurai website. TNN

Mofussil buses to terminate at Kilambakkam from tomorrow

Mofussil buses to terminate at Kilambakkam from tomorrow

Mar 3, 2025, 03.55 AM IST

Chennai: Starting Tuesday, all govt mofussil buses from the southern districts will terminate at Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus (KCBT) in Kilambakkam instead of Tambaram, following a directive aimed at easing congestion on Grand Southern Trunk Road.

While the govt has promised to deploy 100 additional MTC buses to improve connectivity between KCBT and key transit hubs in Chennai, passengers remain unconvinced, citing the inconsistency of MTC services. At present, the govt claims to operate 590 buses from KCBT.

“We often wait 15 to 20 minutes for a bus in the early hours when returning to Chennai after holidays, only to find overcrowded MTC buses. Those who can’t afford to wait are forced to pay higher fares for autos or taxis to reach Tambaram,” said B Ganesh, a resident-activist from Varadharajapuram. He also criticized the decision to reroute buses to Kilambakkam before completing the Kilambakkam railway station and pedestrian pathway connecting it to the terminus. The govt earlier promised to open the railway station by May.

The decision to divert mofussil buses to Kilambakkam is based on recommendations from Tambaram police to decongest GST Road.

At present, TNSTC buses halt in front of Tambaram railway station, blocking one or two lanes of the three-lane road, causing daily bottlenecks. The problem is worsened by autos encroaching on the left-most lanes. On the opposite side, govt buses are often forced to stop in the middle of the road to drop passengers, despite a designated bus bay.

By shifting mofussil bus operations to Kilambakkam, police expect smoother movement of MTC buses and local vehicles through the area, where traffic delays of 10 to 15 minutes have become routine.

பாஸ்போர்ட் பெறுவதற்கு பிறப்பு சான்றிதழ் கட்டாயம்

பாஸ்போர்ட் பெறுவதற்கு பிறப்பு சான்றிதழ் கட்டாயம்

நமது நிருபர்

ADDED : மார் 02, 2025 05:32 AM

புதுடில்லி: கடந்த, 2023 அக்., 1ம் தேதிக்கு பின் பிறந்தவர்கள், புதிதாக பாஸ்போர்ட் பெறுவதற்கு பிறப்பு சான்றிதழ் கட்டாயம் என வெளியுறவு அமைச்சகம் அறிவித்துள்ளது.

'பாஸ்போர்ட் சட்டம் 1980' விதிகளில் மத்திய வெளியுறவு அமைச்சகம் திருத்தம் செய்துள்ளது.

இது தொடர்பாக, வெளியிட்ட அறிக்கையில், 'கடந்த, 2023ம் ஆண்டு அக்டோபர் 1ம் தேதிக்கு பிறகு பிறந்தவர்கள், புதிதாக பாஸ்போர்ட் பெறுவதற்கு பிறப்பு சான்றிதழ் கட்டாயம்.

மாநகராட்சி, நகராட்சி போன்றவை அல்லது அதற்கு நிகரான அமைப்புகள் வழங்கும் பிறப்பு, இறப்பு சான்றிதழ்கள் மட்டுமே பிறப்பு சான்றிதழ் ஆவணமாக ஏற்கப்படும்.

அரசிதழில் அறிவிப்பு வெளியான நாளில் இருந்து இந்த உத்தரவு அமலுக்கு வருகிறது' என, தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

எனினும், 2023, அக்.1 -க்கு முன்பு பிறந்தவர்களுக்கு இத்தகைய பிறப்பு சான்றிதழ் தேவை இல்லை. பள்ளி சான்றிதழ், நிரந்தர கணக்கு அட்டை, ஓய்வூதிய உத்தரவு, ஓட்டுநர் உரிமம், வாக்காளர் அடையாள அட்டை உள்ளிட்டவற்றை பாஸ்போர்ட் விண்ணப்பத்துக்கு பிறந்த தேதிக்கான ஆவணங்களாக அவர்கள் பயன்படுத்தலாம்.

பாஸ்போர்ட் பெறுவதற்கான சட்ட விதிகளில் நீண்ட காலமாகவே எந்த திருத்தமும் மேற்கொள்ளப்படாமல் இருந்தது.

கிராமங்கள் மற்றும் ஊரக பகுதிகளில் வசிக்கும் பெரும்பாலானவர்களிடம் பிறப்பு சான்றிதழ் இருக்காது என்பதால், அது பற்றி முடிவு எடுக்கப்படவில்லை. தற்போது முதற்கட்டமாக இந்த முடிவு எடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

Ban on wrist watches for Inter exam: TGBIE

Ban on wrist watches for Inter exam: TGBIE

Mar 2, 2025, 0:05 IST

Hyderabad: Telangana State Board of Intermediate Education (TGBIE) has decided to ban all types of wrist watches inside exam centres to curb malpractice.

With over five lakh students set to appear for the intermediate public examinations from March 5, authorities have decided to ban all types of electronic gadgets inside exam centres.

"The blanket ban comes as smartwatches have increasingly been used by students to cheat during exams, making it impractical for officials to check every watch individually," said TGBIE secretary, Krishna Aditya.

He added, "All necessary measures, including CCTV surveillance at centres, were taken to curb malpractices. Students will not be allowed to carry any electronic gadgets inside exam halls, including mobile phones, digital devices, and watches. The decision to ban watches entirely was taken due to the logistical challenge of checking each watch in such large numbers. However, students can rely on wall clocks placed in rooms."

HC orders against Tiruvarur dt collectors since 2023 for inaction against panchayat member

HC orders against Tiruvarur dt collectors since 2023 for inaction against panchayat member

Suresh Kumar

Mar 1, 2025, 0:56 IST

HC orders against Tiruvarur dt collectors since 2023 for inaction against panchayat member

Chennai: Madras high court on Friday directed the Tamil Nadu chief secretary to initiate action against those who held the post of Tiruvarur district collector since March 2, 2023, for failing to take action against a panchayat ward member who had filed a false affidavit during the election to the civic body.

Every candidate who contests in an election, irrespective of their election, is liable to be prosecuted for suppressing information in their affidavits, a division bench of Justice R Subramanian and Justice G Arul Murugan said.

The court also censured the Tamil Nadu State Election Commission (TNSEC) for submitting that only the govt officials concerned could pursue complaints of filing false affidavits by candidates. "This is a classic case where due to official apathy, a person who filed false information in an election affidavit not only completed his tenure but also escaped any consequence of criminal action," the bench said.

The issue pertains to a plea moved by D Sarathbabu. According to the petitioner, he lodged a complaint with the TNSEC in August 2021, alleging that district panchayat member S Papa Subramaniyan filed a false affidavit suppressing facts about the wealth owned by him and his family. The commission forwarded the complaint to the collector. An inquiry was conducted, and it was found that the district panchayat member suppressed details about his wealth in the election affidavit.

Seven months after the inquiry, a report was sent to the district SP to initiate criminal prosecution. The police submitted that for offences under Section 177 (furnishing false information to a public servant) of IPC, a complaint should be filed only by the returning officer concerned before the jurisdictional judicial magistrate. However, the TNSEC submitted that once the election is completed, such complaints could only be forwarded to the govt officials concerned.

‘Vijay can win if TVK goes it alone’

‘Vijay can win if TVK goes it alone’

Mar 2, 2025, 0:11 IST

Chennai: Actor Vijay stands a good chance to win Tamil Nadu if TVK goes it alone in the 2026 assembly election, according to poll strategist Prashant Kishor.

"Let him (Vijay) start and we'll see next six, eight months and then we'll make a public announcement whether we are going all alone or we would have somebody as an ally. I am not seeing any alliance right now. At least not till Dec. As things stand we are going it alone," Kishor said in an interview to a Tamil channel.

Edappadi K Palaniswami's AIADMK, however, approached him for "an association" said Kishor. He said the AIADMK wants to unite the anti-DMK vote and is engaged in traditional politics of bringing everyone together to defeat the rival arithmetically. But Kishor said neither Vijay nor he is looking at it. Kishor, who quit being a poll strategist and floated the Jan Suraaj Party four years ago, was present at the TVK event to mark the beginning of its second year.

"My understanding and data suggest that if Vijay goes it alone, he stands a very good chance to win TN provided he puts an effort and a number of hours and we are together able to build a political infrastructure around him. He genuinely wants to bring about a change in TN," Kishor said.

Rejecting the narrative that Vijay would have to forge an alliance with the AIADMK to have any impact and to get a sizeable number of seats given the DMK's formidable alliance, Kishor said poll arithmetic was not guaranteed. "I am looking at Vijay and TN politics as it stands today. I see there is a huge gap. A vast section of society is looking for a new, cleaner, and fresher alternative. Vijay fits the bill," he said. On why the actor was not harsh on his ideological enemy, the BJP, unlike against the DMK, Kishor said BJP was neither a force in TN nor governing it.

Kishor, who was the poll strategist for DMK in the 2021 assembly election, said DMK alliance was facing huge anti-incumbency. What if Stalin is projected as the face of DMK? "Even if it is, no one can deny a huge anti-incumbency. There's substantial erosion in the DMK alliance vote share, and a large chunk of that vote came based on being a "secular, anti-BJP, anti-Delhi party", he said. He charged DMK with creating "a fear psychosis against BJP and Delhi" whether it is sanatana dharma, delimitation or language policy.

Kishor acknowledged that he was not an advisor to Vijay but a ‘friend and brother'. Vijay would be free after his last film assignment and would become a full-time politician.

"I am committed to help, and I am sure he is committed to help me in Bihar as well," Kishor said, adding that the actor had a huge following in Bihar and could help Jan Suraaj by making an appearance and campaigning for the party. The assembly election in Bihar is scheduled to be held later this year.

Senthil Balaji case: NGO moves Madras High Court

Senthil Balaji case: NGO moves Madras High Court

Justice G K Ilanthiraiyan issued the direction while hearing the petitions filed by the Anti-Corruption Movement, an NGO.

Tamil Nadu Electricity minister V Senthil Balaji.(File photo | Ashwin Prasath, EPS)

Express News Service

Updated on:

28 Feb 2025, 9:09 am

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Thursday directed the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of Greater Chennai Police (GCP) to file a counter-affidavit on the petitions filed against merger of the charge sheets in the job racket cases registered against Tamil Nadu Minister for Electricity V Senthil Balaji.

Justice G K Ilanthiraiyan issued the direction while hearing the petitions filed by the Anti-Corruption Movement, an NGO.

The petitioner had challenged the order of the special court for MP/MLA cases to merge the four additional charge sheets filed by the CCB after conducting further investigation into the racket involving recruitment to the posts of junior engineer, driver, conductor and junior tradesman to the transport corporation during Senthil Balaji’s tenure as Transport Minister between 2011-15 in the Jayalalithaa Cabinet.Advocate N Subramanian, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that separate charge sheets were filed initially with respect to the posts and later further investigation was conducted and additional charge sheets were filed. All the charge sheets were merged and such action would lead to a long delay of trial.

He told the court that the number of accused rose to 2,256 from 47 and the witnesses increased to 668 from 112 following the merger of the FIRs. It will take a whopping 1,500 years for completing cross-examination of the witnesses by the accused persons, he said. The counsel sought the court to stay the merger of the charge sheets.

However, the judge refused to grant stay, instead, he directed the police to file a counter-affidavit by March 13 and posted the matter to the same date.

Government advocate K M D Muhilan informed the court that further investigation was conducted by the police following a direction of the Supreme Court and the trial court decided to merge all the additional charge sheets in the case. Sections of Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) were incorporated in the additional charge sheets against the accused persons, he said.

Reply sought on plea alleging lack of doctors to operate ultrasound scan machines in Madurai PHCs

Reply sought on plea alleging lack of doctors to operate ultrasound scan machines in Madurai PHCs

The litigant A Veronica Mary of Madurai stated in her petition that there are 13 block-level PHCs and 56 additional PHCs in Madurai district.

Express News Service

Updated on:

28 Feb 2025, 10:10 am

MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday sought response from the state health department on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition alleging lack of trained doctors and radiologists to operate ultrasound scan machines in Primary Health Centres (PHC) in Madurai district.

The litigant A Veronica Mary of Madurai stated in her petition that there are 13 block-level PHCs and 56 additional PHCs in Madurai district. "These PHCs play a crucial role in maternal and infant health care including prenatal care, delivery and immunisation," she added.

However, ultrasound scan machines, which are essential for monitoring fetal development at every stage of pregnancy, are not present in most rural PHCs in Madurai, forcing women to travel long distances or depend on private hospitals for diagnosis, Mary alleged.

Though the state health department provided ultrasound machines in many block-level PHCs in Madurai and other southern districts by spending several crores, the said machines have not been put to proper use as there are no trained doctors and radiologists in the centre, she further claimed.

Particularly in Checkanurani PHC, which caters to the medical needs of over 50 villages in the region, the machine has been kept locked in a room due to the non-availability of staff to operate it, she alleged. She requested the court to direct authorities to ensure proper utilisation of the said machines across PHCs in the district.

A bench comprising justices J Nisha Banu and S Srimathy, which heard the plea, issued notice to the state health secretary, director of public health and district health officer and adjourned the case to next week for their response.

Students seek removal of old, rusted furniture from Madurai Medical College premises

Students seek removal of old, rusted furniture from Madurai Medical College premises

These broken beds and other furniture cannot be used, and have been lying here for three years.

Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai.(File photo | EPS)

Express News Service

Updated on:

28 Feb 2025, 10:18 am

MADURAI: Students of the Madurai Medical College, attached to the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH), sought the removal of old furniture behind the canteen at the campus near the district collectorate.

A third-year student of Madurai Medical College said, "The old beds and furniture, which must be cleared from the campus, are dumped behind the canteen. With no shed, the spot is filthy. Come rain, there is an added risk and some of the iron beds have rusted and may break apart when someone walks near them. Despite complaining to the warden, we have received no response.”

Another student said, "There are more than 70 beds behind the canteen, some of which were used during the Covid-19 pandemic. These broken beds and other furniture cannot be used, and have been lying here for three years. No action has been taken despite complaining to the higher authorities.”

GRH (Madurai) dean Dr Arul Sundaresh Kumar told TNIE, "We have already received messages and requests from the students. While many pieces of furniture are damaged, some are beyond repair. We have flagged this issue with the public works department, and have also sent a letter of clearance. A tender process will be initiated and the final bidder will be allowed to clear the furniture.”

High Court upholds amendment, Madras university HoDs can be chosen on rotational basis

High Court upholds amendment, Madras university HoDs can be chosen on rotational basis

The amendment was made in 2023 to the statute 25 in Chapter IX, Volume 1 of the University Calendar 2016.

Madras University(File Photo)

R Sivakumar

Updated on:

26 Feb 2025, 9:47 am

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has upheld an amendment made to the relevant statute of the University of Madras to enable the appointment of the heads of its academic departments on a rotational basis by taking into account the performance and merits of the professors.

A division bench of justices SM Subramaniam and K Rajasekar passed the orders on Tuesday while dismissing a petition filed by Dr M Srinivasan, former head of the department of criminology.

The amendment was made in 2023 to the statute 25 in Chapter IX, Volume 1 of the University Calendar 2016. It was duly approved by the senate; and the governor, in his capacity as chancellor, had given assent to it. The petitioner challenged the amendment on the ground of failure to adhere to the procedures under section 30 of the Madras University Act, 1923.

The bench stated that the amendment does not violate any of the provisions of the Madras University Act but it brings “the spirit of equal opportunity” amongst all senior professors who belong to a homogenous class.

“The rationale behind the impugned amendment is apparent that all the eligible senior most professors in a department in the university shall be provided with an opportunity to serve as HoD. Undoubtedly, such rotation-based designation of HoD would not only enhance the efficiency level in a department, but would provide equal opportunity to all senior professors,” the bench said.

It remarked that the statute, prior to the amendment, denied opportunities to aspiring professors to become HoD as only the senior most would hold the post till retirement. The bench also noted that the amended statute contemplates not only seniority but also merit, which plays a pivotal role for holding the post of HoD.

Pay pension, gratuity to retd excise staffer acquitted of graft charges: HC

Pay pension, gratuity to retd excise staffer acquitted of graft charges: HC

TNN  Feb 26, 2025, 23:26 IST

Pay pension, gratuity to retd excise staffer acquitted of graft charges: HC

Bengaluru: Coming to the rescue of a 73-year-old retired central excise officer acquitted of corruption charges, the high court's Dharwad bench directed the release of his entire pension and gratuity within four weeks.

"In the event the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and commissioner of central excise, customs and service tax, do not disburse the terminal benefits, the petitioner becomes entitled to an interest at 6% per annum, from the date of superannuation till date of its payment," Justice M Nagaprasanna observed while allowing the petition filed by Hanumanth N Karkun.

The judge also asked the authorities not to drive the septuagenarian to the court again.

A resident of Dharwad, Karkun was working as superintendent, in charge of central excise, range A, Hubballi division. In 2011, he was accused of demanding Rs 2,000 bribe from a person for issuing service tax registration certificate, and a CBI probe was initiated against him under Prevention of Corruption Act.

Karkun retired from service on Jan 31, 2012. A departmental inquiry found that the charges against him were not proved. But the disciplinary authority disagreed with it and on UPSC's advice, CBDT in 2023 withheld Karkun's 100% pension and forfeited his 100% gratuity as penalty.

In the interregnum, Karkun was acquitted in the criminal case investigated by CBI and, on the strength of the same, he moved the high court for quashing the order imposing the penalty.

After perusing the materials on record, Justice Nagaprasanna pointed out that apart from the inquiry officer exonerating the petitioner twice, even the trial court had acquitted him, holding that the prosecution had miserably failed to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt. "Therefore, it can be safely said that it is not acquittal on the benefit of doubt, but due to lack of evidence and on merit," the judge pointed out.

He said what is envisaged under Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, is imposition of a maximum of 50% pension as penalty for a limited period or permanently, and there is no provision to withhold 100% of it. Gratuity can be withheld only if an employee is terminated for moral turpitude, but the petitioner was never terminated.

"The petitioner is now 73 years old. He has not seen the light of his terminal benefits, despite his retirement 13 years ago. He is left bleeding by the impugned penalty, which is worse than dismissal. If what the petitioner's counsel submitted is considered, the petitioner's ‘cup of sorrow' has come to the brim," Justice Nagaprasanna observed.