Govt. doctors to go on strike from October 25
No action taken on their demands

20/10/2019 , Special Correspondent, CHENNAI

The Federation of Government Doctors’ Association (FOGDA) has decided to press ahead with an indefinite strike from October 25. But emergency services, including fever wards, will not be affected.

The doctors have been demanding proper implementation of the Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) scheme with pay band-4 at the end of 13 years of service, maintenance of doctors’ posts in accordance with the number of patients, 50% service quota in PG admissions and counselling for postgraduate postings. In a letter to the Health Secretary earlier this month, the association noted that the government had agreed to “favourably solve” the demands in six weeks.

“It was disappointing to note that even after the end of six weeks on October 8, the issues were neither solved, nor was there reasonable progression,” it said. To this end, the association has begun to sensitise doctors in various districts.

Convocation

Woman cabin crew held with 4kg gold dust worth ₹1 crore

S Ahmed Ali@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:20.10.2019

A woman cabin crew with a private carrier was arrested by customs officials for trying to smuggle in 4kg of gold dust worth ₹1 crore from Dubai. Sanna Pathan, 30, was caught by the Air Intelligence Unit with the gold dust concealed under her undergarments in her baggage.

Officials said the Kalyan resident was a courier and had been promised ₹60,000 for the job by a man named Sahil in Dubai. His number was found to be switched off.

Pathan, who has worked with two other airlines previously, told officials that a man named Mohammed had given her pouches with the gold dust in the aircraft’s washroom, and she was supposed to deliver it to another person after clearing customs. Pathan said she was to receive a call after customs clearance. A local court has remanded her in judicial custody.

Cow eats 20 gram gold chain; op retrieves chain

Deepthi.Sanjiv@timesgroup.com

Shivamogga:20.10.2019

A cow accidentally swallowed a 20gram gold chain in Nanditale village of Sagar taluk in Shivamogga district after feeding on flower garlands. The animal was later operated upon to retrieve the gold chain.

The one-and-a-half-yearold cow, a jersey cross breed heifer, belongs to Ravindra Bhat, a resident of Kanmane in Ulluru gram panchayat. On Vijayadashami, Bhat decorated the idols at his home with a flower garland and a gold chain before offering a puja. Next day, the garland was cleared and given to the cow to chew on. But the Bhat family forgot to remove the gold chain that was entangled in the garland. By the time the family realized their folly, the cow had already swallowed the chain. “In fact, the cow had left the garland half-eaten,” said Bhat. Bhat contacted the Veterinary Hospital in Sagar immediately. Veterinary officer Dr Dayanand sprang to his help. “I advised him to observe the cow closely for a few days and check the dung every day. When the cow started to become slightly pale, we decided to operate the animal,” said Dr Dayanand.

Technically, the cow has four stomachs. When the cow first eats, it chews the food just enough to swallow it. The unchewed food travels to the first two stomachs- rumen and reticulum. One the cow becomes full, it rests. While resting, the animal brings up bits of the unchewed food called cud and chews it completely before swallowing it again. The chewed cud then goes to the third and fourth stomachs, the omasum and abomasum.

Dr Dayananad said the surgery was performed on Wednesday and the cow is doing well. It should be fine in ten days’ time, he said. The surgery was assisted by Keriyappa and it cost around ₹2,000. 


STRIKE GOLD: The retrieved gold chain

Woman gets ₹26L after losing leg, ₹2L for ‘loss of marriage prospect’

Rebecca.Samervel@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:20.10.2019

In a recent payout of ₹28 lakh awarded to a 34-year-old woman who lost a limb in an accident in 2015, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal included ₹2 lakh in total compensation for “loss of future marriage prospect”.

The tribunal observed that of late, finding a suitable marriage prospect has become a herculean task for even a normal person and impossible for someone who has lost a leg. It relied on a Madras high court order, which said that if a person remained unmarried, it was an altogether different matter, but if a person is compelled to remain a bachelor due to injuries sustained and consequent amputation, it would be “utmost agonising”.

“It was impossible for her to get a suitable groom. Therefore, she is entitled to ₹2 lakh for loss of marital prospects. In addition to this, it would be reasonable to award compensation of ₹2 lakh for the loss of amenities and pleasure of life, and ₹2 lakh for her inability to attend social functions in future,” the tribunal said. Other heads under which the payout was calculated included loss of income due to disability, special diet, conveyance and attendant charges, costs for an artificial limb and medical expenses.

In the plea submitted before the tribunal in 2016, it was alleged that on November 14, 2015 about 3.30pm, when the woman and her mother were on their way to Thane in an autorickshaw driven by her father, a speeding SUV rammed into them at Kanjurmarg. The woman deposed in the tribunal and iterated the details of the incident.

Observing that her testimony was corroborated by documentary evidence which included the FIR, the tribunal said, “I have no hesitation to hold that applicant has proved that accident took place due to rash and negligent driving.”

In two other orders, the woman’s 54-year-old mother was awarded a compensation of around ₹16 lakh for serious injuries suffered in the accident, and her 57-year-old father was awarded a payout of around ₹60,000. The compensations will have to be paid by SBI General Insurance and the vehicle owner, Bhayandar-based Shree Tours & Travels.

In addition to the ₹28 lakh awarded to a 34-year-old woman who lost a limb in an accident in 2015, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal included ₹2 lakh in total compensation for “loss of future marriage prospect”

Calling woman a ‘call girl’ not abetment of suicide, rules top court

AmitAnand.Choudhary@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:20.10.2019

Fifteen years after an English teacher and his parents were booked for abetment of suicide for his girlfriend taking her life after being called a “call girl” by his family members, the Supreme Court has discharged the accused saying that the taunt was not sufficient enough a ground to prosecute them.

A bench of Justices Indu Malhotra and R Subhash Reddy said it cannot be inferred that suicide of the girl was the direct result of ‘abusive’ language used for her. The court said a word uttered in a fit of anger or emotion without intending the consequences to actually follow cannot be said to be the instigation.

The apex court relied on its earlier verdict in which a man was discharged when his wife committed suicide after having a fight in which he had asked her “to go and die”. “By applying the judgments referred, we are of the view that such material is not sufficient to proceed with the trial by framing charge of offence under Section 306/34 IPC. It is also clear from the material that there was no goading or solicitation or insinuation by any of the respondents to the victim to commit suicide,” the court said.

In this case, the girl, a resident of Kolkata, was taking tuition for English language from the accused when intimacy grew between them and they decided to get married. But when the girl went to his house, his infuriated parents started shouting at her and called her a “call girl”. As per the complaint filed by the girl’s father, she was disturbed as the teacher did not oppose when his parents were abusing him and committed suicide a day after the incident in 2004.



RARE CASE: The SC said a word uttered in a fit of anger or emotion without intending the consequences to actually follow cannot be said to be the instigation

‘Bodies have rights too, can’t be used as bargaining chip’
Govt Must Conduct Last Rites If Kin Fail To Do So: Raj Rights Panel

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Jaipur:20.10.2019

The Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has observed that the body of a deceased person “also has rights” and cannot be used by the family to negotiate claims or stage a protest.

The commission said if the family fails to conduct the last rites as per the customs or the law, it becomes the duty of the government to do the needful with the help of local bodies or the police, if necessary.

In his order, SHRC chairman Justice (retired) Prakash Tatia said bargaining over a body violates the limited rights of the dead and should be declared a cognisable offence.

He also asked the home department to frame appropriate laws in the matter.

Citing the example of gangster Anand Pal, who was killed by police on June 24, 2017, but was not cremated until July 1, 2017 as his family waited till their demands were met, the SHRC stated that the kin, or any other person, cannot keep the corpse for any other purpose except for the time required to perform the last rites.

SHRC also asked the state government to frame a law to tackle the tribal practice of “mautana.”

Under this practice, the family of the person who has died of an unnatural cause does not conduct the last rites until compensation has been received from those believed to be responsible for the death. The practice has also been used to pressure the government into accepting demands.

Tatia also questioned whether the dead have human rights, what rights the family of the deceased has on the body, and the state’s responsibility towards the dead.

The order said the government has the responsibility to conduct the last rites, if the family fails to discharge its obligation. A provision to this effect has been given in the Rajasthan Police Act, 2007, under Sections 29 (human rights) and 71 (public nuisance), the commission said.

In his order, SHRC chairman Justice (retired) Prakash Tatia said bargaining over a body violates the limited rights of the dead and should be declared a cognisable offence