Police bust scam of job aspirants producing fake sports certificates 

Kabaddi coach and constable in police net
 
04/12/2019 , D. J. Walter Scott , RAMANATHAPURAM

After launching a sting operation and laying a trap, the district police have busted a scam of candidates producing fake certificates to seek recruitment under sports quota in the just-concluded recruitment conducted by Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board (TNUSRB) for grade II constables, jail warders and firemen.

The district police busted the scam after a person from Karisalkulam called Superintendent of Police V. Varun Kumar through the police helpline 94899 19722 and alerted him to the racket. After investigation, two special teams carried out a sting operation and arrested Seeman, a Chennai-based kabaddi coach, attached to Tamil Nadu Amateur Kabaddi Association (TNAKA). The special teams, headed by Sub-Inspectors Guganeshwaran and Muruganathan, also arrested Rajiv Gandhi, a police aspirant, who acted as a conduit between aspiring candidates and the coach, and an Armed Reserve police constable, who had joined the police force last year by allegedly producing fake sports certificate.

As investigation revealed that five candidates produced fake certificates issued by Seeman this time. The SP, suspecting that the scam could have wider ramifications, has written to the TNUSRB, suggesting verification of certificates produced by all candidates, who had joined the force under the sports quota.

“After arresting three accused, we have launched a hunt for six others – a person who had joined the forest department, and five candidates, who had reached the final stage in the just-concluded recruitment process,” the SP said. The five candidates hailed from the district and were relatives of Rajiv Gandhi, he added.

Investigations revealed that Seeman had issued certificates to at least five candidates, who were relatives of Rajiv Gandhi as if they had represented Tamil Nadu in the National Junior Kabaddi Championship held in Kasargod in 2014.

The modus operandi was that Seeman would not issue certificates to the substitutes and distribute those certificates to others after receiving a lump sum, the SP said. He demanded ₹50,000 be transferred to his bank account for a certificate when the special teams launched a sting operation and laid a trap, he said.

Registrar in-charge at MKU resigns
 
04/12/2019 , Sanjana Ganesh

Registrar in-charge of Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) R. Sudha has resigned from her post.

Vice-Chancellor M. Krishnan, who accepted her resignation letter submitted on Friday last, said that only those below 58 years of age and, hence, could complete a three-year term as Registrar, could be allowed in the post.

However, considering that Ms. Sudha, one of the senior-most professors in the university, was appointed only as an in-charge until a permanent appointment was made, a section of faculty members felt there was no need for her to resign. “There have been instances in the past where professors, who were aged 58 years or above, were appointed as Registrar (in-charge),” a faculty member said.

Ms. Sudha was appointed on June 9. The process for appointing a full-time Registrar began in June.

Welcoming the intent to adhere to the university statute in the case, Madurai Kamaraj University Faculty Association (MUFA), in its letter to the Vice-Chancellor, questioned the non-adherence of the rules in the appointment of Public Relations Officer, National Service Scheme Coordinator, and Rastriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) Coordinator.

Stating that this was not acceptable, the association urged the Vice-Chancellor to enforce the rules for all posts.

Ms. Sudha told The Hindu that she intended to resign from the post on November 7 to follow the rules laid down by the administration. “The Syndicate had then requested that I stay on until they find a full-time Registrar. So, I obliged. Recently however, certain associations at the university raised questions regarding my appointment and I thought it was time,” she said.

Mr. Krishnan said that a meeting of the special Syndicate would be convened on Wednesday to decide on her successor.

On MUFA’s letter, the Vice-Chancellor said that he was aware of the issue and would take steps to address them.

Court rules on considering previous service for pension 

270 petitions had been referred to HC
 
04/12/2019 , Legal Correspondent, CHENNAI

In a significant verdict, the Madras High Court on Tuesday held that government servants appointed in non- provincialised service or on consolidated pay or honorarium or daily wage before April 1, 2003 (when the contributory pension scheme was introduced) and absorbed in regular service after that date are not entitled to count half of their past service for the purpose of determining the qualifying service for grant of regular government pension.

A Full Bench comprising Justices R. Subbiah, P.T. Asha and C. Saravanan gave the ruling while answering a reference made to it by a Division Bench of the High Court due to conflicting verdicts on the issue.

A batch of over 270 writ petitions were referred to the Bench constituted by the Chief Justice for answering the reference.

‘Commitment on IoE for varsity if quota continues’
Minister seeks MHRD assurance
 
04/12/2019 , Staff Reporter, CHENNAI

Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K.P. Anbalagan on Tuesday said that the letter of commitment from the State government on the Institute of Eminence status for Anna University will be provided only after assurance from the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) that the existing reservation policy in the State can continue.

In a brief interaction with the media after the 40th convocation of the university here, the Minister said the State would have no hesitation in issuing the letter of commitment the moment MHRD provided confirmation on the reservation policy.

He insisted that IoE status to Anna University should not affect the 69% reservation followed for Other Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Muslims in student admissions and faculty recruitment.

Earlier, delivering the welcome address and presenting the annual report, V-C M. K. Surappa appealed to the State government to issue the letter of commitment.

A Phenomenal Six Months

Modi government has hit the ground running as it starts its second term

Prakash Javadekar

04.12.2019

Last Saturday, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government completed six months in office in its second term. Within this six months several historic and transformative decisions have been taken by Modi 2.0 touching positively, in particular, the lives of poor, downtrodden, farmers, women, youth, middle class, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes.

The overarching principle and spirit of all decisions by the Modi government has been “India First”. In line with the mandate and faith re-imposed emphatically by the people of India, the government under Modi’s dynamic leadership has engaged in realising and fulfilling the promises made by the BJP in its election manifesto.

With the larger vision of “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas”, Modi 2.0 is steadfastly working and seeking “Sabka Vishwas”.

Several core promises of the BJP have already been fulfilled. One Nation, One Flag, One Constitution became a reality under the Modi government.

It was a historic moment when the bill to abrogate Article 370, piloted by BJP president and Union home minister Amit Shah, was passed by Parliament. The passage of the triple talaq bill has delivered gender justice to Muslim women.

The six months’ tenure of Modi 2.0 in the country also saw the historic verdict of the Supreme Court on Ayodhya, paving the way for the construction of a magnificent Ram temple on “Ram Janmabhoomi”.

Significantly, some of the key political opponents did everything to delay the judgement on Ayodhya. However, as mentioned by Modi in his “Mann Ki Baat” programme, the spirit of peace and harmony that prevailed post-Ayodhya verdict was a testimony to the strength of Indian democracy.

India is on the right path to become a 5 trillion dollar economy soon. With major decisions like strategic disinvestment of PSUs and reforms like tax, labour and banking, the Indian economy is strengthening.

Corporate tax rates have been slashed to 22% for existing and 15% for new domestic manufacturing companies. India now has one of the lowest tax rates, making it one of the most competitive global economies.

Today, the world looks up to India for providing solutions to global issues like climate change and sustainable development and we are no more back benchers.

During the recent Climate Action Summit in New York, the world was taken by surprise when Modi announced that India is going to increase energy produced from non-fossil fuels to 175 GW by 2022, and will further take it to 450 GW. At the same summit the PM also launched a Global Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

On the domestic front we have transferred Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds to the tune of Rs 47,436 crore, to 26 states and Union territories for afforestation. We have ensured that tribal rights are protected fully and tribals continue to be important stakeholders in forest development.

Government is taking all efforts for the mitigation of air pollution in the country. The central government has launched National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) as a long-term, time-bound, national level strategy with targets to achieve 20% to 30% reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations by 2024.

The Modi government is determined to take all steps to fight the menace of air pollution and I can assure you that New Delhi will take less time than Beijing to improve its air quality.

Flying clean and high, the Modi government has brought Rafale to India. With this, the litany of false allegations against the government has fallen apart.

Strengthening its outreach to the far-flung areas, the Union government is in the process of setting up of 118 more community radio stations. The Indian Institute of Mass Communication has been tasked with training and capacity building for the same.

In order to enhance the accessibility of television programmes for the hearing impaired, we have asked for the implementation of Accessibility Standard for TV programmes.

Countering fake news has been high on the government's agenda. We are setting up a fact checking unit in order to identify and effectively counter fake news narratives related to government and its policies.

Modi believes in public participation by which behaviour can be changed. He had proved this through Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and building toilets.

Now he has given a clarion call for “Say No to Single Use Plastic”. During just 15 days’ campaign, 13,000 tonnes of plastic waste were collected.

He has also appealed to people to do “plogging”, that is, while jogging or walking, picking and properly disposing of polythene littered on the streets or pathways.

Though six months are a very short period, when we look back, a phenomenal achievement has been made by Modi government 2.0.

The writer is Union Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change; Information & Broadcasting; Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises



The central government has launched National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) as a long-term, time-bound, national level strategy with targets to achieve 20% to 30% reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations by 2024

UP schoolkids in hospital after dead rat found in mid-day meal

Muzaffarnagar:94.12.2019

At least nine students of a government primary school in Muzaffarnagar fell ill after eating mid-day meal served to them on Tuesday afternoon by the staff, which was oblivious of a dead rat lying at the bottom of the dal pot. After eating the contaminated food, the children complained of stomach pain and started vomiting.

“Nine students were brought to district hospital here. Their condition was not so serious. The doctors gave them some medicines and sent them home with the teachers,” said Navneet Bansal, a doctor at the government hospital in Muzaffarnagar.

Later in the day, district magistrate of Muzaffarnagar Selva Kumari J ordered an FIR against the NGO which prepared and supplied the food to the school Janta Inter College in Mustafabad Pachenda village. The NGO has also been “blacklisted” by the district authorities.

The NGO, Jan Kalyan Sewa Samiti of Hapur, used to supply food for the students of Class VI, VII and VIII of the school. And the children were given ‘dal’ and ‘chawal’ (rice) in the Tuesday’s lunch.

“While the food was being served to the students, the staff spotted a dead rat at the bottom of the dal bucket. They stopped the children from eating further, but, by then, most of them had eaten a good chunk,” a senior district administration officer said. Soon, the DM, SDM, Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) and several other officers rushed to the school. TNN

Full report on www.toi.in

Mom gets job, starving kids in Kerala won’t be handed over to parents
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
4.12.2019

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala state council for child welfare (KSCCW) will file a report to the director general of police after taking statements from the four children, who were harassed and denied food by their father at Kaithamukku. A day after adopting the children, KSCCW general secretary S P Deepak said that the children will not be handed over to their parents until they are fit to take care of them.

Meanwhile, mayor K Sreekumar handed over the corporation’s letter, appointing the mother as a daily-wage labourer on Tuesday. The woman was earlier shifted to a mahila mandiram in Poojappura, along with her two kids (aged three and 18 months).

Addressing reporters later, the mayor said that the woman will be appointed in a place which will be convenient to her. “As per the dailywage contract, she will be able to earn a minimum of ₹17,000/ month,” he said.

KSCCW took the four children to SAT hospital for a medical check-up. “Their health is satisfactory; two have chest infection. If everything is okay, the children will be sent to school from Wednesday,” Deepak said.

He added that the family didn’t have a ration card, which was the reason they couldn’t access the free rice and other items from ration shop. “The 29-year-old woman is the mother of six children. So, that woman had no time for anything, including applying for a ration card and the father was least interested,” he said.

Deepak said that KSCCW will not send back the children to the parents as they are unfit to take care of their kids.

Full report on www.toi.in

A HELPING HAND: Thiruvananthapuram mayor K Sreekumar offers job to the young lady who gave her four kids to the Child Welfare Council