Hoax bomb call to Rajini was by Class VIII student

Hoax bomb call to Rajini was by Class VIII student

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:20.06.2020

The search for the person who made a hoax bomb call to actor Rajinikanth’s residence in Poes Garden has led to a Class VIII student from a village near Cuddalore, who is suffering from learning difficulties, police said.

Soon after the call was made on Thursday, a team of police officials and Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad rushed to the actor’s house.

Due to Covid-19, the actor’s family members initially refused to let the team in to check the house for bombs. The officials later declared the call a hoax.

When the members of the investigating team tried to trace the number from which the call came, they had to rope in their counterparts in Cuddalore. The search was narrowed down on the student.

The student was let off after police scrutinised his medical records. Meanwhile, the boy’s father has released a video pleading with the actor to forgive his son.

E-pass agency under pressure

E-pass agency under pressure

D.Govardan@timesgroup.com  20.06.2020

The 12-day lockdown imposed in Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpet districts from Friday is giving the Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency a tough time. Problems for the agency, which is working with one-third staff, have multiplied as companies and individuals have made multiple requests for passes.

“Each organization is supposed to make only one application. In that they can include names of even 5,000 people, if those many are permitted to work. Instead, several companies are submitting multiple applications, even hundreds in a few cases, and that has choked the whole system,” a senior official with the agency told TOI.

If one company has made 135 applications, in the case of another the company’s president and its security guard have applied separately. “Some of them have done this out of anxiety, while some others deliberately to get more employees to work,” the official said.

A company had submitted seven applications, giving the total number of employees differently in each application. This way it had planned to get more than 10% employees to work in the districts, where lockdown is imposed.

“Companies also submit registration number of vans but show them as cars. This way, they get to transport more people using that epass. Initially when lockdown was announced, we cleared all request for passes in two days and issued even 14,000 passes in one day. We trusted people and the job was easy. But with people now choking the system with multiple applications and concealing facts, verification is taking time. This has also put requests from genuine applicants in jeopardy,” the official pointed out.

An overburdened system and delay in issuing e-passes resulted in chaos in the companies too. “Lockdown was announced on Monday evening, but the system to apply fresh e-passes was made available on Thursday evening. As a result, some companies were forced to shut down operations on Friday. Further, the agency need not have cancelled all the old epasses and could have alerted about the one organization, one application policy - on the website itself,” an industry source said.

No OBC quota for med seats in state institutes, Centre tells HC

No OBC quota for med seats in state institutes, Centre tells HC

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:20.06.2020

The Centre is unlikely to admit Other Backward Community (OBC) students under All India Quota (AIQ) medical seats in all government institutions unless the Supreme Court comprehensively settles the pending issue, the Centre has told Madras high court.

Since 1986, OBC medical aspirants were being accommodated in AIQ seats in central institutions only, and not in all state government colleges, it said. Taking a dig at political parties before the court, the Centre said: “The method has been followed even when most of the petitioners (political parties) were in power through their alliance in the past.”

A submission to this effect was made by the Centre, in response to a batch of PILs filed by major political parties, including the DMK, AIADMK and PMK.

Pointing out that AIQ pool seats comprise 15% of all MBBS seats and 50% of PG medical seats surrendered by state governments to the Centre, these parties have been demanding 50% reservation for OBC students, as per the 69% reservation followed in TN. Assuming only the central rule will be followed for AIQ seat allotments, at least 27% of seats should be reserved for OBC candidates, they argue. Responding to the PILs, the Centre said it has been allotting AIQ seats for OBC beneficiaries only in central govt institutions, but added that in respect of SC/ST students, it has been extending the quota in all medical institutions.

Intervening now will affect Covid treatment: Centre

An affidavit to this effect was filed by the Centre before the Supreme Court, which is already seized of a batch of writ petitions seeking reservation benefits for OBCs. The case is slated to come up again for hearing on July 8, it said. To avail themselves of similar reservation benefits, these parties should be directed to get themselves impleaded in the pleas pending before the Supreme Court, the Centre said.

As for the interim prayers of these parties to stall the ongoing admissions for PG medical courses, the Centre cautioned the high court against intervening in the process, saying it would adversely affect Covid-19 treatment across the country.

The director-general of health services conducted the selection for admission to PG medical courses for the year 2020-21 and declared the results on April 11 as per the scheme in force and in strict compliance of the directions of the apex court, the Centre said, adding: “Results for second round of counselling were declared on June 16 and candidates are in the process of reporting to the allotted institutions. Any interim order at this stage would affect the hospitals to which the selected candidates were allotted more particularly, when there is shortage of medical staff due to Covid-19 pandemic. This apart, seats to medical courses should be filled within the time frame fixed by the apex court. Any interim order restraining the authorities from filling up the seats would affect compliance of the Supreme Court directive,” it said.

Thinking of flouting checks? Beware!

Thinking of flouting checks? Beware!

From Coimbatore to Karaikal, there were sevreral instances where people tried to give check posts a slip

Published: 18th June 2020 06:02 AM |

Chennai Health workers at rest while the Medical team of mobile hospital takes swap test at Police quarters at Kilpauk, Chennai. (Photo | R. Satish Babu, EPS)

By Express News Service

1.Coimbatore 

District Revenue Officials sealed a Xerox shop near the Sulur Tahsildar office for allegedly issuing fake e-passes to public, on Wednesday. Officials from Revenue Department said that, Manivannan, native of Tiruchendur, who works in Coimbatore, was travelling to his native on Tuesday. When his car was stopped at Virudhunagar Check Post, he showed an e-pass. However, a mismatch on the name of travellers was found, following which he was detained. He got e-pass for ` 2,500 and with investigation police zeroed in on the Xerox shop issuing fake e-passes, said sources.

2. Salem

The Salem City Municipal Corporation (SCMC) has registered cases against 17 persons who returned to Salem without obtaining e-passes from other districts and states. Police are conducting vehicle check at Salem border and are taking swab tests, but some people take alternate routes to evade checking. Till June 16, the SCMC identified 17 persons who evaded testing and out of them four tested positive for COVID-19.

3. Cuddalore

District collector warned strict action against those coming into the district without valid reasons and e-passes. After the State government announced that Chennai and its neighbouring three districts will undergo lockdown from June 19; several Cuddalore natives residing in those regions have started coming to Cuddalore. Due to this, the district has been witnessing surge in cases. The Cuddalore- Puducherry borders are being strictly monitored and many non-essential vehicles are sent back to Cuddalore and Villupuram from Puducherry check post, confirm sources.

4. Virudhunagar

Sources said that two persons - Raj* and Anita* - had returned to their home at Chinna Perali hamlet from Chennai, on May 18, with proper passes. They were checked at the checkpost, but since they were asymptomatic their swab samples were not taken. They were advised to be under home-quarantine. However, Raj flouted rules and being a Cooperative society manager, came into contact with more than 25 people. After seeing symptoms on May 25 he went to hospital along with his wife, where they both test Covid positive. Contact tracing is on.* name changed

5. NAGAPATTINAM

Police registered case against an army jawan on Wednesday allegedly for travelling and entering Nagapattinam without e-pass. Sources said the sepoy, a native of Thittacherri, travelled in a bus meant for migrant labourers and had kicked up a with officials at the check post . “The sepoy had come from New Delhi on annual vacation. He landed in Chennai and got on a SETC bus operated for migrant labourers to Sirkazhi. We are investigating how he managed to hop into the bus. We booked him as he prevented us from doing our duty, “ said an investigating officer from Kolidam Police Station. The sepoy refused to produce his ID card or an e-pass when officials checked passengers at Kollidam check post and picked up an argument. A scuffle broke out between him and police, sources said . Only when senior officials arrived on the scene, he showed his army identity card but did not have e-pass. He was booked.

6. Nagercoil

After a passenger who arrived at Thoothukudi airport from Chennai tested positive for Covid, 35 persons who travelled with him in a bus have been home-quarantined. Collector Prashant M Wadnere said the man took a bus to reach Kanniyakumari district. “While travelling in buses, passengers should wear masks, and maintain social distance,” he advised.

7. Karaikal

All dirt roads (katcha roads) leading to Karaikal have been closed and entry into the district made stricter from Wednesday. Karaikal District Collector Arjun Sharma said, “We have strengthened checking at all seven entry points of Karaikal district. We are shutting down all katcha roads which lead from Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur districts into Karaikal.”

Chennai, 3 districts turn into fortress for next 12 days

Chennai, 3 districts turn into fortress for next 12 days

As a starter, the arterial Anna Salai and Kamraj Salai , besides a number of other key roads in the city, will remain closed, except for ambulance services.

Published: 19th June 2020 06:14 AM |

Chennai goes into lockdown mode all over again. (Photo | Ashwin Prasath, EPS)EPS)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: As the clock ticks towards zero hour, Chennai and its adjoining districts will switch to an intense 12-day lockdown from Friday. The rationale behind Tamil Nadu government’s decision on Tuesday to put the lock back on Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur and Kancheeuram, which had enjoyed easing of curbs for a few days, is to check the spread of coronavirus in other parts of Tamil Nadu and the neighbouring states.

While the penultimate day saw more crowd on the roads, with people doing last-minute shopping for essentials and queuing up at checkposts to leave the hotspot zones that may seem like a fortress till June 30, the Chennai police has made elaborate arrangements to curb unnecessary movement of people and vehicles. A total of 17,000 police personnel will be deployed for this purpose, with the possibility of adding more officers if required.

As a starter, the arterial Anna Salai and Kamraj Salai , besides a number of other key roads in the city, will remain closed, except for ambulance services.Disclosing this to newspersons, Police Commissioner A K Viswanathan said vehicles seen roaming unnecessarily will be seized. He requested people to cooperate with the police and asked them to buy all essential commodities within a two-km radius from their house and avoid using vehicles.

“This is an extraordinary situation...the lockdown announced by the chief minister is aimed at protecting the people of Chennai and elsewhere, and they should also cooperate. Only this will help us come out of this (situation). We are losing precious lives,” he added.

While only autos and cabs plying to and from railway stations and airport will be given special passes, government employees, health workers, Corporation staff and journalists have been asked to carry their identity cards while commuting to work. People who travel across the Chennai city police limits for work are advised to stay on the side they have to work.

Viswanathan said the Chennai police have set up 288 check-posts and will use drones to monitor movement. He said the police will slap cases against people forging e-passes and those found roaming around without masks.

A day after a police officer succumbed to Covid, Viswanathan informed the media that 788 police personnel had so far tested positive and more than 300 of them had recovered and returned to active duty. At present, he said, 39 were recovering in hospitals, while others have been quarantined at their homes or Corporation care centres.

Chennai lockdown: Ola to offer emergency services on app from June 19

Chennai lockdown: Ola to offer emergency services on app from June 19 

Ola says they have mapped over 350 hospitals across Chennai into the app and the service will also be available for customers who need to travel to and from Airports and Railway stations. 

Published: 18th June 2020 05:53 PM |

Chennai goes into lockdown mode all over again. (Photo | Ashwin Prasath, EPS)EPS)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: With Chennai under intensified lockdown from June 19, Ola, one of India's more popular cab hailing services, has enabled 'Ola Emergency' services on its app. 

This should provide relief and a much-needed mode of transport to citizens who do not have private vehicles to travel to hospital in case of a medical emergency. 

Starting June 19, the company says the service will be available in Chennai for all non-COVID related medical trips from home to hospitals and vice versa. 

Ola says they have mapped over 350 hospitals across Chennai into the app and the service will also be available for customers who need to travel to and from Airports and Railway stations. 

The company in a press release said they have equipped all their driver-partners with hygiene kits, safety equipment and implemented a suite of precautionary and preventive measures.

On Wednesday, the Tamil Nadu government had relaxed the new lockdown norms to allow pre-paid autos, taxis and private vehicles to transport passengers from railway stations and airports.

Police personnel will be regulating these vehicles in railway stations and airports and e-pass will be issued by TN e-governance agency.

Use of private vehicles for medical emergencies was always allowed.

Chennai's door-to-door survey staff get 1000 pulse oximeters to monitor oxygen levels

Chennai's door-to-door survey staff get 1000 pulse oximeters to monitor oxygen levels

“There are cases where patients may be asymptomatic but have dangerously low oxygen levels (hypoxia). To detect this, we have asked survey staff to use pulse oximeters,” said a Corporation official

Published: 18th June 2020 05:36 PM 

A condition in which a person’s oxygen level in blood cells and tissues drop without any warning signs, silent hypoxia has already claimed the lives of many Covid-19 patients in the country.

By Nirupama Viswanathan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The city corporation has now equipped door-to-door survey staff with 1000 pulse oximeters to monitor oxygen levels of city residents.

“There are cases where patients may be asymptomatic but have dangerously low oxygen levels (hypoxia). To detect this, we have asked our survey staff to use pulse oximeters,” said a senior Corporation official.

“In some cases, they may gasp for air but in others there may not be any gasping, so it’s important to catch it early,” the official added.

With digital pulse oximeters costing Rs 1500 and upwards, several residents may not be able to access them, although the state government has recommended their use as part of ‘Corona home monitoring kits.’

Corporation officials believe this will also ensure that city residents take the door-to-door survey seriously.

“If you just go and ask them questions, some might get irritated although it’s for their own benefit that the survey is done every day. But when the staff go armed with pulse oximeters and infrared thermometers, residents will more willingly participate in the survey,” the official said.

Apart from the pulse oximeters, the city corporation has deployed 10,000 infrared thermometers to check the temperature of residents. The city corporation plans to increase the number of instruments in use shortly.

The city corporation has also planned to assign around 4000 volunteers to take care of the needs of those who tested positive and ensure that they stay indoors, if under home isolation.

Each volunteer will be assigned cases and will create a WhatsApp group with the patients or their immediate family, so that in case of any need, the patients may post in the group.

“After 14 days, the patients will be automatically removed from the groups,” said a Corporation official.