Panimalar Medical College

 

Tamil Nadu bank branches to work with 50% staff under new guidelines

Tamil Nadu bank branches to work with 50% staff under new guidelines

From Business Standard News

Move follows objection and strike threat by unions over earlier instruction calling for 100% attendance

T E Narasimhan | Chennai August 14, 2020 Last Updated at 15:20 IST

Private banks have better loss-absorption capacity, but are nonetheless bolstering core capital

All Bank branches and offices in Tamil Nadu will function with 50 per cent as per the new guidelines by the State Level Bankers' Committee - Tamil Nadu.

Last month, the Committee said that all bank branches/ offices in the State shall function with 100 per cent staff under normal working hours rendering usual services. However the Unions objected to the decision and even threatened to go on strike.

The Unions have said the earlier instruction was not in conformity with the standard operating procedures (SOP) or Government guidelines. Besides, since public transport remains withdrawn and with more and more bank employees getting infected, The Tamil nadu Bank Employees Federation, which is affiliated to All India Bank Employees Association, served a notice for Statewide Strike on August 20, 2020 demanding revised guidelines.

On August 11, V Muthu Manickam, Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner of the Ministry of Labour, Government of India, intervened and held a conciliatory meeting.

After taking note of the submissions of TNBEF/AIBEA, Manickam clarified that all banks are bound by the guidelines issued the Government in the SOP and other instructions and hence managements were advised to revise the guidelines and restrict the attendance of staff to 50 per cent.

To a complaint made by the Federation that even pregnant employees weren't being exempted from attending office, bank managements clarified that all pregnant employees were now exempted as per their instructions and the Dy CLC informed that this guideline should be strictly implemented. Any violation of the same can be brought to the notice of the authorities, who will then initiate suitable action.

The Dy CLC advised the managements to issue revised instructions restricting attendance to 50 per cent and inform him before August 14 noon, said C H Venkatachalam, chairman, Tamil Nadu Bank Employees Federation.

Today, bank managements have informed the Dy CLC and the SLBC-Tamilnadu has issued their revised instructions with an amendment to their earlier instructions stating that All Bank Branches/Offices in the State stall function on rotation basis.

"In view of this revised instruction, we have decided to withdraw our strike call. Other issues and demands relating to problems faced by employees including those in cooperative banks would be pursued and followed up," said Venkatachalam.

SPB put on life support, millions pray

SPB put on life support, millions pray

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:15.08.2020

Millions of people in the city and across the world began fervent prayers on Friday for the speedy recovery of S P Balasubrahmanyam after a Chennai hospital said the legendary singer was put on life-support after his condition became critical.

Minutes after the announcement, messages wishing him speedy recovery flooded social media, none more poignant than buddy Ilaiyaraaja’s special video message: ‘Balu Seekarama Yezundhu Va (Balu, Recover Soon).’ Speaking of a relationship going back many decades, the maestro said they had a lot more to do together. “Though we have had many fights, we know that it was never serious.” Pointing out that they began their careers in the film industry after being stage singers during their days of struggle, the ace composer said they remained inseparable.

Later, SPB’s son and playback singer SP Charan tweeted: “…#spb is critical but is in safe hands ….. We are all confident that #spb will be back with all of us sooner than later. Thank you all for your concern and prayers. (sic)”

The multi-faceted 74-yearold, who has sung more than 40,000 film songs in at least 14 languages and has several devotional songs to his credit apart from composing music and acting in several films, was admitted to MGM Healthcare on August 5 with mild Covid-19 symptoms.

A bulletin issued by hospital assistant director Dr Anuradha Baskaran said there had been a setback in his health. “In a late night development on August 13, his condition deteriorated and based on the advice of the expert medical team attending on him, he has been moved to the ICU and is on life support.”

Dr Baskaran said he was under observation by a team of experts from critical care, and his haemodynamic and clinical parameters are being closely monitored.

On August 5, SPB, in a video message on his Facebook page, said he had tested positive for Covid-19 and that though doctors had advised him home isolation, he decided to get himself admitted to hospital. He also requested people not to call him as he wanted some rest.

Hospital sources said the legendary singer was under observation by a team of experts from critical care, and his haemodynamic and clinical parameters are being closely monitored

47L APPLICATIONS REJECTED SO FAR

All applicants will get e-passes in TN from August 17: CM

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:15.08.2020

Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday announced that from August 17 e-passes will be issued immediately to all applicants for interdistrict travel in the state.

The announcement comes amid strident criticisms from a wide cross-section about delays, irregularities and corruption in the e-pass system. The existing system, which saw rejections of 47 lakh applications so far, will be replaced by an updated automated system for speedy clearance.

“I have ordered issuance of epasses without any delay to all applicants to travel across the state from August 17 based on submission of Aadhaar/ration card details along with telephone/mobile numbers,” chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said in a statement, adding that people should use e-passes responsibly and avoid unnecessary travel. The move to speed up the process comes in the wake of long queues for e-passes and allegations by political parties of “rejections on unreasonable grounds and nepotism”.

The status quo for e-passes would, however, be maintained for people arriving from other states and foreign countries. These returnees will have to apply well in advance and get the necessary clearance. The state government commenced issuing of e-passes to individuals and establishments for inter-district movement since May to facilitate contact tracing when a traveller tests positive for Covid-19.

e-passes to stay due to inter-district travel curbs, says CS

The e-pass is issued for marriages, medical emergencies, death of close relatives, for undertaking important work and for people who are stranded. “We want a record of people travelling to other districts, so that if someone tests positive, we can trace their movement and contacts. As long as there is inter-district restriction of movement, we will continue to make e-passes mandatory,” said chief secretary K Shanmugam. The proposed changes are aimed at tackling the nuisance of touts as well.

Only 25 lakh of the 71.2 lakh applications were approved by the state in the past three months. There were allegations that even genuine applications were rejected arbitrarily as the district administrators sought to restrict the entry of visitors. Now, the Tamil Nadu e-governance agency is modifying its software to give effect to the proposed changes of automated approvals and auto scanning the data entered by the applicants. The system algorithms will detect wrong entries and reject them.

In a statement, DMK chief M K Stalin said he had been demanding that the state abolish the e-pass system. “It is difficult for the illiterate and economically poor to apply every time they need to travel. I urge the government to abolish the system altogether. At the same time, I request the people to avail the relaxation only for the most essential trips and stay cautious,” the DMK leader said.

We want a record of people travelling to other districts, so that if someone tests positive, we can trace their movement and contacts. As long as there is interdistrict restriction of movement, we will continue to make e-passes mandatory

K SHANMUGAM | chief secy

No, NEET 2020 Cannot Be Held Online Or Overseas: NTA Tells Supreme Court

No, NEET 2020 Cannot Be Held Online Or Overseas: NTA Tells Supreme Court 

By Meghna A Singhania

Published On 14 Aug 2020 8:50 AM 

New Delhi: Filing a counter-affidavit in the Supreme Court, the National Testing Authority, the exam conducting body for NEET has clearly stated that its not possible for it to conduct NEET 2020 online, nor be able to arrange centres for it overseas. 

The response comes after the apex court issued a notice to the NTA as well as the Medical Council of India (MCI) to respond in a plea, filed by parents of nearly 4,000 NEET (undergraduate) overseas candidates, who sought centres at Gulf countries or to alternatively postpone the examination until the COVID-19 pandemic normalises. 

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that the same issue was placed before the Kerala High court, where the National Testing Agency (NTA) and MCI informed the Kerala High Court that arranging examination centres for National eligibility cum entrance test (NEET) in abroad is not practical since it is not feasible to conduct NEET online in a single shift for all candidates. The authorities also told the court that allotting exam centres for this upcoming MBBS entrance test, is not possible as it takes meticulous planning and the exam is about to be held next month; which evidently gives them not enough time. 

Based on the submissions, the Kerala HC dismissed the appeal of the students, following which the students and parents approached the Supreme Court. The court in return asked the government and the council to respond on the matter. 

Now, responding to the plea the NTA stated that it has been mandated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to conduct the National- Eligibility-Entrance Test [NEET (UG)] across the country, as a uniform entrance examination, for admission to all medical courses in all Medical Institutions, as per the norms/ regulations of the Medical Council of India (MCI). 

As per the initial announcement, the NEET (UG) 2020 was scheduled to be conducted on 03.05.2020. However, in view of the countrywide lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic, the NEET-UG 2020 was postponed and the same was announced by the answering respondent through its Public Notice dated 27.03.2020. Subsequently, the NEET (UG) 2020 was rescheduled for 26.07.2020, vide public notice dated 20.05.2020.Its result may accordingly be declared by 25.08.2020. 

The dates for counselling may be fixed by DGHS thereafter. 

The NTA further informed that the petitioners had approached the NTA with the same request whereby the NTA asked the MCI to consider whether the NEET (UG)- 2020 could be conducted in online mode by NTA for such candidates in their respective cities abroad on the same date and time (1ST) as fixed for the students appearing in India." However, the MCI in its responding letter to the NTA stated 

The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) is a uniform entrance examaintion. This examination is conducted through Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) in paper book format given to all candidates. This uniformity has to be maintained for all candidates. According to the BoG, MCI is of the view that this examination should not be conducted in online mode by National Testing Agency (NTA) for candidates abroad." 

The NTA in its submission to the court further stated 

The answering respondent submits that the manner as to how examinations have to be conducted is a policy decision and, is, purely within the domain of the examining body viz., MCI and whether centres for conducting such examination should be provided in foreign countries, is in the province of MCI, to decide. MCI has taken its decision and, there is nothing on record which shows that the said decision of MCI is arbitrary or illegal particularly in the light of fact NEET (UG) is a uniform entrance examination and, to maintain uniformity for all candates, it has to be conducted at the same time, on the same day, throughout India. It was for this reason that the said examination cannot be conducted in online mode. The answering respondent further submits that the examination cannot be conducted in abroad citites due to the fact, as already stated, NEET (UG) has to be conducted in single shift at the same time, on the same day to maintain uniformity and, further, the questions papers and other exam materials are to be transported from NTA headquarters to a large number of examination centres in various citites, which would require meticulous planning for safe and secured delivery of the same at the examination centres on time. 

Further responding to the contention that JEE is also held online and hence NEET can also be held on the same pattern the NTA noted 

JEE (Main) is conducted in online mode in various cities in India and outside India as per the scheme of things. However, the NEET (UG) is being conducted in paperback format ever since. Further, 

the JEE (Main) is a joint entrance examination for admission to Undergraduate Engineering Programs at NITs, IIITs, IITs, other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs). Whereas, NEET (UG) is being conducted as a uniform entrance examination for admission to all medical courses in all Medical Institutions across the country. No parity can be drawn between JEE (Main), which is for a non-medical course and NEET (UG) which is for a medical course. The number of seats in engineering colleges in comparison to number of seats in medical colleges within the country are much more. Thus medical seats attract stiffer competition compared to engineering seats. Unlike for JEE (Main), the question papers and other exam materials for NEET (UG) have to be transported from NTA Headquarter to the large number of examination centres in various cities, which would require meticulous planning for safe and secured delivery of the same at the examination centres on time. Whereas, such rigorous preparations are not required for JEE (Main), for which the Question Papers can be delivered to the Examination Centres half an hour before the examination in password protected online mode. Comparatively much more preparations are required to be made for the smooth conduct of the NEET (UG). Also as per the norms of MCI, NEET (UG) has to be conducted in single shift on a single day, in order to obtain the same level of difficulty in question paper for all candidates. It is respectfully submitted that around 15 lakhs candidates appear for NEET (UG ) every year and 15,97,426 candidates have registered for NEET (UG) 2020, whereas about 8 lakh candidates appear for JEE(Main). Since there are large number of candidates (more than 15 lacs), it is not feasible to conduct NEET (UG) 2020 in online mode in single shift for all candidates, in order to maintain the same difficulty level. Therefore, there is no discrimination between the candidates of NEET (UG) and JEE (Main) nor there is any violation of the fundamental rights of the candidates of NEET (UG) as claimed in the writ petition. JEE(Main) and NEET(UG) are two separate class of examinations. Therefore, NEET (UG) cannot be conducted in the same manner as JEE(Main). In the light of the foregoing, it is respectfully submitted that it is not possible to have examination centres abroad including in Gulf Countries, for NEET-UG 2020 

[Breaking] Karnataka HC Refuses To Postpone COMEDK Exam Scheduled On August 19

[Breaking] Karnataka HC Refuses To Postpone COMEDK Exam Scheduled On August 19 

Mustafa Plumber

13 Aug 2020 5:10 PM 

The High Court of Karnataka on Thursday refused to postpone the COMEDK test scheduled to be conducted by Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK) on August 19. 

The Court dismissed a PIL filed by Advocate Abdulla Mannan Khan, which voiced the apprehension that conduct of the test would expose students to the risk of COVID-19. 

While giving a go-ahead to COMEDK, the Court directed the authorities to take all precautions for the safe conduct of the exam. 

The bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ravi Hosmani observed in the as follows: 

"At the outset we find that there is a delay in the examination being conducted. In normal times the exam would have been conducted in April-May. 

State Government has conducted SSLC exam and KCET. It is on that basis that COMEDK, which is a consortium of private professional colleges, has decided to conduct the exam on August 19. 

This court in its order of July 29 has also taken note of SOP that was made available for the conduct of said exams (KCET) and thereafter rejected the interim prayer to stay KCET". 

The Court further added : 

"It is no doubt that the pandemic has affected everybody not only in this country but world over. But at the same time with the passage of time Central/state govt as well as citizens have now got accustomed to carry on with life/administration etc, by taking all precautions it is in that light that we have to view the conduct of examinations for entrance test for various professional colleges or such other entrance test". 

The Court recorded that COMEDK exam is being conducted across India in 342 centres for 20,000 seats and seven universities. 

At the beginning of the hearing, the bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ravi Hosmani pointed out that no student has approached the HC seeking the cancellation of the test, and asked why an advocate has filed the petition. 

"Why do advocates become parties. Ask the students to become petitioners and you become their Advocate", the bench told the petitioner. 

The bench also pointed out that the Court has already permitted the State Government to conduct the Karnataka Common Entrance Test on July 30. 

"If we stay this exam the candidates will suffer", the bench remarked. 

The counsel for the COMEDK submitted that exam was sought to be stayed at the instance of about ten students and that the case was not in "public interest" but was only a "publicity stunt". He told the bench that Tata Consultancy was conducting the exam and they are best in following all the safety guidelines. Test is only conducted for 119 professional private colleges, with 20,000 seats, he submitted. 

The PIL stated that around 70,000-80,000 students will be writing the exams, and the decision to hold the test on August 19 will result in putting the students to the grave danger of COVID19. 

It is stated that "there is no immediate urgency to conduct the COMEDK 2020 as it will not have any effect on the students' academic future." 

"India is raging with the pandemic situation of COVID 19 having cases almost 21,70,688 cumulatively with an addition of almost forty thousand cases per day,Karnataka alone having 1,78,087cases with Almost 3198 deaths and with daily addition of almost 4000 new cases", states the petition. 

COMEDK has 300 Centres spread all over India, with students appearing for the examination from various States. 

The petitioner alleges that there were lapses in maintaining social distancing during the recently.held KCET exam. It is also pointed out that the National testing agency has already postponed the national level entrance tests like JEE, NEET, AIBE, CLAT owing to the dreadful COVID-19 prevailing in the country, 

"It is submitted that Article 21 of the Constitution of India ensure one's right to life which also includes to protect one self, and also government itself if asking the individuals to stay home unless it is very important and this COMEDK is a Manufactured Event for the Student to them in a havoc", the plea states.

[Breaking] Karnataka HC Refuses To Postpone COMEDK Exam Scheduled On August 19

[Breaking] Karnataka HC Refuses To Postpone COMEDK Exam Scheduled On August 19: The High Court of Karnataka on Thursday refused to postpone the COMEDK test scheduled to be conducted by Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK) on August