Use Aadhaar to get e-pass for inter-district travel instantly

Use Aadhaar to get e-pass for inter-district travel instantly

15/08/2020

Special Correspondent CHENNAI

From August 17, people who apply for an e-pass by providing their Aadhaar or ration card details will get the permit “at once”, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said on Friday.

In a statement, Mr. Palaniswami appealed to the public to apply for an e-pass “only for unavoidable reasons” as the decision to simplify the system had been taken for the welfare of the people.

“I request the public to strictly follow the Standard Operating Procedure framed by the State government to contain the spread of COVID-19, and to extend their cooperation towards the steps being taken by the State government,” the Chief Minister said.

He said the lockdown restrictions had been eased for the benefit of the public, and e-passes were being granted for inter-district movement. Steps were being taken to monitor those moving between districts, and their contacts were being traced in case they contract the infection, he added.

An official release clarified that the “present e-pass system would continue to be in place for international and inter-State movement”.

A Government Order issued by Chief Secretary K. Shanmugam said the decision to ease the e-pass system was taken to enable the movement of people within the State for “important work”.

E-pass applications would be approved “immediately without any delay” for all applicants who provide their Aadhaar or ration card details along with their telephone or mobile numbers, it added.

DMK president M.K. Stalin said, “I reiterate my demand that the e-pass system must be abolished. However, the people should also use the [revised] e-pass system announced today [Friday] responsibly, and only for extremely important purposes.”

Highest and the lowest

Highest and the lowest

15/08/2020

Special Correspondent THENI

Theni district has the highest number of 3,188 active cases of COVID-19 and Sivaganga had 421 cases, the least, among the southern districts on Friday.

There were 3,188 active cases in hospitals and Covid care centres in Theni and as on date, and 112 people had died. Out of the 10 districts in southern district, only Theni had a high number of active cases, while seven districts had anywhere between 1,050 and 1,495 active cases and two districts had less than 1,000, as per the State Health Bulletin.

Over 50 AI pilots ‘released from service’ at one go

Over 50 AI pilots ‘released from service’ at one go

Sudipta.Sengupta@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad:15.08.2020

In what came as a shock to many, more than 50 Air India pilots were “released from their services” via an email, sent out by the management, close to midnight on Thursday.

According to employees, this is the first time that such a sizeable number of pilots — two from Hyderabad — have been shown the door by AI, on a single day. Several among those relieved, they added, tested positive for Covid-19 during execution of the Vande Bharat Mission.

All these pilots are staffers who tendered their resignations between 2019 and 2020 and later withdrew them for various reasons. The withdrawals were made before the lapse of the mandatory notice period.

In the letter (a copy of which is in TOI’s possession), AI stated that the “company is no longer accepting any withdrawal of resignation” while highlighting that the financial strain suffered by the national carrier owing to the pandemic, was another reason for not entertaining withdrawals.

While the AI spokesperson maintained that the pilots were not terminated but only relieved from duty, “on completion of their notice period” as they had earlier resigned “citing financial constraint and wanting to join private competitor airlines”, pilots termed the move “rash” and “illegal”.

Full report on www.toi.in

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