JEE & NEET frauds keep NTA on its toes

Manash.Gohain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:  23.10.2020

Forged marksheets, alleged discrepancies in OMR sheets and fraudulent mails are keeping the National Testing Agency (NTA) on its toes since the declaration of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) 2020 and Joint Entrance Examination (Main) results.

The education ministry, health ministry and NTA have received 30 complaints, majority of them related to NEETUG, about “discrepancies” that subsequent investigation proved to be cases of forgery. NTA has decided to file police complaints about these.

Indicating the pressure to perform and the need to deflect parental anger, some candidates have been resorting to forgery of the marksheets of the NEET-UG 2020 and JEE (Main) to show they scored higher marks.

According to documents accessed by TOI, the faking was so smartly carried out that NTA had to retrieve the answer booklets and take a re-look. In one case a student mailed to NTA attaching a forwarded mail from the agency showing his results, however, the marks are different. “On investigation, we found out that the documents to be forged as the scores mentioned had not been issued to any candidate,” said a senior NTA official.

There are cases where candidates changed the percentile scores of two of the three question sections and the overall rank in NEET and then got their parents to send emails to the education and health ministries and NTA claiming that they had been issued two different marksheets. However, simple errors nailed these lies.

“All genuine grievances will be entertained by the NTA. However, manipulated and fabricated cases will be viewed seriously and NTA will be forced to take legal action against such candidates including cancellation of their candidature or other unscrupulous agents representing such candidates,” said Vineet Joshi, director general, NTA.

According to Dr S Kumar, chancellor, Sri Devaraj Urs University, Kolar, medical admissions has been a “deep racket since 2005,” which however changed after NEET was introduced.

Full report on www.toi.in

JEE 2021 to be held in more regional languages

In order to widen the reach of JEE (Main), the Joint Admission Board (JAB) on Thursday decided to offer the computer-based test for admission to engineering and architecture courses in more regional languages. JEE (Main), which is also the eligibility test for JEE (Advanced) for admission to IITs, is currently offered in English, Hindi and Gujarati and its first cycle of 2021 is likely to be held in January.

The JAB meeting discussed the modalities for offering the test in regional languages and decided on a two-pronged approach. The first formula is that JEE (Main) can be offered in regional languages of states which conduct their local entrance exams for engineering and architecture courses. The second formula is that the test will be offered in the language of any state which is part of JEE (Main) and wants it to be included. TNN Full report on www.toi.in

Missing kid found 22km from home after 6 yrs

Missing kid found 22km from home after 6 yrs

Shubhra.Pant@timesgroup.com

Gurgaon:23.10.2020

One evening in 2014, Anurag, then a little over three years old, was playing near his house in Ghitorni when he got separated from his family. Since then, despite concerted efforts by his family, he couldn’t be traced until last Thursday, when a team of officials from the Child Welfare Commission, Gurgaon Police and the Delhi Police tracked him down to an orphanage in Kherki Daula, 22 km from where he went missing. Anurag was reunited with his family the following day after around six years.

Talking about the search operation, ACP (crime) Preet Pal Sangwan told TOI that the missing cell which was formed in September was informed about Anurag from CWC. After looking through police records in neighbouring cities in the national capital region, the team found a missing child report at Vasant Kunj police station that matched Anurag’s description.

“The major hurdle was that Anurag did not remember anything about his family or their address,” Sangwan recalled.

Police officers from Gurgaon and Delhi showed Anurag’s photo from 2014 to his parents and they immediately recognised him. “The family was taken to meet Anurag on October 15. Since the boy needed some time to mentally prepare himself before going back home, we gave him a week’s time to adjust with the new reality of his life,” said Sunil Kohli, CWC chairman, Gurgaon.

Few days after Anurag went missing in 2014, he was spotted roaming around in DLF-2 by police officers. They sent him to Udayan Care Home, from where he was recovered last week.

Soon after an emotional reunion, Anurag’s mother turned slightly apprehensive about whether the child will be able to blend in with the family after all these years. “I have spent all these years crying and making desperate visits to police stations hoping to find my son,” said Raj Bai, who, along with her husband Ramchandra travelled all the way from Tikamgarh in Madhya Pradesh where they’ve moved to during the lockdown.

Anurag, who studies in class 4, however, was not excited to go home and live with his parents.

He scored 85% in the last annual exam and has dreams of becoming a soldier. He fears that moving back with his parents might disrupt his education. “I have been studying in a good school and have learnt so much. I fear that moving at this stage will hamper my education.”

REUNITED Anurag

Delhi govt announces festival bonus for staff

Delhi govt announces festival bonus for staff

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:23.10.2020

Delhi government on Thursday unveiled Diwali gifts for its employees and announced to pay cash equivalent of leave travel allowance, besides Rs 10,000 interest-free festival package in advance. The announcement made just before Dussehra and Diwali, is aimed to boost festival expenditure, a statement issued by the government said.

To help increase consumption expenditure and incentivise employees, Delhi government has also announced a special cash package in lieu of leave travel concession (LTC) for government employees, said its statement, which also underlined the hard work of the employees during the pandemic. It added that the government believed these steps would bring ease to the lives of the employees.

“With pandemic and lockdown creating a disruption in transport and hospitality sectors, Delhi government has observed that a number of its employees is not in a position to avail the leave travel concession to any place or hometowns. It has decided that cash equivalent of LTC will be given to its employees by way of reimbursement if an employee opts for this in lieu of LTC in the block of 2018–21,” the government stated.

Employees who are entitled to business-class airfare will get Rs 36,000 LTC, followed by Rs 20,000 for those who are entitled to an economy class. Lastly, the employees who are entitled to rail fare of any class will get Rs 6,000 LTC.

For enabling government servants to meet expenses relating to festivals and encourage spending, the government has decided that a special festival package of advance would be accorded to all government employees for any important festivals up to March 31, 2021. “Under the initiative, the amount of the package is Rs10,000 and will be interestfree. This amount will be paid as advance to the employees. Earlier, this provision was only there for non-gazetted staff. Now, it will be applicable to both gazetted and non-gazetted employees,” the government announced.

Employees would get a preloaded Rupay card of the advance value. “Disbursal of advance through Rupay card ensures digital mode of payment, resulting in tax revenue and encouraging an honest business,” the statement noted.

3 6kRS LTC FOR STAFF ENTITLED TO BUSINESS-CLASS AIRFARE

VC still on leave, so govt backs deputy

VC still on leave, so govt backs deputy

DU Split Into Two Camps With Two Pro-VCs

Shradha.Chettri@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:23.10.2020

The Union ministry of education waded into the tussle between Delhi University vicechancellor Yogesh Tyagi and pro-VC P C Joshi late on Thursday night to spell out that the appointments made by the VC were not “valid” since he is on leave and should not be acted upon.

The ministry is also learnt to have written to the President of India, who is the visitor, apprising him of the “crisis situation” in the varsity. According to an official in the ministry, the letter contains some recommendations and the visitor may convey his decision on Friday.

Earlier in the day, Tyagi had removed Joshi from the position of pro-VC and appointed Geeta Bhatt in his place. Joshi had, meanwhile, notified the appointment of a new registrar, Vikas Gupta, whose interview had been completed and appointment cleared by the executive council on Wednesday. Earlier on Wednesday, Tyagi had approved and got notified the appointment of P C Jha as acting registrar and director, South Campus.

The letter from the ministry, however, was addressed to Gupta, giving him legitimacy for now. This was in response to a communication sent by Joshi on Wednesday stating that Tyagi was not discharging his duties and that he had not joined with a medical fitness certificate yet.

“It has been brought to our notice that a notification of charge of registrar was issued on October 21 morning, even before the working hours of the university, without active knowledge of PC Joshi who is the pro-vicechancellor, having charge of vice-chancellor at present as per the statue of the university, and an attempt was made to block the conduct of the executive council meeting scheduled on October 21 by the acting registrar appointed by Professor Yogesh Tyagi who is on leave,” said the letter, signed by Birendra Kumar Singh, deputy secretary.

The ministry has conveyed that if Tyagi wants to join office, he has to submit a medical fitness certificate. The letter reiterates that as Joshi will act as vice-chancellor, all orders issued with the approval of the vicechancellor should also have approval of Joshi.

The university had on Wednesday night declared the executive council meeting chaired by Joshi illegal. Jha, the VC’s choice for registrar, had at night sealed the office at Viceregal Lodge. “In the morning, the other group came along with Gupta and put an additional lock on the office. Once the new pro-VC, Bhatt, was appointed and she took charge, they went away. Now all the newly-appointed officials have taken charge,” said Jha, refusing to comment on the ministry’s letter. Bhatt is also the director of Non-Collegiate Women’s Education Board.

Meanwhile, the Joshi camp circulated a letter issued by the ministry of education on August 31, 2020, which mentioned Joshi being given charge of the post of vice-chancellor during Tyagi’s absence on medical grounds and till he resumed duty.

The letter, signed by undersecretary P K Singh, read: “The posts of registrar and finance officers of DU are lying vacant for the last few months. It is understood that the interviews for these posts were scheduled last month but could not be held in the absence of Yogesh Tyagi, who was hospitalised. Now that PC Joshi has been given the charge of VC during the absence of Tyagi, he should fix the date for the interviews.” Joshi was authorised to preside over the selection committee if by then the VC was not back in office.

AK Bhagi, president of the BJP-affiliated teachers’ group, National Democratic Front, came out in support of Joshi. “As per the order of the ministry, Joshi has been working as an acting vicechancellor and the letter said that the VC will join upon intimation. Now, he has not joined after medical leave. Can he issue such orders from his home? According to us, all the communication coming from Yogesh Tyagi has no validity unless he is medically fit.”

Bhatt, who belongs to the same group and has been appointed as pro-VC by Tyagi, refused to comment on the matter. "I have taken charge as pro-VC and am focusing on the new responsibility," she said.

The ministry has conveyed that if Tyagi wants to join office, he has to submit a medical fitness certificate. As Joshi will act as VC, all orders issued with the approval of the vicechancellor should also have his approval

Govt restores most visas for foreigners

Govt restores most visas for foreigners

Bharti.Jain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:23.10.2020

The government on Thursday restored all existing visas — barring electronic, tourist and medical visas — with immediate effect though in the case of medical visa it has been stated that foreigners intending to visit India for medical treatment can now apply afresh for this category.

The easing of restrictions will mean foreign nationals will be able to visit India for various purposes such as business, conferences, employment, studies, research and medical treatment. Visas for foreigners visiting India for medical treatment will be issued on fresh applications and they can be accompanied by an attendant as well.

In case the validity of restored categories of visas has expired, fresh ones of the appropriate category can be obtained from Indian missions or posts, said an MHA release. The Centre on Thursday also permitted OCI and PIO card-holders who intend to visit India for purposes other than tourism, to enter by air or water routes.

US’s proposed visa limit may hit Indians

The US State Department in a notification on Wednesday proposed to make changes to its visa regulations under which foreign professionals, which would fall under H-1B, would not be issued temporary visa for business. The move may impact Indian firms who send their techies on B-1 visas for a short stay to the US. P 20

Rules relaxed for OCI, PIO card-holders

As part of a “graded” relaxation of Covid-induced visa and travel restrictions for more categories of foreign nationals, the government also permitted OCI and PIO card-holders who intend to visit India for purposes other than tourism. This includes flights operated under Vande Bharat Mission, Air Transport Bubble arrangements or by any non-scheduled commercial flights as allowed by the civil aviation ministry.

All such travellers will, however, be required to strictly adhere to the guidelines of the ministry of health and family welfare regarding quarantine and other health and Covid-19 matters. Medical visa for treatment in India is much sought after by foreigners, given availability of highly-skilled medical professionals and facilities. It is also a major forex earner for the country. With electronic and tourist visas still not restored, the earlier tendency of some foreigners to bend visa rules and seek medical treatment in India while on a tourist visa will no longer be possible.

In view of the situation arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic, the government had taken a series of steps to curtail inward and outward movement of international passengers since February 2020. However, the curbs have been eased in a graded manner, as part of ‘unlock’ regime since June. With this move, the badly affected travel sector, including the worst-hit segments of airlines and hotels, could see some revival.

Full report on www.toi.in

81% women find it difficult to open up about their relationships to parents

81% women find it difficult to open up about their relationships to parents

Riya.Sharma@timesgroup.com  23.10.2020 

With social distancing being practised and work from home becoming the new normal, we have been spending a lot of our time at home, including on weekends. As most singles in India live at home with their parents, a survey recently aimed to understand the challenges faced by young men and women who are stuck at home and its impact on their mental health.

There are communication gaps between parents and their children, the survey conducted by Shaadi.com suggests, with the challenges seeming tougher for women than men.

The survey revealed that 81% women find it difficult to talk about relationship issues whereas only 65% men struggle with this. This is primarily because of the societal perception that surrounds women who are in relationship, making them hesitant about sharing things with their parents. This inability to share their feelings is making it stressful for 60% of the women.

Sujata Singh, a 28-year-old, who works in an MNC in Gurgaon, shares, “I don’t want my parents to know about my dating life. First of all, I don’t think they will understand it and even if they do, they won’t understand if it is serious or just casual dating. They might just become friends with the guy and there will be no privacy left!”

Disha Kumar*, a student of Law, adds, “I don’t think my parents need to know anything about my relationships. I am not sure how they will react if I tell them anything that bothers me in my relationship. I’d rather ask a friend for help as parents might take the problem too seriously.” On the other hand, 92% of parents said that their children are completely free to have conversations with them, as per the survey. But for women in particular, the generation gap is one of the top reasons why they are unable to open up to their folks. On the flip side, 72% parents said they did not feel that the generation gap made it difficult to communicate with their kids.

Vandana Suneja from Gurgaon, a mother of a 25-year-old, shares, “My daughter discusses her relationship with me sometimes. Though I feel she is hesitant at times, I think we have maintained enough trust that lets her tell me anything without fear of being judged.”

(*Names changed on request)

Societal perception that surrounds women who are in relationship makes them hesitant about sharing things with their parents, the survey points out

MY PARENTS DO NOT NEED TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT MY RELATIONSHIPS. I AM NOT SURE HOW THEYWILL REACT, I WOULD RATHER TELL A FRIEND IF I HAVE SOME ISSUES

– Disha Kumar*, a law student

Now, access CBSE docus digitally using facial scan

Now, access CBSE docus digitally using facial scan

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:23.10.2020

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced “Facial Recognition System” (FRS) for students to have digital access to documents. Using the stateof-the-art FRS, the Board will enable students to download their digital academic documents of Class X and XII.

This computer application matches a human face from an image stored in the database. The computer and the human interact to map the facial features. In a similar way, a live image of the student will be matched with the photograph on the CBSE admit card already stored in the repository, and once successful, the certificate will be emailed to the student. This application is now available on “Parniaam Manjusha” and Digi Locker at https://digilocker.gov.in/cbsecertificate.html for all 2020 records.

CBSE has already pushed 12 crore digital academic documents in Digi Locker which can be opened by a student to access mark sheets, pass and migration certificates. “It is felt that the latest facility of face matching will immensely help foreign students and those who are unable to open Digi Locker accounts for any reason such as absence of Aadhaar card or wrong mobile numbers,” said Board said in a statement.