3,674 physiotherapy, nursing seats empty

MISSION ADMISSION

3,674 physiotherapy, nursing seats empty

Ahmedabad: 23.10.2020 

The admission committee has so far allocated 13,910 seats for physiotherapy and nursing courses on the basis of the choice filling by the candidates. In all, the committee has initiated the process to fill 17,584 seats. As a result, 3,674 seats are currently empty after conducting first round of admission, said sources in the admission committee.

The committee had initially initiated the process for 20,633 seats of 518 colleges. The candidates were given three opportunities for registration following which a merit list of 33,615 candidates was drawn.

But, 3,049 seats of 73 colleges are yet to be approved. “The merit list included 33,615 students out of which 26,093 participated in the choice filling. There are 7,523 students who have not participated in the selection filling process,” said sources.

The college will be allotted on November 2 on the basis of choice filling by students in the first round. TNN

HC to consider replacing legal size papers with A4 in courts

HC to consider replacing legal size papers with A4 in courts

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:  23.10.2020

The Gujarat high court has disposed of a PIL by directing its registry to place the issue before the chief justice for consideration on administrative side about doing away with the legal size papers in court cases and replace them with A4 size.

The HC sent the issue for consideration in response to the PIL filed by a law student Jaydeep Patel, who had sought directions that A4 size paper, with printing on both sides of the paper, instead of legal size paper with one side printing, should be used for all court proceedings. This is with a view to bring uniformity about the use of paper and printing thereon and to minimize consumption of paper, including the costs of the proceedings and consequently to save the environment.

The student had contended that if by altering rules the change can be brought into practice, it would save people’s money and spare them of great inconvenience. The HC also acknowledged the petitioner’s endeavour to highlight that there should be minimum use of paper to prevent ecological imbalance.

The high court agreed with the student’s request of considering on administrative side about amending the rules regarding documents and copies to be supplied by advocates and printing paper-books on both the sides of A4 size paper.

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