Eatery in soup for unsafe ‘Chicken 65’

Eatery in soup for unsafe ‘Chicken 65’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:14.11.2020

The management of a restaurant in Kilpauk has been fined ₹12,500 by a magistrate for selling unsafe food product.

Food safety officials had taken samples of 'Chicken 65' dish from the restaurant for analysis. The results showed that there were additives in the dish, which were found unsafe for consumption.

According to the prosecution, in July 2018, food safety department officials had inspected the premises of Hotel Paramount in Kilpauk. During inspection, officials noted that the management had not maintained the purchase and sale particulars of food articles. On apprehension over the appearance of ‘Chicken 65’, food safety department took samples of the food items from the restaurant.

The same was sent to an analyst in Tanjore, who reported that the food is unsafe. “Till date, the management has not challenged analysis report,” the prosecution submitted.

No Diwali rush as 3L board buses home from city

No Diwali rush as 3L board buses home from city

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:14.11.2020

A day ahead of Diwali, more than three lakh people left the city for their native places in government buses on Friday, but there was no mad rush at the Koyambedu bus terminus and other bus pickup points unlike the previous years.

The Tamil Nadu transport department announced that 1,580 special buses will be operated in addition to the 2,000 regular bus services from Chennai on Friday.

Of these, 2,438 buses were operated till 8pm, including 611 special buses. “Other buses will be operated based on demand. Given the trend, we don’t feel the need to operate more buses,” said a State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) official.

Enough buses will ply to ferry all the 92,800 people who have reserved tickets online. SETC expects at least four lakh people to have left the city by the end of the day.

Last year, around 6.7 lakh people left the city in buses. “This year, even when there were not enough trains due to Covid restrictions, fewer people commuted. This could be because either people stayed back in Chennai or left a day earlier in order to avoid rush,” the SETC official said.

Thermal scanners were in place at all entry points in Koyambedu and no passenger was allowed to board a bus without a mask.

Most of the private buses travelling to distant places such as Madurai, Coimbatore or Tirunelveli had left the city on Thursday. The ticket fee was 50% higher than the usual fare on Friday but the crowd was thinner with demand high only to nearby places such as Vellore or Salem which can be reached within 6 hours, said Karthick, a private bus operator.

A transport department official said complaints received on helpline were addressed and cases were booked against private buses for fleecing passengers.

Late evening rain resulted in water stagnation on roads causing traffic congestion in Tambaram and West Anna Nagar. “There were not enough police at the Thirumangalam signal to manage the traffic,” said R Sadish, who reached the bus terminus after a 30-minute delay.

Demand for taxis was very high with few drivers signing in for duty. Autorickshaw drivers made a killing with fares from Anna Nagar to Koyambedu being Rs 200, 50% more than usual.

SMOOTH RUN: The usual Diwali rush was missing at Koyambedu. Officials said people might have left for their native places

Probe against Anna Univ VC for abuse of power, financial wrongs

Probe against Anna Univ VC for abuse of power, financial wrongs

Ex-HC Judge To File Report In 3 Months

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:14.11.2020

The state government on Friday ordered an inquiry by a retired judge of the Madras high court into allegations of financial irregularities and abuse of power by Anna University vice-chancellor M K Surappa, saying “prima facie the allegations are serious in nature.”

Justice P Kalaiyarasan has been asked to submit his report in three months.

“He need not be afraid. If he is honest, he shall come clean after the inquiry,” higher education minister K P Anbalagan told TOI when asked about the decision which was cleared by chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.

“We have ordered the inquiry to bring out the truth since we have been receiving several petitions against the Vice-Chancellor,” the minister said.

The government order listed out petitions received in the past few months, alleging corruption of ₹200 crore in recruitment of temporary teaching staff, misuse of power in appointment of Surappa’s daughter, scam in purchase of machineries and one involving examination office, lack of approval from syndicate on the appointment of additional registrar, promotions using forged certificates, besides financial irregularities and malpractices in semester examination and revaluation. It was alleged that Surappa mailed wrong information to AICTE that the final year students were passed without holding examinations.

Surprised, ready to face probe: Surappa

Anna University vice-chancellor M K Surappa, who expressed surprise at a probe being initiated against him, said he was ready to face it. “I am surprised. A committee has been formed based on anonymous complaints without a shred of evidence and verifying them. I cannot even imagine such allegations against a person of my calibre and integrity,” Surappa said. As for the allegations regarding his daughter’s appointment in the university, the VC said: “My daughter is an intellectual property specialist at Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru. Intellectual property cell at Anna University wanted her services. She worked here on honorary capacity for six months without receiving a rupee as salary,” he said. He said his daughter was not appointed, but accepted a post on request.

All activities in Anna univ since Surappa took over to be probed

The probe has come after at least three standoffs between the government and the university in recent weeks over grant of Institute of Eminence (IoE) for Anna University; bifurcation of Anna University; and policy regarding grant of blanket pass for students with arrears.

The probe will cover the amount received by the university during Surappa’s tenure in the form of fees, assistance, donation, grants and the amount paid out by the varsity, and the allegations of financial misfeasance, fraud, misappropriation and any other allegations in that regard, the order said. The inquiry will study if the university’s activities conformed to the Anna University Act and the alleged scam in the Career Advancement Scheme.

Contracts and agreements entered into by the university during Surappa’s tenure, lapse or abuse of official position on the part of anyone connected with the university will also be probed. The inquiry officer, if he deems it fit, also will look into the allegations to any previous period. If such allegations are proved to be true, the inquiry officer then suggests suitable ways and means to prevent such recurrences in future, the order said.

Money received by the university during Surappa’s tenure in the form of fees, assistance, donation, grants and the amount paid out by the varsity, and the allegations of financial fraud will be investigated by the panel

Fee hiked in pvt medical & dental colleges

Fee hiked in pvt medical & dental colleges

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:13.11.2020

The fees for medical and dental undergraduate seats in private colleges have been hiked. The increase is 15% for government quota seats in private colleges and 25% for private quota seats.

The new fee for MBBS would be Rs 1.28 lakh for government seats in private colleges and Rs 9.82 lakh for private seats. Last year, the fee for a government quota seat in a medical college was Rs 1.11 lakh, while for a private quota seat, it was Rs 7.85 lakh.

In BDS, the fee for government seat would be Rs 83,357 (against Rs 72,484 last year) and for private seat, Rs 6.66 lakh (Rs 5.32 lakh last year).

There are about 25 private medical colleges in Karnataka. The private medical colleges association had sought an increase of 30% for private seat fees in their colleges.

More private sector employees can now travel on Chennai suburban trains

More private sector employees can now travel on Chennai suburban trains

The private sector employees can purchase tickets by submitting authorisation letters issued by their employers along with their photo identity cards

Published: 12th November 2020 07:27 PM 

With the rising number of passengers, the number of suburban services have been increased from 154 to 204 a day | R Satish Babu

By B Anbuselvan 

Express News Service

CHENNAI: A few days after permitting some private company staff to travel on Chennai suburban trains, more private sector employees can now get on board. Southern Railway on Thursday announced that essential service staff of private companies in a few more sectors can travel in the 'workmen specials' operated on the Chennai suburban routes.

With the rising number of passengers, the number of suburban services have been increased from 154 to 204 a day.

According to official sources, employees of agencies involved in operation and maintenance of all public amenities, agencies dealing with manufacturing, transportation, supply, trading, repairs and maintenance of machineries and equipment and their spares associated with essential goods and services are allowed to travel.

Similarly, employees of agencies which provide ancillary and collaborative services linked to essential services and all establishments providing health and fitness services including sports are also permitted to travel in suburban trains.

The private sector employees can purchase tickets by submitting authorisation letters issued by their employers along with their photo identity cards.

In addition, rail passengers who are holding tickets for long distance journeys either originating or terminating at the Chennai suburban area and air passengers travelling to and from Chennai airport are also permitted to use suburban trains.

Earlier, on October 23, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami had written to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal urging him to resume suburban services in Chennai.

Over 38k students apply for MBBS, BDS courses

Over 38k students apply for MBBS, BDS courses

Till 5 pm on Thursday, 43,761 candidates had registered for counselling, but among them only 38,232 submitted their filled-in applications.

Published: 13th November 2020 05:42 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: A total of 38,232 candidates submitted their filled-in online applications for MBBS and BDS courses this year, according to the Selection Committee. Thursday was the last date for online submission of applications. According to the Directorate of Medical Education, Selection Committee, they received 24,154 applications for government colleges and 14,078 for private colleges. 

Till 5 pm on Thursday, 43,761 candidates had registered for counselling, but among them only 38,232 submitted their filled-in applications. Speaking to press at the Secretariat, Health Minister C Vijayabaskar said candidates can also send e-mails to the Selection Committee for any corrections in their applications. 

“This is to ensure that the applications do not get rejected for minor corrections,” he said.

The Minister also said there were 4,061 MBBS seats and more would be added as they come. The rank list will be released on November 16 at the Directorate of Medical Education office, and counselling might be conducted on November 18-19, after discussion with the Chief Minister. 

“On the first day, special counselling will be conducted and on the next day, counselling will be conducted for 7.5 per cent horizontal reservation for government school students. After that, general counselling will begin,” Vijayabaskar said. He said around 304 MBBS seats and 91 BDS seats might go for government school students.

Vijayabaskar said due to pandemic, the government is planning to conduct offline counselling in places like Nehru Stadium this year. Per day around 500 candidates will be called for the counselling at different timings to prevent crowding in the premises. The counselling will be conducted following all Covid-19 guidelines.

All welcome delay in reopening schools but... what next?

All welcome delay in reopening schools but... what next?

With no real-time interactions, students who do not have access to technology bear the brunt; stakeholders concerned as lab works and doubts are left behind

Published: 13th November 2020 05:43 AM 

Reopening of schools is deferred for now in Tamil Nadu due to COVID-19. (File Photo | EPS)

By Sushmitha Ramakrishnan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Students and teachers heaved a sigh of relief after the State government postponed its decision to reopen educational institutions. The fear of a second wave of Coronavirus has gripped the State as many Indian cities are witnessing a surge in cases, propelled by the festive season.

However, many have urged the government to make alternate arrangements for online education for the economically disadvantaged students, who have had very little interaction with teachers during the lockdown. The decision to delay reopening was timely, said KM Karthik, founder of All India Private Colleges Employees Association.

“Delhi is witnessing its third wave. We haven’t had the second wave yet. Hence, taking precautionary steps is a wiser option,” he said. The next 20 days will be challenging, said Prince Gajendra Babu, general secretary, State Platform for Common School System, opining that this is the time public should remain safe, vigilant and follow guidelines.

However, having no real-time interactions with teachers remains a major problem for students who do not have access to technology. The only mode of education that thousands of children from government and smaller private schools have been getting are the recorded videos broadcast on Kalvi TV and those shared to their laptops. “Students will have no clarity of what they are studying if they cannot get doubts cleared. The government should provide internet access to at least class 12 government school students, who already have laptops,” said PK Ilamaran, leader of Tamil Nadu Government Teachers Association. 

He added that the government should also immediately announce priority and optional syllabus so that teachers can prepare students accordingly. Some private school teachers and administrators said the government could have however included certain relaxations. “For example, students have no experience in lab works earmarked for this academic year. Government could have allowed students to come to school once a week on a trial-and-error basis,” said a principal of a CBSE school in Chennai.

She added many parents wanted permission to send their wards for doubt-clearing sessions. “Most schools in the city received this suggestion. It was the popular sentiment and we thought the government would take it up,” she said.

The principal of an Arts and Science College in Thiruvarur said many students in their college hail from neighbouring districts. “The government should open educational institutions in a phased manner so that there are adequate transport facilities to reach college safely.” DMK president MK Stalin said on social media that the government is going back on its word over and over again and that this has left people confused and distressed. However, other opposition leaders have welcomed the decision to delay of reopening.