University of Madras professor protests alleging pay discrepancy

University of Madras professor protests alleging pay discrepancy

He claimed he has not been paid for the last seven months, and up to `18 lakh has not been released from his pension fund. “I will be retiring in June.

Published: 22nd January 2021 05:47 AM | Last Updated: 22nd January 2021 05:47 AM | A+A A-

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Noted professor and head of the Politics and Public Administration department at the University of Madras, Ramu Manivannan, staged a sit-in protest at the campus on Thursday alleging salary discrepancies.

Manivannan has been known to openly criticise incidents of corruption, improper management of funds and malpractice. Manivannan told Express that he’s being targeted to be silenced and, “to teach a lesson to others who want to challenge the system.” He claimed he has not been paid for the last seven months, and up to Rs 18 lakh has not been released from his pension fund.

“I will be retiring in June. They have said there is a discrepancy of pay only a few months before I’m leaving,” he said. In late 2019, the university intimated that he was wrongly promoted to the post of associate professor, Manivannan said. “In 2006-07 nationally there was a change in nomenclature of my designation to associate professor as mandated by the UGC. It was not technically a promotion.

All those who worked with me had the changed title,” he said, adding that his salary base has been cut since 2009. “The syndicate had also passed a resolution saying it was the mistake of the university and therefore, the university must pay this. Yet Rs 18 lakh has been deducted from my pension funds,” he rued.

Speaking to Express S Gowri, the Vice-Chancellor (V-C) of the University of Madras said there are issues with the financial audit and that the university is looking into them. “There is an audit objection,” he said.

Colleges forcing students to attend in-person classes?

Colleges forcing students to attend in-person classes?

No official communication sent out, but students in Chennai pressured to show up

Published: 22nd January 2021 06:50 AM 

By Sushmitha Ramakrishnan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Some arts and science colleges in Chennai have mandated that final-year students attend classes physically, even as the government has said in-person attendance should be voluntary. While these colleges have refrained from issuing official circulars, they informally told teachers and members of the college student senate to notify all students about compulsory physical attendance.

The State government permitted colleges to be reopened for final-year students and research scholars from December 7. However, according to the government’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), in-person classes will be voluntary and colleges should make provisions to continue facilitating education in distance mode. A third-year psychology student from a college in Nungambakkam told Express that in the second week of January, the class representative had said on the “class group chat” that attending college physically was made mandatory from January 20.

The student, who hails from a neighbouring state, was confused as no official circular was issued. “When my classmate called my class teacher, she said the college was making in-person classes compulsory only because the government had issued orders along those lines,” the student said, adding that it made sense for students with laboratory sessions to come to college, but was unfair to make all students come.

A final-student from another arts and science college in Gopalapuram was marked absent as she decided to complete her final semester from her hometown in Kerala. “My college stopped online classes in January. So I thought I’ll study on my own. But I was marked absent,” she told Express. The principal of a college in Velachery said they had to cancel online classes as it became hard for the faculty to conduct in-person classes as well.

“When teachers are teaching in person, how can they teach online also? Most of our students are day scholars, and only 15 per cent are from the hostels. We asked students to stay at home if they are sick,” he said. University of Madras vice chancellor S Gowri said the government has not issued any circular mandating physical classes. “Colleges should facilitate classes in both physical and distance mode. That is what we do at the university. Students cannot be forced to come,” he stated.

A senior official from the higher education department told Express they are mulling issuing a clarification that even if colleges cannot conduct online classes for final-year students, they should allow distance mode of education. S Apoorva, principal secretary of the higher education department, said the department is looking into the problem.

HC stays govt appointment of Mumbai varsity registrar

HC stays govt appointment of Mumbai varsity registrar

Hemali.Chhapia@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:22.01.2021

The Bombay high court on Thursday stayed the state government’s order of appointing Ramdas Atram as Mumbai University registrar.

Giving interim relief to Dhanesh Sawant, senate member and chancellor’s nominee to MU who had filed a petition against the government’s “arbitrary action and interference” in appointing Atram, the court ordered that the charge be immediately given back to the earlier vice-chancellor appointee, Baliram Gaikwad.

In his petition, Sawant alleged that the state “exceeded its powers” and has “ulterior motives” in appointing Atram. He claimed that the state government had earlier too tried to usurp powers and encroach upon the statutory and executive powers of Mumbai University, a statutory body.

Sawant also submitted that the government’s directions asking all varsities to submit details of vacant posts, selection committees and panel members, with a sign-off asking varsities to not start any recruitment process (with the state’s nod) amounts to “overarching interference in the autonomy of universities and is arbitrary”.

Sawant said it is only because of the government resolution dated May 4, 2020, the vice-chancellor had sought the state permission on September 14, 2020, to start the process of selection for the registrar. Considering the Covid-19 pandemic, the state had imposed a ban on new appointments without its permission. After waiting for two months to hear from the government, Gaikwad was appointed.

“The petition was admitted and interim relief has been granted,” said the petitioner’s advocate Anjali Helekar.

The HC observed that although the state is empowered under Section 8(5) of the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2017, to appoint a registrar, there was no circumstance shown to the court which forced the state to exercise these powers.

Lauding the HC stay, chancellor’s nominee to the management council, Deepak Mukadam, said: “...Hope they [the government] have realised that democracy is still alive. No government should venture or adventure in this way of making lateral entry in state universities in the future.”

Doctors’ Prescription... We Can, So Should You

Doctors’ Prescription... We Can, So Should You

TEAM TOI

New Delhi:22.01.2021

Alka Gujral, a gynaecologist at Max Hospital, Saket, claimed to have had no apprehensions about receiving the Covid-19 vaccine on Thursday. The 60-year-old doctor’s message was clear, “It is better to get the vaccine than to live with the fear of the coronavirus.” Her daughter and son-in-law too got inoculated in the United States. Vineet Bajaj, 34, assistant professor of orthopedics at Lok Nayak Hospital, also bared his arm for the injection on Thursday. His name wasn’t listed, but he volunteered for early vaccination. “With the out-patients department and in-patient services resuming in the hospital, we need the jab for self-protection,” he said.

Both Gujral and Bajaj, of course, were also heeding the call for seniors to opt for the vaccine to allay worries about adverse reactions and the efficacy of the two vaccines being used in India. As Dr Deepak Gupta, professor of neurosurgery at AIIMS, put it, “Unless the senior faculty members come forward, the juniors will not budge. We need to lead from the front.” Gupta opted for the vaccine on Thursday and publicised it on the faculty WhatsApp group, inspiring some others too to walk to the vaccination booth.

“Doctors have been working tirelessly to treat Covid patients for almost a year. It’s time now for doctors also to create society’s trust in India-manufactured vaccines,” added Gupta, who lost his mother to the insidious coronavirus recently.

Dr Santosh Pandey and Dr Wasim, both senior paediatricians at Deen Dayal Upadhayay Hospital, queued up for the shot on Thursday. “It was Dr Wasim who motivated me to come here,” admitted Pandey, waiting patiently in the rear row at their hospital’s vaccination centre. Wasim himself said, “We are around 65 doctors in our department and only if we take the lead will the others shed their inhibitions and follow suit. We all need to ignore the negative news floating around.”

Apart from the two, Dr Jasmeet Kaur, 57, head of ENT, and Dr Maninder Kaur Chhabra, 52, senior surgery specialist, also had their arms pricked at DDU — and then posted the news on their departmental social media group to inspire those who were more circumspect.

The turnout at the premier AIIMS has been lower than in many hospitals. The seniors there have already played the exemplary role. In a well-highlighted procedure on the first day of vaccinations on January 16, AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria looked on as a nurse jabbed his arm. “I haven’t suffered any side-effects,” he said. Dr Y K Misra, chief of clinical services and head of cardiac sciences at Manipal Hospital, has been similarly treated. “It’s been two days since I received the injection and haven’t had any serious symptoms,” said Misra, who is not only a vulnerable 67 years old, but is also a diabetic.

Many others are taking the cue from these doctors. At Guru Gobind Singh Hospital, gynaecologist Huma Ali arrived on time for the vaccination despite having spent the night on duty in the hospital. “The government is giving us this advantage as priority recipients, and all health workers must participate. After facing Covid together, we must together avail of the protection provided by the vaccine,” said Dr Ali.

Dr Ashish Dey, 42, of the general and laparoscopic surgery department at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital too decided to become a role model. “I feel this is social responsibility,” he said.

At Max Saket, 58-year-old Balbir Singh was one of the senior doctors to voluntarily get inoculated. Afterwards, the cardiologist posted this optimistic message on social media: “Hopefully this is the beginning of the end of Covid-19”. He added that if doctors themselves were reluctant to accept the vaccine, they couldn’t expect the general public to do so. Singh is, in fact, eagerly waiting to get his 84-yearold mother vaccinated.

LEADING FROM THE FRONT: Dr Santosh Pandey (left) and Dr Wasim at DDU Hospital; Dr Deepak Gupta at AIIMS take the shot on Thursday

Married daughters can claim parent’s job: Govt

POLITICS & POLICY

Married daughters can claim parent’s job: Govt

BSY Cabinet Agrees To Amend Rules

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

22.01.2021

Bengaluru: The cabinet on Thursday proposed to amend rules to ensure married daughters of deceased government staffers can also seek employment in state departments on compassionate grounds.

The proposal was drafted after the Karnataka high court asked the government to consider a petitioner’s appeal for a job. Earlier, only sons and unmarried daughters of deceased government staffers were considered for employment under the said conditions.

The cabinet approved an amendment to the Karnataka Civil Services (Appointment on Compassionate Grounds) (Amendment) Rules, 2020, which also seeks to make guardians of deceased employees’ parents eligible for government jobs. “If a deceased employee does not have siblings, then the guardian of his or her parents will be eligible to secure the government job,” said home and law & parliamentary affairs minister Basavaraj Bommai.

The government also approved the implementation of the second phase of the Swachh Bharat Mission, under which 5.5 lakh toilets will be constructed over the next five years. The central and state governments will share 70 per cent of the cost, while the rest will be covered through the 15th Finance Commission’s allocation.

In another decision, the cabinet approved distribution of two saris each to more than 1.8 lakh anganwadi workers and helpers for the year 2020-21. The saris will be bought from the Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation. Facilities for videoconferencing will be set up at 52 new taluk headquarters, 227 taluk panchayat offices and three regional commissioners’ offices at a cost of Rs 35 crore.

PLEA FOR ACTION: BJP women’s wing met home minister Basavaraj Bommai to seek action against a Cong MLA for allegedly hitting a cop

Govt to regularise 65 illegal colonies

Karnataka Housing Board (KHB) has developed 65 colonies in the state without necessary approvals. The cabinet discussed the issue on Thursday. The government plans to regularise the colonies as a one-time reprieve. Of the 65 colonies, houses have been allotted in 59. Home minister Basavaraj Bommai said that these colonies were built without government sanction in 2000. “As a result, the local bodies refused to provide amenities to these colonies. We have warned KHB against undertaking such illegal development of layouts,” he added.

Seer’s death anniv to be marked as Dasoha Day

Chief minister BS Yediyurappa said on Thursday that the death anniversary of Tumakuru Siddaganga seer Shivakumar Swami would be observed as the Dasoha Day (mass feeding day). He made the announcement after marking the second death anniversary of the seer in Tumakuru. He also said that construction of a 111-ft statue of the seer in his birthplace, Veerapura in Mandya district, would begin soon. The government will spend Rs 80 crore on the project. “We want to develop Veerapura as a pilgrimage centre, which will depict the life and message of the seer,” he added.

Five workers killed in fire at Serum Institute plant

Five workers killed in fire at Serum Institute plant

Covishield Unit Unaffected, ₹25L For Victim’s Kin

Asseem Shaikh & Umesh Isalkar TNN

Pune:22.01.2021

Five people died in a major fire that broke out at Serum Institute of India’s (SII) vaccine manufacturing plant at Manjari, near Hadapsar here, at around 2.30 pm on Thursday.

“Five charred bodies were found at the site. We are investigating the matter,” Pune police commissioner Amitabh Gupta told TOI.

Police said preliminary information revealed that the five victims were among the workers hired by a contractor for some civil work, including electrical and pipe fitting jobs, on the sixth and topmost floor of the facility. After the fire brigade put out the blaze, the contractor reported that some of his men were missing. Their bodies were found during a search.

Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope, who was updated by district collector Rajesh Deshmukh, told TOI, “Prima facie, welding work at the plant firing up installation material has been ascertained as the cause of the fire. I want to reiterate that the Covishield vaccine plant is far away from the site that caught fire. There are absolutely no losses of the Covid vaccine.”

SII fire: Co to give ₹25L compensation to victims’ families

Adar Poonawalla, owner and chief executive officer of SII, posted on his official Twitter handle: “We have just received some distressing updates; upon further investigation we have learnt that there has unfortunately been some loss of life at the incident. We are deeply saddened and offer our deepest condolences to the family members of the departed.”

Poonawalla later told TOI, “The rotavirus vaccine facility, where the fire broke out, was an additional manufacturing unit that got damaged in the blaze. Covishield production will not be affected as our plant has multiple manufacturing units.” Rotaviruses are the most common cause of diarrhoeal disease among infants and young children.

SII CMD Cyrus Poonawalla said in a statement: “Today (Thursday) is an extremely sorrowful day for all of us at SII. Regrettably, there were losses of lives in the fire that broke out in our under-installation facility situated at the special economic zone at Manjari.”

“We are deeply saddened and offer our condolences to the families of the departed. In this regard, we will be offering compensation of Rs 25 lakh to each of the (victim’s) family, in addition to the mandated amount as per norms. We would like to extend our gratitude to everyone for their concern and prayers in this distressing time,” he added.

Workers outside the SII building in Pune on Thursday

REGION DIGEST

REGION DIGEST

AIIMS Madurai budget hiked to ₹2,000 crore

22.01.2021

The budget for the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) that is to be established at Thoppur in Madurai has been increased to ₹2,000 crore from ₹1,264 crore as a hospital for infectious diseases is also to be set up along with the super speciality hospital-cum-medical college. The Madurai MP Su Venkatesan said the Union health ministry informed him about this.

AIADMK betrayed people, says Dayanidhi:The ruling AIADMK government has betrayed the people of Tamil Nadu for the past ten years, Chennai Central DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran said on Thursday. Addressing a gathering at Alangudi on the first day of the four-day election campaign ‘Vidiyalai Nokki Stalinin Kural’ (Stalin’s voice for a new dawn) in Tiruvarur district, Dayanidhi Maran claimed the ₹2,500 given was not for Pongal but for votes. “We pay GST for all goods including petrol and gas. They (state government) receive our money by way of tax and disburse it to the people as a Pongal gift,” he said. He criticized both the Centre and state government for implementing NEET in the state.

No ‘At home’ reception in Raj Bhavan: Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit will not host the customary ‘At home’ reception at the Raj Bhavan on Republic day. An official release from Raj Bhavan said the governor had decided not to host the reception in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

Theni collector Covid-19 positive: Theni district collector Pallavi M Baldev has been admitted to Theni Medical College Hospital after she tested positive for Covid-19. Sources said her condition was stable.

Farmers take out green flag rally against new laws:Farmers belonging to 72 organisations took out a ‘green flag rally’ in Thanjavur to show their solidarity with the farmers holding protests against the agriculture laws in New Delhi. Hundreds participated in the rally organised by the Cauvery Rights Retrieval Committee took off from Tholgappiyar square in Thanjavur and concluded near the statue of Raja Raja Cholan.

Central team says Vaigai dam needs more shutters: Members of the Central Water Commission and top PWD officials, who inspected the Vaigai dam as the water level touched the maximum 71-feet mark, said it requires additional shutters. It now has 14. rainfall conditions.

PMK insists govt press guv for Perarivalan release: After the Centre told the Supreme Court that the governor of Tamil Nadu would take a call on the release of A G Perarivalan, one of the life convicts in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, PMK leader S Ramadoss on Thursday urged the state to put pressure on the governor to ensure a positive decision. He tweeted that the governor should issue an order to release the six other convicts as well.