UGC hostel rules run into host of practical problems

UGC hostel rules run into host of practical problems

Ardhra.Nair@timesgroup.com

Pune: 04.02.2021

The standard operating procedures for colleges to reopen, published by University Grants Commission last year in the wake of Covid 19 pandemic, is causing stress to universities and higher education institutions as it stipulates only one person per hostel room.

Every institution should regularly monitor the health of its students, faculty, and staff who should also be sensitized on self-monitoring of their health, the rules said.

The hostels in the universities and colleges are woefully short, and most rooms are shared by more than three students.

However, UGC vice-chairman, Bhushan Patwardhan, said these were guidelines and decisions can be taken at the local level based on the conditions and safety of students.

Nitin Karmalkar, vicechancellor of SPPU, said while the university is already prepared for the reopening and has an SoP for all sections of the campus, the problematic part would be the hostels.

“We have a large number of students coming from outside the city and even if we keep theory classes online as much as possible, there is no alternative to practical classes in the laboratory. For students living in other districts or states, it will not be feasible and will also be risky if they have to be called in batches and have to travel frequently. Hence, staying in hostels is the only option. But if the one person per room rule is applied, then we will be short of rooms. So, we are going to write to the UGC appealing for an amendment in that clause so that when colleges reopen, students have a secure place to stay,” Karmalkar said.

Vidya Yeravdekar, principal director of Symbiosis Society, said at the moment they have reopened the Symbiosis Medical College for Women, and are providing accommodation as per one person per room norm.

“However, these are young women who have just completed their standard XII and many of them are new to the city and living away from their parents for the first time. Hence, they want to have room mates so that there is no feeling of loneliness. Our hostel rooms are big enough to accommodate two people while maintaining enough social distancing. We would also be writing to the UGC to see if two persons per room will be allowed especially when there is enough space in the room,” Yeravdekar said.

Patwardhan said they are not revisiting the guidelines. “We have given enough freedom to universities to make local decisions based on the situation in the area. They can also innovate. If they decide to keep two students in a room and their Covid-19 test is negative, then there is no problem. There is flexibility and freedom given to them and they can decide to keep the best interest of students,” he said.

No HC relief for man who faked identity to sexually exploit woman

No HC relief for man who faked identity to sexually exploit woman

Abhinav.Garg@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:  04.02.2021

A man who faked his identity to allegedly sexually exploit a woman for years on the false promise of marriage will now be tried for rape, even though the couple claimed to have reached a compromise.

Delhi High Court this week dismissed a plea to quash the FIR registered for rape and forgery, after it found that the accused, Akhtar, not only forged his marriage certificate but also Aadhaar card.

“It is the allegation of the complainant that the petitioner Akhtar falsely represented himself as Shiva and promised marriage to her and had a physical relationship with her. The marriage certificate is found to be a fake one and in any event, the petitioner could not have married her in Arya Samaj Mandir according to Hindu Vedic rites and customs,” justice Subramonium Prasad noted, rejecting the compromise bid.

The couple cited a compromise deed where the woman said she had accepted her fate and wanted a peaceful married life with Akhtar.

But the court was not convinced. Justice Prasad observed that “it is evident that the petitioner has been accused of serious offences like rape and forgery having a bearing on vital societal interest and these offences cannot be construed to be merely private or civil disputes but rather will have an effect on the society at large. In crimes, which seriously endanger the well-being of the society, it is not safe to leave the crime doer only because he and the victim have settled the dispute amicably.”

According to the FIR lodged in December last year at Prem Nagar police station, the woman complained that Akhtar met her posing as Shiva and he promised to marry her five years ago. The couple had a physical relationship but the woman was shocked to realise his identity as Akhtar when he disclosed it after marrying her at a temple. The woman also claimed in the FIR that after the marriage, the accused started demanding money and when she visited his parents, she was driven away by them. Nearly a month after recording her statement before a magistrate, the woman agreed to a compromise deed.

In its probe report, police told the court that the accused hid his identity and was sexually exploiting the victim for five years. They further alleged Akhtar even forged his marriage certificate and had two Aadhar cards—one in the name of Shiva and the other as Akhtar.

“This court is not in a position to quash the FIR on the basis of compromise entered into between the parties where it is stated that the accused and the complaint have decided to stay as husband and wife and lead their peaceful marital life,” the high court said.

DELHI HIGH COURT SAYS

In crimes that endanger the well-being of the society, it is not safe to leave the crime doer only because he and the victim have settled the dispute amicably

Study shows Oxford vaccine slows transmission of the virus

A SHOT OF HOPE

Study shows Oxford vaccine slows transmission of the virus

But Scientists Caution That More Analysis Of The Data Needed

04.02.2021

The vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca not only protects people from serious illness and death but also substantially slows the transmission of the virus, according to a new study — a finding that underscores the importance of mass vaccination as a path out of the pandemic. The study by researchers at the University of Oxford is the first to document evidence that any coronavirus vaccine can reduce transmission of the virus.

Researchers measured the impact on transmission

by swabbing participants every week seeking to detect signs of the virus. If there is no virus present, even if someone is infected, it cannot be spread. And they found a 67 percent reduction in positive swabs among those vaccinated. The results, detailed by Oxford and AstraZeneca researchers in a manuscript that has not been peer-reviewed, found that the vaccine could cut transmission by nearly two-thirds. Matt Hancock, the British health secretary, hailed the results on Wednesday as “absolutely superb.” “We now know that the Oxford vaccine also reduces transmission and that will help us all get out of this pandemic,” Mr. Hancock said in an interview Wednesday morning with the BBC.

The results, he said, “should give everyone confidence that this jab works not only to keep you safe but to keep you from passing on the virus to others.”

Some scientists looking at the limited information released cautioned that more analysis of the data was needed before such broad conclusions could be firmly stated.

“While this would be extremely welcome news, we do need more data before this can be confirmed and so it’s important that we all still continue to follow social distancing guidance after we have been vaccinated,” said Dr. Doug Brown, chief executive of the British Society for Immunology. The Oxford and AstraZeneca researchers also found that a single dose of the vaccine was 76 percent effective at preventing Covid-19. The data measured the three months after the first shot was given, not including an initial three-week period needed for protection to take effect. The encouraging results, lend support to the strategy deployed by Britain and other countries to prioritize providing as many first doses of vaccines as possible, setting aside concerns that people will get their second doses later than initially planned. The latest data do not have bearing on the debate over whether to further space out the doses of the two vaccines authorized in the United States, those from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, since the data on AstraZeneca’s candidate cannot be generalized to other vaccines.

Some scientists have called on the United States to follow the lead of Britain and other countries that have opted to delay the second doses of vaccines by up to 12 weeks. But U.S. federal officials have resisted. AGENCIES

Researchers measured the impact on transmission and found a 67 % reduction in positive swabs among those vaccinated

RGUHS official cheated of ₹70L

FAKE PROMISE

RGUHS official cheated of ₹70L

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:  04.02.2021

An assistant registrar with Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), Jayanagar filed a criminal complaint against a couple, accusing them of duping her of Rs 70 lakh on the pretext of getting her work done through ministers known to them.

Dr Prabha, 43, identified the accused as Manjunath and his wife M Lakshmi Priya, residents of Hebbal. Manjunath is first division assistant with the animal husbandry and veterinary department. Dr Prabha told cops that Manjunath is a close relative.

However, she did not mention in the FIR the nature of work for which she gave money to Manjunath.

Computer operator forges documents

A panchayat development officer of Anneshwara gram panchayat, Devanahalli, filed a complaint against his computer operator for forging documents to enrol herself on the regular staff list and become eligible for better salary and more perks.

PDO Kumar identified the accused as R Renuka, an on-contract staffer.

“Renuka forged documents, including the attendance register and salary slips. I have been told to initiate legal action against her under the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act, 1993 and place her under suspension,” the complaint filed by the PDO with police read.

Tejas Exp to resume

Tejas Exp to resume

Ahmedabad: 04.02.2021

The IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) will start operating the Tejas Express on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai route from February 14. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Tejas Express was stopped from November 24 last year due to poor occupancy. Railway officials said that the IRCTC has now decided to run the train four days a week — Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday — with the same stoppages and timings. The officials said that Covid safety protocols will be in place for the service including safety kits for all passengers and disinfecting the train before the journeys. The IRCTC had started the service on October 17 last year. But barely a month later, the train’s occupancy fell to about 35%. TNN

Fastest to 4m: 45% of health workers given vax in 18 days

Fastest to 4m: 45% of health workers given vax in 18 days

MP Tops List Followed By Raj; TN Among Worst

Sushmi.Dey@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:  04.02.2021

India has inoculated around 45% of healthcare workers across the country against Covid-19 in 18 days since the launch of its vaccination drive on Jan 16, becoming the fastest country to vaccinate more than 4 million people, official data till February 2 shows.

On Wednesday, 2,48,662 beneficiaries were vaccinated, taking the total to more than 43.88 lakh till late evening, accounting for 47% of the total 92,61,227 health workers enrolled from the public and private sectors.

Compared to India, the US took 20 days, whereas UK and Israel took 39 days to vaccinate four million people.

Among the major states (with large pool of beneficiaries), Madhya Pradesh vaccinated the highest 69.4% of its healthcare workers till February 2, followed by Rajasthan at 64.7%. However, in absolute numbers, Uttar Pradesh vaccinated the highest over 4.63 lakh, 51% of its more than 9 lakh healthcare workers in 18 days. TN has inoculated only 22.6% of its health workers.

1 in 4 Indians may be virus-positive

About one in four of India’s 1.35 billion people may have been infected with the virus, said a source privy to a government serological survey. The country’s caseload may be many times higher than reported. P 12

Name not in Cowin portal? No vax in TN

Health officials in TN on Wednesday said they would not offer the Covid vaccine to people whose names are not in the Cowin portal, even as 10,476 people were vaccinated on the day. The portal has been closed for registering names of healthcare providers. P 6

Odisha, Kerala, Haryana & Guj have vaccinated 50% of health workforce

On the other hand, Maharashtra, with the largest health workforce with 9,36,857 beneficiaries registered, vaccinated only 34%. Tamil Nadu (22.6%), Delhi (26.6%), Chhattisgarh (29%), Puducherry (12.3%) and Goa (28.3%) are among the other states with poor coverage of Covid vaccination. Manipur has registered the lowest vaccination at10% till February 2.

Lakshadweep has covered 90% of is health workers and tops the list despite its small demographic.

West Bengal and Karnataka,bothwithover 7lakhhealth beneficiaries each, have inoculated 41.1% and 40.9%, respectively.

Other states like Odisha, Kerala, Haryana and Gujarat have over 50% coverage of their total health workforce.

West Bengal and Gujarat has started vaccinating frontline workers and more states are also likely to join this week.

The government aimstoinoculate a total of around three crore health and frontline workers on priority by March-April.

The Centre has asked states with low coverage to expandthe number of sessionsto facilitatebeneficiariesin order to accelerate the drive. Besides, states and UTs have been asked to focus on creating awareness around safety and efficacy of vaccines.

West Bengal and Karnataka have inoculated 41.1% and 40.9% health beneficiaries, respectively

HC acquits man for want of proof in teen rape case

HC acquits man for want of proof in teen rape case

Cannot Convict Accused Under Pocso Act Based On Mere Allegations: Nagpur Bench

Vaibhav.Ganjapure@timesgroup.com

Nagpur:  04.02.2021

The Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court has acquitted a 27-year-old man convicted of raping a 17-year-old girl multiple times over two months, citing the prosecution’s failure to produce conclusive evidence of sexual assault and its link to the survivor’s subsequent pregnancy.

“Except the survivor’s statement with regard to sexual intercourse at the house of the accused’s sister, there’s absolutely nothing supporting the prosecution’s contention of rape. Only on the basis of allegations about sexual intercourse on many occasions, it would be highly irrational to convict the accused of rape and sentence him to 10 years’ imprisonment,” Justice Pushpa Ganediwala ruled.

According to the judge, a survivor’s testimony alone was sufficient for conviction, provided it “inspires confidence” in the court.

“Given the facts and circumstances, this court is of the opinion that the prosecution couldn’t establish beyond reasonable doubt the offence of rape against the accused,” Justice Ganediwala said.

The Hinganghat sessions court in Maharashtra’s Wardha district had convicted and sentenced petitioner Jageshwar Kawle under Section 376(2)(n) of the IPC (repeated rape) and sections 5 and 6 of the Pocso Act (aggravated penetrative sexual assault on a minor). It pronounced the sentence on November 12, 2019.

The Pocso Act defines statutory rape as any sexual act with an unmarried girl under 18, regardless of whether it was consensual.

Full report on www.toi.in

Schoolgirl gang-raped by nine in C’garh

Raipur:

A 16-year-old girl was gang-raped by nine youths in a jungle while returning from her school in Chhattisgarh’s Jashpur district on Tuesday. She had gone to school with a male friend to submit an assignment, police said. On the way back, they had stopped to eat their tiffin when nine youths from neighbouring villages accosted them.

According to the survivor’s complaint, the group began questioning them, rebuked them for being out together and demanded to know their addresses and other personal details.

The gang thrashed the boy, accused him of luring a girl out with ‘wrong intentions’ and drove him away. No one was around to hear the girl’s screams for help. The group dragged her into a forest where they took turns to rape her and abandoned her there, the survivor said. She somehow managed to return home late in the evening and told her parents, who immediately took her to police. An FIR was registered under Pocso Act and police nabbed two of the accused. The others are on the run. Some of the accused are minors, said police. TNN