Sexual harassment plaints can’t be brushed aside: CJI

Sexual harassment plaints can’t be brushed aside: CJI

Retired District Judge To Face Disciplinary Proceedings

Dhananjay.Mahapatra@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:27.02.2021 

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to shield a district judge from disciplinary proceedings for allegedly exchanging “inappropriate” intimate WhatsApp messages with a junior woman judge, who had complained of sexual harassment but later refused to give evidence.

The proceedings before the gender sensitisation committee of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, inquiring into the alleged sexual harassment complaint by the woman judge, could not proceed as she reportedly reached a compromise with the aggressor and refused to give evidence before the committee. However, the committee in its report annexed the intimate messages exchanged between the two and the HC decided to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the district judge, who has since retired.

The DJ, through senior advocate R Balasubramanian, said he lost the chance of being considered for appointment as an HC judge as the sexual harassment charge was made at a time when he was in the zone of consideration. He also said that once the gender sensitisation committee closed the case because the woman judge refused to give evidence, the allegations in the complaint in the nature of WhatsApp messages could not be considered for disciplinary proceedings.

A bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian said, “We cannot allow sexual harassment complaints to be brushed under the carpet.” When the bench said it would pass a short order, Balasubramanian requested for withdrawal of the petition, which was accepted by the bench.

The HC, through senior advocate Ravindra Srivastava, said by initiating disciplinary proceedings, it wanted to send a message against such inappropriate conduct of judicial officers. He said the sexual harassment charges may not have been taken to its logical conclusion because of the woman judge’s refusal to depose but the WhatsApp messages remained on the record as evidence, indicating inappropriate conduct on the part of the district judge.

During the last hearing, the CJI-led bench had noted the new trend of allegations being thrown at judges just before they were to get some post. “This phenomenon has become ubiquitous. All kinds of allegations against judges come when they are about to get something,” it had said, adding, “These are adults who could do whatever they intend to. She could have terminated the WhatsApp conversations, but she did not as she appeared to go along.”

However, it had strongly disapproved of the conduct of the district judge in having intimate chats on WhatsApp with his junior colleague. “This matter before the GSC has come to an end with the woman declining to participate in the proceedings. But the HC wants to proceed with the disciplinary proceedings. It is an inherent right with the employer to initiate disciplinary proceedings against any employee.”

The survivor, a junior woman judge, reportedly reached a compromise with the aggressor and refused to give evidence before a committee

Bengal, TN, Kerala, Assam vote Mar 27-Apr 29, results on May 2

Bengal, TN, Kerala, Assam vote Mar 27-Apr 29, results on May 2

BJP Sets Sights On Toppling Didi, Gaining In South

Bharti.Jain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:27.02.2021 

The Election Commission on Friday announced polls in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry between March 27 and April 29, setting up several high-stake electoral contests with an unprecedented eight-phase voting in Bengal.

The state, which has seen rising bitterness and violence between Trinamool Congress and BJP supporters, will see the country’s most staggered assembly poll to date. The election in Assam will be in three phases — up from two in

2016 — while Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry will have a single-day poll on April 6.

Counting for all the assemblies will be held on May 2.

The elections are a trial of strength for BJP in the wake of the long-drawn agitation by farmers’ unions opposed to the new agri laws. Though the states going to polls are largely unaffected by matters such as procurement and MSP, the resonance of the issues raised by Punjab, Haryana and west UP agri unions will be watched closely as BJP defends the reforms as pro-farmer.

The polls will also test Congress as it has opted for an alliance in Assam with the pro-minority AIUDF of Badruddin Ajmal and has pacts with the Left and DMK in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu respectively. Congress is the main challenger to the Left in Kerala where it did well in Lok Sabha polls. Jolted by the loss of its government in Puducherry a few days ago, Congress will hope to retrieve some standing in alliance with DMK.

As of now, the Left’s prospects seem to have brightened in Kerala following tactical missteps by Congress that saw it lose ground in the local body elections last year. Yet, the contest is typically close.

Tamil Nadu will be without stalwarts J Jayalalithaa and M Karunanidhi in an assembly poll for the first time. M K Stalin will look to seal his leadership of DMK with a win that makes him the CM.

In Assam, BJP looks to ensure its win in 2016 was not a fluke, though it now faces the combined challenge of Congress-AIUDF intended to consolidate anti-BJP votes. BJP, on the other hand, sees factionalism in Congress as a factor helping its cause while it is seen to have the upper hand in Bodo areas and Barak Valley.

8 PHASES FOR BENGAL A NATIONAL RECORD

18.7 crore people, or around 20% of India’s total electorate, will vote for 824 assembly seats in 4 states and 1 Union territory between March 27 and April 29

WEST BENGAL TAMIL NADU KERALA ASSAM

294 seats 234 seats 140 seats 126 seats 8phases* *Up from 7 1phase 1phase 3phases in 2016

PUDUCHERRY Bengal votes on March 27, Apr 1, 6, 10, 17, 22, 26, 29 Assam: March 27, Apr 1 30 seats 1 phase & 6 TN, Kerala, Puducherry: April 6 MAY 2, SUNDAY Counting & results

WEST BENGAL | CM WHAT’S AT for Cong, as DMK’s Results will have a bearing on Mamata Banerjee faces STAKE? junior partner, to halt its Rahul Gandhi’s leadership probably the toughest will poor hope electoral to make run gains . BJP in ASSAM | After its unexpected against battle of ‘political her career outlier’ BJP, the company of AIADMK victory in 2016, BJP will with PM Modi & Amit Shah in KERALA | Cong remains though hope to it consolidate now faces a its strong hold, the thick of campaigning Left’s main challenger though demographic challenge from TAMIL NADU | Best chance BJP has a larger presence now. Cong-AIUDF alliance

EC’S COVID to Door 5 people -to-door , including campaigning candidate restricted . beforehand All election . of Voting ficials to to be be allowed vaccinated for 1 SHIELD Roadshows to have max 5 vehicles extra hr keeping in mind Covid guidelines

In Puducherry, BJP pins hopes on former CM Rangaswamy and friendship with AIADMK

BJP’s challenge in Assam lies in negotiating the Citizenship Amendment Act potholes in a state where "illegal migrants" are not a straightforward ethno-religious faultline. With the Congress-DMK government losing office in Puducherry, BJP is hoping its alliance with former CM N Rangaswamy, seen to be a popular leader, will see it through along with AIADMK. Chief election commissioner Sunil Arora, while announcing the dates at a press conference, said the decision to stagger polling in West Bengal over eight phases — unlike six during the 2016 assembly polls (which effectively was seven phases as the sixth phase then was split over two different dates) and seven phases in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls — was based on several factors. “We have to find a kind of mean… way out,” he said, adding that an increase from seven to eight phases was no big deal. To a particular question on why poll in Tamil Nadu, where concerns over excess use of money power had led to rescinding of polls in some constituencies in the past, was to be held in one phase and West Bengal in eight, the CEC reminded that Tamil Nadu had had a single-phase poll in 2016 assembly election as well as 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

An EC official, while speaking to TOI, also pointed out that even in BJP-ruled Assam, the number of phases was raised to three this time from two in 2016 assembly poll.

FULL COVERAGE: P 17

›Political climate behind 8-phase polling: EC, P 17 ›Suspense over Karnataka bypoll dates continues, P 4 ›BJP looks east, hopes for southern swing, P 17

Council of Architecture

 

Nat’l med council will improve health care quality: PM

Nat’l med council will improve health care quality: PM

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:27.02.2021 

The National Medical Commission set up by the Centre will bring in transparency, rationalise norms for new medical colleges and improve the quality and availability for human resources in health care sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday. He was delivering the address at the 33rd convocation of The Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University through video conferencing.

In the last six years, the country added 30,000 MBBS seats, more than 50% increase, and 24,000 postgraduate seats, an 80% increase, and added 15 more All India Institute of Medical Sciences. The centre has permitted TN to start 11 new medical colleges. “For each of these colleges, the Centre will provide ₹2,000 crore,” he said amid applause.

It was the first time a Prime Minister was addressing the convocation, but only 32 candidates received their degrees in person as pandemic protocols were followed. A total of 21,889 candidates were awarded postdoctoral, doctoral, post graduate, undergraduate degrees and diplomas. This included 6,120 under medicine, 534 under dental,1,297 in AYUSH and 13,938 in allied health sciences courses. Noting that at least 70% of the graduates were women, Modi said it was a matter of pride to see women lead from the front.

“Their success and the success of the institution would have made the great MGR very happy,” he said recalling that healthcare, education, and empowerment of women were dear to the late chief minister. The hospital built in Sri Lanka – MGR’s birthplace – with the Centre’s assistance will be a model hospital that will serve Tamil community there, he said.

He told the students they were graduating at a time when the country’s health ecosystem had scaled new heights and was being seen with new respect and had greater credibility. “This means there is great expectation and great responsibility on your young and strong shoulders,” he said.

Urging the students to keep their sense of humour intact as it would help them handle the stress better, stay healthy and keep patients and hospital staff cheerful, he also advised them to take time to exercise – do yoga, meditation, running, or cycling – to stay fit.

Governor Banwarilal Purohit handed over degrees/diplomas in the presence of vice-chancellor Dr Sudha Seshayyan, health minister C Vijayabaskar and health secretary J Radhakrishnan.

MATTER OF PRIDE: PM Narendra Modi said 70% of those awarded degrees at The Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University were women which was a great achievement

கோவையில் இருந்து கோவா, தாஜ்மஹாலுக்கு ரயில் மூலம் சுற்றுலா செல்ல முன்பதிவு தொடக்கம்

கோவையில் இருந்து கோவா, தாஜ்மஹாலுக்கு ரயில் மூலம் சுற்றுலா செல்ல முன்பதிவு தொடக்கம்

கோவை

இந்தியன் ரயில்வே உணவு மற்றும் சுற்றுலாக் கழகம் (ஐஆர்சிடிசி) சார்பில் கோவையில் இருந்து ரயில் மூலம் கோவா, தாஜ்மஹால் உள்ளிட்ட இடங்களுக்கு சுற்றுலா செல்வதற்காக முன்பதிவு தொடங்கியுள்ளது.

இது தொடர்பாக ஐஆர்சிடிசி வெளியிட்ட செய்திக்குறிப்பில் கூறியிருப்பதாவது: ஐஆர்சிடிசி ரயில் மூலம் கோவா, ஜெய்ப்பூர், அமிர்தசரஸ், சண்டிகர், வைஷ்ணவதேவி கோயில் மற்றும் தாஜ்மஹால் ஆகியவற்றைக் காண ஏற்பாடு செய்துள்ளது. 13 நாட்கள் கொண்ட இந்த சுற்றுலாவானது, வரும் மார்ச் 31-ம் தேதி மதுரையில் இருந்து தொடங்குகிறது. இதற்கான கட்டணம் ரூ.13,540. இதில், ரயில் பயணக் கட்டணம், சைவ உணவு, தங்கும் வசதி, சுற்றிப்பார்க்க பேருந்து வசதி ஆகியவை அடங்கும்.

இந்த சுற்றுலா குறித்த கூடுதல் விவரங்கள் மற்றும் முன்பதிவுக்கு ஐஆர்சிடிசி-ன் கோவை அலுவலகத்தை 9003140655, 8287931965 என்ற எண்களில் தொடர்புகொள்ளலாம். அல்லது www.irctctourism.com என்ற இணையதளத்தில் விவரங்களைத் தெரிந்துகொள்ளலாம்.

இவ்வாறு செய்திக்குறிப்பில் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

Pay newspapers for their content: INS to Google

Pay newspapers for their content: INS to Google

New Delhi:26.02.2021

The Indian Newspaper Society (INS) on Thursday asked Google to compensate Indian newspapers for using their content and insisted that the global search giant increase the publisher share of advertising revenue to 85%.

In a letter to Google, INS president L Adimoolam said publishers are also facing a very opaque advertising system as they are unable to get details of Google’s advertising value chain.

It noted that over the past year publishers across the world have been raising the issue of fair payment for content and of proper sharing of advertising revenue with Google. It is also noted that Google has recently agreed to better compensate and pay publishers in France, the European Union, and notably in Australia.

In a letter addressed to Google India’s country manager Sanjay Gupta, the INS president demanded that Google should pay for news generated by the newspapers which employ thousands of journalists on the ground, at considerable expense, for gathering and verifying information.

“Since the content which is generated and published by newspapers at considerable expense is proprietary, the Society pointed out that it is this credible content which has given Google the authenticity in India ever since its inception,” the INS said.

It pointed out that publishers have been providing complete access to “quality journalism with credible news, current affairs, analysis, information and entertainment”, and “there is a huge distinction between the editorial content from quality publications and fake news that is spreading on other information platforms”.

Further, it was also pointed out that advertising has been the financial backbone of the news industry. However, newspaper publishers are seeing their share of the advertising pie shrinking in the digital space even as Google is taking a ‘giant share of advertising spends”, it said.

The INS also raised the issue of giving greater prominence to editorial content from Registered News Publishers, as Google picks up content from several sites that are not credible, thus “amplifying... propagation of fake news”. PTI

Since the content which is generated and published by newspapers at considerable expense is proprietary, the Society pointed out (to Google) that it is this credible content which has given Google the authenticity in India ever since its inception

INDIAN NEWSPAPER SOCIETY

51 Karnataka professional colleges figure in NIRF list

51 Karnataka professional colleges figure in NIRF list

SruthySusan.Ullas@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:26.02.2021 

As many as 51 professional institutions from Karnataka figure among Top 100 in their respective categories published by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), the system introduced by the ministry of education, for the year 2020. The state fares well in the universities ranking too.

However, only one undergraduate college from Karnataka, which has the highest college density in the country, figures among Top100. The NIRF ranks institutions under 10 categories: College, university, engineering, management, pharmacy, medical, law, architecture, dental and overall.

ON NIRF LIST

Five K’taka institutions figure in overall top 100

From Karnataka, nine engineering and seven medical colleges and 11 universities figured among top institutions in respective categories. Five Karnataka institutions figured in the overall top 100.

A report published by academicians G Srinivas and S Salil in the February 25 edition of ‘Current Science’ of Indian Academy of Sciences, analysed the state-wise spread of top 100 colleges in the country and pointed out that the spread of quality education is highly skewed.

St Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bengaluru, ranked 72nd, is the only institute from the state among the top 100. The state has 3,670 colleges, and 105 of them applied for NIRF. Three states — Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Kerala — together account for 81 of the top 100 colleges, indicating the magnitude of the skew. Tamil Nadu has 32 of them; except one, all are autonomous. Colleges from 12 states don’t figure in the list.

Karnataka’s saviours are 51 professional colleges which figure in top 100 lists. Engineering colleges from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa and Delhi account for most of the top 100 institutions in the category.

Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra make up for 42% of the total number of universities in the top 100 in 2020. Representation from Gujarat and Rajasthan is negligible, even though they

are home to 74 and 85 universities, respectively. Many states like Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have no universities in top 100.

Deemed-to-be universities and central universities have proportionately higher presence, with state universities making for only 10% of the total list. The analysis said the reason for the skew may be difference in data-management practices in institutions, inclination to enter into ranking exercises, data-validation methods, private sector driving the regional competition or a difference in the real quality.

NIRF participation is high towards the south, making the authors infer that regional competition drives ranking as a competitive marketing tool. Uttar Pradesh has 7,078 colleges, the highest in the country. Yet, participation in NIRF from the state is one of the lowest. No institution from this state features in the list of top 100 colleges.

Karnataka has high participation rate of colleges in NIRF, with professional institutions figuring in the list. This points out that higher education is skewed towards professional education. Karnataka’s growth in professional education in the 1980s and 1990s was not emulated in arts and science colleges, the authors said.

The analysis pointed out that Maharashtra and Karnataka -- despite having national institutions to their credit and high college enrolment figures -- need urgent and simultaneous intervention for quality upgradation.