Taken 1 dose of vax? For Kumbh, -ve report still a must, says HC

Taken 1 dose of vax? For Kumbh, -ve report still a must, says HC

Prashant.Jha@timesgroup.com

Nainital:01.04.2021 

A day after the Uttarakhand government issued an advisory asking those coming from 12 identified states where Covid cases were rising to carry a Covid-19-negative RT-PCR test report, the Uttarakhand HC on Wednesday said that people who have received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine will also need Covid-19-negative certification before visiting the Kumbh Mela.

The court further directed the state government to increase testing in Haridwar to 50,000 per day after it was informed that despite its claims of conducting 55,000 tests per day in the holy city, the state was conducting only about 5,000 tests per day (including RT-PCR and antigen).

The court also directed the state government to encourage people to take vaccines at designated centres at the Kumbh site. The HC added that facilities to keep people under observation after they are administered the vaccine should also be created. The directions came from the bench of Chief Justice RS Chauhan and Justice Alok Kumar Verma while it was hearing a bunch of PILs concerning the state’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

HC: Rape case can’t be quashed even after ‘pact’

HC: Rape case can’t be quashed even after ‘pact’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:01.04.2021

Delhi High Court has refused to quash criminal proceedings against three men booked under POCSO Act for sexually harassing a minor girl.

Though the minor, now an adult, and her family reached a compromise with the accused men, who are distantly related to her, the court made it clear “there can be no letup in prosecuting a heinous crime.”

“It is well-settled that the power under section 482 CrPC is to be distinguished from the one that lies with the court to compound the offences compoundable under CrPC Section 320. No doubt, under Section 482, the high court has the power to quash even in those offences that are not compoundable, where the parties have settled the matter between themselves, but the power must be exercised fairly and with caution. Rape is a heinous crime punishable under Section 376 IPC,” justice Subramonium Prasad noted, declining any relief to the accused.

The court was hearing a plea by Dinesh and others, which said that a compromise had been entered into between the girl, her mother and the petitioners. The plea urged the court to intervene and quash the FIR. Instead, the court noted that any move to quash an offence under POCSO Act would go against the intention of the legislature, which had brought out special enactment to protect the interest of children.

“The FIR cannot be quashed on the ground that the victim, after attaining majority, has decided to compromise the matter with the accused,” it noted, and cited the Supreme Court, which has categorically said that heinous crime like rape could not be quashed by the high court by exercising power under Section 482 CrPC even if the parties had reached a compromise.

According to police, the survivor’s mother had lodged an FIR in 2018 for offences punishable under IPC sections 354, 354D, 506, 509, 34 IPC and Section 10 of POCSO Act. She informed police that Dinesh had come to stay with the family while he was looking for a job and had tried to molest the girl. When she raised the alarm, he apologised. Later, in 2017 when the family went to Punjab to attend a wedding, Dinesh and his two nephews harassed her. They even tried to drag her into a room and threatened her to cooperate else her nude photographs would be made public, the complaint said.

When she again informed her parents about the harassment, her mother rebuked the accused and decided to approach police. A case was then registered at the Shakarpur police station.

DELHI HIGH COURT SAYS

Any move to quash an offence under POCSO Act will go against the intention of the legislature, which had brought out special enactment to protect the interest of children...The FIR cannot be quashed on the ground that the girl, after attaining majority, has decided to compromise the matter with the accused

Kerala HC issues 10 directives to EC in order to prevent bogus voting

BATTLEGROUND KERALA

Kerala HC issues 10 directives to EC in order to prevent bogus voting

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kochi:01.04.2021

The Kerala high court on Wednesday directed the Election Commission of India to take all possible steps to prevent double voting or impersonated voting during the assembly election. Disposing a petition filed by opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala seeking steps to prevent fake or double voting, a division bench of Chief Justice S Manikumar and Justice Shaji P Chaly issued 10 directives.

It asked the election commission to finalize the list of demographically similar entries (DSE) and absent-shifted-dead voters (ASD) in the voters list and furnish copies to political parties and presiding officers forthwith. The commission should issue a public notice cautioning voters that any attempt to cast multiple votes will be dealt with strictly, it directed.

The photographs of all identified ASD voters should be taken in the polling booths and their signature and thumb impression taken. A declaration should also be collected from such voters, the court said.

It also asked the commission to ensure that ASD voters are allowed to leave the polling booths only after the indelible ink on their finger dries. The court recorded the submission of the election commission’s counsel that photographs of ASD voters will be collected, digitized and kept. All safeguards provided in the Representation of People's Act for free and fair election should be scrupulously followed to avoid multiple or bogus voting, the judgment said.

Ragging: Fresher withdraws plaint against seniors

Ragging: Fresher withdraws plaint against seniors

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mysuru:01.04.2021

In a new twist to the ragging case at Chamarajanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, a compromise has been worked out between the student and the seven seniors who were accused of the offence.

The complainant and his father informed police and CIMS authorities that they will no longer pursue the issue. They also withdrew the complaint.

On Sunday, the first-year student had complained of ragging by the seven seniors during a welcome party in the college hostel.

On Wednesday evening, SP Divya Sara Thomas and senior officials of district police visited the campus and interacted with the college’s anti-ragging committee. At the meeting, the SP advised college authorities to take security measures, including surprise visits to hostels at night, installing CCTV cameras in corridors, interacting with juniors and seniors.

“We asked the anti-ragging committee to be more pro-active,” the SP told TOI.

MU goof-up: Students to take exams with ID cards

MU goof-up: Students to take exams with ID cards

Kevin.Mendonsa@timesgroup.com

Mangaluru:01.04.2021

Perhaps for the first time in the history of Mangalore University (MU), students appearing for first and third semester exams will enter the hall without hall tickets. Due to a technical goof-up, students will have to show their college ID cards.

The development follows the varsity’s adoption of ‘MULinx’, a new in-house software to conduct the examination. However, this led to confusion, and is widely being criticised by students and faculty members, as several colleges failed to receive the list o candidates who can appear for the examination.

Chaos prevailed at several colleges under the university on Wednesday, after students who waited for long hours for hall tickets had to return without one.

At 3 pm, an official circular from the university was released, stating that candidates can appear for exams by producing identity cards issued by the college.

Generally, hall tickets are issued to candidates at least 4-5 days before examination. Not issuing admission tickets till the last minute added to stress and preexam jitters among students. “The university should have been more responsible and quick considering the Covid-19 crisis. However, they and the college administration are at the receiving end. We are not sure how far it is practical to conduct examination without a hall ticket. Besides, the introduction of the new software has led to several changes in the exam process,” said a professor.

College heads who spoke to TOI said they are yet to receive instructions on classroom markings and other details of the exam. “All this must be done at least a day in advance, but we are still awaiting the candidates’ list. That is more important than hall ticket,” said a principal.

‘Hall tickets to be issued in 2 days’

MU registrar (evaluation) PL Dharma, while admitting that it is the varsity’s mistake said: “We have taken measures so that students do not bear the brunt. Hall tickets will be issued in a day or two.”

Referring to the candidates’ list, he said colleges have been asked to allow registration or roll numbers that have been uploaded on the official website. In a message sent to colleges and students,he said the exam will be held as per the timetable. If a candidate has tested positive and is in a position to write the exam, the college will have to make arrangements, he added.

Colleges enhance safety norms as campuses turn containment zones

Colleges enhance safety norms as campuses turn containment zones

SruthySusan.Ullas@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:01.04.2021

With several educational institutions turning hotspots for Covid-19 infections, authorities in many colleges in the city are increasing vigilance and introducing stringent safety measures to avoid infections on campus.

For instance, RV College of Engineering (RVCE) in Bengaluru, where two faculty members had recently contracted the infection, has told fourth and sixth semester students to continue with online classes for the next three weeks.

“Even though we had started off with one student per hostel room, many were sharing rooms. Now, we have gone back to one student per room,” said principal KN Subramanya. RVCE has around 1,200 students on campus now.

BMS College of Engineering (BMSCE) has also rolled back to a blended form with batches alternating on various days. “We have formed a task force of faculty members who have been tasked with conducting random checks to ensure Covid protocols like social distancing and wearing masks are followed. The BMS hospital is also open for testing students and faculty,” said BV Ravi Shankar, principal, BMSCE. A student from the college said security guards conduct checks to ensure everyone wears a mask. NMKRV College for Women had planned to start on-campus classes from March 15 but when all students and faculty members — numbering some 2,000 — were subjected to Covid-19 tests and two students tested positive, the plan was abandoned.

“We then decided to take it slowly,” said Snehalatha G, principal. “While our science students come to the campus since they have lab classes to attend, a large majority of other students are taking classes online.”

Colleges where exams are underway too are taking precautions. “We have created a special email id and a faculty in charge,” said Meera HN, principal, Sheshadripuram main college. “The other day, special arrangements were made for one of our students, who was a primary contact, to write the exam. He walked in later than other students and left after others left.”

Visvesvaraya Technological University has asked all the toppers to furnish RT-PCR test results to attend the convocation ceremony scheduled on April 3. If their drivers too are not tested, they will not be allowed to step out of the vehicle. A maximum of 100 students will be seated in an auditorium which has a capacity to seat 800, university officials said.

TOI had reported that of the 29 containment zones in BBMP limits in the past two weeks, 10 were educational institutions. As on Tuesday evening, a total 89 students were infected. The higher education department had, however, made it clear that classes and exams will continue offline, but under stricter vigil. Students are wary as many say norms are not being followed strictly and are demanding online classes again. .

UNSAFE FEELING: Although safety measures are being ramped up, students are wary and demanding a return to online mode

17 MORE INFECTED AT MIT

Udupi/Mangaluru:

Manipal Institute of Technology continued to report fresh Covid-19 infections although not as many as previously. The campus was declared a containment zone. Of a total 56 cases reported from Udupi district on Wednesday, MIT accounted for 17. This takes the total number of infections on the campus to 1,042. Many inmates in several hostels are infected. Of the total cases reported from the district, 39 were from Udupi taluk. The district also reported the death of a 90-year-old woman. Health minister K Sudhakar, who was in Mangaluru, told officials to ensure people followed Covidappropriate behaviour. TNN

Govt slashes rates on small savings by up to 110 basis pts

Govt slashes rates on small savings by up to 110 basis pts

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:01.04.2021

The government has slashed interest rates on small savings schemes, such as post office deposits and public provident fund, by up to 110 basis points, dealing a fresh blow to savers seeking safety.

The new rates, effective Thursday and applicable for the first quarter, coincide with the government’s move to tax interest income on annual employee contributions of over Rs 2.5 lakh in PF, while giving government employees exemption up to Rs 5 lakh contribution.

The rate of interest on public provident fund is now at 6.4%, its lowest since 1974, according to National Savings Institute data.

Govt defers rollout of 4 labour codes

The Centre has deferred the rollout of the four labour codes, originally due on April 1, as several states have still not finalised relevant rules, giving more time to firms to realign their salary structures in line with the new rules. TNN

Revised rates will provide relief for banks

The latest rate action on small savings will go beyond active workers to include senior citizens as well as the girl child, who are major beneficiaries of the schemes. Senior citizens are already amongst the worst hit by falling rates as bank fixed deposit rates have crashed, leaving them with lower interest income.

Senior Citizens Saving Schemes and National Savings Scheme will see a 90-basis point reduction, while the popular PPF and Kisan Vikas Patras will see a 70-basis point fall. The sharpest cut of 110 basis points (100 basis points equal a percentage point) was reserved for oneyear fixed deposits, while three-year deposits will see a mere 40 basis points cut.

For senior citizens with five-year deposits, the new rates are in line with the rate on three to five years deposits offered by State Bank of India, which is also at 5.8%. But the bank is paying higher than post office deposits in maturity buckets of one, two or three years. In case of other deposits, SBI is currently offering higher rates across maturities.

The move will provide relief to banks, which compete with these schemes when it comes to raising deposits.

Full report: www.toi.in

PFC and REC reduce lending rates

New Delhi:

Two of the largest lenders to the power sector, Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and Rural Electrification Corporation (REC), have cut lending rates for FY22 by 2 percentage points, a move that will help utilities reduce their interest burden. Reduced lending rates have the potential to lower tariffs for consumers by reducing borrowing costs of utilities, which in turn bring down their interest payouts. TNN