At mass crematorium, victims are just token numbers

At mass crematorium, victims are just token numbers

Petlee.Peter@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:23.05.2021 

At the mass cremation ground in Kurubarahalli, off Magadi Road in Tavarekere, the dead have no names or identities, just token numbers. Here, 41 pyres can be lit at one go. The ashes are then collected in mud urns which are marked with the token numbers for bereaved kin to collect.

A line of ambulances and hearses ensures there is no let up through the day. Grieving relatives of Covid-19 victims jostle to register for cremation at the makeshift reception, which is equipped with a public address system.

When revenue officer Divakar called out a token number over the system around 2.30pm last Wednesday, an ambulance raced towards the shed with cremation beds. It marked the beginning of the second round of cremations. Local tahsildar Shivappa was busy managing ‘essentials’, including firewood and diesel, to burn the bodies.

“We are doing our best to help ease the situation for grieving relatives,” Shivappa said, adding: “We have set up a waiting area and even provide food to those who come to conduct the last rites of their loved ones. But nothing can replace their loss.”

With BBMP introducing an online system to streamline cremations for the convenience of families, many opt for bookings and are given slots. “Operations are smoother after the online system was introduced and ambulances are given timings,” said panchayat development officer Nagaveni, who manages mass cremations. “It reduces waiting time for relatives. Earlier it was on first-come first-served basis. However, we don’t turn away people who come directly with the bodies.”

Though there are 41 pyres, usually bodies are burnt in batches of 20 to contain the heat. Once Divakar calls out all the token numbers of the batch, ambulances reach the burning beds and funeral workers carry the bodies and arrange them in a row. It’s a routine that usually plays out thrice a day. While Wednesday witnessed 59 cremations, the numbers for Thursday were 48, Friday 32 and Saturday 30. May 7 saw the highest number of cremations (84) at the ground, which is the largest among the four mass crematoria in the city.

“After the pyre is lit by relatives, we pour diesel. It takes up to three hours to turn into ashes. Later, the next round is readied,” said Rajanna, a funeral worker from Nelamangala. Workers collect the ashes in mud pots that are marked with token numbers and date of cremation.

Numerous pots can be seen lined up for delivery. Some date back a week or 10 days. “Some families don’t come to collect it. There is a possibility that they have also caught the virus and are in isolation. We store the remains safely till families return to collect them,” said Suresha, another worker.

GRIM PICTURE: The Tavarekere facility saw the highest number of cremations on May 7. (R) Urns with ashes

Now, village accountants to hand over certificates for pvt cremations, burials

Village accountants will issue cremation certificates for Covid-19 patients cremated/ buried in their private land or farmhouses.

As per a government notification on May 18, family members of the deceased should submit form no 4 or 4A , form no 2 and the cremation certificate issued by the village accountant to the jurisdictional registrar”s office for getting a death certificate. Form no 4 will be issued by a medical institution/ healthcare facility along with death report in form no 2 if the death occurs at the facility. If the death happens at home (domicile deaths), a private doctor needs to medically certify it and issue Form 4A, the notification said.

HC: Reservation for lecturer posts should be subject-wise

HC: Reservation for lecturer posts should be subject-wise

Vasantha.Kumar@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:23.05.2021

Reservation should be subject/discipline wise and clubbing of vacancies and operating the roster is contrary to Supreme Court judgments, the high court observed while coming to the rescue of a mathematics lecturer of an aided PU college in Mandya.

MS Rashmi, who has been working as a lecturer since September 2007 at PES College, had challenged the September 22, 2019 notification calling for applications from candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (women) in mathematics. She claimed it is a single-cadre post and fixing reservation for a particular category would be tantamount to 100% reservation, which is impermissible.

Allowing her petition, Justice M Nagaprasanna said the SC, while hearing a plea filed by Vijay Prakash Bharati, approved the view taken by Allahabad HC in the case of Vivekananda Tiwari Vs Union of India that reservation has to be subject-wise.

The judge rejected the contentions put forward by the state government and college management. Both had claimed that as long as government orders are in force, which direct clubbing of vacancies, even a single post can be notified in favour of SC or ST candidates. While granting liberty to the management to undertake a fresh exercise, the judge said till that time, Rashmi’s services should not be disturbed.

In 2013, the college had called for applications from eligible candidates in all subjects. Rashmi and four others challenged the process and the high court stayed it. TNN

Centre’s U-turn: Cos can inoculate employees’ kin

Centre’s U-turn: Cos can inoculate employees’ kin

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:23.05.2021

Reversing its earlier policy, the Centre has allowed private and state entities to vaccinate not just employees but also their dependent family members.

The fresh advisory to states, issued on Friday, came after companies and industry bodies took up the issue with the health ministry, arguing limiting vaccination against Covid-19 to employees was not going to help the process. The companies received the communication on Saturday.

Several companies, both in the public and private sectors, had already lined up vaccination programmes for their employees and their family members.

While the May19 advisory was seen to be holding back the drive, Friday’s letter said the clarifications followed several queries and were aimed at “further accelerating” the inoculation process.

Now, the government has allowed family members and dependents – as defined by the employer – to be covered under the programme at industrial and workplace Covid Vaccination Centres .

Mixing vax feasible, but no proof: Niti

It is possible in theory to mix first and second doses of different vaccines, but there’s no robust scientific evidence for India to make this a permissible practice, said Niti Aayog member (health) Dr VK Paul on Saturday. Studies are on and evidence abroad and in India is being evaluated, he said. P 5

Employers advised to procure vax from hosps

This means that the employee, spouse, their children, parents, in-laws and other dependents allowed by companies in their internal policies can be vaccinated at these centres. Employers have been advised to procure the vaccines from hospitals with whom they may have tied up. Further, at government CVCs, beneficiaries who are 45 years or more can be vaccinated for free through the doses supplied by the Centre or the state governments. Beneficiaries in the 18-44 years bracket can be covered through doses directly procured by the states, the health ministry said.

Allowing employers to vaccinate employees was a key feature of the liberalised programme put in place from May.

In fact, companies and industry chambers were surprised by the ban on vaccinating family members as the Centre and state governments had earlier suggested to them to also reach out to communities around their factories or mines. An industry chamber and its members have identified close to 50 lakh such beneficiaries, who can now hope to get vaccinated.

› Centre not inclined for door-to-door vaccination, P 7

Non-starter again: No vax for 18-44 age group, says K’taka

Non-starter again: No vax for 18-44 age group, says K’taka

Only Priority Groups To Be Notified

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:23.05.2021

Karnataka’s flip-flop on the vaccination drive continued, with the health department on Saturday categorically saying vaccine for the 18-44 age group is currently unavailable. Frontline workers and priority groups in the the age bracket, however, would be notified soon.

As vaccination for the18-44 age bracket was kickstarted again on Saturday — after the drive was suspended on May 14 after three days due to shortage of vaccine — 22,788 people were administered shots.

However, the National Health Mission-Karnataka, which oversees immunisation, issued a statement to “provide clarity” on the vaccination plan, citing prevailing confusion among citizens.

With the government signalling stricter implementation of lockdown, police on Saturday seized vehicles and even took motorists to stations for violating curbs. Over 2,000 vehicles were seized in the city Report, P 3

Min: -ve report must for inter-state travel

Karnataka on Saturday tightened border control and made a Covid -ve certificate must for all inter-state travellers. “We’ve barricaded not only major roads but also minor ones as we did last time,” home minister Bommai said. TNN

Black fungus beds full, say B’luru hosps

Major hospitals in Bengaluru which had reserved beds for black fungus patients say they are filled to capacity. While the government estimates 250 cases in the state, doctors say Bengaluru alone could have 400-500 patients. P 2

1 lakh got jab on Sat

U nder for 18 the -44 head years “vaccination age group”, the statement signed by mission director Arundhati Chandrasekhar said, “currently not available”. It went on to add that frontline workers/vulnerable group and priority groups, however, “will be informed of date and time of vaccination by the designated nodal officers”.

This is the third time in recent weeks that the government has changed its stand on vaccinating those under 44 years of age. On Thursday, health minister K Sudhakar said vaccination for the age group will begin on May 22 and frontline workers along with priority groups will be vaccinated first. The government admitted that Covaxin was not available to be administered as first dose for those above 45. “We are currently not in a position to give it to senior citizens who prefer it,” a health department official said.

For those above 45 years and seeking the second dose of Covaxin, the department said an SMS will be sent to the beneficiary and the latter should visit the designated vaccination centre mentioned in it. But the move lacks clarity as several people had registered themselves from others’ mobiles. As for Covishield shots to those aged 45 and above, the first dose is available through online appointments in urban areas and onsite registration in rural areas. Walk-ins are allowed for second dose. In all, just over 1 lakh people were vaccinated in Karnataka on Saturday.

› Many house helps may not get govt’s cash assistance, P 2

Dilapidated clinic run by activist shut down

Dilapidated clinic run by activist shut down

Chennai:23.05.2021

Chengalpet district authorities on Saturday sealed a clinic run by nuclear safety activist Dr V Pugazhendhi at Sadras near Kalpakkam for treating patients in a dilapidated structure under unhygienic conditions. Chengalpet collector A John Louis said that the clinic was functioning in pathetic conditions. It was sealed and the deputy director of health directed to conduct an inquiry. Located 70 km south of Chennai off East Coast Road, the clinic had four beds in two rooms below a roof that was falling apart. The backyard of the building was used for dumping waste. TNN

FALLING APART: The clinic at Sadras near Kalpakkam was run by nuclear safety activist Dr V Pugazhendi

Markets Packed Before News Of Total Lockdown

Markets, stores may turn super spreaders

Markets Packed Before News Of Total Lockdown

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:23.05.2021

Even before the government announced an extension and complete week-long lockdown from Monday (May 24), many city residents thronged markets and other stores ignoring Covid-appropriate behaviour amid officials seemingly reluctant to clamp down on violators.

As news of the complete lockdown spread, residents once again rushed to nearby grocery stores to stock up for the week. “While a total lockdown seems to be the need of the hour, the announcement could have been done at least a week ago. This is what the previous government did last year and it is tiring to see the authorities not learning from experience,” said K Balagopal of Adyar.

Officials say public cooperation has been abysmal. On Saturday morning, there was crowding at several markets, including MGR Nagar market, Marundeeswarar market in Thiruvanmiyur, Zam Bazaar, Kothaval chavadi and Chintadripet among others. “We have been at work for several months, appealing to public to not crowd, but they do not seem to understand the gravity of the situation,” said a sub-inspector attached to the Velachery police station.

Chennai corporation regional deputy commissioner (South) Raja Gopal Sunkara tweeted a picture of crowding at Marundeeswarar market in the morning, which was cleared up within minutes after intervention from police and revenue authorities.

A senior official said most corporation staff have been directed towards Covid duty for most of 2020 and 2021. On Saturday evening, Covid-19 response teams were patrolling the city, advising the public to maintain physical distancing. “Please maintain social distancing. If one among you is carrying the virus, he can spread it to up to 40 people and then to another 400,” a police officer said over a public announcement system at a market near K K Nagar.

Shopkeepers say that they too are in a fix as they cannot possibly turn away a customer when their business has been hit hard. “Officials pin the responsibility on us and impose fines. If a market area is crowded, it is up to the authorities concerned to shift the same to open spaces. They did it last year. What is the hesitancy to follow the same this year,” asked a representative of Federation of Tamil Nadu Traders’ Association Several residents TOI spoke to said the move was detrimental to whatever the government achieved in the lockdown so far. “The scenes near my locality resembled chaos. Today’s effect will show only after two weeks. At least a week’s time should have been given with proper communication,” said S Manikandan of Madipakkam.

NCTE postpones start of 4-yr integrated teacher edu course

NCTE postpones start of 4-yr integrated teacher edu course

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:23.05.2021

The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has put off by a year the plan to start a four-year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP). Tamil Nadu Teacher Education University (TNTEU) is among the institutes that applied to NCTE to start the course from the 2021-22 academic year.

The ITEP course seeks to integrate BEd degree with basic BA or BSc degrees that can help students wishing to pursue BEd after their bachelor degree save one year. The NCTE planned to introduce it only in state and central institutions on a pilot basis from the coming academic year.

At a recent general body meeting, the NCTE decided to postpone the start of the programme to 2022-23 due to lack of consultation among the stakeholders.

The council also approved the proposal to conduct a national level common entrance test for the ITEP course, which will be offered at multi-disciplinary colleges and universities.

“In order to maintain uniform standard for teacher education, the admission to pre-service teacher preparation programme shall be through suitable aptitude test. There shall be a National Common Entrance Test to be conducted for a 4-year integrated BEd course by NTA” the council said in its note prepared for the general body. The council gave in principle approval for conducting the common entrance test.

“It is not clear whether the students will have an exit option after three years in the proposed integrated programme. The curriculum should be designed in such a way that they would get basic degree even if they want to exit the course in three years and should be allowed to continue the final year at later stage in a different place if they want to,” said professor N Ramakrishnan, head, department of educational technology at TNTEU. He was also chairman of the board of studies for the fouryear integrated BSc BEd programme at the university.

“Unlike professional courses like MBBS or BE, BTech, students will not travel to study for a BEd degree. Most prefer to study BEd closer to their native place. So, a national level entrance test is not advisable,” he added.

The TNTEU gave permission to start four-year integrated BSc BEd and BA BEd degree programmes to private colleges in the state.

The ITEP course seeks to integrate BEd degree with basic BA or BSc degrees that can help students wishing to pursue BEd after their bachelor degree save one year. The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has now decided to postpone the start of the programme to 2022-23 due to lack of consultation among stakeholders