Online classes for UG to begin from August 18: Anna University

Online classes for UG to begin from August 18: Anna University

Anna University, on Wednesday, announced that online classes for under-graduate engineering students from the second year to final year, will begin from August 18.

Published: 29th July 2021 05:27 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Anna University, on Wednesday, announced that online classes for under-graduate engineering students from the second year to final year, will begin from August 18.

A decision was taken after getting permission from the Directorate of Technical Education (DOTE). A senior official said that online classes for second, third, and final year students, who are pursuing engineering courses in Anna university, its constituent and affiliated colleges, will resume from August 18.

“The classes will start from August 18 and continue till November 30,” said a senior official of the Higher Education Department. Adding to it, the university has also planned to conduct semester examination from December 2.

The practical exams will start from December 2, while the written examination will begin from December 13. The university also has plans to begin classes for next semester from January 19, next year. At present, the University has four campuses, 13 constituent colleges, three regional campuses in Tirunelveli, Madurai, and Coimbatore, and more than 500 government, government-aided, and self-financing colleges affiliated to it.

Stalin launches free Covid vaccination drive in private hospitals

Stalin launches free Covid vaccination drive in private hospitals

Chief Minister MK Stalin launched a free Covid-19 vaccine drive in private hospitals under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds at the Kauvery Hospital on Wednesday.

Published: 29th July 2021 05:34 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin launched a free Covid-19 vaccine drive in private hospitals under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds at the Kauvery Hospital on Wednesday. The free vaccine drive through CSR funds will be jointly conducted by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and private hospitals. After the launch, Dr S Chandrakumar, Chairman, CII, Tamil Nadu State Council, handed over a cheque for Rs 2.20 crore under CSR funds to the Chief Minister. KT Srinivasa Raja, Managing Director, Adyar Ananda Bhavan, also handed over a `7 lakh cheque to the CM.

According to a press release, the State, till date, has vaccinated 2.15 crore people in private and government institutions. Speaking to the reporters recently, Health Minister Ma Subramanian had said that the State had received `5 crore CSR funds so far. The details of how many vaccines will be provided under CSR funds in a particular hospital will be announced to the public by the hospitals.

This will be monitored by the local administration and the Health Department officials. Many private companies that want to get their employees vaccinated can use the 25 per cent vaccine allotment quota by the Central Government to the private hospitals.

The Union government allotted 75 per cent vaccines quota to the State government and 25 percent to the private hospitals; but, still many private hospitals don’t utilise their allocation fully. So, the State government decided to make use of it and decided to purchase those vaccines through CSR funds and vaccinate the people to achieve more vaccination coverage in Tamil Nadu. The health department held a meeting with the private companies and private hospitals and launched the programme after discussing the plan with them.

Meanwhile, the State received 7,97,080 vaccines on Wednesday, among them were: Covaxin - 2,15,810 doses and Covishield - 5,81,270. Health Minister Ma Subramanian, Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan, Chennai Corporation Commissioner Gagandeep Bedi Singh, Dr Aravindan Selvaraj, Co-founder and Executive Director, Kauvery Hospital, and other higher officials were also present at the event.

Madras HC to take up pleas challenging Vanniyar quota

Madras HC to take up pleas challenging Vanniyar quota

Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy orally observed, “We will hear the batch of petitions challenging the validity of the reservation in 10 days.

Published: 29th July 2021 05:43 AM 

Madras High Court

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: After warning that it would have to stay the Government Order issued by the TN government implementing the 10.5 per cent internal reservation for the Vanniyar community before deciding on its validity, the Madras High Court on Wednesday said that it will take up a batch of PILs challenging the quota in the second week of August.

The court, however, refrained from staying the G.O. after it was informed by the State that the quota has been implemented since April and that admissions have been already made to law courses, providing the quota. It was also informed that the SC had earlier refused to stay the law providing the quota.

Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy orally observed, “We will hear the batch of petitions challenging the validity of the reservation in 10 days. But if the government wants to implement the quota even before the court decides its validity, then we will have to stay any such move.” The bench also directed the State to get instructions from the authorities regarding the G.O.

The issue pertains to a batch of pleas challenging the legislation passed by the previous AIADMK government, providing the said reservation, hours before the model code of conduct came into force. One of the petitioners alleged that if the G.O. was to be implemented, all the pleas challenging its validity would turn infructuous.

When the bench commenced its proceedings later, Advocate-General R Shanmugasundaram said similar petitions were pending before the SC and were likely to come up for hearing during the first week of next month. He added admissions had already been made to law courses providing the quota, and there was no necessity for passing an interim stay to the order, he stressed.

Rapid PCR test for international fliers at Chennai airport to give Covid report in 13 minutes

Rapid PCR test for international fliers at Chennai airport to give Covid report in 13 minutes

The RT-PCR test could be a major relief for Dubai-bound passengers, who were asked to undergo a rapid RT-PCR test four hours prior to departure.

Published: 28th July 2021 03:41 PM 

By C Shivakumar

Express News Service

CHENNAI: In a bid to ensure safer international travel, Chennai airport will be conducting Covid rapid PCR tests for outbound international passengers at Chennai airport.

This comes after the Tamil Nadu government gave the clearance to Chennai airport to conduct the tests on Tuesday. Chennai airport director Dr Sharad Kumar said that it will take a maximum of 30 minutes for passengers to register and take tests. The results for the test are available within 13 minutes.

The RT-PCR test could be a major relief for Dubai-bound passengers, who were asked to undergo a rapid RT-PCR test four hours prior to departure, and they would be able to travel only if they test negative for Covid-19.

Once the passenger gets tested and is off to Dubai, he can travel to Australia, Europe, or the even United States, travel industry sources said.

It is learnt that tests will be carried out as per the US-FDA-approved equipment as per ICMR guidelines. The notification of the test results and follow-up measures shall comply with the ICMR guidelines and the guidelines of the Tamil Nadu government.

Chennai airport has a test facility 'Hind labs' set by HLL Life Care at Chennai Airport. It is learnt that HLL has selected Abbot ID Now based system to provide Rapid PCR for the passengers and the equipment is installed. Indian Council for Medical Research has also given the clearance to conduct the tests.

BS Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute begins BA public policy course

BS Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute begins BA public policy course

BS Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology on Wednesday launched a BA Public Policy programme.

Published: 29th July 2021 05:26 AM 

Programme Director Illanchezhian, Additional registrar Dr. Raja Hussain, Registrar Dr. Azad, Vice- Chancellor Peer Mohamed, retired IAS officer Santosh Babu, and Shashikanth Senthil IAS, during the br

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: BS Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology on Wednesday launched a BA Public Policy programme. The course has been designed for students who want to obtain a degree as well as prepare for the civil services exams. It aims to bridge the gap between pursuing degree and the extra time taken to prepare for the civil services, the college authorities said.

Students opting for the course will be mentored by serving and retired IAS/IPS/IFS officers as well as officers from the federal, State and local governments. The inclusion of NCC in the curriculum will also serve to fan the flames of patriotism as well as inculcate discipline in the students.

“The BA Public Policy programme aims to provide students with the transformative opportunity to gain academic knowledge and the analytical skills that are the hallmark of public servants. We hope to help our students inculcate a multifaceted approach to handle the complex challenges,” said Peer Mohamed, university vice-chancellor.

Along with officials of the university, retired IAS and IPS officials were also present on the occasion. “Becoming an IAS officer is the dream of many young Indians, and the sooner you make it, the more years you will have in the service of our nation. BSA Crescent’s BA Public Policy programme is so beautifully crafted, adhering to the demands of UPSC,” said Santhosh Babu, retired IAS.

The application process for the programme is under way at the institute. For admission or further queries, please visit www.crescent.education or call +91-9543277888.

Prosecute corrupt tax dept officials: Madras HC

Prosecute corrupt tax dept officials: Madras HC

The court passed the order while pointing out the failure on part of the department to collect tax dues pending since 2006.

Published: 29th July 2021 07:01 AM 

Madras High Court

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has directed the Commercial Tax Department to prosecute its corrupt officials through Department of Vigilance and Anti Corruption (DVAC) for causing revenue loss to the State. The court also ordered verification of assets owned by them and their relatives. The court passed the order while pointing out the failure on part of the department to collect tax dues pending since 2006.

“If misconduct or otherwise is proved, then further actions are to be initiated to recover the loss of State revenue from those officials,” Justice S M Subramaniyam said in a July 20 order. The court passed the directions while allowing a writ petition from GE Govindaraj, who sought to quash a notice dated October 4, 2012 of the Assistant Commissioner in Arisipalayam Assessment Circle in Salem district. The notice sought to recover sales tax arrears for 2000-01 and 2001-02.

The judge noted that the authority had initiated action to recover the arrears after a lapse of 10 years, which was against TNGST Rules. The two authorities shall coordinate with DVAC by conducting frequent surprise raids to control the evil menace of corrupt activities of demand and acceptance of bribes or receipt of freebies from the business community across the State.

“If any such offences are identified then all actions, including criminal action, are to be initiated,” said the judge. The judge also directed them to issue suitable orders to all the authorities competent to verify the service records of the officials of the Commercial Tax Department and make a comparison with the actual assets of the family members as well as the declared assets in the service records and if any disproportionality of wealth is identified, all suitable actions are to be initiated under the Service Rules in force.

“They shall ensure that all long-pending cases regarding State revenue are reviewed periodically on a war footing and reports are collected and initiate speedy steps to protect the interest of State revenue, as it is the constitutional mandate and to protect the interest of the public at large,” said the bench.

NEET-UG: NTA gives clarity on exam and marking pattern

NEET-UG: NTA gives clarity on exam and marking pattern

Nearly two weeks after the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced changes to the paper pattern for the upcoming National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG), the authority on Monday clarified doubts of several candidates regarding the marking pattern

By Shreya Bhandary

PUBLISHED ON JUL 27, 2021 12:22 AM IST

Nearly two weeks after the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced changes to the paper pattern for the upcoming National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG), the authority on Monday clarified doubts of several candidates regarding the marking pattern.

“The test pattern of NEET-UG has been modified, and in every subject students will attempt 35 questions mandatorily and of the remaining 15, one should attempt only 10 questions. It is important that the candidates do not attempt more than 10 questions because only the first 10 attempted questions will be considered for evaluation/marking,” said the response shared by the official NTA email.

This is the first time since its inception that the exam pattern for NEET-UG has been changed.

Until 2020, the NEET-UG paper pattern consisted of 180 objective-type questions from physics, chemistry and biology (botany and zoology) that had to be answered on a specially designed sheet using a ballpoint pen only. Each correct answer gave students four marks and each wrong answer deducted one mark. According to NTA, the new paper pattern will comprise of two sections under each subject.

Section A will consist of 35 questions which students have to attempt compulsorily, and section B will consist of 15 questions from which the candidate can choose to attempt any 10 questions.

“As students have to choose and attempt only 10 out of the 15 questions, the utilisation of time will remain the same, thus clarifying that the total time given for the exam remains the same this year as well (sic),” stated NTA response.

“We are glad that NTA has reverted to our emails and specified the marking scheme, clearing all doubts in the minds of the aspirants. Many were confused about the change in paper pattern and this response from NTA has given much required relief to more than 1.5 million NEET aspirants,” said Ruiee Kapoor, parent and activist.

In a statement released earlier this month, NTA clarified that the changes were introduced keeping in mind the reduction of syllabus by various school education boards for their Class 12 students in 2020-21, considering the loss of academic time due to Covid-19.

“To rationalise the decision of reduction in the syllabus by various school education boards, NTA has taken the decision to provide choice in Section “B” for each of the four subjects,” clarified NTA.