Settle OBC, EWS quota issue in med edu: PM to ministries

PRIORITY AREA

Settle OBC, EWS quota issue in med edu: PM to ministries

Manash.Gohain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi: 28.7.2021

In a significant move with political bearings, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reviewed the issue of OBC and EWS reservation in all-India quota (AIQ) of medical education and directed the ministries concerned to resolve the issue on priority.

According to government sources, the demand for the quota was discussed in the meeting attended by education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, health minister Mansukh Mandavia and relevant secretaries as well as other officials.

The strong push from the Prime Minister needs to be seen in the context of recent developments like the reshuffle of the Union council of ministers where the government and BJP highlighted the enhanced representation of OBCs. It also comes at a time when the Centre has moved to undo the Supreme Court’s ruling that state lists of OBCs will be drawn up by the central government.

The clear pro-OBC push, seen in the light of forthcoming elections in states like UP where Mandal politics has dominated till recently, and in the context of the next national elections, reveals the political priorities of BJ P. Looking to consolidate the OBC support it has received, BJP would like to seriously undermine its castebased rivals. The EWS reference is a balancing act, something a pan-national party would consider, to avoid alienating the forwards.

OBC reservation in AIQ of medical education has been a long standing demand of medical aspirants.

The AIQ seats in medicine were created on the directions of the Supreme Court in 1984. All states were required to surrender 15% undergraduate and 50% postgraduate medical and dental seats in state-run colleges to a “central pool” with the rest going to a “state pool”.

So far for admission, SC and ST have reservations in this quota, but there is no reservation for OBCs.

Varsity’s cash awards for students with Oly glory

Varsity’s cash awards for students with Oly glory

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Jalandhar: 28.7.2021

As 11 students of Lovely Professional University (LPU), Phagwara, are part of the Indian contingent at the Tokyo Olympics, the varsity has announced cash awards for its students who would win a medal at the mega quadrennial inter-continental sports event.

The university will give Rs 50 lakh to the gold medal winner, Rs 25 lakh to silver medallist and Rs10 lakh each to the bronze medal winners.

LPU chancellor Ashok Mittal said their students were participating in wrestling, hockey, athletics and paralympics and they made 10% of the Indian contingent. “Sports is a huge focus for us and we support and motivate our athletes in all ways possible. We established our high class sports complex at LPU and have created a team of highly qualified national and international trainers and coaches. It is heartening that those efforts are already producing results,’’ he added.

Govt concerned over spike in 22 dists, mostly in Kerala, NE

Govt concerned over spike in 22 dists, mostly in Kerala, NE

Rise In Number Of Dists With 10%+ Positivity

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi: 28.7.2021

Even as the average daily new Covid cases are declining consistently, the Centre expressed concern over 22 districts showing a rising trend in daily new cases in last four weeks along with an increase in number of districts reporting positivity rate of above 10%.

In the week ending July 26, around 54 districts reported Covid positivity rate at above 10%, up from 46 districts in the previous week (July 14-20). Health officials warned that though the majority of these districts are currently concentrated in Kerala and north-east indicating localised transmission, strict containment measures are required as many countries including Malaysia and Thailand are witnessing a sharp uptick in cases.

“If we look from a global perspective, the pandemic is far from over. There is a noticeable increase in the number of cases across the world, which remains the area of concern. We have to work on containing the spread of the virus with strictness,” Lav Agarwal, joint secretary in the health ministry said.

The 22 districts where daily cases are showing an increasing trend include seven from Kerala, five from Manipur, three in Meghalaya and two from Maharashtra. As per the data, there are still 62 districts in the country where over 100 cases are reported every day, which are found in a localised set of areas of these districts.

‘Primary students are forgetting even basics’

‘Primary students are forgetting even basics’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Hyderabad: 28.7.2021

Primary school students are said to be forgetting even basics — reading and writing, as they are away from schools for the last oneand-a-half years.

Teachers said that many students are unable to communicate, read and write even basic sentences.

“The IQ levels of children have dropped drastically. There is memory loss as well. Some, in fact, completely forgot about school and education as they are unable to follow online classes being taught on mobile or computers. While younger students are busy playing, the elder ones have turned to child labour,” said Shabbir Ali, president, Telangana Private Teachers Forum.

He added that physical classes should be resumed by following all protocols.

Teachers said that if the same situation continues for another year or two, a generation of students will be affected as they don’t have access to quality education and are not learning anything. They said that instead of promoting students year after year without having minimum subject knowledge, the government should announce a year as zero year, if needed.

“This year, many students are not even learning anything assuming that they will be passed without exams. This cannot continue. It’s important that students understand the importance of learning and study, even if it’s for the fear of exams,” said Lakshmi S, a private teacher.

SC raps CBI for delays: Can’t keep everyone in jail till you finish trial

SC raps CBI for delays: Can’t keep everyone in jail till you finish trial

New Delhi: 28.7.2021

The SC on Tuesday frowned at the long pendency of trial in cases investigated by CBI and said the central agency has not been able to complete prosecution evidence despite lapse of years in many cases, reports Dhananjay Mahapatra.

The court said the CBI’s track record in expeditious completion of prosecution evidence is not so good. “There is a value to personal liberty. We cannot keep everyone behind bars for all the time that the CBI would take to complete a trial,” it said.

Granting bail to an accused in the 2011 abductionmurder of Rajasthan nurse Bhanwari Devi, the bench said, “The accused is in jail for the last eight and a half years. What will happen if he gets discharged at the end of the trial? Will the prosecution be able to compensate him?”

2nd yr MBBS student abuses jr, suspended

KANPUR

2nd yr MBBS student abuses jr, suspended

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kanpur: 28.7.2021

An MBBS first year student (Para II) of Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical (GSVM) College has accused an MBBS 2nd year student, of using abusive language on Sunday night and lodged a complaint on the Anti-Ragging help line of the University Grant Commission (UGC).

Following the complaint, the GSVM’s anti-ragging panel swung into action and suspended the senior student from class and hostel till the completion of the investigation. The incident occurred on late Sunday night. The junior student had stated in his complaint that he got stressed after being abused by the senior and remained disturbed till late night hours after reaching his hostel room.

Sensing trouble, he lodged a complaint through his mobile at the Anti-Ragging Helpline at 12.30 the same night. The UGC helpline, registered his complaint, and immediately informed the Director, General Medical Education, DM, SSP and college administration about the matter. Principal GSVM Prof. Sanjay Kala told reporters that the anti-ragging committee has been asked to conduct an inquiry and submit a report soon. “We are strictly against any form of ragging in the college and shall not tolerate such incidents,” said Kala further.

To recall, earlier also GSVM authorities had expelled six junior doctors from the hostel for thrashing the students doing internship in an alleged case of ragging. The incident took place in 2019 December.

Autorickshaw drivers lose business

Autorickshaw drivers lose business

28/07/2021

Special Correspondent CHENNAI

While the free bus services have brought joy to women, transpersons and the differently abled, autorickshaw drivers say they have lost business.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin rolled out free bus services for women, transpersons and the differently abled in 7,300 ordinary fare buses across the State. This includes 1,700 buses in the city. The service has been welcomed and from July 12 till date, more than 3.5 crore women, 20,000 transpersons and over 2 lakh differently abled persons have utilised it.

M. Sekhar, State general secretary, Tamil Nadu Share Vehicles General Trade Union, said the scheme was a good one. “Due to COVID-19, many people are working from home, there are no colleges or schools either. So our business has taken a hit already. Many share autorickshaw drivers have also lost customers due to the free bus scheme. The government can help us by providing permission to have a pre-paid system for share autorickshaws outside railway stations, bus termini and Metro stations,” he said.

Autorickshaw drivers also complain that they have lost business.

“We are facing losses due to app based taxis and Metro Rail. Now, the free bus service has aggravated our losses. The government should roll out some scheme for us too to help us tide over financial losses,” said M. Prabhu, an autorickshaw driver.