SC takes up doctors’ PILs challenging quota move

 SC takes up doctors’ PILs challenging quota move

Dhananjay.Mahapatra@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:07.09.2021

Five days before the National Eligibilitycum-Entrance Test (NEET) for all-India quota seats in undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses, the Supreme Court on Monday entertained two PILs filed by doctors from 15 states and union territories challenging the Centre’s decision to introduce 27% OBC and 10% economically weaker section (EWS) reservations for these seats.

A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud, Vikram Nath and Hima Kohli issued notices to the Centre, Medical Counselling Committee and National Board of Examination after hearing arguments made by senior advocates Arvind Datar and Vikas Singh, who appeared for the 27 doctors from Chhattisgarh, Goa, UP, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Assam, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Punjab.

Recently, the Madras high court had upheld the 27% OBC reservation in all-India quota in government medical colleges across states but struck down the 10% EWS quota on the ground that it allowed the total reservation to go past the 50% ceiling. Datar said that these fresh writ petitions can be heard along with the petitions challenging the Madras HC order.

The petitioners said that in 2007, the Supreme Court had introduced a reservation of 15% for SCs and 7.5% for STs in the AIQ scheme.

With the introduction of the OBC and EWS quotas, the total reservation in AIQ seats would shore up to 59.5%, which would be in breach of the landmark Supreme Court judgment in Indra Sawhney case in which a constitution bench had capped the total reservation at 50% to prevent reverse discrimination of merit.

Court refuses to defer NEET-UG exam

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to defer the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test scheduled for September 12 and rejected the plea of a batch of students seeking its postponement because of its clash with CBSE compartment examination and other competitive test. A bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar, Hrishikesh Roy and C T Ravikumar said that around 16 lakh students who will be taking medical entrance examination and it cannot be postponed on the plea of a few. TNN

தமிழ்நாடு திறந்தநிலை பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் 14 ஆண்டுகளில் பட்டப் படிப்பு முடித்த 209 கைதிகள்: 925 பேர் சான்றிதழ் படிப்புகளை முடித்து அசத்தல்

தமிழ்நாடு திறந்தநிலை பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் 14 ஆண்டுகளில் பட்டப் படிப்பு முடித்த 209 கைதிகள்: 925 பேர் சான்றிதழ் படிப்புகளை முடித்து அசத்தல்

சென்னை

தமிழ்நாடு திறந்தநிலைப் பல்கலைக்கழகம் மூலமாக கடந்த 14 ஆண்டுகளில் 209 கைதிகள் பட்டப் படிப்பையும், 925 பேர் சான்றிதழ் படிப்புகளையும் முடித்துள்ளனர்.

தமிழ்நாடு திறந்தநிலைப் பல்கலைக்கழகம் 81 பட்டப் படிப்புகள், 21 திறன் மேம்பாட்டுப் படிப்புகள் ஆகிய 130 கல்விசார் பாடவகைப் பிரிவுகளை தொலைதூரக் கல்வி அடிப்படையில் வழங்கி வருகிறது.

குறிப்பாக, சென்னை, கோவை,கடலூர், மதுரை, பாளையங்கோட்டை, புதுக்கோட்டை (மாவட்ட சிறை), சேலம், திருச்சி, வேலூர் ஆகிய 9 மத்திய சிறைச்சாலைகளில் திறந்தநிலைப் பல்கலைக்கழகத்தின் கல்வி மையங்கள் மூலம் கடந்த 2007 முதல் பட்டப் படிப்புகள் கற்பிக்கப்படுகின்றன.

அதேபோல, 9 சிறைகள், 3 பெண்கள் தனிச் சிறைகள் மற்றும் புதுக்கோட்டை பார்ஸ்டல் பள்ளி ஆகியவற்றில், மகாத்மா காந்தி சமுதாயக் கல்லூரி கடந்த 2010-ல்தொடங்கப்பட்டது. இதில் தொழிற்கல்வி, பட்டயப் படிப்புகள் உள்ளிட்டசான்றிதழ் படிப்புகள் கற்பிக்கப்படுகின்றன. இவற்றைப் படிப்பதற்கு எந்த வயது உச்சவரம்பும் கிடையாது.

இந்நிலையில், தமிழ்நாடு திறந்தநிலை பல்கலைக்கழகம் ‘இந்து தமிழ்’ நாளிதழுக்கு வழங்கிய புள்ளிவிவரங்களின்படி, 2007-ம் ஆண்டு முதல் 2020-ம் ஆண்டுவரை இளநிலை மற்றும் முதுநிலைப் படிப்புகளில் 6 பெண்கள் உட்பட 609 கைதிகள் சேர்ந்துள்ளனர்.

அதிகபட்சமாக திருச்சி மத்தியச் சிறையில் 151 பேரும், அதற்கு அடுத்தபடியாக சென்னை மத்திய சிறையில் 130 பேரும், கடலூர் சிறையில் 116 பேரும், கோவை சிறையில் 77 பேரும் சேர்ந்துள்ளனர்.

அதேபோல, புதுக்கோட்டை சிறையில் இதுவரை 5 பேரும், வேலூரில் 19 பேரும், பாளையங்கோட்டையில் 55 பேரும், மதுரை சிறையில் 56 பேரும் சேர்ந்துள்ளனர்.

அதன்படி, பட்டப் படிப்புகளில் சேர்ந்து படித்த கைதிகளில் இதுவரை எம்பிஏ படிப்பில் 6 பேரும், எம்சிஏ படிப்பில் ஒரு கைதியும் பட்டம் பெற்றுள்ளனர். இதர முதுநிலை பட்டப் படிப்புகளில் 46 பேரும், இளநிலை பட்டப் படிப்புகளில் 4 பெண்கள் உட்பட 156 பேரும் பட்டம் பெற்றுள்ளனர். அதன்படி, மொத்தம் 209 கைதிகள் பட்டதாரிகளாகியுள்ளனர்.

மேலும், மகாத்மா காந்தி சமுதாயக் கல்லூரி மூலமாக 65 பெண்கள் உட்பட 765 பேர் பட்டயப் படிப்புகளையும், 160 ஆண் கைதிகள் தொழிற்பயிற்சி பட்டப்படிப்பையும் சேர்த்து மொத்தம் 925 பேர் சான்றிதழ் படிப்புகளை முடித்து அசத்திஉள்ளனர்.

எனினும், 2017, 2018, 2019 மற்றும் 2020 ஆகிய நான்கு ஆண்டுகளில் சென்னையில் 11 பேர், கோவையில் 11 பேர், மதுரையில் 8 பேர் என மொத்தம் 30 கைதிகள் மட்டுமே பட்டப் படிப்புகளில் சேர்ந்துள்ளனர். ஆனால், 2007-ம் ஆண்டுமுதல் தற்போதுவரை சேலம் சிறையிலிருந்து இதுவரை ஒரு கைதிகூட பட்டப் படிப்பில் சேரவில்லை.

இதுகுறித்து சிறைத் துறை அதிகாரி ஒருவர் கூறும்போது, “சிறையில் அன்றாடப் பணிகளைச் செய்து ரூ.150 முதல் ரூ.300 வரை சம்பளம் பெறும் கைதிகளால் பட்டப் படிப்பு மற்றும் சான்றிதழ் படிப்புகளைத் தொடருவது கடினமாக உள்ளது. சில கைதிகளுக்கு அவரது உறவினர்கள் வெளியே இருந்து பண உதவி செய்கிறார்கள். அதனால், அவர்களால் படிக்க முடிகிறது. ஆனால், கல்வி மீது ஆர்வமுள்ள சில கைதிகளுக்குக் கட்டணம் செலுத்தி உதவ உறவினர்கள் யாரும் இல்லை. சிறைக் கைதிகளுக்குக் கல்விக் கட்டணம் மிகப்பெரிய தடையாக இருக்கிறது” என்றார்.

இது தொடர்பாக பல்கலைக்கழக துணைவேந்தர் கோ.பார்த்தசாரதி கூறும்போது, "சிறைக் கைதிகளின் மனதை கல்வியின் பக்கம் திருப்பும் நோக்கில் நாட்டிலேயே முதல்முறையாக தமிழகத்தில்தான் சிறைகளில் பட்டப் படிப்பு படிக்கும் வசதியை, திறந்தநிலைப் பல்கலைக்கழகம் தொடங்கியது. 50 சதவீத கல்விக் கட்டண தளர்வுகள் கைதிகளுக்கு வழங்கப்படுகிறது.

அதேபோல, கரோனா காலகட்டத்தில் தேர்வுக் கட்டணம் செலுத்தச் சிறைவாசிகள் மிகவும் சிரமம் அடைந்தனர். இதனால், தேர்வுக் கட்டணத்திலிருந்து கைதிகளுக்கு விலக்கு வழங்கப்பட்டது. கைதிகளுக்கு இலவச கல்வி வழங்க சாத்தியம் இருக்கிறதா என்ற கோணத்திலும் நாங்கள் ஆலோசனை செய்துவருகிறோம். சிறையிலிருந்து சலுகைமூலம் கல்வி பயிலும் கைதி, விடுதலையான பின்னரும் அதே சலுகையுடன் தனது படிப்பைத் தொடர முடியும். இது இந்தியாவில் வேறு எங்கும் இல்லாத சிறப்பு அம்சமாகும்.

சிறையிலிருந்து பட்டம் அல்லது சான்றிதழ் படிப்பு முடித்து வெளியே வரும்போது, சமுதாயத்தில் அவர்களுக்கென தனி அங்கீகாரம் கிடைக்கும். கல்விக் கட்டணத்துக்கு உதவ பொதுமக்கள் முன்வர வேண்டும்" என்றார்.

14 ஆயிரம் கைதிகள்

2021-ம் ஆண்டு மே மாத புள்ளிவிவரங்களின்படி, தமிழகத்தில் உள்ள சிறைச்சாலைகளில் 13 ஆயிரத்து 985 ஆண்கள், 611 பெண்கள் என மொத்தம் 14 ஆயிரத்து 596 கைதிகள் உள்ளனர்

No mention of pay hike in policy note upsets Tamil Nadu doctors

No mention of pay hike in policy note upsets Tamil Nadu doctors

The 18-page policy note had various infrastructural plans for the health department which would be implemented at a cost of Rs 4,280 crore utilizing the funds under the 15th finance commission.

Published: 06th September 2021 04:38 AM 

They also said that this GO was originally in 2009, during the previous DMK government. (Express Illustration)

By Omjasvin M D

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Government doctors in Tamil Nadu are disappointed as their long pending demand for a pay hike finds no mention in the latest policy note of the health department released in recently. The 18-page policy note had various infrastructural plans for the health department which would be implemented at a cost of Rs 4,280 crore utilizing the funds under the 15th finance commission.

Dr A Ramalingam, Convenor, Federation of Government Doctors Association, said it is disappointing as there is no mention of implementation of GO 354 in the policy note, which provides a salary for government doctors as per Pay Band Four. The GO 354 provides doctors a pay-hike after completion of 5, 9, 11, and 12 years of service instead of the present 8,15,17, and 20 years.

“Instead of implementing GO 354, the government announced GO 293, which provides allowances to doctors. Allowances are important but the government needs to address the issue of pay-hike,” said Dr. Ramalingam. A section of doctors is disappointed because when they held a fast unto death protests in 2019, it was the present Chief Minister MK Stalin, who then was the opposition leader, who took part in the protests and assured that the GO 354 would be implemented when the DMK comes to power.

They also said that this GO was originally in 2009, during the previous DMK government. “We fought against the previous government as they did not implement this. But the status quo is continuing now,” said Dr. Ramalingam, adding that he is hopeful the government may at least implement it in the future.

Both the State and Union government doctors join the profession after MBBS with the same base salary of 56,100. However, after completion of 13 years, the latter earns Rs 1,23,000 while the State government doctor earns only Rs 86,000.

Dr S Perumal Pillai, Executive Member, Federation of Government Doctors Association said not implementing the GO 354 is a huge disappointment for all the 18,000 doctors in the State. “They have announced so many new projects for health department but all these will be successful only if the issues of doctors are addressed. The doctors stood in the frontline in the first and second waves and now they say a third wave is coming. It is high time our needs are addressed,” he said.

On the other hand, the government recently, in its GO 293 argued that the GO 354 cannot be implemented in the State as unlike the Union Government doctors, State doctors were allowed to practice at private hospitals too.

Wedding cluster in village leads to Covid surge in Nagapattinam

Wedding cluster in village leads to Covid surge in Nagapattinam

After a few months, the district over the past one week has been witnessing a spike in the number of positive cases.

Published: 06th September 2021 04:51 AM |

By Express News Service

NAGAPATTINAM: A series of weddings in the recent past at Panchanathikulam West has led to a surge in Covid-19 cases in the district, with the village alone contributing nearly half in daily caseload.

After a few months, the district over the past one week has been witnessing a spike in the number of positive cases. The district on Sunday recorded as many as 46 new cases. In this backdrop, the Health and Family Welfare Department on Sunday discovered as many as 20 Covid-19 cases in Panchanathikulam West alone. Following the results, all 20 villagers, including a 10-year-old girl, were shifted to the government Hospital and the village was disinfected.

As a precautionary measure, Collector Dr A Arun Thamburaj conducted an inspection and reviewed the situation on ground. The Collector told The New Indian Express, “We are closely monitoring the situation. It is said that most of them participated in wedding ceremonies recently. Fever camps are being conducted and the situation is being monitored closely.”

It may be noted that recently, Annapettai village in the district also recorded a rise, contributing as many as 11 cases on a single day. On Saturday, Thagattur village recorded six cases on the same day.

SC/ST doctors in Telangana allege bias in promotions

SC/ST doctors in Telangana allege bias in promotions

One of their key demands was to establish a roaster system to ensure that eligible doctors from the SC/ST community also got a chance to hold senior posts.

Published: 05th September 2021 01:40 PM | Last Updated: 05th September 2021 01:40 PM | A+A A-

By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: Alleging discrimination in the way senior administrative positions of the Health Department are filled, the Telangana SC/ST Government Doctors Association staged a protest in Hyderabad on Saturday, September 4, 2021, demanding parity and transparency in the process.

The protesting doctors stated that despite their seniority and years of experience, they were left out of key positions not only at the level of District Medical and Health officers (DMHO), but also at the level of Principals, Director of Health and Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad Commissioner.

“Of the 100-odd doctors eligible to hold these senior posts, nearly 70 belong to SC/ST groups. Yet none of them have been placed in senior positions of administration,” said Dr Babu Rao, head of the association.

The doctors further said that several key positions were currently held by people of one specific caste. This has been the case for the past 6-7 years, they claimed. One of their key demands was to establish a roaster system to ensure that eligible doctors from the SC/ST community also got a chance to hold senior posts.

Five youth killed as speeding MUV crashes into lorry in Chennai

Five youth killed as speeding MUV crashes into lorry in Chennai

When asked if Naveen, who was behind the wheel, had consumed alcohol, the traffic investigation police said a conclusion can be arrived at only after the arrival of autopsy reports.

Published: 06th September 2021 04:35 AM |

Five youngsters were killed as their car rammed a truck in Perungalatur, in Chennai. (Photo | Express)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Five youngsters died during the wee hours of Sunday after their multi-utility vehicle lost control, brushed past a heavy vehicle, and collided with a trailer lorry parked on the roadside in Perungalathur.

The deceased persons are Aravind Shankar (21) of K K Nagar, Naveen (21) and Raja Harish (21) of Mettur in Salem district, Rahul (20) of Pudukottai, and Ajay (21) of Tiruchy. Chromepet traffic investigation police told The New Indian Express that the five died on the spot and their bodies were damaged severely in the mishap. The premium-segment vehicle was reduced to rubble, indicating the high speed at which the vehicle was running, the police said.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the incident happened between 1.30 am and 2.20 am near a private Information Technology company on GST Road in Perungalathur. CCTV visuals released by the police showed the MUV brushing past a heavy vehicle and ramming a trailer lorry laden with iron rods. On information, the Fire and Rescue Services personnel were pressed into action to retrieve the mangled remains of the bodies. All of them were shifted to Government Chromepet Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Except Naveen, the other four were fresh engineering graduates from a private college in Thoraipakkam. Police sources said that the four of them had campus interviews scheduled on Monday. When asked if Naveen, who was behind the wheel, had consumed alcohol, the traffic investigation police said a conclusion can be arrived at only after the arrival of autopsy reports. Chromepet traffic investigation police have registered a case and are investigating the matter.

Retired hurt, or any other plan?

HYDERABAD CONFIDENTIAL

Retired hurt, or any other plan?

06.09.2021

Ever wondered what happens to the various IPS and IAS officers who retire? The government has appointed several retired babus as advisors in the past seven years, but their services are never utilised once they bid adieu after superannuation. Case in point is retired chief secretary SK Joshi, who was appointed as an advisor (irrigation), but he is conspicuous by his absence in official meetings, especially the crucial KRMB and water-sharing meetings. There are more such instances, so will the ‘advisors’ be dropped for good in future?

Top cop’s job up for grabs?

After VC Sajjanar’s sudden transfer from the high-profile job of Cyberabad top cop, our sources say that more changes are on the cards. Once a favourite poster boy of officialdom, former Cyberabad commissioner CV Anand, who is currently on deputation to the central forces, may get a shot at the Hyderabad police chief’s post. Another IPS officer, Vijaykumar, has reportedly come back to the state after completing his deputation and is waiting for a top posting. It remains to be seen as to who makes it to the top seat in the police department soon if changes do happen.

Any takers for collector’s job?

Is the Medchal collector’s post jinxed? So, it seems that as the government recently shifted and posted collectors for eight districts, Medchal still doesn’t have a full-time collector. Presently, Medak collector S Hareesh is in-charge of Medchal and Preeti Mohanty has also acted as incharge collector for Medchal. Is finding a collector for the crucial Medchal district so tough or the government has other plans?

Two power centres

Is it a case of not putting eggs in one basket? It seems there are two power centres in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). While DS Lokesh Kumar is technically head of the GHMC, there is another power centre at Buddha Bhavan, where GHMC’s enforcement wing boss Vishwajit Kampati operates. While a little birdie says there are rumours that the enforcement wing chief and the GHMC commissioner have some differences in opinion, GHMC sources say the enforcement wing chief is hardly seen in the corridors of power. Vishwajit, who was superintendent of Rajanna-Sircilla district, was literally handpicked by KTR and brought to GHMC.

Karvy trivia

Here is a little trivia for all of you. Did you know that among the more than one lakh victims of Karvy stock broking scam, there are several IAS and IPS officials from the Telugu states? Despite trading and investing in stocks, our sources say they have not come forward and complained. Many All India Service officers and senior babus, who are clients of Karvy, have lost huge amounts of money, but the question is, will they file a complaint? Only time will tell.

No takers for this one

The Telangana Civil Supplies Corporation has been headed by a retired IAS officer V Anil Kumar for over a year now. The talk in the corridors of power is that not many regular IAS officers are keen on occupying the post of the commissioner of civil supplies as it is considered a hot seat. The incumbent is always under the direct supervision of the chief secretary and the chief minister given the fact that paddy procurement is crucial to keep the farmers happy. The flip side, sources say, is the strong nexus between some of the officials of the corporation and the rice millers, and breaking it is not everyone’s cup of tea.

Tailpiece: Neta and Abhineta

If politicians are what they are, actors are proving to be on a par with them in playing political games or are even better on the political turf during elections. Elections to the Movie Artistes Association (MAA) are to be held in October and national award-winning actor Prakash Raj is vying to become president and is calling the right shots. Two other actors, Jeevitha Rajasekhar and Hema, are also known to be in the fray for the top post, but they are now in Prakash Raj’s panel. While Hema is contesting for the post of vice-president, Jeevitha will be fielded for the post of general secretary. With two of the most vociferous women in his panel now, Prakash Raj hopes to make all the right kind of noises in the run-up to the polls.