Univ of Southampton first foreign varsity to set up campus in India

Univ of Southampton first foreign varsity to set up campus in India 

UNDER UGC REGULATIONS 

New Delhi : The UK’s University of Southampton has become the first foreign university to set up its offshore campus in India as part of University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations under the new National Education Policy 2020. Ranked among the top 100 higher educational institutions globally, the university will set up its campus in Gurgaon and the first academic session is likely to start in July. The de- grees awarded by the India campus of the University of Southampton will be the same as in the host university. 

UGC chairman Jagadesh Kumar said the university will offer courses in subjects focusing on business and management, computing, law, engineering, art and design, biosciences and life sciences. In 2023, UGC had announced ‘Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India Regulations’ under NEP 2020. 

“This will be the first foreign university to be issued ‘letter of intent’ under UGC regulations for setting up of Indian campuses of foreign universities,” the education ministry said. TNN

Govt staff irked by appointment of retd officials, consultants

Govt staff irked by appointment of retd officials, consultants

Julie.Mariappan@timesofindia.com  30.8.2024 

Chennai : Days after Union govt scrapped lateral entry in services due to opposition from various quarters, Tamil Nadu govt employees criticised state govt for hiring retired officials a s consultants in multiple departments. The Tamil Nadu Secretariat Association (TNSA) lodged a complaint with the chief minister, alleging that numerous appointments are being made without any established guidelines. 

The association members said retired officials from the law department, formerly holding the positions of additional secretary or joint secretary, have been occupying roles in Secretariat departments and various committees. Retired additional secretaries have been appointed as consultants in departments such as special programme implementation, environment, climate change, and the forest department, all on contract basis. They alleged that even the project monitoring units are managed by consultants. 

“Govt tendency to take policy decisions on the advice of consultants, ignoring work of employees, is against social justice,” the TNSA stated in its complaint. The association contended that the previous AIADMK regime had employed a few retired officials, mostly IAS officers, as consultants, in a limited manner. They argued, however, that the current regime appointed consultants without any guidelines. The increasing appointment of consultants by state govt ‘silently’ contradicts its own ‘Dravidian model’ governance, particularly in light of DMK's opposition to recruitment of lateral entrants in Central services, which was deemed against social justice, it said. 

Taking to X, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss questioned the process of appointing specialists for the mission management unit for drug-free Tamil Nadu, noting the absence of reservation.

‘Family invested ₹9 crore in Lankan entity’

‘Family invested ₹9 crore in Lankan entity’ 

‘TRANSFERRED AMONG FAMILY’ 

Even as the appeal was pending, ED proceeded with the investigation, and the matter was taken up by the adjudicating authority. It accused them of acquiring Singapore foreign shares and transferring them among Jagathrakshakan’s family members in violation of FEMA. “The family invested around ₹9 crore in a Sri Lankan entity,” ED said. During the investigation, Jagathrakshakan approached Madras high court questioning the ED adjudicating authority’s power to proceed with the investigation when the competent authority had set aside the seizure order.

 However, the court said the competent authority’s order would not interfere with the adjudicating authority’s power and in July this year dismissed appeals filed by Jagathrakshakan. 

Armed with the high court order, ED expedited the adjudicating proceedings. Since charges against Jagathrakshakan and others were proved, the adjudicating authority has levied a penalty of ₹908 crore apart from confiscating the assets seized in 2020.

FEMA violation: ED slaps ₹908cr fine on DMK MP Chennai : The adjudicating authority of Enforcement Directorate (ED) has imposed a penalty of ₹908 crore on DMK Lok Sabha member S Jagathrakshakan and his family members under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). 

The central agency had charged them in 2021 for violations of various FEMA provisions including their investment of ₹42 crore in a Singapore-based shell company. Their immovable proper ties worth ₹89.19 crore, which were seized in 2020, have been confiscated now. In 2020, ED had conducted an investigation under FEMA against Jagathrakshakan, his family members and their Indian entity. While the competent authority set aside the order the same year, ED approached the appellate tribunal

Twin tunnels to be ready by Dec ’26 To Operate Driverless Trains

Twin tunnels to be ready by Dec ’26 To Operate Driverless Trains 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 29.08.2024 

 Chennai : Twin tunnels to operate driverless metro trains from Venugopal Nagar near Madhavaram to Kellys near Purasaiwalkam are likely to be ready by Dec 2026. The 18-km stretch, constructed by Tata Projects, is part of the 45.4 km Madhavaram Milk Colony-Siruseri Sipcot corridor-3 of the 116.1km phase-2. 

On Wednesday, on the sidelines of the launch of anupskilling programme, K Ramesh, project directorCMRL, Tata Projects, said a 7.5km tunnel was completed and seven tunnel boring machines are at work between Venugopal Nagar and Kellys. “We have completed more than 60% of work inclu-ding diaphragm walls of three stations and work on the fourth is nearing completion. By Dec 2026, we will complete tunnelling. We may take another six months to complete other work and the project.” The stretch where tun-nels have been built includes Venugopal Nagar to Madhavaram Milk Colony, Madhavaram Milk Colony to Madhavaram High Road, Aynavaram to Otteri and Aynavaram to Perambur. While TBMs are being operated between Madhavaram High Road and Moolakadai, tunnelling from Purasaiwalkam shopping hub to Kellys will begin in two weeks. “We have hired international experts who are advising us on cutting tools we can use, ways to operate machines and parameters to maintain in each location based on the geology,” he added. 

Tata Projects’ upskilling initiative involves comprehensive training, accreditedcertification, and financial support to make workers experts and improve their employability. On completion, workers will receive certificates, diplomas and degrees accredited by Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC) and Kalinga University. The company has nearly 3,000 people working for CMRL. “Our programme is not just an investment in our employees; it’s an investment in the future of the construction industry. It’s a testament to our commitment to their professional growth and well-being, ensuring they have skills and support needed to advance their careers,” said Ritesh Pratap Singh, CHRO, Tata Project

Madras Medical College among 6 institutions selected for ICMR’s research project

Madras Medical College among 6 institutions selected for ICMR’s research project

Research studies are concentrated in urban areas. This project aims to take research to the rural parts of the region

E. Theranirajan,

Dean of MMC and RGGGH

The Hindu Bureau

 

CHENNAI 29.08.2024 

Madras Medical College (MMC) is among the six institutions selected for the ICMR Centre for Advanced Research (CAR): Rural Healthcare Transformation (RAHAT) project.

E. Theranirajan, dean of MMC and Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, said that this project was to facilitate research activities in rural areas. “Research studies are concentrated in urban areas. This project aims at taking research to the rural parts through medical students and postgraduates, including those from the Department of Community Medicine,” he said.

Once the initial formalities, including entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) are completed, further discussion on research proposals and feasibility will be held, he said, adding: “This is a three-year project. We will look at what area-specific studies can be taken up.”

As per the MoU, the current study was aimed at developing, implementing, and evaluating a scaleable and sustainable rural healthcare model, known as “Smart Village” initiative.

This model will integrate digital health solutions and community engagement to enhance healthcare access, improve health outcomes and build research capacity in rural India.

ED slaps ₹908 crore in penalty on Jagathrakshakan for violation of foreign exchange rules

ED slaps ₹908 crore in penalty on Jagathrakshakan for violation of foreign exchange rules

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI  29.08.2024 

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has imposed a penalty of ₹908 crore on S. Jagathrakshakan, the DMK MP from Arakkonam, for violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The ED passed the order on Monday. It was based on an order dated September 11, 2020, issued under Section 37A of FEMA, for the seizure of properties held in the names of Mr. Jagathrakshakan and his family members, valued at ₹89.19 crore.

In a press release, the ED said that the penalty was levied after the Madras High Court dismissed the writ appeals of Mr. Jagathrakshakan through an order dated July 23. On November 30 last year, the court refused to interfere in the functioning of the ED, which had followed due process while serving show-cause notices on Mr. Jagathrakshakan and his family members on December 22, 2021.

The ED had charged Mr. Jagathrakshakan and his family members with violation of provisions of FEMA, especially in the investment of ₹42 crore in a shell company incorporated in Singapore in 2017, and acquisition/holding of Singapore shares and their transfer among the family. The ED also found violations of the Act in the investment of ₹9 crore in a Sri Lankan entity.

Private hospitals being empanelled under Muthulakshmi Reddy maternity scheme

Private hospitals being empanelled under Muthulakshmi Reddy maternity scheme

Some doctors and officials argue that the number of deliveries in the government sector will drop in the long run due to the decision

Serena Josephine M.

CHENNAI

The Health Department has initiated the process of empanelling private hospitals under the Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme (MRMBS). The decision to extend the benefits of the scheme to eligible pregnant women availing themselves of maternity services at the empanelled private hospitals has raised apprehensions among a section of doctors and officials, who argue that it may affect the State in more than one way. Mainly, the number of deliveries in the government sector will drop in the long run, they say.

The scheme, under which financial assistance was given to poor pregnant women, mandated delivery at government institutions till 2017. Thereafter, the government approved the extension of the scheme to those who availed themselves of free health services at private medical college hospitals. In 2018, it was co-branded with the Union government’s Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana. In its present form, the scheme extends financial assistance to the tune of ₹18,000 that includes two maternal nutritional kits worth ₹2,000 each.

In the past few months, the Directorate of Public Health (DPH) and Preventive Medicine has tasked its officers with empanelling private hospitals under the scheme. Once the decision is implemented, eligible women who avail themselves of maternity services at the empanelled private hospitals will get both financial assistance and nutritional kits. While officials say that the decision is aimed at ensuring safe deliveries for pregnant women irrespective of where they are treated, some doctors and officials disagree.

Official sources said that district officers were given a check list and told to inspect a list of private hospitals for the availability of facilities. Some hospitals had already been empanelled and given access to the Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation (PICME) portal.

A number of doctors felt that it would cause a setback to maternity services in the government sector. “MRMBS is one of the reasons for a woman to choose a government facility for her delivery. Why should the government extend financial assistance to those who have the paying capacity to avail themselves of services at a private hospital? In the long run, it will definitely impact the number of deliveries in the government sector. This is a wrong decision,” a doctor pointed out.

Another official source cited the Health Minister’s recent statement that 59% of the institutional deliveries in the State occurred in government institutions. “If the decision is implemented in full, there will be a shift from government facilities to private hospitals, leading to a decline in deliveries in the public health facilities. Even if we say that the place of delivery is the woman’s choice and right, such a move will end up increasing the out-of-pocket expenditure of the middle income group,” he said.

Director of Public Health T.S. Selvavinayagam said that currently, 60% of the pregnant women were getting treated in the government sector, and the remaining 40% in the private sector. “Not all women who go to private hospitals are rich; there are women belonging to the middle-income and low-income groups as well. So, we need to have a collective system. With 40% going to the private sector, we thought it was time to open up by empanelling hospitals that will ensure that they have minimum standards in place,” he said.

“From the public health perspective, the safety of the mother is of primary importance rather than where she is getting treated. The aim is that there should be no maternal deaths,” he added.

“While a view that this amounts to privatisation may come up, for us, reaching mothers is important, and whether government or private is multifactorial. From deliveries at home at one point in time, we moved to health sub-centres, then to Primary Health Centres, and now to hospitals. Safe delivery is important,” Dr. Selvavinayagam said.