Use 'Singara Chennai' smart card for metro, MTC travel

Use 'Singara Chennai' smart card for metro, MTC travel

To mark the launch, Transport Minister SS Sivasankar unveiled the Singara Chennai smart card during an event at the Central Depot on Monday.

Minister SS Sivasankar unveiled the Singara Chennai card on Monday Photo | Express

B Anbuselvan

07 Jan 2025, 10:20 am

CHENNAI: The long-awaited 'Singara Chennai' smart card, a prepaid common mobility card that can be used for both metro and MTC travel within the city, was launched on Monday. This card aims to simplify ticket purchases by offering unified payment options for MTC buses, metro trains, metro parking, and other platforms that support the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC). However, the card is yet to be integrated with MRTS and Chennai suburban train services.

The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), in collaboration with the State Bank of India (SBI), has started distributing 50,000 smart cards free of charge through its depots. To mark the launch, Transport Minister SS Sivasankar unveiled the Singara Chennai smart card during an event at the Central Depot on Monday.

Alby John Varghese, Managing Director, MTC, told TNIE that around 98.5% of tickets are currently issued through electronic ticketing machines in MTC buses. “Since the card is NCMC-compliant, it can also be used on metro services in other cities like Bengaluru and Delhi, provided their platforms accept NCMC cards. Similarly, about 4 lakh Singara Chennai metro cards, integrated with NCMC which were issued by CMRL, can now be used for purchasing MTC bus tickets,” he explained. However, the metro cards issued exclusively for metro travel cannot be used on MTC buses.

He further mentioned that MTC has already trained its staff to adapt to this initiative. The Singara Chennai smart card can be recharged online via (SBI Transit) (https://transit.sbi/), through mobile apps like YONO and PhonePe, or at any MTC counter in the city.

NEWS TODAY 6.1.2025 AND 7.1.2025

 

National anthem is sung at beginning, end of Governor’s address: Raj Bhavan

National anthem is sung at beginning, end of Governor’s address: Raj Bhavan

The Governor reaffirms his commitment  to upholding the constitutional values

Raj Bhavan statement

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI  07.01.2025


Hours after Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi walked out of the Assembly without reading his customary speech, taking exception to the national anthem not being played at the start of his address, the Raj Bhavan said in a statement that the national anthem was sung or played at the beginning and end of the Governor’s address in every Assembly in the country.

When the national anthem was not played, the Governor reminded the Assembly of its constitutional duty and appealed to the Chief Minister and the Speaker to sing or play it, the Raj Bhavan said. However, Mr. Ravi was “cussedly refused”, the statement said.

“Not singing or playing the national anthem at the beginning of the Governor’s address is a blatant disrespect to the Constitution and the national anthem. In deep anguish, the Governor left the House. The Governor reaffirms his commitment to upholding the constitutional values and restoring respect for the national anthem in all State functions while upholding the Tamil pride,” an official release said.

The Raj Bhavan further said: “It is also mandatory, as per the National Anthem Code. Even after repeated reminders conveyed well in advance, it is unfortunate that these requests were deliberately ignored. The Governor reiterated his unwavering love, respect, and admiration for the rich cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu, including its language, culture, and traditions.”

The Governor had always upheld the sanctity of the Tamil State song, Tamil Thai Vaazhthu, and sang it with reverence at every event, it maintained. “Tamil, the world’s oldest and most celebrated language, holds a unique place in the hearts of countless Indians, and the Governor shares this sentiment wholeheartedly. In every capacity, the Governor has supported the promotion of Tamil culture and language, both within the State and on national platforms,” it said.

It was “the duty of the Governor to respect the Constitution and follow the Constitutional duties. Respect to the national anthem is a fundamental duty enshrined in the Constitution, it is also a matter of national pride,” the Raj Bhavan said.

UGC revises guidelines for appointment of V-Cs

UGC revises guidelines for appointment of V-Cs

Major move: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan releases the draft UGC Regulations, 2025 in New Delhi on Monday.ANI

Draft has given powers to Chancellors or Visitors to constitute three-member panel to appoint V-Cs; commission has given 30 days for stakeholders and public to offer comments on proposals

A.M. Jigeesh 07.01.2025

New Delhi

The University Grants Commission has revised the selection process for Vice-Chancellors, according to the draft UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment and Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025, released here on Monday by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Clearing the ambiguity, the UGC has given the powers to Chancellors or Visitors to constitute the three-member search-cum-selection committee to appoint Vice-Chancellors.

Non-implementation of the guidelines may result in debarring an institution from participating in UGC schemes or from offering degree programmes, the draft says.

The UGC has given 30 days for the stakeholders and public to offer comments on the draft.

The governments in several non-BJP-ruled States such as Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Kerala were on a conflict path with the Governors — also Chancellors of several State-run universities — over appointment of Vice-Chancellors. So far, the governments used to constitute the search committees for appointing Vice-Chancellors, and if approved, the draft allows Governors (if they are Chancellors) to appoint the search committees for the process.

“The selection for the Vice-Chancellor post shall be through an all-India newspaper advertisement and public notification. Applications can also be sought through nomination or a talent search process by a search-cum-selection committee,” the draft regulations say.

A nominee of the Visitor/Chancellor will be the Chairperson of the search-cum-selection Committee. A nominee of the Chairman, UGC, and a nominee of the apex body of the university such as Syndicate, Senate, Executive Council, Board of Management or equivalent body will be members in the committee. The State Cabinets used to recommend the chancellor’s nominee for this committee, but in many States the Governors changed this norm and started nominating their person for the committee, leading to conflicts with the States.

Releasing the draft, Mr. Pradhan said the guidelines would infuse innovation, inclusivity, flexibility and dynamism in every aspect of higher education, empower teachers and academic staff, strengthen academic standards and pave the way for achieving educational excellence.

Explaining the provision, UGC Charman Jagadesh Kumar said individuals could qualify for faculty positions based on their performance in a subject of their choice in UGC - National Eligibility Test. “Also, the subject of the Ph.D. degree precedes the disciplines studied in undergraduate and postgraduate degrees for faculty selections. This is an important flexibility to remove rigid subject boundaries and allow faculty applicants to transition across disciplines,” Professor Kumar said.

Govt sets 20-km, 24-hour rules for docs’ pvt practice

Govt sets 20-km, 24-hour rules for docs’ pvt practice

Sumati.Yengkhom@timesofindia.com 06.01.2025

Kolkata : Govt hospital doctors looking at private practice should be within a 20km radius of the govt facility they are posted at and they should also be available at the state facility within a stipulated time—24 hours—if called for an emergency. These are the rules that the govt has set for its doctors, who wish to work at private chambers or at private hospitals as visiting consultants. 

The guidelines reiterated the earlier rule that all govt doctors would have to apply for a no objection certificate either to the director medical education (for teaching doctors) or the director health services (non-teaching doctors) before they start private practice. Under the provision of the West Bengal Medical Education Service Rules, a govt medical college faculty member can opt for private practice after forgoing non-practice allowance (NPA) and non-teaching doctors, such as medical officers, can opt for it under West Bengal Health Service Rules. 

A govt doctor who forgoes private practice receives 30% above their salary, adding up to Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 a month, according to the salary structure. Many govt doctors forgo the NPA for private practice. Doctors pointed out the new distance and the availability clauses set the guidelines apart. “The 20-km radius rule ensures that doctors can reach the govt hospital from the place of private practice within a brief period in case they are called, especially in unforeseen events, like a fire or a disaster causing injury to many,” said a state health official. 

Now, while applying for the NOC for private practice, doctors have to fill a format, including an undertaking that they would reach the govt health facility in the shortest possible time—within 24 hours—if ordered to. Another recent health circular stated medical college faculty members had to be present in hospital beyond duty hours if need be. “The unscientific and nepotist transfer policy must be changed first,” said Sajal Biswas, general secretary, Service Doctors’ Forum. “Before implementing the 20km rule, the govt must set a transparent transfer policy. If called for emergency duty, one must report within 24 hours, which can be done from any part of the state. What is the rationale behind their distance mandate?”

States, private univs object to NEP rider for college ratings

States, private univs object to NEP rider for college ratings 

New Delhi/Bengaluru :06.01.2025

The University Grants Commission (UGC)’s draft notification to grade Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) based on their implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has met with resistance from universities in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and other states. These states, which have not adopted the NEP, argue that the proposed framework could prove disadvantageous to their institutions and students, report Manash Gohain & Sruthy Susan Ullas. 

The notification, issued on Jan3, 2025, outlines a plan to evaluate HEIs through a two-step process, emphasising NEP implementation to grant privileges and entitlements under various UGC regulations. Universities in states like Tamil Nadu, which do not recognise NEP-driven four-year integrated degree programmes, have raised concerns over students losing out on govt job opportunities due to non-equivalence. Vice-chancellors of several universities have questioned the fairness of such a system. A key contention is the weightage given to admissions through CUET. While the test is central to NEP’s vision, universities from states not implementing the policy find the requirement problematic. UGC has invited feedback from stakeholders through an online platform, with a 30-day window for submissions. However, the growing opposition underscores the tension between centralised policies and state autonomy

UGC proposes big shake-up in teacher, VC appointments Draft Eyes NEP Alignment, ‘Inclusivity & Flexibility’

UGC proposes big shake-up in teacher, VC appointments Draft Eyes NEP Alignment, ‘Inclusivity & Flexibility’ 

Manash.Gohain@timesofindia.com 06.01.2025

New Delhi : The University Grants Commission has unveiled the draft of its 2025 regulations, introducing some groundbreaking changes like candidates can now only teach the subject in which they have the highest academic degree. But if a candidate wants to teach another subject, different from their highest academic specialisation, then the National Eligibility Test (NET) for that subject needs to be cleared. 

For example, a candidate with a PhD in chemistry, despite holding a bachelor’s in mathematics and a master’s in physics, would now only qualify to teach chemistry. The regulations have also significantly broadened the eligibility criteria for selection of vice chancellors — distinguished professionals from fields such as industry, public administration and policy-making, and with a proven record of academic contributions, can now be considered for this role. Stakeholders have been invited to review the draft and submit their feedback. Inclusivity is another important aspect of these reforms. 

The new draft explicitly includes relaxations for economically weaker sections and persons with disabilities, alongside existing provisions for SC, ST and OBC candidates. It also encourages the use of Indian languages in research and teaching, and promoting cultural alignment with national priorities. The proposed reforms, aimed at modernizing the recruitment and promotion framework for teachers and academic staff in higher education institutions, supersede the 2018 guidelines, promising to foster inclusivity, flexibility and alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. 

Releasing the draft, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, “By promoting flexibility, inclusivity and recognising diverse talents, we are paving the way for a dynamic academic future for India.” He emphasised the timely nature of these reforms in light of the ongoing implementation of NEP-2020. The draft also extends the scope of qualifications by introducing provisions that recognise professional achievements, such as innovative teaching methods, digital content creation and contributions to research funding. 

“The revised regulations ensure that contributions to knowledge and community, rather than rigid qualifications, are valued,” UGC chairperson M Jagadesh Kumar said. It emphasizes

transparency and objectivity in recruitment. For example, candidates applying for teaching may be assessed on their teaching and research aptitude through seminars or lectures. In addition, faculty promotion under the career advancement scheme will now account for periods of leave taken for maternity, childcare or study, ensuring fairness in career progression. The draft also outlines updated qualifications for positions such as librarians and directors of physical education. Librarians will now be evaluated on their contributions to library digitization and community engagement, while achievements in indigenous sports and public health initiatives will form key criteria for physical education directors.