Device to treat pain in cancer patients AT RGGGH

Device to treat pain in cancer patients AT RGGGH 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  16.02.2025

Chennai : A radiofrequency ablation (RFA) device, used to treat chronic pain in the neck, back, and joints, particularly in cancer patients, was inaugurated at Rajiv Gandhi Govt General Hospital. Funded by a donation from the administrator general and official trustee (AGOT), it was dedicated to the public by Justice S S Sundar. 

RFA therapy uses heat to destroy nerve tissue, thereby interrupting pain signals to the brain. “RFA is considered when other methods of treatment, such as pain medication and physical therapy, are not successful,” said health minister Ma Subramanian. The procedure involves inserting a needle-like probe into the target area, where radiofrequency waves generate heat to destroy the nerve tissue. “This therapy can cost up to ₹1 lakh in private hospitals. Patients at RGGH who found no relief from drugs such as morphine will now benefit from this,” he added. 

RGGH dean Dr E Thera-nirajan said the hospital submitted a request and made a presentation to the govt seeking funds for the RFA device. The AGOT board granted ₹42 lakh for the purchase. “RFA is a minimally invasive medical procedure used to treat a variety of conditions. Patients are likely to be pain-free for at least one year,” he said. The equipment can also be used to shrink or destroy tumours in vital organs such as the liver, lungs, and kidneys. Additionally, i t is used to treat irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) by destroying small areas of heart tissue-causing the irregularities. “It is performed under local anaesthesia, and patients can usually go home the same day,” he said.

5-yr bar on PhD admissions at Raj univ; ‘high enrolment’ complaints

5-yr bar on PhD admissions at Raj univ; ‘high enrolment’ complaints

Yogita.Rao@timesofindia.com 15.02.2025

Mumbai : A university in Rajasthan, popular among Mumbai college teachers for securing PhDs, has been debarred by the University Grants Commission (UGC) from enrolling students in their PhD programmes for the next five years, starting 2025-26. Shri Jagdish prasad Jhabarmal Tibrewala University (JJTU) has also been asked to discontinue enrolling PhD students immediately. The private university from Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu is governed by laws of the Rajasthan state govt and was founded by Mumbai-based Shri Rajasthani Seva Sangh in 2009. 

The trust, which runs schools and colleges in Andheri, plans to appeal. One of the complaints against the university is they “awarded an unusually high number of PhDs during the period from 2016 to 2020”. The university awarded 1,830 PhD degrees in this period and 408 in 20-20. Another complaint alleged it appoints outside faculty as PhD guides. Teachers said several of its PhD guides earlier were from Mumbai colleges. 

The debarment notice came two days ago following the recommendation of UGC’s standing committee, which found that JJTU did not follow provisions of the commission’s PhD regulations. The university was given an opportunity to explain why it failed to comply with provisions of the UGC PhD regulations; however, the responses received from JJTU were not found satisfactory’. The  committee constituted to monitor whether universities are following the procedure and awarding PhD regulations is also to suggest corrective measures and recommend action to be taken against erring universities. A trustee, though, said there is always misconception about private universities. 

“The UGC has never capped the total number of students who enrol in PhD programmes; what it mentions is the research scholar per guide ratio, which is four for assistant professor, six for associate professor, and eight for professor. JJTU has been adhering to this norm. The only oversight on our part is that we did not submit the Rajasthan govt-appointed committee’s report from 2023 in the submissions to the UGC. The committee was given the list of guides from outside the university along with the in-house ones, and they raised no objection to the appointment of outside faculty,” said the trustee, adding they would submit the committee’s report and appeal to the UGC to reconsider the ban in the coming week. 

The Rajasthan govt set up the committee in 2023 after receiving complaints against the university for appointing higher numbers of PhD guides from outside the university, which was against UGC norms. The committee closed the complaints after an inquiry. JJTU is sought by aspiring college teachers and even those seeking promotions or better placement. 

A senior teacher said the university rose to popularity as there is higher demand from aspirants in Mumbai colleges. “Earlier, Mumbai University’s selection process and approvals from the research and recognition committees (RRC) used to take a longer time, and there were fewer guides for commerce subjects, and JJTU was seen as an easier alternative,” said the teacher, adding the university claims to follow all UGC norms. PhDs from JJTU, on some occasions, were not considered for Maharashtra’s career advancement schemes, said a Mumbai University official.

Deposits up to ₹5L safe, RBI assures New India customers

Deposits up to ₹5L safe, RBI assures New India customers 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 15.02.2025

Mumbai : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Shreekant, former chief general manager of State Bank of India (SBI) as ‘Administrator’ to manage the affairs of the New India Cooperative bank during the moratorium while restrictions are in force on withdrawals by account holders. It has also appointed a Committee of Advisors, which includes Ravindra Sapra (former general manager, SBI) and Abhijeet Deshmukh (chartered accountant), to assist the administrator during the transition. RBI has assured small savings account holders that their investments are safe. It said, “eligible depositors would be entitled to receive deposit insurance claim amount of their deposits up to a monetary ceiling of Rs 5,00,000 per deposit from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), as applicable under the provisions of the DICGC Act, 1961.” Deposits coming under the Rs 5 lakh insurance cover over 90% of the bank’s 1.3 lakh depositors (see graphic). The likelihood of depositors getting their full money would depend on the extent of losses reported by the bank for March 2025. 

The bank has 28 branches in Maharashtra and Gujarat. New India Cooperative Bank was founded as Bombay Labour Co-operative Bank in 1968 by late parliamentarian George Fernandes. It was renamed as New India Cooperative Bank after the Emergency. 

The bank reduced its accumulated losses from Rs 30.7 crore in FY23 to Rs 22.8 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. However, its advances portfolio decreased by Rs 155 crore (11.7%) to Rs 1174.8 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. Deposits increased by Rs 30.5 crore (1.3%) to Rs 2,436 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. Advances portfolio stood at Rs 1175 crore, working capital was Rs 2,997 crore, and total reserve funds were Rs 292.9 crore.  Under RBI directions, the bank is restricted from allowing withdrawals from savings or current accounts but can set off loans against deposits under certain conditions. Essential expenditures such as salaries, rent, and electricity bills are permitted as per RBI's directions. It cannot also grant or renew loans and advances, make investments, incur liabilities (including borrowal of funds and acceptance of fresh deposits), disburse payments, enter into compromises, or dispose of properties or assets without RBI's prior approval.

 “The Bank has shifted its Virar Branch to nearby location after obtaining necessary permission from RBI. The Bank has merged its Shanti Park, Mira Road Branch with Poonam Gar den, Mira Road Branch and Wakad, Pune Branch with Bibwewadi Branch to curtail rent & other administrative cost to improve profitability of the Bank,” said vice chairman, Gauri Bhanu in her letter to members last year. 

Senior citizens throng branches, say retirement funds lie locked 

Mumbai : Worried depositors thronged New India Cooperative Bank’s branches on Friday to inquire if their deposits were safe. New India branches had put up banners with a message from the “Acting CEO” saying amounts up to Rs 5 lakh were insured with Depositor Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation and would be released “in around 90 days.” But frustration was writ large on the faces of those gathered. There were questions regarding the fate of those with more than Rs 5 lakh parked. Cops were present at some outlets to keep the situation under control. Somashekhar Nair, a retired resident of Virar, said, "I have had an account with this bank for the last 20 years. I also receive some funds from LIC and other sources here. Now there is no one who can answer our queries. What is the govt doing? There is no one to speak to us from the bank. I need money for my medicines and other expenses, why should I beg from others when I have my own funds.” Ashok Bhosale, who retired from the BMC's Fire Brigade department, said he was deeply worried  because he had fixed deposits of 15 lakh in the Mulund branch. Outside the Vasai west branch, senior citizen Chandrashekar Pethe said the restrictions imposed on the bank will hurt the common man. “This is a social issue concerning all.” Another senior Shashikant Karambekar said he was confident of getting his money back as it was insured.

 In Thane, a school teacher who had a savings account, said she had some money in the New India account. Though her salary account was shifted to another bank, she had chosen to keep the account active. 

METAANALYSIS: The number of Urban Cooperative Banks declined to 1,472 in March 2024 from 1,502 a year ago. They had deposits of Rs 5,56,962 crore, of which Rs 3.71 lakh crore were covered under insurance. The rest were held by individuals above the limit. Cooperative banks account for 2.5% of total deposits in the country

NEWS TODAY 15.02.2025

 

No rooms in Prayagraj hotels even as mega event nears end

No rooms in Prayagraj hotels even as mega event nears end

Kapil.Dixit@timesofindia.com 15.02.2025

Prayagraj : Even after completion of five major snans, including three amrit snans of Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya and Basant Panchami at the ongoing Maha Kumbh there seems to be no space available for occupants in hotels. The coinciding of the ongoing Maha Kumbh and wedding season has puzzled the occupants who are running from pillar to post to get hotel rooms booked. Apart from pre-booking for the Maha Kumbh and wedding season, the majority of hotel room seekers are trying to get space within the city limits, assuming that traffic jams or other problems could play spoilsport in their celebrations if they book hotels in trans-Ganga and trans-Yamunabased hotels or marriage pandals. There are some families who have postponed marriage or other marriage related events till next month. 

For instance, one Sanjay Kumar is taking rounds of hotels to get rooms booked for his son’s marriage. Apart from the availability, the tariffs of hotels, including luxury or budget, guest houses, and paying guest facilities are also giving sleepless nights to seekers. Currently, the tariffs of rooms in hotels located in posh Civil Lines, SP Marg, MG Marg, or the railway station, are quite high since the commencement of the Maha Kumbh, and the majority of rooms in all luxury and budget hotels are booked in advance. 

On Friday, one Rahul and his family from Lucknow were searching for a hotel room with basic amenities and security in all of the city for Feb 22 as they planned to revisit the Maha Kumbh. After an online and offline search, the family found that the rooms were priced high until March 11. He said, “We are looking for affordable rooms as many of our relatives and friends have planned to visit Kumbh. We found the majority of hotel rooms booked in advance and fewer chances of getting affordable rooms.”

KGMU docs remove woman’s oral tumour

KGMU docs remove woman’s oral tumour 

15.02.2025

Lucknow : Doctors from the oral and maxillofacial surgery department at KGMU’s faculty of dentistry performed surgery on a woman suffering from a tumour in her mouth. The tumour was located on her lip, making it difficult for her to eat, drink and breathe. After the surgery, she fully recovered. Sufiya Bano, 37, a resident of Indrauli, Sitapur, initially developed a small pimple on her upper lip two years ago. She ignored it at first, but within 2-3 months, it grew into a tumour. 

Her family took her to a local hospital, where doctors performed surgery. However, about a year later, the tumour began growing at double the speed, eventually closing her mouth completely. Eating and drinking became difficult, and breathing, especially at night, was extremely challenging. 

As her condition worsened, her family brought her to KGMU. On Friday, Prof Hariram and his team removed the tumour. He expressed hope that the tumour would not recur. The patient is now able to breathe normally. The surgical team included Dr Ranjita, Dr Nirmal Chaurasia, Dr Krishna, Dr Sania Zia, Prof Shefali Gautam from the anaesthesia department and nurse Maya Rajput.

VTU directs colleges to refund students’ fees

VTU directs colleges to refund students’ fees 

SruthySusan.Ullas@timesofindia.com 15.02.2025

Bengaluru : Following complaints about refund of fees to students in case of withdrawal of admissions, Visvesvaraya Technological University warned of action if colleges do not follow the directions of apex bodies on this matter. In a circular dated Feb 11, the university said it received many petitions and requests regarding refund of fees to students in case of withdrawal or cancellation of admissions.

 “The university had advised/instructed colleges to follow the norms of apex bodies. Despite that, the university is receiving such complaints. Hence, once again, it is hereby informed to heads of institutions to follow the directions of UGC, AICTE and VTU in this regard, failing which the university will be forced to initiate action against the college and will also report to AICTE, UGC and the state govt,” said the circular. As per UGC regulations for 2024-25, full refund of fees should be made in case of cancellation of admissions/migrations of students up to Sept 30, 2024, and with a deduction of not more than Rs 1,000 as processing fee up to Oct 31, 2024. For any admission schedule extending this date, the rules will be as follows: Students will get 100% if cancellation is 15 days or more before the formally notified last date of admission; students should get 90% for withdrawing less than 15 days before notified last date of admission; 80% for 15 days or less after last date of admission; 50% for 30 days or less, but mo re than 15 days after last date of admission, and no refund if cancellation is more than 30 days after formally notified last date of admission. “Students often struggle to get refund from colleges.

Not only do colleges not refund, but they also threaten to not return the original certificates. Some of them go to the extent of asking for full course fees,” said Mithesh Kumar Moodukonaje, founder of National Pre-University Students,  Parents and Teachers Association. “Students can email their complaint to UGC fee samadhan portal along with fees paid receipt, admission cancellation intimation, etc., marking the email ID of the college too,” he said