Reply sought on plea alleging lack of doctors to operate ultrasound scan machines in Madurai PHCs

Reply sought on plea alleging lack of doctors to operate ultrasound scan machines in Madurai PHCs

The litigant A Veronica Mary of Madurai stated in her petition that there are 13 block-level PHCs and 56 additional PHCs in Madurai district.

Express News Service

Updated on:

28 Feb 2025, 10:10 am

MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday sought response from the state health department on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition alleging lack of trained doctors and radiologists to operate ultrasound scan machines in Primary Health Centres (PHC) in Madurai district.

The litigant A Veronica Mary of Madurai stated in her petition that there are 13 block-level PHCs and 56 additional PHCs in Madurai district. "These PHCs play a crucial role in maternal and infant health care including prenatal care, delivery and immunisation," she added.

However, ultrasound scan machines, which are essential for monitoring fetal development at every stage of pregnancy, are not present in most rural PHCs in Madurai, forcing women to travel long distances or depend on private hospitals for diagnosis, Mary alleged.

Though the state health department provided ultrasound machines in many block-level PHCs in Madurai and other southern districts by spending several crores, the said machines have not been put to proper use as there are no trained doctors and radiologists in the centre, she further claimed.

Particularly in Checkanurani PHC, which caters to the medical needs of over 50 villages in the region, the machine has been kept locked in a room due to the non-availability of staff to operate it, she alleged. She requested the court to direct authorities to ensure proper utilisation of the said machines across PHCs in the district.

A bench comprising justices J Nisha Banu and S Srimathy, which heard the plea, issued notice to the state health secretary, director of public health and district health officer and adjourned the case to next week for their response.

Students seek removal of old, rusted furniture from Madurai Medical College premises

Students seek removal of old, rusted furniture from Madurai Medical College premises

These broken beds and other furniture cannot be used, and have been lying here for three years.

Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai.(File photo | EPS)

Express News Service

Updated on:

28 Feb 2025, 10:18 am

MADURAI: Students of the Madurai Medical College, attached to the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH), sought the removal of old furniture behind the canteen at the campus near the district collectorate.

A third-year student of Madurai Medical College said, "The old beds and furniture, which must be cleared from the campus, are dumped behind the canteen. With no shed, the spot is filthy. Come rain, there is an added risk and some of the iron beds have rusted and may break apart when someone walks near them. Despite complaining to the warden, we have received no response.”

Another student said, "There are more than 70 beds behind the canteen, some of which were used during the Covid-19 pandemic. These broken beds and other furniture cannot be used, and have been lying here for three years. No action has been taken despite complaining to the higher authorities.”

GRH (Madurai) dean Dr Arul Sundaresh Kumar told TNIE, "We have already received messages and requests from the students. While many pieces of furniture are damaged, some are beyond repair. We have flagged this issue with the public works department, and have also sent a letter of clearance. A tender process will be initiated and the final bidder will be allowed to clear the furniture.”

High Court upholds amendment, Madras university HoDs can be chosen on rotational basis

High Court upholds amendment, Madras university HoDs can be chosen on rotational basis

The amendment was made in 2023 to the statute 25 in Chapter IX, Volume 1 of the University Calendar 2016.

Madras University(File Photo)

R Sivakumar

Updated on:

26 Feb 2025, 9:47 am

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has upheld an amendment made to the relevant statute of the University of Madras to enable the appointment of the heads of its academic departments on a rotational basis by taking into account the performance and merits of the professors.

A division bench of justices SM Subramaniam and K Rajasekar passed the orders on Tuesday while dismissing a petition filed by Dr M Srinivasan, former head of the department of criminology.

The amendment was made in 2023 to the statute 25 in Chapter IX, Volume 1 of the University Calendar 2016. It was duly approved by the senate; and the governor, in his capacity as chancellor, had given assent to it. The petitioner challenged the amendment on the ground of failure to adhere to the procedures under section 30 of the Madras University Act, 1923.

The bench stated that the amendment does not violate any of the provisions of the Madras University Act but it brings “the spirit of equal opportunity” amongst all senior professors who belong to a homogenous class.

“The rationale behind the impugned amendment is apparent that all the eligible senior most professors in a department in the university shall be provided with an opportunity to serve as HoD. Undoubtedly, such rotation-based designation of HoD would not only enhance the efficiency level in a department, but would provide equal opportunity to all senior professors,” the bench said.

It remarked that the statute, prior to the amendment, denied opportunities to aspiring professors to become HoD as only the senior most would hold the post till retirement. The bench also noted that the amended statute contemplates not only seniority but also merit, which plays a pivotal role for holding the post of HoD.

Pay pension, gratuity to retd excise staffer acquitted of graft charges: HC

Pay pension, gratuity to retd excise staffer acquitted of graft charges: HC

TNN  Feb 26, 2025, 23:26 IST

Pay pension, gratuity to retd excise staffer acquitted of graft charges: HC

Bengaluru: Coming to the rescue of a 73-year-old retired central excise officer acquitted of corruption charges, the high court's Dharwad bench directed the release of his entire pension and gratuity within four weeks.

"In the event the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and commissioner of central excise, customs and service tax, do not disburse the terminal benefits, the petitioner becomes entitled to an interest at 6% per annum, from the date of superannuation till date of its payment," Justice M Nagaprasanna observed while allowing the petition filed by Hanumanth N Karkun.

The judge also asked the authorities not to drive the septuagenarian to the court again.

A resident of Dharwad, Karkun was working as superintendent, in charge of central excise, range A, Hubballi division. In 2011, he was accused of demanding Rs 2,000 bribe from a person for issuing service tax registration certificate, and a CBI probe was initiated against him under Prevention of Corruption Act.

Karkun retired from service on Jan 31, 2012. A departmental inquiry found that the charges against him were not proved. But the disciplinary authority disagreed with it and on UPSC's advice, CBDT in 2023 withheld Karkun's 100% pension and forfeited his 100% gratuity as penalty.

In the interregnum, Karkun was acquitted in the criminal case investigated by CBI and, on the strength of the same, he moved the high court for quashing the order imposing the penalty.

After perusing the materials on record, Justice Nagaprasanna pointed out that apart from the inquiry officer exonerating the petitioner twice, even the trial court had acquitted him, holding that the prosecution had miserably failed to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt. "Therefore, it can be safely said that it is not acquittal on the benefit of doubt, but due to lack of evidence and on merit," the judge pointed out.

He said what is envisaged under Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, is imposition of a maximum of 50% pension as penalty for a limited period or permanently, and there is no provision to withhold 100% of it. Gratuity can be withheld only if an employee is terminated for moral turpitude, but the petitioner was never terminated.

"The petitioner is now 73 years old. He has not seen the light of his terminal benefits, despite his retirement 13 years ago. He is left bleeding by the impugned penalty, which is worse than dismissal. If what the petitioner's counsel submitted is considered, the petitioner's ‘cup of sorrow' has come to the brim," Justice Nagaprasanna observed.

Medical Education Needs High Standards, It Affects Public Healthcare:

Medical Education Needs High Standards, It Affects Public Healthcare: 

Rajasthan HC Nixes Students' Pleas Barred From Exam For Less Attendance

Nupur Agrawal

26 Feb 2025 4:15 PM

Rejecting a batch of pleas by medical students barred from sitting for examinations as they didn't attend the prescribed number of classes due to illness or other reasons, the Jodhpur bench of the Rajasthan High Court said that attendance in MBBS courses was mandatory and keeping in mind a healthcare provider's role educational standards can't be degraded.

In doing so the court underscored that without fulfilling the prescribed minimum attendance, it was detrimental to permit the students to proceed to the next year. This the court said while also noting that the importance of maintaining high standards in medical education which directly affects "quality of public healthcare".

Justice Vinit Kumar Mathur said, "In the considered opinion of this Court, attendance in the MBBS examination is crucial. If a student has not acquired the requisite attendance in both theory and practicals, it would be detrimental to allow them to proceed with the course, particularly for the second-year examination. The MBBS degree is intended for those who will eventually treat human beings, making it of significant importance. While passing the order, this Court has kept in mind that the petitioner is pursuing a professional course and, upon obtaining the degree, will be obligated to serve as a doctor. The importance of maintaining the highest standards in medical education cannot be overstated, as it directly affects the quality of healthcare provided to the public at large".

"Medical education requires strict adherence to attendance to ensure that students are sufficiently equipped with the knowledge and practical skills to become competent practitioners. In this regard, the Court recognizes the petitioner's role as a future healthcare provider and acknowledges the responsibility they will have in influencing the well-being of the community. The Court emphasizes that every nation must strive for academic excellence, especially in fields like medicine, which have a direct impact on public health. A society that allows widespread incompetency cannot thrive, and therefore, educational standards must not be allowed to be degraded to substandard levels," it added.

The court while referring to the facts of one of the petitions in the batch ( all involving similar question of facts and law), noted that the petitioner had qualified NEET and while being in the first year of college, he was diagnosed with dengue owing to which he could not fulfil the minimum attendance criteria of 75% in theory and 80% in practical and clinic. Resultantly, he was not allowed to appear in the examination.

It was argued on behalf of the petitioner that failure to attend the prescribed minimum number of classes was owing to the petitioner's illness and no fault of his own. Hence, instead of making him suffer loss of one year, he should have been allowed to appear in supplementary examination.

On the contrary, the counsel for the respondents argued that the debarment was right on account of petitioner's failure to attend minimum number of classes. And since the petitioner did not appear in the main examination, he could not be allowed to appear even in the supplementary examinations.

After hearing the contentions, the Court said that since the petitioner did not complete the requisite number of attendance for theory and practical and stay application of the petitioner has also been dismissed by a coordinate bench in October 2024, no relief can be granted to the petitioners at this stage.

Accordingly, the petitions were dismissed.

Withdraw decision to reduce pension of doctors who retired before 2009, association urges T.N. govt.

Withdraw decision to reduce pension of doctors who retired before 2009, association urges T.N. govt.

The Hindu Bureau

Chennai 26.02.2025

Terming it an “anti-labour” move, the Doctors Association for Social Equality (DASE) has urged the State government to withdraw its decision to reduce the pension of government doctors who retired before 2009. This will affect more than 850 doctors aged 70 and above.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, G.R. Ravindranath, general secretary of DASE, said the State government, in the name of revising pension, had taken steps to reduce the pension of retired government doctors. A circular to this effect was also issued. This was extremely shocking and condemnable, he said, adding that the retired doctors had expressed concern that this move would lead to a reduction of nearly ₹20,000 to their monthly pension.

Dr. Ravindranath said when the previous AIADMK government had tried to reduce the pension of retired doctors, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who was then Leader of the Opposition, had condemned the move and issued a statement. But now, it is worrying that the DMK government had taken up measures to reduce the pension, he said.

He urged the government to withdraw its decision immediately.

Drunk UP groom garlands bride’s bestie, arrested

Drunk UP groom garlands bride’s bestie, arrested 

25.02.2025

Bareilly : A drunk groom’s mis step at his own wedding in UP — in which he mistakenly garlanded his bride’s best friend — set off a series of mishaps, ending with his arrest and the bride calling off the marriage, reports Kanwardeep Singh. It started as Indian weddings often do — with a delay. The groom, Ravindra Kumar, 26, was late, and when he arrived, he didn’t seem to be in a hurry, lingering with his friends, catching up over drinks.

‘Medical test confirmed groom was drunk’ 

The 500-odd guests at a house in Naughwa Bhagwantpur village in Bareilly stayed in their seats as the bride waited. The garland-exchanging ceremony — one of those formalities that takes only a moment — was about to begin. Then, Kumar turned to the wrong woman. It was just a second. A miscalculation. But in that brief pause, before anyone could intervene, he placed the ceremonial garland over the bride’s best friend. As confusion rippled through the crowd, he took the garland off and placed it around the neck of a male friend beside her. Then, to perhaps maintain a certain symmetry, he garlanded an elderly guest as well. There are moments when silence is more telling than noise. 

The wedding guests did not react immediately. They watched. The bride, Radha Devi, 21, did not. She slapped him and walked away. It had taken months of preparation. Omkar Verma, the bride’s brother, said the family had spent over Rs 10 lakh on the wedding. He had his own theory for why things had gone wrong. “They were unhappy with the dowry gifts. Maybe this was their way of humiliating us,” he told TOI. 

“And then we find out that he isn’t even a farmer as his family told us—he’s a truck driver.” At 4 am, a complaint was filed at Kularia police station. By morning, the wedding was off, and Kumar was in police custody. By noon, he had apologised. His family suggested the wedding should go on. Radha refused. 

Circle officer Harsh Modi—used to break-ins and thefts but less accustomed to cases of misdirected garlanding—kept his summary brief. “The groom was intoxicated. He misbehaved. His medical examination confirmed he was drunk. He was booked under sections of the Dowry Act.”