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Monday, March 17, 2025

HC allows legal heir certs based on affidavits in absence of other proof

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 17.03.2025

Chennai : Madras high court has observed that legal heir certificates can even be provided based on affidavits of applicants and their kin. When there is no other proof, the applicant can be directed to file affidavits and arrange for five affidavits from persons known to the family, which will include relatives and neighbours. On that basis, the certificate can be issued when there is no rival claim, Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy said.

The court passed the order on a plea moved by S Arasu, challenging the order of the Mylapore tahsildar denying him certificates as a legal heir of C P Subramaniyam who died on Dec 19, 1998, and the death was reported. However, so far, no one applied for a legal heir certificate. His application for the certificate was rejected as the authorities could not conclude who the legal heirs of the deceased were.

Aggrieved, the petitioner moved the court. When the plea came up for hearing, the court said, “Once the death is reported, when an application is made for a legal heirship certificate, it has to be determined who the legal heirs are.” Setting aside the order, the court directed the petitioner to appear before the tahsildar for further enquiry on March 28.

The tahsildar shall insist on affidavits or relegate him to the revenue inspector for further enquiry, and the authorities shall make further enquiry and come to a conclusion by their best judgment as to who all the legal heirs are, include the names of those persons, and issue the legal heirship certificate, the court said. The exercise shall be completed within 12 weeks, the judge added.

Stay off roads to beat heat & disease Grabbing A Drink On Roadside In Summers Can Increase Risk Of Infections

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 17.03.2025

Chennai : The stifling heat may tempt people to grab a glass of lemonade or seasonal fruits sold on the roadside, but in summer these carry an increased risk of viral and bacterial infections that can lead to stomach infections, including acute gastroenteritis disorders, health officials warn.

Doctors across the city say they see cases, mostly family clusters, of hepatitis A and E, typhoid, and gastrointestinal diseases, all caused by contaminated water and food. The public health department says epidemiological data shows contaminated food and water-borne diseases increase in summer. Cut fruits, with their exposed surfaces and high sugar content, are vulnerable to growth of bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, and warm weather can expedite this.

“Fruits naturally spoil faster in hot weather. Cutting them accelerates this process, as the exposed flesh oxidises and decays,” said Dr P Sampath, joint director of public health (epidemics). “During summer, flies and other insects are more prevalent, increasing the risk of contamination. Poor hygiene practices, such as unwashed hands or unclean cutting surfaces, can also contribute to contamination,” he added.

Summer fruits such as watermelon, pineapples, and citrus fruits are high in water content, crucial for staying hydrated. They are also packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support overall health and immunity, particularly important in summer.

“It’s important for children to eat a bowl of fruits every day. We recommend people buy whole, uncut fruits,” said paediatrician Dr S Balasubramanian. “We must teach children to wash them thoroughly. It is preferable to eat fruit that is washed and cut at home. This way, you know they are clean and hygienic.”

Food safety officials, meanwhile, are holding discussions with vendors, asking them not to use chemicals to ripen fruit. “They pack chemicals such as calcium carbide in fruit boxes to expedite ripening. We have told vendors we will destroy boxes of fruits if we find them using unsafe artificial methods,” said designated food safety officer (Chennai) Dr P Satheesh Kumar.

Officials are also asking street food vendors to ensure they buy fresh raw material in small quantities from authorised dealers and source clean water for cooking and cleaning. “Meat and dairy should be preserved at the right temperature, cooked food must be stored in closed containers, and food handlers must follow hand hygiene practices,” said designated food safety officer (Tiruvallur) Dr Subhash Chandra Bose.

“We also tell people to ask vendors about the source of water and hygienic practices. They can also check for FSSAI licences on food carts and inside hotels. If there are issues, people must file complaints to prevent disease outbreaks,” he said.

8th Pay Commission: Central employees’ commuted pension to be restored after 12 years?

Big employee unions like Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers say that the government is constantly ignoring their demands.

This is increasing resentment among employees and pensioners.

Written by PF Desk March 16, 2025 13:57 IST

8th Pay Commission News: The long-standing demand for the restoration of commuted pensions is again in discussion. Currently, this pension is restored after 15 years, but employee organisations want the government to cut this commutation period to 12 years.

Now, after the announcement of the 8th Pay Commission, employees are hopeful that the government may take up the issue this time. The government is currently in the process of deciding the terms and conditions of the Pay Commission, and with this, the employee organisations have raised their voice.

Big employee unions like the Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers say that the government is constantly ignoring their demands. This is increasing resentment among employees and pensioners. The union recently announced demonstrations across the country. Under this, gate meetings and general body meetings were organised.

8th Pay Commission: 6 major demands of employees:

Immediate establishment of 8th Pay Commission and inclusion of demands of employees.

Abolish New Pension Scheme (NPS) and implement Old Pension Scheme (OPS).

Immediate release of Dearness Allowance (DA) stopped during COVID-19.

Reducing the restoration period of adjusted (commuted) pension from 15 years to 12 years.

Removing the limit on compassionate appointments and filling the vacant posts soon.

Ensuring democratic functioning of organisation.

The government deducts the pension of retired employees for 15 years. That is, the lump sum amount received is compensated monthly for 15 years. Employees’ demand:

Employees want this period to be made 12 years, so that retired personnel can get full pension soon

Employees’ arguments: Why is this change necessary?

Given the rising inflation and expenses, the reduction of 15 years is unfair.

Employees already bear taxes and deductions during their service. If this change happens, millions of retired employees will get relief.

What is the government thinking?

So far, no formal announcement has been made by the government with regard to a decision on pension commutation and restoration period. Employee organisations are constantly putting pressure, and if their demands are not met, they are preparing to protest on a large scale.

Now The process of the 8th Pay Commission is still in its initial stages. It may become clear in the coming days whether the government will be ready to accept this important demand of the employees.

RGUHS students get same questions from prep paper of two colleges in final Ayurveda exam

Mar 15, 2025, 23:23 IST

Sunday, March 16, 2025

AKTU to use blockchain tech to check fraud, errors in degrees

Mohita.Tewari @timesofindia.com 16.03.2025

Lucknow : The Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) is implementing blockchain technology for generating degrees and marksheets. This digital system creates and validates academic credentials through a secure computerised database, ensuring authenticity and preventing unauthorised altera- tions. AKTU officials said that blockchain provides a reliable method for issuing and managing digital credentials. This system eliminates possibilities of errors or manipulations in university documents. Students will have the ability to print their digital degrees as needed.

Following council approval, the university plans to implement this system in the upcoming academic session. “Cases of fraud in degree marksheets often come to the fore in many universities of the country and state. In view of this and further upgrading its technology, the university administration has now decided to use blockchain technology,” said AKTU vice chancellor Prof JP Pandey. He explained that students’ examination and result information will be distributed across multiple ser- vers. The university will compile degree marksheets using roll numbers and other unique identifiers. The system’s security ensures that data remains protected even if individual servers face security breaches or disruptions. “Students will receive login credentials to access and print their degree marksheets as required. Blockchain enhances degree and marksheet security,” said the VC.

‘Prolonged use of steroids linked to risk of glaucoma’

Anuja.Jaiswal@timesofindia.com 16.03.2025

New Delhi : Prolonged use of steroid-based inhalers for respiratory conditions like asthma and bronchitis, continuous application of nasal sprays for allergies, and steroid-containing skin creams for allergic reactions and cosmetic purposes may lead to glaucoma, doctors at AIIMS have observed. They have highlighted the issue and advised regular eye check-ups, indicating that early identification significantly improves the chances of vision preservation. Glaucoma is a persistent eye condition that can damage the optic nerve, potentially causing vision loss or blindness. Dr Tanuj Dada, professorin-charge of the glaucoma unit, emphasised the significance of timely detection. “Glaucoma is known as the thief of vision because it has no symptoms until significant damage occurs.

After 40, regular check-ups every 1-2 years are essential, even if your vision seems fine.” Dr Dada also cautioned against steroid misuse for children who are often prescribed steroid eye drops by unqualified persons, resulting in glaucoma. He explained that they frequently encountered young children with eye allergies, particularly those from Rajasthan affected by sand-related allergic reactions. These children, when experiencing eye irritation and redness, often get medicines from chemists or seek assistance from unqualified practitioners. Although the immediate allergy symptoms and redness may subside, some children later develop glaucoma. Students sustaining eye injuries from sports equipment such as balls or shuttlecocks during playground activities should also undergo regular eye examinations as these injuries could progress to glaucoma after 10-20 years. The doctor also warned against the use of skin whitening creams that mostly contain steroids. According to doctors, the research also linked stress to glaucoma, with meditation and breathing exercises showing potential benefits.

Only days spent in India to decide NRI tax status: ITAT

16.03.2025

Mumbai : Mumbai Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has ruled in favour of an individual who claimed his tax residential status to be that of a ‘non-resident’ as he had spent 210 days on work abroad, reports Lubna Kably.

As India does not tax overseas income in the hands of a non-resident, M Gulati did not disclose his overseas income of Rs 1.2 crore for FY 2015-16. He contended he had spent less than 182 days in India and was a non-resident. But I-T claimed that of the 210 days, he’d spent 28 days looking for work, and hence a tax resident of India. ITAT made it clear an individual’s tax residential status must be determined solely by the number of days spent in India.

The ITAT rejected the contention of I-T dept, which had recomputed Gulati’s stay outside India as it partly comprised of days spent jobhunting. ITAT order provides clarity on the tax treatment of individuals who split their time between employment and job search abroad. It reinforces that any period spent outside India for employment or in search of job should be counted towards non-resident status determination. The decision will benefit expatriates who go overseas in search of a job and gain employment.

A person who is a tax resident of India has to pay tax on his global income. A nonresident does not pay tax in India on his/her overseas income but only on income that accrues or arises in India (eg: rent from property in India, bank interest, etc). Number of days stayed in India determines tax residency.

Under provisions of I-T Act, viz: Explanation 1 to Section 6(1), if an individual leaves India for ‘purpose of employment’ overseas, he/ she will qualify as a tax resident only if stay ‘in India’ is for 182 days or more in a year. From FY 2020-21, the period was reduced to 120 days or more for individuals whose income (other than foreign sources) exceeds Rs 15 lakh. The I-T officer noted Gulati had spent 210 days outside India in the relevant AY (2016-17), of which 28 days were in search of job.

He held that only days of actual employment could be considered. Thus, based on a revised calculation, he held that Gulati had spent more than 182 days in India and was hence a tax resident. Consequently, the overseas salary of Rs 86.2 lakh and interest income of Rs 2.8 lakh would be taxable in India. The Appellate Commissioner upheld the stand of the I-T officer by holding that during the 28-day period, the taxpayer had not received any salary and the adjustment in days was correctly made. However, ITAT relying on judicial precedents disagreed and overruled the I-T department’s stand. The tax tribunal held seeking employment abroad also qualifies as a legitimate purpose under Explanation 1 to section