Friday, January 17, 2025
Prof signs in attendance register at college, then hangs himself
Prof signs in attendance register at college, then hangs himself
17.01.2024 TOI Rajasthan
Udaipur : A 54-year-old professor of College of Technology and Engineering (CTAE) died by suicide in his office at the college in Udaipur minutes after reaching there and signing in the attendance register on Thursday moning. Prof Naveen Choudhary’s body was found hanging by the college staff, said police. A suicide note was found in the room, and Prof Choudhary had purportedly written in it that he took the drastic step at his own will as he was troubled by his illness, said SHO Bharat Yogi of Pratapnagar police station.
Prof Choudhary, who taught in the computer science department, arrived at the college around 9am and signed the attendance register, he said. “When he did not meet the HoD and other staff members as usual, the staff went to his office to call him and found him hanging there,” said Yogi. A police team examined the site and sen
t the body to MB Hospital for post-mortem. Prof Choudhary hailed from Jodhpur and lived with his wife in Udaipur, the SHO said. TNN
WB suspends 12 docs over C-section death, orders CID probe
WB suspends 12 docs over C-section death, orders CID probe
Dwaipayan Ghosh & Debashis Konar | TNN 17.01.2025
Kolkata : Bengal govt suspended Thursday 12 doctors of Midnapore Medical College and Hospital and ordered a CID probe into allegations that their criminal negligence caused the death of a 32-year-old woman within a few hours of giving birth by caesarean section. The suspensions came eight days after Mamoni Ruidas’s death 12 hours after giving birth. She was among five new mothers whose health deteriorated after C-section procedures. Mamoni allegedly died of septic shock while three others were shifted to a Kolkata hospital.
The suspended doctors include vice principal of MMCH, head of obstetrics and gynaecology, and three colleagues. CM Mamata Banerjee termed Mamoni’s death due to suspected medical negligence “shocking, unacceptable and avoidable”. She said the kin of the deceased had every reason “to question us”. The CM announced a state govt job for one member of the bereaved family and compensation of Rs 5 lakh
Initial probe suggested that a senior doctor who was supposed to be at the OT during the allegedly botched caesarean was working in a private nursing home. “Those who were negligent, those who left C-sections to trainees, must be booked. I am sympathetic to doctors. But I must also consider people’s well-being when there is wrongdoing,” the CM said
‘Why wasn’t banned IV fluid stocks withdrawn? Following the death of a woman during childbirth at a Bengal hospital, allegedly after administration of intravenous fluid Ringer’s lactate, Calcutta HC on Thursday questioned Bengal health dept, asking it why it had not taken steps to withdraw existing stocks of Ringer’s lactate made by Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical as soon as Directorate of Drugs Control ordered the pharma company to stop manufacturing it on Dec 10, 2024....the high court said.
Report caste discrimination plaints, UGC directs colleges
Report caste discrimination plaints, UGC directs colleges
Nirupa.Vatyam@timesofindia.com 17.01.2025
Hyderabad : After the Supreme Court asked the University Grants Commission (UGC) about the data on caste discrimination complaints in higher education institutions, the commission directed colleges to submit details about complaints received, resolved, and pending since the 2019-20 academic year.
“Higher education institutions are requested to establish an Equal Opportunity Cell and SC/ST Cell to ensure the effective and transparent redressal of grievances of the disadvantaged groups. To assist this initiative, the UGC is preparing a database of important aspects, which are crucial to the protection of the rights and interests of the disadvantaged groups and addressing their complaints and grievances. You are therefore requested to submit the requisite information in prescribed format,” read a circular sent by the commission.
At the state level too, the Telangana SC/ST commission is not maintaining any such data as they told TOI that they get complaints from individuals or groups, but not from universities or colleges. While SC/ST cells at universities said they mostly deal with complaints about the allotment of rooms or guides for PhD students or service related issues from staff, colleges are now forming various cells so that they can send information to UGC. “We don’t get any data from universities or colleges about complaints received from SC/ST students or faculty,” said Telangana State Commission for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes chairman Bakki Venkataiah, adding that a majority of complaints they receive are related to land or service-related issues.
Officials from various universities also said that more than students complaining about caste discrimination, they receive more complaints from staff over promotions or being ignored for a post despite having the required qualifications
Questions raised over PhD offered by private universities in state
Questions raised over PhD offered by private universities in state
17.01.2025
Ahmedabad : There are reports indicating that numerous private universities in Gujarat are accepting PhD candidates without proper evaluation. Some institutions stand accused of selling doctoral degrees, while others have developed a reputation for inappropriately awarding PhDs. The UGC regulations stipulate that universities must conduct entrance examinations for PhD admissions, followed by additional steps including group discussions. Candidates holding MPhil degrees may be exempt from entrance tests, and institutions must implement reservation category guidelines.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has established detailed guidelines for PhD admissions across Indian universities, which require institutions to implement entrance examinations for admitting students. The UGC consistently monitors the doctoral admission procedures at various universities to ensure compliance. Following a recent investigation, the UGC discovered violations of regulations in PhD admissions at three private universities in Rajasthan, leading to the termination of their doctoral programmes. The UGC imposed a five-year ban on these institutions from conducting PhD programmes. The universities facing action include OPJS University, Churu, Rajasthan, Sunrise University, Alwar, Rajasthan, and Singhania University, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. TNN
Fast-track immigration system launched at Chennai airport
Fast-track immigration system launched at Chennai airport
TIMES NEWS NETWORK 17.01.2025
Chennai : City airport has launched the long-awaited fast-track immigration system that will allow flyers registered under the Trusted Traveller Programme to bypass long queues at immigration clearance. Union home minister Amit Shah inaugurated the programme virtually on Thursday from Ahmedabad, at Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Chennai simultaneously.
At Chennai airport, eight exclusive gates have been set up — four for departing flyers and four for those arriving from different destinations. Passengers can scan their passports and boarding passes at the gates to get past the immigration clearance. “The facility is functional from the time of inauguration. All registered passengers can make use of the facility,” a senior FRRO official said.
90,000 salaried individuals withdraw Rs 1,070 cr worth wrongful tax deduction claims
90,000 salaried individuals withdraw Rs 1,070 cr worth wrongful tax deduction claims
ECONOMIC TIMES PTI 16.01.2025
Around 90,000 employees from PSUs and private sectors have withdrawn false tax deductions claims amounting to Rs 1,070 crore as of December 31, 2024, due to incorrect ITR lings. After investigations, the Income Tax Department discovered widespread mismatches in claimed deductions. Outreach programs are being launched to promote voluntary tax compliance and awareness among employers.
As many as 90,000 salaried individuals, both from PSUs and the private sector, have withdrawn wrongful tax deductions claims totalling Rs 1,070 crore as of December 31, 2024, government sources said on Thursday. During various search & seizure and survey operations conducted by Income Ta Department, it has come to notice that various individuals are claiming incorrect deductions, under sections 80C, 80D, 80E, 80G, 80GGB, 80GGC, in their ITRs, leading to reduction of tax payable to the government. During investigation, it was revealed that such individuals are employees of organisations operating in diverse fields including PSUs, big corporations, MNCs, LLPs, Private Ltd Companies, etc, sources said. Also, most of them who claimed wrongful deductions were working in the same company.
Analysis of the information with the department showed that there is a vast mismatch between total deductions under section 80GGB/80GGC claimed by taxpayers in their ITRs as against the total receipts shown by the donees in their ITRs. Similarly, deductions claimed under sections 80C, 80E, 80G also appear to be suspicious in nature, sources said.
They said, a list of common employers (TDS deductors) has been identied and tax department would be reaching out to as many persons as possible who are suspected to have claimed bogus deductions under section 80E, 80G, 80GGA, 80GGC and other deductions. "Further, verication has revealed that certain unscrupulous elements have misguided taxpayers for claim of incorrect
Sources said the department has been conducting outreach programmes with employers to spread awareness about the consequences of claiming incorrect deductions in the ITRs and corrective measures which can be taken by the taxpayers to rectify the errors of omission or commission.
"Till 31st December, 2024, approximately 90,000 taxpayers have withdrawn incorrect claim of deductions amounting to Rs 1,070 crore approx in their ITRs and have paid additional taxes," a source said.
As per the provisions of Income-ta Act, 1961, taxpayers can file updated returns on payment of some additional tax rectifying the errors within two years from the end of the relevant assessment year, for AY 2022-23 to 2024-25. In order to intensify the eorts of the department of promoting voluntary ta compliance and reducing litigation, outreach programme with employers is being launched, sources added.
90,000 taxpayers withdraw incorrect deductions worth Rs 1,070 crores
90,000 taxpayers withdraw incorrect deductions worth Rs 1,070 crores
Read more At:
https://www.aninews.in/news/business/90000-taxpayers-withdraw-incorrect-deductions-worth-rs-1070-crores20250116203110/
WRONGFUL INCOMETAX DEDUCTIONS
90k salaried individuals withdraw Rs 1,070 crore worth wrongful tax deduction claims During various search & seizure and survey operations conducted by Income Tax Department, it has come to notice that various individuals are claiming incorrect deduc...
Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/90k-salaried-individuals-withdraw-rs-1070-crore-worth-wrongful-tax-deduction-claims-3358791
Air India passenger says airline downgraded him to economy class, gave his seat to pilot: ‘Horrible experience’
Air India passenger says airline downgraded him to economy class, gave his seat to pilot: ‘Horrible experience’
By Sanya Jain
Jan 16, 2025 10:13 AM IST
An Air India customer has accused the airline of downgrading him to economy class and giving his seat to a crew member instead.
An Air India customer has accused the airline of downgrading him to economy class and giving his seat to a crew member instead. Nilesh Bansal wrote about his “horrible experience” with Air India in a post on Meta-owned Threads.
An Air India Boeing passenger has accused the airline of downgrading him to economy class(Reuters)
The disgruntled passenger said that he and his four-year-old son were kept waiting for more than 90 minutes even as Air India crew repeatedly assured them that seats were available on their flight. Later, however, their business class seats were allotted to an Air India pilot, while the passengers were downgraded to economy class.
Bansal also accused the full service carrier of leaving his son’s stroller back in Delhi, leading to further difficulties for the family.
“Today Air India flight AI-2055 downgraded me to economy class, but what shocked me was my seats were allocated to Air India crew and while they kept me and 4 yr old kid waiting for more 1.5 hrs even after telling me that seats are available. Their pilots and more important for them than the customer who has actually paid for that seat,” Bansal wrote on Threads.
“They even left my son’s stroller back in Delhi. Horrible experience Air India. Shameful,” he added.
HT.com has reached out to Air India for a statement and will update this copy on receiving a response.
The post led to a discussion on the recent rise in complaints against Air India and whether the airline was right in giving priority to a pilot over a passenger.
Some people in the comments section claimed that airlines, by law, are required to fly pilots in business class.
“Pilots are more important because they would need rest to do the next sector,” wrote one person in the comments section. “They are contractually obliged to fly their pilots business class. I am not saying what happened to you was right but the pilots are worth way more to them than an individual customer,” another said.
Other users, however, argued that the airline should have reserved a seat for the pilot in advance instead of taking one away from a customer who paid for it.
“To all those saying pilots deserve rest, I agree… so why sell the seats? Don’t they know their pilot schedules in advance and reserve their seats in advance?” a user asked.
UGC Bans 3 Universities From PhD Admissions, Cites Non-Compliance With Standards
UGC Bans 3 Universities From PhD Admissions, Cites Non-Compliance With Standards
Curated By :Archit Gupta
January 16, 2025, 17:04 IST
The University Grants Commission has debarred three universities in Rajasthan from enrolling scholars under the PhD programme.
UGC has barred three universities in Rajasthan from admitting PhD students.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has banned three universities in Rajasthan from enrolling PhD students for five years, from the 2025-26 academic year to 2029-30. These universities are OPJS University in Churu, Sunrise University in Alwar, and Singhania University in Jhunjhunu. The University Grants Commission (UGC) found that these universities did not follow the proper guidelines and procedures for awarding Ph.D. degrees.
Although they were given a chance to explain the issues, their responses were found unsatisfactory. Based on the committee’s recommendations, the UGC decided to ban them from enrolling Ph.D. students for the next five years.
Commenting on the action on these universities, UGC Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar said, “Universities should be committed to maintaining the highest standards in PhD programmes. UGC will take appropriate action against institutions that fail to follow UGC’s PhD regulations. We are also in the process of checking the quality of PhD programmes in a few other universities. If they are found to violate the PhD regulations, action will be taken against them too. It is necessary to single out such erring institutions and prevent them from admitting PhD students. We should ensure that the integrity and global reputation of Indian higher education remain uncompromised."
UGC Secretary Manish Joshi said that the universities failed to follow PhD regulations and compromised the integrity of the degree.
“A standing committee of the UGC has found that the universities did not follow provisions of UGC’s PhD regulations and also academic norms for the award of PhD degrees. The universities were found to be compromising the integrity of the degree and have been debarred from enrolling new PhD students for the next five years," UGC Secretary said.
“Prospective students and parents are advised not to take admission in PhD programme offered by these universities as their degrees shall not be treated recognised or valid for the purpose of higher education and employment," he added.
8th Pay Commission: Will Central Govt Employees See 186% Jump In Salary? Know What's Expected
8th Pay Commission: Will Central Govt Employees See 186% Jump In Salary? Know What's Expected
Curated By :Namit Singh Sengar
January 16, 2025, 15:52 IST
8th Pay Commission: If the government approves the fitment factor of 2.86, the minimum salary of government employees will shoot up by 186 per cent to Rs 51,480, compared with the current payout of Rs 18,000.
The central government on Thursday approved the constitution of the 8th Central Pay Commission
8th Pay Commission: The central government announced on Thursday the formation of the 8th Central Pay Commission, tasked with reviewing and recommending salary revisions for central government employees. The commission is to submit its report by 2026.
During a Cabinet briefing, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday said, “Prime Minister has approved the 8th Central Pay Commission for all employees of Central Government."
Vaishnaw further said the chairman and two members of the Commission will be appointed soon.
8th Pay Commission Minimum Salary Increase
According to some earlier reports, central government employees are expected to see a 186 per cent jump in their minimum salaries.
The employees currently get a minimum basic salary of Rs 18,000 per month under the 7th Pay Commission, which was increased from the 6th Pay Commission’s Rs 7,000.
Minimum Salary, Pension Under 8th Pay Commission
Shiv Gopal Mishra, Secretary (staff side) of the National Council of Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM), has said he expects a fitment factor of at least 2.86. It is 29 basis points (bps) higher as compared with 2.57 fitment factor under the 7th Pay Commission.
If the government approves the fitment factor of 2.86, the minimum salary of government employees will shoot up by 186 per cent to Rs 51,480, compared with the current payout of Rs 18,000, according to a Financial Express report.
Any further hike in fitment factor will lead to commensurate rise in the salaries.
A hike in the fitment factor raises both the pension and salaries of the employees.
Under the 8th Pay Commission, pensions are also expected to increase by 186 per cent to Rs Rs 25,740, compared with the current pension of Rs 9,000. This calculation holds true if the currently expected fitment factor of 2.86 gets through.
7th Pay Commission: When Was It Formed?
The 7th Pay Commission, which led to a substantial jump in government employees’ salaries, was formed in February 2014. Its recommendations were implemented from January 1, 2016. The key recommendations included raising the minimum basic pay from Rs 7,000 to Rs 18,000; revising the pay structure, allowances, and pensions; introducing a health insurance scheme for employees and pensioners; and revising the pension formulation for those retired before January 1, 2016.
Generally, a pay commission is formed every 10 years, though there is no legal provision for that. It is a practice.
Currently, there are over 1 crore central government employees and pensioners.
8th Pay Commission For Govt Employees, Pensioners Gets Cabinet Approval | Check Details
8th Pay Commission For Govt Employees, Pensioners Gets Cabinet Approval | Check Details
Reported By :Mohammad Haris
Last Updated:January 16, 2025, 16:47 IST
8th Pay Commission: The central government on Thursday approved the constitution of the 8th Central Pay Commission for government employees, which will submit its report by 2026.
8th Pay Commission.
8th Pay Commission: The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the constitution of the 8th Central Pay Commission to review and recommend salary adjustments for over one crore central government employees and pensioners. According to the reports, the 8th Pay Commission will come into force on January 1, 2026.
During a Cabinet briefing, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday said, “Prime Minister has approved the 8th Central Pay Commission for all employees of Central Government."
Vaishnaw said that the chairman and two members of the 8th Pay Commission will be appointed soon.
According to government sources, “Around 50 lakh central government employees, including defence personnel will benefit. About 65 lakh pensioners, including defence persons, will also see an uptick in their pensions."
About 4 lakh employees in Delhi will benefit, including defence and Delhi government employees, they said.
“This will provide a significant boost to the Consumption and economic growth, along with improved quality of life for govt employees," the sources said.
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Granting of Minimum remuneration to the Practical External Examiner even if none of the registered candidates have reported for the Practical/Viva-voce examinations
KERALA UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES
ABSTRACT KUHS –
Exam General A – Granting of Minimum remuneration to the Practical External Examiner even if none of the registered candidates have reported for the Practical/Viva-voce examinations– Implemented - Orders issued.
EXAMINATION BRANCH
Read :- UO No. 37/2023/Exam General dated 24.03.2023
Decision No. 40.08 of the 40th meeting of the Board of Examinations dated 03.10.2024
. File orders in 2024/31077/A2/Exam General A/KUHS dated 10.11.2024.
ORDER
In Practical/Viva voce examinations with a minimal number of registered candidates, there are instances when none of the candidates appear. In such cases, the appointed Practical External Examiner, who arrives on time at the designated examination centre, must remain until the end of the scheduled examination period to complete the uploading of absentees’ entries and other duties related to the examinations. Even though the examination does not take place due to the absence of the registered students, the examiner is still required to stay at the center until this duty is completed.
2. The remuneration for External Examiners conducting Practical/Viva voce examinations is generally calculated based on the number of candidates who attend. However, in cases where none of the candidates attend the examination, there is currently no provision for remuneration for the External Examiner, despite having performed their assigned duties.
3. The 40th meeting of the Board of Examinations vide paper read as 2nd above have discussed and reviewed the matter in detail and recommended to provide the minimum remuneration to Practical External Examiners even if none of the registered candidates have reported for the practical/Viva-voce examinations, provided these examiners have attended to all the duties assigned, related to the Practical/Viva-voce examinations.
4. In light of the above, the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor has accorded sanction to implement the above recommendations of the 40th meeting of the Board of Examinations subject to the ratification of the Governing Council.
5. Orders are issued accordingly.
State rejects draft UGC norms VC APPOINTMENT
State rejects draft UGC norms VC APPOINTMENT
TIMES NEWS NETWORK 16.01.2025
Bengaluru : Karnataka higher education minister MC Sudhakar has written to Union minister of education Dharmendra Pradhan on Jan 13, rejecting certain provisions related to appointment of vice-chancellors. This comes after University Grants Commission (UGC) published draft UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment and Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations2024 for public consultation recently.
While urging the minister to direct UGC to withdraw the draft guidelines immediately, Sudhakar said the provisions related to the appointment of VCs struck at the core of the federal structure and the role of the state govt. “These provisions are a blow to the federal structure as well as undermine the legitimate role that the state govts play in improving higher education,” Sudhakar wrote. Elaborating further on how the draft guidelines provide no role for the state govt in selecting vice-chancellor of a university, Sudhakar said: “They provide for a search-cum-selection committee appointed by the chancellor/visitor with no nominee of the state govt.” The power to appoint the VC from the panel recommended by the committee was given solely to the chancellor/visitor, he said, adding: “The qualification required for the appointment of vice chancellor, which includes non-academicians, requires serious deliberation.”
He pointed out a contradiction to the provisions of the legislations governing universities in the state. He reaffirmed that it was the state that provides funding to administer and run public uni
versities in its jurisdiction, as well as addresses and resolves their administrative issues and grievances. In addition to this, the state govt is also answerable, in the legislature, to the questions on various activities of the universities here. “The elected govt in the state is responsible and held accountable on the issues related to the administration of universities. Therefore, excluding the state govt in the administration of state universities is unacceptable and undermines its authority,” he wrote. He looked forward to a dialogue between the UGC and state govts to assess the issues faced by universities in the present system before proposing radical changes to the existing guidelines.
versities in its jurisdiction, as well as addresses and resolves their administrative issues and grievances. In addition to this, the state govt is also answerable, in the legislature, to the questions on various activities of the universities here. “The elected govt in the state is responsible and held accountable on the issues related to the administration of universities. Therefore, excluding the state govt in the administration of state universities is unacceptable and undermines its authority,” he wrote. He looked forward to a dialogue between the UGC and state govts to assess the issues faced by universities in the present system before proposing radical changes to the existing guidelines.
Now, NAAC accreditation a must for college affiliations in K’taka But Aided Institutions Say Move Is Not Viable
Now, NAAC accreditation a must for college affiliations in K’taka But Aided Institutions Say Move Is Not Viable
Kevin.Mendonsa@timesofindia.com 16.01.2025
Times of india Bangalore
Times of india Bangalore
Colleges will not be granted affiliation if they do not have accreditation from National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). So far, colleges have been granted temporary affiliation, but hereafter it will be permanent, with NAAC accreditation being mandatory.
NAAC, which is part of University Grants Commission (UGC), also helps higher education institutions (HEIs) to avail several benefits from state and Union govts. The higher education department is pushing HEIs in the state to go for NAAC accreditation and complete the process soon. According to Karnataka State Universities Act of 2000, colleges could previously receive permanent affiliation for courses under universities even without NAAC accreditation. However, the department of higher education issued a notification stating that NAAC accreditation was necessary. On Aug 3, 2021, it granted universities the authority to provide permanent affiliation based on the colleges’ basic infrastructure, even without NAAC accreditation. On July 18, 2024, the principal secretary of the department of higher education sent a circular to universities stating that NAAC accreditation is required, advising them to proceed accordingly.
Many colleges in the state have expired NAAC accreditation, and some have not even considered obtaining it. The rule now mandates NAAC for both applying for courses and their renewal. K Vikram, coordinator for NAAC and nodal officer of State Quality Assurance Cell, department of collegiate education, told TOI that as of now, close to 83% of govt first-grade colleges in the state have NAAC accreditation, whereas only 60% of aided colleges have accreditation. Private institutions in large numbers are NAAC accredited. Explaining why NAAC accreditation is mandatory, Vikram said UGC has directed there will not be temporary affiliation and it will be a permanent one in coming days. As a result, NAAC accreditation is a must. Besides, to avail of funding from UGC and for projects, NAAC accreditation will be taken into consideration.
“Besides affiliation and funding, NAAC accreditation is con
sidered for everything in HEIs,” stressed Vikram, adding that there are seven parameters of NAAC. “Each one of them speaks volumes about the institution’s strength,” he added. However, some of the aided colleges pointed out that NAAC accreditation, which is reviewed every five years, requires a huge amount of money. Aided colleges have to pay a fee of Rs 5 lakh and law colleges about Rs 9 lakh. It is not financially affordable, the aided colleges have pointed out. Manjushree N, commissioner of DCE, Bengaluru, said: “For better quality output from education institutions, both govt and private, NAAC accreditation was made mandatory for all higher education institutions in the state.”
ED wants to keep people in prison, livid SC says
ED wants to keep people in prison, livid SC says
AmitAnand.Choudhary@timesofindia.com 16.01.2025
New Delhi : Taking strong exception to ED making “inadvertent” submissions contrary to the provisions of PMLA on grant of bail to minors, women or sick people in money laundering cases, Supreme Court on Wednesday said the agency intended to keep accused in jail and declared that it would not tolerate such “frivolous submissions”.
SG Tushar Mehta admitted that a law officer had erred in making the submission, although he stressed that leniency should not be invoked if the allegations were serious.
Right to speedy trial not a ‘free pass’: HC
The right to a speedy trial is not a “free pass” for every undertrial to get bail, Delhi HC said Wednesday, refusing to grant relief to gangster Neeraj Bawana in a case. TNN No question of communication gap, says court The controversy arose after a law officer, appearing for the agency, told SC on the last date of hearing on Dec 19 that even if a person was under the age of 16, or was a woman, or was a sick or infirm person, the stringent conditions under clause (ii) of sub-section (1) of Section 45 of PMLA would still apply to them. He was opposing the bail plea of one Shashi Balaha, who has been accused of laundering money for Shine City group of companies and possessed many immovable properties despite being a govt teacher.
A proviso to sub-section (1) of Section 45 of PMLA says that a person falling under the above categories may be released on bail if the special court so directs. At the outset of the hearing, a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan said the submission made on Dec 19 was “utterly frivolous”. “We will not tolerate such submission which is contrary to law,” the bench said. Trying to control the damage, the solicitor general said it was an inadvertent mistake which had happened due to a communication gap. He also apologised for it. But the bench pressed on and said the law officer's argument reflected the govt's intent to keep PMLA accused in jail. “If lawyers who appear for the Union of India do not know basic provisions of law, then why should they appear in the matter?
There is no question of communication gap. We will not tolerate such conduct on the part of Union of India to make submissions expressly contrary to the statute,” the bench said. The bench thereafter heard the bail plea of Balaha on merit and granted her bail. Mehta agreed with the bench that the proviso allowed leniency in deciding bail for women accused under PMLA, but added that the govt teacher was in touch with someone from a Gulf country for carrying out money laundering for Shine City Group.
21 years of marriage, 22 years of legal battle to get divorce!
21 years of marriage, 22 years of legal battle to get divorce!
Saeed.Khan@timesofindia.com 16.01.2025
Ahmedabad : The Gujarat high court has granted divorce to a man ending his 43-year matrimonial relationship in which he spent a little more than half the time fighting a legal battle for separation from his estranged wife. After hearing the case of the man in his sixties about his discordant relationship with his wife, who has been living separately for over 25 years, the bench of Justice Biren Vaishnav and Justice D M Desai stated in the order, “When the parties have crossed their major portion of life in prosecuting litigations, we feel sorry about the bitter relationship between the parties. Even the son who is born out of wedlock is almost 40 and as per the submissions of the learned advocates for the parties, the son also has his family.
We are unequivocally of the view that nothing really subsists in the marriage except mutual acrimony.” The case involved a couple from Ahmedabad, who got married in 1982. Their marital life was smooth for a year or so but later disputes began with the husband complaining that the wife asked for too much money from him.
In 2008, family court rejected divorce petition Upon refusal, she would harass him mentally, the husband complained. The court order revealed that there were settlements between the husband and the wife in 1986 and 1987 with regard to her complaints against her husband including a criminal case filed under Section 498A of IPC. The disputes, however, never got resolved and the wife finally left her matrimonial home in 1998. The husband initiated the proceedings for restitution of conjugal rights and finally instituted a divorce suit in 2003 on the grounds of cruelty and desertion. In 2008, the family court rejected the divorce petition. The husband appealed in the high court contending that the family court did not properly appreciate the evidence. He also claimed that he was beaten by his wife and her family members near the gate of the family court in 2000, for which he filed a criminal case. His counsel reiterated that the man and his wife had been living separately for more than two decades, and there was no scope for reconciliation.
Govt employees can now use LTC for Tejas, Vande Bharat and Humsafar trains
Govt employees can now use LTC for Tejas, Vande Bharat and Humsafar trains
Under the LTC scheme, eligible Central government employees get their ticket costs reimbursed for round trips and also enjoy paid leave during their travel
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Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat
Md Zakariya Khan New Delhi
Last Updated : Jan 15 2025 | 5:29 PM IST
The Central government employees now can travel on Tejas, Vande Bharat, and Humsafar express trains under the Leave Travel Concession (LTC) scheme.
This decision was announced by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) after receiving many requests from different offices and individuals. The DoPT worked with the Department of Expenditure to review the rules.
According to the new order, employees can now use these premium trains in addition to the Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto trains, based on their travel entitlement.
Under the LTC scheme, eligible Central government employees get their ticket costs reimbursed for round trips and also enjoy paid leave during their travel.
This move aims to provide more convenient and faster travel options for government employees.
What is LTC?
Leave Travel Concession (LTC) is a travel allowance scheme designed for government employees, allowing them to visit their hometown or any destination within India over a four-year block period.
Under the scheme's provisions, government employees can choose between two options:
Avail Home Town LTC twice within a four-year block, split into two two-year periods.
Visit their hometown once in a two-year period and explore any place in India during the other two-year period.
The government covers the travel expenses for the employee and their eligible family members under this scheme. Additionally, employees and their families can travel in separate groups at different times during the block period. They may also choose different destinations while using the Any Place in India LTC option.
Trains eligible under LTC
Previously, the LTC programme already covered travel on premium trains such as Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto.
“The matter has been examined by this department in consultation with the Department of Expenditure and it has been decided that apart from existing Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains, travel by Tejas Express, Vande Bharat Express & Humsafar Express trains under LTC as per the entitlement of the government employees has now been allowed,” said the order issued by the DoPT on Tuesday.
(With inputs from PTI)
From first breath: Male and female brains really do differ at birth
From first breath: Male and female brains really do differ at birth
Reviewed by Steve Fink
Research led by Yumnah Khan, Autism Research Centre
Jan 07, 2025
Fact CheckedVerified
(Credit: © Katrina Trninich | Dreamstime.com)
Largest study of its kind reveals boys have greater brain volume while girls have more gray matter.
CAMBRIDGE, England — The age-old debate about differences between male and female brains has taken a dramatic turn with new evidence suggesting these variations begin before a baby’s first cry. In the largest study of its kind, researchers at Cambridge University’s Autism Research Centre have discovered that structural brain differences between the sexes don’t gradually emerge through childhood — they’re already established at birth.
Brain development during the first few weeks of life occurs at a remarkably rapid pace, making this period particularly crucial for understanding how sex differences in the brain emerge and evolve. Previous research has primarily focused on older infants, children, and adults, leaving a significant gap in our understanding of the earliest stages of brain development.
The research team analyzed brain scans of 514 newborns (236 females and 278 males) aged 0-28 days using data from the developing Human Connectome Project. The study, published in the journal Biology of Sex Differences, represents one of the largest and most comprehensive investigations of sex differences in neonatal brain structure to date, addressing a common limitation of past research: small sample sizes.
Male newborns showed larger overall brain volumes compared to females, even after accounting for differences in birth weight. This finding was particularly significant because the research team carefully controlled for body size differences between sexes, a factor that has complicated previous studies in this field.
New research reveals how babies’ brains show some developmental differences before at birth. (© unlimit3d – stock.adobe.com)
When controlling for total brain volume, female babies exhibited greater amounts of gray matter — the outer brain tissue containing nerve cell bodies and dendrites responsible for processing and interpreting information, such as sensation, perception, learning, speech, and cognition. Meanwhile, male infants had higher volumes of white matter, which consists of long nerve fibers (axons) that connect different brain regions together.
“Our study settles an age-old question of whether male and female brains differ at birth,” says lead author Yumnah Khan, a PhD student at the Autism Research Centre, in a statement. “We know there are differences in the brains of older children and adults, but our findings show that they are already present in the earliest days of life.”
Several specific brain regions showed notable differences between males and females. Female newborns had larger volumes in areas related to memory and emotional regulation, while male infants showed greater volume in regions involved in sensory processing and motor control.
Dr. Alex Tsompanidis, who supervised the study, emphasizes its methodological rigor: “This is the largest such study to date, and we took additional factors into account, such as birth weight, to ensure that these differences are specific to the brain and not due to general size differences between the sexes.”
The research team is now investigating potential prenatal factors that might contribute to these differences. “To understand why males and females show differences in their relative grey and white matter volume, we are now studying the conditions of the prenatal environment, using population birth records, as well as in vitro cellular models of the developing brain,” explains Dr. Tsompanidis.
Importantly, the researchers stress that these findings represent group averages rather than individual characteristics.
“The differences we see do not apply to all males or all females, but are only seen when you compare groups of males and females together,” says Dr. Carrie Allison, Deputy Director of the Autism Research Centre. “There is a lot of variation within, and a lot of overlap between, each group.”
These findings mark a significant step forward in understanding early brain development, while raising new questions about the role of prenatal factors in shaping neurological differences. The research team’s ongoing investigations into prenatal conditions and cellular models may soon provide even more insights into how these sex-based variations emerge.
“These differences do not imply the brains of males and females are better or worse. It’s just one example of neurodiversity,” says Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, Director of the Autism Research Centre. “This research may be helpful in understanding other kinds of neurodiversity, such as the brain in children who are later diagnosed as autistic, since this is diagnosed more often in males.”
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