Good Morning: January 2025

Friday, January 3, 2025

T.N. univerisities face financial crisis as UGC refuses to release funds: Appavu

The Hindu Bureau

TIRUNELVELI 03.01.205

The universities in Tamil Nadu are encountering acute financial crisis as the University Grants Commission (UGC) refuses to release funds, Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker M. Appavu has said.

Speaking to reporters here on Thursday after welcoming a group of non-resident Tamils visiting various culturally important places in the State under ‘Vaerkalai Thaedi’ programme, Mr. Appavu said six State universities were functioning without Vice-Chancellors even as the UGC was denying funds to the universities.

The UGC, which was keen on including its representative in the VC search panel, was refusing to release sufficient funds to the universities in Tamil Nadu. Consequently, these universities, including Tamil University, Thanjavur, Madurai Kamaraj University and Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in Tirunelveli, were encountering acute financial crisis.

‘Rule not binding’

“The UGC’s recommendations on including its representative in the VC search panel need not be honoured, as per a Supreme Court verdict in a case pertaining to the State of Bihar. Since the UGC’s move to include its representative in the VC search panel did not succeed, it is refusing to release funds to Tamil Nadu universities,” Mr. Appavu said.

Since the State Government was keen on weeding out the ‘unacceptable proposals’ in the Centre’s New Education Policy, the State had refused to accept it in its present form. However, the Centre was acting in a vengeful manner by not releasing funds to Tamil Nadu under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA), he said.

‘No funds for gift’

“As the Centre is not releasing funds to Tamil Nadu in a just manner to meet its genuine needs, the State Government cannot give ₹1,000 along with the ‘Pongal gift’. The people have understood this issue,” said Mr. Appavu.

When asked about BJP president K. Annamalai’s observation that he could not understand how the funds being allocated for school education in the State Budget were being spent even as infrastructure in the government schools were poor, he said Mr. Annamalai could get all information from the School Education Department website where the details of expenditure had been posted.

“He can also get it under the Right to Information Act. Every rupee being allocated by the State for a purpose is being spent in judicious way,” Mr. Appavu said.

He also observed that the alleged sexual assault on a student on Anna University campus was being politicised by the Opposition parties even as the police had arrested the accused immediately. “Since the rule of law has been ensured in Tamil Nadu, the police, after arresting the accused, are investigating the case to get him punished in the court of law. Those who are now blaming the government for political reasons will appreciate it after the court verdict,” Mr. Appavu said.

NEWS TODAY 03.01.2025

Encashed leaves akin to salary, denying it violates rights, says Gujarat HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 03.01.2025

Ahmedabad : Depriving an employee of leave encashment earned by him is violation of constitutional rights, Gujarat HC said, dismissing a petition by Ahmedabad MC against a labour court’s order directing the civic body to pay leave encashment dues to a retired employee. Upholding the labour court’s order, Justice M K Thakker said: “Leave encashment is akin to salary, which is property, and depriving a person of his property without valid statutory provision is a violation of the provision of the Constitution. If an employee has earned the leave and chosen to accumulate his earned leave to his credit, then encashment becomes his right and in the absence of any authority, that right cannot be infringed by the petitioner corporation.”

Sadgunbhai Solanki had joined Ahmedabad MC as a technical department employee in 1975. He was a junior clerk in 2013, when he was demoted to the post of helper as he did not clear a departmental exam for promotion. Solanki tendered his resignation on March 5, 2013, but MC did not respond to his resignation for seven months. It set a one-month notice as a condition to accept his resignation. However, no resolution was reached and Solanki superannuated on April 30, 2014. When Solanki demanded encashment of his earned leave, which came to about Rs 2.80 lakh, the civic body refused to pay.

Med students protest severe shortage of faculty, facilities

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 03.01.2025

Hyderabad : The first and second year MBBS students of Govt Medical College (GMC), Asifabad, launched a protest on Thursday to highlight severe shortage in faculty, medical equipments and hospital staff. The students expressed their dissatisfaction with the ongoing disruptions to education and the impact these issues were having on practical training. They said that college had not received a single cadaver (against the minimum of 8) this year. The students also sent a letter to Asifabad collector expressing concern over the conditions. “There are no doctors, proper equipment or even proper facilities to have postings. Without practical knowledge, there is no use of an MBBS degree. Some departments have not even been established. These include obstetrics and gynaecology, dermatology and ophthalmology,” read the letter.

According to the students, this shortage had significantly hindered their learning experience and affected their academic progress.“We are facing severe difficulties in our education due to the shortage of faculty. Classes are irregular and sometimes they don’t even happen. There is no proper system i n place to ensure that we get the necessary lectures and clinical training. The senior PG students who are teaching us will also leave soon,” said a first year student. They said that the college didn’t even have proper washrooms. “We do not even have a single dustbin,” added another student, saying that these issues have been flagged multiple times to the college authorities but no action has been taken so far.

Passengers of an international flightdropped off at domestic terminal

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI 3.01.2025

Passengers of an international flight were accidentally taken to the domestic terminal at Chennai airport on Wednesday night. The Air India Express from Singapore reached the city around 11.45 p.m.

Since the flight was parked at the remote stand, around 150 passengers were transported in five buses by the ground handling agency. Of the five buses, two carrying about 90 passengers erroneously dropped them off at the T4 domestic terminal instead of the T2 international terminal, sources said.

As soon as they realised the mistake, they ensured that the 90 passengers were transported to the international terminal in the same bus. “They were accompanied by Customs officials. They got Central Industrial Security Force clearance and subsequently went through immigration. As a result of this, they were delayed by half an hour. The mistake occurred because it was a new ground handling agency, and we believe there was a communication error,” a source said.

The incident came to light when a passenger highlighted the security concerns on social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter). What if the passengers had exited the terminal without immigration and the inconvenience they had to endure, the passenger said.

“We are aware of an incident where the ground handling agency coach drivers at Chennai airport erroneously directed international passengers of one flight to the domestic arrival area. The issue was promptly resolved,” an Air India Express spokesperson said. Airports Authority of India officials say they are looking in it. “The airline and ground handling agency are usually responsible for carrying passengers from the aircraft to the terminal,” an official said.

Salary of staff public info, can be shared under RTI: HC

03.01.2025

Bhopal/Jabalpur : The MP high court has held that salary of a public servant is public information and can't be denied under the Right to Information Act, if sought. With this observation, the court quashed the order of the public information officer and state information commission and ordered that desired information be fetched to the petitioner within a month. The petitioner, MM Sharma from Chhindwara, said he had sought information about wages paid to two employees of forest circle Chhindwara. Counsel for the petitioner, Nityanand Mishra, argued that wages of public servants is a public information, and it has to be shared if asked for under section 4 of the RTI, 2005. It can't be kept a secret on the pretext of it being private information, which can't be shared with a third person. After hearing arguments from both sides, the bench of Justice Vivek Jain allowed the petition, asking the public information officer to share the information with the petitioner within a month. TNN

Woman bites 61-yr-old hubby 12 times & throws acid on him, arrested

NISHATPURA TIMES NEWS NETWORK 03.01.2025

Bhopal : A 61-year-old man was allegedly brutally attacked by his wife in Vishwakarma Nagar in Nishatpura on Wednesday morning. The woman reportedly bit her husband in about a dozen places, scratched him severely with her nails, and hurled acid (toilet cleaner) on him during the altercation. While the acid did not touch his body, it damaged his clothes. Nishatpura police registered acase against the accused wife on charges of assault & attempted acid attack, & she was arrested. Investigation officer SI Shrikant Dwivedi said that the complainant, Narayan Lodhi, 61, a truck driver residing in Vishwakarma Nagar, was living with his second wife, 45-year-old Durga Lodhi. Durga has two daughters, aged 12 and 14, from her previous marriage. Narayan, due to his profession, usually visits home once or twice a week.

SI Dwivedi said that on Wednesday morning, around 10 am, Narayan returned home with essential supplies, but a dispute erupted with his wife over missing items. The argument escalated, and Durga physically attacked him, biting him in multiple places and scratching him badly. Narayan tried to escape, but Durga threw acid at him. Fortunately, it hit his clothes, which were slightly burned. SI Dwivedi said that Narayan lodged a formal complaint with the police, stating that Durga is addicted to alcohol and has attacked him several times before. The police previously intervened and counselled the couple, but her behaviour did not improve. The police is investigating further.

Air India Express launches direct flights to Saudi city

03.01.2025

Bengaluru : Air India Express Thursday launched direct flights from KIA to Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The new service will operate three times a week and expected to offer affordable options to passengers travelling to and from West Asia. Dammam, a major economic hub in the region, is expected to attract business travellers, tourists and those visiting their families working ther

No rush for Jan 1 birth date this time: Docs

Pearl.Dsouza@timesofindia.com 03.01.2025

Bengaluru : With awareness mounting about the risks of pushing pregnancy beyond a certain time or inducing it before due date, city doctors say fewer parents rushed for a Jan 1 delivery this time around. There were 14 babies born in Manipal Hospitals across the city on the first day of 2025 (as per data received up to Wednesday evening). Of these, eight were C section deliveries. The highest number of deliveries — five — was at the Whitefield branch. Dr Spurthy G Janney, consultant — obstetrics & gynaecology, Manipal Hospitals-Whitefield, said in the past, there we re requests for time-bound deliveries for Jan 1, but this year there were none.

“Most of the pregnancies were indicated inductions, which means water was less around the baby. We wanted the mothers to keep the pregnancy till at least 38 weeks so the babies were term babies, and we tried to improve the water with medication and injections as it tends to redu ce around the baby with the advancement of pregnancy. However, this time, there was no one seeking a fancy date,” she said. Of the five deliveries there, two were C-sections. Dr Kavitha Kovi, head of the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, Aster Women and Children Hospital, Whitefield, said just two out of five pregnant women at her hospital were looking for a Jan 1 delivery, as more parents are now sensitised about the pitfalls of timed elective sections. “Which parent would want the baby to go to NICU? Nobody. They all want a healthy baby. All you have to tell them is that’s the most important thing, a healthy baby and healthy mother,” she said.

However, Dr Aparna Jha, senior consultant, obstetrics & gynaecology and laparoscopic Surgeon, Apollo Cradle and Children’s Hospital, Brookefield, said the trend of having elective sections on auspicious days is actually increasing. Of the three techie couples that came to her on Jan 1 for delivery, two wanted an elective. “Nothing auspicious, but more a celebratory date. We had a similar number last year too, ”she added.

Dr N Sapna Lulla, lead consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, Aster CMI Hospital, agreed there were requests for elective delivery. “However, we recommend abstaining from C-sections... Women should be motivated to give labour a chance,” she explained

New Bihar governor Arif Khan defends meeting Lalu, cites old acquaintance

Madan.Kumar@timesofindia.com 03.01.2025

Patna : Bihar governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Thursday justified his meeting with RJD president Lalu Prasad, asking reporters, “If you visit a city to attend a function and you have old acquaintances there, would you not like to visit them? What is special if I called on one of my old acquaintances?” Khan went to 10, Circular Road, the official residence of former chief minister Rabri Devi, in the state capital on Wednesday evening, a day after he arrived to take oath as the governor, and met the RJD chief Lalu Prasad, his son and the Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav.

Asked about his meeting with Lalu soon after he took oath as the governor at the Raj Bhavan, Khan said, “You tell me one thing. If you visit a city to attend a function and you have old acquaintances there, would you not like to visit them? What is special if I called on one of my old acquaintances? I wonder what is questionable in this matter.” Khan also clarified that he knew Lalu Prasad since 1975. “I have come to his city with a new responsibility. Why should I not visit him to express my feelings for him?” Khan asked. He also suggested the reporters “not to view all things through the prism of politics”.

Int’l flyers dropped at domestic terminal SHUTTLE MIX-UP

03.01.2025

Chennai : It was complete chaos at T4 domestic terminal of Chennai airport on Wednesday as passengers of an Air India Express flight from Singapore were dropped at the domestic arrival terminal instead of the international terminal. Anantha Raman, a passenger who arrived on the flight, took to X to post a video of passengers stranded at the domestic terminal with no one to assist them. "After more than an hour, they made us pass through the security check again and then sent us to T2 for immigration, customs, etc," he said.

While passengers were trying to leave without clearance by immigration and customs, the airline realised the blunder. Passengers were stopped and taken to the international terminal. Airport sources said the shuttle service operator mistook the flight for a domestic flight as it came to a stop at the T4 terminal. Sources added that Air India Express always parks their international flights at T4 instead of T2 for ease of operation. Air India Express officials were not available for comment.

Encashed leaves akin to salary, denying it violates rights: HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 03,012025

Ahmedabad : Depriving an employee of leave encashment earned by him is a violation of constitutional rights, the Gujarat high court said, dismissing a petition by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) against a labour court’s order directing the civic body to pay leave encashment due to a retired employee. Upholding the labour court’s order, Justice M K Thakker said: “Leave encashment is akin to salary, which is property, and depriving a person of his property without valid statutory provision is a violation of the provision of the Constitution of India. If an employee has earned the leave and chosen to accumulate his earned leave to his credit, then encashment becomes his right and in the absence of any au thority, that right cannot be infringed by the petitioner corporation.” Sadgunbhai Solanki had joined AMC as a technical department employee in 1975.

He was a junior clerk in 2013, when he was demoted to the post of helper as he did not clear a departmental exam for promotion. Solanki tendered his resignation on March 5, 2013, but AMC did not respond to his resignation for seven months. It set a one-month notice as a condition to accept his resignation. However, no resolution was reached and Solanki superannuated on April 30, 2014. When Solanki demanded encashment of his earned leave, which came to about ₹2.80 lakh, AMC refused to pay. The civic body said he remained on unauthorised leave after tendering his resignation, and therefore was not entitled to the benefit. Solanki approached a labour court, which ruled in his favour and directed AMC in 2018 to pay him ₹1.60 lakh towards leave encashment. AMC challenged the order in HC, where Solanki, through his counsel Nirav Sanghavi, argued that the corporation gave all the retirement benefits to him by treating him as retired from March 2013, and not 2014. Hence, AMC’s argument of the employee remaining absent and not having

enough earned leave did not hold water, he said. Since AMC did not respond to Solanki’s resignation, he was deemed to have retired within three months, according to the service rules, the lawyer submitted.

HC: A woman’s no to ‘purdah’ is not a ground for divorce

Rajesh Kumar Pandey TNN 03.01.2025

Prayagraj : An educated woman’s refusal to be in ‘purdah’ (veil) doesn’t constitute cruelty towards her spouse and can’t justify dissolution of their marriage, Allahabad high court said recently while granting divorce to a couple on grounds other than what the husband alleged was his ex-wife’s ‘free-spirited behaviour’. The division bench of Justices Saumitra Dayal Singh and Donadi Ramesh was hearing a case involving a couple estranged for 23 of the 35 years of their marriage. The husband wanted a divorce but his wife didn’t, leading to a protracted litigation. The man contended that his wife not adhering to the traditional custom of ‘purdah’ and ‘interacting independently in society’ amounted to mental cruelty towards him. The bench said neither of these acts could be deemed cruel in the modern context, and certainly not given the couple’s professional credentials. The man is an engineer and his estranged wife a govt teacher. The judges pointed out that ‘differing perspectives and behaviours do not automatically meet the legal threshold for cruelty’. Allegations of verbal insults and the woman’s alleged relationship with someone outside marriage were dismissed due to insufficient evidence. While dismissing ‘vague and unsupported claims’ as grounds for divorce, the court acknowledged that the long period of separation and the woman’s refusal to reconcile legally tantamounts to desertion. The judges cited Supreme Court guidelines, which recognise long-term separation and the absence of cohabitation as factors contributing to desertion. The court also said alimony wasn’t necessary in this case as both parties were financially independent. The estranged couple’s only child, now an adult, was in the mother’s custody all these years and no financial claim was made. In 2004, a family court dismissed the man’s divorce petition, prompting him to approach HC.

HC relief for student who was denied AIIMS PG seat

NOT ON TIME DUE TO MISSING HER FLIGHT

Vaibhav.Ganjapure@timesofindia.com 03.01.2025

Nagpur : Bombay high court on Thursday came to the rescue of a postgraduate medical aspirant who was denied participation in counselling for admission to AIIMS Kalyani in Bengal for not reporting on time due to a missed flight last year.Terming the case ‘exceptional’, HC’s Nagpur bench of justices Nitin Sambre and Vrushali Joshi directed AIIMS authorities to allow 27-yearold petitioner Kalyani Chakrawar to participate in the ongoing admission process. Chakrawar, with an all-India rank of 119, was allotted a seat in general medicine at AIIMS Kalyani. She was required to complete admission formalities by 5pm on Dec 24. However, she missed her scheduled 7.30am flight from Nagpur to Kolkata, failing to report in time.

After AIIMS refused to consider her requests to allow her to take part in the second round of counselling, she moved HC, challenging the stringent counselling rules. Despite Christmas vacation, HC prioritised the case and held an emergency hearing on Dec 31, asking AIIMS authorities to file a response. After reviewing arguments from both sides, the court ruled in her favour, allowing her to join the second round of admissions.