MMC to get new infrastructure

STAFF REPORTER

MADURAI, DECEMBER 15, 2018 00:00 IST

Minister for Cooperation Sellur K. Raju performing a bhoomi puja for construction of new buildings on Madurai Medical College campus on Friday.S. JamesS_James

Foundation stone laying ceremony for construction of new buildings at a cost of Rs. 37.25 crore happened inside Madurai Medical College premises here on Friday.

S. Shanmugasundaram, Dean (in charge), Madurai Medical College and Government Rajaji Hospital, said that two buildings will be constructed on the college premises.

“One is a seven-storey building with facilities to accommodate classrooms and other infrastructure needed for six departments in the college. The other building, which will have four floors, will be residential quarters for non-teaching staff at the college,” he said. Minister for Cooperation ‘Sellur’ K. Raju and Madurai North MLA V.V. Rajan Chellappa laid the foundation stone for the buildings in the presence of Collector S. Natarajan and Dr. Shanmugasundaram.

A number of projects augments the infrastructure are underway at GRH and MMC, including an operation theatre complex supported by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), super-speciality block under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), and a new building to host paediatric and other departments, are underway in various stages. The projects have also faced criticism for prolonged delays in completion.

Banks asked to pay for negligence in service

STAFF REPORTER

MADURAI, DECEMBER 15, 2018 00:00 IST

In a case of cheque box tampering and manipulation

Madurai District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum on Friday directed ICICI Bank, Madurai, and Indian Overseas Bank, Chennai, to jointly and severally compensate a complainant after it found the banks guilty of negligence in a case of cheque box tampering and manipulation.

The forum was hearing the case of T. D. Subramanian of Madurai, who was having a bank account with the ICICI Bank.

He said that he had received a cheque for Rs. 83,825 from his customer, Kumaran Textiles, Chennai, though an Indian Overseas Bank cheque.

The complainant is said to have dropped the cheque for collection with a challan dated April 2012 in the security drop box of the ICICI Bank. However, the money was not credited into his account. It was brought to his notice that the security drop box was broken open and various cheques dropped into the box were taken away by culprits.

A complaint was made to the Banking Ombudsman, RBI, Chennai, who, after conducting an inquiry, found out that the complainant’s cheque was manipulated, forged and presented through Federal Bank, Madurai, in another person’s name. The Banking Ombudsman had found ICICI Bank at fault for not safeguarding safety and security of the drop box and the Indian Overseas Bank for not properly scrutinising the cheque before payment.

The forum comprising president V. Balasundarakumar and members C. Packialakshmi and M. Maraikamalai directed both the banks to jointly and severally pay the cheque amount of Rs. 83,825, a compensation of Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 3000 as cost to the complainant.

Charges to be framed against Sasikala in FERA violation cases

R. Sivaraman

CHENNAI, DECEMBER 15, 2018 00:00 IST

As per HC order, questioning will be done via video-conferencing

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate is set to frame charges against jailed AIADMK leader Sasikala through video-conferencing in cases booked by Enforcement Directorate.

According to the prosecution, Sasikala, as chairperson-cum-director of JJTV Private Limited, had authorised the company’s managing director and her nephew V. Bhaskaran to negotiate and enter into a contract with any foreign supplier with a transponder facility for launching a Tamil satellite TV channel in the early 1990s.

In pursuit of this, payments were made to firms in U.S. and Singapore dollars for hiring transponders and uplink facilities for JJ TV without getting the permission of the Reserve Bank of India.

Sasikala and Bhaskaran were cited as accused in these cases registered in 1996 and 2001.

Last year, the trial court began the proceedings by questioning her on the charges she faced through video-conferencing facility from Parappana Agrahara prison, Bengaluru.

After transfer of the then presiding officer of the court, the case was taken by the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate-II(ACMM-II) S. Malarmathi.

Procedural lapses

With the prosecution pointing out certain procedural lapses, the ACMM-II ordered the production of Sasikala before the court. Her order was challenged in the Madras High Court. The High Court found from the records that she had denied the charges, but, however her signature was not found.

It was only for this purpose, the trial court wanted to question her again on the charges so that the irregularity could be rectified.

Order set aside

The High Court set aside the order for the production of Sasikala but directed to proceed further by questioning her on the charges through video conferencing.

On Friday, counsel for Sasikala submitted the High Court order. After perusing the order, ACMM-II Ms. Malarmathi adjourned the matter for framing charges and questioning Sasikala through video-conferencing on December 20.

Govt. letter contradicts former CS

Deepu Sebastian Edmond

CHENNAI, DECEMBER 15, 2018 00:00 IST

Girija Vaidyanathan  

No separate report about Jayalalithaa’s treatment was submitted in Oct. 2016, says Girija Vaidyanathan

The Tamil Nadu government has contradicted its former Chief Secretary by telling the Commission of Inquiry looking into the death of Jayalalithaa that an October 2016 meeting of its cabinet did not discuss the treatment being provided to the former Chief Minister, who was still hospitalised.

In an October 31, 2018 letter to the Justice (Retd.) A. Arumughaswamy Commission, Chief Secretary (CS) Girija Vaidyanathan said that the cabinet meeting of October 19 only passed a resolution praying for Jayalalithaa’s speedy recovery: there was no agenda item regarding the then Chief Minister’s treatment.

Two letters

P. Rama Mohana Rao, Chief Secretary during Jayalalithaa’s hospitalisation, had told the Commission on October 24 that he had prepared a note about shifting Jayalalithaa abroad and placed it before an “October-end, 2016” meeting of the State Cabinet.

Ms. Vaidyanathan’s letter was one of the two from the State government to the Commission, the other was received on October 29, 2018. They were in responses to two letters from the Commission asking a number of questions to the government.

In her second letter, the incumbent Chief Secretary also said that, even after a survey of the files of the Public and Health Department, the government was unable to find any reports by Mr. Rao to O. Panneerselvam about him signing the Apollo Hospital procedure records along with V.K. Sasikala. At the time, Mr. Panneerselvam was also handling the hospitalised Chief Minister’s portfolios.

The government has also informed the Commission that Apollo Hospitals’ Chairman Dr. Prathap C. Reddy and doctors of the Critical Care Unit “regularly, on a daily basis” briefed a group of individuals from the government. There is also an indication that these briefings took place in the mornings: all ministers who visited the hospital daily would normally attend, while senior ministers would join in at times.

Others who were briefed include: Chief Secretary, advisor to the Chief Minister Sheela Balakrishnan, available Secretaries to the Chief Minister, Health Secretary and his Minister and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M. Thambi Durai.

Ms. Vaidyanathan also informed the Commission that because of these briefings, the then-Chief Secretary did not have to submit a separate report about the health status of Jayalalithaa.

More inquiries

Tamil Nadu government's Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan on Friday told the Commission that incumbent deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam had never approached him with concerns of the treatment provided to the former Chief Minister during the two months he was himself CM after her death.

After being sworn in on the same night as Jayalalithaa's death, Mr. Panneerselvam resigned on February 5, 2017. Sources said that Mr. Radhakrishnan, had also said that — to the best of his knowledge — Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has not yet raised doubts about the nature of Jayalalithaa’s death.

The statements of the Principal Secretary (Health) about the incumbent Chief Minister and his deputy were extracted during a cross-examination by V.K. Sasikala’s lawyer N. Raja Senthoor Pandian.

The Commission has also asked Mr. Radhakrishnan to return on December 18; counsel for both Sasikala and Apollo Hospitals are to complete their cross-examination.

Mr. Radhakrishnan said that Jayalalithaa did not require to be taken abroad for treatment. He added that the former Chief Minister was provided treatment that conformed to international standards.

He said that it would have been a shame for Indian doctors if the leader was shifted abroad, as they are capable of providing the same level of care.

On Friday, the Commission also examined three servants who had been employed by Jayalalithaa. Devika, Sivayogam and Bhoomika were identified by a team led by Police Inspector Kanagasabhapathi, who has been appointed to aide the Commission.

Servants questioned

One of the three women recollected that she had seen Jayalalithaa lean on Sasikala’s shoulder at home the night of her hospitalisation. Another told the Commission that a modified elevator was put in place to welcome the former Chief Minister; her aides were preparing for Jayalalithaa to be discharged mid-December.

A source said when the Commission had asked the women if they had heard or seen a commotion at the house the night of Jayalalithaa’s hospitalisation — they replied in the negative.

Jayalalithaa did not require to be taken abroad for treatment

J. Radhakrishnan

Health Secretary

RGUHS students to pay fine for flouting rules

BENGALURU, DECEMBER 15, 2018 00:00 IST

The students’ results will be announced only after they pay a fine ranging between Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 5,000, said the Registrar of the university. File photo

As many as 200 students from the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences will have to pay a hefty price for ignoring the rules and writing the names of gods and mantras on their answer scripts. The university has withheld their scores and will release the results only after the students pay the fine.

NEET applications from Tamil Nadu record 17% increase

TNN | Dec 14, 2018, 07.37 AM IST

CHENNAI: There has been a 17% rise in the number of candidates applying for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admissions from Tamil Nadu, from 1.2 lakh in 2017-18 to 1.4 lakh in 2018-19, official data shows.

Copping heavy criticism for not allocating an adequate number of exam centre in Tamil Nadu last year, the Centre has increased the number of cities in which the test will be conducted in May 2019.

Last year, the test was held in only 10 cities including Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and Trichy, forcing many from rural and interior areas of Tamil Nadu to travel to other states. Some latecomers were denied entry and missed writing the test. This time, centres will also be set up in Thanjavur, Cuddalore, Nagercoil and Karur.




Of the total registrations, more than 26,000 preferred centres in and around Chennai and 19,000 preferred centres in the four newly added cities.

The Tamil Nadu government had repeatedly promised to pressure the Centre to clear the Bills passed in the state assembly seeking a permanent exemption from NEET and opposition parties and activists have been calling to scrap it altogether saying it would affect rural students.

But little progress has been made on this front, and the state government set up 413 coaching centres to train students from government-funded schools. While the Rs 20 crore allocated by the government towards this lies idle, private colleges funded the training programme.

A total of 26,000 students are being trained in these centres, syas school education minister K A Sengottiayan, expressing the hope that at least 500 among them will join MBBS/BDS courses by clearing NEET-UG 2019. Last year, only government school students managed to secure medical admissions, shows official data.

MTC bus collides head-on with car, 1 dead, 2 injured

TNN | Dec 15, 2018, 12.56 AM IST

CHENNAI: A 70-year-old woman was killed and two others, including her granddaughter and car driver, suffered grievous injuries in a fatal accident on Kamarajar Salai, Marina, on Friday morning.

Police said, the accident happened around 10.30am when a speeding MTC bus (route no.109), headed towards Broadway, collided head-on with a car approaching from the opposite lane, while trying to overtake another MTC bus.

The deceased was identified as Hemavathy, of Kilpauk. Her granddaughter Anandhavalli, 29, and car driver Venkatesan suffered injuries in the accident.

Heamavathy’s son booked a cab for her and Anandhavalli from Kilpauk and the two were on their way to meet a dentist in Mylapore when the accident took place.

“Since the cab was booked from an app installed on her son’s phone, he got a message that they had completed the trip. When he tried to call them, there was no response,” said an investigating officer. One of the police personnel attending to the accident picked up the call and informed him about the accident.

The MTC bus driver, who fled the scene, has been identified as Rajendran. Witnesses on the spot blamed the MTC driver for rash driving. Anna Square Traffic investigation team arrived at the scene and moved the mangled remains of the vehicle to the station.

All three were taken to the Royapettah government hospital. While doctors declared Hemavathy dead on arrival, the other two were admitted to the hospital and are undergoing treatment.

The accident led to a huge traffic pile-up on the stretch and the ambulance was one of the vehicles that got struck in the traffic. Police cleared all other vehicles and paved way for the ambulance.Anna Square traffic investigation team registered a case of causing death due to negligence against the driver.

Now, you can book seats on SETC buses on private apps

TNN | Dec 15, 2018, 09.00 AM IST

CHENNAI: Booking a seat on long-haul government buses has become easier with their being listed on Red Bus and other private booking apps since the second week of December in a bid to check the drop in patronage.



In the first phase, the State Express Transport Corporation (SETC), one of eight state-owned transport corporations, has linked its online bus booking services to Red Bus and Bus India. Soon, Paytm will be added to this list.

SETC operates over 1,100 long-distance buses in Tamil Nadu. Its buses also ply on 250 routes in neighbouring Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.

Patronage has been declining for SETC despite introduction of air-conditioned sleeper buses and ultra deluxe buses fitted with toilets.

In July, SETC had adopting a flexi-fare model — reducing fares during weekdays. Later, boarding points were shifted to Egmore and Adyar from Koyambedu as a part of its efforts to attract more passengers. Continuing that drive, SETC has now listed its services on private bus booking apps.

A senior SETC official said, “Passengers will now get to compare fares of government and private buses. In most cases, we charge less than half what private operators do. So we hope more passengers will choose us.”

Except for special buses, there is no surge pricing for SETC buses during the festival. SETC is optimistic that the move will help techies, who frequently visit their native places during weekends and depend on apps to book seats on buses. The apps are easy to use compared to the present Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) website and have a better server backup, the official added.

Also, the contact details of the bus conductor will be available to the passengers when they book and this will assist them in tracking the pick-up points and expected time of arrival.

Once the Global Positioning System (GPS) fitted in the buses is linked with the apps, passengers can even track the vehicles' movement live.

“This initiative is based on the success reported by Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation after tying up with private firms and moffusil services will be added to the apps based on the response to the trial,” the SETC official added.

Phethai may skip Chennai, city to miss heavy rain

TNN | Dec 15, 2018, 12.01 AM IST

Chennai: With the probable cyclonic storm Phethai expected to skip Chennai, the city may not get much rain as weathermen have forecast a moderate spell against the earlier prediction of a heavy rain over the weekend.

The IMD said the system which will intensify from a deep depression to cyclonic storm and into a severe cyclonic storm thereafter, is likely to make a landfall between Ongole and Kakinada in Andhara Pradesh on Monday afternoon.

IMD’s regional weather inference said the deep depression over southeast Bay of Bengal was about 930km southeast of Chennai and 1,090km southeast of Machilipatnam Friday afternoon. “It is very likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm during next 24 hours and into a severe cyclonic storm in subsequent 24 hours,” the official forecaster said.

S Balachandran said it may bring light rain to Chennai on Sunday afternoon and the intensity may increase slightly by Monday. “The current scenario shows the intensity of rainfall to be moderate in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur, as the outer bands of the system is over that region. It may change depending on the movement and the size of the storm,” he said.

Earlier on Thursday, meteorologists predicted a heavy spell over the city even as the storm was gathering strength over the Bay of Bengal. But, as the system moves closer to the land, meteorologists are observing further changes in its strength and the amount of rainfall it may bring.

Weather experts said there still may be a few heavy showers over some areas of north coastal Tamil Nadu as models show that the system may travel close to Chennai before shifting up north. “But, much of the heavy and very heavy spell would be over southern coastal Andhra Pradesh,” said Mahesh Palawat, chief meteorologist, Skymet.

With sky condition likely to be generally cloudy in the city on Saturday, there may be squally winds reaching speeds of 45-55kmph gusting to 65 kmph over north Tamil Nadu as rains begin.

UGC head to be chief guest at SPU convocation

TNN | Dec 15, 2018, 04.06 AM IST

Vadodara/ Anand: Professor D P Singh, chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) will be the chief guest at Vallabh Vidyanagar based Sardar Patel University’s (SPU) 61st convocation on Monday.

Singh will deliver the convocation address. The convocation ceremony will witness presence of Gujarat governor OP Kohli, who is also chancellor of the publicly-funded state university and education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama.

During the convocation, a total of 117 gold medals will be conferred to the meritorious students. This year, the university will confer degrees to 12,427 students of 11 streams. Of these, a total of 2,675 students are from arts stream, 4,458 students from science stream, 142 students from technology and engineering stream, 2,205 students are from commerce stream, 743 students from management and 475 students from law. This apart 1,064 students of education, 147 students of home science, 215 students of homoeopathy and 483 students of medicine stream will also receive their degrees during the convocation.

மல்லையாவை திருடன் என்பதா?: கட்கரி ஆவேசம்

Added : டிச 14, 2018 01:48  dinamalar



  புதுடில்லி: மத்திய அமைச்சர் நிதின் கட்கரி கூறியது, தொழிலதிபர் விஜய் மல்லையா, இதற்கு முன், அனைத்து கடன்களையும் முறையாக செலுத்தி உள்ளார். விமான துறையில், அவருக்கு நஷ்டம் ஏற்பட்டதால், கடனை செலுத்தவில்லை. இதனால், அவரை திருடன் என்றும், மரியாதை இல்லாமலும் விமர்சிப்பதையும் ஏற்க முடியாது என்றார்.

மாவட்ட செய்திகள்

பயணிக்கு திடீர் நெஞ்சு வலி: இந்தோனேசியா விமானம் சென்னையில் அவசரமாக தரை இறக்கப்பட்டது





கத்தாரில் இருந்து இந்தோனேசியாவுக்கு சென்ற விமானத்தில் பயணிக்கு திடீரென நெஞ்சு வலி ஏற்பட்டதால், அந்த விமானம் சென்னை விமான நிலையத்தில் அவசரமாக தரை இறக்கப்பட்டது.

பதிவு: டிசம்பர் 14, 2018 03:45 AM
ஆலந்தூர்,

கத்தார் தலைநகர் தோகாவில் இருந்து இந்தோனேசியா தலைநகர் ஜகார்த்தாவுக்கு நேற்று அதிகாலை 247 பயணிகளுடன் விமானம் புறப்பட்டு சென்றது. நடுவானில் விமானம் பறந்து கொண்டு இருந்தபோது அதில் பயணம் செய்த இந்தோனேசியா நாட்டை சேர்ந்த உத்தம் சியாம் லால் (வயது 50) என்பவருக்கு திடீரென நெஞ்சு வலி ஏற்பட்டது.

இதுபற்றி அவர், விமான பணிப்பெண்களிடம் தெரிவித்தார். அவர்கள், விமானிக்கு தகவல் தெரிவித்தனர். அப்போது அந்த விமானம், சென்னை வான் எல்லையில் பறந்து கொண்டு இருந்தது.

உடனடியாக சென்னை விமான நிலைய கட்டுப்பாட்டு அறைக்கு தொடர்பு கொண்ட விமானி, விமானத்தில் பயணி ஒருவர் நெஞ்சு வலியால் துடிப்பதால் அவருக்கு உடனே மருத்துவ சிகிச்சை அளிக்கவேண்டும். இதற்காக சென்னையில் அவசரமாக விமானத்தை தரை இறக்க அனுமதிக்க வேண்டும் என்றார்.

இதையடுத்து சென்னை விமான நிலையத்தில் அந்த விமானம் தரை இறங்க அனுமதி அளிக்கப்பட்டது. அதைதொடர்ந்து அந்த விமானம், அவசரமாக தரை இறக்கப்பட்டது. உடனே விமான நிலையத்தில் தயாராக இருந்த மருத்துவ குழுவினர், விமானத்தில் ஏறி நெஞ்சு வலியால் துடிதுடித்த பயணிக்கு முதலுதவி அளித்தனர்.

பின்னர் பயணி உத்தம் சியாம் லாலுக்கு மருத்துவமனையில் வைத்து சிகிச்சை அளிக்க வேண்டியது இருப்பதாக டாக்டர்கள் தெரிவித்தனர். இதையடுத்து விமான நிலைய குடியுரிமை அதிகாரிகள், மருத்துவ கால விசாவை மனிதாபிமானத்துடன் வழங்கினார்கள்.

இதையடுத்து உத்தம் சியாம் லால், அந்த விமானத்தில் இருந்து கீழே இறக்கப்பட்டு மேல் சிகிச்சைக்காக சென்னையில் உள்ள தனியார் மருத்துவமனைக்கு அழைத்து செல்லப்பட்டார். அதன்பிறகு மற்ற பயணிகளுடன் அந்த விமானம் மீண்டும் இந்தோனேசியாவுக்கு புறப்பட்டு சென்றது.

Dr S Surya Prakash appointed Vice-Chancellor of DSNLU, Visakhapatnam [Read Notification]

Bar & Bench December 13 2018
Dr S Surya Prakash has been appointed as the new permanent Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU), Visakhapatnam for a five-year term. Dr Prakash will take over from Vurrakula Kesava Rao, who has been functioning as the VC in-charge of DSNLU since June 2016.

A notification intimating the appointment of Dr Prakash as the new VC was issued yesterday by the Andhra Pradesh Law Department. It states,

“In exercise of the powers conferred under sub section (2) of Section 9 of the Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University Act, 2008, as subsequently amended, the Chancellor is pleased to appoint Prof. (Dr.) S.Surya Prakash, Vice-Chancellor, Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad as Vice-Chancellor of Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Visakhapatnam from the date he assumes charge of the office.

He shall hold office for a term of five (5) years from the date on which he assumes charge of the office or until he attains the age of seventy years whichever is earlier.“

Dr Surya Prakash has been serving as VC of Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Aurangabad since March 2017. Prior to this, he was working as a Professor at the National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal. He has served as the Principal at the DNR College of Law, Bhimavaram. He has also worked as an Associate Professor at the National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS), Kolkata and Principal of of the Law College, Nanded.

He obtained his Bachelor’s law degree from Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur and his Master’s law degree from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam in Labour and Industrial Law. He obtained his PhD in law from Berhampur University, Odisha.

Dr Prakash has also authored several publications, including his work on ‘Bonded Labour and Social Justice‘ (1990) and ‘Turning Point‘ (2009), a book on Prof NR Madhava Menon and the story of the National Law School movement in India.

Breaking: Death Row Prisoners Should Be Allowed To Meet Lawyers, Family Members,Mental Health Professionals: SC [Read Judgment] | Live Law

Breaking: Death Row Prisoners Should Be Allowed To Meet Lawyers, Family Members,Mental Health Professionals: SC [Read Judgment] | Live Law: “Prisoner can be said to be a prisoner on death row when his sentence is beyond judicial scrutiny and would be operative without any intervention from any other authority” The Supreme Court has observed that prisoners on death row should be allowed to have meetings and interviews with his lawyers or members of his immediate …

Income Tax Slab Rates

Result for Income Tax Slab rates

For Male and Female,

Up to 2,50,000-Nil

2,51,000-5,00,000- *5%*

5,00,001-10,00,000- *20%*

10lakh and above- *30%*

Education has revised as *Health and Education Cess* and Cess is *4%* now.

Previously it was 3%

80 C Deduction-1.5 lakhs

Home loan interest deduction- 2 lakhs

80D-Mediclaim,NHIS deduction raised to 1lakh.
Previously it was 30,000

*Standard Deduction* என்னும் புதிய பிரிவின் மூலம் *40,000* ரூபாயை ஒட்டுமொத்த சம்பளத்தில் கழித்துக் கொள்ளலாம். போக்குவரத்து மற்றும் மருத்துவச் செலவுகளுக்காக இவ்விலக்கு அளிக்கப்படுகிறது. இதற்காக *ரசீதுகள்* சமர்ப்பிக்கத் தேவையில்லை.

மற்றபடி வேறெந்த மாற்றமுமில்லை Posted by SSTA

Distance education racket busted in Madras University

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | A RAGU RAMAN

PublishedDec 14, 2018, 12:42 am IST

Over 2,000 students finished courses in IDE without paying tuition fees causing loss of Rs 3 cr to university.

The university also put out an announcement asking the students to collect their degree certificates after paying tuition fees with a penalty on its website.

Chennai: Unearthing a major racket at the Institute of Distance Education, officials of University of Madras were shocked to find out that over 2,000 students have completed distance education programmes without paying tuition fees resulting in a financial loss to the university up to `3 crore.

The fraud came to light when the university tried to reconcile the bank records with the payments made through challans for admission before 2016 at the IDE.

After uncovering the irregularities, the university has withheld the degree certificates to over 2,000 students and had asked them to pay the full fees with a penalty to get all certificates including the convocation certificates.

Several students had joined MBA courses after 2008 have complained to the university saying they are yet to receive their certificates even after paying their fees.

While verifying the payment details, the IDE officials found out that students did not pay their tuition fees.

As per the procedures, the students will get their study materials only after paying their tuition fees.

Sources indicated that these students would have paid a part of the fees to the middlemen who in connivance with IDE staff deliberately changed the records to make it appear as if they have paid full fees.

“The wrong entry had allowed the students to get their study materials and also made them eligible to appear for exams,” sources added.

The malpractices committed during the admission in MBA programmes had the highest fee at that time.

Old students from IDE recalled that while they paid Rs 15,000 as tuition fee and some of these students paid less than Rs 5,000 to middlemen.

In some cases, the middlemen and corrupt elements in IDE after taking their cut have paid only Rs 300 which was just the exam fees.

“In some cases, they also made wrong entries in the bank challans as if the students made the full payment,” sources in the university said.

Majority of these students joined in the distance education programmes after 2008 and finished their course 2016.

“The IDE was completely in chaos and marred by corruption during this period. There was no mechanism to cross-check the payment by verifying bank records. The unscrupulous elements have exploited the loopholes in the system,” university officials said.

However, it remains a mystery as to how such a significant difference could escape the local audits.

“The racket could have been going on for several years, and thousands of students might have graduated without paying the tuition fees,” professors said.

Present Vice-Chancellor of University P. Duraisamy has introduced online payment method to eradicate manipulations in challan payment last year besides taking several initiatives to bring transparency and accountability in IDE administration.

“Now, without paying tuition fees, the students cannot download their hall tickets. We have put a system in place,” university officials said.

But, professors demanded strong action against the corrupt elements inside the university.

“The scamsters have stolen the answer scripts, manipulated the challans and cheated the examination system. Now, they have also looted the university. However, the university has not initiated any action against those who involved it,” they alleged.

When asked, the university officials denied the allegations saying that there was no particular evidence against anyone to take action.

“We have formed an inquiry committee headed by former DGP and filed a complaint with the CBCID in answer sheets missing case. The guilty will not go unpunished. Even in this case, there is no evidence for the scam and students have not come forward with any complaint,” they pointed out.

However, sources said the role of IDE staff in this racket could not be ruled out. “Students also partly responsible for such malpractices as they fall prey to the scamsters and that’s why they are hesitating to file the complaint,” they said.

Madras High Court reprieve for 108 Ponnaiyah students

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | J STALIN

PublishedDec 14, 2018, 12:58 am IST

The Ponnaiyah medical college was directed to return all the original certificates to the students forthwith.

Madras High Court

Chennai: Pointing out that the 108 students of defunct Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Medical Sciences in Manamai Nallar in Kancheepuram district can be accommodated only in government medical colleges as that of another defunct Annai Medical College, the Madras high court has directed the state government to send a proposal to the Medical Council of India to accommodate the students of Ponnaiyah Ramajayam college, within two weeks.

Allowing a batch of petitions from SU Archana and 107 other students, Justice T.Raja said the Medical Council of India on receipt of said proposal shall take a decision and forward the same to the Board of Governors in Supersession of MCI within one week thereon. The Board of Governors shall take a decision within a period of one week from the date of receipt of the decision of the MCI and forward the same to the ministry of health and family welfare, the judge added.

The judge said the ministry of health and family welfare shall pass necessary orders increasing the number of seats in government medical colleges and approve the accommodation of students of Ponnaiyah medical college in the 23 government medical colleges, functioning in the state of Tamil Nadu.

The Ponnaiyah medical college was directed to return all the original certificates to the students forthwith.

The students were required to file an affidavit that they shall pay the fees fixed by the fee fixation committee applicable for private medical colleges every year. The state government shall take steps for appointing adequate faculty members and also providing sufficient infrastructure facilities and bed strength, the judge added.

The judge directed the Medical Council of India to encash the bank guarantee furnished by Ponnaiyah medical college and give the same to the state government to enable it to provide sufficient infrastructure facilities and appoint faculty members.

Concurring with the submissions of senior counsels P.Wilson, S.Prabakaran and Silambannan, that once the Essentiality Certificate was issued by the state government it goes without saying that the state government has to take over the responsibility of the students in the event of the closure of the college, the judge said accepting the legal position, this court also while dealing with the case of Annai Medical College, allowed the petitions and gave directions to accommodate those students in government medical colleges. The state government accepted the order. The Medical Council of India went on an appeal and the Supreme Court dismissed the same, the judge pointed out and gave the above directions.

Citing the replies given by the self financing medical colleges to the proposal sent by the state government to accommodate the Ponnaiyah medical college students, expressing their willingness to accommodate them, the judge said some colleges indicated that they do not have sufficient infrastructure facilities and faculty strength and some other colleges failed to mention as to whether they have adequate infrastructure facilities and faculty strength to cater to the needs of the additional strength of students. Therefore, reliance placed on by additional advocate general Narmada Sampath on the orders passed by the Supreme Court, to accommodate the students of a college in self financing medical colleges cannot be accepted, the judge added.

The judge said in the case of self financing medical colleges who have come forward to accommodate the students admittedly indicated that they do not have sufficient infrastructure facilities, bed strength and adequate faculty. In view of this reason, the arguments by additional advocate general that all 108 students of defunct Ponnaiyah medical college should be distributed in self financing medical colleges will prove fatal to the future career of the students, the judge added.

Vellore Institute of Technology bans ‘PUBG’ in men’s hostel

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | KATHELENE ANTONY

PublishedDec 14, 2018, 1:25 am IST

Several complaints received on the addition to PUBG have been causing disturbance and disturbing other hostelers, say staff at the university.

The circular issued by the college authorities. (Photo: DC)

Chennai: Even as World Health Organisation now recognises “gaming disorder,” a college in TN has sent out a notification to the men's hostel warning them to quit gaming, especially PUBG.

The WHO’s designation is meant to get ahead of this problem. It creates a basis that the health care system can build a response around. “Doctors will have a condition to diagnose patients with. It enables more research into the disorder.” said a psychologist in the city.

In the light of such recognition, the chief of warden of VIT’s (Vellore Institute of Technology) men's hostel wrote-

“It has come to our notice that a few students are playing online games like ‘PUBG’ which is not permitted. This despite our repeated instructions against playing online games inside the rooms which disturbs fellow roommates and spoiling entire atmosphere of the hostel. It is strictly warned that playing online games and betting for such games are totally prohibited in VIT. Hence, defaulters will be dealt seriously under [the] VIT code of conduct. Students are asked to concentrate on physical games or sports and give more importance to their career growth” the circular read.

Several complaints received on the addition to PUBG have been causing disturbance and disturbing other hostelers, say staff at the university. “Addiction to games like PUBG has resulted in poor academic performance by students," they said. Cases of PUBG addiction are being continuously reported in NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences), Bangalore, after several youngsters between the ages of 18-30 began getting addicted to the game, sources say. Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) was released earlier this year and has since become widely popular.

In the game, up to one hundred players parachute onto an island and scavenge for weapons and equipment to kill others while avoiding getting killed themselves.

Despite warnings, colleges across Tamil Nadu withhold faculty certificates

This is happening even after Anna University and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) issued public notices mandating institutions to return the documents, it is alleged.

Published: 13th December 2018 01:47 AM 

Image used for representational purpose only.

By Sushmitha Ramakrishnan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Most private engineering colleges continue to withhold teachers’ academic and professional certificates even a week after Anna University and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) issued public notices mandating institutions to return the documents, it is alleged.

The direction came after an Assistant professor of a Chennai-based private college committed suicide after the institution is said to have refused to return his certificates.


Vishnu Kumar*, a former faculty member of a private engineering college at Chembarambakkam, has been fighting to retrieve his certificates since he resigned in July.

“Along with a copy of the public notice issued by AICTE and Anna University, I wrote a requisition to the college, asking them to return my certificates. They have not communicated back,” he rued. Much to his disappointment, the college refused to return the certificates, until he paid a large sum.

AICTE had recently issued a public notice warning colleges not to indulge in the “illegal and unethical” practice of withholding certificates. The notice said it had observed instances of suicide committed by dejected faculty members.

Anna University took it a step further and sent a letter to heads of all affiliated institutions, asking them to submit a status report by December 17, after returning any certificate a college might be holding back.

Samarth*, an assistant professor from a private engineering college in Dindigul, had asked his college authorities whether they will return his certificates by December 17.

“They not only refused to give back my certificates but also said they will get a signed letter from all staff to prove that they are not holding back any documents. We do not want to lose our jobs. So, we will have to sign it, if it comes to it,” he said.

While most colleges have not returned any certificate, a few are willing to do so after teachers give it in writing that they have received their certificates or that they have submitted their certificates voluntarily. 

A senior member from the Association of Self-financing Colleges said colleges hold back certificates in order to protect students from “irresponsible” teachers.

“Many teachers quit the college in the middle of the academic year and we are left to scramble for teachers. We have taken no common decision on this issue yet,” the member said.KM Karthik, founder of All India Private College Employees Union, said hardly any college has acted on the circulars.

*Names changed

Medical Council of India sanctioned 44 new post-graduate medical seats in Tamil Nadu

As a boost to the public healthcare system in the State, the Medical Council of India sanctioned 44 new post-graduate medical seats for the academic year 2019-2020.

Published: 14th December 2018 05:57 AM |

Medical Council of India. (Photo | mciindia.org/)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI : As a boost to the public healthcare system in the State, the Medical Council of India sanctioned 44 new post-graduate medical seats for the academic year 2019-2020.The State had over 1,500 PG medical seats in the last academic year and had asked for 154 additional seats of which 44 have been sanctioned.

According to an official source, the Medical Council of India (before abolition, for formation of National Medical Commission), inspected the medical colleges and sanctioned 44 seats in its committee meeting. “In the meeting, it sanctioned 44 seats for the academic year 2019-2020. This is the first sanction and we are expecting subsequent sanction as we had asked for 154 seats. Due to transition of MCI to NMC, the process is getting delayed,” the official source added.

As per the details accessed by Express, the MCI sanctioned six PG seats to Government Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai; four MD seats, two each in MD Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, MD Dermatology Venerology & Leprosy, and also two MS Ophthalmology seats. Six MD Community Medicine seats to Madras Medical College, Chennai.

MCI sanctioned four seats in MD Community Medicine to Madurai Medical College. Eight MD Community Medicine seats to Theni Government Medical College. Four MD Paediatric seats to Kanyakumar Government Medical College. Eight MD Anaesthesia seats to Government Vellore Medical College and eight MS General Surgery seats to Government Dharmapuri Medical College. Totally, it sanctioned 44 seats.


Over 1,500 seats

The State had over 1,500 PG medical seats in the last academic year  and had asked for 154 additional seats of which 44 have been sanctioned

PIL plea to return original certificates

The PIL also prayed for a directive to conduct a proper investigation into the death of one Vasanthavanan, a faculty of Madras Institute of Technology at Chromepet.

Published: 14th December 2018 02:35 AM |

By Express News Service

CHENNAI : A PIL petition has been filed in Madras HC for a directive to the AICTE and Anna University to issue a mandatory direction to affiliated colleges to return the original documents relating to qualification and experience at the time of appointment to the posts of teaching faculty, back to the appointees immediately after verification or to accept the documents in the form of soft copies.

A division bench of Justices M Sathyanarayanan and P Rajamanickam, before which the petition from K M Kathick, founder of All Private College Employees Union in Tiruchy came up for hearing on Thursday, ordered notice, returnable by January 24, to the Higher Education secretary, AICTE, Anna University and to the principal of Sree Sastha Institute of Engineering and Technology.

The PIL also prayed for a directive to conduct a proper investigation into the death of one Vasanthavanan, a faculty of Madras Institute of Technology at Chromepet. Petitioner said Vasanthavanan was originally appointed as Assistant Professor in Sree Sastha Engineering College.

Later, he got an offer from MIT. He committed suicide on November 12, due to alleged harassment by the management, by refusing to return the original certificates. It demanded a payment of `3 lakh for returning the documents and also to prostrate before the college correspondent.


A complaint filed with Nazarathpet police did not yield the expected result. Hence, the present PIL for a mandatory direction to colleges and to hold a proper investigation into the death of Vasanthavanan.

Cyclone ‘Phethai’ may miss Tamil Nadu and hit Andhra Pradesh, but likely to bring heavy showers to Chennai

Depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal is very likely to intensify further into a deep depression in next 12 hours and into a cyclonic storm during the subsequent 24 hours.

Published: 14th December 2018 04:22 AM |

The probability of Phethai making landfall in AP is higher. (Photo |

 EPS/Ashwin Prasath)

By SV Krishna Chaitanya

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Powerful tropical cyclonic storm ‘Phethai’, brewing in the Bay of Bengal, may give Tamil Nadu a miss and head towards Andhra Pradesh, but Chennai and neighbouring coastal districts are likely to get heavy rain starting Sunday.

As India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday declared the formation of a cyclone by Friday, alarm bells started ringing in south Andhra and north coastal TN as the forecast showed the storm intensifying into a severe cyclone generating sustained surface winds of 120 kmph — enough to inflict damage on the scale of Cyclone ‘Gaja’.

Though there is no consensus yet on the point of landfall, numerical models indicate the system would head to AP. The evening IMD bulletin said: “Depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal... is very likely to intensify further into a deep depression in next 12 hours and into a cyclonic storm during the subsequent 24 hours. It is likely to move north-westwards towards AP and adjoining north TN coasts during next 72 hours.”


The probability of Phethai making landfall in AP is higher. “Even if it moves towards AP, it would still be about 200-300 km from north coastal TN. So, the likelihood of Chennai getting heavy downpour from outer bands for at least a day is high,” S Balachandran, deputy director-general of Meteorology said.

Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has predicted high waves in the range of 3.0 - 3.5 metres between 12.30 pm and 11.30 pm on December 16 along the coast of Tamil Nadu from Dhanushkodi to Pulicat. Since the sea condition is likely to be rough to very rough, the government has advised all deep sea fishing vessels to return to the coast.

GS Sameeran, Director, Department of Fisheries, told Express that the weather warning issued by IMD was conveyed to all fishermen associations, cooperative societies. “Issue of the fishing token has been stopped from Wednesday. All boats were alerted to come to the nearest harbour for safe berthing.

“As on Thursday, all boats, except 321 deep sea fishing vessels from Chennai, have reached the harbour. The 321 vessels are still in the sea about 100 nautical miles off Vizag and Krishnapattinam coast and are safe. They are sailing towards nearest harbours,” he said. The Director OF Department of Fisheries said the help of Coast Guard and Navy was sought and preventive sorties for alerting the fishing boats was done.

“An officer from our fisheries department has been deputed to Krishnapattinam to coordinate with AP fisheries,” the official said.

Fake cop steals ornaments from woman's dead body in Chennai

In a bizarre incident, an unidentified man impersonated as a policeman and stole ornaments from a body at Arumbakkam. Police said, Guna Bhai, 80, wife of a late policeman, was ill at GH.

Published: 13th December 2018 01:43 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: In a bizarre incident, an unidentified man impersonated as a policeman and stole ornaments from a body at Arumbakkam. Police said, Guna Bhai, 80, wife of a late policeman, was ill at GH.


“Ten days ago, the woman died and her daughter Latha Rugmani, was arranging for the funeral, when a man claiming to be a policeman, approached her at the hospital and offered help. He accompanied Latha and other relatives to their house in Arumbakkam along with the dead body. Upon reaching the house, he instructed them to remove the gold chain and earrings from Guna’s body and put them in a glass of milk. A few minutes later, when Latha went inside the house and returned, she found the glass of milk and the man missing,” said a police officer.

Siddha medical college closed

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

TIRUNELVELI, DECEMBER 14, 2018 00:00 IST

Hostelers stage protest seeking alternative accommodation

The Government Siddha Medical College at Palayamkottai was closed indefinitely after the protest by students demanding better basic amenities in the college continued for the second day on Thursday.

Principal Neelavathi said the institution would be closed indefinitely.

As the dilapidated hostel for men at Vannarpet here has to be demolished shortly, the inmates were asked to vacate their rooms without making any alternative arrangement for their stay and food. Those students, who are staying in rented rooms and who have been left at the mercy of private eateries, started a sit-in protest on the college premises on Wednesday. They said the college administration should find a safe temporary place with mess for their stay so that their studies would not be affected.

When the college administration tried to pacify them by saying that the students would be shifted to a hitherto unused hostel near Reddiyarpatti on the outskirts of Palayamkottai, the students refused to accept the offer saying that it was far off (about six km from the college).

As girl students too joined the protest by boys, the principal declared indefinite closure of the college on Thursday evening and asked the girls too to vacate their rooms in the hostel on the college premises. Left with no other option, the students started leaving the college.

Marriage of a different kind

STAFF REPORTER

THOOTHUKUDI, DECEMBER 14, 2018 00:00 IST

Long live:Six differently abled couples got united at a wedding ceremony in Thoothukudi on Thursday.

A ‘swayamvaram’ held for the benefit of physically and visually challenged

Six differently abled couples, who found their matches at a ‘swayamvaram’ a few months ago, are set for a new beginning after they tied the nuptial knot here on Thursday.

The couples, who were brought together by the Lucia Society for the Differently Abled at Silverpuram, received gifts from donors for their collective wedding ceremony.

Witnessed by members of the home and relatives of brides and grooms, marriage of the couples -- all of them Hindus -- was held in the presence of vicar general Fr. Kirubakaran.

Each newly-wed couple received gifts to the tune of Rs. 2 lakh including a golden ‘thaali,’ cot, mattress, grinder, refridgerator, table fan, mixie, suitcase, induction stove, some utensils and grocery items.

M. Esakkiyammal and M. Manikandan of Ambasamuthiram, R. Karpagavalli and K. Nadimuthu of Thoothukudi and Pudukottai, S. Kalaiyarasi and V. Ganesan of Cuddalore and Sivagiri, M. Saroja and G. Saravanakumar of Thoothukudi and Tiruchi, L. Neelavathi and S. Paramasakthi of Tiruchendur and Thoothukudi, C. Maruthaiammal and S. Nirmal Kumar of Thoothukudi and Namakkal evinced interest to marry each other at a ‘swayamvaram’ held on September 16 in which people from across the State participated.

The couples exchanged garlands and cut cakes during the wedding. Elaborate wedding feast was arranged.

Three of the couples were physically challenged, two visually challenged while one is hearing impaired.

Fr. Gracis Michael, director of Lucia, said that the home had held weddings for 60 differently-abled couples so far since 1990, after the home was started in 1978.

Chandru laments absence of student unions in universities

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

PUDUCHERRY, DECEMBER 14, 2018 00:00 IST

A fresh beginning:Gurmeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Pondicherry University, administering oath to the elected members of the Students Council of the university on Thursday.S.S. KUMARS_S_KUMAR

They are crucial for democracy’s future, says the former High Court judge

Justice K. Chandru, retired judge of Madras High Court, has stressed the need for a leadership exercise for students to prepare them to drive society in future.

Speaking after inaugurating the Students Council of Pondicherry University here on Thursday, Mr. Chandru said that Pondicherry University, with an elected Students Council, was showing the way for Tamil Nadu.

Although the State has 17 government universities and 27 deemed universities, not even a single institution had a students union.

Although the Madras University has provisions for a students union, it was cancelled in 1969 as students were deemed to be anti-establishment. Stating that questioning the authorities did not amount to disrespect, Mr. Chandru said it was essential.

‘An extension of society’

A students union was an extension of society and students could not be put in a compartment.

There was a general perception among people that students union was always a hindrance and an obstacle for a smooth movement and they should only concentrate on their studies.

“Students union with a proper election and leadership alone is a guarantee for future democracy to survive in the country.

“It is a great movement in a students life and public intervention in an educational institution is very important,” he said.

Gurmeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Pondicherry University, and Prakash Rao M, retired Scientist, Ayush, Government of India, spoke.

The installation ceremony of the student council was held.

Man comes in ambulance to office seeking leave

STAFF REPORTER

ERODE, DECEMBER 14, 2018 00:00 IST

Babu (38), bus driver attached to the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, Erode Region, came to the office with his family in an ambulance as officials refused him to grant medical leave.

The driver, being a diabetic, sought medical leave to undergo treatment. On Wednesday night, his wife called the branch manager through mobile phone and sought leave for him. It was said that leave was refused for him.

On Thursday, he came to the office in an ambulance. Members of labour union wanted the ambulance to be allowed inside the premises that was refused by the security personnel. Later, Babu submitted his leave form seeking medical leave. He said that he has 70 days leave balance and wanted medical leave to be granted. After an hour, the leave was sanctioned.

Court directs CBI to continue investigation into DSP Vishnupriya’s death

STAFF REPORTER

COIMBATORE, DECEMBER 14, 2018 00:00 IST

‘Complete probe within six months and file chargesheet, if any offence is found’

The investigation into the death of former Tiruchengode Deputy Superintendent of Police R. Vishnupriya took a new turn on Thursday as the special court for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) here rejected the agency's closure report in the case and ordered it to continue the investigation with certain specific aspects.

The court has directed the CBI to complete the investigation within six months and file the chargesheet, if any offence is found.

Chief Judicial Magistrate S. Nagarajan, in charge of the CBI special court, ordered the agency to continue the investigation in the case, on a petition filed by the parents of Vishnupriya -- M. Ravi and B. Kalaiselvi -- opposing the closure report filed in May this year.

The CBI team had submitted its final report before the court in May stating that the DSP had ended her life and further action may be closed in the case.

The petition filed by the DSP's parents, opposing the CBI's closure report, said that it had several contradictions and the agency had merely reproduced the report filed by CB-CID that investigated the case earlier.

The petition also said that the DSP's parents and five police officers - two DSPs, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, an Assistant Superintendent of Police and an Inspector - were willing to give statement under Section 164 of Cr.PC and they may be permitted to appear before the court for recording their statements in the case.

“After hearing the arguments of the prosecution and the counsel, the court observed that the investigation conducted by the CBI was not proper. The court has directed the investigating officer of the CBI to check 12 points in specific during the probe,” said P.R. Arulmozhi, counsel for the parents of the deceased officer.

The investigating officer has been asked to find out what was spoken in the last telephone conversation between Vishnupriya and Superintendent of Police S.R. Senthilkumar, to probe the alleged torture and misbehaviour by the SP about which Vishnupriya had complained to her parents and friends, and what was spoken in the telephone conversation between Vishnupriya and Yuvaraj, an accused in the Gokulraj murder case, during the investigation of which Vishnupriya was found hanging in her residence on September 18, 2016, Mr. Arulmozhi said.

Government considering increments for protesting doctors

STAFF REPORTER

CHENNAI, DECEMBER 14, 2018 00:00 IST

Doctors have been asking for implementation of the Dynamic Assured Career Progression.File photo

Over 18,000 medical personnel have launched ‘non-cooperation agitations’

More than two weeks after government doctors launched ‘non-cooperation agitations’, demanding proper implementation of Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP), the Health Department is considering different means to increase their pay such as by way of increments, and is likely to arrive at a solution before a court hearing posted on December 17.

About 18,000 doctors across the State are protesting to put forward their long-pending demand to do away with pay disparities under the DACP — a scheme introduced for Central government doctors — by reviewing government order 354.

S. Perumal Pillai, member of Joint Action Committee-Government Doctors Association (JAC-GDA), said due to the delay in considering the recommendations of Working Group, the JAC-GDA decided to launch ‘non-cooperation agitations’. “We are protesting without affecting patient care services. We are boycotting all meetings and all forms of reporting and trainings,” he said.

Based on a PIL, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had sought a report on the steps initiated towards meeting the demands of the doctors. The Health Department had in a status report said that they were waiting the report of the one-man commission looking into the grievances of the doctors. The hearing was posted for December 17.

Affecting healthcare

An official said doctors had stopped filing reports and this was affecting the healthcare system.

“A meeting of officials with the Finance Department is being held, and it is likely that a solution will be arrived at for recommendation to the court,” he added.

High Court orders shifting of 150 MBBS students

Legal Correspondent

CHENNAI, DECEMBER 14, 2018 00:00 IST

Protecting future:The State government has been asked to accommodate the students in its colleges.

Move on account of poor infrastructure in Kancheepuram-based private college

The Madras High Court on Thursday ordered shifting of about 150 MBBS students of Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Institute of Medical Sciences (PRIMS) at Kancheepuram to any of the 22 government medical colleges in the State because of lack of infrastructure in their institution. Exactly a year ago, the court passed a similar order with respect to 144 students of Annai Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) at Pennalur in Sriperumbudur.

Justice T. Raja passed the latest order with respect to students of PRIMS by following the judgment rendered by Justice N. Kirubakaran in the AMCH case. Although it was contended that there were no vacancies in government colleges, the judge directed the State government to obtain necessary approvals for increasing the number of seats from the authorities concerned and then accommodate the students by spreading them out to various government colleges.

Earlier, during the course of arguments, the court was informed that the State government had issued Essentiality Certificate to PRIMS on August 28, 2014 with an annual intake of 150 from the academic year 2015-16 subject to compliance of certain conditions.

MCI’s stand

However, the Medical Council of India recommended to the Centre to desist from issuing Letter of Permission (LoP) to the institution until certain shortcomings were overcome.

Subsequently, the Centre gave an opportunity to the institution to rectify the defects which included shortage of outpatients, low bed occupancy, non-availability of blood bank and so on. Thereafter, on August 11, 2016, an oversight committee appointed by the Supreme Court recommended admission of students from the academic year 2016-17. Based on the recommendation, the Centre issued a LoP to the college on August 20, 2016 and it admitted 150 students that year.

However, after getting admitted, the students began to complain about lack of infrastructure to the government and filed cases before the High Court.

Withdraw ration cards of those refusing to shift: HC

Legal Correspondent

CHENNAI, DECEMBER 14, 2018 00:00 IST

No-go zone:Shanties at Elango Street in Govindasamy Nagar in R.A.Puram.K. PichumaniK_Pichumani

Court orders punitive action for not taking up TNSCB accommodation

In an order that might raise many eyebrows, the Madras High Court has said, the State government can take coercive steps such as withdrawing ration cards, disconnecting water and power supply and denying government benefits such as Pongal gifts to those who refuse to shift to tenements constructed by Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board (TNSCB).

A Division Bench of Justices M. Venugopal and S. Vaidyanathan made the observation while passing interim orders on a case related to the failure of the State to evict 259 families from pucca houses constructed by them at Elango Street in Govindasamy Nagar in Raja Annamalaipuram here. The houses were reportedly situated close to the Buckingham Canal.

The judges held that the possible threat of a law and order problem arising due to forced eviction of the encroachers could not be cited as a reason for the delay in evicting them.

Accommodation

They also recorded the submission of S. Prabhu, standing counsel for TNSCB, that tenements were available in Perumbakkam and other places to accommodate the encroachers.

After acceding to a request made by Additional Advocate General Narmadha Sampath to grant her time till January 2, the judges said, “It is needless to mention that the respondents can take coercive steps such as disconnection of electricity, water supply and withdrawal of ration card to ensure that the encroachers do not get any benefits from January 2019.

“A fresh ration card can be issued to them only after their migration to the area identified by the Slum Clearance Board... The Chief Secretary to Government is directed to circulate the above order to the respective departments, such as electricity, civil supplies and Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board for necessary action.”

The judges said, the issue of evicting encroachers from Elango Street had been agitated up to the Supreme Court which had upheld the High Court’s order on eviction. Though the encroachers had claimed that they had planned to file a review petition in the apex court, no such case had been filed so far thereby creating the necessity to evict them immediately.

I-T officials question Sasikala in prison

Press Trust of India

BENGALURU, DECEMBER 14, 2018 00:00 IST

Income Tax officials on Thursday questioned former AIADMK leader V.K. Sasikala at Parappana Agrahara Jail, in connection with a disproportionate assets case, prison sources said.

The I-T officials arrived at the jail at 11 a.m. and began questioning.

This continued till late in the evening, the sources told PTI, declining to elaborate.

Sasikala, former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s close aide, has been lodged in the jail since February last year.

The Supreme Court had upheld her conviction by a special court in a disproportionate assets case.

She was sentenced to four years imprisonment, by the Court.

Sasikala, who took over the reins of the AIADMK after the death of Jayalalithaa in December 2016, was later removed from the party by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami-led camp.

Recently, the Madras High Court set aside a lower court order directing Karnataka jail authorities to produce Sasikala before it in connection with a Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) case.

HC quashes DVAC probe into new Secretariat construction

Mohamed Imranullah S.

CHENNAI, DECEMBER 14, 2018 00:00 IST

Says decision taken by government in haste

The Madras High Court on Thursday quashed a Government Order (G.O.) issued on September 24 and a consequential letter written on September 28 for an inquiry by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) into alleged irregularities in the construction of a new Legislative Assembly-cum-Secretariat complex at Anna Salai during the DMK regime between 2006 and 2011.

Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana passed the order while allowing writ petitions filed by DMK president M.K. Stalin and treasurer Duraimurugan. She agreed with senior counsel P. Wilson that the government had ordered the DVAC inquiry in a hasty manner without going through records collected by a Commission of Inquiry, which was brought to an “unceremonious end”.

‘Violation of order’

Such a hasty action amounted to violating an interim order passed by Justice S.M. Subramaniam of the High Court on August 3 on a writ petition filed by DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi before his death on August 7, Justice Sathyanarayana said. The interim order mandated the government to suspend the commission of inquiry led by former High Court judge R. Regupathi and then arrive at a decision on the need for criminal action.

“A reading of the impugned (under challenge) G.O. in its entirety would go to show that the government has not even cared to receive the files from the commission, much less to read and make out a prima facie case for referring the matter to the DVAC,” she added.

After the interim order, Mr. Regupathi tendered his resignation on August 10 and the government decided not to appoint any other retired judge to the commission.

The judge also doubted whether criminal action could be initiated on the basis of material collected by a commission rendered defunct.

Christmas is peak time for heart attacks: Study

Nicholas Bakalar 14.12.2018

Christmas may be the peak time for heart attacks — at least in Sweden. Swedish researchers studied 2,83,014 heart attacks between 1998 and 2013 that were documented in a registry that included the date and time when symptoms started.

They found that compared with days in the two weeks before and after Christmas, the risk of heart attack was 15% higher on Christmas Day and 37% higher on Christmas Eve.

They found a 20% increased risk on New Year’s Day, and a 12% increase during Midsummer, a mid-June Swedish holiday with vaguely pagan overtones during which the drinking and dancing never stop and the sun never sets.

There was no increase on New Year’s Eve or during Easter weekend.

The study, in ‘BMJ’, is observational, and draws no conclusions about cause. But the senior author, David Erlinge, head of the cardiology department at Lund University in Sweden, said that the holidays have special stresses — travel, difficult relatives or friends, complicated preparations for guests, extra physical activity and, of course, eating and drinking too much.

“It’s a big study, not a sample,” he said. “Every heart attack for 16 years in the whole country is in it. It’s reality.”

Leaves may fall, but tree will stand: T T V

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

14.12.2018

The AMMK has been built on the strength of Amma’s (Jayalalithaa) loyal cadres. A few people leaving the party will not hurt its growth prospects, party deputy general secretary T T V Dhinakaran said in a statement on Thursday, reacting for the first time to party’s Karur district secretary Senthil Balaji joining the DMK.

“Our journey started with an independent victory, by defeating traitor Palaniswami (EPS) and forcing the principle opposition party to lose its deposit, in the R K Nagar bypolls,” Dhinakaran said on his birthday. “In nine months since the launch, the AMMK now has 1.2 crore members, with 20 associate units and 70 party districts. It has been built on the hard work of Amma’s (Jayalalithaa) true cadres and against hurdles created by those in power at the Centre and state,” Dhinakaran said.

“Our sustained growth has caused tremors in the camps of traitors and our political enemies, who are now bent on trying to disrupt and destroy us. Just because a few leaves fall, it does not mean that the giant banyan tree will cease to exist. Let’s us continue to focus on strengthening this organization and gear up for elections to demolish these traitors and political enemies, trying to prevent our efforts to serve the people of the state,” Dhinakaran added.

Four college students suspended for ragging

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Madurai:14.12.2018

Four final year students of the government ayurveda college at Kottar in Nagercoil have been suspended for two weeks on the charge of ragging a junior at the college hostel earlier this week. They were evicted from the hostel pending an inquiry by a three-member committee headed by the dean in charge, P Narayanan.

“We will lodge a police complaint after the inquiry,” Narayanan said, refusing to detail the allegations. Sources said the victim was a first year student who was also staying in the hostel.

On the day the incident took place, the suspended students and another person, who is yet to be identified, allegedly ragged and humiliated the junior student late at night.