DMK moves HC against 10% reservation

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:19.01.2019

Noting that reservations are not poverty alleviation programmes, the DMK has approached Madras high court challenging the legality of the Centre’s 10% reservation for poor among the forward community groups.

It said reservation is a social justice tool meant to uplift communities which have not had access to education or employment for centuries, the petition filed by DMK’s organising secretary RS Bharathi said: "Essentially, the exception to the equality clause is only available to those communities which were ostracised for centuries in matters of education and employment. However, economic criteria have been used as a filter to exclude the creamy layer, persons belong to the backward classes but who are economically advanced. Hence, application of economic criteria solely is not contemplated as an exception to the rule of equality, and consequently to provide reservation solely on economic criteria offends the basic structure of the Constitution." Moving the plea on behalf of the petitioner, senior counsel P Wilson said: "It’s well settled that the ceiling limit of 50% in reservation is also part of the basic structure and has been asserted by the Supreme Court in several cases. However, in Tamil Nadu, the ceiling limit is 69% due to the Tamil Nadu Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or Posts in the Services under the State) Act, 1993 which is placed in the IX Schedule. Hence, the reservation cannot be beyond 69% in the state. However, the recent amendments enable reservation to go up to 79% and the same are unconstitutional."

Contending that the power to amend the Constitution is subject to the limitation that the basic feature of the Constitution could not be destroyed by such amendments, Wilson added: “Insofar as the reservation is concerned, as already stated, the 50% ceiling limit in other states and 69% in Tamil Nadu and the prohibition against prescribing economic status as the sole criterion for reservation have been held to be part of the basic feature.”

The petitioner wanted the court to pass an interim injunction against the operation of the Constitution (One Hundred and Third Amendment) Act, 2019 pending disposal of the plea.

The plea filed in the high court is likely to be taken up for hearing on Monday.

Court directs TNURB to recruit pregnant woman who failed running test by 0.30 sec

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:19.01.2019

Asserting that prescribing the same standards as others for a pregnant woman amounts to unequal treatment, the Madras high court directed the Tamil Nadu Uniformed Recruitment Board (TNURB) to appoint a pregnant woman, who failed to clear a running test by 0.30 seconds, as grade II constable.

“The provisions of the Constitution and the decisions of the various courts clearly show that effective equality and elimination of general bias require special treatment to women who are facing special needs of that time, the treatment meted out to those of them by declining even the normal protection is highly objectionable,” Justice S Vimala (since retired) said.

Pregnancy and child birth should not be considered as impediment for discharge of duty. Concessions given to pregnant women shall not be construed as a concession towards personal comfort of the women. The child birth should be considered as a contribution to continuity of generations, without which the existence of the world is impossible, Justice S Vimala (since retired) said.

The issue pertains to a plea moved by R Devika, who was denied job as grade II constable since she took 18.20 seconds to complete 100mt running test, while the norm required her to finish it in 17.50 seconds.

According to the petitioner, she was eight weeks pregnant on the day when the physical test was conducted and hence could not complete the test in the prescribed time.

Opposing the plea, the board contended that the norms should be followed scrupulously, and no deviation can be permitted for any reason.

Rejecting the contention, Justice Vimala said, “The participation by the petitioner, who was eight weeks pregnant, in a running test itself is a sign of courage, as persons similarly placed would be afraid of because of fear of losing the child through abortion.”

Taking 0.30 seconds extra should have been considered negligible under the given context as well as under the international standards prescribed for evaluation, she added.

The petitioner said she was eight weeks pregnant on the day when the physical test was conducted and hence could not complete the test in the prescribed time

Washermanpet - DMS Metro

வகுப்பறையில் அவலம் :'வாட்ஸ் ஆப்'பில் அம்பலம்

Added : ஜன 18, 2019 00:46

திருப்பத்துார், திருப்பத்துாரில் உள்ள, அரசு உதவி பெறும் பள்ளியில், சீருடை அணிந்த மாணவர்கள் சிலர், வகுப்பறையில், ஆசிரியர் முன்னிலையில் ஆட்டம் போடும் காட்சிகள், 'வாட்ஸ் ஆப்'பில் பரவுகிறது.மாணவர்களின் ஒழுங்கீனத்தின் உச்சகட்டமாக, 2018 பிப்ரவரியில், வேலுார் மாவட்டம், திருப்பத்துாரில் உள்ள, அரசு உதவி பெறும், ராமகிருஷ்ணா பள்ளியில், ஒரு சம்பவம் நடந்தது.பிளஸ் 1 வகுப்பில், ஆபாச படம் பார்த்த மாணவர்களை, தலைமை ஆசிரியர் பாபு கண்டித்தார். ஆவேசம் அடைந்த மாணவர்கள், அவரை கத்தியால் குத்தி, கொலை செய்ய முயன்றனர்.இது நடந்து, ஓராண்டு முடிவதற்குள், திருப்பத்துாரில் உள்ள அரசு உதவி பெறும் பள்ளியின் பெயரில், மற்றொரு வீடியோ, வாட்ஸ் ஆப்பில் வெளியாகி உள்ளது. அதில், வகுப்பறை ஒன்றில், பிளஸ் 1 மற்றும் பிளஸ் 2 மாணவர்கள், 10க்கும் மேற்பட்டோர், பள்ளி சீருடையில், வகுப்பறையில் தாளம் தட்டி, பாட்டு பாடி ஆடுகின்றனர்.ஒரு மாணவன் சட்டையை கழற்றியபடி, நோட்டு புத்தகத்தை, விரலில் வைத்து சுழற்றியவாறு, வகுப்பறையில் ஆட்டம் போடுகிறான்.

மேலும், வகுப்பில் உள்ள ஆசிரியரையும் பணி செய்ய விடாமல் தடுத்து, அவரை கிண்டல் செய்கின்றனர். இந்த வீடியோ, 'டிக் டாக் ஆப்' வழியாக, கானா பாடலுடன் சேர்ந்து, மாணவர்களின் மொபைல் போனில் பதிவு செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது.இந்த வீடியோவை பார்க்கும் ஒவ்வொருவரும், மாணவர்களின் தரம், ஏன் இப்படி கெட்டு விட்டது என, கவலை அடைந்துள்ளனர்.இதுகுறித்து, அரசு பள்ளி ஆசிரியர்கள் சிலர் கூறியதாவது:இந்த வீடியோ, அன்றாட சம்பவங்களில் ஒரு சிறு பகுதி தான். இன்னும் மோசமான நிலை தான், அரசு பள்ளிகளில் உள்ளது.குறிப்பாக, வட மாவட்ட பள்ளிகளில், இந்த பிரச்னை மிக அதிகமாக உள்ளது. 

ஆசிரியரோ, தலைமைஆசிரியரோ, அதிகாரியோ, இதை தட்டி கேட்க முடிவதில்லை.இந்த மாணவர்களை கண்டித்தால், நடவடிக்கை எடுத்தால், சில அரசியல் கட்சி நிர்வாகிகள், ஜாதிய அமைப்புகளின் பிரதிநிதிகள் கொடி பிடிக்கின்றனர். இதுபோன்ற மிரட்டல்களுக்கு மத்தியில் பணியாற்றி, தேர்ச்சி விகிதத்தை உயர்த்த வேண்டிய இடத்தில் உள்ளோம்.இந்த பிரச்னைகளை, முறையாக தீர்த்தால் மட்டுமே, பெற்றோரும், அரசும் எதிர்பார்க்கும் தரமும், தேர்ச்சியும், அரசு பள்ளிகளில் கிடைக்கும்.இவ்வாறு, அவர்கள் கூறினர்.

நெருங்கும் மக்களவைத் தேர்தல்: அதிகாரிகளை இடமாற்றம் செய்ய மாநில அரசுகளுக்கு உத்தரவு

By DIN | Published on : 17th January 2019 10:12 PM |


இந்திய தேர்தல் ஆணையம்

மக்களவைத் தேர்தல் நெருங்கி வரும் நிலையில், ஒரே மாவட்டத்தில் 3 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு மேலாக பணிபுரிந்து வரும் அதிகாரிகளை இடமாற்றம் செய்ய மாநில தலைமைச் செயலர்களுக்கு தேர்தல் ஆணையம் உத்தரவு பிறப்பித்துள்ளது.

இதுதொடர்பாக, அனைத்து மாநிலங்கள் மற்றும் யூனியன் பிரதேசங்களின் தலைமைச் செயலர்கள் மற்றும் தேர்தல் அதிகாரிகளுக்கு தேர்தல் ஆணையம் அனுப்பியுள்ள கடிதத்தில்,



"மக்களவைத் தேர்தல் மற்றும் ஆந்திர பிரதேசம், அருணாச்சல பிரதேசம், ஓடிசா மற்றும் சிக்கிம் உள்ளிட்ட மாநிலங்களில் சட்டப்பேரவைத் தேர்தல் நடைபெறவுள்ளது. தேர்தல் பணிகளில் நேரடியாக தொடர்பில் இருக்கும் அதிகாரி ஒரு மாவட்டத்தில் 3 ஆண்டுகளுக்கும் மேலாக நீண்ட நாட்களாக பணிபுரிந்தாலோ, அல்லது சொந்த மாவட்டத்தில் பணிபுரிந்தாலோ தேர்தல் நேரத்தில் அவர்கள் இடமாற்றம் செய்யப்படும் நடைமுறையை தேர்தல் ஆணையம் கடைபிடித்து வருகிறது.

அதனால், தேர்தலுடன் நேரடியாக தொடர்பில் இருக்கும் அதிகாரிகள்,
சொந்த மாவட்டத்தில் பணிபுரிந்தாலோ
3 ஆண்டுகளை கடந்து ஒரே மாவட்டத்தில் பணிபுரிந்தாலோ
ஒரே இடத்தில் பணிபுரியும் அதிகாரியின் பணிக்காலம் மே 31, 2019-க்கு முன் 3 ஆண்டுகளை கடக்கும் பட்சத்தில்   அவர்கள் தற்போது பணிபுரியும் மாவட்டத்தில் இருந்து இடமாற்றம் செய்யவேண்டும். இதனை செயல்படுத்தும் போது, இடமாற்றம் செய்யப்படும் அதிகாரிகள் தங்களது சொந்த மாவட்டங்களுக்கு இடமாற்றம் செய்யப்படாமல் இருக்கவேண்டும் என்பதையும் கவனத்தில் கொள்ளவேண்டும்" என்று தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

மாணவர்கள் 7,000 பேர் பரிதவிப்பு

Added : ஜன 18, 2019 00:30


கோவை, பாரதியார் பல்கலையில், பிரிவு,- 'பி' பிஎச்.டி., மாணவர்கள், 7,000 பேர், படிப்பை முடிக்க முடியாமல் பரிதவிப்புக்கு ஆளாகியுள்ளனர்.கோவை, பாரதியார் பல்கலையில், 2006ல் அறிமுகப்படுத்தப்பட்ட, பிரிவு-, 'பி' பிஎச்.டி.,யில், நாட்டின் எந்த கல்வி நிறுவனத்தில் இருக்கும் ஒரு பேராசிரியர், முகம் தெரியாத மாணவர்களுக்கு வழிகாட்டியாக இருக்க முடியும். இதில், பல்வேறு முறைகேடுகள் அரங்கேறியதை தொடர்ந்து, 2015ல், தடை விதிக்கப்பட்டது.இந்நிலையில், 2015ம் ஆண்டுக்கு முன், இப்பிரிவில், பிஎச்.டி.,யில் சேர்ந்த, 7,000 மாணவர்கள், தற்போது பாதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர். 

கடந்த, 2017 பிப்., 7ம் தேதி முதல், பிரிவு, 'பி' பிஎச்.டி., முடிக்கும் மாணவர்களுக்கு, 'தொலைதுார பகுதி நேர படிப்பு' என சான்றிதழ்களில் குறிப்பிடப்படுவதால், வேலைவாய்ப்பும் கிடைக்காத சூழல் எழுந்துள்ளது.பல்கலை துணைவேந்தர் ஒருங்கிணைப்பு குழு உறுப்பினர் திருநாவுக்கரசு கூறியதாவது: பிரிவு,- 'பி' பிஎச்.டி., படிக்கும் மாணவர்களை, 'ரெகுலர்' பிரிவுக்கு மாறி படிக்க, வாய்ப்பு வழங்குவது குறித்து, கடந்த காலத்தில் அமைக்கப்பட்ட சிறப்பு கமிட்டி பரிந்துரை கொடுத்துள்ளது. இதை ஆய்வு செய்து, எதிர்வரும், 'சிண்டிகேட்' கூட்டத்தில், முடிவு எடுக்கப்படும்.இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறினார்.

வயிற்றுக்குள் பிளேடு 'ஆப்பரேஷனில்' விபரீதம்

Added : ஜன 17, 2019 22:11

பரத்பூர், ராஜஸ்தானில், குடும்ப கட்டுப்பாட்டு அறுவை சிகிச்சையின் போது, டாக்டர்களின் அலட்சியத்தால், பிளேடு உடைந்து, பெண்ணின் வயிற்றுக்குள் சிக்கிய, அதிர்ச்சி சம்பவம் நடந்துள்ளது.ராஜஸ்தானில், முதல்வர் அசோக் கெலாட் தலைமையிலான, காங்., ஆட்சி நடக்கிறது. இங்கு, பரத்பூர் மாவட்டம், கும்ஹெர் கிராமத்தைச் சேர்ந்த, மீனா தேவி, 25, என்ற பெண்ணுக்கு, மூன்று குழந்தைகள் உள்ளன.இதையடுத்து, கருத்தடை ஆப்பரேஷன் செய்ய, தேவியின் குடும்பத்தினர் முடிவு செய்தனர். நேற்று முன்தினம், கிராமத்தில் உள்ள சமூக சுகாதார மையத்தில், குடும்ப கட்டுப்பாட்டு அறுவை சிகிச்சை முகாம் நடந்தது. இதில், 18 பெண்கள் அனுமதிக்கப்பட்டனர். 17 பெண்களுக்கு வெற்றிகரமாக கருத்தடை ஆப்பரேஷன் செய்யப்பட்டது.தேவிக்கு கருத்தடை ஆப்பரேஷன் செய்தபோது, பிளேடு இரண்டாக உடைந்து, ஒரு பகுதி, தேவியின் வயிற்றில் சிக்கியது. இதை அகற்ற முடியாததால், ஜெய்ப்பூரில் உள்ள, மாவட்ட அரசு மருத்துவமனைக்கு அழைத்துச் செல்லும்படி கூறினர்.ஆத்திரமடைந்த தேவியின் உறவினர்கள், மாவட்ட தலைமை மருத்துவ அதிகாரியிடம் புகார் அளித்தனர். விசாரணை நடத்தி, தவறு செய்த டாக்டர்கள் மீது நடவடிக்கை எடுப்பதாக, மாவட்ட தலைமை மருத்துவ அதிகாரி உறுதியளித்தார். பாதிக்கப்பட்ட பெண்ணுக்கு, தற்போது மருத்துவமனையில் சிகிச்சை அளிக்கப்பட்டு வருகிறது.

எய்ம்ஸ் மருத்துவமனை 27ல் அடிக்கல் நாட்டு விழா

Added : ஜன 17, 2019 22:17

தமிழகத்தில், புதிதாக கட்டப்பட்டுள்ள, மூன்று பல்நோக்கு மருத்துவமனைகளின் திறப்பு விழா மற்றும் மதுரையில் அமைய உள்ள, எய்ம்ஸ் மருத்துவமனைக்கான அடிக்கல் நாட்டு விழாவில், பிரதமர் மோடி பங்கேற்க உள்ளார்.தமிழகத்தில், எய்ம்ஸ் மருத்துவமனை அமையும் என, 2015ல், மத்திய அரசு அறிவித்தது. அதன்படி, மதுரை, தோப்பூரில், 200 ஏக்கர் பரப்பளவில், 1,264 கோடி ரூபாய் செலவில், 750 படுக்கைகளுடன், எய்ம்ஸ் மருத்துவமனை அமைக்க, மத்திய அமைச்சரவை ஒப்புதல் அளித்தது.இதற்கான பூர்வாங்க பணிகள் முடிந்துள்ளன. மருத்துவமனை கட்டடங்களுக்கான பணிகள் துவங்க உள்ளன. இதற்கான அடிக்கல் நாட்டு விழா, வரும், 27ல் நடக்கிறது. அதில், பிரதமர் மோடி பங்கேற்று, அடிக்கல் நாட்ட உள்ளார்.இது குறித்து, சுகாதாரத் துறை அதிகாரிகள் கூறியதாவது:மதுரை, எய்ம்ஸ் மருத்துவமனைக்கு, ஜன., 27ல், பிரதமர் மோடி அடிக்கல் நாட்டுகிறார். மேலும், மத்திய - மாநில அரசு பங்களிப்புடன், தலா, 150 கோடி ரூபாய் செலவில், தஞ்சை, நெல்லை, மதுரை ஆகிய, மூன்று நகரங்களில், உயர்தர பல்நோக்கு மருத்துவமனைகள் அமைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.இந்த மூன்று மருத்துவமனைகளையும், பிரதமர் மோடி திறந்து வைக்கிறார். இந்நிகழ்ச்சியில், முதல்வர், மத்திய - மாநில அமைச்சர்கள் பங்கேற்க உள்ளனர்.இவ்வாறு, அவர்கள் கூறினர். - நமது நிருபர் -

பள்ளிகள் இன்று திறப்பு மாணவர் வருகை, 'டவுட்'

Added : ஜன 17, 2019 22:14 

சென்னை, பொங்கல் தொடர் விடுமுறை முடிந்து, இன்று மீண்டும் பள்ளிகள் திறக்கப்படுகின்றன.கடந்த, 12ம் தேதி முதல், பொங்கல் தொடர் விடுமுறை துவங்கியது; நேற்றுடன் முடிந்தது. ஆறு நாள் விடுமுறையை முடிந்து, இன்று மீண்டும் பள்ளிகள் திறக்கப்படுகின்றன. பெரும்பாலான பள்ளிகளில், மாணவர்களின் பெற்றோருக்கு, குறுஞ்செய்தி அனுப்பப்பட்டுள்ளது.'இன்று, மாணவர்கள் கட்டாயம் வகுப்புகளுக்கு வர வேண்டும்; விடுமுறை எடுக்க கூடாது' என, அதில் அறிவுறுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது. ஆனால், வெளியூர் சென்றோர் பலர், இன்று ஒரு நாள் மட்டும் விடுப்பு எடுத்து, சனி, ஞாயிறு விடுமுறையிலும், சொந்த ஊரில் இருக்க முடிவு செய்துள்ளனர். அதனால், பள்ளிகளில், மாணவர்களின் வருகை, இன்று குறைவாகவே இருக்கும் என, எதிர்பார்க்கப்படுகிறது.

பொங்கல் பரிசு வாங்காதோருக்கு ரூ.1,000 வழங்குவதில் குழப்பம்

dinamalar 18.01.2019

ரேஷன் கடைகளில், பொங்கல் பரிசு வாங்கா தோருக்கு, 1,000 ரூபாய் வழங்குவதில் குழப்பம் நிலவுகிறது.



தமிழக ரேஷன் கடைகளில், பொங்கலை முன்னிட்டு, தலா, 1 கிலோ பச்சரிசி, சர்க்கரை; தலா, 20 கிராம் முந்திரி, திராட்சை; 5 கிராம் ஏலக்காய், கரும்பு துண்டு, 1,000 ரூபாய் அடங்கிய பரிசு தொகுப்பு வழங்கப்பட்டது.

நிறுத்தம்

இவை, முதல் முறையாக, அரிசி, சர்க்கரை, எந்த பொருளும் வாங்காத கார்டு என, பாரபட்சம் இல்லாமல், மொத்தம் உள்ள, 2.02 கோடி ரேஷன் கார்டுதாரர்களுக்கும் வழங்கும் பணி, 7ம் தேதி துவங்கியது.

அனைவருக்கும் பொங்கல் பரிசு வழங்க

எதிர்ப்பு தெரிவித்து, சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றத்தில் வழக்கு தொடரப்பட்டது.பின், நீதிமன்ற உத்தரவை தொடர்ந்து, எந்த பொருளும் வாங்காத, 42 ஆயிரம் கார்டுகளுக்கு மட்டும், 1,000 ரூபாய் வழங்குவது நிறுத்தப் பட்டது. பொங்கல் பரிசு தொகுப்பை, 14ம் தேதி வரை வழங்க, கூட்டுறவு மற்றும் உணவு துறை அறிவுறுத்தியது. அதன்படி, அன்று வரை, 1.95 கோடி கார்டுதாரர்களுக்கு, பொங்கல் பரிசு வழங்கப்பட்டது.

இந்நிலையில், 'ரேஷனில், 1,000 ரூபாய் பரிசு வாங்காதோர், பொங்கலுக்கு பின் வாங்கி கொள்ள லாம்' என, உணவு துறை அமைச்சர், காமராஜ், திருவாரூரில்,தெரிவித்தார். அதன்படி, நேற்று, ரேஷன் கடைகள் திறந்ததும், பொங்கல் பரிசு வாங்காதோர், கடை களில் சென்று கேட்டனர்; ஆனால்,ரூ. 1,000 தர வில்லை.

இதுகுறித்து, கூட்டுறவு துறை அதிகாரி ஒருவர் கூறியதாவது: ஒவ்வொரு ரேஷன் கடையிலும், 95 - 97 சதவீதம் வரை, பொங்கல் பரிசு வழங்கப்பட்டு உள்ளது.

இடைத்தேர்தல் அறிவிப்பால், திருவாரூர் தொகுதி யில் மட்டும், 7ம்தேதியில் இருந்து, 1,000 ரொக்கம் வழங்கவில்லை. பின், தேர்தல் ரத்து செய்யப்பட்ட தும், 9ம் தேதியில் இருந்து, அந்த தொகுதியிலும், பணம் வழங்கப்பட்டது.பொங்கல் கொண்டாடவே, பரிசு வழங்கப்பட்டது. வசதியா னோர், விருப்பப்

பட்டு, ரூ.1,000வாங்கவில்லை. இந்த சூழலில், அமைச்சர், பொங்கலுக்கு பின், பரிசு தொகுப்பு வாங்கலாம் என, வாய்மொழியாக தெரிவித்து உள்ளார்.

அறிவிப்பு

இதனால், வீட்டு வேலையாட்கள், 1,000 ரூபாய் வாங்காதோரின் கார்டை எடுத்து வந்து, பணம் கேட்கின்றனர்.அமைச்சரின் அறிவிப்பிற்கு ஏற்ப, எந்த ஆணையும் பிறப்பிக்கவில்லை. இதனால், ரேஷனில், பொங்கல் பரிசு வாங்கா தோர், தற்போது, வந்து கேட்கும்போது, 1,000 ரூபாய் தரவில்லை. இது தொடர்பாக, உயர திகாரிகள், தெளிவான அறிவிப்பு வெளி யிட்டால், 1,000 ரூபாய் வழங்கப்படும். இவ்வாறு, அவர் கூறினார். 

- நமது நிருபர் -

தொண்டு நிறுவனங்களுக்கு விதிகள் தளர்வு

Added : ஜன 18, 2019 04:51



புதுடில்லி: 'வெளிநாடுகளில் இருந்து நிதி பெற, 'நிடி ஆயோக்' அமைப்பின், 'தர்பன்' இணையதளத்தில், தங்கள் நிறுவனத்தை பதிவு செய்திருக்க வேண்டும்' என, தொண்டு நிறுவனங்களுக்கு, மத்திய அரசு ஏற்கனவே உத்தரவிட்டிருந்தது. இந்நிலையில், 'தர்பன் இணையதளத்தில், தொண்டு நிறுவனங்கள் பதிவு செய்ய வேண்டிய கட்டாயமில்லை' என, மத்திய அரசு தரப்பில் நேற்று அறிவிக்கப்பட்டது.

'வாட்ஸ் ஆப்' மூலம் விவாகரத்து; நாக்பூர் நீதிமன்றத்தில் புதுமை

Added : ஜன 18, 2019 03:47 |




நாக்பூர்: மஹாராஷ்டிர மாநிலம் நாக்பூரில் உள்ள குடும்ப நீதிமன்றத்தில், ஒரு தம்பதிக்கு, 'வாட்ஸ் ஆப்' சமூக வலைதளம் மூலம் விசாரணை நடத்தி, விவாகரத்து வழங்கப்பட்டது.

பிரச்னை:

மஹாராஷ்டிராவிலுள்ள நாக்பூர் குடும்ப நீதிமன்றத்தில், விவாகரத்து கோரி, ஒரு தம்பதி மனு தாக்கல் செய்திருந்தது. நாக்பூரைச் சேர்ந்த, 37 வயதான கணவன் மற்றும் தெலுங்கானா மாநிலம், செகந்திராபாதைச் சேர்ந்த, 35 வயதாகும் மனைவி, அமெரிக்காவின் மிச்ஸிகனில் வசித்து வந்தனர். அங்குள்ள ஒரு நிறுவனத்தில் பணியாற்றி வந்த இவர்களுக்கு, 2013ல், திருமணம் நடந்தது.

திருமணத்துக்குப் பின், நாக்பூரில் உள்ள கணவனின் வீட்டுக்கு வந்தபோது, மாமியார் உள்ளிட்டோருடன், அந்த பெண்ணுக்கு கருத்து வேறுபாடு ஏற்பட்டது. அது, கணவன், மனைவிக்கு இடையேயான பிரச்னையாக மாறியது. இதையடுத்து, விவாகரத்து கோரி, நாக்பூரில் உள்ள குடும்ப நீதிமன்றத்தில் வழக்கு தொடரப்பட்டது. இந்த வழக்கு, சமீபத்தில் இறுதி விசாரணைக்கு வந்தது. அப்போது, விடுமுறையில் வந்த கணவன், நீதிமன்றத்தில் ஆஜரானார். ஆனால், தற்போது, கல்வி, 'விசா'வில் சென்று உள்ளதால், மனைவியால் நேரில் ஆஜராக முடியவில்லை.

இழப்பீடு:

இதையடுத்து, வாட்ஸ்ஆப் சமூக வலைதளத்தில், வீடியோ அழைப்பு மூலம் விசாரணை நடத்தக் கோரப்பட்டது. அதை ஏற்று, வீடியோ அழைப்பு மூலம், மனைவியிடம் விசாரணை நடத்திய, நாக்பூர் நீதிமன்றம், விவாகரத்து வழங்கியது. 'கணவர், 10 லட்சம் ரூபாயை, மனைவிக்கு இழப்பீடாக அளிக்க வேண்டும்' என, தீர்ப்பில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

Not our job to help lotus bloom, says M Thambidurai

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

PublishedJan 18, 2019, 4:45 am IST

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters here Jayakumar said the decision on an alliance cannot be taken instantly and that it ought to be deliberated.

AIADMK leader M. Thambidurai

Chennai: As speculation grows over a possible AIADMK-BJP tie-up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker and AIADMK senior M. Thambidurai has averred there is no need for the AIADMK to help the lotus (BJP symbol) bloom in Tamil Nadu. However, without replying in the negative and almost sounding optimistic on the alliance issue, Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar said a decision on poll ties would be taken only after “consensus” within the party.

Blowing hot over the saffron party, Mr. Thambidurai said it is not the task of the AIADMK, founded by late Chief Minister M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), to help the BJP to grow.

“We will strive hard for further development of our party and shall not give room for the BJP or any other party to grow, nor shall we go with them (BJP)” he told reporters. Thambidurai was in Coimbatore on Thursday to pay tributes along with his party members, to MGR on his 102nd birth anniversary.

He said it was ridiculous on the part of auditor S. Gurumurthy to say that AIADMK should align with the BJP to help it gain a foothold in

Tamil Nadu. “When we are trying to grow, there is no chance for the AIADMK to take the BJP on its shoulders and allow it to gain a foothold,” Thambidurai thundered.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters here Jayakumar said the decision on an alliance cannot be taken instantly and that it ought to be deliberated.

“There is still time for poll alliance. The decision can be taken only after consensus within the party,” the minister said in reply to a query on electoral pact with the BJP. “That may be his desire. Even we should also desire for alliance with the BJP. That is, we should consent and there should be consensus within the party. Let the election schedule be announced, then we will announce,” Jayakumar said reacting to Gurumurthy’s view.

Chennai: Withdraw 2017 regulations, says engineering students

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | A RAGU RAMAN

PublishedJan 18, 2019, 5:12 am IST

Another student attributed the poor results to the strict evaluation of answer scripts.

Anna University has declared the November-December 2018 exam results on Monday.

Chennai: After witnessing a big drop in pass percentage in third-semester results, the engineering students now plan to hold a major protest across the state on Friday demanding withdrawal of 2017 regulations which introduced several restrictions including appearing for arrears exam.

Anna University has declared the November-December 2018 exam results on Monday. According to the affiliated colleges, the results of the third semester are down by 15% compared to the previous semester.

“Of 55 students in our college, only two cleared all the subjects in November 2018 exams. In the previous semester, 22 students cleared all subjects. Half of our class have arrears in more than five subjects,” a student from Madurai zone said.

“If we pursue our engineering course in 2017 regulations, we may not able to get our degrees,” he added.

Replacing arrears system with the reappearance registration system, Anna University had introduced the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) to the affiliated colleges in the previous academic year (2017-18).

As per 2017 regulations, the students who fail in theory course can only reappear along with regular students when that course is offered next time. It means if a student could not clear a course in an odd semester, he or she can only reappear for the exam when the course is offered next year.

Further, the total number of credits that a student is allowed to register per semester cannot exceed 36. It would limit their number of arrears appearance to only two or three subjects along with the regular subjects.

“With the cap in the maximum number of credits, if we have more than three arrears in one semester we may not able to clear it and finish our degrees. We are in danger of accumulating our arrears,” another student said.

Another student attributed the poor results to the strict evaluation of answer scripts.

“In many colleges, students with 8 CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) also could not clear the exams this year. The students plan to protest peacefully at Anna University in Chennai and inside their college campuses. Our association supports this protest,” said K.M. Karthik, president of Private Educational Institutions Employees Association.

The students are also planning to meet Anna University authorities demanding the withdrawal of the 2017 regulations.

When enquired, a principal from the city-based engineering college accepted that the exam results dropped in the November 2018 exams.

“We had more than 70% results in the previous semester exams. But, in this semester, our overall results have dropped to less than 60%,” he said. A majority of the third-semester students could not clear the exams, he added.

After the revaluation scam, Anna University has brought stringent measures to prevent any malpractices during an evaluation and it seems to have affected the results of the affiliated engineering colleges.

Tasmac ends on a high for Pongal with Rs 600-crore sales

Pongal festival witnessed tipplers across the State flocking to the thousands of government-owned liquor outlets, pushing sales to nearly Rs 600 crore.

Published: 18th January 2019 04:07 AM 

Image of a TASMAC outlet used for representational purpose (File Photo | Martin Louis/EPS)

By Harish Murali

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Pongal festival witnessed tipplers across the State flocking to the thousands of government-owned liquor outlets, pushing sales to nearly Rs 600 crore.

“It was a long holiday for people across the State. Sale of liquor increased from Friday night and the weekend alone saw a rise of at least 20-30 per cent sale totally touching Rs 230 crore, said a senior Tasmac official.

The official also said they had done business to the tune of Rs 600 crore since Saturday. “During normal days, sale of liquor will be around Rs 60 to 70 crore. During festivals, it would increase by 20 to 30 per cent. But, during this Pongal, the sale touched Rs 600 crore.” Brandy was highly preferred by liquor consumers, the official said.


For Pongal festival alone, there was 60 per cent sale of brandy. Whisky, wine, Vodka and beer items accounted for 40 per cent of sales, said a zonal TASMAC manager.

Pongal day alone saw around Rs 140 crore of liquor sale in Tamil Nadu. On Bhogi night, the sale touched Rs 120 crore, the official said.

The final day, ‘Kaanum Pongal’, witnessed about Rs 150 crore sale till evening, the source said.
Since Wednesday was Thiruvalluvar Day, the outlets remained closed. 

A manager said a sales target was fixed for each shop for Pongal.

N. Periyasamy, State president, Tamil Nadu TASMAC Employees Association said, “Working in government liquor outlets is not an easy job as employees have to risk their lives all along. However, their salary is just between Rs 9,000 and Rs 10,000 per month.

‘Why should we nurture BJP in TN?’ N Thambidurai’s remarks create flutter

Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar, for the first time, hinted that an alliance with the saffron party had not been finalised.

Published: 18th January 2019 04:05 AM 

Deputy Lok Sabha speaker M Thambidurai (File photo | EPS)

By T Muruganandham

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Love me, love me not... That’s how the AIADMK-BJP alliance story seems to be going. With just around two months left for the formal notification of the Lok Sabha polls, differences within the AIADMK over having an electoral alliance with BJP have come out in the open.

“It’s not our duty to nurture BJP in Tamil Nadu,” said Deputy Lok Sabha Speaker and senior AIADMK leader M Thambidurai on Thursday. “We will not carry any other party on our back and help them gain a foothold in the State,” he said.

Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar, for the first time, hinted that an alliance with the saffron party had not been finalised.


“BJP may wish to have an alliance with us, but our party should also wish the same,” he said. “As far as AIADMK is concerned, a consensus among all rungs of leadership starting from party coordinator and chief minister to grassroot level functionaries is a must,” Jayakumar said.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, BJP’s election in-charge for Tamil Nadu, has postponed his visit to the State to January 20 as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is away from the country for treatment.

Thambidurai, who has been making anti-BJP remarks for quite some time, went one step further and made virulent comments on having alliance with that party. He also pointed out that Amma ( Jayalalithaa) had shown the path for the party in various elections. She faced all the elections since 2006 without having any alliance with both national parties.

Barely a week ago, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami asserted that “Only those who do good to the people of Tamil Nadu should come to power at the Centre and we will support them alone. We will not accept those who betray Tamil Nadu”.

This remark assumes significance since AIADMK has been strongly opposing NDA government on many issues as the Centre has been taking decisions unfavourable for Tamil Nadu.

Reacting to the remarks of Thambidurai, BJP spokesperson SR Sekar told Express that “Of late, Thambidurai has been making anti-BJP remarks. Other than Thambidurai, no leader in AIADMK has made such remarks against the BJP, especially those who are at the helm of affairs. I will say Thambidurai is an isolated personality and he is making such remarks with some ulterior motive. I sincerely doubt whether Thambidurai could be a sleeper cell member of the DMK”.

Piyush defers visit

Meanwhile, in yet another development, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who is BJP’s election in charge of Tamil Nadu has postponed his visit to the State from January 18 to 20 as Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is away from the country for treatment.

However, a senior functionary in BJP said that informal talks with AIADMK on alliance were going on.
Last time when the AIADMK and BJP worked together was in 2004 Lok Sabha elections. In that elections, both parties drew a blank while the DMK-led front won all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu. Following this, the late AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa declared that she would never have an alliance with BJP.

No talks so far: Ponnar

No political parties from Tamil Nadu have made talks with BJP for Lok Sabha poll alliance, said Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan in Nagercoil on Thursday

This 'mother' of a Jallikattu bull has stormed another male bastion

Selvarani lives in Madurai's Nadupatti with her only 'son', whom she fondly named 'Ramu', but he is no ordinary child.

Published: 16th January 2019 04:58 PM

Selvarani with her bull Ramu. (Photo | EPS)

By Online Desk

Those who still believe that certain feats are beyond women will change their minds after listening to 45-year-old Selvarani's inspiring story!

Women often get stereotyped as the weaker sex. When it comes to bull taming, it's an absolute no-no for them. But just as women have been breaking barriers across the world, Selvarani's story shows that the women of Tamil Nadu are no less capable than men.

Selvarani lives in Madurai's Nadupatti with her only 'son', whom she fondly named 'Ramu', but he is no ordinary child. Twelve years ago, Ramu, the bull, walked into the life of Selvarani who from then on began to take care of him.

Selvarani's love for bulls began when she was just 10. She chose not to get married and instead decided to devote her life to Ramu, as reported by News7.


She takes the bull to the Jallikattu vaadivasal (arena) by herself at various venues. Ramu has indeed made his 'mother' proud by winning prizes in bull taming tournaments.

Tamil Nadu boy is youngest Indian grandmaster

Happy and satisfied was how Gukesh described his state of mind.

Published: 17th January 2019 06:25 AM | 

By Ashok Venugopal

Express News Service

CHENNAI: When his seven-year-old son took a sudden fancy to chess after watching a school tournament, D Rajinikanth, a Chennai-based ENT specialist, would have been forgiven for dismissing it as a passing fancy.

Five short years on, his son D Gukesh is now part of chess history. On Tuesday, he became a Grandmaster after achieving his third norm with a victory over Dinesh Kumar Sharma at the Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament. At 12 years, 7 months and 17 days, Gukesh is the youngest Indian to get there. Only one player — Russian GM Sergey Karjakin who challenged Magnus Carlsen in 2016 — has got there faster in the history of the game.

Happy and satisfied was how Gukesh described his state of mind. “I was expecting the GM title since I was close to getting that norm in the last few events,” he said.


“I was confident that I could make it in Delhi. The field here was pretty strong as usual.” It is perhaps no surprise that Gukesh became a GM in record time — his precocious talent had been singled out by his coach at Velammal Vidyalaya, Melaynambakkam and his work ethic ensured his potential did not go to waste. However also part of the narrative are the sacrifices made by his parents. Rajinikanth is now more or less fully devoted to his son’s career.

Grandmaster seeks support for next move

Gukesh’s first GM norm came at the Bangkok Open in 2018, where he defeated Nigel Short. He followed it up by winning the round-robin tournament in Paracin, Serbia, where he got his second GM norm.
“A lot of hard work and preparation has gone behind this achievement. I like to thank my parents, coaches and my school administration for their support. Also, Microsense Networks helped me financially in 2018 for tournaments,’’ the 12-year old said.

However, Gukesh, who will next be seen in action at the Gibraltar Masters from the 22nd of this month is in need of sponsors to move ahead in the game. “Till mid-2018, my expenses were wholly covered by my parents. After my IM title in April my school and Microsense helped me financially. I need more support to get better exposure and play tournaments abroad in order to improve my ranking and also my game,’’ he said.

GM Vishnuprasanna is the one who coaches Gukesh at the moment. “Apart from Vishnuprasanna, Krishnaprasad who is a sports mind trainer helps me to stay positive. I practice regularly for at least four to five hours a day,” revealed the youngster.

Gukesh always looks calm and composed in action and has shown maturity beyond his age. “My coach says that strategic planning and patience are my strengths. Time management during games is one area I need to improve and I am working on it,” insisted the chess prodigy.

Statewide protest in Tamil Nadu by Anna University students to flay arrear system

The protest will be held outside varsity campus in Chennai and outside several affiliated colleges across State.

Published: 18th January 2019 04:48 AM |

Anna University in Chennai. | (File | EPS)

By Sushmitha Ramakrishnan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Hundreds of students from Anna University and its affiliated colleges have decided to hold a statewide protest on Friday to condemn the current arrear system that allows them to retake exam in a failed subject only a year after.

The protest will be held outside varsity campus in Chennai and outside several affiliated colleges across State.

Currently, students who fail in an exam conducted in the even semester will have to re-register and appear for the test only in the next even semester. The rule came into force in all affiliated colleges from 2017 academic year that started on September 1.


This is problematic to final year students, particularly final semester students. If they fail in an exam, they will have to wait a year before seeking employment or applying for higher education.

“Students will have to waste a whole year after finishing college before they take the next step in their life. The management should conduct arrear exams in the subsequent semester itself,” said a final year student from Anna University. Earlier, students were allowed to take the exam in the next semester itself.

Students allege that the situation is further complicated as they are allowed to take only three arrears in one semester. “If a student has failed in five exams, they have to wait a year to take up three exams and another year to write the other two. This will essentially take two years to pass those exams,” rued another student from Anna University, Tirunelveli, adding that the varsity should not cap the number of arrears they can take.

Speaking to Express, MK Surappa, Vice-Chancellor of Anna University said the university will allow students who fail in the seventh semester to re-take it along with their final semester exams.

“Last week, we decided to make leeway for seventh-semester students alone. The academic council will meet soon and discuss the possibility of conducting arrear exams in the subsequent semester itself,” he said.

Scoot to launch flight services from three South Indian cities

With the introduction of the services, Scoot will become the only airline operating direct non-stop flights from the three cities to Singapore.

Published: 18th January 2019 04:07 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Scoot, a Singapore-based low-cost airline, will soon launch new services from Coimbatore, Thiruvananthapuram and Visakhapatnam as part of its plans to strengthen its presence in India, a company release said on Thursday.

With the introduction of the services, Scoot will become the only airline operating direct non-stop flights from the three cities to Singapore.

Flights from Thiruvananthapuram to Singapore will commence on May 7 and flights from Coimbatore and Visakhapatnam will start from October 27, all subject to regulatory approval. The flight will operate from Thiruvananthapuram and Coimbatore five times a week while for Visakhapatnam it will be available only thrice a week.

In India, the airline already operates from Amritsar, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Lucknow and Tiruchirappalli.


To attract flyers, it has introduced a major limited-time sale on flights from all its India points - including Thiruvananthapuram, Coimbatore and Visakhapatnam - starting from January 14 to January 28. As per the offer, one-way promotional fares begin from as low as `4,500 for trips to 27 exciting cities in Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam via Singapore.

Speaking on the development, Vinod Kannan, Chief Commercial Officer, said, “With addition of three new cities, India is a big part of our growth in Asia this year. Customers can look forward to more affordable fares and innovative offerings from us.”

Dip in turnout at Chennai's tourist spots this kaanum pongal

Though Vandalur Zoo, Marina Beach, Guindy Park, Island Grounds, MGR and Jayalalithaa memorials remained favourites, officials said there was a considerable dip in the numbers.

Published: 18th January 2019 04:17 AM |

People thronged the Kasimedu fishing harbour on Thursday as part of Kaanum Pongal celebrations | P Jawahar

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The ‘Kaanum Pongal’ on Thursday saw thousands visiting tourist spots in the city as part of the celebrations. However, officials said when compared to last year, there was a decrease in footfall at various places.

Though Vandalur Zoo, Marina Beach, Guindy Park, Island Grounds, MGR and Jayalalithaa memorials remained favourites, officials said there was a considerable dip in the numbers.

Around 30,000 people visited Vandalur Zoo, much lesser than last year’s footfall of 56,000. “Both Guindy Park and Vandalur Zoo were crowded on Thursday morning. But, there was a visible decrease in the number of visitors this year.

The ongoing fair at Island Grounds saw a whopping 1.5 lakh visitors on Kaanum Pongal. Despite a considerable footfall from surrounding districts, no major traffic jam was reported in the city. According to Chennai Police, close to 50,000 people visited Marina Beach on Thursday alone. “No untoward incident has been reported so far. People are visiting the beach and leaving peacefully. Traffic was also under control,” said a police official.


Close to 14,000 special buses were operated by State Transport Corporations benefitting 7.17 lakh commuters. According to a release, a total of 14,263 buses were operated from the city. In Chennai, special bus services were operated from KK Nagar, Tambaram, Madhavaram, CMBT and Poonamallee.

Chennai MTC told to pay Rs 14 lakh to girl who lost vision

The injured who was aged 16 then did not have a driving licence, counsel submitted.

Published: 18th January 2019 04:16 AM 

Image for representational purpose for MTC buses. (EPS file photo)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Nearly three years after an MTC bus hit a minor and caused grievous injuries to the victim to the extent of her losing vision in the right eye, a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal has directed the transport corporation to pay a compensation of Rs 13.99 lakh to her.

The accident, in 2015, occurred due to the rash and negligent act of the bus driver, the victim submitted.

Counsel for MTC denied the allegations and said the two-wheeler rider drove rashly and negligently losing control and dashing the front side of the bus and sustained injuries. The injured who was aged 16 then did not have a driving licence, counsel submitted.

The tribunal headed by K Ayyappan observed that “Considering the fact that the petitioner is a minor, having no driving licence met with an accident, the driver ought to have been more careful, whenever there is a minor child driving the vehicle.”

After deducting a sum towards negligence on the part of the victim, the tribunal awarded a compensation of `13,99,500 to her.

Students protest against choice-based credit system

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

MYSURU, JANUARY 18, 2019 00:00 IST

Students of the University of Mysore staging a demonstration on Thursday.M.A. SRIRAMM.A. SRIRAM

Hundreds of students belonging to the University of Mysore staged a demonstration in the city on Thursday against the introduction of the credit-based choice system.

It was introduced from the current academic year for the first-year degree students who claimed that there was no clarity on the new system which had caused confusion.

The students were led by All India Democratic Students Organisation and All India Democratic Youth Organisation and they assembled in large numbers in front of the Crawford Hall, the administrative seat of the University, and demonstrated against the system.

The students said that the results under the new system had lot of anomalies and should be rectified and announced afresh. They also demanded that the choice-based credit system should be dropped and the confusion over the number of attempts in failed subjects should be resolved at the earliest. The AIDSO and AIDYO also flayed the hike in evaluation fee and wanted it to be reduced.

Vice-Chancellor G. Hemantha Kumar and other administrative staff who listened to the students grievances assured them that the confusion over the number of attempts and their other demands would be resolved within 15 days and a suitable decision would be taken in the students’ interest at the next syndicate meeting.

The AIDYO and AIDSO leaders who addressed the students said they would intensify their protest in case the University failed to resolve the issue as promised.

People throng tourist spots on Kaanum Pongal

STAFF REPORTER

ERODE, JANUARY 18, 2019 00:00 IST

People gathered in large numbers at a park in Erode to celebrate Kanum Pongal on Thursday.M. GOVARTHANM_GOVARTHAN

Tourist spots and parks in the district witnessed heavy crowd celebrating Kaanum Pongal here on Thursday that marks the culmination of the four day festivities.

People in large numbers visited V.O.C. Park, Kodiveri Anicut and the parks attached to Bhavani Sagar Dam in the district.

Also, crowd could be seen at rivers and small parks where people danced to the tunes and exchanged food and snacks on the occasion.

Many preferred to enjoy bathing at Kodiveri Anicut and River Cauvery as elaborate security arrangements were made.

Shops selling fishes, snacks, beverages and other food items witnessed good sales at the dam area and also at Kodiveri. Women and children were seen dancing and singing at the parks as the celebrations continued till evening. Also, people visited Bannari temple and offered prayers.

In Salem district, Yercaud, Mettur Dam, Kurumbapatti Zoological Park, Anna Park and other parks witnessed huge crowds through out the day.

Fish stalls near the dam area witnessed huge crowds as people enjoyed bathing in the River Cauvery and visited the park attached to the dam. Likewise, people from many districts in the State thronged Yercaud in large numbers.

The boat house was over crowded with people have to wait for hours to enjoy the ride.

In Namakkal district, people visited Kolli Hills, Jedarpalayam Dam and the municipal park in the town. Police made elaborate arrangements to prevent untoward incidents.

Special buses were also operated to tourist spots through out the day.

Scoot Airlines to operate Coimbatore - Singapore flights

STAFF REPORTER

COIMBATORE, JANUARY 18, 2019 00:00 IST

Five flights a week to be operated from October this year

Singaporean budget carrier Scoot Airlines will begin operating from October this year five flights a week between Coimbatore and Singapore from October this year.

A low-cost arm of Singapore Airlines, Scoot is expected to take over routes from Silk Air which currently operates flights between Coimbatore and Singapore.

An official statement issued by the airline, announcing its expansion plans in India, said the services to Coimbatore and Visakhapatnam would begin on October 27, while flights from Thiruvananthapuram to Singapore would commence on May, all subject to the regulatory authority’s approval.

The new routes are due to be transferred over from sister airline Silk Air, said the release. The airline is currently connecting cities such as Amritsar, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Lucknow, and Tiruchi with Singapore. Announcing the new services, the airline has introduced a limited period sale of tickets on its website from all its India points -- including Thiruvananthapuram, Coimbatore and Visakhapatnam -- from January 14 to January 28.

One-way promotional fares (inclusive of tax) begin from Rs. 4,500 for economy class for trips to 27 cities in Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam via Singapore, the release said.

How genuine are the alternative bags?

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI, JANUARY 18, 2019 00:00 IST

Bagful of problems:CPCB says action will be taken against erring manufacturers.File Photo

Users say they go by the makers’ claims

With the plastics ban in place, restaurants, shops and commercial establishments are going in for alternatives. But they are not sure whether the alternative bags are eco-friendly or bio-degradable as claimed by the manufacturers.

“Bio-degradable also includes compostable stuff but some items may require certain conditions like higher temperatures of not less than 60 degree Celsius or a suitable inocula. The term compostable means within 60-120 days the covers or cups should break down into compost,” said ecologist Sultan Ahmed Ismail. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recently listed four units in Tamil Nadu that had not taken the requisite permissions from them.

“We found three of those units in Ambattur and one in Chennai. Our officials will be visiting them sometime this week and we will take necessary action,” said a source in the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board.

Trusting labels

Anna Nagar resident T.K. Pandian said that many shops were using bags that resembled plastics but with stickers saying they can be used and that they were eco-friendly. “We can only trust what is mentioned on the bags. The local bodies must ensure that companies manufacturing alternatives are popularised,” he said.

The CPCB website lists only three companies as certified manufactures/sellers for compostable carry bags/products in the State.

Milk retailer S.A. Ponnusamy said that in such cases, traders should not be penalised for using such bags since they may buy them out of ignorance.

Tamil Nadu Hotels Association secretary R. Srinivasan said that hotels can only rely on certification that the bag supplier provides.

Acquittal in case can’t have bearing on departmental action’

Legal Correspondent

CHENNAI, JANUARY 18, 2019 00:00 IST

Confirms dismissal of head constable acquitted in case

Holding that acquittal of a government servant from a criminal case would not have any bearing on departmental proceedings initiated against him/her for identical charges, the Madras High Court has confirmed a head constable’s dismissal from service.

A Division Bench of Justices S. Manikumar and Subramonium Prasad reversed a single a judge’s February 14, 2018 order commuting the punishment from dismissal from service to compulsory retirement, so that the head constable could receive all terminal benefits, and restored the police department’s order dismissing him from service.

Allowing a State appeal challenging the single judge’s order, the Bench said: “Learned single judge has been predominantly swayed by the fact that the respondent (R. Gnanasekaran) herein has been acquitted by the trial court... but it is well settled that the findings of a criminal court cannot bind a civil court or a civil proceeding.

“The learned single judge should have restricted himself to the evidence which was placed before the inquiry officer in the departmental proceedings and ought not to have traversed beyond it. The finding of the inquiry officer... ought not to have been interfered with on the basis of material which did not emanate from the departmental proceeding.”

The charges levelled against the head constable was that he had tarnished the image of the police force by demanding dowry and beating his wife who was ultimately murdered in the police housing quarters at Erode in September 2006. He was also accused of attempting to cover up the crime and make it appear as a case of suicide.

A Sessions Court had acquitted him from the charge of murder and the High Court refused to entertain a revision petition filed against his acquittal. However, he was found guilty of the charges in the departmental proceedings and was imposed with the punishment of dismissal from service in 2012.

He challenged the punishment and a single judge of the court commuted the punishment to compulsory retirement forcing the police department to prefer the present writ appeal.

Special coins released to mark MGR’s birth centenary

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI, JANUARY 18, 2019 00:00 IST

Arch in late leader’s memory unveiled discreetly

Commemorative coins to mark the birth centenary of former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran were released by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami at the State-run medical university named after the late Chief Minister here on Thursday.

The first sets of coins in the denominations of Rs. 100 and Rs. 5 were received by Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam. Council of Ministers, senior officials and Vice-Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University Sudha Seshayyan were present.

Earlier, the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Ministerand other Ministers and elected representatives paid floral tributes to the statue of the former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran located on the campus.

The commemorative arch built across the Kamarajar Salai was unveiled discreetly on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the late leader in the early hours of Thursday.

Under wraps

The unveiling of the arch was kept under the wraps in view of the observation of the Madras High Court on a PIL plea against an elaborate function since it would obstruct traffic in the area. Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and Assembly Speaker P. Dhanapal laid the foundation stone for the construction of the arch in August last year. Constructed at a cost of Rs. 2.52 crore near the Public Works Department head office, the arch is 52-foot high and 66-foot wide.

Indian thatha returns to fight the corrupt

STAFF REPORTER

CHENNAI, JANUARY 18, 2019 00:00 IST

The recently released poster.

Kamal Haasan’s Indian 2 starts filming today in Chennai

Kamal Haasan will face the cameras for director Shankar’s big budget film, Indian 2 , from Friday in Chennai. Actor Kamal Haasan is expected to juggle his film commitments with his new role as a politician.

With the film likely to be the actor’s swansong on the silver screen, it is sure to be one of the most awaited films of Mr. Haasan’s career as fans are going to see ‘Indian Thaatha’, an idealistic freedom fighter taking on the corrupt, at a time when corruption has become normalised in the society.

Social message

The fans on social media have already been curious about what kind of social issues the film will highlight.

The first film that released in 1996 was a blockbuster, fetching Kamal Haasan yet another National Film Award for Best Actor.

Sources in Lyca Productions say that the three day schedule will begin at the Memorial Hall in Chennai this week and the filming is likely to continue for seven days on the sets erected in Gokulam studios.

Origin story

Indian 2 will reportedly delve into the origin story of Senapathy, which was one of the characters played by Kamal Haasan in the prequel.

The film is expected to be shot in several locations across India, before eventually going to foreign locations.

Music director Anirudh Ravichander will score the music for this film.

Cinematographer Ravi Varman will wield the camera.

CBI raids SAI, arrests 6 officials for allegedly accepting bribes

Sabi Hussain & Neeraj Chauhan TNN

New Delhi:18.01.2019

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sleuths carried out a surprise raid at the official premises of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) outside the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here on Thursday, following allegations of bribery against some officials of the sports body, including an officer-bearer at the director-level rank.

This is probably the first time that the SAI headquarter has been raided by the country’s premier investigative agency, even though CBI has probed cases against SAI officials in the past and some cases are still being investigated.

According to CBI sources, the agency has arrested six persons including S K Sharma, a director in the general administration wing, and accounts officer Lalit Jolly. Others SAI employees who have been taken into custody, are junior accountant Harendra Prasad, upper divisional clerk V K Sharma and two private persons, Mandeep Ahuja and his accomplice Yunus.

The allegations are that these officials demanded a three percent bribe while clearing a transport bill of Rs 19 lakh of a private contractor.

At the time of going to the press, the CBI sleuths were still interrogating the arrested individuals at the SAI office.

The raid happened after the investigating agency received a complaint that some officers were allegedly taking bribes for approving the work in the administration wing of the SAI, concerning the transport department.

The officials arrested were also allegedly handling the transport in the Khelo India division of the SAI.

Sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore tweeted on the CBI arrests:”We as a govt are committed to a corruption-free India. That’s why when we found out corrupt practices by a few officers in @IndiaSports, we gave thier info to relevant agencies, who arrested them today. We will continue to have zero tolerance approach towards corruption@PMOIndia.”

SAI director general Neelam Kapoor also commented on the raid: “We had received some complaints about corruption within SAI. We therefore approached CBI and asked them to investigate the matter. There is zero tolerance for corruption in SAI. We will support any action against corruption.”

This is probably the first time that the SAI headquarter has been raided by the country’s premier investigative agency, even though CBI has probed cases against SAI officials in the past and some cases are still being investi

Scoot to operate flights to Singapore from October 27

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Coimbatore:18.01.2019

Scoot, the lowcost arm of Singapore Airlines, will replace SilkAir’s operations by operating flights between Coimbatore and Singapore five days a week from October 27. The flight will be operated on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. “It will take off from the Coimbatore airport at 11pm and reach Singapore at 6am. It will leave Singapore at 8.20 pm and land in Coimbatore at 10.10pm,” a release said. As a promotional offer, the airline has announced a limited-time sale on flights booked till January 28, offering tickets as low as ₹4,500 for a one-way ticket.

While this would mean cheaper flights to the popular south-east Asian country, travel agents fear of business travellers shunning it due to the lack of a business class.

“While SilkAir’s tickets to Singapore cost around ₹20,000 to ₹22,000, a ticket on Scoot could be bought for about ₹15,000 to₹16,000, making it much cheaper for frequent travellers and tourists in the region,” said C Vishnu Vasanth Kumar, executive director of Emperor Traveline.

“However, a lot of businessmen from the city, Tirupur and Erode, frequently fly to Singapore, United States, Australia and Europe via this flight. They are used to flying only business class. They do not want to travel with cramped leg space, buy on flight meals and collect their luggage in Singapore and recheck it for the next leg. These flyers will choose to fly out of Kochi or Chennai instead,” he told TOI. The Travel Agents Association of Coimbatore had recently submitted a petition to Singapore Airlines to not completely replace SilkAir with Scoot along with letters from industrial bodies such as the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Tirupur Exporters Association and CODISSIA.

Besides Coimbatore, Scoot has announced new flights to Thiruvananthapuram and Visakhapatnam from May.

Duronto passengers looted, coin used to tamper with signal

Somreet Bhattacharya & Jasjeev Gandhiok TNN

New Delhi:18.01.2019

A group of masked men stopped the Jammu Duronto train by tampering with the signalling system with a coin, entered two coaches and robbed at least a dozen passengers at knifepoint near Samaipur Badli on Thursday morning. The incident occurred a few metres from the Badli railway station that also has a Railway Protection Force post.

So far, police have registered two FIRs and are trying to trace the other passengers who were robbed. The role of coach attendants and pantry staff present in the coaches is being probed as well. The passengers told police that the criminals may have boarded the train by colluding with them for unlocking the doors.

The robbery was reported around 4.30am. The loco pilot claimed that he found the signals red and stopped the train. The robbers, who were hiding in the JJ colony along the tracks, boarded the three-tier coach number B3 and drew the curtains to look for passengers who were awake. Basant Bahrdari, who was travelling to Delhi, said that he woke up to a cold knife pressed to his throat. “The man, whose face was covered with a cloth, asked me to hand over my belongings. I complied as his associates had gathered around by then. I don’t want to recall my trauma,” he added. He lost ₹6,100 in cash, a gold chain, mobile phone, sunglasses and ATM cards. Ashok Kumar, who was travelling with his wife, said that there were at least a dozen robbers who held knives against the throats of the passengers. “The ordeal went on for 15-20 minutes,” he added.

“Some of the passengers tried to look for a RPF constable or a (TTE), but none was in sight,” a passenger said in a tweet.

Drone found hovering over Taj Mahal, 2nd time in 24 hrs

Anuja.Jaiswal@timesgroup.com

Agra:18.01.2019

The airspace of Taj Mahal was breached on Thursday morning when a drone was sighted hovering over the monument twice at 7:40am and then again half an hour later. This was the second such incident in the past 24 hours.

On Wednesday, a drone was spotted by security personnel around 11 am and then again at 4:30pm. Before the security agencies could track it, the drone flew away. It was flying at a height of over a kilometre.

Ankit Namdev, conservation assistant of ASI at Taj Mahal, informed the circle officer (Taj security) about the incident, following which, a case was registered against unidentified persons under section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of IPC. The owner of the drone has not been identified so far.

Security agency officials admitted that this was a challenge for them as it happened four times within 24 hours, but expressed confidence that they’ll track down the drone’s owner soon. The use of drones is strictly prohibited in and around the Taj.

Students to benefit via UGC credit bank system

Move Gives Freedom To Finish Courses At Own Pace

Chandan.Chatterjee@timesgroup.com

Pune:18.01.2019

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has set the ball rolling for the introduction of an academic credit bank, similar to that in some foreign countries, where students can accumulate points and graduate with a degree before the stipulated time.

The credit bank system will also enable students from non-science courses like arts and commerce to take up science degrees after completing a bridge programme.

The proposed National Academic Credit Bank (NACBank) will help students plan their learning objectives and the pace at which they would like to learn, said Bhushan Patwardhan, vice-chairman of the UGC.

Explaining the system, Patwardhan said, “Let’s suppose a BSc (Physics) student needs 100 credit points — 80 of which are mandatory from the core subject(s) — to finish the course. During the vacations, the student can accrue 20 points from a non-conventional or massive open online or hobby course (maybe sports, music and dance) from another institution. The student can get the required 80 credits in the core subject(s) before time and move on to the next level without spending the stipulated time in the course by redeeming the 20 points earned.”

Patwardhan, who had floated the idea of the NACBank earlier this month at the 3rd National Teachers’ Congress at the MIT World Peace University in Pune, said, “If this concept is accepted, it may take a few months for the NACBank to become a reality.”

The academic credit system is prevalent abroad. In South Korea, it enables students to earn a degree by combining credits from different systems. UGC chairman D P Singh has constituted a sixmember expert committee to explore the innovative concept. The panel’s maiden meeting is slated in the last week of this month.

The committee comprises R P Tiwari, chairman (member commission) and vicechancellor of Hari Singh Gour University, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh; Indu Shahani, retired principal of H R College in Mumbai; Raj Kumar, vicechancellor of O P Jindal Global University, Sonipat; Sandeep Sancheti, president of Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and vice-chancellor of SRM University; C M Chitale, emeritus professor, Savitribai Phule Pune University; and, Ameeta Chatterjee, former vice-chancellor of Presidency University in Kolkata.

The main objective of the NAC-Bank would be to facilitate student mobility across the higher education system.

“The NAC-Bank is proposed to be linked with the National Academic Depository and other students’ services,” Patwardhan said.


CREDIT FOR ALL: The credit bank system will also enable students from non-science courses like arts and commerce to take up science degrees after completing a bridge programme

D.Y.Patil University Appointments 18.01.2019

‘40% PG medicos don’t take precaution, risk infection’

Pushpa.Narayan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:18.01.2019

There could be a silent epidemic of infectious diseases among postgraduate medical students in Tamil Nadu as many exposed to blood, body fluids and syringes don’t take adequate precaution to prevent infections before or after the event, a study has found.

Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital researchers surveyed 752 PG students at three medical college hospitals in Chennai, Coimbatore and Salem and found nearly 69% had been exposed to blood or body fluid splash or were stuck by a needle while on duty.

While a doctor is at risk of contracting blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis or HIV, a doctor with such infections may expose patients to a droplet of infected blood. “There is an urgent need for establishing a statewise surveillance system for monitoring of occupational exposure to achieve infection control among health care workers. These exposures can result in risk of infection and can cause serious mental ill-health,” said Dr P Praveen Kumar, a junior resident (general medicine) and author of the study. The study has been published in the Journal of Association of Physicians in India.

Just 609 students (81%) took the full course of hepatitis vaccination though the vaccine offers up to 95% protection against infectious viral disease. At least 68.35% said they were exposed to unsafe blood at least once in the last one year, taking the average incidence of occupation exposure to 1.85 per year. It was found 50% of the exposure was caused by mucocutaneous splash of blood and bodily fluids and 30% of times it was needle pricks.

What made it worse was many doctors didn’t follow standard precautions. More than two of five doctors said they did not take precautions such as wearing gloves because it was not provided, but an almost equal number did not wear them either because “they didn’t have the time,” or because they did not think it was important.

Dr Satish Kumar, who is training in general surgery, said he did not opt for medication as the side-effects could make him sick. Senior doctors said they always urged students to meet counsellors at voluntary testing centres, but the reportage is not huge.

AIADMK releases commemorative coins on MGR birth anniv

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:18.01.2019

The AIADMK government on Thursday released commemorative coins in the denomination of ₹5 and ₹100 to mark the birth centenary of former chief minister and AIADMK founder M G Ramachandran. It also opened a commemorative arch on Kamarajar Salai, near the PWD headquarters in Chepauk, to mark the occasion.

At an event organized by the government in Dr MGR Medical University, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami released the coins, which his deputy, O Panneerselvam, received. The chief minister and his cabinet colleagues paid floral tributes to a decorated portrait of the former chief minister in the varsity, with AIADMK leaders joining the celebrations.

The ₹2.52 crore arch was unveiled without any ceremony following a high court directive. The 52ft-high and 66ftwide rectangular structure is a fusion of traditional and modern architecture on the lines of a diamond jubilee commemorative arch of the TN legislative assembly located nearby. The court had earlier restrained the state from inaugurating the arch, after a PIL was filed alleging violation of statutory provisions. Later, the court said the state could proceed with the construction as the stay was only against the inauguration.

The AIADMK headquarters also saw workers and leaders celebrating the anniversary with much fanfare. Palaniswami and Panneerselvam garlanded a statue of the founder and distributed Pongal to party workers, while AIADMK MP K Kamaraj garlanded the statue of MGR in Parliament. On the sidelines of the celebrations, the party has organized a three-day public meeting across the state starting Friday.



Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami released the coins (one pictured below) at Dr MGR Medical University

Small buses from city sent to Salem

Passengers Complain Services Cut

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:18.01.2019

Amid reports that small bus services in Chennai are being cut down, four such vehicles from the city have been renovated and sent to Salem, the district chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami hails from.

The CM on Wednesday flagged off government buses on new routes in and around Salem, according to an official release. Among them are four small buses.

All four were owned by the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), Chennai, and plied on Chennai roads since 2016, say transport department records. On January 10, these four old buses were given a facelift at the MTC depot at Chrompet, Chennai. MTC sources said damaged seats were repaired and worn out parts replaced. New Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), Salem, stickers were pasted on the repainted buses, sources said.

One of the four buses (registration number TN 01 AN 1398) was taken to the MTC's headquarters (Pallavan House) for approval before being taken to Salem the same night. TOI has documents and photographs. The next day, six drivers, working with TNSTC Salem, arrived in Chennai to drive the other three vehicles (TN 01 AN 1245, TN 01 AN 1311 and TN 01AN 1379) to Salem.

When TOI contacted TNSTC Salem authorities on January 13, they said there was no proposal to introduce small buses in Salem. All the four buses were parked elsewhere and not at the main depot next to Salem bus stand where new buses are usually kept. On Wednesday, the buses were brought in hours before the launch.

V Aravinth, managing director of TNSTC, Salem said, “Of the four buses, two would be operated in and around Yercaud, a popular tourist destination in western Tamil Nadu. The others will be operated near Gundur, Aathur.” When asked about the history of the buses, he said these were new bus routes and admitted that the bus bodies were renovated at Chennai.

This move comes amid complaints from Chennai residents that the frequency of small bus services were reduced along prominent routes such as S90 (Tambaram-Gundumedu) and S85 (Alandur Metro Station-Velachery) in Chennai.

In response, Anbu said, “We have spare buses and permits. We will use them on routes along which the four buses were operated in Chennai.”

These buses have permits only to be operated on a specified routes in the Chennai metropolitan area and can't be operated in Salem without changing the permit conditions. Anbu said the vehicle ownership had been transferred to TNSTC, Salem. However, transport department records accessed on Wednesday, showed that MTC's MD was still the ‘owner’ of the buses. There was no clarity on whether TNSTC, Salem, has updated the permit conditions to operate the buses in and around Salem. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had earlier pulled up MTC for similar permit violations for which the penalty amounted to ₹187 crore.

(With inputs from V Senthil Kumaran - Salem)


One of the four small buses that were given a makeover leaving the MTC depot at Chromepet (L) and it’s all decked up at the Salem bus stand on Wednesday

City-based varsity told to pay ₹6L compensation to former student

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:18.01.2019

City-based Dr MGR Deemed University has been told to pay a former B. Arch student ₹6.12lakh as compensation for deficiency in service by offering the course without proper recognition for it.

The Tamil Nadu State Consumer Commission, comprising K Baskaran, presiding member, and S M Latha Maheswari, member, directed the university to pay ₹87,500 towards fee paid by the complainant Reshmi Divakaran, ₹5,00,000 as compensation for mental agony and other hardships, and ₹25,000 as litigation expenditure within four weeks.

According to Divakaran, fascinated by the prospectus issued by the university and thinking that the B Arch course had the requisite approval, she joined up in June 2005 paying ₹56,600 towards tuition and other fees. However, when the course commenced, she was shocked to notice that the class room was in a dilapidated condition and classes were not regularly conducted for want of faculty.

This apart, college buses did not run regularly. In spite of these odds she continued the course.

During the monsoon, the campus was flooded and the college was indefinitely closed. Subsequently, the government also initiated action against the institution for illegal construction and ordered demolition of certain constructions besides initiating action for conducting courses without proper approval.

Besides all these odds, she was compelled to pay another ₹30,000 as semester fee. But as the college failed to set things right, she decided to leave and join another college in 2006.

Since then she has been sending legal notices to the institute to return the fees paid and compensate for mental agony suffered. Denying the allegations, the institute contended that it was not rendering any service to anybody much less to the complainant and hence there was no service providerconsumer relationship and, hence, no question of deficiency in service.

Refusing to concur, the commission partially allowed the complaint and directed the institute to compensate the complainant.

The university was directed to pay ₹87,500 towards fee paid by the complainant Reshmi Divakaran, ₹5,00,000 as compensation for mental agony and other hardships, and ₹25,000 as litigation expenditure within four weeks

RGUHS told to re-evaluate answer-scripts of students

TNN | Jan 4, 2019, 09.13 AM IST

BENGALURU: In a relief to a batch of medical and dental students, the high court has directed the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) to undertake revaluation of their answerscripts where the difference in evaluation marks is more than 15 per cent.

Justice Krishna S Dixit gave this direction while disposing of a batch of petitions filed by Dr Menaka Mohan and others.

In the case of under-graduate (UG) students, third valuation has to be done for those answerscripts wherein the difference in marks awarded by two evaluators is over 15 percent of the total marks prescribed for that subject, in terms of the June 15, 2012 ordinance. Fifth valuation is needed in case of post graduate (PG) students if the difference in marks given by four evaluators is 15 per cent or more. PG answerscripts are evaluated by four evaluators.

Four categories of failed students — medical PG students (May-June 2018), medical UG students (June-July 2018), dental PG students (May-June 2018) and dental UG students (June-July 2018) — had approached the court.

பரபரப்பு மருத்துவ ஊழலில் சிக்கிய இந்திய ‘பத்மஸ்ரீ’ மருத்துவர் அமெரிக்காவில் 7 மில். டாலர்கள் பிணையில் விடுதலை

Published : 16 Jan 2019 17:37 IST

பிடிஐ




பிரதிநிதித்துவ படம்.

464 மில்லியன் டாலர்கள் பெறுமான அமெரிக்காவை உலுக்கிய மருத்துவ ஊழல் சதி வழக்கில் சிக்கிய பத்மஸ்ரீ விருது பெற்ற இந்திய மருத்துவர் ராஜேந்திர போத்ரா மிகப்பெரிய, சாதனையான தொகையான 7 மில்லியன் அமெரிக்க டாலர்கள் தொகைப் பிணையில் விடுதலை செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளார்.

அமெரிக்க வரலாற்றில் மிகப்பெரிய மருத்துவ ஊழல் என்று வர்ணிக்கப்படும் 464 மில்லியன் டாலர்கள் ஊழல் சதி வழக்கில் ராஜேந்திர போத்ராவுடன் இன்னும் 5 பேர் குற்றம்சாட்டப்பட்டு வழக்கைச் சந்தித்து வருகின்றனர்.

சுருக்கமான பின்னணி:

இந்த மோசடியினால்தான் ‘ஓபியாய்ட் எபிடெமிக்’ அங்கு உருவானதாக பரபரப்பு குற்றச்சாட்டு எழுந்தது. ஓபியாய்ட் மருந்துகள் என்பது மிதமான வலுவுடன் கூடிய வலிநிவாரணிகளாகும். இது ஆக்ஸிகோடன் என்ற வகையின மருந்தாகும், இது ஆக்ஸிகாண்டின், பெர்கோசெட் என்ற வணிகப் பெயர்களில் விற்கப்படுகிறது. இது ஓபியம் வகை மருந்து என்பதால் டாக்டர்கள் மருந்துச் சீட்டு இல்லாமலும் பெரிய அளவில் விற்றது, கிட்டத்தட்ட போதை மருந்துதான் இது. இதனால் மருத்துவர்கள் பரிந்துரையைம் தாண்டி மக்கள், குறிப்பாக 50 வயதுக்குட்பட்டவர்கள் இதன் போதைக்காக அடிமையாகி பயன்படுத்தி பழக்கத்துக்கு அடிமையானது கிட்டத்தட்ட 90களில் இருந்து தொடங்கியது.

இதனை மருத்துவர்கள் பெரிய அளவில் மக்களுக்கு பரிந்துரை செய்ததில் ஓவர்டோஸ் காரணமாக நிறைய மரணங்கள் ஏற்பட்டன. மூச்சுக்குழல் பிரச்சினை ஏற்பட்டன, காரணம் இது நேரடியாக ‘மெடுல்லா ஆப்ளங்கேட்டாவை’ தாக்கக் கூடியது.

இந்த கொடிய வலிநிவாரணியினால் ஒன்றுக்கும் மேற்பட்ட தலைமுறையினர் அமெரிக்காவில் போதைப்பழக்கத்துக்கு அடிமையாகினர்.. 2010-ம் ஆண்டு அமெரிக்க அரசு மருத்துவர்கள், மருந்து விற்பனையாளர்கள் மீது நடவடிக்கைகளை முடுக்கி விட்டது. 2017 மார்ச்சில் அதிபர் டொனால்ட் ட்ரம்ப் நியூஜெரி கவர்னர் கிறிஸ் கிறிஸ் கிரிஸ்டி தலைமையில் விசாரணை கமிஷன் அமைத்தார். ஆகஸ்ட் 10, 2017-ல் இந்த கமிஷனின் அறிக்கையை ஏற்றுக் கொண்ட ட்ரம்ப் நிர்வாகம், இதனை ‘ஓபியாய்ட் நெருக்கடி நிலை’ என்று அறிவித்தது.

இந்த வழக்கில் தற்போது பயங்கர செல்வாக்குள்ள இந்திய-அமெரிக்க பத்மஸ்ரீ மருத்துவ நிபுணர் ராஜேந்திர போத்ரா சிக்கியுள்ளார், இவருடன் மேலும் 5 பேரும் சிக்கி வழக்குகளை எதிர்கொண்டு வருகின்றனர்.

ராஜேந்திர போத்ராவுக்கு வயது 77. இவரிடம் உள்ள பணத்தை வைத்துக் கொண்டு மனிதர் இந்தியாவுக்கு தப்பி விடுவார் என்று அரசு அச்சப்படுவதற்கு இடையே அமெரிக்க மாவட்ட நீதிபதி ஸ்டீபன் மர்பி சாதனைத் தொகையான 7 மில்லியன் டாலர்கள் தொகைக்கு ஜாமீன் அளித்து விடுவித்துள்ளார்.

புளூம்பீல்ட் ஹில்சைச் சேர்ந்தவரான போத்ரா வீட்டுக்காவலிலிருந்து தற்போது விடுவிக்கப்பட்டு ஜிபிஎஸ் மூலம் கண்காணிக்கப்படுவார். அவர் தன் சொத்துக்கள் விவரங்களை இப்போது வெளியாட்டாக வேண்டிய நிலை ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது. அமெரிக்காவின் வரலாற்றில் மிகப்பெரிய மருத்துவ ஊழலாகப் பார்க்கப்படும் இதில் பிணை பெற்ற இவர் தற்போது 8.5 மில்லியன் டாலர்கள் என்ற தன் ஓய்வுகால கணக்கிலிருந்து இந்தத் தொகையைச் செலுத்தியாக வேண்டும்.

விசாரணைக்கு வந்திருந்த போத்ராவின் மனைவி மற்றும் மகள் தங்களது பாஸ்போர்ட்டுகளை ஒப்படைத்தாக வேண்டும்.

இந்தியாவுடன் போத்ராவுக்கான பிணைப்பு:

இந்தியாவுடன் போத்ராவுக்கு மிகப்பெரிய பிணைப்பு உள்ளது. முதலீடுகள் உள்ளன, ஏகப்பட்ட உறவினர்கள் உள்ளனர். உயர்மட்ட குடியரசு கட்சியின் தொண்டராகவும் செயல்பட்டு நிறைய தொகையினை கட்சிக்காக திரட்டிக் கொடுத்தவர். முன்னாள் அமெரிக்க அதிபர் ஜார்ஜ் எச்.டபிள்யு. புஷ்ஷுக்காக 80களிலும் 90களின் ஆரம்ப காலக்கட்டங்களிலும் நிறைய நிதித் திரட்டிக் கொடுத்துள்ளார்.

அமெரிக்காவில் இவர் தொழில் ரீதியாகச் சாதனைகள் பல புரிந்தாலும் இந்தியாவில் இவர் ஏழைகளுக்காகவும் நோயுற்றவர்களின் நலன்களுக்காகவும் பாடுபட்டதாகக் கூறப்படுகிறது. ஒவ்வொரு ஆண்டும் 8 மாதங்கள் தன் சொந்த செலவில் இந்தியா வந்து எய்ட்ஸ், புகையிலை, மது மற்றும் போதை மருந்து விழிப்புணர்வுப் பிரச்சாரங்களில் சில அமைப்புகளுடன் சேர்ந்து ஈடுபட்டுள்ளார்.

மகாராஷ்ட்ரா லத்தூரில் படுபயங்கர பூகம்பம் ஏற்பட்ட காலத்தில் அங்கு மருத்துவமனைகளை மீண்டும் கட்டித்தருவதற்கு உதவியுள்ளார். இதற்கிடையே போத்ராவின் சொத்துக்கணக்கை வழக்கறிஞர்களால் நிர்ணயிக்க முடியவில்லை... அது 35 மில்லியன் டாலர்களாக இருக்கலாம் என்று மதிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ளது.

அமெரிக்க அட்டர்னி பிராண்டி மெக்மில்லன், போத்ரா பற்றி கூறும்போது, இவருக்கு ரியல் எஸ்டேட் கம்பெனி ஒன்று உள்ளது. இதில் 22 சொத்துக்கள் டெட்ராய்ட் நகரில் மட்டும் உள்ளன. இதில் 2.8 மில்லியன் டாலர்கள் பெறுமான வணிக வளாகங்களும் அடங்கும்.

இந்தச் சொத்துக்குவிப்பு மருத்துவ கிரிமினல் குற்றங்கள் மூலம் சம்பாதிக்கப்பட்டதா என்பதை விசாரணையாளர்கள் தற்போது குடைய ஆரம்ப்பித்துள்ளனர். தற்போது இவரை பிணையில் விடுதலை செய்ததை எதிர்த்து மேல்முறையீடு செய்ய வழக்கறிஞர்கள் பரிசீலித்து வருகின்றனர்.

நோயாளிகளுக்கு தேவையற்ற முதுகு வலி நிவாரணிகளையும் ஊசிமருந்துகளையும் கடுமையான அளவில் பெரிய அளவில் பயன்படுத்தியதாகவும் இதன் மூலம் இவருக்கு ஏகப்பட்ட பணம் கிடைத்ததாகவும் கிரிமினல் சதி வழக்கில் கடந்த மாதம் சிறையில் இருந்தார் என்பது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.