Special tahsildar from Tamil Nadu arrested in kidnap case

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

BENGALURU, JANUARY 20, 2019 00:00 IST

Tahsildar Thomas Pius Arul and his wife G. Aruna Pius

Official is posted in Thoothukudi district of the neighbouring State; victim was the 11-month-old daughter of a labourer-couple based in Bengaluru


The Jnanabharati police have arrested the special tahsildar of Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu and his wife for allegedly paying three men in Bengaluru to kidnap an 11-month-old girl.

On Wednesday, the men kidnapped the toddler with the intention of selling her to tahsildar Thomas Pius Arul, 55, and his wife G. Aruna Pius, 45, for Rs. 2 lakh, said the police, who were able to rescue the baby in Salem and reunite her with her family in Bengaluru the same day.

The three men — Anbu Kumar, 43, who lives in Jnanajyothi Nagar in Mallathahalli, Manjunath, 19, and D. Yogesh Kumar, 21, from KP Agrahara — have also been arrested.

“Anbu Kumar, a local businessman, was an acquaintance of Arul, who asked him to get him a child. Arul told Anbu that he had no children and wanted to adopt one,” said a senior police officer.

Anbu promised to help the couple. He roped in his associates Manjunath and Yogesh.

The trio zeroed in on a labourer couple who had an 11-month-old baby girl, Arnavi Kumari Singh. They approached the parents, allegedly asking them if they were willing to give the baby for adoption. When the couple refused, the trio decided to kidnap the child.

Alerted by neighbours

On Wednesday evening, the parents were preparing to move out of their rented house, and had left their baby alone while they were out searching for a vehicle to transport their belongings to their new home.

The three men allegedly used this opportunity to enter the house and grab the sleeping baby.

One of the neighbours noticed the trio fleeing with the baby on a motorcycle and alerted the parents.

The child’s mother, Rani, 24, filed a complaint with the police and informed them about the offer by the trio. A team led by Inspector V. Shiva Reddy checked CCTV footage from the vicinity, and traced the accused to Omalur in Salem district in Tamil Nadu. They were heading to Thoothukudi to hand over the baby.

Arnavi was reunited with her parents on Wednesday.

Based on the statement of the trio, the police arrested Arul and Aruna on Thursday.

“Anbu and his associates had been given a part of the money as an advance by Arul, who had promised to hand over the rest after getting the baby,” a senior police officer said.

Arul told the police that they were desperate to adopt a child as they had none of their own.

“A team has been sent to Thoothukudi to verify his claim,” the officer added.

Arul told the police that he and his wife were desperate to adopt a child as they had none of their own

BSNL upgrades network

SALEM

UPDATED: JANUARY 20, 2019 03:43 IST

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Salem, has announced commissioning of next generation network technology from January 18 in the following exchanges starting with STD code 0427:

Attayampatty, Elampillai, Karipatti, Mallur, P. Mannarpalayam, Panamarathupatty, Sukkampatti, Thirumalagiri, Veerapandi, Vembadithalam, Kammalapatty, Kootathupatty, Kuppanur, Rakkipatty Thirumanur, Vellakundam, Akkarapalayam, Kullappanaickanoor and Salem Main.

A release said that all the above exchanges will now be added with many rich features giving facelift to landline telephone customers. There is no change in numbering scheme and customers having dynamic locking facility of ISD/STD have to register afresh.

. For clarifications, contact 0427 – 2459000 / 2250000.

PM to inaugurate super speciality block of GRH

STAFF REPORTER

MADURAI, JANUARY 20, 2019 00:00 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Madurai on January 27, 2019, is expected to inaugurate the super-speciality block constructed at Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) under the Prime Minister Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).

The construction of this 320-bedded facility, opposite Anna bus stand, faced a prolonged delay of at least three years, reportedly due to delay by the contractor and subsequent litigations.

While a ‘soft launch’ of outpatient services alone was planned this month before the full-fledged inauguration, officials in GRH said that the plan had been postponed since the entire facility will be inaugurated by the PM. Though specific details of PM’s visit was not yet known, officials said that he was unlikely to visit the facility and instead would inaugurate it from the site for All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Thoppur, where he is laying the foundation stone for the project.

“He is also expected to inaugurate the super-speciality blocks built under PMSSY in Thanjavur and Tirunelveli from here,” a senior official from GRH, said.

The super-speciality block at GRH, which will have high-end treatment facilities in more than ten specialities, also includes an overbridge between the block and the trauma care centre on the opposite side of Panagal Road to swiftly shift patients without needing ambulance.

Inspection begins

STAFF REPORTER

CHENNAI, JANUARY 20, 2019 00:00 IST

Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) began inspection of the stretch from Washermanpet to AG-DMS, the last stretch of phase I. Once CMRS gives its approval, this stretch can be inaugurated.

“The four stations that we inspected so far seem quite fine. There are a few minor issues like installation of sprinklers and some modifications of signage that we have asked them to carry out. We didn’t find any other major issues,” a CMRS official said.

CMRS K.A. Manoharan said he will inspect Washermanpet, Mannady, High Court and Chennai Central Metro stations on Saturday and the remaining like Government Estate, L.I.C and Thousand Lights on Sunday.

Former Director of Public Health passes away at 66

STAFF REPORTER

CHENNAI, JANUARY 20, 2019 00:00 IST

S. Elango

He took up several initiatives for tobacco control

Former Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, S. Elango, died on Saturday after a brief illness. He was 66.

In a career spanning over 30 years, Dr. Elango held various posts in the health department including deputy director of health services, faculty member of Department of Community Medicine, joint director and additional director of public health. He served as the Director of Public Health (DPH) and Preventive Medicine from 2008 to 2010.

After retiring from service in 2010, he worked in the departments of community medicine in private medical colleges. A resident of Dindigul, Dr. Elango was also the president of the Tamil Nadu chapter of Indian Public Health Association.

As the DPH, he had taken up a number of initiatives for tobacco control in the State.

K. Kolandaswamy, Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, recalled that it was during the tenure of Dr. Elango that an initiative to issue birth certificates at the institution for babies born in primary health centres took off.

P. Kuganantham, former city health officer, Chennai Corporation said Dr. Elango handled the 2009 outbreak of H1N1 influeza very well, and is known for his “unbiased” and “bold” expert opinions during public health emergencies.

The last rites will be held at Palayamkottai near Sempatti, Dindigul, on Sunday.

‘Prison officials were aware that five cells were set aside for Sasikala’

S. Vijay Kumar

CHENNAI, JANUARY 20, 2019 00:00 IST

A video grab of Sasikala at the Bengaluru central prison.File photo

Authorised strength of the female barracks with 28 cells was 100 prisoners: report

The committee led by retired IAS officer Vinay Kumar, probing allegations made by the then Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Prisons) D. Roopa about the preferential treatment to Sasikala in Bengaluru central prison, principal among which was that a whole corridor comprising five cells had been blocked for the private use of the aide of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and her relative J. Ilavarasi (who is also serving a term in jail), made enquiries with the then Director-General of Police (Prisons) H.N. Sathyanarayana Rao and other prison officials.

It found that prison officials were aware that four cells (adjacent to the one allotted to Sasikala) were not allotted to anyone else and were used by the duo. Jail officials explained that curtains were provided in the cells used by Sasikala to prevent the entry of cats.

The report said that the authorised strength of the female barracks with 28 cells was 100 prisoners, which meant that an average of four prisoners had to be lodged in each cell.

"When five cells are taken away for two prisoners, the cramping of prisoners in the remaining 23 cells will be much more than the authorised level."

Considering the photographs provided by Ms. Roopa of a pressure cooker and vessels in the cells to allege that a separate kitchen was made available to Sasikala, the committee examined the then Jail Superintendent and others, who maintained that there was no cooking activity and that the cooker was used to store jail food.

However, the committee said the pressure cooker was primarily used to cook food rather than to store it.

"In our visit on 19/07/2017, we had found that the shelves had been emptied out. But one of the members of our team passed his hand on the shelf and found unmistakable traces of turmeric powder. This further raises strong suspicion of cooking in the cell...from the evidence and statements examined above, we get a clear indication of some cooking activity in the group of five cells made available to Sasikala," Mr. Kumar said.

Perusal of files on how special treatment was extended to Sasikala revealed a letter of the then Chief Superintendent of Prisons, which stated that as per the directions of the committal warrant dated 15/02/2017 issued by the court, Sasikala was to be treated as an A-class prisoner.

Since providing such facilities required approval of the government, the Chief Superintendent, after making arrangements meant for A-class prisoners, wrote to the DGP of Prisons for his directions.

During inquiry, the DGP said that he had specifically written in the letter that the conviction of Sasikala fell under the Provisional Rule 459(A)(iii) (a) of the Karnataka Prison Manual, which comprised offences involving elements of cruelty or moral degradation or personal greed.

He had instructed the Chief Superintendent of Prisons to refer the matter to the court.

When the matter was brought to the notice of the court, the XXXVI Additional City Civil & Sessions Judge clarified that no order was issued granting A-class facility to the convict.

Based on this order, he even wrote to the Home Secretary to reject a plea of Sasikala and Ilavarasi seeking A-class treatment.

Strangely, the report said, the facilities already provided were not withdrawn and the convicts continued to enjoy the same.

There was no professional evaluation of the threat perception to justify the claim that five cells and other facilities were provided on the grounds of security.

Serious lapses

Video clips and statements of witnesses showed that Sasikala and Ilavarasi were allowed to wear personal clothes.

"All these facilities were given to Sasikala only on the assumption that the court had agreed to give her Class-A prisoner status...there is no explanation why, consequently, Class-A facilities, which could not be given formally, were actually continued by non-withdrawal. In my view, this is a serious lapse," Mr. Kumar said.

The committee, which inquired into footage showing Sasikala and Ilavarasi walking into the prison with bags, said that the prison records had noted that they had gone to meet visitors.

However, there was a gross mismatch in the timing of their departure and arrival on CCTV footage when compared to the daily report of the Chief Superintendent.

"This can only be explained as deliberate misreporting on the part of the concerned prison officials to escape falling within the prohibition of Rule 601 of the Karnataka Prison Manual, 1978.

In other words, it is a case of falsification of records," he said.

On the allegations that undertrial prisoners were deployed to assist Abdul Karim Telgi, convicted in the fake stamp paper case, the committee found that there was a clear violation of the law.

Providing undertrial prisoners to convicted prisoner Telgi could derive no support either from the Karnataka prison manual or the directions of the Karnataka High Court. The Karnataka Prisons Act, 1963, had clearly laid down that "unconvicted criminal prisoners shall be kept apart from convicted criminal prisoners."

Special facilities

However, the special facilities were not withdrawn, the report said adding that going by CCTV footage it was evident that the four attendants (undertrial prisoners) were actually serving the physical comfort of Telgi.

Video clips also showed that Telgi’s cell looked like a proper room with a cot, bedding, television, table and chairs.

According to police sources, the scope of inquiry of the Vinay Kumar committee was limited to irregularities in the Bengaluru central prison.

Allegations of bribery would be investigated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, which has already registered a case against top prison officials and others, they said.

Mr. Kumar was assisted by senior IPS officer S. Ravi, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crimes), Bengaluru, and Chief Superintendent of Mysuru Central Prison P.V. Anand Reddy in the inquiry.

All these facilities were given to Sasikala only on the assumption that the court had agreed to give her Class-A prisoner status...

Newborn receives pacemaker at ICH

STAFF REPORTER

CHENNAI, JANUARY 20, 2019 00:00 IST

A team of doctors performed the surgery on January 12 at ICH.File photo

First in government sector in the State, say doctors

A baby, less than a month old, has received a pacemaker for a complete congenital heart block at the Institute of Child Health (ICH) and Hospital for Children. Doctors say this is the first neonate to get a pacemaker implanted by a public sector hospital in the State.

It was during the eighth month of pregnancy that Kasturi, 27, a resident of Harur, was told that the foetus had a low heart rate. The next few weeks were filled with anxious moments for Kasturi and her husband, Kuppusamy, an agricultural labourer.

“Doctors told us it was better to wait and watch how the baby comes through with the low heart rate. But he cried as soon as he was born like a normal newborn, was active and feeding well. However, his heart rate continued to be low,” the mother said. Delivered through a caesarean section on December 25 at a private hospital in Harur, the baby weighed 2.8 kg at birth. His heart rate was 50 beats per minute as against the normal heart rate for a newborn, doctors said. The baby was referred to the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College and Hospital, Salem, and subsequently sent to ICH.

“A newborn should have a heart rate of 120-140. This baby had 50 beats per minute. The low heart rate was due to a heart block,” Dr. A.T. Arasar Seeralar, director of ICH, said.

A team of doctors headed by G.K. Jaikaran, head, Paediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, ICH performed the surgery on January 12. The procedure was covered under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, he added.

A permanent solution

Doctors said the baby would require a revision of the pacemaker after eight to 10 years. C.N. Kamalarathnam, professor and head, Neonatology, ICH, said they initially suspected that the mother could have an autoimmune disease, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

“But she did not suffer from SLE. The baby had normal heart structure with a heart rate that remained less than 55/minute. This was an important indicator for implanting a pacemaker. Medical management could act as a stop-gap measure but the baby required a permanent solution,” he explained.

Council o Architecture TOI 20.01.2019

JEE (M) results out in 7 days, 15 candidates score 100 percentile

Manash.Gohain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:20.01.2019

The results for Joint Entrance Examination – Main 1 (JEE-main 1) were declared in a record time of seven days on Saturday.

The computer-based test was held on January 12 and the scheduled date for results as announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA) earlier was January 31. The examination was completely glitch free and despite the inclement weather and the board exams scheduled in February, 94.1% of the 9.29 lakh registered aspirants appeared for the tests.

Fifteen candidates are in the 100 percentile category (100 NTA score). In fact, a total of 8,816 candidates were in the 99-100 percentile category.

The percentile system was introduced in JEE because the test was spread over five days and 10 sessions.

The results of paper-II (for architecture courses) will be announced later.

This is the first time the exams have been completely conducted on computers and it will also be the first time that aspirants unhappy with their scores have a second shot at improving them in April, 2019.

While declaring the results, NTA announced the individual percentile of the candidate and has not ranked the students. According to NTA, “The ranks of the candidates will be released taking into consideration better of the two NTA scores of all candidates appearing in January 2019 and April 2019 examinations. The final merit list will be declared only after the conduct of the JEE – main 2 in April, 2019”.

Students appeared for the computer-based test on January 12

Next online application for JEE Main 2 from Feb 8

Among the candidates who secured 100 NTA score, four are from Telangana, three from Maharashtra, two from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, and one each from Punjab, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

NTA scores are normalized scores across multi session papers and are based on the relative performance of all those who appeared for the examination in one session.

The marks obtained are converted into a scale ranging from 100 to 0 for each session of examinees.

According to NTA officials, the merit list or the ranks will be calculated based on the performances of candidates from both the January and April exam.

“The topper(s) will be the one who scored 100 percentile overall. In case of a tie, the 100 percentile of the individual subjects in the order of physics, chemistry and mathematics will determine the ranks followed by the least negative marking received.

“In case of tie even after this, the older candidate will be given priority in the ranking,” said a senior NTA official.

The next online application process for JEE – Main 2 shall start from February 8, 2019 and shall remain open till March 7, 2019.

The uploading of images and payment of the application fee will be upto March 8, 2019. The examination will be conducted in computer-based-test mode between April 6 and 20, 2019.

9 law univ staff face FIR over fake degrees to 188 students

Ramendra.Singh@timesgroup.com

Bhopal:20.01.2019

A probe committee, headed by a retired judge, has recommended FIR against nine professors and nonteaching staff of National Law Institute University (NLIU) in Bhopal for allegedly helping students get fake degrees.

The panel has also showcaused six others — both teaching and non-teaching staff — to explain why disciplinary action shouldn’t be initiated against them.

It’s a shameful first for any national law university. The Justice A K Gohil panel presented its investigation report to the general council on Saturday in the presence of Chief Justice of MP high court Sanjay Kumar Seth, state advocate general Rajendra Tiwari, law minister P C Sharma, higher education minister Jeetu Patwari and VC of NLSIU-Bengaluru Venkat Rao.

TOI has a copy of the probe report, which says a nexus between certain professors and non-teaching staff at NLIU manipulated marks and helped failed students receive fake degrees from 1998 to 2013.

In all, the committee found that a whopping 188 failed students were given degrees, and has recommended stern action against 101 of them whose case is of “serious nature”.

For full report, www.toi.in

Govt sacks 2 PNB executive directors in Nirav Modi case

Axed For Not Exercizing Proper Control Of Ops

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai:20.01.2019

Two executive directors of Punjab National Bank have been dismissed by the government for not exercising proper control of operations leading to the ₹14,000-crore

Nirav Modi

scam which came to light in January 2018.

Of the two, K Veera Brahmaji Rao has been sacked just days ahead of his retirement on January 22. Sanjiv Sharan is due to retire in May 2019.

The government had showcaused the two, asking why they should not be removed for “failing in exercising proper control over the functioning of PNB while serving as its Executive Director, which enabled the fraud through misuse of SWIFT at the bank’s Brady House branch” in Mumbai.

The notification is subject to the outcome of a writ petition filed by Rao in the Delhi HC.

Rao was appointed executive director in January 2014, before which he was with Vijaya Bank. In PNB, he was responsible for multiple divisions, including risk management, treasury and operations. Sharan was general manager with PNB before being elevated as executive director on September 2016.

Former PNB deputy manager Gokulnath Shetty, a prime accused in the scam, had confessed to misusing the bank’s SWIFT messaging system to issue unauthorized bank guarantees since 2011. Investigating agencies have said that lapses by successive management enabled the fraud to continue.

In August 2018, the government had sacked former PNB CEO Usha Ananthasubramanian in the Modi scam. She was dismissed on her last day in office, which she was serving as MD and CEO of Allahabad Bank. According to bankers, the government appears to be sending out a message that it is taking a tough stance by not allowing the senior executives to retire. The CBI has filed a chargesheet in the investigation and is currently probing senior executives.

On Friday, the RBI governor spoke about the need to improve corporate governance in banks. “Incidence of financial frauds in recent times further underscores the significance of sound corporate governance standards in banks. The government, the Bank Board Bureau and the Reserve Bank are currently engaged in developing an objective framework for performance evaluation and this should redefine the contours of corporate governance in the public sector banks with a focus on transparency, accountability and skills,” he said.

K Veera Brahmaji Rao has been sacked just days ahead of his retirement on January 22. Sanjiv Sharan is due to retire in May 2019. Investigating agencies have said that lapses by successive management enabled the fraud to co

Canadian gets back lost passport in hrs

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:20.01.2019

A 30-year-old Canadian tourist who lost his passport and mobile phone in a call-taxi got them back within hours, thanks to the city police.

David Andrew Taller, of Toronto, Ontario in Canada, arrived in Mumbai on January 1 on a tourist visa and flew into Chennai on Saturday around 5am. He booked a taxi to a hotel near Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT).

After he got off the taxi, he realised he left his mobile phone and passport on the car seat and approached the Koyambedu police. CMBT sub-inspector Deepa who was on duty got in touch with the taxi driver and according to her instructions, the cab driver returned the valuables to personnel at the Koyambedu station around 9am. The police personnel handed over the valuables to Taller.

Taller had planned to stay in Chennai for a couple of days, visit Mamallapuram, before travelling further south to Madurai and Kanyakumari.

City police commissioner A K Viswanathan appreciated the swift action of police and the team which helped the foreigner has been called to receive a special reward from the top brass of the city police.

1 LAKH JOBS EXPECTED

TN unveils startup policy, to establish ₹250cr corpus fund

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 20.01.2019

A day after the state cabinet gave its nod for a startup and incubation policy, the government on Saturday said a startup fund with a corpus of ₹250 crore would be set up.

The corpus will be used for assisting start-up businesses. According to the policy, a first tranche of ₹25 crore will be allotted in the 2019-20 state budget. “Called Tamil Nadu Startup Fund, it will be managed by a professional agency, like the Small Industries Development Bank of India. It will be registered as an alternative investment fund (AIF) under Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) regulation, 2012,” it said. The policy aims at nurturing 5,000 technology stratups and envisages creating 1,00,000 jobs, direct and indirect, in the startup ecosystem.

The money available in the fund will be invested in other AIFs registered under Sebi for investment in startups and MSMEs established in the state. The state government will invest ₹75 crore in the fund.

Apart from this, a Tamil Nadu Startup Seed Grant Fund (TNSSGF) of ₹50 crore with an allotment of ₹5 crore in the first year shall be created, in agreement with financial institutions and universities for early stage financing through grants, for research and innovation.

The TNSSGF would also fund Idea-to-PoC (proof of concept) stages and state and central public sector undertakings (PSUs) will be encouraged to adopt incubators and channelize their corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds.

“An entity will be recognised as a startup if it fulfils certain conditions. It must be registered in the state and under the Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission, companies and partnerships must have completed 7 years in existence and in case of start-ups in the biotechnology, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) sectors, the period shall be up to 10 years from the date of its incorporation/ registration; if its turnover for any of the financial years since incorporation/ registration has not exceeded ₹25 crore,” said the policy.

PIL challenges Anna varsity’s new exam regulations

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:20.01.2019

A day after students across the city staged protests against the new exam regulations introduced by Anna University, an activist approached the Madras high court seeking to declare the rules illegal and void.

K M Karthik, an activist and former lecturer, wanted the court to pass an interim order against the operation of the rules till the final disposal of the plea.

Admitting the plea, a special division bench of Justice M Sathyanarayanan and Justice P Rajamanickam ordered notice to the university returnable by February 8.

According to the petitioner, the new regulation has forced the students to wait for more than a year to reappear for their backlog, which in turn has affected their placement prospects and higher studies aspirations.

The regulation allows students who had flunked exams in their odd semester exams (1,3,5 and 7 held in November) to take their arrears only next November and in March-April for even semester exams, Karthik said.

“No supplementary exam can be conducted soon after the results are out. The regulations also restrict the number of courses for which a student can reappear in a particular year. Students usually study five or six subjects (worth three or four credit points) per semester along with two lab courses (worth two credit points),” he added. A student can register for a maximum of 32 credits per semester. Of this, current semester courses consume 22 credits leaving students with just 10 for reappearance. This would mean a student can reappear for just three papers at a time.

Petitioner K M Karthik wanted the court to pass an interim order against the operation of the rules till the final disposal of the plea

Thousands of taxpayers get notices for minor defaults
I-T Officials Now Have Target For Serving Notices

Lubna.Kably@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:20.01.2019

Mridula stood shivering outside a magistrate’s court in Mumbai. It wasn’t the drop in temperature, but the thought that she could land in jail owing to a rigorous Income Tax provision, which did not look into the severity of her tax default, that led her to draw her shawl more tightly around her. She had defaulted by 30-odd days on depositing TDS collected from her employees’ salary.

Her two-year-old content company, which manages websites of several small business entities, has six full-time employees and deals with freelancers when there is a spike in work. Mridula was shocked to get a notice from the I-T department saying: ‘To show-cause why prosecution under section 276B, read with section 278B of the I-T Act, should not be launched.’ The sections deal with failure to deposit TDS with government, and the imprisonment ranges from three months to a maximum of seven years.

According to Mridula (name and some details changed to protect identity), only four of her employees earned salaries above the exemption limit of ₹2.5 lakh, and the delayed TDS (an insignificant sum) had been deposited by her with the government within the financial year.

In addition, details of chairman, managing director and directors were sought.

Meant primarily to tackle the menace of black money, I-T officials have lately been using the punitive provisions widely. TOI has examined many such notices issued over the past several months. According to a collation of RTI replies, the number of notices served to taxpayers in 2018 runs into thousands.

To shore up revenue, Sushil Chandra, chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), in a recent letter to his cadres (reported by TOI on January 6) called for filing of prosecution against persons wilfully evading payment of outstanding taxes and for ‘substantial’ defaults in remitting TDS to government. CBDT’s action plan has also given targets to I-T officials for serving prosecution notices for TDS defaults.

Even salaried employees have been served notices for delay or non-filing of I-T returns, states K Shivaram, senior advocate and past president of All India Federation of Tax Practitioners (AIFTP).

‘Taxpayers given very short period to respond’

A meet Patel, a CA and chairperson of the taxation committee at the Bombay Chartered Accountants’ Society (BCAS), states, “For the smallest of defaults like late payment of TDS, late payment of self-assessment tax, delayed or non-filing of tax returns (including TDS returns), taxpayers are issued showcause notices asking why prosecution proceedings should not be launched. Even a mere nonfiling of appeal against any addition to income or disallowance of expenditure made during assessment is a ground for launching prosecution. Further, taxpayers are given a very short period within which to respond.”

Recently, BCAS, IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and a few other CA associations across India filed a representation with revenue secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey protesting against the use of prosecution provisions in a mechanical manner, with minor mistakes treated as major offences at par with large-scale evasion).

They have said these actions vitiate the promise of a non-adversarial tax regime. Even as many other steps (such as e-assessment or speedy refunds) have been taken to benefit taxpayers, the spate of prosecution notices sends a bad signal, say tax experts.

An I-T official explains the taxpayer must promptly respond to any notice, explaining reasons for default. If there is a ‘reasonable cause,’ say, for failure to deposit TDS, Section 278AA of the Act provides punishment shall not be imposed.

The official agrees that the term ‘reasonable cause’ is not defined, but instances such as illness of self or close kin and financial difficulties, if supported by evidence, could be accepted. In several instances, the I-T commissioner grants sanction totheI-Tofficer tolaunch prosecution proceedings and the officer files a complaint with the small causes court.

“If the ‘defaulting’ taxpayer is a company, proceedings are launched on the company and all directors, including foreign directors, professional (independent) directors and the principal officer,” says Patel.

“Once prosecution is launched, taxpayers have to appear from time to time before the magistrate court. It takes years for matters to reach the final hearing stage. Magistrate courts are not able to deal with a number of matters filed indiscriminately. In many cases, penalty has been deleted by the I-T appellate tribunal or by high courts, yet the matter is not discharged,” states K Shivaram.

Full report on www.toi.in

ஆங்கில​ம் அறிவோமே 248: சோதனை மேல் சோதனை முயற்சி!

Published : 15 Jan 2019 10:06 IST

ஜி.எஸ்.எஸ்.




கேட்டாரே ஒரு கேள்வி

“Butter இல்லாத ஒன்றுக்கு buttermilk என்ற பெயர் ஏன்? Sweet எதுவும் வைக்கப்படாத அல்லது இனிக்காத ஒன்றை sweetbread என்று அழைப்பது ஏன்?”.

நன்றாய்க் கேட்டீர்கள் நண்பரே. பதிலுக்கு “வாழை மரம் என்று மரமல்லாத ஒன்றை நாம் குறிப்பிடுவது ஏன்? Dry-cleaning என்பது உண்மையில் உலர் சலவை இல்லையே!” என்று கேட்கத் தோன்றுகிறது.

இந்த இடத்தில் பொருத்தமில்லாத பெயர்கொண்ட வேறொன்றையும் பார்க்கலாம். “Ten-gallon hat-ல் எவ்வளவு தண்ணீர் நிரப்பலாம்?” என்று கேட்டால் “பத்து கேலன்” என்று கூறக் கூடாது. கெளபாய் தொப்பி என்பார்களே ‘ஜேம்ஸ்பாண்ட் ஜெய்சங்கர்’ அணிந்த தொப்பி) அதுபோன்றதுதான் Ten-gallon hat. இந்தப் பெயரின் பின்னணி கொள்ளளவு தொடர்பானது அல்ல. ஸ்பானிஷ் மொழியில் Un sombrero tan galan என்பதற்கான பொருள் ‘என்னவொரு அழகான தொப்பி’ என்பதுதான். இதிலிருந்தே Ten-gallon hat உருவானது.

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Poncho என்பதும், Raincoat என்பதும் ஒன்றுதானே எனக் கேட்டிருக்கிறார் வாசகர் ஒருவர்.

உடலை வெப்பமாக வைத்துக் கொள்வதற்காக வெளியில் அணியப்படும் ஒருவித ஆடையே Poncho. இது பொதுவாக லூசாக இருக்கும். Rain Poncho என்பது மழைக்கோட்டுதான். ஆனால், எளிமையானது. பெரும்பாலும் ஒளி ஊடுருவும் (Transparent) தன்மை கொண்டதாக இது இருக்கும்.

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‘Right & left’ என்ற phrase-க்கு என்ன பொருள்?

“இடமும் வலமுமாக” என்பதல்ல. “எல்லாப் பக்கங்களிலும் அல்லது எல்லா இடங்களிலும்” என்றுதான் அதற்குப் பொருள்.

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Vendor என்று பல நிறுவனங்களில் குறிப்பிடு கிறார்களே அவர் யார்?

எதையோ விற்பவரை vendor என்பார்கள். Street Vendor, Vegetable Vendor, Fruit Vendor. Vendor என்பவர் தனி நபராகத்தான் இருக்க வேண்டும் என்பதில்லை. எதையோ விற்கும் ஒரு நிறுவனமாகவும் இருக்கலாம்.

சிப்ஸ்

# குழந்தை அழும்போது அதன் வாயில் nipple போன்ற ரப்பரை வைப்போமே அதை ஆங்கிலத்தில் எப்படிக் குறிப்பிட வேண்டும்?

Pacifier.

# Stow என்றால்?

பொருட்களை அழகாகவும் சீராகவும் ஓரிடத்தில் அடுக்கி வைப்பதைத்தான் stow செய்வது என்பார்கள். We began stowing our luggage into the boot (காரின் பின்புறம் சாமான்களை வைக்கும் பகுதிகளை டிக்கி என்று சொல்வோமே, அதுதான் boot!).

# Tentative என்றால் தற்காலிகமாக எனலாமா?

சோதனை முயற்சியாக என்பது மேலும் பொருத்தம்.

ஆங்கிலம் அறிவோமே-246-ல் கேட்கப்பட்ட புதிர் போட்டிக்கான சரியான விடைகள்

1. ஆமோதிப்பு – S (Yes)

2. ஜப்பானிய நாணயம் – N (Yen)

3. கட்டுப்பாடுக்கு எடுத்துக்காட்டு – Q (Queue)

4. ஒருவகைப் பூச்சி – B (Bee)

5. நீங்களும், நானும் இணைந்தால் - V (We)

6. ஒரு கேள்விச் சொல் – Y (Why)

7. ஒரு நிரலாக்க மொழி – C (Computer Programming)

8. இந்தத் தானத்தில் இலங்கை முன்னணியில் இருக்கிறது – I (Eye)

9. என்னோடு நீ இருந்தால் உன்னோடு நான் இருப்பேன். – I (ஐ-திரைப்படத்தில் இடம் பெற்ற பாட்டு )

10. முன்னாள் – X (Ex)

11. தமிழக்கு ஐயா. வட இந்தியருக்கு? – G (Ji)

12. உருளை வடிவத்தில் உள்ள பருப்பு வகை – P (Pea)

13. சுனாமியின் தாயகம் - C (Sea)

14. எந்த எழுத்துக்குப் புற்றுநோய் வர வாய்ப்பு அதிகம்? – C (BD (பிடி)-க்கு நடுவே உள்ளது

15. எந்த எழுத்துக்குக் கண்கள் களைப்படைய வாய்ப்பு உண்டு. - U (T,V-க்கு நடுவே உள்ளது).

சரியான விடை அளித்தவர்களின் பெயர்கள் அடுத்த வாரம்

தொடர்புக்கு: aruncharanya@gmail.com | ஓவியம்: வெங்கி

புத்தகத் திருவிழாவில் சினிமா தொடர்பாக எதை வாங்கலாம்? 3- எம்.ஜி.ஆர் திரைப்படங்களில் போர்க்கலைகள்

Published : 17 Jan 2019 20:08 IST

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'விசாரணை' படத்தின் மூலக்கதை வடிவமான 'லாக்கப்' நாவல் மூலம் கவனத்தை ஈர்த்த மு.சந்திரகுமார் எழுதியுள்ள நூல் எம்.ஜி.ஆர் திரைப்படங்களில் போர்க்கலைகள். டிஸ்கவரி புக் பேலஸ் பதிப்பகம் சார்பில் வேடியப்பன் பதிப்பித்துள்ளார்.

புரூஸ்லி, ஜாக்கிசான், ஜெட்லி, டோனிஜா போன்ற கலைஞர்கள் குங்ஃபூ கலைக்கும் சீனத் திரைப்படக் கலைக்கும் செய்திருக்கும் பங்களிப்புக்குச் சமமாக தமிழ் சினிமாவில் பங்களிப்பு செய்த கலைஞர் யார்? தமிழர்களின் போர்க்கலைகளை தமிழ்த் திரைப்படம் எந்த அளவு பதிவு செய்துள்ளது? என்ற இரண்டு கேள்விகளுக்கும் எம்.ஜி.ஆர். என்பது மட்டுமே பதிலாக உள்ளது.

நூற்றாண்டு கண்ட தமிழ் சினிமாவில் சண்டைக்கலை குறித்து ஆய்வு செய்தால் மரபார்ந்த போர்க்கலையை ஆகச் சிறப்பாகப் பயன்படுத்திய ஒப்பற்ற கலைஞராக எம்.ஜி.ஆர்.திகழ்கிறார் என்பதை மு.சந்திரகுமார் சான்றுகளுடன் நிறுவும் விதம் மலைக்க வைக்கிறது. எம்.ஜி.ஆர் நடிப்பில் அதிகம் பார்த்து ரசித்த படங்களில் பயன்படுத்தப்பட்ட சண்டைக் காட்சிகளின் நுட்பம் வியக்க வைக்கிறது. அதனால்தான் 'மலைக்கள்ளன்' படத்தின் கலை கலாச்சாரத்துக்காக குடியரசுத் தலைவர் விருது கிடைத்துள்ளது.

உண்மையில் எம்.ஜி.ஆர் நடிப்புலகில் ஒரு மேடை நாடகத்தில் அழும் சிறுவனாகத்தான் அறிமுகம் ஆனார். அடித்ததால் அழுது நடிக்க வேண்டிய சூழலுக்குத் தள்ளப்பட்டார். நடனமே வராது போய்விடு என்று விரட்டியடிக்கப்பட்ட பிறகு, நடிப்பு, வசனம், போர்க்கலையில் கவனம் செலுத்தி தனித்த ஆளுமையாக தன்னை வளர்த்தெடுத்துக் கொண்டார். நடித்த நேரங்கள் போக மீதமுள்ள நேரங்களில் ஆயுதக் கலைகளைப் பயின்றதன் மூலம் போர்க் கலைஞராக எம்.ஜி.ஆர் ஜொலித்த ரகசியத்தையும் இந்நூல் விவரிக்கிறது.

சாகச நாயகனாக எம்.ஜி.ஆர் தன்னை முன்னிறுத்தும் தருணங்களில் கூட நம்பமுடியாத சண்டைக்காட்சிகளில் நடிக்க ஒப்புக்கொண்டதே இல்லை என்பதையும், என்னால் செய்ய முடியாத காட்சிக்கு டூப் போடலாம். செய்ய முடிந்த காட்சிக்கு ஏன் டூப் போட வேண்டும் என்று கேள்வி எழுப்பியவர் எம்.ஜி.ஆர் என்பதையும் இந்த நூலைப் படிக்கும்போது தெரிந்துகொள்ள முடிகிறது.

120க்கும் மேற்பட்ட படங்களில் நாயகனாக நடித்த எம்.ஜி.ஆர் ஒரு படத்தில் கூட ஆயுதமற்ற எதிரியை ஆயுதத்துடன் எதிர்கொண்டதில்லை, எந்த எதிரியையும் பின்புறம் இருந்து அவர் தாக்கியதில்லை, பெண்களை வாடி போடி என்று விளித்தது இல்லை என்று படிக்கிற போது அவர் பிம்பத்தின் மீதான மரியாதை கூடுகிறது. எதிரி ஆயுதத்தை இழந்துவிட்டால் தன் ஆயுதத்தை விட்டெறிந்துவிட்டும் அல்லது எதிரிக்கு ஒரு ஆயுதத்தைக் கொடுத்தும் சண்டை செய்யும் தமிழ் மரபுப் போர் புரிந்த வீரன் எம்.ஜி.ஆர் என்பதை திரைப்படங்களின் காட்சி ரீதியாக விளக்கும் விதம் நெகிழ வைக்கிறது.

எம்.ஜி.ஆர் திரைப்படங்களில் இருக்கும் சண்டைக்காட்சிகள் தனித்துவமானவை. சிலம்பு, மாடி, இரட்டைக் கம்பு, அலுமினியப் பைப்பில் சண்டை என தமிழர்களின் பாரம்பரியக் கலைகளை சினிமாவில் பயன்படுத்திய பெருமை எம்.ஜி.ஆரையே சாரும்.

பெரிய இடத்துப் பெண் திரைப்படத்தில் இரட்டைக் கம்பு (ஆஃப் ஸ்டிக்) சண்டைக் காட்சி, தாய்க்குப் பின் தாரம் படத்தில் உழவுக்காட்டில் எம்.ஜி.ஆர் போடும் நீள் அடிக்கம்பு சண்டைக் காட்சி, மாட்டுக்கார வேலன் படத்தில் மாட்டுக்குக் கட்டும் பித்தளை சலங்கைகள் கோர்த்திருக்கும் எடை மிக்க பெல்ட்டை லாவகமாகச் சுழற்றும் சண்டைக் காட்சி, அதே படத்தின் இறுதிக் காட்சியில் இரும்புக் குழாய்களைப் பயன்படுத்திப் போடும் சண்டைக் காட்சி, விவசாயி திரைப்படத்தில் மூங்கில் கழிகொண்டு எம்.ஜி.ஆரும்- நம்பியாரும் போடும் சண்டைக் காட்சி, உரிமைக்குரல் படத்தில் ஏர் கலப்பையைக் கொண்டு எதிரிகளைப் பந்தாடும் சண்டைக் காட்சி, உழைக்கும் கரங்கள் படத்தில் கம்பு சுழற்றும் காட்சி, சக்கரவர்த்தி திருமகள் மல்யுத்தக் காட்சி, ஆயிரத்தில் ஒருவன், மீனவ நண்பன், மதுரையை மீட்ட சுந்தர பாண்டியன், நாடோடி மன்னன் என்று ஏராளமான படங்களில் நீள் கத்தி சண்டைக் காட்சி என 20க்கும் மேற்பட்ட படங்களில் எம்.ஜி.ஆரின் சண்டைக்காட்சிகளை ஆய்வுப்பூர்வமாகவும் நுட்பமாகவும் அணுகி அலசி இருக்கிறார் மு.சந்திரகுமார்.

தமிழ் திரைப்படங்களில் சண்டைக் கலையின் மகத்துவம் குறித்து அறிந்துகொள்ள நினைப்பவர்கள், சண்டைக் கலைஞர்களின் உன்னதத்தை தெரிந்துகொள்ள விரும்புபவர்கள், வாசகர்கள் என யாவரும் எம்.ஜி.ஆர் திரைப்படங்களில் போர்க்கலைகள் நூலை விரும்பி வாசிக்கலாம்.

நூல்: எம்.ஜி.ஆர் திரைப்படங்களில் போர்க்கலைகள்

ஆசிரியர்: மு.சந்திரகுமார்

விலை: ரூ.100

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83 ஆண்டுகளாக 'மட்டன் பிரியாணி' பிரசாதம்: வரும் 25-ம் தேதி திருவிழாவுக்காக மதுரை பக்தர்கள் காத்திருப்பு

Published : 18 Jan 2019 16:57 IST

கடந்த ஆண்டு முனிஸ்வரர் கோயிலில் பக்தர்களுக்காக விடிவிடிய மட்டன் பிரியாணி சமைக்கப்பட்ட காட்சி

கடந்த 83 ஆண்டுகளாகப் பக்தர்களுக்கு மட்டன் பிரியாணி பிரசாதமாக மதுரை அருகே ஒரு கோயிலில் வழங்கப்பட்டு வருகிறது. இந்தக் கோயிலின் திருவிழா வரும் 25-ம் தேதி நடைபெற உள்ளதால், பக்தர்கள் பிரியாணிக்கு ஆவலுடன் காத்திருக்கின்றனர்.

மதுரை மாவட்டம், திருமங்கலம் தாலுக்காவில் உள்ள வடக்கம்பட்டி கிராமத்தில் உள்ள முனீஸ்வரன் கோயிலில் இந்தத் திருவிழா ஆண்டுதோறும் ஜனவரி 25-ம் தேதி நடக்கிறது. மதுரையில் இருந்து 45 கி.மீ. தொலைவிலும், விருதுநகரில் இருந்து 20 கி.மீ. தொலைவிலும் வடக்கம்பட்டி அமைந்துள்ளது.

இந்தக் கோயிலில் சாமி தரிசனம் செய்ய வரும் பக்தர்கள் மட்டுமின்றி, திருவிழா அன்று சாலையில் செல்லும் அனைவருக்கும் மட்டன் பிரியாணி பிரசாதமாக வரும் 25-ம் தேதி வழங்கப்படும்.

வடக்கம்பட்டி கிராமத்தில் 3 நாட்கள் முனியாண்டி சாமி கோயிலில் நடத்தப்படும் இந்தத் திருவிழாவில் 2 ஆயிரம் கிலோ அரிசி, ஆட்டிறைச்சி பிரியாணியாக இரவு பகலாகச் செய்யப்பட்டு பக்தர்களுக்குப் பரிமாறப்படும்.

இதுகுறித்து கோயிலின் நிர்வாகக் கமிட்டி உறுப்பினர் என். முனீஸ்வரன் கூறுகையில், ''திருவிழா அன்று 50க்கும் மேற்பட்ட பெரிய பாத்திரங்களில் இரவு முழுவதும் பிரியாணி சமைக்கப்பட்டு அதிகாலை 4 மணிக்கு முனீஸ்வரருக்கு படைக்கப்படும். அதன்பின் காலை 5 மணி முதல் பக்தர்களுக்கு காலை உணவாகப் பிரியாணி வழங்கப்படும்.

பிரியாணியை காலை உணவாகச் சாப்பிடுவதே தனிச்சிறப்புதான். எந்த விதமான வேறுபாடும் இன்றி இந்தக் கோயிலுக்கு வருபவர்கள் மட்டுமின்றி, சாலையில் செல்லும் யார் வேண்டுமானாலும் பிரியாணி சாப்பிடலாம். பாத்திரங்களில் வாங்கிச் செல்லலாம். அன்றைய தினம் அனைத்து வயதினரும் அமர்ந்து இங்கு சாப்பிடுவதைக் காணலாம். மக்கள் மட்டுமல்ல, முனியாண்டி சாமியே பிரியாணிப் பிரியர். கடந்த ஆண்டு நாங்கள் 200 ஆடுகள், 250 சேவல்கள், 1,800 கிலோ அரிசி ஆகியவை சேர்த்து பிரியாணி செய்தோம். இந்த ஆண்டு இதைக் காட்டிலும் அதிகரிக்கும்.

வடக்கம்பட்டியில் உள்ள அனைத்து மக்களும் பிரியாணிப் பிரியர்கள். மதுரையில் உள்ள ஸ்ரீமுனியாண்டி விலாஸ் ஹோட்டல் கடந்த 70களில் தொடங்கப்பட்டது. இந்தக் கடையின் பெயரில் தென்னிந்தியா முழுவதும் ஆயிரம் கடைகள் இருக்கின்றன. முதன் முதலாக முனியாண்டி விலாஸ் ஹோட்டல் எங்கள் கிராமத்தைச் சேர்ந்த எஸ்விஎஸ் சுப்பா நாயுடு என்பவர் தொடங்கினார். அவரின் முயற்சியால் இந்தத் திருவிழா நடந்து வருகிறது.

அதன்பின் எங்கள் குடும்பத்தைச் சேர்ந்தவர்கள், நண்பர்கள் எனப் பலரும் முனியாண்டி விலாஸ் கடையைத் தொடங்கினார்கள். மதுரை என்ற அடைமொழியோடு தொடங்கி நடத்திவருவதால், அனைவரும் சேர்ந்து இந்தத் திருவிழாவை நடத்துகிறோம்''.

இவ்வாறு முனீஸ்வரன் தெரிவித்தார்.

வரவிருக்கும் விசேஷங்கள்
ஜனவரி 21 (தி) தைப்பூசம்

ஜனவரி 26 (ச) இந்திய குடியரசு தினம்

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வேலம்மாள் மருத்துவமனையில் சிறப்பு மருத்துவ முகாம்

Added : ஜன 19, 2019 02:30

மதுரை, மதுரை வேலம்மாள் மருத்துவமனையில் ஜன., 31 வரை புதிய நோயாளிகளுக்கான சிறப்பு மருத்துவ முகாம் 4வது தளம் சூப்பர் ஸ்பெஷாலிட்டி பிரிவில் நடக்கிறது.முகாமில் இருதயம், மூளை நரம்பியல், சிறுநீரகவியல், ஜீரண மண்டலம், எலும்பியல் வல்லுனர்கள் மற்றும் மகளிர் சிறப்பு புற்றுநோய் நிபுணர்கள் சிகிச்சை அளிக்கின்றனர். பிற மருத்துவமனைகளில் சிகிச்சை பெற்றவர்கள் இதில் பங்கேற்று சந்தேகங்களை நிவர்த்தி செய்து கொள்ளலாம். பதிவு கட்டணத்தில் 50 சதவீதம் மற்றும் லேப், ரேடியாலஜி பரிசோதனைக்கு 10 சதவீதம் தள்ளுபடி உண்டு. இம்மருத்துவமனை டாக்டர்கள் இதுவரை 15 ஆயிரம் ஆஞ்சியோ, 2500 இருதய அறுவை சிகிச்சை, கல்லீரல், சிறுநீரக மாற்று அறுவை சிகிச்சை செய்துள்ளனர். மருத்துவ முகாம் நேரம்: காலை 8:00 மணி - பகல் 1:00 மணி, மாலை 6:00 மணி - இரவு 8:00 மணி. தொடர்புக்கு: 97872 14441.

டாக்டர்களின் மருத்துவ பதிவு சரிபார்க்க சுகாதார துறை உத்தரவு

Added : ஜன 19, 2019 01:49


மருத்துவர்கள் பதிவை, இம்மாத இறுதிக்குள் சரிபார்த்துக் கொள்வது கட்டாயம் என, சுகாதாரத் துறை உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.இந்திய மருத்துவக் கவுன்சில் விதிமுறைகளின் படி, அலோபதி மருத்துவம் பயின்று, மருத்துவ சேவை புரிவோர், கவுன்சிலில் பதிவு செய்வது கட்டாயம். இதற்கு, பிரத்யேக பதிவு எண் வழங்கப்படுகிறது. போலி மருத்துவர்கள், மருத்துவர்களின் நிபுணத்துவம் உள்ளிட்ட பல்வேறு தகவல்களை பெற, இப்பதிவு மேற்கொள்ளப்படுகிறது.தமிழகத்தில், மாநில மருத்துவக் கவுன்சில், மருத்துவர்களின் அனைத்து தகவல்களையும் பாதுகாத்து வருகிறது. 

இந்நிலையில், 'அனைத்து அரசு, தனியார் மருத்துவர்கள், தங்களது பதிவை, அந்தந்த மாநில மருத்துவக் கவுன்சிலில் சரிபார்த்துக் கொள்ள வேண்டும்' என, இந்திய மருத்துவக் கவுன்சில் உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.சுகாதார துறை அதிகாரிகள் கூறியதாவது:மருத்துவக் கவுன்சிலின் உத்தரவுப்படி, டாக்டர்கள் தங்களது பதிவை உறுதிப்படுத்திக் கொள்ள அறிவுறுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது. இதன்படி, இந்திய மருத்துவக் கவுன்சிலில் பதிவு செய்துள்ள அனைத்து மருத்துவர்களும், இம்மாத இறுதிக்குள், அனைத்து தகவல்களையும் சரிபார்க்க வேண்டும்.போலி மருத்துவர்களை கண்டறியவும், நோயாளி, டாக்டர் விகிதாசாரத்தை கணக்கிடவும் இந்த உத்தரவு வழங்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.இவ்வாறு அவர்கள் கூறினர். - நமது நிருபர் -

ஓய்வூதியர்கள் இணையதளம் துணை முதல்வர் துவக்கி வைப்பு

Added : ஜன 18, 2019 23:13

சென்னை, தமிழக அரசின் கருவூல கணக்கு ஆணையரகம் மற்றும் தேசிய தகவல் மையம் இணைந்து உருவாக்கியுள்ள, ஓய்வூதியர்கள் இணைய தளத்தை, துணை முதல்வர் பன்னீர்செல்வம், நேற்று தலைமைச் செயலகத்தில், துவக்கி வைத்தார்.ஓய்வூதியர்கள் மற்றும் குடும்ப ஓய்வூதியர்கள், தாங்கள் ஓய்வூதியம் பெற்ற விபரங்கள்; உயர்த்தி வழங்கப்பட்ட குடும்ப ஓய்வூதியம்; ஓய்வூதிய நிலுவைகள்; மாதாந்திர ஓய்வூதியம்; ஓய்வூதிய பணப்பயன்கள், வங்கியில் வரவு வைக்கப்பட்டது போன்ற விபரங்களை, கம்ப்யூட்டர் வழியே அறிந்து கொள்வதற்காக, இந்த இணையதளம் உருவாக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.இதன் வழியே, ஓய்வூதியர் வாழ்நாள் சான்று அளித்த விபரம்; 80 வயதிற்கு மேற்பட்ட ஓய்வூதியர்களுக்கு பெறப்படும், கூடுதல் ஓய்வூதியம்; ஓய்வூதியர் வாரிசுதாரர் நியமனம்; பண்டிகை முன்பணம் போன்ற விபரங்களையும், பதிவிறக்கம் செய்து கொள்ளலாம்.இது தவிர, அரசாணைகள், சுற்றறிக்கைள், ஓய்வூதியர்களுக்கு தேவையான முக்கியப் படிவங்கள் அளிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. இதன் முகவரி, https://tnpensioner.tn.gov.in . இதன் வழியே, தமிழக அரசின், 7.30 லட்சம் ஓய்வூதியர்கள் பயன்பெறுவர்.இணையதளம் துவக்க நிகழ்ச்சியில், நிதித்துறை கூடுதல் செயலர், சண்முகம், கருவூல கணக்குத் துறை முதன்மைச்செயலர், ஜவகர் கலந்து கொண்டனர்.

தலையங்கம்

3–வது அணி உருவாகிறதா?



அடுத்த 3 மாதங்களில் நாடாளுமன்ற தேர்தலை எதிர்நோக்கியுள்ள நிலையில், கடந்த மாதமே கூட்டணி தொடர்பான முயற்சிகள் அனைத்து அரசியல் கட்சிகளிடையேயும் வேகம் எடுத்துவிட்டது.

ஜனவரி 19 2019, 04:00

அடுத்த 3 மாதங்களில் நாடாளுமன்ற தேர்தலை எதிர்நோக்கியுள்ள நிலையில், கடந்த மாதமே கூட்டணி தொடர்பான முயற்சிகள் அனைத்து அரசியல் கட்சிகளிடையேயும் வேகம் எடுத்துவிட்டது. பா.ஜ.க. ஒரு அணியாகவும், காங்கிரஸ் ஒரு அணியாகவும் இருக்கும் என்று எதிர்பார்த்துக்கொண்டிருந்த நிலையில், காங்கிரஸ் அல்லாத பா.ஜ.க. அல்லாத 3–வது அணி உருவாகும் நிலையும் உத்தரபிரதேசத்தில் அமைந்துவிட்டது. அரசியலில் எதிரிக்கு எதிரி நண்பன் என்பார்கள். அதுபோல நிரந்தர நண்பர்களும் இல்லை, நிரந்தர எதிரிகளும் இல்லை என்பார்கள். அந்த வழக்கு மொழிகளெல்லாம் உத்தரபிரதேசத்தில் புதிதாக மலர்ந்துள்ள சமாஜ்வாடி கட்சி–பகுஜன் சமாஜ் கட்சி உறவில் நிரூபணமாகிவிட்டது. கடந்த 25 ஆண்டுகளாக எதிரும் புதிருமாக இருந்த மாயாவதியின் பகுஜன் சமாஜ் கட்சியும், முலாயம்சிங் யாதவின் மகன் முன்னாள் உத்தரபிரதேச முதல்–மந்திரி அகிலேஷ் யாதவின் தலைமையில் தற்போது இயங்கிவரும் சமாஜ்வாடி கட்சியும் கூட்டணி வைத்திருக்கிறது. எங்களுக்குள் இருந்த 25 ஆண்டு விரோதம் நாங்கள் இருவரும் ஒன்றாக உட்கார்ந்து பேசிய 25 நிமிடத்தில் போய்விட்டது என்று அகிலேஷ் யாதவ் கூறியுள்ளார். 80 நாடாளுமன்ற தொகுதிகளைக்கொண்ட உத்தரபிரதேசத்தில் இரு கட்சிகளும் தலா 38 இடங்களில் போட்டியிடுவது என்றும், மீதமுள்ள 4 இடங்களில் 2 இடங்களை அஜித்சிங்கின் ராஷ்டிரிய லோக்தளம் கட்சிக்கு ஒதுக்குவது என்றும் முடிவெடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. மீதம் இருப்பது சோனியா காந்தி போட்டியிடும் ரேபரேலி தொகுதியும், ராகுல் காந்தி போட்டியிடும் அமேதி தொகுதியும்தான். இந்த இரு தொகுதிகளிலும் வேட்பாளர்களை நிறுத்துவது இல்லை என்று இரு தலைவர்களும் முடிவெடுத்துள்ளனர்.

இதை அரசியல் நாகரிகம் என்று கருதி பாராட்டுவதா அல்லது சோனியா காந்திக்கும், ராகுல் காந்திக்கும் எதிரான ஓட்டுக்கள் சிதறிவிடக்கூடாது, காங்கிரசுக்கும்–பா.ஜ.க.வுக்கும் நேரடியாக போட்டி நடக்கட்டும் என்று நினைக்கும் அரசியல் சாதுரியமா? என்பதுதான் புரியாத புதிராக இருக்கிறது. ஆக, உத்தரபிரதேசத்தில் நாடாளுமன்ற தேர்தலில் மும்முனை போட்டி என்பது உறுதியாகிவிட்டது. இதேநிலை பீகாரிலும் தொடருமா? என்றநிலை இந்த கூட்டணி உருவான அடுத்தநாளே ஏற்பட்டுவிட்டது. இந்தக்கூட்டணிக்கு ஆதரவாக லாலு பிரசாத் யாதவின் ராஷ்டிரிய ஜனதாதள கட்சியும் களம் இறங்கியிருக்கிறது. இந்தக்கட்சியின் தலைவரான தேஜஷ்வி யாதவ் உத்தரபிரதேசத்துக்கு சென்று மாயாவதியையும், அகிலேஷ் யாதவையும் சந்தித்து பேசியிருக்கிறார். அவர்களுக்கு வாழ்த்தும் கூறியிருக்கிறார். இந்தக் கூட்டணி உத்தரபிரதேசத்தில் பா.ஜ.க.வை முற்றிலுமாக இல்லாமல் செய்துவிடும்.

இதுமட்டுமல்லாமல், நாட்டின் மற்ற பகுதிகளுக்கும் ஒருவழியை காட்டிவிட்டது. இந்தக்கூட்டணி உத்தரபிரதேசத்தில் வெல்லும், நாங்கள் பீகாரில் வெல்வோம், எங்கள் கட்சி தொண்டர்கள் உத்தரபிரதேசத்தில் இந்தக்கூட்டணிக்கு ஆதரவாக இருப்பார்கள். உத்தரபிரதேசத்தில் 80 தொகுதிகளும், பீகாரில் 40 தொகுதிகளும், ஜார்கண்ட்டில் 14 தொகுதிகளும், ஆக மொத்தம் 134 தொகுதிகளில் பா.ஜ.க. 100 தொகுதிகளுக்குமேல் இழக்கும் என்று தேஜஷ்வி யாதவ் கூறியிருக்கிறார். இதே 134 தொகுதிகளில் 2014 தேர்தலில் 105 இடங்களில் வெற்றிபெற்ற பா.ஜ.க.வுக்கு இந்தக் கூட்டணி நிச்சயமாக ஒரு சவாலாகத்தான் இருக்கும். இதேபோல பா.ஜ.க. அல்லாத, காங்கிரஸ் அல்லாத கட்சிகளைக்கொண்ட 3–வது அணி தேசிய அளவிலோ, மாநிலங்கள் அளவிலோ உருவாகுமா? என்பது இந்த மாதத்துக்குள் தெரிந்துவிடும்.

Coimbatore: Bypass surgery sans blood transfusion done in Kovai

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | LAKSHMI L LUND

PublishedJan 19, 2019, 2:01 am IST

39-year-old patient is Jehovah’s Witness by faith.

The 39-year old patient of Jehovah's Witnesses who recently underwent the off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedure with the team of doctors at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital. (Image DC)

Coimbatore: A 39-year-old male patient of Jehovah's Witnesses, who was diagnosed with 'non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction called NSTEMI, which is a type of heart attack, recently successfully underwent coronary bypass surgery without undergoing blood transfusion.

The total arterial revascularisation procedure was performed on the patient without the use of leg veins at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital, the hospital said in a statement here on Friday.

Cardiac catheterisation revealed that the patient suffered multi-vessel coronary artery disease for which coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedure was advised. Some centers refused to operate upon the 39-year-old man because of his refusal to undergo blood transfusion.

At the Ramakrishna hospital, off-pump CABG was performed. “His anti-platelets were stopped five days prior to surgery and he underwent CABG under general anesthesia. Pre-operatively, 250 ml of autologous blood was collected in a blood bag. Bone wax was used after sternotomy to minimize bleeding. Bilateral internal mammary artery was harvested and two drains were placed. Post-operative bleeding was minimal and his course of recovery in the hospital was uneventful,” a source from the hospital said.

Chennai: Mushrooming complexes and multiplexes add to traffic woes

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | F. MALISE CHRISTINA & W. ROSHNI GRACE

PublishedJan 19, 2019, 6:48 am IST

Due to lack of proper parking facilities, cab and auto drivers park vehicles alongside the shopping malls that add to the traffic woes.

Several autos and share autos line up near a mall in Chennai. (Image DC)

Chennai: Despite Chennai city traffic police keeping an eye on city roads and the corporation initiating new flyovers, traffic congestion continues to frustrate the motorists at important intersections.

The mushrooming shopping centres and multiplexes being launched in the city have neglected to manage the huge number of vehicles swarming them. Due to lack of proper parking facilities, cab and auto drivers park vehicles alongside the shopping malls that add to the traffic woes.

Various stretches such as 100 ft Road in Vadapalani, Whites Road, Mount Poonamallee High Road in Porur, GST road in Chromepet, Jawaharlal Nehru Road in Thirumangalam and Royappettah tower clock are some of the most congested areas during the peak hours, thanks to the shopping malls in the neighbourhood.

The traffic near the malls and multiplexes has not only created a nuisance to the motorists, but also creates a great difficulty for the ambulances to get through from the hospital in vicinity of these complexes.

"Lack of parking facilities and one-way route related problems worsen the traffic as there are no dividers. There is no signal at these junctions and it takes more that 20-30 minutes to pass by the shopping complexes," says Dev Prasad, a regular commuter from Thirumangalam.

Unruly parking of cabs and autos outside these complexes is the main reason behind this traffic. Despite the actions taken by the police and mall security, the drivers continue to pick and drop passengers in their vehicles in front of the malls.

The multiplex authorities state that the picking and dropping of customers were kept in mind and facilities made accordingly. However the auto and cab drivers tend to stop at the gates to save their time.

Ambulance drivers of the nearby hospitals also blame cabs and autos for delayed service near various junctions, as the traffic congestion takes long to clear.

"Most of those drivers tell that it's difficult for them to go inside the malls just to drop their customers or wait for 5-10 minutes to pick them up not understanding the trouble it causes," said a mall security in Vadapalani.

"Taxi drivers make lame excuses skipping the proper parking directive mainly laid for taxis. The customers must also feel responsible and must make sure that they take their cabs according to the directions laid by the mall management and thereby reducing the traffic created," he added.

When contacted, traffic police expressed their helplessness to regulate traffic during peak hours near the commercial establishments.

"App based cab aggregators add to the problem as they wait for their customers at least for 3-5 minutes near the shopping complexes. They can be given space to wait in the front portion of the mall, which is otherwise used for decorations and other purposes, while cabs and autos stand in queue on the main road causing traffic congestion," said a traffic police officer.

He added that during the peak time, a traffic cop is put on duty to regulate the traffic near these malls, but it is these establishments that can bring up a solution to the problem.

Passengers suffer at Bengaluru Airport for three hours as Air India flight crew's duty hours end

Passengers, including many infants and foreigners, were stranded at Kempe Gowda International Airport (KIA) for over three hours and finally reached Male 10 hours behind schedule.

Published: 19th January 2019 12:00 AM |

Image of an Air India flight used for representational purpose (File Photo | Reuters)By Arockiaraj Johnbosco & S Lalitha

Express News Service

BENGALURU: A large number of the 161 passengers on board an Air India flight heading to Male from New Delhi via Thiruvananthapuram ended up midway in Bengaluru after a delayed departure from Thiruvananthapuram.

The reason: pilots and co-pilots needed to wind up their duty in accordance with the specific duty hours fixed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

Passengers, including many infants and foreigners, were stranded at Kempe Gowda International Airport (KIA) for over three hours and finally reached Male 10 hours behind schedule.


Passengers told 'Express' the pilot stood along with the cabin crew when they were entering the flight at Thiruvananthapuram and informed them that the flight was heading to Bengaluru not Male. They were then assured that a flight from Bengaluru will take them to Male within half-an-hour.

Explaining the chaos, an Air India spokesperson said the intense fog at New Delhi airport was the real culprit.

"Due to foggy conditions, flight No 263, left New Delhi only at 7.20 am instead of 5.50 am. Hence it reached Thiruvananthapuram late."

Due to Flight Data Time Limit rules, a pilot can only fly eight-nine hours.

"It was decided to divert the flight to Bengaluru so that the crew on board could be replaced with a new team," the spokesperson said.

However, since new crew members were not available immediately, passengers had to wait at KIA, he said.

"Air India took good care of its passengers by giving them snacks and refreshments," the spokesperson claimed.

But stranded passengers were not so happy about the delay. Subash Fernando, an exporter of vegetables and fruits to Male from Thiruvananthapuram, was agitated as he missed a scheduled meeting.

"While some passengers were informed that the flight that it would be diverted to Bengaluru, I was not even told that. In knew it only when the pilot announced through in-flight PA system," he said.

There was a lot of commotion but the cabin crew assured them that it would be just a half-an-hour delay.

"To our shock, crew did not change immediately at Bengaluru. Instead, we were all deboarded," he added.

Anna University officials to decide on arrear system in 10 days

Nearly 200 engineering students gathered outside Anna University Guindy campus on Friday to protest against the current arrears system which allows them to retake an exam only after a year’s time.

Published: 19th January 2019 03:36 AM 

Students allege that the situation is complicated as they are allowed to take only three arrears in one semester. | EPS

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Nearly 200 engineering students gathered outside Anna University Guindy campus on Friday to protest against the current arrears system which allows them to retake an exam only after a year’s time.
Students ended their protest after the Registrar J Kumar and other officials from the university promised to take action after consulting the committees concerned. They informed the students that they will upload any changes in the current system within 10 days.

As per the current regulations in place, a student who has failed in an exam during an odd or even semester can attend the arrear exam only in the next odd or even semester. Students said this rule which was introduced in 2017 is extremely problematic as they need to study for ongoing exams along with arrear exam portions at the same time.

According to the credit system in place, a student will not be able to attend more than three arrear exams in a year. “We don’t remember what was taught to us after a year. Also, we have to retake model exams, internal tests for that subject along with the main arrear exam. Even when we went for counselling in Anna University, they did not inform us about this change. If they had told us we would not have taken up engineering at all,” said Vignesh G, a student from an affiliated college.


Students from engineering colleges affiliated to Anna University staged similar protests across the State in Vellore, Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli, Madurai, Tiruchy and Coimbatore.

Though the practice of allowing students to write arrear exams after six months time is followed in other varsities like Madras University, officials from Anna University said a credit-based arrear system in place allows students to fare better in academics. “If students properly look up our website and go through our curriculum, they will understand that this is indeed beneficial for them. Individuals cannot take up any independent decision. UGC and AICTE members need to be consulted regarding this,” the Registrar said.

Odd or even semester
As per the current regulations, a student who has failed in an exam during an odd or even semester can attend the arrear exam only in the next odd or even semester

More than 200 students protest in Tiruchy

Tiruchy: Around 200 students staged a protest here on Friday against arrear system imposed by Anna University. “It is like taking the whole course again. This semester was unbearable, having to study for two more papers (in their case) every month for the internals,” said a SRM TRP Engineering College student. A teaching staff with the Anna University BIT campus said, “The amendment gives a shot to secure first class, even if they clear arrears after course completion. But these positive features may only be of use to bright students who failed due to unforeseen circumstances, not for someone actually finding subjects difficult and failed.”

Salem students picket collectorate

Salem: More than 100 students from various engineering colleges picketed Salem Collectorate against the new regulations of Anna University, pertaining to arrears. Speaking to media persons, the students said that the change will greatly affect their future. It does not even exempt those who are unable to write exams due to poor health conditions, they said, adding that students would not be able to complete their course within a period of four years. Police held peace talks with them and dispersed the crowd.

Arrears and results: All you need to know about Anna University students' protest

What is R2017 and why do students believe it is curbing their chance of finding jobs?

Published: 18th January 2019 02:56 PM 

Students allege that the situation is complicated as they are allowed to take only three arrears in one semester. | EPS
By Online Desk

More than 500 students gathered outside the Anna University (AU) campus in Chennai on Friday to protest and condemn its new regulation. Many of them were seen holding a placard that said BanR2017. It was also the most widely used hashtag on Twitter by students from AU or ones studying in colleges affiliated to AU. Furthermore, hundreds of students participated in the protests in various parts of the state, with the slogan 'BanR2017".

What does BanR2017 mean?

R2017 refers to the resolution passed by AU in 2017 which brought in some significant changes to the arrear system, the number of credits one can score in a semester etc. Though students have been very much against the regulation and have been vocal about wanting it removed, the semester exam results announced earlier this week added more fuel to the fire.

What is Regulation 2017?

Until the regulation came into play, if one fails in a subject this semester, he/she can appear for the same in the next semester. But this regulation prohibits one from doing that, and a student has to wait for one full year before appearing again for the failed subject.

In other words, a subject you failed in during the even semester can only be cleared during the next even semester only. This means students who are in their final year will have to wait one full year before they can clear their arrears and start looking for jobs. This move has added burden to engineering students for whom the job market is very weak, and has led to an increase in the unemployment rate.

Hundreds of #AnnaUniversity students across #TamilNadu are protesting against the university to ban the new arrear system, which allows them to retake exam only a year after. #banR2017 #Regulation2017 

Anna University students protest against new arrear system
The New Indian Express @NewIndianXpress


Condemning the new arrear system, hundreds of students are holding a statewide protest to ban the new rule.
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Besides, students also believe that waiting one full year before appearing for an exam also decreases their chances of clearing the paper, as they move on to other subjects in the new academic year.

The resolution has also brought in some changes to the number of credits one can avail during a particular semester. One subject usually carries 3-4 credits. Earlier, there were no restrictions on the number of credits one can acquire during the year. The new resolution allows a student only up to 36 credits per semester including both the current year and arrear papers.




For instance, if a student has six arrears, he or she may not be able to apply for more than three arrears in the semester, making it even more problematic for someone to finish their degree and graduate.

It is important to note that after the re-evaluation scam, AU has brought in stringent measures to prevent malpractices during the exam. Many students protesting also complained that strict evaluation practices adopted by the AU after the scam have contributed to the poor results.

Chennai woman knocked down by juvenile driver dies

A 55-year-old woman, who was knocked down by a car driven by a minor on Wednesday, succumbed to injuries on Friday.

Published: 19th January 2019 04:36 AM

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: A 55-year-old woman, who was knocked down by a car driven by a minor on Wednesday, succumbed to injuries on Friday. The incident happened at Royapuram. Four juveniles were on a fun trip in a car, borrowed by one of the boys’ from his mother, when they knocked down fish vendor V Nirmala.

The accident happened on East Kalmandapam Road on January 16. She was flung onto the road and sustained injuries. She had been admitted to Government Stanley Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries, a police official said.

Kasimedu traffic investigation unit has registered a case. The car was driven by a 17-year-old schoolboy from Mannadi. Preliminary investigation revealed that his friend’s mother had borrowed the car from a woman in Bengaluru a few days prior to the accident.

The boys had taken the car out for a spin and wanted to just drive around the locality, according to a police statement. Police said they have booked the woman who borrowed the car. “She will be arrested once she returns from Bengaluru,” a police officer said.

Flight services suspended for over one hour on Friday (small but important)

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

BENGALURU, JANUARY 19, 2019 00:00 IST

Flight services suspended for an hour

For the second consecutive day, poor visibility led to suspension of flight operations on Friday at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). Hundreds of passengers were stranded for hours at the airport, and the delay affected flight schedules. Operations were suspended from 5.44 a.m. to 6.49 a.m. hitting 45 departures and 21 arrivals. One cargo carrier was diverted to Chennai. A release from the BIAL stated that visibility standby was declared from 3.33 a.m. to 9.32 a.m. On Thursday, operations were suspended twice due to fog.

Varsity notice draws flak for ‘unreasonable restrictions’

Rishikesh Bahadur Desai

BELAGAVI, JANUARY 19, 2019 00:00 IST

A file photo of the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University.NONE

It prohibits boys from visiting girls in hostels

An order issued by Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University authorities in Bidar to ensure “discipline” among students by prohibiting boys from visiting girls in hostels or even moving around the city has caused a controversy.

The notice, issued by the chief warden, states that “many girl students are found along with boys paired in the evening hours” within the campus and in the city.

It says that this conveys “a wrong message” and will invite disciplinary action. “It is once again informed to students to maintain discipline and sanctity,” said the notice.

Copies of the notice have been widely shared on social media inviting comments that the university is placing “unreasonable restrictions” on students.

“This is outrageous,” wrote a former student on a social media platform run by veterinary graduates in government service. “Millennials are responsible and studious. They can not be punished for talking to friends or walking with girls. This should be withdrawn,” he said.

Shivasharan Yalagod, president of the Association of Government Veterinarians, also condemned the notice, saying the university had no power to impose reasonable restrictions or try to control students outside its campus.

However, Yashwant Kumar, director of student welfare, said: “This was done for the protection of students. Their protection and welfare is our responsibility. We don’t want the students, especially girls to get into trouble. That is why we are imposing these restrictions.”

He said that some time ago, some girls had gone for a walk on the Outer Ring Road that borders the Jamistanpur jungle near the college at around midnight and a police officer asked them to get back to college. “We don’t want any such incidents to recur. Hence the order,” he said.

Vice-Chancellor V. Narayan Swamy, admitted that the order sounded a bit harsh, but was not done with any bad intention.

“Our students are thinking adults and we cannot impose any unreasonable restrictions on them... I have spoken to senior officials about the order and there is no need for the students to panic. The order need not be construed as an unreasonable restriction,” he added.

Special trains for Thai Poosam

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

JANUARY 19, 2019 00:00 IST

Special trains for Thai Poosam

The Southern Railway has proposed to run express special train on Sunday (January 20) and Monday (January 21) between Madurai and Palani in view of Thai Poosam festival at Dhandayuthapani Swami Temple at Palani.

Madurai - Palani express special train will leave Madurai at 8.45 a.m. and reach Palani at 11.15 a.m. and in return direction, Palani - Madurai express special train will leave Palani at 8 p.m. and reach Madurai at 10.15 p.m. These trains will halt at Sholavandan, Kodaikanal Road, Dindigul and Oddanchatram, a statement said.

Train No. 56723/56722 Madurai - Rameswaram - Madurai passenger train will run upto Mandapam on Saturday instead of Ramanathapuram as announced earlier.

Submit applications for Amma Two-wheeler Scheme by Jan. 25

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

VIRUDHUNAGAR, JANUARY 19, 2019 00:00 IST

Applications seeking subsidy under Amma Two -wheeler Scheme for working women for the year 2018-19 should be submitted at the municipal, town panchayat and Block Development Offices by 5 p.m. on January 25 in person or through registered post. A release said that 2,790 beneficiaries -- 1,411 women in urban areas and 1,379 in rural areas -- in Virudhunagar would get subsidy of a maximum of Rs. 25,000 or 50% of the two-wheeler cost for the year 2018-19.

While 21% has been reserved for Adi Dravidas, 1% has been reserved for scheduled tribes and 4% for differently-abled.

Women working in organised and unorganised sectors, employed in shops and establishments, self employed women, Government aided and private organisations, social organisation, banking correspondents, banking facilitators and ASHA workers were eligible under the scheme.

The women, who have passed or failed in 8th class, in the age group of 18 to 40 years and have a valid driving licence and a family annual income of up to Rs. 2.50 lakh were eligible, the Collector, A. Sivagnanam, said in the statement.

Working women from remote areas without adequate transport facilities, tribes, from the poor families headed by women, destitute women, destitute widows, differently-abled women and unmarried women of 35 years and above, transgenders and Adi-Dravida women would get priority in getting the subsidy, the statement added.

Two-wheelers of 125 cc capacity without gear or auto-gear and manufactured after January 1, 2018 are eligible for the subsidy.

Applicants should submit copies of age proof, nativity certificate, driving licence, voter ID, house tax receipt and electricity connection receipt, income certificate from the employer and self-attested income certificate, certificate for educational qualification, Aadhar ard, passport-size photographs, proof for getting priority and quotation/pro forma invoice for two-wheeler.

Redeployment of teachers criticised

STAFF REPORTER

MADURAI, JANUARY 19, 2019 00:00 IST

Members of JACTTO - GEO staging a demonstration in Madurai on Friday.S. James

Hundreds of members of Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers’ Organisations and Government Employees Organisations (JACTTO-GEO) staged a demonstration here on Friday against School Education Department’s move to redeploy secondary grade teachers to kindergarten classes.

Stating that the move would be equivalent to demotion of these teachers, the protesters, majority of whom were women, urged the government to drop the move and instead recruit teachers for the kindergarten.

K. Neethiraja, district coordinator, JACTTO-GEO, said that there were thousands of qualified personnel trained on Montessori method of education, who are unemployed. “They could be provided employment instead of demoting teachers,” he said.

S. Jeyarajarajeswaran, another functionary with JACTTO-GEO, alleged that the ulterior motive of the government was to close down hundreds of schools and anganwadis and promote English as the medium of instruction instead of Tamil.

Stating that the teachers were refusing to accept the redeployment orders, he said that the issue would be a key demand during the indefinite strike called by JACTTO-GEO from January 22, 2019.

Students protest Anna varsity regulations

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI/VELLORE, JANUARY 19, 2019 00:00 IST

Up in arms:Students protesting against rules that allow them to reappear for an exam only after a year.R. Ravindran

The 2017 norms make exams more difficult to crack

Scores of students gathered outside Anna University on Friday demanding that the University withdraw the regulations it introduced in 2017.

The students were protesting against the regulations, after they found that they made examinations more difficult. Many of them had failed in the November-December 2017 semester exams, the results of which were published on Monday evening. A second-year student from a college in Vellore, with a score of 850 in Class XII, failed in the math paper in the third semester. “Usually only mathematics 1 and 2 papers, that we take in the first year, are tough. Math 3 is generally easy, but this time it was very tough,” he said.

“Since we can take only 24 credits, we will have only 12 credits in hand to accommodate arrears. If we fail in three or more subjects, how will we write all the exams, as we are given only three additional years to complete the programme?” he asked.

A drastic fall

According to him, in his college, the number of students who have passed all subjects in a year has fallen drastically under the new regulations. “This year, only 10 students have cleared all papers. Earlier, at least 100 students would have passed in all subjects,” he added.

Teachers from the affiliated colleges said fewer students had passed mathematics this semester. A teacher from a Coimbatore-based college said: “In the latest odd semester (3rd semester), compared to last year, there was a 15% drop in pass percentage in all math papers. Some students who are considered good have also failed.”

“The questions were of the B.Sc. Math level, which are difficult even for teachers to solve. A good student who can solve the entire paper would need four hours,” said a Chennai college teacher.

The affected students have also taken to social media, demanding a return to earlier norms. In Vellore, students from eight colleges submitted a petition to the District Collector.

‘Class of 69’ to visit MMC

STAFF REPORTER

CHENNAI, JANUARY 19, 2019 00:00 IST

The “Class of 69” will be visiting their alma mater, Madras Medical College (MMC), on January 20. Batchmates from all over the world are expected to take part in the reunion.

This was the MBBS batch that joined MMC in 1969. They have planned a visit to the Red Fort that earlier housed the Department of Anatomy on the MMC campus. They will be honouring professors on the occasion. The batch has contributed towards setting up of an e-library, a release said. Many from the batch have national and international achievements to their credit.

High Court orders job for pregnant woman

Legal Correspondent

CHENNAI, JANUARY 19, 2019 00:00 IST

Asks TNUSRB to frame suitable guidelines

The Madras High Court has directed Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board (TNUSRB) to frame guidelines for the benefit of women candidates who may not be in a position to compete with others in the recruitment process due to pregnancy or other physiological issues such as menstruation.

Justice S. Vimala issued the direction in a judgment delivered just days before her retirement. She allowed a writ petition filed by R. Devika who was denied the job of a Grade II police constable last year because she took 0.30 seconds more to complete a 100 metre sprint than the stipulated time of 17.50 seconds.

Pointing out that the petitioner was pregnant by eight weeks on the day of the physical endurance test and therefore she could not be expected to compete with others, the judge said, it was unfair to expect a pregnant woman to compete with other women. Women in need of special care must be provided special treatment, she added.

The judge referred to the special provisions provided by Delhi city police for pregnant women as well as those undergoing the period of menstruation and directed TNUSRB also to frame similar guidelines for future recruitments. In so far as the present petitioner was concerned, the judge ordered that she should be recruited with all attendant benefits.

Appreciating the petitioner, the judge said: “Pregnancy and child birth should not be considered as impediment for discharge of duty. The concession given to pregnant women should not be construed as a concession towards personal comfort of the women. Child birth should be considered as a contribution to continuity of generations without which the existence of the world is impossible.”

Govt. launches portal for pensioners

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI, JANUARY 19, 2019 00:00 IST

A pensioners’ portal, jointly developed by the Department of Treasuries and Accounts and National Informatics Centre was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam in the Secretariat here on Friday.

From the portal https://tnpensioner.tn.gov.in, details of monthly pension credited into the bank accounts, restoration of commuted value of pension, enhanced family pension, pension arrears can be accessed without approaching the Treasury/Pension Pay Office.

Pensioners can also download the details of submission of life certificate, additional entitlement for pensioners aged above 80 years, pension details for income tax purpose, nomination details and deduction made towards festival advance, new health insurance scheme and family security fund by entering their pension pay order number.

Government orders, clarifications, circulars and important forms regarding pensioners and their family are available on the portal.

Cabinet lays down ground rules for setting up pvt. universities

T. RAMAKRISHNAN

CHENNAI, JANUARY 19, 2019 00:00 IST

CM Palaniswami chairing a Cabinet meeting at the Secretariat on Friday.Special Arrangement

Prospective institutions should have 100 acres of land and a corpus of Rs. 50 crore

The State Cabinet has decided to lay down prerequisites for the establishment of private universities.

Those proposing to set up such institutions should have 100 acres of land and a corpus of Rs. 50 crore. This was decided at a meeting of the Cabinet on Friday, according to a source in the government. Last year, the Assembly gave approval for the formation of two private universities, one by SSN Trust and another by Sai Education, Medical, Research and Charitable Trust.

Industrial projects

Besides, the Cabinet gave its nod for 11 proposals of industrial projects, which would attract a total investment of Rs. 15,000 crore. Proponents of the projects and the government would enter into memoranda of understanding at the Global Investors’ Meet (GIM) next week.

With regard to the manufacturing sector alone, the Cabinet, in the last one month, approved projects, estimated to cost totally around Rs. 65,000 crore for getting subsidies. A senior government official said that the total number of MOUs to be signed at the GIM covering the manufacturing sector and other sectors is likely to be in the range of 150 to 200.

As for the political nature of deliberations, another source says that all Ministers have been advised to ensure that booth-level committees are in place in view of the coming Lok Sabha elections.

Will wear helmet, min tells court
Madurai:19.01.2019

The Madurai bench of the Madras high court on Friday disposed of a petition against health and family welfare minister, C Vijayabaskar after he submitted an affidavit before it stating that he would not ride a motorcycle without helmet.

A division bench of justice K K Sasidharan and justice P D Audikesavalu had earlier taken cognisance of the photographs of the minister riding a two-wheeler without helmet and sought an affidavit from him after orally observing that safety applies even to the health minister. The court directions were in response to a petition filed by social activist ‘Traffic’ Ramasamy two months ago seeking action against the minister for violating court directions.

Ramasamy stated in his petition that the minister violated court orders. TNN