தெருக் குழந்தைகளின் நரக வாழ்க்கை!

By ரமாமணி சுந்தர் | Published on : 02nd March 2019 01:19 AM |

உலகில் சுமார் 12 கோடி குழந்தைகள் வீடுகள் இன்றி தெருக்களில் வசிக்கிறார்கள் என்று கூறப்படுகிறது. உலகிலேயே அதிக எண்ணிக்கையில் தெருக் குழந்தைகள் வாழும் நாடு என்ற அவப்பெயரை இந்தியா பெற்றுள்ளது.

மும்பை, கொல்கத்தா, தில்லி, சென்னை, கான்பூர், ஹைதராபாத், பெங்களூரு போன்ற பெரிய நகரங்களில் தெருக் குழந்தைகள் அதிகமாகக் காணப்படுகிறார்கள். தெருக் குழந்தைகள் என்று பொதுவாக அழைக்கப்பட்டாலும் நடைபாதைகள் மட்டுமல்லாமல், ரயில் நிலையங்கள், பேருந்து நிறுத்தங்கள், அங்காடிகள், மேம்பாலங்களின் கீழ், கோயில்கள், குருத்வாராக்கள் என்று பல பொது இடங்களை தங்கள் இருப்பிடமாகக் கொண்டுள்ளனர். கிராமங்களிலிருந்தும், சிறு ஊர்களிலிருந்தும் ரயில் மூலம் பல குழந்தைகள் வீட்டை விட்டு ஓடி வந்து பெரு நகரங்களை வந்தடைகின்றனர். ஆண்டுதோறும் சுமார் 70,000 முதல் 1,20,000 குழந்தைகள் இந்தியாவின் 50 முக்கிய ரயில் நிலையங்களில் வந்திறங்குகின்றனர்.
தெருக் குழந்தைகளை மூன்று வகையினராகப் பிரிக்கலாம். முதலாவது வகை, தங்கள் குடும்பத்துடன் நடைபாதைகள் போன்ற பொது இடங்களில் வசிக்கும் குழந்தைகள்; இவர்கள் பெரும்பாலும் தங்கள் குடும்பத்துடன் நிரந்தரமாக அல்லது தற்காலிகமாக நகரத்துக்குப் பிழைப்புத் தேடி புலம் பெயர்ந்தவர்களாக இருப்பார்கள்;

இரண்டாவது வகை, தனியாகவோ அல்லது குழுக்களாகவோ தெருக்களில் வசிப்பவர்கள்; ஓரளவு தங்கள் குடும்பத்தினருடன் தொடர்பில் இருப்பவர்கள்;
மூன்றாவது வகையைச் சார்ந்த குழந்தைகள், குடும்பத்தினருடன் எந்தவிதத் தொடர்பும் இல்லாத வீட்டை விட்டு ஓடி வந்தவர்கள் அல்லது யாருமற்ற அநாதைகள். இந்த மூன்று வகையினரில், உணர்வுப்பூர்வமாகவும், உள ரீதியாகவும் குடும்பத்தினரின் ஆதரவு ஒன்றும் இல்லாமல் தன்னந்தனியாக இந்த உலகில் நீச்சல் போடும் மூன்றாவது வகையைச் சார்ந்த குழந்தை
களின் நிலைதான் மிகவும் பரிதாபத்துக்குரியது. 

 
குழந்தைகள் தெருக்களையே தங்கள் வாழ்விடமாகக் கொள்வதற்கு வறுமையே முக்கியக் காரணம் என்று கூறப்பட்டாலும், குடும்ப உறவுகளின் சிதைவு, குடும்ப வன்முறைகள் போன்ற பிரச்னைகளும் அவர்கள் நடைபாதைகளை நாடுவதற்குக் காரணமாகின்றன. கல்வியில் நாட்டமின்மை, பெற்றோரின் மரணம், மாற்றாந்தாயின் கொடுமை, தந்தையின் குடிப்பழக்கம், பெற்றோரின் கண்டிப்பான கண்காணிப்பு , பெற்றோரிடம் அடி உதைக்கு ஆளாகுவது, குடும்ப உறவினர்கள் கொடுக்கும் பாலியல் தொந்தரவுகள் போன்றவை குழந்தைகள் வீட்டை விட்டு ஓடிப் போவதற்கு முக்கியக் காரணங்கள் என்று ஆய்வுகள் கூறுகின்றன.
நகர்ப்புற வாழ்க்கையின் கவர்ச்சியால் ஈர்க்கப்பட்டு, நகரங்களில் தங்களுக்கு வளமான எதிர்காலம் இருப்பதாக எண்ணி ஏமாந்து போகும் சிறார்கள் எண்ணிலடங்கா.இப்படி நகரங்களுக்கு வந்து சேரும் குழந்தைகள் எந்த வழியிலாவது பணம் சம்பாதித்து தங்களது வயிற்றுப் பசியை ஆற்றிக் கொள்ள வேண்டும் என்ற கட்டாயத்திற்குத் தள்ளப் படுகிறார்கள்.
பிச்சை எடுப்பது, போக்குவரத்து சிக்னல்களில் பொருள்கள் விற்பது, குப்பைத் தொட்டிகளில் பிளாஸ்டிக் பொருள்கள், இரும்பு சாமான்களைப் பொறுக்குவது, தெருவோரக் கடைகள், உணவகங்கள், வாகனங்கள் பழுது பார்க்கும் பட்டறைகளில் எடுபிடி வேலை என இந்தக் குழந்தைகள் செய்யாத பணிகளே இல்லை. திருடுவது, பிக்பாக்கெட் அடிப்பது, போதைப் பொருள்கள் கடத்துவது என்று சட்ட விரோதமான செயல்களுக்கும் இவர்கள் பயன்படுத்தப்படுகிறார்கள். தெருக் குழந்தைகள் பலர் போதைப் பொருள்களைக் கடத்துவதுடன், தாங்களும் அதற்கு அடிமையாகி விடுகின்றனர்.

இந்தக் குழந்தைகள் தங்களது குழந்தைப் பருவத்தை இழக்கிறார்கள்; கல்வி பெறும் வாய்ப்பை இழக்கிறார்கள். திறந்த வெளியில் வாழும் இவர்கள் மழை, வெயில், கடும் குளிர் போன்ற பருவங்களின் தாக்குதலுக்கும் உள்ளாகிறார்கள். கழிப்பிடம், குளிப்பதற்கு மற்றும் குடிப்பதற்குச் சுத்தமான தண்ணீர் போன்ற வசதிகள் இன்றி அசுத்தமான சூழ்நிலையில் வாழும் இந்தக் குழந்தைகள், அடிக்கடி நோய்வாய்ப்படுவதற்கான வாய்ப்புகள் அதிகம். அப்படி அவர்களுக்கு உடல்நலக் குறைவு ஏற்பட்டாலும் தக்க மருத்துவ உதவி பெறுவதற்கான வாய்ப்பும் இல்லை. எந்த ஓர் அடையாளமும் இல்லாமல் வாழும் இந்தக் குழந்தைகளுக்கு அரசின் சலுகைகளைப் பெறுவதற்கான வாய்ப்பு மிகக் குறைவு. நடைபாதைகளில் படுத்துறங்கும் இந்தக் குழந்தைகள் சாலை விபத்துகளுக்குள்ளாவதும், பாலியல் துன்புறுத்தலுக்குள்ளாவதும் சகஜம். 

இத்தகைய குழந்தைகளை பணிக்கு அமர்த்திக் கொள்ளும் முதலாளிகள், காவல் துறையினர் போன்றோர் தவறாகப் பயன்படுத்திக் கொள்ளவும் தயங்குவதில்லை. அடித்து உதைத்துச் சம்பாதிக்கும் சொற்பப் பணத்தைப் பறித்துக் கொள்வது, பாலியல் வன்கொடுமைக்குள்ளாக்குவது, சட்ட விரோதமான செயல்களுக்குப் பயன்படுத்துவது என்று பலராலும் இவர்கள் துன்புறுத்தப்படுகிறார்கள்.

பல குழந்தைகள் பாதுகாப்பிற்காக தங்களைவிட வயதில் மூத்தவர்களுடன் ஒரு குழுவாகச் சேர்ந்து வாழ்வதும் உண்டு. ஆனால், அந்த மூத்த தோழர்களே இவர்களைத் தவறாகப் பயன்படுத்தும் கொடுமையும் உண்டு.
இப்படிப் பெரு நகரங்களில் நரக வாழ்க்கை வாழ்ந்து கொண்டிருக்கும் இந்தக் குழந்தைகளின் நலனுக்காகவும், பாதுகாப்பிற்காகவும் மத்திய அரசு தெருக்குழந்தைகளுக்கான ஒருங்கிணைந்த திட்டத்தை கடந்த 20 ஆண்டுகளுக்கும் மேலாக அமல்படுத்தி வருகிறது. 2009-2010-ஆம் ஆண்டிலிருந்து இந்தத் திட்டம் ஒருங்கிணைந்த குழந்தை பாதுகாப்புத் திட்டத்தின் கீழ் இயங்கி வருகிறது. 

இந்தத் திட்டத்தின் கீழ் அந்தந்த நகரங்களில் வாழும் தெருக் குழந்தைகளின் எண்ணிக்கை மற்றும் அவர்களுக்கான வசதிகள் போன்றவற்றைப் பற்றிய கணக்கெடுப்பு மேற்கொள்வது, 24 மணி நேரமும் திறந்திருக்கும் உறைவிடங்கள் அமைத்துக் கொடுப்பது, இரவு நேர தங்கும் இடங்கள் ஏற்பாடு செய்வது, முறைசாரா கல்வி மற்றும் தொழிற்பயிற்சி அளித்தல், நோய்கள் வராமல் தடுப்பதற்கு வழிவகுத்தல், ஆறு வயதுக்குக் கீழ் உள்ள குழந்தைகளை அங்கன்வாடியில் சேர்ப்பது போன்ற நடவடிக்கைகளை மேற்கொள்வதற்கு மத்திய- மாநில அரசுகளுக்கும் தன்னார்வ நிறுவனங்களுக்கும் நிதியுதவி அளிக்கிறது. சலாம் பாலக் டிரஸ்ட், சேவ் தி சில்ரன், ரயில்வே சில்ரன், சேத்னா போன்ற தன்னார்வ நிறுவனங்கள் தெருக் குழந்தைகளுக்காகப் பல்வேறு சேவைகளை வழங்கி வருகின்றன.
இக்கட்டான நிலைமையில் உள்ள குழந்தைகளுக்கு உதவிக்கரம் நீட்டுவதற்கு 24 மணி நேரம் இயங்கும் சைல்டு லைன் வசதியை மத்திய அரசின் கீழ் இயங்கும் சைல்டு லைன் ஃபவுன்டேஷன் என்னும் அமைப்பு வழங்குகிறது.வீட்டை விட்டு ஓடி வந்து பெருநகரங்களில் ரயிலில் வந்திறங்கும் குழந்தைகளை மீட்டு மறுவாழ்வு அமைத்துக்கொடுக்கும் பணியை ரயில்வே பாதுகாப்புப் படையினர் தன்னார்வநிறுவனங்களின் துணையுடன் மேற்கொள்கின்றனர். முக்கியமான ரயில் நிலையங்களில் பணிபுரியும் இந்தப் படை, நிராதரவாக வந்திறங்கும் குழந்தைகளின் முகவரியைக் கேட்டறிந்து அவர்களைப் பெற்றோரிடம் சேர்க்க முயற்சிக்கின்றனர். அப்படி குடும்பத்தினரிடம் சேர்க்க முடியாத குழந்தைகளை, தன்னார்வ நிறுவனங்களில் ஒப்படைக்கின்றனர்.
எனினும், ரயில் நிலையங்களில் பிடிபட்டு திருப்பி அனுப்பப்படும் குழந்தைகள் பலரும் திரும்பி நகரத்திற்கே வந்து சேர்ந்து விடுகின்றனர். இதற்கு அந்தக் குழந்தைகளின் குடும்பச் சூழ்நிலை ஒரு காரணமாக இருந்தாலும், இந்தக் குழந்தைகள், தங்கள் இச்சைப்படி பெரியவர்களின் கண்காணிப்பு அல்லது கண்டிப்பு இல்லாமல் ஓரளவு பொருளாதாரச் சுதந்திரத்துடன் தங்கள் நண்பர்களுடன் சேர்ந்து வாழ்வதில் மகிழ்ச்சியைக் காண்பதே முக்கியக் காரணம். 24 மணி நேரமும் சுறுசுறுப்பாகக் காணப்படும் ரயில் நிலையங்கள் இந்தக் குழந்தைகளுக்கு, பயணிகள் விட்டுப் போகும் பத்திரிகைகள், செய்தித்தாள்கள், பிளாஸ்டிக் புட்டிகள் சேகரிப்பது, சிறு சிறு பொருள்களை விற்பது போன்ற வாய்ப்புகளை வழங்குவதோடல்லாமல், உண்ண, உறங்க, நண்பர்கள் வட்டத்தை உருவாக்கிக் கொள்ளவும் இடமளிக்கிறது. 

 
இந்தக் குழந்தைகளை மீட்டு அவர்களைப் பெற்றோரிடம் சேர்க்க முயற்சிப்பது என்பது எல்லா குழந்தைகளின் விஷயத்திலும் சரியான தீர்வாக இருக்க முடியாது என்று ரயில்வே துறையின் தொடர்பில் உள்ள குழந்தைகளின் உரிமைகளுக்காக அமைக்கப்பட்ட அகில இந்திய ஆய்வுக் குழு அண்மையில் வெளியிட்டுள்ள அறிக்கையில் குறிப்பிட்டுள்ளது. தெருக் குழந்தைகளைப் பொருத்தவரை, அவர்களின் நலனை மட்டும் கருத்தில் கொள்ளாமல், அடிப்படை உரிமைகளும் கிடைக்க வழிவகுக்கும் அணுகுமுறையே சிறந்தது என்று தற்போது கருதப்படுகிறது.

வீதிகளிலேயே தங்களது வாழ்க்கையைக் கழிக்கும் தெருக் குழந்தைகளின் அவல நிலையைப் பற்றி விழிப்புணர்வு உண்டாக்கவும், அவர்களது உரிமைகளுக்காகப் போராடவும் ஆண்டுதோறும் ஏப்ரல் 12-ஆம் நாள் சர்வதேச தெருக் குழந்தைகள் நாளாகக் கடைப்பிடிக்கப்படுகிறது. எனவே, சமூகத்தின் விளிம்பில் நரக வாழ்க்கை வாழ்ந்து கொண்டிருக்கும் இந்தக் குழந்தைகளுக்கு தக்க பாதுகாப்பு வழங்கி, அவர்களை நல்வழிப்படுத்தி அவர்கள் குற்றவாளிகளாக தலையெடுப்பதைத் தடுக்க வேண்டியது நம் அனைவரின் கடமை.



கட்டுரையாளர்:
சமூக ஆர்வலர்

பி.எப்., விதிமுறையில் மாற்றம்?

Added : மார் 03, 2019 00:26

புதடில்லி:'அடிப்படை சம்பளத்துடன், சிறப்பு படியைச் சேர்த்து, அதன் அடிப்படையில், பி.எப்., எனப்படும், வருங்கால வைப்பு நிதிக்கான தொகை பிடித்தம் செய்யப்பட வேண்டும்' என, உச்ச நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.

'ஊழியர்களுக்கு, நிறுவனம் வழங்கும் அடிப்படை சம்பளத்தில், சிறப்பு படியையும் சேர்த்து, வருங்கால வைப்பு நிதிக்கான தொகை, மாதம்தோறும் பிடித்தம் செய்ய வேண்டும்' என, வருங்கால வைப்பு நிதி கமிஷனர் உத்தரவு பிறப்பித்திருந்தார்.இந்த உத்தரவை எதிர்த்து சில நிறுவனங்கள், மேற்கு வங்க உயர் நீதிமன்றத்தில் மனு தாக்கல் செய்தன.

இந்த மனுக்களை விசாரித்த உயர் நீதிமன்றம், 'ஊழியருக்கு நிறுவனம் வழங்கும் சிறப்பு படியை, அடிப்படை சம்பளத்தில் சேர்த்து, வருங்கால வைப்பு நிதிக்கான தொகையை பிடிக்கக் கூடாது' என உத்தரவிட்டது.இதை எதிர்த்து, உச்ச நீதிமன்றத்தில் மேற்குவங்க மண்டல வருங்கால வைப்பு நிதி கமிஷனர், மேல் முறையீட்டு மனு தாக்கல் செய்தார்.

பல நிறுவனங்கள் சார்பிலும், சிறப்பு படியை, அடிப்படை சம்பளத்தில் சேர்த்து, வருங்கால வைப்பு நிதிக்கான தொகையை பிடித்தம் செய்ய எதிர்ப்பு தெரிவித்து, மேல் முறையீட்டு மனுக்கள் தாக்கல் செய்யப்பட்டன.இவற்றின் மீதான விசாரணை, உச்ச நீதிமன்ற நீதிபதிகள் அருண் மிஸ்ரா, நவீன் சின்ஹா அடங்கிய அமர்வு முன் நடந்தது.

விசாரணை முடிவில், நீதிபதிகள் பிறப்பித்த உத்தரவு விபரம்:ஊழியர்களின் அடிப்படை சம்பளத்துடன், சம்பந்தப்பட்ட நிறுவனம் வழங்கும் சிறப்பு படியையும் சேர்த்தே, வருங்கால வைப்பு நிதிக்கான தொகையை பிடித்தம் செய்ய வேண்டும். சிறப்பு படி என்பதை, சம்பளத்தின் ஒரு பகுதியாகவே கருத வேண்டும்.

ஊழியருக்கு, சிறப்பு படிகள் எதற்காக வழங்கப்படுகின்றன என்பதை, மனு தாக்கல் செய்த நிறுவனங்கள் தெரிவிக்கவில்லை. எனவே, அவர்களின் மனுக்கள் தள்ளுபடி செய்யப் படுகின்றன. அடிப்படை சம்பளத்துடன், சிறப்பு படியைச் சேர்த்து, அதன் அடிப்படையில், பி.எப்., எனப்படும், வருங்கால வைப்பு நிதிக்கான தொகை பிடித்தம் செய்யப்பட வேண்டும்இவ்வாறு, நீதிபதிகள் கூறினர்.

எழும்பூர் -கொல்லம்மார்ச் 5 முதல் தினசரி ரயில் : விருதுநகர்-செங்கோட்டை வழித்தடத்தில் கிடைத்தது கூடுதல் ரயில்

Added : மார் 03, 2019 04:33


ஸ்ரீவில்லிபுத்துார்:சென்னை எழும்பூரிலிருந்து கொல்லத்திற்கு திண்டுக்கல், மதுரை, விருதுநகர் வழியாக மார்ச் 5 முதல் தினசரி எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் ரயில் இயக்கப்படுகிறது.

சென்னை எழும்பூரிலிருந்து (ரயில் எண்.16101) தினமும் மாலை 5:00 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டு, தாம்பரம் 5:28, விருத்தாசலம் இரவு 8:13, திண்டுக்கல் அதிகாலை 12:15, மதுரை 1:10, விருதுநகர் 2:13, சிவகாசி 2:39, ஸ்ரீவில்லிபுத்துார் 2:54, ராஜபாளையம் 3:08, செங்கோட்டை 5:10, ஆரியங்காவு 5:54 வழியாக 8:45 மணிக்கு கொல்லம் வந்தடைகிறது.

கொல்லத்திலிருந்து (ரயில் எண்:16102) தினமும் காலை 11:45 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டு புனலுார் 12:35, தென்மலை 1:38, ஆரியங்காவு 2:03, செங்கோட்டை 3:10, தென்காசி 3:28, கடையநல்லுார் 3:44, ராஜபாளையம் 4:38, ஸ்ரீவில்லிபுத்துார் 4:42, சிவகாசி 4:56, விருதுநகர் 5:23, மதுரை மாலை 6:30, திண்டுக்கல் இரவு 7:55, திருச்சி 9:15, விருத்தாசலம் 11:23, விழுப்புரம் அதிகாலை 12:25, செங்கல்பட்டு 2:13, தாம்பரம் 2:43 மணிக்கு வந்து 3:30 மணிக்கு சென்னை எழும்பூர் வந்தடைகிறது.

14 பெட்டிகள் கொண்ட இந்த ரயிலில் 2 மூன்றாம் வகுப்பு ஏ.சி.,பெட்டிகள், 8 சிலிப்பர் பெட்டிகள், தலா 2 முன்பதிவில்லா பெட்டிகள் உள்ளன. இதற்கான முன்பதிவு இன்று துவங்குகிறது.இந்த ரயில் இயக்கப்படுவதன் மூலம் பல ஆண்டுகளுக்கு பிறகு விருதுநகர்- செங்கோட்டை வழித்தடத்தில் சென்னைக்கு கூடுதலாக ஒரு ரயில் கிடைத்துள்ளது.

மனைவிக்கு சொத்து பரிசளித்தால் இனி முத்திரை கட்டணம் இல்லை

Added : மார் 03, 2019 00:13

ஜெய்ப்பூர்:ராஜஸ்தான் மாநிலத்தில், 'கணவன், தன் மனைவிக்கு பரிசாக அளிக்கும், அசையா சொத்து மீதான பதிவுக்கு முத்திரை கட்டணம் வசூலிப்பதில்லை' என, அம்மாநில அரசு முடிவு செய்துள்ளது.

ராஜஸ்தான் மாநில அரசு வெளியிட்ட அறிக்கையில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளதாவது:ஒருவர் பெயரில் இருந்து, அவரது தந்தை, தாய், மகன், சகோதரி, மருமகள், பேரன் மற்றும் பேத்தி பெயருக்கு மாற்றப்படும் அசையா சொத்து பதிவுக்கு, 2.5 சதவீதம் முத்திரைக் கட்டணம் வசூலிக்கப்படுகிறது.

அதேபோல், மனைவி அல்லது மகளுக்கு, அசையா சொத்துகளை பரிசாக வழங்கும்போது, அதன் பதிவுக்கு, சொத்தின் சந்தை மதிப்பில், 1 சதவீதம் அல்லது அதிகபட்சமாக, 1 லட்சம் ரூபாய் வரை, முத்திரை கட்டணமாக வசூலிக்கப்படுகிறது.

இந்நிலையில், முதல்வர் அசோக் கெலாட் தலைமையில் நடந்த ஆலோசனைக் கூட்டத்தில், கணவன், தன் மனைவிக்கு பரிசாக அளிக்கும் அசையா சொத்தின் மீதான பதிவுக்கு, முத்திரைக் கட்டணம் வசூலிப்பதில்லை என, முடிவு எடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.இவ்வாறு, அதில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

Madras High Court notice to TN government, varsity on semester exam work PIL

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

PublishedMar 3, 2019, 2:30 am IST

Counsel said that in 2016, the university issued a tender notification.

Madras High Court

Chennai: The Madras High Court has ordered notice to the state government and Thiruvalluvar University on a public interest litigation challenging the tender notification issued by the university for outsourcing work with regard to the conduct of semester examinations.

A division bench comprising Justices S. Manikumar and Subramonium Prasad posted after four weeks, hearing on the PIL filed by Prof. I. Elangovan, a retired associate professor of Voorhees College in Vellore district. "Confirmation of any tender would be subject to the result of the petition," the bench said.

Petitioner's counsel S. Sathiachandran said that in 2013 the university had sacked 91 non-teaching staff involved in pre- and post-examination work, and entrusted the task to a private agency in Puducherry without following due procedure, thus causing heavy financial loss to the university.

The ex-officio members of the Syndicate of the University and the ex-officio member on the finance committee did not take cognisance of this serious irregularity and illegality. The issue was not reflected in the audit report, Mr Satiachandran said.

Counsel said that in 2016, the university issued a tender notification. By allegedly manipulating the process the contract was awarded to a private agency in Chennai in violation of the Tamil Nadu Transparency of Tender Act and Rules.

There were now 31 employees available at the office of the Controller of Examination of Thiruvalluvar University who had no work, Mr Sathiachandran said. The university has been outsourcing the work to private agencies from the November-December 2013 examinations till date though it was fully equipped with the infrastructure and manpower to accomplish the important and confidential work.

Mr Sathiachandran said the university was unwittingly spending public funds ranging from Rs 2.46 crore to Rs 3.5 crore every semester. This was wasteful expenditure as well as threatening the maintenance of confidentiality of data, he said.

This being so, Thiruvalluvar University had now issued a tender notification dated February 14 with regard to the automation of the pre- and post-examination work. Hence, Prof. Elangovan had filed the PIL to quash the tender notification, Mr Sathiachandran said.

பம்மலில் குடிநீர் கேட்டு பொதுமக்கள் சாலை மறியல்


பல்லாவரம் அருகே பம்மலில் குடிநீர் கேட்டு பொதுமக்கள் சாலை மறியலில் ஈடுபட்டனர்.

பதிவு: மார்ச் 03, 2019 04:00 AM
தாம்பரம்,

சென்னை பல்லாவரம் அடுத்த பம்மல் நகராட்சிக்கு உட்பட்ட 21-வது வார்டு பகுதியில் கடந்த 3 மாதங்களாக வீடுகளுக்கு குடிநீர் வினியோகம் செய்யப்படவில்லை என தெரிகிறது. லாரிகள் மூலமும் சரியாக குடிநீர் வழங்கப்படவில்லை என கூறப்படுகிறது. இதனால் குடிநீர் இன்றி பொதுமக்கள் அவதிப்பட்டனர்.

இதனால் ஆத்திரம் அடைந்த அந்த பகுதியை சேர்ந்த திரளான பெண்கள் உள்பட பொதுமக்கள், குடிநீர் கேட்டு நேற்று மதியம் பல்லாவரத்தில் இருந்து பம்மல் செல்லும் அண்ணாசாலையில் திடீரென மறியலில் ஈடுபட்டனர்.

சாலை மறியலில் ஈடுபட்ட பெண்கள் கூறும்போது, “எங்கள் பகுதிக்கு கடந்த 3 மாதங்களாக சரியான முறையில் குடிநீர் வரவில்லை. இதுபற்றி பம்மல் நகராட்சி அதிகாரிகளிடம் தெரிவித்தும் உரிய நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கவில்லை” என்றனர்.

இதுபற்றி தகவல் அறிந்து வந்த சங்கர்நகர் போலீசார், சாலை மறியலில் ஈடுபட்ட பொதுமக்களிடம் பேச்சுவார்த்தை நடத்தினர். பம்மல் நகராட்சி அதிகாரிகளிடம் இதுபற்றி பேசி முறையாக குடிநீர் வழங்க நடவடிக்கை எடுப்பதாக தெரிவித்தனர்.

அதை ஏற்று சாலை மறியலை கைவிட்டு பொதுமக்கள் கலைந்து சென்றனர். இதனால் அந்த பகுதியில் சுமார் 1 மணிநேரம் போக்குவரத்து பாதிக்கப்பட்டது.

Abhinandan most favoured name for newborns

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | KATHELENE ANTONY

Published

Mar 3, 2019, 2:40 am IST

Social media users also took to celebrate the Wing Commander's return by tweeting pictures of new-borns named Abhinandan.

Abhinandan Varthaman

Chennai; There will be a flood of Abhinandans on the birth register of hospitals and maternity clinics across the country in the days to come, such is the aura created by this man over a cup of tea.

Even as Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman crossed over the Wagah-Attari border and moved back to Indian soil, the entire nation heaved a huge sigh of relief. At a hospital in north Chennai, another family heaved a similar sigh after their daughter gave birth to a baby boy after some complications. "The timing was almost perfect. Abhinandan came back to India at 9:20, my boy was born at 9.21," says Parimalam Ramanathan. "We have decided to name him after Abhinandan. We expect him to serve the nation just like him after growing up," Parimalam said.

Further north in Rajasthan's Alwar district, another family who wanted to remember Wing Commander Abhinandan Vardaman's bravery too named the baby 'Abhinandan.' Speaking to the press, the baby's mother Sapna Devi stated: "By naming my son Abhinandan, we will keep reminding him about the valour of the pilot and I would like him to become a brave soldier just like him."

Social media users also took to celebrate the Wing Commander's return by tweeting pictures of newborns named Abhinandan. One user, Kesar Chauhan tweeted, "My brother gave birth to a baby boy today, we have decided to keep his name Abhinandan. Our Josh is still high. How's the name?" Along the same lines, a couple in Ajmer named their newborn 'Mirage' to pay tribute to Air force for a strike on terror camps in Balakot. SS Rathore, the father said, "We named our child Mirage Rathore to commemorate strike on Pakistan by Mirage jets. We hope inspired by his name, he'll join the security forces."

Tamil Nadu government told to help students of defunct medical college

Justice N Kirubakaran gave the directive while disposing of a batch of revision and writ petitions from the students and others.

Published: 03rd March 2019 06:03 AM 

Madras High Court (File | EPS)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Coming to the rescue of students of the defunct Annai Medical College at Sriperumbudur, the Madras High Court has directed the State government authorities to allow the affected students accommodated in various other medical colleges in the State, to attend the second year classes till March 2019, so that, they will have the minimum required attendance of 75 per cent for writing the second year examination in August 2019.

Justice N Kirubakaran gave the directive while disposing of a batch of revision and writ petitions from the students and others. While the students sought to review the court’s earlier order dated April 28, 2018, the writ petitions sought to declare a circular dated May 9, 2018 of the Director of Medical Education (DME) stating that the relocated students are eligible to appear for second year examinations only in August 2019 and third year examinations in August 2020 and subsequently, in August 2021, for final year examinations.

The judge said the State Health Secretary and DME should conduct the second year examinations for the accommodated students in August 2019 and permit them to attend third year classes along with regular students and continue their studies from April 2019 onwards.

Taking into consideration the fact that the students had already attended the classes and they are having 62 per cent to 70 per cent of attendance and to give effect to the order passed by the court on December 22, 2017, this court is of the view to allow the relocated students to continue to attend the second year classes till March 2019. After classes for third year students commence, the accommodated students will be allowed to merge with regular students, namely, III year students and continue their studies from April 2019 onwards, the judge said.

Since the requirement of Medical Council of India regulations is 75 per cent attendance, there should not be any problem for the council or for Dr MGR Medical University or for the State in permitting affected students to write the second year exam in August 2019 and similarly, there should not be any problem in allowing them to merge with third year students from April 2019 onwards, the judge said.


This order is passed taking into consideration the peculiar circumstances of students, who continue to suffer for no fault of theirs. They should be given a helping hand, so that they merge with third year students, the judge said.

After 19 years, Chennai-Kollam regular train service to resume from Monday
The new daily train is to be operated from Chennai Egmore to Kollam Junction via Madurai, Virudhunagar and Sengottai on chord line, according to official railway documents.

Published: 03rd March 2019 03:55 AM |

Image used for representational purpose.

By B Anbuselvan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Nearly 19 years after the withdrawal of the daily train between Chennai and Kollam in metre-gauge line, the regular train service in one of the oldest routes in South India, is set to resume from Monday.

The new daily train is to be operated from Chennai Egmore to Kollam Junction via Madurai, Virudhunagar and Sengottai on chord line, according to official railway documents. With this, the Chennai - Sengottai section will have two daily trains and one tri-weekly train.

The inaugural special will be flagged from Egmore station at 3.15 pm on Monday and the regular services will commence from the next day.


The regular train will leave Chennai Egmore at 5 pm and reach Kollam at 8.45 am on the next day. Similarly, in the return direction, the train will leave Kollam at 11.45 am and reach Egmore at 3.30 am the next day.

The Madras - Quilon Mail, which started running in 1904, was one of the oldest trains in Indian Railways.In order to transport spices and condiments including black pepper, cashew, cloves and cardamom from the capital of erstwhile Travencore State, Quilon to Madras, the South Indian Railway Company had opened the Quilon - Sengottai line in 1902. This was the first line in Travencore State.

Subsequent to the completion of Madurai - Virudhunagar - Sengottai meter gauge line by the British government, the Quilon - Madras mail was flagged off by Travencore Maharajah Mulam Thirunal Rama Varma in 1904. The train then extended till Thiruvananthapuram in 1918.

The Quilon Mail was one of the oldest metre-gauge trains run with first class and air- conditioned coaches. After serving the rail passengers for more than 70 years, the train got short terminated at Kollam in 1979 for gauge conversion works in Kollam - Thiruvananthapuram section.

“In 1979, when Thiruvananthapuram division was created, Madurai division officials strongly objected to transfer the Virudhunagar - Kollam section to the former as the Madurai - Kollam section was one of the high revenue generating sections in Southern Railway,” recalled official railway sources.

In 1996, during gauge conversion works between Virudhunagar and Madurai, the Quilon Mail was diverted via Virudhunagar and Manamadurai. Later, the service discontinued in 2000 for gauge conversion works.

Official sources said the new line would create a third rail route between Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram, reducing the travel time by 100 km.

Presently, superfast trains from Chennai Central, reach Thiruvananthapuram via Coimbatore, Kottayam, Chenganur and Kollam, covering 922 km in 16 hours ten minutes.

“The travel distance between Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram via Kollam would be 825 km. It will serve as an alternative line of Chennai Egmore - Thiruvananthapuram via Madurai, Tirunelveli and Nagercoil, (795 km),” said official sources.

Madras High Court transfers fake UGC office scam probe to CB-CID

The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court transferred the investigation into the fake University Grants Commission (UGC) office scam to CB-CID.

Published: 03rd March 2019 06:06 AM |


Madras High Court (File Photo | EPS)

By Express News Service

MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court transferred the investigation into the fake University Grants Commission (UGC) office scam to CB-CID.Justice N Seshasayee passed the order by allowing a petition filed by one S Sakthivel, a retired Selection Grade Senior Assistant in Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) who is one of the victims of the scam.

According to Sakthivel, three persons - R Sathiyaseelan, J Stephen Raj and V Edwin Vinothkumar - ran a fake UGC CRAI (Centre for Research and Innovation) regional office in Madurai and defrauded him and several others of lakhs of money in the pretext of providing employment.

It is the case of the petitioner that the three persons collected `9 lakh from him and after conducting written examination and interview, they appointed his son as Additional Administrative Supervisor in the ‘fake’ office. As his son died before he could join duty, the accused offered the job to her daughter, who was equally qualified, and she worked in the office from November 5, 2017.

The SS Colony police raided the office on September 19, 2018 and upon detailed inquiry it was found that the accused were running such centres in other districts as well and had been cheating people of several crores of rupees.


The petitioner further submitted that the accused at the time of collecting money from him had produced very convincing evidences such as certificates and imitating the logo, signature of UGC authorities among others.

Even the staff, including his daughter, who worked in the fake office were unaware of the scam, he stated and prayed the Court to transfer the case to CB-CID Special wing and to expedite the investigation.

Hearing the same, the Judge directed the Inspector of Police of Central Crime Branch, Madurai to handover the case files to CB-CID in two weeks.

Exam, interview

It is the case of the petitioner that the three persons collected Rs 9 lakh from him and after conducting exam and interview, they appointed his son as Additional Administrative Supervisor in the ‘fake’ office

Non-teaching staff of MKU shifted en masse

Pon Vasanth B.A

MADURAI, MARCH 03, 2019 00:00 IST

The major reshuffle follows allegations of corruption and irregularities in several departments

The Madurai Kamaraj University administration has transferred a large number of its non-teaching staff within different departments (sections) of the university in what is seen by the staff as a major reshuffle done after a gap of many years.

The move follows long-pending allegations of corruption and irregularities in some departments, for which the same set of personnel serving in those departments for long years was cited as a primary reason. According to university sources, at least 130 staff, including about 50 regular staff and other temporary workers in the casual labour (CLR) and consolidated pay casual labour (CPCLR) categories, were transferred on Friday.

The entire non-teaching staff from the Research section and the office of the Additional Controller of Examinations (ACE) in the Directorate of Distance Education (DDE), from where maximum number of complaints were reported in the past, have been transferred to other departments.

It can be noted that the university’s Syndicate, in its last meeting, passed a resolution to constitute a committee to enquire into complaints reported against present Additional Controller of Examination M. Rajarajan and his office.

Reshuffle of all non-teaching staff was one of the key demands raised by Joint Action Council - Madurai Kamaraj University, a coalition of few teaching and non-teaching staff associations, to Vice-Chancellor M. Krishnan after he took charge in January.

Though a similar reshuffle was attempted when G. Arumugam, who has since retired, was acting as Registrar, it was revoked when P.P. Chellathurai, the previous VC, took charge.

The Vice-Chancellor said the mass transfer was done to clean up and to infuse new blood in all the departments.

Automation

Mr. Krishnan said a number of other initiatives were also being taken to address problems. V.S. Vasantha, Professor from School of Chemistry, has been appointed as Research Coordinator, he said.

Highlighting that inordinate delays were reported mainly in Research section, he said that steps were being taken to automate the processes. “We will soon have an online system, through which the scholars can track the status after submission of their theses,” he said.

Setting things right

Mass transfer was done to clean up and to infuse new blood in all the departments, says VC

Tamil Nadu to be the pioneer for heart valve treatments

03.03.2019

The Ministry of Health, headed by Dr C Vijayabaskar, Honourable Health Minister, presided a public awareness programme on heart valve replacements without open heart surgery, at Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital, on February 27. This was the firstof-its-kind programme in the country to inform patients on treatments.

Many patients develop heart valve disease, widely referred to as “Aortic Stenosis”. This has always been treated with open heart surgery. There have been evidences which proved that these patients can have their valve replaced without surgery — through a keyhole procedure called Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI). This expensive treatment was predominantly a treatment available only in private hospitals. Tamil Nadu government is said to be the first state in the country to start these treatments in the government sector. The Government of TN has signed a contract with Dr AB Gopalamurugan, Senior Consultant, Interventional Cardiologist and Chief of Endovascular Treatments, Heart Team India.

The officials today claimed that Gopalamurugan, who introduced such treatments to the country, has performed the most number of valve replacement procedures without resorting to an open surgery.

Minister felicitating patients with Dr AB Gopalamurugan and dignitaries


Dr Gopalamurugan being felicitated by Minister C Vijayabaskar for his efforts to iniate TAVI in the state

State brings 14 of 41 constituent colleges under it
Move To Ease Fin Burden Of Govt Varsities

Sambath.Kumar@timesgroup.com

Trichy:03.03.2019

Eight months after an announcement by chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, the state government has passed orders for converting 14 of the total 41 constituent arts and science colleges under the director of college education (DCE) into government colleges. These include four of the 10 constituent colleges managed by Bharathidasan University (BDU) which is the largest among state-run universities.

The conversion, which would be undertaken in three phases, is being done to ease the financial burden on staterun universities in managing these colleges. For instance, Bharathidasan University which runs 10 such colleges must spend more than ₹7 crore a year to run them. The concept of constituent colleges had emerged to meet the demand for arts and science colleges after the state government took a policy decision not to start any more government arts colleges. However, that in effect proved to be a burden for the state-run universities.

It was to relieve the universities of this burden and enable them to focus on research that the government decided to convert them into government arts colleges. The announcement in this regard was also made in the assembly by the chief minister. Earlier, it was estimated that the government would have to spend ₹152 crore every year towards these colleges. But a detailed account on the total number of staff took the total spending up to more than ₹168 crore.

Observing that conversion of these colleges at one stretch would cause huge financial burden on the state government, it has now been decided to convert them in a phased manner, the GO said. Constituent college at Lalgudi in Trichy, apart from one each in Perambalur, Thanjavur and Pudukottai districts will be converted in the first phase in the central region.

Terming the order as a relief as the matter has been pending from June last year, BDU vice-chancellor P Manisankar said they were expecting some more clarification on various aspects of the order.

ONE AT A TIME:Converting all colleges at one go would incur a huge loss and the state plans to do it in phases

Tejas can give airlines tough competition

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Trichy:03.03.2019

The railways has introduced Tejas superfast express on the Madurai - Chennai sector in an effort to bring train journey at par with air travel offering world-class facilities at premium fare. Regular commuters say the train has the potential to offer tough competition to low-cost airlines on the Trichy – Chennai sector depending on the travel time cut. However, the present travel time of six and a half hours from Chennai to Madurai falls well short of expectations, they say.

As of now Alliance Air and IndiGo operate seven services a day on the Trichy-Chennai sector. The coaches of the fully air-conditioned train equipped with modern entertainment system, modular toilets, smart windows and GPS-based passenger information system among other features were made at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai. The train has been well received in terms of its features, but not on travel time. When Vagai Express was inaugurated in 1977, it covered the same distance in 7 hours. Now it takes 40 minutes more.

According to V B Jagannath of Trichy Intra-City Development Endeavors (TIDES), Tejas would offer competition to Chennai-Trichy flights if there is a stoppage for it at Tambaram. Of course, airlines would still maintain their edge if they reduced fares. “Not sure how the patronage will be for the train as its fares are high. As the train is expected to cater to the affluent, it can easily attract air passengers. Since the Trichy-Chennai flight fares are exorbitant starting around ₹4,500 sometimes, taking Tejas should make more sense for them”, he added.

Two flights depart from Chennai at 4.55am and 5.45am everyday. Since Tejas departs at 6am from Chennai, it could have an impact on these flights, said the director of Naveen Travell, Trichy V Navaneethan. “It all depends on Tejas maintaining the right time and reducing the present travel time considerably,” said A Giri, member of DRUCC and Thanjavur District Rail Users Association.

HC relief for students of defunct med college

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 03.03.2019

In a reprieve to 144 second-year MBBS students of nowdefunct Annai Medical College, who were denied permission to write exams due to shortage of attendance, the Madras high court has ordered the Directorate of Medical Education to allow them to continue their second-year classes till March to help them achieve the mandatory 75% attendance.

Justice N Kirubakaran also ordered the directorate to permit them to attend third-year classes from April along with their batch and to write thier second-year exams in August. The students were

transferred to government-run colleges in view of a court order.

On December 22, 2017, the high court had directed the state to accommodate all the 144 students of Annai Medical College, admitted during the academic year 2016-17 in state-run medical colleges since the college was denied recognition. The court also directed the government to make arrangements to take special classes to the transferred students, so that the lost attendance could be achieved.

In view of the order, the government passed an order dated March 2, 2018, transferring all the 144 students to government-run colleges but said that as per the MCI rules, it is impermissible for those students to have clinical hours within a short span of time.

Subsequently, the government issued a circular stating that the students cannot be allowed to write the second-year exams.

Assailing the circular, the students approached the high court through a review petition.

The 144 students of Annai Medical College were transferred to govt-run colleges after a court order

Technical snag forces SpiceJet carrying Edapaddi K Palaniswamy to return to Chennai

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

PublishedMar 2, 2019, 2:47 am IST

All passengers and cabin crew members deplaned safely.

Chennai: Following a technical snag mid-air, the Thoothukudi-bound Spicejet flight carrying 78 passengers, including the Tamil Nadu chief minister Edapaddi K Palaniswamy and other officials, landed in the city airport a few minutes after taking off from here. All passengers and cabin crew members deplaned safely.

The chief minister was scheduled to travel to Kanyakumari from Thoothukudi to attend a government function where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was to unveil a series of development projects for Kanyakumari and Tamil Nadu.

According to an ATCofficial , the SpiceJet flight took off for Thoothukudi from Chennai International Airport at 7.50 am before returning. The flight to Thoothkudi, with 78 passengers and 5 cabin crew, suffered high cabin pressure and the pilot was holding for five minutes above Kancheepuram airspace.

Since the aircraft was not flying at high altitude due to the cabin pressure issue, the captain alerted the ATC and the flight made an emergency landing in Chennai at 8.30 am.

The CM took an Indigo flight to Madurai at 9:10 am and reached Kanyakumari by road, sources added.

Chennai: 40 metallic objects removed from patient’s stomach at RGGH

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

PublishedMar 2, 2019, 3:17 am IST

The Dean also said that 40 objects, including keys, razors, coins and magnets were removed from the patient's stomach.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, R. Jayanti, Dean, RGGGH said that the surgery was a very difficult one. “A team headed by doctor A R Venkateshwaran did the gastroscopy for Jayakumar. It was a complicated one as we had to ensure he does not choke or the metal objects do not go down the wrong passage in the throat,” she said.

Chennai: In a remarkably complex surgery conducted at the Rajiv Gandhi government hospital on Friday, over 40 items were removed from a patients stomach after he had swallowed them over a period of a few months.

The man, identified as Jayakumar, 52, was undergoing treatment at the Institute of Medical Health in Ayanavaram when during a routine MRI for his disease was being conducted, he developed severe abdominal pain. Suspecting some health condition, a CT scan was taken during which multiple metallic objects in his stomach were revealed. Jayakumar was immediately rushed to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital where he was admitted at the Institute of Gastroenterology.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, R. Jayanti, Dean, RGGGH said that the surgery was a very difficult one. “A team headed by doctor A R Venkateshwaran did the gastroscopy for Jayakumar. It was a complicated one as we had to ensure he does not choke or the metal objects do not go down the wrong passage in the throat,” she said.

The Dean also said that 40 objects, including keys, razors, coins and magnets were removed from the patient's stomach. “An endoscopy was performed and the medical gastroenterology team avoided a major surgery for the patient,” she said.

If the objects were not removed, the patient could have developed complications like perforation of the intestines, bleeding and sepsis, doctors say. “We screened the patient with fluoroscopy and ensured complete clearance of all foreign bodies from his digestive tract,” doctors said.

Meanwhile, Jayakumar who appeared hale and healthy after the surgery promised that he would not resort to swallowing metal objects again. He has been given counselling at the government hospital and will be sent back to the IMH.

Palaniswami inaugurates cycle-sharing system in Chennai

According to officials in the Chennai Corporation, residents can use these cycles for free for the first month as an inaugural offer.

Published: 28th February 2019 06:59 AM 

Chennai Smart City’s cycle-sharing system. (Photo | Debadatta Mallick)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami inaugurated the Chennai Smart City’s cycle-sharing system in the city via video-conferencing on Wednesday. The system has been launched in 15 locations in the city at Anna Nagar and Marina Beach and will be extended to 25 locations in the coming days.


According to officials in the Chennai Corporation, residents can use these cycles for free for the first month as an inaugural offer. Then users will be charged Rs 5 for the first one hour and Rs 9 for every half hour after that. “The idea behind this is to ensure users return the cycles on time,” said a Chennai Smart City official.

This move is also welcomed by non-motorised transport experts. “The launch of the system is a laudable move to encourage this almost invisible transport mode and give the cyclists their due. This pilot is a great start to an important form of last-mile connectivity.

In response to the piqued interests of the citizens and demand for cycles in more areas, expanding the system to achieve the targeted 5,000 cycles in 380 stations across the city would ensure even greater usage and success,” said Nashwa Naushad, an associate for the Institute of Transportation and Development Policy.

Tejas Express flagged off

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

MADURAI, MARCH 02, 2019 00:00 IST

Good to go:Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagging off the Tejas Express on Friday.A. Shaikmohideen

The luxury train will ply the Madurai-Chennai Egmore route

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off the first Tejas Express to be operated by the Southern Railway. The train will ply between Chennai Egmore and Madurai.

The inaugural train with 68 passengers on board that chugged out of Madurai railway station is the first rail service to be introduced after completion of work on the doubling of chord line railway tracks between Chennai and Madurai. Mr. Modi flagged it off from Kanniyakumari through video conference.

The rakes, with 15 swanky air-conditioned coaches, have several new features which promise a new travel experience. The train comprises one executive chair car coach with 56 seats and 12 chair car coaches with 78 seats each, and two power cars.

The seats in both the executive chair car (2+2 seating arrangement) and the chair car (2+3 seating) have plenty of boot space with reclining facility. Passengers can also use thigh support in the executive class at the push of a button. A foot rest and a dining table embedded in the arm rest are some of the luxuries on offer. Another important passenger-friendly feature is a flight-like audio-visual entertainment display system. Bottle holders, book holders and plug points for charging mobile phones are among the added features.

Smart windows with motor-operated venetian blinds sandwiched between glasses add to the aesthetics of the coaches. The coaches have a bio-vacuum system, sensor-based soap dispensers and hand driers.

Safety and security

The coaches have sliding doors which would be operated by a guard. As soon as the signal for the train to move out of the station is received, the guard will close the sliding doors of all the coaches. This would ensure safety and security of passengers. However, passengers who have the habit of getting down from the trains at platforms as soon as they halt at stations should be wary about this safety feature.

“Many tend to board trains as they start chugging out. But in this case, the doors will close before the train leaves. If there is no one to manually open them, people may end up missing the train,” said a Travelling Ticket Examiner.

The coaches are equipped with CCTVs. “The data of each camera would be stored for 30 days,” said a Senior Divisional Mechanical Engineer. The coaches also have smoke detectors. “If smoke is detected, the system will raise an alarm. If the smoke is not put out, the system will shut down the train,” he added.

Passengers happy

S. Lakshmi, 71, a frequent traveller, made use of the inaugural run of Tejas Express. A retired official from the Department of Post, Ms. Lakshmi chose to travel alone from Madurai to Tiruchi, only to get a feel of the new train. “I will come back by Vaigai Express to Madurai,” she said.

Maya Suresh, 53, a music teacher at a city college, was also part of the inaugural run of the train. “My aunt used to often recall her experience travelling as part of the inaugural run of Vaigai Express decades ago. I too thought of making use of the first journey of Tejas Express. It was really comfortable,” she said after travelling up to Kodaikanal Road.

The train comprises one executive chair car coach with 56 seats, 12 chair car coaches with 78 seats each and two power cars

MKU restores flagship course after two years

STAFF REPORTER

MADURAI, MARCH 02, 2019 00:00 IST

The M. Sc. (Biotechnology) course was started in 1985

Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) has restored the Department of Biotechnology (DBT)-funded M. Sc. (Biotechnology) course, its flagship programme, after two years.

The funding was stopped by Union government’s DBT in December 2016, mainly due to irregularities and delays in submitting mandatory utilisation certificates for the funds received for the previous three years. The university has since been trying to restore the funding.

Students for this course are admitted through an all-India entrance examination conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru University. While the DBT-funded programme is now available in 33 universities across the country, MKU was one of the first universities to be funded by the department way back in 1985.

The cancellation of funding, which was first reported by The Hindu , attracted disappointment from alumni of the programme, many of whom are now spread across the globe and involved in cutting-edge research.

D. Ganesh, the present coordinator of the course, said that the DBT team visited the university thrice in the meanwhile to ensure that it had adequate infrastructure and other facilities.

“It was impressed with the facilities. Other shortfalls were also rectified, following which DBT Expert Committee decided to restore funding for the course,” he said. Pointing that JNU had already initiated the process for conducting entrance examination for 2019-10, he said that students would be allocated to MKU after the examination. Thirty seats that existed before the cancellation had been retained, he added.

Highlighting that the flagship programme brought laurels to the university through the distinguished alumni spread across the world, Vice-Chancellor M. Krishnan appreciated all the faculty members who played a crucial role in restoring the funding.

“The programme will help in producing quality research scholars in the area of biotechnology and also make the School of Biological Sciences self-supportive through continuous support from DBT,” he said.

HC comes down hard on Collector for not obeying orders

Legal Correspondent

CHENNAI, MARCH 02, 2019 00:00 IST

She did not evict encroachers from public land

The Madras High Court on Friday came down heavily on Namakkal Collector M. Asia Mariam for not having evicted encroachers from a public land despite a specific direction issued by the court and instead having passed an order deciding to regularise the encroachments in accordance with a government order.

A Division Bench of Justices M. Venugopal and S. Vaidyanathan said: “This court is really shocked to observe as to how such an order can be passed by the District Collector, despite issuance of specific direction to the respondents for removal of encroachments by this Court and the act of the 1st respondent / District Collector is highly condemnable.”

“She must be taught about court proceedings as she is smart enough to act as an appellate authority of this court. Moreover, this contempt petition has been mainly filed pursuant to an utterly and palpable incorrect statement made before this court on March 1 by A.N. Thambidurai, learned Special Government Pleader, who appeared for the respondents on that date,” the Bench added.

‘True in letter and spirit’

“Similarly, the proceedings of the Collector are nothing but not obeying the orders of this court in true letter and spirit,” the Bench said.

The judges were highly disturbed over a specific line in the Collector’s order where she had said: “It is ordered that at present there is no necessity to remove the encroachments since it had been decided to regularise them.”

However, after a Government counsel informed the court that he would instruct the Collector to withdraw her order and file an affidavit to that effect in the court, the judges adjourned the hearing on the contempt of court petition to March 4.

They adjourned the hearing with a rider that the Collector should be present in court on that day if her order was not withdrawn by then.

The court is really shocked to observe as to how such an order can be passed by the District Collector

Vandalur flyover by April-end

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI, MARCH 02, 2019 00:00 IST

Construction work on the flyover in progress.M. KarunakaranM_Karunakaran

New traffic signal planned to facilitate completion of project

A new traffic signal will be installed at the junction of Vandalur-Kelambakkam Road and GST Road. This is to facilitate completion of work on the two deck slabs of the Rs. 55-crore flyover at Vandalur.

The Highways Department has fixed April end as target for the completion of this work that began in September 2016. On completion, the six-lane flyover — 711m long — would allow vehicles to drive over the Vandalur junction.

“The contractor has time till June-end. But we have planned it in such a manner that the work will be over before that. Though the earlier plan was to finish it by the end of last year, the work has taken more time due to labour issues, non-availability of sand, and an increase in cement prices. Labourers are from north and had gone home for over a month, delaying the work. But we are compensating for that delay,” explained an official source in the department.

The new traffic signal would allow vehicles towards Chennai from Kelambakkam to take a right turn beneath the flyover. At present, motorists are taking a left and then a ‘U’ turn to travel towards Chennai.

Traffic diversion

“When we get this traffic diversion in place, we would take up work on construction of the flyover’s ramp, the panels on the sides and retaining wall. We have arranged flyash from the Ennore thermal power station for the filling,” explained an engineer associated with the project.

Vandalur resident R. Pandian said that each time motorists had to wait for a minimum of 10 minutes during rush hour at the signal. “The work has been going on at a snail’s pace. If the project is expedited and is completed on time, it would come as a relief to motorists,” he said.

The work has taken more time due to labour issues, non-availability of sand, and an increase in cement prices

Official

Duplications spotted in organ wait lists

Serena Josephine M.

CHENNAI, MARCH 02, 2019 00:00 IST

Transtan to identify such multiple registrationsfor kidney, liver transplants

Nearly 200 patients waiting for kidney and liver transplantations in the State have registered with more than one hospital. The Transplant Authority of Tamil Nadu (Transtan) has now taken up an exercise to identify such multiple registrations that have led to the creation of a long waiting list, thereby slowing down the process for many patients waiting for organs.

At least 180 patients on the active waiting list for kidneys and 20 patients on the active waiting list for liver have registered with more than one hospital. For instance, one of them has registered with nine hospitals, while another has registered with four.

They also found that almost 900 patients on the inactive waiting lists for both organs would have to be removed as they were either dead, had undergone transplant, were not on follow-up or were unwilling for transplant. This was because hospitals did not update the lists, officials said.

When a patient with end-stage organ failure registers for transplant under the deceased donor programme at the hospital where he/she is undergoing treatment, a unique identification number (UID) is issued. They pay Rs. 1,000 for the registration. Hospitals are bound to take an undertaking from patients that they are not registered elsewhere.

Switching hospitals

If a patient chooses to move to another hospital while waiting on the list, he/she should submit a letter to Transtan along with a letter from the consultant at the new hospital expressing willingness to take over. When the transfer is processed, the UID, along with seniority is maintained, and the hospital where the patient was initially registered is notified to remove the name from the list as per rules of Transtan.

However, this was not the case with many patients. “Knowingly or unknowingly, nearly 200 of them have registered with many hospitals. These entries were done by misspelling their names, dropping surnames or initials, entering different dates of birth or minor changes in addresses,” said R. Kanthimathy, member-secretary of Transtan.

It was a random check that led Transtan staff to the duplications in the kidney and liver waiting lists. The transplant authority has now taken up an exercise to identify patients with multiple registrations on the waiting lists. They are doing a blood group-wise filtering of patients to pick up duplications.

“We are halfway through this exercise to streamline the waiting list. We are calling up patients to verify their registrations. Some of them are aware that they are registered with several hospitals, while others are not. We have always insisted that hospitals update their waiting lists every month,” she said.

Dr. Kanthimathy said they had taken a hospital-wise list and were in the process of intimating hospitals to delete such cases. “We have started sending emails to hospitals. They should delete multiple registrations, remove names of patients who died while on the wait list and those who have undergone transplantations,” she added.

She said multiple registrations would only make the waiting list longer. “The list will not move if this is the case. Patients will not benefit from multiple registrations and they have to understand this,” she added. For queries regarding their registrations, patients can call Transtan office at 044-25333676.

Physically active lifestyle reduces colon cancer growth: Study

02.03.2019

A new study has found that after a short session of high intensity interval training (HIIT), growth of colon cancer cells was reduced, and this also increased indicators of inflammation.

For a long time, the focus on exercise has been on the positive changes in the body that occur following a longer period of training. However, these findings suggest that the effects following a single session of HIIT, an exercise regime involving short, high energy bursts are also important.

According to the study, the changes following HIIT suggest that repeated exposure to the acute effects of exercise may contribute to the fight against the cancer. These results reinforce the importance of doing regular exercise and maintaining a physically active lifestyle. The study involved colorectal cancer survivors completing either a single session of HIIT or 12 sessions over 4 weeks.

Speaking about the study, James Devin, lead author said, “We have shown that exercise may play a role in inhibiting the growth of colon cancer cells. After an acute bout of HIIT, there were specific increases in inflammation immediately after exercise, which are hypothesised to be involved in reducing the number of cancer cells.” According to researchers, this suggests that a physically active lifestyle may be important in tackling human colorectal tumours.

— ANI

Pregnancy is no reason to defer physical test for job: HC

Debashish.Karmakar@timesgroup.com

Patna:02.03.2019

In a significant decision, Patna high court on Friday ruled that pregnancy cannot be cited as reason to defer the physical evaluation test (PET) of a candidate for recruitment since, the bench of Chief Justice Amreshwar Pratap Sahi and Justice Anjana Mishra said, right to motherhood and right to public employment were two separate issues.

The bench allowed the plea by Central Selection Board of Constable (CSBC) against a single-bench judgment which had directed it to defer PET of six petitioners, who were in an advanced stage of pregnancy on the test date on January 1, 2017. The petitioners were among applicants to 2,649 posts of jail wardens advertised by CSBC on July 31, 2015. The written test was held after 13 months. The bench on August 3, 2017, had directed the selection board to draw up a fresh date for the petitioners’ physical evaluation. The single bench observed that while publishing the advertisement, CSBC had not fixed the examination dates and termed it “insensitive” to force the petitioners to choose between motherhood and career.

Pondy varsity denies VC was at ABVP meet

Puducherry:02.03.2019

Pondicherry University has refuted media reports that vice-chancellor Gurmeet Singh attended a function organized by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the students' wing of the BJP. The university also brushed aside the SFI’s charges that it has launched attempts to promote Hindutva agenda on the campus.

In a statement, assistant registrar (public relations) K Mahesh said Singh had presided over a distinguished lecture series organized in collaboration with the Union human resource development ministry. Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation director Anirban Ganguly delivered a lecture on, ‘Government policies, transformation initiative, their impact and the future direction’at Jawaharlal Nehru auditorium.

He said students and research scholars interacted with Ganguly after the lecture. TNN

Pvt colleges use students as their marketing agents

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Coimbatore:02.03.2019

Around noon on Friday, the first day of the Class XII state board exams, groups of first year and second year college students were seen waiting in front of a school at R S Puram in the city with bunches of pamphlets and notices in their hands.

A college bus had dropped some of them at the spot a few minutes ago. The students, in some cases accompanied by an employee of the college, were waiting to distribute their college admission pamphlets to Class XII students who would come out after writing the exam.

Some of them told TOI that they were second year students while some said they were first year students. When they were waiting, a college employee was seen asking the students to remove their identity cards and collecting them.

Once the students started coming out after the exam, the college students who were restlessly waiting till then, sprang into action and started distributing the pamphlets. They were also seen collecting the names and phone numbers of the Class XII students.

A few other colleges had, however, deployed their employees at the same spot to distribute pamphlets.

When contacted, a representative of the Pioneer College of Arts and Science, students of which were seen distributing pamphlets, said those students had volunteered to do so. “These students act as volunteers in all our college activities. In the process of admission also they help us,” the representative said. The representative also said it was an ‘extension activity’ like an NSS camp where they go door to door to spread messages.

TOI contacted St Paul’s College of Arts and Science for Women, students from which were also seen distributing pamphlets, and asked to speak to the principal. While a staff member from the college said the principal would call back, there were no calls from the college.

When TOI spoke to an official from the regional directorate of collegiate education regarding the issue, the official said it was unwarranted of colleges to make students do such work. The official, however, said that the issue had not been brought to their notice till then and that they would investigate it.

OUT OF SYLLABUS: College students distribute pamphlets to school students

TN adds 508 PG seats in govt medical colleges, 2-fold jump in key specialties

Pushpa.Narayan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:02.03.2019

Tamil Nadu will add 508 postgraduate seats in government medical colleges soon, making it the state with the most number of PG government seats in the country. The total number of PG seats will be 1,758, compared to 2,900 undergraduate medical seats. A major share of the 40% increase came through conversion of diploma seats — barring three in diabetology — into PG degree programmes.

The increase in PG seats, officials say, will directly benefit healthcare services in the state. For instance, the number of obstetrician-gynecologists the government colleges produces every year will nearly double from 109 to 203 and the number of anesthesiologists will go up from 126 to 193. There will also be at least 29 more general surgeons and 18 more general medicine practitioners from the state colleges, said deputy director of medical services Dr K Rajasekar.

The directorate of medical education received the Centre’s permission, from the board of governors in supersession of the Medical Council of India, on Thursday to convert 384 of its 396 PG diploma seats into PG degree seats. The diploma seats in diabetology could not be converted as there was no PG degree equivalent; and the state had to forgo the remaining seats in some colleges as it had reached the limit.

State has most PG seats in govt colleges

In addition, the state has permission to start 124 new PG degree courses across 14 state-run medical colleges.

This means, during the 2019 PG counselling, after surrendering 50% of seats towards the all-India quota the state will still be left with more than 850 seats. The state is known for having the maximum number of MBBS seats in 22 government medical colleges; it will now have highest number of PG degree seats in government colleges as well.

In some colleges, there are more PG degree seats than UG degree seats. The Madras Medical College has 433 MD/MS seats and 250 MBBS seats. “That’s how premium medical colleges work. Centre-run colleges such as All India Institute of Medical Sciences and JIPMER have very few undergraduate seats. As the MCI has made it mandatory for all colleges to have PG courses, we will be increasing the seats every year. Converting two-year diplomas to three year degrees will also mean we will also have more teaching faculty to help us do this. Diploma holders can practice their speciality, but aren’t allowed to teach,” said director of medical education Dr A Edwin Joe. Stanley Medical College has 204 MD/MS seats and 250 MBBS seats. At the Madurai Medical College where MBBS seats are expected to go up to 250 from the present 155, there are 184 PG seats.

More than 11,000 candidates from the state have cleared PG Neet this year.

Service Law- Remaining Absent for Long Time is not Minor 
Misconduct-Karnataka HC 

February 25, 2019



February 25, 2019

Case name: The Chief Traffic Manager vs S. Ganesh

The Appellant has challenged the impugned order, whereby the Single Judge of High Court has set aside the order of dismissal and directed respondent’s reinstatement with continuity of service and all consequential benefits. As per the facts of the case, respondent did not report for duty for about two years.

In view of the facts and circumstances in the case and precedent on the subject, the Division Bench allowed the appeal and made the following observations in the case:

The Supreme Court on the subject made reference to the case of North-Eastern Karnataka RT Corpn. Vs. Ashappa, wherein it was observed that remaining absent for a long time, in our opinion, cannot be said to be a minor misconduct. He was found not only to have remained absent for a period of more than three years, his leave records were seen and it was found that he remained unauthorisedly absent on several occasions. In this view of the matter, it cannot be said that the misconduct committed by the respondent herein has to be treated lightly.

In view of the aforesaid verdict and facts of the instant case that petitioner did not chose to report for duty for two years after revocation of suspension, the High Court of Karnataka held that impugned order was not sustainable.

The entire case can be accessed here.

Chennai: Private bus owner, insurance firm to pay Rs 14 lakh to kin of mishap victim 

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

Published Feb 28, 2019, 2:34 am IST

In the petition Vijaya submitted that her husband, Panchatcharam had several businesses including real estate business.

Panchatcharam sustained grievous injuries and next day he died in the hospital. She said the accident took place due to the negligence of the bus driver. (Representational Image)

Chennai: The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Chennai, directed a private bus operator and a public sector insurance firm to pay a compensation of Rs 14 lakh to family members of a 57-year-oldbusinessman who died in a road accident.

In the petition Vijaya submitted that her husband, Panchatcharam had several businesses including real estate business. He was earning Rs 50,000 per month.

On September 15, 2015, at about 7 am, he was riding the motorcycle (bearing registration No. TN20 AW 7096) on Vallal MGR Salai, near Thiruvalluvar Salai Arch, Maraimalai Nagar. A bus, which was belonged to M/s.Sri Ganesh Travels, was being driven in a rash and negligent manner.

The bus rammed into the two-wheeler.

Panchatcharam sustained grievous injuries and next day he died in the hospital. She said the accident took place due to the negligence of the bus driver. Hence, M/s.Sri Ganesh Travels and the New India Assurance Co., Ltd., insurer of the vehicle, jointly and severally liable to pay compensation to the family members.

In the reply the insurance firm stated that the petition is false, frivolous, vexatious, not maintainable in law and in facts. The alleged accident happened only due to the rash and negligent riding of Panchatcharam. Hence, contributory negligence may be apportioned with a greater percentage against the motorcycle.

Chief Judge, Court of Small Causes, Chennai, R.Selvakumar said considering oral and documentary evidence, this court finds that the accident took place due to the rash and negligent driving of the bus driver.

In the result, the travels and insurance firm jointly and severally ordered to pay a sum of Rs 14 lakh to the petitioners with interest at the rate of 7.5 per cent, said the Chief Judge.

Chennai: Supermarket to pay Rs 8,000 for selling beyond MRP 

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

Published Mar 1, 2019, 2:38 am IST

The outlet sold the soaps under an offer, "Buy 3 get 1 free" for a price of Rs 120. 


The issue was rectified within a few days, after Sathyan sent a legal notice to the shop.

Chennai: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram district, has directed a supermarket to pay compensation of Rs 8,000 for selling a popular soap for more than the maximum retail price to a resident, two years ago.

In the petition, M. Sathyan of Pallavaram submitted that he had purchased a bar of Chandrika soap from the Ayyanar Super Market. The outlet sold the soaps under an offer, "Buy 3 get 1 free" for a price of Rs 120. However, the shop collected Rs 169, which was above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP).

Sathyan alleged that the manufacturer was hand in glove with the shopkeepers by offering an attractive price outside the packet and the original price was mentioned in small letters on the wrapper.

He said the soap manufacturing company, 'The Wipro Consumer Care' Bengaluru and Shri Ayyanar Super Market in Pallavaram had cheated him by overcharging. He sought compensation of Rs 2 lakh from the company and the supermarket.

Denying the allegations, Wipro Consumer Care said that the company was not responsible for selling its product at more than the MRP mentioned on it. The supermarket accepted the mistake of affixing stickers of reduced prices of the soap sold. The issue was rectified within a few days, after Sathyan sent a legal notice to the shop.

The forum headed by president J Justin David said that Shri Ayyanar Super Market had committed the mistake while affixing the stickers, which amounts to negligence and deficiency of service. The forum directed the supermarket to pay the petitioner a compensation of Rs 8049 for collecting an excess amount and for causing mental agony.

Chennai: Bike taxis without proper commercial permit seized 

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

Published Mar 1, 2019, 2:41 am IST

Meanwhile, drivers of the bike taxi service are protesting as their means of livelihood have now been hit. 


 
he app, initially launched in Bangalore, was brought to Chennai in February and was a boon to commuters who required to go someplace quickly, and at nominal cost.

Chennai: Days after an app based bike taxi service was launched in the city, the police seized 10 vehicles for operating without obtaining necessary permits and put a hold on its functioning until appropriate permissions are acquired. Traffic police in KK Nagar seized two vehicles belonging to the app based service after it was found to be having private vehicle number plates.

 Claiming that it violates existing motor vehicle rules, an official said that both vehicles have been seized and notices issued to the firms running the apps. The app, initially launched in Bangalore, was brought to Chennai in February and was a boon to commuters who required to go someplace quickly, and at nominal cost. Meanwhile, drivers of the bike taxi service are protesting as their means of livelihood have now been hit. "The services were discontinued in Bangalore too. Why can't the government amend the Act," one driver said.

Kochi: HC order set to jack up private medical college fees 

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

Published Mar 1, 2019, 2:06 am IST

The court has asked the educational institutions to cooperate with the regulatory commission. 


 
The court order is a setback for nearly 4,000 students who have secured admissions in 21 private medical colleges in the state as they may be asked to pay more than Rs 4.85 lakh to Rs 5.65 lakh fixed by the regulatory commission for the academic year 2017-18.

Kochi: The High Court on Thursday quashed the order of the fee regulatory commission headed by Justice Rajendra Babu fixing the tuition fees structure for students in the private medical colleges of the state for the academic year 2017-18. The court asked the commission to fix the fees structure afresh within two months.

The court order is a setback for nearly 4,000 students who have secured admissions in 21 private medical colleges in the state as they may be asked to pay more than Rs 4.85 lakh to Rs 5.65 lakh fixed by the regulatory commission for the academic year 2017-18. The court observed that the fee fixed earlier was an interim measure.

The court issued the order on a batch of petitions filed by a slew of private medical colleges against the order of the fee regulatory commission. The private medical college managements have sought Rs 11-15 lakh as fees instead of the amount fixed by the regulatory commission. The existing fee structure, however, will remain in force till the fixation of the new fees by the commission.

The court has asked the educational institutions to cooperate with the regulatory commission. The court has also observed that all members of the fee regulatory commission should sign the order fixing the fee instead of two or three members doing it as was in the case of the earlier decision.

Kovai, Brindavan Exp trains lose 2 second-class seater coaches

In what can be conceived as a move to push passengers to opt for AC classes, the Southern Railway has removed two second-class seater coaches from Kovai and Brindavan Expresses.

Published: 28th February 2019 03:42 AM

By B Anbuselvan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: In what can be conceived as a move to push passengers to opt for AC classes, the Southern Railway has removed two second-class seater coaches from Kovai and Brindavan Expresses. Instead it has added two general coaches in these two trains on the pretext of catering to the unreserved passengers. 

The revised coach composition, which came into effect on Tuesday, has resulted in reducing number of second-class seater coaches to 12 as from 14 in the Kovai Express. Each coach has 108 seats. Now the train has lost 226 seats in second-class seater coaches which cost just `180 between Chennai and Coimbatore. The AC chair car fare is `665.

“Now passengers, who could not find seats in second-class seater coaches, will be left with no option but to choose chair car in Kovai Express or Chennai-Coimbatore Shatabdi Express. The minimum fare in Shatabdi starts at `950 (including `200 for catering charges),” said S Karthick, a regular commuter. 

This is not the first such attempt. Ever since the launch of Coimbatore-Chennai Duronto Express in 2013 which was later converted into Shatabdi Express, the Railways has been accused of increasing travel time of Kovai Express so as to increase the patronage for Shatabdi. “Until 2013, the train reached Central at 9.20 pm during its return journey from Coimbatore. Then, the arrival time was fixed at 9.45 pm and now it is 11 pm,” said train enthusiast R Madhan.

When contacted, officials denied the charges and attributed the decision to higher demand of unreserved passengers in the Chennai-Jolarpettai section. “No additional general coaches can be added without removing existing coaches as they already had 24 coaches. Based on the sale of unreserved tickets at enroute stations, general coaches are being added,” said the officials.

Madurai Bench of Madras HC orders interim stay on Madurai Kamaraj University sex scandal case

According to the senior counsel appearing for the litigant, there are several irregularities in the investigation conducted by the CB-CID.

  Published: 28th February 2019 02:26 PM 

 

Madurai Kamaraj University

By Express News Service

Dissatisfied with the investigation conducted by the CB-CID into the Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) sex scandal, the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court ordered stay on all further proceedings in the case.

A division bench comprising Justices N Kirubakaran and SS Sundar passed the interim order while hearing public interest litigation filed by General Secretary of All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) P Suganthi who sought transfer of the investigation of the case to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

According to the senior counsel appearing for the litigant, there are several irregularities in the investigation conducted by the CB-CID. He argued that the CB-CID obtained the call records of Nirmala Devi and conveniently examined only those persons to whom she had conversed after her attempt to lure the college girls and not those she was in touch with before the incident. It was a deliberate act on part of CB-CID as the latter would have easily helped them to throw light on who influenced the professor to commit the offence, stated the counsel.

He further pointed out that though more than 100 witnesses were examined during the investigation, only two persons, whose ranks were lower than Nirmala Devi herself, have been arrayed as accused by the CB-CID, not to mention that these two persons do not fit in the description given by Nirmala of very important higher officials of MKU being involved.


He prayed the Court to transfer the case to CBI under a special investigation team, so as to ensure fair investigation. Taking the above contentions into consideration, the Judges noted that though the CB-CID were in possession of the entire call records of Nirmala, no one who was in contact with her before the incident had been examined. 

Observing so, they stayed all further proceedings in the said case and issued a notice to Joint Director of CBI, Superintendent of Police of CB-CID South wing, Secretary of Devanga Arts College, Aruppukottai and the three accused persons, returnable before March 18. The Court also heard an impleading petition filed by one Nagalakshmi seeking a Court monitored inquiry into the scandal.

During the hearing, the judges raised questions to the government as to why Nirmala is kept in police custody for almost a year, even after the investigation has been completed. "While even murder accused are let out on bail after filing the charge sheet, what is the reason for keeping this accused in prison for such a long time," they questioned, adding that the act of CB-CID and the State was raising suspicion.

Nirmala Devi was arrested on April 16 on charges of attempting to lure four girl students of Devanga Arts College to extend sexual favours to some higher officials of MKU, after an audio clipping of her phone conversation with those students went viral in social media platforms. After an investigation, the CB-CID also arrested two more persons namely Murugan, an assistant professor in MKU and Karuppasamy, a research scholar. Karuppasamy and Murugan were granted bail by the Supreme Court recently.

(This story originally appeared on Edex Live)

Beware of bike taxi: You may be taken for a ride

Two weeks ago, Ola taxi drivers lodged a complaint with the Road Transport department that illegal bike taxis have increased in the city. 

Published: 01st March 2019 05:56 AM 

By Sahaya Novinston Lobo

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Have you taken a ride on a motorbike, using a bike taxi app, as you do on Ola and Uber? 

Then, little do you know that the bike taxi is illegal and there is no provision in the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicle rules for a bike taxi.

Two weeks ago, Ola taxi drivers lodged a complaint with the Road Transport department that illegal bike taxis have increased in the city. Hearing the plea of the taxi drivers, Chennai (North-West) RTO S Sridharan seized 10 vehicles that were booked through a popular bike rental app.

 “The risk factor in such bikes is high. Unlike Ola and Uber, where the drivers work on contract permit for a company, the bikers of rental apps have their own vehicles, with no accountability and safety to the rider,” said Sridharan.

“On Monday we booked a bike through the app and waited for the riders to arrive. The vehicle registration number that was given on the mobile app was different from the bike that arrived,” he added.


In the rental bike apps, most of the drivers are already working in private companies and surprisingly, some of them are already working for popular food delivery apps.

There are youngsters who depend on some income until they get salaried jobs. In order to make quick money, they are now getting into bike taxi apps not knowing it is illegal, said a police officer.
An individual taking a ride in a taxi is covered with insurance, road tax and proper permit, and moreover, if the driver tries to kidnap the person, it is easy to track the driver through documents that are accessed at the office of the company.

But in case of bikes, if the driver kidnaps the pillion-rider it will be much more difficult to trace since it is his own vehicle, said a Road Transport Officer from Coimbatore. 

“Not knowing that the bike taxi apps are illegal in Tamil Nadu, many silver-screen celebrities and social media influencers promote these apps and rides through their social media pages,” said a senior police officer. Around 20 bikes were seized by different Road Transport Officers in different parts of the city.

Meanwhile, the co-founder of a Hitch Biker app told Express that their bikers were not booked since it is a bike-sharing platform, which encourages hitchhiking to reduce the cost of the travel to a particular distance.

“We don’t have commission or salaried riders. If you are staying at Mylapore and intend to reach Central station, the app will show some drivers who are ready to drop you and the rider will have to bear the transport charge alone,” he added.