Keelkattalai flyovers to be completed by March 2020

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI, MARCH 15, 2019 00:00 IST

Long overdue:Each flyover will be 700 m in length, with 17 spans.B. Velanakanni Raj

Work that began in 2016 resumed recently after a change of contractors

The Highways Department has set a new deadline for completion of the two flyovers at Keelkattalai that are coming up at the junction of Thoraipakkam-Pallavaram Radial Road and Medavakkam Main Road.

The work, which began in 2016, resumed recently after a change of contractors. The department has now given the new contractor time till March 2020 for completing the work.

Contractor terminated

Sources in the department said the previous contractor had completed only 28% of the Rs. 64-crore project and had to be terminated.

“The two three-lane uni-directional flyovers were slated to be completed by December last year. We sent him notices and imposed fines, but he was not able to complete the work within the stipulated time. Hence we had to go in for fresh tenders,” the officer said.

Each flyover will be 700 m in length with 17 spans.

The new contractor, after mobilising men and machinery in the last three months, commenced work only recently. He will work on the four obligatory spans that will come up over the junction shortly. The Highways Department will be writing to the traffic police seeking permission for changes in traffic movement during the period of construction of the spans.

M. Ramasamy, who runs a plywood store on Medavakkam Main Road, said the junction was known for slowing traffic. “Even before the construction began, vehicle movement was slow. Now it takes motorists some 20-30 minutes to cross the junction. We hope the flyovers are completed on schedule and that they bring relief to motorists,” he said.

S. Suresh, a resident of Kandanchavadi, said he usually avoided taking the Radial road to the GST Road and the airport, since traffic moved slowly during peak hours due to the flyover work.

“I take the southern sector of the Inner Ring Road and go via Alandur. Though it is a longer route, I don’t mind the distance since I make it on time to the airport. Hopefully, the flyover work near the airport too will be completed on time,” he said.

The two three-lane uni-directional flyovers were slated to be completed by December last year

Officer

Highways Department

Nurses on way to work among dead

Jyoti Shelar

MUMBAI, MARCH 15, 2019 00:00 IST

Injured being treated at GT Hospital.Emmanual Yogini

Three nurses from GT Hospital, Fort, who were on their way to report for night duty were among the five people who lost their lives when a bridge abutting Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus collapsed on Thursday evening. Altogether 32 people were injured in the incident.

The victims were admitted to the two nearest State-run hospitals, St. George and GT, while one victim was taken to Bombay Hospital.

The nurses, Apoorva Prabhu (35) and Ranjana Tambe (40) were declared dead at GT Hospital with multiple severe injuries. A third nurse, Bhakti Shinde (40), succumbed during treatment at the St. George Hospital. All the three nurses were residents of Dombivali.

“They may have taken the same train to reach their workplace,” said a distraught Rajendra Shinde, Bhakti Shinde’s husband.

At GT Hospital, the staff rushed to attend to their colleagues. The nurses who were responding to the disaster broke down when the doctors failed to revive Prabhu and Tambe.

Excessive hygiene can cause antibiotic resistance

Times of India 15.03.2019

While maintaining hygiene is good for health, excess cleanliness could lead to antibiotic resistance often resulting to death and illness as well, suggests a new study. Comparing all existing microorganisms and antibiotic resistances, the researchers at Austria’s University of Graz showed that microbial diversity decreases in areas with high levels of hygiene and the diversity of resistances increases. The team compared the intensive care unit of the institute with clean rooms subject to strong microbial control in the aerospace industry and with public and private buildings which have hardly any microbial controls. “In environments with strong microbial control in the intensive care unit and industrially used clean rooms, there are increasing antibiotic resistances which show a high potential for combining with pathogens,” said Alexander Mahnert, director at the varsity.

The number of people who become ill and die from antibiotic-resistant germs is increasing worldwide, said the study, published in Nature Communications. Hence, the results indicated that a stable microbial diversity in clinical areas counteracts the spread of resistances.

The team suggested regular airing, houseplants, deliberate use of useful microorganisms and reduction of antibacterial cleaning agents could be the strategies in maintaining or improving microbial diversity.

IANS

Why planes flying themselves has a downside

As Pilots Spend More Time Learning Automated Systems, They May Become Less Comfortable With Manual Control

Jack Nicas and Zach Wichter

15.03.2019

In nearly 100 million flights by United States airlines over the past decade, there has been a single fatality. Other than most landings and takeoffs, the planes have largely been flying themselves.

But the recent crashes of Boeing 737 Max 8 jets in Indonesia and Ethiopia have raised questions about the downside of all that automation.

Pilots now spend more time learning these automated systems than practicing hands-on flying, so newer pilots are less comfortable with taking manual control when the computer steers them wrong, according to interviews with a dozen pilots and pilot instructors.

“The automation in the aircraft, whether it’s a Boeing or an Airbus, has lulled us into a sense of security and safety,” said Kevin Hiatt, a former Delta Air Lines pilot. Pilots now rely on autopilot so often, “they become a systems operator rather than a stick-and-rudder pilot.”

While automation has contributed to the airline industry’s stellar safety record in recent years, it has also been a factor in many of the crashes that have still occurred around the world. A 2011 study by a federal task force found that in about 60% of 46 recent accidents, pilots had trouble manually flying the plane or handling the automated controls. Complicated automation systems can also confuse pilots and potentially cause them to take action they shouldn’t, pilots said.

President Trump weighed in on Tuesday, posting on Twitter that airplanes have become too technologically complex and that he wants “great flying professionals that are allowed to easily and quickly take control of a plane!”

Overdependence on automation has been an issue for decades. A 1997 American Airlines pilot-training video warned that the problem was well known among pilots. In 2013, a federal task force concluded in a report that pilots relied too often on automation and should be required to improve their manual flying skills.

The issue has become more acute in recent years as aircraft have become more automated and a global pilot shortage has forced carriers to fill

Source: Agencies, Photo: AP

their cockpits with less experienced pilots. At the same time, the stream of military aviators that the big carriers have long relied on is dwindling.

Kit Darby, a former United Airlines captain and Boeing flight instructor who now trains pilots at another large carrier, said training for passenger pilots remained exhaustive and still focused on manual skills, including 1,500 hours of flight time and nearly 30 days in simulators. The bigger problem, he said, is the degradation of those skills once pilots get into the cockpit of an advanced passenger jet and begin to rely on autopilot. NYT NEWS SERVICE

Training for pilots still focused on manual skills, but the problem is the degradation of those skills once they get into the cockpit, say experts

FB suffers 24-hour outage worldwide

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

15.03.2019  TOI 

In one of the biggest cases of outage, Facebook was down for about 24 hours across the world between Wednesday and Thursday. At the time of the filing of this report, the website had been restored in many parts of the world. On a live outage chart put out by a technology website, India looked alright but not entirely unaffected.

Facebook subsidiaries — Instagram and WhatsApp — also also experienced interruptions across the world. The outage led to a flurry of memes on Twitter with #FacebookDown, #WhatsAppDown and #InstagramBlackout2019 trending for several hours.

Facebook confirmed the prolonged disruption. The company also said it was considering whether to refund advertisers for lost exposure due to the problems, which internet outage trackers showed affected users in Europe, Japan, North and South America. “Yesterday, a server configuration issue made it difficult for people to access our apps and services. We are 100% back up and running and apologise for any inconvenience,” an FB spokesperson said. FB takes tens of millions of dollars of advertising revenue every day.

According to downdetector.com, a Dutch company which “detects technology failures” real-time, showed the number of people affected by the outage spiked to 12,000 people around 6am, but then reduced considerably in the next 12 hours. At 6pm, number of malfunction reports from users had come down to 196. For Instagram, too, the worst impacted hour was between 6-7am, when 30,000 people reported that the site was down. Around 10am, the platform tweeted a meme featuring Oprah Winfrey and wrote: “Anddddd... we’re back.”A real-time tracking by downdetector.com, however, showed 282 reports of malfunction by users at 6pm, eight hours after Instagram had tweeted that its services were restored. A Twitter user posted: “Hey everyone! While #Instagramdown and #FacebookDown, I just found a new social app. It’s called “outside”.

With inputs from agencies

Facebook subsidiaries — Instagram and WhatsApp — also experienced interruptions across the world

FB data deals under criminal probe in US

Federal prosecutors are conducting a criminal investigation into data deals Facebook struck with some of the world’s largest tech companies, intensifying scrutiny of the social media giant’s business practices. A grand jury in New York has subpoenaed records from at least two prominent makers of smartphones and other devices, according to two people familiar with the requests. The firms were among more than 150, including Amazon, Apple, Microsoft and Sony, that had cut sharing deals with the world’s dominant social media platform. The agreements let the companies see users’ friends, contact information and other data, sometimes without consent. FB has phased out most of the partnerships. “We are cooperating with investigators,” an FB spokesman said. NYT

Kolkata docs earn black belts in bid to stave off mob attacks

Suman.Chakraborti@timesgroup.com

Kolkata:15.03.2019

Five junior doctors and a faculty member of Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital are set to become Taekwondo Kukkiwon 1st Dan black belt holders, the first for any government-run medical college in the country.

In March 2017, NRS hospital was the first medical college in the country to introduce taekwondo training for students, interns and junior doctors as a method to manage stress and help in crises, like when they come under attack from the public.

The six doctors — Pritam Rahman, Rituparna Mukherjee, Tausif Mirza, Kaushiki Raman, Indrayudh Bandyopadhyay and Akash Mandal — appeared for their test on the hospital premises on Monday. “It’s a dream come true. We are proud that NRS hospital has become the first government hospital in the country that can boast of such an achievement,” said Bandyopadhyay.

“Not just acquiring self control, discipline and mental strength in a non-violent manner, taekwondo students can also get scholarship facilities at foreign universities and educational institutes once they become Kukkiwon certified 1st dan black belt taekwondo atheletes,” said Kukkiwon grand master Pradipta Kumar Roy, who judged the students.

“It is a unique thing that has happened for any government medical college. Taekwondo helps build mental strength and calmness, which are essential for doctors who go through stress on a daily basis.”

“Taekwondo helps them face any challenge with confidence in a non-violent way. Since taekwondo training has been introduced at NRS hospital, incidents of doctor-public altercations have reduced significantly,” NRS hospital deputy superintendent and state nodal officer for taekwondo training Dwaipayan Biswas said.

TO HELP DOCS: NRS hospital was the first medical college in the country to introduce taekwondo training for students, interns and junior doctors as a method to manage stress and help in crises

‘PUNISHED FOR NOT BRINGING DOWRY’

Woman raped by husband, kin on wedding night in UP

Mohd Dilshad TNN

Muzaffarnagar:15.03.2019

A 26-yearold woman was allegedly gangraped by her husband and his brother-in-law on the night of her wedding even as her inlaws locked the room from outside in a village on the outskirts of Muzaffarnagar town.

After the assault, the woman lay bleeding for the entire night and was taken to a hospital next morning, where she is recuperating after undergoing a surgery. The assault took place on March 6 and came to

light on Thursday. The FIR was registered on Sunday.

According to police, the two accused were inebriated at the time of assault. The case was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by the family of the survivor, who alleged that the accused were demanding dowry.

“The accused and his relative got drunk on the night of wedding and raped her. His family is greedy and they were demanding dowry. I have spent ₹7 lakh on my sister's wedding,” her brother said.

Superintendent of police (rural) Alok Sharma said, “We are conducting an investigation into the matter. Victim was sent to district hospital for medical examination also. Action will be taken accordingly.”

‘Wealth test’ tweak to help determine OBC creamy layer?

Subodh.Ghildiyal@timesgroup.com

New Delhi 15.03.2019

The law ministry has said that “salary” and “agricultural income” should not be included in the “wealth test” of OBCs whose parents work in PSUs and banks, to determine if he belongs to the “creamy layer” — an opinion which can upend the Centre’s stance on the issue which has created a permanent source of career crisis for the youth of this category.

Agreeing with the law ministry’s opinion, Parliament’s “committee on welfare of OBCs” has told the Centre that it should ensure that “salaries” and “agri income” are not considered in the “wealth test” for any category of OBCs.

“Creamy layer” is the section of backward castes which is considered economically advanced and ineligible for reservations.

The department of personnel and training has been treating the OBCs from PSU background differently from those working in state or central governments.

The guiding charter (1993 OM) has laid down that Group A and Group B (with caveats) are ineligible for quotas while others are eligible provided their annual income is not above ₹8 lakh. It states that annual income does not include the “salaries” of parents and “agricultural income”.

The department of personnel and training has been treating the OBCs from PSU background differently from those working in state or central governments

POLL BUZZ
Notice to SEC on poll date change

15.03.2019

Hearing a plea, the Madurai bench of the Madras high court directed the Tamil Nadu State Election Commission (SEC) to file a counter on how it would manage to conduct elections in Madurai Lok Sabha constituency during Chithirai Festival. The judges said they were not convinced with the SEC’s stand that there was no possibility to change the date. On a separate plea, the court prohibited parties from using banners, flex boards and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cut-outs as they pose health risks.

No animals in poll campaigns

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has advised political parties not to use animals while campaigning. In its ‘Manual on Model Code of Conduct’ (MCC), it says: “Election Commission has advised political parties and candidates to refrain from using any animal for campaign. Even a party with reserved symbol depicting an animal, should not make live demonstration of that animal”. The MCC also states “display of animals in road shows is totally banned”.

Action sought against official for puja in office

Action has been sought against commissioner of the welfare of differently abled B Maheswari, for renovating her office as per vasthu and performing pujas violating the model code of conduct which came to effect on Sunday. S Namburajan, general secretary of Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently-Abled and Caregivers, on Thursday submitted a complaint to state CEO Satyabrata Sahoo. He charged that the officer spent ₹10 lakh to renovate her office.

MNM calls for bypoll applicants

Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) invited aspirants keen to contest in the bypolls to avail applications from the party’s Chennai and Pollachi offices from Thursday. Forms can also be downloaded from www.maiam.com and have to be submitted along with a demand draft for ₹10,000 in favour of MNM by March 16.

Officers get poll briefing

Ahead of the Lok Sabha and assembly elections, the Election Commission organized the first briefing for observers to be deployed in the poll-going states. Over 1,800 senior officers drawn from IAS, IPS, IRS and a few other central service ranks attended the briefing. The ECI launched ‘Observer App’, for observers to submit reports securely to the ECI.

SIGN OF SUPPORT:Porters from Central railway station on Thursday visited the DMK headquarters to show their support for the party in the coming Lok Sabha polls. DMK president M K Stalin interacted with them and posed for photos in front of the statues of DMK leaders Anna and Karunanidhi

Flying squads seize more than ₹13cr cash in four days

40% Poll Code Violation Cases In 2014 Ended In Conviction

B.Sivakumar@timesgroup.com

Chennai:15.03.2019

Election surveillance teams have seized ₹13.35 crore in form of cash, cheques and promissory notes in the last four days from across the state after the model code of conduct came into force on Sunday.

In the latest incident, flying squad officials in Trichy recovered 192 signed cheques worth ₹8.76 crore and two promissory notes worth ₹1.2 crore from a SUV in Srirangam assembly constituency late on Thursday.

“Any person who carries ₹50,000 or more in cash is being questioned. People carrying proper papers to show the source of money are allowed to go. If they fail to explain the source of money, it is seized,” said state chief electoral officer Satyabrata Sahoo. In case of seizure of ₹10 lakh or more from a person, the information is immediately passed on to the income tax department, he said. Income tax department has appointed joint director Murali Mohan as the nodal officer for handling election-related work.

Sahoo said a three-member committee would be formed in each district to avoid causing inconvenience to genuine businessmen carrying cash. The committee shall look into all cases of cash seizures as per the standard operating procedure and take immediate steps to release the money to those who produce proper documents, he said.

While static surveillance teams have taken positions on major roads from the date of notification, the teams would be strengthened in the last 72 hours before the polls, particularly in expenditure sensitive pockets, the CEO said. If credible information was available, the teams could check any premises including transport hubs, residences and offices, he said. The income tax investigation wing has opened a separate control room with a tollfree number — 1800425666 — to check transportation and distribution of cash and other valuables.

Various agencies in Tamil Nadu had seized ₹18.31 crore in cash during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and ₹54 crore during the 2016 assembly elections.

The conviction rate in pollrelated cases in 2014 was more than 40% in Tamil Nadu, said an election department official. In the 2014 polls, 3,746 cases were registered, of which 2,907 were charge-sheeted and 1,548 convicted. In the southern districts, 1,856 FIRs were registered and Ramanathapuram led the list with 398 cases.

Of the 6,616 FIRs registered in the 2016 elections, 2010 cases (30%) resulted in convictions.

“Most cases were against cadres involved in defacing walls, distribution of cash or influencing voters near polling booths. There were very few cases involving senior leaders,” said a senior election department official.

Gvoernment of Puducherry Admission Notification 2019-20

Pollachi colleges declare holiday as students protest

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Pollachi/Tirupur:15.03.2019

Several private colleges in Pollachi declared a holiday on Thursday to quell student unrest as the protests demanding action against in the sexual harassment case accused threatened to snowball into a major agitation.

Pollachi town came under a thick security blanket as policemen were deployed at all vantage points to prevent students and public from protesting. Police said more than 350 of their personnel were deployed in major junctions. Police teams led by two ADSPs and six DSPs maintained strict vigil in public places as well as in the vicinity of colleges. The action by police and college authorities comes a day after more than 1,000 students from various colleges staged protests. Though the police managed to ensure that none of the students protested in Pollachi, college students from Coimbatore and Tirupur staged protests.

An police officer said law and order was maintained in Pollachi and there were minor protests in some places by some outfits.

College authorities are yet to take a call on whether the institutions would function on Friday. The managements are likely to decide if classes would be conducted on Friday based on inputs from the police in the morning.

Caution Notice on the tradeemark of AJI-NO-MOTO;

Former AIADMK councillor held for abetting suicide

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:15.02.2019

A former councillor of the AIADMK was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly abetting the suicide of a woman in Kancheepuram.

The woman had fallen in love with Sriharan who had promised to marry her. Later, he refused to marry her and informed his relatives and the former councillor, identified as Kannan, to settle the issue. Kannan had gone to her house on March 11, abused her and asked her to stay away from Sriharan, following which the woman ended her life on Tuesday.

Her family members alleged that the woman committed suicide because of Kannan’s abuse. He allegedly named her caste and said she was not fit to marry Sriharan. Kannan and Sriharan belonged to the same caste.

Police said Sriharan, a resident of Varadharaja Perumal Koil Mada Street in Kancheepuram, is employed at a private agency in Kancheepuram. The duo had been dating for the past two years. They broke up after Sriharan refused to marry her.

The girl’s father, Adi Kesavan, of Singaperumal Koil Street in Kancheepuram, filed a complaint with the Vishnu Kanchi police. Kannan was produced before a magistrate court in Kancheepuram and was sent to prison.

The woman had fallen in love with Sriharan who had promised to marry her. Later, he refused to marry her and asked former councillor Kannan to settle the issue

Ex-DMK min’s son gets 7-yr RI for money laundering

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:15.03.2019

The XII additional sessions court for CBI cases in the city on Wednesday sentenced late DMK leader and state minister Ko Si Mani’s son Mani Anbazhagan to seven years rigorous imprisonment in a money laundering case. The court imposed a fine of ₹1 crore on him. He will have to undergo an additional year of rigorous imprisonment if he fails to pay the fine.

The case was investigated by Enforcement Directorate’s zone-II in Chennai, headed by joint director P Manikkavel IRS. The investigation to conviction took around 18 months. This is the first conviction in southern India, sources said.

Mani Anbazhagan was involved in international hawala transactions amounting to $11,267,521 (₹75.50 crore) through seven different current accounts at Indian Bank’s Thousand Lights branch under the names of different business entities.

The investigation was initiated based on an intelligence input received from the Chennai seaport Customs in October 2016, ED said in a statement on Thursday. It was a herculean task for the ED to establish a link between the fake entities and the actual operator, Mani Anbazhagan, to make a case of international hawala transactions.

The ED put several hawala operators under surveillance, which lead to searching their residential premises, after identifying those involved in the scam. A case was registered in April 2017. The charges were filed in the special court (PMLA) in October 2017.

The account holder, who acted as a lender under an assumed name, was arrested on April 3, 2017 and Mani Anbazhagan, who actually operated the account, was arrested on August 7, 2017. Both of them filed various petitions before higher judicial forums, either to get bail or to quash the charges. All superior courts, considering the gravity of the case, not only refused bail but also gave a direction to complete the trial in a time-bound manner.

The modus operandi adopted by the hawala operator was that after opening the bank account, without revealing the real identity and involvement, submit the forged import documents and project it before the bank as if it were payments for genuine imports already made. All these foreign exchanges were sent to Hong Kong to undisclosed beneficiaries and for undisclosed enduse. The hawala operator transferred the foreign exchange outside the country (Hong Kong), without making any corresponding imports into India.

The Central Crime Branch (CCB), Chennai, also registered a case in the related matter and are investigating it for forgery and cheating under sections 420 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code. The CCB investigation is under progress.


Late DMK leader and state minister Ko Si Mani’s son Mani Anbazhagan was involved in international hawala transactions amounting to ₹75.50 crore through seven different current accounts at Indian Bank’s Thousand Lights branch

No limits on compensation for accident death, rules HC

Families Can Turn To Many Sources To Get Relief

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:15.03.2019

The Madras high court has made it clear that utilizing multiple options to get compensation for the death of a person in a motor accident, by their family, particularly when the deceased was the sole breadwinner, cannot be construed as ‘double compensation’ and prohibited.

“Awarding of compensation to the claimants is only for the sake of giving solace to them who lost their breadwinner to the accident. If their tears are not wiped off by the courts of law, there will be little meaning in awarding compensation,” Justice M V Muralidaran said.

The issue pertains to an appeal moved by National Insurance Company challenging the order of the Commissioner of Employees Compensation at Coonoor, awarding compensation to the kin of transport corporation employees who were killed in road accidents.

The primary contention of the insurer was that since the families of the deceased have already obtained compensation from the insurer of the vehicles involved in the accident through motor accident claims tribunal, they cannot claim additional compensation under the Workmen Compensation Act for the same accident.

The claimants submitted that before the motor accidents claims tribunal they claimed compensation against the driver, owner and insurer of the vehicle. And the claim made before the commissioner for employees’ compensation was against the employer and insurer of the vehicle where the deceased worked while they died during the course of employment.

Justice Muralidaran said, “In my considered view, the action of the claimants would not amount to double compensation or double jeopardy to the employer in the light of the observations made in the catena of the decisions discussed.”

Applying the principles of the doctrine of election, the court is in entire agreement that the compensation claimed at accident tribunal against the vehicle which caused the accident and claim under the Workmen Compensation Act against the employer during the employment, would not amount to double compensation, the court said.

Racket promising govt jobs: Ex-IAS officer held

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:15.03.2019

Police arrested a retired IAS official on Thursday for cheating people by promising them government jobs in the state.

V Mohanraj, 62, had collected ₹5.5 crore from 106 people. Based on the complaint of Nissar Ahmed, 49, a resident of Nungambakkam, central crime branch sleuths registered a case against him.

Last year, the entrustment document fraud (EDF) wing of the CCB had arrested K Navappan, 28, a resident of Tiruvannamalai, who cheated people in similar fashion. During questioning, Navappan, who posed as an IAS official working at the Secretariat before his victims, told sleuths about the involvement of Mohanraj in the racket. Navappan told police that he had collected money ranging from ₹1lakh to ₹10 lakh according to the jobs his victims wanted.

Before apprehending Mohanraj, the EDF wing personnel collected details and evidence to substantiate the link between Mohanraj and Navappan. Officials said Navappan often visited Mohanraj’s office in the city between 2015 and 2016 when the latter was in service.

“We collected the entry and exit registers from Mohanraj’s office and statements of the people who saw Navappan visiting. Few more proofs to establish the connection between the duo are with us,” said an investigation officer.

Preliminary inquiries revealed that Ahmed had approached Mohanraj through a common friend, Selvakumar, in 2015. He had paid him ₹50 lakh to get medical seat for his daughter. When things did not work out, Ahmed demanded the money back. The cheques Mohanraj gave bounced and Ahmed complained to police who took no action terming it as a civil dispute.

But Ahmed filed a case in the high court which directed police to take action. Police visited Mohanraj’s residence in Anna Nagar extension and brought him to the commissioner’s office. During inquiries, he confessed to have colluded with Navappan and cheated people promising to get them jobs.

TN GO names victim, college in Pollachi case, sparks controversy

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:15.03.2019

An order issued by the state government, transferring the Pollachi sexual harassment case to the CBI, is mired in controversy as it had named the victim and her college. The order cited a communication issued by the DGP quoting Coimbatore superintendent of police as saying on February 24 that a complaint was given by a girl student of a college in Pollachi alleging that she was sexually harassed and robbed of her gold chain by a group of men inside a car.

The victim was named again when the DGP, in his communication, said the girl’s brother complained to the Pollachi east police station on February 26 that he had been assaulted and threatened with murder by the accused.

A day after the state government transferred the case in which more than 400 women were suspected to have been affected to the CBI, the CB-CID police requested people who have proof of video, photos or audio to submit them before the deputy commissioner of police, CB-CID office, on Avinashi Road in Coimbatore.

Meanwhile, sporadic protests by students broke out across TN seeking action against the accused.

Case against Stalin son-in-law, journalist

The political slugfest in the Pollachi sexual assault case ratcheted up on Thursday with the Chennai city police registering a case against DMK chief M K Stalin’s son-in-law V Sabarisan and ‘Nakheeran’ editor Gopal and summoning them for questioning in a case filed by deputy speaker Pollachi V Jayaraman and minister S P Velumani over spreading false news linking their names to the grisly crime. DMK hit back with Sabarish’s counsel R Neelankandan issuing a legal notice to Jayaraman for including his client’s name in the complaint. The CB-CID, meanwhile, has requested the general public to share any proof they may have in the case. P11

Govt shielding culprits: Oppn

The government had come under pressure after protests erupted across the state demanding action against the sexual predators until the 19-year-old girl student summoned up the courage to complain against them. The opposition accused the AIADMK government of shielding the culprits.

So far four persons have been detained under the goondas act in the case. Officers privy to the investigation said the four arrested are suspected to be part of a larger gang that preyed on students, working women and housewives in Pollachi since 2012, befriending them on social media and shooting videos of them and blackmailing them for sex and money.

பொள்ளாச்சி பாலியல் கொடூரம்: திருநாவுக்கரசுகள் ஏன் உருவாகிறார்கள், ஆபாச வீடியோக்கள் எப்படிப் பரவுகின்றன?- ஓர் உளவியல் அலசல்

Published : 13 Mar 2019 16:47 IST

க.சே.ரமணி பிரபா தேவி

பொள்ளாச்சியில் திருநாவுக்கரசு, சபரிராஜன், சதீஷ்குமார், வசந்தகுமார் ஆகியோர் நண்பன் என்ற போர்வையில் பெண்களை ஏமாற்றி, அழைத்து வந்து ஆபாச வீடியோக்கள் எடுத்து மிரட்டிய சம்பவம், தமிழகத்தையே உலுக்கியுள்ளது.

சென்னையைச் சேர்ந்த பெண் மருத்துவர், பொள்ளாச்சியில் மருத்துவத் துறையைச் சேர்ந்த ஒருவரின் மனைவி, தனியார் கல்லூரிப் பேராசிரியை, கல்லூரி மாணவிகள், பணிக்குச் செல்லும் இளம் பெண்கள், சில குடும்பப் பெண்கள் என 60-க்கும் மேற்பட்டோர் இவர்களால் பாதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளதாகக் கூறப்படுகிறது.

இதுதொடர்பான வீடியோக்கள் சில வெளியான நிலையில், பாலியல் வக்கிரங்களை நிகழ்த்தும் திருநாவுக்கரசு போன்றவர்கள் ஏன் உருவாகிறார்கள், ஆபாச வீடியோக்கள் எப்படிப் பரவுகின்றன என்பன உள்ளிட்ட பல்வேறு சந்தேகங்கள் குறித்து மனநல மருத்துவர் அசோகனிடம் விரிவாகப் பேசினோம்.

பொதுவாக சமூக வலைதளங்களைப் பயன்படுத்தும் பெரும்பாலானோர் அவற்றில், தனிப்பட்ட விவரங்களைப் பகிர்வது ஏன்?

இதற்கு நார்சிஸம் என்னும் உளவியல் பகுப்பாய்வுக் கோட்பாட்டை உதாரணமாக வைக்கிறேன். நம்மை அடுத்தவர்கள் ரசிக்க வேண்டும், பார்க்க வேண்டும், பாராட்ட வேண்டும் என்று எல்லோருமே எதிர்பார்க்கிறோம். அந்த மனநிலை அளவோடு இருக்கும் பட்சத்தில் அது உத்வேகத்தை அளிக்கும். ஆனால் அதிகமாகும்போது பிரச்சினை ஆரம்பிக்கிறது. பொதுவாகவே பெரும்பாலான மனிதர்களுக்கு நிஜ ஆளுமையில் பிரச்சினை இருக்கிறது. அதற்கு ஊடகங்களே பாதுகாப்பான முகமூடிகளாக அமைகின்றன. அவற்றின் மூலம் தங்களுக்குப் பிடித்த வகையில் தற்காலிகமாக தன்னை உருமாற்றிக் கொள்கின்றனர்.

புரொஃபைல் போட்டோக்கள், குடும்ப புகைப்படங்கள், சுற்றுலா படங்கள் சரி.. அந்தரங்க, நிர்வாணப் படங்களைப் பொதுவெளியில் நண்பர்களுக்கு அனுப்புவது என்ன மாதிரியான மனநிலை?

புனிதமாகவும், தூய்மையாகவும் இருவருக்கு மட்டுமே இடையில் இருந்த அந்தரங்கம் இன்று ரசனையாக மாறிவிட்டது. அந்தரங்கத்தை ரசனையாக்கி அடுத்தவர்களுக்கு அனுப்பும் வக்கிர உணர்வு மெல்ல ஏற்பட்டு வருகிறது. எதிர் தரப்பினரின் தொடர்ச்சியான மூளைச்சலவையும் இதற்குக் காரணம்.

பெண்களிடம் பேச்சின் மூலமாகவே ரகசியமாகத் தூண்டுவது முதல் படி. 'நாம்தான் திருமணம் செய்துகொள்ளப் போகிறோமே, பின் என்ன தயக்கம்?' என்று நெருக்கத்துடன் பேசுவது,' நான் முதலில் என்னுடைய நிர்வாணப் படத்தை அனுப்புகிறேன், அடுத்து நீ அனுப்பு!' என்று கூறி தயக்கத்தை உடைப்பது ஆகியவை இதற்கான உதாரணங்கள். பெண்களின் அசட்டு தைரியமும் அதீத நம்பிக்கையும் இதற்கு அடுத்த காரணம்.

அப்படியென்றால் சமூக வலைதளங்களில் யாரையுமே நம்பக் கூடாது என்றுசொல்கிறீர்களா?

யாரையும் நம்ப வேண்டாம் என்றில்லை. எடுத்தவுடனே நம்பாதீர்கள் என்கிறேன். பார்த்தவுடன் இவர் இப்படித்தான் என்று அபிப்ராயத்தை வளர்க்க வேண்டாம். யாரையும் நேரில் பார்க்காமல் நம்பிக்கை வைக்காதீர்கள். ஆதார் அட்டை, நெட் பேங்கிங் தகவல்கள் ஆகியவற்றைப் பகிரும் முன் யோசிப்பீர்கள் அல்லவா, அதை அந்தரங்கத்தைப் பகிரும் போதும் செய்யுங்கள்.

உதாரணத்துக்கு நண்பரின் பார்ட்டிக்கு அழைப்பு வருகிறதா? முதலில் போக வேண்டுமா என்று யோசியுங்கள், திரும்பி வரும்போது போக்குவரத்து வசதி இருக்குமா, இல்லையென்றால் நண்பர்தான் கொண்டுவந்து விடுவாரா? அங்கேயே தங்கவேண்டி வருமா என்று முன்கூட்டியே யோசித்து முடிவெடுங்கள். பாலியல் உணர்வுகளைக் காதலாக நினைக்காதீர்கள்.

ஏன் தொடர்ந்து பெண்கள் குறித்த ஆபாசங்களே (புகைப்படங்கள், வீடியோக்கள்) அதிகம் பரப்பப்படுகின்றன?

பயாலஜிக்கலாக ஆண்களைக் காட்டிலும் பெண்களே அதிக வலிமை கொண்டவர்கள். இதனால் அவர்களை ஆண்கள் அடக்கி ஆள நினைப்பது காலம் காலமாக நடந்து வருகிறது. இதற்கு அவர்கள் பயன்படுத்தும் கருவிதான் ஆபாசங்களைப் பரப்புவது.

இதை இன்னொரு கோணத்திலும் பார்க்கலாம். இன்று குடும்பங்கள் ஒன்றாக உட்கார்ந்து பேசுவதே இல்லை. எல்லோருக்கும் தனித்தனியாக செல்போன்கள், தனித்தனி டிவிகள். உணர்ச்சிகள் நீர்த்து விட்டன. வக்கிர உணர்வு சாதாரணமாகிவிட்டது. அந்தக் காலத்தில் கெட்டவனாக இருக்கக் கஷ்டப்பட்டார்கள். குடும்பம், உறவினர்களுக்குத் தெரியாமல் சிகரெட் பிடிக்க, ஆபாசப் பத்திரிகைகளைப் படிக்க அவ்வளவு சிரமப்பட்டனர். ஆனால் இப்போது நல்லவனாக இருக்கத்தான் கஷ்டப்பட வேண்டியிருக்கிறது.

குழந்தைக்குக் கூட, விரல் நுனியில் கிடைத்துவிடும் இணையம் ஆபாசத்துக்கும் கடைவிரித்து விடுகிறது. இதனால் ஆபாச வீடியோக்களும், புகைப்படங்களும் எளிதில் பார்க்கப்படுகின்றன, அதிகம் பரப்பப்படுகின்றன.

பொதுவாக ஆண்கள் எல்லை மீறிப் பேசும்போது பெண்களின் உள்ளுணர்வே அதைக் காட்டிக் கொடுத்துவிடும் என்று கூறப்படுகிறதே? அவர்கள் ஏன் நோ சொல்ல யோசிக்கிறார்கள்?

இது எல்லோருக்கும் பொருந்தாது. அனுபவங்களும் அறிவுமே நமது வாழ்க்கையைத் தீர்மானிக்கின்றன. எப்போதும் முன்னெச்சரிக்கையுடனே சில பெண்கள் இருக்கலாம். ஆனால் அனைத்துப் பெண்களுமே அப்படியில்லை. சம்பவங்கள் தொடர்ந்து வரிசையாக நடக்கும்போது அவர்களுக்கு யோசிக்க நேரம் இருக்காது. யோசிக்கவும் தோன்றாது.

குற்றம் சாட்டப்பட்டுள்ள சபரிராஜன், சதீஷ்குமார், வசந்தகுமார், திருநாவுக்கரசு.

இந்தப் பழக்கம் அடுத்தகட்டத்துக்குப் போகும் என்று தெரிந்தே, சில பெண்கள் தவறு செய்கிறார்களே?

தெரிந்தே செய்யும் பெண்களும் இருக்கத்தான் செய்கிறார்கள். ஆனால் அப்படி ரிஸ்க் எடுப்பவர்கள் அதற்கான விளைவுகளையும் சந்தித்துத்தான் ஆகவேண்டும். அழுவதோ, புலம்புவதோ கூடாது என்றார் அசோகன்.

சேலத்தைச் சேர்ந்த மனநல ஆலோசகர் அபிராமி இதை வேறொரு கோணத்தில் அணுகுகிறார். அவரிடமும் பேசினோம்.

பெண்கள் குறித்த புரிதல் ஏன் ஆண்களிடத்தில் இல்லை?

''பெண்கள் குறித்த சரியான புரிதல் முதலில் பெண்களிடமே இல்லை. பொள்ளாச்சி சம்பவத்தையே எடுத்துக்கொள்ளுங்கள். சில பெண்களே, பாதிக்கப்பட்ட பெண்களின் மீதுதான் குற்றம் சுமத்துகின்றனர். இங்கு பெரும்பாலானவர்களுக்கு தனி மனித ஒழுக்கம் இல்லை. அடுத்தவர் மீது பழிபோடுவதையேக் குறிக்கோளாகக் கொண்டிருக்கிறோம்.

பெண்களை இழிவாக நடத்தும் ஆண்கள் அதை எங்கிருந்து கற்கிறார்கள்? சிறு வயதிலிருந்தே பெண்களைப் புரிந்து கொள்வது குறித்து சரியான முறையில் கற்றுக் கொடுக்க என்ன செய்யலாம்?

எல்லோரும் எல்லாவற்றையும் முதலில் குடும்பத்தில் இருந்தே கற்கிறோம். அப்பா, அம்மாவை எப்படி நடத்துகிறார், அண்ணன், தங்கையை எப்படி அழைக்கிறான் என்பது தொடங்கி பள்ளி, கல்லூரி, அலுவலகம் வரை இது நீள்கிறது. குடும்பத்தில் பாலின சமத்துவம் குறித்து நாம் சொல்லிக்கொடுக்க வேண்டும். பெண்ணியம் மட்டுமே பாலியம் சமத்துவம் கிடையாது என்பதைப் புரிந்துகொள்ள வேண்டும்.

பெண் என்பவள் பொருள் அல்ல; அவளும் சக மனுஷிதான் என்ற புரிதலை அவர்களிடத்தில் ஏற்படுத்த வேண்டும். அடுத்ததாக பள்ளியில் பாலியல் கல்வி கட்டாயமாக்கப்பட வேண்டும். குழந்தைகளுக்கு 'குட் டச்', 'பேட் டச்' சொல்லிக்கொடுப்பது போல, வளர்ந்தவர்களுக்கு பாலின ஈர்ப்பு, காதல், காமம் குறித்தும் விளக்க வேண்டும்.

பாலியல் உணர்வுகள் எங்கே வன்கொடுமையாக மாறுகின்றன?

பெண்ணின் விருப்பமில்லாமல் அவள் மீது மேற்கொள்ளும் எந்த செயலும் வன்கொடுமையாக மாறுகிறது. பாலியல் தொழிலாளியாக இருந்தாலும்கூட விருப்பமில்லாமல் தொடுவது தவறு என்பதை சம்பந்தப்பட்டவர்கள் புரிந்துகொள்ள வேண்டும்'' என்கிறார் அபிராமி.

தொடர்ந்து மனநல மருத்துவர் அசோகனிடம் பேசினோம்.

பொள்ளாச்சி சம்பவம் மாதிரியான கொடூரமான பாலியல் வக்கிரங்களை நிகழ்த்துபவர்கள் எப்படி உருவாகிறார்கள்? இவர்கள் என்ன மனநிலையைக் கொண்டவர்கள்?

குடும்பத்தினரிடம் இருந்து உண்மையான அரவணைப்பு, உளவியல் கருத்துப் பரிமாற்றம், பாலியல் குறித்த தொடர்ச்சியான உரையாடல் இல்லாதவர்கள் இதில் முக்கியப் பங்கு வகிக்கிறார்கள். உடனிருக்கும் நண்பர்கள் அளிக்கும் தைரியம் மற்றொரு காரணம். பெண்களை மிரட்டுவதன் மூலம் கிடைக்கும் பணம் அடுத்தடுத்த குற்றங்களுக்கு அடிகோலுகிறது.

மருத்துவர் அசோகன்.

முதல் முறையாகத் தவறு செய்யும்போது அவன் தயக்கத்தோடும் குற்ற உணர்ச்சியோடும் அதை எதிர்கொள்கிறான். அடுத்தடுத்த முறைகளில் அதுவே பழகிவிடுகிறது. தனியாகச் செய்தால் தான் மட்டும் மாட்டிக்கொள்வோமே என்ற எண்ணம், நண்பர்களுடன் குற்றத்தை பங்குபோடச் சொல்கிறது.

அப்பாவிப் பெண்களைப் பாலியல் வன்கொடுமைக்கு உள்ளாக்குபவர்களை என்ன செய்யலாம்?

குற்றம் சாட்டப்பட்ட ஆண்களை வெட்டவேண்டும், குத்தவேண்டும் என்று கொதிக்காமல், சட்டப்படி எதிர்கொள்ள வேண்டும். ஏன் இவர்கள் உருவாகிறார்கள், எப்படி இவர்களை மீட்கலாம் என்று ஆராய்வது சரியாக இருக்கும்.

பாதிக்கப்பட்ட பெண்களிடம் மற்றவர்கள் (பெற்றோர், உறவினர், சமுதாயம்) எப்படி நடந்துகொள்ள வேண்டும்?

சாதாரணமாக இருந்தாலே போதும். நடந்த சம்பவம் குறித்துக் கேட்டு, அவர்களைக் குத்திக் காயப்படுத்தாமல், இயல்பாக நடந்துகொண்டாலே போதும். அடுத்தவர் மீது கல்லெறியும் முன்னால், நம் வீட்டுப் பெண்ணாக இருந்தால் இப்படிச் செய்வோமா என்று ஒரு நொடி யோசியுங்கள், போதும் என்றார் அசோகன்.

தொடர்புக்கு: ramaniprabhadevi.s@thehindutamil.co.in

குழந்தையை மறந்து விமானநிலையத்தில் விட்டுவிட்டு விமானத்தில் பறந்த பெண்: திரும்பிய விமானம்

Published : 12 Mar 2019 20:53 IST




மூலப்படம் அல்ல. பிரதிநிதித்துவ படம்.

என்ன அவசரமாக இருந்தாலும் லக்கேஜை மறக்கலாம், வேறு எதை வேண்டுமானாலும் மறக்கலாம் ஆனால் பெற்ற குழந்தையையே மறந்து போய் விமானத்தில் பறந்த பெண்மணியைப் பற்றி கேள்விப்பட்டிருப்போமா?

சவுதி அரேபிய விமானம் ஒன்று கடைசி கட்டத்தில் திரும்பி விமான நிலையத்துக்கே வர வேண்டிய நிலைக்குத் தள்ளப்பட்டது.

சவுதி அரேபியா ஜெட்டாவில் உள்ள கிங் அப்துல் அஜீஜ் விமானநிலையத்திலிருந்து கோலாலம்பூர் விமானம் புறப்பட்டது. விமானம் புறப்பட்டு விட்ட பிறகு அதிலிருந்து பெண் ஒருவர் பதற்றத்தில் என் குழந்தை என் குழந்தை என்று கதறத் தொடங்கினார்.

அதாவது குழந்தையை விமான நிலையத்திலேயே மறந்து விட்டுவிட்டு இவர் மட்டும் விமானத்தில் ஏறியுள்ளார், விமானம் புறப்படும் வரை குழந்தை ஞாபகம் இல்லாமல் இருந்துள்ளார் இந்தத் தாய்!

இதனையடுத்து பைலட் ஏர் டிராபிக் கண்ட்ரோல் ரூமுக்கு தொடர்பு கொண்டு மீண்டும் விமான நிலையம் திரும்பும் அனுமதி கோரும் வீடியோ சமூக வலைத்தளங்களில் வைரலாகி வருகிறது, அதில் பைலட், “கடவுள் நம் பக்கம் இருக்கிறார்... நாங்கள் திரும்பி வர முடியுமா என்ன? பயணி ஒருவர் அவர் குழந்தையை மறந்து விட்டுவிட்டு வந்து விட்டார்” என்று கேட்டார்.

உடனே, “உடனே திரும்புங்கள், இது எங்களுக்கு புதிதான ஒன்று” என்று ஆச்சரியமடைந்த கட்டுப்பாட்டு அறை அதிகாரி ஒருவர் கூறியதும் வீடியோவில் பதிவாகியுள்ளது.

விமானம் வானில் எழும்பிய பிறகு தொழில்நுட்ப காரணங்கள் அல்லது பயணியின் ஆரோக்கிய கோளாறு காரணத்திற்காக மட்டுமே மீண்டும் உடனேயே தரையிறங்க அனுமதிக்கப்படும்.

இந்நிலையில் தாயும் சேயும் கடும் பதற்றங்களுக்குப் பிறகு ஒன்று சேர்ந்ததாக கல்ஃப் நியூஸ் கூறுகிறது.

மாஜி கருவூல அதிகாரிக்கு 5 ஆண்டு சிறை லஞ்ச வழக்கில் விழுப்புரம் கோர்ட் அதிரடி

Added : மார் 14, 2019 04:42


விழுப்புரம்:சம்பள பட்டியலுக்கு அனுமதி வழங்க, 2,000 லஞ்சம் வாங்கிய ஓய்வு பெற்ற உதவி கருவூல அதிகாரி உட்பட இருவருக்கு ஐந்து ஆண்டு சிறை தண்டனை விதித்து,

விழுப்புரம் சிறப்பு நீதிமன்றம் தீர்ப்பு வழங்கப்பட்டது.விழுப்புரம் மாவட்டம், மரக்காணம் குழந்தைகள் வளர்ச்சி திட்ட கண்காணிப்பாளராக, 2004ல் பணிபுரிந்தவர் சுமதி. இவர் தன் துறை சார்ந்த குழந்தைகள் உணவூட்டு செலவின பட்டியல், மாதாந்திர சம்பள பட்டியல், சேமநல நிதி முன்பண பட்டியல் ஆகியவற்றை திண்டிவனம் சார் நிலை கருவூலத்தில், பில்கள் பாஸ் செய்ய வேண்டி சமர்ப்பித்தார். 

அதற்கு லஞ்சம் கேட்டதால், சுமதி, விழுப்புரம் லஞ்ச ஒழிப்பு போலீசில் புகார் தெரிவித்தார். அவர்களது ஆலோசனைப்படி,உதவி கருவூல அலுவலராக பணிபுரிந்த தயாளனிட்ம், 2,000 ரூபாயும், கணக்காளர் தண்டபாணிக்கு, 1,500 ரூபாயும், இளநிலை உதவியாளர் அண்ணாதுரைக்கு, 500 ரூபாயும் வழங்கப்பட்டது.தயாளனின் பணத்தை அங்கிருந்த, வேளாண் பொறியியல் துறை அலுவலக உதவியாளர் ஆறுமுகம் என்பவன் சுமதியிடம் வாங்கினான். அப்போது அங்கு மறைந்திருந்த விழுப்புரம் லஞ்ச ஒழிப்புத்துறை போலீசார், நால்வரையும் கையும், களவுமாக பிடித்து வழக்கு தொடர்ந்தனர்.
வழக்கு விசாரணை, விழுப்புரம் ஊழல் தடுப்பு வழக்குகள் பிரிவு சிறப்பு நீதிமன்றத்தில் நடந்து வந்த நிலையில், கணக்காளர் தண்டபாணி இறந்தார். இவ்வழக்கினை விசாரித்த, நீதிபதி பிரியா நேற்று தீர்ப்பு வழங்கினார்.திண்டிவனம் உதவி கருவூல அலுவலராக பணிபுரிந்து ஓய்வு பெற்ற தயாளன், 79; ஓய்வு பெற்ற இளநிலை உதவியாளர் அண்ணா துரை, 62; ஆகிய இருவருக்கும் தலா, ஐந்து ஆண்டுகள் சிறையும், 6000 ரூபாய் அபராதமும் ஆறுமுகத்திற்கு, 49, நான்கு ஆண்டுகள் சிறையும், 1000 ரூபாய் அபராதமும் விதித்து உத்தரவிட்டார்.

காதல் திருமணம் செய்தவர்களுக்கு ரேஷன் கார்டு தர புது நிபந்தனை

Added : மார் 14, 2019 03:24

'காதல் திருமணம் செய்தவர்கள், பெற்றோரின் ரேஷன் கார்டில் இருந்து, தங்கள் பெயரை நீக்க, 100 ரூபாய் முத்திரை தாளில், உறுதிமொழி பத்திரம் வழங்க வேண்டும்' என, உணவு வழங்கல் துறை அறிவித்துள்ளது.
தமிழகத்தில், புதிய ரேஷன் கார்டு கேட்டு விண்ணப்பிப்பவரின் பெயர், வேறு கார்டில் இருக்கக்கூடாது. காதல் திருமணம் செய்தவர்கள், புதியகார்டுக்கு விண்ணப்பிக்கின்றனர். அதற்கு, பெயர் நீக்கல் சான்று அவசியம். அவர்களின் பெயரை கார்டில் இருந்து நீக்க, பெற்றோர் அனுமதிப்பதில்லை.இதனால், பாதிக்கப்படுவோர், சென்னை, உணவு வழங்கல் துறை தலைமை அலுவலகத்தில் புகார் அளிக்கின்றனர்.
அங்குள்ள அதிகாரிகள், பயனாளியின் பெயரை கார்டில் இருந்து நீக்கும்படி, சம்பந்தப்பட்ட அலுவலகத்திற்கு கடிதம் அனுப்புவர். அங்குள்ள அதிகாரி, பதிவேட்டில் பெயரை நீக்கி, தலைமை அலுவலகத்திற்கு அனுப்புவார். பின், பெயர் நீக்கல் சான்று வழங்கப்படும்.அதை, புதிய கார்டு விண்ணப்பத்துடன் சமர்ப்பித்து, கார்டு பெறலாம். இதற்கு, காலதாமதமாவதால், காதல் திருமணம் செய்வோர், ரேஷன் கார்டு பெற சிரமப்படுகின்றனர்.
இதுகுறித்து, உணவு துறை அதிகாரி ஒருவர் கூறியதாவது:திருமணத்தின் போது, ஆணுக்கு, 21; பெண்ணுக்கு, 18 வயது பூர்த்தியாகி இருக்க வேண்டும். இந்த தம்பதிக்கு, பெற்றோர் விருப்பத்துடன் அல்லது விருப்பமின்றி, தங்களின் குடும்ப ரேஷன் கார்டில் இருந்து, பெயரை நீக்கிக் கொள்ள உரிமை உள்ளது.காதல் திருமணம் செய்தவர்கள், அவரவர் பெற்றோரின் கார்டில் இருந்து, தங்களது பெயரை நீக்கி கொள்ள, 100 ரூபாய் மதிப்புள்ள முத்திரை தாளில், 'சட்ட நடவடிக்கைக்கு பொறுப்பாவோம்' என, கையொப்பமிட்ட உறுதி மொழி பத்திரம் அளிக்க வேண்டும்.
இந்த பத்திரம், திருமண பதிவு சான்று ஆகியவற்றை, பெயர் நீக்க கோரும் மனுவுடன், தங்கள் பகுதி உணவு வழங்கல் அதிகாரிகளிடம் தர வேண்டும். இவற்றை செயல்படுத்த, தங்கள் கீழ் பணிபரியும் அதிகாரிகளுக்கு அறிவுரை வழங்குமாறு, மாவட்ட வழங்கல் அதிகாரிகளிடம் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளது.இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறினார்.

- நமது நிருபர் -

தலையங்கம்

விசுவரூபம் எடுக்கும் பொள்ளாச்சி விவகாரம்


தமிழ்நாடு முழுவதும் இப்போது பொள்ளாச்சியில் ஒரு கல்லூரி மாணவிக்கு இழைக்கப்பட்ட கொடிய பாலியல் கொடுமை விவகாரம் விசுவரூபம் எடுத்துள்ளது.

மார்ச் 14 2019, 04:00

பொள்ளாச்சியில் ஒரு தனியார் கல்லூரியில் இரண்டாம் ஆண்டு பட்டப்படிப்பு படித்து வந்த 19 வயது மாணவி ஒருவர் பேஸ்புக்கில் சபரிராஜன் என்கிற ரிஷ்வந்த் என்ற சிவில் என்ஜினீயருடன் நட்பு கொண்டு இருக்கிறார். ஒருநாள் கல்லூரி மதிய இடைவேளையின்போது அந்த மாணவிக்கு, சபரிராஜன் போன் செய்து அருகில் உள்ள ஊஞ்சலாம்பட்டிக்கு வருமாறு அழைத்தார். தன் பேஸ்புக் நண்பர்தானே அழைக்கிறார் என்று நம்பி, அந்த பெண் ஊஞ்சலாம்பட்டிக்கு சென்றிருக்கிறார். அங்கு காரில் தன் நண்பர்கள் திருநாவுக்கரசு, சதீஷ், வசந்தகுமார் ஆகியோருடன் நின்று கொண்டிருந்த சபரிராஜன், அந்த பெண்ணை காருக்குள் இழுத்துப்போட்டு சென்றார். சமூகவலைதளங்களில் வெளிவந்த காட்சிகளைப் பார்த்தால், ‘நெஞ்சு பொறுக்குதில்லையே, இந்த நிலைகெட்ட மாந்தரை நினைந்துவிட்டால்’ என்று பாரதியார் பாடிய பாடலை கோபத்தின் உச்சிக்குச்சென்று கதற வைக்கிறது. ‘டேய் உன்னை நம்பித்தானே வந்தேன் என்று கூறுவதில் இருந்து .... ஒரு பெண் கதறி அழுதுகொண்டு கூறும் வார்த்தைகளெல்லாம் இதயத்தை கசக்கிப்பிழிகிறது.

இதில் சம்பந்தப்பட்ட 4 பேரை போலீசார் கைது செய்திருக்கிறார்கள். அந்த 4 பேரிடமும் உள்ள செல்போன்களை போலீசார் பறிமுதல் செய்து பார்த்தபோது, அதில் ஏராளமான பெண்களிடம் இதுபோல மிரட்டி பாலியல் தொல்லை கொடுத்துள்ள காட்சிகள் பதிவு செய்யப்பட்டிருந்ததாக தகவல்கள் வெளிவந்துள்ளது. 50–க்கும் மேற்பட்ட கல்லூரி மாணவிகள், குடும்ப பெண்களை பேஸ்புக் மூலம் தங்கள் காதல் வலையில் விழவைத்து அச்சுறுத்தி பணமும் பறித்து, கற்பையும் சூறையாடியதாக தெரிகிறது. கல்லூரி மாணவி சம்பவத்தில் 4 பேர் கைதுக்குப்பிறகு, மேலும் 5 பேர் பாதிக்கப்பட்ட பெண்ணின் அண்ணனை புகாரை வாபஸ் வாங்கு என்று மிரட்டியதாக 4 பேர் கைது செய்யப்பட்டனர். ஒருவர் தலைமறைவாக இருக்கிறார்.

கடந்த 2 ஆண்டுகளில் அந்த பகுதியில் இளம் பெண்கள் தற்கொலை செய்த விவகாரங்களை எல்லாம் மீண்டும் மறுவிசாரணைக்கு எடுத்து போலீசார் விசாரிக்க வேண்டும் என்று கோரிக்கை எழுந்து வருகிறது. குற்றவாளிகள் 4 பேர் மீதும் இப்போது குண்டர் சட்டம் பாய்ந்துள்ளது. முதலில் பொள்ளாச்சி காவல் நிலையத்தில் வழக்குப்பதிவு செய்யப்பட்டது. பின்பு நேற்று முன்தினம் பெண் போலீஸ் சூப்பிரண்டு நிஷா பார்த்திபன் தலைமையிலான சி.பி.சி.ஐ.டி. போலீசுக்கு மாற்றப்பட்டது. ஒருசில மணி நேரங்களில் இந்த வழக்கை சி.பி.ஐ.க்கு மாற்ற தமிழக அரசு முடிவு செய்தது. இது நல்ல முடிவு. சி.பி.ஐ. உடனடியாக இந்த வழக்கை எடுத்து தன் எல்லையை விரிவாக்கி ஆழமாக விசாரிக்க வேண்டும். இந்த வழக்கில் இன்னும் பலர் சம்பந்தப்பட்டு இருக்கிறார்கள், பாதிக்கப்பட்ட பெண்களின் எண்ணிக்கையும் அதிகமாக இருக்கும். அதையும் விசாரிக்க வேண்டும். இந்த சம்பவம் பொள்ளாச்சியில் மட்டும் நடந்துள்ளதா?, தமிழ்நாட்டில் வேறு எங்கேயாவதும் இதுபோல நடந்துள்ளதா? என்று விசாரிக்க வேண்டும். மற்ற சில வழக்குகளைப்போல இல்லாமல், இந்த வேதனையான செயலைத் தொடர்ந்து தொடரப்பட்டுள்ள இந்த வழக்கு விசாரணைக்கு அதிக காலம் எடுத்துக் கொள்ளாமல், கூடுதல் அதிகாரிகளை சி.பி.ஐ. நியமித்து விரைவில் இந்த சம்பவம் குறித்து தீவிரமாக புலன் விசாரணை செய்து கொடூர குற்றவாளிகளுக்கு உரிய தண்டனை வாங்கி தரவேண்டும்.

Chennai: Confusion over engineering counselling remains

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

PublishedMar 14, 2019, 2:18 am IST

The TNEA was fully prepared to hold the online counselling for B.E., B.Tech. courses around this time last year.

CHENNAI: Even though plus-2 students would finish their exams in another week, the work for online engineering counselling is yet to begin as the confusion over annual engineering counselling remains unresolved.

Anna University Vice-Chancellor M.K. Surappa has resigned from Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions (TNEA) committee as chairman following the differences over reconstitution of the committee by the higher education department.

His resignation put the participation of Anna University in the counselling process under the cloud as sources indicated that the largest technical university may not conduct the counselling this year.

The TNEA was fully prepared to hold the online counselling for B.E., B.Tech. courses around this time last year.

Sources said the DOTE (Directorate of Technical Education) commissioner may head the counselling process this year. But, so far no official announcement has been made in this regard.

Speaking to reporters after the inauguration of annual sports day at Anna University on Wednesday, Vice-Chancellor M.K. Surappa said only higher education department can decide about whether Anna University will conduct engineering counselling this year.

"Last year, the university conducted first ever online counselling without any major technical glitch. But, I resigned from TNEA following the higher education department's interference," he said.

TNEA committee was constituted in November 2017 for a period of three years and it was reconstituted after completing just one year. In the new committee, the DOTE commissioner was appointed as co-chairman of TNEA.

Professors said the state government should resolve the issue for conducting the online counselling smoothly. "If there is any hiccup in the online counselling, thousands of students and their parents will be affected," they warned.

For the past 22 years, Anna University has been conducting engineering admissions through single window counselling in an efficient manner that was appreciated by students, parents and academics.

Serve public after studies: Madras HC to doctors

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

PublishedMar 14, 2019, 2:36 am IST

The situation results in denial of social justice and equal treatment.

Madras high court

Chennai: Madras high court has held that doctors, who acquired specialty degrees and qualifications, at the cost of public and by providing certain undertakings, are bound to serve the public.

Dismissing a petition from Dr. Silamban, which sought a direction to the Madras Medical College to accept his resignation, Justice S.M. Subramaniam gave the above ruling.

The judge said medical profession being commercialized by day, doctors are also neglecting the responsibility to provide quality medical treatment. Medical profession is now commercialized to the larger extent, and privatization is inevitable.

"This court is of an opinion that no one is questioning the decision of a doctor to develop their private practice. However, the doctors have to take a decision before entering into the public services and before undergoing the specialty courses at the cost of the tax payers' money.

When the doctors had undergone the specialty courses or PG courses, at the cost of the taxpayers' money and by providing an undertaking and after gaining experience from GHs they are bound to serve for the public and they have to show devotion to their duty as medical professionals", the judge added.

The judge said contrarily if the doctors were allowed to escape from public duty, then "this court is of an undoubted opinion that, we are not adhering to the constitutional principles and ethos. These doctors must be made to work in the public hospitals in view of the fact that they had not only given undertaking at the time of undergoing the specialty courses and PG courses, at the cost of the public money and gained experience from the government hospitals.

The judge said apart from the corrupt practices in the government hospitals, it was painful to pen down that the doctors themselves were irregular in attending duty, resulting death of patients, who all were not in a position to afford quality treatment from corporate hospitals. The situation results in denial of social justice and equal treatment.

Economic condition of a citizen cannot be a ground for denial of quality treatment.

Thus, the government was duty bound to ensure cleanliness, availability of doctors including special treatment, paramedical staff, supporting staff, which all were imminent and a constitutional mandate, the judge added.

The judge said frequent complaints were noticed across the state that the government doctors were developing their private practice by neglecting the public duty. It was a misconduct both under the government service rules and under the Medical Council of India regulations.

The judge directed the authorities to initiate all appropriate actions against the petitioner under the TN Civil Services (Discipline and appeal) Rules.

Authorities were directed to lodge a complaint with the MCI regarding the misconduct enabling the MCI to institute appropriate proceedings. Health and family welfare secretary was directed to constitute a "monitoring committee" to supervise the attendance and assess the performance of government doctors as well as regarding the maintenance of government medical hospitals as per the prescribed standards.

The authorities were directed to recover adequate compensation from the government doctors, who all were violating the terms of services with reference to the expenditure met out from the public money for acquiring PG degrees and specialty degrees, the judge added.

Tamil Nadu: Death for rape and murder confirmed

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has confirmed the orders of a trial court awarding death sentence to the accused.

Published: 14th March 2019 06:32 AM |

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Shocked over the brutality and inhuman attitude of a youth in raping a woman and murdering her and her lover, who were an outing in Suruli waterfalls in Theni district, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has confirmed the orders of a trial court awarding death sentence to him.

“The brutality of the attack on the young and hapless girl, after forcibly raping her, would show the inhuman act of the accused. We are shocked by the savagery of the offence,” a bench of Justices R Subbiah and B Pugalendhi said while delivering the judgement at the principal seat in Madras on Wednesday.

A man along with his girlfriend went for an outing to Suruli waterfalls on May 14, 2011. One Diwakar, now 30-year-old, brutally attacked and killed the boy and raped the girl. She was also murdered later. Diwakar cut the private parts of the deceased girl. The dead bodies were recovered only after five days. CB CID, Madurai, took up investigation, arrested Diwakar and filed the charge-sheet before the Principal Sessions Court at Theni, which awarded death sentence in 2018.

The case was referred to Madurai bench for confirmation of death sentence. State Public Prosecutor A Natarajan appeared before the bench at Madurai and argued that the accused who had committed double heinous crimes of rape and two murders, deserved capital punishment as it came under the rarest of rare cases category.

Set up panel to monitor doctors: Madras High Court

Petitioner prayed for a direction to the Dean, Madras Medical College, to consider his letter of resignation dated December 21, 2010.

Published: 14th March 2019 05:06 AM

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has suggested to the State government to constitute a monitoring committee to supervise the attendance and assess the performance of its doctors as well as the maintenance of its hospitals as per the prescribed standards. Justice S M Subramaniam, who gave the direction while dismissing a writ petition from a doctor, also directed the authorities concerned to recover adequate compensation from the government doctors, who violated terms and conditions of their services, as the expenditure had been incurred by the public exchequer for their PG and specialty degrees.


The judge directed the authorities to lodge complaints with the Medical Council of India regarding the misconduct of the doctors to enable it to institute appropriate proceedings under the statute and the regulations.The authorities shall also initiate all appropriate actions against the writ petitioner, Dr Silamban, under the TN Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, the judge added.

Petitioner prayed for a direction to the Dean, Madras Medical College, to consider his letter of resignation dated December 21, 2010. The Additional Advocate-General claimed misconduct on the part of the petitioner. He had taken long leave without permission and even went abroad. His passport had been seized, the AAG added.

Marriages made in maami’s house

At least 15 pairs of footwear line the entrance to Jaya Natarajan’s house in Velachery.

Published: 11th March 2019 09:23 PM 

At least 50-60 people visit Jaya's house daily  Ashwin Prasath

By Rochana Mohan

Express News Service

CHENNAI : At least 15 pairs of footwear line the entrance to Jaya Natarajan’s house in Velachery. Three people sit outside on a flight of stairs leading to the second floor, pouring over pamphlets. In the living room, a dozen people sit scattered on chairs and the floor, copying details from notebooks.

“Ah, come in. Sorry for the mess — the place is always this busy,” says Jaya. Around nine years ago, Jaya started Sri Datta Matrimony to help people from the Brahmin community find their match free of cost. “In a temple nearby, I used to help people, who weren’t cyber-savvy, find matches on matrimonial sites. Eventually, with the blessings of the pundit, I started this business,” says the 63-year-old.

The world in her diary

A woman’s voice calls for her politely, and Jaya excuses herself. She settles into her armchair, adjusts her glasses, and shuffles through the notebooks on her coffee table. She hands a notebook to the woman, and then shuffles through the pile of books kept behind her curtain on the window ledge. Jaya has around 30 notebooks filled with details of thousands of people looking for a bride or a groom.


“Oh, he’s situated in Bombay? If you’re looking for Iyer Bombay girls, this is all I have. Number 50 onwards are graduates, just note down their details and contact them,” she says, handing a book to an elderly gentleman sitting on the floor. “Also, if they’re already married, inform me of their serial number next to their details — I’ll remove it from the list,” she says. Jaya has the details of Brahmins across communities from all over the world, including Japan, Netherlands and Ireland. Based on age, caste, educational qualifications and country of residence, Jaya keeps people’s details in orderly and accessible fashion.

Before she can gather herself, a rather frazzled-looking gentleman worriedly mumbles about finding a suitable match for his daughter to Jaya. Behind her spectacles, her eyes crinkle gently as she smiles. “You take down at least 25-30 names, maama. You’ll definitely find someone. Here, try List number 5 — those are all graduates,” she says, handing him another book.

For a purpose

In 2012, Jaya’s son passed away in a car accident. Her husband, L Natarajan, explains that they had been looking for an alliance for their son shortly before his death. “It left a hole in my heart. But helping people from the community in such an important way has really filled the hole in my heart. It has made me very happy,” she says.

Jaya’s phone rings incessantly through the day. She answers every call with a business-like ‘Namaskaram, yes this is Jaya, are you looking for a girl or a boy?” After listening to the person on the other line for a while, she says into the phone, “Trump has said, no...none of them can work there. Don’t worry, we’ll find a US girl for him, and they’ll contact you directly. If you want to come here, come with a copy of his jadagam (horoscope), a pen, and a book to note details.” She asks everyone who approaches her to send the age, gender, caste, educational qualifications of the individual, and for men, their salary.

Of hope and horoscopes

At least 50-60 people visit Jaya’s house daily. “I retired in January, and have been spending time at home. I knew that she does this service, but I only realised the full extent of it now,” says her husband, a proud smile on his lips.As soon as Jaya puts down the phone, two ladies tell her that they will be leaving. Jaya reaches for a kumkum box kept on a stand beside her chair and offers it to them. “Travel safely, maami. Don’t say that you’ll just see me again, tell me that you’ll see me again with an invite,” she says.

Madras University to relocate Statistics and Maths departments to Guindy

The University of Madras will soon relocate its Mathematics and Statistics departments from Chepauk to its Guindy campus, said varsity officials.

Published: 13th March 2019 06:41 AM | Last Updated: 

By Binita Jaiswal

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The University of Madras will soon relocate its Mathematics and Statistics departments from Chepauk to its Guindy campus, said varsity officials. The decision has been taken to ensure that all the departments related to Science, are housed in one place. Vice-chancellor of the university, P Duraisamy said they need some time to execute the shifting work.“The old building of Chemical Sciences department at Guindy is vacant. We need to renovate it properly to accommodate the Statistics and Mathematics department in it. The renovation work will take some time,” said P Duraisamy.

He further added that after completion of the renovation work, the two departments will be shifted from Chepauk to Guindy campus. “The relocation of the two departments will help in better co-ordination between the Science departments and will also boost the collaborative research work between the departments,” added the vice-chancellor.

Varsity officials said they don’t have any space left for any expansion work in Chepauk campus so Guindy campus is the option available to carry out extension of the departments. “Bringing all the Science departments in one place will help in streamlining things and will also benefit the students,” said a faculty member. Officials said over 1000 students are pursuing postgraduate, M Phil and PhD courses in different Science subjects in Guindy campus.


Different schools related to Science are functioning from Guindy campus. School of Earth and Atmospheric Science, School of Life Sciences, School of Chemical Sciences, School of Physical Sciences and Nano Science departments are located in Guindy campus.

Filter coffee has a new address

Whether it is an impromptu catch up with an old friend, a leisure tea session with colleagues or a quick snack, Chennai’s cafés provide the perfect refuge.

Published: 14th March 2019 06:58 AM 

The first outlet of Coffee House opened in 2016. (Photo | P Jawahar, EPS)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Whether it is an impromptu catch up with an old friend, a leisure tea session with colleagues or a quick snack, Chennai’s cafés provide the perfect refuge. To add to your caffeine-fuelling options, Coffee House opened its third branch near the busy Teynampet signal. Opened in 2016, Coffee House is known for its fresh brewed filter coffee at a price of `10, eggless black forest cake at `400 per kg and a wide range of bakes and savouries available at pocket-friendly prices. With a seating capacity of 30, the new outlet offers a pure vegetarian menu.


“We have a wide variety of sweets and a year-long offer on one kilo sweets free on purchase of one kilo of sweets. We also have pizzas, burgers, faloodas, pastas and sandwiches on the menu,” said SR Venkatesh, franchise owner, Teynampet branch. Coffee House also specialises in step cakes — two- and three-tier cakes — and accepts birthday party orders. Their team is now set for home delivery as well.

“The paneer grilled sandwich, chocolate donut and mini pizza taste amazing. I am a regular to their Triplicane branch. The service is quick and the quantity too is great for the price,” said Sienta Saravanan, a customer. The management of Coffee House plans to open 100 branches in Chennai in the next three years. Their next outlet is expected to open opposite the T Nagar bus terminus in the next 10 days and a branch near Saidapet bridge by next month.

HC directive to government on overstaying foreign students

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

BENGALURU, MARCH 14, 2019 00:00 IST

It wants submission of details about such students and cases registered against them

Observing that instances of involvement of students from foreign countries in narcotics and other crimes may pose threat to security in the State, the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday directed the State government to submit details about overstaying students and cases registered against them.

Justice Aravind Kumar issued the direction during the hearing of a petition filed by Hossie Bikandou Sidney, a Congolese national, who came to the city for pursuing education.

The court asked the Advocate-General to instruct the State authorities concerned to get necessary details from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Bengaluru, and also inform the court about the actions taken for deporting the overstaying foreign nationals as per the procedure.

Also, the court observed that it had noticed that students hailing from Tanzania, Congo, Cambodia and other countries had been found associated with narcotics and other crimes while observing that quick action was required to initiate action in cases of overstaying beyond the visa period.

In his petition, Mr. Sidney contended that the trial against him could not commence before a trial court as the other accused persons were absconding. The petitioner, along with three others, were arrested by the Bengaluru city police in February 2017 on charges of violating the conditions of the visa under the Foreigners Act.

It was contended on behalf of the petitioner that he was unable to go back to his country despite having emergent situations at his native place as his passport had been impounded owing to pendency of the trial. Further hearing was adjourned.

Earlier order

The court in its February 18, 2016 judgement on a petition filed by Christian Chidieere Chukwu of Nigeria, had noticed from the data that there were around 1,165 foreign nationals overstaying in the State, and as many as 330 criminal cases were registered against foreign nationals for various crimes like violation of Foreigners Act and involvement in drug peddling.

The court also directed that there should be periodic meetings between officials of the FRRO and the State agencies to share the information like places where foreign nationals were employed, places where they were staying and studying, etc.

Besides, the court had directed that the courts expedite the trial of cases in which foreign nationals were involved.

Impossible to conduct polling during festival: MLA

STAFF REPORTER

MARCH 14, 2019 00:00 IST

MLA P.T.R.P. Thiagarajan addressing a press meet in Madurai n Wednesday.S. Krishnamoorthy

To implead himself in the case filed in Madurai Bench of Madras High Court

Madurai Central MLA P.T.R.P. Thiagarajan on Wednesday said that conducting parliamentary elections in the temple city during Chithirai festival was virtually impossible.

Addressing media here, Thiagarajan, under whose constituency the Meenakshi temple falls, said he would approach the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court to implead himself in a PIL case already being heard on the issue.

The polling date of April 18, announced by the Election Commission, falls on the day of car festival of Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple and Lord Kallazhagar’sEthir Sevai, which attracts lakhs of people from many districts to Madurai city. The date is also preceded by the celestial wedding at Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple on April 17 and followed by Lord Kallazhagar’s entry into the Vaigai on April 19.

Mr. Thiagarajan said no amount of mitigation measures taken by the district administration would ensure smooth conduct of polling without any impact on the voter turnout.

“If for the sake of argument, we agree that extending the polling time till late in the evening can help voters in Madurai, what about those coming from other places for the festival? How do officials expect them to vote,” he asked.

Stating problems were aplenty, he said: “For instance, how will voters access polling booths on Veli Streets, which will be a sea of people during the car festival. The district administration cannot shift the polling booths as per its wish since the locations are already decided following due process and a variety of factors.”

There was the even risk of anti-social elements making use of the crowd and loopholes in security arrangement to commit unlawful activities that could affect the people and the polling.

Pollachi case

Mr. Thiagarajan also came down heavily on the State government and the police, mainly Superintendent of Police of Coimbatore R. Pandiarajan, for what he termed as incompetent, insensitive and partisan manner in which the Pollachi sexual abuse case was being handled.

HC stays order of simple imprisonment for IAS officer

STAFF REPORTER

MARCH 14, 2019 00:00 IST

A single bench had sentenced former Madurai Corporation Commissioner

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday stayed a single bench order that sentenced IAS officer S. Aneesh Sekhar, former Madurai Corporation Commissioner, to undergo simple imprisonment for one week for disobeying the court’s orders.

A Division Bench of Justices P. N. Prakash and B. Pugalendhi, which heard the appeal preferred by Mr. Aneesh Sekhar, granted a stay against the single judge order that sentenced him to undergo simple imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs. 5,000.

In his appeal, Mr. Aneesh Sekhar, now working as Executive Director, Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation, said that his intention was not to disobey the court.

He said that a Division Bench had modified the single bench order and the Corporation ought to have followed this order.

He said that a government order was issued in 2010 to promote Tax Collectors eligible for promotion to the post of Assistant by relaxing the condition that insisted on experience as Junior Assistant for two years.

The government also clarified that a seniority list be prepared to the cadre of Assistant by taking into account those who joined service prior to 1996.

When this clarification was challenged by one Ahamed Ibrahim, the single bench dismissed the petition and ordered the promotion of private respondents, including J. Vijayakumar, who had filed the contempt petition.

However, a Division Bench, hearing the appeal of Ahamed Ibrahim, gave specific orders that though a special benefit was extended to Tax Collectors to be integrated to the post of Assistant, this would not mean that they were entitled to supersede those already appointed to the post.

Taking into account that he was promoted to Junior Assistant in 2009 and Assistant in 2013, the court, in 2018, directed that the seniority list be redrawn and allowed him to be placed above J. Vijayakumar. Following the orders of the court, Ahamed Ibrahim was placed above J. Vijayakumar in the list and a seniority list was prepared.

Moreover, the contempt petitioner J. Vijayakumar had already retired from service, he said.

Thiruvalluvar varsity gets new V-C

STAFF REPORTER

VELLORE, MARCH 14, 2019 00:00 IST

Senior professor from Anna University S. Thamarai Selvi has taken charge as Vice-Chancellor of Thiruvalluvar University, Serkadu near Vellore on Wednesday.

After garlanding the statue of poet Thiruvalluvar, she officially took charge. Ms. Thamarai Selvi was appointed as Vice-Chancellor of Thiruvalluvar Universityby Governor Banwarilal Purohit last Tuesday.

She will will hold the post for three years. Until her appointment by the Governor, she was working as Professor with the Department of Computer Technology, MIT Campus, Anna University.

She assured the students and teaching fraternity to uphold the tradition of the university in the uplift of downtrodden students from rural pockets.

With no one giving surety, Nirmala Devi still in jail

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

MADURAI, MARCH 14, 2019 00:00 IST

High Court granted bail to her on Tuesday

Even after the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court granted bail to audiotape case accused Nirmala Devi on Tuesday, the suspended Assistant Professor of Devanga Arts College in Aruppukottai, continued to remain in jail, as her close relatives did not come forward to provide surety, fulfilling the bail conditions.

Ms. Nirmala Devi was arrested in April 2018 after a telephonic conversation she had with a few college girls in which she was heard inducing them to do certain favours for higher officials of Madurai Kamaraj University in exchange for higher marks and money. As several of her bail pleas were rejected, she was in the Central Prison, Madurai for 11 months.

Only after the High Court came down heavily on the investigating agency, Crime Branch - Criminal Investigation Department, for not allowing her bail even after filing of chargesheet, she got the bail. “In the last 11 months, Nirmala Devi has not been contacted by her close family members. They have been threatened against meeting her in jail and also moving her bail applications. This has forced them to keep away from her,” her advocate S. Pasumpon Pandian claimed.

Even after he attempted to contact two of her close relatives after obtaining bail, they refused to talk. “With the Court laying conditions that two persons - a blood relative and a friend - have to produce surety, I am talking to some of her relatives to help her come out of the jail,” he said.

Bharathiar University Syndicate meeting venue and agenda upsets academics

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

COIMBATORE, MARCH 14, 2019 00:00 IST

Academics are upset over Bharathiar University's decision to hold the latest Syndicate meeting in Chennai and include an agenda to consider lesser punishment for a faculty found guilty of corruption.

The University had planned to hold the March 15 Syndicate meeting in Coimbatore. But on Tuesday night, the University changed the venue for the meeting to Chennai. University sources familiar with the development said the last-minute change of venue was at the behest of Higher Education Secretary.

The Secretary had expressed helplessness due to official engagements and requested that this be a one-time exemption to hold the meeting in Chennai. The University had passed on this information to Syndicate members and hoped they would attend, the sources said.

At a time when the University faced financial crunch, it would have to spend close to Rs. 2 lakh on travel and miscellaneous expenses to take the members to Chennai, said the sources.

If the Secretary was indisposed, the University could have postponed the meeting, said an academic.

It was precisely for such reasons that the Association of University Teachers had opposed Higher Education Department secretaries holding the post of convenor of the Vice Chancellor Committee. If the Secretary had delegated the convenor post to either of the two members of the Committee, it would help the University take quicker decisions, said N. Pasupathi, the Association's State vice president.

The second issue – the agenda before the Syndicate to decide the quantum of punishment to Bharathiar University Arts and Science College, Valparai, L. Ramesh for his involvement in corruption case – has angered the academic community.

The agenda suggests, “...under Rule 17(b) of the Tamil Nadu Government Servant Conduct Rules, it is opined that a major penalty of reduction to a lower stage of pay or to a lower category of the University service under Statute 14(2) of Bharathiar University Statutes Volume II be imposed on him.”

The agenda also goes on to say that other penalties mentioned under Rule 17(b) are reduction to a lower rank in the seniority list, compulsory retirement, removal from civil service of the State Government and dismissal from the civil service of the State Government.

Academics say that when the person in question Mr. Ramesh has been found guilty by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corruption and charges proved, the agenda should only be about his dismissal.

Further, the inquiry committee the University had constituted in this regard had also recommended imposition of major penalty, which could only be his dismissal, academics say and add that leniency shown towards corrupt faculty or administrative staff would only further dent University's image. Echoing similar thoughts, Mr. Pasupathi said that the Syndicate should not take a lenient view.

HC comes down hard on doctors

Mohamed Imranullah S.

CHENNAI, MARCH 14, 2019 00:00 IST

In a hard hitting judgement, the Madras High Court on Wednesday came down hard on doctors who enter into government service, secure admission in postgraduate and specialty courses as in-service candidates, get educated at State cost, gain experience by treating poor patients in government hospitals and then leave the job for personal enrichment.

Justice S.M. Subramaniam “deprecated” the conduct of government doctors who learn medical intricacies and diagnosis utilising the “poor man’s body” as well as the infrastructure provided in government hospitals at public cost but do not want to serve in those hospitals for long as per terms and conditions agreed upon while entering into government service.

“The skill acquired from and out of taxpayers’ money must be utilised for the people at large and it is under these circumstances that the government expects them to work in public hospitals at least for specified period,” he said.

The observations were made while dismissing a writ petition filed by anaesthesiologist Silamban this year seeking a direction to the Health Secretary and Dean of Madras Medical College to accept a resignation letter supposedly submitted by him on December 20, 2010 and pass necessary orders relieving him from government service with effect from 2010.

In larger interest, Justice Subramaniam directed the State government to constitute a monitoring committee to keep a check over all activities related to government hospitals and make sure that it keeps a tab on attendance as well as performance of doctors apart from ensuring proper maintenance of the hospitals and medical equipments.

Overstaying foreign students: HC fiat to govt.

BENGALURU, MARCH 14, 2019 00:00 IST

Observing that instances of involvement of students from foreign countries in narcotics and other crimes may pose threat to security in the State, the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday directed the State government to submit details about overstaying foreign students and cases registered against them. The State authorities were asked to get necessary details from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office, Bengaluru, and inform the court about actions taken for deporting the overstaying foreigners as per the procedure.

Parents may unknowingly nurture screen addiction in their children

Times 14.03.2019

Parents are often guilty of handing over a smartphone or tablet to their toddlers to get them to eat, stay quiet or keep them entertained. But beware, as this habit can not only make them sedentary but also push them into severe digital addiction in their formative years. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), only 15-20 minutes of screen exposure is healthy and acceptable for babies under 18 months of age.

However, busy schedules and an overprotective approach towards the physical safety of toddlers have increasingly convinced parents, especially in the metros, to hook their children onto smart screens, say experts.

This can push toddlers to laziness and permanently damage their cognitive abilities such as solving problems, paying attention to other people and falling asleep on time. It can also hinder their holistic development, damage their eyesight and cause childhood obesity.

Since screen exposure is inescapable for toddlers, parents are being advised by experts to engage their children in “open-ended” content on screens. This would help them to be creative in interacting with the app, which could contribute as cognitive development than mere reward or distraction. However, screen exposure for a short period under supervision cannot be harmful.

Once children get used to smart displays, trying to cut down their screen time later could result in problematic withdrawal symptoms like disobedience, repetitive demanding and tantrums.

For digital detox, experts say parents should create and maintain device-free zones at home, especially at dining tables and in bedrooms for kids as well as for themselves. IANS