Jet suspends all flights to Etihad hub Abu Dhabi

Saurabh.Sinha @timesgroup.com

New Delhi:18.03.2019

Jet Airways will from Monday suspend all flights to and from Abu Dhabi, the base of Etihad which has a 24% stake in it and from whom fund infusion is awaited for Jet to survive. In a notice, Etihad Airport Services warned passengers of “minor disruption” due to the “short notice of flight cancellation”.

Jet-Etihad combine, in the past few years, has become the largest in terms of flying people in and out of India. “The cancellation of Abu Dhabi flights is part of our ongoing route restructuring due to the operational issues (read grounding of more than 50 planes so far for reasons like non-payment to lessors). For the same reason, we have reduced our Delhi to Dubai and Bangkok flights,” said a senior Jet official. While Etihad may mount extra flights to and from Abu Dhabi, it may not be able to accommodate all those booked on Jet’s cancelled flights.

Other Indian carriers refuse to accommodate Jet passengers

Other Indian carriers like Air India have already refused to accommodate Jet flyers. Jet did not comment on how it will accommodate passengers on flights cancelled to and from Abu Dhabi and beyond on Etihad flights to and from rest of the world from there.

A significant number of Jet’s passengers on flights to and from Abu Dhabi are those who are travelling between India and the West like Europe, Africa and North America. The ‘interim’ suspension of Abu Dhabi flights means these transit passengers will also be affected.

At the peak of their partnership three years ago, the combined networks of Etihad and Jet offered over 250 weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and 15 cities across India. However, this number has dropped significantly in the past few months due to failing financial health. While Jet and Etihad did not give how many flights they operate from Abu Dhabi to how many Indian cities daily, travel industry sources say Etihad has 175 weekly flights to India while Jet has “one daily from Delhi (cancelled in March and April); two daily from Mumbai (no operations in March and only one flight in April); had three daily from Bangalore, which are currently not operating and one from Pune with no operation in April.”

“Jet is in a critical condition. But cancellation of Abu Dhabi flights will hurt Etihad even more. For example, the refund of Delhi-Abu Dhabi-New York-Abu Dhabi-Delhi ticket means a greater shelling out for Etihad as it would have carried on the flights to and from the US,” said a travel agent.

Jet has significant tie-ups with Air France-KLM, Delta and Etihad for flying traffic between India and the rest of the world through those airlines’ hubs. The cancellation of Abu Dhabi will mean the entire one-stop traffic between India and the West on Jet and its partners Etihad, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic will now be on airline partners other than Etihad. At least till Jet gets sustainable and resumes flights there. However given Jet’s precarious financial condition, it remains to be seen if flyers are confident enough to book tickets of the airline.

A senior Jet official claimed the cancellation of flights to Abu Dhabi is not linked to delay in equity infusion from Etihad. Goyal had on March 8 written to Etihad Group CEO Tony Douglas seeking urgent infusion of ₹750 crore within a week failing which he warned the airline could even get grounded. While it is now 10 days since the SOS was sent, Jet has not received any funds from Etihad.

Incidentally, Monday (March 18) is by when Jet founder Naresh Goyal had told employees in a letter on March 1 of the “situation gently easing up in our favour”. While whether that happens, remain to be seen, Jet will for now stop flights to its partner’s hub from that date.

Jet officials themselves do not know when the situation will improve as that depends on fund infusion happening from Etihad and then banks restructuring loans. Asked if the Monday (March 18) date given for things to start improving will be met, the official said, “We are hoping for the best.”

In the meanwhile, Jet is slowly losing its critical operational resources built over past 25 years. The lessors of its grounded aircraft are now looking at redeploying them elsewhere, including at SpiceJet. IndiGo, which is facing severe pilot shortage, is holding road shows to hire pilots, a move many in the industry see is aimed at Jet’s unpaid-for-months pilots. In fact, IndiGo pilots are reportedly upset at the way the airline is going all out to woo pilots from other airlines (read Jet) and have sought a hike for themselves.

Parrikar, 4-time Goa CM and ex-defence minister, no more
Crisis Deepens In State, BJP Says It Has Numbers

Vijay.Desouza@timesgroup.com

Panaji:18.03.2019

Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar, whose stature far outgrew the small state he led with flair and distinction, passed away at 63 on Sunday evening after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, deepening the political uncertainty in the state where BJP leads a fragile coalition with arazor thin majority.

The four-time CM and former Union defence minister, who was ailing for some time, attended office almost to the last day and recently presented the budget, embodying a no-nonsense approach that was his hallmark. Despite his illness, BJP persisted with Parrikar who seemed the most capable in steering a coalition in a state where smaller parties are seen to hold the balance.

The BJP brass dispatched senior leader Nitin Gadkari to Goa to take stock and weigh options. Congress had already staked claim on Saturday, arguing the government had lost majority and its numbers could fall further. It said the demise of BJP MLA Francis D’Souza had eroded its numbers.

On Sunday, Goa Congress again wrote to governor Mridula Sinha staking claim to form the government. Terming Parrikar’s demise as “unfortunate”, leader of the opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar said BJP “has no allies as of now” as coalition partners had allied with the saffron party on the condition that Parrikar heads the government. “Congress being the single largest party, it is submitted that the leader of the Congress legislative party is invited to form the next government,” he said.

While there is no clarity on Parrikar’s successor, the swearing-in ceremony of the new CM is slated around 9.30 am on Monday, deputy speaker Michael Lobo said.

Gadkari was expected to reach Goa late on Sunday night and is scheduled to meet leaders and coalition partners. With Parrikar’s demise, the strength of the Goa assembly is 36 with BJP now having 12 MLAs. With three MLAs each of Maharashtra Gomantak Party and Goa Forward Party and three independents, the coalition just about has a majority in the House.

Parrikar fielded Christians, broke political fault lines

The contenders for the CM’s post are seen to be Union Ayush minister Shripad Naik, Goa speaker Pramod Sawant, health minister Vishwajit Rane and state BJP president Vinay Tendulkar.

The BJP parliamentary board is expected to meet on Monday to condole Parrikar’s death and may also take a view on the way ahead in terms of the leadership.

Parrikar’s demise was condoled across the political spectrum, testifying to the leader’s reputation as an affable but tough administrator. Despite his image as unbending on rules, he was a successful coalition builder, having formed a majority government when he reached out to the Catholic community and fielded Christian candidates in 2012 and broke the state’s political fault lines.

Parrikar’s reputation was embellished by his stint as defence minister at the Centre where he led the ministry with a hands-on approach and worked to ensure transparent procedures in high value purchases. He had a role in speeding up the Rafale acquisition.

This led to Congress chief Rahul Gandhi alleging that he was under pressure to hide wrongdoings. Rahul met him briefly in January and claimed that Parrikar said he had no hand in the “new” Rafale deal. Parrikar flatly denied discussing the issue in a conversation that lasted a few minutes. The surgical strikes on terror launch pads in PoK took place during his tenure in 2017.

The IITian who became a politician breathed his last at 6.15pm on Sunday. He was 63.

Parrikar was diagnosed with cancer in February 2018, and since then Goa’s politics turned more turbulent. With Parrikar gone, Goa’s politics will never be the same again.

Full report on www.toi.in

TN BJP & MNM leaders condole Parrikar’s demise

Chennai:

Tamil Nadu BJP president Tamilisai Soundararajan condoled the death of Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday. She said he gave precedence to people and their concerns and continued to serve them till his last breath despite his ill-health. He could establish the BJP government in Goa because of his goodwill and humility, she said in a statement.

Paying tributes to Parrikar, Makkal Needhi Maiam leader Kamal Haasan tweeted: “He was a ‘good and gentleman’. Not even cancer can kill a spirit like @manoharparrikar… As will the Nation, I too will remember him (sic).” TNN

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Disciplinary Proceedings Can't Be Initiated Against Employee For Having 'Illicit Sexual Relationship' With Person Of His/Her Choice: Rajasthan HC: 'Employer cannot dictate the expression of sexuality between the consented adults. A relationship between a man and a woman is a private affair. The employer has nothing to do with it.'

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Kerala: Hostel girls can go for late night films, orders HC

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

PublishedMar 17, 2019, 1:21 am IST

Win for Kerala Varma students.

Kerala High Court

Kochi: The High Court has held that girls staying in hostels are free to participate in political activities and go out for late night films. The court has quashed the restrictions imposed in this respect on the girl students of Kerala Varma College hostel in Thrissur. It observed that the girls are entitled to the rights enjoyed by the boys and held that any restrictions in the matter would be a violation of fundamental rights.

Justice Mushtaq Mohammad passed the order on a petition filed by Anjitha K. Jose and Rinsa Thasni, two inmates of the college hostel. They challenged the order of the hostel warden banning the hostel inmates from taking part in political activities and attending processions and meetings. The warden had also stipulated that hostel inmates will be allowed to watch films only on the day permitted by the warden. The permission was only for first show screenings (6 pm to 9 pm).

The court said that the hostel management has the full right to decide on the principles of hostel discipline. The students do not have any right to dictate to the management that it should behave in a particular manner. The court, however, made it clear that the management can use this right only by taking into account the purpose of such rights. The stipulation that taking part in political activities has no relation with the practice of discipline, it said. Any citizen in the country has the freedom to hold and practise her/his political views. The restriction on political activity is the violation of fundamental rights.

The court also observed that the choice of watching a cinema and the timing of the same are part of individual choice. It is for the students to decide whether to go for a film during the first show or second show, the court said and pointed out that such acts are outside the purview of the hostels. Boy students do not have any such time restrictions for watching the movies.

The college authorities are entitled to fix the timing for the students to enter the hostel, the court said but pointed out that it should be based on wisdom. The counsel for the college management submitted that these conditions were accepted by the parents and students at the time of admission to the hostel. The court, however, observed that the parent does not have any authority to deny the rights of the adult individuals. The petitioners submitted that the 6.30 p.m. deadline fixed by the principal for students to enter the hostel posed a lot of difficulties. The court asked the principal to take a decision on the matter with a realistic perspective.

பெண்களுக்கு எதிரான குற்றங்களில் நமக்கு பங்கில்லையா?

Published : 14 Mar 2019 08:21 IST

சூர்யா


என்னுடைய மகளையும், மகனையும் நான் ஒரேவிதமாக வளர்க்கிறேனா என்ற கேள்வி அடிக்கடி நெருடலாக எனக்குள் வந்து போவதுண்டு. ஆண் குழந்தையின் உடல் மீது எனக்கு எவ்விதமான கற்பிதங்களோ, ஒழுக்க வரையறைகளோ இருப்பதே இல்லை. ஆனால், பெண் குழந்தையின் உடல் குறித்து, என்னையறியாமலேயே நிறைய விதிமுறைகளையும், கட்டுப்பாடுகளையும் திணித்துக்கொண்டே இருக்கிறேன். ‘நீ எப்படி உடுத்த வேண்டும், நீ எப்படி உட்கார வேண்டும், மற்றவர்கள் பார்வைக்கு உன்னை எப்படி வெளிப்படுத்த வேண்டும்’ என்பதுபற்றி, சமூகம் எனக்குக் கற்றுக் கொடுத்த வரைமுறைகளை அறிவுரையாக சொல்லிக்கொண்டே இருக்கிறேன். ’துணிவு மிக்க பெண்ணாக’ மகளை வளர்க்க வேண்டும் என்கிற எண்ணத்திற்கும், என் செயலுக்கும் இடைவெளி இருப்பதை என்னாலேயே உணர முடிகிறது.

குழந்தைப்பேறு காலத்தில், மனைவியுடன் மருத்துவமனை செல்லும்போதெல்லாம் ஒரு வாசகம் மனதை நெருடும். ‘தாயின் கருவில் இருக்கிற குழந்தை, ஆணா, பெண்ணா என்று ஸ்கேன் செய்து பார்ப்பது சட்டப்படி குற்றம்’ என்று தமிழிலும், ஆங்கிலத்திலும் எழுதப்பட்டிருக்கும். படித்தவர்களும், பணக்காரர்களும் வந்துபோகிற மருத்துவமனையில்கூட இப்படி எழுதிப்போட வேண்டிய அவலத்தில் வாழ்கிறோமே என்று வெட்கமாக இருந்தது. பெண் வெறுப்பிலும், எதிர்ப்பிலும் இங்கே படித்தவர்கள், பாமரர்கள்; ஏழைகள், பணக்காரர்கள் என்கிற எந்த வேறுபாடும் இல்லை.

சுமத்தப்படும் பெருமை

இது ஆண்களுக்கான உலகம்; இங்கே பெண்களுக்கு இடமே இல்லை என்று அர்த்தமல்ல. ஆனால், ‘கற்பு, ஒழுக்கம், கலாச்சாரம், குடும்பக் கௌரவம், சாதிப்பெருமை, மதக் கட்டுப்பாடு’ என நிறைய ‘ஆண் பெருமை’களைக் கட்டிக் காப்பாற்ற வேண்டிய பொறுப்பு ஒவ்வொரு பெண்ணுக்கும் இங்கு இருக்கிறது. அந்தப் பொறுப்பை நிறைவேற்றியபடியே, ஆண்களின் ‘கருணை’யில் அவர்களின் வசதிக்கேற்ப, தேவைகளைப் பூர்த்திசெய்து, மனம் கோணாமல் பெண்கள் இவ்வுலகில் இருந்துகொள்ளலாம்.

சிரித்த முகத்துடன், உடையில்லாமல் நிற்கிற ஒரு வயது பெண் குழந்தையிடம், நம்முடைய ‘மானப் பிரச்சனை’யை நேரடியாகவும், மறைமுகமாகவும் பிரசாரம்செய்ய தொடங்குவதில் ஆரம்பிக்கிறது நம்முடைய வன்முறை. இதிகாசமாக, வரலாறாக, பண்பாடாக, வீரமாக நாம் கொண்டாடுகிற அனைத்திலும் பெண் உடலுக்கு எதிரான அந்தக் கருத்தியல் வன்முறை நிரம்பி வழிகிறது. கடவுளின் அவதாரமாகவே இருந்தாலும், நெருப்பில் இறங்கித்தானே இங்கே ‘கற்பை’ நிரூபித்து அவள் மீண்டு வர வேண்டும்! ‘என் மனைவியின் ஒழுக்கத்தை யாருக்கும் நிரூபிக்க வேண்டிய அவசியம் இல்லை.அவள் நலமுடன் இருப்பதே எனக்கு மகிழ்ச்சி. கற்பாவது, வெங்காயமாது’ என்று சொல்லும் தைரியம் இங்கே நம்முடைய கடவுளுக்கேகூட இல்லையே!


சில வருடங்களுக்கு முன்பு, சேலத்தில் ஒரு பெண்ணின் அந்தரங்கப் புகைப்படங்களை இணையத்தில் வெளியிடுகிறான் அவளுடைய முன்னாள் காதலன். அந்தப் பெண் தன் வீட்டில் உண்மையைச் சொல்கிறாள். ‘குடும்ப மானத்தைக் கெடுத்துட்டியே’ என்று அடித்துத் துன்புறுத்துகிறார்கள். அந்த புகைப்படங்கள் மேலும் இணையத்தில் பரவிவிடக் கூடாது என்று புகார் கொடுக்க காவல் நிலையம் சென்றால், ‘இப்படி பொண்ணை பெத்து ஊர் மேய விட்டுட்டு, இப்ப வந்து நில்லுங்க’ என்று பெற்றோரையே வசை பாடுகிறார் காவல் அதிகாரி. இந்த அவமானத்தையெல்லாம் மீண்டும் அந்தப் பெண்ணின் மீது கொட்டுகின்றனர் பெற்றோர். கொடுமை தாள முடியாமல் அந்தப் பெண் தற்கொலை செய்துகொண்டாள். உடலை படம் பிடித்து மிரட்டியவனைகூடப் போராடி எதிர்கொண்ட அந்தப் பெண்ணால், தன் நிலையுணர்ந்து துணை நிற்க வேண்டிய குடும்பமும், சமூகமும் எதிராக திரும்பும்போது போராட முடியவில்லை; உயிரை மாய்த்துக்கொண்டாள்.

சிதைக்கப்படும் நம்பிக்கை

தன்னை காதலிக்கும் ஒருத்தனை நம்பாமல், ஒரு பெண் வேறு யாரை நம்புவாள்? பெண்களின் நம்பிக்கையை உடைக்கிற ஆண்கள் உயிரோடு வலம் வருகிறார்கள். ஆனால், ‘மானம் காக்கும் வீரர்கள்’ குற்றவாளிகளைத் தண்டிப்பதற்கு முன்பு, பாதிக்கப்பட்ட பெண்களையே தண்டிக்கிறார்கள். பாதிப்புக்கு ஆளான பெண்களுக்கு, இந்தச் சமூகத்தில் தொடர்ந்து வாழ்கிற தண்டனையைவிட, தற்கொலை என்கிற தவறான முடிவு எளிய தீர்வாக இருக்கிறது என்றால் அதற்காக நாம் வெட்கப்பட வேண்டாமா?

சமீபத்தில் ‘இந்து தமிழ்’ நாளிதழில் வெளியான, பாலியல் தொந்தரவுக்கு ஆளான ஒரு சிறுமியின் தந்தை எழுதிய கட்டுரையைப் படித்தபோது நெஞ்சை உலுக்கியது. தன் குழந்தைக்கு பாலியல் தொல்லை கொடுத்தவரின் மீது புகார் கொடுக்க காவல் நிலையம் சென்றபோது, ’செக்ஸ் கம்ளைண்ட் குடுத்தது யாரு?’ என்று பலரின் முன்னிலையில் குரல் உயர்த்தி கேட்கின்றனர் காவலர்கள். இரவு பதினொரு மணிக்கு குழந்தையை அழைத்துக்கொண்டு நீதிபதி வீட்டிற்குப் போகிறார்கள். அவர் தூங்கிக் கொண்டிருக்க, நான்கு மணிநேரம் அந்த நள்ளிரவில் காத்திருகிறது அந்தக் குழந்தை. அதற்குப் பிறகு மருத்துவ பரிசோதனைக்கு போனால் அங்கும், ‘ஒரு குழந்தையைக் கையாளுகிறோம்’ என்ற உணர்வே இல்லாமல் மருத்துவமனை ஊழியர்கள் நடந்துகொள்கின்றனர். ‘அந்த நபர், வேறொரு குழந்தைக்கு பாலியல் தொந்தரவு தந்துவிடக்கூடாது’ என்ற நோக்கத்திற்காக புகார் கொடுக்க சென்றவரை சட்டமும், சமூகமும் நடத்திய விதம் ஒரு சோறு பதம்.

பெண் வெறுப்புப் பிரச்சாரம்

இதோ ஒட்டுமொத்த தமிழ் சமூகத்தையும் குற்றவாளிக்கூண்டில் நிறுத்துகிறது பொள்ளாச்சி சம்பவம். கொடூரமான பாலியல் கொடுமைக்கு ஆளான பெண் துணிந்து புகார் அளிக்கிறார். ஆனால், அந்தப் பெண்ணைப் பற்றிய எல்லா விவரங்களும் காவல் துறையின் மூலமாகவே வெளியானதும், அந்தக் குடும்பம் மிரட்டப்பட்டதும் நம்முடைய அலட்சியத்தையும் அமைப்புகளின் சரிவுகளையும் தோலுரிக்கிறது. இந்த நிகழ்வை ஒட்டி, பொதுவாக இரண்டுவிதமான எதிர்வினைகள் வருகின்றன. ’பெண்களே இதைப் பார்த்தாவது திருந்துங்கள். அறிமுகம் இல்லாத ஆண்களை நம்பாதீர்கள்’ என்று அன்போடு அறிவுரை சொல்கிறது ஒரு கூட்டம். ‘ஊசி இடம்கொடுக்காமல் நூல் நுழையுமா?’ என்று இந்த நேரத்திலும் பெண் வெறுப்புப் பிரச்சாரம் செய்கிறது இன்னொரு கூட்டம். பெண்கள் மீதான இத்தகைய ‘அன்பு’, ‘வெறுப்பு’ இரண்டுக்கும் ஒரே அர்த்தம்தான். ‘ஆண்கள் அப்படிதான் இருப்பார்கள். நீங்கள் அடங்கி ஒடுங்கி இருங்கள்’ என்பதே அது.

அறிமுகம் இல்லாத எந்த ஆணையும் நம்பாதே என்று பெண்களுக்கு சொல்கிற நாம், ஏன் ‘பெண்களிடம் கண்ணியமாக நடந்துகொள்’ என்று ஆண்களுக்குச் சொல்லத் தவறுகிறோம்? ‘நாய்கள் ஜாக்கிரதை’ என்று வீட்டின் முன்னே எச்சரிகை வாசகம் இருப்பதைப் போல, ஒவ்வொரு பெண்ணும், ‘ஆண்கள் ஜாக்கிரதை’ என்ற வாசகத்தை மனதில் ஒரு எச்சரிக்கைப் பலகையை மாட்டிக்கொண்டு அலைய வேண்டுமா?

தொழில்முறைக் குற்றவாளிகள்

பொள்ளாச்சி பாலியல் வன்முறைக் காட்சிப் பதிவுகளில் உள்ள பெண்களின் கதறல் நம் ஈரக்குலையை அறுக்கிறது. தனிப்பட்ட இச்சைக்காக மட்டும் அந்தக் கயவர்கள் இதைச் செய்யவில்லை. பெண்களை ஆபாசமாகப் படம் பிடித்து, மிரட்டி காரியங்களைச் சாதித்திருக்கிறார்கள். மறுத்த பெண்களை அடித்து, துன்புறுத்தியிருக்கிறார்கள். வசதியானவர்களிடம் பணம் கேட்டு மிரட்டியிருக்கிறார்கள். பல ஆண்டுகளாக இதை ஒரு ‘தொழில்’ ஆகவே செய்துவரும் இவர்களைத் தொழில்முறைக் குற்றவாளிகளாகவே கருத வேண்டும்; கடுமையான தண்டனைக்குள்ளாக்க வேண்டும். அதேசமயம், இவர்கள் கடுமையாக தண்டிக்கப்பட்டதோடு பிரச்சினை முடிந்துவிடும் என்று நாம் நினைத்தால், அது அபத்தமானது.

பெண்ணின் உடலை வைத்து இந்தச் சமூகம் ஆடுகிற கேவலமான விளையாட்டின், சிறிய விளைவுதான் பொள்ளாச்சி சம்பவம். நூற்றுக்கணக்கான பெண்கள் பாதிக்கப்பட்டு இருந்தாலும், ஏன் எந்தப் பெண்ணும் முன்வந்து நம் சட்டத்திடமும், நீதியிடமும் பாதுகாப்பு கோரவில்லை? நம்பிக்கைக்குரிய ‘ஆண்கள்’ நிரம்பி இருக்கிற வீட்டிலும், தாங்கள் மிரட்டப்படுவதைச் சொல்லவிடாமல் அந்தப் பெண்களை எது தடுத்தது? அவர்களுக்கு நிகழ்ந்த அநீதியைவிட, அதை முறையிட்டு தீர்வு தேட முடியாத நம்முடைய கொடூரச் சூழல் மேலும் அபாயகரமானது இல்லையா? ‘என்னை இப்படி தலைகுனிய வெச்சிட்டீயே’ என்று ஓலமிடுகிற அன்பானவர்கள்தான், ‘ஆபாசத்தை வெளியே பரவ விடுவேன்’ என்ற குற்றவாளிகளின் மிரட்டலுக்கு பெண்கள் பலியாக முக்கியமான காரணமாகிறார்கள் என்பதை மறந்துவிடக் கூடாது.

ஒருவகையில் நிகழ்ந்திருக்கும் குற்றத்தில் நமக்கும் முக்கியமான பங்கிருக்கிறது. ‘யார் உன்னை மிரட்டுகிறானோ, அவனைப் பொதுவெளியில் நிறுத்தி அசிங்கப்படுத்து. சிறைக்கு அனுப்பு. நாங்கள் உன்னோடு இருக்கிறோம்’ என்று குடும்பம் சொன்னால், இந்த மிரட்டல் ஒருபோதும் பலிக்காது. சட்டத்தைவிட, நம் பெண்களுக்கு இந்தப் பாதுகாப்புணர்வுதான் பலம் கொடுக்கும்.

குடும்பத்தாலும், சமூகத்தாலும் தன் உடலை வைத்தே பலவீனமாக வளர்க்கப்படுகிறாள் பெண். சமூக விரோதிகள் அதை பயன்படுத்திக்கொள்கிறார்கள். பிரச்சினையின் வேர் நம்மிடம்தான் இருக்கிறது. சிக்கிவிட்ட நான்கு குற்றவாளிகளின் மீது கல்லெறிந்துவிட்டு, பெண்களுக்கு எதிராக ஒட்டுமொத்த சமூகமாக நாம் நிகழ்த்துகிற குற்றங்களை மறைக்க முயற்சிக்கிறோம்.

பெண்களுக்குத் துணை நிற்போம்

கோவை மண்ணிலிருந்து படித்து முடித்து வெளியூரில் வேலை பார்க்கும் ஒரு பெண்ணின் முகநூல் பதிவு என்னை மிகவும் நெகிழச் செய்தது. “எவனாச்சும் உன் போட்டோ, வீடியோவ வெச்சி மிரட்டினா பயப்படாத. ‘என்ன வேணா பண்ணிக்கோடா. உலகத்துல இருக்கிற எல்லா பொண்ணுக்கும் இருக்கிற உடம்புதான் எனக்கும் இருக்குனு சொல்லு’ என்று தொலைபேசியில் கூறிய தன் அம்மாவை கட்டிப்பிடித்து அழ வேண்டுமென்று தோன்றியது” என்று அந்தப்பெண் எழுதியிருந்தார். ஒவ்வொரு பெண்ணுக்கும் இத்தகைய நம்பிக்கை நிறைந்த, பாதுகாப்பான இடமாக குடும்பங்கள் மாறாதவரை,இந்தக் குற்றங்கள் மீண்டும் மீண்டும் நடக்கும். இந்த மாற்றத்தின் முதல் முயற்சியாக, ‘பெண்ணின் வெற்றுடல் ஆபாசமானதல்ல ’ என்ற முழக்கம் நம் குடும்பங்களில் இருந்து ஒலிக்கட்டும்.

பொள்ளாச்சியில் பாதிக்கப்பட்ட பெண்களுக்கு அவர்களின் குடும்பம் பாதுகாப்பாக இருக்க வேண்டும். யாருக்கும் அஞ்சாமல் அனைத்து உண்மைகளையும் வெளிப்படுத்த வேண்டும். அவர்களுக்குத் தேவையான பாதுகாப்பை நீதிமன்றம் உறுதிசெய்து, இக்குற்றத்தில் சம்பந்தப்பட்டவர்களை விரைந்து தண்டிக்க வேண்டும். அதேசமயம், ‘என் உடலை வைத்து நீ என்னை பணியச் செய்ய முடியாது. உன் வக்கிரத்தைவிட என் வெற்றுடல் ஆபாசமானது இல்லை’ என்று பெண்கள் துணிந்து நிற்பதும், அதற்குத் துணையாக நாம் இருப்பதும் அனைவரின் கடமை. ’பாலியல் வன்முறையை’விட ஆபத்தானது, பெண்களுக்கு எதிராக நம் சமூகம் கட்டமைத்து வைத்திருக்கும் கருத்தியல் வன்முறை என்பதை உணருவோம்.

-சூர்யா,

திரைப்பட நடிகர்,

தொடர்புக்கு: suriya@agaram.in

ரூ.37 லட்சம் ஏலச்சீட்டு மோசடி :ஏழு ஆண்டுகள் சிறை தண்டனை

Added : மார் 16, 2019 04:41


கடலுார்:ஏலச்சீட்டு நடத்தி, 38 லட்சம் ரூபாய் மோசடி செய்த வழக்கில், சிதம்பரம் அண்ணாமலை பல்கலை முன்னாள் ஊழியருக்கு, கடலுார் கோர்ட்டில் ஏழு ஆண்டுகள் சிறை தண்டனை விதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.
கடலுார் மாவட்டம், சிதம்பரம் அண்ணாமலை நகரை சேர்ந்தவர் பாலசுப்ரமணியன், 43; சிதம்பரம் அண்ணாமலை பல்கலைக்கழக பிளம்பர். இவன், 2012ல் மாதாந்திர ஏலச்சீட்டு நடத்தியுள்ளார். ஏலச்சீட்டில் பணம் கட்டிய, அண்ணாமலை பல்கலைக்கழக மருத்துவக்கல்லுாரியில் நர்சாக பணிபுரியும், சித்ரா, 46 உள்ளிட்ட, 56 பேருக்கு, 38 லட்ச ரூபாயை திருப்பிக்கொடுக்காமல் பாலசுப்ரமணியன் ஏமாற்றியுள்ளார்.
இது குறித்து, சித்ரா கொடுத்த புகாரின் படி, பாலசுப்ரமணியன் மீது,கடலுார் மாவட்ட பொருளாதார குற்றப்பிரிவு போலீசார், 2014 டிச., 8ல் வழக்கு பதிந்தனர்.இவ்வழக்கு விசாரணை, கடலுார் தலைமை குற்றவியல் நடுவர் நீதிமன்றத்தில் நடந்து வந்தது.இவ்வழக்கை விசாரித்த, நீதிபதி ரவி நேற்று தீர்ப்பு கூறினார். பாலசுப்ரமணியனுக்கு ஏழு ஆண்டு சிறை தண்டனை, 30 ஆயிரம் ரூபாய் அபராதம் விதித்து உத்தரவிட்டார்.

என்னது... தேர்தலா... கலெக்டர் அதிர்ச்சி

Added : மார் 16, 2019 04:39

சேலம்:'தேர்தல் எப்போது' எனக் கேட்டதற்கு, மக்கள், 'தெரியாது' என, பதில் அளித்ததால், சேலம் கலெக்டர் அதிர்ச்சியடைந்தார்.
சேலம் கலெக்டர் ரோகிணி, தர்மபுரி லோக்சபா தொகுதியில் அடங்கிய, கொளத்துார் அடுத்த, கருங்கல்லுாரில், பதற்றமான ஓட்டுச்சாவடியை, நேற்று பார்வையிட்டார். அப்போது, கூடி நின்ற மக்களை பார்த்து, 'தேர்தல் எந்த தேதியில் நடக்கிறது' எனக் கேட்டார். அவர்கள், 'தேர்தலா... எப்போ... எங்களுக்கே தெரியாதே' என, பதிலளித்தனர்.

அதிர்ச்சியடைந்த ரோகிணி, 'மக்களுக்கு தேர்தல் நடக்கும் தேதி கூட தெரியலையே' என, அருகில் நின்றிருந்த அலுவலரிடம் கூறி, வேதனைப்பட்டார்.பின், 'ஏப்., 18ல் தேர்தல் நடக்கிறது. அனைவரும் தவறாமல் ஓட்டு போட வேண்டும்' எனக் கூறி, அங்கிருந்து புறப்பட்டு சென்றார்.

ஸ்ரீவி., ஆண்டாள் கோயிலில் கோலங்கள் அழிப்பு; டி.எஸ்.பி., அராஜகம்; கொந்தளிப்பில் பக்தர்கள்

Added : மார் 16, 2019 01:45



ஸ்ரீவில்லிபுத்துார்: ஸ்ரீவில்லிபுத்துார் ஆண்டாள் கோயில் கோலங்களில் இடம்பெற்றிருந்த தாமரைப்பூக்கள், பா.ஜ.,வின் சின்னம் எனக்கூறி, டி.எஸ்.பி., ப.ராஜா உத்தரவால் அழிக்கபட்டன. இதனல் பக்தர்கள் வேதனை அடைந்துள்ளனர். டி.எஸ்.பி., ப.ராஜாவுக்கு கடும் கண்டனம் தெரிவித்துள்ள பல்வேறு அமைப்புகள், அவரை தேர்தல் பணியிலிருந்து விடுவிக்க வேண்டும் என கோரிக்கை விடுத்துள்ளன.

ஸ்ரீவில்லிபுத்துார் ஆண்டாள் கோயிலில் ஆடி மாதத்தில் தேரோட்டம், பங்குனி மாதத்தில் ஆண்டாள் திருக்கல்யாணம் உட்பட பல்வேறு வைபவங்கள் மிகுந்த சிறப்புடன் நடைபெறுவது வழக்கம். அப்போது கோயிலின் வாசலில் இருந்து கொடிமரம், கோயில் உட்பிரகாரங்களில் பெயின்டால் கோலங்கள் வரையப்பட்டு சிறப்பு அலங்காரங்கள் செய்யப்படும். ஆண்டாள் திருக்கல்யாண திருவிழா கடந்த மார்ச் 13 ல் கொடியேற்றத்துடன் துவங்கி நடந்து வருகிறது. தினமும் காலையில் ஆண்டாள், ரெங்கமன்னார் மண்டபம் எழுந்தருளல், இரவு வீதி உலா நடந்து வருகிறது. இதற்காக கோயில் வாசலிலிருந்து கொடிமரம் வரை கோலங்கள் போடப்பட்டுள்ளன.

தெய்வங்களின் தாமரைப் பூ:

மகாலட்சுமியான ஆண்டாள் வாசம் செய்யும், ஆண்டாளுக்கு உகந்ததும், சரஸ்வதி வீற்றிருப்பதுமான தாமரைப் பூக்கள், கோலங்களில் இடம் பெற்றிருந்தன. தேர்தல் நடக்கவிருப்பதால், பா.ஜ.,வின் சின்னம் எனக்கூறி கோலங்களில் இடம் பெற்ற தாமரைப் பூக்கள், ஸ்ரீவி., டி.எஸ்.பி., ப.ராஜா உத்தரவுப்படி நேற்று முன்தினம் பெயின்ட் பூசி அழிக்கபட்டன. இது ஆண்டாள் பக்தர்களிடையே கடும் கொந்தளிப்பை ஏற்படுத்தி உள்ளது.

திருவிழா நடக்கும் இந்நேரத்தில் ஆண்டாள், ரெங்கமன்னாரை வரவேற்கும் விதத்தில் போடப்பட்டிருந்த கோலங்கள் அழிக்கப்பட்டது அமங்கலமாக இருப்பதாக பக்தர்கள் வேதனை தெரிவித்துள்ளனர். ஏற்கனவே சினிமா பாடலாசிரியர் வைரமுத்து ஆண்டாளை அவதுாறாக பேசியது, இன்றுவரை பக்தர்கள் மனதில் ஆறாத புண்ணாக உள்ளது.

இந்நிலையில் டி.எஸ்.பி., ப.ராஜாவின் இச்செயல், அனைத்து தரப்பினரிடமும் கோபத்தை ஏற்படுத்தி உள்ளது. விஸ்வ ஹிந்து பரிஷத், பா.ஜ., இந்துமுன்னணி மற்றும் பல்வேறு ஹிந்து அமைப்பினர் இதுதொடர்பாக தேர்தல் கமிஷன், கோயில் நிர்வாகம், போலீசாருக்கு கடும் எதிர்ப்பை தெரிவித்துள்ளனர்.

போராட்ட எச்சரிக்கை:

புனிதமிக்க கோயிலில் ஆகம விதிகளை மீறி தாமரைப்பூ கோலங்களை அழிக்க காரணமாயிருந்த தேர்தல் அதிகாரிகள் மற்றும் டி.எஸ்.பி., ப.ராஜாவை உடனடியாக தேர்தல் பணியிலிருந்து விடுவித்து, அவர்களிடம் விசாரணை நடத்த வேண்டும். தவறினால் பக்தர்களை திரட்டி போராட்டம் நடத்தப்படும் என எச்சரித்துள்ளனர். அழிக்கப்பட்ட கோலங்கள் மீது நேற்று கோலங்கள் வரையபட்டன. அவற்றில் தாமரைப்பூ இடம் பெறவில்லை.

Varsity seeks EC nod for Minister’s attendance

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

MYSURU, MARCH 16, 2019 00:00 IST

Whether Minister for Higher Education G.T. Deve Gowda, who is also Pro-Chancellor, will preside over the 99th annual convocation of University of Mysore on Sunday depends on the Election Commission’s permission since the model code of conduct in force.

With Governor and Chancellor Vajubai Vala not attending, Mr. Gowda has to preside over the event in his capacity as Pro-Chancellor. The university had already printed the convocation invitations that mentioned that he would preside over the event.

Vice-Chancellor G. Hemantha Kumar said, “We have written to the EC seeking permission for the Minister’s participation.” He said the Governor was pre-occupied on Sunday (March 17) and therefore the Pro-Chancellor was presiding it.

Chennai: Three including girl student arrested for ATM robbery

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

Published  Mar 16, 2019, 3:54 am IST

A special team of police has left for Mangalore to arrest the main accused in the case who is allegedly in possession of the stolen cash.

On February 7 around 8.30 pm, two employees Devaraj (35) and Murali (30) - of a private cash management service - were refilling cash in a Canara bank ATM kiosk near Moovendar Nagar in Iyyapanthangal. (Representational Image)

Chennai: The city police on Friday claimed to have cracked the Rs 10 lakh robbery belonging to Canara Bank and meant for ATMs, by arresting three people including a city-based woman college student. Sources said the other two are from Nigeria.

On February 7 around 8.30 pm, two employees Devaraj (35) and Murali (30) - of a private cash management service - were refilling cash in a Canara bank ATM kiosk near Moovendar Nagar in Iyyapanthangal.

When a gang of three members wearing helmets followed them and attacked them with an axe, both employees were heavily wounded. The gang fled with the cash boxes in seconds.. A case has been registered with the Maduravoyal police station.

Three special teams of police carried out investigations with clues from CCTV cameras in the area and mobile phone signals.

The police traced phone calls and took Akkyo Maya(27) and Aamu(26) into custody and based on the information provided by them, arrested a girl identified as Greya, 21, city-based college student, living in Manimangalam. She allegedly let the men stay at her residence and knew of the heist.

A special team of police has left for Mangalore to arrest the main accusedin the case who is allegedly in possession of the stolen cash. Investigations revealed that AkkyoMaya and Aamu hatched a conspiracy to loot the money.

Police said there is one more involved in the robbery and a manhunt had been launched to nab him.

Chennai: Three including girl student arrested for ATM robbery

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

Published  Mar 16, 2019, 3:54 am IST

A special team of police has left for Mangalore to arrest the main accused in the case who is allegedly in possession of the stolen cash.

On February 7 around 8.30 pm, two employees Devaraj (35) and Murali (30) - of a private cash management service - were refilling cash in a Canara bank ATM kiosk near Moovendar Nagar in Iyyapanthangal. (Representational Image)

Chennai: The city police on Friday claimed to have cracked the Rs 10 lakh robbery belonging to Canara Bank and meant for ATMs, by arresting three people including a city-based woman college student. Sources said the other two are from Nigeria.

On February 7 around 8.30 pm, two employees Devaraj (35) and Murali (30) - of a private cash management service - were refilling cash in a Canara bank ATM kiosk near Moovendar Nagar in Iyyapanthangal.

When a gang of three members wearing helmets followed them and attacked them with an axe, both employees were heavily wounded. The gang fled with the cash boxes in seconds.. A case has been registered with the Maduravoyal police station.

Three special teams of police carried out investigations with clues from CCTV cameras in the area and mobile phone signals.

The police traced phone calls and took Akkyo Maya(27) and Aamu(26) into custody and based on the information provided by them, arrested a girl identified as Greya, 21, city-based college student, living in Manimangalam. She allegedly let the men stay at her residence and knew of the heist.

A special team of police has left for Mangalore to arrest the main accusedin the case who is allegedly in possession of the stolen cash. Investigations revealed that AkkyoMaya and Aamu hatched a conspiracy to loot the money.

Police said there is one more involved in the robbery and a manhunt had been launched to nab him.

Chennai: Ship released on paying compensation

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

PublishedMar 16, 2019, 7:12 am IST

fter the owner of the vessel on Friday agreed to pay Rs 2.50 lakh each to the parents of the deceased.

Madras high court.

Chennai: The Madras high court has ordered the release of a vessel, registered in Singapore, presently operating at Udankudi project, Kallamozhi coastal village, Tuticorin, which was ordered to be seized on March 11 for its failure to pay compensation to the parents of the deceased, who died while in employment, after the owner of the vessel on Friday agreed to pay Rs 2.50 lakh each to the parents of the deceased.

Passing further orders on an application arising out of a suit filed by Raja Pushpam and John Raj, parents of the deceased Sam David Raja, Justice S.Vaidyanathan said, “The Respondent/Defendant (owner of the vessel) is directed to pay a sum of Rs 2.50 lakh to each of the plaintiffs within three working days. Registry is directed to issue the warrant of release forthwith so as to permit it sail in the port”.

When the case came up for hearing, counsel for the vessel Tug Mutha Gem and Barge Mutha Pearl, submitted that an amount of Rs 35.45 lakh (which is equivalent to 69,000 Singapore dollar) has already been deposited in the name of the registrar general and therefore, the interim order already granted on March 11 needs suitable modification so as to enable the respondent/defendant to get the vessel released.

The judge said it was no doubt true that a detailed adjudication was required regarding the jurisdiction of this court to decide the issue on hand, in terms of Clause No.17 of the agreement. But, at the same time, it cannot be lost sight of the fact that it has been vividly mentioned in the communication dated February 23, 2019 of the respondent/defendant that the employee/son of the plaintiffs, who was aged about 21 years at the time of his death, died while on board “Tug Mutha gem and Barge Mutha Pearl”. It was reported across the bar that a sum of Rs 2.50 lakh has already been paid to the parents of the deceased. It was opt to say that nothing will substitute the loss of a person in terms of money, as the plaintiffs have lost their lovable son. Therefore, this court, finding a prima facie case and the balance of convenience in favour of the plaintiffs, feels it appropriate to allow the plaintiffs to withdraw another sum of `5 lakh from the amount deposited by the respondent in the account of the registrar
general of this court, the judge added.

The judge said even assuming that the plaintiffs have to approach the Singapore court for suitable compensation under the Work Injury Compensation Act, which was currently in force in the Republic of Singapore, still the deceased employee needs to be honoured by the respondent in terms of the said Act and also in terms of the agreement between the parties, in the absence of the defence that the accident occurred purely on the fault of the employee. Whether it be an Indian Court or Singapore Court, the minimum compensation payable under the Workmen’s Compensation Act cannot be deprived either by the Indian Court or by the Singapore Court, as there was an admission of employment as well as death on board while in the course of and out of employment, the judge added.

The judge said the respondent has undertaken that the said amount of Rs 5 lakh would be paid by them separately, which was independent of the deposit and in case the plaintiff succeeds in the suit, the said amount would be adjusted from the deposit.

Recording the same, the judge modified his earlier order and forwarded the original deposit receipt to the registrar general of Madras high court for safe custody and to be renewed periodically till the finalization of the dispute in the suit.

All samples of Johnson & Johnson’s powder safe: Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Department

Following the controversy, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) analysed samples of the company’s products, including in Tamil Nadu.

Published: 16th March 2019 03:23 AM 

A bottle of Johnson's Baby Powder (File Photo | Reuters)

By Sinduja Jane

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Department has said it tested 18 samples of Johnson and Johnson’s baby talcum powder across Tamil Nadu from April 1 till date and found all samples are of standard quality. The baby talcum powder controversy started after claims of presence of asbestos, a known carcinogenic mineral, in the product in USA. A court in USA also awarded compensation to a few victims who were allegedly diagnosed with cancer after using the powder.

Following the controversy, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) analysed samples of the company’s products, including in Tamil Nadu. Simultaneously, Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Department also lifted samples and tested them at its laboratory at the Directorate of Medical Services (DMS) here separately.

“From April 1 till date, we tested 18 samples of the company’s baby talcum powder. All are declared of standard quality, that is they complied with Bureau of Indian Standards quality standards,” said K Sivabalan, Director of Tamil Nadu Drug Control Department. Speaking to Express, a Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation official said, “We regularly test samples. But after this controversy, in the last three months, we tested over 100 samples in Tamil Nadu. All the samples cleared the test,” the official said.


It may be recalled that on March 2, the company issued advertisement in newspapers citing the government labtest report on its baby powder to say that it is asbestos free. Following the advertisement, The Drug Control General of India (DCGI) issued show cause notice to the company asking it to explain why it issued such an advertisement violating statutory provisions.The Drug Controller General of India had earlier ordered to lift samples of the product from wholesalers, retailers and distributors across the country for testing.

Tamil Nadu government told to dispose of staff’s appeals related to service, retirement matters
Before parting with the case, the judge pointed out that the filing of the appeal itself is an early remedy available for the litigants.

Published: 16th March 2019 07:12 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has directed the State government to issue circulars to the appellate authorities to dispose of the appeals relating to service and retirement matters from the affected government employees expeditiously within a time-frame. Justice R Mahadevan gave the directive while passing orders on a batch of writ petitions from the affected persons, on Friday.

In one case, C Alim Amber, working as a clerk in Alanganoor Primary Agriculture Co-operative Loan Society, Ramanathapuram district, was suspended from service one day prior to his retirement on July 30, 2014. Challenging this, he preferred an appeal on August 20, 2015 and the same was pending before the appellate authority for years even till now. Hence, the present petition. The judge directed the appellate authorities concerned to expedite the hearing on the appeal and complete it expeditiously.

Before parting with the case, the judge pointed out that the filing of the appeal itself is an early remedy available for the litigants. The appellate authorities, specifically created under the relevant statute, must consider them quickly. Any prolonged pendency of the appeal will naturally cause damage to the legal claim of the litigants.

“In such matters, the appellate authorities, while entertaining appeals from the date of filing, should collect the documents that are sought to be required for early disposal and complete the proceedings, within three months and after providing sufficient opportunity of hearing to both parties, dispose of the same, within six months thereafter,” the judge said.


The judge made it clear that while disposing of the appeals, the appellate authorities shall take into account the fact that because of the long pendency of appeals, if the litigant won the case after a long time, he would certainly be entitled to the consequential monetary benefits, which would cause heavy revenue loss to the government and which can be avoided if the appeals are disposed of early.

Hence, while hearing the appeals, the authorities shall not entertain unnecessary adjournments. The government should take steps for getting the appeals disposed of at the earliest and in this regard, a circular should be issued to all appellate authorities irrespective of the departments, the judge said.

Chennai man sexually abuses puppies
The police are yet to file an FIR and have asked the activist to identify the person and inform them so that he could be arrested.

Published: 16th March 2019 03:19 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: In yet another case of alleged animal abuse, a man has been accused of sexually abusing four puppies in an empty ground at Mathur near Madhavaram on Thursday. This is not the first he was seen misbehaving with the puppies.

Twenty days ago, the man in his 20s was seen abusing the pups at the second cross street in MMDA Colony, Mathur, and when confronted by the locals, he fled.

“On Thursday, the man was seen again abusing the puppies and when the residents scolded him, he again fled. After they informed me, we retrieved the video and lodged a complaint with the police,” said Sai Vignesh, an animal activist from Chennai.

The complaint was lodged with the Madhavaram Milk Colony police. The police are yet to file an FIR and have asked the activist to identify the person and inform them so that he could be arrested.


When contacted, the station inspector said “The nature of crime is unclear even after seeing the video. We need to have a legal opinion and hence only after the man is arrested, we will be able to file an FIR.”

Philips India told to pay Chennai customer Rs 1.3 lakh

R Balaji, a resident of Villivakkam, purchased a TV from Santhosh & Co, a Philips dealer, at a cost of Rs 67,000.

Published: 16th March 2019 07:11 AM 

For representational purposes (File | Reuters)

CHENNAI: A city consumer forum told Philips India Ltd, its dealer and service centre to pay Rs 1,32,000 to a resident after the television set he purchased in 2015 had to be repaired soon after purchase.


R Balaji, a resident of Villivakkam, purchased a TV from Santhosh & Co, a Philips dealer, at a cost of Rs 67,000. Within a few months, the TV conked and he was charged for repair despite having warranty.

With the problem hardly solved, on September 16, 2017, the PCB Board was also replaced. The consumer forum observed that there was a deficiency of service on the part of the manufacturer, its dealer and the service centre.

‘Re-issue G.O. without revealing victim’s name’

B. Tilak Chandar

MADURAI, MARCH 16, 2019 00:00 IST

HC takes serious view of police lapse

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday directed the State to withdraw the Government Order (G.O.) on transferring the Pollachi sexual assault case to the CBI and issue it afresh without revealing the identity of the complainant.

A Division Bench of Justices N. Kirubakaran and S. S. Sundar observed that the G.O issued revealed the name of the victim and her college, apart from her brother’s name.

Pulling up the authorities concerned responsible for revealing the girl’s identity, the court said they could be proceeded against.

The court held that it was appropriate for the State to take action against the Superintendent of Police, Coimbatore, for his irresponsible conduct of revealing the name of the victim.

It is unfortunate that the Superintendent of Police has disclosed the number of videos received and the number of accused even in the preliminary stage of investigation. The purpose of non-disclosure has not been understood by the officials. The victim gave the complaint with a hope that her identity would be protected. The police have failed to protect the identity of the girl by disclosing the same to the media.

“The cries of the victim are still echoing in our ears. If the identity of the victim is revealed, how will any one come forward against such atrocities”, the court asked.

The court said the incident had sent shock waves across the country. “Let it be an eye-opener. Such incidents should not happen again,” the court said and directed the State to give psychological counselling to the victims, without the knowledge of the others preferably outside Pollachi, so that their identity is protected.

Recommending a compensation of Rs. 25 lakh to the victim, the court asked the Centre and the State to respond if a ‘One Stop Centre’ was set up to counsel such victims as per the guidelines of the Supreme Court.

HC summons officials over case of records manipulation

STAFF REPORTER

MADURAI, MARCH 16, 2019 00:00 IST

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has summoned the Chief Educational Officer and the District Educational Officer of Ramanathapuram district along with a Superintendent to the Block Educational Office after an alleged case of manipulation of certain records was brought to light.

Justice R. Mahadevan, taking into account the nature of allegations levelled in the case, observed that had false allegations been made, the guilty would be sent straight to jail from the court hall itself. The court sought CCTV footage to be produced in the case.

The court was hearing a petition filed by R. Shanmuganathan of Ramanathapuram, a Superintendent. who said he was transferred from the Block Educational Office, Kamuthi in Ramanathapuram district, to the District Educational Office in 2018. Similarly one S. Ramachandran working in the District Educational Office was transferred to the Block Educational Office, Bogalur, Ramanathapuram district.

The petitioner claimed that Ramachandran and the District Educational Officer had colluded and had indulged in various irregularities. Now that he was transferred to that office, he was also asked to do the same, the petitioner alleged.

Besides, Ramachandran had illegally gained entry into the office and manipulated certain records. Subsequently, the petitioner said, he was issued a transfer order in early February in order to accommodate Ramachandran to achieve certain objectives. He sought a direction to quash the transfer order. The case was adjourned to March 19.

BU Syndicate compulsorily retires faculty

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

COIMBATORE, MARCH 16, 2019 00:00 IST

The Bharathiar University Syndicate, which met in Chennai on Friday, decided to compulsorily retire L. Ramesh, principal, Bharathiar University Arts and Science College, Valparai.

The University had included the agenda for the Syndicate meeting to decide on the quantum of punishment for Mr. Ramesh, who was found guilty for taking bribe.

The Syndicate also decided to waive off the Rs. 2 lakh that students of Government Arts College, Coimbatore, were supposed to pay as convocation fee and fine. This would enable students to receive their degree certificates. Sources in the Syndicate said that the decision-making body deferred taking a decision on opening learning support centres in colleges for distance education programmes.

Charitable trusts holding marathons to face GST
Sidhartha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:16.03.2019

In a setback to several charitable institutions, the Tamil Nadu Authority of Advance Ruling (AAR) has held that conducting marathons by a charitable trust registered under the Income Tax Act does not exempt them from GST liability as only activities covered under definition of “charitable activities” under a 2017 notification are exempt.

In response to a reference by Dream Runners Foundation, the AAR found that the entity needed to be registered under the Central and state GST laws as it was making taxable supply of services such as organising marathon, while noting that its aggregate turnover in a financial year exceeded the prescribed Rs 20 lakh.

The authority said that the money collected from participants was a consideration towards the supply of service of organising and conducting the marathon and was liable to incur GST.

It noted the petitioner’s plea that net proceeds are donated to Freedom Trust, an NGO providing prosthetic limbs to less privileged people. It observed that the money collected from the participants could be donated or used for further charitable activities, but organising marathon was a separate supply of service for the participants.

Public Notice 16.03.2019

MHRD to work with Af govt on several IIT-enabled digital education initiatives

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:16.03.2019

The ministry of human resource development (MHRD) is all set to work with the Afghanistan government on digital education initiatives. This includes many prominent programs developed by Indian Institutes of Technology.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed at IIT Madras in connection with this on Friday. This MoU will facilitate use of massive open online courses (MOOCs) available on SWAYAM platform by students and faculties of educational institutions in Afghanistan.

Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM), developed by Government of India, was launched in 2017.

According to an official release, Afghan students and teachers will be trained for using this platform so that they can learn latest technology courses and upskill them in their areas of interest.

Apart from this, existing courses developed by Afghan institutions will be uploaded on the said platform, and ministry of higher education, Afghanistan, will be assisted to develop their own MOOC platform.

For full report, www.toi.in

Age no bar for these Odisha ticket aspirants

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Berhampur:16.03.2019

If age is just a number, it is a very big number in the electoral fray in Ganjam district of Odisha. Several political leaders in their 70s and 80s are set to seek election and re-election in the simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly polls. Their experience, they insist, can give young candidates a run for their money.

There’s 10-time MLA of Kabisurya Nagara, V Sugnan Kumari Deo (82), five-time Berhampur MLA Ramesh Chandra Chaupatnaik (75), and six-time Digapahandi MLA Surya Narayan Patro
(71) of the ruling BJD.

Former assembly speaker Chintamani Dyansamantra, a three-time MLA (Chikiti), is lobbying for a Congress ticket from the Berhampur Lok Sabha seat at 78. K Shyambabu Subudhi, a “veteran candidate” at 84, is ready to try his luck again, as an independent.

“I am interested in contesting again from Berhampur assembly seat. I have conveyed my desire to party chief Naveen Patnaik,” said Chaupatnaik, who has been elected from here five times in the past. “I don’t think age is a factor when one is healthy.”

AI pilots ‘forget’ to lower landing gear while arriving at Hong Kong
Saurabh.Sinha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:16.03.2019

Air India has grounded two pilots who reportedly forgot to extend their Boeing 787’s landing gear while approaching to land into Hong Kong, till a very late stage of the final approach. Pilots extend landing gear when aircraft is at 2,000 feet.

On this flight last month, the pilots are learned to have got a warning from the safety systems on board that the aircraft’s landing gear was not down when the Dreamliner was about 800 feet above ground level. Sources say that they then lowered the landing gear and carried out an unstabilized approach into Hong Kong. Fortunately, the Dreamliner landed safely.

A senior AI official said: “The flight safety department has grounded both the pilots. Both this department and the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) are probing this issue. Appropriate action will be taken based on final probe report.”

A senior Dreamliner commander said: “The crew of the flight carried out an unstabilized approach, wherein the aircraft was not in landing configuration by 1,000 feet as mandated by law for safety reasons. While it is human to error, what should have be done in such a situation is to carry out a missed approach (go around) and reconfigure the aircraft correctly for a subsequent approach to land. Unfortunately that was not the case over here. Continuing to land in an unstabilized approach configuration situation can be dangerous.”

This is the second ‘eventful’ landing by AI into Hong Kong with four months. On October 20, an AI Dreamliner had “descended rapidly” and deviated significantly from the normal glide path.

This had triggered the ‘a ground proximity warning’ system alert. The crew recovered the aircraft at about 200 feet above mean sea level (AMSL) before performing a go around.

‘PLANE’ ERROR

Man rushes wife to hospital with snake that bit her
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Cuddalore:16.03.2019

A farmworker caught a poisonous snake, which bit his wife, and rushed her to a hospital carrying the reptile in his hand in Cuddalore district. Police said Veerasamy, 42, and his wife Santhosh, 32, of Rasapalayam near Vridhachalam were among workers engaged to cut sugarcane in a field.

Santhosh was loading cane bundles in a tractor when a snake bit her on the left leg. She raised an alarm before falling unconscious. Her husband on noticing the snake, caught it with his bare hands.

With the help of others, he rushed his wife to a government hospital in Vridhachalam. Panic gripped the hospital as soon as he arrived with the snake with patients, attendants, doctors and other staff fleeing for safety.

Veerasamy told the doctors that he brought the snake believing it would help them treat the victim effectively if they know the species that bit her. The snake was found to be a highly poisonous Russel’s viper. The workers, unware that killing a snake is illegal, killed it instead of seeking the help of forest officials. The woman was later referred to a private hospital in Perambalur.

Former HR&CE chief arrested in idol case
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:16.03.2019

The idol wing officials have arrested former commissioner of HR&CE department for not maintaining records of donors who offered gold to sculpt idols of Lord Somaskandar and goddess Elavarkuzhali at the Ekambareswarar temple in Kancheepuram.

The arrested man, M Veera Shanmuga Moni, was produced before the special court for idol theft cases in Kumbakonam and remanded in judicial custody on Friday. Inquiries revealed that Moni ordered replacement of the old idol of goddess Elavarkuzhali idol with a new one. Kavitha, joint commissioner of HR&CE department, was arrested earlier in the case, had also signed in the order copy. The old idol weighed about 65kg, while the new one was 63kg.

Likewise, Kavitha ordered to replace Lord Somaskandar idol with a new one weighing 111kg. Altogether the idols weighed 174kg, of which 5% — 8.770kg gold — was to be mixed with the panchaloha. However, the IIT-M experts who inspected the idols found no trace of gold in them. Inquiry reveal that the arrested officials collected more than 100kg of gold pitched in by devotees for the idols. Police had earlier arrested chief sculptor Muthiah Sthapathi.

School cracks down on app-delivered food

Aditi.R@timesgroup.com

Chennai:16.03.2019

Three days ago, during the lunch break, a Chettinad Hari Shree Vidyalayam student went to the reception to collect a food parcel brought by a delivery man, ordered and paid for by her parents through an online app. The child later shared the food with friends.

Noticing this, principal Gowri Sivashankar immediately sent out an email to parents of all students from Classes II to XII. The message read: “It has been brought to our notice that parents order through Swiggy and Ubereats for food to be delivered in school for their children, for various reasons during lunch breaks. This will not be entertained and the ordered food will be sent back. The reception has been instructed to not accept these deliveries.”

The first-of-a-kind crackdown on consumption of junk food through food delivery apps was widely received. “One day as I was going to drop lunch for my son, I saw a few food delivery personnel outside the gate handing over parcels to students. I was surprised, because earlier parents used to do the job,” said Sukumari K, a homemaker whose child is a Class 8 student of the school.

In 2015, the Delhi high court restricted sale of foods high in fat, salt and sugar in and around schools. In November last year, the National Commission For Protection of Child Rights wrote to its state representatives to inspect and ensure that school children do not consume such foods.

“But what do we do when parents have found an easier way to feed them, that too through delivery apps,” asked a teacher, on condition of anonymity. “Off late we noticed that many parents have resorted to feeding children food available on these apps and not home-cooked meals. This is a problem.”

The principal added that it was ok to eat outside food once in a while, but nutrition can only be provided by home-cooked food. “We don’t want to open avenues where children lose their discipline and become dependant on instant food.”

The first-of-a-kind crackdown on consumption of junk food through food delivery apps by a school has been widely received

FOR ₹2,500

Get a monthly pass and take multiple rides on metro rail

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:16.03.2019

Commuters can now enjoy rides on metro trains multiple times in a day as Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has launched a monthly pass. Passengers will have to pay ₹2,500 with an additional refundable fee of ₹50 to purchase the ‘tourist card’.

“With this card, commuters can travel to any station at any time of the day for an entire month,” an official said.

While smartcards were introduced for commuters to avoid waiting in queues, metro rail officials said the new monthly tourist card is for office-goers and tourists who use the metro rail facility multiple times in a day.

The launch of the new

tourist card comes a month after the last leg of the 45km phase-1 started operations and the CMRL is taking efforts to introduce new commuter facilities like feeder services to increase the footfall in its 32 stations. Now, metro service has an average ridership of 90,000 per day.

At present, the CMRL offers a tourist card for ₹100 + ₹50 as refundable fee that allows unlimited rides only for a single day. There is also a trip card that allow passengers to a set specific number of trips within a specific number of days between two stations.

The CMRL also tested their smartcards with MTC’s electronic ticket machines in an effort to introduce a common mobility card that will enable smooth transition of commuters across different modes of transport. The ETMs were upgraded with a software to conduct the trials. The same card can also be used to avail CMRL feeder services and at station parking lots.

‘Nursing council letter on power of recognition illegal’

tnn | Feb 22, 2019, 05.22 AM IST

Nagpur: 

The Private Nursing Schools and College Management Association in the state and other such associations across the country have strongly objected to the Indian Nursing Council (INC) letter stating that INC still has the power to inspect all nursing colleges for infrastructure, manpower etc for recognition of colleges. The association has claimed that this is contempt of the Supreme Court and hence the associations will be challenging this soon in the court.
The INC has also stated that the students passing out from these colleges cannot practice outside the state. The SC order on January 22 has clearly stated that the students can practice anywhere in country. SC has also stated that the power for recognition of degree courses will lie with the respective state nursing councils. The respective health universities and state boards will only have the other powers of holding exams and registration of the students. According to SC, nursing graduates can practice anywhere in the country.

The president of the association Balasaheb Pawar told TOI that the directives issued by the INC were completely illegal and violation of the SC order. “When SC has demarcated the jurisdictions, INC stands nowhere. The SC has only interpreted the INC Act which never actually had the power to give recognition to the nursing colleges. The INC has been trying to amend the Act but the issue was never cleared by the Parliament,” he said.

R Mali, former president of the state association, says that though INC was expected to be an autonomous body its present chairman Dilip Kumar has been misleading the council.

Advocate Chandrakant Jadhav from Aurangabad High Court where the case was first filed by the association also terms the present INC letter as contempt of court.

Not disclosing pendency of criminal case will cause rejection of application: HC

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

PublishedMar 15, 2019, 2:09 am IST

A person having criminal antecedents will not fit in this category.

Madras high court

Chennai: The Madras high court has held that the failure of a person to disclose in the application form, either his involvement in a criminal case or the pendency of a criminal case against him, would entitle the appointing authority to reject his application on the ground of concealment of a material fact, irrespective of the ultimate outcome of the criminal case.

Justice R.Mahadevan gave the ruling while dismissing a batch of petitions from M. Malaiselvam, which sought to quash the orders of the authorities, denying appointment to the post of grade II police constable and police band party on the ground of suppression of involvement in criminal case or pendency of the same in the application form.

The judge said when the failure of a person to disclose his involvement in a criminal case when the application form is filled up, is fatal, his subsequent disclosure will not cure the defect and the same would give right  to the appointing authority to reject his candidature on the ground of   suppression and antecedents.

"The police force is a disciplined force. It shoulders the great responsibility of maintaining law and order and public order in society. People repose great faith and confidence in it. It must be worthy of that confidence. A candidate wishing to join the police force must be a person of utmost rectitude. He must have impeccable character and integrity. A person having criminal antecedents will not fit in this category. Even if he is acquitted or discharged in the criminal case, that acquittal or discharge order will have to be examined to see whether he has been completely exonerated in the case because even a possibility of his taking to the life of crimes poses a threat to the discipline of the police force", the judge added.

The judge said if the facts of the present cases were analyzed, this court has no hesitation to hold that the decision taken by the authorities concerned in rejecting the candidature of the petitioners was in any way actuated by mala fides or suffered on any other ground.

"The decision on the question of suitability of the candidates, in my considered view, was absolutely correct and did not call for any interference", the judge added.

Villupuram division of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation reverts deluxe buses to ordinary services

Nearly after four months, the ticket fares in select rural services have been reduced as the buses converted back into Express/Ordinary services.

Published: 15th March 2019 04:34 AM

For representational purposes (File Photo | EPS)

By B Anbuselvan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Followed by stiff opposition by a section of bus commuters, Villupuram division of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) has converted some deluxe services into express/ordinary bus services, recently.

The ticket fare between Chennai and Arani has now come down to Rs 116 in Express buses as against Rs 135 in Deluxe services. Similarly, some of the deluxe services operated in Chennai - Kancheepuram section have also been converted into ‘Express’ category. The per kilometer price of ordinary mofussil buses is 58 paise while the Express and Super Deluxe buses charge at the rate of 75 and 85 paise, a kilometer, respectively.

The move that has been taken up in a phased manner since January, has brought down the ticket fares by `25 to `45 up to 300 km-travel. Citing escalated operational costs and higher fuel prices in October last year, the Villupuram, Salem and Coimbatore divisions of TNSTC had converted majority of the ordinary bus services into Express and Deluxe bus categories. The move to convert the buses into higher fare categories, did not go well among the regular commuters as majority of buses were in poor condition. Ticket fare increased by Rs 35 to Rs 55 per ticket upto 75 to 200 km distances.


Nearly after four months, the ticket fares in select rural services have been reduced as the buses converted back into Express/Ordinary services.

With over 50 depots, the Villupuram division of TNSTC caters to commuters in Vellore, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Tiruvannamalai, Cuddalore and Villupuram districts.

It is learnt that select services of deluxe buses operated by Chidambaram, Vellore, Sholingur, Konavattam, Kattumannarkoil, Arani and Sankarapuram depots have been converted into ordinary services. These services mostly operate in rural pockets.

Official sources attributed the move to reduction in fuel prices and not for any other reason. Diesel prices touched an all-time high of Rs 79.5 a litre in October 2018 against Rs 62.94 in January the same year. As a result, the seven transport corporations incurred additional expenses of Rs 3 crore a day.

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Madurai Kamaraj University delays salary of guest lecturers in constituent colleges

More than 300 guest lecturers are working on an hourly basis and they are getting Rs.125 per hour. Hardly, they will earn Rs.7000 per month.

Published: 14th March 2019 03:42 PM |

Main building of Madurai Kamaraj University (File Photo | EPS)

By Express News Service

Madurai Kamaraj University is delaying to pay the salary to the guest lecturers working in constituent colleges and MKU college. Under Madurai Kamaraj University as many as 45 self-financing colleges, 11 aided non-autonomous colleges, six constituent colleges, one MKU college and four MKU evening colleges are functioning in the districts of Madurai, Virudhunagar, Theni, Dindigul.

More than 300 guest lecturers are working on an hourly basis and they are getting Rs.125 per hour. Hardly, they will earn Rs.7000 per month. This month, MKU did not make payment for their salary for the month of February.

A guest lecturer requesting anonymity, said, "More than five years we are getting Rs.125 per hour. It was a very low amount, in due course cost of living and at present bus fare also increased. In this condition, we did not receive the February salary until now. In this situation, we forced to get debt from others to run our family expenses and meet out our to and fro charges. MKU authorities need to take steps to pay on time-" he added. The higher officials at MKU were not available to comment.

(This article was originally published on EdexLive)

Pollachi sex assault case: Medicos protest in Chennai

Medicos held aloft banners that read ‘don’t rape’, ‘stop sexual harassment,’ and ‘You can’t see height if you sit, so get up and come, girl’.

Published: 15th March 2019 05:42 AM 

Students of Stanley Medical College staging a protest inside the hospital premises in Chennai on Thursday. (Photo | Ashwin Prasath, EPS)

By Express News Service

With the Pollachi sex assault scandal getting bigger and murkier with every passing day, over 800 medical students including postgraduates and undergraduates at Government Stanley Medical College Hospital staged a demonstration at the college campus on Thursday, condemning the sexual abuse and blackmail.

They held aloft banners that read ‘don’t rape’, ‘stop sexual harassment,’ and ‘You can’t see height if you sit, so get up and come, girl’.

Speaking to Express, V Lakshmana Moorthy, a PG student, said, “If one girl would have come forward boldly and filed the complaint, more girls could have been saved from the accused. So, we wanted to raise awareness that girls should come forward boldly to take legal action against their tormentors. If they fail to do that, the culprits continue to victimise more girls.”

“It is always the mistake of the accused and not the victim. People should realise this and stop pointing fingers at girls always,” said Lakshmana Moorthy who organised the protest.

Karnataka government medical college fee up five-fold

With the hike, the fee for clinical courses will go up from Rs 20,000 to Rs 1 lakh from the 2019-20 academic year.

Published: 15th March 2019 06:28 AM |

For representational purposes (File | Reuters)

By Express News Service

BENGALURU: The state government, which had recently hiked the fee for postgraduate medical courses at private colleges, has now also increased the fee at government medical colleges by five times. The fee hike was under discussion over the past two weeks. On Thursday, the state medical education department decided to increase the fee by five times. With the hike, the fee for clinical courses will go up from Rs 20,000 to Rs 1 lakh from the 2019-20 academic year.

The fee for para-clinical PG medical fee has been fixed at Rs 50,000, up from the previous `10,000. The PG medical fee for pre-clinical courses will now be Rs 25,000. It was only Rs 5,000 in the 2018-2019 academic year. Students will have to pay the hostel and university fees separately. Medical Education Department director Dr Girish said that the state government had taken a decision on the hike even before the code of conduct came into force. “The official notification has been issued for the same. The fee was hiked last time six years ago,” he said.

According to the officials concerned, increasing maintenance cost of the government medical colleges triggered the proposal to increase the fee. “The state government has to spend at least `500 crore to set up a medical college. To maintain infrastructure and salaries, it has to spend few more crores every year,” said an official.

For MBBS, the state had increased the fee at government medical colleges by 200%. During 2018-19 admissions, students were asked to pay Rs 50,000 fee plus Rs 9,000 university fee.

The fee for postgraduate degree courses at government dental colleges was also discussed. It is likely to be finalised on Friday.

NABH accreditation for eye hospital in Tiruchi

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

TIRUCHI, MARCH 15, 2019 00:00 IST

Joseph Eye Hospital in Tiruchi has been accredited by National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers, a constituent board of Quality Council of India.

The eye hospital complied with 305 measurable elements during the rigorous process of accreditation stretching over six months.

The hospital has modernised the operation theatre, established firefighting systems, and trained staff in emerging techniques in management of medical emergencies such as heart attack, response to fire, and child safety.

‘International Patient Safety Goals’ figure among the best practices adopted by the hospital, Akilan Arunkumar, Quality Coordinator, JEH, told media persons on Thursday.

Benefits of NABH accreditation to patients will reflect in high quality care and safety, services by qualified and trained staff, protection of rights, regular evaluation of their satisfaction, transparent communication, and reduced post-surgical infections /complications.

The hospital has maintained zero infection rate for the past four years. Access to the hospital, assessment and continuity of patient care, management of medication, and continuous quality improvement, he added.

Medicos condemn Pollachi incident

STAFF REPORTER

MADURAI, MARCH 15, 2019 00:00 IST

More than 200 students of Madurai Medical College formed a human chain on the college premises on Thursday, condemning the Pollachi sexual abuse incident and demanding stringent action against the perpetrators.

The students said that the incident had shaken the conscience of the people of Tamil Nadu. T. Sethupathi, a postgraduate student, said the investigation and trial must be conducted in a speedy and fully transparent manner. “No one involved in committing this heinous crime must be allowed to escape from the law,” he said.

Another student said the punishment to the perpetrators must be exemplary. “We are not demanding capital punishment. However, the punishment must be stringent enough that it acts as a deterrent,” she said. Stating that the incident also indicated the deep-rooted flaws in the society, Mr. Sethupathi said children should be taught through the school curriculum itself to treat the opposite gender equally.

Naming victim in GO is contempt: Activists

Mohamed Imranullah S.

CHENNAI, MARCH 15, 2019 00:00 IST

Say only in December last Supreme Court had come down hard against such disclosures

Disclosure of identity of a college girl who had lodged a complaint regarding the Pollachi sexual abuse issue in a Government Order issued on Wednesday, for transferring the case to the CBI, has created an outrage among activists who claim that such a disclosure violated Supreme Court verdicts on related issues.

They recall that the Supreme Court, in a judgement delivered on December 11, 2018, had issued a set of nine directions listing how and in what manner the identity of adult victims of rape as well as child victims of sexual abuse should be protected so that they were not subjected to ridicule, social boycott and harassment.

“Though the First Information Report in the Pollachi sexual abuse issue had been booked under Section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of Indian Penal Code and not under Section 376 (rape), the latter could be included at any stage of investigation or even at the time of filing charge sheet.

“Therefore, the Supreme Court directions would squarely apply to the burning issue related sexual abuse of several young girls in Pollachi and the government ought not to have disclosed the complainant’s identity in the Government Order. This clearly amounts to contempt of court,” said Senthil Arumugam of Satta Panchayat Iyakkam, a non-governmental organisation.

In the December 2018 verdict, Justices Madan B. Lokur and Deepak Gupta of the Supreme Court had ordered that no person could publish the name of the victims or even in a remote manner disclose any facts which could lead to the victim being identified. They directed that FIRs relating to them should not be put in the public domain.

The judges went a step ahead and exempted the victims too from disclosing their identity when they file appeals against verdicts passed by trial courts in rape and child sexual abuse cases. The most important of the directives was to the police who were directed to protect the identity of such victims by keeping all documents in sealed covers.

“All the authorities to whom the name of the victim is disclosed by the investigating agency or the court are also duty bound to keep the name and identity of the victim secret and not disclose it in any manner except in the report which should only be sent in a sealed cover to the investigating agency or the court,” the Supreme Court had ordered.

Pointing out that this was the latest judgment on the issue, advocate R. Sudha said, “The mighty State cannot feign ignorance about the verdict since it is a well settled proposition of law that ignorance of law is no excuse to escape punishment. It cannot also claim that Pollachi case had not been booked for rape because that provision could be invoked any moment.”

Case booked against Stalin’s son-in-law

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI, MARCH 15, 2019 00:00 IST

For ‘misinformation campaign’

The Chennai police taken up a criminal case against Sabareesan, son-in-law of DMK president M.K. Stalin, for alleged misinformation campaign linking Deputy Speaker V. Jayaraman to the Pollachi sexual abuse case.

On Tuesday, Mr. Jayaraman submitted a complaint seeking investigation against those spreading rumours against him and his family in the case.

After submitting a representation to the DGP, Mr. Jayaraman reiterated his claim that the DMK was behind attempts to defame him and the AIADMK ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

He alleged that the misinformation campaign linking his family to the case was being carried out in social media.

The complaint was forwarded to the Chennai police and an FIR was registered on Thursday by the Cyber Crime Unit.

DMK president M.K. Stalin sent a legal notice to Mr. Jayaraman.

Mr. Sabareesan has been charged under sections 153 (Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 469 (Forgery for purpose of harming reputation), 471 (Using as genuine a forged document or electronic record), 505(1), a,b, c(which deal with spreading false information or rumour) of the Indian Penal Code.

The Cyber Crime Police also summoned Nakkeeran Gopal, editor of Tamil bi-weekly following a complaint from Mr. Jayaraman.

Mr. Jayaraman alleged that Mr. Gopal released scandalous video linking him and his family to the sexual abuse case.

Before taking up the complaint for registration, the Cyber Crime police asked Mr. Gopal to come in for the inquiry which will be held in Old Commissioner’s office on Friday.

High Court says it has lost faith in city police

Legal Correspondent

CHENNAI, MARCH 15, 2019 00:00 IST

Orders CB-CID inquiry into case

Observing that it has lost faith in the Chennai city police, the Madras High Court has ordered a Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) inquiry into a complaint lodged in connection with alleged offences committed under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989.

Justice P. Velmurugan passed the order on a petition filed by the complainant, A.B. Karl Marx Siddharthar of Perambur. Though the complaint was lodged way back in 2016, the judge said the investigation had not been completed so far and no final report had been filed by the city police before the jurisdictional court.

“The recital of the complaint reveals that allegations are also made out for the offences under the SC/ST Act. However, the FIR has been registered only for the offences punishable under Sections 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of the Indian Penal Code,” the judge said.

After lodging the complaint against three named Caste Hindus with whom he had a dispute over encroachment of a pathway, the petitioner was allegedly assaulted by a group of policemen when he was filming one of the Caste Hindus abusing a Dalit woman in the locality on January 14, 2016.

Plea rejected

Though he lodged a private complaint against the policemen, the Principal District and Sessions Judge here rejected the plea and hence the present petition.

Justice Velmurugan ordered that the CB-CID should probe into all allegations including those under the SC/ST Act and file a chargesheet before the court concerned within six months.

State aims to have 1 PG seat for every 2 MBBS students

R. Sujatha

CHENNAI, MARCH 15, 2019 00:00 IST

This academic year the State has 1,758 seats in PG programmes across its 22 medical colleges. Fifty percent of these seats will be surrendered to the All India Quota, said A. Edwin Joe, Director of Medical Education.

“We converted 393 seats to master’s degree programmes and got permission to add 128 seats that we had applied for. Last year, we gained around 500 seats and this year we have added 474 seats. Diabetology is a diploma course as we don’t have a corresponding master’s degree,” an official said.

Medical education officials see the improvement in seats as an opportunity to build capacity in the State. “Students from across the country will study under the All India Quota, which will benefit all,” the official pointed out.

The State has sought 350 seats for the MBBS programme, in addition to its existing 2,900 seats.

These include 150 seats for the upcoming Karur Medical College and an increase of 100 seats each in Madurai and Tirunelveli medical colleges. “The increase would ensure that one in every two UG students in these medical colleges will get into PG programmes and that is a healthy ratio,” Dr. Joe said.

The first round of online counselling to allot AIQ PG seats will begin on Friday.

Candidates will get 10 days to register their choices and six days to lock in their choice, which ends at 5 p.m. on March 24.

The results will be declared on March 27. Candidates will get until April 3 to report to their respective colleges. The DME has started issuing applications and the last date for submitting filled-in forms online is March 20.

Precision medicine is here to stay, says diabetes expert

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI, MARCH 15, 2019 00:00 IST

‘A scientific approach will ensure quality of life’

Diabetes may be all about irregular glucose levels but every person with the condition could respond differently to commonly prescribed medicines. A scientific approach would help treat each patient precisely for their condition and ensure quality of life, said V. Mohan, Chairman of Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre.

Dr. Mohan, who delivered the P. Kutumpiah endowment lecture at the University of Madras here on Thursday, said treatment can be provided to a patient using their health history. The Indian diabetes risk score that relies on age, physical activity, waist measurement and parents’ health history can help doctors predict with 70% accuracy a person’s predisposition to diabetes.

Precision medicine is based on science — where a genetic study is done and artificial intelligence comes up with a formula on the possible responses to a drug. Precision medicine helps to prevent complications that could occur from long-time use of medicine, he said. People with conditions such as obesity, anaemia, and poor kidney function, all require different types of drugs.

Phenotype study such as BMI score and age could further refine the results.

“A single gene defect could produce diabetes. Find a mutation and you find a cause,” he explained, citing the instance of a 16-year-old girl who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, putting her on lifelong insulin supplement.

A thorough study of the patient, however, found that the girl had inherited a mutated gene resulting in type 2 diabetes requiring specific treatment.

“For every drug there are some genetic markers: if you have them you will either respond, won’t respond or will have side effects. If the cost of genetic testing becomes very cheap you can do it for all,” Dr. Mohan said.

Forensic experts to be engaged in Pollachi sexual abuse case

S. Vijay Kumar

CHENNAI, MARCH 15, 2019 00:00 IST

Investigators plan to look beyond facts and sections in the FIR

The Crime Branch CID of the Tamil Nadu police will rope in cyber forensic experts as part of the investigation into the Pollachi sexual abuse case. Wit

h new videos/photographs emerging from various sources, the agency will look beyond the facts and sections of the FIR in the case.According to sources in the CB-CID, investigators were perusing vital clues and analysing storage devices, including mobile phones, seized from the suspects. A pen drive was found during searches on the residence of K. Thirunavukkarasu, one of the accused arrested and remanded in the case.

Asked about two videos circulated in the social media that contained the suspects sexually harassing or physically abusing girls and some photographs, a senior police official said that the First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Pollachi town police was based on a complaint lodged by a college student.

“That case is relevant only to the complaint lodged by the girl. Our investigation will go beyond this FIR...efforts are on to identify the victims and motivate them to come out with the truth. Special teams are verifying every information that is coming from various sources,” the official said, adding that the CB-CID could alter the Sections.

In the FIR accessed by The Hindu , the victim says she knew Thirunavukkarasu and N. Sabarirajan through a common friend. On February 12, 2019, shortly after noon Sabarirajan called her while she was in college and wanted to meet her in person. He asked her to immediately come to Oonjavelampatti bus stop. When she went there, Sabarirajan and Thirunavukkarasu were waiting in a car.

Victim’s account

“I sat along with Sabarirajan in the rear seat and as Thirunavukkarasu started the car, two others entered the car. They were introduced to me as Satish and Vasanthakumar. After some time, the car stopped near the gate of a mill. Sabarirajan suddenly removed my upper garment and even before I could realise and resist, Satish took a video. They threatened that if I don’t cooperate, they would release the video in the internet...while two of them held my hands, Satish snatched my one sovereign gold chain,” the girl said, adding that the suspects dropped her and left the scene.

After the four threatened her often demanding money, the victim informed her family members on February 24, 2019, and they decided to lodge a complaint with the police. Meanwhile, the CB-CID has appealed to the people affected by the accused persons or having information on the alleged incidents to share them with the investigating agency.

The CB-CID said those having photos or videos could contact the Deputy Superintendent of Police by dialling 9488442993 instead of posting such evidence in the social media.