No accepting gifts, bouquets, dowry: Madras HC reminds TN cops 
 
The court said that the police officers must have a clean record.

TNM Staff 
 
Saturday, July 06, 2019 - 09:12

Imploring police officials in the state to maintain a clean record, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday directed the Director General of Police to issue a circular to all police officers in the state, reminding them to not accept gifts, bouquets or dowry. A circular is to be issued by the DGP within six weeks.

According to one report in The Hindu, the court observed that Tamil Nadu Subordinate Police Officers Conduct Rules, 1964, categorically states that behaving unbecoming of a government servant itself is misconduct. Rule 4, dealing with 'Gifts, Rewards and Dowry,' states, "Save as otherwise provided in these rules, no Police Officer shall, except with the previous sanction of the Director General of Police, accept or permit any member of his family, to accept from any person any gift of value exceeding Rs. 5,000/- (Rupees five thousand only)." However, a casual meal, lift or other social hospitality shall not be deemed to be a gift, it notes.

The court reportedly said, “A government servant must have a clean record of service. His behaviour both inside and outside the office and while performing or not performing his duty must be good. A public servant is expected to maintain good conduct in public. It is not as if a police officer, who is off duty, can involve in some criminal case or commit certain misconduct.”

According to one report in the Times of India, Justice SM Subramaniam was hearing a petition which was filed by sub-inspector of police S Thennarasu who moved the HC seeking to quash an order of deferment against his promotion to the post of inspector of police as a criminal case had been registered against him.

"In respect of the Conduct Rules, it is visible in the public domain that a large number of flowers and bouquets are shared by way of gifts in the police department and it is telecast through various television channels also. Thus, the DGP is bound to remind the Conduct Rules to all the police officials, so as to ensure that such costly flowers and bouquets or similar articles of trifling values are not presented to any police officials," the newspaper quoted the judge as saying.

சேலையூர் ஏரி சீரமைப்பு பணி தன்னார்வ அமைப்பினர் ஆர்வம்

Added : ஜூலை 07, 2019 00:36



சேலையூர்:தாம்பரம் அடுத்த, சேலையூர் ஏரியில், பல்வேறு தன்னார்வ அமைப்புகள் சேர்ந்து, 31வது வாரமாக, நேற்றும் சீரமைப்பு பணியில் ஈடுபட்டன.

கடந்த ஆண்டு, பருவமழை பெய்யாததால், சென்னைக்கு குடிநீர் வழங்கும் ஏரிகள் வறண்டு விட்டன; நிலத்தடி நீரும் வற்றிவிட்டது.இதனால், நிலத்தடி நீர் வளத்தை பாதுகாக்கும் வகையில், 'களமிறங்குவோம் நமக்கு நாமே' என, பொதுமக்கள், பொது நலச்சங்கங்கள், நீர் நிலைகளை துார் வார வலியுறுத்தி, நம் நாளிதழில், அறிவிப்பு வெளியிட்டதோடு, விழிப்புணர்வு செய்திகளும் வெளியிடப்படுகின்றன.இந்நிலையில், தாம்பரம் நகராட்சிக்குட்பட்ட, சேலையூர் ஏரியை சீரமைக்க, 'எகோ சொசைட்டி ஆப் இந்தியா' என்ற, தன்னார்வ அமைப்பு திட்டமிட்டது.ஆர்வமுள்ள இளைஞர்கள், தன்னார்வ அமைப்புகள், ஏரி சீரமைப்பு பணியில் பங்கேற்கலாம் என, அந்த அமைப்பின் சார்பில் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டது.இதன்படி, நேற்று காலை, சேலையூர் ஏரியை சீரமைக்கும் பணியில், எகோ சொசைட்டி ஆப் இந்தியா, சபரி பசுமை அறக்கட்டளை, மக்கள் பாதை, சேவாபாரதி தமிழ்நாடு, 360 இளைஞர்கள் குழு ஆகிய அமைப்புகள் சேர்ந்து, ஏரி சீரமைப்பு பணியில் ஈடுபட்டன.இந்த அமைப்புகளின், 50க்கும் மேற்பட்டோர், ஏரியில் இருந்த குப்பை, பிளாஸ்டிக் மற்றும் கழிவுகளை அகற்றி, சுத்தம் செய்தனர்.காலை, 10:00 மணி வரை, சீரமைப்பு பணி நடந்தது.

இது குறித்து, அந்த அமைப்பைச் சேர்ந்தவர்கள் கூறியதாவது:தொடர்ந்து, 31வது வாரமாக, சேலையூர் ஏரியை சுத்தம் செய்கிறோம். ஒவ்வொரு வாரமும், ஒவ்வொரு பகுதியில் உள்ள குப்பை, கழிவுகளை அகற்றி வருகிறோம்.நாங்கள் எடுக்கும் குப்பையை, சாக்கு மூட்டையில் கட்டி வைத்து விடுவோம். அவற்றை நகராட்சியினர் எடுத்துச் செல்வர்.ஏரியில், சகதி அதிகமாக உள்ளதால், சுத்தம் மட்டுமே செய்கிறோம். தண்ணீர் வற்றியவுடன், பொதுப்பணித் துறையிடம் அனுமதி பெற்று, துார் வாருவோம்.இவ்வாறு, அவர்கள் கூறினர்.

வேலியே பயிரை மேய்ந்த பரிதாபம்.. வேதியியல் ஆய்வகத்தில் மாணவி பலாத்காரம் உதவி தலைமையாசிரியர், 'சஸ்பெண்ட்'

Added : ஜூலை 07, 2019 05:20

சேலம்:பிளஸ் 2 மாணவியை பலாத்காரம் செய்த வழக்கில் சிக்கிய, அரசு மேல்நிலைப் பள்ளி உதவி தலைமை ஆசிரியர், பாலாஜி, 'சஸ்பெண்ட்' செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளார்.

சேலம் மாவட்டம், வேம்படிதாளம் அரசு மேல்நிலைப் பள்ளியில், 1,500க்கும் மேற்பட்ட, மாணவ - மாணவியர் படிக்கின்றனர். பள்ளி வளாகத்தில், அரசு பெண்கள் விடுதியும் உள்ளது. இங்கு, 100க்கும் மேற்பட்ட மாணவியர் தங்கியுள்ளனர்.பள்ளியில், வேதியியல் முதுகலை பட்டதாரி ஆசிரியராக பணியாற்றியவர் பாலாஜி, 42; உதவி தலைமை ஆசிரியராகவும் இருந்துள்ளார். மாற்றுத்திறனாளியான அவருக்கு திருமணமாகி, இரண்டு குழந்தைகள் உள்ளன. கடந்த ஆண்டு, பிளஸ் 2 முடித்த மாணவி ஒருவரின் பெற்றோர், சமீபத்தில், தலைமை ஆசிரியரை சந்தித்து, புகார் ஒன்றை தெரிவித்தனர். 

அதில், பிப்ரவரியில், பாலாஜி, வேதியியல் ஆய்வகத்தில், மாணவியை பலாத்காரம் செய்துள்ளான். இதனால், மாணவி தற்போது, கர்ப்பமாக இருப்பதாக கூறியுள்ளனர்.புகார் கிளம்பியதும், மருத்துவ விடுப்பில் சென்ற பாலாஜி, தற்போது வரை தலைமறைவாக உள்ளார். இதையடுத்து, தலைமை ஆசிரியர், அமுதா, கொண்டலாம்பட்டி போலீசில் புகார் அளித்துள்ளார்.அதனடிப்படையில், பாலியல் குற்றங்களில் இருந்து, சிறார்களை பாதுகாக்கும், 'போக்சோ' சட்டத்தில், வழக்கு பதிவு செய்த போலீசார், தனிப்படை அமைத்து, பாலாஜியை தேடி வருகின்றனர்.

இதுகுறித்து, அப்பள்ளி மாணவர்களின் பெற்றோர் கூறியதாவது:வேம்படிதாளம் அரசு மேல்நிலைப் பள்ளியில், ஒழுக்கம் என்பதே கேள்விக்குறியாக உள்ளது. தலைமை ஆசிரியர், பெரும்பாலான நாட்கள், பள்ளிக்கு வருவதில்லை. அதனால் பாலாஜி தான், அனைத்துக்கும் பொறுப்பு என்பது போல், அதிகாரம் செலுத்தி வந்தான்.வளாகத்தில், ஆசிரியர்கள் சேர்ந்து, மது அருந்துவது, காதல் விவகாரங்களை கண்டுகொள்ளாமல் விடுவது என, பள்ளியில் எவ்வித கட்டுப்பாடும் இல்லை.இதில், வேலியே பயிரை மேய்வது போல, உதவி தலைமை ஆசிரியர், தன்னிடம் படிக்கும் மாணவியை, பலாத்காரம் செய்துள்ளான். இதற்கு பின்பும், எங்கள் குழந்தைகளை, பள்ளிக்கு எப்படி அனுப்ப முடியும்?இவ்வாறு, அவர்கள் கூறினர்.பாலியல் புகாரில் சிக்கியுள்ள, வேதியியல் ஆசிரியர், பாலாஜி, 'சஸ்பெண்ட்' செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளார். பள்ளி மீதான புகார்களுக்கு, உரிய ஆய்வு நடத்தி, நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும்.கணேஷ்மூர்த்தி,முதன்மைக்கல்வி அலுவலர்.

நாளை முதல் கவுன்சிலிங் துவக்கம் :மருத்துவ படிப்பிற்கான தரவரிசை பட்டியல் வெளியீடு

Added : ஜூலை 07, 2019 03:09



சென்னை:எம்.பி.பி.எஸ்., - பி.டி.எஸ்., படிப்பிற்கான தரவரிசை பட்டியல் வெளியிடப்பட்டுள்ளது. நாளை முதல், மாணவர் சேர்க்கை நடைபெறுகிறது.

தமிழகத்தில், அரசு மற்றும்தனியார் மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரிகளில், 5,400 எம்.பி.பி.எஸ்., இடங்கள் உள்ளன. இதில், மாநில ஒதுக்கீட்டிற்கு, 3,968 இடங்களும், நிர்வாக ஒதுக்கீட்டிற்கு, 852 இடங்களும் உள்ளன. மீதமுள்ள, 580 இடங்கள், அகில இந்திய ஒதுக்கீட்டிற்கு செல்கின்றன.அதேபோல, பல் மருத்துவம் எனப்படும், பி.டி.எஸ்., படிப்பிற்கு, 1,940 இடங்கள் உள்ளன. இதில், மாநில ஒதுக்கீட்டில், 1,223 இடங்களும், நிர்வாக ஒதுக்கீட்டில், 690 இடங்களும் உள்ளன. அகில இந்திய ஒதுக்கீட்டிற்கு, 27 இடங்கள் உள்ளன. 

இவற்றில், மாநில மற்றும் நிர்வாக ஒதுக்கீட்டுக்கான மாணவர் சேர்க்கையை, மருத்துவ கல்வி இயக்குனரகம் நடத்துகிறது.இந்தாண்டு, 'நீட்' நுழைவு தேர்வில் தகுதி பெற்ற, 68 ஆயிரத்து, 20 பேர், இணையதளத்தில் விண்ணப்பித்துள்ளனர்.அவர்களில், 60 ஆயிரத்து, 997 பேர், விண்ணப்பங்களை சமர்ப்பித்தனர். விண்ணப்பங்கள் சரிபார்க்கப்பட்டு, பட்டியல், நேற்று வெளியிடப்பட்டுள்ளது. அதன்படி, மாநில ஒதுக்கீட்டிற்கு, 31 ஆயிரத்து, 353 மாணவர்களும், நிர்வாக ஒதுக்கீட்டிற்கு, 25 ஆயிரத்து, 651 மாணவர்களும் தகுதி பெற்று உள்ளனர்.இது தொடர்பான தரவரிசை பட்டியலை, சென்னை, ஓமந்துாரார், அரசு பல்நோக்கு மருத்துவமனை வளாகத்தில், சுகாதாரத்துறை அமைச்சர் விஜயபாஸ்கர் வெளியிட, துறை செயலர் பீலா ராஜேஷ், மருத்துவ மாணவர் சேர்க்கை குழு செயலர் செல்வராஜன் ஆகியோர் பெற்றனர்.மாநில அரசு ஒதுக்கீட்டில், நீட் தேர்வில், 685 மதிப்பெண் பெற்ற, ஸ்ருதி, முதலிடத்தை பிடித்தார்; 677 மதிப்பெண் பெற்ற, அஸ்வின் ராஜ், இரண்டாம் இடத்தையும், 676 மதிப்பெண் பெற்ற, இளமதி, மூன்றாம் இடத்தையும் பிடித்துள்ளனர்.

இதுகுறித்து, சுகாதாரத் துறை அமைச்சர் விஜயபாஸ்கர் கூறியதாவது:மருத்துவ மாணவர் சேர்க்கை, நாளை முதல் துவங்குகிறது. நாளை, சிறப்பு பிரிவினருக்கான கவுன்சிலிங் நடைபெறும்.நாளை மறுநாள் முதல், பொது பிரிவினருக்கான கவுன்சிலிங் துவங்கி, ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை உட்பட, 10 நாட்கள் நடைபெறும்.பொருளாதாரத்தில் பின்தங்கியவர்களுக்கான, 10 சதவீத இடஒதுக்கீட்டு இடங்கள் குறித்து, அனைத்து கட்சிகள் கூட்டம், நாளை மாலை, 5:30 மணிக்கு, சென்னை, தலைமை செயலகத்தில் நடைபெறுகிறது. அந்த கூட்டத்திற்கு பின், முடிவு தெரிய வரும்.இவ்வாறு, அவர் கூறினார்.

வெளிமாநிலத்தில் படித்த 2,096 பேர் தகுதிமருத்துவ படிப்பில், வெளி மாநிலத்தவர்கள், ஒதுக்கீட்டில் இடங்கள் பெறுவதாக எழுந்த சர்ச்சையை தொடர்ந்து, இந்தாண்டு, மாணவர் சேர்க்கை விண்ணப்பத்தில், பெற்றோரின் ஜாதி, பிறப்பு சான்றிதழ் கேட்கப்பட்டது. இதில், சில குழப்பங்களும் ஏற்பட்டன.அதன்படி, அரசு ஒதுக்கீட்டில் தகுதி பெற்ற, 31 ஆயிரத்து, 353 பேரில், தமிழகத்தை பூர்வீகமாக கொண்டு, ஆறு முதல், பிளஸ் 2 வரை, தமிழகத்தில் படித்தவர்கள், 29 ஆயிரத்து, 101 பேர். வெளிமாநிலங்களை பூர்வீகமாக கொண்டு, தமிழகத்தில், ஆறு முதல், பிளஸ் 2 வரை படித்தவர்கள், 156 பேர்; தமிழகத்தை பூர்வீகமாக கொண்டு, வெளி மாநிலங்களில் படித்தவர்கள், 2,096 பேர்.

அத்தி வரதரை தரிசிக்க, 'ஆன்லைன்' முன்பதிவு: சனி, ஞாயிறு கிடையாது

Updated : ஜூலை 07, 2019 07:27 | Added : ஜூலை 07, 2019 07:02




காஞ்சிபுரம்: காஞ்சி அத்தி வரதர் தரிசனத்திற்கு வரும் கூட்டத்தை, கட்டுப்படுத்தும் வகையில், சனி, ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமைகளில், சகஸ்ரநாம அர்ச்சனை தரிசனத்திற்கான 'ஆன்லைன்' பதிவு கிடையாது என, அறநிலையத் துறை தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

காஞ்சிபுரம், வரதராஜப் பெருமாள் கோவில் வசந்த மண்டபத்தில், கடந்த, 1ம் தேதியில் இருந்து, அத்தி வரதர் எழுந்தருளி, பக்தர்களுக்கு அருள் பாலித்து வருகிறார். 40 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு ஒரு முறை நிகழும் இந்த வைபவத்தைக் காண, பல்வேறு மாநிலங்களில் இருந்து, பக்தர்கள் தரிசனத்திற்கு வருகின்றனர்.



மேலும், வெளியூர்களில் இருந்து, வரும் பக்தர்கள் வசதிக்காக, சகஸ்ரநாம அர்ச்சனை தரிசனத்திற்காக, 500 ரூபாய் கட்டணம் செலுத்தி, 'ஆன்லைன்' மூலம் முன்பதிவு செய்து, அவர்கள் தரிசனம் செய்ய வசதி ஏற்படுத்தப்பட்டது. அதற்கு, இரு நாட்கள் முன் பதிவு செய்ய வேண்டும் என, அறநிலையத் துறை அறிவித்திருந்தது.ஒரு நாளைக்கு, 500 பேர் தான், ஆன்லைனில் பதிவு செய்ய முடியும் என்பதால், நாடு முழுவதும், பக்தர்கள் பதிவு செய்வது, 20 நிமிடத்தில் முடிந்து விடுகிறது.

மேலும், ஆன்லைன் மூலம் பதிவு, சனி, ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமைகளில் கிடையாது. மற்ற நாட்களில் தரிசனம் செய்யலாம். வழக்கத்தை விட சனி, ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமைகளில் கூட்டம் அதிகமாக இருக்கிறது.அதை தவிர்க்கும் வகையில், இந்த ஏற்பாடு செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளதாக, அறநிலையத் துறை அதிகாரி ஒருவர் தெரிவித்தார்.

அதே போல், ஆன்லைன் பதிவு, ஒரு நாளைக்கு, 500ல் இருந்து, அதிகரிக்கவும், அறநிலையத் துறை ஆணையர் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க இருப்பதாகவும், அவர் தெரிவித்தார்.நீண்ட வரிசை பொது தரிசனத்திற்கு செல்லும் மக்கள், கிழக்கு ராஜகோபுரம் வழியாக கோவிலுக்கு சென்று, மேற்கு ராஜகோபுரம் வழியாக வெளியில் செல்வர். நேற்று, பொது தரிசனத்திற்கு செல்லும் கூட்டம், வடக்கு மாடவீதியில் இருந்து, செட்டித் தெரு, ஆணைகட்டி தெரு வழியாக, கிழக்கு ராஜகோபுரம் செல்ல நீண்ட வரிசையில் காத்திருந்தனர்.இதனால், பல மணி நேரம் மக்கள் காத்திருந்து, அத்தி வரதரை தரிசனம் செய்தனர். நேற்று, மொத்தம், 75 ஆயிரம் பேர் தரிசனம் செய்தனர்.

நடைபயணமாக வந்த பஜனை குழு

விழுப்புரம் மாவட்டம், தேப்பரம்பட்டு, ஆண்டாள் பஜனை குழுவைச் சேர்ந்த, 15 பேர், காஞ்சிபுரம் அத்தி வரதர் வைபவத்தை காண, நேற்று, காலை, 5:00 மணிக்கு, நடைபயணமாக புறப்பட்டனர்.

பஜனை பாடல்களை பாடியபடியும், ஆஞ்சநேயர் வேடமிட்டவர் நடனம் ஆடியபடியும், திருவண்ணாமலை மாவட்டம் வழியாக, நேற்று, மாலை, 6:00 மணிக்கு, சின்ன காஞ்சிபுரம் வந்தனர்.நகரின் முக்கிய வீதிகள் வழியாக, பஜனை பாடல்களை பாடியபடியே அத்தி வரதரை தரிசிக்க சென்றனர்.

Neet rank list out, MBBS counselling from tomorrow

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | YAMUNA R

PublishedJul 7, 2019, 1:54 am IST

On first day, counselling for special categories.

Health minister C. Vijaya Bhaskar releases the MBBS/BDS rank list in Chennai on Saturday. (Photo: DC)

Chennai: The much anticipated Tamil Nadu Neet 2019 provisional rank list was released on Saturday on the official website of the health and family welfare department, Government of Tamil Nadu, by health minister C. Vijayabasker. Tamil Nadu MBBS/BDS counselling will commence from July 8.

On the first day, counselling for special categories including ex-servicemen and specially-abled will be held. Counselling for all other categories will begin from July 9.

The provisional rank lists for government quota and management quota were released separately. A total of 31,353 students have been placed in the Government quota merit list and 25,651 in the management quota merit list.

Tamil Nadu has a total of 5,400 MBBS seats and 1,940 BDS seats from 23 MBBS, one BDS government medical college and 13 MBBS and 18 BDS private medical colleges in the state, including Rajah Muthiah medical college, ESIC KK Nagar medical college and IRT Perundurai medical college. Of this, 580 MBBS seats and 27 BDS seats have been allotted for the All India category.

There were 39,013 applicants for MBBS counselling this year, of which 31,353 applicants - 1,1741 boys and 19,612 girls were declared qualified. 17,618 of the applicants were previous years' students. The state selection committee received a total of 25,984 applications for BDS counselling of which 322 were rejected and 14,387 applicants were old students.

Addressing the media, health minister C. Vijayabaskar said, "MBBS counselling will commence from July 8. Five per cent of seats have been reserved for the differently-abled this year." He also noted that there would be seven MBBS seats and one BDS seat on sports quota, and 10 MBBS seats and one BDS seat for children of ex-servicemen this year.

While the state government is already following 69 per cent reservation in MBBS admissions, talks are on for the implementation of 10 per cent quota for the economically-weaker sections. Speaking about this, health minister C. Vijayabasker said, "An all-party meet was convened on Monday evening to address this issue."

The state has received an additional 350 medical seats this year. In Tamil Nadu, 1,23,078 students appeared for NEET this year, of which 59,785 quali-
fied.

Tamil Nadu also recorded a huge improvement in the overall Neet results this year with 48.57 percent of the state's students clearing it, compared to the 39.56 percent last academic year.

‘Registration of criminal case against public servant is bar for promotion’

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

PublishedJul 7, 2019, 1:58 am IST

The judge said the government servant must have clean records of service.

Madras high court

Chennai: The Madras high court has observed that any public servant much less than the police officer in Uniformed Service is not exempted from the principle that registration of criminal case against the public servant is a bar for further promotion to the higher post.

Disposing of a petition from S.Thennarasu, which sought to quash an order of deferment of promotion issued by the Commissioner of Police, Madurai, Justice S.M.Subramaniam directed the COP, Madurai to consider the case of the petitioner, after disposal of the criminal case and if there is no other impediment for grant of promotion to the post of Inspector of Police, and strictly in accordance with the promotion rules in force.

The judge also directed the DGP to issue a circular within 6 weeks to all the police officers across the state with reference to the Rule 4 of the Conduct Rules, which prohibits receipt of gifts, rewards and dowry, so as to avoid the same.

Petitioner was directly recruited as Sub-Inspector of Police and his promotion to the post of Inspector of Police which was already granted by the Head Office, was deferred on the ground that a criminal case was pending. Challenging the order of deferment, the petitioner has filed the present petition.

The judge said this court was of the considered opinion that pendency of the criminal case or currency of punishment was a bar for promotion to the higher post. As per the records, the petitioner was suffering with the punishment imposed based on the proved charges and this apart, the criminal case was pending against the petitioner during the relevant point of time. The promotion was to the post of Inspector of Police in the Uniformed Services. Verification of such records was of paramount importance. The SI, who was facing criminal case as well as punishment, cannot be considered for promotion to the higher post of Inspector of Police. Verification of these records were eminent and the officials, who were all having clean records of service, alone were to be considered for further promotion, more particularly, in Uniformed Services, the judge added.

The judge said the government servant must have clean records of service. His behaviour both inside the office and outside the office and while performing duties and while not performing the duties must be good and always the public servant was expected to maintain good conduct in the public. It was not as if a police officer, who was off duty, can involve in some criminal cases or commit certain misconducts, the judge added.

The judge said the Rule 4 of Conduct Rules specifically states that gifts, rewards and dowry were prohibited. If at all received amounts to misconduct. Even Rule 3 provides employment of near relatives in companies and firms. Rule 4 (1) (b) states that “complementary gift of flowers or fruits or similar articles” were also prohibited. “In respect of the Conduct Rules, it is visible in the public domain that large number of flowers and bouquets are shared by way of gifts in the police department. It is broadcasted through various TV channels also. Thus, the DGP is bound to remind the Conduct Rules to all the police officials, so as to ensure that such costly flowers and bouquets are not presented to any police officials”, the judge added.

TN releases MBBS merit list, NEET topper K Shruthi secures first place

The first phase of counselling for medical admission will begin on July 8.

Published: 06th July 2019 01:51 PM |

Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar releasing rank list for MBBS and BDS admissions for 2019-2020 (Photo | Debadatta Mallick, EPS)
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Health minister C Vijaya Baskar released rank list for MBBS and BDS admission 2019-2020 at government multi super-speciality hospital, Omandurar Estate on Saturday.

K Shruthi, Tamil Nadu NEET topper secured first place in the State Rank list with NEET score 685, A K Aswin Raj with 677 marks secured the second rank, and V Elamathi with 676 marks secured the third rank in the top 10 list.

The first copy of the rank list was received by the health secretary Beela Rajesh and selection committee secretary Dr G Selvarajan. Rank list for government quota seats in government medical colleges and self-financing medical colleges and management quota seats in self-financing colleges were released separately.

Speaking to the press after releasing the rank list health minister said, "The stand of the State Government in implementing Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota will be announced on Monday after all parties meeting at the Secretariat.


The first phase of counselling for medical admission will begin on Monday (July 8), the health minister added.

Dr Selvarajan said, total 31,353 eligible applications were received. Among them were boys 11,741 and girls 19,612. Among the eligible applications total 17,618 were previous year students. Also, 23,291 applications were received from the State Board students, 9,841 from CBSE and SSCE, 479 from Indian School Certificate Examination (ISCE) and 1,402 from others.

The health minister said, "Total number of MBBS government seats are 5,400, among them, 580 seats were given for all India quota, and remaining 3,968 are state quota. The total number of government BDS seats are 1,940. The state government added 350 additional MBBS seats this year".

The candidates can access full rank list at 

www.tnmedicalselection.org website.

Name NEET Score District

K Shruthi 685 Thiruvallur
AK Aswin Raj 677 Anthiyur
V Elamathi 676 Coimbatore
G Siva Monish Kumar 670 Tirunelveli
A Anbuvanan 670 Chennai
A Sreekanth 667 Chennai
A Thaanya 665 Coimbatore
P Priyanka Reddy 660 Chennai
N Shakthi Meenal 659 Coimbatore
Shalini Jeyaraman 655 Bangalore

Rare gesture: CM, Stalin join hands on Salem steel plant

Besides, let the MPs raise this issue in both Houses of Parliament to stall the efforts.

Published: 06th July 2019 04:54 AM |

DMK chief M K Stalin (L) and Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami.

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: In a rare gesture, the ruling AIADMK on Friday accepted a suggestion from the principal opposition, DMK, on leading a delegation of MPs from Tamil Nadu to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on stalling steps being taken to privatise the Salem Steel Plant (SSP).For many years, DMK and AIADMK have had concurring views on issues like Cauvery dispute, Mullaiperiyar issue, etc., and this has not changed on the issue of the steel plant.


“As you (Stalin) suggested let us meet the PM and union minister concerned, with a delegation of MPs from all parties in Tamil Nadu and submit a memorandum, urging them to give up the idea of privatising the Salem Steel plant.

Besides, let the MPs raise this issue in both Houses of Parliament to stall the efforts. AIADMK and the government will extend all constructive moves for this,” said Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami. He recalled that two years ago there were efforts to privatise the plant, but late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had prevented the same.

Two bills sent by Tamil Nadu to exclude state from NEET rejected by president
When the plea came up for hearing on Friday, the Union government made the submission that the bills were rejected.

Published: 06th July 2019 11:31 PM 

NEET aspirants on their way to the exam centre (Photo | Nagaraja Gadekal)

By PTI

CHENNAI: The Home Ministry has informed the Madras High Court that the president has rejected two bills, which were sent to his office in 2017 by the Tamil Nadu government, to exclude the state from the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).

Counsels for the Union government said they received a communication from the ministry that the bills -- the Tamil Nadu Admission to MBBS and BDS Courses Bill, 2017 and the Tamil Nadu Admission to Post Graduate Courses in Medicine and Dentistry -- were received on February 20, 2017.

This was stated by the counsels when the division bench, comprising Justices S Manikumar and Subramonium Prasad, sought a clarification on whether the bills were withheld or rejected.

When the plea came up for hearing on Friday, the Union government made the submission that the bills were rejected.


Recording the same, the bench directed the home ministry to file an affidavit by July 16, setting out details of receipt of the bills, in particular the date of rejection, as submitted by counsel of the Union government.

The counsels made the submission on a PIL moved by the Tamil Nadu Students Parents Welfare, seeking direction to the state government to complete the procedures for obtaining the presidential assent for the bills on or before August 15, 2017.

Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu have for long demanded exemption of the state from NEET, especially after three girls committed suicide in June after failing to clear the test.

The DMK has said their party MPs would raise the issue in Parliament, a demand backed by the CPI(M).

While the PMK has contended that there is not a single reason to justify NEET, the MDMK has said that the Centre, by making the exam compulsory, has shattered the dreams of those from poor, backward and scheduled castes who want to study medicine.

The Congress has said that scrapping NEET would be good for the state and that the issue would be raised in Parliament.

However, the BJP state unit has blamed the opposition leaders for going against NEET for "political reasons."

Vellore LS polls: Kathir Anand, AC Shanmugam to lock horns again

The Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) is yet to make up its mind.

Published: 07th July 2019 03:35 AM |

By Express News Service

VELLORE: The stage is set for the showdown in Vellore Lok Sabha constituency with both AIADMK and DMK renominating their candidates two days after the polls was formally announced by the Election Commission of India. On behalf of AIADMK-led alliance, AC Shanmugam, founder of Puthiya Neethi Katchi, is contesting the polls. His renomination was announced by AIADMK convenor and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and co-convenor and Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Saturday. DMK president MK Stalin announced DM Kathir Anand as party’s candidate for the August 5 polls.

The Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) is yet to make up its mind. The party had fielded former Minister for Agriculture K Pandurangan for the April 18 polls which was rescinded by the ECI following cash seizure from the premises of DMK treasurer Durai Murugan and a relative of party’s local functionary in Katpadi by Income Tax officials.

All the three main candidates had already completed full round of campaigning before the election was called off on April 16. AC Shanmugam and DM Kathir Anand, both resourceful candidates, had undertaken extensive canvassing using all the men and materials at their disposal. However, they are facing a Herculean task as they have to start from the beginning once again to win over the hearts of around 14.26 lakh voters.

Seeming undaunted by the task on hand, both the candidates have swung into action on the very same day their renomination was announced.“I have started meeting office-bearers of AIADMK and allies from Saturday itself. From Sunday, I am visiting each of the panchayat unions falling under the constituency to meet union-level office-bearers,” Shanmugam said.


Will the trend change?
While the results of April 18 polls had favoured DMK and its allies, Shanmugam appears confident of bucking the trend in Vellore. “The political situation has undergone a change since the outcome of the general election in Tamil Nadu was known. The people of the State have realized that electing DMK to Lok Sabha is not going to bear any fruit,” he told Express. “So, the voters in Vellore will think over it and choose me because electing a candidate supported by the ruling parties in both the Central and State governments will fetch them beneficial projects,” he added.

Kathir Anand too has now begun election works with the same enthusiasm he sported earlier during campaign before the election was cancelled. “We start the works today itself. First, we are holding a meeting of all the office-bearers of our party in Vellore district to discuss the campaign works,” he stated.
His father and veteran party leader Durai Murugan is the master strategist who will oversee the hustings to see his son’s victory.

Patients’ trauma: Medical fraternity yet to wake up to sexual harassment?

While the #MeToo movement in India appears to have subsided at the moment, recent revelations of two women patients have raised uncomfortable questions.

Published: 07th July 2019 06:25 AM 

By Jayanthi Pawar

Express News Service

CHENNAI: While the #MeToo movement in India appears to have subsided at the moment, recent revelations of two women patients have raised uncomfortable questions. The women had displayed tremendous courage in speaking out against the sexual assault they faced while undergoing treatment in the hospitals. The cases were strikingly repugnant as the alleged perpetrators were persons in positions of trust. While virtually all patients are in vulnerable positions, these women were especially so as they were alone or immobilised at the times of the alleged assaults.

These incidents and the experiences that health professionals shared with Express, revealed that there is not even a nascent recognition or discussion in the medical fraternity on the possibilities of patients facing sexual harassment or assault at the hands of hospital staff, including doctors. Worse, there is very little awareness in the fraternity on the institutional mechanisms to help patients recognise they are being violated, how they should raise a complaint and the complaints should be handled.

This is especially shocking given the power dynamic between hospital staff and medical professionals and their patients. In the process of receiving care and treatment, patients give up their privacy and bodily autonomy to the medical team. The vulnerability of the patients offers much scope for abuse and exploitation.


In the most recent incident of such a violation, reported last month, a lab technician was arrested for allegedly taking the hand of the woman, even as she was undergoing a surgical procedure in an operation theatre, and putting it into his pants. Shockingly, doctors and other staff in the operation theatre claimed they did not notice his actions. However, city police, after a detailed investigation, found prima facie cause to arrest the lab technician.

In the other incident, reported in September 2018, a young woman being treated in a high dependency ward said a male doctor attempted to molest her in guise of carrying out an unnecessary physical check up when she was alone at the ward at night. While in the September 2018 case, the hospital did not acknowledge the woman’s complaints, in the other case, the woman alleged that the hospital management was indifferent to her complaint until she took the matter to the police.

Turning blind eye?
While sexual harassment in the workplace has been recognised as the horrific crime it is, after decades of struggle, it appears that the medical fraternity has turned a blind eye to such abuses. “When women patients come, it is a dictum that male doctors should have another woman attender in the room,” Dr C S Rex Sargunam, former director of Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children, observed. But what about other situations? Health professionals Express spoke to said most such cases went unreported. “It’s a thin line between consulting and misbehaving. Most of the patients, especially in rural areas, are unaware of this,” said a resident medical officer of a government hospital in the state.

Indeed, how can a patient tell if the doctor is examining her rather than groping her? What about when the patient is unconscious? There are not many answers from the medical fraternity on this. Everyone agrees that the responsibility lies with the hospital but almost none in the medical fraternity, including top health department officials, seem aware of the institutional mechanisms that must be put in place. According to legal experts and activists, however, they need not look too far for guidance as the Prevention of Workplace Sexual Harassment Act, 2013 covers not just the staff, but even a visitor or anyone in a workplace. Hence, patients too would be covered under law. Section 2 of the Act, in fact, defines an “aggrieved person” as anyone who alleges sexual harassment in relation to a workplace.

ICCs vital
This means that the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), which every workplace, including hospitals, must have to deal with the sexual harassment complaints from the employees could also deal with complaints from the patients. S Vimala, a retired judge of Madras High Court, said, “Every hospital should have a set of rules on how the complaint should be filed and who it has to be addressed to. Moreover, this information should be published under the ‘Right to Information’ in every hospital.”

The importance of the internal committee is that the privacy of the complainant and the accused is ensured. Swarna Rajagopalan, founder and director for the Prajnya Trust, said the bill of rights posted by the hospitals should include details of the internal complaints committee. This was important to make patients aware of their options when faced with sexual harassment.

The Act and the guidelines issued by the Ministry if Women and Child Development detail that the soon after a complaint is made, a committee, with presence of an external member, should probe the complaint by giving chances of fair hearing to both the parties and give its conclusions for action by the hospital management. But a quick check with a few doctors suggested that many hospitals in the city, both government and private, did not have in place an ICC. It is said that even harassment faced by women staff in the hospitals was not taken seriously. “When such is the case, it is very doubtful whether complaints from patients would be treated seriously,” said a Chennai-based doctor, seeking anonymity.

A case in point is an incident in a Primary Health Centre in Vellore district last year. The women staff in the government health centre were facing repeated sexually harassment at the hands of a senior doctor. A government doctor privy to the issue said, “When complaints were made to superiors in Vellore district, no action was taken. Only after it reached the ears of the top health department officials in Chennai, was the senior doctor transferred out of the place.”

Dr S Kanagasabapathi, State President, Indian Medial Association, said, “There is no Vishaka Committee (another term used to refer ICC) at any private hospitals, the government should frame the modalities and issue directions to the private hospitals to constitute one. On July 10, we have a meeting with the health secretary, we will discuss about this and request her to issue directions to form such committees.” Initiatives like this from the medical fraternity reaffirm its commitment to addressing sensitive issues. While it may be impossible to prevent every incident of human delinquency, it is gross negligence when people in positions of responsibility fail to foresee vulnerabilities.

1,461 students from govt, aided schools make it to rank list

Meanwhile, Chennai district tops with 4,080 candidates eligible for medical admissions in the State rank list released here. 

Kancheepuram district stands second with 2,023, Thiruvallur with 1,833, Sal

Published: 07th July 2019 06:33 AM | Last Updated: 07th July 2019 06:33 AM 

CHENNAI: From a total of 31,353 eligible candidates for government quota seats this year, 1,461 are from government and government-aided schools in the rank list released by the Selection Committee on Saturday. While 515 are from government schools, 946 are from aided schools, a total of 1,461. Last year, 1,320 candidates of government and government-aided schools were eligible.


Meanwhile, Chennai district tops with 4,080 candidates eligible for medical admissions in the State rank list released here. Kancheepuram district stands second with 2,023, Thiruvallur with 1,833, Salem with 1,683 and Coimbatore with 1,516 candidates. Nilgiris stands in the last position with 144 candidates making it to the rank list of government quota seats. However, with high NEET scores this year, cut-off marks for medical admissions are speculated to be increased by 50 to 75 marks.

DVAC team searches houses of Inspector

STAFF REPORTER

VELLORE, JULY 07, 2019 00:00 IST

A team of Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) officials, on Saturday, conducted simultaneous searches on the houses of an inspector attached to Commercial Crime Investigation Wing, Vellore and seized several documents pertaining to his properties.

An FIR was filed by Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Wing police, Vellore against S. Rameshraj and his father R. Sundaresan, as the former had amassed wealth over and above the income from known sources.

The DVAC officials searched the houses of Rameshraj in Idayansathu in Anaicut taluk of Vellore and Thellurpalayam, Usur and reportedly collected enough evidence to substantiate their charges.

Rameshraj was working as Inspector of Police in Ramanatham police station in Cuddalore in 2010-13 when he amassed properties in the names of himself and his father.

The official was charged under Sections 13 (2) r/w 13 (1) (e) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Section 109 of IPC, while his father was charged for abetting the crime.

Teachers can apply for transfer counselling: HC

STAFF REPORTER

MADURAI, JULY 07, 2019 00:00 IST

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court allowed a batch of petitions filed by teachers who sought permission to attend the general transfer counselling scheduled for July 8.

Justice D. Krishnakumar allowed the petitioners to apply for the general transfer counselling. The petitioners challenged the government order issued in 2019 that imposed a precondition of completion of three years in the current working place, to participate in the counselling.

The petitioners complained they joined service in 2018 and because of the precondition, they would be deprived of a chance to attend the counselling. They sought exemption under clause 4 and 5 of a G.O. issued in 2017 that granted one year period of exemption for certain special categories. Special Government Pleader S. Srimathy submitted that the government order of 2019 issued by the School Education Department was in the interest of students. Once the candidates completed three years, they can opt for a transfer, she said.

The court took cognisance of the fact that the petitioners came under the special categories and allowed them to apply for the counselling.

Specify when President rejected NEET exemption Bills: HC to Centre

Legal Correspondent

CHENNAI, JULY 07, 2019 00:00 IST

Directs Union Home Secretary to file an affidavit by July 16

The Madras High Court has directed the Union Home Secretary to file an affidavit in the court by July 16, disclosing the date on which the President reportedly rejected two Bills passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly on February 1, 2017 for obtaining exemption for the State from the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).

A Division Bench of Justices S. Manikumar and Subramonium Prasad issued the direction after senior Central government standing counsel A. Kumaraguru and T.V. Krishnamachari informed the court that the two Bills were received by the Centre on February 20, 2017; withheld by the President on September 18, 2017 and subsequently rejected.

During the hearing of a batch of four public interest litigation petitions filed in 2017, seeking a direction to the State government to obtain the President’s assent at the earliest, the counsel told the court that an officer in the rank of Under Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs informed them that both the Bills had been rejected by the President.

Initially, the Centre amended the Indian Medical Council Act of 1956 and the Dentists Act of 1948 to introduce NEET, a national-level uniform entrance examination for gaining admission in government as well as private medical and dental institutions across the country at the undergraduate and postgraduate level.

The introduction of the test faced stiff resistance in the State, forcing the Assembly to pass the Tamil Nadu Admission to MBBS and BDS Courses Bill of 2017 and the Tamil Nadu Admission to Postgraduate Courses in Medicine and Dentistry Bill of 2017. The Bills provided for admission of students on the basis of their Plus Two marks.

The object behind the enactments was to address the challenges faced by students, especially those from rural areas, in accessing coaching classes due to paucity of funds. It also stated that Plus Two itself was a serious examination of merit casting a high burden on students, and therefore, there was no need for another qualifying examination.

One more reason cited by the legislature was that the syllabus, the methodology and the content of NEET were based on the syllabus prescribed by the Central Board of Secondary Education, which was different from the one prescribed by the State Board.
Since the State Bills were repugnant to the Central legislations, they were forwarded to the President for consent.

Athi Varadar devotees seek hassle-free online booking

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI, JULY 07, 2019 00:00 IST

HR&CE officials said four persons would be allowed on one Sahasranama archana ticket and more payment gateways would soon be added.File photo

Locals protest against the parking of visitors’ cars on streets

Devotees have asked that online booking of Sahasranamam archana tickets for the ongoing Athi Varadar festival, at the Sri Devarajaswamy temple, be smoothened without any glitches, and that it be open for more days at a time. Presently, booking is open for four days only and the portal athttps://tnhrce.gov.inopens at 10 a.m.

N.V. Srinivasa Rao from Chennai, who had a darshan of the wooden idol of Athi Varadar last week, said he was unable to add names and Aadhaar numbers in one go and the site was slow. “The payment gateway showed error and after continuous efforts, I managed to make a booking. The procedure for booking must be simplified,” he said.

Gill Nagar resident Sreemathy Mohan said a window of just four days was not enough. “This is a festival that comes once in 40 years and people are very eager to have a darshan of the Lord,” she said.

Ms. Mohan also said facilities for placing footwear must be provided near spots where queues begin. Visitors complained that local autorickshaws were fleecing customers. “Some were asking Rs. 350 to the railway station, which is too much. But share-autos and train services are really good,” she said. Southern Railway has introduced special trains to Kancheepuram for the festival.

Saturday witnessed large crowds since it is considered auspicious to visit Perumal temples on the day. Meanwhile, local residents have been protesting against the parking of vehicles on narrow streets near the temple.

Locals inconvenienced

Venugopal, a resident, said for the past few days he was unable to take his car out and was forced to commute by a two-wheeler to his office. “Local residents are put to a lot of trouble. Policemen are not taking cognisance of the passes that we were made to take for use of vehicles. But cars with VIP passes can be seen everywhere,” he said, adding that separate darshan for local residents, as promised, was not happening and that they were forced to visit the temple along with the visitors.

Officials in the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department said four persons would be allowed on one Sahasranama archana ticket and that more payment gateways would soon be added. “A total of 250 tickets are being allowed on a daily basis,” an official said.

Fill up forms for medical seats diligently, HC tells students

Mohamed Imranullah S.

CHENNAI, JULY 07, 2019 00:00 IST

Rejects candidate’s plea over not getting admission to PIMS

The Madras High Court impressed upon the need for students to fill up the NEET application forms carefully and said those who failed to do so cannot complain about less meritorious among them having been given admission in better institutions.

Justices Vineet Kothari and C.V. Karthikeyan dismissed a writ appeal preferred by one such student who had lost the chance of gaining admission in PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Coimbatore last year because of her failure to fill up the application form properly. She filed a case after the seat was allotted to a student who had scored less marks than her.

Sanctity of particulars

“The solemn sanctity of the particulars mentioned in a form has to be upheld, particularly when thousands of candidates participate and if one candidate had improperly filled up an application form, which had also been counter signed by her parent, we hold that no leniency can be shown to such candidate,” the Division Bench said.

Initially, a single judge of the High Court had dismissed her writ petition on January 21 this year and hence the present appeal. The appellant pointed out that she had scored 386 marks in National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for 2018-19 and was allotted a government seat at Velammal Medical College Hospital and Research Institute in Madurai on July 4 last year.

Nevertheless, since the student was particular in getting admitted in PIMS, Coimbatore, she appeared for the first round of counselling under the management quota seats on July 30, 2018. However, she could not get a seat in the desired college in the first round and was not allowed to participate in the second round of counselling due to lapses in filling up the application form.

In the second round, another student who had scored much less marks than her in NEET was allotted a seat in the Coimbatore institute forcing the girl to approach the High Court. Initially, during the course of the hearing of the writ appeal, the Division Bench wanted to know if the appellant could also be accommodated in PIMS by increasing the student strength.

However, V.P. Raman, counsel for Medical Council of India, stated that any direction to increase the number of seats in the middle of the academic year, and particularly when one year of course had already been completed, would not be appropriate and it was up to the MCI to decide whether the number of seats in a medical college should be increased or not.

Finding force in his submissions, the judges said, “The entire concept of admission through NEET is a procedure evolved by the honourable Supreme Court and we are conscious that we should be very circumspect in interfering with the allotment of medical seats leading to increase in sanctioned strength which are in the exclusive realm of the Medical Council of India.

“The policy of a common entrance test for admission to MBBS course was to provide an equal platform for all candidates across the country and when a procedure has been upheld in law, it would be in the fitness of things that we adhere to the procedure laid down. We are also conscious of the fact that the appellant herein is already pursuing her MBBS course in Velammal College.

“Her dreams of qualifying to be a doctor has been realised... She would not be seriously prejudiced in any manner. On the other hand, the fifth respondent (the other student against whom the case had been filed) would be seriously prejudiced for he had been rightfully allotted a seat in management quota in PSG College,” the judges concluded.

Doctors will soon have to prescribe only generic drugs

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

NEW DELHI, JULY 07, 2019 00:00 IST

The Centre is considering amendments to the Drugs and Cosmetic Rules, 1945, to ensure that registered medical practitioners dispense only generic medicines.

The matter was recently brought before the Drugs Consultative Committee of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation.

“As of now, there are no specified types of medicines which can be supplied by doctors to their patients,” a senior health official said.

It is now proposed that registered medical practitioners shall supply generic medicines only, and physicians samples shall be supplied free of cost. The Indian Medical Association said that it is planning to meet the drug control authorities on the issue later this month.

1,461 from govt., aided schools make it to MBBS/BDS merit list

STAFF REPORTER

CHENNAI, JULY 07, 2019 00:00 IST

Of the 31,353 students eligible for admission to government quota MBBS and BDS seats in Tamil Nadu, 1,461 students are from government and government-aided schools.

On Saturday, Health Minister C. Vijaya Baskar released two separate rank lists for government and management quota MBBS/BDS seats.

With this, the first phase of counselling for medical admissions will begin on July 8, with special category students.

Statistics released by the Selection Committee, Directorate of Medical Education, showed that 515 government school students and 946 government-aided school students made it to the merit list of government quota seats.

The Minister told reporters that of the total 39,013 candidates who had applied for government quota MBBS and BDS seats, 31,353 candidates — 11,741 boys and 19,612 girls — were found eligible. There would be five per cent reservation for differently-abled students.

While the sports quota will have seven MBBS seats and one BDS seat, children of ex-servicemen will be allotted 10 medical seats and one dental seat.

Among the applicants, 23,291 were State Board students, 9,841 were CBSE/SSCE students and 479 were ISCE students, he said. Among the eligible candidates, there are a significant number from previous years — 15,221 (including 12,136 from 2018).

Of the 29,007 applications received for management quota seats, 25,651 students — 9,366 boys and 16,285 girls — were found eligible.

This year, there will be a total of 3,968 medical seats in the State quota pool.

G. Selvarajan, secretary of Selection Committee, said there are 5,400 medical seats in all. The 23 government medical colleges have a total of 3,250 seats, while there are 150 seats in Rajah Muthiah Medical College, 100 each in ESIC, K.K. Nagar and IRT, Perundurai, and 1,800 in 13 self-financing medical colleges.

After allocation of seats for the All India quota, a total of 3,968 seats are in the offing in the State quota pool, and 852 in the management quota.

In BDS, there are 85 seats in the Government Dental College, 68 in Rajah Muthiah Dental College and 1,070 in self-financing dental colleges that are part of the State quota.

Dr. Vijaya Baskar said this year the State has got an additional 350 medical seats. “We have a new government medical college in Karur with 150 seats. We have also obtained the Medical Council of India’s nod for increasing the seats from 150 to 250 in two medical colleges at Tirunelveli and Madurai,” he said.

In the merit list for government quota, NEET topper from Tamil Nadu, Shruthi K. from Tiruvallur, obtained the first rank with a NEET score of 685. Aswin Raj A.K of Anthiyur stood second, followed by Elamathi V. of Coimbatore in third place. In the management quota list, Sodam Sri Nandan Reddy, with a NEET score of 685, secured the top rank. P. Mahesh Anand and Bahadur Singh obtained the second and third ranks.

Of the 29,007 applications received for management quota seats, 25,651 students — 9,366 boys and 16,285 girls — were found eligible.

This year, there will be a total of 3,968 medical seats in the State quota pool.

G. Selvarajan, secretary of Selection Committee, said there are 5,400 medical seats in all. The 23 government medical colleges have a total of 3,250 seats, while there are 150 seats in Rajah Muthiah Medical College, 100 each in ESIC, K.K. Nagar and IRT, Perundurai, and 1,800 in 13 self-financing medical colleges. After allocation of seats for the All India quota, a total of 3,968 seats are in the offing in the State quota pool, and 852 in the management quota.

In BDS, there are 85 seats in the Government Dental College, 68 in Rajah Muthiah Dental College and 1,070 in self-financing dental colleges that are part of the State quota.

Dr. Vijaya Baskar said this year the State has got an additional 350 medical seats. “We have a new government medical college in Karur with 150 seats. We have also obtained the Medical Council of India’s nod for increasing the seats from 150 to 250 in two medical colleges at Tirunelveli and Madurai,” he said.

In the merit list for government quota, NEET topper from Tamil Nadu, Shruthi K. from Tiruvallur, obtained the first rank with a NEET score of 685. Aswin Raj A.K of Anthiyur stood second, followed by Elamathi V. of Coimbatore in third place. In the management quota list, Sodam Sri Nandan Reddy, with a NEET score of 685, secured the top rank. P. Mahesh Anand and Bahadur Singh obtained the second and third ranks.

CBI raids sacked I-T commissioner’s home

New Delhi:07.07.2019

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered an FIR under sections of cheating and forgery against sacked income tax commissioner S K Srivastava and conducted a raid at his house in Noida while probing allegations that the senior IRS officer backdated orders on I-T appeals to show that he had settled the cases before June 10 when was compulsorily retired.

The search operation, which started on Friday morning and continued till Saturday, took place at 13 locations in Delhi, Noida and Ghaziabad, including at Srivastava’s Pandara Road residence, his former office in Noida and, also, at the boutique his wife runs in Vasant Kunj.

It is alleged that Srivastava who was serving as commissioner, income tax (appeals), Noida passed 104 backdated orders in June, 2019. While he compulsorily retired on June 10, 2019, these orders were uploaded on the income tax business application (ITBA) between June 11 and June 13 using the RSA token to log into what is a secure system.

The orders were shown to have been dispatched on June 7, 2019, i.e. three days before he was sacked, whereas they had , in fact, been sent on June 14, 2019. TNN

Pollachi horror: Nine men arrested for raping minor girl for 2 years

16-Year-Old Rescued, 1 On The Run

Subburaj.A@timesgroup.com

Coimbatore:07.07.2019

The Pollachi allwomen police on Saturday arrested nine men for raping a 16-year-old girl over the course of two years. The incident came to light after the minor girl went missing on Thursday.

The arrested were identified as A Amanullah, 27, T Bagavathi alias Mohammed Ashif, A Mohammed Rafiq, 28, J Syed Ibrahim, 25, A Mohammed Ali, K David alias Senthilkumar, 30, Irshad Basha, 28, S Mohammed Khan, 44, from Pollachi and N Arun Nehru, 28, of Tirupur. They were booked under sections 366 (A) (procuration of minor girl) of the Indian Penal Code and read with 5 (I) (g) and 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

Police said the victim was a Class X dropout from a village near Pollachi. “Her mother had passed away when she was just two years old. After her father married another woman, her grandmother took care of her. The prime accused, Amanullah, lured her into a relationship and raped her along with his friends. They had threatened her with dire consequences if she disclosed anything,” a police officer told TOI. “On Thursday, Amanullah picked her up from the village and raped her along with his friend Bagavathi. When she requested them to drop her at her home, the two refused and invited their friend Prabhu to rape her. Her relatives came to know about the incident after she returned home on Friday. They approached the Pollachi all-women police,” the officer added.

The girl told police that she was sexually assaulted by nine people at various places in the last two years.

Police are on the lookout for Prabhu.

SRM gives scholarships to 300 poor students

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:07.07.2019

The SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) here has offered scholarships to 300 students hailing from a poor background in Peramblaur constituency. “Out of 1,500 applicants, we have shortlisted 300 based on their performance in the board exams. They will be enrolled in different courses and will receive free education and lodging,” said T R Paarivendhar, Perambalur MP and founder chancellor of SRMIST. He said he wanted to give something back to the people of the constituency who had elected him as their representative in Parliament.

Students from Kulithalai, Lalgudi, Manachanallur, Musiri and Perambalur were awarded the scholarship. Paarivendhar said the National Research Foundation would benefit private universities to fund research within the educational system. When asked about the water crisis in Perambalur he said, “We are distributing water through tankers and digging borewells.”

TN MBBS cut-off to increase by 100 marks

Counselling To Begin Tomorrow

Pushpa Narayan & A Ragu Raman TNN

Chennai:07.07.2019

The cut-off for MBBS in Tamil Nadu will go up by at least 100 marks in most categories due to the surge in top scorers in National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) 2019, according to the rank list released by health minister C Vijayabaskar on Saturday. Counselling will begin on Monday.

Shruthi K of Tiruvallur topped the state with 685 marks in NEET followed by Aswin Raj A K and Elamathi V with 677 and 676. While Shruthi scored nine marks higher than last year’s topper, Aswin and Elamathi scored 21 and 26 points higher than their counterparts last year. With admission to MBBS — 3,968 government quota seats and 852 management quota seats — and BDS (dental) based on NEET 2019 marks and 69% reservation rule, experts said cut-off will go up by between 56 and 120 marks across categories.

“In 2018, 1,279 students scored 400 and above. Now, 5,710 candidates have scoed 400 and above in NEET. So, barring students in scheduled categories, even 400 marks will not guarantee a seat,” said educational consultant J P Gandhi.

The open category cut-off may be around 527, compared to 424 in 2018 as 4,320 students scored more than 424 marks. Toppers from all communities will compete for 31% quota of open seats.

The BC cut-off is likely to be 477, 108 marks more than in 2018.

The biggest gap is likely to be among BCM and MBC candidates with a difference of nearly 120 marks each.

The cut-off for BCM students could be 462, 443 for MBCs, 369 for scheduled castes, 303 for SCA (scheduled caste-Arunthathiyar) and 283 for ST. “These numbers may go down by five to seven points but it will be a tough fight for many students,” said Manickavel Arumugam, who has been counselling students on NEETbased medical admissions. “In fact, the seats for general category are likely to be over in the first two days. The schedule does not even call for BC category because by then all BC seats will be exhausted.”

The minister said the state did everything it could to encourage as many students as possible to study medicine. “We increased 350 MBBS seats in government medical colleges. Besides a new medical college in Karur, seats have been added in Madurai and Tirunelveli medical colleges.”

Although applications were sold and processed online, the selection committee decided to conduct counselling in person to verify nativity certificates, he said. While, 29,101studied in Tamil Nadu, 2,096 studied outside the state. Besides, 156 from other states who studied here also applied.

There are 22,389 state board candidates, 8,338 from CBSE, 359 from ISC and 267 others.

THRESHOLD RAISED

Self-assessment tax can help save you from prosecution

Lubna.Kably@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:07.07.2019

The threshold that triggers prosecution proceedings for non-filing of income-tax (I-T) returns by individuals has been raised slightly.

“Section 276CC empowers the government to prosecute and imprison a non-corporate taxpayer if there is a failure to file I-T returns and

tax has been evaded through such non-filing. The budget proposes that if the net tax is less than Rs 10,000 then there will be no prosecution. The earlier limit was Rs 3,000,” said Ameet Patel, tax partner at Manohar Chowdhry and Associates.

“In my view, the threshold is too low even after the amendment. Prosecution is a serious step and should be resorted to only in extreme cases. The threshold should be at least Rs 5 lakh of net tax evasion. A welcome step is that the Finance Bill proposes to give credit for all tax payments to arrive at the net figure of tax evaded,” Patel added.

“Currently, only the advance taxes and the tax deducted at source are considered to arrive at the figure of tax evaded.

“The budget proposes to also take into cognisance the self-assessment tax, which is typically paid by the taxpayer prior to filing his return of income, to arrive at the net tax figure. A taxpayer can pay the requisite self- assessment tax before the expiry of the assessment year (say, if his I-T return is due in July end, he can pay this tax by March of next calendar year). This could help reduce the net figure of tax evaded and save him or her from prosecution proceedings,” said Sandeep Bhalla, partner at Dhruva Advisors.

Govt makes life more difficult for charity trusts

Lubna.Kably@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:07.07.2019

The Income-tax Commissioner now has sweeping powers to cancel the registration of a charitable trust or institution if it has violated any requirement under ‘any other law’.

At the time of granting registration under Section 12AA (post which, exemption under the I-T Act is available to the trust), the commissioner has to satisfy himself that the trust has met the requirements of other laws that are material for meeting the objectives of the trust.

Second, a registration already granted can be cancelled by the commissioner if the requirements of such laws were subsequently violated. However, the trust is given an opportunity to be heard.

The consequences of cancellation are onerous. To begin with, its income will no longer be tax-free. The bigger whammy is an ‘exit tax’ will be payable by it on the fair market value of its net assets, at the maximum marginal rate of 42.74%. This will badly impact educational institutions and hospitals in Tier-1 cities like Mumbai that own valuable property — say building or land. In fact, they may not have the funds to bear the exit tax burden, said experts.

“Letting the commissioner decide whether there is compliance or not with any other Act is a dangerous provision. Other laws cannot and must not be enforced through the I-T Act. At best, the commissioner should be allowed to bring ostensible violations to the notice of the relevant authority under that respective Act, who can then decide whether there is a violation and take action,” said Gautam Nayak, tax partner at CNK & Associates.

If its registration is cancelled, a charitable trust’s income will no longer be tax-free and it would also have to pay an ‘exit tax’ on market value of its assets

Chemotherapy: 10 days more leave for govt staff

Chennai:06.07.2019

The government has decided to grant 10 days additional leave for its staff undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, minister for fisheries, personnel and administrative reforms department D Jayakumar announced in the assembly on Friday.

Meanwhile, Aavin products will be exported to 14 foreign countries, minister for milk and dairy development K T Rajenthra Bhalaji told the assembly. From December 2017, the Tamil Nadu Milk Producers’ Cooperative Federation Limited has been exporting milk and milk products to Singapore, Hong Kong and Qatar, he said. The TNMPF is taking all required steps to expand the exports to other countries, said the minister, adding that an exclusive wing has been created in the federation for that purpose. TNN

Genuine candidates denied med seats, fee structures not adhered to, says CBI

Bosco.Dominique@timesgroup.com

Puducherry:06.07.2019

The CBI has registered a case against the managing directors and registrars of four deemed universities and three private medical colleges and hospitals and unknown public servants of the directorate of health and family welfare on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal misconduct while admitting students to MBBS course in their institutions for the academic year 2016-17.

The investigation agency said the deemed universities and private medical colleges denied MBBS seats under the management quota to the genuine candidates with a high percentage in the National eligibility cum entrance test (Neet) and admitted ineligible candidates, who came forward to pay excess fees.

These institutions not only denied seats for genuine students but also did not adhere to the fees structure prescribed by the fees committee. These institutions did not submit the final list of admitted students neither to the government nor to the Centralized admission committee (Centac) and did not maintain any records on the number of applications received, Neet merit list and order of counselling.

The Medical Council of India (MCI) directed these institutions to remove 767 students who were admitted under management quota without complying with the rules and regulations.

“But till date no proposal was submitted by the health department for giving effect to the cabinet resolution for taking action against the erring private medical colleges. Hence, it is suspected that officials of the health department may have acted in connivance with these institutions," the report said.

The agency booked Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute managing director Rajagopalan, Arupadaiveedu Medical College and Hospital managing director Ganesan, Vinayaga Missions Medical College registrar Ponniyin Selvan, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences managing director Anbalagan, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital managing director Dhanasekaran, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences registrar Anil Jacob Purti and Venkateshwaraa Medical College and Hospital and Research Centre managing director Ramachandran and unknown public servants.

TN MBBS admissions: Rank list to be out today
Chennai:06.07.2019

Tamil Nadu health minister C Vijaya Baskar will release the rank list for MBBS and BDS admissions at 8.50am today.

The selection committee postponed the release of the rank list twice. The list was delayed as nearly 3,000 candidates failed to hand over the original certificates and application forms for verification. “It can be verified after we release the rank list. But we wanted to make sure that we have the documents,” said selection committee secretary G Selvarajan. This year, the cut-offs are expected to increase as there has been crowding at the top. The health department has said a policy decision on quota for economically weaker section will be taken after an all-party meeting. If the state adopts the quota, the medical seats in government quota will increase by 25%. TNN

Nalini seeks six months, Madras high court grants 30-day parole as per rules

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | J STALIN

PublishedJul 6, 2019, 2:53 am IST

The petitioner is granted 30 days of ordinary leave to facilitate the arrangement and preparation for her daughter’s marriage.

Life convict in the case of the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi S. Nalini arriving at Madras high court on Friday. (Photo: DC)

Chennai: The Madras high court has granted the maximum period of 30 days ordinary leave (parole) as per rules, to S.Nalini, serving life sentence in special prison for women at Vellore, for her involvement in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, as against her plea for six months leave for making arrangements for her daughter’s marriage.

Disposing of a petition from Nalini, a division bench comprising Justices M.M.Sundresh and M.Nirmal Kumar said, “The petitioner is granted 30 days of ordinary leave to facilitate the arrangement and preparation for her daughter’s marriage. It is well open to her to fix the marriage if it is possible within the aforesaid time. This relief is granted to her subject to the compliance of Rule 25 of the Tamil Nadu Suspension of Sentence Rules, 1982”.

The petitioner shall furnish the particulars relating to the names of the sureties, address of the place in which she is going stay apart from due compliance of the rules within one week. Due verification can be made by the police on the compliance of the petitioner within 10 days thereafter. After such verification, the petitioner shall be granted leave for 30 days. On completion of 30 days, the petitioner will have to surrender before the police authorities at 5 pm on the next day, the bench added.

The bench recorded the statement made by the petitioner that she would not give any interview and she would not have any meeting with the leaders of the political parties or any other organisation.

When the case came up for hearing, the police produced Nalini before the court. She read out a prepared speech and expressed her grievance and the ordeal she underwent for nearly 28 years.

She prayed the court to grant 6 months of leave.

Pointing out that rule 22 of the rules provides for a maximum period of 30 days as ordinary leave for a convict at a point of time, state public prosecutor A.Natarajan submitted that the petitioner has to comply with rule 25 of the rules and appropriate orders can be passed in the light of the rules governing.

The bench said, “Though the petitioner has poured out her grievance including incarceration for nearly 28 years, we are not willing to go into the same as any adjudication or observation over it would be beyond the scope of this petition”.

The bench said the fact that the petitioner was having an unmarried daughter, aged about 27 years, who could not live with the parental guidance was not in dispute. Rule 20 also provides for grant of ordinary leave in such an eventuality. However, rule 22 speaks about the maximum of 30 days as ordinary leave. Though the rule speaks about the extension of the eligibility, the same can be only exercised after the initial grant. “Thus, we concur with the statement made by SPP A.Natarajan that 30 days is the maximum period which can be permitted at the time of granting leave under the rules. We also take judicial notice of the fact that the state government itself has made a recommendation for the premature release of the petitioner. From that, we can infer that her conduct is otherwise not adverse. If, in view of the state government, the petitioner can be allowed to lead a normal life and she would not be a hindrance to society otherwise, the request for leave can never be objected, which is also not the cas
e before us”, the bench added.

The bench said taking note of the fact that it was the first time in which the petitioner seeks ordinary leave coupled with the fact that some of similarly placed persons have been granted ordinary leave and in the light of the recommendation made by the state government itself, it was inclined to grant the petitioner 30 days ordinary leave. This leave was subject to the compliance of rule 25, the bench added.

Referring to the plea of Nalini with respect to the payment of cost for the escort, the bench said, “We concur as there is no material to hold that she is a woman of means. Admittedly, she and her husband are in incarceration for decades. Rule 16 of the rules also provides for escort by the government at its own cost. Asking the petitioner to pay the cost would in a way take away the very order passed by us when it is impossible of compliance. In such view of the matter, we direct the authorities not to insist upon any cost for the escort to be provided to the petitioner”.

DC impact: SHRC seeks report from Tamil Nadu officials in 4 weeks

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

PublishedJul 6, 2019, 3:24 am IST

Transwoman Rakshika’s plight evokes quick response.

Rakshika Raj

Chennai: The State Human Rights Commission directed state government to file a report for refusing to register the degree course of a transwoman. Based on a report in Deccan Chronicle, SHRC judge D Jayachandran initiated suo motu proceedings and directed the authorities to file the report in four weeks.

According to the report, Rakshika Raj born as Rajkumar in Walajabad, Kanchipuram, said that she identified her sexuality when she was in high school. After schooling she joined the Padmashree College of Nursing, Wallajabad where she says she received support from the college. Rakshika, who was recently in the news for receiving her degree in B Sc Nursing from Governor Banwarilal Purohit at the 31st convocation ceremony of MGR medical varsity said that the Tamil Nadu Nurses and Midwives Council (TNNMC) does not have a separate box for transgenders in application and other forms.

The TNNMC is waiting for a government order (GO) to implement the Supreme Court’s historic 2014 judgment which ruled that transgenders are eligible to all rights as every other citizen of the country and can apply for education and employment under the ‘other’ gender category, Rakshika says.

The failure on government’s part to pass the GO has made Rakshika’s life hard, who says and she is struggling financially with no job in hand, even a year after she graduated.

Judge D. Jayachandran directed the TNNMC to explain why it failed to registered the degree of Rakshika and why government failed to pass a GO to implement the Madras High Court order relating to reservation for admission in educational institutions and appointment in government services, and whether failure to implement the high court orders do not amount to violations of the human rights of Rakshika. The judge directed the principal secretary, health and family welfare department and president of the TNNMC to file the report in four weeks.

In a bid to get Rs 79 refund for cancelled food order, Chennai woman loses Rs 40,000 to fraudster

Priya Agarwal, whose online order worth Rs 79 was cancelled, ended up spending Rs 5000-instalments to a trickster who promised to resolve the issue.

Published: 05th July 2019 04:39 AM

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: In an attempt to get Rs 79 back from a food aggregator, a 21-year-old woman was conned into paying Rs 40,000. Priya Agarwal had gone to Vadapalani on Wednesday.

“She had ordered food from an aggregator for Rs 79. A few minutes later, the order was cancelled. She made an attempt to speak to the customer care and searched for the number online,” said a police officer. Subsequently, she found a number and raised a complaint.

“The man promised to resolve the issue if she paid Rs 5,000 and claimed that the money would be refunded. He claimed that it was difficult to transfer Rs 79 as it was a small amount. Believing this, she transferred the money but did not get a refund.

When she contacted the number again, the fraudster asked her to deposit another Rs 5,000. The woman was told to keep sending Rs 5,000-installments till she ended up sending Rs 40,000. It was only when she did not get the money and the number was switched off, that she realised she had been conned,” said a police officer.

College told to return fees and certificates

The students Harish Krishnan and Sooraj Suresh of Alappuzha joined a hotel management course at Chennai Amritas College.

Published: 05th July 2019 06:07 AM

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Two 17-year-old students from Kerala, who studied in a private college here, heaved a sigh of relief after their struggle to get back fees and their original certificates from the college following their drop-out came to an end, thanks to the District Legal Services Authority.

The students Harish Krishnan and Sooraj Suresh of Alappuzha joined a hotel management course at Chennai Amritas College. However, when they discontinued the course, and requested return of their certificates and refund of fees, the college demanded Rs 48,000. The students then sought the help of the DLSA.

I Jayanthi, DLSA secretary, said that the college authorities were called for a meeting. “They soon agreed to hand over the original certificates to the students after their financial situation was explained.”

HC grants 30 days of ordinary leave to Rajiv case convict Nalini

Mohamed Imranullah S.

CHENNAI, JULY 06, 2019 00:00 IST

Nalini being brought to the Madras High Court for the hearing on Friday.R. RaguThe Hindu

She appears in court and makes a fervent plea for parole

The Madras High Court on Friday granted 30 days of ordinary leave to S. Nalini, 52, a life convict in the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination case. The order was passed after she argued her case in person and made a fervent plea to the judges in a choked voice that she may be allowed to step out of prison for some days to make arrangements for the marriage of her daughter, who is residing in London.

Nalini had many years ago come out on short paroles of a day each to attend her brother Bhagyanathan’s wedding and her father’s last rites.

Justices M.M. Sundresh and M. Nirmal Kumar took judicial notice that the State Cabinet itself had on September 9 last year made a recommendation to the Governor to release all seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. “If, in the view of the government, the petitioner can be allowed to lead a normal life and she would not be a hindrance to society, the request for leave can never be objected to,” they said.

The judges also directed the State government to bear the expenses of providing escort to her during the period of leave since she expressed difficulty in paying the charges.

‘Provide help’

“There is no material to hold that she is a woman of means. Admittedly, she and her husband are in incarceration for decades. Asking the petitioner to pay the cost would in a way take away the very order passed by us when it is impossible of compliance,” they said. They also recorded her statement that she shall refrain from giving interviews to the media and meeting leaders of political parties or any other organisation during her leave period.

In her affidavit, the convict had actually sought for six months of leave but the judges restricted it to 30 days because that was the maximum period of leave that could be granted at a time under the rules though there were provisions of extending it further. Reading out a prepared written speech in Tamil in the open court, the convict said, she was pregnant at the time of her arrest 28 years ago and gave birth to a baby girl in prison.

The girl was in prison till four years of age and then went out to pursue her studies in Coimbatore for some time. Subsequently, she was taken to Sri Lanka by her grandparents and then flew to the U.K. Stating that she, as a parent, could not attend to any of the needs of her daughter, now 27, the convict, with moist eyes, pleaded with the court that she should be allowed to at least find a groom for her and make preparations for the marriage.

Pay pension to retired TNCSC employees, union tells government

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

THANJAVUR, JULY 05, 2019 00:00 IST

Warns of agitation to achieve demand

The Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation Employees Union, affiliated to AITUC, has urged the State government to sanction pension to retired TNCSC employees.

In a statement issued here on Thursday, TNCSC State general secretary, C. Chandrakumar condemned Food Minister R. Kamaraj for giving an “evasive” reply to a question raised in this regard by DMK MLA Senguttuvan on the floor of the State Assembly.

He pointed out that employees of Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board were being provided with pension benefits on par with government employees. Also minimum pension amount was being extended to retired employees of Aavin and Central Cooperative Banks.

Hence, Chandrakumar said, it would be unfair on the part of the State government to deny pension benefits to employees who implemented various people-oriented welfare schemes and measures announced by it.

He urged the State government to consider sanction of pension to TNCSC employees positively.

Otherwise, a situation would arise wherein protests and other form of agitations would be held to achieve the demand of the employees, Mr. Chandrakumar said.

Power shutdown tomorrow

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

MADURAI, JULY 05, 2019 00:00 IST

There will be power shutdown in the following areas between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday as TANGEDCO plans to undertake maintenance work at its Mattuthavani and Anna Bus Stand sub-stations:

Mattuthavani, Lake Area, K. K. Nagar, SIDCO Industrial Estate, Anna Nagar, Rama Varma Nagar, Alagarkoil Road, Karpaga Nagar, Lourdu Nagar, Ganapathipuram, Surveyor Colony, Surya Nagar, Min Nagar and Kodikulam.

Anna Bus Stand, Collector’s Office, Gandhi Museum, Karumbalai, Dr. Thangaraj Road, Anna Maaligai, SBI Staff Quarters, Gandhi Nagar, Mathichiyam, Shenoy Nagar, Kuruvikkaran Salai, Kamala Nagar, Madurai Medical College, Panagal Road, American College, Government Rajaji Hospital, Vaigai Vadakarai, Alwarpuram, Kalpalam Road, Goripalayam, Zambropuram, Mariamman Temple Street, Chinna Kanmai Street, H. A. Khan Road, E2 Road, OCPM Girls Higher Secondary School, Sellur, R. S. Naidu Road, Kalathu Pottal, Palam Station Road, Khansapuram, Tallakulam, Tamukkam, Gandhi Museum Road, Sevalayam Road, R. R. Mandapam, Ismailpuram, Munichalai Road, Aattu Manthai Pottal, Vetrilai Pettai, Sungam Palli Vaasal Street and Yanaikkal, a press release from TANGEDCO said.

Plea seeks EWS quota in MBBS admission

STAFF REPORTER

MADURAI, JULY 05, 2019 00:00 IST

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday ordered notice to the Centre and the State after yet another medical aspirant filed a petition, this time seeking a direction to implement the reservation quota for the economically weaker sections (EWS) for medical admission. Justice R. Suresh Kumar ordered notice to the respondents and adjourned the hearing by a week in a petition filed by V. Krishna Nair of Kanniyakumari district.

The petitioner sought a direction to the Centre and the State to implement the 10% seat reservation for EWS candidates.

The petitioner complained that while most of the States were implementing the quota, Tamil Nadu had not done so.

With the MBBS counselling for government quota scheduled to begin on July 5, non-implementation of the quota was against natural justice, she said and sought a direction to the respondents to implement the EWS reservation quota for selection of candidates.

Instal CCTV cameras at bus stands, depots and offices to curb irregularities: court

STAFF REPORTER

MADURAI, JULY 05, 2019 00:00 IST

Directs Transport department to investigate allegations of fund misappropriation

After a former Senior Superintendent of the Transport Corporation alleged serious misappropriation of the Corporation’s funds, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday directed the department to conduct an inquiry into the allegations.

Justice S.M. Subramaniam directed the Principal Secretary to issue suitable orders to install CCTV cameras at bus stands, depots, administrative offices and other workplaces of the department for the purpose of monitoring its employees and to ascertain if there were any irregularities.

Asset details

The court directed the Principal Secretary to investigate in order to ascertain asset details of all higher officials working in the management level as well as their spouse and dependants with reference to the declarations given by them in service records, within a period of six weeks.

If any discrepancy was uncovered, disciplinary proceedings should be initiated.

Four months

The exercise should be carried out within four months, the court said.

The court was hearing the petition filed by P. Rajendran who sought a direction to the Principal Secretary to the Transport Department to take appropriate disciplinary action against M. Sugumar, Joint Managing Director (JMD) of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Development Finance Corporation, Chennai. The petitioner alleged deliberate and wilful misappropriation of funds by the JMD.

The court observed that all Transport Corporations in the State were running up financial losses despite an increase in the number of passengers, while private players were earning profits. It is a high time for the State to conduct an investigation and inquire into the large scale irregularities, in order to win the confidence of the public, the court added.