Bharti Airtel logs first quarterly loss in 14 years

Telco posts ₹2,866 crore loss in Q1

02/08/2019, PRESS TRUST OF INDIA,NEW DELHI

Bharti Airtel on Thursday posted a staggering ₹2,866 crore loss for the June quarter, its first consolidated loss in 14 years, as the telco lost ground to rival Reliance Jio and took a hit from exceptional items such as charges towards accelerated depreciation of 3G network gear.

The revenue rose 4.7% to ₹20,738 crore during the first quarter ended June 2019.

“After accounting for hit of ₹14,454 million (₹1,445.4 crore) towards exceptional items (net of tax), the resultant net loss for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 came in at ₹28,660 million (₹2,866 crore), compared to profit of ₹973 million (₹97.3 crore) in the corresponding quarter last year and ₹1,072 million (₹107.2 crore) in the previous quarter,” the company said in its quarterly report.

‘Exceptional hit’

The “exceptional hit” for the quarter included amongst other heads a charge towards accelerated depreciation of 3G network equipment and operating costs on network re-farming and up-gradation programme as well as incremental provision for derivative liabilities pertaining to customary indemnities provided to a clutch of investors of Airtel Africa and expenses relating to its recent listing, the company explained.

Airtel’s revenue from India mobile services increased 4.1% year-on-year to ₹10,724 crore.

In revenue terms, Reliance Jio is now comfortably placed on top of the telco stack given that its topline stood at ₹11,679 crore in June quarter (just three years into its commercial operations) against ₹11,269.9 crore of Vodafone Idea.

Airtel, though, registered an improvement in many of the operational parameters. For instance, for the June quarter, Airtel’s India Average Revenue Per User stood at ₹129 against ₹123 in the March quarter. Also, mobile data traffic on its network grew 94% year on year.

Commenting on the earnings, Gopal Vittal, MD and CEO (India and South Asia), Bharti Airtel, said the first quarter of the year has begun with a “healthy and equitable growth across all our lines of businesses. Headline pricing remained stable, albeit at low levels,” he said.

SC transfers Unnao cases to Delhi court

02/08/2019

Sunday’s ‘accident’ killed two of her aunts accompanying her in the car and left her and her lawyer critically injured. The victim is on ventilator support at King George’s Medical College and Hospital in Lucknow. The CBI is investigating suspicions of foul play.

The court ordered the CBI to complete its probe into the ‘accident’ case in the next seven days. As an exception, it said, the CBI could take another week. But under no circumstance should the probe extend beyond a fortnight.

The agency, represented by Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta, initially sought a month’s time to complete the probe. “A month? You have seven days… you do what you have to do within that time,” CJI Gogoi said.

The court also ordered protection for the girl and her family by personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force at the urging of its amicus curiae V. Giri.

Mr. Giri said the girl was in the hospital with just her mother to attend to her. The family was not financially well off. The State should pay her an “exemplary” compensation, he said.

But the Uttar Pradesh government protested that it would pay a compensation only “as per statute”.

“What is happening in this country? You want the Supreme Court to follow statutes to order compensation?” the CJI said.

The court finally fixed ₹25 lakh as the interim compensation and ordered the U.P. government to pay the amount on August 2.

The court insisted on getting a complete low-down on the Unnao cases and the status of the CBI probe.

Further, the court directed Mr. Mehta to have a team of doctors check the medical condition of the victim and her lawyer to see if they could be airlifted to Delhi for advanced treatment.

At 2 p.m., Mr. Mehta informed the court that both were medically fit to be shifted. The court said it would pass the necessary orders whenever their families gave their consent to shifting both to Delhi.

In a separate order, the CJI Bench directed Sanjeev Sudhakar Kalgaonkar, Secretary General of the court, to conduct an enquiry within seven days into whether any lapse or negligence on the part of Registry officials caused the Unnao victim’s letter to reach the CJI late.

Thursday’s first hearing began with the CJI asking Mr. Mehta to have a responsible officer of the CBI present in the court by noon with the entire case detail. The CJI was not swayed when Mr. Mehta asked the court to reschedule the case for Friday. “Tomorrow is another day, Mr. Solicitor. We want this to happen today,” he responded.

Man faces action for cancelling food order

02/08/2019, STAFF REPORTER,BHOPAL

Two days after a man in Jabalpur cancelled an order on food aggregator Zomato for being assigned a non-Hindu delivery executive, the local police on Thursday decided to make him sign a bond stating he would not post incendiary messages on social media that were against secularism and could disturb harmony.

“His tweets ended up dividing Twitter users on religious lines and could stoke communal disharmony. Therefore, we are taking preventive measures and taking him to the SDM court where he will be asked to sign a bond and a notice would be served on him,” said Amit Singh, Jabalpur Superintendent of Police.

The police had warned him that if he made such statements again, he would be charged under Section 122 and sent to jail for the remaining bond period.

Senior bank executive held in Srijan scam

02/08/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

The CBI has arrested the Chief Manager, Indian Bank, Zonal office, in connection with the multi-crore Srijan scam in Bihar.

Armed with a non-bailable warrant issued by the Special Judge, CBI Court II, Patna, a CBI team, led by Devesh Kumar, Sub Inspector of Police, CBI, New Delhi, arrived here and arrested Chief Manager D. Deo Shankar Mishra on Wednesday.

Magistrate V.S. Balamurugan issued a transit warrant to produce him before the CBI Court II in Patna.

The accused was allegedly involved in the scam when he was posted as the Branch Manager in Bhagalpur in Bihar.

The CBI has been investigating the over ‘₹1,000-crore scam’ after registering a case in August 2017.

UGC panel urges review of process to appoint V-Cs

It says quality of research is linked to academic leadership

02/08/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI

A panel set up by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to promote and improve the quality of research in Indian universities, has called for a review of the way Vice-Chancellors (V-Cs) are appointed. The panel emphasised that the quality of research culture depended on good academic leadership.

In the last three years, several appointments have come under fire, with some V-Cs being removed because of financial irregularities and lack of qualifications.

“The UGC /MHRD as well as State governments must seriously review the mechanism by which Vice-Chancellors are appointed. Good academic leadership is essential for improving the research culture, including the quality of Ph.D./M.Phil. Degrees,” says the report of the committee headed by former Indian Institute of Science director P. Balaram. The report was made public on Wednesday.

The report underlines that “It is also extremely important to ensure that Governing Bodies of the universities [syndicate/executive council etc.] have eminent academics as members.”

court orders

Amid doctors’ protest, RS clears NMC bill in Parliament

Sushmi.Dey@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:02.09.2019

Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill with an aim to reform medical education sector inflicted with corruption and malpractices. The proposed legislations seeks to regulate the cost of private medical education, ease the burden of entrance exams on students, increase the number of medical colleges and create a mid-level health cadre with limited rights to prescribe drugs.

Though Lok Sabha had passed the bill on July 29, it will have to reapprove the legislation because the government introduced some minor changes, which have been passed by the Upper House. It was passed on a day when doctors are on a countrywide strike against the proposed legislation.

The bill that seeks to repeal the Indian Medical Council Act 1956 was approved by a voice vote in the Upper House, amid a walkout by AIADMK. The key provisions of the bill include setting up of a new medical education regulator - National Medical Commission (NMC) – which will replace the Medical Council of India (MCI), introduction of final year MBBS exam as National Exit Test which will also serve as a licentiate exam for MBBS students, entrance exam for post graduate medical courses as well as a screening test for foreign medical graduates.

Full report on www.toi.in

Rahul calls FM ‘incompetent’

New Delhi:Congress leader Rahul Gandhi termed finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman “incompetent” as he warned that the economy was hurtling towards recession.

Tagging a news report painting a bleak picture of Indian economy, Rahul Gandhi tweeted, “Mr PM, the economy has derailed and there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. If your incompetent finance minister is telling you there is light, trust me it’s the train of recession coming at full throttle.”

A day earlier, Rahul had tweeted, “Demonetization and GST rollout are perfect examples of ineptitude and lack of depth in the Modi government.” TNN

Zomato, Uber Eats face online backlash

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:02.09.2019

A day after Zomato won over the internet for refusing to give in to a customer’s demand of changing a delivery executive because he was Muslim, some users on Twitter said they would boycott the company for "hurting religious sentiments". #ZomatoUnistalled and #BoycottUberEats were two of the top trends in India on Thursday afternoon.

The anger directed at Uber Eats, another food aggregator, was a result of the support it lent to Zomato. The company had tweeted on Tuesday that it stood by Zomato.

A number of users also downgraded Zomato on the Google Play Store and iOS by giving the company the lowest rating possible. They claimed that Zomato had double standards because it served halal meat even though the company had clarified on Tuesday that the halal category is a result of restaurants seeking that distinction --not us as an aggregator... "We provide this information, so that you, as a customer can make an informed choice about whether you want to eat halal meat, or not,” it had said.

Despite the brickbat, several Zomato customers stood firmly behind the company and left reviews thanking the company for defending the values of a plural India.

A review on iOS by a user who goes by the name Humane Foodie, wrote, "Wish all humans were treated as equal, just as Zomato proved! Please keep promoting humane values along with the wonderful business model and awesome service you already provide."

Zomato customer gets notice for ‘non-Hindu rider’ tweet
Bhopal/Jabalpur:

The Jabalpur administration has issued a notice to Amit Shukla, who triggered a storm by refusing to accept a “non-Hindu delivery boy” for a Zomato order, prompting the aggregator to say “food has no religion”.

Tahsildar of Gorakhpur (an area in Jabalpur) Pramod Chaturvedi served Shukla a notice on Thursday under Sections 107 and 116 CrPC — a preventive measure to preempt breach of peace — and asked him to appear in person to explain his actions.

Police have initiated a parallel probe. Jabalpur SP Amit Singh said, “The additional SP-crime has been asked to look into the matter. Once our investigations are complete, we will initiate necessary action.” Shukla’s followers on Twitter have more than doubled — from 900 to 2,010 — since the controversy broke. He told TOI on Thursday that his tweet “was being pursued in the wrong direction”. “Zomato should have replied in my personal messaging box. They should be held accountable for all this chaos,” said Shukla, adding he is not “actively associated with any group”. TNN

Medical aspirant kills self

Trichy:02.09.2019

A 19-year-old girl from Perambalur committed suicide by hanging on Thursday. Police said Keerthana, daughter of retired TNSTC employee Selvarasu, aspired to become a doctor.

She had passed Class XII with 1,053 marks from a private school in Salem district in 2018. Police said she could not get an MBBS seat since her NEET 2018 score was only

202. She spent a year in Chennai attending a private NEET coaching academy and scored 384 marks in NEET 2019, but wasn’t called for MBBS counselling. Police said Keerthana, who was dejected for a few weeks, was further saddened as her friend managed to secure a medical seat. On Thursday, Keerthana hanged herself when her parents were away. Perambalur police have registered a case and are investigating. TNN

TN parties protest NEET, NEXT in Parl, AIADMK walks out

Dravidian Majors Register Strong Opposition To Both Exams

Julie.Mariappan @timesgroup.com

Chennai:02.09.2019

Accusing the Centre of depriving poor and rural students of a chance to study medicine by insisting on national-level competitive examinations, National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and National Exit Test (NEXT), the two principal Dravidian parties opposed The National Medical Commission Bill, 2019, in Rajya Sabha on Thursday. The ruling AIADMK MPs walked out as a sign of protest when the motion was put to vote, after failing to get ‘any assurance’ from the Centre.

The bill envisaged a National Medical Commission to conduct NEET in English and other languages, besides specifying the regulations for the common counselling for admission to UG and PG super-specialty seats in all medical institutions. The commission will also conduct NEXT for granting licence to practice medicine and for enrolment in the state or national register. DMK MP Trichy Siva asked for ‘division of votes’ on his amendment challenging the conduct of NEET. The result was 61 – yes, and 106 – no, while four abstained. Another amendment sought against NEXT too was rejected by majority of the House.

Earlier, AIADMK MP Vijila Satyananth said the state was ‘frustrated and agitated’ over the conduct of entrance tests that lacked common syllabus. “The standardized medical exam faces unprecedented opposition in every corner in our state… Our children are forced to appear for NEET in CBSE syllabus. So, bring a common syllabus for the whole of India and then have a common entrance test,” the MP said. The competitive tests only resulted in private coaching centres thriving and the proprietors becoming multi-millionaires, she said. The commission’s mandate to determine fees in respect of 50% seats in private medical institutions would only result in the rich grabbing the rest of the seats, she added.

Siva alleged the admission of students belonging to backward classes and scheduled castes had drastically come down with the advent of entrance tests. “We had seven students committing suicide in our state because of NEET. Despite scoring high, they could not get through NEET,” he said, seeking exemption. The DMK MP hit out at the Centre for forcing the UG students to appear for NEXT and thereafter for NEET for post graduate courses. “Through this bill, everything is being centralized…Tamil Nadu is agitated,” the MP said, accusing the Union government of snatching away the powers of the state, despite health coming under the state list.

AIADMK skipped triple talaq vote in Rajya Sabha deliberately, says Stalin

Chennai:DMK president M K Stalin on Thursday accused the AIADMK of staging a drama over the Triple Talaq Bill, which was passed by the Parliament. It received the President’s assent on Thursday. Stalin was in Ambur campaigning for the party candidate ahead of the August 5 Lok Sabha election in Vellore Lok Sabha constituency. Speaking to Muslim party leaders in Ambur, Stalin said though AIADMK Lok Sabha member and deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam’s son, P Ravindranath Kumar, spoke in support of the bill, AIADMK leaders called it ‘a slip of the tongue’. “How can it be a slip of the tongue when the MP spoke in detail in support of the bill and the BJP? I was happy that the AIADMK opposed the bill in Rajya Sabha. But when the voting was taken up, AIADMK MPs walked out of the House. They walked out deliberately to help the government,” said Stalin. TNN

Rly season tickets now for 160-km travel

Chennai:02.09.2019

Southern Railway has announced that passengers can buy season tickets for travel from Chennai Central to Melalathur via Arakkonam and Katpadi as well as from Chennai Egmore to Gudiyattam via Park-Chennai Central, Arakkonam and Katpadi. These stations cover a distance of more than 150km. As per rules, season tickets can be issued only for a maximum distance of 150km. But the Railway Board had delegated powers to general managers of zonal railways and the Southern Railway GM took the decision to increase the maximum limit to 160km, an official release on Thursday said. The move followed representations from rail passenger associations, season ticket holders and rail users. TNN

Students may soon take shot at PhD directly after 4-year UG

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:02.08.2019

The University Grants Commission has released a draft of the changes it proposes in PhD programmes, including a recommendation to let students with four-year UG degrees enrol for a doctorate, so far permitted only in the IITs.

The draft, released on Wednesday seeking responses by August 16, moots entrance test and interview for admitting candidates in PhD programmes. It also proposes an easing of norm that only professors can guide up to eight research scholars at a time. The draft suggests that assistant and associate professors too be allowed to guide eight scholars against three and six at present. “There is huge shortage of qualified faculty members. The relaxation of ceiling for assistant and associate professors will help universities improve research output,” said P.Duraisamy, VC, University of Madras.

Academics warn of pitfalls in UGC’s PhD revamp plans

However, Anna University vice-chancellor M K Surappa said eight research scholars for assistant professors appeared to be on higher side. “The junior faculty members can guide four or five research scholars at a time,” he said.

Doubts have also been raised about the draft’s suggestion that candidates who have completed undergraduate courses of minimum fouryear duration in engineering, science, law, architecture, social sciences, humanities and others be considered eligible to enrol for PhDs like in the US.

“In the US, research scholars have to undergo rigorous course work. They will be allowed to do research only after qualifying the courses. The same system may not be applicable to our education system. We need at least PG and one-year research preparatory courses before enrolling students into PhD,” said professor K Jothi Sivagnanam, head, department of economics, University of Madras.

The draft has proposed a minimum credit requirement in PhD courses – 12 to 16 credits. It also wants departments to formulate good pre-PhD course programmes to help students from diverse backgrounds acquire good understanding of the fundamentals of the disciplines they propose to do research in.

Professor Sivagnanam said the purpose of MPhil programmes was to prepare candidates for PhD courses. “But, due to frequent changes in regulations, MPhil programmes have been rendered useless. UGC should convert MPhil into one-year research preparatory course,” he added.

The proposed entrance test for research scholars will test research aptitude, analytical skills, writing skills. Qualifying marks are to be 50%. The syllabus for the entrance test shall consist of 50% of questions that test research aptitude while 50% shall be subject specific. Further the university should conduct interviews. The weightage for entrance test and interview is to be the same.

To encourage quality of research publications, UGC is planning to remove the mandatory publication requirement prior to award of the PhD degree. “Quality assessment of MPhil/PhD degrees should be the responsibility of the institutions,” it said.

‘Why suppress info on rejection of NEET Bills’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:02.08.2019

The Madras high court has wondered why the Tamil Nadu government did not inform anyone, including the state legislative assembly, about the return from the Centre of its two NEET Bills seeking to exempt the state from the exam, that too after acknowledging the receipt of the returned copies of the Bills.

The state government has even written to the Centre asking for the reasons for denial of the Presidential assent, a division bench of Justice S Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad said on Thursday.

Noting that ministers and their secretaries cannot deny knowledge of such communication, the bench said providing assent or returning a Bill is the prerogative of the President, which none can question.

Though the state has sought the reasons for denying assent, the Centre has not replied to the communication yet. However, the state has no impediment in once again passing the Bills in the assembly and send them back to the President for his assent, the bench added.

The issue pertains to a PIL moved by Tamil Nadu Students Parents Welfare, represented by P B Prince Gajendra Babu and U Mustaffa seeking direction to the state government to complete the procedures for obtaining the presidential assent for the Bills on or before August 15, 2017.

During the course of hearing, the Centre informed the court that the Bills were returned as early in September 2017.

The Union government filed an affidavit submitting that the state was not only informed, but the true copies of the Bills were also returned which was acknowledged by the state.

When the plea came up for hearing on Thursday, senior counsel R Viduthalai submitted that the union and the state governments are hand in glove in the issue. Viduthalai further contended that it is the constitutional duty of the president to reveal the reasons of denial of assent to a Bill.

Recording the submissions, the bench adjourned the hearing to August 13.

The court observed that providing assent or returning a Bill is the prerogative of the President, which no one can question

STANDING TALL

NO LONGER PRONE: Athi Varadar, the statue of Lord Vishnu carved out of a fig tree, was placed in a standing position early on Thursday at the Devarajaperumal temple in Kancheepuram. From June 29, when it was taken out of the water tank, till July 31 it had been in the sayanam (sleeping) position. It will remain in the posture for another 17 days, after which it will be taken back to the temple tank where it will remain for another 40 years

Lufthansa to raise capacity in business class in flights from city

PTI

Published Jul 31, 2019, 5:30 pm IST

The move by the airliner comes in the backdrop of the 50 per cent expected growth of international passengers in the country by 2020.

The Lufthansa Group recently celebrated 25 years of service in Chennai. (Photo: AFP)

Chennai: German airline Lufthansa Group Wednesday said it has lined up plans to increase capacity in business class on its flights operating from the city.

The move by the airliner comes in the backdrop of the 50 per cent expected growth of international passengers in the country by 2020, a press release said.

The Lufthansa Group recently celebrated 25 years of service in Chennai.

Having commenced the regional operations in 1994 with bi-weekly flights from city, the airliner currently operates daily flights from Chennai to Frankfurt.

"In the 25 years since Lufthansa commenced its operations in Chennai, the city has become a flourishing global hub for IT and heavy industries", Lufthansa Group Airlines South Asia, Senior Director Sales, George Ettiyil said.

"We at Lufthansa are proud of the role that we have played in enabling this growth", he said.

Ettiyil said that over the next five years, Lufthansa aims to strengthen its presence in the city to capitalise the growth opportunity.

"The airline has already announced its plans to increase the capacity in the Business Class on its flights from Chennai summer 2020 with a different seat configuration", the airliner said.

Ettiyil said Chennai and the larger Tamil Nadu region remain key markets for Lufthansa.

"We plan to build on the success that we have earned here by facilitating more premium offerings and experiences for Lufthansa customers from Chennai", he said.

Tamil Nadu gets 150 more seats in new medical college

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

PublishedAug 1, 2019, 3:10 am IST

The campus has hostel facilities, built at a cost of Rs 71 crores, a 200-seater auditorium and 11 surgical departments.

Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami inaugurates the government medical college at Sanapiratti, Karur on Wednesday through videoconferencing from the Secretariat, Chennai on Wednesday. (Photo: DC)

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami inaugurated the government medical college at Sanapiratti, Karur on Wednesday through videoconferencing from the Secretariat, Chennai.

Built on an area of over 17.45 acres, the college has been constructed at a total cost of Rs 115.71 crores.

The campus has hostel facilities, built at a cost of Rs 71 crores, a 200-seater auditorium and 11 surgical departments.

The six-floor medical college and hospital will also have an 800-bed facility, along with classrooms constructed over an area of 3.20 lakh square feet.

The Karur government medical college is the 23rd medical college in the state.

The construction of the college began in March last year.

The state government has sanctioned 150 medical seats to the college. Classes are set to commence from this academic year.

Meanwhile the Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday announced that Arasu Cable TV subscription would be available for a monthly charge of Rs 130, excluding GST, from August 10.

The Chief Minister said after the request from the public, the government has decided to offer the Arasu Cable channels at a monthly subscription of `130 + GST across the state, excluding Vellore constituency.

Athi Varadar darshan now in standing posture

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | A. MURUGAN

Published  Aug 1, 2019, 3:21 am IST

He is 12-feet tall, two-and-half feet wide.

The doors of Vasantha Mandapam, where the deity had been placed for worship all these days, were closed at 5 pm on Wednesday after the administration provided prior notice to the public about the closure of darshan during the change of posture.

Kancheepuram: At dawn on Thursday, Athi Varadar will offer darshan in ninra thirukolam (standing pose) to bless multitudes of his devotees pouring into this temple town from all over the country and even beyond.

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami had announced this change from the Lord's sayanam (reclining) posture after being taken out of the Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple tank on July 1 for public worship through 48 days before immersion on August 17.

The doors of Vasantha Mandapam, where the deity had been placed for worship all these days, were closed at 5 pm on Wednesday after the administration provided prior notice to the public about the closure of darshan during the change of posture. The doors would be opened at five in the morning to resume darshan, but in standing position for the next 17 days, officials said. He is 12 feet tall, and two-and-half wide.

They said close to 45 lakh devotees have had the divine darshan so far and the crowd density could increase further as the day of immersion draws close - there is also a serious debate and strong recommendation from certain influential sections of Hindu seers to retain Athi Varadar in the temple instead of returning the deity to the slushy tank bed that could be further polluted by human interference. "We are expecting more than two lakh bhaktars (devotees) per day for the remaining 17 days", said an officer, adding that no decision has been taken, yet, on the demand to retain the deity in the temple.

On Monday, Satakopa Ramanuja Jeeyar of the Manavala Mamunigal Mutt had told media persons that Athi Varadar should not "buried" in the slush of the tank bed. He also claimed that several other mutt heads too held a similar view; besides, Krishna Premi of Mangalasasana Divyadesa Samrakshana Trust (Kancheepuram) had told him that Athi Varadar had appeared in his dream and said he should not be buried again. The Trust has petitioned the HR&CE to give up the idea of sending the deity back to the tank bed, claiming that the practice had begun centuries ago due to the fear that Muslim invaders could damage the idol - this argument attracted criticism from certain Muslim parties and leaders who saw in it an attempt to denigrate their community.

Doctors working round the clock not paid and honoured enough: HC

A division bench of the Madras High Court has observed that the role of doctors in a society is incomparable with that of the others, but they are less honoured.

Published: 01st August 2019 04:37 AM 

Madras High Court (Photo | D Sampath Kumar, EPS)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: A division bench of the Madras High Court has observed that the role of doctors in society is incomparable with that of the others, but they are less honoured. The bench of Justices N Kirubakaran and V Parthiban made the observation while passing further interim orders on a PIL petition filed in 2017, by one AK Velan, seeking to restrain the doctors from going ahead with their agitations to protest against the alleged irregularities in the admission of candidates for PG courses.


Why are the doctors not properly paid? What is the salary paid to them? What about the pay scale of police and teachers? - were the other questions the bench asked. “Can you equate a doctor’s profession with others? Working round the clock, they should be paid more. Their lives are also at risk and there is no security for them,” the bench said, adding that they should be given preference.

Rush of devotees pushes up Kancheepuram room tariffs

Even budget hotels are quoting upwards of ₹8,000 a night

01/08/2019, SANJAY VIJAYAKUMAR,CHENNAI

About 34 lakh devotees have visited Sri Devarajaswamy temple so far.

As thousands throng the Sri Devarajaswamy temple in Kancheepuram to catch a glimpse of a fig wood idol of Varadaraja Perumal, even a stay at a budget hotel is an expensive proposition for visitors.

Online hotel booking sites show tariffs in ordinary hotels quoting upwards of ₹8,000 per night, with over 90% already booked.

According to the State government, about 34 lakh devotees have visited the temple for a darshan of the wooden idol of Varadaraja Perumal, popularly known as Athi Varadar, which is taken out of the temple tank once every 40 years and displayed for 48 days. It has been attracting devotees since July 1.

The numbers are expected to go up as the idol is moved to a standing position from Thursday.

An online hotel booking site claimed that Kancheepuram was the top choice for those looking for rooms between July 31 and August 4. “Prices might be higher than usual for the dates you've selected,” it warned.

Expensive stay

For a three-star hotel, the prices for a night’s stay ranged from ₹8,100 to ₹11,000 plus taxes on July 31. On Booking.com, The Naagaa Residency Deluxe quoted a rate of ₹11,718 plus taxes for a room and said only limited rooms were available. When contacted, an official at the hotel said bookings could be done only through online sites.

Parents protest, stall second round of medical counselling
They say a college’s prospectus listed the wrong annual fee

31/07/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

The second round of the single-window counselling for admissions to medical and dental courses was stalled around 5.30 p.m. on Tuesday as sections of the aspirants’ parents protested demanding their wards be admitted to a private college.

On Tuesday, counselling began for 261 MBBS and BDS seats that were returned from the all-India quota to the State by the Directorate General of Health Services and the vacancies arising from students not joining in allotted colleges. A total of 20 seats were allotted on Tuesday.

However, parents complained that the Rajah Muthiah Medical College, a private medical institution, had in its prospectus mentioned the annual fee as ₹5.80 lakh, whereas at the counselling they were informed the fee was only ₹4 lakh. Citing this, some of them said they had not originally opted to be wait-listed for the college as the fee was high.

“Now, we hear the fee is only ₹4 lakh. I could have managed to pay it. But since we had not opted to get wait-listed during the first round of counselling, we are being denied a seat,” a parent from Namakkal, whose daughter had secured a NEET score of 468, said.

Medical Selection secretary G. Selvarajan said the private college had reduced the fee structure just two days ahead of counselling, following a Supreme Court ruling.

Though the prospectus listed the old fee, candidates who opted for the college were informed during the counselling about the change, he said.

One section of parents said had the government opted to implement the 10% Economically Weaker Section quota in medical admissions, the State would have gotten more seats.

Officials said only 1,054 of the 2,246 eligible candidates attended. Counselling for the remaining seats would be held on Wednesday and Thursday.

Siddhartha cremated in family estate

Body was recovered from Nethravati river near Mangaluru; 

thousands pay their last respects

01/08/2019, 

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,

HASSAN/MANGALURU/CHIKKAMAGALURU

Search ends: The body of V. G. Siddhartha being removed from the banks of Nethravati river near Hoigebazar on Wednesday. SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTSPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Café Coffee Day founder and billionaire entrepreneur V.G. Siddhartha, whose body was traced in Nethravati river near Mangaluru 36 hours after he went missing, was on Wednesday cremated in his family’s coffee estate in Chatanahalli village in Hassan district.

His eldest son Amartya Hegde lit the funeral pyre after the last rites were performed in an atmosphere marked by quiet grief, as his mother Malavika Hegde and grandfather and former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna struggled with their emotions.

Earlier in the day, thousands of people paid their last respects to Siddhartha at Coffee Day Global Ltd, a firm owned by him in Chikkamagaluru. Siddhartha’s biggest entrepreneurial innovation, CCD, had its roots in the coffee-growing hilly districts of Chikkamagaluru and Hassan, where his father owned large estates.

Mobile phone recovered

It was in the early hours of Wednesday that the body of Siddhartha was found by a group of local fishermen in Nethravati river.

He had gone missing from the bridge across the river on Monday evening and an intensive, all-day search by a 300-strong team on Tuesday had failed to find the body. Three fishermen found it floating near the Hoigebazar area, where the river joins the Arabian Sea, at 6.30 a.m. They brought it ashore and informed the police. The police have also recovered his mobile phone.

The police are continuing investigations into the circumstances leading to his death, with a letter purportedly written by him blaming the Income Tax Department for his “succumbing to the situation”.

10% quota case for statute Bench?

Three-judge SC Bench reserves orders

01/08/2019,

KRISHNADAS RAJAGOPAL,NEW DELHI

A three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court led by Justice S.A. Bobde on Wednesday reserved its orders on the question of referring a batch of petitions challenging the validity of a constitutional amendment providing 10% economic quota in government jobs and educational institutions to a Constitution Bench.

The Bench, however, refrained from staying the 103rd Constitutional Amendment of 2019 providing 10% reservation in government jobs and educational institutions for the “economically backward” in the unreserved category.

At the end of a day-long hearing, Justice Bobde clarified that the Bench would first pass orders on whether or not to refer the challenge to a Constitution Bench. Once that order is pronounced, the court would specifically hear arguments on the question of stay of the quota law. Earlier, senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan made a strong pitch for referring the issue to a Constitution Bench. Mr. Dhavan argued that economic reservation violates the 50% reservation ceiling limit fixed by a nine-judge Bench in the Indra Sawhney case. Further, the 1992 judgment had barred reservation solely on economic criterion.

Responding for the government, Attorney-General K.K. Venugopal submitted that the amendments were in tune with past decisions of the Supreme Court.

Accused in student’s murder sent to juvenile home

The boy allegedly confessed to having committed the crime

01/08/2019, STAFF REPORTER,KODAIKANAL

After a 16-year-old boy was killed by his classmate on the campus of a residential school here on Monday night, the police on Wednesday arrested the suspect, who allegedly confessed to having committed the crime.

The police registered a case under Section 302 (murder) of the IPC and sent the accused to a juvenile home in Salem. The school announced that it will remain closed till Monday in the light of the incident which created panic among teachers, students and parents. Inquiries revealed that there were some simmering petty issues between the two boys. In the recent past, the school had taken disciplinary action against the accused.

A post-mortem was conducted on the body of the victim at the Kodaikanal Government Hospital. “On Monday night, the accused allegedly attacked the victim on the head with a wooden stump, due to which the victim suffered a fracture in the skull. He also stabbed the victim on the neck with a pair of scissors, but that injury does not seem fatal. Though the post-mortem report is awaited, the cause of death seems to be internal bleeding caused by the skull fracture,” said a senior police officer monitoring the probe.

‘Counselling is key’

“Such events in a boarding school can be averted by providing psychological counselling to students who have problems. The school had identified that the (accused) boy had certain behavioural problems and had taken disciplinary steps, but had the school also recommended psychological counselling for him, he would not have committed a murder,” said Dheep, founder of TOPKIDS, Holistic Personality Development & Counselling Centre, Madurai.

“Counselling is important for adolescents, especially if they are found to have anger-related issues, which could be a result of emotional distress. The boy who has been remanded in a juvenile home should be given counselling. An inquiry by psychologists should be conducted before the commencement of a judicial inquiry. Though theoretically it is a norm for juvenile homes, how effectively it is followed remains a question. Most people come out as hardened persons rather than reformed individuals from juvenile homes,” he added.

Engineering Admission

Call for more rail services on Tiruvarur-Karaikudi section

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

TIRUVARUR, AUGUST 01, 2019 00:00 IST

Under-utilised:Rail users want resumption of long distance trains that were withdrawn when the gauge conversion work was taken up 15 years ago.File Photo

People in Tiruvarur and Thanjavur districts disappointed over rejection of regular and additional services on the new broad gauge line

The reported rejection of the plea for regular and additional passenger services on Tiruvarur-Karaikudi section at the Southern Railway’s Divisional level officials has dampened the spirit of people in Tiruvarur and Thanjavur districts.

Rail users in Pattukottai, Adhiramapattinam, Muthupettai, Peravurani, Aranthangi and Tiruvarur have been demanding early introduction of passenger services on the Tiruvarur-Karaikudi section apart from resumption of long distance services that were withdrawn when the gauge conversion work was taken up 15 years ago.

The railway officials, at the Divisional Rail Users Consultative Committee meeting held at Tiruchi on July 30, while responding to the demand for launching new train services on the Tiruvarur-Karaikudi section, had reportedly said that a pair of DEMU passenger special was being operated now and there was no proposal to introduce new trains.

“Rail users in Tiruvarur-Karaikudi section are eagerly awaiting early resumption of passenger services on the newly-laid broad gauge line,” said president of Pattukottai Taluk Rail Passengers’ Welfare Association N. Jayaraman. In the absence of train services, people were forced to use the very few bus services to far-off places such as Chennai or take multiple short-distance buses, much to their discomfort.

So the rejection of the plea to operate more train services on this section was most disappointing and unacceptable.

The divisional railway authorities have to convince the headquarters to resume the regular services that were in operation before gauge conversion.

New forum floated

A new forum - Karaikudi-Pattukottai-Tiruvarur BG Line Federation of Rail Users Association - had been formed to put forth the demands of rail users, Mr. Jayaraman said. Gatekeepers must be posted at level crossings to ensure smooth operation of the Tiruvarur-Karaikudi DEMU service with running time of three hours instead of the present seven hours. If the railways adopted a step-motherly attitude with respect to this section, the federation would resort to a legal route, he said.

Meanwhile, the Adirampattinam Rural Development Association has approached the Chief Operating Manager of Southern Railway in Chennai, seeking resumption of Chennai-Karaikudi/Rameswaram service. It has also suggested change in timings for the DEMU service so that passengers got a link to Mannai Express, Karaikal Express and Chennai Express at Tiruvarur.

Revising the departure timing from Tiruvarur to 5 a.m. and the return service from Karaikudi to 2.30 p.m. would benefit school and college students and office-goers, it said.

Thanjavur District Railway Users’ Association has raised its voice for additional services between Thanjavur and Tiruchi citing the fact that electrification of the 50 km track had almost been completed.

Leading a demonstration near Thanjavur Junction recently, Association secretary V. Jeevakumar demanded rail link to Thanjavur from Pattukottai and Ariyalur and also provisioning of basic facilities at Budalur and Alakudi railway stations on the Thanjavur-Tiruchi section apart from the demand for increase in number of daytime services between Thanjavur and Tiruchi.

Temporary stoppage at Melmaruvathur

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

TIRUCHI, AUGUST 01, 2019 00:00 IST

In view of Aadi Pooram festival, the following trains will stop for a minute at Melmaruvathur from August 2 to 5:

Chennai Egmore – Tiruchi – Chennai Egmore Rockfort Expresses; Chennai Egmore-Madurai – Chennai Egmore Vaigai Expresses; Chennai Egmore – Madurai – Chennai Egmore Pandian Expresses; Chennai Egmore – Shencottah– Chennai Egmore Pothigai Expresses; Chennai Egmore – Mannargudi – Chennai Egmore Mannai Expresses;and Tambaram – Nagercoil – Tambaram Antyodaya Expresses.

No helmet, no petrol’ from today

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

MAYILADUTHURAI, AUGUST 01, 2019 00:00 IST

All fuel stations in Mayiladuthurai in Nagapattinam district have been instructed by the police department not to supply fuel to two-wheeler riders who come without wearing helmets with effect from Thursday.

A meeting of petrol pump owners was convened by the police department at the office of the Deputy Superintendent of Police to discuss the implementation of the measure.

For the last few days, hoardings informing the public that no petrol will be sold to two-wheeler riders who do not wear helmets have been put up at vantage points at the filling stations. The police department has reportedly provided assurance to the petrol pump owners that motorists who create trouble will be identified through CCTV footage and subjected to legal action.

The initiative for road safety will be carried out in the town limits to begin with, Mayiladuthurai DSP K. Velladurai said. Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, states that riding two-wheeler without wearing a helmet is a violation of law and can draw imprisonment up to six months under the Indian Penal Code’s Section 188.

“Of course, there is likely to be a slump in our transactions. Nevertheless, we will follow the instructions of the police with the safety of motorists in mind,” Sivaprakasam, a proprietor of a filling station, said.

“It cannot be said that the information has reached every motorist in the town. Arguments between motorists with workers at the filling stations cannot be ruled out. We have to wait and see,” Ganesh, a Mayiladuthurai-based photographer said.

Chief Minister inaugurates Karur Govt. Medical College

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

KARUR, AUGUST 01, 2019 00:00 IST

It is the 23rd such institution in Tamil Nadu

Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami inaugurated the Karur Government Medical College — the 23rd government medical college in the State — on Wednesday.

Through video conference, the CM declared open classrooms and buildings for the new college, constructed at a cost of Rs. 115.71 crore. He also inaugurated the first-year classes.

The opening of the college triggered celebrations on the campus, where Transport Minister M.R. Vijayabhaskar distributed sweets to students and the public, in the presence of Collector T. Anbazhagan, Dean Rosy Vennila and others.

‘Dream fulfilled’

The new college has an intake of 150 students in the M.B.B.S. programme. “A long-felt need and dream of the people of Karur has been fulfilled with the medical college coming into existence today,” a visibly elated Mr. Vijayabhaskar told reporters after the inaugural ceremony.

The opening of the college at Sanapiratti also marks a personal triumph for the Minister as there was much political wrangling over the site for establishing the college. The former Transport Minister, V. Senthil Balaji, while in office, had favoured the establishment of the college at Kuppichipalayam. The decision was reversed after Mr. Balaji — now with the DMK — was dropped from the State Cabinet and stripped of the post of Karur district secretary of the AIADMK.

It was argued back then that the Kuppuchipalayam site was too far from Karur, and subsequently, the State government selected the Sanapiratti site, which is located within the town limits, and issued an order for establishing the college at a total cost of Rs. 269.58 crore.

Mr. Vijayabhaskar said the new college had been provided with all necessary infrastructure as per the Medical Council of India’s norms. It has a 1,000-bedded hospital, including emergency and other departments.

As many as 985 permanent posts have been created to meet the MCI requirement. The Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation is in the process of purchasing necessary equipment for the college at a cost of Rs. 25.64 crore. Besides, Rs. 6 crore has been allotted in the current year’s Budget for the purchase of an advanced MRI scanner for the college hospital.

A long-felt need and dream of the people of Karur has been fulfilledM.R. VijayabhaskarTransport Minister

Ex-IAS officer resigns from varsity V-C search panel

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

COIMBATORE, AUGUST 01, 2019 00:00 IST

Former Higher Education Secretary K. Ganesan, who was last week appointed as the government’s nominee on the three-member search committee to shortlist names for the post of Vice Chancellor at Bharathiar University in Coimbatore, has resigned citing personal reasons.

His nomination to the Search Committee had earlier drawn criticism from a section of academics. They alleged that incompetent persons were appointed as Vice-Chancellor to some State universities during the erstwhile DMK regime when Mr. Ganesan was heading the Higher Education Department.

Confirmed

Sources in the Bharathiar University Vice-Chancellor Search Committee confirmed to The Hindu on Wednesday that Mr. Ganesan had resigned.

Earlier, he had informed the university Registrar that he would not be in a position to meet the Tamil Nadu Governor-Chancellor for a meeting that was scheduled on Wednesday evening.

The other members of the Search Committee are Syndicate nominee S.P. Thyagarajan, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Madras, and Senate nominee C. Subramaniam, a former Vice-Chancellor of Tamil University, Thanjavur.

A section of academics expressed concern that Mr. Ganesan’s resignation would further delay the process of shortlisting names for the post of Vice-Chancellor for the university, which is headless for over one-and-a-half years.

However, Association of University Teachers State president N. Pasupathy said the Syndicate and Senate nominees to the Committee were elected six months ago and only now the Government named its nominee. It would be better if the Government were to dissolve the search committee and constitute it afresh.

That it would take another two or three months for the constitution of a new search committee did not matter because the Bharathiar University academic community had already spent more than one-and-half years without a Vice-Chancellor.

Sri Ramachandra varsity launches B.Tech courses

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI, AUGUST 01, 2019 00:00 IST

Sri Ramachandra University has launched two B.Tech engineering courses. The two courses will each admit 60 students. The branches offered are: B.Tech Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence and B.Tech Cybersecurity and Internet of Things.

The four-year programme will include practical and theory sessions, according to provost of engineering programmes V. Raju. Students will have equal hours of theory and practical sessions. Those who had taken Cybersecurity and IoT would also be trained in AI, according to him.

“The courses have a lot of potential to bridge the gap in technology in the country,” said Pratyush Panda, a faculty from the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras, who would also be teaching the students.

He said it was a wonderful opportunity for the university, which also had a medical college and hospital, to develop a centre of excellence.

High Court dismisses plea filed by Raj Bhavan official against

transfer

Legal Correspondent

CHENNAI, AUGUST 01, 2019 00:00 IST

He had alleged mala fide intention behind the move

The Madras High Court on Wednesday dismissed a writ petition filed by an Under Secretary in the Governor’s Secretariat accusing Additional Chief Secretary R. Rajagopal of having transferred him from Chennai to the Raj Bhavan at Udhagamandalam with a mala fide intention of punishing him.

Justice V. Parthiban agreed with Advocate General Vijay Narayan that the petitioner S. Nagaraj had failed to prove the allegation of mala fide beyond any pale of doubt and the court could not interfere with a transfer order, passed due to administrative exigency, on the basis of conjectures and surmises.

“Such presumption can be dislodged by the petitioner only if he comes with much stronger case of bias or malafide against His Excellency the Governor of Tamil Nadu and also the first respondent (Mr. Rajagopal) in his personal capacity,” the judge said while upholding the transfer order issued on May 29.

“The plea of mala fide is easier to make against the officials but it is difficult to prove. And unless proof is presented to this court to substantiate that the very foundation of transfer was for a mala fide consideration, this court cannot per se act on such apprehended malice on the part of the officials concerned,” he added.

The judge pointed out that the petitioner was originally appointed as a Steno Typist in the Animal Husbandry department of the State government in August 1983 and got absorbed in the Governor’s Secretariat after being shifted there in 1989. In 1997, there was an attempt to send him back to government service as he was on deputation.

He challenged the repatriation before the High Court and succeeded in obtaining favourable orders from the High Court as well as the Supreme Court in 2013. He also filed a contempt of court petition in 2014 which was listed for hearing in February this year when a Division Bench took serious note of the issue.

It was only after that the petitioner was promoted on February 19 as Under Secretary and given all service benefits, he was posted to the Raj Bhavan at Udhagamandalam. However, on the same day another order was issued cancelling the posting and letting him work in Chennai.

Explaining the reason for the cancellation of the February 19 transfer order, the A-G told the court that it was done because of the visit of the President to the Raj Bhavan in Chennai.

‘How fair is it to spend Rs. 30 lakh for biryani feast?’

Mohamed Imranullah S.

CHENNAI, AUGUST 01, 2019 00:00 IST

Judges appalled to hear about advocates’ association library lying in a dilapidated condition

The Madras High Court on Tuesday expressed dismay over Madras High Court Advocates Association (MHAA) having spent around Rs. 30 lakh for a biryani feast during its recently held Annual Day celebrations without bothering to spend the association money fruitfully for the betterment of its historic library, lying in ruin.

A Division Bench of Justices N. Kirubakaran and R. Pongiappan were taken aback to read a report submitted by a committee comprising senior counsel A.E. Chelliah, M.K. Kabir, V. Selvaraj and Sudha Ramalingam on the poor shape in which the association premises as well as its library had been maintained over the years.

The committee, after inspecting the association premises and the library on July 25, said, it was appalled to find the entire place in disarray and unclean. “All law reference books as well as reports in the library were moth eaten and ruined. Book shelves were infested with rodents and we were informed that there is possibility of even snakes being present,” it said.

The court was further told that ancient reference books belonging to the Queen’s Bench and King’s Bench were uncared for and dusty, the committee said.

“This committee is of the view that emergent steps under the supervision of the Heritage Committee as well as Building Committee (both constituted by Chief Justice Vijaya Kamlesh Tahilramani and comprising of High Court judges) of the High Court should be taken to repair the roof/ceiling, clean the entire premises and undertake pest control measures,” the report read.

The committee went on to warn that failure to act fast could lead to the roof of the heritage building collapsing any time. The report was filed on the basis of a direction issued by the Bench during the hearing of a writ petition filed by advocate K. Sathyabal accusing the office-bearers of the association of having indulged in various irregularities. After perusing the committee’s report, the judges directed the association to file the income and expenditure statement for the last five years after it was orally reported that though the association’s revenue was around Rs. 2 crore every year, the expenditure was nearly Rs. 1.5 crore and that it was left with a bank balance of just Rs. 2 crore.

T.N. had highest percentage of I-T assessment errors in FY18

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI, AUGUST 01, 2019 00:00 IST

Tamil Nadu had the highest percentage of Income Tax assessments with errors, with a revenue effect of Rs. 1,644.16 crore during FY 2017-18, according to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India’s (CAG) report tabled in Parliament.

The report on direct taxes for the year ended March 2018, pointed out the details of ten States with the highest incidence of assessments with errors, where more than 10,000 assessments were checked.

Tamil Nadu had 1,914 cases with errors and at 8.71%, the highest percentage of assessments with errors, followed by Madhya Pradesh (8.62%), the CAG noted in the report tabled in Parliament on July 30.

The Income Tax Department needs to take corrective action in respect of errors noticed in the assessments, it also said.

The CAG also noticed irregularities related to incorrect allowance of ineligible claims of business expenditure as exemption.

During 2017-18, irregularities on this account were found to be highest in Maharashtra (60%) and Tamil Nadu (28%), it said.

The CAG also pointed out that during FY2017-18, 2,739 cases, with tax effect of Rs. 2,735.17 crore, became time-barred for remedial action. Out of it, Odisha alone accounted for 34.57%, followed by Tamil Nadu at 28.51%.

Tamil Nadu had 288 time-barred accounts with a value of Rs. 779.83 crore, it said.

“The Department should ensure that remedial action is taken in time so that such incidences do not recur,” the CAG said.

Six ex-Jet pilots caught cheating on cam in exam

DGCA Grounds Them For 6 Months

Manju.V@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:01.08.2019

Six former Jet Airways senior pilots appearing for written exams that would permit these Boeing 737 pilots to fly A320 aircraft for IndiGo were caught cheating on camera by a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) invigilator. Last week, the regulator grounded these pilots for a period of six months, after which they will need to reappear for these exams.

The exams were conducted in-house by IndiGo in the presence of a DGCA invigilator. “Most of the six pilots were Jet Airways examiners on Boeing 737 aircraft. They openly consulted each other for answers to the multi-choice questions. They were very casual about the written exams,” said a source. Though the six pilots are highly experienced on Boeing 737, the questions pertained to the A320, the aircraft they would eventually fly for IndiGo. The minimum marks needed to clear this exam are 70%. “Even as the pilots inquired around hunting for answers, the invigilator recorded the happenings,” said a source.

Director general of civil aviation Arun Kumar confirmed the six pilots have been grounded and will reappear for exams after six months.

After Jet Airways suspended its flight operations in April, the six pilots had joined IndiGo. However, since IndiGo does not operate Boeing 737 aircraft, the pilots had to undergo what’s called “type-rating.” It’s a certification given by the regulator to pilots to fly a certain aircraft type — the A320 in this case — after the pilots have completed additional training and cleared the exams.

Type-rating training starts with ground training classes where pilots learn about systems on the particular aircraft, its performance, limitations etc. At the end of ground exams training, the pilots have to clear a written exam. Due to manpower shortage, since the past 8-9 years, the DGCA has allowed airlines to carry out type-rating exams. A flight operations inspector from DGCA goes to invigilate the exams.

“When the footage of pilots consulting each other reached the DGCA, action had to be taken. For six months, the pilots will be on ground as they won’t be able to fly for IndiGo. Their type-training program has stopped for now,” said a source.

The pilots openly consulted each other for answers to the questions and they were very casual about the written exams, said a source

Madras Race Club to hand over 1.6 acres to Ooty administration

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Udhagamandalam:01.08.2019

The Madras high court on July 25 ordered the district administration to reclaim 1.6 acres of the 55-acre race course in the town from the Madras Race Club (MRC).

The MRC owes about ₹642 crore to the state government as lease amount due. Taking into consideration the need for a parking lot – a long pending demand – in the town, the district administration sent a proposal of takeover of four acres from the tail portion of the Ooty race course.

Last February, the revenue officials conducted a survey at the race course and earmarked the area just opposite to ATC bus stand for the parking lot. Meanwhile, the MRC approached the Madras high court challenging the proposal. However, in an order on June 27, the court allowed the district administration to reclaim the four acres. But, the MRC went for an appeal citing that the surveyed slice of land includes a portion of sand track as well as main track.

When the appeal came up for hearing on July 25, the court directed the district administration to reclaim the surveyed 1.65 acres. Nilgiris collector J Innocent Divya told TOI: “We are waiting for the copy of the order from the court to proceed further.” CEO of MRC T Raman said, “Yes. The court has directed to hand over 1.65 acres of land of Ooty race course to the district administration. But the case is not yet over. A hearing is posted for next week.” Activists are up in arms against the stand taken by the MRC on handing over the land. They demand that it is high time the government take back the whole land from the MRC as the whole area — marshy land — is ecologically very important to the hill town.

150-seat govt medical college opened in Karur

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Trichy:01.08.2019

Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami inaugurated the first medical college in Karur district at Sanapiratti on Wednesday through video conferencing from Chennai.

Spread across 17.45 acres, the district medical college was established at a cost of ₹115.71 crore. With this, the total number of government medical colleges in the state goes up to 23.

A total of 150 MBBS seats have been sanctioned at the college and classes will start from this year. With this, 1,350 additional MBBS seats were created this year in the state through the government medical colleges.

It was former chief minister J Jayalalithaa who announced a government medical college for Karur district in 2014 after learning that there was no medical college in the district. A government order was passed in January 2015 and a fund to the tune of ₹269.58 crore was allocated in June 2018 by the state government for establishing the government medical college hospital.

An additional ₹25.64 crore has also been allocated by the state government for procuring necessary equipment for the medical college through the Tamil Nadu Medical Service Corporation. Besides, it is also equipped with MRI scan facility worth ₹6 crore.

Speaking on the occasion, transport minister M R Vijayabhaskar said that the work on the hospital, which is part of the ₹269-crore project, will be completed soon. As many as 1,000 beds, including 300 beds for critical care, will be ready in a week.

Spread across 17.45 acres, the medical college in Karur has been established at a cost of ₹115.71 crore, and will offer 150 MBBS seats

REGION DIGEST
Siddha doctor from Pudukottai tops Ayush exam  01.08.2019

A siddha doctor from Pudukottai secured the first rank in the All India Ayush Post Graduate Entrance Test (AIAPGET) for admission to post graduate Ayush courses.

G Ponmani of Aranthangi taluk in Pudukottai scored 377 out of 400 to grab the top spot. By securing the first rank in the entrance test, Ponmani has ensured a seat in the National Institute of Siddha, Chennai, which she was aiming for. Now, Ponmani wants to set up her own Siddha clinic in her village after her post-graduation.

DMK seeks paramilitary force for all booths: The DMK on Wednesday demanded that paramilitary forces be deployed at all polling booths in the Vellore Lok Sabha constituency to ensure a free and fair election. Polling in the constituency will be held on August 5, and votes will be counted on August 9. In a petition to the Vellore returning officer, DMK principal secretary and Sriperumbudur MP T R Baalu said the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu was planning to rig polls by capturing booths.

Rohini backs Suriya’s stand on NEP: After Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth, actress Rohini has lauded actor Suriya's stand against the draft National Education Policy (NEP). Rohini, who is also vicepresident of Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists' Association, was in Thanjavur on Wednesday as part of her signature campaign against the policy.

Tusker found dead in Sathyamangalam: A tusker, aged about 30 years, was found dead in Kadambur forest range of the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve in Erode (STR) on Tuesday. Forest officials said the jumbo died after complications in its intestines.

VELLORE: BATTLE OF THE LAST BASTION
‘I see cancellation of May polls as a welcome development’

Being part of the AIADMK alliance,

A C Shanmugam

has everything for the asking with the entire state cabinet campaigning and canvassing votes for him. Having won the Vellore Lok Sabha seat in 1984 and placed second in 2014, his is a popular face. But, since he does not belong to the AIADMK and his New Justice Party hardly has a presence, he has a tough battle ahead. Excerpts from an interview with

D Govardan:

When election to Vellore LS seat was cancelled, what was your reaction?

Income tax authorities discovered ₹11 crore cash from (DMK treasurer) Durai Murugan’s college and premises on April

1. It was proved that cash played a role. After seizing the cash on April 1, they should have cancelled the elections on April 4. But, it was done a day after the campaign ended (on April 16) and it shocked everyone. India was voting to elect the Prime Minister, but the people of Vellore could not participate in that process. Our hard work came to naught. Like Theni, even in Vellore, we would have won by 50,000 to 75,000 votes. My victory was stalled by their cash bags. It jolted me.

Is it any different now?

Now I see that as a welcome development. At least 30 ministers are now camping here to ensure victory of the AIADMK alliance. My only request to them was not to treat this as just an election exercise but help me resolve all issues relating to the constituency. If I had to do this after my win, it would have taken me four years to get these many ministers as well as the chief minister and deputy CM to visit my constituency. Now people have submitted their petitions in person to them and in 15 days the issues of my constituency are known to all ministers. This will help me serve the people better.

You are being projected as a future Union minister if you win.

I am part of the National Democratic Alliance and was with it in 2014 too. During Vajpayee’s NDA too, my party was part of it and I have been a part of the BJP alliance. But my becoming a minister will be decided by the PM and the NDA convenor. My focus is to ensure victory of the two leaves symbol and to serve people. With the AIADMK in power in the state and the BJP at the Centre, I along with my brother and Theni MP P Raveendranath Kumar, can ensure all central schemes reach the state.

Vellore has a large Muslim population and you are alligned with the BJP.

Muslims have accepted the BJP in the north. In Tamil Nadu, due to the opposition’s smear campaign against PM Narendra Modi it became an issue. After becoming PM, Modi has instructed his party MPs to endear themselves to the minorities, so the poisonous campaign by the opposition will not work in Vellore. Recently, a bishop filed his nomination as an independent. But, fearing a split in minority votes, DMK cadres tried to attack him. They attack Muslims and Christians and hence neither of them will vote for Durai Murugan’s family this time. The DMK is in for a big defeat.

Has the BJP has been kept out of the AIADMK campaign?

It is not true. BJP district and state secretaries and functionaries are campaigning with us. The BJP’s flags are prominent on our campaign and rallies. BJP state president Tamilisai Soundarajan too is set to join the campaign.

There are differences within the AIADMK over triple talaq.

A small section of Muslim women welcome the Triple Talaq Bill as a majority of them view the law to be against the Quran. Support and opposition are both from within the community. Hence, my brother Raveendranath Kumar spoke in favour of women’s rights. But, the AIADMK opposed it in Rajya Sabha keeping in mind the majority views and beliefs of the community. They are with us and we will win.

10 govt law colleges across TN to get principals soon

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:01.08.2019

After facing the wrath of the Madras high court for poor infrastructure in government law colleges in the state, Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University has informed the court that principals would be appointed to 10 law colleges soon.

Of the186 vacancies in the posts of assistant professors, 96 were filled through Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB). This apart, salary of guest lecturers has been enhanced from ₹15,000 to ₹30,000 per month from February 1, the university told the court. The submissions were made on a batch of pleas moved by students and advocates alleging poor infrastructure in almost all government law colleges in the state.

When the pleas came up for hearing on Wednesday, a division bench of Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice V Parthiban pointed out that every year almost 4 lakh students graduated from more than 1,600 law colleges in the country, and highlighted the urgent need to find a solution to provide employment for all of them. The Bar Council and the legal fraternity should come out with a solution, the bench added.

As to the present infrastructure in government law colleges, the bench said, “The school of excellence had 2,300 students, but only 30 teachers. Without proper infrastructure and teaching staff there is no point in continuing the courses.”

When advocates pointed out the practical difficulty of the two colleges bifurcated out of the Dr Ambedkar Government Law College, Chennai, having the same name, the judges suggested that one of the colleges be renamed as Kakkan Law College or after any other leader.

Court concerned over pay of govt docs, bats for hike
Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:01.08.2019

Batting for an immediate pay hike for government doctors in the state, on a par with Group-I services, the Madras high court has said meagre salary is the primary reason for doctors preferring private practice.

“An assistant surgeon is paid only ₹45,000 whereas other government servants in the same grade get a much higher pay. Doctors’ profession is one which cannot be equated to any other service,” a division bench of Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice V Parthiban said on Wednesday. “They work round the clock without any security in their work place, often facing attack from public,” the bench added. Doctors play an important role in society and they must be given due preference, it said.

The judges made the observations while hearing a 2017 petition moved by C Kumaran, a resident of Royapettah, against strike announced by government doctors condemning an attack against a doctor. The petitioner wanted the court to direct the government to initiate action against the doctors who participated in the strike for negligence and dereliction of duty.

On March 17, 2017, arguing the case on behalf of the petitioner, advocate S Doraisamy submitted that due to some unsavoury incident, medical college students, trainees, and doctors got agitated and staged a road roko from 6pm to 8.30pm on March16, 2017, near the Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital. During the flash strike, patients were left unattended resulting in the death of three in Chennai alone, the petitioner alleged.

Denying the submissions, the government pleader submitted that no deaths were reported due to the strike and that doctors did not participate in the strike. Only medical students resorted to the agitation, he said.

Recording the submission, on March 17, 2017, the court observed that such attacks on government doctors by relatives of patients must be stopped immediately. The court directed the state to report the strength of doctors and budgetary allocation of government hospitals.

When the plea came up for hearing on Wednesday, the bench noted that the twoyear old direction is yet to be complied with by the government and directed the authorities to provide details of working hours of doctors and their strength in emergency wards in medical college hospitals and district hospitals along the other queries by August14.

WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK: AUGUST 1–7

TN women hesitant to use breastfeeding rooms

Aditi.R@timesgroup.com

Chennai:01.08.2019

Women in Tamil Nadu continue to shy away from breastfeeding children in public places such as bus stops, despite exclusive breastfeeding rooms.

A study by TN-Forces, which works on women and children, said many did not use the facilities because they either had privacy issues or were unaware of them. Some said the rooms were locked or were near toilets.

“There is an inherent fear among women about using these rooms. They fear getting noticed and are scared of CCTV cameras. However, several are also happy. And it is important to have one in each of these places,” said Rekha Sudarsan, lactation consultant and childbirth educator from Rainbow Children’s Hospital.

In 2015, the government initiated setting up breastfeeding rooms at bus stands to help travelling mothers. But the study pointed out that most women were unaware of this facility as there was no signage. Many respondents said the rooms were illmaintained and unhygienic.

“Many passenger restrooms have been turned into breastfeeding rooms and maintenance is very poor,” said K Shanmugavelayutham, convenor of TN-Forces.

The organisation studied 21 breastfeeding rooms in Ariyalur, Chennai, Jayankondam, Chidambaram, Vadalur, KattumannarKoil and Tirupur. It was found that these facilities were hardly used at bus stands in Perambur, Madhavaram, Vyasarpadi, Iyyappanthangal, Anna Nagar and Villivakkam in Chennai, while the one at CMBT was used by 19 women daily. Most rooms did not have drinking water facilities or separate cubicles. At the Kattumannar Koil bus stand, the breastfeeding rooms are used as waiting rooms.

Also, the facilities are open only for 12 hours. “Since most central bus stands operate throughout the day, the rooms must also be open likewise,” said Shanmugavelayutham.

Dr Karpagambal Sairam, consultant obstetrician, gynaecologist and fertility specialist at Kauvery Hospital, said if a woman was unable to breastfeed on time it could cause complications. “A woman has to breastfeed 8-10 times a day and if she isn’t able to, it can lead to engorgement and cause severe pain,” she said. “Breastfeeding is important since a child receives the required nutrients to fight diseases,” she said.

Many women did not use the facility because of privacy issues, some said that they were unaware while others cited poor maintenance

Boy loses 526 teeth, gets his smile back

Pushpa.Narayan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:01.08.2019

Dentists in Chennai have surgically removed 526 teeth that were tucked inside the right lower jaw of a seven-year-old boy.

“The teeth were in sizes between 0.1 mm and 15mm. They were packed inside a small sac under the molar region of the jaw bone,” said maxillofacial pathologist Dr Prathibha Ramani. “They reminded me of pearls in an oyster. Even the smallest piece had a crown, root and an enamel coating like a tooth,” she said.

The abnormal teeth, termed compound composite odontome, embedded in the jaw bone, caused swelling and discomfort.

Dental surgeons removed all of them and retained his 21 normal teeth. On Wednesday, Ravindranth climbed into his father’s arms and shyly smiled at the flashing media cameras. He then touched his slightly swollen jaw and said, “No pain.”

The condition though rare, isn’t unheard of, as doctors in Mumbai had removed 232 teeth from the mouth of a teenager in 2014.

When Ravindranath was three years old, his parents noticed some swelling on his right cheek. “We took him to a government hospital, but they could not convince him to sit down for tests. We also let it go as we thought he was just a small kid,” said his father, S Prabudoss, who works as a sales executive at a private firm.

When the swelling increased, he was referred to Saveetha Dental College.

GOOD RIDDANCE: Dental surgeons removed all 526 abnormal teeth, termed compound composite odontome

LIKE PULLING TEETH

It took several hours to convince him: Dentists

Tests, including X-rays and CT scans, showed that he had several tiny teeth growing inside the jaw. After convincing the family, the surgery was slotted for July 11. Dentists said they had to speak to the boy for several hours before he agreed to cooperate; the surgery took five hours.

“Surgery was inevitable. Instead of breaking open the bone from the sides and leaving a large hole, we drilled into it from the top. It had to be done carefully without chipping it away or allowing it to move into other areas. Luckily, the boy did not require any reconstruction of the jaw,” said Dr Senthilnathan, head of the college’s department of oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Dentists said like many boys of his age, permanent teeth were erupting in Ravindranath. “He may not have the two molars on his right lower jaw. But he can choose implants when he is 16 or 17 years,” doctors said.

As of now, the chance of recurrence is low, but doctors haven’t been able to point out the exact cause. “Biopsy results showed it was just abnormal growth. There could be a strong genetic connect, but we cannot rule out environmental factors such as radiation from mobile towers,” Dr Ramani said.

Saveetha University founder and chancellor N M Veeraiyan said the surgery had been done free of cost.