மருத்துவப் பல்கலைக்கழகம்:பதிவாளா், துணைத் தோ்வுக் கட்டுப்பாட்டாளா் நியமனத்தில் நீடிக்கும் தாமதம்

By ஆ. கோபிகிருஷ்ணா | Published on : 03rd December 2019 01:46 AM


சென்னை: தமிழ்நாடு டாக்டா் எம்ஜிஆா் மருத்துவப் பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் பதிவாளா் மற்றும் துணைத் தோ்வுக் கட்டுப்பாட்டாளா் நியமனத்தில் தொடா்ந்து தாமதம் நீடித்து வருவதாக குற்றச்சாட்டு எழுந்துள்ளது.

இதனால் சில முக்கிய நிா்வாக நடவடிக்கைகளை மேற்கொள்வதில் சிக்கல் ஏற்பட்டுள்ளதாகத் தெரிகிறது. இதையடுத்து, இந்த விவகாரத்தில் மாநில அரசு விரைந்து நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க வேண்டும் என்று கல்வியாளா்கள் கருத்து தெரிவித்துள்ளனா்.

தமிழ்நாடு டாக்டா் எம்ஜிஆா் மருத்துவப் பல்கலைக்கழகத்தின் கீழ் 600-க்கும் மேற்பட்ட கல்லூரிகள் இயங்கி வருகின்றன. மருத்துவம், முதுநிலை மருத்துவம் தவிர பல்வேறு துணை மருத்துவப் படிப்புகளும் அங்கு பயிற்றுவிக்கப்படுகின்றன.

மருத்துவப் பல்கலைக்கழகத்தைப் பொருத்தவரை குருதியியல் மற்றும் குருதியேற்ற மருத்துவம், நோய்ப் பரவு இயல் தொடா்பான படிப்புகள் அங்கே உள்ளன. தற்போது பல்கலைக்கழகத்தின் பதிவாளராக பரமேஸ்வரி உள்ளாா். அவா் முழுநேர பதிவாளராக அல்லாமல் பொறுப்புப் பதவியையே வகித்து வருகிறாா். இதனால், சில முக்கிய நிா்வாக நடவடிக்கைகளில் முழு அதிகாரத்தையும் செயல்படுத்த முடியாத நிலை நீடிக்கிறது.

இதன் விளைவாக, பல்கலைக்கழகத்தின் வழக்கமான அலுவல்களிலும், ஆராய்ச்சிப் பணிகளிலும் காலதாமதம் ஏற்படும் சூழல் உருவாகியுள்ளது. எனவே, முழுநேர பதிவாளரை நியமிக்க வேண்டிய தேவை பல்கலைக்கழகத்துக்கு எழுந்துள்ளது.

இதனிடையே, பல்கலைக்கழகத்தின் துணைத் தோ்வுக் கட்டுப்பாட்டாளராக இருந்த மீனாட்சி, கடந்த சில நாள்களுக்கு முன்பு ஸ்டான்லி மருத்துவக் கல்லூரி பேராசிரியா் பொறுப்புக்கு மாறுதலாகிச் சென்றுவிட்டாா். இதனால் அப்பொறுப்புக்கும் மற்றொருவரை நியமிக்க வேண்டிய அவசியம் உருவானது.

இதைக் கருத்தில்கொண்டு கடந்த ஆறு மாதங்களுக்கு முன்பாகவே பதிவாளா் மற்றும் துணைத் தோ்வுக் கட்டுப்பாட்டாளா் பணியிடங்களுக்கு நோ்முகத் தோ்வு நடத்தப்பட்டு தகுதியானவா்கள் தோ்வு செய்யப்பட்டனா். அவா்கள் வெவ்வேறு மருத்துவக் கல்லூரிகளில் உயா் பொறுப்புகளை தற்போது வகித்து வருகின்றனா். அவா்களை அப்பொறுப்பில் இருந்து அரசு விடுவித்தால் மட்டுமே பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் சேர முடியும்.

ஆனால், இன்றுவரை அவா்களை விடுவிக்காமல் சுகாதாரத் துறை தாமதித்து வருவதாகக் கூறப்படுகிறது. இதுதொடா்பாக பல முறை பல்கலைக்கழக நிா்வாகம் சாா்பில் நினைவூட்டல் கடிதங்கள் அனுப்பப்பட்டும் அதன்பேரில் எந்த நடவடிக்கையும் எடுக்கப்படவில்லை என தகவல்கள் தெரிவிக்கின்றன.

பொதுவாக, பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் முக்கியப் பொறுப்புகளுக்கான நியமனத்தை காலந்தாழ்த்துவது நிா்வாகப் பணிகளை மட்டுமன்றி உறுப்பு கல்லூரிகளையும், மாணவா்களையும் மறைமுகமாக பாதிக்கக் கூடும் என்று கல்வியாளா்கள் கவலை தெரிவிக்கின்றனா். எனவே, இந்த விவகாரத்தில் அரசு இனியும் தாமதிக்கக் கூடாது என்று அவா்கள் கோரிக்கை வைத்துள்ளனா்.

பொங்கல் பரிசு எப்போது: அதிகாரிகளை திணறடிக்கும் மக்கள்!

Updated : டிச 03, 2019 00:45 | Added : டிச 02, 2019 22:26

சென்னை: அதிகாரிகளை மொபைல் போனில் அழைத்து, 'பொங்கல் பரிசு தொகுப்பை எப்போது தருவீர்கள்' எனக் கேட்டு, ரேஷன் கார்டுதாரர்கள் திணறடித்து வருகின்றனர்.

தமிழக அரசு, பொங்கலை முன்னிட்டு, ரேஷன் கடைகளில், 1,000 ரூபாய் ரொக்கத்துடன், தலா, 1 கிலோ பச்சரிசி, சர்க்கரை; தலா, 20 கிராம் முந்திரி, திராட்சை; 5 கிராம் ஏலம் மற்றும் கரும்பு அடங்கியபரிசு தொகுப்பை அறிவித்தது.இவற்றை பயனாளிகளுக்கு வழங்கும் திட்டத்தை, முதல்வர் இ.பி.எஸ்., சில தினங்களுக்கு முன், சென்னையில் துவக்கி வைத்தார்.

இதையடுத்து, பலரும் ரேஷன் கடைகளுக்கு சென்று, பொங்கல் பரிசு வழங்கும்படி, ஊழியர்களிடம் கேட்கின்றனர். அதற்கு அவர்கள், அதிகாரிகளின் மொபைல் போன் எண்களை வழங்கி, கேட்கும்படி கூறுகின்றனர்.இது குறித்து, கூட்டுறவு துறை அதிகாரி ஒருவர் கூறியதாவது:முந்திரி, திராட்சை உட்பட, இன்னும் எந்த பொருளையும் வாங்கவில்லை; கரும்பும் விற்பனைக்கு வரவில்லை. உள்ளாட்சி தேர்தல் தேதி அறிவிப்பு காரணமாகவே, பொங்கல் பரிசு தொகுப்பு வழங்குவது, முன்கூட்டியே துவங்கப்பட்டது.

சில தினங்களில், அவை, ரேஷன் கடைகளில் வழங்கப்படும். ஆனால், 'பொங்கல் பரிசு கொடுங்க...' எனக் கேட்டு, ரேஷன் கார்டுதாரர்கள் கடைகளுக்கு வருகின்றனர்.ஊதிய உயர்வு வழங்காததால், அரசின் மீது, ரேஷன் ஊழியர்கள் அதிருப்தியில் உள்ளனர். இந்த வாய்ப்பை பயன்படுத்தி, ரேஷன் ஊழியர்கள், கார்டுதாரர்களிடம், உணவு வழங்கல் துறை அதிகாரிகள், கூட்டுறவு துணை மற்றும் இணை பதிவாளர்களின் மொபைல் போன் எண்களை கொடுத்து, 'அதிகாரிகளிடம் கேளுங்கள்' எனக்கூறி, தப்பி விடுகின்றனர்.

ரேஷன் கார்டுதாரர்கள், அதிகாரிகளை மொபைல் போனில் அழைத்து, 'பொங்கல் பரிசை எப்போ தருவீங்க...' எனக் கேட்கின்றனர். ஒரு மணி நேரத்திற்கு, 10 பேர் வரை கேட்பதால், அதிகாரிகள் திணறும் நிலை ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது. இவ்வாறு, அவர் கூறினார்.

Health department appoints transgender as staff nurse in Tiruchy PHC

Ruby said, like many others in the transgender community, she also faced it but has now overcome it.

Published: 03rd December 2019 05:41 AM |

Chief Minister 'Edappadi' K Palaniswami hands over the appointment order to transgender woman Anbu Ruby
By Express News Service

Chennai: For the first time in the country, the State Health Department appointed a transgender woman as a staff nurse at a Primary Health Centre in Tiruchy. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami gave the appointment order to Anbu Ruby at a function held here on Monday.

Anbu Ruby, resident of Servaikaranmadam village in Thoothukudi district, completed her BSc Nursing at Sardar Raja Nursing College in Tirunelveli in 2016 and was recruited through Medical Recruitment Board (MRB) on a consolidated pay.

Expressing her gratitude to the Chief Minister and the Health Minister C Vijayabaskar, Anbu Ruby told Express that she will give her best at work and will shine in her field and also among the transgender community. "I wanted to understand medical issues faced by our transgender community in a better way and also serve the poor, so I chose nursing," Ruby added.

"When I was in the final year of Nursing, my father passed away. From then my mother supported my education. After nursing, I pursued MBA in Hospital Management. My mother is a farmer, working in a banana cultivation. She is very happy that I got the job purely based on merit," said Ruby.

"Since I have to take care of my mother, the officials assured me that I will be transferred to Thoothukudi district. After two years, my service also will be regularised," Ruby added.

About discrimination, Ruby said, like many others in the transgender community, she also faced it but has learnt to overcome it. "I underwent sex reassignment surgery this year. But, during the first year of college itself, I understood my sexual orientation. My professors, friends at the college accepted me, but a few bullied me. Unlike many other parents, my parents were very supportive and accepted me as what I am," she added.

"I registered as a male in the Tamil Nadu Nurses and Midwives Council. But, now I changed my name and gender in the government gazette after the surgery. The Health Department gave me the appointment order as 'transgender woman' appointed as staff nurse.

"While applying for a job in the Medical Recruitment Board I selected the 'female' option as there was no separate column for transgender. I got my job purely based on merit," said Ruby

Sunday downpour reminds Chennai of December 2015 floods

Pallavaram, Chromepet, Kundrathur, Chitlapakkam, Medavakkam, Madambakkam and Tambaram among other areas in the suburbs were the worst affected by Sunday's rain.

Published: 02nd December 2019 12:47 PM |

A woman struggles to walk through knee-deep water in the Chennai suburb of Korattur on Sunday evening. (Photo | Martin Louis, EPS)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Horrors of the 2015 floods resurfaced in the minds of citizens after the skies opened up on Saturday and incessant rain continued on Sunday too, resulting in water stagnation for hours, inundation of roads in suburban areas and water entering several houses. Pallavaram, Chromepet, Kundrathur, Chitlapakkam, Medavakkam, Madambakkam and Tambaram among other areas in the suburbs were the worst affected.

Most complaints raised by residents on Sunday were over stagnant water on street roads not draining out. “The Thirumalai Main Road towards Hasthinapuram was laid only three months ago and now the whole stretch has submerged in water,’’ said Nivedya Nair, a resident of Hasthinapuram near Chromepet.

She added that all canals and drains began to overflow by Sunday afternoon and the water had reached the doorsteps of many houses. Residents of Pallavaram too shared, with Express, images and videos of water gushing down the streets of Thirumalai Nagar and Thiruthani Nagar. In Kundrathur, some people reportedly broke Storm Water Drain (SWD) systems with earthmovers to divert stagnated water from their premises.

The reports were even worse from Chitlapakkam, where public parks too got inundated. Residents here blamed the Public Works Department and Panchayat officers, saying the Rs 17 crore ‘cut-and-cover’ drain project, connecting Chitlappakkam to Sembakkam lake, was not serving its purpose.

Hinting at corruption, Sunil Jayaraman of ‘Chitlapakkam Rising’ alleged that the drainage project was poorly engineered and the construction was also not up to the mark. Knee-deep water on
Thiruvottriyur and Kodungaiyur High Roads in North Chennai gravely inconvenienced commuters. “Excess water from the Ambattur lake led to the Korattur canal overflowing. Despite repeated   complaints, no official has come to our rescue,” said Mohan Raj, a Korattur resident.

Water management expert S Janakarajan said that SWDs were not constructed keeping in mind rainfall conditions. “The mason decides how to construct them. The quantity of probable rainfall has to be measured and then the construction of SWDs planned,’’ he added. Janakarajan said the civic body abandons all SWDs following their construction. “In most places, garbage piles and encroachments are part of the SWDs. They also act as sewage carriers,” he added.

Chennai rains: Overflowing Pallavaram lake floods nearby areas

The Municipality had broken one side of the bund on the right side of the lake, letting out an unregulated flow of water.

Published: 03rd December 2019 05:10 AM 

Overflowing Pallavaram eri after the rains on Sunday

By OMJASVIN M D

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The bunds of one side of the Pallavaram Eri submerged on Monday after the lake started to overflow following the copious rain the previous day. This resulted in water entering into houses alongside the lake.

Further, since there is no proper channel for rainwater to flow to Keelkattalai from the Pallavaram Eri which is seven kilometres away, the Municipality had broken one side of the bund on the right side of the lake, letting out an unregulated flow of water.

This knee-jerk move has flooded many interior areas of Pallavaram. Residents felt if it rain’s further, Pallavaram would witness a repeat of 2015 floods.

‘‘All the sewage drains are flowing in reverse to the streets of Zamin Pallavaram. The lake water entered into streets and there’s no other option than to vacate the locality. In 2015, most of the houses were destroyed in floods and we are close to it again,’’ said Amardas S, a resident.

When Express visited the spot, the drains flanking the 200-feet-radial road were running full. Just behind the Vels Hospital bus stand, the Highways Department on Monday had broken the roads to open up the culverts five feet below.

As the area was not guarded, many commuters faced the risk of being washed away into the lake.

Meanwhile, the Pallavaram Municipality under the Rs.15 crore lake restoration project built a sluice gate earlier this year. The side where the gate drained water faced an apartment complex and no water channel was present.

The Municipality then decided to connect the outlet from the Pallavaram Eri to the stormwater drains built by Highways Department, but that was not done too.TNIE reported the misconstruction on the sluice gate earlier this year and highlighted how it may flood when the lake becomes full.

The part where the radial road was set to be expanded was also found flooded.

Local resident and activist David Manohar said that the municipality has not desilted the lake properly. ‘‘In 2015, they broke the same spot (bunds) to let water out. This year, they have done the same too,’’ he said.

He added that when it floods again, water may crash through the sluice gates which are just one foot deep.

‘‘This is a PWD lake and only they will have the expertise to desilt. Why desilting work is given to Municipality, who do not have expertise in desilting?,’’ Questioned Manohar.

Kerala govt. ‘harassing’ women going to Sabarimala: petitioner
State acting in gross contempt of court, Supreme Court told

03/12/2019, LEGAL CORRESPONDENT, ,NEW DELHI

Bindu A. being attacked with pepper spray outside the office of the Police Commissioner in Kochi last week.PTI-

A woman alleged in the Supreme Court on Monday that the Kerala government was giving a “free hand” to unlawful elements to harass and attack women devotees between 10 and 50 years of age en route to the Sabarimala temple.

Bindu A. noted that the Supreme Court judgment of September 28, 2018 has not been stayed in review. By not allowing entry of women of all ages, the Kerala government was acting in gross contempt of court, she said.

Ms. Bindu, represented by advocate Prashant Padmanabhan and in a petition settled by senior advocate Indira Jaising, narrated her own experience, saying she was attacked and even confined in a hospital.

The police had refused to give her group, all women under the age of 50, any sort of protection. She was sprayed on the face with a chemical substance by a man, whom she had identified. Women like her were subjected to violence, which was not only physical but also psychological, she said.

Ms. Bindu urged the court to direct Kerala to ensure safe passage to women to the Sabarimala temple, regardless of their age or religion. “Direct immediate cessation of age verification and counselling done by the police officials at the behest of State of Kerala discouraging women of menstruating age from visiting Sabarimala and initiate appropriate proceedings against any State officials or private individuals who act in defiance of the orders of this court,” her plea said.

Supreme Court stays execution of blast convict

03/12/2019, PRESS TRUST OF INDIA ,NEW DELHI

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the execution of death penalty awarded to a convict in the 23-year-old case of bomb blast in a bus at Samleti in Dausa district, in which 14 persons were killed.

A Bench of Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and Justices B.R. Gavai and Surya Kant ordered that condemned convict Abdul Hameed be not executed until further orders and agreed to hear his appeal against the Rajasthan High Court judgment upholding his death penalty in the 1996 terror attack case.

“Until further orders, there shall be stay of operation of the impugned judgment(s) and order(s) passed by the High Court and stay of execution of the death sentence. List these matters after four weeks. In the meantime, the Registry of this Court is directed to call the Original Record of these appeals from the courts below,” the Bench said.

The High Court, in its July 22 judgment, had acquitted six persons while upholding the death sentence awarded to one and the life term to another in the bomb blast case. The six acquitted persons included five Jammu and Kashmir natives Javed Khan, Latif Ahmed, Mohammad Ali Bhatt, Mirja Nissa Hussain and Abdul Ghani. The sixth one, Rais Beg, who was acquitted is from Agra in Uttar Pradesh.

Trial court sentence

A trial court at Bandikui in Dausa had awarded death penalty to one person, Abdul Hameed, and life terms to seven others in the case.

The High Court upheld the death penalty awarded to Abdul Hameed, saying he was the key person behind planting of the bomb in the bus going to Bikaner from Agra on May 22, 1996. It had also upheld the life term awarded to Pappu alias Salim, holding him to be responsible for supplying the explosives.

Warrant against Haryana official for not replying to RTI query

03/12/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,GURUGRAM

Taking a serious view of the District Town Planner (Enforcement), Gurugram, not replying to an application under the Right To Information (RTI) Act on unauthorised colonies, the State Information Commission (SIC) has issued bailable warrants against the official.

The panel also ordered the Director General of Department of Town and Country Planning to ensure that state public information officers (SPIO) attend the commission’s hearings so that appellants are not harassed.

The order came in connection with a RTI application filed by Ramesh Yadav more than a year ago seeking information on the No-Objection Certificates issued by the official concerned for registration of land and the action taken against mushrooming of illegal colonies.

In its November 15 order, the SIC said it had on August 2 directed the SPIO-cum-DTP (Enforcement) Ved Prakash Sehrawat, to facilitate inspection of relevant records on August 13 at 11.15 a.m. at his office, but the appellant, Mr. Yadav, in his email on November 14 informed that he was not provided any information.

In its four-page order, the SIC noted that Mr. Sehrawat “neither furnished any information to the appellant nor replied to the showcause notice”. “This shows the lacklustre attitude of SPIO,” it read. The SIC further noted that the SPIO did not attend commission hearings, “which shows he has no regards for effective implementation of the RTI Act”.

The commission has directed Mr. Sehrawat to furnish a reply to the RTI application within two weeks and be present at the next hearing on March 11, 2020, with the relevant record.

Mr. Yadav alleged that Mr. Sehrawat, had issued around 250 NOCs, mostly in violation of law, to facilitate unauthorised colonies.

He said that around 700 unauthorised colonies had come up in Gurugram, but no action was taken.

Mr. Sehrawat, however, denied all allegations saying that they were motivated by vested interests. He claimed that he had duly replied to the commission’s showcause notice and furnished the information to the appellant and it appeared to be a case of miscommunication.

House passes university Bill

03/12/2019, STAFF REPORTER ,NEW DELHI

The Delhi Assembly on Monday passed a Bill to set up a Delhi Sports University (DSU), which will offer graduation, post-graduation and doctorate degrees in cricket, football, and hockey among other sports.

“DSU will establish world-class sporting infrastructure and produce finest sportspersons and coaches. It will be made one of the most sought after place for sports in the world. One day India will win more Olympic medals than China,” said Chief Minister said.

Some shortcomings

Mr. Kejriwal added that there were shortcomings in the system and sportspersons do not get the required support from the government. Ninety acres of land have been identified ist construction in Mundka.

Madurai hospital performs liver transplantation on two children

03/12/2019, STAFF REPORTER,MADURAI

Liver transplantation was the only option available for those with end-stage liver disease, said Rajesh Prabhu, Consultant Gastroenterologist, Apollo Speciality Hospitals.

Speaking to media persons here on Friday, he said they operated on two seven-year-old children with chronic liver diseases - autoimmune liver disease and Wilson’s disease - earlier this year. While the first disease abnormally identifies its own body tissues as foreign, the second disease sees excessive deposit of copper in the liver.

One parent of each child donated their livers for the surgery. While the first surgery took place in August, the second was performed in October. Both the surgeries took between eight and 10 hours as the surgery between the donor and the recipient had to take place simultaneously, said Dr. Prabhu.

“As children need only a small size of liver, donors need to donate only a very small portion of their liver. This carries virtually no risk,” he said.

The doctor added that both chronic liver diseases will certainly be fatal if not treated on time. In case of children, the progression was generally rapid and hence need to be dealt with swiftly, he said.

J. Madhusudhanan, Consultant Liver Transplant Surgeon, said “In paediatric transplants, the blood vessels that need to be sutured are very small adding to the complexity of the operation and demands a high degree of skill and specialised equipment,” he said.

The two children who were in critical care units have recovered well. “They must only come back for consultations and check-ups regularly,” he said.

Liver disease in children was one of the most under-diagnosed and under-treated illnesses in the paediatric population in the southern parts of Tamil Nadu as there is a dearth of specialists and specialised centre dedicated for this purpose, said Murugan Jeyaraman, Senior Consultant Pediatrician & Neonatologist.

Rohini Sridhar, COO, said speedy recovery of patients was a testament to the quality of work of doctors. The hospital had received approval for living donor liver transplantation under Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, she said.

A strange catch for Puducherry fishermen

Casing of a strap-on motor of PSLV gets caught in fishing nets, creates a sensation on shore

03/12/2019, T.K. ROHIT, RAJESH B.

 NAIR,PUDUCHERRY/CHENNAI

Net surprise: The part of a satellite launch vehicle which got caught in the nets of fishermen in Puducherry. T. SingaravelouThe Hindu

Some fishermen of Puducherry were delighted to feel the weight in their nets as they towed their catch home, figuring it might be a whale.

However, after they hauled it ashore, they discovered to their shock that their nets had been shredded, not by any fish, but by a long, rocket-like object with some markings on it.

As news spread of a rocket, battered by the waves, and a little rusty, being brought ashore, crowds, especially from nearby hamlets, began thronging the place. Children played with the object and people came to take pictures, videos and selfies.

Launch workhorse

The equipment, it turned out, was the casing of one of the strap-on motors of the PSLV, India’s trusted workhorse satellite vehicle. ‘PSOM XL 1’ was marked on top of the casing, while the bottom part on the strap-on motors was dated “22/03/19”. “This is just the casing of the strap-on motors…inside that will be the solid motor portion which would be completely burnt out,” former ISRO Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar told The Hindu.

Mr. Kumar said the date marked on the casing was the date of the final assembly.

The strap-on motors provide additional thrust to the rocket at launch and are the first to be separated after the rocket lifts off from the launch pad, following which the first and second stages separate in sequence. “These stages fall into the ocean after separation. It is very rare for them to wash ashore,” Mr. Kumar said.

The ISRO is sending a team from Sriharikota to retrieve the casing.

(With inputs from

T. Singaravelou)

CBI registers case against officials for ₹100 bribe

03/12/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI

The CBI, which usually takes up high-profile cases of corruption and financial frauds, has registered an FIR against two postal officials at Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly demanding a ₹100 bribe from a commission agent.

The agency’s Lucknow unit has registered the case on a complaint from the agent’s husband who alleged that superintendent Santosh Kumar Saroj and postal assistant Suraj Mishra had demanded ₹100 as “processing fee” on every ₹20,000 deposit collected as postal savings from villagers.

It was alleged that when the agent’s husband went to deposit ₹99,400 and ₹59,920 on November 25 and 26, the postal official collected from him excess amounts of ₹500 and ₹300.

Govt. hospital gets its first transgender nurse

03/12/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

It was a day that took 25-year-old Anbu Ruby a step closer to her dream to do her bit for the transgender community: she became Tamil Nadu’s first transgender staff nurse to be appointed to a government hospital.

On Monday, Ms. Ruby received the appointment order from Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami along with several other staff nurses, village health nurses and laboratory technicians recruited through the Medical Services Recruitment Board.

A resident of Thoothukudi, Ms. Ruby wanted to pursue nursing to contribute to the transgender community and society at large.

After completing B.Sc. Nursing from a private college in Tirunelveli in 2016, Ms. Ruby pursued MBA in Hospital Management through distance education and completed the course this year.

“I want to be an example for my community. Many of them should come out and achieve in their lives. I also want to serve society in whatever way I can. That is why I chose nursing,” she said.

Her father lost his eyesight when she was two years old and it was her mother who worked to provide education to her. “My mother accepted me as I am, and all this was possible only with her encouragement,” she said.

The level of awareness about the transgender community and their psychological needs is still less among people and the medical fraternity, she said, adding: “I want to create as much awareness as I can.”

Ailing elephant kills mahout at Salem zoo

03/12/2019, STAFF REPORTER , SALEM

A file picture of elephant Andal with mahout Kaliyappan, first from left, who was killed by the animal.

An elephant at Kurumbapatti zoological park killed its mahout on Monday evening. A team of veterinarians offered mild sedation to the animal and recovered the mahout’s body.

Around 5.20 p.m. on Monday, wildlife veterinarian Prakasham was conducting a regular check on the elephant, Andal. It turned unruly and attacked him when he tried to control it, forest officials said. The mahout was identified as M. Kaliyappan from Pollachi.

According officials, the elephant was ailing and efforts were being made to transfer it to Tiruchi for rehabilitation. District Forest Officer A.Periasamy and other senior forest officials reached the zoo.

The 65-year-old elephant was brought from the Alagar temple in Madurai in 2009 to the zoo following a High Court direction to treat it for different ailments.

In 2013, the elephant killed a daily wager in the zoo and three devotees in the Madurai temple, Mr.Periasamy said.

He added that the carcass would be sent to Salem government hospital for autopsy.

T.N. seeks Centre’s nod for 4 more medical colleges
Ariyalur, Cuddalore, Kallakurichi and Kancheepuram have been identified as the sites for institutes

03/12/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

Edappadi K. Palaniswami

Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Monday said the State government sought permission from the Centre to establish four more medical colleges in Ariyalur, Cuddalore, Kallakurichi and Kancheepuram.

Shortly after handing over appointment orders to newly-recruited staff nurses, village health nurses and medical officers and launching the Tamil Nadu Tele-Ophthalmology Network, he said this year the State government obtained the Centre’s nod to establish nine government medical colleges.

This would add another 900 medical seats in the coming years, he added.

The Chief Minister said officials had been instructed to expedite work for the nine colleges, including for infrastructure, purchase of medical equipment and appointment of employees.

Tenders would be floated to take up infrastructure development work as soon as the Centre gave clearance for the colleges.

8,000 posts

Through the nine colleges, the government would create around 8,000 posts, thereby creating employment opportunities, he said.

As per the government policy to start medical colleges in districts that do not have one in a phased manner, colleges were started in Sivagangai, Tiruvannamalai, Omandurar Estate in Chennai, Coimbatore Employees State Insurance Corporation Hospital, Pudukottai and Karur with 700 medical seats.

Besides, the number of medical seats was increased by 650 in 10 existing colleges.

“In the last eight years, we have created an additional 1,350 medical seats,” the Chief Minister said.

Over 27,400 recruited

On the Medical Services Recruitment Board, the Chief Minister said till now a total of 27,436 persons, including 12,823 doctors and 10,085 nurses, had been recruited.

On Monday, a total of 2,721 staff nurses, 1,782 village health nurses, 96 medical officers, 524 laboratory technicians, 77 physiotherapists and 24 junior assistants were appointed.

A Metro ride for special children

Travel, movie planned ahead of International Day for People with Disabilities

03/12/2019, STAFF REPORTER,CHENNAI

All smiles: Children from special schools were taken on a Metro ride from Egmore to Airport.B. Jothi RamalingamB. Jothi Ramalingam

With eyes glued to the windows and excitement writ large on their faces, around 260 children took a Metro ride from Egmore to Airport and back on Monday evening.

The experience for differently-abled children from across the State was facilitated by the Chennai Metro Rail Limited in association with the Commissionerate for the Welfare of the Differently-abled, ahead of the International Day for People with Disabilities.

For Dharshini, a student of the Anbalayam Special School in Karur, this was the first time she travelled on the Metro.

As the train went closer to the airport station, Santhosh and Bharath, students of the St. Louis School in Chennai, excitedly pointed to the runways and aeroplanes.

Several children even broke into an applause in sign language.

Children from special schools in Chennai, Karur, Tirunelveli, Coimbatore, Kanyakumari and Theni, who are in the city to participate in a series of cultural programmes held by the Social Welfare department, went on the Metro ride and later, got to watch the film Frozen 2 at Sathyam Cinemas.

Students from the Government Middle School for the hearing impaired also got an opportunity to visit the Air Force Station in Tambaram.

‘Future is accessible’

Johny Tom Varghese, Director for the Welfare of Differently-abled, said that the theme this year for the International Day of People with Disabilities was ‘The future is accessible’. “The children today were able to enjoy experiences in places which were accessible and we continue to work towards creating better accessibility in both government and private facilities,” he added.

Rain to continue till Wednesday

Deficit for the season wiped out

03/12/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

Though the city did not experience heavy showers on Monday, the sky remained overcast. B. Jothi Ramalingam

While rain is likely to ease in the northern parts of the State, southern T.N. will continue to receive rainfall for two more days, the Meteorological Department has said.

Heavy rain over the weekend has wiped out the deficit for the season. Tamil Nadu has received about 40 cm of rainfall so far, against its seasonal share of 36 cm — a 11% excess. It needs just 4 cm more to reach its average for the season, officials said.

During the 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m. on Monday, Mettupalayam in Coimbatore district received very heavy rainfall of 18 cm, the highest in the State for the day. Coonoor in the Nilgiris and Palaviduthi in Karur district each recorded 13 cm of rainfall.

Trough the reason

A trough that runs from the southwest Bay of Bengal, off Sri Lanka’s coast, to the south Tamil Nadu coast will influence rain for the next few days.

S. Balachandran, Deputy Director General of Meteorology, Chennai, said a low pressure area over the Lakshadweep area and the adjoining southeast Arabian Sea also influenced good easterly flow, which was favourable for wet weather in Tamil Nadu.

“The present rain spell will continue. While south Tamil Nadu will receive scattered rainfall, the intensity and spatial coverage of rain will be less in the northern parts of the State,” he said. There are chances of heavy rain in one or two places on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The weather stations in Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded 4 cm and 6 cm respectively. Chennai will experience light to moderate showers till Wednesday.

Nearly 107 minor and major tanks in Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu districts have reached their capacity in the past three days.

Rainwater inundates Chromepet GH

Dialysis unit shut, OPD ward shifted to first floor of hospital

03/12/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

Flirting with danger: Despite a warning, children play in floodwaters at Vempakkam in Kancheepuram on Monday. B. Velankanni Raj

Sunday’s heavy rains caused flooding at the Chromepet Government Hospital, forcing the hospital authorities to shift some of the wards to the first floor and also shut down the dialysis unit.

The government hospital, located on GST Road, was flooded after a small stretch of the road was inundated near the MIT flyover.

The inundation of a portion of the ground floor of the hospital caused severe inconvenience to patients. The flooding occurred despite a stormwater drain on GST Road, hospital officials said.

“Water entered the outpatient ward, forcing us to shift it to the first floor. The dialysis unit functioning in the ground floor had to be closed and the equipment was shifted to the first floor,” said a senior doctor at the hospital.

V. Santhanam, whose house abuts the compound of the Chromepet GH, said that whenever there is heavy rain, the hospital faces inundation and this has been happening for more than a decade.

Lake encroachment

He said that the encroachment of the Veeraghavan Eri located nearby was the reason for the flooding of the hospital as it was on a low level.

He urged the government to construct additional floors to accommodate the various wards located in the ground floor and convert the ground floor into a parking area.

The hospital authorities said the Public Works Department had deputed an assistant engineer to take necessary steps to drain out the rainwater.

Steps on to close channel

Pallavaram Municipality officials said that steps had been taken to close the channel near the railway track in Chromepet through which water overflowed on to the GST Road. The blockages had been identified in three places in the drain network on GST Road, including the one near the government hospital, the officials added.

T.N. rural local body polls on Dec. 27, 30

Elections to urban local bodies to be announced ‘later’

03/12/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

R. PalaniswamyS. SIVA SARAVANAN

Rural local bodies across Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in two phases on December 27 and 30, Tamil Nadu State Election Commission (TNSEC) Commissioner R. Palaniswamy announced on Monday. The counting of votes is scheduled to take place on January 2.

Citing “administrative reasons”, Mr. Palaniswamy told a press conference that the election schedule for urban local bodies would be announced “later, but definitely”.

With the announcement of the dates for rural local body elections, the Model Code of Conduct has come into force across the State. A total of 1,18,974 posts in rural local bodies across Tamil Nadu are to be filled up through this election.

The filing of nominations for the elections to rural local bodies will commence on December 6 and the last date for submitting nominations is December 13.

The nominations will be scrutinised on December 16 and the last date for withdrawing them is December 18, he said. The results will be declared on January 2, when counting of votes will take place. The newly elected representatives will officially take over on January 6. Indirect polling to pick the heads of these rural local bodies is scheduled on January 11, Mr. Palaniswamy added.

MIDAIR DRAMA

Woman fakes illness to get bigger seat on flight

Helen Coffey 3.12.2019

A woman who pretended to have health issues during a flight in order to get a bigger seat caused the pilot to make an emergency diversion. The unidentified passenger was flying from Pensacola, Florida, to Miami on American Eagle flight 3508 when she claimed to have trouble breathing, Pensacola police told NBC News.

However, the plan quickly backfired, as the pilot decided to turn the flight back around. All flyers had to evacuate after the woman refused to get off, but eventually authorities convinced her to deplane.

She later admitted she had made up the medical problem to get a bigger seat, Pensacola police public information officer Mike Wood said. “The passenger was subsequently removed by law enforcement and medical personnel,”American Airlines said. It said the plane took off after almost an hour.

The woman is currently being held in custody under Florida’s Baker Act, which allows people with mental illnesses to be held involuntarily for up to 72 hours if it’s believed they’re at risk of suffering from neglect or of harming themselves or others. No charges have yet been filed. THE INDEPENDENT

NIRBHAYA CASE

Execution nears, but Tihar has no hangman

Rajshekhar.Jha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:3.12.2019

With options running out for the Nirbhaya convicts, their execution seems imminent. However, Tihar officials are a worried lot as the jail doesn’t have a hangman.

A source told TOI that senior jail officials are weighing their options as the execution may be conducted in one

month. The convicts could be hanged any day after the court issues a “Black Warrant” sanctioning their execution. The warrant would be issued after rejection of their mercy petition by the President.

During the last hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, the Tihar administration was caught off-guard as the developments unfolded overnight.

In most likelihood, Tihar will not appoint a hangman even this time and hire someone on a one-time contract. “Executions don’t happen often in our system as the death penalty is given in rarest of rare cases. So, having a full-time hangman is not viable. Also, it’s difficult to find a full-time employee for this job description,” a jail official explained. This time, only one of the convicts, Vinay Sharma, filed the mercy petition. The Tihar administration forwarded it to Delhi government, which sent it to the lieutenant governor recommending that the petition be rejected given the severity of the crime. “The LG will send the file to Union ministry of home affairs, which will present it before the President. The President’s decision will be conveyed to Tihar Jail, which will move court requesting a Black Warrant if the petition is rejected,” a government official said.

The other convicts — Mukesh, Pawan and Akshay — didn’t file the mercy petition despite the Tihar administration giving them a week’s time.

Why are PM, WCD minister silent on Hyd rape, asks Congress

New Delhi:Congress on Monday asked why the Prime Minister and the women and child development minister had not yet spoken on the gruesome Hyderabad rape-cum-murder, saying the Centre was expected to do more than issue perfunctory statements on women’s security.

“We speak of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’. Our daughters step out after studying, they become empowered and then when this happens to them, the people in power, the government, are just silent bystanders. We want to ask if the government has forgotten about women,” Congress MPs Amee Yajnik and S Jothimani told a press conference.

They said PM Narendra Modi and WCD minister Smriti Irani should break their silence and show political will to draw up an emergency plan on the issue.

Jothimani referred to other incidents of rape across the country, including the Unnao case, and said that according to data, there were 984 rapes every day. TNN

Critically ill patients should not get neglected during doctors’ strike: SC

‘We Must Evolve A Mechanism For This As Doctors Have Right To Strike’

Dhananjay.Mahapatra@timesgroup.com

New Delhi 3.12.2019

The Supreme Court on Monday said it intends to evolve a mechanism by which doctors’ strike do not deprive critically ill patients of care and derail emergency health services while seeking responses from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the health ministry.

A bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices B R Gavai and Surya Kant issued notices to IMA secretary R V Asokan and health secretary Preeti Sudan on a petition by NGO ‘People for Better Treatment’, which sought initiation of contempt proceedings against them for allowing a nationwide doctors’ strike in June. While disagreeing with the petitioner’s plea for initiation of contempt, the SC decided to evolve a mechanism to ensure that critically ill patients and those in need of emergency medical help are not neglected during doctors’ strike.

The NGO’s president Kunal Saha moved the contempt petition alleging regular violation of the SC’s November 11, 2014 order, which was passed after the same NGO had brought to the court’s notice a series of strikes by doctors leading to enormous suffering to patients and death of some.

In the November 2014 order, the SC had recognised doctors’ right to strike work but had said striking doctors could face disciplinary action from regulatory bodies like Medical Council of India and state medical councils if anyone approached these bodies with complaint against doctors for going on strike.

However, it had disposed of the NGO’s PIL and said, “We would only express our desire that doctors, who carry out a noble service as god’s agent by saving lives of people, should not resort to strikes with any intermittent cause but undertake their responsibilities with efficiency and utmost sincerity at all times.”

Referring to the order, the bench headed by CJI Bobde told counsel Sanjay Hegde and Rabin Mazumdar that though the court had recognised doctors’ right to go on strike, “we would like to evolve a mechanism by which patients who are admitted in ICU and emergency healthcare services remain unaffected during the strike by doctors”.

The petitioner NGO said, “In spite of repeated and clear calls from the highest court of the land, doctors across India have continued to resort to strikes, disrupting regular hospital services and bringing endless pain, suffering and death for hapless patients.” The NGO cited repeated strike calls by doctors in West Bengal and also mentioned the IMAinitiated nation-wide doctors’ strike on June 17, which crippled medical services across the country.


HEALTH MATTERS: In the November 2014 order, SC had recognised doctors’ right to strike work but had said striking doctors could face disciplinary action from regulatory bodies

DAY OF DISABLED PERSONS - DEC 3

Shunned as a burden at birth, this disabled man now supports his family

Sukshma R@timesgroup.com

Madurai:3.12.2019

Born with multiple disabilities,SenthilKumarwasseen by hisfamily as an oddity and nothing but a burden, incapable of eating, grooming or using the toilet independently. Little did they know that 30 years later he would be supporting them financially. The 42-year-old now has a hefty bank balance too.

“He doesn’t even understand the concept of money or math. He can’t even count the number of zeroes in his bank balance. But, he is able to provide for his family who once only sawhim as a burden,” saidDr Dayalan Barnabas, principal, CSI Elwin Centre, Sivakasi,where SenthilKumar underwent special education. With multiple disabilities, life was once unbearable for him.

“At the age of 17, after he completed his special education at our school, he was sent back home to his family as is the norm. However, being unable to take care of himself as he cannot see or hear, he tried to get the attention of people by touch. However, people around him, especially women, felt the touch inappropriate.Thisescalatedto a situation where the family wanted him to stay away forever,” said Dr Dayalan.

It was then that Senthil Kumar was taken in as an inmate at the Special Employees Hostel at the CSI Elwin Centre, where he was given vocational training. He soon managed to get job in a packaging company. The hostel now has10 special adults.

Apart from helping them get a job, the CSI Elwin Centre opens and monitors bank accounts for them. “We manage bank accounts for special employees so that they can safely save money for their future. But we found some people taking away our inmates for a while to get the money they earned. So, we came up with a process by which if the family convinced us on the need for money, we allowed them to draw it from the bank account,” said Dr Dayalan.

Senthil Kumar, who earns ₹5,000 a month, was able to provide ₹ 1 lakh for his sister’s wedding in 2014. He also gave₹30,000 to meet the hospital expenses of his sister’s child birth in 2017. “Even people without any disabilities who earn good money hesitate to give away so much to support their family. Would you believe the family once wanted to get rid of him?” said Dr Dayalan.

Tamil Nadu will apply for four more medical colleges, says CM

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:3.12.2019

Tamil Nadu will apply for four more medical colleges under a centrally sponsored scheme, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said on Monday.

The proposal for setting up government medical colleges in Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, Ariyalur and Kallakuruchi will be submitted to the Medical Council of India (MCI) along with the land parcels identified for each of these colleges, he said at a function organised by the health department to distributed appointment orders to doctors, nurses and physiotherpists.

The state has been granted nine colleges under the central scheme. In August, the cabinet committee on economic affairs approved setting up of 75 government medical colleges by 2021-22. The centre has proposed to partially fund the project as it wanted to increase the number of medical schools. Tamil Nadu, which has 24 medical colleges, proposed new colleges in two batches. In the first batch, six colleges were proposed in Tiruppur, Nilgiris, Ramanathapuram, Namakkal, Dindugal and Virudhunagar. Once decks were cleared for all the six colleges, the state applied for permission to set up colleges in coastal and tribal belts – Krishnagiri, Thiruvallur and Nagapattinam.

These nine colleges were expected to add 1,350 MBBS seats and create more than 9,000 jobs health professionals.Hospitals attachedtothese colleges will have 750 beds. Less than a week after getting clearance from the Union health ministry, the state has proposedcollegesin four more unserved areas. The move came after Union minister of state Ashwini Kumar Choubey told parliament that 49 colleges have been approved by the MCI in eight states. The centre had planned to give permission for 75 colleges across the country. While Rajasthan was permitted to start15 medical colleges, UP got granted 13 and Tamil Nadu bagged nine.

The state health department decided to make use of the vacant slots in the scheme to apply for more colleges. “We had planned for this long time ago. It is a policy decision of the state to have at least one medical college hospital in every district. Besides creating more MBBS seats we will be able to offer tertiary care facility to people,” said health minister C Vijayabaskar. Doctors and specialists such as cardiologist, neurologists and oncologists, will be able to work from underserved areas and backward districts, he said. “Having a tertiary care facility will help us beat the golden hour and reduce fatalities due to road accidents,” said health secretary Beela Rajesh, who will be presenting the proposals before the MCI technical committee.

Online registration for Neet ’20 begins

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:3.12.2019

Online registration for National eligibility-cum-entrance test (Neet) 2020 commenced on Monday. Students can register their applications at ntaneet.nic.in.

In the wake of Neet impersonation cases, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has made thumb impression mandatory at the application stage itself. It has also asked the candidates to upload postcard-size photograph with 80% of face coverage and ears visible on a white background.

NTA will conduct this year’s exam in pen and paper mode. Neet is scheduled to be held from 2 pm to 5 pm on May 3, 2020. Admissions to MBBS course in medical colleges across the country will be made through Neet.

As per the NTA’s announcement, the last date for registration is December 31. Neet (UG) 2020 will be held in 11 languages, including English, Tamil and Hindi. The three-hour exam will have180 multiple questions from physics, chemistry and biology.

Around 11,000 students from government and government-aided schools are being trained in 412 government-sponsored Neet coaching centres across the state. “This year, we are giving Neet coaching using a multi-pronged approach and utilising whoever is willing to give free coaching to our students,” school education director S Kannappan said.

EtoosIndia, an institute based in Kota, Rajasthan, is offering coaching at some centres, while trained subject teachers from government schools are holding classes in others.

School education department is planning to coach differentlyabled children studying in government schools with the help of doctors and medical students. Headmasters have been told to encourage and help medical aspirants in Neet registration.

திருவாரூர் மத்திய பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் மாணவி தூக்குப்போட்டு தற்கொலை போலீசார் விசாரணை



திருவாரூர் மத்திய பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் மாணவி தூக்குப்போட்டு தற்கொலை செய்து கொண்டார். இதுபற்றி போலீசார் விசாரணை நடத்தி வருகின்றனர்.

பதிவு: டிசம்பர் 02, 2019 05:10 AM

திருவாரூர்,

திருவாரூர் அருகே உள்ள நீலக்குடியில் தமிழ்நாடு மத்திய பல்கலைக்கழகம் செயல்பட்டு வருகிறது. இங்கு கிருஷ்ணகிரி மாவட்டம் ஓசூரை சேர்ந்த முரளி என்பவரின் மகள் மைதிலி (வயது 19), ஒருங்கிணைந்த பி.எஸ்.சி. பி.எட். பட்டப்படிப்பில் 2-ம் ஆண்டு படித்து வந்தார். பல்கலைக்கழக விடுதியில் தங்கி இருந்த அவர், நேற்று முன்தினம் இரவில் உணவு சாப்பிட வரவில்லை என தெரிகிறது.

இதையடுத்து சக மாணவிகள் மைதிலியின் அறைக்கு சென்று பார்த்தனர். அப்போது மைதிலி விடுதி அறையில் தூக்கில் பிணமாக தொங்கினார். அவர் தூக்குப்போட்டு தற்கொலை செய்து கொண்டதாக தெரிகிறது. இதனால் அதிர்ச்சி அடைந்த மாணவிகள் கதறி அழுதபடி பல்கலைக்கழக நிர்வாகிகளுக்கு தகவல் தெரிவித்தனர்.

பின்னர் நன்னிலம் போலீஸ் நிலையத்திற்கு தகவல் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டது. அதன்பேரில் போலீசார் பல்கலைக்கழகத்துக்கு விரைந்து சென்று தூக்கில் தொங்கிய மாணவியின் உடலை கைப்பற்றி பிரேத பரிசோதனைக்காக திருவாரூர் அரசு மருத்துவக்கல்லூரி மருத்துவமனைக்கு அனுப்பி வைத்தனர்.

மைதிலியின் தற்கொலை தொடர்பாக அவரது நண்பர்கள் மற்றும் பல்கலைக்கழக பேராசிரியர்களிடம் போலீசார் விசாரணை மேற்கொண்டு வருகிறார்கள். மைதிலி தற்கொலை செய்து கொண்டது குறித்து ஓசூரில் வசிக்கும் அவருடைய பெற்றோருக்கும் தகவல் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டது. அவர்கள் உடனடியாக திருவாரூர் வந்தனர்.

மைதிலியின் உடல் பிரேத பரிசோதனைக்கு பிறகு பெற்றோரிடம் ஒப்படைக்கப்பட்டது. மாணவியின் தற்கொலைக்கான காரணம் குறித்து நன்னிலம் போலீசார் வழக்குப்பதிவு செய்து தீவிர விசாரணை நடத்தி வருகிறார்கள்.

பல்கலைக்கழக விடுதியில் மாணவி தற்கொலை செய்து கொண்ட விவகாரம் திருவாரூரில் பெரும் பரபரப்பை ஏற்படுத்தி உள்ளது.

Gauhati Varsity Offered 21 Unapproved Courses, Gave False Affidavits To UGC: CAG

The Gauhati University has jeopardised the career prospects of nearly 74,000 students and collected Rs 39 crore as enrolment fees from them by offering 21 unapproved courses through its distance learning centre for seven years, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has said in a report.

The findings of the CAG were tabled during the ongoing Winter Session of the Assam Assembly.

Guwahati:

The Gauhati University has jeopardised the career prospects of nearly 74,000 students and collected Rs 39 crore as enrolment fees from them by offering 21 unapproved courses through its distance learning centre for seven years, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has said in a report.

The findings of the CAG, tabled during the ongoing Winter Session of the Assam Assembly, also says that the oldest university of the northeast had submitted multiple false affidavits to the UGC, assuring the commission that it will not start any new distance course without approval.

The CAG said that the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), with approval of the Distance Education Council (DEC), had recognised the Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL) of the Gauhati University (GU) in August 2010 for offering eight courses for three years from 2010-11.

"It was specifically instructed that IDOL, GU shall not offer any other course through distance mode other than the eight courses," the report said, adding that later the approval was extended by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for five more years from 2013-14 to 2017-18.

The recognition was offered based on recommendations of the joint committee comprising the UGC, DEC and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), it said.

"Audit observed that IDOL, GU had offered 21 unapproved courses beyond the approved eight courses through ODL (open and distance learning) mode during the year 2010-11 to 2016-17," the CAG said.

It pointed out that the DEC and the IGNOU had clearly stated in July 2013 that courses offered by the GU through distance mode other than the eight approved courses were not recognised by the DEC and such degrees were not valid for jobs in central government services.

"Audit also observed that 73,912 students were enrolled in 19 courses out of 21 unapproved courses during the year 2010-11 to 2016-17 and the GU collected fees of Rs 39.06 crore on these unapproved courses," the report highlighted.

It said there was no admission in MSc-Mathematics and PGD-Insurance Management.

The CAG found the GU had submitted affidavits to the UGC "from time to time" assuring the commission that it will not start any new distance education programme "without prior approval of UGC", and in anticipation of recognition of such courses.

"As such, the GU submitted false affidavits for getting an extension of the recognition of IDOL," it said. On being questioned, GU replied in October 2017 and December 2018 that the unapproved courses were offered in anticipation of approval, but they were discontinued from the academic year 2017, the Auditor General said in the report.

"The reply was not tenable because the courses were offered without the approval of UGC and AICTE," the report said.

On being enquired by the audit, the UGC said in February 2018 that no university can offer programmes through distance mode without obtaining prior and specific approval from the commission, it said.

"Moreover, false affidavit submitted by the GU indicated that the university had not even approached for such approval," the report stressed.

The CAG said that the matter was reported to the government in August 2018, but no reply has come yet.

"The GU was offering unapproved courses risking the career prospects of the students as degrees under such courses were not valid for jobs in central government services," it added.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Karnataka colleges spent only 44% UGC funds

TNN | Dec 2, 2019, 06.08 AM IST

BENGALURU: While educationists lament lack of funds, the University Grants Commission (UGC) allocated Rs 19.8 crore to Karnataka colleges in the past seven years, but they utilised less than half of it, just Rs 8.8 crore.

Of the 513 colleges eligible for funds in the state, only around 200 used the allocation optimally. Government colleges account for huge sums of unutilised funds.

In reply to an RTI plea, UGC said the amount was released under three schemes — construction of women’s hostels, for sports infrastructure & equipment and general development assistance.

Colleges must return unused funds: UGC

While Rs 11.8 crore was announced as general development assistance, only Rs 6.4 crore was released and Rs 4.9 crore utilised. Under the Rs 5.4 crore allocated for development of sports infrastructure, only Rs 2.4 crore released and Rs 2.1 crore was used. Under the scheme to construct hostels, only Rs 1.7 crore of the total Rs 2.5 crore available was put to use. The amount released but unitilised has to be returned to UGC.

UGC sources said the released amount falling short of allocation is due to colleges not submitting plans and seeking funds.

While the time limit to utilise these funds expired in March 2019, the statutory body extended it to March 2020. However, officials don’t think there will be much of a change in the next three months.

The RTI reply also points out that UGC, time and again, apprised the department of collegiate education and state higher education council about allocation getting lapsed for lack of initiative from colleges.

“The reasons for the lapse vary but are mostly operational matters like frequent change of principals affecting timely completion of projects. The lack of good leadership is a major factor,” said an official of the higher education department.

In many colleges, teachers close to retirement are appointed as principals and they don’t want to take up new responsibilities. There are also no adequate teaching staff who can take up new projects. The bureacracy in construction agencies (also government bodies) makes it difficult for projects to start. All these lead to colleges not utilising the amount released,” he added.

Barefoot jogger does Bengaluru to Varanasi in 38 days

Six years after a near-fatal heart attack, Giridhar Kamath covered 1,850 km to promote fitness

02/12/2019, BISHWANATH GHOSH,KOLKATA

Long run: Giridhar Kamath averaged about 50 km a day, carrying just 1.4 kg in luggage. Special Arrangement Special Arrangement

Like many people, Giridhar Kamath decided in his early forties that it was time to get fit. In 2011, when he was 42, he began running — short distances at first and then challenging himself to the 10-km target.

Then, in 2013, he had a heart attack at the finishing line of a race.

But unlike many people, who might have given up running after this potentially-fatal episode, he merely changed his approach to running. “I moved to barefoot running from then on. It is one of the most natural modes of human movement,” says the Bengaluru-based Mr. Kamath.

And recently, barely weeks after his 50th birthday, he ran all the way from Bengaluru to Varanasi — a neat distance of 1,850 km — in one set of clothes, with a pouch and a hammock tied to his waist. “I have covered several ultra runs between cities and done races spanning 100 km to 800 km. But this is my longest run till date,” says Mr. Kamath, who set off from Bengaluru on October 2 and reached Varanasi on November 10.

Travelling light

The idea of travelling light came from a mendicant he had encountered during an intercity run from Puducherry to Chennai in 2018. “He was walking solo with no support or luggage, and he made me realise how easy it is to be light. I reached Varanasi in one T-shirt and shorts and just 1.4 kg of luggage, which also included my mobile phone and charger,” he says.

Mr. Kamath averaged about 50 km a day, and reached Varanasi in 38 days. The most challenging stretch was the forests of Madhya Pradesh.

“This segment took me three days to cover and I was compelled to have a crew car follow me for reasons of safety,” he said.

‘Contributory pension scheme not applicable to judicial officers’

Govt. directed to refund amount deducted from salaries

02/12/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,BENGALURU

The High Court of Karnataka has declared that the contributory pension scheme, introduced for State government employees who joined service on or after April 1, 2006, was not applicable to judicial officers.

However, it made it clear that the judicial officers who joined service on or after that date could voluntarily opt for the New Defined Contributory Pension (NDCP) scheme by giving their consent in writing.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Mohammad Nawaz delivered the verdict last week while allowing petitions filed in 2013 by Vijaykumar Rai and several other judicial officers belonging to the civil and the district judge cadres, and the Karnataka State Judicial Officers’ Association.

The petitioners had questioned the application of the NDCP scheme to judicial officers who joined service on or after April 1, 2006. The scheme provides for employees’ contribution of 10% of basic pay and dearness allowance (DA) with matching contribution from the State government. And the government, in its notification issued on March 29, 2010, had made the scheme applicable to judicial officers who joined service on or after April 1, 2006.

While the petitioners contended that their pension was determined as per the recommendations of the two National Judicial Pay Commissions (NJPCs), as approved by the Supreme Court, the government claimed that it had the right to change the pension of judicial officers as they were also civil servants under the provisions of the Karnataka Civil Services Act, 1978.

“There is no manner of doubt that even the payable pension from judicial officers will be strictly governed by the recommendations of the NJPCs as accepted by the apex court. An order of the apex court dated July 26, 2010 records acceptance of the recommendations of the second NJPC, including recommendations in respect of pension, and notes that none of the States had any objection to accepting the recommendations,” the Bench observed.

Pointing to the State government’s notification on September 30, 2010 on the second NJPC, as per the apex court’s orders, the Bench said, “The State government, without seeking permission from the apex court, has no power to tinker with the quantum of salary and pension payable to judicial officers.” It stated that applying different yardsticks for payment of pension to judicial officers appointed before and after April 1, 2006 would be directly contrary to the directions of the SC.

The Bench also directed the government to refund the amount already deducted from salaries by the end of February 2020.

Woman orders cake online, loses ₹71,500 to fraudster

02/12/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,BENGALURU

Ordering a cake online has cost a 37-year-old woman ₹71,500.

Radha Prakash, an employee with a PSU in Bengaluru, told the Cubbon Park police, with whom she registered a complaint, that she had ordered the cake online from a shop on Lavelle Road on Friday afternoon.

Collects details

Soon after, a man claiming to be an employee called her back to confirm the order and allegedly offered to help her with the online transaction. In the process, he managed to get all her details such as bank account number, one-time password (OTP), etc. Within minutes after she put down the phone, Radha received a transaction alert on her mobile phone stating that ₹71,500 has been debited from her account.

She tried to call the shop but got no response.

Police advice


Almost every day the police receive complaints of such online frauds. “In almost all the cases, the fraudsters are able to get the victims to give them their bank and card details and the OTP that the bank sends them. We urge people not to share the OTPs with anyone, including people who claim to be from a bank,” said a senior police official.

The Cubbon Park police have taken up a case under various sections of the I-T Act and are investigating.

Revenue from Taj Mahal rises

Pollution impacting the 17th century monument, says govt.

02/12/2019

Historic upkeep: A view of the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh

PTI

The revenue earned from the Taj Mahal in Agra went up around four times over five years ending in 2018-2019, according to data given by the Union Ministry of Culture to the Lok Sabha in the ongoing session of Parliament.

To a question by Assam MP Badruddin Ajmal, Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel informed the House on November 18 that the revenue generated from the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018-2019 was ₹86,48,93,100 from 70,90,207 visitors.

The previous year, the revenue was ₹58,76,04,981 from 65,65,627 visitors, up from ₹55,09,29,860 from 61,77,196 visitors in 2016-2017. In 2015-2016, the Taj Mahal generated ₹17,92,27,050 from 50,70,573 visitors and in 2014-2015, was lower than ₹21,23,55,330 in 2014-2015 when 60,89,901 visitors were recorded.

The expenditure on the maintenance of the 17th century tomb increased to ₹5,48,34,582 in 2018-2019 from ₹3,38,42,927 in 2017-2018, according to the reply. The Ministry, under which the Archaeological Survey of India functions, had spent ₹4,50,45,819 in 2016-2017 and ₹3,28,37,534 in 2015-2016.

Effects of pollution

Asked by Mr. Ajmal whether pollution was discolouring the white marble structure, the Minister replied: “The effect of pollution is there, but the monument is cleaned periodically.”

Recently, there have been concerns about the discolouration of the facade.

‘Passenger trains to run up to 160 kmph in a few years’

Increasing the speed will take five to 10 years, depending on infrastructure development, says Railway Board Chairman

02/12/2019, , V. GEETANATH,HYDERABAD

Vinod Kumar Yadav

The Indian Railways is poised for a major structural and operational transformation in the next few years, with passenger trains slated to be run at 160 kmph in the Mumbai-Delhi-Kolkata sector and freight trains to be run at 100 kmph.

Towards the South, in the Delhi-Chennai, Kharagpur-Vijayawada sectors, the plan is to run passenger trains up to 130 kmph. Increasing the speed up to 160 kmph will take five to 10 years, depending on infrastructural development, said Railway Board Chairman Vinod Kumar Yadav.

‘Run on demand’

“Our vision is to see that trains, passenger and freight, are run on demand in the Mumbai-Delhi-Kolkata sector by upgrading our capacities. We have divided major works into super critical and critical categories, to complete them in the next two to five years,” he said during his recent visit to the city to inaugurate the Financial Management Institute.

Instructions were issued to increase the speed of all passenger trains to 110 kmph and move this to 130 kmph within the next two to three years in the South, where average speeds reach between 45 kmph and 110 kmph.

‘Super critical’

About 76% of the ‘super critical’ works were complete and the remaining 24%, requiring about ₹7,500 crore, was expected to be completed within a year or so. There were works where 91% was yet to be done in the ‘critical’ category, costing up to ₹85,000. This includes doubling and tripling lines, and traffic facilities at various locations across the country. This is scheduled to be done in three years and funds were being sourced.

“This will give us tremendous mobility. We have identified the works based on the need for efficient operations and also economic considerations like freight movement,” he said.

Freight corridor

The most important development would be completion of the freight corridor of about 3,000 km, between Mumbai-Delhi-Kolkata, by December 2021.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the initiative to call up the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh to remove certain bottlenecks,” he said.

Retirement age of TSRTC employees increased

02/12/2019,HYDERABAD

An increase in the retirement age of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation staff from 58 to 60 and payment of their September salary

and wages for the strike period from October 5 to November 28 in one instalment were among the several decisions announced by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao at a meeting with a cross-section of them at a luncheon on Sunday. He also allayed
their apprehensions of privatisation of the RTC.

Ambur girl becomes brand ambassador for Rotary’s WinS programme

02/12/2019, STAFF REPORTER,CHENNAI

One fine day, seven-year-old Hanifa Zaara from Ambur walked up to her mother and said she was planning to file a police complaint against her father for not building a toilet inside their house. Aghast, her mother refused. But Zaara did not give up, and quietly walked to the station and spoke to the sub-inspector, who was shocked as well.

He immediately called her father and the municipality officials. “They took my complaint and built a toilet in a day’s time [under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana]. And I am not the only one who has got it. Now, nearly 100 families near my residence have a toilet too,” she says with a beaming smile.

Now, she has become the ‘Swachch Ambassador’ for the Ambur Municipality, and on Sunday, she was also made the ‘Ambassador of WinS programme of Rotary’.

The Rotary Club’s Wash-in-Schools (WinS) programme was started in 2017 to celebrate the 100th year of the Rotary Foundation, as a pilot project that aimed to ensure schoolchildren got pure drinking water, gender-segregated toilets and handwash stations.

No distance education in hotel management: UGC

02/12/2019,NEW DELHI

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has prohibited distance education programmes in Hotel Management and Real Estate. “Programmes in Hotel Management, Culinary Studies and Real Estate, will not be recognised from 2019-20,” an order said. PTI

Private telecom players hike rates, prepaid users to be hit
Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio announce up to 40% increase

02/12/2019, PIYUSH PANDEY,MUMBAI

The era of low tariffs for Indian consumers seems to have ended as major telcos — Vodafone Idea Limited (VIL), Bharti Airtel Limited and Reliance Jio — have increased tariffs by up to 40% for prepaid customers.

While VIL and Sunil Bharti Mittal-led Bharti Airtel have decided to hike the tariffs with effect from December 3, Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio has decided to implement the hike from December 6.

90% of market

The three telecommunication giants together account for over 90% of India’s 1.18 billion mobile subscribers, with the market share of around 30% each split evenly among them. “New plans will be available across India starting 00:00 hours of December 3, 2019,” a Vodafone Idea statement said.

Bharti Airtel’s statement read: “Airtel’s new plans represent tariff increases in the range of a mere 50 paise/day to ₹2.85/day and offer generous data and calling benefits.”

Both Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel announced new prepaid plans starting with options of 2 days, 28 days, 84 days and 365 days validity and prices starting from ₹19 and going upto ₹2,399. Reliance Jio is yet to announce its new plans.

Reliance Jio’s new tariffs will be priced 40% higher, but the company promises to offer 300% more benefits to its customers. “Jio will be introducing new all-in-one plans with unlimited voice and data. These plans will have a fair usage policy for calls to other mobile networks. The new plans will be effective from 6th December 2019,” the company said in a statement.

The hike in tariffs comes after VIL and Bharti Airtel posted record quarterly losses of ₹50,922 crore and ₹23,045 crore respectively owing to an adverse Supreme Court ruling on the adjusted gross revenue (AGR).

Outstanding debt

Both Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel also have an outstanding debt of over ₹1 lakh crore each.

According to government data, the liabilities in the case of Bharti Airtel add up to nearly ₹35,586 crore, of which ₹21,682 crore is the licence fee and another ₹13,904.01 crore is the spectrum usage charge (SUC) dues (excluding the dues of Telenor and Tata Teleservices). Vodafone Idea has an estimated liability of ₹44,150 crore post the Supreme Court order and made provisioning of ₹25,680 crore in the second quarter this fiscal.

Commenting on the hike, Chief Marketing Officer of Bharti Airtel Shashwat Sharma said the operator’s new mobile plans offered “tremendous value” and “a superior network experience” on the 4G network.

''ஆங்கிலத்தில் ஒருவார்த்தை கூட தெரியவில்லை'' - மாவட்ட ஆட்சியரின் திடீர் ஆய்வில் ஆசிரியைகள் பணி இடைநீக்கம் 

மாவட்ட ஆட்சியர் மேற்கொண்ட திடீர் நடவடிக்கை சமூக வலைதளத்தில் வைரலான காட்சி.

உத்தரப் பிரதேசத்தில் பள்ளியில் திடீர் ஆய்வு மேற்கொண்ட மாவட்ட ஆட்சியர் ஆங்கிலம் தெரியாத இரு ஆசிரியைகள் மீது சஸ்பெண்ட் நடவடிக்கை மேற்கொண்டுள்ளது பரபரப்பை ஏற்படுத்தியுள்ளது.

உன்னாவோ மாவட்டத்தில் நேற்று மாவட்ட ஆட்சியர் தேவேந்திர பாண்டே திடீர் ஆய்வில் ஈடுபட்டார். அப்போது மாணவர்களின் திறனை சோதித்தறிந்தபோது அதனால் சந்தேகம் ஏற்பட்டு உடனே ஆசிரியர்களின் திறனை அவர் சோதனையிடத் தொடங்கினார். இதில் இரு ஆசிரியைகள் சிக்கினர்.

சமூக ஊடகங்களில் வைரலாகிய இந்தச் சம்பவத்தின் வீடியோவில், மாவட்ட ஆட்சியர், 8 ஆம் வகுப்பு ஆங்கில புத்தகத்தைக் கொடுத்து எட்டாம் வகுப்பு மாணவியை வாசிக்கச் சொல்கிறார். புத்தகத்தையே உற்றுப்பார்த்தபடி மாணவி அமைதியாக இருக்கிறார். இதனால் சந்தேகம் அடைந்த ஆட்சியர் உடனே புத்தகத்தை ஆசிரியர்களை அழைத்து புத்தகத்தை அவர்கள் பக்கம் திருப்பி ஆங்கிலப் பாடப் புத்தகத்திலிருந்து ஒரு பத்தியைப் படிக்குமாறு ஆசிரியர்களைக் கேட்டுக்கொள்வதைக் காணலாம். ஆனால் ஆசிரியர்களும் அவ்வாறே புத்தகத்தையே முறைத்துக் கொண்டிருப்பதைக் கண்டு மாவட்ட ஆட்சியர் கோபமடைந்து அருகிலிருந்த காவல் அதிகாரிகளிடம் இவர்கள் ஆசிரியர்கள். ஆனால் ஆங்கிலம் படிப்பதற்கு இப்படி தடுமாறுகிறார்களே எனக் கேட்கிறார். இச்சம்பவம் நேற்று சமூக வலைதளங்களில் வைரலாகின.

திடீர் ஆய்வில் கிடைத்த அனுபவம் குறித்து மாவட்ட ஆட்சியர் கூறியதாவது:

"இது சவுராவில் உள்ள உயர்நிலைப் பள்ளியில் திடீர் ஆய்வு ஒன்றை சனிக்கிழமை மேற்கொண்டேன். முன்கூட்டியே எந்தத் திட்டமும் இல்லாமல்தான் சென்றேன். நான் ஒரு ஆங்கிலப் புத்தகத்திலிருந்து மாணவர்களைப் படிக்கச் சொன்னேன். ஆனால் அவர்களால் முடியவில்லை. பின்னர் நான் ஆசிரியர்களிடம் கேட்டேன். அவர்களால் ஒரு ஆங்கில வார்த்தையைக் கூட படிக்க முடியவில்லை என்பதைக் கண்டு அதிர்ச்சியடைந்தேன்''

மூத்த ஆசிரியர் சுசிலா மற்றும் உதவி ஆசிரியர் ராஜ்குமாரி ஆகியோரை அடிப்படை சிக்‌ஷா ஆதிகாரி பிரதீப் குமார் பாண்டே இடைநீக்கம் செய்துள்ளார். மேலும் அவர்கள் மீது விசாரணையும் தொடங்கப்பட்டது.

அடிப்படை சிக்‌ஷா (கல்வி) அதிகாரிகளிடமும் விளக்கம் கேட்டு மாவட்ட ஆட்சியர் நோட்டீஸ் வழங்கினார்.

தொடரும் மழை: எந்தெந்த மாவட்டங்களில் பள்ளி, கல்லூரிகளுக்கு விடுமுறை?

சென்னை

தொடரும் கனமழை காரணமாக தமிழகம், புதுச்சேரியில் உள்ள பள்ளி, கல்லூரிகளின் விடுமுறை குறித்த அறிவிப்பு வெளியாகியுள்ளது.

பள்ளி, கல்லூரிகள் விடுமுறை

* சென்னையில் உள்ள பள்ளி, கல்லூரிகளுக்கு நாளை (திங்கட்கிழமை) விடுமுறை.

* தூத்துக்குடி மாவட்டத்தில் உள்ள பள்ளி, கல்லூரிகளுக்கு நாளை (திங்கட்கிழமை) விடுமுறை.


* திருவள்ளூர் மாவட்டத்தில் உள்ள பள்ளி, கல்லூரிகளுக்கு நாளை (திங்கட்கிழமை) விடுமுறை.

பள்ளிகளுக்கு மட்டும் விடுமுறை

* ராமநாதபுரம் மாவட்டத்தில் அரசு, தனியார் பள்ளிகளுக்கு மட்டும் நாளை (திங்கட்கிழமை) விடுமுறை.

* புதுச்சேரியில் அரசு, தனியார் பள்ளிகளுக்கு மட்டும் நாளை (திங்கட்கிழமை) விடுமுறை.

* கடலூர் மாவட்டத்தில் அரசு, தனியார் பள்ளிகளுக்கு மட்டும் நாளை (திங்கட்கிழமை) விடுமுறை.

* காஞ்சிபுரம் மாவட்டத்தில் அரசு, தனியார் பள்ளிகளுக்கு மட்டும் நாளை (திங்கட்கிழமை) விடுமுறை.

* செங்கல்பட்டு மாவட்டத்தில் அரசு, தனியார் பள்ளிகளுக்கு மட்டும் நாளை (திங்கட்கிழமை) விடுமுறை.

பின்னணி:

தமிழகத்தில் கடந்த அக்டோபர் 16-ம் தேதி வடகிழக்குப் பருவமழை தொடங்கியது. கடந்த சில நாட்களாக கடலோர மாவட்டங்கள் மற்றும் தென் மாவட்டங்களில் மிக கனமழை பெய்து வருகிறது. சென்னை மற்றும் புறநகர் பகுதிகள், டெல்டா மாவட்டங்கள், மதுரை மற்றும் புறநகர் பகுதிகளிலும் நேற்று விடிய, விடிய மழை பெய்தது. இதன் காரணமாக சென்னை, காஞ்சிபுரம், செங்கல்பட்டு, சிவகங்கை, புதுக்கோட்டை, நாகப்பட்டினம், திருவாரூர் ஆகிய 7 மாவட்டங்களில் பள்ளிகளுக்கு நேற்று விடுமுறை விடப்பட்டுள்ளது. இந்நிலையில் தமிழகத்தில் மேலும் 2 நாட்களுக்கு மழை நீடிக்கும் என வானிலை ஆய்வு மையம் எச்சரித்துள்ளது. தமிழகத்துக்கு ‘ஆரஞ்சு அலர்ட்’ விடப்பட்டது.

மேலடுக்கு சுழற்சி காரணமாக அடுத்த 2 நாட்களுக்கு தமிழகம், புதுவையில் உள்ள பெரும்பாலான மாவட்டங்களுக்கு மிதமான மழை பெய்ய வாய்ப்புள்ளதாக சென்னை வானிலை ஆய்வு மையம் தெரிவித்துள்ளது. அடுத்த 24 மணிநேரத்துக்கு ராமநாதபுரம், தூத்துக்குடி, நெல்லை, வேலூர், திருவள்ளூர், திருவண்ணாமலை மாவட்டங்களில் ஓரிரு இடங்களில் அதி கனமழைக்கு வாய்ப்பு உள்ளதாகவும் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இதனைத் தொடர்ந்து கனமழை தொடர்வதால் முன்னெச்சரிக்கை நடவடிக்கையாக பள்ளி, கல்லூரிகளுக்கு விடுமுறை அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. மாவட்ட ஆட்சியர்கள் இந்த விடுமுறையை அறிவித்துள்ளனர்.

தொடரும் மழை: ஒத்திவைக்கப்பட தேர்வுகளின் விவரம்

சென்னை

தமிழகத்தின் பல்வேறு பகுதிகளில் தொடர்ந்து மழை பெய்து வருவதால் சில தேர்வுகள் ஒத்திவைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.

* நாளை நடைபெற இருந்த அண்ணா பல்கலைக்கழகத் தேர்வுகள் தேதி குறிப்பிடாமல் ஒத்திவைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.

அண்ணா பல்கலைக்கழகத்தின் கீழ் செயல்படும் கல்லூரிகள், 4 வளாகங்களின் தேர்வுகள் கனமழையின் காரணமாக ஒத்திவைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. தேர்வு நடைபெறும் தேதி பின்னர் அறிவிக்கப்படும் என்று பதிவாளர் கருணாமூர்த்தி தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

* நாளையும் (02-12-2019), நாளை மறுநாளும் (03-12-2019) தமிழ்நாடு மின்சார வாரியத்துக்கான கேங்மேன் நேர்முகத் தேர்வு நடைபெற இருந்தது. தொடர் மழை காரணமாக தேர்வுத் தேதி குறிப்பிடாமல் ஒத்திவைக்கப்படுவதாக மின்சார வாரியம் அறிவித்துள்ளது. தேர்வு நடைபெறும் தேதி பின்னர் அறிவிக்கப்படும்.

* சென்னை பல்கலைக்கழகத்தின் கீழ் செயல்படும் கல்லூரிகளில் நாளை (திங்கட்கிழமை) நடைபெறவிருந்த பருவத் தேர்வு ஒத்திவைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. தேர்வு நடைபெறும் தேதி பின்னர் அறிவிக்கப்படும் என்று பல்கலைக்கழக நிர்வாகம் அறிவித்துள்ளது.

சென்னை பல்கலைக்கழத்தின் கீழ் செயல்படக்கூடிய கல்லூரிகள் சென்னை, திருவள்ளூர், காஞ்சிபுரம், செங்கல்பட்டு மாவட்டங்களில் உள்ளன. இந்நிலையில் மழையின் காரணமாக காஞ்சிபுரம், செங்கல்பட்டு மாவட்டங்களில் உள்ள பள்ளிகளுக்கு மட்டும் நாளை விடுமுறை அறிவிக்கப்படுள்ளது. ஆனால், திருவள்ளூர் மாவட்டத்தில் பள்ளி, கல்லூரிகளுக்கு நாளை விடுமுறை அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. சென்னையில் உள்ள பள்ளி, கல்லூரிகளுக்கு விடுமுறை அறிவிக்கப்படவில்லை. எனவே, நாளை சென்னை பல்கலைக்கழகப் பருவத் தேர்வை நடத்துவதில் சிக்கல் ஏற்படும் என்பதைக் கருத்தில்கொண்டு தேர்வுகள் ஒத்திவைக்கப்படுவதாக சென்னைப் பல்கலைக்கழகத் துணைவேந்தர் துரைசாமி தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

* தமிழகம் முழுவதும் 8-ம் வகுப்பு பயிலும் மாணவர்களுக்கு இன்று தேசிய திறன் மேம்பாட்டு (NMMS)தேர்வு நடைபெற இருந்தது. மழையின் காரணமாக இத்தேர்வை தமிழக பள்ளிக் கல்வித்துறை ஒத்திவைத்தது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.

பின்னணி:

தமிழகத்தில் கடந்த அக்டோபர் 16-ம் தேதி வடகிழக்குப் பருவமழை தொடங்கியது. கடந்த சில நாட்களாக கடலோர மாவட்டங்கள் மற்றும் தென் மாவட்டங்களில் மிக கனமழை பெய்து வருகிறது. சென்னை மற்றும் புறநகர் பகுதிகள், டெல்டா மாவட்டங்கள், மதுரை மற்றும் புறநகர் பகுதிகளிலும் நேற்று விடிய, விடிய மழை பெய்தது. இதன் காரணமாக சென்னை, காஞ்சிபுரம், செங்கல்பட்டு, சிவகங்கை, புதுக்கோட்டை, நாகப்பட்டினம், திருவாரூர் ஆகிய 7 மாவட்டங்களில் பள்ளிகளுக்கு நேற்று விடுமுறை விடப்பட்டுள்ளது. இந்நிலையில் தமிழகத்தில் மேலும் 2 நாட்களுக்கு மழை நீடிக்கும் என வானிலை ஆய்வு மையம் எச்சரித்துள்ளது. தமிழகத்துக்கு ‘ஆரஞ்சு அலர்ட்’ விடப்பட்டது.

மேலடுக்கு சுழற்சி காரணமாக அடுத்த 2 நாட்களுக்கு தமிழகம், புதுவையில் உள்ள பெரும்பாலான மாவட்டங்களுக்கு மிதமான மழை பெய்ய வாய்ப்புள்ளதாக சென்னை வானிலை ஆய்வு மையம் தெரிவித்துள்ளது. அடுத்த 24 மணிநேரத்துக்கு ராமநாதபுரம், தூத்துக்குடி, நெல்லை, வேலூர், திருவள்ளூர், திருவண்ணாமலை மாவட்டங்களில் ஓரிரு இடங்களில் அதி கனமழைக்கு வாய்ப்பு உள்ளதாகவும் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இதனைத் தொடர்ந்து கனமழை தொடர்வதால் முன்னெச்சரிக்கை நடவடிக்கையாக பள்ளி, கல்லூரிகளுக்கு விடுமுறை அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. மாவட்ட ஆட்சியர்கள் இந்த விடுமுறையை அறிவித்துள்ளனர்.

'இறந்த பின்னரும் பாலியல் வன்கொடுமை செய்யப்பட்ட அவலம்' - பெண் மருத்துவர் கொலையில் திடுக்கிடும் தகவல்கள்!

By ENS | Published on : 01st December 2019 04:02 PM | அ+அ அ- |

தெலங்கானா மாநிலம் ஹைதராபாத் நெடுஞ்சாலையில் பெண் மருத்துவர் பாலியல் வன்கொடுமை செய்யப்பட்டு எரித்துக் கொல்லப்பட்ட சம்பவம் நாட்டையே உலுக்கியுள்ளது.

26 வயதான பிரியங்கா ரெட்டி ஹைதராபாத்தில் கால்நடை மருத்துவராக பணியாற்றி வந்தார். மகளைக் காணவில்லை என்று பெற்றோர்கள் புகார் கொடுத்ததன் அடிப்படையில், போலீசார் பிரியங்காவை தேடி வந்துள்ளனர். பெண் ஒருவரின் உடல் எரிந்து கிடப்பதாக அப்பகுதியைச் சேர்ந்த நபர் ஒருவர் அளித்த தகவலின்படி, போலீசார் உடலைக் கண்டறிந்துள்ளனர்.

ஹைதராபாத் - பெங்களூரு தேசிய நெடுஞ்சாலைக்கு அருகே உள்ள பாலத்துக்கு அருகே அவரது உடல் எரிந்த நிலையில் கண்டெடுக்கப்பட்டது. பின்னர், சுங்கச்சாவடி அருகே பதிவாகியுள்ள சிசிடிவி பதிவுகளை வைத்து குற்றவாளிகளை காவல்துறை தேடி வந்தது. அதன்படி, லாரி ஓட்டுநர் உள்ளிட்ட 4 பேர் கைது செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளனர். மேலும், இந்த சம்பவம் தொடர்பாக தனிப்படை அமைக்கப்பட்டு காவல்துறை விசாரணை நடைபெற்று வருகிறது.

சனிக்கிழமை இந்த வழக்கு குறித்து நீதிமன்றத்தில் சமர்ப்பிக்கப்பட்ட அறிக்கையின் மூலமாக இந்தக் கொடூர சம்பவம் குறித்து பல திடுக்கிடும் தகவல்கள் வெளியாகியுள்ளன. அதன்படி, ப்ரியங்காவின் பைக் பஞ்சர் ஆகி அவ்விடத்தில் நிற்கவே, முகமது என்ற அரீப், ஜொல்லு சிவா, ஜொல்லு நவீன், சென்னகேஷவலு ஆகிய 4 பேர் அவருக்கு உதவி செய்வது போல வந்துள்ளனர். பின்னர், விஸ்கி கலந்த ஒரு குளிர்பானத்தை அவரைக் கட்டாயப்படுத்தி கொடுத்து, பிரியங்காவை தலையில் அடித்து மயக்கமுறச் செய்துள்ளனர். பின்னர் லாரி கேபினில் வைத்து அவரை பாலியல் வன்கொடுமை செய்துள்ளனர். கொலை செய்த பிறகும், நால்வரும் ஒவ்வொருவராக பாலியல் வன்கொடுமை செய்துள்ளனர். லாரியின் அறைக்குள் வைத்து இந்த கொடூர சம்பவத்தை அரங்கேறியுள்ளனர்.

இதன்பின்னர் ப்ரியங்காவின் உடலை அப்புறப்படுத்த லாரியிலேயே சென்று இடம் தேடியுள்ளனர். அப்போது சத்நகர் அருகே உள்ள பாலத்தின் கீழே உடலை ஒரு போர்வையில் போர்த்தி, அவ்விடத்தில் இறக்கினர். சடலத்தை எரித்து விட்டால் அடையாளம் காண முடியாது என்று எண்ணி அதன்படியே செய்தும் முடித்துள்ளனர். தற்போது இந்த வழக்கில் குற்றம் சாட்டப்பட்ட நால்வரும் நீதிமன்றக் காவலில் வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர்.

இந்நிலையில், மஹ்புப்நகர் மாவட்ட நீதிமன்றத்தின் பார் அசோசியேஷன் சார்பில், குற்றம் சாட்டப்பட்டவர்களுக்கு சட்ட சேவைகள் வழங்கப்பட மாட்டாது என்று முடிவெடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. அதேபோன்று ரங்காரெட்டி மாவட்ட நீதிமன்ற பார் அசோசியேஷன் சார்பிலும் அவ்வாறே முடிவெடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

பெண் மருத்துவரின் கொலையில் ஒவ்வொரு நாளும் வெளியாகும் தகவல்கள் மக்களிடையே, முக்கியமாக பெண் குழந்தைகள் உள்ள பெற்றோர்களை நடுநடுங்க வைத்துள்ளது.