30 corona cases confirmed, 23 more positive in first test

Gzb Man Who Visited Iran Infected

DurgeshNandan.Jha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:06.03.2020

A 57-year-old man from Ghaziabad with a recent travel history to Iran has become the 30th person to be confirmed positive for Covid-19 in India.

The number of cases is likely to rise sharply as health authorities await the results of re-confirmation tests on 23 more people whose initial tests have shown the presence of the virus.

The Ghaziabad man has been quarantined at Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) hospital. His wife and son have been put in an isolation ward of MMG District Hospital in Ghaziabad. Besides, local authorities said, they have also advised three of his employees to remain in home isolation. Samples taken from the 23 individuals have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, for final confirmation. “Many of them are likely to test positive and may require isolation too,” said a source.

The health ministry said, in addition to Covid-19 cases related to travel, some cases of community transmission are beginning to be observed, indicating that the virus may be spreading undetected in local communities.

Therefore, the ministry said in a statement that states have been asked to form rapid response teams at the district, block and villages levels.

The novel coronavirus infection has so far killed more than 3,300 people globally and infected nearly 96,000.

Rapid response teams in Delhi and NCR, where a majority of Covid-19 patients are under quarantine at present, have been actively tracing everyone who may have come in contact with the infected individuals and are testing them for the virus.

Hosps under pressure as more people come in for Covid-19 tests

Across India, 3,452 samples have been sent for testing of which 29 (the Ghaziabad resident was declared as a positive case later) have been found to be positive for Covid-19 till now, the health ministry said in a statement on Thursday. “Testing of 92 samples is in process and 23 samples are being reconfirmed,” it added.

In some relief for Telangana, blood samples of two persons from the state which were sent to the NIV have tested negative.

“All new Covid-91 patients are stable,” Union health minister Harsh Vardhan said. The 30 cases recorded so far include 16 Italian tourists from a single group.

The list also includes the first three cases in the country from Kerala last month. All three have been discharged following recovery.

On Thursday, around 150 persons turned up for Covid-19 test at RML hospital, the only centre equipped to take samples for the virus in Delhi-NCR. Most of them had come in contact with the infected persons. A 26-yearold Paytm employee, a resident of Janakpuri in west Delhi, was confirmed positive on Wednesday. His wife, who works in an American asset management company in CyberHub, Gurgaon, has been quarantined at her home. The Gurgaon district administration has screened 91 Paytm employees working on the same floor as the patient. Of these, 71 live in Gurgaon, 18 in Delhi, one each in Faridabad and Noida, sources said.

More than 405 persons who travelled to countries affected by Covid-19 recently are under watch in Noida. The authorities said they are being sent to RML for testing.

“We are under a lot of pressure because the number of persons coming for tests has increased manifold, with more confirmed cases being identified and an increased need to test anyone who has come in their contact,” said a doctor at the central government-run hospital.

Government sources said sample testing facility has been started at 31 new places across the country, in addition to the 51 existing facilities. With this, the pressure on hospitals such as Safdarjung is likely to ease soon.

Father’s Pensionary benefits not exempt from Attachment towards Payment of maintenance to children 

February 4, 2020   0  2149



The Kerala High Court has held that a father’s pensionary benefits are not immune from attachment towards payment of maintenance to children.

A Division Bench of Justice K.Harilal and Justice C.S. Dias was considering the question whether the father’s pensionary benefits are exempted from being disbursed towards arrears of maintenance payable to his children.

This was in an Original Petition filed under Article 227 of the Constitution of India, challenging the orders of an Execution Court which directed KSRTC – petitioner’s employer- to deposit the maintenance arrears in the Court, and permitted his children to withrdraw the same.

The petitioner raised the contention that pension is immune from seizure/attachment under Section 11 of Pensions Act and Section 60 (1) (g) of the Code of Civil Procedure.

The court said that since the petitioner is a retired employee of the KSRTC, it is KSR-Part III which is applicable for disbursement of pension and not Section 11 of the Pensions Act. As per Rule 124 of the KSR, pension is not liable to seizure/attachment at the instance of a creditor for any demands against the pensioner.

However, the Court said that the claim of wife and children for maintenance cannot be regarded as a debt and they cannot be treated as creditors.

This conclusion was arrived at on the basis of definitions of ‘creditor’ and ‘alimony’ given in Halsbury’s Laws of England, Stroud’s Judicial Dictionary, and several judicial precedents such as Chaturbhuj v. Sita Bai, Ramesh Chander Kaushal v. Veena Kaushal & Ors.

On this basis, the judgment authored by Justice C S Dias observed :

“In light of the definition of the word “creditor”, and that payment of alimony is not a debt or liability and that it is not one founded on a contract, express or implied, but is a legal means of enforcement of the obligation of the husband and father to maintain his wife and children, we hold that the respondents 2 and 3 cannot be branded or labeled as “creditors” of the petitioner. The liability of the petitioner to maintain his children is statutory and sacrosanct falling within the sweep of Art.15 (3) and Art.39 of the Constitution of India, as observed in Ramesh Chander Kaushal (supra)”.

“If wives and children are treated as creditors falling within the exemption to Rule 124 of the Rules, it will render laws relating to payment of maintenance redundant. Such a suppressive interpretation cannot be permitted”, the Court said.

In this regard, the judgment also noted that Section 39 of the Transfer of Property Act gives a person who has the right to receive maintenance a charge over the property belonging to the person bound to maintain such person.

The court also examined Section 60 (1) (g) of the CPC where the court observed that the legislature has knowingly included the words “family pension fund” under the said section.

“Therefore,it is held that wife and children do not fall within the fold of the exemption to Section 60 (1) of the Code, as family pension fund that is payable to the family/dependents of the pensioner is exempted from attachment only by a person falling outside the purview of family”, the Court observed on this aspect.

The Court also observed that the liability of the husband/father to maintain his wife/children is statutory as well as Constitutional, falling within the sweep of Art 15(3) and Art. 39 of the Constitution of India. While dismissing the petition the court said that the children have charge over the properties of the father and their right to be maintained by the father (petitioner) overrides all such exemptions in the law.

Medical college hospital at Omandurar estate becomes fully functional

After a long wait, the Government Medical College Hospital in Omandurar Government Estate has moved into the same campus from the temporary one in Triplicane.

Published: 05th March 2020 06:48 AM 

A ward at the new Government Medical College Hospital in Omandurar Government Estate | R Satish Babu

By Sinduja Jane

Express News Service

CHENNAI: After a long wait, the Government Medical College Hospital in Omandurar Government Estate has moved into the same campus from the temporary one in Triplicane. The facility was officially inaugurated by former chief minister J Jayalalithaa in 2015, along with the Multi Super Speciality Hospital. The hospital had been functioning from Government Kasturba Gandhi Hospital for Women and Children (KGH) campus in Triplicane due to the construction works at the estate. The medical college attached to hospital, is the first government medical college in Chennai district inaugurated after the British colonial era.

The officials started shifting the departments from KGH by the end of January. Some of the main departments in the hospital are medical, surgical, dermatology, ENT, dental, anaesthesia, emergency and casualty. “Obstetrics, gynaecology and paediatrics are the only departments still operating from KGH,” a senior doctor said. According to the officials, the hospital is receiving 1,200-1,400 out-patients on an average daily, and the in-patient strength ranges between 450-530.

“After being shifted to the Omandurar Estate campus, number of out-patients have increased. In the old campus we used to see around 80-90 patients in one department. Now, the count has increased to around 120. We are getting patients from both Multi Super Speciality Hospital and KGH,” a doctor in the hospital said. The hospital also has a separate building for Yoga and Naturopathy department and is providing out-patient service from 8-12 pm daily. The department is also providing services including mud therapy and hydrotherapy. Apart from these the diabetic patients are also given yoga training free of cost.

The new medical college hospital is functioning from ‘B’ Block. It has seven tower buildings. The hospital is functioning from tower first, second and third buildings. The medical college is functioning from fourth and fifth buildings. Sixth and seventh houses women’s and men’s hostel, along with faculty quarters.

Patient count

According to the officials, the hospital is receiving 1,200-1,400 out-patients on an average daily, and the in-patient strength ranges between 450-530.

Beware of COVID-19, say doctors

05/03/2020 , Staff Reporter, MADURAI 

With fresh cases of COVID-19 emerging in India and the total count of patients going up to 28 as on Wednesday, doctors advise people to be cautious.

COVID-19, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), is a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). It is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.

Symptoms

The WHO adds that common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

Meena Priyadarshini, ENT and Head and Neck Surgeon at Apollo Hospital, Madurai, says that COVID-19 spreads due to minute droplets when one sneezes or coughs.

“We must avoid unnecessarily touching articles and must definitely not keep touching different parts of face, particularly nose, mouth and eyes,” she says.

She adds that it is better to avoid being in contact with those who have fever or sneezing. Affected persons must wear masks to ensure they are not spreading the risk.

“If you are in doubt, visit a medical expert immediately. If they too think of the matter as a case of concern, they will refer you to the Government Hospital,” she says.

Dean, Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH), J. Sangumani, says that one should definitely avoid travelling to countries abroad where there are reported cases of outbreak.

Others must wash their hands frequently and avoid crowded places.

He adds that those with symptoms can voluntarily come to the GRH for quarantine at the eight-bedded facility available.

Dr. Meena Priyadarshini adds that hand sanitizers with over 60% alcohol content can also be used to keep self hygienic.

Foundation laid for Krishnagiri medical college and hospital 

750-bed facility will come up by beginning of next year

05/03/2020 , Special Correspondent, KRISHNAGIRI

Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami laying the foundation for a medical college in Krishnagiri.

A 750-bed medical college-cum-hospital will come up in the district by the beginning of next year. The foundation stone for the medical college was laid in Bolupalli by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Wednesday. The medical college is one of 11 such colleges sanctioned for the State by the Centre.

Mr. Palaniswami said the number of medical seats had gone up during the combined two terms of the AIADMK government in the State.

The medical college in Bolupalli will be spread over 25 acres and will be open for admissions from the next academic year with 120 seats, Mr. Palaniswami said.

Touting the achievements of his government, Mr. Palaniswami said the government was proposing an extension of the Bengaluru metro service up to Hosur. As of now, the service extends till Bommasandra in Bengaluru.

The Chief Minister also announced a combined drinking water scheme involving Thenpennai river.

Masks allowed during exams


05/03/2020 , Special Correspondent, NEW DELHI


Students appearing for their Class X and XII Board Examinations conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education will be allowed to carry face masks and hand sanitizers into the examination hall to contain the spread of the COVID-19 infection, said a notification. The examinations will conclude by March-end.

President rejects mercy plea of Nirbhaya convict 

 

Delhi govt. seeks fresh date for hanging 

05/03/2020 , Special Correspondent , New Delhi

President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday rejected the mercy petition of Pawan Gupta, one of the four men on death row in the 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder case.

Gupta was the last to file the mercy plea. The petitions of the other three convicts had been rejected earlier by the President.

Later, the Delhi government moved a city court seeking a fresh date for the execution of the four convicts.

According to the Delhi Prison Rules, a 14-day period has to be given to a death row convict after the dismissal of a clemency plea before the prisoner can be hanged. All the four men are to be hanged together.

The Delhi government told additional sessions judge Dharmendra Rana that “all legal remedies of the convicts have been exhausted”.

The judge then directed the convicts to file their response by Thursday even as the lawyer for the prosecution said no notice was required. While issuing the notice, the court said principles of natural justice are part of Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty) of the Constitution.

The hanging of Mukesh Kumar Singh, 32, Vinay Sharma, 26, and Akshay Kumar Singh, 31, besides Gupta, 25, was scheduled for March 3. It was deferred for the third time in six weeks by the court on Monday.

11 surgical needles found on the lower body of boy in Telangana 

His aunt inserted them to kill him and grab his father’s land

05/03/2020 , Staff Reporter, Hyderabad

Eleven surgical needles were found on the lower body of a three-year-old child in Veepangandla village of Wanaparthy district in Telangana. When the boy’s parents noticed needles poking out of his back, they rushed him to a hospital, where doctors took an X-ray and found needles in his body, which were later removed.

Speaking to The Hindu, a senior police officer said the boy’s aunt Aliveluamma inserted the needles on his buttocks and thighs to kill him, with an ulterior motive of grabbing the 1.5-acre agricultural land belonging to the boy’s father.

“Initially, doctors of a private hospital managed to take out some needles, which could be seen protruding from his backside. Later, he was shifted to the government hospital in Wanaparthy, where doctors performed surgery and removed a few needles. They are yet to remove two more,” the officer said.

Police said the boy was unwell for the past five to six months, and every time he cried, the parents used to take him to a local hospital. But on Sunday, his mother found a needle poking out of his buttocks and rushed him to a private hospital.

The victim’s parents are farm labourers and whenever they go out for work, Aliveluamma used to take care of him.

“Our investigation revealed that Aliveluamma hatched a conspiracy to kill the boy so that she can grab the agricultural land of her brother,” police said.

Police are likely to arrest Aliveluamma on Thursday.

College officials told to work till 7 p.m. during House session

05/03/2020 , Special Correspondent, CHENNAI

The Directorate of College Education (DCE) has instructed college officials to remain in the college premises till 7 p.m. during the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly session in the coming days.

According to a circular issued by the DCE, the principals of government and aided institutions and regional joint directors would have to work till 7 p.m. as they would be required to provide details to the department as and when information is sought.

The director also instructed the officials to provide details in a clear format as soon as it is sought and not to take leave during the session.

According to some college officials, this is the first time such a circular has been issued. The Assembly will be in session to discuss the demand for grants for various departments from March 9 to April 9.

Varsity’s decision worries guest faculty 

Anna University’s Syndicate had resolved to retrench 135 persons

05/03/2020 , R. Sujatha, CHENNAI

A decision taken by Anna University’s Syndicate has worried the faculty and employees of constituent colleges.

Last month, the Syndicate resolved to retrench 135 persons employed in the constituent colleges as both faculty and administrative staff, without following the due process of appointment.

Over a period of time, the university had appointed these people as and when vacancies arose. Some of them were appointed as guest lecturers without following the rule of recruitment or roster. The appointees continued to function as guest faculty in their respective positions, the last decade.

On its part, the university has constituted five committees in the last decade to review the appointments and each committee has given its recommendations, all of which have remained just on paper. The appointees, fearing loss of jobs, have been filing petitions in the High Court. For the university, it has been an unending series of court cases.

The last Syndicate had taken a decision to retrench the appointees, and the affected persons have been seeking reprieve.

A senior faculty at the Anna University said that the recruitment of these people should be regularised since they had contributed to building institutions.

“During vice-chancellor Mannar Jawahar’s period, services of 98 contract lecturers in Chennai were regularised, although they were also appointed without any recruitment advertisement, selection committee or roster,” the faculty said, adding that since there was a precedent, the university could consider the same route this time as well.

Vice-chancellor M.K. Surappa said that the government would have to resolve the issue, as successive administrations had taken decisions on the appointments.

The university’s Syndicate, whose strength should be 15, presently has nine members, of whom five are bureaucrats. The five vacancies in the Syndicate have not been filled for over two years. The university’s representation is considerably weak, owing to these vacancies.

Mr. Surappa said that university representatives were sympathetic to the faculty, but the government thought otherwise. “

Delhi govt seeks fresh date for execution of 4 convicts in Nirbhaya case; court issues notice

PTI | Mar 4, 2020, 04.39 PM IST

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government moved a court here on Wednesday seeking fresh date for the execution of four convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case.

Additional Sessions Judge Dharmendra Rana directed the convicts to file their response by Thursday.

The Delhi government told the court that all legal remedies of the convicts have been exhausted and nothing survives now.

The lawyer for the prosecution said no notice was required.

While issuing the notice, the court said that principles of natural justice are part of Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty) of the Constitution and the sacrosanct principle of "Audi alteram partem" (listen to the other side) cannot be ignored.

President Ram Nath Kovind rejected the mercy petition of Pawan Kumar Gupta, one of the four men facing the gallows in the case, a Home Ministry official said earlier in the day.

The court had on Monday deferred till further order the hanging the convicts that was scheduled for Tuesday.

The trial court had on February 17 issued a fresh date, March 3 at 6 am, for the execution of death warrants for the four convicts - Mukesh Kumar Singh (32), Pawan (25), Vinay Sharma (26) and Akshay Kumar Singh (31) - in the case.

The execution of their death warrants has been deferred thrice so far due to delays by them in exhausting legal remedies. All the convicts in the case are to be hanged together.

The President has already rejected the mercy petitions of Mukesh, Vinay and Akshay.

A 23-year-old physiotherapy intern, who came to be known as 'Nirbhaya' (fearless), was gang raped and savagely assaulted in a moving bus in South Delhi on December 16, 2012. She had died after a fortnight.

Six people, including the four convicts and a juvenile, were named as accused. Ram Singh, the sixth accused, allegedly committed suicide in Tihar jail days after the trial began in the case.

The juvenile was released in 2015 after spending three years in a correctional home.

Medical negligence case: Madras high court directs Ramanathapuram collector to take decision on interim compensation to woman

TNN | Mar 4, 2020, 04.58 PM IST

MADURAI: The Madras high court on Wednesday directed the Ramanathapuram district collector to examine the facts and take a decision on dispersal of a Rs 3lakh interim compensation in a medical negligence case where a broken needle was left in the body of a woman after childbirth in a primary health centre (PHC).

Justice C V Karthikeyan passed the interim order while hearing a plea moved by Ramya, 22, from Ramanathapuram district. The judge directed the collector to file a counter in this regard and adjourned the case to March 20.

In her petition, Ramya stated that she gave birth to a baby girl in Uchipuli PHC on November 19, 2019. It was a normal delivery. She stated that the delivery had been performed by nurses. The doctors were not present.

The woman said since she had suffered from a minor complication called episiotomy (surgical incision through vaginal wall during child birth) due to which she was bleeding even after she had been shifted to a ward.

She was referred to Government Hospital in Ramanathapuram where doctors asked her to take an x-ray. The x-ray showed a broken needle inside her body. She stated that the needle had been left inside her body by nurses after stitching her incision. Ther woman stated that she had been referred to Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai where doctors removed the needle through a surgery on November 21.

Due to medical negligence in Uchipuli PHC, she was put to great hardship physically and mentally, according to her.

Hence, the petitioner moved the high court seeking a compensation. She also sought action against the staff of the PHC for their negligence.

Madras high court asks Tamil Nadu to ensure HR & CE staff are following Hindu religion as per law

TNN | Mar 4, 2020, 12.10 PM IST

CHENNAI: The Madras high court on Tuesday directed the state government to ensure that all officials including the commissioner of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Board (HR & CE) undertake a pledge professing Hindu religion as mandated by law.

A division bench of Justice M M Sundresh and Justice Krishnan Ramaswamy passed the order on a plea moved by S Sridharan seeking to remove the commissioner and other officials of the department who failed to make such pledge as mandated under the HR & CE Act.

"It is not the fault on part of the officials in not making the pledge. There is nothing legal otherwise in functioning and the decision-making process. In such view of the matter we direct the authorities to see that all officers up to the cadre of commissioner are to be made to undergo the process of taking pledge a fresh within 8 weeks," the bench said.

Referring to the relevant provision in the Act, the bench said what is applicable to the lower grade employee will have to be made applicable to officials with more rigour. Secondly such a pledge is required at the time of appointment.

According to the petitioner, section 10 of the act mandates every officer to take such oath as a service condition and if they fail to do so they would be liable to be disqualified from service.

"As per the provisions every person appointed under the act shall sign a pledge in the prescribed format and shall take the pledge in the immediate presence of the executive officer or chairman, of the board of trustees of the religious institution before the presiding deity in the nearest temple," the petitioner said.

Virus scare: Saudi halts pilgrimages to Mecca, Iran cancels Friday prayers

Italy Toll 107, All Schools Shut

Bangkok:05.03.2020

Saudi Arabia banned citizens from performing the Muslim pilgrimage in Mecca, Italy ordered schools to close nationwide and Iran cancelled Friday prayers for a second week as nations scrambled on Wednesday to control the coronavirus outbreak.

From religion to sports, countries were taking drastic and increasingly visible measures to curb the new coronavirus that first emerged in China and was spreading quickly through Europe, the Mideast and the Americas. In the US, frustration mounted over US officials’ delays and missteps in testing people for the virus.

Deaths spiked in Iran and Italy, which along with South Korea account for 80% of the new virus cases outside China, according to the World Health Organization. In all, more than 94,000 people have contracted the virus worldwide, with more than 3,200 deaths.

“People are afraid and uncertain. Fear is a natural human response to any threat,'' said WHO leader Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “But as we get more data, we are understanding this virus and the disease it causes more and more.” WHO said about 3.4% of people infected with the Covid-19 virus globally have died, making it deadlier than the common flu.

In Daegu, the South Korean city at the center of that country’s outbreak, a shortage of hospital space meant about 2,300 patients were being cared for in other facilities while they awaited a hospital bed. South Korea reported 435 new infections on Wednesday, far smaller than its high of 851 a day earlier. A total of 5,621 people in S Korea have contracted the virus and 32 have died.

Italy’s virus deaths rose to 107, the most of any country outside of China. Its outbreak has been concentrated in the northern region of Lombardy, but fears over how the virus is spreading inside and outside the country prompted the government to order all schools to close nationwide till March15.

Iran reported 92 deaths among its 2,922 confirmed cases. The country on Wednesday cancelled Friday prayers for the second week in a row.

The UN health chief has warned sharply against hoarding medical supplies, saying they are needed to protect health care workers. Accordingly, the Czech Republic, Russia and Germany announced bans on exporting protective gear like masks. That followed a similar move by France, where major hospitals have seen their masks stolen by the boxful.

In the US, more than 120 cases have been reported. Nine people have died, all in and around Seattle, Washington.

China reported 119 new cases on Wednesday, all but five in the outbreak’s epicenter of Wuhan. Beijing’s health commissioner said two new cases in the Chinese capital were apparently infected abroad, in Iran and Italy. AP

LOUVRE BANS CASH OVER VIRUS FEARS: The Louvre Museum in Paris reopened on Wednesday after staff ended coronavirus walkout. The museum has shifted to card-only payments as part of new measures that helped persuade employees worried about getting sick to return to work. WHO has urged people to avoid using banknotes, fearing they could be vectors of disease

HC throws out plea over mental health

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

05.03.2020

New Delhi: Delhi high court on Wednesday refused to entertain a plea seeking directions to the national human rights commission (NHRC) to intervene and enquire into the mental and physical state of the four death row convicts in the Nirbhaya case.

A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar questioned why the petitioner didn’t approach NHRC first and disposed of the matter.

Advocate A Rajarajan in his plea claimed the four convicts Mukesh Singh, Pawan Gupta, Vinay Sharma and Akshay Thakur have been kept in solitary confinement under fear of death “on the whims and fancies” of the authorities and it can affect their mental stability.

The petition also referred to the allegations that the four were facing physical abuse in the prison, claiming that the authorities acted contrary to law by not initiating process to execute death sentence of the four convicts after the expiry of 30 days from the dismissal of their appeals by the Supreme Court in May 2017.

On January 7, death warrants were issued for the first time in the case to execute the four on January 22. But on January 17, the trial court changed the date of execution to February 1 after one of them — Singh — moved a mercy plea before the President. Later, on January 31 the trial court put on hold the execution after two more — Thakur and Sharma — moved mercy pleas.

தற்கொலை ஒரு சமூக அவலம்! | பலவீனமான மனநிலை குறித்த தலையங்கம்

By ஆசிரியர் | Published on : 03rd March 2020 08:39 AM 

உலகில் பிறந்த எந்த உயிரும் முடிந்தவரை தன்னைத்தானே அழித்துக்கொள்ளத் துணிவதில்லை. பலவீனமான மனநிலையும், சந்தா்ப்ப சூழலும், பிரச்னைகளிலிருந்து வெளியேறத் தெரியாத பரிதவிப்பும்தான் பலரையும் தற்கொலைக்குத் தூண்டுகின்றன. அதனால்தான் தற்கொலையை கிரிமினல் குற்றங்களின் பட்டியலில் இருந்து அகற்ற அரசு முடிவு செய்தது.

தேசிய குற்ற ஆவணக் காப்பகம் வெளியிட்டிருக்கும் அறிக்கையும் புள்ளிவிவரங்களும் மிகுந்த கவலையையும் வேதனையையும் அளிக்கின்றன. கடந்த சில ஆண்டுகளாகத் தற்கொலை செய்து கொள்வோரின் எண்ணிக்கை கடுமையாக உயரத் தொடங்கியிருப்பது கவலையளிக்கிறது. அண்மையில் வெளியிடப்பட்டிருக்கும் 2018-ஆம் ஆண்டுக்கான தேசிய குற்ற ஆவணக் காப்பக புள்ளிவிவரப்படி, அதிகாரபூா்வமாக 1,34,516 தற்கொலைகள் பதிவாகியிருக்கின்றன. இது 2017-ஆம் ஆண்டு எண்ணிக்கையைவிட 3.6% அதிகம். தற்கொலை நிகழ்வுகளில் ஏறத்தாழ பாதிக்கும் மேற்பட்ட மரணங்கள் பதிவாகாமல் மறைக்கப்படுகின்றன என்பதையும் நாம் கருத்தில் கொள்ளவேண்டும்.

பெரும்பாலான நிகழ்வுகளில் தனிப்பட்ட காரணங்கள்தான் தற்கொலைக்குக் காரணமாக இருக்கின்றன. சில சூழல்களில் தனிப்பட்ட பிரச்னைகளும், சம்பந்தப்படாத சமூக அல்லது பணியிடப் பிரச்னைகளும் இணைந்து தற்கொலைக்கு வழிகோலுகின்றன. எந்த ஒரு மனிதனும் தீவு அல்ல; சமுதாயத்தின் அழுத்தம் தனி மனிதா்களைப் பாதிக்கிறது. தற்கொலைகளின் எண்ணிக்கை அதிகரிப்பதற்கு அதுவும்கூட ஒரு காரணம்.

சமூக, அரசியல், பொருளாதாரப் பிரச்னைகள் பல சந்தா்ப்பங்களில் உயிரை மாய்த்துக்கொள்ள தனி நபா்களைத் தூண்டுகின்றன. உழைப்பு ரீதியான, பணியிட ரீதியான சுரண்டல்களும், வியாபாரத்தில் ஏற்படும் பின்னடைவுகளும், உடல் ரீதியான நோய் பாதிப்புகளும் பலரின் தற்கொலைக்குக் காரணமாகக் கூறப்படுகின்றன. அனைத்துக்கும் மேலாக ‘தனிமை’யும், காதல் நிராகரிப்பும், கல்வித் தோ்வுகளில் தோல்வியும், தனது உயிரை மாய்த்துக் கொள்ளும் நிலைக்கு சிலரைத் தள்ளிவிடுகிறது.

வெளியிடப்பட்டிருக்கும் புள்ளிவிவரப்படி, வேலையில்லாதவா்களும், சுயமாகத் தொழில் புரிவோரும் 1,34,516 தற்கொலை நிகழ்வுகளில் 26,085 தற்கொலைகளுக்குக் காரணமாகிறாா்கள். 2018-இல் 42,391 மகளிா் தங்களின் உயிரை மாய்த்துக் கொண்டிருக்கிறாா்கள். அவா்களில் பாதிக்கும் மேற்பட்டோா் திருமணமாகி வேலைக்குச் செல்லாமல் குடும்பம் நடத்தும் தாய்மாா்கள்.

வேலையில்லாத காரணத்தால் தற்கொலை செய்து கொண்டோரின் எண்ணிக்கை 12,936. மொத்த எண்ணிக்கையில் அவா்கள் 9.6%. அதாவது, 2018-இல் ஒவ்வொரு 45 நிமிஷத்துக்கும் ஒரு வேலையில்லாத நபா் இந்தியாவில் தற்கொலை செய்துகொண்டிருக்கிறாா்.

தற்கொலை செய்துகொண்டவா்களில் 7.7% விவசாயிகள் அல்லது விவசாயக் கூலிகள். கடந்த 2017-ஆம் ஆண்டைவிட தற்கொலை செய்துகொண்ட விவசாயம் தொடா்பானவா்களின் எண்ணிக்கை சற்று குறைந்திருக்கிறது என்றாலும்கூட, உழவுத் தொழிலில் ஈடுபடுவோா் உயிரை மாய்த்துக்கொள்ளும் அவலம் சகிக்க முடியாதது.

ஒவ்வொரு தற்கொலையும் தனிப்பட்ட அவலம் என்றாலும்கூட, அதனால் குடும்ப உறவுகளும் சமுதாயமும் நிச்சயமாகப் பாதிக்கப்படுகின்றன. தங்களுடன் வாழ்ந்த ஒருவரை சரியாகப் புரிந்துகொள்ளாமலோ, தக்க தருணத்தில் உதவாமலோ அவா் தன்னை அழித்துக் கொள்வதற்கு காரணமாகி விட்டோம் என்கிற குற்ற உணா்வு அனைவரையும் பாதிக்கவே செய்யும். ஒருவகையில் தற்கொலை நிகழ்ந்த குடும்பத்தினரின் வாழ்நாள் காலம் முழுவதும் அதன் ரணம் தொடரும்.

குடும்பத்தினா் மட்டுமல்ல, அரசும் சமூகமும் தனி மனிதா்கள் தங்கள் வாழ்வைத் துணிவுடன் எதிா்கொள்ளும் சூழலை உருவாக்காமல் இருப்பதும், தக்க சமயத்தில் மனச்சோா்வு அடைந்திருப்பவா்களை இனம் கண்டு அவா்களுக்கு தக்க ஆலோசனை வழங்காமல் இருப்பதும் தற்கொலைக்கான முக்கியக் காரணிகள் என்பதை நாம் உணர வேண்டும்.

பணியிடப் பிரச்னைகள், தனிமை, வசைபாடப்படல், வன்முறைக்கு உள்ளாகுதல், குடும்பப் பிரச்னைகள், மனநிலை பாதிப்பு, போதைப் பழக்கங்களுக்கு உள்ளாவது, பொருளாதார இழப்பு, உடல் உபாதைகளால் ஏற்படும் வேதனை, காதல் தோல்வி என்று தற்கொலைக்குப் பல காரணங்களை தேசிய குற்ற ஆவணக் காப்பக அறிக்கை பட்டியலிடுகிறது. தற்கொலை என்பது சமுதாயத்திற்கு தனி நபா் விடுக்கும் உதவிக்கான அபயக் குரல். அந்தக் குரலை சரியான நேரத்தில் செவிமடுத்தால் தற்கொலையைத் தடுத்துவிட முடியும்.

சமுதாய மாற்றங்கள் புதிய பல பிரச்னைகளை இளைஞா்கள் மத்தியில் ஏற்படுத்தியிருக்கின்றன. அளவுக்கு அதிகமான ஆசைகளை அவா்கள் வளா்த்துக்கொள்ள ஊக்குவிக்கப்படுகின்றனா். தங்களது தகுதிக்கும் திறமைக்கும் அதிகமாகத் தன்னைத்தானே கருதிக்கொள்ளும் போக்கு, எதிா்பாா்த்த வெற்றியோ, பதவியோ கிடைக்காமல் போகும்போது விரக்தியின் விளிம்புக்கு அவா்களை இட்டுச் சென்று உயிரை மாய்த்துக்கொள்ளும் நிலைக்குத் தள்ளிவிடுகிறது.

வேலையில்லாத இளைஞா்களின் அதிக அளவிலான தற்கொலைகள் பொருளாதாரப் பின்னடைவின் அடையாளங்கள். இந்தியாவின் அனைத்துப் பகுதிகளிலும் போதிய அளவிலான மனநல மருத்துவா்கள் இல்லாமல் இருப்பதும் இன்னொரு காரணம். அரசிடம் அதற்குப் போதிய நிதியாதாரம் இல்லை என்பதும், வசதிகள் இல்லை என்பதும் ஏற்புடைய பதில்கள் அல்ல.

ஒவ்வொரு தனிமனிதனும் பாதுகாப்பாக வாழவும், உயிரை மாய்த்துக் கொள்வதைவிட உழைத்து வாழவும் தேவையான சூழலை அரசும், சமுதாயமும் உருவாக்குவதுதான் இதற்குத் தீா்வு!

அரசு மருத்துவ கல்லுாரி கட்டுமானம்

Added : மார் 03, 2020 23:44

சென்னை : அரசு நிதி ஒதுக்கீடு செய்யாததால், கள்ளக்குறிச்சி மற்றும் அரியலுாரில், புதிய மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரிகள் மற்றும் மருத்துவமனைகள் கட்டும் பணி தாமதமாகி உள்ளது.

திருப்பூர், நீலகிரி, ராமநாதபுரம், நாமக்கல், திண்டுக்கல், விருதுநகர், கிருஷ்ணகிரி, நாகப்பட்டினம், திருவள்ளூர் ஆகிய, ஒன்பது மாவட்டங்களில், அரசு மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரிகள் மற்றும் மருத்துவமனைகள் அமைப்பதற்கு, மத்திய அரசு, 2019 இறுதியில், அனுமதி வழங்கியது. மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரிகள் மற்றும் மருத்துவமனைகள் கட்டுமான பணிகள், தலா, 325 கோடி ரூபாய் செலவில் மேற்கொள்ளப்பட உள்ளன. இதில், மத்திய அரசின் பங்களிப்பாக, ஒவ்வொரு பணிக்கும், 195 கோடி ரூபாய் கிடைத்துள்ளது.

மாநில அரசு, ஒவ்வொரு பணிக்கும் முதற்கட்டமாக, 100 கோடி ரூபாயை ஒதுக்கீடு செய்துள்ளது. இதையடுத்து, இந்த மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரிகள் மற்றும் மருத்துவமனைகள் கட்டுமானத்திற்கான, அடிக்கல் நாட்டு விழா துவங்கியுள்ளது. இதேபோல, வளர்ச்சியில் மிகவும் பின்தங்கிய, கள்ளக்குறிச்சி மற்றும் அரியலுார் மாவட்டங்களுக்கும், அரசு மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரி மற்றும் மருத்துவமனை அமைக்க, மத்திய அரசு, ஜன., மாத இறுதியில் ஒப்புதல் வழங்கியுள்ளது.

மத்திய அரசின் நிதி பங்களிப்பும் உறுதி செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது. ஆனால், மாநில அரசு, நிதி ஒதுக்கி உத்தரவு பிறப்பிக்கவில்லை. நிலம் மட்டும் தேர்வு செய்யப்பட்டுள்ள நிலையில், கட்டுமான பணிகளை துவங்க முடியாமல், பொதுப்பணித் துறையினர் தவித்து வருகின்றனர்.

ஐ.ஏ.எஸ்., அதிகாரிகள் மாற்றம் Added : மார் 03, 2020 23:38

திருமலையில் தெப்போற்சவம்; ஆர்ஜித சேவைகள் ரத்து

Added : மார் 04, 2020 01:38

திருப்பதி : திருமலையில், நாளை முதல் வருடாந்திர தெப்போற்சவம் நடக்க உள்ளதை முன்னிட்டு, பல ஆர்ஜித சேவைகளை, தேவஸ்தானம் ரத்து செய்துள்ளது.

திருமலையில் உள்ள ஸ்ரீவாரி திருக்குளத்தில், ஆண்டு தோறும், மாசி மாத பவுர்ணமியை ஒட்டி, வருடாந்திர தெப்போற்சவத்தை தேவஸ்தானம் நடத்தி வருகிறது. அதன்படி, நாளை முதல், 9ம் தேதி வரை, திருமலையில் வருடாந்திர தெப்போற்சவம் நடக்க உள்ளது. இதை முன்னிட்டு, நாளை, நாளை மறுநாள் வசந்தோற்சவம், சகஸ்ரதீப அலங்கார சேவை; வரும், 7, 8, 9ம் தேதிகளில், ஆர்ஜித பிரம்மோற்சவம், வசந்தோற்சவம், சகஸ்ரதீப அலங்கரா சேவை உள்ளிட்ட ஆர்ஜித சேவைகளை, தேவஸ்தானம் ரத்து செய்துள்ளது. மேலும் 9ம் தேதி, பவுர்ணமி அன்று நடைபெறும் கருடசேவையையும் தேவஸ்தானம் ரத்து செய்துள்ளது.

தொடர் விடுமுறை வங்கிகளுக்கு இல்லை

Updated : மார் 04, 2020 00:07 | Added : மார் 04, 2020 00:04 

சென்னை: 'நாடு முழுவதும் நடைபெற இருந்த, வங்கி ஊழியர்கள் வேலைநிறுத்தம் வாபஸ் பெறப்பட்டதால், அடுத்த வாரம், வங்கிகள் செயல்படும்' என, வங்கி அதிகாரிகள் தெரிவித்துள்ளனர்.

ஊதிய உயர்வு, ஐந்து நாட்கள் வேலை உட்பட, 12 அம்ச கோரிக்கைகளை வலியுறுத்தி, ஜன., 31 மற்றும் பிப்., 1ம் தேதிகளில், நாடு முழுவதும் வங்கி ஊழியர்கள் வேலை நிறுத்தத்தில் ஈடுபட்டனர். அதையடுத்து, மார்ச், 11 முதல், 13 வரை, மூன்று நாள் வேலைநிறுத்தம் நடைபெறும் என்றும், அப்போது அறிவிக்கப்பட்டது.

இந்நிலையில், மத்திய அரசுடன், வங்கி ஊழியர்கள் மற்றும் அதிகாரிகள் சங்கங்கள், தொடர்ந்து பேச்சு நடத்தி வந்தன. பேச்சில் முன்னேற்றம் ஏற்பட்டதையடுத்து, மூன்று நாள் வேலைநிறுத்தம் வாபஸ் பெறப்பட்டது. இதனால், வங்கிகளுக்கு தொடர் விடுமுறை இல்லை.

இதுகுறித்து, வங்கி அதிகாரிகள் கூறியதாவது: ஊதிய உயர்வு உட்பட, பல்வேறு கோரிக்கைகளை வலியுறுத்தி, வரும், 11, 12 மற்றும், 13ம் தேதிகளில், நாடு தழுவிய அளவில் வேலைநிறுத்தம் நடைபெற இருந்தது. வரும், 10ம் தேதி, ஹோலி பண்டிகை விடுமுறை என்பதால், அதைத் தொடர்ந்து வேலை நிறுத்தத்தில் ஈடுபட முடிவு செய்யப்பட்டது. வரும், 14, 15ம் தேதிகள், அரசு விடுமுறை என்பதால், வங்கிகள் தொடர்ந்து இயங்காது என்ற, நிலை ஏற்பட்டது.

ஆனால், இரு தரப்பு பேச்சில் முன்னேற்றம் ஏற்பட்டதால், வேலைநிறுத்தம் திரும்ப பெறப்பட்டுள்ளது. இதனால், வங்கிகள் வழக்கம் போல் செயல்படும். ஹோலி பண்டிகை கொண்டாடப்படும் மாநிலங்களில் மட்டும், வரும், 10ல், வங்கிகளுக்கு விடுமுறை. இவ்வாறு, அவர்கள் கூறினர்.

CBSE issues advisory against non-affiliated schools, alerts parents

After several schools faked their affiliation with CBSE or advertised falsely, the CBSE has issued an advisory for parents against falling prey to these fraudulent institutions.

Published: 04th March 2020 06:50 AM |

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: After several schools faked their affiliation with CBSE or advertised falsely, the CBSE has issued an advisory for parents against falling prey to these fraudulent institutions. The board said it has been receiving several complaints about schools falsely advertising with phrases ‘to be affiliated with CBSE’, ‘CBSE pattern’, ‘likely to be affiliated with CBSE’ and ‘under reigns of CBSE’. 

“It has come to the notice of the board that some of the non-affiliated schools, whose application is either under process or rejected or have not applied for affiliation are misleading parents by displaying boards at schools, prominent locations and website,” an advisory said. According to clause 14.2.2 of Affiliation Bye-Laws of CBSE, the board does not allow non-affiliated schools to present candidates to public examination. 

It is interesting to note that some schools, which may have affiliation, run branches that are not affiliated to CBSE. However, they continue to charge on par with CBSE standards. Last year, one such school was identified by the board at Irungattukottai near Sriperumbudur. The branch had classes 1 to 8 and then students were transferred to the main school in class 9, to enable them write the public exams. The board has asked parents who wish to enrol their wards in CBSE-affiliated schools to log on to www.cbseaff.nic.in and check affiliation status and can also contact regional directorate of the board, for clarification.

Schools with poor enrolment can run Tamil medium

Chennai: Government schools that have both English and Tamil mediums can switch to Tamil medium, if the school has poor enrolment, the government has said. Responding to a question from an elementary school headmaster, the CM’s Cell had recently said that if there were no takers for English medium, the school can continue to function in Tamil medium alone.

BDU to set apart 2 seats in each dept for wards of staff

TNN | Mar 4, 2020, 04.38 AM IST

Trichy: Two separate seats will be created in each of the 40 departments in Bharathidasan University (BDU) to accommodate a ward each of the university’s teaching and administrative staff respectively who are unable to get seats. The decision which was taken based on the demand put forward by staff, especially from the administration, will come into effect from the coming academic year.

A committee was set up to analyse the demand and make recommendations for the approval of the vice-chancellor. Following this, a resolution was also passed at the recently held syndicate meeting and finance committee also approved it.

Welcoming the move, M Selvam, dean, faculty of management, and syndicate member, said securing seats in some of the popular university departments is indeed difficult. These include departments like Chemistry, Biotechnology, Physics and English. Saying that there will be 50% concession in fees for wards of class IV staff, he said the idea was to recognise staff who worked tirelessly for the development of the university by giving preference to their wards.

BDU registrar G Gopinath told TOI that there will not be any special treatment to the students claiming the two seats as they will have to follow all admission procedures followed by any other candidate. Only those wards of employees who were unsuccessful in making it to the merit list will be considered based on their request. Seats will be allotted on first come first serve basis if there are more than two candidates claiming the seats, he said.

On whether reservation policy is not applicable for these seats, he said they are not violating any norms as such. Recalling the practice of ‘merit-cum-means quota’ he said the university was reserving a few seats in some of the popular courses for those who can afford the seats by paying more than the stipulated fee.

“We are only adding two seats but wards of staff cannot get seats just like that and they must follow all procedures. This practice was there in the past but was suspended for some years in between as there were less takers,” said the registrar.

MKU syndicate to take call on charges against CoE, teacher

TNN | Mar 4, 2020, 04.03 AM IST

Madurai: The Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) syndicate is likely to discuss and take a decision on the alleged graft charges and wrongdoings of controller of examination, O Ravi and a misconduct complaint against a faculty member of an MKU constituent college in Thirumangalam. The MKU vice-chancellor M Krishnan asserted that the process is taking time but there has been no delay.

On February 18, the MKU VC had issued two charge memos to the CoE seeking explanation regarding two separate alleged wrongdoings. In the first incident on January 23, an unauthorized official from distance education centre accessed the consolidated mark sheets in the CoE office. The second incident on November 2019, wherein exam answer sheets being lost and found just when the results were to be announced on February 10. The CoE was also accused of corruption and bribery.

“The CoE has submitted his replies to both the memos. We will be taking up the matter at the next syndicate meeting that will be held soon,” said Krishnan, speaking to TOI.

On the other hand, a teaching faculty member from an MKU constituent college in Thirumangalam had been accused of indulging in unprofessional behaviour by several female faculties and students. An internal committee was also subsequently formed to look into the matter.

“The internal committee has not been unanimous in providing a final report and I’m yet to get a separate report from one of the members. Then, the final report will be placed in the syndicate for discussion to take the necessary action,” said Krishnan. The date for the next syndicate meeting is expected to be fixed soon.

CBI closes its probe against ex-AMU V-C

04/03/2020, DEVESH K. PANDEY ,NEW DELHI

The Central Bureau of Investigation has closed its probe against former Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University Naseem Ahmad as its request seeking sanction to prosecute him in an alleged corruption case has been rejected.

The agency had last year sent the request for prosecution sanction to the Union Human Resource Development Ministry.

Mr. Ahmad, a retired IAS official, was the AMU Vice-Chancellor from 2002 to 2007. He also headed the National Commission for Minorities from 2014 to 2017.

On January 2, 2018, the CBI registered the case against Mr. Ahmad, the then university Finance Officer Yasmeen Jalal Beg and the then Joint Finance Officer Shakaib Arsalan, alleging irregularities in the appointment of Mr. Arsalan as an Assistant Finance Officer in 2005.

The FIR was based on the findings of a preliminary enquiry.

Delhi govt. recommends rejection of Nirbhaya convict’s mercy plea

Pawan Gupta had filed the petition before the President on Monday

04/03/2020, NIKHIL M BABU ,NEW DELHI

The Delhi government on Tuesday informed the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), its recommendation for “rejection” of the mercy petition filed by Pawan Gupta, one of the convicts in the rape and murder case of Nirbhaya, a senior Delhi government official said.

The recommendation was sent to the MHA after approval of the same by Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain and Lt. Governor Anil Baijal. Gupta had filed the petition before the President on Monday.

“The Home Department recommended the rejection of the mercy petition and it was sent to the Minister and L-G, who approved the same. The recommendation for rejection was then sent to the MHA by the Home Department today [Tuesday],” the senior Delhi government official told The Hindu.

“The mercy petitions of the other three convicts were all rejected and the fourth one cannot be different. This will also be rejected by the President,” the official added.

Execution postponed

The four convicts were supposed to be hanged to death on Tuesday at 6 a.m. On Monday, hours before their execution, Additional Sessions Judge Dharmender Rana put on hold their execution when informed that Gupta has moved a mercy petition before the President.

Even if the President rejects the mercy plea of the convict, the law laid down by the Supreme Court in its Shatrughan Chauhan judgment of 2014 requires the convict to be given 14 days time to set his affairs straight and “prepare” for the execution.

Gupta, Akshay, Mukesh, and Vinay brutally gang-raped the 23-year-old para-medical student in a moving bus on the intervening night of December 16-17, 2012. She died a few days later. An accused, Ram Singh, allegedly committed suicide in the Tihar Jail. A juvenile, who was among the accused, was convicted by the Juvenile Justice Board. He was released from a reformation home after serving a three-year term.

AI asks fliers to follow protocol

04/03/2020, PRESS TRUST OF INDIA,NEW DELHI

Air India has asked passengers who travelled on February 25 with a person who tested positive for COVID-19, to follow the Health Ministry protocols. Earlier, the Ministry had asked the crew who had flown with the person to stay in isolation at home for 14 days.

Allow Kerala students for exams, HC tells CBSE

04/03/2020,KOCHI

A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to permit as many as 34 Class X students of Arooja’s Little Star School, Thoppumpady in Kochi, to write the remaining CBSE examinations provisionally. CBSE did not allow the students to write the exam as the school was not affiliated to the CBSE board. The court also permitted four Class X students of Al-Azhar Public school, Palluruthi, to write the examinations.

Flyover being constructed near MKU to reduce accidents

Median for eight-km stretch being replaced; project cost: ₹53.68 crore

04/03/2020, P.A. NARAYANI,MADURAI

Flyover work under way in front of Madurai Kamaraj University in Madurai on Tuesday. S. James

The National Highways Department is constructing a flyover to reduce accidents near Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) on Madurai – Kochi Road (National Highways 49 extended), which is identified as an accident-prone zone.

Another component of the project, which includes replacement of existing median for a eight-km stretch from Nagamalai Pudukottai to Chekkanoorani is also under way. In addition, four minor culverts are being reconstructed. The officials say that the project is under way at this place, which is identified as a black spot where accidents are reported frequently.

This project, with an estimated cost of ₹53.68 crore, will be completed within a year, officials say.

According to the officials, the flyover will run for around a kilometre with MKU at the centre. The four-lane flyover will be 21.5 metres wide and will allow for a two-way traffic. Also, seven-metre- long service road will be provided on either side of the flyover.

There will also be a two-way vehicular underpass near the Tirunagar-Palkalai Nagar Road, opposite the MKU.

“So, vehicles coming from Madurai city can pass through the underpass and take a right towards the MKU. Meanwhile, buses and other vehicles that are bound towards Theni can use the flyover. This will definitely help in reducing the accidents at this spot,” says a senior highways official.

This is a crucial highway which connects Madurai with Kochi through Usilampatti, Andipatti, Theni and Bodinayakanur. A large number of vehicles ply on this highway as it also leads to important tourists destinations, including the Vaigai dam, Thekkadi and Munnar.

According to a traffic census in December 2013, around 30,000 passenger car units (PCU) ply at this spot.

“The traffic flow peaks between November and June as a large number of buses ply on this highway during the Sabarimala season. After the completion of construction of AIIMS at Thoppur, the traffic flow is only expected to increase,” the official says.

The official adds that this location was identified as a black spot where accidents occur frequently.

“According to the data, a total of nine fatal accidents have been recorded at this spot from 2016 to 2019. However, it is important to note that many of the accidents often go unreported,” the official says.

M. Sivan Kalai, an autorickshaw driver near MKU, recalls an accident in front of MKU a couple of years back, which claimed the lives of a father and daughter.

“The duo, who were travelling on a two-wheeler, were hit by a speeding bus and they died on spot. A year back, a woman who tried to cross the road, also succumbed to injuries after she was hit by a speeding bus,” he says.

Accidents are a common sight here, says S. Rajkumar, a resident of Vadapalanji village. “It is usually the pedestrians and two-wheelers which get hit by speeding vehicles. For many years, the residents of around 10 villages near Vadapalanji come to the highway everyday to catch a bus. It is frightening to see hundreds of school children crossing the highway everyday to catch a bus,” he says.

There have also been instances where cattle heads have been thumped, he adds.

The main problem is because of the high speed at which vehicles ply on this highway,” says Mr. Sivan Kalai.

“Many private buses ply towards Kerala travel at a very high speed, beyond acceptable limits, especially during night time,” he says.

Hence, the construction of the flyover, a long-time demand of the MKU administration, will help in easing the situation to a great extent, says the Vice-Chancellor M. Krishnan.

“Around 2,000 students are studying at MKU and the administration has been demanding construction of a flyover here for the past five years. With the presence of State Bank of India and a co-operative store opposite to MKU, a hundreds of students cross this dangerous stretch every day. A large number of students are expected to use the railway station opposite to MKU after the commissioning of trains between Madurai and Usilampatti. So, this flyover is a welcome step,” he says.

The highways official says that the height of the median is being increased to three feet to ensure that pedestrians do not cross the stretch and avoid encountering speeding vehicles.

Although speedbreakers have been placed in front of the MKU, a considerable number of accidents occurs due to lack of reflectors and white markings, says a shopkeeper near MKU.

“Many vehicles, especially during night time, hit the speed breakers at a high speed, leading to accidents. A speed breaker which was laid recently, opposite MKU near Tirunagar- Palkalai Nagar Road, also has the same problem. This issues have to be addressed at the earliest,” he says.

Mr. Rajkumar adds that many accidents have been occurring recently after one lane opposite MKU was closed for traffic.

“With a single lane of road used for two-way traffic, a lot of accidents have happened in the past one month. Hence, work has to be completed at a faster pace,” he adds.

Govt. staff yet to get their salary

Software glitch remains unresolved

04/03/2020, DENNIS S. JESUDASAN, ,CHENNAI

With the glitch in the implementation of the Integrated Financial Management and Human Resource Management System (IFHRMS) yet to be resolved, several State government employees and teachers of State-run schools are yet to receive their salary for February. It looks like they would have to wait for a few more days.

Notwithstanding the technical experts from a private major camping at the Secretariat for the past few days, the issues are yet to be sorted out.

Staffs from the Office Proceedings (OP) section of every Department are coordinating with the technical staff to resolve the glitch. The Public Department is one of the largest departments at the Secretariat.

“When the software is not ready, why did the government take up this misadventure? The government is still insisting that the pay bills be cleared only through IFHRMS and not through web pay roll software of the NIC like before. Wonder why the government is adamant,” a government employee asked.

Another employee pointed to the EMIs to be paid and education loans taken for children’s studies.

“We have been planning everything around the salary and the government has not been planning. If the government was serious about this IFHRMS software, they should have planned well in advance. The government should take responsibility for this,” a teacher said.

‘No Infrastructure’

He pointed out that the infrastructure available was not sufficient to implement the IFHRMS. “Some units in rural areas still do not have computers, but they have been advised to go to internet cafes. There should be a minimum internet speed. Ignoring all that, the government has gone ahead with it.”

Another official claimed that the contract workers from the private company are not trained properly to resolve the issue.

Data safety

Also, what about the safety of the data? The government has handed over data of the entire establishment to a private player on a platter.”

When contacted, Tamil Nadu Secretariat Association (TANSA) president S. Peter Antonysamy said the association was taking steps to help resolve the issue.

“We have been helping to resolve the issue. Officials should have been initially given to staff over IFHRMS. I hope the issue would be resolved in the next few days,” he said.

இத்தனை அற்புத சத்துக்களை கொண்டதா நெல்லிக்காய்...?

Sasikala|

வேறு எந்த காயகனியிலும் இதிலுள்ள வைட்டமின் 'சி' அளவைப் போல் பெற இயலாது. ஒரு நெல்லிக் காயில் முப்பது ஆரஞ்சுப் பழங்களில் உள்ள வைட்டமின் சி சத்து உள்ளது.

நெல்லிக்காய் சாறு 15 மி.லி. தேன் 15 மி.லி. எலுமிச்சைச்சாறு 15 மி.லி. கலந்து காலை மட்டும் சாப்பிட்டு வர மதுமேகம் முற்றிலும் தீரும். 15 கிராம் நெல்லிக் காயை இடித்து அரை லிட்டர் நீரில் இட்டு 100 மி.லி.யாகக் காய்ச்சி 20 மி.லி.தேன் கலந்து 40 மி.லி.யாக 3 வேளை 4 நாள் சாப்பிட மிகு பித்தம் தணியும்.

ஆப்பிளில் உள்ள அனைத்து குணங்களும் இந்த காட்டு நெல்லிக்காயில் உள்ளது.எனவே அனைவரும் தினமும் ஒரு நெல்லிக்காய் கட்டாயம் எடுத்து கொள்ள வேண்டும். 

நெல்லியை இடித்துச் சாறு பிழிந்து தேன் சேர்த்து சிறிதளவு திப்பிலிப் பொடி கலந்து சாப்பிட்டு வர சுவாச காசம் குணமாகும். உலர் பழத்தைச் சாப்பிட்டு வர கண்பார்வை கூடும். வயிற்றுப்போக்கு நிற்கும்.

நெல்லிச்சாற்றை அருந்தி வர நுரையீரல் பெருக்கம் தீரும். புழுக்களை அழிக்கும். நெல்லியை அரைத்து சிறிதளவு குங்குமப்பூ கலந்து ரோஜா நீருடன் கலந்து குடிக்க தலைவலி, மூலநோய் நீங்கும்.

நெல்லிச்சாறு உடலிலுள்ள அதிக சர்க்கரையைக் குறைக்கும். நாள்தோறும் ஒரு நெல்லிக்கனி தின்றால் இதயக் கோளாறுகள் நீங்கும். நரம்புத் தளர்ச்சி, இளநரை, தோல் சுருக்கம் போன்றவை குணமாகும்.

பாலில் சிறிதளவு நெல்லிச்சாறு கலந்து சாப்பிட்டுவர கீல்வாதம், நரம்புத் தளர்ச்சி, மூளைச்சூடு ஆகியவை குணமாகும். நெல்லி இலைக்கொழுந்து ஒரு கைப்பிடி அளவிற்று எடுத்து, அரைத்து மோரில் கலந்து சீதக் கழிச்சல் உள்ளவர்களுக்கு கொடுக்கலாம்.

நரம்பு மண்டலத்தை தூண்டி வேலை செய்கிறது. மூளை செல்களுக்கு புத்துணர்ச்சியளிப்பதால், மனத்தெளிவு, புத்திக்கூர்மை மற்றும் ஞாபசக்தி உண்டாகிறது. நுரையீரலை பலப்படுத்தி சுவாச நோய்களை கட்டுப்படுத்த உதவுகிறது. உடல் எடையை கூட்டாமல் தசைகளுக்கு பலம் அளிக்கக்கூடிய தன்மை நெல்லிக்காய்க்கு உண்டு.

[Breaking] Nirbhaya Case : Delhi Court Stays Execution Of All Convicts Until Further Orders As Pawan Files Mercy Petition 

Nilashish Chaudhary

2 March 2020 5:32 PM

The last moment mercy petition filed by Nirbhaya case convict Pawan Kumar Gupta has resulted in the postponement of the execution of death sentences of all convicts in the Nirbhaya case until further orders, which was otherwise scheduled to take place tomorrow at 6 AM.

The new development of Pawan's mercy petition persuaded Additional Sessions Judge Dharmender Rana of Patiala House Courts to modify the no-stay order passed earlier on Monday to order the deferment of the executions sine die in the evening.

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The Court observed in the order that "any condemned convict must not meet his Creator with a grievance in his bosom that the courts of this Country has not acted fairly in granting him an opportunity to exhaust his legal remedies".

After the judge pronounced order around 12.30 PM on Monday stating that there was no stay on execution, Advocate A P Singh informed the Court that Pawan Gupta submitted a mercy petition before the President, following the dismissal of his curative plea by the Supreme Court on Monday morning.

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Therefore, the judge agreed to consider the matter again at 2 PM.

Although the judge noted that the mercy petition was submitted after the time period granted by Delhi High Court, it was held that delay by itself would not make the application non- maintainable.

"Rule 840 (of Delhi Prison Rules) lays down the procedure for dealing with the mercy petition, if the same is moved after the prescribed period, and it nowhere says that the mercy petition beyond the prescribed period deserves to be summarily rejected on account of limitation", the order stated.

The Court noted that Rule 836 mandated that death sentence should not be executed during the pendency of mercy petition. Also, there should a time gap of 14 days between the rejection of mercy petition and date of execution as per the law laid down by the SC in Shartrughan Chauhan case, noted the Court in the order.

"As a cumulative effect of the aforesaid discussion, I am of the opinion that the death sentence cannot be executed pending the disposal of the mercy petition of the convict. It is hereby directed that the execution of death warrant against all the convicts, scheduled for 03.03.2020, is deferred till further orders", the Court directed.

During the hearing, the judge admonished Advocate AP Singh for taking liberties with the process. The judge pointed out that the mercy plea was filed after the time of seven days granted by the Delhi High Court on February 5 for the exhaustion of legal remedies by the convicts.

"You as a death row convict are looking to disrespect HC order. Under what law should I come to your rescue?", judge remarked during the hearing.

The judge also told Advocate A P Singh that "he was playing with fire".

A P Singh could not given any direct answer to the Court's query regarding maintainability of mercy plea after the time period set by the HC.

On February 5, while refusing to interfere with the stay put by Trial Court on the execution, the Delhi High Court had directed all four convicts to exhaust their legal remedies within 7 days. After that, the authorities should proceed as per law, the HC had directed.

On January 31, the Trial Court had stayed the executions scheduled to take place on February 1 on the ground that mercy petitions of two of the convicts were pending with the President. The Trial Court held that convicts cannot be hanged separately, based on the exhaustion of their legal remedies, as all of them were convicted on the basis of a common order.

பான் எண்ணுடன் ஆதார் இணைக்காவிட்டால் ரூ.10 ஆயிரம் அபராதம்

By DIN | Published on : 02nd March 2020 05:07 PM

பான் எண்ணுடன் ஆதார் எண்ணை மார்ச் 31ம் தேதிக்குள் இணைக்காவிட்டால் இரண்டு பிரச்னைகளை சந்திக்க வேண்டியதிருக்கும்.

மார்ச் 31ம் தேதிக்குப் பிறகு ஆதார் எண்ணுடன் இணைக்காத பான் அட்டைகள் அனைத்தும் செயலிழந்ததாகிவிடும். அதே சமயம், செயலிழந்த பான் எண்களைப் பயன்படுத்தினால் ரூ.10 ஆயிரம் அபராதம் விதிக்கப்படும்.

விதிக்கப்பட்டிருக்கும் காலக்கெடுவுக்குள் பான் எண்ணுடன் ஆதார் அட்டையை இணைக்காவிட்டால் வருமான வரிச் சட்டத்தின் கீழ் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும் என்று வருமான வரித்துறை அறிவுறுத்தியுள்ளது.

அதே சமயம், யாராவது செயலிழப்பு செய்யப்பட்ட பான் அட்டையைப் பயன்படுத்தினால் அவர்களுக்கு சட்டப்படி ரூ.10 ஆயிரம் அபராதம் விதிக்கப்படும் என்றும் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

ஒரு வேளை, ஆதாருடன் இணைக்காத பான் அட்டையை வைத்திருப்பவர்கள் பல்வேறு சிக்கல்களை சந்திக்க நேரிடும், பான் எண் இணைக்கப்பட்ட வங்கிக் கணக்கில் இருந்து பணப்பரிமாற்றம் செய்வது, சொத்து வாங்குவது விற்பனை செய்வது, பங்குச் சந்தைகளில் முதலீடு செய்வது உள்ளிட்டவை பாதிக்கப்படும்.

எனவே, பான் எண்ணுடன் ஆதாரை இணைத்த பிறகுதான் இவற்றை மேற்கொள்ள இயலும். ஏற்கனவே, செப்டம்பர் மற்றும் டிசம்பர் மாதம் வரை கால நிர்ணயம் விதிக்கப்பட்டு பிறகு தொடர்ந்து கால அவகாசம் நீட்டிக்கப்பட்டு தற்போது மார்ச் 31ம் தேதியே கடைசி என்று நிர்ணயிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

மார்ச் 31க்குள் ஆதார் எண்ணுடன் பான் எண்ணை இணைப்பது கட்டாயம்

By DIN | Published on : 15th February 2020 10:43 AM

புதுதில்லி: ஆதார் எண்ணுடன் நிரந்தர கணக்கு எண்ணை (பான் எண்) இணைத்தல் கட்டாயம். மார்ச் 31-க்குள் இணைக்கப்படவில்லை என்றால், பான் எண் முடங்கும் வாய்ப்புகள் உள்ளன என வருமான வரித்துறை அறிவித்துள்ளது.

ஆதார் எண்ணுடன் பான் கார்டை இணைக்க வேண்டியது கட்டாயம் ஆக்கப்பட்டிருக்கிறது. வருமானவரி தாக்கல் செய்வது, வருமானவரி பிடித்தம் திரும்பப் பெறுவது போன்றவற்றுக்கு இது இன்றியமையாத தேவையாக உள்ளது. ஆதார் எண் இணைக்கப்படாத பான் கார்டு ரத்து செய்யப்படும்.

இந்நிலையில், தேவையில்லாத சிக்கல்களைத் தவிர்க்க ஆதார் எண்ணுடன் பான் கார்டு வைத்திருக்கும் அனைவரும் இணைப்பது கட்டாயம் என தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இதுதொடர்பாக வருமான வரித்துறை வெளியிட்டுள்ள அறிவிப்பில், மார்ச் 31 ஆம் தேதிக்குள் ஆதார் எண்ணுடன் இணைக்கப்படாத வருமான வரித்துறையின் பான் கார்டுகள் செல்லாது.

இந்தியாவில் சுமார் 31 கோடி பான் கார்டுகள் ஏற்கெனவே ஆதார் எண்ணுடன் இணைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. மேலும் 18 கோடி பான் கார்டுகள் இணைக்கப்பட உள்ளன என தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

ஆதாருடன் பான் கார்டை இணைப்பதற்கான காலக்கெடு பலமுறை நீட்டிக்கப்பட்டு தற்போது மார்ச் 31 ஆம் தேதி கடைசி நாளாக அறிவித்துள்ளது. மார்ச் 31-க்குள் இணைக்கப்படவில்லை என்றால், பான் எண் முடங்கும் வாய்ப்புகள் உள்ளன.