Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Ponnaiyan is vice-chairman of T.N. Planning Commission

11/03/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

The Tamil Nadu government on Monday appointed senior AIADMK leader and former Finance Minister C. Ponnaiyan as the vice-chairman of the Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission.

Mr. Ponnaiyan has served as a Minister for various portfolios, including Finance.

The Chief Minister is the chairman of the State Planning Commission.
Old-age pension norms relaxed

Move to facilitate assistance of ₹1,000 to more persons

11/03/2020, DENNIS S. JESUDASAN, CHENNAI

The Tamil Nadu government recently relaxed the guidelines for the grant of old-age pension (OAP) to eligible persons, in a move that is expected to allow more people to avail themselves of the monthly financial assistance of ₹1,000.

According to a communication from Commissioner for Revenue Administration J. Radhakrishnan to District Collectors across the State, amendments have been made to the Tamil Nadu Old Age Pension Rules.

With the amended guidelines, persons having fixed assets valued at less than ₹1 lakh are eligible to get the OAP. Earlier, the slab was ₹50,000.

The official communication defined a ‘destitute’ as a person without any income or source of income and owning fixed assets of less than ₹1 lakh in value, and who has no relatives of 20 years of age. The government has also decided to relax the guidelines further to make persons who have been assigned a free house eligible for OAP.

Rigid guidelines

A senior officer explained that certain rigid guidelines had prevented several genuine persons from getting OAP. “During our field trips to several areas, we realised that many genuine persons were not able to get OAP due to some restrictions,” he said. For instance, in some cases, elderly persons had an acre of barren land but earned no income from it, and were struggling to make ends meet.

“We realised that OAP was not being granted to them even though they are truly the needy,” he said. Even in cities like Chennai, those evicted from riverbanks, who were once allotted a house in slum board tenements, were not able to get OAP.

Currently, around 31 lakh people benefit from OAP granted by the Tamil Nadu government.
‘Anna University Syndicate ignored Anandakumar Committee report’

Panel was tasked with probing recruitment irregularities

11/03/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, COIMBATORE

The Anna University Syndicate, which favoured retaining the services of 135 teaching and non-teaching staff, who were appointed in gross violation of norms, ignored the recommendations of the Committee headed by IAS officer Anandakumar.

The committee was the last to be set up by the Higher Education Department to probe irregularities in the recruitment made in the erstwhile five Anna Universities of Technology, which were established during the DMK regime.

The Syndicate had based its decision on the recommendations of two other panels — the Priya Balakrishnan Committee and the Muthusamy Committee, which had submitted their findings prior to the constitution of the Anandakumar Committee, sources in the university said on Tuesday.

The sources said that at a meeting last year, Vice-Chancellor M.K. Surappa had placed before the Syndicate the findings of all the committees. However, the Syndicate selectively chose to go by the recommendations of the Priya Balakrishnan Committee and the Muthusamy Committee and recommend that the 135 persons be retained.

While all the committee reports were official, not all of them came up with the correct findings.

It was the Anandakumar Committee that pointed out how candidates who did not possess the right qualifications were appointed as teachers in violation of norms and the communal roster system, the sources said.
What is it like to work at airport?

Employees go about their job, with care and precaution

11/03/2020, SUNITHA SEKAR,CHENNAI

Several flights fly with poor occupancy. Airports wear a dull and a nearly empty look. At a time when hundreds of passengers have called off non-essential travel this past month following fear of COVID-19, what is it like to work at the airport in such times?

Employees go about their jobs as usual with care and precaution, though there is a faint underlying fear inside, many of them said.

“Immigration staff like me are the first point of contact for passengers after they finish the health check-up. I wear gloves and a mask and have a hand sanitiser. I meet hundreds of passengers every day. I’m confident that with good precautionary measures nothing will happen, but there are moments when I’m a bit nervous,” a staff in immigration said.

The police and CISF personnel, who walk through to different parts of both international and domestic terminals round the clock, say they are in a critical job of communicating with almost all the staff in the terminals.

“I’m confident that as long as we take adequate precautions, there is nothing to fear. Even if there is a chance of getting the infection, we read reports about cases where people have recovered from COVID-19. There should be only caution and not any stigma,” a police source said.

Family in fear

While they are confident, they say their family members don’t feel the same way. “My wife keeps calling me every now and then to check if I’m doing fine. I keep reassuring her that there is nothing to feel paranoid. But yes, the fear is quite natural,” a CISF staff said.

But many passengers are scared to eat or even touch anything in the terminals, they added.

“The growing fear is affecting everyone. This kind of an uneasy atmosphere shouldn’t persist for long,” he added.
Honour for diabetologist

10/03/2020,CHENNAI

V. Mohan, chairman, Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre and director of Madras Diabetes Research Foundation has been conferred the Corresponding Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. He has published over 1,250 research papers and chapters in text books, according to a release.
When PGs pick up the broom to become govt. servants

Highly educated persons among newly posted conservancy staff in Coimbatore

10/03/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,COIMBATORE

When 23-year-old K. Sangeetha picked up a broom to sweep Raja Street on Monday morning she was going through mixed emotions.

It was the first day of her job as a Coimbatore Corporation conservancy worker and she was not quite prepared for the task that awaited her. “I did not expect to sweep the road. Initially it was very difficult. I felt as if all eyes were on me. But I managed to pull through.”

Despite holding a post-graduate qualification in microbiology, she took up the appointment because she always wanted a government job.

“I convinced myself — let me take it, for life does not have to end with me being a conservancy worker. I’ll use this as a stepping stone to find better avenues.”

For 35-year-old N. Padmavathy too, Monday was the first day of work as a municipal conservancy worker. She also took up the assignment because it was a government job and the salary was better than that at her last employer.

The conservancy workers on entry get a little more than ₹17,500 a month. They are eligible for annual increments and pension benefits.

The working hours were another reason for Ms. Padmavathy quitting her job as an accountant at a private firm near Town Hall.

“Here I’m happy that I can finish my work early in the evening to return home to my children,” says the mother of two.

The women are among dozens of men and women with under-graduate and post-graduate qualifications who applied for and were appointed for conservancy work. The new staff include those from the Backward Classes and the Most Backward Classes.

R. Naveen, a civil engineering diploma holder, says family circumstances forced him to take up the job. “I’m the breadwinner and support my mother and younger sister. That is why I left my job at a private company to take up this government job.”

Welcoming the fact that qualified candidates and persons from outside the SC communities were taking up conservancy work, S. Selvakumar, member, State Level SC Welfare Committee, said it was a step towards ensuring social equality.

A senior Corporation official said the civic body followed the roster system in appointing qualified candidates but did not share details on the exact number of appointees with a college qualification.

ILLUSTRATION: DEEPAK HARICHANDAN


Many Under-Secretary posts lying vacant in govt. departments
Pending litigation cited as reason

09/03/2020,DENNIS S. JESUDASAN   CHENNAI

About half of the posts of Under-Secretary in various departments at the Secretariat are lying vacant.

Of the more than 200 such posts in 37 departments (regarded as one unit, excluding Finance and Law Departments) at the Secretariat, a little over 100 are currently vacant. While pending litigation in the Madras High Court is often cited as a reason behind the delay in appointing the Under-Secretaries, a section of the staff pointed out that appointment orders had previously been issued promoting staff to the post with a caveat that it would be subject to the outcome of the litigation. “The primary reason for the hold-up is a dispute between direct recruits and promotees, who joined government service as typists, and who have staked their claim to be appointed as Under-Secretaries. The dispute has been going on for a long time. If the government takes legal opinion on the issue, it could be resolved. Otherwise, if either party wins the case, naturally the other would file an appeal. Governance has been affected due to the dispute,” a bureaucrat claimed. A Section Officer said Under-Secretaries deal with files in three to four sections in a department and assist their seniors in taking decisions on the files. “In some departments, about 90% of these posts are vacant. It is due to the delay in promotions for about two years that the clearing of files is taking time. It will also eventually affect the promotions of Assistant Section Officers and Assistants. It is a cyclical issue,” he said.

Minister for Personnel and Administrative Reforms D. Jayakumar could not be reached for comment.
Nirbhaya death-row convict now goes to lieutenant governor

TNN | Mar 10, 2020, 04.17 AM IST

NEW DELHI: One of the death row convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case, Vinay Sharma, on Monday approached lieutenant governor Anil Baijal’s office seeking commutation of his death sentence to life imprisonment.

The LG office confirmed that it had received a petition from Vinay Sharma’s lawyer. “The petition has been forwarded to Delhi government’s home department for its comments. Appropriate decision will be taken on the basis of the department’s views,” an official said.

The convict moved the LG’s office through his counsel A P Singh, who filed a plea under Sections 432 (power to suspend or remit sentences) and 433 (power to commute sentence) of CrPC.

Sharma, in his petition, described his life behind bars and what he faced during his confinement. The plea urged the lieutenant governor to allow Sharma’s lawyer to make oral submission before him. “Along with other nuances of the petitioner’s case, the entirety of physical and mental torture suffered by the petitioner could be best conveyed to your excellency only by means of an oral hearing,” it said.

A city court has set March 20 as the date for execution of the four death-row convicts — Mukesh Singh, Pawan Gupta, Akshay Thakur and Vinay Sharma.
Plea to regularise ad hoc staff at BDU constituent colleges

TNN | Mar 9, 2020, 04.04 AM IST

Trichy: The Association of University Teachers (AUT) observed a fast in Trichy on Sunday demanding regularisation of the services of teaching and non-teaching staff in Bharathidasan University’s 10 constituent colleges.

The AUT also demanded that the Tamil Nadu government and the BDU allow ad hoc teachers to pursue PhD and also to guide research scholars. The association demanded UGC pay scale for these teachers.

Only 31 regular teachers have been recruited since the establishment of these colleges, starting 2006. There are 10 constituent colleges including four recently converted into government colleges.

“UGC regulations mandates that not more than 20% of the sanctioned strength shall be filled with ad hoc teachers. However, all the six constituent colleges don’t have a single regular teacher and are run with only ad hoc teachers,” said N Pasupathy, AUT president.

He added that UGC guidelines fixes Rs 25,000 as monthly consolidated pay for ad hoc teachers, which was subsequently modified to Rs 50,000 in 7th UGC scales of pay.

The university has not adopted either so far while the university has chosen to appoint ‘hourly-basis lecturers’ to exploit them further.

“While they are entitled for UGC pay scale, 363 guest lecturers, 214 hourly-basis teachers and around 100 odd PTA teachers are running the college by getting a maximum salary of Rs 12,000. The salary starts at Rs 5,000,” said AUT general secretary M S Balamurugan.

Also, there was a delay on the part of the university to disburse the salary every month, he said. No service rules had been framed in the last 15 years to cater to the needs of the staff, he added.
BDU asst professor booked for sexual assault on PhD scholar

TNN | Mar 11, 2020, 04.55 AM IST

Trichy: An assistant professor from the Bharathidasan University has been booked by the all woman police station (AWPS) Thiruverumbur after a sexual harassment complaint was filed by a research scholar. He has been booked under section 354A for sexual harassment.

According to the victim, the faculty member had made sexual advances citing inability to have physical relationship with his wife over medical grounds.

Although she lodged a complaint with the vice-chancellor, who assured to get her another guide, other faculty members refused to guide her. Subsequently, the vice-chancellor told her that she would be admitted to any of the affiliated colleges under the university.

She approached the Trichy superintendent of police following which a case was booked at the AWPS Thiruverumbur on February 25. On Monday, the victim approached the district collector seeking action against the faculty member.

Speaking to TOI, registrar G Gopinath said that an internal complaints committee has been constituted as per UGC directives. “The inquiry will conclude on Wednesday and the committee is likely to submit the report soon. Action will be initiated based on the report,” he said. Thiruverumbur DSP Y Suresh Kumar said that action will be initiated based on the internal report.
Bank fraud: HC denies relief to staff

TNN | Mar 9, 2020, 04.46 AM IST

Madurai: The Madras high court dismissed the plea of a co-operative bank employee seeking to quash trial court proceedings against him for recommending loans to ineligible people who had already defrauded the bank by obtaining loans in 2014.

Justice G Jayachandran observed that the circular issued by the cooperative society does not prohibit from taking action against erring officials, as it is only suggestive in nature.

The judge observed that when dereliction of duty is not tainted with criminal intention, recovery proceedings alone is sufficient. “This is a clear case of fabrication of records and thereby, the petitioner and the other accused have caused loss to the society. The role of the petitioner in granting loan and tampering records has been spoken by the witnesses in their statements,” noted the judge.

The petitioner A Manivel was working as the circle supervisor of Trichy district central cooperative bank and his duty was to verify loan applications received by the primary agricultural cooperative society and forward the same to the district central cooperative bank. tnn
HC quashes recovery proceedings against woman over 36 years’ delay

TNN | Mar 10, 2020, 04.47 AM IST

Madurai: Madras high court has quashed recovery proceedings initiated against a woman under the Revenue Recovery Act after taking cognizance of the fact that recovery proceedings were initiated against her after a delay of 36 years for the notional loss suffered by the state government during an auction of an arrack shop in 1982.

M Rajathi moved the high court Madurai bench in 2018, seeking to quash an order of the divisional excise officer at Thirumangalam in Madurai district for initiating recovery proceedings.

The facts of the case are that an auction was conducted for an arrack shop at Thirumangalam in which an impersonator in the name of the petitioner’s husband, S A Maharajan took part in 1982. The impersonator had offered the highest bid of Rs 45,180. Though there was a precondition that the impersonator had to remit certain amount of money before the end of the day, the impersonator did not come forward to pay the amount.

Therefore, the authorities re-auctioned the shop which was fetched by another person for Rs 30,105. Since the difference in auction price is Rs 15,075, the amount which was calculated for 12 months at Rs 1,80,900 is being recovered from the petitioner.

Taking cognizance of the submissions that the authorities were well aware of the fact that an impersonator took part in the auction, justice C V Karthikeyan observed the petitioner’s husband died in 2004 and no action was taken by the officials when he was alive. The judge observed that recovery proceedings were initiated only in 2018 and there is no explanation given by the officials for not taking action for the past 36 years.

The judge also noted that the proceedings were initiated not for the actual loss but the notional loss said to have been suffered by the state government. “This is the case which reflects the retrograde bureaucratic approach of the government officials. TNN
Notice to Anna University for 'not filing income tax returns'

TNN | Mar 10, 2020, 12.53 PM IST

CHENNAI: The Income Tax department has issued a notice to the Controller of Examinations, Anna University, for deposit of the money deducted as tax deducted at source (TDS) and for not filing IT returns.

The notice said the controller has not filed quarterly returns for financial years 2018-19 and 2019-20. The department threatened to take action under Section 276B, 278B and 276C of the Income Tax Act if the University fails to reply. Under the sections, the person responsible to reply can be arrested.

Since the financial year is about to end in a few weeks, the income tax department will increase the heat on assessees for either not depositing the money deducted as TDS or those who have not filed their returns.

"We have information that you have not uploaded quarterly returns from the financial years 2018-19 and 2019-20. If you have already filed quaterly returns for the above mentioned period, please produce a copy of such returns," said a note income tax officer V Anandraj sent to the university's controller of examinations on March 6. Anandraj said if the university failed to provide proof of having filed the returns and also failed to file the returns, penal action will be taken. "TDS has been taken from the teaching faculty who were deputed for the semester exam during November-December 2019 for answer sheet evaluation and the same has been done in 23 centres across Tamil Nadu. But the TDS deducted from the individuals have not reflected in form 26AS. Hence you are required to file 24Q and 26Q for the respective financial years in which the amount was deducted from their salary," said Anandraj. The department said the case has been posted for hearing on March 13 at 11.30am. "At this time and date, you are requested to furnish copies of quarterly returns filed and paid challans for the above period," said the I-T official.

Officials in the controller of examinations department told TOI that they were yet to receive the IT notice. "Several thousands of teachers are involved in the answer sheet evaluation and till now the work is going on. We have deposited whatever money has been deducted as TDS and very soon we file the returns also," said a senior official from the University.
Yes Bank users can use NEFT for loan payments

Customers Can Now Pay Credit Bill, Other Repayments Through Other Bank Accounts

New Delhi:11.03.2020

Crisis-hit Yes Bank said on Tuesday that customers could now make payments towards their credit card and loans through other bank accounts, days after prominent banking services were curtailed after the RBI imposed moratorium on the lender.

The announcement comes as panic gripped the bank’s customers, who queued before ATMs and bank branches to withdraw money. They were also not even able to access Internet banking and other services like digital payments through another party’s platform. Forex services and credit card purchases, among others, were also impacted.

“Inward IMPS/NEFT services have now been enabled,” Yes Bank tweeted. “You can make payments towards YES Bank credit card dues and loan obligations from other bank accounts. Thank you for your co-operation.”

The Reserve Bank of India had put a moratorium last Thursday on the cashstrapped Yes Bank, imposed withdrawal restriction of ₹50,000 only till April 3 and superseded its board through appointment of an administrator.

However, the bank has now said that its ATMs are fully up now and customers can withdraw the stipulated amount from other banks’ ATMs as well.

During the moratorium period, Yes Bank will not be able to grant or renew any loan or advance, make any investment, incur any liability or agree to disburse any payment.

As per the RBI’s draft reconstruction scheme, State Bank of India will pick up 49% stake in the crisis-ridden Yes Bank under a government-approved bailout plan by infusing capital of ₹2,450 crore.

The bank’s financial health is not sound as it has failed to raise enough capital under the new leadership of Ravneet Singh Gill, who took charge as the managing director and CEO from March last year.

Troubles at new-generation private sector started brewing up ever since the the Reserve Bank denied extension to its co-founder Rana Kapoor— who now is in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate on charges of financial mismanagement and money-laundering— to continue as MD and CEO in September 2018, and had asked the lender to find a new successor.

Yes Bank’s administrator, Prashant Kumar, a former SBI executive, had on Friday assured customers that the moratorium period could end by this weekend. PTI


EASING STRESS ON CUSTOMERS
Now, track MTC buses on phone with ‘Chalo’ app

It Provides Info On Nearest Stop, Next Five Buses

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:11.03.2020

Just like Ola and Uber, passengers can now live track government buses in the city using ‘Chalo’ app.

The app provides details on nearest bus stops and next five Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses scheduled to arrive at any selected stop in both online and offline modes. Users can also search timings of buses along specific authorised routes. For instance, for route 570 (Kelambakkam to Koyambedu CMBT), the app will show the source, destination and list of bus stops on the route. Also a live map, showing the present location of buses plying on the route, will be displayed for users. By selecting one of the buses, passengers may get to know when it would reach the nearest bus stop (based on GPS).

Another common confusion among passengers is route numbers. Unlike Madurai or Coimbatore, Chennai operates more than 650 routes. So, remembering route numbers is tricky. To eliminate this, the app provides the list of bus numbers between any two points. If a commuter is in T Nagar and wants to go to Nanganallur, all he/she needs to do is to enter the source and destination in the appropriate search boxes. Within seconds, the app will display information that 129C, 9M, 79 and 155A are the available options from T Nagar to Nanganallur along with approximate ticket fare in each of the buses.

By this, passengers may get to plan their travel better. “People need not rush to bus stops with uncertainty or fear of missing the next bus if we get to know when the bus will reach and where the bus is now,” said S Rengachari, a transportation activist. Also, they need not wait for a long time at bus stops. Instead, they can leave home or office after calculating the time taken for reaching the bus stop, he said.

A senior MTC official said the app is a beta version (or test-run) of the soon-to-belaunched government’s Locate My Bus App (LAMB). More than 90% of the total 3,300 MTC buses were fitted with GPS devices and brought under the app’s ambit. It will be expanded soon to other buses based on response from the public and correcting internal errors if any, he said and added, “We hope this will encourage more passengers to opt for MTC buses over cabs or share autos”. Accuracy will be within a margin of 1 minute or 10% of predicted time.

TECH HELP: A screengrab of ‘Chalo’ app and (R) buses at a terminus in the city

Friday, March 6, 2020

NEET PG 2020 counseling schedule released, check important dates here

TOI-Online | Updated: Mar 4, 2020, 08:38 IST


NEW DELHI: The Medical Counseling Committee (MCC) has released the schedule for online counseling (allotment process) for NEET 50% AIQ/Deemed/Central Universities/AFMS (MD/MS/Diploma and MDS) Seats – 2020 on its official website - mcc.nic.in.

The candidates who qualified the NEET PG 2020 exam are advised to visit the official website of the MCC to check and download the counseling schedule. The candidates can also click on the link provided below to check and download the NEET PG 2020 counseling schedule:

NEET PG 2020 Counseling 1st Round

The NEET PG 2020 First Round of Counseling Registration and Payment facility will be available from March 12 to 22, 2020. Choice Filling/ Locking option will be available from March 16 to 22, and Processing of Seat Allotment will he held from March 23 to 24. The result will be announced on March 25 and candidates need to report from March 26 to April 3, 2020.

NEET PG 2020 Counseling 2nd Round

The registration and payment facility for the NEET PG 2020 Counseling Second Round will be available from April 7 to April 12, 2020. Choice Filling/ Locking option will be available from April 9 to 12 and Processing of Seat Allotment will be from April 13-14, 2020. Result will be declared on April 15 and reporting will be held from April 15 to 22, 2020.

Transfer of Non Reporting & Non Joining /Vacant seats to State Quota (Only 50% All India Quota) will happen at 6:00 PM on April, 22, 2020.

Display of Seats Matrix for Mop-up round for Central/Deemed Universities will happen on May 11, 2020. The candidates can register and make payment from May 12 to 17, 2020. Choice Locking will be available from May 14 to 17. Processing of Seat Allotment will begin on May 18 and the result will be declared on May 20. Reporting will be held from May 20 to 26, 2020.

Transfer of Non Reporting & Non Joining /Vacant seats to Deemed/Central Universities will happen on May 27, 2020. Conduction of Stray Vacancy Round by Deemed/Central Universities will be held from May 27, 2020 to May 31, 2020.




533 Medical Colleges Offering MBBS Courses In The Country: Health Ministry
261 medical colleges are under private management.

Education Edited by Shihabudeen Kunju S Updated: March 04, 2020 04:45 pm IST

NEET 2020: The ministry said a total of 533 medical colleges are offering MBBS courses in the country.

New Delhi:
The health ministry informed the Parliament on Tuesday that a total of 533 medical colleges are offering MBBS courses in the country, including 261 medical colleges under private management. there are 436 Medical Colleges providing MD/MS etc. courses of studies. Minister of State of Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey also said there are 436 medical colleges in the country which are providing MD, MS etc. courses of studies.

The minister added that to increase the PG seats in medical colleges, the government has revised the ratio of teachers to students for Professor from 1:1 to 1:2 for all MD/MS disciplines and from 1:1 to 1:3 in all clinical subjects in government funded medical colleges and in private medical colleges with 15 years standing. 

"Further, for Associate Professor, the said ratio has been revised from 1:1 to 1:2 and 1:3, if he/she is a unit head in all clinical subjects in Government medical colleges and in Private medical colleges with 15 years standing. This has resulted in increase in number of PG seats in the country," he said. 

Mr Choubey also said the government is in the process of strengthening or up-gradation of state government medical colleges for starting new PG courses or increase of PG seats. 

"By amending the regulations, it has been made mandatory for all medical colleges to start PG courses within 3 years from the date of their MBBS recognition/ continuation of recognition," the minister said. 

"Colleges are allowed to apply for PG courses in clinical subjects at the time of 4th renewal it will serve to advance the process for starting PG courses by more than one (1) year," he added.

MBBS admissions are done through the all India NEET UG exam conducted by the National Testing Agency or NTA while the while the PG admissions are done through NEET PG entrance examination.

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கரோனா பீதி: டெல்லி அரசு ஊழியர்களுக்கு பயோமெட்ரிக் வருகைப்பதிவேடு தற்காலிக ரத்து


கரோனா வைரஸ் பீதி காரணமாக டெல்லியில் அரசு ஊழியர்களுக்கு பயோமெட்ரிக் வருகைப்பதிவேடு தற்காலிகமாக ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது.

சீனாவை உலுக்கி வரும் கரோனா வைரஸுக்கு (கோவிட் -19) அந்த நாட்டில் இதுவரை 3000 பேர் உயிரிழந்துள்ளனர். 80 ஆயிரத்துக்கும் மேற்பட்டோர் பாதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர். இதுதவிர இத்தாலி, தென் கொரியா, ஈரான் ஆகிய நாடுகளிலும் கரோனா வைரஸ் வேகமாகப் பரவி வருகிறது. உலகம் முழுவதும் 25-க்கும் மேற்பட்ட நாடுகளில் கரோனா வைரஸ் தாக்குதல் பரவியுள்ளது.

டெல்லி மற்றும் தெலங்கானாச் சேர்ந்த இருவருக்கு கரோனா வைரஸ் தாக்குதல் இருப்பதை மத்திய அரசு உறுதி செய்தது. டெல்லியைச் சேர்ந்தவர் சமீபத்தில் இத்தாலி சென்று திரும்பியுள்ளார். தெலங்கானாவைச் சேர்ந்தவர் துபாய் சென்று திரும்பியுள்ளார். இரு நோயாளிகளின் உடல் நிலையும் சீராக இருக்கிறது இதையடுத்து, இருவரும் வெவ்வேறு மருத்துவமனைகளில் தனி அறையில் தீவிர கண்காணிப்பில் வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர்.

இந்தியாவில் 28 பேருக்கு கரோனா வைரஸ் பாதிப்பு இருப்பதை மத்திய அரசு உறுதி செய்துள்ளது. இந்தியாவில் கரோனா வைரஸ் பரவிவிடக்கூடாது என்பதற்காக முன்னெச்சரிக்கையாக மத்திய அரசு சில அதிரடி நடவடிக்கைகளை எடுத்துள்ளது. அதன்படி இத்தாலி, ஈரான், தென் கொரியா மற்றும் ஜப்பான் நாடுகளில் இருந்து வருவோருக்கு விசா ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இதனிடையே கரோனா வைரஸ் குறித்து பல்வேறு வதந்திகள் பரவிய வண்ணம் உள்ளது.

இந்தநிலையில் கரோனா வைரஸ் பரவுவதை தடுக்க டெல்லி மாநில அரசும் பல்வேறு நடவடிக்கைகளை எடுத்துள்ளது. தலைநகர் டெல்லிக்கு வெளிநாட்டினர் அதிகம் வர வாய்ப்பு இருப்பதால் தேவையான முன்னெச்சரிக்கை நடவடிக்கைகளை எடுக்கும்படி மத்திய சுகாதாரத்துறையும் எச்சரித்து இருந்தது.

இதைத் தொடர்ந்து டெல்லி தொடக்கப் பள்ளிகளுக்கு மார்ச் 30-ம் தேதி வரை விடுமுறை வழங்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. மேலும் டெல்லி மாநில அரசு ஊழியர்கள், மாநகராட்சி ஊழியர்கள் அனைவரும் பயோமெட்ரிக் முறையில் வருகைப்பதிவேடு தற்காலிகமாக ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது. அதற்கு பதிலாக கையெழுத்திடும் பதிவேடு பின்பற்றப்படும் என அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.
நாமக்கல் அரசு மருத்துவக் கல்லூரிக்கு முதல்வா் நியமனம்

By DIN | Published on : 06th March 2020 05:35 AM 


சாந்தாஅருள்மொழி

நாமக்கல்: நாமக்கல் அரசு மருத்துவக் கல்லூரிக்கு முதல்வராக மருத்துவா் சாந்தாஅருள்மொழி நியமிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளாா்.

நாமக்கல்லில் புதிய அரசு மருத்துவக் கல்லூரிக்கான அடிக்கல் நாட்டு விழா வியாழக்கிழமை நடைபெற்றது. ஏற்கெனவே, மருத்துவக் கல்லூரி அறிவிக்கப்பட்டவுடன், திருப்பூா் மருத்துவக் கல்லூரி முதல்வா் நிா்மலா, பொறுப்பு முதல்வராக நாமக்கல்லில் பணியாற்றி வந்தாா். இந்தநிலையில், புதிய மருத்துவக் கல்லூரி அடிக்கல் நாட்டப்பட்டதைத் தொடா்ந்து, கோவை அரசு மருத்துவக் கல்லூரியில், மயக்கவியல் துறை நிபுணராக பணியாற்றி வந்த சாந்தா அருள்மொழியை, நாமக்கல் அரசு மருத்துவக் கல்லூரிக்கு முதல்வராக நியமித்து தமிழக அரசு அண்மையில் அறிவிப்பு வெளியிட்டது. இதைத்தொடா்ந்து, அவா் வியாழக்கிழமை பொறுப்பேற்றுக் கொண்டாா்.
நிர்பயா' குற்றவாளிகளுக்கு 20ல் தூக்கு; புது தேதி அறிவிப்பு

Updated : மார் 06, 2020 00:27 | Added : மார் 06, 2020 00:25 |

புதுடில்லி: மருத்துவ மாணவி, 'நிர்பயா' பாலியல் பலாத்கார வழக்கின் குற்றவாளிகள் நான்கு பேருக்கும், வரும், 20ல் துாக்கு தண்டனையை நிறைவேற்றும்படி, டில்லி நீதிமன்றம் புதிய தேதியை அறிவித்துள்ளது.

டில்லியைச் சேர்ந்த மருத்துவ மாணவி, நிர்பயா, 2012ல், ஒரு கும்பலால் பாலியல் பலாத்காரத்துக்கு ஆளானார். மருத்துவமனையில் அனுமதிக்கப்பட்ட மாணவி, சிகிச்சை பலனின்றி இறந்தார். இந்த வழக்கில், முகேஷ் குமார் சிங், 32, பவன் குப்தா, 25, வினய் சர்மா, 26, அக் ஷய் குமார் சிங், 31, ஆகியோருக்கு துாக்கு தண்டனை விதிக்கப்பட்டது.

டில்லி திஹார் சிறையில் அடைக்கப்பட்டுள்ள இவர்களுக்கு, முதலில், ஜன., 22ம் தேதியும், பின், பிப்., 1, மார்ச், 3 ஆகிய நாட்களிலும் துாக்கு தண்டனையை நிறைவேற்ற தேதி குறிக்கப்பட்டது. நான்கு பேரும், கருணை மனு, சீராய்வு மனு என, மாறி மாறி, தங்களுக்கு உள்ள சட்ட வாய்ப்புகளை பயன்படுத்தியதால், தண்டனை நிறைவேற்றுவது தள்ளி வைக்கப்பட்டது. இந்நிலையில், குற்றவாளிகளில் ஒருவரான பவன் குப்தா தாக்கல் செய்த கருணை மனுவை, ஜனாதிபதி ராம்நாத் கோவிந்த், சமீபத்தில் நிராகரித்தார்.

டில்லி மருத்துவ மாணவி கற்பழித்துக் கொல்லப்பட்ட வழக்கில் 4 பேரையும் ஜனவரி 22ம்தேதி தூக்கிலிட தேதி குறிக்கப்பட்டது. ஆனால் நால்வரும் மாறி மாறி மனுக்களை போட்டு மூன்று முறை தூக்கு தேதியை ஒத்திப்போட வைத்து விட்டார்கள். குற்றவாளி பவன் குப்தாவின் கருணை மனுவை ஜனாதிபதி ராம்நாத் கோவிந்த் புதனன்று நிராகரித்தார். இதன்மூலம் குற்றவாளிகளின் அனைத்து சட்ட வாய்ப்புகளும் முடிந்துவிட்டன.

இதையடுத்து, குற்றவாளிகள் கருணை மனு தாக்கல் செய்வதற்கான சட்ட வாய்ப்புகள் அனைத்தும் முடிவடைந்தன. இது குறித்த தகவலை, டில்லி மாநில அரசின் வழக்கறிஞர், டில்லி செஷன்ஸ் நீதிமன்றத்தில் நேற்று தெரிவித்தார். குற்றவாளிகள் தரப்பு வழக்கறிஞரும், கருணை மனுவுக்கான சட்ட வாய்ப்புகள் முடிந்து விட்டதாக தெரிவித்தார். இதைத் தொடர்ந்து, குற்றவாளிகள் நான்கு பேருக்கும், வரும், 20ம் தேதி அதிகாலை, 5:30க்கு துாக்கு தண்டனையை நிறைவேற்றும்படி, டில்லி திஹார் சிறை நிர்வாகத்துக்கு, நீதிபதி தர்மேந்திர ராணா, 'வாரன்ட்' அனுப்ப உத்தரவிட்டார்.


மார்ச் 23ல் விசாரணை:

'நிர்பயா வழக்கின் குற்றவாளிகள் நான்கு பேரையும் தனித் தனி தேதிகளில் துாக்கிலிடக் கூடாது; ஒரே நேரத்தில் தான் தண்டனையை நிறைவேற்ற வேண்டும்' என, டில்லி உயர் நீதிமன்றம் ஏற்கனவே உத்தரவிட்டிருந்தது.


மனு தாக்கல்:

இதை எதிர்த்து, மத்திய அரசு சார்பில் உச்ச நீதிமன்றத்தில் மனு தாக்கல் செய்யப்பட்டிருந்தது. இந்நிலையில், உச்ச நீதிமன்றத்தில் நேற்று, நீதிபதிகள் ஆர்.பானுமதி தலைமையிலான அமர்வு முன் ஆஜரான சொலிசிட்டார் ஜெனரல் துஷார் மேத்தா, குற்றவாளிகளுக்கு, வரும், 20ல் தண்டனையை நிறைவேற்றும்படி, டில்லி நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவு பிறப்பித்துள்ளதை சுட்டிக் காட்டினார்.

அப்போது அவர் வாதிட்டதாவது: இந்த வழக்கில் நான்கு குற்றவாளிகள் உள்ளனர். இவர்களே, இரண்டு மாதங்களுக்கு மேலாக, தண்டனை நிறைவேற்றுவதை இழுத்துடித்து விட்டனர். எதிர்காலத்தில், ஒரு வழக்கில், 20 குற்றவாளிகள் இருந்தால், அவர்கள் மாறி மாறி மனு தாக்கல் செய்தால், தண்டனையை எப்படி நிறைவேற்ற முடியும். குற்றவாளிகள் தங்களுக்கு உள்ள சட்ட வாய்ப்புகளை பயன்படுத்தி, நீதிமன்ற நடவடிக்கைகளை கேலிக் கூத்தாக்குகின்றனர்.

எனவே, ஒரு வழக்கில் ஒருவரது சட்ட வாய்ப்புகள் முடிவடைந்து விட்டால், அவருக்கான தண்டனையை உடனடியாக நிறைவேற்ற அனுமதி அளிக்க வேண்டும். அந்த வழக்கில் தொடர்புடைய அடுத்த குற்றவாளியின் சட்ட வாய்ப்புக்காக காத்திருக்க கூடாது. இவ்வாறு, அவர் வாதிட்டார்.

சந்தேகம்:

இதையடுத்து, இந்த விவகாரம் குறித்து ஆய்வு செய்யவுள்ளதாக கூறிய நீதிபதிகள், இந்த மனுவை, வரும், 23ல் விசாரிப்பதாக உத்தரவிட்டனர். மீண்டும் இந்த வழக்கு ஒத்தி வைக்கப்படாது என்றும் உறுதி அளித்தனர். மார்ச், 20ல், குற்றவாளி களுக்கு துாக்கு தண்டனையை நிறைவேற்ற தேதி அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள நிலையில், இது தொடர்பான வழக்கு ஒத்தி வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளதால், திட்டமிட்டபடி தண்டனை நிறைவேறுமா என்ற சந்தேகம் மீண்டும் எழுந்துள்ளது.

'துாக்கில் தொங்குவதை நேரில் பார்க்க ஆசை'

மாணவி நிர்பயாவின் தாய் ஆஷா தேவி கூறியதாவது: என் மகள் சாகும்போது, 'குற்றவாளிகள் தண்டிக்கப்பட வேண்டும்' என்றாள். குற்றவாளிகளுக்கு துாக்கு தண்டனை நிறைவேறும் நாளில் தான், எங்களின் பொழுது விடியும். எனக்கு வாய்ப்பு கிடைத்தால், குற்றவாளிகள் நான்கு பேருக்கும் தண்டனை நிறைவேற்றப்படுவதை, நேரில் பார்ப்பேன். எனக்கு அதற்கு அனுமதி கிடைக்குமா என, தெரியவில்லை. இதற்கு மேலும், குற்றவாளிகளுக்கான தண்டனை நிறைவேறுவது, தாமதமாவதை ஏற்க முடியாது. இவ்வாறு, அவர் கூறினார்.
பவுர்ணமி கிரிவலத்துக்கு உகந்த நேரம் அறிவிப்பு

Added : மார் 05, 2020 22:52

தி.மலை: திருவண்ணாமலையில், பக்தர்கள் கிரிவலம் செல்ல, உகந்த நேரத்தை, கோவில் நிர்வாகம் அறிவித்துள்ளது.திருவண்ணாமலை, அருணாசலேஸ்வரர் கோவிலில், பவுர்ணமி தோறும் லட்சக்கணக்கான பக்தர்கள் கிரிவலம் சென்று, சுவாமி தரிசனம் செய்கின்றனர்.மாசி மாத பவுர்ணமி திதி, 9ம் தேதி அதிகாலை, 2:09 மணி முதல், 10ம் தேதி அதிகாலை, 12:04 மணி வரை உள்ளது. அந்த நேரத்தில், கிரிவலம் செல்ல உகந்த நேரம் என, கோவில் நிர்வாகம் அறிவித்துள்ளது.
DMK, PMK flay Guv move on V-C selection

Stalin said the appointment of Jagadesh Kumar was the worst precedent. In the name of ensuring transparency in education, the Governor had resorted to such activities.

Published: 06th March 2020 05:34 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: DMK president MK Stalin and PMK founder S Ramadoss on Thursday condemned the appointment of Jawaharlal Nehru University Vice-Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar as chairman of the search committee for selecting an academician as Vice-Chancellor of Madras University.

Stalin said the appointment of Jagadesh Kumar was the worst precedent. In the name of ensuring transparency in education, the Governor had resorted to such activities. By appointing Jagadesh Kumar, he had insulted Tamil Nadu at the national level and attempted to create an impression that a suitable person for heading the search committee was not available in Tamil Nadu. 

In his tweet, Ramadoss said, “It seems the appointment has been made only with a view to appointing a person from some other State as vice-chancellor. Already, Anna University is getting ruined after a person from outside State was appointed as Vice-Chancellor,” he alleged. “State Governor Banwarilal Purohit should give up this attitude and Tamil Nadu government should not allow this to happen,” he said.

    Explore medical science to help astronauts: Ex-ISRO chief

    “We need to create specialised courses as well as institutions to impart education with necessary simulation and training infrastructure for our own astronauts,” he said.

    Published: 06th March 2020 05:54 AM 


    Governor Banwarilal Purohit handing over degree to a student at the convocation of Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University on Thursday | Ashwin prasath

    By Express News Service

    CHENNAI: With India’s plans for human space mission-Gaganyaan, a new dimension needs to be created in medical education to deal with physiological and psychological effects on astronauts, said K Kasturirangan, a former Chairman of ISRO, here on Thursday. Delivering the address during the 32nd convocation of Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University, he said practice of yoga helps in maintaining core and neck strength besides helping overcome problems of space motion sickness and psychological problems arising from spending long duration in isolated space environments.

    “We need to create specialised courses as well as institutions to impart education with necessary simulation and training infrastructure for our own astronauts,” he said. Speaking about National Medical Policy 2020, Kasturirangan, who headed National Education Policy drafting committee, said medical education component of NEP will need considerable discussion with National Medical Commission before finalising the overall strategy, including regulatory aspects.

    Governor Banwarilal Purohit presided over the function and Sudha Seshayyan, Vice-Chancellor, presented the annual report. A total of 17,500 under faculties of medical, dental, AYUSH, and allied health science courses were awarded degrees and 724 received degrees in person.
      Kiran Bedi-Cabinet standoff bad news for U.T., says HC
      Judges hope the differences of opinion will be resolved amicably

      06/03/2020, MOHAMED IMRANULLAH S.,CHENNAI

      The Madras High Court on Thursday expressed serious concern over a series of disagreements between the Council of Ministers and the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) of Puducherry Kiran Bedi resulting in many litigations before the court. The court said: “The repeated stand-off/acrimony between the said two high constitutional functionaries may not augur well for the governance of the Union Territory, especially the people.”

      A Bench of Justices M. Sathyanarayanan and R. Hemalatha made the observations while dismissing a case filed by Local Administration Minister A. Namassivayam challenging the L-G’s decision to reject a decision taken by the Cabinet to appoint T.M. Balakrishnan as the State Election Commissioner and instead fill up the post through a selection committee by calling for applications from across the country.

      It held that the appointment of Mr. Balakrishnan was not in consonance with the rules and that there was nothing wrong in L-G’s decision to follow a transparent mechanism to fill up the post. However, observing that the Cabinet as well as the L-G must also be aware of the consequences of frequent disagreements between them, the judges said: “This court hopes and trusts that whatever be the reasons for the difference of opinion, they will be resolved amicably.”

      The judges pointed out that Section 9A(1) of the Puducherry Village and Commune Panchayats Act of 1973 states that the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for the conduct of all elections to the panchayats shall be vested in the Election Commission consisting of an Election Commissioner to be appointed by the Administrator (L-G) and laid emphasis on the word Administrator used in the legislation.

      Further, Section 9A(2) of the Act states that subject to the provisions of any law made by the Legislative Assembly of the UT, the conditions of service and tenure of office of the Election Commissioner shall be such as the Administrator may by rule determine and pointed out that the appointment of Mr. Balakrishnan had not been approved by the L-G and therefore such appointment could not be sustained in law.
      ‘No need to panic over COVID-19’

      06/03/2020, STAFF REPORTER,MADURAI

      Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey urged the public not to panic over COVID-19 and stated that the Central government was fully prepared to tackle any situation.

      Addressing mediapersons here on Thursday, Mr. Choubey said that the Union government started conducting meetings through videoconferencing with State officials well in advance.

      The Minister said that 29 people in India had tested positive for coronavirus till March 4.

      As a preventive measure, the government had suspended visas granted to people from Italy, Iran, China, South Korea and Japan.

      There were 15 laboratories across the country to conduct the test for COVID-19. Another 19 laboratories would be established soon, he added.
      Assistant Professor booked for sexual harassment

      06/03/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,TIRUNELVELI

      Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, in a bid to fulfil the direction of Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, has filed a complaint against an Assistant Professor in the Department of History five years after students levelled sexual harassment charges against him.

      Based on the complaint preferred by Registrar S. Santhosh Baboo, Pettai police have registered a case against Vinod Vincent Rajesh. When a good number of girl students charged that Vinod Vincent Rajesh was sexually harassing them in 2015, the administration did not take any punitive action against him, forcing the students to launch a series of protests on the university premises.

      As the protests continued despite intimidation by a few people in the administration, the MSU was forced to constitute an internal inquiry committee to probe the sexual harassment charges.

      After the committee, comprising R. Kala of the Department of Mathematics, P. Madhava Somasundaram of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice and a few others, inquired the affected students and the witnesses, it recorded in its report that Vinod Vincent Rajesh had used “unprofessional statements” in the classroom.

      Since the committee’s findings confirmed the charges levelled by the students against the Assistant Professor, the MSU administration placed him under suspension for a few months and then reinstated him. As he was allowed to work in Nagalapuram Mano College, the affected students objected the move.

      Adding fuel to the fire, the MSU Internal Committee, which should have forwarded a complaint against Vinod Vincent Rajesh to the jurisdictional police after a prima facie case existed, did not fulfil the legal obligation, forcing the affected girl students to approach the court that directed the MSU to file a complaint with the police against the accused.

      Dr. Santhosh Baboo filed the formal complaint on Wednesday and the police registered the case late in the night.
      Courses offered by medical varsity without MCI nod illegal, says HC

      CJ’s Bench concurs with decision taken by a single judge of the court in June

      06/03/2020, MOHAMED IMRANULLAH S.,CHENNAI

      The first Division Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday confirmed an order passed by a single judge of the court in June last declaring as illegal a host of courses offered by Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University without obtaining necessary approval as required under Section 10(A) of the Indian Medical Council (MCI) Act of 1956.

      Chief Justice Amreshwar Pratap Sahi and Justice Subramonium Prasad concurred with the decision taken by Justice S.S. Sundar, who had restrained the university from continuing the illegal courses either directly or through medical colleges affiliated to it. The Bench recorded the submission of MCI counsel V.P. Raman that it had not approved the courses.

      However, the Bench struck off the costs of ₹5 lakh imposed by the single judge on the State-run university for having run medical courses in violation of the law, along with a directive to pay the money within four weeks to the School Education Department so that it could be used for improving the infrastructure of needy government schools.

      Giving reasons for striking off the order imposing costs, which had not been paid since the university preferred an appeal, Chief Justice Sahi said it only appeared that the varsity had conducted those courses not with a mala fide intention but only on a misconception that it could offer such courses without the approval of the Union Health Ministry and the MCI.

      Apart from the directive related to imposition of costs, “we find no reason to take a different view than what had been taken by the learned single judge... There is no material to find fault with the findings of the learned single judge,” the Bench said while dismissing the writ appeal preferred by the university last year and pending since then.

      Ruling upheld

      Justice Sundar had declared the courses illegal while allowing a writ petition filed by Doctors’ Welfare Association of Tamil Nadu (DWAT), represented by its general secretary K. Srinivasan, in May last year. The judge agreed with the petitioner’s counsel, P. Ebenezer Paul, that even a State-run university should follow the requirements of a Central law.

      In its petition, the association had urged the court to prevent the university from offering one-year fellowships in HIV medicine, occupational health, clinical immunology, palliative medicine and sexual medicine.

      It wanted the university to be prevented from offering two-year courses in medical genetics, critical care medicine, clinical diabetology, ultrasound (obstetrics and gynaecology) or any other unauthorised PG degree, diploma, certificate or fellowship in medical sciences course for which an MBBS degree is the requirement for admission.

      Opposing the writ petition, the university had claimed that the courses were started only after clearance by its governing council and that it was empowered to offer the courses in medical sciences, depending on the need for such courses, even without obtaining the approval of the Centre or the MCI.

      Rejecting the contention, the judge had said Central enactments would prevail over State laws and that a Division Bench of the High Court in Dr. V. Balaji versus Union of India (2008) had stressed upon the need for every medical course to have been approved by the Centre and MCI.
      AIIMS Madurai will be opened by Sept. 2022, says MoS

      06/03/2020, STAFF REPORTER,MADURAI

      The loan agreement between the Union government and the Government of Japan for the construction of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Madurai will be signed in September. The hospital will be inaugurated in September 2022, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey said here on Thursday.

      Addressing mediapersons, Mr. Choubey said the government was also planning to commission the medical college by 2021.

      Mr. Choubey said three government hospitals in Tamil Nadu were upgraded to multi-speciality hospitals under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY). Also, the Centre had granted permission for establishing 11 new medical colleges in the State, the MoS added.

      Increase in seats

      He said that under the BJP government at the Centre, the number of medical seats in the country had increased by 28,000, and that it currently stood at 80,000. The government aimed to increase it to 1,00,000 by 2022-2023, Mr. Choubey said.

      The Minister of State was in Madurai to inaugurate the Ramayan Express. He also addressed BJP cadre on various issues.

      BJP State secretary R. Srinivasan and other functionaries of the party were present on the occasion.
      At site of Shanti theatre, a complex to house offices

      06/03/2020, STAFF REPORTER, CHENNAI

      The family members of veteran actor Sivaji Ganesan and real estate developer Akshaya Private Limited came together to announce the launch of ‘Akshaya Shanti’— office suites for businesses and enterprises at the Shanti theatre complex on Anna Salai.

      Nearly four years ago, the family members of the late actor had announced that they were going to shut down the theatre, a landmark building on Anna Salai, and redevelop the property.

      Shanti theatre, built by G. Umapathy and D. Shanmuga Raja, was originally inaugurated in 1961 and later bought by actor Sivaji Ganesan.

      “While there were initially several options as to how to redevelop the property, we worked with Akshaya and ultimately decided to go with state-of-the-art office suites which will be unique to this area. We had our initial apprehensions about the redevelopment since this is a building that my father bought, but the builders have ensured that they will retain something to remember him by, here,” said actor Prabhu.

      The gate to the building as well as the walls leading up to the entrance have the names of Sivaji Ganesan’s most memorable films.

      The grade A project can either house a single big corporate office or multiple mid-sized corporate offices spread across six floor plates. There is also a gymnasium, landscaped terrace gardens, and car park with a capacity of 134 vehicles and a cafeteria planned.

      T. Chitty Babu, Chairman and CEO of Akshaya Pvt Limited said that the facility was gold-certified by the Indian Green Building Council.
      Many international flights cancelled following scare

      FRROs told to liaise with airport authorities and screen flyers

      06/03/2020, S. VIJAY KUMAR,CHENNAI


      The flow of passengers in the international terminal has come down in the last few days, says an official.

      Amid escalating threat of COVID-19, at least three international flights to Chennai scheduled to land late on Wednesday night were cancelled, sources in the intelligence agencies said on Thursday.

      With few passengers, mostly Indian nationals returning home and foreigners on compelling trips landing at Chennai International Airport since Tuesday after the COVID-19 scare spread across South Asian countries, the Frankfurt-Chennai-Frankfurt Lufthansa flights LH-758/759, Bangkok-Chennai-Bangkok Thai Airways flights TG 337/338 and Hong Kong-Chennai-Hong Kong Cathay Pacific flights CX 631/632 were cancelled.

      While airline officials refused to comment on the reasons for the cancellations, airport sources said these flights had announced operations as per schedule on Thursday.

      “The flow of passengers in the international terminal has drastically come down in the last few days. There have been many cancellations after the spread of COVID-19. Adequate immigration and health officials have been deployed for conducting medical screening of all passengers irrespective of their nationalities,” a police official told The Hindu.

      While the medical screening was made compulsory for passengers arriving from 12 countries on Monday, the Government of India extended it to cover all passengers irrespective of their nationalities and country of origin.

      All Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRROs) were told to liaise with airport authorities and carry out medical screening of passengers. While foreigners refusing to cooperate with the authorities in the screening or sharing details of their stay would be denied entry, Indians shall be compulsorily quarantined, police sources said.

      “It may be ensured that the phone number, address of all passengers (Indians and foreigners) coming from these destinations may be compulsorily collected. Those Indians who do not divulge the information may be cautioned of compulsory quarantine and those foreigners who do not provide information may not be given entry,” the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a note to FRROs.

      These measures will be in addition to passengers giving an undertaking that they don’t have symptoms of COVID-19. Sources in the Chennai Port Trust said that the Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, reviewed through video conferencing the measures taken to prevent COVID-19 with port officials across the country. “Instructions have been issued to start 100% screening of all the crew and passengers of foreign vessels irrespective of the country on arrival,” a port official said.

      Southern Railway issued an alert to all major stations on the preventive steps to be taken and announcements were made informing passengers that they could contact the respective Train Captains or Station Managers in case of any COVID-19 symptoms. Travelling Ticket Inspectors were told to keep a watch on sick passengers.
      ‘Yoga therapy can help deal with effects of space travel’

      Former ISRO chief speaks at medical university convocation

      06/03/2020, STAFF REPORTER,CHENNAI


      Governor Banwarilal Purohit at the convocation on Thursday. From left, Sudha Seshayyan, K. Kasturirangan and R. Chidambaram are seen. S.R. RaghunathanS.R. Raghunathan

      With India aiming for human space missions, a new dimension needs to be created in medical education to handle the physiological and psychological challenges the country’s astronauts have to face, K. Kasturirangan, former chairman, ISRO, said on Thursday.

      Delivering the convocation address at the 32nd convocation of the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, he said that yoga therapy could help deal with the physiological and psychological effects on human beings surviving in space.

      He added that even Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to travel to space, had spoken about performing yoga while in space.

      He said that a number of changes happen in the human body under microgravity conditions in space.

      While counter measures in dealing with some of these effects include exercises, he said that India’s very own valuable heritage in this connection was yoga therapy. He said that yoga therapy helped maintain core and neck strength, besides helping overcome the problems of space motion sickness and the psychological impact.

      “We need to create specialised courses as well as institutions to impart education with necessary simulation and training infrastructure in this connection,” he said.

      Arguing that the quality of medical education and the aspects of governance in India leave much to be desired, Mr. Kasturirangan, who headed the committee that drafted the National Education Policy (NEP), said that the NEP and the newly-formed National Medical Commission had tried to address many of these issues.

      R. Chidambaram, former Chairman, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, said that artificial intelligence and machine learning were expected to be more useful in diagnosis and drug development.

      Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit presided over the convocation. Sudha Seshayyan, vice-chancellor of the university, presented the annual report.

      A total of 17,590 graduates from medical, dental, AYUSH, and allied health sciences received their degree.

      For the first time since the inception of the university, the convocation was conducted on the university premises, the V-C said.
      SC to step in if Nirbhaya convicts are not hanged on March 20

      It will decide govt. appeal for nod to hang them separately


      06/03/2020, KRISHNADAS RAJAGOPAL,NEW DELHI

      Nearing justice: Asha Devi, mother of the victim, coming out after the hearing on Thursday. Bibek ChettriBibek Chettri

      The Supreme Court on Thursday made it clear that any delay in the execution of the death sentence of the four Nirbhaya gang-rape case convicts on March 20 will see the court itself step in on March 23 to decide the government’s appeal for permission to separately hang them.

      The assurance from a three-judge Bench, led by Justice R. Banumathi, came while it was addressing the government’s apprehension that chances were high that one or other of the convicts might turn up in court before March 20 with a new plea and further delay the execution.

      ‘No astrologer’

      “I am no astrologer... but they [the convicts] will find something to delay the March 20 execution... I am not in a hurry to execute them, but the system is suffering when the punishment keeps getting postponed. The convicts have been taking the system for a ride... Even now, it has been over two years since their review petitions were dismissed by the Supreme Court,” Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta submitted.

      At this juncture, Justice Banumathi turned to the convicts’ lawyers to come prepared on March 23 as the court would not entertain any request for adjournment.

      NEWS TODAY 11.01.2025