'நாட்டா' தேர்வுக்கு பதிவு: நாளை மறுநாளுடன் விண்ணப்ப பதிவு முடிவு

Added : மார் 13, 2020 23:14

சென்னை: கட்டடவியல் என்ற, 'ஆர்கிடெக்ட்' படிப்புக்கான, 'நாட்டா' தேர்வுக்கு, நாளை மறுநாளுடன் விண்ணப்ப பதிவு முடிகிறது.

பிளஸ் 2 படித்து முடிக்கும் மாணவர்கள் மற்றும் டிப்ளமா இன்ஜினியரிங் படிக்கும் மாணவர்கள், கட்டடவியல் மற்றும் கட்டட வடிவமைப்பு படிப்புகளில் சேரலாம். பி.ஆர்க்., என்ற ஆர்கிடெக்ட் படிப்பில் சேர, பள்ளி படிப்பில் கணித பாட பிரிவை கட்டாயம் தேர்வு செய்திருக்க வேண்டும்.

பி.ஆர்க்., படிப்பில் சேரும் முன், நாட்டா என்ற தேசிய ஆர்கிடெக்ட் நுழைவு தேர்வில் தேர்ச்சி பெற வேண்டும். ஒவ்வொரு கல்வி ஆண்டிலும், இரண்டு முறை நாட்டா தேர்வு நடத்தப்படுகிறது. இந்த ஆண்டுக்கான, முதற்கட்ட நாட்டா தேர்வு, நாடு முழுவதும், ஏப்.,19ல் நடக்கிறது. இந்த தேர்வில் பங்கேற்க விரும்புவோருக்கான, 'ஆன்லைன்' விண்ணப்ப பதிவு, ஒரு மாதத்திற்கு முன் துவங்கியது. பதிவுக்கான அவகாசம், நாளை மறுநாளுடன் முடிகிறது. அதற்குள், மாணவர்கள் விண்ணப்பிக்க வேண்டும் என, தேசிய ஆர்கிடெக்ட் கவுன்சில் அறிவித்துள்ளது.

பொருள் வாங்காத ரேஷன் கார்டு சர்க்கரை வகையாக மாற்ற முடிவு

Added : மார் 13, 2020 23:06

எந்தப் பொருளும் வாங்காத, 50 ஆயிரம் ரேஷன் கார்டுகளை, சர்க்கரை கார்டுகளாக வகை மாற்றம் செய்ய, உணவுத்துறை முடிவு செய்துள்ளது.

இலவச திட்டம்தமிழகத்தில், 2.06 கோடி ரேஷன் கார்டுகள் உள்ளன. அதில், 50 ஆயிரம் கார்டுகள் எந்த பொருளும் வாங்காதவை. அவர்களுக்கு, ரேஷன் கடைகளில், அரிசி உட்பட, எந்த பொருட்களும் வழங்கப்படுவதில்லை. மற்ற அரிசி, சர்க்கரை கார்டுகளுக்கு, இலவச அரிசி, சர்க்கரை போன்ற பொருட்களுடன், பொங்கல் பரிசு தொகுப்பு உள்ளிட்ட, தமிழக அரசின் இலவச திட்ட பொருட்களும் வழங்கப்படுகின்றன. இதனால், எந்த பொருளும் வாங்காத கார்டுதாரர்கள், தங்களின் கார்டுகளை, அரிசி அல்லது சர்க்கரை கார்டுகளாக வகை மாற்றம் செய்து தருமாறு, அரசுக்கு தொடர்ந்து கோரிக்கை விடுத்து வருகின்றனர்.

விரைவில், நகர்ப்புற பகுதிகளுக்கான உள்ளாட்சி தேர்தல் நடக்க உள்ள நிலையில், 2021ல், சட்டசபை தேர்தலும் நடக்க உள்ளது. கோரிக்கைஇதனால், அனைத்து தரப்பினரையும் கவரும் வகையில், அரசு பல திட்டங்களை அறிவித்து வருகிறது. இதையடுத்து, எந்த பொருளும் வாங்காத கார்டுகளையும், சர்க்கரை கார்டுகளாக மாற்ற, உணவுத்துறை முடிவு செய்துள்ளது. இதுகுறித்த அறிவிப்பு, வரும், 19ம் தேதி, கூட்டுறவு மற்றும் உணவுத்துறை மானிய கோரிக்கையின் போது வெளியாகும் என, எதிர்பார்க்கப்படுகிறது

இறுதி சடங்கு நிதிக்கு லஞ்சம் கருவூல உதவியாளர் கைது

Added : மார் 13, 2020 00:26

ராஜபாளையம்: இறுதி சடங்கு நிதி வழங்க ரூ. 2ஆயிரம் லஞ்சம் வாங்கிய ராஜபாளையம் சார் நிலை கருவூல உதவியாளர் கைது செய்யப்பட்டார்.

விருதுநகர் மாவட்டம் ராஜபாளையம் அருகே சுந்தரராஜபுரத்தை சேர்ந்த கருப்பசாமி மனைவி கருப்பாயி. ராஜபாளையம் ஊராட்சி ஒன்றிய அலுவலகத்தில் துணை வட்டார வளர்ச்சி அலுவலராக பணியாற்றிய இவர் 2018 ஜூலையில் இறந்தார்.அரசு சார்பில் கிடைக்கும் இறுதி சடங்கு நிதி ரூ. 50 ஆயிரத்தை பெற கருப்பாயி மகன் கார்த்திக் பிரபு ராஜபாளையம் சார் நிலை கருவூலத்தில் மனு செய்தார்.

மனுவை உறுதிப்படுத்தி மேல் அதிகாரிகளுக்கு அனுப்புவதற்காக கருவூலத்தில் உதவியாளராக பணியாற்றும் ஸ்ரீவில்லிபுத்துாரை சேர்ந்த இளங்கோ 55, முதற் கட்டமாக ரூ. 2 ஆயிரம், வேலை முடிந்தவுடன் மேலும் ரூ.2 ஆயிரம் தர வேண்டும், என கேட்டுள்ளார்.கார்த்திக்பிரபு புகாரின்படி விருதுநகர் லஞ்ச ஒழிப்பு போலீசார் அறிவுரைப்படி ரூ. 2 ஆயிரத்தை அளித்த போது இளங்கோவை டி.எஸ்.பி., சத்தியசீலன், இன்ஸ்பெக்டர்கள் பூமிநாதன், விமலா உள்ளிட்ட லஞ்ச ஒழிப்பு போலீசார் கைது செய்தனர்.

அண்ணா பல்கலை சிறப்பு அந்தஸ்து அடுத்த ஆண்டுக்கு தள்ளிப்போகிறது

Added : மார் 12, 2020 23:06

சென்னை: மத்திய அரசின் நிபந்தனைகளை ஏற்க, தமிழக அரசு தயக்கம் காட்டுவதால், அண்ணா பல்கலைக்கான, உயர் கல்வி அந்தஸ்து, அடுத்த கல்வி ஆண்டுக்கு தள்ளிப்போகும் நிலை ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது.

நாடு முழுவதும் உள்ள, சிறப்பு வாய்ந்த உயர் கல்வி நிறுவனங்களை ஆய்வு செய்து, அவற்றில் சிறந்த நிறுவனங்களுக்கு, 'இன்ஸ்டிடியூட் ஆப் எக்ஸலன்ஸ்' என்ற, சீர்மிகு கல்வி நிறுவன அந்தஸ்து வழங்கப்படுகிறது. இந்த வரிசையில், மத்திய அரசின் கல்வி நிறுவனமான, சென்னை, ஐ.ஐ.டி.,க்கு, இந்த அந்தஸ்து கிடைத்துள்ளது. மேலும், தமிழக அரசின் உயர் கல்வி நிறுவனமான, அண்ணா பல்கலைக்கும், இந்த அந்தஸ்து வழங்குவதற்கு, மத்திய அரசு முன்வந்தது.

ஆனால், சிறப்பு அந்தஸ்து வழங்கும் முன், மத்திய அரசு கூறும் வழிமுறைகளை பின்பற்றி, புதிய திட்டங்களை வகுக்க வேண்டும். அதற்கான செலவில், 50 சதவீதத்தை, தமிழக அரசு ஏற்க வேண்டும் என, நிபந்தனைகள் விதிக்கப்பட்டன. மத்திய அரசின் நிபந்தனைகளை ஏற்பதில், தமிழக அரசு தாமதம் செய்தது.

சிறப்பு அந்தஸ்து கிடைத்தால், அண்ணா பல்கலை, மத்திய அரசின் கட்டுப்பாட்டுக்குள் சென்று விடுமோ என்று, பேராசிரியர்கள் மற்றும் கல்வியாளர்கள் சந்தேகம் தெரிவித்தனர். தமிழக அரசின், இட ஒதுக்கீடு விதிகளை பின்பற்றுவதில் சிக்கல் ஏற்படலாம் என்றும், சந்தேகம் எழுந்தது. இதற்கு, மத்திய மனிதவள மேம்பாட்டு அமைச்சகம் தரப்பில், தெளிவான விளக்கம் தரப்பட்டது. அதில், 'அண்ணா பல்கலை, எந்த விதிகளின் படி, தற்போது செயல்படுகிறதோ, அதில் எந்த மாற்றமும் செய்யப்படாது' என, கூறியது.

இதை தொடர்ந்தும், தமிழக அரசின் உயர் மட்டக் குழு முடிவு எடுக்கவில்லை. நேற்று, சட்டசபையில், உயர் கல்வி துறையின் மானிய கோரிக்கையில், இதற்கான அறிவிப்பு வரும் என, எதிர்பார்க்கப்பட்டது. ஆனால், எந்த அறிவிப்பும் வராததால், அண்ணா பல்கலையின் சிறப்பு அந்தஸ்து விவகாரம், அடுத்த கல்வி ஆண்டுக்கு தள்ளிப்போகும் நிலை ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது.

Government asks UGC if 2 private institutes which got eminence tag were eligible

The Indian Express had reported last week that KIIT and VIT, which were declared IoEs on August 2, 2019, do not meet the eligibility criterion on the net worth of the sponsoring organisation members.

Written by Ritika Chopra | New Delhi | Updated: March 12, 2020 10:21:55 am

XThe eligibility criterion states the collective net worth of the members of the sponsoring organisation should be Rs 3,000 crore for existing institutions and Rs 5,000 crore for new ones. (File Photo)

THE CENTRE has sought an explanation from the University Grants Commission (UGC) on whether the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Odisha and Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) in Tamil Nadu are eligible for the ‘Institution of Eminence’ (IoE) status.

On March 3, The Indian Express had reported that KIIT and VIT, which were declared IoEs on August 2, 2019, do not meet the eligibility criterion on the net worth of the sponsoring organisation members.

According to the UGC’s regulations on the IoE scheme, the sponsoring organisation is a “charitable or a not-for-profit Society or a public Trust or a Company incorporated under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013” applying to upgrade an existing private institution or a new one to an IoE.

The eligibility criterion states the collective net worth of the members of the sponsoring organisation should be Rs 3,000 crore for existing institutions and Rs 5,000 crore for new ones.

However, the applications filed by VIT and KIIT show that both have provided the market value of current assets, such as land and building, as the net worth of the sponsoring organisation.

Speaking to The Indian Express, N Gopalaswami, head of the expert committee that recommended names of institutes for IoE status, said, “As EEC (Empowered Expert Committee), we are not involved in this (checking eligibility). It was the government which sent us the names in the first instance (stating) that these (institutions) are fulfilling the (eligibility) criteria. We were given a list of institutions that fulfil the criteria and we were to make a selection out of that. Our position is very clear.”

“If in forwarding (the list) to us, there has been some lacunae, it’s for them (UGC and Ministry) to look at it and take a view on what is to be done,” he said.

The above eligibility clause was at the source of a lot of heartburn among many private higher education institutions as it had left them out of the application process.

On September 24, 2019, at the official inauguration of Symbiosis International’s (SI) Noida campus, Vidya Yeravdekar, pro-chancellor of the deemed university, spoke on the issue from the stage, in the presence of HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal, and requested him to reconsider it. Stating that SI’s Trust members are dedicated educationists and not worth Rs 3,000 crore, Yeravdekar made a pitch for tweaking the criterion to consider the Trust’s value instead of its members.

The IoE scheme, a pet project of the Prime Minister’s Office launched under the NDA-II government, is aimed at creating an enabling architecture for 10 public and 10 private institutes to emerge as world-class institutions.

The IoEs are proposed to have greater autonomy, including on deciding the fee, and course duration and structure. Their academic collaboration with foreign institutions will also be exempt from approvals. The 10 government institutions, in addition to autonomy, will get Rs 1,000 crore each from the HRD Ministry.

Oppn. fears Centre will take over Anna varsity

It will remain a State-run institution, says Minister

13/03/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

The debate on demands for grants for higher education on Thursday centred around the Institution of Eminence (IoE) status of Anna University and the nomination of a person of another State to the Vice Chancellor search committee of a State university.

Opposition member and DMK MLA K. Ponmudy asked why the government had nominated Jagadish Kumar, V-C of Jawaharlal Nehru University, who was accused of attacking students on the JNU campus, to the University of Madras V-C search panel.

Higher education Minister K.P. Anbalagan said the Syndicate and Senate members and the Governor-Chancellor appoint a member each to the search panel and the government had no role. Why did the Opposition remain silent when Mr. Kumar was chosen as a search panel member of the Teacher Education University, he asked.

Mr. Ponmudy said there had been no charges against him earlier. But now after the riots on the campus the government should register its objection. He charged that the Central government, with its offer of IoE to Anna University, wanted to divide the university.

Congress MLA S. Vijayadharini also said the government should retain Anna’s name for the university.

Mr. Anbalagan allayed their fears saying the Centre had assured that the university would continue to remain a State-run institution. He said the Chief Minister had formed a five-member committee, which would take recommendations from educationists. “We have no plan to make it a Central university,” he assured the members. The department has allocated money for infrastructure in many State universities but significantly the government arts college of Tiruvottiyur, started by former Chief Minister did not find any mention.

Class 10 certificates to include parents’ names from this year

Water-proof marksheets to be issued

13/03/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

K.A. Sengottaiyan

From this year class 10 students’ public exam marksheets will include the names of the parents, School Education Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan announced in the Assembly on Thursday.

The Minister said the decision was based on an order from the Chief Minister. The government has also allocated ₹13.50 crore to develop water- and tear-proof mark sheets. Teachers say the decision could check the use of fake certificates for jobs.

The government earlier experimented with digitising Secondary School Leaving Certificates. Later, the Directorate of Public Instruction introduced a password system for Chief Educational Officers to verify the genuinty of uploaded certificates. “We suggest that the government issue the certificate as a smart card just like PAN, driving licence or the ration card,” he said.

Earlier in the debate on demands for school education, Congress MLA S. Vijayadharani wanted the government to dispense with the practice of using teachers for other purposes. She urged the government to upgrade school infrastructure so that teachers would stay in villages instead of commuting long distance.

Mr. Sengottaiyan said teachers deployed for work such as data collection for census were paid for the job. The government had built homes for teachers in the villages, but teachers sent their children to private schools elsewhere and hence chose to live farther from their workplace, he said.

Rajini’s move gets mixed response

13/03/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT ,CHENNAI

Actor Rajinikanth’s “political ideals” evoked mixed response from political parties in the State on Thursday.

“I am still not confident that he will take the political plunge. He is a good actor and I like him. But he is not MGR. This is my personal view and this won’t stand in the way of Rajinikanth entering into politics,” Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K.S. Alagiri said.

VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan said the actor had indirectly indicated to his fans that he was not coming to politics.

BJP leader Pon. Radhakrishnan said the people had always been ready for an revolution and change.

“My wish is that he should join the BJP. Since he has said he will start a political party, we have to wait and watch,” Mr. Radhakrishnan said.

Seeman, chief coordinator of Naam Tamilar Katchi welcomed the actor’s announcement and wished him well.

“Not to be CM candidate is actor’s view. There have been different styles, ” Amma Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran said.

FASTag to be rolled out across ECR plazas from April-end

Officials cite delay in arrival of cargo for late implementation; OMR to also move to system next month

13/03/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

In the fast lane: FASTag implementation in the State, at 46 plazas under the NHAI, hovers around 65%.

The FASTag toll collection system will be implemented at plazas on the East Coast Road, to Puducherry, by April-end. Toll plazas in Uthandi, Mamallapuram and Hanumanthai too will join the system, followed in the rest of the country, and motorists will no longer need to wait to pay cash.

Several tourist taxi drivers had an issue at the plazas since they had FASTag cards, but the system was not in place. “I had not taken enough cash with me, thinking I could use FASTag. Luckily, my customer gave the required cash,” said Raja, a taxi driver, who recently went to Mamallapuram.

Sources in the Tamil Nadu Road Development Company said that there was a delay in implementation of the system due to a delay in the import of cargo. “Our software is ready and only has to be migrated with the NHAI’s. The equipment had to be imported and took some time,” explained an official. Over 10,000 vehicles take the ECR every day, and in the weekends, the number goes up to 13,000 a day.

The official also added that the FASTag system would be implemented on the Rajiv Gandhi Salai from the first week of April.

Continued benefits

“Details of local residents will be updated into the system, so that they can continue enjoying the present benefits,” the official said.

FASTag implementation in the State, at 46 plazas under the control of the National Highways Authority of India, hovers around 65%. In the second week of February, it was 66% at plazas under the Chennai regional office (RO) and 60% at plazas under the Madurai RO. This week, it was 62% under the Chennai RO and 58% under the Madurai RO.

A trucker, Janakiraman, said: “Though initially they gave us a 10% discount, it was later withdrawn. But they have retained the two-way charge and deduct only the difference in the return journey, if made in 24 hours,” he said.

HC dispenses with biometric attendance

13/03/2020, MOHAMED IMRANULLAH S.,CHENNAI

The Madras High Court administration too has begun to take preventive measures against the spread of COVID-19 by dispensing with the biometric attendance system for its staff until the disease is contained.

Beginning Thursday, the court administration has permitted all its employees to flash their identity cards on the machines which record their attendance instead of placing their forefinger on a scanner attached to the machines, to register their presence, date and time when they report for duty.

A text message sent to the employees on their mobile phones on Wednesday read: “As a preventive measure of coronavirus disease, now you can punch your daily attendance through your original identity card in all biometric devices. Any difficulties in the ID card access shall be intimated to computer server room - High Court of Madras.”

An officer added that the relaxation given to the employees was only a temporary measure.

TNSTC popularising sight-seeing package

Service was started during the Ayyappa season

13/03/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT ,MADURAI

Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, Madurai Region, has introduced a sight-seeing package covering important tourist and pilgrimage spots here.

TNSTC officials on Thursday distributed pamphlets explaining the attractions of the package to passengers near Periyar bus stand. The tourist special package is offered in the morning and the evening every day.

“We started this one month back during the Ayyappa season. It received good response,” said Assistant Engineer (Operations) R. Ashok Kumar. The package for ₹125 per passenger starts at Ellis Nagar at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. It covers Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Gandhi Museum, Teppakulam and Tirumalai Naicker Mahal. “The passengers have the option of either choosing Kallazhagar Temple at Alagarkoil or Subramaniaswamy Temple at Tirupparankundram in this itinerary,” he added.

For this group tour, the TNSTC has spared two buses. “These buses will drop them at these tourist spots and wait for them to board to proceed towards the next spot,” he added. Each tour package would last for nearly six hours.

“If people are going to travel on their own, bus fare to all these places will be around ₹200 for each passenger. Besides, people will need to know the locations of the tourist spots and the bus routes to reach there. The package is cheaper and it gets them exclusive vehicles with all privacy,” he added.

TNSTC officials are also trying to get faster darshan at temples.

“We would like to add Keeladi and the Jain cave at Keezhakuyilkudi ,” Mr. Ashok Kumar added.

High Court seeks details of safety measures at government hospitals

12/03/2020, STAFF REPORTER ,MADURAI

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday directed the State government to file a report on safety measures taken in medical college hospitals across the State to check oxygen cylinders before using them on patients.

Justice P.D. Audikesavalu sought the report while hearing the petition filed in 2011 by S. Ganesan of Kanniyakumari district. The petitioner’s wife, G. Rukmani, died after she was administered nitrous oxide instead of oxygen at Kanniyakumari Government Medical College Hospital in 2011. The woman slipped into coma after she was administered nitrous oxide and died 411 days later. The petitioner sought appropriate action against those responsible.

The Judge also directed the State government to file a report on disciplinary and penal action taken against officials for the negligent act and details of compensation paid to the family. The case was adjourned till April 28.

It was said that the woman, a tailor, was admitted to the hospital to undergo a family planning surgery.

Single donor enables doctors at private hospital to perform two ‘novel’ transplants

Asia’s first combined bowel and abdominal wall transplant surgery performed on a teenager; 35-year-old woman gets new lease of life

12/03/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

Doctors at the Apollo Hospitals have claimed that they have performed Asia’s first combined bowel and abdominal wall transplant surgery on a teenager.

An 18-year-old brain-dead donor gave a new lease of life to two patients — a teenager with ultra short bowel syndrome and a 35-year-old woman on dialysis for end-stage renal disease — and enabled doctors to perform two “novel” transplants on them.

The teenager underwent combined small bowel and abdominal wall transplant.

The woman with a renal disease received a kidney that was perfused with Hypothermic Oxygenated Machine Perfusion (HOPE) at the Apollo Hospitals.

Lack of awareness

J. Shyamala, paediatrician, said that only a few bowel transplants were performed in the country — the reasons being lack of awareness among recipients, reluctance to donate abdominal wall and small bowel, need for a high level of preparedness, intensive care, pre and post-operative care.

“The 17-year-boy from Andhra Pradesh had extensive small bowel gangrene and underwent complete removal of the small bowel. He had lost 20 kg over two months, and came to us in March 2019. We put him under aggressive nutrition rehabilitation. He gained 18 kg in eight months and returned home,” she told reporters on Wednesday.

The patient had two episodes of central-line infection and Total Parental Nutrition-induced liver injury.

“Eleven months after his first admission, he underwent combined small bowel-abdominal wall transplant and was discharged on the 15th post-operative day. He is gradually gaining weight,” she said.

Doctors said that intestinal transplants were taking baby steps in India and that it still had a long way to go.

The kidney harvested from the donor was perfused with HOPE and preserved for 11 hours.

Graft function

Explaining this, Mohan Kumar, urologist, said: “It improved graft function, increased utilisation and reduces rejection.”

Venkatesh Rajkumar, nephrologist, said that kidney diseases were increasing in the community and kidney failure patients requiring transplants were 20-25 per lakh population.

Suneeta Reddy, managing director, Apollo Hospitals Group, spoke at the event.

Site finalised for medical college in Kallakurichi

12/03/2020, S. PRASAD,KALLAKURICHI

The proposed Government Medical College and Hospital for Kallakurichi will come up on a 20-acre site at Siruvangur here. The district administration finalised the site after considering various proposals.

About 20 acres of land on the Kallakurichi Government Arts College premises, now in the possession of the college, would be handed over to the Public Works Department for starting the construction work. The college will be located on 11 acres and the land parcel would be handed over.

The Government Arts College at Siruvangur would be shifted to Sadayampattu.

The administration has transferred six acres of land for the arts college, said District Collector Kiran Gurrala.

Governor’s signature must to release Rajiv case convicts: HC

12/03/2020, LEGAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

The Madras High Court on Wednesday held that a recommendation made by the State Cabinet to the Governor on September 9, 2018, for releasing all seven life convicts involved in the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination case would come into effect only after the Governor affixes his signature and not otherwise.

Justices R. Subbiah and R. Pongiappan held so while dismissing a habeas corpus petition filed by one of the convicts S. Nalini to declare her detention since September 10, 2019, as illegal and consequently order her release forthwith on the ground that the Governor’s nod was sought only as a matter of constitutional courtesy.

The Bench said: “The mere advice tendered by the council of ministers will not entitle the petitioner to get released prematurely unless it was accepted or signed by the Governor. The signing of the order by the Governor is mandatory and in the absence of the same, the petitioner cannot get the benefit.”

The judges concurred with Additional Solicitor General (ASG) G. Rajagopalan and State Public Prosecutor A. Natarjan that the Cabinet’s recommendation per se would not entitle the convict to lay a claim of illegal detention when she and all other convicts had been put through a full fledged trial and were found guilty in the courts of law.

Further, the ASG also relied upon a 1988 judgment of the Supreme Court wherein it was held that the Governor’s nod for decisions taken by the State government was not a mere formality and that it was mandatory.

Deciding to follow the principle laid down in that verdict, the Bench led by Justice Subbiah said: “Thus, it is evident from the above decision that the order, though it may be formal, to be passed by the Governor of the State assumes significance and without the consent of the Governor or his signature on the proposal sent to him, such proposal shall not take effect.”

Insofar as the present case was concerned, the Cabinet had made a recommendation to release all seven convicts. However, “such advice has not been acted upon and it is pending consideration of the Governor. No order has been passed thereof as on date. While so, merely based on the advice of the council of ministers, her detention cannot be declared as illegal,” the Bench concluded.

Private colleges told to disclose fee collected from students, under RTI

TNIC seeks explanation from colleges for skipping hearing

12/03/2020, S. VIJAY KUMAR,CHENNAI

TNIC directed five private colleges in Vellore to divulge details of fee collected and salary paid.

The Tamil Nadu Information Commission has directed five private colleges in Vellore district to share the details of fee collected from students in aided/unaided courses and also disclose the salary paid to faculty in self-financed courses.

The case arises out of a petition filed by I. Elangovan of Vellore in 2008 seeking details of fee and special fee collected from students in under-graduate and post-graduate courses since 2003 from Dhanabagiyam Krishnasamy Mudaliar College for Women (Autonomous), Sainathapuram, Islamiah College, Vaniyambadi, Mazharul Uloom College, Ambur, C. Abdul Hakeem College, Melvisharam and Vorhees College in Vellore district, under the provisions of Section 6(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005.

Not satisfied with the reply received from the Joint Directorate of Collegiate Education, the petitioner moved the commission which passed orders in 2009 directing the Public Information Officers of the respective colleges to provide the details sought under the Act. However, the colleges moved the Madras High Court by filing a writ petition challenging the order.

After hearing both sides, the court in 2019 passed orders directing the Commission to pass fresh orders after hearing all parties concerned.

In the fresh hearing that commenced later, the PIOs of Islamiah College and C. Abdul Hakeem College assured to provide details sought by the petitioner while the PIO of Mazharul Uloom College sought more time to furnish the same. The petitioner did not turn up for the hearing. The PIOs of Dhanabagiyam Krishnasamy Mudaliar College for Women (Autonomous) and Voorhees College also failed to appear in the hearing to present their arguments. The Commission recorded their absence with dissent.

Passing orders, State Information Commissioner S. Muthuraj directed all the colleges to send the information required by the petitioner by registered post and report compliance to the Commission.

He sought an explanation from the two colleges that did not appear in the hearing as to why disciplinary action should not be initiated against the PIO and the Principal under Section 20(2) of the Act.

No more advance increment to govt. staff for higher qualification

‘Lately, highly qualified persons like doctors, engineers taking up clerical jobs’

12/03/2020, DENNIS S. JESUDASANCHENNAI

All G.O.s issued over the years for sanction of advance increment stand cancelled with immediate effect. For representational purposes onlyFor representation only

With several over-qualified candidates such as post-graduates, doctors and engineers increasingly joining the government service for clerical jobs, the Tamil Nadu government has decided to cancel the scheme of sanctioning advance increment to government staff, of all departments, for acquiring higher education qualification, with immediate effect.

Chief Secretary K. Shanmugam issued a G.O. on Tuesday in this regard to the Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department, cancelling all relevant G.O.s issued over the years for sanction of advance increment. The sanction of advance increment for passing Account Test for Sub-ordinate Officers Part-I has also been dropped with immediate effect.

The scheme for advance increment for passing the Account Test exam was initially introduced in 1963 to non-gazetted employees in the Ministerial Service. In 1972, advance increment was granted to engineers in Public Works Department. Since then, the scheme underwent several modifications and included several departments.

The scheme was introduced a few decades ago when the government realised that qualified persons were rarely identified for government posts. This was not the case anymore.

“But, in present days, highly qualified persons, including many professionals (doctors and engineers) are entering into government service... even for Group C posts like Assistants/ Junior Assistants/ Typists, etc., to do clerical jobs,” the G.O. pointed out.

Increasing number of educational institutions and qualified candidates, and pay anomalies in advance increment between seniors and juniors in a department, were cited as other reasons behind the decision.

“If a government servant needs promotion/appointment to a higher post which carries higher qualification, then it is the responsibility of the government servant to qualify himself/herself for promotion/appointment to that higher post.”

The government also pointed out that in several departments, the employees with higher qualification, like those with the required qualification, were “discharging the same duty of the post concerned in routine manner only.”

Various recruiting agencies are selecting qualified persons suitable for various government posts after conducting tests/examinations at various stages.

However, the advance increment for acquiring higher qualification already granted to government employees will not be recovered from candidates.

80,448 MBBS Seats In Medical Colleges: Centre

A total of 80,448 MBBS seats are available in medical colleges in the country at present. The number of medical postgraduate seats is 40,408 which is little more than half of the MBBS seats available.

EducationEdited by Maitree BaralUpdated: March 06, 2020 05:04 pm IST

A total of 80,448 MBBS seats are available in medical colleges in the country at present.

New Delhi: 

A total of 80,448 MBBS seats are available in medical colleges in the country at present. The number of medical postgraduate seats is 40,408 which is little more than half of the MBBS seats available. This information was shared by Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan in the Lok Sabha today.

Questions were asked by Chandra Sekhar Sahu and Dr Pritam Gopinathrao Munde on whether the government proposes to enhance MBBS and PG seats in equal numbers in medical colleges in the country and whether NITI Aayog has also recommended any proposal to the government in this regard.

The Minister replied that enhancement of MBBS & PG seats is dependent on availability of adequate faculty and infrastructure as per prevalent regulations of MCI. Among the various steps taken by the government to increase the seats, Dr Harsh Vardhan said, are establishment of new medical colleges attached with district/ referral hospitals in underserved districts, enhancement of maximum intake capacity at MBBS level from 150 to 250 and upgradation of existing State Government/Central Government medical colleges.

The government has also decided to give relaxation in the norms for setting up of medical college in terms of requirement for faculty, staff, bed strength and other infrastructure.

The ratio of teachers to students has also been revised to increase the number of PG medical seats.

Replying to the question on whether NITI Aayog has recommended any such proposal to government, the Minister said, "The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare consults with various stakeholders including NITI Aayog to augment the number of medical seats in the country. The suggestions of NITI Aayog received from time to time are duly considered."

On March 4, Minister of State of Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey had informed the Lok Sabha that a total of 533 medical colleges are offering MBBS courses in the country, which 261 medical colleges under private management.

Nirbhaya case convict seeks FIR against Delhi cops

TNN | Mar 12, 2020, 04.39 AM IST

NEW DELHI: One of the death row convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya case has sought an FIR against two police constables for alleged physical assault inside Mandoli jail, where he is lodged. The incident, however, is stated to have taken place in July, last year.

Pawan Gupta’s counsel A P Singh filed an application and said the incident took place on July 26, 2019, when the convict was thrashed “very badly on the head and also his entire body with a stick” inside jail number 14 of Central Jail, Mandoli. Singh said that a court issued notice to the jail authorities concerned.

Gupta was beaten up again on July 28, 2019, when he once again received injuries all over his body besides being verbally abused, the application said. “Blood oozed from his head and only after repeated requests and a prolong delay he was sent to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital,” the plea claimed.

It has been contended in the application that when Gupta’s father approached the local police station to lodge an FIR, he was harassed and threatened. And despite representations before various police authorities no action was taken, it added. “Please take legal action as soon as possible,” the application said.

On March 9, another convict, Vinay Sharma, approached the lieutenant governor’s office seeking commutation of his death sentence to life imprisonment.

Sharma, in his petition, described his life behind bars and what he faced during his confinement. The plea also urged the LG to allow Sharma’s lawyer to make oral submission before him.

(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)

All cinema halls in Delhi to be closed till March 31: Arvind Kejriwal

Mar 12, 2020, 10:09PM ISTSource: ANI

Amid growing cases of deadly coronavirus in India, Delhi government has announced to shut all cinema halls in Delhi till March 31. While speaking to media persons, CM Kejriwal said, “We held a meeting on coronavirus where all officials including Delhi Health Minister and LG were there. As I even earlier said that Delhi government is fully prepared to fight coronavirus. We have reviewed all the measures that have been taken so far. We took some more measures. All cinema halls to remain shut in Delhi till 31st March. Schools and colleges where exams are not being held will also remain closed. We have sufficient beds for quarantine or isolation.”

Mom of coronavirus patient positive, Delhi count stands at 6

TNN | Mar 13, 2020, 04.30 AM IST

NEW DELHI: The number of Covid-19 cases in Delhi rose to six on Thursday, with a 69-year-old woman, mother of a Covid-19 patient, testing positive for the novel coronavirus. Her son, with a history of travel to Japan, Geneva and Italy, had tested positive for the infection on Wednesday.

Officials said both the mother and son have been admitted to Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital. “The condition of the 69-year-old woman is unstable,” officials said, without revealing her exact health status.

They added that 50 houses in their neighbourhood in Janakpuri have been surveyed and surveillance officers were keeping a close watch on anyone who may have come in contact with the people confirmed positive for Covid-19.

Of the six cases confirmed in Delhi, the first one was a resident of Mayur Vihar in east Delhi. The rest are from west Delhi, sources said.

An official said the state health secretary held a review meeting of all Delhi government-run hospitals to assess the status of sample collection and isolation beds in 34 hospitals. As on date, sample collection has been initiated in six hospitals — five Delhi government and one north corporation-run hospital. These are Sanjay Gandhi Memorial, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya, Babu Jagjivan Ram and Hindu Rao hospitals. “Municipal bodies, Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board and commissioners of all 11 districts have been directed to set up quarantine facilities,” said an official.

He added that as on Thursday, 208 passengers from affected countries had been admitted to Safdarjung and RML hospitals. “Of this, 164 tested negative for the novel coronavirus and they were discharged. Total 36 passengers are still admitted at the two hospitals,” said an official.

The Delhi government has identified more than 68 beds for isolation for suspected and confirmed cases of Covid-19 in government-run hospitals. Also, six private hospitals have kept isolation facilities ready for admitting persons suspected or confirmed positive for the novel coronavirus.

Meanwhile, nearly 700 employees of a private company in Noida have been asked to work from home after it came to light that one of its senior executives — a resident of Delhi who recently tested positive for Covid-19 — had interacted with several people in the office. Health department officials were informed about the development and a team of paramedics was rushed to the office.

The patient is undergoing treatment in Delhi, confirmed Gautam Budh Nagar chief medical officer Anurag Bhargava. “But before the symptoms developed and he got infected, a lot of people in the Noida office interacted with him,” he added.

Finally, BDU approves BIM’s degree certificates it held back

TNN | Mar 13, 2020, 04.43 AM IST

Trichy: After refusing to approve the degree certificates of students from Bharathidasan Institute of Management (BIM) for a month citing clarification on modification made to its bylaws, Bharathidasan University (BDU) finally issued the certificates on Thursday.

While there were talks of a postponing the convocation planned in BIM, all the 117 students will be finally getting their degrees on Saturday. BIM was started in 1984 as a school of excellence and registered as a society in partnership with Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL). Set up on the BHEL campus, it made changes to the bylaws, which virtually cut off BDU’s role in BIM.

“While it was governed by a council of which the BDU vice-chancellor was a member, his membership was removed following changes to the bylaws in 2011,” said a senior faculty member of BDU.

However, the degree has been issued by BDU every year since its inception. According to highly placed sources, this year BDU had written to the state government saying it will not sign degrees this year as BIM had not complied with the norms by not allowing academic and financial audit.

According to the original bylaws, BDU has serious role in the academic activity which the BIM under the directorship of Karuthiah Pandian refuses to acknowledge. BDU registrar G Gopinath told TOI that there was a communication gap between BIM and BDU. “BIM has modified some of its bylaws and we wanted clarification. The university has requested the higher education department to give directions on accepting the modified bylaws,” he said.

This being an internal communication and students should not be affected, they had issued the degree certificate of all the 117 students to BIM, he said. In 2011, it made some changes that may not be adhering to the university standards. While it was also not approved by the syndicate, they had sought clarification, he added.

MKU syndicate likely to meet on March 24: VC

TNN | Mar 13, 2020, 04.47 AM IST

Madurai: The next syndicate meeting of the Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU), to discuss a host of issues including various pending complaints of wrongdoings, is likely to be held on March 24, vice-chancellor M Krishnan said on Thursday.

The syndicate is expected to 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 a MKU constituent college in Thirumangalam.

The CoE has already submitted his replies to the two charge memos issued by the MKU VC seeking explanation regarding two separate alleged wrongdoings.

The first was with regard to an incident on January 23, where an unauthorised personnel from a distance education centre was found going through consolidated marksheets in the CoE office.

The second was about the issue of November 2019 exam answer sheets being lost and found just before the results were to be announced on February 10. The CoE was also accused of corruption and bribery.

In another instance, a teaching faculty member from an MKU constituent college in Thirumangalam was accused of indulging in unprofessional behaviour by several female faculty and students.

An internal committee was subsequently formed to look into the matter and a report submitted to the VC.

The last MKU syndicate meeting was held on January 29. During that meeting, it was decided to call for a re-advertisement for the post of registrar as all candidates interviewed that day were found unsuitable.

Anna univ may not get IoE status, HRD says time’s up

Mar 12, 2020, 04.01 AM IST

Chennai: Anna University is set to lose its chance to become an institute of eminence (IoE). After clarifying doubts and waiting for eight months for a letter of commitment from the state government, the Union ministry of human resource development has informed Anna University that IoE status will be given to the next university on the list if it does not receive a letter of commitment immediately. Savitribai Phule Pune University is next on the list.

The MHRD had in August last year announced IoE status for seven public institutions, including Anna University and IIT Madras, and seven private institutions. While central institutions were granted the status instantly, the ministry a demanded letter of commitment for Anna University and Jadavpur University from the respective state governments promising their share of funds.

Anna University would receive Rs 1,000 crore from the Centre and more autonomy for the next five years if it gets the IoE status. The state government would have to spend Rs 1,570 crore.

"Although MHRD has agreed to all the conditions of the state government and university officials cleared the doubts of ministers, there has been no positive response from the state government for reasons unknown," officials from the university told TOI.

Earlier, the state government sought clarification on whether the Tamil Nadu Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institution and of Appointments or Posts in Services under the State) Act, 1993, which envisages 69% reservation would apply to Anna University after getting the IoE tag. The MHRD said the state government’s reservation policy would apply even after getting the IoE status.

மொபைல் செயலி, இணையதள பிரச்சினையால் ரீசார்ஜ் செய்ய முடியாமல் சிரமப்படும் பிஎஸ்என்எல் வாடிக்கையாளர்கள் 10.03.2020

பிஎஸ்என்எல் செயலி மற்றும் இணையதளம் மூலம் செல்போன்களுக்கு ரீசார்ஜ் செய்ய முடியவில்லை என வாடிக்கையாளர்கள் புகார் தெரிவித்து வருகின்றனர்.

பிஎஸ்என்எல் வாடிக்கையாளர்கள் "மை பிஎஸ்என்எல்" என்ற செல்போன் செயலி மற்றும் பிஎஸ்என்எல்-ன் இணையதளம் ஆகியவை மூலமாக தங்களது தரைவழி தொலைபேசிகளுக்கான பில்கள் மற்றும் செல்போன்களுக்கான ரீசார்ஜ், டாப் அப் போன்றவைகளை செய்து வருகின்றனர்.

காகிதமில்லா பரிவர்த்தனை, மற்றும் ஊழியர்களின் வேலைப்பளுவை குறைப்பது போன்ற காரணங்களுக்காக பிஎஸ்என்எல் நிர்வாகமும் இதுபோன்ற டிஜிட்டல் பரிவர்த்தனைகளுக்கு அவ்வப்போது சிறப்பு சலுகைகளும் வழங்கி வருகிற

து. வாடிக்கையாளர்களுக்கும் பிஎஸ்என்எல் அலுவலகத்திற்கு நேரில் சென்று வரிசையில் நிற்பது போன்ற அலைச்சலை தவிர்ப்பதற்காக டிஜிட்டல் முறையை பயன்படுத்தி வருகின்றனர்.

கடந்த சில வாரங்களாக பிஎஸ்என்எல்-ன் மொபைல் செயலி மற்றும் இணையத்தளத்தில் பண பரிவர்த்தனைகள் செய்ய முடியவில்லை. இதனால் வாடிக்கையாளர்கள் கடைசிநாள் வரை முயற்சித்துவிட்டு, பிஎஸ்என்எல் அலுவலகத்துக்கோ, அல்லது ரீசார்ஜ் கடைகளுக்கோ செல்ல வேண்டிய நிலை ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது.

டிஜிட்டல் முறைக்கு மாறிய அனைவரும் மீண்டும் கவுன்டர்களில் பணம் செலுத்தும் நிலை ஏற்பட்டுள்ளதால் பிஎஸ்என்எல் அலுவலகங்களில் நீண்ட வரிசை காணப்படுகிறது. எனவே செயலி மற்றும் ஆன்லைன் பிரச்சினைகளுக்கு உடனடியாக தீர்வு காண நிர்வாகம் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க வேண்டும் என வாடிக்கையாளர்கள் கோரிக்கை விடுத்து வருகின்றனர்.

இதுகுறித்து “இந்து தமிழ்” உங்கள் குரல் சேவையில் தொடர்புகொண்ட எல்லீஸ்நகரை சேர்ந்த சிவகுமார் கூறியதாவது, “பிஎஸ்என்எல் தொலைபேசி இணைப்புக்கான பில் தொகை, செல்போன்களுக்கான ரீசார்ஜ் ஆகியவற்றை மொபைல் செயலி மற்றும் இணையத்தளம் மூலமாக செலுத்தி வந்தோம்.

ஆனால் 2 வாரங்களுக்கும் மேலாக செயலி மற்றும் ஆன்லைன் முறையில் பில்லிற்கு பணம் செலுத்தவோ, ரீசார்ஜ் செய்யவோ முடியவில்லை. பிற செயலிகள் மூலமாக முயற்சித்தாலும் பிஎஸ்என்எல் எண்களுக்கு மட்டும் ரீசார்ஜ் செய்ய முடியவில்லை. ஆனால் பிஎஸ்என்எல் அலுவலங்களிலோ, தனியார் கடைகளிலோ ரீசார்ஜ் செய்ய முடிகிறது. இதனால் பிஎஸ்என்எல் வாடிக்கையாளர் சேவை மையங்களில் நீண்ட வரிசையில் நிற்கிறார்கள்.

அங்கு பணியிலுள்ள குறைவான ஊழியர்களால் இவர்களை விரைவாக கையாள முடியவில்லை. பிஎஸ்என்எல்-ன் வாடிக்கையாளர் தொடர்பு எண்ணில் புகார் செய்தால், “இப்பிரச்சினை விரைவில் சரிசெய்யப்படும் அதுவரை வாடிக்கையாளர் சேவை மையங்களில் பணம் செலுத்துங்கள்“ என்கிறார்கள். அனைத்தும் டிஜிட்டல்மயமாகி வரும் நிலையில் பிஎஸ்என்எல் மீண்டும் பழையகாலத்தை நோக்கி செல்வது வருத்தமளிக்கிறது. பிஎஸ்என்எல் நிர்வாகம் இப்பிரச்சினைகளை உடனடியாக சரிசெய்ய வேண்டும் என்றார்.

வேளாங்கண்ணி, ராமேஸ்வரத்துக்கு சிறப்பு கட்டண ரயில்கள்

Added : மார் 10, 2020 23:19


சென்னை: நாகர்கோவில், வேளாங்கண்ணி, ராமேஸ்வரம் மற்றும் எர்ணாகுளத்துக்கு, சிறப்பு கட்டண ரயில்கள் இயக்கப்படுகின்றன.

 சென்னை, தாம்பரத்தில் இருந்து, ஏப்., 8, 15, 22, 29, மே 6, 13, 20, 27, ஜூன் 3, 10, 17, 24 மற்றும் ஜூலை, 1ம் தேதிகளில், மாலை, 4:45 மணிக்கு இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு கட்டண ரயில், மறுநாள் அதிகாலை, 5:25க்கு, நாகர்கோவில் சென்றடையும்

 நாகர்கோவிலில் இருந்து, ஏப்., 9, 16, 23, 30, மே 7, 14, 21, 28, ஜூன் 4, 11,18, 25 மற்றும் ஜூலை, 2ம் தேதிகளில், இரவு, 7:40 மணிக்கு இயக்கப்படும் ரயில், மறுநாள் காலை, 9:00க்கு, சென்னை, எழும்பூர் வந்தடையும்

 எர்ணாகுளத்தில் இருந்து, ஏப்., 4, 11, 18, 25, மே 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 ஜூன் 6, 13, 20, 27ம் தேதிகளில், காலை, 11:00 மணிக்கு இயக்கப்படும் ரயில், மறுநாள் காலை, 7:00க்கு, வேளாங்கண்ணி சென்றடையும்

 வேளாங்கண்ணியில் இருந்து, ஏப்., 5, 12, 19, 26, மே 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, ஜூன் 7, 14, 21 மற்றும் 28ம் தேதிகளில், மாலை, 6:15க்கு இயக்கப்படும் ரயில், மறுநாள் மதியம், 2:00 மணிக்கு, எர்ணாகுளம் சென்றடையும் இந்த ரயில், கோட்டயம், காயன்குளம், புனலுார், செங்கோட்டை, ராஜபாளையம், விருதுநகர், மானாமதுரை, காரைக்குடி, திருச்சி, தஞ்சை, திருவாரூர், நாகப்பட்டினம் வழியாக இயக்கப்படும்

 எர்ணாகுளத்தில் இருந்து, ஏப்., 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, மே 7, 14, 21, 28 ஜூன் 4, 11, 18 மற்றும் 25ம் தேதிகளில், இரவு, 7:00க்கு இயக்கப்படும் ரயில், மறுநாள் காலை, 7:30 மணிக்கு, ராமேஸ்வரம் சென்றடையும்

 ராமேஸ்வரத்தில் இருந்து, ஏப்., 3, 10, 17, 24, மே 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, ஜூன் 5, 12, 19 மற்றும் 26ம் தேதிகளில், மாலை, 4:00க்கு இயக்கப்படும் ரயில், மறுநாள் அதிகாலை, 4:30 மணிக்கு, கேரளா மாநிலம், எர்ணாகுளம் சென்றடையும். ராமநாதபுரம், மானாமதுரை, மதுரை, திண்டுக்கல், ஒட்டன்சத்திரம், பழநி, பொள்ளாச்சி, பாலக்காடு வழியாக இயக்கப்படும், இந்த ரயில்களுக்கான முன்பதிவு, இன்று துவங்குகிறது என, தெற்கு ரயில்வே தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

கர்நாடகா, கோவாவுக்கு சொகுசு சுற்றுலா ரயில்

Added : மார் 10, 2020 21:41

சென்னை : இந்திய ரயில்வே உணவு மற்றும் சுற்றுலா கழகமான, ஐ.ஆர்.சி.டி.சி.,யானது, கர்நாடகா மற்றும் கோவாவுக்கு, 'கோல்டன் சாரியட்' என்ற, சொகுசு சுற்றுலா ரயிலை இயக்குகிறது.

கர்நாடகா சுற்றுலாத்துறை, 2019 ஜனவரியில், 'கோல்டன் சாரியட்' என்ற, சொகுசு சுற்றுலா ரயிலை அறிமுகம் செய்தது. இந்த ரயில் பின்னர், ஐ.ஆர்.டி.சி.டி.,யிடம் ஒப்படைக்கப்பட்டு, கர்நாடகா மற்றும் கோவாவுக்கு இயக்கப்பட்டு வருகிறது. இது, தென் மாநிலங்களில் உள்ள, ஒரே சொகுசு ரயிலாகும். இந்த ரயிலில் செல்லும் வகையில், வரும், 29ம் தேதி மற்றும் ஏப்., 12ம் தேதிகளில், இரு சுற்றுலாக்களை, ஐ.ஆர்.சி.டி.சி., ஏற்பாடு செய்துள்ளது.

ஆறு இரவுகள், ஏழு பகல்கள் உடைய சுற்றுலா, கர்நாடாகா மாநிலம், யஷ்வந்த்பூர் நிலையத்தில் இருந்து புறப்படுகிறது. இப்பயணத்தில், பந்திப்பூர் சரணாலயம், மைசூர், ஹளபேடு, சிக்மங்களூர், ஹம்பி, பதாமி, பட்டாடக்கல், ஐஹோலே, கோவா ஆகிய இடங்களை பார்த்து வரலாம். சுற்றுலாவில், ஒருவருக்கு, 2 லட்சத்து, 99 ஆயிரத்து, 130 ரூபாய் கட்டணம். இந்தியர்களுக்கு, 35 சதவீதம் கட்டண சலுகை உண்டு.

குறிப்பிட்ட நகரங்கள் வரை, இரண்டு இரவுகள், மூன்று பகல்கள் கொண்ட பயணத்துக்கு, ஒருவருக்கு, 59 ஆயிரத்து, 999 ரூபாய் கட்டணம். மேலும், தகவலுக்கு, ஐ.ஆர்.சி.டி.சி.,யின், சென்னை அலுவலகத்துக்கு, 82879 31970, 82879 31973 என்ற, மொபைல் போன் எண்களில், தொடர்பு கொள்ளலாம் என, ஐ.ஆர்.சி.டி.சி., தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

வாரணாசி கோவிலில் சாமி சிலைகளுக்கு 'மாஸ்க்'

Updated : மார் 10, 2020 20:12 | Added : மார் 10, 2020 20:10
 

வாரணாசி: நாடு முழுவதும் கொரோனா வைரஸ் பரவி வரும் நிலையில், வாரணாசி பிரகலதேஸ்வரர் கோவிலில் உள்ள விஸ்வநாதர் சிலைக்கு முகக்கவசம் அணிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. சாமி சிலையை பக்தர்கள் யாரும் தொட வேண்டாம் என அர்ச்சகர் கேட்டுக்கொண்டுள்ளார்.



சீனாவில் உருவான, 'கொரோனா' வைரஸ், இன்று சர்வதேச நோயாகி இருக்கிறது. இந்தியா உட்பட, 100க்கும் மேற்பட்ட நாடுகளை ஆட்டம் காண செய்துள்ளது. இந்நிலையில், வாரணாசி பிரகலதேஸ்வரர் கோவிலில் அர்ச்சகர் ஒருவர் சாமி சிலைகளுக்கு முகக்கவசம் அணிவித்துள்ளார். பக்தர்கள் யாரும் சாமி சிலையை தொடவேண்டாம் எனவும் கூறியுள்ளார்.

இதுகுறித்து அர்ச்சகர் கிருஷ்ண ஆனந்த் பாண்டே கூறுகையில், கொரோனா வைரஸ் குறித்து பொதுமக்களிடம் விழிப்புணர்வை ஏற்படுத்த விஸ்வநாதர் சிலைக்கு முகக்கவசம் அணிவித்துள்ளோம். வெயில் காலத்தில் ஏசி, பேன் போடுவது போலவும், குளிர் காலத்தில் துணிகளை போர்த்துவது போலவும் தற்போது முகக்கவசம் அணிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.



சாமி சிலையை தொட்டு வணங்குவதால், வைரஸ் மற்றவர்களுக்கு பரவி பாதிப்படைவதை தடுக்க, சிலைகளை தொட்டு வணங்க வேண்டாம் என பொதுமக்களிடம் வலியுறுத்தி உள்ளோம். இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறினார். கோவிலில் அர்ச்சகர்கள் மட்டுமன்றி, பக்தர்களும் முகக்கவசம் அணிந்து சாமி தரிசனம் செய்தனர்.

‘Oh my Kadavule,’ says realtor after losing mobile number to Vani Bhojan
In a bizarre incident, a Chennai-based realtor has found himself waking up to a flurry of calls with weird requests.

Published: 11th March 2020 05:55 AM

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: In a bizarre incident, a Chennai-based realtor has found himself waking up to a flurry of calls with weird requests. A resident of Vyasarpadi has been receiving continuous calls from unknown men asking for actress Vani Bhojan after his number was allegedly used in the recently released Tamil movie, ‘Oh my Kadavule.’

Boobalan, a real-estate businessman from Bharathiyar Nagar, lodged a police complaint against the director of the movie. The movie also stars Ritika Singh and Ashok Selvan and is directed by Ashwath Marimuthu. In a scene in the movie, Vani, who plays a character named ‘Meera,’ gives out a mobile number to the protagonist, which happens to be Boobalan’s.

The man said he has been using the number for 19 years now. “Since the first show of the movie, I have been receiving phone calls from men asking if it was really Vani Bhojan’s number. Several men send flirty messages. When I tell them that it is not Vani Bhojan’s number and not to disturb me again, they use abusive language,” said Boobalan.

People also call asking if he is a “pimp” for the actress. “Initially I did not know what was happening until my friends explained it to me,” said Boobalan, who has been receiving around 100 calls every day and is afraid to pick up calls from unknown numbers.

‘My business has taken a hit as I avoid taking calls’

"My business has taken a hit for the past one month as I have been avoiding calls and some of my clients are angry with me. Everytime my phone rings, my blood pressure increases,” said Boobalan

On Tuesday, Boobalan lodged a complaint with the Cyber Crime division in the Chennai city Police Commissioner’s office and was directed to register a complaint at the Vyasarpadi police station.“I am going to file a petition in court against the director for using my number without my consent,” he said. In another incident, Jayaram Venkatesan, convener of city-based civic rights NGO Arappor Iyakkam, has received over 30 calls since Monday asking for ‘disposable surgical masks.’

He later found that in two Telengana-based newspapers, an ad for ‘Non-woven disposable surgical face masks with earloop’ carried his mobile number along with that of his colleague, also a member of Arappor. The ad titled ‘Coronavirus safety mask’ (sic) claims to offer three masks for ‘a discounted price’ of `Rs 5 and that free delivery was available.

“If one of our numbers were given out, the argument that it was a mistake might have been reasonable but three numbers belonging to our organisation have been published,” he said. “We have never put out these three numbers together. We suspect that it was done on the insistence of a TN-based politician,” he added. Venkatesan said he has filed a complaint with the DGP of TN and Telangana.

Newly released film did the damage

A new film had the actress giving the realtor’s number as hers to the protagonist and ever since, the man has been receiving bizarre calls from unknown persons.

Pharmacy Council Alone Has Jurisdiction In The Field Of Pharmacy Education, Not AICTE: SC [Read Judgment]

Ashok Kini

 

9 March 2020 5:06 PM

"The fight of supremacy between both the regulators is unhealthy for the education sector as well as the institutions to permit two regulators to function in the same field."

The Supreme Court has held that the Pharmacy Council of India shall alone have the Jurisdiction in the field of pharmacy, and not the All India Council for Technical Education.

The bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra, Vineet Saran and MR Shah observed that in the field of Pharmacy Education and more particularly so far as the recognition of degrees and diplomas of Pharmacy Education is concerned, the Pharmacy Act, 1948 shall prevail. 

The Court was considering the petitions filed by Pharmacy Council of India in which the issue was regarding the applicability of the Pharmacy Act, 1948 or the All India Council of Technical Education Act, 1987 in relation to the subject of Pharmacy, including approval of courses of study, minimum standards of education required for qualification as a Pharmacist, registration as a Pharmacist, regulation of future professional conduct etc. The contention on the part of AICTE was that the AICTE Act is subsequent law and in the definition of "technical education" contained in Section 2(g), it includes "pharmacy" also, therefore, being a subsequent law, the same shall prevail as there will be a implied repeal of the Pharmacy Act. It was further contended that, in terms of Article 372 of the Constitution, the 1987 Act to the extent it covers the same field as covered by the existing law i.e. 1948 Act, will prevail and the provisions of the 1948 Act to that extent stand repealed/altered.

Rejecting this contention, the bench observed thus: 

"The Pharmacy Act is a Special Act in the field of pharmacy and it is a complete code in itself in the field of pharmacy, the Pharmacy Act shall prevail over the AICTE Act which, as observed hereinabove, is a general statute dealing with technical education/institutions. Therefore, the submission on behalf of AICTE and/or concerned educational institutions that the AICTE Act is a subsequent law and in the definition of "technical education" it includes the "pharmacy" and therefore it can be said to be an "implied repeal", cannot be accepted. At his stage, it is required to be noted that as such in the AICTE Act there is no specific repeal of the Pharmacy Act, more particularly when, as observed hereinabove, the Pharmacy Act is a Special Act and the subsequent enactment of AICTE Act is general and therefore the Pharmacy Act being a Special Act must prevail. Apart from that, with regard to several aspects, there is no provision made in AICTE Act which are exclusively within the domain of PCI. Thus, it cannot be accepted that there is 'implied repeal' of the Pharmacy Act."

The Court also criticized the fight between two central authorities, like in the present case. It said: 

Both, the PCI and AICTE are the creature of the statute. Therefore, it is not at all healthy that the two regulators, both being Central authorities, can be permitted to fight for supremacy. The fight of supremacy between both the regulators is unhealthy for the education sector as well as the institutions to permit two regulators to function in the same field.

The Court also noted a recent decision in AICTE v. Shri Prince Shivaji Maratha Boarding House's College of Architecture (2019) 16 SCALE 421 wherein it was held that insofar as recognition of degrees and diplomas of architecture education is concerned, the Architecture Act, 1972 would prevail and that AICTE shall not be entitled to impose any regulatory measure in connection with the degrees and diplomas in the subject of architecture.

Regarding the application of Article 362, the bench noted that unless a pre-constitutional statute is specifically repealed it continues to remain in operation. The bench finally held as follows:
It is held that in the field of Pharmacy Education and more particularly so far as the recognition of degrees and diplomas of Pharmacy Education is concerned, the Pharmacy Act, 1948 shall prevail. The norms and regulations set by the PCI and other specified authorities under the Pharmacy Act would have to be followed by the concerned institutions imparting education for degrees and diplomas in Pharmacy, including the norms and regulations with respect to increase and/or decrease in intake capacity of the students and the decisions of the PCI shall only be followed by the institutions imparting degrees and diplomas in Pharmacy Case Name: The Pharmacy Council of India vs. Dr. S.K. Toshniwal Educational Trusts Vidarbha Institute of Pharmacy a
Case No.: TRANSFER PETITIONS (CIVIL) NOS. 87-101 OF 2014

Coram: Justice Arun Mishra, Vineet Saran and MR Shah

Counsel: Sr. Adv Maninder Singh, Adv Harish Panday, ASG Pinki Anand

Pharmacies warned against selling face masks above MRP

11/03/2020, VIGNESH VIJAYAKUMAR,SALEM

The Drug Control Board has warned of stern action against pharmacies selling face masks and sanitisers over maximum retail price.

According to Drug Control officials, drug inspectors are conducting regular inspections at pharmacies to check overpricing and to ensure availability of stock of essential products.

With government missionaries taking various measures to prevent spread of COVID-19, preventive materials like face masks and hand sanitisers are on high demand. S. Gurubharathi, Assistant Director of Drugs Control, Salem Zone, said, “Inspectors from Drug Control have been conducting regular checks at pharmacies and we are also checking regarding availability of stocks of face masks and hand sanitisers.”

He said that they have been receiving complaints of selling essentials at high price in some places and necessary action is being taken.

“We have asked all pharmacies to sell the products only at Maximum Retail Pric,” he said.

Officials said that they also lifted samples of hand sanitisers from pharmacies for standard quality checks.

‘Hindu adoption not valid without consent from wife’
Supreme Court cites two essential conditions for adoption

11/03/2020, LEGAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI

A Hindu adoption is not valid unless the man takes prior consent from his wife and there is a “ceremony of giving and taking in adoption,” the Supreme Court has held.

A Bench led by Justice L. Nageswara Rao said the mandate of the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act of 1956 was that no adoption was valid unless the two essential conditions of the consent of the wife and the actual ceremony of adoption were established.

The March 6 judgment came on an appeal by M. Vanaja, who claimed she is the adopted daughter of the late Narasimhulu Naidu. She had filed a civil suit for partition of property. The suit was dismissed. The Hyderabad High Court had eventually upheld the dismissal, following which an appeal was filed in the Supreme Court.

Justice Rao, who wrote the judgment, said Sections 7 and 11 of the 1956 Act are the consent of the wife before a male Hindu adopts a child and proof of the ceremony of actual giving and taking in adoption.

“The appellant [Vanaja] admitted that she does not have the proof of the ceremony of giving and taking of her in adoption. Admittedly, there is no pleading in the plaint regarding the adoption being in accordance with the Act. That apart, the respondent, who is the adoptive mother, has categorically stated in her evidence that the appellant was never adopted,” the court concluded, rejecting appeal.

TTD issues advisory to NRIs, foreigners

11/03/2020, PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Amid fresh coronavirus cases being reported in parts of the country, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) that manages the hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara has issued an advisory asking foreigners, NRIs and others not to visit the temple for 28 days after they landed in the country.

The advisory was issued late on Tuesday as a precautionary measure to check the spread of COVID-19.

Pilgrims told to avoid Sabarimala

11/03/2020, SPECIAL 

CORRESPONDENT,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president N. Vasu has urged the public not to attend the monthly pujas scheduled to be held at Sabarimala Ayyappa temple from March 13 to 18.

Mr. Vasu told reporters here on Tuesday that the request to pilgrims to abstain themselves from the monthly pujas was made in view of the precautionary measures initiated by the government following the spread of COVID-19 cases. Pilgrims from all over the country reach the temple for the monthly pujas. The Kerala Cabinet too had called upon the public to suspend festivals, marriages and other functions.