HC issues advisory to staff of all courts; says breach will amount to ‘misconduct’

HC issues advisory to staff of all courts; says breach will amount to ‘misconduct’

It also contains precautions to follow on reaching home from court

12/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,BENGALURU

In an effort to keep staff of all courts in the State attentive and adhere to COVID-19 precautions, the Karnataka High Court has not only issued basic protective advisories to the staff but has also said that its breach would be treated as “misconduct” leading to initiation of action as per the service rules. The advisory also includes what the staff need to do on going home from office.

Also, the High Court has made it clear that all the officers/officials who have been on any kind of leave and have left the headquarters on or before March 24 shall get examined in High Court Dispensary on reporting to duty for the first time, and as per the medical advice they must be ready to undergo compulsory home quarantine for 14 days, if necessary. Apart from the staff, every person entering the court precincts, including the police, personal security staff of judges, advocates, clerks of advocates, and others shall be scanned at the entry point by the health workers to ascertain symptoms of COVID-19 and body temperature. Entry would be denied if any person shows symptoms.

Wearing of mask is compulsory and no one will be allowed to enter court precincts without it, the notification states while asking staff to avoid close contact with anyone on the court premises. After entering the offices, the staff will have to wash their hands with liquid soaps or use sanitisers and should use gloves while dealing with office files/case files.

High Court Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice B.V. Nagarathna, the seniormost judge of the High Court, have issued video messages reminding the staff of the importance of following the advisory not only for their safety but also for the safety of their family members and colleagues.

On going home

The advisory has asked the staff to ring up home before leaving the office so that those at home can keep the front door open to ensure the staff need not touch the doors or calling bell switch.

They are advised to wash their hands and feet with soap water before entering the house. Also, the staff are advised to keep their keys, mobile phones in a box at the entrance and take them inside after wiping with issue papers with sanitiser.

Tears of joy as flight lands in city

Tears of joy as flight lands in city

12/05/2020, STAFF REPORTER,BENGALURU

It was an emotional moment for passengers of the repatriation Air India flight from London that landed in Bengaluru on Monday. There was sighs of relief and tears of joy.

Soundarya, one of the passengers in the flight, told The Hindu that when the flight made its scheduled landing at New Delhi before arriving at Bengaluru, passengers were thrilled and clapped loudly as the pilot made the announcement that the flight is about to land.

“I was in tears when the flight landed. ” she said. Ms. Soundarya, daughter of actor-politician Jayamala, was stranded in the UK for close to 50 days after the Indian government banned commercial flights from various countries. This was her second attempt to come back home after the COVID-19 outbreak.

“On March 22, I had boarded a flight to India via Dubai. When the flight landed at Dubai, passengers were asked to alight as India had imposed a ban. We were stranded in the airport for more than 17 hours and finally authorities permitted us to go back to U.K. I had to undergo 14 days quarantine after reaching London. Meanwhile, the number of cases continued to rise. It was tough. I wanted to return India no matter what,” she said.

She had gone to U.K. to pursue B.Sc. honours in Zoology. She said two of her faculty members and a student were infected too. She booked a ticket for the second time to Bengaluru after the Union government announced the evacuation flight for stranded Indians in the U.K.

“There were children, pregnant women and aged people on the flight. Each one had their stories. Some passengers had lost their family members back home during the lockdown,” she said.

An economy class ticket on the flight reportedly cost around ₹50,000.

‘No renaming of Allahabad University’

‘No renaming of Allahabad University’

12/05/2020, PRESS TRUST OF INDIA,ALLAHABAD

The Allahabad University’s executive council has decided against changing the name of the Centre-run institution following renaming of the district to Prayagraj, officials said on Monday.

A university spokesperson said the executive council could not meet because of the coronavirus lockdown. So the opinion of its 15 members was sought through email.

Three members did not respond, while the remaining 12 responded in the negative and a resolution has been passed against changing the name, the spokesperson said.

The members wanted the name retained, he added. The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh had renamed the district to Prayagraj in 2018, a decision later approved by the Centre.

The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development and the university, founded in 1887, then corresponded over the suggestion to rename the institution as well, officials said.

HC declines petition on welfare of sex workers

HC declines petition on welfare of sex workers

12/05/2020,NEW DELHI

The Delhi High Court on Monday declined to entertain a petition seeking direction to the Centre and the city government to take steps to protect and provide welfare measures such as food, accommodation and medicines, to sex workers and the LGBT community during the lockdown. A Bench of Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal rejected the plea, by advocate Anurag Chauhan, who had sought financial aid, food, shelter and medicines to sex workers and LGBT community members in Delhi to ensure their survival during the lockdown.

Baijal meets directors, V-Cs of universities

Baijal meets directors, V-Cs of universities

12/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, NEW DELHI

Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal on Monday held a meeting through videoconference with the Vice-Chancellors of universities and Director, IIITD, to review preparedness for online learning, pending examinations, internships, placements and admissions for the forthcoming sessions.

All V-Cs and Directors of universities, Mr. Baijal said, should emphasise on the use of technology for teaching-learning, admission processes and examinations. He told them to ensure continuity of educational activities along with the safety of students, faculty members and staff.

Plea challenges decision to freeze DA of govt. staff

Plea challenges decision to freeze DA of govt. staff

‘No financial emergency to take the step’

12/05/2020, STAFF REPORTER,NEW DELHI

A petition before the Delhi High Court has challenged the Centre and the AAP government’s decision to freeze dearness allowance (DA) of public servants and pensioners in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The plea contended that there is no financial emergency to take such a step as Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) has around ₹3,800 crore corpus and according to news reports, PM CARES Fund has received ₹6,500 crore donation.

The plea also contended that the decision to freeze DA of government employees has been taken at a time of rising inflation, especially in Delhi, where there has been an increase in price of fuel, liquor and essential commodities.

It said the decision to freeze DA is in violation of constitutional provisions and the Disaster Management Act does not give the government any power to withhold salary as it also includes dearness allowance.

JNU to develop device for COVID-19 tests

JNU to develop device for COVID-19 tests

‘University aims at demonstrating first prototype in 4 months’

12/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI

JNU Vice-Chancellor M. Jagadesh Kumar on Monday said that the university has been given approval to carry out a project on COVID-19 testing that will be an alternative to RT-PCR test.

Mr. Kumar said that Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, a public sector enterprise set up by Department of Biotechnology, has given its nod to JNU under diagnostics category to develop a low-cost portable device for large-scale screening of the viral infections.

The V-C said that currently, the detection of COVID-19 infection is being mostly done by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) by using a real-time PCR machine, a very accurate lab test for detecting, tracking and studying the virus. However, this technology is expensive, requires high-end laboratory-based equipment and is time-consuming. He added that there is also a need of expert personnel to operate the instrument and perform the testing at the laboratory reducing its capacity of sample handling per day.

“To overcome the cost and other disadvantages of the conventional methods, a team from the School of Biotechnology, JNU, has designed a chip-based low-cost portable spatial RT-PCR where the PCR has been integrated with an in-built detection system containing LED and diode detector enabling us to perform a point-of-care measurement,” the V-C said.

He added that JNU has already filed an Indian Patent application on this technology that can complete the testing in about 50 minutes as compared to 120-180 minutes required for conventional real-time PCR. The V-C added that the university was targeting to demonstrate the first prototype testing device in about four months.

Business as usual in Salem

Business as usual in Salem

12/05/2020, STAFF REPORTER,SALEM

Business went on as usual with majority of automobile workshops, bakeries, electronic appliances stores and other businesses started functioning here on Monday.

Traffic was busy on Meyyanur Main Road where many automobile workshops operate.

According to Salem district two-wheeler mechanic employees’ association, close to 1,000 workshops started functioning.

S .Devarajan. general secretary of the association said, “workshops are opened, however, we are operating without any job works as of now.

Besides this, many spare parts shops have not opened despite relaxations. So even if vehicles are accepted for repairs, we would not be able to get sufficient spare parts. The government must consider offering relief to mechanics as they have been jobless for over a month now.”

Many bakeries and tea shops remained closed.

P.L. Palanisamy, secretary of Salem District Hotel Owners’ Association said, “operating just on take away would not help us. Even on just parcel basis, we would have to employ four-five persons and there would not be enough business to meet even their salary needs. Most of the bakeries are thinking reopening once things normalise.”

Traffic snarls witnessed in Erode

Traffic snarls witnessed in Erode

12/05/2020, STAFF REPORTER ,ERODE

Panneerselvam Park Junction in Erode witnessed sharp increase in the movement of vehicles on Monday.M. GOVARTHAN M_GOVARTHAN

With the government permitting more standalone shops to function from Monday, shops offering services saw good business.

As a result, vehicular traffic and movement of people saw a sharp increase on the arterial roads after shops were opened on Monday.

With lockdown to end on May 17, the State government had announced relaxations in a phased manner allowing industries to function and opening of shops. Reasonable crowd was witnessed at mobile phone sales and service centres, two-wheeler repair and service centres, bakeries, shop selling household appliances and repair shops, electrical stores, photocopying shops and courier booking offices.

Since only parcel service were allowed in tea shops, a few customers could be seen in the shops as shop owners said that their business could be normal only when the restrictions were removed. In many shops, a worker was deputed to instruct customers to maintain personal distancing and also give sanitisers.

‘E-pass of Kerala government must to cross borders’

‘E-pass of Kerala government must to cross borders’

12/05/2020, STAFF REPORTER,COIMBATORE

Coimbatore rural police have issued advisory to people who are planning to travel to Kerala through the district.

Inter-State borders

The police have informed that those who want to travel to Kerala should come to the inter-State borders Walayar, Velanthavalam and Anaikatti only if they have obtained the e-pass issued by the Kerala government.

Coimbatore rural Superintendent of Police Sujit Kumar issued the advisory on Sunday after major inter-State borders witnessed beeline of Keralites who wanted to cross go to their native places though they had not obtained e-pass issued by the Kerala government.

The borders witnessed heavy rush of people returning to Kerala on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Majority of them attempted to return from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Thooyamani Vellaisamy, inspector of K.G. Chavadi police station, said that Walayar check post did not witness much people who came without obtaining e-pass of the Kerala government.

In order to reduce rush at inter-State borders, Coimbatore rural police checked vehicles of those travelling to Kerala at places including Madukarai and Neelambur. People, who did not have Kerala government’s e-pass, were not allowed travel further to inter-State borders, said Mr. Vellaisamy.

Digital submission

He said that the Kerala government was mandating digital submission of COVID-19 test result (negative) for the issuing of e-pass.

PSC initiates action against officials

PSC initiates action against officials

12/05/2020,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

The Public Service Commission has decided to initiate action against three officials who were responsible for including unfounded information on COVID-19 in its April bulletin.

A commission meeting held here on Monday concluded that certain details on COVID-19 included in the bulletin were not factual and undesirable too. It had triggered a row. The officials would be divested of their current responsibility and disciplinary action initiated against them, a release said.

Can’t pay for return of those stranded abroad: Centre

Can’t pay for return of those stranded abroad: Centre

12/05/2020, LEGAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

The Centre on Monday informed the Madras High Court that it cannot foot the bill for the air travel of those who had gone to foreign countries on tourist visas and were unable to return due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

The submission was made in response to a PIL plea filed in the court, seeking a direction to the Ministry of External Affairs to bring back 256 Tamil tourists reportedly stranded in Malaysia.

When the case was listed before Justices Vineet Kothari and Pushpa Sathyanarayana, the litigant, M. Gnanasekar, an advocate, stated that some of the 256 tourists had returned to India by paying travel expenses out of their own pockets.

Since the others were unable to return due to paucity of funds, he urged the government to step in to bring them back.

A familiar sight after so many weeks

A familiar sight after so many weeks

But for autorickshaws and buses, it is almost normal everywhere in Madurai

12/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,MADURAI

Old scenes and smells: The heart of Madurai has started pulsating again with the opening of shops on East Masi Street on Monday. R. Ashok

Normal vehicular traffic, except for autorickshaws and buses, was back on city roads after the long lockdown on Monday. The high volume of vehicles warranted operation of automatic signals.

“All of a sudden there is a huge increase in the number of vehicles. Finding space for parking has once again become a task,” said businessman J.S. Kaleel Rahman, 38. All shops, except for big textile shops and malls, are open. Furniture shops, utensil shops, tea stalls, construction material shops and automobile spare parts shops are open.

Though vehicular traffic has increased, footfalls in shops have not increased proportionately, said Mr. Rahman who runs an optical shop on East Veli Street. “May be people just want to move around to have a look of their city. The actual business will pick up slowly,” he said.

But a grocery merchant in Nethaji Road had a different story. “All these days under lockdown our shops were going out of stock and a huge crowds were thronging our shops. But, now, we have adequate stock and are eagerly waiting for customers,” said M. Dayalan.

With the prolonged lockdown, kitchen appliances such as wet grinders and mixers should have broken down in many households, as a shop selling spare parts for these appliances had a good crowd.

Assistant Commissioner of Police B. Joseph Nixon said that only autorickshaws were not allowed now. “Taxis are allowed with only two passengers,” he said.

Stating that only Madurai residents were moving around, he added that the real congestion would begin only when people from neighbouring districts such as Virudhunagar and Sivaganga descend here on business. Motorbikes were allowed, but pillion riders were not allowed. People who were not wearing masks and helmets would be penalised, he said.

Trucks were not allowed during daytime to avoid spreading of the COVID-19 infection. They were allowed into the city between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. he added.

All the crowds, vehicles and cacophony are back

All the crowds, vehicles and cacophony are back

Tea shops and automobile workshops attract a lot of businessIt was like any other Monday at Kalavasal, Goripalayam and Periyar bus standJewellery stores are near empty as cautious customers stay away

12/05/2020, SANJANA GANESH AND , P.A. NARAYANI,MADURAI

With a large number of business establishments resuming operations following further relaxation of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, all major roads in Madurai were flooded again with two-wheelers and four-wheelers.

It was like any other Monday at Kalavasal, Goripalayam and Periyar bus stand, some of the busiest places in the city.

The opening of tea shops (for parcel service) after around six weeks was sure to be a boon for labourers, said K. Ibrahim, the proprietor of Subam Coffee Bar. On Monday, when his shop opened after a 45-day break, Mr. Ibrahim said that both the labourers working at his shop and daily wagers at construction sites and small businesses were dependent on a glass of tea to keep them charged. Apart from tea and coffee, he served home-made vadas. “Tea shops formed part of a chain of Indian economy. Our tea master and vada master get jobs. We purchase a lot of milk, sugar and tea leaves, and we boost the economy,” he said.

L. Ravi, a tea shop owner from Palanganatham, said he did not have enough sachets to give ‘parcel tea.’ “Only a few bring flasks or vessels to buy tea,” he said.

However, R. Kanakaraj, the owner of Food Park Bakery, said people preferred sitting down at a shop to drink tea or eat baked goods. “Unless we allow people to sit down, we may not receive many takeaway orders,” he said.

Huge crowds were witnessed in front of two-wheeler and four-wheeler servicing shops. “A large number of customers say they are unable to start their vehicles and due to the hot summer, flat tyres pose a problem,” said S. Nagaraj who services vehicles at Kalavasal.

In stark contrast to these crowded shops were the near empty jewellery stores. Madurai Jewellers and Bullion Merchants Association secretary R. Sivarajan said jewellery shops would not attract much of a business as people will be wary of making investment in jewellery at this juncture.

“Only after taking care of their immediate needs will they think about buying jewels. Transport restriction will also affect jewellery sales,” he said.

Mr. Sivarajan said that it would be better for jewellery shops to open when the spread of COVID-19 is curtailed to the maximum. “If all shops open and the spread of the disease is fast, there will be another long lockdown which could be very damaging,” he said.

10 patients discharged from TVMCH; 147 rescued from Maldives

10 patients discharged from TVMCH; 147 rescued from Maldives

Hospital has 38 positive cases

12/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,TIRUNELVELI

Ten COVID-19 positive patients, all from Puliyangudi in Tenkasi district and undergoing treatment at Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, were discharged on Monday.

The patients, six men and four women, left for their homes in the evening.

The hospital now has 38 positive cases: 13 each from Tirunelveli city and rural Tirunelveli, 11 from Tenkasi and one from Thoothukudi.

Death case

Meanwhile, a 63-year-old male from Mayilaadi, who was admitted to Government Medical College Hospital at Aasaaripallam, died on Saturday.

Hospital sources said the man was a cancer patient and terminally ill. He was undergoing treatment in a hospital in Chennai and was brought to Nagercoil and admitted to Government Medical College Hospital. As he displayed COVID-19 symptoms, he was admitted to isolation ward and samples were collected. Even before the result was available, he died and his body was kept in the mortuary. The tests showed that he was positive and his body was cremated at Puliyadi.

The sources maintained that the patient died of “cancer-related health issues”. His daughter, who brought him in an ambulance from Chennai, was under observation in isolation ward of the hospital.

Also, officials had quarantined 147 persons in Kanniyakumari district. They were rescued from lodges at Kollencode, Kaliyakkavilai and Nagercoil in Maldives by the Indian Navy and brought to Kochi in a naval ship.

“Samples have been collected from them and we are awaiting the results,” the sources added.

HC deplores decision to reopen Tasmac shops

HC deplores decision to reopen Tasmac shops

Asks Registry to place the case before Chief Justice

12/05/2020, , B. TILAK CHANDAR,MADURAI

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday observed that tipplers in serpentine queues threw caution to the wind, flouted physical distancing and mask norms and thronged Tasmac shops.

A Division Bench of Justices P.N. Prakash and B. Pugalendhi made the observation while hearing the public interest litigation petitions filed by A. Bonyface and C. Selvakumar, challenging the government’s decision to open Tasmac shops when nationwide lockdown was in place in view of COVID-19.

The State was aware that due to the lockdown, the spread of COVID-19 was controlled in Chennai. But, reopening of Koyembedu vegetable market led to a huge spike in positive cases. WHO guidelines clearly warned of an increase in violence under the influence of alcohol during the pandemic, the court said.

The right of the State to carry on liquor sales through Tasmac shops was not an absolute one. When that right sought to trample the right to life guaranteed under the Constitution, the former had to give way, the judges said.

The State could not be permitted to hide behind the cloak of policy decisions when its action was likely to kill people in droves.

The State’s main grievance was that it required revenue to combat the pandemic and Tasmac shops would fill its coffers. The State was aware that people had become penniless due to the lockdown. It was obvious that the little money they had to buy food for the family had gone to Tasmac shops, the judges said.

The court said had the government permitted resumption of small business activities and thereafter opened Tasmac shops, none could have had any grudge. When the government had rightly prohibited entry into places of worship, its decision to allow tipplers to congregate at Tasmac shops was indubitably antithetical.

With the Principal seat having passed orders on similar petitions, the court directed the Registry to place the petitions before the Chief Justice to be dealt with appropriately. The State has preferred an appeal in the Supreme Court against the HC’s order.

Advocate, father, brother, two others held for murder of Siddha doctor

Advocate, father, brother, two others held for murder of Siddha doctor

They allegedly hacked him over using a pathway

12/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,TIRUNELVELI

Thisaiyanvilai police have arrested five persons, including an advocate, his father and younger brother, in connection with the murder of Siddha medical practitioner S. Thirupathi, 34, of Mela Pandarapuram on Saturday night.

The arrested are advocate G. Muthukrishnan, 30, of Mela Pandarapuram, his father Ganesan, 57, his brother Kavin Rajkumar, 25, L. Sivanantham, 28 of Muthammalpuram and Vimal alias Vimalanathan, 33, of Sri Lankan Refugees’ Colony at Samoogarengapuram near Valliyoor. Investigators believe that Muthukrishnan hired Vimalanathan to orchestrate the crime.

The police said an armed gang waylaid Thirupathi at Vijaya Achampadu near Ithamozhi when he was returning home from his clinic and hacked him to death. The assailants dumped the body in a nearby well and also pushed the Siddha doctor’s two-wheeler into the well.

As Thirupathi did not return home even after 10 p.m., his family members started searching for him and found the body floating in the well after midnight. On getting information, Thisaiyanvilai police rushed to the spot and retrieved the body and the two-wheeler from the well.

Previous enmity

During investigation, the police found that Thirupathi had enmity with Muthukrishnan, his neighbour, over using the pathway near their houses. When Muthukrishnan and his family allegedly threatened him to resolve the issue through negotiations, Thirupathi did not budge.

Agitated over it, Muthukrishnan, his father and brother, along with Sivanantham and Vimalanathan, murdered Thirupathi, the police said.

The police also said Vimalanathan, who had engaged Muthukrishnan to argue his cases in the past, became close to him and Sivananatham was a friend of the prime accused.

“We suspect that Vimalanathan, an accused in a case registered under the POCSO Act, and Sivanantham might have been hired by Muthukrishnan for murdering Thirupathi as the duo were in no way connected to the deceased,” a police officer said.

Vimalanathan, along with one of his close relatives, figured in the murder case of a cab driver from Ambasamudram a few years ago though he did not have any personal motive to commit the crime. After figuring in a few more cases, including robbery, he was arrested eight months ago for sexually harassing a 12-year-old girl.

“In all these cases, Muthukrishnan was appearing for Vimalanathan and hence the advocate could have hired him,” the police officer said.

Customers flock to markets, mobile phone showrooms

Customers flock to markets, mobile phone showrooms

12/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,DINDIGUL/THENI

Police personnel regulating traffic in Dindigul on Monday.G. Kartikeyan

Showrooms and small eateries started functioning in Dindigul district on Monday.

Customers started arriving at automobile workshops from 7 a.m. Many bikers could not start their vehicles as they had not used them for a long time, said Esakki, a mechanic at Round Road.

In a welcome sign, a police officer regulating traffic near Main Road said people by and large wore face mask and head gear while travelling.

Teashop owners too said customers adhered to social distancing norms voluntarily.

Besides flocking to vegetable markets, many could be seen buying fresh greens from road side vendors in and around South Car Street and Big Bazaar areas.

Mobile phone showrooms were crowded, but the sales personnel regulated physical distancing among customers. Paint shops, hardware stores and other showrooms functioned without air-conditioners.

The Chamber of Commerce thanked Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami for relaxing curfew norms, saying it was the need of the hour to revive money flow.

In Dindigul, the number of positive cases crossed 100 last week and the number of discharged patients stood at 79.

Theni district

In neighbouring Theni district, all 34 categories of shops and establishments opened at 7 a.m.

In Andipatti, Periyakulam and Theni town, markets saw brisk sale as people from interior villages arrived in two-wheelers as public transport and private autos were off the roads. In Cumbum, Uthamapalayam and Bodinayakkanur, farming activities took place on a small-scale.

The grocery stores in and around bus stand functioned.

Tender coconut and water melon were the most preferred among customers. Petrol pumps and vulcanising shops also saw good crowds.

The district administration reported 59 positive cases, with 42 discharged from Theni Government Medical College Hospital.

On Sunday, three fresh cases were reported including from Kadamalaikundu. The areas were identified as containment zone.

₹6,195 crore released to 14 States

₹6,195 crore released to 14 States

12/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI

The Centre released ₹6,195.08 crore to 14 States on Monday as the second equated monthly instalment of the Post Devolution Revenue Deficit Grant as recommended by the 15th Finance Commission.

“This would provide [them] with additional resources during the COVID-19 crisis,” Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a tweet.

The biggest chunk will go to Kerala, which will get ₹1,276 crore. Himachal Pradesh will get ₹952 crore while Punjab will get ₹638 crore. Other States which will benefit are Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.

Get ready to ramp up economic activity: PM

12/05/2020

“Even as we look at the gradual withdrawal of the lockdown, we should constantly remember that till we do not find a vaccine or a solution, the biggest weapon with us to fight the virus is social distancing,” Mr. Modi said.

Apart from asking for an extension of the lockdown, several States like Bihar, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh expressed misgivings about restoration of train services. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar reportedly said that as a former Railway Minister “he knew better than most” how it could lead to a rapid spread of the disease at this crucial juncture. The railways announced on Sunday evening that it would be running 15 trains in pairs from May 12 to select destinations in a partial opening of till now shuttered passenger services.

While five States asked for an extension of lockdown, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said it was time that the country “learned to live with coronavirus,” indicating that he was in favour of some opening up of the economy.

Mr. Kejriwal also said that instead of “red” or “green zones,” containment zones be demarcated within districts to signify open and locked down areas.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel was vehement that States be left to decide containment and open zones and draw up micro plans for themselves.

‘Review of lockdown on May 15 and 17’

‘Review of lockdown on May 15 and 17’

12/05/2020, LEGAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

The Centre and the State government on Monday informed the Madras High Court that they would be taking a call on either extending or lifting the lockdown on May 15 and 17 respectively and only then a decision would be taken on reopening religious institutions.

Justices Vineet Kothari and Pushpa Sathyanarayana recorded the submission made by Central Government Standing Counsel Srinivasamoorthy and Additional Advocate General S.R. Rajagopal.

Deemed varsities release entrance test schedule

Deemed varsities release entrance test schedule

12/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, CHENNAI

The SRM Joint Entrance Examination Engineering (SRMJEEE) for B.Tech courses for the academic year 2020-2021 will be held from July 30 to August 4. Successful candidates will be admitted to SRM Institute of Science and Technology (earlier SRM University), Kattankulathur (Main Campus); Vadapalani; Ramapuram; and Delhi – NCR; SRM University in AP; Sonepat in Haryana; and Sikkim.

Hall ticket may be downloaded in the third week of July.The two hour and 30-minute computer-based test will have 125 multiple choice questions with no negative marks for wrong answers.

Counselling is expected to be held in the second and third week of August. The last date for applying has also been extended.

Sathyabama Institute of Science Technology will conduct the entrance exam for admission to BE, B.Tech, B.Arch and B.Des courses from August 3 to 5. The results will be announced on August 8 and online counselling will begin on August 12.

Plasma therapy trial begins at MMC

Plasma therapy trial begins at MMC

12/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, CHENNAI

The clinical trial for convalescent plasma therapy commenced at the Madras Medical College with the first donor — a patient who recovered from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) — coming forward to make the donation on Monday.

The Madras Medical College is part of the Indian Council of Medical Research’s multi-centre trial, and also obtained the approval for an institutional trial for severe COVID-19 patients.

“A patient who recovered from COVID-19 has donated plasma for the trial. With this, the approved clinical trial has commenced at MMC,” an official said.

Apart from the MMC, the ICMR has granted approval for Madurai Medical College, Tirunelveli Medical College and Christian Medical College, Vellore, for its multi-centre clinical trial.

Patients step up stir, demand to be sent home

Patients step up stir, demand to be sent home

Corporation may allow home quarantine for those who have tested negative

12/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

Patients in COVID-19 care centres of the Greater Chennai Corporation intensified their protests on Monday, demanding that the Corporation shift them to their home.

The COVID-19 positive patients and their relatives shared on social media information about the delay in discharging those who have tested negative after their stay in the care centres. Unrest was reported in Chennai Trade Centre at Nandambakkam on Monday. More than 60% of the COVID-19 positive patients in the Chennai Corporation care centres have subsequently tested negative and such persons have demanded that they be to permitted them return home.

Corporation Commissioner G. Prakash said the patients who participated in the agitation would be permitted to go home and remain on home quarantine. “The government has decided to permit COVID-19 positive patients who are asymptomatic to be on home quarantine. Patients who are agitating in the COVID-19 care centre in Nandambakkam are asymptomatic. Many patients have tested negative for COVID-19. All such patients housed in the COVID-19 care centres will be permitted to be on home quarantine,” said Mr. Prakash.

Risk assessment

The regional deputy commissioners in the three regions of the Corporation have been asked to take a decision after assessing the condition of the patients’ families and the risk associated with home quarantine.

As many as 357 persons who were housed in the COVID-19 care centre in Nandambakkam have been requesting the civic officials to permit them to leave the facility.

Corporation South Regional Deputy Commissioner Alby John Varghese said 150 persons who tested negative had been sent home. “We have sent all patients who have tested negative for COVID-19.

“Another 50 patients who have tested negative will be sent home today,” said Dr. Varghese.

The team led by Dr. Varghese visited the care centre at Nandambakkam on Monday. “Many patients here live in crowded areas. Home quarantine is not possible in such areas. They cannot ensure separate enclosures for patients at home. We explained to the patients the need for medical observation. We explained that it is a contagious disease and they can spread it to their family members, ” said Dr. Varghese.

Four patients from Theni and Udhagamandalam were yet to be sent home from the COVID-19 care centre in Nandambakkam, said Dr. Varghese.

“All other patients who have tested negative have been sent home,” said Dr. Varghese.

Private healthcare institutions roped in

Private healthcare institutions roped in

It’s about time they start pitching in, says Health Secretary

12/05/2020, RAMYA KANNAN,CHENNAI

A Corporation enumerator checking details at Gopalapuram. R. RAGUR_Ragu

In a shift from its policy thus far of authorising select private hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients, the State government has now directed all private clinical establishments to provide dedicated fever clinics, following guidelines prescribed by it.

The private sector, which is very robust in Tamil Nadu, has so far played no role or a supportive role, at best, with regard to the COVID-19 crisis. While some hospitals have been authorised to treat COVID-19 patients, most have delivered general health care, preferring to refer patients to government hospitals.

While this has been the protocol so far, the rising numbers have brought on a change of strategy. “We have had complaints of hospitals referring mothers who have just delivered their babies to government hospitals, the moment they find the woman has tested positive. This is being done very hastily, like packing the woman off. It’s about time that private hospitals started pitching in too,” said Beela Rajesh, Health Secretary.

A meeting was held of representatives of private hospitals, and they were told to get their act together and help fight the virus in the State. Officials of the Directorate General of Health Services are to inspect the premises of institutions coming under the Clinical Establishments Act, and ensure that the instructions - with regard to physical distancing, human resources deployment, infection control procedures and quarantine leave period - are followed.

Rules drawn up

As per the guidelines drawn up, all staff of private clinics should be trained in COVID-19 procedures. The hospital should provide an adequate number of taps with running water and soap at the entrance, three-ply masks for all patients and screening with a thermal gun. If a patient is found to have fever, he will have to be diverted to the fever clinic. Hospital functionaries with influenza-like illness (ILI) symptoms should be placed under quarantine and this period should be considered paid leave, the rules state.

In addition to the fever clinics, the private hospital must also earmark a separate area for ILI outpatient care, with a separate waiting area for people with respiratory illness. Hospital timings should be so arranged that there is no crowding at any point, and all visitors must be barred. The hospital can arrange for video calls with a patient’s relatives. It is important to ensure, in case a hospital worker tests positive for SARS-CoV-2, that prescribed infection procedures are followed strictly. The standard procedure of rapid isolation, followed by contact listing and tracking and sanitisation must be adhered to. But there is no need to shut down the entire facility, the order states.

Quarantine an ordeal for pregnant women who returned from abroad

Quarantine an ordeal for pregnant women who returned from abroad

Many say the food served triggered vomiting, water was in short supply

12/05/2020, SUNITHA SEKAR,CHENNAI

Passengers who arrived by repatriation flights were given a choice to stay in hotels in Chennai.B. VELANKANNI RAJB_VELANKANNI RAJ

Twenty-nine-year-old Suganya Saravanan, who is pregnant, was relieved when she landed in Chennai from Dubai a few days ago. Little did she realise that she would have to endure harrowing days.

“The hotel where I am quarantined has been providing us with some terrible food. I have been vomiting and having diarrhoea for two days now. I had a miscarriage two years ago and I’m dreading what will happen to the baby if this continues,” she says.

Passengers who returned to Chennai in repatriation flights were given a choice to either stay in quarantine in free accommodation on a private college campus or pay for stay in hotel — one that would cost them ₹1,500 a day located in Periyamet and the other ₹2,500 a day in Guindy. Like Ms. Suganya, pregnant women who opted to stay in the hotel in Periyamet allege that they have been suffering, as the food served to them caused vomiting and diarrhoea.

Shalini Devi Chandrasekhar, 29, six months pregnant, says they were given dosa and khichdi for breakfast, a variety rice for lunch and chapatti and rice for dinner. “Many of us ended up vomiting because the food was poorly cooked, very oily and it barely had any vegetables. The rice was mostly uncooked. We can stay in quarantine, but we need at least cooked and healthy food; I don’t think that is asking for too much. After all, we are paying ₹1,500 a day.

All of us are hungry, because the quantity given is grossly insufficient,” she adds.

Twenty-five-year old S. Saranya says the hotel provides only one litre of water bottle for the whole day.

“After dehydration from vomiting and diarrhoea, we had to beg them for more water. Even when we are ready to pay them, we have to wait for hours. Yesterday, we went to the reception and some of us broke down in desperation; after that, we got an additional bottle,” she adds.

Anitha S., 27, a resident of Salem, who is nine months pregnant, says she has been through one of the most stressful times. “My due date is fast approaching. If something happens at midnight, what will I do? We have no idea whom to contact in case of an emergency. We decided to come back to India because we have help here, but now, I’m terrified what might happen,” she says.

Doctors worry existing manpower will be insufficient to manage load in the coming days

Govt. hospitals in city overwhelmed

Doctors worry existing manpower will be insufficient to manage load in the coming days

12/05/2020, SERENA JOSEPHINE M.,CHENNAI

The Government Taluk Hospital at Poonamallee, which has been closed after one of its staff was infected with COVID-19. B. VELANKANNI RAJB_VELANKANNI RAJ

The surge in COVID-19 cases is stretching hospital resources in Chennai. Flooded with hundreds of patients, government medical college hospitals in the city are overwhelmed and doctors are worried that the existing manpower will be inadequate to manage the rush in the coming days. In fact, many doctors suggest that their counterparts from agencies such as the Greater Chennai Corporation be roped in. The city has 3,632 active cases.

“A section of doctors and nurses is placed under quarantine, while some have tested positive for COVID-19. The patient load is so high that adequate personnel will be required in the coming days. Already, the morale is affected and the workforce is feeling exhausted and stressed. It is time that doctors and nurses from the Directorate of Medical Services (DMS) and the corporation are roped in. The Indian Medical Association should also chip in,” a senior doctor said.

Another senior doctor suggested that medical officers of the Corporation should take over treatment at COVID care centres.

Sharing load

“Medical colleges are deputing doctors and staff nurses to these centres. Instead, Corporation medical officers should take over screening and managing patients at these centres. If they take care of asymptomatic patients, we can handle patients in need of treatment,” the doctor added.

An assistant professor said that doctors were being deputed from affiliated institutions such as the Institute of Child Health, the Government Ophthalmic Hospital and the Government Dental College to these quarantine facilities.

“To reduce the workload in the city, doctors and staff from peripheral centres and hospitals in areas that have fewer cases could be roped in,” he said.

Future tense

Doctors fear they may soon run out of hands if the surge in cases continues. “Right now, relaxations in lockdown are bringing in more patients. Once the lockdown is lifted, we will have a surge in cases. Then, we may not have sufficient manpower for managing COVID-19 wards and facilities,” a senior doctor said.

A doctor at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital said that as of now, non-clinical doctors were not posted on COVID-19 duties.

In fact, the National Health Mission-Tamil Nadu, in a letter to the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services, said that Chennai was facing an acute shortage of healthcare professionals due to the pandemic. Tertiary care hospitals providing maternal healthcare were bearing the brunt of the pandemic because of the shortage of manpower.

The letter said that it would be necessary to divert obstetricians and gynaecologists from institutions under DMS to maternity hospitals in Chennai — IOG Egmore, RSRM Royapuram, KMC and KG Hospital — under the Directorate of Medical Education.

K. Senthil, president of the Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association, said, “The worst is yet to come, and the situation is worrisome. The government has to engage Corporation medical officers on COVID-19 duty, and mobilise AYUSH doctors. Outpatient services should be streamlined once lockdown is lifted and the government should issue guidelines such as on physical distancing. If not, OP services will be flooded, and there are high chances that healthcare professionals will be infected,” he said.

All private hospitals can treat COVID-19 cases

All private hospitals can treat COVID-19 cases

12/05/2020,CHENNAI

In a shift from its policy thus far of authorising only select private hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients, the State government has now directed all private clinical establishments to provide dedicated fever clinics, following guidelines prescribed by it.

SC not to hear Tasmac’s appeal today

SC not to hear Tasmac’s appeal today

Bench will not assemble for videoconference; may take up case on May 15

12/05/2020, LEGAL CORRESPONDENT, NEW DELHI

In an unexpected turn of events on Monday, the Supreme Court deleted the list of cases, including Tamil Nadu government’s appeal against a Madras High Court order to close liquor shops in the State, scheduled for hearing before a Bench led by Justice Ashok Bhushan on May 12.

Sources said the Bench would not assemble for videoconferencing on Tuesday. The case may be taken up again on May 15.

The Bench, which also comprised S.K. Kaul and B.R. Gavai, was scheduled to hear the State's contention that an indefinite closure of liquor shops would lead to “grave” revenue and commercial losses. The State government has accused the High Court of judicial overreach, highlighting that the ban order was passed the very same day the Supreme Court dismissed an identical call to close liquor shops across the country.

Tamil Nadu, represented by advocate Yogesh Kanna and State Additional Advocate General Balaji Srinivasan, said liquor retail was owned and operated by the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (Tasmac). The order, an open-ended ban, was on the basis of petitions by parties interested in keeping the State-run liquor shops closed.

On the issue of online liquor sales and home delivery, Tamil Nadu said the Supreme Court clarified on May 8 that a decision on online sales and home delivery of liquor would be entirely left to the discretion of the States.

“The Supreme Court order recognised that States have a broad margin of power to determine whether and how to effect sales of liquor in this lockdown period,” the Tamil Nadu government’s appeal said.

It said no other State, except Maharashtra where the virus figures were three to four times more than Tamil Nadu, sold liquor exclusively online. Online sales could at best supplement sales through physical outlets, it added.

“E-payment and home delivery call for immense logistical coordination and supply chain management, which need time manpower, especially in the present COVID-18 situation,” the petition contended. Besides, it pointed out that the Tamil Nadu Liquor (License and Permit) Rules, 1981 did not provide for online sales. The State would also have to amend the Tamil Nadu Liquor Retail Vending (In Shops and Bars) Rules of 2003. The High Court could not dictate liquor sale policy to the government, it said.

The State had issued a government order on May 5 to resume the operation of Tasmac shops from May 7. The order was in line with a directive issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on May 1.

Domestic flights may resume soon

Domestic flights may resume soon

12/05/2020, BIJU GOVIND, AMIT BARUAH,KOZHIKODE/NEW DELHI

After railway services, domestic flights are expected to resume soon, with the Civil Aviation Ministry in the process of taking a final call on when and how such flights commence.

A top Central government source told The Hindu that a nod from the Union government to resume flights had to be in sync with the willingness of the States to let flights operate.

Views of CMs

“Air services can even begin before May 18. Operating protocols are in place. But a political decision on this has to be taken after keeping the views of Chief Ministers in mind.” the source added.

Don’t resume air, rail services till May 31: CM

Don’t resume air, rail services till May 31: CM

12/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

Citing the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to resume regular air and rail services to the State till May 31.

Referring to media reports on plans to resume regular train services to and from Chennai from Tuesday (May 12), he said, “As the positive cases in Chennai are showing an increasing trend, don’t permit train services up to May 31 in my State.”

He made a similar request with respect to air services.

During a video-conference with Mr. Modi, he also sought financial aid, including refinancing support of ₹2,500 crore for the Tamil Nadu Industrial Investment Corporation through SIDBI and commercial banks.

A copy of the CM’s address was released to the media.

Passengers told to reach 90 minutes early, travel light & carry own food

NEW TRAVEL NORMS

Passengers told to reach 90 minutes early, travel light & carry own food

Dipak Dash & Bharti Jain TNN

New Delhi  12.05.2020

: All passengers with confirmed tickets will need to reach railway stations at least 90 minutes prior to scheduled departure of any special train that will start plying between Delhi and 15 other cities from Tuesday (today), a norm which was applicable for domestic air travel till now.

The passengers also need to carry less luggage with them and bring their own food as there will be no catering service or provision for prepaid booking of meals in these trains, except IRCTC making provision for limited eatables such as dry and ready-to-eat food and packaged drinking water on payment basis. They will also require to carry their own linen with them as railways won’t provide linen, blankets and curtains. However, the temperature inside AC coaches shall be “suitably regulated”, the railway ministry said.

The first eight trains will start plying from Tuesday including three from New Delhi — one heading to Dibrugarh, another to Bengaluru and a third one to Bilaspur — one

each from Mumbai Central, Howrah, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Patna to Delhi. Another nine trains will start their trip on Wednesday.

Addressing a major concern of how passengers can reach stations amid a lockdown, the home ministry issued guidelines said passengers as well as the driver of the vehicle transporting them to and from the railway station shall be allowed on the basis of the confirmed e-ticket.

In a detailed guideline, the railway ministry said booking for these trains can be done through IRCTC for maximum seven days in advance and no waitlist or RAC tickets will be issued. The railways allowed booking for all berths including the middle berth in 3AC coaches even as the home ministry guidelines require social distancing by passengers inside the trains.

Only passengers with confirmed tickets will be allowed to enter the station after proper thermal screening.

While only asymptomatic persons will be allowed to travel, railways said the passengers will have to comply with the health protocol of the destination state once they deboard the train.

Full report on www.toi.in

India sends 88 nurses to help UAE fight Covid-19

India sends 88 nurses to help UAE fight Covid-19

TNN & AGENCIES

New Delhi:12.05.2020

Even as more and more Indians are repatriated from UAE, the government has also facilitated travel of Indian nurses to the Gulf nation which had asked for assistance in the dealing with Covid-19.

A batch of 88 nurses from India arrived in the UAE to help the country’s stretched healthcare professionals amid a surge in the number of Covid-19 infections in the country.

India’s ambassador to UAE Pavan Kapoor said that this would further strengthen the long-standing friendship between the two countries.

“India and the UAE are showing how a strategic partnership translates into concrete cooperation on the ground in dealing with this pandemic. Helping a friend in need is the motto of cooperation between our two countries,” he said.

India’s Consul General in Dubai Vipul said, “It is yet another example of strong India-UAE bilateral ties and reflects deep understanding of problems faced by expatriates as well as UAE nationals in the UAE.”

The fifth day of Vande Bharat Mission saw seven repatriation flights landing in India. While an AI flight was denied permission to land in Qatar, the government said it was for technical reasons.

The special flights included London to Delhi to Bengaluru, San Francisco to Mumbai to Hyderabad, Dhaka to Mumbai, Dubai to Kochi, Abu Dhabi to Hyderabad, Kaula Lampur to Chennai and Bahrain to Kozhikode.

India’s ambassador to UAE Pavan Kapoor said that this would further strengthen the long-standing friendship between the two countries

Bengaluru-based pilot gets married online, complete with virtual ‘sangeet’ and ‘aarti’

Bengaluru-based pilot gets married online, complete with virtual ‘sangeet’ and ‘aarti’

Farheen.Hussain@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:  12.05.2020

It was to be a big fat wedding spread over three days with all frills thrown in. Thanks to the nationwide lockdown, the marriage of a Bengaluru-based pilot, 28, turned into a two-hour virtual ceremony watched from nine locations. The bride and the groom got married in Gurgaon, with his parents catching the action live from Bengaluru.

Sameer Varma, a senior first officer with IndiGo, was scheduled to marry 27-yearold Ayushi Kataria, a consultant with Accenture, on April 17 with hundreds of guests, including a few from Australia and Belgium, in attendance. The bride’s family had nearly completed the wedding preparations before the lockdown was announced.

Sameer, Ayushi and her family were in Gurgaon. Sameer’s parents — Rohit and Kiran — were in Bengaluru. Rohit Varma, a retired IAS officer and a decorated Kargil veteran, is also with IndiGo as a senior captain.

By May 1, Sameer’s mother Kiran realized they should go ahead with the wedding since there was no sign of the lockdown being eased. “Ayushi lives 10-15 minutes from Sameer and we asked them to go ahead with the wedding with Ayushi’s parents, a photographer and a panditji, with the permission of local authorities,” Kiran said.

The original wedding was to be held at a Delhi resort with a pre-wedding cocktail do for 200 guests. Around 45 guests were to fly down to Bengaluru on April 18 for a reception and a puja at the Varma residence in Whitefield. The plan went for a toss.

The wedding was held on May 6, and a virtual sangeet the previous evening. “Some 35 family members attended the online wedding between 3.30pm and 5.30pm that day from nine locations – Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Noida, Jaipur, Pune, the northeast and Singapore. Our older son, who lives in Singapore with his wife and son, participated from there. Our grandson was glued to the screen to watch his ‘chachu’s’ wedding,” Kiran said, adding she was in tears because she couldn’t be physically present for her son’s wedding.

Besides Sameer and Ayushi, five people were present at the bride’s residence for the wedding: Her parents, brother, panditji and a photographer.

Since last-minute shopping was ruled out, the bride turner mother’s finery into her trousseau and the groom colour-coordinated it with a kurta from his wardrobe.

The bride broke down during the gruh pravesh ceremony that was conducted on a WhatsApp video call. “There was Ferrero-Rocher instead of laddoos. My mother-in-law completed the aarti. It was a beautiful experience,” she said. Sameer completed the rituals by sprinkling water on the threshold, placing rice and played the ‘shehnai’ instrument. “I performed the aarti from here for my son and daughter-in-law,” Kiran said.

REMOTE PARTICIPATION:

Family members and friends attended the online wedding of Sameer Varma and Ayushi Kataria from nine locations

Social distancing takes a backseat in Madurai city

Social distancing takes a backseat in Madurai city

Times News Network  12.05.2020

A large number of vehicles hit Madurai roads following the state government’s relaxation of lockdown norms, which allowed 34 types of commercial establishments and services to function from Monday. The large influx of vehicles has led to traffic chaos in a few places throwing social distancing out of gear.

Places such as Town Hall Road, Netaji Street, Masi and Veli Streets and the commercial areas including Meenakshi Bazaar were flooded with people. It looked like the city has come back to life as a large number of shops were opened with people buzzing around them. However, West Masi Street, the busiest commercial area in the city, looked deserted as it continued to be a containment area.

Most tea shops were opened. But their business took a hit as they were only allowed to provide parcels as per the standard operating procedure. A few served tea at the shop in paper cups to give no room to contamination by using reusable cups. A large number of people thronged the Meenakshi Bazaar to get their mobile phones serviced and to buy accessories.

Similarly, most hardware shops, electrical shops, optical shops, steel, timber, cement and paint shops required for construction activities were opened.

LOOMING DANGER: Crowded roads were seen in Madurai after a long hiatus, following the state government’s relaxation of lockdown norms.Tea shops, hardware stores, electrical shops and other commercial establishments were opened. A large number of people thronged mobile shopps to buy new accessories or to repair their phones

Lockdown doubts