Norms relaxed, T Nagar opens for business, Broadway turns bazaar

Norms relaxed, T Nagar opens for business, Broadway turns bazaar

The Former Yet To See Buyers, The Latter Choked

Yogesh.Kabirdoss@timesgroup.com

Chennai:  15.05.2020

The city's major commercial centres, T Nagar and Broadway, are slowly coming alive after a long lull, days after the government allowed a variety of standalone shops to reopen.

T Nagar, dotted with hundreds of shops of multiple sizes and retail chain majors, is waiting for customers to return. The oncebustling Ranganathan Street is deserted though traders have geared up to resume sale of stocked products.

Most of the shop owners and their employees could be seen seated outside their outlets watching the free movement of two-wheelers on Ranganathan Street, unimaginable before the lockdown period. Tens and thousands of people used to thronged T Nagar before the lockdown, resulting in business to the tune of ₹50,000 crores every year, according to most estimates.

Omar Farooq, who owns a shop selling schoolbags, handbags and footwear near Mambalam railway station, said business has not yet picked up in T Nagar. "Public transport — buses and trains — brings the crowds to T Nagar. Until public transport resumes, we will not get our regular customers," he said. Omar Farooq did sale of anywhere between ₹30,000 and ₹50,000 everyday ahead of the Coronavirus outbreak. "T Nagar is busy on all 365 days. Now, we hardly have any customers forcing us to shut our shops after keeping them open for few hours," he added.

Retail chains are shut except for two reopening without air-conditioners on Usman Road. Traders said that April and May were the crucial months for their sales due to summer holidays and Ramzan. Mobile phone and accessories dealer S Chinnadurai on Ramanathan Street said that only desperate customers, who wanted to repair their cellphones, were visiting his shop. "We had just two people dropping in at our shop in place of the usual 100," he added.

On the other hand, Broadway Main Road is choked with street vendors and lorries, which cannot unload goods at Kothavalchavadi, as the market is closed. While trucks have lined up on the main road occupying the no parking area, street vendors selling vegetables contribute to the chaos.

Vegetable-laden tricycles could be found near Mannady metro station.

"The vegetable vendors moved to the road after the Broadway bus terminus was shut for retail traders. It mirrors the congested Kothavalchavadi in the past,” a local resident said.

AFTER A LONG LULL: Scenes at the city's two major commercial centres — T Nagar and Broadway — on Thursday

Most shop owners and their employees can be seen seated outside their outlets watching the free movement of two-wheelers on Ranganathan Street, unimaginable before the lockdown began

Chaos at college as 3k guest workers are brought back

Chaos at college as 3k guest workers are brought back

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 15.05.2020

There was some tension outside Guru Nanak College in Velachery on Thursday morning after 3,000 guest workers were brought back from MGR Chennai Central Railway station.

The workers from Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar were staying at Assam Bhawan at Pallikaranai and reached the station on Wednesday night believing they would be sent home by trains. But officials told them they needed to register in advance and they dropped them at the college.

However, the college authorities had no prior information about their arrival and they were stranded outside the institution for nearly two hours from 11am. After some officials intervened, 1,000 workers were accommodated at the college and the rest sent back to Assam Bhawan.

Several workers complained that they were not being provided good food. “On Wednesday night, they went to railway station believing that they can board the train directly. But it is mandatory to register which they failed to do,” said a police officer. One worker blamed officials for lack of coordination.

Separately, workers employed at the third unit of the North Chennai Thermal Power Station near Minjur, protested in front of the Minjur police station demanding that they be sent back to their home states. The workers from Odisha and Jharkhand, put up in temporary shelters by their employers, said they were unable to have proper food. They demanded that their pending salaries be given and provided proper transport. They dispersed after police and revenue officials promised that their demands would be met.

CHAOS REIGNS: A crowd outside Guru Nanak College

Lockdown leaves aspiring cooks all cut up, say docs

Lockdown leaves aspiring cooks all cut up, say docs

Kamini.Mathai@timesgroup.com

Chennai:  15.05.2020

Good news. Since the lockdown began, there have been fewer accidents on the roads. Bad news. The accidents appear to have moved indoors.

Emergency medicine doctors in the city say they are seeing a rising number of minor burn injuries and cuts since the lockdown began, with more aspiring cooks and beauticians making an appearance during quarantine.

“I see at least three lockdown accident cases a week. We’ve had a few cases of the enthusiastic husband chopping vegetables and lacerating his finger as well in the process,” says Dr M Sai Surendar. He admits, rather embarrassed, that he counts among them, having once decided to rustle up a biriyani for his family and getting an oil burn in the process. “Now it’s a matter of routine. One day I’m cooking for the family, the next, I find I am treating myself for minor injuries at the hospital,” says the senior consultant in the department of emergency medicine at Dr. Rela Institute & Medical Centre.

He adds that slips and falls, sprains and strains too are common as parents try and keep their children occupied indoors. “We have seen a few cases of hands jammed in doors.”

Dr Jayaraman S, head of emergency medicine at SIMS Vadapalani, says their hospital gets two to three cases per day of home injuries. “They usually confess they’ve tried a new recipe online,” he says.

The glue gun is apparently another weapon of minor destruction at homes. Dr Deepika Lunawat, dermatologist at Fortis Malar, says several people are hooked to arts and crafts during the lockdown are showing up at the hospital or calling the helplines with solutions for cuts and chemical burns. She sees few patients, but online consults for minor skin burns, especially among children helping parents cook, has increased.

“A number of women are getting chemical burns from using hair removal creams on their face. This can cause irritant contact dermatitis so one needs to do a test patch on the hand before trying it on the face,” she says. Dr Lunawat adds that scrubbing dishes and floors is also causing hand eczema in a number of people. For those facing burns, chemical or otherwise, the remedy lies in washing with cold running water and applying antibacterial cream. Never try to burst blisters as it can lead to infection, say doctors. “For hand eczema, it’s back to grandma’s recipe – a good lathering of coconut oil or ghee,” says Dr Lunawat. If the injury is serious, then consult a doctor.

“And like with Covid19, vitamin C is the long term answer,” says Dr Lunawat. “Not only does it build immunity, it also helps the skin heal faster.”

Tour de India? 7 workers cycling their way home to UP from TN

Tour de India? 7 workers cycling their way home to UP from TN

Srinath.Vudali@timesgroup.com

15.05.2020

Some of the world’s best athletes take 21 days to cover about 3,500km as part of cycling’s most prestigious sporting event — the Tour de France. But seven workers from Uttar Pradesh are hoping to cover 70% of that distance on their rickety cycles just to get home. In peak summer heat, Sumit, Kamlesh, Upender, Krishna and three others, all aged between 20 and 25 years, are travelling roughly 2,400km, from Chennai to Gorakhpur. Their luggage includes some food, phone chargers and tool kits.

After six long days, the exhausted youth were spotted sleeping on Wednesday afternoon by the Medchal highway on Hyderabad outskirts.

“We decided to leave Chennai after a person near our house tested positive for coronavirus. When we contacted a few truck operators, they demanded ₹500 for every 200km. As it was a huge amount, we decide to cycle all the way to UP,’’ said Sumit.

“For most part of the night we have been cycling. Unless we are too tired, we cycle even during the day. We eat either at roadside eateries or when some good people providing it for free,’’ Sumit said.

Relying on Google Maps, they have so far managed to give police the slip by traversing through bylanes and avoiding checkposts. They have also managed to repair their troublesome cycles and are pedaling forth, motivated by the thought of reuniting with their families.

THROUGH PAIN BARRIER: The youths are travelling close to 2,400km with some food, chargers and tool kits

State may extend lockdown till May 31 with more easing

State may extend lockdown till May 31 with more easing

Julie Mariappan TNN

Chennai: 15.05.2020

With the state continuing to see a rise in Covid-19 cases, the Tamil Nadu government is likely to announce a lockdown extension up to May 31, but with some more easing of norms. On Thursday, the state government-appointed health expert team recommended to chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami a phased easing of the lockdown. The experts strongly recommended ramping up testing to better map the virus spread.

Sources said the government would not allow public transport, gyms, malls and theatres to operate during the extended lockdown period. “Industries might work with some more concessions. The state is considering permitting government offices to work with 50% strength on alternate days and a six-day-a-week work schedule,” said a source. The state will take a call on Saturday factoring in local aspects and recent spike in cases. The CM had already requested the Centre not to resume regular flights and train services until May 31.

On Thursday, TN issued guidelines making testing mandatory for all those coming from other states. This comes close on the heels of arrival of special trains from Delhi on Thursday and Saturday. An order issued by chief secretary K Shanmugam said that among those coming from hotspots like Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra, people testing positive would be taken to hospitals, while those testing negative will remain in institutional quarantine for seven days.

‘People should not panic but focus on control measures to contain spread’

The health expert team was in a threehour-long session with the CM at the Secretariat during which they recommended increased testing. “Lockdown is going toenter the next phase.Therecan only be a gradual easing. Otherwise, there will be a rise in infection,” National Institute of Epidemiology’s Prabhdeep Kaur told reporters.

The state identifies 20 contacts from a positive case and evolves strategies. Kaur saidtherewouldbe a rise andfallofcasesin a pandemic and effective strategies should be evolved to contain the infection and prevent spread to other districts. “When there is a wave, people should not panic. We should focus on control measures,” she said. The experts advocated community participation in containing the spread. Social distancing norms should be adhered to at workplaces.

In an order the government clarified that passengers, who are due to attend the funeral and rituals associated with death of immediate family members, alone be released for home quarantine after testing at the arrival point, provided the mortal remains are received in the same aircraft/vehicle. The other categories like individuals in need of medical attention, pregnant women and those above 75 years and requiring assistance, need to be taken to the quarantine centre till Covid-19 results are available.

Qatar Airways To Give Away 100,000 Complimentary Tickets To Frontline Healthcare Professionals

Qatar Airways To Give Away 100,000 Complimentary Tickets To Frontline Healthcare Professionals 

By Medical Dialogues BureauPublished On 14 May 2020 12:58 PM | Updated On 14 May 2020 12:58 PM 

The giveaway opened at 00.01 AM on 12 May and will close at 23:59 on 18 May (Doha time) DOHA, — Qatar Airways will give away 100,000 free tickets to frontline healthcare professionals to say thank you for their heroic work looking after people during the current COVID-19 pandemic. By maintaining 24/7 operations in recent months, including the provision of over 100 charter flights, Qatar Airways' mission to repatriate over one million people has received widespread praise and thanks from passengers and governments as the foremost airline taking people home. 

COVID-19 survivor doctor highlights her isolation experience Given the airline's work at the frontline of global efforts to repatriate stranded passengers, it now seeks to recognize and reward the world's frontline healthcare workers. The giveaway opened at 00.01 AM on 12 May and will close at 23:59 on 18 May (Doha time). Healthcare professionals can register for this exclusive offer at qatarairways.com/ThankYouHeroes by submitting a form to receive a unique promotion code, offered on a first-come, first served basis. 

Healthcare professionals from every country in the world will be eligible for tickets. To ensure the application process is fair and transparent, each country will receive a daily allocation of tickets, depending on its population size, staggered over a seven day period from 12 to 18 May. The daily allocation will be released at 00:01 AM Doha time throughout the campaign period. Healthcare professionals that receive the promotion code can book up to two complimentary Economy Class return tickets on Qatar Airways operated flights – one for themselves and one for a companion – to anywhere on the airline's global network. 

Tickets must be booked before 26 November, with travel valid until 10 December 2020. The tickets will be fully flexible, with an unlimited number of destination or date changes allowed without any fees. Fare and surcharges will be waived on tickets, airport taxes apply.* Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: "We at Qatar Airways are incredibly grateful for the commitment and hard work of healthcare professionals around the world who looked after people in these times of uncertainty.

https://medicaldialogues.in/md-brand-connect/qatar-airways-to-give-away-100000-complimentary-tickets-to-frontline-healthcare-professionals-65751

MCI rules cannot be overlooked for PG admission: TS High Court

MCI rules cannot be overlooked for PG admission: TS High Court

The panel was dealing with a writ petition filed by Dr Ganta Swetha complaining that despite having the stipulated rural service, her application for a PG seat in KNR University of Health Sciences was rejected

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By AuthorTelanganaToday | Legal Correspondent | Published: 13th May 2020 11:46 pm

Hyderabad: A two-judge panel of the Telangana High Court, comprising Justice MS Ramachandra Rao and Justice K Lakshman, on Wednesday directed that the regulations of the Medical Council of India cannot be overlooked for admissions into postgraduate medical courses. The panel was dealing with a writ petition filed by Dr Ganta Swetha complaining that despite having the stipulated rural service, her application for a PG seat in KNR University of Health Sciences was rejected. Prabhakar Rao, appearing for the university, pointed out that weightage was to be given for candidates who have worked in tribal areas and not rural areas. He complained that the petitioner had no such service. The panel while dismissing the petition directed that the petitioner’s application be considered for the second phase of counselling giving weightage of marks for one year rural service.

CM receives over 5 lakh responses in 24 hours

Maximum suggest educational institutes remain shut

15/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT ,NEW DELHI

A man sells masks on a hot Thursday afternoon in the city.Sushil Kumar Verma

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said his appeal to the people for suggestions regarding lockdown relaxations post-May 17 has received an overwhelming response.

The responses were received on various sections such as transport, industries, businesses among others, he said, adding all the suggestions given by the people of Delhi were discussed in a meeting with the Lieutenant-Governor.

“Two days back, I had asked whether the lockdown should be extended or lifted. In only 24 hours, we received more than 5 lakh responses, including around 4,75,000 messages on WhatsApp, 10,700 e-mails, and 49,000 calls,” he said. Mr. Kejriwal said the maximum number of people had suggested that educational institutions remain closed until after the summer break. Some said hotels should not resume facilities but restaurants must open barring dine-in arrangements but take-away or home-delivery must resume.

There were also suggestions that barbershops and hair salons must not resume services. In the same way, cinema halls and swimming pools, and other such gathering places must not open for now. “A lot of people have also asked the logic behind not going out after 7 p.m. they are of the view that the timeline should be relaxed. However, every suggestion that I saw said that senior citizens, people with other serious ailments, children below 10 years and pregnant women should stay home,” he said.

“Everyone has suggested strict fines must be imposed on those not wearing masks. People have suggested the opening of parks,” he said.

He also added that many people have given their suggestions for the resumption of transport services, including autorickshaws and taxis, with only one passenger allowed in autos and two passengers in taxis and disinfection of these vehicles after each ride. A majority of people are in favour of the resumption of bus services, he said, but with not more than 25 people travelling on a bus. People have also suggested that metros should be open in a limited manner.

3 changes in next phase

The government said it had conveyed to the L-G three changes it wants in the next phase of the lockdown from May 18. The changes are opening of markets and shopping complexes with non-essential shops on the odd-even basis, starting of public transport, including metro and buses, and allowing labourers to travel inside Delhi for work, it told the L-G. “All these changes would not be applicable in the containment zones,” said a source.

The government will prepare SoPs for implementation of each of the changes after which the L-G will then convey these to the Centre.

After 10 days, fresh cases dip below 500

After 10 days, fresh cases dip below 500

15/05/2020

Chennai’s tally climbed to 5,637 with 363 new patients even as two more persons — in their 40s — died. The toll in the State now stands at 66.

A 43-year-old resident of Chennai, admitted to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital on May 8, died on Thursday due to respiratory failure/pneumonia. He had chronic kidney disease and was on dialysis. He also had chronic hepatitis C infection and systemic hypertension. The second patient, a 45-year-old woman, had diabetes, systemic hypertension and hypothyroidism. She was admitted to RGGGH on May 7 and died on May 13 due to acute respiratory distress syndrome/respiratory failure.

Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar said that the State’s mortality rate was among the lowest in the country. It currently stands at 0.68%. “World Health Organisation’s (WHO) chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan and a panel of medical experts, while giving their views on the State’s strategy, appreciated that testing more is good as it makes early diagnosis possible. Through this, we can admit patients and provide proper treatment. Though several States are affected, T.N. accounts for a low mortality rate due to comprehensive treatment, high testing numbers, early diagnosis and proper clinical management,” he said.

Major challenges

One of the biggest challenges for doctors was treating high-risk patients with COVID-19. "We have been able to keep the mortality rate low among high-risk patients too," he said. Those with co-morbid conditions should continue their treatment and take appropriate medications, he added. He said the total number of active cases, including those in isolation, stood at 7,365.

A total of 11,965 samples were tested during the day. “Till now, we have tested 2,91,432 samples in the State. The State has taken up aggressive testing, and accounts for the highest number of testing facilities. The number of laboratories has increased to 58 — 38 in the government and 20 in the private sector — today,” the Minister said. Two more private laboratories — Bioline Laboratory, Coimbatore, and Premier Health Centre, Chennai — have been approved.

“A total of 19 lakh samples have been tested in the country. As we speak, the testing numbers would have crossed three lakh in T.N. We are testing as per the guidelines of WHO and Indian Council of Medical Research,” he said.

The Minister added that 64 persons were discharged from hospitals on Thursday. With this, a total of 2,240 persons have been discharged in the State.

Apart from Chennai, there were 15 cases in Tiruvallur, nine in Chengalpattu, eight cases each in Kancheepuram and Tiruvannamalai, five in Kanniyakumari, four in Perambalur, three in Tirunelveli, two in Madurai and one each in Dindigul, Karur, Ramanathapuram, Tenkasi, Theni and Thoothukudi. In addition, 24 persons who returned from other States and international returnees tested positive.

(*This is inclusive of two deaths cross-notified to other States and one patient who died after testing negative for the infection)

Two patients discharged in Salem

Two patients discharged in Salem

15/05/2020, STAFF REPORTER,SALEM

Two COVID-19 patients, who were undergoing treatment at the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital, were discharged on Thursday.

A 67-year-old male patient from Krishnagiri, who was treated as ‘imported case’ here following admission in beginning of May, and a 33-year-old patient from Omalur, a contact of previous case, were discharged.

R.Balajinathan, Dean of the Hospital, P.V.Dhanapal, Medical Superintendent, Suresh Kanna, Head, General Medicine, J.Nirmalson, Deputy Director of health services and other officials were present when the patients were discharged.

The patients were advised to be in home quarantine for 14 days.

Woman doctor from Pennagaram Govt. Hospital relieved of duty

Woman doctor from Pennagaram Govt. Hospital relieved of duty

She blew the whistle on diversion of patients to private hospital

15/05/2020, P.V. SRIVIDYA,DHARMAPURI

A woman doctor, who blew the whistle on the diversion of patients from Pennagaram government headquarters hospital to a private hospital by an assistant surgeon of the Pennagaram GH, has since been “relieved of her duty” and moved to Harur government hospital. A look at the turn of events in the last few days has revealed the play of sexism, veiled casteism and political interference in the functioning of the Pennagaram GH in the time of a pandemic. On Tuesday, on nurses day, a handful of nurses “stood in protest” outside the Pennagaram GH alleging that a woman assistant surgeon(Gynaecology and Obstetrics) in Pennagaram GH had slapped one of the nurses. However, the officials concluded the allegation as false and motivated by an assistant surgeon (Ortho) at the same government hospital.

On Wednesday, the ortho in question L. Sivakumar Senthil Murugan, DNB(Ortho) was “transferred on administrative grounds” to Krishnagiri government headquarters hospital. The same day, J. Kanimozhi, assistant surgeon, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, against whom the false allegation was made by the nurses was “relieved of her duty and instructed to join duty at Harur Govenrment hospital.” The difference in the wording of the orders had also raised eyebrows among officials privy to the happenings. Incidentally, Dr. Sivakumar is a Caste Hindu, while Dr. Kanimozhi belongs to the Scheduled Caste. Dr. Kanimozhi, in a letter dated March 23 to the Joint Director of Health Services (copy of which is available with The Hindu) detailed the malpractices under way at the Pennagaram government hospital. In the letter, along with annexure of memos of patients, WhatsApp chat transcripts, biometric punch in details, Dr. Kanimozhi had ramped up allegations against Dr. Sivakumar Senthil Murugan that included his diverting patients through private ambulances to a private hospital run by him; performing surgeries availing of the Chief Minister’s insurance scheme on such patients transferred from the GH, and later readmitting them to the Pennagaram GH; refusal to attend to outpatients or pregnant women and referring patients and deliveries to Dharmapuri government medical college hospital as a routine. Dr.Kanimozhi had stated that the deliveries fell in Pennagaram GH, which was highly equipped for deliveries. Further, the DNO had also alleged that 108 Ambulance of Pennagaram GH was hand in glove with the doctor, dialling up private ambulance to lift the patients off to the private clinic on a commission. The allegations included contemptuous comments against Dr.Kanimozhi , a senior doctor at the hospital, by Dr.Senthil Murugan, who was only two years old in the government service.

Against this backdrop, the medical administration concluded the nurses protests as stage-managed by the Dr. Sivakumar. However, the issue also flagged the inaction of the medical administration over the course of two years, when issues were raised against the doctor, leading to the current crisis.

“There are three to four files pending against the hospital (Dr. Sivakumar), highest for a district hospital in the last two years, and no action was taken. There were complaints from the patients, locals, and also from the local MLA,” said a medical department official requesting anonymity.

An official source at the Collectorate told The Hindu, “Dr. Kanimozhi is a very efficient, committed doctor, constantly updating the Collector on the child and maternal health at Penngaram GH. It is good in a way she was transferred to Harur, a SC majority area, where she would be safe.”

Asked about the “transfer” order of Sivakumar to another district headquarters hospital, instead of a disciplinary action, Dr. Sahaya Stephen Raj, Joint Director of Health, called it a “stop-gap arrangement to tide over the crisis.” “The Pennagaram hospital is a pioneering hospital in the State that had won the Kayakalpa award and the coveted NQAS award. This is to prevent further damage,” Dr.Raj said.

When contacted, a highly placed medical administration official, while alluding to the pandemic and political pressure as reasons for stalled action, also said, “the transfer was an administrative issue,” and that there was nothing to comment.

SC to hear appeal today

15/05/2020, LEGAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Friday via video-conferencing an appeal filed by the State government against a Madras High Court order of May 8 to close liquor shops in the State, with immediate effect, to enforce physical distancing till the COVID-19 lockdown is lifted or modified.

A Bench of Justices L. Nageswara Rao, S.K. Kaul and B.R. Gavai will hear the State’s contention that an indefinite closure of liquor shops would lead to “grave” revenue and commercial losses. The State has accused the High Court of judicial overreach while 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.

Another petition has been filed in the Supreme Court against the High Court order allowing online sale of liquor, saying the judicial direction was against public safety.

‘Limiting buyers to 500 per shop in a day’

‘Limiting buyers to 500 per shop in a day’

Tokens have been printed for distribution, Tasmac tells HC

15/05/2020, LEGAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

Tasmac said that policemen had been deployed at most shops for crowd control.

The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) on Thursday told the Madras High Court that it had printed tokens for distribution among purchasers of liquor and that it proposed to issue only 500 tokens a day, at the rate of 70 tokens an hour, in every shop.

“Persons in excess of the day’s quota [of 500] will be given tokens with a time slot for the next day and sent back. This is done to ensure that there’s no overcrowding and to maintain physical distancing,” a counter affidavit filed by Tasmac before the court read.

The counter was filed before a Full Bench of Chief Justice Amreshwar Pratap Sahi and Justices Vineet Kothari and P.N. Prakash, seized of a batch of public interest litigation petitions filed against the reopening of liquor shops before the lockdown is lifted. In so far as the mad rush witnessed in liquor shops across the State on May 7, when they were reopened before their closure was ordered by the court on May 8 was concerned, Tasmac said that overcrowding at certain shops was something that had taken place in all States.

Attributing the crowd to the reopening of shops after 41 days of lockdown, Tasmac said that it had stopped sales in 12 shops where overcrowding was reported and that policemen had also been deployed in most shops for crowd control.

Tasmac managing director R. Kirlosh Kumar said that the High Court ought not to have ordered closure of the shops when the Supreme Court, in a similar case, had refused to restrain State governments from reopening the shops and had left it open to them to consider online sales.

Tasmac said that of the 5,338 liquor shops spread across Tamil Nadu, the government had decided to reopen only about 3,850 shops. It also raised a technical objection that most present petitioners before the court had challenged only a press release issued by the government on May 4 regarding a decision taken to reopen the shops and not a consequent government order issued on May 5.

In so far as the cap imposed on the sale of liquor to individuals, Tasmac said that its intention was to sell to every individual only the quantity of liquor which a person was entitled to be in possession at a time, as per the Tamil Nadu Liquor (Possession for Personal Consumption) Rules of 1996.

During the day-long hearing of the case on Thursday, a battery of senior counsel, including R. Vaigai, N.L. Rajah, ARL. Sundaresan, Veera Kathiravan and others argued against reopening of the shops until the lockdown is lifted completely and normalcy is restored.

After hearing them at length, the judges adjourned the hearing to Friday for Advocate General Vijay Narayan to reply to their wide-ranging submissions.

Gaya pilgrims on their way back to Madurai

Gaya pilgrims on their way back to Madurai

They got stuck while touring the north

15/05/2020, STAFF REPORTER,MADURAI

There is relief at last for the 22 senior citizens from Madurai who were stranded in Gaya in Bihar and their family members. Following a medical check-up, they were handed the travel e-pass and are now on their way to Madurai by road.

Members of Madurai District Legal Services Authority, who are monitoring the status of the senior citizens, said that they left Gaya on Wednesday and were expected to reach Madurai on Friday. They were travelling in two buses.

The senior citizens were on a pilgrimage to north India when everything came to a standstill following the COVID-19 lockdown. Unable to hurry back home, they started to develop mental health problems. The family members sought the help of DLSA-Madurai to get in touch with the pilgrims.

The DLSA was informed that the senior citizens were provided food and shelter by the Nattukottai Nagarathar Chathiram in Gaya. DLSA Madurai was in constant touch with DLSA Gaya to ensure a continuous monitoring. The pilgrims tested negative for COVID-19. On their arrival to the city, they will be taken to Government Rajaji Hospital for screening. Following this, they will be asked to remain in home quarantine for two weeks.

The family members heaved a sigh of relief on hearing that the stranded pilgrims were provided the e-pass. They said that though they were in touch with the senior citizens over phone, being away from home had taken a toll on their mental health and they longed to get back home.

GRH isolation ward gets three robots

GRH isolation ward gets three robots

They will be used to serve food and medication to patients

15/05/2020, STAFF REPORTER,MADURAI

At your command: The three robots, named Zafi Go, will be used at the COVID-19 isolation wing of Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai.ma15robots1

The COVID-19 isolation wing of Government Rajaji Hospital here has received three remote-controlled robots, named Zafi Go, from SASTRA Deemed to be University, Thanjavur, on Thursday. These robots will be used to serve food and medication to patients.

Revenue Minister R.B. Udhayakumar, who was present at the hospital, said that the robots would help the medical staff maintain personal distancing with the patients. “It is important to ensure the safety of doctors, nurses and sanitary workers, who are in the forefront of this fight against the pandemic. To boost immunity of the medical personnel, Vitamin C, Zinc tablets and kabasura kudineer are regularly distributed,” he said.

V. Badrinath, Dean, Corporate Relations and Extension Activities of Sastra University, said the robots, which can be controlled using remote, have three racks to carry food, medicines and water to the patients. “A medical staff can use the robots from a maximum distance of 1,500 metres to serve food and medicines to patients,” he said.

There is a LED screen on the robot and the remote to enable patients and doctors to communicate from a safe distance. “The main aim behind developing these robots was to reduce the personal distance between the patients and medical personnel, who are vulnerable to contract COVID-19 infection,” he said. The robots were developed by engineers of Propeller Technologies, a Tiruchi-based company, which is part of the Sastra Technology Business Incubator.

The hospital staff were trained to operate the robots. Mr. Badrinath said the university will be giving away 20 robots to various government hospitals across the State. Collector T.G. Vinay and Dean J. Sangumani were present.

Minister’s appeal

At a press meet the same day, the Revenue Minister said that with the relaxation of lockdown norms in place, people must cooperate with the government and adopt safety precautions to contain the spread of COVID-19.

People must wear face masks, maintain personal distancing and frequently wash their hands when they were outdoors. “Several shops and industries have started functioning after relaxation of lockdown norms. Based on people’s cooperation in adopting safety precautions, the Chief Minister will igradually permit other activities and restore normality,” he said.

Works under kudimaramathu scheme had begun. In Madurai district, around 640 works were being carried out under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, outside the containment zones, he said.

He also hailed the public health department for deploying mobile medical units - with each unit consisting of a doctor, nurse and a sanitary worker - to screen and provide medications to pregnant women and those with non-communicable diseases in all the 13 blocks of the district.

‘Relax restrictions’

15/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,THOOTHUKUDI

Parotta shops, functioning as ‘Night Clubs’ in this coastal town that serve yummy parotta, prepared in a different style, urge the district administration to relax the restrictions.

Though parotta is a favourite dish everywhere in south Tamil Nadu, ‘Thoothukudi parotta’ is very special as it is fried in oil and served with meat prepared with local flavour. Those who leave Thoothukudi for work or some other reason would miss delicacy quite a lot as it is so tasty and affordable.

Though some people have come back to Thoothukudi in the wake of lockdown, they could not taste the parotta as these shops remained closed for nearly 40 days.

Now, they can buy parcels up to 9 p.m. Barring a few eateries that start the business at noon, most of them would start serving fried parotta from 6 p.m. which would go on up to 11 p.m. The stall owners urge the administration to allow them to serve the dish in their shops and till 11 p.m.

Efforts on to replace biometric verification

Efforts on to replace biometric verification

15/05/2020, S. SUNDAR, MADURAI

Railway Board has asked zonal railways to come up with technologies that could replace the mandatory biometric verification of railway running staff that has been suspended in the wake of pandemic. In a circular dated May 11, it has said that the Health Department has been instructed to look at possible alternative for breath analyser test, another mandatory test for the running staff.

In view of pandemic, the Union Ministry of Health ordered suspension of all biometric attendance system across the nation as the biometric attendance device could become a source of infection. However, railway employees objected to the compulsory use of breath analyser test expressing fear that they could be infected by the coronavirus as many staff have to blow air in the same device.

Eventually, the board agreed to suspend the test for the staff during the lockdown. “Now, a written declaration is sought from the staff that they were not under the influence of alcohol,” a loco-pilot and assistant divisional secretary of Southern Railway Mazdoor Union, here said.

The board asked the zonal railways to come out with some technologies in lieu of biometric attendance system like facial recognition, voice recognition, eye scanning and using transparent disposable gloves. The zonal railways have been asked to provide details of their preference of technology, its working and accuracy and cost involved in the technology.

Private schools’ gesture to police

Private schools’ gesture to police

15/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,SIVAGANGA

The Sivaganga district police, whose wards are studying in private matriculation schools, are happy because some educational institutions have announced huge concession in payment of school fees.

The concession ranges from 12 to 50 %. Initially, eight institutions have come forward to extend the concession and more institutions would come forward, said Superintendent of Police Rohit Nathan on Wednesday.

He said the one-time concession would help parents and could not be a strain for the institutions. It is voluntary and there was no compulsion.

The benefit would go to all policemen and officers who were members of the District Police Club, he said and added that those interested in taking the concession should get a bonafide certificate from the office.

The schools have extended a fee concession of 40 % of the fee to be remitted for the ensuing term for the children of policemen and special sub-inspectors and 30 % concession for Sub-Inspectors and above.

If three children from a family are studying in a school, they would get 50 % concession.

A school correspondent said it was a kind gesture shown voluntarily. About 10 private schools in Manamadurai, Karaikudi, M Koilpatti and Sivaganga have come forward to give the concession.

More institutions may join in the coming days, he added.

A faux pas at Government Hospital

A faux pas at Government Hospital

15/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,DINDIGUL

A view of the Government Hospital in Dindigul where a goof-up took place on Thursday. G. Karthikeyan

Uneasy calm prevailed in the Government Hospital here on Thursday for about two hours when a patient who tested positive for coronavirus left the premises following a faux pas.

Officials said a group of men went to Koyambedu last week. They were returning in a lorry. When the lorry approached Tiruchi, the police stopped them and did not permit them to go beyond the point.

Not in a mood to stay there, two men chose to walk towards Dindigul. On reaching Nilakottai, they were caught and kept in an isolation centre at government arts college campus three days ago.

Their samples were sent to Dindigul and they were kept under surveillance at the isolation centre. When the authorities directed them to come to the GH, a 44-year-old man from Singarakottai near here was reportedly told that he tested negative. Doctors realised after a while that the man had indeed tested positive. But the man left the premises by then.

Joint Director (Health) Poongothai alerted the police immediately and the man was spotted half an hour later walking near Begumpur. He was once again brought back to the hospital in 108 ambulance. The doctors and police heaved a sigh of relief.

Virus diagnostic test may be delayed

Virus diagnostic test may be delayed

The technology needs more confirmatory testing and changes in configuration, officials say

15/05/2020, JACOB KOSHY,NEW DELHI

Fast, but complicated: The new test uses a method called loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). REUTERSREUTERS

A promising technology developed by a laboratory funded by the Department of Science and Technology to accelerate COVID-19 testing in India may be delayed for several more weeks.

The Chitra GeneLAMP-N, developed by the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), Thiruvananthapuram, needs more confirmatory testing and changes in its configuration, officials said.

The technology uses a method called loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). The objective, like that of the gold-standard RT-PCR tests, is the same: to detect the presence of viral RNA. Both achieve this via a series of chemical transformations. The LAMP method is said to be faster but is a relatively newer technology, more complicated in its design and has not been tested extensively for COVID-19 detection.

N gene test

Most RT-PCR kits focus on two different genes, the E (envelope) gene and the RdRP (RNA dependent RNA polymerase) gene. The World Health Organization recommends a E and RdRP test, while the U.S.’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires an N gene test. The N gene test is a confirmatory test and widely employed in Germany and China, among other countries. However, the design of it is complicated and can be expensive. The CDC protocol says three regions of the N gene must be analysed but the Chitra-model tests two to confirm the identity of the virus.

Though the Chitra test passed an initial assessment by the National Institute of Virology in Alappuzha, a subsequent assessment showed that it was not performing as accurately as desired. “We are testing two N gene regions, so we need to recalibrate the machine to test both of them independently as a common cut-off wasn’t working well,” Asha Kishore, Director, SCTIMST, told The Hindu. “This is expected as all technology being used today [for COVID-19 diagnosis], such as RT-PCR or TruNat, have undergone multiple evaluations. This is a confirmatory test and needs to be absolutely solid. We need time until May end.”

The Chitra test could potentially speed up the testing of a batch of suspected COVID-19 samples by 15 times and cut costs by two-thirds. The technology is licensed to Agappe Diagnostics Ltd., an Ernakulam-based company.

Faster, cheaper

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan tweeted: “Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Tech, Trivandrum, an Institute of National Importance, of the @IndiaDST, has developed a diagnostic test kit that can confirm #COVID19 in 2 hours at a low cost.”

The steady rise in confirmed cases in India is due to an acceleration in testing. The Indian Council of Medical Research reported having tested 1.94 million samples as of Thursday with Dr. Vardhan claiming that India was now testing about 100,000 samples a day.

Masks crucial to prevent infection spread: scientists

Masks crucial to prevent infection spread: scientists

Face covers reduce transmissibility per contact

15/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

Well shielded: Children wearing masks and travelling in an autorickshaw in Puducherry on Thursday.S.S. Kumar S.S. Kumar

In light of convincing research evidence that face masks are a great tool to stop community spread of COVID-19, a group of scientists across the world have come together to issue an open letter promoting the use of masks by members of the public.

Arguing that the simple task of wearing a mask reduces transmission and thereby, mortality, the scientists have pressed for wearing masks, even defining it as any face covering, as a key public health intervention.

The coordinators of the statement are Jeremy Howard, research scientist, University of San Francisco, co-founder fast.ai, member World Economic Forum Global AI Council, and Vincent Rajkumar, Editor-in-Chief, Blood Cancer Journal. The signatories are from North America, Africa, Asia, Oceania, and Europe.

The statement said: We have an urgent message about some critical new scientific research. It strongly suggests that requiring fabric mask use in public places could be amongst the most powerful tools to stop the community spread of COVID-19.

An international cross-disciplinary review of the scientific research by 19 experts and other recent research shows that:

People are most infectious in the initial period of infection, when it is common to have few or no symptoms.

Cloth masks obstruct a high portion of the droplets from the mouth and nose that spread the virus.

Non-medical masks have been effective in reducing transmission of coronavirus.

Cloth masks can be washed in soapy water and re-used.

Places and time periods where mask usage is required or widespread have been shown to substantially lower community transmission. Public mask wearing is most effective at stopping spread of the virus when the vast majority of the public uses masks.

Laws appear to be highly effective at increasing compliance and slowing or stopping the spread of COVID-19.

Effective but low cost

The preponderance of evidence, in both laboratory and clinical settings, indicates that mask wearing reduces the transmissibility per contact by reducing transmission of infected droplets. The decreased transmissibility could substantially reduce the death toll, other harms to public health, job losses and economic losses. The cost of such masks is very low by comparison.

Modeling suggests that widespread public mask use, in conjunction with other measures, could bring the effective reproduction number (R) beneath 1.0, thus halting the growth of the pandemic.

Therefore, we ask that government officials require cloth masks to be worn in all public places, such as stores, transportation systems, and public buildings as soon as possible. This action will prevent people who are infectious from unknowingly spreading the disease.

We also ask business leaders who offer products and services to the public to require their employees and customers to wear masks whether or not it is required by local law. This vital step will help protect workers and customers.

Such requirements will greatly increase the rate of mask wearing. This should be done in conjunction with, not as a replacement for, hand hygiene, physical distancing, testing, and contact tracing strategies.

This requirement should be introduced alongside clear guidelines for the production, use and sanitization or re-use of face masks. We urge you to also consider their distribution as shortages allow.

There is no need to wait for availability of medical-grade masks; any face covering, including a piece of cloth, a scarf, or bandana, appears to be effective.

Work from home may stay for govt. staff

Work from home may stay for govt. staff

15/05/2020

The third phase of the lockdown ends on May 17 and a fourth phase may be announced by the government. Several Central employees are not able to reach office in the absence of public transport.

In a communiqué to all departments, the DoPT said the COVID-19 pandemic had necessitated many Ministries to operate from home to maintain social distancing.

It is quite likely that in the near future, the Central secretariat would continue to go for staggered attendance and variable working hours to maintain social distancing at the workplace.

“Therefore, a broad framework for work from home is important to standardise the operating procedure post lockdown and to ensure the safety and security of information, while accessing government files and information remotely from home,” it said.

Accordingly, a new set of SOPs have been finalised for the employees to ensure smooth and seamless functioning of the government for continuity of the office works besides imparting resilience in the ecosystem even post lockdown situations.

Laptop or desktop use

Employees would be provided with the logistic supports in the form of laptop/desktop by the respective Ministries/Departments.

They may also get reimbursement for Internet services that they would use while working from home.

“The Department of Expenditure may consider reimbursement for data uses to the officers working from home and if required may issue separate guidelines in this regards,” it stated.

“Therefore, SMS alerts should be sent for all such receipts and files to the next officer in the channel.”

The Ministries/Departments concerned, who were not yet using the e-office module, would make an endeavour for its expeditious implementation in their secretariat, attached and subordinate offices in a “time-bound manner”.

At present, about 75 Ministries/Departments are actively using e-office platform, of which 57 have achieved more than 80% of their work.

Empty package, wrapped with speeches, says Congress

Empty package, wrapped with speeches, says Congress

Finance Minister displayed arrogance, ignorance, says party

15/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI

Randeep Surjewala

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman displayed “arrogance, ignorance and insensitivity” while giving out details of the economic stimulus package that has turned out to be a jumla (empty promise), the Congress said on Thursday.

While the party’s chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala called the stimulus package a jumla, senior leader Ahmed Patel said, “It is an empty package wrapped with speeches since the last three days.”

Addressing a joint online press conference, Lok Sabha member Manish Tewari and party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said the humanitarian crisis surrounding the migrant workers is a defining image of the coronavirus crisis in India, but the government had fallen woefully short in addressing it.

“The image of our migrant workers walking to reach the safety of their homes will haunt us for a long time. Was it not your responsibility to answer what are you doing about them?” Mr. Tewari asked the government.

‘Bamboozling people’

“You are trying to bamboozle people by throwing big numbers at people,” Mr. Tewari said, adding that the government had earmarked only ₹3,500 crore of the ₹20 lakh crore stimulus package.

“All the government has done is announce loan melas (fairs) for different sets of people. Where is the assistance?” asked Ms. Shrinate.

She added that only direct cash transfers on the lines of Congress’ NYAY minimum guarantee scheme to the bottom 13 crore households would have helped the poor cope with the crisis.

“MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) wages have been revised annually for a decade now. Today’s FM (Finance Minister) announcement no big deal. Nothing on what’s urgently needed: 1. Provide wages for month of April. 2. Increase no. of MGNREGA days to 200. Ironic that those who ridiculed MGNREGA now rely on it,” tweeted former Union minister Jairam Ramesh.

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi tweeted: “There is dense darkness and times are difficult. Have courage, all of us are standing for the safety of all of them. We will ensure that their screams reach the government...”

Stimulus for small businesses, vendors, farmers

Stimulus for small businesses, vendors, farmers

Affordable rental housing for urban poor and credit for middle-class housing part of package announced by Minister

15/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI

Package deal: Nirmala Sitharaman with Anurag Thakur addressing a press meet on Thursday. Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

The Centre will help create affordable rental housing for the urban poor and provide relief worth ₹1,500 crore to small businesses through an interest subvention scheme, apart from extending credit for street vendors, farmers, and middle-class housing.

Apart from free food for migrant workers, these are the major highlights of the second tranche of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan stimulus package, announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday.

Affordable housing

Noting that migrant workers and other urban poor face difficulties in finding affordable housing, the Finance Minister said a scheme to build rental housing complexes through public private partnership mode would be launched under the existing Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) scheme. Both public and private agencies will be incentivised to build rental housing on government and private land, while existing government housing will be converted into rental units.

The credit linked subsidy scheme for lower middle class housing under PMAY will also be extended by one year to March 2021, and is likely to benefit 2.2 lakh more families, said Ms. Sitharaman, expressing the hope that this would also create jobs and stimulate demand for the steel, cement and construction industries.

Street vendors who have been hit hard by the lockdown will be given access to easy credit through a ₹5,000 crore scheme, which will offer ₹10,000 loans for initial working capital.

The scheme will be launched within a month and will benefit 50 lakh vendors, said the Finance Minister.

Subvention relief

Small businesses who have taken loans under the MUDRA-Shishu scheme, meant for loans worth ₹50,000 or less, will receive a 2% interest subvention relief for the next year, which will cost the government ₹1,500 crore.

The Centre plans a drive to enrol 2.5 crore farmers who are not yet part of the Kisan Credit Cards scheme, along with fish workers and livestock farmers, and provide them with ₹2 lakh crore worth of concessional credit. NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) will also extend additional refinance support worth ₹30,000 crore to rural banks for crop loans, Ms. Sitharaman said.

“The only fiscal outlay in today’s announcements are the ₹3,500 crore for food grains to migrants and ₹1,500 crore for the MUDRA loanees. So only ₹5,000 crore is actually coming from government coffers, while the rest are credit-based measures,” said Himanshu, an economist at Jawaharlal Nehru University’s Centre for Economic Studies and Planning.

‘Half-hearted’

Terming the government’s approach as “stingy and half-hearted”, he noted that at a time when demand is down, any moves to provide liquidity are not going to help, adding that putting cash in people’s pockets would have been a better approach.

“Banks are parking money with the RBI (Reserve Bank of India), so the problem is not liquidity, but rather the appetite of people to take credit at this time,” he said.

TTD awaits government’s nod to allow darshan

TTD awaits government’s nod to allow darshan

Safety protocol has been readied

15/05/2020, S. VIJAY KUMAR,CHENNAI

The TTD has chalked out a safety protocol for devotees.

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is waiting for a nod from the Andhra Pradesh government to allow darshan for devotees at Tirumala, TTD Chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy said on Thursday.

Talking to The Hindu, Mr. Reddy said the TTD had written to the State government that darshan could be allowed for about 10,000 devotees a day to start with, considering physical distancing in accommodation, queue, and darshan. Though an average of 85,000 to 1 lakh devotes visited Tirumala on a daily basis from across the country, the COVID-19 safety protocols would not permit such huge gatherings.

The TTD management, in consultation with health and other officials, has chalked out a safety protocol for staff, security personnel and devotees. The plan is to issue a limited number of darshan tickets online and provide detailed instructions to devotees on the rules to follow. Sufficient numbers of masks, hand sanitisers and thermal scanners would be made available at the Alipiri security check point and at Tirumala for devotees. A quarantine block has been established to accommodate staff or devotees with symptoms of COVID-19.

“Though the temple is closed for devotees, routine rituals are being conducted. We have enough funds to pay salaries and run hospitals and educational institutions owned by the TTD,” he said.

Govt. clarifies G.O. on superannuation

Govt. clarifies G.O. on superannuation

15/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTCHENNAI

The State government on Thursday issued clarifications on the implementation of its recent decision to increase the age for superannuation of its employees from 58 to 59 years.

Chief Secretary Shanmugam clarified that the orders issued would not apply to those government servants, who have attained the age of 58 years on or before May 1, 2020 and re-employed.

‘T.N. looking forward to next set of announcements’

‘T.N. looking forward to next set of announcements’

15/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

A day after Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced details of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s special economic package of ₹20 lakh crore to overcome the losses due to COVID-19 in the country, Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam said they were well thought-out measures and the State was looking forward to the next set of announcements.

In separate letters to Mr. Modi and Ms. Sitharaman, a copy of which was released to media, Mr. Panneerselvam (who also holds the finance portfolio) said: “This well thought out set of measures covering a range of sectors will not only provide timely financial relief and liquidity but also stimulate the revival of the economy.”

Chief Secretary denies humiliating DMK delegation that called on him

Chief Secretary denies humiliating DMK delegation that called on him

15/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

Chief Secretary K. Shanmugam on Thursday denied that he had humiliated a delegation of DMK MPs led by T.R. Baalu when they met him in his office on Wednesday and said it was disheartening to hear such allegations when government officials were working round the clock to fight COVID-19.

Responding to accusations by Mr. Baalu after the meeting, Mr. Shanmugam in a statement said there was no truth in the claims made by him.

Mr. Shanmugam said that at no point did he humiliate the delegation and photographs published in a regional daily were proof that their claim of being treated without even minimum courtesy was not true.

The Chief Secretary said Mr. Baalu repeatedly insisted on him giving a time frame to take action on nearly one lakh representations received by the DMK under its “Ondrinaivom vaa” programme. “I told him that it was not possible to give a time frame as the government was working with minimal staff due to COVID-19 restrictions, but all the representations will be sent to the respective departments and action will definitely be taken.” He said Mr. Maran too insisted on a time frame for taking action on the representations. The Chief Secretary said Mr. Baalu then asked if he should inform his leader (M.K. Stalin) that a date by which the issues would be resolved could not be given.

“I told Mr. Baalu to inform him that the representations were received and action will be taken”.

To this, Mr. Baalu said that he would inform that action was not taken since there were not enough employees, Mr. Shanmugam said.

“At this point, I told them ‘this is the problem with you people. You do not understand our difficulties’ and asked them to inform whatever they wanted to”, he said and added that he had no intention to insult or humiliate them.

The Chief Secretary said he had sent all the representations to the Chief Minister’s Special Cell.

“I am an ordinary government employee. I am not a politician. I work with the responsibility that people’s problems have to be solved and that’s why I immediately ordered action to be taken on these representations,” Mr. Shanmugam said.

Work on collectorates in four new districts to begin soon

Work on collectorates in four new districts to begin soon

PWD official says each building will cost ₹110-₹115 crore

15/05/2020, K.LAKSHMI,CHENNAI

The Public Works Department (PWD) will soon begin constructing collectorate buildings in four new districts. These buildings would house most of the government departments.

The newly formed districts — Chengalpattu, Ranipet, Kallakurichi and Tirupattur — would get collectorate buildings at a cost ranging from ₹110-₹115 crore each. Once the State government gives its approval in a few days, tenders would be floated for the projects.

Officials of the PWD said the four-storeyed collectorate building in Chengalpattu district would come up at a space of 2.91 lakh sq.ft. The building at Venbakkam accommodate District Employment Office, Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, Social Welfare departments among others.

“We have tried to bring in small offices into the same premises for the benefit of the people. The ground floors in the district collectorate buildings will have a bank branch, post office and grievance redressal hall,” an official said.

The building in Kallakurichi would be spread over 2.85 lakh sq.ft. of space at Veeracholapuram. It would accommodate many departments including health, handlooms, fisheries, education, tourism and Tamil Development and Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board. Besides the passport office, this district collectorate would also have a women’s gym. Most of the offices of the newly formed districts. now functioning in temporary accommodation, would be shifted to new premises.

The building at Ranipet, to come up at Wallajah taluk, would have departments such as the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments and Labour. The one at Tirupattur would house departments, including Horticulture, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and Tamil Nadu Drug Control department.

Spread over a space of 2.92 lakh sq.ft, a seven-storeyed building would be constructed at Tirupattur town.

“We are preparing estimates for the building in Tenkasi district and identifying land for a collectorate building in Mayiladuthurai district,” the official added.