ICMR asks states to conduct sero-surveys

ICMR asks states to conduct sero-surveys

Sushmi.Dey@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:31.05.2020

Looking to devise public health strategies to manage Covid-19 cases as the lockdown eases, the Indian Council of Medical (ICMR) has asked states to conduct sero-surveys — blood-based diagnostic tests — to measure the coronavirus exposure in varied sections of the population to track any wider spread of the disease for prevention and cure.

ICMR has said these tests could possibly be carried out in key populations that include vendors and owners as well as staff working in grocery shops, including those that sell milk and bread, pharmacists, restaurant staff, employees of banks, posts, couriers and telecom offices and air travel staff. Also those staying in slums, old-age homes, orphanages, homeless shelters, hostels, prisons, drivers, bus conductors, migrant workers, journalists, cops and health care workers could be tested.

Drawing a wide arc for the sero-survey ICMR has said individuals in containment zones and patients with HIV, tuberculosis, Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder, those on dialysis and others will also be covered.

HC: Casteist slurs made on mobile phone no offence

HC: Casteist slurs made on mobile phone no offence

Ajay.Sura@timesgroup.com

Chandigarh:31.05.2020

The Punjab and Haryana high court has made it clear that casteist remarks made over mobile phone against a Scheduled Caste person does not constitute any offence under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

The high court was of the view that uttering of wrong words over phone and in absence of any public view “does not show any intention or mens rea to humiliate the complainant.”

Justice Harnaresh Singh Gill of the high court passed this order on Friday while setting aside an FIR, chargesheet and framing of charges against two persons from Kurukshetra in Haryana. The duo had allegedly used abusive language against the sarpanch of their village over mobile phone.

“Moreover, basic ingredients of the offence in the FIR are that there must be intentional insult, secondly the insult must be done in a public place within public view, which is not in the present case. Thus, the essential ingredients, which must be fulfilled, are not found in the present case. Since these are the penal provisions, the same are to be given a strict construction and if any of the ingredients are found lacking, it would not constitute the offence under the SC/ST Act,” observed Justice Gill while exonerating the petitioners.

The judge also clarified that if two views are possible and one gives rise to suspicion only as distinguished from grave suspicion, the trial judge will be empowered to discharge the accused and at that stage, it is not to be seen whether the trial will end in conviction or acquittal.

3 held for Dalit duo’s death

Three people were arrested for allegedly beating to death two Dalit cousins in rural Patna on Friday night over an old rivalry. Another accused is on the run. All belonged to Ramnagar Manjhi Tola village in Barh subdivision under Ghoswari police station area. SP (Rural) Kantesh Kumar Mishra said the youths, Soldier Manjhi

(19) and Debvrat Manjhi

(17), “went missing on Friday night” and were beaten to death by rods and sticks. Their bodies were spotted by villagers in a drain about 2km from the village around 7.30am on Saturday and police were alerted. TNN

Varsity education to be revamped

Varsity education to be revamped

31/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT ,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that the government will initiate a scheme to radically change the State’s university education system.

In his weekly televised interaction with the public on Saturday, Mr. Vijayan said merit would be the sole criterion for nominating persons to top posts at universities. Seniority alone would not be a factor in selection.

Higher education hub

He said the Senates and Syndicates of the universities should focus on academic issues and not service matters of teachers and staff alone.

Mr. Vijayan said Kerala should emerge as a global destination and hub for higher education. Students should come to Kerala for higher studies instead of going abroad.

Universities in the State should link up with their counterparts in foreign countries.

They should lay stress on online learning.

Rail passengers may have to rebook tickets

Rail passengers may have to rebook tickets

State govt. for one halt in a district

31/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT ,KOZHIKODE

With the Ministry of Railways approving the State government’s demand to remove halts at destinations other than one station in a district for special trains beginning on June 1, several passengers who had booked tickets in advance will now have to cancel or rebook their tickets at the nearest allotted stations, even for travel within the State.

The Railways has been sending SMS alerts to passengers who have booked tickets online, stating that the full refund is being arranged owing to the regulations adopted by the State government.

The norm is applicable even for Thiruvananthapuram-Kozhikode Jan Shatabdi Express and Kozhikode-

Thiruvananthapuram Jan Shatabdi Express.

The trains will not have the regular halts at Aluva, Cherthala, Kayamkulam and Varkala Sivagiri.

Likewise, the Jan Shatabdi trains in the Thiruvananthapuram-Kannur section will not have the regular halts at Thalassery, Vadakara, Mavelikkara and Kayamkulam.

Railways officials said the State government did not have the facilities and manpower to check passengers at those stations.

Similarly, the Thiruvananthapuram Central-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus-Thiruvananthapuram Central Express will not halt at Varkala Sivagiri, Karunagapally, Kayamkulam, Haripad, Cherthala, Aluva, Divine Nagar, Kuttipuram, Tirur, Parappanangadi, Vadakara, Thalassery, Kannapuram, Payyannur and Kanhangad.

The Ernakulam-Hazrat Nizamuddin-Ernakulam daily superfast special will not have halts at Aluva, Pattambi, Kuttipuram, Parappanangadi, Feroke, Koyilandy, Vadakara, Thalassery, Payyanur, Nileshwar and Kanhangad.

Punjab extends lockdown till June 30

Punjab extends lockdown till June 30

State to take Centre’s guidelines into account, says CM

31/05/2020, VIKAS VASUDEVA,CHANDIGARH

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday announced a 4-week extension in the lockdown in the State, till June 30, with certain more relaxations, subject to the guidelines of the Central government.

Though experts have advised against opening of the hospitality industry and malls, Captain Amarinder said the State would take into account the Central government guidelines for Lockdown 5.0.

The Chief Minister announced this after an on-ground assessment of the COVID situation through a videoconference with health experts, top officials and his Ministers. The move is also in line with the Central government’s decision to extend the national lockdown beyond May 31.

Captain Amarinder said during a Facebook live session that the threat of COVID was not over yet, and if necessary, he would continue to take tough measures to save the lives of Punjabis. Making it clear that the extension of the lockdown in Punjab would be conditional to strict adherence to safety protocols, including physical distancing and wearing of masks, the Chief Minister also ordered distribution of free masks to the poor.

He said non-reporting to health authorities by those returning to the State, especially from abroad, was a big challenge. He said that 9,560 had been traced and tested, and some positive cases had been found among these.

Punjab recorded 36 fresh cases on May 30 and reported two deaths, taking the tally to 44, according to an official statement. The number of positive cases has reached 2,233.

Ticket booking for passenger trains resumes at Coimbatore Junction

Ticket booking for passenger trains resumes at Coimbatore Junction

31/05/2020, R. AKILEISH ,COIMBATORE

Passengers booking tickets for special trains at the counters that were re-opened at Coimbatore Railway Junction on Saturday. S. Siva Saravanan S_SIVA SARAVANAN

Ticket booking for two passenger special trains, set to run from Coimbatore Junction starting June 1, resumed at the passenger reservation system (PRS) counters at the Coimbatore Railway Station on Saturday.

Only three out of the five counters were opened at 4 p.m. to avoid crowding as part of the COVID-19 precautionary measures.

M.A. Saravanan, a resident of R.S. Puram, said that he booked ticket for Train No. 02083 Coimbatore –Mayiladuthurai Janshatabdi special train for June 3. “I am yet to apply for the e-pass,” he said.

A railway official said that only 36 applications for 72 passengers were received at the PRS counters. While 53 tickets were booked for Janshatabdi special train, only 19 tickets were booked for Train No. 02680 Coimbatore- Katpadi Intercity Superfast special train.

“Most passengers go for online booking, which is what we insist,” he said. Booking through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will allow easy cancellation of tickets, help in verifying the particulars of passengers and will avoid crowding at the counters, the official said.

Although tickets are provided to passengers without e-pass, they are advised to have the e-pass ready before booking the tickets either online or at the counters.

The Coimbatore-Mayiladuthurai Janshatabdi train will run on all days except Tuesdays and will have stoppages at Tiruppur, Erode, Karur, Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur and Kumbakonam.

Coimbatore- Katpadi Intercity Superfast special will be a daily train with stoppages at Tiruppur, Erode, Salem and Jolarpettai.

The ticket reservation counters at the Coimbatore Railway Station will remain open from 8 a.m to 8 p.m from Monday to Saturday and from 8 a.m to 2 p.m on Sundays.

Alcohol bottle surgically removed from man’s rectum

Alcohol bottle surgically removed from man’s rectum

31/05/2020, KATHELENE ANTONY,NAGAPATTINAM

In a bizarre case, an alcohol bottle was surgically removed from the rectum of a man hailing from Nagore here on Friday. The man, supposedly in an inebriated state, had inserted an empty bottle into his anal cavity and was unable to remove it, hospital sources said.

The 29-year-old man shocked hospital staff at the Nagapattinam District Headquarters Hospital when he arrived with severe pain in the abdominal area and rectum on May 28. An X-ray was taken and a glass bottle was found lodged in his body.

The inebriated man had inserted the bottle in his anal cavity on May 26, and had suffered from pain for over two days. After the pain became unbearable, he rushed to the GH.

Spinal anaesthesia was administered and in a two-hour surgery. The patient is now stable and is under observation.

Two pairs of special daytime trains to be operated

Two pairs of special daytime trains to be operated

It will run on Madurai-Villupuram and Nagercoil-Tiruchi sections

31/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,MADURAI

Back on track: Ticket counters open for reservation at Dindigul railway station on Saturday. G. Karthikeyan

Southern Railway will operate the following special trains from Monday:

Train No.02636 Madurai- Villupuram Intercity superfast special will leave Madurai at 7 a.m. It would leave Dindigul at 8 a..m., Tiruchi at 9.15 a.m., Ariyalur at 10.10 a.m. and reach Villupuram at 12.05 p.m. In the return direction, train No.02635 will leave Villupuram at 4 p.m., Ariyalur at 5.25 p.m., Tiruchi at 6.40 p.m., Dindigul at 8.05 p.m. and arrive Madurai at 9.20 p.m.

Train No.02627 Tiruchi– Nagercoil superfast special will leave Tiruchi at 6 a.m., Dindigul at 7.15 a.m., Madurai at 8.15 a.m., Virudhunagar at 8.57 a.m., Tirunelveli at 11.10 a.m..and reach Nagecoil at 1 p.m. In the return direction, train No.02628 will leave Nagercoil at 3 p.m., Tirunelveli at 4.25 p.m., Virudhunagar at 6.25 p.m. Madurai at 7.25 p.m. and reach Tiruchi at 10.15 p.m.

Passenger reservation system counters at the originating/destination stations of the above trains and also at stations where the trains have scheduled stoppages have been opened for booking of tickets from 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Only two counters will be functional for the purpose of only booking tickets. In view of extended time limit for claiming refund and to keep less crowd, no refund shall be granted. Also, in view of the prevailing threat of COVID-19, passengers are requested to use online ticket booking facility, a statement said.

Delhi HC raps Telegram on Jagran e-paper row

Delhi HC raps Telegram on Jagran e-paper row

‘Reveal users sharing content illegally’

31/05/2020, STAFF REPORTER,NEW DELHI

The Delhi High Court on Saturday directed the messaging app Telegram to disclose the identity of users who are running channels on its platform to illegally share the e-paper version of the Dainik Jagran newspaper on a daily basis.

The High Court also directed Telegram to take down the channels which were indulging in copyright infringement activities against Jagran Prakashan Ltd., the publishers of Dainik Jagran, within 48 hours.

Jagran Prakashan had moved the High Court complaining that Telegram, a Dubai-based company, has allowed its users to create various channels without disclosing their identity.

Some of the users, Jagran Prakshan said, have created channels on which e-papers of the Dainik Jagran are being uploaded in PDF format on a daily basis. It said Telegram with the help of these channels is not only permitting availability of current editions of the e-paper but also previous editions.

Jagran Prakshan said this feature is available only to subscribers. It contended that Telegram through the channels was not only causing “serious financial loss” but also violating its trademark rights as well as copyright in the e-newspaper.

PM CARES not within the ambit of RTI Act: PMO

PM CARES not within the ambit of RTI Act: PMO

Fund is not public authority, says reply

31/05/2020, PRISCILLA JEBARAJ,NEW DELHI

The fund was set up to accept donations for relief measures during the pandemic.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has refused to disclose details on the creation and operation of the PM CARES Fund, telling an RTI applicant that the fund is “not a public authority” within the ambit of the RTI Act, 2005.

The Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM CARES) Fund accepts donations and provides relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, and other similar emergencies.

Sri Harsha Kandukuri, a law student, filed an RTI request on April 1, asking the PMO to provide the Fund’s trust deed and all government orders, notifications and circulars relating to its creation and operation.

“PM CARES Fund is not a Public Authority under the ambit of Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005. However, relevant information in respect of PM CARES Fund may be seen on the Website pmcares.gov.in,” the reply said.

Another RTI request on the issue, filed by activist Vikrant Togad, had also been refused in April citing a Supreme Court (SC) observation that “indiscriminate and impractical demands under RTI Act for disclosure of all and sundry information would be counterproductive”.

Expert panel gets more time to submit report

Expert panel gets more time to submit report

Committee to examine academic issues arising out of COVID-19 situation

31/05/2020, STAFF REPORTER,CHENNAI

The expert panel constituted by the School Education Department to examine academic and teaching issues caused by the COVID-19 crisis has been granted another week’s time to submit its report.

The group, headed by the Commissioner of School Education, had earlier been given 15 days to submit a report to the State government.

A government order dated May 29 from School Education Secretary Dheeraj Kumar stated that the deadline had been extended by a week.

Four members have been added to the expert group to facilitate broad-based participation — Ajeeth Prasath Jain, founder, Dr. APJ Education Consultancy, P.R. Velumani, chairman, Bharathi Vidyalaya Education Institution, C.S. Manoharan, president, CBSE Schools Management Association, and Sundaraparipooranan Pakshirajan, former member, Tamil Nadu State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights.

These members will join the group, which includes the Directors of School Education, State Council of Education Research and Training (SCERT), elementary education, matriculation school and government examinations, representatives from Samagra Shiksha, Kalvi TV, Parents Association (PTA), Unicef, TNeGA and IIT Madras.

The expert group aims to identify gaps in teaching and learning as well as examine how they can make up for the loss of time caused due to the lockdown. They are also expected to work on formulating an action plan by integrating and leveraging technology and online facilities to ensure uninterrupted learning and quality education.

MTC asks maintenance staff to report for duty

MTC asks maintenance staff to report for duty

Fitness certificates of 1,775 buses set to expire in June

31/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT ,CHENNAI

Off the road: The MTC buses need to be kept in roadworthy condition at the time of inspection by Regional Transport Officers. M. KARUNAKARANM_Karunakaran

The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) has directed the workers of the maintenance department to report for duty, as over 1,700 buses, nearly half of its fleet, need fitness certificate.

A senior official of the MTC said the utility runs 3,600 buses and during the lockdown around 300 buses were operated for government staff and essential services.

The fitness certificate of 1,775 buses will expire in June.

The buses have to be in good condition when renewal of their fitness certificates is sought from Regional Transport Offices (RTOs).

The work involves repair, i changing engine oil, replacing worn out tyres and other maintenance work before giving a fresh coat of paint, he said.

While the officials would have to work daily, the staff would work on alternate days. Wearing of masks and gloves has been made compulsory along with regular washing of hands and maintaining a minimum of 3 ft. physical distance in the office.

Controversy over amount of solatium for matron’s family

Controversy over amount of solatium for matron’s family

₹5 lakh announced, while ₹50 lakh was given to family of VAO who died

31/05/2020, DENNIS S. JESUDASAN, CHENNAI

Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Saturday condoled the death of a matron of Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) in Chennai and announced a relief of ₹5 lakh to her family.

However, the move sparked a controversy, since a Village Administrative Officer (VAO), who died in a road accident near Tiruchi while returning home after COVID-19 duty earlier this month, was considered a frontline worker and his family was given ₹50 lakh as solatium.

The Chief Minister on April 22 announced that ₹50 lakh compensation would be granted to the families of frontline staff — police, sanitary workers, officials of the Revenue Department and government healthcare officials — should they die while on COVID-19 duty.

Mr. Palaniswami confirmed that matron John Mary Priscilla was “involved in work related to fighting COVID-19 infection” in RGGGH and died on May 27. “I extend my condolences to the bereaved family members of Mrs. John Mary Priscilla, who died while at work.”

“As a mark of recognition of Mrs. John Mary Priscilla’s selfless service and commitment in work related to COVID-19 infection, I have ordered for considering this a special case and grant solatium of ₹5 lakh from the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund,” Mr. Palaniswami said.

“When the families of a police man and Village Administrative Officer were given ₹50 lakh as solatium after they died on COVID-19 duty, why is the government not doing the same for the matron’s family? The government should explain on what basis they have denied the same amount for her. She had retired on March 31, and her service was extended for duty during COVID-19 pandemic. Does it not make her eligible for the solatium? The government should give the family ₹50 lakh solatium as per the announcement,” a doctor said.

When asked about the difference in the solatium for these two cases, Revenue Department officials pointed the finger at Health Department officials, who have been maintaining that the deceased matron was not on COVID-19 duty.

However, the CM’s statement maintained that she was.

Govt. will fix rates for COVID-19 treatment in pvt. hospitals: Minister

Govt. will fix rates for COVID-19 treatment in pvt. hospitals: Minister

Move follows reports that the facilities were collecting exorbitant charges

31/05/2020, STAFF REPORTER,CHENNAI

The government will, in the next few days, fix and announce the rates that could be charged by private hospitals for treating COVID-19 patients, Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar said on Saturday.

The announcement followed allegations that some private hospitals were charging exorbitant rates. The Minister said the rates would be fixed based on the facilities available in the hospital.

Interacting with the media after inaugurating a 1,400-bed facility for quarantining and treating COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms, he said this was the time for the private sector to be service-oriented.

“I am appealing to private hospitals, while at the same time firmly telling them that they should not overcharge [patients],” he said.

Testing costs

He said that once the government announces the regulated fee structure, any complaints of overcharging would be taken seriously and necessary action initiated under the Tamil Nadu Clinical Establishments (Regulation) Act.

Mr. Vijayabaskar said that the government was in talks with private laboratories to bring down the cost of COVID-19 tests to below the Indian Council of Medical Research-fixed rate of ₹4,500.

He said that free tests were being done in government establishments for everyone, while private laboratories performed the tests for ₹2,500 for those covered under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS).

He said the new 1,400-bed premises had oxygen facility, separate rooms for medical personnel, lifts and an ambulance service. “Though we still have beds available in hospitals and are scaling up our facilities there, places like these can provide a homely environment for the patients. Medical teams will decide who among the patients can be accommodated here, depending on their symptoms, age, comorbidities and other criteria,” he said.

Panel for extending lockdown in 4 T.N. districts

Panel for extending lockdown in 4 T.N. districts

Prabhdeep Kaur says relaxation could be granted based on ground situation

31/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

Prabhdeep Kaur

The panel of public health and medical experts constituted by the Tamil Nadu government on Saturday suggested to Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami not to give any relaxation to Chennai and three neighbouring districts from the COVID-19 lockdown.

Addressing mediapersons, after their meeting with the Chief Minister, Prabhdeep Kaur, Scientist–E/Deputy Director, Indian Council of Medical Research–National Institute of Epidemiology, said the panel opposed giving any relaxation to Chennai, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu and Tiruvallur districts. She said the panel was of the view that there could not be one rule for all of Tamil Nadu.

Relaxations could be granted based on the situation prevailing in in the district, she said. Seventy per cent of the COVID-19 positive cases across the country were reported in 30 districts.

More cases were reported in cities as they were more crowded, she said.

C

Govt. eases a slew of restrictions; malls, religious places to open

Govt. eases a slew of restrictions; malls, religious places to open

Lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in containment zones: MHA

31/05/2020, VIJAITA SINGH,NEW DELHI

As Lockdown 4.0 comes to an end, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Saturday released new guidelines called ‘Unlock 1.0’ that allow the opening of malls, restaurants and religious places in all areas except the containment zones from June 8.

It, however, prohibits the opening of bars, swimming pools gymnasiums, entertainment parks, cinema halls, metro rail and international air travel.

Wide publicity

The permit system for inter-State movement of vehicles has been removed and there shall be no restriction on movement within and outside a State. If the local administration has to regulate the movement in the wake of a surge in COVID-19 cases, it will have to give wide publicity in advance regarding the procedure and restrictions to be followed.

The grading of areas as red, orange and green zones will no longer be in force after May 31, when the fourth phase of the lockdown imposed on March 24 ends. However, the State governments could identify buffer zones outside the containment zones and impose restrictions.

On Saturday, the MHA issued the guidelines under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, for a “phased reopening” of areas outside the containment zones, which will be effective till June 30.

The MHA said the lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the containment zones that will be demarcated by the State governments. “Within the containment zones, strict perimeter control shall be maintained and only essential activities allowed.”

“The current phase of reopening, Unlock 1, will have an economic focus,” an MHA statement said.

All kinds of social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural and religious congregations would remain suspended.

Grasshoppers seen in TN, not locusts, says agri dept

Grasshoppers seen in TN, not locusts, says agri dept

‘These Insects Don’t Form Swarms’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  31.05.2020

Krishnagiri/Kanyakumari/Chennai: The agriculture department and Krishi Vigyan Kendra have clarified that the insects spotted in Neralagiri village in Krishnagiri as well as two villages in Kanyakumari district were grasshoppers and not the locusts ravaging crops in some northern states.

Thousands of insects had swarmed Neralagiri since Friday evening. The matter was brought to the attention of Veppanahalli MLA P Murugan. On Saturday morning, agriculture department officials and KVK insect researchers in Piyur visited the village along with district collector S Prabhakar collector.

On closer inspection, they confirmed that the insects were not schistocerca gregaria, which is commonly known as desert locust. “Grasshoppers are usually found in calotropis gigantea and cactus plants especially when it rains during summer,” said S Rajasekar, joint director of Krishnagiri district agriculture department. He said farmers need not panic as they do not ravage standing crops.

State agriculture secretary Gagandeep Singh said it was not possible for locusts from the North to enter southern states. The officials advised the farmers to spray neem oil with water to control the grasshopper.

In Kanyakumari, farmers of Mulavilai and Vettukuli villages in Thiruvattar taluk saw thousands of big grasshoppers preying on banana, rubber and other leaves and also covering bushes and plants in the two villages. They measured two to three inches, had stripes of dark green and pale yellow.

“As a group of 50 to 100 grasshoppers on a banana plant, they destroyed a sizeable portion in less than an hour,” said Padmanabhapuram MLA T Mano Thangaraj who visited the place.

District collector Prashant M Wadnere sent a team to the spot with scientists from the KVK and officials of agriculture and horticulture departments. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore later confirmed that it is a species known as spotted or ‘coffee grasshopper’ (Aularches milliaris) that affects coffee plantations.

KVK scientist and programme coordinator K Thirukumaran said that ‘coffee grasshopper’ is easily controllable by spraying Malathion 50 EC pesticide by mixing 2 ml in 1,000 ml water..

Grasshoppers seen in Krishnagiri

Intern doctors in Pondy paid ₹5,000/month

Intern doctors in Pondy paid ₹5,000/month

Bosco.Dominique@timesgroup.com

Puducherry:31.05.2020

Intern doctors at the Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Research Institute (IGMCRI) in Puducherry, who are in the forefront of screening people suspected with Covid-19 infection besides treating Covid-19 patients, draw a paltry stipend of ₹5,000 per month, while their counterparts in government medical college hospitals in rest of the country receive not less than ₹20,000 per month as stipend. Their stipend works out to ₹163 per day, which is far less than the minimum daily wage (₹256) of a worker under the MGREGA scheme.

The intern doctors said the government college, which has the highest fee structure among all government institutions in the country, has the lowest intern doctor stipend. The fees at the IGMCRI is close to Rs1 lakh per year. To rub salt to their wounds the government does not release the stipend regularly. "Sometimes it takes more than six months to get this rock bottom stipend. Even after paying the fees which were hiked more than 110% in the past two years, we are not getting equal pay compared to other state government medical colleges. These issues have been represented multiple times by our students' associations but it is bitter to say it has not been heard in the past," said a memorandum submitted by the intern doctors to the government.

They lamented that they risk not only their lives and also their family members' lives during the pandemic and continue to work day and night overcoming many physical and psychological difficulties, but the government has failed to initiate any concrete action to redress their genuine grievances.

IGMCRI dean and director (in-charge) Sivagnanam said the society which runs the college received representation from the students requesting stipend on par with their counterparts in other government colleges and has forwarded the representation to the secretary (health). “We are actively working on their representation,” Sivagnanam said.

Virtual reality trial helps city docs operate on 11-yr-old boy

Virtual reality trial helps city docs operate on 11-yr-old boy

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:31.05.2020

City surgeons used virtual reality to make hard decisions ahead of the heart surgery on an 11-year-old boy, who was flown in from Cairo in February. Doctors at MGM Healthcare said they implanted an adult size heart pump in the boy’s heart virtually using a joy stock before they used scalpels.

The boy, who has now recovered and is waiting for flights to resume, danced to his favourite Bollywood track, with the battery bag hanging across his shoulder, before a camera to show he is “happy and healthy”.

Doctors diagnosed him with restrictive cardiomyopathy and severe pulmonary hypertension. He was too weak for a heart transplant so doctors had to place an implantable heart pump called left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) as a bridge to transplant. “All existing pumps were for adults and may not fit into his chest cavity. We were scared we may not be able to close his chest after implanting it,” said senior cardiac surgeon Dr K R Balakrishnan of MGM Healthcare. “There was no way of knowing if the pump can be fitted inside the heart from x-ray and scans,” he said.

In March, when the boy began drifting in and out of consciousness, Balakrishnan sought help from R Krishnakumar, professor of department of engineering design at IIT-M. Using the CT scan, Krishnakumar’s team built a virtual reality model of the boy’s chest and heart overnight. “The robots used during surgery help doctors navigate so the percentage of error is reduced. In this virtual reality model, doctors can plan the surgery using three dimensional images of the organs. They can look at the best position to place the implant,” he said.

Once planning was done, Balakrishnan walked into the theatre with confidence. The March 6 surgery was event-free. The boy’s mother, Dr Noha Almohamady Fatouh Dabash, a paediatrician, said she saw her child’s health condition improve rapidly after the surgery. “My son now has a fresh lease of life.” She knows he may eventually require a heart transplant, but the device will keep him healthy for another six years until he gets a new heart.

No need to salute ministerial staff: SP’s circular sparks row

No need to salute ministerial staff: SP’s circular sparks row

A.Selvaraj@timesgroup.com

Chennai:31.05.2020

Should a uniformed policeman salute a ministerial staffer in the police department? A circular from a superintendent of police in Peramabalur district to subordinate officers, asking them not to salute ministerial staff in the department has kicked up a row. The ministerial staff association has decided to express its ire by sporting a black band on sleeves, saying the circular has spoiled the cordial atmosphere between uniformed police and ministerial staff in the department. The association also complained to the DGP about the matter.

SP Nisha Parthiban is said to have witnessed police personnel saluting ministerial staff promptly when they need to get some work done. This led the officer to issue a circular dated May 23 to all her subordinates in Perambalur district.

The issue blew up with office-bearers of the Tamil Nadu police ministerial staff, Perambalur district branch, passing a resolution condemning this act at a meeting on Friday.

Though not mandatory, police personnel and ministerial staff exchanging warm regards has been part of the work culture for years. While ministerial staff said they had never insisted that field level officers or police personnel salute, it was a nod to the friendly nature the two shared and because staff work for the police personnel. “We never expect this courtesy from any police personnel,” said a ministerial staff’ office-bearers in the DGP office.

“We have received several accolades from many senior police officers on many occasions and we have continuously showed our respect and faith even now during the Coronavirus pandemic too,” said an office-bearer of the TN ministerial staff, Perambalur district.

In 2018, during a function for the golden jubilee of the police ministerial staff association at Coimbatore, the then ADGP, administration, had said ministerial staff are behind the victory of every senior police officer. “The officers are trying to replicate Lord Curzon’s ideology of divide and rule and are trying to split the healthy atmosphere between police personnel and the ministerial staff,” a former ministerial staff association member at the Chennai commissioner’s office said.

The ministerial staff association has decided to express its ire by sporting a black band on sleeves, saying the circular has spolied the cordial atmosphere between uniformed police and ministerial staff in the police department

Rlys to run 8 special trains from June 1 but will skirt city

Rlys to run 8 special trains from June 1 but will skirt city

Move Gets Lukewarm Response

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:31.05.2020

Southern Railway will start running eight trains, including return trips, from June 1 within the state as part of steps to resume services in a phased manner. However, the move has received lukewarm response from people as none of them connects Chennai.

Two daily trains are intercity expresses to Madurai that will be operated from Villupuram at 4pm and to Coimbatore that will be operated from Katpadi at 4.20pm instead of from Chennai. Since there is no overnight journey, the trains have 13 second class chair car coaches.

Nevertheless, more than 1,000 second class seats are vacant on these two trains three hours after bookings opened. More than 70 seats on AC chair car are available for booking on train to Coimbatore and 128 seats on AC chair car are available for booking on train to Madurai on June 1. In contrast, tickets for Chennai-New Delhi Rajdhani Express are getting sold out minutes after booking open. Senthil Kumar, who wanted to book a ticket to Madurai for his brother, said, “I have dropped the idea as it is difficult to drop him at Villupuram and come back.”

Sources say the patronage for the trains is likely to be low as passengers from Chennai will not be able to reach Villupuram or Katpadi which is more than 100km away without public transport. Those who reach from Madurai and Coimbatore may not find it convenient to travel by road to Chennai because the trains reach late at night.

A senior railway official said, “Trains are not being operated from Chennai because the city is a red zone. We want to avoid passengers from Chennai and do not expect passengers to travel to Villupuram and Katpadi to board these trains because getting epass for boarding trains will be difficult.” Other four trains are Coimbatore — Mayiladuturai— Coimbatore Janshatabdi specials, Tiruchchirappalli — Nagercoil — Tiruchchirappalli superfast specials.

Workers carry out maintenance at the Basin Bridge train care centre

‘Lockdown extension will affect school education’

TOI INTERVIEW

‘Lockdown extension will affect school education’

National Council of Educational Research and Training director Hrushikesh Senapaty speaks to Manash Pratim Gohain on a range of issues the council is presently working on – from guidelines for reopening of schools to online education. Excerpts:

• How badly has the coronavirus outbreak impacted school education?

The month of April has been a loss. However, at the behest of the HRD ministry, we designed an alternative calendar for a month to mitigate the loss and ensure basic learning outcomes when students were confined to their homes. At present the summer vacation is on and we are preparing another alternative calendar for subsequent months in case the situation remains unviable. If lockdown continues further there will be an adverse effect.

• Despite the hype over online classes, the reality is majority of children don’t have access.

There are no substitute to teachers and technology cannot replace them. Though in this crisis we are taking help of technology, but later it will be supplementary. The government has launched the E-vidya initiative with each class having a dedicated channel. The class-wise content focuses on learning outcomes as textbooks vary from state to state. We will start some national level programme — more of animation, demonstration and interactives. This will be aimed at the under-served sections. We are also building on audio programmes for community radio.

• Are schools ready for blended learning?

Blended learning requires digital infrastructure and it takes time to build infrastructure. Many of our teachers too aren’t aware of online learning, but are now making sincere effort to catch up. During this period, we have learnt many things and we will be future ready to face any challenge any time now.

• Schools reopening is a major challenge now?

The ministry asked NCERT to prepare guidelines which will be issued soon. We have submitted the proposals and the MHRD is finalising it. We have suggested various alternative measures including staggered opening, protocols on social distancing protocol, health and hygiene, and odd-even sort of arrangements.

• MHRD and NCERT have also received feedback from parents and students on over exposure to digital screens?

NCERT has also submitted a set of proposals for online education in schools which the ministry is likely to issue as guidelines. This sudden exposure to digital screens with no standard practice will place physical and mental stress on students. Online teaching is not simply making students sit in front of the screens for long hours. Children’s attention span is short. So online teaching has to be rich in content and activity.

Full interview on www.toi.in

Lockdown Contained, Unlocking In 3 Phases

Lockdown Contained, Unlocking In 3 Phases

Malls, Restaurants To Open June 8, Night Curfew Shrunk, States To Have Big Say

Some Curbs To Stay In Place Till June 30

Bharti.Jain @timesgroup.com

New Delhi:31.05.2020

In keeping with the increasing easing of the lockdown, the Centre on Saturday set out a three-phase “unlock” plan that will restrict curbs to containment zones and permit reopening of malls, hotels and restaurants, inter-state travel and religious places in keeping with rules (SOPs) to be issued by the health ministry.

The MHA sought to underline the shrinking footprint of the lockdown, calling the latest guidelines “unlock 1” and saying “...they will have an economic focus. The new guidelines have been issued based on extensive consultations with states and UTs”. The night curfew has been retained, with a shortened period of 9pm-5am instead of the previous 7pm-7am routine where movement for nonessential reasons is banned.

As Lockdown 4.0 ends, the limiting of curbs to containment zones where only essential services will be allowed, even though the daily count of cases is growing, reflects the Centre’s assessment that the Covid curve is not assuming runaway proportions and can be managed with a focus on hotspots. It is also felt that so far the increase in number of cases due to the return of migrants to the hinterland is not unmanageable and can be monitored.

While shopping malls and eateries can open after June 8, no date has been specified for reopening of international travel, metro rail, gyms, swimming pools, bars, theatres and places of public assembly. Religious, social and political congregations are also banned. Decisions on these activities will await a more detailed assessment of the health situation and the trends regarding the prevalence of the disease in Indian and abroad.

A call will be taken in July, based on consultations with the states, and also discussions the states themselves will conduct, with regard to schools, colleges, coaching and training institutions. Stakeholders such as parents are also to be consulted. Rules will be drawn up by the health ministry and the NCERT is also working to guidelines that aim to ensure social distancing and hygiene in educational institutions.

No e-permit needed for inter-state travel

As far as containment zones are concerned, the lockdown stands extended until June 30. However, the individual states and UTs, based on their own assessment, will be free to prohibit certain activities outside containment zones or impose curbs as they feel necessary. Even where it comes to interstate travel, states can, for reasons of public health, impose restrictions as is now the case for travel between Ghaziabad-Delhi and Gurgaon-Delhi.

Night curfew, though reduced, has been retained, as the Centre felt reducing movement from late evening to dawn will be useful in keeping people indoors. Though the 9pm-5am period does not see a large number of people on the move, it will be a disincentive to non-essential movement.

In areas outside containment zones, all activities will be allowed from June 1 except a few that will be opened phase wise, subject to standard operating procedures (SOP). “Phase III activities (international travel, metro, gyms, religious and political congregations) can resume as per assessment of the situation,” a government official said.

There will be no restrictions on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods in non-containment zones, and no separate permission or e-permit will be required except for specified reasons.

Containment zones will be demarcated by district authorities based on health ministry parameters. Only essential activities will be allowed in these areas. States/UTs may also identify buffer zones outside the containment zones, where new cases are more likely to occur, and the district authorities may impose restrictions there as necessary.

Full report on www.toi.in

FULL COVERAGE: P 2-17

PM, Shah discuss lockdown; curbs may be eased further

PM, Shah discuss lockdown; curbs may be eased further

Decisions Likely On Restarting Metros, Opening Malls & Gyms

Bharti.Jain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:30.05.2020

Home minister Amit Shah met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday to discuss the ongoing lockdown as well as the way ahead post-May 31, amid indications that curbs will be further eased with states being allowed more leeway to impose restrictions with key decisions to be taken on restarting Metros and opening malls and facilities like gyms.

The assessment as lockdown 4.0 ends is that the easing has so far not led to a spike — as distinct from a rise — in Covid-19 numbers while the challenge lies in a few states where cases are growing more steeply. The impact of the return of lakhs of migrant workers on the Covid-19 graph is being watched closely and may take some more time to figure out. However, the current trend of cases, though growing in numbers, is seen to be manageable and could encourage more steps to reopen the economy.

The home minister’s meeting with the PM came a day after Shah reached out to all chief ministers to assess the lockdown situation and seek their views on the future strategy to contain the spread of Covid-19. There is a view that while easing has helped, the night “curfew” between 7 pm and 7 am is a help in terms of maintaining discipline of social distancing.

Sources in the home ministry said Shah briefed Modi in detail on his consultations with chief ministers on how the more relaxed lockdown had progressed and the status of coronavirus infections in their jurisdictions, and their expectations on ‘opening up’ after lockdown 4.0 ended.

According to sources, many chief ministers pitched for extending curbs on activities involving large public congregations but at the same time, favoured opening up economic activity as much as possible to allow people to go back to earning their livelihoods.

The Centre, as per sources close to a CM, is considering leaving it largely to the states to demarcate their containment zones and strategies, as also the extent to which they want lockdown curbs to stay. This may mean that barring a small ‘negative’ list of activities prohibited nationwide, such as international flights and reopening of schools and colleges, everything may be left to the states and UTs which can formulate their policies.

Based on Friday’s discussions between Modi and Shah, the containment strategy and norms are likely to be spelt out in the next couple of days.

Residents wait for a medical check-up at a screening centre set up inside a slum in Mumbai on Friday

S Gopalakrishnan moved to PMO as addl secy in key bureaucratic reshuffle

Senior bureaucrat Arun Singhal has been appointed as the chief executive officer of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), as part of a senior-level bureaucratic reshuffle effected on Friday by the Centre. Singhal is at present special secretary in the department of health and family welfare. S Gopalakrishnan, a 1991-batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre, has been appointed as additional secretary in the PMO. He is currently serving as additional secretary, ministry of electronics and information technology. Rajendra Kumar, who was recently appointed as director general, Employees’ State Insurance Corporation, will now be additional secretary in the IT ministry in place of Gopalakrishnan. PTI

Man moves HC after waiting for surgery for two months

Man moves HC after waiting for surgery for two months

Ruptured Blood Vessel Requires Immediate Aid

Durgesh Nandan Jha & Abhinav Garg TNN

New Delhi: 30.05.2020

The Covid-19 crisis and pressure on hospitals has hit economically weaker section patients the hardest. This has worsened the plight of those suffering from other serious illnesses.

Nagina Sharma, a 51-yearold man from Bihar, was rushed to Lok Nayak Hospital on March 12 after he suffered a rupture in a blood vessel in the brain, an emergency condition that is fatal in about 50% of the cases. He was lucky to survive, but still needed immediate surgery to repair the ruptured vessel.

Though the doctors at Lok Nayak said they would operate on March 18, for some reason the surgery couldn’t be conducted.

“We kept waiting, but on March 24 we were told that due to the Covid-19 crisis surgeries were being put on hold. The doctors advised us to go to GB Pant or RML hospitals. I tried at both places, but failed to get my father admitted there,” Roshan Kumar, the patient’s 22-year-old son, told TOI. Even as the Sharma family was waiting for another chance, on April 4 Lok Nayak and GB Pant were designated as Covid-19 hospitals.

A day before, the patient had been discharged from the hospital. “My father couldn’t eat properly or walk without support. He was crying inconsolably. I didn’t want to take him to Bihar in this situation, so we decided to stay back at a relative’s place in east Delhi and wait for relief,” Kumar said.

A family friend said they approached gover nment officials for admitting the patient in another state-run hospital or getting him operated under EWS category in a private facility, but to no avail.

It finally took a petition in Delhi high court by lawyers Shweta Sand and Brijesh Pandey for Sharma to get a shot at treatment. The plea filed earlier this month sought directions to Lok Nayak Hospital to conduct the surgery immediately. It also requested that if the surgery was done in a private hospital, then the cost should be waived off because the patient, a helper in a cloth shop, couldn’t afford it.

During the hearing, Delhi government told the court that the patient had been referred to Sir Ganga Ram, but the hospital had postponed the surgery. The government then offered to get the surgery done at GB Pant Hospital, adding that it had been taken off the list of Covid-designated facilities. The patient agreed to the offer and 78 days after suffering the emergency condition, he was admitted to GB Pant on May 28.

The hospital, however, said the surgery would involve using equipment costing Rs 1.5-2 lakh. Because the patient was not from Delhi, the state couldn’t pay for it. The patient was forced to move court again on Thursday and Justice Sangeeta Dhingra Sehgal directed the Delhi health secretary to treat this as a special case and pay for the surgery.

“I hope this ordeal ends and I’m able to return to my village with my father,” said Kumar, who was still unsure if his father would be operated upon soon.

PATIENT’S SON SAYS

My father couldn’t eat properly or walk without support. He was crying inconsolably

CM to lay foundation stone for medical college at Paderu soon

CM to lay foundation stone for medical college at Paderu soon

The institution will be set up in 35 acres, says Muttamsetti

30/05/2020, STAFF REPORTER,VISAKHAPATNAM

Tourism Minister Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao said that Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy will lay the foundation stone for the medical college which is proposed to come up at Paderu in Visakhapatnam Agency soon. He said that the medical college will be set up in about 35 acres and orders have been issued for the construction. He was speaking to the media about the government initiatives in Medical & Health and the Tourism Departments, at the VMRDA arena here on Friday.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao said that the State government will set up medical colleges in all parliamentary constituencies in the State, including one at Anakapalle. The college at Paderu will boost medical facilities for the people living in tribal areas, he said.

“Nearly ₹2,280 crore will be spent for construction of medical colleges at Anakapalle and Paderu, Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs),” he said. He also said that after Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy took over as the Chief Minister, about 40,000 people have been benefited by the Arogya Sri. For cancer patients, nearly ₹86.67 lakh was spent, he said. The government is setting up drug de-addiction centres in all the districts, including Visakhapatnam, he said.

‘Fee stipulated by govt. unviable’

‘Fee stipulated by govt. unviable’

Private colleges say they will not admit students in PG courses in 2020-21

30/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,VIJAYAWADA

Stating that the fee structure approved by the government was not viable, members of the Andhra Pradesh Private Medical and Dental Colleges Managements’ Association (APPMDCMA) on Friday announced their decision to withdraw from Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences counselling process for admission to PG Medical/Dental courses.

In a letter addressed to the Special Chief Secretary, Health, Medical and Family Welfare Department, association secretary G. Kasimbi said they would not admit students to PG courses for the academic year 2020-21.

Uniform structure

Drawing the official’s attention to the fact that the association in the past had approached him with a plea to implement uniform fee structure for all categories of students admitted to a programme as enunciated in the apex court judgment in the TMA Pai Vs State of Karnataka (2002), Mr. Kasimbi said the association had urged the authorities to ensure that 85% of all eligible PG seats should have the same fee structure, and a higher fee might be fixed for 15 NRI quota seats.

The association had also made an appeal that fixation of the fee should be based on the books of expenditure as audited, taking into account inflation, furtherance of education and accounts submitted to the Income Tax Department without profiteering.

Mr. Kasimbi said, as per GO No. 56 released on Friday (May 29), the fee structure for PG students of Medical and Dental courses was almost 40% to 60 % below the fee in vogue for the past four years.

“It appears that you have also not taken into account the expenditure incurred on various services provided to the students, depreciation values on equipment, infrastructure, horticulture and other maintenance cost of the institution. From the figures quoted in the fee structure, it is seen that the total annual fee per student does not amount to even 20 % of the stipend paid to the student in pre-clinical subjects and 40 % in para clinical subjects,” the letter said.

Difficult times

Through the letter, the members sought to draw the government’s attention to the difficult period faced by the private unaided non-minority medical and dental colleges in the State due to COVID-19 pandemic.

“The hospitals of the private institutions are taken over by the government for providing services to the COVID patients and non-COVID patients are not admitted, and so no revenue is generated from these hospitals,” they said.

Despite acute financial crisis, the managements had been paying full salaries to the faculty, both teaching and non-teaching and health workers as directed by the government.

Stating that the institutions had been finding it difficult to meet both ends meet, they said the GO 56 was not viable and, therefore, they would withdraw from the counselling process.

The letter was signed by managements of 12 private medical colleges and 13 private dental colleges.

Govt. notifies fee structure for PG medical and dental courses

Govt. notifies fee structure for PG medical and dental courses

GO issued to ensure quota rule is followed: regulatory panel chairman

30/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,VIJAYAWADA

Any deviation from the stipulated fee structure will attract stringent penal action, warns V. Eeswaraiah, Chairman of AP Higher Education Regulatory and Monitoring Commission.

Taking into consideration the recommendations of the Andhra Pradesh Higher Education Regulatory and Monitoring Commission (APHER&MC), the government on Friday notified the fee structure for the PG medical courses for all specialities in private unaided minority and non-minority colleges and PG dental courses in private unaided non-minority colleges for the block period of 2020-21 to 2022-23.

The fee structure for PG medical courses of all specialities in private unaided non-minority colleges is as follows:

For a clinical degree in Category A (convener quota), a student will have to pay a fee of ₹ 4.32 lakh, in Category B (management quota) ₹ 8.64 lakh and in Category C (NRI/institutional quota) ₹ 50 lakh. For para-clinical degree and diploma, the fee is ₹1.35 lakh in Category A, ₹ 2.7 lakh in Category B and ₹15 lakh in Category C.

For pre-clinical degree, the fee is ₹61,200 in Category A, ₹ 1,22,400 in Category B and ₹ 8 lakh in Category C.

For PG dental courses, the following is the fee structure: For clinical degree, the fee in Category A is ₹2.97 lakh, in Category B it is ₹ 5.94 lakh and in Category C, it is ₹ 12 lakh.

For para-clinical degree, it is ₹ 2.67,300 in Category A, ₹4,34,600 in Category B and ₹ 7 lakh in Category C.

‘All-inclusive fee’

At a press conference, Chairman of the Commission V. Eeswaraiah said the government had notified the fee structure through GO No 56 and to ensure that reservations were implemented as per the rule book, GO 57 was issued. “If a seat occupied by a Meritorious Reserved Candidate (MRC) falls vacant, it should be filled with a candidate of the same category,” he said.

He said the fee was an all-inclusive annual one, but it did not include hostel, transport and mess charges.

The institutions should collect the annual fee in two half-yearly instalments in advance and stipend would be paid to the PG students on a par with the students in the government PG medical and dental colleges.

Mr. Eeswaraiah said any deviation from the stipulated fee structure would attract stringent penal action.