Electricity bills give residents a high voltage shock

Electricity bills give residents a high voltage shock

Not a case of miscalculation as TANGEDCO claims billing for accumulated readings

Published: 04th June 2020 06:20 AM | Last Updated: 04th June 2020 06:20 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The electricity bill this time has given a shock for most customers. Many customers claim they have been charged 3-4 times more than their usual consumption, in the month of June. “Even though the officials failed to take the metre reading in April, I paid my bill,” recalls PR Vijayaraghavan, a former Air India employee. “Now, they have charged me Rs 9,000 for the last four months.” 

He claims the electricity board is computing bills for units consumed in four months, based on a table. “They are not taking into account the free units available for consumers,” he rues. “If you are calculating for four months, you should give the consumer 200 free units -- 100 per bimonthly cycle as was the case till date. However, they have given only 100 free units for four months.” 

The same sentiment has been echoed by many other Chennaiites, including actor Prasanna. “How many of you feel the TNEB is on a looting spree amid the lockdown?” he tweeted. The tweet generated a lot of activity, with many residents even posting pictures of their bills. “My bill amount has increased 10 times, from Rs 1,070 to Rs 10,604,” tweeted one Senthil Kumar.

Assistant director Gowtham Selvaraj tweeted that his bill had gone up from Rs 6,862 to a whopping Rs 19,600. The unannounced and arbitrary hike has affected students and bachelors equally. Praveen, who studies in a private college in the city, got a bill of Rs 5,740.The irony is that Praveen’s room has been lying empty for the last 70 days. “I vacated on March 15. I am not even in the city for the last two months. There was zero usage,” he tweeted along with a picture of his bill. 

No mistake in calculation

Earlier, TANGEDO, the power supplier for Chennai, had said that it would not be able to note the metre readings during the lockdown. Domestic consumers were asked to pay the same bill amount they received in January-February for the following months. Now that the assessors have resumed work, they are billing for accumulated readings. “TANGEDCO has to make sure the poor are not affected by this move,” says K Vishnu Mohan Rao of Citizen consumer and civic Action Group.

“It has to rationalise the metre readings. The bill has to be in line with the consumer’s consumption history. Considering that the summer consumption is usually higher than winter consumption, TANGEDCO can ask them to pay their last summer bill and 10% in addition and allow them to pay it over a period of 2-3 months up to a year depending on their financial capability,” he said.

TANGEDCO has denied any miscalculation. It also refuted the allegations of actor Prasanna who in his tweet claimed discrepancies in his latest power bill due to delayed assessment on account of lockdown. The actor was charged Rs 42,632 for consuming 6,920 units between February and May. The units have been divided into two bills for each bill he was charged Rs 21,316 for consuming 3,460 per billing cycle.

In a statement, the power distribution corporation said the actor was billed Rs 13,528 for January, which was paid. However for March (which includes consumption of February ad March) consumers have been asked to pay the previous month’s bill amount owing to the lockdown, but he had not paid it.

In May, the Tangedco billed him Rs 42,632 for consuming 6920 units from February to May. “Had he been charged for total units, he would have to pay Rs 44,152. However, we have charged him only Rs 42,632 as per tariff,” said the statement while condemning the actor for using harsh words against the Corporation.

Grace time to pay bill

The state government has extended the deadline for payment of all LT and LTCT consumers located in Chennai, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur and Chengalpattu Districts till July 6 without levy of belated payment surcharge (BPSC) and disconnection and reconnection (DC-RC) fees. If the last date for payment of CC Charges fall on or after June 15, they shall pay the CC charges on their respective dates and no time extension for them shall be granted.

Across the spectrum

The same sentiment has been echoed by many other Chennaiites, including actor Prasanna. “How many of you feel the TNEB is on a looting spree amid the lockdown?” he tweeted. The tweet generated a lot of activity, with many residents even posting pictures of their bills. Assistant director Gowtham Selvaraj tweeted that his bill had gone up from Rs 6,862 to a whopping Rs 19,600. The unannounced and arbitrary hike has affected students and bachelors equally. Praveen, who studies in a private college in the city, got a bill of Rs 5,740. The irony is that Praveen’s room has been lying empty for the last 70 days.

E-pass impasse for cars, bikes

E-pass impasse for cars, bikes

Many allege that passes are being granted only for those travelling by buses and trains

Published: 03rd June 2020 06:50 AM | Last Updated: 03rd June 2020 06:50 AM | A+A A-

QR code feature brought in for easy payment in a T Nagar-Secretariat route bus | ASHWIN PRASATH

By B Anbuselvan 

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The State government’s rules for obtaining e-pass has drawn flak from people stranded within the State as they complain that their online applications are rejected just because they choose to travel by cars or two-wheelers.

The e-pass is mandatory for inter-zone and inter-State travel. It is issued to train and flight travellers without much hassle. The travellers need to furnish ticket details along with their address to get the pass in a few minutes.

However, those stranded in different zones within the State blame the government for its ‘differential treatment’.“E-pass for train travel from Villupuram to Dindigul is being issued in a few minutes. But, for the same distance, I applied for e-pass for eight times, and each time I explained that I had got stranded in Villupuram and wanted to return home in a relative’s car. But my application was rejected,” said a Central government employee, who didn’t wish to be named. The application was rejected, he complained, though he had submitted online the proof of address of his native place.

The State government is operating only a skeletal capacity of trains and flights to facilitate return of the stranded people within and outside the State, and that is why they have a simplified procedure for obtaining e-pass, say official sources from the State government. “As per policy, private vehicle transportation is allowed mainly for death, medical emergencies and marriages. We also allow return of stranded people on submission of required documents,” said the official.

Though the online portal for obtaining e-pass lists option for stranded people to return home by private vehicles, their applications hardly get accepted. Anbukkarasu, another applicant from Avadi, said, “My wife applied for e-pass to return to Chennai, along with our five-month-old baby. But her application got rejected. However, the same day, people who flew to Chennai got their e-passes in 30 minutes. The government’s criteria for stranded people to return home should be relooked.”

A senior official said, “Applications of people stranded outside Chennai are being handled at district collectorates. The applicants should provide the addresses of both their starting point and destination. If even one of the addresses falls in a containment zone or a locality with high number of COVID-19 cases, the applications will be rejected, even if applied multiple times.”

SETC buses at Koyambedu bus stand in the city | Express

SETC slashes fares for ferrying office-goers

The decision comes after the employees of private companies and government offices faced difficulties in reaching their offices.

Published: 04th June 2020 07:04 AM | Last Updated: 04th June 2020 07:04 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: With MTC buses, metro and suburban EMU train services remaining suspended in view of the lockdown, the State government has reduced the fares for operating State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) buses on contract basis for ferrying travellers.

The decision comes after the employees of private companies and government offices faced difficulties in reaching their offices. Though it has been three days since the private companies outside Chennai city police limits were allowed to function with full strength, a majority of them are still running with skeletal staff, owing to lack of public transportation.

K Elangovan, managing director, SETC, said a fare of Rs 45 per km has been fixed for operating Ultra Deluxe (non-AC) SETC buses on contract basis up to 200 km. “A bus can carry up to 21 passengers per trip and a total of Rs 9,000 would be charged per trip if the bus is operated with full capacity. The maximum distance of transportation is restricted to 200 km.”

So far, the SETC has charged Rs 17,500 for a 100-km run and for the distance beyond that, Rs 40 is charged for every extra km. This leads to a cost of Rs 21,500 for operating a bus up to 200 km. It has now come down from Rs 21,500 to Rs 9,000 per trip.

“As many as 190 buses have been operated for government departments and transporting migrants. Presently, SETC buses are operated for three factories located in the city outskirts,” Elangovan added.

The fare reduction was necessitated as private companies were unable to operate their buses for ferrying their employees from far away places in neighbouring Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Vellore districts.

“Given that, as the MTC and suburban train services may not resume anytime sooner, government decided to slash the fares in a bid to support the necessary transportation,” said official sources.

A Southern Railway official said, “Only those employees nominated by State government are given identity cards for travelling in special local trains.”

Drivers shift gears for livelihood

Drivers shift gears for livelihood

S Dhanapal, who used to work with an app-based cab company, has now switched to ferrying cargo.

Published: 04th June 2020 07:04 AM | Last Updated: 04th June 2020 07:04 AM

By Sahaya Novinston Lobo

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The three-month-long lockdown has changed the lives and livelihoods of many drivers -- of autos and app-based cabs and bikes alike. With no business coming their way for around 100 days, they switched to other temporary occupations.

S Dhanapal, who used to work with an app-based cab company, has now switched to ferrying cargo. “Many people driving trucks and minivans have left for their hometown. There is a need of people who can deliver goods to markets. So, I borrowed a van from my friend and started delivering to grocery stores,” he says.

“I have borrowed money to sustain my family during the lockdown. I got my car serviced at my friend’s workshop, promising to pay him once the lockdown is lifted. And all this happened during summer vacations, when the business, otherwise is the best,” says Gokulabalan of Ambattur.

Finish proceedings against Tasmac official in 2 months: HC

Finish proceedings against Tasmac official in 2 months: HC

TNN | Jun 1, 2020, 04.08 AM IST

Madurai: Taking cognizance of the fact that disciplinary proceedings had been initiated against a Tasmac shop supervisor on charges of selling liquor during lockdown, Madras high court directed the authorities to complete the same within two months. It was alleged that petitioner Kumar, supervisor at the Tasmac shop on West Pirathasanam Road in Karur district, was found trying to sell liquor despite Tasmac shops being asked to close since March 24, when Karur Town police conducted an inspection on April 10. A criminal case was registered based on which the Karur district manager of Tasmac suspended him from service. The petitioner claimed through his counsel that he was not on duty on April 10. However, the standing counsel for Tasmac Karur district manager submitted that disciplinary proceedings have already been initiated and a charge memo issued. Justice J Nisha Banu said it would suffice if the respondent is directed to complete the disciplinary proceedings within two months.

Madurai: Live telecast, N95 masks, sanitisers, wedding planners usher in new trends during lockdown

Madurai: Live telecast, N95 masks, sanitisers, wedding planners usher in new trends during lockdown

TNN | Jun 1, 2020, 04.12 AM IST

MADURAI: Wedding planners in Madurai have come up with special packages suiting the lockdown restrictions and pricing them competitively in order to kickstart their activity after the lull. The two months have been tough for them as people had preferred to conduct marriages at their houses and nearby temples.

Live telecast through website and Youtube channels, thermal scanning, hand sanitisers, N95 masks and getting required permissions are the new additions to the package. With the government yet to allow more than 50 people for marriages, packages are kept as low as Rs 1.49 lakh inclusive of marriage hall. Wedding planners say that they could bring down package price as expenses towards food, thamboolam, electricity charges and time spent in hall will drastically reduce.

R Senthilkumar of Hello Events said that during lockdown people preferred houses and farm houses to conduct marriage, but now inquiries have started coming in to conduct marriages in halls. “To suit the needs of lockdown restrictions we are offering a couple of packages at Rs 1.49 lakh and Rs 1.99 lakh packages, which including hall, e-invitation, food, photography, videography, hand sanitisers, masks, thermal screening, live telecast and chair arrangement with social distancing,” he said. “Live telecast was introduced since many friends and relatives could not take part in wedding. Around 4,000 people can watch through our website,” he said.

They show an awareness video to guests before the function starts in order to sensitise them on how to be cautious to stay away from Covid-19 infections, said Senthilkumar.

S Suresh of MRP Mahal in SS Colony said that he earlier used to charge separately for food, halls and other services. Recently, he has come out with a package to attract customers. “There was no inquiry due to lockdown restrictions for two months. While people concerned about ‘moi’ have postponed marriages, those, who organized functions, also conducted them at houses and temples. There have been a few inquiries in the last few days after I came up with packages suiting lockdown restrictions,” he said.

Two private laboratories in Madurai carry out around 200 Covid-19 tests

Two private laboratories in Madurai carry out around 200 Covid-19 tests

TNN | Jun 2, 2020, 04.31 AM IST

Madurai: At the two private hospital labs approved for Covid-19 testing in Madurai, as many as around 200 Covid-19 tests have been carried out since the labs started functioning. As per protocol, the labs are testing only suspected cases with influenza like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI).

“Week after we received approval, we procured necessary testing kits and started functioning from May 8 onwards. Out of the 150 people tested here so far, a cardiac patient has tested positive,” said J Adel, GM (operations), Meenakshi Mission. The 150 people tested include outpatients and inpatients at the hospital with Covid-19 symptoms. The manager said that as per protocol, only after detailed examination by doctors, those with symptoms are asked to take the test.

At the other private Covid-19 testing lab in Madurai at Apollo Hospitals, officials said that around 40-50 samples have been tested since it started functioning a week ago. “We were strictly asked to test only those with symptoms of Covid-19. Though many Covid-19 patients are asymptomatic, it is not possible to test so many people every day. There is no need to test if someone is simply having a sore throat. We are getting around 5-10 tests done per day now,” said a senior official at the hospital.

The current procedure for Covid-19 testing at private labs involve uploading details of any patient undergoing testing via an app which is monitored by government health officials including the state health secretary and ICMR. The official added that a detailed report from the time of admission to lab test results are updated as and when done to ensure there is no room for ambiguity.

The hospitals are charging Rs 4,500 for a test, which is expected to be revised soon.

Man stuck in Kuwait appeals for repatriation to attend father’s rites

Man stuck in Kuwait appeals for repatriation to attend father’s rites

TNN | Jun 4, 2020, 04.04 AM IST

Madurai: A 36-year-old Melur man, stuck in Kuwait, has urged the state and central governments to take steps to bring him to attend the 16th day ritual of his father, who was hacked to death on Monday. The man, A Raj Kumar, who works as a driver with a private transport company in Kuwait, watched his father’s final rites over phone.

Kumar along with a few hundred employees are staying in a facility provided by the company. Employer has stopped salary due to lockdown and only a part is being paid to take care of their expenses.

There are at least 400 Tamils working in the company and are staying in various locations. While a section of them wants to return home, others want to stay there.

“Although Indian embassy officials from Kuwait talk to me regulalrly over phone, I have not been informed about evacuation so far. Officials from state and central governments should initiate action to enable me to reach my native place,” Kumar said.

Kumar’s father, N Alagappan, 55, from Thumbaipatti near Melur, was hacked to death by a fellow villager Annadurai, when he tried to save his neighbour Murugan.

Cabinet sets up Secretaries’ group to attract investment

Cabinet sets up Secretaries’ group to attract investment

Every Ministry will have a project development cell

04/06/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the setting up of an empowered group of secretaries (EGoS) and project development cells (PDCs) in Ministries and departments for attracting investments to India, said Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar.

Speaking at a press briefing after the meeting, Mr. Javadekar, referring to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, said: “We know the world’s situation. Industries are thinking to diversify their investments in different localities, so to ensure that investment is enhanced in India, an EGoS has been formed. And simultaneously in every Ministry, there will be a project development cell. This will make India a more investor-friendly destination and we will also hand-hold the new industries.”

$5 trillion economy

He added that the two decisions would help domestic industries and lead to direct and indirect employment.

The government said the decisions taken at the Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would “reinforce India’s vision of becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2024-25”.

The EGoS would be chaired by the Cabinet Secretary and would include the Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade as member convener and the NITI Aayog CEO, the Commerce Secretary, the Revenue Secretary and the Economic Affairs Secretary as members. The Secretary of the Department concerned would be co-opted, depending on the project.

IMA drafts fee structure for pvt. hospitals in T.N.

IMA drafts fee structure for pvt. hospitals in T.N.

Decision on price cap soon, say government officials

04/06/2020, SERENA JOSEPHINE M.,CHENNAI

The Tamil Nadu State Branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has drawn up a fee structure for COVID-19 treatment at private hospitals. With the Health Department having announced that it will fix a price cap for treatment in the private sector, the association has urged the department to hold discussions on the issue before finalising the fee structure.

The Health Department had decided to come up with a price cap for COVID-19 treatment at private hospitals following complaints that they were collecting exorbitant charges from patients. Officials said a decision on the fee structure would be announced soon.

C.N. Raja, State president, IMA-TN, said the government had received complaints about excessive charges being levied by private hospitals, while a few individuals had even filed court cases on the issue. “Following this, IMA was called for a meeting with the Health Secretary, during which we sought two to three days’ time for coming up with estimates. We drew up a cost structure, keeping the charges low, and sent it to the government. We are yet to be called for a discussion,” he said.

The IMA had proposed a fee of ₹2,31,820 for treatment at COVID Centres/COVID Health Care Centres (for persons with mild to moderate symptoms) for 10 days. This covered hospital charges including accommodation, equipment and administrative charges, pharmacy, consumables and investigation. The doctors’ consulting charges as well as quarantine and food expenses for doctors and other staff working in designated COVID centres were not included. The latter may work out to ₹9,600 a day.

For COVID Health Care Hospitals/ICU treatment (for persons with severe symptoms), the amount fixed was ₹4,31,311 for 17 days. Again, this excluded consulting charges and other expenses.

‘In line with protocols’

“We have arrived at the amount, keeping in mind the protocols laid down by the State government for a COVID-19 set-up. This is in line with the duty hours stipulated by the government, investigations to be [under]taken, and medications and diet to be provided to patients,” Mr. Raja said.

It was not advisable for small and medium hospitals to admit COVID-19 patients as the infrastructure and manpower would not be adequate, he said, adding, “There are costs involved in running hospitals. The fee structure that we have arrived at covers corporate hospitals.”

Fill a form before boarding bus

Fill a form before boarding bus

04/06/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,TIRUNELVELI

Passengers filling up forms at the new bus stand in Tirunelveli on Wednesday. A. SHAIKMOHIDEEN

Following people not keeping physical distancing in buses proceeding to Nagercoil, the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation has imposed some restrictions.

When the State government allowed public transport by operating 50% of the buses to various destinations on Monday, the Kanniyakumari district administration did not allow any of these buses to enter the district on the first day. On the second day (Tuesday), though these buses were allowed to enter the district, the passengers were taken to a screening camp at Arignar Anna Arts College at Aralvaimozhi close to the Tirunelveli – Kanniyakumari border.

On the third day, the restrictions were imposed in Tirunelveli bus stand itself. When the passengers came to the new bus stand to board the buses going to Nagercoil, they were asked to produce a document to prove their identity while the government employees had to produce their official identity card. They were asked to fill in forms to furnish name, address, reason for travel, recent travel history, home isolation – if any, COVID-19 symptoms – if any, ailments – if any etc., before boarding. “The restrictions will be in place until the pandemic scare subsides,” said a TNSTC official.

NASS award for Ganga Hospital research team

NASS award for Ganga Hospital research team

04/06/2020, STAFF REPORTER ,COIMBATORE

A research team of Coimbatore-based Ganga Hospital has won the Outstanding Paper Award of the North American Spine Society (NASS) in basic science category for 2020. The research was a molecular level study probing the cause for lumbar disc degeneration, main cause of lower back pain, and attempts to identify molecular targets for biological repair of damaged discs.

The research, “Uncovering molecular targets for regenerative therapy in degenerative disc disease: Do Small Leucine-Rich Proteoglycans hold the Key?” won the award, instituted by NASS and the society’s official research publication The Spine Journal. The study gains significance as lower back pain significantly reduces quality of life of nearly 70% of the patients worldwide. said the research team head S. Rajasekaran, chairman, Department of Orthopaedic and Spine Surgery at Ganga Hospital.

Work on new campus for Theni law college begins

Work on new campus for Theni law college begins

The 14-acre facility will come up on an outlay of ₹89.01 cr.

04/06/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,THENI

Bhoomi puja being performed for construction of buildings at Theni Government Law College on Wednesday.

With a view to meeting the growing demand for law courses, the State government had proposed to open three more law colleges, said Law Minister C.Ve. Shanmugam here on Wednesday.

He was participating in a bhoomi puja ceremony for constructing new buildings for Theni Government Law College, in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, Collector M. Pallavi Baldev, MP O.P. Raveendranath Kumar, MLAs Thalapathi and S.T.K. Jakkayan.

Mr. Shanmugam said the number of students appearing for the CLAT (common law admission test) was rising. In July 2019, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami announced in the Assembly that law colleges would be opened in Salem, Namakkal and Theni.

In last August, the first batch of students was admitted. With the opening of the Theni college, the State had 14 law colleges.

The Theni college offers three-year and five-year programmes with an intake of 80 each.

The college, which is functioning on a private school campus on the Dindigul-Kumuli highway, will move to the new campus on 14 acres with 26 classrooms, hostels for boys and girls, state-of-the-art auditorium with 400 seats, moot-court hall, conference hall, library, video conferencing and and Wi-Fi facilities on an estimate of ₹89.01 crore.

In his address, the Deputy CM exuded hope that the good educational infrastructure in the hinterland would attract more students from the rural areas.

Nation’s name plea can be sent to Centre: SC

Nation’s name plea can be sent to Centre: SC

“Bharat and India are both in the Constitution’

04/06/2020, KRISHNADAS RAJAGOPAL,NEW DELHI

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered that a plea to change India’s name exclusively to ‘Bharat’ be converted into a representation and forwarded to the Union government for an appropriate decision.

“Bharat and India are both names given in the Constitution. India is already called ‘Bharat’ in the Constitution”, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sharad A. Bobde orally said in a virtual court hearing.

The petioner, Namah, through his counsel, said ‘India’ is a name of foreign origin. The name can be traced back to the Greek term ‘Indica’.

The counsel said, “The word ‘Bharat’ is closely associated to our Freedom Struggle. The cry was ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’.”

The court said the petition be transformed into a representation and forwarded to the Ministries, primarily the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The petition seeks an amendment to Article 1 of the Constitution, which says “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States...”. It wants ‘India’ to be struck off from the Article. “This will ensure citizens of this country to get over the colonial past and instil a sense of pride in our nationality. Will also justify the hard fought freedom by our freedom fighters”, it said.

The court had dismissed a similar petition in 2016. Then CJI T.S. Thakur had said that every Indian had the right to choose between calling his country ‘Bharat’ or ‘India’.

HCQ clinical trials will resume: WHO

HCQ clinical trials will resume: WHO

The Lancet says it has concerns about article on use of drug in COVID-19 patients

04/06/2020, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS,GENEVA/NEW YORK

Hydroxychloroquine has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties .REUTERS

The World Health Organisation said on Wednesday that clinical trials of the drug hydroxychloroquine will resume, after having been suspended pending a safety review in the search for coronavirus treatments.

“On the basis of the available mortality data... the executive group will communicate with the principal investigators in the trial about resuming the hydroxychloroquine arm,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual news briefing.

Concerns about data

British medical journal The Lancet said on Tuesday that it had concerns about data behind an influential article that found that HCQ increased the risk of death in COVID-19 patients, a conclusion that undercut scientific interest in the medicine championed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Hydroxychloroquine — which has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties — inhibited the coronavirus in laboratory experiments, but has not been proven effective in humans, particularly in placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trials considered the gold standard for data. The debate has become highly politicised, and many scientists have voiced concern.

Open letter

Nearly 150 doctors signed an open letter to The Lancet last week calling the article’s conclusions into question and asking to make public the peer review comments that preceded publication.

“This is not some sideshow or minor issue,” said Walid Gellad, a Professor at University of Pittsburgh’s medical school, who was not a signatory of the letter but has been critical of the study. “We’re in an unprecedented pandemic. We’ve organised these enormous clinical trials to figure out if something works. And this study stopped or paused a couple of those trials, and changed the narrative around a drug that no one knows if it works or not,” he said.

The study, using data provided by healthcare data analytics firm Surgisphere, was not a traditional clinical trial that would have compared hydroxychloroquine to a placebo or other medicine.

The Lancet’s editors said in a note that serious scientific questions about the study were brought to their attention and an independent audit of the data has already been commissioned.

Row over death of pregnant elephant in Kerala

Row over death of pregnant elephant in Kerala

It was reported that it died after biting a pineapple filled with explosives

04/06/2020, STAFF REPORTER,PALAKKAD

Policemen standing on the banks of the Velliyar as the body of the elephant is retrieved.Special arrangementSpecial arrangement

The death of a pregnant elephant in a stream at Thiruvizhamkunnu, near Mannarkkad, in Kerala’s Palakkad district on May 27 has erupted into a huge controversy, with a section of the national media and their social media arms branding it an act of human cruelty.

The elephant death came to light two days ago when a forest officer wrote about it in a Facebook post.

The elephant was found to be sick and had waded into the Velliyar stream near Thiruvizhamkunnu forest station under the Mannarkkad forest division. It spent more than two days in the stream, often coming to the shore for brief while. Forest officers tried to save it using a kumki elephant. However, the pachyderm succumbed to its injuries before the kumki reached it.

An autopsy revealed that the elephant was pregnant and its jaw bone was broken. The death was due to asphyxia, as a result of water entering its lungs and trachea.

However, it was presumed that the elephant died after biting a pineapple allegedly filled with explosives. Following the Facebook post, news spread that the elephant had been fed by the people with the intention of killing it.

“We suspect the elephant fell prey to an explosive snare used to fend off wild boars. But there is no evidence to indicate it was intentional,” said K.K. Sunil Kumar, Mannarkkad Divisional Forest Officer.

Forest officers said there was no proof of the elephant having eaten the explosive-filled pineapple. But it is a practice among some farmers living in the forest fringes to use such explosive-snare to kill wild boars. A detailed report of the autopsy is expected soon.

The State government has ordered a high level inquiry. Forest officers indicated that they had information about some people who could be suspected in the case.

U.S. not to allow Chinese flights from June 16

U.S. not to allow Chinese flights from June 16

04/06/2020

U.S.-Chinese relations have soured in recent months amid tensions surrounding the novel coronavirus pandemic and Beijing’s move to impose new national security legislation for Hong Kong.

The order applies to Air China, China Eastern Airlines Corp, China Southern Airlines Co and Hainan Airlines Holding Co, as well as smaller Sichuan Airlines Co and Xiamen Airlines Co. Chinese carriers are currently flying four round-trip flights to the U.S. weekly.

Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have asked to resume flights to China this month, even as Chinese carriers have continued U.S. flights during the pandemic.

Delta said in a statement on Wednesday that “we support and appreciate the U.S. government’s actions to enforce our rights and ensure fairness.”

United said it looks forward to resuming passenger service between the U.S. and China “when the regulatory environment allows us to do so.”

China “remains unable” to say when it will revise its rules “to allow U.S. carriers to reinstate scheduled passenger flights,” a formal order signed by the Department of Transportation’s top aviation official Joel Szabat said.

Nod for physical hearings in taluk courts

Nod for physical hearings in taluk courts

04/06/2020, LEGAL CORRESPONDENT, CHENNAI

The Madras High Court on Wednesday permitted conduct of physical hearings in the taluk courts too in nine districts — Dharmapuri, Nilgiris, Krishnagiri, Tiruvarur, Theni, Ramanathapuram, Nagapattinam, Karur and Sivaganga — from Thursday with a rider that only five lawyers, including State counsel, would be permitted at a time in a court hall.

An official notification issued by the Registry stated that it had already permitted the courts in the nine district headquarters to hold physical hearings from Monday.

Now considering the inputs received from the Principal District Judges from those districts, the High Court administration decided to permit a similar arrangement at Taluk courts.

Shanmugam gets 3 months extension

Shanmugam gets 3 months extension

04/06/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, CHENNAI

The Centre on Wednesday approved the extension of service of senior IAS officer and Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary K. Shanmugam for three months.

According to a communication from the Union Department of Personnel & Training, Mr. Shanmugam's services have been extended between August 1 and October 31. Mr. Shanmugam was set to retire next month.

A senior officer said the proposal for his extension of service as the Chief Secretary was on the cards and the prospects became bright after the Centre in April extended the tenure of Union Health Secretary by three months, in view of COVID-19 situation.

Fisheries University receives 43 applications for V-C post

Fisheries University receives 43 applications for V-C post

04/06/2020, R. SUJATHA, CHENNAI

Forty-three persons have applied for the post of Vice-Chancellor of the Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University. Applicants include academicians from West Bengal, Karnataka and Kerala.

Nearly 20 academicians from various departments of the university have also applied for the coveted post. The last date to apply was June 1.

The Indian Council for Agricultural Research has ranked the institution among the top 25 State agricultural universities. Quite a few applicants have degrees in subjects such as botany and zoology. Several applicants are also listed by their names and residential addresses, without details of their qualifications.

An official said that academicians who have held high posts, former V-Cs and those who have held the post of director at a research institution were eligible to apply for the post.

Senior academicians and those in V-C search committees in the State had demanded that qualifications of candidates be published along with their names so that applicants’ potential could be assessed.

An applicant said that anyone with the required qualifications could apply for the post. “It is an administrative post requiring the capability to run an institution. A degree or qualification in the subject which the university deals with is not important,” a candidate pointed out.

Applicants feel that the number of aspirants would have been higher but for the COVID-19 pandemic. “There are a lot of qualified people who have not applied,” said an applicant.

Statute amended

A senior academician said that the university had recently amended its statute, prescribing a four-year Bachelor of Fisheries Science, a professional degree, as a prerequisite for the post.

A university official said that the amendment had been introduced in the Assembly earlier this year but had not received the consent of the Governor, who is also the chancellor of the State university.

“It is possible that not many are aware of the requirement,” he said.

TRANSTAN lists norms for hospitals to resume organ transplants

TRANSTAN lists norms for hospitals to resume organ transplants

04/06/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, CHENNAI

The Transplant Authority of Tamil Nadu (TRANSTAN) on Wednesday issued guidelines for hospitals that wish to re-start organ transplants in their facilities, post the COVID-19-induced lockdown.

Hospitals must give a written undertaking that they will follow the guidelines in letter and spirit and that they will ensure that the patients and their attendants will follow the rules the hospitals have framed.

TRANSTAN has ruled that hospitals providing treatment for COVID-19 infection and organ transplant shall have separate passageways for doctors and other hospital staff. Hospitals should have separate wards, theatres and intensive care units for transplant surgeries.

Brain-dead patients, who are considered potential donors, should not be admitted to the same ward as patients admitted for suspected COVID-19 infection.

Hospitals should have a separate, dedicated team of surgeons, consultants, nurses and other paramedical and medical specialists who should not be allowed to handle other patients.

The entire team involved in transplant surgeries should undergo periodic checks as per the guidelines of the Indian Council for Medical Research. Hospitals should ensure that personal protective equipment and disinfectants are made available for patients and their attendants at all times.

Operation theatres, ICUs and equipment used for surgeries must be duly cleaned using quality disinfectants.

The Kovai Medical Centre in Coimbatore has started offering renal transplant procedure following the guidelines laid down by the government, a release added.

State moves SC seeking 50% quota for BCs in medical courses

State moves SC seeking 50% quota for BCs in medical courses

Govt. accuses Centre of violating right to fair education

04/06/2020, KRISHNADAS RAJAGOPAL,NEW DELHI

The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court for a direction to the Centre to implement 50% reservation for Backward Classes in the State in All India quota seats for medical and dental courses.

The government accused the Centre of violating the “right of the people of Tamil Nadu to have a fair education” by not implementing the 50% quota for Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes for the All India Quota seats in medicine and dental science courses — both undergraduate and postgraduate levels — offered by institutions within Tamil Nadu.

“Though regulations stipulate that reservation is to be followed as per the reservation rules of the State where the medical college is situated, the medical counselling committee and the dental counselling committee, through which the admissions are done for the undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses, do not apply the 50% reservation for seats shared by Tamil Nadu in the All India quota as per the Tamil Nadu Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or Posts in the Services under the State) Act, 1993,” the State’s petition, represented by Additional Advocate General Jayant Muthuraj and advocate Yogesh Kanna, said.

The petition said the action of the Centre and the Medical Council of India to fill up All India quota seats reserved for Backward Classes from the open category was unconstitutional.

“The Director General of Health Services is neither following the Tamil Nadu Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or Posts in the Services under the State) Act, 1993 to provide 50% reservation for OBC candidates in All India Quota in undergraduate as well as postgraduate medical courses in Tamil Nadu nor providing 27% reservation for OBC candidates in All India Quota in undergraduate as well as postgraduate medical courses to other States,” the petition said.

It said the provisions of the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation and Admission) Act, 2006, to grant reservation of 27% to OBC candidates only in Central educational institutions is an anomaly as the institutions run by States and private parties would be treated as a “different class having a different rule of reservation”.

Deadline to pay power bill extended in four districts

Deadline to pay power bill extended in four districts

Tangedco asks its staff to begin door-to-door billing

04/06/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) has extended the last date for paying electricity bill for domestic consumers to July 5.

As the State government had extended the lockdown till June 30, domestic consumers in Chennai city and neighbouring districts of Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu can pay their electricity bills without penalty till July 5.

For the other parts of the State, the last date for paying electricity charges without penalty is June 15. Tangedco has fixed June 15 as the last date for high tension consumers who have not paid the electricity charges for March, April and May.

Tangedco has begun assessment of electricity meters in the city.

The meter reading was stopped because of lockdown from March 25.

Meter reading

Now, despite the increase in the number of cases of COVID-19, Tangedco has asked all its revenue officials to take up meter assessment.

A senior official said except in containment zones, assessors have begun reading domestic meters in all parts of the city and three nearby districts, including Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu from June 1.

Assessment for low-tension commercial connections, which are billed every month, was started in May first week, he added.

Tangedco had advised domestic consumers to pay previous month bill amount for April and May cycles. It had issued a circular for calculating the electricity bill for June and July cycles.

As per the formula, the average of the total units consumed for the two bi-monthly cycles of April and June would be arrived at and billed as per the slab system.

Based on that, the amount paid for the April month (as per the previous bill) would be deducted and the balance would have to be paid, the officials said.

Flights to bring back Tamils stranded in Singapore

Flights to bring back Tamils stranded in Singapore

04/06/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

The High Commission of India in Singapore has announced a tentative schedule of flights, including a few to destinations in Tamil Nadu, to bring back Tamils stranded there.

More details, including pricing and ticketing guidelines, will be posted separately, the Indian High Commission said in a tweet.

As per the tentative plan, flights have been scheduled from June 9 to 24 to Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Coimbatore and Chennai.

Ramasubramanian of Karaikudi, who is among those stranded in Singapore, said Tamil Nadu’s Public Department had forwarded his mail about 400 stranded Tamils to the High Commission on Wednesday for necessary action.

‘Contact info, Aadhaar details must for testing’

‘Contact info, Aadhaar details must for testing’

04/06/2020,CHENNAI

Flagging concerns about incomplete information provided by some private laboratories, Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner G. Prakash has urged all labs to ensure that they collect and verify contact information as well the Aadhaar numbers of all persons who get tested for COVID-19.If a person does not have an Aadhaar number and a sample has been taken, he shall be placed under quarantine till the results are declared, he said.

T.N. moves SC for 50% BC quota in medical courses

T.N. moves SC for 50% BC quota in medical courses

04/06/2020,NEW DELHI

The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court for a direction to the Centre to implement 50% reservation for Backward Classes in the State in the All India Quota seats for medical and dental courses. The government accused the Centre of violating the “right of the people of Tamil Nadu to have a fair education” by not implementing the quota.

Record rise takes T.N. tally past 25,000-mark

Record rise takes T.N. tally past 25,000-mark

Of 1,286 new cases, 1,012 are in Chennai

04/06/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

Tamil Nadu reported a record rise in COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. With 1,286 fresh cases, its tally breached the 25,000-mark. Chennai, for the first time, accounted for 1,000-plus cases on a single day.

With this new high, T.N.’s COVID-19 count has surged to 25,872*. Meanwhile, another 610 persons were discharged from hospitals, taking the total number of patients discharged so far to 14,316.

The State’s toll crossed 200 with 11 more fatalities in Chennai, Tiruchi and Chengalpattu.

Of the fresh cases, Chennai accounted for 1,012, taking its tally to 17,598. The city currently has 8,405 active cases, and accounts for 158 of the 208 deaths in the State.

After several days, the number of samples tested went up to 14,101, taking the total number of samples tested so far to 5,28,534.

Among the 11 fatalities was a 47-year-old man from Chennai.

He was admitted to the Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital on May 31, and died on June 1 due to respiratory failure.

A 48-year-old man from Chengalpattu was admitted to a private hospital in Chennai with fever, cough and difficulty in breathing for three days.

He had systemic hypertension.

Suicide of student disheartening: HC

REFERS CASE TO CJI

Suicide of student disheartening: HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kochi:04.06.2020

The high court has on Wednesday termed the alleged suicide of a Class IX student belonging to a scheduled caste after she was unable to attend online classes as ‘disheartening’.

Considering a petition challenging collection of school fees despite the lockdown, citing improper online classes through WhatsApp, and lack of action by the state government in controlling the situation, justice CS Dias observed in an interim order: “It is disheartening to learn that a student allegedly took away her life due to lack of access to the Internet for attending virtual classes.”

Stating that right to education is sacrosanct in the Constitution and is the mandate under Right to Education, the court issued a stay on collecting fees from the petitioner and referred the case to the chief justice to be considered as a public interest litigation.

The petition was filed by a student of Sree Budha Central School at Karunagappally. The court has ordered the school not to levy any additional fee from the student until further orders.

The petition claimed that several states and Union territories have formulated guidelines for conducting online classes and have ordered that students should not be denied education for not paying fees during the pandemic period. However, no such guidelines have been issued by the Kerala government, it alleged.

Further, the petition said the online classes being conducted are not virtual or online classes in its real meaning and yet unreasonable fees are being charged under the heads of smart classroom facilities and computer charges. The online class is being conducted at the school by sending voice messages of teachers through WhatsApp to the parents, who are to download them and teach the children who are studying in classes lower sixth standard.

The petitioner is ready to pay the tuition fees on monthly basis if online or virtual classes in its true sense is provided by the school, the petition said while pointing out the lack of guidelines to set standards for conducting online classes.

Google pulls out Remove China App from Play Store

Google pulls out Remove China App from Play Store

Anam.Ajmal@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:04.06.2020

Google pulled out the ‘Remove China Apps’ (RCA) application from its Play Store on Tuesday. The app, which claimed to remove apps developed in China from a user’s phone, had gone viral amid a nerve-jangling border standoff between India and China.

According to analytics firm Sensor Tower, which tracks the number of downloads of popular applications, RCA was downloaded over 4.7 million times between May 27 and June 1. The app’s removal created an online furore. #RemoveChinaApps and #GooglePlayStore were among the top trends in India with 27k and 13k tweets on Wednesday.

Jaipur-based firm One-Touch AppLabs (OTA), who had developed RCA, took to Twitter to announce that the app was taken down by Google. “Dear Friends, Google has suspended our #Remove-ChinaApps from google play store. Thank you all for your support in past 2 weeks. “You Are Awesome” TIP: Its easy to find the origin of any app by searching on google by typing ‘AppName’ origin country. Stay Tuned !! Stay Safe!!” the firm tweeted late on Tuesday.

A Google spokesperson told TOI on Wednesday why the app was removed. “Our global Play policies are designed to provide a safe and secure experience for our users while also giving developers the tools they need to succeed. When violations of these policies are identified, we have an established process of working with developers to help them find remedies,” the spokesperson said.

The recent border stand-off had resulted in an online clamour for boycott of Chinese products. Some well-known personalities, too, had supported the call, prompting several Indian users to uninstall TikTok, a short video sharing application, owned by Chinese company Byte Dance.

The description on the OTA website stated that the app was developed for “educational purposes.” It added that it only identified the country of origin of a certain application

(s), but did not “promote or force people to uninstall any of the application(s).”

RCA was removed by Google because it violated policies defined under “Privacy, Security and Deception” categories which prohibit any app on the play store from being “deceptive, malicious, or intended to abuse or misuse any network, device, or personal data”

Earlier, Google had removed Mitron app, another short video sharing application that was dubbed to be the Indian alternative to TikTok. Several reports claimed that the developed by an IIT student. It was later found that the app was, in fact, developed by a Pakistani company.

POLICY VIOLATION

How not to wear a mask

Wear the mask properly. It’s how you protect others, and yourself

Wear the mask properly. It’s how you protect others, and yourself

Covering The Face Essential To Prevent Infection From Droplets & Break Corona Transmission Chain, Say Experts

Snehil.Sinha@timesgroup.com

04.06.2020

The importance of wearing a mask is now widely understood. Look around you, and almost everyone has a mask strapped on. But how many are wearing the mask properly? How many have pulled it under their noses or their mouths?

As India unlocks, it’s important to know how to wear the mask right. Numerous health experts and doctors have pointed out that wearing a mask on the chin or under the nose is not only pointless, it also increases the wearer’s chance of contracting an infection.

The other statistic to remember is the most recent assessment of Covid-19 cases in the country by ICMR in which it said 28% patients – of the 40,184 who tested positive between January 22 and April 30 -- are asymptomatic. Hence, before they were tested, there was nothing to suggest to these patients or those around them that they had already been infected by the novel coronavirus.

Covid-19 has become a pandemic because it is highly contagious. Asymptomatic carriers increase that risk. This is why health experts across the world have argued in favour of everyone wearing a mask. Many countries have issued national advisories. India was an early mover in asking all citizens to wear masks.

Leading US-based healthcare expert Dr Atul Gawande says wearing masks is a “responsibility” people must take seriously to stop the spread of Covid-19. The basic logic of wearing a mask, according to Dr Gawande, is, “I protect you; you protect me.”

Covid-19 spreads primarily from person to person through respiratory droplets. Research has shown it’s not just coughing and sneezing but also the simple act of talking which lead to emission of droplets that may infect another person. Wearing a mask properly is effective both ways, by offering protection against droplets and by reducing emission.

“It is going to be more and more important to wear masks for your own and others’ protection,” Dr Randeep Guleria, director of AIIMS, told TOI. He added that while it wasn’t mandatory earlier for uninfected people and the general public to wear masks, the government has been asking everyone to do so.

“This is because, over time, there has been increasing research and data that shows covering of the face is essential to prevent droplet infection and break the chain of transmission. We are increasingly seeing that even asymptomatic people or pre-symptomatic people can be infectious. This means that you may not have any symptom and you may look healthy, but you may still be carrying the virus. In this case, if you wear a mask, chances of the virus going into the environment and spreading through you is reduced a lot. If another person you meet is also wearing a mask, that is further prevention and there is a double barrier for the virus,” said Dr Guleria.

If two people meet and neither is wearing a mask, he added, the risk of transmission of the virus is very high. If one of them is wearing a mask, the risk is medium and if both are wearing a mask, the risk is low. “So, people should keep their faces covered with a mask and also ask others to do so, for the benefit of the community,” Dr Guleria said.

Hence, it is important to wear a mask that fits well and covers the nose and mouth all the time. There should no gaps or holes in the mask. “People often wear the mask around their neck or chin and keep pulling it up and down. This is risky and if there’s virus on their hand, it will be transmitted to their nose and mouth. So, one should always avoid touching the front of the mask. We are not used to wearing masks, but this is the only way to prevent the disease and people need to develop a habit,” said Dr Amerta Ghosh of Fortis Centre for Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol, Delhi.

As wearing masks becomes essential, the market for its sales has also grown. Several retailers and e-commerce platforms are selling various kinds of masks, also leading to confusion among people about what kind of mask should be used. While N95 masks are being sold at high rates, they are not essential for all. “N95 masks need to be used only if you are coming in contact with a Covid patient. For the general public, a normal three-ply mask is sufficient. It is cheap and easily available everywhere now. However, it can be used only for six hours and cannot be reused,” said Dr Ghosh.

Homemade cotton masks or face cloths can also be used. “Everyone’s facial structure is different and one size may not fit all. It is very important that your mask fits around your face and there are no gaps. This is why a simple face cloth tied tightly around the face is a great option. It can be washed daily and reused. If the mask does not fit, the virus can still enter through the gaps when you breathe in or if you try to adjust it continuously,” said Dr Guleria.

Various state governments have made the use of masks in public mandatory, failing which a fine can also be imposed. Administrations are now speaking to RWAs to increase awareness and inculcate a sense of responsibility in people on wearing masks.

“It is a matter of self-regulation and people need to understand they have to wear masks for their own protection as well. However, we have also asked shops to not sell goods to those without masks, and many shopkeepers are doing this now. We also held a video-conference with all RWAs and asked them to ensure this within common areas of societies,” said Suhas LY, Noida’s district magistrate. Likewise, Haryana too has a provision to fine those not wearing a mask. “If anyone is not wearing a face mask, a penalty of Rs 500 can be imposed. If the fine is not paid, it will attract proceedings under Section 188 of the IPC,” said Dr Suraj Bhan Kamboj, director of Haryana health services.

RWAs have also pledged support to ensure people wear masks. Some markets and societies have started keeping masks at their gates and not allowing people inside without it. “It is difficult for everyone to get into the habit but constant reminders and penalties may help,” said Rajiva Singh of the RWA umbrella body in Noida, NOFAA. “We are keeping a close watch to ensure people wear masks all the time when they are outside,” said Chaitali Mandhotra, RWA member of Ardee City in Gurgaon.

TOI APPEAL

Over the next few weeks, and months, what lies before us are uncharted waters. We must learn to navigate past a pandemic while hauling our lives and livelihoods back on track and keep the virus at bay in the process. In the days to come, the number of people who will step out of their homes will increase exponentially. Plane and train travel has resumed. At some point, public transport will, as well. The only insurance against the virus, a vaccine, is some distance away. We cannot control that. But there are things we can control which, together, are a potent shield against the virus – hand washing, social distancing and wearing a mask every time we step out of home. In any scenario where there are other people around you, the mask — properly worn — becomes all the more important. It protects not just you — by providing protection, depending on the make of the mask — against respiratory droplets through which the virus that causes Covid-19 spreads, but also those around you by reducing the emission of droplets. If everyone is wearing a mask properly, the group on the whole becomes safer. As India unlocks, we appeal to all our readers: wear a mask, wear it properly, protect others and protect yourself. Community spirit can not only keep the pandemic at bay, it can help defeat it.