PIL challenges cancellation of exams by Maharashtra govt due to COVID-19, HC asks UGC to be made party

PIL challenges cancellation of exams by Maharashtra govt due to COVID-19, HC asks UGC to be made party

The PIL filed by Dhananjay Kulkarni, a retired teacher from Pune, has stated that because UGC was the regulation authority, Maharashtra state was not empowered to decide and announce the mode of assessment for final year students, and has sought to set aside and quash the government resolution.

EDUCATION Updated: Jul 07, 2020 15:06 IST

K A Y Dodhiya

Hindustan Times, MumbaiBombay High Court.(HT Photo)

A division bench of the Bombay High Court has called for the University Grants Commission (UGC) to be made a party to a public interest litigation (PIL) that has challenged a Maharashtra government resolution of June19 which decided to not conduct exams for professional and non-professional courses due to the situation caused by novel coronavirus pandemic. The bench also asked Maharashtra state to respond to the petition.

The PIL filed by Dhananjay Kulkarni, a retired teacher from Pune, has stated that because UGC was the regulation authority, Maharashtra state was not empowered to decide and announce the mode of assessment for final year students, and has sought to set aside and quash the government resolution.

The division bench of Justice AA Sayed and Justice MS Karnik was informed by Kulkarni’s advocate Uday Warunjikar that the decision of the higher and technical education ministry to not conduct exams for professional and non-professional courses was not valid.

The government resolution had stated that students of non-professional courses, who have cleared all previous semesters and do not want to appear for last semester exams of their final year should give in writing that they do not want to appear for final exams to their respective universities. These students will be awarded a score based on the average of their aggregate marks of previous semesters and provided with results, and had given an exception for those students who were not satisfied with their score and wished to fare better to given a written undertaking to the effect which would enable them to take an optional exam later.

But the government resolution had stated that it will not be able to conduct final semester exams of professional courses like engineering, pharmacy, hotel management, architecture, planning, management studies, computer studies, law, physical education and pedagogy, but had given students to take the optional exam for better scores later.

The plea stated, “There is an artificial classification made by the state among students who are admitted to professional and non-professional courses. If the state government is not going to conduct examinations for non-professional courses because of the coronavirus outbreak, there is no reason to conduct exams for professional courses either. There is no logic behind the decision and it is arbitrary and unreasonable and therefore court’s intervention is required.”

Warunjikar further submitted that the dual assessment method offered to the students in the GR was also without logic and such methods cannot be adopted while granting degrees. Students are given the option to appear for exams or accept average marks based on past performance.

“Such exercise is unknown to the educational field and therefore there is non-application of mind on the part of the state,” said Warunjikar and submitted that even the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016 did not permit the state government to take such a decision and only the UGC could take such decisions, hence the decision was beyond the purview of the provisions of UGC Act as well.

The plea stated, “The hanging sword of uncertainty is faced by final year students and GR is not clear as to when the exams will be conducted and the academic year will get over. “Fate of a large number of students who wish to take admission for the post-graduation courses is kept in a hanging situation.”

Stating this, the petitioner sought from the Court to quash and set aside the GR and pending hearing, sought a stay on the same. After hearing the submissions the court directed that UGC should also be made party to the PIL and directed the state to file response to the plea within a week, the Court posted further hearing on July 17.

If IIT Bombay Can, Why Not Others? NSUI Opposes UGC's Decision On Final Exams

If IIT Bombay Can, Why Not Others? NSUI Opposes UGC's Decision On Final Exams

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released new guidelines for exams and academic session. The higher education regulator has decided to hold the terminal semester or final year examinations by the end of September, 2020 in offline online or blended (online + offline) mode.

Education | Edited by Maitree Baral | Updated: Jul 7, 2020 8:42 am IST

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released new guidelines for exams and academic session.

New Delhi: 

The National Students Union of India (NSUI), a students' body affiliated with the Congress, has said the Centre’s decision to hold final semester exams to be a "narrow-minded view" and has said "it will endanger student’s health". The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released new guidelines for exams and academic session today. The higher education regulator has decided to hold the final semester or final year examinations by the end of September, 2020 in offline, online or blended (online + offline) mode.

“If IIT Bombay can, why not other universities?” NSUI’s Ruchi Gupta has said while responding to the government’s decision to hold final semester or year exams of universities and colleges across India.

Meanwhile, the exams for rest of the students have been cancelled due to the health risks and containment measures adopted by the government against the COVID-19 pandemic.

First, it's a tragedy to take the vastness of education - the experience of university, the diversity, the development of perspectives, critical thinking etc - and reduce it to a number received in an exam. This tragedy is brought out even more starkly if one takes an indepth look at the quality of the examination system in our country - rife with corruption, arbitrariness, delays, ineptitude, social bias, inequities and incompetence, the NSUI has said in its official statement.

Finally, the concern about devaluation of degree if the final exam is not conducted is exaggerated and misplaced. For most undergraduate courses, the final semester is only 1 semester out of 6 semesters. The purpose of exams in most often to filter out students - since the number of aspirants vastly outnumber opportunities - and it is easy to extrapolate relative ranking from past semesters and other internal assessments, it added.

On students who come from rural areas, the NSUI has said that these students from rural or marginalised backgrounds suffer from unequal access to both internet-enabled devices and internet connectivity. At least two students have committed suicide due to inability to participate in online classes.

It has also mentioned about the low attendance in online classes, which were started by many universities during the lockdown period. Online classes too have been a sham with a massive drop in attendance and the back and forth expected of classroom lectures, the Congress’ affiliated students' body has said.

On offline exams it has said that, "many students were shunted homes in a rush and students have reported that they are without books or study material. Even if exam centers manage social distancing, travel from their homes to universities will certainly lead to possible health exposure, putting both students and their families at risk."

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Final-year exams must for degrees: UGC

Final-year exams must for degrees: UGC

Universities will decide whether to conduct online or offline tests

University Grants Commission

Basant Kumar Mohanty | New Delhi | Published 07.07.20, 02:13 AM

Final-year undergraduate and master’s students will have to appear in exams to get their degrees, the government announced on Monday, while relaxing the earlier July schedule by saying these tests must be conducted by September-end.

The universities will decide whether to conduct online or offline tests, the announcement by the human resource development (HRD) ministry said.

Many students and teachers were unhappy, saying pen-and-paper exams would threaten the examinees’ health while online tests —which they suspect the authorities will prefer — will leave rural and poorer students in the lurch.

However, the government said that students unable to take their final-year exams in September would get another chance to appear in “special” exams “as and when feasible”, PTI reported.

The home ministry had earlier in the day allowed educational institutions to conduct exams during the Unlock 2 phase (July 1 to 31) in keeping with the “standard operating procedure” approved by the Union health ministry.

Earlier in April, based on recommendations from an expert committee headed by R.C. Kuhad, the University Grants Commission had issued guidelines asking universities to hold exams for final-semester students, possibly in July, and promote other students on the basis of internal assessment.

But hopes of degrees being granted this year without exams had risen after a public appeal from HRD minister Ramesh Pokhriyal to the commission last Wednesday.

Alluding to the rising Covid-19 cases, Pokhriyal had requested the regulator to “reconsider the guidelines” keeping in mind the “health and safety (of) students, teachers and staff”.

But a revised report that the Kuhad committee submitted on Monday again endorsed exams for final semester students while recommending they be held in September, a senior commission official told The Telegraph.

He said the commission discussed the revised report and decided on exams, which the universities can hold entirely offline, entirely online or through a mix of offline and online papers.

Apparently, the state governments, mostly those run by the BJP, had opposed the award of degrees on the basis of internal assessment or previous exams.

“The possibility of not holding exams was discussed. But it would have left a blot on the careers of the batch passing out in 2020. In their interest, it was decided to hold the exams,” the commission official said.

“Performance in examinations gives confidence and satisfaction to the students and is a reflection of competence, performance and credibility that is necessary for global acceptability,” the commission’s revised guidelines say.

Pokhriyal on Monday said the revised guidelines had been formulated “in view of the safety, career progression and placements of the students and their larger interests, after consulting” the home and health ministries.

Protests

The decision comes at a time Delhi University (DU) is planning “open-book exams” (OBE) for its final-year students despite glitches blighting ongoing “mock tests” and widespread protests from students and teachers.

Sat Bhavna, a third-year DU Hindi honours student, said she had to climb onto the roof of her home to access the Internet from her mobile.

“I cannot access the question papers or upload the answers from my mobile phone. I cannot take the exams. Most of the time there is no Internet service on my phone,” Bhavna said from her village near Faridabad in Haryana.

Utkarsh Singh, another third-year DU Hindi honours student, who lives in Anglia village near Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, echoed her.

“There have been no online classes in the last semester, nor have we received any study material. Electricity fluctuation is an everyday problem. This OBE will damage our career,” he said.

Abha Dev Habib, former DU executive council member, opposed the OBE. “The majority of students in the universities, including Delhi University, are from poor families who have no access to computers or laptops,” she said.

“They are currently in their villages. They will miss out on the online open-book examinations being pushed by DU. This means those who ha-ve gadgets will get degrees and those who have not will have to stay back (in their classes). This is discriminatory.”

She said the students and the teachers were expecting relief from exams in view of the Covid-19 outbreak and Pokhriyal’s appeal. “This (commission decision) means the government does not bother about the health and well-being of the students. They want to push online examinations on the pretext of Covid-19,” Habib said.

As for the “special” exams for students who miss out in September, DU executive member Rajesh Jha said holding tests in different months meant assessing the same batch by two yardsticks, which “compromises the sanctity of the exam”. Besides, he said, online exams like the OBE that the students will take from their homes without any supervision will facilitate large-scale malpractice.

Additional reporting by PTI

UGC revised guidelines on exams ‘not applicable’ in MP

Updated on : Tuesday, July 7, 2020, 11:35 PM IST

UGC revised guidelines on exams ‘not applicable’ in MP

By Staff Reporter

The UGC said that the universities are required to complete the examinations by the end of September.

UGC

Indore: University Grants Commission (UGC) has revised the guidelines pertaining to the conducting of examinations for session 2019-20 but the same will not be applicable to the institutes of higher education in Madhya Pradesh as the state government has already ordered for promoting students to next class without examinations.

In view of the emerging situation related to Covid-19 pandemic in India, the higher education regulator said that it is important to safeguard the principles of health, safety, fair and equal opportunity for students along with ensuring academic credibility, career opportunities and future progress of students globally.

The UGC said that the universities are required to complete the examinations by the end of September (instead of July) in offline (pen & paper)/ online/ blended (online + offline) mode following the prescribed protocols/ guidelines related to Covid-19 pandemic.

“Provision of examination through special chance in case a student of terminal semester/ final year is unable to appear in the examination conducted by the university for whatsoever the reason(s) may be, he/she may be given opportunity to appear in special examinations for such course(s)/ paper(s), which may be conducted by the university as and when feasible, so that the student is not put to any inconvenience/ disadvantage,” the revised guidelines state.

The guidelines also state that the students of terminal semester/ final year students having backlog should compulsorily be evaluated by conducting examinations in offline (pen & paper)/ online/ blended (online + offline) mode as per feasibility and suitability.

Indore division additional director (higher education) Suresh Silawat said that the UGC guidelines would have no bearing in the state as the MP government has already announced the promotion of students to the next class without exams.

“In case of final year, the decision is to promote students on the basis of the last year/semester marks/internal evaluation. We are working on giving promotion to the students,” he added.

Streamlined Procedure With Proper Deadlines Needed For Issuance of Degree Certificates, Marksheets Etc: Delhi HC Tells Delhi University

Streamlined Procedure With Proper Deadlines Needed For Issuance of Degree Certificates, Marksheets Etc: Delhi HC Tells Delhi University 

Karan Tripathi

7 July 2020 4:48 PM 

The Delhi High Court has observed that there is a need to have a proper streamlined procedure with proper deadlines being fixed for issuance of the mark sheets, transcripts, degree certificates, etc. by the Delhi University. 

In light of the said observation, the Single Bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh has directed the Dean of Examination of the Delhi University to suggest a proper schedule and timeline for issuance of degree certificates and other related documents as also the respective officers who would be personally responsible for the same. 

The order has come in a writ petition moved by a Delhi University student who was unable to complete the admission process for a Master's Programme in Universities abroad due to the non issuance of his undergraduate degree by the Delhi University. 

The Petitioner has submitted that despite being graduated in 2017, the University has still not provided him with his degree. 

He further submitted that he was awarded the Commonwealth Scholarship by King's College London, however, the same could not materialize due to the non-filing of the degree certificate in time. 

The court was further informed by the Petitioner that one final opportunity is available to him to avail a scholarship from Glasgow University and if the degree certificate is not immediately uploaded by him on the portal, even the said opportunity is likely to be lost. 

The Delhi University, on the other hand, submitted that the reason for non-issuance of the degree certificate is lack of proper quality paper and that the contract with the printer has also expired. 

While expressing its dissatisfaction towards the response given by the Delhi University, the court observed that: 

'such an excuse does not justify the non-issuance of the degree certificate for a period of three long years, resulting in irreparable damage to the Petitioner's further studies. The DU ought to facilitate the process of obtaining degree certificates by students and should, in fact, provide all possible assistance to students who wish to pursue further education and career opportunities. Instead, it is clear from the correspondence on record that the Petitioner's repeated requests for issuance of his degree certificate has not materialised.' 

In light of these facts, the court highlighted that there needs to be a more streamlined process in place for issuance of degrees and certificates so that inconvenience is not caused to the students. 

As far as this case is concerned, the court directed the counsel appearing for the Delhi University to obtain instructions and make a statement as to in what manner the degree certificate can be given to the Petitioner at the earliest and in any case, before 10th July, 2020. 

The Petitioner in this case was represented by Advocate Sarthak Maggon

பள்ளி, கல்லுாரிகள் 31 வரை திறப்பில்லை

பள்ளி, கல்லுாரிகள் 31 வரை திறப்பில்லை

Added : ஜூலை 07, 2020 23:16

சென்னை : 'வரும், 31ம் தேதி வரை பள்ளி, கல்லுாரிகள் உள்ளிட்ட கல்வி நிறுவனங்களை திறக்க வேண்டாம்' என, மத்திய அரசு உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.

கொரோனா தொற்று பரவலை தடுக்க அமல்படுத்தப்படும் ஊரடங்கால், கல்வி நிறுவனங்களுக்கு மூன்று மாதங்களாக விடுமுறை விடப்பட்டு உள்ளது. அத்தியாவசிய பணிகளுக்கு மட்டும், ஆசிரியர்களும், பணியாளர்களும், குறைந்த அளவில் வரவழைக்கப் படுகின்றனர்.இந்நிலையில், வரும், 31ம் தேதி வரை கல்வி நிறுவனங்களை திறக்க வேண்டாம் என, மத்திய மனிதவள மேம்பாட்டு அமைச்சகம் சார்பில், மாநில அரசுகளுக்கு அறிவுறுத்தப் பட்டுள்ளது.

மத்திய மனிதவள மேம்பாட்டு அமைச்சகத்தின் செயலர், அனிதா கர்வால், மாநில கல்வி துறைகளுக்கு அனுப்பியுள்ள கடிதம்:பள்ளிகள், கல்லுாரிகள், பல்கலைகள் உள்ளிட்ட கல்வி நிறுவனங்களை, 31ம் தேதி வரை திறக்க வேண்டாம். மாணவர்களுக்கு நேரடியாக அல்லாமல், தொலைநிலை வகுப்புகளை தொடர்ந்து நடத்தலாம்.மேலும், உரிய விதிகளை பின்பற்றி, 'ஆன்லைன்' வகுப்புகளையும் நடத்தலாம். ஆசிரியர்கள், ஊழியர்கள் உள்ளிட்டோர் அவசிய தேவை ஏற்பட்டால் மட்டும், நேரடியாக கல்வி நிறுவனங்களுக்கு பணிக்கு வரலாம். முடிந்தவரை வீட்டில் இருந்து பணியாற்றுவதை உறுதி செய்ய வேண்டும். அவர்களை கல்லுாரிகளுக்கு அழைக்க வேண்டாம். இவ்வாறு, கடிதத்தில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

Add UGC as party to PIL against no final exams for professional, non-professional courses: Bombay high court

Add UGC as party to PIL against no final exams for professional, non-professional courses: Bombay high court

TNN | Jul 7, 2020, 04.14 PM IST

MUMBAI: Bombay high court on Tuesday directed the University Grants Commission to be made party to a public interest litigation that seeks quashing of the state government's decision to issue degrees to over 10 lakh final year students of professional and non-professional courses by giving average marks based on their past performance.

A bench of justices Amjad Sayed and Makarand Karnik, via video conference, heard the PIL by Dhananjay Kulkarni, a retired teacher and an ex-senate member from Pune, that said Maharashtra government has no power to take such decision. Kulkarni challenged the June 19, 2020 government resolution saying under Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016 the chancellor has overall jurisdiction and the state has no power to take a decision about the exams.

On April 27, 2020 UGC directed all universities to conduct exams and declared its schedule. However after a student organisation wrote to the minister of Higher and Technical Education, the exams were postponed. The PIL states that the GR gives options to students to opt for exams or take the results based on average marks of their past performance. However this creates an "artificial classification" between students and violates Article 14 (Right to Equality)

According to the GR, there are 7, 34,516 students of non-professional courses and 2,83,947 students of professional courses in the final year.

Government pleader Priyabhushan Kakade with assistant GP Nisha Mehra, sought time to take instructions. But Kulkarni's advocate Uday Warunjikar urged for an earlier date "Already from April there is a complete mess. What is the fate of students in the last year? Students are not aware," he said.

Warunjikar also said not a single university has issued last year's mark sheets to students He said while UGC has directed that exams have to be held before September end, "the academic calendar will have changed and the new academic year will start." The judges took note that UGC is not a party respondent and allowed the PIL to be amended to join it. They posted the next hearing on July 17.

Higher edu minister: Exam guidelines of UGC not mandatory

Higher edu minister: Exam guidelines of UGC not mandatory

Yogita.Rao@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:08.07.2020

A day after the University Grants Commission (UGC) issued directives to conduct final-year exams by September-end, state higher education minister Uday Samant wrote to the Centre seeking uniform guidelines for awarding degrees based on an “appropriate evaluation formula” instead.

The UGC approved the recommendation of an expert committee to conduct exams in offline, online or blended (offline+online) mode.

“I am of the opinion that the UGC’s revised guidelines are not mandatory but an advisory like the earlier ones,” Samant said in his letter.

The minister reiterated the state stand on not conducting final-year exams in view of the pandemic and based on the review done by the disaster management authority.

The UGC’s latest directive has put lakhs of students in the state in a quandary. Many who were relieved after the state issued a government resolution making exams optional, are now worried about the outcome of the UGC decision. The Maharashtra Students’ Union, which has been opposing the conduct of exams in the state, is planning to seek legal opinion.

Close to 10 lakh students are in the final year across 11 state universities. A principal said that the issue has been dragging for long creating more confusion for students.

Yuva Sena seeks decision review

The Yuva Sena, the youth wing of the Shiv Sena led by cabinet minister Aaditya Thackeray, has demanded that the HRD ministry reconsider the UGC decision to conduct final year examinations since Covid-19 cases had been rising. The UGC on Monday announced that it will not recommend cancellation of the final year exam. TNN

Chennai doctors successfully remove tumor from six-month-old's tongue

Chennai doctors successfully remove tumor from six-month-old's tongue

A group of experts led by Dr Moorthy of Rainbow Children’s Hospital, diagnosed the tumor to be a thyroglossal duct cyst which is a mass in the front part of the neck that is filled with fluid.

Published: 06th July 2020 10:17 PM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: In one of the rarest instances, doctors in Chennai successfully treated a six-month-old baby, who was born with a thyroglossal cyst on the tongue. A thyroglossal duct cyst is a mass or lump in the front part of the neck that is filled with fluid.

According to a statement, a group of experts led by Dr Moorthy of Rainbow Children's Hospital, diagnosed the tumor to be a thyroglossal duct cyst which required surgical intervention for its removal. The boy, named Theeran, was brought to the hospital in a stable condition with a swelling in the tongue which was present since birth.

The statement said that the swelling had occupied the whole of the mouth, thereby pushing the tongue to the upper palate making it challenging for the baby to breastfeed and swallow. Upon performing tests and MRI scans, the reports revealed a lymphatic cyst on tongue which was resistant to sclerotherapy (a procedure to shrink the size of blood vessels).

The baby’s condition started to become critical as the cystic tumor which was arising from the tongue had extended up to the floor of the mouth, and thereby hampering the baby’s intake of food and milk. After careful evaluation and study of the cyst, the doctors went for the surgery and removed the cyst.

"The Cyst was intramuscular in nature and was filled with brownish jelly material. During the surgery, we had to decompress the cyst and drain the liquid to safely remove the tumor," Dr Moorthy G, Senior

Consultant – Pediatric Surgery & Urology at the hospital said.

The baby was discharged after three days from the date of surgery and is recovering well, the statement added. He has resumed his normal food intake and is able to drink and eat comfortably.

Swelling crowds and traffic as Chennai enters unlock 2.0

Swelling crowds and traffic as Chennai enters unlock 2.0

Many Chennaiites gave a thumbs down to safety norms as the city unlocked itself from another spell of intense lockdown on Monday.

Published: 07th July 2020 06:55 AM 

An ambulance struggling to find its way out near the Basin Bridge Junction in Chennai on Monday | P JAWAHAR

By Sahaya Novinston Lobo

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Many Chennaiites gave a thumbs down to safety norms as the city unlocked itself from another spell of intense lockdown on Monday. Chaos and crowd ruled the city streets as large number of workers and people came out of their houses since morning. Anticipating heavy traffic, the city police had activated over 400 traffic signals at major junctions. Reminiscent of the pre-Covid days, major locations such as Basin Bridge, Poonamallee High Road, and Gemini Flyover witnessed traffic snarls as long as 30 minutes.

Several two-wheeler riders gave scant regard to social distance by allowing pillion riders while many others jumped signals. Commercial areas like Purasaivakkam, Parry’s Corner, T Nagar, Sowcarpet and Tambaram witnessed huge crowds as shops reopened after a gap of almost three weeks. The Basin Bridge that connects some key market areas and establishments witnessed heavy traffic at 9.30 am. At Anna Salai and Poonamallee High Road, police were deployed to check on people not wearing masks or giving pillion rides. “At each red signal, we counted at least 30 people without helmets, masks or with a pillion rider,” said a traffic personnel.

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Workers protest at Pulianthope, Kasimedu

Hundreds of workers protested at Pulianthope slaughter house, demanding that the government allow them resume work after a gap of three months. “Poultry farmers and retailers are all dependent on this slaughter house. It has been more than 100 days since the place was shut down. We are jobless and in debts,” said D Appanraj, who was protesting since 7 am. Similarly, fishermen at Kasimedu fishing harbour staged a protest demanding that the State government allow them to go for deep-sea fishing and provide them the pending subsidy.

Mobile phone showrooms across the city saw large crowds as many of them reopened after a gap of three months. “We have been busy since morning as people are reaching us for repairs and to buy new phones,” said H Saravanan, who runs a shop in Ayanavaram. Some of the shops asked customers to follow norms. Thermal scanners too were deployed. Large assembly of people were seen in front of tea stalls since as early as 6 am. Even though teasellers were advised to give out only parcels, most shops didn’t follow it. A few popular coffee shops along the Anna Salai near GP Road were so crowded that the police had to chase the customers away as the road was partially blocked by two-wheelers. As of Monday evening, the sleuths booked several people under the Motor Vehicles Act and the Epidemic Disease Act.

Airlines selling tickets for ghost flights?

Airlines selling tickets for ghost flights?

Manju.V@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:  07.07.2020

Sachin Shettybought three tickets in the second week of June for a Mumbai-Mangalore nonstop flight for July 5. Four days before departure, the low cost carrier told him the flight was cancelled and his money had been moved to a credit shell. He later learnt that Mangalore is not connected to Mumbai by direct flights now, so why did the airline sell him the ticket?

Businessman Brijesh Sutaria on May 30 booked a Mumbai-Delhi flight ticket for June 7. The next day, the airline told him his flight was cancelled and his Rs 4,200 had gone into a credit shell for later use.

Flight cancellations due to new restrictions by a state, like one recently by West Bengal government, are understandable. But in the past few weeks, passengers like Shetty and Sutaria found they were sold tickets for flights not scheduled at all or were likely to be cancelled later due to low demand.

“The day after I booked the ticket, I got a message from the airline that the flight had been cancelled due to operational reasons,’’ said Sutaria. “Are airlines offering tickets on non-existent flights? They could be collecting public money, putting it in a credit shell for 730 days with no interest,’’ Sutaria alleged. He believes he was sold the ticket for a Mumbai-Delhi flight that was not scheduled at all.

Shetty was sold a ticket on a non-existent Mumbai-Mangalore flight. “The airline message did not mention why the flight was cancelled. It gave an option to reschedule, but I could not find a flight on any other day, so the money went into credit shell.”

An aviation source said, “There are no non-stop flights now from Mumbai to cities like Chennai, Trivandrum, Mangalore and Panjim, so it is surprising tickets were sold on non-existent routes.”

Full report on www.toi.in

In the past few weeks, passengers have found that they were sold tickets for flights not scheduled at all or were likely to be cancelled later due to low demand

UGC gives window till Sept-end to universities to hold final year exams

UGC gives window till Sept-end to universities to hold final year exams

Manash.Gohain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi: 07.07.2020

After a nod from the home ministry for higher education institutes to hold final year exams, the UGC on Monday decided to give them a window till September-end to conduct them while reiterating the earlier guidelines to assess the final semester (graduating) students through an examination conducted in either online, offline or blended mode.

The UGC said there will be no changes to the guidelines issued on April 29. The calendar has been tweaked and institutions have been given time till September-end to hold the final year exams, it said.

But the guidelines, issued on Monday said that in case a student of terminal semester/ final year is unable to appear in the examination for whatsoever reasons, he or she may be given an opportunity to appear in a special examination to be conducted as and when feasible.

“The final term examinations are to be compulsorily conducted as per the UGC guidelines on examinations and academic calendar for the universities; and as per the standard operating procedure (SOP) approved by the ministry of health & family welfare,” a home ministry statement said.

In view of the surge in Covid-19 infections, UGC’s panel of experts, headed by Haryana University vice-chancellor R C Kuhad, was on June 25 asked to review the final year examination guidelines issued on April 29.

HRD minister Ramesh Pokhriyal had said: “I have advised UGC to revisit the guidelines issued earlier... The foundation for revisited guidelines shall be health and safety (of) students, teachers and staff.”

In case a student of terminal semester/ final year is unable to appear in the examination for whatsoever reasons, he or she may be given an opportunity to appear in a special examination to be conducted as and when feasible

50% govt staff to rotate shifts, union wants 33% strength

50% govt staff to rotate shifts, union wants 33% strength

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

07.07.2020

State government employees on Monday reverted to a six-day week schedule with 50% working alternatively on two consecutive days. The differently-abled and pregnant staff are exempted from work.

While there was no comprehensive order from the government for the staff to revert to the previous strength, department heads issued orders detailing the roster for every two days. The finance department directed its officials, personal staff, shroff, record assistants, dispatch assistants, record clerks and office assistants to be present on all working days. Those skipping duty as per the 50% roster drawn with effect from July 6 even for a single day will have to submit a leave application.

There is a sense of fear among the staff following a spike in cases after 50% employees were told to turn up on May 18. Seventyseven positive cases were recorded until Monday in the Secretariat, with staff being home-quarantined or hospitalised.

“It is best to revert to the 33% strength to contain the spread of the virus as there are difficulties in seating arrangements in departments like finance where the staff have to work in cramped spaces. The government should consider granting leave on Saturday to sanitise the offices for two days,” Tamil Nadu Secretariat Association president Peter Anthonysamy said. The association has approached higher-ups for distribution of kabasura kudineer and homeopathic medicine to 6,000 staff members in Fort St George from this week. With the air-conditioning switched off, the corridors and offices are dotted with pedestal fans now and automatic sanitiser dispensers have been made available.

The agriculture department has instructed its officers and staff members to remain accessible through electronic modes of communication. Notwithstanding the above alternate working system, the staff off duty should attend to calls at any given point of time. “The safety of staff is very important. Even with 33% strength, people were getting infected. So the foremost need is orientation of the staff on how to keep themselves safe. When no one is around, they keep the masks below their nose,” said a secretary of the department.

Though MTC operates 250 buses in the city for the government staff, Jacto-Geo coordinator G Vasudevan said there were plenty of vehicles in each department which could be diverted for staff who are otherwise at the mercy of autorickshaws.

Health Ministry, DCI Lower NEET MDS 2020 Percentile Cutoff To Fill Vacant Seats;

Health Ministry, DCI Lower NEET MDS 2020 Percentile Cutoff To Fill Vacant Seats;

Details By GarimaPublished On 5 July 2020 10:00 AM | Updated On 5 July 2020 10:01 AM 

New Delhi: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Dental Council of India (DCI) has decided to lower the qualifying cut-off percentile for NEET MDS 2020. The information to this effect comes with a recent notice issued by the Health Ministry on its official website wherein it has clearly stated that the Ministry, in consultation with Dental Council of India (DCI) has decided to lower the qualifying cut-off percentile for NEET-MDS, 2020 by 18.935 percentile for each category (General, SC/ST/OBC and UR-PWD). 

This has been done in pursuance of the 2nd proviso in clause 7(1) of DCI's Master of Dental Surgery Course (1 st Amendment) Regulations, 2018, states, the notice signed by D.V.K. Rao, Deputy Secretary to the Government of India. The qualifying percentiles for NEET¬MDS, 2020 for the academic session 2020-21 now stand lowered as under: 

Category Revised cut-off percentile General Category (UR/EWS) 31.065 

SC/ST/OBC (Including PWD of SC/ST/OBC) 21.065 

UR-PWD 26.065 

National Board of Examinations has been directed to bring out the revised result in accordance with the above-lowered qualifying percentiles. 

NEET MDS is an eligibility-cum-ranking examination prescribed as the single entrance examination for admission to various PG MDS Courses under Dentists Act, 1948 (amended from time to time). No other entrance examination, either at state or institution level, shall be valid for entry to MDS Courses. 

PERCENTILE Vs PERCENTAGE A percentile rank tells how well a candidate did in comparison to other candidates, while a percentage rank explains how well a candidate did in the test itself. Percentile never gives the detail of the marks that you have scored instead it just tell you about your merit position among the number of candidates who have appeared in the test with you. For example, a candidate might answer 85 percent of questions correctly and rank in the 99th percentile which means that percentile is not related to the percent of correct answers a student gets on a test. Percentile ranks are commonly used to clarify the interpretation of marks on standardized tests. 

For example, a test marks that is greater than or equal to 80% of the marks of candidates taking the test is said to be at the 80th percentile, where 80 is the percentile rank. Whereas the percentage of marks is simply calculated based on the marks obtained out of the maximum marks in the test. For example, a test marks of 75% in a test with maximum marks of 1000 indicates a mark of 750. The percentage of marks is not affected by the candidate's merit position in comparison to other candidates who took the test.

https://medicaldialogues.in/dentistry/news/health-ministry-dci-lower-neet-mds-2020-percentile-cutoff-to-fill-vacant-seats-details-67316

Junior officer signed appointment orders of new chief secy, principal advisor to CM

PUBLIC EYE

Junior officer signed appointment orders of new chief secy, principal advisor to CM

PRAFULLA MARPAKWAR

06.07.2020

Both newly appointed chief secretary Sanjay Kumar and his predecessor Ajoy Mehta, who has been appointed principal advisor to the CM, were taken aback to see their appointment orders had been signed by the junior-most officer in Mantralaya. Transfer and posting orders of secretary rank bureaucrats are usually signed by additional chief secretary (services); in this case, Sitaram Kunte. But the orders were signed by a deputy secretary in the general administration department.

When Mehta was due to retire on June 30, several possibilities were discussed in the corridors of power—an extension of tenure for Mehta or appointment of Sanjay Kumar. The third alternative was selecting either Kunte or

former BMC commissioner Praveen Pardeshi for the job. Ultimately, Uddhav Thackeray chose to appoint Sanjay Kumar. As per procedure, the file was submitted to Kunte’s office, but he had already left Mantralaya for the day. Since the CM’s office insisted both Sanjay Kumar and Mehta’s orders must be issued on the same day, Kunte asked a deputy secretary to issue the orders. A top bureaucrat said it was unfortunate that the junior-most officer had signed the orders.

A lesson from Tawde’s book

The kerfuffle over the decision to buy a car worth Rs 23 lakh for school education minister Varsha Gaikwad notwithstanding the worstever resource crunch has led to a rather interesting discovery. During his tenure as education minister in the Devendra Fadnavis government, Vinod Tawde never used an official car.

When Tawde, a senior BJP leader, was appointed leader of opposition in 2012, the legislature secretariat asked him about his choice of car, but he said he would use his personal car. On being appointed education minister, his choice of car was sought once again, but Tawde opted to use his own car. So long as he held a government post, Tawde says, he had decided not to use an official vehicle.

10 govt docs, 70 pvt nurses have quit in T over safety, hosp infra

10 govt docs, 70 pvt nurses have quit in T over safety, hosp infra

Amrita.Didyala@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad: 06.07.2020

At least 10 senior resident doctors deputed on Covid-19 duty at government hospitals and 70 nurses in private facilities have quit their jobs, with most citing poor protective gear to combat the virus as a reason.

While the senior residents said they were dejected with the poor state-of-affairs at hospitals and the looming threat of contracting the infection, some individual doctors and nurses took a break from the profession, until the pandemic, gets over. These doctors are from the Osmania Medical College (OMC) and Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) hospital Warangal among other government hospitals.

So far, 300 doctors and other medical personnel in the government sector alone have contracted the virus, with worries of sub-standard protective gear and long working hours, forcing doctors to even go on strike.

Some senior resident doctors deputed from the OMC to the Chest Hospital never reported for duty, while others served for one or two months before putting in their papers.

“The problem is not just that there was a threat of infection and we didn’t get proper personal protection equipment (PPE) kits, it seemed like a waste of effort. Even if a patient was dying in front of me, I could do nothing at all,” said one of the senior resident doctor who had resigned from the OMC .

“We didn’t have staff, we didn’t have the infrastructure, we didn’t have proper PPE kits or any other provision required. It seemed like a futile effort,” he said.

Despite the guilt of having resigned in the middle of an ongoing pandemic, the doctors said that their presence or absence hardly made any difference to the situation.

Authorities ignored repeated complaints

It was like there is everything wrong, but no one was there to take responsibility. I felt bad about resigning but after over a month of working and making repeated requests for additional doctors and nurses, there was no difference. It was just a blame game,” another doctor told TOI.

From the medicine department at Osmania General Hospital (OGH), six senior residents have resigned, while few others have resigned at the MGM hospital, said Dr Mahesh Kumar, president, Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA).

“At the beginning of the pandemic, there was a lot of issues with PPE kits and infrastructure and despite repeated representations they were not sorted out. Most of the residents resigned in the first two months of the pandemic, discouraged by the situation and fearing for their personal safety,” he added.

Apart from doctors, 70 nurses who are at the frontline have gone missing from work too.

“A least 30 of these nurses went missing from a single corporate hospital. Currently, there is a huge shortage of nurses as most are reluctant to do Covid-19 duties,” said Laxman Rudavath, president, Nursing Officers Association of Telangana.

State med students stranded in Russia

State med students stranded in Russia

Petlee.Peter@timesgroup.com

06.07.2020

Bengaluru: More than 100 students from Karnataka, who are pursuing medical courses, are stranded in different parts of Russia which is severely hit by Covid-19. These students are unable to return home as the government hasn’t commissioned a single direct Vande Bharat Mission flight from Moscow to anywhere in Karnataka.

Many students from other parts of the country have returned home and Air India flights are scheduled to ferry some of them to Chennai and Kochi on Friday and Saturday respectively. Hundreds from India are studying medicine in Russia, which now is the third most severely Covid-19 affected country.

When Russia locked down on March 28, several Indian students flew to cities like Chennai, Nagpur, Kochi, Kannur, Mumbai, Delhi and Patna on Vande Bharat flights. But the mission didn’t feature a single direct flight to Bengaluru, much to the disappointment of over 110 Karnataka students, who now have no money for food or pay for their accommodation.

“Our classes have ended and summer vacations are now on till August. Most of our country-mates have left for India on Vande Bharat Mission flights, but we are stranded here,” said Manjunatha (name changed), a second year medical student in Perm, Russia. The student is from Mandya.

Karnataka students from different parts of Russia have banded together on a WhatsApp group and have made numerous representations to Karnataka, especially Bengaluru, MPs to help them fly out.

One student now stranded in Tver, who preferred to be identified only as Umesh, said state politicians should take note and help. “All we ask is just one direct flight to Bengaluru so that all of us can come home,” Umesh said. “While we have no grudge against anyone, it is hard to take when governments of other states come to the aid of their students. All of us are ready to pay the airfare. All we are asking of authorities is to arrange one flight us,” lamented the medical student who is from Bengaluru.

The Karnataka students have contacted Indian authorities in Russia multiple times through emails and hotlines demanding citizen assist, but there has been no favourable response till now. In their desperate bid to return home, a section of students have also requested for a chartered flight to Bengaluru to be sanctioned even though the tickets could turn out to be expensive, sources said.

The Vande Bharat mission didn’t feature a single direct flight to Bengaluru, much to the disappointment of K’taka students

Kuwait’s bill on workers rings alarm bells in India

Kuwait’s bill on workers rings alarm bells in India

7-8 Lakh Indians May Have To Leave Gulf Nation If Law Is Passed

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:  06.07.2020

A draft bill to reduce the number of foreign workers in Kuwait has been deemed constitutional by the legal and legislative committee of the Gulf nation’s National Assembly. While the bill still has to be vetted by another committee, as Kuwait chalks out a more comprehensive plan to cut down on foreign workers, it has led to fears in India that as many as 7-8 lakh Indians could be forced out of Kuwait if the bill is enacted into law.

The bill proposes that the number of Indians, who form the largest expatriate community in Kuwait, be reduced to 15% of the country’s 4.8 million population. Indians number about 1.4 million in the country and 15% quota would mean their presence reducing to around 6.5-7 lakh.

The bill, however, proposes similar quotas for other nationalities too. It calls for reducing the number of Egyptians, who form the second largest expatriate community, to 10% of Kuwait's total population.

Kuwait is also a top source of remittances for India. In 2018, India received close to $4.8 billion from Kuwait as remittances.

With its own citizens turning into a minority, Kuwait has been working to reduce its dependence on foreign workers. The bill is seen as a manifestation of the fact that Kuwait no longer wants to remain an expat-majority nation. Covid-19 and the slump in oil prices have also been contributing factors.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Gulf News reported last week, there has been a spike in anti-expat rhetoric as lawmakers and governmental officials call for reducing the number of foreigners in Kuwait. In the middle of this, Kuwait’s PM Sheikh Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah proposed reduction in the number of expats from 70% to 30% of the total population.

Official sources said the Indian embassy was closely following developments related to the proposed legislation. India has so far not made any statement on the issue.

India has often in the past played up the role of Indian community in Kuwait as an important factor in bilateral ties. As the MEA says, Indians are present in all segments of society in Kuwait and are largely considered disciplined, hardworking and law-abiding.

The Indian embassy in 2009 had set up an Indian Workers’ Welfare Centre which provides a labour complaint redressal mechanism and accommodation for domestic workers in distress, a work contract attestation system, a toll free 24x7 telephone helpline, a free legal advice clinic and also a helpdesk to guide Indian nationals on problems faced by them.

The bill proposes that the number of Indians, who form the largest expatriate community in Kuwait, be reduced to 15% of the country’s 4.8 million population. About 1.4 million Indians reside in Kuwait

HC dismisses plea of ‘widow’ for pension after ‘karewa’ marriage

HC dismisses plea of ‘widow’ for pension after ‘karewa’ marriage

But Also Sets Aside Order Seeking Recovery Of Pension From Petitioner

Ajay.Sura@timesgroup.com

Chandigarh:  06.07.2020

The Punjab and Haryana high court has made it clear that a woman, who had undergone “karewa” marriage with her brother-in-law on demise of her husband, would not be entitled to social security pension given to her as a widow.HC has passed these orders while dismissing the argument of a woman from Haryana who wanted continuation of widow pension arguing that a “karewa” marriage “does not translate to remarriage”.

“The petitioner is not eligible to draw pension under the Haryana Pension to Widows and Destitute Women Scheme Rules, 1988-1989 having solemnised ‘karewa’ marriage with her brotherin-law. Argument raised by the counsel for the petitioner that ‘karewa’ marriage is, in fact, not a marriage, is noticed only to be rejected,” HC has held.

HC, however, has set-aside the order of Haryana government seeking recovery of widow pension drawn by the petitioner even after “karewa” marriage.

Justice Lisa Gill passed these orders while dismissing a petition filed by Suman, a resident of Kaithal district. The petitioner, who claimed to be poor, sought pension under the Widow Pension Scheme — one of the social security schemes of Haryana. Her husband, who was a labourer by profession, died in April 2007. Later, she performed ‘karewa’ with her brother-in-law and even has a daughter now.

According to the petitioner, her father-in-law had some dispute with a villager, who complained to the authorities about illegal withdrawal of pension by her. Soon after, her pension was stopped and she was directed to deposit around Rs 1.82 lakh taken by her in the form of widow pension.

Challenging the recovery orders, she approached the HC. Her counsel argued that there is no bar in the scheme for release of pension to a widow who remarries subsequently and in any case, a ‘karewa’ marriage does not translate to remarriage.

Contesting her plea, the Haryana government counsel submitted that the scheme is meant to help a widow to tide over the difficult circumstances that may arise on the death of her husband and help her sustain herself from her own resources. She, however, disqualified to get pension after re-marriage, the state had argued.

After hearing the parties, HC dismissed her petition but restrained state government from making any recovery from her.

Haryana government submitted that the scheme is meant to help widows to tide over the difficult circumstances, but the petitioner is disqualified to get pension after re-marriage

வங்கிகள் இன்று முதல் வழக்கம் போல செயல்படும்

வங்கிகள் இன்று முதல் வழக்கம் போல செயல்படும்

Updated : ஜூலை 06, 2020 04:22 

சென்னை:சென்னைகாஞ்சிபுரம் திருவள்ளூர் செங்கல்பட்டு மாவட்டங்களில் முழு ஊரடங்கு முடிந்ததால் இன்று முதல் மாலை 4:00 மணி வரை வங்கிகள் வழக்கம் போல செயல்படும்.இந்த மாவட்டங்களில் உள்ள வங்கிகள் 4ம் தேதி வரை 33 சதவீத ஊழியர்களுடன் காலை 10:00 முதல் பகல் 2:00 மணி வரை இயங்கின.

பெட்ரோல் நிலையங்கள் காஸ் ஏஜன்சி போன்ற அத்தியாவசிய சேவைகள் வழங்கக் கூடிய வினியோகஸ்தர்கள் மற்றும் டீலர்களிடம் ரொக்கப் பரிவர்த்தனை மட்டுமே மேற்கொள்ள அனுமதிக்கப்பட்டது. பொது மக்களுக்கு நேரடி வங்கி சேவை வழங்கப்படவில்லை.

இந்நிலையில் இன்று முதல் வங்கிகள் வழக்கம் போல செயல்பட உள்ளன.வங்கி அதிகாரிகள் கூறுகையில் ''மதுரை மற்றும் அதை சுற்றியுள்ள பகுதிகளில் 12ம் தேதி வரை முழு ஊரடங்கு நீட்டிக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளதால் அந்தப் பகுதிகளில் வங்கிகள் செயல்படும் நேரம் குறித்து மாநில வங்கியாளர்கள் கூட்டமைப்பின் ஒருங்கிணைப்பாளர் வங்கி முடிவு செய்யும் என்றனர்.

மூத்த குடிமக்கள் அரசுக்கு வேண்டுகோள்

மூத்த குடிமக்கள் அரசுக்கு வேண்டுகோள்

 Added : ஜூலை 05, 2020  23:08

சென்னை; -'வயதான பெற்றோரை பார்க்க விண்ணப்பிக்கும் பிள்ளைகளுக்கு, 'இ- - பாஸ்' வழங்க தயங்க கூடாது' என, அரசுக்கு, மூத்த குடிமக்கள் அமைப்பு வேண்டுகோள் விடுத்துள்ளது.

மூத்த குடிமக்கள் அமைப்பின் உதவி தலைவர், ராமாராவ் கூறியதாவது:திருமணம், மரணம், அவசர மருத்துவ சிகிச்சைக்கு மட்டுமே, தற்போது இ- - பாஸ் வழங்கப்படுகிறது. ஏராளமான மூத்த தம்பதியர் தனியாக வசித்து வருகின்றனர். அவர்களின் பிள்ளைகள், பல மாவட்டங்களிலும், மாநிலங்களிலும் வசித்து வருகின்றனர்.நான்கு மாதங்களாக, தனியாக தவித்து வரும் பெற்றோரை பார்க்க, பிள்ளைகளுக்கு இ- - பாஸ் வழங்கப்படுவதில்லை.

இதனால், மூத்த குடிமக்கள், உடல் அளவிலும், மனதளவிலும் பாதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர்.மயிலாடுதுறை மாவட்டத்தை சேர்ந்த, மூத்த தம்பதியரான அருள்சாமி, பாக்கியவதி ஆகியோர், பிள்ளைகளை பார்க்க முடியாமல், தற்கொலை செய்து கொண்டது, ஒரு உதாரணம்.எனவே, 60 வயதிற்கு மேற்பட்ட மூத்த குடிமக்களை பார்க்க அனுமதி கோரும், பிள்ளைகளின் விண்ணப்பங்களை, உதாசீனப்படுத்தாமல் அனுமதிக்க வேண்டும்.இவ்வாறு, அவர் கூறினார்.

காலாண்டு, அரையாண்டில், 'ஆப்சென்ட்'டா? 10ம் வகுப்பு தேர்வில் பெயிலாகும் அபாயம்

காலாண்டு, அரையாண்டில், 'ஆப்சென்ட்'டா? 10ம் வகுப்பு தேர்வில் பெயிலாகும் அபாயம்

Added : ஜூலை 05, 2020 23:20

சென்னை; காலாண்டு, அரையாண்டு தேர்வுகளில், சில பாடங்களில் தேர்வு எழுத தவறியவர்கள், பத்தாம் வகுப்பு தேர்வில், தேர்ச்சி பெற முடியாத வகையில், தேர்வுத்துறை இயக்குனர் அனுப்பியுள்ள சுற்றறிக்கை, சர்ச்சையை ஏற்படுத்தியுள்ளது.

கொரோனா தொற்று பரவல் காரணமாக, தமிழகத்தில், 10ம் வகுப்பு பொதுத்தேர்வு, முழுமையாக ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது. பிளஸ் 1ல், ஒரு பாடத்திற்கான தேர்வு நடக்காததால், அந்தத் தேர்வும் ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது. இதில், 10ம்வகுப்பு மாணவர்களுக்கு, காலாண்டு, அரையாண்டு தேர்வு மதிப்பெண் அடிப்படையில், ௮௦ சதவீதமும், வருகைப்பதிவு அடிப்படையில், ௨௦ சதவீத மதிப்பெண்ணும், ஒவ்வொரு பாடத்திற்கும் வழங்கி, மதிப்பெண் பட்டியல் தயாரிக்க உத்தரவிடப்பட்டது. வழிகாட்டு நெறிமுறைஅதன்படி, 80 சதவீத மதிப்பெண் வழங்கும் பணிகள் முடிந்து விட்டன. மீதமுள்ள, 20 சதவீதத்துக்கு, வருகை பதிவேடு அடிப்படையில் மதிப்பெண் பட்டியல் தயாரிக்கும் பணிகள் நடந்து வருகின்றன.

இதற்காக, தேர்வுத்துறை இயக்குனர், பழனிசாமி வெளியிட்டுள்ள வழிகாட்டு நெறிமுறைகள்:பள்ளிகளுக்கு நீண்ட நாள் வராதவர்கள், படிப்பை பாதியில் விட்டு விட்டு மாற்று சான்றிதழ் வாங்கியவர்கள், மரணம் அடைந்த மாணவர்கள் உள்ளிட்டோரை கணக்கிட்டு, அவர்களின் விபரங்களை தனியாக சேகரிக்க வேண்டும்.

இந்த மாணவர்களின் விபரங்கள், எந்த காரணத்திற்காகவும், பத்தாம் வகுப்பு தேர்ச்சி பட்டியலில் இடம் பெற்றுவிடக்கூடாது.காலாண்டு, அரையாண்டு தேர்வுகளில், அனைத்து பாட தேர்வுகளுக்கும் முழுமையாக வராதவர்கள், சில பாடங்களில் தேர்வு எழுதாதவர்கள் ஆகியோரை, 'ஆப்சென்ட்' பட்டியலில் சேர்க்க வேண்டும்.இவ்வாறு, அதில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இதனால், பல மாணவர்கள், 10ம் வகுப்பு பொதுத்தேர்வில் பெயிலாகும் அபாயம் உள்ளது.எதிர்காலம் பாதிப்புகாலாண்டு, அரையாண்டு தேர்வின் போது, உடல் நல பிரச்னை, தங்களின் ஊர்களில் நிகழ்ந்த விழாக்கள், வேறு சில நிகழ்ச்சிகள், குடும்ப பிரச்னை போன்றவற்றால், சில மாணவர்கள் தேர்வுகளில் பங்கேற்கவில்லை.அப்படிப்பட்ட மாணவர்களை, தற்போது தேர்ச்சி பட்டியலில் சேர்க்காவிட்டால், அவர்களின் எதிர்காலம் பாதிக்கப்படும் அபாயம் உள்ளது.

இதுகுறித்து, ஆசிரியர்கள், பெற்றோர் கூறியதாவது:பத்தாம் வகுப்பு பொது தேர்வுக்கு விண்ணப்பித்த, அனைத்து மாணவர்களும் தேர்ச்சி பெற்றதாக அரசு அறிவித்துள்ளது. இந்நிலையில், காலாண்டு, அரையாண்டில் சில பாடங்களில், ஆப்சென்ட் ஆன மாணவர்களை தனியாக கணக்கிடுவது தேவையற்றது.எனவே, இந்த ஆண்டு, 10ம் வகுப்பில் சேர்ந்து, காலாண்டு, அரையாண்டு தேர்வின், சில பாடங்களுக்கு தேர்வை எழுதாவிட்டாலும், பொது தேர்வுக்கு விண்ணப்பித்திருந்தால், அவர்கள் அனைவரையும், தேர்ச்சி பெற்றவர்களாகவே அறிவிக்க வேண்டும்.இவ்வாறு, அவர்கள் கூறினர்.

Open-book exams: Under fire, DU lists ways to avoid online glitches

Open-book exams: Under fire, DU lists ways to avoid online glitches

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi: 06.07.2020

A day after students had to deal with various glitches during the first day of mock tests for the much debated final open book examinations (OBE), Delhi University (DU) on Sunday tried to explain issues “based on inputs received from stakeholders and persons concerned with the OBE mode of examinations”.

Of the 14 queries answered by DU, the most common was the problem faced during finding question papers. The university’s examination branch said the problem was probably linked to the way students were looking for a specific question paper.

They were probably trying to get a specific question paper not available on the portal or searching with titles of subject/courses that were not in the system, the release stated. “Students may be advised that this is purely a mock test and any sample paper may be used for writing and they can take any paper of choice,” the exam branch said.

On students having problems with downloading question papers on their mobile phones, DU said the device must have internet connectivity and downloading features. Around 68% of the candidates registered through mobile devices, it pointed out.

“Students are advised to enter the correct name of the portal as notified by the examination branch and is available on the university website, and also to check internet and other requirements,” the release suggested.

On the portal taking 10-15 minutes to open, DU said this might be due to multiple users visiting the website multiple times without completing a past activity. The students have been advised to check internet connectivity while visiting the site/portal of examinations. “All messages and information at a particular button and related activities must be read before moving to the next activity,” it added.

The exam branch clarified that on the day of the examinations, students would be allowed to download their question paper. They will also have an extra hour for downloading question papers and uploading answer sheets. Students have been advised to follow instructions as the final exams are scheduled to begin on July 10.

ACT OF DISSENT: North Campus was vandalised by unknown people on Saturday night with ‘No to OBE’ graffiti painted on the signboards and college gates. While no one so far has claimed responsibility, a few students said the move was an outcome of the frustration they had been feeling with DU’s indifference to their concerns. DUSU president Akshit Dahiya said the union condemned all acts of vandalism. DU officials are yet to respond on the issue