UGC may clarify hostel fee issue

UGC may clarify hostel fee issue

Ardhra.Nair@timesgroup.com

Pune: 17.07.2020

Students from various institutes in the city have taken to social media to vent their frustration over paying the hostel fee for the new academic year even though they won’t be using the facility. University Grants Commission (UGC) officials said they will consider issuing guidelines after studying the matter.

UGC vice-chairman Bhushan Patwardhan said, “We have not got any formal representation regarding these issues so far. The UGC will consider issuing suitable guidelines once we know a detailed statement of difficulties. We will ensure that students’ interests are protected in these difficult times.”

A student of MKSSS’s School of Fashion Technology wrote, “I got an e-mail from the college regarding the fee payment. They are not ready to give any concession in the fee for trips, gymkhana, etc, which we obviously will not be using. They are also not ready to reduce the Rs1,13,000 hostel fee.”

MM Hundekar, principal of the institute, replied, “The hostel is not compulsory for students. If a student is opting for hostel facility, s/he needs to pay a nominal fee. We have mentioned in the mail to students that those in financial trouble can inform the college and we will give concession on a case to case basis.”

Guv, CM clash on council seats likely

Guv, CM clash on council seats likely

Prafulla.Marpakwar@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:  17.07.2020

A fresh cold war is brewing between Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and chief minister Uddhav Thackeray over the appointment of 12 eminent persons in the legislative council as nominees of Raj Bhavan.

The Governor nominates 12 eminent persons in the fields of literature, science, art, cooperative movement and social service on the legislative council. The seats have been vacant since June 15 after the six-year tenure of the outgoing MLCs ended.

If a senior Congress cabinet member is to be believed, it will not be smooth sailing as Koshyari has taken a stand that there is no urgency, especially considering the pandemic situation. “Raj Bhavan has informally expressed the view that the appointments can wait,” he said. Raj Bhavan did not respond to TOI’s message on nominations to the state legislative council.

The Congress minister said going by past experience, Raj Bhavan may not approve the list of nominees in the first go. In January, the MVA government had submitted a list of two NCP leaders— Shivajirao Garge and A Nalawadi —for appointment to two vacant seats in the council, but the proposal was never considered. Even Uddhav Thackeray, who had sought to be nominated from the Governor’s quota, had been snubbed and his nomination rejected on technical grounds.

“We fear even if we submit a list of eminent persons, Raj Bhavan will delay the appointments since, under the law, no time-frame can be fixed,’’ he said.

Uddhav Thackeray

‘We’re not guv’s servants, have other work to do’

‘We’re not guv’s servants, have other work to do’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kolkata:  17.07.2020

Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said she and her government were not Raj Bhavan’s “servants”, and their “only job was not to answer the governor’s queries”.

Banerjee’s riposte came around five hours after governor Jagdeep Dhankhar repeated his litany of charges against her government, including its alleged lack of response to his queries.

A livid Banerjee held up a bunch of papers during the press briefing at Nabanna, showing the answers her government had given the governor. “I responded to his queries four times on Wednesday,” she said. “Beshi barabari hochchhe (It is getting too much),” she added, referring to the governor’s charge of a “politically caged education” system in Bengal.

‘Guv speaks like politician’

Earlier in the day, Dhankhar had threatened to crack the whip on vicechancellors of state-run universities (of which the governor is chancellor) for giving his virtual conference the miss. He said he would have to set in motion action to “deal with their (the VCs’) conduct in accordance with the applicable act”, prompting the higher education department to issue a statement that the governor was crossing his brief on grounds that acts and rules could be challenged only in a court of law.

Banerjee accused the governor of speaking like a politician. “I respect the chair he holds, but we also expect some courtesy from him. The governor is speaking like a political party man. It’s getting too much,” she said. “How many times in a day should I talk to him? We have jobs other than responding to the Centre’s queries. He can question us, can say that a BJP person was murdered before getting the post-mortem report,” the CM hit out.

The governor had also trashed the West Bengal Vice-Chancellors’ Council, terming it a “trade union”. “No other state has this forum,” he said. “This forum has met four times, and on each occasion it was against the chancellor.” The chief minister took strong exception to the comment. “Allow VCs to work with self-respect. Any vindictive action will spark reactions across Bengal,” she said, advising the governor to take a look at the state of affairs in UP universities and central universities such as JNU and Jamia Millia Islamia.

The chief minister also objected to Dhankhar’s asking the VCs to ensure that students do not have to pay beyond the stipulated fees during admission to colleges this year. “The governor doesn’t know that college admissions have gone online since the last two years,” she said.

The governor said he wanted the government and state universities to come out with a clear action plan on how they were dealing with students’ issues — from redrawing the academic calendar, deciding on the mode of examination and the degreeawarding process during the pandemic. “I have been in touch with the UGC chairman and have been updating him about the plight of students who keep on posting their anxiety to me,” Dhankhar said.

Banerjee said she had already written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to get the UGC to re-examine its revised guidelines issued in July, and restore its earlier guideline that had asked universities and colleges to devise an alternative evaluation process during the pandemic. “The state government, in consultation with the VCs, has worked out an evaluation method. I would urge the governor to have patience and leave certain things to the administration,” the chief minister said.

'தற்கொலைக்கு முயன்ற போலீஸ் பணி நீக்கம் சரியே!'

'தற்கொலைக்கு முயன்ற போலீஸ் பணி நீக்கம் சரியே!'

Added : ஜூலை 16, 2020 22:48

மதுரை : துப்பாக்கியால் சுட்டு, தற்கொலைக்கு முயன்ற போலீஸ்காரரின் பணி நீக்கத்தை, உயர் நீதிமன்றக் கிளை உறுதி செய்தது.

உயர் நீதிமன்ற மதுரைக் கிளை வளாகத்தில், நீதிபதிகள் குடியிருப்பு உள்ளது.இங்கு, மதுரை, 6வது சிறப்பு பட்டாலியன் போலீஸ்காரராக இருந்த காமேஸ்வரன், 25, பாதுகாப்பில் ஈடுபட்டார். இவர், 2016 ஜூன், 9ம் தேதி மாலை, 5:30 மணிக்கு, துப்பாக்கியால் தனக்குத் தானே சுட்டு, தற்கொலைக்கு முயன்றார். சிகிச்சையில் குணமடைந்தார். இச்சம்பவத்தைத் தொடர்ந்து, காமேஸ்வரனுக்கு காவல் துறை சார்பில் குற்றச்சாட்டு, 'மெமோ' வழங்கப்பட்டது. அதில், 'துப்பாக்கியை தவறாக பயன்படுத்தி, தற்கொலைக்கு முயன்றுள்ளீர்கள்.காவல் துறையின் நற்பெயருக்கு களங்கம் கற்பிக்கும் நோக்கில், நன்னடத்தை விதிகளை மீறியுள்ளீர்கள்' என குறிப்பிடப்பட்டது.முடிவில், காமேஸ்வரன் பணி நீக்கம் செய்யப்பட்டார்.

இதை எதிர்த்து, காமேஸ்வரன் செய்த மேல்முறையீட்டை ஆயுதப்படை, டி.ஐ.ஜி., 2017ல் நிராகரித்தார். இதை எதிர்த்து, உயர் நீதிமன்றக் கிளையில், காமேஸ்வரன் மனு செய்தார்.தனி நீதிபதி, 'மனுதாரர் குடும்ப பிரச்னையால், மூன்று முறை தற்கொலைக்கு முயன்றுள்ளார். எதிர்காலத்தில் இதுபோல் ஈடுபட மாட்டார் என்பதற்கு உத்தரவாதம் இல்லை. காவல் துறை, ஒழுக்கமிக்க படை. இதில் பணிபுரிய, திடமான மனநிலை வேண்டும். மனுதாரர் மீதான குற்றச்சாட்டு உறுதியாகிறது. மனுவை தள்ளுபடி செய்கிறேன்' என, 2017ல் உத்தரவிட்டார். இதை எதிர்த்து, காமேஸ்வரன் மேல்முறையீடு செய்தார். நீதிபதிகள் எம்.சத்தியநாராயணன், பி.ராஜமாணிக்கம் அமர்வு, தனி நீதிபதியின் உத்தரவை உறுதி செய்து, மேல்முறையீட்டு மனுவை தள்ளுபடி செய்தது.

Over 400 varsities have held exams or taking steps in that direction, says UGC data

Over 400 varsities have held exams or taking steps in that direction, says UGC data

Shortly after UGC issued guidelines on exams on April 6, in which exams for final year students were mandated, the UGC had written to different universities seeking to know the status.EDUCATION Updated: Jul 16, 2020 18:19 IST

Amandeep Shukla

Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Of the 640 universities which wrote back to the regulator, over 450 said they had either conducted the exams or were planning to do so in the coming months.(HT file)

Over 180 universities have already conducted exams for their students while another 234 are planning to hold tests in online in the months of August and September, according to data available with higher education regulator University Grants Commission (UGC).

Shortly after it issued guidelines on exams on April 6, in which exams for final year students were mandated, the UGC had written to different universities seeking to know the status.

Of the 640 universities which wrote back to the regulator, over 450 said they had either conducted the exams or were planning to do so in the coming months.

According to the data, accessed by HT, 182 universities have conducted the exams either in online or offline modes. 234 universities said that they were planning to do the same in August or September. Around 30 universities are waiting for directions from their statutory councils before they hold the exams.

According to information available with the regulator, 177 universities are yet to take a final call on holding these tests. In case of 27 private universities, which were set up in 2019-20, the batches in various courses are yet to enter the final year, so they don’t have to hold these exams.

Earlier, the UGC had on the basis of recommendations of a committee headed by Central University of Haryana (CUH) Vice Chancellor R C Kuhad said that universities should conduct the exams for students passing out of various courses in either online, offline or blended more (combination of online and offline).

The UGC has opined that holding exams is important to retain the credibility of the Indian education system and would be in the interest of students.

However, states like Punjab, Maharashtra and Delhi had expressed difficulty in conducting exams in view of the pandemic. The Delhi government had said that it was in favour of cancelling all exams.

The Punjab government, it is learnt, had also written to UGC to reconsider its suggestions. The regulator is learnt to have asked it find a suitable way to hold the tests. The HRD ministry has also released guidelines on how exams can be held.

The ministry has also felt that even state and private universities should abide by the guidelines of the UGC, which is entrusted with maintaining educational standards.

“The UGC has sought the data from various universities. In what is a positive sign, a large number of them have either held exams or are in the process. The UGC believes that holding exams for final year students would be greatly beneficial to their long-term prospects,” said a person familiar with the developments.

Of the 640 universities from which the UGC has received response were 120 Deemed universities, 229 private, 251 state universities and 40 central varsities. There are around 1000 universities in the country.

Over 450 universities have either conducted final exams or are planning to do so: UGC

Over 450 universities have either conducted final exams or are planning to do so: UGC

PTI | Jul 16, 2020, 07.28 PM IST

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) Thursday said over 450 universities have either conducted their final examinations or are planning to do so in offline or online mode.

The status update by the higher education regulator came amid opposition by several states to conducting examinations in universities in view of the spike in COVID-19 cases.

The commission had asked universities for a status report on the conduct of examination.

It received responses from 640 universities including 120 deemed ones, 229 private universities, 40 central universities and 251 state universities.

"Out of the 640 universities, 454 universities have either conducted the examination or are planning to conduct," the UGC said in a statement.

"While 182 universities have already conducted examination either online or offline, 234 are planning to conduct examination in August or September and 38 are planning to conduct examination as per the directions of the relevant Statutory Council," it added.

A total of 177 universities are yet to decide on the conduct of examination.

"In case of 27 private universities, which were established during 2019-20 to till date, the first batch is yet to become eligible for final examination," the UGC said.

Earlier this month, the University Grants Commission (UGC) in its revised guidelines directed the higher education institutions that final year examinations would be conducted in the month of September 2020, instead of July 2020, as per its guidelines announced in April.

Punjab, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Delhi have expressed reservations against the examination plan, citing the COVID-19 situation.

According to the HRD Ministry, the guidelines issued by the UGC have to be followed mandatorily as academic evaluation of students is crucial to ensure credibility and career opportunities.

The UGC guidelines of April and the revised guidelines of July changed the examination window from July to September.

However, it directed all higher education institutions to conduct the terminal semester or final year examinations either offline, online or in blended mode.

The first and second year students were exempted from the exams and will be assessed based on previous semester performance and internal assessments.

Universities and schools across the country have been closed since March 16, when the Centre announced a nationwide classroom shutdown as one of the measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Nationwide lockdown was announced on March 24, which came into effect the next day. While the government has eased several restrictions, schools and colleges continue to remain closed.

Attendees of professor’s funeral quarantine fearing virus

Attendees of professor’s funeral quarantine fearing virus

Residents of a quaint village in Tiruchy were on the throes of panic after news broke out that a person whom they bid final adieu recently was down with Covid-19. 

Published: 16th July 2020 03:54 AM 

By Express News Service

TIRUCHY: Residents of a quaint village in Tiruchy were on the throes of panic after news broke out that a person whom they bid final adieu recently was down with Covid-19. At least three hundred people from Vairichettipalayam village near Uppliyapuram attended the funeral of a retired professor on July 12. The 85-year-old professor died in the Tiruchy GH and the death certificate mentioned that he died of natural causes.

Following this a regular funeral was organized where hundreds gathered in violation of rules prescribed by the government. The following day, news broke out that he tested positive sending shockwaves among the residents. “We organised a regular funeral as doctors mentioned he did not die of covid. Only later did we come to know that he had a few symptoms and a swab test was taken during his hospital stay. We are scared if someone has contracted the virus as we were interacting with his family. The village chief is from the family.

The entire episode could have been avoided had officials announced his test result on time,” said a resident. As of July 14, Uppliyapyram had a total of 41 corona positive cases. Sources said all those who attended the funeral, including the ambulance driver, have been told to be in home quarantine and take a test if needed. District Collector S Sivarasu said samples were being taken from all those who attended the funeral. As of Wednesday, 60 samples were collected. “All of them are also being instructed to undergo isolation and efforts are being taken to prevent a new cluster,” he added.

Student moves HC against UGC order on final exams

Student moves HC against UGC order on final exams

A final year student has moved the Madras High Court with a writ petition on Tuesday challenging an order dated July 6 of the UGC

Published: 15th July 2020 06:55 AM 

The Madras High Court

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: A final year student has moved the Madras High Court with a writ petition on Tuesday challenging an order dated July 6 of the UGC directing all the colleges and Universities to conduct final/terminal semester exams for the final year students in September.

The petition was filed by one Amjath Ali Khan. Among other things, the petitioner contended that the impugned order has singled out the final year students and mandated them to write the final/terminal semester by the end of September, while the entire semester exams for other year students was rescinded.

WBUHS VC attends guv’s online meet, others don’t

INTERFACE STANDOFF

WBUHS VC attends guv’s online meet, others don’t

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kolkata:  16.07.2020

A state university participated in the virtual conference with the West Bengal governor on Wednesday while others chose to stay away, throwing up two faces of universities in the state.

West Bengal University of Health Sciences (WBUHS) vice-chancellor Rajendra Pandey had a direct interface with governor Jagdeep Dhankhar when VCs ofother state universities had cited service rules under West Bengal State Universities Act barring them from having direct interaction with the chancellor.

WBUHS is placed under the Bengal health department, and not higher education, and therefore doesn’t come under the Act, a state official said.

“The governor wanted updates on four issues, including holding ofexaminations in the pandemic situation. We told him our university is following all regulations, the Covid protocol, and holding examinations and publishing results. He also wanted to know about state quota for the NEET qualified applying for PG admission in state medical colleges. I cited him the Supreme Court ruling,” the WBUHS VC said.

After the virtual meeting, Dhankhar tweeted: “Had benefit of inputs from VC and Pro VC of West Bengal University of Health Sciences in Virtual Conference. Unfortunately other VCs in disregard of student interests failed in their duty to attend. Would never compromise student welfare.”

The governor had been insisting on interactions with varsity heads after UGC issued revised guidelines to state universities making examinations — pen-and-paper, online, hybrid — compulsory for final semester/final year students.

There was in fact an escalation in the standoff between Raj Bhavan and VCs after the officer on special duty (OSD) to the governor wrote to VCs on July 13 asking them to take part in the virtual meeting. “VCs and pro-VCs to attend the virtual meeting on July 15 in a state of preparedness and any disregard to this may result in violation of their conduct leading to consequences as per statutory prescriptions,” the letter had said. West Bengal Vice-Chancellors’ Council responded with “shock” at the letter.

The stalemate reached the CM, who wrote to the governor on July 14, saying “unseemly situations that are avoidable must be avoided. Their (VCs) non-attendance would be serious matter in law. Will send out a wrong signal to the country. Hope they get the right indication from the government.”

Dhankhar, however, went ahead with his plan. Hours before the meeting, he said: “VCs must attend virtual conference and desist from taking partisan stance.”

₹1L fine on 7 LU colleges for expired affiliation

₹1L fine on 7 LU colleges for expired affiliation

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Lucknow  16.07.2020

: Lucknow University (LU) has slapped a fine on seven of its associated colleges for failing to apply for permanent affiliation after the temporary affiliation of the colleges expired.

It also cancelled the affiliation of a private management college whose affiliation was not approved by the executive council.

The decision was taken in the emergent executive council meeting called on Wednesday.

“The colleges have been fined with Rs 1 lakh for not getting timely affiliation done while affiliation of one college has been cancelled,” said a senior LU official.

Two of the seven affiliated colleges fined are government-aided.

Compulsory leave without pay for some AI staffers

Compulsory leave without pay for some AI staffers

New Delhi:  16.07.2020

Cash-strapped Air India has decided to send “redundant” employees among its 13,000-strong permanent workforce on compulsory leave without pay (LWP) for six months or two years, extendable up to five years. Departmental heads and regional directors have been instructed to make their recommendations by August 15, based on an assessment of each individual in terms of suitability for the assigned role, competence, performance and health.

Employees voluntarily seeking to go on leave without pay will require approval on a case-by-case basis, “subject to the requirements of the company”. The Air India CMD will take a call on the lists compiled by the departmental heads and regional directors.

“No employee availing of the scheme will be permitted to take up jobs in government other public sector undertakings…. Employees taking up employment after availing LWP under the scheme or at a later date, in other airlines and allied services or in any organisation with which the company has dealings, should seek prior permission from the company...’’ the order said. TNN

Christ varsity goes ahead with exams

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:

Christ (deemed to be) University conducted its online exam on Wednesday despite the state government sending an advisory to cancel the same for intermediate semesters.

The university said it will continue with the exam on Thursday as well. “We have still not received the letter. I have only seen it on social media. However, it’s only an advisory note and the state government cannot mandate as we are not under its purview,” said Fr Abraham VM, vicechancellor. “The response to our online exams has been excellent. It was 96.3% on Wednesday,” he added. The last test is on July 25.

On July 13, the Karnataka government sent a letter to Christ (deemed to be) University) and KLE Technology University not to conduct examinations for intermediate semester/year. It told the institutes to promote students based on the grading system consisting of 50% marks for internal evaluation and 50% for performance in the previous semester.

No intermediate semester exam, says KLE VC

Ashok Shettar, V-C, KLE Technological University, Hubballi, said there will be no end-semester exam for intermediate semesters and only internal assessments are being done as per UGC guidelines and the government notification. “Students will be promoted as per internal assessment and other guidelines set by the government in its order,” he said.

FEE WAIVER

The higher education department has announced that 50% of exam fee for the next semester (UG, PG and diploma) courses will be waived. This is after several students of intermediate semesters demanded that the fee they paid for the exams, which were later cancelled, be reimbursed.

Retired staffers, pregnant women called for virus duty

ManuAiyappa.Kanathanda@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:

Current and former employees of public institutions providing non-essential services are upset about the state government’s decision to press them into Covid-related tasks without considering their age or health status.

Using data from the Election Commission, local bodies have randomly asked employees who were on duty during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls to join boothlevel committees being formed to conduct contract tracing and monitor Covid-19 patients. These employees include college lecturers. “The government has every right to summon us in this time of crisis, but it should at least consider our age and health status. Otherwise, it will only lead to problems,” said V Sidde Gowda, a member of the state government employees’ association. Gowda has comorbidity.

People with pre-existing conditions are particularly vulnerable to Covid-19. Medical education minister K Sudhakar had earlier said that government employees aged over 50, suffering from comorbidity or with disability will be exempted from Covid-related work. Despite his clarification, staffers of government institutions have been roped into booth-level task force committees. Notices to report for training and duty have been sent to even employees who retired in 2019, pregnant women and those with comorbidities. “Staff members with physical disability have also been asked to fall in line,” claimed a member of the association.

A retired assistant professor of the University of Agricultural Sciences received a text message to join training. He is 63. Another lecturer, from Government Arts and Science College, said: “I suffer from acute diabetes and hypertension. Does the government really want me to attend training?” When some asked BBMP officials for an exemption, they were told to find a replacement.

Sudhakar said he would look into the issue: “I don’t know why they have picked government employees randomly. They should have verified their age and health status before summoning them for training. I will ensure that norms are followed.” Full report toi.in

'ஐந்து பேருக்கு மேல் அனுமதிக்காதீர்'

'ஐந்து பேருக்கு மேல் அனுமதிக்காதீர்'

Added : ஜூலை 16, 2020 00:06

சென்னை : 'வங்கி கிளைகளுக்குள், ஒரே நேரத்தில், ஐந்து நபர்களுக்கு மேல் அனுமதிக்காதீர்கள்' என, சென்னை மாநகராட்சி உத்தரவு பிறப்பித்துள்ளதாக, வங்கி அதிகாரிகள் தெரிவித்துள்ளனர்.

வங்கி அதிகாரிகள் கூறியதாவது:முக கவசம் அணிதல், தனிமனித இடைவெளி, கிருமி நாசினியால் சுத்தம் செய்தல் போன்ற, விழிப்புணர்வு தகவல்களுடன், பேனர் வைக்கவும், அறிவுறுத்தி உள்ளனர். ஆனால்,வாடிக்கையாளர்கள் சிலர், பின்பற்றுவதே இல்லை. இருந்தாலும், விழிப்புணர்வு ஏற்படுத்தி வருகிறோம். இவ்வாறு, அவர்கள் கூறினர்.

MKU in severe financial crisis, seeks release of funds

MKU in severe financial crisis, seeks release of funds

fter MKU officials got involved in several malpractices, University Grants Commission-Distance Education Board (UGC-DEB) imposed a lot of restrictions on the admission process.

Published: 14th July 2020 10:12 AM

 

By Express News Service

MADURAI: The Covid-19 outbreak has reportedly pushed Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) into severe financial crisis, according to sources. It has already sent a letter to the Secretary of Higher Education requesting the release of funds.

An official from MKU told TNIE that the varsity earns the major part of the revenue from Directorate of Distance Education (DDE). But after MKU officials got involved in several malpractices, including the issue of forged certificates, University Grants Commission-Distance Education Board (UGC-DEB) imposed a lot of restrictions on the admission process. This automatically reduced the earnings, he added.

In this backdrop, Covid brought all other sources of income to a halt. Now, activities like PhD, registration, admissions, and the affiliation of new colleges have stopped. Only if the pandemic can be brought under control, MKU can get sufficient income. “Moreover, around 600 staff are drawing their salaries. It is a loss for the varsity. The recruitment process for permanent non-teaching staff is still pending. Once it is done, the State government will pay salaries. Besides, till now salaries of the staff of two government colleges, converted from constituent colleges, have not been reimbursed by the Department of Higher Education," he claimed.

MKU's former syndicate member and former Additional Controller of Examination Professor Srinivasan told TNIE that MKU’s pensioners’ corpus fund was `220 crore in 2005, and now it is below `45 crore. “At present, MKU is meeting the expenses by using this fund. For the past 18 months, the retired staff members are facing problems in getting retirement benefits due to misappropriation of fund,” he alleged.

An official from MKU said that MKU's monthly earnings have reduced to `26 lakh from over `90 lakh. “To meet expenses, we requested the Secretary to the Higher Education Department to release funds as well as reimburse the pending amount,” he said.

Student moves HC against UGC order on final exams

Student moves HC against UGC order on final exams

A final year student has moved the Madras High Court with a writ petition on Tuesday challenging an order dated July 6 of the UGC

Published: 15th July 2020 06:55 AM 

The Madras High Court 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: A final year student has moved the Madras High Court with a writ petition on Tuesday challenging an order dated July 6 of the UGC directing all the colleges and Universities to conduct final/terminal semester exams for the final year students in September.

The petition was filed by one Amjath Ali Khan. Among other things, the petitioner contended that the impugned order has singled out the final year students and mandated them to write the final/terminal semester by the end of September, while the entire semester exams for other year students was rescinded.

PM lauds BHU docs for Covid book

PM lauds BHU docs for Covid book

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Varanasi:  15.07.2020

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a letter sent on Monday, appreciated the doctors at Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU for bringing out a book on Covid-19. The PM said the effort to document information on coronavirus to enhance mass awareness is appreciable initiative.

Dr SK Tiwari of the department of surgery and Dr Vishwambhar Singh of ENT department authored a book -‘COVID-19: Challenges Ahead’. Over 25 senior and junior doctors also contributed to it.

“It is heart-warming to learn that a group of authors at Institute of Medical Science, BHU have joined hands to bring out a book titled “COVID-19: Challenges Ahead,” wrote PM Modi.

He said India’s response to the pandemic has been shaped by the collective resolve of 130 crore citizens. Every individual is discharging duties with dedication and discipline in the face of this challenge. All of them exemplify the true spirit of selfless service to the nation and society.

‘Students anxious, want uncertainty over exams to end’

‘Students anxious, want uncertainty over exams to end’

Hemali.Chhapia@timesgroup.com

15.07.2020

Mumbai: The uncertainty over final exams with the state government firm on not holding them and the UGC making exams mandatory, the rulings of central apex bodies of professional institutes as well as the silence from universities, all of this has combined to leave students a confounded lot. Their plans for further education and jobs are hanging in the balance. Amidst the confusion and noise, TOI spoke to senior faculty members from five colleges on the most pressing concerns of students and parents.

Datta Meghe College of Engineering: The 139 final year students are in a dilemma as they cannot apply for a job or explore options for further studies in the absence of a marksheet. Students in professional education are largely from the middle-class and are job-seekers with no family business to fall back on.

HR College: Every new announcement leads to a flurry of phone calls to the faculty and top management.But we have no information from authorities. Whether exams are held or not, students want their marksheets as many want to pursue law, MBA etc.

Government Law College: After the CM’s announcement that exams would not be held, a virtual graduation ceremony was held for the class of 2020. But the notifications from the Bar Council of India and UGC have sparked anxiety. Students want a decision taken soon as their future is at stake.

Shrimati Manoramabai College of Architecture, Nagpur: As per Council of Architecture directives, we are conducting online vivavoce for all students. Students wanted exams as they will not get a licence from the council.

A college with 40% ATKTpopulation:We have a lot of students with backlogs and they are happy with the decision to clear all ATKT students. But there is no clarity on how many grace marks can be given.

TIMES VIEW: Since the decision to either call off or hold university exams will have to be taken through consensus by involving various stake-holders including regulating bodies, vice-chancellors and heads of institutions, it would be best if the state education minister initiated talks with them rather than take a unilateral position and expect the entire education sector to fall in line. This paper's view is the decision impacts future education as well as job prospects, and hence it is vital to take a long-term view instead of attempting a short-cut to overcome the difficulties of holding exams in the present situation.

2 doctors among 7 KGMU employees test positive

2 doctors among 7 KGMU employees test positive

Protocols Junked; City Tally 2,730

Vivek Singh Chauhan TNN

Lucknow: 15.07.2020

The city’s Covid-19 caseload touched 2,730 with seven front-line medical professionals including two doctors among 152 new patients reported on Tuesday.

All the seven medical professionals are from the radio diagnosis department of the King George’s Medical University (KGMU).

These health workers — two resident doctors, two nurses, a ward boy, a technician and a sanitary worker — are believed to have been infected by a Covid-19 patient who had come for cancer treatment.

The unit was sanitized and 18 staff members included six resident doctors and senior faculty member and 12 nurses and paramedics were home quarantined.

A total of 91 health workers have tested positive in the city so far, of which KGMU staff accounts for 41, including 16 resident doctors. The university has seen a surge in transmission rate in July with 20 employees contracting infection in the past 10 days.

A TOI reality check found that patients and their attendants as well as security guards on the campus were not following safety protocols.

Chief medical superintendent Prof SN Shankhwar said that security guards have been told not to allow entry without masks and ensure safety protocols among visitors.

Other cases included an employee of CMO Lucknow office and a sub-inspector at Thakurganj police station.

Of total cases reported in the city, 1,135 have recovered.

102 call centre has highest load

With 11 more employees testing Covid positive , 102 ambulance call centre now has the highest Covid-19 caseload under one roof with a single source in the city. Total 124 staff members and their contacts have been diagnosed with the disease so far. TNN

2 LU staff facilities containment zones

Two residential facilities for employees in Lucknow University campus were declared containment zones after an employee tested positive for the infection. The areas include residential quarters in Habibullah and Chandra Shekhar Azad hostels. TNN

Patients protest dry taps, no power

Patients admitted in the newly created medical facility for Covid-19 in the Haj House protested against lack of adequate facilities on Monday. They claimed that the drinking water facilities were not adequate and electricity generator did not work during power cut. TNN

Microbiology students don gear, collect swab samples

Microbiology students don gear, collect swab samples

Sumati.Yengkhom@timesgroup.com

Kolkata: 15.07.2020

What is common among Susmita Das, Soumya Sarathi Ganguly, Sampurna Ghosh, Suddha Chatterjee and Sanket Bandyopadhyay? Well, the initials of their names from what is visible. Not quite. The five youths are tied together by their will to do their bit to fight this pandemic. They are collecting swab samples from Covid suspected patients for a hospital in the city as voluntary service. While four are students of microbiology, one is a student of biotechnology. They are attached to reputable institutes.

“I was looking for an opportunity to help the doctors and other frontline Covid warriors. I am glad that I have been given a place to work as a volunteer microbiologist for sample collection at Peerless Hospital,” said Soumya Sarathi Ganguly, student of integrated MSc PhD in chemical and molecular biology, IIT Kharagpur.

The Microbiology Society of India (MSI) responded to the calls for volunteers after Subhrojyoti Bhwomik, clinical director of Peerless Hospital, appealed during an online talk show with microbiology and biotechnology students of St Xavier’s College Mumbai on May 24. Within hours, Shyam Patil, manager of MSI, assured to arrange for volunteers.

“I wanted to contribute whatever little I can in these times of global crisis. It has been a very engaging experience and a wonderful learning process,” said Susmita Das, student of MSc in microbiology, Lady Brabourne College Kolkata.

All of them had to undergo seven-day training not only on swab collection but also on donning and doffing of PPE. Apart from collecting samples from patients in hospitals, they have also been deployed in mass screening camps.

“These volunteers are highly motivated, positive and energetic. With their classes closed at the moment they could have just sat back at home. But they wanted to do their bit,” said Bhowmik.

Be it Sanket Bandyopadhyay, MSc biotechnology student at Ramaiah College of Arts Science and Commerce, or Sampurna Ghosh and Suddha Chatterjee, both MSc in microbiology at St Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata, none are scared of getting infected. “I am doing my bit for the nation in this grave situation,” said Ghosh.

The students at work

Colleges take e-way to admission to bypass lockdown restrictions

Colleges take e-way to admission to bypass lockdown restrictions

Zeeshan Jawed & Somdatta Basu TNN

Kolkata:  15.07.2020

Several colleges across the city started the admission process to their undergraduate courses this week. Most colleges indicated on their websites that the entire admission process will be online due to the pandemic. St Xavier’s College (autonomous), Kolkata, on Tuesday started its application process for undergraduate students and decided to suspend all entrance tests. Instead, students will be evaluated on based their Class XII performance.

The online applications for St Xavier’s College (autonomous) will continue till August 20. The selection will be based on the ‘index marks’ calculated separately for each course.

Dates of admission tests for the UG courses at Presidency University will be announced once the authorities get the education department’s nod, an official said. At Jadavpur University, too, the admission process will begin only after the declaration of the HS results.

Most colleges affiliated to Calcutta University will start taking applications only after higher secondary results are declared. Some have initiated the process. “We are yet to hold a meeting to decide on UG admissions,” informed vice-chancellor of CU, Sonali Chakravarti Banerjee.

The Bhawanipur Education Society College has started inviting applications on its website. “Aggregate marks will be calculated by adding the scores in the top four subjects,” said an official.

Shri Shikshayatan College on Lord Sinha Road, too, has started the admission process. “Students can call on the two helpline numbers on the website between 11am and 6pm for queries. The entire admission process will be online,” said a faculty member.

The internal arrangements for admissions to Loreto College have started, but students can apply only after the higher secondary results are declared. “Every year, we have several applicants from the districts. This is the reason we start accepting applications after the results of the West Bengal Higher Secondary Examinations are declared,” said a representative of the college.

At Scottish Church College, the admission process to the undergraduate courses will start after a notification by Calcutta University. “The notification will be issued soon after the declaration of the HS results,” an official said.

Times View

Universities and colleges will have their hands full managing first-year admission this season. But clarity (about the way ahead) and real-time dissemination of information to students can reduce confusion to an extent. Proper planning is important even during normal times but, this season, it is essential.

This time, for bachelor of management studies, we shall allot 50% to the candidates’ Class-XII performance and 25% to maths marks and remaining 25% to the Class-XII English score

FR DOMINIC SAVIO

Principal St Xavier’s College

Bihar goes for lockdown again

Bihar goes for lockdown again

Piyush.Tripathi@timesgroup.com

Patna:  15.07.2020

Bihar is going in for a complete 16-day lockdown starting July 16, the state government announced on Tuesday. Lockdown 6.0, which will end on July 31, will cover all urban areas and block headquarters in rural areas with relaxations for agricultural activities.

The latest lockdown comes in the wake of a massive surge in Covid-19 cases and district-wise lockdowns over the past few days, which failed to stem the tide of coronavirus cases that have now crossed the 18,000 mark in the state. The state home department’s order cited an alarming surge in the number of Covid-positive cases in Bihar in the past three weeks as the reason behind enforcing the lockdown. As many as 9,378 cases were reported in Bihar in 34 days during the Unlock period (June 1- July 14), while 9,475 cases were reported in 70 days since the first three cases were reported on May 22.

Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi told TOI that rampant violation of preventive norms was the reason behind enforcing the fresh lockdown. “It has been noticed that after the Unlock period began since June 1, very few people were wearing masks and social distancing norms were hardly being followed. Large gatherings were seen in markets and people went out without any essential work. This led to a spike in Covid cases,” he said.

Full report on www.toi.

MBBS student in isolation found dead

MBBS student in isolation found dead

Kottayam:  15.07.2020

A female student who was under home quarantine was found hanging on Monday night. Krishnapriya, 20, hailing from Payippad in Changanassery, was found dead in her home. She was a second-year MBBS student in Russia and had reached Kerala on July 5.

To facilitate for her home quarantine, the family members had shifted to the house of another relative. She had talked with her family members over phone till Monday noon. It was her father who reached home in the evening and found her hanging. Her swab was taken for Covid-19 test and the result was negative. Police are probing whether she was having any mental trauma after being in home quarantine. Her laptop and phone will be examined, police said. TNN

TSRTC staff get single-digit salaries, protest pay cuts

TSRTC staff get single-digit salaries, protest pay cuts

Moulika.KV@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad:  15.07.2020

Employees of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) are up in arms against authorities over pay cuts for June.

While holding a protest in certain parts of the state, the drivers and conductors said that many have received single-digit salaries despite the state government’s decision to pay the employees in full for the month of June. The employees, on Tuesday, condemned the corporation’s decision to continue the deferment of salaries to employees for the third consecutive month by allegedly marking them on leave on days when they attended their duties.

“I received ₹77 for the entire month. Is it our mistake that the corporation is not running the entire fleet? They are saying that we have not attended work even after we marked our attendance in the register every single day,” said B Venkanna, a conductor working at Bhadrachalam depot. Around 20 people of the same depot received a salary below ₹100 and 50 people got below ₹1,000.

Employees of Medchal and Mehdipatnam depots have also seen a huge cut in the salaries.

However, while agreeing that most of the employees received less salaries, Sangareddy depot manager Naga Bushanam said, “Post lockdown, only those who attended duties were paid. Around 15 members’ pay was cut because they did not show up for work.” He denied allegations of marking the staff absent or on leave when they attended duties.

TSRTC drivers and conductors protest against pay cuts

HC to govt: Don’t leave everything to docs, Gandhi must conduct tests Court Pulls Up Top Official On Covid Tests

HC to govt: Don’t leave everything to docs, Gandhi must conduct tests

Court Pulls Up Top Official On Covid Tests

SagarKumar.Mutha@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad:  15.07.2020

Driving home the message that state government should not rely heavily on doctors in implementing its Covid-19 strategy, the Telangana high court on Tuesday pulled up Director of Medical Education (DME) Dr Ramesh Reddy for his stand that they will not conduct Covid-19 tests at Gandhi Hospital, but would admit positive patients for treatment.

Directing advocate general BS Prasad to convey the message to the government, a bench, comprising Chief Justice Raghvendra Singh Chauhan and Justice B Vijaysen Reddy, said that Gandhi Hospital has to test and treat people and it cannot throw away patients who knock its doors in distress. “There is no point in asking the critical patients to run from pillar to post in the last minute. You are the nodal hospital for Covid-19 and you have the state-of-the-art facilities to test and treat. You have to do it simultaneously,” the bench said, while hearing PILs filed by R Vatsan and Siva Ganesh Karnati, who wanted the state to do tests at Gandhi Hospital and be transparent about availability of facilities.

Petitioner’s counsel Vasudha Nagaraj told the court that the stand was resulting in deaths of patients right in front of Gandhi Hospital. However, DME Ramesh Reddy insisted that they would admit only those patients who come to them with a Covid-19 positive certificate. Initially, he contended that they do not have adequate testing facilities. Public health director Dr G Srinivas Rao told the bench that 1,500 rapid antigen testing kits were supplied to Gandhi Hospital on Monday night. The CJ asked AG to get a response from government by July 24.

Delay in removing body at Gandhi

Hyderabad: With Gandhi Hospital staff on strike, the body of a patient who had succumbed at 1 pm was not removed from the ward for a few hours, creating unrest. Superintendent of Gandhi Hospital, Dr Raja Rao said, “The patient expired around 1:00 pm. We need to take ECG to confirm and document the death which was delayed. The body was cleared late because only few workers are available today because of the strike.”

Three pilots of Air India flight from US test positive for Covid

Three pilots of Air India flight from US test positive for Covid

Saurabh.Sinha@timesgroup.com

15.07.2020

New Delhi:

Three of the four pilots who operated Air India’s Washington-Delhi (AI 104) nonstop on Monday tested positive for the novel coronavirus on arrival, sparking fresh fears in the cash-strapped airline. As per protocol, these four senior pilots had been rostered to operate Delhi-Washington (AI 103) last Thursday after they tested negative. Being a long haul, the Dreamliner Boeing 787 had two sets of crew for operating it by turns.

“They had a layover in Washington for three days and operated the return flight on Sunday morning (local time) that landed here on Monday. They were tested on arrival and found positive.AI has created a facility for crew members who show mild symptoms and do not need to be hospitalised,” said an official.

The airline spokesperson confirmed that three of the four pilots of this flight had tested positive. The cabin crew of this flight was not infected.

AI has put in place a strict three-tier testing mechanism. First, all crew members need to undergo the test and only those who test negative are assigned to operate flights. On return to India, the crew is again tested and put up in hotels till the result comes. Those found negative are sent home. Then after 120 hours, the crew which had tested negative— is subjected to another test to ensure they are Covid-free.

“We were facing issues with crew members who were found to be corona positive with mild symptoms and not so sick that they need to be hospitalised. This was especially true for crew members who flew into Delhi and tested positive because of which they couldn’t return to their Noida homes. The airline some time back created a facility for these mild or asymptomatic corona positive cases,” said a senior pilot.

Cash-starved AI has been operating the maximum number of Vande Bharat Mission flights. The crew members are, however, upset about uncertainty of pay. “We risk our lives to operate the VBM flights as a ‘national duty’ to bring our compatriots home and many of us have tested positive. Despite that, two months’ flying allowance (which comprises over 70% of their total pay) is yet to be paid to us,” said a senior crew member.

The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) had recently warned the government that they were reaching a “breaking point” because of unpaid salaries and that only “lip service” was being done while hailing AI employees as corona warriors.

12 0  HOURS AFTER FIRST TEST, THE CREW IS EXAMINED AGAIN

Kejriwal Inaugurates Delhi’s Second Plasma Bank At Lok Nayak Hospital

Kejriwal Inaugurates Delhi’s Second Plasma Bank At Lok Nayak Hospital

COVID FIGHT: CM Says Donations Playing Important Role In Reducing Death Rate

15.07.2020

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:

The capital’s second plasma bank set up at Lok Nayak Hospital was inaugurated by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday. The first such facility was opened on July 2 at Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) in south Delhi. A third bank is likely to start functioning soon at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital in east Delhi.

“After the huge success of our first plasma bank, we launched Delhi’s 2nd plasma bank today at LNJP Hospital #DelhiFightsCorona,” the CM tweeted after the inauguration.

Kejriwal said that plasma therapy was playing an important role in reducing the death rate of Covid-positive patients and, until a vaccine to fight the infection hits the market, it should be looked at as an effective treatment.

“We are not claiming that 100% lives will be saved through plasma therapy, but it has been effective in treating people. Plasma has also played an important role in reducing the death rate in Delhi,” said the chief minister.

The CM said more than 200 people had taken plasma from ILBS till date. “We do not want to store plasma in the bank forever. No one should suffer from lack of plasma. The arrangement should be such that one who comes to get plasma must get it easily,” he added.

With 2,000 beds, Lok Nayak in central Delhi is the city’s largest healthcare facility for Covid-19 patients. So far, over 3,600 patients have been discharged from this hospital, many of whom are eligible to donate plasma. It was also the first facility to start the trials of convalescent plasma therapy in April.

Being centrally located, the plasma bank at Lok Nayak Hospital would be easily accessible by donors. While ILBS has three apheresis machines, one unit has been set up at Lok Nayak so far. An official said the number would be increased based on the requirement.

At Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, about 30 recovered patients have been donating plasma every day. A team of about 150 doctors and medical personnel have been calling recovered patients to convince them to donate plasma. To ensure balance between demand and supply, the government has now made it mandatory for each recipient to bring a plasma donor along.

The chief minister said that the spread of the novel coronavirus was gradually reducing and the recovery rate of patients was increasing quickly. Earlier, 35 of 100 people tested used to be found Covid-positive. This number had now reduced to 7-8. Fatalities had also come down from 101 in mid-June to 40 now.

“However, I want to urge Delhiites not to become complacent about the situation. Nothing is known about the virus and infections may rise again tomorrow. Therefore, we need to take precautions, wear a mask, maintain social distancing, wash our hands and sanitise them repeatedly,” said Kejriwal, adding Delhi government would continue its efforts in setting up more facilities to rule out any possibilities of lack of treatment if cases surge in the capital.

Lauding the central government and other agencies for their support in the fight against the novel coronavirus, Kejriwal said, “I am happy that the Prime Minister has praised the Delhi model. All this has been achieved with everyone’s support.”

BATTLE ON OUR HANDS: While inaugurating the plasma bank, the CM called for need to shed complacency

CM KEJRIWAL SAYS

We are not claiming that 100% lives will be saved through plasma therapy, but it has been effective in treating people

9 of Faridkot med college infected

NEWS DIGEST

15.07.2020

9 of Faridkot med college infected

Bathinda: Nine resident doctors and interns at the Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot, tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday. Six out of these are from the department of orthopaedics and three are from general medicine. Also, the mother of Faridkot deputy commissioner Vimal Kumar Setia tested positive. Samples of the DC’s two brothers were also taken after this. The DC’s mother was getting treatment from orthopaedics department and the brothers accompanied her to the facility.

SAD defers all events for 15 days

Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Badal announced that all political programmes of the party would be postponed for the next 15 days in view of the growing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. SAD senior vice-president and spokesperson Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said the decision has been taken in compliance with guidelines issued by the state health department and medical specialists. He said information regarding the decision has been sent to the entire cadre .

Fazilka deceased was diabetic

Fazilka/Ferozepur: A 50-yearold man died of Covid-19 in Fazilka district on Tuesday while two persons tested positive. Sources said the deceased belonged to Ratta Ther village and was admitted in a private hospital in Bathinda. After he suffered problems due to high blood pressure and brain tumour, he was referred to the Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot where he died during treatment. Fazilka civil surgeon Dr Chander Mohan Kataria said a 56-yearold policeman and 26-year-old youth from New Abadi, Fazilka had tested Covid-19 positive.

GJU allows fee in instalments

Hisar: The Hisar-based Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology (GJUST) has decided to give relief to the students in payment of semester fee by allowing it to be paid in two instalments to avoid financial hardship during the Covid-19 pandemic. GJUST vice-chancellor Professor Tankeshwar Kumar said the University Grants Commission (UGC) had instructed to explore the options for payment of fee to help students and also to consider their requests for giving them relief in the payment of semester fee.

Headless KU yet to get regular VC

Headless KU yet to get regular VC

Jaskaran Singh TNN

Kurukshetra:  15.07.2020

The term of Kurukshetra University’s previous vice-chancellor (VC), Prof K C Sharma, came to an end on March 31, 2020, but the varsity is still awaiting a regular appointment to the post.

A search committee constituted by KU executive committee (EC) on June 19, 2020, nominated GJUST VC Prof Tankeshwar Kumar and Murthal-based DCRUST VC Prof Rajenderkumar Anayath for the post, but the nomination of the final third member by KU chancellor, who is the Haryana governor by default, is awaited.

The Haryana government had called applications for the post by July 10, but the process has been held up in the absence of a formal notification by the search committee. As per sources, about 70 applications have been submitted.