After failing to refund tickets, airline now seeks rescheduling fee from mother and child to postpone trip

After failing to refund tickets, airline now seeks rescheduling fee from mother and child to postpone trip

The airlines demanded rescheduling charges which goes against the usual norms of providing a credit shell of one year, says Kapur.

Published: 14th August 2020 12:15 PM 

A plane lands at IGI Airport as others stand parked during Unlock 2 in New Delhi.

By C Shivakumar

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Anuradha (35) and her three-year old child booked a ticket on an Air Vistara flight from Delhi to Chennai on March 22. Since the national lockdown was announced, the mother and child could not travel and Air Vistara did not refund the ticket.

The airlines instead of providing the full refund of the amount collected for the tickets due to cancellation, provided a credit shell, valid up to one year.

R M Kapur, Executive director of Admiralty Marine Services and father of Anuradha says that following the assurances, the date was later postponed to June 27 hoping that Covid-19 pandemic will ease off by

that time. But as the day was approaching, there was a lockdown in Noida and the itinerary was postponed to August 26 hoping the pandemic will ease off again.

As the Covid-19 cases have been mounting in Chennai and fearing whether the child would be able to travel with a mask on for five hours, Kapur wants the travel to be postponed.

The airlines demanded rescheduling charges which goes against the usual norms of providing a credit shell of one year, says Kapur. "This is fleecing in these difficult times. Vistara is happily sitting over the customers money for over five months," says Kapur.

"They should have refunded the money in the first instance. But having the customer's neck in their hand, they forced us to keep postponing our travel even as there are no signs of Covid-19 cases easing." he says.

An Air Vistara spokesperson told The New Indian Express that the airlines had already given two reschedule waivers (as confirmed by the customer) and were ready to offer another. The team is already in

touch with Anuradha and may give her a full refund. 

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Centre and the airline companies have been asked by the Supreme Court to discuss modalities for full refund of tickets for domestic and international flights which were cancelled

following the COVID-19 lockdown.

A petition is also moved in the Supreme Court where it is submitted that the airlines instead of providing the full refund of the amount collected for the tickets due to cancellation, are providing a credit shell, valid up to one year, which is clear in violation of the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAV) of May 2008 issued by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). 

The CAV clearly states that 'the option of holding the refund amount in credit shell by the airlines shall be the prerogative of the passenger and not a default practice of the airline.'

The office memorandum of the Ministry of Civil Aviation deals with refund of ticket amount collected without levy of cancellation charge and pertains to only those people who booked tickets during the

lockdown period thus leaving out people who booked tickets prior to lockdown but the flights cancelled due to lockdown.

[STUDENTS VS UGC] LIVE UPDATES FROM SUPREME COURT -Hearing On Plea Against Final Examinations]

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MKU submits report on answer sheet scandal

MKU submits report on answer sheet scandal

15/08/2020

Staff Reporter

MADURAI

Madurai Kamaraj University has submitted a status report on the recent answer sheet scandal to the office of Governor and Chancellor Banwarilal Purohit.

On August 8, Vice-Chancellor M. Krishnan said there were irregularities in the conduct of semester examinations by the Directorate of Distance Education (DDE). He said there were malpractices at some distance learning centres in Kerala. Answer scripts written at home were allowed to be inserted into answer sheet bundles during the semester exams and there were discrepancies in 29 answer scripts, he said.

Speaking to The Hindu on Friday, the VC said the status report had details on investigations undertaken by the university till date. "We will comb through close to one lakh answer scripts to check for discrepancies. If the number is high, we will approach the police,” he said.

The Exam and Disciplinary Committee, a high-level panel of syndicate members, would meet on August 21 to discuss the progress of investigation. “Action has not been taken against any employee yet. We will discuss this aspect also,” he said.

Use Aadhaar to get e-pass for inter-district travel instantly

Use Aadhaar to get e-pass for inter-district travel instantly

15/08/2020

Special Correspondent CHENNAI

From August 17, people who apply for an e-pass by providing their Aadhaar or ration card details will get the permit “at once”, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said on Friday.

In a statement, Mr. Palaniswami appealed to the public to apply for an e-pass “only for unavoidable reasons” as the decision to simplify the system had been taken for the welfare of the people.

“I request the public to strictly follow the Standard Operating Procedure framed by the State government to contain the spread of COVID-19, and to extend their cooperation towards the steps being taken by the State government,” the Chief Minister said.

He said the lockdown restrictions had been eased for the benefit of the public, and e-passes were being granted for inter-district movement. Steps were being taken to monitor those moving between districts, and their contacts were being traced in case they contract the infection, he added.

An official release clarified that the “present e-pass system would continue to be in place for international and inter-State movement”.

A Government Order issued by Chief Secretary K. Shanmugam said the decision to ease the e-pass system was taken to enable the movement of people within the State for “important work”.

E-pass applications would be approved “immediately without any delay” for all applicants who provide their Aadhaar or ration card details along with their telephone or mobile numbers, it added.

DMK president M.K. Stalin said, “I reiterate my demand that the e-pass system must be abolished. However, the people should also use the [revised] e-pass system announced today [Friday] responsibly, and only for extremely important purposes.”

Highest and the lowest

Highest and the lowest

15/08/2020

Special Correspondent THENI

Theni district has the highest number of 3,188 active cases of COVID-19 and Sivaganga had 421 cases, the least, among the southern districts on Friday.

There were 3,188 active cases in hospitals and Covid care centres in Theni and as on date, and 112 people had died. Out of the 10 districts in southern district, only Theni had a high number of active cases, while seven districts had anywhere between 1,050 and 1,495 active cases and two districts had less than 1,000, as per the State Health Bulletin.

Over 50 AI pilots ‘released from service’ at one go

Over 50 AI pilots ‘released from service’ at one go

Sudipta.Sengupta@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad:15.08.2020

In what came as a shock to many, more than 50 Air India pilots were “released from their services” via an email, sent out by the management, close to midnight on Thursday.

According to employees, this is the first time that such a sizeable number of pilots — two from Hyderabad — have been shown the door by AI, on a single day. Several among those relieved, they added, tested positive for Covid-19 during execution of the Vande Bharat Mission.

All these pilots are staffers who tendered their resignations between 2019 and 2020 and later withdrew them for various reasons. The withdrawals were made before the lapse of the mandatory notice period.

In the letter (a copy of which is in TOI’s possession), AI stated that the “company is no longer accepting any withdrawal of resignation” while highlighting that the financial strain suffered by the national carrier owing to the pandemic, was another reason for not entertaining withdrawals.

While the AI spokesperson maintained that the pilots were not terminated but only relieved from duty, “on completion of their notice period” as they had earlier resigned “citing financial constraint and wanting to join private competitor airlines”, pilots termed the move “rash” and “illegal”.

Full report on www.toi.in

Panimalar Medical College

 

Tamil Nadu bank branches to work with 50% staff under new guidelines

Tamil Nadu bank branches to work with 50% staff under new guidelines

From Business Standard News

Move follows objection and strike threat by unions over earlier instruction calling for 100% attendance

T E Narasimhan | Chennai August 14, 2020 Last Updated at 15:20 IST

Private banks have better loss-absorption capacity, but are nonetheless bolstering core capital

All Bank branches and offices in Tamil Nadu will function with 50 per cent as per the new guidelines by the State Level Bankers' Committee - Tamil Nadu.

Last month, the Committee said that all bank branches/ offices in the State shall function with 100 per cent staff under normal working hours rendering usual services. However the Unions objected to the decision and even threatened to go on strike.

The Unions have said the earlier instruction was not in conformity with the standard operating procedures (SOP) or Government guidelines. Besides, since public transport remains withdrawn and with more and more bank employees getting infected, The Tamil nadu Bank Employees Federation, which is affiliated to All India Bank Employees Association, served a notice for Statewide Strike on August 20, 2020 demanding revised guidelines.

On August 11, V Muthu Manickam, Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner of the Ministry of Labour, Government of India, intervened and held a conciliatory meeting.

After taking note of the submissions of TNBEF/AIBEA, Manickam clarified that all banks are bound by the guidelines issued the Government in the SOP and other instructions and hence managements were advised to revise the guidelines and restrict the attendance of staff to 50 per cent.

To a complaint made by the Federation that even pregnant employees weren't being exempted from attending office, bank managements clarified that all pregnant employees were now exempted as per their instructions and the Dy CLC informed that this guideline should be strictly implemented. Any violation of the same can be brought to the notice of the authorities, who will then initiate suitable action.

The Dy CLC advised the managements to issue revised instructions restricting attendance to 50 per cent and inform him before August 14 noon, said C H Venkatachalam, chairman, Tamil Nadu Bank Employees Federation.

Today, bank managements have informed the Dy CLC and the SLBC-Tamilnadu has issued their revised instructions with an amendment to their earlier instructions stating that All Bank Branches/Offices in the State stall function on rotation basis.

"In view of this revised instruction, we have decided to withdraw our strike call. Other issues and demands relating to problems faced by employees including those in cooperative banks would be pursued and followed up," said Venkatachalam.

SPB put on life support, millions pray

SPB put on life support, millions pray

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:15.08.2020

Millions of people in the city and across the world began fervent prayers on Friday for the speedy recovery of S P Balasubrahmanyam after a Chennai hospital said the legendary singer was put on life-support after his condition became critical.

Minutes after the announcement, messages wishing him speedy recovery flooded social media, none more poignant than buddy Ilaiyaraaja’s special video message: ‘Balu Seekarama Yezundhu Va (Balu, Recover Soon).’ Speaking of a relationship going back many decades, the maestro said they had a lot more to do together. “Though we have had many fights, we know that it was never serious.” Pointing out that they began their careers in the film industry after being stage singers during their days of struggle, the ace composer said they remained inseparable.

Later, SPB’s son and playback singer SP Charan tweeted: “…#spb is critical but is in safe hands ….. We are all confident that #spb will be back with all of us sooner than later. Thank you all for your concern and prayers. (sic)”

The multi-faceted 74-yearold, who has sung more than 40,000 film songs in at least 14 languages and has several devotional songs to his credit apart from composing music and acting in several films, was admitted to MGM Healthcare on August 5 with mild Covid-19 symptoms.

A bulletin issued by hospital assistant director Dr Anuradha Baskaran said there had been a setback in his health. “In a late night development on August 13, his condition deteriorated and based on the advice of the expert medical team attending on him, he has been moved to the ICU and is on life support.”

Dr Baskaran said he was under observation by a team of experts from critical care, and his haemodynamic and clinical parameters are being closely monitored.

On August 5, SPB, in a video message on his Facebook page, said he had tested positive for Covid-19 and that though doctors had advised him home isolation, he decided to get himself admitted to hospital. He also requested people not to call him as he wanted some rest.

Hospital sources said the legendary singer was under observation by a team of experts from critical care, and his haemodynamic and clinical parameters are being closely monitored

47L APPLICATIONS REJECTED SO FAR

All applicants will get e-passes in TN from August 17: CM

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:15.08.2020

Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday announced that from August 17 e-passes will be issued immediately to all applicants for interdistrict travel in the state.

The announcement comes amid strident criticisms from a wide cross-section about delays, irregularities and corruption in the e-pass system. The existing system, which saw rejections of 47 lakh applications so far, will be replaced by an updated automated system for speedy clearance.

“I have ordered issuance of epasses without any delay to all applicants to travel across the state from August 17 based on submission of Aadhaar/ration card details along with telephone/mobile numbers,” chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said in a statement, adding that people should use e-passes responsibly and avoid unnecessary travel. The move to speed up the process comes in the wake of long queues for e-passes and allegations by political parties of “rejections on unreasonable grounds and nepotism”.

The status quo for e-passes would, however, be maintained for people arriving from other states and foreign countries. These returnees will have to apply well in advance and get the necessary clearance. The state government commenced issuing of e-passes to individuals and establishments for inter-district movement since May to facilitate contact tracing when a traveller tests positive for Covid-19.

e-passes to stay due to inter-district travel curbs, says CS

The e-pass is issued for marriages, medical emergencies, death of close relatives, for undertaking important work and for people who are stranded. “We want a record of people travelling to other districts, so that if someone tests positive, we can trace their movement and contacts. As long as there is inter-district restriction of movement, we will continue to make e-passes mandatory,” said chief secretary K Shanmugam. The proposed changes are aimed at tackling the nuisance of touts as well.

Only 25 lakh of the 71.2 lakh applications were approved by the state in the past three months. There were allegations that even genuine applications were rejected arbitrarily as the district administrators sought to restrict the entry of visitors. Now, the Tamil Nadu e-governance agency is modifying its software to give effect to the proposed changes of automated approvals and auto scanning the data entered by the applicants. The system algorithms will detect wrong entries and reject them.

In a statement, DMK chief M K Stalin said he had been demanding that the state abolish the e-pass system. “It is difficult for the illiterate and economically poor to apply every time they need to travel. I urge the government to abolish the system altogether. At the same time, I request the people to avail the relaxation only for the most essential trips and stay cautious,” the DMK leader said.

We want a record of people travelling to other districts, so that if someone tests positive, we can trace their movement and contacts. As long as there is interdistrict restriction of movement, we will continue to make e-passes mandatory

K SHANMUGAM | chief secy

No, NEET 2020 Cannot Be Held Online Or Overseas: NTA Tells Supreme Court

No, NEET 2020 Cannot Be Held Online Or Overseas: NTA Tells Supreme Court 

By Meghna A Singhania

Published On 14 Aug 2020 8:50 AM 

New Delhi: Filing a counter-affidavit in the Supreme Court, the National Testing Authority, the exam conducting body for NEET has clearly stated that its not possible for it to conduct NEET 2020 online, nor be able to arrange centres for it overseas. 

The response comes after the apex court issued a notice to the NTA as well as the Medical Council of India (MCI) to respond in a plea, filed by parents of nearly 4,000 NEET (undergraduate) overseas candidates, who sought centres at Gulf countries or to alternatively postpone the examination until the COVID-19 pandemic normalises. 

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that the same issue was placed before the Kerala High court, where the National Testing Agency (NTA) and MCI informed the Kerala High Court that arranging examination centres for National eligibility cum entrance test (NEET) in abroad is not practical since it is not feasible to conduct NEET online in a single shift for all candidates. The authorities also told the court that allotting exam centres for this upcoming MBBS entrance test, is not possible as it takes meticulous planning and the exam is about to be held next month; which evidently gives them not enough time. 

Based on the submissions, the Kerala HC dismissed the appeal of the students, following which the students and parents approached the Supreme Court. The court in return asked the government and the council to respond on the matter. 

Now, responding to the plea the NTA stated that it has been mandated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to conduct the National- Eligibility-Entrance Test [NEET (UG)] across the country, as a uniform entrance examination, for admission to all medical courses in all Medical Institutions, as per the norms/ regulations of the Medical Council of India (MCI). 

As per the initial announcement, the NEET (UG) 2020 was scheduled to be conducted on 03.05.2020. However, in view of the countrywide lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic, the NEET-UG 2020 was postponed and the same was announced by the answering respondent through its Public Notice dated 27.03.2020. Subsequently, the NEET (UG) 2020 was rescheduled for 26.07.2020, vide public notice dated 20.05.2020.Its result may accordingly be declared by 25.08.2020. 

The dates for counselling may be fixed by DGHS thereafter. 

The NTA further informed that the petitioners had approached the NTA with the same request whereby the NTA asked the MCI to consider whether the NEET (UG)- 2020 could be conducted in online mode by NTA for such candidates in their respective cities abroad on the same date and time (1ST) as fixed for the students appearing in India." However, the MCI in its responding letter to the NTA stated 

The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) is a uniform entrance examaintion. This examination is conducted through Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) in paper book format given to all candidates. This uniformity has to be maintained for all candidates. According to the BoG, MCI is of the view that this examination should not be conducted in online mode by National Testing Agency (NTA) for candidates abroad." 

The NTA in its submission to the court further stated 

The answering respondent submits that the manner as to how examinations have to be conducted is a policy decision and, is, purely within the domain of the examining body viz., MCI and whether centres for conducting such examination should be provided in foreign countries, is in the province of MCI, to decide. MCI has taken its decision and, there is nothing on record which shows that the said decision of MCI is arbitrary or illegal particularly in the light of fact NEET (UG) is a uniform entrance examination and, to maintain uniformity for all candates, it has to be conducted at the same time, on the same day, throughout India. It was for this reason that the said examination cannot be conducted in online mode. The answering respondent further submits that the examination cannot be conducted in abroad citites due to the fact, as already stated, NEET (UG) has to be conducted in single shift at the same time, on the same day to maintain uniformity and, further, the questions papers and other exam materials are to be transported from NTA headquarters to a large number of examination centres in various citites, which would require meticulous planning for safe and secured delivery of the same at the examination centres on time. 

Further responding to the contention that JEE is also held online and hence NEET can also be held on the same pattern the NTA noted 

JEE (Main) is conducted in online mode in various cities in India and outside India as per the scheme of things. However, the NEET (UG) is being conducted in paperback format ever since. Further, 

the JEE (Main) is a joint entrance examination for admission to Undergraduate Engineering Programs at NITs, IIITs, IITs, other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs). Whereas, NEET (UG) is being conducted as a uniform entrance examination for admission to all medical courses in all Medical Institutions across the country. No parity can be drawn between JEE (Main), which is for a non-medical course and NEET (UG) which is for a medical course. The number of seats in engineering colleges in comparison to number of seats in medical colleges within the country are much more. Thus medical seats attract stiffer competition compared to engineering seats. Unlike for JEE (Main), the question papers and other exam materials for NEET (UG) have to be transported from NTA Headquarter to the large number of examination centres in various cities, which would require meticulous planning for safe and secured delivery of the same at the examination centres on time. Whereas, such rigorous preparations are not required for JEE (Main), for which the Question Papers can be delivered to the Examination Centres half an hour before the examination in password protected online mode. Comparatively much more preparations are required to be made for the smooth conduct of the NEET (UG). Also as per the norms of MCI, NEET (UG) has to be conducted in single shift on a single day, in order to obtain the same level of difficulty in question paper for all candidates. It is respectfully submitted that around 15 lakhs candidates appear for NEET (UG ) every year and 15,97,426 candidates have registered for NEET (UG) 2020, whereas about 8 lakh candidates appear for JEE(Main). Since there are large number of candidates (more than 15 lacs), it is not feasible to conduct NEET (UG) 2020 in online mode in single shift for all candidates, in order to maintain the same difficulty level. Therefore, there is no discrimination between the candidates of NEET (UG) and JEE (Main) nor there is any violation of the fundamental rights of the candidates of NEET (UG) as claimed in the writ petition. JEE(Main) and NEET(UG) are two separate class of examinations. Therefore, NEET (UG) cannot be conducted in the same manner as JEE(Main). In the light of the foregoing, it is respectfully submitted that it is not possible to have examination centres abroad including in Gulf Countries, for NEET-UG 2020 

[Breaking] Karnataka HC Refuses To Postpone COMEDK Exam Scheduled On August 19

[Breaking] Karnataka HC Refuses To Postpone COMEDK Exam Scheduled On August 19 

Mustafa Plumber

13 Aug 2020 5:10 PM 

The High Court of Karnataka on Thursday refused to postpone the COMEDK test scheduled to be conducted by Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK) on August 19. 

The Court dismissed a PIL filed by Advocate Abdulla Mannan Khan, which voiced the apprehension that conduct of the test would expose students to the risk of COVID-19. 

While giving a go-ahead to COMEDK, the Court directed the authorities to take all precautions for the safe conduct of the exam. 

The bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ravi Hosmani observed in the as follows: 

"At the outset we find that there is a delay in the examination being conducted. In normal times the exam would have been conducted in April-May. 

State Government has conducted SSLC exam and KCET. It is on that basis that COMEDK, which is a consortium of private professional colleges, has decided to conduct the exam on August 19. 

This court in its order of July 29 has also taken note of SOP that was made available for the conduct of said exams (KCET) and thereafter rejected the interim prayer to stay KCET". 

The Court further added : 

"It is no doubt that the pandemic has affected everybody not only in this country but world over. But at the same time with the passage of time Central/state govt as well as citizens have now got accustomed to carry on with life/administration etc, by taking all precautions it is in that light that we have to view the conduct of examinations for entrance test for various professional colleges or such other entrance test". 

The Court recorded that COMEDK exam is being conducted across India in 342 centres for 20,000 seats and seven universities. 

At the beginning of the hearing, the bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ravi Hosmani pointed out that no student has approached the HC seeking the cancellation of the test, and asked why an advocate has filed the petition. 

"Why do advocates become parties. Ask the students to become petitioners and you become their Advocate", the bench told the petitioner. 

The bench also pointed out that the Court has already permitted the State Government to conduct the Karnataka Common Entrance Test on July 30. 

"If we stay this exam the candidates will suffer", the bench remarked. 

The counsel for the COMEDK submitted that exam was sought to be stayed at the instance of about ten students and that the case was not in "public interest" but was only a "publicity stunt". He told the bench that Tata Consultancy was conducting the exam and they are best in following all the safety guidelines. Test is only conducted for 119 professional private colleges, with 20,000 seats, he submitted. 

The PIL stated that around 70,000-80,000 students will be writing the exams, and the decision to hold the test on August 19 will result in putting the students to the grave danger of COVID19. 

It is stated that "there is no immediate urgency to conduct the COMEDK 2020 as it will not have any effect on the students' academic future." 

"India is raging with the pandemic situation of COVID 19 having cases almost 21,70,688 cumulatively with an addition of almost forty thousand cases per day,Karnataka alone having 1,78,087cases with Almost 3198 deaths and with daily addition of almost 4000 new cases", states the petition. 

COMEDK has 300 Centres spread all over India, with students appearing for the examination from various States. 

The petitioner alleges that there were lapses in maintaining social distancing during the recently.held KCET exam. It is also pointed out that the National testing agency has already postponed the national level entrance tests like JEE, NEET, AIBE, CLAT owing to the dreadful COVID-19 prevailing in the country, 

"It is submitted that Article 21 of the Constitution of India ensure one's right to life which also includes to protect one self, and also government itself if asking the individuals to stay home unless it is very important and this COMEDK is a Manufactured Event for the Student to them in a havoc", the plea states.

[Breaking] Karnataka HC Refuses To Postpone COMEDK Exam Scheduled On August 19

[Breaking] Karnataka HC Refuses To Postpone COMEDK Exam Scheduled On August 19: The High Court of Karnataka on Thursday refused to postpone the COMEDK test scheduled to be conducted by Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK) on August

[Breaking] Permitted To Conduct Final Year Exams After Taking Into Account The Academic Interest Of Students: Home Ministry Tells SC [Read Affidavit]

[Breaking] Permitted To Conduct Final Year Exams After Taking Into Account The Academic Interest Of Students: Home Ministry Tells SC [Read Affidavit]: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has informed the Supreme Court that it permitted the conduct of exams by Universities and Institutions vide notification dated July 6, 2020, after taking into...

Baalu writes to Union health minister on FMG exams

Baalu writes to Union health minister on FMG exams

Chennai:14.08.2020

DMK parliamentary party leader T R Baalu on Thursday wrote to Union health minister Harsha Vardhan urging him to issue early notification of examination centres for candidates taking up the Foreign Medical Graduate Exam (FMGE), 2020, slated for August 31.

“Some of the FMGE candidates used to be allotted exam centres in neighbouring states in the past. Travelling long distances has become costly in the absence of public transport. While inter-district travel requires e-passes, their availability has become next to impossible for the poor and common people,” Baalu said. Considering the difficulties, he urged the minister to notify exam centres early and help candidates from Tamil Nadu write exams at centres within the state. TNN

Ambattur, Alandur zones record rise in active cases

Ambattur, Alandur zones record rise in active cases

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:14.08.2020

At a time when the number of active Covid-19 cases across zones of Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is decreasing, Ambattur and Alandur zones are the only ones to record an increase in active cases over the last two weeks, corporation data shows.

Interestingly, these are zones which managed to buck the trend of a wide spread of Covid-19 during the months of April and May, but are now showing an uptick.

In fact, as on Thursday morning, Ambattur had the highest number of active cases (1,475) in the city. This forms 20% of the total cases in the zone so far.

Meanwhile, Alandur has 569 active cases which formed 15% of the case load so far.

While Ambattur had 1,266 active cases exactly two weeks ago, Alandur had 563, a minor increase of only six cases. This comes at a time when eight of the 15 zones have 10 or lesser percentage of active cases. These zones are Tiruvottiyur, Manali, Tondiarpet, Royapuram, TVK Nagar, Anna Nagar, Teynampet and Kodambakkam. The total number of active cases in the city is only 10,953 as on Thursday morning, which is only 10% of the total number of cases so far.

Official sources say that in Ambattur zone, the wards which are proving to be a headache for control are 80, 82, 83, 87 and 88. This includes the Padi area where many cases have come up, say sources. Around 300 cases in the last two weeks have been detected at the fever camps alone.

As a means of tackling this, Greater Chennai Corporation has started increasing awareness of fever camps in the city. This has meant that the average number of outpatients per camp in Ambattur is now the highest in the city.

Sources say that since this is an industrialised area, many of the infections are spreading through the factory workers.

In Alandur, officials say that the number of fresh cases being recorded everyday is dropping and the trend shows a decline in the spread, despite a slight increase in the number of active cases. Sources said that the number of active cases has dropped from 18% to 15% in two weeks.

As on Thursday morning, Ambattur had the highest number of active cases (1,475) in the city. This forms 20% of the total cases in the zone so far

SRM hospital inks MoU on eye treatment

SRM hospital inks MoU on eye treatment

Chennai:  14.08.2020

SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre (SRMMCHRC) and Aravind Eye Hospital signed an MoU to provide regular retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening for high-risk babies by a team of experts on its campus in Kattankulathur.

SRMMCHRC said Aravind Eye Hospital will provide a team of experts and expertise to conduct the screening at SRM’s Kattakulatur campus. Apart from screening, experts from the eye hospital will provide treatment advice, perform interventions in the form of laser or intravitreal injection or surgery free of cost.

Pro vice-chancellor (Medical) Dr A Ravi Kumar said, “The idea is to catch the illness early and treat it. This process is a welcoming effort, and this opens new avenues for treatment.”

Dr Prabhu Baskaran, vitreoretinal surgeon from Aravind Eye Hospital, said ROP screening will be done by a trained technician while the intervention will be done by a doctor. TNN

UGC: Final yr exams must, states can’t cancel them

UGC: Final yr exams must, states can’t cancel them

Dhananjay.Mahapatra@timesgroup.com

14.08.2020

The UGC told the Supreme Court on Thursday the decision of Maharashtra and Delhi governments to cancel final year college exams citing the pandemic was void ab initio (invalid at the outset) and couldn’t override the UGC’s directions to universities to conduct final year exams by September 30 through online or offline modes.

“Neither the Disaster Management Act, 2005, nor the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, empower the state… to take decisions that affect or impact the standards of higher education. Under the UGC Act, it is the UGC alone which is mandated to maintain such standards,” the University Grants Commission said in its affidavit. “Therefore, the decisions of the state authority and the state government (to cancel final examinations) are an encroachment on the legislative field of coordinating and determining the standards of higher education.”

Final exams are a crucial step in academic career of students: UGC

In an earlier statement, the UGC had said of the 640 universities that had submitted responses, more than 400 had either completed final exams or planned to do so using the prescribed modes. The UGC, in its affidavit, said Maharashtra could not fall back on the DM Act to encroach into a domain exclusively reserved for the commission.

“The state disaster management authority’s June 18 decision not to hold last year final semester examination of both professional and non-professional courses and the consequent government resolution dated June 19 as well as the state authority’s July 13 decision reiterating nonholding of examination, are in violation of the UGC’s April 29 and July 6 guidelines, which must be followed by universities/institutions and, as such, are void ab initio,” the commission said.

The UGC emphasised the need to conduct terminal or final examinations, saying it was acrucial step in the academic career of a student. “Therefore, the UGC has issued such guidelines to protect the academic future of students across the country which will be irreparably damaged if their final year/terminal semester examinations are not held,” it

Indians having any valid visa can now fly to the UAE

Indians having any valid visa can now fly to the UAE

Centre lifts curbs imposed for pandemic

13/08/2020

S. Anil Radhakrishnan THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

With the Union government lifting the pandemic-induced curbs on tourist and visit visas for travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after five months, airlines can now carry any Indian national holding any type of valid UAE visa to the seven emirates.

Till now, only Indian and UAE nationals having resident visa, fresh job visa or student visa were allowed to travel on flights operated by Air India Group and Air India Express and on chartered flights to the UAE.

“It would be for the airlines concerned to ensure that there is no travel restriction for Indian nationals to enter the UAE with the particular visa category before issuing ticket and boarding pass,” the Civil Aviation Ministry said in a communication

The Centre was under pressure to allow everyone with valid UAE visas to travel after the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs in Dubai started issuing new visit visas for Indians. Relatives of NRIs were not able to fly to the seven emirates due to the restrictions.

Why Online Option For Exams Can't Be Given When Viva Was Done Online?, Karnataka HC Asks VTU

Why Online Option For Exams Can't Be Given When Viva Was Done Online?, Karnataka HC Asks VTU

12 Aug 2020 2:34 PM

Mustafa Plumber12 Aug 2020 2:34 PM

The High Court of Karnataka on Wednesday asked the Visvesaraya Technical University (VTU) to respond by tomorrow on why online examinations cannot be held when the viva was done online.

A bench of Jusitce Sunil Datt Yadav also asked the VTU to place on record the reasonable gap for conducting special exams. The University will have to respond as to the time within which the second chance will be accorded to students.

Further, the bench asked the State Government to clarify the relaxations in quarantine requirements of students.

The Court was hearing a petition filed by students of Bangalore Institute of Technology seeking the option of exams through online mode as well.

Advocate Bhargav Bhat, appearing for the petitioners, submitted that the VTU held viva through online mode.

"If you can do one exam online, it is not fair to say that you cannot do written exams online", he said.

He added that many universities like Christ, NLSIU etc conducted online exams, and VTU cannot claim difficulties in following the same path, especially so being a 'technical university'.

"Unprecedented situation needs creative solutions", Bhat said.

The bench suggested that the University should provide the options of online and offline exams.

"They are not seeking for postponement; they are only seeking for online option for exams", the judge told the counsel for VTU.

"You will have to respond. Place it in witting why exams cannot be done online when viva is being done online", the bench told the VTU.

In the morning, the bench had asked the counsel of VTU to get instructions by 1.30 PM as to whether online option can be given for exams.

In the afternoon, the VTU told the bench that at this moment, it was not feasible for it to offer online exams.

When the bench pointed out that the UGC guidelines provide for the online option, the UGC's counsel replied that the guidelines are advisory in nature and University has to chart out its own rules.

During the morning session, the petitioners' counsel pointed out that the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Human Resources Development provide for the option of online exams.

"Not once VTU has said why it has decided to hold offline exams only. The current situation in Karnataka is not conducive. Travel is a problem, stay is a problem. 14-day home quarantine is mandated", Bhatt submitted.

The counsel for VTU cited practical difficulties in holding online exams.

"There are 70,000 students who will be appearing for exams and around 1 lakh students who have backlog will be appearing. The first issue will be the distribution of exam papers. Second will be who will monitor the students who opted for online exams", he submitted.

Bhatt sought to counter these submissions by saying that 95% of the students took internal exams via online mode only.

[Students vs UGC] Maharashtra Students' Union Supports State Disaster Management Authority's Decision To Cancel Exams; Bats For State Autonomy In Holding Exams

[Students vs UGC] Maharashtra Students' Union Supports State Disaster Management Authority's Decision To Cancel Exams; Bats For State Autonomy In Holding Exams 

LIVELAW NEWS NETWORK

12 Aug 2020 3:05 PM 

The Maharashtra Students' Union has sought intervention in the writ petition challenging UGC Guidelines mandating conduct of examinations for final year students by September 30. 

The Petitioner organization stands by the decision of theMaharashtra Government of not holding final year examinations of both professional and non-professional courses in the state, amid the pandemic. 

It is contended that decision of the State's Disaster Management Authority shall prevail over all Central and State Acts, including the Universities Grant Commission Act, 1956, as it is a special law. 

"Guidelines dated 29.04.2020 or the revised guidelines dated 06.07.2020 issued by the University Grants Commission are neither mandatory nor binding on the State Authority set up under Section 14 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. In case of a conflict between laws made either by the Parliament and/or State Legislature and the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the latter shall prevail in accordance with the provisions of Section 72 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005," the Petitioner has submitted. 

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs had permitted the conduct of exams by Universities and Institutions vide notification dated July 6, 2020 and had ordered the Universities to compulsorily conduct examination of final year students as per UGC guidelines and Standard Operating Procedure. 

In furtherance of the aforementioned notification, UGC has issued revised guidelines for University examination for terminal semester students whereby it instructed Universities to conduct exams in offline (pen & paper)/ online/ blended (offline + online) mode. 

The decision has been challenged before the Top Court, as violative of students' right to health and life. 

In its affidavit, UGC had stated that the direction to hold final year examinations by September 30 was issued to "protect the academic future of students". It further stated that conducting examinations for final year students is necessary to test them on "specialized elective courses" studied by them during the terminal year. 

Responding to this submission, the Petitioner-organization through Advocate Mohini Priya has stated that final examination of students of Higher and Technical Education does not carry any special weightage or decisive value as now, the evaluation is done on a "cumulative assessment of all semesters" in a degree course. 

They have contended that ever since introduction of "Semester system" and the "Choice based Credit system" in the year 2009, modules taken by students are assessed immediately upon completion of required academic work as a part of "continuous assessment". 

Other grounds taken by the Petitioner include: 

Section 12 of the UGC Act casts a general duty on the Commission to consult State Governments 

Section 12 of the UGC Act stipulates that it shall be the general duty of the Commission to take, in consultation with the Universities or "other bodies concerned", all such steps as it may think fit for promotion and co-ordination of education and for determination and maintenance of standards of teaching, examination and research in Universities. 

The Petitioner has contended that since the words "other bodies" is not defined in the Act, the same has to be interpreted comprehensively and widely. 

It is stated that "other bodies" would certainly include the State Authority and/or State Government. On this note it is submitted, 

"Admittedly while taking the decision of holding examinations, the UGC did not consult either the State Authority and/or the State Government and hence in my humble submission, such decision on part of UGC to hold examinations is neither mandatory nor binding on the State Governments." 

Power to take decisions regarding the conduct of examinations rests upon the respective State Universities 

The Petitioner-organization has contended that the power to take decisions regarding the conduct of examinations and conferring degrees rests upon the respective State Universities and not upon the UGC. 

Taking a comprehensive of view of the provisions of the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016, the Petitioner has submitted, 

"the power to take decisions regarding conduct of examinations and conferring of degrees rests with the respective State Universities, and as such the UGC does not have the authority to grant/withold degrees of students, when the State Governments and Vice Chancellors of Universities have after considering all the exigencies of the current situation made a unanimous decision to confer degrees without holding the final year examinations." 

It is argued that the UGC is concerned with the "standards of education" and the State Government's decision regarding non-conduct of final exams amid a national health crisis cannot in the remotest manner be considered as an impediment on the same. 

The matter is slated to be heard on August 14, 2020.

Dead teacher draws salary for more than 18 months in Uttar Pradesh, probe ordered

Dead teacher draws salary for more than 18 months in Uttar Pradesh, probe ordered

Pilibhit: 12.08.2020

The education department in Uttar Pradesh has ordered a probe after it accidently found out that the salary of one of its teachers continued to be credited into his account for 18 months after his death.

Arvind Kumar, who was posted at Bilsanda primary school in Pilibhit, died on May 22, 2016. But, during the scrutiny of his documents--as his wife had applied for a job on compassionate grounds—the Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) of Pilibhit found that he got the salary till November 2017.

The BSA has now directed the block education officer to file a detailed report on this irregularity.

“The irregularity came to the fore when credentials of Kumar were being reviewed by the accounts section. Kumar had joined duty as teacher on November 5, 2015 and he died on May 22, 2016. But the accounts section continued transferring his monthly salary to his bank account till November 2017,” said BSA Devendra Swaroop. TNN

Architecture students can now exit programme at end of 3 yrs with degree

New Delhi:12.08.2020

An architecture student can now exit at the end of three years with a degree. Also during study an architecture student has to undertake study tours of history, culture, tradition and heritage as a compulsory part of the curriculum. Universities will be allowed to have tie up for exchange programmes with local and global institutions. These National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 compliant reforms were announced as part of the new ‘Minimum Standards of Architectural Education Regulations (MSAR), 2020’ by the ministry of education on Tuesday.

The council of architecture (CoA) has issued the MSAR (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 after a gap of 37 years and these rules will be effective from the academic session 2020-2021. The amended MSAR is set to make the undergraduate architecture programme have the flexibility of multiple exit options with universities to allot an appropriate degree at the end of three years of study as well. For admission to the BArch programme, a candidate must have secured 50% marks in physics, chemistry and mathematics and an have an overall aggregate of 50% in the class XII exams.

For admission, 50% weightage would be given to the aptitude test conducted by national aptitude test in architecture (NATA) or joint entrance examination (JEE). The new regulations also focus on hands on and apprenticeship learning, and the training to be conducted in the eighth and ninth semesters. As envisaged in the NEP 2020, the BArch courses will also have a multidisciplinary approach with the undergraduate courses to offer electives for lateral growth of students outside the domain of architecture. TNN

2 AirAsia execs suspended over safety violations

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai:12.08.2020

Two AirAsia India officials, Capt Manish Uppal, head of operations and Capt Mukesh Nema, head of air safety have been suspended for a period of three months by the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) for alleged safety violations.

Director general of civil aviation, Arun Kumar confirmed the development. Under the regulator’s norms, appointments to crucial posts like airline-head of air safety, head of operations are cleared by the DGCA.

In June, the DGCA had initiated a probe against AirAsia India after one of its pilots, Captain Gaurav Taneja, uploaded a video on social media, alleging that pilots who availed sick leave had to forgo the subsequent weekly leave and the policy could have fatigued pilots at the flight controls. The second issue was airline’s alleged push for “flap 3’’ mode landings, which resulted in fuel savings. But on runways like Imphal, a flap 3 landing in tailwind condition is unsafe, he said adding that he was suspended by the airline for flagging such issues.

The DGCA began a probe and on June 29, issued a show cause notice to Capt Uppal, Capt Nema and the CEO of the airline. Prior to that, on June 26, Capt Taneja was terminated by the airline.

AirAsia India in a statement said that it “has complied with the directions of the regulator and appointed interim post holders in accordance with the regulator’s directions. As an airline that prioritizes safety above all, we continue to engage with the authorities and exercise the option to appeal for redressal.”

Advocate Yeshwant Shenoy, one of Capt Taneja’s lawyers said: “Pilots are always afraid to raise issues, especially in these times of job insecurities due to the pandemic’s impact on the airline industry. Had pilots stood up for safety issues, Calicut crash could certainly have been avoided.”

Capt Taneja’s spokesperson said: “It’s a clear win for a whistleblower against a a big organisation.’’

AirAsia India in a statement said that it has complied with the directions of the regulator & appointed interim post holders in accordance with the regulator’s directions

CM's Demand to PM

 

University Notification

 

Post office services hit due to poor internet

Post office services hit due to poor internet

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:12.08.2020

People who visited post offices in the city on Tuesday had problems accessing financial services as the internet at the public facilities was down.

Seshi, a domestic help, told TOI that she went to withdraw her pension at the Mandaveli post office, but could not. “We were told that the post office will not work tomorrow (Wednesday) due to Janmashtami. I wanted to withdraw money but the officials said computer was not working and asked me to come on Thursday,” she said.

Customers visiting Mylapore post office told TOI that transactions took more time.

“Since morning, there was a problem with the connectivity and we were not able to do transactions. So we sent back all customers," said an official. Customers were asked to approach Anna Salai post office for emergency transactions.

Despite repeated attempts, chief post master general of Tamil Nadu circle could not be reached for comments. BSNL, the telecom service provider for post offices in Chennai, said no complaints were received from the post offices

Committee to regulate e-passes will be set up, TN govt tells HC

Committee to regulate e-passes will be set up, TN govt tells HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 12.08.2020

Facing flak for its epass regimen, the Tamil Nadu government assured the Madras high court that it would set up a committee to regulate issuance of e-passes for travel.

Recording the submission, a division bench of Justice M M Sundresh and Justice R Hemalatha said, “We only add that the committee to be formed shall also address the issue of the bogus and misuse of the e-passes.” It said regulatory procedures must be followed to avoid such misuses, the judges said.

A submission to this effect was made by a government counsel before the bench when a related case came up for hearing before on Tuesday. He said the chief minister had also made a similar statement while addressing the media recently.

Directing the government to file a detailed response in three weeks, the judges then posted the case to August 27 for further hearing.

The court issued the interim direction on a PIL moved by P Sesubalan Raja seeking direction to the government to regulate and streamline issuance of e-passes.

He alleged that people who have to travel even within the state for their work or other pressing needs could not do so due to the difficulties in getting e-passes from the authorities concerned.

In most cases, application for such passes are rejected immediately even without verifying the documents attached and people who had to travel for medical emergencies were unable to get such passes, the petitioner said.

Such e-passes are issued only on three grounds – medical emergency, marriage and funeral. But in view of the alleged difficulties in getting epasses, particularly for work related travel, the Chennai Corporation recently eased the restrictions and added a few more categories to obtain the passes. The additional grounds would include workrelated travel and travel to attend job interviews.

Daughters born after 1956 have equal inheritance rights as those of sons: SC

Daughters born after 1956 have equal inheritance rights as those of sons: SC

But Can’t Question Property Disposal Before 2004

Dhananjay.Mahapatra@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:12.08.2020 

Putting the last nail on male primacy in division of Hindu ancestral property, the Supreme Court in a landmark judgment on Tuesday cleared the legal cobwebs to declare that daughters will have inheritance rights equal to those of sons from properties of fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers right from the codification of the law in 1956.

A bench of Justices Arun Mishra, S Abdul Nazeer and M R Shah ironed out the confusion arising from the SC’s conflicting interpretations of the amended Section 6 of Hindu Succession Act, which came into force from September 9, 2005. The bench said whether the father was alive or not, daughters born before September 9, 2005, too could claim equal right in inheritance. The three-judge bench also examined the retrospective application of Section 6 and ruled that daughters would get the rights from 1956 when the law came into being.

TN parties hail apex court order

TN parties cutting across political lines welcomed the SC order. While chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and deputy CM O Panneerselvam said the order will safeguard social justice, DMK chief M K Stalin called it a victory for his party. “Kalaignar (M Karunanidhi) introduced the law granting equal rights over ancestral properties to daughters on a par with sons in 1989,” he said. P 5

‘Rights of other relatives remain unaffected’

Justice Mishra in the 121-page judgment said, “The provisions contained in substituted Section 6 of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, confer status of coparcener (equal rights in inheritance) on the daughter born before or after amendment in the same manner as son with same rights and liabilities. The rights can be claimed by the daughter born earlier with effect from September 9, 2005,” .

However, daughters, while claiming coparcenary rights, will not be able to question disposal or alienation of ancestral properties by the existing coparceners prior to December 20, 2004, as provided in the amended Section 6. The court also asked other coparceners in a Hindu joint family not to be alarmed by the judgment.

“It is only a case of enlargement of the rights of daughters. The rights of other relatives remain unaffected as prevailed in the proviso to Section 6 as it stood before the amendment,” the SC said.

The three-judge bench also examined the retrospective application of Section 6 and ruled that daughters would get the rights from 1956 when the law came into being. However, it clarified that the newly-conferred rights through the judicial interpretations would not be available to reopen alienation of ancestral property done so earlier through existing coparceners.

Coparcenary property is one which is inherited by a Hindu from his/her father, grandfather or great-grandfather. Only a coparcener has the right to demand partition of property. Share in a property increases or decreases by death or birth in a family.