HC: Employee dismissal unsustainable if reasons for no inquiry not recorded

HC: Employee dismissal unsustainable if reasons for no inquiry not recorded

Ajay.Sura@timesgroup.com

Chandigarh:08.09.2020

The Punjab and Haryana high court has made it clear that the order of dismissal of an employee in absence of sufficient reasons recorded in writing dispensing with the requirement of holding inquiry into the person’s alleged misconduct is not sustainable.

The high court clarified that “the authority empowered to dismiss or remove a person or to reduce him in rank has to record reasons in writing as to why it is not reasonably practicable to hold such inquiry”.

“Such satisfaction has to be a subjective satisfaction of the authority so empowered. Mere observation that the departmental enquiry at this stage does not appear to be justified is not sufficient to invoke powers under Article 311(2) of the Constitution of India to dismiss an employee,” Justice Anil Kshetarpal of the high court held. He passed the order while allowing a petition filed by Sarabjit Singh, a dismissed Punjab police constable.

The petitioner had joined Punjab police in March 2011. Two FIRs have been registered against the petitioner. The first FIR was registered in February 2020 on charges of rape and criminal intimidation over allegations that in 2010, before the petitioner joined police service, he had an affair with the complainant and the couple had a physical relationship. It was alleged that after getting the job, the petitioner stopped talking to the complainant. Therefore, she had reported the matter after remaining silent for over a period of nine years. The second FIR was registered against him in March 2020 for evading arrest and related charges when the cops tried to arrest him in relation to the first FIR.

After this, the petitioner was dismissed by the state government under clause (b) of the 2nd proviso to Article 311(2) of the Constitution from the service while dispensing with the requirement of holding departmental enquiry. Challenging the dismissal orders, the petitioner argued that the state police authorities did not record the reasons for dispensing with the requirement of holding inquiry and, therefore, the order is not sustainable.

COURT OBSERVES

What has been recorded is ‘it does not seem justified to conduct departmental inquiry at this stage.’ .... On careful reading of clause (b) of 2nd proviso, it is apparent that the authority empowered to dismiss or remove a person or to reduce him in rank, has to record reasons in writing as to why it is not reasonably practicable to hold such inquiry

Class 5 girl murdered for beating 11-year-old boy at online game

Class 5 girl murdered for beating 11-year-old boy at online game

Both Hooked On Survival Shooting Game Since Start Of Lockdown

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Indore: 08.09.2020

A 9-year-old girl was bludgeoned death in Indore, allegedly by an 11-year-old boy, who was furious that she had continuously beaten him in an online game on Monday.

The suspect has been taken into custody and is being questioned. Police sources say he has admitted to hitting her on the head with stones. After killing her, he shut himself in his bathroom for hours.

They are neighbours in Lasudia, a northern suburb of Indore, and had been playing an online game — where contestants have to kill each other to survive on an island — since the beginning of lockdown, police said. “The boy became furious after constantly losing to the girl at the online game on Monday. He took her to a nearby field, where he hit her in anger in the head and face with three stones,” said DIG Harinarayanchari Mishra. “After she collapsed, the boy ran back to his house and locked himself in the washroom for hours,” added Mishra.

The victim studied in Class V. It was towards the afternoon that the family realized she was missing and began looking for her. Some witnesses said they had seen her at 10.30am walking towards a field with a boy. The family rushed there and found her body, Mishra said.

Police examine the site in Lasudia where the girl's body was found on Monday

‘Parents need to keep vigil on kids’ e-activities’

Police examined the crime scene and had barely begun their investigation when the boy’s family approached them to say he was missing too. Police didn’t see him as a suspect until one of his family members told them that they had located him — he had locked himself in the washroom and wasn’t coming out. A police team rushed there and gently counselled him into unlocking the door. After he stepped out, police spoke to him and he narrated the murder, leaving officers shocked.

“The girl had also killed a pet rat of the boy and teased him when he lost to her. This triggered the incident,” Mishra said, cautioning parents to be aware of their children’s online activities. “Parents should realise that these days, because of online classes, there are more chances of children being involved in such online games, making them aggressive,” he said. TNN

Former IIMC DG is new VC of Makhanlal varsity

New Delhi: 08.09.2020

Senior journalist and former IIMC Director General Professor K G Suresh was on Monday appointed Vice-Chancellor of Bhopal's Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, an institution funded by the MP government. Professor Suresh was appointed to the post for four years by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in his capacity as the chairman of the General Council of the University, a state government order said.

Suresh is currently serving as the Dean of the School of Modern Media, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun. Earlier, he has served as the Director General of Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) -- the country's premier media training institution; and also as a senior consulting editor with the public broadcaster Doordarshan News. Suresh is a Member of the Academic Council of the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University; Society of Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute, Kolkata and Research Committee of Indian Council of Social Science Research. PTI

Karnataka HC says Gandhi statue not place of worship

Karnataka HC says Gandhi statue not place of worship

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:08.09.2020

By no stretch of imagination can a statue of Mahatma Gandhi be called ‘a place of worship’, the Karnataka high court observed on Monday, turning down a PIL questioning the grant of licence to Tonique, a liquor boutique on MG Road.

Bengaluru-based advocate AV Amarnathan had filed the PIL, saying the liquor vend is 30 metres from the Gandhi statue. Stating that Rule 3(3) of under Karnataka Excise Licences (General Conditions) Rules, 1967, prohibits liquor vends near places of worship and similar places, he had said the Gandhi statue falls in that category as citizens visit his statue every year to pay respects to the father of the nation.

Rejecting the plea, a division bench headed by Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka said even Gandhi would not have reconciled to the thought of him being worshipped.

Though the petitioner orally mentioned about rule 5 (2)(a) of the said rules of 1967 wherein the authority can reject a licence if there is a likelihood of peace, tranquility and morality getting breached or affected, the bench noted that though the rules provide for that, he had not pleaded it in his petition.

The court perused the report submitted by the local tahsildar, who undertook a spot inspection on July 23, following a July 9 order of the court. The inspection was carried out in the presence of the petitioner and representative of Tonique liquor vend.

As per the tahsildar’s report, St Mark’s Cathedral is 144 metres from the vend and the deputy commissioner of police office 126.5 metres away — well beyond the 100-metre minimum distance prescribed for granting of licence.

Though Amarnathan claimed the tahsildar did not properly conduct the inspection and he had submitted a protest regarding the report, the bench said the petitioner has not shown any material to indicate the church and DCP’s office are within the prohibited distance of 100 metres.

The petitioner had pointed about the existence of Bal Bhavan, a children’s play centre, within 50 metres. The petitioner had sought withdrawal of licence granted to the vend and action against officials responsible for granting it.

In the earlier proceedings, the challenge on that ground was given up after he could not show Bal Bhavan was in the category of institutions notified under the excise rules.

An advocate had filed a PIL against the grant of licence to a liquor boutique, just 30 metres from the Gandhi statue

4,000 more to take NEET this year

4,000 more to take NEET this year

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad: 08.09.2020

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exam to be held on September 13 will see participation from at least 80,000 candidates from Gujarat. This year higher number of students have registered amid the rising number of Covid-19 cases.

In 2019, about 76,000 students had taken NEET exams. The NEET score is taken into account for candidates seeking admission in medical colleges across the country.

The district collectors have been asked to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) laid down by the Centre for conducting these exams. Every student will be checked using a thermal gun at the time of entry to the examination centre and every exam centre will be completely sanitized before and after the test. District authorities have been instructed to avoid crowding at test centres and to implement social distancing during the test.

There are at present about 5,400 medical seats, 1,200 dental seats, 3,600 in ayurveda programme and about 3,300 in homeopathy course in Gujarat. It has been quite some time now that a proposal for setting up a brownfield medical college is pending. It is unlikely that any new medical college proposal will be cleared this year, said sources.

The deadline for inspection of medical colleges ends in October. The Medical Council of India cannot approve any new colleges after the inspection period as it will be too late, said sources. Registration and formal admission process is expected to be carried out by the admission committee next month.

The lockdown gave an opportunity for candidates as they could take more time in preparation for the test. Many students had also started taking online coaching classes during the lockdown period.

Gandhi statue not place of worship: K’taka HC on PIL

Gandhi statue not place of worship: K’taka HC on PIL

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:08.09.2020

By no stretch of imagination can a statue of Mahatma Gandhi be called ‘a place of worship’, the Karnataka high court observed on Monday, turning down a PIL questioning the grant of licence to Tonique, a liquor boutique on MG Road.

Bengaluru-based advocate AV Amarnathan had filed the PIL, saying the liquor vend is 30 metres from the Gandhi statue. Stating that Rule 3(3) of under Karnataka Excise Licences (General Conditions) Rules, 1967, prohibits liquor vends near places of worship and similar places, he had said the Gandhi statue falls in that category as citizens visit his statue every year to pay respects to the father of the nation.

Rejecting the plea, a division bench headed by Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka said even Gandhi would not have reconciled to the thought of him being worshipped.

No material submitted to prove liquor vend within prohibited distance: HC

Though the petitioner orally mentioned about rule 5 (2)(a) of the said rules of 1967 wherein the authority can reject a licence if there is a likelihood of peace, tranquility and morality getting breached, the bench noted that though the rules provide for that, he had not pleaded it in his petition.

The court perused the report submitted by the local tahsildar, who undertook a spot inspection on July 23, following a July 9 order of the court. The inspection was carried out in the presence of the petitioner and representative of Tonique liquor vend. As per the tahsildar’s report, St Mark’s Cathedral is 144 metres from the vend and the deputy commissioner of police office 126.5 metres away — well beyond the 100-metre minimum distance prescribed for granting of licence.

The bench said the petitioner has not shown any material to indicate they are within the prohibited distance. The petitioner had sought withdrawal of the vend’s licence.

KPSC told to give info on visually impaired

Bengaluru:

The high court on Monday directed Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) to furnish information as to how many visually impaired candidates had appeared for the gazetted probationers preliminary exam held on August 24.

A division bench headed by chief justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka also sought details of visually impaired candidates who were provided with scribes and their qualifications.

Earlier, the petitioners’ counsel claimed though 20-minute grace time per hour was provided as per the court’s direction, the scribes provided were not conforming to guidelines issued by the Centre. TNN

JNU convocation in Nov, virtually

JNU convocation in Nov, virtually

08.09.2020

New Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru University on Monday announced that it would hold its convocation ceremony virtually this year in view of the Covid-19 situation. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the varsity has decided to hold the convocation to make it a memorable event for the students, said JNU vice-chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar. “A convocation is a special moment in the life of a student. It is all about celebrating the scholarly achievement of a student after years of hard work by the university, family members and friends,” he added. TNN

Issue digital degrees in 7 days to students with urgent need: HC to DU

Issue digital degrees in 7 days to students with urgent need: HC to DU

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:08.09.2020

Delhi High Court on Monday gave DU seven working days to issue digital degree certificates to students who have already graduated and urgently require the document for taking admission in a foreign university or for employment.

“Getting a degree is an event for a student but it has really become a torture,” Justice Prathiba M Singh remarked, after being informed that 30,000 students have applied for digital documents but DU has been unable to comply with the court’s earlier order and was instead demanding physical copy of proofs.

The high court noted that there appeared to be a lack of coordination between Delhi University and its lawyers. It asked the university to place before it separately the timeline by when digital degrees will be issued on urgent and non-urgent requests. It said the students, who have already made urgent requests for a digital degree on DU’s website, shall again send an email to the varsity and attach any document stating the urgency, including admission in foreign university or employment purpose.

“For such students, digital degree certificates be issued within seven working days. Requirement for physical copy of the documents be removed with immediate effect,” Justice Singh said, pointing out that earlier it was informed by the Dean (Examinations) and Joint Director of Delhi University Computer Centre that all the data of students up till November 2019 was available with DU.

However, on Monday, DU submitted it had data of students only till 2017, which can be matched. “This is a completely messed up situation. There is no data of 2018 and 2019,” a surprised HC remarked.

30k  STUDENTS HAVE APPLIED FOR DIGITAL DOCUMENTS, COURT WAS TOLD

DU colleges to send seating plans to students in advance

DU colleges to send seating plans to students in advance

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:  08.09.2020

Delhi University has issued guidelines to its colleges for holding the second phase of open book exams, which will start from September 14. The colleges have been told to adhere to strict social distancing norms and maintain a standard of hygiene as per government guidelines.

The colleges will also mandatorily ask students to fill a self-declaration form before allowing them entry to the exam centres. Staff members at the centres have been told to wear masks, carry thermo guns and ensure a gap between students’ seats during the exam.

“The college or department will have to manually take attendance from students with a signature, unique paper code of the paper, date and session of the exam; all while maintaining distance,” the varsity stated.

DU has also asked the colleges to send seating arrangements or plans to the students beforehand on their email IDs or WhatsApp numbers. Advisory notices about social distancing are to be displayed all around the campus.

For students, it is important to fill the mandatory selfdeclaration form, bring their own answer sheets and reach the exam centre on time. Students will also have to maintain social distancing and wear masks at all times.

The second phase of OBE will be held in a blended online/offline mode for those final-year students of UG/PG courses (regular and ex-students), including SOL and NCWEB, who either did not appear, or failed to submit their answer scripts in the first phase of the examination.

Allow only 5K pilgrims to Sabarimala, say experts

Allow only 5K pilgrims to Sabarimala, say experts

Rajiv.G@timesgroup.com

Thiruvananthapuram  08.09.2020

: An expert team of doctors, who conducted a study on averting the acceleration of Covid-19 cases during Sabarimala pilgrimage, has suggested that the devotees should be restricted to a maximum of 5,000 for the entire 42-day season starting November.

The experts say Covid-19 spread was controlled during Haj pilgrimage as they had cut down the number of devotees considerably. They have warned a huge spread if uncontrolled entry through virtual queue system is allowed.

The expert team headed by Dr K Rajashekaran Nayar, professor, global institute of public health, has said if the pilgrimage season is conducted unrestricted, disease importation can happen via pilgrims originating from states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

“We recommend a highly restricted event by reducing the number of pilgrims to 5,000 over the 42-day period and fully complying with Covid-19 mitigation principles while respecting the religious sentiments surrounding the event. This recommendation is based on the existing World Health Organization guidelines on mass gathering in general and based on the criteria used during the restricted Haj 2020,” said Nayar.

Full report on www.toi.in

NTA gears for pen-paper mode Neet-UG exams on Sept 13

NTA gears for pen-paper mode Neet-UG exams on Sept 13

Manash.Gohain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:08.09.2020

After a glitch free computer-based Joint Entrance Examination (Main), the next big challenge for the National Testing Agency (NTA) is the penpaper mode National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Neet-UG) scheduled for September 13 for which 15.97 lakh candidates have registered.

In order to ensure social distancing and crowd management, the agency has increased the number of centres by 1,314 to 3,860 this year. In the standard operating procedures (SOPs) accessed by the TOI, reporting time has been divided into four slots of 40 minutes each starting from 11 am with candidates provided individual time slots. During each 40 minutes a maximum of 90 candidates will be allowed entry. At the end of the exam two invigilators will escort 24 candidates to the exit gate and the next batch will be allowed to exit only after the invigilators return.

According to NTA officials while the majority of the centres will have around 360 aspirants, there are 210 centres where the number of candidates are 600 or more.

Apart from the centre superintendent and deputy superintendent for every 180 candidates there will be 30 invigilators, two water boys, two cleaning staff and four guards.

In case of centres with 600 candidates or more, there will be two gates for entry and the staff strength will also go up equivalently. During registration, the staff will be rotated every 50 minutes.

More than 9.58 lakh candidates registered for JEE (Main), which was conducted over a period of six days and 12 shifts. Neet-UG however would be conducted on a single day. Till Sunday, more than 14 lakh candidates have downloaded admit cards.

“Social distancing protocol would be the key challenge for which we are planning in detail. Assigning of duties and procurement of masks, face shields, gloves, sanitisers and foot stickers are to be completed by September 9. There will be three meetings from September 10 to September 12 for final checks,” said a senior NTA official.

In order to ensure social distancing and crowd management, the agency has increased the number of centres by 1,314 to 3,860 this year

No compensation for ‘loss of love & affection’ in accident deaths: SC

No compensation for ‘loss of love & affection’ in accident deaths: SC

Dhananjay.Mahapatra@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:08.09.2020

In a relief to insurance companies, the Supreme Court on Monday ruled that Motor Accident Claims Tribunals or high courts cannot grant compensation to the kin of the deceased for ‘loss of love and affection’ once it has awarded money under the head of ‘loss of consortium’.

New India Assurance Company, Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Company and Oriental Insurance Company had challenged judgments of various HCs in cases arising from awards by MACTs with regard to compensation awarded to claimants under two heads — ‘loss of consortium’ and ‘loss of love and affection’.

While rejecting the pleas of insurance companies that compensation could not be additionally awarded under ‘loss of consortium’ head, a bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and R S Reddy said since ‘loss of love and affection’ was included in ‘loss of consortium’, there was no justification to award compensation for ‘loss of love and affection’ under a separate head.

“It is, thus, now authoritatively well settled that no compensation can be awarded under the head ‘loss of love and affection’,” it said, adding that ‘loss of consortium’ could be paid to wife, children and parents of the deceased.

Quoting an earlier judgment, the bench said, “Consortium is to be taken as a compendious term, which encompasses spousal consortium, parental consortium as well as filial consortium. The right to consortium would include the company, care, help, comfort, guidance, solace and affection of the deceased, which is a loss to his family. With respect to a spouse, it would include sexual relations with the deceased spouse. Parental consortium is granted to the child upon the premature death of a parent, for loss of parental aid, protection, affection, society, discipline, guidance and training.”

Filial consortium is the right of the parents to compensation in the case of an accidental death of a child. An accident leading to the death of a child causes great shock and agony to the parents and family of the deceased. The greatest agony for a parent is to lose their child during their lifetime. Children are valued for their love and affection, and their role in the family unit.”

Justice Bhushan, writing the judgment, said, “The expression ‘compensation’ is a comprehensive term which includes a claim for damages. Compensation is by way of atonement for the injury caused. The claimant in a claim for award of compensation under Section 166 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, is entitled for just compensation.

The bench said ‘loss of consortium’ could be paid to wife, children and parents of the deceased

State buses run after 2 months, violation of safety norms rampant

State buses run after 2 months, violation of safety norms rampant

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Trichy/ Madurai/ Coimbatore:  08.09.2020

After two months, Tamil Nadu State transport Corporation (TNSTC) across the state resumed inter-district bus operations much to the relief of people commuting between districts for work. Simultaneously, State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) resumed long-distance bus services connecting only Chennai from rest of the districts. While only 60% of the seating capacity was meant to be filled, complaints surfaced about social distancing violations in the state-run buses.

With about 930 buses in TNSTC Trichy region, TNSTC officials said that they were diverting available buses to routes on demand. The absence of private fleets on road is likely to favour TNSTC to fill the seats at least during peak hours. “We have not fixed any cap in operating the fleets. Based on the need, we regulate the available buses. Social distancing, facemask and sanitisation are being ensured in all our fleets,” a manager with TNSTC Trichy said. Buses bound to Thanjavur, Salem and Madurai from Trichy Central bus stand witnessed significant patronage. Social distancing, although ensured during the commencement of the journey, was hardly maintained during intermediary stops. “Trichy-Perambalur mofussil bus halted at almost all the bus stops in between. Passengers were jam-packed and some didn’t even wear facemasks,” R Kannan, a passenger from Srirangam, said.

Officials denying info under RTI Act must be sacked, says HC

Officials denying info under RTI Act must be sacked, says HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:08.09.2020

Public information officers (PIOs) who refuse to provide details sought under the Right To Information (RTI) Act must be shown the door, said the Madras high court on Monday.

Justice S Vaidyanathan, who made the observations, also directed the Tamil Nadu government to issue a circular to all its departments, public sector units and corporations warning PIOs about the legal consequences of not furnishing information under the Act.

“Nowadays, officials adopt the tactic of answering mechanically that the information sought is exempted under the Act, without actually ascertaining whether the information sought falls within the ambit of the said provision,” the judge said. “Such officers must be taught a lesson, and, in my view, they are unfit to hold the post of public information officer. They should be shown the door, so that it will be a lesson for other officers to act in accordance with the terms of the act, failing which they may also face similar or more serious consequences,” said Justice Vaidyanathan.

The judge passed the order while dismissing an appeal moved by Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) challenging the order passed by the Tamil Nadu Information Commission (TNIC). The issue pertains to an RTI application of P Muthian, a retired deputy collector, seeking information on vacancies in state government service for 2006, 2007 and 2008 and seats allotted to the backward community, particularly to muthuraja, muthriyar, ambalakarar and vanniya kula shatriar subcastes. Since TNPSC refused to provide the info, he had moved the TNIC, which passed an order in 2009 directing the TNPSC to give the information sought.

Justice Vaidyanathan said: “The apex court has held that even the office of chief justice will come under the purview of RTI Act, by observing that transparency does not undermine judicial freedom.”

மாவட்டங்களுக்கு இடையே 5 மாதங்களுக்கு பிறகு இன்றுமுதல் பேருந்து சேவை தொடக்கம்:

மாவட்டங்களுக்கு இடையே 5 மாதங்களுக்கு பிறகு இன்றுமுதல் பேருந்து சேவை தொடக்கம்: 

சென்னையில் இருந்து 800 அரசு பேருந்துகள் இயக்கப்படுகின்றனமாவட்டங்களுக்கு இடையே 5 மாதங்களுக்கு பிறகு அரசு விரைவு பேருந்துகள் இன்றுமுதல் இயக்கப்படுகின்றன. சென்னை கோயம்பேடு பேருந்து நிலையத்தில் நிறுத்தி வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ள பேருந்துகளை சுத்தப்படுத்தும் பணியில் ஈடுபட்டுள்ள ஊழியர்.படம்: பு.க.பிரவீன்

சென்னை

தமிழகத்தில் கரோனா பரவல் காரணமாக மாவட்டங்களுக்கு இடையே கடந்த 5 மாதங்களாக நிறுத்தப்பட்டிருந்த அரசு பேருந்து சேவை இன்று மீண்டும் தொடங்கு கிறது. சென்னையில் இருந்து மட்டும் தமிழகத்தின் முக்கிய நகரங்களுக்கு முதல்கட்டமாக 800 பேருந்துகள் இயக்கப்படுகின்றன.

கரோனா ஊரடங்கால் பொது போக்குவரத்துக்கு தடை விதிக் கப்பட்டதால், தமிழகத்தில் கடந்த ஜூன் 25-ம் தேதி முதல் 5 மாதங்களாக பேருந்துகள் சேவை நிறுத்தப்பட்டிருந்தது. ஊரடங் கில் அவ்வப்போது பல தளர்வு கள் அளிக்கப்பட்டு வருகின்றன. அதன்படி, தமிழகம் 8 மண்டலங் களாக பிரிக்கப்பட்டு, ஜூன் 1-ம் தேதி முதல் மண்டலங்களுக்குள் மட்டும் அரசுப் பேருந்து சேவை தொடங்கப்பட்டது. சென்னை, திருவள்ளூர், காஞ்சிபுரம், செங்கல் பட்டு ஆகிய மாவட்டங்கள் அடங்கிய மண்டலம் தவிர மற்ற மண்டலங்களில் பேருந்துகள் இயக்கப்பட்டன.

பயணிகள் கூட்டம் அதிகரித்த தாலும், கரோனா தொற்று குறை யாததாலும் ஒரு மாதத்திலேயே பேருந்து சேவை நிறுத்தப்பட்டது. இந்நிலையில், கடந்த 1-ம் தேதி முதல் மாவட்டங்களுக்குள் பேருந்து போக்குவரத்து தொடங் கியது. மாவட்டங்களுக்கு இடையே செல்ல அனுமதி இல்லாததால் தனியார் பேருந்துகள் இயக்கப்பட வில்லை.

இதையடுத்து, மாவட்டங் களுக்கு இடையிலும் செப்டம்பர் 7-ம் தேதி (இன்று) முதல் அரசு மற்றும் தனியார் பேருந்துகள், சிறப்பு ரயில்கள் இயக்கப்படும் என்று முதல்வர் பழனிசாமி அறி வித்தார். இதையடுத்து, விரைவுப் பேருந்துகளுக்கான முன்பதிவு தொடங்கியது.

அதன்படி, குறுகிய மற்றும் நீண்ட தூரம் செல்லும் அரசு விரைவு, சொகுசு பேருந்துகள் இன்றுமுதல் இயக்கப்படுகின்றன. குறிப்பாக, தமிழக அரசு விரைவு போக்கு வரத்து கழகம் மூலம் சென்னை யில் இருந்து திருச்சி, திருநெல்வேலி, மதுரை, கோவை, திருப்பூர், தஞ்சாவூர் உள்ளிட்ட இடங்களுக்கு முதல்கட்டமாக 260 பேருந்துகள் சேவை இன்று காலை தொடங்குகிறது.

இதேபோல, விழுப்புரம் அரசு போக்குவரத்து கழகம் சார்பில் முதல்கட்டமாக சென்னையில் இருந்து 360 பேருந்துகளும், கும்பகோணம், சேலம் அரசு போக்குவரத்து கழகங்கள் சார் பில் 180 என மொத்தம் 800 அரசு பேருந்துகள் இன்றுமுதல் இயக்கப்படுகின்றன. இருப்பினும், பயணிகளின் வருகையை கருத் தில்கொண்டு, தேவைக்கு ஏற்றவாறு கூடுதலாக பேருந்துகள் இயக்கப்படும் என அரசு போக்கு வரத்து கழகங்கள் தெரிவித் துள்ளன.

வெளி மாநிலங்களுக்கு பேருந்துகள் இயக்கப்படாது என்று ஏற்கெனவே அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள் ளது. அதனால் திருப்பதி, பெங்க ளூரு, புதுச்சேரி, திருவனந்தபுரத் துக்கு தமிழக அரசு பேருந்துகள் இயக்கப்படாது.

இதுதொடர்பாக அரசு போக்கு வரத்து கழக அதிகாரிகள் கூறிய தாவது:

தமிழக அரசின் வழிகாட்டு நெறி முறைகளை பின்பற்றி, ஒவ்வொரு பேருந்திலும் இருக்கையில் குறியீடு, கிருமிநாசினி தெளிப்பது, ஓட்டுநர்கள், நடத்துநர்களுக்கு கையுறை, முகக் கவசங்கள் வழங்குவது உள்ளிட்ட அனைத்து நடவடிக்கைகளும் மேற்கொள் ளப்பட்டுள்ளன. மக்கள் பாதுகாப் பான பயணம் மேற்கொள்ளும் வகையில் போதிய ஏற்பாடுகளை செய்துள்ளோம்.

வழக்கமாக சென்னையில் இருந்து தமிழகத்தின் பல்வேறு நகரங்களுக்கு தினமும் 3,200-க் கும் மேற்பட்ட அரசு பேருந்துகள் இயக்கப்படும். தற்போது கரோனா அச்சம் காரணமாக பயணிகள் வருகை குறைவாக இருக்கும் என்றே கருதுகிறோம். இருப் பினும், அரசு போக்குவரத்து கழகங்கள் சார்பில் முதல்கட்டமாக வெளியூர்களுக்கு 800 பேருந்துகள் இயக்கப்படுகின்றன. பயணிகளின் வருகை அதிகமாகும்போது, உடனுக்குடன் பேருந்துகளை அதிகரித்து இயக்கவும் தயாராக உள்ளோம்.

இவ்வாறு அவர்கள் தெரி வித்தனர்.

ஆம்னி பேருந்துகள் செப். 30 வரை ஓடாது

ஊரடங்கு காரணமாக தமிழகத்தில் சுமார் 4 ஆயிரம் ஆம்னி பேருந்துகள் நிறுத்தி வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. இதை நம்பியுள்ள ஓட்டுநர்கள், உதவியாளர்கள், பராமரிப்பாளர்கள், அலுவலக ஊழியர்கள் என மொத்தம் 51 ஆயிரம் பேர் வேலையின்றி பாதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர்.
மாவட்டங்களுக்கு இடையே இன்றுமுதல் அரசு மற்றும் தனியார் பேருந்துகளை இயக்கப்படும் நிலையில், அனைத்து ஆம்னி பேருந்து உரிமையாளர் சங்கங்களின் கூட்டம் நேற்று முன்தினம் நடந்தது.

கூட்டத்தில் எடுக்கப்பட்ட முடிவு குறித்து அனைத்து ஆம்னி பேருந்து உரிமையாளர்கள் சங்க பொதுச்செயலாளர் அ.அன்பழகன் கூறியதாவது:

கரோனா ஊரடங்கால் தமிழகத்தில் கடந்த 5 மாதங்களுக்கு மேலாக ஆம்னி பேருந்துகள் இயக்கப்படவில்லை. இதனால், எங்களுக்கு பெரிய அளவில் நஷ்டம் ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது. எனவே, கரோனா ஊரடங்கு காலத்தை கணக்கிட்டு 6 மாதங்களுக்கான சாலை வரியை ரத்து செய்ய வேண்டும்.

ஆம்னி பேருந்துகளில் 100 சதவீதம் பயணிகளுடன் இயக்க அனுமதிக்க வேண்டும். ஏசி வசதியுள்ள பேருந்துகளை இயக்க அனுமதிக்க வேண்டும் என்பன உள்ளிட்ட கோரிக்கைகளை அரசிடம் வலியுறுத்தி வருகிறோம். எனவே, வரும் 30-ம் தேதி வரை ஆம்னி பேருந்துகளை இயக்குவதில்லை என முடிவு எடுத்துள்ளோம்.

இவ்வாறு அவர் தெரிவித்தார்.

இணையதளத்தில் பதிவு செய்யும் பக்தர்கள் சுவாமி தரிசனம் செய்ய ஆதார் கட்டாயம்: பாரம்பரிய உடை அணிந்து வர அறிவுறுத்தல்

இணையதளத்தில் பதிவு செய்யும் பக்தர்கள் சுவாமி தரிசனம் செய்ய ஆதார் கட்டாயம்: பாரம்பரிய உடை அணிந்து வர அறிவுறுத்தல்

சென்னை

இணையதளத்தில் பதிவு செய்யும் பக்தர்கள் சுவாமி தரிசனம் செய்ய ஆதார் அட்டை கட்டாயமாக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. மேலும், பாரம்பரிய உடை அணிந்து வரவும் அறிவுறுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது.

தமிழகம் முழுவதும் இந்துசமய அறநிலையத் துறையின் கட்டுப்பாட்டின் கீழ் 44 ஆயிரத்து 120 கோயில்கள் உள்ளன. கரோனா வைரஸ் பரவல் காரணமாக கடந்த மார்ச் 24-ம் தேதிமுதல் ஊரடங்கு அமல்படுத்தப்பட்டதால் கோயில்களில் பக்தர்கள் தரிசனத்துக்கு தற்காலிக தடை விதிக்கப்பட்டது.

இதைத் தொடர்ந்து தமிழக அரசு அறிவித்த தளர்வுகளின் அடிப்படையில் செப்.1 முதல்தமிழகம் முழுவதும் அனைத்துகோயில்களும் திறக்கப்பட்டன. வடபழனி முருகன் கோயில், மயிலாப்பூர் கபாலீஸ்வரர் கோயில், திருவொற்றியூர் தியாகராஜ சுவாமி கோயில் உள்ளிட்டகோயில்களின் இணையதளத்தில் பக்தர்கள் தரிசனத்துக்கு முன்பதிவு செய்யும் வசதி அறிமுகப்படுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இணையதளத்தில் பக்தர்கள் ஆதார் அட்டை விவரத்தை கட்டாயம் பதிவு செய்ய வேண்டும் என்று தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.இணையதளத்தில் பதிவு செய்பவர்களுக்கு தரிசன நாள், நேரம்குறுந்தகவலாக அனுப்பப்படுகிறது. இந்த வசதியைப் பயன்படுத்தி பக்தர்கள் சுவாமி தரிசனம் செய்து வருகின்றனர். இதுதவிர, இணையதளத்தில் பதிவுசெய்யாமல் நேரில் வரும் பக்தர்களுக்கு டோக்கன் வழங்கப்படுகிறது. டோக்கனை பெற்றும் சுவாமி தரிசனம் செய்து வருகின்றனர்.

இதுதொடர்பாக, இந்து சமய அறநிலையத் துறை அதிகாரி ஒருவர் கூறியதாவது:

இணையதளத்தில் பதிவு செய்யும்போது ஆதார் அட்டை விவரத்தை கட்டாயம் அளிக்க வேண்டும். தரிசனத்துக்கு வரும்போது அடையாள அட்டையை நேரில் எடுத்து வர வேண்டும். ஆண்கள் சட்டை அல்லது குர்தா, வேட்டி, பேன்ட், பெண்கள் புடவை, பாவாடை தாவணி, சுடிதார் உள்ளிட்டவை அணிந்து வர வேண்டும். பதிவு செய்த நேரத்தைத் தாண்டி வருபவர்கள் அனுமதிக்கப்பட மாட்டார்கள், 65 வயதுக்குமேற்பட்ட முதியோர், கர்ப்பிணிகள், 10 வயதுக்கு உட்பட்ட குழந்தைகள் அனுமதிக்கப்பட மாட்டார்கள் என்று முன்பதிவு செய்யும்போதே பக்தர்களுக்கு அறிவுறுத்தல்களை வழங்கி வருகிறோம்.

இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறினார்.

Rape on the pretext of marriage: MP HC allows 2 months' bail for solemnisation of marriage between rape-accused and complainant

Rape on the pretext of marriage: MP HC allows 2 months' bail for solemnisation of marriage between rape-accused and complainant

BAR AND BENCH 

The rape-accused is alleged to have prompted the complainant to get a divorce. Following the divorce, the complainant alleged that the accused backed out of his promise to marry, leading to the filing of the rape case.

Meera Emmanuel

Sep 6, 2020, 9:30 AM IST

The Madhya Pradesh High Court recently allowed temporary bail to a man accused of having committed rape on the pretext of marriage, so that the marriage between him and the complainant could be solemnised.

The man had been arrested in February 2020 on the complainant's allegation that he had raped her on the pretext of marriage. The Court was told that the complainant and the rape-accused had started a physical relationship in 2017, at which point of time the complainant was married to someone else.

The rape-accused is alleged to have prompted the woman to get a divorce. Following the divorce, the complainant stated that the accused backed out of his promise to marry, leading to the filing of the rape case.

However, the High Court was informed that the families of both parties have now agreed to solemnise the marriage. An affidavit to this effect was also filed by the complainant in the High Court.

In view of the same, Justice SK Awasthi on Thursday allowed the accused interim bail for a two month period, in order to allow him to get married to the complainant. The Court's order reads,

"Looking to the fact that the appellant and the prosecutrix are major and now they are ready to solemnize marriage. In these circumstances, present appeal is allowed in part and the appellant is granted temporary bail for a period of two months from the date of his release so that during this period the appellant can solemnize the marriage with the prosecutrix."

The accused was directed to be released on bail on the execution of personal bond of Rs.50,000 with a solvent surety in the like amount.

Advocate Surendra Tuteja appeared for the appellant/accused. The State was represented by counsel, S Vyas.

Rajasthan initiates austerity measures

Rajasthan initiates austerity measures

CM, Ministers to forego week’s salary

06/09/2020

Mohammed IqbalJAIPUR

The Congress government in Rajasthan has started taking austerity measures in view of a massive decline in revenue collections amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The cost cutting will apply on all government departments and institutions and involve restrictions on new purchases, travel, official banquets and opening of new offices.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his Cabinet colleagues will forego one week’s salary every month. Senior government officers will go without salary for two days and other employees for one day each month.

Mr. Gehlot has ordered a 30% reduction in the expenditure on government offices, travel, computer, stationery, etc. The government has also suspended leave encashment and restricted the spending on petrol and diesel. No new offices will be established. The official meetings will be held through videoconferencing as far as possible.

Allow us to practise, foreign medicos’ body urges PM

Allow us to practise, foreign medicos’ body urges PM

06/09/2020

Staff Reporter VIJAYAWADA

The Indian Foreign Medical Students (IFMS) Welfare MCI Gurukul Trust has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deploy Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) on COVID-19 duty by providing them registration in view of the health emergency.

The move can ease the shortage of medical staff, and add thousands of doctors to the Indian healthcare system with immediate effect, representatives said.

IFMS MCI Gurukul Trust members Dr. G. Gurusaran and Dr. A. Shiva (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) said that for the past three years, MCI and NBE were reducing qualifying marks of NEET-PG and NEET-MDS for filling empty seats in private medical colleges. However, the same is not being done for FMGs, which is a discrimination, they said.

It should be noted that for the past two months, the FMGs were very active against this indiscrimination, and many managed to get letters from more than 50 MPs and mailed/faxed the letters to Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan. All the letters clearly mentioned the legitimate demands of Foreign Medical Graduates and the discrimination being meted out to them,” they said.

No free darshan tokens till Sept. 30

No free darshan tokens till Sept. 30

06/09/2020

Special CorrespondentTirumala

In a sudden turn of events, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has resolved to temporarily suspend the issuance of ‘sarva darshan’ (free darshan) tokens from Sunday.

The decision is believed to have been taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at Tirumala, where the annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara are scheduled to take off from September 19.

No darshan tokens will be issued at the TTD counters in Tirupati till September 30.

First unlock Sunday sees crowds back on the roads

First unlock Sunday sees crowds back on the roads

Personal distancing norms go for a toss and many people fail to wear face masks

07/09/2020

Back to business: People throng East Masi Street in Madurai on Sunday . R. Ashok

Madurai Bureau Madurai

It was like any other Sunday in the city after several weeks following lifting of the complete lockdown. There was heavy movement of people on roads and crowds thronged the markets.

M. Mohammed Najumudeen, a shopkeeper at Nelpettai, said a large number of customers visited the meat-and-fish market in Nelpettai on Sunday morning. “The crowd was almost like that of pre- COVID-19 time,” he said.

Personal distancing norms were flouted and many customers and shopkeepers failed to wear face masks, he said. “Police personnel fined all those who failed to wear face masks,” he added. Similarly, residents thronged the four Masi streets, Netaji Road and Town Hall Road with total disregard to social distancing norms.

“Relaxation of lockdown will help improve business of street vendors,” said G. Mohan, a vendor on Netaji Road.

Concurring with this viewpoint, Ashraf Yusuf, secretary of Tamil Nadu Textile Merchants Association, said that there was good footfall in textile shops on Sunday.

“Circles and squares which were earlier drawn in front of shops to maintain adequate distances are missing now,” said V.P. Manikandan, a resident of S.S. Colony.

Collector T. G. Vinay said that mask usage and personal distancing was essential to contain spread of pandemic.

“Flying squads have been deployed to ensure that everyone wears face masks. We are sensitising the public to come forward to get tested in case they display any symptom. Early identification will help to reduce the severity of the infection and help in containing the spread of COVID-19,” he added.

Tirunelveli

Residents came out for shopping and visited churches for mass.

Absence of police personnel led to people neglecting physical distancing norms. However, a policeman at the VVD intersection said there has been a tangible improvement as people voluntarily covered their faces with the masks

LPG consumers worried about subsidy withdrawal

LPG consumers worried about subsidy withdrawal

Govt.’s silence on issue adds to woes

07/09/2020

Beneficiaries under the Ujjwala scheme are given three free cylinders.

Deepa H. Ramakrishnan CHENNAI

With LPG subsidy falling under ₹30 per cylinder from June, many consumers are wondering if they are getting any money at all in their bank accounts. Rumours of the government stopping the subsidy are also adding fuel to the fire.

“At least five customers walk in seeking clarification on a daily basis, especially since they do not get text messages from banks as the amount is too small. They are used to the subsidy being over ₹200. During this time last year, it was over ₹100. This month it is ₹24 in the city. The amount varies according to the market. The government gives more subsidy to the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana customers. In fact, it has given three free cylinders to them,” an LPG distributor in the city said.

Bharat Petroleum’s sale

Oil industry sources said the government was planning to do away with the LPG subsidy.

“The proposed sale of Bharat Petroleum Corporation is causing disturbance in the market. Consumers are apprehensive about how the new owner will treat them. They wonder if the subsidy will continue and if the same level of service will be maintained,” another distributor said.

Distributors said there should be some kind of announcement regarding this to reassure the consumers.

On the other hand, consumers are facing issues with the receipt of delivery authentication codes (DAC) that they have to provide to the delivery personnel.

“Many times they don’t get the code because their message inbox will be full or the mobile number might have changed. Around 15%- 20% of consumers walk in daily with issues relating to the DAC,” the manager at an agency said.

Oil industry officials said deliveries would be carried out even if the consumers did not get the DAC. It is a mode of contactless delivery, they said.

COVID-19 norms violated on lockdown-free Sunday

COVID-19 norms violated on lockdown-free Sunday

Many throng public places without wearing masks

07/09/2020

Warnings ignored: Many families spent time on Marina Beach on Sunday, though officially, it remains closed to visitors. R. Ragu

Vivek Narayanan CHENNAI

Basic COVID-19 safety protocols, like maintaining adequate physical distance and wearing masks properly, were compromised in many places across Tamil Nadu, particularly in Chennai, during the first lockdown-free Sunday following the unveiling of ‘Unlock 4.0’.

Crowds thronged public places, including open markets, playgrounds and Marina Beach (though officially, the beach is closed to visitors), with people moving about shoulder-to-shoulder in some areas.

Crowds everywhere

In Srirangam, devotees were seen standing in close proximity to each other. In Chennai, families, including children, thronged Marina Beach, and youngsters were spotted playing cricket and football on the Corporation playgrounds. The Marina Service Road was busy, with walkers, joggers and skaters using it.

“Most of them had masks but they wore it on the jaw. A few helpless police personnel were watching people walk past. It appeared as if the city [believed it] had become COVID-19-free,” said M. Jaishankar, an autorickshaw driver.

In the evening, many families spent time on the beach, again without wearing masks. “The police are unable to control [the situation] as the number of visitors is more,” said S. Ethiraj, a resident of Nochikuppam.

Youngsters had a field day, playing outside after a long time. Somasundaram Ground in T. Nagar, Chennai, was full of youngsters, many of whom were not wearing masks.

“Grounds have been opened for morning walks. Now, it is up to the public to follow safety measures and be cautious till the virus goes away. Though the government cannot be blamed, it could put in place a mechanism to monitor the crowd, especially after seeing such incidents,” said V.S. Jayaraman, a T. Nagar resident.

Out in the open

“We were happy to hear that the grounds have been opened. Many of those who had come to play wore masks. Most of them used kerchiefs to cover their nose and mouth. We were not standing close to each other,” said Raju, who was playing in Pallavaram.

People were playing football on the ground behind the Foreshore Estate Police Station. Many were not wearing masks, according to residents.

Maths teacher in Tamil Nadu buys 16 smartphones for her students to attend online classes

Maths teacher in Tamil Nadu buys 16 smartphones for her students to attend online classes

Taking their financial background into account, K Bairavi bought the smartphones and even recharged the sim cards for the students to avail lessons.

Published: 06th September 2020 08:14 PM 

Students show their new smartphones with maths teacher K Bairavi at Elambalur Government Higher Secondary School Perambalur district. (Photo | Express)

By P Thiruselvam

Express News Service

PERAMBALUR: In an effort to catch up with the ways of the ongoing pandemic, a government school teacher has spent a lakh from her savings to buy 16 smartphones and sim cards for her students. A teacher of Elambalur government higher secondary school, K Bairavi, told The New Indian Express that she wishes to conduct online lessons for her students just like private schools. 

Her students, who study in standard 10th, will be appearing for board exams next year. Taking their financial background into account, she bought the smartphones and even recharged the sim cards for the students to avail lessons.

"We went to various villages to approach parents and convince them to admit their children. Here I saw several students living under poverty without any basic facilities at their homes. I was very sad after seeing this," K Bairavi said.

"Due to lockdown, I have been teaching my students through WhatsApp for the last few weeks. But some of them do not own a smartphone and no money to recharge. This is why I decided to buy smartphones and distributed them to my students. The idea was given by my daughter. I have set up a blackboard at my house to record online classes for my students."

Bairavi, who distributed phones to 16 students including the new joinees, has assured them that she will continue to recharge their smartphones till the school reopens. 

One of Bairavi's students, Priyadharshini, said, "When my teacher came to our house during a door-to-door campaign, my parents asked her about online classes. After telling my parents about the classes, we were invited to the school. Bairavi madam surprised us by giving us a smartphone. I am very happy as nobody in my family has one. I will use it for my studies."

Schools in Tamil Nadu have remained closed for over five months. In this situation, the state government declared all students as 'pass' in the annual exams. Subsequently, enrollment in government schools began two weeks ago.

Teachers at Elambalur government higher secondary school in Perambalur district have been doing a door-to-door and distributing leaflets describing the features of government schemes available for the students. Also, they are raising awareness among parents about the special features of their school.

They are conducting lessons through 'Kalvi Tholaikatchi', a government-run TV channel.

High Courts Weekly Roundup

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Will foreign varsities in India transform education system

Will foreign varsities in India transform education system

While this will fulfil the dreams of students aspiring to study abroad, it may also pose a challenge for the local institutions, writes Kalpesh Banker

07.09.2020

Times of India Education times 

In a progressive move to uplift the education system of India, the government has recently announced the implementation of National Education Policy 2020. The entry of foreign universities and institutions in India, is one of the most debated announcements among the leading educationists and students. However, it has several implications that need to be assessed. As per the estimates, more than 7.5 lakh students went to international universities in 2019, which was an overwhelming rise as only 66,000 students went abroad to study, a decade ago. The NEP 2020 hopes to fulfil the dreams of students aspiring to study in a foreign institution while saving crores of Indian currency on travel and accommodation with students staying in their home country. As per the announcement, selected universities – the top 100 international universities will be facilitated to set up their campuses and operate in India.

Special dispensation

To establish the institutions, a legislative framework to provide special dispensation for regulation, governance, and other norms will be formed. For further standardisation, the credits acquired by the students studying in foreign universities in India will be counted as a degree within the country. Moreover, to make it more accessible for students, the policy also highlights the provision of financial aid to students. It will create a National Fund to facilitate low-income group students with scholarship programmes and other resources.

New possibilities

This path-breaking provision is going to unlock several possibilities for students. However, it is not easy to implement it. There will be an increase in the education cost which will create inequalities and competition at different levels. It might widen the digital divide. Further, this will also challenge the local institutions and take fair advantage of the market. Moreover, India already has one of the largest networks of institutions with close to 990 universities and 50,000 colleges. Currently, the ecosystem is fragmented as a large portion of the universities offer a single programme and have fewer than 1000 students. This indicates that the gross enrolment ratio in India is significantly lower than in other countries . The other aspect to consider is the global scenario. The major instance is Qatar which is the second richest country in the world and has a maximum number of satellite campuses of the US universities ranked among the top 100. The foreign institutions are funded by its local government, which attracts numerous students coming from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. With such support from the local authorities, it has successfully established several international campuses.

On the other hand, China has been inviting foreign universities for over 20 years. However, only 32 US universities have opened campuses there, out of which only one university is ranked among the top 100 international universities.

Specialised education

Considering the Indian scenario, the government is promoting FDI and opening External Commercial Borrowing routes to strengthen the education sector financially. This might attract qualified professors, better infrastructure and a globally competitive curriculum. However, given the economic and social realities, selecting foreign universities from the list of top 100 is a limited figure. It is quite unlikely that the Indian government or private stakeholders would be able to attract a fair number of international varsities.

(The author is managing partner of Edushine)

Students skip JEE Main 2020 due to safety concerns

Students skip JEE Main 2020 due to safety concerns

While many candidates plan to take JEE Main 2021, others are weighing alternative options

c-Sheetal.Banchariya@timesgroup.com  07.09.2020

Around 9 lakh students had registered for JEE Main 2020. Of the 4,58,521 candidates, who had to appear for the exam in the first three days, around 3,43,958 appeared. As many as 1,12,247 candidates were registered to appear in the BArch/BPlanning exam on September 1, but the turnout was only 61,366 (54.67%) across India. In Lucknow, 44% of students could not appear for the exam on day1and around 45% took the exam in Ludhiana. Several aspirants have chosen not to appear for the coveted entrance exam due to the safety concerns amid coronavirus outbreak.

Abhirup Chakraborty from Asansol, West Bengal, cleared class XII from CISCE board this year. He aspires to become an AI professional, but he had to give a miss at his chance of joining an engineering institute this year.

“As we have seen in KCET conducted last month and in the JEE Main exam, the SOPs are not completely followed. Thus, the chances of getting infected are very high. If I contract the virus, I would risk my entire family. I live with my grandparents, so it is a choice between family and career,” says Abhirup, who is planning to appear for JEE 2021. As he is interested in coding, he has learnt various programming languages in the past. He plans to soon pursue online courses in machine learning. The plans are different for 18-yearold Bhopal boy, Aniruddha Sharma. He is not appearing for the exam because “despite following SOPs, authorities will not be able to detect cases of COVID-19”.

Instead of waiting for a year, Aniruddha is planning to appear for three other exams – IISER Entrance Test, Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Admission Test and Chennai Mathematical Institute (CMI) Entrance Exam – as fewer candidates apply for these exams compared to JEE Main.

“With very few students, there will be comparatively lesser risk of being infected by the virus. If nothing works out, I will join the Manipal Institute of Technology in Jaipur, where I secured a seat after taking the entrance test in online proctored mode while sitting at my home,” he says