Govt permits mutual, request transfers

Chennai:19.09.2020

After putting on hold general transfers of its staff in the present fiscal year to minimise expenditure on transfer travel expenses, the Tamil Nadu government has allowed mutual transfers and request transfers of its staff, subject to certain conditions.

Facing a huge shortfall in receipts due to Covid-19, the state ordered a series of measures to curtail avoidable items of expenditure during the current fiscal. “However, appropriate authorities have been allowed to consider mutual transfers and request transfers, subject to the condition that this shall not pave way for administrative exigencies later,” said an order. TNN

Land sharks circle unwary owners along OMR, ECR

Land sharks circle unwary owners along OMR, ECR

Gangs Work In Connivance With Officials, Politicians

Yogesh.Kabirdoss@timesgroup.com  19.09.2020

People who own land along East Coast Road (ECR) and Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) are a worried lot as there has been a spate of attempts since November 2019 to usurp their holdings by organised gangs with political connections.

These gangs connive with officials to create fake land titles to sell off land without the actual owners’ knowledge or, in some cases, use strongarm tactics to force land owners to sell.

Data sourced by TOI revealed that the Tiruporur sub registrar office (SRO) got at least 25 complaints about fraudulent property registrations in the past one year. Worryingly, multiple sources and stakeholders pointed fingers at officials at the SRO, which has jurisdiction over most of ECR and OMR, saying deals with forged documents are not possible without official connivance.

Officers in police stations along the two stretches admit that 90% of all complaints and crimes pertains to land disputes of different sizes.

Recently, the Chengalpet district police wrote to the antiland grabbing cell to investigate two cases. One was a fraudulent registration at the Tiruporur SRO and the other a case of threats to a landowner to usurp two acres at Thaiyur on OMR, a couple of months ago.

Most of the vacant land parcels along ECR and OMR are owned by people who live in the city as also outside. Such absentee landlords are the prime prey of the land sharks.

A city-based businessman with a huge land parcel near a beach near Kovalam says a phone call from a security guard of a neighbouring property alerted him to a bid to grab his property recently. “The gang, which had political connections, went to the extent of measuring the land for construction three months ago. My land was saved from the encroachers thanks to timely intervention by police,” said the man, who wanted to be anonymous.

This landowner says the real danger is that the mafia is able to access details of the land parcels it targets from the registration department.

Police say there are at least 10 large organised gangs based in Kannagi Nagar, Chengalpet, Kalpakkam, Maduranthakam and Sriperumbudur. They have stepped up their activity as the Covid pandemic lockdown has hit other sources of income.

These gangs also instigate local residents who had sold their land cheap years ago to outsiders to demand more money now that property prices have shot up along ECR and OMR. If the present owners refuse, they are threatened by gangsters.

“One such case was reported and it has been transferred to anti-land grabbing cell for investigation. In another case, fake Aadhaar cards were used to create a fake power of attorney to facilitate sale of a property on OMR,” said a senior police officer in Chengalpet district.

Pandemic-weary Chennaiites now eager to fly out

 Pandemic-weary Chennaiites now eager to fly out

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:19.09.2020

As expectations are high on resuming scheduled international services next month or in November, travel and tour companies have started getting requests for advance booking for November, December and January from people who want to travel for business and trade and also for honeymoon.

People are ready to travel after getting stuck at home for five months and the preference is for destinations like Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and to countries in the Middle East when restrictions are removed. Airlines and travel agents believe that there will be more flights and fewer restrictions in November. Initial passengers will be traders and those traveling for business, social visits. It may take longer for leisure travel and MICE to resume.

Only Maldives and Dubai are now open for leisure travel. But only those who are returning for work or to join with family are travelling.

Sriharan Balan of Madura Travels said, “People are ready to travel and have started to make enquiries to make advance booking. A few wanted to travel for honeymoon for weddings planned in December and January. We have got bookings but they have asked us for time to pay because they want to see if there will be further lifting of restrictions.”

An airport official said that airlines also feel that restrictions may be lifted by foreign countries by mid next month and that travelling will be back to normal by November or December. “Airlines are pushing the government to resume scheduled flights as countries are moving towards reopening travel with precautions. Online portals have started to display fares from October onwards but airlines are expecting advance booking for November, December and January”, he added.

And probably to cash in on the trend, one-way fares are high. Tickets are in the range of ₹8,500 to ₹13,000 to Kuala Lumpur ₹8,700 to ₹12,000 to Bangkok, ₹7,000 to Singapore.

Basheer Ahmed of Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) “People, mostly traders, are ready to travel but need for quarantine and need to pay for institutional quarantine upfront during booking of the trip is a stumbling block. Countries like Singapore insist that quarantine charges should be paid which is not viable for advance booking. Many countries are going to ask for a certificate. Leisure travellers may not like these rules.”

Travel and tour companies have started getting requests for advance booking for November, December and January

Kerala HC Directs A Private School To Not Expel Students For Non-Payment Of Fees For Online Classes [Read Order]

Kerala HC Directs A Private School To Not Expel Students For Non-Payment Of Fees For Online Classes [Read Order]: The Kerala High Court, taking note of the rather distressing situation that has gripped everyone on account of COVID-19 restrictions, restrained a private school from expelling students, merely

UGC gives approval for B. Voc. and M. Voc. courses

 UGC gives approval for B. Voc. and M. Voc. courses

18/09/2020

 Staff Reporter Madurai

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has given approval to The American College Community College to offer four Bachelor of Vocation (B. Voc.) courses and four Masters of Vocation (M. Voc.) programmes.

The college was granted permission to establish a community college in 2015, according to a press release from Principal M. Davamani Christober.

The new courses

The new B.Voc courses that are given approval are Horticulture, Industrial Biotechnology, Data Science, and Health and Sanitation. The M. Voc. courses that are given approval are Aquaculture, Medical Lab Technology, Food Processing and Preservation and Media Technology.

A professor of the college said anyone who had cleared Class 12 examinations can apply for the B. Voc. courses.

“On completion of first year of B. Voc., they will be given diploma certificates. If they complete the second year, they will get advanced diploma certificates. This is an additional benefit,” he said.

These courses, which give importance to entrepreneurship, will be highly beneficial for the students. There is no age limit for these courses, said a press release issued here on Thursday.

Plasma donation begins at Salem GH

Plasma donation begins at Salem GH

18/09/2020

STAFF REPORTER

The Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital received its first plasma donation on Wednesday.

Though plasma therapy treatment is not provided at the hospital, it has been accorded permission to receive plasma donations from patients recovered from COVID-19 disease which will be used for plasma therapy treatment at permitted centres in the State. Hospital authorities said a doctor, who recovered from the disease, was the first donor.

R. Balajinathan, Dean, said that equipment worth ₹40 lakh has been set up at the hospital for plasma donation.

Doctors said donors must be within 18-65 years of age and should not be suffering from diseases. A patient can donate plasma from 14th day of testing negative for COVID-19 disease, doctors said.

Suriya will change his stance on NEET after results, says Annamalai

 Suriya will change his stance on NEET after results, says Annamalai

18/09/2020

 Staff ReporterCoimbatore/Namakkal

BJP State vice-president K. Annamalai on Thursday claimed that actor Suriya, who issued a statement condemning the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), will change his stance once the results of the test are declared.

He participated in the 70th birthday celebrations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi organised here. Speaking to the mediapersons, he said that the results of NEET will be the answer for Mr. Suriya as the questions this year were largely covered by the State board textbooks. He termed the recent suicides of NEET aspirants in different parts of the State as “unfortunate” and alleged that a “false image” of the test was constructed. Mr. Annamalai condemned the DMK and other Opposition parties for allegedly politicising this issue.

On a question regarding the 142nd birth anniversary of Dravidar Kazhagam founder Periyar E.V. Ramasamy, Mr. Annamalai said that although Periyar was “a leader who cannot be ignored,” the BJP cannot agree with all his views. Regarding the AIADMK-BJP alliance, he said that differences within an alliance are “natural.”

The people of Tamil Nadu are in favour of the three-language formula proposed in the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) despite Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami asserting that only the two-language formula will continue to be implemented in the State, Mr. Annamalai claimed.

‘Stalin can’t stop NEET’

BJP State vice-president V.P. Duraisamy said that DMK leader M.K. Stalin will not be able to stop National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).

Speaking to reporters after taking part in the birthday celebrations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Namakkal, Mr. Duraisamy said, “NEET is conducted so that qualified candidates are selected for medical education.”

He said that the party would contest the byelection to Kanyakumari Lok Sabha 

Govt officials told to pay Rs 20K for deficiency in service

Govt officials told to pay Rs 20K for deficiency in service

TNN | Sep 18, 2020, 04.50 AM IST

Tirunelveli: The consumer grievances redressal forum in Tirunelveli district has directed the sub-registrar, tahsildar, corporation assistant commissioner and surveyor to pay Rs 20,000 as compensation to a consumer for deficiency in service by not providing patta transfer and not partitioning a property for which the complainant had paid the fees in September 2015.

Forum president K Devadass and members S Sivanmoorthi and M Muthulakshmi also directed the officials concerned to ensure that the patta transfer and sub-division work for which the petitioner approached the forum is done in a month’s time. The compensation includes Rs 15,000 fine and Rs 5,000 for legal expenses.

Advocate A Brammanayagam, who appeared for the petitioner Pathumuthu Joharal, 34, of Palayamkottai, said the petitioner paid Rs 23,225 for registering a piece of land in her name at the registrar office in Kokkirakulam, Tirunelveli, on September 4, 2015.

She also paid Rs 60 for name transfer but the process got delayed. A year after it was not done, she started legally approaching the issue and at this stage the papers moved from the office of the registrar to the tahsildar.

“The papers from the registrar office are to be sent to the taluk office, from where the tahsildar sends it to the assistant commissioner for Palayamkottai in Tirunelveli Corporation. It has to then be sent to the city surveyor. But all these did not take place and the petitioner suffered humiliation at various stages,” the counsel said.

Proof of customary divorce is valid in proceedings against bigamy charges: HC

Proof of customary divorce is valid in proceedings against bigamy charges: HC

TNN | Sep 18, 2020, 04.49 AM IST

Madurai: Observing that proof of customary divorce is a valid defence in departmental proceedings against bigamy charges, the Madras high court set aside the punishment imposed on a policeman.

The court was hearing the petition filed by Sudalaimani who joined service as grade II police constable and was subsequently promoted as head constable in 2008. During his service, the petitioner married Muthammal alias Muthulakshmi in 1996 and has two children. In 2007, the petitioner married Jeevarathinam, a sub inspector of police.

A charge-memo was issued to the petitioner over bigamy charges, and after departmental inquiry, he was demoted from head constable to grade one police constable in 2014, citing that he had violated rule 23(1)(b) of the Tamil Nadu Subordinate Police Officers Conduct Rules,1964.

Justice R M T Teekaa Raman observed that the core question to be decided in this case is that whether the plea of customary divorce is a valid defence in the departmental proceedings action initiated for bigamy. The judge noted that the statement by the petitioner’s first wife Muthammal assumes significance in view of the certain admissions made by her to the inquiry officer.

Muthammal had categorically stated that due to a misunderstanding, a customary divorce was held between them as per the customs prevailing in the community and the same was executed in writing as a marriage dissolution deed in 2003. The judge observed that Muthammal had not filed the complaint against the petitioner and it was Jeevarathinam’s brother who had given the complaint since he had a civil dispute with his mother.

The judge observed that disciplinary proceedings initiated for bigamy could have been maintainable even if second marriage is contracted with the knowledge of the first wife and even if third party gives a complaint. However, plea of customary divorce is a valid defence in a departmental proceedings initiated for misconduct of bigamy if the delinquent officer proves the execution of customary divorce, which the petitioner has been able to do so in this case.

The court set aside the punishment observing that the authorities had chosen to give a finding that the remarriage of petitioner with Jeevarathinam was not solemnized or registered in a proper manner.

People crowd Perur ghat on Mahalaya Amavasya

People crowd Perur ghat on Mahalaya Amavasya

TNN | Sep 18, 2020, 04.59 AM IST

Coimbatore: Large number of people thronged Perur ghat on Mahalaya Amavasya on Thursday, despite officials instructing them not to gather along the river bank.

Since people failed to heed to announcements in public address system to maintain social distancing, they were warned and sent away by police.

The district administration had urged people not to gather in places such as Perur ghat to perform rituals along the Noyyal river bank in view of the pandemic. On their part, authorities of Perur Patteeswarar temple, had asked people not to throng the temple or the ghat.

However, people came in droves to Perur and gathered near the Noyyal ghat, a traditional place where the rituals are performed for the dead.

People thronged the river bank, Vinayaga temple near the ghat and the Amman thoppu area, where they performed the rituals and made offerings to the departed ancestors.

After that, they gathered in front of the Vinayaga temple, ignoring social distancing norms. Police personnel, who were deployed to control the crowd, warned people not to throng the temple. When their warnings were not heeded, police sent them away.

Gullible Tamil Nadu villagers gave bank and Aadhaar details to ‘scamsters’

Gullible Tamil Nadu villagers gave bank and Aadhaar details to ‘scamsters’

TNN | Sep 16, 2020, 04.58 AM IST

SALEM: In March this year, a group of villagers of Pethanaickenpalayam near Attur in Salem district were sitting around in the village square when two men approached them. They told the villagers a new government scheme would give them Rs 2,000 every four months. “We assumed they were government staff. They asked for our Aadhaar and some people’s bank account details,’’ said T Masilamani, a villager.

The two men photographed Aadhaar cards using their phones, collected bank account details and left. Six months later, 77 of 163 PM Kisan scheme beneficiaries from Pethanaickenpalayam have come under the scanner of government agencies as ‘ineligible beneficiaries’ of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM – Kisan) scheme. They have been informed by panchayat authorities to return the ₹2,000 they have received under the scheme.

Even two villagers who say they don’t have bank accounts have been asked to pay up.

Villagers without bank accounts also entangled

P Kuppusamy, 53, and S Rajendran, 58, told TOI they had submitted their Aadhaar details, hoping the state would consider their names too on compassionate grounds.

“We don’t even have bank accounts. But the panchayat officials are saying ₹2,000 was credited into our accounts and are asking us to return the money,’’ said Kuppusamy. TOI could not independently verify if they had bank accounts. The list of ineligible beneficiaries on the government website had several Kuppusamys and Rajendrans from Pethanaickenpalayam.

Collector S ARaman saidthe issue of villagers without bank accounts being added as beneficiaries has come to his notice. “That is exactly the problem we are tackling. The registrations were not verified properly and the Aadhaar details were not checked if they match with the bank accounts,’’ he said.

“Thisis notjustthecasewith this village, we are coming across several such cases in other places also.Athoroughscrutinyin underwaytoweedoutsuch names which do not match with the bank account details,’’ he told TOI.

People of the village now fear police action in the wake of arrests of several internet centre owners by CBCID sleuths across the state. “Our family members are very scared. We don’t even know the name of the scheme or that there were criteria for becoming a beneficiary,’’ said V Subramani, a villager from neighbouring Yethapur.

Out of the 77 ineligible beneficiaries identified in Pethanaickenpalayam, there are nonfarmers. Some are farmers, but the lands are in the names of other family members. In some cases, the families own more than two hectares each, rendering them ineligible to receive benefits under the scheme.

Agriculture officials in the region refused to comment citing the CBCID inquiry underway.

Govt doctors issued memo for exiting from WhatsApp group

 Govt doctors issued memo for exiting from WhatsApp group

The memo was issued by the chief of the General Medicine Department, as the doctors allegedly left the group following an argument over posting them on Covid duty. 

Published: 17th September 2020 06:15 AM | Last Updated: 17th September 2020 06:15 AM 

By Sinduja Jane Express News Service

CHENNAI: Doctors of Government Erode Medical College Hospital have been issued a memo for exiting an official WhatsApp group. They have been asked to give an explanation within three days. Speaking about the development on Wednesday, the hospital dean said the doctors had given an explanation and the issue had been resolved.

The memo was issued by the chief of the General Medicine Department, as the doctors allegedly left the group following an argument over posting them on Covid duty. The dean, R Mani, said, “Whatever the issue at hand, the doctors must have first discussed it with the heads of their department.

They should not have exited the group repeatedly when added back.” According to a government doctor, the in service -doctors joined duty in the hospital recently after finishing their post graduation. “They explained saying they left the group accidently as they are using a touch phone. But, it was not so,” said Dr Mani.

The memo said, “The following medical officers are instructed to give their explanation within three days regarding their exit from officials Whats App group of Government Erode Medical College and Hospital, Perundurai, Erode, which is essential to communicate all official matters to respective individuals.” “This is not a group started for any entertainment.

It is an official group started for official communication. Now most of the meetings are happening online. Also any important discussion about a patient’s reports is also discussed on groups. I expect my subordinates to stay in the group so that I can convey certain things, as it is not possible to meet them as different people will be in different wards or elsewhere,” the dean said. “Now that they have given an explanation, the matter has been resolved.”

Stop harassment of doctors: IMA

Stop harassment of doctors: IMA

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:18.09.2020

In a letter to Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani on Thursday, members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Gujarat chapter criticized the allegedly heavy-handed behaviour of some collectors. The members requested government intervention.

‘Doctors - who are treating Covid-19 patients even at the cost of their lives for past six months — are facing coercion and intimidating behaviour by collectors of Bhuj, Gondal, Gandhidham, Gir Somnath, Jamnagar, Botad and Godhra. IMA condemns it in the strictest of words,’ states the letter.

The letter added that such behaviour with the doctors is putting lives of the citizens of Gujarat in danger.

‘If such behaviour and activities are not stopped, members of Gujarat chapter of IMA would be forced to protest,’ the letter states.

Dr Chandresh Jardosh, president of IMA Gujarat chapter, told TOI that they got the complaints that doctors are expected to admit patients at hospitals and work there and also offer their services at government-run hospitals.

AHNA RAISES ISSUE OF MEDICINE SHORTAGE:

The private hospitals of the city have raised the issue of Remdesivir and Clexane availability with the authorities. Dr Bharat Gadhvi, president of Ahmedabad Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (AHNA), said that some member hospitals have not got adequate stock. “We are keeping an eye on the issue. Remdesivir, an antiviral, and Clexane, an anti-coagulant, are necessary in Covid-19 treatment,” he said. TNN

Rly to charge ‘user fee’ at busy stations, tickets may cost more

 Rly to charge ‘user fee’ at busy stations, tickets may cost more

Dipak.Dash@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:18.09.2020

The Indian Railways will soon start levying a “token user fee” from passengers taking trains from busy stations, which will result in marginal increase in the total fare. The user fee, which will be collected for redevelopment of railway stations and modernsation of station infrastructure, will be included in the ticket as it is done in the case of air travel.

“We are going to keep a very small amount for the user charge. We will issue a notification for the user charge for stations including where existing ones are being redeveloped and also those which are not being redeveloped. When the redevelopment of the stations gets completed the user fee will go to the concessionaires and till then the collected user fee will be utilised by railways for providing better facilities to passengers across stations,” railway board CEO and chairman V K Yadav said.

He added the charge will be affordable and won’t pinch the passengers. Yadav said it was important as the Indian Railways is focusing on providing world class facilities.

Responding to a specific question whether this fee will be collected at all railway stations, Yadav said there are about 7,000 stations on the Indian Railways network and the user fee will be levied at barely 10-15% of the stations where the footfall is projected to increase in the next five years. Going by that calculation, the number of such potential stations would be between 700 and 1,000.

Earlier, railway officials had told reporters at several press meets that the user fee would be charged only at developed stations.

A ministry spokesperson said, “The value of the benefits will outweigh the minimalistic user fee when paid.” He added this will be done in a phased manner and bringing 10-15% stations under this scheme is the final possibility.

In a written reply, Union railway minister Piyush Goyal had told Lok Sabha on Wednesday, “A Group of Secretaries (GoS) was constituted for redevelopment and modernisation of railway stations to provide better safety, passenger amenities and services. The GoS interalia suggested the levy of a nominal user fee for redevelopment of stations, which is presently under consideration.”

Full report on www.toi.in

Concessions to senior citizens suspended to stop unnecessary rail travel, HC told

The Southern railway has informed the Madras high court that ticket fare concession to senior citizens was suspended to discourage unnecessary travel in view of the pandemic. It further submitted that between 2016 and 2019, it had incurred Rs 5,475 crore revenue loss providing concessions. “The element of concession extended was varying from 10% to 100% depending upon the category. However, in view of Covid-19, a lot of train services were cancelled ... and it was decided to grant concessions only for four categories – disabled passengers, 11 categories of patients and students,” said counsel for the railways PT Ramkumar. TNN

Salaries from savings illegal: DU principals

Salaries from savings illegal: DU principals

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:18.09.2020

Expressing “hurt” and disappointment with the statement of deputy CM Manish Sisodia on colleges funded by Delhi government not using their funds to pay salaries, the Delhi University Principals’ Association (DUPA) hit back at the government on Thursday saying Sisodia’s suggestion of using the institutional savings to pay salaries was “an illegal idea”.

In a statement, DUPA said it was “dismayed by the immature and misleading press statement of the deputy CM, wherein he made unsubstantiated allegations against the administration of Delhi government-funded colleges, charging them with misappropriation of funds and not paying salary from students’ society account.”

The principals said the needs of the 12 government-funded colleges stood at Rs 270 crore for the 2020-21. “Ideally, 75% of the grants, that is Rs 202 crore, should have been released before July. But only Rs 37.5 crore have been released. This is a violation of the Pattern of Assistance communicated to us on January 8 by the Directorate of Higher Education,” the principals’ body said.

DUPA explained that the government gave grants under two heads: plan and non-plan. “It is clearly mentioned in every sanction letter that funds cannot be transferred from one head to the other, the statement said. Jaswinder Singh, principal, SGTB Khalsa College and president of DUPA, emphasised, “The students’ society fund and development fund are collected by colleges governed by University Grants Commission regulations and are used for organising student activities, never to pay salaries.”

The DUPA meeting on Wednesday, attended by over 30 college principals, resolved to meet CM Arvind Kejriwal to express their concern at the government’s view. Poonam Verma, principal of Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, was hurt that “our deputy CM comes and praises us in the college and then says that our college is corrupt”.

Refuting gover nment allegations about the colleges not holding governing body election and obstructing audits, Singh claimed the “democratic process” of forming GBs would be “completed soon”, while clarifying that “no college has any audit pending”.

The six colleges accused to not completing the audit process are Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, SSCBS, Bhagini Nivedita, Aditi Mahavidyalaya, Keshav Mahavidyalaya and Maharshi Valmiki College of Education. However, DU Academic Council member Naveen Gaur contested this, saying that “while Delhi government must release funds unconditionally, all colleges do not get an audit done, contrary to DUPA’s sweeping statement”.

In response, a Delhi government official reiterated that some colleges “are depositing their funds in fixed deposits and incessantly demanding money from Delhi government. According to the pattern of assistance, these colleges need to meet all their expenses from the funds they get from various other sources and only in case of shortages after that will they be compensated by Delhi government.” The official said that when the government asked for the accounts related to sources of income, the colleges demurred. “If the colleges do not disclose how they have spent their money, on what basis can the Delhi government release funds?” the official asked.

AN OFFICIAL SAYS

If the colleges do not disclose how they have spent their money, on what basis can govt release funds?

Fate of three flyovers hangs in the balance

Fate of three flyovers hangs in the balance

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

18.09.2020

The fate of flyovers in Velachery, Medavakkam and Madippakkam Koot Road continues to hang in the balance. They have been idling for a long time, inconveniencing residents and road users.

Work on the three flyovers at Kilkattalai junction (Madippakkam Koot road), Velachery and Medavakkam has been delayed by at least a year, officials said.

The Velachery flyover work kickstarted in 2015 and was supposed to be wrapped up by September 2018. Officials said contractors were terminated in two years and it took another six months to identify the next contractor. “When the work began, the pandemic hit, further delaying the project,” an official said. Work was also halted due to land acquisition issues, officials said.

The Kilkattalai flyover project, work on which began in 2016, was to be completed in two years. Officials said it got delayed because the original contractors were replaced. The flyover is expected to be completed by January 2021. Highway department officials said one side of the flyover at Kilkattalai junction, running from east to west, will be ready by November and the one from west to east will be ready by January next year.

Work on the Medavakkam flyover started in 2018 and was supposed to be wrapped up by September, 2020, but got shelved due to pandemic. It is expected to be completed by January 2021, officials said.

“Delay in completing these flyovers defeats the purpose for which they are being built,” said a road user in Velachery.

Jeyaraj & Beniks deaths: HC denies cop bail, says there’s enough to prove his role

Jeyaraj & Beniks deaths: HC denies cop bail, says there’s enough to prove his role

K.Kaushik@timesgroup.com

Madurai:18.09.2020

Observing that prima facie materials are available to prove that suspended Sathankulam police inspector S Sridhar had instigated his fellow policemen to assault P Jeyaraj and his son J Beniks, the Madras high court on Thursday dismissed his bail plea.

The court was hearing the bail plea of Sridhar, one of the 10 policemen arrested in the twin custodial deaths case. Justice V Bharathidasan observed that it is a case of alleged custodial torture where two precious lives were lost. From the materials available on record, Jeyaraj was taken to the police station by the petitioner, a sub inspector Balakrishnan and a constable Muthuraja. Thereafter, when Beniks came to the police station and inquired about the reason for his father’s arrest, there was a petty quarrel between him and Balakrishnan. The judge said the petitioner came out of his room and directed the police personnel to close the main gate and instigated the other accused to beat Beniks.

The judge noted that the materials available on record would show that the petitioner repeatedly instigated the other accused to beat both deceased. “Brutality continued throughout the night,” observed the judge. The judge added that at least eight witnesses spoke of Sridhar’s involvement in the above said occurrence and that the post-mortem report states that the duo died of complications due to blunt injuries sustained.

Being a policeman, there is reasonable apprehension that he is likely to tamper with witnesses, especially personnel working in the police station. Furthermore, investigation is yet to be completed and it is in a crucial stage, the judge noted and said he is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner.

TN parties flex muscles in assembly in prep for polls

TN parties flex muscles in assembly in prep for polls

3-Day Session Ends With Neet & NEP Taking Centre Stage

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:18.09.2020

With an assembly election around the corner, the ruling AIADMK and the DMK-led opposition used the brief assembly session, convened amid the Covid-19 pandemic, to showcase their political credentials. A belligerent opposition took on the government for its failure to get Neet exemption and “exposed” the government’s stand on the National Education Policy. For its part, the EPS government passed a unanimous bill for 7.5% Neet quota for government students in its bid to regain lost ground to opponents. The three-day session helped the parties wake up from the Covid-induced hibernation and warm up for elections.

There was good deal of posturing in the assembly with both chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and opposition leader M K Stalin flexing their muscles on Neet, an issue that’s likely to hold centre stage for a while. Stalin accused the government of lacking commitment in taking up the issue with the Centre while the CM tried to lay the blame for introducing Neet on the erstwhile UPA regime, of which the DMK was a constituent.

With the Covid-19 pandemic, Neet and the National Education Policy setting the narrative, Palaniswami and health minister C Vijayabaskar went on combat mode. “The statements of the chief minister and health minister were marked by blatant lies and conveniently hid facts like how the DMK stayed the Neet through legal route until the party was in power and opposed it in the Parliament. We brought out several issues from NEP to scam in PM-Kisan to PMAY to 50% OBC quota in medical admission,” former minister and DMK MLA Thangam Thennarasu said. Even as its attempts to extend the session by seven days failed, the opposition gave more than 30 notices to call the attention of the ministers to urgent matters of public importance, such as reopening of schools, drinking water and ‘lack of support’ to local bodies in Jal Jeevan Mission.

With just months to go for polls, the AIADMK announced its intention to seek amendments to the Indian Penal Code to make stringent the punishment for crimes against women and children. “It gave an opportunity to positively talk about the good things we have done in handling Covid pandemic. Passing 19 bills in a day is a record of sorts,” said minister K Pandiarajan. The creation of a new university, Anna University and reconstitution of an existing university as ‘Anna Technological and Research University is a pathbreaking step and a bill to regulate the Public Trusts has far-reaching implications said the minister. The Congress tried to remain relevant by accusing the government of being scared to take on the Centre on Neet and NEP. The notable absentee was AMMK leader T T V Dhinakaran.

68,000 Tamils stuck abroad still await evacuation

68,000 Tamils stuck abroad still await evacuation

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:18.09.2020

Nearly 68,000 Tamils, who have registered for rescue flights, are still waiting to return from nine countries, mostly from the Middle East.

Of the 1.48 lakh people who have registered, 79,000 returned to the state by Vande Bharat flights and charter flights in the past four months, said minister of state for external affairs V Muraleedharan. The minister mentioned the details in a written reply to a question submitted by Ramnathapuram MP K Navaskani in Lok Sabha.

He also said the Vande Bharat mission has moved into its sixth phase.

Though a little more than 50% of those who registered have reached home, around 40,000 people are still in the UAE waiting to return. Around 60,000 people had registered to return from the UAE, of which 25,572 reached TN in the past four months. Many from the state are still stranded in Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Singapore, Japan and Thailand. The number of people stuck in Japan and Thailand is relatively less at 176 and 240. As per the reply submitted in the Lok Sabha, everyone who registered from Iraq, Malaysia and South Korea have returned.

“A lot of people are still requesting for return flights. We have helped many by funding their quarantine stay. A majority are from districts like Trichy, Thanjavur, Tirunelveli and others in the south,” Navaskani said.

Chennai airport continues to receive relief flights from the Middle East and Southeast Asia. However, it is not clear if everyone who registered is returning.

“Relief flights continue to bring people from Dubai, Colombo, Riyadh, Oman, Bahrain, Dhaka, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. More flights are likely in the coming days as Vande Bharat flights are still in operation and people are also coming in charter flights,” said an airport official.

 

TN: WORKERS NEED BOTH MA & MPHIL

With new order, state may lose more mental health professionals

Aditi.R@timesgroup.com

Chennai:

Mental health professionals with postgraduate degrees in psychiatric social work, clinical psychology, etc may not be able to register with the Tamil Nadu State Mental Health Authority (SMHA) as the Mental Health Care Act mandates that they must also have an MPhil degree.

A recent order directed all mental health professionals to immediately and compulsorily register with the SMHA to continue practice. It added that only those who meet the eligibility criteria mentioned in the Act will be recognised. However, implementation of the Act will exclude a large number of professionals practicing with a postgraduate degree and increase scarcity of workers in the state.

This is the first time the SMHA is creating a registry of mental health professionals in TN. Earlier, they would have to register with the Rehabilitation Council of India to practice.

The order has caused both confusion and anger among professionals. “I’m inclined to think the Act has a typo and anyone with a postgraduate upwards will be recognised,” Vaishnavi Jayakumar, a disability rights activist, said adding that the workforce has several young professionals and cutting them off in a sector that is resource and attention deficit would only create more problems.

On one hand, authorities are making postgraduate degrees redundant and on the other, the National Education Policy has done away with MPhil programmes, further confusing students, experts said.

The other question is whether only those with PhD degrees be recognised as mental health professionals in clinical psychology and psychiatric social work. Many are still awaiting clarification on this matter.

“There is already a dearth of professionals and doing away with the postgraduate degrees will not help,” said P Nalini Rao, chairperson of the SFL school of social work and social policy, the Banyan Academy of mental health.

Faculty unhappy over renaming Anna Univ post bifurcation

Faculty unhappy over renaming Anna Univ post bifurcation

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:18.09.2020

The state government’s decision to bifurcate Anna University and change its name to Anna Technological and Research University (ARTU) has not gone down well with sections of the faculty.

As per the bill passed in the assembly on Thursday, College of Engineering, Guindy, Madras Institute of Technology, Chromepet, Alagappa College of Technology, Guindy, and School of Architecture and Planning will be part of ARTU, while the new university that will affiliate all engineering colleges in the state will be known as Anna University.

Sources in the university, whose annual budget is about ₹235 crore, said it would lose annually around ₹100 crore revenue from affiliation, conducting exams and other activities.

The faculty members also fear changing the name would affect the university’s standing in the academic world.

“Anna University’s degrees are recognised the world over. It is the hard work and years of toil of many faculty members and eminent vice-chancellors who guided the university to its present glory. By, this one stroke, the state government robbing the university funding and name. It will take a long time create such a brand name,” a senior professor from the university told TOI.

With Institute of Eminence status being denied to the university, it is not clear how the state government will fund the university. “If the university needs to excel in research, it needs huge funding. The state government has not announced any financial grant for the university to improve its research,” another professor said.

Anna University’s former vice-chancellor E Balagurusamy said the new affiliating university should have been given a new name.

“The original Anna University consists of only the four campuses CEG, MIT, AC Tech and School of Architecture and Planning. The affiliated colleges joined the university only in 2002 when the university was originally established in 1978,” he said.

They can even rename the new university Dr Jayalalithaa University of Technology, he suggested.

“We are not against bifurcation but the name matters,” a faculty member said on condition of anonymity.

Pallavaram, Vandalur flyovers open, GST Road travel a breeze

 

Pallavaram, Vandalur flyovers open, GST Road travel a breeze

Two Bridges Wrapped Up In Four Years, While Three Other Projects Still Await Completion

Oppili.P @timesgroup.com

Traffic bottlenecks on GST Road, gateway to the southern districts, could soon be a thing of the past. A flyover in Vandalur and another in Pallavaram, thrown open to the public by chief minister Edappadi K Palanisamy on Thursday, will ensure that.

Work on the two flyovers had begun in 2016. The flyover in Vandalur is a two-way stretch and is expected to ease congestion for at least 2km on GST Road.

The flyover in Pallavaram, about 1.5km long, is a uni-directional bridge like the one abutting the city's airport.

A senior official from the highways department said at least 10,000 vehicles take the stretch during peak hours daily. With the inauguration of the Vandalur flyover, vehicles coming from Vandalur-Kelambakkam Road can turn left and proceed towards Chengalpet or take a U-turn under the flyover and head towards Perungalathur and beyond, he said.

On the three-lane Pallavaram flyover, which can carry 5,000 vehicles during peak hours, an official said it will help motorists and vehicle users to avoid three traffic intersection on the GST Road, namely the old English Electric company junction, Sandhai road junction and Kundrathur road junction.

The Pallavaram flyover cost `82.76 crore, while the one in Vandalur was constructed for `59 crore, the official said.

Concessional fares cost railways ₹5,475cr, HC told

Concessional fares cost railways ₹5,475cr, HC told

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:18.09.2020

Southern Railway has informed the Madras high court that ticket fare concession to senior citizens was suspended to discourage unnecessary travel in view of the pandemic. It further submitted that between 2016 and 2019, it had incurred₹5,475 crore revenue loss providing concessions.

Prior to March 20, railways had more than 50 categories of passengers, including persons with disability, 11 categories of patients, youths, farmers, artists, sportspersons, medical professional, senior citizens, awardees, war widows, students and press correspondents, enjoying concessions, said P T Ramkumar, counsel for the railways.

In his submissions, representing general manager of Southern Railway, in response to a public interest writ petition filedby A S MohammedKhader Meeran, the counsel said: “The element of concession extended was varying from 10% to 100% depending upon the category. However, in view of Covid-19, a lot of train services were cancelled across the country and it was decided to grant concessions only for four categories – disabled passengers, 11 categories of patients and students.”

This decision was taken in view of a health advisory issued by the Central government due to Covid-19 and to discourage passengers from undertaking non-essential travel, Ramkumar said.

The PIL sought a direction to the railways to take steps to restart ticket booking with concession throughonline portalof IRCTC.

As to the demand to reopen online booking for concession ticketsunder patients’category, Ramkumar submitted that concessional tickets are issued to11 categories of patients across the reservation counter on production of original medical certificate. Such tickets can also be purchased by any other person on behalf of the patients on production of the original certificate issued by the doctor of a recognised hospital. Since such verification is a pre-condition, online booking cannot be permitted, he said.

Recording the submissions, a division bench of Justice M M Sundresh and Justice R Hemalatha adjourned the hearing to September 18.

3 dental colleges told to pay ₹8.1cr - The Times Of India

 3 dental colleges told to pay ₹8.1cr - The Times Of India

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:15.09.2020

Acting tough on illegal admissions to professional courses, the high court directed three dental colleges in north Karnataka to pay Rs 8.1 crore (Rs 10 lakh per student) as cost for granting post-facto approval to 81 students who had completed BDS course.

These students were admitted under the unexhausted CET or government quota seats and they hadn’t appeared for the entrance test.

As per the direction issued by a division bench comprising Justices Krishna S Dixit and P Krishna Bhat, the students have to submit a stamped affidavit in two months and an undertaking to do rural service in Karnataka. The cost amount also has to be deposited with the court in two months and it will be transferred to the Chief Minister’s Calamity/ Covid Relief Fund.

The high court’s Kalaburagi bench said the college has to pay for the violation and the students, who were beneficiaries of the same, need to render one-year community service.

SB Patil Dental College and Hospital, Bidar, along with 35 students; Hyderabad Karnataka Development Education Trust’s Dental College and Hospital, Humnabad, Bidar district, with 22 students and S Nijalingappa Institute of Dental Sciences and Research, Kalaburagi, with 25 students had approached the court in 2016 challenging endorsements issued by Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences.

Admissions not approved

Refusing to approve the students’ admissions, the university stated that assessment of comparative merits by CET is a pre-condition for admission. However, it was later stated that the name of Mohammed Asif, a student of Kalaburagi college, was inadvertently included as a petitioner though he had appeared for CET.

The petitioners said there’s no legal requirement of CET as a pre-condition for admission of candidates under the unexhausted quota of government seats. Students shouldn’t be made scapegoats for the management’s fault, they added. During the pendency, by way of an interim order, the students were allowed to complete the course.

Plagiarism row: Academics, MPs want DU to take action -

 Plagiarism row: Academics, MPs want DU to take action -

 The Times Of India

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:

16.09.2020

Members of Parliament and academics on Tuesday sought action against principals of three Delhi University colleges who were accused of plagiarism.

“Plagiarism is unethical and unacademic and is a serious matter of academic dishonesty and intellectual fraud,” CPI member and Rajya Sabha MP D Raja said at a press conference.

He asked why action was not taken against the principal of a college against whom charges have been proved. “This raises several questions,” he added.

Former DU professor and RJD MP Manoj Jha said that “the incident of plagiarism brings bad name to the university. I question why the university administration has not acted on the allegations yet.” He added that he would bring the matter to the notice of the Vice-President who is also the chancellor of Delhi University.

Nilotpal Basu, former MP, said that plagiarism is a blot on the academic community. “Cannot imagine how a principal of a college can be so brazen in doing this. Some corrective measures are needed.”

Former DUTA president Nandita Narain said “what example such a teacher will set for students. DU has taken these issues seriously and even suspended one teacher on this ground before.”

At the press conference organised by Samajwadi Shikshak Manch, former JNU professor Anand Kumar highlighted the issue of plagiarism and connected it with corruption in the academic world.

Speaking to TOI, a senior DU official said that “we are yet to take action on the principals as we are looking at the issue closely, including the legal aspects of these cases.”

8 DU professors knock on HC’s door for salary - The Times Of India

 8 DU professors knock on HC’s door for salary - The Times Of India

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:

Eight professors of Delhi University on Tuesday moved Delhi High Court seeking their salaries pending for four months.

The plea, filed through advocates Ashok Agarwal and Kumar Utkarsh on Monday, complained that the petitioners had not been received their salaries since May. “It is respectfully submitted that the impugned inaction on the part of respondent colleges is violative of the fundamental right of the petitioners guaranteed under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution read with the provisions of Delhi University Act 1922,” the plea said.

It also sought directions to ensure timely payment of salaries in the future and said that the impugned actions were unjust, unfair, arbitrary, discriminatory, unethical, unconstitutional.

Likely to come up for hearing later this week, the plea submitted that apart from the teachers, there were other employees, teaching and nonteaching, who were yet to receive their salaries for May, June, July and August.

Since they are members of Delhi University Teachers Association, the organisation on their behalf has been communicating with Delhi government for release of funds to enable 12 DU colleges, funded by the AAP government, to pay salaries to 1,500 teachers and non-teaching staff, but nothing has been done yet. The teachers had contended that employees of these colleges were undergoing mental agony and harassment, and that there was no justification on the part of the authorities to not pay them their dues on time.

“The impugned actions are bad in law as much as the same is violative of right to life and livelihood,” the plea contended.

The plea listed the 12 colleges as — Acharya Narendra Dev College, Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar College, Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, Bhagini Nivedita College, DeenDayal Upadhyaya College, Aditi Mahavidyalaya Women’s College, Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education & Sports Sciences, Keshav Mahavidyalaya, Maharaja Agrasen College (DU), Maharshi Valmiki College of Education, Shaheed Rajguru College of Applied Sciences for Women and Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies.

ICMR: Some adverse reactions to plasma - The Times Of India

ICMR: Some adverse reactions to plasma - The Times Of India

Sushmi.Dey@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:

16.09.2020

The Indian Council of Medical Research on Tuesday said early evidence from one of its randomised controlled trials on the efficacy of convalescent plasma for Covid-19 patients has shown the possibility of adverse reactions in some cases, even as the therapy did not reduce mortality nor did it prevent progression from moderate to severe disease.

The study conducted on 464 patients across 39 hospitals in 25 districts spread over 14 states and UTs was still under peer review and full publication of the results was awaited, ICMR director general Balram Bhargava said. “Once peer review happens and we get full publication out, this data will be considered again by the national task force and joint monitoring group of the health ministry and then a decision will be taken if we should continue with this or not,” he said.

States now have plasma banks too

There are a few cases where some reactions can occur and, therefore, we will take a considered view once we get the full publication of this study,” Bhargava said, indicating that the government may review its earlier guidelines on the use of plasma therapy. The comments assume significance as many states have now set up plasma banks even as results of the trials to establish its efficacy are yet to be published.

HC notice to health dept on exempting govt docs with comorbidities from Covid duty

 HC notice to health dept on exempting govt docs with comorbidities from Covid duty

 - The Times Of India

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:

16.09.2020

A government doctors’ forum has moved the Madras high court to restrain Tamil Nadu from posting government doctors having comorbidities such as diabetics in Covid-19 duty.

A division bench of Justices MM Sundresh and R Hemalatha issued notices on the public interest writ petition filed by Doctors Association for Social Equality and directed the health department to file its response. According to the forum, represented by GR Ravindranath, government doctors, nurses and health personnel, who are above 50 years and suffering from chronic diseases, health conditions including diabetes, hypertension and any other comorbid conditions, pregnant and lactating mothers with infants are being asked to report for Covid and related duties.

“Exposing the professionals who come under such health conditions will suffer a severe life risk if they are compelled to take part in Covid-19 and related duties,” he claimed. The director of public health and preventive medicines has issued circulars dated April 8 and 20 restricting hospital authorities from deploying health professionals having comorbid for Covid-19 related duties. But medical authorities are constantly deploying doctors and other health care professionals despite their medical condition, he added.

Sasi can walk free in Jan 2021 if she pays ₹10crore fine: K’Taka -

Sasi can walk free in Jan 2021 if she pays ₹10crore fine: K’Taka - 

The Times Of India

Rajiv.Kalkod@timesgroup.com

Former AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala will be released from the Central Prison, Bengaluru, on January 27, 2021if she pays the fine of ₹10 crore slapped on her. Her simple imprisonment could be extended by a year if she fails to pay, jail officials stated in a reply to an RTI query.

Prison officials told TOI that convicts imprisoned for financial frauds and cheating cases are not eligible for either leaves or premature release for good conduct. Generally, 84 days in a year are counted as leave days and the same is deducted from the convicts’ jail term while releasing them.

Sasikala, her nephew VN Sudhakaran and sister-inlaw J Ilavarasi have been lodged in the prison since February 15, 2017, after the Supreme Court set aside their acquittal by the Karnataka high court in the disproportionate assets case, and awarded imprisonment for four years each besides a fine of ₹10 crore each.

Bengaluru-based RTI activist T Narasimhamurthy had sought details about the release dates.

“As per the records, the probable release date of Sasikala (convict number 9234) is January 27, 2021 if the fine amount is paid. The release would be on February 27, 2022 if the fine is not paid. The date may vary if she utilises parole facility,” reads the RTI reply.

According to the prison manual, parole days are considered extra and convicts availing themselves of parole will have to stay for that many more days inside.

“Sasikala has till now used 18 days of parole. The first parole, for eight days, was granted on October 6, 2017 when her husband fell ill and she travelled to Tamil Nadu. The next was on March 20, 2018 when her husband passed away in Chennai. Sasikala had taken 10 days to attend the funeral and other rituals. We’ve added those 18 days to her prison term and the probable release dates would be either January 27, 2021 or February 27, 2022,” prison officials said.

Former chief minister J Jayalalithaa, who was the prime accused in the case, was convicted, sentenced to four-year jail term and fined ₹100 crore by a trial court.

While the Supreme Court was still seized of the appeal against her acquittal by the Karnataka high court, Jayalalithaa died, prompting the Supreme Court to hold that charges against her would abate.

VK Sasikala’s simple imprisonment could be extended by a year if she fails to pay the fine of ₹10 crore slapped on her, jail officials said in a reply to an RTI

Call to conduct supplementary exams by October-end

 Call to conduct supplementary exams by October-end

16/09/2020

 Special Correspondent  CHENNAI

The Tamil Nadu Medical Students’ Association has urged the Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University to conduct the supplementary examinations for second- and third-year MBBS students by the end of October.

In a statement, the association said the results of the university examinations for second- and third-year medical students conducted in February 2020 were released recently. Some students did not pass the examinations.

Fear among students

Usually, the results of the examinations are released in April/May and supplementary examinations are held in August. However, the regular supplementary examinations schedule was disrupted due to the COVID-19 situation. This has led to fears among second- and third-year medical students regarding the supplementary exams and course extension.

In view of these issues, the association requested the university to conduct the supplementary exams for second- and third-year students by the last week of October.

The association noted that the university had held the supplementary examinations for fourth-year medical students who did not pass the February 2020 university examinations in 

Online booking must for ‘Purattasi’ Saturday darshan at Srirangam temple

Online booking must for ‘Purattasi’ Saturday darshan at Srirangam temple

Move intended to ensure physical distancing, says official

16/09/2020

A file photograph of the Srirangam temple.A. MURALITHARAN

Special Correspondent TIRUCHI

Devotees who wish to visit the Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy temple on Saturdays during the Tamil month of ‘Purattasi’ have to make advance bookings online.

Temple authorities on Tuesday said that only devotees with online bookings would be allowed inside the temple complex for darshan on the four Saturdays during Purattasi, falling on September 19, 26 and October 3, 10.

Online bookings have to be made for both free and paid darshan. Bookings can be made on the temple website www.srirangam.org

An official release from the temple Joint Commissioner /Executive Officer P. Jayaraman said the move was intended to ensure physical distancing among devotees in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce wait times for darshan.

The temple witnesses a huge turn-out of devotees on Saturdays in Purattasi. Mr. Jayaraman appealed to the devotees to make use of the booking facility and offer worship at the specified timings on the four Saturdays.

 Mahalaya Amavasya rituals banned

16/09/2020

 Staff ReporterCoimbatore

As part of COVID-19 precautionary measures, the district administration has banned congregation of devotees at temples or water bodies close to temples to conduct Mahalaya Amavasya rituals on September 17.

District Collector K. Rajamani said in a release that owners of private halls near temples must get permission from the authorities before renting the premises for these occasions.

HR&CE Department officials said that the crowds are expected at Perur Patteeswarar Temple, Karamadai Aranganatha Swamy Temple and Thekkampatti Vanabadrakaliamman Temple in Coimbatore district. While the rituals are not allowed, the temples will be open for devotees with the usual COVID-19 precautionary measures.

Erode Staff Reporter adds

The Erode district administration has also banned congregation of devotees at temples and river beds on September 17. Collector C. Kathiravan, however, said that devotees can offer prayers at temples.