MU distance edu exams hit by ‘cyber attack’ on server

MU distance edu exams hit by ‘cyber attack’ on server

Hemali Chhapia & Yogita Rao TNN

Mumbai:07.10.2020

Exams of the Institute of Open and Distance Learning (IDOL) of the University of Mumbai had to be called off after a “cyber attack” on the exam server on Tuesday. The fiasco on the second day of examinations by the distance education provider caused exams slated for Wednesday, too, to be called off.

IDOL postponed the final year arts, commerce and science exams with no new dates for the conduct of the exams.

On Tuesday, many candidates complained that when they clicked on the exam link sent to them, a message saying ‘No exams scheduled’ flashed. Around 8,000 TYBA and TYBCom students were scheduled to take their second exam on Tuesday.

The university, which held a review meeting, concluded it was a case of cyber attack. A complaint was lodged with the cyber cell.

Several IDOL officials said they felt the crash was a result of a coordination failure between two edtech agencies handling the IDOL account.

For years, IDOL and all Mumbai University work has been with the Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Ltd, which registers students and carries out other IT-related services like issuing hall tickets. This time the university selected a Singapore-based edtech firm, Littlemore Innovation Labs (LMI), to conduct the exams for IDOL.

“We cannot rule out cyber attack,” Deepak Mukadam, a long-serving former senate member and current management council member of the university, said.

He said the company claimed the server crashed and so exams could not be conducted. “This default by our third-party exam conducting partner has caused embarrassment to a prestigious university like ours. The company should be blacklisted by our technical team and the failure to conduct the exam also reflects poorly on us for choosing such a partner,” he said.

Another senate member, Supriya Karande said: “If there would have been coordination between the two companies this exam would not have been a fiasco.”

LMI is the most expensive among the firms employed by other state universities and MU-affiliated colleges to conduct online exams and charges Rs 20 per student per paper, claimed sources.

Phone calls to LMI met with no response.

A MU press note said: “A technical problem has arisen due to a cyber attack on the server responsible for conducting the final year exams on Tuesday. As a result, the University has also postponed the exams scheduled on October 7. The new dates for these exams will be decided soon and will be displayed on the university’s website. The university will file a formal complaint in the matter.”

Exams for BSc-IT, BSccomputer science, MCA and backlog exams for BA and BCom had been scheduled on Wednesday.

Mumbai University College Teachers’ Association demanded a high-level inquiry against the software vendor.

TIMES VIEW: While the new exam format was a change for students and Mumbai University authorities, the inefficiency of officials of the university has once again led to an embarrassing fiasco. The university officials are aware of the limitations of their technology partner and should have insisted on a series of security drills. The exam process has ended up as a nightmarish experience for close to 1 lakh candidates.

Parents and students gather at the IDOL on the Kalina campus on Tues

Colleges will open after all is normal: Min

Colleges will open after all is normal: Min

—Swati Shinde Gole

07.10.2020

On-campus classes for college students will not begin till the Covid situation normalises, higher education minister Uday Samant said in Pune on Tuesday.

“Till the situation in the state normalises, and spread of the infection is under control, no decision on re-opening will be taken,” he said, The academic calendar has been put off across the globe due to the pandemic, and hence concessions in admission and other college activity will be considered everywhere, the minister said.

On admissions to various professional courses that have been stalled due to legalities of the Maratha reservation issue, Samant said, “The chief minister and other party members are deliberating over the reservation. The matter is in court, and will soon be resolved... Till then, it will be inappropriate for me to comment.”

KGMU docs’ white paper on Ivermectin on WHO site

KGMU docs’ white paper on Ivermectin on WHO site

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Lucknow:  07.10.2020

A white paper on Ivermectin drug as potential therapy for Covid-19 prepared by head of KGMU’s respiratory medicine department Prof Surya Kant and other senior doctors from different states of India has found recognition by the World Health Organization (WHO). The paper published in the Indian Journal of Tuberculosis Elsevier is now a part of the global literature on Covid-19, getting space on WHO’s website.

The abstract of the article states that “A group of senior doctors with vast clinical experience met on July 19, 2020, under the aegis of the Academy of Advanced Medical Education. The panel looked at Ivermectin, one of the old molecules and evaluated its use in Covid-19 management. After critical panel discussion, all the attending doctors came to a conclusion that Ivermectin can be a potential molecule for prophylaxis and treatment of people infected with novel coronavirus owing to its “anti-viral properties coupled with effective cost, availability and good tolerability and safety.”

Along with KGMU, Dr VK Arora (Delhi), Dr D Behera (Chandigarh), Dr Agam Vora (Mumbai), Dr T Mohan Kumar (Coimbatore), Dr Narayana Pradeep (Kerala) and a team of other doctors published the white paper.

“It is a moment of pride for KGMU, UP and the country that WHO recognised the effort,” said Prof Surya Kant.

Dentist held for sending morphed photos of housewife to her husband in bid to get them divorced

Dentist held for sending morphed photos of housewife to her husband in bid to get them divorced

The dentist from the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital took the help of a TV actor who morphed her image and another man who provided fake SIM cards, said police

Published: 03rd October 2020 04:28 PM 

By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Three persons including a dentist with the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital and a television actor were arrested by the Fort police for allegedly sending photoshopped nude pictures of a housewife in Varkala to her husband and his relatives.

The arrested men were identified as Dr Subu, serial actor Jaseer Khan and Sreejith who was involved in giving fake SIM cards to Subu and Jaseer. According to the police, Subu is the kingpin as the complainant was his cousin. Jaseer had morphed her image. Sreejith had handed over the SIM cards to the duo for sending fake obscene pictures to the complainant's relatives.

According to the police, the woman and her husband were living separately for the past three months and their married life was on the verge of collapse. The woman used to tell her worries to Subu. However, Subu had malicious intentions on her and hence wanted the woman and her husband to get divorced. Therefore, he sought the help of Jaseer and Sreejith to make morphed nude pictures of the woman, police said.

"When they got fake SIM cards from Sreejith, they started sending these pictures to her husband and relatives via Whatsapp so that Subu thought that her husband would divorce her legally and he could enter her life. Incidentally, she approached the police with a complaint along with Subu. She was unaware about his intentions. On the basis of her complaint, we have investigated and got digital evidence that Subu, Jaseer and Sreejith were guilty," said J Rakesh, Fort CI.

The police have charged them under Section, 67, 67 A of IT act, Section 409 (criminal breach of trust) and Section 416 (punishment for cheating by impersonating) of the Indian Penal Code. The arrest was recorded by the team led by Fort Assistant Commissioner of Police R Prathapan Nair. The accused landed in the police net after the SIM card numbers were traced. Though the SIM was originally owned by a person from Vattappara, police got evidence that Sreejith had managed to get a duplicate of the SIM card.

The arrested were later remanded in judicial custody for 14 days.

Dalit TN MLA weds brahmin girl

Dalit TN MLA weds brahmin girl

Dad Says Girl Abducted, Threatens To Kill Himself

Karal.Marx @timesgroup.com

Villupuram:06.10.2020

It had all the elements of a kollywood blockbuster — a high-profile politician, a love story, a caste twist and a suicide bid. As AIADMK MLA A Prabhu, 36, a dalit, was solemnizing his marriage with his lady love S Soundharya, a 19-year-old brahmin girl, at his house in Kallakurichi early on Monday, the bride’s father, S Swaminathan, barged into the MLA’s house, doused himself in petrol and threatened to set himself on fire.

The furious temple priest accused Prabhu of abducting his daughter and marrying her against his wish. Swaminathan threatened legal action against Prabhu for having a relationship with his daughter for the past three years, though she was a minor, and for breach of trust his family had reposed in him.

AIADMK MLA A Prabhu tied the knot with S Soundharya at his residence in Kallakurichi on Monday

My wife is an adult and free to make her own choice: MLA

AIADMK cadres and police personnel, gathered at the spot, thwarted his attempt to set himself on fire, and took him to Thiyagathurugam police station. When TOI contacted Kallakurichi superintendent of police Ziaul Haque, the officer confirmed the developments inside the AIADMK MLA’s residence. Based on a complaint by the Thiyagathurugam village administrative officer, a case was registered against the bride’s father under IPC section 309 (Attempt to suicide). Swaminathan has been questioned and an investigation is on, said the SP.

“Though we are brahmins, for 14 years, Prabhu grew up in my house and I considered him my son. But he broke that trust,” said Swaminathan. He said his daughter Soundharya was completing an undergraduate programme in Arts. “She was lured into the relationship three years ago. I believe my daughter is not mentally prepared for marriage,” said Swaminathan. He alleged that his family was facing threat from supporters of the MLA and sought protection. “I demand that Prabhu send my daughter back to me” he said. “My wife is a major and she is of legal age to enter into matrimony. We welcome any inquiry pertaining to it and we will face the consequences legally,” said Prabhu, dismissing Swaminathan’s charge that he was threatening him and his family.

MCI for uniform bond conditions for medicos across the country

MCI for uniform bond conditions for medicos across the country

Judges rule that State governments must offer jobs within bond period

07/10/2020

Mohamed Imranullah S. CHENNAI

The Medical Council of India (MCI) has informed the Madras High Court that it has recommended a uniform procedure to be followed by all States for the execution of bonds by medical students who agree to serve State hospitals for a particular period in return for highly subsidised education in government institutions.

Chief Justice Amreshwar Pratap Sahi and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy were informed by V.P. Raman, counsel for MCI (replaced with the National Medical Commission since September 25), that the recommendations were made to the Centre in July, following deliberations with representatives of the governments of 19 States.

The MCI had constituted a committee to come up with a uniform bond policy in accordance with directions issued by the Supreme Court in 2019. While deciding a case involving the Association of Medical Super Specialty Aspirants and Residents and the Centre, the court had stressed the need for uniform bond conditions.

Accordingly, the panel recommended that the bond period for MBBS candidates should not exceed one year, and the bond value should not be over ₹10 lakh for those admitted under the all-India quota (AIQ). The bond value alone could be increased to a maximum of ₹15 lakh for students admitted under the State quota. After a year of bond service, the candidates could be allowed to serve for one more year.

The State governments must induct the candidates into government service within three months of completion of internship, failing which the bonds would stand terminated. For PG students, the bond tenure should be restricted to a maximum of two years for State quota candidates and one year for AIQ candidates. Their bond values should not exceed ₹20 lakh and ₹15 lakh respectively. In so far as super speciality courses are concerned, the committee recommended a common bond policy of two years and ₹20 lakh.

The submissions were made during the hearing of several writ petitions filed by doctors who pursued PG degree and diploma courses under the AIQ in government medical colleges in Tamil Nadu between 2012-13 and 2015-16. The government neither provided them jobs in government hospitals as per the bond conditions nor returned their original certificates.

Chief Justice Sahi held that the government ought to have offered the petitioners jobs within the bond period of two years. Failure to do so would render the bonds infructuous, and all their original certificates must be returned forthwith, he ordered.

Agri admissions in deemed varsities subject to result of cases’

Agri admissions in deemed varsities subject to result of cases’

Petitions were filed challenging the government’s insistence on obtaining NOCs from it

07/10/2020

Legal Correspondent CHENNAI

The Madras High Court on Tuesday said that all new admissions made by deemed universities in the State in agriculture and allied courses would be subject to the result of writ petitions filed in the court challenging the Tamil Nadu government’s insistence on obtaining no-objection certificates from it after proving availability of requisite infrastructure.

Chief Justice Amreshwar Pratap Sahi and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy passed the interim order on a petition filed by the Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences.

The judges also clubbed petitions filed by the SRM Institute of Science and Technology and the Vellore Institute of Technology, challenging a government order issued on July 28.

Advocate General Vijay Narayan defended the G.O. stating that it had become necessary on the part of the State government to ensure the availability of requisite infrastructure, since a greater number of educational institutions in the State had started offering agriculture and allied courses.

When private agriculture colleges affiliated to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in Coimbatore were complying with the norms laid down by the State, there was no reason why deemed universities should not, he said. Advocate Abdul Saleem, representing TNAU, said he would adopt the arguments of the A-G.

Stating that agricultural research and education falls under Entry 14 of List II (State list) of the Seventh schedule to the Constitution, the A-G said the State government was fully competent to require deemed universities to obtain NOCs. But Additional Solicitor General R. Sankaranarayanan, representing the UGC, differed with him.

Senior counsel G. Masilamani and Chitra Sampath, representing the petitioner institutions, said an interesting question of law with regard to the competence of the State government to insist on NOCs from deemed universities had been raised, and hence, they would require time to argue the matter at length.

Doctors write to Bengal CM on health risks during puja

Doctors write to Bengal CM on health risks during puja

7/10/2020

special correspondentKolkata

Doctors in West Bengal have written to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asking her to take strict measures to check crowding during Durga Puja as they feared a ‘tsunami’ of COVID-19 cases after the festival.

“The noticeable rise in the number of cases after Mahalaya and Vishwakarma Puja is an indication of things to come. Therefore, any laxity in maintaining health protocols during Durga Puja can be suicidal. There will be a tsunami of cases and the situation will spiral out of control,” said the letter signed by Dr. Hiralal Konar and Dr. Punyabrata Gun.

GITAM files police complaint

GITAM files police complaint

07/10/2020

Special Correspondent VISAKHAPATNAM

GITAM (Deemed to be University) on Tuesday filed a complaint at the Visakhapatnam Cyber Crime police station, alleging that some persons have been indulging in bad propaganda against the institution on social media. University Registrar D. Gunasekharan lodged the complaint substantiating with documents.

KPSC ordered to pay compensation for not providing answer script

KPSC ordered to pay compensation for not providing answer script

07/10/2020

Sharath S. Srivatsa Bengaluru

The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) has been directed by the Karnataka Information Commission (KIC) to pay a compensation of ₹1 lakh to a candidate of Gazetted Probationers 2015 mains examination, who had been denied copies of the answer scripts with marks awarded, and had been made to “run from pillar to post.”

The appellant Sudhanva Bhandolkar had approached the KIC after being denied the answer scripts by the commission. The order signed by State Information Commissioner K.P. Manjunatha on September 29 said that PIO and Section Officer Shashikala had not provided the information despite the KIC order. The KIC has also slapped a fine of ₹25,000 on the officer.

Showcause notices had been issued as to why ₹25,000 penalty should not be imposed for not providing the information, and also as to why compensation of ₹1 lakh should not be awarded for loss or other detriments suffered by the appellant. “Ms. Shashikala has not appeared before the KIC and also chose to ignore the directions, to submit her explanation for the showcause notices,” the order noted.

The KIC has directed the KPSC to deduct ₹25,000 from the salary payable to her in 5 equal instalments starting from the month of October, 2020 and report compliance.

The KIC noted that the appellant has been made to run from pillar to post for securing information in spite of being entitled to get it within 30 days by virtue of the RTI Act, and the appellant informed that the KPSC had approached the Karnataka High Court against the September 7, 2020, order of KIC. The appellant has also informed that he had to engage a senior counsel for whom he had to pay an exorbitant fees besides undergoing the mental agony.

Guidelines issued to ensure safety from Covid during festival season

Guidelines issued to ensure safety from Covid during festival season

New Delhi:07.10.2020

Cautioning people against the expected surge in Covid-19 cases during the upcoming festival season which may lead to public gatherings and complacency among people, the Centre has issued guidelines on preventive measures to contain the spread.

While suggesting to allow festive events only outside the containment zones, the government urged people residing in the restricted areas and vulnerable population including pregnant women, elderly and those with co-morbidities to celebrate all festivals inside their homes and not move out.

Gatherings will also have to ensure adequate area for events with a detailed site map and proper markings to maintain social distancing and not allowing touching of idols and holy books, to prevent the spread of infection, according to the standard operating procedures (SoP) issued by the health ministry on Tuesday.

"Festive events shall be permitted only outside the Containment Zones. Organisers, staff and visitors from Containment Zones shall not be permitted. People residing inside Containment Zones may be encouraged to observe all festivals inside their homes and not move out," the ministry added.

It said that the festivals, fairs, rallies, exhibitions, cultural functions, processions and concerts associated with the festivities are mass events and advised the administrative requirement such as identification of spatial boundaries and preparation of a detailed site plan in compliance with thermal screening, physical distancing, sanitisation, route planning etc.

“In case of events that run for days or weeks, the crowd density doesn't remain the same throughout and usually peaks around certain hours of the day and some previously known auspicious days,” the guidelines said suggesting that planning for the event should specifically factor this so that crowds are regulated and managed to ensure physical distance and frequent sanitisation.

Full story on www.toi.com

Cinemas to reopen from Oct 15 with 50% capacity

Cinemas to reopen from Oct 15 with 50% capacity

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:07.10.2020

The government on Tuesday gave the green signal for cinemas to reopen from October 15 and issued directions such as running at 50% capacity, physical distancing in common areas, use of masks, and easy availability of sanitisers in touch-free mode at entry and exit points.

Information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar released the SOPs on Tuesday and said measures like one-seat distance between viewers, would ensure that even as the business of film exhibition resumes, it is done keeping in mind all safety protocols.

While cinema halls in containment zones will remain shut, the government has allowed states and UTs to add extra measures in their respective regions as per local assessments. The guidelines mandate adequate physical distancing of at least six feet outside the auditoriums, common areas and waiting areas at all times, use of face masks, and mandatory availability of hand sanitisers at entry and exit points and common areas inside the premises.

While the use of Aarogya Setu app has not been made mandatory, the SOPs advise its installation and use. Javadekar also said online booking of tickets will be encouraged but box office will be open for single-screen theatres. “Proper ventilation has to be ensured and temperature setting of all air conditioning should be above 23 degree celsius,” he said.

The new SOPs also disallow any overlap between start, finish or intermission time in multiplexes. They also mandate the collection of contact numbers of all those who book tickets to facilitate contact tracing. Box offices will remain open for ticketing throughout the day and advance booking will be allowed to avoid crowds.

BACK TO BUSINESS

B’luru colleges see drop in int’l students’ admissions

B’luru colleges see drop in int’l students’ admissions

SruthySusan.Ullas@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:07.10.2020

A city that has charmed foreign students with its campuses is now witnessing a fall in the number of international students taking admissions this year, thanks to the pandemic. While admissions are open in most colleges of Bengaluru, with travel restrictions, late result announcements and fear of virus, many institutions are witnessing fewer new international students.

For instance, Christ deemed-to-be University, which gets about 600 students from abroad, has had 120 students joining in this year. “What used to be around 100 students from Nepal is 29 this time. There’s just one student from South Korea as against 50 in a normal year. The admissions through ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) scholarships are yet to come, but the numbers will not reach the normalcy. The drop is likely to affect the university revenue by 10-15%,” said Fr Abraham VM, vice-chancellor.

To attract foreign students, some colleges say they are not increasing the fees this yr

Varsities see rise in admission of NRIs

Rajkumar Chakraborty, director (admissions) of Presidency University, said students used to come to Bengaluru 6-8 months prior to the admission season, but this year it’s different.

“Students from Saudi Arabia and African countries, in particular, arrive early in the city to achieve English proficiency. They join English training centres and make a smooth transition when colleges open. This time, all of them returned home by March and are yet to return to take admissions,” Rajkumar said.

However, the number of NRI and Person of Indian Origin students returning to get admissions has increased, he added. Conceding a drop in international students, Christo Joseph, director, strategy and planning, Garden City University, said there’s an increase in admission from NRI students, especially from West Asia, in the recent past and attributed it to economic situation arising out of job losses, salary cuts and families returning home.

Universities are taking measures to attract students to campuses. Jain deemed-to-be University that had 700 foreign students last year has 420 this year. “Confirmations are slowly coming in for some courses, but not like previous years. While we do not see a drop from Saarc countries, the reduction is from those like Ethiopia and Somalia,” said Suhasini Gowda, senior adviser for international students and the scholars advisory centre of the university. Suhasini said they’re keeping fees almost the same as last year, besides giving students an option to pay in installments.

‘Early to comment on trend’

Some hope the situation will improve in the coming days. “A major chunk of our foreign students are from South Africa. Our consultants have started work in connecting with students,” said B Narasimha Murthy, vice-president, CMR Institute of Technology.

P Venugopal, regional director, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, which provides scholarships for foreign students to study at Indian campuses, said: “We got 1,400 applications between December 2019 and March 2020. Confirmations have started to come in only now. I’s early to comment on the trend, but it’s possible the pandemic affects the admissions.”

Double promotions to doctors on Covid-19 duty opposed

Double promotions to doctors on Covid-19 duty opposed

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:07.10.2020

The state government had recently decided that doctors at government medical colleges doing Covid duty were entitled to double promotions, and this is being implemented at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.

The decision has met with stiff protest from medical and paramedical staff across the state who want similar benefits, said sources aware of the matter. The protesters are likely to gather more support in coming days with nursing and outsourcing staff also pressing for similar demands. Many are also demanding permanent jobs for medical service during this Covid-19 crisis, sources added.

Promotions are usually given to doctors after five years of service. This year, due to Covid-19, doctors are likely to get not one but two promotions in a matter of three months, sources said. A list of doctors has already been prepared and it is now only a matter of time before their double promotions are announced, sources added.

“There are doctors who feel left out as their colleagues or juniors may get out of-turn promotions due to the Covid-19 crisis. Also the nursing staff is very upset as they have been working round-the-clock. The issue is likely to produce a backlash from members of medical and paramedical staff,” sources said.

Tough bargaining over AIADMK steering panel

Tough bargaining over AIADMK steering panel

Both Camps Go All Out For Best Deal

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:  07.10.2020

The ruling AIADMK is all set to name Edappadi K Palaniswami as the chief minister candidate, and constitute a steering committee, a key demand put forth by deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam. Until Tuesday night, the OPS and EPS camps were engaged in hectic parleys to shortlist senior members for the committee who will represent the various castes, religions and regions. The talks, however, continued well into the night as the two sides wrangled over the composition of the committee. Senior leaders were, however, hopeful that all loose ends would be tied up and the announcements made as promised by AIADMK deputy coordinator K P Munusamy after the party executive committee meeting on September 28.

There was a flurry of activity at the residences of OPS and EPS on Greenways Road in Chennai on Tuesday as ministers and senior leaders held several rounds of talks. It began with deputy coordinators K P Munusamy and R Vaithilingam informing the deputy chief minister about the EPS team giving the green signal for constituting the steering committee. EPS had held a meeting with 17 ministers in his chamber at the Secretariat on Monday.

On Tuesday morning, four ministers, ministers SP Velumani, P Thangamani, D Jayakumar and R B Udayakumar visited Panneerselvam and discussed for two hours before going over to the chief minister for briefing. Sources said the powers and functions of the committee, and the selection of members were discussed threadbare. The leaders had a second round of discussion. The contention of the EPS camp is that there were too many claimants for the posts. Thangamani and Velumani, the close confidantes of EPS, however, were frontrunners.

While the names of ministers Jayakumar and Shanmugam and senior leader Natham R Viswanathan were mentioned, sources said veteran leaders Panruti S Ramachandran and J C D Prabhakar from the OPS group were in the race.

OPS arrived in Chennai on Monday night after a brief sojourn in his native Theni district. “After dilly-dallying over the steering committee, a precondition of the OPS faction for merger with the rival group in September 2017, the EPS camp conveyed its willingness to announce the formation of the committee along with the chief minister candidate on Wednesday,” said a senior leader. Initially, OPS wanted the committee to be set up first, and then announce the CM candidate. His contention was that the general council had already resolved to have a committee. “Now, both sides have decided to announce the members of the committee on Wednesday,” said the leader.

Late into the night, the OPS and EPS camps were engaged in hectic parleys to shortlist senior members for the committee who will represent the various castes, religions and regions

6 more pvt hospitals roped in to treat Covid patients

6 more pvt hospitals roped in to treat Covid patients

Coimbatore:  07.10.2020

The directorate of health services has begun ramping up beds in private and government hospitals in the district, which recorded 434 new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday, as the district administration has stopped the option for the people, who test positive for the virus, to remain in home quarantine.

The number of beds available in private hospitals for treating Covid-19 patients has gone up by 17% in the past two weeks.

Among the new hospitals added to the list are NM Hospital at Annur and Venkateshwara Hospital at Chinniampalayam. While the six hospitals have added 226 beds, all of which have oxygen supply facility, the other 26 hospitals have agreed to increase the bed strength. “The Kovai Medical Center and Hospital has agreed to allot 40 more beds and the PSG Hospitals more than 400. While we do not advise home isolation for anybody, we are ensuring that every Covid-19 patient has a bed,” Krishna said.

The number of active cases came down to 4,837 from 4,890 on Monday, with 494 patients getting discharged. TNN

HC: State PG docs must work in govt hosps for 2 years

HC: State PG docs must work in govt hosps for 2 years

Chennai:  07.10.2020

The Madras high court on Tuesday upheld mandatory state service for all postgraduate medical students in Tamil Nadu admitted under the All India Quota (AIQ). As per admission prospectus, all PG students must compulsorily serve two years in government hospitals. “The monetary investment by the state in this sector may be tremendous, but it is for a laudable purpose and the investment is just not pure business. The idea of compelling pass outs to serve the state hospitals is neither unjust nor against the students,” said a bench of Chief Justice A P Sahi and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy. TNN

‘People able to get best med attention’

It subserves a benevolent public purpose, namely that the people of the state are able to receive the best of medical attention,” the bench said.

There is no material difference between the status of students occupying the state seats (who are also bound by compulsory service condition) and AIQ seats, in as much as they enjoy the educational facilities at par with each other, with the same subsidies and the same expenses being borne by the state government, the judges added. The bench also made it clear that candidates who have not been offered appointment within two years from the date of completion of the course would be entitled to release their certificates accordingly and are not bound by the condition.

The court passed the order while setting aside an order passed by a single judge dated October 1, 2018 quashing the condition for compulsory government service in the prospectus for PG medical admission.

Allowing the appeal moved by the Tamil Nadu government, the court added that the state spends money, not on gambling with unqualified people, but on those who are best suited for the job. “The directive principles of state policy oblige the state to take care of health and nutrition of its citizens and public health is a state subject. Provincial governments are, therefore, constitutionally obligated to render its citizens the best of health caretakers and subsidising medical education for the best amongst the lot is a major step in organising the best of health services,” the court said.

Engg counselling scheduled from Oct 8 to be delayed?

Engg counselling scheduled from Oct 8 to be delayed?

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:07.10.2020

The round-wise schedule for online engineering counselling for the general category is yet to be announced, sparking doubts that the process will be delayed.

The Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions (TNEA) committee said counselling would begin from October 8, but is yet to notify how many students qualify for each round and dates for filling choices, tentative allotment and initial payment. The TNEA committee released the rank list for 1,12,406 candidates on September 28. TNEA officials said the higher education minister K P Anbalagan would release the schedule on Wednesday. They refused to comment when asked whether the counselling will begin as scheduled.

Sources said the minister was busy with the political developments in the AIADMK, which is set to announce its CM candidate on Wednesday.

Last year, the choice filling started from July 8 for the first round. But, the TNEA had declared the complete schedule on July 1 giving more time for students to decide.

Educational consultant D Nedunchezhiyan said the round-wise schedule should have been released at least a week ago to help students prepare. TNEA has released the videos to help the students to prepare the choice list and pay the initial payment through online. However, experts argue students need schedule to know whether they are part of round 1or round 2 and when to give their choices.

Career consultant Jayaprakash Gandhi said there’s nothing wrong in postponing counseling by a week. “The counselling is scheduled to begin before the first round of Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSSA) for central institutions and medical admissions. There are many IIT aspirants and NEET aspirants in the TNEA 2020 rank list. If the counselling is conducted before JoSSA and medical counselling, all top colleges will have huge vacancies,” he pointed out.

The online choice filling for round 1 for the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) began on Tuesday. The first round of online counselling for IITs, NITs, IIITs will go on till October 17. Anna University former VC E Balagurusamy said when the engineering counselling was conducted by Anna University, it had total control and the minister would visit only during the release of rank list. “Since the directorate of technical education is conducting the counselling now, they are waiting for the approval of the minister for every move which is unfortunate,” he said.

TNEA is yet to notify how many students qualify for each round and dates for filling choices, tentative allotment and initial payment

Validity of agri courses in new univs depends on HC verdict

Validity of agri courses in new univs depends on HC verdict

Colleges Move Court Against Rules Laid Down By GO

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:  07.10.2020

The fate of students joining agriculture courses in newly mushrooming private deemed universities will hang in the balance, as the Madras high court has said validity of their admissions would be subject to the outcome of cases challenging a state government order.

The issue pertains to a GO dated July 28 stipulating various conditions on the universities, including obtaining a no objection certificate (NOC), to conduct agricultural and allied courses within six months.

The universities were also restrained from admitting students to such courses till they obtain NOC from the state.

Aggrieved, the institutions moved the high court. On September 29, a single judge of the court stayed the operation of the GO and directed the registry to tag the cases with other similar pending cases and place it before the Chief Justice.

The first bench of Chief Justice A P Sahi and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy on Tuesday observed that admission would be subject to the result of these petitions.

Earlier, Tamil Nadu advocate-general Vijay Narayan submitted that the GO was issued in view of a sudden mushrooming of such agriculture institutions and to regulate the same. Noting that the government had no intention to interfere with the day-to-day affairs of the universities, he said, “This is one subject that needs to be taught in the fields and not in classrooms.”

Any institution which desires to conduct such courses must own 110 acres of farm land with clear title and without any encumbrances. Such conditions are imposed as every student must be given access to fields to plough, sow and nurture crops as part of their practical training, he added.

Unlike other subjects, agriculture education is in the state list and only the state has exclusive power to impose such conditions, he asserted.

To this, the bench wondered whether the state expected an existing institution imparting such courses for the past 50 years with 10 acres of land to now buy 100 more acres to get an NOC.

Vijay Narayan, however, replied that such institutions are mushrooming only in the past three to two years and that is the primary reason for the GO.

Earlier, opposing the GO, senior advocate G Masilamani representing Karunya deemed university, said the GO was an encroachment into their status of deemed university.

Recording the submission of Vijay Narayan that the GO would not cause any impediment to students who are already admitted to the courses in the past academic years, the bench posted the pleas after six weeks for further arguments.

The issue pertains to a GO dated July 28 stipulating various conditions on the universities, including obtaining a no-objection certificate, to conduct agricultural and allied courses within six months. The varsities were also restrained from admitting students till they obtain NOC

At Chitlapakkam, people power ensures Tangedco does its job

At Chitlapakkam, people power ensures Tangedco does its job

Srikkanth.D@timesgroup.com

Chennai: 07.10.2020

As Tangedco begins replacing electric poles in Chitlapakkam town panchayat after people there sent a complaint with photographs of 31 damaged ones, early residents recall the postcard campaign they undertook to ensure the first transformer was installed in the neighbourhood to ensure power supply.

Thirty years later, the residents once again rose up in September last year after a 42-year-old man, Sethu, was killed while walking his dog after dinner when a live wire fell on him after an electric pole collapsed.

Sethu’s death caused public outrage more so because of the comments by state power minister P Thangamani that the post fell not because of the authorities’ negligence, but because a truck had dashed against it.

The residents then sent a detailed complaint with the list of all electric poles damaged in the neighbourhood and work, which was stalled due to the lockdown, has begun.

“Around 1990, after CMDA approved layout in Chitlapakkam, we had an issue with low voltage. Then all residents, numbering around 100, undertook a postcard campaign, which eventually yielded the desired result,” reminisced P Viswanathan, convener, Chitlapakkam Residents Associations Co-ordination Committee. The first transformer in Chitlapakkam came up at the junction of Thirumurugan Salai and Raghavendra Salai and the sequences surrounding the event itself was dramatic.

“It was a manual process and took more time for erecting the pole. This transformer was commissioned at around 7.45 p.m. and the next day was Diwali. So, our low voltage problem was solved ahead of the festival of lights,” Viswanathan said.

“We had asked Tangedco to appoint an inspection team to visit and inspect all poles, wires, transformers and other equipment related to the safety and quality supply of electricity and replace the damaged electric poles. We also requested them to provide underground electricity cables in a phased and time-bound manner too,” Viswanathan said.

An engineer with Tangedco said that work was delayed due to the lockdown restrictions and that they will complete works regarding the damaged electric poles and low hanging wires within the year.

Tangedco staff re-erect damaged electric poles at the junction of Thirumurugan Salai and Raghavendra Salai

Early residents of the area recall the postcard campaign they undertook before the first transformer was put up in the neighbourhood

Anna univ awaits govt nominee to recruit faculty

Anna univ awaits govt nominee to recruit faculty

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:07.10.2020

The state government is yet to appoint its nominee for selecting new faculty members for Anna University’s four campuses despite several reminders from the university.

The university has notified 312 vacancies – posts of 139 assistant professors, 106 associate professors and 67 professors after a gap of six years. The campuses including College of Engineering, Guindy, Madras Institute of Technology, Chromepet, Alagappa College of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning have more vacancies due to retirement and no recruitment. At present, the campuses are using temporary faculty to conduct classes.

“As per the statutes, the university needs a nominee from the state government and a nominee of the chancellor to the selection committee besides subject experts. Considering huge vacancies, the state government should immediately appoint its nominee to the selection committee,” a senior professor from the university said.

Sources said the chancellor had appointed his nominee whereas the state government is yet to appoint its nominee despite several reminders from the university.

After scrutinising the applications, the selection panels need to be convened for interviewing candidates.

Anna University’s former vice-chancellor E Balagurusamy said the state government should support the university in filling the vacancies. “Unless there is a valid reason, the state government should not delay appointing its nominee. They should have their representative and make sure everything goes by the rules,” he said adding that so many vacancies would affect quality of teaching and research.

In a related development, some members of Anna University Teachers Association demanded the university to conduct a career advancement scheme for the university faculty members before the direct recruitment.

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‘Choose Hindi or English’: Woman asks where is Tamil on IRCTC portal

‘Choose Hindi or English’: Woman asks where is Tamil on IRCTC portal

Southern Railway officials said that while the matter does not come under their purview, it has, however, been 'flagged' with IRCTC, the authorised e-ticketing agency.

Published: 04th October 2020 03:58 PM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Rail passengers and several politicians in Tamil Nadu have urged the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and the Indian Railways to introduce a Tamil language option for the passengers within the State to receive text alerts in their language while booking tickets.

At present, the passengers can choose whether to receive text alerts regarding bookings in English or Hindi. On October 2, L Muthulakshmi booked a ticket for Madurai to Chennai journey, and received all alerts in Hindi.

“I neither understand Hindi or English. There should be an option to receive text alerts in Tamil,” she demanded. Subsequently, DMK MPs Kanimozhi and Thamizhachi Thangapandian, and PMK founder S Ramadoss condemned the Indian Railways for allegedly imposing Hindi in the State.

Thangapandian urged the railways to upgrade the system to send text alerts in local languages of the respective States. Kanimozhi pointed out that most people in the State could not read Hindi, and she also warned of serious consequences if such incidents repeated. 

PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss, whose party is an ally of the ruling BJP at the Centre, alleged that SMSes for e- tickets in Tamil Nadu are "being sent in Hindi for the last two days."

"This is a planned imposition of Hindi on non-Hindi speaking people. The Railways should stop this," he said in a tweet.

He demanded action against those behind this and urged that all Central government related announcements in Tamil Nadu must be released only in Tamil and English.

Southern Railway officials said that while the matter does not come under their purview, it has, however, been 'flagged' with IRCTC, the authorised e-ticketing agency.

Clarifying on the issue, Southern Railway said that the passenger had chosen ‘Hindi’ language option while registering in IRCTC portal on September 30. “She received system generated messages in Hindi as the passenger’s preferred language was indicated as Hindi,” it added.

(With PTI inputs)

Government doctors in Tamil Nadu revive pay hike demand

Government doctors in Tamil Nadu revive pay hike demand

Government doctors in the State have revived their demand for a pay hike on par with that of Central government doctors.

Published: 05th October 2020 04:07 AM |

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Government doctors in the State have revived their demand for a pay hike on par with that of Central government doctors. The doctors under Federation of Government Doctors Association (FOGDA) had last year staged a massive protest with several demands including the implementation of Government Order (G.O.) 354, which envisages pay hike.

They withdrew the strike following the intervention of Health Minister C Vijayabaskar and Chief Minister Palaniswami. Now, they have revived the demand after the government recently entitled all retired chief secretaries and additional chief secretaries of the State government to employ a servant at home by paying a salary of Rs 10,000 per month.

“The IAS Officers Association requested for such allowance for retired IAS officers after the Karnataka government granted it to the officers there. The Tamil Nadu government immediately accepted their demand and issued a G.O. We request the government to do the same with the request of government doctors here. We have been demanding a pay hike on par with that of Central government doctors for the last three years,” said Dr S Perumal Pillai, DME Secretary, Service Doctors and Post Graduates Association.

Pillai added the special payout of a month’s salary to doctors along with others on Covid duty in government hospitals, announced by the CM, had also not been received. Meanwhile, Dr G Ravindranath, General Secretary, Doctors Association for Social Equality said, “Tamil Nadu government doctors are lauded for saving lives and for the best Covid treatment. But they are not being appreciated with fulfilling their long-pending demand.

The government has also not paid Rs 2 lakh for doctors infected with Covid.” The Health Minister had then said the State government doctors could not compare their salary with that of Central government doctors as the latter were not allowed to do private practice. However, the doctors here said that they were ready to stop private practice of their salary was raised.

‘Corona tablet’ costs bus passenger her gold chain in Tamil Nadu

‘Corona tablet’ costs bus passenger her gold chain in Tamil Nadu

Panic spread by coronavirus has become a fertile ground for a few miscreants to prey on unsuspecting people.

Published: 05th October 2020 04:13 AM 

By Vignesh V

Express News Service

MADURAI: Panic spread by coronavirus has become a fertile ground for a few miscreants to prey on unsuspecting people. The plight of this elderly woman, who lost her gold chain weighing 2.5 sovereigns, during a bus journey testifies this.

Rajammal was on the way to her daughter’s house in Austinpatti in a government bus on Friday when a co-passenger allegedly drugged her and robbed her gold chain. The woman was given a tablet by the man claiming that it would help fight off Covid infection.

Police said that the 65-year-old woman, staying with her son in Balan Nagar of Paramakudi in Ramanathapuram, boarded the bus to Puliyankulam in Austinpatti from MGR bus stand on Friday. “While on the way, the co-passenger befriended her and told her to keep the gold chain, she was wearing, in her bag before giving her a tablet,” they said. 

A little while after taking the tablet, the woman started feeling sick. Taking advantage of the situation, the co-passenger asked her to get down at Thirunagar 3rd bus stop, three stops ahead of her destination and bought her a cup tea. Later, he also helped her board another bus to Puliyankulam.

Special Sub Inspector of Police of Austinpatti, Gopalakrishnan, said that the man could have stolen the gold chain when they got down at Thirunagar. “It took the woman more than 12 hours to get back to normal condition,” he said.

The woman lodged a complaint with Austinpatti police on Saturday. Though the incident happened in the city limit, the district police registered a case under Section 420 Indian Penal Code (IPC) in Austinpatti. “The case will be transferred to the city police later,” sources added.