A question of adjustments

A question of adjustments

The post-pandemic situation will be challenging, both for students and teachers. A look at the issues that may crop up

19/10/2020

R. W. Alexander Jesudasan

Of the current global human population of 7.8 billion in 2020, nearly 1.3 billion are learners who have been affected by the closure of educational institutions due to COVID-19. Such spaces are fundamental not only for academic interactions but also to build social and emotional skills and mental and physical health. As governments contemplate when and how to re-open schools and colleges, it is clear that the post-pandemic situation will be different for both teachers and students.

Resuming classroom

With students and teachers getting used to remote teaching, which has been the norm for much of this year, getting back to the traditional classroom environment will be challenging. One immediate issue will be lack of focus, as students may be distracted by sharing their experiences of life during the lockdowns. This initial hiccup can be overcome by giving them the right orientation.

Psychological stress

Owing to SMS — social distancing, masks and sanitisers, which are the non-negotiable — the classroom environment will be new, difficult and possibly stressful. Students will have to get used to physical distancing instead of sitting close together and joking or playing pranks. Further, students who exhibit symptoms of headache, cough and fever are likely to be suspected to be infected with the Coronavirus. This could lead to some amount of embarrassment.

Lack of excitement

Students who have already begun a new academic year online have lost the charm and excitement of a new classroom environment along with that of getting new uniforms, books and other essentials. Further, a physical connect after a vacation usually is a happy time of sharing experiences of travel and other thrilling moments, none of which was possible this year. Also, educational institutions are considering a shift system so that fewer students will be present in the classroom, leading to smaller groups.

Transition hampered

Students who finished school this year have had their introduction to college through a virtual walk through. This does not really help in showcasing the institution. Also their interactions in the college would have depended on whether they were day scholars or hostel residents. Exposure to cultural, club and other extracurricular activities shape the life of students, but this is not possible now.

Authorities and the faculty will have to find solutions to circumvent these problems.

The writer is Pro Vice-Chancellor, Hindustan Institute of Technology &Science (Deemed to be University) alexjesu62@gmail.com

No virus death in Haryana after over four months

No virus death in Haryana after over four months

1,640 people have lost their lives so far

19/10/2020

Special Correspondent GURUGRAM

No death on account of COVID-19 was reported in Haryana on Sunday, after a gap of over four months. Earlier, it so happened on June 6.

“Haryana Health Department is happy to announce that no death has been reported on account of COVID-19 today [Sunday]. While it is heartening, yet there is no room for complacency and the Haryana Health Department will remain in the highest position of alert till there is a lasting solution to the COVID-19 infection,” said Additional Chief Secretary Health and Home, Rajeev Arora.

As per the latest statistics, 1,640 people, including 1,143 males, have lost their lives due to the deadly infection in the State so far with a fatality rate of 1.09 %.

Those died include 1,448 with co-morbidities. Faridabad at 238 has recorded the highest number of deaths, followed by Gurugram (190), Karnal (115) and Panchkula (106). Charkhi Dadri has reported four deaths, the least in the State.

A total of 1,50,033 people have tested positive for COVID-19 so far and 10,042 cases are active at present.

On Sunday, 169 people in the State were on oxygen support and 31 on ventilator.

The State conducts 93,549 tests per million and the cases are doubled every 42 days with the positivity rate of 6.34%. The recovery rate is 92.21%.

Huge dip in passport applications between April and mid-October

Huge dip in passport applications between April and mid-October

Since April, 76,695 applications were received for various services

19/10/2020

The Passport Seva Kendra at Shanthinagar.Sudhakara Jain Sudhakara Jain

K.C. Deepika Bengaluru

As most parts of the world came to a halt amidst a raging pandemic, the little blue book which is the passport to travelling abroad for work, studying and leisure has not been in much demand.

The usual volume of applications for passport and related services that the Regional Passport Office (RPO), Bengaluru receives in a year is in lakhs. But in a pandemic-hit year, despite functioning through the months where most other sectors were closed, the number of applications and final services given has seen a sharp dip compared to the previous year.

According to data shared by the RPO, this year, from April to mid-October, 76,695 applications were received for various services, including issue of passport. Of these, 76,523 were granted. The final number of passports issued during this period was 88,139. Another, 3,135 Police Clearance Certificates (PCC) and 17 Surrender Certificates (SC) were also issued.

During the corresponding six-and-a-half months last year, 4,24,804 applications were received by the RPO, of which 4,30,087 were granted. As many as 4,34,700 passports, 12,899 PCCs and 55 SCs were issued.

With international air travel shut due to COVID-19, and with stringent lockdown in place, there was no need for passports.

In fact, the RPO had to reduce the number of appointments by half after a directive from the Ministry of External Affairs in March just before the first lockdown was announced as a precautionary measure. The RPO recently restored the number of appointments to normal after adopting the necessary precautionary measures, but only half or less than half the appointments are being taken.

In the last few years, the RPO has received over seven lakh applications for issue of passport and related services. Months of low demand this year is expected to have a telling impact on the final numbers this calendar year.

Regional Passport Officer Bengaluru Bharath Kumar Kuthati told The Hindu, “We can’t say with certainty, but the fact is, there is a steady increase in the number of applications.”

The RPO had mentioned that though the number of appointments taken has come down to around 50% from pre-COVID-19 times, it is still an increase in recent months from the 20% post the first lockdown to around 40% now. An overall fear of crowded places has also been cited as one of the reasons for applicants to stay away.

Kerala paying the price for gross negligence during Onam: Vardhan

Kerala paying the price for gross negligence during Onam: Vardhan

Others must learn from the State’s mistake and be careful during the coming festival season, says Union Health Minister

19/10/2020

Harsh Vardhan

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI

Kerala is seeing a spurt in cases due to “gross negligence” during Onam celebrations, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Harsh Vardhan during his weekly online interaction, Sunday Samvad.

In response to a question on how had Kerala, once portrayed as a “model State” for keeping the virus in check, has now posted over 8,000 cases and what could other States learn, Mr. Vardhan replied, “Movement of people due to trade and tourism led to cases increasing beyond the two districts of Kasargod and Kannur. The epidemic curve of Kerala changed completely due to Onam festivities across the State during August and September. During August 22-Sept 2 (Onam week) there were huge congregations where people convened in large numbers and didn't take precautions. Kerala paid the price for its gross negligence after good control in the initial part of the pandemic. Other States must learn a lesson due to Kerala's negligence during Onam and States need to be careful during the coming festival season.”

Though there was a surge in cases since September, data shows that the State’s “second wave”, one which hasn’t yet seen a peak, had begun in early May. The second wave was attributable to the return of migrant workers from other States and returnees from abroad. Nearly 10.61 lakh people had entered the State through various routes, since the pandemic began of which half entered via flights alone.

Until June, 90% of cases were imported and by July this had reversed to 90% of cases being locally transmitted.

3.3 lakh cases

The share of cases from Kerala in India’s overall load jumped from 2.9% until September 15 to 6.4% in the second half of the month to about 10% as of this month. Kerala also didn’t increase testing to keep up with the population surge and also slackened on its contact tracing efforts that had helped it to contain significant spread until May. There were as of Sunday nearly 3.3 lakh cases in Kerala of which 96,000 are active infections, the Minister said.

Responding to another question on the market being flooded with oximeters made in China, Mr. Vardhan observed that “consumers should look for FDA/CE approved products with ISO/ IEC specifications.” However, he pointed out that a dip in oxygen saturation level was not always a COVID-19 symptom, and it could happen due to other underlying medical conditions as well.

Govt. yet to install MRI facilities at all hospitals, reveals RTI reply

Govt. yet to install MRI facilities at all hospitals, reveals RTI reply

Only 11 of 46 govt. headquarters hospitals got the equipment in the last 3 years

19/10/2020

Cause for concern: Patients have to travel 50 km-100 km for a scan due to the absence of MRI facilities. 

Special Correspondent Madurai

In January 2017, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, on a writ petition filed by activist C Anand Raj, had directed the State government to establish MRI facilities at all government headquarters hospitals.

However, the activist, recently, through the Right To Information (RTI) Act, found out from the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC) Limited, that the government was yet to implement the court directive completely.

Only 11 of the 46 government headquarters hospitals in the State have been provided with MRI facilities in the last three years, for which the government spent ₹56 crore.

The activist said the information furnished by TNMSC showed that patients, who had taken scans at the MRI and CT facilities, paid ₹264 crore over the last nine years. All GHs collected charges ranging from ₹500 to ₹1,000 for CT scans and ₹2,500 to ₹3,500 each for MRIs. Only those whose annual income was less than ₹72,000 were covered under the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme.

Call for attention

Mr. Raj has, since, urged the government to provide MRI facilities at least in Usilampatti (Madurai district), Kovilpatti (Thoothukudi), Karaikudi (Sivaganga), Tenkasi (Tenkasi), Srivilliputtur (Virudhunagar), Periakulam (Theni) and Padmanabhapuram (Kanniyakumari district) hospitals before this fiscal year.

The doctors/radiologists in these hospitals said that patients had to travel at least 50 km to 100 km, every time, for a scan, due to the absence of MRI facilities. With the government repeatedly telling people not to venture out during the pandemic, critical patients have had to travel long distances due to poor infrastructure, Mr. Raj said.

According to him, though CT scan facilities are available at all hospitals, they do not function 24x7, at many locations, forcing patients to travel to other cities or look for private scan centres. He said the government was deliberately aiding private scan centres by not providing the facilities at government headquarters hospitals, as directed by the court.

When The Hindu contacted a senior official at the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services, he acknowledged that there was a delay in installation of equipment. However, he said the government could not simply install the facilities and leave them there. “We have to recruit people for the facility, fix their pay scale, train them to handle the devices, and so on. It will take time. Today, the government’s priority is to fight COVID-19. All the left-out GHs will get MRI facilities in the next 18 months,” he said.

Deepavali special buses soon

Deepavali special buses soon

19/10/2020

Staff Reporter TIRUPPUR

Transport Minister M.R. Vijayabhaskar said on Sunday that special buses for Deepavali would be announced soon.

A consultation meeting on the operation of special buses during the festival season was held, and decisions were taken, said the Minister, at Palladam in Tiruppur district, where he attended a private function on Sunday.

According to Mr. Vijayabhaskar, the State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) started reservations in view of Deepavali. He said that 60%-70% of the buses of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) was currently operational.

The buses are fully operational in the morning and evening, when there is a considerable number of passengers who use take public transport.

As the State’s case load was seeing a slow decline, bus services would be resumed in a phased manner, he said.

Inconsistencies in NEET answer sheets alleged

Inconsistencies in NEET answer sheets alleged

Candidate takes up the issue with NTA

19/10/2020

Staff Reporter COIMBATORE / CHENNAI

A medical aspirant from Coimbatore has alleged inconsistencies in the NEET Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheet downloaded by him. The candidate, K.S. Manoj from Karumathampatty, said the OMR sheet he downloaded before and after the announcement of NEET results were different.

“I have escalated this to the National Testing Agency through their helpdesk,” he said. A few other students from other parts also said that they encountered similar inconsistencies.

“I downloaded my OMR sheet first on October 11 and matched it with the answer key, based on advice from the coaching centre where I had taken up a NEET crash-course. I found that I had scored 594 and the same score was shown when I downloaded the OMR sheet again on October 15. The score was the same when I matched the OMR sheet with the final answer key around 5 p.m. on October 16. However, my score was 248 when the results were announced,” he said.

Mr. Manoj said that the OMR sheet he downloaded around 8.30 p.m. on October 16, after the announcement of the results, was different from the ones he had downloaded earlier.

He shared the two OMR sheets with mediapersons. According to G.B. Ramprakash, founder of Tech4All, who had taken up the case of poor translation of English scientific terms in NEET question papers in 2018, said such errors were reported in other States too.

He said errors could creep in the reading of bar codes due to glitches. “At present, it is only an allegation. If the candidate has downloaded the OMR sheets, he can send it as hard copies to the NTA and lodge a complaint. The NTA should take the complaint seriously and provide hard copies of the OMR sheets. This will ensure total transparency,” he said.

Ball set rolling on hiring of non-MBBS as medical college teachers

Ball set rolling on hiring of non-MBBS as medical college teachers

It all began several decades ago when there weren’t enough PG doctors to serve as faculty, official sources explained.

Published: 15th October 2020 09:18 AM | Last Updated: 15th October 2020 09:18 AM 

By Sumi Sukanya dutta  Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Days after the new medical education regulator, the National Medical Commission (NMC), came into existence, it has proposed to formalise the hiring of non-medical grads — those without MBBS — as teachers in medical colleges.

As per the latest “minimum requirements for MBBS admission regulations 2020”, released for public feedback, non-medical teachers can be recruited in six departments — anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and microbiology, biochem and statistician — in the department of community medicine.

Already, up to 30% faculty for first and second year students of various medical colleges are said to comprise those who are not undergrads in medicine because the Medical Council of India (MCI), the previous regulator, did not clearly define it. It all began several decades ago when there weren’t enough PG doctors to serve as faculty, official sources explained.

That was when the MCI allowed MBBS degree holders with a general masters in science to be hired as teachers in medical colleges for non-clinical subjects. “Later, even those without an MBBS degree and holding just an MSc or PhD in life sciences, were hired as faculty in medical colleges in states but the MCI simply ignored the issue,” said a source.

Meanwhile, Dr Satendra Singh, a senior faculty with the University College of Medical Sciences in Delhi, said the advent of competency based medical education meant that the course will now be clinically oriented. As such, teachers must undergo revised basic training, but it has not been explicitly mentioned in the draft rules, he pointed out. 

NMC: Medical experts express concern over evaluation process, necessary infra

As per the proposed norms, every medical college should mandatorily have a physical medicine and rehabilitation department. This branch of medicine, which was optional earlier, aims to enhance and restore functional ability and quality of life to those with physical impairments or disabilities. The draft norms also say that the department of emergency medicine will be mandatory for all medical colleges with effect from the academic year 2022-2023.

Also, the live streaming of both classroom teaching and teaching hospital, shall be integrated as part of the Digital Mission Mode Project of the Commission. Further, the department of radio-diagnosis with MRI machines should be available in all teaching hospitals when annual MBBS intake is 200 or more. The commission, in its maiden proposal has also suggested that all medical colleges will have to make provision to provide accommodation for at least 75% of all students enrolled and interns, and all girl students who request for it.

Dr Singh, meanwhile, also expressed disappointment that there was no mention of diversity and inclusion unit or equal opportunity cell, mandated by the University Grants Commission for students with disabilities, transgender and those from marginalised communities. “Also, there is no provision of counsellor for medical students even though mental health conditions are rising among medical students,” he pointed out.

Public health researcher Dr Oommen John stressed that while impressive advances have been stipulated for recasting medical education and training to enable future medical graduates to discharge their duties in the changing context, several of the requirements are still process oriented and not outcome based. “It is unclear as to how learning outcomes based on core competencies will be evaluated and how the necessary infrastructure will create an enabling environment for the same,” he said. H e added that while the prime minister launched the national digital health mission recently, the NMC’s minimum requirements do not mention the need for an electronic health record system or electronic prescription system.

DVAC raids Tiruvarur DPC, seizes cash, books 4

DVAC raids Tiruvarur DPC, seizes cash, books 4

TNN | Oct 17, 2020, 04.43 AM IST

Trichy: The directorate of vigilance and anti-corruption (DVAC) conducted a surprise raid on a direct procurement centre (DPC) for paddy near Mannargudi in Tiruvarur district, and seized unaccounted money to the tune of Rs 87,000 late on Thursday. The DVAC also registered a case against four people at the DPC.

A team led by deputy superintendent of police, DVAC in Mannargudi, Nandagopal stormed into the state-run DPC at Kannarapettai by 7.30 pm. The officials searched the entire premises, where only a few employees attached to the DPC were present. The raid continued till 11.30 pm.

Police managed to seize Rs 87,790 in cash from the centre. The staffs present at the centre were unable to produce source of the cash. The team also verified the paddy bags piled up on the premises. A total of 150 bags of paddy were brought from another godown. The DVAC counted the bag and handed them over to them.

Nandagopla said that they registered a case against a bill clerk, a quality control inspector (in-charge), a watchman and a man for possession of unaccounted cash.

The raid came at a time when a petitioner moved the Madurai bench of Madras high court recently pleading to the court to instruct the state government to open more DPCs across the state to enable farmers to sell their paddy without incurring any loss. The petitioner also raked up the issue of commission demanded by the staff for taking their produce.

BDU allows research scholars to get co-guide in nearby institutions

BDU allows research scholars to get co-guide in nearby institutions

TNN | Oct 10, 2020, 04.15 AM IST

Trichy: Liberalising its part-time PhD norms, Bharathidasan University (BDU) has allowed scholars employed in other states and countries to get a co-supervisor from a nearby government institution or university.

Usually, the guide has to appoint a co-supervisor at their place of work. However, many are unable to find a co-supervisor within their organisation.

Easing the norms will allow the candidate to look for co-supervisors from the same discipline in the nearby institutions and help them pursue PhD.

There are roughly 1,000 candidates who have registered for part-time PhD programme with the BDU.

“It was a long-pending request from students and supervisors as many candidates working in IT companies and other organisations could not find a co-supervisor of the same discipline with in their organisation,” said registrar G Gopinath.

He cited the example of a senior vice-president of Microsoft working in the US, who wanted to do PhD in BDU, but was unable to find a co-guide or co-supervisor, which was delaying the PhD programme.

Relaxation of norms will help the candidate approach a nearby government institution or university. The candidate needs to get a letter of official guideship from the respective university and it should be forwarded by the head of the institution. The co-supervisor should attend the departmental research committee (DRC) and doctoral committee (DC) meetings in person or through online.

A senior faculty from BDU said that easing of norms should not have been restricted to government institutions alone. “It would have been better had the BDU research committee considered reputed private institutions or universities for the candidates to look for his or her co-supervisor,” said the faculty member.

Research director S Muthusamy could not be reached despite repeated attempts.

IndiGo to charge ₹100 for check-in at airport

IndiGo to charge ₹100 for check-in at airport

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:18.10.2020

IndiGo passengers checking in at airport counters will now have to pay Rs 100 as convenience fee. The airline is the first Indian carrier to introduce such a fee to get more passengers to opt for web check-in as part of a nearcontactless travel experience.

With the country’s largest private airline in terms of domestic market share going down the fee way to discourage counter check-in, it is just a matter of time before most other carriers follow suit, civil aviation officials said.

“The check-in fee is applicable on all bookings, starting October 17. We are committed to take all precautionary measures for a contactless and hassle-free travel experience,” IndiGo said in a statement.

HK bars AI, Vistara flights for this month

Hong Kong has barred Indian carriers — Air India and Vistara — from flying there between October 17 and 30 after some passengers from India tested positive on arrival. This is the third time that Air India has been barred by Hong Kong for the same reason and a first for Vistara. An air bubble will also become operational between India and Bangladesh from October 28. Five Indian and three Bangladesh carriers will link Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai with Dhaka.

Full report on www.toi.in

In Kerala, 385 ‘absentee’ doctors, 20 nurses sacked

In Kerala, 385 ‘absentee’ doctors, 20 nurses sacked

Thiruvananthapuram:  18.10.2020

The health department has issued termination orders to 432 employees, including 385 doctors, citing unauthorized absence from duty. Health minister K K Shailaja said these employees, who were on the rolls, were removed from service following their refusal to report back on duty after their unauthorized absence for years.

“The government was forced to act tough and remove these doctors and para medical staff as the department can’t function efficiently with so many absentees. Those removed had refused to report back even after several reminders. Instructions have been given to authorities concerned to identify more regular absentees and take action against them,” she said.

The doctors removed from service include probationers and confirmed medical officers. Twenty nurses have also been removed from service. Others who were removed from the rolls include health inspectors, pharmacists, filarial inspectors, nursing assistants, dental hygienists, lab technicians, radiographers, optometrists, hospital attendants, record librarians, PHN tutor and clerks. TNN Full report on www.toi.in

4 govt school kids score above 500 in NEET

4 govt school kids score above 500 in NEET

Students Scoring Above 300 Double This Year

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:18.10.2020

For the first time in the last three years, four students from government and government-aided schools trained by the state-sponsored coaching programme have scored above 500 marks in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). Vasuki from Coimbatore has scored 571 marks out of 720. Sakthevel R and S Naveenkumar St Joseph Higher Secondary School in Chengalpattu scored 552 and 527 marks respectively. Harish from Kovipatti scored 502 marks out of 720. All the students prepared with the help of an online test series by the school education department along with a private company.

The online coaching contained four hours of video lectures and four hours of practice tests everyday. Shathevel R said the revised textbooks and teaching at the school helped him to get high marks in NEET this year. "The online lectures have helped me to prepare the test during the lockdown," he said. Usually, the state board students would find the NEET questions tough. "Since most of the questions were covered by the new textbooks, I found the question paper easy," Shathevel said. His father V Rajendran is as a police constable at Thirukazhukundram police station and his mother Gowri is a housewife.

S Naveenkumar said he prepared with the help of an online test series. "Besides the online test series, I prepared with NCERT textbooks," he said. He started preparation only after his board exams were over and was happy to get 527 marks. His father Sundaramoorthy is a machine operator and mother Dhanalakshmi a housewife.

The number of students getting above 300 marks have also increased by two fold from 32 students last year to 89 this year. Fifteen students have scored between 400 and 500 marks this year.

Kilpauk Medical College Alumni Association has trained differently-abled students from government school this year. Of the 20 students trained and mentored by the association, three have qualified in the exam and are likely to get a medical seat.

N N Dharshana scored 157. "Since I studied in Tamil medium it was difficult for me to get preparation books in Tamil. There weren't many options as in English but I managed and was honestly surprised when the results came, " she said. Dharshana's father is a daily wager and mother a homemaker. "I'm the first in my family who wants to do MBBS. My parents were a bit hesitant at the beginning due to economic reasons, but if I don't get through counselling this year I'll apply next year. I'll keep giving it my best," she said.

No med counselling until NEET bill gets assent: Law minister

No med counselling until NEET bill gets assent: Law minister

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:18.10.2020

A day after the state government informed the high court that it would not issue prospectus for medical admission till a decision was taken by governor Banwarilal Purohit on the bill to provide 7.5% horizontal reservation to government school students who qualify Neet, law minister C Ve Shanmugam was more forthcoming on Saturday and said that the state would not hold medical counselling until the bill was given assent to by the governor.

The government sent the bill, which was unanimously passed by the legislature, on September 15 and since then there has been huge expectation among the Neet aspirants from government schools.

“The chief minister has taken a good decision that until the governor gives his assent to the bill, the medical counselling will not be held,” Shanmugam said in Villupuram. Shanmugam accompanied chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami while the latter visited Raj Bhavan on October 5 to persuade the governor to give assent to the bill. The government wants to introduce the quota in the current academic year itself.

In Pudukkottai, health minister C Vijayabaskar said that it was the chief minister who was instrumental in introducing the bill in the legislative assembly.

“We are confident of getting the governor’s assent to the bill, which was passed in the assembly,” said the minister, who has been facing the wrath of the opposition for Tamil Nadu students not getting exemption from NEET.

“It is the dream of our CM to get the students of poor families admitted in medical education and he is taking all efforts to get assent to the bill,” school education minister K A Sengottaiyan said.

BJP backs Surappa over Anna univ IoE issue

BJP backs Surappa over Anna univ IoE issue

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:18.10.2020

BJP state president L Murugan has thrown his weight behind Anna University vice-chancellor M K Surappa, who has courted controversy by writing directly to the Centre regarding conferring the Institute of Eminence (IoE) status to the university. Murugan said the campaign against IoE status was built on utter lies as it would not affect the reservation system in any manner. Opposition parties were trying to draw political mileage out of the issue by misleading people, Murugan said.

Murugan’s support to Surappa has come at a time when the state government has condemned the vice chancellor for directly communicating with the Centre, terming the act indiscipline. The state government, fearing that the issue would provide fodder to the opposition on the eve of elections, has also said it was opposed to giving IoE status to the university.

The AIADMK’s ally, PMK, has condemned Surappa’s direct correspondence to the Centre. Despite the issue having the potential to cause political damage, the saffron party has chosen to bite the bullet and support Surappa.

Murugan said political parties were interfering in the freedom entitled to the university vice chancellor.

“The perception that special status (IoE) will affect reservation is factually incorrect. It will never affect reservation in any manner. Reservation is a constitutional right. It exists everywhere and it cannot be repealed by giving any special status to an institution,” said Murugan.

Centre opposes 50% super-speciality quota for in-service doctors

Centre opposes 50% super-speciality quota for in-service doctors

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:18.10.2020

The 50% in-service quota in medical super-speciality courses for government doctors is set to be another Centre-state tussle, as the Union government told the Madras high court that it was against the proposal.

Noting that the Centre was not in agreement with TN to provide 50% in-service reservation, and that he has received written instructions from the Centre to this effect, senior Union government standing counsel Subbu Ranga Bharathi sought time to file a detailed counter.

The submission was made on a plea moved by a group of government doctors seeking direction to TN government to notify 50% of vacancies for in-service candidates for admission to super speciality medical courses for the academic year 2020-2021 in institutions in the state.

When the plea came up for hearing before Justice N Anand Venkatesh, Tamil Nadu advocate-general Vijay Narayan submitted that the state is now in the process of assessing the total seats that are to be filled up in PG and also superspeciality courses. “The decision taken by the government will be reported in the next date of hearing,” Vijay Narayan said.

Recording the submissions, Justice Anand Venkatesh said, “The Supreme Court in Tamil Nadu Medical Officers’ Association and others case has specifically traced the power of reservation of in-service candidates. Both the Centre and the state will have powers to enact a law with regard to providing reservation for in-service candidates in PG and super-specialty courses (as per the SC order),” the judge said.

“In view of the divergent opinions expressed by the Centre and state, this court has to necessarily hear the versions of both sides before passing final orders,” the judge said and adjourned the plea to November 9.

Earlier, advocate G Sankaran, representing the petitioner, contended that as per a SC order dated August 31, the state has legislative competence and authority to provide them a separate source of entry for in-service candidates seeking admission to PG degree courses.

Madras varsity students with arrears to get min pass marks

Madras varsity students with arrears to get min pass marks

Decision To Help 1 Lakh Candidates

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:18.10.2020

University of Madras on Saturday decided to award minimum pass marks for candidates with arrears based on a government order. The resolution, passed by the university’s syndicate, is expected to help at least one lakh candidates in affiliated and autonomous colleges of the university.

“Students having arrears who have registered for exam will be given minimum pass by moderation in internal as well external examinations wherever necessary. The sum total of internal and external marks, however, should not exceed the overall passing minimum,” the resolution said.

However, a student with zero internal marks needs to appear for supplementary exams, the syndicate resolution said.

The state government had waived the arrears exams for all students in view of the still raging Covid-19 pandemic. The government exempted the candidates who had paid the fees for the April 2020 exam from appearing except for final semester students. It also asked the universities to award marks based on a 70% weightage for internal exams and 30% weightage for previous semester exams.

When calculated, many students with arrears were found to have more marks than the students without arrears. The university then decided to give a minimum pass for the students.

There is a court case regarding the waiving arrears exams in view of Covid-19. Officials from University of Madras said the case is not binding on the university as it was not added as one of the respondents in the case. The Madras high court adjourned the PIL against cancellation of arrears exams for the students.

Further, the officials said final year students with arrears have not able to finish their degrees and given the present situation it is not clear when the university would be able to conduct the exams. “In case students want to increase their marks, they can write improvement exams when the situation improves,” they said. Of the 57,875 who appeared for the UG and PG exams in the partly online test last month, 99% passed. In the previous semester, around 70% passed.

The govt waived arrears exams, awarding 70% for internal tests and 30% for previous semester exams. But, some with arrears got more than those without arrears

Karur quack on run arrested at city bus terminus

Karur quack on run arrested at city bus terminus

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:18.10.2020

Police on Friday arrested a 41-year-old man at the mofussil bus terminus in Koyambedu for illegally practising medicine at Karur.

The apprehension by a team of the Arumbakkam police was based on a complaint lodged by the Tamil Nadu Medical Council. A court later sent Jayapandi, the accused who had been nabbed while waiting to board a bus for Karur, to the Central Prison at Puzhal. He had come to the city to meet a relative, a police officer said.

Preliminary inquiries by police revealed that Jayapandi had submitted his qualification documents to the state medical council in 2018 and sought a licence to practise as a ‘doctor’. However, during the verification the documents were found out to have been forged and the medical council authorities lodged a formal complaint with the Arumbakkam police.

A case was registered, but Jayapandi, of Vishwanathapuri near Aravakurichi in Karur in central Tamil Nadu, went absconding. Two weeks ago, the Madras high court had sought status report in this particular case, where the man had got forged documents in the name of Annamalai university.

During interrogation, Jeyapandi reportedly told police that he had received fake certificates for ₹25 lakh from three men identified as Selvaraj, Chidambaram Gautam and Martin in Trichy.

The Arumbakkam police registered a case under Section 466 (whoever forges a document or electronic record), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (whoever fraudulently or dishonestly uses as genuine any document or electronic record), 474 (whoever has in his possession any document or electronic record), 484 (whoever counterfeits any property mark used by a public servant) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Officers who delayed pension of 99-yr-old must feel ashamed: HC

Officers who delayed pension of 99-yr-old must feel ashamed: HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:18.10.2020

Censuring government authorities for making a 99-year-old freedom fighter run from pillar to post, and then finally to approach the court to get freedom fighter’s pension, the Madras high court has observed that officers concerned must feel ashamed of their act.

“This is a case where, a freedom fighter, at the age of 99, has approached this court, still with the fond hope that, before his last breath, he will get the recognition that he was a freedom fighter,” Justice R Suresh Kumar said.

The issue pertains to a plea moved by S Gafoor, a resident of Vyasarpadi, seeking direction to the central and the state governments to grant him freedom fighter’s pension from 1997 under Central Swatantra Sainik Samman Scheme.

Though belatedly, in 1997, the petitioner made a request to the authorities for the pension, it seems that in 1997 itself, the Centre directed the state authorities to inquire into the matter and forward their recommendation with necessary documents, the court said.

Thereafter, the petitioner appeared before the district collector concerned and completed all the procedures in 2015.

But still the matter rests with state authorities, especially the collector. It seems that no final decision has been taken to make a recommendation to the Centre to grant the pension, the court said.

“If these factors are true, this court feels that it is a case, where the authorities concerned to be ashamed of their inaction, as a freedom fighter, at the age of 99, has approached this court to get recognition and pension,” the judge said.

Noting that the matter must be decided as soon as possible considering the age of the petitioner, the court directed the state authorities to file a status report by November 6.

The issue pertains to a plea moved by S Gafoor seeking direction to grant him freedom fighter’s pension from 1997 under Central Swatantra Sainik Samman Scheme

Chain-snatching lands him in too many troubles

Chain-snatching lands him in too many troubles

18/10/2020

S. SundarMadurai

Nothing went right for the cargo autorickshaw driver S. Raja Mohammed (29) on his reported maiden attempt to snatch gold chain near Melur on Friday.

First, he chose a head constable to snatch the gold chain. Secondly, the anxious bike rider lost his mobile phone in his attempt to pull the chain. To add to his misery, he lost control of the two-wheeler and dashed against another vehicle only to be caught by the public.

Raja Mohammed of Kidaripatti followed T. Vidhya, 42, head constable, attached to District Crime Branch in Sivaganga district while she was returning home at N. Perumalpatti near Melur.

When she came near Ganapathipuram, the man managed to yank her six sovereign gold chain. The man did not know that he had targeted a police personnel as she was in her civvies. She raised an alarm. It made the thief anxious. His mobile phone fell down. He hardly crossed some 100 metres, his motorbike dashed against a vehicle. He fell down and fractured his left hand. He tried to run away but he was caught by the people.

“The alarm raised by the victim drew the attention of the people and that helped us to nab him,” Inspector of Police (Melur), S. Charles, said.

Even if he managed to flee from the scene, he would have been apprehended as his mobile phone and number plate of his vehicle had fallen down at the scene of crime.

The Melur police recovered the gold chain and seized the two-wheeler. Interrogation revealed that Raja Mohammed had resorted to make quick money as he had fallen in debts. After being provided first-aid at the Government Hospital in Melur, he was sent to remand on Saturday.

Use student funds to pay salaries, DU colleges told

Use student funds to pay salaries, DU colleges told

Principals, Teachers Say Order Illegal, Ask Govt To Reconsider

Mohammad.Ibrar@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:17.10.2020

The directorate of higher education has asked Delhi University colleges that are fully funded by the state government to use Student Society Fund (SSF) within two weeks if they can’t pay salaries to teaching and non-teaching staff due to a special audit and non-release of grants-in-aid. However, teachers’ and principals’ associations have again called the suggestion “illegal”.

In the order dated October 16, the colleges have been asked to use SSF till the audit is complete. This “has been done in the past”, it claims. The colleges had objected to a similar suggestion made by education minister Manish Sisodia last month.

Six of the 12 colleges fully funded by Delhi government are facing the audit for “financial irregularities” and haven’t paid salaries for over six months.

Hem Chand Jain, principal of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College that is undergoing the audit, said he would forward the order to DU to know if the order was binding.

“If this order is implemented, students will be deprived of funds for various activities. I request Delhi government to not ask us to do this as it would amount to cheating students,” Jain said. “We have only Rs 9.28 crore in our SSF, which would be enough to pay only three months’ salary.”

Jaswinder Singh, SGTB Khalsa College principal and president of DU Principals’ Association, said a principal was earlier removed for transferring funds. “CM Arvind Kejriwal should intervene and not force colleges to do something illegal.”

DU Teachers’ Association said using SSF was unacceptable. “Delhi government is pushing the burden of salaries on parents and students. Even in the past, if colleges were forced to use SSF for such purposes, the money was always returned to it.”

Balram Pani, dean of colleges at DU, said, “Colleges cannot use SSF. The order is not binding and the matter is already in court.”

Delhi government claimed the DDU College lawyer had told court they had paid salaries from SSF in the past. “When the judge asked him if they are allowed to do so, they said they need an official permission from the directorate of higher education,” it said.

However, Jain claimed “our lawyer said college can take loan for not more than a month from the fund”.

0 6  COLLEGES OF DU ARE FACING AUDIT

In a first, TN student among top 10 NEET rankers

In a first, TN student among top 10 NEET rankers

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:17.10.2020

For the first time since the introduction of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for MBBS admissions seven years ago, a student from Tamil Nadu has broken into the top 10. Srijan R got the 8th rank nationally scoring 710 out of 720 marks. Two other candidates from the state, Mohanaprabha Ravichandran and G Swetha, scored 705 and 702 respectively and secured the 52nd and 62nd ranks. Last year, the state topper was Shruthi K, who scored 685 out of 720 marks and secured the 57th rank.

Of 1,21,617 students who had registered for the test from the state, 99,610 took it. Of them, 57,215 students (57.4%) qualified. Last year 48.5% qualified.

In 2019, the cut-off for MBBS admissions in government medical colleges went up by nearly 100 marks in most categories because of a surge in scores. Last year, the cut-off for OC category was 520 marks and for BC it was 470 marks. The cut-off for BCM and MBC was 458 marks and for SC category 360 marks. For SCA it was 301 and ST 267 marks.

Going by the high scores in NEET this year, the cut-off for medical admissions will likely increase.

This year’s state topper R Srijan, a native Vellakoil in Tirupur district, attended a coaching centre in Namakkal. Talking to reporters in Namakkal, Srijan said he has been passionate about medicine and wants to specialise in cardiology. Srijan had attempted NEET last year and appeared again this year to better his scores.

Mohanaprabha Ravichandran, who is also from the same coaching centre, emerged second in the state. Mohanaprabha said she wants to specialise in neurology.

N Jeevithkumar, a student of Tamil medium Government Model Higher Secondary School, Siluvarpatti, Theni district, has scored 664/720. He is the second student pursuing medicine from the school and has scored just over 99% in physics, chemistry and biology. He has secured the 1,823rd rank at the national level. His father K Narayanamoorthi rears goats for a living and his mother N Parameswari takes up work under the MNREGA. He had undergone NEET coaching in Namakkal district and this is his second attempt at NEET.

“Last year, the all-India topper scored 691 marks. This year, one of our students scored 700 out of 720 marks and he was ranked 105. So, it means that 105 students have scored above 700 and we expect more high scorers in NEET,” said Chandan Chand, regional director, Aakash Institute.

With inputs from Madurai and Coimbatore

N Jeevithkumar, government school student, scored 664/720

University of Madras facing an acute resource crunch

University of Madras facing an acute resource crunch

Without the sanctioned strength, many departments are on the verge of losing additional funding from the University Grants Commission

11/10/2020

Pon Vasanth B.A. CHENNAI

With 56% of faculty positions lying vacant, University of Madras (UoM) is facing an acute shortage in terms of human resources and potential decline in academic and research activities.

Data available with The Hindu showed that at least seven departments did not have a single full-time faculty member and 14 departments had more than 70% of their sanctioned posts vacant.

The shortage is acutely felt in the three Centres of Advanced Study (CAS) in Mathematics, Botany, Crystallography and Biophysics, which receive additional grants from the University Grants Commission (UGC), and are at risk of losing them without the minimum required faculty strength and research output.

Moreover, an analysis of National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) data for the university showed that 50% of the roughly 80 professors are in the age group of 56 and above.

“If the vacancies are not filled in the near future, majority of the departments will not have a single Professor with retirements expected in the coming years,” a senior faculty member said. The last recruitment happened six years ago, but faced some allegations of irregularities.

G. Shanmugam, former Head of CAS in Crystallography and Biophysics and former university syndicate member, said the risk of losing CAS recognition by UGC was real. “We already lost it for the Department of Philosophy in the past,” he said.

The Ramanujan Institute for Advanced Study in Mathematics, one of the CAS, has a sanctioned strength of five professors, five associate professors, and 11 assistant professors. However, it presently has only seven assistant professors and not a single professor or associate professor.

The CAS in Botany with a sanctioned strength of 22 faculty members now has one professor and five assistant professors. Stating the department needed a minimum strength of six to maintain the CAS status, Mr. Shanmugam pointed out that N. Mathivanan, the professor and head of the department, is now holding the post of Registrar (in-charge) as well.

Similarly, the CAS in Crystallography and Biophysics had eight faculty members, which included a professor and seven assistant professors, against the sanctioned strength of 18. “The three CAS in the university had many stalwarts in the yesteryears. Now, many departments are not even able to fully utilise their research grants,” Mr. Shanmugam pointed out.

The head of one of the departments, said many departments with research potential were not able to apply for CAS status due to lack of minimum number of faculty. “When a university does not have adequate faculty members, it is not doing justice to its students,” he said.

In a competitive environment with rankings and accreditations, the university would not be able to maintain its status if it did not have competent faculty, who formed the core of the university system, he added.

Pointing out that over 50% of the non-teaching staff positions were also vacant, a Syndicate member said the financial crisis faced by the university had to be tackled with a long-term, sustainable solution.

“A key reason for not recruiting is the deep financial crisis with the university not in a position to even honour its commitments to pensioners. However, without enough faculty we are also losing out on grants from the UGC and the State,” he said.

Vice-Chancellor S. Gowri, who took charge in August, said he was studying the issue to explore possible options to address it.

Couple forge own death certificates - The Times Of India

Couple forge own death certificates - The Times Of India

LIC Agent And Wife Got ₹40L In Payouts

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:11.10.2020

In a unique case of cheating registered at Karanj police station on Friday, an insurance agent of LIC, Parag Parekh and his wife Manisha Parekh, both residents of Maininagar East, were arrested for allegedly forging death certificates of each other and obtaining the insurance settlement claims of Rs 15 lakh and Rs 25 lakh.

Inspector D V Tadvi of Karanj police station said that they have arrested both accused after getting their Covid-19 tests done on Saturday evening.

According to the FIR lodged by senior manager Kaushik Shah of LIC at Jivan Prakash Building on Relief Road, Parekh had taken a term insurance policy in the name of his wife Manisha on January 1, 2012 for Rs 15 lakh and used to pay the premiums regularly.

On May 5, 2016, Parag produced a bogus death certificate of his wife and after primary investigation he was given the benefit of Rs 15 lakh.

Inspector Tadvi said that meanwhile Parag transferred his own policy of Rs 25 lakh to Gandhinagar branch in March 2017 and put his wife’s name as nominee.

“Here also his wife obtained a forged death certificate of his husband and produced the forged documents in the LIC office to obtain the benefits. According to our information his wife too has obtained the benefit of Rs 25 lakh,” added Inspector Tadvi.

According to the FIR, in the audit conducted in July 14, 2020 it came to light that after the faked death of his wife, Parag had put his wife’s name as nominee in his own LIC policy.

“Later an internal inquiry was ordered and the whole scam came to light. Based on the internal inquiry, LIC has registered a complaint with us. We have arrested the accused and produce them at the judge’s bungalow on Sunday,” said Inspector Tadvi.

Parag Parekh produced the bogus death certificate of his wife in 2016 and received Rs 15 lakh. He then transferred his policy to the Gandhinagar branch and named his wife as the nominee, and she submitted his ‘death certificate’