Job on compassionate ground not charity: HC - The Times Of India

Job on compassionate ground not charity: HC - The Times Of India

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 28.10.2020

Appointment on compassionate ground is neither an act of charity nor temple ‘prasadham’, the Madras high court said censuring BSNL for refusing such appointment for a deserving candidate.

“Death of a sole breadwinner will definitely cause huge imbalance in any family especially when the family is in the low-income group,” a division bench of Justice M Sathyanarayanan and Justice R Hemalatha said. The court made the observations while allowing a plea moved by G Vijaya Prasanna challenging an order passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) denying her the benefit of compassionate appointment.

Vijaya Prasanna’s father K Gajendran died in 2003 while working as a telegraph man in BSNL.

In 2004, the petitioner gave a representation seeking appointment under compassionate ground. Though she was appointed as an office assistant on contract basis, her application for permanent appointment was rejected.

“… in view of the assets / liabilities of the family of the deceased, official support arrangement, constitution of the family and overall assessment of condition of the family, the circle high power committee did not agree to recommend the compassionate ground appointment and rejected the request under provision of the scheme,” BSNL said through an order dated June 1, 2016.

Aggrieved, the petitioner moved the CAT but her plea was dismissed by the tribunal, prompting her to move the high court.

Allowing the petition, the bench said, “In the instant case, the authorities, by their act, have deprived a truly indigent destitute and impoverished family, of a deserving compassionate appointment.”

Instead of extending a helping hand at the time of distress, authorities have remained mute for years only to turn the tables against the petitioner. Callous attitude and lack of empathy have caused this denial of an appointment on compassionate grounds, the court added.

The court then directed the BSNL to consider appointment of the petitioner under compassionate ground favourably within three months.

Reopening guidelines to be in force till Nov. 30

Reopening guidelines to be in force till Nov. 30

Lockdown to be implemented strictly in containment zones

28/10/2020

Screening time: Residents waiting for rapid antigen tests in north Delhi on Tuesday.Sushil Kumar Verma

Special CorrespondentNew Delhi

The Home Ministry on Tuesday said the “guidelines for reopening” post-lockdown issued last month, permitting cinemas, entertainment parks and swimming pools for sportspersons to open, would continue to be applicable till November 30 in areas outside the containment zones.

The guidelines issued on September 30 were to be in force till October 31.

The lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the containment zones during the period, the Ministry’s order said.

Appropriate behaviour

The Ministry said it had advised the Chief Secretaries of the States and the administrators of Union Territories that they “should endeavour to promote COVID-19-appropriate behaviour extensively at the grassroots level and take measures to enforce the wearing of masks, hand hygiene and social distancing”.

The guidelines said that international travel, except those permitted by the Centre, would remain shut while the State governments were given the flexibility to decide on reopening of schools and coaching institutions in a graded manner.

The activities permitted in areas outside the containment zones were — cinemas, theatres and multiplexes with up to 50% of their seating capacity, Business to Business (B2B) exhibitions, swimming pools used for training of sportspersons, entertainment parks and similar places.

The Ministry said that where schools were conducting online classes, and some students preferred to attend online classes rather than physically attend school, they may be permitted to do so. Students may attend schools and institutions only with the written consent of parents.

Attendance must not be enforced, and must depend entirely on parental consent, it said.

The Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education may take a decision on the timing of the opening of colleges and higher education institutions, in consultation with the Ministry.

The Ministry reiterated that the States would not impose any local lockdown outside the containment zones without consulting the Centre. There would be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement.

MMC PG student found dead in hotel

MMC PG student found dead in hotel

28/10/2020

Special CorrespondentCHENNAI

A 24-year-old post graduate student of the Madras Medical College was found dead in his room in a hotel in T. Nagar where he was under quarantine after COVID-19 duty.

The name of the victim was given as Lokesh Kumar, 24, a native of Mettur in Salem district. He was assigned COVID-19 duty at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH).

After completing COVID-19 duty, he was under quarantine in the hotel from October 24. He did not come out from his room nor respond to calls from his relatives.

At 11 p.m. on Monday, the hotel staff opened his room using a spare key and found him dead.

The police suspect that he could have consumed poison and the reason for his decision was not known.

Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104 and Sneha's suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.

Fines for road traffic violations to be deducted from FASTag accounts

Fines for road traffic violations to be deducted from FASTag accounts

Corporation and the police will rely on camera footage to identify the violators

28/10/2020

Automatic fine: The Greater Chennai Corporation and the police have decided to automate the process of fine collection for violation of traffic rules. R. RAVINDRAN

Special CorrespondentCHENNAI

Camera footage is likely to be used to identify motorists who violate traffic rules by automating the system of fine collection in the city.

Officials of the Greater Chennai Corporation are planning to automate traffic fine collection using FASTag and the system of cameras fitted across the city by the Corporation and the police.

For instance, a motorist who parks a vehicle in a no-parking zone will be identified by the camera and the fine amount deducted from the FASTag account.

Similarly, in the case of traffic violations at signals, the fine amount would be deducted from the account of the owner of the vehicle. “At least 90% of the vehicles have FASTag in Chennai. The system will deduct the fine amount from the account of violators once the cameras capture violations on road,” said an official.

The Corporation has installed 500 cameras at important junctions of 471 bus route roads.

More cameras will be installed along the roads. The police and other line agencies had installed cameras using funding under smart cities mission.

Meanwhile, work on recruiting parking attendants has started to strengthen parking management in the city.

“COVID-19 has led to reduced collection of parking charges in areas such as T. Nagar and Anna Nagar. We have started recruiting parking attendants to improve services. The parking attendants will carry a hand-held machine to collect charges and regulate parking of vehicles,” said an official.

After relaxation of restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the civic officials planned to strengthen parking management system to prevent unauthorised parking along roads.

The Corporation has planned to create 12,000 parking slots and the system would be expanded to more areas shortly.

Similar to parking violations, the Corporation has also started using analytics for regulating waste management.

It has installed cameras at 50 locations to identify overflowing bins. “We receive two to three alerts every day about overflowing bins. The system facilitates clearance of bins at frequent intervals. More cameras will be fitted to monitor garbage clearance issues,” said an official.

DU tussle: VC can give and take back his powers, says EC nominee

DU tussle: VC can give and take back his powers, says EC nominee

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:27.10.2020

A week into the chaos at Delhi University, the camp supporting vicechancellor Yogesh Tyagi has refused to back down. Sources in the university said that P C Jha, registrar appointed by Tyagi while on leave, was planning to send letters to all members of the DU administration and college principals asking them to follow the institute’s statutes and laws “in an attempt to claim legitimacy”.

On Saturday, the Union education ministry had written to DU of being “in receipt of a letter from one P C Jha claiming to be registrar of the university. It is requested to ascertain who this person is and if he turns out to be an employee of DU, then strict action as per DU Act 1922 be undertaken.”

On Monday, Rajkumar Bhatia, nominee of the chancellor on DU’s Executive Council, called out the ministry for “intruding in a university matter”. Bhatia, who was appointed in August, said that Tyagi was in the right. “I think the vice-chancellor is legally correct in what he is doing. The only solution is that the VC and the ministry should find a solution together. But the ministry has intervened in this matter,” Bhatia asserted.

Geeta Bhatt, the pro vicechancellor also appointed by Tyagi, added that “all appointments by the VC are as per the statutes of the university”.

Bhatia further said that contrary to claims, the VC does not need a medical certificate to resume duties after leave. “I don’t think there is a rule for a VC who was unwell to show a medical certificate to come back to work. It is the VC who deputes his responsibilities to the pro vice-chancellor to run the university and he can very well take them back when he returns to work. The vice-chancellor can give and take back his powers.”

A letter from the ministry last week had stated that if Tyagi wanted to join office, he had to submit a medical fitness certificate.

Bhatia said, “Tyagi was back and had started to work after taking over charge. There was an EC meeting on October 10, which was called by pro VC PC Joshi. The VC, however, asked Joshi to postpone the meeting and the pro VC agreed and postponed it for 10 days. I was at that meeting and I heard him say this. If the VC’s authority was intact on October 10, how is it that his authority was then lost by October 21 on the claim that hadn’t submitted a medical certificate?”

This sequence was corroborated by EC elected member Rajesh Jha, who said that “the pro VC conveyed to us on October 10 that the VC said that the meeting should be convened 10 days later and that he would chair the meeting then.”

According to a senior university official, a letter from the ministry secretary on October 19 was addressed to Tyagi as VC. “This begs the question why just a few days later, the ministry changed its stance on Tyagi’s status. If these DU members are opposing the VC, then they are indulging in insubordination and strict action must be taken against them,” the official said.

RAJKUMAR BHATIA, CHANCELLOR'S NOMINEE, SAYS

I don’t think there is a rule for a VC who was unwell to show a medical certificate to come back to work. It is the VC who deputes his responsibilities to the pro vice-chancellor to run the university and he can very well take them back when he returns to work

சிறப்பு பஸ்களில் கூட்டமில்லாததால் அதிர்ச்சி

சிறப்பு பஸ்களில் கூட்டமில்லாததால் அதிர்ச்சி

Added : அக் 26, 2020 23:59

சென்னை : ஆயுத பூஜைக்கு சிறப்பு பஸ்களை இயக்கியும், கூட்டம் இல்லாததால், போக்குவரத்து கழக அதிகாரிகள் அதிர்ச்சி அடைந்துள்ளனர்.

இது குறித்து, போக்குவரத்து துறை அதிகாரிகள் கூறியதாவது:ஆண்டுதோறும், ஆயுத பூஜை விடுமுறைகளில், அரசு போக்குவரத்து கழக பஸ்களில் கூட்டம் அலைமோதும். இந்த ஆண்டு கொரோனா பரவல் பிரச்னை இருந்ததால், குறைந்த அளவிலான சிறப்பு பஸ்கள் இயக்கப்பட்டன. ஆனால், எதிர்பார்த்த கூட்டம் இல்லை; வார இறுதி நாட்களில் ஏறும் கூட்டம் கூட இல்லை. தமிழகத்தில், பள்ளி, கல்லுாரிகள் திறக்கப்படாதது, ஐ.டி., நிறுவனங்களின் செயல்பாடு குறைவு போன்ற காரணங்களால், சென்னை உள்ளிட்ட மாவட்ட தலைநகரங்களில் இருந்து, சொந்த ஊர் செல்ல பெரும்பாலானோர் ஆர்வம் காட்டவில்லை.இவ்வாறு,  அவர்கள் கூறினர்.

ஓ.பி.சி.,க்கு 50 சதவீத மருத்துவ இடங்கள்... சுப்ரீம் கோர்ட் திட்டவட்ட அறிவிப்பு

ஓ.பி.சி.,க்கு 50 சதவீத மருத்துவ இடங்கள்... சுப்ரீம் கோர்ட் திட்டவட்ட அறிவிப்பு

Added : அக் 27, 2020 03:34

புதுடில்லி 'மருத்துவப் படிப்புக்கான அகில இந்திய ஒதுக்கீட்டில், ஓ.பி.சி., எனப்படும், இதர பிற்படுத்தப்பட்ட பிரிவினருக்கு, 50 சதவீத ஒதுக்கீட்டை நடப்பு கல்வியாண்டில் அமல்படுத்துவது குறித்து, இடைக்கால உத்தரவு பிறப்பிக்க முடியாது' என, உச்ச நீதிமன்றம் திட்டவட்டமாக உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது. இதனால், நடப்பு கல்வியாண்டில், ஓ.பி.சி., பிரிவினருக்கு, 50 சதவீத ஒதுக்கீடு இல்லை என்ற நிலை உருவாகி உள்ளது. தமிழகத்தில் உள்ள மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரிகளில் இருந்து, மருத்துவப் பட்டப் படிப்புகளில், 15 சதவீதமும், மேற்படிப்புகளில், 50 சதவீத இடங்களும், மத்திய தொகுப்புக்கு வழங்கப்படுகின்றன.

இந்நிலையில், 'தமிழகத்தில் பின்பற்றப்படும் இட ஒதுக்கீடு கொள்கையின் அடிப்படையில், மத்திய தொகுப்பில், 50 சதவீத இடங்களை, ஓ.பி.சி., பிரிவினருக்கு அளிக்க வேண்டும்' என, தமிழக அரசு சார்பிலும், சில அரசியல் கட்சிகள் சார்பிலும், உச்ச நீதிமன்றத்தில் வழக்கு தொடரப்பட்டது.இதை விசாரித்த உச்ச நீதிமன்றம், சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றத்தை அணுகும்படி உத்தரவிட்டிருந்தது. இந்த வழக்கில் தீர்ப்பளித்த சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றம், 'மருத்துவப் படிப்புகளில், மத்திய தொகுப்புக்கான இடங்களில், ஓ.பி.சி., பிரிவினருக்கு, 50 சதவீத இட ஒதுக்கீடு வழங்க வேண்டும்' என, உத்தரவிட்டது. இது பற்றிய சட்ட வரையறைகளை, மூன்று மாதங்களில் உருவாக்கும்படியும் உத்தரவிட்டு இருந்தது.இதற்கிடையே, இந்த இட ஒதுக்கீட்டை நடப்பு கல்வியாண்டிலேயே அமல்படுத்த உத்தரவிடக் கோரி, தமிழக அரசு மற்றும் அரசியல் கட்சிகள் சார்பில், உச்ச நீதிமன்றத்தில் மேல்முறையீட்டு மனுக்கள் தாக்கல் செய்யப்பட்டன. கடந்த வாரம், இந்த வழக்கு விசாரணைக்கு வந்தபோது, 'இந்த இட ஒதுக்கீட்டை தமிழகத்துக்கு மட்டும் வழங்கினால், சட்டச் சிக்கல் ஏற்படும். 'ஏற்கனவே, 27 சதவீத ஒதுக்கீட்டையே வழங்க முடியாத நிலையில் உள்ளோம். எனவே, நடப்பு கல்வியாண்டில் செயல்படுத்த முடியாது' என, மத்திய அரசு சார்பில், உச்ச நீதிமன்றத்தில் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டது.அமல்படுத்த முடியாதுஅப்போது, தேசிய மருத்துவ கமிஷன் மற்றும் மத்திய அரசு சார்பில் கூறப்பட்டதாவது:நீட் தேர்வுக்கான விண்ணப்பங்கள், இந்தாண்டு, ஜன., - பிப்., மாதத்தில் பெறப்பட்டன. அப்போது, அவர்கள் எந்தப் பிரிவின் கீழ் விண்ணப்பிக்கிறோம் என்பதை தெரிவித்துஉள்ளனர். அதன்படியே, நீட் தேர்வு முடிவுகளும் வெளியிடப்பட்டு உள்ளன.அதனால், இந்தக் கல்வியாண்டில், ஓ.பி.சி., பிரிவினருக்கான, 50 சதவீத இட ஒதுக்கீட்டை அமல்படுத்த முடியாது.இவ்வாறு, அதில் கூறப்பட்டது.விசாரணைஇந்த வழக்கு, உச்ச நீதிமன்றத்தில் நேற்று மீண்டும் விசாரணைக்கு வந்தது. அப்போது, 'இந்த வழக்கில் எந்த இடைக்கால உத்தரவையும் பிறப்பிக்க முடியாது' என, உச்ச நீதிமன்றம் தன் உத்தரவில் திட்டவட்டமாக தெரிவித்தது. இதையடுத்து, மருத்துவப் படிப்புகளில் நடப்பு கல்வியாண்டில், ஓ.பி.சி., பிரிவினருக்கு, 50 சதவீத இட ஒதுக்கீடு அளிக்க முடியாத நிலை ஏற்பட்டு உள்ளது.

'மிக்ஸட் ரியாலிட்டி' முறையில் நடந்த ஆன்லைன் பட்டமளிப்பு விழா:

'மிக்ஸட் ரியாலிட்டி' முறையில் நடந்த ஆன்லைன் பட்டமளிப்பு விழா:

Updated : அக் 27, 2020 01:37 | Added : அக் 26, 2020 23:01

'மிக்ஸட் ரியாலிட்டி' முறையில் நடந்த ஆன்லைன் பட்டமளிப்பு விழா:

சென்னை:சென்னை ஐ.ஐ.டி., நடத்திய ஆன்லைன் பட்டமளிப்பு விழாவில், டிஜிட்டல் தொழில்நுட்பத்தை பயன்படுத்தி, மாணவர்கள் நேரில் பதக்கம் பெறும் வகையில், ஏற்பாடுகள் செய்து அசத்தினர்.

சென்னை ஐ.ஐ.டி.,யின், 57வது பட்டமளிப்பு விழா, ஐ.ஐ.டி.,யின் நிர்வாக குழு தலைவர் பவர் கோயங்கா தலைமையில், ஆன்லைனில், நேற்று நடத்தப்பட்டது. இதில், நோபல் பரிசு பெற்ற விஞ்ஞானியும், கலிபோர்னியா பல்கலையின் இயற்பியல் இருக்கையின் வேந்தருமான, பேராசிரியர் டேவிட் ஜே.குரோஸ் தலைமை விருந்தினராக பங்கேற்றார்.

விழாவில், 2,346 பேருக்கு பட்டங்கள் வழங்கப்பட்டன. அத்துடன், 2019 - 20ம் கல்வி ஆண்டில், பிஎச்.டி., முடித்த, 353 பேர், எம்.எஸ்., முடித்த, 103 பேர்; எம்.டெக்., முடித்த, 431 பேர்; பி.டெக்., முடித்த, 406 பேர் மற்றும், 680 பேருக்கு இரட்டை பட்டங்களும் வழங்கப்பட்டன.

ஐ.ஐ.டி.,யின் செயல்பாடுகள் மற்றும் சாதனைகள் குறித்த செயல்திறன் அறிக்கையை, பேராசிரியர் பாஸ்கர் ராமமூர்த்தி சமர்ப்பித்தார்.இந்த விழா முழுவதுமாக, ஆன்லைன் வழியிலேயே நடத்தப்பட்டது. முக்கிய விருந்தினர்கள், கல்வி நிறுவன இயக்குனர் மற்றும் பேராசிரியர்கள் அனைவரும், ஆன்லைன் வாயிலாகவே, தங்கள் உரைகளை நிகழ்த்தினர்.

இந்த நிகழ்வில், ஐ.ஐ.டி.,யின் பெருமை மிக்க ஜனாதிபதி பதக்கம் உள்ளிட்ட கவுரவ பதக்கங்கள் மற்றும் விருதுகளை பெற, அதற்கு தேர்வாகும் மாணவர்கள் மிகவும் ஆர்வமாக இருப்பர்.

ஆனால், பட்டமளிப்பு விழா, இந்த முறை ஆன்லைன் வழியில் நடத்தப்பட்டதால், விருது மற்றும் பதக்கம் பெறும் மாணவர்கள் மட்டும், நேரில் இருப்பது போன்று, 'மிக்ஸட் ரியாலிட்டி' என்ற, டிஜிட்டல் தொழில்நுட்பம் பயன்படுத்தப்பட்டது.மாணவர்களின் பெயரை வாசித்ததும், அவர்கள் மேடையில் தோன்றுவது போன்றும், அவர்களுக்கு பதக்கங்கள் அணிவிப்பது போன்றும் காட்சிகள் ஒளிபரப்பாகின. இது, மாணவர்களையும், பெற்றோரையும் மகிழ்ச்சி அடைய செய்தது.

'மிக்ஸட் ரியாலிட்டி' என்பது என்ன?

'மிக்ஸட் ரியாலிட்டி' என்பது, நேரில் உள்ளதையும், ஏற்கனவே நேரிலோ அல்லது முப்பரிமாண வகை வீடியாவாக எடுக்கப்பட்டதையோ ஒன்றாக, ஒரே நேரத்தில் இணைத்து காட்சிப்படுத்துவது.

பெரும்பாலான ஹாலிவுட் திரைப்படங்களில், மிகவும் உயரமான மலையில் இருந்து குதிப்பது, உயிருக்கு ஆபத்தான விலங்குகளுடன் சண்டையிடுவது, கடலில் குதிப்பது என, பிரமிக்க வைக்கும் காட்சிகள் இடம் பெறும். இவையெல்லாம், மிக்ஸட் ரியாலிட்டி மற்றும் விர்சுவல் ரியாலிட்டி தொழில்நுட்பம் தான்.

தமிழில், 'பாகுபலி' திரைப்படத்தில், இந்த தொழில்நுட்பம் அதிகம் பயன்படுத்தப்பட்டு உள்ளது. அமெரிக்காவின், ஆர்ம்ஸ்ட்ராங் ஆய்வகத்தில், 1992ல் இந்த தொழில்நுட்பம் கண்டுபிடிக்கப்பட்டு பயன்படுத்தப்பட்டது. இந்த தொழில்நுட்பம் தற்போது, கொரோனா பிரச்னையால், ஆன்லைன் நிகழ்ச்சிகளின் பயன்பாட்டுக்கு வந்துள்ளது.

எம்பிபிஎஸ், பிடிஎஸ் படிப்புகள்: இன்று முதல் அகில இந்திய ஒதுக்கீட்டு கலந்தாய்வு

எம்பிபிஎஸ், பிடிஎஸ் படிப்புகள்: இன்று முதல் அகில இந்திய ஒதுக்கீட்டு கலந்தாய்வு

எம்பிபிஎஸ், பிடிஎஸ் மருத்துவப் படிப்புகளில் அகில இந்திய ஒதுக்கீட்டு இடங்களுக்கான முதல்கட்ட கலந்தாய்வு இணையவழியில் செவ்வாய்க்கிழமை (அக்.27) தொடங்குகிறது. தகுதியான மாணவா்கள் தங்களது விவரங்களைப் பதிவு செய்து கல்லூரிகளைத் தோவு செய்யலாம் என மத்திய சுகாதார சேவைகளுக்கான தலைமை இயக்குநரகம் (டிஜிஎச்எஸ்) தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

நாடு முழுவதும் மருத்துவம் மற்றும் பல் மருத்துவக் கல்லூரிகளில் இருந்து 15 சதவீத எம்பிபிஎஸ், பிடிஎஸ் இடங்கள் அகில இந்திய ஒதுக்கீட்டுக்கு அளிக்கப்படுகிறது.

அந்த இடங்களுக்கும், நிகா்நிலைப் பல்கலைக்கழகங்கள், மத்திய பல்கலைக்கழகங்களில் உள்ள எம்பிபிஎஸ், பிடிஎஸ் இடங்களுக்கும் கலந்தாய்வு மூலம் மத்திய சுகாதார சேவைகளுக்கான தலைமை இயக்குநரகம் (டிஜிஎச்எஸ்) மாணவா் சோக்கையை நடத்தி வருகிறது.

அந்த வகையில் நிகழ் கல்வியாண்டுக்கான மாணவா் சோக்கைக்கான கலந்தாய்வு www.mcc.nic.in இணைய முகவரியில் செவ்வாய்க்கிழமை தொடங்குகிறது.

நீட் தோவில் தோச்சியடைந்த மாணவ, மாணவிகள் முதல்கட்ட கலந்தாய்வுக்கு இணையதளத்தில் செவ்வாய்க்கிழமை முதல் நவம்பா் 2-ஆம் தேதி மாலை 5 மணி வரை பதிவு செய்து, கல்லூரிகளைத் தோவு செய்யலாம். தாங்கள் தோவு செய்த கல்லூரியை வரும் 28-ஆம் தேதி முதல் நவம்பா் 2-ஆம் தேதி நள்ளிரவு 11.59 மணிக்குள் உறுதி செய்ய வேண்டும். தரவரிசைப் பட்டியல் அடிப்படையில் கல்லூரிகளில் இடஒதுக்கீடு செய்யும் பணி நவம்பா் 3, 4-ஆம் தேதிகளில் நடைபெறும்.

இடஒதுக்கீடு செய்யப்பட்ட விவரங்கள் நவம்பா் 5-ஆம் தேதி வெளியிடப்படும். கலந்தாய்வில் இடங்களைப் பெற்றவா்கள் நவம்பா் 6-ஆம் தேதி முதல் 12-ஆம் தேதிக்குள் கல்லூரிகளில் சேர வேண்டும். இரண்டாம் கட்ட கலந்தாய்வுக்கு நவம்பா் 18-ஆம் தேதி முதல் 22-ஆம் தேதி வரை இணையதளத்தில் பதிவு செய்யலாம். நிகா்நிலைப் பல்கலைக்கழகங்கள், மத்திய பல்கலைக்கழகங்களில் சோவதற்கு டிசம்பா் 10-ஆம் தேதி முதல் 14-ஆம் தேதி வரை பதிவு செய்ய வேண்டும் என மத்திய அரசின் சுகாதார சேவைகளுக்கான தலைமை இயக்குநரகம் தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

Dailyhunt

Colleges, universities to also open post Diwali in Gujarat - The Times Of India

Colleges, universities to also open post Diwali in Gujarat - The Times Of India

No Reason To Keep Them Closed Indefinitely: Min

Kapil.Dave & Bharat.Yagnik TNN

Gandhinagar: 27.10.2020

Like schools, the state government is considering the option of starting oncampus education in colleges and universities as well. This will reduce online education in institutions of higher education amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, state education minister said, “As the government is intently considering starting regular schooling for students from class IX to XII, there is no reason for keeping colleges and universities closed for an indefinite period of time. College and university students are adults and know how to take precautions against coronavirus.”

At present, about 20 lakh students of 2,000 colleges and 45 universities are being educated through the online medium only. Colleges and universities have already demanded that they be allowed to resume on-campus education. On the basis of guidelines issued by the government of India, the state government is planning to resume on-campus education in schools from November 23.

The minister said that the state government will shortly initiate consultations with associations of universities and colleges and begin the exercise of drafting a standard operating procedure (SOP) for starting on-campus education in colleges and universities post Diwali.

At present, about 20 lakh students of 2,000 colleges and 45 universities are being educated through the online medium

Final decision after considering all safety aspects, govt clarifies

However, a final decision in this regard will be taken after due consideration of all aspects of safety of students,” Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, state education minister clarified.

Associations of colleges and teachers have welcomed the move. Sudhir Nanavati, president, Gujarat Higher Education College Association, said that at a time when all other activities are being opened, higher education also ought to be. “It is not possible to study everything online. On-campus education is required. The USA and other countries have adopted a model where both oncampus and online education is done simultaneously. If the government is considering having on-campus education for class IX to XII students, then on-campus education should definitely be held for college and university students,” Nanavati said.

Digvijaysinh Gohil of Gujarat State College Teachers Association also supported the idea of beginning on-campus education in colleges. “Life will begin to limp back to normal and students too will come out of Covid-related trauma. In either case, young people move all over the place. They can as well attend college,” Gohil said. Gujarat college principal association president, Jayvantsinh Sarvaiya said that physical examinations have been conducted in colleges and universities with no complaints, and regular classes can begin in colleges now. He added that most colleges and universities have however told the government that the odd-even system (calling 50% of students on alternate days to the campus) is not feasible, as the class size in colleges is large. “Regular classes and online classes can be held simultaneously,” he said.

SC: No OBC quota in AIQ med seats in TN colleges this year - The Times Of India

SC: No OBC quota in AIQ med seats in TN colleges this year - The Times Of India

Petitions Of State Govt & AIADMK Dismissed

Chennai/New Delhi:

There will be no 50% reservation for OBC candidates in MBBS/BDS courses under All India Quota (AIQ) in non-central/state government medical institutions this year, as the Supreme Court dismissed petitions from Tamil Nadu in this regard. As of now while OBC quota is available for AIQ seats in central institutions, state medical colleges provide AIQ reservation only for SC/ STs.

In the apex court, the Centre had taken a stand that it would not be practically feasible to implement the 50% quota in this academic year. Concurring with its submissions on Monday, a bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao, Hemant Gupta and Ajay Rastogi dismissed the interim prayers of TN government and AIADMK.

On July 27, the Madras high court had cleared the air and held that there is no legal or constitutional bar for implementing OBC quota in AIQ seats in noncentral/state government medical colleges. It, however, left open two questions – one, if it could be implemented in 2020-21 academic year itself; two, what will be the quantum of the quota – 50% as per TN’s 69% formula or 27% as per central scheme. TNN & AGENCIES

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‘Show urgency for OBC-Dalit quota’

PM Narendra Modi should show the same urgency for reservation for OBCs and Dalits in medical admissions on seats surrendered to all-India quota by the states, as he had shown vis-a-vis economically weaker sections, DMK leader M K Stalin said reacting to the SC order on Monday. Opposition parties in TN demanded that the state convene an all-party meeting and send a delegation to meet Modi. P 5

Form 4-member panel to decide quota quantum in 3 months: HC

The Madras high court ordered formation of a fourmember committee to decide the quantum in three months. Tamil Nadu government and the ruling AIADMK moved the Supreme Court seeking implementation of the OBC reservation this academic year itself. In their limited point, they had sought relief saying the HC had not specified that the OBC quota should be implemented in the current academic year itself.

In its ruling, the high court had held that in principle there is no legal or constitutional impediment for extending the benefit of reservation to OBCs in the state-surrendered AIQ seats of the UG/PG medical courses in the state-run medical colleges within Tamil Nadu, subject to any further directions or orders of the apex court. It had disagreed with the contention of the erstwhile Medical Council of India that permitting reservation in AIQ seats would compromise merit and said the argument gets diluted as NEET examinations are now clearly designed to allow only such candidates to be admitted, who secure a minimum merit.

Stalin writes to PM on SC verdict on OBC quota

Stalin writes to PM on SC verdict on OBC quota

Leaders express displeasure over order

27/10/2020

Special Correspondent CHENNAI

DMK president M.K. Stalin on Monday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention to ensure that the terms of implementation of State-specific quota for OBC students in All-India Quota (AIQ) seats for medical college admissions were finalised by the committee constituted for the purpose.

In his letter to the Prime Minister, he said there was a real concern that students belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBC) would not benefit from the State-specific reservation in the current academic year.

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to order interim relief of implementing 50% reservation, this year itself, for NEET-UG students belonging to OBCs in medical and dental seats contributed to the AIQ by State government-run colleges in Tamil Nadu.

“Without the implementation of reservation, thousands of students will not have a chance to pursue higher education in the field of medicine,” he said.

‘Disappointing verdict’

PMK Founder S. Ramadoss said in a statement: “The verdict is disappointing. The stance taken by the Centre that it cannot be implemented this year due to the various cases pending on the issue is the reason for the outcome.”

He also urged Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami to send a delegation comprising political party leaders from the State to New Delhi, to meet the Prime Minister.

MDMK chief Vaiko alleged that the Centre had shown deceit on the issue, from the beginning, and strongly condemned it and expressed disappointment over the verdict.

VCK founder Thol. Thirumavalavan urged the Chief Minister to immediately call for an all-party meeting to express consensus on the issue and pursue legal options.

MMK president M.H. Jawahirullah also urged the Chief Minister to call for an all-party meeting and take action to uphold the principles of social justice. CPI (M) State secretary K. Balakrishnan pointed out that the verdict would affect OBC students and said the BJP government at the Centre had betrayed them and acted against social justice.

‘From just 1,945 in 2010-11, we now have 3,400 MBBS seats’

‘From just 1,945 in 2010-11, we now have 3,400 MBBS seats’

Centre has approved new medical colleges in 11 districts: CM

27/10/2020

Edappadi K. Palaniswami

Special Correspondent CHENNAI

From 1,945 MBBS seats in 2010-2011, the number of medical seats in the State has risen to 3,400 now. In the coming years, 11 new government medical colleges will offer 1,650 more seats, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said.

“To enable more students from rural areas and economically backward sections to realise their dream of becoming doctors, the State government, in a short period, has got the Centre’s approval to establish new medical colleges in 11 districts — Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar, Dindigul, the Nilgiris, Ariyalur, Nagapattinam, Kallakurichi, Tiruvallur, Tiruppur, Namakkal and Krishnagiri. Foundation stones have been laid and construction is under way. Through this, the State government has taken measures to create an additional 1,650 MBBS seats in the coming years,” he said, shortly after inaugurating the Fortis Hospital in Vadapalani, Chennai, on Monday.

The State government has passed a Bill to provide 7.5% horizontal reservation in medical admissions to enable students of government schools to become doctors, he said.

The Chief Minister emphasised that medicine was a “fine art” and not a “business”. Listing out the State’s achievements in healthcare, he said: “Last year, the infant mortality rate came down from 16 to 15 (deaths per 1,000 live births), while the State has already achieved the 2030 target of Sustainable Development Goals in reducing the maternal mortality rate,” he said.

State’s achievements

A total of 254 new primary health centres (PHC) have been established, and 166 PHCs upgraded. In the last three years, 56 CT scan machines, 22 MRI scan machines, 18 cath labs and 530 dialysis machines have been provided to government hospitals, he said.

Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar, Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan, Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, managing director and chief executive officer, Fortis Healthcare Limited, and Anil Vinayak, group chief operating officer, Fortis Healthcare, were present. The 250-bed facility is Fortis Healthcare’s second multi-speciality hospital in the city.

Supreme Court rejects pleas for interim relief on OBC quota

Supreme Court rejects pleas for interim relief on OBC quota

27/10/2020

Mr. Sharma, who was supported by the Centre, said the reservation roster had already been fixed by the Directorate General of Health Services.

The NEET results were declared on October 16 and were followed by counselling sessions.

In August, the Tamil Nadu government and the other parties challenged a Madras High Court decision to set up a committee to “finalise” the OBC reservation in State-surrendered seats for the all-India quota in non-central medical colleges.

They objected to how the High Court had declined to straightaway order the Centre and the Medical Council of India (since replaced by the National Medical Commission) to implement 50% reservation for the Backward Classes, the Most Backward Classes and the Denotified Communities in these seats in undergraduate, postgraduate and diploma medical and dental courses, in compliance with reservation rules followed in the State for the academic year 2020-21.

Panel formed

The High Court, in its decision on July 27, declined the mandamus “despite finding there is a clear substantive law providing for State-specific reservation formulated by the MCI”.

“Instead, the court set up a committee when such a committee was unnecessary, consisting of the Directorate General of Health Services, the MCI and the Tamil Nadu government department concerned, to finalise the manner in which the facilities of OBC reservation are to be provided,” the Tamil Nadu government had said.

The State had argued that the High Court was contradicting itself.

“Once the court has determinatively found that the governing law provides for OBC reservation as per Tamil Nadu rules, then the proverbial ‘story’ ends there and the appropriate authorities ought to be directed to apply the law,” the State had argued.

Stay in KSRTC sleeper bus for Rs 100 in Munnar

Stay in KSRTC sleeper bus for Rs 100 in Munnar

The KSRTC is likely to roll out its sleeper bus facility for tourists visiting Munnar by next month.

Published: 26th October 2020 02:57 AM 

By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The KSRTC is likely to roll out its sleeper bus facility for tourists visiting Munnar by next month. Two deluxe buses converted into sleepers with 16 berths each will be stationed at the Munnar depot.

Each bed will cost Rs 100 from 6pm till noon the next day and the customer will have to pay an amount equivalent to the rent as security deposit.

A tourist group can book an entire sleeper bus. KSRTC has renovated the toilet complex in the depot so that customers can use it. 

It has also decided to tie-up with nearby restaurants to provide food in the bus.

“We will appoint two casual workers for cleaning the toilet and the buses, besides managing their luggage and buying them food,” said KSRTC chairman Biju Prabhakar.

The buses will be disinfected after the occupants move out, he added. The sleeper slots can be booked through mnr@kerala.gov.in or over phone: 9447813851, 04865230201. To promote business, KSRTC is also allowing booking by agents on 10% commission. 

KSRTC first launched sleeper buses for its crew after they complained of poor facilities while waiting for passengers at the airport during lockdown.

IIT-Madras convocation held, technology gives event a touch of reality

IIT-Madras convocation held, technology gives event a touch of reality

The highlight of the 57th IIT-Madras convocation was the use of 'mixed reality' technology which provided the event a touch of reality.

Published: 26th October 2020 12:48 AM 

By PTI

CHENNAI: For the first time in its history, the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras conducted its convocation online on Sunday and over 2,300 degrees were awarded.

The highlight of the 57th convocation was the use of 'mixed reality' technology which provided the event a touch of reality.

Prof David J Gross, Nobel laureate and Chancellor's Chair of Theoretical Physics, University of California, who was the chief guest, said that for graduating students it was the beginning of application of knowledge that they acquired during their study.

Pawan Goenka, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT Madras and Managing Director, Mahindra and Mahindra, presided.

"COVID-19 has accelerated the rate of tech adoption across streams of life. Changes which would have taken 5-6 years have happened in just about 3-4 months," Goenka said.

Director of IIT Madras, Bhaskar Ramamurthi, who awarded degrees to the graduating students said classes were completed on time due to the "heroic efforts" of the faculty and students.

As many as 191 patents were filed during the year, of which 62 were international, and the institute was granted 58, he said.

A total of 2,346 degrees were awarded to 1,909 students in absentia.

Mixed reality creates visualisations by combining real and virtual worlds.

For instance, a student, Rajat Vadiraj Dwaraknath, who bagged three prizes including the President of India gold medal appeared to have personally received the medal though it was only a projection that seemed real.

JIPMER issues recall instructions for final year MBBS students

JIPMER issues recall instructions for final year MBBS students: Puducherry: Through a recent notice, the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) has issued Recall Instructions to Final Year MBBS Part II Students residing ...

MBBS at Symbiosis Medical College For Women: View eligibility, fee, admissions process here

MBBS at Symbiosis Medical College For Women: View eligibility, fee, admissions process here: Pune: Symbiosis Medical College for Women (SMCW), a newly established medical college dedicated to women has recently released the details of the admissions for MBBS course at the institute. All

Uttrakhand: 42 foreign MBBS passouts working at government hospitals without clearing FMGE, reveals RTI

Uttrakhand: 42 foreign MBBS passouts working at government hospitals without clearing FMGE, reveals RTI: Dehradun: A serious violation of medical regulatory norms has surfaced from the state of Uttrakhand. According to a recent RTI revelation, as many as 42 doctors who acquired MBBS equivalent

Suspended for growing beard, cop returns clean shaven

Suspended for growing beard, cop returns clean shaven

Sandeep.Rai@timesgroup.com

Meerut:  25.10.2020 

Two days after a sub-inspector was suspended in Uttar Pradesh for growing a beard without permission, Intizar Ali, 46, was reinstated by the Baghpat SP. Ali returned, on Saturday, clean shaven with an “application admitting his mistake”.

The sub-inspector was posted at Ramala police station and had been repeatedly warned in the past.

Police uniform rules in the country do not allow beards, though moustaches are allowed. Last year, UP had revised the allowance for maintaining moustaches and sideburns of the Provincial Armed Constabulary from ₹50 to ₹250. In 2013, the Supreme Court had said that a Maharashtra cop wishing to maintain a beard during “religious period” should seek prior permission.

While Ali had earlier claimed he had sought permission in November last year, Baghpat SP refuted the claim. The suspension had kicked up a political storm. It drew criticism from Deoband ulemas as well.

Ali refused to comment on the revocation of his suspension.

“Intizar Ali came with an application stating that he had made a mistake and now he has followed the orders as desired. He was clean shaven and I immediately reinstated him,” Baghpat SP Abhishek Singh said.

AIADMK, DMK APPEAL AGAINST CENTRE

AIADMK, DMK APPEAL AGAINST CENTRE

SC verdict on 50% OBC quota in med intake tomorrow

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:  25.10.2020 

The Supreme Court will pass the final verdict on Monday in a case moved by political parties from Tamil Nadu, including the ruling AIADMK and the DMK, challenging the Centre’s decision not to grant 50% reservation to OBCs in medical seats surrendered by the state in the All India Quota (AIQ) for undergraduate, postgraduate and dental courses in 2020-21.

The Madras high court, on July 27, directed the Centre to constitute a committee to decide on providing reservation to other backward class students in AIQ medical admission. The court, however, had said any decision of the committee would be applicable only for future academic years and not this one, after which the state government appealed in SC.

The Centre last week informed SC that it is not possible to extend reservation benefits to OBCs in medical and dental seats under AIQ in Tamil Nadu this year.

The DMK too filed an intervening petition and its counsel stated that the Centre was intruding in the states’ commitments on medical seats to students. The DMK had also sought for filing of a report by the committee as directed by the Madras high court by October 27.

NEET state ranks not out, candidates in dark

NEET state ranks not out, candidates in dark

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:25.10.2020  

More than a week after NEET 2020 results were released, medical aspirants said they are yet to get information on their state ranks — vital statistics that will help them make smart choices when locking seats during the centralised online counselling by the Directorate General of Health Sciences (DGHS). As per schedule, students will have to start locking their choice of colleges from Tuesday.

The National Testing Agency, which conducted the entrance test, had released students’ scores along with their all-India rank. “Students will be able to use this information for admission in central universities in the counselling conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee, but they will be shooting in the dark when they opt for seats in government colleges or deemed universities,” said Manickavel Arumugam, who counsels students on medical and dental admissions. Some meritorious students may not get admission in colleges of their choice and many may lose the chance of admission, he said, demanding transparency from the central agency.

For instance, the state surrenders about 37 of the 250 seats in Madras Medical College to the DGHS. While top 37 students will get admission, the student ranking 38 may have to wait for state counselling for admission at the same college or they will be allotted their next choice. “When allotted their next choice, students don’t know if they should accept it or wait,” said R Saranya, a parent. In 2018, Saranya’s niece had to join Omandurar Medical College Hospital though she was among the top 70 students in the state.

While NTA officials said the data will be sent to all state governments, the state selection committee in TN said it is yet to receive any information from the agency. “Students here usually know their status once we put out the state merit list based on applications we receive,” said committee secretary Dr G Selvarajan. By then, the two rounds of counselling for the all-India quota is likely to be completed.

On Saturday, parents’ groups were putting out data they received from different tutorials on social media with a disclaimer that it would be risky to rely on it. Guessing the percentage based on the previous year’s cut-offs is often misleading. “Last year, the cut-offs went up by nearly 100 marks,” said S Vishwanthan, whose son is awaiting MBBS admission this year. “My son has scored above 550 marks this year, but I don’t know if he is eligible for a seat in a government college or self-financing college. I don’t want to make a wrong choice in the first round, but his counsellors say many students with similar scores will wait. That will push up the cut-off for the second round,” he said.

Ranks help them make smart choices when locking seats during the centralised online counselling by the Directorate General of Health Sciences

IITian creates apps for fast rly booking, held

IITian creates apps for fast rly booking, held

Users Could Get Confirmed Train Seats, Even Under Tatkal, For A Fee

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 25.10.2020  

What a tardy IRCTC website could not do, an enterprising IIT Kharagpur postgraduate did and has landed in jail. Tirupur native S Yuvarajaa, who created android-based apps ‘Super Tatkal’ and ‘Super Tatkal Pro’ — lightning fast methods of booking confirmed tickets — was arrested because he had bypassed the railway system to offer an online platform for passengers, in return for payments through a ‘coin’ system.

Sources said Yuvarajaa, who graduated from Anna University, created the apps in 2016 when he found a slow IRCTC website made it difficult for people to book confirmed tickets. The apps became so popular that they garnered around one lakh end-users in a short time but have since been taken down from the app store.

The Cyber Cell of Railway Protection Force (RPF) in Chennai tracked him down using server source code, application source code, end-users list and his bank statements.

The apps were available at the android app store for download for a fee. People had to purchase a coin pack (10 coins worth ₹20) which was pre-paid. After each booking, five coins were deducted from the coins balance. The payment for both apps was through Instamojo gateway that credited money to Yuvarajaa’s bank account.

Southern Railway principal chief security commissioner Birendra Kumar said, “He created a software to book tickets faster and he was not even an authorised agent of IRCTC.” Bypassing the railway system and making money illegally was the crime, he added.

The speed of the application enabled customers to obtain confirmed tatkal e-tickets.

RPF has registered a case under section 143 (2) of the Railways Act (penalty for unauthorised carrying on of business of procuring and supplying of railway tickets).

In another incident in which software was used, RPF had arrested the employee of an agency in Vellore for using an auto-fill software to buy railway tickets faster before genuine passengers could login and key in details.

In both cases, many people using IRCTC site were deprived of a chance to buy tickets, said an RPF official.

Tirupur native S Yuvarajaa was arrested for bypassing the railway system and making money illegally, Southern Railway principal chief security commissioner Birendra Kumar said

Matters Of Education Must Be Left To Educationists: SC Holds M.Ed Is A Postgraduate Degree

LIVELAW NEWS NETWORK13 Oct 2020 11:49 AM

Matters Of Education Must Be Left To Educationists: SC Holds M.Ed Is A Postgraduate Degree [Read Judgment]

Matters of education must be left to educationists, observed the Supreme Court while setting aside an Allahabad High Court judgment which held that an M.Ed. qualified person could not be appointed to the post of Assistant Professor in Education.

A three judge bench held that the M.Ed. degree is a postgraduate degree.

Uttar Pradesh Higher Education Service Selection Commission invited applications for the post of Assistant Professors in various subjects, including 'Education'. Later, the UPHESSC issued a corrigendum which clarified that M.Ed. Degree can be treated as an equivalent degree to M.A. (Education) for the purposes of appointment to the post of Assistant Professor. The High Court, allowing the writ petition filed by a few candidates, quashed the corrigendum and observed that while M.A. (Education) is a master's degree in the subject concerned, M.Ed. is not so, as it is only a training qualification.

In appeal, the bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Aniruddha Bose and Krishna Murari noted that M.Ed. qualifies itself as a master's programme in Education and is even recognised by the UGC and NCTE as such. The Court said:

"There is no doubt about the M.Ed. degree being a post graduate degree, in view of not only what the UGC stated before us, but having promulgated the relevant Regulations as far back as 2010 as amended from time to time. The issue of equivalence has been rightly considered by the NCTE and while recognising some distinct aspects of two the degrees, it has clearly stated that for the job of Assistant Professors (Education), both are eligible."

The court, however, clarified that it is not as if a person with an M.Ed. degree is eligible for all the posts which were advertised for Science, Arts and others. The court said:

"Their eligibility has been found only for the post of Assistant Professor (Education), which is directly relatable to the subject to be taught. We do not think the fact that both M.Ed. and M.A. (Education) degree-holders have to take a common test for the purposes of NET is conclusive, but it is one of the factors to be considered, and once the expert body being the NCTE, inter alia, has taken that aspect into consideration apart from other factors to opine equivalence for the purpose of appointment to the post of Assistant Professor in Education, it would not be appropriate to take a contra view."

The court noted that UPHESSC had sought the opinion of the expert panel, and thereafter took a decision, permitting M.Ed. degree as an eligible qualification for appointment. While setting aside the High Court judgment, the bench further remarked:

"We say so in view of the fact that matters of education must be left to educationists, of course subject to being governed by the relevant statutes and regulations. It is not the function of this Court to sit as an expert body over the decision of the experts, especially when the experts are all eminent people as apparent from the names as set out. This aspect has received judicial imprimatur even earlier and it is not that we are saying something new."

Case name: ANAND YADAV vs. STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH

Case no. : CIVIL APPEAL NO. 2850 OF 2020

Coram: Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Aniruddha Bose and Krishna Murari

Counsel: Sr. Adv P.S. Patwalia and Sr. Adv Meenakshi Arora

Panel awards compensation to woman denied info under RTI Act

Panel awards compensation to woman denied info under RTI Act

Her plea seeking husband’s pay details was rejected as ‘third party’ information

23/10/2020

A view of the State Information Commission.

S. Vijay KumarCHENNAI

The Tamil Nadu Information Commission has awarded a compensation of ₹10,000 to a woman whose petition under the Right to Information Act seeking her husband’s pay particulars was rejected as “third party” information.

The case relates to the petition filed by A.V. Sukanya of Madurai who sought pay details of her husband, a Professor in the Alagappa University, Karaikudi.

The information was required to support her alimony claim in court. However, the varsity’s Public Information Officer rejected her petition stating that it was “third party” information.

Aggrieved over the response of the PIO and the First Appellate Authority, the petitioner moved the TNIC.

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, State Information Commissioner S. Muthuraj heard both parties over the phone. Passing orders in the case, he held that the PIO had deliberately denied information to the petitioner. Knowing well that the details called for by the woman were required to get legal remedy for herself and her son, the public authority refused to part with the same.

Directing Alagappa University authorities to pay ₹10,000 as compensation to the woman, Mr. Muthuraj reminded the public authority the order of the Madras High Court asking the Chief Secretary to issue a circular to all Departments, Public Sector Undertakings, and Corporations warning them of the legal consequences of not furnishing information under the RTI Act, 2005.

He also directed the PIO to provide the three month’s pay slips of the employee, legal heir particulars as entered in the Service Report and other data sought by the petitioner. The Deputy Registrar was told to send an action taken report at the earliest.

Furnish scanned copy of answer sheet, says HC

Furnish scanned copy of answer sheet, says HC

23/10/2020

Staff Reporter Madurai

Considering the plight of a Class XI student, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Directorate of Government Examinations to see to it that a scanned copy of the economics answer sheet is furnished to him and the same is re-evaluated.

The court was hearing the petition filed by G. Ramesh who sought a direction to the authorities concerned to furnish a copy of his son G.R. Balaji’s economics answer sheet and to re-evaluate the same. The grievance of the petitioner was that his son had secured 506 out of 600 marks in the Class XI examinations for the 2019-2020 academic year. However, he had only secured 55 out of 100 marks in economics.

The petitioner said that his son was a bright student and had applied for a scan copy of the answer sheet through his school so that he could apply for revaluation. However, due to network connectivity issues, the school could not upload the application.

During hearing, the State submitted that a G.O. had made it clear that the application for a scanned copy of the answer sheet should be uploaded within a prescribed time, otherwise the request will not be entertained. Taking into account the good marks secured by the student in other subjects, Justice S. Vaidyanathan directed the Directorate of Government Examinations to furnish scanned copy of the economics answer sheet within 10 days and to re-evaluate it within a month.

‘Courts must presume innocence’

‘Courts must presume innocence’

Judge comes to rescue of a person holding two passports

22/10/2020

Mohamed Imranullah S.CHENNAI

“It is legitimate for the police, given the kind of training imparted to them, to distrust and suspect everyone but courts must always start with a presumption that all persons are honest and innocent,” the Madras High Court has said.

Justice P.N. Prakash made the observation while quashing an FIR booked against a 35-year-old clinical psychologist by Greater Chennai police for having possessed Indian and Swiss passports. The FIR had been booked in 2018 at the insistence of a Deputy Passport Officer who accused the petitioner of having made a false declaration in 2006 that he did not possess citizenship of any other country. The judge found that the petitioner had actually grown up in an orphanage in Chennai. He was given in adoption to a childless couple in January 1986.

His adopted father was an Indian national and mother a Swiss national. He grew up with his father, a nationalised bank employee, who had obtained an Indian passport for him when he was less than 10-months-old and continued to renew it periodically.

His mother had also obtained a Swiss passport for him when he was a four-year-old and continued to renew it periodically. The petitioner had never used his Swiss passport to travel to any country. As a 19-year-old in 2006, he got his Indian passport renewed after giving an undertaking that he did not hold any foreign citizenship. He was reportedly not aware of the Swiss passport, he claimed.

Appoint legal advisor in every district to assist Education Department: HC

Appoint legal advisor in every district to assist Education Department: HC

‘Due to lack of proper legal advice, wrong orders are being passed by authorities affecting government’s interest’

22/10/2020

Staff Reporter MADURAI

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has suggested that the State government appoint a qualified legal advisor in every district to provide proper assistance to educational authorities.

It has pointed out to a number of cases related to the Education Department being filed before the Madras High Court and its Madurai Bench.

A Division Bench of Justices N. Kirubakaran and B. Pugalendhi observed that the Revenue Department has a personal assistant (legal) to assist the Collector. Every Commissioner of Police is provided with a legal advisor. Similarly, every District Chief Educational Officer should have a legal officer to advise them.

It is appropriate to have a legal advisor so that proper counsel can be obtained before the educational authorities pass any order. Due to lack of proper legal advice, many a time wrong orders are being passed by the authorities and the interest of the department is affected, the court said.

The court was hearing a petition filed by educational authorities to condone the delay of 543 days in filing a writ appeal preferred against a single judge order.

Considering the issue involved in the writ appeal, the court said it was constrained to condone the delay and officials responsible for the delay should be taken to task.

No proper explanation was given by the department for the huge delay, except mentiong various dates. The lethargic attitude of the authorities cannot put the department as well as the State’s interest in jeopardy. The officials are expected to act swiftly, especially when it affects the State’s interest, the judges said.

In many cases, fearing action under contempt of court, officials file appeals before the High Court, which will definitely cause loss to the state exchequer and also affect the government’s interest. Some kind of responsibility should be fixed on the officials.

The court suo motu impleaded the Secretary to the School Education Department and the Director of Elementary Education as respondents in the case.

It directed the respondents to take a decision in this regard and file a report to the court. The case was adjourned to October 28.

Phones worth ₹15 crore looted from truck

Phones worth ₹15 crore looted from truck

Drivers were attacked by assailants

22/10/2020

DIG Pradip Kumar inspecting the spot where the truck was found. N.Bashkaran

Special Correspondent HOSUR

Mobile phones were looted off a container truck and its drivers attacked in Melumalai, Shoolagiri, during the early hours of Wednesday.

The Mi mobile phones, estimated to be worth ₹15 crore, were looted by a suspected gang from Madhya Pradesh. It is believed that the gang may have carried out similar attacks in districts of Andhra Pradesh.

The consignment, which originated at the Sriperumpudur Industrial Estate, was crossing Shoolagiri when the truck was reportedly stopped on the highway around 2 a.m. The drivers, Arun, 26, and Kumar, 29, were attacked by a gang and tied up. The consignment, which included 15 cartons of 960 mobile phones each, besides a few more phones, was shifted to another vehicle. The gang then fled the spot with the phones.

A total of 14,500 mobile phones are suspected to have been looted. The container, that belonged to DHL courier, was retrieved from the spot.

Speaking to The Hindu, Superintendent of Police Bandi Gangadhar said the truck was stopped by the gang, which is believed to have followed it from its starting point.

Five teams have been set up to trace the consignment.

Headmistress, husband held for sexual harassment of girl

Headmistress, husband held for sexual harassment of girl

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Coimbatore: 22.10.2020 

Police on Wednesday arrested the headmistress of a government middle school in Pollachi and her husband after registering a case in connection with the sexual harassment of a minor girl on the school premises.

The accused were identified as Ayyammal, 55 and her husband, Thangavelu, 56, a retiredemployeeof theTamilNadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC). “The survivor, a 10-year-old student, has been refusing to attend online classes and demanding her parents to admit her to a new school. When her parents visited the schoolto getthetransfer certificate, Ayyammal advised them to let their daughter continue her education. When her parents asked her the reason for her reluctance to attend classes, the girl told them that she was subjected to sexual harassment,” a police officer said.

“Till the lockdown was imposed, Thangavelu used to pick up and drop Ayyammal at the school. In March, Thangavelu took the girl to an isolated place on the school premises and sexually harassedher.He alsothreatened her and forbade her to disclose the matter to anyone. When the girl told her about the incident, Ayyammal also warned her not to discuss the matter,” the officer said.

Based on the complaint of the girl’s parents, the Pollachi All Women Police Station (AWPS) arrested the accused. Ayyammal was booked under the Pocso Act. They were remanded in judicial custody.