Court: Pension is not charity but indefeasible right of employees

Court: Pension is not charity but indefeasible right of employees

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:  22.11.2020 

Pension is neither a bounty, charity or a gratuitous payment, but an indefeasible right of an employee. The high court made this observation while coming to the rescue of a retired employee of state-owned Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL ), who was denied terminal benefits even 21 years after retirement.

“Terminal benefits will enable a retired employee to live a life free from want, with decency, independence and self-respect. Depriving such a right to livelihood will leave a pensioner to fall on the thorns of life and bleed,” Justice M Nagaprasanna said.

Reminding the corporation that pension payable to its employees on superannuation is a property under Article 300-A as well as a fundamental right to livelihood under Article 21 the Constitution, the judge said deprivation of even part of it cannot be accepted, except in accordance with law.

Theft allegation and litigation

Thimmaiah, who was working as a storekeeper, was accused of theft and a police complaint lodged. KPTCL, without holding any inquiry, terminated his service which he challenged in 1999. On January 20, 2000, the high court set aside the termination and reserved liberty to KPTCL to hold a fresh inquiry in terms of their regulations. During the pendency of the petition, Thimmaiah retired on June 30, 1999.

Thereafter, Thimmaiah had to approach the court several times as KPTCL firstly withheld his pension and terminal benefits and thereafter sought recovery of the entire amount vis-a-vis alleged theft. In April 2013, the court imposed a cost of Rs 10,000 on KPTCL and directed initiation of proceedings in terms of pension regulations. After this, the corporation through an order on May 2, 2015, dropped disciplinary proceedings but did not release terminal benefits.

Though Thimmaiah submitted a representation in July 2017 to the company contending that he is already 77 years old and due to adverse health conditions, he is struggling to maintain his expenses with not a paise of terminal benefit granted. As it was not considered, he moved the high court again.

KPTCL has to settle in two weeks the terminal benefits of KT Thimmaiah, from June 30, 1999, the date of his retirement, along with interest at 9 per cent per annum from the date it was due. This apart, Rs 50,000 has to be paid as cost to the petitioner

100 law students protest over exams, demand alternative

100 law students protest over exams, demand alternative

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:22.11.2020

More than 100 law students on Saturday staged a protest against the Karnataka State Law University’s decision to conduct in-classroom exams for intermediate semesters.

Citing the Covid-19 crisis, a section of students has demanded that the university should conduct online exams or promote them based on an aggregate of continuous internal assessments and past performance. The university, which had planned an exam schedule starting November 23, didn’t agree with the demand and instead decided to defer the papers.

“All of this because the university is stubborn and wants to conduct exams in an offline format,” said a student protesting at Congress Bhavan, Race Course Road. Students have clarified that they don’t want exams to be cancelled; they only want an alternative form.

Members of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) supported the demonstration and cited examples of other varsities that have promoted students without calling them to exam halls. Manish G Raj, state general secretary, NSUI, said that the state law university should provide clarity and assurance of safety. He added that exams might be held in January along with other semester papers.

ANGRY VOICES: The protest on Saturday

Man beats up wife for objecting to his sex trips to Thailand

Man beats up wife for objecting to his sex trips to Thailand

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:22.11.2020

A 41-yearold woman from Isanpur, Neepa Dubey, lodged a police at the Women’s police station (East) on Friday stating that her husband Harsh Dubey, a resident of Ramol, does not have sex with her and instead frequents Thailand.

She stated in the FIR that she heard her husband talking to his friends over the phone about having sex with women in Thailand. Police lodged a complaint of domestic violence against the husband.

According to the FIR, the complainant married Dubey in January 2003 in court and in February 2003 they had a wedding ceremony.

She stated that though her husband is a manager at a private company, he does not give her money for household expenses and has not had sex with her for ten years.

She alleged he that he goes to Bangkok instead and has sex with women there.

“The complainant claimed that when she confronted her husband about this, he got angry and beat her up. She alleged that her husband would abuse their 16-year-old son when he tried to save her from the beatings,” said a police official.

According to FIR, in January 2020, when she sent her son to buy flowers from the marketfor pooja, her husband got angry and threw her out of the house. She has been living with her parents since then.

She stated that as the efforts of elders of their community to broker a compromise between the couple failed, she decided to lodge a complaint.

She stated in the FIR that her husband has not slept with her in 10 years, and instead goes to Bangkok to have sex there

3 panels to oversee Covid-19 vaccination

3 panels to oversee Covid-19 vaccination

1,663 New Covid Cases, 18 More Dead

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:22.11.2020

As active cases dropped to 12,916 on Saturday, Tamil Nadu set up three committees to oversee preparations for Covid-19 vaccination such as identifying frontline workers and assessing cold chain space. The state reported 1,663 new cases and 18 deaths, taking the case tally to 7,68,340 and cumulative toll to 11,586.

A state steering committee chaired by chief secretary will meet every month, a state task force headed by the health secretary will meet every 15 days and district task forces headed by district magistrates will meet every week. “Initially,the meetings may take up review of cold chain preparedness and status of database on health workers, while plan for other activities such as site micro planning, IEC plan, capacity building will be added later,” health secretary J Radhakrishnan said.

On Saturday, the northern districts had 7,573 people still seeking treatment followed by 3,115 people in the eight western districts. Active cases in the central zone and south zone were 1,182 and 1,033 respectively.

The number of people who underwent RTPCR tests marginally increased to 68,479 from 67,309 on Friday. Fresh cases in the 11 northern districts dropped below the 1,000 mark, while cases in the three other zones were below 500 on Saturday. The 11 northern districts together reported 58% of fresh cases and 55% of deaths. Together, the eleven districts reported 978 cases and 10 deaths. After the north, new cases were highest in the western districts (404) followed by the 10 southern districts (145 ) and central districts (135).

All districts, barring Perambalur continued to report fresh cases, and hot spot Chennai continued to be on top of the table with 486 cases.

Active cases in Pondy decrease

Puducherry:

The number of active Covid-19 cases, which came down to 602 on Saturday, continued to decline in the Union territory of Puducherry. The territory reported 65 fresh cases even as 82 patients recovered as of 10am on Saturday. The positivity rate of the samples (3,537) tested on Saturday stood at 1.8%. The territory did not report any death due to Covid-19 infection on Saturday. TNN

Stalin: DMK is functioning as ruling party

Stalin: DMK is functioning as ruling party

Coimbatore:22.11.2020

DMK president M K Stalin on Saturday said CM Edappadi K Palaniswami cannot stop his party from winning the coming assembly election. He also took a dig at the latter for not implementing the projects that he promised for Salem.

Addressing party functionaries in Salem via video conferencing, Stalin said while the DMK was an opposition party, it was working as a ruling party. The DMK chief said Palaniswami had earlier accused his party of playing politics by coming forward to bear the educational expenses of government school students who secured medical seats in private medical colleges . “If we hadn’t made such an announcement, he wouldn’t have done anything to help the poor students,” Stalin said. TNN

New rule: Police get 4 days off in a month

WORK WILL NOT BE AFFECTED

New rule: Police get 4 days off in a month

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:22.11.2020

The Tiruvallur police have granted leave to their personnel on a rotation basis from Friday .

“We had been giving two days a month to the police personnel in Tiruvallur district. Now we are giving four days leave,” said superintendent of police (SP) Aravindhan.

The state has a system of weekly offs for all police personnel exists, but many volunteer to work on these days to get extratime remuneration (ETR). This leave is granted to all the police personnel once a week, however, routine work will not be affected. Aravindhan said, “We have decided to give leave to all the police personnel without affecting the ETR for them.”

There are1,400 police personnel in the district with five subdivisions headed by the deputy superintendent of police. Each police station has a strength ranging from 20 to 80 police personnel.For instance, a policestation has 35 police personnel, at least five policemen, will get leave on each working day covering all seven days.

Special DGP (law and order) Rajesh Das said, “We have issued a circular to all police district heads and commissioners through the DGP, J K Tripathy.” Though it’s on record, and a few police heads in the ranks of superintendents andcommissionersfollow it, others did not. Almost all district heads and commissioners are following this process now across the state.

CBSE raises weightage for MCQs in Class XII

CBSE raises weightage for MCQs in Class XII

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:22.11.2020

After reducing 30% of the syllabus for Class XII, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has now changed the question paper pattern, giving more weightage to multiplechoice based questions and those based on case studies.

After sample question papers for Classes X and XII were released, schools said the weightage for MCQs had increased by nearly 10%. For subjects like physics, questions based on thinking skills such as ascertaining and reasoning have been introduced. In biology, MCQs have been replaced with short-answer type questions.

Geetha Govindarajan, principal of Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Senior Secondary School, K K Nagar said the new pattern was aimed at testing children’s comprehension. “Earlier, the question paper would focus on knowledge based questions. Now, they are shifting to understanding and application oriented questions. But, the paper appears to be lengthy and we are giving practices to students,” she said.

N Vijayan, chairman of Zion and Alwin group of schools, said the quality of questions had improved and a paradigm shift in teaching and learning process was required. “Now, teachers and students have to focus more,” he said, pointing out that the number of questions in mathematics had gone up from 36 to 38.

Welcoming the reduction of syllabus, Bhavan’s Rajaji Vidhyashram principal P G Subramanian said the question papers had been made simpler without compromising on the standard.

Many city schools expect to complete the portions by the first week of December after beginning online classes in April, but, principals feel it may not be enough. “We need to give them revision and orientation before the exams,” Subramanian added.

Students have not been writing full three-hour tests. “Writing practice is limited as the tests are only for 90 minutes. We are worried about it,” said Sunitha Vipinchandran, principal of Asan Memorial Senior Secondary School.

Vijayan said the productivity of online classes was only 50% compared to onschool classes and wanted CBSE to consider postponing board exams to July to give more time for students to prepare.

Another principal said students needed to be given more training in the new question paper pattern.

Amit Shah steps out of airport, brings life to halt

Amit Shah steps out of airport, brings life to halt

Long Traffic Snarls Choke GST Road

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:22.11.2020 

Traffic on Grand South Trunk (GST) Road outside Chennai airport was thrown out of gear on Saturday afternoon after Union home minister Amit Shah arrived on a two-day visit.

Shah, who is set to inaugurate state and central government-funded projects during his visit, landed at the old terminal around 1.50 pm. He was welcomed by chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, his deputy O Panneerselvam and other ministers, apart from BJP state president L Murugan and other party functionaries.

As Shah’s car began to move out, BJP workers along the entire length of the exit route began waving party flags and placards. The home minister then got out and walked for about 100 metres, acknowledging the cheers.

By the time Shah got back into his car and left the airport it was 2.10pm. Police stopped traffic near Pallavaram and vehicles proceeding towards Alandur were diverted on different routes.

Traffic on the busy stretch was affected for nearly two hours later, with stranded vehicles stretching for a long distance on both sides of the road.

The traffic police, however, said they did not stop the movement of vehicles on the stretch from Alandur to Tambaram. “However, vehicles were stopped as the ‘U’ turn spot on the road and vehicles piled up opposite Officers Training Academy (OTA) and near Trident Hotel on GST Road,” said an officer.

AFTER-EFFECT: Union home minister Amit Shah waves at supporters outside the airport on Saturday. (Right) Heavy traffic on GST Road near airport following the visit

230 cadets graduate from OTA as parents watch from home

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:22.11.2020

An II Tian who left a well-paying job in Dubai, an army widow out to fulfil her husband’s dreams, a young girl from a poor family in rural Bihar — they were among the 181 gentlemen cadets and 49 women cadets who got their commissions at a passing out parade (POP) held at Officers Training Academy in Chennai on Saturday.

Parents, however, couldn’t pin the shining stars onto the cadets’ uniforms during the pipping ceremony as they were not invited due to Covid-19 restrictions. They watched the livestreamed ceremony virtually.

Amar Simha, an IIT graduate, said, “Before coming here, I was in Dubai, getting paid well. But I was sitting at a desk, working on a computer the whole day. I was gaining weight and losing my eyesight. The Army is the only organisation where you get paid to stay fit, and you get respected.” OTA has been seeing a trend of techies joining them in the past few years.

Meena, from Bhagalpur in Bihar, was happy to fulfill her father’s dream. “Hailing from a humble family in a small village, it was not easy to come up to this level. But my parents, teachers, friends all stood by me.”

Fifteen gentlemen cadets and five women cadets from foreign countries were among the graduates. Five gentlemen cadets and three women cadets hailed from Bhutan, two women cadets were from the Maldives while 10 gentlemen cadets were from Afghanistan.

Lieutenant General R P Singh, general officer commanding-in-chief of Western Command, reviewed the parade. In his address, he stressed on the relationship between emerging technologies and changing face of soldiering. “There have been sweeping technological advancements in the form of sophisticated weapon systems, electronic warfare devices and force multipliers which have changed the face of conflicts. It is necessary for you to know the changes and reorient your mind,” he said. He presented the sword of honour and gold medal to Varun Ganapathy, silver medal to Mahadev Singh Rathore and bronze medal to Patil Dhiraj Patangrao.

Kerala CM’s pvt secretary likely to get fresh ED summons in gold case

Kerala CM’s pvt secretary likely to get fresh ED summons in gold case

Kochi:22.11.2020

The enforcement directorate (ED), probing the money trail behind the Thiruvananthapuram gold smuggling case, will soon question CM Raveendran, additional private secretary to Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The agency is likely to send a notice and fresh summons to him. Ravindran was asked to appear before the agency on November 6. But, he had informed ED that he tested positive for Covid-19. Sources said ED has received a communication from him that he was recovering from the disease. ED had earlier sought details of major projects of the state government from the state’s former IT secretary M Sivasankar. It had said that it suspects government officials received kickbacks in connection with the projects. TNN

Shah lauds TN govt; EPS, OPS say BJP will be ally in 2021 poll

Shah lauds TN govt; EPS, OPS say BJP will be ally in 2021 poll

HM: CM & Dy Providing Good Governance

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:  22.11.2020

The ruling AIADMK on Saturday made it clear that its alliance with the BJP would continue for the forthcoming assembly elections. In the presence of Union home minister Amit Shah, AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam and joint coordinator Edappadi K Palaniswami vowed to continue the “victorious AIADMK-BJP alliance” in the next polls. They were speaking at a government function organised to lay foundation stones and inaugurate projects worth more than ₹67,000 crore in the city.

The two leaders later called on Amit Shah at a hotel in MRC Nagar, where he will be staying for the night.

Amit Shah, on his part, lauded the AIADMK government and its initiatives, especially in managing Covid-19, and assured the Central government’s support to the state government and to the people of Tamil Nadu. Both the chief minister and deputy chief minister were providing good governance, said Shah.

Extending a grand welcome at the airport and all along the route as Shah travelled into the city, the AIADMK leadership showered encomiums on PM Narendra Modi, and his trusted-aide. Panneerselvam said the state government would be able to ensure peace, progress and prosperity with the support of the Union home minister.

Palaniswami said the AIADMK government had provided best governance in the last 10 years and had been receiving several awards for various departments. “I wish to state that our alliance will win majority of the seats in 2021 polls and the AIADMK will form the government,” the CM said. He congratulated the Central government for kick starting the national economic recovery through multiple stimulus packages. Tamil Nadu benefitted immensely from the steps taken by the Centre for post-Covid economic recovery, he said.

BJP general secretary C T Ravi, state BJP president L Murugan, L K Sudheesh (DMDK), A K Moorthy (PMK) and A C Shanmugam (ACJ) were special invitees at the function.

Raj, Guj & HP post highest count of daily Covid cases

Raj, Guj & HP post highest count of daily Covid cases

India Numbers Show Slight Dip After Four Days Of Rise

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  22.11.2020

After having risen for four straight days, India’s daily case count dropped marginally on Saturday even as three states reported their highest singleday tallies so far and the virus continued to surge in several other states.

India reported 45,397 new cases on Saturday, down slightly from the previous day’s count of 46,328, as per data collated by TOI from state governments. The day’s death toll, at 500, had also reduced from the previous three days’ numbers, all above 560. With this, the country’s total caseload rose to 90,95,398 while the overall toll stood at1,33,211.

Rajasthan, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh posted their highest daily addition of cases, with the tally crossing 3,000 in Rajasthan for the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic. The state recorded 3,007 infections while Gujarat logged1,515 cases. Himachal Pradesh, too, was in the midst of a huge Covid-19 surge with 915 cases reported from the hill state in the past 24 hours.

Cases were spiking in Madhya Pradesh as well, with the state reporting 1,700 fresh infections, the highest daily count since October 14. In Chhattisgarh, 2,284 new cases were recorded, the highest in the state since October 23. Haryana reported 2,666 cases, a slight drop from the record 3,104 recorded on Friday.

Active cases in the country rose by nearly 500 on Saturday. This was just the second time since October 1 that the count had registered a net rise in a day.

In Maharashtra, a gentle surge in the daily number of Covid-19 cases was apparent across the state as well as in capital Mumbai for the fourth day in a row. A total of 5,760 cases and 62 deaths were reported on Saturday, taking the state’s total caseload to 17,74,455 and fatalities to 46,573. The fatalities dropped by 60% from 155 on Friday to

62. The drop in fatalities was due to delay in uploading data by many districts, senior officials said.

While the average number of cases in Mumbai was between 500 and 800 last week, cases have shot past 1,000 in the last two days.

Andhra Pradesh, meanwhile, reported 1,160 new Covid-19 cases and seven deaths, the lowest single-day fatality count in the last140 days.

REGION DIGEST

REGION DIGEST

Upset over crop loss, mother, son commit suicide

A mother and son died by suicide after consuming poison at their house in Thiruvanaikovil near Srirangam in Trichy on Saturday. The reason behind their extreme step was said to be the losses suffered in banana cultivation. The deceased were identified as Chellammal, 65, and her son Ramesh Babu, 45, of Ganapathi Nagar in Thiruvanaikovil. Babu is survived by his wife Ilakkiya, 25, and a one-yearold daughter.

Convenor for BDU VC search panel named:

Former vice-chancellor of Alagappa University P Ramasamy has been appointed as convenor of the search committee to select the next vice-chancellor of Bharathidasan University (BDU). He was nominated by the state government to the threemember search committee after approval from governor Banwarilal Purohit. Ramasamy is presently the research director of Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Bharat University.

Female tiger found dead, 2 cubs rescued:

Forest department field staff on Friday found the carcass of a female tiger at Seemarkuli Odai in the Singara forest range in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and rescued two male tiger cubs from the area.

Up to guv to take call on Perarivalan release, says CBI

Up to guv to take call on Perarivalan release, says CBI

‘Petitioner’s Claim Of Innocence Unacceptable’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  22.11.2020 

CBI has informed the Supreme Court that the decision on release of Perarivalan, life convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, rests squarely with the Tamil Nadu government but refuted the convict's claim that he was unaware of the purpose for which the conspirators made him buy batteries used for detonating explosives by the human bomb to kill the former PM in 1991.

"The claim of the petitioner that he is innocent and did not have the knowledge about the conspiracy to assassinate Rajiv Gandhi is neither acceptable nor maintainable," CBI said in its affidavit before the Supreme Court.

Perarivalan's mother had annexed a statement of a former IPS officer, who had recorded the convict's confession and later stated that the accused was unaware of the conspiracy to use the batteries for detonation of the explosives to kill Rajiv Gandhi at an election rally in May, 1991. CBI said the former IPS officer's statement had been considered and rejected by the SC earlier.

The designated TADA court had awarded death penalty to all 26 accused after convicting them in 1998. The SC in 1999 had confirmed the death sentence of Nalini, Sriharan aka Murugan, Santhan aka Suthenthiraja and Arivu aka Perarivalan. However, taking into account the long pendency of their mercy pleas by the President, the SC had commuted their death sentences to life imprisonment in 2014.

In September 2018, the TN government recommended to the Governor to release the life convicts, including Perarivalan, which is still pending consideration. "Relief prayed for by the petitioner Perarivalan is an issue between him and the office of the Governor of TN," CBI told the SC. "It is for the Governor of TN to take a call on the issue whether remission is to be granted," the agency said.

On the work of Multi-Disciplinary Monitoring Agency (MDMA), set up on the recommendations of the Jain Commission of Inquiry to probe the larger conspiracy behind the assassination of the former PM and trace and track the absconding accused, CBI said, "The MDMA is conducting further investigations and progress report is submitted to the designated court at Chennai. Further investigations spread over different countries and the status of the same have already been submitted to the designated court." "Perarivalan is not the subject matter of further investigation conducted by MDMA," CBI admitted.

Medical counselling for open category begins on Monday with fewer seats

Medical counselling for open category begins on Monday with fewer seats

Pushpa.Narayan@timesgroup.com

Chennai: 22.11.2020 

Fifty eight medical seats and two dental seats were taken during the single window counselling for special category students – people with disability, eminent sportspersons and wards of ex-servicemen – on Saturday at the Nehru outdoor stadium.

The selection committee had called 70 candidates from the three groups for counselling, which began at 9am. Among the 64students who attended, 58 of them were allotted seats in government medical colleges. Two students were given seats in state-run dental colleges. Four others were waitlisted.

On Monday, after nearly four days of special counselling, seat allotment will begin for open category students. The state will roll out 2,747 seats with 864 seats in open quota in government colleges.

But seats will be fewer in self-financing colleges. While Muthukumaran Medical College did not make it to the list, additional seats in PSG Medical college were not reflected in the seat matrix. The Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical College had added them to the chart on November 6, but the college has not got the mandatory essentiality certificate from the state government for the additional seats, officials said. “We will be able to admit students after clearance from the state,” said selection committee secretary Dr G Selvarajan.

Among the 14 other self-financing categories there are 1,061 seats. This includes new colleges, Panimalar Medical Collegewith69 and Indira Medical College with 90 seats.

The committee has, however, retained Tagore Medical College and Trichy SRM Medical College, though MGR University has said permission for renewal is pending from the National Medical Council. “The college has not got the renewal because of the pandemic. There will be no problem if we admit students. If they ask us for details during the counselling, we will help them,” Dr Selvarajan said. Admission to Christian Medical College will be treated as a separate category.

Among the self-financing colleges there will be 329 seats for the open category. While 281 seats will be reserved for BC, 37 for BCM, 212 for MBC, 160 for SC, 31 for SCA and 11 for ST.

Women, kids can now travel by suburban trains

NEWS DIGEST

22.11.2020

Women, kids can now travel by suburban trains

Women commuters and children aged up to 12 years accompanying them will be allowed to travel on suburban trains during non-peak hours and the entire day on Sundays starting November 23. The non-peak hours will be till 7am, 10am to 4.30pm, and 7.30 pm to the closing time of the services. Southern Railway has scaled up number of suburban services and is operating 244 trains a day, around 40% of the pre-Covid-19 level. In addition to railway employees, staff working in essential services in the government and private sector including women are allowed.

TNFDC gets best marine govt body award:The Tamil Nadu Fisheries Development Corporation (TNFDC) Ltd received the award of the best marine government organisation during the world fisheries day on Saturday in New Delhi. Based on the performance of the corporation during the past years, TNFDC submitted proposals under the category of the “Best Performing Marine Quasi-Government Corporation in Fisheries Sector” to the department of fisheries through National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad. The award carries a financial incentive of ₹5lakh.

Southern Railway revises train timing: Railway has revised the timing of the following trains from November 30. Chennai Egmore - Trichy daily special train (06795) will leave at 8 am and Trichy-Chennai Egmore daily special train (06796) will leave at 10am from November 30. Chennai Central–Hazrat Nizamuddin bi-weekly Duronto special (02269) will leave at 6.40am from Movember 30. Hazrat Nizamuddin-MGR Chennai Central bi-weekly Duronto special (02270) will leave at 3.55pm from December 1. MGR Chennai Central–New Delhi superfast daily special train (02615) will leave at 6.50pm from November 30. New Delhi- MGR Chennai Central superfast daily special train (02616) will leave at 4.10pm from November 30.

Passengers from cities with high Covid-19 cases go unmonitored

Passengers from cities with high Covid-19 cases go unmonitored

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:  22.11.2020

Covid-19 cases may be surging in Delhi, but close to 3,000 people who arrive by flights and trains daily go almost unmonitored as checks have been relaxed following unlocking of restrictions. Temperature check is done at the airport but follow-up tracking is not done while at railway stations arriving passengers are not checked.

Delhi reported around 6,000cases in a single day. Chennai receives around 12 flights and two trains every day from the national capital.

An airport official said that a temperature check of arriving domestic passengers is being done but then the vigil has gone down because of the unlock mode and passengers are allowed to arrive and depart without much of a restriction as part of encouraging travel. However, the temperature check cannot be considered as foolproof as it will not be able to screen people who do not show symptoms. Two people — one from Delhi and another from UP — tested positive on Friday and one passenger from Karnataka tested positive after they showed symptoms on arrival on Saturday.

"The sudden increase in cases in Delhi is baffling. The cases should have subsided by now but it is shooting up. Airline staff are taking precautions as patronage of flights has increased. Delhi-Chennai route is one of the most popular routes," said an airline official.

The Maharashtra government is considering limiting the number of flights from Delhi. But the Airports Authority of India (AAI) or the airlines have not got any such advice from the Tamil Nadu government.

Better screening and testing of domestic passengers at the airport and at the railway station is a huge challenge as the number of passengers has increased.

Swab samples are being taken from international passengers but not from domestic passengers because there was a concern of creating congestion inside the arrival terminal. A railway official said that all passengers who reach the stations to board the trains are screened for temperature or flu-like symptoms.

However, former director of public health Dr K Kolandaswamy said, "We have crossed the screening stage. All those measures were needed in the early stage to prevent entry of the infection. But now herd immunity is increasing. When there is 40% herd immunity the infection starts to reduce."

Cancelled arrears as students were in distress: Govt to HC

Cancelled arrears as students were in distress: Govt to HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:  22.11.2020 

Justifying its stand in cancelling arrear exams in view of the pandemic, the Tamil Nadu government has informed the Madras high court that the decision was made only to alleviate distress faced by the student community due to Covid-19.

It was done to skilfully navigate the course to ensure safety and wellbeing of the students, the state department of higher education said in its affidavit.

Denying the argument that such an order would amount to discrimination among students, the department said, “The decision would not demoralise meritorious students as only moderated minimum pass mark is awarded to arrear students.”

The submissions were made by M Ilango Henry Dass, joint secretary of the department, in response to a batch of pleas moved by former Anna University vice-chancellor E Balaguruswamy and others challenging the cancellation.

“As this situation was unprecedented, students had left their belongings, textbooks, notebooks and laptops in their hostel. Therefore, they had no access to their study material,” the department said. The inaccessibility to college was further compounded when the campuses were used to provide relief material to guest workers and later as Covid quarantine centres, the joint secretary said.

He added that as per the guidelines of the UGC, the state constituted a committee to work out the modalities and adopt the UGC guidelines. The decision to cancel the exams were taken only based on the recommendation of the committee.

Asserting that the GO was not in violation of UGC guidelines, the department said, “UGC guidelines specifically stated that the guidelines are advisory in nature and each university may chart out its own plan of action taking into consideration the issues pertaining to the pandemic, as its degree of impact varies from region to region.” Therefore, the TN government consulted state universities since conducting exams and evaluation of students is in the exclusive domain of the university concerned and the GO was issued, the department said.

“The state government will not lower the education standard of the students and the universities. In the absence of any specific guidelines about arrear papers, the state extended the exemption granted to regular students to arrear students as well to ensure no discrimination,” the department said.

State higher education department further added that the decision wouldn’t demoralise meritorious students as those who had pending arrears were given mere pass marks

Meritorious miss out while some benefit due to quota: HC

Meritorious miss out while some benefit due to quota: HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:  22.11.2020 

Knowledgeable and deserving students are not able to avail themselves of opportunity in education while students who could not make it on merit but belong to a reserved category enjoy the opportunities, the Madras high court has said.

Noting that ‘reservation in higher education has created differences between different sections of the society’, Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana said: “Due to this (reservation), many students are unable to chase their dreams and succeed. No doubt it is true that the depressed and oppressed people should be given an opportunity for upliftment, without any compromise in quality in higher education.”

The judge made the observations while disposing of a plea moved by R S Poorvi, an MBBS graduate who had applied for an EWS certificate to secure a PG medical seat under the 10% EWS quota. Egmore tahsildar rejected the application on grounds that the petitioner’s annual family income was more than ₹8 lakh, the ceiling to qualify for the quota. The petitioner has moved the present plea challenging the rejection.

The judge accepted the petitioner’s explanation that her father did not have any source of income and that the tahsildar erred in assuming her father’s income to be ₹1.5 lakh.

Acceding to the explanation and ordering issuance of EWS certificate to her, the judge said, “Many people are from the forward community but financially backward, their due place should not be denied on account of reservation, which is the object of introducing EWS reservations.”

People such as the petitioner, who have scored well in exams through hard work, are given a feeling that they are not given the same treatment and criteria of selection though they belong to the economically weaker section, the court said. Allowing her plea, the court said, “The petitioner, who is otherwise competent, is in a financially disadvantageous position. The policy of the government is to give a push to such people, who hail from the disadvantaged group. That is the reason why it is made clear that the reservation not only includes the backward class, but also the financially backward people.”

Though the petitioner belongs to a forward community, as she is economically backward even as per the policy of the government, she has to be given the certificate of economically weaker section to enable her to pursue higher education, the judge added. The court then set aside the rejection order of the tahsildar and directed issuance of the certificate to the petitioner.

Due to this (reservation), many students are unable to chase their dreams and succeed. No doubt it is true that the depressed and oppressed people should be given an opportunity for upliftment, without any compromise in quality in higher education

MADRAS HC

Cyclone may hit Pondy-TN coastline on November 25

Cyclone may hit Pondy-TN coastline on November 25

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:  22.11.2020

A low-pressure area over equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining central parts of south Bay of Bengal may develop into a low-intensity cyclone and hit the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast on November 25.

Predicting the possibility of the cyclone, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday said the ‘low pressure’ area was very likely to concentrate into a ‘depression’ over southwest Bay of Bengal during the next 48 hours and was likely to intensify further during the subsequent 48 hours.

“The system is likely to move west-northwestwards towards Sri Lanka-south Tamil Nadu coast and reach near Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast on November 25,” it said.

IMD: Possibility of it becoming a cyclone of lower intensity

“We are watching and monitoring it. As of now, we are not ruling it out to be a cyclone. There is a possibility of becoming a cyclone of lower intensity. The predicted wind covers 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph. Cyclone wind starts with 62 kmph. We’ll update it on Sunday. It is very likely to cross Tamil Nadu coast on November 25 morning,” said Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, director general, IMD.

Under the influence of the ‘low pressure’ area, formed on Saturday, the rainfall activity is likely to increase over extreme south peninsular India from November 23 onwards with fairly widespread to widespread rainfall/thunderstorm activity over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal and Kerala & Mahe during November 24-26, and over south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema during November 25-27.

Referring to the current situation and prediction over the next four days, the IMD issued a warning for fishermen, advising them not to venture into the sea areas during November 21-25.

Noting the well-marked ‘low pressure’ area on eastern side over southwest Arabian Sea and neighbourhood, the IMD said, “It is very likely to move west northwestwards and concentrate into a ‘depression’ during next 24 hours.”

Centre to allow PG Ayurveda doctors to perform surgeries

Centre to allow PG Ayurveda doctors to perform surgeries

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

22.11.2020

In a move that has sent shock waves in the medical community, the government has brought out a notification that will allow Ayurveda doctors to be trained and legally allowed to perform a variety of general surgical, ENT, ophthalmology, ortho and dental procedures.

However, the president of the Central Council of Indian Medicine said that these surgeries have been going on in ayurveda institutes and hospitals for more than 25 years and that the notification was merely to clarify that it is legal. The notification dated November 19 listed the procedures that will be included in the post-graduate training of Ayurveda doctors by amending the Indian Medicine Central Council (Post Graduate Ayurveda Education) Regulations, 2016. It stated that the amendments were being made with the sanction of the central government.

During the period of study, post-graduate scholars of Shalya tantra (general surgery) and Shalakya tantra (surgeries of the ear, nose, throat, head and eye) will be practically trained to perform various surgical procedures independently.

PG Ayurveda docs to be trained to do fairly advanced op

General surgical procedures include amputation of gangrene, skin grafting, laparotomy (opening up of the abdomen), many advanced gastro-intestinal surgeries, all hernia surgeries. Under Shalakya tantra they will be trained to do fairly advanced ophthalmic surgeries such as iris prolapse surgery, squint surgery, cataract surgeries of all kinds including phacoemulsification, rhinoplasty, tonsillectomy and tooth extraction and root canal treatment in dental surgery.

“Postgraduate courses in surgery, ENT and ophthalmology have been there in ayurved since 20-25 years and we have always had surgical OPDs. Many professors who taught these surgeries in ayurveda have even retired. That’s how old it is. In our minimum standard regulations required for teaching hospitals of colleges with postgraduate seats we specify that they should have operation theatres along with gynaecologists and anaesthetists from modern medicine on their rolls. But often our surgeons faced questions from their anaesthetists about whether they were legally permitted to do a particular procedure. No one had looked into the legality of what has been happening for decades. So, after consultation with the ministry and Niti Aayog, it was decided to put it down in writing to make it clear that what is already being done is legal,” explained Dr Jayant Deopujari the president of CCIM.

A former member of the Central Council of Indian Medicine pointed out that this was merely an expansion of what was already allowed by a notification on post graduate education in ayurveda issued in 2016.

Full report on www.toi.in

DMK, AIADMK fight to pay med fee, students gain

DMK, AIADMK fight to pay med fee, students gain

State Creates Revolving Fund To Foot Fee Bill

Pushpa.Narayan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:22.11.2020 

A day after allotting 7.5% of MBBS and BDS seats in the state to government school students, the Tamil Nadu government and the opposition DMK vied with each other to pay fees to the government/private medical/dental colleges concerned.

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Saturday said the state would create a special revolving fund under Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC) to pay the entire fees. The announcement came hours after DMK president M K Stalin said his party would sponsor the government students’ education. The annual tuition fees for government quota seats in private medical colleges range from ₹3.8 lakh to ₹4 lakh.

“We had already made an announcement that post-matric scholarships and other financial aid will be appropriately taken care of,” the CM said. Earlier in the day, Stalin pointed out that many of these students hailed from poor families and they were not in a position to pay the fee in self-financing medical colleges.

While the chief minister accused Stalin of staging a “political drama”, DMK leaders said the state government was acting on pressure from the Opposition.

In 2020-21, for the first time, the state had set aside 7.5% of total MBBS/BDS seats for government students. While all parties unanimously voted for the Bill in the assembly, the legislation was delayed as it was pending government ascent.

DMK says fee relief comes too late, govt begs to differ

Former higher education minister and DMK leader K Ponmudy said, “Only after the DMK protested and issued statements condemning the delay, the state government took the executive route and issued a government order. The order became infructuous with the governor’s assent to the Bill next day.”

The state selection committee conducted a three-day counselling from Wednesday for allotment of seats. On Friday, the directorate of medical education had asked deans of all government and self-financing colleges to admit government school students who were allotted seats under the 7.5% quota without insisting on fees after verifying their documents including identity cards and certificates. The letter from director of medical education Dr R Narayanababu asked colleges to call students who were turned away for not paying fees. “Why did the government not announce they will pay the fees then?” asked DMK general secretary Durai Murugan. “It lookslike they are waiting to follow the orders of our leader,” he told reporters.

However, health minister C Vijayabaskar said no government student had not taken a seat or was denied admission due to lack of funds. When the admissions opened there were 313 MBBS seats and 92 BDS seats 227 seats in 26 government medical colleges and 12 seats in two government dental colleges. Among the15 self-financing medical colleges and18 dental self-financing colleges 86 and 80 seats were reserved for students from the government colleges, he said. “At the end of counselling only six BDS seats in self-financing colleges were vacant, that too was not because students did not have money. It was because they wanted to write NEET and attempt MBBS next year,” he said. The government had assured students that it would take care of their fees on the first day of counselling,” he said.

மருத்துவ படிப்பு கட்டணம் அரசு பள்ளி மாணவி தவிப்பு

மருத்துவ படிப்பு கட்டணம் அரசு பள்ளி மாணவி தவிப்பு

Added : நவ 21, 2020 02:15

அலங்காநல்லுார்:மதுரை மாவட்டம் அலங்காநல்லுார் அரசு பெண்கள் மேல்நிலைப்பள்ளியில் படித்து மருத்துவ படிப்புக்கு 'சீட்' கிடைத்தும் கல்லுாரி கட்டணம் செலுத்த முடியாமல் மாணவி தீபிகா 17, தவிக்கிறார்.

பெற்றோர் ரவிச்சந்திரன், காமாட்சி கூலி தொழிலாளர்கள்.தீபிகா கூறியதாவது: நான் அரசு பள்ளியில் படித்து 'நீட்' தேர்வில் தகுதி பெற்றேன். என் பெற்றோர் செங்கல் காளவாசலில் பணிபுரிகிறார்கள். எனக்கு கவுன்சிலிங் கட்டணத்தை பள்ளி ஆசிரியர்கள் செலுத்தினர்.

சிதம்பரம் ராஜா முத்தையா மருத்துவ கல்லுாரியில் படிக்க வாய்ப்பு கிடைத்துள்ளது. கல்லுாரி மற்றும் விடுதி கட்டணம் ரூ.6.50 லட்சத்தை 15 நாட்களில் செலுத்த வேண்டும் என்கின்றனர். என் டாக்டர் கனவு நனவாக உதவி எதிர்பார்க்கிறேன் என்றார். மாணவிக்கு உதவ 99766 33474.

Six BDS seats vacant under govt. school quota

Six BDS seats vacant under govt. school quota

21/11/2020

Special Correspondent CHENNAI

Counselling under the 7.5% reservation for government school students ended on Friday with six seats remaining vacant in self-financing dental colleges.

Selection Secretary G. Selvarajan said these seats would be filled in the second phase.

Meanwhile, counselling for candidates seeking admission under Persons with Disability quota will be held on Saturday. The Directorate of Medical Education has uploaded the list of 44 candidates who had been called for verification of their certificates two days ago.

It has also uploaded the list of 51 candidates under the sports quota category.

For the general category, counselling will be held from November 23 and continue till December 4. There will be no counselling on Sunday.

Students protest for and against V-C

Students protest for and against V-C

While one group sought justice for Surappa, another demanded his suspension

21/11/2020

Vocal power: Members of the SFI demanding action against Anna University Vice-Chancellor M.K. Surappa in Chennai on Friday. At right, a group of students and staff staging a protest in support of the Vice-Chancellor.B. JOTHI RAMALINGAMB. Jothi Ramalingam

Special CorrespondentCHENNAI

Anna University witnessed two student protests on Friday. While one group demanded that Vice-Chancellor M.K. Surappa be dismissed, another demanded justice for him.

A week ago, the State government constituted an inquiry commission, headed by a single retired judge, to probe into allegations of corruption against him.

The government cited allegations of misappropriation of ₹280 crore, corruption and faculty appointment for financial benefits against Mr. Surappa.

The V-C has said that the allegations were baseless and that he was ready to face any inquiry.

On Friday, around 100 persons representing the Students’ Federation of India staged a protest outside the university’s gates, demanding his suspension as the inquiry was pending.

On the campus, a group of students and professors held placards that said “#WeSupportSurappa” and “#JusticeForSurappa”. Research scholar Preethi Ramadoss, who led the protest on the campus, said the V-C had taken up students’ issues immediately and resolved them amicably, and was always on the side of the

Locked inside house, but Covid got them! - The Times Of India

Locked inside house, but Covid got them! - The Times Of India

Surge Recorded In Positivity Among Senior Citizens

Parth.Shastri @timesgroup.com

Ahmedabad: 21.11.2020 

The positive result of Covid-19 test for Umadevi, 92, bedridden for past one year due to age-related issues, surprised her family members on November 18

Vivek Verma (name changed), her son and a resident of Bodakdev, said that she started developing incessant coughing, ran mild fever and also complained of body ache.

“We did not wish to take her to the hospital, but as the doctors suggested administering remdesivir to stabilize her condition, we admitted her to a hospital near our residence. Her condition is stable,” he said.

They may have not gone out of the proverbial four walls of the house, but still Covid-19 caught up with many senior citizens in the city. Experts said that mingling during the festivities, gatherings at houses and change in weather conditions could be some of the factors responsible for the phenomenon.

“City-based hospitals have witnessed several such instances. We recently saw a case where an elderly couple had tested positive. Their sons had returned to the city after seven months just to celebrate Diwali with them. They had almost lived alone for the entire period of lockdown as their domestic helps were also living with them in their bungalow premises,” said Dr Bharat Gadhvi, president of Ahmedabad Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (AHNA). “Those above 60 years of age generally develop complications related to Covid-19 quickly. As the number of senior citizens has increased in overall bed occupancy in the city, the demand for beds with oxygen supply has also increased.”

Dr J P Modi, medical superintendent of Civil Hospital, said that they received 1,979 patients in the past fortnight. “Out of the total, only 104 were below 30 years of age, forming 5% of total patients. On the other hand, the patients above 51 years formed 74% of the patients,” he said. “Winter is known to have more cases of viral infection. Thus, measures such as ‘reverse quarantine’ where the elderly reduce their exposure to the outside world are also suggested,” he said.

Gujarat in 24 hours carried out 67,901 tests, the highest in two months

Don’t insist on fee, first admit medical students under 7.5% quota: DME - The Times Of India

 Don’t insist on fee, first admit medical students under 7.5% quota: DME - The Times Of India

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Trichy/Chennai: 21.11.2020 

The directorate of medical education on Friday asked government and self-financing medical colleges in the state to admit students who were allotted seats under the 7.5% NEET quota for governmnet school students without insisting on their paying up their fees first. A total 405 seats were reserved for government school students under the 7.5% NEET quota in 71 medical and dental colleges in the state.

“Students allotted seats under the NEET quota should not be denied admission for payment of fee at any cost. Post-matric and other financial aid will be appropriately taken care of,” director of medical education Dr R Narayanababu said in a letter to deans of medical colleges.

“Any student denied admission should be called back and given admission as per the notification,” he said. The direction came as a huge relief for many students and parents, especially those allotted government quota seats in private medical colleges who were running from pillar to post to arrange for money for the fees. Most of the parents of these students are daily wage earners.

By the time the directions came in the afternoon, M Thangavel one of three students from Trichy, who were allotted seats in private colleges, had paid the fee. Thangavel had approached the private medical college in Perambalur on Friday to confirm his seat when he was asked to pay the fee by evening. “My ailing parents had to borrow to pay ₹3.75 lakh by afternoon as they feared I would lose the seat,” said Thangavel.

At least 405 seats were reserved for government school students under the 7.5% NEET quota

Parents of govt school students worry about affording tuition later

Trichy/Chennai: “My ailing parents had to borrow to pay ₹3.75 lakh by afternoon as they feared I would lose the seat,” said Thangavel. “I was happy to be allotted a MBBS seat on Thursday, but my happiness evaporated seeing my parents become debtors to help me realise my dream of becoming a doctor,” he said.

M Joan of Arc, coordinator for free NEET coaching in Trichy, said sponsors could be arranged for a couple of students who got MBBS seats in government colleges. “But this was not possible for those who got seats in private colleges as the fee was too high,” he said.

Another student in Velliangadu in Coimbatore P Bistis Prisca was asked to pay ₹4 lakh of ₹6.5 lakh, the fee for one year, within a week. Her father SPrabhakaran said, “We don’t know what to do. But we cannot afford to pay such a huge amount without help.”

R Deepika is one among eight students from Madurai to get MBBS seat in self-financing medical colleges under the NEET quota. Her father R Ravichandran on Friday submitted a petition to district collector T Anbalagan seeking financial aid.

“We were relieved that the government has said we can get admission without paying now. But, even if eventually we have to pay, we will not be able to manage with our meagre income. We need the help of the government or some sponsor,” he said.

Min to fund Karur student’s dream

Trichy:

Transport minister M R Vijayabhaskar has stepped in to pay fees for all five years of MBBS for S Marimuthu of Vaangal in Karur district, a government school student who scored 227 in NEET and got an MBBS seat under 7.5% reservation. He was alloted seat in the government medical college in Karur district. His father M Subramani, 57, lost his job as an ice cream seller, due to the lockdown. TNN

Sasikala’s release will be as per norms’

Sasikala’s release will be as per norms’

21/11/2020

PTI  Bengaluru

The release of late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s aide V.K. Sasikala, who is serving a prison term in a disproportionate assets case, will happen as per court judgment and prison norms, Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Friday.

“Whatever judgment is there... conditions in the judgment, as well as regarding fine and punishment, and the prison norms will decide (the release),” he said in response to a question from reporters here on Sasikala’s release.

“Everything will be as per law only, nothing else,” he said.

A fine of over ₹10 crore imposed on Sasikala was remitted to the 34th City Civil Court, Bengaluru, by way of demand drafts, her counsel N. Raja Senthoor Pandian had said on Wednesday, as he expected her to be set free soon, earlier than the scheduled release date of January 27, 2021.

Govt. to help students pay college fees

Govt. to help students pay college fees

21/11/2020

Special CorrespondentCHENNAI

Director of Medical Education R. Narayana Babu has issued instructions to all medical and dental colleges in the State to admit candidates who were allotted seats under the new 7.5% horizontal reservation for government school students.

In separate letters written on Thursday to government colleges and self-financing colleges, the DME said all self-financing medical and dental colleges coming under the single window selection of the DME are instructed to admit all the candidates of government schools selected under 7.5% reservation category immediately without insisting on fees after verifying their certificates and identity as per norms.

“They should not be denied admission for inability to pay fees at any cost. Post-matric and other financial aid will be appropriately taken care of as already announced by the government. Any student denied admission should be called back and given admission as per the instructions,” the letter signed by the DME read.

 similar letter has been issued to the deans of government medical and dental colleges as well.

MBBS student hangs self in hostel room

MBBS student hangs self in hostel room

Nov 20, 2020, 04.34 AM IST

Coimbatore: A final year MBBS student of the Karpagam Medical College at Othakkalmandapam here committed suicide by hanging at the boys hostel on Thursday evening.

Police identified the deceased as Naveenkumar, 22, from Thiruvannamalai.

“He had come to the college hostel five days ago to attend the arrear examination. He had failed in a subject in the second year and was depressed. He was undergoing treatment for the last two years. He had met with an accident two weeks ago and had fractured his left hand. He became more depressed after the accident. His mother had visited the hostel on Thursday morning to meet him. She left in the afternoon. When she phoned him later, there was no response. She contacted the hostel warden and asked him to check her son. The warden rushed to the hostel room to find Naveenkumar dead,” a police officer said.