When court proceedings went live on YouTube

When court proceedings went live on YouTube

The live webcast, under the subject “Arrears,” was taken down after thousands of students began accessing it and the media started taking note of it.

Published: 02nd December 2020 04:31 AM 

By Harish Murali

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Following recent attempts by college students to join virtual court proceedings on petitions challenging the government decision to cancel arrears examinations, a section of students on Tuesday went one step further by webcasting the proceedings live on YouTube for a few hours.

The live webcast, under the subject “Arrears,” was taken down after thousands of students began accessing it and the media started taking note of it. Gaining access, under the guise of an advocate, to the virtual court proceedings conducted on Microsoft Teams platform, the students shared the proceedings using cast option on YouTube.

On November 20, a Division Bench of Justices Sathyanarayanan and R Hemalatha began the hearing, when at least 250 students gained access to the proceedings and started shouting, forcing the Benech to suspend the proceedings.

On Tuesday, the court, taking note of the earlier disruption, restricted entry to the platform, permitting only advocates who had been listed for each case. Even the media which usually covered court proceedings were not allowed entry. 

Censuring students who webcast the proceedings, the Bench observed, “In the light of the fact that this virtual system is being abused by certain persons, we are shifting the arrears challenge petitions to physical hearing.” The Bench also warned the students of contempt proceedings for the live webcast.

It passed interim directions by restraining all universities in the State from declaring an ‘all pass’ result when arrears exams were not conducted, either online or offline mode or a combination of both. The Bench refused to accept the State’s arguments that the examinations were cancelled keeping in mind of the safety of students during the pandemic.

Counsel for University Grants Commission told the Bench on Tuesday that cancellation of the examinations was in violation of its guidelines. One of the petitioners also said that a few universities, especially Manonmaniam Sundaranar University and University of Madras, were releasing results without conducting examinations.

The Bench observed that universities across the State are free to conduct their examinations through online or offline mode or a combination of both, despite the government passing an order on cancelling the examinations. “Let the State government permit the universities to conduct arrears examinations, if they want to do so. The choice has to be left to them,” the Bench said, adjourning the plea to January 11.

Med counselling: Five barred due to doubt in nativity

Med counselling: Five barred due to doubt in nativity

The Selection committee was not satisfied with the certificates produced

Published: 02nd December 2020 04:31 AM 

For representational purposes

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Five students were barred from the medical admission counselling on grounds of doubts over their nativity certificates. The decision was taken by the five-member committee constituted by the Selection Committee of Directorate of Medical Education.

Selection Committee Secretary G Selvarajan said, “Committee was not satisfied by the documents presented by these five candidates.”When asked if the students will be allowed later, if they produce relevant documents, the secretary said, the committee will take a decision in this regard. “On Monday, one student was not allowed and the other four students were not allowed on Tuesday,” said officials.

Explaining the situation, officials said,” Among the five, one student was born at a hospital in Kerala, but his family lives in Tamil Nadu. In this case, the committee verified the certificates and was not satisfied and hence he was not allowed.” Meanwhile, on Tuesday the Selection Committee called 452 candidates for the counselling, among them 443 students attended and a total of 429 seats were allotted.

According to the Selection Committee data, 406 MBBS seats were allotted in government medical colleges, and 23 in self-financing medical colleges. One candidate opted out and nine candidates were in waiting list. The Health Department is conducting offline counselling to prevent malpractice. Health Minister C Vijayabaskar had said, “in person verification of community, nativity certificates and school certificates for government students was important.”

Original certificates of faculty cannot be confiscated, AU tells affiliated colleges

Original certificates of faculty cannot be confiscated, AU tells affiliated colleges

In a welcome move, Anna University has written to the principals of all affiliated institutions and colleges, directing them not to confiscate the original certificates of the faculty.

Published: 02nd December 2020 04:32 AM 

Anna University campus in Guindy

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: In a welcome move, Anna University has written to the principals of all affiliated institutions and colleges, directing them not to confiscate the original certificates of the faculty. “Only copies of the original certificates have to be maintained in the college,” the varsity said in a letter on Saturday.

The direction is an offshoot of the recent communication from the Higher Education Department that stated that a faculty in a private institution had alleged harassment in this regard. He had subsequently killed himself.

The department further said, even as the case was legally closed by the police, “they (college management) may duly be warned by the authorities and if necessary, some strict disciplinary or penal actions may be initiated against them.”

Don’t seize original papers: AU

After over two years of inquiry and investigation, the department, earlier this month, had asked competent authorities such as the All India Council for Technical Education( (AICTE) and Anna University to ensure that private affiliated colleges do not confiscate teachers’ original certificates in a bid to retain them forcefully.

“The recruitment process, appointment order post recruitment with the due fixation of salary, alongside the rules and regulations of the management, should all be ensured for maximum transparency, ”said the department. It also added that the faculty should also be allowed to attend some periodic “destressing programs.”

Are college campuses safe for students to return?

Are college campuses safe for students to return?

While only a few government non-medical colleges still house Covid patients, most of them are on standby and have not been handed over.

Published: 02nd December 2020 04:32 AM 

Covid care centre at a college being cleaned ahead of college reopening, in Chennai on Tuesday | R Satish babu

By Sushmitha Ramakrishnan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: As colleges brace for return of final-year students on December 7, educational institutions that were converted into Covid-19 isolation centres are struggling to make their campuses clean and safe.

Representatives of several colleges said efforts should be taken to quickly disinfect, clean and handover the institutions to the respective managements. With barely a week left for the reopening, it is learnt that Chennai alone has over 50 colleges which are yet to be handed over to the managements. 

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday announced reopening of medical colleges and resumption of physical classes for final-year undergraduate students of arts and science, engineering, agriculture, fisheries and veterinary programmes from December 7. The government has also announced that courses will be conducted in-person for research students and final-year postgraduate students from Wednesday.

While only a few government non-medical colleges still house Covid patients, most of them are on standby and have not been handed over. Even among those colleges which were handed over, classes are far from ready for students. “We have not had any incoming patients for a few weeks now. We have asked Chennai Corporation to hand over the college after cleaning, and they said they will do it on Tuesday,” said a spokesperson of an arts and science college in Velachery.

Even as the Anna University campus has been handed over, the premises were still being cleaned on Monday when Express visited. A senior official from the university said the campus will be restored to its normal conditions before students are brought in. Meanwhile, the Corporation officials said that only the KP Park Covid-19 care centre has patients. “We have not been admitting any new patients into educational institutions for the last few weeks,” an official said.

Many colleges had handed over their hostel rooms to government. “We handed over hostels and no cleaning has been carried yet. Most students are scared to come back,” said principal of a government arts and science college in Thiruvarur. KM Karthik, the founder of All India Private Colleges Employees Union, said that while reopening colleges for final-year students is a welcome move, it would be risky to reopen colleges for other students immediately.

“Handling a fourth of the college strength while maintaining social distancing will be possible, especially in hostels. Government should wait for a few weeks to see the result of reopening before taking any further decision,” he said.

(Inputs from Omjasvin MD)

37 ஆண்டுகளில் 37 முறை பாம்புக் கடிக்கு உள்ளானவர்!

37 ஆண்டுகளில் 37 முறை பாம்புக் கடிக்கு உள்ளானவர்!

ஆந்திரத்தில் 37 ஆண்டுகளில் 37 முறை நாகப்பாம்பு கடிக்கு ஒருவா் ஆளாகி உள்ளது வியப்பை ஏற்படுத்தியுள்ளது.

ஆந்திர மாநிலம் சித்தூா் மாவட்டம், குரப்பூரைச் சோந்தவா் சுப்ரமணியம் (42). விவசாய கூலித் தொழிலாளி. அவருக்கு திருமணமாகி மனைவியும் மகனும் உள்ளனா்.

ஏழ்மையான நிலையில் உள்ள இவரை நாகப்பாம்புகள் இதுவரை 37 முறை கடித்துள்ளன. சுப்ரமணியத்தின் 5 வயது முதல் தொடா்ந்து இந்த சம்பவம் நடந்து வருகிறது. ஒவ்வொரு முறை பாம்பு கடிக்கும் போதும் மருத்துவனையில் சோந்து, 10 நாட்கள் சிகிச்சை முடித்து வீடு திரும்புவாா். ரூ.7 ஆயிரம் முதல் ரூ.10 ஆயிரம் வரை சிகிச்சைக்கு செலவிடப்படும்.

இந்நிலையில், கடந்த, 4 தினங்களுக்கு முன்பு சுப்ரமணியம் விவசாய நிலத்தில் வேலை செய்து கொண்டிருந்தபோது அவரை ஒரு நாகப்பாம்பு கடித்தது. அவா் சித்தூரில் உள்ள ஒரு தனியாா் மருத்துவமனையில் சிகிச்சை பெற்று செவ்வாய்க்கிழமை வீடு திரும்பினாா்.

Dailyhunt

Disclaimer: This story is auto-aggregated by a computer program and has not been created or edited by Dailyhunt. Publisher: Dinamani

ஆர்.டி.ஜி.எஸ்., 24 மணி நேர சேவை அமல்: வங்கி விடுமுறை நாட்களில் குழப்பம்

ஆர்.டி.ஜி.எஸ்., 24 மணி நேர சேவை அமல்: வங்கி விடுமுறை நாட்களில் குழப்பம்

Added : டிச 02, 2020 02:22

கோவை:வங்கிகளில் பெரிய அளவில் பணம் அனுப்ப பயன்படுத்தப்படும் ஆர்.டி.ஜி.எஸ்., சேவை நேற்று முதல் 24 மணி நேரமும் செயல்பட துவங்கியுள்ளது.

மிகப்பெரிய தொகையை ஒரு வங்கியின் கிளையில் இருந்து அதே வங்கியின் மற்றொரு கிளைக்கும், மற்ற வங்கிகளுக்கும் பணம் அனுப்ப பயன்படும் வங்கி சேவை தான் ஆர்.டி.ஜி.எஸ்., எனப்படுகிறது.'நெப்ட்' சேவையில் ஒரு வாடிக்கையாளர் அதிகபட்சம், இரண்டு லட்சம் ரூபாய் வரையில் தான் பணம் அனுப்ப முடியும். அதற்கு மேல் அனுப்ப வேண்டும் என்றால், ஆர்.டி.ஜி.எஸ்., சேவையை தான் பயன்படுத்தி கொள்ள வேண்டும்.

ஏற்கனவே, டிஜிட்டல் பரிவர்த்தனைகளை ஊக்குவிக்கும் நோக்கில், 'நெப்ட்' உள்ளிட்ட ஆன்லைன் பரிவர்த்தனைகளுக்கு கட்டணங்களை கடந்த சில மாதங்களுக்கு முன் ரிசர்வ் வங்கி ரத்து செய்தது. இதன்தொடர்ச்சியாக தற்போது ஆர்.டி.ஜி.எஸ்., சேவை, 24 மணி நேரமும் செயல்படுத்துவது, நேற்று முதல் அமல்படுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இதற்கு முன்பு வரை ஆர்.டி.ஜி.எஸ்., நடைமுறை வங்கி வேலை நாட்களில் மட்டுமே செய்யப் பட்டது. காலை, 7.00 மணி முதல் மாலை, 6.00 மணி வரை மட்டுமே இச்சேவை வழங்கப்பட்டு வந்தது.ரிசர்வ் வங்கி, 24 மணி நேரமும் ஆர்.டி.ஜி.எஸ்., செயல்பட அனுமதித்துள்ள நிலையில், வங்கிகளுக்கு அனுப்பிய சுற்றறிக்கையில், இரண்டாவது மற்றும் நான்காவது சனிக்கிழமைகளில் ஆர்.டி.ஜி.எஸ்., சேவை இல்லை என, குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ளதாக வங்கி அதிகாரிகள் தெரிவிக்கின்றனர்.

இதனால், வங்கி விடுமுறை நாட்களில் ஆர்.டி.ஜி.எஸ்., சேவை இருக்குமா என்ற குழப்பம் ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது. இச்சேவையை சில நாடுகள் மட்டுமே வழங்கி வரும் நிலையில், தற்போது இப்பட்டியலில் நம் நாடும் இணைந்துள்ளது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.

வேளாண் பல்கலை டிச.,17ல் பட்டமளிப்பு

வேளாண் பல்கலை டிச.,17ல் பட்டமளிப்பு

Added : டிச 02, 2020 02:09

கோவை:தமிழ்நாடு வேளாண் பல்கலையில், கொரோனா பரவல் காரணமாக ஒத்திவைக்கப் பட்டு இருந்த பட்டமளிப்பு விழா, டிச., 17ம் தேதி நடக்கிறது.இதில், கவர்னர் பன்வாரிலால் புரோகித், அமைச்சர்கள் பங்கேற்கின்றனர்.

பட்டமளிப்பு விழா, குளிரூட்டப்பட்ட அரங்கில் நடைபெறுவது வழக்கம். தற்போது, பல்கலை கால்பந்து மைதானத்தில் சமூக இடைவெளியுடன் நடத்த திட்டமிடப்பட்டுள்ளது.இதற்காக, புல்வெளி அப்புறப்படுத்தி, மேடை, இருக்கைகள், ஒளி விளக்குகள் அமைப்பது உள்ளிட்ட பணிகள் நடந்து வருகின்றன. விழாவில் பட்டம் பெறும் மாணவர்கள், குறிப்பிட்ட எண்ணிக்கையில் மட்டுமே அனுமதிக்கப்பட உள்ளனர்.

பி.டி.எஸ்., படிக்க ஆர்வமில்லை

பி.டி.எஸ்., படிக்க ஆர்வமில்லை

Updated : டிச 02, 2020 00:21 | Added : டிச 02, 2020 00:18

சென்னை:மருத்துவ படிப்புகளுக்கான கவுன்சிலிங்கில், 429 எம்.பி.பி.எஸ்., இடங்கள் நிரம்பின. பொதுப் பிரிவினருக்கான கவுன்சிலிங்கில், பி.டி.எஸ்., படிப்பில் சேர, மாணவர்கள் ஆர்வம் காட்டவில்லை.

சென்னை, பெரியமேட்டில் உள்ள, நேரு விளையாட்டரங்கில், 2020 - 21 கல்வியாண்டுக்கான மாணவர் சேர்க்கை நடைபெறுகிறது. பொது பிரிவினருக்கான, 3-வது நாள் கவுன்சிலிங்கிற்கு, 452 மாணவர்கள் அழைக்கப்பட்டனர். அதில், பெற்றோருடன், 443 மாணவர்கள் பங்கேற்றனர். அவர்களில், அரசு மருத்துவ கல்லுாரிகளில், 406 மாணவர்கள் இடங்களை பெற்றனர். அதே போல், சுயநிதி மருத்துவ கல்லுாரிகளில், 23 இடங்கள் என, நேற்று மட்டும், 429 எம்.பி.பி.எஸ்., இடங்கள் நிரம்பின.

பொது பிரிவினருக்கான, மூன்றாவது நாள் கவுன்சிலிங்கில், நேற்று வரை, பி.டி.எஸ்., எனப்படும் பல் மருத்துவ படிப்புகளில் சேர, மாணவர்கள் ஆர்வம் காட்டவில்லை.தற்போது, பொதுப் பிரிவினருக்கான சேர்க்கையில், அரசு மருத்துவ கல்லுாரிகளில், 1,653 எம்.பி.பி.எஸ்., - 151 பி.டி.எஸ்., இடங்கள் உள்ளன. சுயநிதி மருத்துவ கல்லுாரிகளில், 1,037 எம்.பி.பி.எஸ்., - 985 பி.டி.எஸ்., இடங்கள் காலியாக உள்ளன.

இருப்பிட சான்று: 4 பேருக்கு சிக்கல்

சென்னையில் நடைபெறும் மருத்துவ படிப்புக்கான கவுன்சிலிங்கில், பிறப்பிட சான்றிதழ் பிரச்னையால், நான்கு மாணவர்களுக்கு இடங்கள் ஒதுக்கப்படவில்லை.இதுகுறித்து, மருத்துவ கல்வி இயக்கக அதிகாரிகள் கூறியதாவது:கவுன்சிலிங்கில் பங்கேற்றவர்களில், கேரளாவை சேர்ந்த மாணவர் ஒருவர், அகில இந்திய ஒதுக்கீட்டில், சென்னை ஓமந்துாரார் அரசு மருத்துவ கல்லுாரியிடம் இடம் பெற்றார்.

அதனால், மாநில ஒதுக்கீட்டில் இடம் ஒதுக்கவில்லை.நேற்று நடந்த கவுன்சிலிங் பங்கேற்றவர்களில், நான்கு மாணவர்களுக்கு இருப்பிட சான்றிதழ் சிக்கல் ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது. இதனால், அவர்களுக்கான இடங்கள் ஒதுக்கப்படவில்லை. சட்ட வல்லுனர்களுடன் ஆலோசனை நடத்தி, அடுத்த கட்ட நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும்.இவ்வாறு, அவர்கள் கூறினர்.

ராமேஸ்வரம், குருவாயூர் உட்பட முக்கிய நகரங்களுக்கு 17 சிறப்பு ரயில்

ராமேஸ்வரம், குருவாயூர் உட்பட முக்கிய நகரங்களுக்கு 17 சிறப்பு ரயில்

Added : டிச 01, 2020 23:48

சென்னை:சென்னை எழும்பூரில் இருந்து, மன்னை, குருவாயூர், ராமேஸ்வரம் உட்பட, முக்கிய நகரங்கள் இடையே, 17 சிறப்பு ரயில்கள் இயக்கப்படுகின்றன.

* சென்னை எழும்பூரில் இருந்து, தினமும் இரவு, 10:15 மணிக்கு இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில், மறுநாள்அதிகாலை, 5:25 மணிக்கு மன்னார்குடி சென்றடையும்

* மன்னார்குடியில் இருந்து, தினமும் இரவு, 10:30 மணிக்கு இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில், மறுநாள் அதிகாலை, 5:55 மணிக்கு சென்னை எழும்பூர் வந்தடையும். எழும்பூரில் இருந்து, வரும், 8ம் தேதி முதலும், மன்னார்குடியில் இருந்து, வரும், 9ம் தேதி முதலும் இயக்கப்படும்

* சென்னை எழும்பூரில் இருந்து, தினமும் காலை, 8:25 மணிக்கு இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில், கேரளா மாநிலம், குருவாயூருக்கு மறுநாள் காலை, 6:40 மணிக்கு சென்றடையும்

* குருவாயூரில் இருந்து, தினமும் இரவு, 9:30 மணிக்கு இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில், மறுநாள் இரவு, 8:35 மணிக்கு சென்னை எழும்பூர் வந்தடையும். எழும்பூரில் இருந்து, வரும், 8ம் தேதி முதலும், குருவாயூரில் இருந்து, வரும், 9ம் தேதி முதலும் இயக்கப்படும்

* சென்னை எழும்பூரில் இருந்து, தினமும் இரவு, 7:15 மணிக்கு இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில், மறுநாள் காலை, 8:30 மணிக்கு ராமேஸ்வரம் சென்றடையும்

* ராமேஸ்வரத்தில் இருந்து, தினமும் மாலை, 5:10 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டு, மறுநாள் காலை, 6:45 மணிக்கு சென்னை எழும்பூர் வந்தடையும். எழும்பூரில் இருந்து, வரும், 8ம் தேதி முதலும், குருவாயூரில் இருந்து, வரும், 9ம் தேதி முதலும் இயக்கப்படும்

* சென்னை எழும்பூரில் இருந்து, வாரத்தில் வியாழக்கிழமை மாலை, 6:55 மணிக்கு இயக்கப் படும் சிறப்பு ரயில், மறுநாள் காலை, 7:30 மணிக்கு நாகர்கோவில் சென்றடையும்

* நாகர்கோவிலில் இருந்து, வெள்ளிக்கிழமைகளில் மாலை, 4:15 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டு, மறுநாள் அதிகாலை, 4:45 மணிக்கு, சென்னை எழும்பூர் வந்தடையும். எழும்பூரில் இருந்து, வரும், 10ம் தேதி முதலும், நாகர்கோவிலில் இருந்து, 11ம் தேதி முதலும் இயக்கப்படும்

* சென்னை எம்.ஜி.ஆர்., சென்ட்ரலில் இருந்து, தினமும் மாலை, 3:20 மணிக்கு இயக்கப்படும் சூப்பர் பாஸ்ட் சிறப்பு ரயில், மறுநாள் காலை, 7:50 மணிக்கு திருவனந்தபுரம் சென்றடையும்

* திருவனந்தபுரத்தில் இருந்து, தினமும் மாலை, 5:15 மணிக்கு இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில், மறுநாள் காலை, 10:00 மணிக்கு, சென்னை எம்.ஜி.ஆர்.,சென்ட்ரல் சென்றடையும். சென்ட்ரலில் இருந்து, வரும், 8 ம் தேதி முதலும், திருவனந்தபுரத்தில் இருந்து, வரும், 9ம் தேதி முதலும் இயக்கப்படும்

* சென்னை எம்.ஜி.ஆர்., சென்ட்ரலில் இருந்து, தினமும் மாலை, 5:00 மணிக்கு இயக்கப்படும் சூப்பர் பாஸ்ட் சிறப்பு ரயில், மறுநாள் காலை, 9:00 மணிக்கு கர்நாடகா மாநிலம், மங்களூரு சென்ட்ரல் நிலையம் சென்றடையும்

* மங்களூரு சென்ட்ரலில் இருந்து, தினமும் மாலை, 4:35 மணிக்கு இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில், மறுநாள் காலை, 8:00 மணிக்கு, சென்னை எம்.ஜி.ஆர்., சென்ட்ரல் வந்தடையும். இந்த ரயில்கள், சென்ட்ரலில் இருந்து, வரும், 8 ம் தேதி முதலும், மங்களூரில் இருந்து, வரும், 9ம் தேதி முதலும் இயக்கப்படும்

* சென்னை எம்.ஜி.ஆர்., சென்ட்ரலில் இருந்து, தினமும் இரவு, 9:40 மணிக்கு இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில், மறுநாள் காலை, 10:10 மணிக்கு பாலக்காடு சென்றடையும்.

* பாலக்காட்டில் இருந்து, தினமும் மாலை, 3:35 மணிக்கு இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில், மறுநாள் அதிகாலை, 4:05 மணிக்கு, சென்னை எம்.ஜி.ஆர்., சென்ட்ரல் வந்தடையும்

* சென்ட்ரலில் இருந்து, வரும், 8ம் தேதியில் இருந்தும், பாலக்காட்டில் இருந்து, வரும், 9ம் தேதி முதல் இயக்கப்படும்

* கோவையில் இருந்து, தினமும் இரவு, 7:30 மணிக்கு, திருப்பூர், ஈரோடு, கரூர், திண்டுக்கல், மதுரை வழியாக, இயக்கப்படும் சூப்பர் பாஸ்ட் சிறப்பு ரயில், மறுநாள் அதிகாலை, 5:05 மணிக்கு நாகர்கோவில் சென்றடையும்

* நாகர்கோவிலில் இருந்து, தினமும், இரவு, 9:45 மணிக்கு இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில், மறுநாள் காலை, 7:15 மணிக்கு கோவை சென்றடையும். கோவையில் இருந்து, வரும், 8ம் தேதியில் முதலும், நாகர்கோவிலில் இருந்து, வரும், 9ம் தேதி முதலும் இயக்கப்படும்.

மங்களூர் சென்ட்ரல் -- திருவனந்தபுரம் சென்ட்ரல் இடையே, வரும், 10ம் தேதியில் இருந்து சிறப்பு ரயில் இயக்கம் உட்பட, மொத்தம், 17 சிறப்பு ரயில்கள் இயக்கப்படுகின்றன. இந்த ரயில்களுக்கான முன்பதிவு, இன்று துவங்குகிறது.

12,000 paramedical seats available after second round

MISSION ADMISSION

12,000 paramedical seats available after second round

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:02.12.2020

With permission accorded to some 44 colleges, there are some 12,000 seats available in paramedical courses such as physiotherapy and nursing, in the second round of centralized admissions through the admissions committee.

Committee officials said the new colleges were not included in the first round of admissions because they did

not have approval. By the end of the first round of admission, these colleges received approval and with it 2,000 more seats were available for the second round. Moreover, after the first round of admissions, more than 9,000 seats that remained vacant.

The choice-filling exercise will begin on Wednesday. Students will be allocated colleges on December 6. Students can confirm their admission by paying the fees within in a week after that. The admissions committee has placed the list of newly approved colleges on its website for the students to pick.

School, college staff to report to work on alternate days

Ahmedabad: The state education department on Tuesday directed all educational institutions to call only half their staffers to office given the prevailing Covid-19 situation.

In a letter to the district education officers, the department said that at a time when all schools and colleges in the state are shut, the institutions will have to allow only 50% of their staff at offices, while the rest will have to work from home.

“Teachers and other staff members will have to come to office every alternate day or thrice a week,” sources in the state government said.

The department had earlier instructed schools and colleges to keep their working hours from 7.30am to 12pm. This was applicable for secondary and higher secondary schools.

The state government had earlier announced the re-opening of schools from Classes 9 to 12 for students from November 23. The decision was rescinded after the state witnessed a spike in Covid-19 numbers. TNN

GTU postpones its college exams

GTU postpones its college exams

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:02.12.2020

Gujarat Technological University (GTU), the state’s largest university, has decided to postpone the winter 2020 exams indefinitely due to the Covid-19 situation in the state.

“At our meeting today, attended by deans and associate deans, it was unanimously decided to postpone the coming winter 2020 exams. Whenever the new timetable is finalized, it will be put on the GTU website 10 days in advance,” said Naveen Sheth, the vice-chancellor of GTU.

He said colleges will resume studies in online mode for the next semester to protect the interests of students.

The Association of Gujarat Engineering and Technological Diploma Colleges had earlier this week demanded that GTU to reconsider their decision to hold the winter examination in pen and paper format. There are 550 colleges affiliated to GTU.

As many as two lakh students were expected to take the exams, included candidates taking remedial exams.

In a letter to the GTU vice-chancellor, the association said GTU should consider holding the exams online.

The state government recently revoked its order for re-opening schools and colleges from November due to the Covid-19 situation. Schools and colleges have been closed in the state for more than eight months now.

GTU was the first university to hold online annual exams for colleges earlier this year.

As many as 460 students from 153 foreign countries and 17 states had registered for the online exams held from September 21.

GU defers exams

Due to the worsening Covid-19 situation, Gujarat University (GU) has finally decided not to go ahead with its examinations scheduled for later this month. Gujarat Technological University (GTU) had already announced the postponement of examinations that were to start from December 10. GTU decided to defer its exams because of the increase in Covid-19 cases. TNN

‘Choosing one’s spouse a fundamental right’

‘Choosing one’s spouse a fundamental right’

Karnataka HC Observation Echoes Verdicts By Allahabad, Delhi Courts

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:02.12.2020

The Karnataka high court has said it was well settled that the “right of any major individual to marry the person of his/her choice is a fundamental right enshrined in the Constitution of India”, echoing earlier observations by the Allahabad and Delhi high courts upholding the right to marry a person of one’s own choice.

The Karnataka HC division bench comprising Justices S Sujatha Sachin Shankar Magadum, which was dealing with a case involving two software professionals on November 27, added that “the said liberty relating to the personal relationships of two individuals cannot be encroached by anybody irrespective of caste or religion”.

The observations came while disposing of a habeas corpus petition filed by HB Wajeed Khan, a software engineer and resident of Bengaluru, who had approached the court seeking directions to produce Ramya G, a software engineer and colleague, and set her at liberty.

Acting on the court’s directions, Chandra Layout police produced Ramya before the court on November 27. Her parents, Gangadhar and Girija, as well as Wajeed Khan and his mother, Sreelakshmi, were present.

Ramya told the court she was staying at the NGO Mahila Dakshatha Samithi, Vidyaranyapura, following a complaint lodged by her with the Janodaya Santwana Kendra, a family dispute resolution forum set up by the department of women and child welfare development. Ramya had alleged that her parents were infringing on her right to liberty by opposing her marriage to Wajeed.

Wajeed’s mother Sreelakshmi said she had no objection to the marriage but Ramya’s parents had not consented.

UP may scrap sop for interfaith marriages

The Uttar Pradesh government is planning to withdraw a scheme that has incentivised interfaith marriage for 44 years, reports Anuja Jaiswal. This comes after the UP government ordinance banning “forced” conversions. The Intercaste & Interfaith Marriage Incentive Scheme has been in place since 1976. When Uttarakhand was carved out of the state, it retained the incentive plan. But now, Uttarakhand, too, is considering withdrawal of the scheme. P 10

The said liberty relating to personal relationships of two individuals can’t be encroached by anybody irrespective of caste or religion

—Karnataka HC

Three caught impersonating MBBS candidates

Three caught impersonating MBBS candidates

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:02.12.2020

Two girls and a boy were on Tuesday caught impersonating candidates who had been allotted MBBS seats in a city college. Karnataka Examinations Authority filed a police complaint against Pooja, Chaitra and Madhu for submitting fake documents.

According to KEA, three students — Abhay Gautam, Paragi and Maheen Nawaz — had been allotted MBBS seats in BGS Global Institute of Medical Sciences. However, Madhu, Pooja and Chaitra appeared for Abhay, Paragi and Maheen, respectively, during submission of original documents on Tuesday.

“We realised the documents submitted were not tallying with details available on the CBSE website. The photographs printed on the marks cards submitted were not matching with the candidates physically present for submission of documents,” KEA said.

Police said they are questioning the boy and girls and examining the documents.

60% attendance in medical colleges

DAY ONE

60% attendance in medical colleges

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru: 02.12.2020

Unlike Day 1 of reopening of engineering and degree colleges last month, medical colleges affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Medical Sciences (RGUHS) witnessed the attendance of 60% on Tuesday, when regular classes resumed for the first time since the nationwide lockdown in March.

The high numbers are being attributed to the varsity’s decision to focus on practical classes.

“Students have to come because of clinical postings,” said Dr S Sacchidanand, vice chancellor, RGUHS. “Exams are scheduled for February. We expect the numbers to grow as many are still getting their Covid test results and making travel arrangements. The numbers in dental colleges were slightly lower as they had just completed exams. In pharma and nursing colleges, exams are underway.”

Dental and other affiliate colleges of RGHUS reported about 50% attendance. While colleges can offer blended forms of learning for theory classes, students have to attend practicals in person.

“Colleges have been asked to adhere to safety norms as much as possible,” Dr Sacchidanand said. “An orientation programme on Covid etiquette has also been recommended.”

Dr VT Venkatesh, principal, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, said the attendance was 72% on Tuesday. “Even we were taken aback. Students have no alternative; they too want to get back to serious studies now. There were practicals and some theory classes too today,” he said.

Medical education minister K Sudhakar visited Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, which saw a staggering 90% attendance on the first day. At Oxford Medical College, the attendance was 45%.

Some allied courses saw thinner attendance as outstation students are yet to rejoin. Students from other countries have been complaining of lack of flights.

Students said colleges tried to maintain social distancing in clinical classes by dividing them into smaller batches and leaving enough gaps between students on Day 1. Hostels, however, continue to have more than one student in a room.

BEING PRACTICAL:

Health and medical education minister K Sudhakar visited Bangalore Medical College and interacted with students who turned up for classes on Day 1, on Tuesday

Buying a car? Show proof of parking first

Buying a car? Show proof of parking first

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru: 02.12.2020

In a bid to decongest roads in Bengaluru city, the state government is looking at allowing registration of vehicles only after owners produce a ‘commitment letter’ showing parking space is available.

After a meeting convened by chief minister BS Yediyurappa on Tuesday on formulating Parking Policy 2.0, the government said it is mulling curbs on purchase of vehicles without parking space. The CM directed chief secretary TM Vijayabhaskar to finetune the draft policy after consulting senior officials and place it before the cabinet for approval.

In 2019, the previous JD (S)-Congress government had mooted a similar proposal, but it failed to take off.

New policy proposes pay-and-park system in city’s major localities

BDA chairman and CM’s political secretary SR Vishwanath who attended the meeting said the new policy proposes to make it mandatory for new vehicle buyers to have their own parking space.

“Many households own more than one vehicle. Most of them are parked on roads. We plan to address this issue on priority,” said an official. The policy hopes to bring in a controlled, tech-based parking system. It proposes to introduce a payand-park system in all major localities. “We have smart parking fee collection facilities at 80-85 places. We want to extend such facilities to the entire city,” Vishwanath said.

It proposes to ban parking of vehicles in a 1km radius around existing multi-level parking facilities in Bengaluru. “Since most of these facilities have remained underutilised, the new rule will help address this issue. It will ease congestion on surrounding roads,” he said.

The government is also looking at utilising private open spaces and residential plots as parking spaces by involving BBMP to join hands with land owners. Vishwanath said the number of vehicle buyers in Bengaluru is more than in any other metropolitan city. “People may find these rules tough, but we have to do something to address this problem,” he added.

During the meeting, officers apprised the CM about the need for a Parking Policy 2.0 since the number of vehicles has almost doubled in the city in the past seven years. They said usage of public transport must be encouraged.

Responses about the policy have been received from individuals, NGOs and RWAs and based on this feedback, parking policy will be revised and submitted for government approval, officials said.

Kerala HC backs transsexuals in NCC

Kerala HC backs transsexuals in NCC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kochi:02.12.2020

The world has progressed and the central government cannot remain in the 19th century, the Kerala high court remarked while considering a transsexual student’s plea challenging exclusion from National Cadet Corps (NCC). Considering a petition filed by Hina Haneefa, justice Devan Ramachandran told the counsel representing NCC, “The world has progressed, you cannot remain in the 19th century.” The transsexual has challenged section 6 of the National Cadet Corps Act, 1948 that allows only males or females to enroll as NCC cadets.

The court’s remark came after NCC’s counsel submitted that refusal of enrollment of the petitioner does not amount to discrimination. The counsel sought time to file an affidavit explaining the stance.

Responding to the submission, the court said the stance that the central government is taking is unfortunate. There certainly are three genders – male, female, and transsexual, the court said. The court also noted that the petitioner has decided to become a woman and has undergone the surgery too. NCC can admit her as a woman, the court suggested.

Full report on www.toi.in

Times View

One of the benchmarks of a modern and progressive state lies in the way it treats its minorities. Transgenders are sexual minorities. They are often socially marginalized and excluded from activities that others take for granted. Their inclusion in the NCC would be a mini-milestone in efforts to give them

Ayush practitioners can aid in treatment of Covid patients: Govt

Ayush practitioners can aid in treatment of Covid patients: Govt

Dhananjay.Mahapatra@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:02.12.2020

The Union government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that ayurveda, unani and homoeopathy practitioners can prescribe drugs for prevention of Covid-19 by boosting immunity but cannot claim that their medicines can cure such patients.

Solicitor general Tushar Mehta informed a bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, R S Reddy and M R Shah that Ayush practitioners have been provided with guidelines to prescribe drugs for boosting immunity or for symptomatic treatment of Covid-19 patients.

The Ayush ministry said in its affidavit, “Keeping in view this unprecedented and unforeseen precarious situation, the health system preparedness of the country and the anticipated patient/conventional doctor ratio of the country, the ministry of Ayush decided to augment and strengthen the Covid medical response of the country by using the traditional healthcare system of the country, which included ayurvedic practices, homoeopathy practices as well as Unani practices.” It said homoeopathic medical practitioners were permitted to prescribe drugs, as mentioned in the guidelines, as an add-on to the conventional treatment for patients who had tested Covid positive and were undergoing conventional treatment.

Clinical trials for Sputnik V begin

New Delhi: Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) on Tuesday said they have commenced adaptive phase 2/3 clinical trials for the Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine in India. The trials have commenced after receiving the necessary clearance from the Kasauli-based Central Drugs Laboratory, they added. PTI

NRIs may soon get to vote remotely with e-ballots

NRIs may soon get to vote remotely with e-ballots

Bharti.Jain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:02.12.2020

Non-resident Indians (NRIs), who at present must cast their vote in person in India, may soon get to vote remotely from their country of residence — perhaps as early as in-state polls due in May next year — if a proposal sent by the Election Commission to the law ministry finds acceptance.

The EC has suggested that NRIs be allowed to vote through electronically-transmitted postal ballot system (ETPBS), a facility already available to service voters that include members of the armed forces, paramilitary and government employees serving abroad.

In a November 27 letter addressed to the law secretary, EC proposed necessary amendments be made in the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, “at the earliest” to enable the Indian diaspora to vote through postal ballot, adding that it is “technically and administratively ready to extend this facility in general elections to legislative assemblies of Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry”. Elections in the five states are due in May next year. EC in its letter stated that it has been receiving several representations from the Indian diaspora to facilitate voting through postal ballot since such overseas electors are not in a position to be present in their polling area as travelling to India for this purpose is a costly affair and otherwise too, they cannot leave their country of residence owing to compulsions like employment, education or other engagements.

Times View

It is welcome news that technology is being used to help NRIs cast their vote from their country of residence. But the EC must also take note that millions of resident Indians are unable to vote simply because they are away from where they are registered to vote on polling day. This anomaly should also be urgently addressed. In today’s era, technology makes it feasible.

Cyclone Burevi gains strength, to cross Indian coast on Dec 4 morning

Cyclone Burevi gains strength, to cross Indian coast on Dec 4 morning

Storm Likely To Intensify Further: IMD

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:02.12.2020

Southern districts of Tamil Nadu are bracing for extremely heavy rainfall for the next three days as the cyclonic storm Burevi over Bay of Bengal lay 800km from the Kanyakumari coast on Tuesday evening. It is likely to intensify further before crossing the Indian coast on December 4 early morning between Kanyakumari and Pamban, after making landfall near Trincomalee in Sri Lanka on December 2.

The system is expected to bring heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in many parts of south Tamil Nadu and light to moderate spells over Chennai for the next 48 hours. Burevi will be the second cyclonic storm in a week making landfall in Tamil Nadu after Cyclone Nivar crossed near Marakkanam on November 25 night. It is also the third cyclone, after Amphan and Nivar, to form over Bay of Bengal this year. The name "Burevi" has been given by Maldives, which means black mangroves.

IMD said at 5.30pm, the deep depression, which had strengthened from a depression on Tuesday morning and was moving at 9kmph, intensified into a cyclonic storm and lay centred at around 400km east-southeast of Trincomalee and 800km eastsoutheast of Kanyakumari.

The storm is likely to intensify further before making landfall close to Trincomalee on December 2 evening or night with a wind speed of 75-85kmph gusting to 95kmph. On the morning of December 3, the system is likely to emerge over the Gulf of Mannar and adjoining Comorin area. “It would then move west-southwestwards and cross south Tamil Nadu between Kanyakumari and Pamban on the early morning of December 4 between 2.30am and 5.30am,” IMD said.

According to IMD’s forecast track of the cyclone, the storm is likely to emerge again over the sea near south Kerala coast after crossing the south Tamil Nadu coast.

Satellite image of Cyclone Burevi released by the India Meteorological Department on Tuesday evening

429 students gain MBBS admission

429 students gain MBBS admission

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:02.12.2020

The selection committee allotted MBBS seats to 429 students and waitlisted nine candidates during the single window counselling on Tuesday. One candidate opted out of the counselling nine others did not turn up, a release from the committee said. The scrutiny committee has rejected a total of five applicants so far for not producing sufficient documents proving their nativity.

Counselling opened with 2,059 MBBS seats in government colleges and 1,060 seats in self-financing colleges. Students who scored between 916 and592in NEET2020werecalled for seat allotment. While 406 students were allotted seats in government medical colleges, 23 were accommodated in self-financing medical colleges.

By the end of the day, OC seatsin all government colleges, BC seats in all four Chennai colleges and in Madurai, Thanjavur, Chengalpet, Coimbatore, Salem and Trichy were taken. There were 541seats for BC, 89 for BCM, 507 for MBC, 409 for SC, 80 for SCA and 27 for ST category students in government colleges.

On Wednesday, when students with NEET score between 591 and 575 come for counselling, the committee will display 1,653 seats in government colleges and 1,037 seats in self-financing colleges. There are 151 BDS seats in government colleges and 985 in self-financing colleges.

In a blow to govt, HC says no all-pass sans arrear exams

In a blow to govt, HC says no all-pass sans arrear exams

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:02.12.2020

In a major setback to the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to grant all pass to several lakh area holding college students citing the pandemic, the Madras high court said no state university can declare results without conducting examinations either online or offline.

The court also made it clear that universities were free to conduct arrear exams despite the government order cancelling them. Wondering how the state could compel universities to cancel examinations with a GO, a division bench of Justice M Sathyanarayanan and Justice R Hemalatha said exams could now be conducted either online or offline or a combination of both.

The case was then posted for further hearing on January 11.

The HC passed the interim order on Tuesday, refusing to accept the state’s contention that the exams were cancelled in the interest of students and to safeguard lives. As to the allegation that some universities have already declared results, the bench directed such institutes not to proceed till further orders.

The issue pertains to a batch of pleas moved by former vice-chancellor of Anna University E Balagurusamy, advocate Ramkumar Adityan and others challenging the GO cancelling arrear exams.

When the plea came up for hearing, the UGC clarified that students who have not cleared backlogs would not be eligible for even a course completion certificate.

Earlier, the state department of higher education filed an affidavit justifying cancelling the exams, saying the decision was made only to alleviate distresses faced by the student community due to Covid-19.

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... 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.”

Students stream HC proceedings, invite court’s ire

Denied permission to view court proceedings on a batch of PILs challenging cancellation of arrear examinations, some students livestreamed the hearing on YouTube. A live feed, which was being viewed by thousands of students across Tamil Nadu for more than 30 minutes, was stopped as soon as the matter was reported to the judges.

Taking serious view of the continuous disruption of court proceedings by students and the latest livestream on YouTube, the judges warned that those responsible could face punishment for contempt of court. The court also clarified that henceforth hearing of cases regarding cancellation of arrear exams would be conducted only through physical mode.

When the pleas came up for hearing on November 20, more than 200 anxious students who stood to benefit from the cancellation disrupted the virual hearing, bringing it to a standstill in minutes. As they refused to heed the bench’s request to log out, the judges were forced to retire to their chambers. TNN

HC refused to accept the state’s contention that the exams were cancelled in the interest of students and directed institutes that have declared results to not proceed till further orders

'High Time That Candidates Be Made To Own Up For Their Mistakes': Madras High Court Rejects NEET Candidates' Plea For Change Of Community Status

'High Time That Candidates Be Made To Own Up For Their Mistakes': Madras High Court Rejects NEET Candidates' Plea For Change Of Community Status: Taking a strict view against NEET aspirants who wrongly mentioned their communal status as 'General' instead of 'OBC' in the applications, the Madras High Court remarked that Courts cannot keep on...

'High Time That Candidates Be Made To Own Up For Their Mistakes': Madras High Court Rejects NEET Candidates' Plea For Change Of Community Status

'High Time That Candidates Be Made To Own Up For Their Mistakes': Madras High Court Rejects NEET Candidates' Plea For Change Of Community Status 

Akshita Saxena

30 Nov 2020 8:24 PM 

Taking a strict view against NEET aspirants who wrongly mentioned their communal status as 'General' instead of 'OBC' in the applications, the Madras High Court remarked that Courts cannot keep on condoning the mistakes year after year, and such candidates must be made to own up for their mistakes. 

While dismissing a batch of writ petitions filed for change in their community status in the NEET applications after declaration of the result, a Bench of Justice Anand N. Venkatesh said, 

"Courts cannot keep on condoning the mistakes year after year and somewhere the Courts must close the gate and stop interfering in cases of this nature. Any directions issued by this Court results in overburdening the authorities to redo the entire exercise for the mistakes committed by some candidates. Considering the volume of applications received by the Testing Agency and preparing the rank list, it will not be fair to make the agency undertake the exercise of preparing the rank list all over again." 

The Judge added, 

"Such directions will also affect the rights of the other candidates who are participating in the same selection after giving the correct particulars. It is high time that the candidates will have to be made to own up for the mistakes committed by them. It is true that it will have an adverse effect on the aspiration of the 

The Petitioners' case was that while mentioning their communal status, they had identified themselves to fall under the Unreserved (UR) category and it is only when the results were declared and the scorecard was issued, did they realize that they had wrongly mentioned their category as UR, instead of OBC. 

It was stated that an inadvertent mistake committed while submitting the online application while filling up the category, should not be put against the young students, who are aspiring to undergo the medical course and become doctors. 

Rejecting these claims, the Court said, 

"In the present case, the mistake committed by the petitioners while filling up the category by itself cannot be seen as a factor which sealed the fate of the petitioners. The petitioners and other candidates were provided with various opportunities to make corrections in the particulars that were provided while filling up the online Application Form, including their category. Right from January 2020 up to September 2020, at least during eight occasions candidates were informed to make corrections if there are any mistakes in their applications submitted by them through online. It is not known as to why the petitioners did not utilize this opportunity to correct the category from UR to OBC. The stand taken by the petitioners that such opportunities given by the Testing Agency through online mode, was not known to them, is totally unacceptable to this Court." 

It sternly remarked, 

"Submitting the application through online mode has now become a norm and the students of the present generation are getting well acquainted with this new norm." 

The pleas were opposed by the National testing Agency, which submitted that the question of correcting the Petitioners' community cannot be entertained as it is their fault for not filling the application properly, notwithstanding the clear instructions given in the Information Bulletin. Apart from that, the authority submitted, the petitioners did not utilize as many 8 opportunities given to correct the online applications form. 

NTA further submitted that nearly 13.67 lakhs candidates had appeared in NEET examination and marks obtained by the Candidates on percentage wise as well as cut off score for counseling and ALL INDIA QUOTA seats were already declared. Thus, at this stage, it is not possible to make changes in the category of any of the candidates after perpetration of results as it will result in renumbering of the merit list etc., in respect of various categories of candidates. 

Concurring with these submissions, the Court said, 

"If the petitioners are permitted to change their category from UR to OBC after the rank list is published, it will definitely affect the substantive rights of other candidates who have given the correct information with regard to their category/communal status. If such correction is permitted at this stage, it will open floodgates and it will also result in the authorities redoing the entire exercise by preparing the rank list once again." 

Reliance was placed on ARManoj v. NTA, WP No. 16330/2019, whereby a coordinate Bench of the High Court rejected the claim made by the petitioners therein on the ground that the candidates who do not undertake the corrections in spite of several opportunities given to them, cannot be permitted to knock the doors of this Court after the rank list is published. 

"This Court must maintain some consistency in matters of this nature and more particularly when this Court has taken a particular view in the previous academic year, on the very same issue. If this Court keeps changing its views every academic year on the very same issue, it will bring inconsistency and result in utter chaos. The litigants, who approach this Court should be given a clear picture on the view taken in a particular issue and it should not keep vacillating from one Judge to another," Justice Venkatesh remarked. 

Further, he rejected to follow the precedent in B. Darshini v. CBSE & Ors., WP No. 20999/2017, where the High Court condoned the inadvertent mistake committed by the petitioners and permit them to participate in the selection under OBC category. 

The Judge noted that those were cases where the merit list was not issued and the counselling had not taken place when the request was made. Thus, he was of the opinion that those Orders will have no application in the present case since admittedly the merit list has already been published by the National Testing Agency. 

"Insofar as the Order passed in the Writ Appeal is concerned, it related to a completely different selection for Bachelor of Design conducted by National Institute of Fashion Technology. The Division Bench took into consideration the peculiar facts of the case and granted the relief. That does not mean that this Order can be taken as a precedent in every case where such mistakes are committed in filling up the application, forever. It must be borne in mind that a precedent cannot be followed mechanically by Courts without seeing the facts of the particular case. Even little difference in facts, can make a precedent inapplicable to the facts of a given case," the Court held. 

Case Title: S. Sivakumar v. Govt of India & Ors. 

MP Varsity Moves NMC, Health Ministry Seeking More Time On Reopening Of Medical Colleges

MP Varsity Moves NMC, Health Ministry Seeking More Time On Reopening Of Medical Colleges

By Sanchari Chattopadhyay

Published On 30 Nov 2020 5:59 PM 

Updated On 30 Nov 2020 5:59 PM 

Madhya Pradesh: Following the direction of the National Medical Commission (NMC) to open all the medical colleges by December 1st, the medical colleges under the Madhya Pradesh Medical Science University (MPMSU) has sought some more time from the government regarding the same. 

The Medical Colleges may not be able to restart the classes from December 1st. The University has recently forwarded a letter of NMC and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to the deans of all medical colleges in the state and sought their opinion on the re-opening of the medical colleges. 

All Medical Colleges To Reopen From December 1 The deans of several universities are suggesting that though they have secured the nod from the central government to start the classes, it will require several preparations to ensure that precaution is taken against the pandemic. NMC has already issued guidelines regarding the generic preventive measures of COVID-19 and the appropriate behavior of institutions regarding the same.

However, in order to follow the guidelines and to ensure the safety of all the medicos, the institutions will need to arrange safety measures before opening the colleges. Also Read - MBBS candidates need to be physically present for admission process at allotted medical college: MP DME Vice-Chancellor of MPMSU Dr. TN Dubey told Fresspress Journal, "We have initiated discussions and taking advice from the state government over the orders of NMC. We have also asked the Deans of all medical colleges to give their opinion on the same. Decisions will be taken after discussing the government and the medical colleges." The colleges will also need to fix the quarantine time period for the students and then necessary decisions regarding the same should be taken as student's safety cannot be compromised. 

Meanwhile, Dean of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College Dr. Sanjay Dixit also stated, "University has asked us to give our opinion over the same. We have informed the university about our stand and will take steps according to the orders by them." However, according to the daily, another private medical college at Indore has already completed preparations to hold classes for MBBS and BDS medicos and has already issued a circular suggesting the same.

Before reopening the colleges, the institute has to ensure that all the instructions of NMC, like maintaining a physical distance of 6 fits, following respiratory etiquettes, using masks, and arranging all kinds of sanitization measures, are properly followed.

https://medicaldialogues.in/state-news/madhya-pradesh/mp-varsity-moves-nmc-health-ministry-seeking-more-time-on-reopening-of-medical-colleges-71978

Madras HC censures Tamil Nadu for withdrawing Ex-IAS officer U Sagayam’s security

Madras HC censures Tamil Nadu for withdrawing Ex-IAS officer U Sagayam’s security

The bench directed the state to maintain the status quo of the protection provided to Sagayam and other officers as on March 16, 2018, till further orders.

Published: 30th November 2020 09:49 PM 

By Harish Murali

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Pulling up the Tamil Nadu government for withdrawing the security provided to retired IAS officer U Sagayam, who probed the illegal granite mining scam, the Madras High Court on Monday observed that revoking the protection for special officers violates the court’s orders.

"We had made it clear in our order dated March 16, 2018 that no person, who is involved in carrying out the duties assigned by the court should be victimised or threatened, in any manner, and this is sovereign duty of the State to effect necessary protection to those concerned, who have discharged duty in accordance with law," a special bench, comprising Justices T S Sivagnanam and G Jayachandran, observed.

The bench directed the state to maintain the status quo of the protection provided to Sagayam and other officers as on March 16, 2018, till further orders.

The issue relates to a PIL moved by Traffic KR Ramaswamy in 2014 that the state had incurred a heavy loss due to the irregularities in granting mining leases.

During the hearing, the state also submitted that several districts had already begun to take measures in installing cameras in district borders as well as in the state.

Advocate General Vijay Narayan also said that some of the districts have approached ELCOT for assistance in setting up the cameras and sought at least two months for compliance.

The bench, during the hearing, also raised queries on the data collected to be shared within the department. "It is the revenue department that seizes the granites and takes action, however, based on the report submitted it appears the police department has the maximum number of cameras set up across the state,” said the bench.

The special bench refused to grant the time sought, and directed the state’s chief secretary to complete the installation expeditiously and file a status report on December 11.