Kamal Haasan to contest in assembly polls

Kamal Haasan to contest in assembly polls; meets biz leaders, advocates

With New Players Entering The Field, Ruling Party Puts House In Order

Keeps Mum On Constituency Or Alliances

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Madurai: 15.12.2020

Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan on Monday said he will contest in the upcoming assembly election in Tamil Nadu. “But it will not be appropriate now to divulge the constituency from where I will contest,” he said.

Interacting with reporters in Madurai before proceeding to campaign in Theni, Kamal, when asked if he saw Rajinikanth as his opponent in politics, said they were not competitors even in the film industry, but an impression had been created as if they were rivals. “We both had clear separate paths which we pursued,” he said. Asked if there was any chance team up with Rajinikanth, Kamal said the right time had to come for it. “We will have to wait till December 31to reply to that,” he said.

On whether he was in talks with any party to form a third front as proposed by him, Kamal said, “It is party secret. It will not be good to divulge it now. We will announce it soon.” When asked why the Tamil Nadu government had restricted his campaign, Kamal said the state government could be afraid that MNM would win the support of people. He said the party’s election manifesto would give importance to a corruption-free government in the state. “Nothing could be changed by merely punishing people in the lower rung of the government. Things have to start from the higher level,” he said. Asked if he would be against corporates, Kamal said it would be foolish to say that there should not be any big corporates. “Big businesses have to take place in order to build big cities. Micro and small industries should also equally flourish,” he said. On Monday afternoon, Kamal left for Theni. He opened a party office at Usilampatti where a large number of people had gathered to greet him. Talking to women party cadres in Theni, Kamal said that there would be a minimum of 20 women achievers in his cabinet. “MNM is the only party where women can function freely,” he said. “Deputy chief minister O Pannerselvam said women can rule 2.5 years out of five years, but why didn't he come forward to hand over key party posts to women in the AIADMK?” he asked.

Earlier in Madurai, the actor held meetings with businessmen and advocates in a private hotel on his second day in Madurai.

BJP forms panel for poll manifesto

Chennai: President of BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit L Murugan constituted a10-member election manifesto preparation committee. Former national secretary H Raja, vice presidents V P Duraisamy and K Annamalai and general secretaries Prof Ganagasapathy, Rama Srinivasan, national general council member Sasikala Pushpa were among them. TNN

MNM is the only party where women can function freely. Deputy chief minister OPS said that women can rule 2.5 years out of five years, but why didn't he come forward to hand over key party posts to women in the AIADMK

Kamal Haasan | MNM LEADER

With 33 new +ve cases, IIT-M Covid tally 104 since Dec 1

With 33 new +ve cases, IIT-M Covid tally 104 since Dec 1

Most Cases Are From Two Hostels

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 15.12.2020

At least 33 people tested positive for Covid-19 at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras on Monday, taking the case tally on the campus to 104, including 87 students. Test results of nearly 400 more people are being awaited.

The institute had reopened for final year students on December 1.

Besides students, 16 mess workers and one staff member residing in the guest house have tested positive. More than 90 people who tested positive were admitted to an isolation ward at the King Institute of Preventive Medicine in Guindy. “At least 23% of those tested so far were positive. But doctors told us that tests including X-ray and CT scans show mild infection. All patients are stable and are being closely monitored,” said health secretary J Radhakrishnan, who visited the hospital.

He later visited the campus and held discussions with IIT-M director Bhaskar Ramamurthi. “All residents on the campus have been tested. We are also asking those who visited the campus in the last 15 days to get themselves tested,” he said. Chennai Corporation regional deputy commissioner (south) Alby John said the campus has been fumigated and all residents have been tested. "We have asked people to wear masks and maintain social distance at all times," he said.

While classes are being held online, the academic zone, including departments, labs and libraries, is shut. Students have been asked to quarantine themselves in hostels. A spokesperson said most cases were reported from two hostels, apart from a few cases from seven other hostels.

On Monday, several students said the management was not isolating those with symptoms of the infection until tests results arrived. “A student with fever, cough and cold is drinking water from the same tap we use and is using the same toilet. We are afraid that other students may get infected," said a student of a masters degree programme.

CAUTION NEEDED: A view of the IIT Madras campus. On Monday, health secretary J Radhakrishnan held discussions with institute director Bhaskar Ramamurthi to take stock of the situation

Police quiz father-daughter duo in NEET cheating case

Police quiz father-daughter duo in NEET cheating case

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:  15.12.2020

The Periamet police who sent summons to an MBBS aspirant and her father who tried to secure a medical seat by submitting fake NEET scorecard questioned the due on Monday.

Police will soon bring the father-daughter duo to Chennai for questioning.

On November 30, Deeksha who had scored only 27 marks in NEET UG 2020 reached the counselling centre in Chennai with her father Balachandran, a desntist. At the centre, she allegedly claimed to be another candidate who had scored 610 and told the authorities that she had not received her call for counselling. She also submitted a rank list with the photo and roll number of herself against 610 marks.

After the authorities found her wrongdoing a further probe revealed that the aspirant had forged her scorecard. “They were asked to appear for a probe. Only a detailed inquiry will reveal how she managed to forge or is there a larger network involved," said an investigating officer.

DVAC raid discovers ₹1crore cash, 1kg gold at official’s residence

DVAC raid discovers ₹1crore cash, 1kg gold at official’s residence

Siddharth.Prabhakar@timesgroup.com

Chennai:  15.12.2020 

Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) officials on Monday raided the office and residence of an office superintendent in the state department of environment and discovered more than ₹1 crore in cash and 1 kg of gold.

The counting of cash at the official’s Saligramam residence was still on at the time of going to press, officials said. Earlier in the day, the agency found ₹88,500 in unaccounted money from the office superintendent’s office at Saidapet’s Panagal Maligai where all senior environment department officials sit.

A DVAC official said the superintendent is only a member of the clerical staff, but influential. “Top Indian Forest Service (IFS) officials were also wary of him. He would threaten to transfer other officials if they did not listen to him,” he said.

The superintendent dealt with files pertaining to environmental clearances given to builders and industries. “This makes him a very important person as any proposal or clearance could be rejected if he was not taken care of,” the official said.

From the cash seized at his office and residence, DVAC officials are clear that most of the transactions were done through cash. “We are also probing if he is a conduit for other officials,” said another official. Based on the documents and other evidence seized at his residence, DVAC will register a disproportionate assets case against him, the official added.

The raid at the residence of the environment department official at Saligramam was on at the time of going to press

Distancing norms go for toss as air traffic soars

Distancing norms go for toss as air traffic soars

Passengers Careless Inside All Terminals

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:  15.12.2020

As the number of passengers has increased, social distancing measures have gone for a toss inside the terminals at Chennai airport.

There seems to be a mismatch between precautions followed inflight and norms adheared to during boarding and disembarking, especially when shuttle buses are used.

Often, precautions are taken seriously inflight but not inside the terminals where passengers appear more relaxed and careless during morning peak hours.

Sources said that passengers tend to follow the norms at all stages of the departure process.

"They try to crowd around ticket counters outside the terminals, at the baggage drop area and also during the boarding process. There are spots marked on the floor to ensure that people stand on them but none follows this. No one listens too," said an airport official. While there is some semblance of order and discipline in the departure terminal, it's chaotic at the arrival terminals. Passengers crowd around the baggage conveyor.

In most of the instances, airlines allot more than one flight to a baggage conveyor making more than 200 passengers to crowd around waiting to pick up the bags.

As the number of arriving passengers are more than departure, the crowding is more in the arrival terminal.

Jacob R, a passenger who arrived from Kochi on Sunday, said, "The safety protocol inflight was excellent. There were announcements and people behaved well. But everything went for a toss when people disembarked. The shuttle bus was packed with passengers. This defeats the whole purpose of following health safety rules inside the aircraft.”

He also said, "There was very little scope for maintaining social distance inside the bus as people were standing rubbing shoulders to each others."

Rules say that there should be only 15 to 20 passengers in one shuttle bus. This is followed often for departures but not always for arrivals.

"People are lowering their guard as lockdown restrictions have been relaxed and life is coming back to normal. That is being reflected at the airport too. Procedures have been tweaked to ensure minimum passenger-staff contact inside the terminals and inflight. The departure process is digital. The airline staff and the security staff follow the rules," said an airline official.

The airport now handles more than 20,000 passengers and more than 200flights per day.

A file photo shows people violating social distancing norms at a counter at the airport

A walk on the Marina, after 9 months

OPEN TO ALL

A walk on the Marina, after 9 months

SOPs Violated, Sands Unclean; Besant Nagar Beach Barricaded

Komal.Gautham@timesgroup.com

15.12.2020

Riyaz Khan, a resident of Sowcarpet, had been going for a walk along the lanes near his house all these nine months. He had known those lanes for years, but morning walks along them seemed strange. On Monday, he was back in familiar territory. Shut for nine months due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Marina was finally declared open.

“After nine months I walked on the sand and I felt very happy,” Riyaz said.

Walkers, cyclists, fitness enthusiasts, nature lovers and casual visitors flocked the beach in droves. However, absence of standard operating procedures was a concern, and a littered beach and damaged equipment marred the experience of an outing long awaited. “No one was following the standard safety protocol,” said Riyaz.

At Besant Nagar, though, there was little activity. The beach was barricaded and the usual pomp on the promenade were missing. The park equipment were broken and sanitary workers had begun cleaning the beach only on Monday morning. Damaged shanties stood in heaps on the sand.

On the Marina, corporation and police personnel did not regulate visitors or check them for Covid symptoms. While all push carts, recreational and park equipment were not functional, most of the visitors did not wear masks.

“We do not have standard operating procedures so we do not know how to regulate the crowd now. Police officials ensured barricades were placed so that two-wheelers and cars were not allowed in the service lanes,” said a senior corporation official from the Teynampet zone.

Asked about the lack of cleanliness, the official said beach-cleaning machines were deployed. “We have cleaned the beach every day even when the visitors were not there. At Besant Nagar, cleaning began in the morning and the new contractor cleared garbage from the service lane,” said an official.

The official said vendors are yet to open shops. “We are waiting for a few more days for the SOPs to come,” he said.

Besant Nagar, an official said, will be barricaded during the New Year and Pongal holidays and people will not be allowed near the water. U Rakesh, a resident of Adyar, said he was eagerly waiting for the beach to open. “I usually go cycling and I missed the beach a lot. I am very happy that it is now open. However, we have to wait and see how the crowd behaves as New Year and Pongal are coming,” he said.

MARINA

BESANT NAGAR

MAMALLAPURAM

TOWARDS NORMALCY: Chennai residents flocked to the Marina beach on Monday morning. But the buzz was missing at the Besant Nagar beach. Tourists returned to Mamallapuram which may again get crowded in the weekend

1K visit Mamallapuram, big crowd expected this weekend

1K visit Mamallapuram, big crowd expected this weekend

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

15.12.2020

About 1,000 tourists visited the monuments at Mamallapuram on Monday, nine months after the heritage sites were shut following the outbreak of Covid-19. The number of visits on the first day was about 40% of entries recorded on pre-Covid weekdays, when an average of 2,000 to 3,000 explored the heritage site.

While visitors started trickling in from 9am, the numbers swelled post noon. Those entering the Shore Temple, Five Rathas, Krishna Butterball and Tiger Caves were subjected to thermal screening before their tickets were scanned. According to sources, most tourists visited all the monuments.

Archaeological Survey of India officials are expecting the number of entries to increase and reach the peak during weekends. There is a cap on the entry with an upper limit of 2,000 individuals a day in the light of Covid-19.

“If one goes by the number of people who thronged Mamallapuram on Sunday, when the monuments remained shut, it will be a packed weekend for the ASI monuments on coming Saturday and Sunday,” an official said.

Rajini’s name in TN party’s poll application

Rajini’s name in TN party’s poll application

Bharti.Jain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi: 15.12.2020

A political party called ‘Makkal Sevai Katchi’ in Tamil Nadu, which has been allotted the election symbol ‘autorickshaw’ by the Election Commission of India, had mentioned actor Rajinikanth’s name in the application. The applicant, whose name was not disclosed, had sought the ‘twofinger pose’ or ‘hasta mudra’ symbol (made famous by Rajini in the 2002 film ‘Baba’) as the first preference.

Autorickshaw holds significance to Rajini’s clout among masses

The EC is understood to have denied the ‘hasta mudra symbol’ as it bears resemblance to the Indian National Congress’s ‘hand’ symbol. ‘Autorickshaw’ is reminiscent of the 1995 Rajini blockbuster ‘Baashha’. Sources told TOI that Makkal Sevai Katchi is the new name of the party after the applicant got a previously registered named, ‘Anaithindhia Makkal Shakthi Kazhagam’ changed through an EC notification issued two-and-a-half months ago. The application for the symbol mentioned the party’s intention to contest all the 234 assembly seats in Tamil Nadu.

While the list of political parties notified by the Commission on March 15, 2019, included ‘Anaithindhia Makkal Shakthi Kazhagam’, with its headquarters at Ernavoor, Chennai, as entry number 237, an amended list notified by the poll panel on September 30, 2020, said entry no 237 was being revised to ‘Makkal Sevai Katchi’.

In the film ‘Baba’ produced by Rajini, the protagonist starts off as an atheist and, after a chance meeting with Mahavatar Babaji in the Himalayas, returns to place his own government in power. In the movie, Rajini made the ‘hasta mudra’ – thumb holding down middle and ring fingers, with the forefinger and little finger raised – as a style statement. The film flopped. Autorickshaw holds significance to the superstar’s clout among the masses, since he played the role of an auto driver in his biggest blockbuster ‘Baashha’ which catapulted him to a different commercial league in Indian film industry.

(With inputs from D Govardan in Chennai)

Gmail, GPay, YouTube suffer global outage

Gmail, GPay, YouTube suffer global outage

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi: 15.12.2020

For millions, the world stopped a little after 5 pm on Monday. Several ‘essential’ services of the internet age — Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive, Maps and GPay — went down simultaneously for about an hour. The outage occurred across India, United States, Canada, Europe, Central and South America. A user, Kshitij, shared an image of a group of cavemen making fire, to sum up the online mood. “An illustration of what life without Google feels like in 2020,” he wrote.

Users said they were unable to access their emails, watch videos or access their documents stored on Google Cloud, owned by technology giant Alphabet Inc. Google Cloud later tweeted that the outage was caused “due to an internal storage quota issue” and that the problem had been “resolved”. According to real-time outage tracker downdetector.com, the disruption in all the services began around 5.30pm. At the peak of the disruption, YouTube was the worst impacted.

On Twitter, Google was the top trend globally with over 1,518k tweets, followed by Gmail with over 298K tweets. In India, too, the outage caused a tsunami of tweets and memes on the microblogging site. #googledown, #YouTubeDown and gmail were the top three trends around 9pm, with 102k, 175k and 307k tweets.

HC raps CBSE for ‘treating students like enemies’

HC raps CBSE for ‘treating students like enemies’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi: 15.12.2020

Delhi High Court on Monday rapped the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for its “anti-student attitude” and observed that it is “treating students as enemies” by dragging them in prolonged litigation.

A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan made the remarks while hearing aplea by CBSE opposing an earlier court order that improvement candidates be included in the reassessment scheme for students whose board exams got cancelled due to Covid-19.

“We don’t like this anti-student attitude of CBSE. You are dragging students all the way to the Supreme Court. Should they be studying or going to court? We should start imposing costs on the board...you are treating students as enemies,” an irked bench observed.

Addressing the issue at hand, it asked CBSE to explain “what is the harm” if the scheme applies to all improvement students.

A single-judge had held on August 14 that the scheme approved by the Supreme Court for assessing students due to cancellation of CBSE exams in light of Covid-19 will also apply to students, who appeared for improvement examinations as they are equal victims of the pandemic.

“There is no earthshaking emergency for you to come to court now all guns blazing,” the bench pointed out, adding that CBSE should have itself gone to the apex court to seek a clarification, instead of dragging students to court.

The August 14 order had come on a plea by a student who appeared in the CBSE Class XII exams but sought improvement since one of the papers was cancelled. The court had directed CBSE to issue a corrected marksheet, which was done. However, it also challenged the order.

The high court issued notice to the student and sought his reply to the CBSE’s plea. The bench listed the matter for hearing on February 5, 2021.

High Courts Weekly Roundup [Dec 7 – Dec 13]

High Courts Weekly Roundup [Dec 7 – Dec 13]: Summation of important High Court orders this week

SC refuses to stay Kerala HC order barring govt to remit fee from NRI students to BPL corpus for MBBS education

SC refuses to stay Kerala HC order barring govt to remit fee from NRI students to BPL corpus for MBBS education: Kerala: The Supreme Court has refused to issue a stay on the Kerala High Court order barring the state to remit a portion of fees fixed for NRI medical students to a corpus fund for sponsoring the...

UP increases Compulsory Bond service for PG Medical passouts to 10 years, adds Rs 1 crore penalty for leaving job in between

UP increases Compulsory Bond service for PG Medical passouts to 10 years, adds Rs 1 crore penalty for leaving job in between: Lucknow: In a major policy decision affecting the future of thousands of Postgraduate doctors in Uttar Pradesh, the government has decided to introduce a 10-year bond service for medicos

5.73 லட்சம் சர்க்கரை ரேஷன் கார்டுகளை மாற்ற திட்டம்: விண்ணப்பங்கள் குவிகிறது

5.73 லட்சம் சர்க்கரை ரேஷன் கார்டுகளை மாற்ற திட்டம்: விண்ணப்பங்கள் குவிகிறது

2020-12-13@ 11:57:30

கோவை: தமிழகத்தில் 35,244 ரேஷன் கடைகள் உள்ளது. இந்த கடைகளில் 2,10,92,515 ரேஷன் கார்டுகள் பயன்பாட்டில் இருக்கிறது. அரிசி ரேஷன் கார்டு, அந்தியோதயா திட்ட கார்டுகள், அனைத்து பொருட்களும் பெரும் வகையிலான ரேஷன் கார்டு, சர்க்கரை கார்டுகள், போலீஸ், வனத்துறை ரேஷன் கார்டுகள் போன்றவை பயன்பாட்டில் இருக்கிறது. இவற்றில் சர்க்கரை ரேஷன் கார்டுகளை பொதுமக்கள் விரும்பினால் அரிசி கார்டுகளாக மாற்றம் செய்யலாம் என உணவு பொருட்கள் வழங்கல் பிரிவு அறிவித்துள்ளது.

இந்த அறிவிப்பின்படி மாநில அளவில் ரேஷன் கார்டுகள் வகை மாற்றம் செய்வதற்கான விண்ணப்பங்கள் குவிந்து வருகிறது. மாநில அளவில் 10,25,565 சர்க்கரை கார்டுகள் பயன்பாட்டில் இருந்தது. இவற்றில் கடந்த ஆண்டு அக்டோபர் மாதம் 4,51,614 சர்க்கரை ரேஷன் கார்டுகள் அரிசி கார்டுகளாக வகை மாற்றம் செய்யப்பட்டது. கடந்த ஆண்டு நவம்பர் மாதம் வரை மட்டும் இரு மாதங்களுக்கு மட்டுமே இந்த அவகாசம் வழங்கப்பட்டிருந்தது. தற்போது மீண்டும் வழங்கல் பிரிவினர் கார்டு வகை மாற்றம் செய்ய அறிவிப்பு வெளியிட்டுள்ளது.

வரும் 20ம் தேதி விண்ணப்பிக்கலாம். ஆன்லைனில் www.tnepds.gov.in என்ற வெப்சைட்டில் விண்ணப்பிக்க முடியும். விண்ணப்பதாரர்கள் தங்களது ஆதார் கார்டு, ஸ்மார்ட் கார்டு ஸ்கேன் செய்து அந்த விபரங்களை பதிவேற்றம் செய்தால் வரும் 20ம் தேதிக்கு பிறகு வகை மாற்றம் செய்ய முடியும். இல்லாவிட்டால் சம்பந்தப்பட்ட தாலுகா அலுவலகங்களில் ரேஷன் கார்டு நகல், ஆதார் கார்டு நகல் அளித்து கார்டு வகை மாற்றம் செய்யலாம் என வழங்கல் பிரிவினர் தெரிவித்துள்ளனர். மாநில அளவில் 5,73,951 ரேஷன் கார்டுகள் வகை மாற்றம் செய்ய வேண்டியுள்ளது.

தேர்தல் நெருங்கி வருவதால் பல்வேறு சலுகை திட்டங்களை பெற இந்த வகை மாற்றம் உதவியாக இருக்கும். கடந்த காலங்களில் அரிசி கார்டுதாரர்களுக்கு பல்வேறு உதவி தொகைகள், பரிசுகள் வழங்கப்பட்டது. சர்க்கரை கார்டுதாரர்கள் உதவி திட்டத்தில் பயன்பெற முடியவில்லை. அனைத்து தரப்பினரும் பயன்பெற அ.தி.மு.க. அரசு இப்படி ஒரு சலுகை அறிவிப்பை வெளியிட்டிருப்பதாக தெரிகிறது. அரசு அறிவிப்பின்படி கார்டு வகை மாற்றம் செய்ய விண்ணப்பங்கள் ஏராளமாக குவிந்து வருகிறது.

24 மணி நேரமும் ஆா்டிஜிஎஸ் சேவை: ரிசா்வ் வங்கி

24 மணி நேரமும் ஆா்டிஜிஎஸ் சேவை: ரிசா்வ் வங்கி

அதிக மதிப்பிலான பரிவா்த்தனைக்கு பயன்படுத்தப்படும் ரியல் டைம் கிராஸ் செட்டில்மெண்ட் சிஸ்டம் (ஆா்டிஜிஎஸ்) 24 மணி நேர சேவை திங்கள்கிழமை (டிச.14) (ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை நள்ளிரவு) முதல் அமலுக்கு வந்துள்ளது.

இதுகுறித்து ரிசா்வ் வங்கி ஆளுநா் சக்திகாந்த தாஸ் வெளியிட்டுள்ள சுட்டுரைப் பதிவில் தெரிவித்துள்ளதாவது: அனைவரும் ஆவலுடன் எதிா்பாா்த்த ஆா்டிஜிஎஸ் சேவை திங்கள்கிழமை (ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை நள்ளிரவு 12.30 மணி) முதல் அமலுக்கு வந்துள்ளது. இந்த சேவை இனி வாரத்தின் 7 நாள்களும் 24 மணி நேரமும் ஆண்டு முழுவதும் கிடைக்கும். இதனை சாத்தியமாக்கிய ஐஎஃப்டிஏஎஸ் மற்றும் ரிசா்வ் வங்கி குழுவினருக்கு பாராட்டுகளை தெரிவித்துக் கொள்கிறேன்.

ஆா்டிஜிஎஸ் சேவையை 24 மணி நேரமும் செயல்படுத்தும் ஒருசில உலக நாடுகளின் பட்டியலில் தற்போது இந்தியாவும் இணைந்துள்ளது என்று சக்திகாந்த தாஸ் அந்தப் பதிவில் தெரிவித்துள்ளாா்.

ஆா்டிஜிஎஸ் சேவையை ஆண்டு முழுவதும் 24 மணி நேரமும் வழங்க நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும் என்று ரிசா்வ் வங்கி கடந்த அக்டோபா் மாதம் அறிவித்தது நினைவுகூரத்தக்கது.

குறைந்த மதிப்பிலான பணப்பரிவா்த்தனைகளுக்கு நெஃப்ட் (என்இஃப்ட்) சேவை பிரபலமாக உள்ளது. ஆனால், அதிக மதிப்பிலான பணப்பரிவா்த்தனைகளுக்கான ஆா்டிஜிஎஸ் சேவை முன்பு காலை 7 மணி முதல் மாலை 6 மணி வரை மட்டுமே வழங்கப்பட்டு வந்தது. இந்த நிலையில், தற்போது அந்த சேவை 24 மணி நேரமும் கிடைக்கும் என ரிசா்வ் வங்கி அறிவித்துள்ளது.

ஆா்டிஜிஎஸ் சேவை கடந்த 2004-ஆம் ஆண்டு மாா்ச் 26-ஆம் தேதி அறிமுகப்படுத்தப்பட்டது. தற்போது, 237 வங்கிகள் பங்களிப்புடன் தினமும் ரூ.4.17 லட்சம் கோடி மதிப்பிலான 6.35 லட்சம் பரிவா்த்தனைகள் ஆா்டிஜிஎஸ் மூலம் மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டு வருகின்றன.

Dailyhunt

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திருப்பதி - வைகுண்ட ஏகாதசி: தினசரி 10,000 தரிசன டோக்கன்கள்

திருப்பதி - வைகுண்ட ஏகாதசி: தினசரி 10,000 தரிசன டோக்கன்கள்  வெளியிட தேவஸ்தானம் முடிவு செய்துள்ளது.

வைகுண்ட ஏகாதசியின்போது ஏழுமலையானை தரிசிக்கும் பக்தா்களின் வசதிக்காக திருப்பதியில் தினமும் 10 ஆயிரம் சா்வ தரிசன டோக்கன்களை வெளியிட தேவஸ்தானம் முடிவு செய்துள்ளது.

இந்த ஆண்டு வைகுண்ட ஏகாதசியையொட்டி திருமலையில் 10 நாள்களுக்கு சொக்க வாசல் திறந்து வைக்கப்பட உள்ளது. இதற்காக வரும் 25ஆம் தேதி முதல் ஜனவரி 3ஆம் தேதி வரை தினந்தோறும் 20 ஆயிரம் வீதம் 2 லட்சம் விரைவு தரிசன டிக்கெட்டுகள் தேவஸ்தான இணையளத்தில் வெளியிடப்பட்டு பக்தா்களால் முன்பதிவு செய்யப்பட்டு விட்டது.

இந்நிலையில், திருப்பதியில் உள்ள பூதேவி காம்ப்ளக்ஸ், சீனிவாசம் உள்ளிட்ட 5 இடங்களில் வைகுண்ட ஏகாதசிக்கான சா்வ தரிசன டோக்கன்களை வெளியிட தேவஸ்தானம் தயாராகி வருகிறது. அதன்படி தினசரி 10 ஆயிரம் சா்வ தரிசன டோக்கன்கள் வரும் 24ஆம் தேதி அதிகாலை முதல் வெளியிடப்பட உள்ளன.

இந்த டிக்கெட்டுகளை முன்பதிவு செய்து கொள்ள விரும்பும் பக்தா்கள் ஒரு நாள் முன்னதாக திருப்பதிக்கு வந்து வரிசையில் காத்திருந்து பெற்றுக் கொள்ள வேண்டும் என்று தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

Dailyhunt

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

Half-yearly exams in govt schools deferred

Half-yearly exams in govt schools deferred

Private schools to finish exams by Dec 24 so that students can have Christmas vacation

Published: 13th December 2020 06:34 AM |

By Sushmitha Ramakrishnan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan on Saturday announced the postponement of half yearly exams in government schools. Revised exam schedule will be announced later. Private schools, however, have decided to conduct the exams online.

While the private schools have been conducting online classes, only resort for the government school students were lessons broadcasted on Kalvi TV. Schools in Tamil Nadu remain shut in fear of a second round of contagion and government schools students, who mostly hail from poor family backgrounds, may not be able to take the exams online.

“The government should resume in-person classes for at least Class 12 students. They will be severely under-prepared for public exams if they are not trained now,” said Tamil Nadu Government Teachers Association leader PK Ilamaran. “The government should announce the priority syllabus, based on which public exam question paper would be set.

It was announced that 40 per cent of syllabus will be slashed. But we do not know it,” he added. Preparations for half-yearly exams are already underway in private schools. Tamil Nadu Matriculation, Higher Secondary and CBSE Schools Association leader KR Nandhakumar said that private schools have agreed to complete exams by December 24, so that students can have Christmas vacation.

“We are expect ing in-person classes to resume by the first week of January,” he said. “This time, there is more weightage for objective and MCQ questions. It is easier to test students online using this format,” Nandhakumar added. However, some schools have asked students to write exam and send scanned pictures within designated time after the completion of tests. Other schools are increasing the weightage of cumulative assessments and class tests in the exam’s total score.

Former bank manager held in car loan racket case

 

TN may se rain again from december 16

 

Medical aspirant caught in a border row

 

Son seeks details of doctors other staff after fathers death

 

Administrative reasons cant justify transfer. HC

 https://epaper.thehindu.com/Home/ShareArticle?OrgId=GT982IVPT.1&imageview=1

After being closed since march beaches to be reopened to day

 

UGC to disburse stipend sans institute’s monthly nod

UGC to disburse stipend sans institute’s monthly nod

The research scholars will no longer have to submit multiple documents signed by the university officials to receive the fellowship stipend amid the pandemic, reports Sheetal Banchariya

14.12.2020

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to release the research fellowship funds without the monthly confirmation from institutions.

The stipend is being released through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode, which credits the stipend amount directly to the bank accounts of the research scholars.

Bhushan Patwardhan, vice chairman, UGC, tells Education Times that since institutions are involved at all the important junctures in the fellowship process, there is no dire need for monthly confirmation and most often there are no major changes in the details of bonafide scholars on a monthly basis.

“As pandemic has made it difficult for the institutes to function and no scholars can visit the campuses, it is practical to move ahead with an alternative approach. Earlier, there was a delay in transferring the stipend due to some technical problems and issues with Canara bank. But, now things have been sorted,” Patwardhan says.

Faisal Nazir from Sitamarhi, Bihar, a recipient of Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) pursuing PhD from Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) faced tremendous problems in getting the stipend in the last five months.

He hopes the move will help him receive his stipend without hassle. “We submit forms of continuation, HRA and contingency after getting the documents signed from the supervisor, HoD and registrar. This is a tedious process for those away from the campus as it involves paperwork and frequent visits to the university,” he says.

While there is relief among scholars regarding timely disbursal of stipend, direct transfer of amounts without institutes' monthly confirmation may lead to financial chaos.

Patwardhan says that the paperwork including the details of bank account and fellowships are completed by the institutes and there are no frequent changes. Besides, the UGC follows an evaluation process where review reports are to be submitted by the institutes, which negates any possibility of unethical practice.

Shamim Ahmad received Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) at JNU but could not upgrade to SRF due to the pandemic. He has not received any stipend since November 2019.

“The SRF meeting was fixed on March 24, 2020, but was cancelled due to coronavirus outbreak. After the second meeting in October, I got the SRF committee report after one month, which I summited to the university branch. However, I have not been upgraded yet. I was unable to pay the mess bill and faced difficulties in continuing my research; hence I returned to my hometown in Bihar, but I want to return to Delhi as soon as possible,” Ahmad says.

HC seeks info on vacant archaeology teaching posts

HC seeks info on vacant archaeology teaching posts

Madurai: 14.12.2020

Madras high court has sought response from universities in TN over teaching posts lying vacant in archeology and allied courses due to which the courses were reportedly not being conducted properly.

Deputy director of state archeology department R Sivanandam submitted that archeology courses are available in Tamil University in Thanjavur and University of Madras, Chennai and more students were interested in archeology and epigraphy. There are prospects for students in the department as well as in ASI. A division bench of Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice B Pugalendhi suo-motu impleaded the registrars of the universities as respondents and sought response as to whether the teaching posts have been filled and how many were vacant.

The judges said with regard to the appointment to be made in the archeology department, it was stated examinations were conducted, results were published and the postings would be made soon. The judges said the salary of ₹5,000 for caretakers of monuments, which are treasuresof the nation,isless.Thecase was adjourned to December 18 for further hearing. TNN

Salem-B’luru NH accident: Truck driver arrested

Salem-B’luru NH accident: Truck driver arrested

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Dharmapuri:  14.12.2020

Hours after the complete mayhem on Thoppur ghat road on Salem-Bengaluru National Highway, where a speeding container truck crashed into 12 cars, a minivan, a truck and a bike, killing four and injuring seven others, police arrested the truck driver in the early hours of Sunday.

The Thoppur police identified the accused as Qutbuddin, 32, of Jharkhand. A police officer said the driver was hiding in a nearby forest, fearing arrest.

Pravesh Kumar, district superintendent of police, said they were questioning the truck driver to know what caused the accident. “We don’t know whether he had dozed off at the wheel. He was driving fast and it seems he had lost control over the vehicle.”

He said transport department officials were checking the truck for a possible brake failure.

Pointing out that the stretch has sharp curves and inclines, Kumar said some drivers were in the habit of driving the vehicles on neutral mode to save fuel. “It is difficult to control a vehicle when driven on neutral mode. There is also a possibility that the truck might have been on neutral mode when the incident occurred.”

The SP said while the driver was speeding the truck, he hadn’t crossed the speed limits as the truck was equipped with speed governor.

The Thoppur police, meanwhile, took the driver to the Dharmapuri government medical college and hospital for Covid-19 testing.

“We will lodge him in the Salem Central Prison after getting the test report,” a police officer said.

1 killed as truck rams bike from behind

A 23-year-old man was killed after a truck rammed his bike near Masinaickenpatty on Salem-Chennai National Highway on Sunday while he was on his way to appear for the written examination for the recruitment of Grade-II police constables, jail wardens and firemen.

Police identified the deceased as M Periyannan, of Dharapuram Kattuvalavu village near Omalur in the district. After completing Class XII, he had been preparing for the Grade-II recruitment examination. According to a police officer, the examination centre that was allocated to Periyannan was a private arts and science college at Ramalingapuram on the NH. “When he neared Masinaickenpatty around 7.30am, the truck hit his bike from behind. Periyannan was thrown off from the bike and his head hit the parapet wall on roadside. He died on the spot.” TNN

The Thoppur police identified the accused as Qutbuddin, 32, of Jharkhand. A police officer said the driver was hiding in a nearby forest, fearing arrest

Why build ₹1000cr parl complex: Kamal to PM

Why build ₹1000cr parl complex: Kamal to PM

Sets Off Poll Campaign At Madurai

Devanathan.Veerappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai/Madurai:  14.12.2020

Makkal Needhi Maiam founder Kamal Haasan has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to spell out the rationale behind constructing a new Parliament building for about Rs 1,000 crore “when half of India is hungry due to loss of livelihoods triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic”. He was speaking to reporters in Chennai before leaving for Madurai to launch his political campaign.

Comparing its proposed construction to that of the Great Wall of China, he said “thousands of people perished” during its construction, but the dragon nation rulers said the wall was to 'guard' the people. Asked whether MNM will join hands with ‘Aanmeega Arasiyal’ (referring to actor Rajinikanth’s preference for spiritual politics), Kamal said, “Let me reiterate. Alliances will break up and new alliances will emerge. That’s all I can say now.”

Later, addressing cadres at Madurai to set off the campaign for the 2021 assembly election, the actor-turnedpolitician promised to make Madurai the second capital of Tamil Nadu if they came to power. Kamal said it was former chief minister MGR’s dream to make Madurai great. “I am an extension of MGR and I will take up the job of making Madurai great again. It is time to dump those who failed to make MGR’s vision come true,” he said.

In the last 50 years the cultural city has gone to ruins at the hands of corrupt politicians. He could see only bad roads, stagnating sewage and rain water and piling garbage when he went around the city. “There will be jallikattu in January in Madurai. In May, there will be fights with corrupt people. I am ready for it and you should also be ready for it,” he said. “Youths should join our party. Those who have already joined should go door-to-door to reach out to people,” he said.

As for the party’s election manifesto, ideology and strategies, he said the only answer for all these questions is honesty. “Corrupt politicians have stashed thousands of crores in shell companies in foreign nations. If they stop stealing, there will be enough money to develop three Tamil Nadus,” said Kamal Haasan.

Asked about the focus of his party's campaign, he said it was to usher in a totally transformed Tamil Nadu. Answering a question on why he entered politics, he said people of Tamil Nadu celebrated him from the age of five. His did not want to simply thank the people for what they gave him and move away even after seeing poor people struggle. When asked whether he will implement total prohibition, he said it was “a failed concept”. But, private players should be allowed to sell it and not the government which has to concentrate on people’s welfare.

Kamal Haasan during a rally at Avaniyapuram in Madurai on Sunday

Women struggle to avail maternity leave

LOCKDOWN EFFECT

Women struggle to avail maternity leave

Aditi.R@timesgroup.com

Chennai: 14.12.2020

“I am almost six months pregnant and when I asked my employer to grant me maternity leave, he agreed. But then he continued giving me work,” said Rachna* an employee at a private firm in the city. “He said that since I’m working from home I could work easily. Now I spend at least 10 hours a day working, with no maternity leave and sometimes no day-offs too,” she said.

Over the last three months, the state department of labour and employment has received more than 65 complaints from women, working in private firms across Chennai, Kancheepuram, and four other districts, on denial by their employers. Many of the complaints are from those working at different levels in small or medium sized firms in IT, garment manufacturing and a few other sectors. Ever since they started working from home, maternity leaves were either getting cancelled or shortened. The firms adopt different tactics to make them work, including an excuse about shortage of staff, lack of funds to pay salary and sometimes a subtle warning that they may not be able to rejoin.

“I was about to go on my sixmonth maternity two months after the lockdown was imposed. But my employer said that I’ll have to forego my salary for those months since they were already running in losses. I had no choice but to work. I am due any time now,” said another lady who works in a private firm in the city. “My husband lost his job and I’m the sole breadwinner of the family. It’s difficult to manage both my pregnancy and the job at the same time,” she said.

A senior official from the department said that on inquiring, most firms denied cancelling the leaves while the others agreed to ensure that it is provided without fail. “We have been inquiring and taking action accordingly,” said. The official said that they will also be conducting surprise checks and interacting with employers of firms, its human resources department, and its employees. “Our officials have made a list of firms we will start off with, where we suspect such practices. We fear there might be more such cases. The pandemic serves no ground for employers to deprive them of maternity benefits,” he said.

The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act of 2017 mandates paid maternity leave of 26 weeks for women employees unless they have two or more surviving children. It also provides paid leave for 12 weeks to mothers who have adopted or used a surrogate to bear a child for the first time. The TN state government in November 2016, had increased maternity leave for women from six to nine months. Any violation of the Act can amount to at least three months imprisonment.

“The law does not say that the maternity leaves and benefits are not applicable if the women are working from home. There is no exemption,” said P Selvi, advocate, Madras High Court. She said that many women may find it risky to complain fearing losing their jobs, but they are entitled to claim and also approach higher authorities when required.

The law does not say that the maternity leaves and benefits are not applicable if the women are working from home. There is no exemption

Girl forges NEET scorecard to secure medical seat

Girl forges NEET scorecard to secure medical seat

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 14.12.2020

In yet another NEET scam, the Chennai City Police are probing into an alleged malpractice by a woman candidate, who tried to get a medical seat by forging her NEET scorecard and the provisional rank list by replacing another candidate’s credentials with her own.

The issue came to light after a complaint was lodged by Dr G Selvarajan, additional director of Medical Education and Secretary of Selection Committee, at Periamet police station against the candidate, N B Deeksha of Paramakudi in Ramanthapuram district, and her father N K Balachandran, a dentist.

According to the complaint, on November 30, Deeksha, who had scored only 27 marks in NEET-UG 2020, and her father approached them at a counselling centre claiming that Deeksha had scored 610 marks but not called for counselling. While checking her credentials, officials found that she had scored less marks and did not make it to the rank list to be eligible to appear for the counselling. They then sent them back. The duo also produced a rank list in which Deeksha’s photo and roll number were present.

A probe into the matter revealed that she had applied for the counselling with a forged scorecard, showing she had scored 610 marks.

The officials made an internal probe to look into the matter, when they found out that the scorecard and the rank list produced by Deeksha was forged as she had replaced the photo and roll number of another candidate called N Hrithika, who had scored 610 marks.

However, Deeksha’s father did not accept their claim, leading to police suspecting the daughter to have done it without her father’s knowledge. Police said that the original candidate, Hrithika, had already appeared for counselling and opted for a medical seat.

Periamet police registered a case under Sections 419 (punishment for cheating) , 464 (making false document), 465, 468 (forgery), 471 (using genuine as forged) and 420 (cheating) of IPC against the candidate. A special team has gone to question the girl and his father.

Meanwhile, city police commissioner Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal said that an inquiry has been initiated on the alleged malpractice.

சென்னை: பொதுமக்கள் பயன்பாட்டிற்காக, நாளை முதல் மெரினா கடற்கரை திறக்கப்பட உள்ளதால்

DINAMALAR

சென்னை: பொதுமக்கள் பயன்பாட்டிற்காக, நாளை முதல் மெரினா கடற்கரை திறக்கப்பட உள்ளதால், முன்னேற்பாடு பணிகளில், போலீசார், மாநகராட்சியினர் தீவிரமாக செயல்பட்டனர்.

கொரோனா தொற்று பரவல் தடுப்பு நடவடிக்கையாக, கடந்த மார்ச் முதல், நாடு முழுதும் ஊரடங்கு அமல்படுத்தப்பட்டது. அப்போது, சென்னையின் அடையாளமான மெரினா கடற்கரையும் மூடப்பட்டது.அதன்பின், மக்கள் நலன் கருதி, அவ்வப்போது தளர்வுகள் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டாலும், மெரினா கடற்கரையில் மக்களுக்கு, தடை நீடித்தது.தடை மீறியோருக்கு, போலீசார், மாநகராட்சியினர் அபராதம் விதித்தனர்.

இந்நிலையில், சமீபத்தில் மெரினாவில் நீடித்த தடையை, அரசு தளர்த்தியது. தொடர்ந்து, நாளை முதல், பொதுமக்கள் அனுமதிக்க பட உள்ளனர்.இதற்கு முன்னேற்பாடாக, நேற்று மாநகராட்சியினர் கடற்கரை மணற்பரப்பு, சர்வீஸ் சாலை மற்றும் அங்குள்ள பொது கழிப்பறைகளை சுத்தப்படுத்தி, தண்ணீர் வசதிகளை ஏற்படுத்தினர்.

போலீசார் கடற்கரையில், பாதுகாப்பு நடவடிக்கைகள் மேற்கொண்டனர். கிறிஸ்துமஸ், புத்தாண்டு, பொங்கல் பண்டிகைகள் வர உள்ள நிலையில், மெரினாவில் தடை தளர்த்தப்பட்டிருப்பது, மகிழ்ச்சியை ஏற்படுத்துவதாக, பொதுமக்கள் தெரிவித்தனர்.

சென்னை:தாம்பரம் -- நாகர்கோவில் இடையே, வாரத்தில் மூன்று நாட்கள்; மதுரை -- திருவனந்தபுரம் இடையே, தினமும் முன்பதிவு சிறப்பு ரயில்கள் இயக்கப்படுகின்றன.

DINAMALAR

13.12.2020

சென்னை:தாம்பரம் -- நாகர்கோவில் இடையே, வாரத்தில் மூன்று நாட்கள்; மதுரை -- திருவனந்தபுரம் இடையே, தினமும் முன்பதிவு சிறப்பு ரயில்கள் இயக்கப்படுகின்றன.

* சென்னை தாம்பரத்தில் இருந்து, ஞாயிறு, திங்கள், புதன் கிழமைகளில் இரவு, 7:25க்கு புறப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில், மறுநாள் காலை, 7:30 மணிக்கு நாகர்கோவில் சென்றடையும்

* நாகர்கோவிலில் இருந்து திங்கள், செவ்வாய், வியாழக்கிழமைகளில் மாலை, 4:15க்கு புறப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில், மறுநாள் அதிகாலை, 4:15 மணிக்கு தாம்பரம் வந்தடையும். இந்த சிறப்பு ரயில், தாம்பரத்தில் இருந்து, 16ம் தேதி; நாகர்கோவிலில் இருந்து வரும், 17ம் தேதி முதல் இயக்கப்படும்.

மற்றொரு ரயில்கேரள மாநிலம், திருவனந்தபுரத்தில் இருந்து மதுரைக்கு, தினமும் முன்பதிவு சிறப்பு ரயில் இயக்கப்பட உள்ளது.

* திருவனந்தபுரத்தில் இருந்து தினமும் இரவு, 8:30க்கு புறப்பட்டு, மறுநாள் காலை, 10:10 மணிக்கு மதுரை சென்றடையும்

* மதுரையில் இருந்து தினமும் மாலை, 4:05க்கு புறப்பட்டு, மறுநாள் அதிகாலை, 5:20 மணிக்கு திருவனந்தபுரம் சென்றடையும்.இந்த சிறப்பு ரயில், 23ம் தேதி முதல் இயக்கப்பட உள்ளது. இதற்கான முன்பதிவு துவங்கி விட்டது.

Central call for 3 IPS officers on Nadda duty; state says no

Central call for 3 IPS officers on Nadda duty; state says no

Trinamool MP Protests Against ‘Pressure’ Tactic

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kolkata: 13.12.2020

The Union government has “requisitioned” for central deputation the services of three senior IPS officers who supervised BJP national president JP Nadda’s Diamond Harbour rally security, prompting the Bengal government to express its “inability” to relieve them.

The central move comes two days after Thursday’s attack on Nadda’s convoy on Diamond Harbour Road and a day after the Union home ministry asked the state chief secretary and the state director-general of police to meet the Union home secretary in Delhi on Monday.

The Centre usually seeks the state’s consent before such a move, say officials in Kolkata. “These are Bengal cadre IPS officers. This is a unilateral decision taken by the Centre. Bengal, like the rest of the country, is battling a pandemic under specific laws. So, in this backdrop, the state cannot relieve these officers immediately,” a senior state official said.

The officers caught in the centre-state battle are South Bengal inspector-general of police Rajeev Mishra, Presidency Range deputy inspector-general Praveen Kumar Tripathi and Diamond Harbour superintendent of police Bholanath Pandey.

The issue also found mention in a letter Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha chief whip Kalyan Banerjee wrote to Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla on Saturday. Banerjee, also a lawyer, wrote: “You named three IPS officers for central deputation. All three IPS officers were deployed near the place of occurrence (of Thursday’s incident involving Nadda). Your motive is very clear... you want to create pressure on the officers.”

The Centre’s letter to Bengal seeking specific officers for central deputation did not have any “immediate precedence”, officials here said. One senior Bengal officer was transferred to the Union home ministry in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha poll but that move was effected by the Election Commission.

The usual procedure for central deputations starts with the state government sending its “offer list” (a panel of officers), say officials. The Centre then informs the state government which officers can go on central deputation.

3 officers not on ‘offer list’ sent by Bengal to Centre

About a dozen Bengalcadre officers are now on central deputation; they include a special director-general of police in CRPF, a joint secretary in the cabinet secretariat, two CRPF additional directors-general, a National Crime Records Bureau director and another IPS officer on deputation to the ministry of external affairs.

The three officers asked to go on central deputation were not on the “offer list” sent by Bengal to the Centre, officials here said.

The Centre wrote to all states, including Bengal, in April and November this year, mentioning that they were not sending enough officers for central deputation. Both letters added that all disputes would be referred to the Union home ministry, whose decision would be binding.

Bengal has an IPS cadre strength of around 350 officers and 75 are required to be put on the “offer list” for central deputation. But officials say Bengal works with a fewer number of IPS officers, of whom nine are still undergoing training.

“The states have always used this rationale to not allow officers to go on central deputation,” a senior state government officer told TOI.

The Centre and the Tamil Nadu government have been involved in a protracted legal case on this issue that has reached the Supreme Court. Central deputation rules stress on “concurrence” between state and central governments but they add that the Centre’s decision will be binding if there is any dispute, say officials here.

Bengal has an IPS cadre strength of around 350 officers and 75 are required to be put on the “offer list” for central deputation. But officials say Bengal works with a fewer number of IPS officers, of whom nine are still undergoing training. “The states have always used this rationale to not allow officers to go on central deputation,” a senior state government officer told TOI

Docs: Lalu’s kidneys are functioning only at 25%

Docs: Lalu’s kidneys are functioning only at 25%

Sanjay Sahay TNN

Ranchi:  13.12.2020

Doctors treating jailed RJD president Lalu Prasad on Saturday gave a grim prognosis of his hea-lth, saying the former Bihar CM’s kidneys were functioning “only at 25%” and there could be “a medical emergency” at any moment.

Dr Umesh Prasad of Ranchi’s Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (Rims), who is overseeing Lalu’s treatment, said the medical team’s concerns over the outcome of the latest kidney function test had been conveyed to the authorities, including the Birsa Munda jail administration.

The senior doctor, however, said 24-hour monitoring of the RJD chief ’s health helped the medical team arrest many other potential complications.

Former Union minister and Congress veteran Subodh Kant Sahay and Bihar MLA Rakesh Kumar Roshan met Lalu at the hospital on Saturday.