Nowhere to go, but BU asks students to vacate hostels

Nowhere to go, but BU asks students to vacate hostels

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bhopal: 08.01.2021

Around a dozen students who have been living in the hostels of Barkatullah University have been asked to vacate the accommodation. Students are in a fix as they are not able to get rooms in hostels outside the campus as they are closed. A BU official said that as per the government order, they can't allow students to stay in the hostels.

After the lockdown was imposed due to the pandemic, several students who had been staying in BU hostels, stocked up.

BU authorities then temporarily allowed these students to stay in the hostel. After the Unlock process begun, these students could not go back as they were attending online classes from the hostels. A students said, “We’ve been living in the hostel since March 25 when the lockdown was imposed. We have been following the Covid-19 norms. Now, the exams are to be organised and BU has asked us to vacate the hostel. We have searched for other hostels in the state capital, but due to Covid, they are closed. In such situation, where do we go?” said a student.

One of the students said that for the past 10 months, no one had tested positive in the hostel as the students were following all the norms. “I am not able to understand the reason of ask us to move out of the hostel when the situation is getting normal. The exam date could be announced on any given day and, if we go back, this will be an unnecessary exercise and a wastage of time. We have requested the university to consider our situation and allow us to continue in the hostels till the exams are over,” said another student who preferred to remain anonymous.

Most of the students living in the hostel belong to the other states. “We know that the state government has ask the university to close the hostel. We are only a few students living in the hostel and following the Covid-19 norms. At least for humanity, please do not throw us out of the hostel,” said another student.

When contacted BU's registrar Ajeet Shrivastava told TOI that they are only following the government orders. “These students had the opportunity to leave the hostel after the Unlock process started. However, they prefer to stay back. As the state government has asked the university to close down the hostel, we cannot allow the students to to continue their stay,” said Shrivastava.

He added that BU is bound to follow the government orders.

A BU hostel

CBI files chargesheet in Vyapam state-quota medical seat scam

CBI files chargesheet in Vyapam state-quota medical seat scam

P.Naveen@timesgroup.com

Bhopal: 08.01.2021

The CBI on Thursday submitted a chargesheet in a special trial court in Gwalior against 60 people, including 22 women and directors of medical colleges, a former director of medical education and some other influential individuals, in the Vyapam state quota seat allotment scam in PMT-2011.

The court accepted the chargesheet and issued notices to CBI on a complaint filed by Vyapam whistleblower Ashish Chaturvedi, seeking explanation. Chaturvedi has submitted his complaint in a closed envelope, said sources.

None of the accused were summoned by CBI for appearance following a high court order on Wednesday, asking the special court not to insist upon personal appearance of more than five accused on any particular date.

The order was issued following a writ petition by some of those named in CBI’s chargesheet, who voiced their apprehension about being called in a bunch to court in Covid times. The journey to court and gathering in closed confines will put them at risk of infection, they pleaded.

The counsel for the petitioners also submitted that they are Covid warriors, directly involved in the treatment of patients at the respective places of their work. “Calling all the petitioners at the same time will adversely affect the treatment of Covid-19 patients,” the counsel said.

Some of the petitioners said that since they are aged over 70 years, they would be highly vulnerable to infection and their lives would be at risk if they are told to appear in court.

VYAPAM SCAM

‘The dummy ‘solvers’ didn’t take admission’

After hearing their arguments, the court ruled that movement of large number of people, including petitioners from different places of their work to congregate at Gwalior district court, would give rise to the possibility of Covid-19 spread.

The PMT-2011 scam

The allegation is that after allotment of MBBS seats in state quota in four private medical colleges, the dummy ‘solver’ candidates did not actually take admission, but the college administration and admission committee gave false information to directorate of medical education that they had. This was allegedly done to block state quota seats so that those in the waiting list wouldn’t be able to join. The ‘solver’ students were paid through middlemen to vacate the seats, which the private medical colleges filled up with students of their own choice without following due process, says the probe agency. The majority of the students who were admitted had not even taken the PMT exam, says CBI. The DME, allegedly in connivance with these private medical colleges, did not cross-check the information and instead ‘aided and abetted them’ in legitimizing the illegal admissions against state quota. TNN

Retired joint secy accused of forging docus 30 yrs ago

Retired joint secy accused of forging docus 30 yrs ago

Kiran.Parashar@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru: 08.01.2021

Amid an evaluation scam — suspected to be about two years old — breaking out in Bangalore University, it has emerged that a former law student of the varsity had allegedly forged his marks card and degree certificate, joined the state government 30 years ago claiming to be a graduate and risen to the rank of a joint secretary before retiring in 2020.

The accused, Azaz Ahammed Khan, 60, worked as joint secretary in the assembly secretariat office. According to sources in the secretariat, Khan retired in June last year. Police say the fraud came to light after secretariat officials wrote to the university seeking to verify Khan’s marks card and graduation certificate as he was due for promotion as joint secretary from deputy secretary.

The varsity probe revealed he was a student of the nowclosed Islamia Law College and had joined the college in 1985-86. In 1986 and 1987, he consecutively failed in two subjects.

In 1991, Khan joined the secretariat claiming to be a law graduate. The same year he wrote exams in several subjects but could not pass them. The certificates he submitted to the government were also not printed from the university printing press. Probe revealed all the documents were forged and were submitted to the government to get a job.

Sources said Azaz had submitted only a few documents when he joined the job but when his promotion as joint secretary from deputy secretary was due last year, he furnished the forged documents to the deputy secretary (administration), stating he had completed graduation 35 years ago. His fraud was exposed when the government sent his documents for verification.

Police said they are yet to trace Khan and have no clue on his whereabouts. Sources at the secretariat office said that they have received information from both BU and Jnanabharathi police station and appropriate action is being initiated. However, the officials did not reveal much information when asked how he could work for 30 years in the government by providing fake documents.

BU files complaint

K Jyothi, registrar (administration) of Bangalore University, has filed a complaint against Azaz Ahammed Khan at Jnanabharathi police station. He’s been booked under IPC sections 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant, or by banker, merchant or agent), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 465 (forgery) and 471 (forgery of documents).

Man poses as doc, govt official to dupe scores

Man poses as doc, govt official to dupe scores

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi: 08.01.2021

Before being nabbed for swindling people while masquerading as a doctor or an important government official, Devender Mishra used to live an ordinary life in a small town in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh. A pathologist by profession, Mishra would collect blood samples by the day and then return home to his wife and two children.

However, Mishra soon got bored of this dull life and came to Delhi to make it big. In 2008, he opened a sample collection centre in east Delhi’s Laxmi Nagar, said additional commissioner (crime) Shibesh Singh. But his business failed and he had to shut shop. Refusing to accept the fact that he might have to go home, Mishra decided to take to crime.

Police said that his first target was a friend, who had approached him to help him acquire an arms licence. The accused claimed that he called up the office of district magistrate of Aligarh and got it done. He then took to duping people full time.

“He started off by posing as a doctor and opened a clinic at Lakhimpur Kheri, UP in 2016 in the name of ‘Shraddha Mother & Child’ where he posed as assistant professor, paediatrics, AIIMS,” said DCP (crime) Bhisham Singh.

He also claimed to be a MD in Paediatrics and Cardiology and a visiting faculty at Army Hospital, Delhi Cantonment, the DCP added.

In the last four years, Mishra donned many roles,police say. When he was not playing a doctor, he was posing as an advisor at Niti Aayog or a joint secretary at the health ministry who helped his acquaintances by pretending to call government officials to get a job done.

With all his avatars, police said that the accused duped many but his life of crime ended after the Crime Branch got a tip-off about his activities. On January 5, the cops laid a trap in central Delhi and arrested Mishra after an informer spotted and identified him. His mobile phones and his collection of fake ID cards describing his various roles were seized.

Police raided his hideout in Dasna, Ghaziabad and also seized Rs 68,000 in cash. He was booked for impersonation and forgery, etc under the IPC and produced before the court.

DIFFERENT HUES: The accused, Devender Mishra, opened a clinic in Uttar Pradesh in 2016 posing as an assistant professor of paediatrics, AIIMS

6 8

THOUSAND RUPEES SEIZED FROM ACCUSED

Official nabbed while taking ₹1 lakh bribe

Official nabbed while taking ₹1 lakh bribe

Dindigul:  08.01.2021

Sleuths from the directorate of vigilance and anti-corruption (DVAC) arrested an assistant director in the town and country planning department after catching him red-handed while he was accepting a bribe of 1 lakh on Thursday. The action was taken following a complaint lodged by Naatrayan, 65, of Karur.

Naatrayan owned a piece of land at Eriyodu in Dindigul district and wanted to partition it. He approached A Muthukrishnan, 53, the assistant director. Since the plot was more than one lakh sqft, Muthukrishnan told Naatrayan that it has to be referred to the director of town and country planning in Chennai.

Muthukrishnan allegedly demanded 2 lakh as bribe for recommending the partition and writing to the director. Naatrayan refused and after negotiation it was agreed that he would give 1 lakh. Naatrayan approached the DVAC who gave him chemical-coated currencies to hand them over to Muthukrishnan.

On Thursday, Naatrayan went to the office on the Trichy Road to meet Muthukrishnan. When he came out of his office to receive the bribe, he was caught by the DVAC team led by deputy superintendent of police Nagarajan. TNN

EPS says bring it on, Stalin can pick spot

EPS says bring it on, Stalin can pick spot

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Erode:  08.01.2021

Hours after DMK president M K Stalin accepted the challenge for an open debate on corruption charges, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami upped the ante, demanding that the opposition leader prove his allegations against the government “if he was man enough and the true leader of the DMK”.

Addressing cadres during his campaign at Gobichettipalayam assembly constituency in Erode district on Thursday, EPS said he was prepared to participate in the debate at any place of Stalin’s choice, but demanded that the DMK leader answer his questions without help of reference papers (thundu cheetu – pointing to Stalin reading out from a prepared text during his campaigns).

“You have to prove the charges you have levelled against me. I am ready to answer all your questions. At the same time, you should answer my questions,” EPS said.

Earlier at Arachalur in Perundurai assembly segment, EPS made a speech on a similar note, demanding that Stalin participate in the open debate if he had the ability and the guts. EPS said Stalin was actually not prepared for an open debate and wanted to avoid one and hence he was laying down conditions.

“What is the connection between the court stay on a CBI inquiry and an open debate?” EPS asked, noting that the debate could happen even without vacating the stay. EPS said the tenders called for by his government were e- tenders where there could not be any irregularities. “This would be revealed if Stalin came for the open debate,” he said. Seeking to turn the tables, EPS said it was Karunanidhi’s family that had amassed wealth across the state. “Stalin had presumed that since I was from a village, he could level false allegations at me. His dream of spreading falsehood about the government, confusing people and winning the elections will never happen,” EPS said.

PULLING OUT ALL STOPS:

Palaniswami campaigned in Erode on Thursday

Palaniswami adopts Jaya campaign style

Erode: Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami’s campaign in Erode on Thursday raised several eyebrows as he interspersed his speech with questions resembling that of the campaign speeches of late chief minister J Jayalalithaa. It used to be Jayalalithaa’s signature in every campaign to pose the question ‘will you do it?’ twice (seiveergala, neengal seiveergala?). In a similar style, EPS posed a similar question twice to people. Alleging that the DMK regime in the past was marked by power cuts, EPS asked the public if they wanted the same situation to return. “Minsara vettu ungalukku meendum venduma… venduma?” he asked. Moments later, he once again asked if they wanted the dynastic rule to return. “DMK kudumba aatchi meendum venduma…venduma?” TNN

Stalin accepts EPS challenge to open debate, but has conditions

READY TO DO THIS?

Stalin accepts EPS challenge to open debate, but has conditions

Asks CM To Give Green Nod To Be Probed By CBI

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 08.01.2021

DMK president M K Stalin on Thursday accepted the challenge posed by chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami for an open debate on the corruption charges levelled against him and his cabinet members. But Stalin’s acceptance has come with a few conditions.

Participating in an election campaign in Erode district, chief minister Palaniswami on Wednesday challenged Stalin to an open debate on the corruption charges levelled by the DMK and submitted as a petition to Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit. The chief minister has been maintaining that the allegations of corruption and irregularities are baseless.

“The chief minister has issued a challenge to participate in an open debate. I accept the challenge. But before that, the chief minister has to do a few things. Let him move the Supreme Court and get the stay, ordered by the apex court, on CBI inquiry against the chief minister vacated. Let him move the court tomorrow (Friday) saying he is willing to face the inquiry and get the necessary order,” Stalin said in a statement.

“Let the chief minister convene a cabinet meeting and pass a resolution tomorrow itself (Friday), requesting the governor to grant permission for investigating the corruption charges, submitted as a petition by the DMK. Let him also agree to subject himself to an inquiry for amassing wealth disproportionate to his known source of income and write a letter to the governor,” Stalin said. “I am ready. Are you ready chief minister Palaniswami?” Stalin asked.

The AIADMK is the only party in the country that had a CM who was jailed for corruption and was forced to step down due to the charges. “CM Palaniswami has been subjected to CBI inquiry but brazenly claims he has not indulged in any irregularities and is trying to bury the truth,” Stalin said and listed, once again, the DMK’s charges of irregularities committed by the AIADMK government.

Terming the repeated charges of land grabbing by DMK functionaries as total lie, Stalin said it is the AIADMK that has been in power for the past 10 years and Palaniswami has been CM for the past four years. “How many people from the DMK have been convicted under land grabbing charges,” Stalin asked.

Meanwhile, the DMK has extended the deadline for holding the people’s grama sabha meetings till January 20. While it was decided to hold 16,500 meetings from December 23 and January 10, heavy rains had forced the party to cancel several meetings, DMK said in a statement.

S Rly changes names of two trains from city

S Rly changes names of two trains from city

08.01.2021

Southern Railway has changed the names of two trains departing to the same destination within a gap of 15 minutes. The names were creating confusion among passengers. No. 06181/ 06182 Chennai Egmore-Sengottai Express has been renamed Chennai Egmore- Karaikudi - Sengottai Express. No. 06182 Sengottai – Chennai Egmore Express has been renamed Sengottai – Karaikkudi - Chennai Egmore Express. No. 02661 Chennai Egmore – Sengottai Express has been renamed Chennai Egmore – Madurai – Sengottai Express. No. 02662 Sengottai - Chennai Egmore Express has been renamed Sengottai–Madurai – Sengottai Express. TNN

276 engg seats in AU colleges wasted

276 engg seats in AU colleges wasted

Toppers Who Took Seats Leave To Pursue MBBS After Med Counselling

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:  08.01.2021

As many as 276 students have discontinued BE and BTech courses this year in top TN colleges including Anna University’s College of Engineering, Guindy (CEG) and Madras Institute of Technology (MIT), Chromepet, to study medicine and other courses. These seats meant for top rankers will lie vacant.

While CEG has 77 such seats, MIT and ACT have 67 and 55, while School of Architecture and Planning has two. In the university’s constituent colleges, 75 seats are vacant.

Unlike for medical courses, there is no second round counselling for engineering. Experts said more seats have fallen vacant during online counselling compared to single window counselling.

Professors from Anna University said such huge vacancies began appearing after the Supreme Court fixed August 15 as admission deadline for BE, BTech courses. It was later extended to August

31. “Engineering counselling should be conducted only after medical counselling to reduce vacancies in premier colleges,” said former vicechancellor E Balagurusamy, adding that medical and engineering counseling under one roof may not be possible. “TNEA (Tamil Nadu Engineering Admission) committee can have its own deadline for admissions keeping in mind the huge vacancies. It can also represent to the regulatory authority and university for seeking extension,” he said.

Career consultant Jayaprakash Gandhi said it was a huge waste of seats. “Many, who otherwise would have studied in Anna University colleges, are spending huge money to study in self-financing colleges.”

Anna University vicechancellor M K Surappa said the government should delay engineering counselling until counselling for IITs and NITs starts. “It should conduct a second round to fill vacant engineering seats after medical counseling.”

Sasikala may be released from prison by Jan 27, lawyer tells HC

Sasikala may be released from prison by Jan 27, lawyer tells HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 08.01.2021

V K Sasikala, close aide of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa, who is at present incarcerated in a Bengaluru prison after being convicted in the disproportionate assets case is likely to be released by January 27.

A submission to this effect was made by her counsel before the Madras high court on Thursday while seeking adjournment of an appeal moved by the income tax department against Sasikala.

When the plea came up for hearing, Sasikala’s counsel submitted that the case might be adjourned after January 27 as she is likely to be released by then so that they would be able to get instructions directly from her. Recording the submission, a division bench of Justice M Duraiswamy and Justice T V Tamilselvi sought the opinion of counsel for income tax T R Senthil Kumar.

As he submitted that the department has no objection for the adjournment, the court posted the plea on February 4 for further hearing.

The issue pertains to returns filed by Sasikala for assessment year 1994-95 for ₹28.86 lakh. Subsequently, a raid conducted by Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) found that she had concealed purchase of 80 acres of land during the assessment year.

Therefore, based on the DVAC report, the income tax department passed an order dated March 14, 2002, demanding tax to the tune of ₹48 lakh.

Aggrieved, Sasikala challenged the order before the income tax appellate tribunal (ITAT) which quashed the assessment order. Challenging the tribunal’s order, the department moved the present appeal in the high court.

On February 5, when the plea came up for hearing, Sasikala pointed out that the department chose to withdraw a similar appeal pending against actor Rajinikanth citing a circular issued by central board of direct taxes (CBDT) dated September 8, 2019, directing the department to not go on appeal in cases valued below ₹1 crore. She sought the court to direct the department to extend similar relief to her since the value of the appeal is below ₹1 crore.

Refusing to withdraw the appeal, the department informed that Sasikala could not seek relief under the circular since prosecution had already been initiated in her case.

Dental colleges in M’luru bounce back

Dental colleges in M’luru bounce back

Kevin.Mendonsa@timesgroup.com

07.01.2021

Mangaluru: Dental colleges, badly hit during the lockdown and for months thereafter, are slowly returning to normal. Patients are returning in decent numbers and this in turn is helping both UG and PG students gain clinical practice.

Interns and PG students stayed at home when colleges closed in March and resumed duties only in November. Dental students had a problem since people were postponing visits for fear of the virus and this was affecting their hands-on experience.

That has now changed with patients returning. Colleges say they follow SOPs strictly to ensure safety of both patients and students.

Dr Karthik Shetty, professor and head of department of conservative dentistry and endodontic, Manipal College of Dental Sciences (Mangaluru), said medical students learn largely through observation, but it is the exact opposite for their dental counterparts.

“We had a shortage of patients when colleges resumed. However, currently there is a regular footfall of patients and this is helping with clinical practices,” he said.

Some colleges have continued with a blend of mannequin/simulation/models and patients. Dr Akhter Husain, dean, Yenepoya Dental College, pointed out many colleges, to a certain extent, prefer mannequin/simulation for learning. There is also the practice of sharing one patient with multiple students. For example, three students prepare separate dentures for a single patient.

“We have been also following strict protocols, but it is risky for students so we send patients to them only after a complete scan. Social distancing and other norms are followed on the campus as well. A single class is now taken in two more classrooms using audio-visual systems,” Dr Akther said.

AJ Institute of Dental Sciences says about 80% of its clientele has returned. Dr Nillan K Shetty, principal of the college, said they are now only allowing post graduate students to handle patients. “We will allow undergraduates in a staggered manner,” he said.

Pollachi rape case: AIADMK worker, two more arrested

Pollachi rape case: AIADMK worker, two more arrested

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Coimbatore:  07.01.2021

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday arrested three men, including an AIADMK student wing functionary, in connection with the sensational Pollachi sexual assault and extortion case. The arrested were identified as K Arulanantham, 34, of Vadugapalayam in Pollachi, T Heron Paul, 29, of Achipatti in Pollachi and P Babu, 27, of Vadugapalayam.

Arulanantham, Pollachi town secretary of AIADMK students’ wing, was expelled from the party following the arrest. The party has instructed members not to have any links with him.

The arrests were made after a magistrate court recorded the statements of three survivors a few weeks ago. “The women said that the arrested men, along with N Sabarirajan abducted them in a car in June 2018, sexually assaulted them and threatened to leak the footage,” a source said.

The accused were booked under sections of 354 A (sexual harassment), 354 B (assault or use of criminal force against woman with intent to disrobe), and 39 4 (robbery) of the IPC; Section 66 E of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, 1998. They were produced before the mahila court in Coimbatore. Judge R Nandhini Devi remanded them in judicial custody till January

20.

In February 2019, a 19-year-old woman from Pollachi had registered a complaint with the district police alleging that a gang sexually assaulted her in a car, shot a video of the incident and used it to demand money from her. After a case was registered, a few more videos filmed by the accused surfaced. The accused allegedly befriended women using fake accounts on social media, sexually abused them, filmed it and used the videos to threaten them.

A month later, the case was transferred to CBI and five people - K Thirunavukkarasu, 27, N Sabarirajan, 25, M Sathish, 29, T Vasanthakumar, 25 and R Manivannan, 29 – were arrested. They are lodged in the Salem Central Prison. Members of All India Democratic Women's Association and the women’s wing of DMK staged a protest in front of the court demanding justice for the survivors.

K Arulanantham, 34, of Vadugapalayam, Pollachi town secretary of AIADMK students’ wing, was expelled from the party following the arrest. The party has instructed members not to have any links with him

More rain expected in the next 48 hours

More rain expected in the next 48 hours

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

07.01.2021

After rain clouds moved over north Tamil Nadu and dumped nearly 148mm of rainfall in the heart of the city in two days, weathermen have forecast more rainfall for Chennai and its neighbouring regions over the next 48 hours.

While the intensity of rain may be less, private forecasters and bloggers said the city and its suburbs could begin getting the next round of near-intense spells from January 9.

N Puviarasan, director of the Area Cyclone Warning Centre, said light to moderate rain is likely in some areas, while the skies may be generally cloudy for the next 48 hours. Temperatures are likely to be at a maximum of 29 deg C and a minimum of 24 deg C. “This is due to the easterly wave,” he said. Such waves are a type of an atmospheric trough, which is a low pressure over a larger region. As they move from east to west, low-level winds or opposing winds enter the trough, converge and cause convection.

Chennai subdivision has so far recorded 160.6mm rainfall since January 1 against a normal 4.7mm. This in-cludes Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam stations registering 147.8mm and 170.8mm in the last two days. The northeast monsoon spill over this month comes after it left an 33% excess rainfall during peak rainy season in 2020 with 1040.8mm against an average 784mm. Last year, the city recorded a 16% surplus rainfall before the onset of southwest monsoon in the rest of the country with 53.4mm against a normal of 46.1mm. This took the annual 2020 rainfall in Chennai to a 21% excess with 1,572.3mm against a normal of 1,303.9mm.

Outside the city, Kelambakkam rec-orded the highest spell of around 262mm in the last two days.

Skymet Weather, in its post, said an-other heavy spell is likely in the city and suburbs as well as for north coastal regions of Tamil Nadu around January 9 and 10.

Blogger Pradeep John, in his post, said for the next two days the rainfall in-tensity in Chennai and neighbouring Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur and Chengelpet may reduce. “Rainfall will pick up from January 9 to 12. But that too may be on and off spells,” he said. “Delta region may see good rainfall in this period. Might turn out to be heavy,” he added.

No return ticket on suburban services, commuters irked

No return ticket on suburban services, commuters irked

Aditi.R@timesgroup.com

Chennai: 07.01.2021

An order by the railways to not permit the sale of return tickets during nonpeak hours has irked commuters who use suburban and MRTS services.

The directive was issued on December 22 and said only those with identity cards or bonafide certificates from workplaces can get return or season tickets. Woman passengers, however, can buy return tickets.

“I am a salesman and I have to reach work at 10.30am. I keep going to the counter at every station to get a single ticket. It’s a hassle,” said R Ramakrishnan, who was boarding a train to Adyar from Chintadripet.

V Bhaskaran, 70, called the move unreasonable. “I went to Triplicane station around 11.30am for a train to Chennai Beach. They refused me a returnticket.Later,when Iwentto buy a ticket at the Beach station, there was a long line,” said Bhaskaran.

Recently, the railways increased the number of workmen specials to 500 and MRTS services to 80, which is close to the pre-Covid-19 frequency. A few travelling in workmen specials from the suburban stations in Kodambakkam and West Mambalam said the booking staff has notbeen issuing return tickets to all despite showing their IDs. “They say my office ID is not enough, I need to get a letter mentioning the time and days I’m supposed to be in the office,” said Manoj Poduval, an accountant.

T Sadagopan, president of Tamil Nadu Progressive Consumer Centre, said the purpose of issuing return tickets is to reduce crowding at counters. “If the authorities are concerned about safety, they must open more counters, ensure social distancing,” he said.

A senior railway official said if they provide return tickets to all, more people will start using trains. “And crowding at the counters does not happen regularly. We will start issuing return tickets to the general public after analysing the situation,” said the official.

Centre asks TN to drop move on 100% occupancy in cinemas

Centre asks TN to drop move on 100% occupancy in cinemas

D.Govardan@timesgroup.com

Chennai: 07.01.2021

Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla, has in a letter to Tamil Nadu chief secretary K Shanmugham, said that the state government’s order permitting 100% occupancy in theatres and multiplexes dilutes MHA guidelines. The MHA guidelines had allowed only 50% occupancy and that too outside containment zones. States and Union territories shall not dilute guidelines issued under Disaster Management Act in any manner, the letter said.

“We have taken it (the letter from MHA) to the notice of the honourable chief minister,” chief secretary K Shanmugham told TOI on Wednesday. The state government had on Monday allowed 100% occupancy in theatres and multiplexes.

Vax dry run across the state tomorrow

A dry run for the Covid-19 vaccine will be held in all districts of Tamil Nadu on January 8. The exercise aims to ensure a hassle-free environment for vaccination, check the ability of healthcare workers to access Co-WIN and quality internet services in the centres, health secretary J Radhakrishnan said. P 2

BIG RELEASES

‘Decision on cinema issue could be taken once CM returns from tour’

The Tamil Nadu government had permitted 100% occupancy in theatres and multiplexes with strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs), responding to pleas from the film fraternity.

“The chief minister is on election tour. Once he returns to the city, a decision could be taken after discussing the issue with all concerned,” said Tirupur K Subramanian, Tamil Nadu Theatres and Multiplex Owners’ Association president.

The Tamil Nadu government’s order on January 4 cited decreasing Covid-19 positive cases in the state for its move to allow full occupancy and asked theatres to screen short films to make the public aware of Covid norms to be followed.

The relaxation of norms was welcomed by the Tamil film industry and theatre owners, who had earlier appealed to the state to permit 100% occupancy, as the industry has lined up big budget movies such as ‘Master’ and ‘Easwaran’ for release during the Pongal festival. Actor Vijay too had called on chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and made a request on December 27, 2020.

But several others, including health professionals, expressed displeasure and feared the move could trigger a second wave of Covid-19.

While the state health department, the nodal agency for Covid-19 prevention and management, was in the dark about the government’s decision to relax restrictions on occupancy in theatres, members of the state-appointed medical expert committee expressed concerns. Minutes after the announcement, National Institute of Epidemiology deputy director Dr Prabhdeep Kaur, who is also a member of the expert committee, tweeted, “Closed spaces without social distancing are a perfect setting for explosive spread of Covid-19. Request public to avoid such settings.”

Kaur in an interview to TOI said, “Risk of infection multiplies with each risk factor — indoors, poor ventilation, more time spent, crowding, speaking/ shouting and lack of mask — cumulative effect means red zone — highest chance of spread of Covid-19.”

(With inputs from Pushpa Narayan)

பொங்கல் பரிசில் துணிப்பை இல்லை ரேஷன் கடைகளில் மக்கள் வாக்குவாதம்

பொங்கல் பரிசில் துணிப்பை இல்லை ரேஷன் கடைகளில் மக்கள் வாக்குவாதம்

Added : ஜன 06, 2021 23:29

சென்னை:சென்னை உட்பட, பல இடங்களில், ரேஷன் கடைகளில், பொங்கல் பரிசுக்கு, துணிப்பை வழங்க மறுப்பதாக புகார்கள் எழுந்துள்ளன.

தமிழக அரசு, ரேஷன் கடைகள் வாயிலாக, 2.10 கோடி அரிசி கார்டுதாரருக்கு, தலா, 2,500 ரூபாய் ரொக்கத்துடன், பச்சரிசி, சர்க்கரை, முந்திரி, திராட்சை, கரும்பு, துணிப்பை ஆகியவை அடங்கிய பரிசு தொகுப்பை வழங்கி வருகிறது.பணத்துடன், அரிசி, சர்க்கரையை எடை போட்டு வழங்கும் ஊழியர்கள், ஏற்கனவே, குறிப்பிட்ட எடையில், 'பாக்கெட்' செய்துள்ள, முந்திரி, திராட்சை, ஏலக்காயுடன், கரும்பும் வழங்குகின்றனர்.

ரொக்க பணம் வாங்கும் அவசரத்தில், பலர் துணிப் பையை வாங்க மறந்து விடுகின்றனர். பல கடைகளில், வேண்டுமென்றே துணிப்பை வழங்குவதில்லை என, புகார்கள் எழுந்துள்ளன.இது குறித்து, சிலர் கூறுகையில், 'பொங்கல் பரிசில் துணிப்பை வழங்குவதில்லை. அதை வழங்குமாறு கேட்டால், 'நாளை வந்து வாங்கி கொள்ளுங்கள்' எனக் கூறுகின்றனர். 'மறுநாள் கடைக்கு சென்றால், உள்ளே அனுமதிக்காமல் வெளியேற்றுகின்றனர்' என்றனர்.

இது குறித்து, ரேஷன் ஊழியர்கள் கூறியதாவது:கூட்டுறவு சங்கங்களில் இருந்து, கார்டுதாரர்களின் எண்ணிக்கைக்கு ஏற்ப, துணிப்பை வழங்காமல் குறைத்து தான் வழங்கினர். கார்டுதாரர்கள், துணிப்பை கேட்டு வாக்குவாதம் செய்கின்றனர். அதிகாரிகளிடம் கேட்டால், 'கார்டுதாரர் எடுத்து வரும் பையில், பொருட்களைக் கொடுங்கள்; துணிப்பை கேட்டால் வரவில்லை என்று சொல்லுங்கள்' என, பதில் தருகின்றனர்.இவ்வாறு, அவர்கள் கூறினர்.

உணவு துறை அதிகாரி ஒருவர் கூறியதாவது:அரசு, 38 கிராம் எடையில், 23 ரூபாய் மதிப்பில், ஒரு துணிப்பை வழங்க உத்தரவிட்டு, அனைத்து அரிசி கார்டுதாரருக்கும், 47 கோடி ரூபாய் ஒதுக்கீடு செய்துள்ளது. எனவே, கார்டுதாரர்கள், பொங்கல் பரிசில் துணிப்பையை கேட்டு பெற வேண்டும்.

பொங்கல் பரிசில் உள்ள எந்த ஒரு பொருளையும், ஊழியர்கள் தர மறுத்தால், கடையில் விளம்பரம் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ள அதிகாரிகளின் தொலைபேசி எண்ணில் புகார் தரலாம். அதேபோல், கூட்டுறவு சங்கங்களில் இருந்து, துணிப்பை தரவில்லை என்றாலும், சம்பந்தப்பட்ட சங்கத்தின் மீது, ஊழியர்களும் புகார் அளிக்கலாம்.இவ்வாறு, அவர் கூறினார்.

நீடிக்குமா வாட்ஸ் ஆப் புதிய விதிமுறைகளால் சிக்கல்

நீடிக்குமா வாட்ஸ் ஆப் புதிய விதிமுறைகளால் சிக்கல்

Added : ஜன 07, 2021 02:09

புதுடில்லி:வாட்ஸ் ஆப் செயலி யை பயன்படுத்துவதற்கு புதிய விதிமுறைகள் அறிவிக்கப்பட உள்ளன. அவற்றை ஏற்கும் அலைபேசிகளில் மட்டுமே வாட்ஸ் ஆப் இயங்கும். இது பிப். 8 முதல் நடைமுறைக்கு வர உள்ளது.

வாட்ஸ் ஆப் செயலியில் யார் வேண்டுமானாலும், என்ன தகவலை வேண்டுமானாலும் பதிவிட முடியும். பகிர்ந்து கொள்ளவும் முடியும். இதனால் பல்வேறு சிக்கல்களை வாட்ஸ் ஆப் எதிர்கொண்டது. இதையடுத்து பதிவுகளை பகிர்வதில் பல்வேறு கட்டுப்பாடுகளை விதித்தது. ஒரு பதிவை அதிக பட்சம் 5 பேருக்கு மட்டுமே பகிர முடியும், அதிகம் பகிரப்பட்ட பதிவுகளை ஒரு முறை மட்டுமே மீண்டும் பதிவிட முடியும் உள்ளிட்ட பல மாற்றங்கள் அமல்படுத்தப்பட்டன. இருந்தும் பிரச்னைகள் குறையவில்லை.

இதையடுத்து முக்கிய விதிமுறைகளை வாட்ஸ் ஆப் அமல்படுத்த உள்ளது. பகிரப்படும் தகவலின் உண்மைத்தன்மைக்கு பகிர்பவரே பொறுப்பு உள்ளிட்ட அம்சங்கள் சேர்க்கப்பட உள்ளன. அந்த அம்சத்துடன் கூடிய விதிமுறையை ஏற்றால் மட்டுமே அந்த அலைபேசியில் செயலி தொடரும். இல்லையெனில் செயலி அழிந்துவிடும். இந்த நடைமுறையை பிப்.8 முதல் அமல்படுத்த இருப்பதாக வாட்ஸ் ஆப் தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

கொரோனா பரிசோதனைக்கு இனி கட்டணம் ரூ.1,200தான்!

கொரோனா பரிசோதனைக்கு இனி கட்டணம் ரூ.1,200தான்!

Updated : ஜன 06, 2021 00:24 | Added : ஜன 06, 2021 00:23

சென்னை :தமிழகத்தில் உள்ள, தனியார் ஆய்வகங்களில், ஆர்.டி.பி.சி.ஆர்., எனப்படும், கொரோனா பரிசோதனைக்கான கட்டணத்தை, 1,200 ரூபாயாக தமிழக அரசு குறைத்துள்ளது. முதல்வர் காப்பீட்டு திட்டத்தில், 800 ரூபாயாக நிர்ணயிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

தமிழகத்தில், கொரோனா தொற்றை கட்டுப்படுத்த, அதிகப்படியான சோதனைகளை, அரசு மேற்கொண்டு வருகிறது. இதுவரை, 1.44 கோடி, ஆர்.டி.பி.சி.ஆர்., பரிசோதனைகளை அரசு மேற்கொண்டுள்ளது. தினமும், 60 ஆயிரம் முதல், 70 ஆயிரம் பரிசோதனைகள் செய்யப்பட்டு வருகின்றன. இதில், 76 சதவீதம் அரசு மருத்துவமனைகளிலும், 24 சதவீதம் தனியார் ஆய்வகங்களில் செய்யப்படுகின்றன.

இந்நிலையில், தனியார் ஆய்வகங்களில், ஆர்.டி.பி.சி.ஆர்., பரிசோதனை கட்டண தொகை அதிகமாக இருப்பதாக பொது மக்கள் கருத்து தெரிவித்து வந்தனர். இதனால், தனியார் ஆய்வகங்களில் கொரோனா பரிசோதனை கட்டணத்தை, தமிழக அரசு குறைத்துள்ளது. இதற்கான திருத்தி அமைக்கப்பட்ட கட்டண விபரங்களை, தமிழக சுகாதாரத் துறை செயலர் ராதாகிருஷ்ணன் அரசாணையில் வெளியிட்டுள்ளார்.

* பொது மக்களுக்கு ஆர்.டி.பி.சி.ஆர்., பரிசோதனை கட்டணம், 3,000 ரூபாயில் இருந்து, 1,200 ரூபாயாக நிர்ணயிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. வீடுகள் மற்றும் விடுதிகளுக்கு சென்று மாதிரிகள் சேகரித்தால், கூடுதலாக, 300 ரூபாய் வசூலித்து கொள்ளலாம்.

* முதல்வரின் மருத்துவ காப்பீட்டு திட்டத்தில் சோதனை செய்பவர்களுக்கு, 2,500 ரூபாயில் இருந்து, 800 ரூபாய் கட்டணம் நிர்ணயிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

கொட்டும் மழையில் குளித்தபடி பொங்கல் பரிசு வாங்கிய மக்கள்

கொட்டும் மழையில் குளித்தபடி பொங்கல் பரிசு வாங்கிய மக்கள்

Added : ஜன 05, 2021 23:36

சென்னை:கொட்டும் மழையிலும் நனைந்தபடி, ரேஷன் கடைகளுக்கு வந்து, பொங்கல் பரிசு தொகுப்பை மக்கள் வாங்கி சென்றனர்.

தமிழக ரேஷன் கடைகளில், அரிசி கார்டுதாரர்களுக்கு, தலா, 2,500 ரூபாய் ரொக்கத்துடன், பச்சரிசி, முந்திரி,திராட்சை,ஏலம், கரும்பு, துணிப்பை அடங்கிய பரிசு தொகுப்பு வினியோகம், நேற்று முன்தினம் முதல் துவங்கியது.சென்னை, காஞ்சிபுரம், செங்கல்பட்டு, திருவள்ளூர் உள்ளிட்ட பல மாவட்டங்களில், நேற்று முன்தினம் நள்ளிரவு முதல் கன மழை பெய்தது. தொடர்ந்து பெய்த மழையால், சாலைகளில் தண்ணீர் தேங்கியது.

மழையையும் பொருட்படுத்தாமல் நனைந்தபடி, ரேஷன் கடைகள் முன், மக்கள் குவிந்தனர். பலர் குடை பிடித்தும், 'ரெயின் கோட்' அணிந்தும் வரிசையில் நின்றனர். சில பெண்கள், தங்களின் புடவை மற்றும் தலையில் பிளாஸ்டிக் கவரை போட்டிருந்தனர். மழையில் நனைந்தபடி, பொங்கல் பரிசு தொகுப்பை வாங்கி சென்றனர். ஈரப்பதத்தால், 2,500 ரூபாயை எண்ணி வழங்குவதில், ரேஷன் ஊழியர்கள் சிரமப்பட்டனர். கார்டுதாரர்களும், ஒரு முறைக்கு, இரண்டு, மூன்று முறைக்கு மேல், ரொக்க பணத்தை எண்ணி வாங்கினர்.

கூட்டுறவு மற்றும் உணவு துறை அதிகாரி ஒருவர் கூறியதாவது:அனைத்து அரிசி கார்டுதாரருக்கும், பொங்கல் பரிசு தொகுப்பு வழங்கப்படும். டோக்கனில் உள்ள தேதியில் வாங்கவில்லை என்றால், பரிசு தொகுப்பு கிடைக்காது என, யாரும் கருத வேண்டாம். எனவே, மழையில், உடல்நலம் பாதிக்கப்பட்டவர்கள், சிரமப்பட்டு வர வேண்டாம்.

டோக்கனில் குறிப்பிட்டுள்ள தேதியில் வாங்காதவர்கள், வரும், 12, 13ம் தேதிகளில் வாங்கலாம். மழையில் நனையாதபடி, கரும்பு உள்ளிட்ட, பொங்கல் பரிசு தொகுப்பு பொருட்களை பாதுகாப்பாக வைக்குமாறு, ரேஷன் ஊழியர்கள் அறிவுறுத்தப்பட்டு உள்ளனர்.இவ்வாறு, அவர் கூறினார்.

Vice-Chancellor appointment

 

CM declares public holiday for Thaipoosam

CM declares public holiday for Thaipoosam

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:06.01.2021

Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday announced a public holiday for Thaipoosam festival on January 28. In a statement, the chief minister said he had received representations from the public when he toured several districts, seeking a public holiday for Thaipoosam festival as it is done in countries like Sri Lanka and Mauritius. “Considering the requests, I have ordered that a public holiday be declared for Thaipoosam on January 28 and that the festival be included in the list of public holidays in the coming years,” Palaniswami said.

Thaipoosam is a festival celebrated in honour of Tamil deity Murugan in Tamil Nadu. The festival is celebrated in Kerala too and in countries like Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius and Indonesia, the CM said. Soon after the announcement, BJP state president L Murugan tweeted thanking the chief minister for accepting the request of his party to declare a public holiday.

In a statement, Naam Tamilar Katchi leader Seeman thanked the state government.

HC declines to stay 7.5% MBBS quota for govt school students

HC declines to stay 7.5% MBBS quota for govt school students

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:  06.01.2021

The Madras high court has refused to stay the ongoing admission to medical courses under the 7.5% reservation provided for students from government schools saying it would be against public interest and lead to chaos.

However, the first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy assured that the court would give a detailed hearing on the pleas challenging the reservation and give a quietus to the issue as soon as possible.

The issue pertains to a batch of pleas moved by students who said their opportunity to secure admission to medical courses was adversely affected by the introduction of 7.5% reservation for government school students in the state.

Tamil Nadu already has 69% communal reservation for admission to government educational institutions, though it is above the 50% upper limit set by the Supreme Court, the petitioners said.

“While the petitioner took NEET 2021 they were aware of these circumstances. But the same has been compounded after the exam by setting aside 7.5% seats on preferential basis for students who have studied in government schools,” advocate B N Suchindran, representing a petitioner, said.

It is pertinent to note that a similar GO providing reservation for state board students was struck down by this court in 2017, he added.

Further, noting that reservation per Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution can be provided only for socially educationally backward classes, he said, the present classification does not fall under the category.

He added, the provision for further 7.5% reservation to government school students above and beyond the existing scheme of reservations is unreasonable and arbitrary.

“The reservation goes against the legitimate expectation of many students who have taken the NEET exam in the current academic year, many of whom will become ineligible only by virtue of this ex post facto reservation,” the petitioners said.

Opposing the pleas, advocate-general Vijay Narayan submitted that the reservation was introduced based on the recommendations of Justice Kalaiyarasan committee.

Recording the same, the bench directed the state to disclose the report of the committee and file a detailed counter.

12 get MBBS seats in govt med colleges, 170 vacant

12 get MBBS seats in govt med colleges, 170 vacant

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 06.01.2021

Twelve candidates were allotted seats in government medical colleges, while 826 others either retained or upgraded their seats during the second round of MBB/BDS counselling held in the day.

The selection committee, which allots medical and dental colleges to candidates, called 1,872 people for the second round of counselling under the general category on Tuesday.

The committee reported that 850 people attended the counselling. Twelve candidates opted to remain on the waiting list.

When the counselling began, there were182 MBBS seats in government colleges, 206 seats in self-financing medical colleges, 68 BDS seats in government colleges, and 965 seats in self-financing dental colleges. At the end of the day, there were 170 MBBS seats vacant in government colleges, 209 seats in self-financing medical colleges. In the dental category, there were 68 seats in government colleges and 965 seats in self-financing colleges. The counselling will continue on Wednesday at the Jawaharalal Nehru outdoor stadium.

Proud father salutes higher-ranked daughter on seeing her at police meet in Andhra Pradesh

Proud father salutes higher-ranked daughter on seeing her at police meet in Andhra Pradesh

When Jessy Prasanthi saw her father, she rushed towards him and Shyam Sundar immediately saluted his superior and his daughter reciprocated, respecting him as her father.

Published: 04th January 2021 04:05 PM 

Circle Inspector Shyam Sundar salutes his own daughter Jessi Prasanti who is a Deputy Superintendent of Police. (Photo | Twitter/ Andhra Pradesh Police)

By Express News Service

TIRUPATI: It was not only a proud moment for a father but also a memorable incident for those who witnessed a Circle Inspector saluting his own daughter who is a Deputy Superintendent of Police, his immediate superior.

This happened at the Police Training Centre located near Kalyani Dam in Tirupati, hours before the commencement of AP's Police Duty "IGNITE" in the temple town. Yendluru Shyam Sundar, currently working as Circle Inspector at the Police Training Centre, Tirupati, on Sunday evening, observed his daughter Y Jessy Prasanthi involved in her work at the same Police Duty meet.

When Jessy Prasanthi saw her father, she rushed towards him and Shyam Sundar immediately saluted his superior and his daughter reciprocated, respecting him as her father. Senior police officials allocated duties of DISHA to the Dy SP. Jessy Prasanthi, a 2018 batch officer, presently posted at Guntur Urban South.

“I grew up observing my father and his dedication towards his work in the department. He is committed towards his responsibility and has respect towards his department. He is my main inspiration in joining the police department. I had closely observed his activities towards the needy while he was on duty," Jessy Prasanthi told The New Indian Express.

Senior officials who witnessed the incident appreciated both father and his daughter for their dedication and felt proud that they were part of the department. "I am very confident that my daughter will serve the department sincerely, putting all her efforts," Circle Inspector Y Shyam Sundar said.

உதவ வயது முக்கியமில்லை: பொங்கல் பரிசு பெறச் சென்ற மூதாட்டியை வண்டியில் வைத்து இழுத்துச்சென்ற சிறுவர்கள்

உதவ வயது முக்கியமில்லை: பொங்கல் பரிசு பெறச் சென்ற மூதாட்டியை வண்டியில் வைத்து இழுத்துச்சென்ற சிறுவர்கள்

புதுக்கோட்டை

புதுக்கோட்டை மாவட்டம் கொத்தமங்கலத்தில் இன்று (ஜன.4) பொங்கல் பரிசு வாங்கச் சென்ற மூதாட்டியை இழுவை வண்டியில் ஏற்றி சிறுவர்கள் அழைத்துச் சென்றனர்.

கொத்தமங்கலம் மேற்குப் பகுதியைச் சேர்ந்தவர் சுப்புலட்சுமி (70). தனியாக வசித்து வரும் இவருக்கு அவ்வப்போது மகள் உதவி செய்து வருகிறார். இந்நிலையில் பொங்கல் பரிசுப் பொருட்கள் மற்றும் ரூ.2,500 வாங்குவதற்காக வீட்டில் இருந்து சுமார் 1 கிலோ மீட்டர் தூரத்தில் உள்ள ரேஷன் கடைக்கு இன்று நடந்து சென்றார். நீண்ட நேரம் நடந்ததில் சோர்வடைந்த மூதாட்டி, இடையில் சாலையோரத்தில் உள்ள மரத்தடியில் படுத்துவிட்டார்.

இதையறிந்த, அப்பகுதியைச் சேர்ந்த வீரமணி என்பவரின் மகன்களான நிதின்(9), நிதிஷ்(9) ஆகியோர் தங்களது வீட்டில் உள்ள இரு சக்கர வாகனத்தில் பொருத்தி இழுத்துச் செல்லப் பயன்படுத்தும் இழுவை வண்டியில் சுப்புலட்சுமியை ஏற்றிப் படுக்கச் செய்து ரேஷன் கடைக்கு வண்டியை இழுத்துச் சென்றனர். இதேபோன்று பொருட்களை வாங்கிக் கொண்டு திரும்பியவரை, மீண்டும் அவரது வீட்டுக்கு அழைத்துச்சென்று இறக்கி விட்டனர்.

தக்க சமயத்தில் உதவிய சிறுவர்களுக்கு, மூதாட்டி கண்ணீர் மல்க நன்றி தெரிவித்தார். மேலும், சிறுவர்களின் செயலை ரேஷன் கடையில் கூடியிருந்த பெண்களும் பாராட்டினர்.

தேர்தல் சமயங்களில் வயதானவர்களை வாக்குச் சாவடிகளுக்கு அழைத்துச் செல்வதில் மட்டும் ஆர்வம் காட்டும் கட்சியினர், இதுபோன்ற சமயங்களில் கண்டும் காணாமலும் இருப்பதாக அப்பகுதிப் பெண்கள் கவலையோடு கூறினர்.

ஆண்டுக்கு இருமுறை ஆன்லைனில் நீட் தேர்வு?- சுகாதார அமைச்சகத்துக்கு என்டிஏ கடிதம்

05.01.2021

ஆண்டுக்கு இருமுறை ஆன்லைனில் நீட் தேர்வு?- சுகாதார அமைச்சகத்துக்கு என்டிஏ கடிதம்

ஆண்டுக்கு இரண்டு முறை ஆன்லைனில் நீட் தேர்வை நடத்தலாமா என்று தேர்வை நடத்தும் என்டிஏ, மத்திய சுகாதார அமைச்சகத்துக்குக் கடிதம் எழுதியுள்ளது.

நாடு முழுவதும் எம்பிபிஎஸ் மற்றும் பல் மருத்துவப் படிப்புகளுக்கு நீட் எனப்படும் பொது நுழைவுத் தேர்வு நடத்தப்படுகிறது. இத்தேர்வைக் கடந்த ஆண்டு சுமார் 13 லட்சம் மாணவர்கள் எழுதினர்.

இந்நிலையில் தற்போது தேர்வுகளை இருமுறை நடத்துவது குறித்து என்டிஏ எனப்படும் தேசியத் தேர்வுகள் முகமை, மத்திய சுகாதார அமைச்சகத்துக்குக் கடிதம் எழுதியுள்ளது.

இதுபற்றி என்டிஏ அதிகாரிகள் கூறும்போது, ''கடுமையான போட்டித் தேர்வு என்பதால் இத்தேர்வுக்குத் தயாராகும் மாணவர்கள் கூடுதலான மன அழுத்தத்துக்கு ஆளாகின்றனர். இதனால் இத்தேர்வை ஆண்டுக்கு இரு முறை நடத்தினால், மாணவர்களுக்கு அழுத்தம் குறையும். எனினும் இதற்கு மத்திய சுகாதார அமைச்சகத்தின் அனுமதி தேவை. நீட் தேர்வைப் பொறுத்தவரையில் என்டிஏ என்பது தேர்வை நடத்தும் அமைப்பு மட்டுமே.

தற்போது காகித முறையில் நீட் தேர்வு நடைபெற்று வருகிறது. இதை ஆண்டுக்கு இரண்டு முறை என நடத்தும்போது தேர்வுக்கு ஏராளமான ஏற்பாடுகளைக் கூடுதலாகச் செய்ய வேண்டி இருக்கும். இதனால் ஆன்லைனில் ஆண்டுக்கு இரண்டு முறை நீட் தேர்வை நடத்தலாமா என்பது குறித்து மத்திய அரசு பரிசீலிக்க வேண்டும்'' என்று தெரிவித்தனர்.

இந்த ஆண்டு ஜேஇஇ மெயின் 2021 தேர்வு ஆண்டுக்கு 4 முறை நடைபெறும் என்று அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. முதல் கட்டமாக பிப்ரவரி மாதம் 23 முதல் 26ஆம் தேதி வரை தேர்வு நடைபெற உள்ளது. அதைத் தொடர்ந்து மார்ச், ஏப்ரல் மற்றும் மே மாதங்களிலும் ஜேஇஇ மெயின் 2021 தேர்வு நடைபெற உள்ளது. ஜேஇஇ தேர்வுகளையும் தேசியத் தேர்வுகள் முகமையே நடத்தி வருவது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.

மத்திய அமைச்சர் அமித் ஷா 14ம் தேதி சென்னை வருகை

DINAMALAR

பொது செய்தி 

தமிழ்நாடு

மத்திய அமைச்சர் அமித் ஷா 14ம் தேதி சென்னை வருகை

Added : ஜன 05, 2021 00:12

சென்னை : மத்திய உள்துறை அமைச்சர் அமித் ஷா, வரும், 14ம் தேதி சென்னை வர உள்ளது, அரசியல் வட்டாரத்தில் மீண்டும் பரபரப்பை ஏற்படுத்தி உள்ளது.

மத்திய உள்துறை அமைச்சர் அமித் ஷா, கடந்த நவ., 21ல், சென்னை வந்தார். சென்னை விமான நிலையத்திற்கு வெளியே, காரிலிருந்து இறங்கி, சாலையில் சிறிது துாரம் நடந்து சென்று, தொண்டர்களை உற்சாகப்படுத்தினார்.அவர் பங்கேற்ற அரசு விழாவில், அ.தி.மு.க.,- - பா.ஜ., கூட்டணி தொடர்வதாக, முதல்வர் மற்றும் துணை முதல்வர் அறிவித்தனர். ஆனால், அமித் ஷா எந்த அறிவிப்பையும் வெளியிடவில்லை. அதைத் தொடர்ந்து, அ.தி.மு.க., சார்பில், முதல்வர் வேட்பாளராக, இ.பி.எஸ்., அறிவிக்கப்பட்டார்.

பா.ஜ., தரப்பில், முதல்வர் வேட்பாளரை, தேசிய தலைமை தான் அறிவிக்கும் என, மாநில நிர்வாகிகள் கூறியதைத் தொடர்ந்து, இரு கட்சிகளுக்கும் இடையே உரசல் ஏற்பட்டது.நடிகர் ரஜினி அரசியல் கட்சி துவங்குவதில் இருந்து பின்வாங்கிய பின், அ.தி.மு.க., -- பா.ஜ., கூட்டணி உறுதியாகி உள்ளது. இரு தரப்பிலும், தொகுதி பங்கீடு குறித்து ரகசிய பேச்சு நடந்து வருவதாக, தகவல் வெளியானது. அதேநேரம், ரஜினி முடிவை மாற்றவும் முயற்சிகள் நடந்து வருவதாக கூறப்படுகிறது.இந்நிலையில், 14ம் தேதி நடக்க உள்ள, 'துக்ளக்' வார இதழ் ஆண்டு விழாவில், அமித் ஷா பங்கேற்க, சென்னை வருகிறார்.

அன்று அவர், பா.ஜ., நிர்வாகிகளை சந்திப்பதுடன், கூட்டணி கட்சித் தலைவர்கள் மற்றும் ரஜினியை சந்தித்து பேச உள்ளதாக, தகவல் வெளியாகி உள்ளது.கடந்த முறை அவர் வந்த போது, அ.தி.மு.க., -- பா.ஜ., கூட்டணி உறுதியானது. இம்முறை வருகையின்போது, அமித் ஷா, எந்த மாதிரியான மாற்றங்களை ஏற்படுத்தப் போகிறார் என்ற எதிர்பார்ப்பு, அனைத்து கட்சியினரிடமும் ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது.

TN announces Pongal bonus to Group C & D staff

TN announces Pongal bonus to Group C & D staff

The State government on Monday announced Pongal bonus for regular and temporary employees of Group C and D categories.

Published: 05th January 2021 04:44 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The State government on Monday announced Pongal bonus for regular and temporary employees of Group C and D categories.According to a (Government Order) G.O. issued by Finance (allowance) Department, orders were issued to grant ad hoc bonus, equivalent to 30 days of emoluments and subject to a ceiling of Rs 3,000, to regular and temporary government employees of Group C and D and employees of local bodies and aided educational institutions for the accounting year 2019-2020.

The G.O. further said that a special ad hoc bonus of Rs 1,000 will be paid to full-time and part-time employees who are paid from contingencies at fixed monthly rates, employees of consolidated pay, special time scale of pay including employees in the nutritious meal programme, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), anganwadi workers, mini anganwadi workers, village assistants, and employees on daily wages.

The government further ordered to provide Pongal gift amount of Rs 500 to all government pensioners – those who had retired from Group C and D categories, employees of local bodies, aided educational institutions, nutritious meal programme, ICDS, anganwadi workers, mini anganwadi workers, village assistants and others.

Centre taking up massive project to vaccinate nation: Harsh Vardhan

Centre taking up massive project to vaccinate nation: Harsh Vardhan

The Union Minister says next five to ten years is expected to be golden era for our country

Published: 05th January 2021 04:56 AM | Last Updated: 05th January 2021 04:56 AM 

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan addressed the virtual Convocation of Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research on Monday

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Union government is taking up a massive project to vaccinate the nation against Covid-19, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Monday.Speaking at the 32nd convocation function of Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, the minister through video conference said the Centre had initiated a slew of measures to prevent contagion. 

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself has been interacting with Chief Ministers of States and Union Territories to collaborate efforts to effectively manage the crisis,” Harsh Vardhan added.

“I agree that the pandemic has turned the clock back many years, if not decades. The deadly virus has derailed our painstaking efforts for development, and diverted scientific attention. The lockdown has raised insurmountable barriers, interrupted supply chains and diverted manufacturing capacities. What we need now is strategised thinking, thought leadership and disruptive social entrepreneurship. It needs mass mobilisation, aggressive campaigns, powerful partners and deep commitments, especially from doctors. Doctors are the backbone of any society. If healthcare professionals are committed, then many things will fall into place,” the minister said.

Noting that India spends about 4.2 per cent of its GDP on healthcare and related services, as compared to about 18 per cent by many developed nations, Harsh Vardhan said, “The government has already made a substantial increase in the healthcare spending this year and the Finance Commission has projected a massive increase in the health outlay for the next five years. At present, our doctor - patient ratio is 1:1700. It should improve to 1:1000 as per World Health Organisation norms. We are also trying to set up one medical college in every district in the country.”

Medical professionals have a lot of scope to innovate, and responsibility to facilitate the Prime Minister’s dream of ‘AtmaNirbhar India’, and also contribute to the ‘Make in India’, the minister reminded the students. “The next five to ten years are expected to be a golden era for our country. All youth should imbibe Gandhiji’s teachings to create a better society,” he added. 

Chancellor VR Venkataachalam conferred the degrees to the graduates, and along with Pro Chancellor R V Sengutuvan and Vice Chancellor PV Vijayaraghavan, presented 94 gold medals to meritorious students.