25,000 vax doses wasted in TN; give them to elderly, say doctors

25,000 vax doses wasted in TN; give them to elderly, say doctors

Pushpa.Narayan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:11.02.2021 

More than 25,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine have gone waste following low turnout at vaccination centres across Tamil Nadu since the launch of the nationwide drive on January 16. The directorate of public health, which is responsible for the drive in the state, said nearly 15% of the shots have gone waste after vaccinating 1,97,114 people until Wednesday.

With several elderly and vulnerable people waiting for their shots across Tamil Nadu, senior epidemiologists, virologists and infectious diseases experts are now demanding that the vaccination drive be opened to general public, with priority to elderly and those with comorbid conditions. “This will reduce wastage. Some people may jump the queue, but even that may still be better than wasting precious doses. At least 100 countries across the globe are still waiting for their first dose,” said infectious diseases expert Dr Subramaniam Swaminathan, who has been treating Covid-19 patients.

‘WON’T LET SELECT STATES SHIFT COURSE’

Ready to give shot to elderly, waiting for Centre nod: TN

Union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan had recently tweeted that the government is ensuring that no vial or session is wasted and in case of absenteeism, vaccines are being allotted to other beneficiaries.

The Covid vaccines Covishield or Covaxin come in 10 or 20 dose vials and have to be used within four hours after being opened. But with poor turnout, several vials containing unused doses are moved into special boxes labelled as “unusable vials”. Public health officials said vaccinators cannot offer the vaccine to willing elderly or those with comorbid conditions because the national programme does not allow vaccination of people who are not registered on the centralized Cowin portal. “We are told that it cannot be given to anyone other than registered healthcare providers or frontline workers,” said joint director immunization Dr K Vinay Kumar.

Senior virologist Dr T Jacob John says when Covid-19 cases are coming down, the goal should be prevention of severe disease and death along with strategies for safe reopening. “We should give the first dose of the vaccine to the targeted groups as early as possible even if that delays the second dose to health workers,” he said. Studies also show that the efficacy goes from 54% to 82% when the vaccine’s second dose of Covishield is delayed from 28 days to 12 weeks, he added.

State health minister C Vijayabaskar said the state has written to the Centre seeking permission to offer the vaccine to vulnerable groups. “If they permit us we will be able to start vaccinations. This can reduce wastage too,” he said.

The Union health ministry, however, said it will not be able to “permit select states change the course” of the national programme. During their interaction with state officials over videoconference on Tuesday, central government officials have asked the state to wrap up the first dose of vaccinations for healthcare providers in another 10 days, but did not allow the state to expand coverage to elderly group. Director of public health Dr T S Selvavinayagam said the state has told healthcare workers it would cancel their “priority” if they do not get vaccinated.

TN siddha doc Sivaraj passes away aged 78

TN siddha doc Sivaraj passes away aged 78

11.02.2021 

Dr Sivaraj Sivakumar, a siddha doctor and male fertility specialist, died of age-related ailments at a hospital in Salem on Wednesday. He was 78 and is survived by his wife Mallika, 70, a son and a daughter. The Sivaraj Siddha Vaidya Salai has been operating for more than seven generations in Salem.

Two-member panel to probe TRB ‘job scam’

Two-member panel to probe TRB ‘job scam’

Chennai:11.02.2021

Two years after an alleged scam in the recruitment of 814 computer instructors through Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB), the Madras high court on Wednesday appointed a two-member committee consisiting of a former HC judge and a retired inspector general of police to look into the issue.

The committee will study the manner in which the examination was conducted at various centres. It will be open to the committee to seek CCTV footage. In the event of CCTV footage not being available at some centres, the panel must seek an explanation about it. It will also be open to the panel to speak to the examinees so that all apprehension expressed by the petitioners may be addressed, said a bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy. TNN

HC seeks probe report in April

The bench passed the order on an appeal moved by the state government challenging a single judge order.

“Justice N Authinathan (retired) who has been appointed by the single judge as a one-man committee to go into the probe shall appoint a retired police officer not below the rank of inspector-general who is without any political leanings so that the committee now comprises of two members,” the bench said.

The bench asked the committee to conclude the exercise within six weeks and file the report before the single judge by April 30. The appointments already given to the successful candidates will abide by the result of the proceedings and the final order that may be made on the petitions by the single judge, the bench said.

The issue pertains to an order passed by a single judge on December 17, 2020, constituting the one-man committee to probe the allegations. The order was passed on a batch of petitions moved by unsuccessful candidates alleging large scale irregularities including allowing the use of mobile phones while attending exams.

As all such allegations pertained to three exam centres established in KSR College of Engineering, Namakkal, Annai College of Engineering, Thanjavur, and Kongunadu College of Engineering, Trichy, the court permitted the state to proceed with the appointment of candidates selected from other centers.

As the single judge restricted the probe only to the three centers, the bench has expanded the same to all the 742 centres where the exams were held. The direct recruitment drive was conducted in 2019.

Muslim Man Can Marry More Than Once Without Divorcing Earlier Wife But Same Doesn't Apply To A Muslim Woman: P&H High Court

Muslim Man Can Marry More Than Once Without Divorcing Earlier Wife But Same Doesn't Apply To A Muslim Woman: P&H High Court: A Muslim lady has to divorce her first husband, either under the Muslim Personal Law or under the provisions of the Muslim Marriages Act, 1939, before contracting a second marriage

இந்தியன் வங்கி சேவை 3 நாட்கள் பாதிப்படையும்

இந்தியன் வங்கி சேவை 3 நாட்கள் பாதிப்படையும்

Added : பிப் 09, 2021 22:40

சென்னை:இந்தியன் வங்கியுடன், அலகாபாத் வங்கி, 2020 ஏப்., 1 முதல் இணைக்கப்பட்டு, இந்தியன் வங்கியாக செயல்பட்டு வருகிறது.

இந்த நிலையில், இந்தியன் வங்கியில், வரும் மூன்று நாட்கள், சர்வர் இணைக்கும் பணி நடைபெற இருப்பதால், வங்கி சேவையில் பாதிப்பு இருக்கும் என, வாடிக்கையாளர்களுக்கு தகவல் அனுப்பப்பட்டுள்ளது.இந்தியன் வங்கி அனுப்பியுள்ள குறுந்தகவல்:இந்தியன் வங்கி -- அலகாபாத் வங்கிகளின், சர்வர்களை இணைக்கும் இறுதிகட்ட பணிகள் மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டு வருகின்றன.

இதன் காரணமாக, வரும், 12ம் தேதி, இரவு, 9:00 மணி முதல், 15ம் தேதி காலை, 9:00 மணி வரை, வங்கி சேவையில் பாதிப்பு ஏற்படும். வாடிக்கையாளர்கள்ஒத்துழைக்க வேண்டும்.இவ்வாறு, அதில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.பாக்ஸ்

புதிய துணைவேந்தர் தேர்வு அறிவிப்பு

புதிய துணைவேந்தர் தேர்வு அறிவிப்பு

Added : பிப் 09, 2021 22:39

சென்னை:தமிழ்நாடு அம்பேத்கர் சட்ட பல்கலைக்கு புதிய துணைவேந்தரை நியமிப்பதற்கான அறிவிப்பு வெளியிடப்பட்டுள்ளது.தமிழ்நாடு டாக்டர் அம்பேத்கர் சட்ட பல்கலை துணைவேந்தராக, சூர்ய நாராயண சாஸ்திரி பணியாற்றுகிறார். இவரது பதவிக்காலம் இந்த ஆண்டு, மார்ச், 21ல் முடிகிறது. இதையொட்டி, புதிய துணைவேந்தரை தேர்வு செய்வதற்கான நடவடிக்கை துவங்கியுள்ளது.

முதற்கட்டமாக, மூன்று பேர் அடங்கிய தேடல் குழு அமைக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளது.சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்ற ஓய்வு பெற்ற நீதிபதி கலையரசன், திருச்சி தேசிய சட்ட கல்லுாரியின் முன்னாள் துணைவேந்தர் கமலா சங்கரன், அம்பேத்கர் சட்ட பல்கலை முன்னாள் துணைவேந்தர் டார்வேஷ் ஆகியோர், தேடல் குழுவில் இடம் பெற்றுள்ளனர்.இதையடுத்து, புதிய துணைவேந்தரை தேர்வு செய்வதற்கான விண்ணப்ப அறிவிப்பு வெளியிடப்பட்டுள்ளது.

தகுதியான கல்வியாளர்கள், தங்கள் கல்வி தகுதி, ஆராய்ச்சி மற்றும் அனுபவ விபரங்களை, மார்ச், 1க்குள் அனுப்புமாறு தேடல் குழுவின் சார்பில், பொறுப்பு அதிகாரி அறிவித்துள்ளார். மேலும் விபரங்களை, http://www.tndalu.ac.in என்ற இணையதளத்தில் தெரிந்து கொள்ளலாம்.

6.7L gave up citizenship of India between 2015 & ’19: Govt

6.7L gave up citizenship of India between 2015 & ’19: Govt

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:10.02.2021 

More than 6.7 lakh people gave up their Indian citizenship and took the citizenship of other countries between 2015 and 2019, the home ministry informed Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

As per figures put out in reply to a question, junior home minister Nityanand Rai said the ministry of external affairs had put the total number of Indian nationals living abroad at 1.25 crore.

While1.36 lakh gave up Indian citizenship in 2019, the number was 1.25 lakh in 2018, 1.28 lakh in 2017, and around 1.45 lakh in both 2016 and 2015.

Meanwhile, around 37 lakh people were issued Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards since 2005, though the number od such people fell to 1.91 lakh in 2020 from 3.29 lakh in 2019.

Aadhaar must for online renewal of DLs

Aadhaar must for online renewal of DLs

New Delhi:10.02.2021 

Driving licence holders and vehicle owners would need to get Aadhaar authentication to avail 16 types of online and contactless services and avoid the hassles of visiting offices of transport departments. These include obtaining learner's licence, renewal of DL, changes of address and certificate of registration, issue of international driving licence, notice of transfer and application for transfer of ownership of vehicle. According to a draft “order” by the road transport ministry, “Any individual desirous of availing various contactless services through the portal is required to undergo Aadhaar authentication. ”

This voluntary Aadhaar authentication will help the government to weed out fake documents and more than one driving licences held by individuals, which are big deterrents to road safety in India.

Another official said considering that people are opting more for contactless or online services they are hopeful of this becoming popular. The state government would be asked to make this initiative popular among people. TNN

RGUHS will geo-tag affiliate colleges to ensure better infra

RGUHS will geo-tag affiliate colleges to ensure better infra

SruthySusan.Ullas@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:10.02.2021

Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) will roll out geo-tagging of all its affiliate institutions to avoid their uneven spread and ensure quality in infrastructure. The university has brought in a moratorium on starting new colleges, barring medical colleges, in Bengaluru Urban district and Mangaluru.

“Due to high density of colleges in these two places, new ones will not be allowed. This rule was in place for academic year 2020-21 and will continue for 2021-22. This is applicable for all colleges except medical ones. In case a proposal is received, it will first go to the syndicate,” said Shivanand Kapashi, registrar.

The university is bringing in major reforms of the local inquiry committee in renewing affiliation and considering new applications of colleges. “Many institutions run multiple colleges from the same building despite each demanding specific requirements. Such ille gal colle ges can be tracked down with geo-tagging,” said HJ Jaikrishna, syndicate member.

Aadhaar-linked biometric attendance is being introduced to check the issue of “ghost lecturers” who visit multiple colleges during inspections. Apart from informed inspections by LIC, the reforms also suggest surprise checks with photo and video recording, presence of subject experts and special formats for filling in details of the visits.

The university had received applications to start 160 new colleges — 101 for nursing and 60 for allied health t— his year.

Of these, 60 have been recommended to the government for approval by the university. There had been criticism that many of the deficiencies were overlooked during the LIC visits and were then scrutinised at the syndicate level.

“Many earlier applications that were pending because of some deficiencies were added this year, taking the numbers up to 160. We’ve taken extra steps with additional two layers of checking. The syndicate also randomly visited some colleges among the 64 that were recommended by the LIC. Finally, a list of 60 colleges has been sent to the government,” said the registrar.

The move will help in addressing the problem of density of colleges in a single area. Bengaluru, Mangaluru and Hubballi have high number of colleges. We need an even spread to ensure access to all students. Geo-tagging will provide all details about a college in Karnataka that students can use to verify before taking admission

HJ Jaikrishna |

SYNDICATE MEMBER

Med students cite exams, refuse inoculation for now

Med students cite exams, refuse inoculation for now

Sunitha.Rao@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru: 10.02.2021 

With first -year MBBS examinations underway, several medicos are refusing to take the vaccine jab, say nodal officers overseeing the drive-in medical colleges.

Over the past 10 days, internal assessments and practical classes were being held and several students had voiced concerns about taking the jab during the first two weeks of the drive which began on January 16. Colleges reopened for on-campus classes for MBBS students only on December 1.

Professors at Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences in Ballari and Shivamogga Institute of Medical Sciences say parents of students are concerned about them taking the vaccine during exams.

“Internal assessments were going on for first year students and now they have exams proper. For second and third year students too, internal assessments have been scheduled in the coming weeks. While some students have already taken the vaccine, others have concerns,” said professors.

RGUHS vice-chancellor S Sacchidanand said he was not aware students are concerned about taking the vaccine and are citing exams as the reason. He insisted they not have such apprehensions. “However, provisions should be made for all medical students who have not got vaccinated for whatever reason,” he said.

However, there is no data available as yet on how many RGUHS students have taken the vaccine or the number who have refused the jab.

Dr PG Girish, directorate of medical education, said not only medical college students but also dental and nursing students have raised similar concerns and have avoided taking the vaccine.

“About 30% of students have such apprehensions. We will allow registered medical, nursing and dental students who have missed their vaccination to get it later. They all need to be inoculated to enhance total vaccination coverage,” said Dr Girish.

Over the past 10 days, internal assessments and practical classes were being held and many pupils did not want to take the jab

Sum assured cut, CA moves court against LIC

Sum assured cut, CA moves court against LIC

Jay.Pachchigar@timesgroup.com

Vadodara:10.02.2021 

A city-based chartered accountant has knocked the doors of the consumer court after the Life Insurance Corporation’s (LIC) ‘Jeevan Saral’ cited typograhical errors to reduce his sum assured on maturity in its policy.

CA Sanjeev Shah has claimed that he purchased ‘Jeevan Saral’ policy in July 2006 and had been regularly paying quarterly premium of Rs 3,062. The policy is supposed to mature in 2022 and Shah has been assured an amount of Rs 2.5 lakh.

However, LIC wrote a letter to him last year saying that 14 years after issuing the policy, it came to their notice that was a typographical error while printing the schedule of the document. The company informed him that instead of Rs 2.5 lakh, he will be receiving Rs1.68 lakh.

As the assured amount was reduced by Rs 81,480 just two years before the maturity, Shah approached Vadodara District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum. Shah said that the policy, as its name suggests, is supposed to make people’s life easy, but instead it has made it difficult by passing an arbitrary decision.

“Insurance is all about trust, but when the company makes such decisions and gives such unintelligent reasons like typographical error, how can one tolerate it?,” said Shah in his appeal.

He has requested the court to make LIC pay the entire assured amount and additional amount of Rs 2.5 lakh as compensation for damages, harassment and litigation expenses.

“This is very irresponsible on the part of LIC as it is a government of India institution and hundreds of people from different walks of life must have relied on it,” said Shah’s lawyer Jaideep Verma.

The court will hear Shah’s case on February 26.

CA Sanjeev Shah has claimed that he purchased ‘Jeevan Saral’ policy in July 2006 and had been regularly paying quarterly premium of Rs 3,062

GU candidates face ID, password issues

GU candidates face ID, password issues

Ahmedabad:10.02.2021 

A large number of students rushed to Gujarat University campus on Tuesday after they found that they did not receive the user ID and password details for the online exams that are to be held from February 13.

The varsity will address the issue and provide the required assistance to students facing such issues in a day or two. About, 48,000 students are registered for the online exams this year. TNN

Banks to stay shut for 4 days in March

Banks to stay shut for 4 days in March

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:10.02.2021 

If you have an account with a public sector bank, then avoid scheduling your banking activities between March 13 and March 16. Around 55,000 public sector bank employees from 18,000 branches from across Gujarat are planning to participate in the nationwide bank strike on March 15 and 16, according to the MahaGujarat Bank Employees’ Association.

With March 13 being a second Saturday and March 14 being a Sunday, banks are expected to remain shut over the weekend.

The United Forum of Bank Unions, an umbrella body of nine unions, has given a call for the two-day strike against the proposed privatization of twostate owned lenders.

In an UFBU meeting held in Hyderabad on Tuesday, various announcements made in the union budget regarding reform measures like privatization of IDBI Bank and two public sector banks, setting up a bad bank, disinvestment in LIC, privatization of one general insurance company, allowing FDI in insurance sector up to 74%, aggressive disinvestment and sale of public sector undertakings.

On February 19, a daylong dharna will be held by bank employees in all state capitals whereas relay demonstrations will be held from February 20 to March 10 across various towns and districts of Gujarat. According to bankers, the strike will bring transactions worth at least Rs 60,000 crore to a standstill.

Soil tests under way for proposed flyover at Camp Road and Madambakkam junctions

Soil tests under way for proposed flyover at Camp Road and Madambakkam junctions

The 3 km structure will ease congestion on stretches of the Velachery-Tambaram Road

10/02/2021

Preliminary task: Workers using a drill to extract samples for soil test on Velachery-Tambaram Road. Special Arrangement

Deepa H. Ramakrishnan CHENNAI

Soil tests are under way for the construction of a 3-km flyover that will permit the flow of traffic between Camp Road and Madambakkam junctions on Velachery-Tambaram Road.

“These are being conducted for the design requirement. It will help us to find the type of soil in locations and thereby decide the kind of foundation required for the construction,” explained a source in the Highways Department.

Similar soil tests were conducted for the construction of a bridge that would form the last leg of the Eastern Bypass that runs from GST Road. This 1-km bridge would run along the Rajakilpakkam Eri. “We are going for this option so that we need not land on the Velachery-Tambaram Road, which would require more land acquisition,” said an engineer associated with the project. The combined length of these two structures would be 4 km and both were being taken up as one composite project.

On the need for the flyover, another source said the road was a very busy one with each of these junctions witnessing over 15,000 passenger car units (PCU) during rush hour. “According to Indian Roads Congress guidelines, if the number touches 10,000 PCU, there is a requirement for a flyover. The Camp Road junction is very narrow and instead of just widening the location and making it into six lanes, we are constructing a flyover that will add four more lanes,” an official explained.

Even as the design for the structures is being done, the land plan schedule that would identify the ownership of the lands, is being readied for land acquisition.

M. Venkat, a resident of Rajakilpakkam, said the project would see the completion of the Eastern Bypass, which had been pending.

‘Stick to schedule’

“It will provide one more connecting corridor to GST Road. Also traffic movement slows down near Camp Road junction due to the width. The widening and construction of a flyover will help a lot. What is required is that the Highways Department must ensure the work is completed as per schedule,” he said.

The Velachery-Tambaram Road runs parallel to GST Road and connects hundreds of residential localities.

It also has two other flyovers that are under construction at Medavakkam junction and at Vijayanagar junction. The Medavakkam flyover is nearing completion.

UGC seeks Anna varsity’s response on violation of norms

UGC seeks Anna varsity’s response on violation of norms

‘Follow norms in faculty recruitment’

10/02/2021

The UGC has written to the Registrar of Anna University.

Special CorrespondentCHENNAI

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has sought a response from Anna University on a complaint from an applicant for the post of assistant librarian.

The Commission has written to the Registrar of Anna University, advising him to follow the UGC norms in faculty recruitment and change the advertisement as per UGC regulations.

In a letter dated February 4, Supriya Dahiya, education officer, UGC, cited a letter received from one A.S. Puhazhenthi, who said the University had violated the UGC norms for recruitment for the post of assistant librarian.

‘Cannot be overlooked’

Ms. Dahiya, in her letter, cited Clause 4.7 of the UGC regulations on Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for Maintenance for Standards in Higher Education Regulations, 2018, and said they are mandatory and “cannot be overlooked at any stage in any circumstances”

University officials, however, said the institution was governed by the All India Council for Technical Education guidelines. “The norms for the University are implemented through a Government of Tamil Nadu G.O. [government order]. In fact, while all universities implemented the revised UGC pay scales as per guidelines in 2019, we implemented it only three months ago. It was only in the beginning of 2020 that the State government issued the G.O. for the same,” said an official.

The University has technical positions that are considered as non-teaching cadres but the qualification requirement for such posts was higher, said J. Kumar, former Registrar.

“For example, a clerical assistant in Annamalai University may be appointed with just a degree. But in Anna University, we have special guidelines as per the nature of the institution. We would require the person to have knowledge of and certification in typewriting, and proficiency in working on the computer,” he said.

Tejas to stop in Dindigul from April 2

Tejas to stop in Dindigul from April 2

10/02/2021

Tejas Express (Chennai Egmore to Madurai) will stop at Dindigul Railway Station from April 2. According to DMK MLA I. Periasamy, following representations from commuters, Dindigul MP Velusami had appealed to the Railway Minister to consider the plea. The public had suggested that the train could stop at Dindigul instead of Kodaikanal Road junction as passengers had to alight at Kodaikanal Road junction and travel to Dindigul. So, the Railway Board had in a communication said from April 2, on an experimental basis, Tejas Express would stop at Dindigul in lieu of Kodaikanal Road junction.

Stating that he had been continuously demanding for the stoppage of Tejas Express at Dindigul, Madurai MP Su. Venkatesan has thanked the railway administration for heeding to his demand.

RTI info over 200+ pages? File another plea

RTI info over 200+ pages? File another plea

Banaskantha DDO Issues Circular Including ‘No Prejudice’ Clause

Paul John@timesgroup.com

Ahmedabad:10.02.2021

If you are in Banaskantha and the information you sought under RTI runs into more than 200 pages, you will have to file another application. You will also need to ensure that the public information officer does not “perceive” you are filing the plea to satisfy a grudge, or your RTI plea could be rejected.

These are just two of the fivepoint mantra issued by the Banaskantha district development officer that threatens to weaken the right of Gujarat’s citizens to know about government affairs. Coming on the heels of the Gujarat Information Commissioner’s controversial decision to impose a lifetime ban on a whistleblower from Amreli and ban three members of a family from filing RTI pleas for five years, these clauses in the circular have further alarmed RTI activists.

On February 2, Banaskantha DDO Ajay Dahiya issued a 27-point circular to all departments including five ‘controversial’ clauses that have raised eyebrows. These clauses bar the PIOs from parting with information if the PIO “deciphers” that the applicant, who has filed the plea, holds a grudge.

The circular also imposes a 200-page restriction. If an RTI applicant seeks copies of an officers’ property or tax returns, copies of charge sheets, show cause and warning notices, records related to conducting disciplinary action or annual confidential reports -- these will now be denied, too. For this, Dahiya has asked PIOs to rely on Supreme Court orders related to cases SLP 22609/2012 and SLP 27734/ 2012 to reject any such information sought under RTI Act. P 2

‘Attack on participatory democracy’

Bnaskantha DDO Ajay Dahiya's circular also stalled the transfer of an RTI application.

So, if information sought is not available with a particular department, the plea will not be transferred to the concerned department.

Instead, a fresh RTI application will have to be filed. “Our deputy DDO Harshad Makwana had prepared the circular with adequate legal citation. You may discuss with him for more details,” said DDO Dahiya who chose to stay away from commenting on the rationale behind including the controversial clauses. The DDO’s circular is an attack on participatory democracy, said Pankti Jog of Mahiti Adhikar Gujarat Pahel. “Information regarding misappropriation of social security scheme payments, food ration, farmers enquiring into farm disputes, can all be denied with this single circular,” Jog said.

New govt arts colleges reopen for1st yr students sans subject teachers

New govt arts colleges reopen for1st yr students sans subject teachers

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:10.02.2021 

After months of online classes, thousands of first year students finally entered college campuses for in-person classes on Monday. But for 2,000 students in 10 new government arts and science colleges, in-person classes began without subject teachers and in some cases without any furniture too.

Ramar, a BComm student in one of the colleges, said the institution just took attendance the first two days and no classes were held. After months of attending online classes at neighbouring colleges, Ramar, like many of his peers, was looking forward to in-person classes. “We thought that offline classes would be better than online classes, but the first two days were disappointing,” he said.

Pothum Ponnu, another student, said her college told students that teachers would be appointed by next Monday. “One faculty member gave orientation,” she said.

While students were able to still learn something with online classes, with reopening, these classes have come to a halt, a student said.

As of Tuesday, the six new colleges in Rishivandiyam in Villupuram district, Ranipet, Sankarankovil in Tenkasi district and Srivilliputhur in Virudhunagar district, Tharangambadi in Karur district and Kuthalam in Nagapattinam district have just one faculty member per college. The other colleges have two or three faculty members, a far cry from the allotted 17 teaching posts per college.

“I am the only faculty member in my college. I have to open the college and put out chairs for students and take attendance and give orientation. It was really difficult to manage more than 200 students all by myself,” said a faculty member in charge of one of the new colleges. The faculty member rented chairs for 10 days as there was no furniture in the college.

Some new colleges postponed semester exams expecting more faculty members. “But, there is no chance in terms of faculty members and infrastructure. We have to prepare the students for upcoming semester exams. The government can depute some faculty members or appoint guest lecturers to help rural students,” another faculty member said.

Sources in the higher education department said the directorate of collegiate education is in the process of transferring faculty members to the new colleges.

TN to wrap up1st dose for health staff by Feb 20

SHOT OF HOPE

TN to wrap up1st dose for health staff by Feb 20

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:10.02.2021

Healthcare providers, who have not taken the Covid-19 vaccine yet, will be asked to visit any government vaccine centres in alphabetic order as per their first name. Those who do not turn up will be moved to the “general category” on the CoWIN portal, the directorate of public health said.

Only 1.74 lakh healthcare providers have taken the vaccine though there are 5.5 lakh registrations. “We have directions from the Centre to complete vaccinations for healthcare providers by February 20 and start preparations for the second dose. The programme is voluntary but we cannot wait endlessly for people to shun their hesitancy,” said director of public health Dr T S Selvavinayagam.

Directions have been given to all district health authorities to vaccinate healthcare workers walking into any centre. “To restrict crowds, we are asking them to walk in according to alphabetical order. There will be two mop days on February 21 and 22 when all healthcare workers can walk in for the first dose. If they don’t, their names will be moved to the general public category,” he said.

On Tuesday, 7,436 healthcare workers, 1,480 frontline workers and 1,634 policemen took the vaccine, taking the day’s recipient tally to 10,550. The tally was higher compared to 8,619 the previous day.

Meanwhile, the state added 469 cases and four deaths to the state registry. There were 4,328 people still under treatment for the viral infection. While Chennai reported two deaths, its neighbours Chengalpet and Tiruvallur reported one death each.

339 vaccinated in Puducherry

The directorate of health and family welfare services administered vaccines to 317 healthcare and 32 frontline workers in Puducherry on Tuesday when 35 new cases and zero deaths were reported. With 37 recoveries, the number of active cases came down to 307. TNN

Pallavaram municipality is dumping raw sewage into lake again: Residents

Pallavaram municipality is dumping raw sewage into lake again: Residents

Komal.Gautham@timesgroup.com

Chennai:10.02.2021 

Even as a case is pending before the National Green Tribunal, activists of Kovilambakkam panchayat union caught on camera the Pallavaram municipality discharging raw untreated sewage into the Keelkatalai lake surplus channel from the Keelkatalai sewage pumping station.

Two large hoses were laid out for to transfer the raw sewage and the dumping has been on for more than a month, the union said, adding that a complaint has been registered with the CM cell and with concerned authorities. Putheri lake in Pallavaram municipality flows into the Keelkattalai lake and the channel then enters Kovilambakkam and ends at Pallikaranai.

“Openings have been made at several points along the canal to discharge sewage. We have taken photos, videos with GPS with date and time stamp and intend to submit to the NGT in the ongoing pollution case of the Kovilambakkam canal. We will demand compensation for the pollution as per the Supreme Court orders,” said J Sankar, coordinator of Federation of Sunnambu Kolathur Residents Welfare Associations. “Despite no rainfall for more than a month, the canal is brimming due to huge sewage inflow from the municipality and it can be inspected at anytime. We demand immediate stoppage of this illegal act and penal action on the erring officials.”

Poor maintenance of pumps, failure of power backup facilities, pipeline breakage are the main reasons behind the dumping, residents said. The NGT had taken up the case suo moto after a TOI report in January and sought a report from the authorities. However, there was a delay in submission and the panel was asked to submit the report this month.

The Pallavaram municipality filed an affidavit saying that there was no discharge from the municipality. Municipality commissioner C Mathivanan told TOI that all 70,000 households have underground drainage connections. “There is no way any sewage is illegally being pumped. Moreover, if there is some sewage, it is the water that is overflowing through manholes and getting mixed with the storm water drain,” he said.

At Kovilambakkam panchayat, residents said there was no sewage discharge into the lake as they used septic tanks and soak pits. The PWD, which owns the canal, remains a mute spectator.

CAUGHT ON CAMERA: A screengrab from a video shot by residents shows the discharge of raw sewage into Keelkatalai lake surplus channel

Five members of family killed as car, truck collide, one arrested

Five members of family killed as car, truck collide, one arrested

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:10.02.2021

Five members of a family died after the car they were travelling in rammed a truck at Padalam in Kancheepuram district in the early hours of Tuesday.

According to police, the deceased were identified as P Subramani, 85, a retired PWD official from Karayanchavadi in Poonamallee, his wife S Indirani, 75, a retired head mistress, their daughter, S Mahalakshmi, 51, granddaughter S Shanthini, 18, and driver J Paul Dinakaran, 24, from Mangadu.

Police said that the family had gone to Samayapuram temple in Trichy on Monday and was returning when the accident happened. The family was travelling in their own car and Paul Dinakaran was hired to drive it.

When the vehicle was going on Trichy-Chennai National Highway near Athimanam village at Madurantakam in Chengalpet district around 2.30am, the driver of a truck that was moving in front of the car applied sudden brake. Paul lost control and rammed the truck. All the occupants in the car died on the spot and the car was completely damaged.

Soon after the accident, the truck driver escaped abandoning the vehicle.

Passersby alerted the highways patrol police who with the help of the registration number of the sand-laden truck arrested its driver P Thangasami, 31, from Manapparai. Police said that the driver had to apply brake as another car moving ahead of him suddenly slowed down.

Passersby rushed all the five to a nearby government hospital where they were declared dead. The bodies were sent to Chengalpattu Government Hospital for postmortem. Police are checking whether Thangasami dozed off and applied the brakes. He was also speeding on the stretch, police said. Following the accident, police are sticking flickering stickers on the back of vehicles to alert the ones trailing them.

TEMPLE TRIP TURNS TRAGIC: The mangled remains of the car

Hold classes only for students of any 2 years in a day, colleges told

Hold classes only for students of any 2 years in a day, colleges told

Quarantine Of 14 Days Must For Hostel Students

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:10.02.2021 

Classes of students of any two years alone should be held on any given day and hostels students should be under a14-day quarantine even if they test negative for Covid-19, the state government has directed arts and science colleges and polytechnics across the state. In engineering colleges, if there is space constraints to maintain social distancing, any two years have to attend classes in a day.

In an effort to ensure social distancing, the government came out with a fresh set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) a day after institutions across the state reopened for all under graduate and post-graduate students. According to the new guidelines, no more than 50% of the students should be present on the campus at any given point.

Institutions have also been asked to break each class into multiple sections, with one in every three seats kept vacant, and allowed to extend teaching hours as per the requirements.

While advising institutions to generally avoid holding cultural and sports activities, the government said such events could be conducted if physical distancing could be ensured. The SOP also mandated institutions to maintain air-conditioning in the 24°C to 30°C range.

In view of the Covid cluster at IIT Madras, the state government has added new protocols with regard to reopening hostels. “Since many hostel students come from different locations, they shall remain in quarantine and selfmonitor their health for a period of 14 days before being allowed to attend classes (even if they bring a negative test report),” chief secretary Rajeev Ranjan said in the order.

Sharing of rooms will not be allowed in hostels, meals should be served in small batches and takeaway options made available for students and staff. “Hostels should define the number of students in dining halls at any point in time. Mess timings should be increased to avoid overcrowding,” the order said.

Several college principals, however, said maintaining 14 days quarantine was not practically possible. “We can maintain less than 50% student strength by dividing classes into batches or asking only science students to attend physical classes. But, quarantining hostel students for 14 days is difficult,” said one principal.

Another principal, on a condition of anonymity, said the government was allowing 100% occupancy in buses and theatres but asking colleges to maintain 50% strength.

Anna University released a staggered academic schedule to maintain just one student per room in hostels after classes for first year students began on Monday. The state government also permitted teacher training institutes to function with up to 25 students per classroom. The authorities have also been allowed to conduct typewriting exams in March and April by following Covid-19 protocols.

HC mulls special team to investigate NEET marks fraud

HC mulls special team to investigate NEET marks fraud

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:10.02.2021 

Why should a special investigation team (SIT) not be formed to probe allegations of answer sheet tampering in NEET, asked the Madras high court on Tuesday.

Justice B Pugalendhi made the observation while hearing a plea moved by K S Manoj, a student from Coimbatore, alleging that his answer sheet had been tampered and two different marks were found for his single answer sheet.

According to the answer sheet downloaded from the official NEET website on October 15, his score was 594. But as per the answer sheet made available on October 17, his mark was 248, he said. When the plea came up for hearing, additional solicitor general R Shankaranarayanan submitted that the National Information Commission (NIC) is the competent authority to probe the allegation.

The petitioner, however, said probe by an independent agency is required as the allegations point out irregularities in the entire examination system.Tothis,theASGsubmitted that all the sheets that are provided by the agency cannot be manipulated since they are chemically treated and that in this case, there are signatures of two separate invigilators and that requires a thorough investigation to establish the case. NIC is also an independent agency, he said.

Recording the submissions, the court wondered as to why an SIT comprising representatives from the CBI, NIC and the state government should not be constituted to probe the allegation. After the ASG submitted that there is no need for constitution of an SIT with a state representative, the court directed the petitioner and the National Testing Agency to file their respective written arguments and adjourned the plea to February18.

Modi has developed habit of lying: CM

Modi has developed habit of lying: CM

Saibal.Gupta@timesgroup.com

Kolkata: 09.02.2021 

Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Monday charged PM Narendra Modi with having “developed the habit of telling lies” and asserted that “Gujarat would not be able to rule Bengal”.

“I will be back. Some may harbour doubts but I will be back (in office),” Banerjee told MLAs during this assembly’s final session before the polls.

PM Modi, while speaking at a political programme in Haldia on Sunday, accused the Bengal government of not sharing with the Centre the farmers’ database for PM Kisan Nidhi benefits. “Modiji has developed the habit of telling lies,” Banerjee said in her response to Modi’s allegations. “Our database will not match the central government’s. Our criterion is different from theirs. We provide financial assistance to even farmers who own a cottah of land. But the Centre’s criterion for availing this scheme is a minimum of two acres of land. We have asked them to send their database so that we can verify it. So far 22 lakh farmers have registered for this programme. They have sent us a list of only 6 lakh farmers; we have already verified 2.5 lakh,” Banerjee said.

CM Banerjee greets MLAs on Monday, the last day of the assembly

Didi: We will come back with a huge mandate

Mamata Banerjee then spoke of the PM’s advance relief of Rs 1,000 crore during the Amphan disaster. “The PM came once after Amphan and announced an advance of Rs 1,000 crore. But the money came from our disaster management fund. We spent more than Rs 2,452 crore on this,” she said.

Banerjee mocked the BJPled Centre’s new-found love for Bengal and said she had never come across such a “cruel and heartless government” in her life. “They are suddenly in love with Bengal now that elections are approaching. They have even started speaking in Bengali. They are talking of Vivekananda and Rabindranath Tagore. They are even saying Tagore was born in Santiniketan,” Banerjee said, having a dig at the BJP’s repeated slip-ups regarding Bengal’s icons.

“Let them bring a thousand people but Gujarat will not be able to rule Bengal. We will come back with a huge mandate,” she said, referring to the BJP’s plans to fly in a host of leaders from other states, including Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath.

A small section of “about 1%” might have indulged in irregularities during Amphan relief distribution, Banerjee said. “But 99% did their work diligently,” she added.

Banerjee also spoke of the huge response to the Duare Sarkar scheme. “We have distributed 18 lakh caste certificates, 15 lakh old-age and widow pensions,” she said.

மரத்தில் கார் மோதி விபத்து ஒரே குடும்பத்தில் 4 பேர் பலி

மரத்தில் கார் மோதி விபத்து ஒரே குடும்பத்தில் 4 பேர் பலி

Added : பிப் 09, 2021 01:14

திண்டிவனம் : திண்டிவனம் அருகே, மரத்தில் கார் மோதியதில், ஒரே குடும்பத்தைச் சேர்ந்த நான்கு பேர் உயிரிழந்தனர்.

சென்னை, மேடவாக்கத்தைச் சேர்ந்தவர் செந்தில்நாதன், 49. ஐ.டி., கம்பெனி ஊழியர். இவரது மனைவி இந்துமதி, 42; சென்னை சேப்பாக்கத்தில், உள்ள மாநில வேளாண் இயக்குனர் அலுவலகத்தில், வேளாண் அலுவலராக பணியாற்றி வந்தார். மகன் முகிலன், 17; பிளஸ் 1 படித்து வந்தார்.மூவரும், கள்ளக்குறிச்சி மாவட்டம், மாடூர் கிராமத்தில் உள்ள உறவினர் வீட்டு திருமண நிகழ்ச்சியில் கலந்து கொண்டனர். நேற்று காலை, 9:30 மணிக்கு, சென்னைக்கு, 'மாருதி பலீனோ' காரில் புறப்பட்டனர்.

இவர்களுடன், சென்னை ஐ.சி.எப்., பில் பணியாற்றி வந்த செந்தில்நாதனின் அண்ணன் குருநாதன், 54; பயணம் செய்தார். காரை செந்தில்நாதன் ஓட்டினார்.காலை, 11:50 மணி அளவில், திண்டிவனம் அடுத்த பாதிரி கிராமத்தில் உள்ள வளைவு அருகே வந்தபோது, திடீரென கட்டுப்பாட்டை இழந்த கார், சாலையோர மரத்தில் மோதியது.காரின் முன் பகுதி நொறுங்கியதில், செந்தில்நாதன், இந்துமதி, குருநாதன் ஆகியோர் சம்பவ இடத்திலேயே இறந்தனர்.முகிலன், திண்டிவனம் அரசு மருத்துவமனைக்கு அழைத்துச் செல்லும் வழியில் இறந்தார். ஒலக்கூர் போலீசார் விசாரிக்கின்றனர்.

ஆபத்தான வளைவுவிபத்து நடந்த பகுதியில் ஏற்கனவே, மரத்தில் கார் மோதியதில் ஒரே குடும்பத்தைச் சேர்ந்த ஆறு பேர் இறந்தனர். இதனால், அந்த இடத்தில் ஆபத்தான வளைவு என்று எச்சரிக்கை போர்டு வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இருப்பினும், நேற்று அதே இடத்தில் நான்கு பேர் இறந்துள்ளனர்.தாம்பூல பையால் துப்பு துலங்கியதுவிபத்து நடந்த இடத்திற்கு, நெடுஞ்சாலைத் துறை ரோந்து போலீசார் உடனே சென்றனர்.

இறந்தவர்கள் யார் என்ற விபரம் தெரியவில்லை. காரில், திருமண நிகழ்ச்சியில் கொடுத்த தாம்பூல பை இருந்தது. அதில் திருமணம் நடந்த இடம் கள்ளக்குறிச்சி அருகே உள்ள மாடூர் என்று இருந்தது.உடனே போலீசார், ஒயர்லஸ் மூலம் கள்ளக்குறிச்சி போலீஸ் நிலையத்திற்கு தொடர்பு கொண்டு, திருமணம் நடந்த இடத்திற்கு சென்று விசாரித்தனர்அதன் பின்னரே, இறந்தவர்கள் பற்றிய முழு விபரம் தெரிந்தது.ஏர் பலுான் இருந்தும் பலனில்லை!விபத்தில் சிக்கிய காரை ஓட்டி வந்த செந்தில்நாதன், டிரைவர் சீட்டிலேயே இறந்து கிடந்தார். அதே நேரத்தில், ஏர் பலுான் ஓப்பனாகி இருந்தது.

இது குறித்து போக்குவரத்து அதிகாரியிடம் கேட்ட போது, 'காரை ஓட்டியவர் பிரேக் அடிக்காமல், நேராக மரத்தில் மோதியதால் கார் முற்றிலும் நசுங்கி விட்டது. அதனால் தான், ஏர் பலுான் ஓப்பனாகியும் அவர் இறந்து விட்டார். பிரேக் அடித்ததற்கான தடயம் சாலையில் எதுவும் இல்லை. அனேகமாக துாக்க கலக்கத்தில் விபத்து நடந்திருக்கலாம்' என்றார்.

'தாம்பரம் - திண்டிவனம் சாலை நிலை என்ன?'

'தாம்பரம் - திண்டிவனம் சாலை நிலை என்ன?'

Added : பிப் 09, 2021 00:08

சென்னை : சென்னையை அடுத்த தாம்பரம் முதல் திண்டிவனம் வரையிலான சாலை நிலை குறித்து, தேசிய நெடுஞ்சாலை ஆணையம் அறிக்கை அளிக்க, உயர் நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.

திருச்சியைச் சேர்ந்த வழக்கறிஞர் ஜோசப் சகாயராஜ் தாக்கல் செய்த மனுவில், 'தாம்பரம் - திண்டிவனம் தேசிய நெடுஞ்சாலையில் உள்ள பரனுார், ஆத்துார் சுங்க சாவடிகளின் ஒப்பந்த காலம் முடிந்து விட்டது. 'அதனால், சுங்க கட்டணம் வசூலிக்கக் கூடாது. சுங்க கட்டணம் வசூலிக்க தடை விதிக்க வேண்டும்' என, கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.இம்மனு, தலைமை நீதிபதி சஞ்ஜிப் பானர்ஜி, நீதிபதி செந்தில்குமார் ராமமூர்த்தி அடங்கிய அமர்வில், நேற்று விசாரணைக்கு வந்தது.இந்த சாலையின் தற்போதைய நிலை குறித்து, தேசிய நெடுஞ்சாலை ஆணையம் அறிக்கை அளிக்க, முதல் பெஞ்ச் உத்தரவிட்டது.விசாரணையை, ஆறு வாரங்களுக்கு தள்ளி வைத்தது.

பயிற்சி டாக்டருக்கு 8 மணி நேர பணி அறிக்கை அளிக்க ஐகோர்ட் உத்தரவு

பயிற்சி டாக்டருக்கு 8 மணி நேர பணி அறிக்கை அளிக்க ஐகோர்ட் உத்தரவு

Added : பிப் 08, 2021 23:50

சென்னை : பயிற்சி டாக்டர்களுக்கு எட்டு மணி நேர பணி நிர்ணயித்து பிறப்பித்த உத்தரவை அமல்படுத்தக் கோரிய வழக்கில், மருத்துவக் கல்வி இயக்குனரகம், புதிய அறிக்கை தாக்கல் செய்ய, சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.

மாணவர் தற்கொலை முதுநிலை மருத்துவ மாணவர்கள், பயிற்சி மருத்துவர்களுக்கு எட்டு மணி நேர பணி நிர்ணயித்து, 2015ல், தமிழக அரசு உத்தரவு பிறப்பித்தது. இந்த உத்தரவை அமல்படுத்தக்கோரி, உயர் நீதிமன்றத்தில், டாக்டர் ரவீந்திரநாத், 2019 நவம்பரில், மனு தாக்கல் செய்திருந்தார்.மனுவில், 'பணிச்சுமையால், மதுரை மருத்துவ கல்லுாரியில், முதுநிலை மாணவர் உதயராஜ் தற்கொலை செய்து கொண்டார். எனவே, பணி நேரம் நிர்ணயித்து அரசு பிறப்பித்த உத்தரவை, அமல்படுத்த வேண்டும்' என, கூறப்பட்டது.

இவ்வழக்கு, தலைமை நீதிபதி சஞ்ஜிப் பானர்ஜி, நீதிபதி செந்தில்குமார் ராமமூர்த்தி அடங்கிய அமர்வில், நேற்று விசாரணைக்கு வந்தது. மனுதாரர் சார்பில், வழக்கறிஞர் தங்கசிவன் ஆஜரானார்.தள்ளிவைப்புஇவ்வழக்கு ஓராண்டுக்கும் மேலாக நிலுவையில் இருப்பதால், மருத்துவ கல்லுாரி இயக்குனர் புதிதாக அறிக்கை தாக்கல் செய்ய, முதல் பெஞ்ச் உத்தரவிட்டது. விசாரணையை, ஆறு வாரங்களுக்கு தள்ளி வைத்தது.

பெருந்துறை மருத்துவ கல்லுாரி கட்டணத்தை குறைக்குது அரசு?

பெருந்துறை மருத்துவ கல்லுாரி கட்டணத்தை குறைக்குது அரசு?

Added : பிப் 08, 2021 23:41

சென்னை : சிதம்பரம் ராஜா முத்தையா மருத்துவ கல்லுாரியை தொடர்ந்து, ஈரோடு, பெருந்துறை மருத்துவ கல்லுாரி கட்டணத்தையும், அரசு கட்டணமாக நிர்ணயிக்க வேண்டும் என, சுகாதாரத்துறை செயலரிடம், மாணவர்கள் மனு அளித்துள்ளனர்.

தமிழக போக்குவரத்து துறை நடத்தி வந்த, பெருந்துறை ஐ.ஆர்.டி., மருத்துவ கல்லுாரியை, தமிழக சுகாதாரத்துறை ஏற்றுள்ளது. ஆனால், மருத்துவ கட்டணம், பழைய நிலையிலேயே வசூலிக்கப்படுகிறது. கோரிக்கைசுகாதாரத்துறை கட்டுப்பாட்டில் வந்த பின், அரசு மருத்துவ கல்லுாரிகளில் வசூலிப்பது போல, கட்டணம் நிர்ணயிக்க வேண்டும் என்ற, கோரிக்கை எழுந்துஉள்ளது.இந்நிலையில், கடலுார் மாவட்டம், சிதம்பரம் ராஜா முத்தையா மருத்துவ கல்லுாரியை, தமிழக அரசு ஏற்றது.

அங்கு, மாணவர்கள் நடத்தி வந்த தொடர் போராட்டத்தை அடுத்து, அங்கு அரசு மருத்துவ கல்லுாரிகளுக்கான கட்டணம் வசூலிக்கப்படும் என, அறிவிக்கப்பட்டது. இதன்படி, எம்.பி.பி.எஸ்., படிப்பிற்கு, 13 ஆயிரத்து, 610 ரூபாய்; பி.டி.எஸ்., படிப்பிற்கு, 11 ஆயிரத்து, 610 ரூபாய்; பட்ட மேற்படிப்புக்கு, 30 ஆயிரம் ரூபாய்; டிப்ளமா படிப்பிற்கு, 20 ஆயிரம் ரூபாய் கட்டணம். பி.எஸ்சி., நர்சிங் படிப்பிற்கு, 5,000 ரூபாய் கட்டணம்.

நம்பிக்கை : இதபோல, அரசு ஏற்றுள்ள, ஈரோடு மாவட்டம், பெருந்துறை ஐ.ஆர்.டி., மருத்துவ கல்லுாரியில், கல்வி கட்டணத்தை மாற்றி அமைக்க வேண்டும் என, தமிழக மருத்துவ மாணவர்கள் சங்க பிரதிநிதிகள் கோரிக்கை விடுத்து உள்ளனர்.சுகாதாரத்துறை செயலர் ராதாகிருஷ்ணனை சந்தித்து, மாணவர்கள் நேற்று மனு அளித்தனர். ஐந்து நாட்களில், கல்வி கட்டணம் மாற்றி அமைக்கப்படும் என, செயலர் நம்பிக்கை தெரிவித்ததாக, மாணவர்கள் கூறினர்.

Officials dealing in public money need to follow norms, says SC

Officials dealing in public money need to follow norms, says SC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:09.02.2021

The Supreme Court on Monday said bank officers dealing in public money need to be vigilant and any deviation from the procedural norms for disbursing loans should be dealt with sternly.

While upholding the punishment of compulsory retirement for a bank manager, a bench of justices Ashok Bhushan, R Subhash Reddy and MR Shah said such misconduct is very grave and the punishment is lenient. “The manager of a bank plays a vital role in managing the affairs of the bank. A bank officer/employee deals with public money. The nature of his work demands vigilance with the inbuilt requirement to act carefully. If an officer/employee of the bank is allowed to act beyond his authority, the bank’s discipline will disappear. When the procedural norms are issued for grant of loans, officers/employees are required to follow the same meticulously and any deviation will lead to erosion of public trust on the banks,” it said.

In this case, the manager of Lakhimi Gaolia Bank had sanctioned and disbursed loans without following the due procedure. The inquiry conducted against him came to the conclusion that he disbursed loans irregularly in some instances to units without any shop/business. After going through the report, the bench said the punishment of compulsory retirement was not disproportionate and dismissed his plea.

187 students, 75 teachers test positive in Kerala

187 students, 75 teachers test positive in Kerala

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kozhikode:09.02.2021

A total of 187 students and 75 teachers in two schools in Malappuram district have tested positive for Covid-19. RT-PCR tests were conducted at the Government Higher Secondary School, Maranchery and the Vanneri Higher Secondary School, Perumbadappu on Friday.

By Sunday evening, it was revealed that 148 students and 39 teaching staff at Maranchery school were infected, while the samples of 39 students and 36 teachers at Vanneri school also tested positive. The infected students are mainly from Marancheri, Perumbadappu, Veliyamkode in Malappuram district and Vadakkekkad in Thrissur.

Samples were collected from tenth standard students of Maranchery school earlier, while samples of plus-two students were collected on Monday. The health department has asked all those who came in contact with the infected persons to go on isolation. District medical officer (DMO) Dr K Sakeena has asked all schools in the district to maintain vigil.

A tenth standard student of the Maranchery school had tested Covid-19 positive on February 1. It was decided to conduct large-scale tests on suspicion of a spread. “Around 582 students and 50 staff at the Maranchery school were tested,” she said. Tests were conducted at the Vanneri school after a teacher tested positive, Dr Sakeena said.

In CBI Vyapam chargesheet, how med seats were ‘illegally allocated’ from state quota

In CBI Vyapam chargesheet, how med seats were ‘illegally allocated’ from state quota

P.Naveen@timesgroup.com

Bhopal:  09.02.2021 

A recent CBI chargesheet in a Vyapam scam case has mentioned in detail how a section of officers at the directorate of medical education (DME) allegedly overlooked norms in connivance with directors of some medical colleges to 'illegally' allot seats to candidates.

The chargesheet, running into over 4,000 pages and naming 60 people, relates to alleged rigging of Pre-Medical Test (PMT) conducted by Vyapam in 2011. It names Dr S C Tiwari and Dr N M Srivastava as the director, medical education, and joint director, medical education, in 2011. Tiwari was then chairman of the counselling committee of MP PMT-2011 and Shrivastava its coordinator.

Investigation has revealed that on November 11, 2011, Srivastava wrote to registrars of Barkatullah University-Bhopal, Devi Ahilya Bai University-Indore, Rani Durgavati University- Jabalpur and Jiwaji University-Gwalior that DME had completed PMT-2011 counselling to fill 50% state quota seats in private medical and dental colleges in compliance with a Supreme Court order, says the probe agency.

The universities were told to get the list of admitted candidates verified from DME before issuing the registration letter. However, in a letter dated July 13, 2012, to the Barkatullah University Registrar, Srivastava had verified and forwarded the list of candidates admitted under state quota by Chirayu Medical College for that session.

Srivastava verified the names of 47 state quota candidates, who did not attend the counselling or were not issued any allotment letters by the committee, says the CBI chargesheet, alleging that these were admitted illegally by the college on its own on September 30, 2011, against vacant state quota seats. The chargesheet claims forwarding of the list as proof of Srivastava’s “ulterior motive”.

On Tiwari, the chargesheet says that it was his responsibility, as chairman of the counselling committee, to conduct the counseling within deadline and according to procedure, but he couldn’t get it done in time.

“He also failed to implement rules and procedures, which gave the opportunity to ineligible candidates who appeared in the counseling to get seats and vacate them in connivance with college authorities,” the chargesheet alleges.

Tiwari did not take any action against Chirayu Medical College on the ‘illegal admissions’, the agency has said. The chargesheet alleges that Tiwari and Shrivastava were present during counselling for left-out seats conducted on September 28, 2011, when Girish Kanitkar, a representative of Chirayu Medical College, “falsely reported only one vacant seat to the counselling committee”.

“If the college declared only one vacant seat on 28/29 September, 2011, before the counselling committee, how did the college administration admit 47 candidates against vacant MPPMT seats on September 30, 2011? But they (Tiwari and Shrivastava) did not raise any question or take any action against the college,” the chargesheet says.

The central agency also alleges negligence by Dr G P Naik and Dr Asha Srivastava, who headed the scrutiny committees for the three rounds of PMT counselling, and Dr Mohan Shinde and Dr Rinni Malik, who headed separate allotment committees. CBI recommends action against them for their ‘lapses’.

The chargesheet accuses the Barkatullah University registrar of negligence in issuing registration/enrolment numbers to 39 ineligible candidates who were not allotted seats in PMT counselling but were allegedly ‘illegally admitted’ by Chirayu on the last day, September 30, 2011. It recommends action against the registrar as well. The agency has also called for action against the college for “illegal admission” of eight DMAT candidates on PMT/state quota seats and six non-DMAT candidates on vacant DMAT seats.

Top officials queue up for jab, say all’s well

SHOT OF HOPE

Top officials queue up for jab, say all’s well

Leading By Example: Bureaucrats, Cops Turn Up For Vaccine Across MP

Amarjeet.Singh1@timesgroup.com

Bhopal:09.02.2021 

A majority of senior district officials, including collectors, commissioners and superintendents of police, got vaccinated on Monday as vaccination of frontline workers started in a bid to motivate other staffers.

In state capital, Bhopal, vaccination of the frontline workers started with divisional commissioner Kavindra Kiyawat and district collector Avinash Lavania getting vaccinated.

Health minister Prabhuram Chowdhary also visited the vaccination booth at the district collectorate.

Likewise, in Jabalpur, it was district collector Karamveer Sharma who started the vaccination drive by getting vaccinated first. Sources said different officials have decided different dates for vaccination — one day, divisional commissioner will get vaccinated, and then the district SP will get vaccinated.

In Rewa district, it were the divisional commissioner, IG police and Rewa district collector who got themselves vaccinated first. In Gwalior too, district officials started the vaccination drive. However, the district collector and other senior officials will get vaccinated on February 10. Despite these attempts, the overall vaccination turnout was low throughout the day as only 38 per cent vaccination turnout was reported in the state.