Doctor duped of ₹31 lakh with lure of MS admission

Doctor duped of ₹31 lakh with lure of MS admission

Has Accused Deputy Dean Of A College In Mumbai

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:27.02.2021 

A doctor from Gota on Thursday filed a police complaint alleging that a former deputy dean of a Mumbai municipal medical college cheated him of Rs 31.50 lakh with the MS admission lure. The doctor said the accused, aided by two accomplices, promised him a place in the Master of Surgery (MS) course in September 2020. The complaint was filed with Sola police.

According to the complainant, Dr Hitendra Desai, a resident of Shukan Residency in Gota, the accused were Dr Rakesh Verma, the then deputy dean of Lokmanya Tilak Medical College in Sion in Mumbai, and his aides Jay Govani and Salim Patel. Dr Desai works with GMERS hospital in Vadnagar.

Dr Desai said that he had secured 411 marks in NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) and could not get admission in any college in Gujarat. He said that he got a call from Govani on September 7 asking him if he wanted admission.

“Govani told me that I would have to pay for a place at Lokmanya Tilak Medical College,” said Dr Desai. “He told me that he knew the dean of the college.” Dr Desai and his father then went to Mumbai to meet Govani. The complainant said that Govani and Patel took him to meet Verma who assured him that he would get the admission by October 5.

After meeting Verma, Desai first paid Rs 2 lakh in cash and later paid Rs 29.50 lakh through electronic transfers between September 11, 2020, and September 21, 2020. Dr Desai also submitted his original certificates to Govani.

But Govani and Patel never contacted Dr Desai again. Dr Desai tried to meet Verma, but he could not be found. Dr Desai and his father eventually traced Verma to Topiwala Medical College in Mumbai. Now, Verma told Dr Desai that he would get the admission by October 12, 2020.

However, all three accused soon vanished. After a few days, Dr Desai got his original certificates through courier. He finally approached police and filed a complaint of cheating and breach of trust against the three persons.

Cannot do business at cost of people’s lives: HC to hospitals

Cannot do business at cost of people’s lives: HC to hospitals

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:27.02.2021 

The Gujarat high court has made it very clear that it will not permit hospitals to function and do business at the cost of people’s lives, if they do not have adequate fire safety systems in place.

During the hearing of the PIL and other litigations seeking action against those responsible for Shrey hospital fire and demanding proper implementation of fire safety laws, the bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and I J Vora rejected the request by Shrey Hospital to allow it to re-start its functioning.

The judges said, “You cannot run a hospital in this apartment that is for sure. Originally, it was a residential plan and you got it changed from residential to commercial purpose-…We cannot permit you to run this hospital anymore.”

The judges further said, “We cannot allow you to carry out the business at the cost of people’s lives. There are other businesses, you can do it.” The judges were very critical of the hospital owner’s approach and repeatedly commented that they are “powerful” people. The court expressed its displeasure when the kin of fire victims complained that mild charges were invoked against those responsible for the fire in which eight Covid-19 patients lost their lives in August 2020.

The court also took notice of the complaint that the hospital owner tried to influence the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation officials. Justice Pardiwala told hospital’s lawyer, “Better tell your client that he should not try to exert pressure on any of the corporation officials. You need to lie low.”

Meanwhile, Ahmedabad Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association also appeared before the court, but judges refused to hear it. “Why are you unnecessarily poking into this PIL. You remain in dialogue with the corporation. Either comply or pull down shutters. We don’t know how you run the show. If you don’t have (fire) NOC, shut down. Just comply and report. Things are going to be very serious.”

Long waits, overcrowded buses ‘strike’ normalcy

Long waits, overcrowded buses ‘strike’ normalcy

Half of govt’s bus fleet stays off roads; train trouble adds to woes

Published: 26th February 2021 06:39 AM 

Passengers rush into a bus at the DMS bus stop in Chennai on Thursday | Sri Loganathan V

By KV Navya

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Buses were overcrowded and commuters inconvenienced on Thursday, as just about half the government’s fleet of buses stayed off roads owing to a strike. Making matters worse, the frequency of suburban trains was reduced as a third line was being commissioned.

Nearly one lakh workers from nine unions, mostly affiliated to the opposition DMK, took part in the strike. The unions include the Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) and All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC). Their demands include clearing provident fund (PF) and other retired workers’ dues, covering transport corporation losses in the Budget, and a revision of wages.

Passengers waited at LIC Bus stop for a long time on Thursday | Ashwin Prasath

The Metropolitan Transportation Corporation (MTC) said 56 per cent of its 3,300 buses were operated on Thursday. Due to this, most buses were overcrowded. Among the bus stops that were heavily crowded were Velachery, T Nagar, Broadway, Mylapore and Tambaram. Residents of Tambaram seemed to be affected the most, as the frequency of suburban trains too was limited.

The Southern Railway had said there would be fewer trains on Chennai Beach-Tambaram section as a third line was being commissioned. “There were neither buses nor trains. Besides using private transport, cabs were our only option, which was very costly. At a time when petrol prices are on the rise, public transport is crucial. The government should hold talks with the protesters and ensure the strike ends soon,” said K Prathibha, a resident of Guduvancherry.

Citing the reason for the strike, K Arumuga Nainar, general secretary of the Transport Employees Federation, affiliated to the CITU, said transport corporations have been incurring a loss of at least Rs 10-16 crore. The protesters’ main demand is for the government to cover this deficit amount in the Budget.

A member of the union said retirement benefits worth nearly Rs 1,600 crore have not been cleared, and provident fund and LIC dues are yet to be paid, though the amount is being deducted from employees’ salaries every month. Wage-revision talks have been pending for 19 months, the member added.

Success of students would have made MGR happy: PM Modi at MGR Medical University convocation

Success of students would have made MGR happy: PM Modi at MGR Medical University convocation

"His governance was full of compassion for the poor. The subjects of healthcare, education and empowerment of women were dear to him," Modi said referring to MGR.

Published: 26th February 2021 02:08 PM 

PM Narendra Modi (Photo | PTI)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Addressing the 33rd convocation of Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University virtually on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in the last six years, MBBS seats in the country have increased by more than 30,000 which is a rise of more than 50 percent from 2014, while PG medical seats increased by 24,000 which is an increase of around 80 percent from 2014.

"In 2014, there were only six AIIMS, but we have approved 15 more AIIMS across the country," said Modi.

Saying that Tamil Nadu is known for its medical education, the PM said to further help youth from the state, the Union government has sanctioned 11 new medical colleges and will give more than Rs 24,000 crore for the establishment of each college.

The National Medical Commission will bring great transparency, besides rationalising how to set up new medical colleges and improving the quality and availability of human resources in the health sector, said the Prime Minister.

The announcement of PM Atmanirbhar Swasthya Yojana with an outlay of Rs 64,000 crore in the Union Budget will boost the capacity of primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare for early detection and cure of new emerging diseases, Modi added.

He also said he was told that among the students graduating from the University on the day, 30 percent were men and 70 percent were women and conveyed special appreciation to the women graduates.

"It is always special to see women leading from the front in every field. When this happens it's a moment of joy and a moment of pride," the PM said.

Modi said the success of the institute and the students would have made former Chief Minister of the state MG Ramachandran very happy.

"His governance was full of compassion for the poor. The subjects of healthcare, education and empowerment of women were dear to him," Modi said referring to MGR.

He also told the doctors to keep their sense of humour intact for the health of the patients and for themselves.

On the day more than 21,000 students received degrees and diplomas. Governor Banwarilal Purohit confered the degrees to students who were present in person. The degrees were conferred in the presence of Health Minister C Vijayabaskar, Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan and Vice Chancellor of the University Dr Sudha Seshayyan.

Anna varsity V-C Surappa seeks to quash proceedings against him

Anna varsity V-C Surappa seeks to quash proceedings against him

“Certain actions I took as a vice-chancellor and as an academician do not find favour with the higher education secretary...” he said.

Published: 27th February 2021 05:42 AM 

Anna University Vice Chancellor MK Surappa (Photo | EPS)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Anna University vice-chancellor MK Surappa on Friday moved a plea in the Madras High Court seeking to quash the Government Order (GO) that appointed an inquiry commission to probe complaints of financial irregularity filed against him.

In the plea, Surappa said the State government passed a notification on November 11, 2020, forming the commission headed by retired High ourt judge P Kalaiyarasan since the ruling dispensation was not happy that he didn’t toe its line.

“The notification is an abuse of process of law as the very complainants do not exist, and the commission of inquiry was not appointed to inquire into the complaints received but to find if any complaint can be made against the petitioner to harass the petitioner,” Surappa stated.

“Certain actions I took as a vice-chancellor and as an academician do not find favour with the higher education secretary...” he said. “I am being punished for not toeing the line of the Principal Secretary of the State higher education department,” he emphasised.

“Demands were made by the office of the higher education secretary for payment of a few bills for decorative items purchased for the offices of the secretary and the minister of higher education. As these items were violating purchase procedures and were not meant for the university I did not accept such demands, he said. Justice S Vaidyanathan has agreed to hear the plea on Saturday.

நீரவ் மோடியை அடைக்க மும்பையில் சிறை தயார்

நீரவ் மோடியை அடைக்க மும்பையில் சிறை தயார்

Updated : பிப் 26, 2021 23:42

மும்பை பிரிட்டனில் இருந்து, நாடு கடத்தப்பட உள்ள நீரவ் மோடியை அடைத்து வைக்க, மும்பையில் உள்ள மத்திய சிறைச் சாலையில், அவருக்காக சிறப்பு அறை, தயார் செய்யப்பட்டு உள்ளது.பஞ்சாப் நேஷனல் வங்கியில், 14 ஆயிரம் கோடி ரூபாய் மோசடி செய்த, மஹாராஷ்டிராவைச் சேர்ந்த பிரபல வைர வியாபாரி நீரவ் மோடி, இந்தியாவில் இருந்து பிரிட்டனுக்கு தப்பிச் சென்றார்.

கைது

இதையடுத்து, அவர் மீது, சி.பி.ஐ., மற்றும் அமலாக்கத் துறை வழக்கு தொடர்ந்தன.அவரை இந்தியாவுக்கு நாடு கடத்தி வருவதற்கான முயற்சி களில், மத்திய அரசு இறங்கியது. இதையடுத்து, 2019ம் ஆண்டு, லண்டனில் கைது செய்யப்பட்ட நீரவ் மோடி, அங்குள்ள சிறையில் அடைக்கப்பட்டார். அவரை நாடு கடத்தும் வழக்கு, லண்டனில் உள்ள வெஸ்ட்மினிஸ்டர் மாஜிஸ்திரேட் நீதிமன்றத்தில் நடந்து வந்தது.இந்நிலையில், நீரவ் மோடியை நாடு கடத்த, நீதிமன்றம், நேற்று முன்தினம் அனுமதி அளித்தது. இந்த தீர்ப்பின் அடிப்படையில், நீரவ் மோடியை நாடு கடத்துவதற்கான உத்தரவை, பிரிட்டன் அரசு பிறப்பிக்கும் என எதிர்ப்பார்க்கப்படுகிறது.

இதற்கிடையே, நாடு கடத்தப்படும் நீரவ் மோடியை அடைத்து வைக்க, மும்பையின் ஆர்தர் சாலை மத்திய சிறைச் சாலையில், அவருக்காக சிறப்பு அறை, ஏற்பாடு செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது.

முடிவு

அதிக பாதுகாப்புடன் இருக்கும், 12ம் எண் சிறை அறையில் அவரை அடைத்து வைக்க முடிவு செய்யப் பட்டுள்ளதாக கூறப்படுகிறது.இதுகுறித்து, சிறை நிர்வாகத்தின் மூத்த அதிகாரி ஒருவர் கூறுகையில், 'நீரவ் மோடியை அடைத்து வைக்க தேவையான அனைத்து ஏற்பாடுகளும் செய்து முடிக்கப்பட்டு விட்டன. அவருக்காக சிறை தயாராக உள்ளது'

என்றார்.

6 ஆண்டுகளில் 30 ஆயிரம் எம்.பி.பி.எஸ்., இடங்கள் அதிகரிப்பு: மோடி பேச்சு

6 ஆண்டுகளில் 30 ஆயிரம் எம்.பி.பி.எஸ்., இடங்கள் அதிகரிப்பு: மோடி பேச்சு

Added : பிப் 26, 2021 22:10

சென்னை:''தேசிய மருத்துவ ஆணையம் வெளிப்படை தன்மையுடன் செயல்படும். ஆறு ஆண்டுகளில், 80 சதவீத மருத்துவ இடங்கள் அதிகரிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன,'' என, தமிழ்நாடு டாக்டர் எம்.ஜி.ஆர்., மருத்துவ பல்கலை பட்டமளிப்பு விழாவில், பிரதமர் மோடி பேசினார்.

தமிழ்நாடு டாக்டர்எம்.ஜி.ஆர்., மருத்துவ பல்கலையின், 33வதுபட்டமளிப்பு விழா, பல்கலை வளாக வெள்ளி விழா கூட்டரங்கில், நடந்தது.

மனித குல 'ஹீரோ'க்கள்

பிரதமர் மோடி சிறப்பு விருந்தினராக, காணொலி வாயிலாக பங்கேற்று,பட்டமளிப்பு விழா பேருரையாற்றினார். அவர் பேசியதாவது:இன்று, 21 ஆயிரத்துக்கும் மேற்பட்டோர், மருத்துவம், பல் மருத்துவம் உள்ளிட்ட பிரிவுகளில், பட்டம் பெறுவது மகிழ்ச்சி அளிக்கிறது.இதில், 70 சதவீதம் பேர் பெண்கள்; அவர்களை பாராட்டுகிறேன். இதை பார்க்கும் போது, அனைத்து துறைகளிலும், பெண்கள் முன்னணியில் இருப்பது தெரிகிறது.

இன்று பட்டம் பெறும் நீங்கள், வாழ்க்கையில் முக்கியமான கட்டத்தில் இருந்து, மற்றொரு கட்டத்திற்கு செல்கிறீர்கள். அதாவது, கற்றலை முடித்து, நோயாளிகளைகுணப்படுத்தும் நேரம்.தேர்வில் மதிப்பெண் பெறுவதில் இருந்து விடுபட்டு, சமூகத்தில் மதிப்பெண் பெற வேண்டிய நேரம்.கொரோனா தொற்று உலகில் யாருமே எதிர்பாராத ஒன்று.

தொற்றை பொறுத்த மட்டில், இந்தியாவில் குணமானோர் எண்ணிக்கை அதிகம்; இறப்பு எண்ணிக்கை மிகக்குறைவு. உலகிற்கே, கொரோனா தடுப்பூசிகளை இந்தியா தயாரித்து வழங்குகிறது.சிகிச்சை என்பது நோயாளிகள், டாக்டர்கள், பராமரிப்பாளர்கள், மருந்து ஆகியவற்றை உள்ளடக்கியது என, திருவள்ளுவர் கூறியுள்ளார்.

பல்வேறு இடையூறுகளுக்கு மத்தியில், இந்த நான்கு துாண்களும், கண்ணுக்கு தெரியாத எதிரியான கொரோனாவை வீழ்த்த போராடுவதில், முன்னணியில் இருந்தன.கொரோனா வைரசை எதிர்த்து போராடிய அனைவரும், மனித குலத்தில் 'ஹீரோ'க்கள்.மத்திய அரசு, மருத்துவ கல்வி மற்றும் சுகாதாரத்துறையை முழுமையாக மாற்றியமைத்து வருகிறது.

தற்போது உருவாக்கப்பட்டுள்ள தேசிய மருத்துவ ஆணையம், மருத்துவ துறையில் வெளிப்படை தன்மையை உருவாக்கும்.புதிய மருத்துவ கல்லுாரிகளை அமைப்பதற்கான விதிமுறைகளை, இந்த ஆணையம் மேற்கொள்ளும். மருத்துவ துறையில் தரம் மற்றும் மருத்துவ துறைக்கு தேவையான மனித வளங்களை, இத்துறை மேம்படுத்தும்.

மத்திய அரசு அனுமதி

கடந்த, ஆறு ஆண்டுகளில், 30 ஆயிரத்துக்கும் மேற்பட்ட எம்.பி.பி.எஸ்., இடங்கள் உருவாக்கப் பட்டு உள்ளன; இவை, 2014ம் ஆண்டை ஒப்பிடும் போது, 50 சதவீதம் அதிகம்.மருத்துவ மேற்படிப்புகளின் எண்ணிக்கையும், 24 ஆயிரமாக உயர்ந்துள்ளது; இது, 2014ஐஒப்பிடுகையில், 80 சதவீதம் அதிகம். கடந்த, 2014ல், ஆறு எய்ம்ஸ் மருத்துவமனைகள் இருந்தன. ஆறு ஆண்டு களில், நாடு முழுதும், 15 எய்ம்ஸ் மருத்துவமனைகளுக்கு ஒப்புதல் அளித்துள்ளோம்.

தமிழகம் மருத்துவ கல்விக்கு பெயர் பெற்றது. தமிழகத்தில், 11 புதிய மருத்துவ கல்லுாரிகள் துவங்க, மத்திய அரசுஅனுமதி அளித்துள்ளது.தற்போது, மருத்துவ கல்லுாரி இல்லாத மாவட்டங்களில், புதிய மருத்துவ கல்லுாரிகள் நிறுவப்படும். இதற்காக, 2,000 கோடி ரூபாய் அளிக்கப்படும்.

மக்களுக்கு சேவை செய்வது இறைவனுக்கு பணிவிடை செய்வது போன்றது என, ராமகிருஷ்ண பரமஹம்சர் கூறியுள்ளார்.இந்த உன்னதமான லட்சியத்துடன் வாழ வாய்ப்பு உள்ளவர்கள், மருத்துவ நிபுணர்கள் என்பதை மறந்து விடக்கூடாது. சவால்மிகுந்த மருத்துவ துறையில், நீங்கள், நல்ல குறிக்கோளுடன் வாழ விரும்புகிறேன்.இவ்வாறு, பிரதமர் மோடி பேசினார்.

விழாவில், தமிழககவர்னரும், பல்கலை வேந்தருமான பன்வாரிலால் புரோஹித், மாணவர்களுக்குபட்டங்களை வழங்கினார்.விழா மேடையில் ஒருவரும், மேடையின் கீழ், 31 பேரும் பட்டங்கள் பெற்றனர். இந்தாண்டு, மொத்தம், 21 ஆயிரத்து, 858 பேர் பட்டங்களை, அவரவர்கல்லுாரிகளில் பெற்றனர்.விழாவில், சுகாதாரத்துறை அமைச்சர் விஜயபாஸ்கர், செயலர் ராதாகிருஷ்ணன், பல்கலை துணைவேந்தர் சுதா சேஷய்யன் உள்ளிட்டோர் பங்கேற்றனர்.

வங்கிகளுக்கு அடுத்த மாதம் 11 நாட்கள் விடுமுறை

வங்கிகளுக்கு அடுத்த மாதம் 11 நாட்கள் விடுமுறை

Updated : பிப் 26, 2021 21:13 

புதுடில்லி:நாடு முழுதும் உள்ள வங்கிகளுக்கு, அடுத்த மாதம், 11 நாட்கள் விடுமுறை தினங்களாக அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.

ரிசர்வ் வங்கியின் காலண்டர் வாயிலாக, வங்கிகளின் விடுமுறை தினங்கள் குறித்த விபரங்கள் தெரிய வந்துள்ளன.

'ஹோலி' பண்டிகை

அதன்படி, மார்ச், 5ம் தேதி, மிசோரம் மாநிலத்தில், 'சாப்சர் கட்' என்ற விழா கொண்டாடப் படுவதால், வங்கிகளுக்கு, அன்று விடுமுறை. மார்ச், 11ம் தேதி, மஹாசிவராத்திரி; மார்ச், 22ல், பீஹார் மாநில தினம்; மார்ச், 29ம் தேதி, மணிப்பூரில், 'யாவோசாங்' பண்டிகை மற்றும் மார்ச், 30ம் தேதி கொண்டாடப்படும்,

'ஹோலி' பண்டிகையை முன்னிட்டும், வங்கிகளுக்கு விடுமுறைகள் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. இதைத் தவிர, 'இரண்டு சனிக்கிழமைகள் மற்றும் நான்கு ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமைகளை சேர்த்து, அடுத்த மாதம், மொத்தமாக 11 நாட்கள், வங்கிகள் இயங்காது' என, தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. எனினும், இந்த வங்கி விடுமுறை நாட்கள், அனைத்து மாநிலங்களுக்கும் பொதுவானது அல்ல. மாநிலம் மற்றும் பிராந்தியத்திற்கு ஏற்ப, இந்த விடுமுறைகள் மாறுபடும்.

இதற்கிடையே, மத்திய அரசின் தனியார் மயமாக்கும் திட்டத்திற்கு எதிர்ப்பு தெரிவிக்கும் வகையில், வங்கி சங்கங்கள், மார்ச் 15, 16ம் தேதிகளில், போராட்டம் நடத்த முடிவு செய்துள்ளன.

பேரணி

மார்ச் 10ம் தேதி, பார்லிமென்ட்டை நோக்கி பேரணியாக செல்லவும், சங்கத்தினர் முடிவு செய்துள்ளனர். இதனால், அடுத்த மாதம், மிகக் குறைவான நாட்களே இயங்கும் என்பதால், வங்கி சேவைகள் பெரிதும் பாதிக்கப்படும் எனக் கூறப்படுகிறது.

Can digital news media be blocked? Yes, as it’s been wrongly clubbed with platforms who don’t publish their own content

Can digital news media be blocked? Yes, as it’s been wrongly clubbed with platforms who don’t publish their own content

NS Nappinai

27.02.2021 

The muchawaited revised intermediary rules are finally out and it throws a pall not just over social media and online content providers but also on news media. The draft titled ‘Information Technology (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021’ circulated online even before the joint press conference by the ministers for electronics & information technology and information & broadcasting gives a lot to cheer from a user perspective but many tough spots for social media, OTT and online news media.

That we need revised intermediary rules is trite. User rights have received much needed fillip, especially with expedited takedown mechanisms for child sexual abuse, morphed pictures and what is colloquially referred to as revenge porn. Inclusion of the Prajwala directions, which were themselves consensus proposals from internet companies, empowers victims.

Regulation of OTT content through age gating and use of technology tools to prevent child sexual abuse content and violation of privacy are again needed. That online news media ought to be regulated to make them on a par with print media again is a fair premise. The mode and manner of the execution of both of these however are unfortunately untenable and the concern is that with the 2021 Rules resorting to grave overreach, the very tenuous legality of some of these provisions may impact the important additions being brought in for social media regulation.

Part III is the contentious portion that applies to news and current affairs publishers and intermediaries and publishers and intermediaries of online curated content. Printed newspapers and their digitised equivalent have been clearly kept out of this regulation. Part III sets out some examples to illustrate the kind of aggregated and curated OTT and news content it wishes to regulate and here comes the inconsistency.

The 2021 Rules have been framed based on two stated provisions: the intermediary exemptions under Section 79 IT Act and Section 69(A), which is for blocking of online content. Framing of rules is an executive act undertaken as subordinate legislation. Hence the delegation is fenced within the ambit of the parent provision and cannot exceed the same.

The above provisions are unequivocally applicable only to intermediaries: those entities which are, as the name suggests, mere platform providers, who neither generate or curate the content or have any control over the sender or recipient or the content they share. The minute an entity has such control, it is no longer an intermediary and hence cannot be regulated under Section 79 or directed to block content under Section 69(A).

The illustrations used in the 2021 Rules specifically advert to content generated and/ or news curated by the entity, as those who are being regulated under Part III. Two forms of intermediaries – for news and current affairs and curated content – are regulated under Part III, which is sustainable. However this Part III also applies to ‘publishers’ of news and current affairs and curated content.

The very fact that a publisher has control over the content disentitles them to be categorised as ‘intermediary’. To frame rules therefore for OTT, which may not fall within the category of ‘intermediary’ and online news media, which will possibly not fall within this category may therefore be totally unsustainable.

Several provisions in Part III including age gating through global classifications, delineating self-regulation from soft regulations, apart from the important additions for regulating intermediaries, are all welcome but to introduce them under provisions intended to regulate intermediaries is clearly misconceived and untenable. Further Section 69(A) of the IT Act specifically adverts to blocking orders that may be passed against government agencies or intermediaries.

There is no scope for expanding this applicability to non-intermediary categories, which is what has been attempted through inclusion of OTT and news media, which publish their own or curated content. Hence to this extent the 2021 Rules are inviting a strikedown. Given that creation of level playing platforms and protection of children are the focus of the additions in Part III it may be expedient for government to forthwith review and to correct this obvious flaw.

The writer is Advocate, Supreme Court of India & Founder of Cyber Saathi

The very fact that a publisher has control over the content disentitles them to be categorised as ‘intermediary’

Sexual harassment plaints can’t be brushed aside: CJI

Sexual harassment plaints can’t be brushed aside: CJI

Retired District Judge To Face Disciplinary Proceedings

Dhananjay.Mahapatra@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:27.02.2021 

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to shield a district judge from disciplinary proceedings for allegedly exchanging “inappropriate” intimate WhatsApp messages with a junior woman judge, who had complained of sexual harassment but later refused to give evidence.

The proceedings before the gender sensitisation committee of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, inquiring into the alleged sexual harassment complaint by the woman judge, could not proceed as she reportedly reached a compromise with the aggressor and refused to give evidence before the committee. However, the committee in its report annexed the intimate messages exchanged between the two and the HC decided to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the district judge, who has since retired.

The DJ, through senior advocate R Balasubramanian, said he lost the chance of being considered for appointment as an HC judge as the sexual harassment charge was made at a time when he was in the zone of consideration. He also said that once the gender sensitisation committee closed the case because the woman judge refused to give evidence, the allegations in the complaint in the nature of WhatsApp messages could not be considered for disciplinary proceedings.

A bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian said, “We cannot allow sexual harassment complaints to be brushed under the carpet.” When the bench said it would pass a short order, Balasubramanian requested for withdrawal of the petition, which was accepted by the bench.

The HC, through senior advocate Ravindra Srivastava, said by initiating disciplinary proceedings, it wanted to send a message against such inappropriate conduct of judicial officers. He said the sexual harassment charges may not have been taken to its logical conclusion because of the woman judge’s refusal to depose but the WhatsApp messages remained on the record as evidence, indicating inappropriate conduct on the part of the district judge.

During the last hearing, the CJI-led bench had noted the new trend of allegations being thrown at judges just before they were to get some post. “This phenomenon has become ubiquitous. All kinds of allegations against judges come when they are about to get something,” it had said, adding, “These are adults who could do whatever they intend to. She could have terminated the WhatsApp conversations, but she did not as she appeared to go along.”

However, it had strongly disapproved of the conduct of the district judge in having intimate chats on WhatsApp with his junior colleague. “This matter before the GSC has come to an end with the woman declining to participate in the proceedings. But the HC wants to proceed with the disciplinary proceedings. It is an inherent right with the employer to initiate disciplinary proceedings against any employee.”

The survivor, a junior woman judge, reportedly reached a compromise with the aggressor and refused to give evidence before a committee

Bengal, TN, Kerala, Assam vote Mar 27-Apr 29, results on May 2

Bengal, TN, Kerala, Assam vote Mar 27-Apr 29, results on May 2

BJP Sets Sights On Toppling Didi, Gaining In South

Bharti.Jain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:27.02.2021 

The Election Commission on Friday announced polls in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry between March 27 and April 29, setting up several high-stake electoral contests with an unprecedented eight-phase voting in Bengal.

The state, which has seen rising bitterness and violence between Trinamool Congress and BJP supporters, will see the country’s most staggered assembly poll to date. The election in Assam will be in three phases — up from two in

2016 — while Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry will have a single-day poll on April 6.

Counting for all the assemblies will be held on May 2.

The elections are a trial of strength for BJP in the wake of the long-drawn agitation by farmers’ unions opposed to the new agri laws. Though the states going to polls are largely unaffected by matters such as procurement and MSP, the resonance of the issues raised by Punjab, Haryana and west UP agri unions will be watched closely as BJP defends the reforms as pro-farmer.

The polls will also test Congress as it has opted for an alliance in Assam with the pro-minority AIUDF of Badruddin Ajmal and has pacts with the Left and DMK in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu respectively. Congress is the main challenger to the Left in Kerala where it did well in Lok Sabha polls. Jolted by the loss of its government in Puducherry a few days ago, Congress will hope to retrieve some standing in alliance with DMK.

As of now, the Left’s prospects seem to have brightened in Kerala following tactical missteps by Congress that saw it lose ground in the local body elections last year. Yet, the contest is typically close.

Tamil Nadu will be without stalwarts J Jayalalithaa and M Karunanidhi in an assembly poll for the first time. M K Stalin will look to seal his leadership of DMK with a win that makes him the CM.

In Assam, BJP looks to ensure its win in 2016 was not a fluke, though it now faces the combined challenge of Congress-AIUDF intended to consolidate anti-BJP votes. BJP, on the other hand, sees factionalism in Congress as a factor helping its cause while it is seen to have the upper hand in Bodo areas and Barak Valley.

8 PHASES FOR BENGAL A NATIONAL RECORD

18.7 crore people, or around 20% of India’s total electorate, will vote for 824 assembly seats in 4 states and 1 Union territory between March 27 and April 29

WEST BENGAL TAMIL NADU KERALA ASSAM

294 seats 234 seats 140 seats 126 seats 8phases* *Up from 7 1phase 1phase 3phases in 2016

PUDUCHERRY Bengal votes on March 27, Apr 1, 6, 10, 17, 22, 26, 29 Assam: March 27, Apr 1 30 seats 1 phase & 6 TN, Kerala, Puducherry: April 6 MAY 2, SUNDAY Counting & results

WEST BENGAL | CM WHAT’S AT for Cong, as DMK’s Results will have a bearing on Mamata Banerjee faces STAKE? junior partner, to halt its Rahul Gandhi’s leadership probably the toughest will poor hope electoral to make run gains . BJP in ASSAM | After its unexpected against battle of ‘political her career outlier’ BJP, the company of AIADMK victory in 2016, BJP will with PM Modi & Amit Shah in KERALA | Cong remains though hope to it consolidate now faces a its strong hold, the thick of campaigning Left’s main challenger though demographic challenge from TAMIL NADU | Best chance BJP has a larger presence now. Cong-AIUDF alliance

EC’S COVID to Door 5 people -to-door , including campaigning candidate restricted . beforehand All election . of Voting ficials to to be be allowed vaccinated for 1 SHIELD Roadshows to have max 5 vehicles extra hr keeping in mind Covid guidelines

In Puducherry, BJP pins hopes on former CM Rangaswamy and friendship with AIADMK

BJP’s challenge in Assam lies in negotiating the Citizenship Amendment Act potholes in a state where "illegal migrants" are not a straightforward ethno-religious faultline. With the Congress-DMK government losing office in Puducherry, BJP is hoping its alliance with former CM N Rangaswamy, seen to be a popular leader, will see it through along with AIADMK. Chief election commissioner Sunil Arora, while announcing the dates at a press conference, said the decision to stagger polling in West Bengal over eight phases — unlike six during the 2016 assembly polls (which effectively was seven phases as the sixth phase then was split over two different dates) and seven phases in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls — was based on several factors. “We have to find a kind of mean… way out,” he said, adding that an increase from seven to eight phases was no big deal. To a particular question on why poll in Tamil Nadu, where concerns over excess use of money power had led to rescinding of polls in some constituencies in the past, was to be held in one phase and West Bengal in eight, the CEC reminded that Tamil Nadu had had a single-phase poll in 2016 assembly election as well as 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

An EC official, while speaking to TOI, also pointed out that even in BJP-ruled Assam, the number of phases was raised to three this time from two in 2016 assembly poll.

FULL COVERAGE: P 17

›Political climate behind 8-phase polling: EC, P 17 ›Suspense over Karnataka bypoll dates continues, P 4 ›BJP looks east, hopes for southern swing, P 17

Council of Architecture

 

Nat’l med council will improve health care quality: PM

Nat’l med council will improve health care quality: PM

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:27.02.2021 

The National Medical Commission set up by the Centre will bring in transparency, rationalise norms for new medical colleges and improve the quality and availability for human resources in health care sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday. He was delivering the address at the 33rd convocation of The Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University through video conferencing.

In the last six years, the country added 30,000 MBBS seats, more than 50% increase, and 24,000 postgraduate seats, an 80% increase, and added 15 more All India Institute of Medical Sciences. The centre has permitted TN to start 11 new medical colleges. “For each of these colleges, the Centre will provide ₹2,000 crore,” he said amid applause.

It was the first time a Prime Minister was addressing the convocation, but only 32 candidates received their degrees in person as pandemic protocols were followed. A total of 21,889 candidates were awarded postdoctoral, doctoral, post graduate, undergraduate degrees and diplomas. This included 6,120 under medicine, 534 under dental,1,297 in AYUSH and 13,938 in allied health sciences courses. Noting that at least 70% of the graduates were women, Modi said it was a matter of pride to see women lead from the front.

“Their success and the success of the institution would have made the great MGR very happy,” he said recalling that healthcare, education, and empowerment of women were dear to the late chief minister. The hospital built in Sri Lanka – MGR’s birthplace – with the Centre’s assistance will be a model hospital that will serve Tamil community there, he said.

He told the students they were graduating at a time when the country’s health ecosystem had scaled new heights and was being seen with new respect and had greater credibility. “This means there is great expectation and great responsibility on your young and strong shoulders,” he said.

Urging the students to keep their sense of humour intact as it would help them handle the stress better, stay healthy and keep patients and hospital staff cheerful, he also advised them to take time to exercise – do yoga, meditation, running, or cycling – to stay fit.

Governor Banwarilal Purohit handed over degrees/diplomas in the presence of vice-chancellor Dr Sudha Seshayyan, health minister C Vijayabaskar and health secretary J Radhakrishnan.

MATTER OF PRIDE: PM Narendra Modi said 70% of those awarded degrees at The Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University were women which was a great achievement

கோவையில் இருந்து கோவா, தாஜ்மஹாலுக்கு ரயில் மூலம் சுற்றுலா செல்ல முன்பதிவு தொடக்கம்

கோவையில் இருந்து கோவா, தாஜ்மஹாலுக்கு ரயில் மூலம் சுற்றுலா செல்ல முன்பதிவு தொடக்கம்

கோவை

இந்தியன் ரயில்வே உணவு மற்றும் சுற்றுலாக் கழகம் (ஐஆர்சிடிசி) சார்பில் கோவையில் இருந்து ரயில் மூலம் கோவா, தாஜ்மஹால் உள்ளிட்ட இடங்களுக்கு சுற்றுலா செல்வதற்காக முன்பதிவு தொடங்கியுள்ளது.

இது தொடர்பாக ஐஆர்சிடிசி வெளியிட்ட செய்திக்குறிப்பில் கூறியிருப்பதாவது: ஐஆர்சிடிசி ரயில் மூலம் கோவா, ஜெய்ப்பூர், அமிர்தசரஸ், சண்டிகர், வைஷ்ணவதேவி கோயில் மற்றும் தாஜ்மஹால் ஆகியவற்றைக் காண ஏற்பாடு செய்துள்ளது. 13 நாட்கள் கொண்ட இந்த சுற்றுலாவானது, வரும் மார்ச் 31-ம் தேதி மதுரையில் இருந்து தொடங்குகிறது. இதற்கான கட்டணம் ரூ.13,540. இதில், ரயில் பயணக் கட்டணம், சைவ உணவு, தங்கும் வசதி, சுற்றிப்பார்க்க பேருந்து வசதி ஆகியவை அடங்கும்.

இந்த சுற்றுலா குறித்த கூடுதல் விவரங்கள் மற்றும் முன்பதிவுக்கு ஐஆர்சிடிசி-ன் கோவை அலுவலகத்தை 9003140655, 8287931965 என்ற எண்களில் தொடர்புகொள்ளலாம். அல்லது www.irctctourism.com என்ற இணையதளத்தில் விவரங்களைத் தெரிந்துகொள்ளலாம்.

இவ்வாறு செய்திக்குறிப்பில் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

Pay newspapers for their content: INS to Google

Pay newspapers for their content: INS to Google

New Delhi:26.02.2021

The Indian Newspaper Society (INS) on Thursday asked Google to compensate Indian newspapers for using their content and insisted that the global search giant increase the publisher share of advertising revenue to 85%.

In a letter to Google, INS president L Adimoolam said publishers are also facing a very opaque advertising system as they are unable to get details of Google’s advertising value chain.

It noted that over the past year publishers across the world have been raising the issue of fair payment for content and of proper sharing of advertising revenue with Google. It is also noted that Google has recently agreed to better compensate and pay publishers in France, the European Union, and notably in Australia.

In a letter addressed to Google India’s country manager Sanjay Gupta, the INS president demanded that Google should pay for news generated by the newspapers which employ thousands of journalists on the ground, at considerable expense, for gathering and verifying information.

“Since the content which is generated and published by newspapers at considerable expense is proprietary, the Society pointed out that it is this credible content which has given Google the authenticity in India ever since its inception,” the INS said.

It pointed out that publishers have been providing complete access to “quality journalism with credible news, current affairs, analysis, information and entertainment”, and “there is a huge distinction between the editorial content from quality publications and fake news that is spreading on other information platforms”.

Further, it was also pointed out that advertising has been the financial backbone of the news industry. However, newspaper publishers are seeing their share of the advertising pie shrinking in the digital space even as Google is taking a ‘giant share of advertising spends”, it said.

The INS also raised the issue of giving greater prominence to editorial content from Registered News Publishers, as Google picks up content from several sites that are not credible, thus “amplifying... propagation of fake news”. PTI

Since the content which is generated and published by newspapers at considerable expense is proprietary, the Society pointed out (to Google) that it is this credible content which has given Google the authenticity in India ever since its inception

INDIAN NEWSPAPER SOCIETY

51 Karnataka professional colleges figure in NIRF list

51 Karnataka professional colleges figure in NIRF list

SruthySusan.Ullas@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:26.02.2021 

As many as 51 professional institutions from Karnataka figure among Top 100 in their respective categories published by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), the system introduced by the ministry of education, for the year 2020. The state fares well in the universities ranking too.

However, only one undergraduate college from Karnataka, which has the highest college density in the country, figures among Top100. The NIRF ranks institutions under 10 categories: College, university, engineering, management, pharmacy, medical, law, architecture, dental and overall.

ON NIRF LIST

Five K’taka institutions figure in overall top 100

From Karnataka, nine engineering and seven medical colleges and 11 universities figured among top institutions in respective categories. Five Karnataka institutions figured in the overall top 100.

A report published by academicians G Srinivas and S Salil in the February 25 edition of ‘Current Science’ of Indian Academy of Sciences, analysed the state-wise spread of top 100 colleges in the country and pointed out that the spread of quality education is highly skewed.

St Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bengaluru, ranked 72nd, is the only institute from the state among the top 100. The state has 3,670 colleges, and 105 of them applied for NIRF. Three states — Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Kerala — together account for 81 of the top 100 colleges, indicating the magnitude of the skew. Tamil Nadu has 32 of them; except one, all are autonomous. Colleges from 12 states don’t figure in the list.

Karnataka’s saviours are 51 professional colleges which figure in top 100 lists. Engineering colleges from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa and Delhi account for most of the top 100 institutions in the category.

Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra make up for 42% of the total number of universities in the top 100 in 2020. Representation from Gujarat and Rajasthan is negligible, even though they

are home to 74 and 85 universities, respectively. Many states like Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have no universities in top 100.

Deemed-to-be universities and central universities have proportionately higher presence, with state universities making for only 10% of the total list. The analysis said the reason for the skew may be difference in data-management practices in institutions, inclination to enter into ranking exercises, data-validation methods, private sector driving the regional competition or a difference in the real quality.

NIRF participation is high towards the south, making the authors infer that regional competition drives ranking as a competitive marketing tool. Uttar Pradesh has 7,078 colleges, the highest in the country. Yet, participation in NIRF from the state is one of the lowest. No institution from this state features in the list of top 100 colleges.

Karnataka has high participation rate of colleges in NIRF, with professional institutions figuring in the list. This points out that higher education is skewed towards professional education. Karnataka’s growth in professional education in the 1980s and 1990s was not emulated in arts and science colleges, the authors said.

The analysis pointed out that Maharashtra and Karnataka -- despite having national institutions to their credit and high college enrolment figures -- need urgent and simultaneous intervention for quality upgradation.

Madras univ to incubate 10 startup ideas

Madras univ to incubate 10 startup ideas

Chennai:26.02.2021 

Higher education minister K P Anbalagan on Thursday launched the Entrepreneurship and Career Hub Innovation and Incubation Centre at Madras University to foster entrepreneur ventures.

Students from various departments presented their ideas to the minister, vice-chancellor S Gowri and other officials.

The centre will incubate 10 startup ideas from the postgraduate students and research scholars.

“Seed funding support of a maximum of ₹10 lakh would be made available to these students along with incubation space and mentoring support,” university officials said.

Electronics and material lab, wet chemical lab, biological lab and digital film making lab are being set up as part of the entrepreneurship hub initiative. TNN

Sudden Covid-19 curbs create confusion, crowds at airport

NEW SOPs

Sudden Covid-19 curbs create confusion, crowds at airport

Passengers Caught Unawares, Several With Negative Covid Report Refuse To Give Samples On Arrival

Times News Network

26.02.2021 

A late night order from the state government on Wednesday making tests for Covid-19 mandatory for passengers who arrive from abroad caused some confusion among travellers at Chennai airport as many were not aware about the need to give samples even when they have a negative RT-PCR test result. Only those from the UK were being tested so far.

Caught unawares, a few people who landed from the Middle East did not believe that they need to pay for another test at the airport and refused to give samples as they were carrying Covid-19 negative certificates. The airlines and travel agents too had not informed the passengers about the change in rules.

There was confusion among passengers, airlines and travel operators because testing and quarantine protocols for people arriving from countries other than the UK were different in Chennai when compared to other metro airports so far. While Mumbai had imposed tests and compulsory quarantine following the state government order much earlier, Chennai let people, except those from the UK, walk out after showing a Covid-19 negative certificate.

And when the rules were made stringent by the government on Wednesday, the wordings of the order – copied from a Union government instruction, issued a couple of days ago, but without additional explanations – put the authorities in a fix.

The order said international passengers coming/transiting from flight originating from the UK, Brazil, South Africa, Europe and Middle East will have to undergo test on arrival and cannot exit until the result is negative. However, the same order also mentions that people travelling/transiting via Europe (other than UK) and the Middle East will be allowed to exit/board connecting flights after giving their samples for the test.

Health secretary J Radhakrishnan clarified it is mandatory for passengers from the UK, Brazil and South Africa – countries where the new strain is wreaking havoc – to wait for RTPCR results. “They will be allowed to board connecting flights or exit the airport only after they test negative. Passengers from the Middle East or other parts of Europe can give the samples and exit. If samples test positive, we will initiate standard procedures of treatment and containment measures,” he said.

“A flow chart has been given by the authorities. That makes work easier for airlines and airport officials. The airlines have started to update the advisory for Chennai on their websites and travel agents too have started to inform the arriving passengers,” said an official.

More tests mean 300 to 400 passengers will have to wait at the terminal for four to six hours. AAI has readied a huge hall as a waiting area for passengers as the airport started to test UK passengers from the first week of this month. “Three to four flights arrive in a day. There are not enough schedules because these are ‘air bubble’ or Vande Bharat flights,” said an official.

Fine for medical college, social service for pupils

Fine for medical college, social service for pupils

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:25.02.2021 

The Supreme Court on Wednesday imposed Rs 5 crore as fine on a private medical college in Unnao for granting admission to students in violation of the Medical Council of India (MCI) regulations but allowed the 132 students to complete the MBBS course on a condition that they will do community service for two years after becoming doctors.

A bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao and S Ravindra Bhat said Saraswati Medical College admitted 132 students without seeking a nod from the Director General Medical Education, UP, but said cancelling their admission at this stage would not serve any useful purpose as they have already completed the second year of the course.

“Intentional violation of the regulations by the college while granting admission to 132 students... can’t be condoned. The petitioner-college is directed to deposit Rs 5 crore in the registry of this court within a period of 8 weeks from today,” the SC said.

The court also directed the college not to recover the amount from the students in any manner. It directed the National Medical Commission to constitute a trust to manage the fine to extend financial assistance to needy students seeking admission to medical colleges in UP.

SAVING FUTURE

Using AI, NTA identifies 56 JEE (Main) crooks

Using AI, NTA identifies 56 JEE (Main) crooks

Manash.Gohain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:25.02.2021 

Employing AI algorithms on face comparison to detect impersonation, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has identified 56 candidates from the February cycle of JEE (Main) 2021, whose images match with some of the 20,000 top-ranked candidates of the exams in 2019 and 2020 despite differences in other credentials.

The agency has alerted the test centres and images as well as identification documents of these candidates during entry for the exams are being collected. According to ministry of education (MoE) sources, details of these candidates would be shared with the institutions so that they are not granted admission if impersonation is proved.

The first of the four cycles of JEE (Main) 2021 commenced on February 23. The first day was for architecture and planning papers, while Wednesday was the first day of engineering papers. A total of 6.6 lakh candidates have registered for this cycle.

Cases of alleged impersonation have been found in JEEMain and NEET (UG) earlier and as recent as October 2020.

“This is the third year NTA is conducting the computerbased JEE (Main). We have been hearing that some of previous years’ toppers would impersonate, score high and help secure a seat for someone else. Therefore, NTA decided to improve the system and alert institutions of such fraud. So it decided to monitor candidates,” said a ministry official.

The official said after registration, NTA matches the images of candidates with those of previous years’ toppers. “There may be repeat candidates but their details will remain the same. However, based on AI algorithms, we found that there are 56 such candidates whose image matches with someone from the top 20,000 of either 2019 or 2020 exams, but their credentials were different,” said the official.

Barring the images, other details such as the candidate’s name, date of birth or father’s name don’t match with the previous years’ high scorers.

Thereafter, NTA conducted a manual verification. NTA sources said a day ahead of the exams, it alerted the centre officials where these 56 candidates were scheduled to take the test. The centres were asked to take live images and identification documents at the time of entry. At the end of the exams, these are to be passed on to the NTA headquarters.

A ministry official said the institutions can verify with NTA during admission. “Post declaration of results in May, NTA is likely to pass on these cases to the institutions for verification. If the images in the registration form, admit card do not match with the candidate, necessary action can be initiated,” he said.

₹100 may be new normal for petrol in high VAT states

₹100 may be new normal for petrol in high VAT states

Sanjay.Dutta@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:25.02.2021 

Soon, Rs 100 could be the new normal for a litre of regular petrol in states with high VAT and cess, unless fuel taxes are reduced or the oil-producing countries raise production sharply from April.

Three Wall Street banks — Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Bank of America — have in the last two days forecast oil at $70/barrel in the next few months and even a spike to $75 thereafter. What is worse, Goldman said even an OPEC+ decision to raise output would not calm prices as supply would still lag behind demand.

Petrol recently topped the Rs 100 a litre-mark in some cities of Rajasthan and MP on sustained oil price rally and high taxes. In a sign of things to come, benchmark Brent crude on Wednesday stayed put above $65/barrel. India’s crude purchase cost too rose to $63.90 on Tuesday (there is a day’s lag) from $62/barrel on Monday.

The mix of crude bought by Indian refiners usually costs $2-3 less than Brent and the gap narrows as price rises. So at $70/barrel of Brent, India’s crude cost would be $68/barrel, marking an increase of $6-7 from the current average. Industry insiders said every dollar increase in crude price pushes up petrol price by 55 paise per litre and diesel by 60 paise in Delhi, the reference market, which taxes fuels moderately.

So at $70 of Brent, petrol would become costlier by a minimum Rs 3.30 a litre in Delhi, assuming other conditions remain unchanged and retailers dutifully pass on the impact. Diesel price would rise by Rs 3.60. The increase would be steeper in states with high VAT/ cess like Maharashtra, Rajasthan and MP.

Such an increase will push regular petrol price beyond Rs 100 a litre in Mumbai and many cities across states with high VAT and above Rs 95 in others. Diesel prices too would hit Rs 90 level. In Delhi, petrol would cost over Rs 95 and diesel Rs 85.

The only hope for consumers lies in the central and state governments reducing fuel taxes or the OPEC+ grouping of oil producing countries deciding to raise output at its meeting next week. Rajasthan, Assam, Meghalaya and West Bengal are the only states that have reduced VAT/cess ranging between Re 1 and Rs 7. The Centre has refused to cut excise duty. Both taxes make up over 60% of retail prices and amplify the impact of rising crude.

Goldman Sachs had on Monday said oil would hit $70/barrel in the April-June period and spike to $75/barrel in the July-October quarter (calendar year) on faster rebalancing of the market.

On Tuesday, Morgan Stanley and Bank of America echoed the view by raising earlier projections by $10 by saying oil prices would average $60/barrel this year and spike to $70 in between.

TN shifts out DGP over sex harassment complaint

TN shifts out DGP over sex harassment complaint

Selvaraj.A@timesgroup.com

Chennai:25.02.2021 

Days after an SPrank woman IPS officer lodged a sexual harassment complaint against him, the Tamil Nadu government shifted out special DGP (law and order) Rajesh Das and kept him without a posting.

The government also constituted an inquiry committee headed by Jayashree Raghunandan, additional chief secretary, planning and development department. Das, who was in Coimbatore on the PM’s security duty on Wednesday, was recalled and replaced by additional DGP K Jayanth Murali.

Travelling to Delhi? Ensure you have a negative RT-PCR report

Travelling to Delhi? Ensure you have a negative RT-PCR report

Jamal.Ayub@timesgroup.com

Bhopal:25.02.2021 

Travelling to Delhi from Madhya Pradesh? From Friday, those travelling to Delhi from MP would need a negative RT-PCR report to enter India’s capital city. On Wednesday, the Delhi government made the test mandatory for travellers from Maharashtra, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab. The directive would be valid until March15.

Travel plans of many people planning to come to MP and then go to Delhi are expected to be postponed or cancelled. MP’s positivity rate has also increased in the past week. Government officials going to Delhi for official work would also have to undergo the mandatory test.

MP is amongst 12 states that, in the last one week, have reported more than100 average daily new cases. During the past week, 270 average daily new cases were reported in MP. The state ranks seventh in the tally of 12, after Gujarat (287), Punjab (356), Karnataka (396), TN (449), Kerala (4,135) and Maharashtra (5,858) in the average daily new cases over the past one week.

The Delhi government’s announcement came as a surprise to many in MP’s health department. The announcement came less than 12 hours after the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said ruled out direct relation between the surge in cases in Maharashtra and some other states and mutant strains, N440K and E484Q.

ICMR DG, Dr Balram Bhargava, clarified that these two virus strains have been detected in other countries too and are not specific to India. Moreover, they have been found earlier in some states in India.

The new rule will come into effect from February 26