Passenger deaths: Rlys pulled up for refusing compensations

Passenger deaths: Rlys pulled up for refusing compensations

HC: Blaming Passengers Can Never Be Accepted

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:14.03.2021 

The Madras high court has once again pulled up Southern Railway for refusing to compensate death of passengers. The court has also expressed its dismay over the unhygienic conditions prevailing in coaches of express trains.

Asserting that policemen and railway staff deployed on such trains are not performing their duties, Justice S M Subramaniam has directed the railway zone to pay ₹8 lakh each to families of two passengers who died in train accidents.

“Toilets are not cleaned. Sometimes, adequate water facilities are not available. Coaches are not cleaned to the expected level. Cockroaches and rats are found in running train and even in express trains. There are chances that the passengers may get affected by infection on account of free movement of cockroaches, rats and insects etc,” the judge said.

Unreserved passengers are travelling in the reserved coaches on many occasions. There are many inconveniences even for the rightful passengers. All such irregularities and illegalities are not effectively controlled by the railway protection force and by the railway officials, he added.

“Under these circumstances, if the negligence or carelessness is attributed only against the passengers, neglecting the contributory negligence on the part of the railways, then the very purpose and object of the award of compensation is defeated,” Justice Subramaniam said. If the railway is able to establish that the deceased/ injured is not a bona fide passenger, then alone, it can be exempted from paying compensation, the court said.

This apart, the court pointed out how railway authorities and the railway police force are allowing passengers freely to cross railway tracks to reach other platforms, which is illegal.

“In case of untoward incident, blaming the passengers can never be accepted by the courts and all those officials including police officials must be held accountable,” the judge said.

Railway is bound to institute action against those officials, who have failed to perform their duties with utmost devotion. Further, negligence, lapses, dereliction of duty on the part of the officials are also to be looked into for the purpose of prosecution, the court said.

The court also expressed dismay over the unhygienic conditions in coaches of express trains and said passengers faced risk of getting infections

Lockdown restrictions help railways expedite Tambaram-Chengalpet work

Lockdown restrictions help railways expedite Tambaram-Chengalpet work

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:14.03.2021 

Making the most of shutdown restrictions, railways is expediting laying of the third line between Tambaram and Chengalpet and laying additional lines in Tambaram yard to handle more trains for future expansion.

To speed up laying of the track between Tambaram and Guduvanchery stretch of the third line, railways reduced the number of suburban services operated for six days starting Sunday. The schedule of suburban trains was revised as there will be cross movement and restrictions to movement along tracks because of the work. Work is progressing fast as ballast has been laid and levelled and sleepers have been placed on it. Track laying machines will be used to fasten the tracks in the coming days.

“The work will slow down if suburban trains keep running as per the regular schedule. So some trains were canceled to allow the work to progress without hindrance,” said an official.

The line from Tambaram to Guduvanchery stretch will be inspected by the commissioner of railway safety once the track is ready. This is the balance portion that needs to be completed. The Guduvancherry to Chengalpet stretch is ready and was inspected by the commissioner of railway safety a couple of weeks ago. A track is also being laid at Tambaram yard so moving the trains from the new line to the yard for maintenance and checks will be easier.

Sources said the restrictions of the pandemic, which allowed railways only to operate workmen specials, have come in handy to complete these projects as reduction of trains for too many days during pre-Covid times would have affected commuters.

The new line and modification in the railway yard will allow railways to start more express trains and suburban trains from Tambaram as a terminal station to ease the load from Egmore. A few other projects, including straightening of tracks at Arakkonam and bridge repairs, were completed at the height of shutdown when only goods and Shramik special trains were being operated.

FULL STEAM AHEAD: Railways is finishing the laying of the track between Tambaram and Guduvanchery stretch of the third line

CONDITION FOR GIVING AFFILIATION

CONDITION FOR GIVING AFFILIATION

AU sets April 30 deadline for colleges to prove 3,000 PhDs of faculty aren’t fake

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:14.03.2021 

Engineering colleges seeking affiliation with Anna University are yet to produce genuineness certificates for PhD degrees obtained by more than 3,000 faculty members. The university directed the colleges to submit the certificates on or before April 30.

Around 510 engineering and stand-alone colleges sought Anna University affiliation for 2021-22. In their applications, the colleges have submitted that around 9,500 faculty members on their rolls have PhD degrees.

To weed out fake PhDs and prevent faculty members lending their names to more than one college, the university asked all colleges to get genuineness certificates from the respective universities and submit it during the affiliation process. However, certificates were produced only for around 6,000 faculty members.

The university had also informed colleges that faculty members were submitting fake Aadhaar numbers, PAN cards and degree certificates and instructed colleges to verify documents with originals before uploading them.

“In addition, PhD degree holders are obtaining PhD degrees from different universities and lending their names to more number of colleges. It is also suspected that some faculty members have bogus PhD degree certificates and working in affiliated colleges,” the university said in a letter.

A principal from a private engineering college, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said few colleges showed researchers and faculty members from deemed universities as faculty members of their institutions due to poor admissions. “Such colleges may not be able to produce genuineness certificates as it would land the concerned faculty member in trouble. A few also got PhDs from dubious institutions. So it’s doubtful whether all institutions would submit the genuineness certificates,” he said.

Engineering colleges said universities charge more than ₹1,000 per faculty member and added that obtaining genuineness certificates has become difficult due to the pandemic.

“Most faculty members working in affiliated colleges got their PhDs from Anna University. When the university demands genuineness certificates, it should also take effort to reduce the fee for the same. It is an additional burden for colleges,” a principal from a city college said.

M A Maluk Mohammed, director and correspondent of MAM College of Engineering and Technology in Trichy, said the move would ensure that all faculty members are genuinely qualified.

Pallavaram residents plan protest for water

Pallavaram residents plan protest for water

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:14.03.2021 

With less than a month to go for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, a group of 745 households in a gated community in Pallavaram municipality has planned a relay hunger fast and will raise black flags at their homes on Sunday to highlight issues of water connections and sewage treatment.

The Olympia Grande Apartment Owners Welfare Association (OGAOWF) of the eponymous gated community in GST colony had planned their protest for Saturday evening but the local police convinced the group to postpone it. “We had even invited local politicians to get a solution for our issues,” said Dr H Narayanamurthi, OGAOWF president. There are at least 2,000 eligible voters in this gated community.

Residents are irked that the Pallavaram municipality and TN Pollution Control Board failed to take action against the builder for not ensuring water supply connection and operation of the sewage treatment plant in the complex. The STP was to supply grey water to the homes. The association said residents are forced to spend around ₹12,000 a day on water tankers alone. “On some days, water is not available,” Narayanamurthi said.

On Saturday, police played mediator and the developer gave an assurance to resolve the issues, Narayanamurthi said.

Drinking water pipes from connection points will be completed by April 13, said an email on Saturday from A J Balaji of Olympia Tech Park to the association. The STPs were working properly and any issue would be checked and resolved by March 31, the email added.

A municipal engineer at Pallavaram municipality told TOI that as far as water connections are concerned, many residents are yet to pay property and water tax. “We have written to Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board to see what best can be done,” the official said.

Summer isn’t here yet, but the heat is rising

Summer isn’t here yet, but the heat is rising

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:14.03.2021 

The past few days had been dry, hot and glaringly bright though the mercury reading has hardly been different. But in a week’s time, that may change. Weathermen said temperatures may rise beyond 35 degrees C or 36 degrees C after equinox on March 20.

For the next 48 hours, though, Chennai and the rest of the state may experience the same dry and hot weather.The IMD has forecast temperatures to hover at 33 degrees C maximum and 24 degrees C minimum in the city and the suburbs for the next 48 hours. The skies may be partly cloudy during the afternoon and clear thereafter. This, meteorologists said was due to the dry easterlies flowing into the land making the days feel dry and hot as humidity drops due to lack of moisture in the air. This makes the sweat evaporate faster in the body which then feels the heat despite temperatures being not so high.

“Right now, you will feel the heat only when you step out. It is only when the temperature is about 37 degrees C, you will start feeling hot even when you are indoors,” N Puviarasan, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, IMD, said earlier.

On Friday and Saturday, the maximum temperatures were 0.1 degrees C/0.2 degrees C below normal, but humidity was at 61% and 77% making the day shining bright and hot with clear skies.

Bloggers said the weather models indicate a spike in temperatures post the equinox, when the Sun crosses the equator, leaving length of day and night almost equal, and begins its journey to the northern hemisphere from the south. Blogger Pradeep John said temperatures may hover at 35 degrees C till March 21 and models indicate a rise to 38 degrees C in the past 10 days of this month in the city and the suburbs with certain times of the days experiencing hot land breeze or northwesterly winds.

“What we are seeing now is not summer. There could be a rise at month-end which is normal. South and southwestern TN may see mango showers or pre-monsoon showers in the last 10 days of the month,” he said. After a few days of light showers in some parts of southern districts, IMD has forecast dry weather to prevail across the state till March 17.

Here’s how you can wade through fake news this poll season

Here’s how you can wade through fake news this poll season

Fake news has also stared pouring in all over social media, now more than ever. It is hard for the users to sift fact from fiction.

Published: 13th March 2021 06:01 AM 

By Omjasvin MD

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Elections are still a month away, but the guerilla marketing tactics have already begun to take toll on the public. Phone calls with recorded messages of political leaders, social media campaigns occupying timelines... the list is endless. Thanks to the pandemic, computers and phones have replaced loudspeakers and street-corner meetings to a large extent.

TV advertisements have become a popular method this time, with the ruling party boasting about its achievements and the opposition highlighting the failures in minute-long video clips of songs and catchy lines. On social media, IT cells have taken over, ensuring that hashtags highlighting the “negatives” of their rivals are always trending, often without making any substantial claims.

Fake news has also stared pouring in all over social media, now more than ever. It is hard for the users to sift fact from fiction. As senior journalist Edward Burke of Boston Globe puts it, “...searching for reality and truth is more beneficial than gorging on exciting conspiracies and other fictions.” It is important to verify “fact” through multiple sources, says journalist and fact-checker Saket Tiwari.

“One party may claim it has built 5,000 houses for the homeless, presenting an image that it has fulfilled its promise. It’s rival may say that only one-third of the promised houses were built. Both of these are facts, but not necessarily the truth.” “The only way to perfect this is by acquiring skills to be able to judge and identify misinformation,” says Pratik Sinha, founder of ALT News, a leading fact-checking portal.

He says that tools such as the Google Fact Check Explorer may come in handy for verification. “It is an exclusive search engine for fact-checks,” added Sinha. He pointed out that local publishers could also translate the content for fact-checkers for information that needs to be verified.

Saket points out that semi-literate people become soft targets for fake news. “Voters must independently verify background of the person they wish to vote to power,” says Uzair Rizvi, a fact-checker with AFP Fact Check. “He points out that people can go to the candidate’s social media accounts, listen to their speech on YouTube and then take a call.

சொல் நாகரிகம்: அவரல்லவோ பெருந்தலைவர்

DINAMALAR

சொல் நாகரிகம்: அவரல்லவோ பெருந்தலைவர்

Added : மார் 13, 2021 00:14

திருப்பூர் ராயபுரத்தில், முக்கோண பார்க் அருகேயுள்ள மைதானம். அப்போது, அது பெரிய மைதானம். இப்போது, அங்கே பிள்ளையார் கோவில் வந்து விட்டது. அந்தக் காலத்தில், தேர்தல் கூட்டங்கள் எல்லாம், அந்த மைதானத்தில் தான் நடக்கும்.தேர்தல்களம் சூடு பிடித்துக் கொண்டிருந்தது. அன்று மாலை, அங்கு பெருந்தலைவர் காமராஜ் பேசப்போகிறார் என்ற செய்தி, எல்லா இடங்களிலும் பரவியிருந்தது. காமராஜ் பேச்சைக் கேட்க, பெருந்திரளான மக்கள் அங்கே கூடியிருந்தனர். நான், திருப்பூர் சிக்கண்ணா கல்லுாரியில், பி.ஏ., தமிழ் இளங்கலை படித்துக் கொண்டிருந்தேன். மாணவர்கள் மத்தியில், காமராஜுக்கு அளவற்ற செல்வாக்கிருந்த காலகட்டம் அது.ஏராளமான மாணவர்கள், கூட்டத்தினரிடையே நெருக்கியடித்து அமர்ந்திருந்தோம்.

நானும், நண்பர்களும் வெகுநேரத்திற்கு முன்னரே, அங்கு போய் இடம்பிடித்து, முன்வரிசையில் தரையில் அமர்ந்திருந்தோம்.தமிழக அரசியல் வானில், நல்லவர்கள் மதிக்கும் நட்சத்திரமாக, காமராஜ் ஒளி வீசிக் கொண்டிருந்தார். தீபம் நா.பார்த்தசாரதி, 'கல்கி' வார இதழில், காமராஜையே, ராமராஜ் என்ற பெயரில் ஒரு பாத்திரமாக்கி, 'சத்தியவெள்ளம்' என்ற நாவலை தொடராக எழுதிக் கொண்டிருந்தார். காமராஜ் வாழ்ந்த காலத்திலேயே எழுதப்பட்ட நாவல் அது.நா.பா., ஜெயகாந்தன், சோ, குமரி அனந்தன் என பலர், காமராஜ் அணியில் மேடைகளில் பேசிக் கொண்டிருந்தனர். அன்று காமராஜும், அவருக்கு முன்பாக குமரி அனந்தனும் பேசுவதாக ஏற்பாடு.காமராஜ் இன்னும் வரவில்லை. ஆனால், குமரி அனந்தன் வந்து மேடையேறி விட்டார்; பின், பேசத் தொடங்கினார். காமராஜுக்காகக் காத்திருந்த கூட்டம், குமரி அனந்தனின் சொக்க வைக்கும் சுந்தரத் தமிழில் மயங்கி, அவர் பேச்சை ஊன்றிக் கேட்டுக் கொண்டிருந்தது.

'ஏழைகளின் இல்லங்களை தேடி நடக்கும் கால்கள் எவருடைய கால்கள்? அவை பெருந்தலைவரின் கால்கள்! ஏழைகளின் துயரத்தை மாற்றக் குரல் கொடுக்கும் வாய் யாருடைய வாய்? அது, பெருந்தலைவரின் வாய்!' என்றெல்லாம், குமரி அனந்தன் அடுக்கினார்.கணீரென்ற குரல்; திருத்தமான உச்சரிப்பு; உணர்வு பூர்வமான பேச்சு. அவரது ஒவ்வொரு வாக்கியத்திற்கும், கைதட்டல் விண்ணைப் பிளந்தது.அப்போது, காமராஜ் காரில் அங்கு வந்து சேர்ந்தார். மக்கள் வெள்ளம், 'பெருந்தலைவர் வாழ்க!' என, உரத்துக் குரல்கொடுக்க, அவர் மேடையேறினார். கறுப்பு நிறம்; ஒளிவீசும் விழிகள்; முழங்கால் வரை நீண்ட கைகள். அவரிடம் மக்கள் மனங்களை அள்ளிக் கொள்ளும் ஏதோ ஒரு மாய வசீகரம் இருந்தது. அவர் மேடையில் அமர்ந்ததும், அனைவரும் அவரையே கண்கொட்டாமல் பார்த்துக் கொண்டிருந்தோம்.காமராஜின் வருகையை ஒட்டி, சிறிய இடைவேளை விட்ட குமரி அனந்தன், மீண்டும் பேச்சை தொடர்ந்தார்: 'ஏழைகளின் துயரத்தை கண்டு கண்ணீர் சிந்தும் கண்கள் எவருடைய கண்கள்? அவை பெருந்தலைவரின் கண்கள்!...'காமராஜ் நடுவே குறுக்கிட்டு, 'போதும்ணேன்' என்றார். தன்னை புகழ்வதைக் கேட்க அவருக்குப் பிடிக்கவில்லை. அத்தகைய பண்பாடு அவருடையது.தலைவரின் ஆணைக்கு உடனடியாகக் கட்டுப்படுவதை, உயர்ந்த கலாசாரமாகக் கொண்டிருந்த குமரி அனந்தன், உடனே பேச்சை முடித்து அமர்ந்தார். அடுத்து காமராஜ் பேச எழுந்தார்.

உட்கார்ந்திருந்த போதே, உயரமாகத் தெரிந்த அவர், எழுந்து நின்ற போது, இன்னும் உயரமாகத் தெரிந்தார். அவர் மிக உயர்ந்த மனிதர் என்பது உண்மை தான் என்பதை, அவர் பேச்சும் நிரூபித்தது.அடுக்கு மொழியில்லை; அலங்கார வார்த்தைகள் இல்லை. எதிர் கட்சியினரை திட்டி ஒரு சொல் கிடையாது. ஒரு கிராமத்து மனிதர் உரையாடுவது போல பேசினார். உதட்டிலிருந்து பேசாமல், இதயத்திலிருந்து பேசினார். நெஞ்சைத் தொடும் பனியன்களை தயாரிக்கும், திருப்பூர் மக்களின் நெஞ்சைத் தொட்ட பேச்சு அது.தங்கள் கட்சி என்னென்ன செய்வதாகச் சொல்கிறது என்பதை விவரித்தார். எதிர்க் கட்சியினர் சொல்வதையும், தாங்கள் சொல்வதையும் ஒப்பிட்டுச் சீர்துாக்கிப் பார்க்குமாறு மக்களை கேட்டுக் கொண்டார். எந்தக் கட்சி, நாட்டுக்கு நல்லது செய்யும் என்று தோன்றுகிறதோ, அதற்கே ஓட்டளிக்கும்படி கூறினார். தன் கட்சிக்கு ஓட்டளியுங்கள் என, நேரடியாக அவர் கேட்கவே இல்லை.'எதிர்க்கட்சிக் காரங்க, என்ன வெள்ளைக்காரங்களா? அவங்களும் நம்ம இந்தியர்கள் தானேண்ணேன்.

யார் ஆட்சிக்கு வந்தாலும், மக்கள் நல்லாருக்கணும். அதுதான் முக்கியம்ணேன்! அவங்கவங்க மனச்சாட்சிப் படித்தான் எல்லோரும் எப்பவும் இயங்கணும்!' என்று சொல்லி, கைகூப்பி விடைபெற்றார். அவருக்குப், 'பெருந்தலைவர்' என்ற பட்டம்தான், எவ்வளவு பொருத்தமானது!அனைவரும் பிரமிப்போடு, அவரையே பார்த்துக் கொண்டிருக்க மக்களில் ஒருவராக மேடையேறிய அவர், மக்களில் ஒருவராகவே மேடையிலிருந்து இறங்கி காரில் ஏறிச் சென்றார்.சொல் நாகரிகம் என்றால், அவருடையதல்லவா சொல் நாகரிகம்! மாற்றுக் கட்சியினரை வாய்க்கு வந்தபடி விமர்சிக்கும் இன்றைய மேடைப் பேச்சுகளை கேட்கும் போது, அன்றைய காமராஜின் பேச்சு நெஞ்சில் நிழலாடுகிறது. காமராஜின் உயரம், காலம் செல்லச் செல்ல அதிகமாகிக் கொண்டே போகிறது.திருப்பூர் கிருஷ்ணன் -ஆசிரியர், அமுதசுரபி மாத இதழ்.

Justice Indu Malhotra bids farewell to SC with tears

Justice Indu Malhotra bids farewell to SC with tears

I Do Not Know Of A Finer Judge Than Justice Malhotra: CJI

Dhananjay Mahapatra & Amit Anand Choudhary TNN

New Delhi:13.03.2021 

The mezzo-soprano voice of Justice Indu Malhotra, the first woman advocate to be directly appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court, choked with emotion as she tried to fight off tears on the eve of her retirement on Friday after being showered with unadulterated love, affection and respect by the bar, led by the attorney general, and bench led by the CJI.

Her voice, best described as counterpart of a male baritone, coupled with her meticulous reading of case files and legal articulation had drawn the attention of judges for 35 years before she became the eighth woman SC Judge on April 27, 2018. “My tenure (as an SC judge) may be short but I am leaving with a great sense of satisfaction having been able to contribute to the best of my ability,” she said.

The fulsome praise from advocates’ associations and CJI S A Bobde, who said “I do not know of a finer judge than Justice Malhotra”, melted the hard exterior of the judge, who bid farewell to both the bench and the bar on the last day of her sitting as a judge in the SC. She retires on Saturday. A HC judge can practise in SC after retirement. But a retired SC judge cannot practise. She was the second woman advocate to be designated ‘senior’ by the SC in 2007.

At the farewell function of the SC Bar Association (SCBA), Justice Malhotra fondly recalled her contribution in the SC’s five-judge bench penning the Navtej Singh Johar case to decriminalise Section 377 and permit consensual sexual relationship in private among members of the LGBTQ community. “I was overwhelmed with emotions when I saw the joy and happiness among the members of the community,” she said.

Being just the eighth woman judge in the last 71 years of SC, Justice Malhotra said she did not believe in symbolic parity for women in judiciary. “There will be more women judges if more and more women join the bar and society will be benefited if more women participate in the justice delivery system,” she said.

The AG highlighted Justice Malhotra’s lone dissent in a Constitution bench judgment that permitted entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, which traditionally barred entry of women in the age group of 10-50 years. Praising her for propounding ‘constitutional morality’ in her judgement, Venugopal said, “She showed commendable integrity, especially as a woman judge, by holding that women in 10-50 year age group should not be permitted to enter the temple because if permitted, the religious faith of the entire community would be violated.”

RAISING THE BAR: Justice Indu Malhotra was the first woman advocate to be directly appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court

REGISTRATION MAY BEGIN FROM MAR 15

REGISTRATION MAY BEGIN FROM MAR 15

NEET to be held on Aug 1 in 11 languages

New Delhi:  13.03.2021 

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (UG) for admission to MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BSMS, BUMS and BHMS courses will be conducted on August 1, 2021. The exam will be conducted in 11 languages, including Hindi and English through pen and paper mode.

According to National Testing Agency sources, the registration process is likely to start from March15.

The result of NEET-UG 2021 may also be utilised by of central/ state governments, including nursing council, nursing colleges, JIPMER, for counselling/ admission to relevant courses including BSc (nursing) and BSc (life sciences) in accordance with their rules.

NEET-UG is usually held on the first Sunday of May. But the schedule was disrupted last year too due to the Covid pandemic. TNN

Girl gets BDS seat after court intervention

Girl gets BDS seat after court intervention

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Madurai:13.03.2021 

The state on Friday informed the court that a BDS seat has been kept vacant for Soundarya, the adi dravidar community student who was denied medical admission under 7.5% quota, for studying in a private school.

The state also said that it is willing to sponsor the medical aspirant.

When her appeal challenging the interim order of a single judge was taken up for hearing on Friday, the state informed that pursuant to the order, a BDS seat was kept vacant for the appellant (Soundarya) in a college at Chennai.

It was further informed that since the last date for submission of the final list of candidates to the Dental Council of India was over, they would be able to admit the petitioner based on the directions of the court by treating it as a special case.

The petitioner’s counsel also informed the court that she was also willing to pursue BDS course.

Taking cognizance of the submissions, a division bench of justices M M Sundresh and S Ananthi observed that they are dealing with an unfortunate case of the appellant who having availed the concession offered by the government loses out for having studied in a private school.

Hence, the judges said that they are impleading the chairperson of Dental Council of India and registrar of Dr MGR Medical University for passing appropriate orders. The judges ordered notice to the newly impleaded respondents and adjourned the case to March  19.

Soundarya, had cleared NEET and had submitted an application seeking medical admission under 7.5% quota, however, the same was rejected citing that she had completed her higher secondary course in a private school.

When her appeal challenging the interim order of a single judge was taken up for hearing on Friday, the state informed that pursuant to the order, a BDS seat was kept vacant for the appellant (Soundarya) in a college at Chennai

Class XII girl, missing since March 8, found dead

Class XII girl, missing since March 8, found dead

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:13.03.2021

Four days after a teenager went missing, police recovered the decomposed body of the girl from a well in Thirukazhukundram on Friday.

The deceased, S Rohini of PV Kolathur in Chengalpet district, was a student of Class XII at a government school in the locality. Police said Rohini was missing since March 8. Her parents, after searching for her in the neighbourhood, had filed a complaint at the Thirukazhukundram police station. Police registered a missing complaint and had formed a crack team to look for Rohini. Police said Rohini left home on March 8 after informing her parents that she was going out to attend nature’s call at 7 am. Since she did not turn up till12pm, her parents lodged a complaint. When police tracked her cellphone location, tower signals were found in places like Puducherry, Marakanam and Cuddalore. Since they could not locate her, police went slow on the case believing it to be that of elopement.

The family members feared that the police were going slow on the case. They petitioned a senior officer. Only after the officer’s direction, police began to speed up investigation in the case.

Meanwhile, on Friday morning, villagers noticed a body of a girl inside a well in the locality and promptly informed police.

A team arrived at the spot and identified it to be that of Rohini, who was missing for the past four days. Police found the body in a decomposed condition and sent it for postmortem to the Chengalpet government hospital. Police have registered a case and are investigating weather Rohini committed suicide or was murdered by someone.

Her cell phone was missing and switched off. Her family members have ruled out suicide as they said that she did not have any issues troubling her. Police suspect her to have died at least three days ago.

“We are awaiting the postmortem report which would only reveal whether it was a case of murder or suicide. We are also trying to find out whether there were any external injuries as the body is decomposed,” said an investigating officer.

Rohini’s body was found in a well

When police tracked her cellphone location, tower signals were found in and around Cuddalore. Since they could not locate her, police went slow on the case believing it to be that of elopement

No EWS quota admissions yet at Anna University

No EWS quota admissions yet at Anna University

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:13.03.2021

Facing the wrath of Madras high court over introduction of economically weaker section (EWS) quota in admissions to two MTech courses in Anna University, the latter said it has not yet admitted any student to these courses.

When the issue came up before Justice B Pugalendhi on Friday for further hearing, Anna University’s counsel Vijaya Kumar said that though a merit list sent by the central government’s department of biotechnology contained allotment under EWS quota by creating additional seats, the university had not provided admission under the quota.

The submission came after the university was reprimanded by the court for creating ‘unnecessary confusion’ in admissions to the two centrally sponsored MTech Biotechnology and MTech Computational Biology courses.

Meanwhile, counsel for petitioners A Saravanan alleged that the EWS quota had been implemented by at least three other state universities in admission to centrallysponsored courses.

Pulling up the university, the court observed that the university cannot take a stand against the policy of the state.

Increasing number of Covid-19 cases makes hosps busy again

Increasing number of Covid-19 cases makes hosps busy again

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:13.03.2021

Isolation wards and ICUs are busy again with increase in Covid-19 cases in the city its three neighbouring districts, officials said on Friday when TN reported 670 new cases and four deaths. The case tally crossed 8,58,272 and the cumulative death toll touched 12,539, with 4,483 people still under treatment.

Chennai, with 265 fresh cases and three deaths on Friday, is turning into a hotspot. Between March 5 and 11, on an average, it added at least 250 patients a day and reported two deaths compared to 180 cases and less than two deaths between February 26 and March

4. It has also seen a rise in positivity rate, active cases, hospital admissions and dip in doubling time for cases. The positivity rate, between1.4 and1.7 in February, is between 2 and 2.3 in March. The number of active cases, which dropped to 1,550 on February 9, was1,961 on Friday.

The directorate of medical education said there were 1,057 patients in Covid-19 wards in government hospitals across TN on Friday morning compared to 740 patients on March

5. During this period the number of cases in Chennai’s government medical college hospitals and attached intuitions rose from 340 cases to 650 cases.

The 750-bed Covid-19 wing at King Institute, which had 206 in-patients last week, had nearly 380 patients till Friday morning. By evening, the tally was

400. “Of the 400, 30 are in ICU, 20 are in wards with oxygen support,” said Dr K Narayansamy, who heads the hospital.

On Friday, there were 103 patients at Rajiv Gandhi Government, up from 75 last week. At Omanduarar Multi-Specialty Hospital, there were130 inpatients, said Director of Medical Services Dr R Narayanababu.

Many private hospitals have also registered an increase in admissions and a marginal increase in deaths over last week.

On Friday, after Chennai, the most cases were in Chengalpet (57), Coimbatore (51), Tiruvallur (44), Tiruppur (31) and Thanjavur (23).

Meanwhile, TN vaccinated 94,282 people including 34,455 senior citizens and 24,748 above age of 45 with comorbidities.

Positivity rate on rise in Puducherry

Puducherry:

The Covid-19 positivity rate of samples tested on Thursday jumped to 2.5% from 1.8% on Wednesday. Of the 1,202 samples tested, 30 returned positive. Twenty patients recovered in the last 24 hours as of 10am on Friday. TNN

HC stays defamation case against founder of anti-graft NGO

HC stays defamation case against founder of anti-graft NGO

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:13.03.2021

In a reprieve to anti-corruption NGO Arappor Iyakkam, the Madras high court stayed all further proceedings of a criminal defamation complaint slapped by the Tamil Nadu government against the NGO’s founder.

The complaint was made against Jayaram Venkatesh for his alleged social media posts against former Chennai city commissioner of police A K Viswanathan for refusing permission to organise a demonstration to expose Rs 1,500 crore ration scam.

While admitting the plea moved by Jayaram challenging the complaint, Justice N Anand Venkatesh passed an interim order staying the proceeding before the Chennai principal sessions judge and directed the prosecution to respond to the plea in six weeks.

The petitioner said the complaint was filed by the Chennai city public prosecutor for alleged offence under section 499 (criminal defamation) of IPC. The complaint was made for his social media post dated March 9, 2020 allegedly defaming the then city police commissioner. In the complaint, the prosecutor had alleged the contents of the post were mischievous, intentionally spoken to malign reputation and tarnish the image of Viswanathan.

Row over math, physics options for engg: AICTE withdraws its handbook

YOU READ IT HERE FIRST

Row over math, physics options for engg: AICTE withdraws its handbook

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai: 13,03,2021

A day after TOI reported that mathematics and physics at Class XII-level had been made optional for admission to engineering courses, the All-India Council for Technical Education chairperson on Friday clarified that the changes were not binding on institutions. Hours later, the AICTE withdrew its approval process handbook (APH) for 2021-22, which had the new eligibility criteria.

AICTE chairperson Anil Sahasrabudhe said the new guidelines were futuristic and in keeping with the vision of the National Education Policy-2020. Physics, chemistry and maths would continue to be important subjects in engineering courses, but students would have the option to study biotechnology, textile or agriculture engineering through bridge courses.

These guidelines were not compulsory and states and institutions would be free to continue with the existing policy, Sahasrabudhe said.

By afternoon, the AICTE website carried a ticker: “It is to inform all concerned that APH 2021-22 has been withdrawn for a short period and to be placed again on the AICTE website within a day or two.”

After widespread criticism, AICTE withdraws handbook

It also removed the APH (handbook) released on its website. By night, the announcement read: “It is to inform all concerned that APH 2021-22 has been withdrawn for a typographical corrections and it will be placed again on the AICTE website within a day or two.”

The AICTE move had drawn wide protests, and a few voices in support. Many academicians said students will struggle in engineering programmes without knowing foundational mathematics.

Welcoming the AICTE’s decision to withdraw the new criteria, Anna University vicechancellor M K Surappa said maths is very critical to engineering. “Engineering itself is becoming more and more complex and requires creative solutions and analytical skills. Maths plays a very critical and advanced role in effectiveness of engineering,” he said.

However,Sandeep Sancheti, former vice-chancellor of SRM Institute of Science and Technology in Chennai, said, “In principle, making Class XII-level maths and physics optional for engineering admissions is a good move. It will keep the entry open for someone who wants to correct his or her path. However, it needs more finer details on the implementation.”

Earlier, explaining the rationale for the AICTE move, Sahasrabudhe said, “There was a very classic case which came up this year during admission into an agricultural engineering or agricultural technology course where mathematics, physics and chemistry are mandatory. Now in open schooling and CBSE, there are subjects like agricultural chemistry. However, these institutes are only accepting pure chemistry.”

Which is the "appropriate government" empowered to remit/ suspend sentence in criminal cases? Madras High Court answers

Which is the "appropriate government" empowered to remit/ suspend sentence in criminal cases? Madras High Court answers

The Court passed the ruling in view of the confusion often encountered when leave petitions are submitted by prisoners convicted under laws over which both the Centre and the State exercise executive power.

Justice Anand Venkatesh, Madras High Court

Meera Emmanuel

Published on : 12 Mar, 2021 , 9:22 am

The State government is the "appropriate government" ordinarily empowered to suspend or remit sentences imposed on criminal convicts under Section 432 (power to suspend or remit sentences) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), the Madras High Court ruled on Thursday, while maintaining that there are certain exceptions to the same (B Salma Mahajabeen v. Govt of Tamil Nadu).

Justice N Anand Venkatesh of High Court passed a detailed ruling clarifying various aspects surrounding the power of remission in view of the confusion often encountered by jail authorities when leave petitions are submitted by prisoners convicted under laws that fall under the executive power of the Union and also to which the executive power of the State extends.

The Court concluded that where the offender has been convicted of offences, where the executive powers of both the Centre and the State come into play, the Central, as well as the State Government, will be the "appropriate governments" to remit or suspend the sentence.

"Section 435(2) Cr.P.C., takes care of such situations by directing that an order of suspension, remission or commutation passed by a State Government shall not have effect unless a similar order is passed by the Central Government", the Court pointed out.

On how "appropriate government" under Section 432, CrPC is determined

The question of which government is empowered to remit or suspend a sentence under Section 432, CrPC hinges upon which level of government i.e. Central or State had executive power over the offence committed by the convict, the Court said.

As per Article 53 of the Constitution, the executive power of the Union vests in the President and is exercised by him either directly or through officers subordinate to him. Article 154 lays down that the executive power of the State vests in the Governor and is exercised by him either directly or through officers subordinate to him, the Court explained.

The question of which level of government exercises executive power, in turn, depended on which List of Schedule VII of the Constitution, the law dealing with the offence lay in.

List I deals with subjects over which the Centre can make laws on (Union List), List II deals with subjects over which the State can legislate (State List) and List III deals with subjects on which both the Centre and State can legislate (Concurrent List).

"The default position... is that the executive power of the Union shall not extend to any of the matters in List II or List III, save a provision to the contrary is expressly provided in the Constitution or by any law made by Parliament," Justice Venkatesh found, upon a perusal of various case laws and Constitutional provisions.

In other words, the executive power of the Union government would extend only to matters found in List I ordinarily, unless a law or a Constitutional provision extends the Centre's executive powers to a subject in List III.

On the other hand, the executive power of the State would extend to all matters prescribed in Lists II and III, except where this power is limited by the Constitution or any law made by Parliament (as per the proviso to Article 162).

Criminal law, which would include the Indian Penal Code (IPC), falls under List III of the Constitution under Entry 1. Therefore, the State would ordinarily exercise executive power over such matters.

In arriving at this finding, the Court also dispelled that the prevailing fallacy that the “appropriate government” under Section 432, CrPC, must be reckoned with reference to the legislature that passed the law. If this assumption holds true, the "appropriate government" for all IPC offences would be the Central government, since it is a Central law.

Emphasising that this assumption is incorrect, the Court relied on the Union of India v. V. Sriharan case to reiterate that "This is not only against the express language of Article 73(1) (extent of executive power of the Union) but would completely overburden the Central Government."

The exceptions where the Union exercises executive power over criminal cases

The Court opined that the executive power of the Central government would only extend in criminal cases only in certain instances, i.e. where

the offence is tied to a subject matter in List 1of Schedule VII of the Constitution, or  the offence falls under one of the categories listed in Section 435 (1), CrPC, which requires that the State government consult with the Central government before granting remission or commutation of sentence.

The cases falling under the categories listed in Section 435, CrPC are:

where the offence was investigated by the CBI under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 or any other agency under a Central Act other than the CrPC;

where the offence involves misappropriation, or destruction of, or damage to any property belonging to the Central Government; and

where the offence was committed by a person in the service of the Central Government while acting or purporting to act in discharge of his official duty.

In V Sriharan's case, the Supreme Court has clarified that the State must obtain the concurrence of the Centre before it can commute or remit the sentence where the case falls under Section 435, CrPC,

In summary, the Court has culled out the following guiding principles:

Criminal law, being a matter falling within the net of Entry I of List III of Schedule VII of the Constitution, the executive power of the State would ordinarily extend to suspend or remit sentences for offences under all criminal laws. The "appropriate government" would be the State Government under Section 432(7)(b) CrPC.

An exception to the above rule is where an offence is in respect of a law the source of which is traceable to Entry 93 and any of the other entries in List I of Schedule VII of the Constitution in which case it is the Executive power of the Union which would extend and the appropriate Government would be the Central Government under Section 432(7)(a) CrPC.

Where the sentence is one of death, the powers conferred on the State Government under Section 432/433 CrPC, may also be exercised by the Central Government (Section 434 CrPC which deals with concurrent power of Central Government in case of death sentences).

For cases falling within the categories set out in Section 435(1) CrPC, the powers conferred on the State Government to remit or commute a sentence shall not be exercised except after obtaining the concurrence of the Central Government; and

Where the offender is sentenced to two different counts, one under a law referable to List I and the other referable to Entry I of List III, then the Central as well as the State Government will be the appropriate governments. Section 435(2) Cr.P.C., takes care of such situations by directing that an order of suspension, remission or commutation passed by a State Government shall not have effect unless a similar order is passed by the Central Government.

Advocates BA Sujay Prasanna, V Lakshmi Narayanan, Sharath Chandran and Additional Public Prosecutor M Mohammad Riyaz assisted the Court as amicus curiae in the matter.

Government servants should not be appointed Election Commissioners;

Government servants should not be appointed Election Commissioners;

Independence of Election Commission cannot be compromised: Supreme Court  Supreme Court noted that it was a disturbing feature that a government servant, while being in employment with government, was in charge of election commission in Goa.

Election Commission

Debayan Roy  BAR AND BENCH

Published on : 12 Mar, 2021 , 11:26 am

Central and State governments should not appoint persons holding government office as Election Commissioners, the Supreme Court ruled on Friday stating that entrusting additional charge of State Election Commissioner to a government official is a mockery of the Constitution.

A Bench of Justices Rohinton Fali Nariman, BR Gavai and Hrishikesh Roy upholding the High Court judgment underscored that independence of Election Commission cannot be compromised and that State Election Commissioners have to be independent persons.

None of the states can appoint a person who holds any office with the government (as Election Commissioner), the Court added.

The judgment came on an appeal against an order of the Bombay High Court which had set aside the election notification issued by the Goa State Election Commission in the municipalities of Margao, Mapusa, Mormugao, Sanguem and Quepem.

The top court gave a direction to all states to comply with the constitutional scheme of independent SEC if they are in default.

The High Court had allowed the State Election Commission to continue the election process in other municipalities while disallowing the same in five municipalities for not reserving the wards for women as required under the law.

Supreme Court today held that it was a disturbing feature that a government servant, while being in employment with government, was in charge of election commission in Goa.

The top court further observed that an officer of the government attempted to over rule the High Court decision with regard to holding Panchayat polls.

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Supreme Court Monthly Digest: February 2021

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I Had To Use Tiger Balm After Reading It', Says Justice MR Shah Over 'Incomprehensible' High Court Judgment

I Had To Use Tiger Balm After Reading It', Says Justice MR Shah Over 'Incomprehensible' High Court Judgment

Mehal Jain12 March 2021 2:55 PM

I Had To Use Tiger Balm After Reading It, Says Justice MR Shah Over Incomprehensible High Court Judgment

The Supreme Court on Friday expressed its displeasure at the incomprehensible manner in which judgments are coming to be written by High Courts.

The bench of Justices D. Y. Chandrachud and M. R. Shah was hearing a SLP arising out of an order passed by a division bench of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in a writ petition under Article 226, which in turn arose from an award of the Central Government Industrial Tribunal. The High Court had confirmed the order of the CGIT as regards the charge of misconduct against an employee.

"What judgement has been written?!", exclaimed Justice Chandrachud in Hindi.

Replying in Hindi, Justice Shah concurred, "I did not understand anything. There are long, long sentences. Then, there is an odd comma showing up anywhere After reading, I did not understand anything. I started doubting my own understanding!"

"I had to use Tiger balm", quipped Justice Shah.

"Judgments must be such which everyone can understand...And the judge says that the charge of misconduct has been proved!", noted the bench.

"I sat down to read it at 10:10 AM. It was 10:55 by the time I completed! I was like, 'Can you imagine this?' Finally, I had to look for the award of the CGIT itself. Oh, my God! I am telling you, this is unbelievable!", remarked Justice Chandrachud.

"This is a dislocation of justice. In every matter, you find a just judgement like this", continued the judge.

"It is said that the judgement must be as simple as it can be so that everyone can understand. It is not supposed to be a thesis", commented Justice Shah.

"In this regard, we speak of Justice Krishna Iyer. His judgements used to have a profound thought, a profound sense of learning behind the artistry of words", said Justice Chandrachud.

"Reading the order of the division bench of November 27, 2020, we note that the reasons recorded by the High Court in the long judgement of 18 pages are not comprehensible. The kind of reasoning and language employed is inexplicable", the bench stated.

"We are at our wit's end. This is happening repeatedly", expressed Justice Chandrachud.

"Brother, should we say something on how to write judgements? That simple language should be used in conveying what you are trying to say?", said Justice Shah.

"Judgements are needed to convey the reasoning and process of thought underlining the conclusion which is arrived at by the adjudicatory forum.

Judgments must be understandable not only to the members of the bar who have appeared in the matter or to those for whom they hold value as a precedent but must also have meaning to the general litigants who have to approach the courts for the enforcement of their rights. Otherwise, there is a disservice to the cause of ensuring accessible and understandable justice to all", added Justice Chandrachud to the order.

'I Had To Use Tiger Balm After Reading It', Says Justice MR Shah Over 'Incomprehensible' High Court Judgment

'I Had To Use Tiger Balm After Reading It', Says Justice MR Shah Over 'Incomprehensible' High Court Judgment: The Supreme Court on Friday expressed its displeasure at the incomprehensible manner in which judgments are coming to be written by High Courts.The bench of Justices D. Y. Chandrachud and M. R.

Delay 2nd dose for more efficacy: Experts

Delay 2nd dose for more efficacy: Experts

Nisha.Nambiar@timesgroup.com

Pune:12.03.2021 

Public health experts, citing emerging evidence, have said that India could consider delaying the second dose of the Covid vaccine to improve immunogenicity. Currently, the follow-up shot is being given 28 days later. Experts TOI spoke to said the country could look beyond that timeline.

Dr Gagandeep Kang, a member of Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE), which is advising the World Health Organization, said the decision to delay was not just about supply constraints, but improved efficacy too.

A recently published Lancet study said the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine — made in India by Serum Institute as Covishield — showed greater efficacy when its second dose was administered after a gap of 12 weeks, instead of four. The study was based on results from over 17,000 trial participants. The researchers found that efficacy of the shot had risen from an average of 55.1% (after two doses were given fewer than six weeks apart) to 81.3% when the interval was at least12 weeks.

Dr Lalit Kant, former head of ICMR’s Epidemiology and Communicable diseases division said models have shown a delayed second dose offers better protection, but real-world conditions can differ. “Delayed doses can protect a higher number of people quickly when supplies are limited. But in India, we don’t seem to have a shortage of vaccines. So the benefit is in terms of improving the level of protection.”

Dr Kant added, “A closer look at the Lancet study shows the sample size was too small to draw a meaningful conclusion. Therefore, studies with adequate sample sizes are needed before we can think of changing India’s vaccination schedule for Covishield.”

Covishield to cost less than ₹200/dose

The Indian government has lowered the price at which it buys AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine doses being produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII), the federal health secretary said on Thursday. “The renegotiated price is significantly lower than Rs 200 ($2.75) per dose,” health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said. The SII has licensed the vaccine from AstraZeneca and Oxford University and markets it as Covishield. REUTERS

‘Not trying to win a race with vaccinations’

‘Not trying to win a race with vaccinations’

New Delhi:12.03.2021 

The health ministry on Thursday said the vaccination programme against Covid-19 is being ramped up adequately in a steady manner, even as the government’s efforts are not aimed at winning any race.

Asked if the pace of vaccination has dropped in last few days after achieving the milestone of administering 20 lakh does in a day on March 8, health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said, “What we are looking at is a steady increase. We are not trying to win a race.”

Talking about accelerating inoculations, Bhushan said on March 4, 10 lakh vaccines were administered in 24 hours, while on March 8, 20 lakh vaccines were given in 24 hours. TNN

Covaxin now out of ‘clinical trial mode’

Covaxin now out of ‘clinical trial mode’

New Delhi:11.03.2021 

The government said regular emergency use authorisation for Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin outside of ‘clinical trial mode’ was a validation of India's timely decision-making based on scientific evidence and production of Covaxin was likely to increase along with its use. Niti Aayog member (health) Dr V K Paul said Covaxin was granted permission for regular emergency use authorisation and both Covid-19 vaccines — Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and Serum Institute’s Covishield — had the same licence status now.

“The vaccine has stood the test of time in terms of great safety. It is a triumph for India’s science and technology enterprise and research and development enterprise as well as our industry and I congratulate the teams at ICMR and Bharat Biotech,” Paul said.

Both Covishield and Covaxin were given EUA on January

3. However, in the absence of efficacy data from phase 3 trials, Covaxin was granted EUA under ‘clinical trial mode’ which required vaccinators to take informed consent from recipients before inoculation. It also meant that Bharat Biotech was liable for compensation in case of adverse events under the clinical trial rules. TNN

Scrap old car, get 5% discount on new

Scrap old car, get 5% discount on new

Dipak.Dash@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:12.03.2021 

The road transport ministry will issue an advisory to all vehicle manufacturers urging them to offer a 5% discount on the sale price of vehicles to buyers if they deposit a certificate of old scrapped vehicle during the purchase of a new one.

The set of notifications to operationalise the voluntary vehicle scrapping policy for private and commercial vehicles, and mandatory scrapping of 15 year-plus government vehicles are likely to be out in the next one week, sources said. TOI has learnt that the advisory to offer discount in sale price of vehicles will be part of the overall policy for roll out of the scrappage policy.

Last week, Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari had outlined the idea. The voluntary vehicle scrapping policy announced in the Union budget will be applicable for personal vehicles, which are 20 or more years of age and 15 years in the case of commercial vehicles.

The government has also proposed a huge increase in the re-registration fee of 15 year-plus private vehicles and the fitness certificate fee for for 15 year-plus commercial vehicles. Meanwhile, sources said the first slot of vehicles, which will have to be scrapped will be those owned by the Centre and state governments and PSUs.

‘OLD IS GOLD’