CBI raids in Bhopal in bank frauds over ₹3,700 crore

CBI raids in Bhopal in bank frauds over ₹3,700 crore

Searches Were Conducted In 100 Locations All Over India

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bhopal:26.03.2021 

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday conducted searches at more than 100 places across India, including Bhopal in connection with more than 30 cases of bank fraud amounting to over Rs 3700 crore.

CBI’s ACB branch and AC4 (Vyapam) branch has registered two separate cases. In first case by the ACB Bhopal, raids were carried out at the residential premises of Siddhpal Singh Bhadoria and associates following a loan of Rs 4.10 crore the company had taken from a nationalised bank in 2016. Officials said that the company had mortgaged a plot in Rohit Nagar for a CC limit. This plot was sold in 2015. Raids were conducted at the premises of Siddhpal’s office and residential premises of a former chief manager of the bank named Satish Chandra Agrawal.

Similarly, the Vyapam branch has carried out searches in five places at Gujarat in connection with Rs 196 crore bank loan fraud case registered against Jyoti Power cooperation limited. Searches were conducted at the premises of Directors Kamlesh and Sanjeev Mewani.

According to an official release, these searches are part of special drive to book the fraudsters on the complaints received from a clutch of nationalised banks in India.

The various cities/towns where the searches were conducted include Kanpur, Delhi, Ghaziabad, Mathura, Noida, Gurugram, Chennai, Thiruvarur, Vellore, Tiruppur, Bangalore, Gantur, Hyderabad, Bellery, Vadodara, Kolkata, West Godavari, Surat, Mumbai, Bhopal, Nimadi, Tirupati Visakhapatnam, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Karnal, Jaipur & Sri Ganganagar.

During searches, various incriminating documents and other material/digital evidences have been recovered. It may be stated that CBI has been receiving a number of complaints from various banks alleging cheating, diversion of funds, submission of fake/forged documents by different defaulting firms while obtaining loans/credit facilities etc. There have been allegations that such firms have been turning defaulters resulting into the loans becoming Non Performing Assets (NPAs), thus causing heavy loss to the public sector banks. After scrutiny, the cases are registered by CBI. Thorough investigation is carried out in order to book the culprits, take them to face the law and endeavour to salvage public money.

These searches are part of special drive to book the fraudsters on the complaints received from a clutch of nationalised banks alleging cheating, diversion of funds, submission of fake/forged documents by different defaulting firms while obtaining loans

BCU students get wrong question papers; exam delayed

BCU students get wrong question papers; exam delayed

Bengaluru:26.03.2021 

For close to an hour, confusion prevailed in some colleges under Bengaluru City University as question papers meant for third-semester BCom and BSc students got mixed up.

The issue came to light after the papers were distributed and students realised they were not intended for them. “The codes got exchanged. Commerce students got question papers meant for the science stream and vice versa. The mistake was rectified and the exams were restarted,” said Narasimhamurthy, acting vice-chancellor. Some colleges said the exam was delayed by an hour and a half as they waited for the correct paper to take printouts.

BU PG exams postponed

All PG exams of Bangalore University, including MBA and MCA, which were scheduled from March 26 and March 29, have been postponed due to KSET exam. TNN

6 +ve, Mangalore varsity suspends regular classes

6 +ve, Mangalore varsity suspends regular classes

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mangaluru:26.03.2021 

Mangalore University on Thursday suspended on-campus classes for PG and research students till Monday, after some students at its Mangalagangothri campus tested positive for the virus.

A circular issued by PL Dharma, registrar, said the university is taking abundant care in the wake of the spread of the Novel Coronavirus.

“As a precautionary measure, we decided to suspend classes for postgraduate/research students from till march 29,” the circular read. “Strict measures must be taken to ensure students in hostels do not venture out. Wardens have been informed to submit reports in this regard.”

Dr Ramachandra Bairy, Dakshina Kannada district health and family welfare officer, told TOI the department had asked the varsity to suspend classes after six cases were reported on its campus in Mangalagangothri.

“The infected students are from different departments and many primary contacts of these students are on the campus,” Dr Bairy said, indicating cases could go up. “So, we asked the university to suspend classes.”

Dr H Ashok, district nodal officer for Covid-19, said that a meeting was held, and the varsity was directed to manage the situation.

STIFF ACTION: BBMP marshals penalise people for not wearing masks in Bengaluru on Thursday

MIT reports 111 fresh infections

Udupi:

The spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus at Manipal Institute of Technology campus continued unabated with 111 fresh cases reported on Thursday. This accounted for the bulk of Udupi district’s 145 fresh cases. District health officer Dr Sudhir Chandra Sooda told reporters that the total number of infections on the campus has now touched 586. Since March 15, a total of 21,502 tests have been conducted in the district, 3,669 tests in MIT alone. Meanwhile, Dr Ashok H, district nodal officer for Covid-19, Dakshina Kannada, said discussions are on to make RT-PCR negative reports mandatory for all passengers, especially those arriving from Dubai. TNN

Vaccine shortage acute as hospitals turn seniors away

Vaccine shortage acute as hospitals turn seniors away

LOGISTICAL ISSUE? Officials Say Better Distribution Needed As State Received 4 Lakh Doses On Wednesday And There Is Enough Stock

Sunitha.Rao@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:26.03.2021 

Many senior citizens seeking a dose of the Covid-19 vaccine returned home without getting the shot in several parts of Bengaluru on Thursday as hospitals claimed they had no supply of the anti-viral drug.

Official data confirmed the shortage as only 35,531 doses were administered till 5.30pm across target groups as against a daily goal of 3 lakh. At St John’s hospital, no sessions were held as the hospital did not receive vaccine vials.

“There must be short supply,” said Dr Ramakrishna Goud, HOD, community medicine, St John’s. “It pains me to say there is no stock of the vaccine. The government must streamline supply. Nearly 1,200 staff in our hospital are awaiting the second dose.”

In a hospital near Hebbal, senior citizens were asked to wait till 2pm and the session began only after the hospital received stock. Apollo Hospitals, Jayanagar, had stock for just one more day.

“There are issues with the distribution pattern,” said Dr Yathish Govindaiah, unit head of the hospital. “We are likely to get more doses by Friday. We administered the vaccine to 120 people today and have 26 vials left. If we do not get more, we may have to halt the drive on Saturday.”

When contacted, Arundhati Chandrashekar, mission director, National Health Mission, Karnataka, claimed the state has a stock of 10 lakh doses, including 4 lakh doses which arrived late on Wednesday. “We have been directing district authorities to redistribute doses among PHCs and hospitals,” she said.

3pm vaccine scenario

In most primary health centres, those seeking vaccination post 3pm are being advised to return the next day. This, staff say, is to ensure doses are not wasted. Unless there are 10 people line up, PHCs are not opening a vial.

“We don’t want to send anyone back without the jab, but we cannot open one vial just for one person. The rest of the doses go waste. Not many come after 3pm,” said a medical officer working at a PHC in Rajarajeshwari Nagar zone. Staffers are asking beneficiaries to either bring more eligible people along or return the next morning.

SHORT SUPPLY: Many private hospitals ran out of stock of vaccine vials on Thursday. Senior citizens were asked to return on Friday

Pvt hospital charges ₹100 more

Despite the state government capping vaccination charges in private hospitals at Rs 250, some hospitals are billing additional charges. At Mallya Hospital on Thursday, a 69-year-old citizen had to pay an additional Rs 100 as registration fee.

Dr Humera Sayeeda, medical administrator, Mallya Hospital, said one-time registration is a must for anyone accessing a service. “Those coming for the first time have to pay Rs 100 as registration fee,” she said. “We don’t collect this from patients who are already registered with us.”

The government’s cap includes Rs 150 for the vaccine and Rs 100 as service charge.

“People should not pay more than Rs 250 in any private hospital,” said KV Trilok Chandra, commissioner, health and family welfare department. “Private hospitals cannot charge more. Such instances must be reported to the zonal officer concerned so that action can be taken.”

Dr HM Prasanna, president, Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association, said, “Hospitals should stick to the charge fixed by the government. We will issue an advisory to all member hospitals.”

HC’s take on delivering shot

Bengaluru:

The high court has directed the state government to submit a response about administering Covid-19 vaccines, pointing out that there are a large number of people residing in slums and shanties need to be inoculated quickly. “The question is whether the government should make special efforts to persuade citizens residing in thickly populated localities, who are highly vulnerable to the infection, to take the vaccine,” a special division bench comprising chief justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Aravind Kumar noted. “The state shall repond by the next hearing.”

Shut mechanical or cut seats: Engg colleges

Shut mechanical or cut seats: Engg colleges

SruthySusan.Ullas@timesgroup.com

26.03.2021 

Bengaluru:

At least a dozen engineering colleges in the state have requested their umbrella varsity — Visvesvaraya Technological University — to reduce intake or close down their mechanical engineering branches for the upcoming academic year following plunging admissions. The number of such colleges is expected to rise as they have time till April 3 to submit applications.

Seeing the trend, VTU has issued an advisory to all colleges to reconsider their decision. Calling the move a “knee-jerk reaction”, the university said historical data suggests cyclic variations in admissions to basic branches in engineering during unprecedented events like a slowdown or pandemic.

Asking the colleges to be cautious and conduct due diligence before arriving at the decision, the advisory said: “Such impulsive reactions may manifest our poor resilience and jeopardise the reputation of engineering education in basic branches.”

VTU registrar AS Deshpande said: “We have thus far received 12 such requests. It’s only likely to increase as we have a few more days’ time. Moreover, colleges can also submit their requests to AICTE directly. Since we have seen a rising trend, we wanted to curb it at the beginning and issued the advisory.”

“A large number of colleges are trying to either reduce or shut down the mechanical engineering branch... Many of the colleges have been unscientific in their growth. When there was a boom, they increased the seats drastically. Now, they want to cut it down. This is likely to happen to many other branches too in the future,” said VTU vicechancellor Karisidappa.

The registrar added that some of these colleges have requested introduction of emerging/multi-disciplinary courses related to mechanical engineering that AICTE has recently listed.

50% of mechanical engg seats vacant

During Covid, industries shut down and there was a perception that employment opportunities will be hit. Mechanical engineering is an unfortunate victim of such a wrong public perception,” said K Mahesh Dutt, member of board of studies of mechanical engineering in VTU and professor at Dayananda Sagar Academy of Technology and Management.

“Though there were signs of admissions dipping in the stream, the numbers were shocking this year. We are rehauling the entire syllabus for mechanical engineering from 2022 batch. We will also incorporate machine learning and artificial intelligence as suggested by industry experts,” he said.

Dutt said over 50% of the seats in the discipline are vacant this year. There are 12,000-13,000 mechanical engineering seats available in 170 colleges of the state. TOI had reported in January that nearly 89% of the 2,111 mechanical seats in Comed-K were lying vacant.

Coming to B’luru from another state? -ve cert must from Apr

Coming to B’luru from another state? -ve cert must from Apr

Minister: Rule For All Modes Of Transport

Sunitha.Rao@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:26.03.2021 

Attributing the sudden spurt in Covid-19 cases in Bengaluru to people with travel history, Karnataka’s health minister K Sudhakar on Thursday said a RT-PCR negative report will be mandatory for those coming into the capital city from all states by any mode of transport.

The travel restrictions will be applicable from April 1 and a formal order is awaited. Sudhakar, who reviewed Bengaluru’s Covid situation along with officials of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), said: “There is a daily spike in Covid-19 infections and we found that nearly 60% of those who turned positive in recent days came from other states. Currently, it is mandatory for people travelling from Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab and Chandigarh to carry RT-PCR negative reports before coming to Bengaluru. It’ll now be applicable to all states.”

Sudhakar, insisting that tough restrictions would be applicable only for those travelling to Bengaluru, did not specify how screening would work.

Bypass: Travellers entering via Goa

After the state government made Covid negative certificates mandatory for travellers entering Karnataka from Kerala and Maharashtra, people are circumventing the restrictions by travelling to Goa – which shares borders with Karnataka – and entering Karnataka from there. There are no restrictions on people coming from Goa. P 4

Infected persons in BBMP limits to be hand-stamped to prevent spread

There was no clarity about some issues — what if an inter-state passenger arrived in other parts of the state and then travelled to Bengaluru; should a vaccinated person also get an RT-PCR test done before travelling to Bengaluru and what would happen if a traveller landed in Bengaluru without an RT-PCR report.

These proposals have not gone down well with BJP leaders as they were reportedly announced without consultation with chief minister BS Yediyurappa or other cabinet colleagues. Moreover, the announcement came ahead of elections in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal where BJP is trying to gain a foothold. Sources pointed out that Bengaluru is home to a significant chunk of people who hail from these states and such restrictions could force many to spike their plans to travel and vote.

Dr Arundhathi Chandrashekar, mission director, National Health Mission, Karnataka said guidelines will be issued to ensure clarity. “Those travelling for one day to vote can get tested after they return to Bengaluru. It’s being discussed. Those who don’t have a Covid negative certificate during travel will have to get tested on arrival in Bengaluru,” she said.

Among other measures to contain the infection spread is hand-stamping Covid-positive persons in BBMP limits. “Even young and asymptomatic persons can spread the infection if they move around without isolating themselves. To control such movement, we’ll hand-stamp them,” Sudhakar said. He also emphasised restricting the number of people at functions and election gatherings.

With Covid cases on the rise, new curbs, including those on travellers, are being imposed

› FULL COVERAGE: PAGE 4

அபாயப் பகுதிகளாக மாறும் தேனாம்பேட்டை, அண்ணாநகர், கோடம்பாக்கம்

25.03.2021 

 அபாயப் பகுதிகளாக மாறும் தேனாம்பேட்டை, அண்ணாநகர், கோடம்பாக்கம்

சென்னையில் கரோனா நோயாளிகள் அதிகமிருக்கும் மண்டலங்களான தேனாம்பேட்டை, அண்ணாநகர், கோடம்பாக்கம் ஆகியவை கரோனா அபாயப் பகுதிகளாக மாறி வருகின்றன.

இவற்றுக்கு சற்றும் சளைத்ததல்ல என்ற வகையில் இராயபுரம், திருவிகநகர், அம்பத்தூர் மண்டலங்களிலும் கரோனா நோயாளிகள் எண்ணிக்கை அதிகரித்து வருகிறது.

சென்னையில் கரோனா பாதிப்பு நிலவரம் குறித்து மாநகராட்சி நிர்வாகம் வெளியிட்டிருக்கும் புள்ளி விவரத்தில், வியாழக்கிழமை காலை நிலவரப்படி ஒட்டுமொத்தமாகக் கரோனா பாதித்தவர்களின் எண்ணிக்கை 2,43,287 ஆக உள்ளது. இவர்களில் 2,35,325 பேர் குணமடைந்துவிட்டனர். 4,211 பேர் கரோனாவுக்கு பலியாகிவிட்டனர். தற்போது 3,751 பேர் கரோனாவுக்கு சிகிச்சை பெற்று வருகிறார்கள்.

சென்னையிலுள்ள 15 மண்டலங்களில் அதிகபட்சமாக தேனாம்பேட்டையில் 489 பேரும், கோடம்பாக்கத்தில் 418 பேரும், அண்ணாநகரில் 411 பேரும் சிகிச்சை பெற்று வருகிறார்கள்.

இது தவிர, ராயபுரத்தில் 363 பேரும் திருவிகநகரில் 358 பேரும் அம்பத்தூரில் 325 பேரும் சிகிச்சையில் உள்ளனர். சுமார் மூன்று மாதங்களாக கரோனா நோயாளிகள் எண்ணிக்கை மொத்த பாதிப்பில் 1 சதவீதமாக இருந்த நிலையில் தற்போது அது 2 சதவீதமாக அதிகரித்துள்ளது.

மார்ச் மாதத்தில் கரோனா தொற்றுப் பரவல் எவ்வாறு படிப்படியாக அதிகரித்து வந்திருக்கிறது என்பதை இந்த புள்ளி விவரத்தைப் பார்த்தாலே புரியும்.

மார்ச் 24: 633

மார்ச் 23: 532

மார்ச் 22: 496

மார்ச் 21: 466

மார்ச் 20: 458

மார்ச் 19: 421

மார்ச் 17: 395

மார்ச் 16: 352

மார்ச் 15: 317

மார்ச் 14: 294

மார்ச் 13: 271

மார்ச் 11: 292

மார்ச் 10: 275

மார்ச் 09: 236

மார்ச் 08: 229

மார்ச் 07: 251

மார்ச் 05: 225

மார்ச் 04: 189

மார்ச் 01: 171

தமிழகத்திலும் கரோனா பாதித்து சிகிச்சையிலிருப்போரின் எண்ணிக்கை 9,746 ஆக அதிரித்துள்ளது. நேற்று புதிதாக 1,636 பேருக்கு கரோனா உறுதி செய்யப்பட்டது.

சென்னை:மதுரை, கோவை, புதுச்சேரி, நாகர்கோவில் உட்பட, 11 நகரங்கள் இடையே, 18 எக்ஸ்பிரஸ், சூப்பர் பாஸ்ட் சிறப்பு ரயில்கள் இயக்கப்படுகின்றன.

Added : மார் 26, 2021 02:47

சென்னை:மதுரை, கோவை, புதுச்சேரி, நாகர்கோவில் உட்பட, 11 நகரங்கள் இடையே, 18 எக்ஸ்பிரஸ், சூப்பர் பாஸ்ட் சிறப்பு ரயில்கள் இயக்கப்படுகின்றன.

* சென்னை எம்.ஜி.ஆர்., சென்ட்ரலில் இருந்து, வரும், ஏப்., 10 முதல், சனிக்கிழமைகளில் காலை, 6:05 மணிக்கு இயக்கப்படும் கரீப்ரத் சிறப்பு ரயில், மறுநாள் காலை, 10:30 மணிக்கு, ஹஜ்ரத் நிஜாமுதீன் சென்றடையும்

* ஹஜ்ரத் நிஜாமுதீனில் இருந்து, ஏப்.,12 முதல், திங்கள்கிழமைகளில், மாலை, 3:35 மணியில் இருந்து, மறுநாள் இரவு, 8:50 மணிக்கு, சென்னை எம்.ஜி.ஆர்.,சென்ட்ரல் வந்தடையும்

* சென்னை எம்.ஜி.ஆர்., சென்ட்ரலில் இருந்து, ஏப்., 10 முதல், செவ்வாய்கிழமை தவிர மற்ற நாட்களில், தினமும் காலை, 7:10 மணிக்கு இயக்கப்படும் சதாப்தி எக்ஸ்பிரஸ், மதியம், 2:15 மணிக்கு கோவை சென்றடையும்

* கோவையில் இருந்து, மாலை, 3:05 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டு இரவு, 10:15 மணிக்கு சென்னை எம்.ஜி.ஆர்., சென்ட்ரல் வந்தடையும்l கோவையில் இருந்து, ஏப்., 10 முதல், புதன்கிழமை தவிர மற்ற நாட்களில் அதிகாலை, 5:45 மணிக்கு இயக்கப்படும் உதய் எக்ஸ்பிரஸ், நண்பகல், 12:40 மணிக்கு கர்நாடகா மாநிலம், பெங்களூரு கிருஷ்ணராஜபுரம் சென்றடையும்

* கிருஷ்ணராஜபுரத்தில் இருந்து, மதியம், 2:15 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டு, இரவு, 9:00 மணிக்கு கோவை சென்றடையும்

* மதுரையில் இருந்து, ஏப்., 20 முதல், ஞாயிறு, செவ்வாய்க்கிழமைகளில், அதிகாலை, 12:50 மணிக்கு இயக்கப்படும் சூப்பர் பாஸ்ட் சிறப்பு ரயில், சென்னை எழும்பூர் வழியாக, இரண்டாவது நாள் மாலை, 6:35 மணிக்கு டில்லி ஹஜ்ரத் நிஜாமுதீன் சென்றடையும்

*ஹஜ்ரத் நிஜாமுதீனில் இருந்து, ஏப்., 22 முதல் செவ்வாய், வியாழக்கிழமைகளில் அதிகாலை, 5:20 மணிக்கு இயக்கப்படும் ரயில், மூன்றாவது நாள் அதிகாலை, 12:05 மணிக்கு மதுரை சென்றடையும்

* மதுரையில் இருந்து, ஏப்., 17 முதல், வியாழன், சனிக்கிழமைகளில் இரவு, 8:50 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டு, மறுநாள் காலை, 6:55 மணிக்கு சென்னை எழும்பூர் சென்றடையும்

* எழும்பூரில் இருந்து, வெள்ளி மற்றும் ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமைகளில், இரவு,10:05 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டு, மறுநாள் காலை, 8:10 மணிக்கு மதுரை சென்றடையும்

*கோவையில் இருந்து, ஏப்.,16 முதல் வெள்ளிக்கிழமைகளில், இரவு, 11:30 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டு, மறுநாள் காலை, 7:20 மணிக்கு, சென்னை எம்.ஜி.ஆர்., சென்ட்ரல் வந்தடையும்

*சென்ட்ரலில் இருந்து, ஏப்., 17 முதல், சனிக்கிழமைகளில் இரவு, 10:30 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டு, மறுநாள் காலை, 6:30 மணிக்கு கோவை சென்றடையும்

* புதுச்சேரியில் இருந்து, ஏப்., 15 முதல், வியாழக்கிழமைகளில், மாலை, 4:45 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டு, மறுநாள் காலை, 10:00 மணிக்கு கர்நாடகா மாநிலம், மங்களூர் சென்ட்ரல் சென்றடையும்

*மங்களூர் சென்ட்ரலில் இருந்து, ஏப்., 16 முதல் வெள்ளிக்கிழமைகளில, மாலை, 4:35 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டு, மறுநாள் காலை, 9:50 மணிக்கு புதுச்சேரி சென்றடையும்

* புதுச்சேரியில் இருந்து, ஏப்., 11 முதல் ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமைகளில், பகல், 12:00 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டு, மறுநாள்அதிகாலை, 3:10 மணிக்கு கன்னியாகுமரி சென்றடையும்

* கன்னியாகுமரியில் இருந்து. ஏப்., 12ல் முதல் திங்கள்கிழமைகளில், மதியம், 1:50 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டு, மறுநாள் அதிகாலை, 4:40 மணிக்கு புதுச்சேரி சென்றடையும்

* தாம்பரத்தில் இருந்து, ஏப்., 26 முதல், தினமும் இரவு, 11:00 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டு, மறுநாள் மதியம், 2:20 மணிக்கு நாகர்கோவில் சென்றடையும்

* நாகர்கோவிலில் இருந்து, ஏப்., 27 முதல் தினமும் மாலை, 3:45 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டு மறுநாள் காலை, 7:25 மணிக்கு தாம்பரம் வந்தடையும்.இந்த ரயில்களுக்கு முன்பதிவு இன்று துவங்குகிறது.

CBI raids 100 places in bank fraud cases of over ₹3,700cr

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:26.03.2021 

CBI on Thursday conducted searches at more than 100 places across the country in connection with more than 30 cases of bank fraud amounting to over ₹3,700 crore. These searches were part of a special drive to book alleged fraudsters on the complaints received from different nationalised banks in India.

“The complainant banks include Indian Overseas Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank, State Bank of India, IDBI, Canara Bank, Indian Bank and Central Bank of India,” the agency said in a statement.

The various cities and towns where the searches were conducted include Delhi, Chennai, Thiruvarur, Vellore, Tiruppur, Bangalore, Guntur, Hyderabad, Bellery, Vadodara, Kolkata, Mumbai, Tirupati, Visakhapatnam, Jaipur & Sri Ganganagar. During searches, various incriminating documents and other material/digital evidences have been recovered by the agency.

3,700cr fraud: CBI searches 100 places

3,700cr fraud: CBI searches 100 places

26.03.2021 

The CBI on Thursday conducted searches at more than 100 places across the country in connection with more than 30 cases of bank fraud amounting to more than ₹3,700 crore. These searches were part of a special drive to book alleged fraudsters on complaints received from different national banks. The cities and towns where the searches were conducted include Kanpur, Delhi, Ghaziabad, Mathura, Noida, Gurugram, Chennai, Thiruvarur, Vellore, Tirupur, Bangalore and Hyderabad.

ஏப். 26 முதல் அந்தியோதயா ரயில் மீண்டும் இயக்கம்

ஏப். 26 முதல் அந்தியோதயா ரயில் மீண்டும் இயக்கம்

மதுரை

25.03.2021

மதுரை - டெல்லி நிஜாமுதீன், மதுரை - சென்னை, தாம்பரம் - நாகர்கோவில் (அந்தியோதயா), புதுச்சேரி - கன்னியாகுமரி ஆகிய ரயில் நிலையங்கள் இடையே சிறப்பு ரயில்களை இயக்க தெற்கு ரயில்வே ஏற்பாடு செய்துள்ளது.

மதுரை - டெல்லி ஹஸ்ரத் நிஜாமுதீன் வாரம் இருமுறை சேவை அதிவிரைவு சிறப்புரயில் ஏப்ரல் 20 முதல் மறு அறிவிப்பு வரும் வரை மதுரையிலிருந்து ஞாயிறு மற்றும் செவ்வாய் கிழமைகளில் அதிகாலை 5 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டு மறுநாள் மாலை 6.35 மணிக்கு நிஜாமுதீன் சென்று சேரும். மறுமார்க்கத்தில் டெல்லி ஹஸ்ரத் நிஜாமுதீன் - மதுரை வாரம் இருமுறை சேவை அதிவிரைவு சிறப்பு ரயில் ஏப்ரல் 22 முதல் மறு அறிவிப்பு வரும் வரை செவ்வாய் மற்றும்வியாழக் கிழமைகளில் அதிகாலை 5.20 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டு வியாழன் மற்றும் சனிக்கிழமை அதிகாலை 5 மணிக்கு மதுரை வந்தடைகிறது.

மதுரை - சென்னை எழும்பூர் வாரமிருமுறை அதிவிரைவு சிறப்பு ரயில் மதுரையிலிருந்து ஏப்ரல் 17 முதல் மறு அறிவிப்பு வரும்வரை வியாழன் மற்றும் சனிக்கிழமைகளில் இரவு 8.50 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டு மறுநாள் அதிகாலை 6.55 மணிக்கு சென்னை சென்று சேரும். மறுமார்க்கத்தில் சென்னை எழும்பூர் - மதுரை வாரமிருமுறை அதிவிரைவு சிறப்பு ரயில் சென்னையிலிருந்து ஏப்ரல் 18 முதல் மறு அறிவிப்பு வரும் வரை வெள்ளி மற்றும் ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமைகளில் இரவு 10.05 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டு மறுநாள் காலை 8.10 மணிக்கு மதுரை சென்று சேரும். இந்த ரயில்கள் திண்டுக்கல், திருச்சி, தஞ்சாவூர், கும்பகோணம், மயிலாடுதுறை, சிதம்பரம், விழுப்புரம், செங்கல்பட்டு ஆகிய ரயில் நிலையங்களில் நின்று செல்லும்.

அந்தியோதயா

தாம்பரம் - நாகர்கோவில் அந்தியோதயா தினசரி சேவை சிறப்பு ரயில் தாம்பரத்திலிருந்து ஏப்ரல் 26 முதல் மறு அறிவிப்புவரும் வரை இரவு 11 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டுமறுநாள் மதியம் 2.20 மணிக்கு நாகர்கோவில் சென்று சேரும். மறுமார்க்கத்தில் நாகர்கோயில் - தாம்பரம் அந்தியோதயா தினசரி சேவை சிறப்பு ரயில் நாகர்கோவிலில் இருந்து ஏப்ரல் 27 முதல்மறு அறிவிப்பு வரும் வரை மாலை 3.45 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டு மறுநாள் காலை7.25 மணிக்கு தாம்பரம் சென்று சேரும். இந்த ரயில்கள் செங்கல்பட்டு, விழுப்புரம், திருப்பாதிரிப்புலியூர், சிதம்பரம், மயிலாடுதுறை, கும்பகோணம், தஞ்சாவூர், திருச்சி,திண்டுக்கல், மதுரை, விருதுநகர், கோவில்பட்டி, திருநெல்வேலி, வள்ளியூர் ஆகிய ரயில் நிலையங்களில் நின்று செல்லும்.

புதுச்சேரி - கன்னியாகுமரி வாராந்திர சிறப்பு ரயில் ஏப்ரல் 11 முதல் மறு அறிவிப்புவரும் வரை புதுச்சேரியிலிருந்து ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமைகளில் நண்பகல் 12 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டு மறுநாள் அதிகாலை 3.10 மணிக்கு கன்னியாகுமரி சென்று சேரும். மறுமார்க் கத்தில் கன்னியாகுமரி - புதுச்சேரி வாராந்திரசிறப்பு ரயில் ஏப்ரல் 12 முதல் மறு அறிவிப்பு வரும் வரை கன்னியாகுமரியில் இருந்து திங்கட்கிழமைகளில் மதியம் 1.50 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டு மறுநாள் அதிகாலை 4.40 மணிக்கு புதுச்சேரி சென்று சேரும்.

இந்த சிறப்பு ரயில்கள் விழுப்புரம், சிதம்பரம், மயிலாடுதுறை, கும்பகோணம், தஞ்சாவூர், திருச்சி, புதுக்கோட்டை, காரைக்குடி, சிவகங்கை, மானாமதுரை, அருப்புக்கோட்டை, விருதுநகர், சாத்தூர், கோவில்பட்டி, திருநெல்வேலி, நாகர்கோவில் ரயில் நிலையங்களில் நின்று செல்லும். புதுச்சேரி - கன்னியாகுமரி சிறப்பு ரயில் வள்ளியூர் ரயில் நிலையத்திலும், கன்னியாகுமரி - புதுச்சேரி சிறப்பு ரயில் சீர்காழி, கடலூர் துறைமுகம், திருப்பாதிரிப்புலியூர் ஆகிய ரயில் நிலையங்களிலும் நின்று செல்லும் என மதுரை கோட்ட ரயில்வே அதிகாரிகள் தெரிவித்துள்ளனர்.

தமிழ் பல்கலை துணைவேந்தர் நியமனம் செல்லும்: ஐகோர்ட்

தமிழ் பல்கலை துணைவேந்தர் நியமனம் செல்லும்: ஐகோர்ட்

Added : மார் 23, 2021 23:40

மதுரை:தஞ்சாவூர் தமிழ் பல்கலை துணைவேந்தர்பாலசுப்பிரமணியன் நியமனம் செல்லாது என, தனி நீதிபதி பிறப்பித்த உத்தரவை, உயர் நீதிமன்ற மதுரை கிளை நீதிபதிகள் அமர்வு ரத்து செய்தது.

தஞ்சாவூர் பேராசிரியர் ரவீந்திரன், ஏற்கனவே தாக்கல் செய்த மனுவில், 'ஆந்திராவின் திராவிட பல்கலையில் பணிபுரிந்த பாலசுப்பிரமணியனை, தஞ்சாவூர் தமிழ் பல்கலை துணைவேந்தராக நியமித்து, 2018 அக்., 5ல் தமிழக அரசு அரசாணை பிறப்பித்தது.'அவர், யு.ஜி.சி., விதிகள்படி துணைவேந்தருக்குரிய போதிய தகுதிகளை பெற்றிருக்கவில்லை. விதிமீறல் நடந்துள்ளது. பாலசுப்பிரமணியனை துணைவேந்தராக நியமித்த உத்தரவை ரத்து செய்ய வேண்டும்' என கோரியிருந்தார்.

கடந்த, 2019 டிச., 20ல் தனி நீதிபதி, 'துணைவேந்தராக பாலசுப்பிரமணியனை நியமித்த உத்தரவு ரத்து செய்யப்படுகிறது' என்றார். இதை எதிர்த்து, பாலசுப்பிரமணியன் மற்றும் பல்கலை தரப்பு தாக்கல் செய்த மேல்முறையீட்டு மனுவை விசாரித்த நீதிபதிகள் எம்.எம்.சுந்தரேஷ், எஸ்.ஆனந்தி அமர்வு, பிறப்பித்த உத்தரவு:

விண்ணப்பங்களை பரிசீலித்து, 10 பேரை, தேடுதல் குழு, தேர்வு செய்துள்ளது. அவர்களில், மூவரை இறுதி செய்து, அரசுக்கு தேடுதல் குழு பரிந்துரைத்துள்ளது. அப்போது, ரவீந்திரன் ஆட்சேபம் தெரிவிக்கவில்லை. தேடுதல் குழு மீது தவறு காண முடியாது. பாலசுப்பிரமணியனின் மேல்முறையீட்டு மனுவை அனுமதித்து, தனி நீதிபதியின் உத்தரவை ரத்து செய்கிறோம்.இவ்வாறு, நீதிபதிகள் உத்தரவிட்டனர்.

ஓட்டுச்சாவடிக்கு 13 உபகரணம்

ஓட்டுச்சாவடிக்கு 13 உபகரணம்

Added : மார் 25, 2021 02:13

சென்னை:கொரோனா பரவலை தடுக்கும் வகையில், சட்டசபை தேர்தல் ஓட்டுப்பதிவு நாளன்று பயன்படுத்த, ஓட்டுச் சாவடிகளுக்கு, 13 வகையான பாதுகாப்பு உபகரணங்களை, தேர்தல் கமிஷன் வழங்க உள்ளது.

சட்டசபை தேர்தல், ஏப்., 6ல் நடைபெற உள்ளது. இதையொட்டி, கொரோனா பாதுகாப்பு வழிமுறைகளுடன், அனைத்து ஓட்டுச்சாவடி மையங்களும் அமைக்கப் பட்டு வருகின்றன. ஓட்டுப்பதிவு நாளன்று, கொரோனா பரவலை தடுக்கும் வகையில், வெப்ப நிலையை பரிசோதிக்கும், தெர்மல் ஸ்கேனர்; முழு உடற்கவசம், மூன்றடுக்கு முக கவசம், இரண்டு வகையான கையுறை, மூன்று வகையான சானிடைசர் உள்ளிட்ட, 13 வகையான பொருட்கள், ஓட்டுச்சாவடிகளுக்கு வழங்கப்பட உள்ளன.

சுகாதாரத்துறை அதிகாரிகள் கூறியதாவது:ஒவ்வொரு வாக்காளரும், வெப்பநிலை பரிசோதனைக்கு ஆட்படுவதுடன், சானிடைசரில் கையை சுத்தம் செய்த பின், ஓட்டளிக்க அனுமதிக்கப்படுவர். முககவசம் அணியாமல் வரும் வாக்காளர்களுக்கு, ஓட்டுச்சாவடியில் முககவசம் அணிவிக்கப்படும்.ஓட்டுச்சாவடி அலுவலர்கள், பூத் ஏஜென்டுகளுக்கு கையுறை, முக பாதுகாப்பு கவசம் உள்ளிட்ட பாதுகாப்பு கவசங்கள் வழங்கப்படும். இதனால், ஓட்டுச் சாவடிகளில், கொரோனா பரவலை தடுக்க முடியும். வாக்காளர்களும், பாதுகாப்புடன் ஓட்டளிக்கலாம். இவ்வாறு, அவர்கள் கூறினர்.

வங்கிகளுக்கு விடுமுறை அதிகாரிகள் விளக்கம்

வங்கிகளுக்கு விடுமுறை அதிகாரிகள் விளக்கம்

Added : மார் 24, 2021 22:44

புதுடில்லி:வரும், 27ம் தேதி முதல், ஏப்ரல், 4ம் தேதி வரையிலான ஒன்பது நாட்களில், வங்கிகளுக்கு, ஏழு நாள் விடுமுறை என, சமூக வலைதளங்களில் தவறான தகவல் பரவி வருவதாக, வங்கி அதிகாரிகள் தெரிவித்துள்ளனர்.

மார்ச், 27ம் தேதி நான்காவது சனிக்கிழமை; 28ம் தேதி ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை; 29ம் தேதி திங்கட்கிழமை ஹோலி பண்டிகை; 31ம் தேதி, நிதியாண்டின் இறுதி நாள்.ஏப்., 1ம் தேதி வங்கிக் கணக்கு முடிக்கும் நாள்; ஏப்., 2ம் தேதி புனித வெள்ளி மற்றும் ஏப்., 4ம் தேதி ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை ஆகிய நாட்கள் விடுமுறை என, தகவல் வெளியாகி உள்ளது.

இது குறித்து, வங்கி அதிகாரிகள் கூறியதாவது:வங்கிகளுக்கு நான்காவது சனிக்கிழமை மற்றும் ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமை விடுமுறை. வரும், 29ம் தேதி திங்கட்கிழமை, தமிழகத்தில் ஹோலி பண்டிகைக்கு விடுமுறை கிடையாது. வட மாநிலங்களில், உள்ளூர் விடுமுறை விடப்படும். இதே போல், வரும், 31ம் தேதி, 2020 - 21ம் நிதியாண்டின் நிறைவு நாள் என்பதால் விடுமுறை கிடையாது.ஏப்., 1ம் தேதி வங்கிக் கணக்கு முடிக்கும் தினம் என்பதாலும், 2ம் தேதி புனித வெள்ளி என்பதாலும் வங்கிகளுக்கு விடுமுறை.

ஏப்., 3ம் தேதி, முதல் சனிக்கிழமை என்பதால், அன்று வங்கிகள் வழக்கம் போல் செயல்படும். எனவே, வங்கிகளுக்கு, ஏழு நாட்கள் விடுமுறை என, சமூக வலைதளங்களில் பரவும் தகவல் தவறானது.இவ்வாறு அவர்கள் கூறினர்.

New COVID cluster in Tamil Nadu: 52 MBBS students from Kancheepuram college test positive

New COVID cluster in Tamil Nadu: 52 MBBS students from Kancheepuram college test positive

The RMO said that 12 students had been sent home with their parents after receiving an undertaking that they will be put under home quarantine while the other 40 students are being treated

Published: 24th March 2021 10:44 PM 

By Sinduja Jane

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Even as the Tamil Nadu health department is struggling to control the rise in COVID-19 cases in the State, 52 first-year MBBS students at a private medical college in Kancheepuram district have tested positive for COVID-19.

According to an official from that college, six infected students in the hostel spread the infection to other students.

"First six students tested positive for Covid on Sunday. After that, all the students were tested. Till Tuesday, 52 students have tested positive, all of them first-year MBBS students,” said C Mahendran, Resident Medical Officer at the Meenakshi Medical College Hospital and Research Institute in Kancheepuram district.

"Girl students also were affected. We don't know the source of the infection. It could have spread to other students as they were attending classes together. Boys' and girls' hostels have been shut down and disinfection was done," Mahendran added.

The RMO said that 12 students had been sent home with their parents after receiving an undertaking that they will be put under home quarantine while the other 40 students are being treated at the COVID Care Centre at the hospital.

"The students were following social distancing norms in the classrooms. We also followed all the Standard Operating Procedures. So we don't know how this happened,” Mahendran said, adding that aside from the first six students, the remaining infected students are asymptomatic.

“The six students were tested after they showed mild symptoms," Mahendran said. He posited that the infection could have been carried in by the few students who were going to their homes over the weekends and returning to college.

The students also used to go out. The classes for the first year began only one month ago, Mahendran added. As the number of new cases daily reported from Chennai and its neighbouring districts is slowly increasing, officials have said that new clusters were driving the spread and posing a challenge.

Meanwhile, the State has closed all the medical colleges and ordered the colleges to conduct the classes online for students. Hostels were also shut down.

18 MBBS students of Odisha's VIMSAR fined Rs 54,000 for ragging

18 MBBS students of Odisha's VIMSAR fined Rs 54,000 for ragging

Director Lalit Meher said, the anti-ragging committee of the institution probed the allegation and as per its suggestion, 18 students were slapped with a fine of Rs 54,000.

Published: 24th March 2021 11:23 AM 

Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (Photo | EPS)

By Express News Service

SAMBALPUR: The authorities of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla have imposed a fine of Rs 54,000 on 18 fourth year MBBS students for their involvement in ragging of juniors earlier this month.

Director Lalit Meher said, the anti-ragging committee of the institution probed the allegation and as per its suggestion, 18 students were slapped with a fine of Rs 54,000.

Besides, the students have been issued warning letters and made to sign undertakings stating that they would not get involved in such incidents in future.

Dean and Principal of VIMSAR Jayashree Dora confirmed that the students have deposited the fine amount on Tuesday.

The incident reportedly took place in the evening of March 10 when some fourth year MBBS students allegedly called second year students to the basketball ground.

When the second year students didn’t comply, the seniors came to their hostel in the night and again called them to the ground. The juniors were made to stand there from 11 pm to 4 am next morning.

The seniors also abused the juniors verbally and mentally harassed them. Subsequently, the second year students lodged a complaint with the anti-ragging cell.

After being informed about the incident, VIMSAR authorities immediately launched a probe and the senior students were slapped with the fine after being found guilty.

In a similar incident in October, 2018, some first year students and their parents had lodged complaints of ragging with the anti-ragging cell, New Delhi.

After inquiry, VIMSAR authorities had debarred 23 undergraduate students, who were members of the students’ union, from attending classes and library for one month over the allegation.

Chennai govt hospitals gear up for another Covid wave

Chennai govt hospitals gear up for another Covid wave

With a spike in Covid cases, the government medical college hospitals in the city have begun to add more beds and there are plans to retain house surgeons and final year PG doctors.

Published: 25th March 2021 05:50 AM 

 Shekhar Yadav, EPS)

By Sinduja Jane

Express News Service

CHENNAI: With a spike in Covid cases, the government medical college hospitals in the city have begun to add more beds and there are plans to retain house surgeons and final year PG doctors. Kilpauk Medical College Hospital which cut down on Covid beds to around 150 after cases came down, on Wednesday converted the new surgical building with 450 beds exclusively for Covid treatment.

Dr P Vasanthamani, Dean, said, “We want to be prepared in cases of a surge.Dr Vasanthamani said.” RGGGH which handled up to 1,183 cases per day during the peak is now readying the 5th and 6th floor in Tower III block. Dr E Theranirajan, Dean, said, “We already have 1,618 beds in Tower III. Now, we have around 259 cases, both confirmed and suspected cases.

We are readying the 5th and 6th floor in Tower-111. So, that in case if the four floors reach 50 per cent occupancy we can shift patients to 5th and 6th floors. The fifth floor will have 120 beds and for 6th floor we are working on the numbers. “As of now there is no alarming rise and we are getting around 40 cases per day. This includes suspected and positive cases. We are witnessing family clusters now. The hospital has adequate doctors and paramedical staff.”

Government Stanley Medical College Hospital which had 1,200 beds has retained one block with 600 beds. Two blocks with 400 beds are being prepared to deal with a spike. “Now we have reached 100 admissions. So we are preparing two other blocks. We have also been given one block in Covid Care Centre at Athipattu and asymptomatic people will be sent there,” said Dr P Balaji, Dean of the hospital.

Government Omandurar Medical College Hospital which was made exclusive Covid hospital retains 750 beds. “We have 260 inpatients now,” said Dean Dr R Jayanthi. Meanwhile, Dr R Narayanababu, Director of Medical Education said, “We are in the process of finding doctors from other district who are willing to work in Chennai.”

Pvt hosps opt out

A Health Department official said, at least seven private hospitals which were providing Covid treatment earlier have now expressed unwillingness to treat patients.

MMM doctors place stent in novel method

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2020: Migrants remember year of tears and toil

2020: Migrants remember year of tears and toil

Pankhuri.Yadav@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:  25.03.2021 

Rukmani Devi from Chhattisgarh had Rs 4,000 when the lockdown was announced a year ago. That money lasted two months. In May, she had no option but to pack her bag and walk to her village. It took her 10 days to reach home, all the while thinking she would find some dignity there. To her dismay, the people refused to let her enter the village. “Since there were no Covid cases there, the villagers were afraid of me being a carrier since I was coming from Delhi,” she recalled. “It took an entire day to convince my neighbours to let me go to my house. Eventually, I realised my condition in the village was worse than in Delhi, so I returned.”Devi could not get work as a household help even after months of trying. “It was much later that I got a job at a construction site at half the wages I earned as a domestic help,” she said. Like her, many have faced a bad, if not worse, situation after the lockdown.

Remembering the humiliations they suffered during the nationwide shutdown a year ago, hundreds of migrant workers gathered at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday for a candlelight march. Organised by Working People's Charter, the gathering was a cauldron of the bitter memories the workers had of the challenging months. “2020 will go down in world history as the most difficult year in recent times,” declared Kamal, a migrant labourer.

An organiser of the event said that March 24, 2020, would be remembered not only for marking the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown, but also for ushering in an unprecedented impact on the country’s 140 million migrant labour force. “Perhaps the most heart wrenching and shameful news was of 16 workers being killed by a train near Aurangabad on the way to their village,” said Chandan Kumar of Working People’s Charter. “The point that India’s migrant workers had to bear the severest brunt of the lockdowns needs no belabouring. Neither does the fact that the migrant crisis unfolded due to India’s longstanding and unaddressed labour problems.” Kumar added that urban employment guarantee, wage support, strong grievance redressal mechanisms, better facilitation of social security and entitlements and importantly, a long-term regulation of worksites, needed to be focused on in the government’s larger vision of a policy for migrant workers.

Hundreds of migrant workers gathered at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday for a candlelight march and remembered the humiliations they suffered during the lockdown

Cour-age! 106-year-old woman undergoes hip replacement surgery

Cour-age! 106-year-old woman undergoes hip replacement surgery

New Delhi:  25.03.2021 

A 106-year-old woman, Shanti Devi, underwent successful hip replacement surgery at a city private hospital recently. Devi, a resident of Bulandshahar in Uttar Pradesh, suffered a fracture of the hip joint, following which she was rushed to Dharmshila Narayana Hospital on March 12, a doctor said.

“Without the surgery, she would have been bedridden. Most patients in her age can’t survive for a long time if their mobility is affected. That’s why we had to take up the surgery,” said, Dr Monu Singh, senior consultant in orthopaedics at the hospital. TNN

45+ most vulnerable, account for 88% of Covid deaths: Govt

45+ most vulnerable, account for 88% of Covid deaths: Govt

‘Adequate Vax Supply To Cover Expanded Base’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:25.03.2021 

The government said the expansion of the vaccination drive to cover all above 45 years is intended to prioritise the group that is most vulnerable to the disease, accounting for 88% of the over 1.6 lakh Covid-19 deaths in India.

The case fatality rate (CFR) in this group is 2.85%, against a national average of 1.37%, said the Centre even as it called upon states to intensify efforts to increase vaccinations and urged private hospitals to increase participation.

On Tuesday, the Centre had announced that vaccination will be extended to cover everyone aged above 45 from April 1, irrespective of comorbidities. “It is because of the age-based criteria that the vaccination programme has been steady, seamless and practically glitch-free. We are, therefore, building on that approach. This is a scientific approach and has also stood the test of time,” Niti Aayog’s member (health) Dr V K Paul said, pointing to similar strategies in the US and UK.

The Centre maintained there is adequate supply of vaccines to cater to the expanded group. However, it said there is great scope to improve private sector participation. On Wednesday, around 34,481 vaccination sessions were conducted by government hospitals, whereas only 5,425 were held in private facilities.

While Delhi and Telangana have close to 50% of doses administered by the private sector, in states and Union territories like Puducherry, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur and Maharashtra less than 30% doses were given in private facilities.

DA COVID CODE: An artist paints a mural of Monalisa with a face mask to raise awareness about the pandemic in Mumbai on Wednesday

No gathering on Holi, Eid & Easter as MP fights Covid

No gathering on Holi, Eid & Easter as MP fights Covid

Sunday Shutdown In Betul, Ratlam, Khargone & Chhindwara Too

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bhopal:25.03.2021 

Battling a surge in Coronavirus cases, the Shivraj Singh Chouhan cabinet on Wednesday banned public gatherings on Holi and extended Sunday lockdown to four more cities — Betul, Ratlam, Khargone and Chhindwara.

“Vigilance is a must in view of the increasing cases of Corona in the state. Therefore, it is necessary to follow the principle of ‘Meri Holi-Mere Ghar’, limiting Holi to our homes,” CM Chouhan said. Not just Holi, large gatherings are prohibited on Shab-e-baraat, Easter and Idul-Fitr as well. The decision came on a day MP recorded 1,712 Covid cases — a new high every day— and the active case count crossed 10k.

Minister for medical education Vishwas Sarang said, “All religious gatherings are prohibited. Every district will appoint a crisis management committee that will hold meetings with religious heads and prominent citizens to advise against crowded celebrations.” “The cabinet decided that Holi this year will be celebrated with a new slogan — ‘Meri Holi Mere Ghar’ (My Holi at My Home). No procession or crowded celebration will be permitted,” Sarang said.

No lockdown in state, says Shivraj

CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday reiterated that the state will not go into lockdown. “Lockdown will not be imposed in the state, but the other necessary restrictions will be imposed,” he said at a discussion with journalists in Barwani. At a public event, he advised the anchor to wear his mask properly and warned people that if they do not wear masks, they will become infected with Coronavirus.

Wedding guests capped at 50

Clubs, swimming pools, gymnasiums and cinemas will remain closed. There will be no sit-and-eat at restaurants. They will be open only for takeaway and home delivery,” the minister added. The number of cities under Sunday lockdown has increased to seven — Bhopal, Indore and Jabalpur have already had a Sunday shutdown (10pm Saturday to 6am Monday) following a government order of March 19. However, registry offices and treasury offices will remain open on Sunday March 28. “Schools and colleges will remain closed till March 31,” Sarang said.

After a long discussion, the cabinet capped wedding guests at 50 and those attending a funeral at 20 in towns and cities where more than 20 Covid cases are being reported per day. For mrityubhoj, only 50 people will be allowed. TNN

Govt directs varsities to cancel all irregular appointments

Govt directs varsities to cancel all irregular appointments

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:25.03.2021 

Finding gross irregularities in the recruitment process, the state department has directed all universities to cancel various appointments for posts of academic and non-academic staff made over the past few years.

These recruitments were made in the absence of vacant positions, according to the department. It has issued a circular in this regard to all universities where it has warned of strict disciplinary action against any official who does not adhere to this directive.

“It has come to light that several academic and non-academic staff members were recruited in the absence of any such vacant posts in the past few years,” said sources in the education department. Also, the salary, allowances, and even promotions with hike in payscale were given to these new recruits, sources added. All this has been done in gross violation of the state education department’s guidelines, according to sources. The funds generated after cancellation of these recruitments should immediately be directed to the grants received by the university.

Recruitments were made in absence of vacant positions

GTU degree dropouts can resume studies midway

REJOIN ANY TIME

GTU degree dropouts can resume studies midway

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:25.03.2021 

Gujarat Technology University, the state’s largest varsity, on Wednesday announced that it will allow students, who quit their diploma or degree engineering programs midway from its affiliated colleges, to resume their academic studies.

“Earlier only students with backlog were allowed to rejoin studies, but now any student who had left their degree or diploma studies midway through the academic year, can now rejoin college,” said an official at GTU.

The board of governors at GTU took this decision at a meeting held recently. GTU has 550 affiliated colleges. The varsity released a circular in this  connection on Wednesday.

In the case of diploma studies, students were required to complete the programme within six years while it was eight years in the case of degree studies.

“The new education policy has provisions for candidates to re-enter a programme at any point of time after they quit. Even if a student quit the programme many years ago and wished to rejoin, s/he can do so at any time,” said GTU sources. Such candidates can resume studies after payment of fees of Rs 5,000, according to sources.

The decision is likely to give a new lease of life to several hundred students who left their studies incomplete in the past due to varied reasons, sources added.

Covid -ve certificate required to attend Kumbh Mela: U’khand HC

Covid -ve certificate required to attend Kumbh Mela: U’khand HC

Prashant.Jha@timesgroup.com

Nainital:25.03.2021 

Days after chief minister Tirath Singh Rawat made the statement that no RT-PCR test report is required to attend Kumbh Mela, the Uttarakhand high court (HC) on Wednesday directed the state to strictly adhere to the the SOPs issued by both the central and state governments and “implement the guidelines in both letter and spirit.” The order effectively makes the Covid-19 RT-PCR test report mandatory, thereby clearing up the confusion that was prevailing in this regard especially after the CM’s statement made soon after he took over earlier this month.

The bench of Chief Justice RS Chauhan and Justice Alok Kumar Verma which delivered the order said that “the government must insist that no pilgrim is allowed to enter Kumbh Mela areas or to enter the state, until and unless the person carries a medical certificate clearly indicating that he/she is not a Covid-19-positive patient.”

The bench noted that Covid cases are rising in several parts of the country which has forced several states to go into partial lockdown as a result of which, the pandemic remains a cause of concern. “This is a clear indication that we are again entering the phase where the country will face the Covid-19 pandemic.Therefore, the state government is expected to be vigilant and to ensure that the Maha Kumbh mela does not turn into a breeding ground for the spread of Covid-19. Therefore, this court directs the state government to ensure that the SOPs issued by the central and state government are implemented in the strictest sense, both in letter and spirit,” read the court order.

PREVENTIVE MEASURE

FIR against Haryana flyer for travelling despite positive result

Udaipur:  25.03.2021 

In a first in Rajasthan, Udaipur district administration has filed an FIR against a Haryana resident for violating Covid protocol and travelling despite testing positive.

The incharge deployed at Dabok airport to ensure adherence of pandemic protocol has submitted a written complaint at Dabok police station against Roshan Singh, resident of Gurugram, for travelling by air and putting other's life at risk even after he knew he had contracted the infection.

Udaipur collector Chetan Ram Deora had issued strict orders to airport authorities and airline companies not to permit any traveller to fly to Udaipur without an RT-PCR negative report.

Roshan Singh arrived in Udaipur without the report and tested positive after landing. He was made to stay at a hotel in Pratapnagar here and quarantined for 2 weeks. However, Roshan Singh did not abide by the order and flew back home on March 20. A complaint has been lodged against him under Section 270 of the IPC and sections 51, 52 of the Disaster Management Act. TNN

No risk of thrombosis or blood clotting due to Covishield: Paul

No risk of thrombosis or blood clotting due to Covishield: Paul

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:25.03.2021 

There is no risk of thrombosis or blood clotting due to use of Covishield, Niti Aayog member-health Dr V K Paul said on Wednesday and urged people to get vaccinated without any fear.

This comes in the wake of concerns about possible adverse events in people vaccinated with Covishield, a vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca.

“The Indian product Covishield has not been associated with any incidents of thrombosis,” Paul said. “There is no signal whatsoever for this concern. Covishield is safe, please proceed with its scale-up and uptake. We want to assure that there is no risk of blood clotting-related complications that were suspected in some nations with Covishield,” he added. Paul emphasised that both vaccines — Covishield and Covaxin — currently in use in India were effective against the Brazil and UK strains.

3 airlines to bar 15 flyers from flying for not wearing masks

3 airlines to bar 15 flyers from flying for not wearing masks

Saurabh.Sinha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:25.03.2021

Three Indian carrier have initiated the process of putting 15 domestic travellers on their no fly list for refusing to follow Covid norms on the aircraft. These passengers are likely to be barred from flying for three months, as per DGCA's unruly flyers norms. Of these 15 passengers, three were offloaded before take off for refusing to wear PPE gown as required on their middle seats or masks and the rest were handed over to police on arrival.

The action has been initiated by IndiGo against 9 of its passengers; Alliance Air against four passengers and AirAsia India against two passengers. These violations were reported between March 15 and 23.

“Airlines have informed us that all of the 15 have been deemed unruly and face bar on flying for upto three months. Those who have been handed over to police will additionally face action for intimidating or misbehaving with crew, apart from the flying ban,” said a senior official of the DGCA, which has adopted a strict “zero tolerance” policy for non-compliance of Covid protocol at airports and during flying.

Under unruly flyer norms, the airline on whose flight disruptive behaviour took place can put a person on no fly list for certain time as per the gravity of his or her safety violation after following a due process. Though the offender cannot fly that airline, other carriers are free to bar that unruly person from flying on them too for the same period.

So far whenever Indian airlines have taken such action against someone deemed unruly, they all have collectively barred the person for flying for some time.

The DGCA had directed airlines, airport managements and security agencies to have zero tolerance for Covid norm violations after Delhi High Court Justice C Hari Shankar observed an “alarming situation” while flying from Kolkata to Delhi on March 5. Taking suo motu cognisance, the court passed a landmark order on March 8 to agencies for ensuring strict compliance of Covid norms by flyers. Last October, IndiGo had barred nine electronic media personnel from flying for a fortnight after they violated Covid norms.

Parliament nod for Allied & Healthcare Professions Bill

Parliament nod for Allied & Healthcare Professions Bill

Can Bring Paradigm Shift In Health Professionals’ Situation: Min

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:25.03.2021 

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday cleared the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill, 2021, even as Union health minister Harsh Vardhan said the proposed legislation has the potential to bring a paradigm shift in health professionals' situation.

“Paramedics and allied healthcare workers are a critical part of the medical profession and their contribution is similar to doctors, if not more. The group of allied professionals is large and the bill is trying to regulate this field, by providing dignity to their roles,” Vardhan said.

The bill, passed by the Rajya Sabha, was moved for passage in Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Recalling the role played by paramedics and allied health care workers, lab technicians, radiographers, and dieticians during the Coronavirus pandemic, Vardhan said they were as much part of the people's recovery as doctors are. He said the bill aims to establish a statutory body or commission that frames policies and standards, regulate professional conduct and qualifications for allied healthcare professionals besides providing uniformity of service standards across institutions. He also said all standards have been coded by international yardsticks and there will be representations from all States and Union Territories on this commission with each state having statelevel commissions.

“A common regulator has been prepared for all allied professions. This will enable a team-based approach to patient care,” he said.

The bill provides for regulation and maintenance of standards of education and services by allied and healthcare professionals, assessment of institutions, maintenance of a central and a state register and creation of a system to improve research and development and adoption of latest scientific advancement.

Bill amending juvenile justice law passed

New Delhi:

Lok Sabha on Wednesday approved crucial changes to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 to better protect children against crimes and speed up the process of adopting them.

Union women and child minister Smriti Irani congratulated Lok Sabha for arriving at a political consensus, a rarity in recent years, to pass an amendment that will have far-reaching impact on protecting children. She also said the proposed law seeks to make the district magistrate a “synergising officer” for issues related to protection of children. TNN

Paramedics and allied healthcare workers are a critical part of the medical profession and their contribution is similar to doctors. The group of allied professionals is large and the bill is trying to regulate this field, by providing dignity to their roles

10kg plastic bag retrieved from fish

10kg plastic bag retrieved from fish

Deepthi.Sanjiv@timesgroup.com

Mangaluru:  25.03.2021 

A plastic bag with material resembling paper wrapped inside and weighing about 10kg was retrieved from a reef cod fish at a shop in Attavar here early this week.

An employee cleaning the fish stumbled upon the plastic deposit on Monday. Shocked, the storeowner decided to make a video and shared it on online platforms to spread awareness on the hazards of unchecked dumping of garbage into the sea.

“We are noticing this for the first time. If people continue to dump plastic into the sea at this rate, then fish breeding will be severely affected,” said the shop owner who did not want to be identified.

Dr A Senthil Vel, professor and dean (fisheries), College of Fisheries, said fish do not eat plastic.

“Fish are selective in what they eat. But the challenge is that the bottom of the coast is flooded with plastic and fishermen say 40%-50% of what trawlers pick is plastic. In this case, the fish caught by a trawler may have eaten plastic on the sea floor. Fish normally consume microplastic that toxifies their body. Most plastic waste flows into the sea through rivers and drains, and the administration should build a cost-effective grid that prevents the flow of waste from joining the sea,” he said.

Nagaraj Raghav Anchan, coordinator, ocean plastic recycling, Hasiru Dala, said, “We can’t ask fish not to eat plastic, but we can stop dumping waste.”

Hasiru Dala and Anti-Pollution Drive Foundation, with support from other organisations with similar ecological concern, have lifted 32 tonnes of waste dumped by the public near Netravati bridge in the past three Sundays. Of this, at least 15-20 tonnes are dry waste and, mostly, plastic.

“Up to 50-75 tonnes of waste is still needed to be lifted. Despite conducting the drive, it is unfortunate poultry waste was dumped recently. The administration assured us that CCTV cameras will be installed at the spot,” he added.

CAUGHT UNAWARES: A Mangaluru shop employee cleaning the reef cod fish stumbled upon the plastic