Govt slashes rates on small savings by up to 110 basis pts

Govt slashes rates on small savings by up to 110 basis pts

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:01.04.2021

The government has slashed interest rates on small savings schemes, such as post office deposits and public provident fund, by up to 110 basis points, dealing a fresh blow to savers seeking safety.

The new rates, effective Thursday and applicable for the first quarter, coincide with the government’s move to tax interest income on annual employee contributions of over Rs 2.5 lakh in PF, while giving government employees exemption up to Rs 5 lakh contribution.

The rate of interest on public provident fund is now at 6.4%, its lowest since 1974, according to National Savings Institute data.

Govt defers rollout of 4 labour codes

The Centre has deferred the rollout of the four labour codes, originally due on April 1, as several states have still not finalised relevant rules, giving more time to firms to realign their salary structures in line with the new rules. TNN

Revised rates will provide relief for banks

The latest rate action on small savings will go beyond active workers to include senior citizens as well as the girl child, who are major beneficiaries of the schemes. Senior citizens are already amongst the worst hit by falling rates as bank fixed deposit rates have crashed, leaving them with lower interest income.

Senior Citizens Saving Schemes and National Savings Scheme will see a 90-basis point reduction, while the popular PPF and Kisan Vikas Patras will see a 70-basis point fall. The sharpest cut of 110 basis points (100 basis points equal a percentage point) was reserved for oneyear fixed deposits, while three-year deposits will see a mere 40 basis points cut.

For senior citizens with five-year deposits, the new rates are in line with the rate on three to five years deposits offered by State Bank of India, which is also at 5.8%. But the bank is paying higher than post office deposits in maturity buckets of one, two or three years. In case of other deposits, SBI is currently offering higher rates across maturities.

The move will provide relief to banks, which compete with these schemes when it comes to raising deposits.

Full report: www.toi.in

PFC and REC reduce lending rates

New Delhi:

Two of the largest lenders to the power sector, Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and Rural Electrification Corporation (REC), have cut lending rates for FY22 by 2 percentage points, a move that will help utilities reduce their interest burden. Reduced lending rates have the potential to lower tariffs for consumers by reducing borrowing costs of utilities, which in turn bring down their interest payouts. TNN

Heat wave likely across parts of TN for four days: IMD

Heat wave likely across parts of TN for four days: IMD

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:01.04.2021

Heat wave conditions are likely to prevail over isolated pockets of Tamil Nadu for the next four days, the India Meteorological Department has said.

While private forecasters said Meenambakkam station could breach the 40-degree mark again in the first week of April, weather bloggers said temperatures in the city could drop to normal by April 3 and in other districts by April 5.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) said temperatures are likely to shoot up by three to five degrees above normal till April 4. The rise in temperature would be more pronounced in north Tamil Nadu districts including Chennai, Kanchipuram, Chengelpet, Tiruvallur, Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Kallakurichi and Cuddalore as well as interior districts like Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Namakkal, Karur, Trichy , Perumbalur, Ariyalur and Mayiladuthurai. Madurai, Sivagangai and Pudukottai, IMD said.

“Heatwave conditions are likely to occur in isolated pockets. Farmers, poll candidates, voters and traffic policemen are advised not to work outdoors or organise rallies between 12 noon and 4pm,” IMD said. The change in the wind direction and the delay in the onset of sea breeze in the city is due to the presence of a low pressure area over southeast Bay of Bengal which is expected to intensify further and move towards Myanmar.

Chennai and its suburbs are likely to record a maximum and minimum temperatures of 39 degree C and 28 degree C for the next 48 hours, with sky conditions likely to be clear.

“This week is going to be very hot and humid for Chennai and mercury is likely to stay above 40 deg C for the next four-five days,” said Skymet Weather.

TN to operate over 3,000 spl buses for whole of poll week

TN to operate over 3,000 spl buses for whole of poll week

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:01.04.2021

The Tamil Nadu transport department seems to have learned its lesson the hard way.

During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, state-run transport corporations did not operate enough additional buses ahead of the voting day. As a result, thousands of passengers climbed on top of buses and hung on to the rear grilles to reach their native places to vote. This attracted sharp criticism and put the ruling AIADMK in an awkward situation eight to 12 hours before the votes were cast.

To avoid such embarrassment this time, the transport department announced in advance that it will be running 3,090 special buses from Chennai in addition to 2,300 regular services during poll week. Election special buses will depart only from Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT) at Koyambedu between Thursday and Saturday.

For the next two days, these buses will pick up or drop passengers at major transit points in the city — Madhavaram, K K Nagar, Poonamallee and Tambaram.

Buses to Andhra Pradesh will leave from Madhavaram. Poonamallee bus stand will be the origin for buses bound for Hosur, Arcot, Arani, Cheyyar, Vellore and Kancheepuram. Buses to Cuddalore and Chidambaram will depart from K K Nagar. Tambaram will be the pick-up point for passengers heading to Thanjavur, Kumbakonam Tiruvannamalai and Neyveli.

Other buses to Nagapattinam, Madurai, Trichy, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Kanyakumari, Erode, Tiruppur, Coimbatore and Salem will leave from CMBT.

A total of 2,264 special buses would be operated from Coimbatore, Salem, Tirupur and Bengaluru to make sure that there is no congestion, said an official release on Wednesday. Similarly, the department will run 2,115 special buses to Chennai to facilitate the return journey. In other parts of the state, 1,738 moffusil buses will be operated.

HC slams politicos, says ‘freebie culture’ has made TN people lazy

HC slams politicos, says ‘freebie culture’ has made TN people lazy

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:01.04.2021

Slamming political parties for encouraging ‘freebie culture’ in the state, the Madras high court on Wednesday said it has caused the people of Tamil Nadu to become lazy. Locals refuse to work resulting in migrant workers taking over jobs, the court said.

“One would not be surprised to see migrant workers would be owners of properties in due course and the sons of the soil will... (be) working under them,” a division bench of Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice B Pugalendhi.

The HC made the observation while hearing a PIL moved by M Chandramohan in 2020 seeking direction to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to convert Vasudevanallur assembly constituency into a general constituency.

The bench raised a series of questions to be answered by the ECI while noting that serious steps must be taken by Parliament to amend the Representation of People Act to enable action against the political parties engaging in corrupt practices.

The ECI is to answer question on steps taken by the Centre to bring in legislation on political manifestos, particularly the freebies promised in manifestos. The court also sought information on ECI vetting manifestos and actions taken against erring political parties.

The court has also asked the ECI why political parties should not be made liable to pay at least 10% of the money required for implementation of election promises made by them and why the commission does not de-recognise parties that fail to implement their election promises based on which the voters are lured to vote the party to power. The court directed the ECI to answer the queries by April 26.

The bench raised a series of questions to be answered by the ECI while noting that serious steps must be taken to enable action against parties engaging in corrupt practices

‘Man employed on compassionate grounds to give 25% of pay to mom’

HC TO THE RESCUE

‘Man employed on compassionate grounds to give 25% of pay to mom’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:01.04.2021

The Madras high court came to the rescue of a woman, who was attacked, verbally abused and subsequently abandoned by her son. The court ordered payment of 25% of his monthly salary to his mother for failing to take care of her as promised.

T Desinguraja, a government school clerk, had obtained the job on compassionate grounds after his father’s death. His brothers and sisters did not object to him taking up the job since he promised to take care of the family, particularly their mother Valliyammal.

After joining duty on May 17, 2013, Desinguraja left her in the lurch, attacked her and also abused her using filthy language, Valliyammal said. Aggrieved by the continuous torture in the hands of her son, Valliyammal moved the present petitions.

Justice S Vaidyanathan passed the interim order while admitting the two petitions that sought departmental and disciplinary proceedings against Designuraja and his suspension from service pending inquiry.

“Admittedly, Desinguraja got the appointment on compassionate ground on the demise of his father, bypassing his elder sister, who was fully qualified and eligible to get appointment at that time, on the belief that he would provide all comfort/amenities to their mother,” the court said.

Though the petitioner sought for the interim prayer of suspension from service, this court cannot give such an interim direction, it added.

However, the judge observed that the petitioner is entitled to 25% of the gross monthly income of Desinguraja as an interim measure and directed the school education authorities to ensure that the said portion is deducted from his salary and paid directly to the petitioner till further orders. The court then adjourned the hearing to June14.

வேலை கிடைத்த பின் தாயை தவிக்க விட்டார்

வேலை கிடைத்த பின் தாயை தவிக்க விட்டார்

Added : ஏப் 01, 2021 02:08

சென்னை:கருணை அடிப்படையில் வேலை பெற்ற பின், தாயாரை நிர்கதியாக விட்ட மகனின் சம்பளத்தில் இருந்து, 25 சதவீதம் பிடித்தம் செய்யும்படி, கல்வித்துறைக்கு, சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.

விழுப்புரம் மாவட்டம், தேவனுார் கிராமத்தைச் சேர்ந்தவர் திருமலை; தலைமை ஆசிரியராக பணியாற்றினார். 1998ல், பணியில் இருக்கும்போது இறந்தார். திருமலை - வள்ளியம்மாள் தம்பதிக்கு, இரண்டு மகன்; இரண்டு மகள்கள் உள்ளனர்.குடும்பத்தை கவனித்து கொள்வதாக, மகன் தேசிங்குராஜா உறுதி அளித்ததை தொடர்ந்து, கருணை வேலையை மற்றவர்கள் விட்டு கொடுத்தனர்.

தேவனுாரில் உள்ள அரசு மேல்நிலை பள்ளியில், 2013ல் எழுத்தர் வேலை தேசிங்குராஜாவுக்கு கிடைத்தது.வேலை கிடைத்த பின், நிர்கதியாக விட்டு விட்டதாகவும், தாக்கியதாகவும், மோசமாக திட்டியதாகவும், மகன் தேசிங்குராஜாவுக்கு எதிராக, வள்ளியம்மாள் புகார் அளித்தார். இதையடுத்து, வழக்குப் பதிவு செய்யப்பட்டது.மகனின் தொடர் துன்புறுத்தலால், உயர் நீதிமன்றத்தில் வள்ளியம்மாள் வழக்கு தொடுத்தார்.

தேசிங்கு ராஜாவுக்கு எதிராக துறை நடவடிக்கை, ஒழுங்கு நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கவும், விசாரணை முடியும் வரை, 'சஸ்பெண்ட்' செய்யவும், மனுவில் கோரியிருந்தார்.

மனுவை விசாரித்த, நீதிபதி எஸ்.வைத்தியநாதன் பிறப்பித்த உத்தரவு:கருணை வேலைக்கு, தேசிங்குராஜாவின் சகோதரிக்கு முழுமையான தகுதி இருந்தும், குடும்பத்தை கவனித்துக் கொள்வார் எனக் கருதி, விட்டு கொடுத்துள்ளார். பணியில் இருந்து சஸ்பெண்ட் செய்ய, உத்தரவிட முடியாது. முழுமையான விசாரணை முடிந்த பின், அதிகாரிகள் தான் முடிவெடுக்க வேண்டும்.ஏற்கனவே, உயர் நீதிமன்றம் ஒரு வழக்கில் பிறப்பித்த உத்தரவின்படி, இந்த வழக்கிலும் இடைக்கால உத்தரவு பிறப்பிக்கப்படுகிறது.

தேசிங்குராஜாவின் சம்பளத்தில், 25 சதவீதம் பிடித்தம் செய்து, மனுதாரருக்கு மாதம் தோறும் செலுத்தப்படுவதை, அதிகாரிகள் உறுதி செய்ய வேண்டும்.மனுவுக்கு, கல்வித்துறை பதில் அளிக்க வேண்டும். விசாரணை, ஜூன், 14க்கு தள்ளி வைக்கப்படுகிறது.இவ்வாறு, நீதிபதி உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளார்.

முதுமையில் தனிமை கொடுமை... தோள் கொடுக்க தேவை தோழமை! தள்ளாத வயதில் தக்க துணை தேடுவதில் தவறில்லை

முதுமையில் தனிமை கொடுமை... தோள் கொடுக்க தேவை தோழமை! தள்ளாத வயதில் தக்க துணை தேடுவதில் தவறில்லை

Added : ஏப் 01, 2021 02:12

கொடிது, கொடிது வறுமை கொடிது. அதிலும், கொடிது முதுமையில் தனிமை. முதுமையை வெல்ல ஒரு துணை அவசியம். முதியவர்கள் தோழமைக்காக, இரண்டாவது முறை திருமணம் செய்யலாம் என்ற கருத்து பரவலாக வலியுறுத்தப்படுகிறது.

'நமது நாட்டில் மூத்த குடிமக்கள் மத்தியில், மனச்சோர்வுக்கு தனிமைதான் முக்கிய காரணம்' என, 'கிராமப்புற நடைமுறையில் நரம்பியல்' என்ற தலைப்பில் நடந்தப்பட்ட ஓர் ஆய்வில் தெரியவந்துள்ளது. நாட்டில், 22 சதவீத முதியவர்கள் அல்லது ஐந்து பேருக்கு ஒருவர் மனச்சோர்வுடன் காணப்படுகின்றனர். மனிதனின் ஆயுட்காலம் அதிகரித்து வரும் நிலையில் உடல் நலத்தில் கவனம் செலுத்த வேண்டியது மிகுந்த அவசியம்.

மத்திய புள்ளிவிபரங்கள் மற்றும் திட்ட அமலாக்க அமைப்பின் தகவல் படி, '2050 ஆண்டு வாக்கில், முதியவர் மக்கள் தொகையில் கால் பகுதியாக இருப்பர். மற்றவர்களைச் சார்ந்து வாழ வேண்டியிருக்கும். பலரும் 80 வயது கடந்தவர்களாக இருப்பர்' என தெரிவிக்கப் பட்டு உள்ளது.தனிமையில் வேதனைவாழ்க்கை துணையின் மறைவைத் தொடர்ந்து, வயதானவர்கள் இடையே மறுமணம் செய்வது குறித்து பரிந்துரைக்கப்படுகிறது.

ஆனால், சமுதாயத்தை எதிர்கொள்ளத் தயங்கி, 60 வயதுக்கு மேற்பட்ட முதியவர் பலர் மறுமணத்துக்கு முன்வருவதில்லை.'ஹெல்பேஜ் இந்தியா' கருத்துப்படி, 'ஒவ்வொரு, 1,000 முதியவர்களில், கிராமப்புறங்களில் நான்கு பேரும், நகர்ப்புறங்களில் 55 பேரும் காது கேளாமை, பார்வை குறைபாடு அல்லது எழுந்து நடக்க முடியாதவர்களாக இருப்பர்' என தெரிய வந்துள்ளது. வயதான காலத்தில் தனிமை, பதற்றம் மற்றும் மனச்சோர்வு உருவாகும். வாழ்க்கைத் துணை ஒருவர் இறக்கும்போது, இது தீவிரமடைகிறது.

அதனால், வயதான காலத்தில் ஏற்படும் தனிமையின் வேதனையை கையாள ஜப்பானில் உள்ளதைப் போலவே, ஒரு அமைச்சரும், அமைச்சகமும் தேவைப்படுமோ என்ற கேள்வி எழுகிறது.

'ஹெல்ப்லைன் அவசியம்'

'கோவை கேர்' ஓய்வு இல்லங்களின் நிர்வாக இயக்குனர் கர்னல் ஸ்ரீதரன் கூறியதாவது: இந்தியாவில், 13 கோடி முதியவர்களுக்கு உடல் நலத்தைப் பாதுகாக்க அதிக பட்ஜெட் ஒதுக்கப் பட வேண்டும். தனிமை, முதுமை மற்றும் 'அல்சைமர்' போன்ற பிரச்னைகள் உள்ள, 13 லட்சம் முதியவர்கள் உள்ளனர். இவர்கள் சிகிச்சைக்கு போதிய படுக்கை வசதிகள் இல்லை. பொதுவாக, ஒருவருக்கு மனைவி இறந்த பின், பல பிரச்னைகள் ஏற்படுகின்றன. தனியாக வசிக்க வேண்டிய கட்டாயத்துக்கு ஆளாகிறார்.

தோழமை மற்றும் பேச்சுத் துணையின்றி பல முதியவர்கள் தற்கொலை செய்துக்கொள்ளவும் துணிகின்றனர். இதைக் கையாள வயதானவர்களுக்கான ஒரு ஹெல்ப்லைன் அவசியம். தோழமை என்பது எதிர் பாலினத்தவராகத்தான் இருக்கவேண்டிய அவசியமில்லை. ஒரு செவிலியர் தான் கவனித்துக் கொள்பவருக்கு ஒரு நல்ல தோழராக இருக்கலாம். பொழுது போக்குகளை வளர்ப்பது, இசையைக் கேட்பது, ஆன்மிகத்தில் ஈடுபடுவது மற்றும் மந்திரம் சொல்லுதல் போன்றவை முதுமையில் மிகவும் நல்லது.

பல வயதான தம்பதியினர் பூனைகள் மற்றும் நாய்கள் போன்ற செல்லப்பிராணிகளை தோழமைக்காக வளர்ப்பதைக் காணலாம்.இவ்வாறு, அவர் கூறினார்.

ஒளிரும் நம்பிக்கை

'எல்டர் கேர்' நிறுவனத்தின் டாக்டர் ராகுல் பத்மநாபன் கூறியதாவது:ஒரு நபருக்கு வயதாகும் போது மன அழுத்தம், தோல்வி, அன்புக்குரியவர்களின் மரணம் அல்லது தனிமை ஆகியவற்றைக் கையாள்வதற்கான திறமைகள் குறைகின்றன. அவர்களின் புலன்களும் சமயத்தில் பழுதானால், வாழ்க்கையின் மீதான நம்பிக்கையையே இழக்கின்றனர். ஏற்கனவே இருக்கும் நோயின் விளைவு, தனிமை காரணமாக மோசமடைகிறது.

கிராமப்புறங்களில் இருப்பவர்களுக்கு, அக்கம் பக்கத்தில் இருந்தே அதிக சமூக ஆதரவு இருக்கும். நகர்ப்புறங்களில் இருப்பவர்களுக்கு ஆதரவு குறைவாகவே உள்ளது. வயதான காலத்தில் தோழமைக்கு முக்கியத்துவம் கொடுப்பது அவசியம். மேலும், முதியவர்களின் குழந்தைகளும் முற்போக்கானவர்களாக, முட்டுக்கட்டை போடாதவர்களாக இருக்க வேண்டும்.

திருமண இணையதளங்கள் இன்று மூத்த குடிமக்களின் சுயவிபரங்களை சேர்க்கத் துவங்கியுள்ளன. இவை இரண்டாவதுதிருமணங்களை ஊக்குவிக்க உதவுகிறது. 60 வயது மற்றும் அதற்கு மேற்பட்டவர்கள், அதிகளவில் பதிவு செய்ய முன்வருகின்றனர். இது வரவேற்கத்தக்கது.இவ்வாறு, அவர் கூறினார்.

-நமது நிருபர்-

45 வயதுக்கு மேலானோருக்கு இன்று முதல் தடுப்பூசி!

45 வயதுக்கு மேலானோருக்கு இன்று முதல் தடுப்பூசி!

Added : ஏப் 01, 2021 00:03

சென்னை:தமிழகத்தில், 45 வயதுக்கு மேற்பட்ட அனைவருக்கும் தடுப்பூசி போடுவதற்காக, 5,117 மையங்கள் தயார் நிலையில் உள்ளன.கொரோனா தொற்று பரவலை தடுக்க, ஜன., 16 முதல், தடுப்பூசி போடப்பட்டு வருகிறது.

முன்கள பணியாளர்களை தொடர்ந்து, 45 வயதுக்கு மேற்பட்ட, நாள்பட்ட நோயாளிகளுக்கும், 60 வயதிற்கு மேற்பட்ட முதியோருக்கும் தடுப்பூசி போடப்பட்டு வருகிறது. இதுவரை, 30 லட்சத்துக்கும் மேற்பட்டோருக்கு தடுப்பூசி போடப்பட்டு உள்ளது. இன்று முதல், 45 வயதிற்கு மேற்பட்ட அனைவரும் தடுப்பூசி போட்டுக் கொள்ளலாம் என, மத்திய அரசு அறிவித்துள்ளது.

இதையடுத்து, புதிதாக துவங்கப்பட்ட 'மினி கிளினிக்'குகளுடன், 5,117 தடுப்பூசி மையங்கள் தயார் நிலையில் உள்ளன. தொற்று அதிகரித்து வருவதால், களப்பணியாளர்கள் நியமிக்கப்பட்டு, தடுப்பூசி குறித்து, பொதுமக்களிடம் விழிப்புணர்வு ஏற்படுத்தப்படுகிறது. இதனால், தடுப்பூசி போட்டுக்கொள்வோரின் எண்ணிக்கை அதிகரிக்கும் என, சுகாதாரத்துறை அதிகாரிகள் நம்பிக்கை தெரிவித்துள்ளனர்.

Gang barges into L&T office, kills accountant, injures another worker

Gang barges into L&T office, kills accountant, injures another worker

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Tenkasi  01.04.2021

: An armed gang barged into a site office of Larsen & Toubro at Subbiyapuram village near Alangulam in Tenkasi district and hacked to death an accountant of the company and injured another employee on Wednesday evening.

Police are on the lookout for the assailants. They identified the main attacker as Murugan, who owned a two-acre plot near the site where L&T recently commissioned a 100MW solar plant for Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) India Limited. L&T has condemned the murder and sought protection for its staff.

Police said Murugan had gone to the site office twice earlier in the day and asked for accountant Thiyagarajan, 51, of Korattur in Chennai. In the evening, Murugan and some relatives again turned up at the site office. When they learned Thiyagarajan was present inside, Murugan and three others barged in and hacked him to death and injured his colleague Krishnan, 40, of Chettikulam village near Alwarkurichi.

Thiyagarajan’s body was sent to the Tenkasi government hospital for autopsy while Krishnan was rushed to the Tirunelveli government medical college hospital for intensive care.

A senior police officer said a few middlemen had bought land in the area foraslow as ₹70,000to ₹80,000 per acre and then sold it to the company at more than thrice the price (₹2.5 lakh per acre). The two acres land owned by Murugan and his family was their only asset and they were not ready to sell it for the price offered by the middlemen. The officer said the middlemen purchased the land surrounding Murugan’s land, leaving him with no way to enter it.

The Tenkasi district Superintendent of Police (SP) G Suguna Singh visited the spot and conducted preliminary investigations. The Alangulam police registered a case and are on the lookout for the accused.

In a statement L&T condemned the murder and sought protection for its staff. “A precious innocent life has been lost and to be under attack from lawless elements during these uncertain times is absolutely shocking and unacceptable,” said whole time director and senior executive vice president (utilities) of the company T Madhavadas.

“We face huge difficulties when executing projects – the challenges of unforgiving terrains, harsh climatic conditions, the danger of uncontrolled lawless elements, the difficult of being miles away from home and loved ones – all to build infrastructure for the country… These are particularly difficult circumstances due to the strict COVID-19 safety protocols and at such a juncture, it is sad and shocking that we are under attack. We go out of our way to ensure the safety of our own people at our sites, but we seek the protection of the authorities and the police to keep our people safe. Such an incident should never have been allowed to happen,” he said.

Police said a few middlemen had bought land for as low as ₹70,000 per acre and sold it to the company at more than thrice the price. They wanted Murugan’s two acres, but he had refused

Overjoyed after stealing ₹7L, thief suffers heart attack; spends loot on treatment

Overjoyed after stealing ₹7L, thief suffers heart attack; spends loot on treatment

Harveer Singh TNN

Bijnor:01.04.2021

This thief was overjoyed when he and his accomplice laid their hands on a large amount of money when they had least expected it, so much so that he suffered a heart attack. His joy turned into tragedy, and soon he had to cough up a large chunk of the stolen money on his treatment. The matter came to light when one of the two thieves was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the theft committed last month in Bijnor’s Kotwali Dehat area told police during interrogation.

Bijnor superintendent of police Dharm Veer Singh said two thieves broke into a public service centre owned by one Nawab Haider on the intervening night of February 16 and 17. Following a complaint lodged by Haider that over ₹7 lakh was stolen from the centre, police had registered a case against unidentified accused and launched a probe.

On Wednesday, police claimed to have cracked the case with the arrest of two accused — Naushad and Ajaj, both in their early 30s — from Alipur under Nagina police station area.

The SP said the accused were arrested from a restaurant on Wednesday with the help of a surveillance system.

“The accused are habitual offenders and have several cases registered against them in different police stations. They confessed to have committed a robbery at the public service centre and fled with ₹7 lakh cash and other valuables kept in an almirah. The accused told police that they had expected just a couple of thousand rupees at the centre, but were overjoyed after seeing such a huge amount. They divided the money evenly. But soon, Ajaj suffered a heart attack and was admitted to a private hospital. He had to cough up a large chunk of the stolen money on his treatment. Naushad, however, spent the money in betting in Delhi,” said the SP.

Docs worried as Covid wards in major B’luru hospitals are almost full

Docs worried as Covid wards in major B’luru hospitals are almost full

Sunitha.Rao@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:01.04.2021

With Covid-19 cases steadily increasing in Bengaluru, a majority of the hospitals treating the infections said most of their beds are occupied and doctors fear demand for ICU beds could throw up infrastructure and human resources challenges in the coming days.

Covid wards in major hospitals in the city are nearly full, despite 80% of the cases in the second wave are asymptomatic and require only home isolation. In a 1,000-bed hospital, 10% of the beds are for intensive care. In Covid care for severe patients, at least 40-50% beds should be in ICUs, doctors said.

At a recent meeting with prominent hospitals and medical colleges, the state health and family welfare department asked hospitals to reserve10% of their total beds for Covid cases. Currently, government hospitals are largely used for severe Covid patients. Unlike last year, private hospital beds for Covid will used in a staggered manner. “In the next one week, all hospitals must have 10% of beds for Covid patients. As the situation demands, the percentage of private beds will be increased,” said a BBMP officer.

At Trauma and Emergency Care Centre in Victoria Hospital campus attached to the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, 150 of the 162 Covid beds are occupied, said Dr Smitha Segu, nodal officer.

Full report on www.toi.in

PRESSING PROBLEMS: In a 1,000-bed hospital, 10% of the beds are for intensive care. In Covid care for severe patients, at least 40-50% beds should be in ICUs, doctors said

Karnataka minister writes to guv, says CM ‘interfering’ in ministry

Karnataka minister writes to guv, says CM ‘interfering’ in ministry

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:01.04.2021

Alleging chief minister BS Yediyurappa’s “authoritarian interference” in his ministry, Karnataka rural development and panchayat raj minister KS Eshwarappa on Wednesday sought the intervention of the governor and party leadership for revocation of orders and restoration of “peace” in administration.

In a written complaint to governor Vajubhai Vala and BJP national general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Arun Singh, Eshwarappa accused Yediyurappa of direct interference in his ministry in violation of the Karnataka (Transaction of Business) Rules on division of power in the cabinet. A copy has been forwarded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda.

The complaint brings to the fore resentment against Yediyurappa in the cabinet and growing discord against his style of functioning. Eshwarappa and Yediyurappa, both from Shivamogga in Karnataka, have had a lovehate relationship.

Eshwarappa, however, said: “It is an internal matter and I will not discuss it in public. I am not unhappy with the CM and there is no question of resentment (against him). There is no need to attach political significance to a meeting I had with the governor to discuss issues related to my department. There is no bar on meeting party leaders or Union ministers to discuss department matters.”

Full report onwww.toi.in

Girl moves SC for delay in medical admission under Central Pool

Girl moves SC for delay in medical admission under Central Pool

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:01.04.2021

A medical aspirant from Ladakh, whose name was recommended by the UT administration for admission from the Central Pool in the capital’s Lady Hardinge Medical College, has moved the Supreme Court against the college for delaying her admission even though classes for first year MBBS course had started. The court issued notice to the college seeking its response.

Agreeing to address the grievances of the student who claimed that the college failed to clear her admission despite her completing all the formalities more than a month back, a bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and M R Shah issued notice to the college and posted the hearing for April 5.

The petitioner, Farzana Batool, approached the apex court through her advocate Neeraj Shekhar after classes for the course started but her admission was not cleared.

The director general of health services of Ladakh had forwarded her name on February 19 and she rushed to Delhi a day after and completed the admission formalities by submitting the relevant documents as well as fees in the college on February 22.

She alleged that even after completing all the formalities, her admission has not yet been confirmed, whereas classes for the first year MBBS course have started.

“Therefore, she was constrained to write an email on March 7 to the authorities requesting them to intervene and thereby confirm the admission process. But till date, the admission of the petitioner has not been confirmed,” said the petition.

Can’t equate MBA’s earnings with that of labourer’s: HC

IN ABSENCE OF INCOME PROOF

Can’t equate MBA’s earnings with that of labourer’s: HC

Ajay.Sura@timesgroup.com

Chandigarh: 01.04.2021

The income of a person with an MBA cannot be equated with the earnings of a labourer in case of non-availability of income proof, the Punjab and Haryana high court has held.

The court also clarified that the cost index and status of the two sides fighting a case are to be considered while determining maintenance allowance to estranged wife in matrimonial disputes.

“The contention that income of the petitioner should be considered as a labourer and thereafter interim maintenance should be fixed, is noted to be rejected. The pleadings that the petitioner is a fashion designer and with an MBA qualification have not been denied. It would not be appropriate to equate the petitioner (an MBA) with a labourer. While fixing interim maintenance, the cost index and status of the parties is to be considered,” held Justice Avneesh Jhingan of the high court, who passed these orders while dismissing a plea filed by a Sonipat resident.

The petitioner had approached the HC following an order of February 12, 2020, passed by a family court in Rohtak fixing interim maintenance of ₹7,000 per month to be paid to his wife under Section 125 CrPC.

In her plea seeking maintenance, the petitioner’s wife had pleaded that after their marriage she was subjected to cruelty and forced to live separately. She has no source of income.

EVIDENCE ISSUE

The petitioner denied the plea regarding his qualification and income of Rs.40,000 per month on the grounds that there is no proof that he is earning Rs 40,000 per month.

Indiscipline no grounds to expel student: HC

Indiscipline no grounds to expel student: HC

Schools Must Manage Kids From Diverse Backgrounds

K.Kaushik@timesgroup.com

Madurai:01.04.2021

The Madras high court on Wednesday observed that the indisciplined behaviour of a teenaged student should not justify expulsion from school. The court said that schools are expected to handle and manage different segments of students and strive to mould them into good citizens.

The court made the observations while directing a school management at Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district to take in a student who was denied admission in Class XI due to indisciplined behaviour. The court was hearing a petition from the student’s mother V Lakshmi.

Justice V Parthiban observed that it is needless to mention that there are two facets to education -- one is to draw out the best ability of the student and the other is the character edification and the inculcation of values of life, its meaning and existence. The combination of these two facets ought to be the aim of every school management to sub-serve the interest of society at large.

In an institution having several hundreds of students hailing from various socio-economic, cultural backgrounds on its strength, it is too much to expect homogeneous conduct and regimented behaviour from all students. “This court is conscious of the fact that in today’s context, schools are run as enterprises with a paramount aim of achieving excellence in terms of their academic balance sheet with a view to be a leader in the field of education. In the bargain, all round growth of the students is relegated to the back burner, if not, it is altogether shunted out of the academic activities,” said the judge.

The judge observed that it was easy for an institution to send a student away on grounds of indiscipline. But such steps amount to shirking its ultimate responsibility and reflect on its inability to address so-called errant behaviour of the student concerned, which is viable for any school for that matter.

Quoting Abraham Lincoln ‘mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice’, the judge directed the school management to admit the student by accepting the undertaking affidavit filed by the petitioner ensuring her son’s good behaviour for the next two years. The judge directed the school to comply with the direction within one week as the present academic year has already commenced.

In an institution having several hundreds of students, it is too much to expect homogeneous conduct from all students

Teacher held for uploading picture of postal ballot

Teacher held for uploading picture of postal ballot

Three persons including a woman teacher, her husband and a Tenkasi resident were arrested for sharing a picture of her postal ballot on social media here on Tuesday.

Published: 31st March 2021 04:37 AM 

By Express News Service

TENKASI: Three persons including a woman teacher, her husband and a Tenkasi resident were arrested for sharing a picture of her postal ballot on social media here on Tuesday.

“The suspected teacher from Vellakal cast her vote on the postal ballot which was delivered by polling staff. Her husband, a retired army man, took a photo of that ballot and posted it on social media. The third suspect, a resident of Tenkasi, forwarded the same to his friends. All three have been arrested.

A Surandai-based woman teacher was mistakenly suspended on Monday based on the recommendation of the District Educational Officer, Kokila, for allegedly posting a picture of her postal ballot. However, the inquiry conducted by the police inspector Balamurugan revealed that the polling staff wrongly delivered the postal ballot of the Surandai-based teacher to the teacher whose postal ballot picture was shared on social media,” said police.

Referring to the serial number of the postal ballot which was posted on social media, the School Education Department had suspended the Surandai-based teacher. Representatives of Tamil Nadu Primary School Teachers Federation and the teacher petitioned the District Election Officer (DEO) against her suspension.

Madurai doctor’s death not linked to Covid vaccination: Health Dept

Madurai doctor’s death not linked to Covid vaccination: Health Dept

Harini who took the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine Covishield on February 5, reportedly developed fever and body pain on March 5, four weeks after taking the vaccine.

Published: 18th March 2021 05:02 AM 

By Express News Service

MADURAI: Denying social media messages that claimed link between Covid-19 vaccine and the death of 26-year-old Hari Harini, a postgraduate student at Madurai Medical College, last week, the district health department has clarified that she took the first dose of Covishield over a month ago and died last week due to anaphylactic shock that was most likely caused by a painkiller injection administered by her doctor-husband.

Hari Harini who was a postgraduate student at the department of Anaesthesiology in Madurai Medical College was married to Dr Ashok Vignesh, a postgraduate student in the department of general surgery at the Madurai Medical College. The couple who got married in November last was residing at Mela Anuppanadi.

Harini who took the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine Covishield on February 5, reportedly developed fever and body pain on March 5, four weeks after taking the vaccine. “In a bid to treat her at their residence, her husband reportedly administered the painkiller injection Diclofenac. A few hours later, she started vomiting and fell unconscious,” police sources said.

Avaniapuram police registered a case and an RDO probe was also initiated. District Immunisation Officer Dr KV Arjun Kumar said that Harini was shifted to a private hospital on March 5 around 7.30 am and was put on mechanical ventilation. “She died six days later, on March 11 afternoon,” he said. For the past couple of days, messages linking Harini’s death with Covid vaccination are doing the rounds in social media. The message also urges the public not to take any other injection or medicine after taking the jab of Covid vaccine.

“The autopsy was performed on March 12 and the provisional diagnosis state that she suffered hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (brain dysfunction due to inadequate oxygen supply) due to anaphylactic shock (severe allergic reaction). The anaphylactic shock could have occurred due to the painkiller injection,” Arjun Kumar said. He also ruled out that the death was due to vaccination. He further said that the painkiller injection Diclofenac is not being used in healthcare facilities for many years now and that injectable painkillers are usually avoided.

Are you illiterate, HC asks SV Shekher for sharing derogatory post against women journos

Are you illiterate, HC asks SV Shekher for sharing derogatory post against women journos

The issue pertains to a derogatory post shared by Shekher in April 2018 in the wake of the controversy over Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit patting a woman journalist on the cheek

Published: 30th March 2021 08:51 PM 

By Harish Murali

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Tuesday wondered whether actor and BJP leader S Ve Shekher was illiterate to forward derogatory posts against women journos without reading them. The court made the observations while issuing an interim stay to the framing of charges against Shekher in the case pending before a trial court.

The issue pertains to a derogatory post shared by Shekher in April 2018 in the wake of the controversy over Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit patting a woman journalist on the cheek without her consent when she was asking him a question at a press conference venue. The trial in the case is pending in the Special Court for MP/MLAs.

According to Shekher, apart from the present criminal proceeding, there were three other private complaints filed against him for the same offence. “All the three private complaints have been stayed by the high court in separate proceedings. Only in the present proceeding the prosecution has filed a final report before the jurisdictional court,” he added.

According to the additional public prosecutor, Kritika submitted that even forwarding the post amounted to endorsing the opinion of the message. She opposed the petitioner’s plea to quash the criminal proceeding.

During the hearing on Tuesday, Justice N Sathish Kumar asked whether the accused was illiterate to forward such posts without reading them. The court observed this in response to Shekher's statement that he had unintentionally forwarded the post of his friend on social media without reading the content.

“Forwarding is also an offence. Tendering an apology may help you during the trial. But can the prosecution be quashed because you have tendered an apology?” queried Justice Sathish Kumar.

The counsel for the petitioner Venkatesh Mahadevan, however, argued that the post was removed within two hours and a public apology was also tendered by the petitioner.

The court directed the prosecutor to file a detailed report on the plea. The court granted an interim stay on framing of charges and also dispensed with the personal appearance of the accused before the trial court during the hearings. The case was adjourned to April 16 for the next hearing.

Resume Covid vaccine-at-doorstep service, urge senior citizens

Resume Covid vaccine-at-doorstep service, urge senior citizens

After private hospitals in the city stopped the ‘vaccine-at-doorstep’ facility, senior citizens have requested hospitals to resume the service since it may attract more people to vaccination.

Published: 31st March 2021 06:33 AM 

By KV Navya

Express News Service

CHENNAI: After private hospitals in the city stopped the ‘vaccine-at-doorstep’ facility, senior citizens have requested hospitals to resume the service since it may attract more people to vaccination.

About a week ago, a private hospital in Kelambakkam began the ‘vaccination at home’ service for those aged 45 and above. After it received a good response, a handful of other hospitals too started the service. However, they had to stop after the government instructed them against it.

“Each patient must be monitored for at least 30 minutes after administering the vaccine. There could be blood pressure or cardiac issues. That is why every hospital has resuscitation tools and emergency medicines in the vaccination room. Spending 30 minutes with every patient in their homes may not be a viable option,” said an official from the public health department.

However, senior citizens say the government itself can introduce the service with necessary precautions. “The State can make use of ambulances and turn them into mobile vaccination centres. The vehicles can be equipped with emergency medicines and tools. This also reduces the risk of a senior citizen contracting the virus while venturing out,” said a 64-year-old retired doctor at Guindy, on condition of anonymity.

They also said that, already, vials are going waste due to people not coming forward to get vaccinated.

“The government can hold camps in areas with high senior citizen concentration. One vaccine vial can be administered to 10 persons and if camps are held, no vial will go waste,” said 71-year-old P Ranganathan, residing at Besant Nagar.

High Courts Weekly Roundup [March 22 – March 28]

High Courts Weekly Roundup [March 22 – March 28]: Allahabad High Court 1. 'Applicant In Jail Can't Be Left At The Mercy Of State': Allahabad High Court Expresses Displeasure At Non-Filing Of Reports In Time [Anmol Rastogi v. State of UP]

2ம் தேதி முதல் வெயில் கொளுத்தும் 20 மாவட்டங்களுக்கு எச்சரிக்கை

2ம் தேதி முதல் வெயில் கொளுத்தும் 20 மாவட்டங்களுக்கு எச்சரிக்கை

Added : மார் 30, 2021 23:28

சென்னை:தமிழகத்தின், 20 மாவட்டங்கள் மற்றும் புதுச்சேரியில், நாளை மறுதினம் முதல், இயல்பை விட அதிக வெப்பநிலை பதிவாகும் என, வானிலை ஆய்வு மையம் எச்சரித்து உள்ளது.

சென்னை வானிலை ஆய்வு மைய இயக்குனர் புவியரசன் வெளியிட்ட செய்திக்குறிப்பு: தமிழகம் மற்றும் புதுச்சேரியில், வரும் 3ம் தேதி வரை பெரும்பாலும் வறண்ட வானிலையே நிலவும். வடமேற்கு திசையில் இருந்து, தமிழக பகுதி நோக்கி, தரைக்காற்று வீச சாத்தியக் கூறுகள் உள்ளதால், பல்வேறு மாவட்டங்களில், அதிகபட்ச வெப்பநிலை இயல்பை விட, 3 டிகிரி செல்ஷியஸ் வரை அதிகரிக்கும்.

சென்னை, காஞ்சிபுரம், செங்கல்பட்டு, வேலுார், ராணிப்பேட்டை, திருப்பத்துார், திருவள்ளூர், திருவண்ணாமலை, விழுப்புரம், கடலுார், சேலம், தர்மபுரி. கிருஷ்ணகிரி, கள்ளக்குறிச்சி, நாமக்கல், கரூர், திருச்சி, பெரம்பலுார், அரியலுார், மயிலாடுதுறை ஆகிய, 20 மாவட்டங்கள் மற்றும் புதுச்சேரி, காரைக்காலில் அதிகபட்ச வெப்பநிலை பதிவாகும்.

தென் கிழக்கு வங்கக் கடல் மற்றும் அதையொட்டிய தெற்கு அந்தமான் கடல் பகுதிகளில் இன்றும்; கிழக்கு வங்கக் கடல் மற்றும் அந்தமான் பகுதிகளில், நாளையும், மணிக்கு, 50 கி.மீ., வேகத்தில் சூறாவளி காற்று வீசும். இந்த பகுதிகளுக்கு மீனவர்கள் செல்ல வேண்டாம்.

அதேபோல, குமரிக்கடல், மன்னார் வளைகுடா மற்றும் மாலத்தீவு பகுதிகளில், வரும் 2, 3ம் தேதிகளில், தென்மேற்கு திசையில் இருந்து மணிக்கு, 50 கி.மீ., வேகத்தில் பலத்த காற்று வீசும். எனவே, இந்த பகுதிகளில் மீனவர்கள் எச்சரிக்கையுடன் செல்ல வேண்டும்.இவ்வாறு அதில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

விடுமுறை நாட்களிலும் கருவூலம் மற்றும் கணக்கு துறை பணியாற்ற கோரிக்கை

விடுமுறை நாட்களிலும் கருவூலம் மற்றும் கணக்கு துறை பணியாற்ற கோரிக்கை

Added : மார் 30, 2021 21:42

சென்னை:'தேர்தல் செலவுக்குரிய பணத்தை உடனடியாக விடுவிக்க வசதியாக, ஏப்., 2 முதல், 4 வரை, தேவையான ஏற்பாடு களை செய்யுங்கள்' என, கருவூலத்துறை செயலருக்கு, தமிழகத் தலைமை தேர்தல் அதிகாரி சத்யபிரதா சாஹு, கடிதம் அனுப்பி உள்ளார்.

அதில், அவர் கூறியிருப்ப தாவது: தமிழக சட்டசபை பொதுத் தேர்தலும், கன்னியாகுமரி லோக்சபா தொகுதி இடைத்தேர்தலும், ஏப்., 6ல் நடக்க உள்ளது. எனவே, அனைத்து மாவட்ட தேர்தல் அலுவலர்களும், தேர்தல் செலவுக்கான பணத்தை பெற, கருவூலம் மற்றும் கணக்கு துறைக்கு, 'பில்'களை அனுப்புவர்.

அவற்றுக்கு உடனடியாக பணம் வழங்க வசதியாக, ஏப்., 2 முதல், 4 வரை, விடுமுறை நாட்களிலும், ஊழியர்கள் பணியாற்றும் வகையில், தேவையான நடவடிக்கையை எடுக்கவும். இது தொடர்பாக, அனைத்து மாவட்ட கருவூல அலுவலர்களுக்கும், உரிய அறிவுரை வழங்கவும்.இவ்வாறு, சத்யபிரதா சாஹு கூறிஉள்ளார்.

Digital outage hits HDFC Bank customers again

Digital outage hits HDFC Bank customers again

RBI Had Put Expansion Curbs On Lender

Loss Of Connection With Data Centres Likely Cause

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai:31.03.2021 

HDFC Bank customers yet again experienced downtime on their internet and mobile banking with services not accessible to them for several hours. Although the bank said that it was an “intermittent issue” faced by a section of customers in the morning, some of them said that even at 6pm they could not get access to lender’s online services.

The latest glitch in providing online access comes at a time when HDFC Bank is expected to get back to the banking regulator on how it has addressed recurrent issues on its digital banking platform.

In December 2020, the RBI had barred HDFC Bank from new digital launches and issuance of fresh credit cards until it addressed its digital issues. The RBI had also asked the bank’s board to identify lapses and fix accountability. The RBI’s directive came after a prolonged outage of digital services following a power outage at the bank’s primary data centre.

Incidentally, HDFC bank had told investors that it should be able to address the regulator’s concerns in a few months. The fresh outage could raise fresh concerns for the RBI. Sources said that prima facie customers faced service outage and this was not a planned downtime and the central bank would seek more information.

According to sources, Monday’s outage was due to the bank losing connectivity to data centres. The bank had responded to customer complaints on social media with a standard statement that “some customers are facing intermittent issues accessing our net banking/mobile banking app. We are looking into it on priority for resolution. We apologise for the inconvenience and request you to try again after some time”.

Tuesday’s outage hit customers hard as it came on the penultimate day of the financial year and after a long weekend. Several customers complained about their inability to pay their credit card bills. Some customers said that branch visit was not an option as in salary accounts, the home branch is usually close to their office and with most people working from home, the “home” branch is out of reach for them. Besides internet and mobile banking, customers complained about not being able to access their funds through UPI apps as well.

Fresher alleges ragging, 7 medicos face probe today

Fresher alleges ragging, 7 medicos face probe today

Shrinivasa.M@timesgroup.com

Mysuru:31.03.2021 

Chamarajanagar Institute of Medical Sciences has summoned seven students for questioning on Wednesday as part of an inhouse inquiry after a fresher alleged he was ragged during a welcome party at the college hostel late Sunday night.

The students, who are in second and third year of MBBS, have been asked to bring their parents when they appear for the inquiry, police said.

While district superintendent of police Divya Sara Thomas told TOI that no FIR has been registered in the case yet, college authorities denied any ragging incident at the hostel building attached to the college in Chamarajanagar, about 180km from Bengaluru.

The fresh academic session began two months ago with about 150 students in the first year. Police sources said senior students had organised a welcome event for freshers on Sunday night. Around 3am on Monday, a student called up his parents alleging he was being ragged.

Worried parents of the boy arrived at the college on Monday morning. By then, a police team was at the campus after a tip-off that a student had been harassed at a late-night get-together.

A source said that senior students, who were informally questioned at the college, reportedly denied ragging the freshers and said they were “only encouraging freshers to show cultural skills they knew. However, one student complained that he was being ragged”.

On Tuesday, police officer Divya and other senior officers visited the college and urged the students to concentrate on studies. Institute’s dean and director Dr GM Sanjeev said the students were busy in the library till 10.30pm on Sunday and added that the campus was safe with no complaints of ragging till now.

Around 3am on Monday, the student called up his parents saying he was being ragged at the welcome party

‘Is Modi aware of graft in AIADMK?’

BAND WAGON

‘Is Modi aware of graft in AIADMK?’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

31.03.2021 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is speaking about eradicating corruption, should read the complaints of alleged corruption indulged in by AIADMK ministers which were forwarded to the governor, DMK president M K Stalin said. He was campaigning in Tenkasi and Virudhunagar districts on Tuesday.

At Alangulam in Tenkasi, Stalin accused the PM of lying. He ridiculed Modi for raising the hands of CM Palaniswami and deputy CM O Panneerselvam while saying that corruption would be eradicated. At Rajapalayam in Virudhunagar district, he said Modi has stated that there would be no safety for women if the DMK and Congress came to power. “Are you aware of the horrific Pollachi incident and the incident where a woman IPS officer had lodged sexual harassment complaint against the special DGP of the state,” he asked the PM.

He also asked whether Modi bothered to resolve the issues of farmers striking in Delhi for hundreds of days by speaking to their representatives. Referring to the resolutions passed by Kerala and West Bengal assemblies against the Centre, Stalin said CM Palaniswami, who refers to himself as a farmer, has not passed such a resolution in the TN assembly. He claimed that BJP will continue to score a ‘zero’ in this election as well.

In his campaigns, Stalin said, he usually appeals to the people to vote for the DMK and its alliance candidates. But, in Rajapalayam, he said he is requesting the people not to vote for minister for milk and dairy development K T Rajenthra Bhalaji.

Record temp in Chennai & Trichy as heat wave grips TN

Record temp in Chennai & Trichy as heat wave grips TN

U.Tejonmayam@timesgroup.com

Chennai:31.03.2021 

The persistent hot and dry land breeze moving into Tamil Nadu set mercury soaring and broke temperature records in Chennai and Trichy on Tuesday. While the Meenambakkam station recorded an all-time high 41.3 deg C, Trichy registered 40.9 deg C, highest at least in the past 50 years. In total, temperatures in six cities and towns crossed 40 deg C on Tuesday.

Weathermen said northwesterly winds or land breeze would continue to move into the state keeping the temperatures high for the next five days.

The IMD has forecast dry weather over Tamil Nadu till April 3. The agency said the maximum temperature is likely to be two to three degrees Celsius above normal at isolated places over north Tamil Nadu on April 2 and 3.

N Puviarasan, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, IMD, said the presence of two systems over Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal has caused the change in wind direction bringing hot land breeze into the state.

On Tuesday, Vellore recorded 41.3 deg C, Tiruthani 41 deg C, Trichy 40.9 deg C, Madurai AP 40.5 deg C and Karur Paramathi 40.2 deg C.

Trichy had recorded 40.6 deg C on March 27, 2001, and 40.6 deg C on March 21, 1991. The all-time high is 42.2 deg C on March 26, 1892.

“Trichy’s 40.8 deg C is the highest at least since 1962,” said weather blogger Pradeep John.

Trains to Rajkot, Rameswaram to resume soon

Trains to Rajkot, Rameswaram to resume soon

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Coimbatore:31.03.2021 

In a relief to pilgrims, Southern Railway has reintroduced weekly special trains to Rajkot in Gujarat and Rameswaram from Coimbatore.

And much to the delight of guest workers in the region, the newly introduced Ernakulam-Patna train would stop at Salem, Tirupur, Coimbatore and Erode. The weekly special train between the city and Rajkot would operate every Friday from April 23. It would leave the Coimbatore at 12.15am on Friday and reach Rajkot at 5.50pm the next day. The train would stop in Tirupur at 12.58am, Erode at 1.40am and Salem at 2.37am.

The train would then leave Rajkot on Sunday at 5.30am and reach the city the following day at 9.30pm. It would have stoppages in Salem at 5.42am, Erode at 6.40pm and Tirupur at 7.28pm.

The night weekly train to Rameswaram would leave Coimbatore at 7.45pm on Tuesdays from April 27. It would reach the destination the following day at 6.15am. The train would leave Rameswaram at 7.25pm on Wednesdays from April 28 and reach the city at 6.30am on Thursdays. The train would stop at Coimbatore North, Tirupur, Erode Tiruchchirappalli, Pudukottai, Karaikudi, Devakottai Road, Manamadurai, Paramakkudi, Ramanathapuram and Mandapam.

The Ernakulam-Patna train, which would start operations from May 1, would start its journey from Kerala every Saturday night.

SETC to operate long-distance A/C buses from Chengalpet

SETC to operate long-distance A/C buses from Chengalpet

Says It'll Be Easier To Take Local Trains

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:31.03.2021 

State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) will soon run A/C sleeper and semi-sleeper buses between Chengalpet and western and southern districts of Tamil Nadu. Long-distance buses from Madurai, Coimbatore, Salem or Tirunelveli usually drop off passengers at Perungalathur or Tambaram before reaching Koyambedu Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT) through Chennai Bypass Road. The passengers then take local suburban trains to reach various transit points within city limits such as Guindy, Nungambakkam or Chetpet.

But those getting off at Perungalathur or Tambaram have to either take a footover-bridge (FoB) or pedestrian subway to reach the railway platforms. As these facilities are poorly maintained, without adequate lighting and safety, people often jaywalk across the national highway. This practice leads to road accidents.

To avoid all this and make inter-modal connectivity easier, SETC has proposed to drop off some passengers at Chengalpet town, from where the railway station is hardly 100 metres. So, people can easily board a local train after getting down from the buses, said a senior SETC official.

The fare charged would be similar to that collected at present from passengers getting down at Tambaram. "Right now, we have planned to operate one bus each to Madurai, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli and other major cities, and it will be expanded based on public response. Though passenger comfort is our priority, this move will also reduce our operating cost," he added, referring to fee paid at Paranur toll plaza and 13-15 litres of diesel extra needed.

This decision has evoked mixed responses. Welcoming it, transportation activist R Rengachari said that this would reduce average commuting time by 45 to 60 minutes. Also, as local trains are not crowded during the time SETC buses arrive at Chengalpattu (between 6am and 8am), passengers will get to ride comfortably to their destinations, he said.

T K Pandian, who regularly travels in government buses, said that many TNSTC Villupuram buses already travel inside city limits on national highway stretches to skip toll plazas, thus increasing travel time. Seconding him, Mohammed Basha, a Chengalpet resident, said that this would congest the roads further.

SETC has proposed to drop off some passengers at Chengalpet town, from where the railway station is hardly 100m

Section 138 NI Act - No Requirement To Serve Notice Under Certificate Of Posting; Service Through Registered Post Proper : Karnataka High Court

Section 138 NI Act - No Requirement To Serve Notice Under Certificate Of Posting; Service Through Registered Post Proper : Karnataka High Court: The Karnataka High Court has said that service of notice through a registered post is proper service of notice, under section Section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act and there is no

Merger

 

Merger of education regulators will happen this year: AICTE

Synopsis

"All regulatory bodies including the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), University Grants Commission (UGC) and National Council for Teachers Education (NCTE) will be merged to form the HECI. This will come into effect this year," ..

Read more at:
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/merger-of-education-regulators-will-happen-this-year-aicte/articleshow/81573386.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst