Men caught with two EVMs in city; not used for polling, says CEO

Men caught with two EVMs in city; not used for polling, says CEO

₹1.12L Cash Recovered, EC Probe on

Srikkanth D & Ram Sundaram TNN

Chennai:7.4.2021 

Four individuals found carrying two electronic voting machines (EVMs) and one VVPAT machine on twowheelers in Velachery soon after the poll on Tuesday sparked outrage, with the DMK and the Congress accusing a serious breach of protocol. Cash worth ₹1.12 lakh was also found on them.

Chief electoral officer Satyabrata Sahoo said that as per their preliminary inquiry, the motorists were corporation employees and the EVMs they were carrying were not the ones used for polling. “Detailed inquiry is on. As per preliminary findings of the DEO, these two (machines) were not polled EVMs. We will take strict action on any violation of SOPs,” Sahoo said.

It all started when a food delivery agent noticing the machines being transported on two bikes confronted the riders after one of the machines fell down on Taramani main road in Velachery. As the news spread, a group of DMK and Congress functionaries rushed to the spot and picked up an argument. C V Elango, a DMK functionary, said that even as they were verifying the identity of the men, police reached the scene and took them away saying they need to investigate the matter.

‘Bikers attempted to flee when surrounded’

Elango said, “What raised the suspicion was the fact that the bikers attempted to flee when surrounded.” They were wearing ‘Polling Official’ badges, but we suspect them to be AIADMK workers, he said.

Tension prevailed outside Velachery police station where hundreds of cadres from the DMK and the Congress gathered. Police said the motorists were revenue department officials and senior officials were holding talks with Congress candidate Hasan Maulaana and DMK functionaries.

Former DMK mayor Ma Subramanian, who held a long meeting with police and polling officials at the station, said the individuals were poll officials, but he had asked the election commission to verify their call records to identify if there was any wrongdoing. “We seek a fair probe into the matter and a reelection for the booth concerned from where the machines were transported. We also want legal and departmental action against the officers concerned,” Subramanian said.

Regarding the cash, Subramanian said the poll officials have told them that the cash was meant for staff salary and they have sought an investigation on that too. DMK functionaries will meet CEO Satyabrata Sahoo on Wednesday.

TNCC president K S Alagiri questioned Sahoo’s stand on Velachery EVM episode, and said: “Since afternoon, we have complained about removal of names of DMK supporters from the voters list in Velachery. Inaction was his answer. Now, EVMs have been seized from unauthorized people,” said Alagiri demanding immediate action.

Velachery MNM candidate Santhosh Babu said, “I have been a poll observer more than nine times. These units are never handheld or moved using two wheelers, unless there is an emergency. Since this has happened after the polling process, it raises suspicion. This is a clear standard operating procedure violation. When all of us are complaining, AIADMK is missing from the scene. This gives further suspicion,” he added. MNM has demanded a countermanding of elections at DAV school polling booth in Adambakkam.

TENSE MOMENTS: A scene outside Velachery police station on Tuesday evening

மாணவிக்கு மருத்துவ 'சீட்' வாய்ப்பு மறுப்பு இழப்பை ஈடு செய்ய முடியாது: ஐகோர்ட்

மாணவிக்கு மருத்துவ 'சீட்' வாய்ப்பு மறுப்பு இழப்பை ஈடு செய்ய முடியாது: ஐகோர்ட்

Added : ஏப் 04, 2021 01:17 

மதுரை : மருத்துவப் படிப்பில் அரசுப் பள்ளி மாணவர்களுக்கான, 7.5 சதவீத இட ஒதுக்கீட்டின் கீழ் சலுகை பெற, இலவச கட்டாயக் கல்வி உரிமைச் சட்டத்தின் கீழ் தனியார் பள்ளியில் படித்ததை குறிப்பிட, விண்ணப்பத்தில் வழிவகை செய்யாததால், மாணவிக்கு வாய்ப்பு பறிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

அவரது இழப்பை ஈடு செய்ய முடியாது என, உயர் நீதிமன்ற மதுரைக் கிளை அதிருப்தியை வெளியிட்டுள்ளது.ஆறாவது வகுப்புசிவகங்கை மாவட்டம், சிங்கம்புணரி அருகே ஏரியூரைச் சேர்ந்த சகிலா பானு தாக்கல் செய்த மனு:என் மகள் ஷபானா; ஆறாவது வகுப்பு வரை, இலவச கட்டாய கல்வி உரிமைச் சட்டத்தில் - ஆர்.டி.இ., தனியார் பள்ளியில் படித்தார்.ஏழு முதல் பிளஸ் 2 வரை ஏரியூர் அரசு மேல்நிலை பள்ளியில் படித்தார். பிளஸ் 2வில், 600க்கு, 539 மதிப்பெண், நீட் தேர்வில், 425 மதிப்பெண் பெற்றார்.மருத்துவப் படிப்பில், அரசுப் பள்ளி மாணவர்களுக்கு, 7.5 சதவீதம் இடஒதுக்கீட்டை, தமிழக அரசு கொண்டு வந்தது. இதன் அடிப்படையில், மாணவர் சேர்க்கைக்கு ஷபானா விண்ணப்பித்தார்.

அதில், மாணவர் ஆறாவது வகுப்பு முதல் பிளஸ் 2 வரை தமிழகத்தில் படித்தவரா, எந்த அரசுப் பள்ளியில் படித்தவர் என கேள்விகள் இடம் பெற்றிருந்தது. ஆனால், கட்டாயக் கல்வி உரிமைச் சட்டப்படி, தனியார் பள்ளியில் மாணவர்கள் படித்ததை குறிப்பிடுவதற்கு விண்ணப்பத்தில் வழிவகை செய்யவில்லை. எனவே, கட்டாயக் கல்வி உரிமைச் சட்டத்தில், ஆறாவது வகுப்பு வரை படித்ததை குறிப்பிட முடியவில்லை.இடஒதுக்கீட்டின் கீழ், மாணவர் சேர்க்கைக்கு தகுதியானவர்கள் பட்டியலில், ஷபானா பெயரை அதிகாரிகள் சேர்க்கத் தவறிவிட்டனர். சம்பந்தப்பட்ட அதிகாரிகளின் தவறால், ஷபானா பாதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளார்.

7.5 சதவீத இடஒதுக்கீட்டில், ஷபானாவிற்கு மருத்துவப் படிப்பில் இடம் ஒதுக்கக் கோரி, தமிழக அரசுக்கு மனு அனுப்பினோம். பரிசீலிக்க உத்தரவிட வேண்டும்.இவ்வாறு, குறிப்பிட்டார். நீதிபதி வி.பார்த்திபன் விசாரித்தார்.அரசுத் தரப்பு, '2020 - 21 கல்வியாண்டு மருத்துவப் படிப்பு கலந்தாய்வு முடிந்து விட்டது. இடங்களும் பூர்த்தியாகி விட்டன' என தெரிவித்தது.நீதிபதி உத்தரவுதமிழக அரசின், 7.5 சதவீத இடஒதுக்கீட்டின் கீழ், அரசு மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரியில் சேரும் மதிப்புமிக்க வாய்ப்பு, மனுதாரர் மகளிடமிருந்து அநியாயமாக பறிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

கட்டாயக் கல்வி உரிமைச் சட்டப்படி, மாணவர்கள் தனியார் பள்ளியில் படித்ததை குறிப்பிடும் வகையில், விண்ணப்பத்தை சம்பந்தப்பட்ட அதிகாரிகள் தெளிவாக வடிவமைக்காமல், கவனக்குறைவாக செயல்பட்டுள்ளனர்.இதனால், மருத்துவப் படிப்பு கனவுடன் இருந்த இம்மாணவிக்கு வாய்ப்பு மறுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது கொடுமை. பாதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள மனுதாரர் மகளுக்கு எவ்வளவு இழப்பீடு வழங்கினாலும், இழப்பை ஈடு செய்ய முடியாது.தார்மீக அடிப்படையில், மனுதாரர் மகளுக்கு, 7.5 சதவீத இடஒதுக்கீட்டில், எதிர் வரும் கல்வியாண்டில், மருத்துவப் படிப்பில் இடம் ஒதுக்க, தமிழக அரசு பரிசீலிக்க வேண்டும்.ஒருவேளை நடப்பு கல்வியாண்டில் மருத்துவப் படிப்பை யாரும் பாதியில் கைவிட்டால், யாரும் படிப்பில் சேராமல் இருந்தால், அந்த இடத்தில் தாமதமின்றி மனுதாரர் மகளுக்கு இட ஒதுக்கீட்டின் கீழ் இடம் அளிக்க அரசு பரிசீலிக்க வேண்டும்.இவ்வாறு, நீதிபதி உத்தரவிட்டார்.

Parents Being Harassed Via SMS To Pay School Fees, Even For Lockdown Duration: Plea Alleges Before Allahabad High Court

Parents Being Harassed Via SMS To Pay School Fees, Even For Lockdown Duration: Plea Alleges Before Allahabad High Court: Whereas the Uttar Pradesh Government is yet to respond to a query put by Allahabad High Court regarding regulation of school fees during suspension of physical classes, yet another PIL has been...

விதிகளின்படி மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரி கட்டடம் தேசிய மருத்துவ கமிஷன் ஆய்வுக்கு உத்தரவு

விதிகளின்படி மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரி கட்டடம் தேசிய மருத்துவ கமிஷன் ஆய்வுக்கு உத்தரவு

Added : ஏப் 02, 2021 23:41

சென்னை:தமிழகத்தில், புதிதாக கட்டப்படும், 11 மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரிகள், விதிகளின்படி கட்டப்படுகிறதா என்பதை, அவ்வப்போது ஆய்வு செய்யும்படி, தேசிய மருத்துவ கமிஷனுக்கு, சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.

இந்தியா முழுதும், 75 மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரிகளை கட்ட, மத்திய அரசு அறிவித்துள்ளது. இதில் தமிழகத்துக்கு, 11 கல்லுாரிகள் கட்ட திட்டமிடப்பட்டுள்ளது.புதிய மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரிகள், மருத்துவ கவுன்சில் விதிகளின்படி கட்டப்பட வேண்டும் எனக் கோரி, உயர் நீதிமன்றத்தில், ராஜசேகரன் என்பவர் வழக்கு தொடுத்தார்.

மனு, தலைமை நீதிபதி சஞ்ஜிப் பானர்ஜி, நீதிபதி செந்தில்குமார் ராமமூர்த்தி அடங்கிய அமர்வில், விசாரணைக்கு வந்தது.அரசு தரப்பில் ஆஜரான வழக்கறிஞர், 'பழைய விதிகளின்படி கட்டம் கட்டும்படி, மனுதாரர் கோரியுள்ளார். 2018 - 2020ம் ஆண்டுகளில் புதிய விதிகள் வந்து விட்டன. புதிய விதிகளின்படி, மாற்றி அமைக்கப்படுகிறது' என்றார்.

இதையடுத்து, 'எந்த குறுக்கீடும் இன்றி, திட்டப்பணிகளை மேற்கொள்ளலாம்; தேசிய மருத்துவ கமிஷனின் விதிகளுக்கு உட்பட்டு, மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரி கட்டடங்கள் கட்டப்படுகிறதா என்பதை, அவ்வப்போது ஆய்வு செய்ய வேண்டும்' என, முதல் பெஞ்ச் உத்தரவிட்டது.

தேர்தல் பணியாளர்களுக்கு ஊதியம் தர நிதி ஒதுக்கீடு

தேர்தல் பணியாளர்களுக்கு ஊதியம் தர நிதி ஒதுக்கீடு

Added : ஏப் 02, 2021 23:24

சென்னை:ஓட்டுச்சாவடிகளில், தேர்தலன்று பணியாற்றும் ஊழியர்களுக்கு ஊதியம் வழங்க, 71.21 கோடி ரூபாய் ஒதுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

தமிழக சட்டசபை தேர்தல் மற்றும் கன்னியாகுமரி லோக்சபா தொகுதி இடைத்தேர்தல், வரும், 6ம் தேதி நடக்க உள்ளது. அன்று வாக்காளர்கள் ஓட்டளிப்பதற்காக, 88 ஆயிரத்து, 937 ஓட்டுச்சாவடிகள் அமைக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளன.ஒவ்வொரு ஓட்டுச்சாவடியிலும், ஆறு ஊழியர்கள் பணியில் இருப்பர். அவர்களுக்கும், இதர தேர்தல் பணியில் ஈடுபடும் ஊழியர்களுக்கும் ஊதியம் வழங்க, முதல் கட்டமாக, 71.21 கோடி ரூபாயை, அரசு ஒதுக்கி உள்ளது.

ஓட்டுச்சாவடி தலைமை அலுவலருக்கு, 1,700 ரூபாய் முதல், கடை நிலை ஊழியர்களுக்கு, 600 ரூபாய் வரை, அவர்களின் நிலைக்கேற்ப ஊதியம் வழங்க அனுமதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. பாதுகாப்பு பணிதேர்தல் பாதுகாப்பு பணியில் ஈடுபடும் காவல் துறை, வனத்துறை, தீயணைப்பு துறை, ஊர்க்காவல் படை, சிறைத்துறை, மத்திய ஆயுதப்படை போலீசார், மாநில ஆயுதப்படை போலீசார் ஆகியோருக்கும் ஊதியம் வழங்க, 21.53 கோடி ரூபாய் ஒதுக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளது.இதில், இன்ஸ்பெக்டர்கள் நிலையில், 400 ரூபாய்; ரிசர்வ் போலீசாருக்கு, 150 ரூபாய் வீதம், அவர்களின் நிலைக்கேற்ப, நான்கு நாட்களுக்கு வழங்க உத்தரவிடப்பட்டு உள்ளது.

புதிய துணைவேந்தர் தேர்வு தேடல் குழு நியமனம்

புதிய துணைவேந்தர் தேர்வு தேடல் குழு நியமனம்

Added : ஏப் 02, 2021 22:56

சென்னை:அண்ணா பல்கலை புதிய துணைவேந்தரை தேர்வு செய்ய, மூன்று பேர் அடங்கிய தேடல் குழு அமைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.அண்ணா பல்கலை துணைவேந்தர் சுரப்பாவின் பதவிக்காலம், வரும், 11ம் தேதி முடிகிறது.

புதிய துணைவேந்தரை தேர்வு செய்வதற்கான ஏற்பாடுகள் துவங்கியுள்ளன.பல்கலை வேந்தரான கவர்னர் தரப்பில், மூன்று பேர் அடங்கிய தேடல் குழு அமைக்கப்பட்டுஉள்ளது. டில்லி ஜவஹர்லால் நேரு பல்கலை துணைவேந்தர் ஜெகதீஷ் குமார், கவர்னர் பிரதிநிதியாகவும், குழுவின் ஒருங்கிணைப்பாளராகவும் செயல்பட உள்ளார்.பல்கலையின், 'சிண்டிகேட்' குழு பிரதிநிதியாக, அவினாசிலிங்கம் பல்கலை துணைவேந்தர் தியாகராஜன், அரசு தரப்பு பிரதிநிதியாக ஷீலாராணி சுங்கத் ஆகியோர் தேர்வு செய்யப்பட்டு உள்ளனர்.

இந்த கமிட்டி சார்பில், மூன்று மாதங்களுக்குள் புதிய துணைவேந்தர் தேர்வு செய்யப்படுவார் என, உயர்கல்வி வட்டாரங்கள் தெரிவித்து உள்ளன.

தரிசன முன்பதிவுடன் அறை முன்பதிவு

தரிசன முன்பதிவுடன் அறை முன்பதிவு

Added : ஏப் 03, 2021 00:14

திருப்பதி:திருமலை ஏழுமலையான் தரிசன டிக்கெட் முன்பதிவு செய்யும்போது, தங்கும் அறையும் முன்பதிவு செய்து கொள்ளும் வகையில், தேவஸ்தான இணையதளத்தில், விரைவில் மாற்றம் செய்யப்பட உள்ளது.

முன்பதிவு

திருப்பதியில் உள்ள தேவஸ்தான தலைமை அலுவலகத்தில் தொலைபேசி மூலம் பக்தர்கள் குறைகேட்பு நிகழ்ச்சி நடந்தது.அதில் பங்கேற்ற பக்தர்களுக்கு, தேவஸ்தான செயல் அதிகாரி ஜவஹர்ரெட்டி பதிலளித்தார், நிகழ்ச்சி நிறைவுக்கு பின், அவர் கூறியதாவது.கிராம மக்கள் இடையே ஹிந்து தர்மத்தை போதிக்க, தேவஸ்தானம் புதிய நடவடிக்கைககளை மேற்கொள்ள உள்ளது.

அதற்காக பஜனை மண்டலிகள், கோசாலை நிர்வாகிகள், விஷ்ணு சகஸ்ரநாமபாராயணம், லலிதா சகஸ்ரநாமபாராயணம் மண்டலிகள், ஸ்ரீவாரி சேவார்த்திகள் விவரங்கள் உள்ளிட்டவற்றை தேவஸ்தானம் சேகரித்து வருகிறது.கொரோனா தொற்று மீண்டும் பரவத் துவங்கி உள்ளதால், திருமலைக்கு வரும் பக்தர்கள் முககவசம், கையுறை, கிருமி நாசினி உள்ளிட்டவற்றை கட்டாயம் பயன்படுத்த வேண்டும்.இணையதளம் வாயிலாக, திருமலையில் தங்கும் அறைகள் முன்பதிவு செய்யும் பக்தர்கள் முதலில், மத்திய விசாரணை அலுவலகத்திற்கு சென்று, அங்கிருந்து துணை விசாரணை அலுவலக்திற்கு சென்று, அறை பெற்றுக் கொள்ளும் முறை தற்போது அமலில் உள்ளது.

வசதிகள்

இதை எளிதாக்க, அறை முன்பதிவு செய்த பக்தர்கள் அலிபிரி சோதனைச் சாவடியை கடந்ததும், குறுந்தகவல் வாயிலாக, அவர்கள் தொடர்பு கொள்ள வேண்டிய துணை விசாரணை அலுவலக எண்கள், அவர்களது 'மொபைல் போன்' எண்ணிற்கு அனுப்பப்படும். பக்தர்கள் நேரடியாக அந்த அலுவலகத்திற்கு சென்று, தங்கள் அறையை பெற்றுக் கொள்ளலாம். இம்முறை இன்னும், 10 நாட்களில் அமலுக்கு வர உள்ளது.

மேலும், இணையதளம் வாயிலாக விரைவு தரிசன டிக்கெட் முன்பதிவு செய்யும் பக்தர்கள், அதே பக்கத்தில் தங்கும் அறைகளையும் முன்பதிவு செய்து கொள்ளும் விதம் இணைய தளத்தில் சில மாற்றங்களை, தேவஸ்தானம் செய்ய உள்ளது. விரைவில் இந்த வசதியும் அமலில் கொண்டு வரப்படும்.இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறினார்.

Modern bus shelter at Saidapet opens for public

Modern bus shelter at Saidapet opens for public

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:03.04.2021

Now, commuters walking out of the Saidapet metro station can cool off at a modern bus shelter before they hop on a south-bound MTC bus. Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has completed construction of the bus shelter linking one end of it with the entry point of Saidapet metro station to provide commuters with easy access to both the metro and MTC bus services. The bus shelter has replaced the old one, which was partially demolished in 2012 to make way for the construction of the underground metro station.

A metro rail official said besides the bus shelter, an exclusive pathway has also been built to prevent crowding in the area. Other facilities at the bus shelter include circular LED lights, steel benches and display units for bus timings. “We have extended the bus shelter up to one of the entry points of the metro station for commuters to easily walk in from the station to the bus stand,” the official said. “We have also installed a roof to cover the exclusive pathway behind the bus stop,” the official said.

Like the bus stop at DMS, all MTC buses heading towards the southern part of the city must stop at the Saidapet bus stand. Buses proceeding towards East Coast Road, Guduvancherry, Mahabalipuram, Thiruporur, Poonamallee, Kundrathur, Sunguvarchatram and Vellore either stop or originate from the Saidapet bus stand.

CMRL had started reconstruction of the bus shelter more than two years ago, but the work slowed down due to the pandemic induced lockdown in 2020. “We used to walk at least 100 to 200 metres from the station to board an MTC bus earlier,” said K Vijay, a regular metro rail user, adding, "It's more convenient now."

Not all metro stations in the city are directly linked to MTC bus stops as promised, however. Stations like Nanganallur Road, Ekkattuthangal, Vadapalani, Nehru Park and Shenoy Nagar either have no bus stops nearby or are far away, forcing passengers to walk long distances or look for private transportation like cabs and autorickshaws.

COOL SHELTER: The modern bus shelter at Saidapet also has an exclusive pathway to prevent crowding in the area

Paid holiday for all workers on poll day

Paid holiday for all workers on poll day

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:03.04.2021

In the view of upcoming Tamil-Nadu legislative assembly elections that are scheduled to be held on April 6, the state government announced compulsory paid holiday to all the workers.

This includes daily wages, temporary and contract labour employed in factories, in Chennai and Chengalpet districts.

The state government said action will be taken against those who flout the norms. The paid holiday is to enable public to cast their vote on the election day.

Growth of +ve cases faster than in 2020, warns DPH

Growth of +ve cases faster than in 2020, warns DPH

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:03.04.2021

Warning that the growth rate of positive cases is higher than during the earlier surge in 2020, the directorate of public health advised district health officials to take effective control measures on Friday, when Tamil Nadu registered 3,290 fresh Covid -19 cases and12 deaths.

The case tally touched 8.92 lakh (8,92,780) and cumulative toll tally reached 12,750. After discharging 1,715 patients, there are18,606 people who are still undergoing treatment for the viral infection.

“The case count is rising exponentially on a week to week basis,” said director of public health Dr T S Selvavinayagam. On Friday, the weekly average number of fresh cases reported in the state was 2,513 compared to 462 cases reported on March 2. The last time the state saw a weekly average around 2,500 was in the first week of November 2020. The growth rate of average weekly cases was 5.7% in Tamil Nadu – the highest since July 2020. On March 2, it was on the decline at -0.3%. “The rate of growth of positive cases this time is higher than the earlier surge in 2020. Cases are not only increasing in urban areas but also in tier 2 cities and rural areas,” he said.

While hotspot Chennai reported 1,188 new cases, its neighbours Chengalpet (280), Tiruvallur (183) and Kancheepuram (119) together reported 582 cases. While Chennai reported seven deaths, Kancheepuram registered one more. Beside these districts four others reported cases in three digits – Coimbatore (277), Trichy (122), Thanjavur (120) and Madurai (105).

The number of people who took vaccination against Covid -19 declined to 60,726 on Friday. So far, 3175349 people have taken the vaccine in the state.

Private hospitals turn away patients as Covid cases surge

Private hospitals turn away patients as Covid cases surge

Not Enough Ventilators At Many Places

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:03.04..2021

Fresh cases of Covid-19 are rising and many private hospitals in the city have been turning away patients in the last two days.

With 7,161 active cases, hospitals in Chennai are chock-a-block. In some cases, patients are being turned away because there aren’t ventilators or facilities for high-flow nasal oxygen.

On Friday, the state website showed that all 130 oxygen beds at Billroth Hospitals in Shenoy Nagar were occupied as were 40 Covid beds at Kauvery Hospitals. More than 90% of beds in Gleneagles Hospital and Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, were also occupied. “We redirected some patients to other hospitals this morning. They were symptomatic and could need high flow oxygen, but all our beds were taken,” said Dr Subramanian Swaminathan of Global Hospitals.

Smaller hospitals and nursing homes, which were admitting patients with moderate illnesses, have also begun turning patients away. Representatives from many private hospitals said they were increasing the number of shared accommodation within the hospital and advising home isolation for young and asymptomatic patients.

Government hospitals, which have recorded a spike in admissions, said oxygen and ventilators requirements have increased substantially over the last one week. At Omandurar Multispeciality Hospital, which has about 550 beds, nearly 350 patients are on oxygen therapy. “About a quarter of patients exhibiting severe symptoms also require ventilation,” said dean Dr R Jayanthi. At Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital, of the 100 in-patients, nearly 35 are on oxygen support, while others are senior citizens or patients with comorbid conditions requiring institutional care. “Our oxygen requirement has gone up compared to last year,” said dean Dr Vasanthamani P.

But over the last one year, almost all government hospitals in the city have increased their oxygen capacity by nearly five times. “While doctors and paramedical staff at hospitals are exhausted, they have the infrastructure to take more patients,” said director of medical education Dr R Narayanababu.

Walk-ins for vaccination four times no. of online registrations

Walk-ins for vaccination four times no. of online registrations

Of 7 Cr Regns Till Friday, Only 1 Cr Done Via Online

Sushmi.Dey@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:03.04.2021

Walk-in registrations for Covid-19 vaccination have exceeded those done online by a huge margin. Of the more than seven crore registrations till 9pm on Friday, just one crore were done online, while 3.75 crore people walked in to receive the jabs, official data reviewed by TOI showed.

The total also includes about 2.3 crore health and frontline workers whose details were pre-populated on the Co-Win software.

More than 22 lakh registrations were recorded on Friday till 9pm. The numbers under review relate almost completely to the third phase onwards when vaccination was opened to 60-plus citizens as well as those above 45 with co-morbidities. Phase I and II involved health and frontline workers and their details were supplied by states. A relatively small number of these recipients walked in to receive their shots.

States and hospitals were allowed walk-in registration almost from the start of the 60-plus vaccination stage and continued with the age bracket expanded to 45-plus.

India administered more than seven crore doses of Covid-19 vaccines till 9pm on Friday.

This included 4.3 crore people aged above 45. While around 6.1 crore people have been covered so far with the first dose, 92.6 lakh have been fully vaccinated.

7-day case average in TN same as peak

The seven-day average of daily new cases in TN touched 2,513 on Friday, a level that was on a par with the peak in November 2020 when the average was around 2,500. “The count is rising exponentially on a week to week basis,” said director of public health Dr T S Selvavinayagam. Cases are increasing in urban, tier-two cities and rural areas, he said. P 4

Daily cases in India near 90,000-mark

A day after crossing the 80,000 mark, India’s daily Covid-19 case count rose to just around 1,000 short of 90,000, with 88,988 fresh infections recorded in the past 24 hours, the highest since September 26. The daily tally had crossed 20,000 on March12 and hit 80,000 on April1. The highest daily tally of fresh cases recorded in India was 98,795 on September 17. P 12

‘Rapid vax will arrest growth of Covid-19’

Experts stressed on the urgent need to ramp up vaccination, particularly in the wake of rising number of Covid-19 cases across the country. A study by Tata Consultancy Services said that with no vaccination, the second wave would likely peak at 70,000 cases and the tail end would likely start in 140 days. On the other hand, with vaccination rate of 80,000 per day, the peak would be 20,000 cases and the tail end would likely start after 60 days.

“Rapid vaccination will not only reduce peak cases but will significantly arrest the growth of disease. Taking the simulated results into account, we believe that increase in the vaccination rate will help in arresting the second wave of Covid-19 in India as well as reduce the impact of the third wave,” the study said.

To promote online registration and ensure sessions are conducted in an organised way, the government has said walk-in vaccinations will be allowed only after 3pm from April 1. While both online and onsite registrations are allowed for vaccination, online registrations enable the government as well as hospitals to better manage sessions, an official said. “Online registrations not only help manage the crowd, data and stock availability but also help eliminate any pilferage or corruption,” the official said.

Now, travel by a germ-free SETC bus

Now, travel by a germ-free SETC bus

Air Quality Index Will Be Kept Below 50

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:03.04.2021

You can now travel to a destination in the state this summer in a germ-protected State Express Transport Corporation bus. The SETC has upgraded 20 airconditioned buses in Chennai, installing multi-stage air filters and disinfection systems using Ultraviolet Controlled (UVC) sterilization to prevent the entry of virus, bacteria and other microorganisms.

Official data shows of the 340 AC SETC buses, around 200 were operated now during the lockdown with an average occupancy of around 65%.

With summer approaching, demand for AC buses is expected to increase, but most passnegers, particularly senior citizens, still fear to travel in them because of the fear of being infected with Covid-19, said a senior SETC official. “So, we held talks with a private firm to launch a pilot project in 20 buses. Accordingly, UV-based air filters, each costing approximately ₹40,000, have been fitted to make them free from germs,” he added, requesting anonymity. The multi-stage filtration kits, attached to existing AC grills of buses, have ionisation combined UVC sterilizers, photocatalyst, filter mesh and fresh air device. The sterilization set-up generates UV rays (of appropriate wavelength), which destroy the molecular structure of DNA or RNA in the cells of microorganisms which try to enter the bus and make them unable to multiply. When a microorganism can’t multiply, it is considered dead and is no longer infectious.

While the photocatalyst and filter mesh ensure they absorb larger microorganisms, other components ensure that fresh air is recirculated. This not only reduces harmful gases and odour but also reduces travel fatigue, he added. Health experts suggest that the Air Quality Index (AQI) value should be less than 50 and anything more than 100 is considered unhealthy or hazardous.

During a trial run, the private firm claimed that the AQI was reduced from759 microorganisms per cubic metre to 33 microorganisms per cubic metre in standard operating conditions after 25 minutes of deep purification. An air quality monitor is fit in the driver’s cabin to monitor AQI, temperature and humidity levels.

New med college buildings must be within norms: HC

New med college buildings must be within norms: HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:03.04.2021

The state government must construct buildings for upcoming new medical colleges in the state strictly in accordance with the applicable norms of medical commission, Madras high court has said.

The first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy also said it would be open to the commission to depute its personnel to inspect the nature of the construction periodically, if the commission so desired.

The court passed the order on a public interest writ petition filed by N Rajasekaran to direct the state to construct medical colleges as per norms fixed by National Medical Commission (NMC). When the plea came up for hearing on Friday, special government pleader G K Muthhukumar said the petitioner relied on the erstwhile norms of 2010 fixed by the then Medical Council of India (MCI) pertaining to construction of medical colleges.

“The norms were changed in 2018 and the constructions undertaken in the state recently conform to the 2018 norms. In 2020, the norms were somewhat altered by MCI and every attempt is being made to adhere to the latest norms,” the pleader said.

Recording the submission, the bench said: “There is no doubt that the NMC will oversee the construction work and the final permission for the medical colleges to operate has to be issued by the commission upon being satisfied that the construction is in accordance with the norms .”

Ola and Uber fares increase by up to 92%

Ola and Uber fares increase by up to 92%

Bengaluru:  02.04.2021 

Travelling by Ola and Uber cabs will burn a bigger hole in the pockets of commuters with the Karnataka transport department revising fares of app-based taxis by 35% to 92%. Commuters pay a minimum of Rs 75 for small cabs and Rs 150 on luxury taxis for the first 4km. Earlier, the rates were Rs 44 and Rs 80, respectively.

The new fares will come into effect immediately. The previous tariff revision was in 2018. The per-km tariff for journeys beyond 4km will have to be within the minimum and maximum fares prescribed for each class in the notification. The hike in per-km tariff is in the range of 35% to 75%. Ola and Uber were not immediately available for comment. TNN

Commuters to get free waiting time of 20 mins, dynamic pricing barred

The move comes close on the heels of a driver immolating himself over rising fuel costs and based on requests made by drivers.

Radio taxis, as defined in the Karnataka On-Demand Transportation Technology Aggregators Rules, will also be able to charge based on the price of vehicles categorised into four classes. The fare structure is classified into four categories as per the cost of vehicles, with A being highest (more than Rs 16 lakh) and D being the lowest (up to Rs 5 lakh).

“As fuel prices are increasing from time to time and the cost of maintenance and price of vehicles are considerable, the Centre regularly advises the state transport authority to regulate fares for different types of taxis operating under the aggregator rules,” said a transport department official.

The notification provides for a free waiting time of 20 minutes that will help commuters, with a charge of Rs 10 for every 15 minutes of waiting after this period will be allowed for operators. It bars fares based on journey time and dynamic pricing.

On Tuesday, a 34-year-old cab driver, Pratap, set himself ablaze in his cab. Pratap, attached to airport taxi service of Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation, sustained 70% burns and succumbed. The incident led to protests from cab drivers since their deceased colleague was struggling to pay EMIs with a thinning KSTDC client pool and losing business to Ola and Uber. In contrast to the Rs24 per km fixed government fare KSTDC charges, Ola and Uber operate at under Rs 10 per km.

In February, the government hiked fares of city taxis, which are not operated by aggregators such as Uber and Ola, from Rs 14.5 per km to Rs 18 per km for non-AC cabs and from Rs 19.5 per km to Rs 24 per km for AC cabs.

In the light of frequent increase in fuel rates, vehicle prices, rising bank interest rates, and increasing maintenance cost, many drivers hailed the decision to hike fares as a necessary one.

As 45+ line up for jabs, centres to work even on holidays in April

As 45+ line up for jabs, centres to work even on holidays in April

Sushmi.Dey@timesgroup.com

New Delhi: 02.04.2021 

As Covid-19 vaccination opened for all those above 45 years on Thursday, the Centre pressed states to ramp up inoculation in the wake of surge in infection that is posing a threat to gains of the previous downturn in cases and the nascent economic recovery.

Around 22.9 lakh doses were administered through 56,390 vaccination sessions across public and private hospitals on Thursday till about 10.30pm, according to the latest data reviewed by TOI. As per the earlier official statement, released by the health ministry, 17.47 lakh doses were administered till 8pm on Thursday. Of this, 15.28 lakh doses were given to those above 45.

Looking to exponentially expand coverage, the Centre has decided to operationalise both public and private sector Covid Vaccination Centres (CVCs) on all days of the month in April (from today till April 30), including gazetted holidays. In an effort to reduce vulnerability to the virus and control its spread, the Centre is aiming to administer at least 30 lakh doses daily with focus on achieving maximum coverage in high burden districts, official sources said.

Overall, India has administered 6.75 crore doses till 8pm on Thursday. Of this, around 4 crore doses have been given to those above 45 years of age.

FIRST OFF THE BLOCKS: The vaccine drive for 45+ recipients gets a thumbs up at KC General Hospital in Bengaluru. More than 50,000 persons across Karnataka in the 45-60 age group took Covid vaccine till 7.30pm on Thursday

Experts ask govt to speed up Covid-19 vaccination

States have been directed to optimally utilise all CVCs across public and private sectors to ensure rapid increase in the pace and coverage of vaccination.

Despite the Centre’s repeated advisories and liberalised policies to rope in all private facilities with required amenities in the vaccination drive, the sites organised in the private sector continue to be far less than those in the government hospitals. Of the total 56,390 sessions organised on Thursday, only 6,440 were in the private sector, rest in government hospitals.

Experts say there is an urgent need to quicken vaccination in the wake rising Covid-19 cases across the country. The average daily cases in the last week of March increased to around 56,200 —more than three folds of around 16,740 recorded in the first week of March. On Wednesday, daily cases increased to 72,330.

However, the pace of vaccinations is still moderate in most states with only 91.81 lakh people fully inoculated so far since the launch of the vaccination drive on January 16.

JNU VC Jagadesh Kumar to head Anna University VC search panel

JNU VC Jagadesh Kumar to head Anna University VC search panel

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:02.04.2021 

Jawaharlal Nehru University vice-chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar was appointed as the governor’s nominee and convener of Anna University’s vice-chancellor search committee. Incumbent VC M K Surappa completes his tenure on April 11. The committee will shortlist three names to submit to governor Banwarilal Purohit.

Professor Kumar also headed the VC search committee of Madras university last year. Political parties in Tamil Nadu had opposed his appointment to Madras university committee stating that his tenure at JNU was mired in controversies.

The Anna University search panel will also comprise Madras university former VC S P Thyagarajan and former IAS officer Sheela Rani Chungath. Professor Thyagarajan was the nominee of the Syndicate while Sheela Rani Sungath was nominated by the state government.

“The search panel may meet once before inviting the applications for the VC post. The first meeting is likely to be held online,” a source said.

Due to the model code of conduct for assembly elections, the formation of a search committee was delayed. The government issued an order only after the Election Commission’s consent.

“Even before issuing the advertisement for the post, the panel may need consent from the Election Commission. So, the selection process is likely to start after the elections on April 6,” a professor from Anna University said.

As per the amendment to Tamil Nadu University Laws, the search panel will have four months to submit the three names to the governor.

The government formed an inquiry committee, headed by a retired high court judge P Kalaiyarasan, to probe the allegations of financial irregularities against VC Surappa. Professor Surappa has filed a case challenging the government order constituting the commission of inquiry against him and it is pending before the court.

The Anna University search panel will also comprise Madras university former VC S P Thyagarajan and former IAS officer Sheela Rani Chungath. The panel is to shortlist three names and submit them to governor Banwarilal Purohit in four months

BEST staff salary still paid in coins

BEST staff salary still paid in coins

Somit.Sen@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:01.04.2021 

BEST staffers still continue to get cash and coins of Rs 5 and Rs 10 denomination valued at Rs 15,000 as part of monthly salary. BEST panel member Sunil Ganacharya said at a committee meeting on Wednesday, demanding why cash in crores was not being deposited in bank accounts and lying at depots and BEST’s cash room at Wadala for the past two months.

“A contract was signed with a bank in January to lift ticket collections, but it is not being done till date,” he said at the meeting. “This is unwarranted as so much is lying in strongrooms of depots and at the central cash collection centre at Wadala.”

A senior BEST official said that a significant part of the ticket box collection was used to give monthly salaries to 40,000 staffers. This included packets of coins of Rs 5 and Rs 10 denomination and cash of Rs 10, Rs 50, Rs 100 denominations up to Rs 15,000 as part of salary.

A panel member said a contract to lift coins and cash was awarded in January and it was presumed that employees would get 100% salaries in their accounts. “But they still have to queue up to collect money bags,” said the member. “The rest of the salary is deposited in bank accounts.”

Test for flyers from high-risk areas

Test for flyers from high-risk areas

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:01.04.2021

Based on the latest guidelines issued by Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), domestic passengers arriving from high-risk states at Indira Gandhi International Airport will be randomly tested for Covid-19.

“After collection of the samples, the passengers will be allowed to exit. However, those found positive shall be mandatorily quarantined either at their place of stay, a government facility or at a hospital, according to the Union ministry of health and family welfare protocol,” said the Delhi airport in a statement.

While it is currently not mandatory for flyers to carry an RT-PCR report for domestic travel to Delhi, the airport officials clarified that while testing was being done randomly, those who did have a negative report could present it to the government authorities to seek exemption. “If chosen, and one is carrying a report, it can be presented to seek exemption. It will be up to the discretion of the authorities to take another sample or not,” said the official.

The new guidelines dated March 23 are not just applicable to the airport, but railway stationsISBTs and other alighting points for private buses too. If a passenger is found positive, they will have to be quarantined for 10 days.

An official at Genestrings Diagnostic, the lab currently taking samples at departures and arrivals for international passengers, said while their process to collect samples from international passengers would continue, no samples of domestic passengers were being brought over to their labs. “The government is doing this testing on its own. Our testing process remains the same,” the official said.

C-vax available to all above 45 from today

ASK FOR MASK #MASKINDIA

C-vax available to all above 45 from today

500 Centres To Vaccinate From 9am To 9pm

AlokKNMishra@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:01.04.2021

From Thursday, everyone aged above 45 will be able to get the Covid-19 vaccine at 500 vaccination centres spread across 192 hospitals in the city. Advance booking on the Co-Win portal has already started and the government expects a huge jump in turnout. Increasing the coverage will also strengthen the fight against the novel coronavirus, which is crucial due to the recent surge in cases.

Health minister Satyendar Jain said, “Vaccination is being started on a large scale from Thursday. Those eligible can get the shots from 9am till 9pm. Delhi has a large number of people aged above  45. The government wants to cover all of them as soon as possible. Delhi has a sufficient stock of the vaccine. Some hospitals even have 10 vaccination centres.”

People facing trouble in registering themselves can also get the jab by walking into the vaccination centres from 3pm to 9pm.

The number of people aged above 45 is estimated to be over 65 lakh, while those between 45 and 60 years is 40 lakh. Vaccination of people aged above 60 and those between 45 and 59 years with 20 specified comorbid conditions has been going on for the last one month.

Several people reported glitches in registration on Wednesday. A resident of south Delhi did not get the time slot even after receiving the OTP, so could not schedule the vaccination. Another person reported delay in receiving the OTP despite waiting for a

long time. “I will try registering again on Thursday,” said Mukesh Kumar, a businessman in central Delhi.

Delhi government had recently asked all government hospitals to establish at least six vaccination centres as part of the preparations for expanding the coverage. The hospitals were also directed to depute two vaccinators at each additional site to increase the total slots. All these arrangements have already been made.

So far, 12 lakh people — 4 lakh aged above 60 and nearly

73,000 in the 45-59 age group — have been vaccinated. These include healthcare personnel, frontline workers, people aged above 45 with comorbid conditions and those above 60 years.

An official said that according to the Centre’s guidelines, three rooms were required to create one vaccination centre. Because of this, the process of opening more centres has been slow.

Some will get Covid even after vaccination, and that’s normal

Some will get Covid even after vaccination, and that’s normal

No vaccine guarantees 100% immunity from the novel coronavirus, so a small percentage of people who have received a vaccination will still get sick, but experts say that their symptoms are likely to be mild

Abhilash.Gaur@timesgroup.com

01.04.2021 

On March 18, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan took his first dose of a coronavirus vaccine made by the Chinese company Sinopharm. On the 20th, he tested positive for Covid. Vaccine-sceptics felt vindicated, China-bashers shouted ‘hurray’. Both were wrong. A vaccine is like a trainer. It needs several weeks to train your immune system to fight a germ. Khan’s first dose got hardly two days to work. In fact, Khan most probably had the virus for several days before he took his shot.

So, Imran Khan’s positive test does not mean his vaccine failed, but are there other cases where a coronavirus vaccine has ‘failed’ to do its job? Is it possible for you to get Covid after vaccination?

Yes, a small percentage of properly vaccinated people are expected to get sick with the coronavirus. Now that many millions have been vaccinated around the world, such cases are becoming common. Why does this happen, and is it fair to describe it as a failure of the vaccine?

Breakthrough Cases

An infection that occurs after vaccination is called a ‘breakthrough case’. But there’s a condition: it should occur at least 14 days after you are “fully vaccinated”. In India, it would mean two weeks after your second dose of Covishield or Covaxin.

Amesh A. Adalja at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security tells Prevention magazine that this time-frame is necessary because “your body should have enough time to develop antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 (the coronavirus).”

In a Forbes column, scientist William A. Haseltine mentions Israeli research that found vaccinated and unvaccinated people were equally likely to get infected in the first 12 days after the first vaccine dose. Even after 17 days, 60-80% of vaccinated people could get infected.

The Atlantic’s science journalist Katherine J. Wu says breakthrough cases will now “continue to grow in number, everywhere… They are an entirely expected part of any vaccination process.” You might hear of them in your circle. But the important thing is to not get alarmed and start doubting vaccines.

No Vaccine Is Perfect

Actually, there was a vaccine that provided 100% immunity against the virus it was aimed at, says Bloomberg’s pharma industry analyst Sam Fazeli. It was so good that it totally wiped out the smallpox virus. But such ‘sterilising immunity’ – stopping not only sickness but also infection – is rare.

For the coronavirus, scientists last year set the bar low at 50% efficacy. Luckily, all of the approved vaccines turned out to be far better with efficacy rates as high as 95%. Yet, even the best vaccine can’t guarantee you won’t fall ill.

Again, Wu reminds you this is not a failure of vaccines because “the goal of vaccination isn’t eradication, but a détente in which humans and viruses coexist, with the risk of disease at a tolerable low.”

With vaccines, we are mainly trying to prevent severe disease and death, not the infection itself, and all of the approved vaccines seem to be excellent at that. For example, the singledose Johnson & Johnson vaccine showed only 72% efficacy in US trials, but nobody who took it needed hospitalisation or died.

As Fazeli says, “You will never know how bad your symptoms would have been if you had not been vaccinated.”

Reducing Risk

So, the main reason for breakthrough cases is that vaccines are not perfect. Haseltine says, “we need to draw a distinction between infection and disease” while talking about coronavirus vaccines. As none of the present vaccines claims to protect you from infection, breakthrough cases aren’t surprising. But what makes some vaccinated people more susceptible to the virus than others? Wu says there could be many factors, from your immune system’s response to the virus variant you are exposed to. As the existing vaccines are based on last year’s coronavirus variant, they might be less effective against the newer variants.

Haseltine says a study from China found that “sera from those infected by the original Wuhan strain last year have little to no ability to protect against either the UK (B.1.1.7) or the South African (B.1.351) strains.” Also, your immune system could buckle under the force of a big virus dose, for example inside a room where many Covid patients are present. “Large doses of the virus can overwhelm the sturdiest of immune defences, if given the chance,” Wu says.

That’s why continuing to wear a mask even after you have been vaccinated can reduce the risk of breakthrough cases. Especially now, when coronavirus infections are sharply rising across India.

Taken 1 dose of vax? For Kumbh, -ve report still a must, says HC

Taken 1 dose of vax? For Kumbh, -ve report still a must, says HC

Prashant.Jha@timesgroup.com

Nainital:01.04.2021 

A day after the Uttarakhand government issued an advisory asking those coming from 12 identified states where Covid cases were rising to carry a Covid-19-negative RT-PCR test report, the Uttarakhand HC on Wednesday said that people who have received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine will also need Covid-19-negative certification before visiting the Kumbh Mela.

The court further directed the state government to increase testing in Haridwar to 50,000 per day after it was informed that despite its claims of conducting 55,000 tests per day in the holy city, the state was conducting only about 5,000 tests per day (including RT-PCR and antigen).

The court also directed the state government to encourage people to take vaccines at designated centres at the Kumbh site. The HC added that facilities to keep people under observation after they are administered the vaccine should also be created. The directions came from the bench of Chief Justice RS Chauhan and Justice Alok Kumar Verma while it was hearing a bunch of PILs concerning the state’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

HC: Rape case can’t be quashed even after ‘pact’

HC: Rape case can’t be quashed even after ‘pact’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:01.04.2021

Delhi High Court has refused to quash criminal proceedings against three men booked under POCSO Act for sexually harassing a minor girl.

Though the minor, now an adult, and her family reached a compromise with the accused men, who are distantly related to her, the court made it clear “there can be no letup in prosecuting a heinous crime.”

“It is well-settled that the power under section 482 CrPC is to be distinguished from the one that lies with the court to compound the offences compoundable under CrPC Section 320. No doubt, under Section 482, the high court has the power to quash even in those offences that are not compoundable, where the parties have settled the matter between themselves, but the power must be exercised fairly and with caution. Rape is a heinous crime punishable under Section 376 IPC,” justice Subramonium Prasad noted, declining any relief to the accused.

The court was hearing a plea by Dinesh and others, which said that a compromise had been entered into between the girl, her mother and the petitioners. The plea urged the court to intervene and quash the FIR. Instead, the court noted that any move to quash an offence under POCSO Act would go against the intention of the legislature, which had brought out special enactment to protect the interest of children.

“The FIR cannot be quashed on the ground that the victim, after attaining majority, has decided to compromise the matter with the accused,” it noted, and cited the Supreme Court, which has categorically said that heinous crime like rape could not be quashed by the high court by exercising power under Section 482 CrPC even if the parties had reached a compromise.

According to police, the survivor’s mother had lodged an FIR in 2018 for offences punishable under IPC sections 354, 354D, 506, 509, 34 IPC and Section 10 of POCSO Act. She informed police that Dinesh had come to stay with the family while he was looking for a job and had tried to molest the girl. When she raised the alarm, he apologised. Later, in 2017 when the family went to Punjab to attend a wedding, Dinesh and his two nephews harassed her. They even tried to drag her into a room and threatened her to cooperate else her nude photographs would be made public, the complaint said.

When she again informed her parents about the harassment, her mother rebuked the accused and decided to approach police. A case was then registered at the Shakarpur police station.

DELHI HIGH COURT SAYS

Any move to quash an offence under POCSO Act will go against the intention of the legislature, which had brought out special enactment to protect the interest of children...The FIR cannot be quashed on the ground that the girl, after attaining majority, has decided to compromise the matter with the accused

Kerala HC issues 10 directives to EC in order to prevent bogus voting

BATTLEGROUND KERALA

Kerala HC issues 10 directives to EC in order to prevent bogus voting

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kochi:01.04.2021

The Kerala high court on Wednesday directed the Election Commission of India to take all possible steps to prevent double voting or impersonated voting during the assembly election. Disposing a petition filed by opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala seeking steps to prevent fake or double voting, a division bench of Chief Justice S Manikumar and Justice Shaji P Chaly issued 10 directives.

It asked the election commission to finalize the list of demographically similar entries (DSE) and absent-shifted-dead voters (ASD) in the voters list and furnish copies to political parties and presiding officers forthwith. The commission should issue a public notice cautioning voters that any attempt to cast multiple votes will be dealt with strictly, it directed.

The photographs of all identified ASD voters should be taken in the polling booths and their signature and thumb impression taken. A declaration should also be collected from such voters, the court said.

It also asked the commission to ensure that ASD voters are allowed to leave the polling booths only after the indelible ink on their finger dries. The court recorded the submission of the election commission’s counsel that photographs of ASD voters will be collected, digitized and kept. All safeguards provided in the Representation of People's Act for free and fair election should be scrupulously followed to avoid multiple or bogus voting, the judgment said.

Ragging: Fresher withdraws plaint against seniors

Ragging: Fresher withdraws plaint against seniors

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mysuru:01.04.2021

In a new twist to the ragging case at Chamarajanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, a compromise has been worked out between the student and the seven seniors who were accused of the offence.

The complainant and his father informed police and CIMS authorities that they will no longer pursue the issue. They also withdrew the complaint.

On Sunday, the first-year student had complained of ragging by the seven seniors during a welcome party in the college hostel.

On Wednesday evening, SP Divya Sara Thomas and senior officials of district police visited the campus and interacted with the college’s anti-ragging committee. At the meeting, the SP advised college authorities to take security measures, including surprise visits to hostels at night, installing CCTV cameras in corridors, interacting with juniors and seniors.

“We asked the anti-ragging committee to be more pro-active,” the SP told TOI.

MU goof-up: Students to take exams with ID cards

MU goof-up: Students to take exams with ID cards

Kevin.Mendonsa@timesgroup.com

Mangaluru:01.04.2021

Perhaps for the first time in the history of Mangalore University (MU), students appearing for first and third semester exams will enter the hall without hall tickets. Due to a technical goof-up, students will have to show their college ID cards.

The development follows the varsity’s adoption of ‘MULinx’, a new in-house software to conduct the examination. However, this led to confusion, and is widely being criticised by students and faculty members, as several colleges failed to receive the list o candidates who can appear for the examination.

Chaos prevailed at several colleges under the university on Wednesday, after students who waited for long hours for hall tickets had to return without one.

At 3 pm, an official circular from the university was released, stating that candidates can appear for exams by producing identity cards issued by the college.

Generally, hall tickets are issued to candidates at least 4-5 days before examination. Not issuing admission tickets till the last minute added to stress and preexam jitters among students. “The university should have been more responsible and quick considering the Covid-19 crisis. However, they and the college administration are at the receiving end. We are not sure how far it is practical to conduct examination without a hall ticket. Besides, the introduction of the new software has led to several changes in the exam process,” said a professor.

College heads who spoke to TOI said they are yet to receive instructions on classroom markings and other details of the exam. “All this must be done at least a day in advance, but we are still awaiting the candidates’ list. That is more important than hall ticket,” said a principal.

‘Hall tickets to be issued in 2 days’

MU registrar (evaluation) PL Dharma, while admitting that it is the varsity’s mistake said: “We have taken measures so that students do not bear the brunt. Hall tickets will be issued in a day or two.”

Referring to the candidates’ list, he said colleges have been asked to allow registration or roll numbers that have been uploaded on the official website. In a message sent to colleges and students,he said the exam will be held as per the timetable. If a candidate has tested positive and is in a position to write the exam, the college will have to make arrangements, he added.

Colleges enhance safety norms as campuses turn containment zones

Colleges enhance safety norms as campuses turn containment zones

SruthySusan.Ullas@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:01.04.2021

With several educational institutions turning hotspots for Covid-19 infections, authorities in many colleges in the city are increasing vigilance and introducing stringent safety measures to avoid infections on campus.

For instance, RV College of Engineering (RVCE) in Bengaluru, where two faculty members had recently contracted the infection, has told fourth and sixth semester students to continue with online classes for the next three weeks.

“Even though we had started off with one student per hostel room, many were sharing rooms. Now, we have gone back to one student per room,” said principal KN Subramanya. RVCE has around 1,200 students on campus now.

BMS College of Engineering (BMSCE) has also rolled back to a blended form with batches alternating on various days. “We have formed a task force of faculty members who have been tasked with conducting random checks to ensure Covid protocols like social distancing and wearing masks are followed. The BMS hospital is also open for testing students and faculty,” said BV Ravi Shankar, principal, BMSCE. A student from the college said security guards conduct checks to ensure everyone wears a mask. NMKRV College for Women had planned to start on-campus classes from March 15 but when all students and faculty members — numbering some 2,000 — were subjected to Covid-19 tests and two students tested positive, the plan was abandoned.

“We then decided to take it slowly,” said Snehalatha G, principal. “While our science students come to the campus since they have lab classes to attend, a large majority of other students are taking classes online.”

Colleges where exams are underway too are taking precautions. “We have created a special email id and a faculty in charge,” said Meera HN, principal, Sheshadripuram main college. “The other day, special arrangements were made for one of our students, who was a primary contact, to write the exam. He walked in later than other students and left after others left.”

Visvesvaraya Technological University has asked all the toppers to furnish RT-PCR test results to attend the convocation ceremony scheduled on April 3. If their drivers too are not tested, they will not be allowed to step out of the vehicle. A maximum of 100 students will be seated in an auditorium which has a capacity to seat 800, university officials said.

TOI had reported that of the 29 containment zones in BBMP limits in the past two weeks, 10 were educational institutions. As on Tuesday evening, a total 89 students were infected. The higher education department had, however, made it clear that classes and exams will continue offline, but under stricter vigil. Students are wary as many say norms are not being followed strictly and are demanding online classes again. .

UNSAFE FEELING: Although safety measures are being ramped up, students are wary and demanding a return to online mode

17 MORE INFECTED AT MIT

Udupi/Mangaluru:

Manipal Institute of Technology continued to report fresh Covid-19 infections although not as many as previously. The campus was declared a containment zone. Of a total 56 cases reported from Udupi district on Wednesday, MIT accounted for 17. This takes the total number of infections on the campus to 1,042. Many inmates in several hostels are infected. Of the total cases reported from the district, 39 were from Udupi taluk. The district also reported the death of a 90-year-old woman. Health minister K Sudhakar, who was in Mangaluru, told officials to ensure people followed Covidappropriate behaviour. TNN