2-month break in service for guest faculty members: BDU

USUAL PRACTICE

2-month break in service for guest faculty members: BDU

Sambath.Kumar@timesgroup.com

Trichy:21.04.2021

Bharathidasan University has decided to give a break in service to guest faculty members working in university departments and PG extension centres for May and June. There are 80-odd guest faculty members working on consolidated pay and hourly basis who will not be getting their salaries for these two months according to the orders issued by university registrar in-charge G Gopinath on Monday.

Though this is a usual practice every year due to college vacation, they were given an exemption last year in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. What has set off panic this year is the registrar’s order asking principals of 10 constituent colleges to take a decision on retaining them for these two months and give extension based on necessity. Since 2012, guest faculty members in constituent colleges were not given break in service during May-June.

There are over 600 guest faculty members working in erstwhile constituent colleges under BDU that were recently converted into government colleges. “The decision to give break in service this year when we are in the throes of a second wave is unfortunate,” said an affected guest faculty member at the university. While they are paid a minimum of Rs15,000 a month, it will be difficult to manage without that salary too for two months during the pandemic, said the faculty member.

However, many are optimistic of being retained considering the fact that semester examination is beginning from May first week and staff are required for subsequent months for evaluation of answer scripts, said a guest lecturer at a constituent college. BDU registrar in-charge G Gopinath told TOI that the decision to give break in service was according to university norms and last year was an exception. “The heads of departments can retain some of the staff based on requirement and same is the case with constituent college principals,” he said.

AICTE insists on new rule to sanction new courses

AICTE insists on new rule to sanction new courses

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:20.04.2021

Much to the chagrin of private engineering colleges who could not fill at least 50% of their seats last year, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has decided to contest a Madras high court order permitting such colleges to apply for new courses this year.

At least 258 engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu were able to apply for new courses following an interim order of the high court.

However, AICTE has now clarified that it has not relaxed the minimum 50% admission norm, and that it would contest the interim orders of the high court.

"AICTE has allowed the colleges only to apply for new courses. We are contesting the interim order. The norm was introduced to improve the quality of engineering programmes," an AICTE official said.

It all began with the AICTE’s approval process handbook for 2021-22, where it had stated that new courses would be allowed only in case of more than 50% overall enrolment last year.

Assailing the new norms, Consortium of Self-Financing Professional, Arts and Science Colleges in Tamil Nadu moved the high court and obtained an interim stay against the regulation. The consortium also sent a representation to the AICTE to give relaxation based on the court order. Meanwhile, the court extended the interim stay till April 26.

Pursuant to the court order, AICTE allowed 258 engineering members of the consortium to apply for new courses on its web portal.

A representative from the consortium said more than 100 engineering colleges were interested to apply for new courses. "The council is not opening the portal for the colleges, which had already submitted their application, for approval. New courses will be the lifeline for the engineering courses which are facing the survival test," he said.

Colleges said students were not preferring traditional engineering courses like civil, electrical and electronics and mechanical engineering, resulting in poor admissions last year.

"We need to be allowed to start a new course in emerging areas, including artificial intelligence and data science, cyber security, among others. It would ensure the survival of these colleges," the representative said.

Long-distance buses leave early, demand shoots up for trains, flights

Long-distance buses leave early, demand shoots up for trains, flights

Ram Sundaram & Deepak Karthik TNN

Chennai/Trichy:  21.04.2021

Long-distance government buses began leaving the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus in Koyambedu from 4.30am on Tuesday, when the new restrictions kicked in, to ensure they reached their destinations before night curfew came into effect at10pm.

The last bus to southern districts of Tirunelveli, Nagercoil or Tuticorin left before 8am, while there was not a single State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) bus to Coimbatore after 10.30am. Against the 300 SETC buses that are operated from Chennai, just160 left CMBT on Tuesday, according to official data.

Passenger footfalls dropped sharply, with barely 15-20 seats occupied in every bus. Rajesh, a SETC conductor, said, “Besides the fear of Covid-19, excess heat is also a factor which deters many passengers from taking morning buses to faraway places.”

The situation was no different in districts like Trichy, Madurai or Salem, with several buses taken back to depots as there were not enough passengers.

Amid this, contradictory statements about operation of private buses belonging to two major associations left passengers confused. While one claimed services have been put on hold, the other claimed around 400 buses were operated.

Mohammed Afzal, president of Tamil Nadu Omni Bus Owners Association, said 20% of the 2,500 private buses in the state will continue be made available for public in the morning hours following government guidelines.

Ticket fares were halved for A/C buses, but there were not many takers. R Balakrishnan, a bus operator from Trichy, said that passengers were scared about what would happen if the buses reached late and they were stuck at the bus stand without transport to their houses. “Also, not many are keen on sacrificing one full day of their leave/holidays on travel,” he said.

The state government is yet to respond to bus operators' request to allow limited services at night. As a result, demand for morning trains shot up. Non A/C seats and sleeper class tickets got filled for travelling between Chennai and Trichy, Madurai and Coimbatore. Almost 60% of A/C seats on trains for commute in the coming days were also filled.

NOT MANY TAKERS: A view of the deserted Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus, Koyambedu, on Tuesday. Ticket fares were halved for A/C buses, but there were not many takers

Engg, Arch exams in open book mode

Engg, Arch exams in open book mode

The notification also said that the final semester exams will be held online under a Multiple Choice Question pattern.

Published: 20th April 2021 04:49 AM 

By Sushmitha Ramakrishnan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: A day after the Anna University announced that the April/May 2021 end semester exams for all UG and PG students will be conducted in an open book type, it extended the provision to engineering and architecture students of all affiliated institutions, too, barring those in their final semesters.

A notification released on Saturday said that students will write exams for a total of 50 marks, and they will be given 90 minutes to complete the exams online. The university has said that this is a one time measure taken in view of the pandemic. The question paper will have two segments: the first for 10 marks comprising five two-mark questions; the second part, for 40 marks, shall have five eight-mark questions. The questions under either segments will be from separate chapters and students shall have no choice.

While there is a common misconception that open book tests are easy, in reality, the questions are aimed at testing students’ applied knowledge of technical subjects. The university has said that all questions, “shall be of analytical type with no direct answers from text/reference books.”

A senior faculty from Anna University told Express that the success of this method depends on the nature of questions asked. “It doesn’t make sense to ask definitions and derivations in an open book exam. But rather test the application knowledge students have,” he said.

Students can however refer to course material in physical form as well as from the web. But getting answers from others or discussing the answers in groups shall be construed as malpractice. “Open book is expected to be harder than regular exams. When they say open books, they usually refer to data sets from books, like design data and log books, used commonly in engineering. This means students will have to scourge data and solve complicated problems. It won’t simplify the exams,” said KM Karthik, leader of All India Private College Employees Union (AIPCEU).

The response among students is currently mixed. While some students who have had proper access to online education said that it is a good initiative, others fear they may be unable to suddenly adapt to a new paper pattern in the middle of a lockdown. The notification also said that the final semester exams will be held online under a Multiple Choice Question pattern.

When Express approached to ask if the open-book exam mode will be expanded to other universities as well, S Apoorva, principal secretary to the government, Higher Education Department, said she was unaware of the varsity’s decision to make the exam open book.

Is another spell of reverse migration beginning?

Is another spell of reverse migration beginning?

Some of the people waiting at the station complained about the lack of tickets and how people are not allowed in without confirmed tickets.

Published: 20th April 2021 04:52 AM 

Migrant labourers at Central railway station in Chennai on Monday | R Satish Babu

By CP Balasubramanyam

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Fearing a repeat of last year’s distress, associations of people from the Northeast living in the State have called for an urgent consultative meeting on Wednesday. The agenda is to take stock of the pandemic situation and decide the course of action. With the State government announcing a partial lockdown, migrant workers worry that the agony they faced last year will return.

In what is feared to be the beginning of another spell of reverse migration, scores of workers from northern States were on Monday seen waiting outside Chennai’s Central railway station with heaps of luggage. Among them was a group of youngsters who work at Thandalam. They had reserved tickets, but reached more than six hours ahead of their scheduled departure to Balasore in Odisha because they didn’t want to take any chances.

Some of the people waiting at the station complained about the lack of tickets and how people are not allowed in without confirmed tickets. With platform tickets costing `50 since mid-March, workers had to think twice to enter the station to squeeze into a general compartment.

A native of Bihar, 26-year-old Preetam (name changed), alleged a railway employee demanded a `500 bribe to let him in the station without a confirmed ticket. “Despite paying him, I will be fined again by the TTE for not possessing a ticket. I may as well give that money to the TTE and request him to let me stay on the train,” he said.

Julfikar Baig (28), a native of Medinipur municipality in West Bengal, had a different story to tell. An employee at a restaurant in Palakkad, Kerala, he had to come to Chennai to get a train to the eastern State. “There’s going to be a lockdown. So my employer told me to decide whether I want to leave. I took some money as an advance and left. Last year, everything happened so quickly and we didn’t have time to breathe,” he said, adding that he doesn’t want to risk delaying his trip this year.

RPF officials, on the other hand, said there was nothing unusual about the crowd at the station. “This is the normal crowd that visits the station every day. Only a partial lockdown has been announced and it’s too early to decide on anything,” an official said, adding that passengers are allowed only through three gates, and there are enough staff to handle a spike in the number of passengers. However, many porters said they are witnessing a spike in the number of migrants flocking the station.

Northeast India Welfare Association (Chennai) president Wapang Toshi told Express that though he does not think a full lockdown would be imposed, migrant workers are certainly apprehensive, and some have already left. A businessman who runs a company at the Ambattur Industrial Estate said people migrate depending on what they see in the media, on WhatsApp, and what their peers say. “They see people returning from other States, the message spreads, and reverse migration happens. If people use their minds, they will stay back,” he said.

Allow us to work from home: Secretariat staff

Allow us to work from home: Secretariat staff

In view of the worsening situation, the employees are requesting the government to allow them to work from home.

Published: 19th April 2021 09:16 AM 

By Express News Service

VIJAYAWADA: Secretariat employees are a worried lot after two of their colleagues reportedly died from Covid-19 this weekend. As such, they are requesting the state government to allow them to work from home.

G Ravikanth, who worked as a section officer in the General Administration Department, and V Padma Rao, an assistant secretary in the Finance department, lost the battle to the contagious disease. Rao and his wife, also a government employee, were undergoing treatment for Covid-19.

Speaking to TNIE, AP Secretariat Employees president Venkata Rami Reddy, who is now in home isolation after testing positive, said the increasing number of cases has created an unease among the secretariat staff.

“Including outsourcing employees, around 3,000 people work at the Secretariat. Of them, 30 have tested positive. Results of some others are yet to arrive,” he said.

In view of the worsening situation, the employees are requesting the government to allow them to work from home. “If that’s not possible, at least allow those above 50 years of age or are keeping ill and have medical complications to work from home,” Venkatarami Reddy appealed to the government.

How are political parties manning the strong rooms? A sneak peek...

How are political parties manning the strong rooms? A sneak peek...

Spot visit by Express revealed that DMK and AIADMK candidates have deployed three persons a day for each constituency on shift basis.

Published: 19th April 2021 04:13 AM |

Agents for candidates from various political parties watching the CCTV videos of the strong room at GCT | Express

By B Anbuselvan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: With counting of votes for the April 6 Assembly elections scheduled on May 2, monitoring of strong rooms that house the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units have been keeping political party cadre on their toes. With three-tier security arrangements, the EVMs are guarded by Central forces round the clock.

In addition, representatives of contestants also carry out vigilance for strong rooms. EVMs and VVPATs for 16 constituencies in Chennai are stored at Loyola College, Anna University, and Queen Mary’s College. Spot visit by Express revealed that DMK and AIADMK candidates have deployed three persons a day for each constituency on shift basis. The shift timings are fixed as follows: 6 am to 2 pm, 2 pm to 10 pm, and 10 pm to 6 am.

The agents would be most trusted local functionaries or their relatives. Interestingly, candidates from actor Kamal Hassan’s MNM deploy two persons a day, while NTK, AMMK, and DMDK candidates have not engaged their men. A tent was set up with plastic chairs for 20 to 25 persons. The representatives were allowed to monitor the visuals of CCTV cameras installed at various locations through electronic screens near the tent.

At Loyola College, six to seven AIADMK representatives monitor the strong rooms, while more than ten DMK cadre are involved in vigilance. The college houses the EVMs and VVPATs of Kolathur, Perambur, Villivakkam, Egmore, Thousand Lights, and Anna Nagar constituencies.

“In view of possible scuffles at counting centres, DMK candidates have fielded three to four of their close confidants as independents in every constituency. Thus, apart from representatives of the DMK candidates, the party’s functionaries are also involved in vigilance duty as nominees of independent candidates,” said M Alexandar, MNM representative at Loyola College. The persons deployed by AIADMK and DMK say that they watch the CCTV footage and vehicle movements in the area. The nominees are allowed to use mobile phones for making phone calls.

VN Babu of DMK from Thousand Lights, said, “Power supply for the strong room, where the EVMs and VVPATs are stored had been disconnected and there were no CCTV cameras there. But the visuals of the surveillance cameras that are installed at entry and exit points for strong rooms, steps, and other places in the campus can be monitored through the screen. The presence of Central forces can also be seen in the visuals.” However, the agents pointed out that they closely monitor the entry of unauthorised persons and vehicles into the campus.

“So, we are told water tanks are filled through trucks outsourced from the Metro Water. We check the movement of trucks in person and supervise the works till the trucks leave the campuses,” said a DMK nominee for Anna Nagar. He added that they also question the entry of any unauthorised persons near the strong rooms.” Interestingly, AIADMK and DMK contestants also pay visits to the counting centres on a daily basis.

Counting centres and constituencies in Chennai and its suburbs

Queen Marry’s College: R K Nagar, Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, Royapuram, Harbour & Chepauk - Tiruvallikeni

Loyola College: Kolathur, Perambur, Villivakkam, Egmore, Thousand Lights & Anna Nagar

Anna University, Guindy: Virugampakkam, Saidapet, T Nagar, Mylapore & Velachery

Madras Christian College, Tambaram: Sholinganallur, Pallavaram & Tambaram

Sri Ram Polytechnic College, Perumalpattu: Ambattur, Maduravoyal, Madhavaram & Thituvottiyur

Sri Ram Vidhya Mandir Matric. Hr. Sec. School, Perumalpattu : Avadi, Gummidipundi, Ponneri & Poonamallee

தினமும் இரவு 8:00 மணி வரை அரசு விரைவு பஸ்கள் ஓடும்

தினமும் இரவு 8:00 மணி வரை அரசு விரைவு பஸ்கள் ஓடும்

Added : ஏப் 20, 2021 00:07

சென்னை : கொரோனா தொற்றின் இரண்டாம் அலை அதி தீவிரமாக பரவுவதால், பல்வேறு கட்டுப்பாடுகளை, அரசு விதித்துள்ளது.

இன்று முதல், தொலைதுார பயணங்களுக்கான, அரசு விரைவு போக்குவரத்து கழக பஸ்கள், அதிகாலை, 4:00 மணி முதல், இரவு, 8:00 மணி வரை மட்டுமே இயங்கும்.இது குறித்து, விரைவு போக்குவரத்து கழக மேலாண் இயக்குனர் இளங்கோவன் கூறியதாவது:கொரோனா கட்டுப்பாடுகள் காரணமாக, இன்று முதல் இரவு நேர ஊரடங்கு அமலுக்கு வருகிறது. அதன்படி, வெளி மாநிலம் மற்றும் மாவட்டங்களுக்கு இடையேயான, பொது மற்றும் தனியார் போக்குவரத்து சேவைக்கு அனுமதி கிடையாது.

எனவே, தொலைதுாரம்செல்லும் பஸ்களை, அதாவது, சென்னை உள்ளிட்ட தொழில் நகரங்களில் இருந்து புறப்படும் பஸ்கள் மற்றும் வெளியூர்களில் இருந்து தொழில் நகரங்களுக்கு வரும் பஸ்கள், இரவு, 8:00 மணிக்குள் சென்றடையும் வகையில், பயண அட்டவணை தயாரிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இரவு, 8:00 மணிக்குள் விரைவு பஸ்கள் போய் சேர்ந்தால் தான், அந்த ஊர்களில் இருந்து, மற்ற பஸ்சிலோ வேறு வாகனங்களிலோ ஏறி, இருப்பிடங்களுக்குச் செல்ல முடியும்.இந்த இயக்கத்தின் போது, கொரோனா தடுப்பு நடவடிக்கைகளான முக கவசம் அணிதல், உடல் வெப்ப நிலையை பரிசோதனை செய்தல், கூட்ட நெரிசலை தவிர்த்தல் உள்ளிட்ட கட்டுப்பாடுகளை பின்பற்றும்படி, ஓட்டுனர், நடத்துனர், பயணியருக்கு அறிவுறுத்தப்படுகிறது.

ரத்து செய்யலாம்ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமைகளில் முழு ஊரடங்கு அமலாவதால், அன்று பஸ்கள் இயங்காது. எனவே, வெளியூர் பயணத்துக்கு திட்டமிட்டுள்ளோர், மற்ற நாட்களில் செல்லும் வகையில், திட்டமிடுவது நல்லது.ஏற்கனவே, இரவு நேரத்தில் பயணம் செய்யும் வகையில், முன்பதிவு செய்துள்ள பயணியர், தங்களின் பயண நேரத்தை, விருப்பப்படி தேதி மற்றும் நேரத்தை மாற்றியமைத்து கொள்ள, பஸ் நிலையத்துக்கு அருகில் உள்ள கட்டுப்பாட்டு அலுவலகத்தை அணுகலாம்.பயணத்தை ரத்து செய்பவர்களுக்கு, பஸ் கட்டணம் திரும்ப வழங்கப்படும்.

இணையதளத்தின் வழியாக முன்பதிவு செய்துள்ளோரும், ரத்து செய்து, கட்டணத்தை திரும்பப் பெறலாம்.கூடுதல் பஸ்கள்மாநகர போக்குவரத்து கழகத்தைப் பொறுத்தவரை, பயணியர் நின்று கொண்டு பயணம் செய்ய தடை விதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளதால், முக்கிய வழித் தடங்களில் கூடுதல் பஸ்கள் இயக்கப்படுகின்றன.மேலும், அரசு விதித்துள்ள இரவு ஊரடங்கினை பின்பற்றி, அதிகாலை, ௪.00 மணி தொடங்கி இரவு, 10.00 மணி வரையிலும், பஸ்கள் இயக்கப்படும்.இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறினார்.

மதுரையில் இருந்து வெளியூர் செல்ல கடைசி பஸ்கள் நேரம் அறிவிப்பு

மதுரையில் இருந்து வெளியூர் செல்ல கடைசி பஸ்கள் நேரம் அறிவிப்பு

Added : ஏப் 20, 2021 02:00

மதுரை : தமிழகத்தில் இன்று முதல் இரவுநேர ஊரடங்கு (இரவு 10:00 - காலை 4:00 மணி) அமல்படுத்தப்படுவதால் மதுரையில் இருந்து வெளி மாவட்டங்களுக்கு கடைசியாக இயக்கப்படும் அரசு பஸ்கள் நேரம் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

ஆரப்பாளையம்  மற்றும் மாட்டுத்தாவணி பஸ் ஸ்டாண்ட்களில் இருந்து கடைசியாக இயக்கப்படும் பஸ்கள் நேரம் விவரம்:ஆரப்பாளையம் பஸ் ஸ்டாண்டில் இருந்து சேலம், கோவை, ஈரோடு - மாலை 5:00 மணி. கொடைக்கானல் -மாலை 5:45 மணி. திருப்பூர், பொள்ளாச்சி- மாலை 6:00 மணி. கரூர், கம்பம், பழநி - இரவு 7:00 மணி. தேனி, பெரியகுளம், திண்டுக்கல்- இரவு 8:00 மணி. நிலக்கோட்டை (வழி சோழவந்தான்) - இரவு 8:30 மணி.

மாட்டுத்தாவணி பஸ் ஸ்டாண்டில் இருந்து திருச்செந்துார், நாகர்கோவில் - மாலை 5:00 மணி. ராமேஸ்வரம், தென்காசி - மாலை 6:00 மணி. திருச்சி, ராமநாதபுரம், நெல்லை - இரவு 7:00 மணி. ராஜபாளையம் - இரவு 7:30 மணி. சிவகங்கை, கோவில்பட்டி, சிவகாசி - இரவு 8:00 மணி. அருப்புக்கோட்டை, நத்தம் - இரவு 8:30 மணி.மாவட்ட பகுதி மற்றும் மாநகராட்சி எல்லைக்குள் இரவு 10:00 மணிக்குள் பஸ்கள் போய் சேரும் வகையில் இயக்கப்படும்.

ஞாயிறு முழு ஊரடங்கில் இயக்கப்படாது என பொது மேலாளர் ராஜேஸ்வரன் தெரிவித்துள்ளார். சென்னைக்கு மதுரையில் இருந்து சென்னைக்கு செல்லும் அனைத்து அரசு விரைவு போக்குவரத்துக் கழக பஸ்களும் பகல் 12:00 மணிக்கு மேல் இயக்கப்படாது என பொது மேலாளர் (எஸ்.இ.டி.சி.,) அபிமன்யூ தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

'ஆன்லைன்' சேவை பேரூராட்சிகளில் துவக்கம்

'ஆன்லைன்' சேவை பேரூராட்சிகளில் துவக்கம்

Added : ஏப் 20, 2021 01:41

பேரூராட்சிகளில் முடங்கியிருந்த, 'ஆன்லைன்' சேவை, மீண்டும் செயல்பாட்டுக்கு வந்தது.மாநிலத்தில் உள்ள பேரூராட்சிகளில், 2012 -- 13 நிதியாண்டு முதல், நிர்வாக பணிகள் கம்ப்யூட்டர் மயமாக்கப்பட்டன.

சொத்து வரி, குடிநீர் கட்டணம், தொழில் வரி வசூல், கட்டட அனுமதி, பிறப்பு, இறப்பு சான்று பணிகள், பிரத்யேக, 'சாப்ட்வேர்' உதவியுடன், 'ஆன்லைன்' மூலம் மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டன. இணையதள சேவையை, தனியார் நிறுவனத்தினர் பராமரித்து வந்தனர். கடந்த முதல் தேதியில் இருந்து, இணைய சேவை முடங்கியது. மத்திய அரசின் தகவல் தொழில்நுட்ப துறையின் கீழ் செயல்படும், தேசிய தகவல் மையமான, 'நிக்' கட்டுப் பாட்டின் கீழ், இணைய சேவையை கொண்டு வர உள்ளதாக கூறப்பட்டது.இந்நிலையில், நேற்று முதல், மீண்டும் இணையதள சேவை துவங்கியது. 'அடுத்த மாதம், 31ம் தேதி வரை, தனியார் நிறுவனத்தினரே இணைய சேவை பராமரிப்பு பணிகளை மேற்கொள்வர்' என, அதிகாரிகள் கூறினர்.

Delhi placed under lockdown for a week; no option, says Kejriwal

Delhi placed under lockdown for a week; no option, says Kejriwal

‘Health Infra May Collapse Otherwise’

AlokKNMishra@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:20.04.2021

A beleaguered Delhi government has imposed a week-long lockdown in the city from 10 pm onwards on Monday till 5 am on April 26 to arrest the alarming rise in Covid cases. The surge has left the healthcare infrastructure stretched to its limits and caused acute shortage of oxygen. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal warned that if strict measures were not taken now, the healthcare system could collapse.

All non-essential movement, including that of domestic helps, has been prohibited. Public parks, malls, markets, liquor shops, barber shops, saloons, beauty parlours, cinemas, non-essential private offices, etc. will remain shut with the aim to break the chain of coronavirus transmission.

Migrants climb into buses to leave New Delhi on Monday

Travel agents appeal to keep offices shut in Guj

Due to the steep surge in Covid-19 cases, Travel Agents’ Federation of India (TAFI) – Gujarat has appealed to all travel agents to keep their offices shut till April 30 as a self-awareness measure. Other trade associations, such as jewellery markets in Ratanpole and Manek Chowk, cutlery market, Madhupura, and New Madhupura markets and the grain merchants association also extended their plans for keeping their markets shut over the weekend till the end of April. TNN P3

CAPITAL LOCKDOWN

Delhi public transport to run with restricted capacity

Public transport like the metro, buses, cabs and autorickshaws will be allowed to run with a restricted sitting capacity but they can carry only those people who are exempted from the lockdown.

“If the health system collapses, then I fear we might witness a huge tragedy," said the CM at a press conference after discussing the Covid situation with lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal. Kejriwal said he has always been opposed to such lockdowns but the government was left with no other option.

Soon after the announcement, migrant workers began gathering at Anand Vihar ISBT while many people stormed various liquor shops across the city to stock up. In the melee, Covid-appropriate behaviour went for a toss.

“I understand how people lose their jobs and salaries during lockdowns. This is especially difficult for the economically weaker sections and daily wage labourers. The last time a lockdown was imposed in the entire country, we saw how a large number of migrant workers began returning to their villages. I would like to appeal to them, with folded hands, that this is a short lockdown, for six days. Please do not leave Delhi. You will lose a lot of time, money and energy in travelling. Stay in Delhi. I strongly believe that this short lockdown would not be extended,” said Kejriwal.

Among the exemptions that have been granted is the movement of people for marriage- related gatherings. Up to 50 people will be allowed on producing a soft or hard copy of the wedding card while only up to 20 people will be allowed for funeral-related gatherings. All other social, political and religious gatherings have been banned. Visitors have been barred from religious places which, however, can stay open. Bars and restaurants will remain closed but home delivery is allowed.

The lockdown was announced the day the weekend lockdown ended. Unlike the 2020 lockdown, this short lockdown does not prohibit interstate travel.

People can go to the airport, railway stations and ISBT with avalid ticket and also use public transport services.

‘How are you, son?’ Woman calls up dead son from outside hosp

‘How are you, son?’ Woman calls up dead son from outside hosp

Yogesh Chawda & Parth Shastri TNN

Ahmedabad:  20.04.2021

Poonam Solanki, in her late sixties, stood outside the 1,200-bed Covid hospital at Civil Hospital here recently. A phone in hand, she was on a video call with her son Mahendra, 30.

“How are you son? Do they give you good food? I’m praying for your fast recovery from corona,” she told her son on the other side of the call. She hung up after asking him to get well and return home soon. The call lasted for over five minutes.

For any passerby, Poonam could have been one of the hundreds of people talking to their relatives fighting Covid-19 infection inside hospital wards — the only difference was that Poonam’s son had succumbed to the virus six months ago.

Poonam’s relative told TOI that Mahendra died on September 24 at the Civil Hospital and what Poonam sees on her screen is the last recording of the video call with him.

“He ran a milk parlour in Narol. He was hospitalized here for about 5-6 days before he succumbed to the infection. He was very close to his mother. She is aware that her son is no more but there are days when, overcome with grief, she slips into denial and comes to the Civil Hospital in a bid to connect with him. As she is mostly alright, we get her to the hospital and to the same spot where she last chatted with Mahendra.

“This gives her a sense of calm. We know it is not healthy but we don’t have a better way to help her handle her grief,” said a relative.

With Covid-19 unleashing an unprecedented tragedy in the state, there are many people across Gujarat who are left grappling with the sudden loss of their near and dear one

Govt has already executed measures suggested by Manmohan: Vardhan

Govt has already executed measures suggested by Manmohan: Vardhan

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:20.04.2021

Former PM Manmohan Singh’s five-point advisory to PM Narendra Modi on Sunday on how to fight the Covid-19 pandemic drew a sharp response from health minister Harsh Vardhan who said the ex-PM was being misled by his advisors as the government has already implemented the steps suggested by him.

“It does seem that those who drafted your letter or advised you have done a great disservice to your standing by misleading you regarding material that is already in public domain. For example, take the point that you have mentioned about allowing import of vaccines that have already been approved by credible foreign authorities. You made this suggestion on April 18 but a decision on this was taken a week ahead of your suggestion, on April 11,” Vardhan said.

“The same is the case with your suggestion regarding providing funds and other concessions to augment vaccine manufacturing. This decision was also taken many days before receipt of your letter and multiple vaccine manufacturing entities have been funded by the government to immediately enhance production,” the minister added.

In his response, released hours before Singh tested positive for Covid-19 and had to be admitted to AIIMS, Vardhan agreed with the former PM’s emphasis on vaccination as a defence against the pandemic, but said the government had already rolled out the world’s biggest vaccination drive.

Full report on www.toi.in

SHARP RESPONSE: Health minister Harsh Vardhan said former PM Manmohan Singh was being misled by his advisors

Modi urges top doctors to dispel rumours about Covid treatment

Modi urges top doctors to dispel rumours about Covid treatment

Meets Pharma Industry Leaders, Lauds Their Role In Covid Battle

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:20.04.2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged the country’s leading doctors to educate people against rumours on Covid-19 treatment and prevention.

“In these difficult times, it is very important that people do not become a victim of panic. Along with proper treatment, emphasis must also be on counselling of patients admitted in hospitals,” the PM said while interacting with doctors via video conferencing on the Covid-19 issue and vaccination. Modi also encouraged doctors to use tele-medicine for treatment of other diseases, in case there was no emergency.

Prominent doctors including Devi Shetty, Shashank Joshi, Naresh Trehan, Sushila Kataria and IMA president J A Jayalal, along with several others, attended the interaction with the PM.

The PM said the pandemic was spreading rapidly in Tier 2 and 3 cities as well. He called for accelerating efforts to upgrade resources in such places. He urged doctors to connect with their colleagues working in Tier 2 and 3 cities and give them online consultations to ensure that all protocols are followed correctly.

“During the same time last year, it was due to our doctors’ hard work and the nation’s strategy that we were able to control the coronavirus wave. Now that the country is facing the second wave, all doctors, our frontline workers, are confronting the pandemic with full force, and are saving the lives of millions of people,” the PM said, adding that vaccination was the biggest weapon in the fight against coronavirus.

Later, the PM interacted with leaders of the pharmaceutical industry via video conferencing. He noted the crucial role of the pharma sector in the fight against the pandemic and appreciated reduction in the price of drugs like remdesivir. To keep the supply of medicines and medical equipment smooth, he urged the pharma industry to ensure seamless supply chains.

Full report on www.toi.in

NO ALTERNATIVE: In a virtual interaction with doctors, PM Modi said vaccination was the biggest weapon in the Covid fight

Remdesivir no magic bullet: AIIMS chief

New Delhi:

Amid rising concerns about shortage of medicines and oxygen while the country reels under a massive surge in Covid-19 cases across the country, AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria emphasised on the need to follow the ‘right time and right usage’ of drugs, steroids and oxygen in treatment of hospitalised patients.

Underlining that most patients in home settings do not require these medicines and are recovering with proper care and clinical management, Dr Guleria said the drugs being used in treatment of Covid-19 are ‘investigational’ and therefore need to be used properly as per the protocol. “It’s important to understand that remdesivir isn’t a magic bullet and isn’t a drug that decreases mortality. We may use it as we don’t have an anti-viral drug. It’s of no use if given early to asymptomatic individuals or ones with mild symptoms. Also of no use, if given late,” Dr Guleria said. TNN

Tour operators hit as people cancel trips

Tour operators hit as people cancel trips

Devanathan.Veerappan@timesgroup.com

Madurai:20.04.2021

Tour operators in Madurai are witnessing large-scale cancellation of trips following the second Covid-19 wave. Operators say that this comes at a time when domestic tourism just started picking up demand.

There are around 50 tour operators in Madurai district, who handle organized trips to domestic and foreign locations. All sorts of tours including leisure, medical and corporate have come down ever since the pandemic broke out.

Domestic tourism started picking up a few months ago after states relaxed restrictions and normalcy returned. People from southern districts were planning tours for recreation to destinations such as Kashmir, Goa and north eastern states this summer. But they have started cancelling them as Covid-19 cases are touching new heights.

“Our members had a considerable number of bookings to destinations such as Kashmir and a few north east states. But they are receiving requests for cancellations at the last minute,” Forum of Tour Organisers president A Satheesh Kumar said.

“Tourism was the first industry to be affected and will be the last industry to be revived due to Covid-19. Tour operators are struggling to cope with the situation. Air ticket bookings has also come down drastically.

“Many flights are also getting cancelled throughout the nation due to less demand,” he said.

Travel Club president (Madurai) G Raveendran said that tourists from other states who were planning holidays in tourist destinations in southern districts are also cancelling. Apart from tour organisers, hoteliers too are affected. “A prominent hotel in Kodaikanal has seen cancellation of 600 rooms booked for this week alone. Some of the corporate companies, which planned holidays for its employees have cancelled them at the last minute,” he said.

The situation looks grim for international tourism in the next couple of years as business travel abroad has come to a standstill.

However, lakhs of money paid by tour operators in advance for ticketing has been locked up with airline agencies.

“Tour operators are in the midst of financial distress. If the money held by airlines is released, we can get some relief. The Central government should intervene and take measures to get us the money. We do not know when we can make use of it as revival is not in sight for now,” he said.

People from southern districts were planning tours for recreation to destinations such as Kashmir, Goa and north eastern states this summer. But they have started cancelling them as Covid-19 cases are touching new heights

Sailing from Chennai to Russia in just 24 hours

TIME IS MONEY

Sailing from Chennai to Russia in just 24 hours

New Sea Link To Vladivostok To Help Avoid Middle East

V Ayyappan & P Oppili | TNN

20.04.2021

If everything goes as per plan, giant oil tanker ships carrying crude oil or LNG may sail into Chennai from Vladivostok in Russia in a year.

Two years after it was first mooted, Chennai Port Trust will start the process to identify a consultant this week to study feasibility of a Chennai-Vladivostok sea link via the Straits of Malacca and South China Sea, covering ports in Malaysia, Philippines and South Korea.

A tender was floated in March and the technical bids will be opened on Friday. The commercial bids or final bids are expected to be opened on April 22.

The consultant will study the route, its revenue potential, the goods that can be transported and other details in around four to five months after the contract has been awarded.

The Eastern maritime corridor is shorter and ships will be able to sail to the destination in Russia in 24hours as against the longer route via Suez Canal and Europe.

The main aim of the route is to import crude oil and LNG as part of the efforts to explore import options from countries other than those in the Middle East, said an official.

ONGC Videsh has already started production in an offshore field off Sakhalin Islands in Russia. There is also scope for bringing coal, timber, machinery, agriculture produce, vehicles, tin, gold, diamond and other materials from Russia.

Sources in the Chennai Port Trust said there are some cargo movements from Chennai to Vladivostok at present. This cargo passes through Visakhapatnam, Kolkata, Myanmar, Malaysia and reaches Suez Canal from there to the east coast of Russia. This also means that the cargo needs to be clubbed with those headed to other ports. So far there is no direct connectivity between Chennai port and the Russian ports. Hence it was proposed to take up the study to explore the possibility of improving the trade between the two nations.

“We feel that if a study on this route is done, it will help in understanding the potential that it will provide to those in the trade. The study will also help in learning about the types of cargo that can be transported from Chennai to Vladivostok,” said a senior official. The route is being prepared after Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed an agreement at Vladivostok in 2019.

The proposed eastern maritime corridor will link ports of Chennai, Visakhapatnam and Kolkata with those of ports in Vladivostok, Vostochny and Olga in the east coast of Russia.

City hospital performs rare surgery

City hospital performs rare surgery

Chennai:20.04.2021

Doctors at Rela Hospital have performed a liver transplantation without blood transfusion on a 3-year-old Ukrainian girl.

Milana was referred to the hospital with a critical medical condition. Since her family belongs to Jehovah’s Witness (followers of a Christian faith that prohibits use of blood or blood products during treatment) her parents asked for performing the surgery without blood transfusion, an official release said.

Hospital chairman professor Mohamed Rela said with liver failure blood does not clot and meticulous care was taken during surgery to reduce blood loss.

Rlys, airlines crack down on mask violation

Rlys, airlines crack down on mask violation

Chennai:20.04.2021

Airlines and railways have started to penalise passengers for not wearing masks.

While Southern Railway collected ₹500 fine from 290 passengers each at major railway stations in the city in the last two days, a 44-year-old man was booked for refusing to wear a mask inside a flight that landed at Chennai from Kannur on Monday. Police said airline staff advised the passenger to wear masks by explaining the risks when they spotted him boarding without a mask at Kannur. However, he refused to pay heed. After the airline staff alerted the control room, police detained him when the flight touched down in Chennai at 11.30am. He was booked under the Pandemic Act and also for threatening the airline crew. TNN

City’s 18% positivity rate worries experts, doctors

City’s 18% positivity rate worries experts, doctors

Komal.Gautham@timesgroup.com

Chennai:20.04.2021

The city’s Covid-19 positivity rate of 18% is almost double the state’s 9.7% and the number of its total active cases has crossed 24,000 recorded on July 5, 2020. As on April 18, the city had 25,011 active cases.

City-based Covid data analyst Vijayanand said the doubling period for Chennai stood at eight days. If the present trend continues, there will be 50,000 cases in a week. “For entire TN, the doubling time is nine days and the cases, at this rate, will touch one lakh in the next six days.”

At present, Greater Chennai Corporation has more than 1,500 people in Covid care centres and even if 80% are in home isolation, the numbers in the coming weeks will be ery high and hospitals will be overwhelmed, said experts.

Infectious diseases expert Dr S Subramaniam said the problem is that the state has not upgraded the process, and the protocol used in March 2020 is being followed now. “We need to make quick decisions. Earlier only a few, mostly elderly, were symptomatic. Now, after one person in a family tests positive, almost all his/her contacts are testing positive, most of them youngsters and symptomatic. We cannot give them home isolation as it is risky,” he said.

With the current surge in cases, the trend of oxygen bed occupancy must be monitored, said Dr P Ganesh Kumar, assistant director at National Institute of Epidemiology. Data on proportion of active cases under oxygen support will help project the number of oxygen beds which would be filled with current increase in cases.

Corporation officials said that in the current surge more youngsters are getting affected. “For every positive case, a minimum of six contacts are being traced. The problem is all of them are testing positive. Last year, only symptomatic were tested and most of them tested negative. The entire trend has changed,” said an official.

The civic body has 12,600 beds in Covid care centres and is prepared to scale up the number to 20,000. “But we are aware this won’t be enough,” he said.

Dr Subramanian said bed shortage was far worse than last year because of the number of youngsters requiring hospitalization. “I have two pregnant mothers in ICU now. We have no new protocols on treatment as we are still following the older one.”

TN scrambles to add oxygen beds

TN scrambles to add oxygen beds

Data On Beds Not In Public Domain

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:20.04.2021

Government medical college hospitals in Chennai on Monday struggled to increase oxygen beds amid a dearth of resources including doctors, postgraduates and nurses. The public too were hassled as information on bed availability in government hospitals wasn’t available in the public domain.

The state Covid webpage showedthatof the116government-enlisted private hospitals for Covid care, 91 updated their status until Monday. Of these, 28 reported an occupancy of 100% or more, while 31 had more than 70% occupancy. On an average, 70% of oxygen beds across all private hospitals were occupied. No such information was available for government hospitals. Director of medical education Dr R Narayanababu said no patient was turned away. “But since many are asking for information about government hospitals, we are working towards putting it up on the portal.”

Information from the covid control room at the Directorate of Medical Education showed that by 3pm, nearly 72% of beds in five government hospitals were occupied. The occupancy was at 36% in health centres and 12% at Covid Care Centres.

Most patients in the four medical college hospitals and Government Covid hospital in Guindy have moderate or serious illness requiring oxygen. At the Guindy hospital, 250 of the 550 beds are oxygen beds. The government plans to add another 150 beds here.

On Monday, staff at the 3,628-bed Rajiv Gandhi Government General Gospital were dragging oxygen pipelines to more than 150 beds. “We had set aside1,618 beds as isolation beds for Covid treatment. Of this, a little more than 850 are oxygen beds, and they are all taken. We are adding oxygen pipelines to more beds,” said dean Dr E Theranirajan.

Converting a bed into oxygen bed is more than just civil work. “We have adequate oxygen capacity to convert almost all beds to oxygen beds. But it’s not just about dragging the gas pipe,” said a senior Stanley Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) professor. “We have to match it with human resources.” Of the 1,200 designated for Covid care at SMCH, 750 are oxygen beds.

“Nearly a third of all our postgraduate students are not working because they have exams. Last year, several doctors, nurses and paramedical staff were posted or deputed to city hospitals. We don’t have them this year,” he said.

Of the 380 nurses at SMCH, 10-15 are posted to manage wards where there are senior or vulnerable patients with moderate/severe illness. Health officials said facilities will be ramped up.

Manmohan & T’gana CM KCR test +ve

Manmohan & T’gana CM KCR test +ve

DurgeshNandan Jha & Koride Mahesh TNN

20.04.2021

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi on Monday after testing positive for Covid-19. The 88-year-old has taken both doses of Covid vaccine. Meanwhile, a public meeting that Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao held in Halia for the Nagarjuna Sagar assembly bypoll has led to the town becoming a Covid hotspot with nearly 60 people, including KCR, from the one lakh gathering testing positive.

Former PM Manmohan Singh (L) & Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao

‘Manmohan’s condition is stable, showing mild symptoms’

TRS candidate, Nomula Bhagat and family members of politicians who attended the meeting too tested positive.

Senior officials said KCR has mild symptoms at present and is being treated at his farmhouse in Erravelli. The public meeting was held on April 14. Voting for the bypoll was held on April 17 and the result is on May 2.

KCR, who was suffering from mild fever, body ache and other symptoms since Sunday tested positive for Covid-19 in a rapid antigen test. Later, an RTPCR test result too was positive.

Telangana chief secretary Somesh Kumar told TOI that a special team of doctors has been deputed to monitor KCR’s health. The staff and people who moved with him closely have also been asked to get themselves tested and go for home isolation for a few days.

Former PM Singh has mild symptoms of the disease, including fever and has been admitted to the AIIMS Trauma Centre, which is a dedicated Covid facility, hospital sources said, adding that his condition is stable. The decision to hospitalise the former PM was taken considering his age and history of illness. Singh is known to be diabetic and a heart patient. He has undergone two bypass surgeries. In 1990, he underwent a bypass surgery in the UK, followed by an angioplasty in 2004 in Delhi. In 2009, he again underwent bypass surgery at AIIMS to open-up blocked arteries.

Worried migrant workers in a hurry to get back home

Worried migrant workers in a hurry to get back home

Crowds Throng Chennai Central After TN Announces Further Restrictions

Shanmughasundaram.J@timesgroup.com

Chennai:20.04.2021

Hoping to return to their hometown in Rajasthan before things go out of control, Ram Prasad along with eight of his family members reached MGR Central railway station on Monday morning to catch a train. Prasad’s family reached Chennai by bus from Dindigul where he was a daily wage labourer in a plywood-making unit. However, he was worried to see anxious guest workers like him slowly and steadily congregating at the railway station.

Fearful of a repeat of the exodus last year, guest workers are crowding railway stations and making inquiries on trains to their destinations. On Sunday, the Tamil Nadu government had put in place restrictions after Covid-19 cases breached the 10,000 mark for the first time. The restrictions have caused panic among hundreds of guest workers. “We have been adhering to the SOPs that are in place since last summer. We have advised employers to take care of the workforce,” said a senior IAS officer in the department of labour.

LONG WAIT: Migrant workers at MGR Central on Monday

Pondy imposes 10pm-5am night curfew

Puducherry has decided to impose night curfew between 10pm and 5am from April 20 to contain the spread of Covid-19. Hotels have been asked to close by 8pm and allow only parcel service later. The Beach Road will be closed by 5pm.

To avoid harrowing scenes like last yr, many spend days at stns

Chennai: “I want to see my family reach home (native village) before things turn unpleasant,” said Prasad, who was worried about getting train tickets on time and a safe journey amid the Covid-19 surge.

A group of youth from Odisha recalled their experience last summer and said they were “chased like dogs and treated badly” when they tried to escape the lockdown. “We don’t want that to happen this time,” said Vidhuth in not-so-fluent Tamil. They sell carpets for a living in Chennai.

A few yards away, Shivraj and his extended family took refuge beneath a tree. It has literally turned their home for the past three days. “We are trying to book tatkal tickets for 10 family members, barring five of our children. Only four tickets were confirmed. Without a confirmed ticket, no one is let into the station. I don’t know what to do,” said Shivaraj of Bihar’s Bhagalpur district. He along with his brother and father were selling terracotta dolls in and around Tambaram. Though the situation was grim in their state, he said they had “no other choice”.

Gopal, a porter, said they had been seeing an unusual crowd in the past three days. “We can see hundreds of youngsters and women with children sitting with their belongings, packed and waiting restlessly to get tickets to their destination,” said the young porter pointing to the long queue at the tatkal counter, while a Southern Railway official said trains bound to north and northeastern states were going packed.

A small section of guest workers from MSMEs in Coimbatore and garment sectors in Tirupur have begun leaving TN too. The departure began a week ago and over the past two days, there has been a marginal increase in those leaving Coimbatore. However, the vast majority of guest workers in both cities have decided to wait and watch as they had returned only three months ago after almost six months in their hometowns.

As of now, there has been no sign of reverse migration from the central part of TN, particularly Karur, Trichy and Pudukottai districts that have a significant number of guest workers. A similar situation prevailed in Madurai and other southern districts.

(With inputs from V Mayilvaganan, M K Ananth and K Sambath Kumar)

LONGING TO GET AWAY: Migrant workers camp at Chennai Central railway station on Sunday waiting for tickets to get home

Hospitals reel as shortage of trained nurses hits hard

Hospitals reel as shortage of trained nurses hits hard

Many Leave For Better Salaries Elsewhere

Ardhra.Nair@timesgroup.com

Pune:19.04.2021 

Hospitals in the city are facing an acute shortage of nursing staff after many took up offers in their native states and abroad for lucrative pay packages.

Workload in the Covid-19 pandemic has increased and hospitals have upped their bed capacity to accommodate more patients, stretching the nursing staff to the limits.

Many hospitals said earlier one nurse managed 5-6 patients, but now it is 15 patients. Similarly, if the ratio for ICU beds was one nurse per bed, it is now three beds per staff.

Abrarali Dalal, chief operating officer in Sahyadri Hospitals, said their units were full just like the last year’s. “There is a global shortage of nursing staff. Indian nurses are getting lucrative offers, especially from the Gulf countries. Fresh graduates are not available as colleges have not held exams or have delayed the results during the pandemic. There is a shortage of senior nursing staff to cope with the sudden increase in patients. Nurses are now working almost beyond their capacities,” he added.

Noble Hospital said they need over 400 nurses but have  235. Most are from other states and have gone back home or abroad, some switched to the jumbo facilities while 30 went into government health services.

“Some nurses stopped coming after the March salary. We have complained to the police station that 25 nurses have left without any intimation and don’t take our calls. The government is asking us to increase the beds, but where is the manpower? We have told senior doctors and consultants to do ward duty which is not their job profile. Attrition in nurses affects us the most because about 70% of the work when a patient is admitted in the hospital is done by hem,” executive director H K Sale said.

Lokmanya Hospital, Chinchwad has doubled the salaries during the pandemic but it is still hard to retain them.

“If earlier we had one nurse per patient on a ventilator, now we are forced to have one nurse for 2-3 patients on a ventilator. Since there is more probability of healthcare workers contracting the virus, they are leaving for their native places because they feel that even if they test positive, they should be near their loved ones rather than staying in isolation in an unknown place,” COO Shrikrishna Joshi said.

They have increased operational beds for Covid patients to 150, but the nursing staff strength has not gone up. Earlier a nurse would care for six patients, now it is 15.