From the archives: When MGR sailed on sympathy in 1984 polls

From the archives: When MGR sailed on sympathy in 1984 polls

The 1984 elections was held in the backdrop of assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Published: 28th April 2021 04:12 AM |

By S Kumaresan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The 1984 elections was held in the backdrop of assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The parliament and State Assembly members resigned as her son and heir apparent Rajiv Gandhi sought a fresh mandate. Soon after 1980 poll victory of AIADMK, Congress ditched its ally DMK and joined hands with the MGR’s party. They both contested as allies in 1984, and swept the polls. What helped the Congress was the sympathy for Indira Gandhi and MGR.

MGR’s party earned the unique distinction of winning Assembly polls for three consecutive times and that too when its CM candidate did not even campaign. The only campaign material for AIADMK were the visuals of MGR undergoing treatment and the funeral procession of Indira Gandhi. Also were the songs seeking MGR’s well-being. And it worked. AIADMK won 132 of the 155 seats it contested and its ally Congress won 61 of the 73. DMK was pushed to a distant third with just 24 MLAs.

The party had campaigned by placing corruption charges against the AIADMK and the massacre of Sikhs by Congressmen in the wake of Indira Gandhi’s assasination. It was J Jayalalithaa who compensated for the absence of MGR by extensively campaigning for the party and this also marked a milestone in her political career. Also, for DMK leader M Karunanidhi, this period proved that despite the party losing three elections, there could not even be a word raised against his leadership.

In this tenure as the CM, MGR managed to achieve a major victory in the Sri Lankan Tamils issue. He was instrumental in signing of India-Sri Lanka accord between the then PM Rajiv Gandhi and Lankan president JR Jayewardene, aimed at resolving the Lankan civil war. For the DMK, the renewed attempt by the Congress to impose Hindi came handy to put MGR in check. The new education policy envisaged setting up of Navodaya schools where Hindi will be one of the languages taught. It was also said that the Centre was insisting that all communications with it from the States should be in Hindi.

While MGR was not very vocal in his opposition, Karunanidhi and his partymen staged massive protests. Citing the incident in which the DMK burnt copies of the section of the Constitution, 10 MLAs were disqualified by the Speaker. Karunanidhi was sentenced to 10 weeks in jail. In prison, he was given the white uniform for convicts in half trousers. His photo in the prison uniform leaked in newspapers and caused much outrage. 1986 was also an eventful year for it was in that year MGR abolished the Legislative Council. This was after his nominee, actress ‘Venniraadai’ Nirmala, could not become a member since she had declared insolvency.

DMK had subsequently tried to revive the Legislative Council and could not till date. It remains even now a poll promise of DMK. In the next year, 1987, the State was rocked by Vanniyar Sangam protests seeking exclusive reservations. Its members blocked the transport movement for about a week in northern districts and ended with police crack down, killing 13 people in firings. This was followed by talks with its representatives but no decision was taken on the issue as MGR met with a sudden death on December 24, 1987. This led to another period of turmoil.

VR Nedunchezhiyan immediately assumed as the CM. The next month, MGR’s wife Janaki Ramachandran was elected as the CM and she was sworn in. However, the party was split into two as J Jayalalithaa also laid claim to the leadership of the party. On January 28, 1988, amidst unprecedented events in the Assembly, Janaki Ramachandran won the vote of confidence with support of just 99 members. Supporters of Janaki and Jayalalithaa clashed in the Assembly and Speaker PH Pandian disqualified six supporters of Jayalalithaa.

In the afternoon session, when just 110 members were present in the house, she won the vote of confidence. However, in just two days, on January 30, the Centre dissolved the government and imposed President’s rule. Meanwhile, actor Sivaji Ganesan was upset with this move and quit Congress. He floated a new political party, Tamilaga Munnetra Munnani. After the State government was dissolved, the then PM Rajiv Gandhi frequently visited and toured across TN with the aim of reviving Congress. History showed he was not very successful in this.

Last MGR cabinet

Cabinet members of

MGR’s third regime

(1985-1987): VR

Nedunchezhiyan,

S Ramachandran,

KA Krishnaswamy,

RM Veerappan, C

Aranganayagam,

K Kalimuthu, C

Ponnaiyan, HV Hande,

S Muthusamy, S

Thirunavukkarasu,

R Soundararajan,

MR Govendhan,

Gomathi Srinivasan,

Vijayalakshmi

Palanisamy, YSM Yusuf,

KKSSR Ramachandran,

K Rajaram, VV

Swaminathan,

T Veerasamy, N

Nallusamy, Anoor

PG Jagadeesan,

T Ramasamy, A

Arunachalam

1984 POLLS

Tota l seats :234

AIADMK won : 132

(37.03% vote share)

INC: 61 (16.28%)

DMK : 24 (29.34%)

CPI : 2 (2.62%)

CPM: 5 (2.76%)

Janata: 3 (2.28%)

Gandhi Kamaraj

Congress: 2 (0.56%)

Ambedkar

Kranti Dal: 1 (0.22%)

Independents: 4

Remdesivir: Higher demand, longer wait

Remdesivir: Higher demand, longer wait

Govt hospital lands in controversy after complaints that Remdesivir was being diverted to the grey market; cost of one vial touches Rs 30K

Published: 29th April 2021 04:34 AM 

Kin of patients waiting to buy the drug at Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital in Chennai

By Express News Service

CHENNAI/SALEM/TIRUNELVELI: With the demand for Remdesivir soaring, and queues outside counters getting longer, TS Selvavinayagam, Director of Public Health, in a video message on Wednesday clarified that the drug is not a life-saving one and is not recommended as mandatory by the WHO.

“Unnecessary panic buying is a cause for concern. Not all patients need Remdesivir, and it does not increase one’s survival chances; it can only reduce the duration of hospital stay for symptomatic patients,” he added. Noting that all government hospitals have sufficient stock, purchased through TNMSC, he said private hospitals should not make people run pillar to post.

Meanwhile, relatives of a Covid patient, admitted to Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, alleged that the nurses had written Remdesivir in the case sheet for three days without administering it. Speaking to media, one Saravanan, said: “As soon as I raised the issue, the nurses struck out Remdesivir from the list.

When I checked other patients’ case sheets, I realised that the staff had done the same. I suspect malpractice,” he added. Express contacted a hospital authority who refuted the allegations and said the staff might have written Remdesivir “by mistake”.

As State gasps, some are busy stuffing coffers

Not very far away, in Salem, the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital (GMKMCH) landed in a controversy after complaints that Remdesivir was being diverted to the grey market. A single dose is allegedly sold in Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,000 range in the district. The hospital administration refuted the charges but has ordered an inquiry. Hospital sources, however, admitted that the drug was being diverted to the grey market. “It is a fact that Remdesivir is sold to private hospitals in Salem and also in other districts. Records were fudged to show that it was given to in-patients.

DE BADATTA ADATTAADATTA ADATTA MA LLICK

This started in January and people involved in this are making a lot of money,” said a doctor on condition of anonymity. While officials in the district medical warehouse did not respond to questions on the stock supplied to the GMKMCH, Dr R Murugaesan, who is the dean of the hospital, said: “After assuming office, I verified availability of the drug and doses administered to patients.

There is no mismatch.” Relatives of a 70-year-old Covid patient, admitted to a private hospital, said, “The hospital told us that it did not have Remdesivir in stock and that it could be bought from the GMKMCH. When we approached them, officials told us that it was meant for in-patients only. We then got to know that the State is selling Remdesivir at Kilpauk Medical College in Chennai for Rs 1,500.

We will be going to Chennai to buy it.” Meanwhile, serpentine queues are being witnessed at Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, where a special counter for the sale of Remdesivir was opened on Monday. Some even fainted while standing under the scorching sun. A request from one of the treating doctors stating that the patient is receiving oxygen support, with the hospital’s name, RT-PCR positive report, CT scan report showing severe lung involvement, and Aadhaar card are mandatory to purchase the drug. T he counter will be open from 10 am to 5 pm.

What is this drug for?

The treatment protocol issued by AIIMS, ICMR-Covid national task force and the joint monitoring group states Remdesivir can be used in patients with moderate to severe disease within 10 days of onset of symptoms. It is not to be used in patients not on oxygen support, or in home settings, the Health Ministry had said.

HC: Holding Kumbh made Uttarakhand a laughing stock

HC: Holding Kumbh made Uttarakhand a laughing stock

Prashant.Jha@timesgroup.com

Nainital:29.04.2021

The Uttarakhand high court (HC) on Wednesday took to task the state government over the Covid-19 situation, saying that the “state has become a laughing stock” over organising the Kumbh Mela in the midst of a raging pandemic.

The remarks came in the form of an oral observation from the bench of Chief Justice RS Chauhan and Justice Alok Kumar Verma while it was hearing a bunch of PILs about the state's handling of the Covid-19 situation.

The judges also questioned the decision of going ahead with the Char Dham Yatra which is slated to begin from next month, saying that the prospect of conducting the pilgrimage in these times is “a frightening one.” The government, meanwhile, said that it will come with the SOPs for the yatra very soon.

The court also issued a series of directions after it was informed by counsels appearing for the petitioners about the shortage of beds and oxygen which is causing panic among patients and their kin.

Full report on www.toi.in

Tips for students to stay motivated during these uncertain times

MISSION EXAMINATION

Tips for students to stay motivated during these uncertain times

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

29.04.2021 

Today’s generation needs to equip itself with multiple skill sets and interest sets as that is the key to preparing for the future, said Anil Srinivasan at the twopart Facebook Live webinar Mission Examination held on Wednesday, an initiative by The Times of India and presented by Amrita School of Engineering, Chennai.

The Kalaimamani award winner and pianist, who was part of the first session on helping students of class 10, 11 and 12 stay motivated and focused in these uncertain times, also advised students to look for short term online courses to upskill. “Try this three-step formula -- create an information database; take short term courses that you are interested in; and pursue your passions.”

Education consultant Ruchi Mohunta said children need to start thinking about what they want to do when they are in class 9, then revisit their choices in class 11, and again when they are in college. “It is never too late to change your career,” she said. “Career guidance for children begins with conversations at home with parents.”

V Jayakumar, Chairperson, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Amrita School of Engineering, said he believed there is no short cut to hard work. “Put a little extra effort each day. It will translate to so much more over the months and years. For instance, I wanted to improve my English vocabulary. Every day I learn ten new words.”

In the second session on ‘Clearing your mind and destressing during uncertain times’, health and education experts shared their views and clarified doubts of viewers on how to stay motivated while locked at home and the way forward in the education system.

Psychiatrist Dr Kannan Gireesh advised plus two students waiting to write their board exams to look for patterns of negative thoughts and seek help through parents, friends or helplines to release themselves of these thoughts while they prepare for exams. “Use the diary technique to write and release your thoughts, and use peer learning to prepare for exams,” he said.

For students preparing for both board and competitive exams, Balaji Sampath, director of Ahaguru said students should spend an hour and half for school homework and consistently spend three to four daily to prepare for competitive exams. “Three hours of daily preparation is enough to top all competitive exams,” he said.

With virtual classes becoming the only option for teaching school and colleges for the last one year, Prof Vinata Sai, chairperson, Department of science and humanities, Amrita School of Engineering, Chennai, said education institutions may adopt a blended learning where students will experience both online and face to face teaching. “The initial euphoria about online classes has died down. Today we understand we have to supplant online teaching with face to face teaching. Though online classes have become an integral part of teaching, a teacher cannot be replaced,” she said.

GCC to hire 150 doctors, nurses in two days

GCC to hire 150 doctors, nurses in two days

Chennai:29.04.2021 

Greater Chennai Corporation will hire 150 doctors and nurses on a temporary basis in the next two days to manage crowd at triaging centres as many people flock hospitals due to the Covid-19 second wave.

The doctors will be paid ₹60,000 per month and nurses ₹15,000.

Interested candidates can walk-in directly to Ripon Buildings for the interview on April 29 and 30, with their original documents. They will not be made permanent employees. The doctors and nurses will have to work at the fever camps, screening centres and vaccination centres during the pandemic. TNN

SII cuts vax price for states to ₹300/dose

SII cuts vax price for states to ₹300/dose

Rupali.Mukherjee@timesgroup.com

29.04.2021

Facing a public outcry over pricing of Covishield, Serum Institute of India on Wednesday announced a 25% or ₹100 reduction in its price for state governments, describing it as a “philanthropic gesture”. The bad news is that at ₹300 a shot, it will still be twice what the Centre is paying. For private hospitals, the price has been left unchanged at ₹600 a shot.

The vaccine is also unlikely to be easily available in private market until September-October.

A Serum Institute official had earlier told TOI: “Owing to the complexity and urgency of the situation, it is challenging to supply it independently to each corporate entity.”

Criticism from state governments and civil society, however, seems to have forced Serum Institute to reduce prices. A news agency report had also said that the Centre has taken up the issue with Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech as both companies had raised prices.

Covaxin neutralises Indian strain: Fauci

America’s leading pandemic expert Dr Anthony Fauci said most recent data from people who received Covaxin, India’s domestically made Covid-19 vaccine, found it neutralised the 617 variant rampaging through India. “So, despite the real difficulty that we're seeing in India, vaccination could be a very, very important antidote against this virus,” Dr Fauci said at a White House briefing. P 10

Move will save countless lives, says Poonawalla

“As a philanthropic gesture on behalf of @SerumInstIndia, I hereby reduce the price to the states from ₹400 to ₹300 per dose, effective immediately; this will save thousands of crores of state funds going forward. This will enable more vaccinations and save countless lives,” the company CEO Adar Poonawalla said on Wednesday, four days after defending his company’s pricing policy.

He, however, did not comment on his company’s efforts to link Centre’s procurement price with that for states. The Centre’s procurement price was around ₹150 per jab for the initial orders placed in January and March.

Covishield price in India is higher than other countries such as South Africa and Sri Lanka (around ₹390 per dose each), European Union $2.15 (around ₹160) and UN initiative, Covax $3 (around ₹225).

With infection rising at a rapid pace, there is greater demand for vaccines and calls for the government to step up the drive. But manufacturers are unable to step up production.

SHOT OF HOPE: With infection rising at a rapid pace, there is greater demand for vaccines and calls for the government to step up the drive

1.2cr 18+ register for shot, but appointment may get delayed

1.2cr 18+ register for shot, but appointment may get delayed

Time Slots Based On Availability Of Centres: Govt

Sushmi.Dey@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:29.04.2021 

An enthusiastic response greeted the opening of online registrations for Covid-19 vaccination for those above 18 on Wednesday with the Co-Win platform recording over 1.23 crore registrations even though scheduling of appointments for May 1 onwards is not possible as yet.

There were more than 1 crore online registrations with 90% users registered after 4pm, when the portal began accepting 18-plus beneficiaries, a senior official said. The exact numbers of new beneficiaries would be a dynamic figure, officials said. In the first three hours (4-7 pm), 383 million API hits, initially as high as 2.7 million hits per minute, were recorded. As many as 1.45 crore SMS were successfully delivered, the health ministry said.

The registration process was accompanied by the announcement that appointments at state government centres and private centres will depend on how many vaccination centres are ready on May 1 for vaccination of 18-plus beneficiaries. Several states have indicated they may not be able to begin the 18-plus vaccination on May 1. The platform experienced initial glitches as the system was flooded with registration requests and OTPs were not received for a while. The portal, however, became accessible after a while and registrations proceeded smoothly shortly after being opened to the widest category of beneficiaries after 4pm on Wednesday.

A SHOT OF HOPE

Surge in registrations a welcome sign

Though scheduling was not possible, the surge in registrations and high interest in the younger population as evident on social media and WhatsApp conversations was a welcome sign amid concerns that fresh infections are discouraging people from getting vaccinated. It will help convince states, private hospitals and vaccine-makers that there is a demand for vaccination.

As of now, vaccinations are available in private hospitals only for 45 plus people till the end of the month. Thereafter the Centre-supported vaccine rollout for this category will be available only in government hospitals. Under the new scheme, states, private hospitals and corporates can access 50% production of Covishield and Covaxin for the 18 and above category. The intention, according to central officials, is to allow states more leeway in planning vaccinations and creating incentives for vaccine- manufacturers to boost production. The higher price at private hospitals will also allow those who can pay to reduce the load on government facilities.

So far, the vaccination drive was driven by walk-in registrations. Of the total 14.71 crore registrations so far, 9.33 crore are walk-ins, whereas 2.82 crore people are online. Around 2.55 crore health and frontline workers have also been registered by state governments. According to officials, online registrations witnessed a major jump after 4pm on Wednesday. For people between 18-44 years, online registration and booking of appointments is mandatory for receiving a vaccine against Covid-19.

IAS officer of TN cadre new finance secy

IAS officer of TN cadre new finance secy

New Delhi:29.04.2021 

Expenditure secretary T V Somanathan has been designated as the finance secretary, a personnel ministry order issued on Wednesday said.

He is a 1987-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre.

The appointments committee of the Cabinet has approved designating Somanathan, secretary, department of expenditure, ministry of finance as the finance secretary, the order said.

The senior-most officer among all the secretaries in the finance ministry is designated as the finance secretary.

Somanathan’s batchmate Debasish Panda is secretary, department of financial services. Tuhin Kanta Pandey and Ajay Seth are secretaries, department of investment and public asset management (DIPAM) and department of economic affairs, respectively. Tarun Bajaj, a 1988-batch IAS officer of the Haryana cadre, is the revenue secretary. PTI

Can’t exempt pvt hospital from civic taxes: Madras HC

‘CHARITABLE TRUST’

Can’t exempt pvt hospital from civic taxes: Madras HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:29.04.2021 

City-based Sundaram Medical Foundation’s plea to exempt it from payment of property tax, water and sewerage charges has been rejected by Madras high court.

The hospital has not provided any proof to show that it is providing medical services free of cost to the poor and at confessional rates to others as per the object of the deed of trust under which it was established. Instead, an inspection made in the hospital has revealed that it was treating only the rich and affluent, said Justice S M Subramaniam on Wednesday.

Rejecting a petition from the hospital, the judge said it could not be treated as a charitable trust for the purpose of granting such exemption under the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act.

“Under the guise of running a charitable medical institution, if huge collections are made for the services provided, then one cannot trust upon the genuineness of the charitable institution and under those circumstances, even the benefit of doubt is to be extended in favour of the revenue and not to the institution,” Justice Subramanian said.

The issue pertains to petitions moved by the foundation challenging demand notices issued by the Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board and the Chennai corporation in 2018 demanding payment of pending tax dues over ₹1 crore.

Challenging the demand, the foundation moved the high court. It claimed that it is a charitable institution providing free services to 15% of its total clients.

Refusing to accept the contention, the court held that providing free service to 15% and charging the rest 85% does not amount to doing charity.

Victory banner of AIADMK man creates a flutter

Victory banner of AIADMK man creates a flutter

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Tirupur:29.04.2021

A photograph of a banner proclaiming that AIADMK candidate of Kangayam constituency in Tirupur district A S Ramalingam has won the assembly election with a margin of 13,483 votes surfaced on social media platforms on Wednesday, creating a flutter.

AIADMK candidate Ramalingam disowned the banner and said it was put up by people who do not belong to his party. “Local AIADMK functionaries spotted the banner and removed it promptly as it was a violation of election code. Now the photograph of the banner taken at that time has been circulated. It’s an attempt to defame me and AIADMK,” he said.

The banner had images of late chief ministers C N Annadurai, M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa besides chief minister Edapppadi K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam, characteristic of all AIADMK banners.

The words on the banner profusely thanked voters and party cadres for enabling Ramalingam win Kangayam assembly constituency. In 2016, AIADMK allotted Kangayam segment to Kongu Ilaignar Peravai leader U Thaniyarasu who contested in Two Leaves symbol and won with a margin of 13135 votes. This election, AIADMK retained the seat for itself.

Ramalinagam said as soon as the issue was brought to his notice, he inquired about it with the partymen. “Even they were not aware about the identity of people behind this banner. Since the name of the printing press was not there, we could trace them,’’ he said. Ramalingam said he lodged a complaint with the police to take action against those who kept the banner as well as those who circulated images with false information that the banner was kept today.

COME AGAIN?: The banner thanks voters and party cadres for enabling Ramalingam win Kangayam assembly constituency by a margin of 13,483 votes

TOI Vaccine drive for vendors attracts good nos on Day 2

A SHOT OF HOPE

TOI Vaccine drive for vendors attracts good nos on Day 2

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:29.04.2021 

As part of Times of India’s initiative to provide Covid-19 vaccine to newspaper vendors and distributors in and around the city, a vaccination Camp was conducted on Wednesday at ACS Medical College & Hospital, Thiruverkadu.

The Camp was inaugurated by A.C.S. Arun Kumar, President – Dr. MGR Educational & Research Institute and A. Ravi Kumar, Secretary – ACS Medical College & Hospital.

ToI kickstaarted the initiative on Tuesday aiming to vaccinate about 1000 vendors and distributors across the city. On Tuesday, about 80 vendors and distributors were administered the vaccine in a camp held at Bhaarath Medical college and hospital premises in Selaiyur.

On Wednesday, over 85 Vendors and distributors in and around Tirumangalam, Mogappair, Nerkundram, Poonamallee, Thiruverkadu and Maduravoyil attended the camp at ACS college and got vaccinated.

TOI Team is encouraging vendors to take the vaccine by following government protocol and Covid-appropriate protocols such as wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and frequent handwashing. While vendors aged 45 years and above are being mobilized now as per government norms, from May 1 all aged above 18 vendors will be covered. TOI is helping vendors get inoculated free of cost. The drive will continue till all the eligible vendors in the city are covered.

The drive has attracted positive response from Vendors. Muruganandam, a vendor from Ayanavaram said, “I got my first dose of Covaxin last month and was waiting for the second Covaxin dose, which is very much in demand. Todays camp helped me get my second dose of Covaxin without any delay”

MTC requests office-goers to start early from home to avoid crowd

MTC requests office-goers to start early from home to avoid crowd

Maintaining Social Distancing, Controlling Commuters Tough In Peak Hours

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:29.04.2021 

Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), Chennai has requested people, who travel to work places regularly in government buses, to start from their homes at least 30 minutes ahead of their routine schedule.

Without public support, MTC officials say it is becoming increasingly difficult to control the crowd and maintain social distancing norms during peak hour commutes.

Even if the entire bus fleet is put into operation, only 1.3 lakh people can be transported now due to Covid-19 travel restrictions in city buses. The new norms restrict standing passengers in MTC buses but official data suggests that during morning peak hours over 4 lakh people use MTC buses.

“Almost 75% among the commuters are people going to office. Almost 1,000 people get down from a suburban train in Tambaram station in one go to board MTC buses to their offices between 8 am and 9 am. The next hour or an hour prior to this, MTC buses run half-empty. So even if 30% to 40% of our regular bus users start early by 30 minutes, we will be able to avoid crowds in buses," said a senior MTC official.

In response, S Dinesh, a regular MTC user from Perungudi said, “What will we do by reaching our office so early? Even the doors will not be open for us to sit and wait for others to join us. MTC has to operate more buses to avoid such problems”.

The MTC official replied saying that there was no point in plying more buses. Diverting Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) mofussil buses, which are usually used for inter-district commute, into city routes is logistically not a good idea. After using them for one trip, they would be parked idle for the rest of the day. But MTC has to pay the bus crew for one full day, he said.

All eight transport corporations including MTC are also currently facing huge losses (roughly ₹13 crore per day), says data.

Given the ban on night buses, people from other TN districts, who come to Chennai for business reasons and medical treatment, are having a tough time reaching the railway stations.

Y Kaveen, who left for Madurai from Egmore station, said that cab drivers don't confirm bookings after 9 pm as they have to reach home before 10 pm deadline. So he paid ₹400 to reach the station from Choolaimedu.

During these trying times, autos and share autos are not only fleecing passengers but are also violating travel norms by transporting up to eight passengers in one trip where the norm allows only one or two passengers at the max per ride. The state transport department continues to be a mute spectator to these violations.

Nagercoil doc suspended for downplaying Covid threat

Nagercoil doc suspended for downplaying Covid threat

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:29.04.2021 

The Tamil Nadu Medical Council has suspended for a year the licence of a Nagercoil-based doctor for downplaying Covid-19 on social media. Dr M S Jackson’s name was deleted from the state medical register.

“The disciplinary committee found his actions unethical and violation of ethical code,” said council president Dr K Senthil. In 2020, when the state was fighting to keep the pandemic under control, Dr Jackson uploaded two videos in social media downplaying the factual information the viral infection and “paying attention only to favourable pieces of information” to project it as “a harmless virus”. He even ridiculed the government for enforcing a lockdown. On September 5, 2020, based on the disciplinary committee opinion, the committee decided to suspend him pending finalization of inquiry.

Dr Jackson, however, moved the Madras high court for a stay on the order, and the court ordered an interim stay until the inquiry is completed. After a detailed inquiry, the council announced his suspension and directed him to surrender his registration certificates.

அரசுப் பேருந்துகளுக்கெனத் தனி இணையதளம்: மாணவரின் நல்முயற்சி!

அரசுப் பேருந்துகளுக்கெனத் தனி இணையதளம்: மாணவரின் நல்முயற்சி!

தமிழ் வண்டி இணையதளத்தின் முகப்பு, உள்படம்: அருணாச்சலம்

தனியார் பேருந்துகள் குறித்த தகவல்கள் இணையத்தில் கொட்டிக் கிடக்கும் சூழலில், தனியொருவராகத் தரவுகளைத் திரட்டி, அரசுப் பேருந்துகள் குறித்த தகவல்களுக்காகத் தனி இணையதளத்தையே உருவாக்கியுள்ளார் அருணாச்சலம் என்னும் எம்பிஏ மாணவர்.

தமிழ் வண்டி.காம் என்ற இணையதளத்தை உருவாக்கியுள்ள அருணாச்சலம், அரசுப் பேருந்துகளின் வழித்தடங்கள், நிறுத்தங்கள், பேருந்துகள் புறப்படும் நேரம், பயண அட்டவணை ஆகியவற்றை அதில் பதிவிட்டு, தொடர்ந்து தகவல்களைப் புதுப்பித்துக் கொண்டிருக்கிறார். மாநிலம் முழுவதும் இயங்கும் 275-க்கும் மேற்பட்ட பேருந்து விவரங்கள் இந்த இணையதளத்தில் உள்ளன.

திருவாரூர் மாவட்டம், கொட்டாரக்குடி கிராமத்தைச் சேர்ந்தவர் அருணாச்சலம், அடிப்படையில் விவசாயக் குடும்பத்தைச் சேர்ந்தவர். 2017-ல் 12-ம் வகுப்பு முடித்ததும் தனியாகப் பயணமொன்றை மேற்கொண்டார். அங்கே பேருந்து நேரத்தைச் சரிவர அறியாமல் சென்னை செல்லும் பேருந்தைத் தவறவிட்டார். இதனால் அங்கு சென்று சிஏ நுழைவுத் தேர்வை எழுதும் வாய்ப்பையும் இழந்தார். தனக்கு ஏற்பட்ட நிலை மற்றவர்களுக்கு ஏற்பட்டுவிடக் கூடாது என்பதற்காகவும் அரசுப் பேருந்துகள் குறித்த விவரங்கள் அதுவரை யாராலும் தொகுக்கப்படவில்லை என்பதாலும் தனி இணையதளத்தை உருவாக்க முடிவெடுத்தார்.கோயம்பேடு பேருந்து நிலைய விவரம்

அதற்குப் பிறகு நடந்தவற்றை அருணாச்சலமே சொல்கிறார்.

''அப்போதில் இருந்து முழுக்க முழுக்க 2 ஆண்டுகளைத் தகவல்களைச் சேகரிப்பதில் மட்டுமே செலவிட்டேன். இதற்காக பி.காம். படிப்பில் சேர்ந்து, வார இறுதி நாட்களில் தமிழகம் முழுக்க ஒவ்வொரு பேருந்து நிலையத்துக்கும் நேரடியாகச் சென்றேன்.

நிறைய ஊர் பேருந்து நிலையங்களில் பேருந்து நேர அட்டவணைக்கான விவரங்கள் இருக்காது. பேருந்து நிலையத்துக்குள் சென்று கேட்பேன். யாரோ ஒரு தனி நபர், சின்ன பையன் தகவல்களைக் கேட்டால் எப்படிச் சொல்வது என்று அங்கிருந்த அதிகாரிகள் தயக்கம் காட்டினர். அதனால் பிறகு நேரம் கிடைக்கும்போது அதே இடங்களுக்குச் சென்று பார்ப்பேன். அட்டவணை ஒட்டப்பட்டிருக்கும் நேரத்தில் புகைப்படம் எடுத்துக் கொள்வேன். இதற்காக மதுரை பேருந்து நிலையத்துக்கு மட்டும் 8 முறை சென்றுள்ளேன்.

தமிழகம் முழுவதும் பெரும்பான்மையான நகரங்கள் அனைத்துக்கும் சொந்தச் செலவில் பயணித்திருக்கிறேன். இதுவரை 400க்கும் மேற்பட்ட பேருந்து நிலையங்களுக்கு நேரில் சென்று தகவல்களைத் திரட்டி, 275-க்கும் மேற்பட்ட பேருந்து நிலையங்களின் கால அட்டவணை விவரங்களை இணையதளத்தில் பதிவேற்றியுள்ளேன். ஒருசில பேருந்து நிலையங்களில் தகவல் கிடைக்கவில்லை என்றால் அங்கிருந்து இரவில் 8 மணி நேரம் பயணிக்கும் வகையில் திட்டமிட்டு, இன்னொரு நகரத்துக்குச் சென்று அங்குள்ள பேருந்து விவரங்களைச் சேகரித்துக் கொள்வேன். பிறகு வீடு திரும்புவேன்'' என்கிறார் அருணாச்சலம்.

தமிழ் வண்டி இணையதளத்தில் பேருந்து கால அட்டவணை தவிர்த்து பேருந்து நிலையங்கள் உருவாக்கப்பட்ட ஆண்டு, அதில் தினசரி பயணிக்கும் பயணிகளின் எண்ணிக்கை, பேருந்துகளின் எண்ணிக்கை, அமைப்பு, பேருந்து நிலையங்களின் அருகே உள்ள உணவகங்கள், ஏடிஎம்கள், கழிப்பறைகள் மற்றும் அருகிலுள்ள சுற்றுலாத் தலங்கள், அவற்றின் தொலைபேசி எண்கள் ஆகிய தகவல்களும் உள்ளன.

மதுரை பேருந்து நிலையத்தில் உள்ள பிற வசதிகள்

தமிழ்நாடு முழுவதும் இயங்கும் அரசுப் பேருந்துகள் மட்டுமல்லாமல், சென்னை, திருச்சி ஆகிய பகுதிகளில் இருந்து பெங்களூரு, மதுரையில் இருந்து திருப்பதி, திருவனந்தபுரம் டூ சென்னை என அண்டை மாநிலங்களில் இருந்து தமிழகம் வந்து செல்லும் பேருந்து விவரங்களையும் அருண் பட்டியலிட்டு, பயணிகளின் பயணத்தை இலகுவாக்கி உள்ளார்.

தமிழ்நாடு அரசு போக்குவரத்துக் கழக (டிஎன்எஸ்டிசி) இணையதளத்துக்கும் தமிழ் வண்டி இணையதளத்துக்கும் என்ன வேறுபாடு என்று அவரிடம் கேட்டதற்கு, ''டிஎன்எஸ்டிசியில் நீண்ட தூரம் செல்லும் அரசுப் பேருந்துகளின் விவரம் மட்டுமே உள்ளது. அதில் சுமார் 1,500 அரசுப் பேருந்துகள், 200 டிஎன்எஸ்டிசி பேருந்துகள் குறித்து அறிந்துகொள்ளலாம். தமிழ் வண்டி இணையதளத்தில் சுமார் 10,000 பேருந்து நேர அட்டவணை விவரங்கள் உள்ளன.

அதேபோல இணையதளதைப் பார்வையிடுபவர்களின் சந்தேகங்களுக்குப் பதிலளிக்கும் வகையிலும், அவர்களின் கருத்துகளைப் பகிரவும் தனியாக இடம் இருக்கிறது. அதைப் பார்க்கும் ஏராளமான பயணிகள் பேருந்து விவரங்கள், குறைந்த தூரத்தில் எப்படிப் பயணிக்கலாம் என்பது குறித்த சந்தேகங்களை இணையத்திலேயே கேட்கிறார்கள். தினந்தோறும் எம்பிஏ வகுப்புகளை முடித்துவிட்டு, அவற்றுக்குப் பதிலளித்துவிட்டுத்தான் பிற வேலைகளுக்குச் செல்வேன்.

பேருந்துப் பயணம் குறித்து அறிந்துகொள்ளும் வசதி

தற்போது கரோனா காரணமாகத் தமிழக அரசின் இரவு நேர ஊரடங்கு அமலில் உள்ளதால், மாற்றம் செய்யப்பட்ட அரசுப் பேருந்துகளின் நேர அட்டவணையையும் பதிவேற்றி உள்ளேன்'' என்கிறார் அருணாச்சலம்.

இணையதளம் தவிர்த்து தமிழ் வண்டிக்கெனத் தனிச் செயலியை உருவாக்கவும் அருணாச்சலம் திட்டமிட்டுள்ளார். இவற்றால் அனைவருக்கும் அரசுப் பேருந்து பயணம் இனி எளிதாகி, இனிதாகும் என்று நம்பிக்கை தெரிவிக்கிறார் மாணவர் அருணாச்சலம்.

இணையதள முகவரி: https://www.tamilvandi.com/

க.சே.ரமணி பிரபா தேவி, தொடர்புக்கு:

 ramaniprabhadevi.s@hindutamil.co.in

ஸ்டார் ஓட்டல் அறைகள் நீதிமன்றம் அதிருப்தி

ஸ்டார் ஓட்டல் அறைகள் நீதிமன்றம் அதிருப்தி

Added : ஏப் 27, 2021 22:41

புதுடில்லி: டில்லி உயர் நீதிமன்ற நீதிபதிகள், நீதிமன்ற அதிகாரிகள் மற்றும் அவர்களது குடும்பத்தினர், கொரோனாவுக்கு சிகிச்சை பெற, ஐந்து நட்சத்திர ஓட்டலில், 100 அறைகள் பிரத்யேகமாக ஒதுக்கப்பட்டதற்கு, உயர் நீதிமன்றம் கடும் அதிருப்தி தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

'டில்லி உயர் நீதிமன்ற நீதிபதிகள் மற்றும் அவர்களது குடும்பத்தினர், கொரோனாவால் பாதிக்கப்பட்டால், அவர்களின் சிகிச்சைக்காக, ஐந்து நட்சத்திர ஓட்டலான, டில்லி அசோகா ஓட்டலில், 100 அறைகள் ஒதுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன' என, சாணக்கியபுரி துணை கலெக்டர் கீதா குரோவர், அறிவித்தார்

இது குறித்து, டில்லி உயர் நீதிமன்றம் கூறியதாவது:நீதிபதிகள், நீதிமன்ற அதிகாரிகள், அவர்களது குடும்பத்தினர் கொரோனாவால் பாதிக்கப்பட்டால், அவர்களுக்கு மருத்துவ மனையில் அனுமதி கிடைக்க ஏற்பாடு செய்ய வேண்டும் என்று தான், நீதிமன்றம் தெரிவித்தது. அசோகா ஓட்டலில், 100 அறைகளை ஒதுக்கும்படி, உங்களிடம் யார் கேட்டது?

இது போன்ற சர்ச்சைகளை ஏன் உருவாக்குகிறீர்கள். ஒரு பிரிவினருக்கு மட்டும், இப்படிப்பட்ட வசதிகளை எப்படி வழங்கலாம்?இந்த விவகாரத்தில், டில்லி அரசு பிறப்பித்த உத்தரவு முற்றிலும் தவறானது. இது தொடர்பாக, டில்லி அரசு பதில் அளிக்க வேண்டும்.இவ்வாறு நீதிமன்றம் தெரிவித்தது.

கொரோனா விதிகளை கண்டிப்புடன் பின்பற்றுங்கள் அலுவலகங்களுக்கு தலைமை செயலர் உத்தரவு

கொரோனா விதிகளை கண்டிப்புடன் பின்பற்றுங்கள் அலுவலகங்களுக்கு தலைமை செயலர் உத்தரவு

Added : ஏப் 27, 2021 21:46

சென்னை:'அனைத்து அரசு அலுவலகங்களிலும், கொரோனா நோய் தடுப்பு விதிமுறைகளை, தவறாமல் பின்பற்ற வேண்டும்' என, அனைத்து மாவட்ட கலெக்டர்களுக்கும், துறை தலைவர்களுக்கும், தலைமை செயலர் ராஜிவ் ரஞ்சன், கடிதம் அனுப்பி உள்ளார்.

கடிதத்தில் அவர் கூறியிருப்பதாவது:

* அலுவலகத்தில் பணிபுரிவோர் இடையே, 6 அடி இடைவெளி இருக்க வேண்டும்

* அனைவரும்எப்போதும் முக கவசம்அல்லது முக தடுப்பு அணிந்திருக்க வேண்டும்

* அடிக்கடி கைகளை, 40 முதல், 60 வினாடிகள் சோப்பால் கழுவ வேண்டும்

* கிருமி நாசினி பயன்படுத்தினால், குறைந்தது, 20 வினாடிகள் கைகளை சுத்தம் செய்ய வேண்டும்

*தும்மல், இருமல் வந்தால், டிஷ்யூ பேப்பர், கைகுட்டை பயன்படுத்த வேண்டும். துப்புவது முழுமையாக தடை செய்யப்பட வேண்டும்

* அனைவரும் தங் கள் மொபைல் போனில், 'ஆரோக்கிய சேது' செயலியை டவுன்லோடு செய்து கொள்ளவும். நோய் அறிகுறி இல்லாதவர்களை மட்டும், அலுவலகத்திற்குள் அனுமதிக்க வேண்டும்உடல் வெப்பநிலையை பரிசோதித்த பின், அனுமதிக்க வேண்டும்

*மதிய உணவின் போதும், ஊழியர்கள் சமூக இடை வெளியை பராமரிக்க வேண்டும்

*'ஏசி' அறையில், 24 டிகிரி முதல், 30 டிகிரி செல்சியஸ் வெப்பநிலை பராமரிக்கப்பட வேண்டும். அறைகள் காற்றோட்டத்துடன் இருக்க வேண்டும்

* பணி செய்யும் இடத்தை, தொடர்ச்சியாக கிருமி நாசினியால் சுத்தம் செய்ய வேண்டும்.

* அதிகம் பேர் கூடுவதை தவிர்க்க வேண்டும்

* யாருக்கேனும் நோய் அறிகுறி இருந்தால், அவர்களை மருத்துவமனைக்கு அனுப்ப வேண்டும். அவர்களுக்கு நோய் தொற்று உறுதியானால், அவர்கள் பணிபுரிந்த அறை முழுவதையும், கிருமி நாசினியால் சுத்தம் செய்ய வேண்டும்

* தகுதியுள்ள அனைவரும் தடுப்பூசி போட வேண்டும்

* அலுவலகத்தில் பணி புரிவோர்; தடுப்பூசி போட தகுதியானோர்; முதல் டோஸ், இரண்டாம் டோஸ் தடுப்பூசி போட்டவர்கள் விபரத்தை, வரும், 30ம் தேதிக்குள், அரசுக்கு அனுப்ப வேண்டும். அதன்பின் வாரந்தோறும், தடுப்பூசி போட்டவர்கள் குறித்த விபரத்தை அனுப்ப வேண்டும்.இவ்வாறு ராஜிவ் ரஞ்சன் கூறியுள்ளார்.

ரயில் புறப்படும் இடம் மாற்றம்

ரயில் புறப்படும் இடம் மாற்றம்

Added : ஏப் 27, 2021 20:24

சென்னை:சென்னை, எழும்பூர் ரயில்வே பணிமனையில், பராமரிப்பு பணி நடப்பதால், நாகர்கோவில் வாராந்திர எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் ரயில், தாம்பரத்தில் இருந்து இயக்கப்பட உள்ளது.

* சென்னை எழும்பூரில் இருந்து நாகர்கோவிலுக்கு, மே, 6, 13, 20, 27, ஜூன், 3; 10ம் தேதிகளில், மாலை, 6:55 மணிக்கு இயக்கப்பட வேண்டிய வாராந்திர சிறப்பு ரயில், எழும்பூருக்கு பதிலாக தாம்பரத்தில் இருந்து இயக்கப்படும்

* நாகர்கோவிலில் இருந்து, 30, மே, 7, 14, 21, 28, ஜூன், 4 மற்றும், 11 ம் தேதிகளில், மாலை, 4:15க்கு இயக்கப்படும் ரயில், தாம்பரம் வரை மட்டும் இயக்கப்படும். தாம்பரம் - எழும்பூர் இடையே, ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது.

18 வயதுக்கு மேல் தடுப்பூசி முன்பதிவு இன்று துவக்கம்

18 வயதுக்கு மேல் தடுப்பூசி முன்பதிவு இன்று துவக்கம்

Updated : ஏப் 28, 2021 02:31 | Added : ஏப் 28, 2021 02:30

சென்னை :நாடு முழுதும், 18 வயதுக்கு மேற்பட்டோருக்கு, கொரோனா தடுப்பூசி போடுவதற்கான முன்பதிவு இன்று துவங்குகிறது.

கொரோனா தொற்றின் இரண்டாம் அலை பரவல் அதிகரித்து வருகிறது. பரவலை கட்டுப்படுத்த, மத்திய, மாநில அரசுகள் பல்வேறு நடவடிக்கைகளை எடுத்து வருகின்றன. அதன் ஒரு பகுதியாக, தமிழகத்தில், இரவு நேர ஊரடங்கு மற்றும் ஞாயிறு முழு ஊரடங்கு அமலாகியுள்ளது. தடுப்பூசி போடும் பணிகளும் முடுக்கி விடப்பட்டுள்ளன.தற்போது, 45 வயதுக்கு மேற்பட்டோருக்கு மட்டும், கொரோனா தடுப்பூசி போடப்பட்டு வருகிறது. மே, 1 முதல், 18 வயதுக்கு மேற்பட்ட அனைவரும் தடுப்பூசி போட்டுக் கொள்ள, மத்திய அரசு அனுமதி வழங்கியுள்ளது.

'அனைவரும் தடுப்பூசி போட்டு கொள்ளும் போது, சமூக நோய் எதிர்ப்பாற்றால் உருவாகி, தொற்றை கட்டுப்படுத்த முடியும்' என, டாக்டர்கள் நம்பிக்கை தெரிவித்துள்ளனர். இதையடுத்து, 18 வயதுக்கு மேற்பட்ட அனைவரும், தடுப்பூசி போட்டுக் கொள்ள, இன்று முதல் முன்பதிவு செய்யலாம் என, அரசு அறிவித்துள்ளது.

இதற்கு, https://www.cowin.gov.in என்ற, இணையதளத்திற்குள் சென்று, 'ரிஜிஸ்டர் மை செல்ப்' என்பதை அழுத்த வேண்டும். பின், மொபைல் போன் எண் பதிவு செய்து, பெயர், வயது உள்ளிட்ட விபரங்களை பதிவு செய்ய வேண்டும்.ஆதார் எண் உள்ளிட்ட, அரசு அங்கீகரித்த அடையாள அட்டை எண்ணை பதிந்து, தடுப்பூசிக்கு முன்பதிவு செய்து கொள்ளலாம்.

Corpn struggles as residents crowd screening, vax centres

Corpn struggles as residents crowd screening, vax centres

18 Centres In Pipeline, May Not Be Enough

Komal.gautham@timesgroup.com

Chennai:28.04.2021 

The steep rise in Covid-19 cases is sending residents flocking to screening centres and vaccination centres where corporation officials say they are unable to control the crowds.

The corporation commissioner had said the waiting time at screening centres should not be more than 45 minutes, but many say they wait 2-5 hours. Even the 18 centres the corporations plans to add may not be enough considering these numbers.

It takes about 30 minutes to evaluate each patient and with just one X ray machine and two doctors, each centre can cater to only 100 a day. An official said at least five screening centres should be added in each zone.

Even special vaccination camps held at schools have become crowded. Only 200 tokens are given per day but more than 500 are visiting, said an official.

In Kodambakkam, the camp at a school was so overcrowded on Monday that the corporation refrained from putting the list of camps on social media the next day. At a centre in suburban Chromepet, an elderly man registered for a dose but went back when he got to know Covishield wasn’t available. However, when he reached home, he got a message saying he had been administered Covaxin. “The person at the registration desk and the person the vaccine are different, but such errors cannot be accepted,” said the man who didn’t want to be identified.

A doctor at a UPHC said the problem was lack of manpower and complacency in implementing measures. “Last year, we had many volunteers and almost every positive case was traced the next day. All cases were taken to screening centre by officials themselves. Now, positive patients are walking into hospitals, UPHCs, screening centres and forming new clusters.”

Walk-in testing centres and crowds at screening centres are increasing the transmission rate. R Murugan, a resident, said containment strategies have not been implemented properly. “There are 315 streets with more than 10 cases and 895 with more than 6 cases on April 26. But positive patients are roaming the streets.” Rakesh of Royapuram said he didn’t know who to approach. “At Valasaravakkam, many positive patients were going to ATMs and medical shops,” he said.

LONG WAIT: People wait to get vaccinated for Covid-19 outside Government Medical College, Omandurar Estate

100% OCCUPANCY IN MANY PVT HOSPS

100% OCCUPANCY IN MANY PVT HOSPS

Patients complain of hosps turning them away citing no beds

Team TOI

28.04.2021 

An 81-year-old man waited a whole day outside a private hospital in Chennai as paramedics administered oxygen and closely monitored his vital parameters in an ambulance that ferried him all the way from Vellore.

The patient first reported to the emergency ward of a private hospital in Vellore with complaints of discomfort and uneasiness. The doctors asked the family to shift him after he tested Covid-positive on Sunday night. “They said they had no more isolation beds and that he cannot be taken to a normal ward. We were asked to vacate immediately. Every private hospital I called said they were full. We reached Chennai by 9.30am on Monday. My father spent the whole day in the ambulance. He was wheeled in at 6pm,” the patient’s son told TOI.

Patients say the state website only has details on private hospital beds and even that is not updated periodically. Across TN, patients complained that getting admitted was increasingly difficult, particularly in the private sector as hospitals either don’t have adequate beds or ventilators for critically ill patients.

In Chennai, nearly 84% of beds in the five government Covid hospitals were full, several private hospitals reported an occupancy rate of 100% or more. “We can’t add more beds because they don’t treat patients. We need doctors and nurses to care for patients. Most are already overworked,” said Dr S Suresh, who head VHS Hospitals in Chennai. Almost all 70 beds, 24 ICU beds and 11ventilators in the hospital were full. Several other hospitals reported more than 90% occupancy rate.

On an average, a nurse takes care of 15 patients in a ward, about 8 patients who are on oxygen beds and four who are in the ICU at government hospitals. In addition, most of these wards have duty doctors and PG medical students. “We have closed OP wards, asked doctors to attend only emergency cases. Still our ward is among the busiest,” said director of medical education Dr R Narayanababu. “Yet, we don’t turn away patients who require hospitalisation.”

When ESI Hospital in Coimbatore said all 680 beds were occupied, CMCH expanded its isolation ward from 865 beds to 1,045 beds. On Tuesday, 523 were occupied. Across the state, bed occupancy has increased in almost all private hospitals. In Trichy, a 70-year-old man was turned away by a private hospital. “He had an oxygen saturation level of 70. We took him to Mahatma Gandhi memorial government hospital, but it was too late,” said a family member. Hospital dean Dr K Vanitha said 530 of the 684 beds were occupied on Tuesday.

Useless to debate Covid deaths as the dead won’t come back to life: Khattar

Useless to debate Covid deaths as the dead won’t come back to life: Khattar

Ajay.Sura@timesgroup.com

Chandigarh:28.04.2021 

Dismissing talk of Haryana under-reporting Covid-19 deaths, chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Tuesday that there was “no point making a noise over the number of people who have died as the dead won’t come back to life”.

“We should avoid playing with the data related to deaths,” Khattar said in Rohtak while responding to a question on the district administration allegedly withholding the exact number of deaths caused by Covid.

“Our entire focus at present should be on how we can provide relief to the people in the state. Our endeavour would be to save the maximum lives. There is no point arguing about the number of deaths. The main issue at present is whether we are able to streamline our system,” the CM said. “Nobody knew about the pandemic. We need everyone’s support at this time and nobody should make data related to deaths a point of contention.”

Congress’s Randeep Surjewala latched on to Khattar’s comments, saying “such words can only be of a ruthless ruler”. “It is necessary to debate each and every death in the state that has taken place because of the government’s failure. It is warranted to debate so that it can reach BJP, which has turned a deaf ear to the issue,” he said.

In Rohtak, Khattar had denied that the administration’s handling of the Covid surge had been lax and insensitive.

Full report on www.toi-.in

HC denies requesting 5-star Covid facility

HC denies requesting 5-star Covid facility

Reports About Spl Treatment Sparked Furore

Aamir.khan2@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:28.04.2021 

Deputy CM Manish Sisodia on Tuesday night issued directions for immediate withdrawal of the order to set aside 100 rooms at the five-star Ashoka Hotel for exclusive Covid care for judges, judicial officers and their family members, after the Delhi high court took suo motu cognisance of media reports and issued notice to the government.

“This is very misleading. The high court hasn’t made any such request. There is absolutely no communication in this regard. We are taking note in this regard,” the HC said.

Earlier sources said Sisodia has asked for the file to find out how the order was passed. “Not even the deputy CM, who is the nodal minister for Covid management or the health minister were aware of the order. No copy of the order has been sent to them either,” sources, pleading anonymity, said.

A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli took a strict view of the April 25 order. The bench asked if, as an institution, it could go to the extent of asking the Delhi government to create a special facility for judges. “Will this not be patently discriminatory? People are not getting beds… We as an institution will ask for preferential treatment?” it added.

Ashoka Hotel, Delhi

‘We wanted to highlight Covid-19 impact on subordinate judiciary’

On Monday the media had reported that the Delhi government has ordered 100 rooms in Ashok Hotel to be converted into Covid health facility for the use of Delhi HC judges, other judicial officers and their families. Reports also said that an order was issued by sub-divisional magistrate, Chanakyapuri, Geeta Grover on April 25 following a request from the high court.

On Tuesday, the court took note of the order and clarified that all they wanted was to highlight the impact of the raging pandemic, primarily on the subordinate judiciary and its officers.

The court raised the issue with senior advocate Rahul Mehra who was appearing on behalf of the Delhi government in another case related to the city’s oxygen crisis.

It was pointed out that the judicial officers of trial courts had to go to courts for want of video-conferencing facilities and many got infected. “We have lost two judicial officers. All that we wanted was in case they needed hospitalisation, there should be facility available. But it is projected that we wanted a 100-bedded facility. This is exactly what we are telling you. You (Delhi government) are passing orders left, right and center. Projection is that either we have taken up the matter for ourselves or you are doing it to appease us,” the court said. When Mehra stated that it was the media playing a “mischievous role”, the bench stated, “Media is not wrong… Media is not wrong in pointing this out. You can’t create a facility for any class. This order is wrong.”

The court’s order to this effect was passed after enquiring from the Delhi HC Registrar General if such a request for setting aside rooms, or any other hotel either for judges of high court, or subordinate judiciary, or their family members, was made to the Delhi government. “We are informed that no such request has been made in respect of any hotel, much less Ashok Hotel,” it noted.

Death penalty of 34-yr-old child rapist commuted to life sentence

Death penalty of 34-yr-old child rapist commuted to life sentence

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:28.04.2021 

The death sentence awarded to a 34-year-old man who had raped and murdered a seven-year-old girl has now been commuted into one of life term, but he shall serve at least 25 years of actual imprisonment. Altering the death penalty, awarded by the Mahila court in Coimbatore, a division bench of Justice P N Prakash and Justice V Sivagnanam said the convict, Santhosh Kumar, should not be released under any statutory remission or commutation scheme until he had undergone 25 years of actual imprisonment. “It is a crime against a hapless minor girl,” the judges said.

Since the DNA reports disclosed the involvement of an unidentified male other than Santhosh Kumar in the crime, the bench upheld the order of the trial court directing further investigation in the case. “It has not been demonstrated to us that Santhosh Kumar was addicted to crime and that he is a menace to society, thereby ruling out any possibility of reformation. In the facts of this case, we are unable to persuade ourselves to hold that a sentence lesser than the death penalty is completely foreclosed,” the court said.

As life imprisonment is the rule and death sentence is the exception, the sentence of death awarded by the trial court is commuted to imprisonment for life with the rider, the bench added.

Modifying the order passed by the Coimbatore Mahila court, the bench directed Santhosh Kumar to pay ₹1lakh as fine in default of thereof, he will undergo simple imprisonment for one year. This part, the court directed the DGP to order an inquiry by an officer of the rank of DIG to take suitable action against the officer, who was responsible for permitting the media to have free access to the place of occurrence of the crime. Santhosh Kumar had raped and murdered the girl, daughter of a neighbour of his grandmother, at Pannimadai and dumped the body in a garbage bin on March 25, 2019. She was found with her limbs tied and the body bearing injuries, triggering protests by locals. Santhosh Kumar was arrested on March 31, 2019.

IIT-M, Anna University postpone exams

IIT-M, Anna University postpone exams

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:28.04.2021 

The Covid-19 second wave has forced universities and educational institutions to postpone their semester exams and online tests scheduled in May.

While IIT Madras has postponed its end semester exams scheduled from May 10, Anna University has postponed an online re-test for students from its four campuses scheduled to begin on May 3 due to the pandemic. The exam preparations of Madras University have also been affected by the pandemic.

IIT Madras had planned to conduct semester exams in pen-and-paper mode for students at Kendriya Vidyalayas from May 10.

“Due to the pandemic, the exams of January - May 2021 semester scheduled to be held from May 10 are postponed. The exact dates will be intimated later,” a circular from the institute said.

IIT Madras officials said the mode of exam will be finalised at a later date considering the pandemic situation.

Anna University had planned to conduct an online re-test from May 3 for students from its four campuses who had faced technical glitches during exams conducted in February and March.

“The retest will not begin on May 3. The new date will be announced shortly with the revised time table,” an announcement on the university website said.

The exams for affiliated college students are not yet finalised.

Madras University, which had planned to conduct semester exams from May 17, said its professors have not yet set question papers. “We are looking at alternate ways,” a professor from the university said.

Colleges like DG Vaishnav have postponed the exams for final year students from April last week to May